Budget Performance: Senators walk Anyim, ministers out by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61678 From left: Mr Cally Ikpe, CEO Callivision, media coordinators of the NMVA; DG NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii and veteran reggae musician Ras Kimono at a press conference to announce the NAFDAC/ NMVA 2012 partnership against food adulteration and drug counterfeiting in Lagos.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

UK court finds Erastus Akingbola 6 guilty •P.

BUDGET PERFORMANCE:

Subsidy scam: EFCC withdraws charges against two suspects

Senators walk Anyim, ministers out

•P.6

•Threaten to arrest Okonjo-Iweala over non-appearance •Disagree with minister; say implementation only 12.16%

BY HENRY UMORU & INALEGWU SHAIBU

BUJA—THE faceoff between the House of Representatives and President Goodluck Jonathan over the poor implementation of the 2012 budget rolled over to the Senate, yesterday, leading to a walk-out of a high powered delegation of the Presidency from the

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DEAR BUNMI: Could my wife be having an affair? •P.38 Mr & Mrs

TONY BLAIR VISITS—President Goodluck Jonathan (R), welcoming visiting former British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

I complained about Dana plane before crash— Sanusi •P.5 C M Y K

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Vanguard, WEDNESD AY, A UGUST 1, 2012—5 WEDNESDA AUGUST

POCKET CARTOON

Budget 2012: Senators walk Anyim, ministers out Continues from Page 1 Senate building. The delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim was turned back from the scheduled Senate public hearing on the implementation of the 2012 budget, following the unsuppressed anger of senators over the absence of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The anger of the senators was further stoked by allegations that the real level of the implementation of the 2012 capital budget was 12.16% and not the 56% as claimed by administration officials. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who represented the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark at the aborted hearing, gave Okonjo-Iweala an ultimatum to appear in person at the hearing which was rescheduled for tomorrow or risk arrest. Administration officials led by Anyim, himself a former President of the Senate and shored up with Senator Idris Umar, the Minister of Transport also a former senator, could not save the day in the face of the blistering anger of the lawmakers. The administration officials including the Minister of State, Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, the Auditor-General of the Federation were not given any opportunity to

talk as they were turned back in the absence of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala. Announcing the formal cancellation of the Public Hearing, Senator Ekweremadu said Senators were not happy with the attitude of the Finance Minister neglecting the event for what he described as a less important function in London. According to Ekweremadu, the hearing was scheduled for last Thursday, but the Minister was in Delta State for another event which forced the Senate to push it for yesterday. Noting that the level of implementation was below commendation despite the fact that the National Assembly approved the budget as proposed by the president, he said it was as such realistic for the Senate to find out from administration officials reasons behind apparent low-level budget implementation. The Deputy Senate President who noted that it was absolutely impossible to continue with the public hearing following the absence of the Minister of Finance ordered the Secretary of the Committee to summon her for Thursday (tomorrow) failing which a warrant of arrest would be issued on her. Yesterday ’s development came on the heels of the face-off between the Presidency and the House of Representatives over low-level budget implementation. Members of the House

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

Trust is the stuff that friendships are made of...when the element of ‘trust’ is gone, you can’t bring it back. A mutual feeling of trust and affection is the trump card for any meaningful friendship— E. R.

RUST is essential to true friendship. We all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and challenges. We need to be able to share our deepest secrets with someone, without worrying about whom to trust. Failing to be trustworthy with those intimate secrets can destroy a friendship in a hurry. Faithfulness and loyalty are key to true friendship. Without them, we often feel betrayed, left out, and lonely. In true friendship, there is no backbiting. True friendship requires certain accountability factors. Real friends encourage one another and forgive one another where there has been an offence. Genuine friendship supports during times of struggle. Friends are dependable. In true friendship, unconditional love develops. We love our friends no matter what and we always want the best for our friends.

had threatened to initiate impeachment proceedings against the president if by September the administration fails to fully execute the budget as passed. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala had on Monday claimed that the 2012 capital budget implementation as at June 20, was 56 per cent. However, a document on budget performance submitted to the Senate committee on Finance by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed that a total sum of N401, 648, 460, 791 has been so far released with N324, 556, 851, 948 of that amount being cash backed. According to the document, out of this, only N184, 848, 092, 533 has been utilized as at 20th July 2012, just as capital allocation for 2012 budget stood at N1, 519, 986, 106, 691 and only 21.35 per cent of the total allocation has been cash backed. And the percentage amount utilized from the releases so far stood at 12.16% as at July 20th.

It's not 56% performance “The performance of 56.95 per cent as indicated by the office of the accountant general is the percentage of amount utilized (184 billion) of the amount cash backed (342 billion) as at 20th July, 2012 and not of the entire capital budget. The actual utilization of N184 billion against the total capital of N1.5 trillion is 12.16 percent,” the document read. Expressing the hurt of the senators, Ekweremadu said: "We had expected the Minister of Finance and coordinating minister for the economy to be here today because she’s central to all that we are going to discuss here today as our chairman on appropriation had mentioned this matter was supposed to be discussed last week but the Minister was unavoidably absent. "We learnt that she went to Asaba to declare open a SURE-P Programme. We consider our meeting with her on an issue that has to do with budget implementation to be more impor-

tant than any other assignment. Today we have also been told that she’s gone to London to represent the President on an investment forum for which we know there are other ministers and government officials that could as well have done that to enable her to be here with us this afternoon. So it is regrettable that she is not here. ”One of the excuses we’ve read from the pages of newspapers for non performance of the budget is what they considered as the tinkering of the budget by the National Assembly. And so what we had wanted to do today is to hear from the executive where the tinkering is. "Let us hear and let the people of Nigeria hear what the National Assembly did to the budget that made it impossible for it to be implemented so that our committee chairmen here would have the opportunity of r e s p o n d i n g . "So it is not enough for the Executive or the Minister of Finance to accuse the National Assembly of tampering with the budget that made it impossible for it to be implemented and then National Assembly is saying no, it is not so. ”So we decided a situation where the press will be the arbiter and then they will listen to us and the executive and then know where it went wrong if it did. And if there are areas that the National Assembly should be blamed and the Nigerian public should hear and if they have response from the National Assembly, our appropriate committees should also respond. "Now, the stage is set but the minister is not here and we are worried about it. So, it will be absolutely impossible for us to do this dialogue with the absence of the coordinating minister of the economy. I have discussed with my colleagues and what we intend to do now is to allow our committee on appropriation to look for an appropriate date possibly by Thursday and ensure that the minister comes. Even if it needs summoning her to ensure that she appears before the committee to tell Nigerians the degree of releases and of course for the SGF to tell Nige-

rians the degree of utilization by MDAs. “It is not just enough that releases were made and then utilization. We want to see whether those releases and utilization are impacting on Nigerians. We want to see it in roads, we want to see the water projects going on; we want to see the electricity projects going on. We have appropriated for the security situation in the country. We want to see whether there have been releases and whether they are utilized. That’s exactly what we thought this public hearing will afford all of us today. "So for now, we are disappointed that it is not going to take place. I have the mandate of my colleagues to adjourn this public hearing to enable the Minister of Finance and coordinat-

ing Minister to show up and, as I said, the chairman of the committee on appropriation should take immediate steps including if possible summoning the minister to show up before the senate committee on appropriation and other relevant committees by Thursday this week. "So this public hearing is adjourned to Thursday at the same time and the minister for finance is expected to be there no matter the circumstance". Speaking earlier yesterday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Ahmed Maccido noted that even in the third quarter of the year, budget implementation was still a far cry from the expectation of Nigerians.

I complained about Dana plane before crash— Sanusi BY EMMA UJAH

BUJA—THE Cen tral Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, told staff and family members of the bank's’ staff who died in the Dana plane that crashed recently that he personally complained about its condition shortly before the accident. He spoke in Abuja, yesterday, at a memorial service for the victims of the crash. The governor said he flew the plane just a few days before it crashed, adding that he personally raised alarm about the condition of

the aircraft. Many family members and colleagues of the victims wept openly when Mallam Sanusi made the comment. According to him, “every Nigerian was touched in a much more profound way. I have a memory of that evening that will live forever because I lost a cousin in that flight. It was a very sad day”. Mallam Sanusi who lost eight members of staff was philosophical as according to him, “things like this remind us of how transient life is".

CORRECTION: Omaghomi not Omagbemi

N our Page 6 story, yesterday: "Omagbemi urges aviation minister, Dele Ore to sheath swords", we inadvertently referred to Capt Tito Omaghomi, President of the Concerned Aviation Professionals, as Omagbemi in the headline. The error is regretted — Editor.

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Subsidy scam: EFCC makes turnaround, withdraws charges against 2 suspects BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & IBUWARISO EMMANUEL

GRADUATION—From left: Representative of the Chairman of the Board of LASTEV, Engr. Adesola Ambali; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan and Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye during the graduation of Lagos State Government Technical Colleges. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

UK court finds Akingbola guilty of misappropriation of fund ...orders him to refund N164bn to Access bank BY OMOH GABRIEL, BUSINESS EDITOR

London High Court has found Dr. Erastus Akingbola, the erstwhile Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc liable of unwholesome practices and misappropriation of the bank’s funds to the tune of N164 billion. The court described the purchase of “shares in a box” as an insider dealing which is not an accepted best practice in civilized business dealing. However a source close to Dr. Akingbola's legal team in London, Peter and Peters law firm said they plan to appeal the judgment as all the needed documentation for the appeal were being assembled in London. But one of Dr. Akingbola's aide told Vanguard that they were not aware of the judgment and are waiting to be briefed. He said by the time they receive briefing from Akingbola's lawyers in London they will respond appropriately.

We 'll appeal judgment — Akingbola's aide Dr. Erastus Akingbola has been involved in the civil litigation since his removal by the Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on August 14, 2009 and his subsequent flight to safety in London. Explaining the matter came before him in London, Justice Burton said: “The litigation began in this country, not only because the Fuglers Claims related to (and led to injunctive

relief in respect of) property in the UK, but primarily because the defendant left Nigeria and was, at the time of service of these proceedings, resident in London. The proceedings began in respect of the Fuglers claims only on December 23, 2009, when an initial freezing order was made by Nicol J, increased by Blair J on January 25, 2010 to include the Tropics payments claim and continued until judgment or further order by Christopher Clarke J on February 12, 2010. The particulars of claim were amended to add the unlawful share purchase claim in July 2010. “This case came on for trial on April 23, 2012, and the claimant has been represented, as it was before me in the summary judgment application, by Mr Simon BrowneWilkinson QC and Mr Adam Zellick, instructed by Messrs Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. The defendant, although still instructing the same solicitors, Messrs Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP, has been represented for some time and for the purposes of this hearing by Mr Paul Chaisty QC. The hearing lasted for 26 days, concluding on June 1, 2012, subject only to the subsequent delivery of some short additional supplementary submissions/references. After considerable discussion and with the agreement of parties, the course was taken whereby opening submissions by both counsel and the evidence for the claimant

were given in the Commercial Court in London in the normal way, with a video link so that the defendant in Nigeria, with his Nigerian lawyers, could listen to and watch the hearing in London, with a contemporaneous transcript in addition. At the close of the claimant’s case, the counsel and solicitors for both parties flew to Nigeria, and the evidence of the defendant and his witnesses was given in Nigeria, where counsel for both parties examined, cross-examined and reexamined them. “I sat in London with the benefit of the same video conferencing facilities and contemporaneous transcript. Although the equipment broke down occasionally, and there was a small time-lag which inevitably meant that I would find myself speaking over counsel or the witness, and/or counsel or the witness would speak over me. In a ruling delivered in London yesterday in the case against Dr Erastus Akingbola, Mr. Justice Burton ordered Mr. Erastus Akingbola to refund N164 billion being proceeds of “unlawful share purchase scheme” and fund misappropriation and converted into personal use while at the helm of affairs as Managing Director of former Intercontinental Bank Plc. The Court held that Dr. Akingbola devised and oversaw the implementation of the strategy to buy the bank’s shares.

Court

alleges

Akingbola lies under cross-examination The court found under cross examination that Mr. Erastus Akingbola told obvious lies that he did not know that the bank was buying its own shares. It was discovered that shortly before the implementation of the strategy to increase the bank’s share price with the intent of benefiting from the unethical and illegal scheme. Dr. Akingbola had borrowed a whooping sum of N9.3 billion to purchase a large quantity of the bank’s shares for himself. The court held that the illegal share purchase scheme substantially contributed to the collapse of the erstwhile Intercontinental Bank Plc. Further investigation by the court revealed that at a time the bank was undergoing significant liquidity strain, Dr. Erastus Akingbola misappropriated N16 billion which was paid to Tropics Companies, a business owned by his family to repay debts owed by the companies personally guaranteed by Dr. Akingbola. Dr. Akingbola was found to have misappropriated another £8.5million which was paid to his English solicitors to complete the purchase of luxury properties in London in his name. This judgment confirms with the findings of the Central Bank of Nigeria on some of the illegalities un-ravelled in the bank following the CBN special audit which led to the removal of some banks chief executives, including Dr. Erastus Akingbola.

AGOS—IN a dramatic turn around, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday at a Lagos High Court withdrew the charges filed against two oil marketers, Messrs Durosola Omogbenigun, and Peter Mba, and their companies, Integrated Resources Limited and Pinnacle Oil and Gas over oil subsidy scam. The anti-graft agency last week commenced prosecution of oil companies and their directors allegedly indicted in oil subsidy scam to the tune of N304 billion by filing charges against them at both Ikeja and Lagos judicial divisions of Lagos State High Court. In a four-count-charge signed by Mrs Olabisi Fatunde, Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Messrs Durosola Omogbenigun, and Peter Mba, and their companies, Integrated Resources Limited and Pinnacle Oil and Gas were alleged to have collected about N2.5 billion from the government as subsidy for the importation of petrol without supplying the fuel. It alleged that the

accused collected the money under false pretences from the government, purporting that it was payment accruing under the Petroleum Support Fund as subsidy for the importation of petrol. In a dramatic twist yesterday however, the anti-graft agency told the court that the charges were inadvertently filed against them. At the commencement of the proceeding, the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that he had instruction from the Attorney-General of the Federation to withdraw the charges. He said, “a review of the prosecution’s case and the evidence available to the prosecution show that the defendants did not commit the offences for which they are charged. The charges preferred against the defendants in this case were misconstrued.”He also informed the court that the charges had not been served on the defence. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges against the accused persons In his ruling, the trial judge, Candide-Johnson held that “at the instance of the prosecution, the suit dated July 20, 2012 is hereby struck out”.

PIB: Legislators, Nigerians free to present bill—Senate BY HENRY UMORU & INALEGWU SHAIBU

BUJA—AHEAD of discussions on the resubmitted Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, the Senate, yesterday, said Senators and other Nigerians were free to present to the upper chambers their own bills for the subject. Answering questions from newsmen, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba who explained that having two bills on the same matter was not strange, stressed that the Senate will not shut out its doors to other lawmakers who may wish to forward their proposals aside the one already presented by President Goodluck Jonathan. Ndoma-Egba said when such bills are received, all the bills will be subjected to the same procedure and harmonized by the

committee. Explaining why the former bill suffered a major set back during the sixth Senate, the Senate Leader noted that the upper chambers discovered that there were several versions of the document, adding that while Senate President David Mark had a different copy, other senators had theirs which made it imperative for the withdrawal of the bill from further deliberations. Speaking earlier, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Solomon Ita Enang who disclosed that 203 bills were introduced into the Senate between June 2011 and July 2012, stressed that from these bills that have undergone different stages of consideration, 23 were passed and transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 —7

Naval rating kills newspaper vendor in Abia BY VINCENT UJUMADU

W KA — N E W S PA PER vendors in Onitsha almost took to the streets yesterday to protest the alleged killing of one of their members, Mr. Chukwudi Onukaji by a trigger-happy Naval Rating at Nnoyi Junction in Isiala Ngwa South Council Area of Abia State. The late Onukaji was said to be based in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State where he plied his trade Vanguard gathered that the 23-year-old vendor, fifth in a family of nine, from Amiyi village in Umuelele community in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of Abia State met his untimely death when he accompanied his relatives to the burial of one of their brothers. He was until his death, a member of the Onitsha Newspaper Directors Distributors Association ONDDA. Onukaji had gone home in company of some members of the Anambra State Vigilance Service for the burial of one of the security men who died in auto crash. Narrating the incident, an eyewitness, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, a newspaper vendor in Onitsha who was among the people that went for the burial, said the an-

noying thing was that the Navy refused to release the body of the deceased for burial despite pleas from people. Nwanpka said: “The incident happened when we took the corpse of a security man, Mr Emmanuel Achunne who was serving at GRA, Onitsha, who died in auto crash, home for burial in Nnoyi in Isialangwa South Local Government Area.We were in a convoy of about ten vehicles, including the ambulance conveying the corpse of the deceased and the Hilux vans belonging to the vigilance group in front and another one at the back. When we

got to Umuikaa junction near Oweerinta, we met a terrible traffic jam, so we diverted to follow a local route and it was when we had got there that we found out that the traffic jam was caused by Naval officers at Umuikaa junction. “When we got inside the deceased compound which is near the junction, one of the Hilux van was missing. The first Hilux van carrying the vigilante group and the ambulance were parked and we heard a gun shot in the air. It was at that moment that we were told that naval men were holding the remaining Hilux van carrying the other members of the vigilante. We explained to them that we are not armed robbers and that we came for burial. “At this juncture, the Naval officers had disarmed the secu-

rity men and ordered them to lie face down and when they approachedtheseniornavalofficer, he jumped out of his vehicle and ordered everybody to lie down and in the process, opened fire on the security men and it was in the process that the vendor was shot. When the naval officers noticed what they have done, theyretreatedandstayedintheir van while the boy was still writhing in pains and bleeding profusely from the gunshot wound. “We then agreed that we should take him to the hospital but to first of all make entry in thepolicestation.Thatwaswhen the naval officers took the boy into their van and on our way to the police station, they diverted and took the boy away to their naval base at Owerrinta where he died after losing so much blood”

NUGU—AN Enugu High Court presided over by the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, yesterday, stopped the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA slated for today, in Abuja. The court also extended by 48 days the interim injunction it granted on July 25 restraining the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh from taking steps to convoke a national, state or local government executive committee meeting of the party or expelling any member of APGA. Umeh had filed the preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the locus standi of the applicant in the suit, Jude Okoli, who is no longer a member of APGA having been expelled from

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—AN Owerri High Court has sentenced Mr. Reginald Madujibeya, to death, for murdering 37year-old commercial motorcycle operator, Sylvester Anaele. Anaele was said to have been murdered in his home, Okwu Amaeze, Obibiezena, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. Justice Nonyerem Okoronkwo, while delivering judgment in suit number HOW/15c/2009, however discharged and acquitted Madujibeya’s alleged accomplice, Mr. Akujuobi Okere. Recounting the submissions, Justice Okoronkwo said the deceased had severally complained that he was very uncomfortable with the sale, consumption and smell of Indian hemp near his house. According to the Judge, the prosecution called seven witnesses and con-

tended that the several lacerations on the deceased’s body could not have arisen from mere swinging of a machet as claimed by Madujibeya. “I agree with the prosecution that the first accused (Madujibeya) was on a well planned and murderous mission and gave the deceased seveal cuts in very vital parts of his body”, Okoronkwo said. Continuing, the Judge said “the more credible version, which I am inclined to believe, is that after the initial fight over the smoking of Indian hemp around his house, the first accused went home, brought a knife and laid ambush for the deceased”. The court disbelieved Madujibeya’s story that he was acting in self defence, stressing that “evidence has clearly shown that the first accused was on a murderous mission and clinically executed it. I find you guilty as charged. You are to be hanged on your neck until you be dead.”

Orji sues for peace over monarch's murder BY ANAYO OKOLI

From left: Mr. Akin Ajayi; Mrs. Francisca Emmanuel, Chairman, Lumina Foundation; Mr. Bode Opeseyitan, Director, Events and Sponsorship, Globacom and Ms Ogochukwu Promise, COO, Lumina Foundation, at a briefing on the 4th Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Enugu court stops APGA NEC meeting BY TONY EDIKE

Man to die for killing Okada rider

the party last year. After hearing arguments and submissions from counsels to parties in court, Justice Umezulike, who earlier promised to give a ruling yesterday based on the urgency of the matter, however, noted that weighty issues had been raised by Umeh’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN in his preliminary objections asking the court to set aside the order. In his ruling, Justice Umezulike enumerated the issues raised by the defendant’s counsel as competence of the court to grant the order, the locus standi of the applicant, nature of order amounting to abuse of court process and whether issues raised by applicant were internal affairs of the party and were “es topell” (already overtaken by events). Umeh’s counsel Mr. Ikwueto, SAN, who led a team of lawyers, had earlier on Monday urged the

court to entertain the application yesterday due to its urgent nature, explaining that the urgency was on the grounds that everything had been put in place for the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the party slated for Wednesday, August 1. Contending that the application which led to the injunction handed his client was in bad faith and frivolous.Ikwueto asked the court to hear their application immediately, yesterday.

Umeh reacts

Reacting to the ruling of the court, the APGA Chairman said the party was surprised by “the ruling of the court today which extended the ex-parte order it made on July 25, 2012 to September 17, 2012 without any request by the plaintiff for the court to do so. By Order 39 Rule 3(3) & (4) of the High Court Rules of Enugu State, 2006, an ex-parte order lasts

for seven days and renewable at maximum for another seven days, which makes the lifespan of any ex-parte order obtained or made by any high court in Enugu State to lapse after 14 days. But today, the lifespan of the ex-parte order was extended to 48 days without any request from the plaintiff for such an extension.”

MUAHIA — G OV ERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has called on the people of Umunneochi Local Government Area whose traditional ruler was recently murdered by unknown persons, to maintain peace and allow the security agencies conduct proper investigation into the matter. Transition Committee, TC, Chairman of the Council; Mr. Dan Okoli was arrested and taken to Abuja for questioning since two weeks over the death of the traditional ruler, Eze Iroha Nwankwo. Addressing a large turnout of Umunnochi people who visited him at the Government House, Umuahia,

to thank him for appointing Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, state Commissioner for Information, Governor Orji told them to be peaceful and pray that the culprits would be caught. According to him, the chairman was nominated by the entire traditional rulers in the area who vouched for his good character and described as “unfortunate” what is happening in the area. He said: “It is sad that your TC is not here. Pray that he returns. The traditional rulers nominated him. They wrote it down that they wanted him. What is happening in your place is unfortunate. You know the truth, you know your people well. What we want is peace.”

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

2012 budget implementation: SERAP gives FG knocks

40TH BIRTHDAY DINNER FOR KENNY OKOLUGBO

zSays govt has failed in the provision of amenities to Nigerians BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

civil rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, yesterday called on the Federal Government to acknowledge that its implementation of the budget in the past years has failed to satisfy Nigeria’s international obligations. SERAP in statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said “We challenge the statement by the Federal Government through the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that the 2012 budget is being implemented to ‘protect and enhance the best interests of Nigerians.’ This statement clearly cannot be supported in the face of the increasing poverty and suffering that millions of Nigerians experience almost on a daily basis.

“We are concerned that budget implementation is being trivialized and politicised by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigeria is a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ICESCR, which provides that the country ’s maximum available resources must be used to satisfy the basic needs of Nigerians such as water, health, food and electricity.” According to the organisation “So far, there is no evidence to suggest that the allocation of resources and expenditure by this government through the 2012 budget satisfy the human rights obligations generated by ICESCR. The result is that the government has not been able to provide the minimum core of essential health care, basic shelter and housing, water and sanitation, foodstuff, and the most basic forms of

education for millions of our people. This leads to discrimination and vulnerability which causes further human rights violations. “The government should demonstrate more transparency and accountability by swiftly publishing widely including on the internet, how much of the 2012 budget has so far been spent on providing essential health care, water, electricity, and basic education for Nigerians. What is urgently needed is for this government and the National Assembly to ensure the application of a human rights based approach to budget decisions and implementation. Otherwise, millions of Nigerians will continue to be denied their internationally recognized economic and social rights, including their right to their natural wealth and resources.”

UniAbuja medical students accept transfer to other varsities

From left: Dave Baro-Thomas, Deputy Special Projects Manager, Vanguard Newspapers; Sir Kenny Okolugbo, Mrs. Uzoamaka Okolugbo and Mr Victor Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, during the presentation of gift by Vanguard Newspapers at the 40th birthday dinner of Sir Kenny Okolugbo, yesterday. Pix: Oscar Ochiogu.

From left: Mrs. Uzoamaka Okolugbo; Sir Kenny Okolugbo and Mr and Mrs. Frank Momoh.

zOver lack of laboratory, other facilities BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

BUJA—MEDICAL students of the University of Abuja have finally surrendered themselves for transfer to other universities after the institution failed to provide them with medical facilities for their learning. The students who stormed the Federal Ministry of Education carrying different placards and chanting songs to express their plight, were bent on the intervention of the ministers of education as they refused to be deterred by the presence of security personnel. President of the university ’s medical students, Uchenna Anyanwu in an interview with Vanguard explained that medical students of UniAbuja have been idle in the past three months hence the call on the Federal Government to come to their rescue. He said, “initially we said no to the transfer option based on the advice we got C M Y K

from the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria and the VC promised that the facilities will be ready within six

months. Already, we have spent over three months without doing anything hence the call for our transfer".

CBN disburses N171bn to power, airline projects BY NAOMI UZOR

ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, said it has disbursed N171.12 billion to 30 power and airline projects through the Bank of Industry, BOI. Speaking at a one day biannual dialogue on impact of government intervention funds in the transformation of the Nigerian economy, organised by the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, the Governor of CBN, Lamido Sanusi, said as at May 31, 2012, N171.12 billion has been disbursed through the BOI to airline and power projects under power and

airline intervention fund. He said 14 airline projects got N90.45 billion while 16 power projects got N80.67 billion. Sanusi said that Power and Airline Intervention Fund, PAIF, was introduced in September, 2010 to provide the leverage that will motivate and stimulate private sector involvement in the power and airline sectors, as well as fast track the development of both sectors of the economy. “The CBN provided N300 billion facility for investment in debentures which was issued by the Bank of Industry, BOI, in accordance with section 31 of the CBN Act 2007, for investment in power and airline projects".

From left: Mr. Kunle Agbebi; Mrs. Uzoamaka Okolugbo, Sir Kenny Okolugbo and Mrs. Mosun Agbebi.

From left: Mr. Ben Urhoghide; Mr. Tommy Odama and U.K Idabor.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 9

Briefly

Nigerian Compass editor's car recovered

AGOS—LESS than 48 hours after the car of the editor of Nigerian Compass, Gabriel Akinadewo, was snatched by robbers, it was recovered, yesterday. The Toyota Avensis car was abandoned by the robbers at Kollington BusStop, Alagbado, on LagosAbeokuta Expressway. Policemen moved the car to the Alakuko Police Station and later to Alausa Police Station where it was released to Akinadewo.

Dana: Witness relays encounter with pilot before crash BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & MICHAEL OLADEPO

AGOS—THE last 15 minutes of the ill-fated Dana Airline plane and its embattled pilot was relayed before a Lagos

Coroner, yesterday. A witness, Mr. Rafiq Arogunjo, an Air Traffic Controller with Nigerian Airspace Management Agency,NAMA, had related to the coroner court details of his discussions with the pilot of the illfated plane before it

crashed at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, on June 3, saying he received distress call from the pilot at (14.42 UTC- universal time coordinate)3.42p.m. local time and that three minutes after, the aircraft went off the radar. At the time of the dis-

Military won't scuttle democracy — IBB BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI & CALEB AYANSINA

BUJA—AGAINST the backdrop of mounting security and economic challenges plaguing the country and uncertainty surrounding its unity and cohesiveness, former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), had said there was no chance of any military uprising to scuttle the nation's democracy. He said: “I can say without equivocation that our democracy faces no danger from the military. This is because the curriculum of this college has exposed participants to the tenets of democracy from its inception. 'Therefore, long before Nigeria returned to democratic rule, military officers who passed through this college were prepared for life under civilian leadership and control'.” The former head of state, who was speaking on ‘The Creation of National Defence College; 20 Years After,'' pointed out that an area in which the college had contributed to national development is in the inculcation among military and paramilitary personnel, core values and ethics that support democratic rule. Babangida said: “By the time international partners were falling over themselves to give lessons in civil-military relations within the democratic context, most senior officers in the armed forces already knew that; because they already learnt this at the college.”

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From left, Emeritus Professor of University of Ibadan/Fellow,Royal College of Physicians, London, Professor Ayo Falase; Emeritus Prof./Visiting Prof. of Medicine, Harvard, Oxford and Cape Town, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe; Medical Director, First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi and Director of Cardiology, Reddington Hospital, Dr. Adeyemi Johnson, Country Manager, Pfizer, Nigeria, East Africa Region, NEAR, Dr. Enrico Liggeri and Medical Director, Pfizer, Nigeria, East Africa Region, Dr. Kodjo Soroh, at the cardiovascular summit organised by Pfizer Near, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Fashola makes case for tech education BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

AGOS—GOVER NOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has stressed the need for technical education in the country, saying the scarcity of technical personnel in the country could be solved through adequate funding of technical education, even as he announced the introduction of hybrid curriculum in technical colleges in the state. This came as 6,467 students in the five technical colleges in the state, yesterday, received certificates in technical education at a graduation in Ikeja. Meanwhile, Fashola, also commissioned the first Samsung Engineering Academic in the country, aimed at developing and training young engineers in the state. The governor, who spoke at the graduation and special awards at Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, said technical education was as important as other

orthodox types of education. Describing the event as remarkable and a massive boost to vocational education in the state, he said the nation’s economy would only thrive if government remained committed to vocational education. He said his administration was committed to giving priority attention to vocational training and skill acquisition. On the new hybrid curriculum for technical colleges in the state, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education

Board,LASTVEB, Olawunmi Gasper, explained that the new hybrid curriculum will take effect from next month.

tress call, he noted, the plane was at 11 NM (nautical miles) to touch down, which made them thought the plane would crash inside the airport. According to him, immediately he got the distress call, the message was transferred to Aerodrome Controller, to prepare the stage for emergency. He noted that agencies such as fire services, search and rescue team and other were deployed to the landing field. He said, while speaking with the pilot the aircraft had dual engine and throttle failure. He said prior to the distress call, the pilot was given descent to flight level 5000 feet and its arrival was even expected on runway 18L for landing, but that two minutes later, the pilot requested for approach on another runway 18R which was obliged. Arogunjo said: “At 14.43 UTC (3.43p.m local time, I observed the aircraft on radar with dropping speed and altitude, then at 14.45 (3.45p.m), the aircraft went into coasted status, that is, fading from the scope, and later disappeared. “I informed tower about this and few seconds later, tower said they could see the aircraft on the extended centre-line of the runway with dark smoke.” Asked why the radar

Politician docked for allegedly using Tinubu's name to fleece job-seekers

AGOS—A 60-year-old politician, Folaji Onikoyi, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Somolu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly obtaining money under pretences from two persons. The accused, who is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences, however,

pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. The prosecutor, ASP Akinlebi Adegoke, had told the court that Onikoyi collected N670,000 from one Mr. Opayemi Rotimi and one Mr. Owolabi Ajibade, under pretext of securing jobs for them. He said the accused,

Stakeholders decry poor reading culture among children BY EBELE ONUORAH

AGOS—CONSULT ANT Paediatrician and Managing Director, Outreach Children Hospital, Festac, Dr. (Mrs) Efunbo Dosekun, had decried the poor reading culture in children, thereby calling on the state government to set up a standard library in every local government area in the state.

could not monitor the aircraft up till the time it crashed, he said, “What we have is a terminal approach radar. It will not show the object on the ground. The one that will show objects on the ground is a surveillance radar,” adding “ we have had training on its use but we don’t have it in Nigeria.” Arogunjo said an Ibadan-bound private helicopter volunteered to move to the crash site for observation and assistance, adding “although the location of the crash was not in doubt, we had the coordinates and we had passed it to other parties.” Another witness, the General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Osanyintolu, told the coroner that though they got to the crash site early, the crowd at the crash site was an impediment to rescue operations. Osanyintolu said emergency agencies on ground, including firemen, Rapid Respond Squad, ambulance men, Lagos State Transport Management Authority officials and policemen, could not access the aircraft immediately they got there because of the surging crowd. He said when they were overwhelmed by the crowd, they had to call Governor Babatunde Fashola, who deployed the Disaster Rescue Unit of the Nigerian Army to assist.

Making this call at the hospital during second anniversary and school health services quiz contest for primary school children, she said it was imperative to educate and create health awareness among children, adding that healthy children translated to a healthy nation. On the aim of the contest, Coordinator, Outreach School Health Services,

Miss Esther Ijomah, said: “Most times, emergencies occur in the school environment and students and their teachers are clueless on what actions to be taken; we are here for foster knowledge and health.” Ijomah said the quiz contest aimed to improve the emergency preparedness of schools and encourage healthy behaviours that would last a lifetime.

who resided at 6, Mowowale Street, Ilaje, in Bariga, Lagos, committed the offence last August at 18, Olorunkemi Street, Bariga, Lagos. He said: “The accused obtained N670,000 from the complainants with false pretences that the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would offer them jobs. “Onikoyi promised the complainants that he would use the money to negotiate with Tinubu to offer Rotimi a supervisory councillorship slot in Lagos Island Local Government and Secretary to the Council Chairman. “The accused also assured Ajibade that the former governor would offer him a manager slot at Lagos Water Corporation,” Adegoke said.

10— Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

S O G B O — O WA OBOKUN of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, has absolved himself from any complicity in the travails of one of his high chiefs, Obanla of Ilesa, Chief Matthew Ogedengbe, who is currently in prison custody on the order of a Chief Magistrate's Court, Ilesa. At a briefing in his palace, yesterday, the monarch said he had no hand in the arrest and detention of the embattled chief. Some residents of Ilesa believed to have sympathy for Chief Ogedengbe had blamed Oba Aromolaran for the ordeal of the chief as a result of the face-off between the two in recent time. But, Oba Aromolaran said he was neither in control of the police who arrested the chief, who was accused of fragrantly trespassing a residents property nor the magistrate who ordered his remand in prison. The monarch noted that the chief's travail stemmed from a report to the police over illegal possession of some people’s landed property in the town. The traditional ruler said the matter before the court was between the chief and one Mrs. Omotunde Adediran, a widow, whose husband property on Stadium Road, Ilesa, was trespassed upon. On the controversial blood oath-taking allegedly ordered to be taken by his traditional chiefs, the monarch said there was nothing unusual in

Oba Aromolaran absolves self from deputy's detention Public functionaries take oath of office. There is nothing unusual about it, even husband and wife before getting married, take oath of allegiance. “In the palace here, initiation is part of our cul-

ture and it is not in any way against God’s will. When I asked all my chiefs to take oath of allegiance, everyone of them complied except two, one who gave excuse that he was already a communi-

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

From left, Mr. Jonathan Chikezie, Trade & Invesment Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Chief Bintan Famutimi, Chairman, Tricontinental Group ; Hadjia Kafilat Ogbara, representing Minister of Foreign Affairs; Chief Samuel Bolarinwa, Chairman, Wema Bank Plc, and Chief Funsho Abiri, President, Nigeria-America Export & Investment Group, at the pre-summit sensitisation programme, organised by Tricontinental Group, USA, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

I would 've shut down Osun schools for a year, by Aregbesola zProf Olatunde takes over as UNIOSUN VC

SOGBO—OSUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said, yesterday, that he initially intended to close down all public primary and secondary schools in the state when he assumed office. The decision, the governor said, was informed by his administration’s discovery of crass degeneration in physical structures and policies of the schools, thereby making qualitative and conducive learning impossible. Aregbesola said his administration, however, refrained from doing this preferring to urgently map out plans that would

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cant while the other, who is 86-year-old, gave old age as reason for his refusal. “In our palace here, we don’t have a place for altar. No church and there is no mosque, all what we have here are shrines.”

Bamidele donates N1m to late Fajemifo's widow

From right, Alhaji Salihu Ehimeakhe, Funke Aboyade, Etigwe Uwa, his wife, Thelma and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, at the dinner for Etigwe on his elevation as Senior Advocate of Nigeria,SAN, by Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe and Belgore Law Firm in Lagos.

lead to the spending of up to N30 billion to salvage the situation and bring back functional education. The governor observed this at a lecture in honour of an educationist, Pa Julius Omigbodun, who celebrated his 100 years birthday on Monday. He lamented that none of the public schools at that time could be so called, which explained why he proposed closing all the schools down to swiftly address the rot. Meantime, the governor has approved the appointment of Professor Ganiyu Olatunde as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University,

UNIOSUN, effective from today. His appointment followed the completion of

the five-year tenure of the first vice-chancellor, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, whose tenure expired yesterday.

DO-EKITI—A member of the National Assembly, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, yesterday, donated N1 million to widow of the late Mr. Chris Fajemifo, former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council. Fajemifo, a veteran journalist and former president, Student Union Government of University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), died in an auto crash on June 12 while on his way home from his duty-post in Ado-Ekiti. The lawmaker, who represents Ado-Ekiti/ Irepodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Budget, noted that the gesture was to alleviate part of the financial burden the family of the departed journalist might be going through He was represented by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Ahmed Salami, at the residence of the deceased in Akure. Fajemifo's younger sister, Mrs. Yemisi Omosilade, commended Bamidele for the kind gesture.

Amosun's wife urges support for young entrepreneurs

BEOKUTA—WIFE of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has called on established business enterprises, private individuals and governments at all levels to support young entrepreneurs to harness their talents and ingenuity for sustainable economic growth and development of the society. Mrs. Amosun said this

recently during the first Ogun State Youth Trade Fair at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, adding that the youth trade fair was designed to expand business and entrepreneurial opportunities that abound in the state. On the occasion, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Olugbenga Otenuga, assured of the state government’s determination to alleviate pov-

419: Man, 34, docked BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

...Justifies blood oath by Ijesa chiefs his action, arguing that it was purely traditional. He said: “There is nothing unusual about taking oath of allegiance. It is not a blood oath, and even if it is a blood oath it was not forced on anybody.

Briefly

erty among its people, particularly the youths by creating a conducive environment for business to strive and support the youths to become employers of labour rather than job-seekers. Highlights of the fair included poetry, tour of exhibition stands by Mrs. Amosun, workshops and syndicate sessions with the topic ‘Young People and the potentials for Global Business.’

SOGBO—A 34-yearold man, Olusoji Olarenwaju, was, yesterday, docked by Magistrate Olusola Aluko of an Osogbo Magistrate's Court, for allegedly obtaining N1.9 million fraudulently from one Balogun Mustapha to procure him a Canadian visa. Mustapha, who has been longing to travel abroad, was learnt to have allegedly paid the money to Olarenwaju after the latter had assured him that he specialised in procuring travelling papers, but the victim became worried when Olarenwaju was not forthcoming on their agreement.

3 teenagers arrested for pipeline vandalism

BEOKUTA—OGUN Police Command, yesterday, said it had arrested three teenagers suspected to be pipeline vandals. The Command’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, told the News of Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abeokuta, that the suspects, aged between 17 and 18 were arrested at Ajura in Ogere. He said, the police arrested the suspects at the scene of the crime through intelligent gathering and cooperation from members of the public. He said that the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, had ordered full investigations into the matter.

Campaign for Oke

NDO—CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Chief Fredrick Ayodele, has urged the people of the state to vote for the party's candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, in the October 20 governorship election. Ayodele, an indigene of Okitipupa Local Government Area, stated that the people of the state were tired of labouring in vein, assuring that the PDP big umbrella was open to cover all.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 —11

C-River provides 3,000 boreholes to communities BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

MOU SIGNING: Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (right) and Ami Lustig of Israeli firm, LR Group, after they signed an MoU to establish a multi-billion naira 2000-hectare farm village in Rivers State, yesterday.

Navy foils attempt to defraud Benin Republic minister of N25bn zNabs five crude oil syndicate members BY EMMA AMAIZE & AKPOS AKPOKONA

ARRI—AN at tempt by a suspected international crude oil syndicate based in Nigeria to defraud a Minister from the Republic of Benin of over N25 billion under the pretext of selling crude oil to him, has landed five members of the group in trouble. The five fraudsters, including a former secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, western zone, (name withheld) were arrested in a hotel at Effurun, near Warri, Delta State, while holding a meeting with a delegation from Republic of Benin, sent by the Minister to further discuss the business. Commander, NNS Del-

ta, Commodore Stephen Kor, confirmed the arrest of members of the syndicate in a briefing, yesterday, in Warri. He said: “The syndicate specialises in defrauding individuals and companies with fake Nigerian Navy and NNPC letter headed documents for clearance of vessel." Vanguard learnt that members of the syndi-

cate who usually posed as top Navy and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, officials contact unsuspecting companies and persons, claiming that they would bunker crude oil to them. Commander Kor said: “Following a tip off, NNS Delta special patrol team at about 10:00 on Monday, July 30, arrested

Public Procurement Law 'll stem corruption in Delta—Commissioner BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

S A B A — D E LTA State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Kenneth Okpara, has said that the state government is consolidating its drive to stem out corruption in

the state since the Public Procurement Law was passed into law. The commissioner, who spoke at a one-day validation/awareness meeting on corruption risk assessment process, in collaboration with UNDP and Federal anti-corrup-

13-yr-old hole-in-the-heart boy sends the operation. I have SOS to Uduaghan been experiencing these BY EMMA AMAIZE & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

ARRI—A 13year-old boy with a hole-in-the-heart ailment, Master Miracle Moluku Efe, has sent a Save Our Soul, SOS, to the Delta State Government and public spirited individuals to raise N3 million to enable doctors perform a surgical

five suspected fraudsters that specialise in using fake Nigerian Navy and NNPC letter-headed documents to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The arrest was carried out at one of the hotels in War ri, where the suspects were to hold a meeting with some of their earlier victims. This arrest is part of the Nigerian Navy’s efforts at curbing illegalities in its areas of operations."

operation on him to cure the ailment. Speaking to reporters in Warri, he said: “I want you people to help me to talk to Nigerians, the Delta State Government, organisations and our Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. I want to live. I don’t want to die. My parents don’t have money for the operation. I was told that it will cost three million naira to do

pains since birth. I grew up with these pains and there is no day that I don’t feel pains all over my body. I always feel cold and also have catarrh all the time.” According to his father, Mr. Moluku, a native of Ubulu Uku in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State, his son was diagnosed with heart problem since 2000.

tion agencies in Asaba, also said his ministry now tracked business processes to ensure prompt and transparent delivery of service. He said: “I want to applaud our anti-corruption agencies for their foresight in identifying key issues on corruption with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and their desired steps in the development of appropriate action and remediation plans including implementation of proactive interventions, aimed at preventing acts of corruption before they occur. It is noteworthy that Delta State Government has also put machinery in place to address issues of corruption in its bid to entrench good governance among the populace."

ALABAR—CROSS River State Government has sunk over 3,000 boreholes in different communities that make up the 18 local government areas of the state. The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Peter Ojie, disclosed this when he received the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Elemi Etowa and the General Manager, State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mr. Patrick Emori, in his office in Calabar. Ojie said that it was the determination of the state government to provide potable water to every community the local gov-

ernment areas. He commended the effort of the Ministry of Water Resources for ensuring that the people were provided with safe drinking water and assured that upgrading of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, units would be given adequate consideration during the amendment of the state local government laws. The Commissioner for Water Resources, Etowa, while speaking earlier, had appealed to Chief Ojie to work with the Chairmen of Local Government to pay their 10 per cent counterpart fund as well as encourage communities to constitute water management committees to enhance community ownership of the water projects.

Delta to sanction hotels barring workers from unionism BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

S A B A — D E LT A State Government has threatened to shut down any hotel and hospitality business in the state that refuses to allow it’s workers join staff unions, especially the National Union of Hotels and Personnel Services Workers. Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Labour and Industrial Relations, Comrade Mike Okeme, announced this while declaring open the second National Conference of the National Union of Hotels and Personnel Services Workers in Asaba. Comrade Okeme said the decision was against the backdrop of the failure of hoteliers in Asaba

to identify with the national body, warning that the hospitality industry needed monitoring and regulation of its operations to ensure high standards. He noted that his office would continue to ensure that the bond of unity between government and the state work force was sustained and strengthened. Speaking, President of the union, Comrade Leke Success who was represented by the National Secretary, Comrade David Okoro and the Edo/ Delta Chairman of the union, Comrade Wilson Otomewo, expressed displeasure over the way hotel owners and other employees of labour discourage workers from belonging to labour unions, describing the act as unacceptable.

Delta NMA holds scientific confab BY TOMMY ANADUA-

HE Annual Gener al Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Delta State branch, takes place from August 2 to 5 at Ahmed Hotel, Onicha-Ugbo. A statement by the Chairman Local Organizing Committee of the Aniocha Zone of the Association, Dr. Anthony

Okwunze, and the state chairman of the association, Dr. Chuks Ossai Abaninwa, said the ceremony with the theme Medicine and Longevity, Today Action, Tomorrow Gain, would be performed under the chairmanship of the national chairman of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele. Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

54 investors bid for PHCN's 11 distribution outfits BY OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

VISIT: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (left), and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, when the latter paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, weekend.

Oyerinde's murder: Detained ANEEJ boss alleges frame-up BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

ENIN—COUN SEL to detained Executive Director of African Network for Economics and Environmental Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, who is being held in Police detention in connection with the murder of the late Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, yesterday petitioned the Inspector General of Police, alleging that his client was being “framed up in the case.” In the petition by Mr. Afolabi Olayiwola, the suspect’s wife, Mrs. Ngozi Ugolor, explained that the late Olaitan Oyerinde and her husband were bosom friends, narrating that immediately after he was shot, his wife rushed to Ugolor ’s apartment to inform the family of the shooting of her husband. She explained that following the information, her husband immediately rushed Oyerinde to hospital for medical attention where he had issues with medical personnel of the hospital who could not respond to treatment of Oyerinde on time. Afolabi said that besides leading protests and addressing press conferences along with other human rights activists, his client had equal-

ly been helping the police in providing clues to the murder of the slain Olaitan Oyerinde. He said: “That on Friday, July 27 2012, our client was arrested by the same Federal SARS officials in Benin that he had been helping in the investigation and told him that he was equally involved in the death of the slain Oyerinde as they claimed it was he that sponsored the killing of the said Olaitan who incidentally was a bosom friend of Rev. David

Ugolor. “That when our client agreed to identification parade with the suspect that is currently being investigated, one of them accused Rev. David Ugolor by pointing at him. However, when the policemen allowed the two suspects to confront each other, the said suspect who accused Rev. David Ugolor fell like a pack of cards as truth is always constant and the said accuser of Rev. David Ugolor gave false particulars of the said Rev.

We didn’t commit any environmental offence—GKO Properties

ARRI—MRS. Ibukun Shidi Spiff, Special Assistant to the former Minister of Education and Chairman of GKO Properties, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, said, yesterday, that no environmental offence was committed by Robinson Gbagi Shopping Mall, Warri, which was re-opened, Sunday, by the Delta State Government after a 24-hour closure . The special assistant in a statement, said: “GKO Properties Limited, owners of the shopping mall, wishes to say that the insinuation that the Robinson Gbagi Shopping Mall was at anytime short of environmental standard as has been widely reported by the

government is untrue. The closure of the market is a political struggle between the governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the chairman, GKO Properties, Chief Kenneth Gbagi. “While GKO Properties has done nothing new in the shopping mall, which has been in existence in the past 15 years, we disagree that we have complied with environmental sanitation regulations as suggested in media report. The shopping mall was opened on Sunday when it was clear that it was a senseless action that was clearly political, an abuse of office and oppression of traders who lost their money, were beaten and manhandled."

David Ugolor.” He added that the suspect who claimed Rev. Ugolor gave him the job to do, agreed that he did not know the vehicle Ugolor was using, even as he did not know his house and office, adding that he only used to see him on television.

HE Bureau of Pub lic Enterprises, BPE, yesterday said that 54 potential investors have submitted bids for the 11 distribution companies about to be privatized. The Bureau, in a release by its head of corporate communication, Mr. Nwokoh, gave the break down as follows: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc, five bids; Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc, seven bids; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc, four bids; Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, nine bids; Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, seven bids; Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Plc, ten bids; Jos, Kano and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Companies Plc two bids each; Port Harcourt and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies Plc, three bids each. The statement said: “In keeping with the timeline for the privatisation of the distribution companies created from the

unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, the Bureau of Public Enterprises on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, received technical and financial proposals from 54 potential investors interested in the privatisation exercise. “It will be recalled that the revised timeline had July 31, 2012 as deadline for receipt of technical and financial bids from potential investors. “Prospective core investors, who must be local and/or international power distributors or investors with power distributors as technical partners, will be responsible for operating the distribution companies, making the necessary investments to improve the distribution network and customer service in line with the objectives of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The transaction timeline reveals that the evaluation of the technical bids will take place between August 14 and 28, 2012. The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) will approve the results of the technical evaluation by September 11, 2012."

— 13 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012—

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14—Vanguard, WEDNESSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Federation Allocation: LG chiefs accuse Enugu govt of illegal deductions BY CHINENYEH OZOR

From left: Mr. Kwaku Boateng, Customer Director; Mr. Thabo Mabe, MD, both of Unilever Nigeria Plc; Mrs Abiose Taiwo, representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry and Mr. David Ukeme, Marketing Director, Unilever, during the relaunch of Sunlight 2 -in -1 detergent by the firm in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Reinstated Imo LG chairmen appeal to Okorocha BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—THE elected local government chairmen and councilors in Imo State, have appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to allow them serve out their tenure, saying they are not opponents of his

administration. They spoke through a four-page position, signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Imo State Chapter, Mrs. Ruby Emele and Chief Enyinna Onuegbu, respectively, handed over

to Okorocha at their resumed peace meeting in Owerri. “We humbly wish to state that the issue of our tenure expiring on your prefered date is a matter of law, which can only be established by the judicial authorities and on this we stand”, the council chairmen said.

SUKKA—LOCAL Government chiefs in Enugu State are allegedly groaning under the weight of illegal deductions of their monthly allocations from the Federation Account by the state g o v e r n m e n t . Sources told Vanguard at Nsukka that the state government deducts an average of N20 million and N30 million monthly under different subheads including settlement of court cases. Although state government officials are reluctant to comment on the matter, some staff of local governments who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the deductions started with the council chairmen whose tenure ended late last year and had not been s t o p p e d . It was learnt that the 17 local government areas are also made to pay for some state projects even when the credit for the execution of such projects go to the s t a t e .

The cases which deductions are reportedly being made include those between the government and health or medical workers, teachers, judiciary workers, Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, as well as pending election petitions. The workers alleged that between May and June this year, some deductions were also made from individual emoluments of workers

throughout the state without explanations. "Enugu State pays the least salary structure in the whole country. All workers including political office holders were forced to pay between N3,000 and N20,000 depending on how much such individual earns and this is irrespective of the fact that the state government has not implemented the N18,000 new minimum wage,’’ the workers added.

PHCN: Settle labour issues before privatisation, unions tell FG BY KUNLE KALEJAYEA

A G O S—UNIONS in the Power sector have called on the Federal Government to ensure that labour issues were settled before the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, P H C N . The unions under the aegis of SeniorStaffofAssociationofElectricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, and National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, spoke at a sensitisation programme in Lagos.

GeneralSecretaryofNUEE,Mr. Joe Ajero, said the unions were confronted with issues of negotiation with government which had lingered for the past fourteen m o n t h s . He said despite efforts of the unions to let the government understand the reasons why workers benefits must be paid before folding up PHCN but “nothing concrete has been achieved by both parties. We have been discussing with government in the last fourteen months now, on workers benefits but we have not reached any agreement.”

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012—15

No conflict at Villa over Okupe's appointment, says Abati BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA—SPECIAL Adviser to the President on Communications, Dr. Reuben Abati, has said the appointment of Dr. Doyin Okupe as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs will not create conflict in the President’s information management process. He spoke, yesterday, when he formally introduced Okupe to members of the State House Press Corps. Okupe denied that his appointment was to serve

as an ‘attack dog’ for the President, saying “if President Jonathan hires a 60year-old man as attack dog, then he is employing a weak attack dog. I am not an attack dog.” While addressing State House correspondents, Abati said: “In the last few days, there have been a lot of speculations out there in the media; all kinds of theory, all kinds of assumptions on whether there is friction in the Villa, whether there is confusion in terms of the President’s information management process. “This morning, I have

called this meeting to specially introduce to you Dr. Doyin Okupe, who has been appointed by Mr. President as the Senior Special Assistant in charge of Public Affairs. “There is no conflict in our information management process. Dr. Okupe is joining our team with a lot of experience. He is a man that you all know very well. He is gifted with a lot of political savvy, very amiable, very highly-respected within the society. He comes to this team with a lot of confidence in the Jonathan Project.”

AWARD: From left— Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-in-Chief/GM Publication, Vanguard Newpapers; Mr. Taiwo Shittu, Executive Director, Lanre Shittu Motors; and Dr. Oscar Odiboh, during the presentation of award to Mr. Shittu at the Nigeria Auto Market book launch in Lagos, weekend. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

Nigerians deserve better from Police— IG BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

BUJA—INSPECTOR-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, said that Nigerians deserved better services from the Police than what presently obtains. He vowed that the Police, under his leadership, will remain resolute in its resolve to bring about a more efficient system which every Police officer and every Nigerian citizen can be proud of.

C M Y K

He added that for this to be achieved, community policing system must take root in the country. Abubakar said: “Let me reiterate that the communities we serve deserve better service from us (Police), than they are presently getting. This administration is, therefore, poised to work harder to meet the needs and expectations of the Nigerian public.” He spoke at the Connecting with Our Communities/Commissioners of Police conference on community policing held

in Abuja. The police boss said: “Though considerable progress has been made in rebuilding a core part of fundamental infrastructure of policing, known as Community Policing, a lot more still needs to be done.” He described the system of policing as “effective and a tool that reduces crime, ensures respect for our communities and provides us (police) the opportunity to earn the trust of the public we are charged with protecting.” He told Commissioners

of Police: “I expect each of you to take the lead and utilise the knowledge you gained from this workshop in your dealings with the general public.” He acknowledged that the challenges confronting the Nigerian Police force were many years in the making, and that changing old systems and introducing new ones take time. Abubakar pointed out, however, that persistence, partnership, sustained community engagement, a sound plan and an ef-

fective leadership is what is required to make things work, which he is ready to provide. Dr. Olu Ogunsakin, in his paper, said: “In any society where police enjoys high confidence, there is always complementary high trust. Low confidence is a product of low trust. “Without trust, policing endeavours and interactions will be ponderous, frustrating, painful and less-effective, not just for the communities but also for the police.”

Chief of Air Staff loses brother

HE death was, yester day, announced of Dr. Bello Dikko, Executive Secretary of Kano State Health Services Management Board, which occurred on Friday, 27 July at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Dr. Dikko, the son of late Alhaji Umaru Babura, Sarkin Fulanin Ja’Idanawan Kano and one-time Minister of Establishment in the old Northern Region, was until his death a qualified and experienced consultant obstetrics gynecologist. Dr. Bello, aged 51, was one-time Chief Medical Officer of Nasarawa Hospital, Kano. He left behind two wives, children, brothers and sisters. Some of his siblings are Mallam Abdulrahaman Umar, a former Executive Director of Afribank Plc; current Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, and Professor Aliyu Umar Dikko, Head of Department at Kaduna State University. A statement by Wing Commander Edward Gabkwet, Press Officer to the Chief of Air Staff, noted that late Dr. Dikko has since been buried according to Muslim rites.

16—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Road crashes kill 1,936 — FRSC

Why you must not miss Tarawih

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA—ONE thou sand nine hundred and thirty-six (1,936) persons have been killed from 2,717 road traffic accidents, which occurred on various highways across the country between the month of January and June 2012, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has said. Public Education Officer of FRSC, Mr. Jonas Agwu, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, while presenting the half year report to the public, said this year ’s figure decreased by 12.7% as against 2,218 dead recorded last year. Agwu explained further that 9,181 persons sustained various degrees of injuries from the road crashes within the period under review. He named the hot spot where most of these crashes occurred to include the Abuja-Lokoja road, LagosIbadan road and KanoAbuja highway. Agwu, however, declared that following this development, the commission’s Corps Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka, has directed all sector Commanders in the affected states to reduce the number of accidents in their command within seven days. Noting the month of April 2012 as most challenging, Agwu said 630 cases of road crashes, 398 deaths and 2,000 cases of injuries were recorded in April alone. According to him, 4,572 persons were involved in the accident which affected 1,015 vehicles. Mr. Agwu blamed the development on increased travels associated with religious festivities such as Easter and Eid-El-Maulud.

NPA: Mallam Habib Abdullahi, new Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, (left), and his predecessor, Mr. Oman Suleiman, at the official handing over ceremony in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Godfrey Bivbere.

Drugs: Nigerian faces execution in Malaysia A

Nigerian man, Anthony Esikalam Ndidi, and an Australian nurse, Emma Louise L’Aiguille, face the possibility of death sentence after a Malaysian court, Tuesday, charged them with trafficking methamphetamine in the country. The suspects were charged in a Kuala Lumpur court two weeks after police said they were arrested in possession of one kilogramme of the banned drug. Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death sentence by hanging in Malaysia, where hundreds of people are on death row, mostly for drug offences. Anyone found to be in possession of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine is considered a traf-

ficker. They were in a car when police arrested them, attorney Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told reporters after the court appearance. Shafee was representing the Australian nurse, while Ndidi was not represented by legal counsel at the hearing. Police told L’Aiguille, who had been driving, that drugs were later found in the car, the attorney said. He said two other Nigerians— L’Aiguille’s boyfriend and another man— had also been in the car but had left the vehicle just prior to the arrests. Police are currently searching for the boyfriend, he added. Shafee said: “She is completely depressed. She just does not understand how all this could happen to her.

Suswam assures on free, fair Benue council polls BY PETER DURU

AKURDI—GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has assured that the state government would not meddle with the conduct of the

forthcoming local government elections in the state. Speaking in Makurdi at a stakeholders’ conference organised by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, yesterday,

NUJ organises advanced ICT training for journalists

IGERIA Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, is set to commence advanced computer literacy courses as part of the educational enhancement programme for members. A modern computer centre has been established at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Secretariat of the union in Ikeja, Lagos. The council, in a stateC M Y K

She was just driving the car.” He said L’Aiguille was a nurse who was in Malaysia as a tourist and had visited the country several times over the past two years. He complained that defence lawyers were only allowed one 10-minute meeting with her before the court appearance. The next court appearance was set for October 1. Pleas are not normally heard at the time defendants are charged. Since 1960, more than 440 people have been executed in Malaysia, including two Australians put to death in 1986 for heroin trafficking that made headlines as they were the first Westerners to be executed under tough new anti-drug laws.

ment by its Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye and Secretary, Mr. Sylva Okereke, said the first batch of 50 journalists to undergo the three-month certificated course will begin their training tomorrow. The statement said participants were drawn from recognised media houses in Lagos, while arrangements have also been concluded with the

course lecturers towards ensuring that the lecture hours are flexible to accommodate participants’ schedule. It added that at the end of the course in October, the best graduating students/journalists will be presented with computers, while the next set of journalists will be admitted into the computer school in November.

Suswam urged the electoral body to provide a level playing field for all contestants at the polls. He assured that the state government would avail BSIEC all necessary support to ensure that the process turned out a huge success. However, Benue State Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan, in his speech, expressed reservations on the sincerity of the state government to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the state. Agan expressed fear that some members of BSIEC may be card-carrying members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stressing that the opposition has lost confidence in the entire body.

S-salam Alaikum waramotullai, wa barakatuh! These days, the lines of Tarawih prayers in Mosques are fast waning, unlike the first day when freshers took over the mosques for Tarawih. Could it be that they feel that Tarawih is not important after few days of Ramadan? Every activity in the month of Ramadan should be geared towards seeking the blessings of Allah. Succinctly put, the Tarawih is considered part of Ramadan. In the early days of Islam in Mecca, the companions of the Prophet and his successors used to make prolonged Rak’ah during Ramadan. As long as they would take a rest after offering every four Rak’ah, the Rak’ah were usually done with the recitation of long chapters of the holy Qur’an. This is how it came to be named Tarawih, which means ‘Rest prayer.’ Again, the point of rest was also called Tarweehah.

Its importance Like in all other supererogatory prayers, Tarawih is meant to make up for our less-perfect obligatory prayers in the month of Ramadan. Scholars say the essence is to make every part of our prayers become perfect, just like we were taught how to fast without blemish. Our prayers

are so important that it shall be our first account to be rendered before Allah. In an authentic Hadith reported by Imam AtTirmizhi, Abu-Dawud, An-Nisai and others, the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: “The first of his actions for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the day of resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order, then he will have prospered and succeeded; and if they are wanting, then he would have failed. So, if supererogatory prayers make up for whatever defects there are in obligatory prayers, then it must not be missed.” Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever offers optional prayers like Tarawih prayers throughout the nights of Ramadan, believing in Allah and seeking His rewards, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Tarawih can be performed individually at home or at the mosque. If for any reason you cannot go to the mosque, you can observe it at home. At this point, we should endeavour to observe Tarawih in the mosque behind Imam in congregation. All Ibadah in the month of Ramadan are huge in their rewards and great before Allah. Tarawih is one of them. Ramadan Kareem.

Gov Ahmed advocates strategic funding for police

GAINST the back drop of the security challenges in the country, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has advocated a long term strategic funding regime for the Nigeria Police and other security agencies through funds from the capital or bond market. Speaking to journalists in Ilorin, yesterday, Governor Ahmed said to overcome the increasing security threats facing the nation, Federal Government must raise the necessary funds from the capital market to accomplish what would have taken more than five decades within a year.

The governor attributed the slow pace in the performance of men of the Nigeria Police to the lack of modern fighting equipment capable of combating crimes and criminality in the country. He said: “Nigeria is blessed with formidable and dedicated security personnel whose zeal and ability to perform is often hindered by lack of sophisticated equipment and poor remuneration. “Security issue is a lifelong affair and must be given long term investment approach if our yearnings and aspirations for our dear nation are to be adequately achieved.”

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012— “If a chicken does not dig, it does not feed.”- Cameroonian Proverb

N the 8th of December, 2011 the Senate approved the President’s request to appoint the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission. In January 2012, the Secretary to Government of the Federal issued a letter of appointment for a term of four years to members of the Council. The chairman of the Governing Council is Professor Chidi I. Odinkalu, an accomplished citizen who had earned his stripes in the difficult terrains of human rights activities. With an Executive Secretary in place, and plans to recruit and boost the capacity of the Commission, it looked as if all was set for the nation to benefit from an institution it badly needs these days when governance issues and escalating threats to security make it necessary to accord priority to policing the rights of citizens. Seven months since then, nothing. The Governing Council which should oversee the work of the Commission has not worked for a single day. Its members are required to subscribe to an oath of secrecy before assuming duties. It is doubtful if anyone of them has done this; and if they did, it must have been through the exercise of their own initiative.

Nigerian habit The office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation or Minister of Justice could have arranged the oath taking, which would have required assembling the members. No one has done this. The oath-taking could also have been administered at the point of inaugurating the Council, but it has not been inaugurated. This inauguration itself is not, strictly, a requirement for the

insurrection, and they are not sure which is safer, you know something is wrong. Government may believe that the peculiarities of the battles it fights entitles it to some collateral damage in the community. It will be wrong to do so. The rights of citizens to life and security, their rights to live without harassment or undue threat are not surrendered automatically whenever the state chooses to dispense with them. The battle against the insurgency in parts of the north will be that much more difficult to win with a hostile population in the middle. Now communities are waking up to the fact that they can challenge the government over unlawful killings, torture and An alert citizenry with access to other abuses by security personnel, as institutions such as a working NHRC was recently demonstrated in Kano. will take on governments at all levels This will make life for the federal on abuses, excesses, impunity, government altogether more difficult. The absence of institutions such as unlawful neglect and many other infringements on its rights. The last the NHRC are also hindering the search for solutions to thing an stubborn issues such incompetent as the settler/ and corrupt indigene problem administration which are at the needs is a center of many facility or conflicts across the a v e n u e nation. The on-going w h i c h efforts to address the empowers weaknesses of the citizens to 1999 constitution demand for would have been answers over vastly enriched with the conduct inputs from the of leaders or Professor Chidi Odinkalu NHRC. The agents of the state. Commission would have had The security crisis the nation faces something to say on the recent is, however, the most compelling controversy over the relocation of reason why a vigorous institutional Fulani villagers in Plateau State. It capacity needs to be deployed towards would have something to say on the protecting the rights of Nigerians. The raging debate over the fate of Gonin administration which is fighting an Gora, that slaughter slab which sits on unfamiliar enemy on many fronts the Kaduna-Abuja highway. needs the NHRC to help it chart a There have been many wrongs done course that minimises the flak it draws over efforts to improve or protect our when security agents lean hard on rights. But for me, the biggest is the citizens or communities. manner members of the Governing The federal government shortCouncil appear to have sat on their changes itself in the manner it rights to work since being appointed. dispenses with all approaches that are It is difficult to understand why good not rooted in brute force. The sensitive Nigerians will be appointed to perform nature of its engagements in and very important and sensitive tasks, and around communities should advise will then sit back and wait for a few that earning the goodwill and formalities and ceremonies to decide cooperation of local populations is the whether they do work. If these people best strategy for success. But when cannot demand for their rights to work lives and property are daily trampled in accordance with the law establishing upon by boots and bullets in an the NHRC, then we should worry over undeclared war, and citizens are the fate of our rights in their hands. caught between the state and an

Many wrongs over our rights

commencement of the work of the Council, but this ubiquitous Nigerian habit has become so much a part of our lives that very few people, Boards, Councils, or Commissions will dare take off without being inaugurated, whatever the law says. So what started as a right step towards improving the manner the basic rights of Nigerian citizens are protected and enhanced has been frustrated by shocking tardiness and lethargy on the part of government, and unacceptable complicity or indifference on the part of members of the Council themselves. There can be no acceptable explanation for the failure of the government to facilitate the full operation of the Council of the NHRC It is difficult to seven months after it was appointed. But there could understand be reasons why the why good government has been Nigerians will indifferent to the take-off of the NHRC. These are very be appointed to trying times for a government fighting daily to perform very keep the hid on evidence of important and bad governance such as sensitive tasks, corruption, waste and impunity. An active and will then Commission led by competent and patriotic sit back and Nigerians will place the wait for a few government very much on formalities and the defensive. The linkages citizen and state ceremonies to between are many and profound, and decide whether rights of citizens to live under honest and good they do work leaders is fundamentally enshrined in our constitution and other laws.

OPINION BY YEMISI OGBE

“…A governor in Lagos, is a governor in Sokoto, is a governor in Ebonyi and anywhere in Nigeria. He is entitled to the same courtesies and respect. Convoys are here with us for good or ill and reasonable people yield the way for a second to allow convoys and sirened vehicle right of way.” – Steve Osuji, Press Secretary to the Imo State governor.

N 1935, an ambitious young man went to work for the Bata Shoe Company as an accounting clerk. It was a prestigious job. He had a head for figures, and was in fact quite precocious. He would work for Bata for some years, but he always had far-reaching plans, none of which, of course, included a slow climb in a Czechoslovakian company that was opening branches of shoe retail stores in Nigeria. For many of his contemporaries, it might have been enough if one day they made Chief Clerk in Bata, or even Regional Manager. But times were changing. Nigerian Nationalism was gaining strength and as it did so, it was creating exciting possibilities for the Nigerian capitalist. In 1948, he was sent on a training programme to Czechoslovakia. In 1949, Nnamdi Azikiwe gave a landmark speech on anti-colonial independence in Washington D.C. Owning the Bata shoe was a nearreligious experience. It was a well-made shoe, not stylish, reliable, exclusive, sold in a store where the smell of leather and organised display, and professional salesC M Y K

A culture of disrespect person gave the concrete impression of owning something very special. The reality was that very few Nigerians could afford Bata shoes or the Bata experience, and this was especially clear to the enterprising young man who recognised his opportunity in the sale of second-hand shoes. It is alleged that it was through one major shipment of second hand shoes that his wealth was made, or shall we say, established. Allegedly, once this shipment of second hand shoes had been successfully introduced to the Nigerian market, he gained the ability to reinvent his identity; an opportunity that only having the means could afford. Choosing a public persona that made an impression was key. Like the monarch, the masquerade, the minister of the Roman Catholic or Anglican Church, he had not only to dress the part, but also harness the supernatural, to create the idea of something bigger than just a man, bigger than just a Mr. somebody. He recreated his past, changed his last name; bought association to royalty; acquired titles and added appendages to his changed name. He married a White woman. He discarded the White woman, organised a rambling household with many superfluous servants and beautiful light skinned women. He fathered many children. He promoted the image of the autonomous Nigerian; the New Nationalist,

albeit a particularly flamboyant one, thumbing his nose at multi-national corporations and other small enterprises that were owned by foreigners, and had dominated the Black African economy for many years, and of course colonialism…a particularly aggressive Nigerian entrepreneur, able to define his own frontiers, rule his own people, choose his own moral boundaries. His timing seemed impeccable. His wealth, his charisma, and his ambitions were employed at exactly the right time. He became a member of the first Nigerian National party, the NCNC. His contemporaries were Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mallam Aminu Kano, Herbert Macaulay, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Margaret Ekpo. Basil Davidson notes that Nigerian Nationalists were not perfect. It is a superfluous observation. The critical thing was the body of ideas about self-governance and the future of a Nigeria that seemed held together by very loose threads. So, this man was not perfect, but his flaws began to manifest themselves in the most dramatic ways, especially in the way that he dressed himself. His wrappers were 30 feet of cloth. His hats were adorned with extravagant plumage. He wore black English bowler hats brushed till there was not a lint in sight; priceless corals and gold, and the ultimate finishing touch to the man of means wardrobe; the walking cane.

Continues tomorrow on pg. 18

*Ms. Ogbe, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 th THE 94 birthday anniversary of Africa’s living legend, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, has come and gone, having been celebrated on July 18th 2012. That day also marked the third anniversary of Nelson Mandela International Day, set aside by the by United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the life of a man who gave his life to the struggle for freedom, resolution of conflicts, better race relations, service to and a rare icon to mankind, a fact which humanity, promotion of human rights and the world has richly acknowledged by exemplary leadership. setting aside a day to fete his virtues. A During this year’s celebration, the United powerful message that the Madiba left us Nations joined the Nelson Mandela this year is the importance of education. Foundation to enjoin all humanity to set Mandela says: “education is the most aside sixty seven minutes exclusively for powerful weapon which you can use to service to mankind to symbolise the 67 years change the world”. Mandela spend in the struggle as a lawyer, The importance of this message must not prisoner of conscience, international be lost on us all. Education is the single ambassador for peace and the first magic wand that turned a little boy who had democratically elected President of South no shoes into the president of Nigeria. Lack Africa who laid the foundation for the of education is responsible for reducing peaceful cohabitation of divergent races in privileged princes and lords in the a rainbow nation historically wracked by the traditional sense to absolute paupers. When now defeated Apartheid regime. we talk about education we must bear in Nelson Mandela is a prized son of Africa

Nelson Mandela at 94

mind functional educational systems that equip the youth to add value to society, not the types that end up reducing them to parasites and threats to themselves and their neighbours. We must evolve educational policies that will focus the youth to believe in Nigeria and dedicate them to collectively build a nation where all Nigerians will see another as compatriots, rather than ethnic, religious and sectional ambassadors. The life of Nelson Mandela is a beacon of pride for all Africans and black people everywhere who have for long been typecast as ne’er-do-wells. Unlike other nationalists who plunged their countries into bloody conflicts after independence, Mandela successfully healed the wounds of South Africa, making it possible for the blacks to hold political power and whites to control the economy without bitterness spilling over. He remains a shining example in leadership and dedication to selfless service. We join voices with good people across the world to pray for his continued good health and long life. We are proud of you Madiba!

OPINION BY MUSTAPHA ENAKHIMION

N Thursday, July 12, 2012, which was the last day for campaigns and publication of political advertisements by parties, the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, published an advertorial in some national newspapers signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Uroghide, wherein it alleged that Governor Adams Oshiomhole and governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, was not qualified to contest in the July 14, 2012 election. There was no better way of serving the notice that it (PDP) would fall back on and pursue that line of action, along with other options, in court in its bid to win the Edo governorship seat, in case Oshiomhole deployed all his stratagems, as he had done, to emerge winner of the election. The party’s leadership guard must have reasoned that, after all, Oshiomhole had, in the first instance, won the governorship seat through the verdict of the Court of Appeal on November 12, 2008. The idea of seeking to kick Oshiomhole out through the court now resonates well in the camp of the PDP, after the effort to do so through the ballot box suffered a setback. It is, indeed, not difficult to predict that the party would be working on a two-pronged approach to expose Oshiomhole’s perceived underbelly and cause a collateral damage to his position: the first is to collate provable cases of irregularities allegedly perpetrated by the ACN during the election and approach the Election Petition C M Y K

Edo guber and the opposition's last cards Tribunal with them; this is one of the last cards. The second is, perhaps, to challenge his qualification to run for the election. The second approach is particularly of interest to me. I am sure it is already exciting the PDP camp to no ends. The allegation that the Comrade-Governor does not possess the requisite education qualification, as constitutionally circumscribed, to contest for the governorship position should excite the Nigerian people for understandable reasons: Oshiomhole led the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as its president for eight years, having honed his unionist skills and tricks from the Textile and Garment Workers Union (little wonder he is sardonically referred to by his traducers as a tailor). While in the NLC leadership saddle, he engaged the powers-thatbe with great speech. He deployed the power of logic in his arguments against perceived anti-people policies of the Federal Government. He had acquitted himself well and has continued to acquit himself as a drum-major of any ideology he is sold to. Upon close scrutiny and analyses, his grammar and diction may not be perfect; yet his ideas can rarely be faulted. However, the claim by the opposition is that Governor Oshiomhole does not possess the minimum secondary school certificate that should have qualified him to participate in the election. The opposition claims that by his own

admittance and /or disclosure in the form he filled and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, he only possesses a Modern Three Certificate which it (opposition) seems ready to prove in court as not being equivalent to secondary school certificate. I have been trying to imagine the extent to which the PDP may want to go to ensure that Oshiomhole does not wriggle out of this seeming constitutional quagmire. In fact, the opposition camp, according to feelers, claim that Oshiomhole filled Modern School and National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, in the INEC form. If the claim is correct, then the nation may, in the next few weeks, be forced to witness some legal gymnastics as both parties will engage each other in the court over the issue. In a response to the claim that he does not possess secondary school certificate, Oshiomhole had said he would meet the PDP candidate, General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), in court. The Governor was right about meeting his opponent in court. That is the only place to seek equity and redress. But before the legal battle begins, I must confess that I am somewhat curious about Oshiomhole’s disposition to the issue of his education background. He seems to be uncomfortable or ashamed of his education background otherwise he would have gleefully

talked about it instead of just declaring that they would meet in court. This attitude was first demonstrated during the final round of the Edo governorship election debate on July 5, 2012 organised by the Nigeria Election Debates Group, NEDG, where the panel of interviewers asked the candidates to make their opening speeches by dwelling on their background and how that was capable of building people’s trust in their leadership. Airhiavbere of the PDP and Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, spoke extensively about their education and career backgrounds but Oshiomhole, in his response, did not talk about his education background. He only began his narrative from age 17 when he claimed his participation in unionism started. That was how he cleverly sidestepped the issue of his education background. I remember that two friends called me while the debate was in progress on AIT to say that the Governor did not talk about his education background. That had fuelled the suspicion that something was amiss with his credentials; and it has continued to reinforce the claim by the opposition that what he filled in his INEC form was Modern Three Certificate and NIPPS.

*Mr. Enakhimion, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012— —19

, I

T’S been two weeks since I first broached here the rather idle decision of Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa State, to appoint Mrs. Patience Jonathan a permanent secretary in the State. What started then like a sick joke has since developed into a fullblown disease, one of several, that may one day require the intervention of a political surgeon, if things are ever to get better with our country. In typical demonstration of how Nigerian leaders routinely call the bluff of Nigerians (after all, the President only recently told us all he couldn’t give a damn what anybody thought of his refusal to publicly declare his assets), Mr. Dickson has since administered the oath of office on Mrs. Jonathan while Mr. Jonathan looked away in studious silence. Thus was the ‘First Lady’ restored into the highest position a career civil servant could attain some 13 years after she effectively ceased to function as a civil servant. While the practical effect of this strange appointment has not been explained to the people of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Jonathan has been up and about campaigning for constitutional

recognition of the position of First Lady. Even in its present figure head status, Mrs. Jonathan and other previous occupants of this position have done more than enough to abuse it. Without any constitutional imprimatur establishing it, the position of First Lady has left not a few discerning Nigerians very much exercised. One simply has to imagine what new wonders the likes of Mrs. Jonathan would perform if the position is made constitutional. Now that her husband is telling us that Nigeria is ripe for a female service chief (he has appointed the first female Chief Justice- big deal!) would she now appoint her own Controller General of Customs, Secretary of the Federation for the office of the First Lady, etc, etc? What more, I ask, will Mrs. Jonathan do as a constitutionally recognised First Lady that she hasn’t done now in an unconstitutional capacity? Neither Mr. Dickson nor Mrs. Jonathan has yet told us whether the President’s wife intends to return to Bayelsa State to work and draw salary for her new office like any other civil servant or if, indeed, she has been drawing

salaries from the civil service these past many years since she relocated, first to Government House in Bayelsa State, then Akinola Aguda House, after her husband became Vice President, and finally Aso Rock Villa? Has Mrs. Jonathan been taking salary as a civil servant or does she intend to collect her salaries cumulatively? Anyhow it is viewed, one cannot escape the conclusion that this appointment has some pecuniary motive or it would be totally useless.

et, one doesn’t need to have any idea of what the President’s assets are (for his assets include all that belongs to both him and his wife- which he doesn’t give a damn to declare publicly!), to know that a Permanent Secretary ’s take home salary cannot rank close to what she controls as First Lady, as unconstitutional as the position is, to say nothing of the relative glamour of the two positions. In spite of this, Mrs. Jonathan cannot overlook this new appointment, treating it as an unnecessary gesture of an over-excited

Building God’s Kingdom with Bombs, Blood and Tears T

HE Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad sect, better known as Boko Haram, has very clearly spelt out the goal of its bloody jihad: to establish Allah’s kingdom in Nigeria. As the pre-history of Nigeria informs us, however, this is an old cause dating back to Usman Dan Fodio’s jihad of 1804-1808. But Dan Fodio, by most accounts, was moved by a genuine reformist spirit to establish a non-exploitative caliphal system of government for believers. Thus, after the fall of Gobir and the end of political resistance to his movement, he withdrew into a quiet life of study and teaching. I am not a historian and wouldn’t put the authority of my secondary school lessons to the test, but it appears to be the case that Dan Fodio did not display an overt imperial desire. The dream of expanding the caliphate from the Sahel Savannah to the mangrove swamps came, it seems, after his death — first fired by a proselytising zeal and then by the feverish dream of cultural hegemony that coincided with British colonial interests. This was when the resonant metaphor of dipping the Koran in the sea entered our political lexicon, but I digress. Whatever distinctions one might make between Dan Fodio and his descendants, however, one fact remains indisputable: that the road to Boko Haram’s current bomb jihad was paved by the ominous conjuration of Nigeria as a nation out of thin air. To the leaders of the Caliphate, and indeed to anyone not blinded by the passion and rhetoric of independence that came from the South, 1914 was a colossal “mistake”. A nation of people not previously under one faith or polity was manufactured to live in

C M Y K

“brotherhood”. But what was to be the nature of this hoped-for filial bond: a Muslim brotherhood, a Christian brotherhood, or a brotherhood of the more legitimate indigenous faiths? And just how would the mere constitutional assertion of secularism guarantee religious freedom against the self-appointed protectors of God with no regard for earthly authority unless formed by them, or for the sanctity of the social contract that legitimises representative government? This unanswered question bedevilled the experiment called Nigeria right from Lord Lugard’s colonial laboratory. It subverts every effort at nationhood and citizenship. It was the real cause of the pogrom against the Igbos that culminated in the Civil War. It is the cause of the seasonal orgies of mass slaughter of Christians north of the Niger and Benue since 1980. This post-civil war phase of the caliphal mission began with the Maitatsine riots of 1980 in Kano, followed by similar sect-led massacres in Kaduna and Maiduguri in 1982, and in Yola in 1984. The massacres of July and December 2009 in Bauchi and the non-ending bloodbaths in Jos are just a further metastasis of the political cancer constituted by this unanswered question. The ground was churned afresh for Boko Haram’s terrorism by the virtual secessionist bid of the 12 Northern states under the veil of religious freedom, making a new season of carnage in the name of God just a matter of time. In its statement of acceptance of responsibility for the attacks in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State that claimed the lives of a state legislator and a senator, Boko Haram declared that it had no other “agenda than working to establish

personal capacity to make this serious demand of Nigerians. Does Mrs. Jonathan consider herself electable? If so, let her enter the fray and stop hiding behind her husband. After all, some other Nigerians have by both fair and foul means seen their spouses into elective offices. The truth, however, is that Nigerian ‘First Ladies’ bask in the reflected glory of their husbands’ office, positions that were very often unearned in the first instance. These women enjoy the glamour of their office and bring next to nothing into the position. We got to the very nadir of ‘First Ladyship’ and associated ‘offices’ during the Abacha years when Nigerians started hearing stuffs like ‘First Son’ and ‘First Daughter’ among other nonsense. Recently, wives of Oyo State legislators went on a ‘study tour’ of the UK, squandering tax payers funds- for what you may ask? Are they the ones making the laws? But everybody wants to be first this, first that. In other parts of the world, notably America, where the position of First Lady is recognised, albeit ceremonially not as a constitutional office, many of the women manage to do things and some of them are high fliers in their own right. Hillary Clinton who followed the example of her idol, Eleanor Roosevelt, is one good example of a First Lady who could stand toe to toe with any man. Even at that, her time as First Lady incurred the ire of Americans who thought she had too much visibility. But this was a woman who believed she could do what the best of Americans, including her highly talented husband, could do. She proved this by running for president and ended up as her country’s first former First Lady who became Secretary of State. That’s a credible first. Our First Ladies? Non starters all!

Islamic kingdom like during the time of Prophet Mohammed”. Christians, and by implication all non-Muslims, have one choice: accept Islam, the “true” and “right” religion or “never have peace”. Boko Haram justifies its mindless murder and maiming of fellow citizens with words they attribute to the Prophet Muhammed: “I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah”. No god but Allah; not “no religion but Islam”, but what does it matter to men who hide under

Our First Lady, the Permanent Secretary

Nigerian ‘First Ladies’ bask in the reflected glory of their husbands’ office; these women enjoy the glamour of their office and bring next to nothing into the position

beneficiary of her husband’s misuse of presidential powers- no, she cannot ignore it. She must claim the new appointment while retaining the old, unconstitutional one. Which goes to show just how greedy Nigerian leaders and their spouses could be. Neither Mrs. Jonathan nor her husband appears to appreciate the goodness of God in their life, how kind God has been to them, catapulting them within a space of nine years from relative obscurity to the highest office of the land. Now, they strut around in the incontinent fashion of a glutton, looking for more to stuff into their already bloated bellies. And if Mr. Jonathan must do this, what is the business of Mrs. Jonathan in it all? At what point did Nigerians vote for her? Even her husband had to be carried, baby-sitter style, by the likes of former President Obasanjo to sell his candidacy to Nigerians. Now the wife also pretends that she is an elected officer of the Nigerian state, asking that a ceremonial position be made constitutional. Given the abuse to which that position has been treated, many Nigerians, notably the late Gani Fawehinmi, have called for the scrapping of the office of First Lady. That call would seem a contradiction really because, how do you scrap an office that does not exist constitutionally? Yet, that call was in order given the undeniable fact that people have functioned in that role. Ironically, at the time Mrs. Jonathan makes her call for constitutional recognition of her ‘office’, the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee has just released a report asking that the position be scrapped. But Madam Jonathan wants it recognised. We may need to ask what our First Lady, the Permanent Secretary, has achieved in her

The mind of the zealot cannot for a second entertain doubt or even temporary limitations on knowledge; it must claim to know God’s mind so that every egomaniacal dream can be justified

the veil of piety to unleash their repressed primordial desire to live outside the bounds of civilized law and ethics? The obvious glee with which Boko Haram announces bloody murder does not speak well of the kingdom they seek to build for God. Note the opening sentence of the aforesaid statement: “The Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, is grateful to Almighty God and hereby makes it known to the world the suc-

cess of the attacks launched on … Christians, security agencies and members of the National Assembly”. It is the wont of extremists to never let reason get in their way, else Boko Haram might pause to wonder why it is necessary to establish by blood and tears what God can by mere wish or command. Or why a God believed to be ALMIGHTY needs human protectors. Or why the plurality of faiths and creeds is not Allah’s all-knowing and supreme will. Surely, if God had desired one faith and manner of worship for all of humanity, he could have caused that to be? How the zealot dares where God has not thought to tread! The mind of the zealot cannot for a second entertain doubt or even temporary limitations on knowledge. It must claim to know God’s mind so that every egomaniacal dream can be justified, be falsely announced to the world as God’s work. Boko Haram does not doubt that its jihad will succeed. All of non-Muslim Nigeria will convert or know no peace. Nothing in history suggests this will happen and it is sheer folly to believe otherwise. But unless Boko Haram’s true mission is to break the country into two so it can at last have its Muslim caliphate, its members would be wise to halt the orgy of death and destruction and live according to the tenet of Islam as a religion of peace. For, history is the ultimate arbiter of human affairs here on earth, as opposed to paradise. And Boko Haram is on the wrong side of history.

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, , 2012

Debate of the masses

Cell phone wahala BY EBELE ORAKPO

“B

TRADERS CRY OUT: ••As fear of Boko Haram triggers panicky security measures at Lagos Prisons BY FREDRICK OKOPIE

OCTURNAL life at the Prisons Officers Wives Association shops, PROWA, popularly known as Umunede, came to an abrupt end last week as a combined team of armed military men (Army andNavy)andtheircounterpartfrom the Prisons, the Prisons Armed Squad, PAS, stormed the place to enforce traders compliance to the 9 pm to 8 am deadline for traders occupying front line shops at the Prisons barracks. But before now businesses, most especially bar and restaurant owners, operate up till 11.30 pm to 12 midnight. The action is said to have been prompted by an alleged letter written to the Prison authorities by the Boko Haram sect threatening to invade the Kirikiri Prisons to effect the forceful release of their members being held there. When Vanguard Metro, VM, visited the Kirikiri Prisons barracks on Monday, armed soldiers and Prisons Armed Squad, PAS, were seen mounting sentry at the entrance gate into the barracks, an unusual occurrence, according to those who have been living in the tiny Kirikiri town. Two stern-looking soldiers were also seen patrolling the evacuated motorbike operators’ garage which also serves as a mini-market at night for petty traders. The new security measure also entails the friskingofpedestriansand vehicles going into the barracks, but students were exempted. But Dillion, Karimu, and Shokonbi streets of PROWA shops were not affected because they are located within the industrial and residential areas of KiriKiri Town, in Oriade Local Council Development Area. Some of the affected traders could C M Y K

not hide their displeasure over the impromptu security measures taken by the Prison authorities. But when his reaction was sought on the matter, the ViceChairman of PROWA shops, Airport Road Chapter, Mr. Ogbomo Monday, sounded rather non-commital as he said: “There was no formal letter informing us of the 9pm order. But we were aware that soon something will be done in respect of the security situation around the environment. So one is not really surprised about the 9pm deadline they have imposed as closing time. The Prisons authority called me as the vice chairman and told me this is their stand that 9 pm is the deadline till further notice. “It has drastically affected our businesses, especially the restaurants and the beer parlours; in fact, everyone of us feels it.

Armed squad of Nigerian prisons “We cannot comment on the alleged letter written to the authorities. I think the security people are in a better position to tell you what you want to know. We only saw for the very first time that the Army and theNavyareworkingwith the armed squad of the Nigerian Prisons to secure the place and we have noticed a drastic change in the security situation here”. A shop owner who runs a restaurant and bar, Miss Sandra Ezeoha, told VM of her experience since the quasi curfew took effect last week. “The time given to us to close shop before our normal time is really affecting us. We want government to do something about it so that we can continue our businesses which thrive better at night. When its 9

pm, we will be forced to close which is against our interest. It is not only the shop owners that are affected, the market women who sell to us are also feeling the pinch since we no longer come around often enough to buy from them. In short everybody is affected in this small town.” Speaking on the alleged letter written by the Boko Haram, Miss Ezeoha said: “That is what we heard but I can’t confirm it. But then there could be some element of truth in the rumour because you cannot pull out the military (Army and Navy) just like that if thereisno information warranting such action”. On the cost implication of the action to her business, she declined to be specific on the exact amount she loses per day, but pleaded with the concerned authorities to revert to the former closing hour. But for Benue State-born Mercy Odey, a business woman who engages in both wholesale and retail trade, her despondent expression was enough to tell that that business has been dwindling since the new security measures came into effect. She told VM that what obtains presently is that traders rush to close shop once it is 8pm in order to beat the 9pm deadline when soldiers and PAS come with dogs to hasten their departure. What happened, she said, caught everyone by surprise. “It happened suddenly, we were just told to leave the area before 9pm. We beg government to extend the time to a least 11pm; it is from here we feed our families,” she pleaded. Managing Director of Fancy Beauty Salon, Mr. Kolawole Adeymi, in his reaction spoke comparatively of the security operation in developed countries and what obtains in Nigeria.

UT I thought the police had been removed from our roads?” asked John, a commuter in the Oshodi-bound bus which a policeman flagged down and asked the driver to get down. “Of course! They no longer harass people the way they used to. In fact, we confronted one some time ago and he said: “Ehn, are we on the road? This is the side of the road. So we are not breaking the law.” “Indeed, trust our people to always find ways of circumventing the law,” laughed Obi. Narrated Pete: “I was at the bus-stop one day waiting to board a vehicle to the office. A few minutes later, a car stopped, discharged the passengers and was calling Mile-2. I quickly boarded the vehicle with other passengers. I saw one beautiful Sagem cell phone and quickly called the attention of the last person that came down from the vehicle, thinking it was hers. She said it was not hers. Immediately, thedriveraskedforthephone and I showed it to him. He took it from me. Other passengers started asking me who the owner was and I told them a passenger must have left it. The driver said he will return it to the owner. They asked him for the identity of the owner and he said he will go and look for him. At this point, one of the passengers switched off the car engine, removed the key from the ignition and handed it to me, and said I should hold onto it until the driver gave me back the phone. I mean, the guy was holding the phone as if his life depended on it. We were already causing hold-up there.” “Ehn, if na you nko? The guy just landed a free phone and you wan spoil show for him,” joked Jide. “But honestly, do people stillstealphonesthesedays?” asked Mary. “Of course they do, especially the beautiful and expensive types,” replied Ify. “On a more serious note, why would someone steal Sagem? They are ugly and

too heavy,” stated Jemila. “Those must be the earlier versions. The new ones are okay,” submitted Jide. “A friend told me how some area boys surrounded a guy in suit and demanded for his handset, he quickly gave it to them but instead of taking the phone from him, one of them slapped him across the face and said: ‘So upon all this fine suit, na this ugly phone you dey carry?’ They were really angry,” said Iyke. “See me see trouble oo! Is it not what he had he offered them?” asked Jemila. “They had expected something better. Not that ogbunigwe (weapon of mass destruction),” said Iyke. “Wehavenotheardtherest of Pete’s story o,” noted Mary. Continued Pete: “Traffic started to build up, so some policemen controlling traffic came to find out what was happening. I explained everything to them and they asked the driver the name of the owner of the phone and he said he didn’t know but he was going to find him and return the phone. The policemen then said I should followthemtothestationtomake a formal report. At the station, the policeman bought a foolscap sheet and asked me to write what happened and also my number so the owner could call and thank me. I asked for their log book and he said they only use that when someone has a case andwanttolodgeacomplaint but this is a simple thing”. “Oh, the phone don enter voicemail be that,” said Iyke. “After four days, I went back to the station to find out if the owner of the phone had collected it, I did not see anybody. I repeated the visit and I met a policewoman and a few others. I narrated the story to her and she laughed and said: “Apart from one policeman in here, all the others are rogues, both men and women.” Said Mary: “Thief stealing fromthief.Remindsmeofthe story of two thieves that went to steal from someone’s farm. On their way out, one was trying to steal from the other ’s bag and he turned, shook his head and said: “If they cure me of robbery, you are incurable!”

CONTACT: mykeboh@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 21

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & VICTORIA EDEMA

total of N83.1 billion (eight three billion naira) worth of assorted goods were exported out of the country through Apapa port between January and June 2012, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), A. Y Garko, has said. Garko, who disclosed this in Lagos Monday, explained that the amount is the combination of all exported goods ranging from Cocoa Beans, Cashew – nut, Sesame seeds, Ginger, Hibiscus, and Flower etc. According to the Customs, a total of 266,605.01 metric tones of Coca Beans, 14,525.96 metric tones of cashew nut, 20, 513.57 metric tones of Sesame seeds, 985.29 metric tones of Ginger and 356 metric tones of Hibiscus flower were exported during the period under review. He pointed out that 12,369 metric tones, 1,52o.22 metric tones, 998.107 metric tones, 3,067.7 metric tones and 97,100 bags of Gum Arabic, Processed Rubber, Various Processed Shrimps, Palm Kneel Cake, and Assorted bathroom Slippers were also exported outside the country during the same period. Other exported items he continued, are Lead Ingot, Cocoa cake, Cocoa butter, Cotton yarn, Zinc Ore/Ash/ Skinning and Aluminum Ingot of the 832.14 metric tones, 288 metric tones, 408 metric tones, 1,993,456 metric tones, 107.47 metric tones and 25,533.07 metric tones respectively. Others are 33.5 metric tones of Columbits, 4,625,837.48 square foot of metric tones of wheat bean pellets, 65,420 cases of magi crayfish, 657 metric tones of Re-processed black polypropylene, 25 metric tones of Tin and 9,127 cases of Dettol respectively.

From left: Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Foluso Phillips; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka at the NESG CEOs’ forum with the minister in Lagos

Nigeria exports N83bn goods through Apapa port in 6 months The Apapa Customs boss gave the name and quantity of other exported items as 29,062 CTN of Biscuit and Sweet, 555.01 metric tones Zircon Sand, 1,655,320 litres of Ethyl Alcohol and 33.5 metric tones of columbits. Similarly, Garko said that in the area of revenue collection, the Command raked in a total of N139, 151 billion during the same period under review despite the challenges it faced.

In his words, “The monthly target set for the Command is N27 billion, and its performance in the second quarter was able to match this expectation. In April the Command collected N19.7 billion, in May N24.6 billion and in June the Command set a new record for the highest revenue ever collected by a Command in a single month, by collecting N36.7 billion.” “The total revenue collected for this

quarter is N81.28 billion and the average revenue collected is N27 billion, giving hope that the target set is still achievable. The total revenue between January and June is N139.151 billion. Indeed a comparative analysis of the performance of the Command between the first of the year 2012 and 2011 shows an improvement of N34.46 billion or 33 percent over and above the performance of 2011,” he concluded.

Maunfacturers eye 25% contribution to GDP BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), is projecting a

178.10

+4.40

2,341.00

+11.00

22.88

+0.36

106.07 89.75

-0.40 -0.38

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

0.2704 25.6078 188.9822 243.3311 41.2874 233.8703 158.5988 154.84 232.3042 1.9803 24.2649

0.2804 25.6905 189.5925 244.1169 41.4207 234.6255 159.111 155.34 233.0544 1.9867 24.3437

0.2904 25.7732 190.2027 244.9026 41.554 235.3807 159.6231 155.84 233.8045 1.9931 24.4225

CBN Exchange rate as at 31/07/2012 C M Y K

25 per cent manufacturing sector contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. President of the association, Chief Kola Jamodu made this known at a forum in Lagos, stating that this is geared towards achieving the vision 20:2020 objectives. Jamodu who spoke through the associations Director-General, Mr Olayinka Akande said, According to him, “We know that the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the Nigerian economy is very shallow, that is about four per cent and for Nigeria to realize its vision 20:2020 objective, we are thinking of growing from that stage to about 25 per cent GDP contribution to the economy. “We have articulated programmes that will ensure that over a period of time we will achieve that plan. “Man will continue to adopt appropriate technology and continue to produce a high quality product. We want cars made in Nigeria to equate quality. He added that the sector will continue to remain steadfast in championing the manufacturers’ interest within the country’s economy.

“Man has come up with a blue print which is intentionally a road map that shows that the economy has brought

forth intervention programme with very detailed means of implementation,” he stated.

NAMB to revive microfinance association

HE Lagos Chapter of the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) says it is to rejuvenate the Microfinance Money Market Association of Nigeria (MMAN) within two weeks, to enable the body to play its role adequately. Mr Valentine Whensu, tChairman of the chapter, who made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos, said NAMB would ensure that operators in the sub-sector contributed to a pool to be managed by the association. According to him, the pool is necessary to enable operators of microfinance banks to draw from it whenever they are in distress. “ We all know that the major challenge of the sub-sector is funding. So this administration will encourage the rejuvenation of MMAN to help the operators,” he said. Whensu noted that inability of most operators to access funds whenever in distress had led to the withdraw of their licences by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He said there was need to make the sub-sector buoyant to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the sector, noting that that MMAN had been weak because of a lack of proper structures and dedication, among other factors. “But under the new MMAN, MFBs will contribute into a common pool, which will be drawn by using treasury bills as collateral, to guide against the misappropriation of the fund,” he said He said that in the next two weeks, the leadership of NAMB would begin to sensitise operators on the plan and the take off date of the scheme. “ We will use Lagos Island axis to test run the plan, before it goes to other states,” he said

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

NSE ‘ll will attract foreign investors — Onyema BY PETER EGWUATU & NKIRUKA NNOROM

HE introduction of NSE Lotus Islamic Index, NSE LII, by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will increase the influx of both foreign and local investors, particularly those from the Middle East who are ethically minded into the capital market, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar onyema, has

said. He observed that the introduction was particularly important being the first index to be developed by the NSE in partnership with a local firm. Speaking at the launch of thew NSE LII at the Lagos floor of the NSE. he explained that the Islamic Index could serve as a general benchmark for ethical funds and could also be seen as a basis for creating Mirror Funds,

Index Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, Index options, which would broaden the range of instruments traded on the NSE. He said, “By this launch today, The NSE has increased the variety of our indices to seven, giving opportunities to investors with varied investment appetite and interests that track our indices. As you may be aware, five of our indices were developed in partnership with a

foreign partner, Bloomberg. The NSE LII is the first index we are developing with a local partner. “The NSE Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) consists of companies whose business practices are in conformity with the principles of Shari’ah and we believe that it will increase the breadth of the market and create an important benchmark for investments as the

alternative non-interest investment space widens. We are positive that this bold step will bring on board various ethical investors who were previously not sure about the suitability of investing in stocks, to embrace the market –this directly makes our market more accessible and more inclusive.” The Managing Director, Lotus Capital, Mrs Hajala Adeola, whose firm partnered with the NSE to develop the product, explained that the introduction would reduce the research cost and the time required by an investors to independently create a Sharia complaint equity portfolio. She noted that the NSE has been listed among other elite Exchanges like New York Stock Exchange, and London Stock Exchange that have launched and

made success of the product. Explaining the rules guiding the equities selection, she noted that no sector would be allowed to account for more than 40 percent of the index, adding that the index would be reviewed every six months. She further stated that it has a buffer of 30 firms to consider for inclusion at any point but the stock’s liquidity level was key. On debt, she said total debt as a percentage of the firms’ total value should not be more than 33 percent for it to qualify. She said, “Constituent stocks are ranked based on the highest market capitalisdation and average daily volume traded over a period of six months with a minimum average volume of 100,000 units.”

Sterling Bank’s half year gross earnings up by 58% From left: Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Adeolu Bajomo; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; MD/CEO, Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs Hajara Adeola and Chief of Staff/Head, Corporate Division, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko at the launch of NSE – Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) in Lagos.

FCMB grows net revenues to N32.4bn F

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB)Plc has recorded significant improvements in its financial position for the first half (Q2) of the year ended 30 June 2012, with Group net revenues appreciating by 40 per cent Year on Year (YoY ) to N32.4 billion. The unaudited International Finance Reporting Standard (IFRS)-compliant group results for the Q2 released on the floor to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday showed that operational expenses went up by 69 percent YoY. According to a press statement signed by the Bank’s Group Head C o r p o r a t e Communications, Mr. Kenny Aliu, the six months results shows that Profit Before Tax (

PBT )went up by 17 per cent YoY at N7.8 billion, while Annualised Return on Equity (ROE) rose 38 per cent in June 2012 to 10.2 per cent from 7.4 per cent for the corresponding period of 2011. Further analysis of the unaudited results shows that the second quarter PBT was down by 23 per cent, Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) to N3.4 billion. This, the bank said was as a result of a 20 per cent one - time surge in expenses, occasioned primarily by the ongoing consolidation of FinBank.. Similarly, Cost-to Income Ratio (CIR) grew to 88.3 per cent in Q2, 2012 from 77.8 percent in first quarter 2012 driven by the consolidation of FinBank financials. “It is expected that, when integration is completed in third quarter( Q3), 2012, the

synergy effects will offset restructuring costs and barring unforeseen circumstances lead to CIR reduction and PBT improvement” the bank said. Also reported in the Bank’s unaudited Q2 results is a modest Quarter-on-Quarter reduction in total deposits and loans by 3.7 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively, as the Bank unwound exposures to corporate clients in volatile sectors of the economy. The results which manifested improving balance sheet and earnings potential also, recorded deposit mix improving marginally to 54 per cent, QoQ, while Liquidity Ratio improved, YoY, by 28.7 per cent to 58.7 per ent in June 2012, compared to 45.6 per cent in June 2011. Capital adequacy ratio reduced to 25.1 per

cent in Q2, 2012 from 26.4 per cent in Q1, 2012 due to large interbank placement position.

BY PETER EGWUATU

TERLING Bank Plc, gross earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2012 rose by 59 per cent to N32.7 billion, relative to the comparative period of the previous year while profit jumped by 38 percent. According to a statement by the Bank, the performance, which

CSR: Taraba govt lauds Fidelity Bank

ARABA State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, has described Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practice, as a viable tool in mitigating the social inequalities in the country. Governor Suntai made the assertion in Jalingo while commissioning the Jalingo Blind Workshop which was renovated by Fidelity Bank and its Jalingo branch staff. Speaking through Alhaji Hussain Modibbo, Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth and

Sport, Governor Suntai said that such gestures are rare especially among organizations whose operations are supposedly driven by c o m m e r c i a l considerations. “Reviving this legacy institution is a noble act. For staff of Fidelity Bank to take time out, take notice of a need such as this and raise funds themselves to meet this need is remarkable indeed,” he said. He thanked the Board, Management and Staff of Fidelity Bank for coming to the aid of the needy in the society and promised that the Government would take proper care of the Centre.

is testimony to the efficacy measures built into its core banking operations and the aggressive business development along various needs of the customer, witnessed improvements in interest income that grew by 81 per cent and in other headline figures. Net interest income rose by whopping 70 percent and operating income by 49 per cent. Commenting on the results, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank, Yemi Adeola said: These results have been achieved against the backdrop of difficult global and domestic economic conditions, which continue to impact real sector investment, foreign investor participation, consumer confidence, and market risk appetite.’’ Sterling Bank last year acquired Equitorial Trust Bank Plc, one of the banks bailed out by the central bank in 2009, a move market watchers observed would witness significant synergy and raise the performance of the successor entity tremendously.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 23

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

DIARY Select ICT events z2012 International Conference on Engineering and Applied Science. Holds 24 - 27 July in Beijing, China. zeduWeb Conference. Holds 30 July1 August in Boston, Massachusetts, USA . zSIGGRAPH 2012. Holds 5 -9 Aug in Los Angeles, USA.

zInternet Show Africa. Holds 11-12 September in Johannesburg, South Africa

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

BROADBAND FORUM: The Nigerian Communications Commission last Thursday in Lagos organized a Broadband Forum with the theme: Demand as Catalyst for Broadband Services in Nigeria. Composite picture shows, from left, Executive ViceChairman of NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, ATCON President, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, Public Affairs Director, NCC, mr Tony Ojobo, and CEO Teledom Group, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem at the event. Photos by Kehind Gbadamosi.

Way to Nigeria's broadband future, by Johnson, Juwah, others BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA

Wheel with Outer Rim (ORIM) is a new tire technology minimizing rubber material in order to save the cost of vehicle maintenance. With this modern wheel technology the rim size is kept to the smallest diameter possible, leaving the space for break drum and axle accommodation. Then there will be a large space remaining between the required wheel diameter and the modified rim diameter, so that, the small size tire is placed over the rim. The remaining space is occupied by a reinforced hoop member with its outer periphery enclosed by a tread belt.

I N S I D E C M Y K

ROADBAND availability in Nigeria will be achieved, on the part of government, through clear government policy, effective and independent regulation that attracts the necessary investments and spectrum, while for the industry regulator, NCC, adoption of a combination of utility, equal access and passive infrastructure models as open access model to drive broadband to the last mile across Nigeria is the way. These, among others, were the submissions at the Nigeria Broadband Forum held in Lagos last week, organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission with the theme, ‘Demand as Catalyst for Broadband

Broadband penetration and rights of way

Services in Nigeria.’ Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, in her opening address to the forum which attracted key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT industry, international organisations and other stakeholders said: What to do

Puncture-free tyres

“The pricing and the availability of broadband today bears many similarities to the pre GSM telecoms market – access to voice services was expensive if you got it and it didn’t always work because of infrastructure issues – remember those days of picking up the phone from the cradle and waiting for a dial tone! Average broadband speeds today are slow and with a

It is our belief that this knowledge conference and competition adventure will unleash the currently suppressed ideas and creativity of Nigerian software professionals

iPhone apps that help break bad habits

penetration rate of just six per cent or thereabouts it is not ubiquitous – demand has already far outstripped supply. In the light of these corollaries, I would suggest that the same three things that fuelled our success in voice will fuel our success in the delivery of broadband servcies in Nigeria – clear government policy, effective and independent regulation that attracts the necessary investments and again spectrum." In his remarks, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications, Dr. Eugene Juwah, told the forum that with ubiquitous broadband, the nation can benefit from improved economic development, more efficient government services, enhanced public safety, in-

Agu: The Nigerian software lion has roared (2)

creased tourism, educational opportunities and healthcare especially for people in remote areas or in underserved segments of the population. He disclosed that Nigeria’s current broadband penetration, estimated to be less than seven per cent is a worrisome figure that could prevent the country from being listed among the knowledgeeconomy nations by 2020.

Largest economies To realize Vision 20:2020 goal of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, the nation needs to take advantage of broadband and become an e-economy, he added. “Although, we have

Continues on Page 26

Stakeholders list threats to Cashless Nigeria at NCS summit

24 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Apps on iPhone to help break habits Broadband and rights of way LAST Thursday, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC organized a broadband forum with the theme, Demand as Catalyst for Broadband Services in Nigeria. All the stakeholders were represented while other interested parties such as the ATU and ITU (African and International telecommunications Unions) have their representatives at the forum where the broad outlines of Nigeria’s broadband strategy were outlined. I will spare us the technical nitty-gritty of the presentations, and instead dwell on what I think we, as Nigerians, a group of peoples and national and sub-national governments need to do to actualize this broadband vision. For starters, it is remarkable that the regulator has chosen broadband as the next level of telecom revolution in Nigeria. In the last decade, that revolution was about voice, with data creeping in, such that teledensity shot upwards from a mere 1.82 per cent in 2002 to more than 72 per cent now, meaning that we moved from a little above 400,000 lines then to more than 90 million lines now, and still counting. That in the main was powered by smart regulation, and we will need that in quantum to achieve real broadband penetration. It is noteworthy that the sector’s regulator is leading the industry in desired directions; one only wishes that regulators of other sectors of the national economy, especially power, education, trasnport, and others were just as up and doing, then we would have less headaches as time rolls by. What however worries me with the broadband strategy is neither the regulators nor the operators, who will, as we have seen, be just doing their work and investing their money for expected returns, but the attitude of the rest of us, especially the sub-national govern-

ments of the federation. if our federalism were working as it should, I would entertain no such fears, but ours happen to be one of the most imperfect forms of federalism in operation, our membership of the Ottawa, Canada-based Forum of Federations notwithstanding. Recently, the Federal Government issued guidelines on right of way for the telecoms operators as they lay fibre optics cables. We are all aware that as these cables are being laid, satellite connections are being decommissioned because satellite delivers in minutes while fibre optics delivers in seconds. Now these telcos have right of way guidelines for only federal highways in a country where 36 states and FCT, and 774 local governments all construct roads. That m e a n s right of way charges in Lagos might not be the same as those in Ogun, Bayelsa, or Jigawa. Inother words, the telcos will have to negotiate 36 different rights of way with the states, after settling the federal. How can business get more cumbersome? If the local governments chip in, as I expect them to, how many tons of paracetamol will the staff need to cope with the headaches arising therefrom? And we have not even factored in the activities of vandals who wilfully damage infrastructure lines in the pursuit of their nefarious activities. I therefore propose that the National Council of States take the right of way issue up and facilitate a one-stop shop that will take care of the interests of all the sub-national governments so that WACS, Main One, Glo 1, and others do not have to negotiate at sundry venues. This, in my thinking, will greatly facilitate our broadband penetration strategy because some things which work in other places fail here just because of attitude, not because of technology.

Telcos will have to negotiate 36 different rights of way with the states, after settling the federal. How can business get more cumbersome?

C M Y K

F you spend more time smoking than you do on other things, we have a problem. It’s hard, but there is a whole universe out there, which includes your iPhone, to help identify the problem in order to start leading a vicefree life. Here are some iPhone apps to get you started on the path to a fabulous life minus bad habits. Quit It App Whether you need to quit smoking, cut back on the beer, or can’t stop eating sweets or other minor vice like biting your nails and respond well to badge encouragement, the Quit It App for iPhone might just be for you. Set up your goal and monitor it daily while receiving badge awards for your accomplishments. Then, share on social media to get even more support from friends. Past Life Regression Do you think your vice goes deeper than just a

Nokia 808 Purview

bad habit? Could it be a carry-over from a past life as a chain smoking gangster? Then you might want to check out the Past Life Regression app for iPhone, which helps you delve deeper into your mind through self-hypnosis and meditation. The aim is to get in touch with your deepest level of conscious to find the source of your vice’s angst so you can kick it . Download the Appoli-

cious Android app ViceCalculator First, figure out how much your vice is setting you back in a day, week, month or even lifetime with the ViceCalculator app for iPhone. This app might just set you straight! Seriously, if you see the effect that those daily cigarettes have on your budget (not to mention your lungs) you might think twice before lighting up again. Buy a small cof-

fee and save the rest for a spa day at the end of the month: a massage is way more relaxing than lung cancer. Just don’t look at how much your daily iPhone app downloads are costing you! Celebrity Vice Celebrities are people just like us and they have vices, too. While you are deciding whether or not to give up your vice after calculating its lifetime cost to your wallet, play around with the free Celebrity Vice app for iPhone. It’s a clever tile game in which you avoid putting the crazy celebrity next to their quirky vice or else they get sent to rehab. Habit List Finally, why not forget the bad habits and start a list of new, good habits? Use the Habit List app for iPhone to start a new list of tasks you want to accomplish every day. Try striking a relaxing yoga pose every time you are craving a nail bite, or sipping a glass of water every time you are yearning for a smoke. Before you know it, you’ll kick that vice out of your life and be well on your way to a happy and healthy lifestyle. —Culled from Appolicious

Multi VIII Solo AC made to check global warming — LG BY EMMA ELEBEKE

G Electronics, says the increasing incidence of global warming necessitated the recent introduction of its first Multi V III Solo commercial AC into the Nigerian market. The General Manager, Air conditioning and Energy Solution division of LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Junhwa Jeong, made this known while introducing the product in Abuja recently. “We are pleased to announce to you today that the Multi V III Solo is built with energy-saving solution technology that saves up to 35 per cent of electricity. It also boasts of advanced features and capabilities, one of which is a unique inverter compressor that increases its energy efficiency while consuming less energy,” Jeong said. “Global warming, which is also known as the green house phenomenon, is one of the major challenges the world is facing today. The search for how to conquer this issue has led many organizations to go into research and development. For us at LG Electronics, we are positive that the solution is in sight with our ranges of products

ALI BABA GETS SAMSUNG PHONES: Top stand–up comedy star, Ali Baba receiving Samsung Galaxy Note Smartphone from Head, Clients Service, CMC Connect Limited, Mr Segun McMedal, during a courtesy visit to Ali Baba, on behalf of Samsung Electronics West Africa, in Lagos.

that are built to conserve energy. As a company with a great focus on producing energy-saving and efficient products, we are happy to introduce the Multi V III Solo into the Nigerian market. “With the introduction of LG Multi V III Solo, we are confident that Nigerians would enjoy doing business like never before under cozy and pleasant environment as the AC delivers fast response cooling and space-saving smaller footprint,” he added. LG Electronics recently unveiled its new Multi V III Solo air conditioner

into the northern Nigerian market to ensure penetration of into a section of Nigeria with a growing need for air conditioners. The move according to Jeong came as LG looks to place more emphasis on its business-to-business in Nigeria , where the demand for energysaving technology is growing rapidly. To him, te launch of the Multi V III Solo, which is LG Electronics’ newest Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) solution, is part of LG's drive to remain ahead of competition in innovation by ensuring that consum-

ers’ satisfaction and comfort is a key concern when manufacturing products. Combining this innovation with higher efficiency, the Multi V III Solo delivers fast response cooling and space-saving smaller footprint. Expectedly, this cutting-edge attribute would make it gain significant market share in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. The Multi V III Solo comes with three unique benefits which the consumer stands to enjoy. These are the higher energy efficiency, ecofriendly and longer piping design.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012— 25

Stakeholders list threats to Cashless Nigeria at NCS summit BY EMEKA AGINAM

WHILE Nigeria is preparing to transit to cashless economy initiated by the apex bank, the central bank of Nigeria, stakeholders in the Nigerian Information Communications Technology at the end of the just concluded cashless 2012 national conference by the Nigerian Computer Society, (NCS) were worried saying that except many challenges including legislation, lack of POS at priority locations, poor telecommunications infrastructure, lack of user awareness, interoperability of various platforms, diversified security threats from various sources, identity theft among others were resolved, the cashless policy may be derailed. Already, the CBN had commenced the pilot scheme of the cash-less programme on January 1, 2012 in Lagos and slated January 2013 for the commencement of the policy in other states. Although the cashless society initiative of the CBN appears to be gaining the attention of the IT industry, experts at the event also noted that it is important to allow more time for the policy implementation given lack of available infrastructure and the literacy level of the public. With more state including Anambra, Kano, Ogun, Rivers and Abuja among others to go cashless by 2013, according to CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido, he nevertheless urged fast action on the e-payments bill. Sanusi who was represented by the Head , Shared Services of CBN, Chidi Umeano told the gathering that the apex bank was committed to putting in place necessary infrastructure to make the policy work. Fund management “We are aware that fraudsters in cash-based societies may also be preparing to transit to cashless too. What is more important is to put in place right policy to deal with them. But I can tell you that the migration from max strip technology to chip and PIN technology has reduced fraud by 90 C M Y K

Chief Don Etiebet (right) and NCS President, Sir Demola Aladekomo in lighter mood during the NCS AGM.

NCS CASHLESS 2012: President of Nigerian Computer Society,Sir Demola Aladekomo, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere and Chairman of Data Sciences Ltd., Chief Don Etiebet, at the just concluded Annual General meeting of NCS held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. percent. “Nigeria achieved changeover from magnetic stripe based payment tokens and channels to Chip and PIN compliant channel and tokens in 2010 in a bid to stem fraud in electronic payments thereby recording over 90% drop in card related fraud incidences. The CBN instituted an industry ATM anti-fraud committee which has been recently up scaled to epayment fraud forum. This group ensures that our anti-fraud mechanism is kept abreast of new challenges for proactive response credit/ settlement risk has been reduced by shorter clearing cycle. “The CBN now has a payments system policy and oversight office which is saddled with the effective monitoring and regulation of the payments system We are also in the process of acquiring a payments system oversight and anti-fraud,” he said.

Deployment of POS terminals Although deployment of point of sales terminals (POS) may pose as a challenge, he said that the cumulative number of POS deployed /connected stood at 88,622 as at July 1, 2012. This, he said represents an increase of over 100% above the 5,992 recorded as at end of January 2012. “The target of purchas-

ing at least 10,000 POS terminals per vendor has been met for three vendors. Registered merchants reached an all time high at 151,717 as at July 2012.The gap between registered versus deployed, is mostly due to lack of capacity on the part of the PTSPs to meet the demand” he added. Right policies needed Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere representing Governor Godswill Akpabio without mincing words noted that not much may be achieved unless the present administration passes the legislation on e-payment which is still awaiting presidential approval for more two years now. “ We are ready for e-government. We have the right infrastructure. We will continue to build more. We want to be the best digital state. But I have to tell you this: payment channels introduced by the cashless initiative have witnessed increase in systems attacks worldwide and breaches will continue to grow” he noted. Meanwhile, the NCS President, Sir Demola Aladekomo earlier in welcome address commended the initiative of the CBN in introducing cashless policy but cautioned that right policies must be put in put to achieve the objectives.

“It appears as if globalization has brought in its trail, enormous challenges of unprecedented electronic fraud, robbery, gangstarism, 419, terrorism and insecurity. We appeal to the federal government for the quick passage of law on e-payment. That will go a long way in fighting cybercrime in the country. “These challenges, together with some other considerations, show the wisdom of a cashless society, anywhere and everywhere in the world. We commend the courage of the present Federal Administration and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in embarking on this bold act of "Cashless Nigeria" he added.

Crime'll get sophiscated with cashless society Earlier in his address, Tope Aladenusi Head, Information & Technology Risk and Enterprise Risk Services of Akintola Williams Deloitte, who was guest speaker at the capacity building event also told the gathering that physical crime might decrease with a cashless society, adding that that doesn't mean crime will decrease. It will just get more sophisticated in nature. He noted that with the embrace of a cashless society, there was a transfer of risk to the various electronic channels, and adequate measures need to be put in place to man-

First Vice President of NCS, Mr Sam Juwe, left, and ISPON President, Chris Uwaje at the NCS AGM.

Directors-General of the National Identity Management Commission and National Information Technology Development Agency, Mr Chris Onyemenam and Professor Cleopas Angaye, respetively, at the NCS meet. Photos by Emeka Aginam. age these risks. Cashless risk Payment channels introduced by the cashless initiative, he added have witnessed increase in systems attacks worldwide and breaches will continue to grow. “The attacks are becoming more sophisticated. More breaches are targeted by system components. Criminals target the easiest opportunities. Nigeria must be well prepared. Let us not be in a hurry to go cashless. We have to put the house well otherwise the fraudsters will take over the payment channels. ATM vulnerability Most ATM machines, he said were based on a Windows operating system and have a standard PC architecture which may have vulnerabilities that increases their risk exposure.

Customer data security essential Speaking on data security of customers, Chris ‘E Onyemenam, the Director General/CEO National Identity Management Commission, (NIMS) said that there was need for a reliable identity management sector to drive the cashless policy. “The security of data of banking customers is essential because of fraudsters who were prepared to also migrate to cashless. “NIMS is central to the success of a cashless economy project – a secure UIDI is a precondition for financial inclusion. Deployment strategy focused on update-able database and secure identity authentication are all essential to drive the policy. “The NIMS is an essential transformation tool for fostering socioeconomic development, maintenance of law and order and security of lives and properties, he explained.

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

NCC, Lagos govt dialogue on telecom masts BY EMEKA AGINAM

HE Nigerian Com munications Commission (NCC), and the Lagos State Government at the weekend finetuned fresh plans by the state to regulate masts and towers. The commission had earlier kicked against new plans by the state to impose annual levy on all existing telecoms masts in the state, and asked the government to put a stop to the sealing and pulling down of telecoms masts in the name of regulation. The Head, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the Commission, Maska Ubale, gave the advice in Lagos at a stakeholder’s meeting that involved the NCC, telecoms operators and the Lagos State Gov-

disruption in telecoms services, since a single Base Transceiver Station (BTS), is connected to over 30 others in various locations. While advising that sealing and pulling down of masts should be the last resort, he said that caution must be taken to avoid regulations that will discourage core investors in the telecoms business in the country.

Confiscated equipment

GRADUATION: From left, Mr. Ephraim Nwokonneya, Head, Compliance Monitoring, NCC, his son, Ephraim Nwokonneya Jnr, and Mr. OkechukwuItanyi, Executive Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission at Master Nwokonneya's graduation at Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja,recently. ernment, represented by the Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU) that was mandated to regulate masts and towers in the

state. Ubale, who led the NCC team, spoke on the implications of imposing annual levy on telecoms masts

and the impending danger in sealing and pulling down masts. He said that action if not checked may lead to

“UFRU should see telecoms operators as partners in business and avoid regulations that will hinder their business in the state,” Maska said, while advising the agency to return all confiscated equipment from telecoms sites to enable operators provide better service quality to Nigerians. Earlier in his response, the General Manager of UFRU, Mr. Joe Igbokwe while thanking NCC for its intervention said dialogue and constructive engagement is the way to go since dialogue is bet-

ter than monologue. According to him, the Lagos State Government was insisting on regulating installation of masts and towers in Lagos in order to save lives and property. "Lives have been lost and property worth billions destroyed in the past twelve years and no responsible government will fold its hands in the face of these tragedies. Besides, the indiscriminate installation of these structures tells a big story that there is lack of organization," Igbokwe added. According to him, “The Lagos State Government is aware that there are technical specifications from NCC with respect to installation of masts and towers anywhere in Nigeria but there is need for the state to regulate the installation of these structures. The builders need construction permit from the state. We need to check the integrity of their structures from time to time, we need to see their maintenance plans, we need to tell them that these structures are not built to last forever.’’

Way to Nigeria's broadband future, by Johnson, Juwah, others Continues from Page 23 done quite so well in mobile telephony segment, we still have some challenges with broadband penetration.” NCC's broadband strategy He then disclosed that NCC will be adopting a combination of utility,

equal access and passive infrastructure models as open access model to drive broadband penetration nationwide. “The strategy will be operator-neutral, providing a network that is open to all players on equal terms,” he added, saying the regulator will continue to create an enabling environment for private sector participation and

robust investment in the broadband ecosystem to fast track its penetration. Also, he disclosed, NCC is currently restructuring its Wire Nigeria (WIN) and State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI) to fast-track delivery of fibre and wireless connections. SecretaryGeneral of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr. Hama-

doun Toure, originally billed to be special guest of honour at the occasion was represented at the event by IP /Cybersecurity Coordinator at the ITU, Mr. Desire Karyabwite. Toure lauds Nigeria However, Toure, in a video presentation to the forum, commended Nigeria's broadband initiative, saying all over the world,

WITTER is a great way to keep up with your favorite Olympic athletes as they give insight into their sports and life in the Olympic Village, and occasionally spray racist vitriol, as Swiss soccer player Michel Morganella did on Monday, getting himself expelled. After an inappropriate missive on Monday in which he described South Koreans as a "bunch of mentally handicapped retards," the Swiss team sent Morganella home. Morganella is now under investigation for sending an allegedly racist message on Twitter after their London Olympics group defeat by South Korea, a Swiss team official said on Monday. "We are investigating this case and we will hold a news conference at 1700 (1600GMT) today," team spokesman Christof Kaufmann told Reuters. At the press conference later on Monday, Morganella's expulsion from the London Olympics for C M Y K

Olympics: Track athletes scandals on Twitter zMan-U's Ferdinand charged; Switzerland's Michel Morganella expelled from the Olympics for racist comments sending a racist message on Twitter after his team's defeat by South Korea was announced. "He discriminated, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korean football team and the South Korean people," Swiss team chief Gian Gilli told reporters. The alleged message has since been deleted from the player's account but pictures of it ran in several Swiss media. Social media comments have already claimed one

victim after Greek triple jumper Paraskevi Papachristou was thrown off the Olympic team following a racist comment on her account regarding Africans living in Greece. Also, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been charged over a comment on Twitter which referred to Chelsea's Ashley Cole as a "choc ice", the English FA said on Monday. "The FA has today charged Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand

with improper conduct in relation to comments posted on Twitter," the FA said on its website (www.thefa.com) "The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/ or bought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race." Ferdinand, who like Cole is of mixed race, has been given until 1500 GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge.

broadband has become a significant indicator of nation’s economic development. Quoting US President Barack Obama, the ITU boss remarked that “expanded wireless broadband access will trigger the creation of innovative new businesses, provide cost-effective connections in rural areas, increase productivity, improve public safety and allow for the development of mobile telemedicine, distance learning, and other new applications that will transform lives.” More online In his remarks at the forum, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi said that long before now, the emphasis has been on supply of broadband capacity but it is now shifting towards demand, and described current demand for broadband as “sleeping demand.” He added that the only way to stimulate it in the country is by putting appropriate and useful contents online also encourage government to put its services on internet for this to happen. “All round the year there will be activities online if government should use broadband infrastructure to get all workers on biometric payment system,” he said.

Avoid the West's mistakes Other stakeholders lent their voice to the issue and advised the nation on the way forward. One of them, Guillermo Alarcon of Alcatel-Lucent said surplus supply is already at the shores of Nigeria. It is a mobile driven population with bottlenecks sure to arrive as more applications are made available online.

Absorption of capacity He urged the networks on being ready to absorb this capacity and made reference to Open Access as a method of resolving various bottlenecks along the way similar to the approach taken in Kenya. According to him, broadband should be seen as an Ecosystem rather than a supply or demand duopoly. Contributing, Malcolm Corbett, CEO of Independent Networks Cooperative Association highlighted the immense opportunities in Nigeria to scale beyond the heights of countries in developed states as many developed states have legacy infrastructure problems to deal with. Nigeria’s infrastructure is still in its infancy and can grow, meaning Nigeria does not have to make the same mistakes the Western countries made.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 —27

The Nigerian software lion has roared(2)

ENGR. Simeon Agu was a 1970 Electrical Engineering graduate with Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance. He started his computing career with Shell Petroleum Development Company in 1971. Later he moved to the National Electric Power Authority in 1977 as Manager Systems Development and eventually rose to become the Director of Computer Services. Simeon Agu metamorphosed the aforementioned Computer Systems Associates (CSA) to Neptune Software, putting Neptune on the platform to thrive globally. He was a member of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, and for several years served on the National Advisory Committee on Statistics among other national and international organisations on information technology. Neptune Software Plc : Neptune has earned a strong reputation and built a rich history in delivering mission-critical core sys-

Local Content Act may not fulfill its objectives if Nigeria cannot deliver all her software solutions in the oil, gas and banking industries

tems to the banking and financial services sector, end-to-end solutions to over 80 financial services institutions globally. Neptune has the proven experience needed to meet the requirements of internationally recognised banking practice. Rubikon is a nextgeneration banking solution which delivers an industry specific, businessoriented collaborative framework for financial services.

With its unique Financial Services Oriented Architecture (FSOA) which facilitates rapid incremental deployment. Rubikon provides a universal core banking solution on a special purpose application utilizing one or more of the product’s modules to deliver new products or services to market or streamlining currently inefficient or high-risk processes. The solution is ideal for ILFCO’s planned expansion going

forward. Rubikon ships with an enterprise service bus and orchestration layer providing a superb platform for a growing bank. Neptune congratulates ILFCO on the splendid team effort that contributed to the success of this project. Rubikon: Rubikon is a product of the new age in software. It is written in JAVA J2EE and incorporates an enterprise service bus and orchestration layer as standard. It is an SOA solution providing real time online capability and has complete availability 24x7. Rubikon has no batch processing and its end of day accruals can be triggered automatically, requiring minimal technical involvement. Due to its web based architecture it is extremely stable and scaleable. Recently, Rubikon’s Treasury module has been recognised separately for exactly these qualities. With a robust and capable archi-

tecture Rubikon is rapidly demostrating product leadership characteristics and provides an outstanding ROI for any banking institution in an increasingly harsh and competitive environment. Lack of incentive and policy support for the software industry has driven patriotic Agu to establish this Neptune outside Nigeria. Unknown to many, Agu established Neptune Financial Software Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai, India – the first Nigerian company to do so. The new wholly owned subsidiary is the focal point of Neptune’s strategy to expand its own Rubikon development capacity, provide an international support centre, as well as sales and pre-sales capacity for the Asia region. The new operation will include a strong team of 60 developers, many of whom were transferred over to Neptune from Cordiant Technologies as part of the conclusion of the BOT (build, operate, transfer) agreement that had previously been in place. Neptune’s global expansion is successfully reaching out into Asia, with a number of wins in the region in 2009. It is

therefore appropriate timing to launch Neptune Financial Software Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai, India, where additional resources for development, implementation and sales will be recruited. According to Simeon Agu, ‘Asia is proving to provide fertile ground for Rubikon growth, with a number of wins in the region and a healthy pipeline, therefore reinforcing operations to cover the territory is a natural step for us to take. We have big plans for Rubikon. Chennai’s location makes it a perfect strategic hub for development, support and sales.’ Software Nigeria has proven that the survival strategy for the future of Nigeria resides in software innovation, creativity, incubation, development and patronage by government, private sector business and our people. Local Content Act may not fulfill its objectives if Nigeria cannot deliver all her software solutions in the oil, gas and banking industries and export to the International market. Engr. Chijioke Simeon Agu has demonstrated without any fear of contradiction that it is possible

NIMC test-runs national identification number process BY EMMA ELEBEKE

HE National Identi ty Management Commission, NIMC, last week demonstrated its proposed national identity number process at the Card, ATM and Mobile Payment exhibition, in Lagos. The step according to NIMC was to demonstrate and enlighten people on the enrolment

process and what the commission would offer Nigerians. The NIMC, is the commission saddled with the responsibility of establishing a national identity database, allocating national identity number and the harmonization and integration among others. The Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, at the commission,

CWG aids UNILAG students with IT tools BY EMEKA AGINAM

WITH its commitment to IT education in the country, the Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) has donated computer notebooks to the best graduating students of the computer science department of the University of Lagos for 2009/2010 and 2010/ 2011 academic sessions respectively. Head, Human Relations and Admin, Mrs. Olapeju Ayo-Fisher and Public Relations Executive, Mrs. Toyin Aderibigbe, both of Computer Warehouse Group, reaffirmed CWG's commitment during the official C M Y K

presentation IT tools noted that the donation was part of the contribution of the company towards development of education in Nigeria Presenting the tools at the Vice Chancellor Conference Centre, Senate building, University of Lagos recently, Abdulwahab Owoyemi Ibrahim who graduated as the overall best student of the computer science department for 2009/2010 session, and Okoilu Ruth who was the best graduating student of the computer science department for 2010/2011 academic session, were present to receive their awards.

Mr. Abdul-hamid Umar, said the commission came in liaison with its project partners including Chams Consortium, to showcase what they have and are making available to Nigerians and legal residents. The enrolment would actually be for Nigerians above the age of sixteen and legal residents. “These are non-Nigerians who are legally residing in Nigeria. They would also be captured in our data base. The reason why we are here is to demonstrate our state of preparedness and what we have.

Deployment of equipment In fact, deployment of equipment for the Lagos enrolment has actually reached advanced stage. We have achieved like 95 per cent. There are just some I’s to dot and T’s to cross. “We have also commenced enrolment in Abuja in February. So we are bringing that to Lagos and when we saw an opportunity here we decided to make the best use of it, since this is a great event that has to do with cards and the technology-two very impor-

tant ingredients for our business we therefore had to be physically present here” he said. Also speaking, Deputy Project Manager, Project Management Office, ,Simon Ishaku, said “ responses at the event have been positive; expectations are high, people are eager for the project to kick off in full swing most people complain about the present ID cards we have, like the voters’ card and so on, not being acceptable in some banks, so it’s not all about the enrolment, a lot of people are actually interested in getting the card. What we have been doing here is a Demo. We take them through the process and then work on it, to see that everything is in place.” “Since this particular outlet is not certified, the enrolment done here are for enlightenment and demonstration. We have done a certification of the Lagos Office which includes checking for the quality of images, very soon, we should be able to register the Lagos office at the back end. This means, depending on how fast we get the authorization, we can actually commence upper week,” he added.

L-r: Board member, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, Mr. Udeme Ufot; Chairman, NESG Board, Mr. Folusho Philips, and CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans, during a courtesy visit by senior management team of Etisalat Nigeria to NESG head office in Ikoyi, Lagos

L-r: Mr. Femi Adeoya, Executive Director, Centre for Patriotic Initiative, CPLI; Mr. Adedamola Adetayo, Administrator; and Ayoda Oke, special guest at the 2012 pre-brainstorming session at the seminar entitled Connecting Minds Securing the Future in Lagos. Photo:Diran Oshe

R-l: Mr. Dirk Modderman, managing director, Eternit; MD Jowesco Nig Ltd; MD Chucksdavo Nig Ltd; GM Chucksdavo Nig Ltd during their visit to Eternit in Lagos

28— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Bad weather forces rescheduling of events O LYMPIC Games organizers have drawn up a contingency plan to reschedule some events at London 2012 after weather forecasters predicted an influx of rain for the rest of the week. Games officials were thankful to have avoided heavy rains during last Friday’s Opening Ceremony, with some brief showers passing quickly and rain clouds narrowly missing the main stadium. The weather, however, is expected to get worse from Tuesday onward, and a spokesman for the Met Office – Britain’s official weather and climate recording service – told Yahoo! Sports that hopes of a rain-free Games are certain to be dashed. “Conditions are quite changeable, which means

there will be both sunshine and showers on most days,” spokesman Alex Fox said. “It is also going to be quite breezy and there will be showers coming in from the west.” Britain’s weather curse has hit at the worst possible time, with the latest predicted rain adding only to a long deluge that means the country is headed for its wettest summer since official records began in 1910. London’s organizing committee for the Games hopes to ensure no events are unfairly disrupted and is working with the Met Office to determine where, when and how heavily the worst of the rain will fall. Options such as delaying some sessions have been considered if the weather situation is considered to be extreme.

Spain pain hur ts Milla hurts S PAIN Olympics soccer team coach, Luis Milla has taken responsibility for his side’s shock exit at the group stages of the Olympic football tournament. The 1992 winners were among the favourites to challenge for the gold medal but were eliminated without scoring a goal as they slipped to consecutive 1-0 defeats by Japan and Honduras. Milla, whose side face

•Juan Mata C M Y K

Morocco in their final game today, insisted they must now analyse their preparation and learn for future tournaments. He told the Spanish Football Federation website: “I am very disappointed because I think we deserved more. The person responsible is myself; we need to sit down and analyse everything that happened. “Perhaps we lacked something in our preparation, but last year we did the same before the Under-21 European Championship and ended up winning the title. “The fans will think the coach has been a disaster, that this has been a total failure and I understand that. But we need to be calm now and analyse what went wrong.” The former Barcelona and Real Madrid player also apologised to the Spanish public for the his players’ reaction towards the referee Juan Soto as they hounded the Venezuelan official for not awarding penalties when Adrián López and Rodrigo appeared to be taken down in the box late on in the Honduras game. “We ask for forgiveness for this elimination and bad image. I didn’t realise at the time, but we need to know how to win and how to lose,” he said.

•Gabon’s defender Bruno Ecuele (R) is tackled by Mexico’s defender Hiram Mier during the London 2012 Olympic men’s football match between Gabon and Mexico.

Gabon, Egypt, Morocco battle for survival T

HE four African teams in the men’s football event of the 2012 London Olympics will make their last-ditch attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the competition today, when they play their last group matches. Egypt will face Belarus, Gabon are up against North Korea, while Morocco take their chances against a wounded Spanish side. Of the four African representatives, only Senegal who tackle United Arab Emirate have the best chance of advancing to the last eight,

having won one match and drawn one to grab 4 points and stay in second place in group A, behind host Great Britain with the same number of points but superior goals aggregate. Egypt, which has lost one match and drawn one, also has a bright chance to advance, if it beats Belarus, currently second in group C on 3 points, compared to Egypt’s 1 point. Gabon, which has lost one match and drawn one in group B, faces an uphill task against North Korea, which has won

one match and drawn one for a total of four points. And Morocco, sitting third in group D with only one point, will have to contend with a wounded Spain, which has lost its two matches so far. Africa has won two men’s football gold medals at the Olympics, with Nigeria clinching the gold at Atlanta ’96 and Cameroon following suit at Sydney 2000. The 2012 Olympics marks the first time Africa is featuring four teams in the men’s football event at the four-yearly Olympics.

Nik e pr otests fak e Egyptian w ear Nike pro fake wear earss A FTER one of Egypt's Olympic swimmers admitted that the team was given fake Nike gear from China to compete in, the sports brand has issued a severe warning to that country's Olympic body to take all possible steps to safeguard and protect the sport brand's name and reputation. Yomna Khallaf, competing for Egypt in synchronized swimming, tweeted that her Olympic bag had a giant Nike logo... and that the zippers were marked Adidas. Nike sent a letter of warning to the Egyptian Olympic Committee after Khallaf added that the initial attitude of the officials in Cairo was: 'take this or have nothing at all.' Contacted by the media, the Egyptian Olympic Committee confessed that its uniform supplier had been handing them knockoff goods, the Daily Mail reports.

General Mahmoud Ahmed Ali, the president of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, confirmed: "We signed with a Chinese distributor in light of Egypt's economic situation." He called

*Egyptian swimmers

the fake clothes and footwear 'sufficient' for the Egyptians competing in the games, and suggested that if Nike felt troubled by the violation of its copyright, the company should pursue the supplier in China, not his committee.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 29

African 400m champion fright ens US A medal hopeful frightens USA A S athletes continue their warm up for the track and field events American 400m runner Sanya Richard-Ross has stated that her major worry is Botswana’s Amantle Montsho. Richard Ross who is the world leader in the women 400m declared that Montsho, who won the world title in Daegu last year when Richards-Ross finished seventh as defending champion, is tough contender adding that she expects to be a quick final. “I think the women’s 400m is super competitive this year,” she said. “I think all three top places will run sub-50. I’m hoping we can crack the 49-second mark. I think with the level of competition that will be possible. “I think it’s going to be a great final and all eight ladies are going to have a chance of a medal. “I really hope we can run sub-49 to pay homage to the event and win a medal,” she added. The Jamaican-born former 400 metres world champion, who will also run the 200m in her third Olympics. Richards-Ross, who has Olympic 4x400m relay gold medals from Athens and

Beijing but no individual title, has set the second fastest time of the year in the one-lap race (49.28 seconds) behind Russia’s Antonina Krivoshapka (49.16). She also qualified for the 200m at the U.S. trials but is clear which of the events comes top of her agenda.

“My priority is the 400m and it comes first so my focus is on that,” she said. “I want to do well and execute the 400m, hopefully to win a gold medal and then just go for it in the 200m ... but that will be just the icing on the cake, the 400m is my focus and my priority.”

Amaju jabs of offficials for poor planning ...regrets pressure on Okagbare

INNICK Amaju tried to analyse Nigeria’s chances of winning a gold medal here and asked “how can a whole country of more than 150 million be chasing one gold?” It was clear he meant the country ’s expectations on Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria’s brightest medal prospect based on the build-up to the Olympics. Blessing won the 100m races in Crystal Palace and in Monaco just before the games began. She ran her personal best of 10.96 to win races that included the best in the world. The Delta supported athlete is in her best shape but Amaju does not like it that the whole country looks up to one athlete for an Olympic feat. “That’s some pressure,” he says while watching swimming and noting the

•Richard Ross

Niger rower wins spectators’ hearts H

AMADOU Djibo Issaka, the Niger rower who was entered for the London Olympics despite only having three months of experience in the sport. Issaka captivated the crowds over the weekend with showstopping turns in the heats and the repechage of the men’s single sculls, when he crawled over the line out of breath to finish nearly two minutes behind the winners. Competing in a lower qualification race this time, he again placed last in his four-

boat race and this time he was even slower, clocking 9 minutes, 7.99 seconds over 2,000 meters — 28 seconds slower than his repechage time. Wearing a yellow T-shirt underneath his orange-andgreen Niger jersey, he was given a rousing reception as he passed the main grandstands 300 meters from the finish line. “Give him a big cheer for plowing on,” the announcer said. Like on Sunday, he bent over

as soon as he crossed the line, taking deep breaths. “I am very happy because this is my first time at an Olympics,” the 35-year-old Djibo Issaka said. “It’s not easy for me to be here. I don’t have any technique. I’ve been learning only three months. But with the time and the years, I’ll get the technique.” Reporters scurried in their droves to catch a word with a man who has captured the imagination of spectators and the media alike, earning him the nicknames “Issaka the

Quotes “The female body is a masterpiece. Everyone likes to look at the female body, especially in dynamic, athletic sport.” •Natalie Cook, gold medallist at Sydney in 2000, defends bikinis in beach volleyball. “There are many people who want to start rowing because I have come to the Olympic Games. We will start when I get back. We just have to wait for the boats to arrive.” •Wildcard Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka trained for just three months C M Y K

for the men’s single sculls, but never in his landlocked and mostly desert home country. “I’m happy to say I’m the third in the world.” • British golden girl Rebecca Adlington, unexpected double swimming gold medal winner at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, expresses her delight at winning a bronze before a cheering home crowd in London. “We were getting rather frustrated with Transport for London at one point and discussed internally trying to get on a bus with a coffin.”

*Issaka

Otter ” and “Hamadou The Keel” among others. His displays on Dorney Lake have brought back memories of Eric “The Eel” Moussambani, the Equatorial Guinea swimmer who memorably splashed his way through a 100-meter freestyle heat at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Djibo Issaka lives in Niamey, the capital of Niger — a landlocked country in west Africa that is 80 percent desert. He has two kids — a boy and a girl.

impact Chinese are making in a sport that they were not known for few years back. Ye Shewen had just won the gold in the 400m Individual Medley event for women in a world record and the 16 year old thrilled all including Amaju. ”This is planning and strategising,” Amaju says of the Chinese who are now challenging USA, Russia, Germany and the rest of the world in sports. ”In Nigeria, a minister is appointed today and he begins to talk about winning gold in the Olympics without planning for it and without his predecessor doing anything about it. Chinese are reaping what they sowed about ten years ago. It didn’t start now.” Amaju looks at different tribes in Nigeria and thanks God for the different potentials He has endowed them with but frowns at the authorities for not tapping into them to help Nigeria become world beaters. ”I’m just reading about the Mumuye people in Taraba State. They fought wars with Bows and Arrows and it is said that they are so good that they can target a baby being carried by a woman and the arrow will hit the target without hurting the mother. They are like snipers. What’s the difference between Bow and Arrow and Archery that is giving countries gold medals? Can’t we train them in this sport since the potential is there? Can’t we make them acquire the technicalities? In the South South we have men and women who go to the sea as early as 4 am paddling canoes. We have them living in the waters. I believe that we can produce athletes for Rowing from these areas. I also don’t believe that blacks cannot do well in swimming. We have Nemina Tebisan who won eight gold medals from Kaduna Sports Festival, Blessing Forcados that won seven from Abeokuta Games and in their families you still see the younger ones who swim and we have not tried to link these to their genes and tried to invest in them? Nigerian swimmers practice in Rivers and you can imagine if something great is done about them.

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Union Bank: From ‘Rescued’ to ‘Prospect’

Banks cooperate for lower fines in Euribor probe

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

Rescued banks But last year August and about two months to the September 30th deadline for the eight banks to recapitalise, the CBN having concluded that the appointed managers of three of these rescued banks cannot raise money or find investors to acquire them, sacked them and handed the banks over to NDIC. In turn, the Corporation nationalised the banks by selling them to AMCON. Thus, Afribank (now Mainstreet Bank), Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) and Spring Bank (now Enterprise Bank) were transformed from ‘Rescued Banks’ to ‘Nationalised Bank’. Out of the remaining five banks, four namely Intercontinental Bank, Equitorial Bank (ETB), FinBank and Oceanic Bank were able to attract acquisition interest from local banks but it resulted into the loss of their brand identity and extinction from the Nigerian banking space. Access Bank swallowed Intercontinental, Sterling Bank C M Y K

AGENCY REPORT

Chief Executive Officer , the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema (right) presenting a plaque to the MD/CEO, Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs Hajara Adeola at the launch of NSE – Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) in Lagos. swallowed ETB, First City Monument Bank swallowed Finbank, while Ecobank swallowed Oceanic Bank. Consequently, Union Bank remained the only rescued bank. Upon its appointment by the CBN in 2009, the Funke Osibodu led management met with the various stakeholders of the bank notably former staff and, labour unions and shareholders. The stakeholders made it clear that the bank must retain its name and status and hence the management should look for ways to raise the needed funds either through public offer, rights issue and core investor. Meanwhile, the

HE word ‘Rescued Bank’ connotes a sick bank, in the regulatory intensive care unit, but with uncertain future. It crept into the Nigerian banking lexicon in 2009 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sacked the management of eight banks and appointed new ones to manage them to recovery and recapitalisation. Prior to this time, banks in the country were usually categorised either ‘foreign’ or ‘indigenous’ bank, and later ‘old generation’ or ‘new generation’ bank. In 2009, the management of Oceanic Bank International Nigeria Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Bank PHB Plc, Afribank Nigeria Plc, Finbank Plc, Equitorial Trust Bank Ltd, Spring Bank Plc, were sacked following special examinations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which showed that the banks were in grave situation due to problem of huge non-performing loans occasioned by weak risk management practices and poor corporate governance. The appointed CBN managers were given till September 30th 2011 to stabilise and recapitalise the banks. To facilitate their work, the CBN injected N620 billion tiers 2 capital into the banks. In addition to this the apex bank introduced guarantee of the local interbank market to ensure continued liquidity for all banks and guaranteeing foreign creditors and correspondent banks’ credit lines to ensure confidence and maintain important correspondent banking relationships. Thereafter, the eight banks were referred to as ‘Rescued Banks’

BRIEF

a loss of over N100 billion, with a negative balance sheet of N136 billion, which made it the more difficult and uncertain to attract a core investor. Realising that the negative balance sheet of the rescued banks posed a major threat to their recapitalisation drive, the CBN intervened, via injection of funds by AMCON, which brought them to zero balance sheet. Consequently, the Osi bodu led management was able to attract Africa Capital Alliance as core investor partner. And being convinced about the prospect of the deal, the CBN spared

Profit before tax is expected to be N13.1 billion in 2012 and thereafter to N24.6 billion and N27.7 billion in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Net earnings distributable to shareholders is expected to be N9.16 billion in 2012 and subsequently rise to N17.9 billion and N19.4 billion in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

management also had to battle with the challenge of retaining business and customer so as to post impressive financial returns that would make the bank attractive for any of the options listed by the stakeholders. To solve the later challenge, which was also the most pressing, the management designed a plan to transform the bank, its operations, services and branches, to make it very efficient and effective and also competitive with top banks in the industry. On the other hand, the management embarked on the search for a core investor to attract fresh capital and meet the recapitalisation deadline. Throughout 2010, the situation of the bank looked increasingly challenging. Its operations for the year ended 2010 resulted into

Union Bank resulted to fresh capital of $500 million for the bank, and hence the largest international investment by a consortium of foreign investors in a Nigerian bank, and in Nigeria despite the world economic crisis. Also existing shareholders were accomodated in the recapitalisation of the bank via a Right Offer. Meanwhile, the Osibodu led management continued to pursue its plan to transform the bank. It introduced ultra-mordern design for the branches, upgraded the bank’s information technology platform, rejuvenated its workforce with fresh and briliant hands, and made its products and services more customer centric. These efforts paid-off as the bank returnedto profitability in

the first quarter of 2012. The bank recorded net profit of N6.32 billion, up by 127 per cent from N2.78 billion. Group net profit also went up to N7.62 billion from N4.51 billion in corresponding period. Earnings analysis showed that basic earnings per share rose to N1.17 in first quarter 2012 from 18 kobo posted in the comparable period of 2011 and a loss per share of N14.06 recorded for the full-year ended December 31, 2011. According to Osibodu, the results indicate that Union Bank has turned the corner. She said the first quarter report was indicative of the efforts by the board and management to return the bank to its place of pride as a foremost financial institution that consistently creates value for all stakeholders. She assured that with the continuing intensive restructuring being undertaken by the management, the bank has returned from the abyss of a bailed-out bank with negative capital to one of the most promising financial institutions in Nigeria. Two factors seems to lend credence to Osibodu’s claim. First is the three years forecast for the bank, which expects profit before tax to be about N66 billion for the three-year period between 2012 and 2014. Profit before tax is expected to be N13.1 billion in 2012 and thereafter to N24.6 billion and N27.7 billion in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Net earnings distributable to shareholders is expected to be N9.16 billion in 2012 and subsequently rise to N17.9 billion and N19.4 billion in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The second factor is the announcement that the Mrs. Funke Osibody will be succeeded as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive by the current chief executive of Citibank Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Emuwa.

everal banks under inves tigation for suspected rigging of euro interest rates are cooperating with EU antitrust regulators in the hope of lower fines, two people familiar with the matter said on Monday, a move which puts the lenders at a higher risk of lawsuits. The decision by the banks to disclose more about their knowledge of possible manipulation of the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) is effectively an admission of wrongdoing and illustrates growing nervousness that they face a heavy penalty. The European Commission is investigating possible manipulation of Euribor, the benchmark used when pricing bank lending in euros. The EU watchdog has not disclosed the names of the banks being investigated, which could face fines of up to 10 percent of their global revenues if found to have breached EU antitrust rules. Earlier this month, sources disclosed that Deutsche Bank, was already cooperating with the authorities. The lender had revenues last year of 33.2 billion euros.

Encouraging whistleblowers “Several banks have come forward with information to the Commission,” said one of the sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. This person declined to provide more details. The second person said there could be at least two banks, besides Deutsche Bank, which have sought leniency under the European Commission’s scheme to encourage whistleblowers. The EU Commission spokesman for competition policy, Antoine Colombani, declined to comment. U.S. and British authorities have already fined Barclays $453 million for manipulating Libor, a similar rate based on how much banks charge to lend to each other in other currencies including U.S. dollars and sterling. More banks are expected to be drawn into the investigation into banks submitting false rates from which Libor is calculated daily. Applicants to the European Commission for leniency, who in effect are admitting wrongdoing, could find themselves targeted by disgruntled investors, fund managers and investment funds, said Morten Nissen, a partner at law firm Bird & Bird.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012—31

NAICOM counsels underwriters against incurring regulatory sanctions By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

S insurance compa nies gradually become compliant to the International Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS, the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has urged them to be careful of incurring regulatory sanctions and fines. Assistant Director (Inspectorate), Head AML/CFT Unit of NAICOM, Mr. Sam Onyeka who gave the charge, noted that incurring regulatory sanctions and fines could prevent foreign investors from being favourably disposed towards the Nigerian insurance industry. According to Onyeka, insurers should maintain high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties because the IFRS will compel them to reflect all infractions as well as fines incurred in the course of each financial year in their annual reports. He also said that unnecessary infractions and fines could draw the ire of shareholders which could likely lead to a vote of no confidence on the management of any such company. Onyeka said “With IFRS, every fine must reflect in the annual report of companies. And where fines become a bit too high, shareholders will begin to ask questions and when a company cannot give satisfactory answers to such questions, then trust on such companies will gradually diminish.”

Strategic investors Meanwhile companies that are in the habit of releasing their results late may lose out in the scheme of things as the IFRS gets on stream also. This is because in the era of IFRS, strategic investors may readily take investment decisions based on financial results that are on hand rather than wait for ones that are not available. NAICOM also warned that once a financial statement is delayed, it has lost its relevance for people that want to make economic decisions from such company. Mr. Cyprian Amadi of the Supervision and Directorate Department of NAICOM therefore tasked underwriters that are in the habit of submitting results late to have a rethink if they don’t want to be left behind in the future. Accordingly, Amadi emphasised early submission of financial results by insurance companies in line with rel-

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evant provisions of the law to the commission early enough. While stressing that the aim for preparing financial statement is defeated when it is not made available to the users when needed, Amadi noted that the objective of financial reports include provision of useful information to a wide range of users in making economic decisions as the financial reports show the results of the stewardship of management, or the accountability of

management for the resources entrusted to it. He listed the users of financial statements to include investors, lenders, employees, customers, tax authorities, regulators, creditors and suppliers, as well as the general public. Amadi said, “The closer to year-end that financial statements are issued, the more relevant and reliable the information in them is to be used for making decisions.” Section 26 of the Insurance

Act, 2003 prescribes that an insurer must submit audited financial statements and annual returns, among other things in writing to NAICOM not later than 30th June of each year. Subsection 3 of the above section states that “An insurer which fails, neglects or refuses to file the returns and accounts under this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000 per day for each day of default.”

L-R: Mr. Yomi Onifade, Deputy General Manager, Mansard Insurance; Mr. Tosin Runsewe, Chief Client Officer and Mr. Kunle Ahmed, Executive Director, during a press conference to unveil the new Corporate Identity of Mansard Insurance to the media in Lagos.

Unhealthy rivalry, banking reforms major challenges to insurance growth— stakeholders By RITA OBODOECHINA

TAKEHOLDERS in the insurance industry have decried the harsh operating environment in which practitioners are operating in, saying that it impacted negatively on their overall performances in the 2011 financial year. Specifically, they lamented over unhealthy rivalries among insurance operators resulting in rate cutting and other unethical devices, as well as banking reforms which have led to the draught of credit to the real sector and the middle class thus eroding their assets acquisition capabilities. Speaking at the company’s 42nd annual general meeting in Lagos, Chairman of Niger Insurance Plc Alhaji Bala Zakariya’u said, “Although insurance ought to be a sellers’

market, but in reality the market power rests with the buyers. This is mainly due to cost reduction strategies of corporates coupled with the unhealthy rivalry among the insurance operators resulting in rate cutting and other unethical devises. This has made it extremely difficult for operators to play by the rules. The renewals were still effected not strictly on cash and carry basis as required by law but at terms and conditions dictated by the client.” He added that depressed earnings of listed insurance companies and investors’ fatigue made it difficult for companies to raise funds in the capital market in 2011. Also Chairman of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, Mr. Ralph Ekezie, during the company’s 17th AGM in Lagos said Nigerian insurance

market has continued to reel under the effects of the credit crisis in the banking industry as the second round reforms in the sector led to the draught of credit to the real sector and the middle class thus eroding their assets acquisition capabilities, adding that a considerable number of companies in the industry have thus been unable to generate gross revenues up to their operating capital. However, they commended the reforms initiated by National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, on strengthening the operational standard within the industry and bringing accountability in operations, adding that the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS by the industry regulator has further raised of their financials.

BRIEF NAICOM Fraud, not NICON: Court reserves Oct. 17, for adoption of addresses On Monday, we published a story: “NICON fraud, Court reserves ruling for October 17," we have since discovered that it was NAICOM, not NICON as erroneously published. The correct story is published hereunder:

N Abuja High Court on Thursday reserved Oct. 17 for the adoption of addresses on alleged N10.4 million fraud leveled against two former officials of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, Okechukwu Chukwulozie and Adedolapo Ogungbe for alleged N10.4 million fraud The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had in 2007 charged Okechukwu Chukwulozie, Angela Chukwulozie, a wife of the first accused and Adedolapo Ogungbe with the crime. Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi gave the date after the third accused person (Ogunde) had presented her defence. Ogunde, a former Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration, had said that the N3.5 million she received from the organisation was her legitimate entitlement. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ICPC had filed a three-count charge of corrupt advantage against Ogunde. The prosecution alleged that the third accused used her position to illegally withdraw the amount to furnish her apartment located in Maitama. Ogunde, however, said the money was her statutory in lieu of 28 days allowance meant for her position upon assumption of office in 2005. “I used the money to make the place livable as I bought curtains, four air-conditioners, micro wave, refrigerator, beddings and a set of upholstery. My Lord I have done no wrong as the money was officially meant for me and two other executive commissioners. “In fact Mr Badugu Useni, a Commissioner in charge of operations, was paid before me. My allowance was unnecessarily delayed and I became aggressive in November 2005. I was advised to suggest a name that the money could be remitted to and I used Mrs Aina Attahiru, my friend and the Managing Director of Barn Root Homes Creation. My Lord it would also interest the Court to know that I and the first accused were not paid the monetisation allowance that formed part of the prosecution’s evidence,’’ she said.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 33

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34—V anguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 34—Vanguard,

Frustrating illegal VIsa lottery agents By VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

HE primary es sence of getting across updated information to visa applicants concerning all visa matters is basically to put them right to avoid unwarranted rip off, which may result from patronizing illegal practitioners. It has been discovered, however, that most often, people do not follow instructions for some unknown reasons. With a notable increase and reports of fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery applicants, individuals who may have received letters or e:mail indicating such win, are promptly advised once again to note that the Department of States does not send e:mail or postal letter notification of winning or not winning the diversity visa lottery, as all verification concerning the program entrant status is viewed online. According to reports, the congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme makes available about 55,000 diversity visas annually, and is drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet its strict eligibility requirements, with particular interest on Countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. And with the interest of players at heart, the programme website, which

is made available only at certain periods of the year, is fully updated with instructions on stage to stage processing of the DV Lottery and as such the US Department of States, refuses to take the blame, if an applicant becomes mentally lazy to allow himself to be defrauded by any agency or group of scammers who pose as the US Department of States officials to extract money from him and or get entangled with fraudulent websites and Companies, posing as the US associates. The DV Lottery website is the only source of official information about the program, therefore as an entrant, you are advised to keep safe your confirmation/Entrant Status Check, as it is the only means by which you can verify on the internet if your entry was selected or not.

Entrant Status Check Apparently, if you lose your confirmation number, it becomes quite impossible for you to be able to check your DV entry status, and if this happens, you will lose out, as The Department of States will not be able to resend another confirmation number to you. Successful DV Entrant When you have been selected for further processes in the Diversity Visa Program, the law requires that you should demonstrate your eligi-

bility by providing all mandated prerequisites, which must be authentic and from the right issuing Nigeria authorities, as proof to show that you are qualified. Successful or not, it is imperative to note that the US Department of States does not notify successful Diversity Visa applicants by either letter or E-mail. The Electronic DV Entry form is downloaded and filled online at no charge on the part of the applicant and once the form has been completed and sent in, you can only check the status of your entry by returning to the website with the information from your confirmation page saved at the time of playing the lottery. Visa scammers Any applicant who receives a letter or e: mail without going through the normal process of checking for entry status through the use of the Confirmation/Entrant Status Check as indicated by The US Department of States, a letter or e: mail demanding that you should pay a certain fee, and or notifying you of a free air tickets to the US, for you and your family, has nothing to do with the United States Department of States Diversity Visa Lottery Program, and as such should be treated as fraud and perhaps be reported to the right Nigeria authority.

UK Minister for Africa lauds Petroleum Industry Bill in Nigeria

NITED Kingdom Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, has disclosed the importance of the forthcoming Petroleum Industry Bill which he said will foster investment confidence in Nigeria. Speaking at the High Level Business and Investment Summit on Nigeria held at the Dorchester Hotel in London, the minister dwelt extensively on the strong business relationship existing between the UK and Nigeria, pointing out that there was need for the two countries to partner in the utilization of the wealth of

opportunities in Nigeria to grow their respective economies. Bellingham said: “There is a wealth of opportunities in Nigeria. All of us here today have a role to play in realizing those opportunities. While the Olympics may be a competition, trade and investment is not. It is a positive sum game from which we can all benefit. My government is wholeheartedly committed to supporting Nigeria’s rise", adding that the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Bill was of great significance. He noted that “the bill

Henry Bellingham, United Kingdom Minister for Africa

provides a real opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate to the business community that it is ready and willing to embrace and protect new investments.”

E-mail: consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com C M Y K

V anguard Vanguard anguard,,

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis may bring you personality clashes base on envy from the other party. Slow down and give peace a chance at least for now. SCORPIO; Full-Moon in Aries points to possible misunderstanding (probably) within your working arena. This is the wrong time to fan the embers of discord. SAGIT TARIUS; Although the full-Moon is generating tension, your wish is to have your good time. It’s wrong to under-rate the havoc jealousy can wreck. CAPRICORN; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis will bring pressure from many fronts, the more noticeable ones are career/business and domestic related types

WEDNESD AY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 35 WEDNESDA

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Need a job?

By Richard Eromosele

OME of us are very selective and choosing as to choice of job. Everything we are offered we reject just because we want the best. Haba! Do we have to run before crawling? In order to get the best

kind of job, sometimes we need a history of jobs behind us. We must have piled up a lot of experience in previous jobs. And you know what. it is easier to get a better job

TERROR MUDA

when you are already saddled with one. No serious employer will employ you today and put on a slary scale that is the highest in the industry when you don’t have a history of performance behind

in “Never say goodbye”

you. Need a job, build up your curriculum vitae. Volunteer to do some task. Accept some jobs just to develop your curriculum vitae. Get ahead of your competitor by strategically and deliberately building up a rich resume.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Full-Moon in Aries warns you to watch what you sign and verbally agreed to do. If you fail to respect the law, it’ll back-fire very soon. PISCES; Today ’s full-Moon in Aries does not encourage carelessness with money as such can actually lead to avoidable but serious troubles. Avoid jealous approach ARIES; Full-Moon in your Star sign will encourage you to under-rate many to their resentment the way you too’ll be negatively affected. Don’t ignore your spouse TAURUS; Full-Moon in Aries warns you to do away with whatever can not be placed above board. Take your health seriously today more than before GEMINI; Today ’s full-Moon in Aries can tempt you to expose your love life unnecessarily. Separate your private/personal affairs and open friendship CANCER; Full-Moon will certainly affect your mood and make you aggressive but, encouragement of tension along your career line and/or within your business circle can not help your cause now. Protection of your image is important however.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

LEO; Full-Moon may bring you what you’re likely to see as an insult but in reality it is not one. You only need to be on the right side of the law so that you’ll have the last laugh to the detriment of your opponents. Discourage of jealousy within you. VIRGO; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis may generate tension around you but, the best way for you not to be the loser is to make sure your finances are well protected. Then green eyed monster called jealousy may make things a little bit difficult.

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

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Basic characteristics of Pisces Pisces is 12th of the twelve Zodiac signs ruled by mysterious Neptune. It quality is mutable while it element is water. Mutable aspect of Pisces indicates that people born under it are changeable, by this I mean they change their minds often times. Being a water sign, naives of this Star have very strong intuition and can flow into anybody heart and/or mind. Neptune as the ruler of Pisces brings compassion and ARTISTIC talent into Pisces born people’s creativity quotient. Neptune rules psychic related thing and many of things that cannot be placed above board; Neptune makes most natives of this star sign secretive, hard to understand and dreaming. Two opposing fishes as joint symbol of Pisces oftentimes responsible for occasional confusion suffer by all natives of Pisces one time or the other. It is truly important for them to learn how to control both their emotion and mind. Because it is easy for Pisces people to become pessimistic unnecessarily The reasons are while one of the fishes may head for optimism and day dreaming, the other’s inclination may be of fear, despondency and timidity. Thus, confusion can creep in and that will be to the detriment of their confidence. Cultivation of practical nature and adoption of realistic method in all you do will be of great importance. It is equally important for Pisces born people like you to take psychic related things more seriously because they can make use of psychic and/ or spiritual related things. C M Y K

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

•Anene

•Mbechi Obiageli Susan

•Obiakor Maryann

•One of the brassier sshowing where the drug was hidden

SUICIDAL!

Pregnant woman swallows 51 wraps of cocaine •Two other women also in NDLEA net for concealing hard drugs in panties, brassiers and hair wigs By ALBERT AKPOR

HERE couldn’t have been a much more suitable adjective to describe the action of a middle-aged woman who threw caution to the winds and swallowed an astonishing 51 wraps of cocaine for inexcusable reason of poverty than to describe it as ‘suicide’. The 38 year-old woman from Oduma in Enugu State who resides in Brazil gave her name as Mbechi Obiageli Susan. She was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on her way from Sao Paulo, Brazil, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with the aid of a scanning machine. Though the woman has since pleaded poverty for her action, chairman of the anti-narcotic agency, Ahmadu Giade, was quick to disagree with her claim on the ground that there were several other credible means of earning a living.

Okwudili and Ms. Anene Blessing Iruoma allegedly walked into the agency ’s dragnet also at the same airport with a much more larger quantity of hard drugs which later tested for Methamphetamine smartly concealed in their customized panties, brassiers and hair wigs. Though the women tried to outwit NDLEA operatives, they were, however, betrayed by their body frisk; and that attracted the attention of airport security officials who suspected that there must be more to their gorgeous looks. Upon profiling too, the duo who hail from Nando and Igbariam in Anambra State respectively

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officials for their alertness and collaboration. Hamisu said: “The drugs were detected during routine screening of passengers. The suspects are helping narcotic officials in our investigation. I commend the level of cooperation among security agencies at the airport. I also thank the management of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for their significant role in these arrests. “Miss Anene Blessing hails from Igbariam in Anambra State with passport number A03660604. She was found to be wearing a customized brassier, pants and hair wig all

stuffed with substances which tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.7kg. Ms Obiakor Maryann Okwudili, age 34, who hails from Nando in Anambra State with passport number A01444553 was apprehended on same flight with Anene. She too concealed 1.90kg of methamphetamine in under wears. The third suspect named Mbechi Obiageli Susan, with passport number A00288396 hails from Oduma village in Enugu State. She ingested 900 grammes of cocaine and was arrested on her way from Sao-Paulo, Brazil with the aid of scanning machines. Mbechi claimed to be three months pregnant and during the process of profiling, she excreted 51 pellets of cocaine weighing 900 grammes.

How Police arrested suspected ••My customers surrendered the cards to me—suspect By IFEANYI OKOLIE

Illicit drug trafficking Giade said: “Poverty is far from an excuse for anybody to take to illicit drug trafficking. There are many other ways of making a living without breaching the law. Apart from offending the law, did she think about the danger inherent in ingesting hard drugs as a pregnant woman? This is why we shall continue to do our best to provide enabling environment to fight this menace that is fast assuming frightening dimension.” While the case of Susan was still being analysed, two other women, Ms. Obiakor Maryann

were discovered to have concealed the illicit drugs in their underwears and hair wigs. They were both on their way to Malaysia via Cairo and attempted to board an Egypt airline flight. They too blamed poverty for their woes. The drugs weighed 4.5kgs. Commenting on the arrest, Abuja airport commander of NDLEA, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said he was shocked at the escalating rate of women’s involvement in criminality especially illicit drug trafficking. Though he commended his men for their exceptional performance, he also expressed gratitude to airport security

The suspect

UARDS at Guarantee Trust Bank, Ogba branch, were not taken by surprise as Dare Oladujoye anticipated when he stormed the bank’s Automated Teller Machine, ATM, with an alleged intention of siphoning money from some innocent account holders of the bank. The guards who were conducting regular patrols around the bank premises didn’t find it difficult detecting that Oladujoye, a driver with one of the new generation banks, had a criminal intention. Crime Alert gathered that the guards confronted him, searched and found 19 ATM cards belonging to several customers of their bank and the sum of N652, 000 which he had successfully withdrawn from the ATM inside his pocket. They quickly contacted the police through their control room and detectives from Area G, Ogba, raced to the

scene and arrested the suspect. Sources told Crime Alert that Oladujoye couldn’t establish during interrogation how he came up with 19 ATM cards which were not his. A source who craved anonymity said that when taken into police custody, the suspect presented an unbelievable story as he had no proof to back them at all. He said: “You can imagine the young man told us that he got the ATM cards from the owners and they were some of his debtors. We asked him to contact them to come claim the cards from us but till now, we are yet to see any of them. So far, we are trying to establish how he got those cards. “The bank has provided us with the names and numbers of owners of those bank accounts and they are also assisting in establishing how he got the cards. We, however, noted two factors: if he claims the cards belongs to his customers, why were they all of the same bank; why not other banks and also why did he decide to withdraw the money at that hour of the

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 37

By EVELYN USMAN and IFEANYI OKOLIE

HE Special Fraud Unit in its continuous clampdown on fraudsters has nabbed some swindlers who parade themselves as Muslim clerics to defraud innocent members of the public of their hard earned money. Crime Alert learnt that the unit swung into action after receiving a petition alleging that sometime in October 2011, one Lawal Suleiman collected goods (fireworks) valued at N13, 320, 750 with the promise to pay as soon as the goods were delivered. According to the petitioner, the goods were delivered successfully but the receiver refused to pay. Then on June 18, 2012, the petitioner got a message from the receiver ’s elder brother who informed him that his brother was swindled by some fraudsters at Ilorin, Kwara State. They named the fraudsters as Fatai Bamidele and Lateef Ahmed. Based on this, operatives of the unit were said to have spread their dragnet in and around the scene of crime and at the end of their investigation, they arrested two of the suspects. The first suspect, Fatai Bamidele, 34, who hails from Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, claimed to be a Muslim cleric who normally assist Lawal Suleiman in his spiritual life. He stated that Lawal Suleiman came to him to seek spiritual assistance concerning a bad dream he had. Along the line, he stated that Lawal also requested for charms to make money. This request for more money, he stated, prompted him to introduce Lawal to one Alhaji Lateef Ahmed in Ilorin who happens to be his master and superior, from where the sum of N10 million was reportedly taken from Lawal.

Police arrest fraudsters that pose as Muslim Clerics to defraud people ...details of how victim ate heart of ram

Money for sacrifice

The suspects and their charms Investigations by the operatives showed that Lateef Ahmed, 45, is from Kwara State. He attended primary school education and later went to an Islamic school to become an Imam. He collaborated with Fatai that Lawal needed protection and more money to be rich and they subsequently informed Lawal that they have two types of money rituals, (i) The one

brought by ghost, (ii) the one from daily contribution. Lawal reportedly opted for daily contribution and before the operatives rounded them up, the sum of N10m had been obtained from him. During investigation, it was discovered that out of the N10m, Lateef gave Bamidele N2.5m while he took the remaining N7.5m. Bamidele used

his money to buy one infinity Jeep valued at N1.4m while the balance was used to complete his house. Alhaji Lateef Ahmed bought Windstar Ford valued at N1.4m and used the remaining balance to renovate his house and take care of his family needs. Operatives from the Unit conducted search warrants in Alhaji Lateef ’s house and shrine

fraudster with 19 ATM cards night when he knew that most bank staff and customers had closed for the day.” The suspect, however, told Crime Alert that the ATM cards were not obtained fraudulently but that they were given to him by their owners. He said: “I am a money lender and I have lots of customers. But they usually hand over their ATM cards and pin numbers to me whenever I loan money to them. That practice was because I wanted to know whenever they got money.”

Enough resources When asked how he obtained enough resources to become a money lender, Oladujoye said: “I started working for my bank two years ago as a driver and I was very diligent. I saved my money and bought a tricycle and gave it out for hire. After some

months, I bought two more tricycles and they were turning over about N120,000 for me every month. Then I ventured into money lending. My customers are numerous and we have an agreement that they will surrender their cards to me when I give them money and on weekly basis, I will withdraw any money they have paid into their account. On the day I was arrested, I went to withdraw money with some of the cards when a security guard raised alarm. I did not steal those cards. I know the owners and I have their numbers on my phone.” Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umaru Manko, while confirming the report said the arrest was made at about 8.30pm last Thursday, following an alarm raised at the Ogba branch of GTB, by one of the guards. Manko said: “On July

26, 2012, around 8:30pm, there was a distress call that there was commotion at GTB, Ogba branch. On getting there, the suspect, Dare Oladujoye, was seen with 19 ATM cards. He was arrested and at the time of

located at Ilorin, Kwara State where assorted charms and juju were recovered. But in an interview with Lawal, he claimed he was hypnotized by the duo of Alhaji Lateef and Bamidele, adding that he was locked up for three months from where N10 million was collected from him. Lawal said: “I have known Bamidele for years. He was the one that told me he had a bad dream concerning me and my children and, therefore, called for spiritual sacrifice. I gave him money to buy a ram because he said he would involve other Muslim clerics to pray along. But he later came back and said he would engage the service of his superior, one Alhaji Lateef, who invited me to Kwara and gave me the heart of the ram which they used for sacrifice to eat. Immediately I ate it, I did not know where I was again.

his arrest, he had cashed N652,000. The matter is under investigation.” The Police, however, said part of investigation included effort to contact owners of the accounts to ascertain his claim.

The recovered ATM cards and the money.

They started demanding money from me and also made me swear to an oath of secrecy, saying that the day I would reveal what happened between us to anyone that I would die. I was locked up for three months from where they kept demanding for more money for sacrifice. Then on April this year, I suddenly realized myself and escaped from where I was kept. Since then, they have been calling me on phone to bring more money.” At this point, a mild drama unfolded itself when Bamidele interjected, calling Lawal a lie. “He is lying. It was him who came to me that he had a bad dream. He later came and said he wanted charms that would make those he owed to forget their money. I told him I did not have such charm but would introduce him to Alhaji Lateef. Alhaji Lateef corroborated Bamidele’s claim saying the preparation of the concoction for quick money usually lasted one year. He said he started preparing it since last November with the hope of finishing it this October, only to be arrested at the verge of it.” The Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, CP Tunde Ogunsakin said investigations into the case is on-going after which the suspects would be arraigned in court. He advised members of the public to desist from being desperate to get rich quick, as they might fall into the hands of fraudsters who are on the prowl. C M Y K

38 — Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

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— 39 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012—

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40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Knights condemn Boko Haram activities BY LAJA THOMAS

VISIT: Mr. Dan Ugo, Customs Area Comptroller, Ikeja, Lagos (left); Deji Elumoye, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Counjcil (right) and Sylva Okereke, Secretary, Lagos NUJ, during a visit by the council to the Federal Operation Unit of Customs Service, Ikeja, Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Maurice Lakanu Lakanu, Registrar, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered); Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council; Sola Obadimu, Director Capacity Building, NIM and Amina Oyagbola, Human Resources Executive, MTN Nigeria Ltd., when NIM paid a courtesy visit to MTN. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

NIGHTS and La dies of St John International drawn from the United States, West Africa, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the Caribbean Islands, have condemned the activities of the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, in Nigeria. The condemnation came at their International and Biennial Convention at the Westin Hotel, Charlotte, United Sates of America, which held under the theme, Gather us togetherMake Us One Bread, One Body, In Your Love. In a communiqué signed by the Supreme President, Knights of St John International, General Timothy Hoerst, the knights observed that society at large has been faced with numerous and often devastating challenges, such as the global financial meltdown and Islamic fundamentalism. They said: “We also condemn the continued display of religious intolerance in some countries for example, the Boko Haram fanatical Muslim

No plans for reprisal attack on JTF —Ogoloma Council of Chiefs F

OLLOWING the recent crack down on some militants in Okrika Local Government, Rivers State, by the Joint Task Force, JTF, the council chiefs in Ogoloma Community of the local government has debunked insinuations that its youths are preparing for a reprisal attack on the JTF. In a press conference yesterday, Chief Levi Tamunoyowuna II Alalibo, spokesman for the community, berated those spreading such rumour even as he praised the activities of the JTF saying their coming to the community has not only made the area peaceful but has created opportunities for commercial activities. He said: ”The meeting the community had was a peaceful meeting dwelling on the unity of the community and also preparing for the incoming jetty project by the Nigeria Inland Water-

ways and how those affected by the new development would begin to relocate. We were therefore shocked when the news started filtering in that our youths are planning to attack the JTF and that is the essence of the press conference to allay the fears of the JTF. The rumour is baseless and misleading and we know it is an attempt to destroy the good rela-

tionship that exist between the Ogoloma community and the JTF.” Meanwhile, youths in the community have also condemned the rumour even as they pledged their support for the JTF. They warned rumour mongers and mischief makers to desist from activities that do not represent the good people of Ogoloma, saying, ” we know the importance of

peace in this community and that is why we are very happy that the JTF is within our community here. Since they have been here the place has been relatively peaceful. We equally know that peace effort is not meant for the JTF alone and that is why are willing and ready to assist them particularly in the area of information to make their job easier."

Film academy empowers youths

AGNUS Film Academy, a sister company of Magnus Media and Entertainment is to embark on a nationwide free training programme on film making to empower Nigerian youths willing to make a career in the film industry. The project is being packaged as a corporate social responsibility programme by the company in conjunction with cor-

porate establishments as co-sponsors as well as key career artists, film producers and film directors from the film making industry as facilitators. At a media chat in Lagos to introduce the programme, the Chief Operating Officer of the organisation, Mr. Cyril Odenigbo, said the project was designed to take Nigerian youths who have been facing challenges of unemploy-

ment off the streets and impart into them basic knowledge in film making, acting and directing which they can continue to build on as a career. Mr. Odenigbo explained that the project which is designed to be nationwide will take off in Enugu State where a 4-week programme slated for August 31 to September 29, 2012, will be conducted.

insurgence in Nigeria. All these disasters have greatly influenced society’s apprehension on our common wellbeing and security.” Speaking after the convention, the leader of the Nigerian delegation and Supreme Subordinate President of Nigeria, Major General Ansalem Okafor, expressed regret that the activities of Boko Haram have presented Nigeria in a bad light

before the international community and has the tendency to create religious disharmony if not properly handled. He thereafter urged people not to get involved in any form of terrorist activities perpetrated in the name of religion. He said: “We encourage and develop the spirit of love of country and of its institutions and to extend to the whole world the spirit of good will.”

Members of opposition parties in Ebonyi 'll decamp to APGA —Nwali BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI— CHAIRMAN of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Ebony State, Mr. Chinedum Nwali, yesterday claimed that members of different opposition parties including All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, had indicated interest to join APGA at both local government

and state levels of the party. At a briefing, Nwali, who said arrangements were on to welcome the decampees to APGA next month, attributed renewed interest in the membership of the party to the recent change in the leadership position of the party in the state and the positive impact the party had made in the political arena of the country.

Loral commences pre-degree programmes

ORAL Internation al Secondary School has concluded plans to start one year foundation (pre-degree) programme that would aid students’ admission to highly rated institutions abroad. The Senior Principal of the school, Ezinne Maria Uzegbunam, disclosed this during the 17th graduation and prizegiving ceremony of the school, held recently at the Multi-purpose Hall

of the Festac campus of the institution. She said Loral is partnering with notable organisations to facilitate oversea admissions for its students. She noted that the partnership would open doors of admission for Loral students to prestigious academic institutions in Hungary, Malaysia, Canada, Ukraine, Belarus and other foreign universities.

Prof Okeke-Ezigbo passes on

ROF. Felix OkekeEzigbo is dead, aged 67. Until his death, he was a Professor of English and an Affiliated Professor of African and Afro-American Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Burial programme announced by his family include today at his residence Umunambu village, Alor Anambra State. Lying in state at the same venue tomorrow followed by a funeral service at St. Mary ’s Catholic Church Umunambu and interment

immediately after at his residence. He is survived by his widow, four children, and grandchildren.

Late Okeke-Ezigbo

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Vanguard, WEDNESD AY , A UGUST 1, 2012 — 41 WEDNESDA AUGUST

Arafat’s widow wants husband’s death probed Y

ASSER Arafat’s wid ow has asked a French court to launch a murder investigation into the death of the Palestinian leader, after an Al Jazeera investigation suggested he was poisoned by a radioactive element. After a sudden collapse in his health, Arafat was flown to France in October 2004 from his battered headquarters, where he had been effectively confined by Israel for more than two and a half years. He died a month later. Arafat aides at the time quoted doctors as saying he had suffered

a brain haemorrhage and lost the use of his vital organs one by one. Allegations of foul play quickly surfaced after the doctors who treated him said they could not establish a precise cause of the illness that led to his death. The lawsuit filed by his widow Suha and their daughter Zahwa on Tuesday, in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre, accused a person, or persons unknown, of premeditated murder. Their complaint followed a statement by a Swiss institute that it had found surprisingly

•Yasser Arafat high levels of polonium210 on Arafat’s clothing - the same substance used to kill former Rus-

sian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. A legal source told the Reuters news agen-

cy that the Nanterre court would, in the first instance, have to determine whether it had jurisdiction to examine whether a case of alleged poisoning that took place in another country could be legally investigated in France. “Suha and Zahwa have complete faith in the French justice system,” a statement released by Suha’s lawyer said. “Suha and Zahwa Arafat do not, at this stage, advance any accusation against a specific party, be it a state, a group or an individual.”

Syria strikes Aleppo as rebels claim successes S YRIAN combat air craft and artillery have pounded two key areas of Aleppo, extending the army ’s campaign to control the country’s biggest city. Heavy gunfire sounded from the Salaheddin district in the southwest of the city on

Tu e s d a y , a s t h e opposition denied the government’s claims that rebel fighters had been driven out by troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Instead, rebel fighters said it was the regime

troops that had been forced to retreat. In the latest fighting on Tuesday, attack helicopters turned their machineguns on rebelheld eastern districts for the first time and a MiG warplane later strafed the same area.

The army said two days ago it had taken Salaheddin, but Syrian state television said on Tuesday that government forces were now pursuing the remnants of a group of “terrorists” there, suggesting the army did not have full

control of the area. Salaheddin resembled what a Reuters journalist called a “ghost town”, its shops shuttered, with no sign of life in its apartment buildings and its streets mostly devoid of traffic.

Romney’s gaffy steps on global stage BY HUGO ODIOGOR

T was planned to well choreographed global event, the six day trip of Republican Party hopeful, Mitt Romney to launch him into the international arena, and demonstrate that he can lead lead America, and by extension, the world. Mitt Romney, who has become adept in bashing President Barack Obama for his poor handling of the U.S. Economy, revealed the stuff he is made of on the world stage where his just concluded trips to Europe and Middle East tended in fiasco. In no small measure, he lost the opportunity to rise to the global statesmanship expected of a potential president of the United States of America. Romney fired the first blank shot on July 26th when he choose the eve of the opening of the London Olympic Games to criticised the British people and London Mayoralty, in particular, for their shoddiness in organising the Olympic Games. Romney described the organ-

isation as “disconcerting”, particularly, the quality of the infrastructure and the security preparations put up by the organisers. It was a kill joy gaff that the British media and political establishment did not find funny and their feelings were made known to the GOP potential flag-bearer, immediately. For the purposes of scoring political point,. Romney told a disinterested British that he will restore the relations between US and UK which has be brought to its lowest ebb by President Barack Obama who he accused of removing the burst of Winston Church Hill from oval office. By the time Romney left the United Kingdom, his visit had been drowned by the din of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. With nation’s concerned about natural pride and glory in London Olympics, little attention was given to post motern review of the visit. Given the strategic relations between the United States

•Mitt Romney and the United Kingdom, the military and economic ties between the two countries, the world had expected that Mitt Romney would have given the world a bird’s eye view of

Romney kept mute about the economic recession in America, and the Europe, he could not offer any insight of what he thinks of security situation in Asia particularly, Pakistan, Afghanistan, where US has set a time table to withdraw from the conflicts created by the Republican hawks. He was blank on the hegemonic emergence in of China in Asia and global political economy. The world would recall with clarity, Barack Obama’s European tour and his speech in Berlin in 2008 as he prepared for the election.

The world had expected that Mitt Romney would have given the world a bird’s eye view of what he understands of the global economic crisis

what he understands of the global economic crisis that has become the cardinal plank of his campaign to replace Obama in the White House.

From Britain, Romney travelled to the Middle East where he ended his trip on another controversial note when said that the Jews have been more successful because

of their culture. He said: “As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality,” Romney told a group of Jewish donors at a Jerusalem fundraiser that netted more than $1 million for his campaign. Romney said the”enormous disparities” between Israel and the neighboring countries is a product of cultural differences.Said Romney ”as I come here, and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things.” Romney ’s comments didn’t sit well with key Palestinian leaders, including Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,who said that Romney ’s comment was a “racist statement.”

BRIEFS Euro job loses rises

HE number of people unemployed across the 17 countries that use the euro hit a record high in June, official figures showed Tuesday, in a stark reminder that Europe’s debt crisis has ramifications beyond the financial markets. Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office, said 17.801 million people were out of work in the eurozone in June. That was 123,000 more than May, and is the highest level since the euro was formed in 1999. The increase was the 14th in a row and means that around 2.25 million people have lost their jobs since April 2011.

Democrats pick Latino for speech

ARKING a first for Hispanics, the Democratic party has chosen the mayor of San Antonio to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. The party announced yesterday that Mayor Julian Castro will deliver the high-profile, primetime address on the convention’s opening night, Sept. 4., in Charlotte, N.C. First lady Michelle Obama will also address convention delegates — and a nationwide television audience — on the same night. Castro, 37, is the youngest mayor of a major U.S. city and the first Hispanic selected to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic convention. President Barack Obama is banking on Hispanic support in battleground states like Florida, Colorado and Nevada.

Namibian women alleges sterilisation

AMIBIA’s govern ment sterilised three women infected with HIV without obtaining proper consent after forcing them to sign agreement forms they did not understand, a judge has ruled. Judge Elton Hoff’s ruling on Tuesday, which rejected lawyers’ accusations that doctors sterilised the women to prevent mother-to-child transmission in a country where the virus remains endemic, was applauded by activists.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Why we must talk now by Babalola, Olumilua and others ERSTWHILE Lagos political operative, Opeyemi Bamidele now a member of the House of Representatives has in recent times used the opportunity of his birthday to stoke issues of national concern. His 49th birthday anniversary last Thursday was no exception.

*Bamidele: Initiated the MOB lecture series BY DAPO AKINREFON

REVIOUS speakers of the Opeyemi Bamidele lecture series include Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State who spoke on the theme: “Moving from

UNDAY’s press statement by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN demanding the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur from his position as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was characteristic of the caustic press releases from the party targeted at the PDP. The demand from the ACN came on the heels of the arraignment of Mahmud Tukur, son of the national chairman of the ruling PDP for alleged offences related to the fuel subsidy scam. It was not the first time that the ACN would rebuke the PDP at its embarrassing points. The sometimes truculent missives of the ACN media machinery at the federal level have undoubtedly helped to give the country the semblance of opposition that is presently lacking in many states. The ACN’s press statements are indeed not always hostile: shorn of their political biases, they would indeed be helpful only if the PDP incorporates opposition views into its politicking. In some cases, as when the country had a face-off with South Africa, the

activism into politics: Imperatives of democratic transition in the African context”; former chairman, Editorial board of the News magazine, Mr Odia Ofeimum on “how goes the Nigerian state”; Professor Itse

Sagay on “legislating for the common good: Contemporary issues and perspective”; and Commissioner for transport in Lagos state, Mr Kayode Opeife “errands of progress: product of collective struggle”.

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN

ACN and PDP:

Is it a pot calling kettle black? ACN actually came out in commendation of the administration’s posture. But beneath the veneer of its seeming holier-than-thou attitude is the recurring question of the essential differences between the two parties. Not too long ago when the new set of PDP national officers emerged at the forcefully arranged convention in Abuja, the ACN in a fitting riposte rebuked the PDP for its abuse of the principle of democracy in the selection of its national officers. Many of those who witnessed the PDP convention, and also witnessed the ACN convention

in Benin almost two years ago, would have been shocked at the vehemence with which the leading opposition party harried the PDP over its obvious democratic deficiencies in the election of its national executive. As some who were in Benin observed, the national officers who were returned by the ACN were just announced from a prearranged list of those chosen before the event. One of the ACN presiding officials at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium betrayed that suggestion when he said perhaps unconsciously “as we agreed before now”. The ACN surprisingly, has not

The 2012 edition of the lecture entitled: “Legislating in troubled times: National Assembly and challenges of legislating for good governance in Nigeria”, was the 5th annual MOB lecture series in commemoration of the 49th birthday anniversary of Bamidele, held at the Alumni hall, Christ School in Ado-Ekiti. Eminent personalities present at the event included: former governor of Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Mr Biodun Akinfasaye who represented Governor Kayode Fayemi; the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye; Mr and Mrs Opeyemi Bamidele, Ekiti state chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Tunde Awe; Messrs Bimbo Daramola and Adekunle Fatai; former local government chairman of Oshodi-Isolo, Chief Ipesa Balogun; the Chief Imam of Ekiti state, Alhaji Jamiu Bello; Dr Sanya Awosan, Mrs Omowunmi Edet, Mr Dayo Akinlaja (SAN); clergymen and traditional rulers. Babalola chides opponents of SNC: Firing the first salvo was a legal icon, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, who stated the imperative of convening a conference to discuss the multifarious problems that have besieged the country. While flaying opponents of a national conference, especially those within the National Assembly, he asserted that sovereignty resides in the people. While he attributed the problems of the country to defects in the 1999 Constitution, he noted that the process of constitution making is allencompassing. He posited that many of the

problems currently facing the country are a direct result of the lopsidedness of the 1999 constitution. Accordingly, he said “ this is itself traceable to the fact that the 1999 constitution on which our democratic government is hinged, was imposed on us by the military without any input by any of us”.

shown any remorse on its inclination towards selection as its national chairman, the respected Chief Bisi Akande once told newsmen in Oshogbo, that the party does not make any pretence about democracy in the selection of its candidates for elections. It was apparently in that vein that the party hierarchy selected its gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State even before the formality of a primary last weekend. Similarly in the conduct of local government elections, the ACN as it demonstrated just recently in Ogun State, has not shown itself any better than the PDP in the liberalisation of the democratic space. It was as such not surprising that when the party picked on the national chairman of the PDP for rebuke, the response from the recharged media team of the PDP was swift, scathing and sarcastic. In the response signed by Chief Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary, the PDP demanded a response from the ACN on why the opposition party has so far not demanded the

resignation of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly who is himself presently enmeshed in a trial over his management of funds of the state legislature. The retooled publicity machine of the PDP at the national and South-West levels have proved to be almost a match for the articulate and vibrant media machine of the ACN. If anything, the ACN media machine has proved to be a helpful antidote to the raucous rascality that has bedeviled the ruling PDP. But then, the ACN can only perfect a warm rapport with the populace only if it is able to purge itself of those same issues that are evident in the ruling party. In doing this, the party must ensure that the fundamentals of governance are manifestly different in the states under its control. The party would also have to address the matter of internal democracy in the enthronement of its officers and candidates. By doing this the country’s leading opposition party would be properly positioned to challenge the PDP!

Constitution making process He noted that “as a result of this diversity, it was and is still necessary that the constitution making process should take into recognition all factors aimed at bringing about a true peoples constitution”. Babalola, who was chairman at the event, faulted the amendments effected in the constitution just as he noted that the amendments were only directed at the political process and the resolution of disputes arising from elections. “These amendments”, he argued, “ did not touch on crucial matters such as devolution of power, fiscal policy and restructuring of the country or the appropriate type of parliament. The reason for this is not far fetched. Many of the problems afflicting this country today require far reaching solutions which many in the National Assembly and even the State Houses of Assembly may not be able to consider dispassionately”. Restating the case for a national conference, he explained that delegates to such a conference,

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012—43

The price I'm paying in Bauchi — Suspended female MP HON. Rifkatu Danna representing Bogoro constituency, is the only female member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. Few months ago she was suspended from the House following allegations of uncomplimentary remarks said to have been made by her over the relocation of Tafawa-Balewa council and district headquarters from Tafawa Balewa town to Bununu. In this interview the female lawmaker opens up on the issues and circumstances behind her actions and the price she is paying. Excerpts: BY SUZAN EDEH

O you think your colleagues were fair to you on your suspension? To be frank I do not know why they took that rash decision. I don’t know whether it was based on the constitution or something else. I don’t know what actually influenced that decision, but I was really unfairly treated. Do you think your fate could dither other females from embracing politics? The development has already scared women in the state but I feel women are not silent about the issue. It is just that it is bigger than they can handle and the current insecurity in the state has hindered them from reacting to the matter. Many women organizations in the state have asked me what I intend to do about it. Some told me that they would demonstrate but I asked them not to do so because I am a

the relocation of the headquarters of Tafawa Balewa were not against the rules of the House. Legislators are there to make laws for the upliftment of the people of the state. We are not there to work for a particular tribe, religion or area but we are to make laws that will better the lives of the people. I am surprised why for the past two months, the matter is yet to be resolved. I recently visited the House after my suspension to greet my colleagues only for the speaker to ask me to leave or I would be ejected by the police. So I left in astonishment.

*Danna loyal member of my party [PDP]. Is it true that your colleagues asked you to write an apology

letter over your utterances? I want people to know that my utterances during the motion for

ow that you have been out of the Assembly for more than two months, what are you going to do? It is even more than two months now. But I want to tell you that I have tendered my apology verbally to the house over my purported irritating statement. But they insisted that I must present a written apology. I did not do that because I know that I have not committed any offence for opposing the motion. What crime have I committed? Is it because I expressed my opinion about a certain motion or what? Though I am now a suspended member of the House, I feel that they have no right to send me away from the Assembly, because it is the people of my constituency that have the right to recall me and if it is their wish for me to remain in the

House, no one has power constitutionally to remove me. Despite my suspension, the members were still not satisfied and asked me to return all properties of the House in my possession. They also reported me to the party [PDP] and I am now waiting for the party to intervene into the matter urgently. I think they did this to me because I am a woman and I come from the minority tribe in the state. Why I opposed that motion for the relocation of Tafawa Balewa local government headquarters to Bununu was to protect the interest of my people. I did not say that all members must support me and in a democratic dispensation a law maker has the right to either support or oppose any motion. What action are you going to take now concerning the issue now? Yes, the matter is now before the party [PDP] so since both I and the speaker are all under the same party, I believe the party will intervene in the matter. But if it is unable to resolve the matter amicably, I am ready to take the next line of action which is to go to court. But do you believe that the party will reconcile you? I think the party as a mother to all of us will summon us in order to resolve the problem. I have not been invited yet by the party but I will respond if I am called upon. I deserve fairness and justice as a woman who is considered a weaker sex.

Why we must talk now by Babalola, Olumilua Continues from page 42 may be elected without party basis or affiliation adding that delegates will be saddled with the responsibility of coming out with a constitution that “will meet with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians for a united and developed country. Noting the resistance to a dialogue, he advised that “members will not however be drawn from geographical delimitation alone as is currently the basis for election into the National Assembly and Houses of Assembly of the states. He added that “there must be representatives from interest groups. The advantage will be that Nigerians from all walks of life will be represented at the conference”. Backing his claim with Section 14 (2) of the 1999 constitution, the legal luminary said “the sovereign rights of Nigerians entitle them to amend the existing constitution or substitute a new one for the existing constitution”. He was of the view that “it is not for those who were elected under the existing constitution and empowered to govern, rule or make laws and regulations under the existing constitution to deny the people of Nigeria their sovereign right to jettison the old

constitution or substitute a new one for the existing constitution. The sovereign right belongs to the people and not to their delegates”. He opposed the Senate President, Senator David Mark’s objections to such a conference. “I believe that Nigerians should have the ultimate say as to whether a sovereign national conference is necessary or not. Again, I must emphasize that sovereignty does not reside in the presidency or the executive, the National Assembly or the judiciary but in the people”’ he argued. Our problems traceable to 1999 constitution — Olumilua Lending his voice to the continued clamour for a conference to address the anomalies in the nation was former governor of old Ondo state, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua. Tracing the problems of Nigeria to the 1999 constitution, Olumilua faulted the Presidential system of government currently being practiced. “If we trace the problems facing Nigeria, it will be found in the 1999 constitution. To me, the presidential system of government is abominable, it is a big departure from what we expected. Unfortunately, we we

did not adopt all that is enshrined in the presidential system, even the so called federal character is lopsided.” He further argued that “if we had done the right thing, we would not be in this present situation”. We must convene a sovereign national conference that is drafted by the people because there are absurdities and inconsistencies in our system. We are unequally yoked in this country and so a conference is called for”, he submitted. Govt has failed Nigerians —Prof Ajayi The guest lecturer, Professor Kunle Ajayi, in his lecture, opined that government at all levels have failed to perform in their respective constitutional responsibilities.

Constitutional responsibilities Professor Ajayi, who is also the head, department of Political Science, Ekiti State University, blamed the present crop of politicians for failing to provide good governance. He said: “bad governance rather than good governance is what governments are rewarding us for voting them into power.” Calling on the electorate to hold public officials accountable, the

university don said “while the legislators are failing in their over-sight powers over other arms of government with many abandoned projects all over the country and non-performance of the ministries and parastatals, we need to exercise over-sight functions over our parliamentarians”. Speaking on the topic titled: “Legislating in troubled times: National Assembly and challenges of legislating for good governance in Nigeria”, the scholar added that “We need to take a register of their attendance at House sittings and how often they visit and live in their constituencies. We must learn how to exercise the people power in democracy.” In his remarks, Mr Bamidele enjoined Nigerians not to give up hope especially on the unfolding events in the country. The lawmaker said “I quite understand that this is a trying period for our country Nigeria, but with concerted efforts, we can still write our name in gold”. Expressing optimism, he urged Nigerians not to relent in their efforts saying “our future will be better than what it used to be. I will continue to play my own part; I also indulge you to play yours as well”. “Nothing”, he said, “can profit

*Jonathan the two of us like devoting all of our energies and attention to the struggle for the realization of a near-perfect Nigerian society and this can happen during our time. To actualize this, we must keep faith together and work as one, regardless of our differences”. In his resolve to remain committed, he said “I will not be one of those lawmakers who will not be heard until after four years; indeed, it has been one year of walking my talk on the floor of the House of Representatives”.

44— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Development Area. These people helped us to advise the residents to quit the water." The commissioner urged the displaced people to go back to where they came from, saying government had no intention of allowing them to come back. Abonema and Njemanze waterfront: Since this action was taken, the state government has received more knocks than kudos from various sections of the public. As it was in Lagos, so was it in Port-Hacourt where the Rivers State government had on July 26, demolished Abonnema Wharf waterfront, thereby leaving thousands of residents homeless. The exercise which reportedly started on June 26, lasted for days, as residents were taken unaware as many people were said to have lost their property in the process.

Abonema waterfront residents...sent packing by the Rivers State government

DAY AFTER MAKOKO & ABONEMA:

Frustration of a homeless nation THE recent demolition of shanties constructed at Makoko and Abonema waterfronts in Rivers and Lagos States respectively, has once again brought the age-long housing crisis in Nigeria to fore. CHARLES KUMOLU & KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE report

OTICE is hereby given to you to vacate and remove all illegal developments along the Makoko/Iwaya Waterfront within 72 hour, their unwholesome structures on the waterfront amounted to an environmental nuisance” said a letter from the Lagos State ministry of Waterfront, Infrastructure and Development. It was upon this premise that Lagos State government, sent truck loads of armed soldiers and police officers to invade the Makoko/Ilaje waterfront at Yaba to effect government order that the residents vacate the area which had been marked for demolition. It was gathered that security operatives had stormed the area at noon and consequently demolished houses, shanties, schools and shops built in the densely populated area. No fewer than 5000 people were said to have been rendered homeless as a result of the demolition which spared no one. Justifying the action, the state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adesegun Oniru, said the demolition of shanties was part of pragmatic ways to forestall tragedy. Residents in the area who built shanties close to a power-line situated on the lagoon, C M Y K

had lost their homes following the exercise. Oniru who said the exercise was a clearing of the waterfront and not demolition, explained that attempt by government to delay because of sentiment would be inviting future calamity. He said: “There are people

living under a power-line in that area. The water level is also rising rapidly, but the people ignored this and instead continued building more shanties up to the Third Mainland Bridge. Is that a place people should reside? It is not a good sight for anybody to see and beyond that the issue of safety is more of concern to us. “What we are doing is to clear the environment of the danger that is looming in that area. We moved in to protect the lives of the people on that waterfront. We met the traditional rulers in the area after which we held discussions with the Local Council

Demolition of water fronts Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi had always maintained government’s stance on the demolition of waterfronts in different parts of the state during his media interactive sessions. He explained that most of the crimes committed were carried out by hoodlums who reside at the waterfronts, a development, he added, must be tackled headlong in order to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state. Earlier, the State Government had undertaken a similar exercise at Njemanze waterfront which it claimed to be a hideout of criminals. In all these, government has said it will pay compensation to owners of demolished buildings. But in the case of Abonnema Wharf, some of the house owners have protested over the compensation, claiming that it was inadequate. According to the Public Relations Officer of Abonnema Wharf Landlords Association, Jim TomGeorge, some of them were paid

N40, 000; N60, 000 and N1.2million respectively for five to 10 rooms while describing the development as ridiculous. But defending the action, the State Commissioner for Urban Development and Town Planning, Dr. T.W Dangogo, noted that the residents were given one year to move out in 2010, adding that the time had elapsed. He stated that property owners would be compensated, saying that the demolition was informed by security reports about the area.

Security reports "Over the years, we have told landlords that the areas would be demolished and compensation paid. We asked that tenants should no longer pay rents. That place became a jungle because no one was paying rent to anyone. The rate of crime and need for urban renewal accounted for why the place was demolished.” Housing crisis: Despite this explanation by both state governments, there is anger in the land over the manner people are displaced by some state governments, in the face of acute housing crises in the country. For the Publicity Secretary of Lagos State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Taofik Gani, that the eviction and demolition exercise was more of destruction than correction. “It lacked human feelings and indeed violates human rights. The Lagos State government’s decision to evict the Makoko residents from their abode and occupation is very callous, especially at this time of heavy rainfalls. The residents are now helpless with no alternative accommodation provided by the state government, thus confirming the insensitivity of the government in its policies.” Tofik’s anger, however, has the Continued on page 45

Let's give new housing policy a chance — Omeife MR. Chuks Omeife is the President Nigeria Institute of Builders, NIOB. In this interview with VanguardFeatures,VF, he lamented that mortgage institutions in Nigeria, have abandoned their primary mandate of providing finance at reasonable costs. He also stated that the new National Policy on Housing may not be the solution to the problem of housing, adding that it can be part of the solution.

*Chuks Omeife

OOKING at the increasing demand for housing particularly for the teeming low income group in Nigeria coupled with the demolitions going on for instance in Lagos and other places, how do you think the new National Housing Policy can effectively address the housing needs of the people? As we know a policy is a statement of well articulated process and intention. In this case by government of how a desirable result, in this respect the provision of housing for Nigerians is going to be actualised and delivered. Whether this intention is eventually actualised is in itself a different matter altogether. That the policy addresses the process of how Nigerians are going

to be housed is not again in doubt. The housing policy clearly articulates how each income group in the country can be effectively be catered for including the no-income group. To actualise the intentions of the policy there are strategies, initiatives, processes, institutional framework that must be put in place, co-ordinated, monitored, evaluated and assessed for impact through feedback. It is when all this are done that one can positively align one's thinking to the genuine intention of government in respect of housing provision for Nigerians. Do you think the new policy can actually bring about home ownership for all in Nigeria? Yes, the new housing policy if driven by a genuine Continued on page 45

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 45

Let's give new housing policy a chance

A housing estate...not enough to accommodate the masses

Frustration of a homeless nation Continues from page 44

start trusting that government is sincere about the laudable intentions in the housing policy.” New housing policy: He, however, stated that the new National Housing Policy, which is targeting the provision of one million houses per year, would go a long way in addressing the housing crisis in the country. “That the policy addresses the process of how Nigerians are going to be housed is not again in doubt. The policy like I have said severally is very robust and if implemented to the letter as conceptualised would jumpstart the long awaited transformation in the housing sector. The housing policy clearly articulates how each income group in the country can be effectively catered for including the no-income group. To actualise the intentions of the policy there are strategies, initiatives, processes, institutional framework that must be put in place, co-ordinated, monitored, evaluated and assessed for impact through feedback. It is when all this are done that one can positively align one's thinking to the genuine intention of government in respect of housing provision for Nigerians,” Omeife added Corroborating, NIOB President, Mr. Moses Ogunleye who is the Vice President, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, ATOPCON and Chairman, Lagos Housing Fair said it is good that there is a new housing policy in the country. Ogunleye, however, added Inadequate that he hopes the new policy has housing taken into consideration the errors in the implementation of the 1991 Speaking on the matter, the National Housing Policy, pointing President of Nigeria Institute of out that there is no point having a Building, NIOB, Mr. Chuks policy that will not be implemented. Omeife, said: “given the fact that we Under Explaining that access to land for are not trying to re-invent the wheel, International, building purposes is very difficult this is something that has become a across the country, Ogunleye who tradition in other countries. In the human rights is a former past chairman, Nigerian developed economies, the process Institute of Town Planners, NITP, of housing provision is standardised law evictions Lagos branch, said for the new policy just like buying a cell phone SIM may be carried to be effective, various states’ land card though with obvious conditions agencies and ministries should be attached. I do not see any reason out only as a reactivated. He is of the view that why the policy cannot be implementthe major area where change should ed as proposed, the major challeng- last resort, come first is through land adminises that past policies have had to con- once all other tration, arguing that land managetend with are lack of political will ment in the country has been defiand insincerity of purpose on the part feasible altercient which has affected supply to of government and government natives have the extent that land transactions in functionaries. If government can Nigeria can be described as black been explored commence in earnest the process market, a situation where ‘Omo nile’ of institutional, administrative, legal now dictate what happens. and regulatory reforms then the Ogunleye said: “it is not that we journey would have started. Issues don’t have lands for various uses. But the probrelating to land use act, ease of access to finance, lem is that we don’t manage our lands well. Anviability of financing institutions must be tidied other area of concern is that our mortgage system up quickly and laid to rest. It is after all this and is not vibrant. For mortgage system to be vibrant, some other things have commence that we can land administration must be effective.

support of Human Rights treatise like the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ICESCR, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR, which prohibited countries from forced evictions. Accordingly, under the international convention, human rights law evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all other feasible alternatives have been explored and genuine consultation has taken place with communities, and only after appropriate procedural and legal safeguards are in place. Nevertheless, the issue has once again brought to fore the agelong housing crisis in Nigeria. Instructively, housing provision in the country is fraught with a plethora of problems especially for low-income earners who incidentally constitute the majority of the population. Findings by Vanguard Features,VF, also discovered that housing is generally inadequate in the rural areas in terms of quality, while the major problem in urban areas is more of quantity, although quantity is also an issue. While there had been Housing policies like the 1991 Housing Policy, Urban Development Policy initiated in 1997 among others to address the abnormally, a large chunk of the nation’s population have been battling with inadequate housing.

Continued from page 44 intention and backed by the necessary political will can bring about home ownership for majority of Nigerians, not all. The issue of numbers can be adjusted as time goes on but let the government attempt to put in place the proposed enabling process and structure as encapsulated in the policy that will commence the process of actualisation. One major shift of mindset in the policy is the reduction and possibly elimination of government role in the direct physical construction in housing delivery and the promotion of private sector led growth in the housing sector. This can only be realised if government starts by showing deep commitment by creating the enabling and operating environment necessary for attracting investment. Against the backdrop of the 1991 National Housing Policy which couldn’t address the problems of housing issues in the country, do you think the new policy can be implemented as envisaged? Given the fact that we are not trying to re-invent the wheel, this is something that has become a tradition in other countries. In the developed economies, the process of housing provision is standardised just like buying a Cell phone sim card though with obvious conditions attached. I do not see any reason why the policy cannot be implemented as proposed, the major challenges that past policies have had to contend with are lack of political will and insincerity of purpose on the part of government and government functionaries. If government can commence in earnest the process of institutional, administrative, legal and regulatory reforms then the journey would have started. Issues relating to land use act, ease of access to finance, viability of financing institutions must be tidied up quickly and laid to rest. It is after all this and some other things have commence that we can start trusting that government is sincere about the laudable intentions in the housing policy. Does the new policy take into cognizance the cumbersome nature of accessing mortgage finance thereby making mortgage financing flexible? Yes, the new policy touched extensively on the issue of mortgage financing and its accessibility. This issue is one major challenge that must be fully implemented as proposed in the new policy without which the issue of housing provision and acquisition will remain a mirage. Let us look at the housing status in Nigeria today, even with the low addition in terms of housing provided by different categories of developers across the country, their sale and acquisition is a problem because of the cash and carry mentality. How many Nigerians in paid employment can in all honesty saved between *Chuks Omeife N20millionN50milion to buy a house in their lifetime. It is because there is no adequate Institutional/Regulatory framework and strict monitoring of Mortgage Institutions that has made it look as if the process is cumbersome. Most of the existing Mortgage Institutions have left their primary mandate of providing finance at reasonable cost to Nigerians to enable them acquire houses and instead have diverted the funds and have turned developers and selling houses on cash and carry basis due to lack of monitoring by the supervisory government agencies or apex financial Institution-CBN. All this are part of what has made the process seem cumbersome in addition to the fact that genuine Mortgage operators are very few if non-existent in the Nigeria housing market. Do you think that social housing as being proposed by the federal government is solution to the problem of housing in the country? There is need for us to understand the concept of social housing before considering its impact on the problem of housing in this country. Social housing refers to houses provided using all necessary strategies that will enhance cost reduction to ensure its affordability by the no-income and low-income group in the society. The approach is multi-faceted and involves complementary participation of different group including NGO’S, CBO’S, FBO’S. The strategies to be adopted includes and not limited to total funding of site and services by government to facilitate affordable access, ownership schemes, rental schemes, home improvement schemes, on-site upgrading, building in stages, slum upgrading and many others especially in the rural areas.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Relationship between higher civil servants and their political masters unthinkable for any nation to rise beyond the capacity of its public service. Structure, systems and processes of government: Political actors and bureaucrats operate within established structures, processes and systems. Accordingly, the way they conduct their affairs not only affects them as individuals and groups but also the entire political space. In order to ensure effective running of Government, systems and processes are developed not only to guide the operators of the system but also to ensure strict compliance with them.

BY AMA PEPPLE

ROF. Adamolekun surely needs no introduction to virtually all of us who are gathered here to rejoice with him, his family, the Iju Community and his friends and admirers all over the world, on the attainment of 70 years of age which mortals on earth can only reach through the benevolence of the Almighty God. Bearing in mind that the life expectancy in Nigeria is less than 50 years of age, coupled with the several challenges confronting humanity generally leading to rising incidences of untimely death, it is evident that we should all be thankful to the Almighty God for this good gesture towards our amiable eminent scholar, a patriot of uncommon pedigree and a true friend and guardian of the Nigerian Public Service. I believe that on reflecting on the long journey towards this day, Prof. Adamolekun must have had a sense of satisfaction that he has lived a very fulfilled life and so deserves all the accolades that have been showered on him on account of this glorious moment. Rising from a humble background and receiving the unction from the divine not only to conquer the world with an uncommon knowledge but also imbued with the wisdom to competently manage his several successes in order to positively affect humanity resoundingly in various spheres, what else can one say but to celebrate a life of purpose, beauty, integrity and a life lived beyond self-adulation! Pillars of Government: ‘ Government rests on two pillars made up of political and bureaucratic leaders. Political

AMA PEPPLE leaders are elected to provide leadership and direction to our nation whose supreme law is the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Public Servants, whether functioning in civil capacities as Civil Servants or as members of the enlarged Public Service, are appointed into various career

Promoting integrity

Prof. Adamolekun

positions in the hierarchy of the Public Service. Their role is to effectively complement the political masters in the administration of the State for the promotion of the wellbeing of the citizenry and, ultimately the fulfilment of the common purpose. ‘The common good is not only entrusted to the discernment of individuals, it emerges from the practice of civic virtues employed by the rulers and the interaction between people and rulers. As stated by Lorenzetti, whenever the sacred virtue of justice reigns, it calls for the unification of many souls and having united them it permits the signor to create a common good for all’ . Through this partnership, it is expected that the principles of good governance, anchored on the promotion of the ‘common good which is the moral and political condition of public life ‘, will be entrenched in the polity for guaranteeing orderly progress for nations, without which there can be no sustainable development. In Nigeria, like many other countries of the world, the Public Service is an integral part of the Executive Arm of Government led by the President at the Federal level, assisted by Ministers in the Executive Council of the

Federation. The same process is replicated at the State level where the executive arm is led by Governors, assisted by Commissioners as members of State Executive Councils. The National Assembly, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, constitutes the legislative arm of the Federation, with the State Assembly in each of the 36 States of the Federation also featuring as the legislative arm at the second tier of Government. A similar structural arrangement exists at the Local Government level, the third tier of Government, for organising the communities for the attainment of the collective good.

Role of bureaucracy The role of the bureaucracy or the public service in national development has been recognised over the years arising partly from the growing complexity of societies and the need to devise the appropriate administrative machinery to competently manage them and preserve institutional memories. In effect therefore, the public service serves as the engine of government and its chief agent for facilitating the process of national renewal and accelerated national development. The Public Service is also both the apparatus and the machinery for the realisation of national visions; hence national capability is often a reflection of the capability of the bureaucracy. In other words, it is

and arbitrariness in government. However, it is increasingly being recognised that a neutral, nonpartisan public service is not a licence for a socially insensitive Service, hence the need for a new Service ethos cognisant of the need for the development of a sense of commitment and genuine empathy for worthy causes led by the political leaders for national development. This is the only way that the Public Service can fulfil its multiple roles which include: (i)Guidance in policy making; (ii)Assistance in policy planning; (iii)Providing policy advice to Ministers and other functionaries of Government; (iv)Building and communicating institutional memory to decision makers; (v)Guiding and managing resources required to accomplish policy objectives; (vi)Delivering quality public services ; (vii)Establishing standards and enforcing norms; (viii) Measuring, monitoring and evaluating the performance of public sector organisations and other non-government agencies rendering services on behalf of Government ; and (ix)Raising and managing revenues. New patterns of the relationship between politics and administration are however, emerging across the world, including the five ideal-typical modes of interaction identified by Guy Peters .

This is one of the measures of ensuring accountability in the system and for promoting its integrity through the consistency of the application of rules and regulations for the predictability of actions. The system is configured for political leaders and bureaucrats to appreciate the import of this governance architecture for the promotion of good governance through proper understanding of their roles and their preparedness to carry them out at all times. Dichotomy of Politics and Weberian Administration separation In order to maintain a sense of balance in These are the formal the running of Weberian separation and government affairs, hierarchy model or the public administration classical dichotomy, in is kept separately which political leaders from politics. In this It is are at one end of the regard, while political spectrum and leaders are increasingly bureaucrats are at the concerned with being other and the providing leadership administrative state and direction in policy recognised model, in which making, in line with that a technical expertise, the set priorities of bureaucratic activism neutral, their party and command of m a n i f e s t o e s , non-partisan information gives more appointed public public latitude to bureaucrats to servants, such as civil dominate the policy servants and others in service is development process. the enlarged public not a licence Others are the service, are forbidden intermediate categories from participating in for a of both the village life party politics, at least socially and the functional village in Nigeria. life, involving This is in line with insensitive convergence and more the doctrine of Service cooperative forms of neutrality and interaction, and lastly anonymity which is adversarial politics, one of the cardinal reflected in a highly principles of the Weberain model politicised environment in which of bureaucracy. It emphasises politicians and bureaucrats insulation of the bureaucrat as the compete for control of public subordinate expert advisor and policy. policy executor from all forms of •Being part of a speech delivpoliticisation in order to enhance ered by Ms. Ama Pepple at the his/her professionalism, enable 70th birthday Celebration of the provision of impartial advice Prof. Adamolekun recently. and curtail the culture of impunity To be continued

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48—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, , 2012

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MIDWEEK SERMON

with SAM EYOBOKA sameyoboka@yahoo.com

2012 Christian pilgrimage:

NCPC scrutinises medical team By JIMOH BABATUNDE ment changes in order to

HE Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, has organized a selection examination for the Federal Medical Team for the 2012 Christian Pilgrimage exercise. Addressing about 1,000 medical personnel before the examination which took place at the First Baptist Church, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara stated that “we want to ensure that the doctors, nurses and pharmacists we select to care for our people meet a uniform basic requirement and no one can claim otherwise.” The NCPC helmsman stressed that the commission was committed to the transformation agenda of the President and must be seen as fair and transparent in doing its business, emphasizing the need for the commission to imple-

leave a lasting legacy. He said: “the training and orientation we will provide in the next stages will enable you to understand our vision and the things we are trusting God to

achieve so that you can key in and be part of ensuring that our pilgrims and the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards have faith in you and how you carry out your duties.”

Opara added that no system was perfect, thus learning is a continuous thing and “ we cannot make same mistakes over and over.” He maintained that the Commission would continue to explore ave-

••Airlift of Christian pilgrims begins October By WOLE MOSADOMI

HE number of Chris tian pilgrims for this

RCCG equips 100 on entrepreneurial skills BY OLAYINKA LATONA

S part of its corporate social responsibility, the Lagos Province 12 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in collaboration with Entrepreneurship Development Centre, EDC, recently embarked on a sixweek entrepreneurial training/skills acquisition programme for 100 of its members. According to the provincial chairman of Board of Corporate Social Responsibilities, Pastor Tayo Abiodun, the gesture was in keeping with the Federal Government's drive to eradicate poverty in the county.

Pastor Abiodun, represented by his vice chairman, Pastor Dele Olatunji, further revealed that the programme was intended equip the trainees will skills and make them independent rather roam the nation's streets in search of white colour jobs. He explained that the trainees have been equipped to make positive impact in the society, noting “as part of our corporate social responsibility, we are delighted to partner with the Federal Government to make poverty a thing of the past in the country by helping people to actualise their dreams. One hundred persons have gone through this

nues that would drive the system effectively for the benefit of all. He advised the successful medical personnel to be strong, courageous and committed in order to achieve zero mortality rate.

In his remarks, chairman of the Federal Medical Committee, Dr. Michael Arene gave reasons why his committee offered opportunity to all the medical personnel a chance of being selected to be part of the Federal Medical Team by “offering uniform examination for all applicants.”

six-week programme and through them we hope that the nation will be better for it as they will add value to their various communities." Describing the programme as a silent revolution in the country, the pastor in charge of Province 12, Pastor CAF Obasa said the EDC training will create more room for emergence of small scale industries in the country and help to move the country to a greater heights. The pastor further urged the trainees not to forget the place of prayer in all their future endeavours, and always ask for divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding from God.

year's holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem has been raised to 30,000 to create room for more intending pilgrims. Airlifting of the first batch of pilgrims begins in October. Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara who disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, said because of the impressive sponsor of 370 Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem last year by the governor, the state slot has been increased to 700 to give room for more sponsorship from both government and individuals. He also asked the governor to be in the fore-front of states that will first take off hopefully by October, noting that the Minna International Airport has been penciled down along

with Port Harcourt, Uyo, Lagos, Yola and Abuja to airlift the intending pilgrims. Okpara also disclosed that members of the commission have visited Borno State, adding that other states in the northern part of the country will also be visited to mobilize and sensitize Christians for the holy pilgrimage. Niger State governor, Dr. Aliyu in his response, thanked the commission led by its Executive Secretary for the visit and assured that every step will be taken by the state government to ensure a smooth take-off of pilgrims from the state. While assuring that more pilgrims will be sponsored by the state government this year, he called for self sponsorship in order to fill up the allotted seats.

50— VANGU ARD, ANGUARD,

WEDNESD AY, A UGUST 1, 2012 WEDNESDA AUGUST

Could my wife be having an affair?

My husband is sex mad! Dear Bunmi, I am 28 and my husband is three years older. We’ve been married for four years and have two lovely children. He has always cheated on me, even before we got married. Every time he has told me that these women mean nothing to him and that he loves only me, so I learnt to forgive him. As far as I know, he’s been quiet now for about four months. I love my husband a lot and I don’t want to lose him, but I can’t get images of him with other women out of my head. I’ve tried to talk to him but he just gets angry and tells me to stop nagging. I’m scared that if I don’t put all this behind me and start to trust him, our marriage might suffer. I don’t think I can cope if he leaves. I’m scared of being on my own in spite of the fact that I have a good job and I don’t want to meet another man only to go through the whole heartache all over again. Tessy, by e-mail. Dear Tessy, Your response to this man’s repeated infidelity is inhibited by your fear of being on your own with two children. I sympathise, yet your well-being and success as a woman do not depend on any one man. Right now, this marriage is not making you happy. You deserve the love of someone who will be true. A woman may rationalise her partner’s infidelity, as he is likely to do, and tells herself that his having sex with other people is unimportant.

Your husband was telling the truth when he said that these brief encounters meant nothing to him. He has opportunistic sex when it was on offer, not because the women are beautiful, not even for the sake of variety, but because it stroked his ego. No woman feels secure if her partner has sex with other people, no matter how insignificant they are to him. Of

course, you’re plagued by cruel images of his infidelity. One day one of these women may gain his affection and steal him away from you and the children. You must not tolerate this. Don’t criticise your husband. Explain to him that his behaviour is endangering your love. If he still cannot commit, then you’ll either take him as he is or leave.

Did I ask to be assaulted? Dear Bunmi, I attended a friend’s party recently and accepted an offer of a lift from one of the guests as it was almost midnight. He’s not a boyfriend though he’s fairly well known to me. On the way home, he started fondling me and putting my hand on his crutch. I told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of his action, only for him to drive to a quiet spot and tried to rape me. I fought him off very violently and escaped into the night. I nearly died of fright as I made my way back to the main road and had to walk for a long time before I arrived at another friend’s place, who put me up for the night. Unfortunately, the man was not sorry for what he did and some of his friends agreed that sometimes, if you accept a lift you must expect to be made a pass at. Is this fair? Susan, by e-mail. Dear Susan, You can’t rule out bad behaviour among some men no mat-

ter how respectable they look. Thankfully, not all of them are louts. To help you be on your guard, here are some tips experts advise you follow when going to a party or on a date: Always tell someone which party you are going and when you expect to be back. Carry a charged mobile and money if you are travelling by public transport. Don’t take drinks from strangers, or leave your drink unattended. Met someone new? Don’t go home with them or ask them back. Arrange another date. Agree with your mates to look out for each other. Then if you feel unsafe or ill, you’d have someone to turn to. Don’t ever walk home on your own. Don’t drink and drive. Take car keys away from a friend who might be tempted. On public transport, sit near the driver with an eye to the exit door. If using a taxi, avoid unlicensed ones (Kabukabu) and avoid a taxi that is already occupied. Lastly, stay alert and aware. Think ahead— what would you do if something went wrong?

How can my mum be this gullible? Dear Bunmi, My mother is currently madly in love with a married man. Nothing wrong with that really as she’s long been separated from our father. She’s had one or two relationships since then, but this man is spinning mum a line that he will set her up in a new flat and make her a second wife. We live in a low income flat bought and paid for by my father and mum had really done up the place to look nice and presentable. I’ve tried to warn mum off this smooth talker, but she told me to mind my own business and has stopped discussing the man with me. Last I heard, he’d decided not to rent a flat for mum. Instead, he was looking

for a modest house to buy for her. His lies are endless and I prayed mum could see through his deceit. I know she cares deeply for this man, but all I can see is trouble ahead of her. He’s comfortably married with four children and doesn’t seem to be the type to upset the comfort of his home for a fortysomething mother of three. What do you suggest I do? Nkiru, by e-mail. Dear Nkiru, It’s understandable that you’re frustrated by your mum’s refusal to see beyond the passion she shares with her current lover. It’s tough watching someone you care for throw her life away. But this is really her choice and I’m sure she

knows the risk she’s taking. You’ve told her how you feel and there is nothing more you can do except fold your arms and watch the romance play itself out. Your mum is in love and the lift she gets from this obviously outweighs the danger of her being hurt in future. And let’s face it, the fact that you’re related to someone doesn’t give you authority over their behaviour. In the meantime, try not to judge your mum too harshly. When this eventually blows over, she’s going to need all the support she can get when she eventually comes to her senses and realise she’s backed a loser. It’s a shot in the dark, but what if the man really has genuine intentions?!

Dear Bunmi, I love my wife dearly and we’ve been married for over 10 years. She’s given me three lovely children and we live in our own house. A few months ago, I got an anonymous letter that she was having an affair with her boss. I was really devastated, especially when I made enquiries and found it to be true. But she has denied this vehemently and has even told her boss about my suspicion. He phoned to deny the allegation, but I still have my doubts. I find it difficult to make love with her without wanting to hurt her as much

as she’s hurt me. Abu, by e-mail. Dear Abu, Whatever enquiries you must have made, the outcome couldn’t have been based on facts or your wife wouldn’t be able to deny the affair. You’re obviously blowing this out of proportion. Your wife must have noticed the jealous streak in you, hence her asking her boss to re-assure you. What else do you want? You love your wife and obviously have a happy home. Don’t let insane jealousy destroy what you’ve built over the years.

Isn’t it too soon to be unfaithful? Dear Bunmi, I got married last year to a man I’d datedforclosetotwoyears.Ithought itwasahappymarriagebutrecently, I found out that my husband has been sending provocative text messages to a girlfriend. I’d never have known if I hadn’t checked his mobile phone out of curiosity. Needless to say, I am devastated and my seemingly happy world has fallen apart. I don’t know if I will ever be able to trust him again. I thought basis for infidelity occurs when a rut has set in not when you’re in the glow of a recent marriage. I noticed before that he was always looking at other women but didn’t realise he could take things this far. Do you think I should leave now that I have only one infant son to consider? Susan, by e-mail. Dear Susan,

Stay where you are! Your discovery has obviously come as a shock to you. Your husband’s private messages to another woman seem to confirm that he might like to do more than simply admire the opposite sex from afar. Your checking his phone points to the fact that you’ve been suspicious of him for a while. Establishing trust in a marriage requires a couple to be open with each other about their needs and their fears. It’s obvious you two haven’t reached this stage. Have a word with your husband on how he feels about his new role as a married man, the hope you share for your young marriage and your mutual need for fidelity. Instead of running away from the problem, confide honestly in each other. Difficulties such as you are experiencing can deepen the emotional intimacy between a couple. Trust will then be able to grow.

His mistress called the house Dear Bunmi, Few weeks back, the telephone in the house rang and I picked it up, expecting a call from a business associate. You can imagine how shocked I was when a sobbing woman came on, demanding to speak to my husband. He was right beside me so I gave him the phone and watched him spluttering into it, trying to pacify the caller. He then confessed that it was a woman he’d been seeing, who had a child by him and who was now threatening to come and dump the child on our doorsteps. Apparently, he’d fallen back on his child support money and the woman was at the end of her tether. He said he was sorry, that the affair was over but that the child is definitely his. I don’t know what to make of my marriage now. We’ve been married for over 15 years and have two children.

Ebele, by e-mail. Dear Ebele, As terrible as this blow obviously is, if you want your marriage to recover, then it can. A lot depends on how much you still love your husband. It sounds as though he is a weak man, unwilling to face reality and tempted to take the easy way out. If you have always suspected this of him, then you may be able to see how this affair resulted in a child. But if you’ve never viewed him this way, and the affair has come as total shock, you’ll have to ask yourself how well you knew him and, you may find you don’t much like him. But with time, your hurt would subside but you need to talk about what remains of your relationship. Remember an innocent child is involved here and this is factfacing time.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESID AY, AUGUST 1, 2012 —51 WEDNESIDA

Tree planting key to reduction of respiratory diseases—LASUTH CMD

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

REE planting has been pre scribed as the best way to check the growing incidence of respiratory disorders such as asthma. This was the indication even as the Lagos State Government embarked on tree planting exercise across the state, in line with studies showing that trees create vital habitat and promote bidodiversity, abundant forests to enhance lives as well as save lives. A mature leafy tree is said to produce as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. Speaking during a tree planting exercise at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Wale Oke said trees are not only to beautify the environment or protect against erosion but helps improve the general well being of people. Oke who stressed that trees and people should have what he described as symbiotic relationship” said trees absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen which human breathe. He warned that “By felling trees because of development in the environment and expansion we are actually harming ourselves that is why the state government said fall one tree, plant five.” Encouraging Lagosians to imbibe the

culture of planting trees, he also explained that more trees in the environment would ensure quality health for people suffering from debilitating diseases such as asthma as well as reduce pollution in the environment. Lamenting the increasing incidence of respiratory diseases, Oke traced the major factors to pollution in the environment. “It is important to note that when you fall a tree and you don’t plant more the cumulative effect will be more on the environment but if you imbibe the attitude of fall one tree and you plant five, you will be replenishing the environment and improving the health of the citizens. “The truth of the matter is that most cities are full of cement structures and you will definitely have a lot of pollution in the environment because there are no more trees to reduce pollution. “If you go to states where you have more trees, the air there is fresher. Lagos being a city promoting health and leading the whole country in so many areas, there is need for it to also embrace tree planting for others to emulate,” he added. “What many people don’t realise is that forest also acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe. Definitely, tree planting can reduce the incidence of asthma in our environment.

• The Chief Medical Director of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital planting a tree during a tree plant exercise in the hospital last week.

NHIS launches health insurance drama I N furtherance of its mandate to bring health insurance on the door steps of every Nigerian, the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS last week in Lagos launched an advocacy drama titled, Bridges. The sole aim behind the drama was to ensure that all Nigerians buy into the busi-

2012 CNN/MultiChoice Awards:

Everybody wins when there is excellence in journalism — William Asiko, CEO, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation R ENOWNED as the world's largest beverage company, the Coca-Cola company is as committed to excellence in journalism as it is to building sustainable communities. Disclosing this in Lusaka, Zambia, during the finals of the 2012 CNN/ MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award, William Asiko, President, CocaCola Africa Foundation, said African journalism had indeed come of age. Asiko, who is also Director, Public Affairs & Communications for The CocaCola Company and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Coca-Cola East & Central Africa Limited Staff Provident Fund, said in his opinion, African journalists are doing quite well as compared to their international colleagues. Coca-Cola sponsorsed the Economics and Business category of the 17th CNN/MultiChoice Awards. “We have been sponsoring this award for the past 12 years and it is growing from strength to strength in terms of numbers of entries and quality of reports. It is a fantastic property and I believe this can only grow stronger. We want journalists who are objective, who dig the story and go out to report with passion and excellence,” said Asiko. “When there is excellence in journalism every body wins, not just Coca Cola. The citizens win because the journalists are able to hold government accountable and government wins because the journalists are able to uncover corrupt deals. Everybody wins when there is good journalism. For us, it is not just CSR, it is good

business and we win when the journalism is good and achieve excellence.” The CEO noted that journalism, as the fourth arm of government, makes sure that people in position of authority are held accountable. “You cannot prosper as a country if you don't have a good journalism of excellence that is pushing government and holding government to account. “African journalists are being quoted on international media. Six out of the 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa. If you watch international media you will see African journalists being quoted talking about Africa. The best people to talk about Africa are Africans and the world is realising that now if you want to get credible news about Africa then you need to speak to the Africans.

African correspondents “These days a lot of international media have African correspondents who are reporting to the world. There is no such thing that Africa should be seen through the eyes of somebody else. I believe that the sponsorhip of the African journalists' award is part of that growth and we should be part of that way as we see excellence in journalism.” Asiko said Coca Cola has a long history in Africa. “We came to the African continent in 1928 and we have never left a single market. By 1970, we were covering half the countries in Africa and today we cover all countries. We are postioned

to take advantage of Africa's growth because we are everywhere. We produce locally with local employees and we can take advantage of any chanve in the economy and as people prosper the more they buy our products and that is what we have seen in every market.” Noting the company has had its share of challenges, Asiko said the crtical thing is how the challenges are handled when they arise. “Nigeria is a very ready market for CocaCola It is the most populous country in Africa. We have had a very good business in Nigeria for a long time. Today the economic polices of government are favourable to business. we are seeing a lot of infrastructure growth in Nigeria and the middle class growing in Nigeria. this is what is good for our business. every body is investing in Nigeria not just Coke but other international investors including oil and gas, electricity companies.

• Mr. William Asiko

ness of saving for their future health challenges. The Bridges would also help to bridge the information gap existing between the concepts of health insurance. At a formal presentation of the 13-episode-drama to the media, Acting Executive-Secretary of NHIS, Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo, informed that the goal of the scheme is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to health insurance when in need of health services. The drama, which is expected to be viewed on various community and national radio and television stations across the federation, featured Nigeria’s real life scenes and popular actors to drive home its message of ensuring that Nigerians understand the need to secure their future, particularly, as it concerns their health challenges. His words: “We did a lot of research before we launched the drama and Nigerians will love it. We believe that the drama would go a long way in driving our message. We are going to air it in various Nigerian languages and media stations. The Executive Director regretted that despite the fact that world over, health is regarded as wealth; the story has remains different in the country. “It is well known that health is wealth, unfortunately, Nigerians still find it difficult to save against health challenges.” Sambo further explained that health insurance remains a major factor in healthcare financing healthcare adding that the phenomenon has become a mantra of developed nations in saving their citizens from unnecessary deaths.“We know that health is wealth. But people find it difficult to save towards health insurance. But we seek to reverse the trend. People can actually come together and form community to contribute for health insurance. The role of NHIS is to ensure that such fund is properly managed.” The NHIS boss enjoined Nigerians to key into the Scheme in order to drastically reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality that could arise from inability to pay for health services when the need arises. Speaking on the newly introduced drama, the Executive Producer of the Bridges, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, explained that the drama showcases the fact that everyone is welcome into the health insurance.

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Olympics have turned London into ‘ghost town’

CLASSICAL . . . US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the uneven bars during the women’s team final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games Photo: AFP

Spectators brace up as rain returns with vengeance O LYMPICS spectators braced themselves for rain today as storms are predicted to hit much of the capital. The tennis had to be called off after it became too wet for players during the match between France’s Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Canadian Milos R a o n i c . Meanwhile at the hockey, spectators were forced to huddle in rain ponchos and under umbrellas. Up to five inches of rain is expected over the coming week, according to f o r e c a s t e r s . The wet weather will follow a dry spell for the country which saw temperatures reach a roasting 32C. The Met Office warned the UK faces a week of unsettled sweather with

heavy showers and gale force winds. A spokesman said: “Rain will continue northwards, heavy in places, reaching north-

ernmost England.” But he did say there were signs of brightness later in the day, warning that it will become “very humid.” Temperatures are ex-

pected to peak at 19C (66F) to 20C (68F) in the South East today, while other areas such as Weymouth, Dorset, where the sailing is taking place, are due to be around 17C (63F) to 18C (64F).

HE tourism industry in London is struggling to compete with the Olympic games, businesses claimed yesterday. They said London 2012 had turned the city into a “ghost town”. A number of tourist hotspots have reported a decline in ticket sales. Theatre companies say they are seeing a “mixed picture”. Mark Rubinstein, president of the Society of London Theatre, said: “Normally tourists will visit central London but they are mostly here to see the Games. “The message about travel problems also seems to have kept people away. My experience is things are running

Djokovic keeps pace with Federer in World no. 1 battle

OVAK Djokovic kept pace with Roger Federer on Tuesday in the battle for No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings. Djokovic, the second seed from Serbia, required just 54 minutes to beat American Andy Roddick 6-2, 6-1 on Centre Court, at a wet All England Club, Wimbledon, for a place in the London 2012 Olympics Tennis Event third round. If both Federer and Djokovic make it as far

Olympic spirit: Pass it on

as the quarter-finals, then Federer must win one more match than Djokovic to retain the World No. 1 ranking. Federer plays Denis Istomin on Wednesday. Djokovic, the 2008 Beijing Olympics singles bronze medallist, hit 14 aces and lost 14 points on serve against Roddick. He saved all four break points he faced and hit 34 winners for a meeting against Croatian No. 13 seed Marin Cilic or Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.

N/Korean weightlifter breaks WR

Kim Un Guk

ORTH Korean Kim Un Guk set a new world record Monday as he won the gold medal in the 62-kilogram category in weightlifting at the London Olympics. Kim also set an Olympic record in the snatch, lifting 153kg. After recording 174kg in the clean and jerk, he had set the world mark with a total of 327kg. The former world champion Kim was 10kg ahead of Oscar Albeiro Figueroa Mosqueira, of Colombia, and Eko Yuli Irawan. But because Mosqueira weighed in a fraction of a pound less than Irawan, he took silver and the Indonesian won bronze. Zhang Jie, last year’s world champion, finished just out of the medals in fourth.

smoothly and people should not be put off. “There is a great opportunity to get out there to see some fantastic shows.” Sri Balay, online sales manager at Leicester Square Box Office, said: “Theatre in general is pretty quiet. We have a lot of visitors going past but they are going to Olympic events or spending a lot on hotels. “We would usually be busy at this time of year because it’s the summer holidays and lots of families enjoy going to the theatre. But at the moment it’s very quiet.” Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, said cab drivers had been hit hard and described London as a “ghost town”.

Djokovic

EW things in life can bring people together and make all the evil and trivial things in the world retreat into the shadows like sports can. For the next two weeks, presidential politics, war, violence and economic fear will take a backseat to competition, sportsmanship, national pride and triumph of the human spirit. For many, the Olympic games in London will be an escape from the daily wear and tear and provide a chance to get caught up in something much bigger than themselves.

Sam Ocheho Handball: Ogun, Lagos, Delta in early win lost 22-24 to Lagos team

AGOS, Ogun and Delta states lived up to their billings in the maiden Sam Ocheho Handball Championships in Lagos as they began with victories. Osun male and female handball teams on Tues-

day lost to Ogun and Lagos State team A respectively in the opening games. The Ogun state male handball team recorded the biggest win after beating Osun male team 27-20. Equally, the Osun female team

A. The games were closely fought but the Ogun team made use of fast breaks and defence-splitting passes to run down their opponents . The Osun team had their chances in the game and should have done better if it had better luck infront of goal.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 — 55

Minis ants more Nigerians at Ministter w wants venues A

PPARENTLY not sat isfied with a few things and determined to lift a falling Nigeria’s team sports minister, Bollaji Abdullai called a meeting of leaders of the federations here and urged to get things right. Table Tennis players and the boxers Nigeria presented have all

crashed out. The boxers were more awful and many are wondering to what has happened to the sport that won Nigeria her first international medal. Unlike his predecessors who remained in their hotels while games were on Bollaji tours venues to cheer Nigerian athletes. He is even

scandalised that he doesn’t see Nigerian officials in such venues.

Ekpo Felix ready for babbles

IGERIA’S hunt for medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games intensifies today at the Excel Centre with Ekpo Felix a.k.a Bullet ready to dazzle the allcheering English fans in his Snatch and Clean and Jerk events in We i g h t l i f t i n g today(Wednesday). Ekpo, a trojan in the 77kg would be fighting off opposition of lifters from Kazerstan, Samoa, Spain and Great Britain with the events scheduled to start by 10 a.m. Coach Patrick Bassey was upbeat after training yesterday. ‘’He is good and ready to go. He is a focused lifter who is no stranger to higher events with mammoth crowd”, the coach said.

Continues from B/P for the Olympics had become a better team. The match ended 7253 but Bakare added in the post mach press conference that “nothing has changed” as the battle to qualify for the next round continues. They have more matches to play and should be facing Argentina, France and favourites USA. “The defeat has not changed anything but it has made things more difficult,” he said. It will truly be difficult for the team on Thursday when they face a Kobbe Bry-

ant led USA team that is here to defend the gold they won in Beijing. Lithuania had a seeming easy game against Nigeria. They led 14-8 in the first quarter and were never challenged. the second quarter ended 34-27 and by the end of the third quarter they led 56-40, winning the match at 72-53. They enjoyed the game as the Lithuanians in the arena outnumbered the Nigerians who expected the D’Tigers to end their second victory after beating Tunisia on Sunday.

Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter wins silver Continues from B/P ny in the three-day eventing equestrian competition, with Prince William and Harry; William’s wife, Kate; her mother, Princess Anne; and the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, all looking on from the stands at Greenwich Park.

Having suffered the disappointment of missing out on both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games when her horse was injured, Phillips could not conceal her delight at experiencing the crowning moment of her career and paid tribute to the familiar faces in the crowd.

Pinnic k yyells ells at Spor ts Minis tr Pinnick Sports Ministr tryy, NOC Continues from B/P

AlFarouq Aminu tries a shot in yesterday's match against Lithuania. Nigeria lost 53-72. Photo: AFP

Quotes from basketballers Aminu Alade e didn’t play well. They played better and won. We hope to turn things around. When you are down getting up is what matters. That’s what makes you a man. We hope to get up. But you must know that this is a youg Nigerian team that has been together for just three weeks. With time we will be stronger. There’s future in Nigerian basketball.

Diogu Dike e didn’t play well. Defensively, we tried but other things failed. We didn’t make shots and when you don’t make shots you don’t win.

Skinn Tonny hey played better. They did a better job than us.

T I

Coach Kestutis Kemura t was a good game for us. We were good mentally and matched that with good play. When you wi against a good team, a physically strong team you feel good. We knew the Nigerian team. They beat us in the qualification tournament and we came here and lost our first match against Argentina. So, we were mentally ready, knowing that we just had to win although it was not going to be easy.We did a great job defensively and took away a great part of their game -one on one. We took 42 rebounds and didn’t let them to dominate. We played aggresively but we played absolutley defensively. When they beat us, we didn’t expect the kind of game they played. Ayo Bakare n all things you give glory to God. We thank God for coming this far. Unfortu nately we didn’t get the results. Lithuania played well. I don’t like complaining about officiating but this game was poorly officiated. Some referees took things personal. They did poorly but that should not take anything away from the victory of Lithuania. I the officiating was good I’m not sure that we could have won. We had injuries and were not able to play as aggressive as we would have wanted. Injuries took a toll on our rotation. They played so good to win and we played bad to lose. But we still have matches to play. We won our first match, Lithuania lost their first match and I strongly feel that it is still open although it will be tough.

Those who handled accreditation were not consistent with the right procedures and this has left many officials without accreditation here. They cannot get to venues and they watch events on television just like people at home. Another thing has has awed the minister, we gathered, is the ease with which Nigerian athletes are beaten here. He believes the country could do better and hopes to plan better for future Olympics. Nigeria’s hopes are on track and field where they bank on Blessing Okagbare on the Long Jump and the sprints. They also hope that Uche Chukwumereije

D’Tigers fall to Lithuania

concern well meaning Nigerians.” Said Pinnick: “What they did to these two promising Ijaw swimmers is a scandal. They were duly accredited to compete in the Olympics but withdrawn by their own country. It’s a shame, a scandal that should concern everybody. Now, everybody is talking about Uche Chukwumereije in the combat sports. Before Beijing Olympics was he as popular as he is now? But a Bronze medal at the Olympics upped his profile. Could he have won if he wasn’t given the chance on the grounds that Nigeria was not good in Takwoandon? The two swimmers were withdrawn because NSC felt that they would not win anything. You don’t do that to somebody who has qualified to compete on the biggest stage of sports. It speaks volumes of those who run our sports. The other time they rolled out a memo banning any athlete outside our shores from competing in our festival on the grounds that top athletes should not compete so that they can discover talents. They should now tell us the impact the last

festival in Rivers has made in the London Olympics. It has made no contribution to our team. Nothing, absolutely nothing. And it has been so for years and they don’t have the vision to change it, make it our own Olympics where the best will compete and take it from there. We have potential in swimming more than we have in Takwoando but it is because of the way they have been treating swimming that has put it in the condition it is now. And what did they do for Takwoando before now? It was the individual effort of the Chukwumereijes that brought us the feat that they are now celebrating and behaving as if they made Uche Chukwumereije. I hope that these Olympics will teach us some lessons about how to run sports. But can we ever learn?.” The Delta State Sports Council boss wondered why the ministry and the National Sports Commission brought so many people who have no business being at the Olympics to London but were denying athletes that qualified for the Games a lifetime opportunity of participating in the Olympics.

“I cannot fathom what is going on here. We were told that the Presidency issued a directive that there was not going to be any official delegation to the London Games but what I am witnessing here is nothing short of a jamboree. Most people brought to London shouldn’t be here. This is not right,” Amaju intoned. The Special Assistant to the Minister of Sports on media affairs, Julius Ogunro however, told this reporter that the withdrawn athletes were given wild cards to their respective events and in line with the ministry’s policy of streamlining the Nigerian contingent to the Olympics, it was decided that such athletes be dropped. “This was settled over two months ago,” he said, adding, “ the athletes were contacted and are aware of the ministry’s stand. They were assured of the many opportunities open to them in future.” The argument still does not hold water as many people who were not accredited for the Games are in London. They can’t even go to the Games Village or event venues. Indeed, they have no business being here.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012

Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter wins silver

UEEN Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips clinched a dramatic silver medal at London 2012 on Tuesday, while being cheered on by jubilant

members of the royal family. Phillips was part of the Great Britain team that finished behind Germa

Continues on Page 55

•Zara

This is a scandal, Pinnick yells at Sports Ministry, NOC Y

ELLOWEE Yaha could not get to the medal zone at the Beijing Olympics but he won one of the heats and looked forward to improving his performance at the Lon-

don Olympics. But the Ijaw swimmer who was actually given a wild card to the Olympics was withdrawn by the Nigeria Olympics Committee on the advice of the Nation-

al Sports Commission. Ifie Gagbe is described as the most promising female swimmer in the country and she looked forward to being an Olympia but she was hit by the poor vision of those who run sports in Nigeria. She was withdrawn too. Amaju Pinick has described the treatment meted to these athletes as a “scandal that should Continues on Page 55

D’Tigers fall to Lithuania ...Bakare’s boys go down 72-53

ITHUANIA domi nated on the stands and on the court, it was a one way traffic for them at the Basketball Arena here yesterday. And when it ended, Nigerian players and their coach Ayo Bakare admitted that the team that they beat by a point in Venezuela to qualify Continues on Page 55 TODAY'S

Medals Table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10

China U.States Japan France Italy Russia S/Korea Germany N/Korea Australia Romania

G 10 7 1 4 2 2 3 2 3 1 1

S 6 7 4 1 4 2 2 3 0 2 2

PUZZLES

B 3 5 7 4 2 4 2 1 1 1 1 YESTERDAY'S

Total 19 19 12 9 8 8 7 6 4 4 4 ANSWERS

DUNK •••Lithuanian centre Jonas Valanciunas (L) scores during yetserday's group A basketball match against Nigeria in London. PHOTO: AFP

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Tyrant (6) 5 Drawing (6) 9 Hang (5) 10 Schedule (6) 11 Recommittal (6) 12 Fragment (5) 14 Journey (4) 17 Clef (3) 18 Present (4) 20 Rented (5) 22 Claw (5) 23 Cylindrical (7) 24 Tranquility (5) 26 Cycle (5) 29 Engrave (4) 30 Poke (3) 32 Masculine (4) 33 Wall painting (5) 35 Noisier (6) 36 Crumble (6) 37 Turret (5) 38 Leash (6) 39 Tilted (6)

DOWN 1 Lack (6) 2 Pin (6) 3 Chances (4) 4 Trail (5) 5 Sprinkle (5) 6 Retain (4) 7 Voyage (6) 8 Concealed (6) 13 Consistent (7) 15 Bolt (5) 16 Boat (5) 18 Seraglio (5) 19 Regal (5) 21 Owing (3) 22 Faucet (3) 24 Pill (6) 25 Clear (6) 27 Blacken (6) 28 Myth (6) 30 Juryman (5) 31 Din (5) 33 Measure (4) 34 Entice (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Scamp 7, Needed 9, Nil 10, Gum 12, Faint 13, Goal 15, Mufti 17, Rabble 19, Muse 20, Astir 22, Tab 24, Recited 27, Dot 28, Lurch 31, Saga 33, Muddle 35, Blade 37, Lamp 38, Cache 39, Eat 41, One 42, Remove 43, Heard.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Enigma 2, Depart 3, Beg 4, Sift 5, Claim 6, Monastic 8, Dumb 11, Multitude 14, Lair 16, Feat 18, Bred 21, Separate 23, Bald 25, Coma 26, Lull 29, Reason 30, Happen 32, Abhor 34, Dear 36, Lend 40, Tee.

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Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos. C M Y K