ASUU TO PARENTS: Don't send students back to campuses

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62026

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N150

MONDAY, DECEMBR 2, 2013

ANAMBRA APGA PDP APC LP

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180, 178 97,700 95,963 37,495

APGA dedicates guber victory to Ojukwu 14

ASUU TO PARENTS:

Don't send students back to campuses

BY HENRY UMORU OLA AJAYI, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU , JOSEPH ERUNKE & IKENNA ASOMBA

•We didn't issue the ultimatum— Vice-Chancellors •Presidency warns ASUU not to dare Govt •Mark cautions FG over sack threat

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BUJA—FORTY eight hours to the deadline given by the Federal Government to striking university lecturers to resume classes or be sacked, the union has remained adamant, ad

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Zenith named Bank •P.26 of the Year COLUMNIST:

•P.46

Mr & Mrs

ANAMBRA ELECTION—Anambra State Governor-elect, Dr. Willie Obiano; Gov. Peter Obi; Chief Victor Umeh and the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Nkem Okeke celebrating APGA’s victory at the last Anambra State gubernatorial election in Awka, yesterday.

Price of rice ELECTRICITY: 17 New owners demand goes up, scarcity looms increase in tariff 7 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2013

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POCKET CARTOON

INSTALLATION—From left: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Gov Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; his Wife Abiodun, after their installation by the Alaafin in Oyo on Saturday.

Don't send students back to campuses — ASUU Continues from page 1 vising parents not to risk the lives of their children by sending them to the campuses.

The Presidency, on its part accused ASUU leaders of treachery and warned the university lecturers not to dare the resolve of government to carry out its threat to sack them if they failed to resume.

The Senate President, David Mark has also cautioned the Federal Gov-

ernment over the threat to sack the striking lecturers just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) slammed the government for issuing the threat.

Supervising Minister for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike last Thursday gave the lecturers a seven-day ultimatum to resume from their sixmonth strike or risk being sacked.

President Goodluck Jonathan, however, clarified, weekend,

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Never stop doing little things for others, you will be surprised that those little things occupy the biggest parts of their hearts.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. Murphy’s Law is much less sanguine about it: If you never try anything new, you’ll miss out on many of life’s great disappointments — Thomas Edison

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HE beautiful outcome of Thomas Edison’s ex periments is the electricity we all enjoy today.

“Our lives are not so different. Of course we need to accept ourselves as we are, but we can’t stop there.

We also need to value ourselves enough to make needed changes. It’s a simple formula: If we want to live fully we have to keep growing. If we want to keep growing we have to adapt. And if we want to adapt we have to try on new ways of thinking and new ways of doing. For me it’s about making my life an active science.”

I recall the story of Vincent Van Gogh, one the most successful impressionist artist of all times, he was not recognized for his gifts and talents during his era. He says, “what am I in the eyes of most people — an unknown, an eccentric, someone to like or not, even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric has in his heart. That my creativity, based more on love in spite of everything, based more on a feeling of serenity than on passion. Though I feel life’s pain sometimes, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my heart is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum.” Ironically this artist was way ahead of his times and his work is most renowned today. Hold on to your dreams and do everything you can to realise them; they do come true.

in Bayelsa that the Federal Government did not give the ultimatum, stating that it was given by the Committee of Vice Chancellors.

However, the SecretaryGeneral of the Committee of Vice Chancellors, Professor Mike Faborede denied the claim that his committee gave the ultimatum. He passed the buck to the Committee of Pro-Chancellors.

ASUU meantime said no academic activities would resume until the Federal Government perfects and implements resolutions reached with the union.

The order given by the Federal Government that universities across the country should resume seems not to have any impact in the University of Ibadan.

A visit to the campus, yesterday, showed that the order had been ignored by students as they did not turn up for resumption.

A student, Bolade who did not want his surname in print said the order was disregarded because they knew the approach of the Federal Government would only aggravate the face-off.

All the halls of residence — Kuti Hall, Sultan Bello, Independence, Nnamdi Azikwe, Queen Elizabeth and Idia Halls in the institution were still deserted. Though, the halls were opened, only some non academic staff and few students who did not leave the campus at all were seen.

Describing the threat by Federal Government as height of insensitivity, the academic union asked its members not to sign any register but to remain

calm and stay resolute.

On denial by President Goodluck Jonathan that he never issued any ultimatum to the union, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge and University of Ibadan chapter of the Union, ASUU said it was laughable.

Fagge said: “Comrades, can you see the unfolding drama? Now, Jonathan says they didn’t give ultimatum; that the Vice Chancellors did and Wike became their trumpet; But NUC’s ultimatum is by Federal Government to us to resume or get sacked. And Wike’s press address says “FG has directed, “NOT”VCs have directed”Be calm, stay resolute. By God, we are on course” Also speaking in the same vein, UI ASUU chairman, Dr. Segun Ajiboye asked parents not to risk the precious lives of “our students by releasing them, saying no lecturer will teach them.

“Don’t risk the lives of your children, keep your children at home because ASUU will not teach. Soldiers and the police deployed by the Federal Government will not teach. Mr Wike can come and teach in university. It is a huge joke to sack professors. Our strike must not be in vain. Our students must see the results. It is funny; we thought we are in a democracy. I assure Nigerians that we know what the law says about the strike.

Our job is statute backed.

We are not threatened.

We do not trust the government. The record of the government is clear.

This government is dishonouring agreements.

Our members are resolved to pursue this to a logical conclusion” UI ASUU also sent a text message to its staff reads: “Dear members, stay calm and remain resolute. There is nothing wrong in asking govt to do what it says it will do immediately. ASUU is not making any new demands as the Minister is propagating. Government is only repeating a ‘one act play’ scripted by the IBB dictatorship in early 90s. It didn’t work then, and, it won’t work now.!all branches are intact. We cannot be intimidated!!united we bargain, divided we beg!!!Aluta Continua.”

Don't dare Govt, Presidency warns

Meanwhile, the Presidency yesterday accused

the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of treachery, just as it warned the university lecturers not to dare the resolve of government to carry out its threat to sack them if they failed to resume.

According to the Presidency, ASUU leaders have gone contrary to the desire of majority of their chapters who have voted and agreed to end the strike because of the personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, even as it boasted that it was joking with the threat of sacking the lecturers.

Addressing Journalists yesterday in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe said that ASUU leadership came into negotiation with a mindset that betrayed what he termed, lack of understanding that the nation and the government were a continuum.

Asked whether the Federal Government can fill the vacancies if the lecturers were indeed sacked, he retorted: “Do you think the government is joking?”

Okupe who noted that the 13-hour meeting Jonathan held with ASUU ended with a definite agreement and resolutions acceptable to the ASUU leadership, however stressed that the leadership of ASUU was expected to consult with its members nationwide and report back to government within one week.

“The ASUU leadership rather than take its responsibility seriously, wasted seven days before scheduling a meeting.

When the meeting eventually held the leadership decided to thwart and undemocratically override the expressed will of majority of its chapters to call off the strike. This action is contrary to established practice and procedure of any democratic labour institution, which

ASUU is expected to be."

The Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in a text message to Vanguard, last night, said: “The Committee of ProChancellors (CPC), issued the ultimatum, not the Committee of ViceChancellors (CVC).”

Mark cautions FG over threat

Senate President, David Mark has also cautioned the federal government on the use of threat to solve the lingering crisis with ASUU. The Senate President for the umpteenth time also pleaded with ASUU to reconsider their position and return to classes to salvage the already battered education sector from further deterioration.

Senator Mark who advised the Federal Government not to use the sledgehammer on ASUU on account of the five months strike when he commissioned a lecture theatre for the School of management sciences at the Kano State Polytechnic donated by Senator Kabiru Gaya, pleaded with the teachers to resume classes while negations continue.

He said, “We have reached a situation where hardline positions would worsen the situation. My plea to ASUU is to resume classes while negotiation continues.

The strike has done enough damage to our universities. They have also made their point and I think we should reason together and end this matter.

“Nobody, including the university teachers themselves can be said to be enjoying this crisis. It is a huge cost on government, parents, the management, staff and students of the universities.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY,DECEMBER 2, 2013

NDLEA arrests 36-yr-old man for smuggling drugs

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU

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AGOS — OPERA TIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 36-year-old Nigerian living in South Africa for trafficking 2.390kg of methamphetamine.

The arrest was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during the screening of Arik Air passengers to South Africa.

According to Ofoyeju Mitchell, Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, during interrogation, the suspect, Otti Ifeanyi Raphael, told investigators that he came to Nigeria for prayers for business breakthrough.

He said: “I came to Nigeria for prayers for business breakthrough but was asked to bring a bag to South Africa by my sponsor.

"I sell phone accessories in South Africa but my business has suffered heavy setback.

This was the reason I came home to seek spiritual solution. Unfortunately, I was caught with drugs on my way to South Africa.”

NDLEA commander at the airport, Hamza Umar, said the drug was detected at the luggage checking desk.

According to Hamza, “the drug was concealed at both sides of the bag.

It was a good mode of concealment but not good enough to escape our notice. We have commenced investigation, the suspect will be charged to court for unlawful exportation.”

The suspect, a diploma holder in Business Administration at the Federal Polytechnic Oko hails from Anambra State. He had lived in Johannesburg for over 11 years.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, said drug traffickers now have an uphill task of smuggling drugs out of the country due to improved security checks.

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA — EIGHTY-FOURYEAR-OLD Biafran warlord, Major Azum Asoya (rtd) was kidnapped, Friday night, by gunmen with his wife in his hometown, Okpanam, while attending a burial ceremony at about 10.30 pm.

A family source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the abduction. He told Vanguard, yesterday: “We have established contact with the kidnappers. They are demanding N30 million but we are begging them to release our father unhurt. That is the situation for now.”

When Vanguard visited the family compound, sympathizers were seen discussing the incident, pleading for his release.

Meantime, the state police command’s spokesman, Mr. Lucky Uyabame, has said four persons have been arrested for kidnapping two persons at Ugborodo community in the state following the combined effort of the Military, DSS (Department of State Services) and the Navy.

Burnt shops and houses in Sabon Gari village of Damboa council area of Borno State when Boko Haram launched attacks in the community, weekend. Photo: Ndahi Inusa.

Gunmen kidnap 84-yr-old ex-Biafran soldier, wife zDemand N30m ransom According to him, “they (names withheld) were arrested while others are at large in connection with ab-

ductions, following report from concerned elders and stakeholders of Ugborodo community.

"Suspects allegedly kidnapped two indigenes of the community, tied them and subjectd them to inhuman treatment.”

Two factions fight over oba stool in Ondo community

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — ANTI-RIOT po licemen have been deployed to Ode-Irele in Irele council of Ondo State to prevent a bloody clash by factions claiming rights to the town's throne.

An attempt by a faction to the stool to install a parallel monarch for the town, weekend, re-

portedly almost led to a clash in the community.

Vanguard learnt that trouble started when some members of a rival ruling house of Opetusin who got a favourable Okitipupa High Court ruling against the incumbent monarch, the Olofun of Irele Oba Olanrewaju Lebi of the Oyenusi ruling house attempted to install one Prince

Saheed Balogun drags Fathia to court over surname

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AGOS — POPULAR Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun has dragged his actress ex-wife, Fathia Balogun, to court over the use of his surname ‘Balogun’, insisting that she stop using the name.

The union which produced three children lasted for many years before ending few years ago.

Saheed has been trying to get

Fathia and Saheed Balogun

Fathia revert to her maiden name, but she insists she became popular using that name and has no plans to drop the name.

In an interview she granted in 2011, Fathia said: “My name is Fathia Balogun and it's going to remain so for life.

Nobody can ever change that or stop me from answering that name.”

Bamidele Ekunsanmi.

They reportedly forced open the shrine of Malokun, local deity that is said to be central to the installation rites of an Olofun, and attempted to perform traditional rites for Ekunsanmi, a medical doctor.

Oba Lebi ascended the throne in 1993.

But they were repelled and prevented by supporters of Oba Lebi from performing the rites.

Police were invited and some arrest made.

Some policemen have been stationed at strategic points in the town especially the Malokun Shrine to nip in the bud any cri-

sis.

The state police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that policemen were deployed to the town to prevent the two sides from attacking each other and to maintain peace in the community.

He said the Oretunsin ruling house got a judgment against the monarch but that the Oba has appealed the judgment.

He noted that until the appeal is determined, the status quo should be maintained “because not only did the monarch appealed, he also sought and got a stay of execution of the lower court pronouncement."

NSCDC arrests 2 suspected illegal guards in Ogun

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—NIGERIA Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ogun State Command said it had arrested two people who were suspected to be working for an unlicenced private guard company in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The suspects, Babalola Elizabeth (female, 19) and Biola James, 20, were arrested at a popular eatery in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in the state, Kareem Olanrewaju, in a statement, weekend, said the suspects were arrested be-

cause they acted contrary to CAP 367 of Private Guard Act, subsection 1( A to C).

“Since then, a seal order has been placed on the System Protection and Security Services and some others who were found operating illegally.

While others have complied, System Protection failed to abide in spite of warnings by the corps.

“The command will investigate thoroughly and deal with the culprits in accordance with law as ignorance is not an excuse except it is proved by court of competent jurisdiction.

“All the parties involved will be questioned and dealt with according to the law."

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013—7

Jonathan, PDP governors meet

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA— GOVERNORS elected on the platform of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, held a crucial meeting in Abuja, with last Tuesday’s defection of five of its governors to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as top on the agenda.

The meeting, which took place at the Akwa Ibom State Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, had in attendance 12 PDP governors.

It was gathered that the meeting was presided over by Akwa-Ibom State Governor and Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, PDPGF, Godswill Akpabio.

At the end of the meeting which ended at 7.45pm, the governors later proceeded to the Presidential Villa to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Those in attendance were governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau and Enugu states. Others were

Bauchi, Abia, Ebonyi and Kogi.

While the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, was represented by his deputy, governors of Jigawa, Benue, Gombe, Taraba, Kebbi were absent.

The host governor, Godswill Akpabio declined comments when approached by journalists.

FUNERAL: From left— Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, David Mark and Senator Ayogu Eze, at the burial of Senator Eze’s mother at Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, Igbo Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, yesterday.

ELECTRICITY: New owners demand increase in tariff

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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EW operators in the nation’s power sector have asked for increase in electricity tariff in the midst of worsening power situation in the country.

The operators have already jerked up service charge from N750 to N1,500 monthly.

This came as the Federal Government and organised labour are meeting today to review labour issues in the sector especially nonpayment of terminal benefits for thousands of sacked workers, alleged victimisation of labour leaders in the massive sack of workers immediately after the takeover of the assets of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, among others.

Vanguard gathered that the operators met with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, last week to demand for increase in tariff.

It was gathered that the Director-General of the Commission, Mr. Sam Amadi, told the operators that they had no basis to ask for increase when Nigerians were still lamenting the negative effect of last increase and the

worsening power station in the country.

He was said to have also blamed the new operators for the massive sack of workers of the defunct PHCN, which had created shortage of

manpower and compounded the power situation.

According to Vanguard sources, the new operators were said to have dissociated themselves from the sack, blaming the Bureau for Public

Enterprises, BPE, for same.

However, it was not confirmed if NERC approved the increase in service charge from N750 to N1,500 monthly less than one month after takeover of assets.

Presidency insensitive to Adamawa, says Nyako International Development, poverty situation in the state.

USAID. He said the situation had

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

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OVERNOR Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, yesterday, accused the Presidency of showing lack of compassion in dealing with issues relating to the welfare and progress of the people of the state.

Nyako, who is one of the five governors that defected to the APC last Tuesday in Abuja, faulted the imposition of a state of emergency on the state by the Presidency.

The governor made his feelings public while playing host to two top officials of the United States Embassy, who visited him yesterday in Yola.

The two visitors were Maria Brower, the Deputy Chief of Mission US Embassy, Abuja and Michael Harvey of the United States Agency for

Nyako informed his guests that the unjust imposition of state of emergency on the state had inflicted untold social and economic hardships on the people and worsened the

robbed the state of services of some foreign technical partners, including the Americans, who were working on the Kiri Dam Hydroelectric Project.

11 Nigerian firms make Africa's top 100

BY UDUMA KALU

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HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has been named Africa’s third most valued brand.

However, South Africa’s firms, mobile telecoms operator, MTN, retailers Shoprite and Woolworths were named the top three African brands in the latest Brand Africa 100 ranking.

Other Nigerian brands that made the list in the top 10 category included Dangote, 6; Globacom, 8; Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, 14; United Bank for Africa, UBA, 16; Zenith Bank, 19 and First Bank, Intercontinental Bank, 20 among others.

TUKUR TO LAMIDO: Yes, I'm a virus

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HE National Chairman of People's Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has agreed with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State that he is a virus in the party, pointing out, however, that he was a necessary virus for the entrenchment of democratic culture, discipline and good governance in the party in particular and the country in general.

Tukur also wished that Lamido would “soon catch this necessary virus for the good of PDP and the country.’’

This was contained in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to Tukur, Prince Oliver Okpala, in Abuja yesterday.

BENIN WIDOW: APC is anti peoples congress— PDP

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA— THE People's Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, described the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a party of internal contradictions, saying the recent treatment of a widow in Benin by Governor Adams Oshiomhole showed the party to be really anti-people.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP said APC had finally unveiled itself and its

“inherent contradictions in the messianic pretenses of the APC against its lead role in the cascading anti-people actions and utterances.

“This minute, APC evangelises Nigerians on fine points of good governance and nationalism, claiming they are the ones sent, while the next minute the same APC leaders are caught with sharp sword on the soul of the nation.

“The actual meaning of APC is ‘Anti Peoples Congress’ and

this party’s main ideology is the dehumanisation of Nigerians.

“Over the weekend, we saw the Pharaoh Khufu of the 4th dynasty Egypt play out in Edo, where the sorrowful tears of a downtrodden widow, prostrate at the feet of the governor, pleading for leniency, could neither provoke emotion, leniency nor restraint.

“Rather she got a piercing arrow of a wicked utterance unbecoming of an elected public officer.”

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

Court okays Bi-Courtney's takeover of aviation terminal

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CAPITAL DINNER: From left— Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Otteh (left); presenting a gift to Senator Bala Mohammed, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, during the Capital Market Community Retreat dinner in Abuja.

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out an application by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, in which it had sought to restrain Bi-Courtney from taking possession of General Aviation Terminal, GAT, Murtala Mohammed Airport Domestic Terminal 2, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Court of Appeal had in its judgment affirmed BiCourtney’s ownership of the terminal.

Trial judge is Justice I. Buba.

FAAN had in the application, sought to stop Bi-Courtney “in respect of the use and operation of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Domestic Terminal 2, by the defendant (Bi-Courtney) pursuant to a concession agreement executed between the Federal Go-

No regrets leaving PDP for APC— Kwankwaso

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

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ARELY a week after defecting from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has said that he has left PDP for good and has no regrets jumping ship.

The governor said if the Presidency invites him for any meeting henceforth, he would be attending such parleys in his capacity as an APC governor and not that of PDP. The governor explained that he decided to leave PDP because neither the Presidency nor the leadership of the party had ever shown any modicum of respect to him or his office as a governor.

Kwankwaso told Vanguard in an interview that despite winning election twice as governor and working hard to promote PDP, the Presidency had never consulted him over any matter of appointing any Kano native into any post in Nigeria.

The governor explained that contrary to the insinuation that he left PDP to actualise his presidential ambition, he joined APC to work for the overall interest and progress of Nigeria.

The governor maintained that although all the seven governors are qualified to be president, they were not going there to contest presidential election but to help the new party win election and reposition Nigeria.

Kwankwaso said: “In my political history, I have never seen a decision that is so popular with my people. We are here in APC to strengthen democracy and to make sure that it works in this country.

‘I want respect'

“I want to be respected while I win election or when I am appointed into an office. At the same time, I want to be respected when I am out of office.

“They want to win election and they need us to be able to do so. We are respected in APC. Right from the time they started talking with us, they have

shown respect.

“All of them realised they need us.

We realised that these are the people we want. They can form a formidable party to win election and challenge antipeople forces in this country.

Reminded that the Federal Government could use its might to frustrate the switch-over to the new party, Kwankwaso said that he did not care about what his opponents were planning, as he had nothing to fear in his political career.

He said: “I don’t care what is done. I am not afraid to speak the truth.

Politicians must be on their toes and nobody should sit down and claim that all is well.

‘Nigerians will soon flock to APC’

“The issue we are in now is that of those going to APC and those not going. But let me tell you that in a short while you will see a mass movement of Nigerians flocking into APC. “I am not afraid. I don’t see any decision I have taken in recent years that I so strongly believe in like this APC. I believe that it is a step in the right direction that will help this country.”

On the suspicion that he was going over to APC to actualise his presidential bid, the governor said there was no truth in it.

Kwankwaso said: “Let me say that they are saying the same thing about all the seven governors. People are saying the same thing about the other governors. Let it be put on record that all the governors have the capacity and cognate experience to rule this country.

“I have never gone into any party with any mindset on any particular position.

So I am not going to APC to be president or anything, but to build the party and to ensure that it wins election in Kano and Nigeria.

“We are connected to many other states and we want to win elections in Nigeria.

“I am connected to every local

government in this country. My impact will be felt anywhere we are because many of the people have worked closely with me in different capacities.”

vernment and the defendant.”

It had also sought “to restrain the defendant (BiCourtney) from taking over control of the General Aviation Terminal of the airport.”

FAAN had in an ex parte application, sought injunctive reliefs, which were granted by the court on December 6, 2011.

Bi-Courtney, however, sought to set aside the interim order granted to FAAN on the ground that it concealed and/ or failed to disclose material facts to the court in its application upon which the ex parte interim order of December 6, 2011, was granted.

The court delivered a ruling on February 27, 2012, setting aside the interim order.

Bi-Courtney subsequently, filed an appeal challenging the competence of the suit and seeking “an order of court to strike it out for failure to fulfil condition precedent as contained in the concession agreement between the parties or alternatively an order dismissing the suit for being an abuse of court process.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013—9

We did not suspend principal — LASG

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AGOS STATE Government has debunked the claim that the Principal of Ikeja Junior Grammar School, Mrs. Adesiyan Balogun has been suspended from office.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, who made this known, said: "At no time did the state government place the Principal on suspension over a negative publication in a national daily or for any other reason.

Ibirogba affirmed that the said Principal was, in line with Lagos State Civil Service Rules, asked to explain the situation in her school to enable government assess the true position of things and she had since replied.

Monarch warns against Anambra experience in Ekiti

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DO EKITI — A first class monarch and Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, has warned Independent National Electoral Commission against corruption and inefficiency as witnessed in Anambra State in the conduct of 2014 governorship election in the state.

Oba Adejugbe was speaking in his palace ground, Ado Ekiti, weekend, while playing host to the governor Kayode Fayemi for the grand finale of the tour of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

WEDDING: From left, Senate President,David Mark; newly wed couple,Chigozie Obasanjo and Bisoye; wife of the former President, Chief Bola Obasanjo; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and former President and father of the groom, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at the wedding ceremony of Bisoye and Chigozie Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, weekend.

Photo: Wumi Akinola

Opeyemi Bamidele dumps APC for LP

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI — AFTER months of horse-trading and political manoeuvring, a member of the House of Representatives in Ekiti State under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has finally dumped APC for Labour Party, LP. Speaking while making his official declaration at Emure Ekiti, yesterday, Opeyemi said he was forced to part ways with his former party because of what he described as lack of internal democracy in APC and the way and manner some of his supporters were allegedly discriminated against and oppressed by the ruling APC At the declaration which was witnessed by some ex -APC and PDP chieftains, including Professor Joseph Oluwasanmi, Prince Akin Olayisade, Akin Omole, Opeyemi said he decided to consult widely and the general opinion was that he should seek for alternative progressive party where he could achieve his political ambition.

“In coming to this conclusion, we have had to consult widely and in the process of our consultations, we had come to the realisation that many well-meaning stakeholders, both within and outside of the political class in Ekiti State, are genuinely desirous of sincere change.

“Also, after due consultation among stakeholders, including many of our community leaders and

DMO puts Nigeria's debt at $8.2trn

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

Ondo seeks foreign partners on scholarships

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KURE — IN a bid to expand its scholarship scheme, the Ondo State government is to partner international agencies for foreign scholarship to assist students of the state origin.

Speaking with newsmen after its inaugural meeting, the newly appointed Chairman of the State’s Scholarship Board, Dayo Awude said in Akure that the new team would inject new life into the board.

OSOGBO — THE Debt Management Office, DMO, has put Nigeria’s debt as at September this year at $8.2 trillion which he said is 22 per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The Director General of the office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, who made this disclosure, maintained that the level of the debt is sustainable.

He stressed the need for the government at all levels to encourage private sector borrowing for the development of some key sectors of the nation's economy.

Nwankwo also called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the public debt profile of the country.

Speaking at a three day retreat organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management at Ada, Osun State, weekend, Dr. Nwankwo said the increase in private sector borrowing and decrease in government borrowing are the panacea to the challenges of keeping the nation's debt within sustainable level.

He said: "When private sector operators have more funds to run their businesses, jobs will be created and goods hitherto imported, will then be produced locally, saving the nation of foreign exchange.”

founding fathers of our dear state,we have resolved to adopt, as our political platform, the party of the workers, the artisans, the women and the youth, which undisputedly is the Labour Party “We are convinced the Labour Party is a credible progressive platform of convergence for our individual vision and commitment to internal democracy, which informed our individual decisions to form a new alliance and change coalition.

He promised that he would make public a formal declaration of his new found party and his ambition in yet to be agreed date.

Reacting, the interim chairman of APC, Chief Jide Awe said Bamidele was never a member of APC, saying the party would not feel his exit from the party.

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

Deji of Akure, Oba Adesida dies at 63

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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Oba -Oba’s market- would be shut until when another traditional ruler emerged which dragged for months.

Their plan to evacuate their shops, yesterday, which was Sunday, was to be able to make sales during the Christmas and New years festivity.

Late Oba Adesida was born in 1950, to the royal family of Prince Josiah Stanley Adegboye of the Ojijigogun Ruling House.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in Agricultural Economics and obtained a Master's in Agric Business and Management.

Oba Adesida before his ascension to the throne worked as an Agricultural Credit Officer with the Ondo State Agricultural Credit Corporation, Obasanjo Farms at Ota and later became one of the aides of the former President

Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2009.

He became the Oba of the town following the dethronement and deposition of his predecessor, Oluwadamilare Adesina on June 10, 2010, who allegedly beat up his wife publicly.

He was recalled from abroad to become the traditional ruler of the ancient town -Ondo.

Oba Adesida hailed from the Ojijigogun Ruling House.

During the context for the throne, the late Oba defeated his close rival Prince Ademola Adegoroye with a slim margin.

The state government and the family had not yet reacted to the death of the Oba. But reacting, the state PDP through its Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka noted with concern news of the untimely transition of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo 11.

“His death is indeed a great loss to Akure kingdom which he

led until his death and the state traditional institution which he also led as Chairman of the Council of Obas.

KURE — THE Deji of Akureland and the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Adebiyi Jonathan condoles Mimiko, Adesida has died at the age of Akure people 63.

President Goodluck Jonathan He reigned for only three has commiserated with governor years having ascended the Olusegun Mimiko, the people of throne in year 2011.

Akure and Ondo state on the Late Adesida last attended a death of the Deji of Akure, Oba public function in Lagos where Adebiyi Adesida. he celebrated the marriage In a statement by his Senior ceremony of his son, Adetunji Special Assistant, Media, Dr Oluwagbemiga two weekends Rueben Abati, President Jonathan ago. also extended sincere Palace sources told Vanguard condolences to the family and relatives of the late monarch who in Akure that the traditional ascended the throne of his ruler in Akure, died at about forefathers in August 2010.

2.30a.m. yesterday, after a brief illness.

Tambuwal commiserates...

He was said to have complained of a slight headache Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu after which he vomited that Waziri Tambuwal commiserated night and was attended to by a with the government and people team of medical doctors and this of Ondo State over the demise of stabilised his health condition before he later retired to bed.

The traditional ruler was said to have given up the ghost in his sleep and effort by doctors invited to attend to him proved abortive as they confirmed him dead.

A visit to the palace indicated that palace chief and domestic staff wore mournful look just as both yound and old besieged the palace to confirm the rumour.

Many people gathered in groups to discuss the demise of the Oba. His personal staff were seen moving out the personal belongings of the late Oba to his personal house within the metropolis according to the tradition.

Immediately the news filtered PRESENTATION: From left, Paul Wallace, Africa Editor of The Banker/FT; Ebele Ogbue, Managing to the owners of shops within Director/CEO, UBA Capital (Europe) Limited; Kennedy Uzoka, Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, the palace they raced to their with the ‘Bank of the Year’ award plaque won by UBA Senegal, and Michael Buerk, the award host, shops to evacuate their wares. during the presentation ceremony, at Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London.

This was because immediately an Oba died the market located around the palace called Oja

Ogun helps property owners regularise particulars

O

GUN STATE Government has embarked on initiatives to elevate the infrastructural development of the state with the introduction of the Homeowners’ Charter Programme which will enable homeowners regularise the legal status and documentation of their property.

Homeowners’ Charter Programme, an integral part of the government’s mission to rebuild the state, will also provide enumeration data for the medium term planning for provision of roads, schools, hospitals and other essential services.

Osun PDP, APC tango over alleged mayhem plan

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — BOTH the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the main oppossition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State have sharply disagreed over allegation of an attempt to cause mayhem in the state by a leading governorship aspirant from the opposition party before next year's governorship election.

The interim state chairman of APC, Mr. Adelowo Adebiyi alleged that part of the plot of the said politician was to issue uniform similar to those of the Osun Youths Employment Scheme, OYES, to hoodlums brought to the state to cause mayhem in some parts of the state, especially Osogbo, the state capital.

But the PDP chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa challenged the APC chairman to name the so-called governorship aspirant if he was sure of his facts.

Alhaji Olaoluwa asked if the people from Osun State who were arrested in Imo State and who paraded themselves as election observers during the

November 16 governorship election in Anambra State were from PDP. He added that all the four aspirants of the PDP were people of integrity who had served Nigeria meritoriously in different capacities.

“Alhaji Fatai Akinbade was a chairman of our party in the state before becoming SSG; Hon. Wole Oke was a two-time House of Representatives member and chairman, House Committee on Defence; Senator Olasunkanmi was a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also a fomer minister and Senator Iyiola Omisore is also a twoterm senator and former deputy governor of this state. So APC should tell the whole world who among them is capable of causing crisis,” he added.

Adebiyi stated that the said politician had concluded arrangements to cause crisis in the state through his sponsored uniform men whowould appear like OYES cadets on some streets in major towns in the state.

the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

In a message of condolence issued on his behalf in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the paramount ruler as a man of culture who worked tirelessly for stability, unity and progress of his domain.

Ajimobi, Amosun too

Also, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State while commiserating with the people and government of Ondo State, said the late Deji was a good monarch who would be missed by the people and all his friends, among whom he was one.

In his own condolence message, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State described his death as shocking, as it came at a time when his counsel was needed the most.

I am shocked to the marrow — Mimiko

The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has described the transition of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegoke Adesida as shocking to the marrows.

Dr. Mimiko lamented that “the tiger has fallen into a deep sleep.”

The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said the news of the demise of the first class royal father and Chairman of Ondo State Council of Chiefs was shocking to the marrows.”

He added that “not because we do not know of the eventuality of death, but that Afunbiowo II was not only vibrant and agile, he had an aura of health and life around him.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013—11

I’ll win 2015 Delta guber poll, boasts Gbagi

Delta Central poll: APC candidate, Emerhor goes to tribunal

BY FESTUS AHON & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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U

G H E L L I — FORMER Minister of State, Education and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has said that come 2015 governorship election in Delta State, he will emerge the winner as he was the only candidate with the road map to take Delta State to the promised land.

Gbagi, who spoke in Effurun, Delta State, while fielding questions from a team of journalists, insisted that the doctrine of zoning of elective positions in Delta State and the country was being promoted by lazy politicians, who were scared to engage in political battle.

According to him, zoning of elective offices has promoted mediocrity in Nigeria’s body politic, with the resultant consequence of bad leadership which has bedevilled the country.

Gbagi insisted that Delta State and the country cannot be caged into accepting any candidate, come 2015, in the name of zoning, maintaining that the best candidate with proven antecedents and a flawless record should be voted for to lead the state, irrespective of his or her ethnic grouping.

He said: “I stand here as the first chartered citizen of PDP. We did not zone, we have not zoned and zoning by its language is very unfortunate, a language for lazy people who cannot do battle and Delta State being what it is, we would do battle to get the very best.

“If you read what the Speaker of the House of Assembly said some days ago, he said that the irresponsibility of Nigeria today is borne out of that language called zoning.

“When you say everybody should wait that we have zoned it to these people, maybe the entire people from that zone are stupid people, so the state would be saddled with stupid people because you have adopted zoning.”

FLAG-OFF: From left: Senator Uche Chukwumerije; House Committee Chairman on Works, Mr. Ogbuefi Ozombachi; Works Minister; Mr. Mike Onolememen; Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State and Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Ude Okochukwu, during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, at Leru, Abia State, yesterday .

When to announce my successor — Sanusi

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said that his successor should be announced three months to the end of his tenure.

He also advised his successor to continue with his policy of tight money supply to consolidate on the gains of the low inflation rate achievement of his tenure.

He spoke, weekend, in Lagos at the 5th anniversary of the Women in Successful Career (WISCAR) where he delivered the keynote address and also featured in a panel discussion.

Said he: “Tomorrow (today) it will be six months to the end of my term, probably a bit early for the government to start talking about the next person. But I do hope that about two or three months before then, there should be some announcement.

“Central Bank governors don’t comment on who they think their successor should be, it is not our business to do that, it is the President’s decision. But If I have input at all, I will try to encourage that we announce a successor two to three months before the end of my tenure so that everybody knows who that person is, what the views are so that people can prepare accordingly. By the way, some of the names are out there in the newspapers and more will come out later.”

High interest rate

Responding to criticism of the high interest rate regime occasioned by the tight money supply of the CBN, Sanusi said high interest rate is the price the economy has to pay for low inflation rate and stable exchange rate.

He said: “If we bring down in-

flation, interest rate comes down in the long-term whenever inflation comes down and I hope the next CBN governor will continue on that and by 2015 bring inflation down to four to seven per cent. When you get Nigeria into a country where inflation is five per cent, interest rate will come down.

“The interest rate cannot be looked at in isolation. I always tell people that delivering low interest rate is the easiest thing a central bank can do. If I print enough money today, interest rate will come down to three per cent. But what will the rate of inflation be? What would the exchange rate be?

Cash reserve

“Recently I have been criticised all over for the 50 per cent cash reserve requirement on

public sector funds and I have seen all sort economists and analysts talk and that is fine.

“At the time I introduced the 50 per cent CRR on public sector funds, the India Rupee lost 20 per cent of its value, the South African Rand lost 16 per cent of its value, the Ghanaian Cedi lost 15 per cent of its value, the Indonesia currency lost 18 per cent of its value, the Brazilian Riel lost 12 per cent of its value, the Naira lost only 2.3 per cent. Where would you have been if the Naira had become N190 to a dollar?

“If you go to a bank, you get the dollar at N158. If you buy from the other market, that is a different matter. If you are genuine business, if you establish an L.C. from a bank, you don’t get the naira at more than N158 to a dollar and that is the interbank rate.”

Ijaw elders pass vote of confidence on Jonathan

BY SAMUEL

Y

OYADONGHA

E N A G O A — I J A W elders and leaders of thought, weekend, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to remain steadfast, selfless and committed to his responsibilities as President of the country.

This was part the resolutions reached at consultative meeting of Ijaw elders and leaders of thought in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The Ijaw opinion leaders also passed a vote of confidence on the President, expressing satisfaction with what they described as his commitment to the progress, peace, harmony and stability of the country.

A statement at the end of the consultative meeting condemned the voices of distraction aimed at thwarting the lofty achievements of the Federal Govern-

ment under the leadership of Jonathan.

SABA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the October 12, 2013 Delta Central senatorial district election, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, has challenged the election before the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba, seeking outright cancellation of the said election.

Respondents in the petition are Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate; Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; Resident Electoral Commissioner, Delta State; Commissioner of Police, Delta State and Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army.

The petitioner is praying the tribunal to declare that Aguariavwodo was not duly elected or returned as senator for the Delta Central senatorial district by a majority of lawful votes at the by-election of October 12, 2013.

He also wants the tribunal to declare that the election of October 12, 2013 upon which Aguariavwodo was declared elected senator representing Delta Central senatorial district was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or noncompliance with Electoral Law.

AUCTION! AUCTION!!

Unregistered Opel Wagon at Trinity D.V. 29, Akinyemi Street Amukoko

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

Amaechi asks FG to refund N105bn spent on federal roads

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARC O U RT — G OVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has enjoined the Federal Government to refund about N105 billion expended by the state on rehabilitation of dilapidated federal roads in the state.

The governor, weekend, in Port Harcourt, shortly after he received the Port Harcourt centenary award, said that the Bonny-Bodo federal road project had been abandoned, adding that work on the Port Harcourt International Airport was very slow, when compared with similar projects going on at other international airports in the country.

He said that he would only identify with a presidential candidate in 2015, who he was sure would protect the interests of Rivers people, adding that he was voted as governor to defend the interest of people of the state.

He said: “Show me one new thing to indicate that Rivers people have benefitted from the

2.1 million votes given to President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 elections. I was voted into office to defend the interests of Rivers people and I will continue to defend their interests.

The Bonny-Bodo federal road had been aban-

doned, the renovation of the Port Harcourt International Airport is very slow. If you compare Lagos International Airport, Kano, Benin, Enugu and others, you will understand that ours is backward, but why is Rivers State different?”

Rights violation: Court dismisses EFCC’s appeal

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, has dismissed the appeal by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against the judgment of a Federal High Court, Benin, which ordered the commission to pay N1.1million to Mr. Philip Odigie for the violation of his fundamental human rights.

The appellate court in its judgment by Justice Tom Yakubu, dismissed EFCC’s appeal for lacking in merit and ordered the commission to pay the

sum of N1.155 million to the respondent. The court also affirmed the judgment of the trial judge, Justice V. Nwokorie of the Federal High Court Benin on the issue.

EFCC in its appeal, had asked the appellate court to determine whether the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to entertain the respondent’s suit bearing in mind that the arrest and initial detention took place in Benin and whether the award of N1m as damages against it was proper among others.

Dismissing the appeal, Justice Yakubu, said: “The appeal is fluffy and lacking in merits. I dismiss it, accordingly.”

Police urged to caution chairman of dissolved Obio/Akpor council

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—OBIO/ Akpor Peoples Forum, has called on the Police in Rivers State to caution Mr. Timothy Nsirim from saying he would not respect the recent dissolution of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area by Gov-

ernor Rotimi Amaechi.

Vice President of the group, Mr Solomon Ikegwuru, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said that the statement was capable of causing crisis in the council.

It will be recalled that Mr Nsirim and 17 councillors of the council were reinstated by the judgment of a state High

Rep urges Nigerians to seek empowerment from God

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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MEMBER of the House of representatives, Mr Nicholas Mutu has urged Nigerians to seek God’s empowerment, which according to him was the panacea for peaceful co-existence, long live and happy living.

Speaking during the burial of his cousin, late Chief Eserubo Okporu, in Akugbene communi-

ty, Bomadi, Delta State, he pointed out that being close to God, knowing Him and working in accordance to His dictates was all Nigerians need to achieve their dream country.

Mutu, representing Bomadi and Patani federal constituency, said “there is a purpose for our being here on earth, and for us to fulfill His plans, we must seek for His power in all aspect of our lives.”

Court in Port Harcourt, six months after their suspension by the state House of Assembly. Five days after their reinstatement, Governor Amaechi announced the dissolution of the council in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii.

Nsirim and the 17 councillors told newsmen that they would not comply with the dissolution order by the state governor, saying that they were elected by the people.

They maintained that the governor had no powers to dissolve an elected council. By the close of work last Friday, Nsirim had not handed over to the Head of Local Government Administration in the council, Mr Azubuike Singer.

Meantime, Obio Akpor Peoples Forum commended the governor for the dissolution, saying that the development would bring peace to the council.

Vanguard, MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2013 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

ANAMBRA: APGA dedicates victory to Ojukwu zAdopts Jonathan as 2015 presidential candidate

BY TONY EDIKE & VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—THE All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has said it was dedicating the victory of its candidate in Anambra governorship poll, Dr. Willie Obiano, to the late leader of the party, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

This came as jubilant youths and women took to the streets and community squares in Anambra State yesterday, following the declaration of Chief Willie Obiano, the candidate of APGA as the winner of the governorship election in the state.

Jonathan for 2015

The party also announced the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as its Presidential candidate for 2015 apparently in appreciation of his support for the party in the governorship contest.

Leaders of the party, including the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, Governor Peter Obi and the Governor-elect, Dr. Willie Obiano made these known while briefing newsmen, at the Governor’s Lodge, Awka, where they expressed gratitude to the people of the state for renewing the party’s tenure in the state.

Governor Obi who expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for his tremendous support to the state, which made the governorship election very successful said that APGA would reciprocate the gesture by adopting him as the party’s presidential candidate in 2015 election. He said the party would not field any candidate in the presidential election.

Umeh speaks

Umeh, who spoke on behalf of the party, said the APGA family was very grateful to God for the “historic victory ” which he attributed to the good works the Governor Obi-led APGA government had done in the state since the past eight years.

He said: “On behalf of APGA, I want to say we are very grateful to God for this historic victory which our party recorded after a fierce but very easy battle for the party going by the result of this election.

“We dedicate this victory to the evergreen memory of our late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose vision and legacy have been sustained by this emphatic victory

by APGA in this election. The light which our late leader put on while he was alive is now shinning gloriously with this victory.”

Jubilation

Meanwhile, jubilant youths and women took to streets and C M Y K

community squares in Anambra State yesterday following the declaration of Chief Willie Obiano, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, as the winner of the governorship election in the state.

Many people stayed up till 12.00 midnight on Sunday when the winner of the election was announced by the state returning officer, Professor James Epoke, and as soon as the pronouncement was made, canon shots were heard in many communities.

Some people who were already asleep woke up and joined in the celebration which lasted till the later hours of the morning in many communities.

The governor-elect said he and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke were ready and adequately prepared to expand the boundaries of development so as to place Anambra State on the map of rapidly advancing states on all parameters of development.

According to him, “we are fully

aware that after Governor Obi’s glorious reign, Anambra can only advance to higher glory and as inheritors of this tradition of purposeful leadership, we shall dedicate ourselves to a life of service to be able to meet the needs of our people.”

Gov. Obi on the election

Speaking after the election, Governor Obi also said that the

election was a testimony that those who hoped on winning through rigging of election would always be disappointed in the face of continued improvement in the country’s electoral system.

He assured the people of Anambra State that they have made a good choice and expressed confidence that the in coming government would not disappoint them.

Clerics thank God

In some churches in parts of Anambra State yesterday, officiating priests thanked God for assisting the people in making their choice even in the face of obvious frustration.

At his country home in Aguleri ancient Kingdom in Anambra East Local Government Area, Obiano read an acceptance speech titled: ‘Sustaining our Steady March to Progress’ in which he thanked God and the people for electing him and his running mate, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

He called for continued support to ensure that the progress already made in the state by Governor Peter Obi in the last eight years was sustained.

Obiano on opponents

He said: “Throughout history, societies that have crossed the threshold of development have always worked together collectively as one. Development comes faster where there is a social contract between leaders and the people.

“History has shown that no remarkable advancement ever comes through without a price. As industrious people, Anambrarians are naturally built for the tasking commitment that the long stride to greatness requires.”

To his opponents in the election, Obiano said: “I extend my hand of fellowship to all my brothers who contested this election with me. I specifically urge my brothers: Tony Nwoye, Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Chris Ngige, Godwin Ezeemo and many others that I cannot easily mention now, to join us in the march to make Anambra State a better place.

“Please always remember that the blood that binds us is thicker than the politics that separates us.

By my victory at the polls, the people have affirmed the long struggle of our great father, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and have also upheld his view that our people should preserve our heritage through one united political roof.”

From left: Chairman of Microsoft, Bill Gates, Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, at an event in Abuja.

OBINNA TO OKOROCHA: Stop running Imo State as your private estate

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WERRI—THE Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony Obinna, has cautioned Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to stop running the state as his private estate.

He said the state’s internally generated revenues and federal allocations were people’s commonwealth and not personal assets.

The Archbishop’s admonition was contained in his sermon preached during a Concelebrated Pontifical sung mass at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, which was also attended by Governor Okorocha, his wife and members of the expanded state executive council.

“Federal allocations to Imo State, as well as internally generated revenues belong to the people of the state and not personal income of the Governor, which he can use the way he likes,” Archbishop Obinna said.

He urged the governor not only to run an inclusive government but also carry the people along.

Archbishop Obinna said:

“The people of Imo State had hoped that your administration would be an inclusive one but so far, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Obinna was particularly irked by Okorocha’s seeming refusal or reluctance to support mission schools in the state and advised him to borrow

a leaf from the neighbouring Anambra State, where Governor Peter Obi had been supporting public and private schools and hospitals.

“If you go to the mission hospital at Ihiala, Anambra State, you will not believe your eyes. It has been so transformed that you will not recognize it.

NITT boss to appear before Reps tomorrow

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA—THE Director General, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NIT T, D r Aminu Yusuf, is to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport on Tuesday.

The DG is expected to explain the state of budget implementation and other problems confronting the institute.

Yusuf, who was to meet with the committee in an interactive session last week but instead sent a representative, however explained that his absence was due to pressing official

A

engagements.

The DG said he had absolute respect for the House and institution of parliament and would not engage in anything that might impugn the integrity of the House.

He said: “The parliament is the bastion of democracy and I never intended to disrespect or malign the committee but I had earlier scheduled assignments that made me to send a representative.”

It wil be recalled that the DG had two months ago told the committee that the problems confronting Nigeria’s transport industry would only be solved with continuous improvement in infrastructure, technology and manpower.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013—15

80TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCESS PATIENCE IKUSEBIALA IN LAGOS. PIX: BUNMI AZEEZ.

From left: Chief Tajudeen Olusi, Omoba Mufi Adetoro, Senator From left: Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Princess Oluremi Tinubu and Princess Patience Ikusebiala, celebrant.

Patience Ikusebiala, celebrant and Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s mother, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, his wife, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola and Hon. Lola Akande, during the 80th birthday of Princess Patience Ikusebiala, at K&G Event Centre,Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

From left: Hon. Olusegun Olulade, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso and Hon. Olayinka Ogundimu.

From left: Senator Gbenga Obadara, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Ganiyu Solomon.

Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King (left) and Hon. Basir Oloto.

Princess Patience Ikusebiala with grand children on the occasion.

From left: Mr. Mutiu Are, Mr. Seyi Tinubu and Mr. Wasiu Esinlokun.

16 Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 ON Wednesday, November 20, 2013, the House of Representatives passed the second reading of a bunch of bills which, if they eventually become law, may see corruption in Nigeria go right through the roof and drain the nation’s treasury into foreign bank vaults.

Sponsored by Hons. Bamidele Faparusi, Udo Ibeji and Emmanuel Jime, the bills seek an act to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. 15 LFN, 2004 to allow public officers to operate bank accounts outside Nigeria and other matters connected thereto.

In simple words, if the bills become law, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal will no longer have the power to punish public officers for operating foreign accounts as they will now be free by law to do so. The promoters of the amendment stand logic on its head by saying that since public officers have continued to operate foreign accounts by proxy due to the ineffectiveness of the extant law, it might as well be thrown open.

We join the throng of well meaning

Against the Foreign Accounts Bill Nigerians, especially lawyers, human rights groups, the media and some of the more conscientious federal legislators to say a loud and emphatic “NO” to this amendment. If the CCB is weak in implementing the law, it should be strengthened. But if the current class of leaders are unwilling to strengthen the Bureau, one day a regime that will be willing to do so will surely come along, and the long arm of the law will still catch up with the offenders.We live in a world where money laundering and looting of public treasuries are no longer as attractive as they used to be in the primitive past when foreign

banks colluded with corrupt individuals and mafias from around the world to hide dirty money. Such moneys are, in fact, being returned to the countries from where they were stolen. It will amount to swimming against the tide for our public officers to be permitted to take our money out of the country, even if legitimately.If this amendment passes, it will lead to massive capital flight. It will also open the floodgate for corruption, worsen the unemployment situation and heighten violent crimes and terrorism. The laws must support efforts to ensure that Nigerian money is kept or invested in Nigeria to help in expanding economic opportunities.

The move to pass these bills is evil, unpatriotic and totally against the public interest. These are self-seeking bills that have nothing to do with credible representation. We call on the House and the Senate to kill the bills and focus efforts on strengthening the war on corruption and abuse of power by those elected to represent the ordinary citizens.

OPINION

BY MOSHOOD ISAH

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HE media calls it breaking news. The news is that the Federal Government has given the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, one week ultimatum to call off the ongoing strike. The acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja. This may not be unconnected to the frustration the union has put the government through in a bid to end the niggling strike. I think to some extent the members of ASUU are not considerate of students’ plight as they fight the government. They are already losing the sympathy of average Nigerians, including this writer, who believe they had no genuine cause because of their latest demands on salary.

The government has virtually met most of the union’s demand but the ASUU members are bent on the immediate payment the four month wages in arrears. Simply put, ASUU wants to receive salary for the four months they refuse to work. I will allow my readers to judge that.

Before this development, Nigerians had been kept on suspense on the resumption day of the affected universities, thinking the union may call-off the almost five months old industrial action.

The ASUU embarked on an indefinite strike on July 1, 2013 following the failure of the Federal Government to implement part of the 2009 agreement reached by the two parties. The union’s demands include the upward review of the retirement age for professors from 65 to 70, adequate funding to revitalize the university system, progressive increase of budgetary allocations to the education sector by 26 per cent, transfer of Federal Government property to universities, setting up of research and development units by companies, payment of earned allowances and renegotiation of the signed agreement. After a couple of meetings with C M Y K

ASUU and FG’s ultimatum government delegations, including President Goodluck Jonathan himself, it seems the niggling issue still haven’t gotten a head way.

As a matter of fact, in the course of negotiation and shuttling from locations for executive meetings, the union lost one of its stalwarts, Professor Festus Iyayi, former ASUU president and a lecturer in the University of Benin. Despite dying on one of Nigerian death-traps called road and due to the reckless driving of government convoy, there was still no element of effort to end the strike in a bid to eulogize the innocent man who died in the cause.

Instead both ASUU and government continue to dilly-dally with the future of innocent university students. Both sides continue to accuse each other of insincerity. To be candid, both sides have not done enough to see to the long-lasting end to strikes in the universities.

For example, among the demands of the union, according to the Chairman of the University of Lagos branch of the union, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka, is the payment of earned allowances which included excess workload, administrative responsibilities, and postgraduate supervisory allowances, among others. He further said that a professor who supervises postgraduate theses is supposed to be paid N15,000 per student, adding: “The Federal Government has not paid any lecturer the theses supervisory allowance. Logically, this demand is uncalled for. If the student who spend a lot of money on projects materials, researches and all that is not demanding for project grant, I don’t think a professor that only sits down in his office or anywhere convenient to supervise the same project should go

on strike because he wants to be paid for supervision. As a matter of fact, many lecturers only lecture for few hours in a week and many times miss their classes. This does not affect their wages in anyway. Thus, I don’t think the same person should demand for extra allowances for perceived excess workload.

The union is already divided as some universities are already threatening to end their strike. As a matter of fact, Adekunle Ajasin University is already recruiting lecturers to replace the striking ones. This goes a long way in extrapolating the insincerity of the cause itself. More so, it also goes a mile in telling us that even the union within itself know that its strike is unjust. Despite all the efforts and promises by government, the union remains adamant on its own outrageous demands. Thus, the government which is being saddled with too much responsibilities have no choice than to coax the union back to work.

With the new directive by the government to members of ASUU to return to work or face the ax, only demonstrate how much the union has frustrated the effort of the government in order to settle the long running strike. There are more issues to dwell on, than spending a lifetime to settle the demands of the academic union. The union just has to shift grounds to accommodate the government and its incessant pleading.

*Mr Isah, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Garki II, Abuja

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Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013—45

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF WOMEN:

Ogun still a huge construction site I

FIRST came across the phrase a ‘Huge Construction Site’ in November 1999 during a tour of Germany sponsored by the government of that country.

The expression was used in an information pamphlet describing the city of Berlin which was then undergoing massive reconstruction aimed at giving it the infrastructural facilities befitting its status as capital of the newly united Germany.

That phrase, however, aptly captured the scenario presented on the streets of Berlin during the period. Every corner you turned to, there was construction work going on, with giant equipment dotting the landscape. Thus, when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in his speech on January 24 during the commissioning of the first flyover bridge to be built by the Ogun State Government in its 37 years of existence used the same expression to describe the situation in the state today, one could not but marvel at the beauty of the expression.

Construction projects With 16 major road construction projects going on simultaneously across the state and other reconstruction works on some other smaller roads, Ogun State has really become a big construction site, where top civil engineering firms now compete to prove their competence. The construction work on major roads in Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ota, Sagamu, Isheri, Magboro, Ilara, Ijohun, Ilashe, Ilishan, Ago

YUSUPH OLANIY ONU OLANIYONU Iwoye, Mowe, Ibafo, Ofada, Sango, Agbado, Akute, Alagbole, among others, is a manifestation of the urban renewal and infrastructural development which form part of the five cardinal programme of the Ibikunle Amosun administration’s Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.

The government commenced this urban renewal programme with the reconstruction and expansion of the 2.4 kilometre Ibara-Sokori-Totoro road which was used as a model for what is now known as ‘Ogun Standard’ roads. The already completed road came with road furniture including walkways, drainage, median with street lights and

flower beds, bus stop, flyover at the Ibara junction and pedestrian bridge.

All these facilities are being enjoyed by the good people of Ogun State. As at today, the seven kilometre Sagamu-Benin E x p r e s s Junction/Oba Erinwole Junction road, 4.8 km Ilo Awela road in Ota, 8.7 km OGTV-Brewery junction road, 6 km Moshood Abiola Way, 34 km Lafenwa Ayetoro road, 9 km Ojere-Asero road, 5.6 km Somorin - Ajebo road, 2.2 km Abiola Way Junction- Muda Lawal Stadium, 850 metre Moriamo Olorombo road, all in the state capital, are under construction.

Other roads being modernized by the Ogun State government are the 100 km Ilara-Ijohun-Ilase road, 25 km Ilishan-Ago Iwoye road, 29 km Mowe-Ofada-Ibafo road, 9km Ejinrin-Oluwalogbon junction in Ijebu Ode, 12 km Magboro-Underpass road, Isheri road and the very important 32 km Sango-Agbado-Ojodu Road.

These roads are being handled

by PW Nigeria Limited, China Construction Engineering Company (CCEC), Hi-Tech, Borini Prono, CSCC, First August, Siktobs and Zebra Gold.

Most of these roads are at different stages of completion to levels ranging from two to 30 percent and the last of the roads

The second part of this discourse was published in the Friday edition of Vanguard

BY OGBEMI O. OMATETE

Map ofOgun State

continuously growing state like Ogun is being tackled. The construction firms are employing thousands of skilled and unskilled workers. Their work is also contributing to shoring up the local economy as many other allied businesses like supply of sands, granite and other materials used in construction work are now thriving.

The road network is also part of the infrastructural development necessary to attract genuine investors who will like to have their companies located in a place where there is easy movement of goods and persons.

In any case, the state government is expanding the roads in readiness for the future construction of light rail to complement the road transportation system. On April 9, the government signed an agreement with the CCECC, a Chinese construction company for the construction of light rail which will link up the major cities in the state like Abeokuta, Ota, Sagamu and Ijebu Ode. The plan, therefore, is to use the road construction to Most of these roads are at prepare the different stages of completion to state as the next preferred levels ranging from two to 30 investors’ percent and the last of the roads is destination in expected to have been completed West Africa.

The road

by December next year construction is expected to have been projects are to be complemented ambitious housing completed by December next by year. The latest road where programme which will help to construction just started in accommodate the people that October is the Sango-Ojodu will expectedly begin to relocate Road which will solve the to Ogun State in search of jobs problem of neglect suffered over and a safe, peaceful abode. With the years by the numerous over N90 billion being invested residents of the border towns with on these infrastructural development projects, there are Lagos.

Apart from being a move aimed those who wonder where the at fulfilling his promise to the money is coming from.

The sources are many. There people of Ogun State and implementing part of his five is the Internally Generated cardinal programme, the road Revenue which has risen from construction projects have the paltry sum of N700 million month that this implications for other items on per Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration inherited on Mission to Rebuild Ogun State. assumption of office in May 2011 For instance, other aspects of the to about N4 billion. The leakages Mission include employment in the financial system have been generation, industrialization, blocked. There are internal loans affordable housing, affordable from local banks which are being qualitative education and frugally dispensed. There are efficient healthcare delivery also funds from development system. With the road partners.

Olaniyonu is Commissioner for construction, the problem of unemployment plaguing a Information and Strategy in Ogun State.

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BY YUSUPH OLANIYONU

A tribute to my triumvirate of heroines(3)

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fares and boarded lorries where we sat on undemarcated wooden planks laid across the lorry, tightly packed like cattle. We rode facing backwards, opposite the direction in which the lorry moved. Our first stop was in Warri where we disembarked at the motor park. Then we moved to the Ughelli section of the park. Here, there were more young boys milling around trying to travel to Ughelli. Just like in Sapele, there were no parents with us, unlike nowadays.

Nevertheless, we all took our turns boarding the Ughelli bound lorries. Riding over rugged dirt roads, just like the Sapele to Warri trip, we

HORTLY after the move, I received a letter through my elementary school that I was invited to Government College Ughelli for “a short list examination and interview.” I told Aunt Oleghenju and showed her the letter, which she took but said very little. A couple of weeks before the scheduled date for the examination and interview at Ughelli, my aunt reminded me about it. Instead of showing some excitement, I remained indifferent, saying that I had forgotten about it and so was not prepared to go. Aunt must have been taken aback, although she did not show it.

Later that evening, I was summoned before an elderly man, Mr. Arayi, in the Map ofDelta next compound. I State was scared but I knew I had committed no mischiefs lately.

When I arrived, my aunt and other adults were there.

Mr. Arayi looked at me and asked, “Youngman, did I hear that you don’t want to go for arrived in Ughelli. With little interview at Ughelli?” I said or no luggage, we walked all nothing. “Do you know how the way from the Ughelli many parents are praying for motor park to Government their sons to get this College premises. opportunity? Tell me young There, in front of me was man, why don’t you want to go?”

Government College Ughelli “I have only my brown khaki (GCU), magnificent beyond school uniform and no other the imagination of a thirteen clothes to wear when I go,” I year-old boy; gorgeously muttered. Aunt interjected, “So painted buildings if I bought you new white short everywhere, long two-storey and white shirt, you will go?” blocks and even longer “Yes,” I said nodding and bungalows, with several large smiling. “I will buy you the “U” shaped houses and white and white tomorrow. You simpler ones behind them, all go and study for the exam and neatly separated by well-laid interview,” Aunt continued. out roads and surrounded by That was it. beautiful flower hedges and lush green lawns.The only Common other place that I thought entrance would compare with it was the European quarters that I ran home ahead of aunt and surrounded the famous picked up the book I bought African Timber and Plywood months earlier for the common (AT&P) Company in Sapele. entrance. My preparation for But then I had never been the short list examination and inside the quarters. Young interview into Government adults, school prefects, met us College Ughelli had and took us to the various commenced. buildings (dormitories) where On the penultimate day to the we were accommodated. We interview at Ughelli, all excited, ate in the dinning hall, and I took my bath very early and went to bed. Early the next wore my new white short and morning we were awoken shirt and was ready to go to the and taken on a jogging trip motor park. When Aunt saw me round the campus. Then, we in my white and white as she went to the shower area. At handed me my transport fares, the back were four showers she suggested that it would be where you turned a tap and better to travel in the brown water flowed on you; to the khaki since the white would be right was a large white easily be soiled. But nothing enamel urinary, where water was going to separate me from flowed regularly to washed it my new white and white, so I out; and next to them were left for the motor park in it. I white enamel wash basins. met many boys there travelling To be continued to Ughelli, too. We paid our

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

WHEN a major political event like the defection of the rebellious members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, takes place, it is easy to get confused. When confusion sets in, you will see people who should be sober or suspicious rejoicing as though they have won a major trophy.

That is exactly what is happening to members and sympathisers of the APC. All they can see is that the governors in their party have increased from 11 to 16 with the possibility of a further rise to 18; senators swelling to 48 and members of the House of Reps ballooning to 199, more than the 147 which some media reports credited to the PDP. Many Nigerians who have been led to believe that the PDP has been the major source of the nation’s political and economic problems, are delirious that the APC is now in a much better position to overthrow the PDP and lead Nigeria to the Promised Land where we will all live happily ever after; a happy ending to a fairy tale.

If you want to avoid getting caught up in this kind of confusion; if you want to tame your expectations to realistic levels; if you want to spare yourself the grief of

G7 defection: Matters arising

in the centre. It is not about G7 joining to like-minds in the APC in protest over PDP’s “public-private partnership” model of infrastructural development, which will deny the populace access to free or subsidised services. In short, it is not a quest for better governance.

It is squarely a struggle for power. It is about the primitive concerns of the politician, who is primarily in politics to acquire power to serve his personal, religious or regional interests (where religion and region will help him achieve access to power). I do not see how APC differs from PDP in terms of respect for Tinubu, the touted National Leader of the rights of the APC, is faced with an Arewa Nigerians.

If challenge, the magnitude of which will anything, the APC government in be apparent in no distant future Lagos State has demonstrated its disappointment or the feeling of being willingness to crudely deprive fellow duped, the best thing to do is to ask Nigerians of their citizenship rights due yourself: what really is this political furore to alleged destitution and being nonall about? What is the primary motivation indigenes. APC and PDP rig elections in behind the actions being taken by the major their respective spheres of influence in political actors? equal measure. They commit acts of Let us start by ruling out ideological impunity within their theatres of authority differences. This is not a fight over just the same. They are equally prone to ideology. It is not about G7 opposing the corruption and lack of respect for zoning principle of the PDP and therefore transparency and accountability. defecting to APC. We know that APC also All eyes of the major contenders are on operates zoning, which is why its the presidential seat in 2015. The PDP presidential candidate will come from wants President Goodluck Jonathan to Arewa Muslim North in 2015. We don’t retain his seat after the 2015 elections. They know where the deputy will come from as are not willing to listen to any suggestion yet. It is not about G7 believing in true to the contrary, not even the so-called one federalism or devolution of powers to the term “pact” allegedly signed by the second tier of government as opposed to President in 2011. The G7 has been eased PDP wanting to keep power concentrated out of the party because it is full of people

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who will challenge the President for the party’s ticket; people who will employ every dirty trick to do so, including sponsorship of Islamic terrorists and regional gang-ups. The G7 also contains expiring governors who require protection from the consequences of their actions in power, which they feel, the PDP and the President may be unwilling to guarantee.

Inside the APC, it is also a game of power.

Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu knew he could never create a political party that would win a presidential election. He settled for a shortcut. The merger with the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, had enlarged his vineyard from six to 11 states. Now with the coming of the G7’s five governors, he has 16 in the kitty. And that is where his problems begin. Tinubu has overshot his capacity. He now has 10 states he cannot whimsically summon to Lagos as he used to do with his defunct ACN; ten states whose governors owe him no political debts; ten states, five of which are governed by hotheaded politicians with notorious track record of rebellion, indiscipline and disloyalty to their party.

That aside, Tinubu, the touted National Leader of the APC, is faced with an Arewa challenge, the magnitude of which will be apparent in no distant future. Arewa now has a commanding hold on the APC with its eight states compared to Tinubu’s six.

But Arewa is not disputing the post of National Leader with Tinubu because they know the presidential slot is coming their way. That, after all, is their real objective.

Arewa, through General Muhammadu Buhari, tried to use ANPP and CPC

platforms to grab power back. It failed.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar tried to rally the fabled Arewa might within the PDP in 2011 but failed to clinch the party’s presidential ticket. He and other ambitious Arewa governors have tried again for 2015 only to be quietly eased out of the PDP. As APC is a willing horse, Arewa will cooperate with Tinubu, the National Leader, until they put their hands on the grand trophy. Then, Tinubu will be retired, with or without full benefits, depending how well he takes what is coming. The same thing happened when General Olusegun Obasanjo prepared the 1976 to 1979 transition to culminate in a Northern president. It also happened when the same Obasanjo, as elected president, prepared the 2006/2007 transition to end with Umaru Yar’ Adua to emerge as president. But whether Tinubu will be able to deliver the presidency to Arewa this time around is something we watch to see.

APC will have to keep its eyes peeled because among the defectors might be a horde of PDP moles. I do not believe that PDP will lie supine and allow APC to emerge and overwhelm it just like that, without trying to riddle the upstart party with cankerworms. They have done it before. They sent Chief Etiebet and the late Augustus Aikhomu to the ANPP to destroy the party and come back to PDP during the Obasanjo years. They have the money and the willing and experienced hands to do it for them. These worms are likely to strike when it is time to pick tickets.

APC, a patchwork of political amalgams, might begin to yield at the seams. It will be PDP’s time to take back what they have just “lent” to the opposition. By then, for the APC, it might be too late.

The road to 2015 and beyond will be rougher for APC than PDP because of its volatile diversity, which is an alien experience to Tinubu as a political leader.

His admirers have started calling him a “master strategist”. Orji Uzor Kalu’s admirers also called him exactly that fanciful name. In fact, Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe wrote a biography of Kalu with that title. But where is Kalu now?

The new APC mega party is an excellent opportunity for Tinubu to prove his admirers right.

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OPINION FG's sack threat to ASUU: A throwback to the dark era of military rule

BY HASSAN TAIWO SOWETO& MICHAEL OGUNDELE HE Education Rights Campaign, ERC, considers the threat by the Federal Government to sack striking academic staff of public universities unless they resume duties on or before December 4 as the height of Dr Goodluck Jonathan presidency’s creeping dictatorship. This outrageous and provocative order by a supposedly elected government to university lecturers to resume work regardless of whether or not their demands have been met is reminiscent of the dark days of military despotism. Above all, it demonstrates the regime’s contempt and absolute disregard for the rights and interests of the working people of this country. No doubt, to implement this threat the Federal Government will have to employ ruthless methods consisting of arrest and detention of ASUU leaders, mass sack of its members, proscription of the union itself and drafting of the police and the army to occupy university campuses ostensibly to maintain law and order!

Here we must quickly point out that it is not ASUU but actually the Federal Government and its obstinate refusal to invest in revitalising our decrepit public university system that is sabotaging the education sector and keeping students perpetually at home.

The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, while announcing this

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threat, said the Federal Government has met all its commitments and obligations with respect to the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement. It must be that the ruling elite somehow believes that Nigerian people suffer from collective amnesia, otherwise how could a whole Minister of the Federal Republic utter such a blatant lie?

Everybody knows the current strike was caused by Federal Government refusal to honour an agreement on university funding and academic staff welfare signed with ASUU since 2009. Since this strike started four months ago, the Federal Government has rather consistently and under different ruse been presenting proposals that border on unilaterally renegotiating the agreement.

Everyone knows that despite the consistent insincerity of the Federal Government and insults from Finance Minister, Okonjo Iweala, Senate President David Mark and Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, ASUU has had to shift some ground on several occasions since the strike started in order to accommodate the Federal Government. Everyone knows that at the 13-hour marathon meeting by President Jonathan and ASUU executives and NLC and TUC representatives, the government stuck to its refusal to honour the 2009 agreement and instead presented proposals which watereddown the basic ingredients of the 2009 agreement but which ASUU graciously agreed to present to their members for consideration.

Everyone knows that a decision on the President’s proposals would have been made

by ASUU weeks before now had an unfortunate but highly-suspicious accident involving the convoy of Kogi State Governor Idris Wada not claimed the life of its former president, Prof.

Festus Iyayi, while travelling for ASUU’s NEC meeting.

Above all, everyone knows that the so-called new demands which Nyesom Wike claimed ASUU is making are in reality not new demands but simple request that the Federal Government begins to implement its proposals so that university lecturers can be rest assured that this is not another ruse to make ASUU suspend its strike while government would again fail to honour its promise. President Jonathan proposed at the November 4 meeting to give N200 billion for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation of public universties. This is almost December and not a kobo has been released by the Federal Government. All ASUU is asking is for the President to demonstrate his alleged sincerity. However the Federal Government’s violent reaction to this simple request of ASUU only goes to confirm our fear in the ERC that the government right from beginning had no intention to honour either the 2009 agreement or any agreement at all that would mean spending to revitalise our collapsing public universities just a fraction of the billions being daily looted by Nigeria’s capitalist ruling elite and imperialist

multinational companies.

We support ASUU’s demand that none of its members be victimised for engaging in the strike. We also demand that the salaries and allowances of all academic staff withheld under the undemocratic “No Work, No Pay” rule during the course of the strike be paid in full.

Before now the ERC had warned of the creeping militarisation of the country under President Jonathan through the use of undemocratic policies and laws and more than once open use of armed police and the army to undermine the democratic rights of workers and ordinary Nigerians. We had earlier called on the labour movement to intervene with protests and demonstrations to halt the continued descent to civilian dictatorship.

Already the government has demonstrated its intolerance of the democratic rights of lecturers with brutal clampdown of the protest actions of ASUU members at a number of universities a few weeks ago. Now as it appears, the government wants to intensify the attacks on the striking university lecturers. Should this be allowed to happen, sooner than later the entire workers, students, youth and poor masses of this country would be similarly attacked by the government. This is why it is important for the labour movement to act now. *Messrs Soweto & Ogundele are the National Coordinator and National Secretary, respectively, of the Education Rights Campaign, ERC.

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HE issue of Anambra State is a classical case study of a paradox. A state with so much potentials in both human and material resources struggling to find a headway. A state that has produced great leaders for Nigeria Azikiwes, Okigbos, Ekwensis, Ekwuemes, Anyaokus, Ojukwus and many others, finding it difficult to get leadership to pilot its affairs.

A state that, through its citizens, exported true democracy to other lands - Azikiwe, Anyaoku et al - could not conduct itself, a credible election to produce a genuine leader.

A state of commerce, with arguably the largest market in Africa at Onitsha; a people that have spread their commerce to all nooks and crannies of the country, with diverse exposures, could not bring themselves together to agree on who governs them. They could not bring the dexterity used in electing market leaders all across the country to bear on who should rule them at the state level.

A state which is like a beacon to the whole of the South East - if Anambra gets it right, it will extend to the other states . Why is Anambra State finding it difficult to do it right? Is it out of sheer greed? Or the much acclaimed republican nature of the Igbos?

Is it in their mores and cultures?

Or, a hereditary trait that we cannot do anything about? Why can’t they conduct elections with civility? Why do leaders refuse to accept defeat?

It is true that the Igbo man exhibits a lot of hubris as part of his characterisation - Chinua Achebe wrote so in his book THERE WAS A COUNTRY (p.76)... the dangers of hubris, overweening pride, and thoughtlessness...- but is that enough for them not to agree on a common candidate, even amongst their own stock?

The civil war has brought out the mercantile nature of the Igbo man. Anambra State was in the front line of the Nigerian civil war and the place was greatly ravaged, that it became a survival of the fittest situation. Anything to survive became the norm and values were thrown overboard.

Money became the primary means of recognition. With money, you have power, if you do not have money, you are nobody.

As a result of challenges facing the Nigerian business environment, the quickest access to money is to be in government. In government, you have power and unlimited cash to throw around that even EFCC cannot query.

That is why people like the Uba brothers will do all they can to have control. Money has so much become the issue that the average Anambrarian does not care about their common wealth,

Gladiators in the Anambra gubernatorial election should sincerely review their actions and act in accordance with the common will

National Conference: A call to reinvent Nigeria now

BY OLU OMA-WILLIAMS

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CLAMOUR is arising from the pol ity: that of the Nigerian nation, there is littie need to speak; the faults have been made clear to us all; there is need for rejection of inherent cultural imperialism, to grow Nigerian-oriented culture-human, spiritual and materialistic and egalitarian culture to help Nigerians find their rightfu place in the maze. That our ancient glory be recognised and that our nation be safeguarded and protected. The Nigerian dream of post-independence should arisethe Nigeria of brotherhood regardless of tribe, tongue or religion, be projected into our modern vision.

The major fault seems our extreme negativism which makes the Nigerian the most easily “conditioned” people of all times.

This negativity must be overcome and attention must be paid to the careful orientation and development of individuals to think and act in the interest of the nation.

This should be the keynote of our future confederation of the Nigerian people who may have been led into evil ways and separative thinking.

Is there a need for a “Talk Shop”?

Yes. The dialogue will provide some perspective on how modernity has changed our culture and the character typing most adaptive in the circumstance. Yes, because militarisation of our society has undermined the traditional conservative of yester-years; it propelled new sets of junglefighting-politicians with a different social agenda into positions of “Over lords”.

These jungle-fighting politicians (whose main emotion is primitive, greedy, lust, coC M Y K

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which is the government business and infrastructures.

In fact, at a time, the seat of power and the state broadcasting corporation were attacked and vandalised by men in opposition backed by money and power. Till date, no arrest or charges have been brought against all those who perpetrated these acts.

If we say the Igbos are republicans in nature, Is it not supposed to be an advantage to democracy? Republican(ism) recognises no divine King ship or ruler ship.

It is based on individuals and groupings. It recognises the majority. Why has it not worked in the Anambra? It has not worked because, like the hubris trait earlier mentioned, the Igbos are one of the few tribes in the world that still practice discrimination amongst themselves.

They classify some people as Osu and others as true blood. The true blood will never accept the leadership of an Osu man, no matter how well read, wealthy, intelligent and exposed the osu man is. So, this caste belief makes it difficult for true repre-

lourless and power worshipping) soon became political entrepreneurs and estate/ empire builders.

Some of the most successful of them operate by means of force, blackmail, bribery and corruption to gain wealth and political influence. They have constituted themselves into what they term “progressives”.

They represent rent-seekers, middle men whose wealth and new values of materialism have deepened class division and destroyed traditiona limits. Another group of jungle-fighters are the robber barons who rationalised their exploitation of the Nigerian people and resources under the ideology of social Darwinism and progress.

A common tactic of all these jungle-fighting managers has been to hire hungry Nigerians as subordinates who feed their insatiable narcism and keep them as dependent as possible. The jungle-fighter becomes ungrateful to their subordinates once he no longer needs them! No doubt, total orientation/re-orientation engineered through conference of the nationalities remains a perquisite to our transformation.

A belief in Nigerian human unity must be enclosed. This unity must be grasped as something worth fighting and dying for; it must constitute the new foundation for our political, religious and social reorganisation; and must provide the theme for our development.

Human unity, human understanding, human relationship, human fairplay, and the essential oneness of all Nigerians-these are the only concepts upon which to construct a new paradigm to induce equitable competition and to bring to an end the exploitation of one section by another and

sentation to be achieved and this has also been extended to religious denominations; you now find the Catholics pitching their camps against the Anglicans, and so on.

Still on the hubris factor, we have noticed that in the academia, it is usually a helluva fight to put leaders into positions of Vice Chancellors and other headship positions. This, they say,is because of the “book-book” and “too know” factors that will not make one concede leadership to the other. Such is the situation in Anambra State. In the PDP alone, they could not agree on a candidate until the Supreme Court decision, one week to the election. Professor Chukwuma Soludo had to part ways with his own in-law, Dora Akuyinli because of clash in their gubernatorial interests. In fact, Anambra State has created a record in terms of number of candidates filing up for a governor ship election. With all of their intelligence, why can’t they agree on a simple democratic process to elect their leader.

The situation in Anambra is so sad that it has become the “dog in a manger” cast. If I cannot get it, let nobody get it. That is why three opposition parties: APC, PDP and LP, perennial rivals, decided to come together as one body to fight APGA which led in the earlier poll conducted.

It is time for the collective Anambrarians to sit down and rethink their positions. Whose interest should come first, is it the collective or personal ambitions.

The unity of Anambra will ex-

the hitherto unfair distribution of the nation’s wealth. As long as there exists extremes of riches and poverty, Nigerians are falling short of their high destiny. This conference (sovereign/not) as a strategy for any social change must take account of urban as well as rural citizens (not political parties, not government nominees and not necessarily on religious/ regional divides) whose spirits influence the quality of life for the people.

The conference needs be driven to yield the structure and context of project Nigeria acceptable to all and thus enhance grooming Nigerians to rally round the national flag for glory and brotherhood.

Today, majority of Nigerians, villagers especially, have become powerless and vulnerable people, whilst political jungle fighters (oppressors) are among the most powerful, privileged and protected citizens. There is need for psycho-analytical characterology audit to mould the energies of Nigerians for the purpose of tie functioning of a unified modern Nigeria and not leave it to conscious decision of

tend to other parts of the country as the Anambra man is the most widely distributed Nigerian because of his trading activities, like the Ogbomosho man in the South West and the Hausa/Fulani nomads of the North. So, bringing stability to their system will serve a positive influence on others.

It is important for the diverse groups in Anambra to come together and place their collective talents on the table- so to say- to move the state forward. Talents in trade, commerce, exposures to other climes, industry, even leadership from key individuals like Anyoaku.

Politics must not be a do or die affair. It is the empowerment of a few individuals to run the affairs of the state on behalf of the collective. Its goal is for the benefit of the people.

Those who are not ready to subordinate themselves to the collective will of the people do not deserve to be in position of governing the people. In other words, if you cannot serve others, do not expect to receive service from the people.

The present gladiators in the Anambra gubernatorial election should therefore, sincerely review their actions and act in accordance with the common will.

Anyone amongst them that emerges as winner should be given recognition by all. There is always another time. Next time may be yours.

*Mr Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos

Nigerian state into a collective of unsecured looters. To achieve success in national harmony, and moving the country forward for progress, a new governance framework is imperative, driven by the people with good leadership; not unpatriotic political entrepreneurs, nor security-seeking yes-men who are excited by the chance to cut deals and gamble with the soul of Nigeria. A good citizen, as a responsive politician, defers to democracy driven by the people for the people.

Our problems lay not necessarily in ethnicity, but in decline of the protestant ethic, lack of trust, unwillingness of the citizenry and ignoble actions of political oppressors. But the real psychological issue is to recognise the Nigerian humanity on equal terms. A major poser for this conference in re-inventing Nigerian is exploration of our cognitive style (culture, behaviour, symbol, religion/history, etc) as a psychic finger print for determining the fate of Nigeria: How does the Nigerian satisfy survival needs for food, shelter, and safety, existential needs for devotion, unity and

Our problems lay not necessarily in ethnicity, but in decline of the protestant ethic, lack of trust, unwillingness of the citizenry and ignoble actions of political oppressors

,

BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

,

Who will save Anambra from itself

selfish gratification seekers acting to the requirements of an unacceptable culture.

Let the entrepreneurship in good Nigerians not be stalled or hamstrung, but rather engineered with its motivation completely re-engineered.

Existing convoluted structural arrangement of the nation-state has only encouraged the present generation to develop in their heads and not in their hearts. The emergence of wantom greed and incorporate social ethic has eventually enhanced selfish individualism and transformed the

,

effectiveness? Right now, majority of Nigerians are disillusioned; and disintegration will only heighten segmented disillusionment. Therefore, the conference must pave the way to discover a ‘messiah’ of a modern Nigeria to:Define progress for Nigeria, *Get Nigeria moving in an enduring new era embodying a new competitive, adventurous spirit with family values of respect and self-reliance. *Mr. Oma-Williams, a Chartered Accountant & Management Consultant, wrote from Lagos.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

How we can solve all our problems — Ekweremadu •Extend Jonathan’s tenure to 2017 •Extend tenure of all governors to 2017 •Implement Single Term for President and Govs from 2017 THE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR, has for the second legislative session running been the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review. In his first advent between 2007 and 2011, he led the committee in the first substantive alteration of the 1999 Constitution after two failed attempts in the preceding legislative sessions. The Ekweremadu Committee is again headed towards other fundamental alterations of the Committee before the middle of next year. Senator Ekweremadu, in a session with newsmen expounds on the committee’s positions on some of the issues and juxtaposes his own personal position on some of the issues which he affirms would bring solution on some of the raging issues in the polity. Ekweremadu who was a key associate of Senate President David Mark in the postulation of the Doctrine of Necessity, in the session suggests the invocation of another doctrine of necessity for the extension of the term of President Goodluck Jonathan and all serving governors for the realization of a single term for executive office holders and then the El dorado he says the nation urgently needs. Excerpts:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

O

N single term WHEN the matter came up at the level of our committee we were mindful of the political atmosphere, we also tried to draw inspiration from what happened in other jurisdictions, especially in Latin America in the seventies where they had circumstances in which the issue of transition from one president to another was a major issue and was causing crises within their region and they decided to amend their constitution at the time to create single term in each of those countries, and it was for a transition period.

This helped to stabilise their democracy and now, some of them are amending their constitutions to go back to two terms of maybe four or five years. So, we felt that it was something we could recommend to our country.

Cost of election

Issue of succession If you look at what is going on in Nigeria, in both the new PDP and APC are based on the issue of succession. We believe strongly that that matter is something that could be revisited.

But I think the mistake we made in our recommendation was when we said incumbents would not benefit from it, and I think there was then some kind of coalition of forces to defeat it.

Yes, I believe that if the players in the polity, that is, the stakeholders are able to come together, I believe strongly that it is one way to deal with the situation. It could be a win-win situation for everybody and I believe that the one way it could work is...now people have been elected for four years, now let everybody complete the four year

positions, we can go ahead and hold the legislative elections in 2015. The advantage will be that if we do the legislative elections in 2015, and then we do executive elections in 2017, then we will have two year gap for INEC to have a breathing space to prepare well. You can see what is happening in Anambra now.

INEC needs sufficient time to recover from one election to another.

I think it is something that we need to reflect on and see if it is something that can help to resolve some of the challenges that are having now. And I do hope that if we are able to do that and we all agree to it, that it is going to solve even some of the security challenges because I do believe that some of the security problems we are having, some of them are from the tension arising from politically charged atmosphere.

So, somehow, everybody will benefit from it, both the president, the governors and all that and all we need to do is to exercise some patience and give them two more years and they will all exit and we will start on a clean slate and go forward.

•Ekweremadu: Let there be single term

tenure for which they have been elected and we can through the doctrine of necessity do some kind of transition of two years in which case, those who are now present occupants like the president and the governors who are finishing their term, could now do another

two years that will end in 2017.

You see, some of those who are fighting the president, I hear that their complaint is that if the president gets a second term when they are gone that they may start chasing them. Now if we agree that that could be a way to

solve the problem, after two years both the president and those other governors will now exit and the fear will not be there and I believe it will bring down the temperature of politics.

Of course we don’t have much problem with the legislative

If you say it is five years, six years or seven years, we will all agree so that the cost of all these re-elections and all that and all the problems that come with it would have been resolved and people will now know that if I am a president or a governor, I have a certain number of years and when I finish, I am not going to hunt the president or stop him from running again.

Right now what is happening is that if the governor wants a reelection, he will do all kinds of things to stop the opposition and on the other hand someone else will accuse the governor of all kinds of stupid things because he wants to have himself elected, so it causes all kinds of problems.

Even the cost of the election itself, I don’t think that Nigeria can continue to sustain that. I know how much money we have spent on INEC and besides I know that politicians themselves spend a lot of money which most of them don’t ever declare. So, it is a huge cost to the country, but if we say let there be single term especially for the executive positions, some of these costs will have to be reduced.

So, I am sure that it is something that we have to reflect on, it has the potential of dealing with the politically charged atmosphere, it has a way of helping to reduce the cost of election in this country and I believe that it will even help in driving a solution to the security challenges.

State Police: Every Nigerian Continues on page 49

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 —49

How we can solve all our problems Continues from page 48 knows my position on this. I have my personal position, I have my official position because I belong to an institution. The Senate at the level of the Committee on Constitution Amendment rejected the suggestion for state police and so we could not take it even to the floor and as a person, it was my job and responsibility to present the report of the committee and I needed to explain to my colleagues why we were unable to make that recommendation and the reason we gave was that though it has its advantages, but that Nigeria was not ripe for it and that it was something for the future. That is the official position of the committee that I head.

Now as an individual, I believe strongly that we can never, never resolve our security challenges in Nigeria as long as we are doing what we are doing now.

Never, never! Let’s continue what we are doing, in five years if we meet again, it would be the same problem that we would be having.

The reason is clear. No other country is doing what we are doing in terms of policing. Most countries, especially the federations, have adopted what I call decentralised policing and indeed, the issue of state police is even anachronistic. What is done is multilevel policing or decentralised policing.

Decentralised policing You see, the security challenges have become very complicated, so you will have to bring a complicated process to address it. You cant have a federal type of government and then adopt the unitary police system and expect that to succeed.

Even the white men when they came, they knew that a centralised police can not work in Nigeria and so, the kind of police they set up was the Native Authority Police and it worked.

They also introduced the Prisons which were Native Authority based and it was later, I think in 1936 that the Federal Police was set up.

So both the Federal Police and the local government police were existing together until 1966 when the army took over.

— Ekweremadu

Unfortunately, the army had set up a committee, to review that type of policing at the time and it came to the conclusion that people were using it to intimidate political enemies and it was bound to happen because the white men did not bother to set up a structure that would regulate that kind of police. There was nothing like Police Service Commission with clear guidelines on how to structure these Native Authority Police and to be able to determine what bounds they must stop.

the parliament, we have to look at it line by line, to make sure that everything is right because after all, they are the duly elected representatives of the people.

There may not be fundamental changes to it, but they are going to be subjected to debate because several heads are better than one. It is critical that it should be subjected to legislative process and when that happens we would be assured that the whole process has been completed.

There is no way you can sit down in Abuja, bring some people together, they craft a constitution together and it becomes law. It doesn’t happen anywhere in the world.

Crime business But instead of the army finding a solution to reform that arrangement and make sure that there was a level of control or regulation, what they did was that they threw away the baby with the bath water and now cancelled other levels of police and set up a central police system which we have now.

What happened after that? First was armed robbery because armed robbers were now going about their business everywhere because you keep posting policemen from Kano to Enugu, from Enugu to Calabar, from Calabar to Ibadan, so you bring people who do not know the place and the armed robbers are taking advantage of it. So, after the armed robbers have taken over the place, now you have kidnappers, ritualists and all sorts of people coming into the crime business.

The police we have they are not grounded, they don’t know the environment they are operating.

Let’s give an example that you send a male Southerner, maybe, a Christian to Sokoto and then in the course of his beat and he starts pursuing the person. Once you run into a house, he cannot go further because if there is a woman who is staying there, he is not allowed to go into the house.

So, there are cultural differences that we have to respect and the only way we can do that is to get a policeman who is part of the culture of the place, who respects the culture and knows the environment and who stays there and as long as he is doing the police work, he knows everybody there.

Ultimate legislative body

•Ekweremadu: Elections cause of most of our problems What they do now in most countries is not state police, but decentralized policing or multilevel policing which means that in Abuja for instance, we will have the federal police, then we will have the Abuja Federal Capital Territory Police, then those of us who live in Apo, will have our own police and then the University of Abuja will have its own police and these are all well coordinated. So, if there is an offence in Apo for instance, the first police you will call is the policeman who lives on your street and the man appears there in seconds.

So, if he thinks it is something that he cannot handle, then he will call his colleagues who live in other areas of Apo and if it becomes too much for them, they

EKWEREMADU'S POSTULATIONS

•Proclaim a Doctrine of Necessity.

•Instead of contesting in 2015, President Jonathan’s tenure should be extended to 2017 and he leaves office.

•The tenure of all governors would also be extended to 2015 and they would all leave office in 2017.

•The new president and new governors would serve single term.

•National Assembly, and State Assembly elections would still hold in 2015 which will give a break between executive and legislative elections.

•Introduce Multi Level Policing in the country.

will call the FCT police and if it is still too much for them, they will now call in the federal police and by the time you finish all these, they would have arrested the criminal.

In America they commit crime everywhere and everyday, but the difference is that no matter where you go, they will find you because they are everywhere and they know what happens within the environment they operate.

Are you going to debate the recommendations of the National Dialogue?

What problem do you have with our debating it?

There is a perception that if the people say that this is what they want that you shouldn’t tamper with it?

Legislative process is a time consuming process and it is meticulous. The product of a legislative process is expected to endure for a very long time and that is why it is painstaking. So, if it is brought to parliament it has to go through the whole process because people’s lives are involved and there is no legislation more important than the constitution. So, if some people come together and agree on a constitution and bring it to

Assuming we had a military regime, it is possible that you can bring people, set up a Constituent Assembly because there is no parliament and so they can agree on whatever they want to be the constitution. But not where you have an institution recognized by the constitution as the ultimate legislative body and you go and duplicate that institution by bringing another set of people by asking them to go and do a constitution. You are asking for anarchy.

We hope that those who will come for the national dialogue will realize this, and know that nobody can escape the necessity of sending the outcome to the National Assembly and even to the State assemblies so that it will go through the whole hog in accordance with the law.

Why have been hot and cold on creation of new states?

We have never said that it is impossible, what we have consistently said is that it is very difficult and I still maintain that it is difficult. Because a situation where you have to generate certain signatures and then bring it to the National Assembly, which will then deliberate on it and then send it to the Independent National Electoral Commission for referendum within the area that wants to be a state and after that you will now send it to all the states of the federation irrespective of where the demand is coming from.

If you are requesting for a state in Calabar, you will have to send it to Sokoto and when they finish, in those State Houses of Assembly, you will bring it back to the National Assembly to vote and it is only when it passes through that it now becomes a state. If that is not difficult, I wonder then what is difficult.

We are not saying that it is impossible, but we encourage people to try the process, let’s see how far that they can go.

50

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V anguard Vanguard anguard,,

MOND AY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 MONDA YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire.

If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?

SCORPIO; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but.

SAGITTARIUS; The Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed CAPRICORN; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powersthat-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation AQUARIUS; Better days are ahead of you but, you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/ or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

believe we all I think of one thing or the other.

I also b elieve that we either think of ourselves or others. Where the world is today and where it will be

Think less... tomorrow, is a function of our thought.

The world is where it is today and how it is today because of the way we think and what we think

TERROR MUDA

about.

If I may ask you, what do you think about most of the times? Do you think more or yourself? Do you think more of your

in “Never say goodbye”

personal gain? Do you think often of what is in it for you?

For a harmonious world, think less of yourself, think more of others, and think of the general good.

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; If what you’re doing today’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now. Even things may not go according to your personal plans today.

Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now ARIES; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being cooperative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble TAURUS; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today.

It’s good to secure support of your spouse.

GEMINI; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

CANCER; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena. Respect the law and its agents today.

VIRGO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble

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,

Success for me?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in your Astrological counselling. Kindly tell me everything about myself, especially my finance and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should I do to make it happen quickly.

Suleyman Enugu.

Dear Suleyman, There are indications of financial success for you but you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in your letter) Certainly however no failure for you.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world. Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of becoming A Professor will come to reality. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn, you are not giving to serious frivolity. One major challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life which looks not totally balanced.

Basically you are a family minded person. You are equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault making love-business very interesting. And unless you are more careful and determined you may marry more than once.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

V anguard anguard,, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 —

51

B-R-I-E-F-S Egypt’s draft constitution gives army political role

E Mandela's grandson faces assault charges

S

OUTH Africa will charge one of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons with assault and brandishing a gun at another man, a prosecutor’s official said yesterday in a further embarrassment for the anti-apartheid hero’s large and fractious family.

Mandla Mandela is due to appear in court on Friday, Luxolo Tyali, a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, told Reuters.

“The NPA has decided to prosecute him and summons have been issued,” Tyali said.

South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper said the younger Mandela was reported to have drawn a gun on a 44year-old teacher whose vehicle had collided with one driven by a guest of Mandla Mandela’s.

The teacher later had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain, the newspaper said. A

Mali’s Tuareg fighters end ceasefire

spokesman for the younger Mandela has said the incident never happened and the accusation was “pure fabrication”.

Tyali spelled out the charges facing Mandla Mandela but declined to give details of the incident.

Mandla Mandela made headlines earlier this year when a judge ordered him to return the remains of three of Nelson Mandela’s children including those of his father - from a memorial center dedicated to his grandfather where he had moved them two years ago.

political transition meant to lead to parliamentary and presidential elections next year.

“In the early hours of the morning the assembly (reached) an overall consensus over the constitution articles,” its chairman, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, told a news conference.

••• as securitymen fire tear gas in Tahrir Square

E

•Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela

GYPTIAN security forces fired teargas in Cairo’s Tahrir Square to disperse antigovernment protesters on ysterday, as a new constitution that reinforces the military’s political power edged closer to approval.

The draft constitution

reflects how the balance of power has shifted in Egypt since secularminded generals deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July after mass protests against him. It contains language that could ban Islamist parties outright.

Iran assures Gulf states on 4 killed, 63 injured in New York train disaster nuclear deal

F

OUR people have been killed and 63 injured in a passenger train disaster in the Bronx area of New York City.Eleven of the injured were believed to be in critical condition in hospital.

The Metro-North train’s locomotive and carriages derailed as the train went into a bend in the railway line near Spuyten Duyvil station.

At least one eyewitness said the train , the 05:54 from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central Station was travelling much faster than normal at the time.

None of the carriages went into the adjacent Hudson or Harlem rivers although pictures from the scene suggest this nearly happened.

The train appeared to be going “a lot faster’’ than

normal as it approached the curve coming into the station, passenger Frank Tatulli told WABC-TV. Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokeswoman Marjorie Anders said the curve where the derailment occurred was in a slow speed area, and that the train’s black box recorder should be able to tell how fast the train was travelling.

I

RANIAN Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif assured Gulf Arab states yesterday his country ’s nuclear deal with the West is in their interest and also announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia.

“The solution to this

issue serves the interests of all countries in the region. It is not at the expense of any state in the region,” Zarif said at a joint news conference after meeting Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Khaled alSabah.

CAR interim leader denies genocide threat

C

S

EPARATIST Tuareg rebels have ended a five-month-old ceasefire with Mali’s government and are taking up arms following violence in Kidal.

The declaration at the weekend came a day after Malian troops clashed with stone-throwing protesters who blocked a visit by Oumar Tatam Ly, Mali’s prime minister, to Kidal, a rebel-controlled northeastern town.

Several demonstrators were wounded but there were conflicting accounts of how the incident started.

“The political and military wings of the Azawad declare the lifting of the ceasefire with the central government in Bamako,” said a statement

by Attaye Ag Mohamed, one of the founders of the MNLA, or the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad.

The West African country is in the process of returning to civilian rule after a Tuareg uprising that led to a coup last year and the occupation of the north of the country by al-Qaeda-linked fighters.

GYPT’s new consti tution, according to a draft text completed on Saturday nearly five months after the army deposed an Islamist president, will bolster the military’s hand and ban religious parties.

The constitution, expected to be put to a referendum in December, is part of an army-planned

ENTRAL African Re public transitional leader Michel Djotodia on Saturday denied European assertions that his country was on the brink of genocide and all-out inter-religious war.

The impoverished but mineral-rich nation of 4.6 million has descended into chaos since Djotodia led Seleka rebels, many of them from neighbouring

Chad and Sudan, to the riverside capital in March, ousting President Francois Bozize.

Though Djotodia has dissolved the rebel coalition, which has been accused of human rights abuses, his government’s failure to stem the violence has prompted calls at the U.N. Security Council for international intervention to restore order.

Thai protests escalate amid violence Emegency workers work at the site of the New York train crash

Over 100,000 defy protest ban in Ukraine

M

ORE than 100,000 demonstrators have chased away police to rally in the centre of Ukraine’s capital, defying a government ban on protests in Independence Square, in the biggest show of anger

over the president’s refusal to sign an agreement with the European Union.

Chants of “revolution’’ resounded across a sea of EU and Ukrainian flags on the square, where the

government had prohibited rallies starting yesterday.

A group of protesters used a tractor to try to break through police lines near the office of President Viktor Yanukovich, eyewitnesses said.

Canadian police arrest man spying for China

C

ANADIAN police have arrested a Toronto man suspected of seeking to give China classified information about Canadian shipbuilding procurement policies, se-

curity officials said yesterday.

Jennifer Strachan, a chief superintendent with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, told a news confer-

ence that Canadian citizen Qing Quentin Huang, 53, faced two charges of attempting to communicate with a foreign entity.

T

ENSION continues to rise in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, after the dispersal of redshirted government supporters following deadly clashes with o p p o s i t i o n

demonstrators.

Riot police fired tear-gas at protesters trying to force their way into the office compound of the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, and Bangkok’s police headquarters yesterday.

White House urges N/Korea to free US man

T

HE White House has urged North Korea to release Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old US veteran of the Korean War who has been held in North Korean custody since last month.

“Given Mr Newman’s advanced age and health

conditions, we urge the DPRK to release Mr Newman so he may return home and reunite with his family,” Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said on Saturday.

52—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

Vanguard CLASSIFIED MUSA JAFARU—I, formerly known and addressed as Musa Jafaru, now wish to be known and addressed as Abdullahi Jaafar.

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

ESOMCHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esomchi Chidinma Lorretta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. GabObinna Chidinma Lorretta. All former documents remain valid. UNICAL and general public please take note.

OGBUGO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Monica Chinwendu Ogbugo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Monica Chinwendu Ukaegbu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZOKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christiana Onyisi Uzoka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana Onyisi Ibrahim Didamson. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ASOMUGHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Cynthia Chinazor Asomugha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Cynthia Chinazor Nwosu. All former documents remain valid. Chrome Group and general public please take note.

NWOBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Nwobi N. Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed

as

Mrs.

Obele Nonye Ifeoma. All former

documents

remain valid. General public please take note.

KOMOLAFE—I, formerly known as and addressed as Miss Komolafe Agnes Ajibola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunwusi Agnes Ajibola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of names This is to certify that the names Alobu Perpetua Ebere and Ogbodo Perpetua Ebere, refer to one and the same person as Nnaji Perpetua Ebere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O G B O D O — I , formerly known as Ogbodo Ikechukwu Ogbodo, now wish to be known and addressed as Nnaji Ikechukwu Chimezie Humphrey. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of name This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written in NECO Examination held in June/July 2012 with Examination No. 23966665JB, as Wilkey Lois, instead of Wilkie Lois. All former documents remain valid.

NECO and general public please take note.

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OJO CANTONMENT:

Ojikutu family demands N24bn compensation

BY JUDE NJOKU

L

AGOS — THE land dispute between the Ojikutu Family and the Nigerian Army over acquisition of 166.6 acres of land, part of which was used to build the Military Cantonment in Ojo, Lagos, took a new twist last week, as the family demanded payment of N24 billion compensation and compound interest on delayed payment since 1974.

The family, represented by Alhaji Shehu Ojikutu, Alhaja Amori Animashaun, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Foresythe and Abajomi Ojikutu, explained that if the Nigerian Army fails to pay the money, it (family) “ would seek to attract public opinion and seek redress under international charters to obtain reprieve.”

The family in a statement dated November 25, 2013, recalled a letter it wrote to the Minister of Defence. In the said letter, the family craved, among other things, “the release and gazetting of the 160 acres of our land outside the fenced portion of the Ojo Army Cantonment land and the removal of all

Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff

several entreaties thereon,” the family lamented.

They noted that the Ministry of Defence in a letter reference AD/LAD/ 006/T/136, dated April 24, 2013, informed the family of a pending inspection by a 13-man inter-ministerial committee constituted to reFenced off portion being solve outstanding issues sold off over the unused 160 acres of land excised Attached to the statement were and fenced off from the documents and an allegation that Ojo Military Cantonthe excised and fenced off portion ment. “is now being sold off privately and The family said: “The illegally by the Nigerian Army to immediate past Minister themselves and to private individuals with payments being Mohammed Bello Adoke, Attorney-Gen- of State for Defence granted an approval for made directly to the Chief of Army eral of the Federation out of court settlement Staff bank account contrary to the purpose of acquisition, the court order made over and seven days site inspection visit of the Ojo Mili13 years ago and the undertaking given to the High tary Cantonment, Lagos by the inter-ministerial comCourt by the Attorney-General of the Federation and mittee to resolve the whole issue. "'The said Minister of State for Defence. according Ministry of Defence.”

In the 14-point statement, the family claimed that to our investigation, vide reference letter No.AD/ the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing through LAD/006/116 approved the release of the unused whom the land was acquired by the Federal Gov- land and the exercise would involve the processing ernment of Nigeria, duly notified the Nigerian Army of the Deed of Release and official gazette of the of the Ojikutu Family ownership without any ad- returned land to address the issue once and for all.”

Vanguard gathered from court proceedings that verse claim from any other party. the Nigerian Army maintained that it did not know The statement said: “However, no compensation whatsoever has been paid till date in spite of the the Ojikutu Family and has no dealings with the Ojikutu family having made claims to the Federal claimants. The Army insisted that it only knows the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Ministry of Works and Housing.

"Evidence before the Federal High Court showed that 160 acres of the initial 166.6 acres of the land No unused portion of the land is being in question that was acquired for public use was sold—Army fenced off by the army from the Ojo Military Cantonment’s land.”

In an affidavit he deposed to, Lt-Col R J. Alexander posited that no part of the land had been released.

He said: “To my knowledge, no part of the land has Out of court settlement been released. But records available in my office shows The family further recalled that it was invited by that compensation has been duly paid for the land.

"It is not true that the unused portion of the land is the Ministry of Defence to Abuja between August 6 and 8, 2012 for the purpose of an amicable resolu- being sold. No personnel of the Nigerian Army intion and out of court settlement of the almost 14- cluding the Chief of Army Staff has power to sell land year-old suit which is still pending at a Federal belonging to the Army.”

Describing the claimants as busy bodies and insistHigh Court in Lagos.

“The outcome of the meeting which was held a ing that he only knew the second defendant (Minislittle over a year ago is yet to be communicated to try of Works), Lt. Col Alexander agreed that "Exhibit M refers to the plaintiff as number 13 and name of the the Ojikutu family by the Ministry of Defence, due counsel list thereon. I don’t know if their cousel was to opposition by the Chief of Army Staff in spite of paid any money.”

structures constructed on same in disregard of the court order; and an undertaking given by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Defence as well as the immediate payment of compensation for the used portion (6.66 acres) plus interest on delayed payment since acquisition in 1974.”

Vanguard, MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2013 — 53

Okagbare

Nat’l School Sports Festival: Cross River retains title

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ROSS River State at the weekend in Ilorin retained its title at the Sterling Bank-sponsored 6th National School Sports Festival after coming top on the overall medals’ table, thereby winning the trophy for keeps after winning it for three consecutive times.

The state finished with 115 gold, 78 silver and 61 bronze medals. Lagos came second, after garnering 49 gold, 43 silver and 54 bronze medals; Anambra with the largest number of contingent was

Enyeama •Continued from BP on Saturday after Franck Beria was sent off.

The Nigerian has now gone 945 minutes without conceding a goal as Lille have not lost in 10 matches. He is closing in on the Ligue 1 record of 1,176 minutes held by Gaetan Huard during the 199293 season with Bordeaux.

He was voted the best player in the French top flight for the month of October.

third with 48 gold, 49 silver and 63 bronze medals.

Ondo State came forth, with 32 gold, 46 silver and 56 bronze medals, while host state was fifth with16 gold, 21 silver and 30 bronze medals.

Benue and Adamawa ended the festival without a medal to show for their effort.

The climax of the closing ceremony was the final of the football event in the U-17 category and the 4X100 meters relay in U-13 and U-15 categories.

Substitute Ronny Rodelin scored the only goal for Lille in the 47th minute.

“It wasn’t easy, I think we went through every type of emotion,” Lille coach Rene Girard told media.

“Ten matches in a row without conceding a goal, that’s a first in my career,” added Girard.

“It shows the character of this team.”

Lille are in the top three behind Monaco and PSG.

•Abdullahi

Odegbami •Continued from BP 1980 and 1994 Africa Nations Cup winning Eagles, there was strong understanding among the players, every player knew the position to be and get the ball at a particular time even if you close your eyes.”

Elsewhere, in his regular Sunday column, Odegbami commended the individual brilliance of the Super Eagles players, saying, “the strength of the present team is youthfulness, hunger to succeed, unity and discipline in the team, the players’ enthusiasm and athleticism.”

Odegbami, however believes to succeed at the World Cup, the team needs more technical depth and tactical discipline.

•Continued from BP The award was presented by Gombe State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to round off the Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Olympic Committee which was held last week.

At the night of glitz at the Government house in Gombe, the Nigeria Football Federation with the string of successes recorded by the Golden Eaglets and the Super Eagles who won the African Cup of Nations and qualified Nigeria for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil next year was adjudged the Most Improved Sport Federation and received a glittering trophy for bringing back joy to Nigerians in football. When the award to the NFF was announced, the rapturous applause that followed no doubt showed that it was one well deserved.

Others who walked tall with awards in the night include, Chief host, Governor of Gombe State Dr Dankwambo who won the Icon of Grassroots Sports Development award, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye won the award for Outstanding

contribution to sports development while IOC member Engr Habu Gumel won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Sports Administration. Dr Lanre Glover, Major General Adamu Dyeri, General Ayeni also won awards while D’Tigers(male national Basketball team) won the award for the Outstanding Team of the year.

For his exemplary leadership style that has yielded results within such a short period as Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi was honoured with the

award for Champion of a New Sport Architecture.

President of the NOC, Engr. Sani M. Ndanusa said that the awards were purely based on merit and was meant to encourage the winners and others to strive hard and to know that Nigerians were appreciative of their contributions to the country.

Governor Dankwambo praised the NOC for being blessed with the quality of leaders as exemplified by Engr Ndanusa and promised to turn Gombe State to a Mecca of sports.

Emenike on target S

UPER Eagles and Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike continued his impressive form for the Yellow Canaries on Saturday night by getting on the score sheet for his 5th league goal in the 3-3 home draw against Michael Eneramo’s Besiktas. While Emenike started and played the entire duration of the encounter, his compatriot on the opposite bench Eneramo who has struggled for playing time since arriving at Besiktas in the summer sat out the clash.

A ninth minute strike

broke the deadlock to put the visitors in front but a swift response by Fenerbahce through Emenike restored parity three minutes later.

Mousa Sow struck inside the 37th minute to put the home side in front but a sloppy defending in the closing stages of the second half by Fenerbahce saw Besiktas netting and equalizer and eventually taking the lead just before the half time whistle as Hugo Almeida struck twice within three minutes to hand Besiktas a 3-2 lead at half time.

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54 —

Vanguard, MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2013

I

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The vexing Keshi question(s)

,

had set out to entitle this week’s column Diary of a football traveler ( whatever that means). I wanted to use the column to talk about very interesting experiences as I jumped in and out of planes in the course of my football assignments.

I had wanted to talk about my new gait as I received accolades over Nigeria’s double barrel achievement of winning the FIFA U-17 trophy and qualifying for the world Cup. Congratulations, Felicitations…..became a familiar refrain in my ears as I basked in the euphoria of a once again proud football playing country.

I wanted to talk about the Algerian football fans who as early as noon had jam packed the stadium in Blida for a match whose kick off was fixed for 7pm.

Security wise, the public address system had to be used to tell the fans to get back home that there was no more space in the stadium. Then came the efforts to control their long wait even as the cold bit deep.

What a crowd, all clad in green and white and every single one of them clutching a national flag, singing repeatedly with the flags held aloft.

This is the crowd referred to in football parlance as the twelfth player! About a week later I found myself in Lubumbashi for the second leg final of the CAF Confederation Cup between CS Sfaxien and Tout Puissant Mazembe.

Again what a crowd that turned out at the T.P.Mazembe Stadium to cheer their team to victory.

In the 20,000 capacity stadium you could hardly find ten people who were not in the famous T.P colours of white and black. What an atmosphere and ambience to behold.

On arriving Nairobi last Tuesday and seeing a FIFA plane parked on the tarmac, I had wondered why Nigeria was excluded this year from the World Cup trophy tour. Would have been very proper to have that Cup come visiting , come buoy our expectations as a people as we prepare to travel to the land of football Samba.

Still in Nairobi, I believed it was not fair for me to have to travel out of the country before I could read about Nigerian teams involved in a continental bas-

,

Despite the good intentions, history does not favour us going into the world cup with changed coaches

ketball competition. The Daily Nation Newspaper informed me that morning that USIU of Kenya had defeated Dolphins of Nigeria by 61-44 in the African Women’s Basketball Club Championship going on in Mekness in Morocco.

The paper went on to say that another Nigerian Club First Deep Water was better placed, beating Eagles Wings also of Kenya by 71 baskets to 69. I now understand why the so called lesser sports demand a bit more interest from journalists in their sports!

I wanted to talk about all these and more, but decided to focus on the current situation, the vexing Keshi question, one in which the media has latched on and is not ready to let go until the Eagles board their plane to Brazil.

The question comes in different forms. “ Sir don’t you think that the way we played against Ethiopia, though we won, that we need to strengthen our technical bench?”

Or, “ Sir don’t you think it will be counter produc-

tive to employ a foreign coach to destabilize Keshi and his colleagues now that they have done a fine job to qualify us for the world cup?

There is even a third question bordering on the return of players Keshi has considered surplus to his requirements.

Most of the time, I have told my young colleagues that “ I don’t think anything” and that they should spare me the catch of being a member of the Technical Committee of the NFF. The committee does not have to meet on this. I have a personal opinion. That it is up to Keshi to decide what he wants for his team either on the technical bench or on the reserve bench.

Despite the good intentions, history does not favour us going into the world cup with changed coaches. I believe we have learnt our lesson, just as we know that qualification is now behind us and just going to Brazil to make the numbers will not be enough. It is the wish of millions of people to see Nigeria as that African country that wins the world Cup and to be able to do so you must at least get to the final through the quarter and semi final stages.

I believe I can rest this case this way.

Golden Eaglets parents

T

HIS column would not have been complete if I did not go back to last week and what some have described as “…. your best column ever” That some of those credits came from colleagues like Onochie, Ubani, Sadiq Daba ( Yes the same ) delights yours truly. There was the NFF President himself who wished President Jonathan will get to read it and vowed to do everything possible to guarantee the future of those kids.

Dr Ferife, Dandy Idundun, the popular couturier Tex Egbedi, Chief Asudo Godwin, Francis Ibe, Titi Adelanwa and others too many to mention…….I wish I could publish your comments which were as hilarious as the column itself. Happy that we used humour to drive the message home.

See you next week.

Vanguard, MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2013 — 55

Moses falls with Liverpool L

IVERPOOL lost ground on tabletopping Arsenal as strikes from Jake Livermore and David Meyler, as well as a Martin Skrtel own goal, handed Hull a surprise 31 victory at the KC Stadium.

The Reds were without the prolific Daniel Sturridge as he began what could be a stint of up to eight weeks on the sidelines after suffering ankle ligament damage in training on Friday.

Rodgers had recalled Victor Moses and Raheem Sterling, the latter making his first start since October 5, but they proved inadequate replacements for Sturridge and Liverpool’s consolation, a first-half equaliser, came from the more reliable source of a Steven Gerrard free-kick.

Hull had gone ahead through Livermore’s first of the season, via another Skrtel deflection, and took a deserved lead when Meyler buried a low shot in the 72nd minute.

Rodgers side lost all sense of shape as they attempted to retrieve the game and conceded a third when Tom Huddlestone’s off-target effort was nodded home by Skrtel.

Rooney rescues Man U

W

AYNE Rooney scored a brace, including a penalty, as Manchester United twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night, but it was a reality check for the Premier League champions.

Spurs led twice, through a Kyle Walker free kick and then a stunning strike from Sandro, but Rooney hit back on each occasion to extend United’s unbeaten record to 12 games in all their

competitions.

However, David Moyes’ side were thankful to leave White Hart Lane with a point, but having also drawn 2-2 at Cardiff City last weekend, this was another missed opportunity to gain ground on the top four.

Following the euphoria of the 5-0 midweek thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, United remain in eighth place in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Arsenal.

Hull City's defender Maynor Figueroa (R) is tackled byLiverpool's Victor Moses during the English Premier League match at the KC Stadium yesterday, Hull City won 3-1. Photo: AFP

Ameobi hails Newcastle fighting spirit S

HOLA Ameobi has hailed the ‘togetherness’ in the Newcastle United squad after they recorded a fourth straight league win, with a 2-1 win over West Brom .

“It’s been a fantastic November for us. ”A lot has been made of our consistency and I think we’ve proved we’re a side that can bring it week in week out, and that was a tough game for

us but we’ve grinded it out and we’re all delighted. ”I think there’s a togetherness in the squad,” the experienced forward told Sky Sports. ”Obviously if you’re going to win games everybody has to pull in the right direction and we’ve got a system here that we’ve all bought into and it’s working for us and we’re delighted we’re able to give our fans that sort of victory.

•Rooney celebrates

Roma remain unbeaten

K

•Totti

Wenger wary of title talk

A

RSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is

•Ameobi

Fulham fire Jol F

ULHAM have con firmed the sacking of Martin Jol and immediately inserted Rene Meulensteen as firstteam boss.

The Dutchman’s sacking comes on the back of five Premier League defeats which leaves Ful-

ham 18th in the table.

‘Today I spoke with Martin to thank him for his efforts on behalf of Fulham Football Club over the past three seasons and, in particular, since my becoming chairman earlier this year,’ said Shahid Khan.'

•Wenger

refusing to get swept up in all the title talk surrounding the club.

“Let’s go a few more games,” said Wenger.

“It’s still a bit early for me, but what is good for us is that we can show consistency and that’s always a very good sign for a team.

“Every win makes you a bit stronger.

“If we can take care of the concentration level and the desire to improve then we will have a good chance.”

He added: “The differ-

ence between the teams now is not very big.

“As soon as you relax a bit or are not focused 100 per cent you drop points so that’s basically one of our targets is to go into the game every time with 100 per cent focus.”

EVIN Strootman leveled in the final minute to rescue Roma’s unbeaten record as the capital side snatched a 11 draw at Atalanta in the Italian league on Sunday.

There was better news for AC Milan as a Mario Balotelli free kick helped it beat Catania 3-1 for its first win in six league matches, while a lastminute equalizer saw Sampdoria earn a 1-1 draw at Inter Milan, in front of new Nerazzurri President Erick Thohir.

Davide Brivio’s free kick seemed enough to inflict a first defeat on Roma, but Strootman pounced at the death.

Balotelli ‘racially abused’

M

ARIO Balotelli was substituted

by AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri in the Serie A Sunday lunchtime win over Catania after appearing to accuse Nicolas Spolli of racial

abuse.

Balotelli, who scored Milan’s second goal of the game, had to be held back by his teammates after confronting Spolli following a tackle with the Catania defender.

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V anguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013 Results EPL Spurs 2 Man Utd 2 Chelsea 3 Southampton 1 Hull 3 Liverpool 1 Man City 3 Swansea 0 SERIE A Catania 1 AC Milan 3 Atalanta 1 Roma 1 Cagliari 2 Sassuolo 2 Chievo 3 Livorno 0 Inter 1 Sampdoria1 LA LIGA Betis 2 Vallecano 0 Granada 1 Sevilla 2 BUNDESLIGA Hannover 2 Frankfirt 0 LIGUE I Bordeaux 4 Ajaccio 0 Bastia 2 Gaillard 0

Odegbami: Eagles lack cohesion

Moses falls with Liverpool — P.55

F

ORMER Green Eagles captain and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami has said there is still time for the current Super Eagles to improve, as he believes the team lacks cohesion.

The former national team and Shooting Stars winger, who was nicknamed ‘Mathematical’ in his playing days, told Radio Nigeria that the current Super Eagles lack cohesion, as they are yet to properly blend.

“The present Super Eagles lack cohesion, they are a bunch of individual talents and skilful players and they can only make a good team in a tournament like the World Cup if they are properly blended,” Odegbami said.

Continuing, Odegbami recalled, “If you study the Continues on Page 53

•Enyeama INCENT Enyeama stayed in top form to help 10-man Lille win 10 away at Valenciennes Continues on Page 53

V

Okagbare wins NOC’s Athlete of Year award •As Maigari nips it in football

N

SHIELD... Italy striker, Mario Balotelli shields the ball from Super Eagles, Godfrey Oboabona, during the Nigeria Vs Italy international friendly at Craven Cottage, England recently. The match ended 2-2

PUZZLE

IGERIA’S Track and Long Jump Queen, Blessing Okagbare has been honoured with the prestigious award of 2013 Athlete of the Year by the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, for her incredible performance in the year under review.

Okagbare’s sterling performance at the Moscow World Athletics championship where she won silver and bronze medals in the long jump and tracks and shattered a 14-year jinx which plagued the country no doubt put her in good stead for the award.

Continues on Page 53

•Okagbare

•Gov. Dankwambo

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Red-hot Enyeama continues to shine

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across 1 Employer (4) 4 Objective (3) 6 Saucy (4) 8 Steal (6) 9 Spot (6) 10 Append (3) 12 Tender (5) 14 Obscure (5) 15 Nobleman (5) 18 Refuse (6) 20 Started (6) 24 Famous (5) 26 Frighten (5) 28 Shy (5) 30 Newt (3) 32 Prey (6) 33 Elevated (6) 34 Idol (4) 35 Faucet (3) 36 Entrance (4)

Down 2 Unbending (5) 3 Mirror (7) 4 Atmosphere (4) 5 Object (4) 6 Leaf (5) 7 Hermit (7) 11 Fellow (3) 12 Lubricate (3) 13 Fish-eggs (3) 16 Vase (3) 17 Child (3) 19 Slope (7) 21 Favourite (3) 22 Revising (7) 23 Defective (3) 25 Away (3) 27 Proportion (5) 29 Clumsy (5) 30 Discharge (4) 31 Excursion (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 2, Feast 7, Demur 8, Cache 10, Maker 12, Zoo 13, Hades 15, Matelot 17, Eroded 19, Net 20, Rickets 23, Veer 25, Ease 26, Deluded 30, Fit 31, Demise 34, Saluted 37, Model 38, Cos 39, Depot 40, Legal 41, Tower 42, Seem

Down: 1, Debar 2, Fumed 3, Eraser 4, Seem 5, Gazette 6, Shoot 9, Col 11, Ranked 13, Heavy 14, Doped 16, Tee 18, Diluted 21, Sapid 22, Revel 24, Refusal 27, Lit 28, Demote 29, Faced 32, Motor 33, Sewer 35, Log 36, Dear.

How to Play Sudoku

P

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

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

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

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