THE NIGERIAN
The Nigerian
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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l . 38 • N O . 482 • THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2 0 14 • N100. 0 0 GENDER ADVOCACY
Page 22 Women and violence
FG won’t negotiate with Boko Haram - Mark
By JOSES SEDE
ABUJA - Senate President David Mark yesterday, ruled out the possibility of the Federal Government negotiating with the dreaded Boko Haram sect on its latest proposal for the exchange of the
abducted schoolgirls with their members in Nigerian prisons. Fielding questions from correspondents in Beijing, China, the Senate President sounded that, “Nigeria
will not negotiate with terrorists under any circumstance because you don’t negotiate with criminals which the Boko Haram insurgents are”. Mark specifically
dismissed the possibility of President Goodluck Jonathan negotiating with the Boko Haram insurgents for the release of the remaining 234 girls abducted from the Continues on page 2
Oshiomhole commissions 300 cabs By ADAMS OYIBOKE
MAN AND NATURE Page 27
Millennium
BENIN CITY - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, commissioned 300 Comrade Cabs purchased by the State Government for the use of former Okada riders, to cushion the effects of the ban, in June last year. when I said that, I meant He thereafter drove it. Indeed, after my one of the cabs, round second tenure elections, Benin City, the state I renewed that capital, picking assurance and I know passengers and you were really shocked dropping them at their that after reassuring you destinations. repeatedly, you woke up Speaking at the one day to hear that the commissioning, same comrade had Oshiomhole said his decided to prohibit most difficult decision as Okada and to give you a Governor was banning very short notice that the use of commercial was less than one week. motorcycles in the state “That was a tough capital. moment for me because He said, “I found I believe that as we say, myself taking a tough those of us who are decision after repeatedly Christians say that there assuring Okada riders are moments of that Okada will not be temptation. There are banned in this state and things in government
that you are never able to disclose even as you are committed to accountability and transparency. “When it became
clear we had overwhelming majority of you honest, hardworking genuine Okada workers, labouring everyday to earn a living, we also
found out that some criminals from some other states had infiltrated your ranks and in no time became even more in numbers. It was clear that many of the Okada riders didn’t know anywhere in Benin City, and clearly they were here for different reasons.” He declared, “The
challenge for the decision maker is to see how you distinguish the genuine operatives from the criminals. That was a process that was physically impossible. I found myself having to say to you eyeball to eyeball, you no longer can drive commercial bikes in the city of Benin. Continues on page 2
Northern Senators vow to stop emergency rule By JOSES SEDE extension ABUJA - Serving Senators under the eagles of Northern Senators Forum, yesterday, rose from a three- hour closed doors meeting and vowed to frustrate the presidential request to extend emergency rule in the three North East States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. The Senators in their resolve stated that they would mobilize in their numbers to have the
constitutional requirement of two-third so as to vote against the President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to extend the emergency rule imposed on the three affected states to six months. The senators maintained that the extension of the emergency rule was not the best way to combat the insurgency which had paralyzed social and
TIT BIT “If you keep dumping into tomorrow the extra load of today, you will be creating a future of junk era.” - Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama
economic activities in the affected areas even though they welcomed the presence of friendly nations in the country in the fight against terrorism. Briefing newsmen after Continues on page 2
COMMISSIONING: Governor Adams Oshiomhole hands the key of a brand new “Comrade Cab” to Mr. Peter Adoror, Chairman, ex-Okada Riders’ Association during the commissioning of 300 Comrade Cabs which were distributed to ex-Okada riders in Benin City, yesterday.
Emergency rule: Senate invites security
chiefs, NSA . Reps to vote today By JOSES SEDE
ABUJA - Senate of the Federal Republic yesterday stood down proposed debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to further extend the 12month old State of Emergency earlier imposed on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, pending outcome of a scheduled discussion with the
country’s service chief and other stakeholders in the matter. The presidential request was listed for
debate on the order of paper yesterday, but Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, moved that it be deferred till today
(Thursday), to allow for the matter to be gazetted and circulated among senators. N d o m a - E g b a
explained that Senate can only debate the proclamation of a state of emergency after it has
been gazetted and copies of the gazette circulated to all Senators, “we must
Continues on page 2
Maiduguri residents avert Boko Haram attack
By JOSES SEDE MAIDUGURI - What could have been another terrible blood bath, which has become the hallmark of
... kill 200 militants
Islamist Boko Haram was yesterday prevented, when Residents of three villages in northern Nigeria
repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram Islamist fighters from their areas.
About 200 of the militants were reported killed during the fighting in the Kala-Balge district of Borno State, an eye witness who said the Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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News
FG won’t negotiate with Boko Haram
Continued from page 1 Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok,
Borno State about a month ago. He noted that negotiating with terrorists as proposed by Shekau over the abducted girls, would not help the nation but would rather give the insurgents room to wreck more havoc on both the country and its people without fulfilling the terms of agreement that may have been reached with them. “We are going to bring the girls back safe and sound for their parents without any negotiation with Boko Haram as every effort towards that which cannot be disclosed in the public, is being made to rescue the girls”, Senator Mark declared. He noted that “at the
beginning of the insurgency in 2010 or thereabout, government never knew that they had international network with other terror groups of the same mission.” The leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, had in a video message released on Monday and showing the abducted girls for the first time since their abduction, vowed that the girls would only be released if government agrees to swap them for detained members of the group in various cells across the country. Shekau had said: “These are the girls abducted by our fighters and whose release the Nigerian government has been calling for. We won’t release them to you and you can’t take them away from us no matter how you try. “We would only release them if you, the government release our brothers you have arrested
and detained for four to five years now.” Meanwhile, the United States has begun flying “manned” missions over Nigeria to track down more than 200 abducted schoolgirls as experts pored over a new video seeking clues to where they are being held, a report by AFP stated. The missions, which commenced on Monday, involve the use of aircraft, including drones, to find the abducted teenage girls. “We have shared commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerians and are flying manned ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) assets over Nigeria with the government’s permission,” a senior administration official told AFP, asking not to be named. It was not immediately clear what kinds of aircraft were being deployed, nor where they had
Oshiomhole commissions 300 cabs
Continued from page 1 That was the most difficult decision I have ever had to take since I became the governor of the state. It was a choice between what was politically convenient and what was in the best interest of the Edo public including your own selves.” Governor Oshiomhole maintained that in providing the taxis, “government gave 15% subsidy on the price of each vehicle and the subsidy is a grant that we are giving to each of the beneficiary. We are not expecting you to pay back to the government of Edo State”. Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Orobosa Omo Ojo said government
negotiated to reduce the interest rate by the bank from 21% to 18% as well as providing a comprehensive insurance. On his part, the Chairman of the former Okada Riders, Comrade Peter Adoroh appreciated the Comrade Governor for the provision of the first phase of 300 taxi cabs promising “We will remain with you come rain or sunshine”. After the commissioning, the Governor literally turned a taxi driver as he drove round Benin City, the state capital, picking passengers and dropping them at their destinations. The Governor who drove one of the cabs shortly after the commissioning picked some students of Imaguero
the meeting, Chairman, No rthern senators Forum,
“The constitution requires twothird majority in terms of voting. Of course we are going to vote on the issue. If we can out number them during the voting fine, but of course, our position is that we are going to vote against it. “Technically, Section 304 sub section 6, states the requirements of how the state of emergency should be declared and our own position is against it and obviously, we are going to stand by it.” He, however, stated that extension of emergency rule was not the panacea for the insurgency in the affected states
College who had closed and were on their way home and dropped them at Mission road. Thereafter, the Governor picked two new passengers from Mission road to New Benin and charged them N30 as their fare, saying the N30 he decided to charge was as fare because it was a short route which shouldn’t attract much fare. He however did not collect the fare from his passengers. From New Benin market, he picked fresh passengers to the Mission road and charged the same N30 fare before he drove down to the NNPC Mega station on Sapele road to fill the tank of his cab. He paid N3,298:00 to fill the tank of his cab.
Senators vow to stop emergency rule Continued from page 1 extension but that the way out of the crisis
Senator Umaru Dahiru, said the group had set up a committee to meet with the government of the affected states on the way forward. Senator Dahiru who represents the Sokoto South Senatorial district in the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted, “Our meeting this afternoon discussed basically, the issue of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Everybody in attendance made contributions and a lot was said. “The majority position is basically that we are not going with the state of emergency. That is our categorical position because we are not convinced that it is only the issue of emergency rule that could make the security personnel to achieve success in the area. “We believe a lot of things ought to be addressed in order to conquer the issue of insurgency. So, our own position is that we are not going to support extension of the emergency rule in the area. “We are going to engage the three governors in the affected states, we want to know what went wrong to be able to come up with better ways to tackle the crisis. However, the government must work for the benefits of its citizens. “The leadership of the affected states and our forum here are saying no to emergency rule.
would be made known after the committee set up by the forum had submitted its report and conveyed the recommendations to the government. The NSF also commended the efforts of the military in the fight against the insurgency and pledged the support of his group on whatever would be needed to ensure their success. Senator Dahiru expressed support for the decision of friendly foreign powers to assist the country to rescue the school girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect but noted that such help must be on the terms of the Nigerian government.
come from. Also, a new video released by the Boko Haram group purportedly showing about 130 of the girls was being carefully studied by American experts in the hope it might yield vital clues as to where the girls are being held. “Our intelligence experts are combing through every detail of the video for clues that might help ongoing efforts to secure the release of the girls,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. “We have no reason to question its authenticity,” she added of the video. Psaki recalled that the US policy was also “to deny kidnappers the benefits of their criminal acts, including ransoms or concessions.” However, indications emerged yesterday that the Federal Government may be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram sect holding more than 200 schoolgirls, a month after the kidnapping that has provoked global outrage. “The window of negotiation is still open,” the Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, told Reuters by telephone. He spoke a day after Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, posted a video offering to release the girls in exchange for prisoners held by the government. Senior officials say the government is exploring options and has made no commitment to negotiations for the release of the girls, and Turaki declined to comment on possible talks over the kidnapping itself. Instead, he referred to an amnesty committee that he heads, set up by President Goodluck Jonathan last year to talk to the Boko Haram militants behind a five-year-old insurgency. The committee’s initial sixmonth mandate expired without holding direct talks with the rebels, though it has spoken to them through proxies. It has since been replaced by a standing committee empowered to conduct talks, officials said. Boko Haram has killed thousands of people since 2009 and destabilised parts of northeast Nigeria. The abductions have triggered a worldwide social media campaign under the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, and prompted the United States, Britain, France and Israel to offer help or send experts to Nigeria.
Senate invites security chiefs, NSA
Continued from page 1
circulate the gazette before we can debate it”, he stressed. He also urged that Senate would require adequate briefing from security agencies in closed doors, on progress of the ongoing emergency rule which has been in place since May last year (2013) before it could proceed with the consideration. “It is the tradition of this Senate that we appraise and assess the performance of the state of emergency, before we debate any request for extension. So I will move that this Distinguished Senate do invite the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, to brief this Distinguished Senate tomorrow (today) in a close session to enable us to commence debate on the President’s request”, he continued. Senator James Manager, who seconded the motion submitted
that, “it is important to invite the service chiefs but since they were under some authorities and amended the motion as proposed by the senate leader by adding “three very important persons” “First the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Police Affairs” Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, described the motion as “a very serious business which bothers on the security of a part of this country”. He also noted that the Senate needs to be “well informed of the situation on ground and the efficiency or the effectiveness of the state of emergency in the past 12 months to enable us take a proper decision.” “I therefore appeal that in accordance with the motion moved by the Senate Leader, we should step it down till another legislative day”, he stressed, and put the question that was carried
in the affirmative. Those to meet with the Senate at closed doors session are: the Ministers of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau, Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan, National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will today, vote on the extension of state of emergency in Adamawa , Borno and Yobe states. President Goodluck Jonathan in a letter to the House on May 13, requested for the extension of the state of emergency in the three states for another six months. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal announced during plenary yesterday in Abuja after contributions by some members on the issue that the matter would be put to vote.
Ecological Fund
Council refutes report
ABUDU – Orhionmwon Local Government Council has refuted a newspaper report, not The NIGERIA OBSERVER, that the council received N63 million ecological fund in September 2013, saying the publication was fictitious, frivolous and vexatious. In a signed statement on behalf of the Chairman, Chief Roland Ibierutomwen, the Ewekaguosadoba of Benin Kingdom, Barr. J. E. Oduwa explained that ecological fund is not managed by the local government council but by the federal government in collaboration with the state government. According to him, it is a calculated attempt to mislead the public and the good people of the local government area and to distract the chairman and the management from providing the dividends of democracy to the people. Barr. Oduwa noted that for such publication to be made, there should have been
substantial documentary evidence and thorough investigation, adding that the chairman and his management team were determined to continually provide infrastructural development to the area. “We shall not be distracted by any disgruntled element whose aim is to cause chaos, with animosity and to incite the good people of Orhionmwon against the chairman and his management team”, he noted. While it welcomes constructive criticism that will promote development, Barr. Oduwa pointed out that the council frowns at comments or publication that will ridicule the good intention of the council administration. He therefore, appealed to the people of the area to provide useful and meaningful suggestions that will enhance and uplift the standard of living of the people.
CBN saves N450bn from cashless policy By JOSES SEDE ABUJA – The CBN Acting Governor, Dr. Sarah Alade yesterday said the Apex Bank has saved N450bn from the cashless policy, even as a group of retired Ambassadors appeared before the Confab Committee on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters and appealed for increased allocation of funds to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also want career advancement for career diplomats up to the post of Ambassador and advocated for a separate foreign service for the ministry. Some of them called for an end to placement of ceiling on the funds to be spent in the ministry’s budget, an end to the incursion of noncareer diplomats into the
ministry, as well as having a basic minimum standard for people engaged in the ministry. A five per cent proportion of non-career diplomats into the ministry was also advocated just as one of them reiterated the need for the autonomy of the foreign ministry. He said the structures of the ministry have been completely destroyed. The Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sarah Alade, was at the sitting of the Committee on Trade and Investment. Speaking on the imperative of the cashless economy policy, she said the CBN was spending N450 billion to print new notes. She said that about 90%
Maiduguri residents abort Boko Haram attack
Continued from page 1 r esidents had formed a
vigilante group, volunteered. It was also learnt yesterday that certain disgruntled soldiers opened fire on the convoy of a top military commander in Maiduguri, the main city in Borno State. No one was injured when angry soldiers opened fire as the convoy was heading towards the Maimalari barracks to protest against poor pay and a lack of equipment to tackle Boko Haram, the sources said. Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade confirmed an incident had taken place in Maiduguri, but said it was an internal matter and there was no reason for public concern. It is exactly a year since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno and its neighbouring states of Adamawa and Yobe in an effort to curb Boko Haram’s insurgency. The area which came under attack by the suspected militants on Tuesday is not far from the site of a market
massacre in the town of Gamboru Ngala 10 days when more than 300 people were killed by gunmen. A security official also volunteered that the vigilantes in Kala-Balge, which is near Lake Chad, were ready for a fight after learning of an impending Boko Haram attack. The eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns, said the area was littered with bodies after the fighting. He had seen 50 bodies in one village and 150 in another village, all of which he thought were the corpses of militants. Residents also seized three cars and a military vehicle from the attackers, he said. Boko Haram had about a month ago, abducted more than 200 girls during a raid on a boarding school in Borno state a month ago. Their kidnapping has caused international outrage, and foreign teams of experts are in the country to assist the security forces in tracking them down.
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Across The Nation Industrial Harmony, Key To Nat’l Transformation - Ekweremadu By JOSES SEDE
The Chairman, Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadia (left) presenting a wheel barrow to Mrs. Isoken Evbuomwan at a meeting of the Commission in Okada recently. PHOTO: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
ABUJA - The National Assembly will continue to take all necessary legislative steps to promote industrial harmony in Nigeria, saying it was an important ingredient in fasttracking the country’s transformation agenda. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu gave the assurance in Abuja at the public presentation of the book “National Industrial Court of Nigeria: Law, Practice and Procedure”. Senator Ekweremadu said the desire to promote industrial harmony in the country informed the decision of the National Assembly to effect a Third
Amendment to the 1999 constitution, to firmly make the National Industrial Court a superior court of record exclusively vested with jurisdiction over all labour, employment and ancillary matters. He said: “We realised that for the Court to function appropriately and effectively, there was the need to confer it with constitutional status as a superior court of record and vest it with exclusive jurisdiction over labour and employment matters. “The National Assembly believes that industrial harmony is an indispensable ingredient in our quest for national development. We believe that a labourer deserves not only his or her wages, but also working conditions and environment that maximises his or her potentials for national transformation. And we also believe that employers of labour are also entitled to the
services they pay for.” Senator Ekweremadu described the book authored by the Lead Consultant to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review and a Professor of Law, Offornze Amucheazi and Mr. Paul Abba as a “timely effort to fill the attendant knowledge gap regarding the adjudication of labour and employment matters in Nigeria under the new dispensation”. The book reviewer, Prof. Maxell Gidado described the book as a sound effort in simplifying labour and employment adjudication under the 1999 Constitution as amended. The event was attended by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo; while the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the Governor of Anambra, Dr. Willie Obiano were represented.
JAMB Fixes May 17-31 For 2014 UTME The statement also described
A cross section of APC women at a meeting of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) at Okada, Ovia North East LGA of Edo State. PHOTO: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
BWARI (FCT) - The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed May 17 to 31 for the conduct of 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) through Computer Based Test (CBT). This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Fabian Gabriel, the Head of Public Relations of the board, and issued to newsmen in Abuja. According to the statement, the CBT will take place in over 163 centres in Nigeria and abroad, saying the date was sacrosanct.
Senate C’ttee Tells FERMA DG To Resign
ABUJA - Ahmed Lawan led Senate Committee on Public Accounts yesterday lashed out at the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Mr. Gabriel Amuchi, over his refusal to appear before
them to defend his agency’s accounts. They asked him to resign if he was not ready to account for his stewardship to Nigerians even as they threatened to “deploy all legislative instruments provided by the Constitution” to compel him to honour their invitation next Tuesday.
The Committee led by its Chairman, Senator Ahmed Lawan, stated this at a scheduled public hearing with the agency to discuss issues arising from the 2009 Auditor-General’s report on FERMA. lawan noted that Amuchi had in the past failed to honour the
committee’s invitation to the hearing. He said the Assistant Committee Clerk, Mr. Abbas Mohammed, through a letter dated April 29, 2014, asked the FERMA boss to submit record of financial control and operations, names and addresses of banks operated by FERMA,
LAGOS - Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has identified standard as a challenge to poultry development in the country. He said that international standard must be adopted in the country. Adesina spoke in Lagos on Wednesday at the 2014 Poultry
Summit by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN). The minister was represented by Prof. Funso Sonaiya, the Leader of Poultry Transformation Team of the Agriculture Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government. “Government policy is to shift from the development process to
cannot move unless we are moving to the poultry sector. “The challenge we observed was that there was need to standardise and certify poultry products in the country. “If we are able to meet international standard, then we can be sure of exporting our poultry products. “This is not to drive anybody away from the business, but to
The minister announced that many industrial standards for implementation had been set up to further promote the industry. “We have the Breeder Farm Production Standard, the Hatchery Operations Standard, the Slaughter House Operations and Veterinary Drug/Medicine Standard. “We have trained 20 inspectors.
By JOSES SEDE
Agric Minister Identifies Standard As Challenge recognise hardwork, `` he said. business. We observed that we To Poultry Devt
and approval to operate account with commercial bank(s). Other documents demanded were, bank statements, deduction of taxes (VAT and WHT) and evidence of remittances, training/seminars, workshop, conferences, etc undertaken with details of cost and beneficiaries. Others are, schedules of contracts awarded in the past five years, which should include: project title, project location; name of contractor, contract sum; date of award, amount paid to date; actual date of completion and audited accounts from 2005 to date, among others. Lawan lamented that rather than appearing personally before the committee, Amuchi sent the agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Taiwo Oladipo, to represent him.
CBT as the best mode of examination. It, however, urged the candidates to reprint their eslip in the event they missed or misplaced their schedules. “Over 616,000 candidates are expected to sit for the examination with over 250 prisoners in Kaduna and Ikoyi prisons,” it added. “The CBT remains the best mode as it provides better platform for the candidates to articulate their educational pursuit. “It eliminates result blackout or incomplete results and eliminates examination malpractice and enhances prompt release of scores two hours after the examination, among other benefits too numerous to mention,” the statement said. It added that the board was determined to go full-blown with CBT in 2015 UTME, owing to the success recorded in 2013 and the quests to sanitise the education sector. The statement said that CBT was introduced in 2012 while the maiden edition was conducted in the 2013 UTME alongside the conventional Paper Pencil Test and Dual Based Test. The statement reported Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar of JAMB, as saying that the desire to go full swing with CBT in 2015 was nonnegotiable. It urged Nigerians to see it as a revolution in the examination industry.
THE NIGERIAN
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News Deregulation IPMAN To Build 2 Refineries
Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (3rd right), Chairman, North East Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Shuaibu Byal (2nd right) and Chairperson, protest Group in Bauchi, Malama Nafisa Haruna (right), during Christians and Muslims Ladies Peaceful protest over the abduction of Chibok School Girls in Bauchi recently.
ABUJA - The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that it would construct two petroleum refineries in Bayelsa and Kogi to support deregulation of the petroleum downstream. The IPMAN National President, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, disclosed this when he led other executive members on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, in Abuja. He said the association remained committed to government policy on deregulation and had concluded arrangements to construct two petroleum refineries. “The new executive of this association is on board and we are ready to partner with the Federal Government to
and partner institutions for staff training and exchange programmes. In a keynote address, an actuary, Amb. Godson Echegile, while commending PenCOM, noted that a lot needed to be done to ensure a wider coverage and sustained growth of the pension industry. Echegile said there should be a plan to accommodate more workers in the scheme, especially those in the states civil service, address the issue of transition of contributors to the new scheme as well as non-remittance of deductions to PenCOM. He listed the key manpower areas of the Pension Industry as accounting, law, insurance and actuarial science and urged participants to evolve ways of developing effective manpower from the fields.
improve the petroleum industry in the country. “As I speak, our technical team is expected in the country any moment; refinery is not a big deal, but the way it is magnified makes it scary. “We were the first to do these tank farms that people are now using all over the place and we are determined to repeat same in refining of petrol,” he said. He said that the association had a track record of introducing measures to ameliorate the hardship experienced by consumers. Okoronkwo said IPMAN was fully in support of a deregulated petroleum downstream sector, noting that trends in the industry did not support full public participation in the petroleum downstream. Earlier, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, urged the association to embrace government’s proposition and lead a national campaign for the deregulation of the downstream sector. He said that the support of the association was central to the actualisation of government’s proposition for a deregulated sector. Maku said that the advantages of a deregulated downstream sector could not be compared to what is currently obtained in the sector. He said increased employment opportunities, improved economic activities and general change in the wellbeing of citizens as some of the benefits derivable in a deregulated economy. Maku added that fraud associated with subsidy in the petroleum sector would be eliminated, while extra funds would be made available for government to execute other people-oriented projects. The minister urged the association to address issues related to the sale of petrol above government approved prices. Maku expressed displeasure that apart from Abuja and Lagos, marketers in other locations across the country were selling products above the fixed prices.
government would soon cancel all the licences of under performing miners across that the country. Sambo stated this when the leadership of the Dangote Group, led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, paid him a courtesy call at the State House, Abuja. He said the licences would be cancelled to attract more serious investors in the mining sector. The vice president expressed government’s readiness to provide incentives to the private sector in the development of coal mining for electricity generation. He, therefore, challenged the Dangote Group to take advantage of the opportunities in the nation’s mining sector by investing in the sector. Sambo commended the
Dangote Group for its huge investment in sugar plantation in the country, saying such investment would create employment opportunities to millions of Nigerians. He reassured that government would continue to provide incentives to the private sector for the development of the Nigerian economy. He congratulated the group on its plan to undertake concrete road projects, saying such projects would address the problems associated with routine road maintenance in the country. Sambo further assured the group of government’s readiness to partner the private sector on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the execution of capital projects, especially in the areas of infra structural
New Revenue Formula: Politicians Back Proposal
LAGOS - Some politicians have expressed their support for a new revenue sharing formula proposed by the National Conference Committee on Devolution of powers. The committee had on May 5 proposed that 42.5 per cent of the revenue should be allocated to the Federal Government, 35.0 per cent to states and 22.5 per cent to local governments. Presently, the Federal Government gets 52.68 per cent, the states get 26.7 per cent and 20.60 per cent goes to local governments. The Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Nkem Lemchi, told newsmen that the proposed revenue sharing formula was one that could promote grassroots development. “The new revenue sharing formula proposed by the confab committee at 57.5 per cent for states and local governments and 42.5 per cent for Federal Government is pragmatic. “This is because more money will be available for grassroots development, thus the people will have a feel of closer governance,” he said.
Lemchi, therefore, suggested that the joint states and local governments account should be separated to ensure full autonomy. Malam Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), an NGO, said the proposal would reduce over concentration of resources at the centre. “If we want to move forward, deliver democracy and good
governance to the grassroots, we need to agree to this new revenue sharing proposal that will ensure accountability at all levels,” Rafsanjani said. A former National Chairman of the de-registered Progressive Action Council (PAC), Chief Charles Nwodo, said the proposal would ensure economic stability in the country if it scaled through. “The proposal is a welcome development; we are expecting
that most responsibilities should be transferred to the states in line with the devolution of powers. “The states should handle education from primary to secondary school; the primary healthcare should also be the responsibility of the states and the local governments. “We also expect that most powers and responsibilities should be transferred to states and local governments directly while the Federal Government should be concerned with
policies, research and funding,” he said. Nwodo said that the concentration of power at the centre was a major cause of the struggle for power in Nigeria. Alhaji Musa Umar, a chieftain of the APC in Kano State, said that the Federal Government ought to have less than 42 per cent of the revenue. He also advised that there should be fiscal discipline among the three tiers of government for better service delivery.
Stakeholders Discuss Effective Pension Mgt
ABUJA - Stakeholders in the finance and education sector in Abuja began discussions on ways of effectively managing pensions in the country. The meeting is discussing “Manpower Development for Nigerian Universities and the Nigerian Pension Industry”. Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) said legislation alone could not drive the current process of Nigeria’s pensions management. He said that adequate and proper manpower was required to work with the law to fill in current gaps in the
administration of pension funds. Okojie said the necessary machinery to enforce any policy ought to be put in place before such policies were brought to the fore. He said the NUC identified gaps that could be properly addressed by the Nigerian University System. “The Pension Reform Act of 2004 was a major shift to an era of coordinated pension management aimed at ensuring that each Nigerian worker, in both public and private sector, has a well defined plan for their
Christians and Muslims ladies in a peaceful protest over the abduction of Chibok School Girls in Bauchi recently.
retirement benefits through the mandatory Contributory Pension Scheme. “Despite the noble idea behind the scheme, available evidence attests to the fact that its implementation has been fraught with weak institutional support and poor manpower administration. “Presently, the value of assets under the scheme for both the public and private sectors is over N4.0 trillion, thus the urgency and expediency for stakeholders to evolve a mechanism which would promote the efficient management of the assets for the benefit of government and contributors,” he said. According to him, NUC is conscious of its statutory responsibility and is determined to fast-track production of required manpower for the pension industry by developing actuarial scientists/actuaries and linkages with highly ranked global institutions in the course training. Okojie said the workshop would discuss modalities for raising the required fund from institutions, such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), PenCOM, National Insurance Company and Central Bank of Nigeria for the training of postgraduate students to doctorate level in actuarial science. He said other issues to be looked at were the review of the curriculum of study in line with current international trends, adoption of modalities for sustainable production of manpower for the pensions industry and identify trainees
FG To Cancel Mining Licences ABUJA - Vice President - Sambo Namadi Sambo has said
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Police Arraign Driver
South West
Murder:
SANGO-OTA (OGUN)An articulated vehicle driver, Tunde Akinwunmi, 30, who allegedly killed one pedestrian was arraigned in an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun. The accused, who lives at No. 16, Kumuyi Street, Iyana Iyesi, Ota, is facing a threecount charge of manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving without a driver’s licence. The prosecutor, Insp Mustapha Abdulkareem, said the accused committed the offences on April 27 at 8.30 p.m. at Olorunda Village, Idiroko Road, in Ota. He said the accused hit the pedestrian, Timothy Fiola, 53, with his articulated vehicle with No. SMK 799 XG, and the victim was later confirmed dead. Abdulkareem also alleged that Akinwunmi drove his trailer recklessly without respect for other road users. The offences, he noted, contravened sections 5, 6 (1) and 10 (1) of the Federal Highway Act Cap. 135, Revised Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Abimbola, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum. She said the surety should be the owner of the trailer, and that the investigation officer must not release the vehicle until further instruction from the court. Abimbola said the surety must swear to an affidavit of means and produce evidence of tax payment to Ogun State Government in the last one year. She said the surety must also submit his passport photograph to the court as part of the bail conditions. Abimbola adjourned the case till July 15 for mention.
L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, guest lecturer, Prof. Rotimi Suberu and representative of the Director General, Nigerian Institute of Social Economic Research (NISER), Prof. Victor Adeyeye, at a lecture on Reforming the Nigerian Political System in Ibadan recently.
Board Gives Pilgrims June Deadline
ABEOKUTAThe Ogun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has given intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj in the state, up till June 20, to make payments, or lose their
chances. The is contained in a statement, signed by Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed Executive Secretary of the board, issued on Monday in Abeokuta. In the statement.
Rasheed said that the board had fixed a tentative fee of N710, 000 for each applicant. It also said that it had concluded screening
Veteran Journalist Declares Senatorial the first way to cushion the effects of unemployment is IJEBU-ODE (OGUN)- A Ambition through social support,” he veteran journalist, Adebayo Onanuga, has urged the Federal Government to create a social security scheme to cushion the effect of poverty. Onanuga made the call while declaring his intention to contest the Ogun East Senatorial District position in the 2015 general elections on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking with newsmen at the flag-off of the campaign in Ijebu-Ode, Onanuga said social security was fundamental to economic stability. He said statistics revealed by
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that “about 70 percent of Nigerians were living on below one dollar daily.” “With a welfare programme in place, it is possible for Nigerians waking up without thinking about where the next meal will come from. “It should not be a problem for any Nigerian who loses his job to think about how he will pay his house rent. “It should not be a problem for a man who has worked for 35 to 40 years serving his
country to worry about life after retirement. “Health delivery services are still generally expensive as many Nigerians cannot afford basic healthcare,” he said. According to him, Nigeria should seek to emulate the British model where laws to establish welfare programmes were created and enforced. ‘’Our country should begin to look into instituting welfare programmes that would have positive impact on our people. ‘’It is frustration and desperation that force the hands of youths into vice and
said. He said his desire to contest was driven by his passion to tackle the challenges of poverty, unemployment and infrastructure deficits. “Politics is not a do-or-die affair for me, but I believe that our nation is condemned to more decades of poverty until we put the right people in the right positions,” he said. Reports state that Onanuga had been the Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief of The News group, publishers of A.M./P.M. Newspapers and The News magazine since 1993.
Nigerians in China join “Bring Back Our Girls” Campaign during the visit of Senate President David Mark to China recently.
exercise to ascertain the eligibility of applicants. He said that all successful applicants were expected to verify their names at the board, adding that the tentative fee was subject to adjustment any time the official fee was announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Headquarters (NAHCON) in Abuja. He further stressed that the decision to collect the fees in advance was
necessitate by the need to fast-track preparations for the exercise “This fees are still subject to review by the NAHCON, but it will serve as a basis for applicants to secure their chances of participating in the 2014 exercise,” he said. Rasheed also advised intending pilgrims to promptly submit their epassports after fulfilling all requirements so as to enable the board commence the processing of travel documents in earnest.
Extra-Marital Affairs
Court Dissolves 4 Year-Old Marriage IBADAN- A Mapo Customary Court, Ibadan, has dissolved a four-yearold marriage between Adekola Abioye and Mary Adekola over the woman’s alleged extra-marital affairs. The President of the Court, Mr Ezekiel Ogundipe, said Mary’s refusal to show up in court to defend herself meant “admission of guilt’’. He said she was invited to defend allegation against her, but did not shown up even when she was well aware of the case. “The court, therefore, dissolves the union. Abioye shall henceforth pay a monthly feeding allowance of N2,000 to the court for the upkeep of their twoyear-old child. “Mary shall come to the court for collection of the
money and shall bring the child anytime Abioye wants to see his son,” Ogundipe ruled. Abioye, a baker and resident of Olomi area of Ibadan, had earlier told the court that Mary was an amorous woman. “I have two wives and she is the second, I rented a separate apartment for her. “I met her concubine lying with her on the matrimonial bed. I was saddened and I wanted to quit the marriage then but relatives pleaded with me. “She didn’t stop at that; she brought the same concubine to a party which I attended in her father’s house. “She is not trustworthy and does not take instructions from me,” Abioye said.
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Lagos
Pipeline Vandalism
Court Jails 5 Persons
Women’s Wing of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State led by Senator Oluremi Tinubu protesting over the abduction of over 200 Chibok School Girls in Lagos recently.
LAGOS - A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday sentenced five men to three years imprisonment for unlawfully dealing in petroleum products. The convicts are: Ishola Ganiyu, 48; Ishola Omopariola, 41; Kayode Ajose, 43; Aramide Solomon, 35, and Dare Adedayo, 33. They were arraigned on March 26, 2013. But the five, who were arraigned on five-count charge of conspiracy, theft, armed robbery, dealing in petroleum products without licence and pipeline vandalism, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them. Justice Ibrahim Buba convicted the men on counts four and five and discharged
Stakeholder Wants Culture In Education Curriculum
LAGOS- Mr Shedrach Golen, the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), has urged institutions in the country to help in promoting Nigerian culture. Golen spoke with newsmen in Lagos. He said the educational institutions could do this by including the teaching of various aspects of Nigerian culture in their curriculum to enhance the development of youths. The director called on institutions and tourism
training centres to include in their curriculum those courses that would promote better understanding of indigenous culture. “Grooming of learners and promoting culture will create a sense of pride and identity for the youth. Culture also help to preserve the country’s unity,” Golen said. According to him, CBAAC has taken different measures to foster the preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage by organising different training programmes for members. Golen urged parents to play a major role in ensuring that
were on Monday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly attacking a man with machete and broken bottles. Awala, 34, lives at Ajegunle area of Apapa, while Ndedigwe, 25, resides at IjoraBadia, Lagos. The duo is standing trial on a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy. The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 18 at 10.00 p.m. at 29, Jimoh Ojora St., Ajegunle. Friday said the accused with others still at large attacked one Mr Salami Yakubu with a machete and broken bottles and injured him. “Awala and Ndedigwe attempted to escape after committing the offences, but they were apprehended by some neighbours, who handed them over to the police.’’
He said on interrogation the accused could give any reason for the attack. Inedu noted that the offences contravened Sections 171 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The reports state that Section 171 stipulates three years imprisonment for unlawful assault, while Section 409 prescribes a twoyear sentence for conspiracy. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Senior Magistrate, Adeyemi Amos, in his ruling, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety each in like sum. He said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions. Further hearing in the case was adjourned to May 21.
2 Men Arraigned For LAGOS - Two men, Victor Assualt Awala and Peace Ndedigwe,
children were abreast of their culture by associating with culture. “Culture goes along with language because language plays a vital role in the promotion, preservation and propagation of culture,” he said. Golen described language as a tool for the transmission
of a country’s cultural heritage. He called on government at all levels to encourage the teaching of culture and indigenous languages to foster the nation’s development. “Nigerians should promote their cultural heritage and identify with their culture by partaking in activities that
will help promote the Nigerian culture and development,” Golen said. The director also urged educational institutions across the country to include culture-related programmes in their curriculum to foster the promotion of African culture and style nationally and internationally.
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The accused persons are facing a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action. Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, ruling on an application filed by Okoh’s counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), ordered the EFCC to release his international
passport. The judge held that since the EFCC did not oppose the application for permission to travel, Okoh’s passport should be released to enable him embark on the trip between May 14 and May 30. “The applicant is to return the documents to the custody of the EFCC on or before June 6,” the judge said. In another development,
them on counts one to three. The judge sentenced the convicts to three years imprisonment for counts four and five, which he said were to run concurrently, but gave each of them an option of N600, 000 fine. Buba said that the sentences for Ganiyu, Omopariola and Ajose, who had been on bail, would take effect from May 9. He said that the sentences of the two other convicts, Solomon and Adebayo, would take effect from Jan. 16, 2013, when they were arrested and had since been in custody. According to him, the five were convicted following the prosecution’s ability to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Mark-Athony Akarelire, counsel to the convicts, appealed to the court for leniency for his clients. According to him, the men were first offenders and bread winners of their various families and had learnt their lessons. Akarelire said that the men would shun lives of crime if they are pardoned. During the arraignment, the prosecutor, Mr Mathew Omosun, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Jan. 16, 2013 at the Ikorodu area of Lagos. He said that the accused were caught dealing in petroleum products, without the appropriate licence.
N4.7bn Fraud: Accused Granted Permission IKEJA- An Ikeja High Court hearing of the applications filed To Travel has granted permission to an by the accused, seeking to accused, Alex Okoh, to travel to the U.S. for a business conference. Okoh is charged alongside the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Ltd., Wale Babalakin, over the alleged transfer of N4.7 billion on behalf of former Delta Governor, James Ibori. They are being prosecuted alongside their companies – Stabilini Visioni Ltd., BiCourtney Ltd. and Renix Nigeria Ltd. by the Economic and
Traffic Gridlock at Ojota in Lagos recently.
dismiss the charges against them, was adjourned due to the absence of the EFCC’s lead counsel. The lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had sent a letter to the court explaining that he was handling another criminal matter in an Ikeja High Court. Jacobs had, therefore, asked the court to adjourn the proceedings to enable him to personally hear the arguments of the defence counsel in support of the applications.
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Across The Nation Teenager Jailed For took the girl with Abduction actually him to Abuja, where he had
States Chairmen and Secretaries of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) at the NCPC conference of States in Abuja recently.
MINNA - A Magistrates’ Court in Minna has sentenced a teenager, Abdul Mohammed, to six months imprisonment for abducting a girl for the purpose of sex. The Magistrate, Hafsat Abdullahi, in her judgment, held that the convict looked remorseful in the course of his trial and also begged for leniency. “He is hereby sentenced to six months imprisonment without option of fine, starting from the first day of his remand,” she said. Mohammed, 18, was arraigned on one-count charge of abduction contrary Section 272 of the Penal Code, he pleaded guilty and begged for leniency. He explained that he
gone to play a football match. Prosecutor Haruna Azekpili had told the court that Adamu Ibrahim of Farm Centre, Tunga, Minna, reported the matter at the Tudun Wada Police Station on April 29. Azekpili said the complainant had alleged that his daughter, Bilkisu Suleiman, left the house in January to an unknown destination. He said the father upon inquiry discovered that the convict, a resident of Soggi Area Tunga, had abducted the girl for the purpose of sex. The prosecutor, thereafter, urged the court to try him summarily in line with Section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
improving the lives of less privileged citizens. The chairman, however, expressed disappointment that beggars were still flooding the streets of Sokoto city and its environs in spite of the state government’s
gesture. On their part, the chairmen of health and orphans subcommittees, Alhaji Nura Attajiri and Malam Sani Sagir, respectively advised the beneficiaries to use the money for the purpose it was meant for.
Sokoto Disburses N109.5m To Physically Challenged, Others SOKOTO - Sokoto State has disbursed N109.5 million as allowances to persons with disabilities and other categories of indigent persons in the state. The reports that the money was disbursed under the auspices of the State Zakkat and Endowment Committee. The Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, disclosed this at the commencement of the disbursement in Sokoto He said that N90 million out of the amount was for the payment of monthly allowances to 6,923 persons with disabilities in the 23 local government areas of the state. “Each month, the state government gives the committee N45 million and today’s is for two months. “The payments are the arrears of December 2013
and the payment for April, 2014, as each beneficiary gets N6,500 per month. “Each of the beneficiaries will, therefore, get N13,000 for the two months as stated earlier.” Maidoki said that the balance of N19.5 million was given to the various subcommittees under the main committee. According to him, the disbursement is for their various activities for the month of April. The sub committees included those of health which got N6 million; Orphans, N2 million; accommodation, N1.5 million; as well as enlightenment and publicity which got N1.5 million. Similarly, the investment sub-committee received N3.5 million, sub-committee for the treatment of mentally deranged persons, N2 miilon; while N3 million was set
Housing Workers
Gov Signs MoU AWKA- Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rockland Development Limited for the construction of 1,000 housing units for workers in the state. Obiano said while signing the MoU that the housing units were one of the many programmes outlined by his administration for public servants in the state. The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr Chidi Ezeoke, recalled that he recently donated four 38-seater buses to workers to ease their transportation problem.
“The move is a practical demonstration that the present administration has the interest of the workers at heart as evidenced in its many worker-friendly initiatives within the short period in office,” he said. Obiano charged the private developer to keep to the terms of the agreement and ensure that the 1000 housing project was completed on schedule. Mr Obi Eneh, the Managing Director of the firm, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in his firm and promised to deliver the houses as agreed.
aside for the secretariat, special and emergency services. Maidoki commended the state government for sustaining the gesture, which he said, would help in
alleviating the sufferings of indigent people in the state. He appealed to wealthy individuals in the state to complement the efforts of the state government in
2015 Election
We Won’t Impose Candidates - APC
OMU-ARAN (KWARA)Ahead of the 2015 elections, Alhaji Yusuf Aiyedun, the Chairman, APC Council of Elders, Kwara South District, says the party will not impose any candidate on the people. Aiyedun said this at the party’s general meeting in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara. The party chieftain said that all eligible persons would be
allowed to contest the primaries. The council was on tour of the seven local governments within Kwara South District to intimate party members on recent developments in the party. The Senatorial district comprises Ifelodun, Irepodun, Oke-Ero, Ekiti, Oyun, Isin and Offa Local Governments. “I want to use this medium to appeal to candidates willing to contest any elective post in the
next general elections to work very hard. “I am also saying this in unequivocal terms that the party is not ready to impose any candidate on the people for any reason. “Only party loyalists, honest and trusted men and women chosen by their communities, would be given the chance as the party’s flag bearers,” Aiyedun said.
4 Women Arrested For Selling because she could not take 3-Month-Old Baby care of the baby. ENUGU- The Police Command in Enugu said that it arrested four women for allegedly selling a threemonth-old baby girl. This is contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Ebere Amarizu, in Enugu. According to the statement, the women live in Enugu, Asaba, Awka and Onitsha, respectively. It stated that a 22-year-old mother allegedly sold her baby at the sum of N150,000 to a woman, who in conjunction with another, sold the baby to a woman at N450,000. It stated that the suspects sold the baby to a desperate childless couple, who was in need of a child after fruitless 10-year-old marriage.
The statement stated that the mother of the child alleged that she sold the child
The statement stated that the baby girl had been recovered.
He said that the state executive of the party had put in place effective mobilisation strategies for the party to come out victorious in the general elections. Aiyedun advised party members to be cautious of those they put forward as their flag bearers for the elections, urging them to eschew rumour. He said the local government councils were presently passing through a trying period as a result of paucity of funds and urged party members to extend their cooperation and support to achieve desired results. Aiyedun also urged aggrieved members of the party to embrace dialogue in resolving political differences.
L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Mr. Floami Muslim; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Secretary to State Government, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, at the second Lagos Emergency and Disaster Preparedness summit in Lagos recently.
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Abuja Lack Of Diligent Prosecution
Disobedience To Police Order
5 Applicants Get 2 Weeks Imprisonment
ABUJA- An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court in Life Camp has sentenced five unemployed persons to two weeks in prison each for disobeying police order. The convicts are Isyaku Abdullahi, 30; Joseph Echebiri, 29; Uzoma Onyeka, 30; Hippone Light, 24 and Deborah Samson, 24. Senior Magistrate Abdulaleef Abolaji convicted the accused, all of no fixed address, after they pleaded guilty to two counts of joint act and disobeying police order. Each of them pleaded for mercy. “The accused are hereby sentenced to two weeks in prison each with an option of N2, 000 fines.’’ Abolaji said they had to be punished, to deter others who might likely commit similar offence. “I put into consideration the plea of the convicts; they admitted committing the offence and did not waste the time of the court.’’ Meanwhile, the court admitted to bail three other accused, Chris Mbam, 22; Okeke John, 27 and Sunday Godwin, 31, who did not plead guilty to the crime. They were admitted to bail for N10,000 and one surety each. Abolaji ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, with traceable and verifiable home
Fraud Court Imprisons Car Dealer
ABUJA- An Area Court in Karu has sentenced a car dealer, Emeka Okonkwo, to 12 months in prison for cheating a businessman of N5 million. Okonkwo was charged with two counts of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The presiding judge, Malam Hassan Ishaq, sentenced Okonkwo after he pleaded guilty. Ishaq, however, gave the convict an option of paying a N40,000 fine. He also ordered the convict to pay N5 million to the nominal complainant, Mr Mike Ayida, on or before May 30. The prosecutor, Insp. Jerry Tanshak, told the court that the nominal complainant (Ayida) had reported the matter at the Nyanya Police Station on April 26. Tanshak said the complainant gave the accused N5 million to buy a truck for him. He said the accused did not deliver the truck to the complainant but converted the money for his personal use.
and work addresses and should also deposit his or her driving licence. He adjourned the case until May 16 for hearing. Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Salihu Mohammed, told the court that a team of police detectives, led by SP Shabi Sanda attached to Gwarinpa Police Station, Abuja, arrested them on April 1. Mohammed said they were arrested for obstructing traffic and constituting nuisance in Gwarinpa, after being warned severally by the police to vacate the area. He said that during police investigation, they could not give a satisfactory account of themselves.
Court Strikes Out Suit ABUJA - An FCT High
Fellows of Nigerian Academy of Science at the induction of new fellows and public lecture on achieving an end to HIV/AIDS epidemic in Abuja recently.
L-R: Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Prof. John Idoko, Vice President, Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Mosto Onuoha, President, Prof. Oyewale Tomori and Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Innocent Ujah, at the Public Lecture on achieving an end to HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Abuja recently.
FG Trains 26,000 Workers
ABUJA- The Federal Government says it has trained no fewer than 26,000 workers in the Federal Civil Service under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) public sector capacity building programme. The training, which is to build and strengthen the ability of officers to effectively deliver services and contribute significantly to the achievements of the MDGs, was introduced in 2009. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Mohammed Manga, Assistant Director, Media Relations in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF). The statement said that
the HOSCSF, Alhaji Bukar Aji, announced the figure at the 12th batch of the 2014 specialised mandatory training programme for officers on GL 08 to 16. It said that the objective of the training was to build and strengthen the ability
of officers to effectively and efficiently deliver services and contribute significantly to the achievements of the MDGs. The statement further explained that 450 staff on GL 08 to 16 in the batch were undergoing the
training. It said that human capital development would continue to receive the needed impetus by the Federal Government. It called for collaborative efforts of donor agencies and development partners to ensure that the required targets were met.
Court has struck out a suit filed by an Abuja-based businessman, Mr Boyede Samuel, against Golden Spring Estate Limited for failure of parties to appear before it. Justice Folashade Ojo struck out the suit after both parties failed to appear before the court to prosecute their case, since it was instituted on November 22, 2013. Ojo said it was on record that the plaintiff served the defendant with the hearing and the defendant failed to appear before the court. “And today neither the defendant nor the plaintiff appeared to prosecute the matter; in the circumstance, the case is hereby struck out for want of diligent prosecution,” she said. The plaintiff had gone to court to challenge an alleged illegal pulling down of its fence at plot 409 located at Kuje extension II, FCT. The plaintiff asked the court to declare that the encroachment on the plaintiff‘s plot was illegal. He also prayed the court to declare that the pulling down of the fence without authorisation from competent court and Federal Capital Development Authority was null and void. Samuel then urged the court to order the defendant to pay N3.6 million as damage.
Counsel Wants Private Doctor To Examine motion on point of law, Okah’s Mental State the arguing that it was an abuse of court process intended to
ABUJA- Mr John Ainetor, Counsel to Charles Okah, charged with terrorism, prayed an Abuja Federal High Court to grant an order for a private doctor to examine his client’s mental state. Okah and one Obi Nwabueze are standing trial for allegedly masterminding the October 1, 2010 twin bomb blasts at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Koawole, had in January ordered that a fresh medical examination be conducted on Okah to confirm his mental state, after rejecting an initial one.
Kolawole’s ruling followed an application brought by Ainetor claiming that Okah was not mentally fit to stand trial. Ainetor had alleged that the initial report, dated January 9, and signed by a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at the National Hospital, Dr Ephraim Oluwanuga, was ambiguous. At the resumed hearing following the presentation of a fresh report to both counsels for scrutiny, Kolawole said that based on the medical report, they should take a date
for the trial. Ainetor, however, said that he had an application dated January 13, seeking an order for Okah to be examined by an ‘independent medical practitioner’ to ascertain his mental status to stand trial. According to him, the fresh medical report was conducted at the National Hospital, Abuja, which is an agency owned by the prosecution and so was bound to be biased against his client. Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, prosecution counsel, opposed
delay the trial. Izinyon said the application was filed after the court had ordered for a fresh medical report at the National Hospital. Justice Kolawole, in a short ruling, ordered that the prosecution counsel should file his counter-affidavit to the accused counsel’s motion within 24-hours and the latter to respond within 48-hours. He adjourned the case until May 16, for hearing of the accused counsel’s application.
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Business + Economy
Coy Calls For Cheaper Energy For Africa
ABUJA - Mr Anthony Thunstorm, Chief Operating Officer, KPMG Global Africa Practice Investment programme, has called for cheaper source of energy to help reduce cost of manufacturing in Africa. Thunstorm made this call in an interview with newsmen at the just concluded World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja. He said that Africa, blessed with solar and other sources of
energy that could be used rather than the present source of energy in the continent. According to him, anything that will boost manufacturing should be the focus of the African region as it will help create jobs critical in the region. “From innovation point of view, I think one of the key things that could actually turn Africa around, especially in the middle term will be innovation around electricity supply in
Africa. “I don’t think the traditional modes of electricity generation will necessarily be the full answer but that is part of it, but it is very expensive, it is not environmentally friendly. “A lot of the global funding went back into it but a lot of it needs to be around alternative energy solutions,’’ he said. According to him, Africa is blessed with unbelievable opportunities which have started to see the real light of
the day. Thunstorm added that there was need to generate cheap reliable electricity and make it available across the continent to reduce the challenge of manufacturers in the region. Also, Mr Kunle Elebute, Partner and Head, Advisory Services, KPMG, said that several existing innovation should be copied to drive industrialisation in the country. He said that government
must look at innovation and adopt a style that would be favourable to the African environment to drive inclusive growth. “Clearly, power supply is important at different point and I like the idea that we should use solar. “Solar powers are expensive but now in China and India there are pioneer cheaper solar panels, so the more we adopt solar, the more the cost will come down. “It is just the same with the
GSM phone, at the beginning it was expensive and it is virtually nothing this days, so these are the things that exist today, unless you get the critical mass behind it, the cost will not come down,’’ he said. Elebute also called for the use of broadband in various sectors such as education, health and agriculture, among others. He said that this would help to change way things were done in the country and could drive economic growth in a positive way.
Expert Urges Patronage Of Nigerian Fabrics
New AIG in charge of Zone 10, Mr. Bala Hassan (left), briefing Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi during his familiarisation visit to Birnin Kebbi recently.
ABUJA- Mrs. Tonye Peters, the founder, Ankara Festival, says the increasing patronage of Nigerian fabrics in both local and international markets has contributed to the growth of the nation’s economy. Peters told newsmen in Abuja that the festival had helped to increase locallymade products which had attracted both foreign and local patronage. Reports state that Ankara are vibrant fabrics with patterns of very rich colourful designs, which are mostly made of 100 per cent cotton or cotton poly material. “The Ankara festival has helped in keeping money within our economy and saves us the time, expense and
ABUJA- The Federal Character Commission (FCC) said it would organise a sensitisation workshop for at least 450 delegates in order to end labour disputes relating to employment in government organisations. Dr. Femi Ogunsola, the Chairman, Committee on Labour and General Services in FCC, told newsmen in Abuja that three delegates each from 150 Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs) would participate in the workshop. According to him, the workshop, which will hold today, will focus on employment guidelines, is important in view of the fact that some geo-political zones in the country are being underrepresented in some organisations. “In terms of what is actually going on there are labour disputes in some of the
This has gone a long way for us in terms of sensitisation, workshops, pamphlets that are printed for us to also sensitise the union members in each of these organisations to know the role of Federal Character Commission. “If they know the role of Federal Character Commission, they will discover that sometimes you do not have a dispute.“
LAGOS- LEAP Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has said that it was organising a forum to support Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) in Lagos. Miss Kehinde Ayeni, the spokesperson of the organisation, told newsmen that the forum, tagged: ‘‘Chief Executive Officer’s Forum,’’ was to equip business owners to build sustainable organisations. Ayeni said that the forum, which was the 9th edition since it was launched in 2005, would create a platform for grooming business owners to become successful entrepreneurs. “It will teach them the
importance of succession, planning and establishment of effective systems. “It will also create a platform for entrepreneurs to learn ethical leadership skills that will ensure long term sustainability of their businesses,’’ she said. The forum is expected to attract senior level officers in private, public and social sectors, as well as wellestablished and aspiring entrepreneurs. The forum, which would hold at the City Hall today is also expected to feature exhibition of products and services by indigenous entrepreneurs.
Labour Disputes: Federal
Character Commission Plans Workshop
NGO To Organise Forum To Equip SMEs
organisations in terms of employment. “Certain geo-political zones are underrepresented in so many of the organisations and by the time you go there you see that the organisation is filled with (people from a) certain part of the country. “So what we have done in Federal Character is to look at where there are shortfalls and ensure that each state has a percentage of 2.5 in terms of the
employment ratio if there is proper distribution of the employment pattern. “So it goes for the Federal Character Commission to implement its policy, that is, to be a watch dog, witness all interviews and ensure that certain areas that are underrepresented are given their own chances of the employment slots. “So, that is what FCC does.
distrust for our locally-made products which come with buying imported goods,’’ Peters said. She said a designer of Ankara fabric is capable of employing not less than five workers and that this contributes in reducing the growing rate of unemployment in the country. The Ankara Festival founder said this had equally helped in building the confidence level and feeling of self-reliance which only came through hard work and self-achievement. Peters said the Ankara Festival had also helped in boosting the tourism sector, as it was being attended by individuals from different countries. “When both foreigners and locals come for the Ankara Festival, they show a high sense of appreciation for art, creativity and skilled workmanship. “Every time I have an Ankara item sold or exhibited in foreign communities, it portrays an image of independence, pride in one’s culture and solidarity,” she said. The festival founder said this was an achievement all Nigerians should be proud of and should strive to emulate in their various occupational fields. “Nigerians are gradually gravitating from the importing culture, and it is a practice which has put a huge strain on the country’s economy,’’ she said.
Items donated by Rep Tijjani Kiyawa to be distributed to Youth and Women during Jigawa Skills Acquisition Programme in Dutse.
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Science
Saprophytes And Animal Nutrition THE nutrition of true saprophytes is similar to that of animals. Both secrete digestive enzymes in order to break down materials which are then absorbed. Any insoluble remains are left and discarded as waste. Proteins can be built up from the absorbed amino acids, rather than by synthesis from sugar and nitrate as in green plants. Neither animals nor saprophytic fungi build up cellulose; the cell walls of a fungus, for example, are made up of an amino compound similar to the chitin of insects. Both plants and animals, in general, use carbohydrate for respiration but many fungi and bacteria can use other substances. PARASITES Viruses. The smallest known organisms are called viruses, and they cannot be seen with even the most powerful light microscope; how ever, a great deal has been found out about them since the invention of the electron micro scope, by means of which they can be photo graphed. Virus particles have a definite shape and
consist of protein molecules arranged symmetrically round a central, very long, coiled thread of nucleic acid; this arrangement gives them a regular shape, like crystals. Viruses Live as parasites in plant or animal cells where they multiply and cause diseases such as yellow-fever, smallpox and influenza in man, swollen-shoot in cocoa, and tobacco mosaic and other diseases in plants. It is thought that the nucleic acid of the virus takes over the protein manufacture in the host cells which, instead of making their own cell proteins, make the virus proteins. In this way the virus multi plies. Fortunately our blood is able to counteract virus attack by producing anti-bodies (chemical substances) which coat the virus particles and make them stick together, so that the virus nucleic acid cannot leave the virus particles and attack cells in our bodies. Parasitic fungi and bacteria. The fungi and bacteria are the most important parasitic plants; only a few flowering plants
have adopted the parasitic habit. The fungi cause a large number of serious diseases on economic crops while the bacteria are important parasites on animals and may cause serious diseases in man. A few fungi attack animals
flowering plants. The fungus mycelium grows into the living tissues of the host and actually penetrates the cells, absorbing nourishment from them. This damages the tissues and impairs the vitality of the host, which is often killed.
wind, so that crops on farms and plantations are easily infected by spores from a diseased plant. Several serious fungus diseases occur on crops in West Africa; some of the commonest and best known are Ganoderma on oil-palm, Puccinia,
In the tropics they cause common diseases in man, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot and some kinds of eczema. Farm animals, bees and fish also suffer from fungal diseases. As stated above, the most important
but their attack is merely super ficial, causing damage to only the outer layers or linings of the body, such as the skin or the mouth, whilst some plant diseases may be caused by bacteria. A large number of fungi are parasitic on
The control of fungal diseases is always difficult and may need very drastic treatment, because the spread of the disease is always so very rapid. The fungus produces vast numbers of spores which are spread everywhere by the
the maize rust, rusts on guinea-corn and millet, Phytophthora, which causes black pod of cocoa, and Fusarium, the fungus causing Panama disease of bananas. Fungus diseases on food crops and valuable economic plants cause enormous annual losses and are so important that an army of mycologists and plant pathologists all over the world must keep up a constant fight to control them. Some fungi are parasitic on animals.
parasites on animals are the pathogenic bacteria, which are the germs of so many diseases. Bacteria not only live as parasites and absorb food from the host, but they may secrete substances which are powerful poisons. These substances are the causes of the diseases and they often have fatal effects. Bacteria also cause many plant diseases which rot stems, leaves, roots and fruits of important vegetables and crop plants.
“Neither animals nor saprophytic fungi build up cellulose; the cell walls of a fungus, for example, are made up of an amino compound similar to the chitin of insects.�
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“EMPLOYERS of corps members are expected to provide accommodation (at least a room to a corps members with a bed, mattress, pillows, table and a chair) Employers are enjoined to provide transport for corps members. However, where none exist, money should be paid in lieu” NYSC directive. In realization of the prime position of shelter, the above extract always comes first in corps members conditions of
service stated in posting letter by NYSC Authority. Really, a man without a definite house is socially and psychologically naked; a man without a shelter is prone to series of danger; a man without a roof is like a monarch without a crown. In fact, the difference between a man without an abode and lunatic is highly thin. However, ex-corps members who served between 1973 to early ‘90s could not narrate their good story of warm reception and conducive accommodation they enjoyed in a jiffy. The questions are; why are we having contrary story today? Why reverse is the case in this century? Which categories of employer are fond of deviating from corps members major condition of service? Perhaps, the geometric increase in the quantity of corps members annually has rendered this condition to ordinary letter or the lingering global economic recession has made many
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Ajuwaya Corps Members Condition Of Service By OGUNYEMI ADEBAYO
corps employers incapacitated to obey the spirit of this paramount condition of service. But analysts are of the view that corps members glamour is eroding concomitantly with dropping in Nigeria qualitative
pay in lieu for corps members. In contrast, we have a lot of public and private organisations that are providing accommodation for corps members and as well augment their allowance but thus piece is focused in deviants. It is a common knowledge
to be the point of emphasis on Ajuwaya column by now. It is true, but some 2014 batch ‘A’ corps members are still walking around the streets day and night seeking for affordable accommodation. And a man only succeeded when he looks back and sees his successor thriving without
education. Undoubtedly, there is a concrete relationship between glamour, enthusiasm and proper caring. However, the truth of the matter is, many corps members employers neither provide accommodation nor pay money in lieu. In fact, investigations have shown that many employers are fond of saying “no accommodation and no money. If you can endure it, you are welcome.” Unfortunately, some government ministries and parastatals are accepting corps members without making any effort to meet up with the core condition of their service as stated in the positing letter. Now, if government establishments are taking corps members welfare for granted, the private firms have to follow suit. Without mincing words, both public and private owned organizations are deviating from either providing accommodation or
that sequence of National youth service is incomplete without a Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). Now that some employers can’t comply with corps members condition of service, what is going to be the next line of action? Can the trend continue? To be candid, this ugly development needs urgent attention. However, some discerning and updated minas may be pondering that 2013 batch “B” corps members Passing Out Parade (POP) that remain some days ought
much ado. In solving corps members accommodation problem, all hands must be on deck. Government, NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), Churches, Mosques, parents and teachers’ association, corps members and other well meaning Nigerians both at home and diaspora must be determined to play a substantial role. On the part of government, the unwavering effort of federal government at sustaining NYSC scheme is visible and undeniable but
good is not enough where best is attainable. NYSC scheme is popularly known as a brain child of federal government not withstanding, other tiers of government are not expected to be indifference. To this end, different tiers of government are hereby urged to see corpers’ lodge as part of their responsibilities. If education and matters related to the youth could feature in concurrent list, it is not out of context for both state and federal government to earmark certain percentage of their budget or construction and maintenance of corpers lodge. If government could be serious about the issue of corpers lodge by providing accommodation for corpers serving in public organizations, private organization can’t afford to lag behind. In the same vein, NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) who are purely focused on humanitarian service should please extend their hands of service to construction of corpers lodge in their various geographical locations. This is one of the major ways by which succour could be given to Nigeria young graduates. Besides, it is a conduct via which contribution could be made to national integration and development. However, religion bodies are not left out of this discourse. Though, some churches and mosques have made monumental achievements in providing accommodation for corps members who belong to their denomination irrespective of place of primary assignment. In fact, some denominational often come to orientation camp after posting and carried their members to their various lodge based on local government of PPA.
“If government could be serious about the issue of corpers lodge by providing accommodation for corpers serving in public organizations, private organization can’t afford to lag behind.”
However, kudos to those that have been doing this and they should please intensify their effort. I am using this medium to challenge and appeal to others to please emulate this good gesture and make a giant strides in this direction. The fact that God recognizes good work cannot be covered. The more you help other fellow human being; the more you will be helped. Recently, some corps members openly declared that Parents and Teachers’ Association of one public secondary school in Edo State had completed its corpers’ lodge. What a welcome development! Surely, the positive effects of the project will definitely reflect in the academic performance of their wards. How do I mean? There is a connection between workers welfare and productivity. The more workers welfare is improved the more productive he becomes. Parents and Teachers’ Association of other schools within Edo State and beyond are hereby enjoined to follow suit. Such a project may be challenging but is highly rewarding. Remember, no prize without prices. Nevertheless, it is high time corps members should remember themselves in Community Development Services (CDS). It would be helpful if each corps member could be paying maximum of two thousand naria (N2,000.00) in the course of service year for construction of corpers lodge in each local government area. If this kind of contribution could be properly monitored and judiciously used by NYSC officials, there will be success story in every local government within a decade. It is not enough to depend on external bodies without making any personal effort. However, since the motive behind NYSC is to build a united nation, other well meaning Nigerians both at home and diaspora are not expected to stand aloof watching the schemes that brings about social and cultural integration dilapidating. Therefore, let’s come together and reinforce the Nigeria unity catalyst which is no other thing but NYSC scheme. Now that employers alone are not capable of satisfying corps members conditions of service, lets’ come together and take care of the geese that are laying the golden eggs of Nigeria unity.
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Law
THE Notice of Appeal shall be served on the respondent personally or by substituted method as may be ordered by the court. A party’s solicitor ceases automatically to represent the party on the delivery of the judgment, and unless specifically reengaged for that purpose the solicitor cannot appear for the party on appeal. Accordingly service of a notice of appeal on a party’s legal practitioner at
exercise of its inherent power, amend the record of appeal to reflect the actual fact of what was said or what took place before the court below, instances being where the parties are agreed on the matter, or where there is conclusive evidence to show that what was recorded by the trial court was not what the witness said. The burden shall be on the person challenging the accuracy of the record,
the trial is insufficient and amounts to failure to serve the notice on the respondent which is a fundamental vice having the effect of nullifying the appeal proceedings, unless the solicitor’s address was used by the party at the hearing. Amendment of the Record of Appeal The record of appeal is conclusive and binding on the parties. A party shall not lightly be heard to challenge the record. However, if a misnomer apparent in the record is shown to be a bona fide mistake, it could be corrected by the appeal court. In exceptional cases, the appeal court may in the
to satisfy the appeal court that what was recorded is wrong. In serious issues an affidavit is essential so that if there be conflict the court may consider taking oral evidence to de termine the issue. Hearing Appeals Every appeal is a rehearing, in other words, the appellate court has the same right, on the evidence, to come to decision on the issue of facts as well as law, as the trial court. A rehearing is not a retrial: it is a reconsideration of the whole case on the printed evidence. An appeal court does not inquire into dispute; it inquires into the
Service Of Notice By A. OBI-OKOYE
way in which disputes have been tried and decided.” In hearing an appeal the appeal court approaches the appeal on the principle that the decision was correct, and so the onus is on the appellant to show that the decision is wrong. As stated above, the
purposes of an appeal when such evidence was, or by the exercise of reasonable diligence might have been, available at the time of the trial. Since a dispute is to be decided by the trial court and not in the appeal court, each party must make the whole of
appeal court rehears the case on the evidence adduced in the court below. It does not, except in special circumstances hear or cause to be heard, additional evidence in order to decide the appeal. The practice is that the appellate court will not allow additional evidence to be called for the
his case in the trial court and call all his witnesses there: for this reason the appeal court should not allow additional evidence to be adduced unless as to matters which occurred after the trial or where the evidence could not by the exercise of reasonable diligence have been
Of Appeal
obtained for use at the trial; a party should not be allowed to improve on his case in the appeal court if he has not made it in the trial court as well as he might have done. Accordingly, an appeal is heard by hearing argument of parties or of counsel on their behalf by way of submission as to why the decision of the court below shall be set aside or upheld or varied. Where the appeal court decides to hear additional evidence, it may do so by itself, or remit the case to the trial court to take the additional evidence and return its verdict. The appeal court would not send a case back for more evidence where there was no application for that to be done, or where the applicant could have adduced more evidence in the trial court had he wished. The appellant confines his argument to the grounds of appeal filed barring those he is not entitled to raise circumstances under which the appellant may be permitted to raise for the first time an issue which was not before the trial court, have been discussed in article 52 above. If there be any point which the appellant pleaded but deliberately omitted from argument at the trial, it is in the discretion of the court whether or not to allow him to raise it on appeal. And the principle that he cannot raise for the first
time a point not taken in the court below does not preclude the appellant from putting forward a new argument in a matter which was before the trial court On hearing appeals, it is the duty of the appeal court to reject all evidence which was improperly recorded at the trial, and then to decide the appeal as the case should have been decided on legal evidence, subject of course to the effect of wrongful admission or rejection of evidence where the reasons given by the trial court for making a finding are not satisfactory, the appeal court would reconsider the finding. An appeal is heard on issues raised by the parties. It is not open to an appeal court to raise an issue which the parties did not themselves raise either at the trial or during the hearing of the appeal: but if the circumstances warrant the court doing so, the parties must be given opportunity of being heard on the issue. The respondent may, by a notice, raise an issue by which he may urge that the judgment be upheld or varied, not on the ground stated by the trial court, but on the ground he now puts forward. A ruling on the sufficiency of stamping cannot be questioned on an appeal to the Supreme Court.
“An appeal is heard on issues raised by the parties. It is not open to an appeal court to raise an issue which the parties did not themselves raise either at the trial or during the hearing of the appeal: but if the circumstances warrant the court doing so, the parties must be given opportunity of being heard on the issue.”
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Media COPYRIGHT WHEN copyright music is played on air, whether live in the studio or from the gramophone, record the details concerning the composer and the publisher or the record manufacturer need to be written down on the stations musical log so that fees rightfully due can be paid. This applies even to the music, which may be accidentally picked up in the background of an interview recorded outside of the studios. Information about the owners or controllers of copyrights is printed on the center label of a gramophone record. However, parating must be checked by recording industries and the artists. Distribution and Costs Records After the copies are made from the master tape, complimentary copies are sent to radio and television stations for the disc jockeys to listen to the song and then begin to play it. Unless the artist is known and the song is playing, it may not go on air. It is a part of promoting the music video. It can also be advertised in magazines and other media. It is also a promotional campaign, the lost of promotional campaign, and all other various aspects such as using motor cars to announce through streets to the members of the public to buy the new records, tapes C.D.V, DVD etc, cost a lot of
Unveiling Today’s Print An (Naira Dollar, and Pounds). They also pay fees for performers to appear on prime time television programmes. The recording industry who may be the distributor may try to retain the major artists to give in the promotion of the records and tapes using them to perpetrate the market. The distribution system for records, compact discs and tapes is similar to that of books and has many of the same costs. Transportation is one. Shipping is done by truck, and fuel prices affect both the distributors and eventually the consumers costs. The distributor must also estimate the demand for the recording to avoid the costly process of returning the unsold recoding. All this affects the wholesaler distributor and record retailers (see photograph of a retail outlet). It is the retail outlet where much of the heart of the recording industry beats. The retailer store uses a shopping mall location beautifully decorated into the retail market place. There must be a sales girl or man who is attentive and sensitive to customers needs, and also possess a good knowledge and appreciation of market trends in contemporary music industry and distribution. The music video is a popular song
By OSAYOMWABO ERO
recorded in a television format. It has become hits with the same audience whose records tape, and compact disc with much profits. Music videos are yet another medium of distribution for the recording industry. Many record feature displays of music videos is a major part of the retail outlet videos to the home video markets. The Gramophone The gramophone library has been described as the repository for a stations recorded music. Music recorded on disc, film, VCR, DVD, CV cassette in radio and television stations. The library should at all cost be air conditioned so that the discs, VCR, DVD, can be stored under the best climatic conditions. Every radio or television station indexes its library in particular way. Every producer who needs music should become thoroughly familiar with the record library, its catalogue and index. Record tapes, CD, DVD etc, should be handled with care so that they do not become dusty or greasy. They are expensive. Compiling a Musical Programme Musical compilation in any broadcasting station whether from records or live programme, must have a form. The basic
form of a musical programme is the unity of material used in it. It is a programme of popular music, it should not stray far from popular. It may include modern beat groups, album country and western music. Primitive music and art music would be out of place in such a programme. It will be similarly offensive to listeners to place in a programme of primitive music. In compiling and presenting music programme, there must be a beginning, a middle and an end as it is with a talk programme (see chapter 11) A programme of popular music may open with a number leaving fast tempo but if we kept up the same tempo throughout the programme, it would begin to annoy the listener. After a fast tempo opening we may follow with something more melodic — a popular romantic vocalist for example. Then a medium, fast number building again to fast tempo and so on through the programme. The final number is generally bright and tuneful. This variety applies to all music programme both in radio and television. Even ‘top twenty’ programmes can be varied by suitable
“There must be a sales girl or man who is attentive and sensitive to customers needs, and also possess a good knowledge and appreciation of market trends in contemporary music industry and distribution.”
placement of the various numbers. They do not have to be played in the order in which they appear on the charts. Background Music The background music is of two types: live and
previous experience are reminded that all music to be used on the air must first be ‘cleared’ with an appropriate employee of the station which will carry the programme, especially if the
recorded. An orchestra in the studio is an expensive item, and many programmes rely entirely on records which are selected or compiled by personnel so highly trained in this task that the music seems to have been created for the express purpose. Well- selected music, properly used, interesifies mood and adds to dramatic impact, but does not distract attention silent scenes, in which meaning is conveyed to us entirely without dialogue are often given this musical support, and many a scene which lacks sufficient tension or urgency has been saved by skillful underscoring. Producers with little
programme is to be recorded on video tape or kinescope. Only a very special and limited number of records have made available for rerecording while the range of records which may be used in programmes which are being broadcast live is much greater. Presentation Some radio or television requires that the link continuity in record programmes should be written out or scripted in advance. Others allow the announcer or discjockeys to ad-lib. Where the announcer is adlibbing, he should have a good working arrangement with his technical operator who
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Media
nd Broadcast Journalism (15)
lays the record with a ave of hand or nod of he head may be the cue or the operator to start he disc. Recently some adio studios going to igital in the third world eed no technical perator to play records
magazine which contain the information about them. Variety and Musical Programmes While it is basically true that no variety show can be better than its contributing talent, good
with the wave of hand or he nod of head. Changes re fastly being made rom analogue to digital r computer. Linking ontinuity should be made interesting. It can ell us something about he artists or the opularity of the endition with another. ut too much talking in musical programme an annoy the listener, fter all, he wants to hear he music not the voice f the presenter rowning the interesting nd the melodious music. The announcer who resents many popular isc programmes should amiliarize himself with he artists, their careers nd what they are urrently doing. There re very many musical
song and dance numbers can be made to look even better by a wining MC and by skillful presentation (see chapter 12). As television production competence increases with the years more and more elaborate production numbers are being attempted, with lavish customs, settings, and lighting effects. Fundamentally the ancient variety, formula of Vandeville and music hall, with its almost standard elements of comedy song, and dance is still the staple fare, with novelty numbers of such as acrobats, magicians or ventriloquists added. There are very love — miming musical
contenders that are built around single performing personality, with good singers, musical and novelty shows may also be classified as those which are broadcast as a regular series and specials which are put together months in advance for special occasions. Many producers have been known to be particularly successful in blending many ingredients into a palatable dish whose distinctive flavour derives from the personality of the principal performer. Music comedies (chapter 14) operettas and operas may be classified as the dramatic or as the musical wing of the dramatic programmes. However, musical comedies are produced as special series in dramatic form. Production of Live Music The live music programme may be made in the studio or outside in a public hall or in a distant village. The music producer of such programmes should know a great deal about microphones and acoustics. Much as a producer should know, is contained in the earlier relevant chapters in volume 1, 2 and 3 respectively discussing the technical facilities of production on the microphone and voices.
(See chapter 13). We should have a lively interest in this national music and should seek out new performers. The producer also has a certain responsibility to research national music and build up a library of it. Many popular music groups present considerable production problems. Some of them play very loudly — particularly where they use electric guitars which often drown out vocalist or vocalists. The problem can always be solved by first recording the instrumental music and then playing it back through earphones to the vocalist who sings into the microphone while listening. His voice and the replayed music tape are mixed hand recorded on a single tape. This technique sometimes called post-dubbing. It can produce very fine results. The producer who trains a group to work this way quickly learn to make high quality productions. Music Competitions National competitions held for periods of several months or a year, prices and awards being offered by the radio and television can have a marked effect on the standard of live music output. It is such competition that is named ‘carnivals’ which are mostly traditional as poetry and musical contests. Musical competition in radio and
television has helped in exhibiting the Nigerian rich cultural heritage during the celebration of Nigeria’s National Day. It helped in selecting cultural group to Expo 67 during the celebration of National Day at the Canadian International Exhibition (Expo 67). Tiv dancers group, the Isekiri dancers group and the Ogurde concert party. The Tiv dancers gave a variety in song and dance depicting human and animal behaviour and movements in the Tiv area. The Itsekiri women dancers also gave a variety in song and dance with most of their songs in praise of their ancestors and natural rulers. The crux of their performance is formation dances and splendid display of body movements. The Ogunde concert party put on the Yam festival in the Yoruba Kingdom at which the Oba betrothed one of his daughters in marriage to a rich old man. The princess apparently did not like the engagement. She ran away from the new husband’s house and was brought back to the palace by Esu (the devil) Judging of competing groups can be divided between a qualified panel and audience reaction. Competitions which invite audience research which helps to inform the station about its listener, viewers and their likes and dislikes.
The Nigeria Nation cultural troupes after performing in Canada at the shopping center of Montreal, stopped over in New York and London on their way back to Nigeria and performed for American and English audiences in Appolo Theatre in New York and Common —Wealth Institute Theatre in London. These three groups were selected in a very stiff competition in which radio and television in Nigeria participated. FESTAC 77 as a world cultural songs, music, drama, dances and so on, has been mentioned in this book elsewhere. Education by Music When we are young we learn a great deal about life through nursery rhymes and lullabies. The process of learning through music need not stop simply because we are grown up. Popular folk singers can be encouraged to write lyrics which teach village listeners or viewers some of the things they should know about diet, health, hygiene, village government and more lucrative methods of farming. A producer who is interested in this field can obtain the necessary information from the various departments of government concerned with rural development and then work with the folk singer to develop suitable songs and voices.
“National competitions held for periods of several months or a year, prices and awards being offered by the radio and television can have a marked effect on the standard of live music output. It is such competition that is named ‘carnivals’ which are mostly traditional as poetry and musical contests.”
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Issues
Meeting The MDGs Target: Gaps And Challenges
Gaps And challenges 3.1 Introduction ` has to overcome significant gaps and challenges in order to achieve the MDG targets by 2015. Some cut across the eight MDGs, for example the lack of reliable and consistent baseline data, huge funding gaps, human capacity challenges (particularly weak capacity and lack of
coordination between the tiers of government. Funding gaps and challenges are dealt with comprehensively in Chapters 6 and 7. 3.2.1 Data Nigeria does not have adequate data or systems to collect and analyse data. This makes planning and implementing measures to meet the MDG targets
Two critical issues are, first, that the capacity of institutions to gather data is very weak and, second that, as a result, the data available are not reliable or consistent. Assessments of progress towards achieving the MDGs since 2006 and the recent assessment (Phillips 2010a,b) of the Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS) consistently reflect the inadequacy of
formulate a national baseline for human development; (ii) address the lack of skills in coordinating and managing data and statistics; (iii)shorten the time lag between collecting and reporting data; and (iv) harmonise and transform data management
data. This underscores the critical need for quality data both for planning programmes and projects, and for monitoring progress. States have difficulty identifying where to local projects (CGS projects in particular) because they do not have appropriate data. These problems stem from their lack of capacity to conduct relevant surveys and studies, or inadequate funding, for example. The major challenges are to (i)
nationwide through the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics. 3.2.2 Human capacity and implementation To date, the monitoring and evaluation reports of projects and programmes funded from debt relief gains highlight the lack of human capacity at all levels (federal and state ministries, departments and agencies and local government). As a result projects related to meeting MDG targets are poorly
President Goodluck Jonathan discipline in implementing programmes), a weak governance and accountability environment and poor coordination between the tiers of government. In addition to these crosscutting gaps and challenges, there are issues that are specific to certain goals: agricultural mechanisation, production and storage; use of funds for universal primary education; reducing child and maternal mortality; and ensuring environmental sustainability. This chapter deals first with crossingcutting gaps and challenges, and then discusses goalspecific challenges. 3.2 Cross-cutting gaps and challenges The issues considered here are data and data analysis, human capacity to carry out programmes, and
particularly difficult. The data deficit has a long history. Before the emergence of democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria was governed for many years by military regimes. During this period adhocracy in governance replaced Nigeria’s national development planning culture. A concomitant effect was the disappearance of disciplined collection and analysis of data for national planning and development, This legacy impedes efforts to plan and track progress towards the MDG targets because the data available is not reliable or consistent. For example, there is a two to four year lag in collating data on key indicators such as poverty maternal mortality, the prevalence of malaria the ratio of girls to boys in secondary education, and carbon dioxide emissions.
executed. Delays in procurement often stem from an inability to comply with requirements. And delays in processing certificates to award contracts and release funds to pay contractors mean that states return unspent funds to the treasury and many projects are abandoned. A key challenge to implementation often resides in the processes of procurement where there are insufficient checks and balances to ensure good governance and accountability. This requires a system that demands accountability and provides for sanctions where necessary. Another area where human capacity is weak is in costing and budgeting. Here, the key challenges are to (i) institutionalise costing related to achieving the MDG targets in ministries, departments and agencies, (ii) keep track of staff trained in costing and budgeting for the MDGs and ensure that they use their skills, and (iii) expand costing to cover all tiers of government. The weak capacity in the lower tiers of government where many projects are carried out is a major concern. Many contractors also do not have the skills to carry out projects related to achieving the MDGs. Projects are often not completed, not because of lack of funds, but because some contractors are not capable — contracts have been revoked because of the inability of the contractors to deliver — and others are simply in business to defraud the government. This is a major challenge that all institutions must tackle creatively and pro- actively between now and 2015. 3.2.3 Coordination of government tiers and arms Coordinating projects to meet the MDG targets in a large country such as Nigeria is a huge challenge. Effective collaboration and
cooperation are essential. Experiences with debt relief gains (DRG) projects show that the effort required to coordinate projects across federal, state and local governments is significant. For example, some states have yet to access Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme funds, which suggests that criteria for the UBE Counterpart Grants Scheme may need to be reviewed. The implementation of federal projects not funded by DRG has consistently lagged behind the implementation of those that are funded by DRG and that are effectively monitored and evaluated. A major challenge for the next five years is, therefore, how to effectively coordinate fasttrack projects to reach MDG targets. A related challenge is getting effective cooperation among Ministries, Departments and agencies (MDAs) at both federal and state levels. A particular area of concern is the disparity between the budgets proposed by the executive arm of government for MDAs involved in work relating to achieving MDG targets and the actual appropriations approved by the legislative arm. As pointed out in Chapter 4, the Conditional Grants Scheme has perhaps been the most successful initiative in the last six years. Unfortunately, the legislative arm reduced the N51 .49 billion (US$0.34 billion) proposed by the government executive for the CGS 2010 to Nl35.03 billion (US$0.23 billion). This cut may hinder current and subsequent efforts to scale out the CGS to the local government level. The challenge here is how to get both executive and legislative arms of government to appreciate the urgency of fasttracking projects to achieve the MDG targets between now and 2015, and agree on budget allocations.
“A related challenge is getting effective cooperation among Ministries, Departments and agencies (MDAs) at both federal and state levels. A particular area of concern is the disparity between the budgets proposed by the executive arm of government for MDAs involved in work relating to achieving MDG targets and the actual appropriations approved by the legislative arm.”
THE NIGERIAN
19
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
a
a
>
>
h
>
> b
b
m 5c
S
Q
4cm >>
>
A trapezium is a plane figure or shape having four sides, two of which are parallel.
P 16cm >>
>
Introduction:
A
Mathematics
R (WAEC, 1998)
Solution: PA = QR = 4cm, PQ = AR = 16cm By Pythagoras rule, SA2 = SP2 - PA2
With Stanley Osobase 08023454887 Osobase2001@yahoo.co.uk
Area And Perimeter Of Trapezium SA2 = 52 - 42 = 25 - 16 = 9
9 = 3cm
:- Perimeter = SP + PQ + QR + RA + AS
= 5 + 16 + 4 + 16 + 3 = 44cm Answer
8cm m
:- SA =
Examples 5 31 /2 c
(i). The area of a trapezium is 1/2 x (sum of parallel sides) x height or A = 1 /2(a + b)h. This is because if you take a second trapezium congruent to (the same shape and size as) the first and fit them together to make a parallelogram with sides of length a + b. Hence, the area of one trapezium will be half the area of the parallelogram. See the diagram below for illustration.
30o 12cm
>
what is the area of the figure above? Examples 3 (NECO, 2001) PQRS is trapezium in which /PS/ = 9cm, /QR/ = 15cm, /PQ/ = 2 3, Solution: <PQR = 90o and <QRS = 30o. Calculate Area = 1 (a + b)h 2 the area of the trapezium.
where a = 8, b = 12, h = ? P S applying SOH CAH TOA to the a b triangle, 2 3 30o (ii). The Perimeter of a Trapezium is > 1 1 1 7 7 R Q 15cm h=3 x = x = P = Distance round the shape 2 2 2 2 4 Solution: B].APPLICATION EXAMPLES 7 :- A = 1 (8 + 12) x Area = 1/2(Sum of parallel sides) x height Example 1 4 2 or A = 1/2 x (9 + 15) x 2 3 X Y > 7 1 20 24 1 = x x = 35 2 3 A= x x 4 2 1 2 1 2 1 > M 2 P> 6cm > Z = 17.5cm Answer = 24 3 cm2 > > 9cm Examples 6 Example 4 In the trapezium XYZM, XY//MZ, h
>
9cm >
< x YZ = 90o /PZ/ = 6cm, /MZ/ = 9cm and /MX/ = 5cm, What is the perimeter of the trapezium? (NECO, 2002).
D
A
8cm
16cm
P 4cm
C
12 cm h 30o
B
In the diagram above, ABCD is a trapezium, in which /AB/ is parallel to /DC/. /AB/ = 16cm, /BC/ = 12cm. /CD/ = 8cm and ABC = 30o. Calculate the area of ABCD. (NECO, 2002)
U
Q
T 6cm S
R
In the diagram above, PQ = 4cm and TS = 6cm. If the area of parallelogram PQTU is 32cm2, find the area of the trapezium PQRU. (UME, 2004) Solution: Since area of Parallelogram = b x h, Solution: where b = 4cm :- XP = 16 = 4cm 32 1 Recall that Area = /2(8 + 16)h :- 32 = 4 x h :- h = 4 /YZ/ = /XP/ = 4cm (opposite sides of = 8cm To get h, apply SOH CAH TOA to get a rectangle) From the diagram, UT = SR = PQ = 4cm h = 12 x sin 30o :- Perimeter 1 :Area of Trapezium = (a + b)h 1 = /MX/ + /XY/ + /YZ/ + /ZP/ + /PM/. 2 h = 12 x = 6 8 1 2 = 5 + 6 + 4 + 6 + 3 = 24cm Answer = x (4 + 6 + 4 + 4) x 1 6 2 :- Area = 1 x (8 + 16) x 8 14 Example 2 1 1 2 = x x = 56cm2 Ans 1 2 2 Calculate the perimeter of the
Solution: /MZ/ - /PZ/ = /MP/ i.e. /MP/ = 9 - 6 = 3cm By Pythagoras rule, XP2 = XM2 - MP2 XP2 = 52 - 32 = 25 - 9 = 16
Trapezium PQRS.
=
6 1 24 2 x x 1 = 72cm Answer 1 2
Until next week, remain blessed solving maths. EBS TV 1/2Hour is 4pm (Thursdays). Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss it!
THE NIGERIAN
20
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
Motoring With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452
Battery Care
YOUR battery needs special attention and care at a period like this when we have occasional downpour as the rate• of change drops to the drop in atmospheric temperature. Dirty batteries are likely to have electrolyte collected on the surface causing leakage of electrical current to the earth, so that the battery will discharge. Electrolyte on the surface of the battery can also cause the terminal and connectors to corrode, which will stop the battery from working
Understanding Your Car A/C
TO many people the term air conditioning connotes well-circulated blasts of cool. dehumidified air to take the sting out of our hot and humid climate. However, the air conditioning is a broad, all encompassing term and includes the capability to provide warm as well as cool air, although, warmth has little or no benefit to us here because of our weather. Obviously, air conditioning systems (sometime referred to as climate control system) have great benefits automotive applications helping to cool and dehumidify the passenger cabin, as well as sapping it of the majority of air borne dust particles and odours. Simply put air conditioning in an environmental control of a cars passenger cabin.
where temperature. humidity and circulation are maintained as the desired level with the added benefits of cleanliness as well. Generally the best care you can give to your cars air conditioning system to have it regularly serviced by qualified specialist, where by the system is thoroughly cleaned, all hoses and pipes are checked for leaks and refrigerant gas topped up. This is normally done periodically and prevents the discomfort of having the system break down when it is most needed. In using the system, one should always remember to turn off when the engine is stopped. Starting the car with the system engaged not only places added strain on the compressor clutch and associated drive belts but also the
battery of the car as well. Whenever the car has been left in open for prolong periods, the amount of heat soak built up in the interior is considerable, in such situation, it is advisable to drive with the windows down for the first few minutes. This allows warm air to escape and achieve a more rapid cool down time. An associated benefit is also a small saving in fuel used, since the system will not be ‘working’ so hard to do the cooling. Like almost everything
else, letting the system be dormant and unused for prolong period does it no favours. One should run the system for at least fifteen minutes twice a week in other to keep all seals bearing and components in working order. Always ensure that the refrigerant gas is topped up, as running the sysrem on empty can damage the components. By observing these few simple tips, your vehicle air conditioning should give many years of faithful service and more years of comfortable driving.
efficiently. You are therefore to check the acid level periodically at least once in two weeks or after every 800kilometres. If the level drops below plates, top up with pure water. Never add acid. Do not overfill cells normal level is 6-10mm above the separator. An overfilled battery can cause acid overflow through the vent plugs when the battery is charged and acid can cause damages to the battery compartment and other metal parts in the vehicle.
Battery Good And Bad Plug THE correct plug of the car should be used so as to ensure the correct threading. The tip of the plug should be flushed with the wall of the combustion chamber. Where it protrudes or fail to chamber opening, serious problem could result. Different plugs have different heat range. Which result in optimum operating temperature. To take care of this, Use the plug recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Often, plugs get thrown away when they are still good. The car’s electrical system might be the real culprit when idling is sluggish or power output falls drastically. Take a close look at the alternator and condenser, especially alternator. Were it works well, plug should spark properly from at least 10,000
kilometers. When the plug end get fouled by oil suspect worn piston rings or worn cylinder wall. If the fouling is bad enough, the electrode will be damaged irretrievable. The only real solution is to install new piston rings. An elementary precaution, however, is not to pour too much oil into the stump, the deep stick should be inspected daily for oil level in the stump. Occasionally, the distributor leads don’t carry electrical current effectively, and I’ve seen where all the leads of a car where condemned outright. In the past, a plug spanner was part of the toot kit of any serious motorist. It is good idea to buy one. But keep it proper or mechanics would, make away with it
“Different plugs have different heat range. Which result in optimum operating temperature. To take care of this, Use the plug recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.”
THE NIGERIAN
21
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
Spirituality Lessons From The Lives Of Saints (5) IMAGINE going to Las Vegas and finding a saint at the gambling table! Sounds rather impossible that a man spending day and night in a poker game or at a gaming table would one day be a saint. If Camillus de Lellis had lived in our time, his early life would probably have been spent gambling or drinking in Las Vegas. He was a wild youth with a passion for drink and gambling and to make matters worse, he had a terrible explosive temper that brought him many fights, not all of which he won. Camillus was an extraordinary child from birth. The Guinness Book of Records claims that the oldest woman on record to give birth was a woman of fiftysix plus —but a story has been passed that Camilla de Compellis was sixty when she gave birth to her son, the only child, and for that reason they called her St. Elizabeth (mother of St. John the Baptist who gave birth to John late in life). Both Camilla and her husband, John de Lellis, were minor nobility, now in a somewhat impoverished state. In fact, John de Lellis could trace his lineage back many, many years in the Province of Abruzzi in Italy; even back to the Laelii family of Roman times. Camillus was born May 25, 1550 in Bucchianico a small village in the mountains of Abruzzi. Born so late in the life of his parents, he was orphaned very young and of his early life we know but little — except that when old enough he joined the army of mercenaries and went about as a soldier wherever he could find employment: Apparently he was a good soldier as he was in demand. Strong and tall, he would command respect in a fight and there is no record of wounds he suffered. But he had a terrible passion for gambling and drinking and when not actually engaged in soldiering, he could be found with the dice and cards, a bottle at his side and woe betide anyone who crossed him! His temper would erupt and a fight would start. That was the way he spent his early life up to his twenties. He served in Spain, Venice and Naples and he is said to have been in the famous battle of Lepanto. This was the famous battle that broke the sea power of the Turks. All Europe was
afraid that the Seas would be controlled by the Mohammedans and the Pope, Pope St. Pius V. organized a crusade under the leadership of Don Juan of Austria. A great armada sailed from Venice and the enemy was engaged in the Gulf of Corinth near the town of Lepanto. While the ships were at sea, Pope St. Pius V organized processions of Romans saying the rosary: On October 7, 1571 battle was joined and Christianity broke the sea power of the Turks — in Rome, Pope St. Pius V announced the victory. Camillus was in that battle. Though never wounded in battle, he contracted a skin disease that formed abscesses on his ankle and foot. This disqualified him as a soldier and with no money (he lost it all gambling!) he went to Rome and was admitted to the hospital of St. James for Incurables. He would work his way: work with patients as a nurse and in return be treated for his suppurating sores. • Hospitals of those days were something else! Rather charnel houses than places to cure the sick. The help was poor and the patients were abused: the food was substandard and the cleanliness nonexistent. Hospitals were places to dump the unwanted ill! No trained nurses as we know today; just raw help that as often as not was cruel rather than kind. He was not a cruel man and so he was good to the patients and the Soares responded to treatment-so life was good for him there. But his old vice of gambling and carrying on spoiled everything and he was ‘sent out of the hospital. But his sword was ready and so back to the army. However, not for long. A fight with his commanding officer brought about dismissal and the sores came back on his leg. Wandering around, he frequented taverns where he gambled and drank —and lost everything, even his clothes! Now what?! For a bit he begged and then he went to a Capuchin monastery where he worked for his keep. There—the town of Mafredonia —he started to settle down. A priest from the monastery talked to him and that finished his gambling; he even asked if he could be admitted as a lay brother. But the sores made him a poor risk as a candidate, so he was told to return to Rome to St.
By DITTANAY CARIN
James Hospital to seek medical attention once morel! Healed he would be accepted. During his stay at the
was anxious to return to religious tile and now he entered the novitiate of the Capuchins. But this second
told to disband it. But Camillus was fired with an idea and an ideal. As a little boy his mother told him she had a dream of him with a red cross on his chest, carrying a
stay in religious life was aborted with the return of the sores and back to the hospital he went. A story is told that a man tried to cheat the hospital and Camillus in anger attacked him and in punishing the thief, Camillus contracted a hernia; a second physical ailment, for he suffered with a hernia and wore an iron truss the rest of his life. Treatment helped heal the sores and his great concern for the well being of the patients prompted the Board of Directors to make him Administrator. A few other quite pious men came to work and Camillus had the nucleus of a group who would dedicate their lives to the care of the sick. They would be “Servants of the Sick” and their lives would be for the sick poor. However, the Board of Directors were against forming a little society within the hospital that excluded some; he was
standard with many following. Maybe God had something special in store for him? In any case, as a man of thirty-two, he did what St. Ignatius had done; he enrolled in school — the Jesuit school in Rome — among pupils much younger than himself. His nimble brain enabled him to advance and on May 26, 1584 he was ordained by Bishop Goldwell, a refugee bishop from the persecutions in England. He was assigned to a church in Rome, the Madonna of the Miracles, and with this as his base and with a few companions at his side, he started to care for the poor at Holy Spirit Hospital in Rome. There they served the poor and when the terrible plague came, Camillus and his followers were there to help. When a miracle happened, at the behest of Camillus, his fame grew and others came to join him in his work of
St. Camillus de Lellis monastery a strange thing happened one day. The reality of the life he had been living struck him like a thunderbolt and he looked to heaven and to the monastery —there was peace! A strange feeling came over him; suddenly he was a new man and a new life would be his. The day was February 2, 1575; he was twenty-five; it was the Feast of the Purification of Our Blessed Lady. This time his stay at St. James’ hospital was different .Now he was pious and patient, he treated the patients with the utmost of kindness. His spiritual mentor was St. Philip Neri and he told Philip his ideals: “I am doing this for Christ;! see Him in the sick and what poor efforts I make are directed toward pleasing Him: So the administration was delighted to have him and even offered him a position of responsibility, but with the wound healed, he
charity. As time passed, more joined and he wrote a simple rule which his men - would follow and he petitioned to have the rule approved. Here he met opposition; there were enough Orders in the Church! But the Will of God prevailed and, on March18, 1586, Pope Sixtus V approved his Order. They would be called the “Fathers of a Good Death” and besides the three Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience that the other Orders took, they would have a fourth vow to serve the sick poor, even in time of plagueand with danger to their own lives. He was elected their first General—in later years they would be called’ the Camillian Fathers. So the Order grew and when he was satisfied that things were stable, he resigned as General; after all, he had been General twentyone years. That was in 1607 when he was fifty-seven years old, He was to live seven more years and these years were spent in the service of the poor and the strengthening of his Order. Finally, racked with pain from -the leg sores and hernia and other weaknesses that came from his penitential life, he gave his soul to God on July 14, 1614, and he was buried in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Rome. Miracles happened and his body was taken from its burial place and placed under the high altar. In 1742, Pope Benedict XIV beatified him and four years later the same Pope canonized him as a saint. Later Pope Leo XIII named him the Patron of hospitals and put his name in the litany of the dying. He had changed the whole concept of hospitals. But there is a P.S. to his story. In 1859 there was a battle at Solferino in Italy and a young Swiss man named J. Henri Dunant saw the carnage, the lack of care for the wounded and dying, though the Camillians were doing what they could. Those priests carried a red cross on their chests; this would be the emblem of a society he sought to form —the Red Cross. His idea was picked up by Clara Barton and the Red Cross was born—with its emblem from St. Camillus de Lellis. Motto of the Order: “What you do for the least of My brethren, you do unto Me.”
THE NIGERIAN
22
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
Women And Violence SOME people use the term ‘domestic violence’ to include psychological or mental violence, which can consist of repeated verbal abuse; harassment; confinement; and deprivation of physical, financial and personal resources. Contact with family members and friends may be controlled. The forms of violation may vary from one society and culture to another. Other people use the term to describe violence against women in the family only, and for others it is a general label to cover any violation where the victim and perpetrator have some form of personal relationship or where they have had such a relationship in the past. Used in this wider sense, domestic violence encompasses child abuse, be it physical, psychological or sexual, violence between siblings; abuse or neglect of the elderly and abuse by children of parents. Here, however, the term ‘domestic violence’ means physical or mental assault of women by their male partners. In many countries the term ‘wife assault’ is used for this type of behaviour. Domestic violence is a hidden problem. Research on domestic violence is fairly new, and has been undertaken perhaps only in the last 25 years. In the main, it has originated in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Most studies have concerned the dominant culture, although a growing number focus on native populations, and immigrant and refugee groups. An increasing number of studies are now being undertaken in the developing world. For example, comprehensive and systematic studies of domestic violence (defined in this case to include violence against women and men in the home) have been undertaken in Papua New Guinea. In addition, a recent collection of essays published by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) summarizes the research into domestic violence that has been undertaken in various regions of the developing
world. While it can be stated that women are the usual victims of violence in the home and men are the usual perpetrators, it remains unclear which particular women and men are likely to be involved. Studies indicate
that marital violence occurs in some communities in as many as one in three marriages. There appears to be no part of the world where it is unknown. It is difficult to estimate the actual incidence of violence in the household. Communities deny the problem, fearing that an admission of its existence is an assault on the integrity of the family, and few official statistics are kept. Current methods of estimating the number of women who are assaulted by their husbands are questionable. The statistics are based on reported incidents of abuse obtained, for example, from police, welfare and hospital records on the numbers of women using emergency housing or on self-reports from police words seems to show that wife abuse does exist, but they are notorious for underrepresenting the problem. Victims are often
reluctant to report that they have been violated: they may fail to report abuse because they fee ashamed of being assaulted by their husbands; they may be afraid; they may have a sense of family loyalty.
assault and thus, for statistical purposes, wife assault becomes invisible. Self-reporting surveys also present problems. Women who have been abused may prefer to keep the fact to themselves. When they do
When women do report abuse, the statistics may be lost because the official fails to record the incident or records it in a way that is meaningless for research purposes. Criminal statistics, for example, although they could be a major source of comprehensive data on violence against women in the home, frequently fail to indicate the sex of the victim and of the assailant and rarely record the relationship between the two. In these circumstances, it is impossible to distinguish wife assault from any other
respond, they may overestimate or, more commonly, underestimate the amount of violence they have suffered. For example, women may consider pushes and slaps to be insignificant and fail to mention them. Phone-in surveys are restricted to women who have access to a telephone and who are willing to reveal intimate information to someone they do not know. Such surveys may also exclude women from ethnic minorities. Surveys of couples currently cohabiting exclude
GENDER ADVOCACY With
IJEOMA UMEH Tel: 081823822839
evidence of violence in relationships that have ended. Studies of women who have used emergency housing are restricted to women who have already defined themselves as battered and so do not represent the population as a whole. Notwithstanding these problems. anecdotal and other evidence, from most parts of the world, make it clear that violence against women in the home is a serious problem. In Canada, on the basis of statistics obtained from doctors, lawyers and social workers and from police records, it has been estimated that. One woman in ten is abused by her partner. In Bangladesh assassination of wives by husbands accounts for fifty per cent of all murders. In 1992, UNIFEM produced a factsheet on gender violence summarizing statistical evidence on the incidence of wife abuse worldwide. This revealed that wife-battering is common in Bangladesh, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Norway and Sri Lanka. The actual extent of violence in the home may never be accurately known, but it is clear that such violence is part of the dynamics of many family situations in both the developed and the developing world. In short, the research that does exist reveals that women are murdered, physically and sexually assaulted, threatened and humiliated within their own homes by men with whom they should enjoy the greatest trust. Sadly, this is not an uncommon or unusual occurrence. Domestic violence can happen families from any
class. Given the limitations of existing research, it is difficult to generalize about the social position of victims of domestic violence. Some research shows an overrepresentation of victims who are economically disadvantaged or who might be described as lower-class or from younger age groups. There may be more domestic violence in families that are economically disadvantaged or where the husband has had less education than the wife. Much of the information that is available, however, is based on studies of people who come to the attention of officials. These people may be less able to protect their private lives from official scrutiny. For instance, women from the middle and upper classes are less likely to use women’s emergency housing. In some countries, public hospitals are used primarily by the e c o n o m i c a l l y disadvantaged. The wealthy are able to take advantage of private doctors and clinics whose records are not usually open to researchers. Records from social work or welfare files, in general, contain information on less privileged groups who must respond to government enquiries in order to get government assistance. Wealthy people are more able to insolate themselves from government and police attention. Anecdotal material and small research samples show that wife assault crosses all class, culture and colour barriers. This research indicates that violence against wives is prevalent throughout the economic and social structure and appears to have no cultural barriers -
“In Canada, on the basis of statistics obtained from doctors, lawyers and social workers and from police records, it has been estimated that. One woman in ten is abused by her partner. In Bangladesh assassination of wives by husbands accounts for fifty per cent of all murders.”
THE NIGERIAN
23
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
Religion
With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA
Divine Prosperity
THE TESTIFIES
PSALMIST
King David wrote in the psalms- “o taste and see that Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” psalm 34:8. He wrote further: “o fear the Lord, ye his saints for there is no want to them that fear him” psalm 34:9. Did you hear that! That there is no want to them who fear him -why? Because if you declare yourself a child of the great king —the mighty God; he will guide you and if you listen to him he will lead you to your blessings. “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel” Ps73: 24 John, 16:13. And if he guides you with his counsel and you listen and obey and follow; what is the obvious result? - The palmist says: “the lord is my shepherd I shall not want” Ps 23:1. He shall lead you because there is no lack in him; because the “earth is the lords and the fullness thereof ’ Ps24: 1, 50:12. Oh what a wonderful God! Ignorance is a disease and Satan has used it effectively to discourage our faith in the lord. That’s why Hosea said, “My people perish for lack of knowledge” Hos 4:6.Children of God cannot be beggars but “askers”. Ask your father the king of kings and he will release his blessings unto you — the faithful. Don’t go begging, the Psalmist tells us not to do so., because for you a child of the king begging, then it means you have been forsaken; for the child of a king cannot beg but ask-”ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you” Matt7:7. Jesus said if we as mortals know how to give good gifts to our own beloved children when they ask our favour how much more shall our God gives to the faithful ones who ask genuinely? “If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matt7: 11. Therefore the Psalmist testifies. “I have been young and now I am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread’ Ps37: 25. A MISNOMER Somebody yelled at me or should I say yapped at my writing saying: “why do you preach riches? Have you not come across these verses in the scriptures that warn against riches?” Viz: 1. “A good name is rather to be chosen than riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor
meet together. The lord is the maker of them all” Prov22:12. This is my reply to the above: that God surely is against riches that come from evil sources; such riches are usually not enduring and such persons though rich have bad names attached to them. The rich and the poor meet together when they die; God will not discriminate between the rich and the poor because he created the rich and the poor but he did not make the circumstances of their poverty or riches; that rests on the individual’s effort. A lazy man, who is a loafer and a sluggard would probably become poor; whereas a hard worker, full of drive and initiative, could probably do better in his circumstances than the sluggard. Listen to what the scripture says: “I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me. riches and Honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousness” Prov 8:17-18 But for the lazy man the Bible says: “How long wilt thou sleep o sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?... so shall thy poverty come” Prov: 6: 9, 11. 2. Another verse that caught my attention is this verse in the scripture: “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” Matt 6:24. Mammon is symbolically equated with ill-gotten money: but figuratively in demonology it is a demon responsible for unrighteous riches — ill-gotten wealth. So Jesus said you cannot be doubly yoked. You cant be under God and be responsible to that demon — mammon. You cannot serve Jehovah (God Almighty) and equally be attracted to illgotten wealth; money achieved by dubious means. If you are a child of God will your conscience not prick you? 3. There is this verse in the scriptures again that warns against riches. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare ... for the love of money is the root of all evils which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith” 1 Tim 6:910. Now the desire to be rich must first be preceded by your salvation. You must not seek after wealth when you have not yet sought for your salvation. The Bible says: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” Matt 6:33 You must seek after the salvation of your soul before earthly riches otherwise the demon mammon could take
you over. For this reason the Bible warns clearly. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mart 16:26. John the apostle wrote this admonition to his beloved brother in Christ the Elder Gaius; and this admonition is good for everyone seeking divine prosperity. “BELOVED, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health even as thy soul prosperth” 3 Jn 2.
As you now proceed to read my treatise on divine prosperity, learn to pray this prayer of the proverbist — king Solomon, “Two things have I required of
thee: deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee and say, who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” Prov. 30:7-9. JEHOVAH JIREA Jehovah Jireh is Hebrew, which if interpreted in English language means “God is my provider? Did you not read the testimony of Elijah the prophet who suffered lack in the wilderness by the brook cherith and cried to God and God sent him to a widow in Zerephath; whom the lord said would feed Elijah (1 kgs 17:1-9) and Elijah got there, saw the widow who said the famine equally affected her and she had her last meal to cook an to eat with the son and die. Elijah asked her to cook for him first to eat then for herself and the son. She obeyed- As she went the spirit of God spoke through Elijah the words of abundant supply; “for thus saith the lord God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste neither shall the cruse of oil fail
until the day that the lord sendeth rain upon the earth” 1 Kgs 17: 14. And the Bible says the prophetic words were fulfilled. “And the barrel of meal wasted not neither did the cruise of oil fail according to the word of the lord which he spoke by Elijah” 1 K 17:16. There is a principle in operation which I shall wish to explain later. But suffice me to say here that God is a great provider and he can do and undo. God is the king of the whole universe — he is “the lord of Lords and Kings of Kings” Rev 17: 14. He says if he opens the door of
he became very great” Gen 26:12-13. To Solomon the king God had said “wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee and I will give thee riches and wealth and honour” 2Chron 1:12. Indeed God is the source. “And thou say in thine heart my power and the might of mine hand hath given me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the lord thy God; for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth” Deut 8:17-18. The proverbist put it this way; “the blessing of the lord maketh rich and he added no sorrow with it” Prov.l0:22. OCCUPY TILL I COME LK19: 13 Jesus told a parable to his
thou authority over ten cities” Lk19:17. He also commended the second servant who invested his pound and gained five pounds. He gave him authority over five cities in commendation Lk19:18-19. But the third did not invest the money rather tied it up “And another came saying, lord behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin” Lk 19 :20. The noble master rebuked him for not investing it or putting it into the bank to yield some interest and took his pound and gave it to the first faithful servant. Lk. l9: 20 —24. Then Jesus said; “I say unto you, that unto everyone which hath shall be given, and from him that hath
blessing for you nobody can shut it “ HAVE SET BEFORE THEE AN OPEN DOOR AND NO MAN CAN SHUT IT” REV 3:8 God as the king of the universe has the world and its resources under his full control. The Bible says: “THE EARTH IS THE LORDS AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF: THE WORLD AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN” PS24: 1, 50:12 God obviously is the God of abundance. If the whole universe and its resources are under his command then the God of heaven whom we serve is a rich God. Moses the prophet of God attested to this when he spoke these words: “FOR IT IS HE (GOD) THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH” DEUT 8:18 The lord greatly blessed Abraham with riches and wealth (Gen 24:25) ; He blessed Isaac in the city of Gerar in the midst of famine and Isaac “waxed great and went forward and grew until
disciples as he began to approach the end of his earthly ministry called the parable of the pounds (Lk19: 11). This is the parable. Jesus said, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And he called his ten servants and delivered to them ten pounds and said unto them, occupy till I come” Lk 19:1213. Each of these ten servants was gives a pound. What happened when the nobleman returned? “And it came to pass that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, that he commended these servants to be called unto him to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much everyman had gained to trading” Lk 19:15. When each of the servants appeared before him to them he commended as follows: “then came the first saying, lord thy pound hath gained ten pounds” Lk. l 9:15. And to this the master said “well thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have
not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him” Lkl9: 26. This is a financial parable; probably the only financial parable among the forty-six parables in the new testament scriptures in which the lord used financial investment benefits resulting from faithful labour to describe our spiritual state. The faithful servants invested their pounds and gained more pounds and they were commended for their faithfulness but the unfaithful servant did not do so: he was reprimanded. Christ is obviously the nobleman who traveled to a far country: the pounds he gave each servant is the gift both spiritual and natural talents given to children of God: and the lord expects each faithful child of God to utilize the gifts and talents for kingdom expansion. The gifts and talents must not be kept docile but utilized to enhance Gods kingdom on earth. Jesus Christ would return and would bless each faithful servant who did righteously with his talent and spiritual gifts.
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
International Brahimi Resigning As UN-Arab League Envoy UNITED NATIONS — Lakhdar Brahimi is resigning as the international point man on Syria, the U.N. chief announced, marking a second failure by the United Nations and Arab League to end the country’s worsening civil war and highlighting the deep divisions among the Syrian parties and key countries on how to restore peace. With Brahimi at his side, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said the joint U.N.Arab League envoy will step down on May 31 after nearly two years. Brahimi will be following in the footsteps of his longtime friend, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who resigned from the same job in August 2012 after failing to broker a cease-fire as the country descended into civil war. Ban blamed Syria’s opposition but especially the government, the divided U.N. Security Council which has been impotent, and feuding
influential nations for failing to help Brahimi achieve a peace agreement. “He has faced almost impossible odds, with a Syrian nation, Middle Eastern region and wider international community that have been hopelessly divided in their approaches to ending the conflict,” Ban said. “That his efforts have not received effective support from the United Nations body that is charged with upholding peace and security, and from countries with influence on the Syrian situation, is a failure of all of us.” Brahimi managed to get officials from President Bashar Assad’s government and the opposition to two rounds of U.S. and Russian-brokered peace talks in Geneva aimed at establishing a transitional government, but they ended without an agreement. He had been working behind the scenes to start a new round of Geneva negotiations, but
that effort was all but doomed when Assad’s government announced that elections would be held on June 3. With Assad running for re-election and virtually certain to win, both Brahimi and Ban have indicated it would be impossible to get the opposition to participate in new negotiations.
Brahimi told reporters after a final closed briefing to the U.N. Security Council that he had suggested seven steps that could lead to “a serious peace process.” He also revealed that Iran has a four-point plan to end the conflict — a cease-fire, formation of a national unity government, a constitutional
review that would include limiting the president’s powers, and presidential and parliamentary elections. “Their ideas are interesting and I think probably will be considered,” Brahimi said. Ban pledged to keep working for peace and said he would appoint a successor to Brahimi but would take time
Kurds May Opt Out Of Next Iraqi Government ARBIL, IRAQ - The president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, said Iraq had been led in an authoritarian direction by Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki and threatened to end the oil-rich autonomous region’s participation in the federal government. Iraq held elections on April 30. The results have yet to be announced but Kurdish support is crucial to Maliki’s ambitions for a third term. The incumbent premier’s rivals, both Shi’ite and Sunni, are hoping Barzani and the Kurds will help them thwart Maliki’s bid to stay in office for four more years. Barzani said Kurdish parties would meet as soon as the results of the election were officially announced, expected in the next few days, to decide how to proceed in negotiations over the government formation. The talks could drag on for months and Barzani declined to give any more details of the Kurds’ position but said the political situation in Iraq was unsustainable and one option would be to fully withdraw Kurdish participation in the government unless there was the prospect of change. “All options are on the table,” Barzani told Reuters in an interview on Monday. “It is time for final decisions. We are not going to wait another decade and go through the same experience again. If we boycott the process, we will boycott everything (parliament and the government).” Such a move would be the first of its kind for the Kurds, who have been a partner in the national government since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and would put added strain on the country’s
already fraying federal unity. There are about 5 million Kurds in majority Arab Iraq, which has a population of more than 30 million. Most Kurds live in the north of the country, where they run their own affairs, but remain reliant on Baghdad for a share of the national budget. The Kurds eventually lined up behind Maliki after the last election in 2010, helping him win a second term, persuaded by promises to share power and settle the status of territories disputed by Arabs and Kurds. However, the Kurds say those promises were broken and the deal unraveled almost as soon as the government took office. Relations between the two sides rapidly deteriorated thereafter and are now characterized by deep mistrust. Barzani then threw his weight behind an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Maliki with a vote of no confidence in 2012, and must now work out how to ensure Baghdad keeps any promises it makes if the Kurds agree to share power again. Barzani declined to go into the details of how the Kurds planned to guarantee their demands are met, but he said he would be seeking more than paper guarantees. Barzani conceded Maliki was not solely to blame for Iraq’s troubles, but said as prime minister and commander in chief of the armed forces he ultimately bore the responsibility. “There was no partnership, and it was totalitarianism,” said Barzani of governance in Iraq under Maliki over the past four years. “He is the number one responsible for it. He was capable of not allowing the whole process to go in that direction.”
UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi listens during a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
to find “the right person.” Diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions have been private said candidates mentioned include former Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, former U.N. Mideast envoy Michael Williams from Britain, and former top NATO and European Union official Javier Solana from Spain. Brahimi, 80, is a former Algerian foreign minister and longtime U.N. diplomat and troubleshooter in hotspots from Afghanistan to Iraq. Ban called the failure of “one of the world’s most brilliant diplomats” to end the conflict despite “his extraordinary talents ... a tragedy for the Syrian people.” The secretary-general renewed his appeal to the Syrian government and opposition “to show the wisdom and sense of responsibility that could allow a way out of this nightmare.” He also urged everyone involved, including states with influence over the Syrian parties, “to reflect deeply on what we should do at this moment to generate hope of a better future for the people of Syria.”
Separatists Kill 7 Ukraine Soldiers KIEV/MOSCOW - ProRussian separatists ambushed Ukrainian troops, killing seven in the heaviest loss of life for government forces in a single clash since Kiev sent soldiers to put down a rebellion in the country’s east. With the uprising and Russia’s annexation of Crimea poisoning East-West relations, Moscow retaliated against U.S. sanctions by hitting aerospace projects, including refusing to extend the life of the International Space Station, a showcase of post-Cold War cooperation. In Kiev, Ukraine’s defense ministry and state security service said the troops were
killed and seven others wounded when their armored column was ambushed near the town of Kramatorsk, one of several hot spots in the largely Russian-speaking east where the army has had scant success against the rebels. About 30 rebels, who had taken cover among bushes along a river, attacked with grenade-launchers and automatic weapons near a village 20 km (12 miles) from Kramatorsk, the ministry said in a statement on its website. “In all, as a result of the
prolonged fighting, six members of the armed forces were killed. Eight soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously,” it said. The state security service (SBU) said later that the seriously wounded soldier had died while being taken to hospital. Rebel leaders held referendums in two eastern regions on Sunday which they said backed self-rule overwhelmingly. While Kiev and the West denounced the votes as illegal, the rebels called on Monday for their regions to become part of Russia. Moscow has stopped short of endorsing their bid for annexation.
Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan region in Iraq, attends a session at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos recently.
Before the Kramatorsk incident, Defence Minister Mykhailo Koval said a total of nine servicemen had been killed so far in the army’s “antiterrorist” operation, which has been directed mainly against rebels in the towns of Slaviansk and Mariupol. The dead included five air crew, Koval said. They died when their helicopters were downed by separatist fire. Rebels have also suffered losses in the uprising, which began with the seizure of public buildings in eastern towns and cities. Many of the separatists hope to follow Crimea, which voted for union with Russia before its formal annexation in March. The United States says Russia is backing the rebels while the Kremlin accuses Washington of having helped protesters to topple proMoscow Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich in February. In the worst East-West crisis since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Washington and the European Union have slapped sanctions on a limited number of Russians and proRussian Ukrainians, and some small firms. Washington has also said it would deny export licenses for high-technology items that could help the Russian military. Moscow retaliated on Tuesday, casting doubt on the long-term future of the International Space Station, a $100 billion, 15 nation project which was supposed to end the space race of the Cold War era.
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
International 18 Dead, As Islamic Militants Hit Yemeni Army Camp
SANAA - At least eight Yemeni soldiers and 10 al Qaeda militants were killed in clashes yesterday when insurgents attacked two military posts in a southern province where a government offensive began
two weeks ago, military sources said. The sources told Reuters the fighting in Gol al-Rayda and Azzan districts of Shabwa province started early in the morning and lasted several hours.
Anti-China Protest Vietnam Mobs Set Fire To Foreign Factories
HANOI/MANILA Thousands of Vietnamese set fire to factories and rampaged in industrial zones in the south of the country after protests against Chinese oil drilling in a part of the South China Sea claimed by Vietnam, officials said yesterday. The brunt appears to have been borne by Taiwanese companies in the zones in Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces as rioters mistook the firms to be Chinese-owned. Vietnamese officials gave few details, but said gates to factories were smashed and windows were broken. Police said they were investigating. A Singapore foreign ministry spokesman said the premises of a number of foreign companies were broken into and set on fire in the VietnamSingapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) I and II in Binh Duong. The spokesman said the Singapore government had asked Vietnam to immediately restore law and order, but gave no other details. “About 19,000 workers were demonstrating against China’s violation of Vietnam’s territorial waters,” Tran Van Nam, vice chairman of the Binh Duong People’s Committee, told local reporters in the province. “Some workers turned angry, destroying companies’ gates and entering the compounds and asking other workers to join a strike.” Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Group said property was damaged by looters, but did not give details. There were no reports of injuries. “Everyone is terrified and scared,” said Serena Liu, chairwoman of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam. “Some people tried to drive out of Binh Duong, but looters had put up road blocks.” Hong Kong-listed sports shoe maker Yue Yuen, which supplies footwear to Adidas, Nike and other international brands, said it had suspended production in Vietnam because of the protests. China has urged Vietnam to “calm down” and respect China’s sovereignty, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in comments to Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in a telephone call, Beijing’s foreign ministry reported on its website. Anti-China sentiment also surged in Manila, as the Philippine government accused Beijing of reclaiming land on a reef in disputed islands in another part of sea, apparently to build an airstrip.
The action came only a day after Washington described Beijing’s actions in the region as “provocative”. “If these reports are true, this would represent a significant step by the Chinese, potentially allowing them to extend their airborne reach,” said Ian Storey, a South China Sea expert at Singapore’s Institute of South East Asian Studies.
An army colonel was among the dead, a Defence Ministry source said. The Yemeni army had captured both Gol al-Rayda and Azzan, as well as the Mahfad district in Abyan province, earlier this month
after heavy fighting that killed scores on both sides. Many of the militants fled to the mountains and turned into hit-and-run tactics against security forces and government facilities across the country.
Military sources in the field said that in yesterday’s fighting, the army forced the militants to retreat, and they took with them the bodies of their dead or wounded. Five militant vehicles were
By JOHN ABHUERE, (Ph.D
youth development, the Centre for Childcare and Youth Development is concerned and hereby appeal to the conscience of the members of the sect to please release the children unhurt. Although tongues and tribes and religion may differ, we are foremost children of the same God. And we share commonality in many other areashumanity, brotherhood, race, history of colonialism nationality, blood that knows no religion or culture of an individual etc. We are truly one. So let’s give peace a chance and release the abducted children unhurt now. Nigeria is for all of us and a good place awaits all good people in the Kingdom of God. In the name of God we appeal to all young people to shun violence for it is the surest way to hell-the worst abode and destiny of man as the holy book teaches. We are first and foremost children of God and we have a duty to do well and live kindly on earth as it is in heaven. This should be the purpose of religion- to make the earth as peaceful and beautiful as heaven. Some have doubted the ability of the military here but let it be known that this is not a military warfare per se, so the might of the military is neither in question nor truly needed beyond some limit. This is a borderless war- more of the mind than body by a people who through ideological
justness of their action and their conquest of death. The protest especially by women is ok especially in drawing attention of the rest of the world. Otherwise it is like applying wrong sophisticated modern tactics to medieval situation and thought process. It is akin to pouring water on stone with the hope of producing food. What we now need is appeal to minds of the youths, negotiation with some carrots, Mass public enlightenment for good character education and development, empowerment of youths/citizens for maximum participation but above all high-powered surveillance and intelligence
Appeal For Release Of The Abducted and gathering them yet. As a body indoctrination with the Girls conviction believe in the cooperation of everyone to dedicated to childcare and
IT is over two weeks now that our children— daughters, cousins, friends were kidnapped from their school by members of the Boko Haram sectarian group and no pleasant news about
Israeli Leader’s Visit Sparks Protests In Norway S T AVA N G E R , NORWAY— Israeli President Shimon Peres was met by political anger and protests over his country’s policies in the occupied territories during a visit to Norway . The 90-year-old Peres, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his role in trying to bring Israel and the Palestinians together in Norwegian-mediated peace talks known as the Oslo Accords, is the first Israeli head of state to visit the country. Norway’s King Harald, who plays a ceremonial role and is not part of the government, welcomed Peres to the royal palace on Monday as police dispersed demonstrators outside. More protests were planned by 24 organizations. “When the government invites the Israeli president on a state visit, one can only ask what signal Norway wants to send,” said Kathrine Jensen, head of the Norwegian Palestine Committee. She demanded that the Norwegian government “condemn Israeli occupation policy and their human rights abuses.” Norwegian-Israeli relations
have soured over the past decade as Norway’s leftleaning governments took a critical stance against Israel. Unlike many western countries, Norway refused to classify Gaza’s Islamic Hamas rulers as terrorists, and the government’s rich oil fund has divested shares in companies accused of contributing to building Israeli homes in the West Bank. Peres, who as foreign minister shared the peace prize in 1994 with the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, appeared unfazed by the protests. He told reporters after meeting King Harald that he enjoyed visiting Norway, which he described as “a pearl of humanity.” Despite the recent collapse of U.S.-backed Mideast peace talks, Peres said the chance for peace has not been lost. “Neither we nor the Palestinians have any other alternative but peace,” Norwegian broadcaster NRK quoted Peres as saying in a speech at an Oslo synagogue.
Jailed Journalist On Hunger Strike, Condition ‘Critical’CAIRO - An Al-Jazeera journalist held in Egypt since August is in “critical” health and could slip into a coma after more than 100 days on hunger strike, his brother said Tuesday. Abdullah Elshamy was arrested on August 14 when police dispersed supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo, killing hundreds in clashes. The journalist, who works for the Qatar-based pan-Arab news network, went on hunger strike in January to protest his detention and has yet to face trial. Abdullah is suffering from “anaemia, the start of kidney failure, low blood pressure
destroyed, the Defence Ministry said. Government forces also captured a number of the militants in Azzan, who were found in possession of “documents, bombs and explosives belts”, it said.
Brother
and hypoglycaemia (glucose deficiency in the blood stream),” one of his brothers, Mosaab Elshamy, told AFP. “He is at a critical stage and needs to be transferred to hospital,” Mosaab said, providing AFP with a copy of a blood test Elshamy did last week. At the start of his hunger strike Elshamy drank juice and other sugary drinks but for the past month he has only been taking water, his brother said. Elshamy has shed around 40 kilogrammes (88 pounds) over the past 112 days, he added.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mrs. Drusilla Sandra Ehizogie Charles Igbinedion wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Miss Sandra Ehizogie Ediagbonya. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Mrs. Drusilla Sandra Ehizogie Charles Igbinedion. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
save the day. Let us speak to our conscience and guide our youth aright. May God bless as you release the children and stop all forms of hostility. Let the youth say no to the elites who teach them wrong philosophy of life and ideology of hatred and give them arms to kill others or get killed too. You have a bright future in our great country. We are one people with common destiny. Listen to the voice God and release the children now. CHIEF JOHN I ABHUERE,PhD, FINIM, Oven of Ebelle, Chairman and CEO ,Centre for Child care and Youth Development Abuja.
PUBLIC NOTICE ASSURANCE FARMERS ASSOCIATION
No. 2, Idoro Street, Off College Road, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City
The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. Agbonghae Abraham – Chairman 2. Edokpa Sunday – Secretary 3. David Imasuen 4. Hercules Osagie 5. Agbonghae John 6. Isiah Omoregie 7. Julius Odigie 8. Osahon Imafidon 9. Jobson Agbonghae 10. Femi Fadaka AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. For the purpose of farming to help feed the nation. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Edokpa Sunday (Secretary)
NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING EDO STATE CHAPTER No. 144 Akpakpava Road, Ikpoba Slope, Benin City
NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING EDO STATE CHAPTER ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE
The following members of Edo State NIOB were recently elected to pilot the affairs of the Institute for two (2) years. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Bldr. Bamidele Osamudiamen (MNIOB) – Chairman Bldr. Paul Iboi (MNIOB) – Vice Chairman Bldr. Idienumah Fidelis .M.O (MNIOB) – Hon. Secretary Bldr. Ononfa Sunday – Treasuerer Bldr. Kingsley Omorodion – Financial Secretary Bldr. Osujie Anthony – Publicity Secretary Bldr. Jonathan Iruobe (MNIOB) – Ex-officio. Signed: Bldr. Idienumah Fidelis .M.O. (MNIOB) Hon. Secretary
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
International Mine Explosion: 205 Dead, Many SOMA, TURKEY — Trapped In Turkey Since first light at a coal mine in western Turkey yesterday, rescue workers have been removing a steady stream of bodies after an underground explosion and fire killed at least 205 workers. The fate of more than 200 other miners remained unclear in one of Turkey’s worst mining disasters. But the slow pace of the rescue workers emerging from the mine with stretchers indicates that hopes are dimming. The bodies were covered in blankets and their faces were blackened like the coal. Other rescue workers, mostly miners lucky enough to have been on a different shift or working in other mines, have also trickled out on their own. Though they are also streaked with soot, their faces are lighter because they can still sweat and use their hands. One man, who declined to be named, said he had led a 10-man team about a kilometer (half-mile), or
halfway, down the mine into the tunnels and had recovered three bodies. But the men had to flee because of smoke from coal that had been lit by the explosion, he said. Another man walked down the stairs from the mine’s entrance weeping, with a look of dejection. Behind him, two groups bearing heavy stretchers pushed through the crowd like caterpillars. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said 787 people were inside the coal mine in Soma, around 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Istanbul, at the time of the explosion and 363 of them had been rescued so far. “Regarding the rescue operation, I can say that our hopes are diminishing,” Yildiz said. In Istanbul, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of the company which owns the mine, Soma Holding. Mining accidents are
common in Turkey, which is plagued by poor safety conditions. Turkey’s worst mining disaster was a 1992 gas explosion that killed 263 workers near the Black Sea port of Zonguldak. As bodies were brought out on stretchers, rescue workers pulled blankets back from the faces of the dead to give jostling crowds of anxious family members a chance to identify victims. One elderly man wearing a prayer cap wailed after he recognized one of the dead, and police restrained him from climbing into an ambulance with the body. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff. Erdogan postponed a one-day visit to Albania and planned to visit Soma instead. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara issued a statement to express condolences, saying “we are following the mining disaster in Soma with great sadness.”
Iran ‘Shares Nuclear Technology’ With North Korea - Netanyahu TOKYO - Iran is sharing nuclear technology with North Korea, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview published yesterday, as Tehran and world powers hold talks aimed at ending a decade-old standoff. Netanyahu, who is in Japan this week for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, said Iran “would share whatever technology it acquired with North Korea,” the Mainichi Shimbun reported in a front-page piece. Asked if Pyongyang is receiving technologies linked to nuclear and missile development from Iran, Netanyahu said: “Yes, that’s exactly the case.” North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme is one of Japan’s major security concerns. Despite international
isolation and extensive sanctions, North Korea appears to be readying to carry out a fourth nuclear test, observers have said, and regularly makes noises about the weaponisation of its technology. While being at the leading edge of Pyongyang’s isolation, resource-poor Japan has maintained friendly relations with oil-rich Iran through its years of ostracism, keeping up a diplomatic dialogue that many developed countries cut off decades ago. Late Tuesday, during a meeting with Kishida, Netanyahu called both Iran and North Korea “rogue” states. “We see a danger and a challenge posed by a rogue state arming itself with nuclear weapons. In your case it’s North Korea,” he said. “We are faced with such a
rogue state in the form of Iran and its quest to develop nuclear weapons,” he said. “Iran continues to deceive the world and advance its nuclear programme,” he said, adding “Clearly the Ayatollahs cannot be trusted.” “And if the international community wants to avoid the spectre of nuclear terrorism, they must assure that Iran... not have the capability to develop nuclear weapons,” he said. Kishida however “stressed...the importance of support by the international community including Israel to the framework of talks” between Iran and five UN nuclear powers plus Germany, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Abe also made a similar comment on Monday. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is intended only to generate power for civilian purposes.
Rescue workers carry a rescued miner from the mine in Soma, western Turkey, early yesterday.
Israel:
Hate Crimes Mount
JERUSALEM - Arab Israelis are increasingly voicing a Palestinian identity and national demands, as hate attacks by Jewish extremists and laws perceived as discriminatory have multiplied. Some 10,000 Arab Israelis rallied in northern Israel earlier this month for the right of return for Palestinian refugees who fled or were driven from their homes during the war that led to the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. It was a much higher than usual turnout for the annual commemoration of the Nakba (Arabic for catastrophe) and drew an angry response from Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. He described the protesters as a “fifth column,” and thundered that they should “march directly to Ramallah,” a Palestinian city in the West Bank “and stay there.” A growing number of Arab Israelis are visiting the cities of West Bank, if only to spend the odd weekend, as they search out all things Palestinians. “The Palestinian people are one, wherever they live,” said Shaher Mahameed, from the
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) sitting next to a captured USRQ-170 sentinel high-altitude reconnaissance that crashed in Iran.
Arab Israeli town of Umm alFahm, on a visit to the northern West Bank city of Nablus. “My ID card says I’m Israeli, but my heart is Arab Palestinian, and always will be.” More than 760,000 Palestinians — estimated today to number more than 5 million with their descendants — fled or were driven from their homes in 1948 and commemorate Nakba Day on Thursday. The 160,000 who stayed behind are now known as Arab Israelis and number about 1.4 million, some 20 percent of Israel’s population. Each weekend, growing numbers of Arab Israelis pack out cafes and hotels in the West Bank and flock to the markets, combining visits to relatives with cheaper shopping and leisure. “The Palestinians who live inside Israel coming here to shop in Nablus has really given a boost to the city’s markets,” said clothes shop owner Abu Hussein. The reassertion of a
Palestinian identity by growing numbers of Arab Israelis comes after a string of attacks on Christian and Muslim properties by suspected Jewish extremists, and after several new Israeli laws they perceive as infringing on their civil rights. “Palestinians inside Israel have never lost their national awareness. But at the moment it’s growing,” said Nadeem Nashef, director of an Arab youth organisation based in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. The attacks, and attempts “to give more privileges to Jews, have pushed people into taking firmer (nationalist) positions,” Nashef said. Mordechai Kedar, professor of Arab studies at Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv, agreed. “The attacks that have taken place in the last few weeks, such as the burning of cars and scrawling of (racist) graffiti, ignite feelings of nationalism and of marginalisation,” he said.
Undergo Mental Evaluation, South African Court Orders Pistorius PRETORIA - A South African court has ordered Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius to undergo evaluation for mental illness, further delaying a murder trial that has already stretched into its 32nd day. The state had asked for the evaluation after a psychiatrist told the court this week that Pistorius, who is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year, suffered from an anxiety disorder. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has argued he wanted to prevent the 27-year-old sprinter, who faces life in prison if convicted, from later appealing on the basis of a disturbed mental condition. Defense lawyer Barry Roux had argued against the motion, saying it was “premature” to have the evaluation done now, as he
planned to call other witnesses. But Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that a mental assessment would ensure that Pistorius gets a fair trial. Masipa said the court would hand down the details of the assessment on Tuesday, adding it would be preferable for him to undergo the evaluation as an outpatient. Pistorius has denied he killed Steenkamp in cold blood, saying he shot four times at the toilet door of his luxury Pretoria home to protect himself from what he thought was an intruder. Pistorius competed against able-bodied sprinters on carbon-fiber prosthetics, becoming one of the most recognized names in athletics. He won a clutch of Paralympic medals and reached the semi-finals of the 400m at the London 2012 Olympics.
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Millennium
THE millennium, wiseacres have tried again to put forward an explanation of how this great period of peace and joy that is implied in it is going to be realized. But, it has never yet been possible to come any near the truth. Abd-mu-shin says before the thousand year reign of peace every thing has to be become new in the judgement, that is, the essential foundation for the new kingdom. It cannot be built up on the existing soil, everything that is old, has first to become new. Abd-ru-shin, the author of the “Grail Message” says that this does not mean that the old is to be revitalized in its existing form, but, the expression “new” implies a change, a transformation of the old. In his pondering, man failed to take this into consideration and therefore, never made any progress towards a right conception. He says what must first change most drastically in the judgement is man himself, for he alone has brought the confusion into subsequent creation. Form him, form his wrong volition, the evil went forth into the world. The origin beauty, purity and health that always result from a swinging in the primordial laws of creation were gradually distorted and perverted through the wrong volition of his humanity. Instead of a healthy maturing towards perfection, nothing but caricatures could still form in the unceasing process of development (Abd-rushin). The spirit of man works through his volition. Through his volition, he exercises leadership, thus, as spirit; he exerts pressure upon certain animistic substances which shapes both ethereal and gross matter. For a spirit, animistic substance is the ginger that exercises the pressure according to the spirits volition. Thus, the volition of the human spirit is answerable for much that develops in
subsequent creation. Abd-rushin opines that man as spirit exercises the pressure that determines the nature of the form. He cannot exercise his will without simultaneously forming. No matter what it is. Thus, he can like wise never evade this responsibility for all the forms created by him. His volition, his thinking and his actions – everything takes on form in the mechanism of this world. Man’s ignorance does not alter the effect. Abd-ru-shin opines that mans wrong volition his obstinacy and self – conceit, he has not held back any true blossoming, but has ruined subsequent creation and brought about only harm instead of blessing. He said admonitions through prophets, then through the son of God Himself, were not enough to change man and induce him to take the might course. He did not want to and increasingly nourished his conceit and prepare the catastrophes that must now be unleashed according to the Eternal law in creation, which man failed to recongised because his conceited idea of being the master prevented him from doing so. The sole cause of the coming horrors lies in the distorting of the Divine primordial laws through the false, volition of human spirits in subsequent creation. For this wrong volition threw into confusion all the powercurrents that take effect automatically. The division of their course however, cannot go unpunished since, knotted sand entangled as they are, they will then forcibly detach themselves at a certain time. The detaching and disentangling show itself in the manifestations that we call catastrophes, it makes no difference whether this occurs in public affairs, families, with individuals or entire people or with the forces of nature. Thereby, all that is false will
collapse, judging itself through the power that is in these currents, which have been wrongly directed by humanity’s conceit, contrary to what God willed, for the these currents can only bring about blessing when they follow those courses which are intended for them by primordial law, thus, ordained for them by the creator. Never otherwise. That is also, why the end could be for seen already thousands of years ago, because owing to the wrongwilled attitude of men is could not possibly come about any differently, since
the final result of anything that happens always remains strictly bound to the primordial always. Now since the human spirits have proved their utter inability to recognise their task in this creation, since they proved their unwillingness to fulfill it by repudiating and misinterpreting all the warnings given by called ones and prophets, even those by the son of God Himself, sealing their enmity by the crucifixion, God now forcibly intervenes. Hence,
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 the millennium. Abd-ru-shin says only by force can subsequent creation still be helped, as well as man-kind, who have proved that they would never voluntarily be persuaded to take the right path which they must follow in creation in order to live in it according to God’s will and also, to work and bring blessing as the beings that they really are by virtue of their spiritual nature. For this reason, mankind now, in the judgement, are being deprived of their rights, they are for a time disinherited of the right they have possessed up till now, the right that the human will rules over this subsequent creation guiding and forming
it. Disinherited for a thousand years, so that at last there may be peace and a striving towards the light in accordance with the primordial laws in creation, to which man has hitherto been hostile. Disinheriting humanity of all the rights hitherto held in subsequent creation therefore makes possible and safeguards the establishment of the long-wished-for kingdom of peace. Thus, does man stand before his God. For that must he now render account. That is the
“For this reason, mankind now, in the judgement, are being deprived of their rights, they are for a time disinherited of the right they have possessed up till now, the right that the human will rules over this subsequent creation guiding and forming it.”
Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608 meaning of and the necessity for the thousand-year kingdom of God on earth. A sad truth, which cannot be more shaming for this mankind but… it is the only way to help them. Thus, the millennium will be a school for mankind, in which they must learn how they have to stand in this subsequent creation how to
in their self-conceit and the delusion of their own importance, mankinds have imagined it to be quite different. But they will have to lean and experience it as it actually is. Therein also, lies only a grace of God, to help those who are really of a pure volition. Be on your guard, spirit of man, for your hour has come.
think and act in order to fulfill their appointed task correctly and thereby, to achieve happiness themselves. To this end, Abd-ru-shin posits that the will of mankind as ruler in subsequent creation is now suspended for a thousand years, after whatever he has wrongly sown an wrongly guided has been destroyed in the judegment. During the thousand years the will of God alone will reign supreme, to which every human spirit must submit as soon as he has been able to pass through the Judgement. But should there be another failure as in the past, then mankind must count on complete annihilation. Abd-ru-shin says such is the millennium and its purpose
The time which you so ardently desired, which is granted to you for tour development-you have spent it only in wickedness. Beware in your presumptuous intellectual conceit that has thrown you into the arms of Darkness, which to day holds you triumphantly in its clutches. Look upwards. You are standing in the Divine Judgment Awake and tremble, you who in your narrow-mindedness and limited out look swarm around the golden calf of earthly transience, like moths attracted by a deceptive brightness. It was because of you that Moses, in his wrath of disappointment, once shattered those tablets of the laws of your God that were to help you to ascend to the light.
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Chelsea Yet To Decide On Lampard, Cole Futures
Spurs Sacking Hurts
- Sherwood TIM Sherwood admits it was a “massive wrench” to lose his job at Tottenham on Tuesday but he will be hoping he has made enough of an impression to land another managerial post. The 45-year-old was relieved of his duties at White Hart Lane less than six months after he replaced Andre Villas-Boas in the dugout. Sherwood’s future was unclear throughout much of that reign, with constant speculation linking the likes of Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino, Ajax’s Frank De Boer and Holland coach Louis van Gaal to his job. And Daniel Levy confirmed Sherwood’s departure in a statement on the club’s official website on Tuesday afternoon. “We appointed Tim midseason as someone who knew both the players and the club. We agreed an 18-month contract with a break clause at the end of the season and we have now exercised that option,” the statement read. “Moving forward, now the season is over, we shall embark on the process of finding a new head coach. “We have a talented squad and exciting young players coming through. We need to build on this season, develop our potential and inspire the kind of performances that we associate with our great club.” Tim Sherwood had the highest winning percentage of any Tottenham Hotspur manager in Premier League history Sherwood became the 12th Barclays Premier League manager to lose his job since the start of the season and told Sky Sports News he was disappointed to be sacked. “It is obviously a massive wrench to leave a club of the stature of Tottenham Hotspur, a club very close to my heart,’’ he said. As soon as it was announced that Sherwood was departing Tottenham, he was installed as favourite to fill the vacant hotseat at Brighton. Oscar Garcia left the southcoast club after losing 6-2 on aggregate to Derby in the Championship play-off semifinals and now Sherwood could replace him. West Brom and former club Norwich are also looking for new managers and Sherwood’s impressive win ratio of over 59 per cent during his time at Spurs will no doubt alert those clubs. When asked in his press conference ahead of their final game of the season against Aston Villa he revealed he was not confident he would be managing anywhere next year. During his spell in charge Sherwood compared his position to that of a babysitter and a supply teacher and publicly criticised the commitment of his players after they slipped to an uninspiring 4-0 defeat at Chelsea.
JOHN Terry’s Chelsea future has been decided, but the fates of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are still to be clarified. Any lingering uncertainty over Terry’s future was ended when the 33-year-old defender agreed a new deal until the end of the 2014/15 season after being rejuvenated by Mourinho’s return. Terry, who joined Chelsea as a 14-year-old schoolboy and has now made 621 appearances, said on the club’s website: “I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea taking me into my 20th year with the club. “I’d like to thank the fans and club for their continued support,
Lampard and Ashley Cole
Man Utd Comfortable After Moyes -Vidic OUTGOING Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has hinted that some of his teammates did not enjoy working under the guidance of departed manager David Moyes this season. Vidic, who will join Inter Milan this summer, has revealed there were heated arguments between his highly decorated colleagues as they continued to fall below the standards they have been used to delivering throughout their careers, as he admitted the methods being promoted by Moyes were not popular with some United players. In an interview appearing in the Daily Telegraph, the Serbian defender admitted there was some resentment to the changes Moyes was trying to introduce at United, yet he insists speculation that the players turned against the Scottish tactician before he was sacked last month are wide of the mark. “There was a transition,” Vidic said. “You get someone who sees football in a different way and he will want to put his stamp on the team and the way he wants to play. “I am not saying that the David Moyes way was bad, but
Nemanja Vidic
these players feel more comfortable playing a certain way of football. You have to respect where you are and what you represent, though, and there is no point speaking about someone who was here, who everyone knows lost his job because he did not succeed in doing what he wanted to achieve. “The best answer I can say is that [Moyes] tried really hard, he was professional. He was really committed to the job and desperately wanted to do well. But unfortunately, it didn’t happen and we are all sad. “Sometimes you have bad times and you question yourself, of course, but we never did anything to question the manager at all. We questioned ourselves more. “We argued amongst ourselves. This year more than any other, because when you have bad times, people show they care. We are still friends, but we were arguing to get better. We wanted to improve. “We could say those things to
each other because we have been together for so long, but it hurt. If you didn’t argue, it would not be right. We had some hard moments in the dressing room between ourselves.” Vidic admitted he had ‘honest conversations’ with Moyes over the course of his turbulent tenure as United boss, as he reflected on what proved to be his final season at Old Trafford with plenty of regrets. “It has been hard,” added Vidic. “We thought it might be difficult to win the title this year, but we still thought we would challenge for the trophies. We ended up losing the chance to win the title very early, though, and then we lost the chance to win the cups as well. “We are used to fighting until the last day of the season for the title. That has happened for
the last seven years and this year was the first year we have not done that, so it is hard to cope. “Why did it happen? It is hard to say now. You cannot point the finger at something and say this is why, or at someone and say it was their fault. “All of us have to take responsibility, but we have to accept that it did not work for us. We did not manage to keep the same standards of playing that we had under Sir Alex. “I don’t want to point at any one thing and say he should have stayed or that person might have come, or what if it had been someone else. If, if, if. That has passed. “Everyone has their own ideas and their own vision. It is hard to judge on why they didn’t do this or that. You should always judge on what they actually did do.”
and the manager who was instrumental for me the last season.” Terry’s form this season meant keeping him was imperative. Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “It is important the matter has been concluded so soon after the end of the season, allowing us to look forward to and plan for 2014/15.” The futures of record goalscorer Lampard and England centurion Cole are less certain, with both out of contract on June 30. Lampard, who is 36 in June, has been ponderous at times this season, while Cole has been a peripheral figure and is understood to be considering his options elsewhere. The recruitment of a prolific goalscorer is a priority, while any other incomings could be determined by departures, with Chelsea attempting to abide by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Reports continue to circulate that a transfer has been agreed with Atletico Madrid for striker Diego Costa, with David Luiz’s rumoured exit close in a potential move to Barcelona which would match the Blues’ outlay on Costa. Costa reportedly has a £32million release clause and shares an agent with Mourinho, Jorge Mendes. Confirmation of the move may have to wait until after the May 24 Champions League final, when Atletico take on Mourinho’s former club Real Madrid. Mourinho, who presented his end-of-season report to the Chelsea hierarchy on Monday, insists his squad does not require major surgery. And if, as he expects, the additions he wants happen this summer, the Premier League title will be next season’s objective. “Next season we can start day one and we can say without any kind of fears that we are there not to fight for the title, to win it,” Mourinho said on Monday night.
John Terry Extends Chelsea Stay
CHELSEA captain John Terry has signed a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge Terry’s previous terms were due to expire in the summer and it was uncertain whether the 33year-old would prolong his stay in West London. However, on Tuesday the club confirmed confirmed an agreement has been reached with the former England skipper. Terry has made a total of 621 starts for the Blues in all competitions, and this campaign he has impressed in the heart of Jose Mourinho’s defence. Chelsea conceded the least goals in the Premier League — 27 in 38 matches — as Terry and teammate Gary Cahill formed a solid partnership. Experienced duo Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard’s current
deals are also due to expire in the summer, and Mourinho recently hinted they may join Terry in staying. Reacting to signing his new contract, Terry told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea taking me into my 20th year with the club. “I’d like to thank the fans and club for their continued support, and the Manager who was instrumental for me the last season.” Chief executive Ron Gourlay added: “We are very pleased John, who is an undoubted Chelsea legend, will continue to lead the team next season, as he has done for so many years with unrivalled
achievement. “Both Chelsea FC and John have been clear throughout that we wanted his outstanding career at the club to continue, and it is important the matter has been concluded so soon after the end of the season, allowing us to look forward to and plan for 201415.”
John Terry
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
German Cup Equal To Clasico
BAYERN Munich head coach Pep Guardiola was content with his side’s performance in the Bundesliga 201314 campaign.Tags: German Bundesliga, Soccer, Espnfc, Football, Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola successful clubs in recent On Saturday, Bayern years at Berlin’s Munich and Borussia Olympiastadion. Dortmund are set to meet in “By now, I certainly the DFB Pokal finale, their know that FC Bayern versus third meeting in a final in BVB is the biggest meeting three seasons. It’s a match that can be compared to el clasico in Spain, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola says. In 2012, Borussia Dortmund won the domestic double when they beat Bayern Munich 5-2 in the German cup final. A year later, at Wembley, the Bavarians took revenge and secured the Champions League title through a lastminute goal from Netherlands winger Arjen Robben. The two Bundesliga meetings this season saw both teams taking 3-0 away victories back home. However, Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga title with a 19 point gap to Borussia Dortmund. Yet, their season has come under high scrutiny since their historic 5-0 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal. On Saturday, Germany is set for another showdown between the two most Pep Guardiola
in German football. We will see that again in Berlin,” Pep Guardiola told dfb.de in a double interview with Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp.
Sevilla Face Fight Over Rakitic - Kanoute SEVILLA face an uphill task to keep hold of indemand skipper Ivan Rakitic, according to the club’s former striker Freddie Kanoute. Rakitic’s stock has risen dramatically this season as he has inspired Sevilla’s resurgence at home and abroad. He insisted this January that he is “happy in Spain” but the likes of Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are believed to be among the 26year-old’s admirers. Kanoute, who left Seville in 2012 a year after Rakitic’s arrival from Schalke, says that while he hopes the Andalusians keep their talisman, it would be understandable if the midfielder were allowed to leave. “You cannot talk about Sevilla without talking about
Kanoute
Ratikic,” Kanoute told ESPN FC. “From the very first day I could see he had all the qualities to be a great player. “He may not be super fast but he compensates with other qualities — technically, with his vision of the game and his intelligence. He has brought his game to another level this season. It has been great watching him play. “It may be difficult for Sevilla to keep him now. It’s a big career choice for him I think. Some big clubs are sure to come in and sometimes there are offers that Sevilla can’t refuse because they
cannot afford to reject them. “It depends on many things. It would be nice for Sevilla to hold onto him but it will be difficult.” Asked at the pregame news conference if he might be the hero of a Sevilla victory, meanwhile, Ratikic said the only important thing was that his side lifted the trophy. “That does not matter to me,” the midfielder said. “There is no need to talk about a hero. M’bia’s goal [last-gasp semifinal winner at Valencia] would not have happened without the pass from Fazio. We all have our own importance.
- Guardiola “It can be compared to the Spanish clasico. Although the duels between Barcelona and Real Madrid have a much longer tradition and sometimes have even more sting.” Klopp echoed Guardiola’s words and said that “over the last four or five years those meetings have turned into a real big duel.” “But it wasn’t foreseeable five years ago that BVB could be part of this clasico. That’s why we can be even more proud to be back in Berlin,” Klopp said. Berlin has been the host of the German cup final since 1985, and the match at the Olympiastadion has turned into one of the highlights in the German football calendar. “To me, the German cup final is at the same level as the Champions League final,” Klopp said. “With the outstanding atmosphere and the perfect organisation by the DFB, this is the biggest final of them all. It’s worth making the trip, even if you are not part of the match.” The former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola also praised his BVB counterpart as an “extraordinary coach.” “What he has achieved in Dortmund is incredible. The squad carries his thumbprint,” Guardiola said, and Klopp handed the back the compliment by saying: “I am under the impression that we both love the game. Maybe it’s down to different character traits that we play different systems. But you can always see the love of the game.” Both styles will clash on Saturday, and Bayern Munich hope to turn their good season into a very good one. “This game will decide which stamp will be put on this season,” Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller was quoted by Bild, and
Tax Evasion Investigation Into Scolari
BRAZIL coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is the subject of a criminal investigation, officials in Portugal have said, with media reports saying he is accused of tax evasion. The reports said the former Portugal coach was alleged to have failed to declare around seven million euros of revenue dating from his spell in charge between 2003 and 2008. He is alleged to have received these sums as payment for his image rights through two companies based in the Netherlands, Chaterella Investors Limited and Flamboyant Sports. Officials have not confirmed the exact nature of the allegations against
Scolari because ongoing investigations fall under the country’s judicial secrecy law.
Luiz Felipe Scolari
But in an email to the Associated Press, the attorney general’s office said the Department for Criminal Investigation and Prosecution had opened an inquiry into Scolari. Scolari has denied any wrongdoing, saying in a statement reported by the Folha de S. Paolo newspaper: “I carried out all my tax returns correctly. In every country I worked in, I always declared my income. I am absolutely convinced that my statements are correct.” He added: “If something is wrong, it is not down to me. The justice system will narrow the facts.”
STEPHANE Mbia will wait until after Cameroon’s World Cup campaign before deciding where his future lies. Mbia, 28 next Tuesday, will form part of the Sevilla side that will take on Benfica in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Turin. Though his decisive late goal in the semifinal second leg against Valencia, which earned his club their place in the final, has earned him iconic status in Andalucia, Mbia told L’Equipe he may explore other avenues in the summer. “Sevilla have an option for me to stay, and they have already asked to take it up several times this season,” said the versatile midfielder, who is on a season-long loan with the Primera Liga club from Queen’s Park Rangers. “I have a lot of respect for this team, which has put me centre stage, but we’ll have to see what happens after the World Cup.” Though QPR are
Mbia To Decide Future After World Cup potentially just 90 minutes away from a Premier League return, Mbia added it was unlikely he would seek to extend the two-year deal he signed with the west London club when he joined them from Marseille in 2012. “In fact, I’ve been a free agent as of January. QPR had an option for two more years, but also in that case, I had to agree, and given that we didn’t part on good terms...”
Stephane Mbia
Nobody Wants To Leave - Rummenigge
BAYERN Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said no player has asked to leave the club in the summer, while Javi Martinez — linked with a switch to either Barcelona or the Premier League — has stressed that he is happy at the Bundesliga champions. Rummenigge said only Bayern would decide on departures after speculation in the German media suggested possible exits for stars such as Thomas Mueller or Bastian Schweinsteiger following the Champions League semifinal defeat to Real Madrid. Early in May, Rummenigge told the players that if anyone was unhappy at the club “he should come to my office... then we’d need to talk about it.” But speaking at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, he said no player had taken up the offer and he did not believe anyone would be leaving the club. “I’d like to think they all feel fine here,” he added. “To be honest, it would also surprise me — as a player, I’d never have the idea to leave the club now. At the end of the day, the club will exclusively decide how the squad will look next season. But decisions will only be made after the [DFB Pokal] final on Saturday.” Speaking to Sport Bild, Spain international Javi Martinez, who has struggled for playing time amid a series
of niggling injuries, said he was happy. “I am very satisfied here in Munich — with the city, with the club, with my colleagues,” he told the German sports weekly. “My hope is that I can play here for many more years. “I am not satisfied with my season, because I had too many injuries. In my whole career, I have never missed as many games as this year. I hope luck favours me more next year.” Asked about the Barcelona link, he answered: “I only think about staying here. In the papers I’ve read that Pep is happy with me. Also the club, I believe. “I had good talks with the club board, and leaving was never a topic. If Bayern want me to stay, I will stay, and I’d like to think that this is case.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
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2014 World Cup Count-Down
Argentina Leave Out Carlos Tevez STRIKER Carlos Tevez was left out of Argentina’s preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup on Tuesday. Despite having just led Juventus to the Italian league title as the team’s top scorer, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella ignored pleas from Tevez’s passionate fan base in Argentina. Sabella has never called up the hard-working striker since taking charge of the national team in 2011. Instead he’s put his faith in Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio as substitutes for star attackers Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero. All were included in Sabella’s initial 30-player squad, which will be reduced to a final 23 by a FIFA deadline of June 2. The 30-year-old Tevez has scored 19 goals in the Italian Serie A this season. “I am sorry I had to leave out good players,’’ Sabella said, without mentioning names. He also excluded veteran midfielder Esteban Cambiasso of Inter Milan but included Manchester City’s Martin Demichelis, who hasn’t played for the national team for two years. While Argentina’s attack is among the world’s strongest, the team looks weaker at the back. Sergio Romero remains Sabella’s first-choice goalkeeper even though he’s not a regular starter for French club Monaco. Mariano Andujar of Catania and Agustin Orion
Carlos Tevez
of Boca Juniors were called up as Romero’s backups in the preliminary squad. Sabella included central defenders Federico Fernandez and Ezequiel Garay along with fullbacks Pablo Zabaleta and Marco Roja. Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago was selected despite receiving a knee injury last month. Gago damaged a ligament in his left knee last month in the Argentine league. The midfield lineup also includes Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega. Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).
Defoe ‘Heartbroken’ By England Snub BEING overlooked for England’s World Cup squad broke Jermain Defoe’s heart and provided him with the lowest moment of his career, the Toronto FC striker has claimed. Defoe, who has 55 caps to his name, was told by Roy Hodgson at the weekend that he would not be going to Brazil this summer. The 31-year-old has the scant consolation of being on the standby list, and although he is willing to fly out if asked, he admits to being at his lowest Jermain Defoe
Ivory Coast Injury Worries Over Toure And Drogba
INJURY concerns over Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba are undermining Ivory Coast’s preparations for the World Cup, coach Sabri Lamouchi said on Tuesday. three years but lost out to Luis Toure’s fitness is an issue after Suarez for the Footballer of the the midfielder was taken off as Year prize in England. Manchester City clinched the “We need a determined Yaya, English Premier League title with a Yaya that is physically at 100 a 2-0 victory over West Ham on percent, psychologically at 100 Sunday. percent to first of all take us to Lamouchi also said Toure needs the second round,” Lamouchi a rest after a long season. said. “He’ll have to rest and “But it’s clear that if Ivory recuperate. He didn’t come off Coast hopes to go far it will because he was tired, he was depend upon a successful World substituted because he had a small Cup from Yaya Toure.” injury. It was due to fatigue,” Lamouchi said Drogba’s Lamouchi said. recovery from recent groin “We’re hoping that it wasn’t too surgery, carried out in Qatar, was serious. He’ll need to get being closely followed. treatment. Yaya will need to “Not having him on the pitch recuperate from his long season, is of course worrying for his busy season. everyone,” Lamouchi said. “With a good World Cup, I think “Everyone knows the winning, Yaya will be a serious contender competitive, champion’s spirit for the Ballon d’Or,” Lamouchi that Didier could bring out of the added, citing the annual FIFA players during the World Cup.” award for the world’s best player Lamouchi also explained the usually awarded in December. decision to include Traore in a Toure has been crowned African preliminary squad of 28 for the Footballer of the Year for the last World Cup, which he announced
on Tuesday, even though the forward has been sidelined by a hamstring problem. “Lacina Traore is the big question mark. Everyone agrees he is an incredible talent, but this guy played very little this year. “But we are going to need everyone. I had to come up with
Eleven come from the domestic league, including Benfica quartet Ruben Amorim, Andre Gomes, Andre Almeida and Ivan Cavaleiro. The Eagles won the league by seven points and have Europa League and Taca de Portugal finals to come. Monaco’s Joao Moutinho will be expected to provide the creative spark from central midfield alongside Miguel Veloso and Raul Meireles, while Sporting’s William Carvalho and Manchester United’s Nani are among the other notable names, the latter being the only representative of the English Premier League. Coach Paulo Bento plans to
(Valencia), Rolando (Inter Milan). Midfielders: Andre Gomes (Benfica), Joao Mario (Vitoria Guimaraes), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon). Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Ivan Cavaleiro (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma, Silvestre Varela (both Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).
It’s Up To Us To Be Big Boys RIO Mavuba has urged France’s World Cup squad to avoid a repeat of Les Bleus’ farcical tournament in South Africa four years ago. The stain left by the squad’s decision to go on strike in Knysna in protest at Nicolas Anelka’s exclusion from the squad for insulting coach Raymond Domenech has yet to be washed from the minds of the French public. The national team’s collective bad-boy image was further fuelled by incidents of poor discipline at Euro 2012, which
Real Madrid Trio On Portugal Squad CRISTIANO Ronaldo is joined by two of his Real Madrid colleagues in Portugal’s 30-man provisional World Cup squad, which features four players from all-conquering domestic champions Benfica. Ronaldo, whose hat-trick in the playoff against Sweden saw his country to the finals, will continue to carry their hopes on his shoulders against Germany, Ghana and the United States in Group G. Real defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao will make the journey with him as part of a seven-strong contingent from Spain’s Primera Division.
cut his squad down to 23 on May 19 ahead of their Brazil 2014 campaign. The Portuguese are in Group G with the U.S., Germany and Ghana, and will kick off their tournament against the Germans on June 16 in Salvador. Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon). Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Antunes (Malaga), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit St. Petersburg), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa
a list that would allow me a number of options in case some of them have to withdraw.” The Ivorians are due to prepare for the World Cup at a training base in the U.S. At the finals they are in Group C, alongside Japan, Colombia and Greece.
ebb. “This was, without doubt, the lowest point of my career. I’m devastated,” he told the Sun. “I can’t remember much of the conversation. As soon as he told me I was not in the squad I switched off. I was heartbroken. “I got left out of the squad in 2006 by Sven-Goran Eriksson after travelling to the training camp and never wanted to feel that low again. This feels far worse than then.” Defoe, who has 19 goals for England, swapped the Premier League for the MLS in February but does not believe that is the reason for his omission. “Some people are talking like I’ve been here for four years rather than two months,” he added. “I never had a discussion with Roy about any possible impact on my England chances coming here because I didn’t feel the need to. And I did read a quote from him, saying that me playing in MLS doesn’t change anything because he knows me as a player.”
led to Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yann M’Vila and Jeremy Menez being hauled before the French Football Federation’s Disciplinary Commission. Mavuba, included in Didier Deschamps’ 23-man selection for this summer’s trip to Brazil, told RMC he was conscious that all eyes would be on the squad both on and off the pitch, and it was up to the players to be “exemplary.” “We know that we’re going to be scrutinised given what has happened in recent competitions,” the 30-year-old Lille midfielder explained. “It’s up to us to be big boys, to assume our responsibilities and to show a good image. Over and above out on the pitch, we have to be exemplary.” The presence of Mavuba, who won the last of his nine caps in 2012, and the notable absence of Nasri could be interpreted as a sign of Deschamps’ determination to not only fashion a competitive squad but also shape one that will not produce controversy. However, Deschamps himself did that by excluding Eric Abidal. The 34-year-old veteran of France’s last two World Cup campaigns had, at the start of the season, been expected to be one of the first names on the list for the flight to South America. However, disappointing displays for the national team,
- Mavuba
coupled with a dip in club form during the second half of the season, meant the Monaco defender missed out. Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala was instead selected as one of four centre-backs along with Raphael Varane, Laurent Koscielny and Mamadou Sakho, who told BFM TV he had watched Deschamps’ announcement live on national TV with nerves fraying. “As long as the list had not been announced, I had a knot in my stomach because you can never take anything for granted in football,” the Liverpool defender, who scored two goals to help France clinch their finals berth with playoff victory over Ukraine, said. “I am satisfied with this team. If the coach believes this is the best squad to do well at the World Cup, I respect his choices.”
Rio Mavuba
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
Oduduru, Akerele Listed For IAAF World Relays TWO Nigeria home-based sprinters, Divine Oduduru and Omeiza Akerele have been named as members of the country’s proposed team to the IAAF World Relays. The reports that the best of 10.39 secs, while competition is slated to hold Akerele fought stiff between May 24 and May 25 competition from old timer and in Nassau, Bahamas. Olympics bronze medalist, The Athletics Federation of Godday James to win the Nigeria (AFN) said in a Men’s 400m in 46.88 secs. statement on Tuesday in Lagos According to the statement, that the duo had been leading the Team Nigeria is impressive in their Moscow 2013 double medalist, performance at the federation’s Blessing Okagbare who has organised Golden League. been listed to compete in the 4 It will be recalled that the x 100m and 4 x 200m relays. duo did the country proud in She will be joined by Gloria 2013 at the African Youth Asumnu, Dominique Omajuwa Athletics Championships. Duncan, Francesca Okwara, Oduduru won the men’s 100m in Akure with a personal
Peace Uko and Endurance Abinuwa in the 4x100m. Other female athletes in the team are Regina George, Patience Okon-George, Omolara Omotosho, Bukola Abogunloko, Folashade Abugan and Amaka Ogoegbunam. The men’s team comprises of Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Obinna Metu, Nicolas Imhoaperamhe, Mark Quis Frazier, Elvis Ukale, Oduduru and Noah Akwu. Others are Amaechi Morton, Orukpe Eraikoyan Joseph, Akerele, Tobi Ogunmola and Isah Salihu.
The statement said that AFN President, Solomon Ogba, would lead the contingent, including Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, Olumide Bamiduro (Secretary General) and Eric Campbell (Performance Director). Other officials are Relays Co-coordinator, Maurice Green, Gabriel Okon, Daniel Etsebiminor, Ekundayo Ogunkunle (Physio), Timothy Lee (Physio), Falilat Ogunkoya (Athlete Representative) and Olukayode Thomas (Media Officer).
THE Chairman, Senate Committee on Sport, Malam Adamu Gumba, on Tuesday described sports as an area with huge potentials for job creation. Gumba stated this in Bauchi during the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction of Technical Centre under the FIFA Goal II project for the North-East Zone. He however observed the potentials of the sector were yet to be tapped fully by youths in the country. “If you do not have the opportunity to get a white collar job, explore your potentials in the field of sport and you will go places, “he said. He therefore advised them to take advantage of the sports facilities available to sharpen their skills and become great
Former Coach Calls For More Tennis Competitions GEORGE Odiong, a former Head Coach, Lagos State Tennis Association, on Tuesday advised the National Sports Commission (NSC) to organise more competitions toward improving the standard of the sport. Odiong told newsmen at the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Championships in Lagos. He said that the sport was relatively going into extinction in the country and needed more attention. “I know we have these talents out there but we are not making efforts to bring them out. “The NSC should make an effort to organise such competitions, so, as to be able to identify such talents. “We believe that these talents abound at the grassroots because there are no proper avenues to develop them. “So, I implore local governments, where these talents reside to initiate some competitions too to fish them out. “I believe that through sports, we can develop the youth and by engaging them actively in sport, we are keeping them off the streets,’’ he said. He commended the CBN for developing the sport and urged other would-be sponsors to take a queue. “The CBN, sponsors of the competition, has been a good example of development in the game. “We need more competitions for these young ones, who have the talent to play the game, and to be able to compete with their foreign counterparts “I only hope that the NSC will take it into consideration in helping to organise more competitions,’’ Odiong said.
Omeiza Akerele
Divine Oduduru
Sports Hold Potentials For Job Creation -Gumba sportsmen and women. Also speaking, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Mr. Godfrey Gaiya, said the technical centre, when completed, would go a long way in providing job opportunities to the teeming youths of the state and the nation at large. He also called on the youths to seize the opportunity provided by the availability of the facilities to develop their potentials in football. Earlier, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State thanked FIFA for selecting their state as one of the beneficiaries of its Goal project. He pledged that the state government would maintain the infrastructure and ensure that it was put to proper use. FIFA Goal II Project’s Technical Centres are to be constructed in the six geopolitical zones of the country, with Bauchi being the pilot project. Under the project, players’ hostels and synthetic football pitches are to be constructed, for the purpose of developing sports at the grassroots.
Enyeama Expresses Gratitude To Nigerians Over Award
SUPER Eagles number one goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, on Tuesday thanked Nigerians for their support which made it possible for him to be named the best African Player in the French League I season. This is contained in a statement issued by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles Media Officer in Abuja. The statement said
Enyeama spoke from his base in France. It quoted the goalkeeper as saying that “he is delighted that he was picked as Africa’s best player in France and has been totally enthralled by the huge support of Nigerians over the award’’. The statement said
Enyeama assured Nigerians that he would not fail the country during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “Now the leagues are almost over across the world and all of us have a new focus, which is the World Cup, we will go there and enjoy ourselves and also
NCF Plans Grassroots Cricket Development THE Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) said on Tuesday that it planned to groom budding talents at the grassroots to replace the aging ones in the sport. The President of the federation, Emeka Onyema, told newsmen in Lagos that the body would also embark on facility upgrade to ensure the development of the sport. Onyema said that the priority was for the federation to play on the elite platform - division five. He said: “the most critical factor is development - how to get cricket into the country because as you go out there playing you have to also think about who will replace those who
are playing. “So it’s a blessing in disguise; we did not plan to go to division four because we already knew the challenges we will face if we go to division four. “We planned to stay in division five so that we can come back to the drawing board and plan how to stabilise our game so that when we go to division four we will not see ourselves going back to division eight.“ The president said that as part of efforts to restrategise, the federation planned to ensure that it put in place facilities of international standard. “International standard facility is the key thing. That is what we need, and also development in
the junior and medium cadres of the game,“ he said. Onyema added that the federation would focus on both the male and female cricketers in its developmental programmes. He said: “As we plan for the boys’ cricket, we are also planning for the girls’ cricket. “Because today there is no gender difference, as you are talking about the boys you also talk about the girls so the girls are not relegated. “It is unfortunate that the men moved faster in the game but as I speak to you we are putting all efforts to see that the female game is raised.
excel for ourselves and the country. “I can’t wait for the World Cup to start,’’ it quoted him as saying. It said that Enyeama, who is the goalkeeper of Lille Metropole FC of France, noted that he was optimistic of Nigeria’s chances of excelling at the World Cup. The statement said he prayed God to help him replicate his performance in
Vincent Enyeama
his club at the Mundial. “God has always been the greatest supporter I have, He (God) has always been there for me when I needed support and He has continued to inspire me to greater heights. “Apart from that, the support I get from my family and Nigerians have been massive inspiration to me. “I pray that the World Cup will be a crowning glory for me, the team and all Nigerians,’’ it said.
CMYK
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
As I Remember Elder Isemede AS I remember Mac, I remember “Yahoo don come”. That was a pet name we shared as we were entering into the computer world. We threw up the name freely, even at the middle of church services, particularly on those rare occasions, at the Church of God Mission, when the preaching was getting pall and uninteresting. Mac tried everything. He thought his breakthrough could come from a business centre. Before we knew what was happening, he had assembled some old desk top computers, which had apparently been discarded somewhere. These old sets soon became virused unto death. The business only served as a relief centre for church members. On a busy day, he could rake in about N500 from the old photo copiers. And that was not the type of petit breakthrough Mac had prayed for. He once told me that it would take a century for the blessings from such tickles to amount to anything. He packed up the business. When Governor Lucky Igbinedion appointed him Chairman of the Waste Management Board, I nicknamed him “Sanford and Son” – after the American TV comedy series of Lamar and his father, Sanford, who were in the junk collection business. He accepted the nickname but still kept calling me “Yahoo don come”. According to him, the Observer Newspapers whose Board I chaired until
recently was still yahooing -- struggling to barely circulate beyond Oba Ovonramwan Square. A pity, Isemede didn’t live long enough to see what Observer will become in the next few months, Insha Allah! I had the rare privilege
in the little village of Ukhuse-Osi in the present Owan Local Government Area of Edo State. He had his early education in Army Children School, Eleyele, Ibadan and Ibadan District Council Primary School, Ibadan, 1949-1955. He then proceeded to Ibadan District Council Modern
Elder (Lt. Col.) Godwin Macaulay Isemede
of writing and presenting a citation on this man, Elder (Hon.) (Col.) Godwin Macaulay Odia Isemede, in support of the reception in his honour, during the celebration of his 70 th Birthday Anniversary. That was how I got to know so much about this man from the heart of Afenmai Land. Elder Isemede was born on 28 May 1941 into the family of Mr. Benjamin Arenobe and Mrs. Dorcas Agbonhanhan Isemede
School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. From the second year in the Modern School, he proceeded to the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. In his determination to build up the necessary intellectual robustness relevant to the machinery and process of service to humanity, he soon transcended the narrow confines of secondary cum military education when he undertook extensive and intensive management courses both within and outside
Nigeria. Among other things, he attended Royal Medical College, Crookham, Aldershot in England before proceeding to Woolish Hospital, London, where he graduated as a Radiographer. Before venturing into career politics, he held several positions of responsibility during which he distinguished himself a prodigy, a man of excellence, a soldier extraordinaire and an extremely humane individual. During his working years, he found himself in positions requiring superior intelligence and judgment. He faithfully served a wide and varied constituency, always ensuring that justice was applied with universal equality. All these gave his experience a richness that further prepared him for greater responsibilities and service to humankind. In the military frontier, Isemede was virtually in all the formations and battalions at various times and in various parts of the country. He was part of the gallant soldiers that fought to liberate the then MidWestern Region from the clutches of the Biafran Army. After that, he was moved to the Third Marine Commando, Port-Harcourt, where he spearheaded vital links with Aba-Umuahia and Aba-Owerri Roads. These were the hotspots of the Nigerian Civil War. Since retiring from the Nigerian Army, Isemede had a sojourn in the business world. During
the period 1981-1991, he was in the service of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, where he occupied various managerial positions A major turn around in the life of Elder Isemede came in 1991, when he gave his life to Christ, accepting Him as his Lord and personal saviour. Isemede saw it all. He saw the ups and downs of life. His political life epitomizes the strong belief that he who has never failed has never really succeeded. At a point, we saw him as the Moses of our time -- the man who saw the Promise Land but did not enter into it. He made several attempts to be the Chairman of Owan West Local Government, only to be rigged out at the eleventh hour. In 1997, he contested, and won, election into the Edo State House of Assembly but he was not sworn in due to the death of Gen. Sanni Abacha, which truncated Nigeria’s attempt to return to civil rule. This was, perhaps, another case of a successful operation in which the patient died! Between 2003 and 2007, Isemede was the Chairman, Board of Directors, Edo State Waste Management Board. Between October 2010 and February 2011, he was the Transition
Chairman, Owan West Local Government. Isemede was focused. This was one man who refused to be intimidated by the aggressive media strategies of his political opponents. He was a most perfect manifestation of political craftsmanship and hope for our people. He could test positive for the Heavenly Race any time. He was a soldier extraordinaire, a political strategist, a tactician, an exponent of human kindness, he rendered service to humanity without counting the cost; and above all, he was a gentleman. He passed on to eternal glory on 14 March 2014, leaving behind 3 wives, 14 children and 33 grand children. Like the great Apostle Paul, Isemede lived a good life; he ran a good race; he finished his course; and there is no doubt in my mind that the crown of righteousness already awaits him in the bosom of the Lord. So shall it be, Amen! My entire family joins me in praying that the Almighty God would grant those he left behind, the fortitude to bear his temporary separation from them.
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