JTF kills 50 terror suspects in Borno

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61915

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Gunmen attack prison, free 175 inmates in Ondo .6 •P

Jonathan, Amaechi not at war 5 •P. — Presidency

JTF kills 50 terror suspects in Borno •Baga killings: NHRC indicts JTF, Boko Haram 11 burnt to death, 13 others injured in Ibadan auto —P.6 crash

BY INNOCENT ANABA, IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI— JOINT Task Force, JTF, weekend, killed no fewer than 50 suspected terrorists in Zabarmari Ward of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, Maiduguri metropolis.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has issued a report, accusing the JTF and the Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lid da’awati wal jihad, JALISWAJ, otherwise known as Boko Haram, of

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COLUMNISTS:

DELE SOBOWALE •P.33

LES LEBA •P.40

OCHEREOME NNANNA •P. 46

PAUL BASSEY •P. 53

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Mr & Mrs

Ewherido, Oliha die; Jonathan, Senate mourn —P.45 C M Y K

Late Senator Pius Ewherido dies at 50.

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POCKET CARTOON

SECURITY—From left: Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State; Sheikh Mohammed Nasir Mohammed and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III at the National Conference on 'The Role of Muslim Scholars in Fostering Unity, Peace and Security in Nigeria', held at Jama’atu Nasril Islam Headquarter, Kaduna, yesterday. Photo:Olu Ajayi.

JTF kills 50 terror suspects in Borno Continues from page 1 complicity in the massacre that recently took place at Baga, a community in Borno State.

Also, three suspected terrorists who were on their way to Jigawa State and other areas in the North with the aim of unleashing terror were arrested at the Borno Express Motor

park on Saturday by volunteer youths a.k.a Civilian JTF. Speaking on the suspected terrorists killed by men of the JTF, a security source said: “Over the weekend, we received an intelligence report that several Boko Haram terrorists have regrouped and were residing or hiding in Zabarmari Ward. We

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Patience with family is love, Patience with others is respect, Patience with self is confidence and Patience with GOD is faith.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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UIT worrying about how everything is go ing to turn out. Live one day at a time; better yet, make the most of this moment. It’s good to have a big – picture outlook, to set goals and make plans, but if you’re always living in the future, you’re never really enjoying the present in the way God wants you to — Joel Osteen Joel Osteen’s, encouraging words do bring a bust of sunlight that cast away shadows in times of great need. He says, when you are tempted to get discouraged, remind yourself that the divine intent for your life is getting brighter; you are on your way to a new level of glory. You may think you’ve got a long way to go, but you need to look back at how far you’ve already come. You may not be everything you want to be but at least you can thank God that you’re not what you used to be.

Your dreams may not have turned out exactly as you’d hoped, remember, you are of great value and a precious being. No matter what you go through in life, no matter how many disappointments you experience, your value in God’s eyes always remains the same.

So hold your head up high, knowing that God is in control and he has a great plan and purpose for your life.

This much I do know, when you let go of old values and accept the higher ones, you increase your ability to accept more of God’s love in your life.

then mobilized our troops to the area, and on reaching the place, the suspected terrorists upon noticing our presence, began to shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is Great) and started shooting at the JTF troops. We had no option than to repel the attacks while we succeeded in killing about 10 of the suspects.

“We decided not to take away any of their corpses as we left them in the area, but the following day when we mobilized our men to the area, we found out that hundreds of the terrorists were at one of the grave yards burying their dead members, and when we approached, some of them started shooting at our troops which led to the exchange of gun fire. We succeeded in killing over 40 of them.

“As I am talking to you now, our men are still in Zabarmari hunting for any suspected terrorists who might have escaped the deadly encounter”.

On the arrest of three suspected Boko Haram members who were on a suicide mission to Jigawa and other states in the North, the source said: “The men of the JTF are highly delighted with the zeal/effort being put in place by the vigilante youths popularly called Civilian JTF. Just yesterday, they were able to arrest three suspected Boko Haram sus-

pects at the Borno Express motor park.

“They later handed them over to the JTF unit, and after torture, one of them who is now dead, said, they were from Bama Local Government Area on a suicide mission to Jigawa

and other states in the North. In fact, the deceased before his death told us that, already, all their weapons of massive destruction have been transported to the target areas awaiting their arrival before they ran out of luck.”

The source added that though one of the arrested suspects was unconscious after the torture, the other suspect who seemed to be in stable condition promised to take JTF members to Bama to show them some of their members’ hideout.

Due to the total shut down of GSM network services in Borno State for almost two months, the JTF Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel

Sagir Musa and the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin could not be reached for confirmation.

Baga killings: NHRC indicts JTF, Boko Haram Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has accused JTF and the Boko Haram sect, of complicity in the massacre that recently took place at Baga.

In an interim assessment report on the Baga incident of April 16 and the situation in the North-East region, the commission warned about a looming humanitarian crisis in the area.

Jonathan, Amaechi not at war — Presidency

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA—IN a dra matic twist, the Presidency declared, yesterday, that there was no rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, told Vanguard in an interview that the seeming face-off between Jonathan and Amaechi was a media creation.

Gulak’s reaction came barely 24 hours after Jonathan and Amaechi met at the Port Harcourt International Airport, embraced and exchanged pleasantries, the first of such encounter in a couple of months.

The frosty relationship

of the duo reached a crescendo, last Wednesday night, when a willing Amaechi, who had called off a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to honour a dinner date at the Presidential Villa, was prevented by security men from shaking hands with Jonathan.

But all that changed when the two men met at the Port Harcourt Airport on Saturday, when they appeared to have made up at least, as their non-verbal gestures suggested.

Gulak said: “Jonathan and Amaechi are brothers and they are not fighting as some people are saying. I have never believed there was a crisis between the two brothers.

“Let me tell you, the President that I know and has been working with is a man of peace

who takes all the governors, including Amaechi as his friends and there is no need for anyone to say that there is a feud between the President and Amaechi. The seeming friction between the duo is nothing but a media creation,” the Presidential aide said.

The political adviser dismissed as untenable the claim that the President was opposed to Amaechi’s leadership of the NGF, pointing out that Jonathan had no interest in the forum, which he described as a mere association that does not have a place in the Nigerian Constitution.

Reacting to the rejection of the Budget Amendment Bill by the National Assembly, Gulak described the development as a setback to Nigeria and its people.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Police foil bank robbery in Asaba

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA — BARELY one week after a first generation bank was raided at Agbor, there was another attempt to rob another bank in Asaba supposedly by the same gang, state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme, has said.

Briefing newsmen in Asaba, yesterday, he said it was the same gang that struck at the first generation bank in Agbor on June 21, 2013 that attempted, in the early hours of yesterday, to raid the Asaba branch of the new generation bank located on Nnebisi Road, Asaba.

His words: “On June 30, 2013 at about 0200 hours at a new generation bank (names withheld), Nnebisi Road Asaba, police patrol team from ‘A’ Division Asaba had fierce gun duel with a gang of robbers numbering about 12 who came in three different vehicles in an attempt to rob the bank.

“At the end of the gun battle, due to superior fire power and gallantry of the policemen, the hoodlums were forced to abandon their evil mission and escaped with bullet wounds while the leader of the patrol team sustained bullet wound and is now responding to treatment in hospital. The patrol vehicle was also damaged.

“Items recovered at the scene were 53 empty shells of AK47 rifle, ammunition, one Mazda 626 car, one Pathfinder SUV, one Ford Mondoeo, two gas cylinders, one shifting spanner, one digger and two AK 47 magazines containing four rounds of live ammunition.

JAIL BREAK—Top: The broken gate of Olokuta Medium Prison, Akure, Ondo State and a prison officer, Isaac shot during a jail break Saturday.Below left: The broken wall and escape route. Below right: Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (left); Controller of Prison, Ondo State, Olatunde Olayiwola (2nd right) and Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Brigadier General Muhammed Dan-Alli (right), during the governor's visit to the scene of the jail break, yesterday. Photo: Adedayo Johnson.

Gunmen attack Ondo prison, set 175 inmates free

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE —AT least 30 gun men in the early hours of yesterday stormed the Olokuta Medium Security Prison in Akure, Ondo State capital, and set free about 175 inmates mainly those standing trial for robbery.

A prison officer was shot in the right leg by the gunmen and he is receiving treatment at the Military Hospital, Akure.

Officials of the prison reportedly fled following the bombard-

ment of the cell walls by the gunmen who also fired sporadically into the air.

The gunmen reportedly barricaded the Akure-Ore expressway where the prison is located for hours while the operation lasted.

However, reports said some of the escapees were later picked by the security agents at some of the brothels within the capital city and neighbouring villages near the prison where they were hiding but identified by villagers.

Vanguard learnt that the gunmen armed with machine guns

11 burnt to death, 13 others injured in Ibadan auto crash

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — NO fewer than 11 persons, including three children, were burnt to death, yesterday, in Ibadan when a commercial bus caught fire.

Thirteen others, including the driver and the motor boy of the ill-fated bus, which was heading towards Beere area of Ibadan also sustained serious injuries.

According to an eyewitness, the victims who were going for an Islamic programme came in through Ogun State.

He said the propeller of the commercial Mazda bus was said to have broken while on speed which made the bus to

veer off its lane.

In a bid to avoid collision with other vehicles, the bus reportedly ran into a heap of sand after which it caught fire.

The injured and the corpses were said to have been taken to Adeoyo Hospital and UCH, Ibadan.

Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Oluyole Ibadan/Lagos toll gate, Mr Adeoye Sanya, confirmed the accident.

He said: “The FRSC men were informed of the accident around 1.00p.m. We were told that an Ibadan-bound bus from Lagos was involved in an accident.

“An eyewitness told us that

the propeller of the bus snapped and hit the fuel tank of the bus causing it to burst into flames. In the process, the driver hit a heap of sand by the side of the expressway but that didn’t save the situation.

“I can confirm that the bus was badly loaded and from the report of the victims, both survivors and the dead were 13 and 11 respectively.

“It seemed they were burnt to death. The driver is among the four male victims taken to the Adeoyo Hospital while nine others – seven adults and two children were taken to the University College Hospital (UCH).”

and dynamites arrived the prison premises around midnight and started shooting sporadically in to the air to scare the prison officials on duty.

The operation It was gathered that the assailants, armed with knowledge of how the prisoners are kept, went straight to the cell where robbery suspects were kept and blew up the walls with dynamite, setting them free.

Dependable source in the Olokuta prison said the gunmen invaded the place purposely to free some suspects arrested during a bank robbery in Akure and have been kept in the prison for over a year without trial.

Others headed for the main entrance but their attempt to blow it up failed so they concentrated on the wall leading to other cells where they set free other inmates.

The Olokuta prison is less than a kilometre to the headquarters of the 32, Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owena Barracks.

Top security chiefs in the state including the state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Dukumor and the state Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Eyitayo Jegede SAN have visited the place for on the spot assessment.

It's unusual — Comptroller

Contacted, the state Prisons Comptroller, Tunde Olayiwola, described the attack as unusual, noting that the culprits will soon be brought to book.

Olayiwola dispelled rumour that the attack was masterminded

by Boko Haram as being speculated.

According to him, “we cannot specifically identify those behind the attack, but it was unusual.

One of our officers was injured during the attack and he is in the hospital receiving treatment. I am assuring that those behind it will be brought to book soon.”

Speaking with newsmen, the state Police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the attack, saying the police command had contacted the prison authority, adding: “All the security agents within the state are working together to track down the criminals and bring them to book.

Meantime, the situation at the Olokuta Medium prison has been brought under control just as security has been beefed up within the prison.

It’s pathetic— State govt Meantime, the Ondo State government has described the jail break as pathetic.

The Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Eyitayo Jegede, said this in Akure after an on the spot assessment of the incident.

Jegede said the state government would invite the top officials of the prison.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 7

Birnin Kudu FMC workers embark on strike

BY TINA AKANNAM

D VISIT: From right— Mrs Mantuli Zuma, First Lady of South Africa; Dame Patience Jonathan, First Lady of Nigeria, and Mrs Roman Tasfaye, Ethiopian First Lady, during a visit to Dame Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

AIB to release Dana crash victims' belongings

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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CCIDENT Investigation Bureau, AIB, yesterday, said it was now ready to release belongings of the Dana Air crash victims to relations of the victims after proper identification.

The Dana plane crashed on June 3, 2012 at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, killing all the 153 people on board.

A statement from the Bureau said that the affected relations are advised to visit its Lagos office at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for identification and collection of the items.

The Bureau also said that the contacts for the victims’ families obtained from Dana Air were being used to facilitate the exercise.

According to Tunji Oketunji, Head, Public Affairs of AIB, “a lot of the belongings recovered from the crash site including bags, jewelries, laptops, phones, cash and identity cards were badly affected by fire and the impact of the crash.

“There are also some items with unidentified owners.”

AIB also said it was still investigating the cause of the crash even as a detailed report will be issued as soon as possi-

ble. Already, an updated report was released last September and an interim statement on the anniversary of the crash.

The interim statement re-

leased by the Bureau on the anniversary of the crash said some of the recommendations of the bureau were already being implemented by the airline and the aviation regulatory agency, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. Oketunji also explained

that releasing the items would not affect the ongoing investigation.

It will be recalled that Dana Airline has since resumed flight operations and was recently given till December this year to pay full compensation to relatives of the crash victims.

Failure to declare money above $10,000 punishable, says CBN

BY PETER EGWUATU

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, weekend, cleared the wrong notion that any person travelling outside or coming into the country cannot carry above $10,000, saying it was a misinterpretation and misapplication of the provision of the Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2011.

CBN, in a statement to all banks and other financial institutions, said that any person travelling or coming into the country can carry above $US 10,000, provided such amount was declared.

He said that only those who made false declarations or fail to make such declarations are to be prosecuted.

In a statement dated June 26, 2013, Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regula-

tion Department of the CBN, Mr. Y. Duniya, said: “Section 2(3) of the MLPA, 2011 (as amended) provides that transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent by individuals in or out of the country shall be declared to the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. “Section 2(5) provides that any person who falsely declares or fails to make a declaration to the NCS pursuant to section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. F34, LFN, 2004 is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to forfeit the undeclared funds or negotiable instrument or to imprisonment of not less than two (2) years or to both.

“The Act under reference further requires the NCS to

forward such declarations made to both the CBN and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. “The import of the above provisions is that it is mandatory for only the holders of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of US$10,000 to declare such funds or their equivalent to the NCS. “It is the false declaration or failure to make such declaration to the NCS that attracts prosecution and subsequent sanction of forfeiture of the undeclared funds or instruments upon conviction.

“To this end, the provisions in question do not imply in any manner that genuinelyowned or obtained funds or negotiable instruments in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent cannot be brought into Nigeria or taken outside the country.”

It's equal opportunities across zones at APC— ACN

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has strongly condemned the perceived campaign of calumny against All Progressives Congress, APC, describing the alleged attempts to use ethno-religious sentiments to destroy the budding party as a cheap shot.

In a statement in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Public-

ity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said: ‘’These purveyors of falsehood do not want good governance.

“That’s why they are peddling the lies that the interim leadership of APC is controlled by Muslims, and that it did not reflect the country’s pluralistic values.

‘’The truth is that while ethno-religious sentiments did not form the criteria used in selecting the interim leadership, we were conscious that Nigeria is a country of plural values. That is why we have 17 Christians and 18 Muslims, the best balance possible in the odd number of 35 posts that were shared.

“That is why the 35 occupiers of the positions are from 29 different states, four more than the 25 stipulated

by INEC. It was equal opportunity across all zones.’

ACN challenged anyone who doubts the authenticity of the facts and figures to verify them at INEC instead of taking to the social media.

UTSE—MEMBERS of Joint Medical Association of the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, in Jigawa State, will today commence an indefinite strike to further urge the management to stop further deductions from their monthly salaries.

Findings by Vanguard revealed that the management of the medical centre had been making some deductions from their salaries since January this year despite numerous appeals by the association to stop it.

The spokesperson of the association, Mr. Hamza Lawan, who spoke to Vanguard on phone, yesterday, confirmed the development.

Abdurahaman explained that members of the association had followed all diplomatic channels to avert the impending strike, but the management refused to listen to their appeal.

Igbo in Kano allege marginalisation

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

K

ANO—SPLINTER group of Ndigbo in Kano, weekend, accused Governor Musa Kwankwaso’s administration of marginalisation.

Onyendu Ndigbo Kano, Chief John Nnaji, told newsmen in his palace that Kwankwaso’s administration had over the last two years demonstrated insensitivity to the plight of residents of Sabon-Gari community despite their immense contribution to his victory in 2011 general election.

Nnaji challenged the reporters to “go round SabonGari and see for yourselves, and report back to me if you noticed any meaningful development purportedly executed by Kwankwaso’s government.”

However, Director of Press to Governor Kwankwaso, Haliru Dantiye, dismissed the allegation of marginalisation of the Igbo in Kano as a “cheap blackmail by a renegade leader, who has no mandate of his people.”

8—Vanguard , MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Chamber of Commerce warns of impending oil glut

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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RESIDENT, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Goodie Ibru, weekend, warned Nigeria of the problem posed by the impending global oil glut to the economy.

In a statement, he said: “The evolving global energy market dynamics suggest an urgent need to take a sober look at the Nigerian oil and gas subsector in particular and the energy sector in general, especially given the importance of the sector to Nigerian economy.

"Despite the declining contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, which is currently put at 14.7 percent, the extreme dependence of government finances and external trade balances on proceeds from the sector exposes the nation to significant risks from oil price and production shocks.

“There are profound concerns over dwindling performance of the sector, which has been attributed to the structural gaps in its regulatory, fiscal and business practices that have supported high inefficiencies.

"Unfortunately, the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, which was adjudged the most significant attempt to address these challenges through the reform of the governance and business structure of the sector as well as resolution of fiscal issues, is yet to see the light of the day.

“The risk of a glut in the global oil market is potentially detrimental to Nigeria."

SPDC, Agip, Chevron: NUPENG begins 3-day warning strike over ‘unfair' practices

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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IGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, today begins a nationwide threeday warning strike over, among others things, perceived unfair labour practices by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC; Chevron Nigeria Limited and Agip Oil Company.

Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, have been directed not to load products in all fuel depots and tank farms across the country, during the three days warning strike.

NUPENG is also protesting the alleged refusal of National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, to implement the signed collective bargaining agreement with PTD, and the sorry state of Nigerian roads.

The union warned that should government and other stakeholders fail to address its grievances after the three-day warning strike, it would declare an indefinite strike.

Specifically, NUPENG is lamenting alleged worsening unfair labour practices

by SPDC, Chevron and Agip Oil, accusing them of inhuman treatment of Nigerians through casualisation and outsourcing of workers, among others.

It argued that if the agreements reached with the multinational companies at a meeting called by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, in May 2012, was implemented, these issues would have been resolved.

Issues

Vanguard investigation revealed that close to 90 percent of Nigerians working in the petroleum industry are either contract, casual or outsourced workers with conditions of work not commensurate with industry standards and best global practices.

These workers remain without job security terminal benefits, among others, for many years, without conversion to permanent workers.

Contract workers are being handed over to labour outsourcing companies without receiving terminal benefits.

The outsourcing of labour to contractors exposes work-

ers to possible exploitation and often times these contractors prevent workers from join the union.

It would be recalled that NUPENG had on June 6, in Lagos, issued a 14-day strike notice to the Federal Government over disputes with SPDC, Chevron and Agip, threatening a nationwide strike.

The union called on the Federal Government to summon an all-stakeholders’ national conference on oil and gas to address, among others, labour issues in the sector before the expiration of the ultimatum or the union would declare an indefinite nationwide strike.

NUPENG scribe speaks

General Secretary of NUPENG, Isaac Aberare, said the three-day warning strike, starting today, was to protest unfair labour practices by oil multinationals namely.

He said: “The strike is also to protest the refusal of NARTO to implement the signed collective bargaining agreement with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers and the sorry state of roads across the nation.

“The union calls for understanding from Nigerians, as all efforts by the Ministry of Labour intervention three weeks ago have failed.”

Agip sacked 93 without benfits, says NUPENG President

President of NUPENG, Achese Igwe, accused Agip Oil of terminating the appointment of 93 contract workers that had worked with the firm for between 25 and 35 years, without benefits despite directives by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

He also accused the firm of promoting 96 workers, who have spent over 15 years as contract workers under NUPENG, to Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, as contract staff, instead of converting them to full time workers.

Igwe accused Chevron of converting workers from contract labour to service labour.

He said SPDC refused to have Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, with the workers and also denied them the right to join union, among others.

AGM: From left— Mr. Kelechukwu Mbagwu, Managing Director; Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Chairman; and Mr. Emmanuel Osagie, representing the Company Secretary, all of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company, at the company's maiden annual general meeting in Lagos, weekend.

Boko Haram activities give me sleepless nights, says Ihejirika

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, disclosed, yesterday, that he has had sleepless nights since 2010 when he was appointed COAS because of activities of the Boko Haram sect.

Ihejirika made the disclosure just as he said that the military had made tremendous achievements in the battle against in-

surgency in the north, but admitted that a lot still had to be done.

Speaking at an interdenominational church service to mark 150 years of existence of Nigerian Army, he stated that the capacity of all the units and those of the officers and men of the force had greatly improved, noting that the situation was what gave him the confidence that

the operation would succeed.

Admitting that the battle against insurgency will continue to have occasional setbacks since it involves dealing with terrorists, who disguise as civilians, he lamented that the officers that are battling the insurgents had been ambushed a number of times in the current operation.

He said: “The occasional

setback suffered in the operation is made possible by the fact that the insurgents disguise as civilians and as such some of the soldiers may not be on their best guard.

“Overall, we have made tremendous achievements but a lot still have to be done.

In terms of welfare, it is encompassing and talking about logistics, we are talking about transport which is

the vital part of logistics.

“We are aware of the current security challenges which I identified way back in 2010 on appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.

"It was in recognition of this challenge and strategy for dealing with it that made me evolve the vision to transform the Nigerian Army into a force better able to deal with contemporary challenges.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013—9

To overcome poverty, we must move from CSR to CSI — Fashola

BY AYOMIDE BABATOLA

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VISIT: From left, National Vice Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change, Hon. Rasaq Musa, receiving a gift from Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Acting State Chairman, CPC, Hon. Adunola Oyewole, during a recent visit to the governor, at the Government House, Osogbo.

Prepare for heavy rains, thunderstorms from this month —Lagos govt

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS —Lagos State government, yesterday, warned residents to prepare for heavy rains with wind and thunderstorms from this month, beginning today.

It advised people residing on flood plains, low line areas and other coastlines, to be careful and might need to vacate their residence temporarily to higher grounds on noticing rising water, saing the state was not ready

to lose any life to the rainy period.

Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, spoke in the wake of reports by Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, on expected heavy rainfall in July and the need to sensitise residents.

According to him: “As the intensity of the rain increases in July, Lagosians are advised not to panic, whenever it rains as they will start to experience accumulated water concentration on some parts of the roads

and highways, depending on the intensity of the rains, but the accumulated water will recede in no time.

"It has been raining since January and it has increased the water level of the soil, thereby making infiltration capacity to be very low across the state.”

The commissioner, however, assured that whatever flash floods recorded during the rains, would gradually be discharged in less than 24 hours, because of the effectiveness of

the drainage channels available in the state.

He advised people residing on flood plains, low line areas and other coastlines, like Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, Owode-Elelede, Kuramo Beach, Alpha Beach, Okun-mapo, Okun Ajah, Mende-Maryland, IjoraBadia, Iwaya, among others, to be watchful and that they might need to vacate their residences temporarily on noticing rising water and move to higher grounds.

Let's preserve our indigenous languages —Remi Tinubu

BY BENJAMIN NJOKU

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AGOS — WIFE of former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to preserve their indigenous languages, saying the lingua franca of an ethnic group remains the most important vehicle for promoting the culture and history of the people.

Senator Oluremi made the call, weekend, at the 29th anniversary/3rd biennial conference and fund raising for its project

by Eriegwa Itsekiri Ladies Society, in Lagos.

Oluremi, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, urged Nigerians not to allow the lingua franca of the various ethnic groups in the country, including the Itsekiri language, to go into extinction.

According to her, the theme of the anniversary: “Promoting Our Lingua Franca” was very

important and timely, saying, “I wish participants fruitful deliberations on this crucial theme and pray that the outcome will be the strengthening of Itsekiri langauge and culture which I must proudly say is one of the most outstanding cultures in our society today.

"The Itsekiri culture is a rich and progressive one where values are held dear. A dynamic people who seek to preserve their core beliefs and traditions. This conference should resonate for all sons and daughters of the Itsekiri nation and beyond.”

Senator Oluremi, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, commended the society for contributing meaningfully to improve the well-being of Itsekiri women and youths.

In his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Itse

Sagay (SAN), commended the Eriegwa Itsekiri Ladies for playing a vital role towards moving the Itsekiri nation forward and urged them not to relent.

He appealed to the Itsekiri people not to lose sight of promoting their cultural heritage.

Earlier, Mrs. Uwala Murphy-Akpieyi, President of the society, said in the past 29 years, Eriegwa Itsekiri Ladies had achieved tremendous milestones in serving their people at various levels, both collectively and individually.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to some Itsekiri sons and daughters, including Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, Chairman/ Publisher, Vanguard Media Limited, Mrs. Grace Birogbemi Ogbemi, first Itsekiri woman lawyer and Mrs. Alero Erewa-Oyeyemi,

past president and founder of the society, who was not present at the occasion.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu was also given an award for her contribution towards the betterment of the less-privileged people in the society, There was a cultural display by members of the society as well as screening of a short documentary by Alex Eyengho, a film-maker which captured the culture and history of the Itsekiri nation in 15 minutes.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Mr. Oma Eyeoyibo, who delivered the lecture on 'Promoting Lingua Franca,' Mr. Robinson Eyoyibo, Mr. Afolabi Oyeyemi, Mr. Mac Eyoyibo, Mr. Ajihone-Orugbo, Hon. Irene Imiler, Chief AdoloOkotie Eboh, Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, Major Wale Kuku, among others.

AGOS — LAGOS State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has said for the country to move out of poverty, it must graduate from operating Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, platform to Corporate Social Investment, CSI, initiative.

Speaking at the 10th anniversary of British American Tobacco Foundation, BATF, in Lagos, he said the private sector was recognised as a major source of reducing poverty, responsible for about 90 per cent of formal and informal employment in the country, must graduate from CSR to CSI. He was represented at the event by Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Wale Raji.

Royal Jordanian to commence flights to Lagos

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

R

OYAL JORDANIAN is set to launch its inaugural flight from the airline’s hub in Amman, Jordan, to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with effect from July 3, 2013.

The carrier will operate the route twice weekly with its wide-bodied, 280seater Airbus A330t The new service is expected to feed other Royal Jordanian 60 destinations across Europe, Asia, North America, Middle East and Far East.

The airline’s president and CEO, H.E. Amer Hadidi, said that the airline was executing its expansion strategy to find new tourism and travel markets to boost tourism to the kingdom and generate more revenues for the airline.

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Fayemi lifts Ekiti pensioners with N1bn EKITI STATE Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has brought smiles to the faces of pensioners in the state with the payment of arrears of pension to 1,755 beneficiaries to the tune of over N1 billion.

The breakdown of the beneficiaries is made up of 1,045 pensioners who worked as local government council staff and primary school teachers and 710 pensioners who worked in the state civil service and teachers in secondary schools.

Retired local government workers and primary school teachers received N251.3 million for the month of May, their counterparts who worked in the civil service and served as teachers in secondary schools got N252.6 million for the same month.

Atiku laments betrayal of S-West PDP

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

F

ORMER VICE-PRESIDENT Atiku Abubakar has lamented the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West and alleged betrayal of the people there by the national and zonal leaders of the ruling party.

Noting the easy victory of the party in the 2011 presidential elections in all but one of the SouthWest states, Abubakar said that it was easy to conclude that the party negotiated the presidential elections with zonal leaders at the expense of the gubernatorial, National Assembly and other elective positions.

“It still remains a paradox to me how the presidential candidate of the party would win massively in all but one state of the South West, yet the party failed to produce a

single state governor in the region and could only produce 18 State Assembly members in the same election,” Abubakar said in a statement prepared ahead of the forthcoming zonal congress of the party in the South-West.

“My experience in politics tells me that this paradox can only be explained in one way, that the leadership of the party must have abandoned the party and negotiated the victory of the President at the expense of the party.”

Alleging insincerity on the part of some leaders of the party, the former Vice-President thus called for sincerity in the application of party rules and the abandonment of divide and rule policy in the handling of party affairs.

“Recent events have shown that the leadership of the party has demonstrated insufficient sincerity in resolving the numerous crises which are pitching the

party members against themselves.

Political manoeuvring that relies on the politics of patronage and arbitrary application of sanctions will not sustain the popular will of the people through which the party can recover the lost ground.

“A group of concerned professionals with PDP interest from the South- West carried out a study in which a state-by-state analysis of the crises in the party was made.

“The body made far-reaching recommendations in their document which was submitted to the leadership of the party. If the party lead-

Aregbesola in Austria, wants Yoruba race integrated worldwide HE GOVERNOR of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called for a concerted effort to bring about the integration of the Yoruba race T

GCI to upgrade school with N250m

across the world.

He made this call at the after event party, Nigeria Cultural Festival, Adire Carnival, organised by the Egbe Omo Oduduwa Austria at the Centimetre Event Hall, Vienna, Austria, yesterday.

Aregbesola warned that in globalising world that is rapidly being overtaken and overwhelmed by Western value system, it becomes imperative to reinvent the Yoruba rich and noble culture.

‘Glo Slide & Bounce Concert is world class’

G

OVERNMENT C O L L E G E, Ibadan, GCI, has concluded plans to raise N250 million to upgrade infrastructure in the institution.

Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Old Boys Association, Mr. Yomi Jones, said the appeal fund became necessary because of the dilapidation of most of the facilities in the college.

Jones said n a statement: “ The Government College, Ibadan will be organising a programme to re structure the academy to its past standard which had nurtured the likes of Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in literature, renowned medical doctors, engineers, mathematicians, lawyers, jurists, administrators and astute managers, all contributing to nation building.

“Outrageously, the then noble college has absolutely decayed with sub-standard infrastructure and broken down facilities. The then boarding houses no longer exist for the proper nurturing of values, and the standard of scholarship is worsening by the day. Student/ teacher ratio is grossly inadequate to give proper tutelage.”

ership had paid attention to some of their recommendations, the outcome of the election in Ondo State could probably have been different.

“It will be useful for the incoming South-West Executive Committee to study this report and prepare a blueprint for the reversal of the dwindling fortunes of the party in the region.

“The eloquent silence of respected leaders on the various crises is a disturbing sign which leaves majority of the members confused.”

E

From left, Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Oladipo Aina; wife of the state governor and Chairperson, Gender-based Violence Prohibition Law Management Committee, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, during the committee's advocacy visit to the university on the implementation of the law.

Ekiti varsity dismisses 3 lecturers, expels 24 students

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — THE Governing Council of Ekiti State University, EKSU, has wielded the big stick by approving the dismissal of three senior academic staff of the university for alleged offences of manipulation of examination scores, plagiarism and failure to serve the university after being sponsored abroad.

Three others also had their appointments terminated for alleged gross academic misconduct, falsification of employment records and sexual harassment.

In the same vein, the institution has expelled 24 students and rusticate no fewer than 300 others for offences ranging from examination misconduct to being mem-

bers of unregistered associations in the university According to a statement by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Protocol, Mr. Ajibade Olubunmi, in Ado Ekiti, week-

end, these decisions were taken by the university governing council at its 108th meeting, based on the recommendations of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee on matters concerning the affected staff.

DO STATE Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, has described the Glo Slide & Bounce musical concert in Benin which held, weekend, as “a world class entertainment.”

Speaking to journalists on his impression about the event, Hon. Omo-Ojo said, “besides being a world-class event, it is gratifying to know that Globacom is bringing this to our people free of charge.”

Speaking in the same vein, Prince Patrick Oronsaye, a retired curator and authority on Bini Tradition and Custom, said that Globacom had demonstrated its love for the Bini people and by extension, the entire people of Edo State, by always including the city in its entertainment plans.

You can’t hold S-West zonal congress — Oni tells PDP

C

RISIS OVER the planned South-West Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, deepened, weekend, as former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni told the Deputy President of the Senate and Secretary, Special Convention Planning Committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, that the party should forget the idea of holding a fresh congress in the SouthWest to elect new Zonal Execu-

tives of the party.

Oni, in a letter dated June 26, 2013 and signed by his counsel, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, relied on “the pendency of an action in Suit No: AB/58/2013 in challenging the dissolution of the Chief Segun Oni led South West Zonal Executive of the PDP. In the suit, “there is a subsisting Motion on Notice seeking a prayer of the court for ‘’an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the

defendants either by themselves or privies from interfering with the performance of the claimants’ duties as the South West Zonal Executive Committee or in any other manner howsoever giving effect to or acting upon the decision of the 3rd Defendant purporting to dissolve the South West Zonal Executive Committee of the 3rd Defendant pending the hearing and determination of this suit.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 11

NLNG vs NIMASA: FG asks court to vacate order

Fears grip Delta community over suspected ritualists

BY INNOCENT ANABA

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

T

HE Federal Government has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to vacate the ex-parte order granted against it in the dispute between Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Ltd, NLNG and Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, over non-payment of statutory levies and charges the maritime regulatory agency claims were due to it from NLNG. It will be recalled that Justice M. Idris had on June 18, in the suit by NLNG against the Attorney General of the Federation and Global West Vessels Specialists, granted an exparte order restraining the defendants from charging, imposing, demanding or collecting the three percent of gross freight earnings or any other sum further to section 15(a) of NIMASA Act 2007 on all of NLNG’s international inbound or outbound cargo ships owned, contracted or subcontracted by it.

Meanwhile, praying the court to vacate the ex-parte order, counsel to the Federal Government, Dr Fabian Ajogwu SAN, argued that the order was essentially made against NIMASA, which was not joined as party in the suit.

The Attorney General of the Federation contended that NIMASA being a corporate body with statutory powers to sue and be sued in its own name, its non-inclusion as a party was a violation of the principles of fair hearing, that the other side should be heard; and therefore, fatal to the case of NLNG.

DELSU appoints 2 dep VCs

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—THE Governing Council of Delta State University, Abraka, has approved the appointments of Professor C.P. Aloamaka as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) for a second term of two years and Professor V.F. Peretomode as the Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic).

The appointments of the duo were sequel to the recommendation of the University Senate, while the appointment of Professor Peretomode is for two years term in the first instance.

He took over from Professor R.B. Ikomi, who was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) from March 11, 2008 to March 8, 2013.

A

INSPECTION—Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan inspecting the ongoing Asaba drainage system on the Okpanam road in Asaba. Photo: Henry Unini.

Uduaghan addresses Deltans, outlines devt plans

BY EMMA AMAIZE ARRI—DELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that the initial delay in the area of development was because he took time to strategize and provide a lasting development plan for the state.

He also noted that there was lack of funds, but assured that having fashioned out the strategies to tackle the problem of infrastructure and economic development, he was determined to finish strong in 2015.

Uduaghan, who spoke on a phone-in programme of Delta Broadcasting Service, DBS, War-

W

ri, said most of the projects inherited from the previous administration had been completed and commended Deltans for their patience with his administration.

He expressed indignation that some unscrupulous persons were not only defecating in the newly renovated public schools in the state, but also vandalizing them.

Describing the development as worrisome, he urged the perpetrators to stop the practice, as destroying government property was wrong and punishable.

He said, “l am calling on com-

munity leaders to assist government on security in their areas. Some of the public schools we just built and renovated had been vandalised and this is very bad. Those vandalising these schools and passing excreta in the classrooms are people in your communities. An outsider cannot do that.”

On the pending election into local government areas, he promised a free and fair poll, saying that the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission was working out the modalities.

....As wife commissions buses, speed boats in Bomadi

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI — AS part of efforts by the Federal and State Governments to cushion the effect of the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, the wife of the Delta State governor, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan has commissioned six buses and two speed-boats procured by the Collins Olorogun-led administration of Bomadi Local Government Area of the state for land and water transportation.

Mrs Uduaghan, who was at the council for the prophetic Solemn Assembly, also commissioned the vehicles and speedboats procured from the council's share of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE-P, to ease the transportation of persons and goods and charged the people to use them meaningfully to the glory of God. Addressing newsmen, Transition Committee Chairman of the council, Mr. Collins Olorogun explained that, Bomadi being a council with high business prospects and rich in agricultural

activities, transportation of human and agricultural produce to the hinterland was a major obstacle to the people.

He said, “the busses and boats are to boost transportation and for the people to have real value for their businesses and

farming activities, which was why my administration procured six 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses and two 75 Horse power speed-boats from the SURE-P funds released to Bomadi council by Governor Uduaghan".

Oshiomhole, others for Pa Shaibu burial

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, led other members of the State Executive Council to attend the burial of the father of the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Mr Philip Shaibu in Jattu, Etsako West local Government Area of the state, weekend.

Pastor Francis Shaibu, aged 67, who died June 23, 2013 in Kaduna, requested that he should not be kept in the mor-

tuary before he died.

Politicians both from the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state buried their differences as they attended the burial.

Speaking at the funeral, Mr Philip Shaibu explained that his father requested not to be kept in the mortuary and should be buried within three days. He regretted that his father died while the family was making preparations to relocate him from Kaduna to their hometown.

NXIETY has griped Alisimie community in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State over alleged presence of suspected ritualists in the community.

According to sources, two of the suspected ritualists were allegedly spotted in one of the villages (Ahima) and again in Idumuenor.

A woman, who went to harvest cassava was said to have narrowly escaped from the suspected ritualists, who were on the prowl for women private parts.

The development has heightened fears, tension and anxiety in the community as women no longer go to farm, unless accompanied by their husbands or grown up children.

Worried by the ugly development, the people of Idumuenor village were said to have combed the bush to apprehending the suspected ritualists with no luck.

Warri LG Chairman asks citizens to turn away from iniquities

K

OKO, WARRI — THE Transition Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Evangelist David Ewetan Edun, has admonished the people of the council to turn away from iniquities and serve God to earn His blessings.

Edun spoke while welcome the wife of Delta State Governor, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan and her team of pastors and other spiritual leaders, who arrived Koko, administrative headquarters of Warri North Council for the launch of the local government chapter of her (Mrs Uduaghan’s) transformation prayer project tagged: Solemn Assembly.”

Edun asked the people to emulate Mrs. Uduaghan’s spiritual life style, irrespective of the position they might hold in the society.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Wike, too insignificant to discuss — Amaechi

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME

P

ORTHARCOURT— RIVERS State governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, said that Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, who now leads a faction of the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was too small for him (Amaechi) to discuss.

Speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief O. C. J. Okocha, SAN, at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-NuOdo Deanery in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, weekend, Amaechi added that majority of those, who betrayed him were from his Ikwerre ethnic group, whom he nominated for positions at various levels, including his former Chief of Staff, Nyesom Wike, who has now turned himself to his (Amaechi’s) chief opponent and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Austin Opara.

Responding to questions put to him by the officiating priest, Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Niger Delta Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, Amaechi said “His grace, this will be the first time I will be talking about my former Chief of Staff in public.

"My former Chief of Staff is too small for me to talk about. I don’t want to discuss him and I have never done that before. Today will be my first and last day.

“You know, there are different types of men. I hope you know that there are men with character and there are men without character. And you know that I have character. I don’t believe that money can solve all problems and I don’t worship money, my greatest fear is where am I going to, after here on earth.

"Let me also tell you that I have been betrayed several times in politics and majority of those who betrayed me are from my Ikwerre ethnic group.

“Before I became a Speaker, can we look back at Ikwerre history? We were crying, we wanted governor, we wanted this and that and the last ministerial appointment was Chief Emmanuel Aguma, a long time ago, and that was the last Ikwerre ministerial appointment. I became Speaker

and by the Grace of God I got the Deputy Speaker seat in the House of Representatives to an Ikwerre son(Austin Opara), all with my sweat, I struggled for it.”

Amaechi stated that when it was time for Austin Opara to support him, he, instead betrayed him “Again, you can ask Mr. President, I submitted his name(Nyesom Wike) as minister, where is he now?

I, Amaechi submitted his name (Nyesom Wike) as minister to President Goodluck Jonathan, but where is he now? You must have character, you must be known for something.”

Speaking on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum crisis, Amaechi said a credible

election was held where the governors exercised their franchise and re-elected him as Chairman of the Forum.

“There was an election.

They are not denying that there was no election, they said before the election, some governors had signed documents for them and that they were 19 in number, and we conducted election, eventually, the 19 governors later changed their minds and voted for me. As a man of God, (referring to Bishop Kattey) now that you know, please tell the other Bishops and men of God, so that, I don’t have to be responding to these questions in public, if there was election or not?”

Akwa Ibom partners India on ICT

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KWA IBOM STATE government has reiterated its readiness to partner the Indian government on Information and Communication Technology, ICT, health-care delivery service and Ibaka Seaport free trade zone.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, spoke weekend, when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev paid him a visit at Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

Akpabio said “Your presence in Nigeria has rekindled the relationship be-

tween our country and yours. I must applaud the C Indian government for do- M Y ing well on ICT and health K sectors in your country. We are interested to partner the Indian government in ICT, health-care delivery and free trade zone of Ibaka Seaport.

“In Akwa Ibom State, we have taken ICT to a greater level, as we have built a state-of-the-art ICT library and invested millions of naira in the ICT industry, which we need to take a step further with your government."

Motorists groan over bad road in Yenagoa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA ENAGOA—MOTORISTS plying the old Assembly quarters road byepass in Ekeki, a suburb in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have expressed concerned over the deplorable state of the road.

The bye-pass was constructed five years ago by the former Governor Timipre Sylva's administration but went bad due to the alleged shoddiness of job done by the contractor.

The bye-pass which links the Azikoro road to Sani Abacha expressway is less than 800 metres.

About 50 metres of the road from the Azikoro road side spanning beyond the

Y

Assembly guarters gate is not only riddled with deep craters but also flooded.

Passing through the byepass, which is host to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, office and its supervisory ministry, Federal Ministry of Works in Bayelsa State has been a harrowing experience for motorists and commuters since the beginning of the rainy season due to its deplorable state.

Though FERMA had repeatedly carried out rehabilitation work on the failed portion of the road, the Azikoro end of the route has remained flooded with deep craters due to low nature of the road and poor drainage system in the area.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 —13

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU — CHAIRMAN of South-East Governors’ Forum and Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, said yesterday that he would retire from active politics at the expiration of his second term in February next year.

The governor spoke in Enugu during the thanksgiving service and award ceremony to mark the end of the 2nd Session of the 15th Synod of Anglican Diocese of Enugu at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Asata, Enugu.

He lamented that the level of greed among political office holders in the country was very disturbing, saying it was wrong to use public funds to amass wealth whereas the poor masses were left in abject poverty.

His words: “A very prominent person called today and asked me: what is your plan concerning politics after your current tenure? I’m telling you now what I told him. ”For me, I have come to the end of it; I want to quit and rest. However, I have been praying to God that for the sake of the good people of Anambra State, please give them somebody like Peter Obi. ”The level of greed in Nigeria is overwhelming, where people can’t see the suffering of other people, they are just accumulating wealth. For me, it is time to go. ”I wonder why one person should own a house in Ikoyi, Asokoro, Dubai and he is not using them for anything. People accumulate what they don’t need.

It is madness. The level of greed in Nigeria is intolerable. ”I want all of us to be praying for Nigeria, so that God will touch the heart of our leaders to use public money for the people. In Anambra State, we have never borrowed money, despite all the works we are doing but we have continued to do good for our people.”

Obi quits politics next year ...laments greed among leaders Nigeria was too much. ”When I came in as governor, I discovered that the state had 70 workers in Abuja liaison office. Apart from their salary, we spend close to N15 million maintaining that office.

They have nothing doing there than to come to the airport and welcome me whenever I visited, constituting nuisance. So we re-

deployed the workers and closed down the place. Till date, we have not missed them, which means they were really doing nothing there. ”I urge all of us to pray for greedy people in this country; they are accumulating what they don’t need, stop accumulating things for your children,” he

charged politicians, stressing that he had never bought a car for any of his children. ”I have told them to buy cars when they make their money. I have also never celebrated birthday for them. They can do that when they leave my house. We should stop wasting public fund.”

REMEMBRANCE: From left: Senator Bode Olajumoke; Erelu Abiola Dosumu, Princess Kofoworola Oyekan and Princess Remi Olajumoke during a thanksgiving service to mark the 10th year remembrance of late Oba Adeyinka Ayinde Oyekan at Methodist Church, Tinubu, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

Cost of running gov’s office Obi, whose speech was greeted with a loud applause from the congregation, further lamented the level of financial waste in government, stressing that the cost of running a governor’s office in

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Mrs Uwala Akpieyi, President, Eriegwa Itsekiri Ladies Society; Mr Aji Rone-Orugbo and Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the society’s 29th anniversary and third biennial conference with the theme: “Promoting our lingua franca,” in Lagos, weekend. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

CNPP asks Jonathan to recover $400bn looted fund

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—CONFERENCE of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to make a “blanket request” for the recovery of over $400 billion Nigeria’s looted fund.

Rising from a meeting in Enugu, the CNPP in a communique signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said: “Whereas we applaud the recovery of fund looted by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, we demand, as a matter of ur-

gent national importance, that President Goodluck Jonathan requests for blanket recovery of over $400 billion fleeced off our treasury in the last two decades.”

The group said the call was sequel to the report by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, that the Federal Government had recovered about N5.5 billion (£22.5 million) and that negotiation had reached advanced stage to recover N36.7 billion (175 million euro) of Abacha looted fund.

The CNPP said: “President

Jonathan should utilise the window opened by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which bounds countries to render mutual legal assistance in gathering and transferring evidence and Chapter V of the Convention which made asset recovery explicitly a fundamental principle of the convention. ”Our investigation within the diplomatic circle shows that expresident, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, only requested for Abacha loot and turned blind eye to the other looters.

“We demand that a blanket request be made, for we need the

billions of dollars to invest in critical infrastructure, revamp our decayed social services and stem gross unemployment.”

The group, however, frowned on the selective approach in the loot recovery process, which looked more of a vindictive venture than war against corruption.

It said: ”The selective approach sends wrong signals within and outside our shores.”

CNPP then appealed for effective liaison and communication with targeted countries to hasten the pace of recovery of funds siphoned from the nation’s treasury.

15 lecturers demoted over alleged certificate forgery in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — NO fewer than 15 lecturers of Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo were weekend, demoted over alleged involvement in certificate forgery and for claiming to have acquired Ph.D degrees from reputable institutions outside the country.

Management of the college, on receipt of the report and recommendations of the committee set up to look into the alleged claims by the lecturers, said the exercise was not meant to witch-hunt anybody in particular but to ensure sanity and discipline within the education sector in the state.

At a press briefing in Abakaliki, Special Adviser to Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State on Higher Education, Professor Mike Ituma, revealed that the discovery came as a shock, stressing that the action of the affected lecturers was a reflection of the level of decay ravaging the sector.

According to him, the action of the management of the college is a step in the right direction and government is completely in support of the action against the lecturers.

In a statement, Public Relations Officer of the college, Mr. Nkwuda Bethrand Otukobelu, noted that the 15 affected lecturers would not be allowed to run any promotion course packaged by the college till after three years.

He said: “A lot of processes were followed in verification and evaluation of the certificates of the lecturers involved. Six of the affected lecturers who had their Ph.Ds from the institutions should stop parading themselves as Ph.D holders and stop adding the title ‘Dr.’ to their names.

“That as regards to their present positions, nine of them have been demoted to Lecturer III; two to Assistant Lecturers and the remaining two to non-academic staff for not possessing relevant qualifications to be in the academic cadre.”

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

PDP blasts Tinubu over market women leader

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—NATIONAL leader ship of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, described the national leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a despot for imposing his daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, as President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men. The party said Folashade TinubuOjo was not a full-time trader and cannot on that note succeed Tinubu’s mother, late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.

In a statement, yesterday, by PDP's Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Caesar Okeke, the party also lampooned the leadership of ACN for asking President Goodluck Jonathan to probe reports that security operatives prevented Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, from personally exchanging pleasantries with him at a dinner at the Presidential villa last Wednesday.

Okeke described the demand by the ACN as “irresponsible, meddlesomeness and foolish scandalmongering.”

He said ACN and its co-travel-

ler, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, were merely embittered by the reconciliations in the PDP and were, as such, crying wolf where there was none.

Stating that such protocol issues were understood by all, PDP said ACN and CPC had, over time, showed that they were quarrelsome parties which derived pleasure in causing disaffection among Nigerians.

He said: “The ACN and the CPC are merely embittered by the reconciliations so far achieved in the PDP and seek to use all means to undermine it. That is why they are crying wolf where there is none. Protocol issues are understood all over the world. Therefore the demand by the ACN smacks of irresponsible meddlesomeness and foolish scandalmongering aimed at causing disaffection among our leaders and party members.”

The party said President Goodluck Jonathan had a good relationship with all state governors, including that of Rivers State, and commended him for the reconciliations so far achieved in the PDP.

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah; Permanent Secretary, Communication Technology Ministry, Dr. Henry Akpan; and Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, at a stakeholders' meeting in Lagos

On Tinubu, the PDP said the ACN leader, “who parades himself as a democrat” has clearly shown his despotic tendencies,

with the installation of his daughter as the leader of traders without recourse to democratic processes. Nigerians have clearly

FG rebukes critics over Edo executions •Says nobody can question Nigerian Constitution

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA— THE Feder al Government has rebuked foreign critics of Nigeria over the recent execution of four condemned convicts in Edo State, insisting that nobody could question the nation’s constitution over death penalty.

Foreign governmental and non-governmental organizations had criticized Nigeria over the execution, after several years of moratorium. But the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, responded to the criticism in Abuja, at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ consultative forum on the second cycle of Nigeria’s universal periodic review of the United Nations human right council.

Ashiru explained that the circumstances that led to the conviction of death penalty were heinous crimes against humanity, adding that the Federal Government was handling all the issues of human rights with collation of all the reports that would be presented in Geneva.

He said: “Nigeria makes no apology to anybody on the issue and nobody has the right to decide for us over our constitution. What happened in Edo State was a situation where the governor exercised the constitutional responsibility to sign the execution that took C M Y K

seen that the so-called democrats and self-styled messiahs in the ACN are, indeed, wolves in sheep’s skins."

place.

“I agreed that there was an unwritten rule that we should have moratorium, pending the time our constitution will be rebuilt and reviewed. But don’t forget that this same constitution that we follow and use today was the same one handed down to us by the colonial power as at that

time. Until the service book and constitution are reviewed, there is nothing anybody can do.”

Ambassador Ashiru, stated further that the governor acted within his constitutional powers, noting he didn’t see the execution as an impediment to the review of the constitution.

NYSC DG cautions corps members

By CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA—FOLLOW ING the controversy that trailed the decamping of one Miss Damilola Ekundayo during the Batch ‘A’ 2013 orientation programme in Ogun State, Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. General Nnamdi Okore-Affia, has vowed not to give in to the antics of religious extremists to undermine the scheme.

Okore-Affia was reacting to a media report credited to one Oguntoye Oluwaseyi on the abdication of the responsibility to serve the nation by Damilola.

The report, entitled ‘Religion, Trousers and Female Corps Members,’ carpeted the leadership of NYSC for not throwing open the dress code at the orientation camp.

The NYSC boss in a statement in Abuja, maintained

that serving the nation after graduation was mandatory, but not by force, adding that anybody who submitted to serve must abide by the rules and regulations of the service.

Okore-Affia said that although NYSC recognized constitutional rights of every citizen to freedom of religion, its orientation camp was not a breeding ground for religious extremists.

He added: “The orientation camp is a training ground and pivot of discipline and not a crusade camp, where religious beliefs are espoused and propagated. Therefore, anybody that submits himself for the one-year mandatory service, must abide by the rules and regulations guiding the service, especially during the Orientation course which has some form of regimentation.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 15

INEC declares Oguta rerun poll inconclusive

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE Indepen dent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared weekend’s re-run election for the Oguta State Assembly seat as “inconclusive”. Confirming this development in a telephone interview, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Celina Okoh, explained that the result could not be declared because the poll was inconclusive.

Her assertion was, however, debunked by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu claimed it won the election by 7,585 votes to the 7,241 polled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate.

APGA chieftains on the contrary claimed that their party polled 2,000 votes more to what was claimed by the PDP. Professor Okoh, however, affirmed that the election was inconclusive. He said: "The result could not

be declared because the poll was inconclusive. Voting did not take place in some polling units.” The state REC also confirmed that she had already

transmitted the situation report to INEC headquarters, adding that it was only the headquarters that could say if and when a

supplementary election would be held for the outstanding assembly seat.She said: "I have transmitted the report of what happened to Abuja. I am now wait-

ing for further directives from the Headquarters on what next to do.”When asked if there would be supplementary election, Professor Okoh said the decision would be determined

by INEC headquarters.

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16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 F you believe what the government I says, it has created millions of jobs, the only challenge is that millions of Nigeri-

ans who need the jobs do not know what the jobs are, or how to apply for them. It appears to be a trap from which there is no escape for the government or the millions of unemployed Nigerians.

Are there jobs? Yes, but not the millions that the government promised, and definitely not the other jobs that multiplier effects of government’s policies should spin. In making its forecasts, government did not consider the militating effects of poor infrastructure that continues to depreciate.

Government officials had caught the buzz words, “value chain.” They repeat them as if on their own to make any changes to the unemployment situation.

It is true that the government has some programmes that have created “values”, what is left is the “chain” to link the values to spurn the new jobs, new opportunities, which if the projections hold, would continue a spiral that would result in more

Why sale of jobs continues jobs.

A vast improvement on roads, rails, electricity, and water would help with industrialisation, and reduce the cost of business. These would attract more businesses and the chain would continue as Nigerians develop more competitive capacities and competences in various fields.

Unemployment is not new. The scandals with employment into ministries and government agencies are relatively new.

Government officials demand bribes to hand out few jobs that are available. It is a case of demand and supply — where there is scarcity, as is the case with jobs, decision makers explore the situation.

Fraudsters have learnt well too, setting up their own websites with which they

sponge millions of Naira off desperate job seekers. Government’s decision in the case of Nigeria Immigration Service shows it can tackle job racketeering.

Section 17 (3) (a) of the 1999 Constitution states that, “All citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment.” It is a nebulous provision that does not hold anyone responsible for creating jobs.

According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, 23.9 per cent of Nigerians were unemployed in 2011; and the first half of 2012. This indicated an increase from 21.1 per cent in 2010 and 19.7 per cent in 2009.

The unofficial figures could be higher. The NBS had in 2012, disclosed that 67 million youths were unemployed! Perhaps, more saddening is that influential Nigerians hijack jobs for their relations at the expense of qualified applicants.

Governments have to keep improving infrastructure and economic policies to halt the ticking bomb of unemployment.

OPINION

BY OKECHUKWU ANARADO

I

N 2002, when Mr. Peter Obi threw his towel into the political arena of Anambra State, many wondered what prompted the gentle and soft-spoken young man to dare the political jungle of the state. Not even the knowledge of the profoundly deep pocket of Mr. Obi could explain his will to wade into the murky waters of politics, particularly the brand that Anambra State traded; for then the state was at the height of its political hemorrhage. At that time, Mr. Obi might not be the wealthiest Anambra man, but even his detractors would not deny him privileged membership of the select wealthy who understand the mores and lures of riches amidst the ambience of comfort and luxury. But having conquered every tendency of material deprivation early in life, Mr. Obi willingly opted for a modest and unassuming life.

Invariably, this choice freed him from the weight of excess luggage which consciousness of his mega material worth would have laid on his shoulders.

Realising that a decadent society spares neither the rich nor the poor, and having seen through the hollow politics of the gladiators in his state of Anambra, Mr. Obi set sail for service to correct the errors bedeviling the institutions of government among his people. Being a developmental economist, he sought to strike a balance between the needs of Ndi-Anambra and the capacity of their resources to meet those needs. Though he had been engaged in splashes of philanthropic outreach to individuals and institutions, such assistance

NdiAnambra, lest w e fforge orge Ndi-Anambra, we orgett could hardly impact well enough on the greater majority of the people who were weighed down by the effect of poor planning which was the hallmark of past administrations. He therefore needed to explore the possibilities of engendering a systemic change towards comprehensive transformation of the state and her people.

His decision to participate in the unruliness that characterised the politics of that moment astounded Mr. Obi’s numerous admirers in the business world. As one wondered if Mr. Obi was mindful of the weighty challenge this task meant, not a few of those who knew him well were bewildered over the cost of the choice he made. ‘How could Peter put aside the high profile and cerebral boardroom politics, where he has not only excelled but has the future looking even better, and choose rather to wallow in the intrigues and uncertainties of the politics of public governance, where everyone is a claimant to expertise?’ But wonder as people did, Mr. Obi was set for the plunge.

In 2002, Anambra could rightly be tagged a failing state; and between 2003 and 2006, when the Peoples Democratic Party spuriously installed and sustained Dr. Chris Ngige as governor, the state experienced an abysmal free-fall as the brigandry spared none. The brazen abduction of Governor Chris Ngige heightened what Governor Obi often describes as ‘the lunatics taking over the asylum’. There was palpable fear since

the vulnerability of the number one citizen to the rascality of charlatans availed everyone no respite. All sorts of men fronting the presidency paraded their army of unruly youths who unleashed mayhem without scruples at the prompting of their local warlords. And those ‘civilian generals’ made sure that none had peace. Despair loomed while the people only took recourse to God in prayers.

T

hat was Anambra State before the emergence of Mr. Peter Obi as governor. This tells the enormity of work that needed to be done to clear the Augean stables of the savage political culture that became the norm in the State. Mr. Obi dared the herculean task; and like Heracles, liberally deployed courage, self confidence, brilliance, iron-cast will and physical strength in striking a reconnect with the civility that is congruous with the plausible heritage of the state. He was propelled more by the zeal to reinvent the lost glory of Ndi-Anambra than by the glamour and lures the office might hold.

This passion has continued to translate to the physical transformation of the entire landscape of Anambra State. It has reinvented functional value system among Ndi-Anambra.

Regardless of whatever angle from where anyone might decide to evaluate Governor Obi’s administration, it is beyond doubt that it has made unprecedented impact in

simultaneously developing every sector of the state’s interest. The government has revived the education sector by massive reconstruction and equipping of schools, thereby providing the enablement for effective learning. By this act, functional growth of society is ensured. The youths have ceased to be wayward and restive because they are now gainfully engaged in legitimate and profitable pursuits.

Governor Obi has school visitations as one of his cardinal concerns. Not only do the visits guarantee uplift in the infrastructural status of the schools, his warm interactions with the pupils and students in the schools enliven, ennoble as well as embolden the children to see themselves as veritable leaders of tomorrow. They are therefore urged to work hard to ensure the fruition of their dreams.

In every sector, the octopus-like Anambra Integrated Development Strategy, ANIDS, which drives the multi-sectorial simultaneous development of the state is visibly touching the lives of the people. A fair look at the economy of the state presents a very healthy bill comparable to none in the states of the Federation. Despite the many projects of the government (completed and on-going), Anambra still meets her financial obligations without owing any institution. While before now, the state government had no viable investment anywhere, today both the state and its local governments have huge and secured investments in thriving industries and business concerns. *Mr. Anarado, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Awka, Anambra State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013—41

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 45

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, HENRY UMORU, DEMOLA AKINYEMI, DAPO AKINREFON, GBENGA OKE & JOSEPH ERUNKE

Ewherido, DPP's only senator; Oliha, ex-international footballer die

T

HE cold hands of death dealt Nigeria’s political and sporting firmament a devastating blow yesterday by snatching Senator Pius Ewherido (PDP, Delta Central) and ex-international, Thompson Oliha.

Ewherido, 50, the only Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, senator died a week after declaring his intention to run for the governorship of Delta State in 2015.

And Oliha, 45, died after helping Kwara Football Academy where he was a coach beat Ben Machezie Football Foundation of Northern Mali on Saturday.

Oliha, a Benin boy from Ogbe Quarters, was a member of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the United States of America, USA, FIFA World Cup in 1994. He was said to have slumped in his toilet yesterday morning and was subsequently rushed to a hospital in Ilorin where he died.

Ewherido passed on at the National Hospital, Abuja at 5 pm where he was rushed to after suffering stroke last Thursday. He died in the presence of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

Announcing Ewherido’s death yesterday, the Delta State Government, in a statement by Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Secretary to the Delta State government, said the senator died at the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.

Macaulay said: “The Government of Delta State wish to commiserate with and express deep condolences to the family at this trying moment. Government advises Deltans, particularly members of his constituency to remain calm. We pray that God grants his family, constituents and all of us, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.

Jonathan shocked

President Goodluck Jonathan received with shock and sadness, news of the passing on of the senator. Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said: “On behalf of himself and members of the executive arm of the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Senator Ewherido’s family, the Senate President, Senator David Mark and all of the late Senator ’s colleagues in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

"The President joins them, members of the Ewherido family and the government and people of Delta State in mourning the distinguished legisla-

Accra, Ghana, for a golf tournament had on receiving the sad news, cut short his trip and returned home to mourn his departed colleague.

Ekweremadu, Ojudu, Harriman, Okocha, Gbinije mourn

Late Senator Pius Ewherido

tor who served commendably as a member and deputy speaker of the Delta State of Assembly before his election as the Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2011 general elections.

"President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will comfort Senator Ewherido’s family, relatives, colleagues in the National Assembly and all the people of his constituency.

"He further prays that God will, in His infinite mercies, grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the painful loss of the very promising politician at the relatively youthful age of 50.”

His death is devastating – Senate

The Senate described the death of Senator Pius Ewherido, DPP, Delta Central as devastating and shocking.

In a statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe noted that Ewherido only took ill weekend and was not able to make it.

Abaribe said: “Senator Ewherido was one of the most articulate, erudite, urbane and easy-going senators who brought his wealth of experience as a Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly to bear on the floor. He was always concerned about his constituents and Nigeria as a whole”.

Mark weeps, cuts short trip to Ghana

Senate President, David

Mark, yesterday, wept over the untimely death of Senator Ewherido whom he described as a forthright and vibrant parliamentarian.

Senator Mark lamented that Ewherido was one of the foremost and hardworking senators in the Seventh Senate.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President noted that Ewherido had within his short but eventful membership of the Senate displayed patriotism, commitment and truly distinguished himself as a parliamentarian of a very high standard.

“We have lost a true friend and colleague. We lost a vibrant and a very articulate senator. We have lost a patriotic Nigerian who stood to be counted when it mattered”.

Senator Mark noted that one of Senator Ewherido’s bills on how to address the issue of manslaughter in the land was currently under going through legislative works, adding that the deceased should have been alive to see his good works aimed at saving mankind.

He added that the Senate would do the needful to ensure that the immediate family of Ewherido did not suffer.

He told the government and people of Delta State, especially the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the late senator lived an accomplished life worthy of emulation.

Senator Mark, who was in

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, described Ewherido’s death as “sad and shocking” and a great blow to the legislature and the nation in general.

He said: “This is one death too devastating as Senator Ewherido was a staunch believer in the Nigerian project, a patriot, and hard working lawmaker who gave his very best to the nation. We have lost a legislative treasure, especially given the rich experience and insight he brought to the Senate having served as a lawmaker in the Delta State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.”

Erstwhile Member of the House of Representatives and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN chieftain, Ms Temi Harriman expressed shock at the development recalling her brief but cordial political relationship with the dead senator who was set to formally declare for the fledgling All Progressive Congress, APC. “My deepest condolence to the family on this shocking news of a bright star who had achieved so much from the Delta State House of Assembly to the Senate. We pray for his wife and family and political associates and my deepest prayer for him is that God will grant him eternal peace.”

In his reaction, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, described the late Ewherido as a “promising man, highly intelligent and very friendly”.

Ojudu said: “It is a big loss to the country because he was one of the progressives that was always showing concern to the plight of the poor and always thinking of one thing or the other to do to alleviate the plight of the poor. His death is a very devastating one. I am told he suffered a stroke on Thursday and died just on Sunday. It is a very sad one and may his soul rest in peace.”

A former governorship candidate in Delta State, Mr Peter Okocha, described Ewherido’s death as “colossal loss to Nigeria and Delta State in particular.

He said "Pius Ewherido was

senator of senators, a gentleman, bridge-builder and somebody who touched many lives in different ways. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

Also, the initiator of a nongovernmental pressure group in Delta State, the Mandate Against Poverty (MAP), Chief Bobson Gbinije described Ewherido’s death as a horrific blow to the Urhobo nation, Delta State, Pantheon of Democracy 2015 and the Nigerian nation.

Ewherido was reported to have on June 6, inaugurated the Uvwie chapter of a pressure group co-ordinating his campaign for Delta State government in 2015 at the Ugborikoko Primary School, where he was described as an iconic leader and hope of the people of Delta State.

The man Ewherido Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido, who was born May 4, 1963, was a member of the Delta State House of Assembly between May 1999 and May 2007. He was elected Senator for Delta Central in the April 2011 elections on the platform of the Democratic People’s Party, DPP. Born in Ughelli, he attended Notre Dame College, Ozoro and Urhobo College, Effurun, Delta State. He attended the University of Ife where he studied Philosophy.

After his National Youth Service, Ewherido became a businessman in Warri. He also read Law at the University of Benin and was called to the Bar. Ewherido joined the United Nigerian Congress Party, UNCP, during the botched Third Republic. After the transition to democracy was aborted by Sani Abacha, he left politics and returned to business.

In 1998 he joined the PDP and in April 1999 was elected to represent the Ughelli South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.

He was appointed deputy speaker of the House when it convened in June 1999. From May 15, 2000 to March 20, 2001, he was leader of the Assembly. Ewherido was reelected in April 2003, and was Deputy Speaker of the Assembly from May 2003 until May 2007.

Ahead the 2007 elections, he aspired to be governor of Delta State but lost out in the primaries of the PDP

Continues on Page 50

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

I

READ Martins Oloja’s front page story on The Guardian (Monday, June 24th, 2013) with interest and decided to put in a word. Oloja, the Editor of the newspaper, interviewed Ambassador John Campbell in Washington DC. Campbell was the chief envoy of the United States of America in Nigeria. When he was through with serving his country, he wrote a controversial book: Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink.

Campbell describes himself as “a friend of Nigeria”, who is so concerned for the unity of the country that he opted to speak “the truth” about the situation in a country bedevilled by instability and threatened with an uncertain future. The aspect of the diplomat’s assertions that tickles my interest is his contention that the “core North” (Arewa, or the Muslim North) is “alienated”.

He is concerned that Nigeria’s leaders are not doing enough to address the “discrepancies in the social statistics” that portray “alienation” of the region.

These, he insinuates, manifest in violence, terrorism, mind-boggling poverty and high level illiteracy. He is of the view that “most of the elements in the North do not participate in the modern economy ”. The general

Attention Ambassador Campbell

North is pampered, not alienated focus on the effects.

I am strongly of the view that the North is not a deprived entity. The poverty, illiteracy, destitution and unending chains of religion-driven social conflicts have nothing to do with the marginalisation of the North by the Nigerian nation. If anything at all, overwhelming historical tons of evidence portray the North as the most favoured; in fact, pampered section of this country

,

If you are a male from Yobe State seeking admission into a federal college and you score zero in all your papers you will be admitted while an Anambra chap who garners 134 points, which is well above the cut-off allocated South West states, will be denied admission!

,

impression he creates is that the nation has not done enough to carry the North along in its modestly improving circumstances.

I beg to vehemently disagree: I agree with Campbell that the North, particularly the “Core North”, has been manifesting attributes of an alienated entity. Social scientists will tell you that prolonged relative deprivation creates frustration, which in turn causes alienation that often results in violence.

The case of core northern Nigeria is more complex than meets the ordinary eye. It is easy for a foreign envoy to miss the peculiar causative factors troubling the North (and hence Nigeria) and instead

from the colonial days till tomorrow.

Let us run a brief checklist: The British colonialists gerrymandered the political constituencies and made sure that the Northern Region would be dominant in terms of land mass and real or imagined population; enough to be able to seize control of political power at independence. The colonialists also created the military institution making sure that North would control military power. Any surprise that after independence, the North went on to dominate the political landscape for a total of thirty nine out of fifty three years.

They ran the country in a manner suggesting they merely replaced the

BY TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA T is leadership that defines a nation. Essentially, it builds or destroys a nation. General Charles de Gaulle relevantly stated that “nothing great can be done without great (leaders)”. In other words, national greatness can only result from great leadership, and corollary, national decline is an inescapable consequence of despicable leadership. And Thomas Carlyle made a similar point, “the history of nations is but the biographies of …leaders.” So, the history of the Igbo nation is an anthology of the biographies of Igbo leaders.

The earlier Igbo power elite were exceptionally gifted and far-sighted. They adroitly managed the problems and prospects of the Igbo nation. The then dazzling Igbo successes in all facets of the Nigerian society were testaments to their superb leadership. The subsequent drop in the quality of Igbo leadership, following the 1966 coup, inevitably resulted in the decline of the Igbo nation. Of these post-1966 coup Igbo leaders, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu did the most extensive and profound damage to the Igbo nation.

Among other things, he brought a new paradigm to Igbo leadership. He taught Igbo leaders that it is okay to lead your people into trouble, and then, abandon them and run away, which is perfidy. And that a leader can justifiably be poised to cash in on power and glory, if the "toil, sweat, tears and blood" of his people yields victory but also be positioned to cut and run, if they end up in defeat, which is opportunism.

His examples sowed the seeds for a culture of perfidy and opportunism within the ranks of the Igbo leader.

Man is a fleshy lump that will finally be consigned under

I

foreign colonialists because emphasis was placed on economic and political exploitation of the South.

They arbitrarily created states, local governments, senatorial and federal constituencies, as well as electoral divisions giving the lion’s share of political power to the North. They also centralised the economic resources of the country, ensuring that proceeds from the oil and other resources of the Niger Delta and Southern Nigeria are brought into the federation account and shared in a manner whereby the North always carts home by far the largest chunk. Let us take a sampler.

The May 2013 sharing of the federal allocation indicated that non-oil producing Arewa zones (North West: seven states, N157b and North East: six states, N109b) got a combined share of N266 billion. South East with five states, two of which are oil-producing, got a mere N85b. Others were – South West: six states, N127b; North Central, six states, N105b, and South-South: six states, N285b (because of the derivation principle).

Ironically, within the same period, the National Examination Council (NECO) issued the cut-off points for admission of students into Federal Government (Unity) Colleges. Four states of the South East were given the highest points to attain: Anambra: 139; Enugu: 136; Imo: 135; and Abia: 128 on the one hand.

On the other, northern states got as follows: Kebbi: 35; Jigawa: 33; Sokoto:

OPINION New standards for Igbo leaders six feet of earth where it inevitably crumbles to dust. Unless attended by purpose, life is an empty shell. It is purpose (which is naturally associated with duty) that makes life meaningful. A German adage says that “the greatest glory is in doing your duty”. And the ultimate duty is in the service of humanity. There can be no commitment to serve humanity without the willingness to sacrifice self interests, comfort and ambitions to the common good. I have always been enthralled by acts of selflessness where the individual gives it all, including his life, for the betterment of others. The obsession to cling on to life is all normal. But to lay it down for a cause, if necessary, is most glorious.

As I think of sacrifice, I remember a French lieutenant, during the First World War, who commanded a company of soldiers ordered to attack a German redoubt. As they ran towards the German position, they came under heavy German machine gun fire. At a point, he ordered his men to take cover. Still standing, and giving orders to them, he was struck by machine gun fire. He fell, and his men panicked, “the lieutenant is dead”, “the lieutenant is dead”. He raised his head and managed to raise himself to his knees, and evidently, with his last breathe, screamed, “Yes, the lieutenant is dead, but hold firm! Advance!” He fell and died.

And, as I reflect on selflessness, I remember Martin Luther King Jr. He was a 26 year old pastor when the course of his life was redirected by the needs of his people. He employed his elaborate erudition and his abilities to write with power

27 and Yobe: zero! If you are a male from Yobe State seeking admission into a federal college and you score zero in all your papers you will be admitted while an Anambra chap who garners 134 points, which is well above the cut-off allocated South West states, will be denied admission!

By the time you gather all the statistics, the “discrepancies” will startle you. The reality is that Nigeria gives the North everything on a golden platter, while the Igbo people are given the scraps. They are marginalised and oppressed in every conceivable sector while the North is treated like royalty.

But despite this, the Igbo people and the South as a whole maintain the lead in vital social indicators of human development. Those who are alienated come out like the privileged, while pampered exhibit attributes of alienated people. It is an irony of Nigeria!

Full scale modernism The root cause is easy to locate. While the South has embraced full-scale modernism with social equity ethos, the North is bogged down by an archaic oligarchy that caters to the sweet-tooth comforts of the aristocracy. All the money, all the power that the North takes from Nigeria are used to feather the nests of the upper classes; the traditional, political and bourgeois gentry. The Northern oligarchy tramples upon the masses of the poor (Talakawa), chaining them with the thrall of religion and using them as cannon fodder in political contests. The terrorism in the North East is seen as a sample of such political machination after the North failed to regain power following the death of President Umaru Yar’ Adua.

Ambassador Campbell must take note that the leaders of the “core North” are chiefly responsible for the illiteracy, poverty and violence in the North.

Nigeria has given the North more than it deserves. If these resources had been responsibly invested, the North would be light years ahead of the rest of the country.

If Campbell is a genuine “friend of Nigeria” he should campaign for equity and fairness for all Nigerians rather than carrying coal to Newcastle.

and speak with passion to lead his people out of the fetters of racism. He knew that his death was certain in that struggle to emancipate Black Americans from the shackles of racial injustice. In his last speech, he talked about, “Like anybody, I would like to live a long time, longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will…And He has allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I have looked over and I have seen the Promised Land.

I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land”. The next day, he laid in the pool of his own blood; his thirty eight year old life squelched out by an assassin’s bullet.

The valedictory statements of the two men conveyed the same attitude. The lieutenant’s exhortation to his men, “hold firm, advance” and King’s “I may not get there with you but … we as a people will get to the Promise Land” reveal a willing to selflessly fight for a cause, even with the certainty that they were not to partake in the magnificent outcomes of the struggle. Is that attitude not in stark contrast with the mindset of the generality of the present day Igbo leaders?

Most Igbo leaders are selfish; they seek personal gains and immediate gratifications. They acknowledge and respect no other interest but theirs. They expect their “leadership” positions to yield them immediate benefits: prestige, wealth, titles, glory, etc. And the thought that to lead their people demands personal sacrifices is alien and inconceivable to them. As such, craven toadies and relentless opportunists parade themselves as Igbo leaders. We need to winnow these men; sorting out the few that are answering an inner urge to serve humanity. *Mr. Ezukanma, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013—47

BY MAURICE G'NEWS WANT to take this opportunity to respond to an article published in the Tuesday May 28, 2013 edition of the Vanguard Newspaper, captioned “Group Writes Okorocha on Ekemmegbu Oha - Afor Uzoagba Road.”

It is utterly reprehensible that any individual or group of persons will go to this extent to malign a company’s reputation without any facts regarding the subject matter.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am a citizen of Uzoagba, the community where this project is being implemented, and without sounding conceited, I consider myself part of the privileged elite in this community and have had a decent track record of success within and outside Nigeria.

Furthermore, I come from a family whose previous generations were active community leaders and successful public servants who contributed more to the growth and development of Uzoagba and Ikeduru in general.

My father, Chief Maurice Irobiegbulam Ibe, KSM, of blessed memory, had the singular honour of grading our community roads every December as far as I

I

could remember, till he retired from the civil service. This was just one of the numerous community projects he engaged in, not to talk about ensuring the existence of our community schools, employment for the youths and scholarships for those who could not afford a basic education. My Grand Father, Major James Ibeawuchi, was the first President General of Uzoagba Town Union. Under him, Uzoagba laid the foundation for its present day development.

Again his community deeds are too numerous to mention in this article, neither are these the bone of contention within this piece.

Therefore I do not need attention seekers or any group to lecture me on the importance of community development because while these individuals are just waking up to its importance, I have lived with it all my life. This is a sponsored and a calculated attempt to tarnish my hard earned reputation and drag my good name to the mud.

Todah Links, the contractor handling the Ekemmegbu OhaAfor Uzoagba Road project, is a division of a larger multinational corporation with extensive track

Todah Links Ventures has received less than 3.5% payment of the total value the project; Todah Links has remained on site working with its resources which are limited in order to move the project forward

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record in Nigeria and beyond, therefore its competence or ability to perform can hardly be in doubt or be questioned. The contractor did not seek or lobby for this road project, but was invited to undertake this and various other projects in and around the state because of its track record and capacity on a multiplicity of projects executed over the years for the Federal Government of Nigeria. Messrs Todah Links Ventures mobilised to the Ekemmegbu Oha-Afor Uzoagba Road on January 12, 2012. The company began by conducting a land and topographic survey of the area with a chain measurement of the 6.5 kilometre road starting at Ekemmegbuoha in Uratta Owerri North Local Government Area and ending at

And they burnt down an empire

BY ERIC TENIOLA RITAIN has expressed regret for the abuse of Kenyans by colonial forces during the 1950s Mau Mau insurgency and announced compensation for 5,228 survivors, but stopped short of apologising.

The deal was settled out of court after elderly Kenyan torture victims won the right in October to sue the British Government.

“The British Government recognises that Kenyans were subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration,” Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament.

“The British government sincerely regrets that these abuses took place.”

The 5,228 claimants are due to receive 13.9 million pounds ($21.4m), about 2,600 pounds each,or about 340,000 Kenyan shillings.

Lawyers representing the veterans will separately receive six million pounds in fees for years of work on the case. London will also pay for a new memorial in Nairobi to the victims of torture and ill-treatment during the colonial era.

A British diplomat said Hague stopped short of offering a formal apology because that could be interpreted as the government accepting responsibility, which would have had legal implications. Mau Mau veterans danced, prayed and ululated to celebrate news of the agreement at an event in Nairobi.

The question I asked myself after reading the news item is, if the British could reward the Mau Mau in Kenya, how much are theygoing to pay for the government and people of the old Benin Kingdom?

For, what the British did to the Mau Mau in Kenya is a child’s play to what they did to the old Benin Kingdom,the last Empire in Nigeria.

Let me make a confession.

I am from Idanre in Ondo State. Idanre has over 400 villages and if Idanre were lucky enough to be in another part of this

B

country, it shouldhave four local government by now or to be a full-fledged senatorial zone on its own instead of a single local government as it is now, sharing a seat with Ifedore local government in the House of Representatives.

Idanre has strong ancestral link with Benin Kingdom and for years, Edo language was the second language spoken among senior Idanre citizens.

Ufosu is one of the villages of Idanre and the village has a border post with the present Edo State. In the heart of governmentUfosu like almost all the villages in Nigeria does not exist with no energy, water,hospitals or roads. Ufosu was established by my late grandfather, Joseph OlatubiTeniola, after which he establishedOmolifon and Bajare villages. His Edo language was as fluent as his Yoruba language having once lived at Onikatamo in Lagos Island as a tailor.

He used to tell me beautiful stories about the Old Benin Kingdom before his passage in 1969.

The Benin Kingdom at its zenith stretched from Lagos in the West,along the coast of Nigeria to the River Niger in the East an area which equates to about a fifth of Nigeria’s current geographic area.

The Benin Kingdom dynasty is believed to have been founded in the 13th century and has a direct linage from the founders to the current Oba of Benin, Solomon ErediauwaII, who still holds strong political and spiritual power, in Edo and Delta states.

History has it that the Benin Kingdom was originally under the rule of Ogisos, meaning “King of the Sky”. When the last Ogiso died, the nobles and chiefs disagreed over who would be the next Ogiso,so the Benin sent a message to Ife to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Oduduwa,the mythic ancient first king of Ife. The Benin pleaded with him to send them a king; eventually Oduduwa sent to them his grandson, Prince Oranmiyan. When Oranmiyan came to Benin, he struggled with the culture and customs of the Benin people.

Afor Uzoagba in Ikeduru Local Government Area both in Imo State. For general information and the avoidance of doubt, Todah Links Ventures was not paid one kobo to mobilise to site, neither was it given an award letter, design or bill of quantities by the State or Local Government when this project took off.

Todah Links heeded the call of our governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha that Imo citizens should come home and assist his government in developing Imo State. He also warned that no one will be given a Kobo till one has mobilised equipment and manpower to the site, after which an inspection will be conducted before any funds were approved for the company. These were the circumstances under which Todah Links Ventures mobilised to site and started work.

Todah Links simultaneously deployed earth moving equipments to begin clearing and the removal of shrubs and trees on the 2.5 kilometre portion of the road from Ekemmegbuoha to Umualumaku/Obokwe junction in Uzoagba. This portion comprised of a 30 meters wide virgin clearing, removal of trees and shrubs to capture the road as originally designed by the Sam Mbakwe administration.

Incidentally, the government of Sam Mbakwe could not get the two communities to agree to the construction of this road even when Dr. Ray Ofoegbu, a native

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True story of Eke Megbu Oha–Afor Uzoagba road

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RIGHT of REPLY

If the British could reward the Mau Mau in Kenya, how much are theygoing to pay for the old Benin Kingdom? what the British did to the Mau Mau is a child’s play to what they did to the old Benin Kingdom

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However, before leaving Benin,Oranmiyan had a son, Eweka, by Princess Erewinde who could not talk. When Oranmiyan heard of this,he sent to him seven marbles for the child to play with. One day,as the prince was playing, one of the marbles broke. He immediately said “owomika!” or “eweka”, meaning “I succeeded!” He immediately became the first true Oba of Benin, Oba Eweka I. Oba Eweka was the first to reject the title of the native Benin “ Ogiso” and took the title “Oba”, meaning ‘king’ in the Yoruba language. Allegedly Oba Eweka later changed the name of the city IleBinu,the capital of the Benin kingdom to “Ubinu”. This name would be reinterpreted by the Portuguese as “Benin” in their own language. Around 1470, Ewuare changed the name of the state to Edo.

T

his was about the time the people of Okpekpe migrated from Benin City.

The Portuguese visited Benin City around 1485. Benin grew rich during the 16th and 17th centuries due to the slave trade with the Dutch and the Portuguese, as well as through the export of tropical products. The Bight of Benin’s shore was part of the “Slave Coast” from where many West Africans were sold to slave who enticed them to sell ablebodied men into bonded servitude. In the early 16th century the Oba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the King of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to

son, was a Commissioner in his government. It is therefore a great credit to the present government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha that the award and construction of this road even became a reality.

Firstly, Todah Links Ventures proceeded to construct a Culvert/ Bridge over the Okitankwo River to join the two communities of Uratta and Uzoagba and enable the communities to start utilising the road immediately. Following the completion of the clearing and grading of this section, the company now focused on the grading and expansion of the Umualumaku/Obokwe to Afor Uzoagba section. Furthermore, the company completed 4.5 kilometres of earth work which included the application of laterite on the Uzoagba section and was about to embark on the construction of drainages in the erosion prone areas around Afor Uzoagba when the rains started in 2012.

It is therefore slander and callousness of the worst kind to claim that “the contractor has only bulldozed (cleared) the site even when an appreciable sum of money has been released and absconded”. Nothing could be further from the truth. As of today, Todah Links Ventures has received less than 3.5% (three and a half percent) payment of the total value the project. *Dr. G'News is group executive chair man of Todah Links Ventures.

Benin. Some residents of Benin could still speak a pidgin Portuguese in the late 19th century. Many Portuguese loan words can still be found today in the languages of the area.

The Ancient Benin Empire, as with the Oyo Empire which eventually gained political ascendancy over even Ile-Ife, gained political strength and ascendancy over much of what is now old Mid-Western and Western Nigeria, with the Oyo Empire bordering it on the west, the Niger river on the east, and the northerly lands succumbing to Fulani Muslim invasion in the North.

Interestingly, much of what is now known as Western Iboland and even Yorubaland was conquered by the Benin Kingdom in the late 19th century - Agbor (Ika), Akure, Owo and even the present day Lagos Island, which was named “Eko” meaning “War Camp” by the Bini.

The present day Monarchy of Lagos Island did not come directly from Ile-Ife, but from Benin, and this can be seen in the traditional attire of the Oba of Lagos and his white cap High Chiefs, and in the streets and area names of Lagos Island which are Yoruba corruptions of Benin names (Idumagbo, Idumota, Igbosere,IgaIdunganran, etc.).

Till he wasassasinated a few months ago, the late Onimole of Lagos,High Chief KayodeAdeshina, cousin to Murphy Ojikutu, Mrs.DerinOsoba,GbengaTiamiyu and Major General Leo Ajiborisha wore traditional dresses similar to the ones worn by the High chiefs of Benin.

By the last half of the nineteenth century Great Britain had become desirous of having a closer relationship with the Kingdom of Benin.Several attempts were made to achieve this end, beginning with the official visit of Richard Burton in 1862. Following that was an attempt to establish a treaty between Benin and the United Kingdom by Hewtt, Blair and Annesley in 1884, 1885 and 1886 respectively. However, these efforts did not yield any results. Progress was finally made by Vice-Consul H.L Gallwey’s visit to Benin in 1892. *Mr. Teniola, a former director at the presidency, wrote from Lagos.

48— VANGUARD, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

We don't believe in party politics in PDP— Unongo SECOND Republic Minister of Steel and elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul Unongo is the deputy chairman and spokesman of the Northern Elders’ Forum. In this interview he spoke on the position of the North on the 2015 election and other nagging national issues. Excerpts:

BY PETER DURU

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OOKING back on the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, would you say Nigeria's democracy has developed, particularly in the area of credible elections?

I think the people who said Abiola won the freest election in the history of this country were either talking with their tongues in cheek or they are secessionists or they are people that have vested interest because I don’t know what was free about an election that was held under the military.

And while we slept and deceived ourselves that we had a system that was democratic, I knew that the military had given us some kind of aphrodisiac. We fell asleep while they were implementing a programme that was a deliberate institutionalization of a political system in Nigeria. They were testing it out, and it has worked up till today.

Democratic system

*Unongo: I cannot sell my conscience the feelings of human beings, that is the system that subsists today.

That was the system that produced Abiola, that was the system that produced Jonathan, that was the system that produced Obasanjo who was part of the people that produced the system.

So, I don’t see anything excitingly different between Abiola’s election, Jonathan’s election and Obasanjo’s election.

They practiced a system that is institutionalized. Nigerians have done nothing about what has been imposed on them.

If that is the case, when do you think we will have true democracy?

True democracy implies transparency, it implies respect for human dignity, it implies proper election when one vote is one vote, two votes is two votes, when a person beats you with one, it’s one.

But today, my governors who run the fate of this country; they allowed a camera to record the

thing they called an election.

They voted and talked friendly.

And the returning officer counted so that they can show us how transparent they were. The man compiled and sorted the votes for the two candidates; he said this is Jonah Jang, this is Amaechi and then he went on.

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Those who see any serious difference between that election and what we have today in our so called14-year democratic system are just jokers because there is no single difference, it’s the same military system that we are practising today.

So, as far I am concerned, Nigerians slept while the military in uniform perfected a system which they wanted to impose on Nigeria. And the military system had this simple thing of protecting the interests of the moneyed men of Nigeria beginning with the military who made huge sums of money and wealth.

They also allowed a few civilians to make same. And they formed themselves into the most formidable political alliance, pretending and deceiving us.

They have formed political parties that were aimed at protecting the perceived interest of this most powerful clique that has continued to waste our energy and resources and ruin Nigeria up till today.

I submit humbly that the same system we are practising today may have been the same system that produced Abiola. Take note that the system didn’t produce him with due consideration for

Our heads of government, 35 of them ruling Nigeria could not believe that 16 has always been lower than 19? Are they not jokers?

You think this will not fall back on you and your country? What are you teaching our children?

So, I don’t see any difference to what has happened to Abiola and what has happened now.

Abiola claimed he won, Babangida, who produced the system together with his friends the Obasanjos said no, you didn’t win.

Okay, Amaechi felt 19 was greater than 16, he claimed that he won. They said, we sack you, we want to show you that 16 is greater than 19.

But this crisis is within your party...

Yes, they don’t believe in party politics in PDP. When we formed the PDP, we had ideological orientation in our heads.

Quote me correctly, when we formed the PDP, it was a liberal democratic party. PDP was Peoples Democratic Party. It was supposed to be based on the principles of liberal democracy.

Do you see the emerging mega opposition party snatching power from the PDP in 2015?

I don’t think, because I have no confidence. Are they different from the people in PDP? They are the same people who are going round trying to wrest power from these people; but the question is, if they wrest this power, are they likely to be committed to the ordinary people? Are they going to give us freedom or will they do the same thing by muzzling

If there is peace in the North, if there is stability in the North which is twothird of Nigeria, there will be peace and stability in the rest of Nigeria

These are the votes for Jonah Jang, these are the votes Amaechi got. Everybody was watching. These are the chief executives that are supposed to drive, institutionalize and solidify the democratic process.

Amaechi got 19 votes, Jonah Jang, 16. Not a single person complained, no fight, nothing.

Everybody was happy. But they tried to say 16 is greater than 19 and they wanted us to stand behind them.

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everybody?

Do you support the call on President Jonathan to re-contest in 2015?

No, I don’t just support people.

You would have asked, is Mr President implementing my programme and would I help him to improve? No, no, no. They want the president to hear that I support him, so that they will send money to me.

I cannot sell my conscience by telling him in advance that I’m

going to support him when I don’t know his programme. I like some of the things he’s doing and I don’t like some of the things he’s doing.

I belong to an organization known as Northern Elders Forum, we are a political organization, we want peace, stability and the progress of Nigeria, particularly, northern Nigeria because the stability of northern Nigeria is the stability of Nigeria as a whole because of its huge land mass.

If there is peace in the North, if there is stability in the North which is two-third of Nigeria, there will be peace and stability in the rest of Nigeria.

So, I am loyal to the Northern Elders Forum, I am the deputy leader, I’m the spokesman, whatever decision that is taken by the NEF as to whom we should support as the president of Nigeria, we know that person will win.

We feel the North has not been treated well and we have statistics right from the time Obasanjo became president of Nigeria.

Structural allocations We are talking about structural allocations. Perhaps, when you see them and abstract them and juxtapose them with the time of the various presidents, perhaps you will feel more angry during Obasanjo’s time. Perhaps, you will say Jonathan has tried, I don’t know. But we will do that exercise when it comes to supporting anybody.

The Northern Elders Forum recently met with the President on the security situation in country. What was the outcome?

We’ve been advising the President. In Nigeria, everything is secret, they don’t take Nigerians into confidence.

We of the Northern Elders Forum are very worried that security of Nigerians was so threatened that living in this country became too precarious and people who were too scared were taking off from Nigeria.

We understood that. We have taken steps to bring this situation back to normal.

Together, we believe that if we contribute our quota we will solve the problems. So, we stayed and wrote copious suggestions to Mr President.

Continues on page 49

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 49

Keyamo's quest to oust PDP dynasty

Delta 2015:

THE race for the Delta State Government House is getting keener by the day. Apart from a horde of aspirants jostling for the position on the banner of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a couple of others are laying claim to the governorship seat on the plank of opposition parties.

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

O

Keyamo's bravado Keyamo’s bravado and gutsy remarks that cast him in the mould of a fearless gladiator in the battle for the Asaba Government House drew flak from some PDP leaders and faithful.

Widening support base In spite of misgivings in some quarters about Keyamo’s intention, his support base has continued to widen across the state with the inauguration of Delta Forces United – a sociopolitical group he founded to convey his message. With his mission statement of positive change weaved around his belief in participatory democracy and even development, more people are already appreciating his preachment that governance is more than a tenacious hold on power by a few who do not mean well for a larger number of the citizenry.

Indeed, DFU secretariat said

Woos Deltans in the Diaspora •Festus Keyamo (Centre) at DFU Town Hall meeting at Isoko South LGA, Delta State, recently. about 4000 Deltans had officially registered with the group in the last three months as members.

The DFU, among other things, believes that the only way to discover a new leadership for the state is not by promoting

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NE of those, who want to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015 via opposition platform is activist lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who declared his intent on March 9, 2013.

Currently, Keyamo is mobilizing support for his ambition through the Delta Forces United (DFU). He is yet to publicly declare for any political party, but his body language and comments indicate that he may declare for the yetto-be-registered All Progressives Congress, APC. Wrestling power from political dynasty: His entry into the race, which he has repeatedly referred to as a struggle to wrestle power from the political dynasty that has “mismanaged” the state since 1999 is already raising dusts in the oil-rich state christened the ‘Big Heart.’

Indeed, Keyamo’s vow to rescue Delta from alleged strangle hold and mismanagement of the PDP since 1999 elicited a sharp response from the State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, who advised Keyamo to retreat from the race soon after the activist made his intention known.

Ogeah, who described Keyamo as a political neophyte, asked him to leave the unfamiliar political terrain and concentrate on doing what he knew how to do best – law practice and human rights activism.

few,” he said.

With many years of failed promises by the PDP leadership, Keyamo’s supporters in Sapele, Aniocha North, Isoko and other parts of the state said they do not need a soothsayer to advise them on the way forward.

15 parties endorse Keyamo: To boost his aspiration, 15 opposition political parties recently declared their support for Keyamo. This came two weeks after he made his governorship intention public. Led by chieftains of Action Congress of Nigeria, Labour Party, All Nigerian Peoples Party and others to Keyamo’s country home in Effurun-Warri, the party officials pledged not to field candidates for the governorship race in 2015 as they had adopted him as their common candidate.

This decision was hinged on their belief in his ability to bring a positive change in the governance of the state.

Town hall meetings In the past few weeks, Keyamo’s supporters at Ughelli North, Sapele, Aniocha North and Isoko South local councils have taken turns to host him.

Other local councils are also

Keyamo’s bravado and gutsy remarks that cast him in the mould of a fearless gladiator in the battle for the Asaba Government House drew flak from some PDP leaders and faithful

leadership on the narrow platform of any ethnic group or self-seeking philosophy. It strongly believes in returning Delta State to the people through mass mobilization and participation in the political process and not by cynicism, despondency and political abstinence.

To drive its objectives home, the DFU has been holding town hall meetings across the state where a host of change-desirous citizens have declared their support for Keyamo.

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making plans to host him, Vanguard learnt.

At each of the gatherings, a large crowd of people, who are eager to have a change of leadership, received him. There appeared to be a convergence in the way people in the various local communities feel about perceived underdevelopment in many parts of the state.

Irrespective of their different ethnic groups and earlier political persuasions, speakers at the events said that given his pedigree as an accomplished

lawyer, administrator and consummate activist with egalitarian tendency, Keyamo would make a better governor than what Deltans have witnessed in the last 14 years.

At Issele-Uku, Delta North Senatorial district, on June 8, 2013, Keyamo was almost short of words in expressing how surprised he was to see the hundreds of men and women, old and young who had gathered to receive him.

For any conscious political observer, Keyamo said the town hall meeting at Issele-Uku was a lesson for all those who were still immersed in the old belief that political leadership must rightly or wrongly be anchored on ethnic consideration.

“At a time some politicians of Anioma extraction are insisting that it is their turn to produce the next governor of the state, the Issele-Uku event only goes to show that not many people are interested in where the leader comes from, insofar as he can provide the necessities of life and other dividends of democracy for the citizenry and not for a selfish

Keyamo is taking mobilization beyond the shores of Nigeria and Delta indigenes in the Diaspora particularly in Europe are already lending their support.

In May, he toured Ireland, Holland and United Kingdom for about two weeks where he was warmly received by Delta State citizens residing in those countries.

According to Delta Forces United spokesman; Mr. Frank Oshanugor, the essence of the tour was for Keyamo to meet Delta communities in the Diaspora with a view to intimating them of his governorship intention and seek their support in the struggle to positively recreate governance in the state.

At Rotterdam in Holland which was his first port of call, he was reportedly received by fellow Deltans under the auspice of Sunny Ofehe Foundation.

And while in Dublin, Ireland, leaders of the Anioma Union led

by Onyinye Anyanwu, Jude Isioma Ngadonye, Pastor Austin Francis, Solomon Ngadonye and Emmanuel Akpojewa hosted him. His message of a positive change in Delta was the same and he got their blessings.

We don't believe in party politics in PDP— Unongo Continues from page 48

In fairness to Mr. President, he granted us audience when the thing became too much and he saw us face-to-face and discovered that he paid hirelings that always hang around power corridors who were all bunch of northerners who were floating the idea that Boko Haram don’t want him as a Christian. I

particularly told him to be very far away from them.

By constitution, Mr. President swore to protect every Nigerian and the territorial integrity of Nigeria and this thing whether it is his political opponents that created them is completely immaterial.

The thing was threatening our finances as almost everywhere was running out of control. We

told Mr. President, this is a very serious situation, don’t look at Boko Haram it’s a multi faceted problem that you have at hand; the approaches should be multi faceted.

He agreed. Our position is that Mr President swore by constitution to protect us and give us security in our country and proceeded to swear to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

If anybody comes and starts appropriating some parts of Nigeria and planning and telling people that he is going to declare this part of Nigeria, part of Chad, part of Niger and part of Mali as whatever, he should blast that person to hell.

So, we are not opposed to Mr. President declaring a state of emergency.

50—Vanguard , MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Ewherido, Oliha die Continues from Page 45

Ewherido left the PDP to compete for the Delta Central Senate seat on the DPP platform. In the April 2011 election he won 102,313 votes ahead of Amori Ighoyota of the PDP who gained 85,365 votes.

In the Senate before his death, Pius Ewherido was vice chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport; member, Committee on Senate Services; Education; Agriculture; National Planning; and Trade and Investment.

He sponsored the manslaughter bill which public hearing was done last month.

Oliha’s death tragic, Saraki devastated

Oliha’s colleague at the Academy, simply called Coach Paul confirmed his death and described it as tragic.

Oliha is the third member of the 1994 African cup of Nations winning team to pass on after Uche Okafor who died in the US and Rashidi Yekini who died over a year ago.

His remains have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

Former governor and initiator of the Football academy where the ace footballer worked before his de-

mise, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki said he was deeply devastated to hear of the demise of the ex-international.

According to the statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Mr Bamikole Omishore,”this is indeed a sad development for the growth of sport in Nigeria. Oliha gave his best to his country and club to the admiration of his colleagues; he will be remembered by Kwarans and Nigerians for his exploit as a coach at the Kwara State Football Academy in Ilorin.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Oliha’s family and the siblings he left behind as they go through this moment of grief.

I commiserate with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN. Such a loss is tragic beyond words”.

The deceased footballer was born in Benin City, Edo state capital in 1968 and his football career spanned Europe and Africa.

He played for the then Bendel Insurance of Benin (1985 1987), Iwuanyanwu Nationle (1988-1991, Africa Sports (1992-

1993), Maccabi Iron Ashdod FC (1993-1994) and Antalyaspor (1994-1995).

Why I opted out of Uyo summit — Clark

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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Thompson Oliha in action at the national squad training camp.

Photo: Clive Brunskill/Allsport

Manager, Ogboru mourn Ewherido Senator James Manager said the death of Senator Ewherido was a major blow to Delta State and the legislature which he said has lost a rare gem, adding that Ewherido made his mark within two years of his entry into the Senate.

“He was able to do this because he had served two straight terms in the Delta State House of Assembly where he made his mark and was as such promoted by his people to the Senate where within two years he equally made a mark.”

Chief Great Ogboru said "it is a sad situation. It is depressing. I have received so many calls and I feel so bad about it.

It is indeed very, very sad".

RSTWHILE Federal Com missioner for Information, Senator Edwin Clark has clarified reasons for his boycott of the controversial political summit in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, saying that he did not refer to the organisers as enemies of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chief Clark nevertheless affirmed his objection to the involvement of Professor Ben Nwabueze in such a democratic enterprise. He said Nwabueze has by his recent past and present inclinations not espoused the same democratic spirit he cherishes.

He also rejected insinuations that he is opposed to a national conference as he reiterated his support for such a conference where he said issues that have for long bestirred the country would be readily addressed.

Clark had last Friday in a statement titled “Count me out of Uyo Summit” given reasons for his decision to boycott the summit which remarkably, has now been postponed.

In opting out of the summit Clark had raised issues with what he described as the unconstitutional call by Nwabueze on President Jonathan not to seek a second term in office.

“It is not surprising that Prof.

Nwabueze in his write-up preferred to extol the military dictatorship of Mustapha Kamal Attaturk in Turkey, rather than a democratic example elsewhere, considering the Professor’s unrepentant services, as Secretary of Education, under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.

“It must not be seen that people who are camouflaging their political ideas and ambition with intellectualism are encouraged.

How can I sit with such unpatriotic saboteurs of the democratic process.

"I, who strongly believe and a well known advocate of the indisputable fact that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has performed, and is still performing, admirably and creditably well in restoring and consolidating political, economic and social stability in the country.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 51

Sultan inaugurates moon sighting committee

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

A

HEAD of the forthcoming Ramadan fast, PresidentGeneral, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, has inaugurated a committee on sighting of moon as well as an ad-hoc committees of Finance and Assets and for the apex Islamic body.

Stressing the need for Muslims in the country to champion the cause of Islam, the Sultan noted that the most controversial issue among Muslims was the issue of sighting of the moon ahead of Ramadan fast, which has always been done based on guidelines set aside

by Allah. He said: “There is need for every Muslim to come together to champion the cause of Islam. Our views cannot be the same on every particular issue but the views of majority should be respected as long as it is in line with the teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet.”

The Sultan of Sokoto appealed to the two committees inaugurated to carry out the assignment with the fear of Allah and in line with the terms of reference given to them.

This was just as the SecretaryGeneral of the Council, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said the responsi-

Petroleum Minister asks PTI to solve oil and gas problems

BY EMMA ARUBI

W

ARRI—PETROLEUM Resources Minister, Diezani AllisonMadueke, has charged authorities of the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State to provide local solutions to the myriad of problems confronting oil and gas exploration and production in the country.

She also commended the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, for its role in the PTI transformation/programme upgrade, promising to ensure that the tempo of the current upgrade was sustained. The minister, was a recipient of the Fellow of the Petroleum Institute, FPTI, at 2013 graduation ceremony and conferment of Fellowships, Diploma, Certificates and Prizes for 2008-2012 session, held yesterday at PTI. Represented by Mr. Goddy Onwughalu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Diezani, who thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to lifting PTI to international standard, noted that her vision for the PTI

“is to transform it to a world class petroleum training and research institution that can function like its counterparts overseas, such as the American Petroleum Institute in the United States and the Venezuela Petroleum Institute, VPI, in Venezuela."

Also, speaking, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan emphasised the need for Nigerians to note that there was a marked difference between the PTI and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, both located in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. He charged the students to strive harder to get the state scholarship award meant for first Class graduates of Delta State origin in state.

Acting Principal of the Institute, Mrs. Nnenna Dennar, commended the Federal Government and the Minister of Petroleum Resources for the special attention given to infrastructural and physical development of PTI, assuring that judicious care would be made in the management of the first class equipment and material now available in the school.

ZOE Ministries holds 10-day crusade

Z

OE Ministries Worldwide holds a 10-day church crusade programme titled “operation determine the last half of the year 2013”at Zoe Ministries headquarters, Plot 25, Jimoh Odutola street, Iganmu Industrial Estate, Iganmu Lagos.

A statement from the church quotes its president/ founder, Rev. Patrick Anwuzia as explaining that the rational for hosting of

the programme from July 10 to 10, was to restore confidence through signs and wonders, adding that every participant would never remain the same after it. It said that Anwuzia believed that God is still the same yesterday, today and forever, adding that Rev. Dr. James Cloud Lens from USA was expected as the guest speaker and will minister on the topic of spiritual welfare.

L-r: Prof. Palmer Johnnie of Rivers State University; HRH Tom Big Harry, Omubo the 8th of Kalabari kingdom, Rivers State and Mr. Dauda Gowon, younger brother of former head of state, Dr. Yakubu Gowon at the launch of the books: 'Shepherd Leader; the Unexplored Leadership Style’ and `The Quest for Distinction – the Odd Discovery’ written by Isokari Ololo in Abuja

bility of the moon sighting committee was to guide the council in the sighting of the moon aimed at unifying the commencement and termination of Ramadan fast. He also listed the

terms of reference of 13-member Finance and Assets committee to include review and evaluation of the Council assets, finances and operations from Jan. 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013.

Responding, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, chairman of Finances and Assets Committee expressed surprise over the dwindling fortune of the council finances despite its potentials.

52 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,,

MOND AY, JUL Y 1, 2013 MONDA JULY

Vanguard CLASSIFIED CHIJUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Chijuka Christian Uzodima, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Donatus Christian Uzodima. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ETSEMIJU—I, formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Miss) Etsemiju Erhumu, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Kerewi Erhumu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMOYIBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sarah Omoyibo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sarah Eluem. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJEDOKUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Ojedokun Yetunde Sarah, now wish to be addressed as Olosunde Yetunde Sarah. All documents remain valid. Lagos State Ministry of Education and general public please take note.

ONYILO—I, formerly

please take note.

EKPE —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Louisa Yetunde Ajao, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Louisa Yetunde Ajao Ekpe.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ESSIET —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Essiet Christiana Akpan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chigenu Christiana.

All former documents remain valid. Rivers State Ministry of Education and general public please take note.

OKORIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Adamma Okorie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Adamma Nna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ILONZE —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinenye Clare Ilonze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinenye Clare Okoye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANABRABA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tamunotonye Karibi Anabraba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tamunotonye Victor Ogbowu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Roseline Ebi-Bulo Ndenu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebi-Bulo Ndenu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLUEBUBECHUKWU —I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. C h a r i t y Oluebubechukwu Megwas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Oluebube Megwas. All former documents remain valid.

German Embassy, SSCE and general public please take note.

A D E B AYO — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Temitope Ayoola Adebayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Temitope Ayoola Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

known and addressed as Ogwu Onyilo, now wish to be known and addressed as Michael Onyilo. All former documents remain valid. General public

OBIAPUNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obiapuna Francisca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odebeatu Francisca.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

Obama pledges $7b to upgrade power in Africa •Visits Robben Island

U

.S. President Barack Obama yesterday pledged $7 billion to help combat frequent power blackouts in sub-Saharan Africa.

The preliminary setup will include Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria , Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique.

Funds from the initiative, dubbed Power Africa, would be distributed over the next five years.

“More than two-thirds of the population of subSaharan Africa is without electricity, and more than 85% of those living in rural areas lack access,” the White House said in a statement.

Sub-Saharan Africa will need more than $300 billion to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, the statement said.

“These countries have set ambitious goals in electric power generation, and are making the utility and

U.S. President Barack Obama, foreground left, and first lady Michelle Obama, beside him,greeted by South African President Jacob Zuma and his wife, Tobeka Madiba Zuma, on the steps of the Union Buildings upon their arrival in Pretoria, South Africa, at the weekend. energy sector reforms to pave the way for investment and growth,”

the statement said.

Obama also visited Robben Island, where

Ex-Chad leader arrested ahead of trial in Senegal

H

ISSENE Habre, Chad’s former leader, was arrested yesterday where he has been living in freely in exile for 22 years despite

accusations of political killing and torture during his time in power, a court spokesman said.

Habre, who led Chad between 1982 and 1990, will be tried in a special

Mass political protests grip Egypt

M

ASS protests calling for the resignation of Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi and early presidential elections have gripped capital, Cairo, and other cities.

Opponents massed in Tahrir Square, focus of protests which brought down ex-leader Hosni Mubarak.

They accuse Mr Morsi of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking power a year ago.This is even as a presidential spokesman urged them to

anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela spent a majority of his 27 years behind bars.

respect the democratic process.

Morsi supporters massed in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City with banners denouncing the opposition.

The president’s critics say the country’s first

Islamist president has put the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country’s wider interests. n Cairo, they have been chanting: “Irhal! Irhal!” (“Leave! Leave!”), reports the BBC’s Aleem

court set up this year by Senegalese authorities in agreement with the African Union.

The case against Habre follows years of procrastinating by Senegal under former president Abdoulaye Wade. It will be first time the former leader of an African state has been tried by another.

“He was arrested this morning and placed in police custody after a request by the prosecutor,” said Marcel Mendy, the court’s spokesman.

European officials slam US over bugging report some leftist lawmakers

S

ENIOR European officials expressed concern yesterday over reports that U.S. intelligence agents bugged EU offices on both sides of the Atlantic, with

calling for concrete sanctions against Washington.

The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said he was “deeply worried and

shocked about the allegations of U.S. authorities spying on EU offices” made in a report published Sunday by German news weekly Der Spiegel.

Assad battles to tighten control of central Syria

P

RESIDENT Bashar al-Assad’s forces pounded Sunni Muslim rebels in the city of Homs with artillery and from the air yesterday , the second day of an offensive to expand loyalist control over Syria’s strategic centre, activists said.

They said rebels defending the old centre of Homs and five

adjacent Sunni districts had largely repelled a ground attack on Saturday by Assad’s forces but reported fresh clashes and deaths

within the city yesterday.

The offensive follows steady military gains by Assad’s forces, backed

by Lebanese Hezbollah militants, in villages in Homs province and towns close to the Lebanese border.

Snowden’s fate in hands of Russia

E

C UA D O R E A N President Rafael Correa said yesterday that the fate of former U.S.

intelligence contractor Edward Snowden was in the hands of the authorities in Russia,

where he is holed up in hope of obtaining asylum in the South American nation.

N

O apologies for repeatedly saying that for me winning the Confederations Cup was not as important as qualifying for the World Cup. The FIFA Confederations Cup was therefore an opportunity for us to test run our World Cup team.

There is no doubt that that is exactly what the “Festival of Champions” turned out to be, affording us a post mortem of our squad.

Nigerians for the first time are unanimous that the team is far from being complete. We all agree that our attack is near zero, that the defence needs some firming up and the middle could do with some serious and attack minded individual different from the “ don’t touch me, am a Chelsea big boy delay “ style of Mikel Obi. We agree that this team lacks a General, a Yobo figure.

In the process of expressing these and other shades of opinions, many have taken up arms, especially those who believe “ We tried” and interpret such observations as critical of Coach Stephen Keshi.

A reader even sent me a text with annoyance “…..Were you expecting us to beat Spain?” if that reader knew that countries like Cameroun and USA have played to the final of the Confederations Cup, if that reader is aware that the US beat an unbeatable Spanish side in 2009 and that South Africa played in the semi final of this same competition in 2009, then he will better understand why some Nigerians genuinely nursed the possibility of a victory over Spain.

Ok, let us assume we were not expected to beat Spain. What about the poor showing against Tahiti?

Why did we not pull at least a draw against Uruguay? Even against Spain, the Eagles played well enough to be able to get a result, but for lack of adequate firepower up front. We tried, I agree, but in fifty years when our grandchildren will come across the result, that Spain beat us 3-0, who will be around to explain that but for those three goals, the match would have ended in a draw?……I believe

The fear of September...

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VANGUARD, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013 — 53

If you have an attacker who goes into six consecutive matches – Mexico, Kenya, Namibia, TAHITI (Capitals mine) Uruguay and Spain and fails to score a goal or two, then that player should be dropped for good

that is what we are all saying. Some of us maybe saying it with annoyance, others perhaps too harshly but I repeat again that we are all saying that if we must make any impact at the World Cup next year then Coach Keshi has to take another look at his team, his players and that perhaps he needs more eyes to be able to see better.

The Nations Cup is far far behind us. Reality looms.

If you have an attacker who goes into six consecutive matches – Mexico, Kenya, Namibia, TAHIT (Capitals mine) Uruguay and Spain and fails to score a goal or two, then that player should be dropped for good.

The last time Obafemi came, he played only one match and was dropped. We know Anichebe, Kalu, Ameobi. We know they have quality. Keshi knows better.

What is flowing through the land presently, is to say the least, the fear of September. In September, we are expected to beat Malawi. Expected because

sport Until his death, Oliha was the head coach of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He was even incharge of KFA’s 3-0 friendly win over a team who came from Mali on Saturday evening at the Academy premises.

Thompson Oliha, no doubt, was certainly one of the nation’s greats and acquitted himself brilliantly in the national colours.

Now, we have lost another member of the Golden Generation, following the deaths of Uche Okafor and Rashidi Yekini.”

Thompson Oliha featured for a couple of the country ’s leading clubs in his days, such as I w u a n y a n w u Nationale FC and

See you next week.

Edobor eulogises Oliha

Oliha

Continues from BP in Benin City and he is a retired Nigerian professional football star who played for clubs in Africa and Europe during an injury shortened career.

Confirming his death to supersport.com in Ilorin, Doctor Yusuf Addulraheem said that Oliha was brought to the hospital at the time when there was nothing he could do to resuscitate him.

“I feel so sad to confirm to you that Thompson Oliha is dead and by the time his wife brought him here, his body was completely lifeless.

“His wife, Irish Oliha, told me that he slumped in the toilet before she rushed him to hospital and there was nothing we could do to save him,” Addulraheem told super-

,

so far, our run has been far from satisfactory.

Considering that the opposition is just Kenya, Malawi and Namibia, yet we have only won two matches of the five played, leaving qualification to the last match.

Let us believe that Malawi is not the problem. But the draw of the third and final round of the African qualifiers will be held in Cairo on September 16.

On that day the five best placed African teams in the FIFA Coca Cola ranking as of September 12 will be seeded.

If that draw is held today and going by the latest FIFA ranking, it means Cote Divoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria and Tunisia will be seeded while the other bowl will contain either Libya or Cameroun, Egypt, South Africa or Ethiopia, Uganda or Senegal and Congo or Burkina Faso. This, is a preferred situation.

But going by the result of our last four matches against Namibia, Tahiti, Uruguay and Spain, what guarantee do we have that the FIFA ranking of September 12 will be kind to us and still keep us in the top five in Africa, given the superlative showings of Egypt, Zambia, Burkina Faso etc who are presently below us and did not have Federations Cup matches to dent their records?

If this happens, then we see ourselves confronting either Cote Divoire, Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia, countries who by their current world cup outings are on fire.

This is the fear we are all expressing. That a two leg battle against Egypt, Cameroun, Senegal, Zambia …will not be a piece of cake, hence the need to be adequately prepared.

I thank Coach Keshi. He is not deaf. He says Yobo remains his captain, that Obafemi, Anichebe and co are in his plans and that if Osaze stops his naughtiness (?) he will be considered. The sooner, the better. Time is definitely not on our side.

Bendel Insurance FC, before joining up with Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire, after which he featured for Ironi Ashdod FC in Israel and later Antalyaspor FC in Turkey.

He first played for the senior national team in a 1988 Olympic Games qualifying match against Algeria in Annaba in January 1988, and then became a fixture in the team at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria.

He was a member of the renown Golden Generation, which qualified Nigeria for h e r f i r s t - e v e r F I FA World Cup finals, won the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria in Tunisia in 1994 and then reached the R o u n d of 16 at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year.

F

ORMER Super Eagles winger, Humphery Edobor has decribed the late Thompson Oliha as a “magician with the ball.”

Edobor who is in the United States of America, expressed

shock at the death of his former team mate, saying that “Oliha was still too young to die.”

The former winger who played alongside the late Oliha in the 90s spoke highly of the midfielder. “Oliha was a midfield general who

could do a lot of things with the ball. He was a great football maestro and a magician with the ball,” he recalled.

“He was a player of the highest class. Oliha could change the course of a game because of his high work rate. He was tireless.”

Forget Yobo, Osaze Continues from BP saw at the Confederations Cup were mentally and physically strong. What the team lack is basically technical and tactical. It is not about bringing new players. That is why I said that Keshi needs help. He is a fantastic coach but all good coaches have experts who work with them to achieve results.

Westerhof brought Jo Bonfre. Look at the Brazilian bench. Felipe Scolari has Luiz Pereira.

Keshi will still remain the boss of the team”.

Keshi had said that Yobo was still his captain after the exit of the team at the Confederations Cup in Brazil and assured that he would open the doors for Osaze Odemwingie.

“For Osaze, he still has a place in the team.“I’m not looking for an apology from him.

Osaze is somebody that I like very well and he knows that. The thing is, it’s about the team that I’m worried about.

I don’t want to have a player that will come in and divide the team, or who will destabilize the

team, because when the team is not together, it becomes very difficult to win.I’m not saying he is going to come in and do that, but a little bit of what he has shown has told me that this is possible.“I really want to have him in the team, and I would like to give him another opportunity”, Keshi said.

As for Yobo, he should not worry about him. Yobo is old and the guys in his position are doing well.

He knows better about Osaze and should not succumb to pressure to scatter a good team he has built”, Kojo emphasised.

54 —Vanguard,

MOND AY, JUL Y 1, 2013 MONDA JULY

Okagbare beats Olympic champs, dedicates victory to Uduaghan

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

F

IVE days ago, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan honoured Blessing Okagbare with one SUV, Hyundai Santafe, for her training sessions when at home in Nigeria.

He did so when he found out that the Nigerian star was always hiring a car when at home or relied on Amaju Pinnick, the Delta State sports boss, to make one available. Uduaghan wanted Okagbare never to regret her choice of Sapele as training ground most times she is in Nigeria. Okagbare thanked the Governor and reassured him that she would always strive to make him proud of Delta’s investment in her career. And when she ran a blistering race yesterday in the Birmingham Diamond League, she called to dedicate her victory to Dr. Uduaghan.. Blessing got to the line before Shelly-Ann FraserPryce and Camelita Jeter to win the 200m in 22.55 seconds.

Fraser-Pryce, the 100m Olympic champion was second in 22.72 and Jeta of USA, another Olympic champion placed

third in 23.36 seconds. ‘’The last time I spoke with you I told you that I long for the day I’ll put a smile on the face of the Governor. I thank God for this. I dedicate this to him. I pray something great happens at the World Championships. I hope more will happen and that the big one will come and Uduaghan will smile.”

That big one could be at the World Championships in Moscow this August or the Rio Olympics.

“I’m not a good starter, so I have more advantage in the 200m. With the upcoming World Championship, the goal is to stay healthy,” she told the press.

Solomon Ogba, the AFN President was at the venue where Regina George placed 6th in the 400m won on the line by Christine Ohuruogu the British of Nigeria descent. Amante Montsho of Botswana led until five meters to the line when Ohurougo powered home and the athletes had to wait for the photo finish machine to declare the winner. Ohuruogu ran 50.63 secs while Montsho ran 50.64 seconds. Our Regina George returned 52.15 seconds to place sixth ahead of two Americans.

C

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare (c) competes against Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (r) and Carmelita M Jeter of the US (l) on her Yway to winning the womens 200m during the IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting at The AlexanderK Stadium in Birmingham, central England yesterday. AFP PHOTO “It’s a good outing for the Nigerians here,” Ogba merely told this

T

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player’s sudden demise yesterday.

“This is a tragedy of huge proportions. Oliha was one of the best midfielders to have played for Nigeria. His comments and analyses on Nigeria football over the years have been quite informed and useful.

“The Nigeria Football Federation and the entire Nigeria football family mourn Oliha’s passing.

He was certainly one of the nation’s greats and acquitted himself brilliantly in the national colours.

Now, we have lost another member of the Golden Generation, following the

would continue to encourage Blessing and other athletes who will be preparing for the

World Championships and “other events like the open sports festival.”

Ideye gets Emenike’s support U

NDER-FIRE striker Brown Ideye has received a vote of confidence from Emmanuel Emenike after he was vilified during the Confederations Cup. Ideye has come under heavy attack after he failed to score and threw away

NFF mourns Oliha HE Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep shock and sorrow at news of the death of former Super Eagles’ midfield ace, Thompson Oliha.

Oliha, 44, died in a private hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on Sunday morning, after complaining of malaria.

He was said to have been on the bench with Kwara Football Academy, where he worked as a coach, played a Malian team on Saturday.

General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Musa Amadu, lamented the

reporter before Blessing Okagbare spoke.

Amaju said that Delta

deaths of Uche Okafor and Rashidi Yekini.”

Thompson Oliha featured for a couple of the country’s leading clubs in his days, such as Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC and Bendel Insurance FC, before joining up with Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire, after which he featured for Ironi Ashdod FC in Israel and later Antalyaspor FC in Turkey.

He first played for the senior national team in a 1988 Olympic Games qualifying match against Algeria in Annaba in January 1988, and then became a fixture in the team at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria.

several begging chances in Brazil.

“As far as I am concerned, Brown (Ideye) is a top-class striker any day, any time. As a striker, he is expected to score goals, but sometimes you may find it difficult to do so. But this was one player who made a huge impact at the Nations Cup. I enjoyed a good partnership with him and we won the trophy together as a team. I therefore totally disagree with those now

condemning him,” Emenike told MTNFootball.com “Sometimes, criticism does not help a player.

Since nobody is perfect, we are all bound to have a down side at a particular time.

“Ideye is a hard working player, who is always ready to die for Nigeria and we should allow him to work harder to deliver the goals for the nation.

He’s a good player.”

He said he believes the Dynamo Kiev star will rise to the occasion again.

•Ideye

Oliha was a fantastic player — Nwosu

F

ORMER captain of the national team Henry Nwosu has de-

• L a t e Oliha

scribed the late Nigerian midfield maestro, Thompson Oliha as “a fantastic footballer who did a lot for both club and country.”

Nwosu who was a teammate of the fallen Nigeria international described Oliha’s death as

shocking. “He was a friend, team mate and neighbour at Festac. Oliha was an easy going guy; he was a nice fellow,” Nwosu said.

He recalled that “as a national team and club player, he was an excellent player. He was such a player that was always ready to give his all. He was indeed, an excellent player.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013—55

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

How Oliha died — Doctor F

ORMER Super Eagles’ mid fielder, Thompson Oliha is dead The midfield maestro who was among the 1994 victorious Super Eagles’ squad that won

the Nations cup in Tunisia died yesterday at the Yusjib industrial medicare hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Thompson Oliha was born on October 4 1968 Continues on Page 53

Forget Yobo, Osaze, Kojo tells Keshi

BY TONY UBANI

S

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi’s olive branch to out of favour Osaze Odemwingie and captain Joseph Yobo to rejoin the national team has hit a sour note with former chairman of the

PUZZLE

Italy beat Uruguay G IGI Buffon was the shoot-out hero as Italy beat Uruguay on penalties to clinch third place in the Confederations Cup after a 2-2 draw.

Edinson Cavani twice cancelled out an Azzurri lead and Riccardo Montolivo saw red in extra time in stifling heat in Salvador de Bahia.

Cesare Prandelli had to completely revamp his side for the Confederations Cup third place play-off, as Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo, Ignazio Abate, Andrea Barzagli and Claudio

Marchisio were all injured.

Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Gilardino and Giorgio Chiellini all passed late fitness tests, while Stephan El Shaarawy, Alessandro Diamanti and Davide Astori were given rare starts in the stifling 13.00 local time heat. Uruguay played their semi-final with Brazil a day earlier than Italy and didn’t go to 120 minutes, so were able to use much the same side including Serie A faces Edinson Cavani, Martin Caceres, Walter Gargano and Arevalo Rios.

Okagbare beats Olympic champs, dedicates victory to Uduaghan — P.54

Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Kojo Williams telling him to drop the idea.

“Keshi should forget about recalling Osaze and Yobo. He should be wary of polarising the team. He has a very good team at the moment. The boys that I Continues on Page 53

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Tomorrow's matches Spain Greece Nigeria France

•Late Thompson Oliha

vs vs vs vs

Mexico Uzbekistan Uruguay Turkey

4.00 pm 4.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

SAFE HANDS . . . Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was the hero of the 3rd place match yesterday as he stopped three penalty kicks by Uruguay for Italy to win 3 - 2. PHOTO: AFP

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Dress (4) 4 Rotter (3) 6 Infant (4) 8 Prefer (6) 9 Lose (6) 10 Brim (3) 12 Contradict (5) 14 Undo (5) 15 Boast (5) 18 Lower (6) 20 Badge (6) 24 Sorcery (5) 26 Enhance (5) 28 Hesitate (5) 30 Obtain (3) 32 Manly (6) 33 Send out (6) 34 Drawback (4) 35 Rug (3) 36 Discourteous (4)

DOWN 2 Revile (5) 3 Uncouth (7) 4 Ringlet (4) 5 Deposit (4) 6 Bowl (5) 7 Manner (7) 11 Tavern (3) 12 Bar (3) 13 Sheep (3) 16 Equip (3) 17 Barrel (3) 19 Feeling (7) 21 Pinch (3) 22 Scurry (7) 23 Born (3) 25 Hatchet (3) 27 Prick (5) 29 Fragment (5) 30 Microbe (4) 31 Writing (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 2, Smite 7, Route 8, Query Rapid 12, Ire 13, Staid 15, Pageant Coupon 19, Rot 20, Worldly 23, Wear Yawl 26, Limping 30, Pal 31, Gateau Decorum 37, Tiled 38, Gas 39, Sight Party 41, Elfin 42, Stare.

THE VIGILANTE

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

DOWN: 1, Motto 2, Strip 3, Meadow 4, Trip 5, Quietly 6, Trend 9, Era 11, Darling 13, Scowl 14, Aural 16, God 18, Nonplus 21, Yokel 22, Aloud 24, Reposte 27, Mar 28, Gather 29, Legal 32, Title 33, Aerie 35, Car 36, Mint.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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