2015 POLLS: OBJ, Jonathan scramblefor Northern govs

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61787

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

AIG-IMOUKHUEDE SPEAKS:

Why the subsidy cabal is fighting back •Pgs.30-33 & 39

MY WISH AT 100:

Let’s end bloodshed – Pa Akiyode

•P.37

2015 POLLS:

OBJ, Jonathan scramble for Northern govs

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

•Sambo entangled in battle for the soul of the North •Two northern govs eye VP position, mobilise for Jonathan •Obasanjo's private meetings, condolence visits raise dusts

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AGOS—THE shape of the contest for the 2015 presidential election was at the beginning of the New Year unfolding as a battle for the support of second term governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Besides the governors, Vice-President Namadi Sambo was also becoming an issue in the battle of wits between President Goodluck Jonathan

Continues on page 5

•P.17

DEAR BUNMI •P.38

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

Mr & Mrs

BABIES OF THE YEAR

— Left: Oluwanifemi Badejo (male), born at 12.01 am, by Kikelomo Badejo at National Hospital Abuja. Weight: 4.13kg. Right: Lagos baby of the year (female),born at 12:01am, by Mrs. Muyiwa Carew at Randle General Hospital, Gbaja, Surulere. Weight: 2.5kg. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan & Bunmi Azeez.

Bombers of UN building, FHQ, Madalla arrested— Jonathan •P.6 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2013—3

C M Y K

4— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

President Goodluck Jonathan (centre) pointing at a thing of interest with the Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh and the Executive Secretary Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara (l) while the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the Chaplain, State House Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba (r) watch after the New Year Service at the All Saints Aglican Church, Wuse, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

2015: Obasanjo, Jonathan scramble for Northern govs Continues from page 1 and his onetime benefactor, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The vice-president’s problem is also being compounded by the reported interest of two second term governors angling to displace him in the event of Dr. Jonathan seeking another term in 2015.

The political difficul-

ties of the Vice-president emerged following reports that Sambo through Governor Mukthar Yero of Kaduna State was in the know of a meeting between Obasanjo and traditional rulers in Kaduna State on New Year eve.

Yero who emerged as governor of Kaduna State last month is largely believed to be a

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

See God’s hands....

Those who joyfully leave everything in God’s hand, will see God’s hand in everything.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Your thoughts create your reality. You feel the way you feel right now because of the thoughts you are thinking, and you are where you are right now because of the thoughts you have thought over and over again. If the thoughts running though your mind are pure, positive and empowering, you will create positive and empowering beliefs about yourself and about life; and your actions, habits and daily routines will be a reflection of these thoughts and beliefs.

Remember the saying; “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

As we celebrate the season with joyful hearts. I recall the positive words from Mack and Angel Hack as they enjoin us to take time to do things you didn’t do when you had the chance. That priceless relationship you neglected. Those important words you left unspoken. Every one of us has experienced feelings of regret. But it’s not too late to set things straight. You’re still here breathing. Right now you have an opportunity to change your future.

scion of the political family of Sambo having first served as an accountant in his private company before emerging as Commissioner for Finance in Sambo’s cabinet as governor of Kadnua State.

Obasanjo was in Kaduna State on New Year eve allegedly to commiserate with the state over the death of its immediate past governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa.

During his stay in Kaduna, the former president met with traditional rulers who were summoned by the powerful Emir of Zauzzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris. The meeting with the traditional rulers followed similar meetings between the former president and opinion moulders in Northern Nigeria in recent times.

Obasanjo's private meetings The New Year eve meetings in Kaduna trailed earlier private meetings in Abia last weekend. Before then, Obasanjo, who is believed to have taken a position to champion the return of the presidency to the North was alleged to have been mobilizing political opinion leaders in the region for a possible confrontation with the incumbent and his onetime protégée,

Jonathan.

Multiple sources in the North confirmed yesterday that the events in Kaduna may have inadvertently put Sambo in a precarious position in the unfolding battle of wits between Obasanjo and Jonathan. Sambo was in Kaduna on New Year eve ahead of Obasanjo’s arrival.

“How do you explain the fact that the governor got all the traditional rulers to meet with Obasanjo and do you think it could have been for nothing,” a top political operative in the North asked yesterday.

Sambo has largely refrained from giving vent to the increasing opposition in the North to another term for Dr. Jonathan in 2015. It was as such a surprise to some political leaders in the region yesterday that the vice-president would have associated himself with Obasanjo’s condolence visit which some alleged was a cover for his continuing mobilisation for the battle ahead of 2015.

Mallam Sani Umar, Media Aide to the vicepresident did not return a call and a text message sent to him on the development.

Obasanjo, it was learnt, has been reaching out to governors across the country in a bid to win their confidence ahead of 2015.

His efforts, Vanguard

learnt, was upon submissions earlier made to him to beware of Jonathan’s power of incumbency. The former president it was further gathered was said to have dismissed the threat with the assertion that he knows that the power of the PDP rests with the governors.

The governors’ influence over the party flows from their control of delegates who come from the states.

Two northern govs eye VP position Obasanjo’s alleged efforts nonetheless, northern cohesion to combat Dr Jonathan for the presidential ticket is alleged to be threatened with the subtle quest by two of the north’s second term governors to displace Sambo from the post of vice-presidential slot in a possible Jonathan presidential ticket in 2015. It is, however, not known if Dr. Jonathan is directly involved in trying to woo any of the second term governors to join him in a possible 2015 race. He, has, however, over time bent towards the governors on several issues concerning the PDP. Two of the second term governors despite being beneficiaries of President Obasanjo’s good-

will are said to be playing a game of political survival and are believed to have given their indication to partner with Jonathan in 2015.

“Well that is one option and it is on the cards and there is nothing wrong with it,” a top aide of one of the governors that has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible vice-president told Vanguard on the condition of anonymity.

Obasanjo is said to be working on the strength of a conviction that he sold the Jonathan presidential ticket to the North on the promise that he would exit the stage in 2015 for a return of power to the North.

Following pressures on Dr. Jonathan to contest the 2015 election and reports of the incumbent president’s failure to dismiss the pressures, Obasanjo who had earlier indicated his withdrawal from the political stage has lately been on a circuit of private meetings across the country during which he is reported to have been mobilizing opinion in support of his plan.

After a meeting with the National Chairman of the PDP Alhaji Bamanga Tukur last month in his Abeokuta, Ogun State home, Obasanjo pledged that he would not be stopped from making his opinions known.

Kukah tasks prison inmates on western education

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OKOTO—THE Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Hassan Kukah, yesterday advised prison inmates to acquire western education to enable them contribute to national growth after their terms. Kukah gave the advice in Sokoto during a visit to the Sokoto Cen-

tral Prison, where he distributed food and soft drinks to the inmates to mark the new year.

“The prison is not the end of your life, some of you can still make it in life; just be focused and seek western education and cooperate with the prison officials,” he said.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI & BEN AGANDE

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan declared, yesterday, that government was winning the war on terror as those who bombed Police Headquarters, UN Building, and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla have been arrested by security agents.

The president made the disclosure even as Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr Mohammed Abubakar vowed, yesterday, to ensure that all forms of crime and criminality in the country, particularly the violent ones, are reduced to the barest minimum this year.

The president who spoke when he attended the New Year Service at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Abuja, All Saints’ Church, Zone 5, Wuse paid glowing tribute to members of the nation’s security services, saying their unrelenting effort led to the arrest of the terrorists.

According to the president, “most of the terror suspects have been arrested. People may not know what our men in uniform have been doing, they have been doing a lot to check the situation.

"The people who bombed Police Headquarters, United Nations Building and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla have been arrested.

We will continue to improve on our security architecture.”

New year 'll be better The president said the country would be better in the new year, saying that his administration has laid solid foundations for the country’s critical sectors.

He noted: “The new year will be better for the country. We have a huge population and we will continue to provide employment for our people and encourage entrepreneurship.”

He thanked the church for prayers for his administration, saying: “The church’s prayers have been helping us to stabilise the country at the time of our challenges.” He blamed the various problems the country was facing on the attitude of Nigeria, adding: “It is the ambition to get rich over night that leads to robbery, kidnapping and all sorts of crime.”

Okoh urges Nigerians to circumcise their hearts In his sermon, the Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, entitled: “Circumcise your heart,” he urged Nigerians to circumcise their hearts— the church,

Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, new Deputy Governor of Kaduna State (left) welcoming Vice President Namadi Sambo to Kaduna, at the Kaduna International Airport.

Bombers of UN building, FHQ, Madalla arrested —Jonathan zSays we are winning war against terror zAs IG vows to tackle violent crimes headlong zNigeria shall rise and walk this year — Okoh businessmen, civil servants and politicians at all levels.

He also challenged teachers and academicians as well as students who dress indecently on campuses to “circumcise their hearts.”

He told traders who sell fake products, petrol dollars and transporters who hike prices in festive periods, kidnappers, armed robbers and members of the Boko Haram sect to “circumcise their hearts.”

Okoh also advised young men who are in a haste to ride SUVs, having graduated from school, to be patient and circumcise their hearts.

According to him, traditional rulers, university authorities who sell doctorate degrees and titles to those who are not worthy of them also need to “circumcise their hearts.”

He said: “To be regarded as uncircumcised means you are a godless person. Jesus demonstrated his circumcision by being obedient. We ought to be obedient to God’s laws.

Circumcision as it affects us today means cutting of sin, corruption, bitterness and so on and so forth.

“As we enter the new year, we should cut off certain things. I ask Nigerian clergy, business community who exploits people, civil servants who hide files, politicians at all levels, teachers who persecute girls for refusing to sleep with them, traders who sell substandard products, transporters who hike prices,

petroleum product sellers who short change Nigerians, kidnappers, armed robbers and Boko Haram to circumcise their hearts.

“This is important so that in the new year we will build a nation that our children will be proud of.

“Those looking for opportunity to make money without working, young graduates seeking for contracts instead of a employment, who wants to ride a SUV. This is a deformity of the heart. It is a wrong lifestyle to start from the top.

All of us Nigerians,we should circumcised our hearts.

“The name of Jesus Christ must not be joked with else when you need Him to work for you and you evoke the name it will not work.

Nigeria shall rise and walk in 2013 “To the President, the year 2013 will come with challenges, and you need the name Jesus and once you bind that name around you, your victory shall be sure.

“Some of us have limited our lives to just money while God can give you a name, a promotion that is bigger than money. Nigeria shall rise up and walk in 2013.

“The year 2013 is a trackless sea, a desert. The guiding hand you have is that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

The most important thing for

those holding high, low and oversized responsibility in the nation is to bind Jesus to yourself and it shall be well.

“God will be gracious to us as a people and to our nation Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, in a New Year message, the IGP pledged to re-dedicate himself and his management team to the vision of reforming and professionalizing the Nigeria Police Force and bequeathing to the nation a police force that will be truly people’s friendly, effective, efficient, intelligence driven, with greater respect for the fundamental rights of the citizens and adequately positioned to tackle the dynamic challenges of crime and social order now and beyond.

Reiterating his earlier directives to Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure a crime and crisis-free New Year celebration, he advised citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or persons to the Police or other security agencies.

While thanking God for his grace and mercies that saw the country and its millions of citizens through the immediate past year, the IGP equally commended Nigerians for their vigilance, partnership and support for the Police, without which the task of policing Nigeria in 2012 would have been a near-impossibility.

He enjoined citizens not to relent in this regard, but rather continue to assist the Force even with greater vigour in the months ahead.

...charges officers and men

...expresses gratitude to Jonathan, govs

Abubakar charged officers and men of the force to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland while reminding them that their calling as peace officers demands of them the highest level of patriotism, selflessness and hard-work.

He promised that he would continue to work with relevant Federal Government agencies to seek new ways of improving on their welfare and general working conditions.

In a similar vein, the IGP expressed his immense gratitude to President Jonathan for his passion for the security of the nation and his firm resolves to tackle the current security challenges.

He equally thanked the 36 state governors, the FCT Minister and local government chairmen across the Federation, particularly those that have supported the Police with logistics and other crime fighting tools in 2012.

IG vows to tackle violent cromes

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 7

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

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AGOS — AS the New Year begins, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, yesterday, prescribed 10 ways government and the private sector can stimulate the economy this year.

In a review of the outgone year, LCCI President, Mr Goodie Ibru, said in spite of the current challenges, the Nigerian economy still offers enormous opportunities and potentials for investment.

He said: “For this to be realised, however, the constraints to productivity and efficiency must be tackled with better commitment and sincerity.

“A number of policy choices and actions are desirable to make this happen. They include (but not limited to) the following: Commitment to improvement in the general cash flow in the economy. This is critical; the liquidity and cash flow situation in 2012 was a major challenge for many investors. Lending rates should be moderated and access to credit should be reasonably liberalized.

Monetary and fiscal authorities need to make this happen in 2013.

"New strategies should be adopted to deal with the security situation in the country; security concerns heightened investment risk and depressed sales in 2012.

We hope for an improvement in 2013.

"Passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, preferably in the first quarter of the year, is desirable. This would unlock the potentials in the oil and gas sector. The passage of the bill would reduce the current uncertainties in the sector and eliminate the present stagnation of investment.

"With the early passage of the 2013 budget, we hope to see a better level of budget implementation in 2013.

"Declaration of debt accumulation to protect the economy from the looming debt trap. We expect a moderation in public debt accumulation in 2013.

"Better disposition of public institutions towards investors and entrepreneurs. We hope to see a public sector that is driven by the true spirit of public service. This

would enhance private sector development in the overall interest of the economy and the citizens.

"Renewed commitment to fight corruption in 2013.

Currently, the economy bleeds profusely from corruption and our expectation is that this bleeding will be moderated in 2013. This should happen through a combination of appropriate policy choices, deterrent sanctions for perpetrators and rewards for integrity.

"New momentum to address the huge infrastructure deficit in the economy.

We desire a higher dedication to infrastructure improvement especially with regard to power, roads, and railways.

Current reforms in the power sector should be sustained.

"We desire to see renewed commitment to patronage of locally produced goods by government agencies and institutions.

"Renewed commitment to local content policy, not just in oil and gas sector, but in other sectors of the economy. Indigenous participation is an important strategy to ensure inclusive economic growth.

Need for govt to address menace of multiple taxes Similarly, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Branch, Dr. Dolapo Ogutuga, said there was need for government to address the menace of multiple taxes which characterized 2012.

He said: “On continuous basis, local government councils, regulatory agencies of government came out with one form of taxation, levies or charges which stalled operations of factories to a near halt.

"Last year was also challenging for the manufacturing due to security challenges caused by the Boko Haram sect. The effect of this development is that supplies of products to the Northern states were adversely affected. This affected the manufacturing business in the country as companies had to maintain higher inventories.”

Smuggling erodes competitive strength

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left) and state Chairman, People's Democratic Party, PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, at the thanksgiving service for the PDP Chairman at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ikot Ebido Oku, Uyo.

How to stimulate economy in New Year, by LCCI, MAN Are Fatai Odusile, Executive Secretary of the Distillers and Blenders Association sub group of MAN, also wants government to tackle smuggling by the horn.

According to him, last year, the businesses of their member companies were adversely affected by the influx of smuggled wines and spirit from Asia, India, South Africa and Europe into the country.

He lamented that smuggled foreign wines and spirit had eroded the competitive strength of local manufacturers.

He noted: “The local wines and spirits industry

with a combined 125,000 workers, contributing N40 billion corporate taxes and Valued Added Tax, VAT, per annum and accounting for N2.17 trillion market capitalisations on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, is now under threat of closure from smuggled foreign brands.

"Unless the Federal Government takes a decisive action against the development, companies in the sector will soon go the way of Afprint, Enpee Industries, Kaduna Textile Limited. Berec Batteries, Dunlop and Michelin.”

New manufacturing

investments Chief Kola Jamodu, MAN President, further summed up the stakeholders expectations when he said they would like to see new manufacturing investments spring up and some old manufacturing plants revived this year.

He noted: "In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned some new manufacturing investments in Lagos, Ogun, Imo, Rivers, Enugu and Anambra states. This is a welcome development for the manufacturing sector

and I look forward to seeing more of such happening in all states of the federation soonest.”

He said the stakeholders also wanted "long term loans at lower single digit interest rate and zero per cent duty on all manufacturing machinery and equipment to facilitate retooling and replacement of obsolete parts; the recent increase in the price of electricity tariff, LPFO, AGO should also be addressed including downward review of corporate tax to 20 per cent and removal of VAT on raw materials.”

Gov Wada discharged from hospital

BY VICTORIA OJEME

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BUJA — GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State who was injured in an auto crash last week that claimed the life of his ADC was, yesterday, discharged from the Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja where he has been receiving treatment for a broken thigh.

Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Felix Ogedengbe, certified Wada fit to be discharged and to allow him recuperate fully at home.

Vanguard had

reported, weekend, of plans to discharge the governor any moment.

Dr Ogedengbe noted that though the governor had been discharged, the fracture would still require at least six months to heal.

Wada left the hospital around 9 a.m. yesterday in the company of his aides, amidst tight security.

The governor while in hospital was visited by many high profile Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan.

The governor was brought to the hospital at

about 8 p.m on Friday night after being stabilized at the Specialist Hospital, Kogi where he was taken to immediately after the accident.

Ogedengbe had dismissed reports at a press briefing on Saturday at the hospital that the governor was to be flown abroad, saying: “The governor has since stabilized and he had a nice night. He would not be taken abroad for treatment because he has confidence in our capacity to manage him.

There is no immediate need to fly him abroad.”

Last Friday, Wada’s SUV while returning from a function at Anyingba on his way to Lokoja, had a burst tyre while his car somersaulted severally before plunging into an uncompleted building at Elete Emi Woro between Prime Polytechnic and Salem University in Ajaokuta-Lokoja Government Area of the state.

While the governor sustained thigh injury, his ADC died on the spot.

Apart from the governor, the driver of the ill-fated auto crash is alive and responding to treatment.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Adeboye predicts bigger disasters in 2013 unless... ...calls for prayers, supplication, praises to God

BY SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA ENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye yesterday cautioned Nigerian political leaders to learn from disasters of 2012 and take precaution soonest to avert bigger ones.

Releasing his annual prophesies for the year 2013 at a cross over service to usher worshippers into the New Year at the Redemption Camp, he explained that there could be more devastating natural disasters like flood if necessary precautionary measures are not taken soonest to avert such calamities.

Describing the New Year as a year of signs and wonders, he said generally, God says this year will be better than last year.

According to Pastor Adeboye before the middle of the year, many Nigerians will have reason to say hope rising, adding however, that prayers and supplication be intensified .

He told the crowd of worshippers that God spared the lives of certain individuals in the country last year because of intercessory prayers of the saints, noting “the prayers of some of you minimized death of prominent Nigerians last year, don’t stop praying.”

Speaking on the prophecies for individual Nigerians, Pastor Adeboye said, “No matter the darkness around you, your star will shine brighter.

“God says, He will speak peace to your storms; Certain individuals have been stagnated for sometimes, the reasons for your stagnation will become known, will be addressed and will be eliminated, therefore progress will follow.”

Continuing on the individual category, Pastor Adeboye said in many senses of the word, this year will be of completeness.

On the international platform, the cleric said prominent world leaders need a lot of prayers so as not to die in office.

In addition, he said prominent Church leaders need prayers against planned scandals, even as he said that weather conditions may get worst, much worst, unless prayers are intensified.

But there is a cheery news when Adeboye said: “We should expect a major break-

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through in medicine this year,” concluding that nations who pass unholy laws will have a taste of divine fury.

Earlier in a brief sermon titled; “Preparing for a year of signs and wonders”, he outlined certain principles to enable one tap into heavenly reservoir of the miraculous.

According to him, this year will be a better year than the just ended one, maintaining that the principles must include praise and worship of God, putting God first before any other consideration; evangelism; control the fullness of your joy, pointing out

that one who is close to God can control even the weather around him.

Adeboye was very particular about the praise of God as a veritable tool for signs and wonders, noting that one can pray, study the Bible in silence but no one can praise God in silence.

The congregation applauded when he said: “You can never praise God quietly”, stressing that praising Him comes from a heart of gratitude and it’s not quietly.

“If they say we are crazy for

shouting Hallelujah in our environment and wherever we find ourselves, then that is a good kind of craziness,” he stated, adding that nobody says thank you to his benefactor with his mouth closed.

While assuring worshippers that 2013 is a year of doors, Adeboye said it is one thing to enter into a New Year and it is another to have a brand new beginning, hence he enjoined every Nigerian to live right with God who only has the capacity to give of His limitless bounties and guarantee all round peace and calm every storm in our lives.

From left: People's Warden, Mr Elijah Fasawe, Mr Olumuyiwa Olowokure, Diocesan of the Kaduna Anglican Diocese, Most Revd. Josiah Idowu-Fearon and Former Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri, Prof. Theophilus Olowokure during the New Year service at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

ACN to Jonathan: Take governance seriously in 2013 zSays 2012 worst for Nigerians

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CTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has urged the Jonathan's administration to take governance more seriously in 2013 to ease the hardship which his government has foisted on Nigerians, especially in the past year.

In a New Year message in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the year 2012 ranked among the worst years for Nigerians.

It said having ambushed Nigerians on January 1, 2012 with an unnecessary and punitive fuel price hike, the Jonathan's administration ensured that everything went downhill from that moment until the end of the year, when Nigerians had to pay far above the official price for fuel, with its

attendant bandwagon effect on the price of goods and services.

The statement said: ‘’Mr. President, that singular act of your administration helped to erode whatever trust Nigerians reposed in you. Since trust is a critical element between the government and governed, you must begin to rebuild trust by delivering on your promises, since trust can neither be decreed nor forced. ‘’Suffice it to say that Nigerians cannot and will not trust an administration that promises to fight corruption but has presided over the worst cases of corruption in the history of the country; Nigerians cannot and will not trust an administration that set up committees after committees to probe the oil sector, only to dump the

reports of the committees in the garbage can! And Nigerians cannot and will not trust a spendthrift administration that wastes scarce resources on flimsy projects like banquet halls and mansions for a few government officials, when millions are jobless and homeless,’’ ACN said.

The party advised President Jonathan to drop his amorphous Transformation Agenda in favour of a compact programme that prioritizes security, job creation, infrastructural development and fight against corruption. It also advised the administration to stop relying on phantom statistics to give Nigerians the impression that it is delivering the dividends of democracy, when indeed the opposite is the case.

Ekiti guber: Bamidele disowns campaign posters

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HAIRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Budget and Research, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has disowned posters which were pasted by some people in Ekiti State linking him with governorship election in 2014.

Bamidele who denied knowledge of the posters, however, said he knew those behind it, saying it was an attempt to pre-empt and discredit him but promised to expose the mastermind in due time.

In a statement which he personally signed, Bamidele said: “It has just been brought to my notice that less than 48 hours after I left Ekiti for the United States of America, some faceless individuals had gone ahead to paste posters purporting that I would be running for the 2014 Ekiti Governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party".

“I will like to place on record that I, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, was not responsible for the said posters. I am a founding member of the ACN and I have not declared for any other party as a member. I must emphasise that I know those who masterminded the pasting of those posters and would address the issues at the appropriate time".

Ogun people 've supported us—Amosun

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GUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday said his administration has enjoyed tremendous cooperation from the people of the state.

He noted that “contrary to speculations in some quarters that our people are averse to development, the good people of Ogun State have shown unparalleled and rare enthusiasm for positive change.”

The governor disclosed this in a New Year message to residents.

Amosun said, “We have seen people removing the roofs of their houses and even breaking walls before the demolition team of the road construction firms gets to their areas. We have not received any news of confrontation at any of the sites.”

He stated that his government had had “pleasant experiences” in its on-going construction work in Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ijebu Ode, Abeokuta and other places.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—9

5 injured in Akure auto-crash

Fashola’s wife welcomes Baby of the Year

BY DAYO DOHNSON

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KURE— FIVE persons including two women yesterday sustained serious injuries in an autocrash in Akure metropolis.

The crash which occurred at about 11 30a.m. yesterday on Lafe Junction area on the popular Oyemekun/Adesida.

Eyewitness account said it involved a Nisan Sunny commercial cab marked ONDO XB 800 KTP, which reportedly lost control while on top speed and ram into a mini truck packed by the side of the road.

The truck belonging to Furniture Company marked ONDO XA 747 WWW was packed off the road only for the taxi to ram into it.

Reports said that the severity of the impact pushed the truck over the kerb used to demarcate the pedestrian walkways from the main road and over the drainage channel.

Those injured including the driver and a woman that sat in the front of the car were rushed by sympathizers to the State Specialist Hospital while three others at the back including another woman were rushed to private hospitals.

Men of the Motor Traffic Division of the Akure Area Command of the Ondo State Police Command have towed the wrecked commercial cab off the road.

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Mr. Yusuf Ageni, Corporate Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc (right), with Oreyi Keyo, anchor at the Lagos 2012 - 2013 Crossover Concert, mainly sponsored by Nigerian Brewries Plc, at Eko Atlantic Beach, in Lagos.

FAAN assures passengers over airport road traffic delays L

AGOS — THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, yesterday said that the long traffic delays experienced on airport roads due to security checks was in the overall interest of the public.

Mr. Yakubu Dati, the General Manager, Corporate Communications for FAAN, said this in a statement made

available in Lagos.

“We wish to assure air passengers that passed through the roads leading to our airports during this Christmas/New Year holidays that the long traffic delays experienced on airport access roads, due to routine security checks, is in overall interest of the general public,” he said.

He said that the government was determined to put all measures in place

at strategic locations, including airports to forestal any form of security breach during the yuletide period.

He noted that the measure was a positive step designed to complement FAAN’s effort at ensuring maximum safety and security of lives and property.

Dati, however, advised air passengers to leave their homes early so that the delays would not hamper their pre-boarding formalities at the airport.

Fashola presents N4.5m to ailing actress, Nwosu 2013: LASTMA vows to punish

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS —GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, issued a cheque of N4.5 million to ailing Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu to complete her medical fee.

It will be recalled that Vanguard had in December last year, reported that the Nollywood actress, was battling with heart and kidney related ailments, and would need N6 million to complete her medical treatment abroad.

Fashola who presented a cheque of N 4.5 million to Nwosu at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, prayed for the speedy recovery of the Nollywood actress in the New Year.

“Save Ngozi Nwosu” campaign had earlier informed the public that about N1.5million has been realised at the moment which is still N4.5million less of the

N6million needed to save Ngozi’s life, currently hanging on the balance.

The governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, continued, “My attention was drawn drawn to the advert in the newspapers few days ago, stating that the Nollywood actress still requires N4.5 million to complete her medical treatment.

“And that was why our government decided to assist a good citizen of the country who has used her talent to inspire youths and to imbibe in them, values that defined who we are as Nigerians,” he said.

Responding, the actress who was accompanied by the members of her campaign group, commended the state government for the gesture, saying, “it would aid my trip and the medical treatment of my ailment abroad.”

erring officers

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS —THE General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, L ASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu, has assured motorists and the public of better and more humane services from the authority in 2013, aimed at improving safe and free movement of traffic.

Edu, therefore, warned over-zealous and corrupt officers to turn a new leaf as the authority would not hesitate to sanction appropriately, any erring officer caught in the act to serve as a deterrent to others “As we move into the New Year, management of LASTMA wishes to remind the Lagos motorists that the organisation is committed to highly mobile, efficient and effective traffic management in line with the best global

practices in 2013,” LASTMA boss stated.

Edu announced various measures taken by the agency to checkmate the excesses of its personnel: training of officials, barring junior officers from making arrests, driving of offenders’ vehicles, and sacking of over 150 officials for various offences in the last two months.

He reteirated the readiness of the government to sanitise the agency by ensuring that only diligent, dedicated and disciplined officers are posted to the roads.

LASTMA boss added that the training should be yielding fruits sooner than later, noting that officers are expected to take the knowledge acquired back to the roads by demonstrating high discipline and professionalism when dealing with motorists.

AGOS —THE wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, yesterday urged parents to take good care of their children by patronising the primary healthcare facilities in the state.

She made the call at the celebration of the 2013 First Baby of the Year programme, organised by the government.

She presented gifts to both mothers and their babies at the three general hospitals Ifako/Ijaye General Hospital, Ifako, Maternal and Child Centre (MCC), Surulere, and the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos.

A baby girl, delivered at 12: 01 a.m. to the Keru Olumuyiwa family at MCC, Surulere, and weighed 2.5kg, was announced first baby of the year.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Babatunde Fashola on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, declared baby Olumuyiwa as the "Baby of the Year."

The Enitan Busari family was also blessed with a boy child at 12:02 a.m., weighing 4.1kg, at the Ifako/Ijaye General Hospital.

Another baby girl, weighing three-kg was delivered at the Ifako/ Ijaye General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye to the family of Patricia Ajisegun.

She was born at 12:35 a.m.

Baby Nwoye is first baby of 2013 at LUTH THE FIRST baby of 2013 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos, was delivered at 10.20 a.m., yesterday, by 36-year-old Mrs. Emiliana Nwoye through Caesarean Section.

The baby girl weighed 2.7 kg.

Baby Nwoye. Photo: Sola Ogundipe

10—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Osun aglow as fireworks usher in 2013

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SOGBO —The atmosphere in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, was filled with unusual fun -fare in the early hours of yesterday, as the state government ushered in the 2013 with pomp and pageantry through fireworks and pyrotechnics.

The sporadic fireworks, which were set off at exactly 12:00 a.m. of Tuesday and lasted for about 45 minutes non-stop, were used to usher in the New Year across nine major towns of the state.

The newly redesigned Railway Station in Old Garage area, Osogbo, venue of the programme and its environs, were filled to capacity with thousands of people lining up to witness the glamour of the fireworks organised by the state government.

As the people were in joyous mood watching the sporadic fireworks and pyrotechnics, the popular Fuji Musician, King Saheed Osupa, was on hand to entertain the mammoth crowd.

All the strategic places of the state capital, particularly Old-Garage, Oke-Fia, Igbona, Sabo, Ayetoro, Alekuwodo and Oja-Oba experienced unusual traffic jam in the midnight, as the atmosphere became electrified.

Speaking on the significance of heralding the New Year in that style, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said, it is the duty of a responsible government to make the people happy at all times.

“The duty of any government is to make the people happy. I am satisfied that the people are happy and satisfied. As long as the people are happy, I am happy too,” he said.

Fayemi pledges road revolution

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI —Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has pledged to carry his road revolution to the three towns of Ikole, Ikere and Ijero Ekiti this year by embarking on the construction of the township roads in the three old divisional headquarters, just as he declared his determination to construct about 5,000 housing units this year Already the state government has embarked on the massive road construction in Ado Ekiti, the state capital

Ogun PDP united, Obasanjo now father of all! —Ex-Chairman

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Chief Olalekan Ojo has cleared the air over the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

He claimed that all the factions have fused into one, describing former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the father of all in the party.

Addressing newsmen during a re-union rally and empowerment programme organised by Omo-Ilu foundation, held at IjebuIgbo in Ogun State, yesterday, Ojo, a former gubernatorial candidate of the party in the last election, who was allegedly substituted with Gen. Adetunji Olurin (rtd), said former party members who had defected to other parties have returned to PDP. He said “there is no crisis within the party, what happened was that some members deflected to a new party and we have resolved that and they have come back into the fold of PDP. "We are talking about PPN members, they are solid PDP members today.

“ Everyone of us has fused together. Naturally in a party that is progressive there may be bickering, squabbles here and there, but we are working hard to ensure that we rock the baby to sleep,” he said.

While commenting on the recent visit by National Chairman of the party to Obasanjo, Ojo said "the Chairman never paid a visit to PDP in the state. Baba visited his boss. Baba

visited ex-President, he visited Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the father of the party and former Chairman of BoT of the party; that was what happened. If it were to be party visitation all of us would be there.

While speaking on the empowerment programme, ex-Chairman of the party described it as “the begining of freedom, beginning of another fantasy in the party, beginning of emancipation

and resuscitation and rekindling of efforts of the PDP to gain back all what we have lost.

“This is the commencement, it does not belong to one faction or group, this is the issue of PDP,” Ojo said.

He explained the rationale behind the distribution of 500 vehicles, 1000 motorcycles and 1,800 bags of rice worth N800million to the members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State as an attempt to empower members.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State Governor, fielding questions from journalists, at the 40minute fireworks display, to herald the New Year, at Railway Station, Osogbo, one of 10 similar locations across the state, yesterday.

Fire destroys 5 houses in Port Harcourt

F

ire on New Year day de stroyed five houses near the Ikoku spare parts market in Port Harcourt.

An eye witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the fire started about 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday at the dump site of the market in Gambia Street, Port Harcourt.

The cause of fire is still unknown. The witness said the fire destroyed unused cars and other spare parts at the dump site and later spread to surrounding buildings.

Residents and store owners

were seen evacuating their goods and belongings from buildings near the raging fire.

Fire fighters from the Agip Oil Company responded to distress call to put out the fire.

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B E O K U TA — T H E National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Ogun State has lauded the state government following the completion of the first ever fly-over bridge in Ibara/ItaEko area of the Abeokuta, the state capital.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday, the state

The command received a report of the fire incident at Ikoku motor parts market. We have sent our men to ensure that hoodlums do not capitalise on the incident to steal from the stores in the neigbourhood.

Ondo PDP chieftains warn leader over critising Agagu, Oke

BY DAYO DOHNSON

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KURE— NOTABLE Peoples Democratic Party chieftains who are natives of Akure, yesterday, cautioned their leader, Dr.

NURTW lauds Amosun over fly-over bridge

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam, the spokesman for the Rivers Police Command, who confirmed the incident, told NAN that policemen had been sent to the area to ensure security of lives and property. “

Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Akeem Adeosun, stated that construction of bridge was long-overdue in the state capital, adding that it would contribute immensely to the economic growth of the state.

The construction of the multi-million naira bridge which was awarded by the state government few months ago, has just been completed and ready for commissioning.

Dare Bada, against further criticisms of the party leadership in the state under Dr. Olusegun Agagu and its governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, in the media.

The group comprised leaders, council executives, serving and former political office holders of the PDP in the Akure South Local Government Area.

Addressing newsmen the caucus at a news conference addressed by Mr. Afolabi Akinbowale, in Akure, noted that the action of Bada could be misconstrued by the leadership of the party to mean the opinion of Akure indigenes in the PDP. Bada last week accused former Governor Olusegun Agagu and the PDP

governorship candidate for the election, Chief Olusola Oke, of causing the party ’s poor performance in the October 20 poll.

He re-affirmed that the October 20 gubernatorial election was free and fair, and that the PDP lost because of its candidature, lack of financial commitment from the candidate and paucity of funds.

"I remain a committed member of the PDP loyal only to the established leadership structure of the party and no longer to a cabal that has held the party’s jugular in a vice-like grip," he said.

But Akinbowale said the action of Bada “was capable of affecting the image of Akure indigenes that are involved in active politics in the state and the younger ones that may join politics in future”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 2, 2013—11

PPA seeks prayer for Jonathan in 2013

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ROGRESSIVE Peoples Alliance, PPA, has urged Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan with prayers in 2013, irrespective of party affiliations.

In a New Year message by its National Chairman, Chief Sam Nkire, the party said what President Jonathan needed most at this time was fervent prayers to deal with the problems of corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

Nkire commended the President for the improvement recorded in the power sector as well as the upgrading of some portions of LagosOre Expressway.

He urged Jonathan to also consider upgrading Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, among others.

Chief Nkire, said the time had come for President Jonathan to shift from being a partisan president to being the president of all Nigerians.

....As Bayelsa Speaker sues for religious tolerance

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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E N A G O A — SPEAKER of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson, has enjoined Christians and Muslims in the state to put up the right attitude in 2013, so as to enthrone peace and political stability in the country.

He said: “Peace is principally the attainment of the common good in society at different levels, ranging from primary, intermediary, national, international and global levels.”

In a statement in Yenagoa, Benson lamented some sad events that bedeviled the latter part of 2012, noting that fundamentalism and fanaticism, linked to religion, were undermining peace efforts across the globe, leading to distortion of the true meaning of religion.

Gunmen abduct Delta Varsity SSANU official

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—TREASUR ER of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Delta State University, Abraka chapter, Mr. Martins Denedo, has been abducted by gunmen.

Denedo, Vanguard gathered, was abducted while returning from the New Year service at 1am, yesterday by eight gunmen, who laid siege to his house.

A family source told Vanguard that the unsuspecting Denedo, who drove in his Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, was abducted as he came down to open the gate to drive into his house in the university community.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said Denedo was driven away in the Nissan Jeep by the suspected kidnappers to yet unknown destination, shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away.

Speaking further, the source said the kidnappers were yet to establish contact with them.

Efforts to reach police authorities in the area for comment

on the abduction proved abortive at press time. However, a senior Police officer attached to Abraka Police Division confirmed the incident.

The police source, who does not want his name in print, said

the police had commenced investigation into the kidnap, expressing the hope that the suspected kidnappers would be arrested and brought to book.

He said the game was up for

PRESENTATION: Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, (left), presenting staff of office to the Akor of Oko-Anala, His Royal Majesty, Eze Osita I.

....As Uduaghan promises hard times Uduaghan added that his for kidnappers this year administration was focusing

BY EMMAAMAIZE

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ARRI—GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has vowed that his government would step on toes this year, if need be, to check the menace of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.

Speaking at the annual thanksgiving service organised by Iwere Kingdom, the governor said communities that aid and abet perpetrators of violence on society would not be spared in the crackdown against criminality.

He said: “All those engaged in one form of criminality or another, such as armed robbery

and kidnapping, in the state, should stop their nefarious acts and retrace their steps. This year, we are going to take security more seriously and anyone caught would be made to face the wrath of the law.”

He warned that such acts of criminality were an embarrassment to the state as it was seriously affecting the image of the state among investors and visitors.

“You know I took an oath to protect lives and property and I will not sit back and watch criminals terrorise our people.

Communities that provide these criminals safe haven would have themselves to blame as we cannot continue this way,” he warned.

on improving educational infrastructure, training and motivation of teachers so that Delta State would maintain an enviable position in Nigeria’s education sector.

He said the scholarship award to first class students of Delta State origin was designed to prepare the ground for a crop of academics who would move the state forward.

He commended the Itsekiri Education Trust Fund initiated by the Olu of Warri and promised to support the vision.

In his sermon, the chaplain of Warri Kingdom, Dr. Mark Erumi, harped on the importance of thanksgiving that is acceptable to God.

Rivers to combat malaria with biolarviciding factory

BY EGUFEYAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT—TO create an enabling environment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as hub for advancing strategies for the elimination of malaria in the West African sub-region, the state government has taken affirmative action to make the dream realisable.

State Health Commissioner, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Parker, spoke after meeting with a

kidnappers in the state, adding that the police was equal to the task of policing the state. Warning kidnappers to relocate from the state if they must live, he said the state was no longer a safe haven for them.

team of experts sent by Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to carry out feasibility studies on the construction of a biolarviciding factory in the state.

He said ECOWAS had agreed that Port Harcourt would be the site for the factory to cater for Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the sub-region.

He noted that two years ago, there was a meeting in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’ Ivoire, where it was decided that the way for-

ward for the elimination of malaria was to go organic in the fight against mosquitoes.

He said: “We went to Cuba with an agreement with Venezuela to set up two factories in West Africa, one in Nigeria, one in Ghana and probably another in Cote d’ Ivoire.”

He added that with the understanding, Cuba was expected to provide the technology with grant from Venezuela.

SAVAN fetes accident victims at UBTH

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—TRAUMATIC patients of Accident and Emergency Ward and other neurotic cases at University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin City, Edo State, were, yesterday, hosted to a New Year celebration by the Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria, SAVAN. Among those who joined in the celebration were medical doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, who were on duty, yesterday.

Speaking with Vanguard shortly after the celebration, National Coordinator of SAVAN, Dr. Eddy Ehikhamenor, said the organisation decided to host them to a New Year party to make them feel happy and integrated into the society despite finding themselves outside the comfort of their homes during the festive period.

“The only way we can make the patients feel happy and integrated is to celebrate the Christmas and New Year with them. It is not only the patients that we hosted, we also hosted medical doctors, nurses and other health providers, who were on duty. A man who is already traumatized should be made to feel that he is not neglected by the society.”

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 2, 2013

‘Stop playing politics with my father’s health’

BY EMMAAMAIZE

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ARRI—MR. Cyril Ojogor, one of the children of the embattled Eghare-Aja (community leader) of oil-rich Ugborodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has warned the factional leaders in the leadership crisis rocking the community to stop playing politics with his father’s health.

Speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, he said: “I am disturbed by the decision of the combatants in the Ugborodo crisis to use the health of my father for political reasons. The fact that my father is not well is no reason why they should capitalise on his ill-health to cause confusion.”

Ndoma-Egba awards scholarships to 540 students

Oyegun cautions Northern govs over opposition to PIB

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—FORMER gov ernor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie–Oyegun, has cautioned governors and National Assembly members of Northern extraction, over their vow to kill the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, pending before the National Assembly for consideration, saying that there were already enough security challenges facing the country, especially from the North.

Oyegun, in his reaction to the decision by Northern Governors Forum, Senators and House of Representatives members from the North, to kill the PIB on the ground that its provisions were anti-North, warned them to avoid doing anything that would plunge any part of the South into crisis as the country might not survive another crisis.

He said: “In any case, this nation has enough challenges facing it and they should not create a situation where

ALABAR—SEN ATE Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has awarded scholarships to no fewer than 540 indigent undergraduate and post graduate students of Central Senatorial District of Cross River State.

Senator Ndoma-Egba told newsmen after presenting Christmas and New Year gifts to the six local government areas that make up his constituency, at Obubra council headquarters, that the scholarship scheme, which he instituted immediately he went to the Senate in 2004, was to encourage his constituents to go to school.

be given to the oil producing communities and for them to be given an interest in the survival of the oil industry. Proposals in those lines are long overdue and they should not interpret

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has assured people of the state of better attention from the state government this year.

The governor, in his New Year message to the state, said the government would focus on job creation, urban development and other key sectors of the economy.

The governor, who called for private sector investment in the growth of the economy, also called on people of the state to explore self employment initiatives, describing same as the best form of development.

Amaechi appealed to the people to explore opportunities in agriculture and small and medium enterprises through entrepreneurship, noting that his government had budgeted N5 billion

state equity/enterprise fund to grow the sector, adding that the fund would come to fruition from the end of the first quarter of this year.

Stressing on the new found peaceful atmosphere in the state, the governor said his administration would continue to build on the security situation, explaining that the Songhai farm project in the state was part of effort to create jobs and ensure food security for the people.

Ex-Delta LG boss flays Lori-Ogbebor’s rejection of Uduaghan’s Christmas gifts

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—FORMER Vice Chairman of Patani Local Government Council, Delta State, Mr. Elijah Ologe, has urged Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, to take a tour of the state before criticising Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on the pages of newspapers.

Ologe, who was reacting to media reports on the Christmas gift allegedly sent to her by the state governor, said the state had witnessed tre-

them as anti-North.

“What the PIB is trying to do is to preserve the industry for them and the whole country, including the various governors from the North.”

FIRE: A section of Ikoku Motor Parts Market in Port Harcourt consumed by fire yesterday.

Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Amaechi to focus on job creation this year

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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what they are doing may become the last straw on the back of the already overburdened camel.

“It is clear that there is need for special attention to

mendous development between 2007 and now, when Uduaghan took over the mantle of leadership from Chief James Ibori.

Saying that the Christmas gifts purportedly sent to Lori-Ogbebor had nothing to do with the performance of Governor Uduaghan, insisting that “the so called Christmas gifts were a mark of respect our governor, has for our mother, Chief LoriOgbebor and a rare state privilege.”

Ologe, who is vying for the

Patani Council chairmanship, said the seeming insecurity was not peculiar to the state, adding: “The matter of insecurity is a matter of the entire country. It is not something that we should hold our governor for.”

He added that education had got a boost in the state since the administration of Governor Uduaghan, noting that model primary and secondary schools were being built in all parts of the state and scholarships awarded to deserving Deltans in their chosen educational career.

2013: C-River Ag Gov calls for unity

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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ALABAR—ACTING Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Efiok Cobham, has called for unity among the people and residents of the state in order to overcome the challenges facing the state.

Cobham, in his New Year message, said with unity, there would be a great difference in the state, in the lives of people in the communities as well as the country as a whole.

He said: “Today (yesterday), we begin a new day in a new year. We stand a great chance to make a difference; in our lives, in our communities and in our country.

“Dear Cross Riverians, we have on our collective hands today, the first chapter of a great new book called 2013.

Let’s write a story that we shall be proud to read on January 1, 2014.”

The acting governor said the greatest challenge facing the state was self-belief, adding, “When we look around us, we see mountainous challenges.

We see the humanitarian challenge posed by our displaced brothers and sisters from Bakassi, we see the loss of oil revenue from the 96 oil wells that went the other way.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—13

APGA not business entity, says party chieftain

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BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—A former National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, has said that APGA was a political party and not a business entity, which some members are trying to turn it to.

Onwuka, who made reference to the role of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and his uncle, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, in the alleged APGA crisis, told newsmen in Enugu, that the party “is not Anambra Limited Company or Agulu Progressives Grand Alliance, where you have nephew and uncle running it.

“No, it is a political party.

I have a stake in APGA. I am from Abia. Nobody should sit in Awka and tell me that I have no stake in this party. I have a stake in this party. Those from Kano, Ebonyi, Kogi and Oyo have a stake. It does not belongtoAguluorAnambra.So, it is about time we stopped this business of somebody sitting in his office to dictate what he think we should do in the party.”

I ’ve no problem with Orji —Emenike

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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M UA H I A — A CHIEFTAIN of ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the party’s former governorship aspirant in the 2011 elections, in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has said that he has no problem with Governor Theodore Orji, insisting that two of them are brothers.

Emenike who dragged Governor Orji up to Supreme Court, challenging the governorship ticket given to the governor, explained that the only problem was that people misunderstood his pursuit of the principle he believed in.

Both men hail from Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State. While Governor Orji is of Ibeku stock, Emenike is of Ohuhu stock.

He said as a journalist, a profession that believes strongly in principle, he pursued legally a cause he so much believed in by challenging up to the Supreme Court, what he believed was an injustice done to him.

C M Y K

Retired police officer nabbed over alleged robbery O

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—A crack team of Special Anti Robbery Squad, Imo State Police Command, has apprehended a retired police officer, for his alleged involvement in armed robbery.

Briefing newsmen in Owerri, yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, said the retired police officer was caught red handed when he broke into the home of his victim, armed with a loaded locally made double barrel gun.

“The retired police office, who resides in Owerri, was arrested on December 29, 2012. His supposed victim disarmed him and quickly raised alarm that attracted his neighbours,” Bolanta said.

He also hinted that one Kin Enyim from Ebonyi State and his colleagues in crime, Dan Ogbonna and Ikechukwu Nzelobi were nabbed for being in possession of illegal firearm.

“The trio were in a yellow tri-cycle when a thorough

search was conducted on them following a credible tip off. A locally pistol and five rounds of live cartridges were

found on them.”

He hailed the officers and men of 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, for nabbing one

NEW YEAR SERVICE: From left: Dean, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, Venerable James Odedeji; Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Right Rev. Peter Adebiyi, and Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral, Rev. Canon Abraham Odumuyiwa, after the new year service, at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Feud: Tell the truth, Anyanwu charges Okorocha

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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W E R R I — S E N AT O R Chris Anyanwu, has said that the best gift Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State will give the people of the state is to set a good example, tell the truth, show contrition and move into 2013 with clear conscience.

Speaking through her Special Adviser, Chief Chidi Ibe, the Senator described as

“most insulting” a recent statement credited to Okorocha that she “committed a serious security breach” that would have caused the governor’s life.

“The best gift the governor can give the good and courageous people of Imo State is to set a good example for all by coming clean on this small matter, telling the truth, showing contrition and moving into the New Year with a

clear conscience.

“Okorocha should religiously admit that he attacked innocent citizens and brutalized one of them for no just cause. His statements and New Year message of conditional forgiveness had betrayed the fact that he personally instructed and supervised the brutilization of innocent Imo citizen,” she added.

Peace, security foundation for devt —Obasanjo

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BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA—FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has identified peace and security as the foundation for national development, saying without peace and security, no meaningful development would be witnessed.

Obasanjo called all Nigerians to embrace peace for the good of the nation.

Chief Obasanjo, who was in Item, Bende Local Government Area of the state on a private visit also commended Governor Theodore Orji for the good security network in the state.

The former President, who

Chibuike Kalu for impersonation and being in possession of police kits.

visited his friend and former president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. Joe Iroukwu, saluted Governor Orji’s commitment in tackling insecurity, which once held down the state. He was in Item to attend Item Day Celebration.

He also visited the wife of the first Military Head of State, late Aguiyi Ironsi and commended Orji for the development projects he had embarked upon in the state.

“When I met you, one on one, I commended you on the works you are doing. Keep it up,” Obasanjo told the governor, adding that he was happy that Orji was not bringing three different people to

commission same project three times.

He also praised the governor for his effort at ensuring that peace and unity was maintained in the state, pointing out that it was a major and basic foundation for development to thrive in any society.

Responding, Governor Orji expressed delight at the visit by the former president, and attributed the success recorded in the provision of security in the state to the state government’s partnership with the Federal Government and the cordial relationship existing between them.

Enugu distributes electricity transformers to 21 communities

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BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—ENUGU State Government has distributed 21 electricity transformers of various capacities to some communities and parts of the state capital under its rural electrification programme.

The benefiting communities are Ozom Aguobu Owa, Akama Oghe, Agu Ibeje, Okata Nkpamute, Orba, Nkpunano, Umuawalagu Nara, Obe Agbo, Edem Nike and Eziama Agbogugu.

Others are Uwani Amokwe, Amadim Amugwu, Ikeghe Okpatu, Enugu Achi, Umuoma Agbada Inyi, Ugwuleshi Agwu, GRA I and GRA II, Unity Layout, Police Community and Central Police Station, CPS, Enugu.

Speaking at a brief ceremony at Government House, Enugu, before the handing over the transformers, acting governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, represented by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Dr. Eric Oluedo, said that the gesture was in keeping with the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime’s promise to electrify all communities in the state that are without light.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Abia govt assures on fight against double taxation

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—GOV ERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has assured that his administration had put measures in place to check double taxation. He also promised to vigorously tackle unemployment this year.

Governor Orji also said people would be encouraged to be self-employed, as government continues in earnest in its task of checking wastages.

The governor, in his New Year message to the people of the state, said that he will pursue with vigour, the reopening of the abandoned multimillion Golden Guinea Breweries in Umuahia to provide jobs and improve the living standard of the people.

Orji assured workers in the state of good times ahead as their salaries would be paid promptly.

Imo ANPP tasks Jonathan’s on insecurity

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—IMO State Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Chief Vitalis Ajumbe, has appealed to the Federal Government to seriously tackle the issue of insecurity in the land.

Chief Ajumbe, in his reaction to President Goodluck Jonathan’s New Year message, noted that insecurity had done a lot of damage to the nation’s economy.

“Nobody likes to put his money in an insecure environment. Nobody equally likes to risk his life for whatever reason.

This is why the Federal Government must tackle the issue of insecurity seriously.

“This is an area that does not change by mere rhetoric. Concrete action must be taken to redress this sagging situation.”

He noted that another issue that must be tackled was the poor infrastructure in the country.

CNPP scribe faults Jonathan on job creation E

BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—NATIONAL Pub licity Secretary of Conference of National Political Party, CNPP, Chief Osita Okechukwu, yesterday, described President Goodluck Jonathan’s new year speech as a patriotic one but disagreed with his promise on job creation.

Okechukwu told Vanguard, that unless the government invests substantially in the critical infrastructure, the desire to create employment for the teeming jobless Nigerians would be a mirage.

“The president’s speech is a patriotic speech, however, we don’t know how he can create employment without investing in critical infrastructure such as the coal deposit in Enugu, the mass bitumen deposit in Ondo, the Mambilla power plant and aggressive investment in the Railways.”

Okechukwu, who was governorship candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in 2011 elections in Enugu State, said “if the president continues with the policy of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that ‘government has no business in busi-

ness’ and the party’s philosophy to share the money, then he cannot achieve the promises he made to Nigerians.”

Noting that the president was emphatic on employ-

ment generation, he said that Jonathan could not achieve any of the stated plans “if he leaves our excess foreign reserve to be poached by people like Dangote without investing in our critical infra-

BIRTHDAY: HRM Oba Abdul Fatai Aromire, Ojora of Ijora Kingdom (middle) dancing among friends and relatives, during his 60th birthday anniversary, at his palace in Ijora, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Pictures in CJ’s chambers cannot amount to subjugation —SANs

BY BARTHOLOMEW

MADUKWE

L

AGOS—PROMINENT lawyers, Prof Itse Sagay, SAN and Mr Lanre Ogunlesi, SAN, have said that there was nothing wrong with the pictures of the President and state governors being hung in the chambers of Chief Judges of the states.

This is against the backdrop of arguments that the pictures ought not be seen hanging in the chamber of Chief Judges, since it could be said to be an act of the executive subjugating the judiciary.

Sagay said: ‘’The governor of a state is the head of that state,

just like the President is the head of states for Nigeria and you will see his picture in every high court in Nigeria. So, I do not see anything wrong with that. I do not see how that would affect the independence of the judge.”

He further pointed out that a judge with an independent mind would not in anyway be intimidated by pictures of state governors or president. ‘’It is irrelevant for anybody to suggest such. Since the governor of a state is the head of that state, the governor’s picture and that of the President, who is the head of Nigeria, can be placed in the chambers of Chief

Judges, which is not to make them become submissive and subservient,’’ he said.

Similarly, Ogunlesi maintained that it was the Chief Judges, who must assert themselves, adding that judges need to be courageous because their position places them a step after God. He said: “When you look at it well, when a judge is removed, his salary is guaranteed for life.

But now you will find todaythat everything is in a mess. When we started practice, after God, it was the judges. That is what it should be. There are many things wrong in our society that ought to be put right.’’

Senator tasks Lagosians on new traffic law

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BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS—A former senator, Kola Bajomo, has called on Lagosians to respect the new traffic law in Lagos State, saying that doing so will make the state safer and ensure a drastic reduction in road accidents.

Speaking on the restriction placed on Okada riders in the state, Bajomo, who represented Ogun West Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, under the People’s

structure. This might turn out to be one of those empty promises; unless there is a huge investment in critical infrastructure, he cannot create any employment.”

Democratic Party PDP, said the havoc wreaked by the Okada riders was alarming, adding that the state government could not fold its arms and watch while innocent lives were lost on a daily basis.

He said majority of the Okada riders wrer fond of willfully violating traffic laws such as refusal to were crash helmets, carrying multiple passengers, reckless driving and robbery, hence, the need for the

state government to take the decision to safeguard the lives of Lagosians.

The one-time president of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, however, admonished Governor Babatunde Fashola, to make make available more BRT buses and smaller buses in areas where BRT could not ply, saying this will go a long way in alleviating the pains being experienced by some residents since the restriction order began.

2013, year of great expectations from Jonathan —Kalu

U

MUAHIA—FORMER governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has described 2013 as a year of great expectations from President Goodluck Jonathan.

Kalu, in his New Year message to Nigerians, said with the numerous crises facing the country and the promise by Jonathan to fast track development in 2013, the President would be taken to task this year.

In the message by his Special Adviser, Mr. Oyekunle Oyewunmi, Kalu said with the Boko Haram insurgence, fuel crises, labour-related issues and other challenges that confronted the country in 2012, the expectations in 2013 will be for Jonathan to confront these monsters headlong and provide effective leadership.

Kalu said: “Nigerians do not expect anything less from the President than solution to the numerous crises facing the country. And with the promise by the President that he would fast track development in 2013, the President should not expect anything less than being held accountable for the huge resources coming into the country’s purse vis-a-vis development in all spheres of the country’s life.”

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—15

Jonathan's 2015 campaign posters flood Abuja

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

A

BUJA—GIANT campaign posters, announcing President Goodluck Jonathan’s readiness to contest the 2015 presidential election, greeted Nigerians in Abuja, the nation’s capital, as they woke up to savour the dawn of the New Year.

The all-glossy posters, which were strategically posted in the high brow areas of the Federal Capital Territory, did not however indicate the source or the sponsor of the advertisement.

The launch of the campaign materials contradicts the President’s claim that he has not yet decided on the 2015 poll but concentrating effort on transforming Nigeria in line with his manifesto to give the people a ‘fresh air ’.

It was not clear why the sponsors of the message decided to put it out on the first day of the new year but a source familiar with the message pointed out that it was to send a strong message to the opposition that Jonathan was serious about contesting in 2015 and to test the reactions of the Nigerians.

The campaign posters have been spread across the major areas of ECOWAS, Peoples Democratic Party Secretariat in Wuse 5, and the Central Business District,

“No vacancy in Aso Rock.” where major government offices are situated.

One of the posters, which had President Goodluck Jonathan’s portrait read, 2015: No vacancy in Aso Rock. Let’s do more. One good term deserves another.

Support Dr. Goodluck Azikiwe Jonathan for 2015 Presidency.

Presidency disowns posters

When contacted the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak disowned the posters saying that they did not emanate from the

presidency and that “the president has not authorised anybody to print any campaign poster for him as regards 2015 elections”.

He declared that the president has been “preoccupied with working to fix Nigeria and did not want to be distracted by undue politicking about 2015”.

The presidential aide further said that the pasting of the posters could be the work of mischief makers who want to deceive Nigerians.

However, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard last month, Okupe had said that when the time was ripe his boss would respond to the issue of 2015, insisting that Mr. President was preoccupied with fixing Nigeria’s problems at the moment.

Okupe pointed out that it

was wrong for some Nigerians to try to distract the President from fulfilling his electioneering promises to the nation by bringing up the issue of 2015 presidency.

The aide, however, said the wonderful performance of Jonathan at the end of the tenure would make most Nigerians to compel him to run in 2015.

“Nigerians ‘ll want him to run”

Okupe had said: “I am very certain in my mind that Nigerians are going to applaud him and even if he does not want to run for election, Nigerians are going to force him to run again because of the level of performance.

“Only God and the people of Nigeria will decide what

will happen in 2015. But I think what is uppermost in the President’s mind is to solve the basic needs of Nigerians by improving power, infrastructure, roads and check insecurity in the land.

“When he achieves all these, Nigerians will decide what to do with him. In fact, when we get to the bridge we will learn how to cross it. That is what I can say about 2015 for now.”

The poster, it was gathered, was printed by political hawks close to the Presidency in light of recent claims by the opposition to forge an alliance to chase out Jonathan in 2015, coupled with the warning by the Niger Delta former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, to Jonathan not to run in the next election because of poor outing so far.

...as Tsav says Jonathan lacks capacity to deliver

BY PETER DURU

M

Cross section of children enjoying The Pirate's Adventure at the Children's Park and Zoo to mark the New Year in Abuja.

PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

AKURDI—FORMER Lagos State Commissioner of Police and social critic, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has declared that President Goodluck Jonathan lacks the capacity to deliver on the promises he made to Nigerians because he is a weak leader who was not prepared for the responsibility of ruling the country.

Tsav, who stated this yesterday in Makurdi while reacting to the President’s new year speech, contended that the “same message is usually passed to Nigerians at this time of every year, but it is all lies.

“President Jonathan lied to

Nigerians because we all know that he lacks the capacity to fulfill the promises and to rule this country.

“The man was not prepared to be President of Nigeria, but Obasanjo imposed him on Nigerians and we are all suffering today.

“His government has totally failed Nigerians. He has not impacted positively on the lives of the people and today there is so much poverty in the land. No work, bad roads, no electricity; nothing is working yet he comes to make empty promises to Nigerians.

“Why would he want to further deceive Nigerians when we all know that it’s all like a yearly ritual?

“If this administration is determined to make progress in

2013, it should show greater determination to the fight against corruption in this country because we all know that it remains the bane of our development.”

In his reaction, National Secretary, Jonathan/Sambo Visionary Peoples’ Alliance, JSVPA, Mr. Gbev Moses maintained that the President had demonstrated enough will and determination to transform the country on the premise of his transformation agenda.

He said: “We should be optimistic because President Jonathan has obviously demonstrated enough determination to transform this country and ensure political stability even in the face obvious challenges, hence deserved encouragement by all Nigerians.”

16—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Shettima pardons 30 prisoners

ACN debunks report of Onoja's defection to PDP

BY NDAHI MARAMA

NOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State, yesterday, pardoned 30 prisoners following

the recommendations of State Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.

ings for now,” Yabo told a meeting of leaders of the two factions, yesterday.

The meeting, called at the instance of the AIG, followed disregard to an earlier order by the state government banning all forms of political gatherings by the caretaker committee of the party put in place by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party.

Yabo asked the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee to suspend, forthwith, conduct of the remaining congress of the

party and halt further political gatherings in the interest of the state and the country.

He said: “Maiha, Hong, Song and Fufore, are all close towns from the state capital and recently they witnessed attacks by unknown gunmen and the police is doing its best to bring the perpetrators to book.

“We, therefore, need your co-operation by suspending all forms of political activities including the ongoing congresses.”

M Police ban PDP congresses in Yola AIDUGURI—GOVER-

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—ACTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has debunked claims that one of its top shots in Benue State, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), was leaving the party for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The party described the allegation as false and unfounded, saying there was no such development in the party.

In a statement by the Benue South Regional Chairman of the party, Mr. Fabian Aboje, weekend in Makurdi, the party stated that the socalled decamping bid was a calculated attempt to tarnish the image Onoja had built over the years and enjoined members of the public to disregard the story.

Aboje also said it was not true that Onoja sent a letter to the national secretariat of PDP informing it of his intention to decamp.

BY UMAR YUSUF

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OLA—ASSISTANT Inspec tor-General of Police, in charge of Zone 3, Yola, Mohammed Yabo has asked the factions of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Adamawa State to suspend further political meetings and gatherings until further notice.

“Due to the current security situation in the country, especially in the Northern states, I crave your indulgence to suspend any form of political meet-

Lamido presents N115.4bn budget

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

D

UTSE—GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has presented the state’s 2013 budget estimates of about N115.4 billion to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Tagged Taking Jigawa State to the Next Level, the budget estimate is higher than the

Jang preaches hope

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—GOVERNOR Jonah Jang of Plateau State has asked Nigerians to put the challenges of the out-gone year behind and enter the new year with hope of a better country.

In his New Year message to the people via a statement by the Director of Press Affairs in his office, Mr. James Mannok, he said although

2012 was a mixture of blessings and trials for the country, Nigerians should look into the future with a determination and belief in things getting better.

He urged the people to be dedicated in whatever they do and to always exhibit love and acts that would promote peace, unity and security of the country.

He said he believed that the country was on the path of greatness despite challenges.

2012 estimate of N104.46 billion by about five percent.

According to Lamido, “the 2013 budget proposal is geared towards continuing to translate our development agenda into concrete output and outcomes with tangible impact on the socio-economic well-being of our people.”

He said the 2013 budget was not only targeted at the completion of ongoing infrastructural projects but also aimed at accelerating the growth and development of the state, adding that it was equally aimed at conceptualising the medium term fiscal projections and sector plans as informed by the mediumterm forecast of local and national economic prospects.

The governor said that N57.2 billion, representing 46 percent, was earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure would take N60.2 billion or N62 percent.

Lamido further said that to

ensure control in the expenditure trends, his government would deploy the 3E principles of Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economy to ensure prudence, value for money and optimal service delivery.

In the sectoral allocations, the economic development sector took the lion’s share, followed by social and human development services or education.

Urban planning and development got N7.80 billion, just as general administration received N3.65 billion.

In his comments, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Atmos, commended the government for making some adjustments in some key areas where the need arose.

Atmos further noted that state budgets in the last five year had always achieved 85 percent completion and hoped that the 2013 will reach 100 percent.

To earn N10,000 monthly Shettima, however, warned that ‘’your release does not mean that you should go back and commit criminal activities, because your being in prison was an act of God. So today, 20 of you are going home with transport money.

“Comptroller of Prisons will be paying you monthly salary of N10,000 until all of you are trained in various skills and traders.”

According to him, after the training of the inmates government would provide them with take-off grants, so that they would be gainfully employed.

Some of those released included Musa Salisu, Hamidu Babagana, Musa Kyari, Mohammed Ibrahim, Ali Isa, Abubakar Fannami, Ibrahim Kaka, among others.

Inmates welfare Speaking on the feeding of prison inmates and the acute shortages of portable water, Shettima said the broken down borehole would be reactivated by the Ministry of Water Resources, while 100 bags of rice, 10 jerry cans of vegetable oil and two cows had been delivered to the prisons.

He added that some of the inmates that cannot pay their fines of about N600,000 could go home as the money had been paid by the government.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

Twenty of the inmates were released by the Governor at the Maiduguri Maximum Prisons.

He said the inmates needed not to remain in prisons, adding that government would train them in skills and other trades to enable them become useful and contribute their quota to the development of the state.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Nigerian's New Year messages

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Y New Year message to the country is for its leaders to be more focused and sincere to those they are leading.

Honestly, when we start having better leaders, 2013 would be a year that many Nigerians won’t forget.— Mrs Neky Phina, Student.

C M Y K

I

just wish that in 2013 there would be re duction of the price of fuel and, most especially, let there be reconciliation between government and Boko Haram. We have had enough killings. Let Nigerians live in peace and unity.— Mr. Kabiru Bankole, Student.

I

wish the country and all Nigerians a prosperous 2013. I am expecting to see good governance, since old things are passed away. At least, let there be certain basic amenities as dividends of democracy. It will be so welcomed.— Mr. Hakeem Adewuyi, Businessman.

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ET me start by say ing happy New Year to all Nigerians.

My expectation from government in this 2013 is that they should put smiles on the faces of its citizenry. When the people are happy, the country becomes better for all.

— Mr. Francis Lawrence, Musician.

I

hope govern ment would be better felt in my area (IgboElerin, Lagos). For long we have been asking for one government school.

Also, let something be done on the issue of fuel subsidy so that fuel price does not go up again. — Mr. Mustapha Lairo, Businessman.

I

give God the glory that in the midst of the storm, we are still alive to see 2013. I just wish that our government would be sensitive to the people’s yearnings. It won’t be late for any government to start doing the needful now. — Mrs Folake Jaiyeola, Teacher.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 17 on, none is more important than dealing with run-away corruption. 2013 will be decisive in this respect, because 2014 will be a campaign year, and tills will be seriously raided for resources to prosecute the 2015 elections, whether Jonathan is a candidate or not.

“It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail." -Gore Vidal.

P

6.National Assembly

The makers of 2013 review of its strategy with focus on intelligence gathering as well as involvement of communities in managing the crisis, it could substantially limit the capacity of the

1.President Jonathan

The President’s character will be a major factor in terms of what he does in 2013.

It cannot escape him that the vast majority of Nigerians are resigned to his rating as the least effective Nigerian leader, and their levels of cynicism over his capacity to alter it are alarming. He could transform his persona and generate new levels of personal courage, commitment and zeal to deal more decisively with many problems threatening to swamp the nation. If he can do that, he will then focus on overhauling his decision-making machinery. Key Ministers involved in managing the economy and infrastructure are now serious liabilities.

Many others are content to just tag along without adding value to the quality of governance. He has too many powerful people without specific responsibilities but massive influence over decisions and policies. Some of these are what Alhaji Asari Dokubo recently lashed out at. The President needs to clean up his Augean Stable which is now a veritable source of corruption, tardiness and incompetence. If he does not do this, he will achieve even less in 2013 than he did since 2011.It is also important that he evaluates his position in relation to running again in 2015. The more he keep the nation guessing, the more he will attract latent and active hostility and opposition from members of his own party, especially governors from the north nursing ambitions; South-east politicians and an opposition receiving a major boost to merge from his perceived ambition. The President’s best bet is to renounce any ambition to run in 2015, and make that decision public.

He can then tackle serious problems with a single-minded devotion, and step on toes which will otherwise hide behind his ambition.

2.Governors

G

overnors will constitute a major influence in shaping 2013.

Together, they can frustrate the President’s plans on Sovereign Wealth Fund and other key policy instruments around the economy, and possibly around constitutional amendments. They

President Goodluck Jonathan have many sources of conflicts among them, principally around resource allocation and constitutional amendments. These will reduce their potency as a group, but only slightly.

Some PDP governors among them have presidential ambitions, and if they can lean on each other and trade favours, they will be the most decisive influence in determining the outcome of the fight for the PDP flag. They are likely to be influential in determining President Jonathan’s plans towards 2015 which will have to be made clearer in 2013.

3.The opposition T he opposition will be influential in

2013, provided current talks end up producing a genuine merger, and leaders that can threaten the PDP and Jonathan’s ambitions. Sticking points in negotiations such as who will emerge leader and flag bearer in 2015 will be difficult to resolve, but if they go beyond 2013, they are unlikely to result in any serious challenge to the PDP’s dominance.

4.Insecurity and Crime

T

hreats to national security from the insurgency of JASLIWAJ (Boko Haram) are likely to continue to challenge the nation. If the administration sustains its current basic strategy of deploying large numbers of security personnel around locations and highways in 2013, it will expose them to more localised hostility, with little impact over the capacity of the insurgency to continue to threaten citizens and the state. If, on the other hand, government undertakes a radical

,

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan says 2013 will be the year of his greatest impact. Most Nigerians will hope so.

Leaders of the opposition and skeptics who hope he will disappoint again will pay for their hostility with higher costs for diesel for their generators, higher costs to protect and secure life and limbs, and uncertainties over whether a President who performs badly all through his four year s will allow a free and fair election to determine his fate in 2015. If 2013 will be the year President Jonathan will affect our lives most, what factors will be in play in shaping it?

2013 is likely to witness more frictions between the presidency and the legislature, particularly the Representatives. Disputes over budget performance and implementation, the P.I.B, constitutional amendments and corruption will pitch the executive against the legislature in more noisy and untidy disputes. As the year runs out, political ambitions will tamper with these quarrels, and both sides may sheath swords or raise voices over the accumulation of resources for campaigns, or in deference to

The image of the administration as weak when it comes to dealing with corruption will be made worse unless genuine results show in the efforts to prosecute subsidy and pension scams and other reported cases of corruption around official circles

,

insurgency to wage war in 2013. Review of strategies may include tapping into communities to build bridges with the insurgency, and engaging it in discussions within the year.

Serious crimes such as kidnapping, crude theft, armed robbery and piracy will most likely escalate in 2013, unless the administration addresses major weaknesses in its law and order assets, particularly the police. Substantial part of this asset has been compromised by corruption and chronic incompetence, and violent crimes are feeding off its weaknesses at alarming rates. Small arms availability is now a bigger threat than even the Boko Haram insurgency.

Unless major steps are taken to restructure the nation’s policing capacity and improve discipline and professionalism, life for most citizens will become even more insecure in 2013. The military is being stressed and exposed to dangerous levels, and the year will likely highlight the impact of this exposure.

considerable muscles of the party and governors.

5.Corruption

9.The Super Eagles

The image of the administration as weak when it comes to dealing with corruption will be made worse unless genuine results show in the efforts to prosecute subsidy and pension scams and other reported cases of corruption around official circles. The perception is that the administration harbours too many untouchables with powerful positions and intimate relationships with the presidency. Of all the issues which the President needs to stamp his authority

7.The Media

The administration has been fighting a losing war with the Nigerian media. Its perception of being assessed by a biased and intrinsically-hostile media may make it less-disposed towards improving its own image, or performance. A marked improvement in performance in the first half of 2013, though unlikely, will alter the manner the media portrays the administration.

Failure to do so will leave the administration even more poorlyassessed by the nation’s media.

8.The elements

2012 was a bad year for millions of citizens affected by the floods. It was only a matter of good fortune that massive losses were not compounded by severe food shortages. The nation cannot pay the same price for another disaster in 2013.

I

f the Super Eagles wins the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in 2013, they will redress the alarming decline and waste which is now a feature of the nation’s sporting fortunes. If they fail, as the nation’s Olympic Team did to justify the huge cost of supporting their campaigns, more and more Nigerians will write off our sporting legacies in 2013.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

OPINION

BY KAYODE OJO

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HAT motives are propelling the Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahedeen Asari- Dokubo, in his newfound enterprise of bashing President Goodluck Jonathan and those supporting him? The motifs of his attacks have become predictably the same: Put the president and his dependable associates on the spot and get them distracted from statecraft in a bid to stave off his tantrums.

Dokubo had in recent times taken on Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, claiming that the minister had failed and should have been dropped from the cabinet by Jonathan. He had also dismissed Chief Edwin Clark’s charge of complicity against Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari in the Boko Haram crisis as unfounded. He was simply saying that Clark was becoming C M Y

Asari-Dokubo’s anti-Jonathan tantrums: Motifs and motives too flippant.

But if Clark was and is still flippant, what of the taciturn former Minister of Works and Housing, Chief Tony Anenih, whom he recently described as “a liability to the Presidency” on the basis of Asari-Dokubo’s claimed “series of allegations against him.” Interestingly, as if they all realised that the ex-militant leader has been exhibiting acts of frustration, they had simply ignored him.

However, Asari-Dokubo should not be allowed to seize the bully pulpit to intimidate and blackmail the Federal Government under the able- leadership of President Jonathan and well-meaning Nigerians who have been privileged to offer services to the nation. In fact, the Okrika National Youth Movement

reportedly issued a press statement in Abuja last week wherein it claimed that Asari-Dokubo was angry having failed to get a renewal of the contract for pipeline security granted to him and some former militants.

According to the group, in the statement signed by its president, Anthony Aimieyefori, and secretary, Ibiyoma Lloyd, “Asari-Dokubo owns a pipeline security outfit to stem the rising wave of piracy on the Niger Delta waters but failed to work for the objectives for which the contract was given after millions of dollars have been paid to him. In spite of the shameful failure above, he and those in his category have mounted series of pressure on the presidency, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as well as the Petroleum minister

for the renewal of the contracts.

“This is most unfortunate and goes to show that unlike Government Ekpomupolo (Tompolo) whose Oil Facility Surveillance Company is working in the Delta axis to rid the state of oil thieves, Asari’s supposed struggle is about self and self alone.” The proposition of the Okrika National Youth Movement is quite illuminating.

Consider my proposition: If AsariDokubo, who, as a matter of arrogance, refused to accept the grant of amnesty by the Federal Government, has since realised his mistake, which he has not been able to mitigate, he should be courageous to eat the humble pie.

Continues on pg.18

*Mr. Ojo, a political analyst, wrote from Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 CATHOLIC Bishop of Bomadi, Hyacinth Egbedo hit headlines with his remarks at the funeral of General Owoye Andrew Azazi, former National Security Adviser. He blamed the death on the poor condition of the East-West Road and corruption. His audience included President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Henry Dickson.

“Mr. President, repair the East-West Road.

Tankers fall on that road everyday. Spare the lives of Nigerians. Work the road. The potholes should be covered. I almost got killed on the EastWest Road because I shuttle between Bomadi (in Delta State) and Bayelsa,” Egbedo said in a homily that upset the dignitaries who are used to applauses in churches.

Egbedo localised the matter, yet the East-West Road epitomises how governments neglect projects, no matter their importance. The road runs through the oil producing and coastal States of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States.

Neighbouring Abia, Cross River, Edo, and Imo States would also be beneficiaries of the ease of transportation and improved commerce it would create.

The road would unlock access to some of the

Truth That Hur Hurtt Jonathan communities in the Niger Delta, increasing their economic activities. Work is at snail speed, the recent flooding also exposed the poor quality of work and many dangerous sections of the road cause accidents.

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua awarded the road. Expectations were high that Jonathan, being from the area, would have paid the road enough attention to see it completed since he took charge in 2010. Rather than promise quicker delivery of the project, the President delivered a lecture on the elusive definition of corruption.

“We talk about corruption as if it is the cause

of our problems. No, yes, we have corruption in this country. The government has also been fighting corruption. But we have discovered that most of the issues called corruption are not corruption,” Jonathan said. Great discovery, but as always, he missed the point.

Could more have been done? Should completion of the East-West Road wait until Nigerians can define corruption?

“If we do things properly, if we change our attitudes, most of these issues we are blaming on corruption, we will know that it is not corruption,” Jonathan concluded. What did he discover as cause of Nigeria’s tardy development?

Governor Dickson’s reaction was to reel off figures of contracts he awarded, in a comical display that indicated our leaders abhorred criticisms. Would they have objected to praises from the clergy even if they were given contrary to their performance?

The battle at Azazi’s burial was over the inclinations of religions to award unearned praises to dignitaries. It is one of the highest and most dangerous levels of corruption. Clerics need to speak the truth less sparingly.

OPINION

BY KAYODE OJO Continued from pg.17

H

E had said that the amnesty programme would fail, but today, the programme is a huge success to his chagrin.

And when he discovered late that a vast majority of other militants and their leaders had jumped on the amnesty train, he had resorted to self-help, through which he got the poorly executed anti-piracy contract, by taking it upon himself to drum support for the Jonathan administration, in the hope and expectation that the administration would sustain the patronages to him. But because the patronages have been withdrawn, he has turned to a loose cannon against the Federal Government.

This is how Asari-Dokubo turned the full circle: In an interview with Vanguard’s John Bulus published on March 3, 2012, AsariDokubo had declared that “Jonathan will occupy Aso Rock for 8 years.” Also in another interview with Vanguard’s Simon Ebegbulem on June 23, 2012, he had also declared that “It’s in the interest of North not to field a candidate against Jonathan in 2015.” Deductively, this was when the antipiracy contract on the Niger Delta waters was on.

But after the life of the contract terminated and was not renewed by the Federal Government because of "shoddy" execution, Asari-Dokbo, all of a sudden in August 2012, began to make a gradual volte-face. In an

Asari-Dokubo’s anti-Jonathan tantrums: Motifs and motives(2) interview with journalists at the meeting with youths of the Niger Delta in Abuja, he had canvassed the dissolution of the President Jonathan’s government to pave the way for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), claiming that the conference was the only solution to the menace of the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

He had said: “Whether he likes it or not, Goodluck Jonathan must convoke an SNC. There is a need for a national discourse and dialogue. It is only an SNC that will solve the problem. The solution to the Boko Haram crisis is to dissolve the government and convoke an SNC.” For those who understand the persona of Asari-Dokubo, the impatient ex-militant (?) leader has lent himself to usage by anti-Federal Government forces.

The rationale is simple: if Jonathan was not ready to hugely patronise him, he should be able to seize the platform of the opposition elements to canvass their positions, which gullible Nigerians would take as Asari-Dokubo’s positions. But how misleading! He has unintelligently given himself away by some of the antigovernment positions he has taken in recent times. The first was peripheral. It was the briefs he received from the Governor of Edo State, to threaten violence in the July 14,

2012 governorship election. He had moved in militants who succeeded in undermining the integrity of the electoral process in Edo such that the Action Congress of Nigeria was able to massively rig the election.

Asari-Dokubo had taken refuge in the State Government House in the period before and after the election. He was the mercenary used to bully the godfathers in the other camp in Edo. Having been successfully, even if shamelessly used in Edo, Asari-Dokubo is now expanding the frontiers of his despicable utility. He now talks glibly in the media about the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 being in doubts (see page 5 report of National Mirror of Friday, December 28, 2012 entitled: “Jonathan’s re-election doubtful-AsariDokubo).

H

e even proposed the ridiculous position when he partly hinged Jonathan’s re-election on former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Asari-Dokubo should remember that when Obasanjo was in the saddle, he used the instrumentality of the presidency to clinch his second term. Not even General Babangida and others who assisted him to office in 1999 could stop him.

Perhaps the only reasonable suggestion Asari-Dokubo made in the report was his call on Jonathan to urgently deliver on his

electioneering promises.

Jonathan does not need an irritant AsariDokubo, who is on an errand for forces of destabilisation, to sharply focus on the pursuit of his transformation agenda. The president has been systematically executing his development plans for Nigeria. He has even promised a better outlook for the economy and the polity in 2013. So far, he has been able to emplace the administrative infrastructure that will drive the reforms in the power and transportation sectors.

Reforms are also crystallising in the other sectors of the economy, which AsariDokubo’s long years of militancy in the Niger Delta region destroyed.

Asari-Dokubo should be shame-faced and seek ways to meaningfully contribute to the rapid development of the nation instead of trying to turn the Nigeria project into a bazaar where he can use the platform of politics to blackmail and intimidate the Federal Government into according him huge patronages. Nigerians are not taken in by his anti-Jonathan tantrums; if anything at all, there is a thick pall of disgust for him and his antics.

Concluded *Mr. Ojo, a political analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013— —19

, A prayer for Nigeria T

HIS, no doubt, is the appropriate note to begin the new year- with prayers for our own country. Not just because of the claim by many that the past year, 2012, was a terrible one. One can’t be sure if there would ever be a year when the whole country, to say nothing of the whole world, would be in agreement that a year has been so good nobody has something to cry about. One cannot deny last year was a hard year for Nigerians. Evidence abound that it was a tough year and up to the last few days, many could still point to incidents that brought tears to their eyes. There were still terrorist killings, unprovoked cowardly attacks that have been the hallmark of life in many parts of the country. These are acts of terror that our rulers are yet to find appropriate answers to as they continue to sing different tunes from both sides of the mouth. We know all too well of the kidnappings that have become big business in many parts of the South-east. One doesn’t know of what part of the world where kidnapping is a means of livelihood for many as it has

C M Y K

become in the Nigerian Southeast. Surely, for these hostage takers, one business is as good as another. And of course, there was the fire in the business district of Lagos apparently caused by fireworks. Shops loaded with goods, cars and, perhaps, one life were lost. And this last incident, if no other, testifies to the man-made, self-inflicted nature of our calamities. They, unlike what confronts many in different parts of the world, are results of our own irresponsible and unaccountable ways. It is for this reason we all must pray, right at the start of another year, that we keep from the pitfalls that have caused many to rank year 2012 as one of the worst in their memories. But as I have said the last time we met here, if we look well enough many of us would still have reasons to give thanks. Yet before any song of thanksgiving, as we might expect in 2013, we should first pray.

The first thing or people we must pray for are the class of Nigerians that have control over the means of governance. These Nigerians need prayers not just as a spiritual means of fortifying them for the

Our federal legislators should question the wisdom of spending billions of Naira on the Vice President’s mansion but would do nothing about it; let us pray then that we have rulers who think first of the country and its future

,

challenges of governance but for the very fact that they are a major cause of the problems afflicting our country. I have mentioned the man-made nature of our afflictions. What I need to add is that the rot among us persists because the people we have entrusted our lives to hold in their hands and very often use the instruments to terminate our lives.

We can quickly see this from the very way they struggle to bring the country down on its knees financially.

I

n spite of all we have seen in far wealthier parts of the world where the culture of profligate spending has brought ruin to the majority, in spite of warnings from Greece, Italy, Spain and even France among the wealthier nations of the world- in spite of these warning signs we all see, which government officials continue to mouth and for which they urge on Nigerians belttightening measures, Nigerian

rulers continue to live as if they have another country. Indeed, we know many of them are Nigerians only by name but have their sights set elsewhere, in other parts of the world where they have laundered the country’s wealth. The truth, however, is that the vast majority of Nigerians have no other place to call home, nowhere else to run when ‘the come comes to become’!

What I am alluding to in essence is the astronomically high cost of governance in Nigeria. Nigeria haemorrhages financially, on a scale that is fatal to our national wellbeing. One only needs to read, see and hear of what goes on around us- the lavish and expensive lifestyles of both so-called elected and imposed leaders of the people, from a little government establishment, say a ministry, to local government council and higher up- one only needs to observe how these Nigerians literally gorge themselves on what should go into the development of the country in different spheres, to realise what danger lurks ahead.

The grasping nature of our rulers makes the future of this country bleak. Everyone wants to be in government, to be part of the Abuja and other capital cities’ crowd. But only for what they can grab for themselves. Our rulers preach prudence and modesty but live with reckless abandon and fritter away the wealth of the nation.

Financial experts in both the public and private sectors issue loud, desperate warnings on how our financial ship heads for a precipice but the people responsible for this appear totally deaf to these warnings and blind to the signs that are all around us.

The three arms of government, especially the executive and legislature, are pushing Nigeria in the direction of financial ruin.

They are powering us all down the

freeway of national destruction.

The vast wealth of this country is spent on the personal wellbeing of our rulers, from the presidency where we count in billions the amount that goes into feeding the president and his hangers-on; maintain his fleet of aircraft that dwarfs that of wealthier nations even though Nigeria has no national carrier; build to personal taste a vice presidential palace which cost runs into nearly twenty billion Naira. We are not even looking at the states yet where governors hold sway, or the various federal ministries.

The National Assembly is peopled with so-called lawmakers who appropriate undisclosed billions of amount for the personal use of members. The usual checks and balance that is the hallmark of the presidential system we claim to run is absent because everybody is busy scratching each other’s back. Our federal legislators should question the wisdom of spending billions of Naira on the Vice President’s mansion but would do nothing about it because they know their own share of the billions would come from other means. In government agencies, ministries and parastatals, the story of criminal profligacy abounds- so too at the local government level. Yet, hundreds of millions of qualified Nigerians are without jobs, barely surviving each day on crumbs too poor for dogs to feed upon. A million graduates will turn up with applications for a thousand job openings. Ever wonder how many Nigerians could be taken off the unemployment queue with the extra billions being spent on Namadi Sambo’s house?

Let us pray then that we have rulers who think first of the country and its future before thinking of their own pockets. Have a great 2013!

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2013

Shocking confession of a teenager:

My dad impregnated me, aborted it twice zI did it to appease the gods—Father

BY DONALD ARJI

T

HE Human Right department of Ilemba Hausa Police Division, in Ojo area of Lagos has arrested a 49year-old man who allegedly had been having carnal knowledge of his teenaged daughter for five years.

It was discovered during investigation that his daughter Janet(not real name)got pregnant in the process twice,only for her father to allegedly abort the pregnancy with the aid of a herbalist.

Sitting at a corner in the Human Rights Office, 17-yearold Janet could not raise her head to face her father, Wale Akinusi, who was also there.

When approached, she simply stated that at last, she had been freed from the psychological trauma associated with her father’s sacrilegious act.

Crime Alert gathered that Janet’s tale of woe started after her mother abandoned her barely when she was two-yearold for her paternal grandmother.

It was gathered that her mother who was then a Junior Secondary 3 student, was impregnated by Wale who was 32 years old. Initially, he reportedly denied paternity of the pregnancy but later opted for an abortion on the ground that he could not afford to father a child then because he was only an apprentice.

But his mother came to the rescue as she offered to take care of the baby who turned out to be Janet.

But when she was 12, her father, reportedly took her from her grandmother, with a promise to give her a better education.

Rather than live up to his promise, her father, allegedly use her to satisfy his sexual urge, a practice that went on until he was arrested.

Narrating how it all started, Janet in her sitting position with her head bowed all through, said: “When I was leaving my grandmother’s house, I was happy because my father said I would be attending a better school. But I waited for months without being enrolled in any school.

“One night, then, I was 12,my dad called me into his room and told me he took an oat with my

•Wale Akinusi — The suspect. mother to be the first man to have sex with me. He said it had a spiritual connotation and that it was to enable him assume his

,

My wife lives in Ketu with the children while I live in Ojo. I had to live apart because I do not want my wife and children to suffer the consequences of my sin

was painful. All I did was to watch him have his way, still unable to understand what he was doing.”

First pregnancy aborted by a herbalist

“It continued until I was 14 years. Then,I started having a funny feeling. I told him I was sick and when we conducted a pregnancy test, it was positive.

Next day, he told me we were going somewhere and we ended up in the home of a herbalist in Ikorodu, who gave me some concoction. I drank some in his apartment and took the rest home. After two days, my menstruation started and my father assured me all was well.

He only gave me a week’s break before he continued all over again. Two years later, when I was 16 years, I got sick again. When I informed daddy, we went for another pregnancy test which confirmed my fear; I

,

proper financial state.

“Then, I was too young to understand what he meant. He had carnal knowledge of me that night. At a point, he asked if it

was pregnant again!

When he returned next day from his shop, he told me there was no need to go to the herbalist. Rather he gave me two sachets of Alabukun and squeezed some lime juice into a cup, asking me to take it in a gulp. It did the magic and the menstrual flow started few days later.”

“After the second abortion, I became tired of the whole thing.

I started being afraid every night. At times, I would put tissue paper under my panties , pretending I was witnessing my monthly flow. After a while, he got the trick, for he started taking note of the date.

Challenges father “I summoned courage and reported the sacrilegious act to our neighbors. But none of them could confront him. Rather they told me they could not interfere into our family affair” , she stated, with her head still bent.

Apparently discouraged by the cold reaction from the neighbors, Janet decided to take the bull by the horn.

Looking straight into his father’s eyes for the very first time since the sacrilegious act started, she told her father she was tired of the whole thing. To make do her threat, she reportedly rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and threatened to stab him if he attempted to force her.

“This happened on November 28, 2012. My father had come home from his shop .

And at about 6pm, he called me inside to warm his bed. But when he saw the knife, he retraced his steps. I quickly ran inside my room , with the knife in my hand and packed my things out of the house, to stay with a friend whose family welcomed me after I narrated all that has been going on in the past five years.”

“After spending three weeks with them, I received a text message from my father, asking me to come home, or I would die. When I showed the text message to the family I was putting up with, they suggested I reported the case to the police.

I hesitated at first because I was scared he would be jailed.

“But I changed my mind when the text message threat continued”, she said.

I did that to appease the gods - father

When approached, it was

obvious that 49-year-old Wale Akinusi, a fashion designer who hails from Ondo central in Ondo state was oblivious of the legal implication of the offense, as he showed no sign of remorse.

He bluntly told this reporter that what he did was not new under the sun, adding that this would not be the first time such story would be published on the pages of newspapers.

“It is not a new thing that a man has sex with his daughter and even if I am jailed at the end, I will surely come out after serving my jail term. But I promise that my daughter will join me” he threatened, dismissing the issue with a wave of the hand.

Continuing, he said: “I went back to claim my child so as to fulfill the oat made between her mother and I. That was why I took her to the herbalist when she was pregnant, so as to appease the gods of her mother’s land. You will not understand.

“You see, when her mother was six months pregnant, we made love. She later told me that it was a taboo for a man to sleep with a pregnant woman in her place. She said the only remedy was for the man to be the first person to sleep with the child.

“I initially did not want to do it. But along the line, I discovered that things were not going on well with me financially.

And when I made inquiry, I was made to understand that I had to appease the god’s of her mother’s land, so as to attain my rightful place in destiny.”

Asked why he continued after the first time, he kept mute. Also asked why he did not satisfy his sexual urge on his wife who has had four children for him, he explained that they were leaving apart.

“My wife lives in Ketu with the children while I live in Ojo. I had to live apart because I do not want my wife and children to suffer the consequences of my sin. Also I did not want my wife to know I was sleeping with my own daughter ”, he said.

Meanwhile, effort according to sources at the Human Rights Department, was on to arrest the herbalist who allegedly gave Janet the concoction that aborted her first pregnancy,while her father would be charged to court.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 21

Customs urges importers, agents to make honest declarations

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From left: Mr. Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport;Mr. Friday Ogidi receiving 40-inch LCD Samsung TV on behalf of Mr. P.M. Meduri, won in the DStv Mega Promo and Mr. Akinola Salu, General Manager, Trade and Distribution, MultiChoice Nigeria, during the prize presentation at the MultiChoice head office, Victorial Island, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

FG to save N300bn annually from cassava flour — Maku T

HE Federal Government will save about N300 billion annually from importation of wheat through the use of 20 per cent cassava flour in bread production.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated this on Monday at a news conference in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012.

Maku said the amount spent on wheat importation had so far been brought down

by N200 billion following the improvement in the production and processing of cassava flour. He said the government was exploring agriculture as major area to create jobs and wealth generation. The minister said that the transformation that had taken place in the sector in the last one year was aimed at ensuring food security, curbing importation and diversifying the economy.

According to him, the “Growth Enhancement Scheme’’ initiated by the Minister of Agriculture was designed to support small scale farmers to enable them get access to fertilisers and seeds directly at affordable prices. He said that the introduction of the “Electronic Wallet System’’ (e-Wallet) for the distribution of fertilisers to farmers was aimed at eliminating corruption. “Nigeria is the first country in Africa to launch the eWallet system for the distribution of subsidised agro-inputs to farmers. The focus is also to check corruption in fertiliser and seeds distribution to farmers, strengthen commodity and input market and start up staple crop processing zones

across the country,” he said. Other achievements in the sector, he noted, include the ‘Cassava Transformation Programme’ aimed at making the country the largest producer and processor of the product in the world.

“The ministry is expanding market for cassava through the development of high quality cassava flour to substitute 40 per cent of wheat importation into the

country,” Maku said.

The minister said that market had been secured for 2.2 million metric tonnes of dried cassava chip in China, adding that one million metric tonnes of cassava chips were already on the way to that country.

On rice, he said that the programme being implemented in collaboration with the private sector was to achieve selfsufficiency in rice production by 2015.

NIWA urges Kogi to exploit water transportation

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & EDIRI EJOH

K

OGI State government has been called upon to exploit the enormous potential in waterway transport as a means of creating jobs and opening up the state for tourism.

Making the call in Lokoja, the state capital in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Nigeria Inland water Waterways Authority (NIWA), Tayo Fadile, said that the use of waterways will also reduce reliance on road transport.

“I think this is where we want to appeal to kogi state government to come alive and be up and doing. Kogi state government as well as the six or seven local government surrounded by water. The state is the hub of water ways in this country because the river Niger and Benue met in the kogi state,

IGERIA Customs Service (NCS) on Monday urged importers and clearing agents to be honest in their declarations in 2013.

Mr. Chris Osunkwo, Public Relations Officer of the Tin-Can Island Command of NCS, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Osunkwo said such honest declarations would go a long way to assist officers of the command during destination inspection. He also urged terminal operators to bar unauthorised persons from going into the ports. “We are pleading with the importers and agents. Let them imbibe the culture of honest declaration so that all of us will enjoy this. It will be a smooth run.

Make honest declarations and Customs will not have any issue with you. It’s only when you see a calculator you call it a stapler, you see a phone you call it a perforator, that’s where trouble comes. So if they can imbibe that, we won’t have any issues,” he said.

Osunkwo said that officers were also facing challenges of inadequate offices at the terminals.

“The challenges include inadequate office space as provided by the terminal operators. If you go to the terminals, you will see officers packed like sardines and yet sweating. Although we are used to inadequate power supply, but then at least when the power is there we should have comfortable offices. The concessionaires are trying but what we are saying is that they should do more. We expect more because as the cargo throughput increases, definitely we’ll need more officers, more hands,” Osunkwo said.

-1.65 146.25 that is why it is called the conference state,” 2,252.00 -3.00 “Kogi state must have its own Inland Waterways Transport System.

19.42 -0.03 Be it boats, yachts, ferries and vessels or even canons. To my amazement, Kogi state does not have one single canon and I think it is 110.18 -0.62 most disappointing,” Fadile said He further stated that with the 90.62 -0.25 dredging of River Niger, movement from Lokoja to Onitsha by water CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING takes just three hours. He said going by road from Lokoja to Ontisha takes DOLLAR 154.77 155.27 155.77 about five hours depending on the POUNDS 249.396 250.2021 251.0078 EURO 203.9714 204.6303 205.2893 condition of the road.

FRANC 168.797 169.3423 169.8877 “I expect by now, the Kogi state YEN 1.7967 1.8025 1.8083 government should have vessels CFA 0.2935 0.3035 0.3135 238.3891 239.1593 239.9294 that move people to Ida, Ibaja and WAUA 24.9137 24.9944 even to Onitsha by water. National RENMINBI 24.833 41.261 41.3943 41.5279 Inland Waterways Authority is ready RIYA KRONA 27.332 27.4203 27.5086 to partner and render all necessary SDR 238.578 239.3487 240.1195 technical assistance for the CBN Exchange rate as at 28/12/2012 accomplishment of the task,” he said.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

BRIEFLY…

S&P, Nasdaq rise on last day of 2012, Apple advances

W

From left: David Otukpe of Diamond Bank Plc, Francis Onyeagwara, past winner of N100, 000 monthly salary for life; Frances Oraukwu and another staff both of Diamond Bank at the five-year-end of Diamond SavingsXtra Reward Scheme, in Lagos.

NSE: Stockbroker faults House of Reps on minimum capital requirement

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

A

SENIOR stockbroker in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. David Adonri, has faulted the House of Representatives over its recommendation that the minimum capital requirement for stockbroking firm be increase to N500 million.

Speaking on the backdrop of the recent decision by the joint House of Assembly to withhold the Securities and

Exchange Commission’s budget for 2013, Adonri said that the action has shown that almost everything about report submitted by the Senate Committee on Capital market lacked depth and at best impulsive.

His words: “I think the report the Legislature sent to the Executive for implementation also gives some course for concern because other than requesting for the sack of the Director General of the Securities and

NSE vvalue alue gains N68bn tto o end year positively

BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

T

HE market capitalisation of equities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE gained N67.85 billion, Monday, to end the year on a positive note.

Specifically, the market capitalisation of 187 first-tier equities appreciated by 0.76 per cent to close at N8.97 trillion from N8.90 trillion.

Another key indicator, the NSE AllShare Index also gained by 0.76 per cent to close at 28,078.81 points as against 27,866.51 points recorded last Friday.

The NSE rose to a 32-month high on Monday, ending the year up 34 percent in the index’s best performance since 2007, led by growth in the consumer goods and banking sectors which is expected to continue next year.

Nigerian stocks recovered after falling 16 percent last year but the market is still less than half the value it was prior to the 2008 collapse, which wiped off 60 percent of stock values and coincided

C M Y K

with a banking crisis. The index rose 70 per cent in 2007.

30 equities recorded share price gains on Monday as against 25 recorded last Friday; while, 10 equities recorded share price losses as against 11 losers recorded in the previous trading day – suggesting a positive market breadth.

Airline Services and Logistic Plc recorded the highest share price gain, appreciating by 10 per cent to close at N4.18 per share from N3.80. This was followed by First City Monument Bank Plc gaining 8.70 per cent to close at N3.75 per share and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc rose by 5.00 per cent to close at N34.65 per share.

On the other hand, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc topped the losers’ chart, depreciating by 3.17 per cent to close at N3.66 per share from N3.78 per share. This was followed by Continental Reinsurance Plc that dropped 2.56 per cent to close at N0.76 per share and Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc lost 2.26 per cent to close at N1.30 per share.

Exchange Commission, SEC, they also requested that the minimum capital requirement of the stockbroking firms be increased to N500 million.

“So, it beats ones imagination that they could come up with such recommendation; what informed that recommendation that the capital base should now be increased to such level.”

He explained that at the moment, stockbrokers in the Nigerian capital markey have about the highest capital base among other emerging markets, including some developed market.

The minimum capital base requirement for brokerage firm in Bombay Stock Exchange (India), according to him, was an equivalent of N2 million to N5 million, while that of the United States of America was maximum of N37 million.

“So, one therefore may tend to think that the work that committee did was not far reaching. It was not guided by well researched information. So, they were acting on impulse, and it is not unlikely that this action (unapproval of SEC’s budget) that the National Assembly is taking is also impulsive,” he affirmed.

Vanguard recalls that following the probe into the near collapse of the capital market conducted about eight months ago, the House Committee had come up with some recommendations, among which was the need for the stockbroking firms to up their capital base to N500 million from the initial N70 million.

ALL Street mostly edged higher on Monday, with the S&P 500 on track for double-digit gains for the year, as politicians bargained for a deal to avert the “fiscal cliff.”

Equities are coming off a five-day streak of losses, driven by the growing concern that there wouldn’t be a deal before the midnight deadline to avoid the combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that could force the U.S. economy into recession.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 9.59 points, or 0.07 percent, at 12,928.52. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index .SPX was up 3.39 points, or 0.24 percent, at 1,405.82.

The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 19.47 points, or 0.66 percent, at 2,979.78.

Taxes were set to rise for many Americans this week unless U.S. lawmakers could cut a last-minute deal, an outcome that was possible but seemed unlikely even as the Senate reconvened to continue discussions on the fiscal cliff.

The last trading session of the year is expected to be volatile on low volume and as investors keep a close eye on headlines out of Washington.

Despite recent declines over the stalemated budget talks, the S&P 500 is up about 11.8 percent for the year, compared with a nearly flat performance in 2011. The Dow is about 6 percent higher and the Nasdaq is up about 14 percent.

FTSE drops on New Year eve

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EAKNESS in risk-sensitive banks, miners, and energy stocks pulled Britain’s leading shares lower on Monday, the final trading session of 2012, with the outlook for 2013 soured by stalled U.S. budget talks.

The FTSE 100 closed down 27.56 points, or 0.5 percent, at 5,897.81 after a thinly-traded half-day session which ended at 1230 GMT. Volumes were less than 15 percent of the 90-day daily average.

In spite of the dull finish to the month, the UK blue chip index still added 0.5 percent in December, closing out the year with a seventh straight month of gains, the longest monthly winning streak since February 2005.

However, financial markets face kicking off 2013 without a deal to avert a U.S. “fiscal cliff ” of year-end austerity measures and tax hikes as lawmakers in Washington struggle to reach an agreement, with significant differences still between the two sides.

The U.S. Senate will convene at 1600 GMT to continue eleventh-hour discussions.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—23

DIARY Select ICT events z Convergence India 2013. Holds 16-18 Jan, 2013 inNew Delhi, India.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

zLotusphere 2013 . Holds 27-31 Jan 2013, in Orlando, USA.

z Ajayi

zITEXPO East 2013. Holds 29 Jan-1 Feb 2013 in Miami, USA. zBETT 2013.

Holds 30 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in London, UK.

z Uwaje

zMacWorld Expo 2013.

Holds 31 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in San Francisco, USA.

New inventions shaping life and living

Building batteries from plant roots

z Juwah

High, low points of ICT sector in 2012

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A new plant-based extract used as a clothing dye for over 3500 years could also provide a green alternative to the metal ores used to make lithium-ion batteries.

The extract, called purpurin, comes from the root of the madder plant.

Purpurin can be made and stored at room temperature, with a color change signaling when the binding process is complete. And because it is organic, batteries made from the material would be non-toxic, and could be easily disposed of.

The development team, from the City College of New York, estimates that a green Li-ion battery may be commercially available in only a few years.

I N S I D E C M Y K

Rolling from 2012 into 2013

z Johnson

z Angaye

E

VEN in the face of many challenges including multiple taxation, ICT infrastructure vandalism, multiple regulations, poor quality of service, among others, the year 2012 has come and gone but not without success stories recorded.

While taking stock of the Nigerian ICT market in the year under review with stakeholders expressing mixed reactions, listings expectations for the year ahead, Nigeria did fairly well in 2012 with a lot of room for improvement in the current. Already, experts in the Nigerian ICT sector who spoke to Vanguard Hi-Tech with optimism believed that Nigeria has lots of potentials to achieve digital economy by 2015 if right policies

and put in place.

Looking at the Ministry of Communications Technology created a year and five months ago to facilitate the transformation of Nigeria into a digital economy, a number of milestones have been achieved even as a number of initiatives that will fast track the development of the ICT sector have been put in motion.

While working to ensure that made/assembled in Nigeria brands are more favourably positioned to achieve the national objectives of job creation, domestic value added and growth in the ICT industry, the Ministry, accord-

,

,

Preview

z Rufai

ing to report released recently has achieved remarkable progress in facilitating increased access to ICTs even as teledensity ratio increased in fixed line access from 0.51% in 2011 to 1.5% in 2012. The ratio, according to the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson would increase to 10% by 2015.

Mobile subscriptions

“Ratio of mobile subscriptions increased from 68.49 in 2011 to 71.54% in 2012. Ratio will increase to 97.69% by 2015. Access of rural population to ICTs

increased from 1.5% in 2011 to 1.65% in 2012.

Mobile phone coverage in the rural areas stands at 40% in 2012 and is expected to hit 60% by 2015 and 100% by 2017 “Speed of broadband access has increased from 1.0 in 2011 to 1.8 in 2012.

It is expected to increase to 5.0 by 2015. While cost of broadband subscription (3GB package/yr) has reduced from N93, 000 to N72, 000 in 2012. It is expected to go down by 50% by 2015.

Device ownership penetration “Device ownership penetration shows that own-

Nigeria national ICT model and strategy must change from the 95% wireless model to fixed line priority equilibrium

Hidden powers of your computer mouse

NetApp becomes top vendor for US govt information storage needs

ership rate in personal computers currently stands at 4.5% and is expected to increase to 12% by 2015, while ownership of mobile devices rate in the country stands at 60% and is expected to increase to 80% by 2015” she added.

By 2015, all the MDAs , she informed would have effective websites, adding that verified Mobile Money Agents currently stand at 3000 and is expected to increase to 50,000 by 2015.

“Total value of Mobile Money transactions currently stands at N228m and is expected to increase to N151bn by 2015, while total volume of nonstore shopping increased from N62bn in 2011 to N77.5bn in 2012. This figure will increase to N658bn by 2015” Johnson added.

Focus of CT ministry

Increase the contribution of the ICT industry to GDP, Connecting Nigeria by facilitating the provision of a ubiquitous and cost effective national ICT infrastructure, Software development, ICT entrepreneurship and innovation and the development

Continues on page 25

Cloud computing: Myths and realities

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 2, 2013

Y

Rolling from 2012 into 2013

W

HAT a year 2012 dents of higher instituwas! To begin tions, but primary and with, I wish all readers of secondary as well.

While the PC student this column a very Happy New Year and God’s ownership scheme blessings as we begin launched last year had another 365-day round of global giants like Intel “struggle”, as we like to and Microsoft participating, I think we could go say in these climes.

In the ICT sector, it was India’s way and make a year of achievements; more use of local input, even if we are not where by law, by policy, and by we think we should be, it sheer insistence. It can seems some concrete work!

And there are some batsteps have been taken towards getting us there. I tles ahead; there’s no wish to place on record shying away from it as the achievements of the the makings are there for Ministry of Communica- all to see. NigComSat will press ahead with its tions Techdesire to nology. It is s t a n d worth recapState and a l o n e ping that this through Ministry, cre- local governthe bill ated a mere awaiting 17 months ments should senatorial ago has al- see telecoms action, ready overw h i l e s h a d o w e d as critical nathose who some of the tional infradon’t want oldest ministhat will tries in gov- structure and also not sit ernment in work with the idly by terms of and watch. a c h i e v e - Federal GovAs far as ments that ernment on that goes, have direct this issue it promisimpact on the es to be inlives of Nigeteresting. rians. Some There of these achievements do not bear were some downsides repeating here; get them that need highlighting in the cover story on the so they can be corrected. page preceding this one. Last year some of our Some of the most laud- brightest and best flew able initiatives in the sec- this nation’s flag at Mitor last year include the crosoft’s Imagine Cup SIM card registration ex- (software) competition ercise, which in my opin- without much support or ion will be a continuous even acknowledgment exercise, launch of the from the authorities. I national broadband strat- hope that will change egy and the PC Owner- this year; governments ship Scheme for students. that sponsor their continStill there is the delib- gents to such contests erate effort to rejig capa- are investing in th future. bility in the manufacture We should do same and assembly of IT devic- here.

For broadband, rights es by consciously creating business opportunities for of way issues still persist, our OEMs. It is also note- and Mrs Johnson has worthy to place on record the task of resolving the efforts of ISPON in them. State and local growing local software tal- governments should see ent. These, and more not telecoms as critical namentioned here, deserve tional infrastructure and the commendation of in- work with the Federal Government on this isdustry watchers.

In the new year howev- sue. Sky-high right of er, more action will be way charges will not needed to consolidate and help anyone; especially build on the gains already the ordinary Nigerian, made. Personally, I still whether a student, believe that the way to go housewife, worker, or in developing local talent governor. We all need and content in this sector broadband for mobile is to deliberately create money, e-business, ewindows of opportunity education, e-health, and for our OEMs and soft- more ICT-powered acware developers through tivities. Happy New a programme that offers Year, all, again! tablet PCs for not just stu-

,

C M Y K

OU use your mouse for just about everything: you drag, you drop, you highlight, you scroll.

But even if you click your mouse a thousand times a day, I bet I've got a few secret mouse tricks you've never heard of.

Click Tricks You surely know that double clicking highlights a word, and you might even know that triple clicking highlights a paragraph. But have you ever wanted to select a column of text in a Word document, without getting all the text to the left and right of it? Here's how you can: Hold down the alt and left mouse button (on a Mac, option-left mouse), and drag the cursor over the section you want to select. The coolest thing about this trick is that the text you are selecting does not even need to be formatted as a column for this to work.

Scroll Tricks Scroll sideways: In many versions of Excel, holding down the shift key while scrolling will take you sideways.

That's super helpful in a big spreadsheet.

Scroll wheel as back

Hidden powers of your computer mouse button: In most web browsers, if you hold the shift key while using the scroll wheel, it works like the back button: You can fly through all the sites you've recently visited.

Scroll to zoom: Holding ctrl and scrolling lets you zoom in or out of the page you're viewing. Ctrlscroll up zooms you in; ctrl-scroll down zooms you back out. On a Mac, this trick will zoom in and out your whole screen, not just the document you're in.

Windows-Specific Tricks While most of the tricks I've listed so far work in either Windows or Mac OS, here are a few that are specific to Windows machines: To maximize a window: drag the title bar to the top.

To minimize all windows except the active window: "Shake" the title bar. Then if you want to restore all the windows you just minimized with this shortcut, just click again on the title bar of

the window in view.

To view two windows in a 50-50 split: Drag the title bar of one document to the left edge of your screen, then drag a second document to the right edge; they will snap into position in a nifty side-by-side view.

Bonus Sneaky Trick Suppose you want to walk away from your hypersecure work computer for a few minutes and not have to re-log in when you get back. Sure, you could change the sleep settings, but this idea is much more clever: Set your mouse on top of your analog watch or a clock.

The mouse tracks the second hand's movement and it tricks your computer into thinking you're still busy working. Of course, there are valid security reasons for NOT using this trick, but I still think it's cool that it works. — Yahoo! News

NetApp becomes top vendor for US govt information storage needs

BY EMEKA AGINAM

G

OVWin Consult ing, the management consulting division of Deltek, has identified NetApp as the top vendor serving the U.S. federal government’s information storage needs.

The study further revealed that NetApp held a 41.2% market share in FY 2011 even as as in overall, the top five vendors represent 86% of the federal market, with NetApp leading its competitors by more than 12%.

According to Rex Mafiana, NetApp West Africa's District Manager, the company's solutions were even more relevant to the public sector in the Big Data age.

Both defense and civilian agencies, he said were seeing a substantial increase in the volume of storage they need.

When you add those with cloud computing, mobility, and virtualization into the networking mix, the demand for capacity, according to him, was only going to continue to grow.

z Best Inductee Awardee, Mr. Abubakar Sheriff being congratulated by the President of Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN), Dr. Peter Olu Olayiwola at a special induction ceremony by the institute, in Abuja.

"The public sector is facing some unique challenges given the various mandates, regulations, and demands it's obliged to", he said, adding that, “Due to those challenges, the importance of deriving value from the immense volumes of data is even greater, and is possible with NetApp's solutions".

Since its establishment in 2002 and following the successful adoption of NetApp technology by the Nigerian IT industry,

NetApp’s Nigerian office has grown in leaps and bounds. This has been clearly demonstrated by the growth of the company’s installed base in all major sectors of the Nigerian economy including the Government, Financial Services, Insurance, Telecommunications, Oil & Gas and Manufacturing.

As of today, NetApp technology is being used in 8 out of the top 10 banks in Nigeria including the Apex Bank, Cen-

tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as all oil exploration companies, and Telcos who run their critical business applications on NetApp storage infrastructure. The success of NetApp Nigeria is being talked about within NetApp all over the world.

NetApp creates innovative storage and data management solutions that accelerate business breakthroughs and achieve outstanding cost efficiency.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—25

High, low points of ICT sector in 2012 Continues from Page 23 of a strong and vibrant ICT industry, quality of service delivery, Local content and skills development to create jobs and sustain the industry and Cost reduction, transparency in governance and citizen engagement to promote efficiency in governance, Johnson assured would be her major focus between now and 2015.

Success stories and prospects for 2013:

SIM card registration

The stage for the SIM card registration exercise was set in February 2011 when the Nigerian Communications Commission signed contract with seven registration service providers to handle the registration process in different parts of the country along with telecommunications operators. The Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card registration exercise was meant to furnish the Commission with bio-data of telephone subscribers in the

country thereby reducing the rate of crime committed with mobile phones.

New interconnect guidelines

Following negative effect of accumulated interconnection bills on telecommunications operations, which has reached over N20 billion over a period of 11 years, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun fresh move to address the situation.

One of the moves, accord-

ing to NCC, is the planned release of fresh guidelines in January 2013 that would facilitate the process of getting quick approval from NCC to disconnect operators that are heavily indebted to interconnect billings, especially those that are reluctant to settle such bills.

Number portability

Number Portability which allows a subscriber to switch networks while retaining his/her number is expected to

begin this year. The idea of Number Portability is borne out of the need to level the playing ground, by driving competition which will in turn lead to fair pricing, network coverage expansion and quality of service improvements.

The biggest reason why a customer stays loyal to a network is because of all the contacts and connections that have been made with a particular phone number. The idea of number portability is to remove that advantage from the networks and put in the hands of the customer.

100% of the IT backbones are foreign procured

“Our financial system (banking, insurance, taxes, pensions etc) are all IT driven, the oil industry is IT driven, etc etc, unfortunately nearly 100% of the IT nervous system in terms of software and hardware are foreign procured.

“This is not good for Nigeria and must be triggered to change from 2013,” he said.

What to do For the ISPON President, Chris Uwaje, predicting the future of global ICT landscape will be nearly impossible because, any country of the world is capable of mastering her ICT destiny, provided she concentrate on developing infrastructure and skilled capacities to promote her core competencies and domestic market requirements as a precondition for mastering the export market. Within the context of this evaluation, Nigeria, Uwaje noted has a great chance to compete with the rest of the world - viewed from the perspective of her potential resources in high school and university graduates coupled with her ability to speak and communicate in English Language.

Nigeria's core competence is in software knowledge industry

This also means that 2012 can be seen as a blessing for Nigeria to rethink her ICT development Strategy as an urgent, critical imperative.

No nation succeeds in her ICT development without a central Focus on its core competence.

Nigeria's core competence is in software knowledge industry and not in heavy technology industry” he explained.

Speaking further on ICT in 2012, Lanre Ajayi, the President of ATCON said that the ICT industry in Nigeria did fairly well in 2012 but with a lot of room for improvement. The teledensity, according to him, continued to grow, the number of telephone lines in Nigeria exceeded a threshold of 100 million lines during the year.

“However, the internet bandwidth continue to witness appalling utilization with capacity utilization less than five per cent. Our capacity to develop software applications particularly for export has not been impressive but there are Continues on Page 26 C M Y K

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

High, low points of ICT sector in 2012 Continues from Page 25 isolated success stories.

Our desire to develop the outsource industry, remains unfulfilled” he added. According to Uwaje, Nigeria national ICT model and strategy must change from the 95% wireless model to fixed line priority equilibrium.

“We need to re-wire Nigeria in readiness for Cloud computing and total e-economy, eknowledge society. 55% fixed line on broadband and 45% wireless is a better infrastructure strategy for the future survivability.”

Broadband penetration and sustainability

In the opinion of Lanre Ajayi, the ATCON President, a major way to fastrack Broadband penetration was to stimulate demand for broadband access by promoting the

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deployment of applications that were relevant to Nigerian users and add values to their life.

Such applications, he added may include ones that make commerce available online (e-Commerce), ones that make Government services available online (e-Government), ones that make health services delivery available online (e-Health), ones that make learning available online (e-Learning) and so on. Government should take a lead by making Government services available online, he added. But the industry regulator, NCC has made spirited efforts to develop the broadband sub-sector. After developing a broadband plan, NCC also put in place a strategy to develop and actualize the plan, an initiative commended by Secretarygeneral of the International Telecommunica-

tions Union, Dr. Hamadoun Toure. In addition, the regulator has taken the Nigerian broadband vision to many local and international fora, including the ITU Telecom World 2012 which held in October in Dubai, UAE.

Strategy for the ministry and operators Nigeria, Uwaje warned was undergoing a massive information crisis because our national content, from eGovernment to National Database, to Digital Education, Digital Litigation process, Digital Transportation, Digital Urban planning and Residency Data/ National Identity Information system were in crisis, adding that the crisis can only be resolved by software.

“India has recognized that long ago and is woking to resolve the crises.

If Nigeria does not ac-

celerate her engagement to promote and develop Indigenous Software (Software Nigeria), our information crisis with multiple into what I had described many years back in my book "eKnowledge - time is Running Out" as 'Information Overload' “The Ministry should therefore make software strategy, policy and legislation the highest priority. This will create an estimated three million jobs and fire the national economy. With over 100million mobile phones, we may have failed if we cannot fire the sector with Nigeria content/software,” the ISPON President explained.

Challenge for CT Ministry

The most robust way the CT Ministry can be more effective in the penetration of ICT in the country, Uwaje continued is to

make software strategy, policy and legislation the highest priority. With over 100million Mobile Phones, we may have failed if we cannot fire the sector with Nigeria content/software. In the opinion of Ajayi,“to increase PC usage, there must be a deliberate effort to facilitate Computer ownership for Nigerian students. I believe it is most appropriate for government to provide all Nigerian students from primary school university level with a mobile computer (e.g tablet) which could be used not only to access the internet but to store the electronics version of the books they need in schools. This should be a priority for government.

“The potential impact on the future of the students and by extension on the future of the country is enormous. I believe this is the fastest route to leapfroging Nigeria into a developed country.

Our developmental growth rate is largely determined by the level of development of our human capacity.

Contrary to what some

people may think, funding may not be as difficult as it looks. There are a number of funding sources that could be redirected to the project.

These include funds from USPF, NITDEF, SURE-P, PTDF, among others,” he explained.

Controversy

As the year ended, a controversy engulfed the entire ICT sector. The cntroversy was ignited by a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to make NigComSat an independent corporation that would operate outside the purview of the communications regulator. What many saw as surprising was the fact that the bill had virtually been passed by the Housee of Representatives (it had passed the third reading), awaiting only the imprimatur of the Senate to become law. The Senate, has since held a hearing, at which the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission opposed the bill. Further developments in this regard will unfold as the new year progresses.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—27

CWG's Okere wins ICT Man of the Year award

BY EMEKA AGINAM

D

ESPITE stiff com petition at the just concluded 2nd biennial Africa Digital Forum (ADF) awards put in place by ICT Watch Africa Digital Network, Austin Okere, Group Managing Director, Computer Warehouse Group Limited also received the award for the ‘ICT Man of the Decade, 2012’in Nigeria against even as Computer Warehouse Group won ‘ICT Conglomerate of the year, 2012.

The organizers of the

Africa Digital Forum said CWG was worth the conferment based on her immense contributions towards the growth and development of Information and Communications Technology, youth empowerment through ICT education and the nation building. It also rewarded and recognized innovations and excellence in ICT activities in Africa and globally.

The feat bestowed on Austin Okere, ‘ICT Man of the Decade, 2012’ honours him as an indi-

vidual that has distinguished himself in the provision of Information and Communications Technology because of his immense contribution towards the advancement of ICT. Okere while receiving the awards said: ‘These awards represent the hard work and unreserved commitment that CWG has displayed overtime in terms of ICT development in Africa and the world at large.

It is going to inspire us to keep pushing the bar when it comes to ICT in Africa.’

Okere who was the guest speaker at the event delivered an enlightening speech on crux issues affecting the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) such as broadband and its attendant challenges, main issues militating against broadband penetration in Nigeria, the poor quality of service in the telecom sector and what can be done to bring back to life Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Operators was discussed at the forum and solutions were

also proffered.

Some of the challenges that have attributed to slow broadband growth in Nigeria, according to him include right of way and barriers to deployment, service providers becoming moribund, most RLDO are critically

z Okere

Cloud computing: Myths and realities(2)

BY EMEKA AGINAM

Claim 5: The Cloud Will Always Save Money on IT Cost reduction is a primary business motivator for adopting cloud computing, but quantifying cost saving in building a business case is not always easy.

While quantifying cost savings is relatively easy for SaaS but becomes increasingly more difficult when it comes to PaaS and IaaS. PaaS and Iaas often have factors that are difficult to measure, such as application modification time, running pilots, and the cost of training a staff in cloud computing skills, amongst many others.

The cloud offers financial savings in more than one way, however. The most obvious is the potential to reduce IT spending on existing requirements.

Another is how it allows a business to be more agile and increases revenue by providing low-cost, low-risk self-provisioning IT. This allows organisations to explore new opportunities that may have previously presented too high an investment risk/ reward ratio.

In summary, when it comes to saving money on IT, small- and mediumsize organisations can generally benefit from leveraging cloud computing. Larger organisations may not benefit financially from cloud computing due to the economies of scale that they can apply to on-premises IT provisioning. However, other advantages such as ondemand provisioning and reduced administration cloud computing may prove beneficial to the business and offset the cost differences.

Claim 6: Cloud Computing Resolves Performance Problems Elasticity and a seemingly infinite amount of compute and storage capacity are often touted as major benefits of the cloud, but while these are clearly significant benefits, they are not measures of application performance. Poor performance issues are often caused by

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challenged, most medium sized operators (especially Nigerian start ups) are failing. These challenges alone as it was reasoned at the forum could frustrate the country’s’ efforts towards the journey of broadband Internet availability.

infrastructure capacity problems rather than poor application implementation. If an application running on a server becomes overloaded and all users are affected, then the users suffer poor response times, plus the application has a performance problem.

Cloud computing can certainly provide solutions to infrastructure capacity problems due to its elastic scalability, but performance will often vary.

PaaS delivery models such as Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure provide satisfactory performance. The Google App Engine for example will provide an application with all the compute and storage capacity required, but it will not be high performance. Only IaaS can provide high performance, and even this isn’t always a sure bet.

There are a number of reasons why this is so.

Cloud providers may oversell their capacity, causing performance problems that are totally out of the hands of the cloud user. In addition, virtualisation software runs on a multitenant architecture, and what other tenants are undertaking on that infrastructure plays a significant part in performance at any particular moment in time. So while the cloud provides the ability to improve performance problems through increased capacity, only satisfactory or acceptable performance, rather than high performance, should be expected.

Claim 7: All Software Should Be Moved to the Cloud The attractive benefits of the cloud may encourage organisations to try to move all computing to the cloud. For some organisations, reducing the onpremises IT to an absolute minimum is appropriate.

For others, internal IT departments with software development teams are essential as the bespoke software they develop enables the organisation to gain competitive advantage.

To be continued

28 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 29

Rodgers: Don’t judge Liverpool yet

AFCON: NFF threatens to petition FIFA over release Nigerian players

B

rendan Rodgers says his Liverpool FC side should not be judged until the last two months of the season.

After more lows than highs already in the first five months of the campaign, Liverpool FC’s chances of having a successful season have all-but been written off.

Inconsistency has dogged them throughout, highlighted perfectly by their last four matches which saw them defeated at home by Aston Villa who have since gone into freefall - thrash Fulham, lose woefully at Stoke and

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday threatened to petition FIFA if Newcastle United and Millwall FC of England failed to release two Nigerian players for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition. The Federation had invited Shola Ameobi of Newcastle and Millwall for the AFCON competition holding in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10. Mr Chris Green, Chairman, Technical Committee of NFF, made threat known in Port Harcourt. Green said if by Jan. 5 Ameobi and Shittu failed to report to the Eagles’ camp, the federation would write to FIFA against the clubs. “Now, for Danny Shittu and Shola Ameobi, as far as we are concerned, we do not want that matter to distract us because the coach is ready to work without the players. “But again, the football federation shall consider such attitude as quite unwholesome on the part of the players as well as their clubs because as it appears, it’s the clubs that are pushing for these players not to honour the invitation to play for their country. “So, of course, we are going to take the matter to FIFA; we are going to write appropriately; we are not going to lie low because, at least, let’s do what is right, that we should not be taken for granted.

“After all, these players were found in Nigeria, these players are from Nigeria and they also desire to play for Nigeria. “So, what is the problem? Why would they have to stop them, using underarm tricks to stop them. That will not be right,” he said.

Green said both Newcastle and Millwall had not communicated with the federation officially over the inability of these players to play for Nigeria. However, the NFF official said the coaching crew of the Super Eagles had other players to replace Ameobi and Shittu if they failed to report to camp. He said more players would join others already in camp in Faro, Portugal, and that the team would play a friendly match with Cape Verde before the tournament, in South Africa.

Cole on Redknapp’s radar

Mikel admits challenge at Chelsea

Q

PR boss Harry Redknapp says he plans to hold talks with Liverpool with a view to signing Joe Cole in the

N

igeria international, John Obi Mikel is now aware that he faces a battle for a starting place at Chelsea.

Mikel’s acknowledgment stems from the conversion of centre-back David Luiz to a defensive midfielder by Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez in recent games.

The 25-year-old Nigerian midfielder has been the man for the dirty job at Chelsea for the past six years and has become accustomed to the partnership of either Ramires •Mikel or Frank Lampard in the heart of the pitch.

“I think he (Luiz) needs to play at the back. It affects you because I’ve been here for a long time.

“And now I have to play with David Luiz. It’s just a lot, I think, psychologically as well.

“You think, ‘If I’m playing today, who am I going to play with?’

“I’ve played with Frank (Lampard) for a long time and I’ve always enjoyed playing with Frank and Rami as well and (now) with David,” said Mikel.

Benitez, however, stuck to Luiz for Chelsea’s game at Everton over the weekend despite Mikel being available after serving a three-match suspension.

The former Liverpool manager first experimented with Luiz in the holding role at the recent edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. C M Y K

CATALONIA VS NIGERIA :

Okonkwo sure of Eagles S

uper Eagles right full back, Chibuzor Okonkwo is positive his side will have a good game against the Catalonian selected side in today’s friendly in Spain.

Okonkwo missed the friendly tie no thanks to non-possession of valid Shengen Visa.

The Eagles already in Faro, Portugal headed to Spain on yesterday for the crunch encounter that will serve as tuneup match for the side’s 2013 Afcon title chase in South Africa.

Okonkwo said if the Eagles adhere strictly to instruction they will be able to nick a positive result against star-studded Catalonian side.

“I’m confident that the Eagles will get a good result against the Catalonian selected once they play according to the coaches’ instructions.

“The Catalonian side we’re told are star-

studded but they’re beatable. We’ve been given the best training and equally prepared mentally and physically to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

“I won’t be there physically but I’ll continue to pray for their success not only in the friendly game but during the Afcon proper,” said the former Heartland strongman .

The former Bayelsa United defence ace is still hopeful that a miracle will see him feature for the side in South Africa.

“Everything is still possible, I could still be in South Africa if God decrees it to be so. So I live each day believing that a miracle could still happen,” he said.

The Eagles will head to Nelspruit, South Africa where they are due to start their title campaign against Group C West African foes, Burkina Faso on January 21 before they face Cup holders, Zambia and Ethiopia.

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Pardew fears Ba-cklash

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EMBA BA faces a Toon Army backlash if he fails to commit his future to the club.

Newcastle’s unsettled top scorer is in talks over an £80,000-a-week move to Chelsea after the Blues triggered his £7.5million

release clause.

It is the latest twist to the saga over the future of Ba, who has been offered improved terms on his £40,000-a-week contract to stay at St James’ Park — if he drops the troublesome clause.

Boss Alan Pardew reckons it

cruise to victory at bottom club QPR. Many have pointed out there does not appear to have been much progress made since last season, but Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers is confident there is time yet to improve things.

January transfer window.

Redknapp is planning to make a whole host of new signings as he bids to drag the Hoops out of the relegation zone and has now admitted that Cole is on his list of possible targets.

Cole has again played a bitpart role for Liverpool this season and Brendan Rodgers would allow him to move on if a rival club came in and paid the going rate. The player’s wages could be a problem for Redknapp though, and he would have to lower his demands to have any chance of a deal. ”I’ve got a lot of time for Joe as a player and as a person,” said Redknapp. “I’d like to bring Joe here if I can but the deal would have to be right for the club. ”We couldn’t do a deal as it [Cole’s wages] is at Liverpool. I’ll have to speak to Brendan Rodgers. is time the striker made a decision to head off discontent from the stands.

Ba, 27, faces a mixed reaction from fans at home to Everton tomorrow.

Pardew said: “It’s hard for them to really feel Demba’s solid with the team with everything that’s going on.

“Our fans love him and want him in a black and white shirt scoring goals. Ideally, he stays.

“There’s an offer on the table and it’s getting close to the point where we say no more — but it’s still there.

“When he plays he’s committed, but he could end this whole situation. He needs to make an early decision for everyone’s sake.

“The fans need to know if he’s going. They want loyalty.

“This is a big club and perhaps he needs to make a statement. He has never said to me he wants to leave.”

Pardew hopes Debuchy deal can lift Newcastle fortunes

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ewcastle boss Alan Pardew hopes completing a deal for a player of Mathi eu Debuchy’s quality will be a signal to the rest of his squad to comm it their future.

Lille’s France full-back Debuchy could become Pardew ’s first Janua ry signing later this week, ending a protracted chase that started more than a year ago.

And Pardew feels it would be a massive boost to his injury-hit squad, which takes on Everton on Wednesday on a run of eight defeats in 10 games and with uncertainty over the future of star striker Demba Ba. Pardew said: “When you sign good, senior intern ationa l player s, which he is, it’s going to give everybody a boost,

your senior players too. I hope that’s the case - but we are still far from a deal yet.

“We have got some fantastic players who are not contrib uting at the minute. Our whole firstchoice midfie ld, except maybe Cheick [Tiote], is sitting in the treatm ent room, so once they come back...

“We were a little bit more positive on Monday on the trainin g ground . Yohan Cabay e was runnin g around, Steven Taylor is runnin g around on the trainin g pitch, and suddenly that has given everyone a little lift.”

Pardew now hopes to turn around their fortunes at St James ’ Park on Wedne sday, and banish memor ies of Saturd ay’s humbling 7-3 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

CHELSEA vs QPR:

Turnbull replaces injured Cech

G

oalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to miss the visit of QPR after injuring himself in Sunday’s win at Everton.

The Czech international was forced off at half-time with an adductor problem and his replacement Ross Turnbull will deputise at Stamford Bridge.

Midfielder John Obi

Mikel missed the Goodison Park victory with a knee injury but it is not deemed serious by manger Rafael Benitez.

Provisional squad: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Moses, Marin, Piazon, Torres, Hilario.

C M Y K

30–Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

AIG-IMOUKHUEDE:

Why the subsidy cabal is fighting back •I had to take my family abroad •Yes, Nigerian banks have leapfrogged •The lessons I am learning from Alex Ferguson

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE, NKIRUKA NNOROM, CHINEDU IBEABUCHI & WILLIAM JIMOH

Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, 46, is unarguably one of the major persons that have recast the face of banking in the country. Though originally trained as a lawyer, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede has never really been known to have donned the lawyer’s robe, having taken to banking from his National Youth Service Corps days in 1986.

His entry into the industry, remarkably, was at the point of the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme, which in its wake, roused a once lethargic industry into competitive edge.

Following his experience of once being left behind at an airport tarmac as a teenager, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede vowed never again to be a laggard and to take advantage of the opportunities and threats that trailed the opening of the banking industry.

He has so far survived all the conflicts and contractions of the industry and positioned a one-time small bank into the top of the industry. After about 12 years of steering the ship at Access Bank, Aig-Imoukhuede would be retiring as Managing Director and Chief Executive of the bank at the end of the year.

Before his stint at Access Bank, AigC M Y K

Imoukhuede was an executive director of Guaranty Trust Bank and before then, was at Prime Merchant Bank and Continental Merchant Bank.

His success was the basis of his appointment into a number of public positions including membership of the administration’s Economic Management Team and chairmanship of the Federal Government’s panel on the verification of subsidy payments.

He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Market Dealers Association and a foundation Board member of the African Finance Corporation, AFC. He is also Chairman, Access Bank UK Ltd, Chairman, Associated Discount House Ltd; Chairman, WAPIC Insurance Plc; and board member, Commonwealth Business Coalition.

Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede who is first runner up, Vanguard Personality of the Year, 2012, holds the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON. He is married with children

W

HAT was your career path like after you left the University of Benin?

I left Uniben in 1986. My first job was in a bank as a Youth Corper, in Continental Merchant Bank, former CMB. I worked in the Legal Department, and what I found in the bank as a lawyer was that many lawyers in the bank saw their jobs as just that of compliance. This is what the law says, and therefore, you cannot do this, unless you rigidly follow what the law said. I found myself enabling people to do transactions, so it is not don’t break the law or anything like that, but if you do your transactions in this way, the law will support you. I, therefore, found out that more and more, the core bankers were gravitating to me for advice, even at the

very senior level, which I gave freely.

Maybe, I got noticed that way, and it was way that my future bosses in Continental, I guess, saw something in me. Again, I went to a bank called Prime Merchant Bank. The good thing that Prime Merchant Bank did for me was that it allowed me see that banking or running a company wasn’t just about putting together a star studded team, because the management team and employees in Prime Merchant Bank were first class. And then, I went to Guaranty Trust Bank in 1991. It was year 2000 or thereabout that I was appointed an executive director. So, it took me fourteen years from graduation

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—31

Aig-Imoukhuede: Why the subsidy cabal is fighting back Continues from page 30 to become an executive director of a bank, and in 2002, I was appointed MD of Access Bank. So, that’s a bit longer than sixteen years. So I paid my dues now..(general laughter) Did you choose banking or was it banking that chose you?

What I did know was that growing up, I tended to think ahead a lot, and I grew up in the home of civil servants. I didn’t know many people in business or even who worked for companies other than maybe in the 70s, then my uncle was very senior in NTC and Felix Ohiwerei was in NBL. Other than that, I didn’t know businessmen, I didn’t know entrepreneurs; I didn’t grow up knowing any. I didn’t know businessmen. So I didn’t even understand the concept of business. But then as I watched the nation massacre its civil service, I saw what they did to civil servants and the committed people who worked and didn’t steal and were contented.

People who could, based on the civil service career send their children to very good schools in the past; I am talking about late 60s

they say that I can see very far. I can see things that people cannot see. So, it is just a gift. It is not that I can see into the future; it's nothing mystical. It is just that I am able to analyse a set of scenarios and I can project into what the end result could be. So, sometimes, when people see me do something and they say, ‘this is a very gutsy move or it requires a lot of courage,’ it is not that I am more courageous than they are.

How has the face of banking changed since 1986 when you first entered into industry?

Okay, when I got into banking, the context of banking was that you had several banks…It was the beginning of proliferation of banking following the SAP agenda of the Babangida government.

To many people, it was an employment vehicle to give people from your town an employment opportunity. You then also had the former foreign banks that had been indigenised. You had the government owned banks, and then you had one bank that was an owner managed, an entrepreneurially driven structure which was FCMB. As at that time, Nigeria banks were described as

The truth of the matter is that for the early indigenous players who got hydrocarbon license, they were not even funded by local banks, they found their funding from outside

,

and early 70s and all of a sudden, were now struggling to do so.

So I said to myself that I won’t work as a civil servant. By the time I was sixteen, seventeen, I saw ambassadors, and I didn’t like what I saw. I thought this wasn’t right. Anyway, I made that choice that I wasn’t going into the civil service and this wasn’t going to happen to me. So, since I didn’t know how to be a business man, I said to myself, by the time I was thirty-five, I said I wanted to be an executive director in a multinational. That’s what I wanted to be. I was clear that I wanted to be in NTC or Unilever as an executive director. That was my position then.

What factors would you say influenced you into what you are today?

I believe that God gives people different gifts; different talents and you pray that you recognise these and you are able to improve upon them and work them to the best of your ability. One thing that my colleagues or people who know me well, people who work closely with me believe is that

,

arm chair banking. What then happened was that I got into banking when a number of bank professionals who were assistant general managers and above, who worked in the merchant banks of old; I am talking about International Merchant Bank, NAL, had watched what Subomi Balogun had done and wanted to model themselves after this unique owner manager context that Subomi Balogun had pushed. They went into banking, and so you have Atedo Peterside, closely followed by Fola Adeola, Jim Ovia and Pascal Dozie. So, there was this fresh entrepreneurial instinct driving these banks and they all competed based on service.

However, the regulatory context was not well developed; very traditional Central Bank. At the time regulators were playing catch up vis-a-viz the industry. So, you had a very traditional regulator; you had very entrepreneurial bankers and you had a nation that was going through serious economic structural challenges and these bankers had to make money in the context of these challenges.

Despite the achievements, there is the continuing perception that the banks have not been able to translate their growth to boost the real sector of the economy?

I think that today in most countries, maybe except the Asian countries, both in the developed and developing countries, there is this perennial question, are banks playing the role they should be playing, vis-à-vis the real economy?

Even in the UK, you have initiatives like I think there is something they call Funding for LendAig-Imoukhuede....there was no attempt to take over Union Bank ing, and in the US, the question is being asked and off course when centage of our spending as a na- takes place here, aside from that you come to places like Ireland tion that is devoted to agriculture what takes place here? Nothing! and Iceland, you will understand as a percentage of GDP, you can The equipment is not made here, how deep that question is. So, my see it dropping and dropping. the ships are not made here, the point is that Nigeria is not the only training is not done here, in fact, place where the question is be- Society until recently even the recruiting asked ‘are banks playing their champions ment was external. So, in this case role to support the real economy?’ the oil and gas production value Now, there are some peculiar Beyond that, are farmers chain was externalized outside macroeconomic realities that are viewed with anything other than the country, the banking wasn’t at play here. If you look at the pity in Nigeria? If you go to Gha- done with local banks. real economy in Nigeria, you will na, Zambia and so on, the socidefine it as definitely agriculture, ety champions that are celebrat- Indigenous manufacturing and I would say, ed are farmers. Is it the banks that players oil and gas upstream. caused that? The point that I am Let’s take agriculture. Nigeria making is that the nation made Now, changes are coming and was number one or two or three certain choices and banks oper- it is no wonder that local banks lead producer and or exporter of ate within certain ecosystems and have had to force their way in and at least three major cash crops in banks would move in line with even in doing so, what we are the world in the sixties – oil palm, the dictates of that system. Now starting with is the indigenous rubber and probably cocoa. those choices that we made have players. The truth of the matter is made the agric sector more and that for the early indigenous playMobilising more risky even for the farmer. If ers who got hydrocarbon license, deposits you look at the agricultural sector they were not even funded by lovalue chain it is an extremely cal banks, they found their fundIf we held those positions I think risky value chain. ing from outside. we would probably earn as much So, for a farmer or somebody in How do you react to allegafrom these three cash crops in for- that sector, unless you have some tions that competition among eign exchange terms as we are very strong comparative advan- banks is driving staff crazy with earning from oil. Now, is it banks tage or something very inge- many of them not having time that stopped the course of events? nious, there is the likelihood that for family and socials? Was it like Of course not. At a point in time if you go in, you are going to lose that when you joined the induswhen these products were doing your shirt. So, if a bank lends to a try? so well, it was on the back of these farmer, it is likely that when the I believe that every sector of the that the banks mobilized their de- farmer loses his shirt the bank is Nigerian economy that will go posits, did their loans and pros- not going to get its loan back. through its growth phase, the way pered. Interestingly enough, pre- Over time, this has been rein- the banking sector has gone independence and post-inde- forced and reinforced and rein- through, will go through exactly pendence, the Nigerians who forced and so you find that bank what has happened here. And went abroad and caught the fer- lending to agric dropped to be- indeed, that is the frustration for vour to be educated and came low one per cent of total lending. somebody like me. Do bankers back to fight for independence Now, let me take oil and gas work much harder now than they were financed to school with co- production. If you look at the pro- used to do? Yes, they do! Because coa warrants or warehouse war- ductive activities in the oil and gas the banks are much larger, the rants. It was like cash which you sector, you find that the drilling products and the systems are could go to a bank and cash and takes place here and the mainte- much more sophisticated, the reget money. From the point of dis- nance around the drilling like Continues on page 33 covery of oil if you look at the per- food and provision of computers

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

THANKSGIVING SERVICE: From left: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; his wife, Roli; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II and the Queen, during the annual thanksgiving service of Iwere Kingdom at the Olu's Palace Church Hall (AGHOFEN), Warri.

PRINCE OKAEBEN @ 40: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and Prince Chris Okaeben, at Okaeben's 40th birthday, in Benin City.

DEDICATION: Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Valerie Ebe (middle); her Press Secretary, Mr. Ikemesit Smith (right), and wife, Margaret, during the dedication of their son, Prosper, at Living Faith Church, Mbiabong Etoi, Uyo, on Sunday.

BURIAL: Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (middle); Wife of Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Olufunke Oladipo and SA, Media, to Governor's Wife, Idowu Sowunmi, after the burial of Idowu's late mother, Mrs. Janet Sowunmi, at Ibogun Sowunmi Village, Ifo, Ogun State.

From right: HRM Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom; Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom, HRM Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebele Okorefe I, and HRM Okukeren III, Ovie of Arhavwarien, during the visit of Delta State traditional rulers to the Agbarha-Otor monarch.

DONATION

(LEFT) INDUCTION: From left: Dr. Bola Mustapha, Registrar /CEO, Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD);, Mr. Niyi Alabi, Learning Manager, NB Plc.; and guest lecturer, Mr. Kayode Ogungbuyi, President, NITAD, at the induction of new members into NITAD, in Lagos.

C M Y

COMMISSIONING: From left: Olori Omotolani Aromire; Alhaji Mudashiru Faro Ojora, Chief Imam of Ijora Kingdom; Oba Abdul Fatai Aremu Aromire, Oba of Ojora Kingdom and Alhaji Yaya O. Saliu, member of Ojora Royal Council, during the commissioning of ultra modern Ijora Oloye Central Mosque, at Ijora Kingdom, Lagos.

Mr Tope Ashiwaju, Public Relations Manager, Dufil Foods Plc, with children of Hearts of Gold Children's Hospice, Surulere, Lagos, during the donation of Indomie noodles to the home .

Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—33

Aig-Imoukhuede: Why the subsidy cabal is fighting back

driven, but is not very patient.

Maybe with time, he would learn to be more patient. Also, maybe with less money, he will be more patient. Maybe people who have significant resources tend not to be very patient. I don’t know.

When you were appointed as Managing Director did you foresee the kind of global economy crisis that happened in 2008/2009?

Not at the time it happened.

However, did I ever see that Nigerian banks could find themselves in this kind of situation?

Yes. I did and I wrote about it.

Just that I never knew where it would come from. When I moved into GTB in 1991 there were 130 banks, by 2008 there were 25 banks. So, by any stretch of imagination, you are looking at mortality rate that is very high. So, different things have caused these casualties.

Missing the plane at tarmac So, did I expect this to happen?

Yes, I did. The most important to me is the institution I run or the institution I invested in will not be one of them. I don’t know if you have heard of the Tarmac Story? It is the story about my first year in secondary school coming back from Kaduna for my first holiday, and I missed the plane. I was standing at the tarmac when the plane took off. I was ten or eleven then. That was when before you board Nigerian Airways,

,

no sweat, no gain.

That you must have to work very hard if you want to get results. There is a reality that if you want to beat the guy next door, you have to read longer than him. It is the same thing that we do now. I cannot say that we want to be more profitable than another bank and I am working half as him!

The reason why we excelled as a nation in the past was that we were clear about those consequences.

Those consequences created the hurdles that we know that we had to pass. So, if in a football tournament you cheat to win the local league without your players knowing how to Aig-Imoukhuede.... we have restored confidence in the banking system. play well, when you go to the consults are much more sizeable and that has to be made? Yes.’ Then tinent and it emerges that Nigeit’s been done in a very short you make a choice. I will like to ria’s best team was beaten 12 – frame of time. We are leapfrog- spend more time with my family. 0, then you will start wondering ging.

But must the sacrifice be made what happened? And this is what Twenty years ago, all the banks for Nigeria, either the banking is happening! That is the issue. in Nigeria were not as big as the industry or the telecoms sector to You mentioned that you were number four bank in South Afri- be great? Yes. Would the Nigeri- influenced by a number of peoca. I mean all the banks in Nige- an banking industry be the same ple. Would you describe these ria at that time! In 2012, the big- in twenty years? No, because the as role models? gest bank in Nigeria is like half nature of competition would be You can call them role models the size of that number four bank. different. Greatness must come from whom I think I learnt a lot, So, how do you think it hap- at a cost. We are building great some of them are alive, some of pened? Every sector goes banks in Nigeria and it comes at them are late. I have told you one, through a curve. When it is grow- a cost. Nigeria’s greatness will Fola Adeola. Another is Alex Fering and at its early growth phase, come at a cost. guson. I read about him. it is going to take a lot. Today, What advantages did you bring So, you are a Man U fan? the competition is more settled. or lessons from your career that Yes. But I was a fan of Alex FerThe problem in Nigeria is that helped you to leapfrog to the top guson before I became a Man U it is only banking. If banking, of the industry? fan. In fact, I wonder when the manufacturing, infrastructure First of all, I think I was fortu- coach changes what will happen were bubbling in the same way nate. For whatever reason a lot as inevitably it will change. But I what do you think will happen of the bosses that I worked with am a fan of his man manageto the Nigerian economy? decided to invest heavily in my ment, his approach to leadership. leadership skill. They invested I have read every book that have Banking, the most by either mentoring me, send- been written about him or that ing me on assignments and ex- he has written himself. successful sector posing me very early. For most The reason why banking stands of the challenges I have come Significant out is because it has been the across, I have either done case impact most successful sector. So, the studies in either banking or othquestion you should be asking er industries as to how leaders Somebody who has, more reis why can’t we experience this of companies dealt with these cently made a significant impact at the same time in about five or issues or actually have been on me is Lamido Sanusi. The six sectors? Then you will see this taught. I used to ‘dread’ travel- strength of conviction that makes nation operating at its full poten- ling with Fola Adeola. If you trav- a man do the right thing or do tial. It is a sacrifice that must be elled for two days every minute what he believes is the right thing was a lesson, literally drumming even in the face of what you can made.

I asked the IMF CEO, Lagar- it into you, how would you do call overwhelming odd is somede, ‘you have a family and that I this? If you are in this position thing that I have learnt from him. see you the way you work, what what would you do and so on.

But do you also admire the are your comments on balanced So, I had very early exposure to man management of Chelsea life’ and she said, ‘would she like leadership issues. owner, Roman Abrahamovich?

The other thing is that I had to spend more time with her famAbrahamovich? Abrahamovich ily? Yes. But is there a sacrifice- been trained by my parents, that is someone that is clearly very

more than 40 per cent of the 89 banks would survive. I didn’t know how the shake-up would take place. The problem was that most other banks didn’t see it that way. So, a small Access Bank, when we got in was already struggling.

Now, the most interesting thing about this was that, the first signal was when Joseph Sanusi said we were going to have settlement banks. That was the first signal. From the minute he said so, our game plan then was that we needed to rank among the top ten banks in this country, in fact top seven, otherwise, that means that we would be left on the tarmac.

Now from part of the discussions we were said to have had with Union Bank, it was clear that the concept of merger and acquisition was still at its early stage in Nigeria. Banks ego and fear of the unknown and so on would not make people readily dispose themselves to this. So, in 2004, when we walked into a room, the then CBN Governor, Charles Soludo said if you don’t have N25 billion capitalization base by certain date…

Other people were dazed and confused, but I sent a text to Herbert (Deputy MD of Access Bank), I said Herbert, the CBN Governor has just made an announcement that would make our dreams come through. Because it meant that, merger and acquisition was no longer seen as an untasteful thing, you have to do it. And that was why on the plane, when the entire bank MDs were coming back, before the pronouncement, we had al-

There was no attempt to take over Union Bank. There was a discussion with the leadership of Union Bank

you had to fight your way in. I tried fighting my way but only for the plane to take off. I cried.

But since then, I said I would never remain at the tarmac again.

I shared that story with many of my colleagues.

Your bank tried taking over Union Bank, but it didn’t work out.

There was no attempt to take over Union Bank. There was a discussion with the leadership of Union Bank.

You obviously wanted your bank to be big but you did not want to wait to do it organically like some prefer, but take over other banks?

I think that if you look at the capital market, the concept of capital formation, all things being considered, capital should gravitate to those who need them. At the point in time we came into Access Bank in 2002, there were 89 banks, we were clear, very clear that at best not

,

ready briefed HSBC to advise us on mergers and acquisition. Atedo Peterside was on that plane and I told Atedo, I said look, you are going to take us to the market and we would be the first to do merger and acquisition. He said somebody had already done that (told him) and he couldn’t bring two people out. I said ok, since you said someone has already given you a mandate, I am going to be the second. This meeting with Soludo was on July 4 and we came out in September. Do you know what it takes to come out in September? And the next is history.

What is your assessment of the industry in 2012?

I think we have restored confidence in the banking system.

And I think the kudos should be given to the regulators and operators. We have shown through the bankers committee that banks can be partners with government Continues on page 39

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

MIDWEEK SERMON

with SAM EYOBOKA sameyoboka@yahoo.com

General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye (middle); Deputy Controller of Prisons, Maximum Security Prison, Lagos, Tinuoye Timothy (right) and others during the opening of computer library at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos. PHOTO: OLAYINKA LATONA.

RCCG donates computers to Kirikiri Prison

Y

ULETIDE season is regarded as a period when man-

kind is expected to extend the love of God to the less privileged around us just

as God did when He gave His only begotten so, Jesus Christ as ransom

for the sins of the world, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. In line with this thinking, City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, recently extended a hand of Christly love to inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos when it refurbished their old library and turned it to a modern computer library equipped with 12 new computers.

The facility was commissioned by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye on Boxing Day. According to the minister in charge of Kirikiri Axis of RCCG and Prison ministry, Pastor Oscar Onuh, the gesture is one of the numerous ways of showing love and care to the inmates, noting that the computer room will expose and improve the knowledge base of the inmates.

After cutting the tape to commission the computer library room, the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye promised some of the inmates with difficulty in paying their school fees that the church would take responsibility for their school fees.

Some inmates had com-

plained of their inability to pay their school fees at the National Open University of Nigeria, (Kirikiri Maximum Security Special Centre).

Pastor Adeboye further promised to always pray for the inmates and go into dialogue with relevant authorities, on behalf of those awaiting trial with a view to getting them out if no case is proven against them.

"The first time that I was here I met over 1,000 inmates in a room that was supposed to accommodate 600 persons and I spoke with the president, Lagos State governor and the Chief Judge of the state and all the people concerned.

"I was told that why they don't release some is because they become nuisance and problem to the society after they get their freedom. Please always maintain your integrity when you are out there. By the grace of God, I will keep on pressing and I know by God’s grace there will be good news,” Pastor Adeboye promised.

Admonishing them, the man of God noted that the only fellow who can change a criminal on a permanent basis is Jesus Christ; “this is because the Bible says, ‘if a man

don’t want to expose our pilgrims to anything that would embarrass the country. I have gone back there and we have resolved that pilgrims can now visit those areas because there is peace and relative calm now.

Some people are of the opinion that the money the Federal Government is deploying to religious exercises, such as pilgrimages, could be channeled into provision of basic infrastructural amenities. What is your view on this?

Why we disqualified 10,000 Christian pilgrims—John Kennedy Opara MISTER John Kennedy Opara is the executive secretary, National Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC. In this interview with JOSEPH ERUNKE, he outlines challenges facing the com-mission and what he is doing to reposition Christian pilgrimage. Excerpts: The 2012 pilgrimage exercise is coming to an end. What would you say, are your challenges and how do you think they can be tackled?

Well, as you are aware, life is full of challenges; ups and downs. The operation this year has been full of challenges but I want to say that with God on our side, we have been able to overcome some of the challenges. We are about rounding up this year’s exercise. We have been able to bring back 35 per cent of the pilgrims that travelled this year.

And I want to believe, we will be able to do more of sensitization next year, do more of the enlightenment for people to know that it is an opportunity for everybody to aspire or desire to go for pilgrimage.

Was there any record of abscondment among this year’s pilgrims, sir?

As I am talking to you now, we have returned over 11,000 Nigerian pilgrims to this country and so far, there is no case

of abscondment. I used to tell people that as far as we are concerned in the commission, that abscondment is now history even though you cannot know what is in a man’s mind, but I believe that with God’s spirit and strength, we were able to disqualify those we think will disgrace Nigeria. We have been able to enlighten the people on the need for them to go and pray and return rather than staying back.

You said you were able to disqualify people you felt would disgrace the country in the holy land.

May I know the number of people barred from this religious exercise this year, sir?

Well, I can tell you that over 35,000 people applied to go on this year ’s pilgrimage but only about 26,000 people were approved.

Is it within Abuja or all over the country?

All over the country, because we have to look at other criteria that must be met that would enable

us consider whether you are fit to go or not.

Do you have any record of abscondment, sir?

Before we came on board, the level of abscondment was very high. At that time, in every 30 Nigerians on pilgrimage, one person must abscond. But since we came on board, we have not experienced that, we have brought abscondment level to zero per cent.

But did you make any contact with the Israeli authorities to track down Nigerian pilgrims that earlier absconded for possible repartration?

That happened before the coming of the commission. It was the duty of our embassy to solve that with the Israeli authorities as at that time. But now, we don’t have any abscondment record. We don’t intend to have any and we will not have by the grace of God. There are insinuations in some quarters that pilgrimage has not really

be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away and behold all things have become new.”

He lamented that there are some people who should be in prison, but are not because they have the wherewithal to make sure that they remain outside the prison.

“There are criminals out there who are worse than those in prisons. Most people end up here (prison) because they do not have good lawyers that can speak for them or money to pay for lawyers,” he said.

Adeboye further explained that there are some people who are outside the prisons but they are prisoners to sickness, demons and other vices.

In his response, the Deputy Controller Of Prisons, Maximum Security Prison Lagos, Mr. Tinuoye Timothy, appreciated the gesture of the General Overseer in fellowshipping with the inmates, adding that his coming to the Prisons has always been a source blessing for the inmates and their officials.

The church donated 12 computers for the use of the inmates as part of its corparate social responsiblity.

John Kennedy Opara lived up to its expectation as it hasn't had any positive impact on the Nigerian society. What can you say about that?

Well, to be fair to you, change is a process, it doesn’t happen automatically and I believe that most of those that have gone, that have had the opportunity of having the divine encounters, have come with testimonies.

Their lives are no longer the same, God has changed them. I tell you, most of them have been testifying that God has been awesome and I believe that it is a continuous thing. It is something that is worth giving glory and honour to God. Of course, you know that in every 12,

there will be a Judas.

Some people may not have had a divine encounter with God but I can assure you that most of the people that have gone to Israel for pilgrimage, because of our emphasis on spirituality, are changed people in the society today and they are very happy.

Going by the tensed situation in the Middle East as a result of the crisis there, are there certain holy places that pilgrims can’t visit?

When the trouble started, I had to meet with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities for them to agree on a way forward.

We had to avoid all those hot areas, because we

I must let you know sincerely that Federal Government doesn’t spend much money on pilgrimages. The Federal Government, as a matter of fact, doesn’t. They only do what they call, constitutional exchanges to assist the pilgrims and provide medical and consular services, and this is minimal. So when people talk of Federal Government spending money, it surprises me.

I believe we should be able to get this clear; it is only in area of consular services which involve massive movement of people and there is no way any responsible government will not like to take care of its people moving. This is the only movement, apart from the hajj movement that involves massive journey, people will just move en masse. So any responsible government, as a duty to its citizens, should be able to take care of the consular and the medical aspects of the pilgrimage.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—35

From right: Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Jeffery J. Hawkins, United States Consul General, Lagos, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab, Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate, Lagos and Mr. Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, during the United States Consul General, Lagos, official visit to Vanguard Newspaper in Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Hawkins: Reconnecting US diplomacy with the media S

INCE he resumed his diplomatic tour of duty in Nigeria, as the US Consul General, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins, has been working to re-establish the broken links between American Diplomats in Lagos and the media community, which became frosty, following the post 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which shock the universe in 2011.

Thereafter, any visitor to the US in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos or any building that houses Americans and its facilities, will discover that such places had become garrisons of sort.

Even when Hawkins described Nigerians as very “humourus people,” American diplomats in Nigeria became became alienated. Nigerians who work for the embassy said “everything here is security, security, security, so we have to live with that”.

So, Hawkins’ visit to the corporate headquarters of Vanguard media was therefore an opportunity reconnect with the media gain better perspective of how the media works in Nigeria, the challenges of reporting in an era of freedom of Information. The fight against graft, assess the relations between the United States and Nigeria. It was also an opportunity to share his personal experience in his host country, and the excitement of organising a huge US American Election Night, particularly, with the attendance of two Governors,

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, and Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and the Wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dame Bisi Fayemi.

Accompanied by Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab, head of the Public Affairs department and Mrs. Joke Omotunde, information Specialist, Broadcast Media.

Hawkins used the tour to get a first hand, knowledge of how the relationship between the US consulate and the media in Nigeria in the post- 9/11.

Issue of corruption The visitors as Transparency International released its most recent report on Global perception Index on corruption. So, the issue of corruption in Public office naturally became a subject of interest. Similarly, the use of the freedom of information Act by the media, the mistreatment of Nigerians who require Visa to the US, especially, members of the media community, dominated discussions.

Hawkins was at his diplomatic best as he tried to appraise four months experience in Nigeria.

Vanguard Media team comprising of the Editor, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Deputy Editor, Eze Anaba, Foreign Affairs Editor Mr. Hugo Odiogor, Political Editor, Emmanuel Aziken, Business Editor Omoh Gabriel, and Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Victor Omoregie were on hand to receive the visiting American dip-

lomats. Of interest to Mr. Hawkins was the challenge that the mass media in Nigeria has been facing in doing its job under the freedom of Information Act which was sign into law in 2010,

by President Good Luck Jonathan.

Both the Editor and his Deputy were of the view that the FOIA has not been fully tested in the Nigerian media landscape primarily because the public servants have not realised that the FOIA has effectively abolished the Official secret act under which civil servants hid to deny the public access to information.

There is also the cautious approach by journalists who are watching to see how some cases based on FOIA are decided before they could unleash their salvo on the pursuit of their profession. Thirdly, there is the issue of making specific requests on particular areas of interests that would enable the civil servant to respond rather than making omnibus request which would be filed away by ministries.

Mr. Odiogor expressed the displeasure of media organisations who are being treated shabbily by staffers of US embassy consult under the guise of adherence to security protocols. According to him: “We give so much priority to using information materials from your embassy because of valued relationships. But the fact that we are in the business of providing information to the public should not

be taken for granted”. He said “a situation where we devoted so time, energy and resources to nurture and uphold our relationship with your embassy, only to be treated with disdain and ignominy by your embassy is totally unacceptable, I believe the principle of reciprocity should apply,”.

When we require Visas to travel, it is in line with profesional duty. Journalists are subjected

We give so much priority to using information materials from your embassy because of valued relationship. The fact that we are in the business of providing information to the public must not be taken for granted

,

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

tion, science and technology, etc”.

Nigeria is a huge country and a giant in Africa. He said “the sheer size of its economy is amazing, Nigeria is a continental power and an important ally in the search for global peace, fight against terrorism among other, our relations with Nigeria will remain strong regardless of the barrels of oil that is exchanged between the two countries”.

It important to state Ambassador Terrance McCulley, himself embarked a tour of four American cities to promote the idea of “Doing business in Nigeria,” to American business community as a demonstration of the faith and confidence that the US embassy has in Nigeria’s economy. The Business Editor, Mr. Omoh Gabriel said a situation “where Americans are fed with stories of horrors and tragedies belies the truth about the situation in Nigeria because the same Americans are visiting other areas far more dangerous than Nigeria”.

The Political Editor Emmanuel Aziken told the visiting American envoy that the US members of the European Union should take practical steps to advance the anti corruption war raised the bar against those who toppled democratic leaderships during the struggle for democracy, Nigeria’s anti – corruption campaign will make a head way if public office holders realise that the have no safe haven for their loot. But Mr. Hawkins saw things differently. According to him, the fact that people have been indicted is not enough for the United Sates to declare such persons persona non grata, the Nigerian side must do its work,

to all kinds of indignities and treated as personal incognito by the Consular officials when on the other hand the media extend generous space to covering activities of the embassy, We are global citizens and should be treated as such. On the likely impact of the US search for alternative sources of energy and the future economic with Nigeria, Mr. Hawkins told his hosts that the relation between the US and Nigeria should be seen beyond trade in oil and gas. According to him there other areas where both countries enjoy deep and enduring relations namely in education, culture exchanges, military training, security, peace keeping and regional co-opera-

,

the courts must do their work, in America, those who were implicated in the Halliburton scandal have been penalised in US while their Nigerian collaborators are walking the streets free as the air.

It was an opportunity for free exchange of ideas and Mr. Hawkins acknowledged that he was enriched by the outcome of the visit. Although the experience of 9/11 and Benghazi 2012, will always be at the back of American diplomats in carrying out their assignments in foreign countries, the entire essence of diplomacy will be defeated if diplomats have to lock themselves up in their offices and practice arm chair diplomacy.

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JANUARY 2, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—37

My wish at 100: Let’s end bloodshed – Pa Akiyode •Rues Nigeria’s unachieved dreams •Charges leaders to lead by example •Commends Governor Amosun ALHAJI Yunus Sanni Giwa Akiyode, who turns 100 years today, is a reporter’s delight any day. With a toothy smile always on his aged but fair and handsome face, the former banker still accomplishes feats his age mates and those younger could only dream about. Living in the middle floor of his two-storey edifice, Ijeun Lodge, Pa Akiyode, whose daily chores normally start at 5 am usually descends and ascends the stairs to his room at least four times a day to pray in a mosque that is 200 meters away as well as to exercise. He eats any meal available and most of his teeth are still intact.

Pa Akiyode joined Barclays Bank, Dominion Colonial and Overseas (now Union Bank PLC) in Lagos in 1938. He was transferred to Kano during the Second World War and served in many branches of the bank in the old eastern and northern parts of the country. He was finally transferred to Ibadan Head office branch in 1960 where he retired in 1972 as foreign exchange manager after a 34-year banking career.

Also known as YSG, Alhaji Akiyode is a devout Muslim. In his active days, he was a member of the Ansar-Ud Deen Society of Nigeria; Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the highest Islamic body in Nigeria; and former chairman of the National Joint Muslim Organisation in Ogun State. The Baba Adeen of Ijeun Township was a member of the Ogun State Pilgrims Welfare Board and Ogun State Advisory Council on prerogative of mercy under the military administration of Governor Oladipo Diya.

W

E can do without vio lence, bloodshed At 100, Pa Akiyode is not happy with the incessant wave of bloodshed in the country through insecurity and wants the leaders and citizenry to end the bloodshed urgently. Born on January 2, 1913 at Nitoji-Oganla’s compound, Isale-Ijeun, Abeokuta to the family of late Chief Sanni Giwa Akiyode, the centenarian, who is a distant relation of Madam Efunyela Awolowo, the mother of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is disturbed by the manner politicians have turned elections into opportunities for killing opponents.

“It is wrong to kill people especially during elections. You see how other countries conduct elections in fairness, let us copy other countries that do well. We too we have been trying as much as we can but it is not enough.

We should do more. Our leaders should lead by example,” he pleaded.

Secret of his good health: For his age, the devout Muslim and Balogun of Egba Muslims still boast of a strong baritone voice.

Asked the secret of his good health and strong voice at 100, he muttered, “It is God, I than k God that I feel well now.”

Advice to young people:

Free education and other things

Though he talks slowly, think- •Alhaji Yunus Sanni Giwa Akiyode @100...seeks a good country ing through what he wants to say and at times scratching his dant tunes. We should keep the we ought to have done some forehead to recollect and recon- country united as it was a few time ago, which we have not struct past events, Pa Akiyode years ago. I think we can keep done and acting correctly on said young people could live it. Let’s try to keep it. We are an what we know is true. This is healthier lives by shunning ex- important country in Africa and our chance,” he enjoined cesses and doing things with in the world.”

We must fight for a good moderation. Said the centenarWhere Nigeria went wrong: country: Pa Akiyode also deian, who sired the second Edi- Looking at Nigeria 52 years af- cried the rising wave of violence tor of Vanguard Newspapers, ter independence, Alhaji Akiy- especially suicide bombing unMr. Toye Akiyode, “I advise ode rued Nigeria’s under- leashed on some parts of the young people to try and take achievement, which he said country by religious extremists. heat off yourself all the time. could be ameliorated if our lead- “To me, that is not good. We said Don’t misuse yourself. Do ex- ers did the needful. “We have we want a country, we must ercises as best as you can, don’t not actually achieved our fight for it. overstretch yourself. Don’t over- dreams but we are likely to We must fight for a good work yourself. Do things with make it. We made mistakes that country, one country not a religious country. We should try and tolerate one another in We must fight for a good country, what we do so that we will live in harmony. In some cases, one country not a religious country. some say they are in majority.

We should try and tolerate one anothBecause they are in majority, they want religious majority but er in what we do so that we will live in some places, Christians are in harmony in majority and Christians have been there for a long time and any new nation or colonized moderation.” practicing Christianity.

We can keep Nigeria united: nation usually makes. We will There should be no majority Asked his impression of the make it by correcting the mis- or minority; we should be one country and how to move Ni- takes.”

Asked where Nigeria went united country. We should pray geria forward since he is from fervently to God so that we the West and has served in east- wrong, he listed some of the would not be led astray,” he ern and northern parts of the mistakes as official graft and said. country, he decried the recur- socio-political and ethnic How he starts his day: In the rent songs of disunity echoing strives. “There are a lot of them; morning, I try to pray. When I in the polity, urging Nigerians war, inter-tribal wars affected wake up, as a Muslim, I pray. I to remain united. He said: “We our development, so also cor- wake up between 5.30 and 6 am have a pattern at the moment ruption and religious crises. We and go to the mosque to pray. that is not good. Many parts of will correct through personal At about 7 and 7.30, I go to take the country are singing discor- sacrifice, telling ourselves what

,

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor

my bath. After that, I take my breakfast. After that, I dress up and go for a walk. Later I go back home to rest and sleep. In the afternoon, I wake up for lunch, rest and go for prayer when the caller calls for prayer.

There is one at 2 O’ clock, another one at 4 O’ clock and after that another one at 7 0’ clock.

You go for all of them? Some times I go and some times I don’t if it is getting dark.

Do you read papers, listen to radios or watch television? I listen to radio and participate my favourite radio station is OGBC. Their programmes differ, if they advertise, anyone that interests me I make sure that I participate. I sponsor an Islamic programme, Temitope.

Secret of his long marriage to his wife of over 80 years: The secret is that she is nice.

We have been together for a long time. She had a good mother, who also advised her.

She has been a good wife and mother and has tried to train her children the correct way, the Islamic way.

Advise to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to make Abeokuta and Ogun State better: They should not be tired until maximum benefit is achieved. He is doing well and has tried so far.

We have a good governor who is sympathetic to the state, Abeokuta and Egba in general.

,

We thank them for all the things they are doing for Ogun State. Our governor is very kind and benevolent. We like him and he likes us. He is doing everything to please us; he gave us free education and other things. I thank him very much. I have known your paper (Vanguard) for long, it has been my paper. Do everything you can to recommend him.

His regrets at 100: Hmn! In my daily prayers, I always thank God, my God because God has given me and made me to do all things possible. He made me not to regret because at my youth, I enjoyed my youth. When I was of marriage age, I married. When I was due to bear children, I had children and God blessed me to train them to my standard and to their own standard too as far as they can from secondary to university, some overseas.

I thank God many of them came out successfully in their studies. Some of them are in good positions in private and public sectors. Some are in public office, some are politicians; quite a lot of them are your colleagues (journalists) and so on.

How many children he has: Aah, they are many as you can guess. I am a Yoruba, an Egba, I can marry as many wives and each of them can have as many children as she is able.

I really fancy this guy Dear Bunmi, I really fancy a guy who works a few offices away from mine. We eat in the same canteen from time to time and he’s often joked about his single status. He’s also been friendly towards me.

I’ve since written him two letters, telling him how I feel about him and he hasn’t replied. I’m a bit shy when it comes to talking to men. What else do you advise I do?

Olaide, by e-mail.

I want to experience watching live sex!

Dear Bunmi, I’ve always wanted to watch people having sex. In fact, it’s my number one fantasy. I’m an average kind of guy with my fair share of sexual experience. Yet, I don’t know why this idea turns me on so much, and I worry that I might be kinky or a sort of pervert.

I’d like to get this fantasy out of my system, but don’t know how to go about it. Can you help?

Frank, by e-mail.

Dear Frank, Be rest assured that your fantasy isn’t weird — lots of people like to watch others having sex. Why do you think porno films sell so much?

Perhaps, it’s because we don’t usually get the opportunity to watch first, and are curious.

Or maybe we want to see ourselves on the outside as we have sex.

As you must have realised, making your fantasy come true might be difficult, unless you have close friends willing

Dear Olaide, Do nothing. You’ve written

to join in so you can watch each other. If not, why not try watching yourself make love to your favourite girl instead?

What happens between two consenting adults in the privacy of their bedroom is healthy.

So place a big mirror near your bed, or video your lovemaking, assuring your partner what you do would be restricted to the two of you.

Next time you have sex, play the tape and watch from a vantage position.

My mum’s involved with drugs...

Dear Chidi, My heart really goes out to you. Dreadful and traumatic things have happened in your life but don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re doomed to be unhappy forever.

Agreed, what you went through can affect you badly.

But lots of people who had awful times when they were young are living fulfilled lives.

Also, the fact that you were a teenager, rather than a baby, when these bad things happened means you have

much better chance of recovering.

So, don’t despair. Put the past behind you and put all your energy into doing the

’

Dear Bunmi, When we were quite young and living abroad (there are three of us), our mum got involved with a bad crowd and took to drugs. She became a drug addict, used and peddled the stuff, and got involved with a toy-boy who introduced her to full time trafficking.

She was eventually caught abroad and served time.

Through all this, I had to bring up my brother and sister with some of the drug money she was always providing.

My siblings have decent education, at least, and I’m now married with kids.

Because of the stigma, I now live in another city with my family but the horrible memories of my tainted childhood hunt me still. My wife knows about my mother serving time but doesn’t know she’s still in her drugs racket.

Will I ever be able to live a normal life?

Chidi, by e-mail.

best for yourself and your family. The best way to leave our childhood trauma in the past it belongs to is to build a fantastic adult life.

The era of the dreaded mother-in-law is almost over. One of the women in your life is about to become a mum.

The other, a grandma. So, they both really need to make up and start tolerating each other and now!

I’m worried the child is not my husband’s Dear Bunmi, I’ve done something that has turned my world upside down. I’m a happily married woman and I love my husband. A few months ago, I had an affair with a man who does business with my office.

We went out a couple of times but called the whole thing off when I realised how silly I was.

I am now pregnant and my husband is delighted as our first child is over three years old. My problem is that the pregnancy could belong to any of them, though the dates show it is probably my husband’s. But what if it isn’t?

Joan, by e-mail.

Dear Joan, Though it is often advisable to keep quiet about a fling since it does more harm than

’

good to confess, this is a different kettle of fish altogether! Even though it will cause a lot of trouble, I suggest you tell your husband what is going on as there would be too many ways you’d be discovered in future.

What if the baby has some medical condition or genetic trait that could only have come from your lover? Or, what if some medical test in the future proves your husband can’t be the father?

The fact you must face though is that your relationship must have been in a bad shape for you to have had an affair and you must sort out what is lacking in your marriage.

Dare you keep quiet for ever?

Only your conscience could allow you to make a decision that will affect all concerned.

It won’t be easy whatever you decide.

’

C M Y K

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

two letters to this guy and got no reply. So, either he was joking when he said he was single, or he is single and doesn’t want to go out with you. Either way, if you tackle this guy, you’re going to face another rejection.

He may also feel he is being harassed into having a relationship and might be a bit scared and irritated.

If he is, what he says to you may not be that kind and you will be hurt. If you don’t want that, then accept he’s not the one for you and let the matter drop.

What if the baby has some medical condition or genetic trait that could only have come from your lover? Or, what if some medical test in the future proves your husband can’t be the father?

’

My mum is at loggerheads with my fiancee!

Dear Bunmi, I am 29 years old, a fatherto-be and really looking forward to the arrival of my first child. But my happiness is marred by the fact that there is a major storm brewing and I don’t know how to get through it.

The fact is my mum and my fiancee can’t stand the sight of each other. My mum is the domineering type and my woman would not allow her to stick her nose into how she runs the home. This hasn’t gone well with my mum who thinks my wife is spoilt and snooty. She told me she would only see the baby when it’s born without my fiancee even being in the room. My girl is threatening to finish with me if I let this happen.

Their feuding is threatening to ruin the whole event and it’s making me really depressed. I’ve tried to talk to my mum to explain how much all this is affecting me, but she just won’t listen to any reason. So, who should I try to make happy — my fiancee

or my mum?

Julius, by e-mail.

Dear Julius, Who says it’s your job to keep people happy? If your mum and your fiancee want different things, it’s really up to them to sort it all out. After all, why should you end up being the one to suffer from their intolerance? Your best bet is to sit both of them down and tell them that if they’ve got a problem, they should sort it out between themselves.

Refuse to take side or put up with their quarreling.

Instead, try and get them to realise that now the baby is on the way, they’ve got to pull themselves together once and for all.

The era of the dreaded mother-in-law is almost over.

One of the women in your life is about to become a mum.

The other, a grandma. So, they both really need to make up and start tolerating each other and now!

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, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—39

Aig-Imoukhuede: Why the subsidy cabal is fighting back Continues from page 33 and the real sector towards building a stronger economy. I think that the bankers’ committee has become an extremely strong tool for advocacy on how things should be done as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned. I think there is a lot more co-operation and collaboration among the banks. And I thing this primitive competition is a thing of the past in this generation of bankers.

There is a cloud out there on how this small bank, called Access Bank took over a big bank like Intercontinental Bank, given the assertions that Access Bank was at that time indebted to Intercontinental Bank. Can you please clear the cloud?

You know that Access Bank did not owe Intercontinental. If it was, it would be in the books. You know that frankly speaking, up to January last year, Access Bank was never a taker in the interbank market; we were always a placer.

Sometimes, we do favour to the bigger banks. We have always been an extremely liquid bank.

This is one of the things we are extremely known for, is to be extremely liquid. This is one of our ‘paranoid’ philosophies. What was being alluded to then was that some executives of Access Bank had interest in the companies that had loans in Interconti-

time when we did our due diligence for Intercontinental Bank, everybody ran. When we submitted our bid, the CBN has this supervision process where a team is allotted to each bank; our team called us and said, ‘the way you people are thinking of this thing, are you people well?’ So everybody ran.

500 risk points in transaction Nobody other than Access bank showed their interest. And until the day we did the deal, up to the last minutes, we could have walked away. Even our share price started to fall when the news came that we wanted to acquire the bank. Most analysts felt it was a stupid thing; most of them said we should not do it.

Has it turned out for the good of the bank?

Yes but we worked very hard.

And I thank God because it was risky. There were 500 risk points in the transaction and we had mitigants for each one of them.

And we had people in this bank responsible to make sure that those risks do not crystalise.

What did you discover during your assignment in the fuel subsidy payment verification committee that made a very strong impact on you as a person?

The issue is that at the point in time that Access Bank merged with Intercontinental Bank, Access Bank in financial terms was bigger than Intercontinental Bank

,

nental Bank. And Intercontinental never lost a dime, as far as I know, as those loans were some of the best in the books of Intercontinental Bank. They never lost a dime, never forgave interest. I think the more fundamental issue comes from the fact that in Nigeria, mergers and acquisitions are not well understood.

Secondly, you know that the acquisition of Intercontinental Bank came as a result of the fact that Intercontinental Bank was affected bank by the financial crisis and the CBN had to intervene in various ways through AMCON and some other means.

The issue is that at the point in time that Access Bank merged with Intercontinental Bank, Access Bank in financial terms was bigger than Intercontinental Bank. The issue was that Access Bank had 120 branches while Intercontinental had 300 or 400 branches. But financially, a lot of damage had been done to the balance sheet of the bank.

The reality is that at the point in

,

You must have observed that the committee and I myself as the chairman conducted ourselves with dignity and utmost discretion. So public comments on the way we worked and so on are something that we have avoided and we would continue to avoid.

There were just two things that we said, we said that look, we would be driven by the fear of God and love of our country. We said that on those two things we would not compromise under any circumstance. So those are the philosophies behind the way we worked.

So we would be transparent in every respect, we would be fact driven in every respect and we would follow best practices. Our committee members laugh when people try to rewrite history because everything that was done, every letter, every memo, every meeting, every minute, everything was recorded, transcribed, and archived completely. Every interaction with every agency, everybody, and everything is re-

maybe a farmer, or something.

Like a priest?

I like the thought of it but it is the most challenging and I have to be clear I am ready for it. I don’t know, but I have told you which one I am most comfortable with, but if you ask me which one I would be doing or which direction I would be headed come 2014, I can’t tell you.

So what legacy would you be leaving behind?

I think I want to have put in place the foundations of Africa’s most respected bank or the world’s most respected African bank. That is what I want to have put in place firmly- the world’s most respected African bank.

Who is Aig? Can you describe yourself in one sentence?

A driven individual who fears God, loves his family and like to dominate his environment.

There is this assertion that you like to dominate your environment. Is Aig-Imoukhuede.... wants to have put in place the foundations of that why some people Africa’s most respected bank or the world’s most respected African bank. say you are arrogant? I am sure you have heard corded complete. And it is avail- they had left the country in Au- such statements?

Yes, over the course of time but able, that is why we don’t need gust. You remember this thing of to join issues with anybody. If you seeing, but it was as a commit- what tickles me is that if you ask want to know what happened ask tee. I was fortunate that we saw most people who come in contact the relevant parties and they will it. So by the time the threat start- with me, something that they say ed coming, the threat, came, if is that, ‘It is because of your humshow you what happened.

The only thing is that we rea- you don’t think they come, of ble nature’.

I find it funny, in one minute I lised very early, as we began to course they came, and they are see the scale of what was hap- still coming, they come to even am arrogant, the next minute I am humble, I don’t know. I am pening, we did not even care who officers of the bank.

The most worrying thing is that, not arrogant; I definitely know I the people were, we were just looking at companies and yes somebody used the phrase that am not arrogant. I know I am not their principal officers would be just got it, for some of the people the most patient person and I held accountable for the actions who abused the system, ‘they are speak very frankly. So in an enof their companies, but we were addicted to it’, and you know vironment where people are used when somebody is addicted to to culturally enveloping their feellooking at companies. something... So my worry is not ings and emotions, when you see even about their being addicted, somebody speaking frankly you Documentation but to take it away, to stop them might say it is because the perand processes from doing it, that is what they son is arrogant but I am not arroBut it was clear to us that the are fighting. The issue is that they gant.

What would you say was the individuals who have done this, want to continue. That is why what was at stake in financial sometimes I pity our country. Be- most unpleasant moment of terms was frightening, and obvi- cause they are addicted to it, their your career?

Most unpleasant moment is ously what they have also idea is that this thing must reprobably when I was flown out of main; we must continue to chop amassed was frightening, and Nigeria in an air ambulance. Yes, that was why we even took great- it.

You will be retiring end of next most people don’t know that. er pains in terms of our documentation and processes, because it year, (2013) what is you post re- There was something that an arm of government was being exwas clear to us that some of them tirement plan?

Well I think there would be a lot tremely bureaucratic about and would try to use whatever resources they have amassed over- of speculations, which is not which I had to solve myself and time to try to lash out, or lash back strange, as to what one does next. it was at a point of heavy stress And you have different thoughts as I was going through a mediat us.

So much so that you will be sur- from different quarters as to what cal process that was very challengprised that as far back as July, in I should be doing. Let me sum- ing. I was not meant to be movview of the concept of kidnap- marise those thoughts as, when ing around, or be fighting with ping, we took steps against that a banker typically retires there is people to approve certain things.

I was not meant to be doing in July. I am talking of family either the thought that you go and members not of us. So now, serve your country in the public those things that I was doing, I around October when people service or you continue in the pri- remember telling those people, started calling me, where is your vate sector. It is either you leave “you people are killing me, you family, your wife or children, but banking completely and become people are killing me oh”.

C M Y K

40—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Lamido presents N115.4bn budget for 2013

Group rallies support for Delta North guber aspiration

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

D

UTSE—GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has presented a budget proposal of N115.4billion to the State House of Assembly for the 2013 fiscal year for consideration.

The budget tagged: "Taking Jigawa State to the next Level, the 2013 estimate," is higher by five percent compared to the 2012 budget of N104.46 billion.

Lamido said, “the 2013 budget proposal is geared towards actualising our development agenda to impact positively on the socio-economic well being of our people.”

Lamido noted that it was not only targeted at completing ongoing infrastructural projects but also aimed at accelerating the growth and development of the state.

The governor said N57.2 billion, representing 46 percent, was being proposed as recurrent expenditure, comprising personal and overhead costs and consolidated revenue charges while the proposed capital expenditure is N60.2 billion, which represents 62 per cent of the budget.

E

From left: Assistant Provincial Pastor FCT 5, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Greg Nzekwu, Assistant Pastor, Kofoworola Olaosebikan, Parish Pastor, Redemption Centre, Aaron Olaosebikan and Zonal Pastor, Faith Chapel, Pastor Steve Oluyombo during the 50th birthday thanksgiving of Pastor Olaosebikan at Kubwa, Abuja on Sunday.

Senator representing Osun East Senatorial district, Babajide Omoworare, during a Christmas party held for pupils of St. Phillips Primary School Iloro, IleIfe.

Makinde laments increasing rate of road accidents

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—PRELATE of Methodist of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Makinde, has admonished political office holders to minimize the speed at which their convoys drive on the roads and urged them to also obey traffic laws.

Speaking to newsmen at the inauguration St John’s Methodist Church Umukabia Okpuala, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, built by Chief Ikechi Emenike, Makinde regretted increase in high profile road crashes involving high placed persons, describing same as disheartening.

Makinde spoke on the heels of the auto crash involving Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, who is now receiving treatment at an Abuja hospital.

He said the high profile accidents involving senior political office holders were becoming rampant.

His words: “Some of them because they are up there, don’t obey traffic laws. Somebody should teach them traffic laws.”

Besides reckless driving, Makinde also blamed the high rate of accidents on the total collapse of the nation’s road networks across the nation. He called on governments to fix the roads, saying that they had an obligation to fix the roads to save lives.

In his sermon at the dedication of

the church, Makinde commended Chief Emenike for making the church to benefit from his wealth.

He said that the church built in memory of Pa Emenike Uwagbama has become a developmental monument in the area.

In his remarks, Governor The-

odore Orji, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Mercy Odochi and wife of his deputy, Nene Ananaba, said he came to identify with Emenike’s contribution to the development of his community.

....As Salvation Army tasks FG on security, roads repair

BY ETOP EKANEM

L

AGOS — THE Salvation Army has urged the Federal Government to do more to secure lives and property of the citizenry. It also called on government to repair major roads across the country.

In a New Year message, National Leader of the church, Mfon Akpan, admonished citizens to be law-abiding and avoid being used as an experiment, noting: “Citizens should not be too greedy for cheap source of livelihood to the detriment of their lives, thus meeting their waterloo and an end to a promising designed life by God, the Creator, especially as it concerns the breaking of oil pipelines and siphoning of petroleum products.”

Akpan in the message signed

by Ntiense Williams, National Public Relations Coordinator of the church, said “governance should not be a do-or-die affair, but a selfless sacrifice to one’s nation. As elected officials, you should be seen more as a ‘Servant Leader’ and not a ruler. We should eschew politics of bitterness and embrace politics of issues, policy and what one can do to uplift the standard of lives of its citizens.”

He congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for piloting the nation to this stage and advised that they should use the advice of well meaning Nigerian to touch the lives of Nigerians with people-oriented policies and programmes.

He said: “The country is mov-

ing steadily, maybe not at the pace we may want it, but we must first crawl, then walk, before we run. We need to strengthen our democracy, and the rule of law . Power (electricity) has been the bane of our economy, and standard of living, but today, you will agree with me that government is seriously tackling the issue, with electricity becoming relatively stable in the last three months across the country.

“The second and most dangerous of the ills in our present society today is corruption, which had eaten deep into the fabrics of our society. We need a concerted effort and determination from everyone of us to cleanse our country from this menace.”

QUITY and Justice, EJ, a group of socio-economic and political rights campaigners, has called on political leaders in Delta Central and South Senatorial districts to support Delta North in its quest to produce the governor for the state in the next political dispensation.

National Leader of EJ, Mr Amaechi Okobah, who spoke in Onicha-Ugbo, Onicha North Local Government Area of the state, blamed bad leadership, greed and corruption among political office holders for the failure of Nigeria to progress as a country.

“Delta North supported Central and South Senatorial districts, which produced Chief James Ibori (Central) and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (South). So, for equity and justice, they should also support Delta North in 2015.”

Govt urged to encourage sugar farming in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—FORMER Commissioner for Lands Survey and Urban Development in Delta State, Mr Raymos Guanah, has called on the Federal and state governments to encourage farmers in the state in the cultivation of sugar cane.

Guanah, interim chairman of Sugar Cane Growers Association, SCGA, Delta State Chapter, noted that the Federal Government’s plan to ban the importation of raw sugar was an opportunity for farmers to grow sugar cane in the country, adding that there are potentials in the crop.

He said: “Over 80 per cent of the ingredient of sugar is gotten from sugar cane, urged the state government to put in place a policy that will pave way for civil servants to own farms, as it will reduce the food needs of the nation.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2013—41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 2, 2013

Flood victims return home to uncertainties

By EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South-South, SAM OYADONGHA, Bayelsa, AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba, EMMA ARUBI, Warri, JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Rivers, and FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

F

OR persons displaced by the recent flood disaster in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, it is not likely that life will return to normal soon given the enormous damage caused to their homes and means of livelihood.

After about a month or two in the relief camps set up by the state governments and some non-governmental organizations, the internally displaced persons, IDPs, have returned to their various communities from where they fled, to face the obvious reality.

In the affected states, the state governments set up post flood management committees to manage the affairs of the flood victims. In Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan raised a

In Delta, stipends ranging from N5,000 and N3,000 were given to every adult and child registered in the camps as fare back home, but the rebuilding of damaged homes of the victims have not started

,

committee led by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Tabai, while in Bayelsa State, the governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, appointed the former National Security Adviser, late Gen Owoeye Azazi to chair the committee.

Delta gov, Uduaghan C M Y K

Majority of the victims were from the riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states. Besides their ravaged homes, their farms and fishing businesses were extensively dislocated.

Some of the states have also commenced fumigation of flood-devastated homes, farmlands, hospitals and public facilities, which were used as campsites for the IDPs. In Delta, stipends ranging from N5,000 and N3,000 were given to every adult and child registered in the camps as fare back home, but the rebuilding of damaged homes of the victims have not started.

Uduaghan stated in his 2013 budget proposal: “In view of the devastating effect of flooding that ravaged places like Asaba, Kwale, Patani, Warri, Uvwie, Sapele and other places, this year, we will ensure that our natural waterways are free to enable discharge of water to drains.

Thus, the sum of N2billion is set aside for flood intervention mea-

,

sures across the state. This is outside other provisions such as N2bn and N850m for Asaba and Warri drainage projects respectively.”

Despite the fact that the flood had receded and most of the victims had returned home, the ugly

Bayelsa gov, Dickson

Flooded....when water turned man’s enemy

memories of the rage still haunt them. There were tales of some government officials disappearing with relief materials provided by government, corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to cater for them in the camps and thieves breaking into the camps to steal food items.

Some of the victims spoke to our reporters on their bitter experiences before and after the flood, as well as how they are re-adjusting back to life. The assignment for members of the Committee on Management of the Federal Government Fund and Post Flooding Rehabilitation of Victims in Delta State was not without some drama. In the first week of their tour of flood ravaged communities in November, some youths at Ojobo, a river-

ine community in Burutu Local Government Area, hijacked the boat conveying the chairman and members the Delta Committee on the Management of Flood Disaster/Post-Flooding Rehabilitation of Victims.

This was after the committee members escaped being lynched at Our Lady’s school in Bomadi by internally displaced persons, IDPs, who desperately wanted their share of the N500 million released to flood victims in the state by the Federal Government.

The committee started its assessment tour in North Senatorial district of the state, 24 hours after it was inaugurated penultimate Monday, and moved to the riverine areas in the South Senatorial district, where the unfortunate incident occurred.

Rivers gov, Amaechi

Vanguard gathered that it was at Camp 2, Ojobo, shortly after the committee left Camp 1, that the chair of the committee, Justice Francis Tabai, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and his members were seized by the youths, who held them for several hours, demanding their share of the federal government largesse. A community leader, simply identified as Mike, however, saved the situation when he prevailed on the youths to release the chair and other members of the committee at about 5.10 pm.

Far reaching recommendations A source told Vanguard, “A journey that began at about 10.40 am finally ended at about 8.02 pm. The committee made farreaching recommendations in its interim report to Governor Uduaghan, who has taken steps to implement some of them. However, what is clear now is that the state governments are not talking about rebuilding of the victims houses damaged by the flood because of the money required to do it. They are only talking about distribution of farm and fishing inputs, fumigation and other necessities like food and clothes.

Vanguard gathered that trillions of naira was required to handle the technical aspect, which includes flood channelizaContinues on page 43

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 2, 2013— 43

ey and start afresh.

“My leaving early has turned out to be a wise decision. I was able to buy fishing gear with the money given to me by my younger brother based in Port Harcourt.

I must confess fishing has been booming. I have to save money and erect a new structure for house my family. We are a resilient people and we just have to come to terms with the reality on ground if we must walk with our dignity intact.”

Another victim, who pleaded anonymity said, “My eldest son is in the university, two others are in secondary school, and how can I meet up the demand? As a farmer, I was able to build a structure (mud house) and presently as I speak to you, flood had washed it away, where am I going to live with my family members?

Bitter experience

Internally displaced persons receiving some relief materials at an IDP camp

Flood victims return home to uncertainties tion projects, building of new towns and embankments, which none of the states appears financially prepared for now.

Flood victims dazed in Bayelsa

*Gov rules out monetary compensation

SAMUEL OYADONGHA reports from Bayelsa: Though, the water level of the busted rivers, creeks and rivulets in Bayelsa, which ravaged most communities, has ebbed, normalcy is gradually returning to the impacted communities. Indigenes who fled their homes in the wake of the inundation, the worst in over 50 years have since returned to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Ironically, while many were put to flight by the rampaging flood, few others chose to brave it for fear that hoodlums might burgle their homes. This group of persons, especially women, resorted to petty trading at the relief camps and the fortunate dry areas eke a living. As dwellers on the riverbank, Bayelsans are very much accustomed with seasonal flood, but this year’s deluge, described as unparalleled in the history of flooding, has further exposed the vulnerability of the hapless natives.

For ages, communities that lived by the riverbanks, tended their fields, and coped with subsequent flooding during the rainy season, which largely is crucial for agriculture, as it not only nourished their farmlands with alluvia, but also brings about

boom in fishing activities during the rising and ebbing of the water level. Nevertheless, the marked remains of the water level on building walls stand as grim reminders of the agonizing pain this year flood inflicted on the people.

Bayelsans will not forget the flood in a hurry even as the victims begin to pick up the pieces of their lives. While some returned to intact homes, others came back to ramshackle and burgled homes on the verge of collapsing due to the water action. The state government’s response to the flood disaster was swift as it ordered immediate closure of public schools and evacuation of victims from the impacted communities to relief camps, where they were catered for during their moment of grief.

Relocating to IDPs homes The IDPs were somewhat satisfied with the treatment they received while in camp and that might have informed the refusal of many to vacate the camps, even when ordered to relocate to their homes. In addition, individuals and corporate organizations, including the oil companies, telecom service providers, donor agencies, security agencies and construction companies provided relief materials for the victims to assuage their plight. Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, recently donated N500 million, an equivalent of the grant the Federal Government gave to each of the worst hit states to Bayelsa State.

For John Ogbobio, a Yenagoa-

based local publisher whose home in Swali, went under water, life must go on. He was philosophical about the unfortunate incident and merely described it as one of the tragedies of life.

“The flood is no doubt a sad reminder of how vulnerable man is to the powerful forces of nature,” he said noting that the emotional impact of the traumatic event may be felt for years, especially for many who lost everything, their means of survival, their crops and property.

Ogbobio, who counted himself lucky to have a relation that he put up with during the days of reckoning, however, lauded the state government’s efforts in ensuring the speedy evacuation of those in the riverside communities. He also commended the closure of public schools, which not only saved the children from possible disaster associated with flooding, but also served as relief camps for the army of displaced persons.

The publisher, an ex-soldier said: “I am not expecting much from the government though I lost some of my property but I would appreciate any assistance from the government, which from all indications tried its best in the face of the enormous challenges that confronted the state.”

Evacuation of relief camps Simeon Ebilade whose only means of training his children in school was destroyed by the flood, expressed gratitude to God for using the state governor to spare their lives through his

prompt intervention by ordering their evacuation to relief camps where they were taken care of.

With tears-filled eyes, this farmer and father of three, told our correspondent that the memory of the recent flood and its attendant losses will forever linger in his memory.

He noted: “At least we had shelter, food and medication though we would have wished for more. Though life in the camp was not rosy, we had roof over our head and the experience af-

,

Continues from page 42

“It has been a bitter experience and I am trying not to remember it, but it is difficult for me to do away with the memory. I hope the government will come to our aid. They have tried in terms of providing relief materials to us, but that is not the most important thing. Our children need to go back to school, our homes have been destroyed and most of us now have no means of survival and the federal and state governments need to do something about our plight.”

Also narrating his ordeal, Elder Obuh said, “We sustained heavy losses. Rehabilitating our family house would require enormous resources and we need financial assistance from the appropriate authorities to enable us resettle. Life in the camp was not easy. There was no privacy but we are grateful to the govern-

I just have to carry on with my life. I knew the government would definitely ask us to leave one day since the relief camps were public institutions and the children would to return to class for academic work

forded me the opportunity to reconcile with my creator and plan ahead for the post flood.”

Ebilade who claimed to have lost everything to the flood said he opted out of the camp on his volition to fish in the troubled waters that violated his community. “I just have to carry on with my life. I knew the government would definitely ask us to leave one day since the relief camps were public institutions and the children would to return to class for academic work. I knew that in spite of the damages inflicted on us by the flood, waiting perpetually for the government would be foolhardy, so I left with my wife back to our community to engage in fishing when I discovered that the water was fast receding to enable me raise mon-

,

ment for all they did for us during our moment of grief. However, it is good to be home. It is our expectation that the government will continue to identify with us as we struggle to put the past behind us.”

Another victim, Mrs. Virginia Anolue, like some flood victims, stayed put with her family in their impacted home by erecting platform to secure their property, instead of relocating to the relief camp. She said it was impossible to forget the flood but thanked God for protecting her family. She said she resorted to petty trading to augment the income of her husband and pleaded with the government to assist them to pick up the pieces of our lives by giving them soft loan.

Continues tomorrow C M Y K

44— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESD AY, JANUARY 2, 2013 —45 WEDNESDA

COMMON

• Fruits and vegetables are amomg the most powerful cancer-fighting foods you can get.

New year, new you:

Eat your way out of cancer

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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REVENTION is the best form of cure. The best way to treat disease is to prevent it from ever forming in the first place.

Start off the new year by eating foods rich in cancer-fighting vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants.

Eating plenty of foods with proven anti-cancer benefits can make all the difference between a vibrant, diseasefree life, or becoming just another statistic of the "sick-care" industry.

As part of your new year resolution, just try to do the following: Obtain clean, organic, chemical-free fruits and vegetables Apples, lettuce, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, celery, and various other soft and porous produce items tend to retain the highest levels of chemical residues, so it is especially important to purchase organic varieties of these items.

Eat plenty of alkaline-forming foods Since cancer requires an "acidic" bodily state in order to thrive, it is also important to eat organic fruits and vegetables, mineral water, and raw almonds.

Avoid eating acid-forming foods Things like processed vegetable oils, refined sugars, processed flours, coffee, and alcohol. Maintaining a proper acidalkaline balance is something your body is already pre-programmed to do, of course, but feeding it the nutrients it needs to ensure an optimal balance is critical for thwarting cancer.

Consume cruciferous vegetables Cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are superior when it comes to blocking formation of cancer tumours. The sulforaphane content alone, which is even more amplified

when they are eaten in sprout form, has been shown to have a prolific ability to destroy and eradicate cancer cells.

Cruciferous vegetables are also loaded with powerful antioxidants and phytochemicals that detoxify carcinogens from the body before they even get the chance to damage cells.

Eat organic apples every day This to help prevent cancer, as this fruit's unique combination of fibre, free radical-fighting antioxidants, and phenolic compounds kill cancer cells and inhibit their spread. Apple peels by themselves have been shown to contain at least 12 anti-cancer nutrients that protect the liver, colon, breasts, and other organs against cancer.

Apple seeds are also loaded with an anti-cancer compound known as amygdalin, which is also found in almonds, peach pits, and other fruit seeds, that basically trick cancer cells into dying by releasing deadly toxins from their glucose component.

Clean, fluoride-free, alkaline water is vital for preventing cancer. Not only does the digestive system rely on a steady stream of clean water to dilute toxic compounds in the bowel and flush them from your system, but your cells also require water to stay hydrated.

Try the Gerson Diet The Gerson Diet promotes full-body detoxification in conjunction with the

heavy input of nutrients via juicing and the consumption of whole, organic foods.

A key component requires regularly taking coffee enemas as well, for the purpose of directly flushing your liver, colon, and other vital organs of built-up toxins so they can function at full capacity.

"Guidelines for General Nutrition from the Gerson Persepctive," which incorporates a diet that is 75 percent composed of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, and to a lesser extent potatoes, wholegrain breads (if you are not allergic to wheat or gluten), and organic dairy products. The other 25 percent of the diet may include foods like grass-fed meats, fish, pastured eggs, nuts, and the occasional sweet treat.

Vision 20:2020:

NOTAP canvasses more science, technology reporting

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

F

OR Nigeria to attain vision 20:2020 and other development plans , media practitioners have been charged to showcase to the world the country's areas of opportunities and strengthen in Science, Technology and Innovation, STI, in their science and technology reporting.

Director General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, Dr. Umar Buba Bindir, who gave the charge in Lagos during a workshop for media practitioners on science and technology reporting, urged the media to hit the world with news on areas where Nigeria has made progress in science and technology.

"If we undermine STI, vision 20:2020 will be a mirage. We must promote Nigerian technology . Except we brand

Nigeria it will be difficult to achieve progress" , he said.

The NOTAP boss expressed regrets that 50 years after independence, Nigeria has global products nor companies despite our rich intellectual property.

"If we remain doing things in the way we have done in the last 32 years, we cannot get it right. We need to know our strength, weakness, opportunities and threat in our strategic thinking in order to get it right."

Bindir also called on government to look into the opportunities in the nation's research institutions such as the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, the bio-technology sector and some other science and technology based universities and polytechnics and harness these opportunities for

development.

Earlier , the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Bassey Ewa, represented by Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, FIIRO, Dr Gloria Elemo, said technology information can effectively impact national development only when it is properly and consistently communicated to all and sundry.

"There is a growing understanding within the Scientific Community on the recurring need to strengthen linkages, partnerships and networks with media practitioners as critical stakeholders, who are also acknowledged information gatekeepers. This partnership is essentially critical towards effectively stimulating documenting, translating, documenting, translating and communicating science technology and innovation to the public", he said.

46 —

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

World landmarks elections of 2012 ARK Geun-hye of Saenuri, or New S/Korea elects first Pthe Obama retains the White House seat Frontier Party - is the first

BY HUGO ODIOGOR & EMEKA AGINAM with agency reports

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama has been reelected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.

America’s first black president secured more than the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win.

In his victory speech before supporters in Chicago, Mr Obama said he would talk to Mr Romney about “where we can work together to move this country forward”.

Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a hardfought challenge by Mr Romney.

Obama took office amid

Japan elects Abe PM

S

HINZO Abe, 58, became Japan’s prime minister after his Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) landslide election win.

With his election as LDP leader in September 2012, he returned to Japan’s political stage, quickly expressing a strong stance on territorial rows with China and South Korea.

Hails from a political family. His father was foreign minister and grandfather was prime minister.

Mr Abe served as Japanese prime minister between 2006 and 2007 but stepped down, citing ill health, as support for his administration plummeted.

•Abe

one of the worst recessions in decades.

And as the nation went back to the polls, the US unemployment rate hovered stubbornly just below 8%.

•Obama

The Democratic Party suffered historic losses in the mid-term polls in November 2010, with the Republicans emerging energised and more determined than ever to promote their conservative agenda and stymie the president’s plans.

Barack Hussein Obama made history on 4 November 2008 when he easily defeated Republican rival John McCain to become the first black president of the United States.

Ailing Chavez holds in Venezuela

V

ENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez was on October 7, 2012, re-elected as president for a new sixyear at the helm of the oilrich South American country, vowing to press forward with his socialist reforms.

The ebullient leader is 58 years old and has been visibly weakened by two surgeries for cancer which he is battling currently.

Chavez won more than 54% of the vote to defeat Henrique Capriles

F

R A N C E ’ s President Francois Hollande was born in Rouen, France in 1954. He attended a series of elite French schools and joined the Socialist Party in 1979.

First elected to the Ussel town council, he went on to win a National Assembly seat in 1988. He was made chair of the Socialist Party and announced a bid for the

female President

•Ms Park

Morsi ends the reign of ‘Pharaohs’ in Egypt

T

•Chavez Radonski in Sunday ’s closely watched election.

It was the fourth presidential election victory for Chavez, who has been in office since 1999.

France: Hollande takes over

•Hollande

female president of South Korea , a country that has the highest level of gender inequality in the developed world.

Ms Park, 60, is the daughter of former President Park Chunghee.

At the age of just 22, she was thrust into the political limelight, becoming South Korea’s first lady when her mother was shot dead in 1974 hit by a North Korean assassin’s bullet that was intended for her husband.

For five years, Ms Park was charged with receiving the spouses of foreign heads of state at the Blue House, South Korea’s presidential residence.

presidency in 2011, and beat incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy to become France’s 24th president in 2012.

As part of his new year roadmap, he still plans to raise the top rate of income tax after his 75% plan was struck down on technical grounds.

In a national address on New Year’s Eve, he said the law would be redesigned, adding, “we will still ask more of those who have the most”.

However, he did not mention the 75% figure, leading some to speculate that the move would be watered down.

The president also promised “all efforts” towards cutting unemployment.

HE chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party, Mohammed Morsi, won the presidential election in 2012 to become Egypt’s first freelyelected head of state.

Born in 1951 and trained as an engineer at home and in the United States, Mohammed Morsi served as an independent MP in 2000-2005.

The Brotherhood was not officially allowed to stand for parliament at the time.

A veteran member of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, which founded the Freedom and Justice Party as its political wing after the

•Morsi 2011 uprising, he only became its presidential candidate when it became clear that the electoral commission was going to disqualify initial Brotherhood hopeful Khairat al-Shater.

He narrowly beat Ahmed Shafiq, a

Mubarak-era general and former prime minister, in an election run-off marred by a low turnout and haunted by rumours of vote-fixing and a possible military coup to pre-empt his win.

Coptic Christians, liberals and many women remain to be convinced that the president will respect their rights, despite his protestations.

Mr Morsi quickly clashed with the army, which tried to award itself legislative powers after the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the newly elected parliament, which was dominated by Mr Morsi’s Islamist allies.

Ghana: Mahama takes over from Attah

P

RESIDENT John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the Ghana’s 2012 presidential poll after pooling 5,574,761 representing 50.70% as against his close contender, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akufo-Addo who had 5,248,898 of the valid votes cast, representing 47.74%.

President John Dramani Mahama is Ghana’s Fourth President of the Fourth Republic. He was born

on November 29, 1958 at Damango, in the Northern Region of Ghana.

He is a communication expert, historian, writer, former Member of Parliament and Minister of State, and immediate former Vice-President of Ghana.

He ascended to the high office of Presidency following the death of the incumbent President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in Accra.

President Mahama’s father, Mr Emmanuel Adama Mahama was the

•Mahama first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja Constituency and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region during Ghana’s First Republic.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 47

•The world welcomes the New Year, 2013

Senate approves “fiscal cliff” deal T

HE Senate moved the U.S. economy back from the edge of a “fiscal cliff ” yesterday , voting to avoid imminent tax hikes and spending cuts in a bipartisan deal that could still face stiff challenges in the House of Representatives.

In a rare New Year’s session at around 2 a.m.

EST (0700 GMT), senators voted 89-8 to raise some taxes on the wealthy while making permanent low tax rates on the middle class that have been in place for a decade.

But the measure did little to rein in huge annual budget deficits that have helped push the U.S. debt to $16.4 trillion.

The agreement came too late for Congress to meet its own deadline of New Year’s Eve for passing laws to halt $600 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts which strictly speaking came into force on Tuesday.

But with the New Year’s Day holiday, there was no real world impact and Congress still had time to

draw up legislation, approve it and backdate it to avoid the harsh fiscal measures. That will need

the backing of the House where many of the Republicans who control the chamber complain

ECRETARY of State Hillary Rodham Clinton continues to recover in a New York hospital where she’s being treated for a blood clot in her head.

Her doctors say blood thinners are being used to dissolve the clot and they are confident she will make a full recovery. Clinton didn’t

and is too concerned with raising taxes.

All eyes were now on the House which held a

session yesterday, even as Obama called for the House to act quickly and follow the Senate’s lead.

Bozize urges CAR rebels to disarm

C

ENTRAL African Republic President Francois Bozize yesterday urged rebels threatening to enter the capital to lay down their arms and let him complete the last three years of his term.

Fighters encamped within 75 km (45 miles)

•President Obama

Stampede claims 60 in Ivory Coast

A

BOUT 60 people were crushed to death in a stampede outside a stadium in Ivory Coast’s main city of Abidjan after a New Year ’s Eve fireworks display, the government said yesterday.

The incident took place near Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium where a crowd had gathered to watch fireworks,

emergency officials said.

One of the injured, speaking to Reuters at a hospital, said security forces had arrived to break up the crowd, triggering a panic in which many people fell over and were trampled.

“The provisional death toll is 60 and there are 49 injured,” Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko said in a

Clinton recuperates in New York hospital

S

that President Barack Obama has shown little interest in cutting government spending

suffer a stroke or neurological damage from the clot that formed after she suffered a concussion during a fainting spell at her home in early December, doctors said in a statement Monday.

Clinton, 65, was admitted to New YorkPresbyterian Hospital on Sunday when the clot turned up on a follow-up

•Hillary Clinton exam on the concussion, Clinton spokesman Phillipe Reines said.

statement broadcast on national television.

President Alassane Ouattara, visiting injured people at the hospital, called the incident a national tragedy and said an investigation was underway to determine what happened.

A Reuters correspondent said blood stains and abandoned shoes littered the scene outside the stadium yesterday.

“My two children came here yesterday. I told them not to come but they didn’t listen. They came when I was sleeping.

What will I do?” said Assetou Toure, a cleaner.

She did not know if her children had escaped unhurt.

The incident was the worst of its kind in Abidjan since 2010, when a stampede at a stadium during a football match killed 18 people.

of the capital Bangui accuse Bozize of reneging on a 2007 deal to give money and jobs to former rebels, and their leaders are now split over whether to accept an offer of new talks. The rebellion poses the biggest threat yet to Bozize’s near 10-year rule over the former French colony - one of the world’s poorest nations despite its rich deposits of uranium, gold and diamonds.

“I repeat that I will not

be a candidate in the 2016 election, so let me finish my mandate, I only have three years left,” Bozize said in a New Year ’s Day address broadcast on state radio in the country’s Sango language.

Bozize criticized his own army for a string of defeats during the Seleka rebels’ three-week advance on the city, and thanked troops from neighboring Chad for reinforcing.

Assad intensifies attack on Syrians

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YRIA and President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and rebels fought on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, yesterday.

A year ago, many diplomats and analysts predicted Assad would leave power in 2012. But despite international pressure and rebel gains, he has proved resilient.

His inner circle remains largely intact and retains control of the armed forces, even if it relies on air strikes and artillery power to hold back the rebels fighting to overthrow him.

The air force pounded

Damascus’s eastern suburbs on Tuesday and rebel-held areas of Aleppo, the second city and commercial capital, as well as several rural towns and villages, opposition activists said.

Opposition video posted on the Internet showed plumes of grey smoke rising in Irbin, in the east of Damascus.

Residents of the capital began the new year to the boom of artillery hitting southern and eastern outskirts, which form a rebel-held arc around the capital. The heart of the city is still firmly under government control.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Why I'm opposed to PIB — Sen Ibrahim •Additional funds for oil producing states is unacceptable ALHAJI Bukar Abbah Ibrahim is a Senator representing Yobe East in the Upper Legislative Chamber. His recent call on the Federal Government to yield to the proposal of the dreaded Islamist sect, otherwise known as Boko Haram by engaging the sect in a dialogue in far away Saudi Arabia, has no doubt sparked off verbal war in some quarters of the country. But speaking with reporters in Abuja, the former Yobe State governor explained the reasons for his position. He also threw light on why the North is opposed to the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly. Excerpts:

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AN Nigeria's situation give rise to revolution?

You see, nobody wishes revolution to happen but they just happen. Revolutions are spontaneous reactions to certain situations. A situation can get to a certain stage and people cannot bear it any more, everything erupts and then the revolution comes. So nobody can see it coming but the elements are there, when the country is so blessed with so much resources like we are in Nigeria and yet everybody complains of being poor and suffering.

The poverty level is on the increase rather than decreasing.

These are situations that can push the poor to the level they cannot withstand again and then everything erupts. That is how it happens but nobody wishes it happen here. The only thing we need to do is to be conscious of our ways. We need to take care of the poor and the poorest of the poor.

The resources are there, but we don't just have the kind of leadership that will galvanize these resources for everybody to benefit. That is all I can say on revolution.

On other issues That is just by the way, there are many other burning issues in Nigeria. I have recently talked about the marginalization, the criminal neglect of the North East geo-political zone, I have given facts and figures and I have given reasons for my belief and I believe in those things, that is why I keep on talking about it.

The North East zone remains the largest geo-political zone and the most neglected of all the six geopolitical zones in the country. Of course, I know that at one stage or the other, the various zones have complained about marginalization. The East complained bitterly about marginalization, it even led us to a civil war. But at last we had to

resolve the issue on a round table.

In the South, the militants rose against the states, so many lives were lost but we eventually solved it by sitting on a round table and declared amnesty for them. Today, the South South is the bride of Nigeria, they enjoy the best of everything.

The North East today is being marginalised, that is the reason we have just given, we just hope other Nigerians will consciously help us solve our problem, the poverty there is unbelievable. If you go there, you don't need to be told, just go round, don't talk to anybody, if you are an honest person, when you come back, you will quite agree that yes, this place has actually been neglected for so long.

Studies after studies have shown it as the poorest part of Nigeria, not because of lack of natural resources but because of total neglect. Although, I can't blame Jonathan, Yar'Adua or any particular leader for what happened there.

There is the Petroleum Industry Bill. This bill will be passed so as to bring reform in the petroleum industry, the most corrupt industry and probably, the most corrupt institution in the whole world. If at the end of 2013, Mr President can assent to this bill and pass it into law, I will be very happy.

I think he must muster courage to declare free education up to the secondary school level in Nigeria. If he just does that and by 2015, tells us bye bye, we will be grateful to him for life, forever.

If he doesn't, then that is where he fails, afterall, we are about to merge, that is the ANPP, ACN,CPC and the Rochas APGA and part of Labour Party to become one strong progressive social party, very soon we will take this monster called PDP out of power. That is the only way we can defeat PDP and if Nigerians give us credible alternative, so many things will happen.

*Sen Ibrahim On his opposition to PIB The issue of the Petroleum Industry Bill, the power of the minister must be reduced. This issue of communities getting 13 per cent of whatever is gotten from oil in addition to all sources of revenue for the oil producing states which has now divided the country into two with oil producing states with more than everything they need and squandering the oil riches and the non oil states which are more in number, on the other side hardly surviving, hardly paying salaries and hardly doing anything, has to stop.

For me, for anybody to talk about additional funds for the so called oil producing states at this stage is unacceptable. Let the money go into the treasury so that every Nigerian can benefit from it.

Afterall, nobody planted oil, nobody farms oil, it is God who puts it there. We don't know, oil may not last for ever, it will get to a stage where the oil may disappear and other resources will be relevant. If Nigeria remains one, we expect these other resources to be made available for all Nigerians. We know that at one stage, South

South was very very marginalized, criminally marginalized. But today, they

,

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

50s in Egypt. It started in Egypt during the Nasser's presidency.

It is just that Boko Haram that time was committed to fighting western interest in Arab land.

Just western interests, it was not about religion per se. And Nasser beheaded their leader in Cairo in 1950s and then the followers spread to North Africa, down to Nigeria.

When they came to Nigeria initially but I don't know who they were, they settled in Niger State and the then National Security Adviser, General Gusau dislodged them. They moved to Kano and were also dislodged in Kano, they are now operating as a religious sect rather than a sect devoted to fight western interest per se.

They were doing the normal sermon, the normal preaching like any other religious sect. They eventually came to my state when I was a governor. They went and took a portion of Yobe and said this is their own land.

They said this is not part of Nigeria; they are going to make this place like Kano city in five years that it is going to be an independent Taliban State.

President Olusegun Obasanjo,at that time, deployed the military and that unit was crashed. Some were killed, others were arrested and those arrested were taken to prison in Portiskum.

For me, for anybody to talk about additional funds for the so called oil producing states at this stage is unacceptable. Let the money go into the treasury so that every Nigerian can benefit from it know what is happening, they have taken it far to the right from their own side, they need to balance it so that the so called non oil producing states will not rise against the oil producing states and further polarize the already polarised Nigerian society.

On Boko Haram In terms of security, dialogue still remains the best. It is not the only way out but I believe it still remains the best. I think we are still revolving around the same issues.

There is no need to go over so many of them but for the purpose of clarity, we have to. You see, the issue of Boko Haram is an organization that started in the

,

For quite some time, they did not appear any where again, and then suddenly they appeared in Maiduguri, they started having problems with the police. The police killed some of their members.

When they were going to burry one of their dead members, they killed about 19 of them and they still continued with their preaching. And they were really turning the heads of young people left, right and centre all over the North East,not just Maiduguri.

They were very very strong preachers in the Islamic sense.

And then eventually, the thing erupted in Maiduguri and that issue, we all know how it was silenced.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 49

PDP has no opposition — Ogidi FORMER chairman, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, , Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, in this interview spoke on the de-registration of political parties, the PDP and his political aspiration in 2015. Excerpts:

BY LAJA THOMAS

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E-REGISTRATION of some political parties by

INEC It came too late. In other countries, there are other parties but they try to win, even their local areas. But ours could not win. They depend so much on government. They can’t even win a ward election for councillorship. Why are you registering them? What are we talking about? Let’s be serious for once. You don’t just throw the window open. What is the essence of having a party? When I was PDP chairman in Delta State, when we hold meetings, when you look at some of their representatives, I don’t even know how they appointed them.

They’re ruse. To contest an election is very expensive. The Nigerian way, you must have offices, they don’t have. They can’t pay the rent of their offices.

They depend on the stipend from the government. They share it and fight over the money.

Possibility of the opposition party taking over in 2015

When you talk about opposition, is there really an opposition anywhere? Many parties have basic problems; they don’t have ideology. Check all the parties? Unfortunately many of them have been crushed.

It is only the PDP that is the real party that has a root. People just walk in and walk out of other parties. If there was a real party, it was the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

ACN is actually PDP. It was formed by PDP. ACN and Accord were all parts of PDP. That is why you see people crossing from one party to another. There is no really hard and fact rule about it.

As part of democracy, you don’t just sit down and get the manna from heaven In this country, the PDP has no opposition, not even now or in the near future.

You said, there is no opposition; it is only PDP, is it good for the growth of democracy?.

So, I should go and create opposition? I agree with you that it is not good for the growth of democracy. Look at the United States, who is the next Secretary

*Ogidi of State? They have submitted his name. He is Senator Kelly.

Where is he from? He is a Republican.

Unfortunately for us in Nigeria, when you win an election, it’s the winner takes all. Yes, it is good to take all but if you know that the other party has people that share your common goals, you can also appoint them.

But most time when we appoint them, they go there and do something else. PDP has been magnanimous.

We don’t look at Nigeria as our country, that is the problem. If we are criticising really because we want the country to develop, I concede. But most of the time, we just look for what to criticise.

I went to The Gambia, for three days, I didn’t hear any horn. I had to call taxi man if they did not have horn, he said they have but they only horn when there is something. I was touched. But today in Nigeria, it is only cow that people will run away from.

A vehicle will be coming, the car will horn but people will not leave the road.

What I think we should have is to go back to the basics, reorientation because the churches have failed us, a whole lot have failed us. I was lucky when I was growing up, I was not trained at home only by my parents, I was trained along the road. As you were going to school, people were checking us,

asking what kind of uniform we were putting on. It is not so again today. Even in our days, students were well dressed.

From the home, you get to the church, there is discipline in the church. Today in most of the churches, there is no discipline.

They are telling you, you can dress anyhow. You can do anything, all they want is money.

We have a problem there and I don’t know what we are going to do about it.

Like my church, thank God we still have discipline there but not as before. At least I know when you commit an offence in the house, your parents take you to church for discipline. We don’t do that again. Today, you want to correct a child, you can’t. It is a problem.

I feel sad. I don’t know how we can go back to it. We need it. The basic problem in Nigeria today is discipline. The corruption we are talking about is because indiscipline has gained so much root in our system. When you are disciplined, you won’t be corrupt.

We have too many excess luggage, that is the problem.

People want to follow you, they don’t want to walk. So, it is challenging.

The Delta North people are aspiring for the governorship seat of Delta State in 2015; they felt it is their turn. What is the place of Delta Central and the Isoko people in particular?

It is true in PDP that we agreed to power shift but in practice, you wrestle power. You don’t just sit down and say Delta North, give it to me. That is why at the centre, all elections, must be contested.

Roc has is long on empty pr omises — Duruiheoma ochas promises

BY NNAMDI OJIEGO CHIEF Eze Duruiheoma, SAN, is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State. In this interview, he explains why the party challenged the outcome of the 2011 governorship election in the state, despite congratulating the winner. He also speaks on the sacking of Local Government chairmen in Imo state and his efforts to reposition the party ahead 2015 among other issues.

Excerpts:

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HORTLY after the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, declared Okorocha the winner of the 2011 governorship election, PDP candidate, Ikedi Ohakim congratulated him.

Why did you turn around to challenge his victory at the tribunal?

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary-General of the United Nations once announced that he would not go for a second term

but he later changed his mind and decided to contest again.

When he was asked why he changed his mind, he answered: Only a fool cannot change his mind. That is only part of the point. The truth about it was that at that time, even the PDP joined in congratulating the governor.

And you will agree with me that that is a show of good faith and good faith should beget good faith. But when these things happened, the governor instead of reciprocating the good faith, the goodwill from us, took up an aggressive posture, took up a very hostile posture towards the PDP. Is that why you went to court?

Of course we needed to let him know that it takes two to tango. If we did this to show you goodwill, you owe us something in return.

But when you now proved to us that you didn’t owe us anything, we then went to court to remind him that there were irregularities during the election. So, on the one hand, that is what happened. But all that is history now.

Now that the election/court matters are done and dusted, what’s next for your party?

To settle down to play opposition politics in the state just like the governor has settled down to govern.

And you think you are a vibrant opposition to the ruling APGA? Of course. Opposition politics calls for everything you can muster, it calls for creativeness, pro-activeness and alertness of the mind. It demands too much from you so that you are on top of every situation. I can tell you it has not been a pleasant experience.

What policies of this administration have you taken a stand on?

PDP as a party has been raising its voice against unpopular policies of the government through the media. When the government came up with the idea of relocating Imo State University to another place, the party raised its voice against the move.

We took up that matter, issued

releases stating our stand. We also did the same to every other unpopular decisions of the this administration. For example, the opening of the road that causes regular congestion along Assumpta Avenue. PDP was the first group of people that condemned the decision. The opening of that road is the reason for the traffic congestion at Assumpta Avenue. Not many people noticed it before we did and so many other things.

On free education We have repeatedly said it here that this administration is very long on promises but short in fulfillment. Take for example, the issue of free eduction. When this government came up with the idea of free education, they didn’t know what they were going into but now it is becoming obvious that they can’t achieve free education at the university level.

It is dishonesty to talk about free education at the primary and secondary school levels because, they have been always there.

Free education at the primary school level has been there from

*Duruiheoma the period of UBE and it has not changed. Free education at secondary school level has also been there. What may be new is university level. What our people need is not this type of free education that is being bandied about.

50—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

2013 'll be better—Gov Dickson zSays 2012, a very challenging year for Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGA

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ENAGOA—BAYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson said yesterday that the outgone year threw up some of the most difficult challenges for the state.

Dickson cited the devastating flood that ravaged the state and the tragic helicopter crash which claimed lives of Governor Patrick Yakowa and General Andrew Owoye Azazi alongside four other patriotic Nigerians.

In his new year message to the people of the state, Governor Seriake Dickson expressed optimism that 2013 would be better than the previous year.

His words, “As we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, we are always hopeful and prayerful that the new year will be better than the previous one.

“The year 2012 was particularly very challenging for us as a state in many respects. Not only were we confronted with a devastating flood which had most of our communities submerged and rendered many of our people homeless; we also suffered the tragedy of an helicopter crash which claimed the lives of two prominent Nigerians and four others.

Laments death of Azazi, Yakowa “The death of Governor Patrick Yakowa and General Owoye Azazi along with four other patriotic Nigerians who died in the ill-fated crash is still fresh in our hearts. For most of us, we are still mourning their departure. Once again, let me seize this opportunity to commiserate with the families of the departed souls.

Please be rest assured that our prayers are with you always.

“As a government, we enter this New Year with a renewed zeal to rise up from the tragedies which has befallen us in 2012 to encourage ourselves in the Lord, especially with the knowledge that God has our best interest at heart always.

That is the same message we bring to all those who have suffered one form of

set back or the other in the year just gone by. We urge you to encourage yourselves in the Lord and move on with the assurance that God will add to your joy in this New Year.

Infrastructure, education development Governor Dickson promised that his government will keep faith with commitment to deliver on every promise they have made to the people saying “our government is committed to infrastructural turn around of our dear state and this new year you will see us undertake the construction of more roads. That is why we have allocated over N152

billion to infrastructure alone in this year ’s budget.

He added that, “Our commitment to deliver on education with emphasis on computer literacy, science and technology will be further pursued vigorously this year.

Not only will our investment in education focus on the rebuilding of our comatose educational infrastructure, we will also invest massively in the training and re-training of our teachers to adequately equip them to impact the right skills and knowledge in our children. This much we will do because we have since realised that quality education has become an economic ne-

Jubril Aminu flays Governors' Forum

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cessity, even as we take cognisance of of a world largely driven by modern knowledge economy.

“We are determined more than ever in this New Year to demonstrate our willingness as a government to work round the clock to sustain and consolidate on our restoration agenda. In the last eleven months, you have seen us evolve policies that are designed to make life more meaningful for our people.

In this New Year we will sustain that momentum and

by God’s grace at the end of 2013, it will be clear to all that our government meant business”.

ENATOR Jubril Aminu, yesterday described the Nigerian Governors’ Forum as strange and an instrument of oppressing the Federal Government and the people.

Aminu made the remark at a briefing organised by the Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders in Yola.

He said: “It is very strange.

I worked in many countries and have not seen anything like such a forum. The Governors’ Forum is what is used to oppress everybody, including the president”.

He said the forum always ensured that state governors had their way in everything, including nominating who became an ambassador or member of the National Assembly.

“I don’t know how the forum came about in this country. And if it is not checked, it will put the country in serious trouble, as the state chief executives unite to challenge the Federal Government,” Aminu said.

Dame Jonathan welcomes first baby of the year

F From left: Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson and Guest Speaker, General Stephen Odede (rtd) during the 2013 New Year thanksgiving service held at the governor's hometown, Toru-Orua, Sagbama L.G.A of Bayelsa State. Photo: State House.

JTF impounds vessel with 1,000 tons of crude oil

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HE Joint Task Force, JTF, op erating in the Niger Delta has arrested a vessel suspected to be carrying 1, 000 tonnes of crude oil off the coast of Bonny Island in Rivers State.

Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Commander of second Brigade and sector two of JTF, paraded nine suspected crew members of the vessel before newsmen in Bonny yesterday.

Buratai, represented by Maj. Michael Etete, second Brigade Army Public Relations Officer, said the Nigerian registered vessel was arrested while illegally tapping crude oil from a pipeline. He said the nine male crew members, who were arrested during a raid, were Nigerians.

“Following military intelligence report on Saturday, December 29, 2012, troops of sector two deployed in Bonny, arrested a vessel registered MT Atlantic Star illegally tapping crude oil from a pipeline.

“At the time of the arrest, the vessel had loaded about 1, 000 tonnes of stolen crude oil and nine crew members on board the vessel were also arrested.

Further investigation is on-going and the suspects would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for prosecution.

“JTF restates its commitment toward stamping out oil theft, oil bunkering and other criminal activities within its area of respon-

sibility in-line with its mandate,” he said.

Buratai called on the public and organisations to support and provide useful information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of oil thieves in 2013.

Meanwhile, Mr Rauf Rasak, Captain of the vessel, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the vessel was hijacked by six gunmen, who threatened to kill the crew members if he refused to corporate.

Rasak claimed that the gunmen immediately took over navigation of the vessel and anchored it in Bonny and loaded the vessel with the illegal crude oil.

IRST Lady, Mrs Pa tience Jonathan, yesterday welcomed Abuja’s first baby of 2013 born at 12:10am, weighing 4.13kg, at the National Hospital.

Jonathan, who presented the first baby of the year certificate to the mother, Mrs Kikelomo Badejo, urged her to raise the baby boy, Oluwanifemi, in the fear of the Lord.

She said: "As a mother, I’m happy for you and I urge that you train the baby in the fear of the Lord.

“Congratulations, we thank God for safe delivery and I pray for His protection over the newborn,” she said.

Jonathan used the occasion to preach love and brotherliness in the New Year and prayed for the country.

“I will like to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians to walk in love; with love we can surmount any situation".

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 51

Nigerians in Thailand, overcome diplomatic wickedness (2)

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

*Little Saints at Abule Egba in Lagos

YULETIDE SEASON: Challenges before orphanages

By SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

I

T was assumed that there is no such thing as an orphan in Africa because children who lost one or both parents or in a worse case scenario when young girls abandon their unwanted babies, were incorporated into a relative’s family. But a combination of increased orphan numbers reduced number of caregivers and weakened extended family system, as well as endemic economic hardship, means that vulnerable children are more likely to fall through the extended family safety net.

Orphaned children in Nigeria are daily being affected econo-mically, socially and psycho-logically. Economic and social impacts include malnutrition, reduced access to education and health care, child labour, migration and homelessness while psychological impacts include depression, guilt, anger and fear caused by parental illness and death.

As frenzied buyers swarmed every available market for last minute shopping in preparation to herald a new year, our correspondents visited some established orphanages includ-ing the Little Saints Orphan-ages, SOS Village, Holy Family Home for the Elderly, all in Lagos and the Eagle Hand Orphanage, Warri in Delta State, with a view to seeing whether the inmates are aware of the season and what it portends.

At the Little Saints, president, Strong Tower Mission, pro-prietors of the orphanage, Rev. (Mrs.) Dele George told us that the over 120 children in the three different hostels owned by the orphanage were very well aware of the reason for the season. According to her, different corporate organizations had been coming to invite the children for one Christmas concert or the other where the kids had maximum fun, hoping that the trend would continue even till the new year.

Collective responsibility Obviously appreciative of the contribution of Nigerians, Rev. (Mrs.) George noted that children are a heritage of the Lord and it is our collective responsibility, as a people, to nurture them in the fear of the Lord to mould them in a way that they would not become a menace to the society in future. Stating that the children we fail to train today will be the ones that will become miscreants that will torment our own children tomorrow, she therefore appealed to Nigerians to come to their aid as they will very soon be going back to school through education sponsor-ship.

“You can sponsor a child’s education in nursery, primary and university,” she stated, adding that the orphanage needs a school bus for the children, dining tables, mat-tresses, bed sheets,

We have increased donations from people despite the economic challenges confronting the nation. Nigerians are trying. They donated generously and we are expressing our gratitude to our donors and sponsors,” he stated.

“We are planning a get together with *Rev. (Mrs.) Dele George our children on Wednesday to thank and appreciate the Lord for His goodness for the past years and pray for the abundance of God’s favour, mercy and protection in the new year,” he noted.

SOS Village has 168 children made up of 94 children and 74 youths age from 16 and above.

He explained that the168 children are in the help care unit, “we have another pro-gramme where we support children and it is called Family Base programme---based in six locations including Lagos, Owu-Ijebu in Ogun State, Ibadan, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna and Jos. In each of the locations we take care of 200 children living with their families but in Lagos we are taking care of 540 children, 340 in Ejigbo and 200 in Ishaga location.”

H

e therefore appealed to Nigerians to ap preciate better the contribution of SOS Village in Nigeria in giving care to orphans and vulnerable children. “Our care system is unique in the sense that we care for children in the villages, children living with their families with the family support programme, so we have a holistic coverage of capturing children who are in need and we believe that we can do more if we get more support from Nigerians in 2013.

“It is our desire to improve on our facilities and spread to different parts of the country with our various programmes to bring meaning to the less privileged in our society and strengthen many families who are economically weak to support their children,” he appealed.

At the Holy Family Home for the Elderly, Mushin in Lagos owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Sister-in-charge of the home for the past five years, Rev. Mother Antonia Adebowale said a Pentecostal church, House on the Rock Church, came to the home to celebrate with the inmates and “it was a beautiful gathering because the elders were treated to the fullness.

They took them out and they had a good time.”

For next year, “we will have a get together here to thank the Lord for His mercy and goodness over the house. Most importantly, I would have loved to take the elders out that day but we don’t have a bus that can convey them.”

IT is good to mention that large numbers of Nigerians in Thailand are happy with the transformational, peopleoriented, listening leadership that took effect at the Nigeria embassy in Thailand as againt the leadership of the former ambassedor but others are rebuffing the several cases that were placed against the former Nigeria Ambassador to Thailand.

They opine that paramount importance should be placed more against the various internet websites that wrongly generalize the activities of Nigerians in Thailand to be only drug businesses and scamming activities.

These few by presenting an observation coming from lives of Nigerians in Thailand, collectively encouraged fellow Nigerians who consider Thailand as a country that will help broaden their horizon and perspective in life.

A new dawn for Nigerians in Thailand: Many Nigerians were reported to have expressed deep gratitude for a new Nigeria

Ambassador to Thailand, Chukwudi Newington Okafor, who according to Adolph, “is acceptable to many of us in Thailand, because he has the ability and the power to unite Nigerians in Thailand in order for everyone of us to freely achieve our desired goals in Thailand.

“It is a known fact that almost all associations, organizations and communities of the world crave for a good leader for the simple reason that a bad leader brings sorrow and pain while a good leader brings joy, happiness and peace within a given community. Just within a few moments of assumption of office, Ambassador Chukwudi Okafor, was able to restore Nigerians in Thailand with unexpected peace of mind, unity and affability which had eluded them in Thailand because of quarrels and various fractions of misunderstanding. The Ambassador has in a short period enveloped all the various Nigerian groups with love and with the spirit of good and focused diplomatic mission, Nigerians in Thailand have long started to realize that nothing is as good as having a good leader.”

To be continued

U.S embassy committed to serve Nigerians better

I

N her effort to provide Nige rians with a better diplomatic services, the U.S embassy recently honoured two dynamic Public Diplomacy Officers, Dehab Ghebreab and Rhonda Watson, who have come to steer the leadership wheel of the embassy’s Public Diplomacy office in Nigeria for a more effective service to Nigerians.

In his remark, the U.S Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins, noted some of the numerous works the United States government has accomplished in partnership with the government and people of Nigeria in different sectors of both countries economy. He listed some of these as several diversified programmes organized to assist in promoting posterity for both countries.

Others are organizing people to people outreach which the U.S Public Diplomacy office often package to give face to a number Nigeria youths and those programs have in several ways drawn lots of commendations, all to the resilient efforts of Dehab and Rhonda.

The Public Diplomacy office duties which also extend to assisting Nigerians attain qualitative professionalism in various academic fields in any U.S institution, hitherto have assisted a great number of Nigerians in achieving their desired academic goals and in turn, have assisted in building Nigeria’s economy in their different capabilities.

Declaring that about 7,000 Nigerians are presently studying in various institutions in United States, U.S Consul General stated that, “America is proud to associate with a country like Nigeria and that is why we make efforts to encourage and support Nigerians who are interested in studying in the U.S.” And recalling President Obama’s national security strategy to the States, which stated, “Our long time security will come not from our ability to instill fears in other people but through our capacities to speak to their hopes,” Dehab and Rhonda on that premise therefore, promised to give their best to work in partnership with Nigerians to promote a better appreciation of America history, culture and values and to exalt the hope of an onward peaceful democracy, development, stability and opportunities for all Nigerians.

While noting that there are about 7,000 Nigerians right now as we speak, studying in the US and I know also that there are tens of thousands of Nigerians who come into the US every year to carry out research works and for various other intended reasons, Dehab added: “ I would really want you to also visit our information resource center and our American corners, located across Nigeria, which were set up in order to share a little bit of our culture with you.”

52—V anguard 52—Vanguard anguard,,

WEDNESD AY, JANU ARY 2, 2013 WEDNESDA JANUARY

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star .

That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

GEMINI: THE Moon position INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

LEO: THE Moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

By Richard Eromosele

...If you don’t value time you won’t appreciate the impact of time wasters in your life.

Time wasters can make you miss official engagement. Time wasters can make you lose concentration on what you are doing; time wasters can steal your destiny. If this is

Getting rid of time wasters in your life (2) so, then how do we manage time wasters?

There are various ways to handle them.

Don’t allow them to get close to you. Reject their wares (story) even before they open their month. Monetize

TERROR MUDA

your time. What is the worth of one second, a minute, one hour etc in your life? When you realise the amount of money you will be losing by allowing them to waste your time you will think twice.You

in “Never say goodbye”

can give them passive approval, for example, by nodding your head.

Finally, you can ignore them completely.

No time waster is worth spending your time on. Time is too precious to be wasted.

Remember, time like age, when wasted, can never be regained.

Think about it.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/ or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody-morning period especially along your career/business lines.

SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before mid-morning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you. Your love life is favoured.

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging.

Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be stretched full lenght tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed.

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

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,

What are my chances?

Dear Joshua, KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck.

I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them.

Would my own be like them too?

Akanni. Ibadan.

Dear Akanni, You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/ rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for you.

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you.

Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities.

Once again women can be helpful here If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-self-hood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success.

And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

The same Saturn will reward you with RECOGNITION WOMEN, children and younger people can enhance your prospects. Colours RED, WHITE and pink are good for you.

Sleeping North/South axes with your head to the North is good for you.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013—53

Stories By UDUMA KALU

T

HE refusal by the former military head of state Gen Mohammadu Buhari to apologise for the Decree No 4 of 1984 which is generally regarded as an anti media promulgated by his administration has drawn the ire of some Nigerian journalists.

However, the number one defender of that law being the then director of public prosecutions Moshood Olayiwola Adio in January 2002, said the decree was meant to gag the press. In fact, on July 4, 1984, two Guardian senior journalists, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor, were jailed by a military tribunal *Buhari *Thompson under Decree No. 4 of 1984,called Protection Against False Accusation.

In reaction, a journalist living in Lagos, Chris Nwandu wanted Buhari to apologise for the coup. Another asked whether there were no defamation or slander laws in Nigeria then. An lady said in spite of acting like a saint Buhari said he has personal houses in In an interview last week, the former you must not embarrass those civil Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and his home state of Katsina. There were other accusations Head of State, now chairman of the servants. If you have got evidence of actions which Buhari allegedly took in order Congress for Progressive Change that somebody was corrupt, the courts to frighten the media over the N2.8b that (CPC), said he had no regrets over the were there. Take the evidence to court; was declared missing while he was petroleum decree. Buhari denied that the decree the court will not spare whoever it was. was used by his government to gag But you don’t just go and write articles minister in 1976.

Section 1(1) of the decree said, “Any person the Press but that the press brought in that were embarrassing. Those who did it, the editors, the reporters, we who published in any form, whether written the ‘Nigerian Factor’ He said, “ Decree 4.

You people jailed them. But we never closed a or otherwise any message, rumour, report or statement or report which is false in any (press), you brought in Nigeria factor whole institution, as others did. We material particular or which brings or is into it. When people try to get job or investigated and prosecuted calculated to bring the Federal Military contract and they couldn’t get it, they according to the laws, because Government or the government of a state or a make a quick research and created a shutting a newspaper, it is an public officer to ridicule or disrepute shall be problem for people who refuse to do institution and we lose thousands of them the favour. What we did was that jobs. But we found out who made that guilty of an offence under this Decree.”

*Irabor

Apologise for anti media law —Journalists tell Buhari

Arrested Al-Mizan reporters detained in Abuja —NUJ

A

rrested reporters of the Kaduna based Hausa language Al-Mizan newspapers are detained in Abuja, the Nigerian Union of Journalists has aid.

This revelation is coming despite calls by several groups including Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, Nigerian Union of journalists, lawyers and some other eminent Nigerians, that the the Al-Mizan reports abducted by security operatives since Monday last week be released forthwith.

Yusuf Idris, chairman of the NUJ, told CPJ that Saleh and Awwal were being held at the headquarters of the State Security Service in Abuja. Idris said the reason for the arrest was still unclear. Marilyn Ogar, spokesman for the security service, did not immediately respond to CPJ’s inquiries.

In pre-dawn raids on Monday, about 40 armed security agents arrested Aliyu Saleh, a reporter with Al-Mizan, a weekly Hausalanguage newspaper; and Musa Muhammad Awwal, the paper’s editor, at their homes in Rigasa in Kaduna. The agents also confiscated the journalists’ phones and money and briefly detained the journalists’ wives, witnesses said.

The Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), a non-profit organization, also called on the State Security Service (SSS) to release the two journalists.

PILL President Abdul Mahmud in a statement called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), as the chief law officer to uphold the sanctity of the 1999 Constitution in the face of the alleged assaults on the fundamental liberties of citizens by agencies such as the SSS and the Joint Task Force (JTF).

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false report, who was the editor, who okayed it and then, we jailed them.”

Asked if he had any regrets, the man who wants to be president of Nigeria replied, “No regret, because we did it according to the laws we made. We neither closed a whole institution and caused job losses.”

But Adio admitted publicly that there were injustices inherent in the very law he defended. On Decree 4, he said, “I was part of the team that prosecuted them and I share my guilt... It is not a good legislation for a civilised society. That was censorship when even if you published the truth you have committed an offence.”

Nigerian journalists win UN prize T

WO Nigerian journalists, Tunde flooding as well as human activity.

Akingbade of The Guardian and Ms Akpe’s prize was in recognition of her Pulitzer Ameto Akpe of Business day have won a Center-funded investigation of mismanagement United Nations competition known as of a Nigerian water plant, published in Prince Albert II of Monaco Prize for Climate BusinessDay newspaper.

Change Coverage. It was organized by United Nations Correspondent Association (UNCA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

One of Akingbola's stories submitted for the competition was entitled ‘Nigeria’s used electronics refurbishing sector generates $50.8million yearly ’ and how a United Nations study unveiled Global Warming and Waste Problems in West Africa. The second story was entitled; Eko Atlantic City-Rumbles in the Sea which had earned Akingbade a CNN/ Multichoice. The third story was on Okun Alfa, a coastal community that is disappearing through climate Akpe (center) interviewing a local minister about the consequences change and sea level rise, of lack of access to clean water. Image by Peter Sawyer. Nigeria

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Ferguson: I’ve achieved everything I wished for I

N an interview to celebrate his 71st birthday. Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken about the managers who could replace him, his desire to win back the title from Manchester City and why the return of his ‘ warrior ’ captain Nemanja Vidic could make the difference.

In an interview with an Abu Dhabi Sports, Ferguson also spoke about the prospect of Manchester United signing Mario Balotelli from their arch rivals and who is the better player: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

Ferguson, who also spoke highly of Robin van Persie - but did not mention Wayne Rooney once in the interview said he is still ‘hoping to stay for a bit of time’ at Old Trafford.

‘In terms of football management, I have achieved everything I always wished for. It’s been a great journey for me. But being manager of Manchester United, you have to kick on. You can’t look back. The drive is always on to do better, although it’s not easy in the Barclays Premier League. It’s a difficult league. And European football is getting stronger and stronger.

‘You have to think of where we lost it last season. We were 4-2 at Everton and didn’t win.

That won’t happen again.

Trust me. Our rivals are Manchester City and possibly Chelsea. We recovered a 12 point disadvantage to catch Newcastle one year and lost 11 point lead to Arsenal, so (Chelsea) is possible, but it’s City who are the biggest danger.’

Managers who will replace him: ‘There is no-one on the agenda, but somebody will have to replace me...’I’m hoping to stay on for a bit of time, anyway.

‘It’s very difficult. Over the years, names have been bandied about but football is such a precarious industry. But you could be talking about one of the potentially exciting young managers in the game, but is he going to be here in two or three years time. The sack race is horrendous.

‘Sometimes a manager can only survive four games if he doesn’t win a match. It’s impossible to say who is going to be there.’

On Everton’s David Moyes and Jose Mourinho?

He says: ‘There will always be names bandied about and they are all qualified people. Nobody knows where they are going to be in two or three years time. Top managers will always been in demand ‘Pep Guardiola, Jose

B

RACES from recalled strike duo Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie saw Manchester United win 4-0 at Wigan and maintain their sevenpoint lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Mexico star Hernandez finished in predatory fashion in either half with Robin van Persie curling home a wonderful finish in between on the stroke of half-time then tapping home a late fourth after a defensive mix-up by Wigan.

With Manchester City winning 3-0 at home to Stoke, it is as you were at the top.

It was a slow start to the match from United, who seemed content to sit and wait for opportunities to break as Wigan controlled possession in the opening half-hour using their 3-5-2 formation.

C M Y K

City pound Stoke

•Alex Ferguson Mourinho and David Moyes... there are a lot of successful managers out there. I don’t know what their plans are in two or three years time.’

On Robin van Persie ‘He certainly is a magnificent players. He brings maturity, he is a proven goalscorer, a proven international and is at a good age. He is

, •Ferguson

Hernandez, Van Persie help United thump Wigan

The return of Nemanja Vidic.

‘He has been out for a year and three months, although he has played a few games. He’s our captain, a real warrior and our leader.’

Can United could win the league and European Cup double like 1999 and 2008?

‘It’s hard to marry the

They are both the best in the world.

They have different qualities, but they both have fantastic desire

helping our young strikers, Chicharito and Danny Welbeck. He’s been outstanding since he came.’

,

two together. We’ve done it in the past and there is no reason why we can’t do it this season too.

‘I think our club should

have done better.

Sometimes we have been unlucky, sometimes we have been disappointing and other times, we have thrown it away.’

Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi: Who is the better player?

‘They are both the best in the world. They have different qualities, but they both have fantastic desire.

‘Pride to play, pride to prepare.

Ronaldo practiced for hours, that’s what made him a great player. We had the privilege of him for six years and he will go down as one of the best players this club has ever had.’

Would he sign Balotelli for United from City? ‘I have enough players!’

Ferguson also praised his wife Kathy, to whom he has been married for 47 years. ‘Without her backing and support, there is no way I’d have lasted as long as I have,’ he said.

P

ABLO Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero struck as Manchester City claimed their customary home win against Stoke.

The Barclays Premier League champions were rarely troubled as they eased to a convincing victory at the Etihad Stadium after Zabaleta opened the scoring late in the first half.

Dzeko tapped in for a second just before the hour and the lively Aguero added a third from the penalty spot 16 minutes from time.

The only concern was that Aguero limped off before the end of what was also expected to be talisman Yaya Toure’s last game before the Africa Cup of Nations.

It was another painful trip to Eastlands for Stoke, who have now lost on all five Premier League visits and conceded 14 goals in the process without reply themselves.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 — 55

Amb. Bianca Ojukwu urges Eagles to win

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Sharapova cited a shoulder injury in withdrawing. She pulled out of an exhibition last month for the same injury, and her availability for the Australian Open later this month is unknown.

Daniela Hantuchova outlasted fifth-seeded Sara Errani 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 over a 2 1/2-hour, secondround match. There were a total of nine breaks in the 12-game third set, with Hantuchova winning more than 60 percent of the points off Errani’s serve in the set.

EPL Results West Brom Man. City Swansea Tottenham West Ham Wigan Southampton

1 3 2 3 2 0 1

Fulham Stoke Aston Villa Reading Norwich Man U Arsenal

2 0 2 1 1 4 1

Eagles Continues from B/P

THE AMAZON: Serena Williams of the US hits a backhand return to Alize Cornet of France in their second round women's singles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament yesterday. PHOTO:AFP in Nigeria. and assured that the nation at all times. “We Head Coach Stephen Super Eagles will do all promise never to let the Keshi, said he was within their powers to confidence and trust of humbled by the kind defend the green white the nation down at all words of the ambassador green colours of the times”, he said.

Ikpeba

Continues from B/P go out there and prove once again that we are the true giant of African football, irrespective of who is selected or not.”

Ikpeba said he had never joined issues with the aggrieved West Brom player whose attitude he described as unfortunate. The former international fondly called the Prince of Monaco in his active days disclaimed a

S

ERENA Williams had another solid victory Tuesday at the Brisbane International tennis tournament but world No. 2 Maria Sharapova withdrew from the event.

Williams, No. 3 in the world, lost only three games win her firstround match and followed that with a 6-2, 6-2 romp in the second round over Alize Cornet in about an hour.

Williams won 78 percent of the points on serve and didn’t face a break point.

T

HE flight from Faro to Catalunya lasted 1:30minutes officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Spain led by Head of Chancery, Mr Safiu Olaniyan, Deputy Consul General, Mr. Nze Nnadi, Curtis Aghedo, who is President Nigerian Union in Barcelona, Kingsley Lawal, President Nigerians in Valles and Gbenga Adegoke scribe of Nigerians in Valles, were on hand to receive the team at the magnificent Barcelona International Airport.

There were also about 20 Nigerian football supporters who were at the airport to bid the team welcome.

The team was immediately moved to the equally eye-popping Hotel Fira Palace in the heart of Barcelona, where they were addressed by Mr Olaniyan on behalf of the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Amb. Bainca Olivia Odimegwu Ojukwu, who was unavoidably absent due to other engagements.

In her speech, Ambassador Ojukwu, described the national team as the higher grade of ambassadors of Nigeria and urged the players to go all out and do the country proud in the friendly against Catalonia and at the upcoming Nations Cup in South Africa. She said she was aware that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan was solidly behind the team to achieve success at the Afcon tourney as football is a major unifying force

Serena wins again at Brisbane

Twitter account which he said was opened in his name, with his picture.

He disclosed that the faceless operators of the account had been using it to exchange correspondences with Osaze. “I make bold to state categorically here that I don’t have a Tweeter account neither have I exchanged words with anybody on the social network site.”

Yobo Continues from B/P Faro Portugal but has not joined up till 18 00hrs Portuguese Time (7 pm Nigerian time on December 31.

“He will be joining the team later. He took permission from the coach,” Super Eagles media officer Ben Alaiya told futaa.com Chelsea duo of Jonh Obi Mikel and Victor

Moses are not expected to join the camp until January 5 due to the fact that Premier League matches in England are on-going but Yobo is expected to arrive on time as a mark leadership by example.

Fellow Turkey-based player Kalu Uche is already in camp as the Turkish league is on break.

whose ground will host the encounter.

The list made available to the Nigerian delegation on arrival in Barcelona has Barcelona first choice in goal, Victor Valdes, Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Martin Montoya, Sergio Roberto, Christian Tello and Marc Bartra all listed from the Catalan giants.

From Espanyol, there will be Joan Verdi, Joan Capdevilla, Sergio Garcia, Kiko Casilas, Raul Rodriguez, Victor Sanchez, and Sergio Tejera. Others in the team list are AC Milan’s

Bojan Rkic, Getafe’s Alvaro Vazquez, Jordi Amat and Francesco Medina ‘Piti’ both of Rayo Vallecano and Red Bulls Zalburg’s Jonathan Soriaro.

“These are big names no doubt but our players know that names don’t play football these days, we will just go out there and give our best against them”, Head Coach Stephen Keshi said.

The match time has also been brought forward, as it would now be played at 7pm, Nigerian and Spanish time from 9pm that it was earlier slated but the venue remains Espanyol FC home ground in the Catalan city.

Catalonia Continues from B/P list, most of the foreign-based players flew in over the weekend with Hollandbased defender Kenneth Omeruo first to join the team of 14 home-based players that arrived the camp on December 27 Russia-based duo Ahmed Musa and

Emmanuel Emenike joined the team in Faro, Portugal before their trip to Catalunya while Nosa Igiebor and Ikechukwu Uche, both from Spainish clubs joined their teammates yesterday to strengthen Coach Stephen Keshi squad for the crucial friendly tie tonight.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Prove your worth — Ikpeba tasks players not to be butt of attack from Eagles distracted and forge Nigeria international,

BY JACOB AJOM

F

ORMER Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba has advised Super Eagles

ahead with their preparations for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Ikpeba who was the

Catalonia friendly to decide Eagles’ final list T

HERE are strong indications that Nigeria’s friendly clash with Catalonia coming up tonight will go a long way in determining the players that will eventually make the final list to the 2013 Nations Cup commencing on January 19.

Futaa.com gathers that

Osaze Odemwinge after he was not listed by coach Stephen Keshi for the Faro camp said the Eagles should see the Afcon tournament as an opportunity to prove doubters wrong.

“Instead, they should

Continues on Page 55

Amb. Bianca Ojukwu urges Eagles to win — P.55

coach Stephen Keshi is looking forward to a solid performance from his side as they hope to have a great tournament in South Africa.

To underline the relevance of the match in aiding the coach to select the final 23-man

Continues on Page 55

•Keshi

10 Barca, 7 Espanyol players to face Eagles •Puyol — To lead Catalonia against Eagles.

Kick-off Time: 7pm

•Yobo — Absent.

Yobo to miss tonight’s friendly

F

ENERBAHCE defender Joseph Yobo is unlikely to feature in Nigeria’s TODAY'S

friendly clash with Catalonia in midweek.

Yobo is one of the few players that were still

PUZZLE

expected to complete the list of players invited for the team’s camping in Continues on Page 55 YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

H

EAD Coach of Catalonia side, Johan Cryuff, has listed 10 players from Spanish La Liga leaders

ACROSS 1 Stray (4) 4 Nod (3) 6 Omit (4) 8 Infertile (6) 9 Slander (6) 10 Arid (3) 12 Dim (5) 14 Inexpensive (5) 15 Army unit (5) 18 Ebb (6) 20 Placard (6) 24 Outline (5) 26 Elegance (5) 28 Sprite (5) 30 Network (3) 32 Invent (6) 33 Pressing (6) 34 Halt (4) 35 Snoop (3) 36 Smell (4)

Barcelona for the international friendly against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday evening. He has also picked seven players from Espanyol FC,

Continues on Page 55

AFCON: NFF threatens to petition FIFA over non-release of Nigerian players — Page 28

DOWN 2 Benefit (5) 3 Kiln (7) 4 Orchestra (4) 5 Undulating (4) 6 Steal (5) 7 Blow up (7) 11 Knock (3) 12 Ban (3) 13 Wand (3) 16 Colour (3) 17 Spring (3) 19 Serious (7) 21 Away (3) 22 Reel (7) 23 Beam (3) 25 Cereal (3) 27 Curl (5) 29 Cleanse (5) 30 Cry (4) 31 Occupied (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Abyss 7, Chill 8, Tower Liner 12, Nil 13, Sabot 15, Reactor Clothe 19, Age 20, Explode 23, Fret Exam 26, Recluse 30, Too 31, Effect Theatre 37, Filly 38, Inn 39, Ensue Endure 41, Snout 42, Typed.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

DOWN: 1, Shoal 2, Allot 3, Blithe 4, Seer 5, Concede 6, Felon 9, Wit 11, Realise 13, Scoff 14, Boxer 16, Ago 18, Explore 21, Expel 22, Amity 24, Tetanus 27, Cot 28, Effuse 29, Chink 32, Fiend 33, Clout 35, End 36, Envy.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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.

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