I won't sign 2016 budget, unless...—BUHARI by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people

VOL. 25: NO. 62907

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

POWER: Nigeria experiences total system collapse >>14

Nigeria records first baby from frozen egg >>8

I won't sign 2016 budget, unless...—BUHARI •No rift between executive, legislature over budget — Minister •US to render $600m ‘development assistance’ to Nigeria— Kerry

By Kenneth Ehigiator, News Editor, with Agency reports

A G O S — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said, yesterday, in the United States that he would not sign the 2016 Appropriation Bill, passed into law by the National Assembly, last week, unless he critically reviewed it. The President, who spoke at a meeting with

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9 coys bid to build refineries in Nigeria >>9&11 Mr & Mrs ROYAL HOMAGE—Bini chiefs paying homage to the Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa during the Eyaen Traditional rite, yesterday in Benin, Edo State. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike

COLUMNISTS: BIZARRE: 17-yr-old sells child for N500,000, paid N30,000 See inside

Islam’s global Palmyra: image Assad’s Easter gift •P.19 problem •P.17

BOKO HARAM: World Bank earmarks $800m to rebuild N-East >>11

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

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POCKET CARTOON

BUHARI IN WASHINGTON—President Muhammadu Buhari (left), being received by the Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; while other officials watched on arrival of the President for a summit in Washington DC, USA, yesterday.

I won't sign 2016 budget, unless... — BUHARI Continues from Page 1 the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Washington DC, said in view of the controversial alteration and padding of the budget proposals, he needed to review the document to be certain that its contents tallied with the authentic budget proposal presented to the National Assembly. He said: “Some bureaucrats removed what we put in the proposal and replaced it with what they wanted. "I have to look at the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, ministry by ministry, to be sure that what has been brought back for me to sign is in line with our original submission.” Declaring that his administration would continue to vigorously prosecute its war against

corruption, President Buhari sought and received an assurance from Mr. Kerry that the United States government would facilitate the repatriation of all stolen Nigerian funds found within the American banking system. “It will greatly help our country if you assist us to recover all our stolen funds which we can establish to be within your financial system,” the President said. Acknowledging that the United States had been of great help to his administration in the retraining and reequipping of the Nigerian Armed Forces which had resulted in the significant success already achieved against Boko Haram, President Buhari said the Federal Government was now working very hard to

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

HE true test of a vision is when it meets with stiff opposition and yet finds a way to thrive even against the odds. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting —Joyce Meyer

OMETIMES we get impatient while waiting, divine timing can test a person’s faith and expectations. And you wonder. Are my manifestations ever going to be a reality? Some factors are impeading to ones expectations. For instance, other people’s free will and choices; our willingness to release something toxic from our lives to make room for the new; and whether we feel deserving enough to receive.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE A true friend is held with both hands; madness is better at youthful age.

restore full normalcy in the North Eastern states. “Boko Haram no longer holds any local government area. We are reconstructing damaged facilities and preparing the police to take over and reassert civilian control over areas affected by the insurgency,” the President told Mr. Kerry. Responding, John Kerry said he had been told that the stolen Nigerian funds were in “billions of dollars”. He said: “It’s not easy to hide that amount of money and we are pretty good in tracing them,” Mr Kerry assured President Buhari, adding that relevant United States government officials would meet with the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to discuss further cooperation in that regard. Kerry applauded the Buhari administration’s success in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency, saying the United States would continue to give Nigeria all possible support to ensure that the terrorist sect was finally eliminated. The U.S. Secretary of State also praised President Buhari’s clear order that Nigeria’s Armed Forces must show greater regard for the human rights of persons in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram.

US to render $600m ‘development assistance’ to Nigeria— Kerry

In a separate meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffery Onyema, Kerry said the US would invest, at least, $600 million in Nigeria in 2016. Kerry, who disclosed this during the opening session of the USNigeria Bi-national Commission meeting, reiterated the commitment of the US government to Nigeria’s growth. He said his country had been encouraged by President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to an economy that was more diversified, and would, therefore, do its best to ensure that the present administration succeeded. He said: “We want Nigeria to succeed. And I don’t say that with any element of patronising or arrogance or any kind of view other than the fact that we know there are challenges. “Nigeria is an extraordinary country. It has huge potentialities, a very rich culture. And it is finding very vibrant expression in every branch of the arts. Like the United States, it is a diverse country with a very large and assertive civil society; and like America, Nigeria is looked to for leadership in confronting some of the starkest challenges of our times. “Now, Nigeria’s future is in Nigerians’ hands. We respect that. The United States is here to help to meet your needs, to listen to you carefully, to understand what it is that you believe is necessary, and to work with you where we can to implement. "Our development assistance this year will top $600 million, and we are working closely with your leaders – the leaders of your health ministry – to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/AIDS, by malaria, and by TB. “Our Power Africa Initiative is aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity has frustrated the population and impeded growth. And our long-term food security programme, Feed the Future, is helping to create more efficient agriculture and to raise rural incomes in doing that. “Our Young African Leaders Programme, in which many Nigerians participate, is preparing the next generation to take the reins of responsibility… and in education, we are working together to try to fight illiteracy, especially in the country’s north, where the lack of opportunity has been holding people back, and where the terrorist organisation,

Boko Haram, has murdered thousands and disrupted the lives of millions.” In his response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyema, who led the Nigerian delegation, thanked his host for the warm reception, and expressed Nigeria’s indebtedness to the US for the role it had been playing in its stability. “We cannot underestimate the impact that your visit and the support of your country has had in shaping the future for Nigeria. “Of course, we’ve had respect for the United States for a very long t i m e . Your system of government is one that we’ve adopted. We had a Westminster model once upon a time, but we threw that aside and embraced the United States model – an expensive model it is too, but we’re struggling as best we can. “We share the same values and we respect very much what this great country has achieved, and this country has really become a model for all countries in the world. We aspire to going some ways to emulate this model,”Oyema said.

No rift between executive, legislature on 2016 Budget — Minister However, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday, that there was no disagreement between the Executive and Legislative arms of government on the budget. "There is absolutely no rift, no issue of budget being sent back. Things are just taking their due course," the Minister said when he visited the corporate headquarters of the Leadership Newspaper, as part of his continuous engagement with stakeholders in the media industry. He said it was not true that the President has refused to sign the

Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly. "It takes a few days (after the passage) for the National Assembly to clean up the document in readiness for the President’s assent," he said. Speaking further on the budget, Alhaji Mohammed said when it was eventually passed into law, it would lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. The minister said: “The first is the employment of 500,000 unemployed university graduates who we are going to train as teachers. Two, we are also employing 370,000 unemployed nongraduates, people with National Diploma and Technical Certificate. The third tranche is the social intervention targeted at 1 million people, made up of market women, traders and artisans to be trained and given loans through their cooperatives. “The fourth one is the home-grown One-MealA-Day Programme. Here we are targeting several millions of pupils in primary schools all over Nigeria. The exponential effect of this one meal a day is huge. Even if we are targeting five million pupils and we are giving each of them one egg a day, you are talking about five million eggs that will be provided by our poultry farmers. This will also help to increase the demand for maize and then you are going to employ people all around.” The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government would also commence Conditional Cash Transfer to the most vulnerable Nigerians, in collaboration with some development partners, to bring succour to such people. He said a special bursary scheme would also come on stream to grant scholarships to students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a deliberate effort to support the students financially, while also bolstering the nation’s drive for industrialization.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Lagos cancels movement restriction during monthly sanitation days By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS—LAGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the cancellation of the usual restriction of movement during state-wide sanitation exercise, often held on the last Saturday of every month in the state. This may, however, not become effective till year-end. Meantime, the state Ministry of the Environment has served a seven-day ultimatum with effect from yesterday, to 11 identified markets and other public places to comply with the state’s environmental laws or have their markets and premises shut. The state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, made the remarks, yesterday, during the ministry’s monthly media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja. Adejare explained that Governor Ambode’s cancellation of restriction order on both vehicular and humans, became necessary as the state cannot afford to shut down a mega city like Lagos for a period of three hours in a day. According to the commissioner;

“Ambode said until every resident of Lagos takes over and drives the ownership of their environment, he would not relent. And he is in a hurry to reach this milestone by the end of this year, when he hopes to discontinue the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. “To the governor, Lagos State, as the fifth biggest economy in Africa should function round the clock, the government cannot afford to be shutting down megacity of the Lagos stature.” He said that environmental sanitation should rather be a daily

exercise and residents should make it a way of life. The Lagos State government has clarified reports on social media that the monthly environmental sanitation in the state has been outlawed, saying that the policy on the monthly exercise has not been reviewed for now. In a statement clarifying government’s position, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said: “While Dr. Adejare indicated that the restriction of movement every last Saturday of

the month would ultimately be dispensed with, he did not say the monthly sanitation exercise would no longer hold in Lagos. According to him: “The last two sanitation exercises could not hold due to the JAMB examination in February and the Easter celebration in March. "Nevertheless, the Lagos State government has always encouraged residents to clean their environment and observe hygienic behaviours, without necessarily having to shut the state down.

....Orders repair of Lagos-Badagry expressway

AGOS STATE governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, to immediately embark on extensive repair on the ever busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway so as to improve driving experience of motorists in the area. Special Adviser to the Governor/CEO, Public Works, Engr. Ayotunde Sodeinde, told journalists, Thursday, that the corporation had already mobilised its workers to commence work immediately on several sections of the road. “Immediately His Excellency, Governor Ambode gave us the directive, we moved into the area to commence extensive work on the roads. We have been here since Tuesday and work has commenced

in earnest,” he said. Sodeinde listed the roads earmarked for repairs to include Iyana Ishasi - Ribamu Bus Stop (both sides), Ketu Bus Stop - Cele Nica, FGC Ijanikan Iyana Era, ACOED Pedestrian Bridge - Alafia Bus Stop, Former Toll Gate – Ibiye/Morogbo and Pure Water Bus Stop – Magbon (both sides). Other roads expected to get a face-lift include, Ile-Epo Bus Stop – Oko Afo Outward Badagry, Mowo Bus Stop – Elijah Araromi Bridge (both sides), Limca Bus Stop – Mosafejo (both sides), French Village – Low Cost Housing Scheme and Ibereko (both sides). ....$1.65BN Lekki seaport ready in 2019–Ambode assures Meantime, Governor Ambode, also yesterday, reeled out the numerous investment opportunities that abound in the state to would-be investors in critical sectors such as Power, Agriculture, Transportation, Health, Tourism, Housing, ICT and Manufacturing, just as he assured that the state is open more than ever before for greater business.

Senate Crisis: SGF, others in Buhari’s government after Saraki —Sen Misau By Henry Umoru

BUJA—SECRETARY to the Government of the Federation, David Lawal and some in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration have been accused of being the masterminds of plots to remove Senate President, Bukola Saraki, from office. Lawal and others were also accused of being part of the team that did not want the Saraki matter resolved. Speaking to journalists, yesterday, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isa Misau, APC, Bauchi Central, however, debunked insinuations that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would take over the Senate if Saraki was removed. The senator, who noted that what was needed to resolve the Saraki matter was political solution, said some hardliners in the administration were stalling the solution. He alleged that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation recently met with some elders in the Senate, but turned down the requests. He said: “I reliably gathered that some of our elders in the Senate once went to meet the Secretary to Federal Government, SGF, Mr. David Lawal, in order to find solutions to this problem. ‘’They were surprised by some of his utterances and they reported back to some senators that he vowed that this matter will not be resolved until Saraki goes down for spiting the party leadership.”

72 blind students risk ejection from centre Stories by Elizabeth Uwandu

E V E N T Y -T W O STUDENTS of Bethesda Home for the Blind, BHB, located at 1, Agege Motor Road, Moshalashi, has called on the Lagos State government to intervene towards stopping their ejection from their home. This followed an ejection notice by Mrs. Aduke Hussein, the Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government. Mrs. Chioma Ohakwe, the founder/President of BHB, a Non-Governmental Organisation that provides formal education and vocational training and a home for the blind, mostly orphans, said the centre had been a bone of contention over the denial by the Executive Secretary to prepare the document of ownership at the instruction of the former Chairman of the Surulere Local Government, Honourable Tajudeen Ajide, who handed over the school to the NGO on December 8, 2013. Mrs. Ohakwe said trouble started on January, 2014, after the impeachment of Hon. Ajide, and Mrs. Hussein started to demand for the document of ownership that was never issued by her despite plea from the centre. When contacted, Mrs Hussein said, she acted based on instruction, adding that the issue has been handed to the Lagos State government.

Nigerian students shine at UN

TUDENTS OF White Dove School, Lekki, Lagos stood out at the 42nd annual National High School Model, United Nation’s Conference in New York, last week. The conference which attracted 3,500 high school students from across the globe, featured children who were chosen as diplomats to reflect the views and policies of their assigned countries. The 10 students from White Dove School, who were assigned to play the roles of representatives of Cape Verde, with the view to deliberate and understand intricacies of international affairs, were outstanding.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2015—7

Sagay, Ezekwesili, Aribisala clash at round-table on corruption war By Wahab Abdullah & Gbenga Oke

CHOLARS and legal experts yesterday in Lagos disagreed over the war against corruption by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The roundtable which was organised by the Department of Jurispudence and International Law tagged “Winning the War Against Corruption” had in attendance keynote speakers which includes; Prof Itse Sagay, Mr Femi Aribisala, Mr Femi Falana who was represented by Wahab Shittu and Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Speaking at the event, Mr Femi Aribisala described the current fight against corruption by the Buhari administration as selective and only targeting members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). His words, “Before the 2015 elections, we do not have any party presenting us with an anti-corruption mandate. The All Progressives Congress, APC, can be called a makeover of the PDP and since they moved over, they are no more corrupt because they are now in APC. So as far as I am concerned, there was no mandate to fight corruption. “If President Buhari really meant to fight corruption, he will not form an alliance with the people who he despised before. So today, I don’t know who is fighting the corruption. “We have to make up our minds if we really want to deal with the question of corruption. If we want to deal with the question of corruption, Nigerians themselves must insist on it and we have to deal with it at the institutional level. The institutional fight against corruption that has taken place to the extent that it has, took place under PDP. The institutional structures, even the ones that the present government is relying on are PDP structures”. Aribisala further stressed that the budget padding by some government institutions under the watch of the President is part of the corruption. “If we have this issue of budget padding and after revealing it, you then passed the budget and Nigerians do not know what is in the new budget, you cannot talk of fighting corruption because the budget controversy lacks transparency.” Reacting to Aribisala’s comment, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption, Prof Itse Sagay, in his own comments however said the roundtable should not be turned to a PDP campaign ground.

Sagay who was visible angered by Aribisala’s comment said; “How can someone come here and say there is no fight against corruption and everybody will be clapping? The APC had a manifesto and it was clearly written how APC will fight corruption. So people here should not show ignorance” Sagay went further to caution Aribisala on making statements devoid of facts. “You don’t take corruption war to a meaningless point. This is a serious discussion. So if Aribisala is antigovernment, he should campaign for his party, the PDP to come back in 2019."

He stressed further, “ICPC and EFCC were created by exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo and they are doing well, so we don’t need to create new institutions. You do not win a war by just creating multiplicity of institutions everywhere, that’s irresponsible”. In his submission, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said there is need to create special courts to handle corruption cases. According to him, creation of special courts for corruption cases will make the anticorruption war more efficient. Also speaking, a former World Bank Vice President, Dr Oby Ezekwesili said there is no comedy going on rather the

youths should rise up to fight against corruption. According to her, corruption is demonstrated at various levels of government and all works of life. “For example, everybody was applauding Aribisala after he spoke, the reason why you clapped was because some of you are in your own level of corruption. “Many of you students whose exams are around the corner are preparing for malpractices. When we talk about the need to wage war on corruption, many people are disconnected completely from what we are talking about” she stated.

Petrol sells for N220 per litre in Ondo By Dayo Johnson

KURE—MAJOR roads in Ondo state remained deserted yesterday following the perennial shortage of petrol in the last one week. Motorists were stranded as almost all filling stations across the state did not open for business. Reports also say that major marketers diverted their consignments to independent marketers who sold for N220 per litre in the state. The scarcity continued to bite harder as the major roads became deserted with few vehicles plying them. Vehicle owners parked them following their inability to buy the product at the exorbitant price. Despite selling at N220 per litre, the queues in the few stations across the state were endless.

Why we may not win corruption war — Falana Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State flagging off construction of flyover at Fajuyi, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

Money lenders now own Osun schools—PDP By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—OSUN state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party PDP has asked the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to explain why he allegedly signed off public school buildings to “ Islamic money lenders.” But the government said PDP and its cohorts have demonstrated crass ignorance of financial matters again on the issue. PDP had in a statement by its spokesman, Prince Diran Odeyemi said it was alarmed to read a direct claim over school buildings in the state made by shadowy holders of N11.4 billion Islamic bond taken a few years ago by the Aregbesola administration. According to Prince Odeyemi, “ We read the advertorial on Wednesday 30 March, 2016 bearing the logo and name of Osun Sukuk Company Plc. We note that the rating agency said it had down-graded the state’s rating

PDP ill-informed—GOVT because of the parlous state of its economy just as they made open their decision to seize and sell school buildings should the state fail to pay back the bond sum of N11.4 billion at 17.5 % fixed return.” He continued, “ Specifically, we note in paragraph two of the advertorial that ‘“The Sukuk holders will have ownership of the school buildings acquired with the Sukuk proceeds until the issue is fully redeemed; therefore, the Sukuk holders will have recourse to the property in the unlikely event of default. ..’,” “Having seen the above and the disclosure that billions of Osun state money are monthly going into a “ sinking fund” to repay the loan, we hasten to ask Mr Aregbesola to disclose the whole truth about this deal and others that are hidden. “ We will want to know too how money lenders under whatever guise are taking over

assets of the people of Osun state and the benefits the state has derived from the so called Islamic bond” Odeyemi concluded. But the government in a statement by the Director, Bureau of communication, Mr Semiu Okanlawon to the allegation said it was not surprised by “this illinformed statement from the PDP taking a shameless cue from their equally Illinformed online commentators. “The advert in question is self explanatory and if mischief is not the sole aim of this statement the PDP and its cohorts would have taken cognizance of the opening part of the advert which shows ‘satisfactory quality debt issue with moderate credit risk adequate capacity to pay returns and principal on local currency debt in a timely manner’.”

By Daud Olatunji

B E O K U TA — HUMAN rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria , Mr. Femi Falana , yesterday, said that the current anticorruption war by President Muhammadu Buhari may not be successful except the government review the nation’s criminal justice system. Falana who spoke at the Special Congress and Public lecture of the ASUSS, Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, chapter in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state, warned that the judges who grant frivolous perpetual injunctions in cases of corruption and lawyers who filed for such injunctions are scuttling the anti-corruption war in the country. Falana who spoke on “ The Limits of AntiCorruption War” said the value system of the country was corrupted, challenging all Nigerians to support the government in fighting the menace of corruption in the country.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

FG'll monitor N350bn injected into economy — SGF

BUJA — SECRETARY to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal, said, yesterday, that the N350 billion being injected by the Federal Government into the economy would be strictly monitored. He said this while declaring open the second National Conference on Public Procurement, NACOPP, entitled: "Sustaining the anticorruption campaign through best procurement practices.” The conference was organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, to increase awareness among critical stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of Public Procurement Act, PPA, 2007. Represented by Mrs Phyllis Nwokedi, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties at the Presidency, the SGF said the money was provided to enable contractors meet their obligations. He said: “Government recently committed to the injection of N350 billion into the economy to enable contractors discharge their obligations in the delivery of infrastructure. “This imposes greater responsibilities on procuring entities, contractors and service providers. Every kobo disbursed will be strictly guided by the procurement rules.” Lawal commended the BPP for its foresight in factoring states into its implementation of the BPP Act 2007. He said it was clear that the 25 states that had enacted laws to set up procurement regulatory agencies did it on their perception that the act was working at the federal level. Similarly, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mr Muhammad Bello, said the establishment of due process policy was instrumental to birthing the PPA 2007. Represented by the Chairman, FCT Area Council Service Commission, Mr Buba Gamawa, Bello said the Act had helped in sanitising procurement process in Nigeria. Responding, Acting DirectorGeneral of the BPP, Mr Ahmed Abdu, said NACOPP served as a consultative and advisory body to all the tiers of government in the federation. He said it promoted a sustainable relationship and synergy between heads of procurement regulatory bodies at the federal and state levels.

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Nigeria records first baby from frozen egg First in West Africa, 5,001st in the world By Sola Ogundipe

come up and have their eggs cryopreserved.” Also speaking, Coordinator, Corporate Communications & Customer Client Relations, The Bridge Clinic, Dr Dayo Omogbehin, stated: “We are the first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) centre in Nigeria to achieve this success. It is great news for the family and fertility health research in the country and world at large."

AGOS — NIGERIA has recorded the first successful birth of a baby conceived from frozen egg of a 44-year-old woman, who had suffered infertility for eight years, making it the first in the country and West Africa. The birth and conception of the baby, named Tiwatope, which is the 5001st in the world, were carried out by Nigerian fertility specialists at The Bridge Clinic, a Lagos-based fertility treatment centre, where the mother had her eggs frozen using the vitrification (flash-freezing) process. Announcing the medical milestone, a fertility physician at the Bridge Clinic, Lagos, Dr Emmanuel Owie, said the birth of the baby on February 16, 2016, effectively puts Nigeria on the global map as regards the practice of oocyte (egg) freezing or cryopreservation, a new offering in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) space. He said prior to the birth of Tiwatope, the new practice seemed to be an exclusive preserve of the developed world of Europe and North America. He said: “Tiwatope’s mother had her eggs frozen for two months, using the vitrification, also known as flash-freezing, process. This is the cutting edge technology in cryobiology, where the eggs or oocytes of a woman is dehydrated and the water content is replaced with 'anti-freeze' solution (cryoprotectants) before freezing. This will prevent the formation of ice crystals which could destroy the cell." On her readiness for pregnancy, Owie noted: “We fertilized the eggs using a standard technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to overcome the egg shell which normally gets hardened with freezing. “The fertilized egg was subsequently transferred into her womb, resulting in the pregnancy with Tiwa. She had her antenatal care in her family hospital and delivered the baby boy through Caesarian Section. “At The Bridge Clinic, we celebrate Tiwa’s birth as it is a further demonstration of our coming of age in the practice of assisted reproductive technology. It is a show of the sum of our strengths — our people, our process and our infrastructure. It demonstrates our commitment to global best practices which ensures that our offerings are in tandem with what is obtainable in the developed world, both in variety and in quality.”

Recommendation

Noting that the baby and his mother are in good health, Owie said egg freezing was particularly recommended for women

How it works

Tiwatope diagnosed with cancer, who may lose their fertility during chemotherapy; women with a family history of early menopause; women with objections to storing frozen embryos for religious and/or moral reasons; and women who want to delay child-bearing in

order to pursue some personal goals. He said: “This offering is being delivered to many women in the developed world and is now being offered in Nigeria at a cost more affordable than what is obtained abroad. We encourage women who need this service to

On how egg freezing works, Omogbehin said although sperm and embryos had proved easy to freeze, the egg was the largest cell in the human body and contains a large amount of water. He said: “When frozen, ice crystals form that can destroy the cell. We must dehydrate the egg and replace the water with an 'anti-freeze' prior to freezing in order to prevent ice crystal formation. “We also learned that because the shell of the egg hardens when frozen, sperm must be injected with a needle to fertilize the egg using a standard technique known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection."

Fuel scarcity, low govt spending depress labour productivity —NBS By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

AGOS— NIGERIA’S labour productivity witnessed a significant drop in fourth quarter 2015 to N706.95 per worker per hour, down by about 8.0 per cent from N768.42 in third quarter. Labour productivity report by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, also indicated that the fourth quarter 2015 decline was the first of such decline quarter-onquarter in 2015 and in the fiveyear trend analysis. However, the five-year trend report also shows that overall productivity had increased in 2015 to N718.14, about 12.2 per cent, against N639.34 in 2014. Moreover, labour productivity rose from about N471.94 in 2011 to N718.14 in 2015, which represents a 52.5 per cent increase over the five-year period According to NBS, “the decline in labour productivity in Q4, 2015, could be attributed to several factors, such as the prevalent petrol scarcity, low investment, low government spending, and the decline in power generation during the period. “A combination of these factors contributed to the lower utilisation of available labour capacity recorded during the quarter.” However, the report indicated that the number of working hours

recorded a quantum leap to 36.7 billion hours from 31.6 billion hours, a massive 15.9 per cent increase, as against just 1.2 per cent increase recorded in the previous quarter. The increases were coming against 6.6 per cent increase in nominal Gross Domestic Product, GDP, against 6.4 per cent recorded in third quarter. NBS remarked that though among the key measures of the well-being of an economy, is the level and growth of economic output, commonly known as the

Gross Domestic Product (GDP), economists and policy makers are also interested in the factors of production that are used in generating such output, as well as the level of efficiency associated with those inputs. “The productivity of inputs, for example, capital and labour, used in the production process is an important indicator of the relationship between overall economic output and other aspects of the economy, such as the labour market, the money market and the capital market,” NBS stated.

Pension group faults suspension of PTAD DG

AGOS — A pension advocacy group, Pensioners Rights and Protection Alliance, PPRA, has faulted the suspension of the Director-General, Mrs. Nellie Mayshak. According to the the group, the reasons given for the DG’s suspension is untenable. In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Sule Adams, in Abuja Wednesday, the group questioned the haste with which the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, suspended the Director General without first carrying out a discreet and forensic investigation into the alleged fraud. It said PTAD had saved tens of billions of naira for the nation through the elimination of over

4500 ghost pensioners and recently saved another N7 billion in five months. The group noted that the money saved from the ghost workers syndrome would have disappeared into into the pockets of insurance companies and underwriters. “The suspension of Mrs. Nellie Mayshak came to us as a rude shock, not because she is above such disciplinary action, but because we find the process leading to it as gravely flawed and undeserving of a Nigerian who had worked hard since the establishment of PTAD to put smiles on the faces of us, Nigerian pensioners."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—9

9 companies bid to build refineries in Nigeria NNPC to grow refining capacity to 650,000 bpd By Michael Eboh

VISIT: From left, Fatai Folarin, CEO-designate, Deloitte Nigeria; UK Eke, GMD, FBN Holdings Plc; Lwazi Bam, CEO, Deloitte Africa; and Tawanda Gumbo, outgoing Transitional Leader, Deloitte, during a courtesy visit by the Deloitte team to FBN Holdings Plc, Lagos.

BUJA — NINE companies, yesterday, indicated their readiness to build new refineries within the existing refineries in the country. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in a statement signed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Garba Muhammed, said the nine companies submitted their bids for the projects, while the bids were opened at a bid-opening ceremony in Abuja.

APC now has two factions —TIMI FRANK Wants ex-Gov Sylva probed As party leadership denies rift By Omeiza Ajayi

BUJA — DESPITE repeated denials by party officials and members, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is now divided into two factions. Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Timi Frank, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abuja, yesterday. Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the party, Mai Mala Buni, last night dismissed the claim about division in the party, saying: “The bogus and misleading allegations are unnecessary distractions to the party ’s resolve to fully support the President Muhammadu Buhari administration deliver on the motley promises made by our great party to the electorate.” Frank, who was reacting to allegations that APC chieftain and former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva “sold” the state’s ministerial slot to Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, lamented the inability of the national leadership of the party to steer it from troubled waters. He said: “I spoke in Bayelsa (about the impending crisis) but they did not take me seriously. Very soon, it (crisis) will happen at the national level too. If anyone tells you that there is no crisis in the national APC, it is a lie. "The party is now divided into two. The issue of the Senate president is still there and the party is not talking. So, there is crisis in the party. We have so much divisions and they are keeping quiet. If

C M Y K

care is not taking, we are soon going to lose our popularity as a party.” Although he didn’t give identities of leaders of the two factions, Vanguard understands that while the ACN, CPC and ANPP are largely doing things in common, the new PDP seems to be on its own.

Sylva must be probed

On claims by Bayelsa State chapter chairman of the party, Chief Timipa Orunimighe, that Sylva collected money from the Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, to nominate the latter for a ministerial slot, Frank challenged the party to rise to the occasion and get to the root of the matter. According to him, the allegations are too weighty for the leaders of the party to remain quiet, and such posturing will impact negatively on the image of the administration at the centre. He said: “Today I am a very happy man because when I came out before the governorship election in Bayelsa to say that Timipre Sylva cannot do the job for the second time in Bayelsa because he was not liked by the people and was very unpopular at that time, nobody took me seriously, including the leadership of the party in Bayelsa State at that time. But today, I am happy and I am thanking God that he has shown Nigerians what I knew then. “It is a total disgrace if our party cannot act or investigate this allegation and just allow it to go under the carpet without taking action on it. Nigerians and the opposition party are waiting to see what we are going to do."

APC leadership denies rift

According to Mai Mala Buni, “the APC national leadership remains united and solidly committed to the task of bringing cohesion to the party at all levels. “Recently, the APC held its National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings where positive and farreaching decisions were collectively taken by the party’s leadership to drive it forward. “The party will not deny anybody or interest the right to seek justice where he feels this

has been denied him. However, we sincerely appeal that we all play by the rules in our engagements and be guarded in our utterances. “The public is advised not to misinterpret or confuse Comrade Timi Frank’s personal opinions to be the official position of the party or the true reflection of what is happening inside the party. "For the umpteenth time, only the APC National Chairman and the National Secretary are authorised to officially speak for the party.”

The NNPC said it was committed to boosting the nation’s refining capacity which in turn would put an end to perennial fuel scarcity in the country. Speaking at the event, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Refineries, Mr. Anibo Kragha, said the open bidding was a demonstration of the determination of the Federal Government and the NNPC to increase the nation’s refining capacity from 445,000 barrels per day to 650,000. He said: “The aim is to leverage on the existing facilities to fasttrack the take-off of the refineries as soon as possible.” According to him, a technical evaluation committee has been set up to study the bids and announce winners as soon as possible. Speaking earlier, General Manager, Supply Chain Management of the NNPC, Sophia Mbakwe, enjoined all the companies to accept the outcome as the exercise would be transparent. She said all the rules of public procurement as spelt out in the Bureau for Public Procurement Act would be strictly adhered to. The NNPC said the exercise was witnessed by representatives of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).

Mediocres made Jonathan lose presidential election —Mantu voting? Politics is a grassroots Says PDP was suffering from hangover By Peter Duru

BUJA — FORMER Deputy Senate President and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, has said exPresident Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 elections because he was surrounded by mediocres and amateurs. Mantu, who disclosed this in an interview with online publication, Premium Times, said the former President alienated himself from those who were in a position to help him win the elections. He said: "Jonathan lost because he refused to work with people who know the game. Most of the people Jonathan worked with were mediocres and amateurs. At a point in time, he even left the party machinery and employed some consultants to work for him." He said the manner Jonathan was chosen as the party ’s presidential candidate did not also help his case, adding that who spoke against the process

were sidelined by the party. He said: "When I sat down as an elder, I sent memos to Jonathan himself. Some of us were seen as prophets of doom. Because we gave good advice, they sidelined me. They didn’t want to see some of us. "I am not a soothsayer but I know what can happen in a party in which I am a member. I told people we were wasting our time. Many people disagreed. They thought it would be business as usual. I could see clearly that the God of justice would not allow it to happen. When you play God, God will tell you 'I am power and I give it to anybody I wish'." Mantu referred to many groups which deceived the former President that they could mobilise votes for him, noting that many claimed they could mobilise as many as 75 million voters for him in the elections. He said: "There are many of them; they came to Eagle Square and said they have 75 million signatures. Where were the 75 million people when we were

game. When you don’t use your structure at the grassroots, you will lose. "How many people watch television? Those that have don’t have light. So, when you say you are using television to campaign, you are wasting your time. Campaign is at the grassroots level."

PDP was suffering from hangover

On what the All Progressives Congress, APC, did well to win the elections, Mantu said: "People were already tired of PDP. PDP was suffering from hangover, fatigue. Sixteen years in power uninterrupted is not easy in a country like Nigeria. "Then, PDP became over drunk with power. We were staggering. We missed our road. We were no longer respecting the people. Virtually everywhere, APC votes came from PDP members, who were angry with the party." He, however, said the PDP was rebuilding itself to cope with its present challenges, noting that the party’s forthcoming convention would help it find its bearing.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Agent in court for alleged theft of N7.8m vehicles By Onozure Dania

52 year old ,Echebiri Ikechukwu, who allegedly impersonated himself as a Custom licensed clearing agent, and stole vehicles worth N7.8million, was yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos. The accused, whose address was not given, was arraigned on a fourcount charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, impersonation and threat to life. Prosecutor Innocent Odugbo told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences sometime in January 2014 at Apapa Area of Lagos. Odugbo said that the accused stole three Toyota cars worth N5.3 million belonging to Osagiede Christian. The case was adjourned till April 25 for mention.

... two teenagers over defilement of minor

WO teenage boys were arraigned in Lagos yesterday for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl in turns. The accused, Michael Lawal (15) and Tunde Taiwo (17), were both residents of Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos. They are facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, illegal sexual intercourse and assault in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The Prosecutor, Insp Emada Victor, told the court that the accused lured the minor to No. 1, Ijaye St., Mushin, where they sexually assaulted her in turns on June 15, 2015. He added that the matter was reported to the police after the victim confessed to her parents that she was defiled by the accused persons. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 135 and 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Delta Crown Prince, 3 others docked for felony

HE integrity of the palace of Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, has suffered another challenge as the Crown Prince, Justin Nonso Nwoko, 64, was yesterday arraigned over alleged execution of documents by false pretences. Also arraigned were Prince Ejimofor Nwoko, 68, Prince Richard Obiajulu Nwoko, 83 and Prince Edwin Nwoko, 72. They were arraigned on a three-count charge. According to the prosecutor,

the accused persons, sometime in August 2015, allegedly conspired to commit felony, adding that by fraudulent representation, they made Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko, HRM Obi Nwoko III, to sign a document which he ought not to sign. The prosecution, represented by Mr. R. O. Ishiguzor, Legal Officer attached to Delta State Police Command, also alleged that the accused publicly conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace in the community. When the charges were read

to them, they pleaded not guilty. The lawyer, who represented them in court, Prince Mbanefo Nwoko, pleaded with the court to grant them bail in liberal terms as they were men of integrity, aged and their status as retired civil servants, who still draw their pensions. However, the prosecutor objected on ground that one of the counts carries up to 14 years in prison, adding that if the trial judge must rule otherwise, they should be granted bail on condition that will ensure they face trial.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Roseline granted them bail in the sum of N20,000 each and a surety in like sum, who must swear to an affidavit of means, resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must deposit two passport photographs with the court. The court adjourned the case to April 13 for definite hearing. It will be recalled that the palace was in the news recently when the wife of the monarch was allegedly sent packing by Nonso Nwoko, the crown prince of the kingdom.

Man arrested, remanded in prison custody for stealing infant formula By Evelyn Usman

OLICEMEN attached to Igando division in Lagos have arrested a man who allegedly stole an infant formula worth N45,000 in a supermarket. The 28-year-old suspect, Nurudeen Sulaimon, allegedly stole the formula to feed his crying new born baby. There were different accounts on the circumstance that led to the act. A version said his wife was delivered of a baby last week Saturday, but had difficulty in breast feeding the baby, as her breasts were not bringing out milk. Though the baby was reportedly given water to drink but he kept crying, apparently yearning for milk that could sustain him. Another version had it that the angry nursing mother, who was discharged the following day from hospital, had a verbal confrontation with her husband over his inability to provide milk for their baby. Irked by the humiliation, Sulamon, according to report, charged out of his apartment on Easter Monday, with a promise to get the infant formula. He was said to have gone to a supermarket on Oduso close where he allegedly stole some tins of SMS Gold infant formula, unknown to him that he was being viewed from the Close Circuit Television installed in the supermarket. Consequently, he was accosted on his way out of the supermarket by the private security men and handed over to policemen at Igando police station from where he was charged to court. At the station, he reportedly pleaded passionately to be forgiven, blaming his indulgence on poverty, adding that he resorted to stealing because he could not withstand the cry of his new born baby for food. At the court, he pleaded not

I was moved by my baby’s cry—SUSPECT 2 kidnapped Kaduna clerics regain freedom, one dead By Luka Binniyat

Nurudeen Sulaimon guilty. The presiding Magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola granted Sulamon bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

He was remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri pending when he will perfect his bail, while the case was adjourned till April 27.

Police nab 3 gunsmiths in Abia By Ugochukwu Alaribe

BA—MEN of the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, stationed at Obehie Division, Abia State, have arrested three suspects for allegedly manufacturing and selling guns. The suspects; Ejiofor Kanu, Udo Nwanmuo Jacob and Allwell Anyanwu, who are said to be natives of Ukwa West council area of the state, were arrested at different locations in the area following a tip off. Items recovered from the suspects include; assembled guns, gas cylinder, gas oxygen, pipes of various sizes and hammer among others. It was also learnt that the suspects have been in the business for over 10 years. In

an interview, the suspects admitted that they do not have the license to manufacture the guns, insisting that they sell the Dane guns to hunters in the area and denied that their clients use the guns for robbery. Reacting to the arrest, the State Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak, who commended the SARS’ men for their prompt response, stressed that the lives and property of people in the area and environs would have been in danger if the weapons were not recovered from the suspects. He recalled that the area was, in the past, noted for crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and amongst other crimes, particularly during the “Osisikankwu kidnapping” saga in the state.

ADUNA—TEN days after being abducted at gunpoint along the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway, President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau and one Rev. Yakubu Dzarma, have regained freedom, but in tattered health, Church officials said. Rev. Iliya Anto, who was also a victim in the kidnap saga, however, did not make it alive, according to Church sources. After his kidnap, Anto took ill, and when it became too severe, he was abandoned in the bush by the criminals, ultimately leading to his death, churches sources reveal. “Dziggau and Dzarma were freed Wednesday night while the corpses of Rev. Anto were found, almost decomposing in the bush,” the church source said. He said: “The two clergy men were immediately taken to a private hospital in Kaduna after they were brought to our church on Katsina Road, Kaduna. “They were not looking too good and as soon as they brought them, a decision was taken that they needed to see a doctor, so they were taken to a private hospital in Kaduna for medical check up, but I will not tell you the hospital because they need some rest.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—11

Boko Haram: World Bank sets aside $800m to rebuild North-East T

HE World Bank has earmarked $800 million to support the rebuilding of the infrastructure destroyed in the North-East by the Boko Haram insurgency. The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Fatma Samoura, made the disclosure, yesterday, in Maiduguri during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima. Samoura, who is also a UN Development Programme, UNDP, Resident Representative, said the UN was scaling up its presence in Borno and other north-eastern states ravaged by the insurgency. She said: “Yesterday, we had a long discussion with the World Bank team that came from Washington to attend the workshop. The workshop is for

Not enough; Turkey got $2bn— GOV SHETTIMA validating the year findings of the recovery and peacebuilding assessment. “They have promised to leverage 800 million dollars for the North-East in response to recovery, rehabilitation, demining, waste management and debris processing for the North-East of Nigeria.” She regretted that the UN was having challenges in mobilising resources for Nigeria in view of the humanitarian crises in other parts of the world. According to her, “as we all know, the Syrian crisis that is affecting Europe is also taking a heavy toll in terms of funding from our traditional donors. “We are trying our best to ensure that our advocacy and our communication strategy are

WAKE: From left—Bishop, Dioceses of Oyo Methodist Church, Rt Rev Omoniyi Ilori, Rt Rev Amos Ajiboye, Rt Rev Obafemi Adeleye, and Most Rev Amos Akindeko, at the Christain wake/services of songs for late Princess Elizabeth Akpata in Yaba, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTOS: Akeem Salau.

up to the level where we will be receiving more attention from the donor community. “The humanitarian response plan, as we speak, is just 10 percent funded, meaning we have only received 24 million dollars. This is out of 248 million dollars budgeted for the North-East of Nigeria for 2016.” Samoura, however, pledged that the UN would continue to complement the World Bank and the EU efforts to address the root causes of poverty and exclusion in the North-East. She commended the strong leadership and commitment of the governor to finding sustainable solutions to safe and voluntary return of the IDPs to their places of origin.

Shettima

Responding, Governor Shettima commended the UN for standing by the government and people of Borno. Shettima, however, said the $800 million pledge by the World Bank was grossly inadequate in view of the enormous challenges left behind by the insurgency. He said: “It is in the interest of humanity to rally round Nigeria over Boko Haram. The developed world gave Turkey two billion dollars to resettle refugees from Syria. “There are about two million IDPs from Borno and 20 Local Government areas were overran by Boko Haram and there is now food crisis in the state.”

From left—Boluwatife Akpata; Mrs Dada Akpata-Ajiboye, daughter; Prophet Omololu Oluwademilade Akpata; daughter-in-law, Mrs Oluwatobiloba Omotolani Akpata; and Segun Akpata, during the Christian wake/service of songs.

FUEL CRISIS: FG declares emergency for products distribution By Clara Nwachukwu

N a desperate move to end the recurrent fuel shortages, particularly of premium motor spirit, PMS (petrol) being experienced in the country, the Federal Government has declared a state of emergency for petroleum products distribution.

This comes even as private operators in the country now have the responsibility to bring in 60 percent of the scarce commodity in the second quarter, Q2 import allocations. A very competent source told Vanguard in confidence yesterday that for Q2, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA 4 4 % allocation to Depot a n d Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA; 4 0 % NNPC/ PPMC; and the balance of 16% to Major O i l Marketers Association o f

Nigeria, MOMAN. Confirming the developments, the Commercial Director, PPMC, Mr. Justin Ezeala, admitted to the drop in NNPC/PPMC new import allocation, saying that “it is meant to free NNPC to import only for itself, instead of importing for everybody as we have been doing since this year.” He also admitted that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, had “directed that everything related to petroleum distribution must be treated as an emergency.” To this end, he t o l d Vanguard o n the telephone that “beginning from tomorrow (today), we have confirmations for cargoes lined up to be received incountry. Petroleum cargoes are to be treated as essential commodities, with all the regulatory agencies – DPR, PPRA, put on the alert. “We have put in place a

process to receive them in terms of logistics and cut short on all the bureaucracies, as everything will be treated with emergency in order to end the fuel crisis. ‘To this end, we have also kept trans-shipment vessels in Warri, Calabar depots for easy reach to the northern and southern parts of the country. “Today, we also held a meeting with officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to join forces with the Nigeria Police to monitor and follow products distribution from the depots to the retail outlets to cut short on sharp practices. “We also met with the national executives of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, to alert them to the sense of the emergency, as it takes about four days to take products from Lagos to Abuja. “We are also planning to restream the Systems 2B Pipeline, which transports refined products from Atlas Cove reception Jetty to Mosimi, Ibadan and Ilorin.”

Buhari urged to declare Fulani herdsmen invasion an insurgency By Abiodun Alade

ENUE State elders and leaders of thought have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare Fulani herdsmen invasion of the state and killings of the people, especially in Agatu, as acts of insurgency and the perpetrators labelled terrorists to be flushed out by the military. The elders said: “We observed that these invading Fulani herdsmen have been allowed to bear sophisticated assault weapons unchallenged, which is against all our extant laws. The perpetrators and sponsors of such crimes against humanity must be brought to justice.” The position of the elders was made known in a communiqué issued at the end of a unity meeting in Makurdi and attended by the leaders of Tiv, Idoma and Igede. The elders noted that the meeting became necessary following “the armed invasion and occupation of their land by Fulani herdsmen and the wanton killing of their people, destruction of homes and farmlands, raping of their wives and daughters in 15 Local Government areas out of 23: namely Agatu, Gwer East, Gwer West, Makurdi, Guma, Tarka, Buruku, Katsina Ala, Logo, Ukum, Kwande, Oju, Obi and Konshisha.”

House on the Rock holds confab

HIS year’s annual word conference of House on the Rock Church, on the theme Faith to Faith, will hold at the Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos, from Wednesday, April 13, to Sunday April 17. According to a statement by the Convener, Dr. Paul Adefarasin, Founder of International Central Gospel Church, Accra, Ghana, Mensah Otabil; Bishop David Abioye of Living Faith Church, Winners Chapel; Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC; Abel Damina and Cindy Trim will be ministering.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

TUC, NAAPE disrupt work at Bristow Helicopters in Rivers By Jimitota Onoyume, Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

ORT HARCOURT— MEMBERS of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, an affiliate of Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Rivers State, yesterday, disrupted operations of Bristow Helicopters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as they protested what they dubbed lopsided conditions of service. In their separate comments, Chairman, TUC, in the state, Mr Chika Onuegbu and Isaac Balami of NAAPEN, told newsmen that the management of Bristow Helicopters has been treating Nigerian captains shabbily, stressing that foreign pilots with little experience were better treated than their Nigerian counterparts with far longer years of service. They said that the essence of the protest was to force the management of the firm to do what was right. “Nigerian pilots and engineers are treated like slaves in their own country. A job that a Nigerian can do, they sack him and give it to a foreigner and pay him more. They have been sacking our pilots and employing foreigners. We are even more competent than the foreigners. Today (yesterday), no helicopter of Bristow will fly

until the Managing Director comes to answer us. We have also discovered that the management does not care about the welfare of workers. So, before it becomes a safety issue, they must come and hear us,” Balami said. Meanwhile, NAAPE, yesterday, suspended the strike. Disclosing this to newsmen, General Secretary of NAAPE,

Mr Ocheme Aba, said that the union had to suspend the strike due to the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour in the matter, adding that the ministry had made an appeal to the union to allow the ministry offer its mediation service. Aba said that the leadership of the union was happy with the success of the warning strike against Bristow

management, yesterday. “I can inform that the Federal Ministry of Labour has intervened in the matter and has made an appeal to the union to allow the ministry offer its mediation service. “Out of respect for the Federal Ministry of Labour, the union has suspended the two day warning strike with effect from today,” Aba said.

FEEDING OF 1,000 IDPs: Miss Chioma Ugwu, a youth corps member (4th right), and inmates of New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Abuja, when she celebrated Easter feeding over 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons, at the camp.

Edo 2016: Shaibu, political leaders insist on Obaseki A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Philip Shaibu and notable personalities in Edo State and Afemailand, including leaders of political and youth groups, former council chairmen and past political appointees, councilors and a host of others, have reviewed those who have announced their intention to contest the governorship election in the state and have concluded that Mr. Godwin Obaseki stands out as a gogetter. Obaseki, a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, was instrumental to the developmental blue print of the Oshiomhole administration. At the meeting in Jattu, the leaders commended Governor Oshiomhole for reducing the level of desperation among aspirants in the forth-coming governorship election. According to them, “our collective support for a particular candidate will help to stop the unnecessary expenditure that is incurred by aspirants. We need to avoid a situation where people sell their property to seek election and fail. All the governor did

was to say the truth early enough. “Our direction is made known to our people because all party members are equal. Lordship and godfatherism

have finally been buried in Edo State and that is why the governor organizes a talk on the future of the next administration. “Governors usually see

themselves as a mini god but Oshiomhole did not pose as a god or else he wouldn’t take his time to explain the reason for his action to market women and traders."

Bayelsa gov poll: Tribunal rules on Sylva’s request April 11 By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA—THE Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, adjourned till April 11, to determine whether or not the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, should be allowed to inspect the sensitive materials that were used for the December 5, 2015, and January 9, 2016, governorship election in the state. Sylva, who is challenging the return of Governor Seriake Dickson by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the winner of the governorship contest, through his lead counsel, Mr. Sebastian Hon, SAN, applied for leave of the tribunal to scrutinize the election materials. He had prayed the tribunal for “an order directing the Chairman of INEC and or the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner to forthwith produce for inspection and or scanning and also to certify/cause to be certified, the documents named in the Schedule as ‘Exhibit A’ for the purpose of the petitioner/applicant assembling and leading further evidence which would assist them to maintain the election petition.”

EPZ: Olu of Warri cautions against dissolution of Interface C'ttee Committee.

Ayade employs 150 DOPT ad-hoc staff

By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has ruled out the dissolution of Ogidigben Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Interface Committee for Ugborodo community, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State. The committee was set up by the Federal Government to protect the interest of Ugborodo in the affairs of the EPZ, also known Gas City Project, in the lingering leadership crisis in the oil rich Itsekiri community. The committee came under attack lately by a section of the community, including Benson Omadeli, the Olajo-Orori (Spiritual Head) of Ugborodo who, among other community leaders, recently set up an Interim Management Community, IMC, to handle the

affairs of Ugborodo while restricting the Interface Committee to EPZ affairs. At a closed door meeting with the community's stakeholders in his palace yesterday, the Olu was quoted as kicking against the dissolution of the EPZ

A participant at the meeting and member of the Interface committee, Mrs. Praise Igbene, told Vanguard that, “The Olu noted that it was too early to dissolve the EPZ Committee. He told us to rather include more persons in the committee to allow peace reign.”

A-Ibom Assembly grants Gov Emmanuel approval to obtain loans By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—THE Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has granted the state government an approval to secure a loan of N5 billion. The approval came after deliberation by members on the letter sent to the House earlier by Governor Udom Emmanuel. Governor Emmanuel had in the letter dated March 29, 2015,

sought the approval of the House to secure a loan of N5 billion for the completion of ongoing capital projects embarked upon by the administration. In the letter which was read by the Clerk of the House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, during yesterday's plenary, the governor explained that the loan would be collected at a liberal interest rate of 14.5 per cent with a payment period of 30 months.

S part of efforts to sanitise the public transport system in Cross River State, Governor Ben Ayade has approved the conversion of 150 ad hoc staff of the Department of Public Transportation, DOPT, to per manent employment. The beneficiaries of the governor ’s gesture had worked as ad-hoc staff in the department for about three years. Special Adviser, Department of Public Transportation, Mr. Gabriel Okulaja, who disclosed this to newsmen in his office in Calabar, said that besides the 150 staff, the governor had also given a directive for the full automation and computerization of DOPT.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 — 13

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Power: Nigeria experiences total systems collapse 10,000mw target achievable —Fashola By Chris Ochayi

BUJA—THE nationwide power crisis being experienced in the country worsened, yesterday, with a total system collapse at exactly 12.58p.m. This came on a day Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, reassured Nigerians that the 10,000 megawatts of electricity generation target set by the present administration would be attained by the end of 2019. On the systems collapse, the nation got to Ground Zero, with all the Discos receiving zero megawatts allocation from the system operator, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN. The nation had experienced drastic reduction in power supply through the national grid in recent time, with generation standing at 2,243.20mw, which the Federal Government blamed on vandals. It was observed that before the systems collapse, allocation to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, earlier in the day (yesterday) stood at 257.97mw. The cause of the systems collapse is yet to be established at the time of filing the story as efforts to get officials of TCN to respond to the development proved abortive. Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde

Fashola, yesterday, reassured Nigerians that the 10,000 megawatts of electricity generation target set by the administration would be attained by the end of 2019. Fashola, who spoke during the signing of an agreement in Abuja between Geometric Power, Aba, and Enugu Electricity Generation Company, EEDC, following peaceful resolution of the protracted legal tussle between the parties, said the presidential target was achievable. Recall President Muhammadu Buhari had declared at the opening of the National Economic Council’s economic retreat, that in the next three years, the nation would generate 10,000mw of distributable power, adding that 2,000 of it would be added to the national grid this year. The signing of the MoU marked the successful settlement of the rift between Geometric Power and operators of Enugu Distribution Company (Disco) that stalled the take-off of the 140MW Aba Power plant in Abia State since 2014. Fashola said the resolution had shown that within one Disco, there could be two or more players. He said the deal would ensure that the over $500million investment was safe, while about 200mw would be delivered first to Aba industrial zone and to the national grid. The station, built in Abia State, was the first Independent Power Plant, IPP, in Nigeria, delivered

by Geometric Power Ltd. The gas-fired plant, which has a 27km gas pipeline, and a distribution utility, within a ring-fenced distribution network, is meant to provide embedded power towards reviving industries in the Aba hub. Government granted a 20-year lease (concession) to Geometric Power Aba Limited to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in the Aba and Ariaria business districts of Enugu Disco network. The plant, which was completed in 2014, was enmeshed in disputes and a law suit resulting in its non-take-off. Former Minister of Defence, Kayode Adetokunbo, who spoke for the board of Enugu Disco/ Interstate Electrics, said the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, last September initiated the dialogue between the two parties. “We went to court earlier but are happy to sit down and sign a public document to show that all issues between us have been resolved. “We are going to be getting 100mw from there to boost power supply in the East,” he said. Speaking for Geometric Power, former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said: “In what we have done here, we have achieved peace and progress.” He said the Aba power ring-fence was a model to ensure that power generated within a place could be distributed reliably.

FG nominates former NNPC boss, Barkindo for OPEC Sec-Gen position By Michael Eboh with agency report

HE FEDERAL Government has nominated former Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mohammed Barkindo, for the position of the Secretary-General of Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, come July 2016. Barkindo had previously served as Acting Secretary-General of OPEC in 2006, and was GMD of the NNPC from 2009 to 2010. According to reports, yesterday, a Federal Government official and some delegates of OPEC, who confirmed the development, stated that the nomination of Barkindo by the Federal Government had the potentialilties of ending the

deadlock over OPEC’s leadership. The delegates said the nomination of Barkindo was put forward in recent days by Nigeria to replace Abdalla Salem elBadri as OPEC’s secretary general. “We are putting Barkindo forward for the job of OPEC Secretary-General because he has the required qualification and experience,” the Federal Government official, who pleaded anonymity, said. Badri had been OPEC’s SecretaryGeneral for over nine years and was supposed to leave at the end of 2012, but his tenure was extended due to the fact that member countries of OPEC could not reach a consensus on his replacement. The disagreement, according to report, was over whether a national from Iraq, Saudi Arabia or Iran should head the organization.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—15

Declare 3 years state of emergency on economy, S-E, S-S professionals tell Buhari By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—TO cushion the debilitating effect of the falling oil prices on Nigerians and effectively revitalize the economy, the South-South South-East Professionals have called on president Muhammadu Buhari to declare a 3 year state of emergency on the sector. The professionals who noted that the economy of the country was currently in a bad state, said that unless proactive measures were taken, Nigeria would be faced with a bleak future. The advice was the fall out of an interview the President South-East South-South Professionals, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju granted to the State House Correspondents at the end of a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinabjo at the presidential villa, Abuja yesterday. Leading a delegation of the forum to the villa, Ugwu-Oju also campaigned against giving preferential treatment to some individuals to the detriment of the economy. He said the country's growth required the collective sacrifice of every Nigerian despite their social status. “On the current state of the economy, we strongly suggested that Mr. President

should as a matter of urgency in consultation with the National Assembly, declare a three-year state of emergency on the economy. And this is not about APC and PDP. It is something that is non-partisan. Our economy is bad. “We were having $100 a barrel and now, we might not have $50 a barrel in the next three years and we have to factor it in. “This issue of fuel scarcity is a typical example of what has

happened. We didn’t plan for it before. We now have to get every citizen, not a question of Mr. Bad or Mr. Good. The total leadership has to realise that all Nigerians have to come together. We have to roll up our sleeves so that everyone has a role to play. “We have to be sacrificing. It is not just the poor that should be sacrificing alone. For example, I see no reason why any minister, governor or whoever should be traveling outside economy class.

We have to show that things are bad. You can’t tell me things are bad and I see you drinking champagn, flying first class or private jet. Same goes for the private sector. “These were the things we tried to make the vice president know and then communicate. We had a good engagement and as you know, he is very intelligent, very hardworking, very cerebral and we are happy he is the vice President."

US, Britain, others should support Buhari's anti-graft war —Kalu ...wants corrupt Nigerians exposed By Emmanuel Aziken

ASHINGTON D.C— FORMER governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu has challenged western countries to support the anti-corruption policies of the Muhammadu Buhari administration by exposing Nigerians known to have fleeced the country of its resources. Kalu who is himself facing corruption charges before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged that the commission which he said was originally conceived to fight corruption was turned into a political tool of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

Kalu also faulted the approach of pro-Biafran protagonists as faulty saying that it would not help redress the genuine pains of Ndigbo in the polity. He said that the efforts of the Buhari administration may be the first genuine fight against corruption and thus charged the west to support the administration by providing every support that could help the administration in its quest. Speaking in Washington D.C, United States of America while receiving a delegation of graduate African students of the National War College, he appealed to the western world to help Nigeria by exposing those

Nigerians who have looted the country’s resources to invest and buy choice properties in Europe, USA, UAE, Asia and Middle East. The former governor further said: “The international intelligence agencies have a critical role to play in fishing out those that have stolen the common wealth of Nigerians.” Speaking on the proBiafra agitators, Kalu lamented the marginalization of the South East in all ramifications noting that 46 years after the civil war, the region has not been fully integrated into the Nigerian nation.

Fayose calls for release of 76 youths arrested over clash with Fulani herdsmen

By Rotimi Olaleye

D O - E K I T I — FOLLOWING the arrest of 76 Igbo villagers from Ugwuneshi autonomous community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State over a clash between the natives and Fulani herdsmen, Governor Fayose of Ekiti State has called on lovers of peace to speak up on the threat posed by Fulani herdsmen to the unity of the nation. His words: “It has gotten to a level that lovers of peace in Nigeria must speak out on this keg of gun powder which the Fulani herdsmen has become.” No fewer than 76 men from the Ugwuneshi Autonomous community were last Thursday arrested and whisked away by “men in military uniform” after they protested the continued destruction of their crops and farmlands by Fulani herdsmen and their cattle who settled in the area without permission.

EYAEN TRADITIONAL RITE IN BENIN, EDO STATE, YESTERDAY PHOTOS: BARNABAS UZOSIKE

The Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa and his Chiefs on the occasion.

From left: Chief John Adun, Chief John Eribo Oviasogie and Professor Faraday Orumwense, ViceChancellor, UNIBEN C M Y K

WIVES OF CROWN PRINCE: From right: Obazuaye N'erie - 1st, Obazuwa N'erie - 2nd, and Ohe N'erie - 3rd.

From left: Prof. Greg Akenzua, Mr. Alexander Osayande and Mr. Parry Osayander, DIG (retd).

Elderly Uselu women dancing at the event.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

ALLEGED KILLINGS, ABDUCTIONS: Igbo women ask

Buhari to call Fulani herdsmen to order

By Emeka Mamah

NUGU—IGBO Women Assembly, IWA, has asked the Federal Government to intervene in the crisis between the Fulani herdsmen and various communities and villages across the country by bringing a stop to the ugly situation before things go awry. IWA made this known in a communique signed by its National President, Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwo after their meeting in Enugu yesterday. This is coming against the backdrop of last week’s arrest and detention of 76 people in Awgu, Enugu State following their protest over the abduction of two women by some Fulani herdsmen at Umuneshi community in the area. The women said that IWA was an NGO comprised of women of Igbo extraction from the South East geopolitical zone adding that its aims and objectives included, “to encourage our women to attain the heights of their potentials in all aspects of human endeavour; encouraging them to be selfreliant: to promote honour, integrity and self-respect among

C M Y K

Igbo women and youths, among others.

Menace of Fulani herdsmen

“IWA members are extremely troubled at the level of insecurity in Igbo land and other parts of the country. Fulani herdsmen have permeated every nook and cranny of the South East causing havoc. They have engaged in kidnapping, maiming and raping young girls and women, as well as killing farmers, after destroying their farm lands. “This is unacceptable to us. We, therefore call on the Federal Government to, quickly intervene and bring this injustice to an end. IWA can no longer remain silent, while things continue to go awry. We fear that, if this trend continues, there may be a complete breakdown of law and order.

Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB

“Recently. Youths of IPOB were shot and killed during peaceful demonstrations in Aba and Onitsha: we understand that, the youths under reference, were not armed, we, therefore,

consider it an act of genocide. “IWA pleads with the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, release the leader of IPOB, to douse tension and also make room for dialogue with them, and some credible Igbo leaders. “IWA believes that members of IPOB are in serious grief, because of the fact that Ndigbo have been systematically oppressed by successive regimes and denied of their rights. “This is the cause of agony for these youths, some of whose parents were not even born during the Nigeria/Biafra war.

Abduction of underage Christian girls

“Nowadays underage Christian girls are being abducted and forced into marriage with northern Moslems. This is inhuman and criminal. We are aware that freedom of religion is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Parents of these abducted girls are put through unimaginable trauma which could lead to their untimely deaths.

The fight against corruption

“ IWA fully supports the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to bring corruption to an end and we urge him to continue till those who looted Nigeria’s treasury return all stolen monies and also face adequate punishment for impoverishing the nation. IWA trusts that funds recovered will be judiciously spent on important projects.

Restructuring of Nigeria

“Finally IWA wishes to state, without fear of equivocation, that only the restructuring of the country along the line of true federalism, will bring lasting peace, progress and prosperity to this great nation and make it truly the “GIANT” of Africa. “It is an undeniable fact that Ndigbo have not been fully reintegrated into the mainstream of Nigeria, and no longer relevant in the scheme of things. This makes the NO. VICTOR NO VANQUISHED mantra of the former Yakubu Gowon’s administration after the NigeriaBiafra civil war in 1970, a huge

joke. If the situation subsists, Nigeria will not know peace, which is synonymous with justice.”

Ma Akpata for burial

RINCESS Elizaberth Tomori Aba Akpata, nee Sey, is dead, aged 80 years. A Christian wake keep was held at her residence, No.3, Biney Road, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday, while the funeral service holds today, at Divine Ewulomi Evangelical Church of Christ (C&S), Arowojobe Estate, off Okupe Estate, Maryland, Lagos. Interment will take place at Atan Cemetery while reception follows immediately at College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Yaba, Lagos. She is survived by children and other relations, including the General Overseer of Divine Ewulomi Evangelical Church C&S.

Late Tomori Akpata

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 —17

Islam’s global image problem

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, recently expressed regret about the fact that Muslim extremists make Islam look bad and have turned it into “a bashing boy...because people hold it responsible for the misdeeds of a few.” His Eminence, the Sultan, who is the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims and the President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, then urged his faithful followers to be peaceful and to work hard to improve their religion’s ailing reputation. I really feel for the Sultan and for all decent Muslims who abhor the terrible crimes against humanity that are being committed, not just in Nigeria but worldwide, by psychopathic outlaws who claim to be super-devout Islamic warriors. The activities of these marauding murderers is costing Muslims so much goodwill in many nations that have been subjected to suicide bombings and other acts of savagery. And many nonMuslims now view ALL Muslims with intense suspicion or burning hatred and regard Islam and its adherents as intrinsically evil.

Muslim population The sad irony is that when outrages like the Brussels bombings of March 22 take place, Muslims – women and children included - also get caught up in the carnage. The Sultan and other principled Muslim dignitaries frequently point out that it is only a “few” individuals who are creating mayhem. And they are right in the sense that the number of active Muslim terrorists - or terroristsympathisers - is far exceeded by the number of Muslims who are not remotely interested in terrorism. However, the “few” are still a significant percentage of the overall Muslim population. And I would like to understand why so many Muslims are so full of blinding rage and so determined to destroy their own societies and The West. I can see why impoverished and neglected Nigerian Muslim youths in the North-East might become emotionally brutalized C M Y K

Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto

ISIS terrorists

Boko Haram terrorists and regard Boko Haram as an option. But I don’t see why so many Muslim youths are embracing extremism in essentially liberal countries in which everyone can count on basic necessities and thrive. In the UK, for example, hundreds of Muslim youngsters (whose parents emigrated from Pakistan, Somalia, etc) have benefitted enormously from the best that Britain has to offer – the welfare state, free education, free healthcare and so on. And yet, they (girls as well as boys) have bitterly turned their backs on their adopted country and abandoned their studies.

It’s cheering to hear influential Muslims like the Sultan admitting that a serious problem exists; one can only pray that solutions can be found

Several are highly intelligent and could easily have become doctors, lawyers or whatever; but they have chosen to take off to Syria, Iraq and other war zones, to risk their lives by fighting for ISIS. Why? My sister works for a local government area in London that has a lot of ethnic minority inhabitants; and she regularly interacts with non-White youngsters and

tells me that many feel alienated and discriminated against by the White majority. I grew up in the UK and have not personally experienced much racism. But my father was a VIP and I went to elite British schools; and I’m humbly willing to accept that rampant racism is a reality for less privileged non-White UK residents. However, non-White Christian

kids from ordinary backgrounds face the same challenges as nonWhite Muslims from ordinary backgrounds in the UK. So why are the former much less prone to joining terrorist organisations than the latter? THIS is the question that Muslim leaders need to address. Christianity has a bloodthirsty past – history books provide us with gory details about the Inquisition, the Crusades, the antiJewish pogroms and so on. And the Christians of today are not saints either! There are violent Christian militants in the Niger Delta and homicidal Christian militias in the Central African Republic and nasty Christians wreaking havoc in numerous other locations. But Islamic terrorism is particularly widespread and particularly effective and particularly lethal and particularly worrying; and I don’t have a clue how this global menace can be eradicated. I’m not even sure that it can ever be eradicated. But it’s cheering to hear influential Muslims like the Sultan admitting that a serious problem exists. One can only pray that solutions can be found.

READER RESPONSE

AST week, I complained about the recent Rivers State Election re-run fiasco, during which irregularities were rife and (according to witnesses who contacted me) people from both parties (APC and PDP) were killed. Ifeka Okonkwo (ifekaokonwo@yahoo.com), a Vanguard reader, responded thus: As long as politics has become the most lucrative venture in our country, the quickest avenue to instant wealth and a lifetime of comfort without sweat, it will continue to be a do-or-die affair for our politicians. That is why they use poor unemployed youths as politi-

cal thugs to maim or kill their opponents during election campaigns or to cause mayhem during the actual elections and indulge in all sorts of electoral malpractices to grab political power! My advice to our youths is that they should not allow our politicians to continue using their blood as a stepping stone to grab political power and wealth, but should rather ask the politicians to use their own children as political thugs. Until we make our elective posts less attractive, our politicians will continue to maim or kill their political opponents and rig elections, all in their desperate bid to get their teeth into our

proverbial national cake. When will our politicians grow up by emulating how presidential primaries are being conducted presently in USA without violence and bloodshed? Shame on them! Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 THE Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) appears bent on enforcing the introduction of the Speed Limiting Device (SLD) come September 1, 2016 in spite of furious opposition from some quarters, particularly transporters and members of the House of Representatives. In fact, the Lawmakers called for the outright suspension of the scheme, arguing that the Commission should settle for a more technologicallyupdated approach rather than embracing the speed limiting device which, they argued, had been dumped by many countries because they “do not work”. The transporters threatened to go on strike should the FRSC go ahead with this scheme, which was at first billed to take off on April 1, 2016. They insist that it is the FRSC that needs to adopt technology (such as the Spider Technology) to enable them detect overspeeding vehicles from long

Before enforcing the speed limiter distances. They also argue that the cost of the speed limiter (N36,000 per unit) is prohibitive and the scheme is a ploy by the promoters to enrich themselves in collaboration with contractors whom, they allege, have already been selected. We are in support of any well thought-through idea or strategy that will reduce the high rate of accidents and attendant fatalities on our roads. We are solidly behind anything that can be done to get our road users; especially haulage operators, transporters and government officials to drive within the approved speed limits.

For this to work, it will require all stakeholders working cooperatively to achieve better road safety rates in Nigeria. The FRSC will have to improve on their use of technology such as the deployment of Spider and other modern devices to track overspeeders. It will also include getting road users to comply with statutory speed limits, even if it means using the speed limiters. Trucks, trailers and tankers, in particular, must be compelled to install speed limiters for greater road safety. It has long been observed that two

OPINION up at all. The huge but inevitable difference electoral fortunes between the two leading Attraction of change and a boiling nation inparties in the land and the two personalities By Gab Ejuwa

HAT corruption is alive and waxing stronger in Nigeria more than most of its global contemporaries is a fact. In fact, almost all the administrations that have in place the nation have been implicated in the systemic malady. The so-called corrective military governments are not exempted, but were only smarter in hiding the statistics of their official rottenness from public view. They were later exposed as well. And all over the world, it was being constantly said that unless the country fought this sociological monster to a standstill, investments into the country would be an unmitigated and immitigable disaster. Consequently, the western world began to chastise and persecute Nigerians whenever they found them in their countries and continents. The social stigma became so compounded and worse that Nigerians are being searched at International airports to their underpants in search of unknown exhibits. The nation’s green passport became an object of denigration and derision all over the world. And coupled with the dastardly desperate deeds of our countrymen and women abroad who unfortunately lived up to the inauspicious anti-establishment image, the universal denunciation assumed dilating proportions making the prospect of

change inevitable. This then was the backdrop when the strains of change rolled in. Nigerians welcomed the new impetus wholeheartedly. Having suffered so much under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which even threatened to rule for 60 years. They soon upgraded the rhapsodic chant for change at all costs, investing it with the riveting magic and winsomeness of a mantra. So, from landlocked Borno to littoral Bayelsa, from Enugu to Ibadan, it was “change” all the way. Even the drunks in the gutter, befuddled by the fiery fumes of alcohol, mouthed ‘change’ and ‘Sai Baba’ to demonstrate their loathing for another round of Jonathan’s madness. Even when the votes were being counted, the dapperly, almost incarnate spectra of change hung like a prodigious suspended balloon over the ambience of Nigerian towns and cities, surprisingly uniting this much-abused, long-suffering agglomeration of lands and peoples. It also showed clearly in the voting architecture. Naturally, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had blazed an unprecedented trail and it was not letting

Let APC walk their talk that they are a viable alternative to the corrupt PDP

was visible to the blind, audible to the deaf and tangible to the abstracted, to echo somebody else’s original turn of phrase. And Nigerians in their hundreds of millions were already on a jubilant junket. Spontaneous and emotive songs broke out across the length and breadth of the nation, no thanks to the erstwhile PDP madness. However, just one year into the new government, Nigerians are much disillusioned, disappointed and even angry that the dream, which started with the rhapsodic and sustained chant, is over so soon. And the Nigerian nation, if we could still call it a nation, is gradually but inexorably heating up, steadily boiling, as if towards a flashpoint. The first indication that our political and by extension economic fortunes have hardly improved, even with the anteceded strains of bridal joy occasioned by the formation of a new government at the centre, was the lull and hiatus in governance that the first few months of a Buhari presidency foisted on the nation. It was, up to that time usual for a new government to get its act together and appoint its operatives without wasting time unduly. Even the military juntas who were not credited with much brain but brawn would in a matter of days roll out its list of officials. However with Buhari and the APC, days dragged into weeks, weeks into months, while the Government plied the nation with apologies, stressing that the long

major reasons account for high accident rates all over the world: overspeeding and wrong overtaking. If drivers cannot discipline themselves to drive within acceptable limits, then they must be compelled to do so. However, we call for the removal of all loopholes that may pave the way for corruption or graft to take place in the scheme. No effort should be spared to make the device more readily available and affordable. If the law-enforcement agents take their work more seriously, the armed robbers, assassins and kidnappers who may take advantage of speed limiters to catch up with targeted victims will be caught in most cases before or after they strike. We urge the FRSC to work harder and gain the confidence and cooperation of highway users to ensure we all drive within statutory speed limits. Speed kills. We must kill speed.

wait was nothing other than a temporary circumstantial expediency. Apart from instantly appointing some presidential aides the new government circumstantially sat upon its haunches, seeming to wring its hands. And when the list of ministers was finally unveiled , the almost palpable mood of disappointment refused to be consoled substantially. The list was an unmitigated and immitigable unswerving crash as most of the appointed ministers came across as average in personality and competence. More worrisome was the systemic and systematized “Northernisation” of governance, to the detriment of the south through the lopsided nominations. When people remonstrated this overarching anomaly, the government assured that in no distant future, the lopsided arrangement would even out. Although it did even out as promised, but it was evident that the agenda was the unwritten law of the government. The next bone of contention between Nigerians and the new government was the incessancy of PMB’s foreign trips. Nigerians were alarmed that the new helmsman seemed to be gallivanting round the globe while on the economy suffers.Let APC walk their talk that they are a viable alternative to the corrupt PDP. Enough of this wringing of hands. Let PMB rise up to the occasion now, or else the goodwill expressed by the whole country may be withdrawn. •Mr.Ejuwa, a journalsit, wrote from Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Palmyra: Assad’s Easter gift

HRISTIANS believe that Easter Sunday is resurrection day. For them, it is an annual celebration. In Lahore, Pakistanis of all faith trooped to a park to celebrate the day. As mainly children and women queued to buy tickets for a train ride at the park, a suicide bomber walked towards them and detonated a bomb. At least seventy two picnickers were murdered and 320 injured. At first count, thirty six of those murdered, were kids. Ten members of one family, all Muslims, were wiped out in the blast. Ehsanullah Ehsan , spokesperson of a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban — Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA) which claimed responsibility for the blast, said "Members of the Christian community who were celebrating Easter today were our prime target". Such is the voice and face of evil which picks the Christian Day of Resurrection to send many kids to early graves. That same day, an army of primarily Muslim soldiers, despite losing 180 members, entered and retook the Biblical

city of Palmyra, Syria, giving the city a rebirth. Palmyra is a symbol of faith being quite significant to all the main religions in the West and Middle East; traditional, especially Baal worship, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Palmyra, called Tadmur or Tadmor in the Bible was according to Second Chronicles 8:3-4, built by King Solomon as a fortress. It was a stronghold of the early Christians and Saint Paul was believed to be headed there to persecute Christians when on the road to Damascus, he saw a dazzling light and got converted. The Romans renamed it Palmyra (palm tree). The famous Church of St Simeon Stylites built in memory of a man said to have spent decades on a pillar proclaiming his Christian faith, can be found there. Later, Islam also came to the city. For humanity, the importance of Palmyra is not religion, but its historical significance as it contains the ruins of an ancient city which includes theatres, temples, art and architecture dating back to the First Century. The historical site combines several civilizations; Syrian, Persian, Indian and GrecoRoman. It had whole ancient

streets and structures intact. To ISIS, these historical sites were haram. So when in May 2015 it captured the city, its first acts were the execution of over 400 people mostly women and children, and the destruction of as many of the historical sites as possible. When manual destruction seemed slow, dynamites were used. The commitment of the Bashar al-Assad administration to protect Christians and their sites is no fluke. It is a continuation of Syrian history which has seen that country become a model of religious tolerance in the Middle East. In fact, the ruling Baathist Party was established in 1947 by a Christian, Michel Aflaq, and many Syrians followed and accepted his leadership despite the fact the Christians are a minority. Following the crisis in the Baathist Party in 1962, Aflaq called a congress and his group won. The following year, the party overthrew the government and has been in power since then. Aflaq himself was ousted in an internal coup in 1966 and went into exile in Iraq.

The al-Assad government might not be a model; but it is the most potent force on the battlefield that can checkmate and defeat ISIS

Kaduna anti Christian bill: First step to islamisation By Clement Udegbe

ALAM El Rufai, appears to be one of the arrows aimed at making Christians very uncomfortable in Nigeria, by anti- Christian Forces of this country. In January 2013, the former FCT, Abuja Minister wanted to please his god fathers in politics,as a governor ship aspirant in Kaduna State, twitted an insult on the person of Jesus Christ, claiming Jesus had sex with Mary Magdalene. Christians reacted to his insensitive, irresponsible and offensive saying about Christ, and his attack on the sensibilities of Christians globally, which betrayed his his lack of respect for our Lord Jesus Christ and obvious hatred for Christians. His replywhich added insults to the injury includes “ I must say I am taken aback by the extent of desperate misrepresentation of what was an innocuous attempt to show the godlessness of the Jonathanians to denigrate anyone that dares to ask them to be accountable,” “To those who were genuinely offended by the retweet, I apologise. I did not mean to offend anyone. Jesus or Isa Alaihis Salaam is a respected prophet of Islam. Every Muslim accepts this in addition to his miraculous virgin birth. It is therefore absurd for any Muslim believer to disrespect Jesus Christ,” he added. The CAN scribe said there was a portion of the response that insulted the Christian faith, pointing out that the association is convinced Mr. El-Rufai is set on a war path with Christians in Nigeria.” And warned him to stop taking Christians for granted with such foolish comments.Unfolding events have confirmed that CAN was right, El- Rufai hates Christians! C M Y K

Malam El-Rufai was a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,not a Minister of any person or party. The problem is godfatherism, and that is why such an uncouth comment could come from a Minister of this nation, and he went ahead to become a Governor! In Igbo land, a proverb says that when a child is dancing on the main road, someone must have been beating the drums for him in the bush. Someone must be beating the drum from a hidden position, to which Malam El-Rufai is dancing in the public. In 2013, the APC wanted to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the posts of President and Vice President. In 2014, they quickly abandoned a muslim-muslim ticket, and exploited an in road via the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where Vice President Osibanjo SAN, was a Senior Pastor, and that did the job for APC. While the north voted massively for APC, on both ethnic and religious grounds, votes were divided elsewhere in the country.The

Can there be any quicker and better way to heat up the polity, and cause religious conflicts? Who in the north wants Nigeria split?

But the guiding ideology has been radical, secular, Arab Nationalism. An ideology that recognizes no state religion and treats all Syrians as equal citizens. So, Syria guarantees a secular state in which everyone is free to practice, teach and evangelize without discrimination whether in terms of access to education, employment or social services. In contrast, many countries in the Middle East tend to discriminate or suppress minority religions. When the Saddam Hussein Government fell in Iraq, Christians became targets and over half a million of them fled to shelter in Syria. When mass protests brought change in Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood under Mohammed Morsi took over, Christians were suppressed. So when a protest movement against the Assad Government started, the Church and majority Christians aware of the consequences for minority rights, campaigned for reforms, but not change of government. When war broke out, they flocked to the side of the Assad government. The rebels especially the ISIS and al-Nusra pushed more Christians to the side of Assad with their policy towards Christians in areas they control. They gave non-Muslims three choices; convert to Islam, pay a religious levy called Jizya or be put to death. In many cases the option was either convert or be executed. On September 11, 2014, a delegation of Eastern Christian Patriarchs paid President Barack Obama a visit in the White House to brief him on the situation in the Middle East. America was then contemplating bombing Syrian forces and establishing a so-called no-fly-zone to protect

church had a distracted or shifted focus, and in what appears now like a compromise by the church, Kaduna state Governor became emboldened to unleash more insults on the Church of God. The fears expressed by Christians over APC and Buhari’s leadership persists, in spite of the campaign promises of a changed Buhari.One major fear of many Christians include , that the killings and burning of churches will continue under Buhari, but will be seriously suppressed from the public. A branch of the Living Faith Church, in Giwa LGA, Kaduna state was burnt down on the 30th March, 2015, as elections results were being compiled. Violence against Christians abound in Kaduna, Kano and other northern States, Last week Sabon Gari market of mostly Christian traders was burnt in Kano, and some social media commentators announced that it was just the beginning of the fight against Christians in the north of Nigeria, meaning more fires will follow, and nothing happened to them. Fulani Herds men have exported their evils down to majorly Christian South. Only last week, over 73 persons from a locality of Enugu State were arrested by the Army and carried away to Abia State where they have been detained,for reacting to damages and destructions by Fulani Herdsmen. Who then, is beating these drums to which the Fulani Herds men are dancing? A system like ours that uses the Army and Police to protect the source of provocation and destruction,while punishing the victims speaks volumes about unfairness. This system must have been calculated to oppress, and suppress, which can only lead to some form of uprising with time. Last week, same El-Rufai of Kaduna state proposed a Religious Preaching Bill to make illegal and regulate certain religious activities in the state, citizens across the country have condemned the bill, with many describing it as anti-religious. The bill,

the rebels. His visitors were therefore taken aback when Obama confessed “We know that President Bashar al-Assad protected Christians in Syria.” One of the Patriarchs responded: “Then you should stop talking about a moderate Syrian opposition.” But despite its many manifestations, the war in Syria is not religious . First, both sides in the conflict are primarily Muslims. Secondly, on the rebels side are stacked countries like United States and Britain which can be considered primarily Christian, and on the government side is Russia which has been a game changer. The Syrian War is about interests, influence and control; it is about local, regional and international politics. If NATO had made the error of providing the rebels air support, it might have handed ISIS its first independent state. But three major realities are changing its position. First are the waves of refugees which have made falls in Europe and are threatening its demography. The second is the decisive intervention of Russia that has made the military defeat of the Syrian government an unlikely possibility. The third is the ISIS carrying out terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels. So with time, the Syrian government is getting stronger. On the other hand, the international anti-Syrian coalition is scrambling to put together a so-called AntiTerrorist Coalition against the same rebels they had trained and funded. The al-Assad government might not be a model; but it is the most potent force on the battlefield that can checkmate and defeat ISIS.

currently before the Kaduna state House of Assembly,titled, ‘A Bill For A Law To Substitute The Kaduna State Religious Preaching Law, 1984.’ was first passed into law in 1984 and was then known as the “ Kaduna State Regulation of Religious Preaching Edict No.7 of 1984, which was amended in 1987. The law was not enforced and now El-Rufai wants to update and enforce it. The proposed Bill seeks to License religious preachers before they can preach in the state, and this includes visiting preachers, and the license must be renewed yearly. A sponsored external preacher shall be issued with a permit for the priod of the event; Playing of cassettes in public is barred, and playing of inciting media messages is barred. All cassettes, CDs, Flash drives, or any other communication gadgets containing religious recordings from accredited preachers may be played only inside ones room, the porch of the church or mosque, and any other designated place of worship. Any individual who violates the bill shall upon conviction be liable to a term of imprisonment of two years, and a fine of N200,000. Other offences in the bill include use of loud speakers on a vehicle, preaching without license, preaching after 8 pm in any public place; Abuses of religious books;Carrying any weapons whether concealed or not into a place of worship, and making of inciting comments. The major fear of Christians is confirmed by this bill. If passed other states in the north would follow, and that marks the beginning of full islamisation of Nigeria! Can there be any quicker and better way to heat up the polity, and cause religious conflicts? Who in the north wants Nigeria split?

*Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, can be reached at ceeaai@yahoo.com.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

•Chaos at filling station... a common feature on account of the scarcity

Fuel crisis of unending frustration and pain:

Conflicting claims of why problem persists By Mike Ebonugwo and Michael Eboh

FIRST time visitor to Nigeria at this period, especially from Europe, certainly cannot help but be taken aback by the unfolding scenes of chaos at the few filling stations selling premium motor spirit, PMS, aka petrol, in most cities across the country. From Lagos to Abuja, Ibadan to Enugu, Kano to Port Harcourt and indeed in every part of this country, the story is the same. Nigerians are feeling the heat of the prevailing fuel crisis, and their reactions border on a combination of frustration and desperation. And this they readily display whenever they are lucky to come across a filling station selling the now seemingly precious product.

Shouting match Indeed the situation at such filling stations approximates a war zone as the people desperately jostle to buy fuel. In fact, many Nigerians start the day by going out in search of where to buy fuel. And whenever a filling station is sighted selling the product at what is considered a reasonable or affordable price, within a short time many motorists converge there with those carrying gallons of varying sizes not far behind. And that is when all hell breaks

loose: a shouting match followed by a pulling and shoving contest invariably ensue within the filling station, particularly close to the dispensing pumps or machines. Meantime, multiple, straggling queues would have been formed leading to the stations. As a result, traffic jams which are usually a nightmare to motorists, would return in full force to all direct and adjoining roads in the area. That, however, does not capture the total picture of the crisis and the unfolding confusion. The story of the fuel crisis is not complete without the now ubiquitous presence of individuals, both male and female, now hawking petrol in different sizes and shapes of containers along the road, usually not too far from a filling station. These black market dealers of fuel have since

Black market dealers of fuel have since taken advantage of the prevailing situation to make hay at the expense of motorists and others seeking for fuel to buy

taken advantage of the •Ibe Kachukwu prevailing situation to make hay at the expense of mo- issues go away. And let’s be torists and others seeking for fuel honest: for the five, six months to buy. As usual, their selling we have been here, NNPC has price is well over the top, as a moved from a 50 percent four-litre gallon now sells for importer of products to basically N2000 in some places, while 10 a 100 percent importer. And the litres goes for N5000. 445 barrels that were allocated Expectedly Nigerians are was to cover between 50 and 55 groaning in pain and wonder- percent importation. ing what is going on, why the scarcity has lingered for so long Strategic in spite of assurances from the reserve Federal Government that the situation would soon be under “So, it is quite frankly sheer control. magic that we even have the Indeed, from every indication amount of products at the staNigeria’s unending fuel scarcity tions. We are looking to see how appears to have defied all to get foreign exchange input. solutions with attendant untold The president and I discussed hardship on Nigerians with extensively on how to get more motorists and others spending crude directed at importation. hours, and in most cases days, His excellency will rather have at petrol stations. less crude but have individuals The scarcity which started in the in the society suffer less with inearly days of 2015, worsened over conveniences than have more the last couple of weeks. Some crude and have them continue are wont to attribute the recent to suffer. escalation of the problem to “...Although I don’t want to put comments reportedly made by a time frame, but I will expect that the Minister of State for Petro- over the next two months...we leum Resources, Mr. Ibe should see quite frankly a Kachikwu. The Minister was complete elimination of quoted as having declared that this(scarcity). Our strategy is that measures adopted by govern- whatever is produced in the ment to address the situation can refineries will not go for sale. We only begin to have any effect by are going to keep them in May. strategic reserve because the key According to him: “One of the problem here is that there is no trainings I did not receive is that reserve. Anytime there is gap in of a magician but I am working supply, it goes off. very hard to ensure some of these “So, we’re going to dedicate the

next couple of months to moving all the products that we produce to strategic reserve so that we can pile up reserves in the nation...”. But this statement was immediately interpreted to mean that Nigerians would have to endure the scarcity for another two months. It was more than Nigerians could tolerate, hence the outrage that greeted the comment by Nigerians from all walks of life. Among the prominent voices that sharply disagreed with the Minister was the All Progressives Congress, APC, leader, Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu, who argued that Nigerians were right to be angry about the prevailing situation. According to him: “The fuel scarcity is severely biting for the average person. They(Nigerians) are forced to remain in lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too much for too little fuel.

Inadequate supply This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare are at stake. With so much on the line, Kachikwu’s flippancy was out of line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they should just be quiet and endure the shortage for several weeks more”. But there are also those who feel that the Minister was misunderstood. One of them is Dapo Abiodun, the Managing Director, Hyden Oil and Gas Ltd and Chairman, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA. According to him, the Minister’s statement only refers to the point when fuel supply challenges would be resolved in every part of the country. “That was what he was referring to, but you will find out that over the next two weeks, about 80 to 90 per cent of these problems will be solved,” he told Vanguard Features in an interview. On why the fuel supply crisis persists, he has this to say: “Really, the biggest problem we have had up till now is because there is no foreign exchange.

To be concluded

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

— 21

US, Nigeria set up working groups on security, economy, corruption T

HE United States and Nigeria yesterday agreed to establish working groups focused on strengthening security cooperation, the economy and tackling corruption after day-long talks at the State Department. In a joint statement, the countries said the groups would come up with a paper within a month finalising goals. Kerry meets Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday on the sidelines of a two-day nuclear security summit in Washington involving leaders from more than 50 countries.

Human rights abuses The meetings yesterday were launched by Kerry and Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, who both acknowledged security challenges posed by Boko Haram militants in the northeast and neighbouring countries, as well as tough economic times caused by a drop in oil prices. Kerry said the United States was committed to helping Nigeria tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, although he cautioned that security forces had to avoid human rights abuses even as they stepped up the fight against the jihadi group, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State. “Under President Buhari, Nigeria has been taking the fight to Boko Haram and it has reduced Boko Haram’s

BRIEFING: From left, Tolu Odukale, Associate Director, Risk Consulting; Nike Oyewolu, Head, Sales and Markets; Olumide Olayinka, Partner and Head, Risk Consulting and Tomi Adepoju, Partner, Risk Consulting, all of KPMG, during a press conference and launch of KPMG survey report on “The Top Ten Business Risks for 2016,” in Lagos. Photo; Lamidi Bamidele. capacity to launch full-scale attacks,” Kerry said, “however, the group still remains a threat, a serious threat, to the entire region.” He said in recent months

Now, I want to be clear, this aid is predicated on the understanding that, even when countering a group as ruthless as Boko Haram, security forces

‘Gridlocks on Lagos ports scaring investors’ By Providence Obuh

HE Area Comptroller, Kiri-kiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Benjamin Aber, has said that the Mile 2 Apapa express way gridlock occasioned by petroleum truck drivers $ 126.65 -0.35 is scaring investors away. $2,923.00 -51.00 Aber said this at a Stakeholders’ meeting $ 15.87 0.00 held by the command just as he gave a two weeks ultimatum to petroleum tanker drivers $39.71 0.45 to quit the environment. According to him, $38.71 0.39 “Foreign Direct Investment can only CURRENCY BUYING SELLING come when we create an US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 enabling environment 282. 828 283.5495 284. 271 POUNDS that is secured, 222. 166 222.7328 223. 2995 EURO predictable and 203. 5095 204. 0287 204. 5478 FRANC 1.743 1.7474 1.7519 YEN transparent. My strategy 0.3153 0.3253 0.3353 CFA is to make this people 273. 467 274.1646 274. 8622 WAUA aware that my 30.2497 30.3274 30. 405 RENMINBI government cannot 52.2583 52. 3916 52.5249 RIYAL accept this nuisance and 29.7986 29. 8746 29. 9506 KRONA 274.1452 274. 8446 275. 5439 SDR if we must attract business, we must first CBN Exchange rate as at 31/03/2016 clear all the tankers or

C M Y K

U.S. military trainers were helping Nigeria’s security forces improve information sharing tactics, and train and equip two infantry battalions.

have a duty to set the standard with respect to human rights,” he cautioned, adding: “One abuse does not excuse another.” U.S. cooperation with Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had virtually ground to a halt because of his refusal to investigate corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigerian military. On the economy, Kerry said the United States was “encouraged” by Buhari’s commitment to diversify Nigeria’s economy to make it less dependent on oil. But Nigeria needed to create an environment that was welcoming to investment, Kerry added. The joint statement made no mention Nigeria’s foreign exchange rate, which the United States complains is too rigid and discourages investors. Senior U.S. diplomats said the issue would be raised during Wednesday’s talks. Africa’s top oil exporter is in the middle of an economic crisis as a slump in global oil prices has eroded public finances, hit the currency and dried up commercial banks’ dollar supplies needed for basic imports

they do things in a manner that is disciplined and orderly that will not attract insecurity. “What we are trying to do is create a very good enabling environment for people who would like to come and do business.” He explained that there was need to create a corridor along the tank farm and jetty operational area to free the exit and entrance of the environment of the terminal. “It is part of Customs mandate to ensure the security of its

Foreign direct investment can only come when we create an enabling environment that is secured, predictable and transparent

environment and not only to generate revenue. “If the environment is not accessible, investors will not import into the country and there is no way we can generate revenue for government because it takes more than five hours for anybody to come in and do business.

Befitting presence Meanwhile, the Comptroller assured that he would be restructuring the command, saying, “I am proposing to remodel the KLT command to have a befitting presence as a command. With the approval and support of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), I am going to deliver a new command at all levels of operation, procedure, environment and security. That I can assure is going to happen.” He pointed out that the economy of Lagos is the nerve centre of the Nigerian economy, giving reasons on why he has to first sensitize the truck drivers before taking necessary actions.

“I take decisions based on democratic norms and on the federal government’s change mantra being introduced into Nigeria. Economy cannot grow when there is indiscipline and people misbehaving in a disorderly manner, no economy can grow where there is insecurity, we must be a fool to accept that this situation is ideal. “I am not against anybody coming here to do business but against those conducting business in a manner that exposes Nigeria to a security imperative that cannot be controlled. “What we are saying is that people should be responsible and disciplined in the way and manner they do business.” He lamented that the activities of the petroleum truck drivers had encouraged miscreants around the area with indiscriminate businesses such as food vendors cooking under the trucks with naked fire. “All these acts can lead to a big explosion in the environment which could claim lives including my life, if we do not find quick solution to the constant gridlock along the Kirikiri area,” he said.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

“The commercial and retail banking arm of the group saw a significant drop in profitability for the full year to N6.5 billion PBT, following the impairments from two significant defaulting obligors reported in our Q3 audited results. The full year’s performance was also adversely affected by a 44 per cent drop in foreign exchange income and a 12 per cent drop in net interest income, largely caused by foreign exchange policy and impact of cash reserve requirement ratios till Q4. The strong turnaround witnessed in

Q4 PBT was driven largely by recoveries in the retail book, improving net interest margins in Q4 and strong fees and commissions throughout the year. “Inspite of the challenging policy and macroeconomic environment, we believe that these trends will continue, and we will witness a steady improvement in performance indices in 2016 as our retail and transaction banking activities continue to evolve positively, our loan recovery efforts yield results and our efficiency drive gathers more momentum.”

Stan Chart launches ‘bank on an iPad’ sales-and-service tool From left: Co-ordinator Rullion Capacity Builders, Mrs Oluwatoyin Egedi; World New Revival Ministries, Ejigbo, Pastor Durojaye; CEO, Distinct Event, Mrs Kikelomo Aderoju and CEO, Ibile Vogue, Mrs. Temitope Alade at the Rullion Capacity Builders Send-Forth ceremony at Ejigbo, Lagos State.

FCMB Group records N7.8bn profit before tax in Q4 Stories by Nkiruka Nnorom

CMB Group Plc (FCMB) has announced N7.8 billion in profit before tax for the year ended December 31, 2015. The audited financial statement released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that the bank’s profit after tax stood at N4.8 billion. Following these, the bank has recommended a dividend of 10 kobo per share. Further breakdown showed that the revenue was up by three per cent to N152.5 billion in 2015, as against N148.6 billion in 2014. This was in spite of the challenging macroeconomic and regulatory environment. However, net interest income

decreased by 12 per cent Year-onYear (YoY) to N63.9 billion, compared to N72.6 billion in the previous year. Fees and commissions rose by 10 per cent to N15.8 billion, driven by a strong surge in electronic banking income, offsetting the drop in Commission on Turnover and Trade Finance fees. Other income dropped by 31 per cent to N8.8 billion due to a N4.8 billion reduction in foreign exchange gains. Total assets dropped marginally by one per cent to N1.16 trillion. Commenting on the results, Managing Director of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Peter Obaseki, said: “Full year 2015 result, came in with profit after tax of N4.8

billion; although underlying topline and sustainable revenue momentum remains strong and in line with our strategic thrust. Key soundness ratios, including liquidity and capital buffers, were maintained in a rather challenging operating environment within all the operating companies. The clear and direct future challenge is to unlock more value to shareholders by tackling operational efficiencies and accelerating the pace of momentum, not just in the bank but also in micro-finance and wealth management.” In his comments, the Group Managing Director/CEO, First City Monument Bank Limited, a key subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, stated that:

Stanbic IBTC Bank reiterates importance of savings

TANBIC IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has reiterated the need for a strong savings and investment culture among Nigerians. The bank said it has developed a bouquet of products aimed at strengthening the savings and investment culture in the country. Contract Save, a product similar to Esusu, Adashe or Ajo, an informal savings scheme common among market women, artisans and others across the country, the bank said, was introduced not only to encourage savings but also to help bring the low income groups into the formal financial services sector. According to Stanbic IBTC Bank, Contract Save is a hybrid investment account that enables customers to save in a regular and disciplined way for specific goals and events. The bank said the product is targeted at current and savings account holders such as individuals and SME operators, High Yield Current Account C M Y K

(HYCA) holders, salary account holders as well as housewives who receive regular monthly stipends, traders, artisans, students, and others. Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay, said the product was introduced to ensure customers achieve their savings and

Contract Save is a product we developed to help customers achieve their savings and investment objectives in a disciplined and profitable way

investment objectives in a disciplined and profitable way. According to him, in line with the retail banking drive of the Group and the financial inclusion policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the bank will continue to explore ways to develop financial solutions that are relevant to the financial and economic aspirations of Nigerians. “Contract Save is a product we developed to help customers achieve their savings and investment objectives in a disciplined and profitable way. The product is in line with the financial inclusion policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria and our retail banking drive,” Macaulay said. “The bank will continue to tap into the rich resources of the Stanbic IBTC Group to explore innovative ways to develop products and services that are relevant to the economic aspirations of Nigerians,” he added.

TANDARD Chartered Bank has announced the global launch of its award-winning Retail Workbench, a digital tablet-based sales-and-service tool that “brings the bank” to clients in six markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Seamlessly integrated with the bank’sback-endinfrastructure,Retail Workbench will allow sales staff to open an account for a client in any locationandmakesbankingservices like loan approvals and credit card issuancefast,simpleandcompletely paperless. “Banking should be easy and convenient. That’s what the Retail Workbench is all about,” said Bola Adesola, Standard Chartered NigeriaCEO.“We’reharnessingtechnology to make banking a really ‘wow’ experience. And as we build the digital retail bank of the future, we’re getting rid of paper and improving cost efficiency along the way. This is a first of its kind and we are glad to championthisinNigeria,” he added

RetailWorkbenchisnowgoinglive in six markets including Malaysia, India, the UAE, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Kenya. The launch marks a milestone in Standard Chartered’s strategy of using digital technologytodeliverabetterbanking experience to clients. The bank last year announced it will invest $1.5 billionintechnologyoverthreeyears. Retail Workbench revolutionized thebankingindustryinKoreawhen it was launched in 2014, cutting account opening time in the digitally advanced country to five minutes and credit card issuance and personal loan application and disbursement to less than half an hour. It has since won numerous industry awards for innovation and outstanding client service. Adesola explained that due to differences in local infrastructure, turnaround times and other features of Retail Workbench, the device will vary across the six markets following the global launch.

Fidelity Bank presents duplex, cash prizes to promo winners

IDELITY Bank Plc has presented the star prize winnerinthe5thdrawofitson-going ‘Save 4 Shelter’ Savings Promo, Mr. OdianosenAdodo,witha4-bedroom duplex worth over N35 million. Alsopresentedatvariouslocations across the country were cash prizes worth N5 million to lucky winners of the Rent Support, including other consolationprizes. Presenttowitnessthepresentation wererepresentativesoftheConsumer Protection Council (CPC), National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Lagos Lottery Board and othercustomersofthebank. Inhiswelcomeaddressattheprize presentation in Lagos, which held concurrently with the ceremony to hand over the keys and title deeds of the property located at 7A, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt to Adodo in Port Harcourt, theManagingDirector/CEO,Fidelity BankPlc,Mr.NnamdiOkonkwo,said the promo is borne out of the need to bridge the housing shortfall in the country and support the federal government by making savings available for critical infrastructure deployments that would aid socioeconomicdevelopment. He said: “Nigeria’s housing shortfall has been put between 16

million units and 17 million units. It isimportanttonotethatNigeriawith a population of about 170 million people is currently facing a national housing deficit of about 17 million units, and requires a minimum of additional one million housing units per annum to reduce the national deficit in order to avert a housing crisis. “It is against this backdrop that my colleagues and I on the Board of FidelityBankPlcintroducedaspecial package to reward members of the public who open savings accounts with us within the promo period or addmoneytotheirexistingaccounts with the bank. Inadditiontobridgingthehousing shortfallinthecountry,thepromoalso encouragescustomersandmembers of the public to imbibe the savings culture, thus deepening financial inclusion in the country.” He said that 200 winners are expected to emerge at the end of the promo and encouraged people to have accounts with Fidelity Bank withaminimumdepositofN20,000 or top up existing accounts with incremental N10, 000. Head, CPC, Lagos State, Mr. Joshua Nggada, who was present at the event, said thecouncilhasvettedthepromoand urgedconsumerstousetheopportunity to tap into the benefits ofthe

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—23

VOL. 1: NO. 17

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 , 2016

By Dayo Johnson

KURE – HER desperation to get rid of the unwanted child led her to trade off the first fruits of her womb to a couple who also have been waiting desperately for a fruit of the womb for over six years. 17 year old Tessy Obianua, a secondary school drop-out ate the “forbidden fruit”and was made pregnant by one of her acquaintances, Shola. The shame led her to elope when the pregnancy was five months old and the protruding tummy was becoming a source of embarrassment for her and her parents at their Ogbese camp in Akure North area of Ondo State. Without the knowledge of her parents Mr and Mrs Henry Obianua , Tessy left with another man Jude Azuka for Onitsha, to escape the prying eyes of neighbours and others who may jest of her. The father was said to have been flabbergasted when Tessy who disappeared with the five month old pregnancy re-surfaced after nine months without a baby which was the evidence of the pregnancy.

Evidence of the pregnancy Meanwhile, when Tessy disappeared, the father had lodged a complaint via a petition at the Police station that her pregnant daughter was missing and detectives were deployed to smoke her out with the pregnancy. But a Police source hinted that Jude who was a neighbour of Tessy's parents seized the opportunity of her condition to lure her to Onitsha where he promised to link her to a “ good Samaritan” that will take care of her,the pregnancy and even the baby after birth. Tessy was ferried to Onitsha and put in the custody of Mrs Chibuzor Okoye who housed her until she gave birth to a baby girl which she also helped her nurse. Unknown to Tessy that Jude was one of the agents of Mrs Okoye who is a child trafficker, she was reportedly given special treatment throughout her stay with the Mrs Okoye at No 3 Tonny Olisa street Awada in Onitsha. When she was put in the picture of what would be the fate of her “unwanted child” Tessy according to the Police source had no choice than to agree with them. While Tessy and the little baby were enjoying the luxury provided by Mrs Okoye, a deal had been struck on how much a C M Y K

BIZARRE: 17-yr-old sells child for N500,000, paid N30,000 •Some of suspected child traffickers in Ondo; including Mrs. Chibuzor Okoye desperate couple who had been looking for a baby was willing to pay on her. Police source told Vanguard that a drama ensued when the couple came to the house of Mrs Okoye to collect the baby after the payment of N500,000. Tessy was said to have put up a fight, vowing she would not let go her baby and it reportedly took the intervention of Jude who brought her to Onitsha before she allowed the couple Mr and Mrs Sunday Kalu to go with her. Sensing that Tessy may have a re-think and probably want to

But the 17-year old girl in an interview denied having knowledge of the whole transaction but that she was handed N30,000 after she discovered that her baby had disappeared while she was asleep

make trouble, they suggested to both Jude and Mrs Okoye that she (Tessy) should sign an undertaking that she would never come back for the baby. After that was done, the baby was taken away and Tessy was settled with N30,000 cash while some new clothes and shoes were equally bought for her from the sale of her baby girl. But the 17-year old girl in an interview denied having knowledge of the whole transaction saying she was handed N30,000 after she discovered that her baby had disappeared while she was asleep. She said that she later learnt from Jude that N500,000 was collected by them from a couple in need of a baby. Tessy told Vanguard when she was paraded alongside with four other suspects of the child trafficking and the couple that Mrs Okoye and Jude should be held responsible for the disappearance of her baby. She said because she was not in support of the sale of the baby that was why she exposed the child trafficker to her uncle who

•Tessy whose daughter was sold for N500,000 informed the police and she was arrested. The story told by Mrs Okoye differed as she told Vanguard that Tessy was lying and that she was handed over her share of the money while Jude also collected his share. She said that N200,000 was given to Jude out of the sales while she took N300,000. The burble reportedly burst when Tessy after she re-surfaced didn’t come with a baby and the father became suspicious and raised alarm. Vanguard learnt that she later confessed that their neighbour, Jude and one Mrs Okoye sold her baby girl to a

IN THIS EDITION

Mixed reactions trail LCDAs creation in Ogun •Page 24

Paucity of funds puts Oyo civil service in turmoil •Page 25

couple in Onitsha, Anambra state. Detectives later traced both Mrs Okoye and Jude to Onitsha where they were both apprehended and brought back to Akure, the Ondo State capital. The five suspects are presently cooling their heels at the Criminal Investigation Bureau CID division of the state police command. Vanguard learnt that the couple were later arrested at their No. 8 Uzogwu street Onitsha.

Child trafficking The Police Image Maker Femi Joseph confirmed the incident saying that the child trafficker and four others are in their custody undergoing interrogation. Joseph said “through investigation to Onisha, the police arrested Okoye,who specialized in child trafficking at No. 3, Tonny Olisa Street Awada in Onitsha “It was Okoye, who sold the baby girl to the couple at No. 8, Uzogwu street Onitsha for the sum of N500,000. “She claimed to have given Jude the sum of N200,000 out of which Jude claimed to have bought clothes and shoes for Tessy and also gave her N30,000 cash. “Mrs Okoye thereafter forced Tessy, to sign an undertaking that she would never come back for the baby.” The suspects, according to him, would be charged to court after their investigations.

24— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1,

2016

LAGOS STATE

When Lagos, Kebbi, launch joint green revolution By Olasunkanmi Akoni

PEAKING at the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states of Lagos and Kebbi, held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the partnership signalled the commencement of a new cooperation and common-sense revolution, which is in line with the change mantra of All Progressives Congress, APC, that calls for patriotism in all facets of life. The event was attended by top government functionaries, traditional rulers and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) from both states.

Agricultural potentials “This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that two states are collaborating to develop their agricultural potentials. We have the economic prowess to produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone. The reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local foodstuff and commodities,” Ambode said. The governor acknowledged the fact that the future of Lagos is partly tied to deliberate resolution on food security, and that food production and self-sufficiency required immediate attention at policy and strategic levels to sustain the country, hence the need for the partnership. He stated: “Lagos State is one of the largest producers of poultry and thus has a large demand for maize for livestock feed production. The State also houses most of the industrial users of wheat and sorghum; mostly flour mills, bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers. “Kebbi State, on the other hand, is blessed with a vast arable land suitable for the cultivation of rice, wheat, ground nut, maize, sorghum and sugar cane. “It is an agrarian state with over 1.2 million hectares of arable land characterised by very large floodplains, lowland swamps and gentle slopes. In the 2014 / 2015 wet season, over 600,000 Hectares of land was deployed for rice cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the state. “The people are traditionally rice farmers with average land holding of about 10 Hectares. Presently, Kebbi has over 50,000

metric tonnes of paddy in store produced from the last two planting seasons. “With these considerations in mind, Lagos State and Kebbi State have decided to collaborate and exploit our areas of comparative advantage to create value for both states. This alliance will ensure Food Security, job creation, increase in farmers’ income and the overall improvement in the living conditions of the residents of both states through wealth creation and poverty reduction. “This collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy direction given by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the need to feed ourselves,” Ambode stated. The joint venture between the two states, Ambode explained, would be implemented using a Special Purpose Vehicle known as LASKEB Agricultural Production and Marketing Company (LAPMCO), adding that the major areas of focus will be the development of commodity value chains with emphasis on rice, wheat, ground nut, onions, maize/sorghum and beef. Speaking further on the agreement, Ambode said: “The numerous thousands of our market women and men can become key employers of labour as distributors of ‘Ibile Rice’. We can also brand and package rice in the names of our distributors and market women. As a state, we shall adopt our local rice as a state dish in all ramifications. “The special purpose vehicle will allow the entrance of private sector investors and other states in expanding the rice mill at Imota, Ikorodu and other locations. We have already designated the 100 hectare land at Imota as the Agric Park in the state. Other locations in and outside the State will be vigorously activated to fulfill our mission in record time.” Kebbi pact Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, expressed appreciation to Ambode for providing leadership and innovation that brought about the partnership, adding that it was in line with the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to restructure Nigeria away from overdependence on oil. Bagudu said in the world of genetically modified food, the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi was an additional motivation to provide certainties for the people in terms of food production and sufficiency.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau (right), with Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Nababa Adamu (left), signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of Commodity Value Chains between the two States while Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right behind) and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (left behind) watch, at the Lagos House, Ikeja

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2016

OWAMBE

•From left, Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Segun Adewumi; Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Dr Samuel Omotoso and the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan after submitting petition to the Inspector General of Police at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on Wednesday.

• Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I; the Celebrant and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi during the 8th Bola Tinubu Colloquium as part of activities to mark Tinubu’s 64th Birthday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

•Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde;

Representative of Lagos State Governor & Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs & Investment (Lagos Global), Prof. Ademola Abass; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem during the launching of Lagos Global at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island.

• Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) with Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (left) during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of Commodity Value Chains between the two States at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

• One of the suspected child traffickers Jude Azuka. in

THE TEAM EDITOR: Adeleke Adeseri 08054682557 (sms only)

•Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose flagging off on Tuesday,the construction of a N5.7b flyover in Ado Ekiti. C M Y K

CORRESPONDENTS: Dapo Akinrefon Lagos Ola Ajayi Ibadan Gbenga Olarinoye Osogbo Dayo Johnson Akure Daud Olatunji Abeokuta Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos Rotimi Ojomoyela Ekiti Monsuru Olowoepejo

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C M Y K

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Who is afraid of Integrated Oil & Gas Modular Refinery?

Essential Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu @ 64 By Issa Aremu

SIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu, two term governor of Lagos state; (Centre of Excellence), a one-time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) turns 64 Tuesday, March 29. For a country notorious for Death (as distinct from) Life expectancy, it is a perfect time for another thanksgiving for the political octopus who had successfully navigated the political land mines from military dictatorships of all hues to civillian democratic dispensations of varying persuasions. Not few are unlucky in the politics of war of attrition. All must, therefore, rejoice and hail Ashiwaju at 64! It is certainly not yet Tinubuism as a distinct philosophical/ political theory and practice attributable to the chieftain of APC. However at 64 there are emerging discernable patriotic and pan-African incontestable and verifiable political praxis of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which must not pass unnoticed at 64. One Essential attribute of Tinubu is organization and institution building. Very few politicians have put so much energy and faith in cultivating political organizations and parties as vehicles for attainment of political power and good governance like Tinubu.

Investing in strong institutions Well before President Barack Obama admonished Africans to invest in strong institutions not strong men in 2009 in Accra, Asiwaju had long been identified with pan Nigerian political organizations such as National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Alliance for Democracy (AD), the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now, what has been tagged “the game changer” the All Progressives Congress (APC). Of course we dare to analyse the vibrancy and the objectives of these political organizations, we cannot doubt their historic relevance to the deepening of the democratic process in Nigeria. Truly Tinubu can be described as a tested organizational man. He commendably cultivated new institutions to cope with the challenges of governnace as the Governor of Lagos state. One that has passed the test of time and even copied by a number of states is Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA a Lagos State-owned agency under the ministry of transport.Others include creative organs KAI, LAMATA which have instilled “sanity and safety in the critical areas of public health and transportation”. C M Y K

Another critical success factor in Tinubu leadership is the audacity to think outside the box and dare to succeed. Many political pundits are still confounded how an AD one party state in 2007 metermophosed into 5 AC/ ACN states in 2011 notwithstanding the totalitarian •Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu disposition of PDP under the emperor Olusegun mission statement of his Obasanjo. Certainly the petroleum ministry which is to transformation of an oppposition maximise the benefits of the oil party, APC to a ruling party in and gas sector for national the biggest democracy called development. This timely nigeria underscores once again intervention of Ashiwaju on the the political sagacity of Bola crisis of petroleum products Tinubu and his comrades. supply further reaffirms his Today most state governors earned leadership, as distinct lazily agonize over the dramatic from the scores of ascribed fall in oil revenue. But did unearned leaderships in. Asiwaju AD-led state survive the Nigeria. oil revenue allocation embargo imposed by President Olusegun Unearned following the creation of unlisted leaderships local government councils between 2007 and 2011? Today, Nigeria’s political However the most remarkable dictionary features strange terms attribute of Tinubu at 64 is his like god-fathers and godcivility and audacity to be fatherism. We have forgotten that different and the courage to talk not long ago, Nigeria had a fine to power he belongs. tradition of popular leadership It was on the floor of the with strong roots in mass of their National Assembly as a senator people. Such as Herbert he called for Resource Control, a Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikwe, demand that has improved on Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mallam revenue allocation formula. Aminu Kano, Ahmadu Bello, It is a sad commentary that Balarabe Musa, late Sam many in the ruling political party Nbakwe, old Jim Nwobodo, especially the state governors Abubakar Rimi, Lateef Jakande! carried on while their citizens are On the continental scale, we sleeping at filing stations remember with nostalgia, Kwame searching for fuel that is not free Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Sekou and not available to buy at official Toure, and Jomo Kenyanta. price. Tinubu in his timely Certainly these leaders were commendable statement, threw charismatic with exceptional in his lot with Nigerians who, qualities of selflessness and according to him, were “as right virtues. But it was not just these to feel insulted as the minister inherent values or personal was wrong to have said such a brilliance that made them thing.” Indeed its time Kachikwu popular. reconsidered his appointment as Essential Asiwaju significantly a Federal Minister. promotes knowledge in He was recently credited to governance. The Annual Bola have said it was cheaper to Tinubu Colloquium making its import refined petroleum birthday has become a veritable products than refine locally. Is the platform for promotion of minister working for foreign dialogue on topical governnace refineries or national oil issues. The theme of the 7th company? He should live to the edition last year at the height of

Tinubu is a national and pan African politician attested to by his remarkable outreach in West African sub region in particular and in the continent as a whole

the the expected election results and polls analysis was“Change: How It Will Work”, at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Lastly essential Tinubu is his global outlook. At a time most Nigerian politicians ae insular and killing their fellows to be local godfathers and local champions, Tinubu is a national and pan African politician attested to by his remarkable outreach in West African sub region in particular and in the continent as a whole. Happy birthday Asiwaju!

Issa Aremu mni is of the deputy national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress

RIGHT OF REPLY By Enyeribe Anyanwu

NTEGRATED Oil & Gas Limited was incorporated in1998 as a spin-off from its parent company, Genesis Worldwide Shipping (GWS). In the last 18 years, the company has established itself as one of the largest and most respected names in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Within this period, it has developed and operated first class facilities to serve its customers. Indeed, Integrated Oil & Gas Ltd. has become a leader in the provision of refined petroleum products, including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). The company is also an operator of a state-of-the-art storage facility and several gas/ petrol station outlets, as well as operator of a fleet of ground handling petroleum tankers as well as ocean-going tanker vessels which deliver products and services at more affordable prices. After several years as a petroleum products importing and marketing company, Integrated Oil & Gas is of the strong belief that Nigerians should enjoy their God-given natural resources by getting fuel at the lowest possible price and that every obstacle towards the realization of this should be removed. The company also believes that for Nigerians to be able to get PMS (Petrol) at very affordable prices, continued importation is not an option. Really, it makes no sense that Nigeria should continue to import petroleum products at huge cost to the economy. Integrated Oil & Gas shares this opinion of the media and oil industry experts who maintain that with the right framework and incentives for the private sector, local refining of petroleum products can become a major income earner for the country as well as a more effective and cheaper way to guarantee supply of refined petroleum products. In response to this call by the present federal government, well-meaning Nigerians and the media for the private sector to invest in the establishment of refineries in order to end the shameful importation of fuel and to conserve the scarce foreign exchange, Integrated Oil & Gas Limited recently decided to establish a modular refinery.

The refinery project has, after a lengthy programme of interactions, interviews and presentations to the DPR, received the License to Establish (LTE) from the Department

Thus identifying with the serious economic difficulties which are currently being experienced in the country, including the perennial shortage of refined petroleum products, Integrated Oil & Gas Limited has come up with a strategic vision to develop a modular, scalable 20,000 barrels per day Greenfield refinery/topping plant on a suitable site, located off the coast of Apapa Port zone in Lagos State. This investment decision is in line with the ‘change’ mantra of the current federal government which has been inviting private investors to join hands with the government in a concerted effort to augment the nation’s currently installed refining capacity through private sector initiatives. The competence of the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd to actualize this project is not in doubt. The company remains one of the most dynamic and dominant energy groups operating over the past two decades, with business activities and interests spanning petroleum products trading, shipping and maritime services delivery, aviation services delivery, and the provision of logistics support services to major upstream exploration companies.

Programme of interactions In pursuing this project, the ISO 9001 accredited company, fully aware of the connotation of quality management bestowed on it by this unique quality accreditation, takes very seriously the duties and responsibilities imposed by its everyday CSR obligations. The refinery project has, after a lengthy programme of interactions, interviews and presentations to the DPR, received the License to Establish (LTE) from the Department consequent upon the completion and submission of the detailed commercial feasibility study and other supporting documentation in respect of the proposed project. Other relevant mandatory studies including the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies have been initiated and are in progress for the development of the project prior to the filing of the statutory application for the next stage of the licensing process. At the moment, no physical development activity for the refinery project has commenced on the proposed site, since the project is yet to progress to the construction phase.

•Anyanwu is a Lagos-based business journalist

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How PDP 'll produce Saraki’s successor if... — SENATOR NWAOBOSHI ERSTWHILE chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP, Delta North is also chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs. Nwaoboshi, a veteran of many political battles in his native Delta State includes among his laurels or scars, his famed fallout with Governor James Ibori in the approach to the 2007 transition when he was a leading protagonist for the shift of the governorship to Delta North. Nwaoboshi would also not be easily forgotten for his leading role in the nationally televised pitch battle for the 2011 Delta North Senate PDP ticket that saw him engage another and possibly more entrenched operator in the person of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. At that time, Nwaoboshi was not even an aspirant, but his trenchant position gave the impression of being an ally of Dr. Mrs. Mariam Ali, wife of a former national chairman of the PDP, Col. Ahmadu Ali, who contested the ticket with Okowa. It was a matter of interest that four years later that Nwaoboshi and Mrs. Ali were on opposite sides in the Delta North contest as both party chieftains squabbled over who between them would take the ticket voluntarily relinquished by Senator Okowa. In the Senate, Nwaoboshi has been quick to make his presence known and is believed to be one of the arrowheads on the side of the embattled president of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki. Given the increasingly shaky position of the Senate President on account of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, it is not surprising that Nwaoboshi would come out to give a dire warning to Saraki’s enemies in the All Progressives Congress, APC what they stand to lose should the Senate President be removed. •Nwaoboshi: We brought in an APC Senate President

By Henry Umoru

S the PDP not concerned that APC senators are now uniting around Saraki? Well, I wish APC the best of luck if they are making that wild goose chase. But I want you to mark what I’m saying; I was the first to address the press in Port Harcourt, and I told them that Saraki was going to win the Senate Presidency and I gave them my reasons. Then, nobody ever thought that Saraki was going to win. If, but God forbid, because we don’t see it coming, by chance Saraki is removed; I can tell you that PDP will produce the next Senate President. But you don’t have the numbers to actualize this? What numbers? We only need three, and we have it.

Mathematical calculations The calculation is very clear to me. The calculation is very clear for PDP. We know what it will take us. When I told them that Saraki was going to win, I did a lot of mathematical calculations based on the facts on the ground, and it is even clearer to me now that the PDP will win it. We will win it. If anybody is thinking that a PDP man is going to vote against a PDP candidate, he is telling you a lie. We have people, and we know how to get the people from APC. We will win, and that will be very interesting. What is happening in America is going to happen in Nigeria. America has a Republican Senate, but the executive is led by Democrats. So, it’s happening

in different parts of the world. I can tell you with what’s on the ground that we will produce the next Senate President. But then the PDP has number seats outstanding. You have one in Anambra, three in Rivers and one in Kogi, won’t that affect your party? Take note that we have gotten one in Kogi. The outstanding one in Kogi is also PDP, and I can tell you that if you do the elections in Kogi 20 times, the PDP will win. Our candidate is leading. The first Senator has been sworn in out of the two elections that they did there. In the second election, the PDP is leading with over 40,000 votes already. So, we know what we are calculating. The three in Rivers, we are leading. The ones in Imo and Anambra, we will win. There is nothing called APC in all those areas. You have seen it in Rivers. It’s clear to the whole world that there is nothing that will make APC win Rivers. Whether you do

Let me make it clear to you; if PDP had wanted the Senate President in June 2015, they would have won

all the magomago, it’s so clear to Nigerians now. Nigerians now know who is making noise. So, we will get those seats. But even without those seats, we have our calculations. Even if they don’t do those elections, we have our calculations well wrapped. Don’t forget it’s going to be by secret ballot. It’s not going to be by open ballot. That’s what our rule says, and we are not going to amend the rule before we do it. So, we will go in there to use the present rule we are using and do a secret ballot. I can assure you that we will win. What if the APC can rein in their members like they attempted to do before June 9 last year?Is that person (from APC) going to write the names in the chambers? We will walk into the chambers, and only you and your God knows what you are writing. Let me make it clear to you; if PDP had wanted the Senate President in June 2015, they would have won. It is some of us who felt that we should assist so that they don’t accuse PDP of trying to frustrate the present government of President Buhari. We didn’t want to be accused by the Nigerian people that we want to frustrate Buhari’s government; that we had just left power; we don’t want the man to rule. That’s why we brought in an APC Senate President. Otherwise, how many were they on the floor that day? We would have won. Ekweremadu contested with Ali Ndume, and he won with the block vote of the PDP. He got fifty-something votes with the block votes of PDP. If the

PDP had said okay we want to take it (Senate Presidency), how many were they on the floor that day? We would have won, and the person would have been sworn in, and that would have been the position.

Dying on the streets This time, Nigerian people are now seeing that what you call to change is not the change. Nigerian people have now seen that the APC has been there for almost a year now, and people are crying, dying on the streets. Is the PDP desperate to retain Rivers State to the extent of employing violence? One of the greatest legacies that former President Goodluck Jonathan gave to this country is the conduct of free and fair election. He is the first President in Nigeria to hand over power to an opposition and congratulated the man who won. Whether you like it or not, history will be very fair to him. He was a great democrat and a very good sportsman. Having said that, let us look at the elections you are talking about. The Rivers election, there was a court order that said you should not use the Army. They didn’t obey it. They brought the army to snatch ballot boxes and rig election for them. Who brought in the army? Why didn’t they allow the people themselves to do their election? What is the army doing in an election? What are the soldiers doing in an election? By and large, you have no fear that the Senate President will

lose this case? I had the privilege of discussing this issue with him. I have had the privilege of looking at the documents on this matter. I have had the privilege of sharing my opinion with his lawyers. If it is to follow the law strictly, in fact, I will ask his lawyers to go for a no case submission based on the facts I have in my hand. There is nothing in those things. The only thing we should worry about is the independence of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Is the CCT independent? That’s what we are asking.

Legal pronouncement How can a court overrule itself? Which higher court has overruled you? You made a legal pronouncement; it has not been tested. Your judgment has not been tested. You said no, you made it in error. It means now that you have to bring back the other person because you have done a disservice to the people. He would have waited for the higher court to make a pronouncement on what he has done. That is why some people are saying there is a lot of politics going on in this thing. That is what is even toughening the opposition in the Senate; you want to give us a Senate President that you can call to Aso Rock, you drink a cup of tea and hand over instructions to him. Nobody is going to allow that. The Senate we have now, we are almost equal in figure. So, nobody is going to allow you to do that.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—33

Ibe Kachikwu: Things are looking up

Urhobo shouldn't be taken for granted — OFOTOKUN, UPU BOSS CHIEF Gabriel Ofotokun, a researcher in Chemical Engineering, is the President General (Interim Administration) of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the umbrella body of the Urhobo people at home and in Diaspora. In this interview with Vanguard he spoke on his recent emergence as President General of the UPU, the eventual collapse of the Chief Joe Omene led UPU executive committee, the Urhobo people in the current nation’s political scene and his agenda for the Urhobo nation. Excerpts: By Godwin Oghre

ECENTLY you emerged as the President General of the current interim administration of UPU, how did it happen? Every Urhobo man and woman, including you (pointing to this reporter) knows very well the running battle that crumbled the Chief Joe Omene executive committee. There was rancour in their midst. They sued themselves to court severally and individually. They even attempted to outwit the people by declaring that the Urhobo cultural centre at Uvwiamuge was insecure and could not be used for the national congress which was to come up on a Friday. By the next day Saturday, they went to the same cultural centre to give award to certain people. Based on the premise that the cultural centre had been declared unsafe, the 24 President Generals of the 24 kingdoms, the 24 Ivies (kings) and 20 delegates from each of the 24 kingdoms decided to hold the national congress in the Palace of the Chairman of traditional rulers of Urhobo nation, the Ovie of Olomu kingdom, Ogbon OgoniOghoro 1, who incidentally is the oldest king in Urhobo land.

National congress It was there that their executive was dissolved by a motion moved by Prof, Iboje which was upheld without a single dissent from all the kings, all the President Generals and all the delegates of the 24 kingdoms of Urhobo land. That national congress consequently set up the UPU interim administrative committee and made me, by their wisdom, the President General. But Chief Joe Omene is widely quoted in several media publications saying he will never hand over to you, what will you say? Is he God? It is God that make and unmake leaders, kings and queens. Chief Omene is a young man compared to me. If he says he is not handling over to me, I leave him to God to judge. God will carry out His own

•Ofotokun: I'll ensure that we live together in harmony judgment at His own time. He is the One that will reply Chief Omene, not me. Omene is not the God of the Urhobo people and he alone is not supreme to them and cannot the whole people of the 24 kingdoms represented by the 24 President Generals in the decision making mechanism of Urhobo land. That is all I can say for now on that. How will you describe the UPU constitution and what is its position now? My interim executive committee has set a seven man to review the UPU to find out if there are grey areas, not properly envisaged by the drafters, with a view to making useful amendments where necessary. They have been given three months to do so. We shall also use three months to sensitize the Urhobo populace in the course of that time so that if they wish they too can make imputes into the constitution, and at the end of the following three months, there would an emergency national congress where the final draft of the constitution will be passed into law by the congress. What are your plans for the Urhobo nation between now and the first weekend of December,

We should be accorded the prominent positions in all the political parties so that good things can be coming to the Urhobo nation. We should not be marginalized

2016? Good. First I will ensure that the Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko nations live together in harmony. Already, the Ijaws are our brothers and we are one. So also we should be one with the others. My committee has started building a harmonious relationship with our surrounding ethnic groups. We have already paid a courtesy visit to the new Olu and he was very glad to receive us. We shall do the same to the others. Why did you lift the sanctions imposed on some Urhobo politicians by the Joe Omene regime? Yes, we have lifted the sanctions. The reason is that you cannot sit in the comfort of your bedroom and impose sanction on anyone. Those sanctions were not imposed by the Urhobo people but only Chief Joe Omene.

Prominent positions Immediately after our inauguration, I stood up and asked the entire congress if they took part in imposing the sanction and every one present said I was speaking Greek, saying they do not know about anything like sanction imposed on any Urhobo son or daughter. The 24 President Generals of Urhobo nation said they knew nothing about the sanctions. They said it was only Chief Omene who imposed sanctions on some illustrious sons of Urhobo nation from his bedroom and that he did not consult with them and that they had no hands in it. What is the present political direction for the Urhobo people? We should be accorded the prominent positions in all the political parties so that good things can be coming to the Urhobo nation. We should not be marginalized. We should have a say in the scheme of things, both in the state and at the national level.

By Omofolarin Bamidele ITH the gargantuan problems bedevilling the downstream segment of the oil sector, only the novice would have lived under the illusion that they would take a little time to resolve when the Buhari administration assumed office in May 2015. The sector was comatose with diverse challenges, ranging from near collapsed refineries, controversial subsidy claims running into hundreds of billions of naira, pipelines vandalisation that resulted in loss of products with the attendant environmental pollution, and a workforce with doubtful patriotic credentials. The sector needed a surgical operation, with the best of hands to do the job. After all, this is a ‘change era’ that promises to improve the lot of the masses. The fact that the sector gives the nation the bulk of its revenue made it imperative that the petroleum sector should be fixed, and quickly too. President Muhammadu Buhari, with some knowledge of how things work in the sector, having been the Minister of Petroleum Resources before (in a military regime), opted to take charge. But he needed a competent hand, with cognate experience, to drive the process. The intimidating credentials of Dr. Ibe Kachiwu, the Vice Chairman/General Counsel of ExxonMobil, came into focus. A government anxious to get the oil sector back on its feet couldn’t have settled for anything less than a man of Kachikwu’s calibre. He was a first class material in school, an attribute he carried on to all the places he has worked since leaving school. Kachichwu’s patriotic credentials are also not in doubt as it is on record that, as ExxonMobil Vice Chairman, he influenced over $10billion investment to Nigeria and other African countries. He was first appointed the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and later the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. He combines both offices. The President himself is at the head of the pyramid as the Minister of Petroleum Resources. Kachikwu has shown the capacity that the challenges in the downstream sector of the petroleum sector are not insurmountable since assuming office, such that things are now looking up.

I share the pains of Nigerians. I feel that pain every day

•Kachikwu But there are no pretences that clearing the rot that took years to mount will not go in one day. It is a step-by-step process to ensure that the right things are done, so that the challenges are permanently resolved. Had the nation’s four refineries been working optimally, and new ones built, the issue of subsidy claims that has robbed Nigeria of hundreds of billions of naira would have been avoided. In essence, the money, now obviously frittered away, would have come handy to fix our decayed infrastructure. Kachikwu has made it severally known that fixing the refineries, and even building new ones, is top on the agenda of the Buhari regime. The issue of subsidy is tied to the current scarcity of petrol in some parts of the country. Because the low price of oil in the world market has sort of eradicated subsidy on imported refined petroleum products, marketers have stopped importing.

Subsidy stoppage In other words, subsidy was the main attraction in importing the products. The subsidy stoppage, according to Kachikwu when he appeared before the Senate Committee on the Downstream Segment of the Petroleum Industry, will fetch the nation N1trillion in one year. While speaking on the efforts to address the challenge during the Senate Committee sitting, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources said, “I share the pains of Nigerians. I feel that pain every day. I walk the streets and those who are following my trajectories since I resumed office would see that even on Christmas day, I was at the refineries. On Easter Day, I was in Lagos monitoring fuel distribution at the depots. “I have given 24/7 attention to the problems in this industry, which are unbelievable. I have continued to work with one sole purpose in mind, which is that every problem will have a solution.” The onus lies on patriotic Nigerians to help him achieve the feat and say no to those attempting to sabotage the recovery process. •Bamidele, a development economist, wrote from Abuja

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Female journalists urge Trump to fire campaign manager •As Republican frontrunner backs down on abortion

DAY after Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was charged with assaulting a female reporter, more than a dozen conservative female journalists signed an open letter calling for the Republican frontrunner to fire him. “The press is to have an adversarial, yet civil approach to those in, or

•Lewandowski,

running, for elected office,” thelettersignedby16women from a wide range of news outlets reads. “Never in this line of work is it acceptable to respond to reasonable and legitimate questioning with use of physical force.” Lewandowski was charged withsimplebatterystemming from a March 8 incident involving Michelle Fields, then a reporter for Breitbart News, in the ballroom of the

•Fields

PARIS ATTACK: Belgium to extradite Abdeslam to France

BELGIAN court decided on Thursday thatParisattackssuspectSalah Abdeslam should be extradited to France, Belgian public broadcaster VRT said, quoting unidentified prosecutors. A spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutors’ office could not immediately confirm the report. A lawyer for Abdeslam said earlier on Thursday that Abdeslam had dropped his initial objection to being extradited and had also

renewed an offer to cooperate with the French authorities. “Salah Abdeslam wishes to be transferred to the French authorities,” Cedric Moisse told reporters. “He wishes to cooperate with the French authorities.” AfterhisarrestonMarch18, four months after the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people, Abdeslam answered some investigators’ questions but then exercised his right to silence following the suicide bombings in Brussels on March 22.

Greece, Turkey take legal short-cuts to return migrants

REECE and Turkey are rushing through changes to their asylum rules in a race to implement a EUTurkey agreement on the return of refugees and migrants from Greek islands to Turkey from next Monday, EU officials and diplomats said. Both Athens and Ankara must amend their legislation to permit the start of a scheme - denounced by the U.N. refugee agency and rights groups - to send back all migrants who crossed to Greece after March 20. The policy is meant to end the uncontrolled influx of

refugees and other migrants in which more than a million people crossed into Europe last year, causing a political backlash and pitting EU countries against each other. Greece, which started evacuating hundreds of people stranded in Athens’

MRE Kertesz, the Hungarian writer who won the 2002 Nobel Prize for Literature, has died at the age of 86. Book publishing firm Magveto Kiado said Kertesz died at his home in Budapest

Fatal flyover collapses in Indian city

FLYOVER under construction in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta) has collapsed, killing at least 18 people and injuring others. Many people are feared trapped under the concrete and steel bridge, which fell on a busy road. Images show residents using their bare hands to help the rescue effort. Safety issues such as lack of inspections and the use of substandard materials have plagued construction projects in the country. The accident took place in an area near Girish Park, one of Kolkata’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, with narrow lanes, and shops and houses built close together.

Man films People having sex Outside his home

NECalifornian citizen is so fed up with what’s going on at the park outside his Sacramento home, he’s set up an arsenal of surveillance cameras all the way up a light pole to record the activities.

Nobel Prize-winning author dies at 86

Trump National Golf Club following a press conference there. Surveillance footage released by Jupiter, Fla., police showed Lewandowski grabbing Fields — a reporter whom he previously said he “never met” and “never touched” — as she approachedTrumptoaskhim a question. “The photographs, audio, videos and witness accounts documentingthetreatmentof Michelle Fields by Corey Lewandowski, Donald Trump’s campaign manager, are inexcusable and unprofessional,” the letter continues. “Donald Trump should immediately remove Lewandowski from his campaign.” Among the women calling for Lewandowski’s removal: Dana Loesch, Radio America and Blaze TV host; S.E. Cupp, Daily News columnist and CNN contributor; Meghan McCain, America Now radio host and Fox News contributor; Katie Pavlich, Townhall editor and Fox News contributor, and Mary Chastain, writer for Breitbart News.

in the early hours of Thursday after a long illness. The writer’s fiction was drawn largely on his own experiences as a teenage prisonerofNaziconcentration camps.

Marty, the neighborhood watchman said: “I have seen and recorded 50 sex events.” One couple was getting frisky out in the open for any passerby to see. Afterwards they adjust their clothing, and then took off. Another couple cuddled and then got behind the wheel and drove away. For other lovebirds, as things got steamy, Marty actually confronted them. “I’m just a guy protecting my neighborhood and my family,” he told IE.

•Zuma

*The Nkandla residence which has become a political headache for Zuma

S/Africa’s apex court finds Zuma guilty over home renovation A government top six officials, who HE highest court in statement said he would include Mr Zuma and TSouth Africa has "reflect" on the his deputy Cyril ruled that President Jacob Zuma violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money spent on his private home. It gave the treasury 60 days to determine how much he should repay. The ruling is a victory for the opposition, who said they would push for Mr Zuma's impeachment. They accuse him of using "ill-gotten wealth" to upgrade his home with a swimming pool and amphitheatre. Mr Zuma has denied any wrongdoing.

judgement and take "appropriate action". A spokeswoman for the governing African National Congress (ANC) said the party's

UN looks into CAR’s bestiality report

N officials say they are investigating “extremely troubling” claims of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR). Last year, there were 69 allegations of child rape and other sexual offences by peacekeepers from 10 missions.

Congo starts trial of soldiers accused of sexual abuse

WENTY soldiers from Democratic Republic of Congo went on trial this week for alleged rape and other crimes committed while serving as U.N. peacekeepers in neighbouring Central African Republic, the Congolese government said on Thursday. The soldiers have been in jail since returning to Congo in December and

January following investigations conducted in Central African Republic by military investigators, said Jeanine Mabunda, President Joseph Kabila’s adviser on sexual violence. In a statement, Mabunda said that the soldiers are being tried by a military court in the capital Kinshasa. Their identities were not disclosed.

Ex-Rwandan minister dies in Burundi jail

FORMER Rwandan minister has died in jail in Burundi nearly four months after being arrested for espionage. The successor to Jacques Bihozagara as Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium has called the death an assassination. No official reason has been given for his death. Relations between the two neighbours have been strained recently, amid claims Rwanda was backing rebels seeking to overthrow Burundi’s president, something Rwanda denies.

Ramaphosa, would meet to discuss the implications of the ruling, Reuters news agency reports.

Mr Bihozagara was dead within minutes of arriving at the prison hospital, according to fellow prisoners.

One advocacy group says it has passed on new reports to the UN that a soldier made four girls have sex with a dog. The UN said it was looking into the “exact number and nature” of the claims. The new reports of abuse were made by the Code Blue campaign run by the advocacy group Aids-free World. The group says the abuse was reported to have happened between 2013 and this week. It says the bestiality claims, dating back to 2014, involved a commander with French forces. The girls, one of whom later died of an unknown disease, were each paid 5,000 Central African francs ($8.60; £6), S/Court dismisses challenge to Museveni’s re-election GANDA’S Supreme U Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking

nullification of President Yoweri Museveni’s disputed re-election last month, clearing the way for the 71year-old veteran leader to extend his three-decade rule. The ruling had been widely expected by political observers and the opposition in a country where the judiciary is frequently accused of bias toward the incumbent. Museveni won another five-year term in the Feb. 18 presidential election with 60 percent of the vote, but all his main opponents rejected the results, alleging widespread rigging and intimidation by security forces.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—35

Compiled by Richard Okotie 1 1 6759 759 081 6759759 08

Miss Criminal 2015

T was once notorious for its riots and rowdiness, but Rio de Janeiro’s only maximum security prison for women becomes full of glitz and glamour for at least one day each year.

The Talavera Bruce jail, inside the Bangu penitentiary centre, hosts an annual beauty contest where the criminals can strut their stuff in a bid to boost their self esteem. The pageant aims

to humanise and boost the selfesteem of female inmates and is supported by community and church groups in Brazil’s huge seaside city. The women try on different dresses, get glammed up with their makeup and hair styled by volunteers and even perform catwalk poses in the Miss Worldstyle contest. According to the Ministry of Justice in Brazil, the number of imprisoned females in the country rose 567 percent from 2000 to 2014. Overall, Brazil’s overcrowded prison population is now the world’s fourth largest, with more than 600,000 inmates being held in facilities designed for 377,000, according to Human Rights Watch. Despite the rise in crime, particularly among women, in the South American country - for one day only it’s all forgotten about at the Talavera Bruce.

Crazy funny - or crazy jealous?

EY, ladies — put your hands up, and slowly step away from this girl's boyfriend. Because when it comes

to unwanted admirers attempting to hit on her boyfriend, the unidentified blonde woman isn't messing around when it comes

to marking her territory, a message that is loud and clear in a funny photo that has recently gone viral on Imgur. Rather than

take any chances with her man's fidelity, the woman took it into her own hands to quite clearly write 'I'm taken' all over him, having a custom shirt made to proclaim his definitely-not-single status. The oversized T-shirt featured a crazy-eyed photo of the blonde, printed right across the chest as well as smaller versions appearing on each of the shirt's sleeves. Along the bottom, in large capital letters, it reads: 'If you are reading this, you are too close. I have a girlfriend.' The shirt, which may have been a Valentine's gift, is very likely a joke — but the man wearing it looks no less terrified for that fact. As he gives a dead-inside stare to t he mirror, his girl-

Shocking moment man 'caught trying to rape eight-year-old girl' was stripped naked and paraded through town to shame him

MAN who was allegedly caught in the act of trying to rape aneight-year-old girl was stripped naked and then forced

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to walk around the community to publicly shame him. The incident happened in the neighbourhood of Santa Brigida in Bue-

nos Aires, Argentina. Images of his walk of shame show the naked young man, who is yet to be identified, being pulled by a rope for eight blocks before his captors hand him over to the police. Once at the police car, a policewoman takes the rope off, handcuffs him and bundles him still

friend hangs on his shoulder, smiling wide and taking a couple's selfie. Hopefully, the man in the shot has a sense of humor — but if he's truly afraid of his girlfriend's possessive presents, there's at least one British man he can commiserate with. Leon Connolly was packing for a solo trip to party destination Ibiza when his girlfriend Abbie Bartlett, with whom he has a daughter, gave him his own custom-made shirt. The tee features four photos of the couple looking lovey-dovey, kissing and cuddling together. Above the pictures, it reads: 'I love my girlfriend Abbie, I hate the girls in Ibiza, so please stay away from me'. naked into the police car, whilst people gather round and shout insults at him. 'Next time we will kill you', one man can be heard shouting, whilst a woman says: The images were uploaded by some of the locals on social media with the caption: 'The neighbours of the community have done justice when we apprehended a criminal who was about to rape a little girls of just 8 years, and we handed him over to police who we hope will get justice for the innocent girl.'

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 —

I’ve been having nightmares about Ibinabo — Gloria Anozie-Young P

OPULAR actress, Gloria Anozie-Young is still very much in shock, following the circumstances that sent ex-beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima to prison again. The beautiful actress who ruled the screen in the 90s said, she has been having nightmares about the reality of Ibinabo returning to prison again. Ibinabo was recently sentenced to five years imprisonment for manslaughter after the appellate court dismissed her appeal and affirmed the High Court’s judgement. She was convicted following the death of a Lagosbased medical doctor, Dr Giwa Suraj, whom she killed in an auto accident along Lekki–Epe

expressway, Lagos, about 10 years ago. Taking to her Facebook page to pour her heart out, the star of “Glamour Girls” said, she hasn’t been sleeping well for some time now because of Ibinabo’s ordeal. “I haven’t slept well in days...I’ve been having nightmares about Ibinabo Fiberesima being in prison. I can’t seem to wrap my head around it. I’ve read the way some people have lambasted her for having an accident. She’s an entertainer, like me, whose work is to make people happy. She had an accident! I can’t sleep because I see victimisation, I see vendetta and I fear,” she writes.

•Gloria

‘Ikebe Super’ resurrects in Nnenna and Friends cartoon magazine

•Nnenna By Benjamin Njoku

ECADES after he rested ‘Ikebe Super’ and ‘Super story’, two household magazines in the 80s, humour merchant, Wale Adenuga has returned to publishing again as he debuts with another comic cartoon magazine titled, “Nnenna and Friends Cartoon Magazine.” The family delight due to hit the news-stand next week Tuesday, is an “all-work-and all-play”creative mix which has colourful and interesting packages

with wide range of contents specifically prepared for the whole family. Some of the content range from the Super Nnenna Adventures; where Nnenna’s eyes are wide open to the plight of children and she comes to their aid at the twinkle of an eye. The interesting chronicles of the hilarious comedy group; Papa Ajasco and Company adds fun and laughter to the package, Binta’s dilemma stories are full of lessons for children with particular reference to the girl-child as well as parents and guardians. The magazine also contains cartoon stories of Tortoise and other interesting animals, jokes, puzzles , games, stunning facts, art and craft, and African proverbs that teach about culture. Adenuga said, he was inspired to embark on this project, following the vacuum existing in the cartoon market in the country. He revealed that it took him about three years to package the magazine. Interestingly, the humour legend who single-handedly drew all the ‘Ikebe Super’ characters during the first four years of the publication further revealed that the cartoons in the magazine are drawn by the same cartoonists that made “Ikebe Super” and ‘Super Story’ a must read in the 80s.

Censors Board D-G slams film makers! HE Director General, National Film and Video Censors Board,NFVCB, Ms. Patricia Bala, has expressed worries following what she called “a significant drop in the number of films submitted to the Board for classification by film makers in the country.” She, however, decried the

‘What has kept my marriage going for 20 years’ By Juliet Ebirim

EGENDARY Nigerian Disc jockey, Jimmy Adewale Amu, popularly known as DJ Jimmy Jatt recently went down memory lane, recalling how he met his wife, and what he believes has kept his marriage going. DJ Jimmy Jatt and his wife celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary two days ago.The couple got married in 1996 and their union has been blessed with two lovely children. The celebrity DJ took to his Instagram page to celebrate his wife, whom he C M Y K

revealed is currently in the United States. In a brief chat with WG, the veteran DJ described marriage as “a blissful experience”adding that his marital journey has been smooth and steady. He disclosed that understanding and God’s grace are the ingredients that have kept his marriage going, even as he advised young couples to avoid allowing third parties into their marriages. “My wife has been away in the United States for two weeks now, but I sent her a wedding anniversary message this morning. I miss her,” DJ Jimmy Jatt said. •DJ Jimmy Jatt and wife

rising number of parts 1, 2, 3, movies, describing the development as unacceptable. The Censors Board D.G raised this alarm during a closed door meeting with the leadership of major associations in the film industry. Bala said, “In spite of all the things the Board is doing to help filmmakers, there has been a significant drop in the number of films submitted to the Board for censorship and classification.” According to her, Parts 1,2,3 films are akin to serials, which is what obtains on television. “It is unlawful to break a film into numerous parts as is the practice like a television serial and push the same into the market.” She stressed that “the Board will always insist on merging them when you bring them for censorship.”

38 —VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Muslim SoulMates Do you seek a Muslim life partner?

Jumada Al-Akhir 23, 1437 A.H.

The concept of Tawwakkul, Trust in God

AWAKKUL refers to having unflinching trust in Allah – to believe that He alone can ward off harms against you, provide you with blessings and sustenance, and to ease your challenges. Tawakkul is also about accepting the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out in lfe. To understand the concept of Tawakkul, consider how tensed and worried you get at times about the challenges of this worldly life. Whether it’s you worrying about losing your job or sustenance, or about your wife not able to conceive, or certain adversity of life that you are currently facing. Tawakkul is your belief and the attitude that you have about putting your hope and trust in Allah with the believe that He will take care of all your affairs. Allah (SWT ), says: …And whoever places his trust in Allah, Sufficient is He for him, for Allah will surely accomplish His Purpose: For verily, Allah has appointed for all things a due proportion. (Qur’an 65:3)

Act of physical worship The Quran makes it clear that Tawakkul is not an option but rather a requirement. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed. (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 23) He also says in the Quran: “….And in Allah let believers put their Trust” [Surah Ibrahim 14:11] But you dont just have to give up on your efforts and prayers. This particular idea shouldn’t be mistaken with giving up your efforts and thinking that somehow your challenges will get resolved. You just have to continue to strive and work with the attitude that Allah will take care of your affairs and will help you in getting through your trials. Remember that Allah Almighty has decreed that we should work and it is from His ways that he gives people when they strive. This is having the Tawakkul in Allah. In fact, Allah Almighty ordered us to both depend upon Him and to work, to take the necessary steps needed towards achieving our goals. It should also be noted that the act of striving for our

sustenance is an act of physical worship in itself while trusting and depending upon Allah is faith in Him. Allah says: “…So seek provision from Allah and worship Him (alone).” (Al‘Ankaboot 29: 17) So, a Muslim should also combine Tawakkul with other acts of Ibadah (worship) like Du`a’ (supplication), Salah (Prayer), Ihsan, goodness

even to people who wronged you; Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or maintaining the ties of kinship among others. Allah (SWT), also says in the Quran: (There were] those to whom people said: “The people are gathering against you, so fear them.” But it only increased their faith; they said: “For us Allah is Sufficient and He is the best Disposer of affairs” (Qur’an 3:173)

Benefits of Tawakkul

By doing that, things will not only get resolved easier with His help, we will also be be relieved from the day to day anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of life

One of the major benefits of Tawakkul is that it can relieve us from unnecessary anxieties, worries, and negative impact of depression from the challenges that we may be facing. By believing that all our affairs are in Allah’s hands and we can do only what is in our control, we leave the results to Allah and accept His decree whatever it may be. That is faith. Again, the faith of human being can be known from where his trust lies. (imani-l-mariu yurafu bi-amanatihi) Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said, “the fruit of tawakkul is the acceptance of Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly relied on Allah. Al-Hassan and others among the salaf defined tawakkul as ridhaa (acceptance).” (Jami’ Al-‘Uloom wa Al-Hikam : A Commentary on 50 Major Hadith) Let’s strive to understand the concept of Tawakkul and to make it part of our belief systems. By doing that, things will not only get resolved easier with His help, we will also be be relieved from the day to day anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of life.

ELCOME to Muslim SoulMates in Vanguard. A unique platform for single Muslims who wish to find their potential marriage partners on this page. We have designed it to help you find perfect soul mates every Friday. We will also give counsel where necessary in order to keep with the halal standard. Our aim is to further develop couples that could be blessed, compatible, enduring following Islamic injunctions. It promises to be a rewarding service just as we will treat all inquiries and submissions in confidence. Send your profile, contact and details of who you want, not more than 75 words to isholaism@yahoo.co.uk. Names and contacts will not be published. For those whose profile are published, they are advised to check their emails as we will revert to them for further information. PROFILE 08: A single Muslim male, 30, Yoruba, and gainfully employed wants an educated Muslim lady for marriage. Preferably between 21-25 years. PROFILE 09: A married Muslim male, from the South South, businessman desires to have an educated and God fearing Muslim lady or divorcee as second wife. Preferably not more than 40, from any part of the country. PROFILE 10: A Muslim widower, 49, 5ft.6inches tall, into import and export business desires a God fearing lady, single or divorced for marriage. She must be literate and hails from any part of the country. PROFILE 11: A young man, 5ft.8inch from South-West, wants a Muslim lady between 35 to 40 years as life partner. Preferably tall, light in complexion, literate and handsome. PROFILE 12: A young man, 6ft tall from South-West, currently based in Delta State wants a Muslim lady between 35 to 40 years as life partner. Preferably tall, light in complexion, literate and handsome. PROFILE 13: A gainfully employed young man, 5ft.7inch from North Central, wants a Muslim lady between 30 to 35 years as life partner. Preferably tall, light in complexion, literate and handsome and must be either from North central or core North. PROFILE 14: Female Muslim 33, desires a God fearing Muslim man for marriage. He must be single and ready for marriage. PROFILE 15: A gainfully employed young lady, 34 years, 5ft.7inch from South-West, wants a Muslim man between 38 to 40 years as life partner. Preferably tall, literate and handsome.

The New Chief Imam of Amolaso Central Mosque, Alhaji Tajudeen Adisa Ademoye being presented to a section of Muslims and Alfas in Amolaso at the mosque hall, Amolaso, Abeokuta, Ogun State recently. PHOTO BY WUNMI AKINOLA

Our goal is to build complete Muslim child — Alhaji Labode

LHAJI Chief (Dr.) Sakirudeen Tunji Labode, the Proprietor of Mueenat International Academy, Abeokuta has said that Quran recitation and memorisation are part of the curricular activities of the school both at Primary and secondary levels of learning. The immediate past President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), in a chat with Vanguard recently said Mueenat International Academy, Abeokuta, Ogun

State was poised to delivering qualitative Western and Arabic education for the muslim children, adding that the sole aim of establishing the school was to breed a complete Muslim armed with full Islamic and Western education.

Recitation and memorisation “Here, we study Quran recitation and memorisation and also Arabic language as a subject. We wanted a school that the average Muslim can be

proud of. We are breeding complete Muslims armed with full Islamic and Western education. Our school intends to serve as a model and benchmark for others. That is our goal. “We have our methods of teaching our pupils and I can assure you that a child without fore knowledge of the Quran will be able to recite it before the end of the first session. This is because we don’t only teach our pupils in class but we allow them to recite and practice what they have

learned on daily basis. We encourage them. “Qur’an recitation is part of our activities every morning both in the primary and secondary schools. Our concern is building a child to become a complete Muslim. Apart from being an Islamic school, our school is an international one in every sense considered round the world. Our teachers are also selected from the best. Since it pleases Allah to choose me for this task, we will not compromise standard,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 — 39

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—41

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42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 AQUARIUS; Make sure your plans for both immediate and far future are legal friendly. This is day of success you will need to savour with your partners/spouse. PISCES; Even if you think your health is ok you better make sure you confirm your fitness from your doctor before giving in to strenuous activities. Success at work indicated for those of you who are truly healthy. Be practical please. ARIES; It will not be a bad idea trying to consolidate on progress made recently. And the more co-operative you are today the better it will be for you.. TAURUS; You will be in good position to take good advantage within your working arena.. Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make important future plans. GEMINI; Tomorrow may bring more challenges than anticipated that is why you will need to prosecute your plans now. Lovers are fairly favoured. CANCER; Those of you who are moderate and practical with their financial plans are in for a good day. Live up to expectation within your family circle.

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

God is watching

IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil deeds, wicked acts, ways and

sins etc. As it was the days of the Biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today. When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught. We live a life. We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act;

in “Scavenger Elite”

the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily. Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO; Success is within your reach but you must do away with mental arrogance and take good and practical advice from the professionals. Work harder. VIRGO; Your being enterprising will go a long way to further enhance your prospects and if financial advancement is your priority you will fare better. Be more loving. LIBRA; Prepare to take the lead and exhibit your special talent. Advice from younger people may look good but not practical enough thus if you must take advice today take it from matured personality who may appear authoritative. SCORPIO; Element of luck will work in your favour, however that is not to say you can not back your reasonable plans with practical action. Keep your secrets. SAGITTARIUS; You will have your ways; much will depend on how ambitious you are, the bigger your aspiration the better. Take your tried and trusted friends seriously.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; Here is an ambitious day for many of you and with moderation things will go according to your plans. Financial success is actually close to you than you think.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

My full horoscope please!!! Dear Joshua, I want you to analyse my horoscope fully. I was born on July 8, 1969. I am a male graduate of Geology gainfully employed. Ezekiel, Lagos. Dear Ezekiel, To analyse any horoscope fully I will need three to four pages of this highly respected Newspaper; I believe you understand what I mean. But not worry what you will get here-under will prove helpful. YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT DATE OF BIRTH = TUESDAY JULY 15, 1969 SUN SIGN = CANCER ;SUN IN 16TH DEGREE OF CANCER MOON SIGN = TAURUS ;MOON IN 8TH DEGREE OF TAURUS MERCURY IN ZERO DEGREE OF CANCER VENUS IN 1ST DEGREE OF GEMINI MARS IN 1ST DEGREE OF SAGITTARIUS JUPITER IN 29TH DEGREE OF VIRGO SATURN IN 7TH DEGREE OF TAURUS URANUS IN ZERO DEGREE OF LIBRA NEPTUNE IN 26TH DEGREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 22ND DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 23RD DEGREE OF PISCES SOUTH NODE IN 23RD DEGREE OF VIRGO NUMBERS OF PLANET HOSTED BY GROUP OF STAR SIGNS (ACCORDING TO QUALITY & ELEMENT) ARE; CARDINAL = 3, FIXED = 3, MUTABLE = 4, FIRE = 1, EARTH = 4, AIR = 2 WATER = 3. PUSH-FULL INFLUENCE = 30% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 70% FINAL DISPOSITOR (PLANET AT HOME) = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT As there was no Planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will constantly struggle for supremacy in your mind, especially whenever you are to take important decision of finality nature thus, confusion can creep in. But thank goodness for the quality of your mind that do not allow day-dreaming as indicated by preponderance of Planets in mutable (qualitative) and earth (elemental) Star Signs; this simply means you can be adaptable but must not give away the practical approach in you. Astrologically, Cancer is a calm, cool-headed and kind hearted Star Sign with greatest regard for the family tree. And with not more than 30 percentage of push-full influence in your chart, you are not the type who will go on offensive (or adopt aggressive) approach to achieve your aims and objectives. As the Moon (the indicator of sub consciousness/ emotion) and Saturn the Planet of Career/Ambition conjoined when you were born and there was direct 90 degree angle (which is an Astrological aspect and/or relationship of compelling competition/ struggles) between your natal Mercury (an indicator of mental focus lens) and Uranus which stands for uncompromising freedom you can not be taken for granted, but then you will rather adopt a democratic approach than take to forceful way of doing things-known as Garrison Commander’s way of life. Good relationship between Mars (the planet of initiative) and Uranus of unusual and uncommon ideas during your birth hour are indications of LEADERSHIP QUALITY and ability to make the right moves at the right time. Thus combinations of these and what I gave in above two paragraphs are saying that yours would be a greatly balanced personality, especially if you always rely on logic rather than emotion when taken important decision. Placement of your natal Sun (an indicator of basic self-hood/conscious self) and Moon (emotional side of everybody/sub conscious self) in Cancer and Taurus respectively are pointers to your being mainly a Cancerian and partly a Taurean. And that is to say basic characteristics of Cancer and Taurus are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—43

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44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—45

Leave Olu of Warri out of IRDC chairmanship —Itsekiri professionals By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE people of Omadino community in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, have been warned to leave the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, out of the leadership succession tussle rocking the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC. The people have also been told to desist from attempting to hoodwink the peace loving people of the area. A group of professionals of Itsekiri extraction, under the aegis of Concerned Itsekiris for Peace, Truth and Transparency, CIPTT, gave the warning while reacting to a media report credited to the outgoing Financial Secretary of IRDC, Mr Roland Yomere. Yomere had alleged that the Omadino people were in support of a particular candidate for the chairmanship of IRDC, adding that the said aspirant also had the backing of the Olu of Warri. Chairman of CIPTT, Dr. Ofeoritse Omadeli, who described the Olu as a deeply respected national leader and peace loving father of Itsekiri nation, whose reign has ushered in the much desired peace, communal friendship and mutual coexistence as well as added dignity and hope to the entire Warri

Kingdom, berated Yomere and his group for dragging the monarch into the chairmanship election matter of IRDC. Omadeli noted that such desperate agitators were only fanning the embers of disunity among the subjects by making undue reference to the origin of the Omadino people as having migrated from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, describing such

statement as unnecessary, pointless and inflammatory. Omadeli said that the IRDC has a constitution guiding it and it was the responsibility of a constituted authority to nominate who emerges as chairman, stressing that the system and manner of nomination should be strictly followed. He recalled that during his

inaugural speech on January 14, 2016 at his palace in Warri, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri acknowledged that truth was the most veritable tool in resolving any crisis or issue in the community. “Therefore, any attempt to shy away from the truth in the IRDC chairmanship nomination will only make matters worse,” he added.

INSPECTION: Professor Ben Ayade (middle), flanked by his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, and Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Tina Bankor Agbor, during the inspection of ongoing construction work at Calabar Pharmaceutical Company, shortly after the governor arrived Calabar, yesterday.

Delta communal clash: Ijaw, Urhobo youth leaders sign peace pact By Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

ARRI—YOUTH leaders from Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities, Delta State, both of whom have been involved in an age long land dispute, have met and resolved to sheathe their swords, pending the implementation of the resolution of the boundary committee set up by the state government. The youth leaders from both communities were led by Ekere Christmas for Ogbe-Ijoh, while Wisdom Onotomre led those from Aladja community. The meeting which was facilitated by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Community Development, Eric Omare, was held in Warri, and had in attendance, President, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Udengs Eradiri; President, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Youth Wing, Ovie Igho and Special Assistants to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Youth Affairs, Youth and Community Development. Promising to maintain peace and forestall a likely breakdown of law and order in their

respective areas, the youths resolved to maintain channels of communication with their leaders on the peace building processes being put in place

by the state government. Appealing to the state government to hasten the implementation of the white paper in respect to the

demarcation of the buffer zone, the youths pledged their commitment to the peace process and commended the state government for the peace move.

Edo APC vows to petition EFCC over power sub-station contract By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State has threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, if the contractor handling the power sub-station project at Ugoniyekeorhionnwon and Benin-Abraka Road fails to report to site and commence work to the extent which they have been mobilized. The call was made when the leadership of the party in the state, led by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Godwin Erhahon, paid a visit to the site. The party warned the contractors not to dare the Federal Government as the government was determined to make positive change in governance and deal mercilessly with any “failed and

fraudulent contractor.” Lamenting that the firm handling the project had failed to report to site over a year now, the party urged the company handling the dualization of Benin-Abraka Road to perform to specification and payment

received or face the EFCC. “We are aware that the former Peoples Democratic Party, PDPled Federal Government collaborated with the contractors to squander the money and abandoned the projects and that is unacceptable."

Group floats Afemai Patriots

group of persons, committed to the advancement of unity and development of Afemailand and its people in Edo State, have come together to form a body known as Afemai Patriots, AP, at a meeting held during the Easter celebrations. The convener, Chief Kennedy Izuagbe, at the forum, said the idea was borne out of the need to have a rallying point for the Afenmai people who have lacked a formidable voice to advance their cause for development over the years.

He noted with optimism that with the body in place, advancing the cause of the people will be smooth, quick and seamless. Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Public Utility, Prince Clement Agba and Kingsley Ugabi, member representing Etsako East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, during a question and answer session presented to the forum the developmental strides of the government of Adams Oshomhole.

Pipeline vandalism: Airforce planes patrol Calabar creeks

By Emma Una

A L A B A R — NIGERIAN Air Force maritime aircraft is scheduled to begin surveillance of the BakassiCalabar –Akwa Ibom water channel to monitor the activities of pipeline vandals operating in the area. Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, who made the disclosure in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday, when he paid a visit to the 207 Special Mobility Group of the Airforce stationed in Calabar, said that the action was to assist the Nigerian Navy in policing the creeks to put an end to the activities of pipeline vandals who were wreaking havoc on the Nigerian economy. He said: “We are working with the Navy to assist them in their activities to police the Calabar creeks. There is a comprehensive plan on ground already through the Operation Pulo Shield and the military is working together to ensure that petroleum infrastructure in the South-South are given adequate protection."

Court scuttles Delta community election

SABA—THE order of a Delta State High Court sitting in Oleh, restraining Emevor Progress Union from conducting its election has set confusion in the community. The interim injunction which was granted on the eve of the election slated for March 26, 2016, scuttled the election which the people collectively fixed over two months ago. The injunction granted by Justice C. Emifoniye, obtained by one Mr Sylvester Ifode, led to the stoppage of the election, after delegates had travelled from all parts of the country to participate in the poll. A prominent indegene of the community, Chief Michael Ogwilaya, expressed dissatisfaction with the entire process which led to the granting of the order, noted that the respondents were not served the court processes before the matter was heard and order granted.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1 , 2016

AFRIMA, a unifier of Africa —Obasanjo

Gov Okorocha swears in new SGI •Expresses shock over IMSU's ASUU strike over non pay of Feb salary

By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has sworn-in career civil servant, Sir George Eche, as the new Secretary to the Government of Imo State, SGI, who replaces Sir Jude Ejiogu that was dropped penultimate week by the governor. Speaking at the event, Governor Okorocha used the opportunity to call on the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Imo State University, IMSU chapter, to call off their industrial action over non-payment of salaries. He expressed shock that the lecturers embarked on the industrial action in the University,

Mrs Esther Oduniyi dies @ 68

RS Oluwaremilekun Esther Oduniyi, is dead, aged 68 years. Service of songs holds on April 8, while the funeral service and interment will take place on April 9, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Odogbolu, Ogun State. She is survived by children, inlaws and many relations, including the Secretary, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers, NUPPPPROW, Vanguard branch, Alex Folorunso.

Late Esther Oduniyi

in the second week of March, over non payment of the month of February salary. His words: “It is shocking that the ASUU in IMSU told lecturers to go on strike in the second week of March because of February salary, and when they had been paid full salary for the month of January. This is shocking. It is not acceptable to the state government. ASUU in IMSU should call off the strike without delay because it was by all

standard not justifiable and not advisable.” Continuing, Okorocha said he would continue to keep faith with the workers welfare, adding that if the workers in the state did not go on strike over two months’ salaries owed them, government would have continued to go out of its way to pay them full salaries. “But they went on strike over two months salary and we then agreed with labour that they

should take 70 per cent of the total income of the state to pay salaries and pensions, while the government takes only thirty per cent for capital expenditure. And now, they have seen the truth of what we have been telling them about the finances of the state,” Okorocha said. While saying that since the February allocation further dipped, the organized labour in the state, may only be able to pay 50 per cent of workers’s salaries.

Synergos to partner states in commercialisation of agriculture

BUJA—SYNERGOS, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing global poverty has announced its plans to partner with state governments in ensuring agricultural practices are more efficient, effective and transformed from subsistence farming to business. The country Director of Synergos Nigeria, Adewale Ajadi who disclosed this in Abuja at a recent stakeholders dialogue and workshop to launch the State

Partnership for Agriculture, SPA, said the plan is to utilize a systems change approach in reorienting and capacitating key state actors involved in the transformation of the agricultural system. He maintained that at the center of the transformation was the focus on gender inclusion and nutrition-sensitive approaches to food production, particularly cassava and rice. According to Ajadi, “with the projection of a doubling of the

population of Nigeria by 2050 and the perennial challenges facing production and processing of agricultural commodities, there was need to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria.” He disclosed that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded programme was engaged in a pilot project of the SPA programmeinthreestatesofKogi,Benue andKadunatoprovidefarmerswithnew farming techniques available in other developed countries of the world.

Biafran struggle attracts foreign countries

By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—THE sustained agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra appears to be attracting some attention from foreign countries, following the visit of the Phillippian Senate President’s aide, Lady Cynthia Esgurrna Touraha, to Owerri. Vanguard gathered that Touraha was a guest of Imo Bilie Initiative, IBI, a nongovernmental organization that also champions the cause of ensuring that Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, gets justice in Federal High Court, Owerri. It was also gathered that Touraha was scheduled to witness

the court proceedings yesterday, in the suit filed by IBI against the Federal Government. Confirming this development to newsmen in Owerri, the President of IBI, Innocent Amadi, said that Touraha was in the court to witness the day’s proceedings. “We were at the Federal High Court, Owerri, to keep our date, but we were told that the court always enjoyed one week break after the Easter festivities. Our case has been adjourned to May 2, 2016”, Amadi said. Explaining their mission in the court, Amadi said that IBI was stoutly representing IPOB in the matter, stressing that the group

would employ legal and diplomatic procedures in fighting for the sovereignty of Biafra. “We shall employ legal framework and diplomatic channels in fighting for the sovereign state of Biafra,” Amadi explained. Answering another question, the IBI boss lamented that the South East geo-political zone remains under-developed and successive administrations seem not to care. “The money spent in the construction of a single bridge in Abuja, can pave many roads in the South East geo-political zone,” Amadi said.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

he situation is terrible in Warri because five litres of petrol is sold at N2000. President Buhari should do something about it fast. Nigerians are really suffering from this fuel scarcity. Mr Hussaie Mustapha, Self Employed C M Y K

As fuel scarcity persists

uring the Jonathan’s administration that some people saw as a corrupt government, there was fuel everywhere. Now we are fighting corruption, there is no fuel. Bring back our corruption. Mr Leonard Nwaeke, Worker

e are buying fuel in Warri at N150, at oil producing city for that matter. We need corrupt PDP back because we were buying fuel N87 and it was available anytime and anywhere. Also, there was light at 5800mw and now it is 185mw. Mr Akason Frank, Businessman

uel scarcity is just manmade. It is just a question of time we will get over it. Those behind it will suffer and crash out in vain. We shall see their end soon. Many of them are running helterskelter now. Miss Constance Nduba, Model

By Anozie Egole

BEOKUTA—FORMER president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has described All Africa Music Award, AFRIMA, as a unifier of Africa. The former president said this during the week when, African Union Commission, AUC, and The International Committee of AFRIMA, organizers of the annual event paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state as part of the build up for this year ’s edition of the award. Obasanjo who commended AFRIMA and AUC for unifying Africa through music, said music was part of African culture. He also reiterated the need for music and culture to be commercialized in order to create jobs and reduce poverty among African youths. Speaking during the visit, the former president said: “I implore AFRIMA and AUC not to relent in achieving their objectives. I am also using this opportunity to call on brands and governments in Africa to partner with AFRIMA. As a president, I recalled that we had similar projects like, All African Games (COJA 2003) and Festival of Art and Culture in Africa (FESTAC ’77) as platforms for promoting African culture and unity that require hugeresourcestoorganize.Iamalso very grateful to AFRIMA for honouring me with their visit,” he said. Also in his opening remark, the President and Executive Producer ofAFRIMA,Mr.MikeDadasaid,“The meeting and visit was in recognition of Olusegun Obasanjo as the former Chairperson of the African Union, AU,fromJuly2004toJanuary2006".

hen a government is built on lies what do we get? Failures in all departments! I can vividly remember some months back when this PMB led government says all three refineries are working to full capacity. Mr Ben O n y e k a c h i , Entrepreneur

ost of the filling Stations in and outside Abuja and Lagos sell at N150 per litre or N145. It is awful and painful to see Nigerians buy fuel at such prices when the price of oil is that low at the international market. Miss Anita Williams, Communicator

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 —47

New electricity tariff'll further impoverish Nigerians —Gov Bello By Wole Mosadomi

INNA—GOVERNOR Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, has risen against the new electricity tariff introduced by the National Elecricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, in February, saying the tariff has come at a wrong time when most Nigerians are faced with numerous challenges especially economic. According to the governor, rather than achieve its stated objectives, the new tariff would worsen the already battered economy and further impoverish the people of the country. The governor, who spoke when the Board of Directors and officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, paid him a courtesy visit, said the electricity supply to the state was so erratic that the present administration could not even woo investors to the state for industrialization, lamenting that with the present situation, people in the state would not be able to pay the tariff. “The electricity tariff is coming at a wrong time because we are facing a lot of difficulties at the moment as a nation. Niger State is a state of which most of the residents depend solely on government finances to survive

and because we have not been able to industrialize the state as another avenue of generating revenue. "Now that the government has no money, it is having a negative impact on everyone and to now request for more money in terms of tariff will make things worse. I hope something will be done about it immediately.” Governor Bello noted that his administration had expended

millions of Naira on the sector through purchase of transformers for many areas that were lacking power, calling AEDC to reciprocate the good gesture by increasing its 10 megawatts electricity to the state to 40 in order to boost electricity supply to the state. He said: “The people of the state are crying and many think I am in charge of power supply and also in the best position to wipe

off their tears, but I am not capable of doing more than I have done. "Please, for the sake of peace, help improve power supply in Niger State by 20 per cent margin. When this is done, the people will know that I have done my best. Not everyone understands that it is out of my control. Please, improve power distribution.”

CEREMONY: From left: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Ishola; Attah of Aiyede-Ekiti, Oba Alhaji Abdul-Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi; Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Ibrahim, and ProChancellor, Fountain University Osogbo and Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during the foundation laying ceremony of Fountain University by the Sultan, in Osogbo, State of Osun.

Agatu: Benue leaders flay Buhari, Army, Police, gov, others Py Peter Duru

AKURDI—A joint meeting of all Benue socio-cultural groups and religious leaders has flayed President Muhammadu Buhari, Army, Police chiefs, and the state governor for failing to visit Agatu and other besieged Benue communities after the mass attacks and killings in the communities by suspected Fulani militia. They contended that the action smacked of insensitivity and care free attitude on the part of the leaders to the plight of the people of the state. A communique issued in Makurdi at the end of a combined meeting of the Mdzough U Tiv, the Idoma National Forum and the Omi Ny’Igede, on the killings and wanton destruction of property of Benue indigenes by Fulani herdsmen, they expressed worry at the delay in setting up of the Presidential Investigative Panel as promised by President Buhari. Among others, the meeting had in attendance, the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Williams Avenya that of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Adobo.

Part of the communique read, “the inability of the President, the nation’s Army and Police Chiefs, and the Governor of Benue State to visit the worst affected communities of Agatu and other areas where recent mass murder attacks were carried out for on the spot assessment of the level of devastation indicates lack of seriousness deserving of the crisis. The delay in setting up the Presidential Investigation Panel

promised by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is also becoming worrisome. “The proposed Town Hall Meeting by the Federal Government is not only diversionary, but a deliberate ploy to downplay the degree of attention and seriousness that should be accorded the invasion of our land. "We reject the Federal Government’s proposal at this

time, but insist on Judicial Commission of Enquiry to unravel the root cause(s) of the massacre of our people. We advise that all relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibilities of home land security begin the process of disarming Fulani herdsmen across the country to avoid a counter arms buildup by helpless communities in self defence.”

Police unseal Kogi Assembly complex By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—THERE was confusion in Kogi State, yesterday, as the State House of Assembly complex that was sealed, Wednesday, by policemen on alleged orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, was reopened for legislative businesses. When Vanguard visited the Assembly complex, it was observed that the entrance gate was opened, the key at the door removed; the police division, and others were also opened, while the usual police officers at the complex were seen relaxing under the tree

immediately after the gate. The policemen on duty did not obstruct anybody entering the complex, and paid no attention to those entering or leaving the complex. Though members of the legislators were not seen around, many of the staff including the clerk of the House were in their respective offices, while other workers loitered around the complex. The Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the factional Speaker, Umar Ali and the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Legislative and Assembly Affairs, were also seen at the premises of the complex.

Speaking with Vanguard, the CPS and the legislative aides to the governor said contrary to media reports, the Assembly complex was not sealed off. Ali, who said he was not aware about the visit of the police officers from the Abuja who sealed off the complex on Wednesday, stressed that the Assembly would soon reconvene from recess. “I can tell you authoritatively that the Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon Imam Umar will reconvene in this complex as soon as their recess is over.."

Women group hails Kogi First Lady's empowerment programme By Boluwaji Obahopo

WOMEN group in Kogi State, Woman Empowerment Coalition, WEC, has hailed the empowerment initiative of the state First Lady, Rashida Bello, describing it as a timely intervention to save women and youths from poverty and deprivation. Spokesperson of the group, Deaconess Margaret Adebayo, who made this known, yesterday, in Lokoja, conveyed the group’s appreciation to Mrs. Bello for considering the plight of women and youths a priority agenda of her initiative. We commend Mrs. Rashida Bello's initiative, which has started on a good note by addressing the healthcare needs of women, and providing free notebooks for pupils in the state.

Diamond Bank announces demise of Ezenwoko

HE MANAGEMENT

of Diamond Bank Plc has announced the death of one of its executive directors, Victor Ezenwoko. Ezenwoko was in charge of the bank's Lagos and West businesses until his demise on March 25, 2016. He joined Diamond Bank in July 1997 as a start-up Branch Manager for Onitsha Bridgehead Branch and subsequently Branch Manager of Onitsha New Market Road Branch and Abuja Branch. Having made his mark in Branch Management, Victor was promoted to Regional Manager East. Between 2002 and 2003, and other top position until executive directorship in 2010. Late Mr. Ezenwoko is survived by a wife and children.

Late Ezenwoko

48 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ODEWUNMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mobolaji Mary Odewunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mobolaji Mary Yakub. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

AKPOSHEVIRE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stephen Elohor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akposhevire Stephen Elohor. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

ODILI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odili Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibezim-Ezeani Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

OWOYALE—I, formerly known and addressed as Owoyale Oladapo Nifemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Balogun Oladapo Nifemi. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

OWOYALE — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Owoyale Lola Agnes, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Balogun Lola Agnes. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

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Confirmation of Name This is confirm that I, Ofuoku Faith Paul, am the same and one person as Ekwuonu Faith Paul Gabriel and Ekwuonu Ofuoku Faith, but hencefirth wish to be known and addressed as Ofuoku Ekwuonu Faith Paul. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SIAKPEBRU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rukevwe Lynda Siakpebru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rukevwe Annie Akpughe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Agu Jeremiah Mike, now wish to be known and addressed as Onuh Chukwuemeka Jeremiah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IRABOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Irabor Susan Ekinadoese, now wish to be known and addressed Mrs. Aigbogun Susan Ekinadoese. All former documents remain valid. All Financial institutions, Educational institutions, Embassies and general public please take note.

AZEEZ—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okikiola Rukayat Azeez, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okikiola Rukayat Segun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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ILODIGWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edith Chinenye Ilodigwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edith Chinenye Oparah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BENSON—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Benson Hannah Ibironke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amurun H. Ibironke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JESSICA—I, formerly known and addressed as Echemazu Chidinma Jessica, now wish to be known and addressed as Echemazu Chidinma Annita. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name

public please take note.

OMOLADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omolade Adebimpe Adepeju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Funso Adebimpe Adepeju. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BISI—I, formerly known and addressed as Ozegbe Emmanuel Bisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ozegbe Emmanuel Sidney. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Ubah Cyril Nnamdi and Ubah Cyril Enyinnaya is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Ubah Cyril Enyinnaya. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ufor Onyinyechi Glory, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeozuru Okafor Onyinyechi Glory. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YUSUF—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Rafiat Yusuf, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abimbola Rafiat Adebiyi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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EKPO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekpo Ekaette Udoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bassey Ekaette Patrick. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAKUNMOJU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fakunmoju Abiodun Omolabake, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifalodun Abiodun Omolabake. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AISHAT—I, formerly known and addressed as Usman Aishat Bolatito, now wish to be known and addressed as Usman Wulemot Bolatito. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GOODGOD—I, formerly known and addressed as Agwara Chioma Goodgod, now wish to be known and addressed as Agwara Happiness Chioma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OKOYA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aminat A s h a b i Oluwafunmilayo Okoya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebayo A m i n a t Oluwafunmilayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Miss) Chinwendu Chisom Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Chinwendu Chisom Ojukwu. All former documents remain valid. N.M.A. and general public please take note.

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OKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Elohor Oghenerioborue Patrick Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Elohor Erheriada. All former documents remain valid, any authority and the general public to take note.

Confirmation of names These names, Ugoro Nigeria and Ugoro Theophilus belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed Ugoro Nigeria Theophilus Uzuazo. All former documents remain valid, First Bank, any authority and the general public to take note.

THEOPHILIOUS—I, formerly known and addressed as Ike Chukwuemeka Theophilious, now wish to be known and addressed as Ike Chukwuemeka Kevin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DESMOND—I, formerly known and addressed as Ugwu D e s m o n d Chukwuemeka, now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwu D a v i d Chukwuemeka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name I, Peter Ajirioghene Oviemuno, wish to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as Peter Ajiroghene Oviemund instead of Peter Ajirioghene Oviemuno. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Pension Managing Ltd and general public please take note.

I hereby state that my name was wrongly written as Tetteh Doris Korkor, instead of Tetteh Dora Korkor. All former

documents

remain valid. General

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 — 49

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ULOHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uloho Eyavaghagha Julie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Efe-Ogunje Julie Eyavaghagha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDOWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Idowu Funmilayo Oladunni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omoloju Funmilayo Oladunni. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A K U J O B I EMETUCHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akujobi-Emetuche U z o c h u k w u Chinweike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyema Uzochukwu Chinweike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of names These names, Oluwabunmi Eniola Janet Rotifa, Bunmi Janet Rotifa, Oluwabunmi Janet Rotifa and Oluwabunmi Eniola Rotifa belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed Oluwabunmi Eniola Janet Rotifa. All former documents remain valid, General public to take note.

EBI—I, formerly known as Simeon Ebi Bebenimibor (m) Christian, now wish to be known and addressed as Simeon Bebenimibor. All documents bearing my former name still remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public please take note.

EMONENA—I, formerly known and addressed as Blessing Emonena, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Rukainure Jones. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NEBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nebo Ifeoma Lovina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oguama Ifeoma Lovina. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

A M O G B O K PA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Eghubare Amogbokpa, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Eghubare Akemu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWADA —I, formerly known and addressed as Precious Udeh James Awada, a native of Umeigboko, Ohaoazara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Precious Udeh Chinasa. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please, note.

I G N AT I U S — I , formerly known and addressed as E l e c h u k w u Onyejekwe, now wishes to be known and addressed as O n y e j e k w e Elechukwu Ignatius. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

A K A K P O — I , formerly known and addressed as Akakpo Sunday Edidi John, now wishes to be known and addressed as Akapo Sunday John Olamide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

O L AT U N J I — I , formerly known as Mosunmola Lukman, now wish to be call and addressed as Mosunmola Lukman Olatunji to do marriage. All documents bearing both names remain valid. The public should take note.

OKAFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr Okafor Linus Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Okafor Sunday Stephen. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FALAJA—I, formerly known and addressed as Adebisi Fatimo Falaja, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebisi Deborah Ojetoye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O D O G W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss E v e l y n Chukwudumebi Odogwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs E v e l y n Chukwudumebi Ebade. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLAJUTEMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olajutemu Stella Olamide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bamgboye Stella Olamide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEWUSI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewusi Margaret Oluwaseun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyetunde Margaret Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

A K A N D E — I , formerly known and addressed as Odusina Monsuru Akande, now wishes to be known and addressed as Odusina Abiodu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EKONG—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekong Glory Richard, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Glory Imoh Menim. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

U B A G W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ubagwu Ogechukwu Linda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okechi Ogechukwu Linda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KOSUWOI—I, formerly known and addressed as Kosuwoi Donye Koko, now wish to be known and addressed as Koko Godday Edwin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwafor Ifeoma Eucharia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugorji Ifeoma Eucharia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

S K M A F O — I , formerly known and addressed as Seth Skmafo, now wish to be known and addressed as Oghovo Seth. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYIBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Oyibo Edna Oghenewaire, now wish to be known and addressed as Iboyi Edna Oghenewaire. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODELE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odele Tuboulayefa Jane, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gbabo Tuboulayefa Jane. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DANIEL—I, formerly

please take note.

KLINTON—I, formerly known and addressed as Eghrudje Rukky Klinton, now wish to be known and addressed as Eghrudje Rukeme. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODIBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aye Abigail Odiba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aye Abigail Ebiloma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKPARA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinonye Kate Okpara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinonye Kate Ikeotuonye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA N KW O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Deborah Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinenye Deborah Temile. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MENE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Princess Jereye Mene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Princess Jereye Ogbankomi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ATUMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Stanley Atumu, now wish to be known and addressed as Stanley Atumu Omatseye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Ogri Gloria Teren hereby confirm that the names Ogri Teren and Ogri Martha Teren as they appear on some of my documents refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Owhofasa Diechomora Atuduhor hereby confirm that the names Owhofasa Atuduhor and Owhofasa Diechomora as they appear on some of my documents refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Nkemachor Emeka hereby confirm that the name Fednad Emeka as it appears on some of my documents refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank PLC and general public please take note.

DIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dike Olivia Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egwuogu Olivia Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. IMSUBEB and general public please take note.

OGHENENYROWOME —I, formerly known and addressed as Oghenenyrowome Ogbotor, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogbotor Yerhomo Kelvin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name

JUNIOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Jephthah Junior, now wish to be known and addressed as Jephthah Jeffery Francis. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TAIWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Taiwo Arayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Taiye Francess Arayi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M A D U J I B E YA — I , formerly known and addressed as Mr. David Nnadiegbulam Madujibeya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. David Nnadiegbulem Asinobi. All former documents remain valid. Umuchimanwiri ObazuMbieri, Autonomous Community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area and general public please take note. OLISE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijeoma Masbeth Olise, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oisakede Ijeoma Masbeth. All former documents remain valid. The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and General Public please take note.

known and addressed as Daniel Ameh, now wish to be known and addressed as Timothy Ameh. All former documents remain valid. General public

I hereby confirm that in my First Bank Account, my name was wrongly written as Mariam Smith, instead of Marian Ochuko Smith. That Ochuko was ommitted. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and and general public please take note.

50—Vanguard,

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Chewing stick is as good as toothbrush — DTRBN By Gabriel Olawale

OUR chewing stick is as good as your toothbrush, the Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria, DTRBN, has declared. The Board has also given a pass mark to traditional tools for maintaining oral hygiene in Nigeria, arguing that apart from being efficient in keeping the mouth clean, they are also medicinal. The Acting Registrar, DTRBN, Mrs. Mercy Ojo, told Good Health Weekly that maintenance of good oral hygiene does not necessarily have to be with toothbrush and toothpaste, because there are chewing sticks that perform as well if not better than toothbrushes. “We recommend chewing sticks like Pako Ewuro or Pako Orogbo that act as cleaning agent and remove the coat on the tongue. These chewing sticks are known to motivate pregnant women to eat and act as an appetizer.” Further, Ojo, a Dental Therapist noted: “Pako Ayan’ cleans the teeth and arrests the Sickle Cell Anemia in those affected. Pako Emigbegiri cleans the teeth and it is not advisable for ulcer patients. Pako Ijebu and Pako Ibo clean the teeth, make it whiter and it serve as appetizer while Pako Meyinro cleans and strengthens loose teeth. It also helps to reduce

Mrs. Mercy Ojo periodonties while Pako Dudu or Pako Pupa cleans teeth but discolours it.” Ojo who disclosed that poor oral hygiene contributes to different oral diseases lamented that too many people fail to abide by the principle of brushing twice a day. “Ideally, you should just flush your mouth with water when you wake up in the morning and do the brushing of your teeth after breakfast to keep your mouth clean and with fresh breath for the rest of the day. “But because many people may forget to do that after the meal or may not feel comfortable, the idea of brushing first thing in the morning comes in. You should brush your teeth after breakfast.” Sounding a note of warning, Ojo said failure to brush last thing

at night gives microorganisms like bacteria opportunity to act on left over food to produce acids that destroy the teeth. She urged people to visit their dentist twice in a year and cautioned against patronising quacks who sell drugs like Touch & Go, acid water, battery water at the motor parks, buses and discourage people from visiting their dentists. The Chief Dental Therapist, Isolo General Hospital and Coordinator, Lagos State Dental Therapists, Mrs. Olufunke Odunowo urged people to maintain good oral hygiene and visit the clinic for checks.

200 benefit from medical outreach in Ilasamaja By Chioma Obinna T least 200 residents of Ilasamaja area of Lagos and environs have benefitted from a medical outreach organised by Rotary Club of Nigeria, District 401, and facilitated by a Counsellor Aspirant for Ward F2, under under Ademologu zone, Ilasamaja, Hon. Diyaolu Adeola Olaolu. A team of medical experts that converged on the area during the outreach, carried tests primarily for malaria and high blood pressure amongst others. Insecticide treated nets were also distributed during the event. The Chairman, Ward F2,

MEDICAL OUTREACH: Counsellor Aspirant for Ward F2, Ilasamaja, Hon. Diyaolu Adeola Olaolu distributing Insecticide Treated Nets during the outreach programme organised by Rotary in Ilasamaja, Lagos, recently.

Mutairu who was one of the beneficiaries, attested to the quality of the services rendered and described it as divine intervention. "I am very happy because it is about progress of the people in the ward. Today is like having a new born baby in the family. They have checked my Blood Pressure and they asked me to reduce my salt intake. I was also given drugs and a mosquito net. I encourage other organisations and politicians to come to the aid of our people because most of us do not have money," he pleaded. Speaking at the event facilitator, Olaolu, called on government at all levels to give priority to health as a healthy community is a developed community. "Government is trying but they should give more priority to health. When people are healthy they will think of moving the nation forward but when they are not healthy nothing positive will come out of them." Olaolu said the programme was part of Rotary's project for the year and targeted at over 200 people. "It is a health enlightenment programme on malaria awareness. We are also conducting free test for malaria and high blood pressure. We are also distributing insecticide treated nets but the main target audience are pregnant women and nursing mothers due to the effect of the disease on them. We are also giving concession to the elders,"he said.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—51

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52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED EKPO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Theresa Patrick Ekpo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Theresa Godwin Eshiet. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. KANAMMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Kanamma Shettima Bukar, now wish to be known and addressed as Garba Mohammed Kanamma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. AMOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amosu Oluyemi Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluyemi Emmanuel Olusola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. OKWARA—I, formerly known and addressed as Orieji Okwara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Orieji Ogbuewu Emele. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. NNEJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fidelia Nnenna Nneji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Frances Nnenna Isesele. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. NWAIWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaiwu Chioma Comfort Norabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwagbo Chioma Comfort. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. OKOLO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okolo Celestina Ugonma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ozoani Celestina Ugonma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. C M Y K

Buffon announces plan to retire

IANLUIGI Buffon has revealed he plans to retire in two years’ time and claims he cannot be convinced to change his mind, even if offered a double-your-money deal. The Juventus and Italy goalkeeper, 38, is determined to call an end to his career at the age of 40 before moving into scouting and recruitment. Buffon says he has no interest in leaving Juve, who he joined 15 years ago, for more money elsewhere - though he is looking to the United States and China for future employment. He told French magazine So Foot: ‘Even if I were offered twice my salary elsewhere, I would stay at Juve. ‘Doing so would make me proud as it is a worthy thing to do. I want to play at this level until I’m 40, then that will be it.’ Buffon, who joined Juventus from Parma for £32.6 million, has not ruled out moving into management but his main outlook is on another aspect of football. ‘I have a wealth of experience, but I do not want to coach,’ he said. ‘I rather like the role of recruiter. They are ambitious. ‘I would go to nations like the United States or China, which have great potential for a large population.’ ‘If I do something, I do it with the idea to get to the top - without that I would stop living.’ Buffon looks on track for a seventh Serie A title with Juventus this season and his career honours also include two Coppa Italia trophies and the World Cup.

Pinnick Continues from BP years has returned the Pharaohs to the limelight of African football, Pinnick swore, “That is why I cannot compromise my decision for a foreign coach. Egypt have so many professionals abroad, but Cuper used only five and he still went ahead to get the desired result. That is why I am insisting on a foreigner for the Eagles Sports Vanguard gathered that the NFF leadership may have chosen a coach already and he is a French national. “I am afraid, the new coach may have already began work as he has been talking to countries like The Netherlands and Scotland for friendlies with the Super Eagles,” an NFF source told our correspondent in

Hoopers woo fans ahead of Delta Force visit

•Buffon

Dalung reassures on grassroot sports devt

HE Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has assured the organizers of President Cup Football competition of his Ministry’s full support in achieving grassroots sports development in Nigeria. The minister stated this when he received in audience the committee members of the President Cup Football competition in his office in Abuja. Barrister Dalung, promised to give his modest support and contribution wherever the assistance of the Ministry is needed, adding that the vision is in line with grassroots sports development. He remarked that the era

Amokachi Continues from BP by Finnish top-flight club and Europa League qualifiers RoPS 8-0 in a fifth round cup tie. Abuja. We further gathered that the new coach wants to stay in Lagos and will be coming with a trainer and a tactician. Emmanuel Amuneke and Salisu Abubakar will be the Nigerian coaches to assist the Frenchman.

Onazi Continues from BP leg in Kaduna, 4 days earlier had ended in a 1-1 draw and as a result, the Eagles needed an outright win to restore hope of going to Gabon 2017. But they failed as the Pharaohs triumphed 1- 0. Reflecting on the scenario, Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi said in Lagos yesterday that they(the Eagles) were

of concentrating on elite sports was over as that is not healthy for sports development. Earlier, the leader of the Committee on the President Cup Football competition, Dr. Ike Neliakwu informed the Minister that the tournament was established in 2013 to encourage grassroots sports development in Nigeria. He said the first edition of the cup was held in 2014. He stated that the football competition was organized from the level of local government area through states to federal level. He further explained that the President of the country is the grand patron of the

President Cup, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports is the official patron, while the Permanent Secretary is the Tournament Ambassador. High point of the event was the investiture of the Honourable Minister as the official patron of the competition.

However, Amokachi said it was not a bad outing for his third-tier league team as they came up against a top team. “After all, it was a good game for us. We played really well against a really good team. When playing Veikkausliiga runners-up and the Finnish representatives in Europe, the game’s strength and speed will show that we are just at different levels,” Hercules coach Daniel Amokachi conceded.

However, former Everton star Amokachi still saw the positives from the trouncing. “When we play like this against good teams, we can know how much we should improve our performance,” he said. “RoPS did everything right. They kept the ball when the ball had to be held and pressured us they needed to. “I think this tells us that we played against a top team.” Nigerian player John Williams Oluremi scored the sixth goal for RoPS.

feeling ashamed of themselves because of their latest failure. “We feel bad indeed and ashamed that despite the support we get from the Nigeria Football Federation, we were not able to win a ticket to Gabon. It is a shame indeed,” Onazi said. The Lazio midfielder would not however discuss his exclusion from the starting 11 by Coach Samson

Dalung

Siasia, despite dressing for the game following a two match ban. That was entirely the decision of the coach. He may have his strategy and knew who he wanted for the match. In one of the bizarre decisions by interim coach, which attracted sharp criticisms from many Nigerians, Siasia benched Onazi while fielding Amuzie the entire match.

IVERS Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu has made a passionate call on Rivers fans to come cheer the team to victory this weekend. The Port Harcourt side will play host to Delta Force of Asaba on Friday and Saturday at 4pm daily in a Week 3 match of the 2016 DSTV Basketball League season. Odaudu urged fans to come out and roar them on to victory. “Our fans have been very supportive of us. They have always turned up every time we have a game even when we were not doing too well, they had our back. We are a lot better than we were last two seasons in the league so I urge them to come out and watch top flight basketball again,” Odaudu admonished. “Rivers Hoopers is back and Rivers Hoopers is back to stay so they should please come out and support us.” he pleaded further. Meanwhile, Hoopers new recruit, Victor James also wants to feel the support from the home fans and has promised to give his best when they play host to Delta Force. “Delta Force is a very competitive team and I can see my team is also equal to the task, seriously they are, so when we get over there it is going to be a good match-up and I’m going to give them my all, “James promised. “I just want to tell them to come all out and have fun, come and enjoy the game, basketball is all about fun, they should make sure they come and enjoy the game.

Eagles Continues from BP ous career as a player. “He can’t get it,” our source said, adding that the football house had already decided on Amuneke and Salisu. This may have put paid to Okocha’s ambition of coaching the team that brought him to global limelight. At least for now, because the incoming coach may insist on having the former midfield maestro among his back room staff.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016—55

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

Onazi laments Nations Cup miss F ORMER Super Ea gles assistant captain, Ogenyi Onazi is yet to come to terms with Nigeria’s failure to secure a 2017 Afcon ticket. The Super Eagles, with

2 points went to Alexandria Tuesday, with the hope of turning the table against the sleek Pharaohs of Egypt. The first

Continues on pg 52

No going back on foreign coach – Pinnick Stories By Jacob Ajom

Okocha

Le Roy

Le Guen

Eagles job: Okocha loses out T

HE hope of Austin Jay Jay Okocha to become the next Super Eagles coach may have evaporated into thin air, if feelers coming from the Glass House are anything to go by. Sports Vanguard gathered that although the yet-to-be-signed new for-

eign coach would have loved to have the legend as his assistant, the NFF would have none of it. A source from the NFF secretariat told Sports Vanguard that the crew of Emmanuel Amuneke and Salisu Yusuf would continue with the new

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

coach whenever he arrives. “Okocha has shown a lot of interest in the job and has openly said he would be happy to serve his country in any other capacity after an illustri

Continues on pg 52

Buffon announces plan to retire Pg 52

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has defended his decision to go for a foreigner as the new Super Eagles coach, insisting that no local coach can give us the desired results. In a chat with newsmen in Lagos yesterday, Pinnick who still looked weary after the demands that attended Nigeria’s failed bid for the Afcon 2017 ticket, said he cannot afford to stay in office and see Nigeria lose out in the qualification for Russia 2018 World Cup. “I cannot put our World Cup hopes on a local coach. We need a world class coach who can reshape our football.” Citing Hector Cuper, Egypt national team coach who under two Continues on pg 52

Onazi

Amokachi’s Finish club fall 8-0

OACH Daniel Amokachi-led JS Hercules were thrashed

Continues on pg 52

Amokachi

QUICK CROSSWORD

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

15 Indistinctly (5) ACROSS 17 Small and cute (5) 1 Ready for harvest (4) 20 Bituminous substance (3) 3 Social association (4 7 Toilet (3) 8 Force to leave (5) 9 Devotee (3) 10 Large body of salt water (3) 12 Plastic golf peg (3) 14 Complete absence of law (7) 15 Owing (to) (3) 16 Traffic-light colour meaning stop (3) 18 Audience’s cry of disapproval (3) 19 Parisian Underground railway (5) 21 Came first (in a race ) (3) 22 Thirty-six inches (4) 23 Solely (4) DOWN 1 Conditions of a game (5) 2 Obscene (7) 4 Cut the top off (a tree) (3) 5 Fat protruding over the top of a belt (5) 6 Structure providing shelter for a guard on duty (6,3) 11 – de cologne, perfume (3) 12 – the towel, give up (5,2) 13 Sewing needle’s hole (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Epitaph 7, Merriment 8, Save 10, Kerb 12, Essential 14, Catwalk DOWN: 2, Par 3, Twin 4, Piece 5, Smashed 6, Stubble 9, Vista 11, Snow 13, Ill

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.