Kidnapped German,six gunmen killed

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61635

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

10 killed in multiple tanker explosions, building collapse •P 6

N150

Reps to probe $1.3bn oil •P 8 bloc scam

JTF INVADES BOKO HARAM'S DEN:

Kidnapped German, six gunmen killed

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

ANO—A German Engineer, Edgar Fritz Raupach, who was held hostage by gunmen since January 26 this year was killed by his captors yesterday when Nigerian security forces stormed their hideout, a bungalow apartment located at Danbare surburb, along Gwarzo highway, in Kano.

It was gathered that members of the security forces who conducted a raid on the building were unaware that the German was being held there but attacked the building based on intelligence Continues on Page 7

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UNILAG: We'll implement President's declaration — NUC •P.10 Mr & Mrs

TRAGEDY—

No fewer than nine petrol tankers exploded, yesterday, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Some of the tankers at the scene of the accident. INSET: The collapsed church building in Ibadan. Photos: Wunmi Akinola and Dare Fasube.

See more pictures on Pages6&7.

Lagos reinstates sacked doctors •P.13

New electricity tariff takes off today •P.5

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New electricity tariff takes off today •Government says it is a burden we must carry •Lagos Chamber of Commerce lauds tariff

By OSCARLINE ONWUEMENYI, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & KUNLE KALEJAYE

House of Representatives, yesterday, the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said the new tariff regime was formulated to stabilise the sector as well as attract private investments that is required to drive the sector in the medium to long term. Ministry sources also said the new pricing regime will enthrone efficiency and good governance in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), eliminate waste and guarantee cost-reflective pricing.

Besides, Vanguard learnt, yesterday, that the Ministry of Power is to distribute free energy saving bulbs that allow lower power consumption and consequently lower electricity bills to be paid by the customers. Four-watt

President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, called on the FederNEW electricity tar al Governiff regime with poment to put on tentially grave cost implihold any fucations for urban dwellture increase ers, the rich and commerin electricity cial concerns commences tariff until all today. The new tariff rethe issues gime reduces the cost of raised against electricity for rural conFrom left: Mrs Maureen Bakare, Elder Felix Ohiwerie and Chief Simeon Olakunri at the such move sumers who do not use funeral service for late Prof Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, former Vice chancellor of have been electronics or other heavy the University of Lagos, at the All Saints Church, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun dealt with to equipment. However, Ogunleye avoid the more affluent consumers, nizers, barbers and other that Customer Complaints work in tandem with the commercial and industriwrath of Nigerian masssmall-scale enterprises Units (CCUs) will now be current reform/privatisaal consumers would pay es. will no longer have to de- fully operational in all dis- tion programme”. significantly higher rates At a briefing in Abuja to pend on generators while tribution companies to While explaining the above the N4 per kilowatt kick start the new regime, bigger commercial and address all customer com- benefits, the minister told hour that would be paid Chairman of the National industrial ventures will plaints, and “where the the lawmakers that existby the very poor.

Electricity Regulatory considerably reduce their CCUs fail, customers can ing customers that have Ahead of the commenceCommission, NERC, Dr. cost of doing business now seek redress at the not paid for meters do not ment of the scheme, yesSam Amadi, noted that the leading to a general re- NERC Forum Offices also need to pay further as the terday, the Federal Govnew tariff is established to duction in the cost of to be operational in all cost of the meters have ernment said it was disensure steady power supgoods and services.” electricity distribution of- been included in their tarAmadi said that private fices nationwide. These iffs. He said new customNEW ELECTRICITY TARIFF sector participation was structures have been put ers will only pay standard central to the Power Sec- in place to ensure effec- connection fee with no tor Reform aimed at trans- tive and efficient service additional charges for the forming the sector in line delivery under the new meter and that the meter with the NERC’s mandate tariff order.” maintenance fees have to ensure adequate and been abolished since Nov affordable electricity to Tariff hike is 2011. every Nigerian. He said not political under the new tariff reLagos Chamber of gime, different classes of Appearing before the Commerce lauds tarconsumers will pay differ- House of Representatives, iff ent rates applicable to Nnaji said: “To solve the their classes for their elec- problem of power we canMeanwhile, the Director tricity supply, adding: not be talking of margin- General of Lagos Chamber “Low income earners who al increase. Certain mea- of Commerce and Industry, use less electricity will pay sures have to be taken. Muda Yusuf, yesterday, less than high income Electricity is not a prod- said it was difficult to fault earners who consume uct of parties or issue to the position of NERC and more electricity. Lifeline be played with politics or the power minister, especonsumers (R1) will enjoy party ideology but is what cially in the light of the nathe special benefit of not concern everybody. We tion's clamour for a private paying a fixed charge for buy the product and it has sector driven power sector.

The new electricity tariff released by NERC and which takes effect today their electricity.”

Yusuf said: "I believe it is to be priced very well.”

He stressed further that a sacrifice that is worth bursing a N100 billion energy saving bulbs, ply and guarantee effihe NERC boss fur the increment was to cre- making. In any event, it will stabilization fund to sub- which are said to be safer cient customer delivery in ther stated that all ate a good platform which still be much cheaper than sidise the cost to be borne and reduce health haz- Nigeria. electricity consumers will would be attractive to in- providing electricity by consumers rated below ards, will be deployed in He said: “The tariff is be metered within a max- vestors that would come through generators powthe N24/Kwh cost of pro- place of present heavy structured to attain cost- imum of 18 months, addinto the country with the ered by diesel or petrol duction over the next two energy consuming 40 and reflective pricing that will ing that all distribution sole aim of improving on generators, even with the years, at the rate of 60 watt bulbs. ensure private sector in- companies (DISCOs) the present situation so tariff review. We also exN50billion for 2012 and vestment in the genera- have been asked to sub- that Nigerians could en- pect that this process would 2013 respectively. tion, distribution and mit their meter installation joy uninterrupted supply lead to the ultimate exit of NLC opposes Middle income consum- increase transmission of power in plan to the Commission of electricity. the public sector in the diers would be expected to the country. Securing pri- in order to receive the The minister told the rect management of the pay between N11 and Meanwhile, the Nigeria vate sector investment meter component of the lawmakers that tariff can sector. I should stress that N12/Kwh. The highest Labour Congress, NLC, will guarantee the desired tariff. only work with sector re- the citizens should not be rate would be paid by con- last night said it was in- availability, reliability and Amadi stated: “This will form, adding that the ab- made to pay for inefficiensumers living in high sisting on its opposition to stability in electricity sup- address the perennial sence of a cost-recovery cy or corruption costs. It is brow areas of the country the new tariff. Congress ply and efficiency in cus- billing fraud suffered by was a key reason for the important to evaluate the such as Maitama, Asoko- had last Sunday declared tomer service delivery." many electricity consum- failure of the power sec- elements of the current costs ro in Abuja, Ikoyi and Ba- its strong opposition to the Stressing that with sta- ers through estimated bill- tor to serve Nigerians for operations. nana Island in Lagos. June 1, 2012 planned de- ble power supply, busi- ing. A methodology to "The good thing is that the the past three decades.

Consumers in these areas claring that the proposed nesses will thrive and the ensure accuracy of estiHe said: “The tariff tariff would be discriminagrouped as R3 and R4 energy tariff without im- economy will flourish, mated billing is being deframework provides in- tory in favour of the poor. would pay as much as proved power supply is Amadi added: “Small and signed by NERC to furcentives for improving I would urge that it should N23.71/kwh with fixed not only uncalled for, but medium scale enterprises ther protect the rights of performance cost reduc- also be discriminatory in meter charges of insensitive to the prevail- will once again have the customers and prevent tions and quality of ser- favour of business. The govN21,256.30 and ing plight of workers and electricity they need to over-billing while estivice. However, tariff re- ernment should be given a N118,830.56 respectively. the Nigerian people. keep their businesses run- mated billing is being balancing is only a part of chance to follow through Appearing before the NLC in a statement by its ning. Hairdressers, vulca- phased out." He added the equation and can only the process."

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POCKET CARTOON

Another set of tankers caught up in the inferno.

10 killed in multiple tanker explosions, building collapse

BY OLA AJAYI & DAUD OLATUNJI LAGOS—AT least 10 people died yesterday in two unrelated accidents between Lagos and

Ibadan.

On the Lagos- Ibadan expressway, five people were burnt in a multiple accident involving nine fuel tankers while a

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Is it any wonder that the richest one per cent of the world’s population owns 40 per cent of the total household wealth, while the bottom half of the world makes do with barely one per cent? The majority can be wrong. The reason they can be wrong is that they have the wrong assumptions about life, money and success.

Any person who desires to be a great success and be a leader both to themselves and to others must not take anything for granted. Let your knowledge become your power.

It takes vision, focus, determination, hard work, and grit to make a difference.

building under construction at the site of New Covenant Church, Sagbe, Ojoo in Ibadan collapsed during a downpour, claiming five lives including two women with two others seriously injured on Wednesday night.

It was the prompt response of security men, men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, policemen

seen scattered on the ground.

One of the survivors, Mr Wole Sokunbi said, “ we were 13 people working on the building when the rain started and we were waiting under this building to collect our daily allowances from pastor, the foreman.

Suddenly the building collapsed. Only pastor, myself and one of the

day. They had cleaned up and were waiting for the contractor. Then, the rain started. It was then they took shelter under the deck. Then, suddenly, we heard a loud bang. Two of them who are Hausas tried to escape but the iron rod held their legs. But, they were quickly rescued and taken to the hospital.”

A member of the church, Mr. Oyegoke Francis described the incident as unfortunate.

Governor Ajimobi blamed the incident on the failure of the contractor handling the church building to use quality materials as well as his (contractor ’s) intention to cut cost.

“If the contractor had not compromised quality, this incident would not have happened,” the

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“The fear-determined persons go about putting out the sun in other people.” This happens when we focus on other people’s faults and weaknesses.

If you are ruled by fear, you not only go about putting out the light of others, you also extinguish your own light. - John McMurrayHE English psychoanalyst McMurray spoke of people being either ‘fear-determined’ or T ‘love-determined’: There are two emotional attitudes through which human life can be radically determined. They are love and fear. The feardetermined have no sun in themselves and go about putting out the sun in other people. Whereas the love-determined have life in them, abundant life.

They are the people who are really alive, of whom it can be said that they possess eternal life as a well within them perpetually springing.

Here are the thoughts that put out your own sun: “No use trying!”, “I’m hopeless at that!”, “I’ll never learn!”, “This is too difficult!” Each time you play these negative tapes, you extinguish your light, and negate your potential. And when you look at others and their perceived talent and success, you may feel envy – which is really a wish to extinguish the light of others.

Mary Jacsch sums aptly: "As your heart’s capacity for love and kindness grows, you’ll find a great fullness of being, discover a warm kinship with all beings, and reveal the radiant heart within.

Rubble of the church building that collapsed in Ibadan. and other sympathizers that saved the two survivors.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his wife, Florence visited the scene around 1.30am to give helping hands to those who were trapped under the rubbles.

When Vanguard visited the scene of the incident, all the working implements like head pans, shovel, clothes were

women fetching water for us survived”.

All the corpses and those injured had been taken away from the site.

According to an eyewitness, the workers had finished the day’s work and were waiting for the contractor to come and pay them their wages when the structures caved in suddenly.

He said: “They had finished working for the

governor said, regretting that it could happen despite repeated warning that people should ensure quality in everything they were doing, including building construction.

He ordered that thorough investigation be carried out on the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building.

Five feared dead in Ogun explosion Also, no fewer than five persons were feared dead early yesterday morning in a multiple accident that occurred at Ibafo, a few kilometers to Redemption Camp, around Danko Village along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, petrol, rammed into some trucks parked along the expressway.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the accident occurred when a tanker with registration number, KEBBI, XB370ZUR rammed into some of the petrol tankers haphazardly parked on the two sides of the express way, leaving several people critically injured.

The tankers were, according to the source, immediately gutted by fire and not less than five people popularly called motor boys were burnt, while it also burnt not less than nine of the tankers.

When Vanguard visited the scene of the accident, there was heavy gridlock leading to the diversion of vehicles to other areas of the road.

It was gathered that, three tankers and seven articulated vehicles were involved in the accident.

Speaking with newsmen on the accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in Ogun State, Ayobami Omiyale said the accident occurred at about 12 : 30am yesterday, adding that, no fewer than 30 passengers were involved in the accident which claimed two unidentified persons burnt beyond recognition.

He further said that, five people were critically Continues on Page 7

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—7

10 killed in multiple tanker explosions, building collapse Continues from Page 6

Rescue at the scene of explosion.

Kidnapped German, 6 others killed as JTF ambush gunmen Continues on Page 1 report that sect members were hiding there.

A reliable source who witnessed the incident related how it happened.

Said he: “Members of the Sura Council were holding their meeting in a secluded place in Kano.

The Sura Council is the highest decision making organ of Boko Haram comprising their operation commanders, thinkers, planners and strategists. Somehow, the security forces including the Joint Task Force got hint that Boko Haram members were meeting there and stormed the place in full force unknown to them that the kidnapped German national was being kept there. There was heavy exchange of fire and when the sect members realised that there was no escape for them they killed the German. In the course of the gun battle, the security forces killed all the members of the Sura Council at the meeting, no single one escaped. It was only their leader, Shekau who was not at the meeting that escaped being killed”.

The German’s death came on the heel of a similar incident on March 8th in Sokoto when a Briton and two Italians died in a failed rescue attempt by security A counter terrorism officer who participated in yesterday ’s operation told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that seven people died in the operation while one AK 47 was recovered including129 rounds of ammunition and a hand grenade

Security sources however explained that six people died during the encounter including the five sect members, a woman, while three soldiers were believed to have sustained injury from a blast that rocked the building during the operations.

Vanguard learnt that the sect members detonated a primed Improvised Explosive Device when the Special Forces stormed their residence.

In a statement issued by JTF spokesman in Kano, Lt Ikediche Iweha he confirmed the death of the German saying that he was killed by his captors who held him hostage.

Lt Iweha stated that the security forces stormed the enclave where he was being held near BUK, adding that “Upon search of the premises the security forces, found the hand cuffed gruesomely murdered corpse of an expatriate, later identified as the German national, Mr Egdar, who was kidnapped since January 26rd 2012 along Zaria bye pass Kano. The German was apparently killed by the terrorists on noticing the security forces”.

Iweha added that “During a further search of the terrorists’ hideout, the security forces recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, huge quantity of ammunition. 36 hand grenade and Improvised Explosive Devices stored by the terrorists for possible attack against innocent persons and security personnel”.

Giving a graphic details of the operation, the Army Spokesman explained

that “At the early hours of this morning (31/5/2012) precisely at about 0635 hours, based on intelligence of an ongoing meeting of senior commanders of the terrorists elements, the JTF raided an enclave near Bayero University Kano new site, where the terrorists senior commanders were meeting”. On sighting the security forces, the terrorist elements opened fire and threw Improvised Explosive Devises on the security forces. The security forces responded immediately resulting in a gun duel that lasted for about thirty minutes.

During the encounter five of the terrorists were killed”. A military source in the city confirmed that the body of the German engineer and the six other casualties have been deposited at the Armed Forces military Hospital in Kano.

Residents reported hearing explosions and gunfire in the neighbourhood of Danbare for more than half an hour at around 6:00 am, and said it appeared several hundred soldiers were involved along with trucks and armoured vehicles.

“Following intelligence reports, men of [a military task force] raided a hideout where he was being held by his abductors.”

A shootout occurred and the abductors also detonated explosives, said the official.

“They were subdued, but realising that it was the end for them, they killed the hostage,” the official

added.

Another military source and a police source confirmed Raupach’s death. He was said to have been shot and stabbed by his captors.

The sources also said a number of the abductors had been killed in the raid, with differing accounts putting the figure between two and five.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said in March it was holding the German and that it wanted to swap him for Filiz Gelowicz, the jailed wife of Fritz Gelowicz, the leader of a Sauerlandbased group of Islamists.

He is serving 12 years in

injured in the accident which was caused by dangerous driving, while explaining that, one of the articulated vehicles involved in the accident caught fire which resulted in an inferno that consumed the two victims and some of the vehicles.

He said: “One of the articulated vehicles was trying to navigate between two cars and it lost control before catching fire that led to the accident on the road.”

He however disclosed that the injured were receiving treatment at undisclosed hospitals near the scene.

He also said the burnt bodies had been

deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

According to him, the fire was put out by men of the fire service, adding that the FRSC was still making efforts to remove the burnt vehicles and control the traffic congestion that resulted.

As at the time of filing this report, men of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency were seen moving to the scene of the accident to control traffic and remove the burnt vehicles.

TRACE Unit Commander for MoweIbafo, Olusola Johnson Ojuoro told newsmen that the agency was on ground to clear the accident scene.

File photo of Late Edgar Fritz Raupach as a captive.

File photo of Edgar Fritz Raupach and his captors.

prison for a bomb attack, while she is serving twoand-a-half.

They released a video which showed Raupach flanked by two armed men, begging for his life.

Speaking first in

German and then English, he asks the German government to do something. “I beg my government to save my life,” he said. “My life is in your hands now, I beg you, or these people will

kill me here.”

AQIM has not been known to operate directly in Nigeria, though Islamist group Boko Haram and other extremists in the country are believed to have links to the group.

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8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Flooded Mile 2 area of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway after a heavy down pour in some parts of Lagos, yesterday. Pix: Shola Oyelese.

Reps to probe alleged $1.3bn oil block scam

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMA OVUAKPORIE BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, passed a resolution to investigate the role of the Federal Government in the alleged sale of an oil block worth $1.3 billion to Shell/Agip joint oil exploration partnership within the next three weeks.

The oil block designated OPL 245 was alleged to have been sold in highly q u e s t i o n a b l e circumstances especially given the manner the proceeds were distributed by the officials involved in the transaction.

Mr. Robinson Uwak representing Oron Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom had raised a House order barely 10 minutes into the plenary

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when he said he was relying on Order 8 Rule 48 and 49 0f the House Rule “to point out an issue of public importance that has generated so much media hype thereby causing so much embarrassment at home and abroad.

He said: “The transaction between Shell and the Federal Government is not really the issue but the subsequent transfer of the $1.3 billion to Malabu Oil and Gas company; this is what I implore this House to investigate and save the country from embarrassment.”

Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha who presided put the matter to a voice vote and the ayes carried the day.

Continues on Page 13

Traffic gridlock caused as a result of flood due to deplorable condition of the road.

CBN mounts fresh hurdle for bank customers

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE AGOS—THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, imposed fresh condition for owning a bank account saying that from January 8, 2013, the National Identity Number, NIN, would be criteria for owning and operating a bank account in the country.

To this effect, from September 1 this year, CBN in conjunction with the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, NIBSS, would commence a three months enrollment exercise for all existing banks’ customers to capture their biometrics and issue to them NIN as well as a General Purpose Identity Card.

This was announced via a circular to all deposit money banks, microfinance banks and primary mortgage institutions, PMIs, on the use of the National Identity Number, NIN, for the Know Your Customer, KYC, verification.

The circular was signed

by Mr. Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payments System Department.

The circular said: “As part

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Commuters finding it difficult to cross the road at First Rainbow Bus Stop as a result of failed drainage system.

Motorists groan as floods take over Oshodi-Apapa Expressway

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE AGOS—THE everbusy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway was, yesterday, shut down and road users trapped for several hours following an afternoon down pour that flooded First Rainbow and Mile 2 Bus Stop areas of the road.

The flood caused a gridlock that stretched beyond Ijesha Bus Stop forcing commuters to trek long distances.

The afternoon rain caught many road users unawares as the only alternative road from Lord Chosen Charismatic Church through the Omuwo Odofin Industrial estate, also witnessed heavy traffic.

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Motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada, took advantage to make brisk business and charged hapless commuters outrageous fares.

The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway has become nightmarish for road users with its accompanying incessant gridlocks particularly when it rains and it appeared to have defied every redemptive approach.

The major dual carriageway has continued to inflict untold hardship on motorists and caused unimaginable economic loss to individuals, organisations and governments.

Yesterday’s rain was the second major rainfall in Lagos this year and the

flooding it caused has shown that all palliative efforts of the Federal and Lagos state governments to prevent flooding on the expressway, according to Mr. Moses Ogunleye, a town planner, have not been effective.

The former chairman, Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, said: “What the drainage channels require is a holistic approach that involves the realignment of the drainage system, as some portions may have failed completely.”

He added that, “any approach that does not talk about redesigning the drainage channels will amount to wasteful venture.”

of CBN’s efforts to bolster the banking industry and the entire financial system, the Bank in the recent past commenced steps to overhaul the KYC processes in banks, including the recently concluded customer account verification exercise. In furtherance to this exercise, the Bankers Committee at a recent meeting resolved to adopt the new National Identity Number, NIN, which is expected to be issued from September 2012 by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in conjunction with its front-ends partners as the new basis for KYC for financial transactions going forward.

“As you may be aware, the NIMC was established by the NIMC Act 2007, to establish, operate, maintain and manage the new National Identity Management System, NIMS, which is the avenue for achieving government desire to develop and deepen the customer credit sector, enable e-payment, facilitate financial inclusion, develop commerce and harmonise all existing and future identification scheme. The output of the NIMC is the issuance of national Identity numbers, i.e. an eleven digit number

which is unique and unchangeable to an individual and the issuance of a general multi-purpose card, GMPC, based on chip technology to all citizen and legal residents in Nigeria. The new system will be backed-up by a central standardised identity data base which will in turn enable financial institutions verify the identity of their customers on an online-real time basis using their NIN biometrics.

“Consequently, the CBN hereby directs that starting 8th January 2013, the NIN would be become the basis for KYC verification and compliance by all deposit money banks and by extension other deposit taking financial institutions including microfinance banks and primary mortgage institutions, PMIs, in Nigeria.

"Presently, NIBSS is working in collaboration with the NIMC to integrate the Nigeria Central Switch, NCS, operated by NIBSS with the NIMS. This integration will enable banks to conduct identity verification on NIMS through NIBSS and will enable NIBSS to provide identity related value added service to banks e.g.

Automatic Bank Referencing."

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—9

From left, Mr. Wael Ammar, Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria; Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade & Investment and Mr. Oluwole Rawa, Director, Marketing Segments & Strategy, Etisalat Nigeria, at the Market Access Nigeria Conference sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan African University in Abuja, yesterday.

Briefly

Free check-up for Ajegunle residents

BY EVELYN USMAN AGOS—THE Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday, embarked on a free medical check-up for residents of Ajegunle in AjeromiIfelodun Local Government Area of the state, distributing treated mosquito nets to pregnant women, as part of activities to mark its 56th anniversary .

At Ajeromi General Hospital, where the medical rhapsody was held, Commander, Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, Dr. Christopher Abu, explained that the aim of the free medical check-up was to promote civil-military relations.

Abu said the targeted groups were pregnant women and children under five years.

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Task for parents

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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AGOS—PARENTS and guardians have been urged to discover and develop inherent talents in their children so as to encourage them be the best in whatever they engage in, thereby adding value to the society.

National Coordinator of The Chosen Children Ministry of St. Joseph Chosen Church of God, Mrs. Star Abache, made the call during the children’s yearly musical concert tagged “Catch them young,” in Lagos.

Immigration deports 4,000 illegal aliens

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS—MINISTER of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, yesterday, in Lagos, said 4,000 illegal aliens had been eased out of the country, while 16,000 others, found not to have any legal business to do in the country were refused visa.

The measure, according to the minister, while fielding questions from newsmen at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Staff Welfare Scheme, Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, was part of the internal security measures to stop the infiltration of illegal persons into the country.

Moro, who said the action became necessary considering the security

situation in the country, noted that the arrest was made by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

He said: “What we are trying to do to ensure internal security from the perspective of the Ministry of Interior is to ensure that only people who legitimately possess our documents enter Nigeria.

Where other persons who do not have the legal papers to enter Nigeria, enter Nigeria, the effort of the Nigeria Immigration has been to ensure that they are properly identified, screened and profiled appropriately. In that regard we have been able to reduce, to a very significant level, the number of persons who come into the country illegally. ''Even those who had

Alleged unrepentant militant leader arrested in Ondo

BY DAYO JOHNSON KURE—A supposed militant who claimed to be an army officer, Owefa Bright, accused of terrorising the Niger Delta area has been arrested by the combined team of the Nigerian Navy and a local vigilante group in the EseOdo area of Ondo State.

The local vigilante group, headed by the ex-militant leader in Ondo State, Chief Bibopere Ajube and the Naval officers stormed the suspect's village.

The arrest of the middleaged suspect followed the invasion of Adoloseimo community in Arogbo-Ijaw, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area by no fewer than 15 armed men about 2 am, yesterday.

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The people, who invaded the village in one gun boat with dangerous weapons such as cutlass, AK 47 rifles and charms were said to have shot sporadically into the air as they invaded one of the houses in the community.

A victim, Faye Rabbi, said people numbering about 11 invaded his residence about 2 am and demanded to see him from other occupants of the house. He said the people threatened to kill the occupants of the house, including a pregnant woman if they refused to show them where he was hiding.

He said he managed to escape through the bush when it was obvious that the people were out to deal with him.

infiltrated our country, we have been able to identify some of them, screened them and, of course, send them back to their countries. ''Today, with confidence, I can tell you that over 4,000 aliens had been eased out of the country between February and now. About 335 of them had been deported while 16,000 people who do not have any business coming into Nigeria have been refused entry. ” Asked what the ministry which also oversees the Prisons Service was doing to check the attack and subsequent release of inmates by hoodlums, Moro said plans were underway to reconstruct the prisons, as well as equip, train and recruit more prison wardens.

He said: “The situation is not that of ill-equipment or ill-preparedness, it has to do with the entire prison system which this administration inherited from previous administrations.''

Prison warder docked for allegedly killing man

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE AGOS—A 29-year-old prison warder, Akinkunmi Gbadebo, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, for alleged killing one Akuboye Meinkeme by stabbing him to death following a scuffle over a chair.

Gbadebo, a Sergeant in the Nigeria Prisons Service, Dog Unit, was said to have been held down by some protesting men at Prison Training School, claiming that he killed Meinkeme , but was later handed over to the police at Kirikiri Police Station.

The charge reads: “that you, on or about November 16, 2010, at Kirikiri Town in the Lagos Judicial Division, murdered

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one Akuboye Meinkeme by stabbing him to death, an offence contrary to Section 316 of the Criminal Code Law CapC17, Volume 2 Laws of Lagos State 2003.”

It was gathered that Gbadebo, who is facing a one count charge of murder, and his friends, confronted Meinkeme over a chair that he (Meinkeme) was sitting on. They told him to get up, that it was Gbadebo, who was sat on the chair earlier.

Meinkeme’s refusal to vacate the seat led to a fight, during which Gbadebo allegedly stabbed 27-year-old Meinkeme on the chest.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court, meanwhile, adjourned the matter till July 10, for further hearing.

NIMASA arrests vessel with 200,000 litres of diesel

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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AGOS—NIGERIAN Navy personnel attached to Maritime Guards Command of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, yesterday, arrested a vessel, MT Floris, carrying aboard 185 tons (about over 200,000 litres) of suspected illegally refined Automative Gas Oil (Diesel).

NIMASA’s spokesperson, Hajia Lami Tumaka, in a statement, said the Naval officers effected the arrest while on routine patrol of the Lagos anchorage area.

The 200-ton vessel with a 11-man crew was arrested when the captain could not produce any papers stating the product it was carrying, point of loading and discharge destination.

It was learnt that during questioning, the captain of the vessel, Mr. Martins Odedele, confirmed the illegal cargo, but claimed that he was an emergency captain and was unaware of the illegality of the trip until he got to the location.

The Captain said: “I never knew it was an illegal transaction until we got there and it was too late for me to disembark as I had to captain the vessel back to Lagos.”

The captain, it was gathered during interrogation, said the vessel was owned

by Jowal Dreams Marine Limited.

Efforts to get the company’s reaction at press time was unsuccessful.

Tumaka said the product was loaded at Akassa, near Brass in Bayelsa State, allegedly from an illegal refining facility as the density of the AGO and its flashpoint were well below standard.

Jonathan urged to sign Tobacco Bill

BY CHIOMA OBINNA AGOS—AS the world, yesterday, marked 2012 World No Tobacco Day, President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to sign the long-awaited National Tobacco Bill into law, to avert avoidable deaths caused by tobacco consumption.

At a briefing, as part of activities to mark the day with the theme, ”Tobacco Industry Interference,” Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, Chairman, 2012

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World No Tobacco Day Organising Committee, Dr. Bolaji Adebiyi, reminded President Jonathan of a statement credited to him about his mother’s warning on the dangers inherent in tobacco smoking.

Represented by NHF Director on Tobacco Related Issues, Dr. Dapo Rotifa, Adebiyi noted: “Mr President said at a function he attended that his mother warned him against tobacco smoking, saying that if he smoked, he would die young.”

Adebiyi, who enjoined President Jonathan not to go back on his mother’s warning and take action on the much-needed bill to save Nigerians from avoidable deaths, noted that most countries were working towards eradicating smoking, as tobacco was a major cause of non-communicable diseases.'' Tobacco, whether active or passive is a major cause of heart, stroke and blood vessel disease, accounting for about 10 percent of all non-communicable diseases.''

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

BY LEKE ADESERI, South-West Regional Editor, BEN AGANDE, OLASUNKANMI AKONI & DAYO ADESULU AGOS—THE nature of the real battle of who will laugh last in the rechristening of University of Lagos, UNILAG, as Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, MAUL – between the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan and the university community– emerged yesterday with most of the students adamant to vacate the campus with the backing of a majority of the senior staff.

Authoritative sources told Vanguard that the students and respected voices on campus were unanimous in the condemnation of the sudden change, considering the fact that most of the senior staff are alumni of the university.

The ‘stay-on-campus’ stance of the university community is said to be excused under the need to give a befitting burial to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Sofoluwe, who died on May 11.

Another developing scenario is what will play out when the closure order is lifted. The university, which has not witnessed any students’ protest in the last 10 years, is bound to be polarised between the ViceChancellor who will be bounded to do the wish of the Federal Government, on the one hand, and other members of the community, said to be resolute about rejecting the new name on the other.

Meantime, despite the order from University of Lagos authorities that students should vacate their various hostels on campus, many of the students and lecturers were, however, present on campus apparently to pay their last respect

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UNILAG TO MAULAG: NIGERIANS REACT

Battle of wits as UNILAG remains shut

Students encouraged to stay put We'll implement President's declaration — NUC Abiola's daughter demands justice S-West gov meet Jonathan, back Abiola's recognition How best to immortalise MKO, by Tinubu to the late Pro. Sofoluwe, who was laid to rest yesterday.

Tears flowed freely from family members, students, lecturers and other stakeholders in the education sector who came to pay the late Sofoluwe their last respects. Before, he was taken to Ikoyi cemetery at 1pm for burial.

He was honoured with service of songs at the university.

NUC to implement President’s order The Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof.

Julius Okojie, said yesterday that following the renaming of University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola University, what the commission and other government agencies would do is to ‘follow the implementation’ of the presidential declaration.

Speaking with State House correspondents, Prof. Okojie said the reaction of the students which led to the closure of the school was not unexpected because ‘There is nothing you do in the university system these days that students won’t react.

“We are familiar with these issues, I have been in the úniversity system for this long. I speak as Executive Secretary of NUC and

a regulator of universities.

We have heard (University of) Ife changed in 1987, we have heard Usman Dan Fodio now University of Sokoto, we have heard Yola, Modibbo Adamawa, we have Nnamdi Azikiwe which was University of Awka before. This is about the seventh. ''The President had announced that we want to honour Abiola on Democracy Day which everybody thinks is in order. The President has given a directive, the rest is for us to follow the implementation” he said.

He explained that the president consulted before taking the decision, noting that he did not need to consult with the Vice-Chancellor of the university and its Senate because the Federal Government is the proprietor of the school.

Abiola’s daughter welcomes recognition Mrs. Hafsat AbiolaCostello, daughter of the winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections in Nigeria and business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, has welcomed the decision of the Federal Government to honour the memory of her father.

In a statement, Hafsat described her father as an icon of democracy who held unto the mandate

Lagos AG urges aggrieved persons to seek NASS reversal

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA AGOS—LAGOS State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, yesterday, said rather than go into the streets to protest the change of University of Lagos, UNILAG, to Moshood Abiola University, MAU, the students and other stakeholders, should pressure the National Assembly not to amend the law on the name-change.

He spoke at a capacity

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development workshop organised by National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, NAJUC, in Lagos.

He argued that since UNILAG was a creation of law, the one way to change the name was by the amendment of the same law, notwithstanding the President’s announcement, urging the students and others stakeholders to prevail on the National Assembly not to amend the law setting up the university, which was the only way the name-change can be ef-

fected in law.

Stressing the importance of judiciary reporters to the development of laws and justice system, Ipaye said the training workshop for journalists, especially those covering the court cannot be over-emphasised.

He commended the organisers of the programme while promising his ministry’s collaborations with the journalists.

Ipaye said: “Any money and time spent on training of judiciary correspondents can’t be said to be a waste.”

The main gate of UNILAG blocked by students over the renaming of the school, to Moshood Abiola University, during the peaceful protest by the student, Wednesday. Photo:Kehinde Gbadamosi freely given to him in the curing us this democracy him.

He suggested the nammost free and fair presiden- we are all enjoying. And, tial elections ever held in as an activist of that era ing of a national monument the history of Nigeria till his myself, I could not stress at the Federal Capital Terenough the importance of ritory (Abuja) after Abiola; last breath.

While commending the the role that Chief Abiola his posthumous declaration as president and the setFederal Government for the played.

“But clearly, this is an is- ting aside of a day in his recognition, Hafsat said the best way to immortalise her sue that ought to have also honour.

Tinubu played a promifather was through trans- been comprehensively disparent free and fair elec- cussed by all the nent role in the struggle for tions, obedience to the rule stakeholders in order to the actualisation of the June of law, due process and ensure that everyone takes 12, 1993 presidential elecbanishment of injustice, ownership of the decision tion won by Chief Abiola.

He was a member of the poverty and want in Ni- that has been taken”.

On the meeting with then leading pro-democgeria.

Jonathan, racy movement, the NaShe, however, said there President was need for the govern- Fayemi said “We were in- tional Democratic Coalition ment to revisit the circum- vited by Mr. President for (NADECO).

The National Leader of stances surrounding the discussions on areas of mutual interest, infrastruc- the main opposition party, death of Chief Abiola. ture, roads, rail, transpor- the Action Congress of NiS-West govs meet tation particularly. It was a geria (ACN) advised Presivery positive discussion, we dent Jonathan to work with Jonathan had highlighted to Mr the National Assembly in The governor of Ekiti President the poor state of this regard.

State , Dr Kayode Fayemi the road infrastructure in the He contended that yesterday supported in South-West particularly fed- though the President’s deprinciple the decision by eral roads and Mr Presi- cision to rename UNILAG President Jonathan to rec- dent agreed with us on the after Abiola was welcomed, ognise the role of Abiola in importance of doing some- it fell short of what is reenthroning democracy in thing quickly about this. '' quired.

In his remarks, the govthe country by renaming Tinubu spoke in Lagos on University of Lagos after ernor of Ogun State, Wednesday while receiving him, but argued that there Ibikunle Amosun, said he protesting students from the should have been wider was still opposed to the con- university. Numbering consultation before arriving cession of the Lagos- about 100, the students, Ibadan road, this he said who handed a protest letat that decision.

Fayemi, who spoke with should be withdrawn and ter to the former governor, State House correspond- that the governors in the said they were at his office ents after a meeting of some state were ready to fix it.

- Freedom House, Victoria Governor Babatunde Island office – to express South-West governors with President Jonathan said the Fashola of Lagos State was their displeasure over the students who are protesting absent at the meeting. renaming of their school. the renaming may not unTinubu said: “We must derstand the import of the How best to immortal- congratulate the president pivotal rold played by the ise Abiola, by Tinubu for attempting to do it, but late Abiola. we say-do it right. MKO Former Governor of Lagos was elected by the entire According to the governor, as an alumnus of the State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, country not just by the university, “I know that the has suggested ways the Yoruba- he was arrested President means well by ac- Federal Government could and taken to Abuja. knowledging the role that appropriately honour Chief Chief Abiola played in se- Abiola and immortalise

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—11

C-River community disowns monarch for allegedly selling cemetery

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU ALABAR—EKO RINIM Community in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of Cross River State, has disowned the Village Head of Ekpo Abasi Royal Council clan, Mr. Bassey Etim and his deputy Mr. Effiong Asuquo, for allegedly imposing themselves on the people and selling several hectares of community land, used as cemetery.

Meanwhile, the Calabar Municipal council has written the General

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LAUNCHING: From left: Mr. Basil Kenbo, State Vice Chairman, PDP, Bayelsa State; Princess Preye Inokoba, Editor-in-Chief, Trust Magazine; Mr. Donald Daunemigha, former Ekeremor Local Government Chairman and Mr. Austine Simon, representative of chief launcher, Mr. Alamene Wilfred, Commissioner, Ministry of Special Duties, Bayelsa State, during the launch of Trust Magazine, in Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Erosion: Bayelsa community under threat of extinction

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—AN environmental advocacy group, Environmental Right Action and Friends of Earth, ERA/ FoEN, has expressed concern over the fate of Anibeze community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, which is on the verge of being washed away by erosion.

The group urged the State and Federal Governments to intervene and avoid the mass relocation of the people of the community to neighbouring communities in Patani, Delta State and Adagbabiri community in Sagbama council, Bayelsa State.

State coordinator of ERA/FoEN, Alagoa Morris, in a report on the erosion, said that based on the testimonies of some members of Anibeze Community Development Committee, led by a former Secretary, Samuel Ese, the situation in the community has become frightening.

He said: “It is better imagined than being a member of the community facing such ecological trauma. The hope of the people that help would eventually come their way has really ebbed considering their efforts in the past to get the attention of the state and federal government agencies as what the community is facing is beyond their power to check.”

Chairman of Anibeze

Community Development Committee, Mr. Lucky Opuana, on his part, said: “ I have lived in this community and witnessed most of the land and buildings being

washed into the river.

“It is very pathetic and we don’t know what to do to protect our land and buildings now. We hope the authorities will hear our cries and come quick-

ly to our assistance. We had lost two big generators given to the community by the administration of Chief Melford Okilo, in the old Rivers State.”

Manager of the state owned Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC, informing him that Chief Nyong Ekpo is the authentic village head-elect of Ekorinim village under Obutong clan of the municipality.

The community, which briefed newsmen, yesterday in Calabar, lamented that the duo sold communal land to senior officers in the State Security Service, Army, Navy and Police, which had made it impossible for them to recover the land.

Muslim students commend Delta, Edo govts for peace

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—MUSLIM Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Edo/ Delta Area, has lauded the governments, traditional rulers, religious and youth leaders in the two states for their role in ensuring peace and safety of lives of Muslims in the states and Niger

Delta region.

The group, in a statement at the end of its annual leadership training programme in Effurun, Delta State, sued for continuity and enjoined religious, political, youths and ethnic leaders to shun violence as a means of agitation, but rather explore dialogue as a means to an end.

Edo guber race : Play by the rules, AIG charges politicians ‘Manager, Mutu beacons

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—AHEAD of the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, Assistant Inspector General in charge of Nigeria Police, Zone 5, Benin City, Alhaji Hashimu Argungu, has charged politicians to play the game by the rules.

Addressing newsmen in Benin, yesterday, he called on journalists in the state to help “beat the drum” for politicians to play according to the rules of the game, noting that the media was the bridge between the police and the public.

He said: “There are laws guiding everything, including the Electoral Act. The politicians must play by the rules guiding elections, and you people (media) are the bridge between the police and the public. I seek your maximum cooperation. I had gone round, and believe we are ready to do the job.”

He stressed the need for officers in charge of police formations across the country to continue to

build on the achievements of their predecessors in office to ensure continuity.

Reacting to comments on the transformation of the zone by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed, who served as an AIG in charge of the zone, Argungu noted that the lack of continuity on the part of serving

officers had impacted negatively on the achievements of their predecessors in office.

“I want to build on what he had done. His transformation of the zone is commendable.

Lack of continuity on the part of serving officers does not mean well for the achievements of those who served before us."

Director's redeployment rocks Delta Civil Service

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—CRISIS is brewing in Delta State Civil Service over the deployment of Engr. E. Odogwu, a Director in the state Ministry of Water Resources, to Rural Development Agency, RDA, as General Manager, by the state Head of Service, Mr Okey Odili.

Association of Public Officers and Government Parastatals, Delta State, in a statement, yesterday, argued that it was not for the state Head of Service to redeploy a Director in a Ministry to a parastatal as General Manager, insisting that it

was the duty of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG. Leader of the Association, Mr. Ken Chukwuma, described the redeployment of the Director as usurpation of the duty of the SSG, noting that the duties and powers of the Head of Service ends within the civil service.

Insisting that it was an error on the part of the Head of Service to have gone outside the Ministry to appoint a General Manager for a parastatal, he wondered, who the next victim would be, adding that the Head of Service had no powers to redeploy staff in a government parastatal.

of hope for N-Delta youths' RESIDENT, Niger Delta Democrats, NDD, Mr. Gbaboyo Wurus, has described Senator James Manager and Mr. Nicholas Mutu, both members of the National Assembly, as beacons of hope for youths of the Niger Delta region and true democrats, saying that the lawmakers believe in the potentials of youths.

Wurus, who spoke in Warri, Delta State, while addressing members of the group drawn from the entire Niger Delta region, during the 2012 Democracy Day celebration, said the federal lawmakers were of great pos-

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itive influence to the people of the region, particularly youths.

He said the duo had embarked on several economic empowerment programmes for youths to make them self reliant and become useful members of society, adding that such action had enhanced the quality of the lives of the people.

Noting that both men were outstanding as they contribute meaningfully to debates at plenary and at various committee sittings, Wurus maintained that Senator Manager and Mr. Mutu were good managers of human and material resources.

Group tasks oil firm on establishment of flow station GROUP, Niger Delta Revolution Movement, has warned Seplat Petroleum in Delta State, against alleged plans to run their oil pipeline from Jesse in the state to Oben in Edo State.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, Chairman of the group's monitoring unit, Mr. Ben Ajogri, said

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rather than lay a pipeline, Seplat Petroleum should emulate Pan Ocean which built a flow station in Oghara, in the same local government area with Jesse with less than six oil wells.

He noted that if a flow station is built in Jesse, it will create jobs for unemployed youths and accrue revenue to the state government.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Lori-Ogbebor bags Centre for Democractic Governance award

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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AFRICA-SINGAPORE BUSINESS FORUM: From left: Mr. Kazeem Adedeji, Commissioner for Trade, Investment & Cooperatives, Oyo State; Ray Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore; Bola Adesola, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank; Haresh Aswani, Honorary Consul – General, Republic of Singapore to Nigeria and Mr. Adebayo Olagbenro, Commissioner for Industry, Applied Science & Technology, Oyo State, during the Africa-Singapore Business Forum, in Lagos.

ROMINENT wom en leader, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has been nominated for the award of Consistent Advocate of Good Governance by the Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa, CDGA. The award is in recognistion of her relentless fight for gender equality in the country and her numorous efforts at ensuring accountability in governance.

Briefing newsmen, yesterday, in Lagos, the Director General of the

Adinson Moha for burial COMMUNITY leader in Ibusa, Delta State, Mr. Adinson Moha, is dead, aged 65.

A statement by Mr. Ambrose Moha for the family, said burial ceremony will begin with a Vigil Mass on Thursday, June 7, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ibusa, followed by a wake keep at his residence. A Requiem Mass will be held at 12 noon next day at the same church followed by inter-

Court orders firm to evacuate products A from impounded vessels in N-Delta

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA ENAGOA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, handed over the court order, authorising the Nigeria Navy to allow the management of Femix Impex Company (Nigeria) Limited to evacuate the products in two vessels that were arrested by the Navy in the coastal region of Niger Delta.

The vessels, MT Berserk and MT Hope, are in the custody of NNS Delta.

Femix Impex Company was directed by the court not to engage in any acts outside the content of the court order to evacuate the products.

The representative of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ade Haastrup, formally handed over the court order to the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval

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Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin.

Speaking at the handling over ceremony in Yenagoa, Olutoyin said the two arrested vessels were in the custody of the Navy at NNS Delta.

He said, “With the handing over of the court order to the Navy, the unit where the arrested vessels are located, we will direct NNS Delta to allow the company, Femix Impex evacuate the product and ensure

Don't appoint Toby as Chairman of Council, UNIBEN unions warn FG

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—FRESH cri sis is brewing in the University of Benin, UNIBEN, as Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; National Association of Academics Technologists, NAAT and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan not to re-appoint the former chair-

man of the University Council and Chancellor, Dr. Gabriel Toby, as chairman of the yet to be reconstituted council of the university.

The unions threatened to down tools if their request was not considered in the reconstitution of the University Council, adding that the unions suffered neglect in their welfare during Toby's tenure as Chairman of the Council.

It will be recalled that Dr. Toby had insisted in the past that his tenure

Bayelsa inaugurates pensioners’ service as critical to gratuity review c'ttee licservice delivery, adding AYELSA State Gov ernment has set up a six-member committee, with a mandate to tackle all issues concerning the welfare of pensioners in the state.

Inaugurating the Pensioners’ Gratuity Review Committee at Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dick-

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compliance.”

Olutoyin, who decried the high incidence of illegal bunkering on the waterways of the region, urged the company to restrict its duty to evacuation of products in the arrested vessels.

son condemned the ugly trend where public servants, who had served the state meritoriously were denied their retirement benefits.

Governor Dickson, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Iworiso Markson, described pub-

that his administration was committed to improving the welfare of both serving and retired civil servants in the state.

He said: "We don’t want a situation where people serve with all their lives to give their best to this state, and when they retire, they are not sure of when to get their gratuities.”

as chairman of the university council, brought industrial harmony, which led to the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor for the University, after several months of dispute.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, yesterday, Mr. John Alile, SSANU Chairman; Mr. Sunday Momoh, Chairman NAAT and Mr. Joel Idonije, NASU, insisted that the university desired a Council Chairman who would appreciate the welfare of workers, no matter their offices.

They said: “Our persistent call on Mr. President to ignore those lobbying seriously to ensure that Toby was re-appointed is because of the crisis the university of Benin was embroiled in before the ascendancy of the current administration of the institution. It is not our wish that what happened then should repeat itself, however, we will not hesitate to explore all available means to make the university ungovernable if he is foisted on us."

Centre, Dr. Dafe Akpocha, said the award presentation ceremony would take place next week in Lagos.

He said: ‘’The award is to identify with the good leadership qualities of our respected amazon.

We have been following all her efforts at ensuring that there is good governance at all levels of government. Her belief that Nigerian women should have a prestigious place in all spheres of national life has been instrumental to the level of women empowerment in Nigeria.’’

ment at his Okponta Ibusa residence. He is survived by his widow, many children and relations.

Late Mr. Adinson Moha

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—13

Reps to probe oil block scam Continues from Page 8 He asked, Mr. Uwak to lead the debate on the motion which was seconded by Hon Kamil Abdulraheem Bashiru from Oyo State.

Uwak said that “the House should investigate the role the Federal Government played in the alleged round-tripping in the sale of OPL 245 oil block to and the immediate transfer of the fund to Malibu Oil and Gas Ltd.” “The tripartite arrangement is suspicious because the purpoted $1.092billion that was immediately transferred into the account of Malibu Oil and Gas Ltd did not follow due process and the pattern of distribution.”

Uwak further said: “The House should investigate whether the manner the issue was handled did not contravene the rules of the Code of Conduct and our anti-corruption laws. The fact that based on available

reports, the ethical and legal issues which surround the transaction have further been compounded by the manner of distribution of the proceeds of the sale after its receipts by Malabu Oil and Gas Company”.

He continued: “There are substantial grounds for the investigation of this matter because of the negative publicity which it has generated within Nigeria and abroad with consequences for our national image and credibility thereby making it necessary to present it before this Honourable House.”

It would be recalled that the transaction had elicited intense public attention in recent times leading to a denial of the presidency’s alleged complicity in the controversial deal.

The Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke has last Sunday denied culpability in the scam and claimed that it only played the roleofafacilitatorintheresolution of a long standing dispute.

Lagos reinstates sacked doctors NMA receives news with mixed feelings

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, CHIOMA OBINNA & MONSOOR OLOWOOPEJO

AGOS—THE longdrawn face-off between the Lagos State government and the Medical Guild took a dramatic twist yesterday as Governor Babatunde Fashola ordered the state Health Service Commission, HSC, to reinstate the sacked 788 doctors with immediate effect, even as the Nigeria Medical Association said it received the purported reinstatement with mixed feelings. The doctors were sacked three weeks ago in the wake of an industrial dispute in the state’s health sector.

Although the details of the reinstatement were not made available at press time, Vanguard gathered that the development came as a result of the appeals from concerned Nigerians, notably the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, who mandated the former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to prevail on Fashola to have a rethink on the issue.

It would be recalled that the indefinite strike embarked upon by the doctors who were supported by their counterparts in the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, over the sacked doctors began on April 24, 2012.

The doctors who were agitating for the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, alleged that government reneged in an agreement it entered with them over the CONMESS Fashola who gave the order for their reinstatement after an emergency meeting with Tinubu which kicked off immediately after the commissioning of the new Lagos State House of Assembly chamber, remarked: “One could not hear all those appeals of the common people on the streets of Lagos State and remain unmindful and unresponsive to their demands.”

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Negotiation continues He said: “It is in that light that I have consulted with the health service commission and they have assured me that the issue of dismissal will be suspended immediately. “It is now left for the doctors to return to work and regularise their status with the HSC who is their employer. And I hope that in the interest of our people they will seize this opportunity and let us get on with the developmental work that we are tasked

with at this time.”

The governor argued that the sack of the 788 doctors which further resulted into an indefinite strike of the doctors in the state employ was about institution and nothing more, adding “and how we can work together to provide developmental and quality healthcare for the residents of the state.”

He, however, commended the ACN and the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, for their intercessory role on the matter and clerics across the country who have chosen to mediate be-

institution that we all have developed. And he has repeated that the hiring and firing of the doctors is in the hands of the HSC, I am very much aware of it and I have to understand him.”

NMA reacts Meanwhile, the Nigeria Medical Association said it received the purported reinstatement of the sacked 788 Lagos doctors with mixed feelings. While the National President of the Association said it was victory to the medical profes-

NARD. We commend the doctors in Lagos state for standing very resolute and very firm.

“We can now get back to the negotiation table to see how the government can get more committed to the agreement it signed with the doctors.”

However, in his reaction, the State Chairman of NMA, Dr Edamisan Temiye who said the NMA Lagos was not part of the decision said there was no formal communication from the state government yet.

A ccording to him, “I have

BRIEFING—From right: Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Commissioner for Envinronment, Mr. Tunji Bello during a briefing calling on the sacked doctors to resume duty. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

tween both parties rather than to take side with one of the parties. “I want to thank residents of the state for their appeals, counsel on the issue. But I will like to assure them that we remain committed to provide the best service for them,” Fashola said.

Earlier, Tinubu who confirmed what transpired between both parties during the meeting, stated: “I have brought the appeal of all the leadership of the party and well meaning Nigerians and other organisations who are committed to the welfare of our people for him to be more flexible, for him to really look at the issue of the doctors on strike critically and I can say that he has agreed to suspend the question of the dismissal of those doctors and that they should go back to their duty post.

The former governor commended Fashola for looking at it from the perspective of the residents of the state. Tinubu, however, appeal to the doctors to immediately resume their work in earnest and forget this intractable position.

“We can solve all those problems; I don’t want to comment further until all parties respect this outcome, the governor all along has not been impossible, it’s a question of the

sion.

The Lagos State Branch of the Association and the Medical Guild described it as rumour, maintaining that neither the bodies were informed officially before the announcement was made.

Reacting yesterday, the National NMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele who described it as victory to the medical profession, commended the Lagos State doctors for ensuring that their labour rights were given full expression. Enabulele, noted that this reversal of the sack was a test to proof that the state government was ready to engage the doctors in meaningful negotiations to avert future crisis in the sector.

“This is a litmus test to proof the state government’s commitment to engage the doctors in meaningful negotiations. We believe that this is real and it comes with no conditions.

“We commend President Jonathan’s intervention and t other groups, such as the NUPENG, Association of Nigerian Students amongst others. It was a collective effort that led to the recall.

We want to appreciate ASSU, the Joint Action Front, NUPENG and our medical unions that supported the Nigerian Medical association, including

been at LUTH since morning and nobody contacted me about anything. We just heard it now. I hope it is not another government’s games. But if it is true, we are yet to authenticate it.

Until then, we will now know what action to take.

Medical Guild reacts The Chairman, MedicalGuild, Dr. Olumiyiwa Odusote told Vanguard that it was still a rumour to the doctors as they have not been communicated officially.

“The government had no choice but to reverse the sack after it had realised that the doctors would not back down or adhere to the terms which it gave to the Guild during negotiations and mediations led by the Nigerian Bar Association and the House Committee on Health.

According to Odusote, at the NBA-led negotiation meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday, officials of the state government which include the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe and the various ex-secretaries of health in the state had insisted that the 788 doctors that were sacked should write letters of apology to the Health Service Commission before they could be reinstated.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Tragedy as 23-yr-old UNN student hangs self

Orji blames dearth of infrastructure in Abia on past govts

BY ANAYO OKOLI

Leaves suicide note with the inscription "Controversy is over"

BY TONY EDIKE & CHINENYEH OZOR NUGU—A third-year student of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Mr. Onyebuchi Okonkwo, 23, yesterday, reportedly hanged himself, leaving a suicide note which read “The controversy is over.”

The student was said to have left his room in one of the male hostels at about 2 am apparently for his usual study in the classroom, but unfortunately his colleagues woke up to find his lifeless body dangling from a rope in the unfinished Franco Building beside the Hockey pitch on the campus.

Onyebuchi said to be in his early 20s was a leader in the Scripture Union.

Fondly called “Ozone”, the late student was studying on Shell scholarship and held the position of Course Representative for his department. Okonkwo hailed from Nkpor in Anambra State and his body was seen dangling at the hockey pitch with an electric cable tied to his neck, with his tongue thrusting.

Vanguard learnt at the scene of the incident that the deceased who wore a black T- shirt and boxers pants with his trousers folded, even as some his female classmates wept p r o f u s e l y .

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Text message to parents

over suicide mission Sources told Vanguard that the student who used to live with his parents at Onitsha, Anambra State, reportedly sent text messages to them hinting them of his intention to take his life, but it could not be ascertained whether the parents responded to the text before the unfortunate i n c i d e n t .

He was also said to have notified some of his roommates of his plan to commit suicide but this could not be confirmed by press time yesterday as the school authorities were said to have commenced investigations to ascertain why Onyebuchi purportedly killed himself.

One of his friends who spoke on the condition of

anonymity told Vanguard that he schooled with his late colleague at St. Charles Secondary School, Onitsha, explaining that two of them were long time friends from secondary school to the university.

Incident, shocking to us — Dean The Dean, Student Affairs Department of the university, Professor Chukwuemeka Oyeoku, described the incident as unfortunate and shocking.

“No matter what is the problem, the best is not to commit suicide. There is no problem shared with friends and relations that would not be solved. Today is a sad day for the university,” the don said.

Another close friend of the deceased who pleaded anonymity said Onyebuchi who was their class representative was not a poor student, noting that he

was on Shell and MTN scholarships, “I am surprised and shocked about what could have led him to take his life.”

“We attended lecture together on Wednesday afternoon at Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research. He sent me and some students text messages around 11.43pm to come and meet him in Cricket Pitch only for us to discover this morning that he has committed suicide,” the friend said.

The corpse of Onyebuchi, who was described as a peace-loving and brilliant student, was however removed by the police and deposited at the university’s medical centre mortuary yesterday.

Enugu CP orders investigation Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Daura,

ordered full investigation into the alleged suicide by Mr Onyebuchi.

According to the commissioner, the investigation was aimed at unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident, which many sympathizers have described as very unfortunate. ”The incident occured in the early hours of May 31, 2012 at a place in the institution called Franco Hockey Pitch where he allegedly hanged himself with a rope. The dead body of the deceased has been deposited in a nearby hospital for a post-mortem examination,” the police commissioner said through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu yesterday.

He, however, expressed shock over the incident and wondered why people should take their own lives for no just cause.

COMPETITION—From left: Mr Chima Chukwendu Okoro, Contestant; Mr. Sunny Bangera, LG (GM) IT Sales West Africa; Ijeoma Nnorom, Contestant; Mr Ashutosh Rahul, LG (GM) Retail West Africa; Mr Chukwu Phillips, Contesant; and Mr. Gberikon Lubem during LG cinema 3D competition in Lagos. Photo By Diran Oshe.

SSS arrests man for cloning Gov Elechi phone number

BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI— OPERATIVES of the State Security Services, SSS, in Ebonyi State, yesterday arrested one Ebube Mbonu for allegedly cloning Governor Martin Elechi’s phone number and using same to swindle top government officials of huge sums of money.

This came as five others, described as “notorious cable thieves” who specialized in stealing N i g e r i a Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Limited, NITEL, cables in Abakaliki, were also paraded at the headquarters of the state C o m m a n d .

Parading the suspects, SSS’s Assistant Director Operations and Intelligence, Mr. Damian Ihejirika, said the suspect was rounded up after investigation and monitoring of events surrounding his activities.

He pointed out that Mbonu had used the cloned Governor’s GSM number to send text messages to about 10 top government officials in the state, posing as Governor

Elechi and telling his victims to pay the sum of N300,000 into his (Mbonu’s) Eco Bank account number, warning them to keep it confidential.

The SSS Director said the messages which were sent out a few days to the recent visit of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to the state made some government officials to believe that the text m e s s a g e s actually originated from the governor and out of fear of losing their jobs, proceeded to call the number indicated in the text messages for further directives.

MUAHIA— GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State, has decried the perceived lack of interest shown by past administrations to the development of the state, claiming it was responsible for the dearth of infrastructures in the state.

The governor argued that he met the state without any solid foundation to build on and noted that the situation had made him to work extra-hard to see that the state compete with its contemporaries in the

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country.

Orji spoke during this year’s democracy day and first year of his second term in office as the governor of the state.

According to him, “as the former leaders were visionless, without direction, this is why the present administration under my leadership decided to correct the anomaly. But today we have built 210 health centres across the state, while general hospitals are being upgraded, since we do not want to preside over the affairs of sick people.”

Democracy remains best form of govt—Stakeholders

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & RITA OBOECHINA cross session of Nigerians at a seminar organised by the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, in Lagos, to mark the nation’s democracy, said in spite of the several shortcomings of the country’s, democracy remained the best form of government for Nigeria.

The Seminar titled “Strengthening Internal Union Democracy” was attended by labour leaders, workers, civil society organizations and university lecturers.

Speakers included

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Comrade Issa Aremu, General Secretary of NUTGTWN and Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Oladele Hunsu, President of NUTGTWN, Comrade Bension Opia, Head of NLC Parliamentary Liaison Office, Comrade Rufus OLusesan, Vice President of the National Union of Shops and Distributive Employees, NUSDE and Chairman Campaign for Workers Democratic Rights, CWDR and Prof Funmi Adewumi of Osun State University.

Comrade Aremu said the nation was celebrating democracy not for anything else but because it was better than other forms of government and called on Nigerians not to do anything to undermine it.

Communities leaders' warn indigenes For using name of Ihejirika to cause trouble

BY ANAYO OKOLI M UA H I A— LEADERS of Amaba and Ovim communities in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State have warned the indigenes to stop dropping the name of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt- Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, an indigene of the area, to cause trouble.

The warning followed the action of some youths who recently went to a popular market in the area, Ogwumabiri, located close to the railway line in Isuikwuato, to demolish the market and claimed that their action had the

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blessing of the COAS. Speaking separately with newsmen, the PresidentGenerals of both communities, Dr. Ezeagwula Madukwe for Amaba and Okechi Ndukwe for Ovim, condemned the use of Ihejirika’s name by unscrupulous groups or individuals from the two communities to cause trouble.

According to Dr. Madukwe, “the problem of who owns the land where the market is situated has been on since 1951 when the railway line came to the place, and was named the railway station Ovim instead of Amaba.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—15

NNPC's inefficiency costs Nigeria $65m—KPMG As Senate subpoenas Oando, Folawiyo, summons Okonjo-Iweala

BY HENRY UMORU BUJA—MORE revelations emerged, yesterday, as the Senate resumed its ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of fuel subsidy in the country, as the international auditing firm, KPMG, said inefficiency in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, costs the country $65 million from 2007 till December 2010.

KPMG also told the Senator Magnus Abe-led Joint Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Appropriations and Finance, that the Governing Council of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, was very weak, as most vital decisions of the organisation were taken by the Executive Secretary, Reginald Stanley.

While, answering questions from the Committee, a partner with KPMG, Dimeji Salaudeen, who denied receiving any letter from the Senate Committee, inviting the company, said: “We only received e-mail last night and also heard it on network news. What we did was to put aside every other business.

“We had today (yester-

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day) to ensure that we are here this morning (yesterday) because of our respect for the Committee and the Senate.”

On the work the company did during the subsidy regime, Salaudeen, said: “The work on the subsidy regime was commissioned in 2010 and what we were required to do was to review the subsidy regime and make recommendations to the Federal Government and the scope of our review was to cover the period from January 2007 to June 2010.”

The Committee, meanwhile, summoned the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and former Executive Secretaries of the PPPRA to appear before it on Tuesday next week. It also subpoenaed the Chief Executive Officers of Folawiyo and Oando Plc to appear next week or risk the full wrath of the law if they fail to appear.

Speaking further, the auditing firm alleged that PPPRA fraudulently paid about N25 billion to oil markers, adding that some unregistered companies were also mandated to import fuel into the country.

Salaudeen said: “We were required to review the subsidy regime. In the

course of our work, we had interactions with NNPC, PPPRA and with a few marketers. In the course of the work, we actually had major challenges.

“The bulk of the challenges had to do with getting information on a timely basis from a number of the participants. In some cases, we got complete information and made specific recommendations to the government.

“We found that N1.6 trillion was paid out as subsidy between 2007 and 2010, N460 billion per annum. We also observed that there was a lot of concentration in terms of particular people receiving the bulk of the sum. We found that 10 out of the marketers got over 80 percent of the total sum of allocations.

“If you consider the fact that as at the time we did our work, there were close to 70 marketers and that when the scheme started in 2007, they were only 14 marketers, the gate opened and certain participants, without ability to operate properly, were allowed in.

“We took the record, which was presented by PPPRA and did a straight review of the figure.”

ICPC investigates monetisation of exam marks mination of the commis- have to contend with the

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRIR

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B U J A — INDEPENDENT Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, yesterday, said it will investigate alleged collaboration of teachers and examiners in monetisation of examination marks for students.

Secretary to the commission, Mr. E. Oglafa, at the 2012 Children’s Forum, organised by the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, in Abuja, said: “The mandate of ICPC is to eradicate all vestiges of corruption in Nigeria and to restore the country to a level where it will take its pride of place among the comity of nations.”

Emphasising the deter-

sion to synergise efforts with CCB towards eradicating graft and corruption in private and public sectors of the economy, he warned that “deviants and those who find it difficult to imbibe the tenets of integrity will

laws of the land, as many of such will end up in jail.

“The saying that children are leaders of tomorrow may be a mirage for some children if they fail to imbibe the appropriate integrity codes.”

... as expert tasks parents on child grooming ANAGING Director of Tendercurls, Mr. Adesola Adetola, yesterday, urged parents to groom their children to become better leaders.

Adetola, who spoke at the commissioning of Tendercurls, a kiddies salon in Lagos, said parents should dream of providing environments where children and teenagers will be comfortably attended to in a manner that suits them and empower them to de-

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velop properly.

On Tendercurls, Adetola said the organisation had taken out time to provide multichannel televisions, and other amenities to create fun for the children, while they were being beautified.

He noted that from his various trips abroad, he had observed that children were often taken to adult salons where their rights and privileges were often trampled upon.

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY , JUNE 1, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE1, 2012 — 17

Sweet & SOUR

Donu Kogbara

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to rename the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Moshood Abiola University has not had the desired impact. Abiola’s family is, of course, pleased and grateful. I’m also touched by this development for personal reasons. Abiola, a great philanthropist and democratic icon, was close to my late father and was extremely kind to me and my siblings when we were youngsters. And I am friendly with a couple of his children.

And there have been smatterings of applause from more emotionally detached quarters.

But the nation’s reaction seems to have been pretty negative overall. Several prominent and regular citizens - including Yorubas who held their brother Abiola in high esteem, journalists who used to work for his newspaper (Concord) and democracy activists who solidly supported him during his lifetime and continue to revere him to this day - have roundly condemned the name change.

UNILAG students protesting the renaming of the school

Avoidable quarrel from his administration’s failures or of indulging in trivial, patronising gesture politics.

They are, in my opinion, being too curmudgeonly and too cynical.

Honours should sometimes be taken at face value and are sometimes sincerely offered for the right reasons; and a man who was imprisoned and (I think) murdered because he was the people’s choice, won

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I wouldn’t have dared to mess with the Unilag name if I had been in President Jonathan’s shoes! And I urge him to listen and be flexible and to kindly reverse his decision

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And quite a few have contacted me to express their displeasure.

Meanwhile, so many Unilag students took to the streets earlier on this week to protest that the campus has been closed down in order to facilitate the restoration of peace. And I know that a large number of current and former Unilag academic staffers are privately echoing the students’ frustration. And I can, to be honest, understand why some of the above are not happy. Now I don’t share the views of critics who are accusing the President of “playing to the gallery” or of trying to deflect attention

an election and became an obstacle to power-crazed rivals deserves to be remembered with immense respect. And what better way is there to display this immense respect and keep Abiola’s name alive than to emblazon his name on a major establishment?

However, why not pick a place that has a neutral and purely professional image? The Institute of International Affairs, for example, would have been a befitting and ideal place to rename after MKO, especially since he had a high international profile and was warmly received in many countries. When you have several

choices at your disposal, why risk controversy by choosing a place that inspires emotional reactions and has been around for ages and has acquired a strong identity of its own?

Unilag is not just an insipid label that merely reflects the location of a university. It is a very famous and longstanding (by Nigerian standards) brand.

And the general public in every country tends to become very jittery and tetchy when you tamper with brands they have grown up with and become attached to. I imagine that a similar outcry would ensue if Mr President or anyone else attempted to do away with cosily familiar household names like Milo or Super Eagles or Coke.

Furthermore, Unilag is not just a brand name or an anonymous set of buildings in which people earn a living or acquire degrees in law or physics or whatever. Unilag has been a treasured HOME to the millions of students and lecturers who have passed through it since it was founded.

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hey have slept there and eaten there and cried there and laughed there and learned how to stand on their own two feet there and matured there and fallen in love there and married in its chapel and reared their offspring in its residential spaces.

When I was a youth corps member in Lagos three decades ago, I often socialised with Unilag students and they

were always grumbling about their halls of residence or lecture theatres or professors. But it was obvious that they adored the place despite its shortcomings. And I know that it will always hold a dear place in their hearts because I am still in touch with some of these former students.

An educational institution that one has graduated from is often described as one’s “alma mater ” (or “nourishing mother ”) - very significant words that convey a deep bond between old schools and expupils. And I wouldn’t have dared to mess with the Unilag name if I had been in President Jonathan’s shoes! And I urge him to listen and be flexible and to kindly reverse his decision.

Feeling and bitterness To further illustrate the strength of feeling and bitterness that this issue has aroused, here is a letter a Vanguard reader who hails from Lagos State recently sent me: The sad irony is that the renaming has even attracted some hostility towards MKO himself.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has always been known to destroy institutions in Nigeria, due to their half-baked education and absolutely no exposure.

Goodluck Jonathan had to compound this trend further by changing an original institution, a renowned and

reputable University of Lagos, to Moshood Abiola University!!!

All in a desperate effort to please who?

He had to further prove to the world by this foolish act that the education sector in Nigeria is at the bottom of his agenda!

This confirms he is surrounded by dozens of clueless and sychophantic advisers and assistants who obviously did not attend an institution like UNILAG! I bet it was a political decision to make the ‘Yoruba folk’ happy. Well, he has just infuriated us further as the enlightened and exposed Yoruba indigenes understand the meaning of building and maintaining institutions as well as being proud of one’s ‘Alma Mater’. Who does a thing like this? Only a NIGERIAN President who thinks he can do as he pleases to gain political points! Thank God my scroll proudly reads ‘University of Lagos’.

MKO fought for democracy, agreed, but I would say it was for his ambitious spirit, anyway! He was brave enough to...(rebel) because he wined and dined with the monsters who killed him with a ‘stab in the back. He didn’t attend UNILAG and none of his children, I dare say, attended either.

There are other monuments that could have been named after him and a host of schools already bear his name! Like it or not, I would not be proud to announce that I am a graduate of MKO University! So this ‘spineless government’ should reinstate the name ‘UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS’ and learn from institutions like ‘Oxford, Cambridge, Havard, Yale, to name a few, and never mix politics and education, ever.

Reinstate the UNILAG name Goodluck Jonathan!

Please circulate this email till he is haunted, whether asleep or awake, and surrenders to the voice of reason - the masses that made him President!

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 THE most strident argument Central Bank of Nigeria makes for its autonomy – best international practices – is also one of the weakest points, if it is to convince Nigerians it has a right to supervise itself.

How did “best international practices” serve Europe and America whose economies are in a mesh? Were their central banks not independent when banks and other financial institutions put their economies in a spin?

Central banks in Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the United States of America enjoy autonomy. Is there anything in the state of their economy to recommend their “best international practices” to Nigeria?

Agreed we cannot operate outside the international financial system, but our aspirations should be to make the best of our membership of the international community for the benefits of our people.

Every economy has its peculiarity, possibly caused by the ways of its people. The major function of CBN is to create stability in the economy. It is a business it should approach with transparent perspicacity that

CBN – We Need To Know leaves no doubt that it wants to serve the interest of Nigerians. If it happens, Nigerians would be falling over themselves to award it more room to foster the growth of the economy.

Concerns of the National Assembly over CBN may be doused in the Nigerian’s growing loss of faith in anything from the National Assembly, but they are genuine. It could be dangerous to dismiss them.

In what ways would an independent CBN serve Nigerians better? How would an autonomous CBN regulate its processes to avoid internal abuses that could provide worse shocks than the worst political interferences? Has CBN found answers to its auditors who award banks high marks in

approving their accounts and within months the banks are bankrupt?

Fears abound about unbridled freedom for any institution, particularly of a kind that would come with minimal accountability.

CBN, in addition to seeking independence, must grow its internal capacity to manage its affairs on which the economy rests.

Arguments at the National Assembly reflect different interests. Everyone has a reason for curbing another’s freedom. The more freedom CBN has, the less room for another institution to operate. CBN must appreciate the dynamics of positions and provide evidences it would manage its autonomy to the benefit of the economy.

If economies in more organised spheres collapsed right under the attentive watch of their central banks, then the stand that autonomy is the panacea for economic growth and stability would deserve more scrutiny. CBN needs to articulate its aspirations in a better way. We may understand the benefits of autonomy for central banks, but how would it work in Nigeria? CBN needs to tell us.

OPINION

BY OCHI NOSIRI

HE article published on page 20 of Thisday newspaper of Thursday May 3, 2012, whose title alluded to alleged racketeering in the FCTA Health Department makes interesting reading.

This writer has, after reading the level of impunity, flagrant abuse of due process and acts of corruption exhibited by some officials of the Health and Human Services of FCTA, been expecting either a denial of these irregularities by the concerned officials or a statement by the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory indicating that the complaints by the security companies have been addressed satisfactorily and the erring civil servants have been brought to book. Since none of these has been done till date, it means that the business as usual situation in the department has been allowed to go on.

In the past few months, the Nigerian media have been inundated with news of embezzlement of billions of naira of Police pensions and other retirees pension funds, billions of naira embezzled in fuel subsidy scam, misappropriation of funds in the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and racketeering in the FCT Lands Department. And now this – award of security contracts to themselves by officials of the FCTA Health and Human Services Department.

These negative news about Nigeria makes the country rank high in the world corruption index and our nationals subjected to the worst forms of indignity when they travel abroad.

The revelations of corrupt activities by the FCTA Health and Human Services Department officials call for the immediate intervention of the Minister of FCT to prevent the sleaze by his staff constituting a dent on the good image he has as one of the performing ministers in the

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Allegations of corruption: FCT Minister must intervene President Goodluck administration.

Some pertinent questions arise from the said story published in Thisday. *Why should the Department terminate the services of the firms it engaged for security services without paying them for services rendered? *Why should the Department engage new security firms without complying with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act which include advertisement in at least one national newspaper and public opening of tenders? *Why should the Department engage new security firms that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission? *Why should the new firms not be registered with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, as required by law? *Why should the new firms be engaged at over 500 percent increase of the fees paid to the disengaged firms?

Questions, questions and more questions

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t is even alleged that the newly engaged firms are companies owned by some of the Health Department officials; that is, the officials are working and being paid by the FCTA and in addition they are securities services contractors to the FCTA when duly registered security companies that went through competitive tendering had their contracts terminated without being given any

reasons.

It is clear to any observer of this ugly situation that the reason for the termination of the contracts of the security firms was to make way for engagement of the firms owned by the contractor-civil servants in the Health and Human Services Department of the FCT. The Minister of the FCT should expose the officials involved in this contract racketeering and discipline them for their acts of corruption and disregard of the nation’s extant laws.

This shameful and embarrassing situation further calls for the intervention of the officials of the ICPC and EFCC. They cannot continue to sit idle at their desk while some public servants converts millions of naira public funds into their pockets using phoney companies. If they intend to become security contractors, they should resign their appointments and duly register their companies accordingly. In this way, they will be in a position to compete with other Nigerians outside for the security jobs in the FCTA Health and Human Services Department.

They cannot be working and being paid both as civil servants and security contractors.

The anti-corruption crusade, a component of President Goodluck Jonathan’s National Transformation Agenda must succeed. It is the duty of every Nigerian to contribute to the success of the crusade by exposing acts of corruption whenever and wherever it is observed. The irregularity presently going on in the FCTA Health and Human Services Department with respect to its security services must not go unchallenged.

The erring officials should be called to order.

The FCT Minister should act accordingly. *Mr. Nosiri, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 — 19

, HE prevailing theory among scientists, reports the Mangrove Action Project, is that the plant originated in the Indonesia-Malaysia (Indo-Malaysia) area.

Between 66 and 23 million years ago, it apparently migrated, via ocean currents, westward to India and east to South and Central America From South America, the theory holds, currents carried the mangrove to the Caribbean Islands, from where it colonized the eastern USA and eventually found its way to Africa.

This, some investigators believe, explains why Mangrove species in West Africa, the USA and the Caribbean are similar.

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“The mangrove swamps of Nigeria and of West Africa generally,” wrote R.W.J. Keay, a British Forestry official in Ibadan, in 1948, “from the River Senegal to Angola, are similar in composition to those of the Atlantic shores of America and its neighbouring islands”.

According to S.A. Abere and B.A. Ekeke, of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the mangrove swamps in Nigeria cover a total of 10,000 square km and extend from Badagry in the West to Calabar in the East.

They form a 15 km to 45 km “vegetation band” along our coast, consisting of soil that is inundated regularly by salt

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water.

“The mangrove region is widest,” they write, “on the sides of the Niger Delta 35 km – 45km and narrows towards the centre to a width of 15km except for the channel of the Brass River, which has extensive mangroves far upstream”.

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igeria’s coastal wetlands are rich in biodiversity.

But investigators generally agree that the mangrove population consists mainly of six species which fall into three families. The most important family is Rhizophora—the red

DDC machines: ACN’s dishonesty and INEC’s clarifications

BY JOHN AINOFENOKHAI HERE is desperation in the political space of Edo State. Blackmail and intimidation have been freely deployed against public policy and legal obligation in order to gain what vested interests might have taken as electoral advantage.

The critical victim of this extreme measure is the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, in the State that is provided for in law to take place ahead of the scheduled July 14, 2012 governorship election, and which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has unilaterally suspended until after the election.

No one, not even the Commission, has contradicted the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the decision by the Commission to suspend the exercise was not done in consultations with the political stakeholders in the State.

Although the decision was announced by Professor Attahiru Jega in his opening remarks at a meeting with the stakeholders on Friday, May 18, 2012 in Abuja, one is still at a loss why Jega did not make it an agenda issue for discussion so that a consensus could be reached on it towards reaching an acceptable decision.

That development is what has continued to question the propriety of the Commission’s decision. Shouldn’t the Commission have sounded out the political stakeholders and weighed their positions against the provisions of the Electoral Act? In fact, rather than douse the tension and “the charged political atmosphere and the serious threat to law and order” as claimed by the Commission, the decision to suspend the exercise until after the election has now created a potential legal basis for disadvantaged parties to proceed against the outcome of the election.

The point must be made that the Commission, in unilaterally taking the decision to suspend the critical pre-election prerequisite, would appear to have pandered to the whimsical strategy of Oshiomhole of making the wild allegation of a plot by the PDP and the Commission to manipulate the voters registration.

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He did not stop at making the unsubstantiated allegation; he had also mobilised protesters to march on and lay siege to the INEC office in Benin. In that process, a death was recorded and several people were injured. But significantly, an INEC official was manhandled, beaten and recorded on camera for being in possession of Direct Data Capture Machines, DDMCs. Oshiomhole’s claim was that the man, acting the script of the PDP, had been secretly registering fake voters ahead of the commencement of the exercise. He had latched on the “arrest” of the INEC official to reinforce his party, Action Congress of Nigeria, allegation the previous day, Sunday, May 13, 2012, that the PDP and the Commission had perfected a plot at a meeting in Abuja to mutilate the Edo voter register.

The allegation by Oshiomhole with regards to the apprehended INEC official with DDC machines was treated by the Commission as very critical even though it did not rush to make a statement about it.

Initially, I had thought there was a quiet concert between Oshiomhole and Jega, perhaps because of their union background, to allow the Comrade- Governor run rings round the PDP, put the party on the spot and succeed in demonizing it.

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ertain actions and inactions had given rise to this notion. For instance, why did Jega unilaterally announce the suspension of the CVR without allowing the matter to be discussed first at the stakeholders’ meeting? Why did he shy away at the meeting from mentioning the siege to the INEC office in Benin by Oshiomhole and his co-protesters comprised of drivers and ruffians?

It is possible that the Commission was at the point, when it appeared to be vacillating, yet to be availed with the outcome of its investigations into the incident. The silence of the Commission while the investigations lasted was quite worrisome. It had tended to give credence to Oshiomhole’s allegation of criminal complicity between the Commission and the PDP. But now, not anymore!

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Mangroves: A vanishing resource (2)

Any typical lover of nature would marvel at what we have and take for granted; I am currently on a tour of other civilisations and what I have come to learn is we are simply the best

mangrove—which makes up about 90 percent of the population.

Rhizophora has contributed immensely to the identity of the Niger Delta, both by its beauty and its distinctive traits. Too often in our struggle to right the wrongs of this society called Nigeria we forget the little things. In the pool of self-pity that many a citizen has waded, the positives are sacrificed for the negatives. With the reader ’s forbearance, therefore, I would like to digress a bit and discuss this plant in some detail.

Rhizophora is not only more abundant but it is also the biggest of all mangrove plants in Nigeria. Keay notes that one species, R. racemosa “can reach 150 feet in height and eight feet in girth”. In addition to its size and reddish colour, you can also easily identify Rhizophora by its famous stilted root system.

“The most important feature of the mangrove forest,” Keay avers, “is the stilt roots of Rhizophora”. But these roots, he notes do not penetrate deeply into the ground.

Instead, they divide into a gauze-like mat, just beneath the surface, and extend outward from the tree.

Thus the red mango “stands upon a system of arches

The decision to suspend the voters registration until after the election is patently wrong and unjustifiable, especially in the letter and spirit of the Electoral Act as amended in

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The Commission has now come up with an official statement, which was published as paid advertorial in, at least, three national newspapers (Vanguard, The Nation and Saturday Sun all of May 26, 2012) wherein it confirmed that the official allegedly manhandled by Oshiomhole and his co-protesters was in its employ and how he happened to be in legitimate possession of two DDC machines as of the time he was apprehended near INEC office in Benin on Monday, May 14, 2012.

The statement signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Abdullahi A. Kaugama said that the “person allegedly caught with the DDCM is a bona fide staff of INEC. He is an Assistant Executive Officer at the Igueben Local Government Area office of the Commission”. The Commission said: “He duly signed for, and collected two DDCMs and other training materials from the ICT Unit of the INEC State Office in Benin City for the training of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members and INEC staff shortlisted to serve as Assistant Registration Officers, AROs, during the CVR exercise.”

Determined to fully account and expose Oshiomhole’s dishonesty and desperate political antics, the Commission had further stated that: “He (official) had used the DDCMs and other materials for training the officers drawn from three Local Government Areas, namely: (i) Esan North, (ii)Esan Southeast, and (iii) Igueben. The training started on Friday, May 11th and ran till late on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Local Government Council Hall in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government

entirely supported by a thick felt raft of its own making. An ordinary root system,” Keau continues, “ would obviously be unable to support a large tree on such a swampy ground”.

Finally, Rhizophora stands out as well, because of its unique reproductive system, which I mentioned earlier. Its seeds actually germinate while still hanging on the tree.

The parent tree actually drops the seedling into the mud as a complete plant, with a strong 12-inch root already formed.

A knowledge of Rhizophora’s fascinating biology—and that of other flora and fauna in the Niger Delta--should be taught at every level of our educational system. It should also but be part of the training of boatmen, tour guides pilots, drivers and other individuals who have continuous contact with the public. Any typical lover of nature would marvel at what we have and take for granted.

I am currently on a tour of other civilisations and what I have come to learn is we are simply the best. My prayer is one day leaders we lead us to this realisation. I thank God for the Mangroves.

To be continued.

Area.

“Similar training held at Fugar (for Etsako Central, and Etsako East), Auchi (Etsako West and Akoko Edo), Afuze (Owan East and Owan West), Abusu (Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde), Ekpoma (Esan West and Esan Central), Okada (Ovia South West and Ovia North East) and benin City (Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor)”.

According to the Commission: “Investigations showed that he was returning with the DDCMs to the INEC state office in Benin City at about 8.10 am on Monday, May 14th, when he ran into protesters who had laid siege on the entrance to the premises. Apparently sensing danger from the protesters, he was advised by some costaff to take shelter for a while in the adjoining Court of Appeal premises, where the protesters eventually tracked him down and manhandled him.

Forensic examination of the DDCMs found with him revealed the data of only a handful of corps members who were registered with the machines, apparently as part of the training practical(s)”.

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ut while I commend the painstaking efforts by the Commission to put the lie to Oshiomhole’s claim and thus expose his dishonesty, I still believe that the decision to suspend the Continuous Voters Registration until after the election is patently wrong and unjustifiable, especially in the face, letter and spirit of Section 9(5) of the Electoral Act as amended in 2010.

By that decision, the Commission had, because of Oshiomhole’s unsubstantiated allegations, shenanigans, morbid fear and desperation, disenfranchised thousands of Edo people and residents who have turned 18 years since after the last registration/ election in the State from being captured and accommodated in a register that would have been updated for use during the July 14, 2012 governorship election.

Is Edo State sitting on a tinderbox because of this massive and widespread disenfranchisement occasioned by the CVR suspension? Is a potential conflict due to the inherent infraction of the electoral law brewing? Time will tell.

How the disenfranchised persons, political parties and the Commission will react to this breach of the provision of the Electoral Act if the issue goes into the judiciary arena for litigation. *Mr. Ainofenokhai, a political analyst, wrote from Benin, Edo State.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

UNILAG students during the protest

This caused a gridlock that lasted for hours as some passengers disembarked and resorted to trekking, while others had to terminate their journey. Some motorists who spoke with Vanguard Metro expressed dissatisfaction at the protest and called on government to prevent further occurrences. Also, the protest caused panic and apprehension among residents of the area as many of them scampered for safety, while the situation was almost hijacked by hoodlums but for the timely intervention of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police , Mr. Umar Manko, who arrived the scene and restored sanity in the area.

Meanwhile, the University board through its radio station has announced the closure of the institution for two weeks and asked students to vacate the school premises before 11am of that day.

Residents react Reacting to the development, some residents of Yaba and its en-

Photos: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Day of rage over change of name for UNILAG •Renaming is not our problem — Residents

N his Democracy Day speech of Tuesday, May 29, 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the renaming of University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos. But what was expected to elicit joy and praise had immediately sparked off outrage among students and lecturers of the institution. The institution was renamed after Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola, who died on July 7, 1998 while fighting to validate his June 12, 1993 presidential mandate.

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Before this time, the institution had lost two of its staff to death within the month of May: the Vice Chancellor, Professor Tokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe died at the age of 62 on Saturday, May 12 and another lecturer from the Department of Creative Art, Chief E.A. Bassey who died a week after.

Sofoluwe’s corpse was still in the mortuary with a service of songs slated for Tuesday, May 29, 2012 when Mr President made the pronouncement that has since thrown the institution into turmoil, with students and lecturers now protesting in the streets.

They anchor their protests on the claim that UNILAG was not

the most appropriate institution to be named after the late politician.

The protesters barricaded the main gate of the institution, thus preventing entrance in and out of the school from where they marched to Abule-Oja and the school’s environs, singing anti- President Jonathan songs.

During the protest that lasted for hours, commuters and motorists were forced to place leaves on their heads and vehicles as the protesters blocked the Yaba end of the Murtala Muhammed way for over 30 minutes and it took the effort of the Lagos State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mr. Tunde Sobulu to

Umoh said the occasion was meant to make the children feel good on their day, adding: “As May 27 of every year is mapped out for children, Instinct Events will be organising events yearly for children to make them feel good on their day. This event is unusual and celebrated with a difference, adding fun unlimited, learning and at the same time, reap the purpose of being present”.

Some children who spoke with Vanguard Metro said the event, titled Kids Funtacia was fun unlimited, educative and informative as well as a source of empowerment. No wonder many of them arrived early for the Red

Carpet which took place around 9am before the commencement time of 11am.

The children were treated to a variety of Funtacia, fun, games, choreography, competitions and skills acquisition like corporate gifts packs wrapping and bead making as well as indoor and outdoor programmes. There was no dull moment as some of them danced with a gospel artist, Faith Joshua who graced the event.

“The less privileged children from five homes came to mix up with the privileged ones for free, as there is no difference between them; they deserve to have fun and interact with one another,” he added.

arrest the situation.

While Lagosians thought the protest was over, the protesters caught everybody unawares the following day as they blocked the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. Many of them marched from their main campus at Akoka, Yaba through Herbert Macaulay Street to the Adekunle link bridge carrying various placards and singing solidarity songs.

Some of the placards read: “We remain UNILAG”, “Jonathan re-

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STORIES BY BOSE ADELAJA

virons said the protest prevented them from getting to their respective places of work but added that it was a step in the right direction and blamed government for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.

“The protest really affected us but I am happy the students were able to send a signal to the Federal Government; this is not the time for renaming,” said two residents of Alagomeji, Keji Tiamiyu and Teem Bakare.

Also, a resident of Adekunle and

The protest really affected us but I am happy the students were able to It’s fun all the way for 2000 less privileged children send a signal to the Federal Government, this is not the time for renaming

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T was fun all the way for some less-privileged children in Lagos as about 2000 of them were feted at an event to commemorate the children’s day.

The event which was the first of itskind by InstinctEventstookplace at Lobby D Entrance Hall and the Entrance C Lawn of the National Theatre Iganmu was used to empower some of the children.

Speaking with Vanguard Metro after the event, Chief Executive Officer of Instinct Events, John Umoh, promised to make it a yearly experience and tasked parents to nurture and protect the Nigerian child as a veritable asset of the country.

verse this decision”, “Jonathan had no shoes, we gave him bata,” among several others. Some of them trooped to areas like Alagomeji, Yaba, Sabo and Ikorodu road, restricting vehicular activities for hours.

As a result of the protest, commuters and motorists were stranded for about four hours as the protesters barricaded the affected areas. The protest was heightened at Fadeyi Bus-stop as two BRT buses were hijacked by the protesters and used to barricade the two sides of the road, thereby preventing vehicular activities. Many of them sat on the bus while others hung on it.

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President of Soul Winning Chapel, Dr. Moses Iloh, condemned the renaming and hailed the students for the protest. “The government is taking us for a ride; there are so many issues to address in this country but President Goodluck Jonathan chose to be adamant.

Boko Haram has killed many people, there is doctors’ strike in Lagos and nothing was done. Who asked him to recognise the late M.K.O. Abiola? Renaming of the school is not our problem. Mr. President is surrounded with a bunch... who have advised him wrongly, the students were not armed after all,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 — 21

Informal workers call for massive investment in critical sectors

By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG EDERATION of Informal Workers of Nigeria, FIWON, has called for massive investment in the critical sectors of the economy and called on the government to ensure a conducive working environment for workers especially those in the informal sector.

The umbrella body for the informal workers in the country specifically demanded investment in decent work place, basic shelter, potable water and storage facilities to provide conducive working environment for them.

FIWON, in a statement by its General Secretary, Comrade Gbenga Komolafe, to mark 2012 Democracy Day, lamented that despite the fact that the informal sector constituted over 80 per cent of the Nigerian population contributing over 65 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, their working environment remained makeshift, hazardous and precarious with oppressive regulatory controls.

According to the statement, whereas informal workers constitute over 80 per cent of the Nigerian population contributing over 65 per cent of the GDP, the environment of work of informal workers remain makeshift, hazardous and precarious; regulatory controls remain oppressive, contradictory and uncoordinated with informal workers suffering needless harassment, intimidation and extortion in the streets daily. Infrastructures and services remain primitive and hazardous in the absence of decent public toilets, potable water, electricity, sanitation and good decent workspace including storage facilities; social protection especially health insurance, disability and old age pension are non-existent while the elitist governance structures have no space for informal workers’ representation with appropriate bargaining

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framework, not even at the level of local governments that are supposed to be the closest governance structure to the grassroots informal economy operators.”

“The over 70 million people toiling away in the informal sectors of the economy in Nigeria, in the light of the foregoing therefore, on this occasion of 2012 Democracy Day, calls on all tiers of government in Nigeria to invest more in the provision of critical infrastructure especially decent work spaces with sanitation, basic shelter against the elements, potable water

-0.80

2,094.00

-11.00

19.64

+0.06

106.89

+0.34

90.87

+0.21

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING CFA KRONER EURO POUNDS RIYAL SDR FRANC DOLLAR WAUA YEN RENMINBI

0.2768 26.176 194.5362 242.9266 41.2623 234.926 161.8047 154.75 234.0918 1.949 24.3865

0.2868 26.2606 195.1648 243.7115 41.3956 235.6851 162.3275 155.25 234.8482 1.9553 24.4658

0.2968 26.3452 195.7933 244.4964 41.5289 236.4441 S 162.8503 155.75 235.6045 1.9616 24.545

CBN Exchange rate as at 31/05/2012 C M Y K

respect, we reiterate our call for social pension for those aged 65 years and above, as well as the disabled, and broadening the scope of the National Health Insurance Scheme to include informal workers.”

“This only conforms to Section 16 (2d) of the Nigerian constitution which states “that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”.

Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola (left) , in a warm handshake with Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State when the Management of the Bank visited the Governor in Abia.

Nigeria, Singapore bi-lateral trade rises by 25% — Standard Chartered

By PETER EGWUATU

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and toilet as well as storage facilities to provide conducive working environment for informal workers. As the Nigerian government proceeds to the International Labour Conference of the ILO in Geneva next month where a new recommendation on a minimum provision for social protection would be adopted, it is also important for the government to key into this global campaign for minimum social security provision for healthcare, disability, and old age by putting appropriate mechanisms in place for implementing these. In this

TANDARD Chartered Bank has restated its readiness to facilitate trade between Nigeria and Singapore as Nigeria was Singapore’s 51st largest trading partner in 2011 with bilateral trade rising 25 per cent from 2010 figures to S$481.5 million.

In a statement, the bank stated that the exports from Nigeria accounted for 83 per cent of the total trade value.

Primary exports include refined petroleum products, heating and cooling equipment, and ship and boat parts, with Singapore’s main imports being base metal ores, followed by oil seeds and telecommunications equipment.

The bank said it will be hosting representatives from 15 Singapore companies in Nigeria this week, part of the Singapore Business Federation’s (SBF) official tour to two West African economies, Nigeria and Benin.

According to statement from the

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bank, “Given Standard Chartered boasts a strong presence in Singapore and Nigeria, the Bank is ideally positioned to facilitate key business introductions for the visiting delegates, as well as provide valuable insight into the dynamics of doing business in Nigeria and more broadly, West Africa.”

Delegation aims to initiate and enhance commercial trade and investment links between West Africa and Singapore.

Bola Adesola, CEO of Standard Chartered Nigeria said, “We have deep, local knowledge of both Africa and Asia and will continue to provide the necessary financial tools and strategic advice to Asian companies doing business in Africa – assisting sustainable economic development in both regions. This is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase Nigeria and West Africa’s investment and growth opportunities. Standard Chartered is perfectly placed to facilitate and support Africa-Asia trade and investment corridors, and we are

delighted to host Singapore business representatives in Nigeria, promoting business partnerships which stand to benefit the economies of both regions for many generations to come.”

As a strategic partner of the Singapore Business Federation and mission leader of the Singapore business delegation’s visit to Nigeria and Benin, Standard Chartered’s Singapore CEO, Ray Ferguson added, “Singapore companies cannot afford to ignore Africa from their expansion plans as the continent is now among the fastest growing regions in the world. On the other hand, Singapore’s impressive attributes as a key regional trading centre, the world’s busiest port, and a top location for investments in Asia have also led companies in Africa to view Singapore as a gateway to the rest of Asia. “ Continuing, he said, “This is why in 2010, Standard Chartered formed a strategic partnership with the Singapore Business Federation for the establishment of the Africa Business Group (AFBG).

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Stockbroker seeks establishment of more stock exchanges

By NKIRUKA NNOROM financial expert and the Managing Director, Maxifund Securities Limited, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, has called for the establishment of more stock exchanges across the nation, saying that the demutualization of the current exchange

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without providing alternative trading points will portend danger for the entire economy.

Unegbu who spoke at the Bi-monthly discourse of Financial Correspondents Association of Nigeria, in Lagos, said that provision of alternative markets will not only break the stranglehold of monopoly, but will

promote competition among the various exchanges.

He argued that demutualization of the current stock exchange without an alternative will ground the activities of the stock market to a halt in case of any eventualities.

“It is dangerous to have monopoly in business. That monopoly holds all the power. If

you now say you want to demutulaise that particular monopoly without other competing organizations, you are going to have problem.

Supposing something happens to that privately owned business, like some banks that have failed in this country; supposing in those banks that failed there is no NDIC to pay people their

N100,000, N200,000, and there is no other bank to go to, what will happen? The system will be grounded to a halt.

“So why I am personally calling for establishment of more exchanges is so that if we demutualise the current stock exchange and something goes wrong with it, there will be an alternative that you can go to refinance your stock,” he said.

“Assuming you have the shares of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) and they demutualise the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and because of the greed of capitalism, because of the greed of one director or a staffer, or because of so many other things that can affect that business, because it has to compete with other exchanges outside Nigeria and something happens to it, and you have the shares of First Bank to sell, but there is

no alternative window, there will problem.

Secondly, if that thing happens, people that want to raise money cannot. So you are going to have the problem of illiquidity and problem of not being able to raise developmental capital for the market; but if there are alternatives, you don’t need to depend on that. You can take your shares to other exchange to raise money with your shares,” he added.

He noted that efforts should be concentrated in encouraging the local investors to patronize the market rather than pursuing the foreign investors, saying that exit of over 80 per cent foreign investors in 2008 worsened the impact of the global crises in the market.

His word, “the problem we had was that the moment Nigeria had problem in 2008, those foreign investors dumped their shares, made their money and ran away.”

NCR optimistic of improved profitability, eyes increased ATM sale From left: Chairman, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Group Captain Salami Murtala Osuolale (Rtd); Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Adeolu Bajomo; and Group Managing Director, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Mr. Adebola Akindele, at the presentation of Courteville Business Solutions Facts Behind the Figures on Wednesday at the Exchange in Lagos.

Courteville has recorded consistent profit, dividends for 3 years — Akindele

BY PETER EGWUATU & CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

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OURTEVILLE Business Solutions Plc, a quoted entity on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has recorded consistent profit in the past three (3) years from 2009 to 2011, Managing Director/CEO of the company, Mr. Adebola Akindele has said.

Speaking at the company’s fact behind the figures presentation of its 2011 financials, Akindele said, “Despite the harsh operating e n v i r o n m e n t experienced within these periods, we are able to meet our promises and projections because the company is well focused and determined to succeed in its operations by initiating local products. So Courteville

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since listing on the floor of the NSE in 2009 has been consistent in declaring profit, from 2009 to 2011.

He stated that the firm has posted a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N181, 144,102 million, 179,427,759 million and N245, 353,061 million in years 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“The Board has proposed a dividend of 5 kobo for the financial year 2011 subject to shareholders’ approval at the forth coming Annual General Meeting (AGM). This represents 11.11 per cent growth from 4.5kobo in 2010. In 2009 and 2010 we had paid three kobo in 2009. The dividend yield in 2011 was 10 per cent from 9 per cent in 2010, representing a growth of 11.11 per cent growth. P/E Ratio in

2011 stood at 6.03x from 8.25x in 2010, Earning yield in 2011 was 16.5 per cent from 12.12 per cent in 2010, representing 36.79 per cent growth.”

Other performance indicators show 36.2 per cent growth in turnover to N855.6 million in 2011 from N627.83million in 2010; Other Income grew by 7.68 per cent to N259.74 million in 2011 from N241.20milllion in 2010 ; Gross profit percentage improved by 4.52 per cent to 42.55 per cent in 2011 from 38.03 per cent in 2010; Net profit margin remain relatively stable at 28.68 per cent in 2011from 28.59 in 2010.

While analysing its operations, the Courteville boss said, “ Our Motor Vehicle Administration Documentation (MVAD)

is currently deployed in 18 States and in the Republic of Sierra Leone.

We also have 3rd Party motor vehicle insurance marketing and sales application and Remote Document verification device currently deployed for FRSC, LASTMA and three other State Governments as well as for NIID.” Furthermore, he said the company has Remote Data Capture mobile application that can be deployed on a simple mobile phone.

On the future outlook of the company, Akindele said the company will iincrease concentration on e-business solutions; expand into the African & Caribbean market; as well as enhance its existing Egole ecommerce platform and creation of universal.

BY MICHAEL EBOH CR Nigeria Plc has expressed optimism of a significant improvement in its financial performance in the years ahead following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent reversal of the directive on offsite Automated Teller Machines, ATM. Speaking at the 60th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos, Chairman of the company, Otunba Adekunle Ojora said the directive stopping banks from setting up offsite ATM impacted negatively on its revenue base and profitability as it concentrated on the service and maintenance of existing ATMs with a minimal number of sales of new ATM to banks.

Specifically, he said the company has recorded significant improvement in the sale of ATMs in the current financial year and is optimistic that the sale will impact positively on its financials by the end of the 2012 financial year.

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The company, despite a 40 per cent growth in its turnover, recorded significant decline in its operating profit, profit before tax and profit after tax for its 2011 financial year.

It recorded a turnover of N2.855 billion, rising from N2.042 billion recorded in its 2010 financial year.

Ojora attributed the increase in its turnover to the cashless economy policy of the CBN, as well as the reversal of the offsite ATM directive Its operating profit, however, dipped by 67 per cent to N369.275 million, from N1.104 billion in 2010; profit before tax stood at N369.681 million, dropping by 65 per cent from N1.061 billion recorded in 2010, while profit after tax dipped by 73 per cent from N721.586 million recorded in 2010 to N196.646 million in the year under review.

Despite the decline in its profit, the company declared a dividend of N345 million, representing a dividend per share of N3 for its shareholders.

Vanguard, FRIDAY , JUNE 1, 2012—23

Financial experts explain need for CBN autonomy Stories by BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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INANCIAL experts said that the autonomy of the Central Bank is a critical to macroeconomic growth and stability.

“The formal autonomy of the central bank is a pre-requisite for macroeconomic stability in Nigeria., said Samir Gadio, Emerging Markets Strategist, Standard Bank London.

Commenting on-going efforts to amend the CBN Act, he said, “There is such a wide consensus on this concept both in Nigeria and externally that one can only wonder about the real motivations behind the proposed bill to amend the CBN Act. If passed, the new legislation would be a major setback for the reform process and price stability…a setback of such magnitude that it is still unclear whether the authors of the bill genuinely want it to be adopted.

Unlike the present Act which makes the CBN governor as the chairman of the board and the Deputy governors as board members, the proposed amended CBN bill would provide for the appointment of a Chairman of the CBN Board (in reality a political appointee) and the exclusion of CBN Deputy Governors and Directors from the Board.

Annual budget Also, the Board would include representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the AccountantGeneral of the Federation. Furthermore, the bill seeks to divest the Board of the power to consider and approve the annual budget of the central bank.

“Generally, we (RenCap) think all central banks across the world, not just the CBN, should be independent so that they are not influenced in terms of policy direction,” said Yvonne Mhango , Vice President, SubSaharan Africa Economist, Renaissance Capital (RenCap) “You have the government that has the treasury under their management and controls fiscal policy. Fiscal policy in Africa is a stronger policy tool than the monetary policy and the reason is because monetary policy is a blunt instrument. This is because the transmission mechanism between the financial market and the real economy is very weak.

“So, the government has the fiscal policy and monetary policy should be left for the CBN which should be independent. In Africa, I don’t see why there should be significant appetite to control monetary policy.”

Vice Chairman and Chief ExC M Y K

From left: Tosin Odukoya, Head of Investor Relations, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Hon. Samad Ogunbo, Supervisor of Works, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, Morin Adeyemi, Head of Corporate Social Investments, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Memudu Bakare, Chairman, Community Development Association (CDA), Ogombo Town, during the handing over of borehole facility donated by staff of the bank to the community. ecutive Officer, Ancoria Investment and Securities Limited, Dr. Olusola Dada, also said that all over the world, central banks are independent. Dada advised that the CBN Act should not be amended such that the apex bank will be reporting to the ministry of finance, insisting that the Bank ought to report directly

to the Presidency.

“In this era of globalisation, Nigeria cannot afford not to follow the global trend. A truly independent and autonomous CBN has become more imperative for the integration of our financial system with the world economy in general and the West African sub region in particular.. “What

is required now is not to erode the financial autonomy of the CBN but rather to build and strengthen relationships that would enhance complementary role between the monetary and the fiscal authorities, and ensure accountability and transparency,” he added.”

AfDB records 36% increase in loan, grant commitments

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HE African Development Bank (AfDB) Group made approvals of almost USD 8.5 billion in 2011, which represented a 36-percent increase on 2010 approvals which totaled approximately USD 6.2 billion. The figures were revealed at a financial presentation of the AfDB’s results and operations for 2011 made on 30 May in Arusha, Tanzania, where the institution is holding its meetings.

The largest area of operations in financial terms was infrastructure, accounting for just over 38 percent of loans and grants, followed by multisector loans and grants which came to almost 21 percent of the total.

The multisector category covers public sector management, including good governance and anti-corruption programs, industrial import facilitation and export promotion.

Another large sector was finance, accounting for just over 19 percent of the total. The finance operation includes financing to development banking, commercial banking, non-

bank financial intermediation, reinsurance and microfinance funds.Infrastructure is one of the four main pillars of the AfDB’s strategy for assisting the development of the African continent.

The other three are investing in the private sector, education and promoting good governance. The Bank’s Treasurer, Pierre Van Peteghem, who made the presentation, described some of the outcomes of the AfDB’s infrastructure investments.

Boosting electrification He highlighted a USD 23-million Rural Electrification Project in Guinea which is boosting electrification from 3 percent to a target of 20 percent by 2015.

Mr Van Peteghem went on to point out that the USD 82 million Kazungula Bridge project between Zambia and Botswana will slash the border transit time from 30 hours to just six hours on completion in 2018.Between

2009 and 2011, he said, 12.5 million people benefitted from new or improved access to water and sanitation. Almost 11 million people enjoyed better access to transport over the same period. Those years saw the construction, maintenance or rehabilitation of 25,000 km of roads and feeder roads.In the same period, almost 15,000 km of power transmission lines were installed or rehabilitated, and 6.7 million people gained access to electricity.On the private sector, Mr Van Peteghem said the AfDB’s operations would make long-term positive impacts across Africa. The private sector accounted for 25 projects approved by the AfDB in 2011, or 15 percent of Group approvals. Mr Van Peteghem said that over the next 20 to 30 years those projects were expected to raise USD 3.5 billion in taxes for governments in Africa. They were also expected to create 86,600 permanent and temporary jobs. Another outcome would be credit or business opportunities for 1,160 women-led businesses.

BRIEF Enterprise Bank upgrades information systems

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S part of its resolve to be the preferred bank for value creation, Enterprise Bank has completely retooled and upgraded its Information Technology (IT) system.

A statement from the bank at the weekend said that the thrust of the systems upgrade is to improve service delivery and make its customers exceedingly happy. It says: “we have upgraded our IT infrastructure to give us the necessary speed and flexibility to serve our customers faster and better.”

One of the key items in the retooling exercise is the replacement of the former e-mail system with the more robust and resilient Microsoft Exchange, which has significantly improved internal and external communications as well as staff productivity.

As a corollary to the improved communication process, a credit risk management system solution, Enterprise CRIM, has been developed and equally, successfully, implemented, ensuring an improvement of the credit approval process’ turnaround-time.

There has also been a thorough revamp of the bank’s data centre and an extension to conform to industry standards as well as provide the right environment to protect our IT investments.

Stanbic IBTC employees donate borehole to community

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ESIDENTS of Ogombo com munity in Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area (LCDA), of Lagos State, now have access to potable water, courtesy of the Finance team of Stanbic IBTC Bank, who donated a borehole, water treatment plant and a 2,000 litre capacity tank to the community.

In addition to enhancing convenience, the facility is expected to reduce water-borne diseases in the riverine community. The staff volunteerism project aligns with the Corporate Social Investment policy of the Standard Bank Group which aims to improve the wellbeing of people across different communities. Morin Adeyemi, Manager, Corporate Social Investment and Tosin Odutayo, Head of Investor Relations, both of Stanbic IBTC Bank, handed over the facility to Mr. Samad Oseni Ogunbo, Honorable Supervisor for Works and Housing, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area and Mr. Memudu Bakare, Chairman, Community Development Association (CDA), Ogombo Town last week

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Farmers need inputs now to avoid food crisis —Mafindi BABATUNDE JIMOH with agency report LHAJI Alhaji Tafida Ma findi, the owner of FAMAG-JAL farms, has commended the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) or the e-wallet programme .

The large scale farmer in the country said as laudable as the program is that there is need to pay attention to distribution of farm inputs to farmers this year.

In a move aimed at driving the transformation agenda, the agric ministry is focusing on ensuring that farmers get the agricultural inputs necessary to increase their productivity, profitability and move the poorest of our people out of the shackles of poverty.

According to the Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, “Under the new fertilizer policy, we have moved away from flat price subsidy to targeted support – what we are call Growth Enhancement Support – directly to reach 20 million farmers.”

The minister revealed that the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) is a policy and pragmatic shift within the existing Fertilizer Market Stabilization Programme that places the resource constrained farmer at its center through the provision of series of incentives to encourage the critical actors in the fertilizer value chain to work together to improve productivity, household food security and income of the farmer.

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the private sector and the distribution will be done and the subsidy will get to the real farmers. Before now, the subsidy gets to 11% of farmers while the remaining 89% goes anywhere. All this is going to change with the new policy.

Alhaji Mafindi said with the good intention of the government, that a big mistake as been made for this year which need to be rectified on time to avert food crisis in the country.

“We have made a mistake this year, because the handling was not done properly, we have to quickly call the attention of whoever is concern to look at it in such a way that agriculture can be readjusted quickly, because we expected rain to come in June /July, but the rain came early.

He said the fertilizers are not available for the farmers to use now that the rain has come early just as other farm inputs like the seeds and tractors are not

there, “so this year, though we are not praying for bad luck, but we may end up not producing what we use to produce.

“And if we don’t produce what we use to, it means, the consumer or the common man in Nigeria will for the first time know that the government has not taken care of them, because before when agricultural products come to the market, nobody cares what the government is doing or what they are doing with oil revenue, because the common man is satisfied with the food he is getting.”

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afindi explained that a visit to some farms will show the enormity of the problem at hand “if you go to ten farms today, you will find that about eight are not cultivated up till now and you know that the nutrient we get come from the harmattan and so grasses have grown where you

are supposed to have maize, groundnuts and guinea corns and we have no fertilizers to supplement when the farmers are able to farm.”

He added “Today, there is nowhere you don’t have grass grown to half a meter, we are supposed to have crops and not grass to that level. If you go to Katsina where the rain used to come in July, it came in April and may, not that we are not informed as the meteorological unit has informed since December that there will be early rain, and they advised those in charge of agriculture and farmers to take note, but from look of things they did not act.

He, therefore, appeal to those involved to mobilize whoever is given the authority to provide the farmers fertilizers, “so that the farmers can get the fertilizer as we are talking and not wait till June or July as they are expected to get it through ewallet.”

Agriculture: Israeli Ambassador commends Niger Govt

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he Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Moshe Ram, has commended the Niger Government’s efforts to revamp its agricultural sector.

Ram gave the commendation in Minna recently during the transplanting of the first seedlings under the Israeli Agricultural Humanitarian Project.

“This approach to go back to agriculture is something that this country should adapt; I think that agriculture should take its rightful place in this country.”

He underscored the need to give the sector priority attention and to train people to produce enough food and generate employment for people.

The envoy said that the younger generation in the country needed to understand that oil and gas would one day dry up.

“One day oil wells will dry up while agriculture will always be a source of livelihood to the people of Nigeria”.

Fertiliser: KDSG distributes 65,000 tonnes to farmers ADUNA State Commis sioner for Agriculture, Mr Ramalan Giwa during the week said that the government would distribute 65,000 tons of fertiliser to farmers in the state.

Giwa,who disclosed this in Kaduna, said that the fertiliser was procured at the cost of N7.2 billion.

Giwa said that 14,800 tons of the fertiliser worth N1.6 billion would be distributed under the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) or the e-wallet programme.

He added that the remaining 50,200 tons would be sold directly to the farmers.

The commissioner recalled that the state government had also procured 65,000 tons of the commodities last year.

Already, Gov. Patrick Yakowa had launched the sale of the commodity for the 2012 farming season at a ceremony on Monday in Kaura Local Government Area.

The governor assured farmers that the state had enough fertiliser for sale to farmers and that the price had been subsidised by 50 per cent.

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Commercialising of agriculture Speaking with Vanguard in his modern abattoir in Abuja weekend, Mafindi said the government policy should be commended as the private sector will take the lead in agriculture development in the country.

“When we say agriculture is going to be commercialized, it is no longer to be in concurrent list where the three tier of government are into it, but the private sector will lead the way as we are doing now, so that whatever is going into the agriculture unit will be accounted for.

He added “if there is any subsidy, it will go to the real user of the subsidy, not a situation where somebody is given contract to supply fertilizer and he ends up supplying rubbish and pocketing the bulk of the money.

“Today, the fertilizers and other farm inputs come through

BRIEF

•Cattle grazing in one of the FAMAG-JAL farms in Abuja.

Fishing: Chinese gradually taking over Nigerian waters

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he Chief Executive Officer of Fiki Marine, a subsidiary of Fiki Bal Internationa , Mr. Taofiki Balogun, has berated the rate at which Chinese are coming to the Nigerian waters to fish at the expense of Nigerians, urging Nigerian government to explore its potential to the fullest for the benefit of the economy and its citizenry.

He said, “The Chinese are coming to fish in the Nigerian sea and it’s unfortunate that they are coming all the way from China to catch our fish.

When you get out into the ocean from the bar-beach area about six miles down, the

water becomes navy blue with big shark inside.

“The fish catching boat are common in South Africa, I am trying to introduce it to Nigeria, and I have just three fishing boats, we also have passenger boats that is taken to the beach, all our boats are well equipped, it has all the navigation aids, the VHF radio, compass and all other safety measures you can think of. We also ensure that all our boats have more than one engine incase one break down.”

He said customers who rented the fishing boats are provided with the required

personnel and equipment for the fish catching tour, saying that the capacity of passenger on the dual station-equipped fishing boat is eight passengers.

Speaking with journalists recently in Lagos, he disclosed that his company has three fishing boats in stock which are rented out for those who are interested in catching fish, adding that the boat has a device (High Definition System) underneath with a monitor that made it possible to see the down of the sea clearly as against the orthodox method of throwing net into the water to catch fish.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—25

Africa’s time has come — US

Arc Thomas Chukwuemeka Awagu, President of the Chamber (middle) with Chief Sunbo Onitiri, Member Training & Programmes Committee (left) and Mr Ray Attey, Deputy Chairman Training & Programme Commiittee (right) at the press briefing by the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce on the “June 2012 Trade Mission to UK” in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Private sector key to Africa's growth — 2012 African Dev Report

BY DANIEL GUMM OST African countries have come to recognise the critical role that the private sector can play to help the continent reach its full economic and social potential, according to the 2011 African Development Report of the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched in Arusha.

Focused on private sector as the engine of Africa's economic development, the report examines the challenges facing the sector's development and highlights ways to address these challenges, taking country differences into account.

"After being hamstrung for decades by difficult political and economic conditions and burdensome government policies, it is now poised to become the main engine of growth for the African continent," says AfDB president, Donald Kaberuka. in the report.

The report ends with a discussion of the AfDB's role in support of private sector development in Africa.

The African Development Bank is committed to addressing the constraints on private sector development.

"The private sector is also a provider of essential goods and services to the public, and a key source of the revenues that African countries need to meet their development challenges," he adds.

Having promoted development of the sector for more than 40 years, the AfDB has made private sector development one of the four priorities of its Me-

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dium Term Strategy (MTS) for 2008-12, along with infrastructure, governance, and higher education.

In order to generate a greater developmental impact, the AfDB is integrating private sector development across all its operations with threefold objectives.

According to the report, they are: supporting regional member countries in improving business enabling environments, and strengthening their international competitiveness; broadening participation and inclusion in the private sector and supporting local enterprise development for spurring robust employment creation and improving social well-being; and encouraging the embedment of social and environmental responsibility, sustainability, and good corporate citizenship in private sector development.

ration, and procurement capacities in line ministries and relevant sector units; mobilize financial resources; and adopt a regional approach to infrastructure development," says the report.

Africa's private sector accounted for more than 80 percent of total production, two-thirds of total investment, and threefourths of total credit to the economy over the 19962008 period. It was also responsible for 90 per cent of formal and informal employment.

Although the private sector in African countries faces common challenges, the impact of these constraints varies according to the stage of economic development.

Fundamentally, the constraints include insufficient transport networks and lack of access to power and finance.

AFRICA has become the next economic frontier, thanks to outstanding recent growth, new reforms and better governance across the continent, according to Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Florizelle Liser.

"With the kinds of growth rates that we see, the reforms that have taken place in many sub-Saharan African countries, the ... business reforms that they have made, the leadership that we're now seeing on the continent and advances in democracy [and] fewer conflicts, we recognize that Africa's time has come," Liser said in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights.

Liser said testimony that companies around the world looking to grow "absolutely must have an Africa strategy" for engagement.

At the heart of the U.S. government's work with Africa, Liser said, is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

"AGOA has defined our

trade relationship with the continent and been responsible for expanding and diversifying African exports to the United States" since it was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton in May 2000, she said.

The pivotal economic development program, designed to promote U.S. trade and investment ties with sub-Saharan Africa, provides trade preferences to the 40 participating African countries through the removal of nearly all tariffs on goods exports. It also breaks down other trade and customs barriers in an overall effort to help stimulate economic growth, encourage economic integration and help bring sub-Saharan Africa into the global economy.

AGOA has helped many African countries increase and diversify their exports, bringing U.S. imports from the region to $74.2 billion in 2011, up 14 percent from the previous year.

This growth was driven largely by increases in

exports of mineral fuels, precious metals and stones, vehicles and cocoa products.

U.S. exports to the region have tripled from less than $7 billion in 2001 to more than $21 billion in 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

This growth was driven by increases in exports of machinery, vehicles, mineral fuels, cereals and aircraft.

"Not only has AGOA been good for Africa, but it has also been good for U.S. businesses," Liser said.

Critical in supporting this continued growth and diversification, Liser said, will be AGOA. The 2012 AGOA annual forum will be held in Washington June 14-15 and will focus on how to improve Africa's infrastructure to facilitate and increase trade and development. It will bring together more than 600 participants, including senior U.S. and African government officials, members of the private sector and civil society representatives.

Africa urged to produce own fabrics FRICAN countries were challenged to invest more in production of fabrics for sustainable growth of the labour-intensive and export oriented textile industry.

"The cotton to clothing value chain is broken in individual countries and Africa as a whole," Professor Dorothy McCormick of the University of Nairobi told a seminar on "China and Africa: WinWin Strategies of the Clothing Trade.

Prof. McCormick said: "A gap exists between cot-

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ton production and cloth manufacturing because very few African countries currently undertake spinning, weaving, knitting and finishing of textiles at the standard necessary to supply the clothing industry."

She told participants in a seminar on the sidelines of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual General Meetings at this tourist city of Arusha. Prof. McCormick called for appropriate policies that would encourage the clothing industry in Africa to up-

grade.

"African countries needed policies which would mitigate the high costs of doing business, encourage sharing of resources within Africa and promote investment and innovation," she said. She said a research conducted by the African Clothing and Footwear Research Network (ACFN) recently found that many African countries clothing exporters have seen their export decline over the last decade, as China's clothing exports rose.

Private sector statistics Though the private sector helps reduce poverty, reliable statistics on private sector activities in African countries are scarce. Most of the activities are informal, carried out by micro, small and medium enterprises.

Among its other findings, the report says laws and regulations critical for private sector development and corporate governance were undermined by poor monitoring and enforcement. "Developing Africa's infrastructure at the pace necessary to unleash its economic potential requires a concerted effort to improve planning, prepa-

From right: Mr. Adeyemi Adeyinka, Managing Director, Intermarc Consulting Ltd; Mr. Abiodun Ajadi, Credit Card Unit, Diamond Bank; Mrs. Funmi Fagbulu, Corporate Communications, Secure ID Ltd and Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Country Manager, West Africa, Mastercard Worldwide at a press conference in Lagos on Card, ATM and Mobile Expo 2012 coming up on June 12 - 14, 2012 at Civic Centre, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Hard times await touts at Passport Office in Festac

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•A ride on Lagos water

Cruise across Lagos water lane

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE OR many, the fear of travelling on water will not allow them to have a feel of what Lagos looks like from the lagoon.

For some it is the condition of the boats that ply the water that deters them from exploring the splendour Lagos has to offer on water.

But Lagos has a lot to offer tourists with a water mass covering 787 kilometres of lagoon and creeks out of the entire Lagos state”s 3577 square So, with such a sizeable portion of a city deep in water, it is just logical, especially for the adventurous, to explore the other side of Lagos.

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STARTING POINT nchored at Fiki Balogun Jetty on Ozumba Mbadiwe were the newly commissioned seven air-conditioned 35 passengercapacity boat just brought into the country by Mr. Taofik Balogun ( Fiki).

The white seats were still covered with polythene covering to prevent them from staining, everything was neat.

The elements decided to be magnanimous. The near midday sun was gradually warming up the atmosphere, but far from being uncomfortable. The food was neatly packed with the drinks inside a cooler. On this particular trip, Fiki decided to pilot the boat himself. For him, it was not work. It was simply enjoying something he has been doing all his life.

He said the company had about 27 boats in its fleets and intended to add more to it so as to facilitate tourism development in the country.

Speaking extensively on the company’s boating tour, “We

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have our regular shuttles of picnickers in Lagos to various beaches like Takwa Bay beach also along the Badagry creek, there are several beaches which include Ilashe beach; Ibeshe beach; Ikare beach; Agaja beach all the way to whispering palms and the Badagry beach where the slave trade took place. Some people also go to Epe area like Eleko beach,” he said.

ACTIVITIES ith the twin engine of the boats responding to the touch of buttons from Balogun, the boat gently eased from the jetty as we move towards the Civic Centre, Oriental Hotel and Tarzan Jetty on the Ozumba Mbadiwe side of Victoria Island. The shores of the Ikoyi Island of the lagoon ooze affluence-beautiful buildings with private jetties facing the water.

With Balogun concentrating on piloting his boats, those of us on board were amazed at the way he maneuvered on water as there is no milestones, no markers to indicate the direction to take. There were activities on the waterways. We passed different sets of fishermen engaged in fishing.

There were also some ferry boats conveying passengers to different parts of Lagos.

Occasionally, we had some sightings of exotic birds precarious perched on dry tree stems on the water.

The ride afforded us the opportunity of seeing Julius Berger workers working on the bridge linking Lekki and Ikoyi.

The Lekki-Ikoyi Cable Bridge is one of those iconic new road projects being embarked on by Lagos State government.

When completed, it will make history as one of the first major cable powering bridges to be built in West Africa It is

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expected to be completed by the end of this year, 2012.

The 1.4km long bridge with a cable stayed pylon of 90m in the middle and a full span approach and departing bridge linking Admiralty Way to Bourdillon Road will definitely be cynosure of admiration and will make the list of iconic constructions in Lagos State.

As we left the Ozumba Mbadiwe lagoon area heading towards the Five Cowrie creek, the boat picked up and in front of us was the acclaimed millionaires’ paradise in Lagos, the Banana Island.

From the water, we did not come close enough to appreciate fully some of the acclaimed architectural masterpieces that are said to be common in this affluent neigbourhood, but one thing I am sure of is that I did not see any sign of bananas. May be they were all uprooted to make way for buildings.

Passing the Five Cowrie creek, we made for the right, ease out in the more open lagoon. It was as if we were on high sea. The water here was more active, but nothing to raise one’s blood pressure.

The cool breeze hit us.

Malik, the cultured young son of Fiki graciously brought out our lunch packs and distributed them. The boat was on a steady trot, gently bopping on the water as we moved. The food was tastier, it seems, within the rarified ambience of the open.

After a few minutes, we started seeing the Third Mainland Bridge from afar. We crossed the three bridges linking up the mainland to the island. The Ebutte Ero area of the water, most especially the under the bridges, is an eyesore. Refuse is dumped into the water, making the area an unpleasant sight. We cruised to the Wharf area bursting with activities.

200 masquerades for new yam festival VER 200 masquerades are expected to feature at this year’s new yam festival holding in Igbo ukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anamba state.

This was revealed by the Idu II of Igbo Ukwu, Igwe Dr. Martin Ezeh, during a visit to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation in Abuja recently.

The monarch told the Director General of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, that a special talent hunt is also planned to feature as part of several activities lined up to celebrate this year ’s festival.

Speaking further the Idu said, “We are here once more to felicitate with one of our

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own and father who made the tourism industry what it is and what it should be in the country.

Before now, people didn’t know there is beauty in Nigeria and this great beauty was hidden until the emergence of the God sent man in the person of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe who came on a mission to beautify Nigeria.”

Commending the NTDC initiative of bequeathing to Igbo Ukwu, a National Yam House, Igwe Martin Ezeh said, “The only National Yam House in the country has been fully built and operational for more than 3 years running, all to your vision and credit who made it happen.

ETTING the Nigerian green passport had always been difficult for business and leisure travelers at the Nigeria Immigration Service’s offices in Lagos.

But things are changing at the Festac passport office as a visit to the office during the week revealed that the place has been sanitized as there was no tout around to usher prospective passport applicants.

The security measure put in place by the Passport Comptroller, ACI Onwuasigwe, has been able to checkmate the activities of touts in and around the premises and those who pose as agents.

From the gate, the service police officers are on hand to screen those coming into the premises with modern security gadgets, while other officers are seen patrolling the vicinity of the passport office to apprehend those loitering around.

Security measure This security measure in the premises is to ensure that only those that have legitimate business are seen there while at the same time, educate applicants on the grave danger of giving their personal data to someone they don’t know who can use such data for mischievous purposes.

The areas which applicants do had complaints, the Passport Comptroller, has effectively put a check to the menace.

For example, a passport applicant is expected to have completed the first phase of processing his/her application outside the passport office premises before coming for the data capture.

This first phase include filling of the application forms and making payment online, areas the touts would claim they assist applicants for a fee. There is also placed notices around the premises warning applicants not to deal with touts.

It was also discovered that the Passport Comptroller has zero tolerance for indiscipline and corruption and the officers and men know this.

Therefore, any operative that is foolish enough to get involved in corrupt practices has himself/herself to blame.

The Pco makes sure officers wear name tags on their uniforms, so that the public can bring such connivance with touts or hoodlums to management’s notice.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—27

TIT BITS

Unity school Teachers return to NUT

NLC house of intrigues •Rotates acting gen sec gress and join the Congress in the great indivisible task of defence of workers’ rights.”

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG HE intrigue in the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, that started ahead of the March 1 to 3, 2011 National Delegates Conference, NDC, that culminated to the forced retirement of Comrade John Odah as the General Secretary, has remained unabated.

The latest of the intrigues is the National Administrative Council, NAC, decision to be rotating the position of the Acting General Secretary among the departmental heads in NLC for six months each pending the appointment of a substantive General secretary.

Labour Vanguard gathered that consequently, the current Acting General Secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, who has been acting since the exit of Odah, will hand over to Comrade Chris Uyot, the Head of Information and Public Relations unit on June 17. But because 17 is a Sunday, the hand over is possibly taking place on Monday, which is 18.

Uyot is expected to act till December before handing over to another departmental head.

From Labour Vanguard investigations, there are about six of such departments with each headed by a senior Assistant General Secretary.

Labour Vanguard gathered that the rotation system which is not new at Congress as it was done for about three months during the presidency of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, will be in place pending the advertisement and appointment of a substantive General Secretary from either within or outside the NLC depending on the assessment of the performance of the senior Assistant General Secretaries.

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The decision to start rotating the position was informed by the desire to avert a looming implosion of the secretariat. It was argued that the secretariat has become less functional and more fictionalized than noticed before the last NDC. The factions were not only plotting on how to outwith others, but also working at cross purposes.

In the midst of all this, it was alleged that the acting general secretariat instead of being a rallying point for the secretariat, became very individualistic and took critical unilateral decisions without recourse to the President or NAC. Unilateral actions The Acting Secretary was among others, alleged to have nominated himself as Labour representative to the board of the National Pension Commission, PenCom without recourse to the NAC. Another of such unilateral actions being cited was the statement issued on May 13, 2012 accusing government of plans to break NLC and register a perceived pro-government labour centre.

No matter the veracity or otherwise of the claim, it was alleged that the secretary did not consult with the President or the NAC before issuing the statement.

The claim which though elicited government denial, prompted a reaction from the Group of Industrial Unions, formed by aggrieved members of congress as a reC M Y K

sult of the fallout of the 2011 NDC. NLC in a statement by its President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, after the NAC meeting while calling for unity among its affiliates, said “the NLC reaffirms the unity and indivisibility of the Congress and salutes the solidarity of all its affiliates in the face of the current challenges facing workers.

Congress, regrettably noted the recent media statement credited to the General

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Looming implosion

Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President

Plots, counter plots: It was gathered that NAC meeting was hurriedly held in Abuja instead of an earlier joint NAC and National Executive Council, NEC, meeting scheduled for Lokoja for May 21 and 22, with a clandestine motive to force confirmation of some appointments in the congress.

But the meeting had to be called off at the last minute when it became obvious that there were some counter and formidable plots to cause some remova l s .

Labour Vanguard was informed that a day before the NAC, the Acting General Secretary told the NAC members that he wanted to retire and it was gathered that members of NAC told him, that there was no problem.

However, the following day, Comrade Lakemfa was said to have apologized to NAC that he was no longer retiring.

Efforts to speak with Owei were abortive as he was said to be out of the country.

For those who were at Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde’s burial at Ede, Osun State, they saw how the NLC President was humiliated. It was alleged that the humiliation suffered by Omar during burial, when sachets of pure water were hurled at him by some students and was almost prevented from delivering his speech before the arrival of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was instigated from within the NLC with active connivance by some entrenched interest in the civil society.

Before the hurl of the sachets of pure water, the NLC President and leaders of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, were openly accused of betraying the Nigerian workers and masses in the January anti-fuel price hike protest.

Some have argued and perhaps, rightly too, that the NLC’s secretariat needs complete overhauling and restructuring to give the congress the needed force to effectively service members and Nigerian masses.

There is a general consensus that congress as it stands today has performed below expectations in its primary responsibilities of protecting and defending workers’ rights in the midst of increasing unfair labour practices and rights denials by employers.

Congress noted that at no time was there a decision to engage any of the affiliate unions of the NLC, including great unions like NASU and (NUHPSW) in unnecessary media exchanges

Secretary of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Related Associations, NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, and the President of the National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers, NUHPSW, Comrade Leke Success, purported to be a reaction to a similar regrettable statement purportedly issued by the Congress. Congress noted that at no time was there a decision to engage any of the affiliate unions of the NLC, including great unions like NASU and (NUHPSW) in unnecessary media exchanges and war of attrition over issues that are purely internal and clearly surmountable.”

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s a democratic organisation, inter nal contestations are inevitable. Indeed debates and divergent views are part of the great democratic heritage of the NLC. Therefore, recent discordant voices of some unionists after the last Delegates’ Conference of the NLC are not unusual. It has happened in the past and the NLC has emerged even stronger and better positioned for the defence of workers’ rights.

NLC therefore wishes to call all its affiliates to service its unity through its time tested internal democratic structures.

Congress notes that there is no divided labour family as all grievances are surmountable. Accordingly, NAC urges the leaders of the aggrieved unions in the interest of the Nigerian workers to utilise the conflict resolution mechanism in the Con-

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N a bid to belong to a strong body where they believe their interest will be better protected, Unity School teachers in the country have returned to the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT. This came as NUT denied having anything to with the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASSUS. Coordinator of unity school teachers, Mr Emeka Okonta said in Abuja that they had to return to their professional body which understood the needs of teachers, saying “We, the teachers in federal government colleges have joined the NUT because we are professional teachers” He recalled that government made them to believe another union name (withheld), was the better for them, but that “we were often reminded when it gets to salary implementation and 13th month payment that they are indeed teachers and not civil servants. ”They told us to register with Teachers Registration Council which we did but when it comes to teachers’ salary implementation; we were told that we were civil servants and no longer teachers.

When the federal government in 2010, approved what upholds to all civil servants and just when we thought our time had come, teachers in federal unity colleges were not paid” Again, when President Goodluck Jonathan approved 13th months for teachers in 2011, and our colleagues in civil service were being paid N120,000 each but when it got to our turn, they paid teachers N5,000 each. It was at that point we decided that enough is enough” ”We have come back to NUT and we will inform other of our colleagues that they should not be afraid to return to NUT. We will let them know that the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, is not a stakeholder in education therefore, there is no way ASCSN can fight their course. Let come back to where they truly belong.”

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NLC restates opposition to hike in electricity tariff IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has unequivocallyreiterated its strong opposition to the June 1, 2012 planned hike in electricity tariff, declaring that the proposed increase energy tariff without improved power supply is not only uncalled for, but insensitive to the prevailing plight of workers and the Nigerian people.

NLC in a statement by its President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, yesterday called on the Federal government to put on hold any future increase in electricity tariff until all the issues raised against such move have been dealt with to avoid the wrath of Nigerian masses. It will be recalled that Comrade Omar had on Sunday issued a statement emanating from the National Administrative Council, NAC, meeting of NLC, opposing the planned hike and threatened industrial unrest over it.

Sensing that the government appeared unrepentant over the increase in the midst of dwindling power supply nationwide, Comrade Omar, in yesterday’s statement, said the position of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, that the sector requires substantial increase in tariff for investment to be possible was not tenable, as well as assurance that the working poor and rural poor would not be adversely affected by the increase.

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28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1 , 2012—29

It’s absurd to think I’m gay—Charly Boy our children and we even have grand children. So, how could anybody think such a thing about me!”

Also frowning at the accusation in respect of why he is fond of applying make-up and lipstick on his face like that of a woman, including the bling-blings all over his face, nose, neck, fingers and body, Charly Boy explained that make-up and blings have been an integral part of the Charly Boy

brand, which he created about twenty years ago.”

“I don’t see anything new about my make-up and jewelries. It’s been like that for the past twenty years!

Everything is part of my publicity stunt!”

Concerning the inciting photo he took with popular OAP, Denrele Edun, where they both kissed and curdled each other closely, Charly said ‘it’s all part of my publicity stunt.’

Day Funke Akindele painted Lagos red with her beau

BY OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO

•Charly Boy

BY AMADI OGBONNA, ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR & BENJAMIN NJOKU AVERICK musician, Charly Boy has been blowing hot following the publications last week by two national newspapers,(not Vanguard) which reported that he is a gay and a member of the illuminati, a secret cult.

Reacting to the publications, which he said has costed him ‘great hurt and distress’, in a telephone inter-

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view with WG, the area father said “it’s absurd” for anyone to think he’s a gay and a member of a cult all because he’s trying to be himself. He is threatening to seek redress in court.

According to him, “‘I’m not concerned about name calling, but the way and manner in which we apply professionalism in whatever we are doing. If I’m gay, I will fight for the right of homosexuals. I am not gay and I am not part of any organisation called the illuminati in any way, shape or form. I have

T was all fun and no dull moment last Saturday in Lagos, as actress Genevieve Nnaji led her colleagues in the industry to the wedding ceremony of one of their own, Funke Akindele.

Funke tied the knot with her beau Kehinde Adeola Oloyede, at The Haven Event Centre, Ikeja GRA, amid pomp and pageantry.

Present at the event were the big and the might in Nollywood including Genevieve Nnaji, Ini Edo, Sikiratu Sindodo, Susan Peters , Tiwa Savage, Desmond Elliot.

Others were Chioma Akpotha, Eniola Badmus, Kaffy, Grace Amah, Halima Abubakar, Mabel Makun, Opeyemi Ayeola,Peju Ogun-

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never had problems with whatever the press writes about him. But these publications have gone beyond the boundaries.”

The eccentric entertainer however expressed dismay, following the embarrassment the negative reports may have brought to his personality as well as the accusation that he uses his wife only as a camouflage for his illicit affairs with men like him.

For Christ sake, he continues, “I’ve been married for many years. My wife and I have a good relationship with

Funke & her hubby

mola, Toyin Afolayan (Lola Idijie), Kolade Odunlade, AY Makun , eLDee and Julius Agwu. The list is endless...

Funke’s wedding was in Continues on page 30

INSIDE

I leave everything to God Enebeli Elebuwa C M Y K

Fox, Ojewuyi for Soyinka’s lecture

LG unleashes the gaming potentials in 3D TV

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

My purported healing:

I leave everything to God —Enebeli Elebuwa

By BENJAMIN NJOKU ASTOR Sign Fireman of Perfect Christianity Ministry, Surulere’s claim that he has healed Enebeli Elebuwa was debunked during the week as WG investigation revealed that the ailing actor is still lying critically ill in an hospital in Abuja.

Last weekend, Sign Fireman released a video on Youtube where he calimed that he has healed the ailing veteran actor. But reacting to the purported healing when contacted

by WG, the actor said contrary to the man of God’s claim as showed in the video which he released on Youtube, his condition has not changed.

Though he admitted visiting the church as well as receiving prayers from Fireman, Elebuwa insisted that his conditions didn’t

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Pastor Fireman with Enebeli

improve as claimed by the controversial pastor.

He said: “If he claims that he has healed me, I leave everything to God. I was in his church and he prayed for me but my condition did not improve.” In the video released last week, Freeman claimed that Enebeli was already healed and that in a matter of days he would be fully back on his feet.

The veteran actor is currently receiving treatment at the Abuja National Hospital. He needs the prayers and support of well-meaning Nigerians to get back to his feet again. Enebeli was struck by stroke late last year. Enebeli has been sick for more than a year now and he has been taking from different hospitals in Lagos and Abuja.

Youngest Oldman relocates to Benin for Oshiomhole HEAD of next m o n t h ’ s governorship election in Edo State, famous Abujabased stand-up comedian, Roland Igbadumhe popularly known as Youngest Oldman has temporarily relocated to Benin, all in the bid to assist in strengthening Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s campaign train.

WG gathered that the notable comedian who was named City People’s Most Successful Comedian in 2011, is currently seen in the streets of Benin city campaigning vigorously for the ex-labour leader’s return to the Government House.

The dreadlocks carrying chubby-cheeked

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entertainer believes Oshiomhole that remains the best and most credible leader to move Edo State forward.

“As a true and proud son of Edo State that has seen the good works of our Governor in the last four years, I am ready to shout “Vote Adams Aliu Oshiomhole again” to the whole world because he is a man of the people, our people should come out and vote him and CAN, back to power.”

Continuing, the comedian who has been thrilling Edo indigenes since Oshiomhole’s campaign train started going round the state, said, he had no regrets campaigning and drumming support for the incumbent, whom he

equally described as God sent to Edo people.

“My Governor ’s reelection is very passionate to me, which was why I abandoned my very busy schedule in Abuja, to be on his campaign train and I have no regret whatsoever.”

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Movie of the week Tobi premieres in Nigerian box office

OBI, a movie by US-based Nigerian producer, Emmanuel Ijeh premiered at Ozone Cinema, Yaba, on May 18. Directed by Bethels Agumuoh, the film features Chet Anekwe, Chisom Oz-Lee, Mark Williams, Jimmy Allen, Elizabeth Harness, and Ray Reynold. It explores the consequences of the decision of 21-year old Akinola Tobi to join a gang.

Played by sensational newcomer Mark Williams, Tobi is caught between a father, Chet Bashari Anekwe, who’s love knows no bounds and a society that doesn’t seem to have anything to offer. A l a s t minute decision is bound to determine whether he lives or dies. A heart wrenching drama that slowly unfolds and takes you through a world of unconditional love, betrayal, pride, and triumph.

The film, shot in New York and New Jersey, boasts of a deployment of first class legal battle antics beautifully woven into the court room scenes.

In the words of the producer, “my dream was to bring the Nigerian movie industry closer to its American counterpart, Hollywood.”

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Top 5 films for the week 1. Men in Black 2. The Vow: 3. American Reunion 4. Battleship “5. Ghost Rider

Movie Schedule

April 6th -8th 2012

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, LEKKI Men in Black 3: 12:50pm, 3:00pm, 5:10pm, 7:20pm, 9:30pm, 11:40pm.

Battleship: 12:00pm, 2:35pm, 5:10pm, 7:45pm, 10:20pm.

American Reunion: 8:00pm.

Arthur Christmas: 10:10am, 2:15pm.

The Hunger Game: 6:30pm, 9:15pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Men in Black 3: 10:00am, 2:30pm, 4:35pm, 6:40pm, 8:45pm.

Battleship: 2:00pm, 7:30pm.

Ghost Rider 2: 11:00pm.

The Hunger Game: 6:10pm, 8:55pm, 11:40pm.

The Vow: 5:20pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Men in Black 3: 10:30am, 12:40pm, 2:50pm, 5:00pm, 7:10pm, 9:20pm.

Battleship: 5:50pm, 8:20pm.

The Vow: 3:30pm.

The Hunger Game: 8:15pm.

OZONE CINEMA, YABA Men in black 3: 4:20pm, 6:30pm, 8:40pm.

Battleship: 3:45pm, 6:25pm, 9:00pm.

American Reunion: 10:35am, 12:25pm.

Dr Seuss: 11:50am.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, THE GALLERIA, LAGOS Men in Black 3 (3D): 11:00am, 5:50pm.

Men in Black 3 (2D): 1:10pm, 3:50pm, 8:00pm, 10:20pm.

Battleship: 1:30pm, 8:10pm, 10:10pm.

Ghost Rider 2: 1:30pm, 8:10pm, 10:10pm.

The Vow: 1:30pm, 8:00pm, 10:10pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC, ABUJA Men in Black 3: 12:40pm, 2:50pm, 5:00pm, 7:10pm, 9:20pm.

Battleship: 11:20pm, 1:50pm, 4:20pm, 6:50pm, 9:30pm.

The Vow: 12:20pm, 2:40pm, 4:50pm, 7:00pm, 9:05pm.

American Reunion: 11:10am, 1:30pm, 3:50pm, 6:10pm, 8:50pm.

Dr Seuss: The Lorax: 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm.

Day Funke Akindele painted Lagos red with her beau Continues from page 29 thanks, Funk overthree phases, private whelmed by the euphoNikkai ceremony ria of the day muted; followed by a little white ‘My darling colleagues wedding and the and friends, I thank you reception which had Dj so much for coming out.

Spinall and the shuga You are single today band. Comedians like right? Believe in God, Alibaba made the toast he will do it because I’m while Gbenga Adeyinka a testimony. I know my wedding is a big surcompered the event.

When it was time for prise to you all and I her to give vote of thank God for this.” And

Synopsis

when the time came for her to throw her flower bouquet, she said, “I won’t throw this, I will share it.”

The next day she also showed appreciation to her fans and friends via twitter, ‘Morning my Twthrts!! Tnx a lot for d luvly wishes! God bless u all. Sulia Kan! Tweethrts Kan!!

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, CEDDI PLAZA, ABUJA Ghost Rider 2: 4:40pm, 8:50pm.

The Hunger Games: 1:30pm, 4:10pm, 9:00pm.

21 Jump Street: 12:30pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SHOWTIME, PORT HARCOURT Men in Black 3: 1:30pm, 3:50pm, 6:10pm, 8:30pm.

Battleship: 12:20pm, 3:10pm, 5:50pm, 8:40pm.

Ghost Rider 2: 1:50pm, 4:10pm, 6:20pm, 8:20pm.

The Vow: 3:30pm, 9:00pm.

Dr Seuss: 12:50am, 3:00pm, 5:00pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IBOM TROPICANA, UYO 21 Jump Street: 12:40pm, 2:55pm, 4:55pm, 6:55pm.

The Vow: 12:20pm, 2:40pm, 4:50pm, 7:00pm.

Seeking Justice: 12:30pm, 2:35pm, 4:40pm, 6:55pm.

Machine Gun Preacher: 11:30am, 1:55pm, 4:20pm, 6:45pm.

Man on a Ledge: 12:45pm, 2:45pm, 4:45pm, 6:50pm

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—31

Noise at Ogbe Stadium attracted me to football –Dudu-orumen

By KATE OBODO Growing Up ROWING up for me was memorable. I’m from a polygamous family, my mother was a matron in a General hospital. She also hails from a privileged family where her elder brother and her young sister trained as lawyers. So, I got gripped with life too early. Yes, growing up in a polygamous setting really thought me what life is all about.

I hail from Oke Ora in Owan Local Government Area of Edo state . But in reality, I’m more of an indigene of Delta State because my mother came from Itsekiri. I’m the first child of three children from my mother ’s side.But my father had 16 children from his different wives.

I happened to be the second child in that order. I have faced so many challenges in life.

At a time, I battled and survived a cancer related ailment. I still have reasons to thank God for sparing my life up till today.

As a child, I was a handful. Whenever I was not around, everybody would feel m y absence.Interestingly, I became fond of sports early in life. While

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growing up, I got involved in playing football in the street.

One important aspect of my childhood was the fact that I respected my parents and never got involved in bizarre activities.

I was respected by people who were older than me.

Then, I did not cultivate the habit of smoking and drinking.

Romance with football I encountered football very early in life way back in Warri. During my early years, I was living behind Ogbe stadium in Benin City. Obviously, the noise generated as a result of the football matches frequently played in that stadium attracted me to football.

Later, I started going to the stadium to watch football matches.Then, I watched one of the best football teams in the country known as Bendel Insurance.

I also watched the then Green Eagles when they came to play in Benin.

Later, I got interested in European football too, as I subscribed to foreign magazines that provided me with more information about European football. Soon, my interest in sports, especially football became stronger.

Typical day for me

Meeting my wife y late Uncle formed my idea of what a pretty lady would be. So, when I saw my wife at the University of Benin then, we were both freshers on campus.

I knew she was going to be my wife because of the beauty she possessed.

When we met, I told her I liked her and we became friends.

Really, it was not love at first sight. When I saw her, I liked her as a person especially as she was very beautiful. We dated for 10 years after which we got married. We now have two sons.

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Godwin Dudu-Orumen is a lawyer, journalist, marketer promoter and a lover of sports. He has carved a niche for himself in the world of sports promotion. In this interview, with Hi groove, he talks about lifestyle, how he met his wife and many more.

Excerpts:

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y typical day by getting to work at 7.30am, clear my desk and eat my meals at 12 noon and I’m done for the day.

Most times, I set my appointment between 11.00am and 2.00pm . I also do everything begins

I don’t do too much things outside sports- that doesn’t mean I’m an introvert. It’s just that I tend to watch what I do.

My kind of dressing I wear suits most often, especially whenever I have meetings to attend.

I also like T-shirts and ties. But in the 1990s,

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I encountered football very early in life then in Warri, where I stayed opposite Hussey College as a child.

And in my teenage years, I stayed behind Ogbe stadium in Benin City

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•Dudu-orumen C M Y K

days, I had a lot of female students in my class. Even in my University days and also in the Law school, I had a lot of female friends.

Coming to sports and entertainment, I have a so many female admirers but nothing intimate.

possible to avoid being held up in traffic.After attending to my appointments, I hit the road to watch European matches for a minimum of 3-hours everyday.

And of course, since my family is based abroad, I’m always at home; this means that I have to stay out of trouble.

Most times I hang out at my two sports bars in Surulere and Victoria Island with some friends.

after my surgerical operation, I was advised on medical grounds not to wear ties anymore. In terms of native attires, I wear Buba and Sokoto to social gatherings.

I’m not particular about labels. I’ll rather wear what makes me comfortable but if it has a label and it’s worth the price, I won’t hesitate to buy it.

Although I’m not too expensive in my dress

sense, but I could buy a suit worth 200, to 1000 pounds. The cost is not an issue to me. Of course, my shoes and wrist-watches could be a bit expensive. I also wear good and quality perfumes. My mood also affects the way I dress. I dress as the occasion demands but I wear more of T-shirts and trousers.

My kind of car I like big engine cars, minimum of V6 and I’m a fast driver even at my age. Reason is that, I learnt to drive very early in life and I derive joy in driving. I also like to do road journey a lot. If the road is on a good stretch, I could go as fast as 200 or 240 Kilometers per hour and within two and half hours, I’m in Benin.

Me and my Women have a lot of female admirers’ right from time. I actually grew-up amongst women. My mother was Itsekiri and she had a lot of sisters, this made me have many aunties and I was loved by them all.

Also, in my primary and secondary school

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Relaxation I relax mainly by watching sports programmes. I also play scrabble- that’s one sport I enjoy most. It may also sound funny, I relax by driving and anybody who knows me would testify to the fact that I drive extremely fast. I also exercise twice or thrice in a week.

Happiest and saddest moments I lost my younger sister and my favourite uncle but my saddest moment was when I lost my mother. Her death pained me because we were close to each other.

Watching her die, was as if I was watching a movie.

She sang some glorious songs and before I could realise what was happening, she gave upthe ghost . My happiest moment was when my first son was born.

My best meal and fruits My best meal would always remain white rice and stew or vegetable. I don’t like swallowing eba, fufu or pounded yam because my system responds to such food very fast and I also put on weight very fast.

For fruits, I eat a little of them, like pineapple, carrot and apple. I don’t like orange because it runs my stomach.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

GROOVE Extra Skills, Phenom lights up inaugural St.Remy Gbedu Slam Jam T was indeed an unforgettable night of fun and excitement recently, as the world’s number one French brandy St.Remy, hosted the first edition of its monthly party tagged St.Remy Gbedu Slam Jam at Rita Lori Hotel, Surulere, Lagos.

The event which had a massively impressive turnout on the night, started by 10pm prompt and DJ Atte of Naija FM 102.3 had the crowd rocking and partying hard till the early hours of Saturday morning. Captivated would not be enough to describe the audience on the night as one by one, a star-studded lineup featuring We are Africans crooner, Skills of JJC, Phenom, Orezi, D’Pzle, Flowsick, among others thrilled them while the brand also introduced a fast-rising and hugely talented diva named Kiss who also gave the people a taste of her undeniable prowess on the mic. There was no dull moment as two of Nigeria’s finest hypemen – Shody and Coded – duly assisted DJ Atte to ensure the atmosphere remained charged all through the night.

There was also heavy media presence

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•Phenom in the house as crews from TRACE Urban TV and Naija FM 102.7, who are the official media partners of the event – were on hand to capture the excitement of the event.

According to St.Remy Brand & Markets Manager, Antoine Couvreur, this month’s event is just a tip of the iceberg as the brand is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that it rewards its loyal consumers who over the years have stayed true to it.

Fox, Ojewuyi for Soyinka’s lecture A HIGH profile lecture has been included as part of the main activities marking this y e a r ’ s Project WS78, the interna•Soyinka tional cultural exchange programme, in honour of its patron, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Noble Laureate.

The lecture will be delivered by Professor Robert Fox and entitled “From Tigritude to Transcendence: The Conscience and Conscientiousness of Wole Soyinka”. It will take place in London, Lagos and Akure, respectively.

The lecture is billed to attract scholars, students, writers, artisans, culture

enthusiasts and other professionals from business and public services.

It will be moderated by the cerebral Professor Segun Ojewuyi of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, US, who also doubles as the co-executive producer of the laudable programme.

According to the organizers, Zmirage Multimedia Limited (Nigeria and UK), led by amiable Alhaji Teju Kareem and GlobalNewHaven (Nigeria and USA), the lecture was conceived as an academic injection into the WS78 international cultural exchange programme for 2012, tagged: The Mind of a Patriot.

They also submitted that the forthcoming landmark lecture has added further intellectual content to the programme., which holds in Nigerian from July 13 through17, and July 28 to 29 in London, respectively.

OPULAR stand up comedian and top pidgin English radio presenter, who is also the organizer of Laugh Goes On comedy and musical concert, Akpobome Ogude ,a.k.a Ogusbaba, is out with a bang and this time, it is the unveiling and launch of his new comedy audio CD and DVD, O g u s b a b a .

The humour merchant says the DVD is a collection of his works and performances in the entertainment industry which will be a delight to his growing fans spread across the country, while the audio CD is his latest effort at bringing joy to individuals and families.

In a chat with WG, he said “I have painstakingly put the works together to express my undying love and appreciation to all those who have spent money and time to watch me do my thing on different stages in the country, and I put the work together for the benefit of those my fans that weren’t able to attend any of my shows- they can sit in their living rooms and watch me perform on their screens.”

The DVD and Audio tagged “Ogusbaba’ will be officially launched in an event which will have all the trappings of glamour and bliss on the 29th of June, at the Beniza hotel,

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Ogusbaba out with new comedy DVD

•Ogusbaba Asaba Delta State.

The launch will be chaired by the Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and top dignitaries like his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan,the Executive Governor of Enugu state Dr Sullivan Chime, The Deputy Senate President Sen. Ike Ikeweremadu .

The Future Awards season 7 debuts

L-R- Head of the award’s Central Working Committee, Ohimai Atafo, Tara Fela Durotoye (Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Person of the Year), Uche Nnaji (Style Entrepreneur of the Year) and Tolu Ogunlesi (Journalist of the Year), may 28,2012

BY OPEOLUWANIAKINTAYO

2Face, Wande Coal, 9ice thrill audiences at Star Trek 2012 AST Friday, May 25, the Adamasingba stadium in Ibadan played host to Star Trek, Nigeria’s biggest rolling concert tour. Given the splendid performance displayed by the featured artistes, the tour will keep tongues of the concert visitors wagging for months to come.

The thunderous ovation that heralded Tuface Idibia as he mounted the Star Trek stage was evidence of a crowd thirsty for songs from Nigeria’s best musical act. He did not disappoint. With the full complement of a live band, Tuface dished out song after song from his repertoire of past albums.

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His stagecraft and mastery of lyrics ensured that the crowd was not bored throughout his performance which lasted close to an hour. Some of the songs which sent the crowd on •2 Face on stage a wild frenzy were: Implication, Free, For Instance, See Me As Your Brother, Holy Pass and My Love is Here To Stay. Others included the classic, African Queen, Nfana Ibaga and the fast-paced Implication.

HE Future Project, organizers of the prestigious Future Awards and other capacity developing projects for young individuals, officially launched its 7th season, on Wednesday, May 29, at an exclusive, invite-only event, held at The Coral R e e f , L a g o s .

The awards billed to come later in August and to be hosted by AMBO Box Office winner, O.C Ukeje and media personality, Shade Ladipo, promises to be an exciting melange of music, fashion and comedy.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, Chairman of the Awards Central Working Committee, Ohimai Atafo said “Nothing excites us more than the experience of celebrating young achievers in Nigeria and we know there are a lot of them. Coming together to celebrate outstanding young people in different sectors as well as reward them with The Future

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Awards has inspired greatness amongst young Nigerians and pushed them further in achieving their set goals in life. We have no doubt that this year’s edition will do even more in unearthing and rewarding the potential of young Nigerians within and outside the shores of this great nation.”

With past winners such as Toyosi Adenrele, Funke Akindele, Tuface Idibia, Chimna Amanda and others, this year’s awards seek to reiterate the project’s value propositions through its ‘Aspire, Strive, Achieve and Tagline. With previous themes such as the ‘Authentic Celebration’ in 2010 and successful media campaigns in the past like ‘I am Nigeria.’ And ‘I Represent Naija.’

The theme for this year ’s campaign is ‘Tearing Down the Walls.’ This, in essence urges young people to pursue and achieve their dreams in spite of difficulties or challenges they might face.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 1 , 2012 — 33

C M Y K

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY , JUNE 1, 2012

Celebrity Romance:

Speaking Out or Keeping Mum? T

HERE were shock ripples last year in Nollywood and beyond when, wearing a lacy, virginal white gown, Mercy Johnson walked down the proverbial isle of one of the more upscale churches in Lagos. It was difficult to recognize the keen exhibitionist with the body so curvaceous as to inspire poetry in male fans. “Lord have Mercy!”

The new generation actress looked positively innocent, as though butter couldn’t melt in her mouth. She did not seem to notice that a good many of her colleagues had boycotted the event. It did not matter, either, that some woman on the other side of the world was crying blue murder , protesting violently that the groom on the occasion painted above was still married to her legally.

Since the aggrieved was not present to protest the nuptial ceremonies went on according to schedule and the duo was pronounced man and wife.

It is different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes, and as gory details of marriages get in the public space more and more, so do details of separations. Once upon a time, no entertainment couple would admit to a break

earstwhile wife Tony Paine.

The two said little, giving no details and keeping virtually mum as the public painted for itself whatever picture it wanted.

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t was to be a different sort of style for celebrated talking drum genius Ara, who jumped over the broom only to jump right back on the wrong side within a space of time some might have considered indecent. She gave them scant opportunity to do so. She wasted no time in coming out and telling it all.

It did not matter if it was only her own side of the story that was being heard, when everyone knows one side is

,

A frenzy of hitching up and breaking up appears to have hit the entertainment industry latel , but whose style is best?

only half the story. If the husband- whom she clearly accused of violence and domestic abuse, did not deem it fit to deny allegations or at least share his own side to the sordid story, the former wife cannot be accused of being dramatic, nor the public and the press thought to be one sided.

If anything, thumbs up should be given to Alex, her

Since the aggrieved was not present to protest the nuptial ceremonies went on according to schedule and the duo was pronounced man and wife

,

up, let alone actually sharing the details. Whatever got in the public space was mostly a mixture of fiction and conjecture, and mostly the figment of the imagination of the gutter press. Take for instance, the break up between singer Nice and his

PR detail, for having the good sense of turning a bad affair into rather positive publicity.

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n the meantime, Jenifa superstar Funke Akindele appears to have morphed into the character she created, if

Mercy Johnson only for the drama and the indiscriminate romantic carryings on. Her publics regarded her with as much pity as disgust when news hit the newsvines last month of her intention to tie the knots with some Moslem guy who already had one wife and who, according to popular opinion, has every right to practice polygamy. Funke offers no explanations to her teeming fans who generally think she could have done better in her choice of man. Her silence might not be misconstrued, and might be misconstrued for guilelessness as it has been for a long time for 2face Idibia, who is still so beloved regardless of his sloppy romantic dalliances.

At least she does not sound

as confusing as recently divorced Kate Henshaw who, like Ara, respected her fans enough to share the most recent alterations in her marital status with them, but ends up overkilling the whole thing. To make matters worse, she brings in the daughter of the union with her Englishman ex, actually going as far as saying the poor child is the most important party in the whole thing! Really?

And then there is Asa, who is in a class of her own, as usual. She it was who took a matter to court about some parties accusing her of carrying on romantically with her manager who, by the way, is a woman. She has made no public denial .

Statistics 78% The percentage of women citing domestic violence as grounds for divorce in Indonisia. A recent research aimed towards helping Indonesian women get better access to basic government opportunities found that women in this country bring twice as many divorce cases to court than men.

1.4billion The number of people- onequarter of the population of the developing world—lived on

less than $1.25 a day in 2005.The World Bank projects that the number of poor people will increase in the coming years due to slowing economic growth.

9% The rate at which Bangladesh reduced poverty between 2000 and 2005. This was discovered in a recent report which aimed to contribute to reducing malnutrition in Bangladesh through a better understanding of gender-

nutrition linkages.

60% Of persons living with HIV are women.

3.1% The percentage by which the the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) reduced,

representing a decline from 400 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births in 1990 to 210 in 2010 .

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 — 35

Age appropriate Dressing

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ike they have always said, there is only one cure to growing old. Dying young. Those who have accepted this realize growing gracefully is the only way forward.

The best stylists all agree about this: there are two ways to look old and dateddressing too old, and dressing too young.

Dressing too Old Maybe you were a hot young thing in your day , so you got stuck in a time warp and you think bell bottoms, brown powder and Ray Barns will keep you forever young. Big mistake. They make you look dated, and as if you are trying too hard to look younger than you are.

only chance you’ll ever have in life to push your luck — and get away with it.

30s

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he twenty-something rules still apply.

If your figure starts to head south, maybe after you’ve had a couple of kids, wear blousier but not baggy silhouettes.

With extra curves you don’t want to wear anything that is too tight or fabrics that are too thin. Go for monochromatic separates that will give you clean and classic lines that can never be ruined. You can even wear these underneath flattering pieces that have vertical detailing in terms of color, texture, and patterns.

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Dressing too Young

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ou have something to prove- that you still look as hot as any young thing, and what better way to prove that than to wear exactly what the teenagers are wearing any given season? For some reason, you still have to put on display all your essential body parts,

The Rules

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he rules of fashion are ever changing, but not so much that simple intuition and discretion cannot help a woman keep up. The ideal situation is to have style, rather than fashion, in mind. In addition, the general rules are still the same.

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est the waters. You’ll win some and lose some, but always remember to maintain an open mind. This may be the

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hose things you relied on wearing to get you through your every day life have been taken for granted and need to be energized. Pair down to the basics. Fit is paramount. Then add an element that expresses how you want to feel: A colorful bag, a leopard print sweater, a decorative jacket, a stylish boot, a fabulous faux inyour-face piece of jewelry. by getting out of your comfort zone and experimenting with new shapes and styles and colors.

Move slowly, but with focus. Dress up your favorite jeans with great shoes, a pretty blouse and tailored jacket.

50S

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efined, tasteful choices are the foundations of age-appropriate dressing. Tailoring and structure are key, as are clean lines and fuss-free pieces in a simple palette.

Oluchi

President Jonathan

IBB

MKO

Abiola deserves honour, but the controversy dishonours him

F

rom the days since the Yorubas have denied that giving Obasanjo the presidency is just and proper compensation for the

prevention of chief MKO Abiola from claiming the mandate he so gloriously won on June 12, 1993, there has been talk about honouring the late Politician

and businessman for bringing democracy into the consciousness of Nigeria.

Indeed he did, and not by default.

When Ibrahim Babangida, the dictator of old, openly aspired to the presidency of Nigeria in the more recent past, he was rightly accused of attempting to reap where he had so blatantly not sown. It had been expected, back in the day, that it would be business as usual, and Abiola would shrug it all off as a misadventure. There was every likelihood that he would have been handsomely compensated, keeping in mind that he needed neither money nor fame. It was a shock to most people who had known MKO as an easygoing, happy-go-lucky fellow when he insisted that the votes of the people of Nigeria should count, perhaps for once.

There is therefore no controversy about whether Abiola attained hero status

legitimately, or whether he deserves to be honoured.

President Obasanjo was lambasted left right and center for doing nothing to honour MKO, and could not be bothered, while the late president Yaradua might have done something had he been given enough time. Had he used his discretion properly, Goodluck Jonathan would have been applauded widely for honouring Abiola on the most important of days_ Democracy Day. How could he go so wrong?

Perhaps if it had studied the personality of Abiola well enough, the presidency would not have missed perhaps the most important essence of the personality of the late president elect: His great love and sensitivity to people, both great and small.

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

ONE YEAR AFTER:

Rising debt profile raises fear, tension AROUND this period seven years ago, Nigerians were in a joyful mood because former President Olusegun Obasanjo had successfully liquidated Nigeria’s estimated $30b external debt.

This feat represented a watershed in the nation’s march towards economic recovery and growth as Obasanjo warned that “to prevent reoccurence,we must remain vigilant at community, local, state and federal levels of authority. No amount is too small or too big to be protected from being looted or wasted”. But while the nation is still relishing this freedom from indebtedness, Nigeria is again back to the debtors' club. CHARLES KUMOLU reports.

Future value What is the future value of the total debt in 10 years time?

Needless to say that proper DSA reveals a country’s susceptibility to debt distress; the committee will align its energy with the executive to review the country’s debt policy and therefore, redefine its debt strategy,” he had submitted.

Uzamere urged the Federal Government to focus on borrowing for projects with selfrepaying capacity and job generation rather than borrowing to finance gaps in budgets that are largely recurrent. He stressed the need for government to embrace Public Private Partnership, PPP, through adequate legal framework for Nigeria’s external debt.

This concern that was raised in C M Y K

November 2011, practically set the tone for the wave of mixed feelings trailing the country’s current debt status. For instance, barely three months after the Senate brought the issue to the fore, the House of Representatives on March 26, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to, within 60 days, submit to the NASS Nigeria’s debt ceiling in line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

The lower chamber of the National Assembly said pegging the limit to which government could borrow had become necessary given the fact that Nigeria’s total debt portfolio had risen to an all-time high of N13 trillion. The resolve to demand the submission of a debt ceiling came through a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN/ Lagos), and endorsed by a cross section of the lawmakers.

In the lead debate, Gbajabiamila noted that since the Act came into effect about five years ago, the President had not complied with the provisions of Section 42, a situation which, he said, had led to arbitrary borrowing by both the federal and state governments.

“The overall intention of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 is to enable us live within our means and only engage in prudent and responsible borrowing where necessary. The nonimplementation of Section 42 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 is capable of encouraging imprudence and recklessness in government borrowings and improper utilisation of borrowed

funds to the detriment of our economic growth. It is a provision designed to instil fiscal discipline and restrain government from arbitrary borrowing and frivolous expenditure. If we do not put a stop to the culture of borrowing by placing a ceiling to what government can borrow, we stand the risk of accumulating debts for our children and future generations,” Gbajabiamila said.

Debt as at March 31, 2012 Relatedly, an indication that the country’s debt, appears to be on

,

LARMED Senators: The venue was the upper chamber of the National Assembly, NASS. And the day’s sitting was specifically among other things, for the inauguration of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. From this committee that had barely spent 24 hours as a group came a bombshell. Raising the alarm was the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, who said Nigeria’s debt profile had risen to US$39.72 billion (about N6.02 trillion) with external debt put at US$5.398 billion while domestic debt was N5.21 trillion.

He said the debt profile was “more than the Federal Government’s yearly budget as its external component translates to 2.76 percent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and its domestic component translates to 17.53 percent of the GDP. "The amount is unsettling and calls for concern. Do we have the capacity to repay this money considering our yearly revenue profile?

A

Nigerians: Faced with another round of debt payment

If we do not put a stop to the culture of borrowing by placing a ceiling to what government can borrow, we stand the risk of accumulating debts for our children and future generations

,

an all time rise, was confirmed

by Vanguard Features, VF, checks on the official website of the Debt Management Office.

The figures as gathered showed that the debt stood at $38.37bn (N5.97tn), while the external debt stood at $5.91bn ,N919.44bn, as at March 31, 2012. The external debt owed to financial institutions accounted for 83.28 per cent(see box for more details).

Accordingly, debt owed to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is $6.31m, while the International Development Association is owed $4.29bn.

The African Development Bank is owed $43.55m, while the African Development Fund is owed $387.23m. The International Fund for Agricultural Development, also a member of the World Bank group, is owed $70.25m.

Also, non-Paris Club debt

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE, ABUJA DOMESTIC DEBT STOCK BY INSTRUMENTS AS AT MARCH 31ST, 2012 INSTRUMENT AMOUNT FGN Bonds 3,665,853,859,000 NigerianTreasy Bills 1,947,185,098,000.00 Treasury Bonds 353,730,500,000.00 TOTAL 5,966,769,457,000.00 accounts for 8.26 percent of Nigeria’s external debt. The European Development Fund is $110.08m and the Islamic Development Fund, stands at $14.56m. Bilateral loans stand at $433.84m, while commercial loans stand $54.63m. The $500m, the country borrowed from the International Capital Market in 2011, accounts for the remaining 8.26 per cent of the external debt. Details of the domestic debts, on the other hand, showed that FGN bonds accounted for N3.67tn or 61.44 per cent of the money borrowed by the Federal Government from internal sources. Treasury Bills also amounted to N1.95tn or 32.63 per cent, while bonds account for N353.73m or 5.93 per cent.(see box for more details).

Obasanjo’s intervention Given that this is coming barely six years after Obasanjo secured a debt relief of $30 billion from the Paris Club, VF findings have shown that there are worries in both government and private sectors that the country is heading back to the debtors club.

Why Nigeria would always borrow: Those, who are scared about the situation are quick to lament that the country is about blowing the gains achieved by former president Obasanjo through the 2005/2006 debt buy back deal. “The debt profile would rise when we are importing and not a producing economy; all the things that we import, we can produce them

% 6 1.44 3 2.63 5.93 100

here in Nigeria, but government does not consider making that possibility a priority. The truth of the matter is that the environment of this country must be made conducive for the economy to grow so as to discourage reckless borrowing by the government," Executive Director of Social and Economic Rights and Accountability Project ,SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mummuni told this reporter.

Obasanjo, it would be recalled, inherited over $30 billion external debt from his predecessors. With the situation constituting a hiccup to his then proposed socioeconomic policies, Obsanjo embarked on the process of liquidating the debts.

Consequently, with the assistance of Ngozi OkonjoIweala in 2005, Nigeria paid the sum of $12 billion to buy back $18 billion Paris Club debt. This prepared the ground for the country to completely pay off its debt by April 2006 and made her the first African country to fully do so. This exit from debt trap was celebrated both nationally and internationally.

Following this feat, an elated President Obasanjo told the nation in a national broadcast on June 30, 2006 that, “there is nothing like freedom from debt and the image that the debt relief and exit from Paris Club debt give to Nigeria’’, stressing that ‘’ the debt relief has brought benefits to Nigerians and that it first represents a direct saving on debtservice repayment, interest, surcharges and other fees. It also imContinues on page 37

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012— 37

Continues from page 36

proves the country’s worthiness in the global community and builds credible financial confidence for transactions. More investment would start to flow into Nigeria knowing we are no more classified as a bad and doubtful debt country. The debt relief is expected to create jobs and new wealth with new investments, which would translate into improved standard of living.”

But the prevailing hue and cry over the latest fate of the nation’s debt status has revealed that the country’s economic future would be doomed if the debt profile continues to grow at this rate.

Speaking on the matter, an Economist and a Member of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Chief Modestus Ogbonnaya said: “Those in the position of authority should realise that monumental debt profile is a signal to the financial international community that Nigeria is an investor’s nightmare. Though most economies require public debt as one of the instruments of public expenditure, that does not mean that we should encourage increasing our debt profile without good reasons. It leads to a decline in the country’s external assets and the productive capacity of the national economy. It is evident that the mounting debt is a national yoke and a burden to generations of Nigerians yet unborn”.

Permission to borrow He however added that: “I am not saying it is wrong to borrow.

Yes, an economy can borrow for the purpose of economic growth.

We are all aware of the way and manner the US congress handled the issue of borrowing recently in the United States and it eventually gave President Obama the permission to borrow within a specified limit; so borrowing to grow the economy is not wrong." But the a former presidential candidate of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Dr. Olopade Agoro argues differently as he sees everything wrong in borrowing.

Nigeria now a bankrupt nation: For Agoro, if an economy is performing at its peak, there would not be any need to seek financial aid from multilateral financial institutions. “Nigeria is now a bankrupt nation, all these people in and outside government have been sabotaging the economy through bunkering and corruption. Why would they not go borrowing.

Nobody has been able to tell us what Nigeria is worth now. The money saved in excess crude by Obasanjo, which was $62 billion when he was leaving office has deflated to nothing. That is why C M Y K

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE Nigeria’s External Debt Stock as at 31st March, 2012 Category Principal Principal Total Percentage Total Balance Interest Interest MULTILATERAL World Bank Group IBRD 6.31 0.00 0 6.31 IDA 4,291.93 0.00 0.00 4,292.93 IFAD 70.25 0.00 0.00 70.25 African De-velopmentBank Group ADB 4 3.553 ADF 387.28 EDF 110.06 IDB 14.56 SUB-TOTAL 4,923.93 NON-PARIS BILATERAL 0.00 EDF 110.06 IDB 14.56 SUB-TOTAL 4,923.93 NON -PARISBILATERAL 433.84 COMMERCIAL 54.63 SUB TOTAL 488.47 ICM 500.00 GRAND TOTAL5,912.40

0 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,923.93

0 0.00 0.00 0.00 83.28%

00.00 110.06

43.55387.28 0.00 0.00

0.00 4,923.93

0.00

14.56

0.00

0.00

0

0.00 488.47 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00

0.00 0.00 8.46% 100.00%

they are playing on the intelligence of Nigerians that they want to create a Sovereign Wealth Fund with N1 billion. How do you replace $62 billion with $1 billion? Nigeria's foreign reserve as at the time Obasanjo was leaving office was over N400billion, but it was depleted to about N200 billion,’’ he noted.

In addition, Agoro said: ‘’It is sad that the country is now a debtor nation and it is borrowing money recklessly. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is fooling the nation when the country is in the international financial market to borrow money. The money accuruable from crude oil sales has consistently been mismanaged by those in authorities".

Still expressing sadness about the matter, Agoro added that ‘’going back to the foreign nations to borrow, amounts to mortgaging the future of our children.

Nobody can even say how much we are owing local contractors.

As at last month, it was hovering between one hundred and fifty billion naira. Unfortunately for the nation, we are suffering capital flight. Rather than investing in Nigeria, people are going outside the shores of Nigeria to invest. Most investors in Nigeria are Indians and Chinese. No American or British is ready to seriously invest in Nigeria. We don't know how much we are earning and saving. What is needed is for President Goodluck

Obasanjo

43.55 387.28 110.06 14.56

Jonathan to open up and speak to the nation about the rising debt profile; this should be taken as a matter of urgency because Obasanjo addressed the nation when he cleared the debt he inherited.

"The truth is that government has not been able to come forward with what is happening to the economy. Even the Central •Nguema Bank Governor is deemed not to have been forthcoming in this regard. Why do they always borrow when we generate funds from sale of petroleum products”.

The concerns raised by Agoro, especially the question on why past and present governments at all levels, usually seek financial aid, was also amplified by Mumuni.

"The question to ask is: What are we borrowing for? They should tell us what they are using the money they are borrowing from international organsiations for. Why would they borrow and there is nothing on ground to justify the borrowing. It is not that a country cannot borrow but for whose interest are they doing after?’’ he queried.

Not done with his damning verdict on the state of Nigeria’s economy, the SERAC boss said, “we have abundant petroleum resources yet we are still exporting fuel, the country also has abundance of coal deposits, but electricity generation is a

problem to us. This is a country that has professionals in every field, yet those who are in government do not provide the enabling environment for them to realise their dreams, and the situation has led to brain-drain.

There is no country in the world where you will not find Nigerian professionals. They are contributing meaningfully to the economic development of these countries. The reason why we will always find ourselves borrowing is because of those that rule this country. They steal so much money from the state. They mismanage so much; some of them get these loans and convert them to personal and questionable uses.”

Least indebted countries: Regardless of this growing outrage, the Federal Government had come out to defend Nigeria’s debt status, noting that the country was also doing well in terms of its debt to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, ratio, now at 17 per cent. It said that Nigeria presently has $5.6 billion external debt, but warned that the country should not go beyond the 25-30 per cent sealing it had set for itself. “Our domestic debt is about 15 per cent of the GDP. We need to watch it so that we do

,

Rising debt profile raises fear, tension

‘’It is common practice even in the most advanced economies in the world to borrow funds to supplement the income they generate for development projects. That Nigeria is found worthy of such credit facilities shows the improved credit rating of the country that was nonexistent only a few years ago,’’ Metuh said in his defense, which has been generally described expected of a PDP member.

Meanwhile, attempts were made by VF to know at what point Nigeria started borrowing with reckless abandon. Accordingly, inquiries showed that the country’s debts date back to the early 1980s, and had ballooned to more than $35bn due to penalties and late fees during the 1990s.

A report by the DBO titled: NIGERIA’S DEBT RELIEF DEALWITH THE PARIS CLUB revealed that: ‘’Nigeria’s first loan from the Paris Club of Creditor Nations was a US$13.1 million loan taken from the Italian government in 1964 for the building of the Niger Dam. From thattime till the end of the decade, Nigeria’s borrowing from foreign lenders was generally insignificant. ‘’However the oil boom of 19711981 introduced the era of big

In 1982, when oil prices crashed, Nigeria was unable to pay off the loans it borrowed; Interest payments spiked, penalties rose, the crisis had begun

,

not overdo things and have a borrowing that is above what we can sustain. We need to bring down the over N5 trillion we have in domestic debt so that what we use in the budget to pay our debt do not escalate. Our foreign borrowing is about two per cent.

The bulk of the external debt is concessionary,’’Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated recently.

Also defending the Federal Government, was the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who said Nigeria is still one of the least indebted countries among comparative growing economies with a debt/ GDP ratio of 17.45% as at 2011compared with countries such as Indonesia at 24.5%, South Africa at 35.6 per cent and Ghana at 38.7 per cent.

Dr. Okonjo-sIweala

borrowing in Nigeria. Loans were acquired by various tiers of government as Nigeria embarked on major development and reconstruction projects in the wake of the civil war. The borrowing continued well into the civilian era, as the Federal Government embarked on the guaranteeing of many unviable loans taken by private banks, state governments and parastatals’’.

Continuing, the report said: ‘’In 1982, when oil prices crashed, Nigeria was unable to pay off the loans it borrowed. Interest payments spiked, penalties rose, the crisis had begun. This pattern continued well into the military regimes of 1985-1993 and 19931998, when Nigeria stopped paying its debts to the Paris Club altogether, after the Paris Club refused to substantially reduce Nigeria’s debt.

Jonathan

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

Bismillahi Rahamani Raheem.

Wasalatu wasalam ala seyidina Muhammad, wa ala alihi, wa ashabihi, wasselim.

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Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

Every little ibaadah counts namely fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and the three days of al-Beed, fasting alternate days or fasting at the beginning, middle and end of the month, etc. There are scholars and ulamas who also declare the whole month for fasting.

,

AJAB as the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar reminds us of the preparation of Ramadan. In less than five weeks from now, preparation would have reached high levels by Muslims individuals for the glorious month.

This month, also as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) it brings to mind why we need to step up our good deeds, never to wrong one another and draw closer to Allah. This month specifically has some historical events in Islam which jogs one’s memory on the Night Journey and Ascension, the Battle of Tabuk, and the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the crusaders at the hands of Salah Ad-Din AlAyubi (AH 538). All these happened in the month of Rajab.

Essentially, what comes to mind of many Muslims is fasting in the month of Rajab. Apart from the the month of Ramadan where we are commanded to fast 29 or 30 days, no other month in the Islamic Calendar has that honour. But much asfastinginitselfisaformofibaadah, we are not dissuaded from fasting in the month. There is no hard and fast rule on it. The fasting prescription on other months other than Ramadan could apply in Rajab, one could decide to go further since it is supererogatory. Fasting as prescribed in Rajab is the same as that prescribed in other months-

With every little practice, you can progress spiritually and very quickly too. You will arrive much faster to Divine presence on a rocket and not by riding a donkey

,

The late Sheikh Imam Sheez in Ajegunle who was buried ten years ago was recently found to be fresh; his body intact when his body was exhumed late last year. He was known to be fasting most days of his life. Do not listen to anyone who says there is no need for fasting in

Shun illicit acts, Adelaja advises youths, leaders HE chairman of NationalAssociationof Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Offin Ward, Evangelist Johnson Bola Adelaja has enjoined leaders, parents and youths to shun acts that could bring shame to the country. The cleric who made the call against the backdrop of the spate of violence attacks in some parts of the country said “whatever an individual cannot do to his ownfamilyshouldnotbedone to others or the country.” He saidthisatafunfareorganised

by Echoes Resources to mark

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the month of Rajab. Every little act of ibadah to Almighty Allah will be to your credit. Besides, no one knows exactly the last thing we will do to get the favour of Allah. Let me bring to you the story of a thief during the time of Prophet

this year’s children’s Day in Offin community, Ikorodu, Lagos recently.

“We have the responsibility to develop our country by ourselves, we should not do anything Whatever anybody is doing, that will not bring glory to the country, state or community, it is not worth doing at all.”

He stated that the Muslims and the Christians are one addingthatthereligionsinthe country have derailed from the path of God and only prayer will bring desired solution. “We have already

Muhammad. (s.a.w): In the time of the Prophet (s) there lived a notorious thief. He used to rob and disposes people of their valuables at nights. Sometimes, he maimed andkilledintheprocess.Hebecame elusive and the Prophet (s.a.w) used to curse him for inflicting pain on people. The thief died one day and

disobeyed God and only prayer can move us out of this doldrums. God wants us to return to Him,” he said.

Speaking on the issue, the vice chairman of the association in the community, Erinfolami E. charged leaders to provide enabling environment for the the younger ones to develop and realise their potentials. He stated: “They are our leaders of tomorrow, if we developed them, we are not only developing our future, but they will also be able to develope their younger ones and that means the future of our unborn generation is assured,” he said.

\

•From right: Adesokan Kabir, Chairman Orgnising C'ttee, NAPPS; Ibrahim Aderemi, MD, Echoes Resources; Erinfolami E.A. V/Chairman NAPPS Offin Ward; Ajayi Femi, Project Mgr, Echoes Resources and Afewolara Paul, PRO NAPPS Offin Ward during a funfare organised by Echoes Resources to mark the Children day recently.

the prophet said he would not pray for his soul or bury his remains in the Muslims cemetery.

Because the Prophet (s.a.w) used to curse him, the children dragged his body through the streets of Madinah and threw him into a dry well. Immediately, God spoke to the Prophet (s.a.w) and said, ‘O my beloved Prophet, today one of my beloved has passed away. You must go and wash him, clean him, cover him, pray for him and bury him.’

The Prophet (s.a.w) was astonished because all the man’s life he had inflicted pain on others. Now, that he had passed away, God told him that he was a saint. How could he be a saint? But no one can interfere with God’s knowledge, not even the Prophet (s). If Allah wants to save a thief from hell, no one can question His authority. As Muslims, we don’t havetowritepeopleoffbasedonwhat wethinkheisdoing.Youdonotknow if God is going to raise that person above you for what you know not.

Leave everyone to his or her Lord.

The Prophet (s.a.w) was commanded to purify him and bury him accordingly. He did and the man was buried in Baqi cemetery, a distance of fifteen minutes’ walk from Madinah. Waman tashau naa, illa anya sha’Allahu Robualameean. Who can do anything except what Allah desires, the Lord of the world.

The Prophet (s.a.w) with Abu Bakr as_Siddiq (a.s) went to the house of that burglar to meet the daughter just to find out what good deed he used to do. The daughter said to them: “He robbed and stole day and night, except for one month during the year. When that month came, he would say, ‘This is the month of God,’ because he heard you say, ‘Rajab is the month of God, Shaban is the month of the Prophet and Ramadan is the month of the Community.’ So he said, ... I am going to sit in my room and perform seclusion during this month.’ That is why some people used the month to perform Umurah, while some engage in fasting. Every little ibadah counts.

With every little practice, you can progress spiritually and very quickly too. You will arrive much faster to Divine presence on a rocket and not by riding a donkey.

As one of the Ashhur-al-hurum (sacred months), our prayers just as the prophet said at the begining of every Rajab, we should endeavour to say: “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessings for us, and prolong our lives up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings.” Amin.

UNIFEMGA doles out N7.7m scholarships to 152 OAU students

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HE Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) has given a total of N7.741 million worth of scholarship to 152 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, ile- ife, Osun state.

The outgoing president of theAssociation,AlhajiAhmed Popoola said this in ile-Ife while handing over the cheques of the award to the Dean of Students Affairs Dr Lateefah Durosinmi during the annual national reunion conference of UNIFEMGA. Popoola said that in the last three years, the association has succeeded in giving financial support to 152 students because of their academic performance and behaviour.

He said 53 of the figures benefitted from the 2012 scholarship scheme with Post graduate and physically challenged students inclusive with a total sum of N2, 955 million. “I wish to congratulate this year’s scholars and hope that these gestures will them to cushion their financial needs and spur them to focus on their studies” he said.

Popoola said some of the students did very well in their studies with CGPA ranging from 4.28 to 4.90 with the least collecting N50, 000 and

highest N75, 000. He said the Association was equally grateful to the Institution for

giving it a parcel of land where a 96-room female hostel was being constructed for the students to ease accommodation problem.

MICA launches N250m Islamic that the Centre, which is Centre HE Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) has called for urgent reorientation of the citizenry as a way of promoting peace and stability in the country.

The Coordinator of MICA Abuja chapter, Alhaji Abdulbasit Bakare made the call on Sunday in Abuja at the launching of a N250 million Islamic Centre project.

He said the new orientation was necessary in view of the security challenges as well as unpatriotic tendencies of both leaders and followers in the country.

Bakare said that the proposed Islamic centre would be a “One Stop Islamic Centre” meant to ensure Islamic cultural awareness, re-orientation and national development.

He decried the lack of peace, unity and religious tolerance, saying the Centre would go a long way in providing a platform for solving some of the vices in the country.

The coordinator said

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unique in Nigeria, would cater for spiritual, social, economic and political well being of Muslims as well as their healthy living through provision of fitness centre.

He called on other faithbased organisations, and Civil Society Organisations to join MICA in evolving a virile and peaceful society.

In his lecture entitled: “A Legacy Beyond Measure”, Malam Abdulfattah Adeyemi, urged Muslims on the need to strive for righteousness and create good legacies for the youths.

He said the Islamic Centre was a good legacy that would go a long way in building the nation.

Adeyemi said the Centre would avail Muslims and the family an avenue to interact, pray and engage in capacity building.

The proposed multipurpose Islamic centre is located in FHA Lugbe, Abuja and will have a jumat Mosque, Educational Library, Multi-purpose hall, Fitness centre, Office spaces, Guest inn when completed.

Vanguard,

LIBRA: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

SCORPIO: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

SAGITTARIUS: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

CAPRICORN: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

— 39

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

VIRGO: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

DEAS are the foundation of everything you are today. Whatever you do today, whatever you will do tomorrow and whatever you have achieved in the past, they all derived their beginning from a common, simple and

Where is your ideas file?

I

an ordinarily looking idea which is first muted in your mind.

Therefore, our challenge today, is how to husband these ideas.

If an idea crops up in

TERROR MUDA

your mind now; how do you safeguard it?

Do you just assume it is permanently stored in your mind? That will be a mistake. For you to have a workable

in “Never say goodbye”

idea, you must write down the idea. In addition, you must have an idea file where you store your ideas for constant and periodic review and development Learn to protect your ideas today. Have an ideas file where you keep all your jottings.

By Kola Fayemi

AQUARIUS: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

PISCES: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operative you are today the better for you. Those of you travelling for love are in for an exciting day.

ARIES: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances.

Let go yesterday, move ahead.

TAURUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

GEMINI: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

LEO: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course. The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send your date and place of birth to the Astrological Counselling, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos

About day I was born?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Sam, Kano

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Sam, With the Moon in Libra when you were born influence of Libra be pronounced in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

40-Vanguard , FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

S-West CNPP hails ACN AGOS—THE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, South West chapter has commended the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, including their governors, for upholding the tenets of democracy in the last 13 years of civilian administration in the country.

While commending the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose determination made it possible for ACN to reclaim Osun and Ekiti states at the 2007 general elections after legal battles that are very

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ANNIVERSARY: From left: Dr. Michael Ugbeye,Chairman, Alpha-May Club, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, guest speaker, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, chairman of the occasion and Chief Brodrick Bozimo, guest speaker during Alpha-May Club's 27th anniversary with the theme; Ingredients of Unity Among The Ethnic Nationalities in Delta State at Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

historical, CNPP recalled how the former Alliance for Democracy, AD, won all the six states in the South-West at the inception of civil rule in May 1999, but lost five states in the 2003 general election, except Lagos State, which were all later reclaimed in 2011.

CNPP in a statement to mark Democracy Day, noted how the people of the South-West did not hesitate to entrust the government of Ogun and Oyo states to the party in the 2011 general election, in addition to Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti states.

Rights activist slams Jonathan over UNILAG

BY EMEKA MAMAH

ADUNA—A rights activist and President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, CRCN, Shehu Sani has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of C seeking popularity with the Mlate Chief Moshood Abiola Y by renaming the University K of Lagos, UNILAG, after From left: Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Chairman, South-West, Christian h i m .

Association of Nigeria, CAN; presenting a certificate to Oba Dapo Tejuosho, Sani said in a statement Osile Oke-Ona of Egbaland, after his induction as patron of the South-West in Kaduna, yesterday, that zone of CAN and ordination as pastor and general evangelist at St. James' Jonathan should proclaim Cathedral African Church, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Abiola president and name the newly-established university at his home town

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Firm petitions Fashola over demolition of property

BY EVELYN USMAN AGOS—NASIHA Transport Services has petitioned Governor Babatunde Fashola over the demolition of its company’s property at Marine Beach loop in Apapa area of Lagos, by the State Special Task Force on Environmental and Miscellaneous Offences, without prior notice.

It alleged that the action was instigated by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(names withheld) The company which disclosed that its property worth N200 million was destroyed, also argued that it was never in breach of any condition in the use of the site, nor was it among structures marked for demelitionstruction.

Appealing to Governor Fashola to redress the action of the Task Force,

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solicitors to the company, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, in the petition by Ifeanyi Maduabuchi, explained that the company was directly under supervision of the

Ministry of Works and the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, to which all dues and land charges were paid and also met the Lagos State policy on beautification.

Govt, church leaders tasked on fight against piracy AGOS—A call has gone out to governments at all levels, church leaders and teachers to join hands and wage war against piracy.

Speaking at the three-

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Mimiko's wife lauds women's role in politics KURE—WIFE of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko has said that the role of women in political development cannot be overemphasised as they are the anchor of life on which human existence depends.

Mrs. Mimiko spoke, yesterday, during a meeting with women groups in the state at Okitipupa in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state even as she called for their effective participation in politics.

According to her, statistics had shown that women

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were not very active in partisan or political development.

She noted that democracy

guaranteed equality before the law, be it economic, social or political.

Itsekiri CDC backs Uduaghan

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HE leadership of Ode-Itsekiri Community Development Committee (CDC) has called on the people of Delta State to sustain the existing peace in the state and also live in harmony as one united family.

Mr. Araye Ebobo, Chairman of the committee, in a statement yesterday noted that the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is a man of peace, and has been preaching peace and unity among

in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, if he was serious about honouring Chief Abiola, and not to appease the Southwest, which had been opposing his alleged "mis governance and corruption in the polity."

He said: ‘’The recent decision by the Federal Government to rename the university of Lagos after chief MKO Abiola is not an honour but a popularity craving exercise by the Jonathan led administration. ’’It is also a deceptive effort to appease the South West’s growing opposition

Deltans.

The Itsekiri chieftain also advised that it was time the people of Delta irrespective of tribe and political affiliations shun ethnic sentiment and live as brothers.

While congratulating Governor Uduaghan on his one year in office, he assured that Deltans will continue to benefit more on dividends of democracy, as the Governor is committed towards better life for the people.

day training at the Professional Retail Institute for Booksellers in Lagos, yesterday, the lead facilitator and Director of Training, Christian Association International, CTAI, Mr. Jack Scott, said piracy makes inferior goods to be supplied to readers at cheaper prices to the detriment of the original owners.

Scott described Nigeria as unique, saying that marketing of Christian literature needs a lot of vigour as the people had developed reading culture, which makes for competition and growth.

He said for the Christian bookseller to be successful, he must know how to source the products and make them available for the readers and must be adaptable to changes and must be sensitive to what happens around him.

to the mis-governance and corruption in the polity. ’’If President Jonathan is a fan of Chief MKO Abiola he could have renamed the newly-built federal university in Otuoke,in Bayelsa State since the late chief also won in those areas in 1993 presidential e l e c t i o n s . ’’No amount of renaming of monument will dampen the popular call on the Federal Government to recognize the late Abiola as a former p r e s i d e n t . ’’The 13 year resistance by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led governments to rename the National Stadium and the National Assembly after the late hero of democracy cannot be forgiven by the renaming of the University of Lagos.’’

LG boss gets award BAKALIKI— CHAIRMAN, Ikwo L o c a l Government in Ebonyi State, Mr. Celestine Igberi, have won this year’s Rootswatch Magazine Merit Award for local government chairmen in the country.

At the presentation of the award in Abuja last week, Mr. Igberi was described as a man of dedication who had devoted his time towards infrastructural development in the council area.

Mr. Igberi, also the chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in the state was presented with the award of best council chairman in infrastructural development in the SouthEast.

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41 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

UN, US, mount pressure on Bashar Assad YRIAN president Bashar Asad came under increased pressure yesterday as UN secretary-general, Ban Kimoon, said that massacres of civilians, such as the one perpetrated in Houla last weekend, could plunge Syria into a devastating civil war.

Ban cited fears raised

by Kofi Annan, the UNArab League envoy, that Syria may have already reached a “tipping point” following the slaughter of 108 people in Houla last Friday.

“The massacre of civilians of the sort seen last weekend could plunge Syria into catastrophic civil war - a civil war from which the country would never recover,” he said in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, state media reported that 500 prisoners who were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the 14month-old revolt had been released, two days

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after Annan urged President Bashar al-Assad to free detainees.

The warning came as the United States raised similar concerns that the failure of Annan’s plan for the embattled country could have dire consequences. The U.N., U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said there were three ways the Syrian conflict could end.

The first would involve the Syrian government deciding to comply with the ceasefire. The second would involve the Security Council taking action to pressure Damascus to fully comply. An Amateur video coming out of Syria shows no let up to the violence in Syria.

Now the United States is warning that if the U.N. Security Council does not take swift action to pressure the Syrian government to end its 14 month assault, nations may have no choice but

to consider acting outside.

“In the absence of those two scenarios there seems to me to be only one oth-

HE Minister of For eign Affairs of Sweden, Mr Carl Bildt is due to visit Nigeria from June 5 to June 6, to meet with Nigerian officials to discuss bilateral issues as well as developments in the region.

A statement made available to journalists in Abuja Wednesday by the Ambassador of Sweden in Nigeria , Per Lindgärde said the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs is also scheduled to deliver a key note address at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos on June 6, 2012.

A m b a s s a d o r Lindgärde in the statement also informed that his tour of duty as ambassador ends in June this year, while his successor is expected to resume duty in September 2012.

According to the statement, “The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will be in Nigeria 5-6 June. During his visit he will meet President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru and some other high level government officials in

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Abuja, to discuss both bilateral issues and developments in the region as well as some international issues of mutual interest.

Mr. Bildt will also visit Lagos to meet business representatives and to make a speech at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, on the

er alternative. That is indeed the worst case and that is unfortunately at present the most probable. And that is that the

USSIA has insisted that new action against its ally Syria would be premature, amid Western calls for increased pressure on the

topic “The New AfricaSweden and EU’s Collaboration with Africa “ Speaking on his planned departure back to Sweden , Ambassador Lindgärde said, “I would like to inform you that I will be leaving Abuja in the end of June as my assignment here comes to an end.

regime as the death toll rises.

UN under secretary general Herve Ladsous gave the UN Security Council a “sombre” account of both the latest killings in the eastern town of Assukar — 13 people killed executionstyle — and of last week’s massacre near the central town of Houla in which more than 100 people died.

The United States, France, Britain and Germany all came out of a UN Security Council meeting on the worsening crisis urging mea-

Militants vow to kill Osama Bin Ladin’s doctor Pakistani doctor who helped the US find Osama bin Laden was imprisoned for aiding fighters and not for links to the CIA, as Pakistani officials had said, according to a court document.

Last week, a court in the Khyber tribal region near the Afghan border jailed Shakil Afridi for 33 years.

But militants accused in a Pakistan court of conspiring with a doctor recruited by the CIA to find Osama bin Laden said yesterday that they had nothing to do with him and threatened to kill him.

He was arrested after US troops killed bin Laden in May 2011 in the town of Abbottabad where he set up a fake vaccination programme in the hope of obtaining DNA

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violence escalates, the conflict spreads and intensifies, it reaches a higher degree of severity. It involves countries

in the region, it takes on increasingly sectarian forms, and we have a major crisis not only in Syria but in the region.”

...Russia says new action is premature R

Swedish minister visits Nigeria

BY VICTORIA OJEME, Abuja

UN Scribe, Ban-Ki Moon

•President Obama

samples to confirm the Al-Qaeda leader’s presence. But he was convicted for treason over alleged ties to Lashkar-eIslam and not for working for the CIA, for which the court said it did not have jurisdiction.

Lashkar-e-Islam, led by warlord Mangal Bagh, is a militant organisation feared for kidnappings and extortion in the tribal district of Khyber, where Afridi worked for years as a doctor. The court said Afridi had “close links” to the group, saying the doctor’s “love” for Bagh and “association with him was an open secret”.

But a spokesman and a commander in the organisation both told AFP that they had nothing to do with Afridi.The govern-

ment may have wanted to show a largely anti-US public that Pakistan will not tolerate any co-operation with the US spy agency, especially at a time of troubled relations with Washington.

sures up to sanctions by the 15-nation body.

All governments are increasingly concerned as the Syria death toll piles up and UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan left Damascus this week with no apparent concessions from President Bashar alAssad.The UN observer mission chief in Syria,

Israel marks 20yrs of renewed ties with Nigeria

BY VICTORIA OJEME, Abuja HE Embassy of Is rael in Nigeria has celebrated 20 years of renewed diplomatic relations with Nigeria. Diplomatic relations between the countries were severed in 1973 when the now defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) ordered African countries to cut ties with Israel over its 1973 War

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Fuel strike cripples India nationwide strike against rising petrol prices in India has closed shops and disrupted public transport, with the under-fire government facing new dissent over its economic management.

Opposition political parties and trade unions enforced a shutdown in many cities on Thursday, with anti-government marches held in New

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Major General Robert Mood, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the latest killings in Assukar, calling it an “appalling and inexcusable act.”Thirteen bodies were discovered in the area of Assukar, 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Deir Ezzor,” the veteran Norwegian peacekeeper said.

Delhi and commercial hub Mumbai. In New Delhi, most shops were closed and traffic was extremely light, with many workers deciding to stay home because of the lack of public transport. In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena party, a BJP ally, instructed residents that they “should not venture out of their houses” and there were reports of buses being stoned and offices attacked.

Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru with Egypt.

Speaking at an elaborate event at the weekend in Abuja to mark the restored ties, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Moshe Ram, said the restored diplomatic ties is a significant move that symbolised Israel’s return to the most important country to Israel in Africa. Ram recalled that in the 1960s and early 70s before break in diplomatic ties, Israel play a significant role in the development and modernization of Nigeria as hundreds of Israeli experts helped in Nigeria‘s agriculture sector, educational system and medical institutions.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1,

2012

CONMESS: •Whither the place of agreement?

•3 agreements in 3 years, no implementation

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N September 2009, following several years of negotiations between the Nigerian Medical Association and the Federal Government, the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale, CONMESS, circular SWC/S/04/S.410/220 was released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

CONMESS is a uniform salary structure initiated by the Federal Government for all doctors in the country. Medical Guild had been agitating for implementation of the CONMESS through several letters and representations to government. This culminated in the strike actions of August to November 2010, and February to March 2011.

However, in 2010, the State Government agreed to adopt CONMESS and this followed with the signing of the first ever agreement to implement the salary structure in the state. The agreement, dated November 19, 2010 with number LGS/HOS/06/Vol.VI/30 was signed by the Head of Service, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe.

In 2011, the State government reneged on the agreement which led to a four months protracted strike in the state. With the intervention of well

meaning Nigerians, the doctors went back to work after signing another agreement on the same issue with the State Government. The second agreement was dated March 24, 2011 was signed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Henry Ajomale and Dr. Jide Idris.

However, in the last one month, the state health sector has been in crisis following the alleged failure of the State government to, yet again; fulfill agreement over the same issue. In the wake of the crisis have been series of events beginning with the sacking of 788 doctors, their eviction from official quarters, legal actions in Industrial Court and the solidarity strike by Federal doctors in the state. The two parties, (Lagos State Government and the Medical Guild) have had three separate agreements over the CONMESS implementation and at each point; negotiation has broken down because government allegedly failed to keep its own part of the bargain.

This brings to question what an agreement represents. According to a business dictionary, an agreement is “A negotiated and usually legally enforceable understanding between two or

more legally competent parties. Although, a binding contract can and often does result from an agreement, an agreement typically documents the give-and-take of a negotiated settlement and a contract specifies the minimum acceptable standard of performance” Of what use is an agreement if it is not binding on the parties involved?

Then, can it still be described as an agreement? Can two walk together except they agree? Going by the biblical perspective; (Amos 3: 3) “two cannot walk together except they agree.” Keeping of agreement may not be the strongest attribute in this part of the world. Nigerians have almost become used to having broken promises through failed agreement. Today, it is a common place in Nigeria to find various labour unions embarking on strikes due to failure of the government to honour one agreement or the other for the benefit of the people.

The foregoing may explain the current situation in the Lagos State Health Sector. The effects of this break down of agreement has brought calamity on not just the parties involved but the entire

health system, the patients, innocent Lagosians and the entire nation as a whole. Everyone has had their own share of the crisis. Countless lives have been lost unnecessarily. The health system has virtually shut down. Revenue running into billions has gone than the drain while even the future of medicine is seriously threatened. But perhaps the most shocking was the unprecedented sacking of 788 doctors at a go. Never in the nation’s history or anywhere in the world have such a huge number of doctors been sacked in a single day.

Even after suffering this crushing blow the doctors don’t appear to have earned public sympathy for the singular reason that they went on strike in the first place. Worse still, the state government continues to maintain sealed lips over the status of the various agreements.

Now the doctors who are down have come out to say they have nothing more to fear and as a result they are now questioning the place of an agreement in a country like Nigeria basing their argument on recent attempts by the State Government to renege on yet another agreement would have resolved the lingering crisis in the state health sector.

Pulling back from agreement or denying it is worrisome —Dr. Edamisan Temiye, Chairman NMA Lagos In an exclusive interview with Sola Ogundipe and Chioma Obinna, the State Chairman of the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Edamisan Temiye calls to question the relevance of governance and state government’s credibility on the issue of agreements. Excerpts:

By SOLA OGUNDIPE & CHIOMA OBINNA

Dr. Edamisan Temiye, NMA, Lalgos chairman

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HAT is the latest on the impasse?

Members of the House Committee on Health came Monday Last week and they came mainly because of the actions that are taking place in the federal institutions. However, on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, they came back and they eventually met with the Lagos State Government. After meeting with the Lagos State House Committee on Health, they eventually met with us here (NMA Secretariat) and that meeting lasted till about midC M Y K

night. There was some understanding that was reached at that meeting and they were supposed to go back to the government and get back to us. They got back to us on Thursday evening and from what we got from them, we felt that there were some positive developments.

However, by Saturday, What we felt was a positive development has disappeared. So we are back to square one.

Can you be more specific?

Between the house committees, the House of Representa-

tives, the State house committee, the medical elders who are also politicians and us, having heard from the government, we were able to iron out a lot of differences that was between us. Issues were laid on what are the true positions of things agreed upon. That caused us to write an agreement with them. Then, we wrote a letter to the governor to intervene and stop what was going on and they took the letter to the governor. From the report they gave us, we were expecting a positive response from the Lagos State government.

In fact from that point, we lowered our guard, we were expecting a solution latest by tomorrow,

Monday, May 28, 2012, but to our amazement, by Saturday, last week what we heard from government side was an attempt to water down what had been agreed upon, an attempt to take us back to us back to what we have rejected before. So up till now, we have not heard anything directly from the government. As far as we are concerned, we are back to square one.

Governor Fashola said he has no power to hire and fire. How do you view such statement?

I think we have heard that he said he is not involved in hiring and firing. To my mind, it is an abdication of responsibility. No Governor in the developed countries will ever say that kind of a thing because it can lead to the removal of that Governor. We are

running a system called executive presidency. The Governor is an executive Governor. When a Governor now starts saying that he has no power over those who are under him, whom he appointed, then we are in trouble, deep trouble. One of the national dailies editorial said it all today, there is no governance in this country. Corruption is ruling and the country is falling apart and the Governor is sitting down and the people he is governing over are dying. And he said he has no power over the people he appointed to help him run the government, then, we are in deep mess.

The doctors were accused to have insulted constituted authorities, how true is this?

I was not there at the meeting but you will know that this government has engaged itself in so much blackmail that it will be difficult to know what they are saying again. I have seen people who have explained to me what happened at that meeting. I don’t think anybody insulted anybody.

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 — 43

Pulling back from agreement or denying it is worrisome—Dr. Temiye Continues from page 42 There may be one on one discussion with one person or the other in a word that is raised but that does not mean that somebody insulted the system. The government is finding a reason why they will not act. They are finding a reason why they want to call black white and white black. This matter is simple, if somebody insulted the system, there are procedures to take. What has brought this matter up is that they are transferring a labour issue to civil service issue because they have planned before hand what they wanted to do to destroy the civil service structure in Nigeria.

A lot of labour people feel unconcerned. If this passes through, the civil service structure and the labour service structure we have in Nigeria as we know it today will disappear in the next one year. Our governance is dismantling the system so that they entrench themselves and continue to fix on the people. What drives people out of the country to seek asylum is corruption, mis-governance and authoritarianism. That is what we are witnessing today.

What do you say about a situation in which government will go into an agreement, renege and enter into another agreement and renege?

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola I see it, is pushing us back to the 17th and 18th Centuries. That is where we are going and I hope those in government pull back and bring us back to the 21st Century so that we have mutual respect and when government says something we will really believe immediately that they are going to do it. When there is mistrust, there is big problem in making advancement in governance.

Why has the Government of Lagos State decided to be punishing the citizenry of this state? They should ask them questions. Our people don’t know how to ask their government questions

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This is what the medical profession has been going through in the hands of Lagos State Government since 2010. And that is what has led to this crisis. Now, the government has abandoned that, when you ask them questions on the agreements they dodged it. Ask them how much you are paying the doctors, they dodged it. Did you or did you not demote these doctors, they dodged it. Did you not wipe the years of their service? They dodged it. Did you not wipe six to seven years of their service, they dodged it. T hey actually made publication that they are paying figure for figure, money for money, when they know that they are not doing it.

When a government behaves like that and when it loses truth and it starts embellishing mistruth with falsehood as gospel truth, then, you start wondering what governance means, whether there is any contract between government and governance, whether the workers are slaves and could be treated anyhow. The action of the government, the way

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The government has engaged in a lot of blackmail. Pulling back from agreement or denying it and then using other extraneous and unimportant things to explain the action, that is worrisome to me.

There have been allegations that Governor Babatunde Fashola walked out of negotiation meeting. How true are these allegations?

Well, to some extent, I will tell you that he did not walk out. He truly excused himself and said he had other meetings he wanted to go to. But because of the experience we had before with the people he was referring us to then, and he is referring us to again now, then, we knew he was not ready for a solution. I will say he was not ready to take a decision and he is still not ready to take a decision but yet he excused himself.

Cut in: I think he advised that the doctors should go and appeal and that they will now sit down to consider the appeals.

I don’t know anything about appeal and I don’t know whom the doctors are going to appeal

to. At this point, you will quiet agree that the crisis has lingered for too long, now you will also agree that the crisis has also affected the medicine profession.

Again, patients are being denied the right to health, don’t you think there is need for doctors to shift ground a little to al-

low peace to reign?

I don’t know what you mean, but if I am a free born of this country and you want to enslave me and I say you cannot enslave me and you are now telling me to go and put the chain on my neck then you are the one whom wants to kill me. What the Lagos State government is doing today is to actually destroy the medical profession and we will not allow Lagos state government to destroy our profession. In fact you will be surprised at the anger of other doctors in other places who are not in Lagos. It is not only the medical profession they are going to destroy, they are going to destroy the civil services structure. People don’t see it. The press are not looking at it.

Violation of labour laws You are not seeing the document the state government is working with and you turned your eyes away from it, it violates all the labour laws in the land. It is because they want to implement that document that the sack came. You are looking away from that motive and why the government is difficult, that is one. Number two, you are looking away from a situation a group of people have entered into different agreements separately on almost the same issue for two years and that government has failed to implement it.

Some of your colleagues are taking appointment with the Lagos State government. How do you view such action? You threatened to sanction these doctors, what kind of sanction are you planning? Again, the issue of locum doctors, while the government is claiming that it is a global practice, the NMA is saying is casualising the profession,

what is really a locum employment?

Have you seen the document on locum? (Displaying the locum Dr. Odusote, Medical Guild chairman document) I There is a subsisting agreement am surprised that Government is saying such thing and you did that Lagos State government has not go and look for the document not denied. As a responsible, rethat is a surprise to me. You sponsive and democratic governshould have gone to look for the ment they should fulfill that agreement. And because it was document and read it Just last weekend, State Chap- that agreement that led to all these ter of the Association of Gener- actions, since it was the governal and Medical Practitioners of ment that failed to fulfill that Nigeria, AGPMPN, drafted agreement, they should move about 1,200 facilities to offer free back to the point where they medical services to card carry- showed evidence that they are not ing patients of the Lagos State going to fulfill that agreement. hospitals, what is your take on Because they should move back to that point, they should recall this?

Let me tell you something, the all the doctors they have sacked. person sitting by my left is a mem- Once they do that there are no ber of AGPMPN and his facility issues anymore. And of course, has not been drafted. By my right this paper, (waving the Lagos is an AGPMPN member his fa- State document on locum) on loccility is not involved. Actually, it um doctor should go to the trash is a political gimmick. The per- bin because that is where it beson sitting close to you is also an longs. It was used in 17th CenAGPMPN member; his facility tury and it cannot come out in 21st has also not been drafted. If in Century again.

The public has continued to my executives that I have three out of 9 AGPMPN members, you suffer, what is your message for know that there are some people Lagosians?

They have a government. They doing some things that are not right. We are also aware that should go back to the government those facilities have also failed to and say why are you doing this offer free medical services. That to us? Why has the Government patients who have seen the ad- of Lagos State decided to be punvertisement and had approached ishing the citizenry of this state? those facilities, find out that they They should ask them questions. have to pay for the services ren- Our people don’t know how to ask their government questions. dered to them.

The government is not above them. The people put them there Political to serve them. They should ask statement them why are you doing this and What of patients who are not in why do you want to denigrate a Government care at that time who profession? Why do you want to have not obtain card at that time push a profession down and dethat now need medical care? So stroy a profession? when they go there are they gohy do you think that the ing to pay? That includes somebest solution is to sack a body who has just had an okada massive 788 doctors at a go? Why accident and he is rushed to some do you think this is the solution of these facilities and he did not have card before. So you could to your not fulfilling agreement see that, that is not the kind of you reached with them severally. services that is going to help the You know that people are afraid people. It is just a political state- of government and they think that ment. Have you the press ap- the people they should harass proach any of them? We have had and push down is the doctors. report s of people going to the The doctors are already down. facilities to obtain services and There is a song that says: “He that after services, they say sorry you is down needs fear no fall”.

So we are already down we have to pay, it is not free. What I don’t need to fear to fall. So we am telling is that those who have are fighting from down. The used their cards to receive services there have been asked to pay people too, they are down. They fully not part for the services ren- need fear no fall. So they can also ask pertinent questions and they dered.

At what point should a doctor should demand an answer. Why a Governor should say the peoembark on strike?

At the point which he felt he has ple under him sacked 788 docbeen frustrated, he had been ig- tors and he knew nothing about nored and insulted. At that point it. And he cannot reverse it for the good of the society? I think it he can embark on a strike.

What is the way out of the cri- is important to ask those questions from the government. sis?

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44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

OYO: Peace at last

BY OLA AJAYI

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HE difficulties of the new administration in Oyo State were well articulated by the one woman who should know at the end of the first 100 days. The governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, speaking at a thanksgiving service to mark the first 100 days of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN administration said: “Ordinarily, the beginning of everything is always challenging. But the first hundred days of this administration have been very challenging.”

Mrs. Ajimobi said she noted the challenges from natural disasters among other issues that encumbered the first days in office of the new administration.

Though it was never expected to be easy given the milieu of violence and political antagonism that preceded the advent of the new administration.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has predictably scored the Ajimobi administration low saying through one of its new groups, the PDP Synergy Group, that the ACN government is in slumber. It cited the

administration’s difficulties in managing the Ibadan flood disaster as its yardstick.

The group in a statement issued by Prince Dotun Oyelade and Morounkola Thomas pointed at what they described as the the “callous neglect of flood disaster victims numbering over a hundred thousand across the state and in Ibadan” as a basis of their claim that the Ajimobi administration is without vision.

However, their claim remarkably is not wholly adopted within the PDP family given the other measure of performance by some PDP chieftains. Dr. Dejo Raimi, a staunch loyalist of the immediate past PDP governor, Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala has cited the restoration of peace to the state as a notable achievement even going as far as disagreeing with the PDP Synergy Group as he maintained that Ajimobi was prompt in his response to the Ibadan flood disaster of last year. Indeed, the assertions of the PDP Synergy Group were countered by the Oyo Patriotic Front through its Chairman, Chief Lare Adepoju.

He noted: “It is unthinkable that these major actors of a profligate administration that ran Oyo State aground and left nothing but ruins could now constitute themselves into opposition and advocates of good governance,”just as he reminded the former governor and his cohorts that if they had performed wonders while in office they would not have been shoved out of office.

Adepoju said: “It is regrettable that Oyo, which had been ruled by the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Chief Bola Ige and Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, was relegated to a state where violence, brigandage and unprecedented corruption reigned supreme. Indeed, peace which was almost totally elusive in the last four years of the PDP regime has been restored to the state. Not even critics and political opponents of the governor would disagree with the total peace that the state now enjoys.

"It is a big surprise that the violent activities of members of the National

Union of Road Transport Workers in the state have been effectively tackled. For several years, the violent tendencies of NURTW members became an albatross for successive governments in the state.

Besides the dividend of peace, the governor after some initial lethargy has moved on to the development of physical infrastructure and development of job creation schemes. About six months after he was inaugurated, the governor launched the Oyo Youth Employment Scheme popularly known as O-YES through which 20,000 persons were immediately recruited into various sectors of the state’s public service. "A free health scheme has also been launched for all citizens of the state in the state’s health facilities, construction of a N2.13billion overhead bridge at Mokola Roundabout has been inaugurated, construction of a new fivestar hotel to boost tourism was flagged off last week and with these the initial scepticism that almost clouded the initial euphoria of the coming of the Ajimobi administration has started to clear. It gives hope that beyond the remarkable peace that is the hallmark of the governor’s first year, that much more could come from the Ajimobi administration in its second year."

Akala was not a good example for us — Gov Ajimobi ON the heels of his first anniversary in office, Governor Ajimobi in this interview reviews his challenges, achievements in office and the direction he claims to be leading the Pace Setter State.

Excerpts: ONGRATULATIONS on the anniversary of your first year in office. Against the backdrop of your battle against the PDP during the electioneering process, how do you feel being one year old as governor of Oyo State?

Thank you for this visit. The greatest glory for my being the governor of Oyo State can only be given to the Almighty God who, in His infinite mercies, decided that I would be sitting on this seat today. I do tell people that the battle for the April, 2011 elections in Oyo State was like that of the biblical David and Goliath. In terms of physical size, I was not in any way near the size of my cocontender. In terms of money, I was not anywhere near his accumulated war chest. Even in terms of ability to rouse the security apparatus to his electoral advantage, I was almost nil. But my most prized possession was the people of Oyo State and the Almighty God who had promised to bring our government and party to rescue the people from their forced labour. So ultimately, it

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was not me but those two unassailable factors. While they relied on their ability, their money and power of coercion, we relied on the majesty of God and the immeasurable love of our people to become the occupant of Agodi Government House.

As governor-elect, the then incumbent shut all doors against our transition committee from accessing the state of affairs of the state so that we could have a pregovernment blueprint of our administration. But my brother, we did not envisage the level of rot that we eventually confronted when we assumed office. Virtually everything had

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*Ajimobi: I am going after excellence administration of Oyo State, we broken down.

On the first day of my visit to were to confront that replica of the office that I was supposed the rot of the office of governor to sit and administer the state, that we saw. So our first six what we saw shocked us. The months was spent facing the rug was threadbare, cobwebs challenges of the degradation hung on the book shelf and we and trying to bring Oyo State saw snails and rats by the from its Ground Zero level.

By the grace of God, when we Secretary’s office. These were clear signals to me and my team finish our first tenure of office, that we had a lot of work to do. we hope to have significantly And in all facets of altered global conception of Oyo State which used to be that it was a state administered by and bedeviled by a failed leadership.

What will you say, in concrete terms, you have been able to achieve as governor in the last one year?

Thanks for that question. In the area of the intangible aspect of governance, I will say my administration’s greatest achievement of the last one year has been making Oyo

Wherever I can find excellence, I go for it and I do not allow party affiliation or tribe to inhibit me. I do not allow the usual gulf that exists between governments and opposition to deter me in the administration of our state

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State peaceful again.

You will recall that, by the time we were coming into office, we inherited the typecast of our state being perceived in all parts of the world as a place where unprovoked and unwarranted violence takesplace, almost every other day. If it was not politicians shedding their factional blood today, it would be motor park miscreants fighting for legitimacy and spatial hegemony.

You will particularly recall the most audacious one when a factional leader of the state NURTW called Eleweomo was brutally murdered in a supremacy battle and some politicians within the same PDP were alleged to have had a hand in the murder by the Continues on page 46

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—45

POL SNIPES

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

HE political oddities that have shadowed Anambra State since the advent of democratic rule in 1999 without doubt exceed the political cranks that may have erupted in any of the other states of the federation.

Under the tenure of its first fourth republic governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, the state became a battle field for the many godfathers in the state.

Chief Emeka Offor pitched against Chief Arthur Eze were the leading power brokers in the state until the emergence of the ultimate political godfather, Chief Chris Uba. Uba who was allegedly before his advent on tutelage to a godfather was helped in his ascendancy by his elder brother and presidential assistant, Dr. Andy Uba. By some accounts, President Olusegun Obasanjo so trusted this aide that he could close his eyes, open his mouth and allow this assistant drop anything inside.

Anambra was to draw attention to itself when just before the 2003 election, Mbadinuju became the only incumbent that was refused the nomination form by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. With Mbadinuju out, the Ubas adopted a quiet party apparatchik and former medical doctor, Dr. Chris Ngige who was expected to play along with their script for political dominance in the state.

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Besides the gubernatorial ticket, Chris Uba also allegedly wrote down a shortlist of his candidates for the National Assembly, all of whom were announced as winners of the National Assembly election, albeit after some drama.

But that was only the beginning of the problems that would engulf the Uba brothers.

Some PDP members who won the party primaries to represent the party in the National Assembly elections alleged that they were shoved aside after the election and allegedly replaced by the nominees of the Ubas.

After all, the Ubas with the support of Obasanjo were in full control of the party.

It was as such not surprising that the judicial principle that political parties and not candidates win elections emerged from the judicial maze created by the National Assembly elections in Anambra in 2003. Within three months of the inauguration of the Uba’s handpicked governor, the state projected its political

*Margery: Seeking to build on husband's legacy

Anambra: Home for all oddities infamy to a nauseating height when the incumbent governor, Dr. Ngige was kidnapped by a horde of policemen allegedly acting the script of his political godfather. That act was, however, the action that liberated Ngige and set him on towards a legacy of good governance in the state.

But whatever he did was based on a hijacked mandate and so the Court of Appeal ruled leading to the inauguration of Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance as governor in 2006. That inevitably upset the schedule of inaugurations removing May 29 as a landmark for gubernatorial inaugurations in the State. That too was another

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Shortlist of candidates

*Emodi: Anambra North quiet since her exit

legitimate candidates of the PDP in the 2003 senatorial election. The pair of Mrs. Emodi and Chief Obi were to temporary put Anambra on the bright side of history with the sparkling performance they exhibited in the Senate that rekindled the razzmatazz and verbal pomposity that was the hallmark of one of the first Anambra senators in 1999, the Oyi of Oyi, Senator Chuba Okadigbo.

While Emodi through decorous dignity and panache put forth a legacy in her chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Obi was to serve as one of the principal resource centres that derailed the third

Among other oddities, Anambra is also the only State in the country not to have conducted a local government election since 1999

unhelpful first from Anambra.

An attempt by Dr. Uba to return inaugurations to May 29 after he won the April 2007 gubernatorial elections turned into a pyrrhic victory for him as he was removed from office by the Supreme Court after only 17 days in office as governor.

That too is another Anambra record.

Before then the duo of Senator Joy Emodi and Senator Ben Obi in 2005 successfully dislodged the pair of Emma Anosike and Sir Ikechukwu Abana from the senate after they proved at the Court of Appeal that they were the

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term agenda allegedly powered by yet, another Anambra son, Dr. Andy Uba. The oddities from Anambra it seems are not ending anytime soon. By next Tuesday Anambra State would have established another notorious record. It would be one year that the Anambra North Senate seat would have been unoccupied.

Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, dubbed as the politician who gets political offices through the courts and not through elections, is again at the centre of the squabble.

After obtaining a controversial court

judgment that displaced Senator Emodi from the senate in 2010, Igbeke got another court judgment to declare himself as the PDP flag bearer in the 2011 senate election. The court pronouncement was allegedly obtained through affidavits that the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF alleged were procured fraudulently. Based on that the Senate refused to swear him in.

Before Igbeke got the court judgment the major contenders for the senate seat were erstwhile Minister of State for FCT, John Chukwuemeka and Okadigbo’s widow, Margery.

T h e Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC which h a d u p o n Igbeke’s court order issued h i m , Igbeke t h e certificate of return subsequently withdrew t h e certificate alleging it had b e e n issued in error.

N o w, one of the PDP senatorial aspirants, Andrew

Okoye worried about the nonrepresentation of the constituency in the senate wants INEC to declare any one of the aspirants on the platform of the PDP as the winner and allow others to contend with him. After all, legal contention is the norm in Anambra.

Among other oddities, Anambra is also the only State in the country not to have conducted a local government election since 1999.

Fittingly, no one can establish the correct identity of the chairman of the state chairman of the PDP. Not less than five contenders claim the office!

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Some governors have suppressed their legislative houses — Speaker Ikufuroji Ahead of the commissioning of the brand new legislative complex of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday, Speaker Adeyemi Ikufuroji spoke with newsmen during which he gave an overview of the issues and challenges that have confronted the legislative branch of government in the country. Ikurfuroji also dismissed calls for his resignation based on the corruption allegations raised against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC just as he lamented the intrusion of the liberty of state legislative houses by some governors.

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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HAT is your reaction to the fact that majority of the State Houses of Assembly rejected the constitutional amendment to give them autonomy?

Before the National Assembly came up with it, we (Lagos State House of Assembly) had it. The fact that some Houses came back to say no, should be a concern to every one of us. Every stakeholder in this Nigeria should feel concerned because that tells us that the value attached to legislation and democracy itself, is put to question in some states.

It is also a sign that we have some dictators in some states of the federation. There are some Houses where the leadership lacked the courage to look into the eye of the governor and say we should have it. They are worried; they are scared that the governor can get them removed.

That is the honest truth; otherwise there was no good reason for it.

The PDP in Lagos State called for your step down as the Speaker because of the alleged case of fraud, what is your comment on this?

I don’t think there is anything wrong for anybody voicing his opinion in a democratic setting, whether that opinion is logical or something else. If anybody that is alleged in this polity, is to step down, l don’t think there would be anybody left. From the head to the tow of the leadership of the nation, you hear allegations on a daily basis. So we should not have anybody in office at all?

Let us go back to the story of the allegation against the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The news started flying that he has embezzled N7 billion and that the EFCC is investigating him but today, it has come down to N500milion which it is said did not go through due process.

Upon which one is the Speaker expected to step down? Was it on the allegation of N7billion or the one that did not go through due process? Upon which one should he step down? Since the case is in court, anybody standing in the court is presumed innocent until the court finds him guilty. I don’t know why they are afraid?

What is your relationship with the Executive and what do you think is the cause of instability in the leadership of some State Houses of Assembly?

The legislative branch in the country is 13 years old while the executive is as old as Nigeria. We have been having the executive arm of government since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914.

This is equally applicable to the judiciary.

The truth of the matter is that a 98 year old papa who had been put under the oversight of a 13 year old boy, you do not expect the child to carry out his duty without fumbling, stumbling or boxing himself to a corner. So the legislature is in a precarious situation more than any other arm of government in the country and has many curves which are totally different from others. It will take us time, we would get there, and we are already on the way.

If you are a Speaker and you forget that every other person in the House is a potential Speaker, you are already in trouble.

Despite the fact that they call you their boss, the truth of the matter is that you are their servant who takes care of their needs. If you see yourself as the big boss, before you know it, there is

conspiracy. The constitution makes it so easy to the House to impeach the Speaker.

Before a House could impeach the governor, a process must be followed, but in the case of a Speaker, it is very simple. There is no condition attached. The House can just wake up and say the Speaker must go and before you know it, it is done. This gives the executive a lot of leverage.

That is basically why there is instability On my relationship with the executive, I will say we are very lucky in Lagos. In 1999, the man who headed government then was a legislator. He is a democrat to the core; that is Bola Tinubu.

His relationship with the legislature was the type that makes legislature to grow. He made sure that the legislature was on its feet in the state and the tradition continues. He tolerated divergent opinion. His Speaker could tell him to his face, Your Excellency; this is not acceptable to us. You can argue with him to any length without leading to any sanction.

If your argument is superior Tinubu will back out and let the situation be. With that type of a man, the Lagos House started cutting its teeth and growing

*Ikufuroji: Dismisses PDP pressure to step down firmly on ground faster than any other legislative House in the country. By the time l took over in 2005, the one and half years l spent with him gave me the necessary ingredient to forge ahead. On my first day in office when l went to his office, he stood up to greet me, Mr. Speaker. That emboldened me. I guarded that jealously.

When the new governor came, the initial challenge was to keep the legislative House intact preparing it for the job to be done. I did a lot of things to make sure that the House is behind the governor for a successful journey.

I give glory to God that we succeed and kudos to my colleagues for their commitment and dedication.

What have you been able to achieve?

I know where the House was in December 29 2005 and where we are today, it was a long journey full of events and results.

We have been able to turn around the fortune of the state.

We are able to expose the legislature and the supporting staff to the best practices you can think of in the country. I know there is no single House that can equal us in the country in terms of giving the right training and best practices to the extent that there is no single month we do not receive visitors from other states who come to study one thing or the order that we have done. We are not a rubber stamp House like in other places yet we do not set the state on fire in order to make our point. We still put the executive arm on his toes without unnecessarily creating pandemonium. We ask relevant questions and we demand answer to them.

Do we actually have reason to celebrate democracy day?

We still have many things to celebrate. We are in a hurry; democracy is only 13 years old.

We cannot have everything in 13 years. We must learn to be patient and be focused.

Akala was not a good example for us — Gov Ajimobi Continued from page 44 unwarranted violence takesplace, almost every other day. If it was not politicians shedding their factional blood today, it would be motor park miscreants fighting for legitimacy and spatial hegemony.

You will particularly recall the most audacious one when a factional leader of the state NURTW called Eleweomo was brutally murdered in a supremacy battle and some politicians within the same PDP were alleged to have had a hand in the murder by the past state government.

It was so bad that it was alleged that one of the factional leaders of the touts was sleeping in the Government House and state machinery was being deployed to stoke the violence in the state.

When we came on board, we looked dispassionately at this

crisis and concluded that the only missing gap was a dispassionate leadership.

Even though it was alleged that one of the factional leaders of the NURTW worked for us, we decided that whether you were Auxiliary or Genuine, whether you were Tokyo or Osaka, the government of Oyo State would not abet or fan schism in the NURTW. We also showed the world that we would not spare any mastermind of violence, no matter how highly placed they may be.

Our mantra of rule of law and justice is our governmental abiding principle. This we demonstrated when a member of our Pilgrims Welfare Board was alleged to have had a hand in violence against his Chairman.

Yes, we like the person in context; yes he is a member of our party but we asked the court to do its job. In the interim, we

removed the person from his position. If the court thereafter says he is not guilty, so be it.

In concrete terms, we have also succeeded in changing the face of the state. Even though our mileage ought to have been more than this, but we were operating in peculiar circumstances. We had no template of good leadership to build upon.

But many people have criticized your bringing into your cabinet members of opposition parties. What is the philosophy behind it?

Well, permit me if this is immodesty, my exposure is at issue here. First, I have worked round the whole place, especially in the oil industry, where I was a major player for upward of 30 years. I have met diverse people.

I am not totalitarian in my view of government and governance.

I believe that I don’t have a

greater share in this government than the man in Action Alliance party for instance.

I am just fortunate to be administering the state at this particular time. So why should I act like a totalitarian? Yes, they were in opposing parties but they were not in an opposing state! It is still the same Oyo State. So immediately we came on board, I called all of them, nominate your people into our government but I gave a caveat: it must be your best brains.

My attitude or if you like, my philosophy is, if I can make use of the best brains of Oyo State people and infuse them into my administration, who takes the ultimate glory? Is it not God, through me? So why should I not throw the door open to those who can help us develop our state via their deposit of human capital?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1 , 2012 — 47

Untold story of how teenage girl stole and sold friend’s baby for N.3m •Medical doctor, two others in police net statement has led to the arrest of a MRS. Femi Akintunde would medical doctor, Dr have debunked any prophesy to Alonge; the buyer, the effect that her five month-old Mrs Nwafor and a son would be a subject of female accomplice, unpalatable publicity when she Oriwo Benedicta.

How the baby was left home last Wednesday, May 23, 2012 for her shop at found Crime Alert Folashade street, Ijegun area of Ikotun, Lagos. At the shop, the gathered that after unsuspecting mother had breast the futile search for fed her baby, gently laid him on the baby, the case a mat and dashed to the back of was reported at the Police the shop to answer the call of Ikotun nature. But she was to division, following experience the shock of her life which investigation when she came back to discover started. It was •Patience that the baby she left minutes ago reliably gathered had disappeared into thin air! that the Divisional Police Officer, who earlier told me she had found Perplexed by the unfolding Mr. Austin Akika, was personally a buyer. Together, we went to meet scenario, Mrs. Akintunde went involved in the investigation. It the buyer in the hotel she lodged berserk, dashing from one was learnt that in the course of and she paid us N300,000.” neighbour ’s apartment to investigation, the distraught Asked how she felt when another asking questions about mother gave names of her visitors carrying out the illicit transaction, her son’s whereabout. Quickly, that fateful day and the exact time she simply said it was the a search party was launched and each visited. They were all invited handiwork of the devil. On what soon, every nook and cranny of and interrogated. Incidentally, was her share of the proceeds, she the area was combed. But the Miss Ben was the last to visit and simply stated that the amount was search was effortless. Then it was became of course; the prime shared among the parties involved; the doctor, a lady whom However, while the family of the she claimed introduced her to the missing baby waited in anxiety, news buyer and herself. At a point, she burst into tears, apparently came that the baby had been found in regretting her actions. far away Abuja, where findings by On the part of the buyer, Mrs Police detective attached to Ikotun Nwafor, she claimed she never knew the baby was stolen. Rather Division revealed that the baby was she explained that she was made actually stolen and sold away for a to believe that the child was up paltry sum of N300,000 for adoption. In an emotion laden tone, she narrated how she was clear that little Michael might suspect. It was even her statement made a public ridicule owing to her years of barenness. And in have been kidnapped. And as it that gave her out. is normal of kidnappers, parents In her confessional statement, her desperate move to have a child of baby Michael waited for calls Patience, a resident of Islamic she could call her own, she opted street, Abaranje, for ransom but none came.

However, while the family of the claimed to have Mrs. missing baby waited in anxiety, known Akintunde for a while, news came days later, that the baby had been found in far away as they both attended Abuja, where findings by Police the same hospital for detectives attached to Ikotun a n t e - n a t a l . division revealed that the baby Unfortunately for her, was actually stolen and sold for she claimed her baby who would have been a paltry sum of N300,000.

Curiously, the person alleged the same age mate to have stolen the innocent child with her friend’s died turned out to be one of Mrs at birth. Narrating Akintunde’s friends. She was how she perpetrated identified as Miss Patience Ben the crime, Miss Ben whose age was given as 19. The said: “I just went to the Owan, Edo State born Miss Ben shop, met the child on is already helping the police on the floor and carried how she perpetrated the crime. him. Immediately I Already, her confessional contacted Benedicta

By EVELYN USMAN

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•Mother and child to adopt one, a decision she said she confided in her friend, one Uche. Not quite long, Uche reportedly called to inform her that there was a child ready for adoption in Lagos.

On reaching Lagos, she said Benedicta claimed to be the mother of the child and explained that she wanted to put her up for adoption because of her inability to take care of him, since she had no husband. She added also that after paying them the sum, she gave them her contact in order to be reached at any given time.

On how she was arrested, Crime Alert learnt that following Patience’s confessional statement, the police put a call across to Mrs.

Nwafor, pretending to be the doctor and informed her to bring the child that they were no longer interested to sell him. Following the new development, Mrs Nwafor said she took the next available flight to Lagos, where to her surprise, she discovered that the caller was a policeman.

47-year-old Mrs Nwafor lamented that her desperate search for a child has not only added to her woes but has brought her to public ridicule. The suspects are currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID) where further investigation into their culpability is on-going.

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48 — Vanguard, FRIDAY , JUNE 1, 2012

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50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Email: godfrey_bivbere@yahoo.co.uk

VOL. 02

No. 10

MAY 2012

www.vanguardngr.com

Channel dredging:

Why we can’t go further than 13.5 meters — NPA Stories by GODFREY BIVBERE

IG E R I A N Po r t s Au thority, NPA has at tributed its inability to dredge the channel leading

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to the ports in Lagos further than 13.5 meters to the nature of the port.

General Managing in charge of Public Affairs of the NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi, told Vanguard in his

office that the quays of the Lagos ports are about 14 meters and should the channel be dredged to or above 14 meters, the would collapse.

Ajayi explained that NPA in collaboration with Lagos C h a n n e l Management, LCM, has the capacity to dredge the Lagos ports channel further down but for the reason mentioned above. The N PA i m a g e maker noted

that with the 13.5 meters level, specialized vessels that are bigger have started calling at the ports, especially WafMax vessels belonging to Maersk Line. WafMax vessels were the first container ships designed specifically for the ports situated in the West African subregion, where the water depths are relatively shallow, and also the largest in the trade. They are replacing ships of around 2,500 TEU previously on Maersk Line’s FEWA2 loop between Asia and West Africa.

Prior to the removal of wrecks and derelicts from the Lagos channels, as well as its dredging, the largest

container-ships Nigerian ports could handle were about 3,500 TEU. However, the WafMax vessels with a shallow draught but wide beam that allows for 17 rows of containers across their decks are able to come into Apapa almost fully laden.

Ajayi pointed that the shallow nature of the Lagos ports makes the Authority ’s drive for the construction of deep seaports in Lekki and Badagry very necessary. He noted that with the deep sea ports, the problem of shallow nature does not arise.

Ajayi said that NPA will give the necessary support in making the nation’s ports work better.

FG to commence disbursement of CVFF FTER five years of waiting game, federal government has fi* l-r: Deputy Chairman House Committee on Marine Transport, Amunia Kadiri, DG nally given the management of the NiNIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and Chairman House Committee on Marine Transport, gerian Maritime Administration and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at this year's Offshore Technology Conference, OTC in Houston, Safety agency, NIMASA, the green light Texas. to commence the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF. To this end, NIMASA management have instructed the five JOINT Task Force Mon Lagos. both NIMASA officials and banks selected to itoring Team led by NigeThe petroleum products were Navy personnel and taken to the manage the fund to rian Maritime Administration stored in nine drums each con- Agency’s Kirikiri jetty. process all the appliand Safety Agency, NIMASA, taining 205 litres and another A statement signed by head of cations send to them has arrested a boat carrying over sixteen Jerry cans each contain- Public relations of NIMASA, by intending benefi2,645 litres of Automative Gas ing 50 litres.

Hajia Lami Tukaka, said during ciaries.

Oil (AGO) on board near the The fibre boat named Amomo questioning by NIMASA offiA source close to the NNPC pipeline at Atlas Cove, Marine, was apprehended by management of NIContinues on page 51

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NIMASA task force arrests boat carrying over 2,645 litres of AGO

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MASA who disclosed this to PortsandHarbours, said that the some of the banks should have already started contacting those applicants who are qualified for the loan.

The source also told PortsandHarbours that a meeting has been schedule to hold in Abuja between the apex maritime agency’s management and top officials of the ministry of transport this month.

Confirming this to Vanguard, Public Relations Officer of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, said that all arrangements has been concluded and that the banks would start the disbursement soon. Similarly, President of Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), Mrs. Continues on page 51

We have improved ship inspection for Abuja MoU — Scribe …to hold workshop for heads of maritime administration for members ECRETARY General of the Mem orandum of Understanding on Ports State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU), Mfon Ekong Usoro, has said that the body has improved the level of compliance of its members to port state control since she assumed office.

The body is also set to hold a workshop for heads of maritime administrations of its 22 members in Nigeria next month.

Usoro who disclosed this in Lagos, said that the body has been able to cre-

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ate a data base of the activities of its members as it concern ports state control. The Abuja MoU scribe pointed out that the creation of the information data base has brought a lot of accolade to the body, as the international community now see members as serious about port state control.

She noted that before her appointment, the body was almost grounded with some members backing out. Presently, she continued, most of the 22 members in the region have come back to the fold and are very active in the affairs of the body.

In line with the agreement she noted, members now submitt report on at least 15 percent vessels inspected. Usoro also said that there has been a lot of complains from ship owners and that the Abuja MoU have been able to intervene between both parties.

She commended Nigeria for being up to date in forwarding its inspection details as at when due.

In her words, “Nigeria never fails to send her inspection details which is forwarded to the secretariat. Nigeria submits its report promptly.” She however

stressed that compared to other MoU’s there is still room for improvement.

For the training programme, Usoro noted that it is a three day workshop that is being put together by the body and the International Maritime Organization, IMO and will hold from the 18th to 20th of June in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to her, as a means of improving the performance of Continues on page 51

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012—51 Email: godfrey_bivbere@yahoo.co.uk

NIMASA task force arrests boat carrying over 2,645 litres of AGO Continues from page 50

cials at its Kirikiri office, the crew members whose names were given as Ganiyu Abbas and Jamiu Matthew said they were sent by their boss to supply rice, fish and water to an unnamed ship at sea and that they would be paid with one and a half ton of diesel.

She pointed out that the crew member who spoke in pidgin said “We dey house this morning wey our oga come call us say make we come go pack rice, fish and water, and small boat come carry us go to ship side. They come transfer the water, rice and fish, na him they come give us markets (diesel).”

The suspected sponsors, Mrs. Sikirat Oba and Mr. Emiko Nelson were also apprehended after they were called by the boat crew.

statement A statement by the duo revealed that they were contacted by one Mr. Seun to supply food stuff; rice, fish, and water to a vessel and they will in turn be paid with one and a half ton of AGO and that the boat was on its way back when the NIMASA Task Force apprehended it.

Meanwhile officials of the Agency have evacuated the boat to stop the continued spill of the oil with resultant negative effects on marine and aquatic life.

The suspects and a total of nine 205 litre drums and Sixteen 50 litre cans of AGO have been handed over to the Marine Police at Kirikiri for further investigations.

While the Agency will

continue to patrol the waterways and creeks to check illegal activities at sea and incessant pollution of the marine environment by non convention vessels and crafts, awareness campaigns to operators of these small crafts remain critical. The Agency has resolved to increase the tempo of these campaigns in a bid to ensuring safer and cleaner maritime do-

main.

It will be recalled that NIMASA, the Agency responsible for the administration of maritime safety in the nation has powers to arrest ships, non convention vessels and small crafts suspected of carrying out illegal activities in section 35 (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.

FG to commence disbursement of CVFF Continues from page 50

Jean Chiazor Anishere, confirmed that one of her members haave gotten a letter from one of the financial institution informing her that she has been selected as one of the beneficiaries of the fund.

On why it took several years before the disbursement, Tumaka said though there were some grey areas which were being smoothing, it is better to start it well and later than to have a repeat of the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund (SASBF). She explained that the agency’s management under its Director General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, is determined to get it right this time. It would be recalled that the NIMASA helmsman had raised an alarm early last year that politicians were scrabbling for the funds and had vowed that no politician, no matter how highly place will benefit from the fund.

He noted that the agency is bidding its time to avoid to ensure that the over $110 million lifeline meant to empower ship-

ping practitioners does not gett into wrong hands According to him, “No Nigerian politician, under whatever guise and no matter how highly placed would be allowed to access the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds”. “Politicians see the fund as a bonus and I have resisted all manner of pressure to disburse the funds so far.

“Everybody is scrambling for the money but we are carefully scrutinising all applications. I shall personally inspect the facilities and other logistics of all the intending beneficiaries to ensure that those who eventually get the loans use them for the purpose they are meant”, Akpobolokemi declared The agency over two years ago, selected four commercial banks from the 21 that indicated interesting in administering to fund.

The four banks are Fidelity, Sky, Diamond and ETB. The four banks have since been given letters of authority to that effect were selected after a rigorous process including their experience and expertise of maritime business.

‘We have improved ship inspection for Abuja MoU' Continues from page 50

members flag and port state control mandate, “It has become apparent to the IMO and Abuja MoU Secretariat, that heads of of maritime administrations being advisors to government on matters of maritime policy in general and the implementation agencies of harmonised port state control practice and procedures, as well as signatories to the regional Memorandum of port state control, need to be fully

involved in the suppermechanism developed by the IMO, in order to build adequate capacity for the maritime sector, and, in particular, port state control in the region.” to speak with your state government because we are there in that state.”

She further explained that since top members of the Association are staff of NIMASA, it makes it easy for them to further push the case of such member to be in the final lists to be send for train-

ing abroad.

On the Cabotage Act, the WISTA President pointed out that it is unfortunate that there has been no beneficiary in terms of funding for acquisition of ships but noted that there has been a change in the process.

Anishere, told PortsandHarbours that one of her member has gotten a letter from one of the financial institution informing her that she has been selected as one of the beneficiaries of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF.

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 — 53

Vanguard

FRENCH OPEN WATCH

CLASSIFIED

Nadal coasts on

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AFAEL Nadal improved his record at the French Open to 47-1, advancing to the third round Thursday by beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 62, 6-2, 6-0. Nadal has won the French Open title six times, and one more will break the record he shares with Bjorn Borg.

The second-seeded Spaniard’s only loss at the claycourt Grand Slam came in 2009, when he lost to Robin Soderling in the fourth round.

Overall, Nadal has won 10 Grand Slam titles, including at least one at each of the four majors.

Murray limps into next round

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RIMACING in pain with almost every step, Andy Murray nearly had to call it quits Thursday because of a back spasm at the French Open.

Instead, the fourth-seeded Brit rebounded from an awful first set to beat Jarkko Nieminen 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 and reach the third round.

“I was few points probably from stopping,” Murray said. “I just didn’t really want to stop the match.

Then at the end of the second set I started standing up at the change of ends, and my back started to loosen up a little bit.”

Defending champion Rafael Nadal also made it to the third round, defeating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 and improving his record at Roland Garros to 47-1.

Li Na canters into third round

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EFENDING champion Li Na raced into the French Open third round when she brushed aside Frenchwoman Stephane Foretz Gacon 6-0 6-2 on Thursday. Chinese seventh seed Li, who last year became the first Asian player to win a grand slam singles title, needed just 52 minutes to advance on Court One. Foretz Gacon, the world number 86, won the first two points but that was as close as she came to victory as Li bagged the opening 10 games.

Foretz Gacon pulled a break back but the revival was short-lived with Li setting up a meeting against either Lauren Davis or her fellow American Christina Mchale.

•Venus

Sister act over in Paris ...Venus joins Serena as spectator

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FTER four days of play, the French Open was left without a Williams sister in the draw when former runner-up Venus joined 2002 champion Serena in making an early exit.

Venus, seven times a grand-slam winner but now coping with an autoimmune disease, went out tamely 6-2 6-3 to third seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Serena, whose shock first-round defeat by Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano reverberated through the Roland Garros courts on Tuesday, was in the stands to see her big sister thrashed by an in-form Radwanska.

Tennis fans rued the loss of both Americans, two of the biggest characters in the women’s game, but thankfully the men’s favourites are

TRANSFER UPDATE......TRANSFER UPDATE

Liverpool agree’’ Rogers fee L

IVERPOOL have reportedly agreed a compensation fee with Swansea for Brendan Rodgers. Talks which began on Wednesday regarding compensation, with the Welsh club looking for between £4million and £5million to cover the three-and-a-halfyear contract the Northern Irishman signed in February, appear to have been straightforward on Thursday.

Another point of contention was Rodgers’ desire to bring members of his backroom staff with three in line to make the move to Anfield.

Reports in Wales suggest the trio include Rodgers’ trusted assistant performance analyst Chris Davies and performance consultant Glen Driscoll.

Once those have all been ratified - and there is yet to be confirmation from either club - then the Reds can officially install Rodgers as successor to Kenny Dalglish, although an announcement may still not be made until Friday.

The new manager ’s first job will be to assess

•Rogers the squad he has inherited and start making plans for the summer

transfer window, which is complicated slightly by Euro 2012.

Chelsea, Spurs battle over Demba Ba

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HELSEA and Tottenham are pondering moves for Newcastle striker Demba Ba, whose £7 million release clause is activated today for a period of two months, reports the Daily Mirror.

The 27-year-old striker scored 16 goals for the Magpies last season, and struck up a sound partnership with fellow countryman Papiss Cisse in the latter part of the campaign, to help fire Alan Pardew’s men into the Europa League next year.

Newcastle are bracing themselves for a stampede of offers during the Senegalese international’s private transfer window, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich seeing Demba Ba as a potential Stamford Bridge replacement for Didier Drogba.

playing to form and both world number one Novak Djokovic and recordbreaking 2009 champion Roger Federer survived into the third round.

At least one of the Williams sisters has featured at every French Open since 1997, except for last year when they were both injured, and they contested the final in 2002, with Serena winning.

Man U make Asamoah move REPORTS coming out of Italy have claimed Manchester United are favourites to sign Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, who is also wanted by Juventus.

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to bolster his midfield this summer with both defensive and creative additions.

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa is expected to arrive at Old Trafford in the coming weeks and Ferguson will reportedly turn his attentions to the signing of a more defensive-minded player once the deal for the Japan star is complete.

It was reported by Gazzetta dello Sport two weeks ago that United had an original bid of •12 million rejected for Asamoah with Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo unwilling to accept anything less than the club’s asking price; reported to be •15 million.

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54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Utaka expects tough test

Moses: We will overrun Namibia IGAN Athletic star Victor Moses has said Nigeria have enough quality to overrun Namibia in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Moses, who will be gunning for his second international cap for Nigeria, said in an exclusive interview: “From what I have seen of our training sessions, I have no doubt that we will run down the Brave Warriors on Sunday. ”I know we have the quality and talent to do the job on Sunday and we are focused on doing it for Nigerians.”

Moses made his long awaited Eagles debut as a late substitute against Rwanda in February in

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a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier, which ended goalless.

The Wigan Athletics winger said he is now itching for his home debut. ”I can’t wait to play at home. You know I never had the chance even though was close to featuring in the game against Zambia, but am happy and hungry to play in front of a packed stadium with Nigerians cheering” Victor Moses has represented England at various age levels but was handed the all-clear to play for Nigeria by world football governing body FIFA last year after he opted for a change of nationality.

Namibia in high spirit for Eagles

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN NTERIM Coach of Namibia’s Brave Warriors, Bernhard Kaanjuka expects a spirited performance from his charges against Nigeria in this Sunday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar The Namibians have spent over a week camping in the German town of Kaiserau.

In an interview with The Namibian, Coach Kaanjuka said that the camp has served its purpose and they have thoroughly utilised all the resources available to them.

He said the morale in the camp was sky-high, which he hopes would propel the team to impress against the Nigerians.

“The players’ will to play is very high and the atmosphere of togetherness in the camp is exceptional and we

I

are confident it will be replicated on the pitch in that match”, Kaanjuka said.

Kaanjuka said he was pleased with the commitment and discipline within the squad.

“The senior players are very helpful and the young ones are willing to listen and take advice and that I believe is something that we need in the team.”

He added that they were not going to awed by the past heroics of the Nigerians when both team square up on the pitch in Calabar.

“This is a game for men and past pedigree would not count because we are equal to the task ahead.

We are not going to play as boys but as men”, said Kaanjuka.

RANK Lampard has been ruled out of England’s UEFA EURO 2012 campaign.

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Continues from BP

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Keshi: No pressures, no must win mandate UPER Eagles han dler, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has said that he was not under any form of pressure from any quarters to excel with the national team, declaring that despite that, excellence is his ultimate desire as handler of the Eagles.

“There is nothing like pressure coming from any quarters. Tension or pressure is a natural thing in life. When you leave your house for a function you are under pressure to do it well, when you are driving you are under pressure to get to your destination, so life itself is full

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ture, it’s great to see them,” said Saintfiet.

“Fifteen of the 21 players I selected before but the young guys became more mature and are ready for the big tasks. I wish the Brave Warriors good luck for the upcoming games!”

The Chelsea midfielder suffered a thigh injury in training yesterday and went for a scan this afternoon to discover the extent of the damage.

However, Lampard and manager Roy Hodgson were preparing for the worst and the Football Association have now confirmed the player, who will be 34 next month, will not be part of England’s 23-man squad.Jordan Henderson will be called into the England squad providing Hodgson gets the green light from UEFA.

is to us and the country and that is why we have told ourselves it is important to start on a winning note.

“This team have a lot of quality to win the match (against Namibia). I am confident we will win,” he said.

The 30-year-old forward also expressed happiness at getting a second chance to feature for Eagles.

“I’m delighted to be back in the team and I just want to give my best and help the team win games,” said Utaka.

Utaka has played in more than 40 games for Nigeria and was last part of the team during the 2010 Fifa World Cup as an unused substitute.

No starting 11 for Eagles yet

•Kalu Uche

England’s Lamp goes out

Saintfiet wishes Namibia good luck Namibia is evolving into a formidable side.

“I was last Saturday in Würzburg at the game (between) Mozambique and Namibia and saw a very talented Brave Warriors team. These young guys have a bright fu-

OHN Utaka has de clared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not look down on their Namibian counterparts, the Brave Warriors when they clash in Calabar this Sunday.

Both teams go head-tohead in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Utaka made it clear that the Namibians will not be easy foes this Sunday.

The HSC Montpellier forward, however assured that the Super Eagles will defeat the Brave Warriors as “it is important to start on a winning note.”

“We don’t expect an easy game against Namibia. But we know how important this game

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•Keshi of pressure of all types, but no NFF official has put me under pressure.

Keshi, praised the support he has been receiving from NFF President Aminu Maigari, noting that the Bauchi state born football administrator, has been a perfect gentleman in the manner he has piloted the affairs of the NFF. “No, he has not given me any mandate to win all the games I have because that may be impossible.

But it’s my desire to win all my games, but you never can tell in a game of football”, he said.

Keshi also spoke on his relationship with NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Christopher Green, assuring that the bond is strong and united for the sake of Nigerian football. “I’m on the same page with Barr Green and members of the Technical Committee”.

Continues from BP that would give away some of the players he intended to parade on Sunday, but that was never the case. In goal he started Chigozie Agbim on one side and later he brought in Vincent Enyeama, captain of the side and first choice goalie. Towering Israeli based goalie, Austin Ejide, was all alone on the right side of the pitch.

In the defence, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa and Azubuike Egwueke, were thought to have won themselves shirts, but that was never the case as Gege Soriola and Papa Idris, who has just recovered fully from knocks were introduced on the side that many thought were the probables.

John Utaka, Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and

Ikechukwu Uche, interchanged at will in the centre of the attack. At some point, Sone Aluko and Sunday Mba also had their bite of the cake, while, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Obinna Nwachukwu ran the wings interchangeably. At the end of the day, it seems only Enyeama, is sure of a shirt, as Keshi continues to juggle his team, wishing for the perfect mix that should make the national team thick again come Sunday.

NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Christopher Green, who watched the training, praised the level of fighting spirit in the team and concluded that the UJ Esuene Stadium, with the turf he has seen looks ready to re-launch Nigeria into international football prominence.

Uche Kalu stands out Continues from BP was good in training yesterday and showed it with his play.

The entire team felt good training, for the first time, on lush green turf of UJ Esuene Stadium yesterday and after their training some of them made a plea to Nigerians especially Calabar fans:

"Don't panic during the game on Sunday and if goals don't come early continue cheering for they will surely come."

This was passed down by stand-in captain Vincent Enyeama.

Calabar has been a great host to them and sports commissioner Pat Ugbe works hard to make the place a home for them.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 — 55

World Cup qualifiers: Renards fears for Zambia RENCH coach Herve Renard has attempted to downplay enormous expectation in Zambia that the African champions can qualify for their first World Cup. Renard’s side won their inaugural Africa Cup of Nations crown in February when beating Ivory Coast in the final.

Fans now believe Zambia can overcome Group D rivals Ghana, Sudan and Lesotho as they chase a place at Brazil 2014.

“We were the best for one tournament but I’m really sure we are not the best team in Africa,” Renard told BBC Sport.

Zambia travel to Sudan this weekend to open their qualifying campaign against a side they beat 3-0 in the quarter-finals of this year’s Nations Cup. A home match against Ghana on the 9-10 June in Ndola follows, as the Chipolopolo face another Nations Cup opponent with the Zambians beating Ghana in the semi-finals in February.

“There are some teams

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•Renard that are stronger than us and we know that,” said Renard.

“We know we have to be very, very good to go to the World Cup because if we play at half our level, we won’t go to the World Cup because I think Ghana are stronger than us."

“We have a very tough group because Sudan were good during the (2012) Nations Cup qualifiers as they were able to draw in Ghana, and it is difficult to play in Khartoum.”

Gulder 5-Aside: Lagos hosts last zonal final Abu King Shulluwa Playing HE final leg of the zonal qualifiers for the 2012 edition of the Gulder Ultimate Five Aside Football Competition kicks off today at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos with matches to be played at the New Gymnasium of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) from Frida to Sunday, June 3, 2012.

The zonal qualifiers which started on Friday, April 27, 2012 have seen two teams each qualify from every zone, from the

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Ground, Makurdi, venue of the North-Central zonal qualifiers to the training pitch of Rangers International Enugu, venue of the South-East zonal matches.

Two teams equally qualified from the practice pitch of the Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt, venue of the South-South qualifiers. The train later moved to Oleh Township Stadium, Oleh, for the Mid-Western zonal matches from Friday, May 18 to Sunday, May 20, 2012, which also produced two representative teams for the zone.

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Saintfiet wishes Namibia good luck

F

ORMER Brave War riors coach Tom Saintfiet has wished Namibia luck for their World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on Sunday.

Saintfiet, now employed as technical di-

rector of Nigerian foot- the subject of much deball, sent his best wish- bate in that country, also es via e-mail to his said he has been keepformer employer and ing tabs on the Brave Namibia Football Asso- Warriors. ciation president John And based on his asMuinjo. sessment of the squad, The Belgian, whose Nigerian appointment is CContinues on page 54

EAGLES: Uche Kalu stands out No starting 11 for Eagles yet T

•Eagles send a message to Nigerians

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

B

EFORE the Nations Cup qualifier February 29 in Rwanda Uche Kalu performed above average in training and the friendly match in Liberia.

He clearly stood out as one of the best among the local players.

But when the foreignbased stars arrived for the match in Rwanda Kalu lost his place in the team. It was difficult for Stephen Keshi to field him in place of Osaze Odewengie and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. And with Ike Uche as the striker on the bench Kalu could not even find a place among the dressed players.

After 90 minutes in Rwanda, Stephen Keshi

TODAY'S

and his entire crew regretted leaving out Kalu. Considering the circumstances no one could blame them. Kalu simply needed to convince the crew more that he has come of age. He has been doing so and even came close to scoring when his jab hit the post in the international friendly against Peru that Nigeria lost last week. And in the training sessions the Enyimba player has won himself a place and just hopes that he will get a chance against Namibia on Sunday. He scored in training yesterday and may start the match the stars around not withstanding. There are Ike Uche, John Utaka, Victor Moses, Sone Aluko in the team but Kalu will surely get a place even if he doesn'ton start.

CContinues pageHe 54

PUZZLES

HE Super Eagles re sumed training Thursday evening at the new-look UJ Esuene Stadium in Calaba, the Cross River State capital, with the technical crew giving nothing away on the likely 11 players that will start Sunday’s game against Namibia.

The training which started at about 3:40pm, saw the players involved in all manner of drills, especially quick breaks, counter-attacks and blinder shots, before Head Coach Stephen Keshi decided it was time for 11-aside .

Many had thought CContinues on page 54

•Uche

•Moses

•Uche Kalu

Namibia in high spirit for Eagles — Pg 54 YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

•Aluko

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Thong (5) 5 Steam (6) 8 Canal-boat (5) 10 Fruit (6) 11 Boss (4) 14 Occupier (6) 15 Customary (7) 18 Entrap (3) 19 Cat (3) 21 Daybreak (4) 23 Bar (5) 24 Network (4) 27 Lair (3) 29 Record (3) 32 Fated (6) 34 Story (4) 35 Evoke (6) 38 Helped (8) 39 Strand (6) 40 Principle (5)

DOWN 2 Also (3) 3 Counting-frame (6) 4 Tap (3) 5 Undershirt (4) 6 Trimmed (6) 7 Decayed (6) 9 Turned (7) 12 Number (3) 13 Facts (4) 16 Relax (4) 17 Wanderer (5) 20 Threatened (7) 22 Desire (4) 24 Demure (6) 25 Aperture (4) 26 Respect (6) 28 Part (6) 30 Solidify (3) 33 Deceased (4) 36 Permit (3) 37 Wrath (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Match 7, Rota 8, Office 9, Trace 11, Dud 13, Bus 15, Read 16, Bat 18, Hero 19, Demoted 20, Slap 22, West 23, Genteel 25, Even 27, Had 28, Miss 30, Did 31, Lot 33, Anger 36, Famous 37, Open 38, Pilot.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Vogue 2, Mat 3, Tea 4, Hoe 5, Aft 6, Scour 10, Cram 11, Dressed 12, Damaged 13, Bedevil 14, Softest 16, Berth 17, Towed 18, Hew 21, Pen 24, Earn 26, Vital 29, Sober 32, Coy 33, Asp 34, Gel 35, Rot.

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Place 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.

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