Aregbesola, Ooni, Hausa leader appeal for peaceful co-existence in Ife

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Rauf Aregbesola, Governor State of Osun

• Seven suspects held over clash
• House seeks inquiry into conflict
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and leader of Hausa community in Ife, Mahmud Madagali, have appealed for peaceful co-existence.

This followed the bloody clash that occurred last Wednesday between the Yoruba and Hausa residents in the town in which many people were killed.

Aregbesola, who addressed Ife residents at the Ooni’s palace, promised to prosecute those found culpable in the violence.

He urged both parties to cooperate with the on-going state and Federal Government’s peace efforts to restore normalcy in the area.

The governor said he was committed to promoting peaceful co-existence among all the tribes in the state.

He said: “It is disheartening to experience such wanton destruction in Ile-Ife again, after the end of the tragic Ife/Modakeke war, which lasted for 15 years.”

Aregbesola stressed that northerners living in Ife and other parts of Yoruba land were not strangers, but part and parcel of their host communities, because many of them were born and bred in those places.

While promising to assist the victims within the limit of the state’s resources, he assured the Hausa community of adequate protection.

The Ooni also described the incident as unfortunate, promising to do whatever is possible to punish the perpetrators.

The Hausa community leader, who also spoke at the peace parley, explained that some miscreants allowed a disagreement between two people to escalate into a bloody clash.

Madagali appealed to the government to protect his people and assist them with resources over the loss of their property.

Meanwhile, the police have announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the violence.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Osun State Police command, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, disclosed this yesterday.

She said that police had restored normalcy to the troubled area of Sabo where the violent clash occurred.

Also, the state House of Assembly has asked Aregbesola to raise a commission of enquiry to investigate the root cause of the violent clash.

A stement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye yesterday said, members of the parliament made the call at the plenary on Monday.

He said the crisis was a ‘very sad development’ and should be investigated to prevent the repeat a reoccurrence.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mlyixH

Of fake products in Nigeria

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Standards Organisation of Nigeria

It is extremely unfortunate that in spite of the heavy presence of several regulatory and security bodies in the country, fake or substandard products still manage to find their way into the Nigerian market. In the last quarter of 2016, there were reports that some unscrupulous persons flooded the country with ‘plastic rice’ imported from Asia. This was at the peak of the festive season when the consumption of rice was expected to rise. In the last few weeks also, there have been reports that garri, one of the staple food items of Nigerians, was imported from India.

From consumables to hardware, the average Nigerian is aware that he could be tricked into spending his hard-earned money on fake products. A pharmacist could also be fooled into buying drugs which components have been severely compromised because of the greed of importers. To say the least, this is worrying. It challenges all that a nation stands for in the quest for a healthy and just society. It is also one of the consequences of a nation that refuses to etch up the ladder in terms of production of goods.

This menace came to the fore recently when the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), with the aid of a whistleblower, discovered a warehouse in Satellite Town Lagos where two Chinese citizens were in the process of re-branding used or substandard tyres. With the help of some devious Nigerians, they had succeeded in bringing the tyres into Nigeria. They also secured a ‘safe place’ where they were carrying out their nefarious activities. Such a practice is dangerous to the lives of Nigerians. Innocent customers would have purchased such tyres in the hope that they were good for use as brand new products.

Apart from rice, there are indeed factually-authenticated experiences with fake or expired drugs, substandard batteries, phones, electric bulbs, body creams, electrical appliances, generators, and other forms of hardware. In the automobile spare part markets, some traders actually tell buyers that there are two brands available. Without any fear, they advise the buyer about ‘original’ and ‘fake’ products. Usually, the price of the ‘original’ is higher. Such is the menace and the impunity!

Often, these products are dangerous to the health or safety of society. Some of these products fail after a week or two. Although the statistics are not readily available, too many Nigerians have lost their lives to the menace of fake drugs. Only recently, a gospel artiste based in Warri was reported to have lost his life to expired anti-malaria drugs. Also, owing to the high price of tyres, most middle level employees often settle for used tyres. There have been many deaths too resulting from burst tyres while the vehicle was in motion.

The menace of fake drugs gained national prominence when the late Dora Akunyili as Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) fought the cartel that specialised in importing fake drugs to a standstill. But that dynamism is gone and a business-as-usual disposition seems to have returned to the operations of NAFDAC.

All over the world, there are persons or corporate bodies who try to cheat the system by producing substandard goods in order to increase their profit margin. This has given rise to the establishment of some regulatory bodies. In Nigeria, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and NAFDAC are two of such organisations. As regulatory bodies, they are expected to be tough, fair and firm. They are also expected to gather intelligence routinely through market surveys, consultation with consumers’ rights protective bodies and the general public.

The gateway into the country is policed by different security organisations, ranging from the Customs to the Nigeria Immigration Service. Also, Department of State Services (DSS), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) and others are represented at the borders. How these fake products find their way into the country, therefore, is befuddling. The truth of the situation is not difficult to discern. There is criminal collusion between the men and women of these organisations and the wealthy importers of these goods. In some cases, there is outright inefficiency.

When money changes hands, state officials look the other way while the soul of the nation is ravaged. Indeed, the general notion among serving officers in the Customs and Immigration Departments is that a posting to the border is a life-time opportunity to make it big. The maxim is that if you have the right connections and grease the palms of the relevant officials, any item can be imported into the country. This accounts for the massive haemorrhage at the ports – land, sea and airports.

Unscrupulous businessmen who specialise in importing fake goods should be punished. The public would like to know how many persons or organizations have been sanctioned through the efforts of regulatory bodies. Nigerians for example would like to see how the two Chinese men caught with substandard tyres would be prosecuted in the court of law.

Officials charged with the responsibility of enforcing standards must embrace the anti-corruption spirit of the current administration. SON should wake up and make Nigerians feel its presence. The spirit of an efficient and incorruptible NAFDAC should be revived with utmost urgency. State officials must realize that a decision driven by greed and lust for dirty money is detrimental to the overall wellbeing of the country.

Against the background of so many Nigerians dying through the use of substandard tyres and fake drugs, there is the need for advocacy and mass education. Often citizens make drug or product purchases without verifying claims on the accompanying literature. Some tyres are not designed for the tropical climate. Yet some more are expired before they arrive. Indeed some retailers or traders do not have an accurate knowledge of their wares. The regulatory bodies in the country should work with curriculum developing institutions to teach the people basic or rudimentary steps about safety and use of imported material.

Finally, Nigerian businessmen must embrace high standards and sound business ethics. They should learn to do business with character. The regulatory agencies should also wake up from their slumber. Pre-inspectorate and regulatory agencies who fail to live up to their responsibilities should be sanctioned. In line with the current government’s policy on whistle blowing, Nigerians should also report any incident of fake or expired product to the appropriate agency. When such reports are made, prompt action should be taken to reassure the public of government’s responsiveness to the hopes and aspirations of the people.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mYjQz2

Ogbemudia laid sports foundation for us to follow, says Uduaghan

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Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan with the trophy after Team Delta won Eko 2012 National Sports Festival in Lagos. He says Edo and Delta continue to benefit from the sports foundation laid by Ogbemudia

“Whatever Edo and Delta states have achieved in sports today is the result of solid foundation that was laid by the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia in his days as governor of the defunct Midwest and Bendel states. He was a man with great vision for his people, and we will forever remember him.”

Those were the words of former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, while speaking with The Guardian yesterday on the sports achievement of Ogbemudia, who passed on in the early hours of Friday at the age of 84.

Ogbemudia, a man described in the sports circle as a builder, motivator and mobilizer, as well as excellent manager of men and material, used his vision to turn the region (known today as Edo and Delta states) into the nation’s number one in sports.

As military administrator of Midwest State, Ogbemudia invested heavily in sports infrastructure and capacity building for the athletes and officials. His decision to set up the College of Physical Education at Afuze for the training of education teachers formed the nucleus of the development of what later became the ‘Afuze Miracle’ in the nation’s sports circle.

Among other things, Ogbemudia introduced the Ogbe Hard Court competition in 1971, to which many renowned Nigerian tennis stars made their mark. He masterminded the outstanding success of Midwest State at the maiden National Sports Festival, Lagos ’73, and also led the state to retain its No.1 position two years later, Lagos ’75.

Even when his regime as military governor ended in 1975, following the emergence of General Murtala Mohammed in a coup that toppled General Yakubu Gowon, the sports foundation already laid by Ogbemudia propelled Bendel to win the Kaduna ’77 edition of the National Sports Festival, only to lose the title for the first time to its rival, Lagos State, at Oluyole ’79 in Ibadan.

During his brief return as civilian governor of Bendel State in October 1983, Ogbemudia was preparing the state contingent for what was described as ‘operation silent Lagos’ in the National Sports Festival scheduled 1lorin, Kwara State, when General Muhammadu Buhari struck in a coup d’état that overthrew the civilian government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

Ogbemudia’s era as governor led to the discovery of many legends, who later ruled the nation’s sports, Africa and the world at large. He was a populist, who dedicated most of his time to reconstruction of facilities damaged during the Nigeria Civil War.

Apart from sports facilities at Afuze, Ogbemudia also built the Ogbe Stadium, a complex that was later named the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.But his decision to set up the New Era College for athletes to combine sports and education after the superlative performance of Midwestern State contingent at Lagos ’73 National Sports Festival remains a talking point for many till date.

New Era College soon became the ‘headquarter of trophies’ in the region. Ogbemudia laid the sports foundation for the likes of Bright Omokaro, Sunday Eboigbe, Humphrey Jebba, Lucky Imafidon, and the Eguavoen brothers (Sunday and Austin), (football). There were also David Imonitie, Veronica Oyibokia, Ejiro Omonode (tennis), Joe Orewa, Peter Konyegwachie, Jeremiah Okorodudu (boxing), Solomon Ogba (athletics), Charlton Ehizuelen (long jump) and Brown Ebewele (decathlon).

Many also recall how Ogbemudia brought Coach Alabi Aisien from P & T Vasco of Enugu to Bendel Insurance FC, a decision that paid off shortly after, when the club defeated Rangers 3-0 in the final of 1978 FA Cup in Lagos.

To the ex-Delta State Governor Uduaghan, the sports legacy of the late Ogbemudia will be a reference point for many Nigerian sports men and women, particularly those who benefited for his sports structure in the old Midwest and Bendel State.

Under the administration of Governor Uduaghan, Team Delta won the National Sports Festival on two occasions at KADA ‘2009 in Kaduna and Eko 2012, and placed second at Garden City 2011. Before then, former Governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori had led the state to win the fiesta three times (Bauchi 2000, Abuja 2004 and Gateway 2006), while Edo State, under the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion won the National Sports Festival in 2002.

“Delta and Edo States were able to dominate the National Sports Festival till date because of the solid sports foundation that was laid by Ogbemudia,” Uduaghan said. “One thing is for a governor to invest in sports facilities, but in the case of Ogbemudia, he did it with great passion.

“Apart from making sure that the facilities were on ground for the athletes and their coaches to train, Ogbemudia would always create time to attend sporting events. His presence alone was a source of inspiration for the athletes, and that was why the man was called the great motivator,” he said.

Recalling an encounter with the late Ogbemudia in 2009, when Kaduna hosted the National Sports Festival, Uduaghan said: “During my tenure as governor of Delta State, I also took a cue from some of the things Ogbemudia did in the then Midwest and Bendel states. The National Sports Festival was going on in Kaduna, and I decided to visit the camp of Team Delta. After addressing the athletes and officials, I took time to move from one sporting arena to another.

We got to the boxing arena and I was shocked to see Pa Ogbemudia watching the boxers. He was so focused clapping hands and cheering the boxers. I went to greet him because I was really moved by his action. That was how he did it when he was governor of Midwest and Bendel states. Despite his old age, it was a thing of joy for me to see Ogbemudia at a sports festival venue in Kaduna,” Uduaghan stated.

Quote
Apart from making sure that the facilities were on ground for the athletes and their coaches to train, Ogbemudia would always create time to attend sporting events. His presence alone was a source of inspiration for the athletes, and that was why the man was called the great motivator.

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Activist lauds FG’s peace moves in N-Delta

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By Onozure Dania

The renewed steps by the Federal Government to bring lasting peace to the restive Niger Delta region, against the backdrop of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s, tour of the region, has been described  by Niger Delta youth activist, Oweilaemi Pereotubo, as good omen for the nation’s economy.

Pereotubo,  one of the top contenders for the Presidency of Ijaw  Youth Council, IYC, seat, hinted that besides stimulating economic growth through increase in production of crude oil, for the very first time since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the government has shown genuine commitment towards addressing the long neglected oil-rich region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria: Matters arising

Ezegbo, Hart urge youths to conquer challenges with ingenuity

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By Charles Kumolu

SENIOR Special Adviser to Abia State governor on Public Communication, Mr. Sam Hart and Managing Director of SLOT, Mr. Nnamdi Ezegbo, have urged Nigerian youths to use ingenuity as a solution to the various challenges affecting them.

The duo spoke at the launch of the MTN Foundation Scholars Alumni and Conference held in Owerri.

The conference would bring together the graduate beneficiaries of the MTN Foundation Scholarship Schemes Scholarship for the Science and Technology Students (STSS) and Scholarship Scheme for the Blind Students (SSBS).

The conference will also hold in Abuja and Lagos with Tonye Cole, Bolanle Austin-Peters and Chika Ofili confirmed as speakers for the locations.

According to Ezegbo: “My strategy for operating SLOT is to create solutions. The environment will never be perfect. There is no perfect time for you to strike at success. Every time is the best but you need to understand the times. SLOT means Solution, Leadership, Opportunity and Technology. These are the four principles that drive our existence. The entrance of Tecno into Nigeria was a solution from SLOT to get Nigerians to have a single phone that has multiple SIM. Tecno was created to meet a need and it has become the backbone of my riding to success.”

Also speaking on leadership, he said:  “It about understanding yourself. You need to create an environment to continue to learn, while at the same time you must identify the unique opportunities you hope to solve with technology,”

 

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Demolition: Residents accuse C-River ministry of shielding political appointees, cronies, churches

PAAR: Customs boss order Commands to set up dispute resolution committee

KADCCIMA tasks govt on Procurement Act

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By Naomi Uzor

THE Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KADCCIMA, has called on the government to revise the Procurement Act.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair, weekend, with the theme “Promoting Public Partnership as Panacea for Accelerated Growth and Development”, the President of KADCCIMA, Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, stated: “The Procurement Act should be thoroughly revised to shorten bureaucratic bottlenecks. Also of importance is the need to raise the maximum ceiling of mobilisation to contractors from the current 15 per cent to between 35 – 44 per cent.”

According to her, for the private sector to fulfill its role as a partner to government, “government must endeavour to keep to its obligations to the business community. Funds should be released in a timely manner to cover contractual obligations even if those contracts were entered into in previous administrations. Only then can the government regain and retain the trust needed for a smooth relationship with the private sector.

“Government must learn to reduce its footprint in economic activities and allow markets to operate efficiently according to prevailing market forces. This is especially true of international trade and the foreign exchange market that facilitates it” she said.

She also stated that the involvement of the private sector in reversing the recession is not just desirous but necessary to help take the country out of its current economic state.

 

 

 

 

 

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Chelsea must have to win more games — Victor Moses

Suswam remains in detention as bail bid flops

Work permit knocks off Efe Ambrose’s Blackburn move

West African surgeons urge govt action to stop brain drain

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By Gabriel Olawale &  Gloria Orogun

The West African College of Surgeons, WACS, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria and other West African countries to commit appropriate resources towards halting brain drain in the field of medical services.

The College pointed out that appropriating adequate funds to the health sector and creation of enabling environment will go a long way in preventing healthcare providers in the region from searching for greener pasture in other parts of the world.

Speaking at the commissioning of the WACS permanent secretariat in Lagos last week, President of the College, Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun, said brain drain is inevitable but government should halt the trend by designing programmes that will encourage healthcare providers to stay back.

Omigbodun explained that the reasons for brain drain are multifactorial in which some are due to the workplace environment, “Every trained professional will want to perform at highest level of competency and if they don’t  find the facilities to express their skills they become frustrated. In addition, remuneration has always been a challenge and that causes discouragement to the extent of seeking more attractive offers outside the country.”

“Prior to our College’s existence, surgeons were trained in other parts of the world, and many of them never came back to the country. But those who trained locally are more likely to stay back because the training is done when their family is just growing up and they get settled here, so there is less incentive for them to move away.”

Omigbodun hinted that as a college they recognised these challenges and in partnership with government across Africa region they have rolled out programme that will assist in retaining specialists not only in urban but also in the rural areas.

“Our three years membership programme involves a compulsory period that you have to spend in a rural area before you can be certified to practice but not recognized as a consultant.”

The Secretary-General of the College, Dr. Olutola Olatosi however called on government to strenghten its international collaboration with bodies that support training, “Government also needs to ease the process of importing training materials. Simulation is very important but these are very expensive equipment and in a situation whereby  training institutions want to bring in equipment and  a huge  duty is imposed making things difficult.”

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Pond in a pot

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Container water garden

Orchid growing in water culture

Grape hyacinth forced bulbs growing in glass cylinder vase

Lucky Bamboos (Dracaena Sanderiana) in crystals and pebble soil in water

If you are of those who got live plants as Valentine’s Day present, now you must be wondering how to keep them growing or from dying. You were delighted to receive your plant gift, deriving much, pleasure because you really love plants and to have them around, as they are beautiful and brighten up your space. The only draw back-you dont like planting with soil-you think all that gardening with soil is messy and dirty stuff and you have an aversion for dirt. Well there’s good news for you. You can keep all those Valentine’s Day’s plants growing in containers filled with water. Growing houseplants in water is similar to hydroponic farming.

This method for growing plants is not only low maintenance, but disease and pest resistant. Many plants grow easily in water which is an often used method of propagation as well, with some people choosing to root houseplants in bottles or recycled containers. Growing plants in water is an alternative for those who are plant watering-challenged, and for those with limited space. Growing plants in water allows you more flexibility in arrangement.

In indoor the water garden may be no more than just a small receptacle that holds a single plant which is easy to create and maintain, to a collection of clippings from existing houseplants into glass bottles and jars placed in every available space is most popular, because it is easy to create and maintain and it’s cost virtually nothing! Growing plants in water is an easier way to initiate the novice into gardening and a great activity to involve the kids. An indoor water garden can be created using almost any container that will hold water, whether it’s for ornamental houseplants or herbs for the kitchen. Even those with holes can be plugged with inexpensive corks, wax or lined with a water proofing material like flexible PVC liner to makes the container watertight.

It’s no surprise that you’ll need a pot that holds water. Be creative when selecting your containers. For healthy plant growth, each water garden container must be able to hold enough water to cover each plant to its preferred depth. A mix of container sizes and plantings configurations can be used in your selection. Just like in soil or other gardening pot arrangement use various sizes, shapes and colors of containers to make your own personal style. Whatever plant you use, try to keep them in scale with the container.

There are no strict rules to follow just aim for a plant and container combination that looks harmonious and proportionate. The size of your pot and plant depend upon the size of your space and strength of what it is being placed on, if it can carry the weight. However one small water plant in a corresponding decorative pot can invite harmony. Many containers are made of ceramic, glass, perspex, porcelain, plastic, terracotta etc. The exceptions are those of metal like copper, brass or lead. Metals corrode when reacting to fertilizers and cause plant damage. Choose containers with interiors that are dark or opaque in color. Dark green, charcoal or black colors are suggested because they discourage algae growth, and make algae less obvious when it present.

Once you have picked the appropriate container three-quarters full with florist’s foam, styrofoam, gravel, pearl chips, sand, marbles, beads or similar materials that one can imagine. Add a pinch of powdered or a piece of charcoal to keep the water clear and clean and not smelling. Water plants grow quickly, but even so, you can encourage them by using fertilizer. Mix together a diluted concoction of water-soluble fertilizer in the amount of one quarter the manufacturer’s recommendation. Now that you have created diluted liquid fertilizer and ascertained that our plant will grow in a combination of this solution and water, now is the time to put your Valentine gift of ‘Lucky bamboo’ and others for water planting as you have created the appropriate environment for growing plants in water and your indoor garden will remain lush.

Many plants are good for water culture; plants especially creeping plants are easiest to grow from cuttings like: the Wandering Jew, Pothos “Wax Plant,” Philodendron, Ivy, Moses-in-a-Cradle (Rhoeo) Chinese Evergreens (Aglaomenas) Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia); Arrowheads (Sagittarian sp.) Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) horsetail and yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus Isocladus), aquatic Canna, Calla lilies, aquatic mint (Menthe aquatic), Lizard tail, parrot feather (mymophyllum aquaticum) , Cork Screw Rush (Juncus effusus), Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipe) and Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) help reduce algae in the water garden. Several of the smaller miniature Lotus and Water lilies do well in containers and can be planted in tabletop bowls. They add both color and fragrance, also dramatic touch to the water garden. While all mentioned will tolerate sun to partial shade, water hyacinth, lotus and water lilies prefer full sun. Rooted plants can be used as well. In using rooted plants, wash all the soil completely off the roots of the ‘soon to be indoor water garden plant’ and cut off any decayed or dead leaves or stems. Place the plant in the water/fertilizer solution. You may have to top up solution occasionally due to the plant use of water and nutrients it contains and evaporation. Also look out for algae. Replace the nutrient solution in it entirety in the indoor garden every four to six weeks.

As already mentioned to stop algae growth; use a dark or opaque container. However should algae pose a problem, change the solution more frequently. The term ‘water garden container’ describes a pot if it holds an underwater plant or a floater. A single plant in a small pot is as attractive as the larger container that holds many plants, fish and fountains. Larger pots can be planted with several types of plants all growing together in the container. A mixed aquatic container can have the same style as many terrestrial potted arrangements, an arrangement that is easily changed as the plants grow or as the gardener decides to rearrange it. Plants planted rooting in water, may start slower than those in soil. But once encouraged by the fertilizing nutrient solution they will grow rapidly. If the plants seem too robust, limit their growth by keeping them in small pots and cutting off the oldest and tallest plant. It’s easy to also take a few out and replant in new pots, the wonderful bonus of dividing is that you now have free plants in which to create another dazzling “pond in a pot”. The most pleasing container water gardens are created by mixing both horizontal and vertical growing plants. Short and tall varieties simply make the display more vibrant and dynamic, contrastive shapes, colors and sizes, the more contrast, the better. Water in a container or basin is a thing of beauty. It is flickering reflections are welcome presence in any garden. But dressing it up with plants transport the design to a whole new dimension. Try not to over crowd your container, keep the arrangement from appearing over crowded. A bit of water space and the simplicity of just a few plants lend itself to a peaceful and beautiful container, an idea that is behind the water garden.

You will discover as much great delight in designing water gardens for small containers as exciting as the vast watery canvas of a botanical garden. In fact the small container water gardens are better as they allow you get close enough to really appreciate the intriguing foliage, their spectacular flowers and their sometimes vibrant fragrance. They are foolproof too. If you end up with a design you don’t like; it’s easy to rearrange the plants. And the plants are tough-most are almost hard to kill and virtually require no maintenance. All you need is a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, something that holds water, and a few plants.

The small container water garden can be an endless source of inspiration. Water in a garden of any size creates an oasis not only for you but also for (wildlife) birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and even small fish. Container water gardens are sometimes referred to as “still pots’ which nestle nicely in small spaces such as balconies, verandas, on patios, they can also be tucked into small nooks and crannies in spacious gardens. All that’s needed is a small non-draining, non-porous container and a few “water” plants.

Maintenance
Once your container water garden has been planted, caring for it is a simple matter. If plants don’t seem to be thriving, more likely the problem is not enough light. The solution, move the container to a brighter spot. There are few chores in maintenance of a healthy container water garden, but non will keep you busy. Adding water solution from time to time, keeping a look out for algae, preventing mosquitoes from using the little garden as a breeding place. Algae needs light and nutrients to thrive, so keep some floaters on the surface to cut down on light, carefully limit the amount of fertilizer you use, and include some submerged plants, which compete with algae. To prevent mosquitoes and insects breeding in container, you might wash the larvae out by overfilling your container with water or add few mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), voracious eaters that feed on mosquito larvae.

These few things you have to do are incredibly small- when you think of it- there’s no ground to till, no weeds to fight, no need for compost or to add mulch. Aquatic plants and water: seems that’s all it takes really to create a successful water garden in a container or pot. Sounds good. Can you think of a more ideal way to garden?

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Dortmund tackles Wolfsburg, as Bundesliga battle for top four gathers momentum

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Dortmund's Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with his teammates after the German First division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, in Dortmund, western Germany, on February 4, 2017.<br />SASCHA SCHUERMANN / AFP

Serie A Clubs Also Clash On Startimes

Football fans will enjoy another action-packed weekend with top stars and football gladiators in hot battle of rivalry as top Bundesliga and Serie A clubs battle for the ultimate trophy.

Struggling Borussia Dortmund will tackle Wolfsburg and Bayern will battle Hertha BSc today, while AC Milan will meet Fiorentina tomorrow.

Ranked fourth on the table and with two wins, two draws and a loss, inconsistent Dortmund will be counting on star-striker, Aubameyang’s magic, as they chase table leaders, Bayern with 15 points deficits. Underperforming Wolfsburg hopes to keep the fight alive with Mario Gomez leading the onslaught for a possible catch-up.

Table leaders and defending champions, Bayern hopes to continue their tight grip on the league with four wins in the last five games, scoring the highest number of goals (six) and conceding the least, with star-gladiator, Lewandoski in great from.

StarTimes subscribers can enjoy these and all other live Bundesliga and Serie A football games on dedicated sports channels, including ST World Football (channel 245 or 254), ST Sports Premium (channel 246 or 252), ST Sports (channel 251 or 241), and ST Focus (channel 250 or 240).

StarTimes has lined up exciting mix of live football games and entertainment for maximum viewing pleasure of subscribers, who crave for sporting action, with exclusive broadcast rights to Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue One, Chinese league as well as select EPL games on its partner channel, NTA Sports 24.

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Poor communication worsens quality healthcare delivery, says expert

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PHOTO: authorityngr

The role of information in healthcare management can never be over emphasised as it proposes a better avenue to plan, budget, distribute, map out resources and above all deploy necessary infrastructure in the sector.

The principal, School of Health Information Management (SHIM) at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Taiwo Olofinluyi, in his reaction said that information is crucial in healthcare development so as to access the level of care given to patients and the community.

He lamented that as far as Nigeria is concerned that we are still left behind and that there is a lip service on the part of government in data generation and data management unlike what is obtainable in other climes.

Olofinluyi continued: “In the advanced countries there is data bank where anybody can just tap into information about morbidity, mortality or anything. You do not really need to go to any hospital or ministry. From the data bank you can get the information required. But in Nigeria it is not like that, there is doubt in information, there is doubt in data, we are still far behind.”

On salvaging the menace, the Principal said: “The issue is that at every level of healthcare, there should be data centres aside from the fact that there must be adequate health information resources generation and data manipulation. There should be a sort of data centre where you can tap into and know what goes on within a particular community and state as well, particularly with some of the notifiable diseases such as Diabetes, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Except you have specialised centres data are generated for purposes of managing people living with such cases. Nigeria will still remain as it is.”

He added: “What am advocating for, is that there should be a data centre where people can go and get information and there should also be a linkage system from the primary to secondary and tertiary so that whatever is obtained in the primary you can link it up and it can be accessed from any part of the country.”

For viability of this course, Olofinluyi said that there should be sufficient awareness. Giving out information you need to create awareness so that, for example people living with diabetes, Some of them do not even know not until they get to the hospital but if there is sufficient awareness people can know the causes of diabetics and once the symptoms are seen they can go to the nearest diabetics centre where they can report their cases and then data can collated and forwarded to the appropriate quarters.

Olofinluyi also said the school do create a special event for the purposes of creating awareness and they partner with professionals and supply the needed information at that level with regards to information management has been exploited.

To the government he said that they should develop appropriate code for disseminating of information to the grassroots as their own is to supply the needed information.

His words: “The government should show adequate interest in information management because whatever we do, we need information relating to the area of specialty. Government should make it a great priority in information management particularly information that have to do with life and they must deploy sufficient fund through budget to be able to fund the process.”

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Kebbi elders want governorship to shift to northern region

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Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu

One of the factors that will determine the 2019 governorship election in Kebbi State is the zoning formula, which is already playing out in the politics of the state.

The Kebbi State Elders Forum has appealed to citizens of the state to shift the governorship position to the Kebbi North senatorial district.

The leader of the forum, Alhaji Usman Mohammed Nma said that kebbi North, which comprises of Arugungu, Augie, Arewa and Kamba local government area have not produced the governor except the deputy.

He said, “It is better to give the people from Arugungu emirate a chance to govern the state. I am from Gwandu emirate and we have produced the governor. Kebbi South, which comprises of Yauri, Zuru emirates have also produce a governor. We need to support Kebbi North.”

He enjoined all stakeholders in the state, not only to pass the message but also ensure that they work towards achieving it.

Said he, “About 24 of us have endorsed this position and we have to communicate it to the others who were not in the meeting.”

The State, which was created out of Sokoto state in 1991, has four emirates: Gwandu, Arugungu, Yauri and Zuru emirates with Gwandu being the largest emirate in the state.

Whereas the governorship race is zoned on the basis of senatorial districts in other states, in Kebbi, the issue of rotation among the four emirate councils in the state takes prominence over considerations for the senatorial zones.

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Memo to the IG

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Sir: In the short hour of the day on Tuesday 07 February 2017, I gathered my frame into a commercial vehicle from Port Harcourt for a trip I had cause to embark on to Sokoto State.

The level of policing I witnessed on my trip was first-rate. I saw battle-ready policemen at every corner and bend on the road as we journeyed out of Port Harcourt.

In many locations, staff members of the police were only 100 meters away from each other at designated checkpoints. I appreciated their presence on the road – who wouldn’t? It gives people confidence in government when they know that the safety of lives is important and not subordinated. Although I wasn’t impressed with the underhanded practice when money had to change hands from drivers to policemen at every stop. Nobody can end this. It is now a norm but this isn’t the reason for this letter.Though it makes a mockery of the reform of the police that you promised Nigerians.

I had expected these police presence to be a matter of course everywhere gavel-to-gavel throughout my long trip but it wasn’t. When we passed the sleepy town of Okene at 9:30pm, a town at war with itself where a nightly curfew I heard is in place, policemen were at strategic points to enforce it. Little wonder – we never saw a being outside save for these policemen. All indigenes were in Noah’s Ark. It is a crying-shame to the people of Okene I must say.

Why are they always in the news for the wrong reasons?
I found it ironic to see that from Zuba to Kaduna, we never encountered one police checkpoint. So I imagined that we may see some from Kaduna to Zaria but there were none. Could the cold from Kaduna to Zaria have prevented setting up a checkpoint. It was scary. Imagine if we had run into good-for-nothings?

So, I guessed that the cops were busy and we would see checkpoints from Zaria to Giwa, but there were none. This policing strategy was befuddling. How is it that one part of Nigeria is heavily policed and another is not?

I am not unmindful of the fact that police officers are overwhelmed, understaffed, out-gunned by tykes and rowdies, many in the homes of private individuals opening gates, as chaperons for the wives of private people going to the market but there needs to be balance. All lives matter.

God forbid if we had run into robbers! They would have taken seven-forevers to either fleece us, rape the women and do other things good-for-nothings do without conscience with no help in sight.

What’s is the policing philosophy of the Nigerian police? What is the domestic agenda of the Nigerian police? I find it hard to comprehend.
Simon Abah, Port Harcourt.

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Why death penalty is not the answer for kidnapping

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Gabriel Osu

Some few days ago, the Lagos State House of Assembly was reported to have passed a bill, which stipulates death penalty for any kidnapper, whose victim dies in his custody and life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of involvement in established cases of kidnapping. This, according to the lawmakers, was aimed at reducing the high incidences of kidnapping being witnessed in Lagos. We gathered also that several other states are already considering adopting the Lagos position in stemming kidnapping in their domain.

I am in full support of the need to stamp out all forms of criminality from our society, including kidnapping, electoral fraud and such others that are common with public officials. However, I am not in support of death sentence. Those who throw their weight behind death penalty are quick to point to China, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, as some of the climes currently practising such and which have helped to drastically reduce corruption in their societies. They believe that if we adapt similar measure, crime will become a thing of the past. How true is this?

As a Catholic Priest and one who has sworn to defend the dignity and sacredness of human life, I totally disagree with that postulation. I am one of those who have always believed that Nigeria, as a country, would never move forward, except genuine effort is made to pull out corrupt tendencies from our system. However, on the issue of death penalty, I believe it is immoral and can never be the best option to checkmate corruption. The Catholic Church, to which I belong, abhors death penalty. We believe that God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning, until its end. No one can, under any circumstances, claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.

In the process of meting out death sentence, there is the tendency of sentencing an innocent person. The wrongful execution of an innocent person is an injustice that can never be rectified. Death penalty can prolong suffering for victims’ families. If you go down memory lane during the military era, the killing of some young men for allegedly peddling drugs have not in any way reduced the number of those plying the trade. Many more have since joined. It can never serve as a deterrent.  Besides, aside kidnapping, criminal such activities as electoral fraud, embezzlement of public funds and other heinous crimes being perpetuated by some of our politicians and civil servants are equally grave. Should we then also introduce death penalty for the highbrow perpetuators?

The way forward is for the political class to do what is right, by leading with true fear of God and providing the platform for our youths to be gainfully employed. A hungry man is an angry man, and an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

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God calls you ‘his special friend’

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Olanrewaju OBEMBE

John 15:15 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: BUT I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS; for all things that I have heard of my Father I HAVE MADE KNOWN UNTO YOU.”

One of the special relationships we have with God through CHRIST is that of being His SPECIAL FRIEND. Of course, we are also called CHRIST’S DISCIPLES and SONS OF GOD in Scripture. It is quite amazing that we are called the sons of God.

1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God”. As sons of God, we are God’s heirs and joint heirs with JESUS CHRIST. All that God has belongs to us and we are recipients of all the blessings of the Kingdom of God. We are privileged by the Grace of JESUS CHRIST to inherit Heaven and live eternally in the presence of our Father God. Sonship confers on us, limitless benefits and privileges, as we have power with God and power in the affairs of men. Also as Disciples of CHRIST, we are His ambassador plenipotentiary on earth. We are under the authority of CHRIST and we wield His authority to establish Divine purposes on earth. Through the authority of the LORD JESUS, we are able to expand the Kingdom of God by plundering the kingdom of darkness for the Kingdom of our God and by doing greater works of exploits.

Discipleship puts us in that place where we are God’s Chief Executives, doing His bidding and accomplishing His purposes on earth. Jeremiah 1:10 “See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant”. It is incredible that God calls us HIS FRIEND. He says we are no longer slaves or servants, we are His SPECIAL CONFIDANTS, His close circuit friends. Friendship has five special products: (1) CONFIDENCE IN ONE ANOTHER. (2) INTIMACY (3) ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION (4) SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES (5) TRANSFER OF RESOURCES.

Is it not wonderful that God says as His friends, He will not withhold or hide anything from you? People feel great when they maintain friendship with prominent men in the society. But you are now a SPECIAL FRIEND of God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. You have access to information that others do not have. You have intimacy with God that brings resources with special responsibility and assignments. You enjoy unrestricted access and information sharing with huge resources.

You can brag to having been to the State House of Heaven; where you have been conferred with unparallel privileges and assignments. You are not a slave of God but a special friend of God through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Friend, recognize the wonderful privileges and blessings that are yours as A SON OF GOD; a Disciple of CHRIST and the VERY “FRIEND” of the Almighty. Nobody can take your place. You have the ear of God, the face of God and the Hand of God all the time. Just like Abraham, you will intercede and God will listen and hearken to your plea.

Genesis 18: 24-25 “Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?; That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: SHALL NOT THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH DO RIGHT?”. Nobody can snatch your spouse. God will rebuke KINGS for your sake. Pharaoh and Abimelech will be plagued because you are a friend of God. No weapon fashioned against you will ever prosper.
(Isaiah 54:17).

PRAYER: FATHER GOD, I am grateful for the privilege of being a child of God, a Disciple of CHRIST and a very bosom Friend of the Almighty. I am a very friend of God, not a slave of God but a very Special Friend. Thank You LORD for calling me Your Special Friend.

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