Gunmen massacre 40 students in Adamawa

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61723

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

President summons emergency meeting •P. 6

BAKASSI:

Jonathan lacks power to stop Salami's recall—NJC •Declares reappointment of acting PCA illegal •PG. 8

Gunmen massacre 40 students in Adamawa •Killers called out victims' names before shooting them •No cause for alarm —Presidency BATTLE FOR ONDO: MIMIKO VS ACN, PDP

BY UMAR YUSUF

Y

OLA— NO fewer than 40 students of the Adamawa State University, the Federal Polytechnic and the School of Health Technology, all in Mubi, Adamawa State have been killed in a midnight attack by gunmen in Mubi.

Some residents put the number of victims at 35 persons while others said

Continues on page 5

Tony who?

•P.17 From right: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Ondo State, Mr Olusola Oke and his running mate, Mr Saka Lawal; at the Akure Airport before the flag off of the PDP rally for Ondo State governoship election, in Akure, yesterday.

Why we killed Lagos bizman —Kidnappers

Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (2nd right); Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (middle); ACN governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (2nd left) and ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande at the party's rally in Ikare, Ondo State, yesterday.

Mubi massacre: One killing too many •P. 7

Hajj: Female pilgrims still arriving without guardians •P. 15 —S/Arabia

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AGOS — THE wanton killing of 40 students in Adamawa, yesterday, is the latest shocking reminder that Nigeria is fast drifting into a state of anomie reminiscent of Thomas Hobbes state of nature where life is said to be nasty, brutish and short.

According to news reports, the 40 students of the Adamawa State University, the Federal Polytechnic and the School of Health Technology, all in Mubi, Adamawa State, met their

ROTIMI ESAN •P.19

DEAR BUNMI •P. 44

Mr & Mrs

tragic end when their institutions were attacked by gun men at midnight. The attack was said to have lasted for several hours without any form of

NEWS ANALYSIS response from security agents.

Witnesses were quoted as saying that sporadic gunfire kept residents of Mubi

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2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

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4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNES DAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—5 WEDNESDAY,

POCKET CARTOON

Gunmen massacre 40 students in Adamawa Continues from Page 1 26 students were killed.

The incident happened at about 10 p.m on Monday at Wuro Fatuje, a popular off campus hostel housing students from the three tertiary institutions.

A source at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi told Vanguard in a telephone conversation that the gunmen invaded the off campus hostel on Monday night and took advantage of the down pour to unleash terror.

The source said the gunmen shot sporadically for hours, adding that this left many students dead, adding that 26 students were confirmed killed on the spot, while scores of others were injured, many of them on danger list.

The source, who quoted eyewitness accounts, added that the gunfire kept residents of Mubi awake all night, heightening the already tense situation in the area. He said he counted 26 dead bodies at the Mubi General Hospital yesterday morning, even as more bodies were being recovered from the venue of the incident.

The incident came barely a week after the Joint Military Task Force

recorded a major breakthrough, arresting over 156 suspected terrorists and discovering a local bomb manufacturing factory as well as cache of arms and ammunition. Since the major breakthrough, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Mubi and its environs.

At press time, Brigade Commander of 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, Brigadier General John Nwoaga; State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Geoffrey Okereke; Director of State Security Service, SSS and other service commanders have relocated to Mubi for on-the-spot assessment of the insecurity problem.

Killers called out students’ names before shooting them —Police The police have, meantime, officially confirmed that the unknown gunmen that carried out the attack called out the names of the student victims before killing them.

Police said the assailants shot and killed 19 students in an off-campus student housing area, and six other persons including

LIFEWORDS

M

BY PASTOR ITUAH

AXIMISE This Day. This is the day the Lord has made. God determines the number of your days, but you determine how they are spent.

‘This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ You can either choose to rejoice and be glad or choose to do otherwise. Whichever way the choice is yours!

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

W

ORK joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts inevitably bring about right results—James Allen

Virtuousness is charmed right in our hearts from the beginning of life, but, it’s always a choice to embrace, goodness, beauty and truth. It’s the little things that open the awareness to a greater perspective of how divine love works. Being able to share and give in ways that matters, and to love, is a gift and a most beautiful thing.

We are constantly creating our realities, and for any dream to manifest, the imagination of a vibrant part of Soul is the first place to begin. It exists infinitely beyond the realm of thoughts.

The power to choose the next thought is very profound, but it is going beyond to living from the heart that makes it an awesome experience for anyone.

When you think about it, this ability is within the grasps of our reach. To choose to feel beautiful from within, to choose goodness, beauty and truth, to express loving thoughts and deeds and to exhale joy and laughter! This transformation is ever expanding and it comes with it, a most exhilarating feeling of love.

a security guard, a retired soldier and other persons who were not students.

Adamawa State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Ibrahim, in a phone interview with an online publication said 15 students sustained serious injuries and have been hospitalized.

He said: “We are just leaving Mubi with the Commissioner of Police, and Brigade Commander.

Nineteen of the 25 persons killed were students.

Although the investigation is continuing, there are signs that there may have been some internal factors, but we cannot prove it until we complete our investigation.”

A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, however, said initial reports indicated some of the victims were candidates in the student elections.

Campus politics The agency ’s spokesman, Yushau Shuaib, said “the crisis in Mubi is suspected to have been fuelled by campus politics after an election at the Federal Polytechnic.”

Abdulkarim Bello of the Red Cross said “they were conducting elections in the Federal Polytechnic and unknown gunmen just entered and sprayed people with bullets.”

A student who refused to give his name, said the gunmen were wearing solders’ uniforms, and were calling out the names of students before killing them, a claim that tallies with the police report.

The student said after surrounding the compound around midnight, the gunmen started taking the students outside, asking their names and shooting them, while others butchered some students with knives.

The mutilated corpses were left lined up in the courtyard.

Connection with last Sunday’s SUG elections The student said the killings were likely to be connected to last Sunday’s Student Union Government elections, which were heavily contested on regional ground between Northern and Southern students in

the institution.

A resident told the BBC: “It is not clear why some were killed and others spared. Some of the dead were Muslims and others Christians.

Everybody is scared.”

Collaboration of security operatives Meanwhile, a security source has said that the killing of the students would not have been possible without the collaboration of terrorists, who migh have infiltrated the security outfit.

The source, who is a Christian member of the security outfit stationed in Mubi, cited the curfew that has been in place in Mubi, Adamawa since January 2012 which starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. daily and stressed that the operatives of the JTF were responsible for the enforcement of the curfew.

The source in an interview with an online publication cautioned that “it was virtually impossible for gunmen to move from the Camerounian border into Mubi or from Maiduguri (Borno) border into Mubi,without the aid of collaborators within the security. There are checkpoints at every corner, and we conduct house to house search

from time to time.”

FedPoly shut, exams suspended The Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State in which scores of students were killed by unidentified gunmen has been closed down and students asked to go home.

Although the school has not issued a formal statement, a source in the school said examination that started yesterday has also been suspended indefinitely.

The source also said thousands of students had fled the school and Mubi town. A fearful student population fled to avoid falling victim of further attacks as their parents kept calling them on phone to return to their home.

At press time, no group

has claimed responsibility for the killings.

No cause for alarm —Presidency Reacting to the dawn attack, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in an interview with the BBC, yesterday, urged Nigerians not to panic over the activities because the President Goodluck Jonathan administration was doing enough to checkmate terrorism.

He said: “There is nowhere in the history of the world where local insurgency has been brought under much control at the rate at which it has happened in Nigeria. We are dealing with a very serious sect, the Boko Haram sect.”

Mubi massacre: One killing too many Continues from Page 1 awake while it lasted.

At the end of it all, about 40 students lay dead, with another source confirming seeing several bulletridden bodies at the Mubi General Hospital, Tuesday morning.

According to reports, response from security agents came several hours later, when the Brigade Commander of 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, Brigadier General John Nwoaga; the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Geoffrey Okereke; Director of State Security Service, SSS, and other service commanders relocated to Mubi for on the spot assessment of the midnight horror.

While the families of the victims try to come to terms with this brutal murder of their beloved

innocent children, they may get scant comfort from the expected vacuous condemnation from officials of government at all levels which is the traditional response to the seemingly long serial of mindless killings of innocent Nigerians in recent time.

Although no group has, at press time, claimed responsibility for the bestial attack, this tragic development signposts a violent campaign taken too far.

And the question may be asked: What end do perpetrators of this dastardly act actually want to achieve with the cold-blooded murder of these young, innocent and defenceless students?

Again, another question that urgently begs an answer: What exactly is the ideology and rationale behind

this kind of senseless and horrific killings?

In what way will this kind of carnage advance the cause of whatever group is responsible?

This is the time for all w e l l - m e a n i n g Nigerians to stand up to condemn these barbaric killings before the nation slides into anarchy.

The government must act decisively now. This is no time for rhetoric and h a l f - h e a r t e d condemnation.

Indeed this tragedy is a mockery of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Independence anniversary assurance that: “Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency.”

Another question to ask is: Where were the security agents when the students were being slaughtered?

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

BAKASSI: FG to consider appeal as Jonathan summons emergency meeting today zMark, Tambuwal, Imoke, Adoke, others invited

BY SONI DANIEL, ASSISTANT EDITOR

A

BUJA—INDICA TIONS emerged yesterday that Nigeria might call for a review of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, ruling of October 10, 2002, which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula, to Cameroun.

The deadline for Nigeria to appeal the ruling expires on October 9, 2012, which is Tuesday next week.

Eminent Nigerians have spoken in favour of Nigeria’s appeal against the ruling, arguing that there was nothing wrong in doing so, at least, to put it on record that it took steps to quash the judgment, as stipulated in Article 61 of the ICJ law.

Vanguard gathered that following mounting pressure from within and outside the country, President Goodluck Jonathan had decided to appeal the ruling, which he had earlier described as closed.

As a prelude to taking steps to review the ruling, President Jonathan is said to have summoned top government officials to what a source described as ‘a crucial meeting’ today to discuss the best way of going about it.

The source, who did not want to be named because he had not been authorised to speak on the matter, said the meeting, which would be presided over by President Jonathan, would review the new information said to have been put at the disposal of the government after the ICJ judgment.

the Senate President, David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and Chairmen of the National Assembly Committees on Special Duties, Judiciary and Foreign Affairs.

Others are the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission and all members of the National Assembly from Cross River State.

It was also gathered that the Presidency had mandated the Senate and House of Representatives leadership to invite relevant committees of the National Assembly to the meeting, which is slated for 9pm today.

Last week, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution mandating the President to appeal against the ICJ ruling ceding Bakassi to Cameroun because of the new facts that had emerged over the matter.

The motion that gave rise to the resolution was sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, who argued that it would be wrong for Nigeria not to appeal the judgment, as there was still a window of opportunity for Nigeria to do so before October 9.

The resolution reads in part, “The Senate accordingly urges the Federal Government to invoke Article 61 of the ICJ status to appeal the said judgment in the interest of Nigerians in the affected areas, including Bakassi.”

Legal team

Senate wants FG to The meeting, it was appeal ruling

learnt, would also consider a crack legal team to handle the appeal for Nigeria following the criticism that has attended the team that represented the country during the 2002 hearing.

Among those said to have been invited to the emergency meeting are;

Senate President, who presided over the plenary said, “I think appeal is a line of action that should not be neglected because that is legal, since Nigeria subjected itself to the court. “If that is what is available through the court, we

LETTERS OF CREDENCE—President Goodluck Jonathan (right), receiving letters of credence from the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Ann Scott, while the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, looks on in Abuja, yesterday.

should also utilise it. I think that is the most appropriate thing to do at this point in time.

“We urge the Federal Government to go on appeal, we on our part will revisit the letters and see what we can do, may be to quickly come up with a debate on the letters and then resend it to buttress our points and resolution that was arrived at today.

“Part of what the President said at the UN and I think the man is right, and I think he infers that to mean that we have obeyed the International Court to this point but we still do not accept the judgment.”

Mark added that Nigeria was obeying the ruling does not mean it accepted it, because there is a lot of pressure at home.”

New facts Ningi argued that emerging new facts had shown that the judgment was erroneously based on the agreement between the British authorities and the Calabar Chiefs in 1884, adding that there has never been a precedent in history where any case of this

nature was executed without a referendum as enshrined by the United Nations.

He said: “The lack of faithful implementation of the Green Tree Agreement signed by both

countries violates the basis for the implementation of the court judgment.”

Nigeria debt profile rises, to borrow $25bn by 2015 zAs Reps summon Sanusi over MTEFF

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government is expected to borrow $25 billion by 2015, Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, DMO, told the House of Representatives yesterday.

This disclosure was made at a meeting with the House Joint Committee on Finance, Legislative Budget and Research, National Planning and Aid, Loans and Debt Management scrutinising the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy, MTEFF, paper submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The projected figure represents the country’s foreign and domestic borrowings flowing from 20132015 under review.

DMO’s Director General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo in

his presentation on Nigeria’s overall debt profile and expected borrowing for 2013-2015 told the joint panel that for 2012, Nigeria external debt is projected at $9,021.53 billion; 2013 ($12,165.10 billion); 2014 ($14,585 billion) and 2015 ($16,765 billion).

A breakdown for domestic debt is projected at: 2012 ($6,483.81 billion); 2013 ($7,125.93 billion); 2014 ($7,792.41 billion) and 2015 ($8,4441.86 billion).

At the meeting, Chairman House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Opeyemi Bamidele, queried the absence of a debt ceiling and what it described as Nigeria’s “aggressive” borrowing from local and international sources, lawmakers said the development has stifled chances for private business to access loans locally.

He said: “We are now aggressively borrowing in

such a manner that the private sector is now being stifled as the government is now the only big spender in the economy. The private sector cannot access funds domestically, they cannot create jobs.

The DG in his response to Bamidele’s query on rising debts countered, “Every country in the world borrows, even the most financially prudent countries like Germany and the US.” In another development, the House joint committee refused a Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, delegation from making a presentation at the meeting insisting that the CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi appear in person today by 10 am to defend the MTEFF paper.

The panel insisted that any delay in the passage of the MTEFF should be blamed on the action or inaction of the CBN.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—7

Budget implementation: Minister debunks Okonjo-Iweala's claim

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

The suspected kidnappers

Why we killed Lagos bizman — Kidnappers

BY ALBERT AKPOR & EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS—THE Police, yesterday, paraded suspected killers of a Lagos businessman, Mr. Odidi Nweze with the kingpin of the gang giving chilling details on why they killed their victim.

Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Manko, who paraded the suspects told anxious journalists that the eight suspects, including a woman, were behind series of kidnap incidents both in Lagos and the neighbouring states.

He said the suspects who used an uncompleted building located somewhere in Okota, Lagos, as their hideout were in the habit of trailing their victim(s) to an obscure place, abduct, blindfold and drive them to their hideout in Okota from where they demand for ransom.

The police boss who linked the kidnapers to the abduction and murder of Odidi Nweze, however, absolved the Oxpharm Specialties Ltd, Satellite Town, the pharmaceutical store where it was reported that the deceased was kidnapped before his subsequent murder.

A visibly elated Manko tongue-lashed critics of the command saying, “Those who are in the habit of criticizing the police can now see that we are not sleeping. We are not saying don’t criticise, but it should be objective. It is my determination that we will never rest on our oars until peace returns to the state.”

He added: “I am happy to announce to you that we have been able to smash a syndicate of kidnappers who have been linked to series of kidnap incidents in the state. They are about eight of them including a woman. The ring leader has been arrested and he gave his name as Kelvin Emenike 31, who lives in Port Harcourt.

“He normally comes to Lagos for his ‘business transaction’ after which he travels back to Port Harcourt; but we have been able to track him back to Lagos for the same ‘business proposal’ and that ‘business proposal’ is what you are now seeing. This group also includes a woman who manages their ransom and she is also responsible for disbursing the funds to the gang members.

“In possession of these hoodlums were one AK 49 assault riffle with 78 7.6mm ammunition, five magazines, one Toyota pick-up van, one Toyota Matrix vehicle and one Boxer motor cycle. With these, they abduct their victims, blind fold them and take them to their hideout, an uncompleted building somewhere in Okota; and when they finish with their victims, they pack them in their respective hideouts. Unfortunately or fortunately too, we have a case of murder of a clearing agent sometime last month. The man according to information available to us, was kidnapped but he tried to fight back and he was fatally shot and he died. These suspects have also confessed to us

that they were the one who perpetrated the crime.

Manko added: “Again, let me get one thing cleared: the victim, Odid Nweze, according to our investigation may have been going to buy some drugs incidentally at the branch of a pharmacy where killers of Cynthia Osokogu bought their drugs when he was kidnapped.

The owner of the medicine store may not have knowledge of such dastardly act, it was just coincidental that some criminals were out to perpetrate their act.”

Giving details on why they killed Odidi Nweze, kingpin of the gang, Klevin Emenike said, the death of their victim was purely in self defence. He said: “Actually we did not mean to kill him, all we were doing was to make money. Although the parents later paid N1.2m out of the money we demanded, but we killed him even before they paid the money. What happened was that when he was kidnapped at Satellite, as we were going to Okota he attempted to disarm one of us so I grabbed the gun and fired him pointblank.

He later bled to death because we could not take him to the hospital.”

In another development, operatives of the Marine Police attached to Badagry division in Lagos, have arrested two suspected sea pirates who specialized in attacking oil vessels on the nation’s water and selling the product in Benin Republic.

Recovered from the suspects’ hideout in Padibeach around Topo area of

Badagry were their weapons which included two AK 47 riffles, four AK 47 magazines with fifty seven rounds of live ammunition; four pump action guns with one hundred and four rounds of live cartridges, two single barrel guns, charms and amulets. Also recovered were men’s underwear, two knives, a Ventolin inhaler, one Nokia handset and a visa phone which were all buried in the sand.

The suspects, Momanyon Fiapanu and Nunayon Yanagbon, both Ghanians, according to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, “specialised in hijacking diesel and other petroleum products in the waterways of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Ghana.”

However, the suspects who claimed to be fishermen and have their abode at the beach, denied police claim, saying they recovered weapons belonging to one Setty, believed to be leader of the sea robbers.

However, during further interrogation, it was discovered that the said Setty who is on the run is a cousin to one of the suspects.

23-year-old Mumanyon who was paraded alongside other suspects, yesterday, said his cousin and other unidentified persons from the Niger Delta region were perpetrators of the attacks on oil tanks on the sea.

He further stated that at the end of an operation,the group would bury the weapons inside the sand pending when they would be going for another oper-

BUJA—MINISTER of Science and Technology, Prof Ita Okon BasseyEwa, yesterday debunked the claim by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the implementation of the 2012 capital budget had attained 50 percent.

The minister said this in an interaction with members of the House of Representatives.

The Minister who received the House committee on Science and Technology chaired by Rep Abiodun Akinlade which had embarked on an oversight to the ministry told the lawmakers that actual capital budget performance for his ministry stood at 33 percent.

Bassey-Ewa further told the committee that out of the N372.7million approved for the ministry’s capital budget, only N153million was released and cash backed by the Finance Ministry. This, according to him, represents 33 percent of the budget and not the 50 percent the Finance Minister claimed.

The committee which was at the ministry to ascertain the level of budget implementation, however, carpeted the minister for presenting a document members considered too shallow to make any meaningful deductions on actual projects undertaken by the ministry.

Though the budget was adjudged empty, the committee observed that the amount earmarked for capital budget was too low compared to the amount voted for recurrent expenditures in the ministry.

The committee noted that only about 20 percent of the ministry’s total N1.45 billion budget was voted for capital projects. It therefore called on the government to increase the capital budget in subsequent appropriations for the nation to meet its 2020 vision.

Commenting on the level of implementation of capital budget vis-à-vis the claim made by the Finance Minister, the Chairman of the committee said “What we can conclude from your remarks is that the Finance Minister has not been telling Nigerians the truth.

Fuel scarcity: NUPENG blames NNPC, PPMC, others

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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IGERIA Union of Pe troleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday called on Nigerians to hold the government and the its agencies such as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, and Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, for the unending fuel scarcity in the country.

This came as umbrella body for pro-labour civil society groups in the country, Joint Action Front, JAF, yesterday alleged the surreptitious plot by the Federal Government and the oil marketers to impose a new price regime for petroleum products, thereby artificially inducing and encouraging scarcity of petroleum products (petrol, kerosene and diesel) and its attendant hike in prices across the country.

NUPENG in a statement

yesterday declared that reserve the NNPC said it had that could last for 45 days was a ruse and called on the government to do the right thing and stop the current fuel scarcity, assuring NUPENG’s members, especially the Petroleum Tanker Drivers were at work but had no sufficient product to load at the depots for distribution.

In the statement by its Acting General Secretary, Comrade Isaac Aberare, lamented that hardship was compounded because repairs had not been done at the vandalized pipes at Arepo village in Ogun State due to the inability of the security agencies to recover the bodies of the NNPC workers that were killed, calling on the security agencies to recover the bodies and fish out the killers immediately so that they can be brought to book.

NUPENG called on government to pay verified oil marketers subsidies on products supplied, so that they can import fuel and pay banks monies owed them.

8 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

COMMISSIONING—From left: National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwuanyanwu, Gbrir of Epinmi Akoko, Oba Olusegun Oyekan, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, LP State Chairman, Chief Olu Ogidan and Commissioner for Community Development, Mr Clement Faboyede during the commissioning of a town hall in Akoko South East local government area.

Edo State Government distributes relief materials to Flood Victims at Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

NJC drags FG to court; says Jonathan lacks powers to stop Salami's recall zDeclares re-appointment of Acting PCA illegal

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Na tional Judicial Council, NJC, yesterday, maintained that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked the constitutional powers to stop it from reinstating the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

The legal body made the declaration on a day it urged the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to declare the reappointment of the Acting PCA, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, by President Jonathan as unconstitutional and illegal.

In a written address filed in court yesterday, NJC, argued that by virtue of section 238(5) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan, lacked the powers to reappoint Justice Adamu as Acting PCA after the expiration of three months from the day Salami was ousted from office, saying the action amounted to an act of illegality since such recommendation never emanated from the Council as required by the law.

It would be recalled that President Jonathan had ordered Justice Adamu to take over the position of Justice Salami who was on August 18, 2011, axed from office by the NJC over alleged “judicial misconduct.”

Salami was accused of

lying on oath against a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysious Katsina-Alu, who the embattled PCA, in an affidavit he personally deposed in court, said pressurized him to pervert the course of Justice in a governorship election appeal involving Sokoto State.

Following Salami’s refusal to either recant his allegation or tender written apology to both the council and the ex-CJN, at the end of its seventh emergency meeting in Abuja, the NJC, directed him to hand over the affairs of the appellate court to the next most senior justice of the court, a directive that culminated in the appointment of Justice Adamu by President Jonathan.

Extension of tenure of Acting PCA illegal—NJC Nevertheless, after almost a year and two months since Salami vacated his office, the Presidency has extended the tenure of the acting PCA for five consecutive times, an action the NJC said was illegal and unconstitutional.

Specifically, section 238 (5) stipulates that: “Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of sub-sec-

tion 4 of this section shall cease to have effects after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not reappoint a person whose appointment has lapsed.”

Thus, without the recommendation of the NJC, the first tenure of the acting PCA ought to have expired in November, 2011.

Though the NJC while under the immediate past CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, implored President Jonathan to go ahead and reinstate Justice Salami, however, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, took time and adduced reasons why he said the Presidency could not heed the call.

He maintained that the matter was already subjudice, saying the Presidency would not recall the suspended PCA, pending when all the litigations pertaining to his removal from office, were fully resolved by the courts.

Meanwhile, the NJC which is currently under the leadership of the first female CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar, yesterday, insisted that it has the exclusive constitutional powers to reinstate Justice Salami to his position, “ without recourse of any sort to the

President.”

Arguing in favour of a suit that was filed before the High Court by a NonGovernmental Organization under the aegis of Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration, the NJC, said: “We submit that the exercise of disciplinary power and recall of a suspended Justice of the Court of Appeal is exclusively vested in the NJC by the constitution.

“By virtue of the combined provisions of sections 153, 158(1) of the constitution, and the NJC’s power to exercise disciplinary control over judicial officers contained in paragraph 21(1) of the part 1, third schedule of the constitution, the council is clothed with the power to suspend and recall the 4th Defendant (Salami) without any recourse to the president (the 1st Defendant).

“Section 158(1) of the constitution provides that “in exercising its power to make appointment or to exercise disciplinary control over persons… the NJC..., shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or persons.

“The only instances the 3rd Defendant exercises its powers in conjunction with the President is in appointment and removal of judicial officers and do not extend to the 3rd Defendant’s disciplinary

control over the judicial officers and reinstatement/ recalling of suspended judicial officers; these, we submit, are residual powers exercisable by the 3rd Defendant exclusively.

“My Lord, we therefore submit that it is within the constitutionally vested powers of the 3rd Defendant to recall/ reinstate the 4th Defendant as the President of the Court. We urge my lord to so hold and resolve this issue as argued in the plaintiffs’ favour.”

Meantime, in the fresh originating summons before the high court, the plaintiffs are among other things, seeking a declaration that the refusal of the NJC, to implement the recommendation of its three-man panel headed by Justice Muhktar, before she became the CJN, urging the recall of Justice Salami, constitute a breach of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“An order of court directing the 3rd Defendant to recall the 4th Defendant to resume his duties as the President of the Court of Appeal forthwith.

“A declaration that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has no power whatsoever and/or howsoever to exercise disciplinary functions over the Justices of the Court of Appeal and/ or Justice Isa Ayo Sala-

mi, the PCA. “A declaration that the further reappointment and/ or approval of the extension of the tenure of the 5th Defendant( Justice Adamu) as the Acting PCA by the 1st Defendant (Jonathan), is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

As well as, “An order restraining the 5th defendant from further acting as the President of the Court of Appeal.”

The plaintiffs equally urged the court to among other things, determine: “ whether the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has any step to take within the provisions of sections 153 and 21 Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution, as amended, in relation to the recall of Justice Salami as recommended by the NJC.”

Suit adjourns till Dec 4 Even as the prayed the court to go ahead and determine “Whether the NJC’s three-man panel recommendation for the recall of Justice Salami has not put an end to all disputes in relation to his suspension/recall.”

Listed as 1st to 5th defendants in the suit were President Jonathan, the AGF, NJC, Justice Salami and the Acting PCA, Justice Adamu.

However, Presiding Justice Adamu Bello adjourned the case till December 4 to enable the parties to file and adopt their written arguments on the matter.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 — 9

Lagos NUJ counsels Nigerians at independence

L

L-R: Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-In-Chief/GM, Publications, Vanguard; Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Chairman House of Reps Commiittee on Petroleum, Downstream; Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun State Governor and Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, author of the book, Here Comes The Commander In Chief, at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos yesterday.

Photo: Shola Oyelese

Police kill robbery suspect in gun duel

BY EVELYN USMAN & ALBERT AKPOR

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ANDEMONIUM broke out yesterday on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, following a shoot-out between a robbery gang

and a team of Mobile Police Squad 43, leading to the death of one of the robbery suspects.

The armed men numbering four, attacked residents of a building at AbuleOnigbogbo estate,

carting away an unspecified amount of money at about 7.30a.m.

According to reports the armed men, gained entry into the their victim’s apartment, dispossessing him of laptops, phones, jewelry

and other personal effects.

However, on their way out, one of the robbers was waylaid by two private guards, but his colleagues came to his rescue as they started shooting into the air.

Witness absolves Atuche over shares racket

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIAAND MICHEAL OYEDIPO

A

FORMER M a n a g i n g Director of the defunct Bank PHB Asset Management, Mr. Benedict Omonuah, yesterday absolved the former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche of complicity in the sales of over 630 million units of shares of

Afribank Plc held by the bank in trust for Cavernton Helicopters.

The witness, who was giving testimony before a Lagos High court, Ikeja yesterday contradicted the charge of the N4.2 billion theft preferred against Atuche by the EFCC. Atuche is facing a one count charge of alleged theft of N4.2billion alongside a former director of the bank Mr. Funmi Ademosu.

According to

Omonuah, who was also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Platinum Capital, an affiliate of the bank, told the court presided over

by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo that the stock broking firm only sold about 320million units of shares valued about N8.7 billion contrary to the claims of the EFCC that about 830 million units of shares were sold.

Asked if it was standard practice to issue cheque

Court orders CBN to account for Ibru’s seized assets

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, has ordered Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to account for assets both cash and property forfeited by sacked Managing Director of Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru within 72 hours.

Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, who made the order, yesterday, in his judgment in a suit by President of Progressive S h a r e h o l d e r s Association of Nigeria, PSAN, Mr. Boniface Okezie, directed CBN to

account for the whereabouts of the money and the property.

The court al directed CBN to state which part of the recovered cash and property had so far been returned to Oceanic Bank or its shareholders.

Okezie in the suit against CBN, had prayed the court to compel the apex bank to publish how it managed about N191 billion worth of assets forfeited by Mrs. Cecilia Ibru.

Ibru, who was convicted by a Federal High Court for banking malpractices and abuse of office by the former Chief Judge of the court,

Justice Dan Abutu, forfeited the assets.

The assets forfeited by Ibru included 94 landed property scattered in Nigeria, Dubai and United States of America, as well as shares in about 100 firms both listed and unlisted in the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE. The court, held that CBN, being a public institution, has a duty under the Freedom of Information Act, FOI Act to provide details of such information, and that the refusal of CBN to make public the information upon request by Okezie was unlawful.

in the name of Home Trust which was not among the original owner, the witness said that the client reserves the right to issue instructions on who should be the beneficiaries of the transactions.

He said: “As a professional stock broker, it is a normal practice for clients to say in whose name cheques should be issued. It is the prerogative of clients to say, issue cheques in the name of this or that person'”.

A mild drama was, however, introduced during the trial when the prosecution objected to the witnesses being cross-examined by the defence led by Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) on a letter written by Mr. Sunny Obaze, a colleague of the witness, which detailed the transaction in the Afribank shares.

Citing relevant provisions of the Evidence Act, he argued that the witness cannot be cross-examined on the document because he was not the author.

In his ruling, justice Onigbanjo over-ruled the objection raised by the defence and admitted the document as exhibit.

AGOS STATE Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has urged Nigerians to use the 52nd Independence Anniversary to reflect on those things that would unite the country.

In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Deji Elumoye and the Secretary, Comrade Sylva Emeka-Okereke, the Council admonished Nigerians, irrespective of religions and ethnicity, to ensure peaceful co-existence in the face of the growing disunity, saying there is beauty in diversity.

The Council while joining millions of Nigerians to mark the nation’s 52nd Independence, said the unity of the country cannot be compromised, describing the growing

insecurity in the country as only a passing phase of a developing nation, destined to be great.

Noting that developed countries like America and Britain had their own shares of economic and security challenges before they became what they are today, the Council said Nigeria will one day, join the league of developed nations, adding that patience and commitment are needed among Nigerian citizens.

Blaming the prevailing socio-economic and security challenges on the laxity of the past and present leaders of the country, Lagos NUJ wondered why Nigeria, widely regarded as the giant of Africa should degenerate into a poor nation, 52 years after the nation’s Independence.

Diplomatic row: Lagos resumes airlifting of Hajj pilgrims

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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OLLOWING THE expiration of 48 hours suspension of Year 2012 Haji operations by the Federal Government, the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, yesterday, commenced the airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Lands of Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government on Wednesday, September

26, 2012, suspended airlifting of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia pending the resolution of the diplomatic row between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia authorities.

Speaking on the issue of Muharram concept (male companionship) adopted by the Saudi Arabia authority, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji assured that the attached male and female pilgrims would know themselves before embarking on the journey.

Lagos lawmakers summon education commissioner

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & EBUN SESSOU

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HE LAGOS State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye to appear before the House next Tuesday over the proposed introduction of Chinese Language into the school curriculum.

Abdulbak-Balogun representing Ajeromi– Ifelodun Constituency II, drew the attention of the House to the statement credited to the commissioner that Chinese Language will be introduced in public

schools in the state.

According to Balogun, “ why Chinese Language in our public schools, even if we want our children to learn Chinese Language why not in university where they learn linguistics”.

Another member, Mrs. Lola Akande, however, noted that China being the second largest economy in the world is regarded as a super power in terms of t e c h n o l o g y advancement, adding that the introduction of the language would strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Ajimobi bows to pressure, reinstates sacked workers

BY OLA AJAYI

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L-R: Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan African University; Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Mr. Richard Ikiebe, Director, Centre for Leadership in Journalism, School of Media and Communication, at the 3rd Lecture of the School in Lagos yesterday.

Mimiko raises alarm over ACN’s plans

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — THE M i m i k o Campaign Organisation, MCO, yesterday alerted the security agencies and people of Ondo State of alleged plans by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to begin the systematic importation of another rounds of armed thugs into the state from the neighbouring Ekiti and Osun states.

It therefore called upon Nigerians to prevail on the leaders of the ACN over the spate at which they have been importing dangerous weapons and hired thugs into Ondo State to unleash mayhem on the people all in its orchestrated ambition to annex the state to its empire in the South

West.

The organisation alleged that “already, over 5,000 of such people who have been camped at the Trade Fair Complex in Ado Ekiti were now being shipped in batches to Ondo State to foment trouble.

According to MCO‘s Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, the development which he said was borne out of desperation by the ACN to make good its threat to capture Ondo State at all cost.

Olabisi stated that this should be taken with all seriousness by the security agencies that, he enjoined, should be aware of the antics of the ACN and nip them in the bud by placing an ironclad surveillance of our border towns.

Man docked for kidnapping 10-year-old boy

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — A 37year- old man Nurudeen Adeniyi was yesterday arraigned before an Osogbo chief magistrate court for allegedly kidnapping a 10 year old boy identified as Sikiru Salam on 30th of September, 2012 at about 8:00 p.m. at Ibokun Road in Osogbo.

According to the charged sheet Nurudeen kidnapped the boy by pretending that he knew him.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Oladoye Joshua told the court that the accused has committed an offence contrary to and punishable under the

laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

However, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the two count charges of kidnapping and felony.

The defence counsel, Barrister Nnena Ngwu prayed the court to grant the accused bail on the most liberal term.

Delivering his ruling, the presiding magistrate Adewumi Makanjuola admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties who must swear to an affidavit of means, one of the sureties must have Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) with two clear photographs each.

M a g i s t r a t e Makanjuola thereafter adjourned the case till 5th November, 2012.

BADAN — FOLLowing heated contrversy that greeted the sack of about 3,000 workers in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the reinstated 1,499 of the sacked workers.

This was announced after the end of the weekly state executive council meeting yesterday.

While some of the

workers were sacked for allegations ranging from falsification of academic certificates, age and personal data, others were categorized as ghost workers.

Subsequently, the Governor Abiola Ajimobi led administration had received several knocks for the action especially when thousands of unemployed youths in the state daily besieged the state secretariat in

Ogun House empowers Amosun to borrow

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — PUBlic outcry not withstanding, the Ogun State House of Assembly yesterday passed the controversial bond bill sent by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun into law.

The bill which was sent to the Assembly last month by Amosun seeking an enabling law to raise bond and other financial instruments had divided the lawmakers before its eventual passage yesterday.

The Assembly led by the Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, however, effected 21 amendments in the controversial bond bill before it was passed into law.

Meanwhile, many stakeholders have expressed fear over the development, insisting that, the debt profile of the state should be made

public before the bond.

Leading the protesters against the bond, the State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Dapo Adeyemi cautioned the lawmakers against any undue influence to pass the bill.

According to Adeyemi, the amount Ogun is owing remains a mystery and it should be made public before any bond is okayed.

“When Daniel wanted to obtain bond, we all rose against it because we did not know the amount Ogun was owing,” Adeyemi said.

Amosun had on August 27 sent the bond bill to the House, which later organised a public stakeholders’ forum to address certain loopholes in the bill.

Based on the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation chaired by Olusola Bankole, 21

amendments were made in the bond bill.

For example, Sections 10 and 11 of the bill, which deal on the power to raise loans and issuance of bonds, have now been amended with proviso of “subject to the approval of the House of Assembly.”

Upon a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Israel Jolaoso, and seconded by Victor Fasanya (Abeokuta South 1 Constituency), the lawmakers passed the amended bill into law.

The legislators resolved to send a clean copy of the amended bill to the governor for his assent.

The House thereafter adjourned sitting till next Tuesday.

It will be recalled that the House had been reportedly under pressure allegedly by Amosun’s camp to pass the bond bill without effecting amendments.

Kolade charges youths at Olashore’s valedictory service

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO —FORmer Nigeria High commissioner to Britain, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has charged Nigerian youths to use their talents to stem the tide of miriads of problems confronting the nation which have retarded its growth and development.

According to him, the problem of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and other vices can only be tackled

by Nigerians themselves

and not by other foreign nationals.

Speaking at the valedictory service held in honour of late Oba Oladele Olashore, the Owaloko of IlokoIjesha by students and staff of Olasore International School, Dr. Kolade noted that the only way to make Nigeria and the society a better place was by contributing positively to improve on it.

He stated that everybody is imbued with a gift , and that gift should be expressed to benefit other people, so

that they can derive benefit from it.

Dr. Kolade who was the guest of honour said late Oba Olashore “ was gifted and he used his gift to benefit his society and individuals. Oba Olashore is just one man who identified the gift he possessed, and he used it to bless so many people.

"It is possible to conceive that, if one has a gift he should use it to benefit the community, we are all living witnesses of what Oba Olashore had done.

search of jobs.

The criticisms that trailed the sack compelled the 32member legislative arm to call for the review of the exercise.

Most of the workers complained of wrongful termination of their appointment.

Therefore, in fulfilment of his promise that the Action Congress of Nigeria led administration would have a human face, the governor then implemented the recommendation of the panel led by Mr. Adebayo Ojo, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo explained further that the reinstatement was sequel to the recommendations of the panel constituted by Governor Ajimobi to review the cases.

Chief Julius Ajayi passes on

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HIEF JULIUS Ajayi, 88, a veteran photographer, is dead.

Born to the family of Pastor and Mrs. Abraham Arunmole Ajayi, the late Chief Ajayi had his primary education in Kogi State and his secondary in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He proceeded to Austria in 1962 to study photography at the Innsbruck College of Technology where he graduated with the first division in 1965.

In the same year, he obtained a diploma in colour photography from School of Career, London.

He was confered with the title of Agba-Akin of Ereland by the Elere of Ereland.

He is survived by his widow and many children.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—11

Oil firm, 170 host communities at loggerheads over flow station

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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GBOR—CRISIS is brewing between Pan Ocean Oil Exploration Company of Nigeria Limited and no fewer than 170 oil and gasbearing communities in six kingdoms in the North Senatorial District of Delta State, over an alleged plan by the company to locate a new flow station in a non- oil/gas producing community.

The communities, under the aegis of Association of Gas Producing Communities, OPL 275,

SEMINAR: Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (left) and Chief Solomon Edebiri, during the presentation of award at a one-day seminar on Benin Nation, yesterday, today and the future, organised by Centre for Change, in Benin. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

Nigeria @ 52: ANPP tasks govt on private sector devt

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

More flood coming, Bayelsa warns P river bank communities

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State Government has alerted communities on the coastline and those by river banks of the rampaging flood from the River Niger and its tributaries taking over more towns.

Already, hundreds of communities in Sagbama, Ekeremor, Kolokuma-Opokuma, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas had been sacked with more on the verge of being submerged by the flood.

The Imiringi bridge crossing the Kolo Creek is on the verge of being swept away while a classroom block at Tombia town on the bank of River Nun had col-

lapsed.

Thousands of displaced families are now exposed to the vagaries of the elements even as the outbreak of epidemic looms in the affected communities.

Though a high powered delegation led by the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Sylvanus Abila, had toured flooded communities to ascertain the extent of damage, the state gover-

nor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who returned to the state, weekend, after a three-week stay abroad to woo investors and also take a rest, is also expected to carry out an on -the -spot assessment of the affected communities today to see things for himself.

The governor, who sympathised with the communities affected by the flood, said his administration was doing all it

Edo distributes relief materials to flood victims

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—EDO State Government has commenced the distribution of relief materials to victims of the flood disas-

ter, which sacked no fewer than 30 communities in Etsako Central, Etsako East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of the state.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had last week doled out N100 million to

2015 Delta guber: Urhobo, Anioma groups form alliance

BY FESTUS AHON

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G H E L L I — URHOBO Political Movement, UPM, and Anioma Study Group, ASG, have formed alliance ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Delta State to ensure that a credible person was elected as governor come 2015.

Briefing newsmen after a meeting of the two groups in Ughelli, patron of UPM, Prof. S. Okobia,

could to fast-track development in the state.

The governor, it was learnt, had earlier directed the deputy governor to ensure the release of relief materials to the affected communities to cushion the hardship being experienced by the people.

He said: “The issue of flooding is not peculiar to Bayelsa State, it is a global phenomenon caused mainly by global warming and other issues related to the environment."

said the groups decided to form alliance since they had a common agenda of producing a credible governorship candidate for the state in 2015.

Okobia said UPM was prepared to work with any group with a common objective. National Chairman of UPM, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi on his part, urged the people of the state to set aside tribal politics in the interest of the state.

He said: “We must de-

stroy ethnic politics and work towards the enthronement of a credible governorship candidate in 2015 irrespective of his or her tribe and political party affiliation.

“I appeal to Deltans to chart a common course towards moving the state forward particularly on issues that could promote good governance in the state. These two groups have a common political ambition of lifting Delta State to a higher level of political significance."

the flood victims, after an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas.

Distributing the materials, yesterday, Chairman of the Relief Committee working in conjunction with the State Emergency Relief Agency, Hajia Maimuna Momodu, said the items were palliative measures to soothe the pains of the victims and take care of their immediate needs.

She assured that the materials would be evenly distributed across the affected communities, and appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims.

The relief materials distributed to the victims included mattresses, blankets, clothing, various food items, toiletries, beverages and drugs which were administered by doctors and nurses on ground.

in a statement by the Chairman and Secretary, Mr. Nat Ajuebor and Prince Roland Neemeke, said the traditional rulers and people had, before now, sent a delegation to Pan Ocean in Lagos to express their opposition to the proposal.

They said it was, therefore, surprising that the company was still going ahead with the plan to “locate the proposed flow station at Owa Alidinma, a community without oil/gas deposit” and urged it to urgently reconsider the relocation.

ORT HAR C O U RT — G OVERNORSHIP candidate of All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, in the July 14, poll in Edo State, Chief Solomon Edebiri, has enjoined government at all levels in the country to tackle the twin problem of bad roads and high cost of transportation.

Stressing that they were among the challenges faced by the private sector in the region, Edebiri also appealed to the Federal Government to address the challeng-

es of power supply in the country.

Describing the nation as a failed state at 52, Edebiri who spoke to Vanguard in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said there should be collaboration between the people and government to overcome challenges of security and other related issues plaguing the nation. Edebiri, a member of ANPP board of trustees and leader of the party in Edo State, lamented his experience during the last governorship election in the state while constituting a new state executive for the party.

Lawmaker urges constituents to read PIB draft bill

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI—RESI DENTS of Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State, have been called upon to participate in the forthcoming debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, as the area remains the highest oil producing federal constituency in Nigeria.

Speaking, weekend, in Warri, when hosting women of Warri Federal Constituency, who paid him a courtesy call, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, urged his constituents to avail themselves of the opportunities contained in the draft bill, as it tallies with the aspirations and visions of the people inhabiting the area, particularly oil bearing communities that had significantly borne the brunt of dev-

astations that accompany oil exploration and exploitation.

Reyenieju said: “I appeal to my constituents, particularly the literate ones, to visit my constituency office on 100, Ajamimogha Road, Warri, where authentic copies of the draft bill had been provided for anyone to read and make comments for me. I hope to get whatever comments put down, synthesise them, and the outcome will inform my contribution in the House.”

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Bayelsa to establish deep sea port

BY SONI DANIEL

B

AYELSA State Gov ernment has begun preliminary moves for the establishment of a deep sea port in Agge, as part of efforts to attract investments to the state and boost its industrial base.

To this end, the state government has begun discussion with some foreign interests to drive the project and attract other vital investments to the state.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Mr. Seriake

PROFESSOR EBUN CLARK @ 71: From left: Mr. Benjamin Ogeregbaje, Chairman, Apollo Hotels; Alhaja Odutola; Professor JP Clark; Chief Felix Ibru; Mrs Julianah Edowoh Thomas; Professor Ebun Clark (celebrant), and Alhaji Abdul Odutola, at the 71st birthday celebration of Professor Ebun Clark in Lagos, weekend. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Bakassi: ‘FG’s failure to appeal against ICJ judgment may cause war'

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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ALABAR—BARELY seven days before the window of opportunity to appeal against International Court of Justice, IJC, judgment that ceded oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon expires, Cakebird Development Cooperation has said that the refusal of the Nigerian authorities to appeal the ruling could lead to war.

Meanwhile, Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Tunde Adeleye, has advised the Federal Government to hasten the appeal and not allow any part of the country to go to another country, warning that nobody was afraid of war.

Cakebird Development Cooperation hinged its concern on the fact that the Cameroonian authorities would have prepared against any form of perceived in Bakassi from Nigeria.

Chairman of Cakebird Development Cooperation, Dr. Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu, who spoke in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday, said the war might be

sparked-off by aggrieved Nigerians, who might be attacked by the Cameroonian authorities, adding that the only way to avert such ugly occurrence was for the Federal Government to appeal against the judgment.

Jideofo-Ogbuagu lamented that it was unfortunate that while well meaning Nigerians were calling for the appeal against the judg-

Police allegedly kill 16-yr-old boy in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—A 16year-old boy was allegedly shot dead by the police in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, yesterday.

Though the police au-

thorities had launched investigation into the matter to ascertain the alleged involvement of its personnel in the killing, eyewitness told Vanguard that the incident occurred at 5p.m. at Hospital Road area of Ovom, commonly called red

Lori-Ogbebor threatens legal action over Mukhtar, Chief of Dekidnap of Delta judge fence Staff, Air Marshal

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prominent Itsekiri leader and activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has threatened legal action should the police authorities fail, within seven days, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the kidnap of a Delta State High Court judge, Justice Marcel Okoh, on August 7.

Justice Okoh was kidnapped on the day he was expected to deliver a ruling on the motion

ment, President Goodluck Jonathan was succumbing to pressures from past leaders, who connived to sell the Pen i n s u l a r.

He said: “Assisted by some foreign powers, Cameroon is waiting for action, whereas there are powers somewhere in the country campaigning that the wicked sale of Bakassi should be forgotten."

before the court on a land dispute between the Delta State Government and Okere people of Warri. The incident led to the adjournment of the case till September 24 and on resumption, the file was reassigned to a new judge, who further adjourned it till October 8.

The Itsekiri community leader had, on September 3, petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma

Petinrin, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammad Abubakar and president, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN, on the matter.

Ogbebor argued that the purported kidnap was a mere smokescreen to rob her people of justice as the state government took advantage of the long adjournment to invade the disputed land and continued its building projects, against the wishes of the rightful owners of the property.

light district due to its large concentration of women of easy virtue.

The alleged killer cop was said to have pursued the lad and shot him before fleeing the scene.

It was gathered that when sympathisers rushed to the scene to see what assistance they could render, it was discovered that the boy’s head had been shattered by the bullets from the cop.

The remains of the lad, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was later evacuated by police personnel from the 'A' Division and deposited at Federal Medical Centre morgue.

Contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Odunna, confirmed that the police evacuated the remains of a victim, adding that he was yet to ascertain what led to his death.

Dickson, has signed the Bill establishing Bayelsa State Development Corporation, BDC, which the state House of Assembly passed recently, into law, to provide a solid platform for managing the state’s investments.

Governor Dickson made these known in Abuja on his return from the United Kingdom, weekend.

He said he was hale and hearty and merely went to the UK to seek ways and means of attracting direct foreign investments to his state, which has serious infrastructural challenge.

Free Delta Commissioner, NADESSTU begs kidnappers

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—NATIONAL Association of Delta State Students, NADESSTU, has called for the immediate release of Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, who was abduction last Sunday by unknown gunmen.

Prof. Eghagha was kidnapped at Abavo, near Agbor, on his way back to Asaba, the capital city, while his police orderly, Mr. Innocent Odah, a Sergeant, was killed in the process.

NADESSTU, in a statement by its National President, Mr. Godwin Ovuomaraini, said: “NADESSTU utterly condemns the kidnap of Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Eghagha and the killing of his police aide.

“It is the worst independence package for us in NADESSTU and we appeal to the abductors to release him. We also appeal to Deltans to always be vigilant and committed to the peace and security agenda of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration."

LG aspirant tasks Chevron on power supply

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chairmanship aspirant of People Democratic Party, PDP, in Warri North Constituency in the forthcoming local government polls in Delta State, Air Alawei Balas Miyebi, has appealed to Chevron Nig Ltd to supply electricity to oil-bearing and nearby communiies of both Ijaw and Itsekiri through its platform as part of its development initiative in the area.

Miyebi, in an interview with newsmen recently at his Warri base, noted that in the last seven years the Regional Development Council put in place by Chevron with the help of Delta State Government had executed many cost-intensive projects in the area. He said the company must provide the much needed power to boost economic activities and stem rural to urban migration.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—13

Pipeline fire kills 20 in Abia

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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M UA H I A — N o fewer than 20 persons were feared dead and many others seriously injured, following pipeline explosion at Umueke village in Umueze Autonomous Community in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

Eye witness account from the sleepy rural community said the death toll could rise, based on the condition of victims being treated in various hospitals and traditional healing homes in the area.

Vanguard learnt that the fire curred yesterday when some people from the area were scooping fuel from a vandalised pipeline in the area, which supplies petroleum products from Eleme to the newly opened Osisioma Depot.

Six people were said to have died instantly, while other deaths resulted from severe burns sustained by the vandals.

It will be recalled that Abia State government had persistently warned youths of host communities of PPMC pipeline

against tampering in whatever form with the pipelines because of the devastating result that could follow.

Also, the government had since the reopening of the Osisioma depot, mobilised soldiers and other security agencies to protect the pipelines.

Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals’ Resources, Chief Don Ubani, confirmed the in-

cident and death of 15 persons.

He also regretted that despite constant warnings against vandalization of NNPC pipelines, some people took the risk and lost their lives in the process.

Describing the action of the people as criminal, Ubani said the wrath of God and nemesis caught up with the hooligans who defied all warnings against

breaking pipelines.

He said: “It has become sadly compelling that Abia State Ministry of Petroleum and Solid Minerals’ Development should, for the umpteenth time, warn hoodlums in pipeline communities to learn to respect the sanctity of their lives by not attempting to go near the pipelines that traverse their communities."

BY FAVOUR NNANUGWU BUJA—THE Minis ter of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufai has said that the Federal Government is considering the request made by teachers to approve 65 years as retirement age for them.

The minister who spoke in Abuja, yesterday, said that the the request made by the teachers through their umbrella body, the Nigerian Union of Teachers concerning the extension of their retirement age from 60 to 65 was already in the pipeline assuring the teachers that due process

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would however be followed.

The minister at a press briefing to commemorate the 2012 World Teachers Day scheduled for Friday with the theme ‘Take a Stand for Teachers’ assured that the ‘procedure must be followed and higher authorities must be convinced.

The issue is in the pipeline.’

The minister, however, lamented the dearth of committed teachers in the profession and urged all the stakeholders to “encourage them with motivation, training and providing welfare packages as most people in the profession have taken to it as a last resort.”

Lagos moves to healthcare delivery

BY CHIOMA OBINNA &

CHARITY UGWUANYI

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From left: Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Professor Nicolas Damachi, at the inauguration of Defence Headquarters Transit officers and men's quarters in Abuja, yesterday.

Mimiko an ingrate, doesn't deserve second term, says Tinubu L

AGOS—THE Na tional Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state as an ingrate who does not deserve a second term because he has failed to perform creditably during his first term.

Asiwaju Tinubu spoke, yesterday, as the campaign train of the Ondo State ACN gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, rolled into Akokoland, North Senatorial District.

According to an ACN statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Asiwaju Tinubu enjoined the people to vote out Dr. Mimiko of the Labour Party on October 20, having failed to deliver on roads, education, health care, water and job creation.

“If you use three years to build one hospital, you will use 15 years to build three Which market is he building? That is the domain of my mother in Lagos,”

FG to increase teachers' retirement age to 65

Asiwaju told the mammoth crowd who defied a downpour to attend the campaign rally, which was held in a carnivallike atmosphere at the Ikare Cenotapth.

“Today, you have seen our candidate. Somebody

calls himself Rahman Olusegun Mimiko. The judgment of God has come. The next election will be an exercise of success and reward for you.

It is a vote that will liberate Yorubaland. Iroko wants to be in the forest

alone. Use your broom to chase them away. Chase away hunger, poverty, unemployment, penury, disease, water shortage, lack of drugs,” said the former Lagos State Governor as he waved the broom, the symbol of ACN, at the crowd.

Flood submerges ex-minister, former dep gov's houses, sacks Poly students

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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N I T S H A — HOUSES of former Water Transport Minister, Prince John Emeka, and ex-Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chinedu Emeka, were among the more than 500 buildings submerged by flood at Umueze Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area last weekend.

This came as Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, yesterday shut its Atani campus indefinitely, following continuous flooding of the campus which destroyed many buildings and vital documents.

When Vanguard visited the place yesterday, more

than 500 houses, in addition to about 5000 houses earlier submerged by flood, were covered by water as victims who were able to secure few of their personal effects were seen at Anam bridge looking helpless.

The victims said they were stranded and had no place to go, except govern-

ment came to their aid by providing them a refugee c a m p .

Speaking to Vanguard on telephone, the former minister said it was unfortunate that his people would be victims of flooding and called on the federal government to quickly come to the rescue of his people.

AGOS—DETER MINED to attain the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Lagos State Government has set up an Independent Watch Dog System to ensure equity in the provision of health services in the state.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this at the 2nd General Assembly of the State’s Health Sector Partners’ Development Forum,

boost

LSHSPDF, noted that the establishment of the unit was specifically to ensure access to healthcare services in the remotest area of the state.

Idris said the unit comprising only civil society organisations, was to separate service delivery from service monitoring.

He said: “We want to get feed backs from the communities that are not being represented enough and to do this we needed an independent opinions.”

Nsukka LG boss builds bungalow for deaf widow

BY CHINENYEH OZOR SUKKA—FOL LOWING the devastating wild storm that displaced over 1000 people last June at Nru and Nguru communities, Nsukka Local Government Government Council of Enugu State has built a 3-bedroom bungalow for a deaf widow who was worst hit by the disaster.

Presenting keys of the building furnished with leather chairs, ceiling fans and beds to the deaf widow, Mrs. Justina

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Asogwa, the council chairman, Mr. Tony Ugwu, said he was compelled to embark on the project, having seen what she was passing through, after the storm.

Ugwu noted that the storm blew away the widow’s building and destroyed a good number of her property, leaving her and her four children in miserable condition.

He said the house was built not with the council’s funds but from contributions by members of his cabinet.

14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State, his wife, Mrs. Mercy Orji, Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy Governor and his wife, Lady Nene Ananaba singing the national anthem during the Independence celebration in Umuahia.

Flooding worsens as Anambra govt closes schools

BY VINCENTUJUMADU

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WKA—THE flood ing in Anambra State has worsened with the victims abandoning their homes in droves and sending Save Our Soul, SOS messages to the state government to come to their aide.

The state government has already received assistance from the Nigerian Army and the Navy to assist in the evacuation of victims trapped in their areas and as at 5.00 pm yesterday, Osomala and Ogbakuba communities at Ogbaru, as well as Anaku in Ayamelum local government areas had been cut off and government afficials assessing the situation were using canoe to do so.

The government has also closed down all schools in the affected local government areas and some commissioners and special advisers had been deployed to monitor the evacuation of people to the camps.

Parts of Anaku town, as well as the multimillion

naira Ekene Dili Chukwu farms have been submerged At Umuerum town, over 70 houses are submerged already, while two houses submerged earlier have collapsed.

Public buildings that have also been submerged include Ataka Primary School, Umuerum, Skills Aquisition Centre, Umueru, Akwa MFS Primary School, Umuerum, FADAMA Rice Mill, Umuerum and the newly built Umuerum

....Uba wants emergency declared over flooding crisis

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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WKA—SENATOR Andy Uba, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the Anambra State situation before the entire state is submerged by the ravaging flood.

He spoke during his visit to flooded areas in the state.

The affected communities are those in Anambra East,

Grand Oak re-launches Dark Sailor rum in continuous fulfillment of

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KURE—AN indig enous spirits and wines marketing company, Grand Oak Limited, GOL, last weekend in Akure, Ondo State, re-launched its Dark Sailor Rum to the admiration of consumers and distributors.

Aare Fatai Odesile, Marketing Director of Grand Oak said the re-launch was

Health Centre. More cassava and rice farms went under the water yesterday in the area.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, in a memo to the governor said: “Our greatest fear is that if the flood continues for a few more days, the entire community will be submerged because the town is almost on a table land. More so, the Omor-Umuerum road which is their only access route is already affected and will soon become impassable."

the Grand Oak mission, which is “to make people happy by providing brands that enhance prestige and lifestyle of the consumers.”

Odesile added that his firm had perfected a winwin situation through its corporate social responsibility initiatives by which Grand Oak and her teeming customers benefit.

Anambra West and Ogbaru Local Government Areas.

On arrival at the communities, Senator Uba, who was shocked at the level of devastation caused by the flood and the number of people displace, called for a state of emergency to be declared in the ravaged areas.

He expressed shock that the camp site for teeming refugees had also been flooded.

“The situation in these Anambra communities is worse than those in Kogi, Benue and other states since this flood began its dangerous incursion into Nigeria,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to quickly address the “strange and evil" development in Anambra State, where the River Niger is now discharging water into residential areas, instead of the other way round.

CMD raises alarm over increase in Lassa fever

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—THE Chief Medical Director, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State, Professor George Ikpede, has raised an alarm over increase in Lassa fever virus strain in Nigeria.

The CMD who spoke at the maiden Lassa Fever Day awareness programme

organised by Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, regretted that despite efforts made in the treatment of the rodenttransmitted ailment, 44 lives have so far been lost to the disease in the current year.

He said: “With what we are seeing even though we are still in the rainy season when beds in our isolation

ward ought to be empty, there is fear there might be upsurge during the dry season.

"Through the activities of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, the case fatality from LF has dropped from 60 per cent to 80 per cent in the beginning of this millennium to 30-35 per cent."

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—15

Hajj: Female pilgrims still arriving without guardians— S/Arabia

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—The Saudi Arabian government, yesterday, said that Nigerian female pilgrims were still undertaking hajj trips without their male guardians in spite of events of the last two weeks where over 1000 others were sent back to the country.

A statement by the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria, made available to media houses yesterday said:“In spite of all this, a Nigerian flight with female pilgrims unaccompanied by their male guardians also arrived Jeddah yesterday, Monday, October 1, 2012. They were also instructed to return to Nigeria.”

The statement said the policy implemented by the Saudi authorities without any discrimination applies to all female pilgrims from all nationalities that arrive into the Kingdom without their male guardians It said: “Hajj visas could only be issued to female pilgrims after the names of their guardians (mahram) should arrive with them on the same flight, otherwise the inclusion of the names of their guardians (mahram) will be of no use.

“The Embassy wishes to give assurance that government of Saudi Arabia will continue to do its best in guaranteeing both the

safety and comfort of all pilgrims coming from all parts of the world and considers it a great honour to render such services to them.”

The embassy said it was compelled to issue the statement, due to what it considered “incorrect reports that were published by some Nigerian newspapers with regard to decision taken by the Saudi Arabian authorities on some Nigerian female pilgrims who travelled to the Holy land but were not accompanied by their male guardians (mahram).

From left— Mr. Simon Lee, Hankook Tire Co Ltd, Johannesburg; Mr. Feras Riyal, Managing Director and Mr. N. Mansour, Chairman, both of Royal United Nig Ltd., during the 2012 Hankook Partners Day.

Senate holds public hearing on constitution amendment

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor

S

HOULD the Land Use Act, Code of Conduct and National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Act be retained or removed from the 1999 Constitution?

This is one of the questions the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution wants Nigerians to answer to pave way for an elaborate amendment of the nation’s code book that will accelerate socioeconomic and political development in the country.

Nigerians are also expected to furnish the Senate committee with their

views on raging issues such as devolution of powers, creation of more states, recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, role for traditional rulers, local government, fiscal federalism, amendment of provisions relating to amendment of the constitution and boundary adjustment to remove ambiguities.

Inviting the general public, civil society/interest groups, professional bodies and other interested persons to a two-day public hearing on “the proposed further alteration to the provisions of the Constitution

Nigeria a failed state at 52, says Chukwumerije

BY HENRY UMORU & INALEGWU SHAIBU

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BUJA—SENATOR Uche Chukwumerije, yesterday, described Nigeria as a failed state, with the Senate resolving that there was need for the three-tiers of government and leaders to return Nigeria to the path of economic growth, sustain and strengthen national unity.

This resolution followed the motion by Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East and 108 other senators, congratulating Nigeria and Nigerians on her 52nd independence anniversary.

The senators, while congratulating President Goodluck Jonathan on the anniversary, noted that they appreciated that from May 29, 1999 till date, Nigeria had the longest reign of democratic government in her political history.

He said: “On Monday, October 1, Nigeria did mark her 52nd independence anniversary, having attained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.

“Steadily and gradually, the nation is developing its domestic production capacity as an independent nation. We have become a big player in international affairs within the committee of nations.”

However, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, PDP, Abia North, said: “It took only 21 years to transform Turkey from a feudal state to a highly modernised state today. South-East Asian countries took less than 30 years to move from ex-British colonies to what they are today, Asian Tigers, and are highly developed to the point that one of them, Malaysia, took our palm produce.

“It took South Korea 18

years to move from 3rd dependent country to one of the third exporters and they have today developed to one of the top most and it took China exactly 48 years to move from a small status, being described by the West as the begging bone of Asian, to a super power.

“With our 52 years as a country, a country who took palm produce from us some years back has grown into a prosperous country and turned that product into its main exporting product.

“How would you describe us now importing it? I can only describe Nigeria as either a failed state or on the verge of being a failed one.”

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999,” holding in Abuja on October 11 and 12, Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee review panel, listed other issues to be considered at the hearing.

Issues

The issues include the immunity clause, Nigerian Police, judiciary, executive, rotation of executive offices among senatorial districts of a state, gender and special group, mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, residency and indigene provisions, as well as any other matter that will promote good governance and will improve the Nigerian state but requires amendment to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The hearings will hold at the ECOWAS Parliament, International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Giving the issues listed for deliberation, those angling for reversion to the parliamentary system as opposed to the current presidential system would have to wait for another time.

However, on account of the dusts some of the issues have raised in the polity in recent times, a host of pressure groups and organisations have declared their readiness to storm the hearing with memoranda.

Sambo tasks experts on nation building

BY NNAMDI OJIEGO

V

ICE President Namadi Sambo has called on architects, interior designers and other stakeholders in the building profession to partner with the Federal Government in its transformation agenda, which included the provision of accessible and affordable housing for Nigerians.

Sambo made this call while delivering the keynote address at the just-concluded Interior Design Excellence Awards/Exhibition, IDEA, organised by Essential Interiors Magazine and Palm3 Concepts in Lagos.

He said the bedrock of nation building was partly

anchored on the activities of professions like architecture and interior design.

The VP, who was represented on the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ibrahim Mahe, said the Federal Government had approved the National Housing and Urban Development Policies.

Founder of IDEA Nigeria, Titi Ogufere, said the programme was organised to bring together experts who will give their unique and expert perspective on current issues facing interior design, architecture and building industry across the globe.

Appointment of new service chiefs imminent

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—THERE is tension within the military and security formations nationwide, following what presidency sources say are impending reorganisation in the hierarchy of the defence and services headquarters.

Vanguard was told that a new Chief of Defence Staff will soon be appointed, which simultaneously will lead to the retirement and appointment of some new service chiefs after their predecessors would have spent more than two years in office.

It was further gathered

that the appointment of the new service chiefs would coincide with the appointment of a new Minister of Defence because the thinking of Mr. President is that the new team should take off together and map out modern ways of dealing with the myriad of internal security challenges facing the nation.

Military sources said a pointer to this impending change was Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin's indication of his readiness to retire from the military at the commissioning of the DHQ Transit Quarters in Abuja, yesterday.

FCT Minister reads riot act to agencies

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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BUJA—FEDERAL Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, yesterday, read the riot act to all

heads of agencies, departments and senior officials of the FCTA to carry out their duties of cleaning, securing and keeping the capital city clean without fear or favour.

FCT Minister, Senator

Bala Mohammed, gave the warning while addressing over 400 heads of departments in charge of environment, security and social development during an emergency stakeholders

meeting on the performance of FCTA on environment, social development and traffic issues in Abuja.

He said the environmental situation of the city had deteriorated.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

SUMMIT: From right— Dr. Tony Ojobo, Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission; Mr. Abiodun Obimuyiwa, representative of the Director General, Consumer Protection Council; Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President of National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, NATCOMS; Mr. Lanre Ajayi, ATCON President; and Mr. Henry Nwadiae, Assistant Director, representing Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission at NATCOMS' summit in Lagos.

14 babies delivered at flood disasters victims' camps

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—NO fewer than 14 new babies have been delivered in the three camps established for the displaced persons and victims of the Makurdi flood disaster.

This came as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday donated 700 bags of rice, household items, drugs and beverages valued at over N20 million to victims.

Vanguard gathered from mothers of the new born babies that they were all doing well as proper medical attention was being extended to the nursing mothers and their babies in

the camps.

NAFDAC's DG, Dr. Paul Orhii, who made the donation after a tour of the flood sites and camps, commiserated with the victims and urged them to live in peace with one another.

Orhii was accompanied

Middle Belt youths want recognition

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

U

NITED Middle Belt Youth Congress, UMBYC, has called on the Federal Government to carve out the North Central as a separate and distinct geographical

GKS celebrates Freedom Day

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OD’s Kingdom Society, GKS, will celebrate

Transition

M

R. Fatai Eshola is dead. Until his death, he was Principal of St. John Grammar School, Akinyele in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State.

He is survived by brother, widow and children.

Late Mr. Eshola.

by North Central Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Abdulsalam Mohammed and the state SEMA boss, Adikpo Agbatse. , promised more donations to the victims, describing the devastation as alarming.

its annual Freedom Day festival to mark the birth of Jesus Christ believed to have been born in the month of October.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Church, Brother Benedict Hart said: “Beginning from Sunday, October 7 and through all the Sundays in October, members and friends of GKS will converge in 51 centres within and outside Nigeria for Divine Services to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Among the highlights of the Freedom Day Divine Services is the reading of the address of the GKS Executive Board Chairman, Brother Godwin Ifeacho, entitled Living a Godly life in Christ.

entity in furtherance of its agitation for self identity.

President-General of the Congress, Mr. Abuka Omababa, who spoke on behalf of over 144 ethnic nationalities in the region in Lagos, said the region was tired of the North Central nomenclature being applied to it, saying it was unacceptable.

Omababa said: “We want a clean and everlasting break from the political oppression of the North.

Our greatest joy will be to be identified as and be called Middle Belt people the world over.

“We are no longer willing to be the appendage of the North for the purpose of election. In the eyes of the North, we of the Middle belt region becomes Arewa only when it comes to war to keep Nigeria one.

“When it comes to consensus to count population to enable them gain upper hand in the domination of the Nigerian political space and when it comes to voting time. We are thereafter then abandoned.”

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012— If the man talking nonsense is a fool, the man listening should not be.

— Hausa Proverb

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Tony who?

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personal credibility is threatening to consign his party to a permanent hasbeen in British politics is not qualified to advise a President desperate to achieve some level of control over the political process of his nation. A man who put a brave face to say that Weapons of Mass Destruction, WMDs, exist in Iraq, and an all-out assault was justified even when he knew he was lying shouldn’t be even on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The one million lives lost, and the trillions in dollars of damage, and the decades of setback suffered by the Iraqis represent a cross which Blair and Bush will carry till eternity. This man who has done more damage to the capacity of British politicians to generate any trust from British citizens than any oth-

•Tony Blair is significant that the story was not released through Blair himself. Nor was it denied by the government or Blair either as misrepresentation or falsehood. Perhaps the purveyors of that story have very little history of the man who reportedly dished out these profound words of unwisdom. If they did, they would have been more circumspect in holding up Blair as an adviser to our President, a man who only a few weeks ago was lamenting the very poor perception of Nigerians over his efforts and achievements.

Blair may have turned up at that activity on the margins of the UN to reduce his marginal credibility in the manner history is judging him. two-time Prime Minister who will be best remembered for his ability to manufacture his own facts where they do not exist; and to take citizens on a long ride by being clever-by-half with their trust, is not exactly a man President Jonathan wants to be seen in the same room with. A former leader whose performance and

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,

CURIOUS story in one of the news dailies a few days ago said that former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair advised our President Goodluck Jonathan to disregard the voice of Nigerian opposition and other citizens who complain over his policies. The paper reported that Mr Blair was responding to Jonathan’s long list of achievements and initiatives-in-thepipeline that will improve the economy, security and the electoral process, and his lamentations that these are poorly appreciated by Nigerians. The occasion was a business and investment roundtable organised on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly at which Blair was invited as a guest of the President. Mr Blair was reported to have urged our President to disregard opposition parties, push ahead with his reform, and ignore voices which claim they are representing the majority, when in fact they represent minority views or vested interests.

Apparently the people who released the story were impressed by its value to our own President. Perhaps they want to impress Nigerians with the quality of people he rubbed shoulders with on the margins of the UN. Or, perhaps, they value the droplets of wisdom from the former leader of one of the oldest democracies in the world.

It is also possible that they intended it to serve as a signpost to a future in which President Jonathan will operate more and more in contempt for views of the opposition and citizens over his policies or performance.

Whatever their motives, the release of a report which said Blair advised Jonathan to disregard views of the opposition in some media have raised some intriguing questions. Could it be true, in any sense of the word, that Blair would advise our President to shut his ears against opposition and complaining citizens and push on until he reaches the promised land? Could someone have done a bad job at paraphrasing Blair? Or could the past master of spin have been badly spun, and words of encouragement he uttered have been taken out of context and been given a new context and meaning? Did anyone imagine that Nigerians will believe that Blair has condemned Nigerian opposition in an open forum called to encourage investment and international support for Nigeria?

Well, apparently someone did, but it

scaled down in terms of their intended impact. These meetings on margins are largely symbolic affairs, and all parties say nice things to each other, and promise a few more things they can do together. Business and investment roundtables are carefully choreographed affairs at which invitees sing praises and allow Presidents to reel out plans and achievements to programmed applause. No one takes these events seriously, and Nigerians sitting at home among devastating floods, epileptic power supply and threats to their lives will be the least impressed. resident Jonathan’s primary con stituency is the Nigerian people.

His lament over absence of sufficient appreciation over his efforts and achievements may be the product of his failure to read the situation properly.

Could there be so much hostility and criticism because there really is not much to claim as achievement? Is it enough to say most of his problems predated him, and Nigerians should understand if he finds it difficult to solve then? How long does he need to fix power, security, poverty, unemployment, decaying infrastructure, crimes, threats at the unity and survival of the nation? Even two terms and the two years preceding his first term will not be enough, but what can he do now, and who is he talking to about his plans?

Two days ago, we celebrated our second anniversary behind closed doors.

A former leader who will be best remembered for his ability to manufacture his own facts where they do not exist is not qualified to advise a President desperate to achieve some level of control over the political process of his nation

er British leader really should be avoided at all cost, particularly by our own President Jonathan, who should have been reminded that only a few weeks ago, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said Blair and former President Bush should be tried by the international judiciary for crimes against humanity.

But in the event that President Jonathan’s advisers are not thoroughly grounded in the Blair blight, it may not be too late to offer a few words of advice. President Jonathan’s penchant for publicizing words of support and encouragement from meetings at the margins of the UN General Assembly (he did the same last year) should be

OPINION

,

Our leaders will not venture out to children and armed forces parades to celebrate our independence anniversary the way we did in the past out of fear. If they cannot venture out, what should citizens, daily exposed to Boko Haram and security agent fights, armed robbers, kidnappers and devastating floods do? The President said on Monday that he cannot govern Nigeria alone. He needs help. Well, he is the President. Let him reach out and summon, convince, poach or appoint any Nigerian he wants to help him with ideas, strategies and muscle to move this nation away from the precipe. He does not need Blair to tell him what to do.

G.G. Darah and dwindling scholarship in nation's ivory tower

By OKOFU UBAKA

H

OW does one celebrate scholar ship, particularly one with an excellent icing? Is it by rolling out drums in the thrills and sprees of a feverish gyration in recognition of landmark achievement or by pouring encomium on the achiever on the pages of a newspaper and other media, or by ruminating in stupefied awe of such academic exploit? Indeed, I have voluntarily left myself to be buried in thought of how best to acknowledge the academic exploit of a man who had willingly dug his hands into the fire of academics without looking back.

Consciously, if I was told that someday I will come within arm length, needless to mention as a student under Prof.

Darah, I would wave it aside as wishful.

The reason being that I have veered from the scholarship of English and Literature to a more prestigious Law profession. But here I am, an MA student under Prof. G. G Darah, and more symbolic at the twilight of his enviable academic exploit as a university don.

Before now, the first and closest contact I ever had with him was on paper.

Then, it was during the legal fisticuffs between the then chief executive of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and some persons who had engaged the services of the late Gani Fawehinmi to legally unravel the mystery surrounding a James Ibori before 1999, and another James Ibori who was the chief executive of Delta State. Prof. Darah, a cabinet

member of the Ibori government was probably in court to give his principal the needed moral support to swim out of the identity dispute. The late Gani, a supposedly close friend of Darah, was not comfortable that Darah was in court on account of Ibori. The altercations that took place between Darah and Gani in the court before the judge as reported in the media are still fresh in my memory.

It is an immutable fact, if not in public domain, that successive Nigerian governments have not given institutions of higher learning the desired attention they deserve. If it is true that the recognition of a country in a comity of nations is solely on the strength of the numbers of scholarship which are carried out

there and relative breakthrough at researches and not the numbers of barrels of crude oil exported daily then, our country, Nigeria, is on its path to doomsdays. Certainly, governments of the Western and Orient worlds couldn’t have been wasteful in efforts expended in establishing institutions of higher learning in the nooks and crannies of their countries. For instance, the American state of Indiana has a total of 137 universities. Also, Tokoyo, a fairly new city has a university for virtually every human’s field of endeavour. Relying on the last survey, the Orient metropolis of Tokoyo alone, and not the entire Japan had already established the 120th university, perhaps on love making!

Continues tomorrow on pg. 18

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

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HE easier part is to find who to blame for the worst flood in Nigeria, according to official records, “since 1936”. The tougher part — Nigerians would be interested in — is what can be done to forestall such devastations.

Some of the losses could have been avoided, if planning of our settlements considered these eventualities. Deaths, with official figures of more than 200 people, could have been minimal, if rescue operations worked. Everyone knows that floods with more ferocity hit other parts of the world.

The authorities in those places intervene and save lives.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, issued warnings, evacuated people and provided relief materials, but the measures were well below the magnitude of the disasters that spread through the six geo-political zones, and could last beyond October.

Many Nigerians are for the first time learning that the over-filling of the Nyos, Kiri and Lagdo dams in Cameroon could lead to the River Benue overflowing its

After worst flood … banks. The flood witnessed in Nigeria has also been linked to climate changes. We do not need to act while governments still consider the issue important.

There are many parts of Nigeria that are prone to flooding. The dams in Cameroon are not to blame for the situation. It has to be admitted too that Nigerian authorities had planned 33 years ago, to construct buffer dams on River Benue to counter the overfilling of dams in Cameroon.

The plans are still in the files. Will they be implemented in the light of these disasters? The dredging of the River Niger should be comprehensive enough to get the waters into the sea. More projects that would prevent flood would include provi-

sion of safer habitations for those living close to the banks of the rivers.

Beyond these, the Ecological Fund should be transparently invested in protecting the environment. Billions of Naira warehoused in that account monthly, has not been used in tackling various environmental menaces like erosion which the current flood would worsen.

The consequences of the devastations are not one we can bear too often. Farms and livestock have been lost. Food prices would rise and the billions of Naira lost would slow down economic growth.

Governments should not forget the victims after providing temporary relief. Indications are that the challenges flooding throws up go for the long haul. It would be important to evolve strategies, not only for caring for the displaced, but for ameliorating damages from future floods.

A great start would be detailed attention to protection of the environment from daily practices that expose it to flooding and the maintenance and construction of more dams to take up the waters around us.

OPINION

BY LEXZY OCHIBEJIVWIE

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HENSOEVER my mind slips into the idea of time, I do so with pensive wonderment, knowing that the past, present and future are “kindred spirits” collectively bound up in an ever-living intimacy. Anytime I hear aphorise remark like: “Time is of the essence”, I am subliminally invited by my instinctual knack to the fact that, though the past has a unilinear sting with the present and future, what is important, then, is to match the pace of time with the calling of the moment, not the future. Conversely with the conviction of the awardwinning Nigerian British-based writer Ben Okri, that “the future is greater than the past”, it is the present that breathe forth the future. So no one can boldly rate the superiority in the texture of time.

Beyond question, the workings of time are almost always rooted in a predictable uncertainty, or to borrow the musings of one of Africa’s finest anthologist, Theo Vincent, “time is marked by a seamless fluidity”. By this token, there is the urgency for Nigerians, giving the ‘top-buttom’ and ‘down-down’ approaches to situations in the country to start planning now on ways of getting involved on who governs and determines impending future prospects.

This is because while we think that there is much time, strangely enough, there is even no little time.

I have had to sketchily establish the ur-

Nigerians and the urgency of the times gency of time in this piece, giving the undeniable fact that it can be considered literally as Siamese twins to life. Giving the fugue method of governance in Nigeria, one would hardly imagine that leaders should be given more precious gifts of time. At face value, it seems that there is time. The way and how our politicians act is quite weird. They seem to demand much patience from less influential Nigerians, but they do just so little to sustain the fires of such patience. The 2015 general elections are often taken as the distance between the earth and the sun by most Nigerian politicians. o them, thinking now on the journey of a general election amounts to a political distraction, or to quote their own words: ‘heating up the polity’. But reasonably, this is the time to ‘heat up the polity’ in order to make for a refined form of governance. In the same token, the compact majority who make up Nigeria believes that the next election would only be but a ‘spitting image’ of previous ones; and our democratic rulers, like the leopard, cannot wash-off their spot. This , indeed, is a false acceptance unbefitting of people who have always anticipated a life of succulence in which the labour of love which comes with persistent hardwork is met with the desires of the heart. For there is no time to reinvent our collective desti-

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ny than now.

In the past few years ( as far as my observation takes me ), the affairs of this country almost in relevant spheres of life have been literally scrambled. The truth often tastes like bile, but it must be told. It must be told because the “truth”, as the Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn admits, “eludes us if we do not concentrate with attention on its pursuit”. For quite some time in our country, things seem not to be working; even if it does comes close to working, it is sooner disrupted by some winds of the night who are ever there to blow away all possible fortunes. Although, corruption in most aspects of Nigerian life takes the place of a flourishing enterprise, and insecurity still thrives like bees swarming the nectaries of a flower, as all is now shaken to its base. The time to act legitimately is now, not ‘ when the time comes’ which often suggests a dumb complacency .

We have seen, admittedly, that little has changed in this country, even when all natural opulence at our beck and call evidently suggests that this could have being much more. Nigerians have seen that even if things can develop at a cheetahlike pace, we still are forced to reconcile the snail-paced state with our expectant life. Even though the hopes of some Nige-

rians have given way to helpless resignation, we are, nevertheless consoled by the logical force of retribution that what goes around comes around; in the same breath, we draw solace in the soothing words of the Christian Holy Scriptures that: “though weeping may tarry for the night, joy cometh in the morning”. It is when we begin now to reconcile that some apparent contraries like light and darkness, self and selfless leadership, performing and under-performing leaders, and the like are enmeshed in the palm of our hand, can we begin to consider that there is indeed no time. he experiences that we now have, the observations that we have made and the harping of our individual resentment which have obviously conjoin to cast this pall of displeasure on us, should also combine the much needed frame of reference and chronographic orbit through which to measure our actions, and those we choose not to take. Whether the voice of the people remain mute at the moment, it would someday be heard; even if we choose to engage in idle felicity, the knocking of posterity will no sooner remind us of what we need to answer for and where we ought to be. Time now is for the future.

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*Mr. Ochibejivwie is a doctoral student at the University of Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012— —19

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T’S been a week since Saudi au thorities deported nearly 170 pilgrims, aside many more that had earlier been kept in camps, back to the country for no other reason than that they were women. For that is what the whole episode boils down to: The unequal treatment of people on account of their sex. According to the Saudi authorities, this set of pilgrims from Nigeria had made their way to Saudi Arabia without male guidance/companion. Mind you, we are not here talking of minors who need adult/parental consent to embark on certain activities. Nobody has yet told us that the 169 pilgrims from Katsina, Taraba and Oyo were too young to take care of themselves in Medina from where they were deported. They were simply considered persona non grata, in fact, unfit to be part of this year’s pilgrimage because they are women. The matter is as simple as that.

But the fact of this embarrassing treatment aside, were the women justified in travelling to Saudi Arabia in the first place? I shall return to this issue shortly but a point or two to note first. Nigerians, for both justifiable and totally unjusti-

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fiable reasons, have for long been the victims of unfair treatment by Western countries. Now, it’s the turn of Saudi Arabia to do the same thing. Surely, this won’t be the first time Nigerian pilgrims would be having a hard time with Saudi authorities during pilgrimage. Neither would this be the first time that pilgrims from the country would be deported. But this must be the first time Nigerians would be deported in large number on account of their sex.

The question to ask now is if the pilgrims or the authorities in charge of this yearly ritual that parades a high government delegation (Jerusalem-bound pilgrims also get endorsed by a high government delegation), people sent at the expense of the state, to take part in a private experience- we need to know if those concerned were ignorant of the regulation which stipulates that female pilgrims, no matter their age, must be accompanied on pilgrimage by some male guardian. Or is it the case that the Saudi authorities are only just now invoking the demands of an old regulation that Nigerian pilgrims and authorities

IS Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a man with great quest for knowledge holds a Bachelor of Science …

Master of Science … and Doctor of Philosophy … from University of Port Harcourt ,” so begins a profile of our president available online (http://www.onlinenigeria.com/ links/LinksReadPrint.asp?blurb=640).

Jonathan “bagged” these degrees in biology, fisheries and zoology. Although he began his working life in the civil service, there really was only one place for him because he “always knew that he had a bond with the academia that he cannot dispute” (sic).

And so in 1983, he left “mainstream” civil service to teach biology at Rivers State College of Education. But a college of education proved unequal to his scholarly ambition, his desire “to equip himself firmly ahead of the foresighted challenges” (sic), hence his pursuit of doctoral studies.

By citing this online profile, I do not imply that it emanated from the President or that it was posted with his consent. Indeed, it appears to have been written by a fawning admirer in the manner of the pompous and shameful praise-singing that our men and women in high office cherish and encourage, if not actively solicit. The unguarded zeal of the writer is evident in the embarrassing errors of grammar that seem to mock the goal of presenting his subject as a man of exemplary learning and academic achievements. Yet, the unintended result proves to be a good allegory for understanding the efforts of our President as the interpreter-in-chief of our troubled national life.

I will return to this point presently, but if I began with his valorisation as a man of great learning, it is not only because he is a doctor of philosophy but also because until his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, Nigeria seemed cursed to be governed only by men of middling education; to put it mildly. That Yar’Adua had not just a Bachelor’s but a Master’s as well endeared him to many, made them willing to overlook the scandal of the 2007 presidential election and give him the benefit of the doubt. One can safely

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in charge of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia have comprehensively abused over the years? If this is the case, that is if it is proven that Nigerian pilgrims have simply failed or refused for whatever reasons to obey simple regulations, religious or otherwise, they should calmly accept their fate and be grateful they didn’t have to suffer anything more than deportation. They should go away and be of good behaviour next time around. But if the Saudis are only invoking the regulations for the first time and, perhaps, simply because these were Nigerian pilgrims, we need to know why. And this is the sense in which our government could ask serious questions of the Saudi authorities. Anything else would be sheer waste of time. o, did the Saudis just get tired of our shenanigans, serial abuse of their hospitality and laws and decided they were better off without us? For indeed, it’s trite knowledge, almost a cliché, to say that some Nigerians, always a negligible few, have done more than enough to besmirch the reputation of the majority of us- from trafficking in hard drugs or trading in pro-

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assume that not a few quieted their grave concerns regarding the capability of Jonathan to be president by the wish to elect only the second head of state to have passed through the portals of a university. To be clear, I do not consider university education a qualification for the office of president: in my view, the late Mokwugo Okoye and Anthony Enahoro, to name just two great minds, would shame many a Ph.D or pretender to the presidency. So then what?

That a president who happens to be a doctor of philosophy should, at the very least, prove himself worthy of the status — in learning, if not in leadership. But in all that Jonathan has said in public office, I have yet to find a thought or idea so well expressed or a social problem so clearly analysed as would be befitting of a former university don.

The problem, I admit, may be with me: I may not have looked widely or carefully enough or I may have failed to recognise intellectual rigour in his speeches, and I have wondered aloud before who writes his speeches. But let me tender evidence in my defence from Jonathan’s recent claim that the January anti-fuel subsidy protests were sponsored and manipulated by some unnamed people. In short, by his enemies. It is not only worrisome that Jonathan denounced the people as fools easily misled to risk life and limb for a cup of water and a song, but also that this is the best argument he could advance in support of such utter contempt for his electorate. During the demonstration in Lagos, he said, “people were given bottled water that people in my village don’t have access to. People were given expensive food that the ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat. So even going to eat free alone attracts people. hey go and hire the best musicians to come and play and the best comedian to come and entertain. Is that demonstration? Are you telling me that that is a demonstration from ordinary masses in Nigeria who want to communicate something to government? I believe that that protest in Lagos was manipulated by a class in Lagos

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hibited goods to engaging in prostitution even when we do know that the Saudis are not themselves free from these social infractions. Why, however, should Nigerians export them or why should the Saudis allow foreigners to try such nonsense with them? But whether there is an existing law or laws that demands females on pilgrimage to Saudi be accompanied, there is still something fundamentally the matter with such regulation. The basis of such regulation cannot now rest on justice and whatever circumstances informed it in the first place can no longer be justified in the world we live in. But we find such discrimination against women and other categories of people in different parts of the world.

Many of such discriminations are justified mostly on grounds of religion. At other times it is culture that bears the brunt of such wicked treatment of others. We cannot, however, criticise such treatment of women in other parts of the world without appearing hypocritical. For does the regulation not exist here in Nigeria that a woman must get the consent of a male relation or any other such authorised male to apply for and get a passport? If indeed we have such regulation, enforced or not, why should the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, seek a waiver for our deported pilgrims to Saudi Arabia when a similar regulation exists at home?

Don’t we need to find out first if these women haven’t infracted against our own law? And if they have, shouldn’t the battle that might be fought on the diplomatic turf between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia begin from home? Is there any reason to believe that the women who were deported got their

passports illegally? Are the Saudis aware of the existence of that regulation of ours that requires male consent for women applying for passport? Or even worse, do they suspect that our authorities might be colluding with our women to violate the regulation that requires male guidance for female pilgrims by matching such pilgrims with other male pilgrims or even officials of the pilgrims’ commission who pretend to be their guide? hat does the deportation of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia say about the state and practice of freedom in the Arab world and other parts of the world, including Nigeria, where the principles that informed the deportation of the pilgrims still have firm hold? Or what, in the face of the kind of contrived violence and protests, that have swept parts of North Africa, Asia and Europe- how should people with a different orientation to the perpetrators of this kind of extremism react to this latest treatment of Nigerian women? And if the women who have been deported decided to protest on what grounds would they be doing so?

Would they be invoking the socalled liberal principles of Western democracy which some used to come to power in Egypt and other parts of the Muslim world and have since gone to abuse in the name of God or would they call for a change in or modernisation of many of such principles that justify the wicked and unequal treatment of people on account of their sex? If they call for such change, would that imply they are no longer true to their religion? These are questions we must answer before we begin a lost battle on the diplomatic turf.

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Postulations of our PhilosopherPresident

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It’s back to sender for Nigerian female pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

If the Saudis are only invoking the regulations for the first time and, perhaps, simply because these were Nigerian pilgrims, we need to know why

In all that Jonathan has said in public office, I have yet to find a thought or idea so well expressed as would be befitting of a former university don

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and was not from the ordinary people.”

I could neither laugh nor cry when I read this, and not merely for the awful grammar. I could only wonder: after nine months of reflection, this is the conclusion of our philosopher-president regarding a crisis that rocked the country he claims to govern, a crisis that caused death and grievous bodily harm to many? After the revelations of the House of Representatives committee that probed the oil subsidy swindle, and KPMG’s forensic report on NNPC’s process and procedure, both of which confirmed the popular view that the so-called subsidy was one enjoyed by the oil cartel

and its enablers in the corridors of power, the President could so brazenly insult the people? As a species of argument, one wouldn’t expect it of a sophomore! Which makes me wonder what the President’s aforementioned profiler must have meant by describing him as a “humane administrator, amazingly simple minded.”

Doesn’t the President know that he pronounced judgement against himself as he said those words? The people, he confesses, are so impoverished, so famished, that they would riot, do the devil’s work, for food!

Evidently, irony is not something that our philosopher-president might understand. onathan’s puzzling vilification of the people, says Wole Soyinka, is the result of “bad conscience.” As he rightly points out, Jonathan did not see manipulators when the same people took to the streets to insist that he be named acting president against the entrenched interests of those who sought to profit from Yar’Adua’s effective abdication of office due to terminal illness. But I don’t think it is bad conscience alone that afflicts the President. It seems clear that Jonathan, Ph.D notwithstanding, suffers from bad social science as well. And that his expert knowledge of fishes and animals needs urgently to be supplemented by a serviceable knowledge of society and human behaviour.

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20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Debate of the masses

When fear rules a nation

BY EBELE ORAKPO this is not funny o! How can a great nation “BUT like Nigeria be held to ransom by a few bad

Danger beckons...One of the numerous gully erosion sites in the state

Threatened by erosion: The traumatic experience of Imo communities

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

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PART from periodic political upheavals and serious crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery, Imo State is faced with a number of other problems. Gully erosion is one of them.

As at the last count, there are over 401 identified erosion sites scattered in all the 27 local government areas of the State.

From communities like Umushievula Avuvu, Ikeduru local council area to parts of Ngor Okpala, Aboh Mbaise, Owerri North, Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma, Mbaitoli, Njaba, Ideato North and South local council areas, the sad story remains the same.

Most of the erosion sites are not only life threatening and fearful but also leave a very sad commentary about the level of devastation done to the environment. Several families have been forced to flee from their homes and into safety, sometimes several kilometres away from their ancestral homes!

There are also known cases of graves that were washed away by the rampaging erosion. Public buildings, including market stalls, schools and hospitals, were not spared from the devastation. Communication between kith and kin, especially by road, has since been disrupted.

A school of thought be-

lieves, and strongly too, that man is a principal causative agent of the numerous erosion sites and other environmental disasters in the state. Sand is excavated with relish from anywhere, including the roadsides. At other times, the sand excavators produce on demand, documents authorising them to excavate sand, which was handed over to them by the Federal Ministry of Mines.

Currently, communities in Ideato North and South local government areas have been cut off from the rest of the state, following gully erosion sites that cut the Orlu-Mgbee-Urualla, Akokwa-Osina federal highway into two. This erosion site was long identified but nothing serious was done to check the advancing gully until the highway bowed to the superior force of the erosion.

Today, no big lorry or articulated vehicles can use the road. Even the light cars barely manage to meander through the danger zone that is now the Orlu-Mgbee-Urualla-Akokwa-Osina highway.

Cost of moving goods

The implication is that those travelling beyond Osina to Anambra State through this road, are now forced to try other routes.

The man-hours wasted on this road is better imagined than experienced. Similarly, cost of moving goods, personnel and services have since skyrocketed.

Reacting to the ugly incident, one time Vice

Chairman of Ideato North local council area, Chief Uche Ohia, said: “Despite the recent erosion disaster at Orlu Beach, nothing is being done about three other points on the Orlu-Mgbee-Umuchima-Urualla road. Parts of this stretch are in danger of collapsing on account of erosion”.

Continuing, Ohia said he was not happy with government’s slow pace in managing active erosion sites in the state, as well as “the unprofessional activities of government contractors”.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has expectedly visited these erosion sites along this ever busy road. This road leads to his Ogboko country home. Recently, he paid an unscheduled visit to the area and lamented that the worst hit areas include Mgbee in Orlu Local Government Area and Umuchima in Ideato South local council area.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting the disaster area, Okorocha lamented that the state has several life-threatening erosion sites which have grown beyond the capability of the state government. ”Several people have been sacked from their ancestral homes. Farmlands have equally bowed to the superior force of these gully erosions. If these erosion sites are not effectively checked now, our future generations may not find a place to live in”, Okorocha lamented.

Answering a question on the highway that has collapsed, the Governor de-

scribed it as “a major road that is of economic value to Imo people”. According to Okorocha, a number of communities have already been cut off from the rest of the state and pleaded with the Federal Government to come in immediately and assist in checking the numerous erosion sites.

Saying that his administration will not wait endlessly for the Federal Government to come and repair its road, the Governor, however, disclosed that a contracting firm (name withheld) has been engaged to fix the bad portions. Some people, who were on ground when the Governor visited, urged him to bring “a more serious contracting firm to fix the erosion site”, stressing that “we do not know how and why Governor Okorocha settled for the firm that is currently handling the work now”.

Another basic question the people have continued to ask is whether the ecological fund is making any impact in the state and whether it is still coming from the federal government.

Whichever and whatever is true about this question, Imo people are seriously looking forward to a lasting solution to the menace. Nothing else will matter in this regard because if farmlands are washed away, like is the case now, hunger with its attendant disease, will definitely creep in. Already, many family homes have been lost and this has compounded the housing problem in the land.

eggs? Because of Boko Haram, the nation has not witnessed the usual pomp associated with its independence celebrations. Imagine celebrating the nation’s 52nd Independence anniversary without noise?” complained Paul this Monday morning.

“My brother, I tire o. I don’t know what the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces is doing. How can you have all the power at your disposal and yet be afraid?” queried Abu. “Imagine the message he is sending to the world through this action. It simply means that Nigeria is very insecure. That small portion, the Eagle Square where the celebration should have been held could not be secured? It’s unheard of!” continued Abu. “What do you expect the man to do? Withdraw all the security agents from the flash points and bring them to Eagle Square simply to celebrate the independence? What do you think will happen? I think he did what he felt was best for the nation at that point in time. If the reports we are getting are anything to go by, Boko Haram menace will be a thing of the past before we know it,” said Tosin.

“Abeg he is not doing enough. He needs to do more!” stated Abu “Sure, he needs to do more. Now, what do you suggest he should do?” asked Tosin, directing her gaze at Abu. “He should use his head. He has all the arsenal at his disposal, yet he seems not to know what they are meant for,“ replied Abu. Said Tosin: “You have not answered my question.

Yes, he is not doing enough; as a citizen and a stakeholder in the Nigerian project, what will you advise him to do? Leadership is a collective effort you know…”

“Please, he did not hire me as his adviser so let him ask his advisers,” retorted Abu. Said Tosin: “Ok, let me re-phrase the question: if you were the president, what would you have done differently? “ “I would have wiped out the entire Boko guys. Remember what Obasanjo did to Odi? That would have stopped them. He is treating them with kid gloves,” replied Abu. “Hmm, you don’t seem to understand the situation at all,” commented Taiwo. “What he did to Odi people was wrong. You don’t wipe out an entire community because of the sins of a few. Fish out the bad eggs and deal with them. These Boko guys are a different kettle of fish. There is absolutely nothing anybody can do about them, except God intervenes.”

“Are they not human beings?” asked Abu. “They are humans but when you are faced with someone who is ready to die, how do you tackle him? You cannot threaten him with death? He has been thoroughly brainwashed and is ready to die,” said Taiwo.

Said Tosin: “The best way to go is through education. These people have been brainwashed right from childhood so we need to feed them the right information. Knowledge is power. When they are empowered with knowledge, they will begin to think for themselves.”

“I doubt that. Was Usama Bin Laden an illiterate? Is Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab an illiterate poor guy?

No! So it goes beyond education/empowerment,” argued Abu. “Yes, but proper education and empowerment will go a long way,” insisted Tosin.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 — 21

Nigeria @ 52: at Poverty still a threty to national securi — Action Aid

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From left: Ayo Adeyemi, Registrar; Immediate Past President, Chief Femi Odufowokan; Adeyeye Rotimi (newly installed President); Mr. Aderinto Rilwan, First Vice President; Mr. Michael Onuoha, 2nd Vice President; Mr. R. A Abdulai, Council member, all of National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) at the institute’s 2012 Annual General Meeting and Lecture, in Lagos.

16 insurance companies known to Nigerians — Report

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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OT more than 16 insurance com panies operating in Nigeria are known to the public, a study conducted by GIZ, a German agency for sustainable development and RiskguardAfrica Limited has revealed.

The report by the agencies said a survey conducted across selected states in the country showed that the few insurers known are, Aiico Insurance Plc, Niger Insurance, Industrial and General Insurance (IGI), Leadway Assurance, NICON, LASACO, Oasis,

173.00

-1.30

2,497.00

+15.00

20.42

+0.03

112.17

+0.16

92.07

+0.22

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC CFA WAUA YEN RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.78 250.6353 200.2079 165.3986 0.2848 237.5652 1.9933 24.6264 41.2725 26.8473 238.7017

155.28 251.4449 200.8547 165.9329 0.2948 238.3327 1.9997 24.7064 41.4058 26.934 239.4728

155.78 252.2546 201.5014 1664672 0.3048 239.1001 2.0062 24.7864 41.5391 27.0207 240.2439

CBN Exchange rate as at 02/10/2012

Mutual Benefits, Royal Exchange and Crusader.

The report stated that other companies identified as underwriting firms include, Savana Insurance, Gateway insurance, Quality Insurance, Liberty Insurance, CBN Agric Insurance Limited and Access Insurance.

The company noted in the report that individuals who were asked to share their knowledge on what insurance means, defined it thus: “If death happens, they will contribute money for dash.” “My children have been introducing Insurance Company to me.”

“They take care of business people when they have problem if you insure yourself.”

“At times they pay, at times they don’t pay, and at times they delay before paying.” “I have seen somebody who insured his property and when he had accident, they paid him.”

Others said insurance means: “If something happens or you are into a business and you lose the business and no money to continue, they can look at your condition and restore you.” “In case of accident and you have insurance, the people will investigate and they will pay you.”

“I can explain the type I have. I have one with First Bank for N10, 000.00 per month. They said if I contribute for 10 years and if I die, may be within three years, my son will come and collect.” “I pay as a welder in case of fire. I pay N1, 000.00 monthly.” “I have not had accident, I have just been paying.” “In case like motor accident, it takes some months or years before they pay the money.”

Some said, “Insurance bears risk. It

means security; it is a pool of risk where you can be indemnified. When you get a loss, they can balance you.” “Insurance is good, it helps, it supports and provides security.” I heard from friends in transport business, he said it is good.”

“When you don’t know about it, you are ignorant of it. If the society is informed about it we will like it.”

Worried by this development, the Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, said the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM has developed a draft guideline for the entrenchment and development of insurance at the grassroots.

N NGO, ActionAid Nigeria, has said that Nigerians deserve a much more positive impact of governance.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Tunde Aremu, Policy Advocacy and Campaigns Manager of the organisation in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s 52nd independence anniversary.

It noted that the country, which has the potential of becoming a leading economy in the world, has yet to attain the dream many Nigerians had at independence 52 years ago.

“The month of October is one of the most significant months in the history of the Nigerian nation.

‘The month, has for several years, signified for many Nigerians the period of celebration of freedom from foreign rule and a rekindling of hope of a virile nation with capacity for taking care of her citizens.”

The Country Director of the organisation, Dr Hussaini Abdu, said these potentialities were still achievable with focused planning and a pro-people agenda.

Abdu said Nigeria has enormous resources, both human and materials, that very few nations were blessed with.

He said the nation’s potential to be one of the biggest economies in the world was further enhanced by its large deposits of solid mineral resources, almost all of them, in high commercial quantities.

Abdu, therefore, called for these resources to be put to better use for not just economic development of the country, but the liberation of the people living in abject poverty.

“That Nigeria has such huge potential is enough reason to conclude that there is no justifiable reason for as many as 61.9 per cent of the citizenry to continue to live in abject poverty as revealed by government’s own National Bureau of Statistics.”

Firm empowers agents for e-payment, e-transaction

BY EDIRI EJOH

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N other to keep clearing agents abreast of the new development in the freight forwarding business, Eyis Resource has completed a training programme for 21 Chief Executive Officers in the industry on e- transaction.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Managing Director of the Eyis Resources, Lucky Amiwero, said with the introduction of e-payment and e-remittance, only those with the relevant knowledge can operate effectively in the industry. According to him, the training programme is “born out of the passion to empower the licensed Customs Agents by building capacity in all as-

pects of their profession, in view of the recently introduced of e- payment and e- remittance in trade facilitation process which has made it necessary for Licensed Customs Agents to brace up to the global trends.”

Amiwero, who is also a factional President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), argued that the speculations that the training programmes was politically motivated, has been proven wrong as the organization graduated the third batch of trainees and is still planning to proceed to empower more Licensed Customs Agent through a 22 weeks intensive technical capacity building training that started since July.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Five quoted companies flout free float requirement — NSE

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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IVE quoted companies — Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Studio Press Plc and Union Bank Nigeria Plc — are currently flouting the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s, NSE, requirement for minimum free float.

The NSE, in its X-Compliance report published on its website, said it identified these companies as having free float deficiencies, failing to meet the requirement of 20 per cent for companies on the Main Board of the Exchange.

According to the report, Tourist Company of Nigeria is recording a 1.31 per cent deficiency, NPF Microfinance Bank — 14.68 per cent, Dangote Cement — 5.11 per cent, Studio Press Plc — 8.46 per cent and Union Bank — 14 per cent deficiency.

The NSE, however, said that the companies have applied for waivers from its Quotations Committee and specifically provided compliance plans with tentative timelines to support their

requests.

The NSE said, “Companies listed on The Exchange must maintain a minimum free float for the set standards under which they are listed in order to ensure that there is an orderly and liquid mar-

ket in their securities.

“The free float requirement for companies on the Main Board is 20 per cent and 15 per cent for Alternative Securities Market, ASEM, companies.

“The Exchange has identi-

fied five companies that have free float deficiencies.

These companies applied for waivers from The Quotations Committee and specifically provided compliance plans with tentative timelines to support their re-

From left: Herbert Wigwe, Deputy Group Managing Director, Access Bank and Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo ofGombe State at the Completion Board Meeting for Offer for Subscription of N20 billion Fixed Rate Bond (Series1) 2012/2019 ( Under the N30 billion Debt Issuance Programme) by Gombe State, in Abuja.

PROSAN moves for amendment of CAMA

BY PETER EGWUATU

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HAREHOLDERS, under the aegis of Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PROSAN) have called on the regulators in the Nigerian capital market and other stakeholders to move for the amendment of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in order to achieve a modern, better and efficient market.

The Chairman of PROSAN, Mr. Oderinde Taiwo, who spoke for his Group, said, “As our great nation Nigeria celebrates her 52nd Independence Anniversary, this is a clarion call on our regulators and other capital market stakeholders to move for an amendment of CAMA).”

“There have been lots of development in the capital markets all around the globe via innovations and amendments of this type. The last time our CAMA was amended was in the year 1990.

Therefore, we are calling on the Presidency, the Senate & House Committees on Capital market, the Judiciary ,the Federal Ministry of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),

Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) ,Companies, Shareholders Associations & other capital market stakeholders to take this timely suggestion seriously and to have inputs in this proposed CAMA amendment” he declared.

Commenting further, Oderinde, said, “There are lots of ready made issues in the code of conducts for the capital market stakeholders by SEC that can be included. Also, the use of modern Information Technology in the operation of our capital market that will facilitate innovations such as e-Dividend, e -Annual report, e-Notice of meetings, bonus among others.”

Stressing the importance of the amendment, PROSAN boss highlighted that what the amendment will do is to empower the legal framework and the operations of our capital market for maximum delivery.

According to him, “Also, the proposed amendment will make our capital market to become a modern and sophisticated like her contemporaries in other jurisdictions of the world. Consequently, foreign investors will be attracted by this development.”

Furthermore, he called on

the Federal Government to reduce the ten per cent withholding Tax on Dividends that was introduced during CAMA amendment of 1988 during General Babangida administration, saying, “This can be reviewed downwards to five

per cent withholding Tax. Finally, for the sake of development and modernization of our capital market, there is no better Independence Anniversary gift we need in our capital market than an amendment to our CAMA.”

quests.

“The Quotations Committee considered and approved an extended timeframe for the companies to regain compliance to this Listing Requirement.

“The companies are however required to also provide quarterly disclosure reports to The Exchange detailing their level of implementation of the compliance plans.”

The NSE further blacklisted 34 quoted companies, for their failure to submit the financial statements in due time.

According to the NSE, quoted companies are required to file their financial statements on a timely basis in accordance with Appendix 111 of the Listing Rules, adding that these companies are operating below the NSE’s minimum listing standards and hence tagged operating Below Listing Standards, BLS. The sanctions for non-compliance with periodic financial disclosure obligations are clearly spelt out in Appendix 111 of the Listing Rules and the Exchange will protect the integrity of its Rules,” the NSE stated.

The Exchange commended 15 companies for their efforts at ensuring a timely submission of their financial, saying that the companies exceeded the minimum listing standards in terms of timely disclosure of their audited annual financial performance.

“The Exchange is extremely proud of these companies and will continue to show case quoted companies that imbibe high corporate governance practices,” it said.

Insight: investors miss out on stock market gains

S

TOCKS have more than doubled since the financial crisis and are closing in on a five-year high, but many Main Street investors have been absent from the party - especially those with the least saved.

Those who missed much of the rally did so because they reduced equity exposure after the benchmark S&P 500 index plummeted 57 percent between late 2007 and March 2009, according to an analysis

by Reuters of mutual fund flows and changes in assets held in retirement accounts. Investors with the smallest savings typically saw the lowest percentage recovery in returns.

And while some have returned to the stock market during the subsequent rally, plenty of small investors remain on

the sidelines.

“This is the most uncelebrated bull market in history,” said Tony Ferreira, managing director at Cogent Research, which provides research and consulting for large fund managers. “In the old days, people would be jumping on the bandwagon, but nobody ’s chasing equity performance this time. Many people are still scared to wade back into the water.”

If the equity upswing continues, some economists fear it could leave middle class Americans financially unprepared for retirement and widen the growing income disparities between rich and poor, which the U.S. Census Bureau said grew sharply in 2011.

It could also complicate President Barack Obama’s chanc-

es for re-election, with some voters not having enjoyed much of a wealth effect from the stock market’s 3-1/2-year rally.

To be sure, plenty of Americans have seen the balances of their 401(k) retirement accounts bounce back since the financial crisis as inertia kept many from abandoning stocks when the market crashed.

But things are hardly like they were during the bull market in the 1990s, which turned many retail investors into addicts for the latest Internet stock offering.

According to figures from Cerulli Associates that are based on analysis of Federal Reserve data, those with less than $100,000 in investable assets on average had $17,975 at the end of 2011, down 9 percent from $19,732 at the end of 2007.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 3, 2012—23

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

DIARY

Broadband cost can crash to the lowest, if...

Select ICT events z ITEXPO West 2012. Holds 3-5 Oct 2012 at Austin, Texas, USA. z ELO SYS 2012.

Holds 9-12 Oct 2012 at Trencin, Slovak Republic. z B R OA D B A N D TAIWAN 2012.

Holds 9-12 Oct 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan. z GITEX Technology Week 2012.

Holds 14-18 Oct 2012 in Dubai, UAE.

,

,

— JUWAH

z ITU Telecom World 2012. Holds 14-19 Oct 2012 in Dubai, UAE.

We want to tell potential investors that Nigeria remains the preferred investment destination in Africa.

We will also explain to the investors the areas that still need their attention since we have sizeable progress in voice telephony

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

zEVC of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah

Door-free fridge saves energy The Impress door-free refrigerator concept saves energy by not refrigerating empty areas.

Designed by Ben de la Roche, a student at Massey University in New Zealand, the refrigerator concept replaces the door with a honeycomb wall of hexagonal chambers.

Each chamber is covered by a plate that moves aside when an item is inserted, exposing the item to the system of refrigerated pins. Since only areas with objects in them are refrigerated, the Impress uses less energy than conventional refrigerators.

And since the items stay in sight, there is less chance of their being forgotten and spoiling.

I N S I D E

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU ON the heels of the inauguration of the national broadband committee by President Goodluck Jonathan last month, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah has predicted that broadband cost could crash to the barest minimum if the Dubai campaign comes off successfully.

Juwah however revealed that all the developments including the creation of the committee and other initiatives to make broadband available, were all geared towards this mission, adding that that paucity of investment in the broadband sector of the Nigeri-

Sale of preregistered SIM cards: Matters arising

an telecommunications industry was also a strong reason why the country wants to showcase its broadband potentials at the ITU Broadband Forum 2012 in Dubai.

According to Juwah, many corporate organizations, high net-worth individuals and even MDAs have had to depend largely on imported bandwidth by foreign operators until recently when MainOne, Glo 1 and NigComSat-1R began to offer broadband services, but even at that, the high investment profile of these organizations, the cost of acquiring bandwidth by Nigerians has not come down significantly and this is a major reason the FG believes that more inves-

Google’s self-driving cars log over 300,000 miles without accident

tors are needed.

Such investments, according to him, will also boost Foreign Direct Investment which in turn could cushion the pains and high cost of acquisition of the essential instrument that can quickly expand internet availability in the nooks and cranies of Nigeria.

The latest ITU broadband enabled and Internet to home ranking put Nigeria at 87 out of 127 countries surveyed and 4.6 per cent penetration against a world average of 20.5 per cent.

For Juwah, “its an irony even with Nigeria’s sizeable progress in GSM and voice telephony, internet penetration is still a far cry, as many people have had to contend with

high cost of bandwidth from the few broadband operators in the country.

Nigeria currently ranks behind economies including Egypt; Tunisia; Namibia and South Africa among others and we are determined to put a stop to this kind of development.

The EVC said that in reality, only urban and semi-urban centres of the country can today boast of access to the Internet.

According to him, a larger part of the population, which resides in the rural areas are grossly underserved, “again this is not acceptable. So we really need investors to help expand the process in the country.”

The NCC boss reiterated that though so much

The other side of broadband

progress had been made in voice telephony but data aspect of the sector was still poor and far between, adding that indeed, operators in Nigeria spend an average of between $400m and $500m yearly on bandwidth imported from Foreign Service providers and this has accumulative negative effect on the end users who have no choice but bear the high cost of this all important tool for fast Internet speed and data transmission.

Juwah indicated that the theme of the country’s participation at the ITU World is: “Nigeria Broadband – A Connected Nation”, adding that the country will use the

Continues on Page 30

Stakeholders seek global action on internet governance

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

O

Sale of pre-registered SIM cards: Matters arising

L

AST week, the Ni gerian Communi cations Commission (NCC), announced that it had apprehended three agencies “using computers allocated them by the dealers to fraudulently register SIM Cards which are offered for sale to unsuspecting subscribers.”

NCC said further in a statement signed by its spokesman, Reuben Muoka, that four offices belonging to mobile phone dealers – Correspondence Ltd, Zeph Associates, Glovic Communications, and Connect Ground Towers, all located in Abuja, were identified as the source of some of the offending machines being used by some of the agents to pre_register SIM cards that are being sold in the streets.”

I was not surprised at the development, being a citizen of this country and knowing my people. Let me clarify that; my people (Nigerians) are good people, law abiding, and easy to lead. The problem of my people is that they have not had good leaders, 52 years running. Now that is another matter for another section of this paper, another day.

Why would anyone want to pre-register a SIM card for sale? Did that person not know that more than 10 years after the coming of GSM, phone numbers have more or less become part of our identities?

More questions: In whose names were these SIM cards being registered? Fictitious names, abi? Whose fingerprints?

That of their staff or anybody that just walks into their offices? If, subsequently, any of the preregistered lines are used to commit any crime, do those dealers know that the they have, ab initio, aided and abetted a crime? Do they also realize that they might have obstructed the course of justice? With biometric properties, wouldn’t the wrong persons be arrested if crimes were committed? I am sure the deal-

ers and agents know that one of the reasons we are registering SIM cards is that the database will be used to assist the administration of law and order in our society. Did they also consider what threat a pre-registered line constitutes to the e-payment and cashless initiatives?

We can go on and on.

Pre-registering SIM cards for sale complete with the data required, is, to my mind, deliberately giving wrong information under oath, the judicial equivalent of perjury. It is also like driving a car using another man’s license. In like manner, only God knows h o w m a n y people h a v e flown on h o w m a n y flights under other peoples’ names, all in a bid to h a v e t h e i r way.

Then, who are these fellow countrymen and women buying preregistered SIM cards? I make haste to aver that it is a very dangerous thing to do, and anybody who does it may not have the best of motives in mind.

NCC and the law enforcement agents would do very well to track down the lines sold in this manner and apprehend the users.

Two days ago we celebrated the 52nd National Independence, and the song all over is that Nigeria should be better than what it is at the moment. If Nigeria is to be better, we need to change. We need to be more law-abiding, refuse to cut corners even when it seems expedient to do so. We need to drop all kinds of habits which used to be the norm, but which are no longer acceptable as we march on into the information society. Let those pre-registering and selling SIM cards, and others who are into such activities in various sectors of the economy stop NOW, in the interest of our country.

In whose names were these SIM cards being registered?

Fictitious names, abi?

Whose fingerprints?

C M Y K

,

THER than want ing to live in Kansas City due to fast Internet, I am also waiting patiently for the day where I can hop in a car and it drives itself.

The Google self-driving car project has been around for some time, but has crossed a milestone of over 300,000 miles tested. If you hang out in Mountain View around the Google Plex at all, you’ll see these cars driving around with funny contraptions on the roof.

You might also spot one on the highway, it’s kind of interesting to watch, but pay attention to the road.

Here’s what Google had to say on its self-driving project: "Our vehicles, of which about a dozen are on the road at any given time, have now completed more than 300,000 miles of testing. They’ve covered a wide range of traffic conditions, and there hasn’t been a single accident under computer control.

"We’re encouraged by this progress, but there’s still a long road ahead.

To provide the best experience we can, we’ll need to master snow-covered roadways, interpret temporary construction sig-

Google’s self-driving cars log over 300,000 miles without accident

nals and handle other tricky situations that many drivers encounter.

As a next step, members of the self-driving car team will soon start using the cars solo (rather than in pairs), for things like commuting to work. This is an important milestone, as it brings this technology one step closer to every commuter.

One day we hope this capability will enable people to be more productive in their cars. For now, our team members will remain in the driver’s seats and will take back control if needed."

One of the major concerns for people when it comes to these cars is the possibility of accidents.

Google says that this

project could lead to safer driving. I can totally see that, but it’s going to take quite a while to talk regulators and consumers into that notion.

In case you haven’t seen the new self-driving Google Lexus, see picture here.

— From TheNextWeb.com

Google assure business growth with suite of apps

BY EMEKA AGINAM

G

LOBAL search en gine, Google last week when it hosted more than 150 Chief Executive Officers / Chief Information Officers from organizations representing over 100,000 employees at its Chief Executive and Chief Information Officers conference held in Lagos has assured that businesses can enhance productivity using Google Apps for business.

The Google Apps suite offers simple communication and collaboration tools for businesses of all sizes all hosted by Google in the cloud to simplify set-up, minimize maintenance and reduce IT costs.

With Gmail for business, Google Calendar, Google Groups and integrated Instant Messaging (IM); users can stay connected and communicate while on the move.

With Google Docs, users can also share files and work together in real time, ensuring that everyone is working on the same version of a document at all times.

Speaking at capacity building program held in collaboration with 3 Google Authorised resellers - Availsys, Descasio and Upperlink, Juliet Ehimuan, Google Nigeria Country Manager told

CONFERENCE: From left, Festus Ugwu- General Manager Production Upperlink Ltd, Juliet Ehimuan- Country Manager Google Nigeria, Abdel Wahed Bendaoua- Head, Enterprise EMEA and Emerging Markets, Google, Dele Nedd- Managing Director, Descasio at the Chief Executive and Chief Information Officers conference held in Lagos last week. the gathering that top executives were constantly looking for technology tools that are intuitive, reliable and effective for their businesses.

According to her, the key aim of the conference was to share insights on how ‘Google Apps for Business’ can help remove the bottlenecks sometimes associated with IT solutions delivery and enhance productivity within the organization.

Also speaking at the conference which was first in the series of events

targeted at helping top organizations in Nigeria, Abdel W. Benhadaoua, Google’s Head of Enterprise in Emerging Markets, said that, “Google is dedicated to growing businesses through our many products and services.

“In addition to the collaboration tools, the security features on Google Apps were specifically designed to keep data safe, secure and under control. Your data belongs to you, and Apps tools enable you to control it, including who you share

it with and how you share it.”

Also in attendance at the conference were senior business and IT executives from Coscharis, emotion, Transcorp, and Troyka whose companies have already started to reap the benefits of using Google Apps. Senior IT Manager of the Coscharis Group, Dele Ajayi commented that since adopting Google Apps, the Coscharis group has been able to reduce its costs by 50% and increase revenue by 40%.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—25

Sidmach develops e-result portal for WAEC

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

ith the successful full digitization of its past years examinations results, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in conjunction with Sidmach Technologies Limited, has developed an online results verification portal.

The e-results portal will domicile online results of examinations conducted

by WAEC from 1980 till date .

With this, details will be captured alongside are candidates’ bio data, subjects with corresponding grades as well as passport photographs.

A good resource and verifiable tool for employers of labour, institutions of higher learning, government agencies, foreign embassies and consulates, etc, the e-Results access will among others, help curb result falsification, check impersonation and eradicate trauma associated with loss of document.

However, explaining how the e-Results Verification Portal works, the Chief Technical Officer of Sidmach Technologies, Mr. Dayo Arogundade said, “To access the service, an interested organisation needs to launch the WAEC website.

‘WAEC Results Verification’ link, make payment if using for the first time and complete the subscription form. Username and password generated will be used for subsequent transaction.”

The solution, developed using the Microsoft Visual Studio.Net with SQL Server backend, is very secured.

Speaking at the official launch of the portal in Lagos, the Managing Director of Sidmach , Mr. Hassan Alao said, “It is indeed refreshing to note that the WAEC online results verification portal will promote integrity and efficiency.

Ultimately it would make life easier for students, individuals, institutions and organisations that require the service. One can only but imagine the socio-economic advantages that will accrue to the nation as a result of the time, money and other resources that would be saved with the introduction of this service.’’

He f described the launching as yet another first in improving the authenticity and integrity in the service delivery process of the nation’s educational sector.

Alao commended the leadership and innovations that the HNO and WAEC had demonstrated in developing and

WaveTek extends footprint in Nigeria

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A

n innovative glo bal ICT solutions provider, WaveTek Nigeria Limited, has formally announced its entry into the Nigerian ICT market promising a new oscillation in the way ICT solutions are delivered to businesses in the country.

The official launch follows the unveiling of the company’s logo and introduction of the management team in a press conference held last week in Lagos.

Speaking to IT Journalists during the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the company, Ken Spann, noted that . WaveTek was inspired by the need to fill a gap in the market.

Spann, who had worked in Microsoft contributing to the roll-out of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Program and

worked on the Windows Server Product Development Team with a successful roll-out of Windows Server 2008 said that through a partnership venture with Microsoft, WaveTek Nigeria Limited is ready to add value to core areas of Application Integration and IT Infrastructure; Cloud and Hosting Services; Education and Bandwidth and Last Mile Connectivity.

He said that the use of new multimedia technologies and the Internet in learning were seen as a means to improve accessibility, efficiency and quality of learning by facilitating access to resources and services as well as remote exchanges and collaboration.

He said that WaveTek has opened discussion with some state governments to bring the infrastructure to local schools.

deploying the service, noting that the council blazed the trail in e-registration of candidates for examinations.

Speaking earlier, the outgoing Head of the National Office, WAEC, Dr Iyi Uwadiae said, “With the launching of the WAEC online results verification portal, the council has, again moved a step higher in the business of conducting public examinations.

The launching of the

Online Results Verification Portal is coming almost 10 years after the launching of the Online Results Checking Portal known as WAEC-Direct, in February 2003 and eight years after the take off of the electronic registration portal in November 2004; commencing with the registration of candidates for the May/June 2005 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).”

L-r: Folake Fabunmi, Global Business Services Leader, IBM West Africa, Nigeria Computer Society President, Sir Demola Aladekomo and Taiwo Otiti, Country General Manager, IBM West Africa whe the group paid courtesy call to IBM recently in Lagos

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 3, 2012—27

Stakeholders seek global action on internet governance nobody should be restrict-

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

M

INISTER of Com munications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has joined the call for international agreement and collaboration among stakeholders in internet governance. Johnson spoke at a one day Nigerian Internet Governance (NIGF-2012) with the theme: Consolidating Nigeria’s Position on the Global Internet Governance Forum 2012.

She said increasing availability of the internet and the rapid rate at which it is being adopted have been accompanied by louder calls for international agreement on why and how it should be managed and governed.

Underscoring the need for a common action on internet management, Johnson said that the internet has increasingly informed the way people live, work, learn, profit, govern and communicate.

"What started out as a predominantly academic network is becoming the

C M Y K

lifeblood of finance, commerce, and social relationships,’’ she said.

She decried the growth rate of internet usage in the world and Africa in particularly in Africa, which she put at 33.3 percent and 13.5 percent respectively, which for her is unacceptable.

Quoting a resolution from the first phase of the world summit on the Information Society which birthed the Internet Governance Forum, the minister said that global management of internet should be multi-lateral, transparent and democratic, with full involvement of governments, private sector, civil society and international organizations.

"It should ensure equitable distribution of resources, facilitate access for all and ensure a stable and secure functioning of the internet, taking into account multilingualism,” she added.

She charged discussants at the forum to iden-

tify and articulate the areas that needed to be addressed as a national level to help ensure that Nigeria attains these goals.

Former President of ITAN, DR. Jimson Olufuye said there is need for Nigerians to prepare and plan ahead on issue of internet governance.

"In a global phere, there is sectoral fear. Nigeria needs tostrengthen the group put together in order to achieve the desired objective. There should be African position in the cairo event coming soon in regards to how internet usage is governed. We need to raise awareness among the youth and information sector. We also need to get our policies right to improve on our present status," he added.

On his part, former president of ATCON, DR. Emmanuel Ekuwem said that internet is not celebrated in Nigeria, as Nigerians are yet to embrace the internet exchange point.

"We need to filter it and

ed, even though bad guys are on it. We have to look at the opportunities and access it because soon, internet will become democracy."

In his presentation, Nigeria’s youth IT ambassador and President of Paradigm Shift, Mr. Gbenga Sesan said that with the aid of internet, press freedom and the space for free expression have increased significantly since 1999, with more pronounced usage during the 2011 April general elections.

However, he noted that legal and political environment for traditional media remain harsh.

He said that though, the online media has been comparatively free from restrictions, Nigerian authorities do not carry out any filtering of content and that while access to information technology is still limited for many Nigerians, the number of internet users nearly quadrupled between 2008 and 2011.

Nokia woos customers with 30-day Independence promo

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

A

S part of activities to mark the 52nd independent anniversary of Nigeria, Global phone manufacturer, Nokia is offering buyers of the new Nokia Asha 305 and 311 a 30-Day amazing promo starting from October 1st to 30th.

Speaking on the promo, Marketing Manager, Nokia West Africa, Mr Kesiena Ogbemi said that the "30-Day Amazing Promo" is another way Nokia is reaching out to its loyal customers.

"We appreciate our customers and will like to celebrate with them at a time like this. For thirty days, buyers of the Nokia Asha 305 and 311 will have the opportunity of winning amazing gifts from Nokia."

Explaining the mechanics of the promo, Retail Marketing Manager, Nokia West-Africa advised buyers of Nokia Asha 305 and 311 to send their full name, IMEI

number of the purchased phone and the word, Asha to 20050 to qualify to win in the promo.

Prizes to be won include a trip to Dubai, children’s school fees support, a Lagos Business School short course, a sofa set, Airtime for six months, movie pass for two people for a year, a shopping voucher at Shoprite or Twice as Nice, a Nokia Lumia 9000, a Nokia 808 PureView, a six-month weekly voucher, a 6kva generator, a luxury watch, a DSTV PVR decoder and one year subscription, an inverter, a high definition TV, a five-burner gas cooker, a refrigerator, and lots more.

The Nokia Asha 305 and 311 are full-touch devices designed to provide an incredibly rich, smartphone-like experience to consumers who want to be set free from excessive data consumption costs and short battery life.

28— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Real aim for Ajax with Barca in mind

C

ristiano Ronaldo is smiling again, Real Madrid are back scoring goals and the side’s stuttering start to the season looks to be behind them as they return to Champions League football action away to Ajax tonight.

Jose Mourinho’s side turned the corner in their opening Group D match at home to Manchester City two weeks ago when Ronaldo completed a thrilling comeback for a 3-2 win at the Bernabeu which lifted their early-season blues.

The Portugal international’s comments that he was ‘sad’ at the beginning of last month coincided with a poor run of form and two league defeats, the same number they suffered during the whole of last season’s championshipwinning campaign The City comeback, however, has helped to dispel the doubts.

Real followed it up with a 20 win at Rayo Vallecano and thrashed Deportivo Coruna 51 at home on Sunday when Ronaldo netted a hat-trick to

make it five goals from his last three outings.

“We have achieved three consecutive victories and this is the way forward,” Real defender Sergio Ramos told reporters after the win over Deportivo.

“Now we need to enjoy this and think about Ajax and the Champions League. We are very keen to win this title.”

Real have reached the Champions League semifinals for the last two years and the club feel a tenth European title is within their grasp.

However, Ramos also indicated that the side had one eye firmly on next Sunday’s ‘clasico’ at the home of league leaders Barcelona, whom they trail by eight points.

“There are a large number of points between us (and Barca) and the ‘clasico’ will be a chance to…cut the difference,” the Spain international said.

“Ronaldo is in tremendous form. I hope it lasts and that we’ll see him this way in our next league game.”

Mancini set to prove a point with City

M

*Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi not Ballon wor thy of Ibra million on new players the off d’Or, says season.

PSG target win at Porto

W

ith Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring freely, and a defense that is increasingly hard to breach, Paris SaintGermain’s confidence is high ahead of today’s Champions League away clash with Porto.

PSG has won its past five games to move up to second place in the French league, with Ibrahimovic scoring six goals during that spell, and the defense conceding just

two.

Carlo Ancelotti’s PSG has not played a team of Porto’s caliber this season and faces its first big test against the Portuguese champion, although its defenders will no doubt be relieved that striker Hulk no longer plays for the club.

Victory against Porto would put PSG well on the way to the knockout stages and raise expectations even higher after an outlay of over €150

n o i p m a h C League:

“They’re expecting a lot this season, which is normal given all the money invested by the club. We’re working hard every day to do great things and I hope we can continue to deliver,” Ibrahimovic said.

“The team has a lot of pressure to play good and win all the games that are coming. Everyone is talking about us, talking about Paris Saint-Germain, and they want to beat us.”

* Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Z

latan Ibrahimovic does not believe that his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi deserves to win this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or. Messi, 25, the current holder of the award and three-time winner, hit a remarkable 72 goals for his club last season and is widely recognised as the best footballer in the world.

However, Ibrahimovic, 30, believes Barca’s disappointing season last term, that saw them miss out on the Champions League and La Liga, should count against the player - while he also thinks someone else should get the chance to win the accolade.

anchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he is determined to improve his personal record in the Champions League.

The Italian helped City to their first league title for 44 years last season and made Inter Milan Serie A champions in three successive seasons during his time at the San Siro.

But although he was a European Cup finalist as a Sampdoria player in 1992, he has never gone past the quarter-finals of the Champions League as a manager. His debut campaign in the competition with City ended in a group stage exit last year.

City lost their first game of this season’s competition 3-2 to Real Madrid a fortnight ago, and Mancini, whose team take on Borussia Dortmund, is eager to do better.

“I hope I can improve my record in the Champions League and I can arrive at a time when I can win a Champions League,” he said.

“It is my ambition.”

Mancini believes City’s first objective should to be to qualify from a group containing the champions of England, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.

“We want to go to the second stage,” he said. “That will be difficult. Borussia Dortmund are one of the best teams in Europe.

TODAY’S MATCHES Zenit v AC Milan Ajax v Real Madrid Anderlecht v Malaga Arsenal v Olympiakos Dynamo Kiev v Dinamo Zagreb FC Portov Paris St Germain Manchester City v B Dortmund Schalke v Montpellier

*Roberto Mancini

ns

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 — 29

Arteta: Gunners will finish off Olympiakos

M

ikel Arteta has w a r n e d Olympiakos that Arsenal will take out their frustrations on the Greek team in today ’s Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger ’s side suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday as Chelsea punished some slack defending from the hosts to clinch a 2-1 victory and Arteta admits his team-mates are desperate to make amends against Olympiakos.

Spanish midfielder Arteta believes that desire to get back on track quickly will spark a dominant display as Arsenal, who have made a bright start to the campagin despite the Chelsea defeat, look to maintain their 100 percent start to the group stage.

After winning in Montpellier in the opening group fixture,

a victory over Olympiakos would put the Gunners firmly on course for the last 16 and Arteta said: “We have played some of the best teams in the league and we haven’t been battered at all.

“In fact it has been the opposite, we have been better than them through the 90 minutes. I think that is a very positive thing.

“We will bounce back in the Champions League against Olympiakos.”

The main concern for Arsenal in recent weeks has been their weakness when dealing with set-pieces from the opposition.

Coach Arsene Wenger will be without Abou Diaby after the French midfielder suffered a thigh injury against Chelsea, while England midfielder Jack Wilshere is unlikely to feature despite making his long-awaited comeback on Monday. .

*Mikel Arteta

FIFA UNDER-17 WWC

Flamingos' captain sparks age controversy

By BEN EFE

M

ay the real Victoria Aidelomon please stand up! This is the theme of a controversy swirling around Nigeria’s team captain, at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

An internet blogger posted documented evidence which depicts the Flamingos captain as being ten years, over the age category stipulated by FIFA. And this allegation is already having a ripple effect on the net as more bloggers have dug in to expose the Nigeria team.

According to Timothy Masters writing on bet.123.net: “A bit of digging work initially piqued by the fact a few of the African players looked far older than their opponents led Naija_football to find the notparticularly-well-hidden information that Nigeria’s under-17 captain Victoria Aidelomon is actually more

like 26 or 27 years old. This would appear to be an open secret amongst the writers in that region, as this is hardly a new practice, but the competition being held in Azerbaijan is a FIFA sanctioned event and surely deserves the treatment any other such tournament would get.”

The Flamingos are due to play France in the quarterfinal on Thursday, having topped group A with seven points after they drew with Canada, thrashed the hosts 11-0 and then humbled Colombia 3-0.

Their performances left many Nigerian fans back at home speculating their true ages, when most especially four of the girls including the captain had played in the previous edition in 2010.

However, coach Peter Dedevbo denied that his players are over-aged “Most of our players were 15 years old in 2010, meaning they are within the age-bracket required for this competition.”

Scholysser wins 16th Nigeria Cup

By JOHN EGBOKHAN

J

oachim Scholtysser has emerged the overall winner of the Nigeria Cup,a golf tournament held to celebrate Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary at the Ikoyi Club 1938, Scholtysser, won the competition with 71 net and

was rewarded with a giant trophy and a business class ticket to travel to Europe.

Bonny Obieze was second with 74 net, Fischer was third with 74 on count back, while Tayo Babalakin was fourth with 75 net. Evenly Oyome, who had earlier won both the Longest Drive Hole and the Nearest to the Pin Hole, was declared winner of the ladies

tournament. Lateef Lasis won the pro tourmament.

Peter Eben-Spiff was gross winner with 76 gross followed

by Christopher Obije (80) and Tim Ayomike (81). Others winners included Dapo Akande, Uyi Akpata and Femi Olutowobi. The organisers gave series of items to the winners, which included water dispenser, micro wave oven and freezer.

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 3, 2012

Telemedicine eHealth confab holds in Abuja

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

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N the first week of November, all roads will be leading to Abuja for this year’s International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISFTEH)’s conference.

This will be the 17th edition in the series and the first time this event will hold in West Africa.

Being one of the only two organizations recog-

nized by the World Health Organisation, WHO, as major promoters of telemedicine and eHealth globally, global players from the world would like to be present at the event.

Participants from the UK to the USA from Oceania to the Far East, according to the organisers, are expected to grace the event. This is also as leading CEOs and

Broadband cost can crash to the lowest, if...

Continues from Page 23

*Telemedicine equipment

oriented event.

Speaking about the event, Nigeria’s representative in the ISfTeH , Dr Olajide Adebola, said

that ”telemedicine & eHealth goes beyond fancy equipment and internet connections. It is a methodology of getting

B

C M Y K

The other side of broadband

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occasion to assure the international community of Nigeria’s readiness to protect investments and promote competition in the spirit of deregulation and private sector participation will canvass this point. At the forum, He ROADBAND and said Nigeria is also exBroadband Divide pected to host the global (BBD) is here! Download, ICT leaders to a closed Download, Download – door meeting and lunch When will Nigeria start to while a special day has upload creative digital been set aside for hosting content into the global IT key participants at the fo- Knowledge Space? rum including presentaThe first equation for totions at the Nigerian day’s knowledge-sharing Pavilion where public and lesson is: “Broadband private institutions and without accelerated incompanies are provided digenous software spaces to showcase their engine, applications and potentials to the world. local content equals = “We want to tell poten- 21st Century Digital Slavtial investors that Nigeria ery”. Nations that fail to remains the preferred develop and protect their investment destination in indigenous electronicAfrica. We will also sovereignty knowledge explain to the investors sphere will NOT survive the areas that still need this 21st Century – this their attention since we much has been confirmed have sizeable progress in by Stuxnet Cyber Worms voice telephony.”

Bomb targeted at Iran’s Juwah said, though, nuclear project (what we Nigeria was said to be – as Informatics students doing well in Internet - knew will happen sevpenetration, the high cost eral decades ago!). of bandwidth due to its unavailability on demand Cyberspace called for worry. mines According to him, because of this poor state of The e-knowledge battle broadband penetration field had been drawn and and the attendant high will be fiercely fought cost of bandwidth “govalong the cyberspace ernment will be emphamines carefully planted in sising our investment the Cloud!. There will be drive in this direction.” no room for snail speed Only recently, worried nations with lame-duckby the poor broadband lay-back attitude. They penetration in the counwill not only be left behind try, President Goodluck – Nay, they will be Jonathan, who is billed to crushed for ever and lead Nigeria’s delegation throne into the dustbin of to ITU conference in history!

Dubai, inaugurated a 15Migrating from bit-cenmember committee to tric ‘Narrowband’ to among other things articBroadband? Broadband ulate acceptable definiInternet access, aka tions and perspectives of "broadband", means difbroadband and related ferent things to different issues that are current and people and indeed to dynamic for the country. many organizations and

researchers in the industry including some academia from Germany, Japan, Russia and Australia among others from US, India and Sweden are slated to speak at the event.

Meanwhile, former minister of health, Prof Eyitayo Lambo is said to be the guest speaker who would also present a white paper on the development of the National Strategy for developing eHealth.

The event will play host to a number of other dignitaries and stakeholders as Ministry of health and the Ministry of ICT are said to be partnering with the ISFTEH to deliver a successful and result

Broadband Internet access, aka "broadband", means different things to different people and indeed to many organizations and nations of the world. To some, it is just another flash in pan of human development era

nations of the world. To some, it is just another flash in pan of human development era - codename ‘Information Technology Evolution’ (ITE), whereas to other nations, it is a life and death affair bordering on National survivability and the protection of generations yet unborn! Yes, it has become a hyper-critical life-business affair with conscious multi-dimensional seriousness.

Within the ICT Industry and IT Profession, Broadband is simply understood as high data rate connection to the Internet.

The core issue is about ‘Data transfer rate through a medium’ – usually called ‘Pipe’ (Vision Pipe, dream Pine, e-Knowledge Pipe, Innovation Pipe) by trenchers.

By comparison, bit-centric narrowband — usually identified by dial-up

access using a 56k modem. Dial-up modems which are limited to a bitrate of less than 56 kbit/s (kilobits per second) and require the dedicated use of a telephone line — whereas broadband does not require a dedicated telephone line and it more than double the Data rate of transfer..

Although various minimum bandwidths have been used in definitions of broadband, ranging up from 64 kbit/s (Kilobit per second) up to 4.0 Mbit/s (Megabit per second) the 2006 OECD report typicaly defines broadband as having download data transfer rates equal to or faster than 256 kbit/ s, while the United States (US) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as of 2010, defines "Basic Broadband" as data transmission speeds of at least 4 megabits per second

(Mbps), or 4,000,000 bits per second, downstream (from the Internet to the user’s computer) and 1 Mbit/s upstream (from the user’s computer to the Internet). The trend is to raise the threshold of the broadband definition as the marketplace rolls out faster services.

Data rates are defined in terms of maximum download because several common consumer broadband technologies such as ADSL are "asymmetric"—supporting much slower maximum upload data rate than download.

The other side of Broadband therefore, is indeed about the survivability of the Nigerian Nation midway, before the almighty nature dismisses half of this 21st Century (2050). Broadband is also classified as the opportunity, ability and capability to engage the historical momentum

health services to reach the unreached.

That is why this event is very crucial” He added that the Nigerian national association which he Chairs, was created in 2005 and has since helped in the initiating the creation of the framework for eHealth development in Nigeria with the help of its members that cut across medical personnel, ICT professionals and other eHealth enthusiasts. of global information system and content transformation processes.

It is also the challenge to effectively manage the attendant potential high risk embedded in the infinitive (?) digital life cycle! Currently, our nation is at the edge of a monumental risk to loose her entire being – character, identity, signature, Art and culture and traditional life - as we swim along the torrential digital current, and waves, infested by Stuxnet worms of digital globalization without at least a home grown swimming trunk or supporting infrastructure for disaster recovery.

The above danger is very clear from the graphic illustration of the statistical table of global Broadband Internet user country below: Nigeria is NOT yet on the global Broadband map!

The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, where I currently serve as President is deeply concerned and worried at the state of indigenous software engineering, development and patronage in Nigeria. The sector is still in the wilderness – where it was throne into by one-eyed anti-knowledge vultures of our time. But recover we can and must. No retreat, No surrender, until we innovatively engage, master, control and strategically sustain our e-Knowledge resources that rightly belongs to us. zUwaje is President of ISPON.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—31

From left: Mrs Elizabeth Kolawole, Acting Executive Secretary,Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB); Deputy President, Mr Ayodapo Shoderu; Mallam Ahmed Salawudeen, President of Stardard Insurance Consultants being decorated by President of NCRIB, Mr Laide Osijo. With them is Mr Rotimi Edu, Honourary Treasurer of the Council, during the visit of Salawudeen to NCRIB Secretariat, recently.

How big insurers shun microinsurance

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here are over 48 u n d e r w r i t i n g companies operating in the Nigerian insurance sector.

However, the market is largely segmented because only a few of these companies control the market. Unfortunately, these big players are yet to show any interest in microinsurance.

Nigeria is a West African nation with a population of over 160 million people.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, 125 million people which represent 75 per cent of the population live in the semi-urban and rural areas. About 112 million which represent 67 per cent of the population live below the poverty line.

Further statistics show that within the 75 per cent semiurban and rural populace, the market for regular commercial insurance is for just about 13 million which represents 10 per cent. The market for commercial microinsurance is for 75 million which represents 60 per cent while the market for aid/support microinsurance is for 37 million which represents 30 per cent.

From the foregoing, microinsurance has a huge market potential and ability to lift up a greater percentage of the population from poverty if well tapped. Unfortunately, conventional insurers have not shown any interest to operate microinsurance full scale.

Managing Director of Riskguard-Africa Nigeria Limited, Mr. Yemi Soladoye said that over N60 billion microinsurance opportunities are untapped by insurers in the

country.

According to Soladoye, microinsurance remains the panacea for poverty eradication, but unfortunately, the conventional insurance companies have established themselves in the wholesale market. As a result, they are not ready for the peanut premiums in microinsurance.

"The existing operators don’t see any incentive for new markets and competition only leads to market growth but not market expansion."

Soladoye said that the growth of microinsurance in

,

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

in developing those areas of the business that will move the sector from the N200 billion gross premium income market to a trillion Naira mark.

Musa said “We all run after the same NNPC business; head of service account and such major accounts. So, the investment in infrastructure, technology that is needed to build a sustainable business model is not focused on because we don’t have the money to do that. So, there is the potential for business volume far beyond the level of capital that we have.”

According to him, microinsurance has huge potential for success in Nigeria but not necessarily through the conventional insurance

Microinsurance remains the panacea for poverty eradication, unfortunately, the conventional insurance companies have established themselves in the wholesale market as a result they are not ready for the peanut premiums in microinsurance.

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Nigeria has been stunted because big insurance players have refused to embrace it.

Also, there is the popular impression among Nigerian underwriters that retail insurance is only for life or composite companies even as most of the underwriters appreciate the benefits of retail insurance but the cost of establishing one, the low expertise in the segment and the long gestation period is posing a problem.

For Managing Director of Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Mr. Ganiyu Musa, there are only few individual companies on a stand alone basis with the financial muscle to invest

practitioners.

The conventional insurance operators do not have much on ground on microinsurance; only intentions and even where the company understands everything about microinsurance, the marketing team does not see it as insurance, Musa said.

A new approach Microinsurance cannot be delivered under the existing products, process and procedure of the commercial underwriters. Hence, if a greater percentage of the population is to benefit from insurance, experts are of the view that a new approach must be adopted.

According to Soladoye, there is big market for microinsurance in Nigeria if aggregators, associations and so on can be used rather than concentrating on the conventional underwriters.

“Microinsurance has huge potential for success in Nigeria, but not necessarily through the insurance practitioners,” Soladoye said.

While stating that for now, insurance in general will need to rely on other brands to grow very fast in Nigeria such as banks, aggregators, telcos, coops, faith organisations, Soladoye said that the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, will still have to open up the agency system, relax the entry points and provide close supervision.

“The Philippines concept of tier 3 insurance system, the Bangladesh concept of real microfinance, the India concept of conditional microinsurance spread and the Kenya concept of simple microinsurance technical and payment system (CIC) will help as guides to a new approach for Nigeria,” Soladoye said.

According to him, stand alone institutions with small capital, lean structure, simple and bundled products, easy claims process will be necessary.

The challenge The major challenge that has affected the growth of microinsurance thus far is the fact that insurers in Nigeria have never spent time and money to do a comprehensive research on who the customers are, what they really want and how they can be served better.

Soladoye said the problem of insurance is that most people lack education on how it operates and it is worrisome that most operators recycle products developed by their counterparts.

According to him, 90 per cent of insurance operators are confused on the difference between insurance education and advertorials, stressing that people do not buy insurance because they lack knowledge of the benefits it provides.

The way forward According to Soladoye, NAICOM may need to create a Nigeria government policy on microinsurance as is done in India. However, he charged insurers to develop products that suit the need of the public because any product that does not take default into consideration would fail. He said most insurers sell products and not solution.

Soladoye also said that research has revealed that Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) in the country presently have over 20 million customers, adding that the customers are good prospects for microinsurance.

BRIEFS

Climate change: Experts canvass need for insurance

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he public have been urged to embrace insurance to adapt and mitigate risks associated with flood and other natural disasters.

Lead Strategist Medialogistix Limited Dotun Adekanmbi, at a media forum on climate change organised by the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP) in Lagos, said insurance remains one of the best ways to adapt and mitigate risks.

He urged the public to adhere to rules on environmental safety, adding that the problems posed by climate change stemmed from failure by individuals to obey environmental laws.

He noted that considering the enormity of challenges of climate change, the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP) thought it necessary for the media to deliberate ways to communicate to the public how to manage the menace.

He said the effects of climate change affect all sphere of human endeavour, hence the government and the public should stand for what is right.

He called on the media to intensify effort in educating the public on how to keep the environment safe to avoid disasters.

Insurers’ profits recover, but still down —KPMG

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ustralia’s General insurers’ net profits started to rise again in the first half of this year after a slump in 2011, according to KPMG’s annual industry analysis.

Profit after tax rose in the year to March compared with the year to December. It further increased in the year to June.

This compares with last year when profit fell each quarter.

Even so, profit for the year to June 30 was down 18.5 per cent to $2.5 billion, compared with the previous year.

KPMG Financial Services Partner Ian Moyser says there have been fewer severe weather events this year but, because those that did occur were less severe, insurers bore a larger proportion of the costs.

Profits have also been hit by a 20 per cent increase in net claims in 2011/12 to $17.6 billion, an increase in reinsurance costs after catastrophes and the effect of interest rate reductions, Mr. Moyser says. “This confluence of factors has limited some of the benefit of premium increases,” he told a media briefing last week.

32—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Peninsula not in 26 districts plebiscite of southern Cameroun Prof Walter Ofonagoro here argues that Britain never integrated Bakassi either administratively or economically with Southern Cameroun throughout the period 1922-60, and never included her in the 26 plebiscite districts of Southern Cameroun main under British rule.

Professor Gardinier of Yale University, further stated at the Yale University Conference, that Britain pursued different policies in different parts of her Cameroon Mandates.

(1) She never set up any administrative link between Northern Cameroons and Southern Cameroons.

(2) Northern Cameroons was fully integrated into Northern Nigeria, economically, administratively and in every other respect making it impossible to separate Northern Cameroon mandated territory from Northern Nigeria.

(3) With Southern Cameroon, it was different. Southern Cameroon was never integrated with Nigeria. It had its own separate Province, the “Cameroons Province” of Southern Nigeria, which eventually became the Southern Cameroons” Mandated Region in the Nigerian Federation from 1954, with its own legislature, parliament, and constitution by 1960.

(4) “The economy of Southern Cameroon was never integrated with Nigeria’s, but was linked directly with that of overseas nations, above all Germany’s."

Significantly, Great Britain never integrated Bakassi either administratively or economically with Southern Cameroon, throughout the period, 1922-1960, and never included her in the 26 plebiscite districts of Southern Cameroon.

PROF WALTER OFONAGORO In fact Bakassi was part of Nigeria at indeRussia, had made her own sepa- pendence, her border on the Rio rate peace with Germany at Brest- del Rey defining Nigeria’s EastLitovsk in 1918, and withdrew ern border since April 14, 1893. from European affairs, to face the This history of German Cameroon challenges of the Bolshevik Rev- between 1914 and 1939 is comolution at home. So the Great pletely omitted from the Camepowers left at the League were roon Memorandum of Facts. Cermainly Britain and France, from tainly, the League of Nations ac1922. In 1923, a British Order-in- cepted the borders of Southern Council made permanent ar- Cameroon, and Northern Camerangements through which the roon as they were presented by various parts of the Mandate Ter- Britain at the time of signing the ritory, under her, were run. In League Mandate in 1922, and Nigeria, Bakassi continued to re- they were not the same as the

Continues from yesterday HE Milner/Simone Decla ration which showed the partition of Cameroon between Britain and France was not the work of the League. The British and French powers partitioned Cameroons to their satisfaction before they presented it to the League for the Mandate Signature. That Partition Boundary became the boundary between British and French Cameroons, as contained in the Declaration of July 10, 1919, which Milner and Simone signed. It had nothing to do with the old Anglo-German line of 1914.

American insistence on studying the terms of the Mandate Treaties delayed the signing of the Cameroons Mandates until July 20, 1922. The Americans had hoped that they could persuade their European Allies to abandon the quest for colonies, or for making secret deals among themselves against their enemies.

They were wrong. The United States left the League in 1920, disappointed, and by 1922, refused to sign either the League Treaty, or the Treaty of Versailles.

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Borders of German-Cameroon in 1914.

The Cameroon Memorandum of Facts also quoted the Nigerian law No. 126 of 1954, as evidence that Bakassi had been ceded to her. That is false. The law in question is the “Northern Region, Western Region, Eastern Region Boundaries (Definition) Order-inCouncil, No. 126 of 1954”. It defines the boundary between Cameroon and the Eastern Region of Nigeria. In Schedule III, Part I and II, both territories have “the Sea” as their southern border.

Some have ignorantly thought that “Sea” meant the point at which the boundary entered the Akwa Yafe River! But Akwa Yafe River was never the Sea boundary of Southern Nigeria. That issue had long been settled in the Anglo-German Agreement of April 14, 1893. It was, in fact, the first Boundary of Nigeria to be settled. The sea in this law, refers to that body of water on the shores of the Bakassi Peninsula, where the sea to land boundary of Nigeria and Cameroons goes ashore through the Rio del Rey eventually making its way to the Akwa Yafe River.

Creation of Southern Cameroon Region, 1954 In 1953, the 13 members of the Eastern House of Assembly, representing Southern Cameroon, had requested Britain to give them their own Region. That was done in the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954, which saw Southern Cameroon excised from Eastern Region of Nigeria with a new 26 member legislature and new capital in Buea. Bakassi is separated physically from Southern Cameroon, by the Rio del Rey Creek, which has remained Nigeria’s border with Southern Cameroons till date.

The Rio Del Rey Port: As a last act to confirm that the Treaty of August 11, 1913, was a dead Treaty, the British Colonial Government of Nigeria passed a law “The Rio Del Rey Port Declaration Order, 1960, L.N. 154 under Article 6 of the Ports Ordinance, 1954”. This port was established on September 29, 1960. The Port limits as established in that law are a reassertion that the Rio del Rey border was still the Eastern border of Nigeria, at its point of entry into the sea. In other words, “the Sea”, as the Southern border of Nigeria is the sea at Rio Del Rey. There is no sea at Akwa Yafe River where it flows into the Archibong Creek, which in turn flows into the Rio Del Rey to the

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BAKASSI:

1893: With the Boundary, “entering the Sea between longitude 8042’ East and 80 46’ East”, the Rio Del Rey Port limits are a coded message. A rival power with whom Great Britain had fought two World Wars since 1913, could not expect to inherit from the British Crown, a Peninsula that unquestionably belonged to her loyal and faithful subjects who had been with her, throughout the colonial period.

Calabar was one of the oldest British Protectorates and had had a resident British Consul Eastern portion of Niger coast protectorsince 1870. In fact in ate in 1895.

Source: CO/520/7 1904, Calabar was declared a Port of RegisEast. Akwa Yafe is north of Bakas- try for British ships, a status which si Peninsula. The Sea is South of was upgraded by an Order-inBakassi Peninsula. The Akwa Council in 1913. The Old ConYafe River reaches the sea sulate Building in Calabar is still through the Rio del Rey Creek. a tourist attraction, and should In 1956, four years before Ni- qualify as a world heritage buildgerian independence in 1960, oil ing, because it was from here that was discovered at Oloibiri, in the Britain conquered and colonized Niger Delta. With known reserves Southern Nigeria from 1884 to in the Cross River/Bakassi Basin, 1918. The Calabar Sea Roads there was no way the Colonial could not be allowed to be turned Government would establish a into an international border, port there, two days before inde- which is what neither the Gerpendence, and assign it a huge mans nor the British wanted to port limit of over 36 miles of Rio do in 1913. In fact, the British Del Rey Creek Bakassi Frontage, Colonial Secretary, Sir Louis Haronly to pass it on to French Cam- court, stated in Parliament on July eroons. The Port was built on the 11, 1913, that the British Governexact coordinates of the Rio Del ment would not cede any territoRey Creek, to remind everyone ry to Germany under the Treaties that here was the international of 1913. border. The Nigerian lawyers at Continues tomorrow the ICJ mentioned it at Paragraphs 10.107- 10.109 in their counter memorial, as evidence of “effective occupation”, and filed Some have ignorantly a text of the order at Annex NC.M 194, and Atlas Map 37; and were thought that “Sea” amazed that its limits occupied meant the point at the entire length of the Nigerian side of the Rio Del Rey, from Cape which the boundary Bakassi to the head waters of the entered the Akwa Yafe Rio Del Rey. They were, howev- River! But Akwa Yafe er, unable to appreciate its evidential value! Please consider its River was never the Sea evidential value! boundary of Southern The schedule to the Rio Del Rey Nigeria. That issue had Port Declaration Order read as follows:“that part of the main- long been settled in the stream of the Rio Del Rey other- Anglo-German Agreewise known as Fiari River boundment of April 14, 1893. ed in the North by a line drawn 0 0 in an 090 -270 direction in lati- It was, in fact, the first tude 40 45’ North and in the South Boundary of Nigeria to by a line drawn from Erong Point Beacon latitude 40 31’ 40” North be settled. The sea in 80 45’ 48”East in a 1800 direction this law, refers to that for 16.8 miles thence in an 0900di- body of water on the rection for 3.9miles thence in a 0040 direction for 15.7 miles to shores of the Bakassi Cape Bakassi Beacon latitude Peninsula, where the 4030’30” North 8043’6” East.” sea to land boundary of (Reference: Nigerian Marine Charts: No: 33/10 and 84/10). Nigeria and Cameroons Now, compare these coordinates goes ashore through the with Rio Del Rey Boundary BeaRio del Rey eventually cons as established in legal instrument No 260 Agreement of 29 making its way to the April- 16 June, 1885, confirmed Akwa Yafe River in No 263 of 1886, No 270 of July 1, 1890, and No. 273 of April 14,

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—33

Etinyin Dr. Etim Okon Edet, paramount ruler of Bakassi

Those who ceded Bakassi committed crimes against humanity – Paramount ruler The Etinyin of Bakassi, Dr. Etim Okon Edet, is not only the paramount ruler of Bakassi but also chairman of the Cross River State Council of Chiefs. A product of the University of Calabar where he studied political science, the articulate traditional ruler, was forced out of his palace in Atabong by the vicious intrigues of concession of his land, which is part of Efik Kingdom, to Cameroon by the Federal Government based on the war time policy of appeasement entered into by Gen.Yakubu Gowon and Late Alhaji Ahmadu Ahijo of Cameroon. This was finally sealed by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr. Koffi Annan, who accepted the ICJ verdict and rushed into implementation of the verdict with the endorsement of the controversial Green Tree Agreement. With days to the final date for a possible appeal for the review of the ICJ judgment and reluctance of the Federal Government to hearken to the cries of Bakassi people, Dr. Edet tells Vanguard that those who ceded Bakassi and threw over three hundred thousand people into destitution should face trial for crimes against humanity.

By HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor.

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AN you give us a good idea of what is happening in Bakassi and where we are today?

I thank you very much for your concern. I have seen quite a lot of what Vanguard newspaper is doing on the Bakassi issue. I think we have done quite a lot on the Bakassi issue, right from the onset of the judgment. We have condemned the judgment. I don’t know what we should do and where should go from here. We are approaching the final day of the decision and the country is still not doing anything.

What I want to say is that Nige-

ria should release us, Bakassi technically is included in Nigeria, but it is not in Nigeria. People say technically that it is included in Nigeria because we are listed as a local government in Nigeria, so, any action we want to take now would mean a violation of the constitution of Nigeria. But for sure, I, as a paramount ruler of Bakassi land that is in existence in this planet earth, we would take back our land. Just as the nation of Israel went back to their land in a miraculous way, I am so convinced and sure that with or without an appeal to the ICJ, there is another court that is beyond us all. We are all awaiting the judgment of that court.

So, Nigeria should be kind

enough to release us. Some people went to the National Assembly to say that Bakassi is not part of Nigeria and, therefore, it should be deleted from the constitution. I support that call. We now know that we are not legally in Nigeria. We want to be free to confront whoever handed us illegally to anybody unknown to us.

We will confront them and then we will be free to do so. May be at that point, the entire world would then look at us as crazy people. I don’t want a situation where any cobweb is still moving around us and nobody cares to say anything. But we are assuring everybody in this country that the Bakassi issue is going to be a serious case study of injustice done to people on this earth, and it is going to affect those who are pretending now as if the matter does not concern them.

Wonderful and miraculous way When you don’t want to do something, he does it in a very wonderful and miraculous way.

God cannot begin a project that He cannot end. God created us and put us where we are just like all of us. For instance if you were born in Maidugri in Borno State, perhaps you would have been a Muslim, not by your choice, not by your making but God wanted us to be there. We are here and we are Christian because that is where we came to be. So God placed us there, gave us the land, named all those areas, the trees, the villages, the shrines, the food,

Denial of education So that is what we are looking at, we are not looking at any man again; we are not looking at the president again. I think in the past years, people have died, people have suffered, nobody is going to school; their schools have been abandoned there.This is a grave injustice to a people that was denied education by colonial powers, a people who are in a hurry to produce educated people to catch up with their kith and kin. I think I am the only man standing, may be because of the law. In fact it is only the constitution that is saving us. I want to appeal to Nigerians to continue to pray for us so that we can come out of this issue.

How would react to the issue that the National Assembly did not bother on issue like sovereignty, lives, security of the country?

I am even surprised that after their long vacation, the Bakassi issue which which they have condemned over a period of time, is not seen as a serious issue to deserve their attention. This is a matter they condemned, said the treaty has not been domesticated by them. In spite of that, they moved motion and I have personally witnessed two motions, moved in the House of Representatives stopping proceeding and another one of this year, asking the government to go to the ICJ to review the judgment because of the overwhelming little things that they have seen.

In other areas in the world, such resolution will not be taken lightly as it is done here. You will know a leader in times of crisis not in times of when things are good. I am talking as a leader of Bakassi; I don’t mind whatever it will lead to because I am hurt. Nigerians too should be hurt that a part of this country has been lost. I have never seen a nation giving out a territory instead of that they

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etc, and after several years, people are coming to make adjustments, people are beginning to be displaced from what God originally made it to be. So God will not start a project, and leave it like that. He has to complete it.

So I’m assuring you and everybody from the bottom of my heart, that we are taking back our Bakassi, I’m not worried at all. I don’t know the year, I don’t know the method, but I’m telling our people that we are going to get our land back, we will pray to the almighty. I want to be proved right or wrong whether it is the same God that did that miracle for the children of Israel and cannot do it for the children of Bakassi today.

So whatever the president is doing, or whatever the Nigerian nation is doing, he should know that he is from the Niger Delta region. The president should know that we voted for him.

When the president came, I received him and campaigned for him, today he is not listening to what we are saying.

should continue to extend their boundaries forward. So the National Assembly is not doing well.

Why didn’t they impeach Obasanjo for breaching the constitution? Why are they talking now? I have received so many visits on Bakassi. They just come around to collect money and play with us. I have to stop one of them from coming to me because I am not ready to receive them. The information they are seeking for is all over the internet.

They know that the people of Bakassi went to court, a court in this country. May God bless that judge? Judgment was given, injunction was placed that the Green Tree should not be implemented but they went ahead to do it. So what are we talking about? Where would we get justice? But let’s wait. I am completely disappointed on the National Assembly that they are not using the powers they have. As it is now the National Assembly cannot fail Jonathan, yet they favors were made, yet they took an oath to correct many errors, to do justice and get thing corrected. Look at the power project, correction are being made at all levels to put things aright. Look at our constitution, reviews are being made and yet they cannot review a judgment that was made, why can’t they make an attempt and let it be on record that attempts were made to review the judgment of the ICJ, then we would all see.

What I want to also say is that, we have all been talking about the Bakassi, the treaty in 1893,1913, 1975 etc. The British authority themselves would face us. The Bakassi people at that time did not have access to Education. they were not exposed to the white people that came, so they gave that power of attorney to the Obong of Calabar, the father of Efik people since he is already use to this white people, so that they would not come and play some tricks on us. So they said they want us to sign a treaty of protection, not ownership.

To be concluded

Nigeria should release us, Bakassi technically is included in Nigeria, but it is not in Nigeria.

People say technically that it is included in Nigeria because we are listed as a local government in Nigeria, so, any action we want to take now would be mean a violation of the constitution of Nigeria

,

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Deloitte announces $31.3bn revenue in 2012 D

ELOIT TE Touche Tohmatsu Limited, DTTL, has announced aggregate member firm revenues of US$31.3 billion for the fiscal year ending, 31 May 2012, marking the network’s highest revenue ever.

Aggregate revenues grew 8.6 per cent in U.S. dollars - the strongest revenue increase since 2008. Deloitte member firms experienced growth across all three major geographic regions, led by exceptional results generated in Asia Pacific, the Americas, and a number of developing markets, as well as across all business lines and industry sectors.

“Complexity, disruption, and speed of change are the new reality for our member firm clients, and for Deloitte’s own business,” said DTTL Global CEO Barry Salzberg. “Deloitte’s success this past year is the result of adapting business strategies to anticipate client needs and address the changing requirements of a dynamic market.”

“In a challenging economic environment, US$1.4 billion of Deloitte’s US$2.5 billion aggregate growth in the past year came from member firms in the three largest economies in the world,” said Salzberg. “I believe that is a testament to Deloitte’s

ability to not only gain strength in high-growth strategic markets, but also continue to build momentum in established markets globally.”

Deloitte continued to focus on hiring, developing, and retaining top talent as a key driver of the expansion of

business activity. In FY2012, the Network hired 51,400 professionals; its total workforce now exceeds 193,000 professionals worldwide and the organization is well on its way to achieving its growth goal of 250,000 professionals by the 2015 financial year.

Banks under threat as EU group proposes holdings restrictions

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ANKS’ ability to access the wholesale funding markets could be hampered if proposals subm i t t e d b y a n E U advisory group are adopted by the European Commission, dealing them a further blow at an already difficult time.

In a report published on Tuesday, a high-level expert group on bank structural reforms set up in November 2011 by the European Commission suggested a number of

amendments to the use of bail-in instruments as a resolution tool, including possible restrictions on who could hold them.

“In order to limit interconnectedness within the banking system and increase the likelihood that the authorities are eventually able to apply the bail-in requirements in the event of a systemic crisis, it is preferable that the bail-in instruments should not be held within the banking sector,” the report

said.

“This would be best accomplished by restricting holdings of such instruments to non-bank institutional investors (eg investment funds and life insurance companies).”

If the Commission were to adopt this proposal, it would mark a further blow to banks which have seen their access to capital markets and real money investor demand for their bonds diminish as a result of the financial and sovereign crises.

B-R-I-E-F Treasuries decline as Spain bailout bets cut demand for safety

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REASURY 30-year bonds fell for the first time in three days as speculation Spain is preparing to seek a financial bailout that may trigger European Central Bank purchases of its debt sapped demand for the safest assets.

Ten-year notes also slipped, pushing the yield up from almost a three-week low.

German bunds, perceived to be among Europe’s safest debt securities, declined as Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said yesterday that his country is analyzing whether to seek a bailout. U.S. bonds rose earlier after former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said the central bank’s latest mortgage-bondbuying program isn’t creating inflationary pressure.

“Spain may finally be ready to pull the bailout trigger,” said Jason Rogan, director of U.S. government trading at Guggenheim Partners LLC, a New York-based brokerage for institutional investors.

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

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17 DAYS TO GO

Polls ‘ll be free and fair – Jonathan STORIES BY DAYO JOHNSON

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State would be free and fair and an appreciable improvement on that of Edo State.

He spoke through his Vice, Namadi Sambo in Akure during a Mega rally tagged: Redemption Rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The rally was however disrupted for about one hour following a heavy downpour which shook the rostrum and the canopies. But despite the downpour, supporters of the party in their hundreds dared the rain and remained on the spot singing praises of the party governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke.

President Jonathan said: “The Ondo governorship election will be free and fair, its going to be one man one vote.

Adequate security will be provided during the election.

We want everyone to be orderly during the election” The President appealed to the people of the state vote en mass for the PDP governorship candidate in the election.

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, described the people of Ondo State as fighters and asked them to fight for their rights on October 20.

Minister of Police Affair Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade Rtd, said that security that would be deployed to the state would be more than those deployed to Edo State and assured the electorate of adequate security during the polls.

Immediate past governor Dr

Olusegun Agagu said that the coming back of PDP in the state will be the beginning of a new dawn.

Agagu said that Olusola Oke will bring development in all the sectors that are begging for attention. He regretted that the present administration had abandoned many of the projects he initiated and almost completed before he was sacked by the Court of Appeal.

Other speakers, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, Chairman of the party in the South West, Segun Oni, National Secretary of the party Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the governorship candidate of the party Olusola Oke were optimistic that the party will win the election if free and fair.

Kuku said that the presence of the Vice President at the rally

is an endorsement of Oke by President Jonathan.

He asked the people to come out en mass and cast their vote for a change adding that they should also defend their votes against been hijacked by the other parties.

The Director General of Oke Campaign Organization, Dr Dare Bada said the presence of national leaders of the PDP and the Presidency showed that the party in the state is not an orphan as being speculated in some quarters.

Two members, Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo and Akin Akingbesote a former commissioner in the state returned to the party during the rally. Meanwhile reacting to the PDP rally, the Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) “thanked the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi

Sambo for reiterating the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure a free and fair election in the State Also Present at the rally were former Minister of Aviation and now national woman leader of the party Kema Chikwe, former national chairman of the party Sule Baraje, Communication Minister Omobolanle Johnson, serving senators, former public office holders in the state and chieftains of the party.

The MCO’s Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr Kolawole Olabisi “We are grateful that Mr Vice President today at the rally of his party re-assured Nigerians that there will be level playing ground in Ondo State. That the election would be on the basis of one man, one vote and in a secured environment too; this is what we require.”

Why Ondo should reject Mimiko –Tinubu

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EADERS of the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN yesterday stormed Ondo State asking the people of the state to reject Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the October 20 governorship election.

ACN National Leader , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman , Chief Bisi Akande said that Mimiko betrayed those who helped him into power.

Tinubu said at the Ikare campaign rally tagged: ‘Redemption Rally,’ that it was the forthcoming governorship election that would send the Labour Party Governor away.

The rally was almost marred heavy downpour but the party faithful defiled the rain and waited for the arrival of the leaders, who came in large number. The former Lagos State Governor then urged the people of the area to vote en masse for the ACN at the polls,

charging that they should not leave the polling centre until their votes were counted “ Mimiko came to me that the PDP wanted to cheat him in 2007, he was begging me then I agreed to assist him both financially and morally because I took him like my brother. We empowered him, gave him money, bullet-proof car, and we even took his case abroad but now look at how he is paying us back. He is an ingrate” “I want you people to judge with your votes for ACN on October 20th . For three and half years what did he do for you here in Akoko? Nothing, so it is high time you use your vote to send him away, all the things he promised you, he did nothing so he does not deserve to use second term. We don’t want Ondo to be different among the states in the South-West, so that we can have economic integration in the South-West.

UNILAG, SPUSSA Alumni honour Mimiko

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

S

AINT Peters Unity Secondary School Akure, SPUSSA, alumni association, United Kingdom Chapter, will today present an award of excellence to the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, just as the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, UNILAG, has nominated the governor for a recognition award.SPUSSA Chief Executive, Project, Mr. Adegboye Adeyemo said in a statement that the main

objective of the scheme was to help the school utilise and maximize the infrastructural facilities that had been fixed by the present administration.Similarly a statement signed by Dr. Sunny Kuku and Professor A .T Ajekigbe, Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of the UNILAG golden jubilee award, said Mimiko and other awardees were honoured in recognition of their contributions to education and health sectors.

*Vice-President Namadi Sambo raising the hand of Ondo state PDP governorship candidate, Olusola Oke at a rally in Ondo yesterday.

No amount of mega rallies will stop LP – Mimiko

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N a swift reaction, the Mimiko Campaign Organisation warned that no amount of mega rallies; bad mouthing and grandstanding against the Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the ruling Labour Party (LP) could sway the people of the state into voting for the ACN. “Or is it the unprovoked open abuse and castigation of the person of Dr Olusegun Mimiko by leaders of the ACN, people who profess to be leaders just because Mimiko refused to be part of their plans to hold the South-West to a phantom integration when in reality it was a plan to pocket the state and annex its treasure into their empire.

MCO in its reaction to the mega rallies by its Director of Publicity and Media Relations,

Mr Kolawole Olabisi regretted that it was sad that parties which were laying claim to the state could not even mobilise their members but had to rent and import people from neighbouring states in order to

create a semblance of being popular.

“Even nature rejects the ACN as the heavens opened up and disrupted their rally at Ikare a pointer to the fact that God does not side with the haughty.”

Akeredolu refutes Mimiko’s terror claim

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HE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, ACO, has described the allegation by the Mimiko Campaign Organisation, MCO, that the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, is training some youths to unleash terror in State not only as spurious but unfounded.

A statement by ACO’s Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said; “ACN is a peace

loving party that will never take part in dastardly act which the Labour Party, LP, has demonstrated in recent times in the course of prosecuting its campaign.

“They are the ones attacking the opposition with thugs; on several occasions they have unleashed violent attacks on members of ACN not even sparing the flag-bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu.

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

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44 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

He says he’s too old for condoms!

Sex with my ex gives my confidence a boost!

Dear Bunmi, I’m currently married to a widower who is a smashing husband and father to my two children from my first marriage. He has three children of his own. I still

have to get in touch with my ex to discuss the children’s welfare from time to time and we have sex whenever we could. We’ve always been sexually compatible.

My ex has a new woman liv-

He’s loving but short Dear Bunmi, I’m a divorced mother of two and 29 years old. I left my husband two years ago and met my current boyfriend, who shows a lot of affection.

This wasn’t the case in my last relationship. My new partner is loving and affectionate. He’s also helped me through financial and emotional stress. The problem is that he is 15 years older and considerably shorter. People talk about this and stare at us when we go out in public.

I also don’t feel as much love and devotion towards my new partner as I had for my ex.

Though he is nice to me, I love him in a different way.

My ex did things that I can’t forgive. Yet I still think about him.

The love I feel for him stops me giving this new partner the love he deserves. I don’t want to lose him as I care for him a lot. Help.

Dejoke, by e-mail.

Dear Dejoke, In spite of your ex husband’s betrayal, you once felt an intense desire to be with him. Your new friend might care for you and your children but the fact remains that you ran into his wel-

coming arms on the rebound.

The concern you have about him being older and shorter shows your lack of love for-him.

Rather than romance or passion, you feel gratitude and affection towards this father figure.

You’re distracted by

ing with him and he’s not encouraging me to come back to him. Only I’m not your average sex-pot and it makes me feel good to know that someone else fancies me, even though he treated me badly in the past.

If my current husband finds out, it will ruin my marriage, but I need the reassurance this fling gives me.

Maria, by e-mail.

Dear Maria, You may be aware that you’re fooling yourself. You have a man who cares and provides for you and your children. You are obviously loved by this man and you don’t need an ex who’s let you down in the past and will do so again.

You may want your ex but that’s not the same as needing him.

Is it because the fact you have two men making love to you at the same time boost your self esteem? Believing you’re not a sex-pot may be your problem.

Your second husband obviously found enough good qualities in you to commit to you and your children.

You’ve been given another bite at it the cherry by this second marriage. Sex-pot or not, you have an opportunity many women would give their right arm for. Don’t throw it away.

If you doubt this, read the newspapers and listen to the news and see what happens to teenagers who take thoughts risks of your ex because you would like to re-kindle that torrid relationship and make it work this time. In other words, you crave the excitement he aroused in you.

My advice is for you to forget your yesterday man. When love leads us into a lousy relationship, we need to get out quietly and not look hack.

Now ask yourself this question, instead of using your new boyfriend, do you think that in time you can return the love he gives? Your answer will determine the future or otherwise of this relationship.

Isn’t mum too strict?

Dear Bunmi, A few weeks ago, I arranged to see a new film with a few of my friends. But when I got to school that day, one of the friends told us that his parents were away and we could watch a video in their house and get drunk whilst doing so.

I tried to persuade my friends to go to the cinema as arranged but they wouldn’t listen. So I lied to my mum that we were still going to see the movie.

We drank a lot of alcohol and I’ve even forgotten what the video we watched was all about.

But I was completely sober by the time my mum came for me.

As I got into the car with her, she scowled and said: “You haven’t been to the cinema have you.” She said she could smell

alcohol on my breath.

I came clean and told her the truth and now she says I can’t see these friends ever again, and that they’re not welcome in our house. I’m really upset because she refused to budge even after I’ve pleaded it wouldn’t happen again.

She instead said I should make new friends, but there’s nobody for me to make friends with as they all have their own friends.

How can I convince my mum I didn’t mean to deceive her and persuade her to let me see my friends? I’ll soon be 16.

Bola, by e-mail.

Dear Bola, Your mum is right to be mad at you. She wants you to have a healthy happy life. But if you con-

tinue to behave like the way you’ve just behaved, you could end up in a lot of trouble.

If you doubt this, read the newspapers and listen to the news and see what happens to teenagers who take risks. When you’re drunk, you can’t protect yourself and bad things can happen.

You should be commended for owning up straightway. It’s obvious you miss your friends and the only thing that’ll change your mum’s mind is proof that you’ve learned your lesson and know how to say no when people make daft suggestions.

Begin by telling and showing her how sorry you really are, then try to work out some sensible arrangements for future outings.

Dear Bunmi, I’m a single mother in my early 40s. For years I’ve been having an affair with a colleague in the office. All I want from him is the sex, which is great. But he refuses to wear a condom. He says there are no risks as I’m on the pill and we’re too old to need protection.

He’s just 50 and apart from his wife, I suspect he has other partners. Should I be worried?

Jane, by e-mail.

Dear Jane, Unprotected sex with someone whose sex life is a mystery to you is a gamble. His aversion to condoms probably extends to the other women in his life, making you open to any infections you might catch.

There is enough campaign against unprotected sex to bend your ear. You’d better have a test to make sure you’re OK and then insist on safe sex, or look for a more risk-averse partner.

Not all men fancy flashy women Dear Bunmi, I read a letter on your page from a woman who complained that all men think women are just “sex on legs.” Well, she’s wrong. Not all of us think that way.

I’m a divorced man of 49 and I live on my own with my teenage son. I think that a woman’s personality matters most, than her sense of humour, trust and understanding.

She doesn’t have to be sexy or very attractive. All that glitters is not gold!

Gbogbo, by e-mail.

Dear Gbogbo, The cruel experience of a bro-

ken relationship humbles a man and teaches him to value the emotional qualities that help couple get on. But you must admit that sexual attraction and the need for a mate are what draw men and women together.

Men want to know that sex will be on the cards if they invest love on a woman, and demand sex as soon as they can.

Women are inclined to resist sex without the commitment to care for her that she needs.

With time, when needs are identified and trust comes in, the relationship takes deeper roots, or just withers and dies.

My married lover won’t commit Dear Bunmi, I’m a single mum and I’m 29. I’ve never been that lucky with men as my partners have always been violent and cheats. Although I still care for the father of my child, we’ve been apart for close to two years.

Now I’ve fallen in love with a friend who works in the same office as I do. As a matter of fact, he is my boss.

We’ve been sleeping together for close to a year now. It was meant to be just a bit of fun till we fell in love.

I’ve asked him to make me his second wife but he says that he’s not ready for that. I want to be his wife instead, I am the other woman and I hate it.

He says he hasn’t slept with his wife since we started sleeping together, but I don’t believe him and we argue a lot. I’m scared of losing him.

Faith, by e-mail.

Dear Faith, Why are you afraid to lose what you haven’t really got?

The sooner you dump this liar and cheat the better. You need a man who you can trust to be a true and caring person for you and your child.

After a series of unfortunate relationships, and on the rebound from parting with the father of your kid, you’ve taken up with a man whose loyalty and duty is to his wife, although he’s delighted to have a willing young bit on the side!

Your self-esteem right now is low. You may feel that you and your child don’t merit more than men who beat and cheat on women. But this is not the case.

Ditch the adulterer and hold out for a man who can give you the love and respect you deserve.

Share your problems and release your burden.

Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—45

MIDWEEK SERMON

with SAM EYOBOKA sameyoboka@yahoo.com

Nigeria @ 52: Political class has failed us — Clerics

BY SAM EYOBOKA

A

S Nigeria continues to celebrate her 52nd political independence anniversary, one thing that is paramount in the minds of Nigerian religious leaders is the cardinal issue of national rebirth to usher in much needed understanding, peace, unity and national development.

In their separate goodwill messages to the nation, the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN; the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins and erstwhile deputy CAN president and presiding bishop of TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, all harped on the need for attitudinal change in all facets of our life.

A message signed by CAN National General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, said National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, called on Nigerian leaders in all strata of governance and indeed all Nigerians, to use the opportunity to revitalise longdormant moral values, an age of tolerance, understanding and national cooperation that will ultimately lead to a single, inclusive civilization and development.

He said: “At this stage of our national development, we urge all and sundry to abandon fanaticism and aim at encouraging the younger generation to harmonize intellectual enlightenment with wise spirituality and a caring, humane religious activism. We also urge religious leaders to concentrate on establishing a dialogue among the factions representing different ideologies, cultures and religions, remembering always that we should be peace activists, truly religious scholars, mentors, great thinkers and spiritual guide."

In his state of the nation address entitled “Call for repentance,” the Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Martins, took a cursory look at the nation sectorally with a conclusion that the nation needs God now than ever before.

According to him. “at 52, are we close to attaining the just and equable society as envisaged by our founding fathers? When compared with other third world countries, some of whom are not even endowed with a quarter of our natural resources, can we truly affirm that we have performed creditably well? What are the things we

must do in our collective resolve to make our country the true giant of Africa?

“These and many more are very important posers worth reflecting on. Every citizen of this great country is not spared in this soulsearching exercise. So long as it has pleased God in his divine wisdom to make you a citizen of this great nation, you have the obligation and moral right to make your input and be an active participant in the task of building a virile nation.”

On his part, Bishop Okonkwo urged every Nigerian to brace up and see him or herself as an agent of change because the des-

tiny of our nation, Nigeria, is a collective responsibility and so necessity is laid on us all to ensure that we realize the Nigerian dream of peace, unity and progress.

He said:“We must see ourselves as stakeholders in the task of nation building, and so all hands should be on the deck to build up and develop our nation individually and collectively,” Okonkwo stated.

Often times, he said, we have put the blame of our challenges on our leadership, but the leadership alone cannot bring about the desired change in our socio-cultural, economic and political life as a people.

*Chairman, NCPC, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh; Executive Secretary, NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara and a representative of Ground Handlers in Israel after the signing of 2012 pilgrimage agreement with Ground Handlers in Israel.

Adeboye prays for lawyers

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HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will on Sunday hold a special prayer session with lawyers, particularly those still in active service and all judicial workers from across the country, at the RCCG Headquarters Church, Throne of Grace Parish, Redemption way, Ebute-Metta.

Confirming preparations for the programme at a press parley in Lagos, Pastor Goke Aniyeloye of the Headquar-

ters’ Church, revealed that “this particular prayer programme is very crucial at this stage of Nigeria’s development and Daddy G.O. is highly spirited to have members of the bar and bench and indeed all citizens of this great country for the prayer session, for peace and justice to reign supreme.”

He revealed that the theme of the programme is, “And I will be your solicitor”, and that it commences from 8.00am prompt.

*FOUNDER of Alaseyori Mountain, Prophet Muideen Kasali, a blind preacher, on Friday took media men on a facility tour of the Mountain and the essential facilities he had donated to his host community at Ojedeji 2 via Ibadan. Above: Prophet Kasali (2nd right) showing the mediamen one of the generating sets he presented to the host community at Ojedeji 2 via Ibadan.

Below: A newly acquired 300KVA transformer for the community. Photos: Dare Fasube.

CAN mourns Adegbite

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ATIONAL President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor received with shock the news of the death of Dr. Lateef Adegbite, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), renowned lawyer and former Attorney General of the defunct Western Region.

He is deeply pained by the demise of the Islamic Scholar because he was not only a visionary, passionate and consummate lover of peace, but a unifying factor in his moderate and temperate approach to ethno-religious issues.

Oritsejafor commiserates with the President-General of the NSCIA, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, the government and people of Ogun State, his family and the Muslim Ummah for this irreparable loss.

An intellectual with a distinctive spiritual charisma, Adegbite was an extremely popular and effective mouthpiece of Islam. The foundation of his message consists of joining religious belief and modern education, one that is based on positive activism, interfaith

and intercultural dialogue.

Adegbite spent his career impressing on people that true religion preaches love, tolerance, open-mindedness, compassion, hardwork, peace and many other values and practices that lead a person to virtue and perfection. Indeed, he was a perfect influence on those who desire a better understanding of the Islamic religion. Nigeria and the international community will surely miss him.

The African Church gets new Vice Lay President

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

I

T was a time of jubila tion and praise for the youth wing of The African Church Cathedral Salem, Ebute-Meta as one of its key members, Chief Babatunde Odufuwa was nominated and installed as the fourth Vice Lay President of the diocese.

The formal installation ceremony of Odufuwa witnessed a lot of activities and celebrations as the church also used the occasion to raise N100 million endowment fund for

the diocese cathedral.

Taking over the baton from Otunba Olutola Senbore after five years of serving the diocese as Vice Lay President, Odufuwa’s appointment and installation, according to the diocesan secretary, Bro. Gbenga Ogunyinka, was a decision of the archdeaconries that constitute the diocese While decorating Odufuwa, the immediate past Lay President, Senbore prayed that the diocese would witnessed dramatic turn around and that the glory, wisdom and

knowledge of God will not depart from his successor.

The Rt. Rev Ola Ajayi, Lagos Mainland Diocesan Bishop in his sermon entitled “Elder” called on Odufuwa to allow the spirit of God to guide his actions, serve the people and being served as he has been called to be among the elders who will be piloting the affairs of the diocese.

In his response, Odufuwa, the founder of first private polytechnic in Nigeria, said he would serve the Lord fearfully

and obediently to achieve God’s purpose for his new position, especially as it concerns soul wining and righteousness.

In his words: “When the call to come and work in God’s vineyard came, I joyfully accepted and I appreciate all the members of the diocese for accepting me just I am.”

Odufuwa also called on the diocese members to always put their faith to test in any situation they find themselves, adding that with God nothing shall be impossible.

46— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Areal view of Lokoja, Kogi State...under the siege of flood

2012 YEAR OF FLOOD FURY:

A disaster foretold, but ignored? *Trail of tragedies, hardships across Nigeria

By JUDE NJOKU

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HEN environmentalists started talking about climate change, its adverse impacts and the need to mitigate its effects, many skeptics saw the phenomenon as one of those scientific jargons that would soon fizzle out; the same way the unwary described HIV/AIDS as an American invention to discourage sex. But the reality of climate change is here with us that even the blind can see and feel it and the deaf hear about its damaging impacts. From the North to the South, East to the West, the adverse effects are very glaring.

Before now, the common stories were those of desertification and desert encroachment in the North, gully erosion in the South- East and ocean surge and coastal erosion in parts of the South-South and coastal towns like Lagos. While these natural disasters are still living with us and increasing on daily basis, another natural disaster -floodhas taken the centre stage and

now the dominant feature or subject matter. From Adamawa to Niger, Kogi to Bayelsa, Edo and Delta and indeed all parts of the country, flood has brought untold hardships on millions of Nigerians.

NIMET’s’ warning: The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, had in March this year warned about imminent heavy rainfall and the attendant flooding in most parts of the country, but as usual, this warning was either ignored or not taken seriously. Dr Anthony Anuforo, the Director-General of NIMET had predicted irregular flooding and erosion in some parts of the country, especially the coastal zone and river catchment areas.

The Agency had urged the relevant emergency agencies, state governments and the Federal Government to create awareness in order to reduce damages and loss of lives and property. According to NIMET, Warri will have the highest length of rainfall season with 247 days and 2,649mm of rainfall,

which would start from March 7 to November 8, 2012, followed by Ibadan with 246 days and 1,275mm. The rains in Ibadan are expected to start from March 26 stretching to November 27, 2012, while Nguru has the shortest length of rainfall season of 93 days of 1,675mm. This will run from June 30 to October 3, 2012, followed by Potiskum with 113 days of 494mm of rainfall.

The rains were expected to start from June 23 and last till October 2012.

Anuforom stated that “for the hydrological and water resources sector, this implies adequate water and stream-flows which may affect the dam storage for municipal water supply, hydro-power generation and irrigation. Hence, development and regular maintenance of dams for dry season irrigation and water supply should be accorded high priority.” He stated that episodic flooding and erosion in the coastal zone and river catchment areas may be inevitable and as such adequate publicity would be required to

reduce damages and risk of losses of life and property, especially in areas prone to river bank overflows. Furthermore, he stated that the predicted normal rainfall may result in flash flooding, particularly in the Northern states.

Such flash floods may lead to physical damage to crops in the field, agricultural equipment and structures (such as dams), as well as physical damage to infrastructure – roads, railway lines, telecommunication networks, loss of lives and displacement of large population due to disruption of agricultural activities as a result of extreme weather is very likely.“As expected during the onset and cessation period of the rainy season, rainstorms accompanied by strong winds are expected over the country. The likely increase in the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather event in the coastal areas will cause flooding and erosion which may result in landslide and loss of lives and property,” the Agency’s boss predicted.

Fresh NIMET warning: Early in August, NIMET again warned Nigerians to clear their drains because of imminent heavy rainstorms that may lead to serious flooding between August and October. A release signed by Mr Eleazar Obende of the Agency’s Public Relations Unit stated thus: “In keeping with the mandate to monitor the 2012 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, SRP, and give updates as and when necessary, NIMET

has observed wetter-than-normal soil surface moisture and groundwater conditions in some parts of the country over the past 12 months. The Northern sector of the country will experience peak rainfall during August to October season, the effect of the wetter-than-normal conditions observed is the prospects of the occurrence of above-normal rainfall, which may lead to surface run-off.

“The flooding incidents that may accompany further one-day high rainfall events in and around Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states will leave in its trail devastation and destruction.”

The Agency noted that similar incidents were recorded in some parts of the country some months ago.

Vanguard recalls that NIMET in its SRP, released in February, said there would be normal rainfall season across the country.

But it was quick to state that “although there will be normal rainfall season in many parts of the country for 2012, that normal rainfall trend in any area can cause flooding and associated consequences.

Such consequences are mainly because of the people’s attitude of dumping refuse in water channels and the drains.” The Federal Ministry of Environment also predicted that about 23 states would be affected.

Devastating floods Almost all the states speculated have already been hit by devastating floods and causing grievous losses and dislocation to the ecosystem.

Impending floods in Lagos NIMET also warned that the high level of flooding currently experienced across most parts of the central region of Nigeria, may soon find its way to the southern part of the country. The Chief Meteorologist at NIMET’s Central Forecast office in Lagos, Abayomi Oyegoke, told a local television station the flooding in the central states is as a result of the delay in the movement of the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity, ITD also known inter-tropical convergence zone which is responsible for the prolonged rainfalls.

As the ITD gradually finds its way down south, the weatherman has warned residents and government of southern states especially the coastal region to gear up for the disaster. The agency has again warned that residents of flood planes to temporarily relocate to avoid the effect of the prolonged rainfall taking its toll on lives and property.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola had recently warned Lagosians, particularly Continues on page 47

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012—47

Climate change: Deflooding and desilting Delta’s coastal communities

BY JUDITH UFFORD, Features Editor

W

HEN Delta State commissioner for environment, Mr. Frank Omare, called to say he had a de-flooding road show to perform, I almost did not take him serious. What, I wondered, is so special about deflooding a coastal area like Delta when other coastal areas in the country are carrying out such similar tasks without a hue and cry.

Seeing they say is believing. If the State government had not embarked on the the various deflooding projects such as construction of drainages, clearing of refuse from canals and water ways as well as desilting this, the people of Delta state would have suffered the worst flooding ever this year.

So from Ughelli to Warri south, Uvwie local government area, Sapele and Asaba, it’s a huge construction site to rain in the raging floods. According to Mr. Omare, deflooding efforts are ongoing in the nine satellite cities in the state. Speaking on the Ughelli effort, he observed thus: “Once we are through with the drainage projects in Ughelli, the flooding problem in the town would be permanently solved.”

The chairman of EFEMAZ Construction & Enginerring, Mr. Efe-Michael Udumebraye, one of the contractors handling the Ughelli project was equally optimistic of dealing with flooding in the area once the work is

The new drainage in Ughelli empties into Effurumriver

said.

At Urvwie local government, Mr.Omare noted that the State government had done above three kilometres drainage so far. “The whole Urvwie was flooded before government’s intervention. The project is about N1.9bn (both Urvwie and Warri south), and we have paid over 50 percent. Work so far has reached close to 60 percent but we have identified more areas of intervention especially in the Warri area. The entire cost of the project that is both Ughelli, Warri south and Urvwie is a little over N3bn."

Continuing, he noted that at Ogboloposu-alepo, the work is being professionally done such that when it’s completed, the flow of water would be wonderful.

“Even as it is now, the people are already feeling the positive impact of the intervention. The work may be slow, but our objective is to do quality job. We

,

We know our people are suffering as a result of this flooding challenge, but we’re not in a rush to execute this project poorly and then come back to do it all over again

completed next year. Said he: “so far, we’ve been working assiduously in harmony with the people in this community unlike what obtains in other places.

Youth unrest was not uncommon here, but when we started the project, we were able to solicit their cooperation and understanding. That accounts for the modest success we have recorded in the drainage channels and waterways. So far, we have done about 60 percent of the job. But the major challenge we have now is the issue of awareness among the indigenes.”

He was referring to the problem of residents who now use the drainage as a refuse site.

Residents in the area commended the state government’s de-flooding efforts.

According to residents, their houses were usually flooded and some were submerged before this project began. Today, the story is different. We’ve been particularly relieved this rainy season,” a female resident in the neighbour

,

don’t want to do any review work after the project is completed.

Once we’re done, it’s over. We know our people are suffering as a result of this flooding challenge, but we’re not in a rush to execute this project poorly and then come back to do it all over again. I know people may complain, but I insist that we cannot do a project of N1 bn as the original contract award and two months later do a review of N800m. That is not the wish of my governor. The job execution may be slow, but we want to get it fight once and for all,” Omare explained at length.

Houses built on waterways Butressing Omare's agreement, the Head of Personnel Management (HPM), Sapele Local government area, Comrade Olumomi Oyibo, said it was when the opening of the drains began that residents discovered for the first time that a lot of the houses were built on

Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Frank Omare during the desilting of one of the canals in the state. “We would step on toes,” they've warned.

waterways especially in areas like Awolowo, Akintola streets, Mechanic village, Ajokolo and Ajele village which is connected to River Ethiope. The second stage of implementation according to the Commissioner is the bill the State governor is sending to the House of Assembly on the need for good public behaviour; for people to have a change of attitude towards environmental issues.

“As a government, we’re ready to enforce the law without fear or favour. In the next two months, the law will take effect,” he informed.

The various canals in the state particularly in the areas visited had been cleared to make way for the free flow of water.

According to Commissioner Omare, what is left enbarkments in all the canal area and provision has been made for this in the 2013 budget he informed. In spite of all the efforts at deflooding, a major challenge starring the State government in the face is that of proper and adequate waste disposal. From Ughelli to Effurun to Warri to Sapele is one sad tale of refuse floating in the drainage and canals as well as dotting the streets in that ugly and unwelcoming fashion.

One did not hestiate to let Omare know this. The Efemaz boss was first to respond to this.

According to him, part of the project in Ughelli is the provision of 100 major bust bins and a truck for immediate and daily

evacuation of refuse. He disclosed that his company would work with the local government authority to ensure the issue of waste management is improved.

Omare was optimistic that once the bill sent by the governor is signed into law, those who make the canals and water ways refuse dump sites would have to contend with the long arm of the law. “The truth is that every Deltan is a lawyer but we’re not intimated by this. Since our resources are slim, we’re struggling to ensure that it’s done properly. This is the first stage.

The second is enforcement and we would do this without fear or favour.”

2012 flood fury: A disaster foretold and ignored?

Continues from page 46

those living along the coastal areas to be prepared for more ocean surge in what he described as the typhoon season which is raging across cities bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

Fears over imminent collapse of Lake Nyos Dam: Fears have been rife that the imminent collapse of Lake Nyos Dam would lead to terrible flooding in most parts of Northern Nigeria. Reacting to the fears, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said it has produced a disaster response manual to “proactively prepare for the disaster that may arise from the possible collapse” of Lake Nyos Dam in western Cameroun. The manual, which was endorsed last month by stakeholders in Abuja, is meant to enable people to put necessary measures in place to mitigate flood waters from the lake that is affecting the people of Benue State.

The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sani-Sidi, said Lake Nyos is adjacent to Nigeria and that a 2005 UNDP report had predicted that the continuing erosion of the wall in Lake Nyos would put the dam at a point of potential collapse. Sani-Sidi, who was represented by NEMA’s Director of Administration and Supply, Dr.

Zanna Muhammed, said the report predicted that the walls of the dam might fall as a result of gradual erosion from rain, wind and lake water, or as a result of violent volcanic eruption, earthquake or tremor.

The DG explained that there is a possibility that the dam will break down within 10 years, adding that the eventual failure of the dam would result in the discharge of about 55 million cubic metres of water that would result in flooding downstream. He estimated that, between Cameroun border and River Benue, 50 settlements, including Katsina-Ala, Kashimbilla, Waya, Manga, Gamovo, Andie, Terwegh, and over 15,000 hectares of land will be flooded and that over one million people and 20,000 heads of cattle and other livestock will be affected and could perish.

T

he floods keep coming: Despite these and numerous other warnings from NIMET, NEMA, Federal Ministry of Environment, FME and the States’ Environmental and Emergency Management Agencies, no fewer than 20 states already hit by floods, had little or no resistance to offer.

Adamawa floods: The flood that ravaged many parts of Adamawa State was occasioned by the release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun.

Although the authorities were adequately warned, they failed to take proactive measures to contain its adverse effects and so paid dearly for it. No fewer than 89 schools in the state were severely flooded, prompting the Adamawa State Government to indefinitely postpone the resumption of schools in the state for the new academic year.

Bayelsa: The country home of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson in Sagbama Local Government Area was among many other houses taken over by the flood that hit Bayelsa State. No fewer than 700 indigenes of the communities including farmlands were also over-run by the flood. Among those whose homes were sacked by the flood were two prominent traditional rulers in Sagbama, His Highness, Ekadi Aziza and the Ebidaowei of Kabowei Kingdom, HRH Engr Hope Torruo.

Anambra State: In Anambra State, the raging flood which rendered thousands of people homeless in five local government areas and sacked members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, posted to Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state. The corps members, whose lodge in the area was submerged, said they woke up only to find their residence under water, with most of their properties destroyed.

48 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY,

OCTOBER 3, 2012

We killed him because he raised ••chilling confession of suspected kidnappers at Ikorodu

By EVELYN USMAN

A

UGUST 31, 2012 will, forever, remain indelible in the memory of Mrs Johnson Akinsanjo, following the circumstances that resulted in the death of her husband, thereby plunging her into an unprepared status of widowhood.

Her late husband, Johnson, a popular businessman was into fishing in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The 47 year-old man had gone to pick his wife at Ibeshe Jetty where she oversees a section of the family business, without the slightest inkling that tragedy was ahead of him.

As the couple was about entering their compound, three men armed with guns and cutlasses, came out from nowhere and ordered them to go into their apartment, from where they dispossessed them of cash, phones, laptops and other valuables. Time was 9pm.

Cash, phones, laptops Not done, the armed men took Johnson outside, ordered him into his Sports Utility car with number plate KRD 480 AE, and zoomed off to an unknown destination, leaving his distraught wife behind. She immediately reported the case at Ipakodo police division from where a search was conducted round without any sight of her husband. But only his car was recovered. Just as the policemen were contemplating on the next move, Mrs Akinsanjo received a phone call where the strange caller requested for a ransom of N2 million before her husband

detectives attached to the state Intelligence Bureau to carry out a through and discreet investigation with a view to, not

,

I held his mouth to stop him from shouting but he started struggling. In the process, NO FACE used the cutlass to cut him at the back. The more he hit him the louder the man shouted for help. At a point he became motionless

would be released. But the widow, as gathered, requested to speak with her husband in order for him to tell her where she would get the money, only for the strange callers to hang up on her.

Crime Alert gathered that while the wife of the victim and other family members were contemplating on what to do next, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko directed a crack team of C M Y K

*

*The suspected kiddnappers

,

only rescuing the missing man, but arresting his kidnappers. A team of crack detectives led by Inspector Bright Igbinoba reportedly swung into action and, using the communication network, succeeded in tracking them down. It was learnt that after they made contact with the victim’s wife, they directed her to bring the money to a point in Ogun State.

Inspector Bright and his team reportedly accompanied his

wife to the spot but the kidnappers suspected foul play and refused to show up. The suspects, according to police sources, then made another call to the wife with a private number insisting on their demand being paid and on time else they will kill their victim.

Using the communication network, the detectives reportedly trailed the suspects and arrested them after extending their investigations to Auchi, Benincity in Edo State and Sagamu in Ogun State. It was after their arrest that the suspects confessed that they killed their victim before even demanding for ransom. One of the the suspects, Wahab Mutaru, gave a mind-bogling account of how the businessman was killed in a thick bush behind Redeemed Camp, in Ogun State. The 32 year-old man who hails from Edo State also confessed to have given details of the

deceased to members of his gang, blaming his indulgence on his desperate need to get money to pay his rent.

Hear him: “I swear, this is my fist time of doing this. I met one Sodiq alias NOFACE on May this year. He said he was looking for accommodation and I found a three-bedroom flat for him around Owode-Ibeshe area of Ikorodu and he immediately paid and packed in. On May, my house rent expired and I did not have money to pay. Since Sodiq could pay for the flat, I concluded he was rich and, therefore, approached him to lend me N9,000 for me to pay for at least, three months. He told me he did not have but that I should be on the look out for a rich person around that area that could be kidnapped in order to get money and I agreed.

Hunt for prey: Two days later, I was at a junction and saw a jeep drove past. I followed the car down to where it was going

and reported to Sodiq. He told me to get the exact time the car drives in. The next day, I went straight to the compound and discovered he came five minutes later than the previous day. I continued for three days and discovered he usually drove in between 9.pm and 9..05pm. So the next day, we stormed the apartment.

Funny development Two members of the gang; Olarewaju and Sodiq jumped through the fence where they waited for the couple while I remained outside. I stayed outside in order to alert them of any funny development.

Immediately the man drove in, they attacked them. It was when they drove out that I joined them in the car. Sodiq was the person that drove. We later abandoned the car at Ogijo with the key before we took the man

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 — 49

alarm

*Slain Johnson Akinsanjo

*The House

to their hideout in Sodiq’s apartment, the gang members decided to sell other loot.

Mutaru confessed to have been given the laptop to sell but was unable to sell it, as the computer village in Ikeja was temporarily shut on that day.

However, his partners in crime succeeded in selling the gold jewelries from where they gave him the sum of N30,000 as his share.

Mutaru who earlier confessed that the case of the late Johnson was his first attempt with the gang, later admitted to have taken part in the kidnap of a staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria where he got the sum of N170,000 as his share from the ransom.

Seeing his corpse

*Lagos CP Umar-Manko

to the bush where we all sat down, thinking of the next line of action.

How he was killed: As we sat down, Sodiq brought out some dried fish they collected from the man’s house for us to eat.

While at that, we heard footsteps and voices of people passing on the road.

Immediately, the man started shouting. I held his mouth to stop him from shouting but he started struggling.

In the process, NO FACE used the cutlass to cut him at the back. The more he hit him the louder the man shouted for help. At a point he became motionless. I asked if he was dead but nobody answered me.

NO FACE then ordered us to leave the bush and we did. Our intention was to kidnap him and collect ransom, not to kill him.

Had he not shouted, he would not have been killed”, Mutaru stated .

However when they returned C M Y K

Asked if he had any regrets, he nodded his head and stated, “I know this happened because of the man’s death. Since I got home after the incident, I have known no peace. I kept seeing his corpse with his shout for help still echoing in my subconsciousness.”

The trio of Ogbuesor Sodiq, Abdulwahab Mutairu and Adeinola Lanre, according to spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, also confessed during interrogation to have kidnapped one Sekiru Yusf of Ibeshe Titun area of Ikorodu.

“They further confessed to have attempted to kidnap one Adeniyi Adesoye of Owode area of Ikorodu”, adding that men from the State Intelligence Bureau who effected the arrest, apprehended Sodiq Ogbuesor in Auchi area of Edo State. His confessional statement, she said, led to the arrest of other suspects who subsequently took the operatives to the bush where the body of the late Johnson Akinsanjo was discovered in it’s decomposing state, adding that the suspects would be charged to court.

*The Bridge

Drama as bandits order housewives to prepare dish while operating ••they tied our husbands, robbed at gun point—victims

By DONALD ARJI & ADA ONWUNALI

G

UNMEN suspected to be armed robbers last fortnight stormed Celenzia Community in Okokomaiko area of Lagos State and subjected the residents to untold hardship and torture. They particularly struck at 2, Charley Pace Street, broke into the flats and tied their husbands together while the women were compelled to bring all they have in their kitchens. As the women were busy preparing delicious dishes for them, the bandits ransacked their apartments and collected over N235, 000 including their valuables.

Victims said their operation started at about 7.00pm in the evening and ended at about 10:30pm.

Crime Alert learnt that before their operation, four members of the gang sneaked into a twostorey building at about 6.00pm and hung around the pent house which no one occupies for about an hour. One of the tenants in the building was reported to have seen them but could not confront them thinking they were visiting a co-tenant. It was also discovered

that the robbers used a neighbour that is familiar with the tenants to penetrate each and every flat in the building.

When Crime Alert visited the scene, different accounts of the victims were taken. The first eye witness, a tenant who pleaded anonymity said: “I was lying down when I saw one of the robbers loitering around and I challenged him, asking him what he was doing in front of my flat.

He replied me aggressively and brought out a gun, so I surrendered to him. He told me that he will not hurt me if I cooperated with him and that I should go upstairs into one of my neighbour’s flat because that was where other tenants were been kept.

One robbers held tenants hostage “When I got there, I saw the other tenants in the room. The men had their hands tied and their lips were sealed with tape.

It was just one robber that kept us hostage, he was holding a gun while the rest were searching the flats. When we were finally released, I discovered that my flat was turned upside down and they carted away N30,000 from

my flat.”

Another victim who told Crime Alert that she went out to throw away waste when one of the robbers pointed a gun at her and forced her to go back to her flat narrated her story. She said: “I was going out to throw away waste when one of the robbers pointed a gun at me and ordered me back to my flat. He said if I failed to cooperate that he will ‘seize my breadth’, so I went inside. He asked me to bring all that I have with me and I told him that I had nothing with me, he searched the house, collected my phone and told me to go out and knock at the door of other neighbours of which I told him that I am a visitor and I don’t know anybody.”

Another victim said that neither she nor her husband was around at the time of the robbery, and that she was returning from the market when she heard a cry for help from the building and quickly ran to the leader of the community security to lay her compliant.

Community security “I was just returning from the market when I heard a cry from the building shouting thief! thief!!

I ran to complain to the leader of our community security who responded immediately but we could not catch up with the robbers who had left before we got there.”

The leader of the community security who is simply called “Baba catch”, said that he alerted other members of the community security immediately he was informed about the robbery but could not catch up with the robbers. “I was told by passersby that the robbers crossed through a wooden bridge that leads to another community and that a suspected boy in a military camouflage was caught some minutes after the robbers crossed the same bridge but was released after some interrogation.

“I alerted my boys immediately I was informed by a tenant of the building that robbers invaded their homes. We did not catch up with them and I ordered my boys to comb the community. Later, we were told that they crossed over to the other community through a wooden bridge. When we got the bridge, we sighted an under aged man in a military polo and we stopped and interrogated him to know who he was and he aggressively responded that he was a solider but could not present his identity.

“I have to call a retired military officer that lives in the community to come and attest to the claims and whenhecame,theboylaterconfessed not belonging to the Nigerian army but a member of the boyscout. That was after he was slapped on the face by the angry ex-military officer.

However, he was freed after the interrogation.”

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

GSK HEALTH WALK: Particpants at GlaxoSmithKline-organised health walk to mark the World Health Day on the theme One World, One Home, One Health in Lagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

IKOYI CLUB: From right— Mr. & Mrs. Richard Giwa-Osagie, Chairman, and Mr. & Mrs. Babatunde Akinleye,Vice Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938, at the grand finale of the Club's 74th anniversary celebration in Lagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

Edo youths give NDDC ultimatum on abandoned projects

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

E N I N — FOLLOWING what they described as shoddy execution of Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC,

projects in the state, Edo Youth Congress, EYC, has given the state office of the Commission onemonth ultimatum to complete all abandoned projects in the state or face unpleasant consequences.

At a briefing in Benin,

weekend, Chairman of the group, Mr. Curtis Ugbo said some of the road projects awarded by NDDC in Benin metropolis were now in terrible conditions and blamed the situation on lack of proper supervision of the

Urhobo students cry out over DESOPADEC bursary award

BY FESTUS AHON

U

G H E L L I — UGHELLI South, Udu and Uvwie local government areas, Delta State, wing of National Union of Urhobo Students, NUUS, has alleged that majority of its members were not paid in the last bursary award of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. The students, in a statement by Mr. Dale Oyevwevotu, appealed to Mr. Johnson Boro, the commissioner that represented the council on the

recently dissolved board of the commission, to explain why majority of the students that qualified for the bursary award were denied it.

The students noted that the bursary award was initially meant for Urhobo students in colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.

The statement said: “For reasons yet unknown to us, Urhobo students in colleges of education and polytechnics were ruled out and only Urhobo students in universities across the country were to benefit from the

DESOPADEC bursary award.”

The students alleged that only 100 Urhobo students in Delta State University, Abraka, benefited from the bursary award with each getting N20,000.

They said: “When we called our colleagues in University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and others, they alleged that not all qualified students in those institutions benefited from the DESOPADEC bursary award.”

contractors by the Commission.

He said members of the youth organisation had earlier visited the project sites to see things for themselves and called on officials of NDDC in the state to ensure that the projects were completed as and when due to avert crisis in the state.

He threatened that they would stop at nothing in mobilising the youths against any official of the commission linked with the failed projects.

The group wondered why officials of the Commission in the state have turned themselves to enemies of progress at a time Governor Adams Oshiomhole had effected changes through his infrastructure development.

Some of the abandoned roads in the state capital, according to EYC, include S&T, Uselu, Ugbor Village Road, Aideyan Road, Erediauwa Road, Ihama Road, Boundary Road, College Road, Aduwawa, among others.

Maritime workers pray for political leaders

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

M

ARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has said the insincerity of Nigerian political leaders was part of the nation’s drawbacks since independence, call-

ing for God’s intervention to change Nigeria’s leaders for the better.

At a prayer session to mark the nation’s independence anniversary, President-General of MWUN, Mr. Tony Nted and other leaders of the union argued that once

the nation’s leaders became sincere and peopleoriented, Nigeria will return to the part of progress.

At the session, which was also marked Nted’s birthday, the union lamented that though the citizens were ready to

Youth empowerment seminar holds

A

S part of ongoing ef forts to combat youth unemployment and to address the rising cases of insecurity in the country, Rotary club of Lekki Phase I, in partnership with MTN and Coca Cola Nigeria Plc, would be hold-

ing a career guidance and empowerment seminar on entrepreneurship for Nigerian youths.

The event will hold on October 4, at Cactus Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos by 6:30pm.

The seminar would also afford the youths an opportunity to interact with industry leaders as the club would also lunch its mentoring programme at the event, which expected to empower 70 youths.

move the nation forward, leaders had been the greatest handicapped.

Nted urged Nigerians to “be sincere and love one another and have the fear of God in our dealings. We need to imbibe the culture of love.

“One of the greatest challenges facing Nigeria is the insincerity of our leaders. They need also to separate politics from the welfare of the citizens. It is unfortunate that at 52 Nigeria is still struggling to find her footing.

“We need to pray for God’s intervention for our leaders to do the right thing.”

People's Movement commends Uduaghan's policies

BY CHIKADIBIA MITCHELL

P

EOPLE’S Movement, a group of Deltans concerned about the development of the state, has expressed confidence in the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration.

In a statement by its Director of Communications, Mrs. Ibifuro Tatua, the group commended the governor for repositioning the state, particularly in the areas of rural and urban infrastructural development.

The gover nor, the group argued, has re-es-

tablished and rekindled the interest of right-thinking Deltans at home and abroad in government and governance.

It said: “In his first term, markets and bridges were built.

Roads were tarred.

Boreholes were sunk.

Schools and hospitals were rehabilitated. Electricity was extended to the rural areas.

“Today, he is encouraging small and large scale industries, constructing bridges in the rural areas, ensuring effective air, land and water transportation, providing free maternal health services and scholarship to Deltans.”

Nigerian ports handle 10.9m in tonnage

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

N

IGERIAN ports han dled 10,862,625 tonne through ocean-going vessels in July, a one percent increase compared to the 10,758,246 for the same period last year.

Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, in a statement, said General Cargo was 1,125,176 metric tons, a growth of one percent over July 2011.

Similarly, container laden throughput was 82,197 (Twenty Equivalent Units) TEUs, a rise of 28.1 percent over last year’s figure of 64,188, while empty container throughput recorded 65,694 TEUs, an increase of 57.6 percent over July 2011 figure.

Vehicle Traffic stood at 24,884 Units, a growth of 29 percent over July 2011 figure of 19,292 units.

Youths tasked on community service

P

RESIDENT of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rtrn Jimmy Evboumwan, has called on Nigerian youths to channel their energy towards the growth and development of their communities by taking part in community-related projects.

Evbounwan spoke at the opening of the debate competition amongst Rotaractors as part of the activities marking the New Generation Month.

He said: “It is important for youths to be involved in

doing community work, like cleaning of their environment, providing support to health institutions as a group, volunteer vacation jobs in teaching and coaching of other younger ones, as well as road safety and health awareness and education.”

He said their involvement in such communityrelated projects, aside improving the society, will help them in citizenship development and cultivating leadership abilities.

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52 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 — 53

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Obama, Romney open debate T HE first round of the US presidential debate will take place today as President Barack Obama and Republican party candidate confront each other at the University of Denver in Colorado on the auspices of the Commission on Presidential debate. The debate will take place about 2am Nigerian time with Jim Lehrer as host.

The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time

•Obama and Romney segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate.

The moderator will open

each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond.

The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic.

RAN’S President M a h m o u d Ahmadinejad said a national dialogue leading to elections was the way towards a solution to Syria’s crisis, in remarks broadcast on Tuesday.

He told Al Jazeera television that war was not the way forward, adding: “There is another way to find a solution, it is national,

mutual understanding in order for there to be elections in the future.”

The interview was translated from Persian into Arabic by Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Iran would enrich uranium up to 60 percent purity if negotiations with major powers over its nuclear programme fail, an Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday, in comments

ROM the mountains of Afghanistan and the streets of Baghdad to the iron cages of Guantanamo Bay, Libyans from Derna have made their small city a big name in global jihad.

Now, with their nemesis Muammar Gaddafi gone, many are home - but say

Libyan jihadists rue hijack of revolution their battle for an Islamic state has only just begun.

The death of the U.S. ambassador last month in the sack of Washington’s

Georgian President concedes defeat

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EORGIAN President Mikhail Saakashvili has conceded defeat in parliamentary polls that appear set to hand a

Iran seeks dialogue over Syrian crisis

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that may add to Western alarm about Iranian intentions.

Mansour Haqiqatpour, deputy head of parliament’s Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, said 60 percent enrichment would be to yield fuel for nuclear submarines, which often require uranium refined to high levels.

shock victory to the opposition Georgian Dream coalition.

“It is clear that the [opposition] Georgian Dream has won a majority,” Saakashvili said in a televised speech on Tuesday.

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream opposition coalition was leading Saakashvili’s ruling United National Movement (UNM) by 53.19 per cent to 41.51 per cent after a quarter of electoral precincts declared results on Tuesday in the proportional ballot that will decide just over half of parliamentary seats. A complex electoral system means that the ruling

party could still take a large number of seats, however.

First-past-the-post votes in 73 constituencies will make up the remainder of the 150-seat parliament, and the opposition was ahead in partial counts from seven out of 10 such constituencies in its stronghold Tbilisi.

The opposition coalition is led by a billionaire tycoon. Thousands of supporters of the Georgian Dream coalition celebrated in the streets of the capital Tbilisi after the election on Monday, sounding car horns and carrying blue party banners and red-onwhite national flags over their heads.

consulate in Benghazi an assault Washington says may have involved al Qaeda-allied militants - has shone a global spotlight on armed Islamists across eastern Libya.

One effect of hostile reactions at home and abroad has been that some Islamist groups, part of a patchwork of militias which fill a vacuum left by Gaddafi, have made a tactical retreat from view, in some declaring their brigades to have disbanded.

But Islamist fighters in Derna make clear they will seek redress for grievances, many with little to do with religion, some dating to colonial times, others rooted in a sense that victory in the fight against Gaddafi they began years ago has been “stolen” by his former henchmen and stooges of the West.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 — 55

Eagles Doct or clear s air on Idris, R euben Doctor clears Reuben …Says they’ll be back, better

Continues from BP

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UPER Eagles team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, says Kano Pillars duo of Papa Idris and Gabriel Reuben, were excused from the national camp because of the crucial nature of the match between Nigeria and Liberia in Calabar on October 13.

He also revealed that while Idris has a recurring thigh injury, Reuben has a swollen groin that is being well treated, assuring that the two players will be back and better for the Nations Cup tournament proper in South Africa. “What we did in concert with Coach Stephen Keshi is precautionary measures so that we don’t have distractions of whatever type, when we have a serious game at hand”.

“Papa’s thigh has improved and if it were to be in a tournament, he would still have played some games for us, but we have to look at the long term and the options available, hence we asked him to go and get very decent treatment for the task ahead.

As for Reuben, we have done scan over his swollen groin and even when some experts say nothing has gone wrong we still sent for other opinions on the injury in far away London and we are sure that when he finally returns we will see a fitter and better player.

Gyaran praised the foresight of the coaching crew to quickly take action and concentrate on 100 per cent fit players

•Idris but assured that while Idris should be in full flight action between four-six weeks, Reuben will take between one to three months to be at his optimal best. “We will keep monitoring them to ensure that they are both

“This is normal because a lot of players are linked with Paris St Germain in the market.

“The newspapers said that 100 players could come here.

“For this season, we have a very good squad but next year, I don’t know what is going on.”

He added: “Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the world at the moment.”

Ancelotti also blasted the FA’s decision to find John Terry guilty of using racist language towards Anton Ferdinand.

He said: “It is unbe-

•Reuben ready on time for the SA 2013 Nations Cup.” Meanwhile, Head Coach Stephen Keshi has upped the team’s training schedule from once a day to twice, starting from Tuesday. He said on Tuesday that he

has been very impressed with the response of his players in training. “The attitude is good and professional and if we maintain it, we will get the result we want against Liberia”, he said.

verkusen expired in June.

Since leaving Bayer, Ballack had been reported to be negotiating with clubs in USA’s Major League Soccer and Australia’s A-League, but has decided to hang up his boots.

“At 36 years of age, I can look back on a long and wonderful time in professional football, which I could never have dreamed of as a child,” he said in a statement.

“It was a privilege to have worked with worldclass coaches and fantastic players. Of course, I will miss playing or scoring a goal in front of 80,000 fans, but the last few months without football have shown me that it is time to stop.

“I am looking forward

Obudu: Imoke makes clarion call C ROSS River state governor,senator Liyel Imoke has charged the local organising committee for the annual Obudu international mountain race to make a huge statement. on

their readiness to host the world in 2014 with a perfect,world class organisation of the eighth edition of the annual Obudu international mountain race next month in Obudu.

Imoke told the LOC headed by Sir William Archibong to pull out all the stops to host the best ever championships in 2014 after he was briefed on how Cross River state last

More ex-Eagles declare for Akpabio

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HE list of former Ni geria internationals expected to grace the novelty match between Team Akpabioism and Ex-internationals increased yesterday as organizers got response from the former stars to participate in the event scheduled for Uyo

Cole is best left-back in the world Continues from BP

Ballack bows out!

lievable — John Terry doesn’t deserve this.

“I cannot understand how the FA can make a different decision. I think that it is really strange.”

He added: “He has a really fantastic relationship with everyone. I am sure he is not racist — 100 per cent.”

On Terry’s decision to quit England Ancelotti said: “I don’t think he’ll come back to play for England and I think that is a good decision.

“It is a bad thing for England, for sure, because John Terry did a lot of things for the national team.”

Township Stadium on November 24.

Chancellor of the Akpabio Centre for Leadership Development, Pastor Bassey James, who is coordinating the encounter, s a i d t h a t Sunday Oliseh was the

latest former Super Eagles star to agree to participation in the event which he said was aimed at propagating the leadership qualities of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr. Godswill Akpabio.

Santos shows off new tattoo Continues from BP It reads: “No one can take away your pain so don’t let anyone take your happiness.”

The Brazil left-back has had plenty of time on his hands this season, playing just nine minutes in the Premier League so far.

He did feature among

a weakened side who beat Coventry 6-1 in the Capital One Cup. Last month, he was arrested for driving away from police at 145mph and banned from driving for a year.

But he looked relaxed during the session when his tattoo was completed.

Emenike scores a brace, loses match marching order from refContinues from BP Zeeuw. Incidentally, the striker escaped his compatriot in the heart of Celtic defence, Efe Ambrose before driving home the ball.

The game changed in the 63 rd minute when Juan Insaurralde got the

eree Chapron. Celtic equalised through substitute Combarov and Samaras finished the job with a powerful header in stoppage time to give Celtic a hard faught 3-2 win, their first European Champions League away victory.

month in Italy won the bid to host the 30th edition of the. World Mountain Running Association,WMRA, championships scheduled to hold at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu.

to a new chapter in my life and thank my family and all the awesome people who have helped and supported me. They are all a big part of my success.”

Ballack made the last of his 98 appearances for Germany when he captained the team during their friendly defeat against Argentina in March 2010, having made his national debut back in April 1999 against Scotland.

An ankle injury he suffered playing for Chelsea in the FA Cup final in May 2010 ruled Ballack out of the last FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, when he lost the captaincy of the national team to Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm.

Having played for Kaiserslautern, Bayer and Bayern in the Bundesliga, Ballack spent four years at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea between 2006 and 2010.

He was part of the Blues team which lost the 2008 UEFA Champions League final to Manchester United in Moscow, before captaining Germany to the UEFA EURO 2008 final where they suffered a 1-0 defeat

by Spain in Vienna.

Beat Eagles get N4 7m N47m Continues from BP mobilise funds for the team ahead of the second leg tie against the Super Eagles has also promised the Lone Star $150,000 (N23.7m) should the team record a win or an above 2-2 draw.

Earlier, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, out of ecstasy gave the Lone Star US$80,000 for convincingly winning two international friendlies on home soil against the Flames of Malawi the Black Stars of Ghana.

The President was extremely satisfied over the Lone Star thrilling performance in her presence, when the Flames and the Black Stars went down 1-0 and 2-0 respectively.

The Liberian President’s promise was an expression of her quest to see the Lone Star at the finals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in South Africa, which will mark their

3rd appearance after 10 years. Liberia appeared twice at Afcon in 1996 and 2002.

Henry added, the Lone Star Mobilization Committee has also promised to give the Coach Kaetu Smith’s boys additional US$150,000 for either a win or an above 2-2 draw.

“This is an official statement. The Chief Patron of Sports President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the Lone Star Mobilization Committee has each promised to give US$150,000 to the team, totaling US$300,000 for either a win or an above 2-2 draw to qualify Liberia to the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa,” Henry Flomo averred.

This means, if the team win or draw above 2-2 with the Super Eagles on Saturday, October 13, 2012 in Calaber, each player will be about US$10,000 (or L$730,000) richer.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCT0BER 3, 2012

Cole is best left-back in the world — Ancelotti

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ARLO ANCELOTTI insists Ashley Cole is “the best left-back in the world” — after being linked with taking the Chelsea star to Paris St Germain.

England defender Cole is in the final year

of his deal at Stamford Bridge and an extension has not been agreed.

On speculation linking Cole with a move away from Stamford Bridge to cash-rich PSG, coach Ancelotti said: Continues on Page 55

Beat Eagles, get N47m

•Liberian President promises players Ballack HEN the Super above 2-2 draw against W Eagles take on the the Eagles in Calabar, bows out!

Lone Star of Liberia in which will ensure their

•President Ellen Sirleaf

the final round of 2013 AFCONqualifier on October 13 in Calabar, the Nigerians will be facing a highly motivated side.

The Liberian President, Ellen JohnsonSirleaf who is the chief Patron of the Lone Star has approved a $150,000 US Dollars (N23.7m) bonus for the team if they are able to beat the Super Eagles or record an

F

qualification for the continental football fiesta.

This was announced by the Director of Communications at the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Henry Flomo in Monrovia yesterday.

Aside what the President promised the team, the Lone Star Mobilisation Committee, a body set up to

Continues on Page 55

ORMER Germany captain Michael Ballack has retired from professional football, his manager Michael Becker has confirmed, with the former Chelsea star currently without a club.

Having turned 36 at the end of last month, Ballack has been without a team after his twoyear deal at Bayer Le

•President Jonathan

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UPER Eagles for ward, Emmanuel Emenike scored a brace for Spartak Moscow in a European Champions League match against

Scottish Champions, Celtic at the Olympic Stadium, Moscow yesterday The match started with the home side dominating but it was the visitors that also paraded

Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose that took the lead in the 12 th minute through Gary Hooper.

Just before halftime, Emenike beat the Celtic defence to rifle home a

cross from team mate, Ari to end first half 1-1 Barely three minutes into the second half, Emenike scored as he scrambled home a pin point pass from D. de Continues on Page 55

PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Rapier (5) 5 Wreckage (6) 8 Tool (5) 10 Limb (6) 11 Partly open (4) 14 Gaudy (6) 15 Energy unit (7) 18 Marry (3) 19 Pendulum (3) 21 obligation (4) 23 Pasted (5) 24 Solder (4) 27 Finish (3) 29 Sicken (3) 31 Valiant (7) 32 Revolve (6) 34 Ritual (4) 35 Inborn (6) 38 Diminished (5) 39 Protest (6) 40 Hesitate (5)

A

NDRE SANTOS showed off a cryptic new tattoo at Arsenal training yesterday.

The art on his left leg was completed last month by Croatian Damir Stancic.

Continues on Page 55

•Ballack

Eagles Doctor clears air on Idris, Reuben — P.55 TODAY'S

Santos shows off new tattoo

Continues on Page 55

Emenike scores a brace, loses match

BY JACOB AJOM

•Cole

•Andre Santos’ tattoo

DOWN 2 Tiny (3) 3 Mob (6) 4 Owing (3) 5 Pull (4) 6 Roared (6) 7 Packet (6) 9 Moan (7) 12 Jowl (3) 13 Travel (4) 16 Monster (4) 17 Leap (5) 20 Arab (7) 22 Flee (4) 24 Desired (6) 25 Den (4) 26 Sacred (6) 28 Schedule (6) 30 Allow (3) 33 Lascivious (4) 36 Novel (3) 37 Golf peg (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Plight 5, Flog 8, Angle 9, Lid 10, Boss 11, Undo 12, Stunt 13, Recoup 16, Brag 18, Edam 20, Ate 22, Era 23, Yew 24, Flex 25, Mete 28, Excise 30, Suite 32, Whip 33, Urge 34, Ado 35, Glare 36 Mane 37, Street.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Paltry 2, Indicate 3, Hubbub 4, Instigate 5, Flunkey 6, Lent 7, Glow 8, Ass 14, Premature 15, Raw 17, Are 19, Delicate 20, All 21, Example 26, Except 27, Devout 29, Swim 30, Sign 31, Ere.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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

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

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

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