50 female suicide bombers on the prowl

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62290

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

STATE OF THE NATION: Soyinka flays reign of impunity, urges Nigerians to defend democracy >>9

TAMBUWAL: Judge disqualifies self from suit >>54

50 female suicide bombers on the prowl •Target 100, 000 persons in Maiduguri •Troops repel attacks in Konduga, kill hundreds of insurgents •Gowon tasks Army chief on soldiers fleeing before terrorists

By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—A FEMALE suicide bomber, who was arrested by the vigilante group also known as civilian JTF, revealed, yesterday, that 50 other female suicide bombers have been let loose in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with a

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

IG Abba Suleiman, Tambuwal and •P.19 Jonathan

Producing competent pupils from our schools •P.24

Mr & Mrs TOP 100—President Goodluck Jonathan (M); with chairmen and chief executive officers of Top 100 Businesses in Nigeria, at a dinner in Abuja,yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

OSHODI-APAPA TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE:

The tank farms connection •PGS.40&41 C M Y K

Anti-Jonathan senators to move impeachment notice Dec.16 >>8

10 houses, farmlands destroyed as Anambra communities fight over land See Pull-out inside

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—3 —3

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4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 —5

POCKET CARTOON by the military on Monday at about 9 p.m left more than 200 terrorists dead”.

A top military source confirmed the killing of hundreds of insurgents in the failed attack on Konduga town.

He said: “Our troops repelled attack by Boko Haram sect on Konduga Council Area where the insurgents suffered casualties with none of our troops killed or injured”.

Save image of Army— Gowon IGBO LEADERS—From left: Members of the Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Chiweyite Ejike; Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike and Prof. Ben Nwabueze, at Igbo Leaders of Thought working committee meeting in Enugu, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

50 female suicide bombers on the prowl, target 100,000 persons Continues from Page 1 mandate to kill 100,000 persons before the end of December 2014.

The arrested female bomber disclosed this on a day the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah vowed that Boko Haram will be defeated. This came as former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon charged the army chief and his commanders to urgently correct the negative perception about Nigerian soldiers abandoning their weapons and running away in the midst of the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

The female suicide bomber was said to have been arrested by civilian JTF at the entrance gate of the University of

Maiduguri, while another was apprehended at the busy Post Office area of the metropolis, yesterday.

The arrest came barely a day after two female suicide bombers blew themselves up in Maiduguri Market on Monday, killing 22 civilians and injuring 48 others.

Upon their arrest, one of the suicide bombers was said to have confessed before being handed over to security operatives that 50 female members of the sect have been initiated and are ready to wreak havoc in Maiduguri and environs before the end of 2014 .

Following this disclosure, sources said, tension is now very high in the Borno capital as students of the University of Maiduguri

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The measure of a life well-lived is not in the accumulations of wealth possessions, but rather through the lives touched and the sorrow ended.

Measure your life!

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The greatest thing about man is his ability to transcend himself, his ancestry and his environment and to become what he dreams of being —Tully C. Knoles

T

HERE is a difference between someone sharing with you their struggles and challenges from someone who constantly complains. The difference is someone who is genuinely struggling is willing to listen to constructive feedback and is open to change (and does change). Conversely, whiners and complainers don’t want to change and just want you to feel sorry for them.

Nonetheless, people don’t need to be outright poisonous to affect you negatively. Just know when to let go. Use whatever method you think is appropriate. Avoid them. Apologize for being distant but you don’t need to explain why or defend your actions. Do it gracefully and with love. Be open to the possibility that if and when they are ready to change and be more positive/supportive, then you would be open to rekindling the relationship.

had to undergo serious check by security operatives before being allowed into the campus.

It was gathered that already, students have been banned from entering the campus with their vehicles as only lecturers enjoyed this privilege after rigorous checks and identification.

The civilian JTF have also been put on red alert. It would be recalled that, already four female suicide bombers have caused the deaths of over 100 people in two incidents in Maiduguri recently.

Troops repel attacks in Konduga

Meanwhile, attempts to launch fresh attacks in Konduga and Maiduguri have been repelled by troops of the 7 Division in Konduga Local Government area of the state.

Konduga is south east and about 40 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. Recently troops in the area with support from civilian JTF repelled insurgents, killing more than 200.

Sources said the insurgents numbering more than 300 armed with sophisticated weapons using Hilux vehicles and motorcycles had an encounter with troops while attempting to overrun Konduga and Maiduguri towns. The insurgents were, however, overwhelmed as the troops killed unspecified number of them before they abandoned some of their vehicles, arms and ammunition.

Another source said: “The attacks on insurgents in Konduga

In a related development, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has charged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah and his commanders to urgently correct the negative perception about Nigerian soldiers abandoning their weapons and running away in the midst of the fight against terrorists.

Gowon gave the charge just as the Chief of Army Staff, declared that the war against terrorism will be won. “We would be undertaking a review of ongoing operations in the North-East with a view to bringing a speedy end to the reign of terror unleashed on innocent Nigerians by these elements", the Army Chief said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Chief of Army Staff Conference in Uyo, Gowon, who was represented by former Lagos State Administrator, General Buba Marwa, said: “Ordinary Nigerians in high and low places have expressed reservations that they are not happy that their military who ought to defend our territorial integrity and protect people from internal and external threat appear to be losing ground to Boko Haram insurgents.

“But from the pictures of Boko Haram seen, apart from being mounted on Toyota vehicles, they look ragtag — certainly no threat to well-trained and better soldiers of the Nigerian Ar my. The COAS and commanders need to urgently correct this negative perception about our soldiers who have in the past, a record of professionalism and competence."

Recalling how he tackled security challenges of the civil war, Gowon said: “At a critical period during the civil war, I had only 500, 000 rounds of ammunition as total reserve for the armed forces. I could not continue with operations with such quantity of ammo, and no money.

“I only relied on some patriotic and committed businessmen in Nigeria who were able to get 15million rounds of ammunition within a very short time on their own account — they were paid later by government."

While noting that the Federal Government can buy military equipment directly from friendly and obliging governments as he did during the civil war, Gowon said: “The government recently acquired a loan of $1billion for fighting the insurgency.

Make demands for equipment from it”.

Continuing, he said: "I have not lost confidence in our armed forces. I want you to retrieve your honour by reversing some of these lapses into successes, losses into victories; negative opinions into positive opinions. I charge you to go all out to flush those insurgents out of our territories, all the way back to where they came from. That is the task the armed forces must accomplish without delay”.

The biggest threat

On his part, Lt. General Minimah noted that the upsurge of terrorism and violent extremism in the North East of the country has remained the most significant threat facing our dear country today.

“The Nigerian Army is aware of the enormity of this national challenge having fought a 30month civil war to unite Nigeria and taken part in operations to protect the territorial integrity of other countries which faced similar threats.

“In the last 10 months since my assumption of command, our attention has been focused primarily on tackling the insurgency in the North East and other security challenges in the North Central and North West.

Our key priorities have been to maintain all round professional readiness, improve the standard of training, modernize our equipment, pay attention to troops’ welfare and

enhance force posture.

“During the year, we also developed and implemented new strategies not only to contain current threats but also to better prepare us to combat future security challenges,” Minimah said.

Safety of Nigerians, my priority — Jonathan

Also speaking, President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau noted that one of the cardinal pillars of the Transformation Agenda is the safety, security and well-being of all Nigerians and other residents irrespective of their tribes or religious affiliations.

“It is a duty that I have devoted my entire being to and resolve towards its attainment. It is in line with my government's resolve that we are ever committed to provide a safe and enabling environment for all Nigerians to carry out their businesses and contribute to the building of a strong, united, prosperous and stable nation.

“Under my leadership, the Federal Government will continue to provide ready assistance to the armed forces to meet operational needs”.

The President said resources have been made available to ensure recruitment and training of capable army personnel.

Damaturu casualties: 33 policemen, 6 soldiers, 20 militants A suspected Boko Haram insurgent attack on Damaturu, Yobe state capital, Monday killed at least 39 people, a hospital morgue source said yesterday, giving the first reported death toll from the violence.

The source said 33 of the dead were policemen and six were soldiers, while 20 militants also died in their raid on Damaturu.e source said.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

2 docked for laptop theft

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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WO persons, Sakiru Ibrahim, 19, and Saheed Folarin, have been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for stealing one Toshiba Laptop valued at N40,000.

They were said to have committed the offence at 23, Mabadaje Street in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Ibrahim and Folarin are facing a two-count charge of stealing. They pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Eranus Nnamonu, informed the court that the offence is punishable under Section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N20,000, with one surety and adjourned to January 15, 2015.

12 Ghanaian fishermen charged with pipeline vandalism, theft

By Innocent Anaba

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WELVE Ghanaian fishermen were, yesterday, arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, over alleged vandalism and theft of petroleum products.

The accused are Ferdinard Gbadonde, Deny Atika, Isaac Zola, Raphael Awonsu, Friday Ukpati, Tose Loko, Kokunu Nanani, Kokunu Koku, Fatai Nkpati, Sule Nkpati, Medai Awonsu and Jeremy Agofia.

They are standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, vandalism, stealing and sale of petroleum products. They, however, pleaded not guilty to

the charge.

The prosecutor told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 12 at 4 a.m.

He said that they were apprehended within the Nigerian territorial waters, close to Ibereko village in Badagry, Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, about 540 kegs of 25 litres of petrol and 250 drums, containing about 250 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, was recovered from the accused, who were on their way to Seme.

He said the products were investigated to have been obtained from a vandalised pipeline within the locality.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 1 (7), 3 (c) and 117 of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

After the plea of the accused had been taken, the prosecutor then applied that they be remanded in custody, pending trial.

In reaction, counsel to the accused, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the accused.

He told the court presided by Justice John Tsoho, that the accused had earlier been arraigned before Justice Okon

Abang in August, during the court’s vacation.

He argued that they were arrested on the high sea on their way to Seme, adding that the accused would abscond if granted bail.

Justice Tsoho, however, in a short ruling upheld the submission of defence counsel on the grounds that the nationality of an accused was not a determinant factor in granting bail.

The court, however, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi prisons until they perfect their bail terms.

He adjourned the case to January 26, 2015 for trial.

... bus conductor for N95,000 phone theft

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A 25-year-old bus conductor, Mustapha Koladoye, was yesterday arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly snatching a mobile phone worth N95,000 from a motorist.

The defendant, who lives under Obalende Bridge, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Orji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences alongside an accomplice, who is still at large, at 11.10p.m., on November 28 along the VGC Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah, Lagos.

Orji said the complainant, Udochukwu, pursued, caught and handed the defendant over to authorities, but was unable to get his phone back.

Trial Magistrate, Salama Matepo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter till January 5, 2015.

PROTEST: Residents of Mowo Phase II, Araromi Ale and Atinporomeh communities in Badagry, protesting the demolition of their houses at Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Police seal kidnappers' den in Lagos, landlord on the run

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE Lagos State Police Command has sealed a house in Isheri Oshun area of Lagos State, where kidnappers allegedly keep their victims until a ransom was paid.

The house, 18, Odeniyi Ishola Street, Off Bola Road, Isheri Oshun, was sealed after Police raided the place and rescued a kidnap victim, Alhaji Fashola Hammed.

According to reports, the landlord fled and after one of the victims was rescued, some of the suspected kidnappers were arrested by the police.

Those arrested include the occupant of the two-bedroom flat, his wife and younger brother.

Vanguard gathered that the couple, who lived in the house

with their three children, keep victims in the toilet with their hands and legs chained. The victims’ mouths were also gagged and opened only when they are to be fed.

The suspects confessed to committing the crime and said their role was to keep the victims and take care of them

until ransom was paid.

One of the suspects confessed that the gang kept two oil dealers, Chief Idowu Coker and Alhaji Fashola Hammed, in the house.

He said Coker paid N20 million, regained his freedom and promised to pay the balance of N10 million before they were

arrested.

Hammed was still in chains in the toilet, while the kidnappers awaited payment of the N50 million ransom they demanded, which was yet to be paid before police arrested them.

Other members of the gang are currently at large.

Police arrest 2 soldiers for illegal duty

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WO soldiers, allegedly on illegal duty, have been arrested by the Elemoro Police Division in Oko-Olomi Village in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the soldiers were arrested following complaints by members of the community that they were

collecting money and harassing passers-by in the community.

It was gathered that the soldiers, who claimed to be on a special duty, fired several shots into the air to scare people from approaching them, leaving seven persons injured.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Elemoro Police Station arrived the scene and

arrested the soldiers along with two patrol vehicles used for the illegal duty.

The soldiers were taken to the police station where they made statements, claiming that they were there on the invitation the traditional ruler of the community.

However, when the traditional ruler was invited, he was said

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—7

By Evelyn Usman

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HREE South Africa-based Nigerians, among them a mother of seven, have been arrested by operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with drugs suspected to be methamphetamine, with an estimated street value at N374 million.

Also arrested was a 44-yearold Asaba-based music producer, whose alleged attempt to smuggle 4.95kg of substance suspected to be cocaine into the country was foiled.

The suspects, who were arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, allegedly concealed the substance in security lamps, silicon sealants and foodstuff.

The NDLEA airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said: “Those apprehended are Chukwuenyem, 48 years old, with 21.695kg of methamphetamine hidden inside his bag; Kelvin, 37, caught with 9.980kg of methamphetamine hidden inside solar security lamps; Deborah, 40, found with 5kg of methamphetamine hidden inside foodstuff and Michael, 44, with 4.95kg of cocaine hidden inside silicon sealants.

“Apart from Michael, who was coming from Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 4.95kg of cocaine, the other three suspects were trying to smuggle methamphetamine to South Africa where they reside.”

Suspects’ stories During interrogation, Chukwuenyem, a father of three, said he was lured into drug trafficking on his birthday.

According to him, “I struggled to feed my family by selling foodstuff. At present, my capital is so small that the business is near moribund. A friend met me on my birthday and introduced me into drug trafficking.

“He promised to pay me 15,000 South African Rand. My children are out of school because of my inability to pay tuition fee. This is my first time of dealing in drugs and I regret everything. I pray to be out of this problem.”

On his part, 37-year-old Kelvin, also blamed his indulgence on his poor living condition back in South Africa.

He said: “I reside in South Africa where I import and

to have denied knowing them.

Sources said the DPO signalled Abati Barracks in Yaba to confirm if the soldiers were sent to the community by military authorities. It was learned that they were there illegally.

Efforts to get the police spokesperson’s reaction proved abortive.

Music producer, others arrested with drugs worth N374m

JTF destroys 23 illegal refineries, nabs 10 suspects

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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‘Sealants'.

‘Security lamps.’ export phones and clothes. I have five children from three women. My business is grounded and I now live from hand to mouth.

“A friend in South Africa gave me the solar lamp where the drug was found. He used to assist me financially and he also promised to pay my children’s school fees.”

Deborah, the mother of seven, said she was given the drugs by a man she sought financial assistance from.

According to her, “I have seven children and I take care of them from the sales of

foodstuff. I came to Nigeria to buy foodstuff such as melon, vegetables and other local spices.

“There is a man in South Africa that I went to request for financial assistance to enable me expand my business. He told me that somebody would give me some food items for him.

“When I got to the airport, NDLEA officers detected methamphetamine in the package given to me by the man. This was how I found myself in this situation.”

Michael, who was on his way

from Brazil also claimed he was given a bag in Brazil without the slightest inkling of its content.

He said: “I am a music producer. I travelled to Brazil to promote my music label and to partner other producers. I had a successful deal but on my way back, I accepted a bag from a friend I met in Sao Paulo to take to Nigeria.

“When I got here, NDLEA demanded to search and 29 out of the 34 sealants were found to contain cocaine. This is a major setback for my career and I feel very bad.”

Drunken driver kills couple, injures grandchildren, others

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—A couple were knocked down and killed by a drunken driver of a Toyota Camry car in Ode Irele, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Three of their grand children and another old woman were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries as the car ploughed into them while standing in front of their house located at Gbaleju area.

Reports said the driver of the car, identified as Abisoye Wobo, who was allegedly drunk and returning from a

burial ceremony, lost control of the car.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased, before his death, was a notable chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the council.

He was said to have returned from a political meeting and was relaxing with his wife and grandchildren in front of his house when the unfortunate incident occurred.

The development irked youths from the town, who trooped to the house of the alleged killer and set same on fire, while Wobo fled.

Policemen rushed to the scene to curtail the protest from escalating.

Meanwhile, Vanguard was told that the bodies have been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary, while those injured are on admission at an undisclosed hospital.

State Police Command image-maker, Mr. Wole Ogodo, could not be reached for comment.

However, one of his aides said the matter had not been reported at the police headquarters by the Divisional Police Officer of Irele.

A R R I — OPERATIVES of the Sector 1, anti-illegal oil bunkering of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Pulo Shield, Bayelsa State, yesterday, said it had destroyed 23 illegal refinery camps and arrested 10 suspects for illegal oil bunkering activities.

Colonel Mustapha Anka, Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, said in a statement that the suspects will face the full wrath of the law.

Anka said the operation was conducted by men of 3 Battalion, Effurun Barracks, at Oteghele and Ejere areas of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Anka said: ”Items discovered at the sites include 750 drums filled with substance suspected to be crude oil, 57 large metal tanks filled with stolen illegal refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO, and 48 cooking ovens.”

He listed other items recovered during the raid to include 48 dug-out pits filled with crude oil, 16 pumping machines, 35 surface tanks, four welding machines and several illegal oil bunkering hoses.

The JTF spokesman said the items were destroyed at the site during the operation.

He said: ”Similarly, troops of Operation Thunderstorm in Orhionmwon area of Edo State, in conjunction with the Petroleum Pipeline M a n a g e m e n t Cooperation, PPMC, while on patrol at Obazagbo village in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, discovered several illegal crude oil refineries and arrested four suspects. ”The suspects were driving a Toyota car with number plate Delta SAP 589AA, loaded with substances suspected to be petroleum products in Ugbakea community, Edo State.”

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

State of Jersey to return £315m Abacha loot to Nigeria

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HE State of Jersey, the biggest territory in the Channels Island, is set to return £315 million Abacha loot to Nigeria.

Mr Micheal Birt, the Ballif of Jersey stated this at a dinner in honour of Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK during a state visit to the Island.

Birt, who doubles as the Island’s Civic Head of State and ceremonial head, is the highest ranking official in the Jersey order of precedence.

Island, famous for its transparent banking services, had previously repatriated in two tranches £140 million of the loot.

The Europe correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports in London that the money was laundered on behalf of Abacha by Mr Raj Bhojwani, an Indian businessman. Bhojwani is currently serving an eightyear sentence in a UK prison.

Speaking on Jersey ’s financial services and global perception of the Island, Birt said that the repatriated loot was in line with ongoing campaign against money laundering.

He said: “We have done a lot to clean up the image of the Island as a safe haven for stolen wealth. What we have in place is a transparent and legal finance heaven where only legal funds can be deposited and accessed by investors.”

In his response, Tafida commended Birt for the Island's transparent banking sector, and informed them of government’s commitment to fighting corruption and strengthening its anti-graft agencies.

The high commissioner also spoke on the investment opportunities in all sectors of the economy, while laying emphasis on the nation’s GDP, and high return on investment rate.

Nigeria’s GDP has grown above 6.5 per cent per annul in the last six years.

He said: "The array of investment opportunities that abound in the country and generous incentives available to investors in all sectors of the economy, has continued to make it a global investment destination.”

Anti-Jonathan Senators to move impeachment notice Dec 16 •Accuse President of spending N1.7trn without approval •Say about 70 Senators signed impeachment letter •Adjournment to Dec 16 plot to frustrate action •Jajere a story teller —Pro-Jonathan group

By Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — INDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, that the impeachment notice against President Goodluck Jonathan will be presented on the floor of the Senate when it resumes from the recess on December 16.

Their House of Representatives counterparts have also promised to make available very soon, the authentic list of those who endorsed the impeachment notice against the President Senator Alkali Jajere representing Yobe South on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, disclosed yesterday that the number of Senators who had signed the impeachment letter was 63 last week and that the number would increase to 70 before end of sitting yesterday, adding that the proimpeachment Senators which he claimed cut across all the party lines had what it would take to ensure that the impeachment was realised.

Already, the anti-Jonathan Senators have accused the leadership of the Senate of conspiracy as they claimed that the adjournment of plenary to December 16 was deliberate and a ploy by the leadership to frustrate the impeachment move.

Jajere a story teller —Pro-Jonathan group

But the pro-Jonathan Senators have alleged that those planning the impeachment may have been operating in spirit as there was nothing to show that such plot existed, even as they described the arrowhead of the alleged plot Senator Jajare as a joker who had taken the joke too far.

One of the Senators against the alleged impeachment plot, Senator Ayogu Eze, PDP, Enugu North said: “To me, Jajere is a story teller. We are waiting for him and his other signatories who are more of spirits than human beings in the Senate.

“Let me put it to him and his other people that if they think they can intimidate the President or PDP out of power, they are just day-dreaming because the man will contest the 2015 election and going by realities on ground, he will

SCREENING: All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirants, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (left) and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, at the screening of APC presidential aspirants, in Abuja, yesterday. on record, it is not true that 65 “As at last week, 63 of us have win. So the earlier they realise or 70 Senators have signed his signed up for the impeachment, this, the better for them.” alleged impeachment list my signature was the fourth but I against President Jonathan. can confirm to you that we have There are impeachable “The said list is non existence 63 signatures but after the session offences against in the Senate and why didn’t today, two people had called me you tell him to show you the list Jonathan —Jajere and told me that they want to sign. on which he said he is number Speaking to journalists after “One of them is an APC senator adjournment on the authenticity who was away campaigning four and in particular, asked him of the alleged impeachment because he is contesting the who is number 65 there?" plot and the collection of governorship election of his state. signature, Senator Jajere said: The other person is a PDP senator.” Reps to release authentic “I have signed the Also answering question why list impeachment notice because the impeachment plan was coming Meanwhile, Minority Leader there are impeachable offences when the first tenure of President of the House of against President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was Representatives, Femi Jonathan. coming to an end, he said: “The Gbajabiamila said yesterday “This Senate approved N240 impeachment issue is not just that the All Progressives billion as subsidy fund but the coming now. It is a process that Congress, APC, will soon make same government spent N1.7 started early in the year. There was available the authentic list of trillion which is a clear breach of a hiccup but today, there are issues those who endorsed the the constitution, clear breach of that have triggered the National impeachment notice against, the appropriation act.

Assembly to do what it should do. President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The business of government is No matter what the time, it is a In a three-paragraph to curtail excesses but this three legged issue; the National statement, the minority leader government has shown that it is Assembly will now have to initiate asked the general public to incurable deficient in handling the process and then, submit that discountenance the fake list the situations in this country. That process to the judiciary. being circulated in Abuja. government cannot say it wants According to the statement, “As of today, the required to continue. “the general public is hereby signatures to initiate the “The president should have impeachment notice had been advised to disregard a fake even resigned without waiting for obtained. The Senate has impeachment list published by him to be impeached. The duty adjourned to the 16th, so, by that some online publicists for of the legislature is to act as a date the impeachment notice will obvious sinister intentions. check and balance because it is be presented on the floor of the None of our APC members in the most important symbol of Senate. the House of Representatives is democracy. If you don’t have the party to the fake impeachment legislature, you don’t have The authentic List non existence in Senate list. democracy because every other impeachment list would be However, one of the proarm of government exists even published in due course and Jonathan Senators, Ayogu Eze when there is no democracy, it is we urge our constituents while reacting to Senator Jajare’s only the legislature that makes a impeachment claims said, “Put me across the country to be so democracy, a government. guided."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 9

STATE OF NATION: Soyinka flays reign of impunity, urges Nigerians to defend democracy •Says scaling of fence was finest hour for lawmakers •Adds Police IG has declared war on Nigerians •Faults US refusal to sell arms to Nigeria

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Sergeant-atArms now in charge of security at NASS

By Emman Ovuakporie

By Charles Kumolu

AGOS — NOBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday called on Nigerians to rise up in defence of the sacred institutions of democracy whcih he claimed are regularly being desecrated by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

At a press conference in Lagos on the state of the nation, Soyinka flayed what he described as the reign of impunity as manifested by some recent actions of the administration.

He particularly flayed the lockout of legislators from the National Assembly and the disruption of academic activities during the recent visit of the President to the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe. Soyinka said the administration had pushed Nigerians to a point where they must decide to either submit to impunity or resist it. He thus praised the members of the National Assembly who scaled the fence to reach their point of duty, saying that was their finest hour.

The Nobel laureate, however, sided with the administration in the condemnation of the United States of America's refusal to sell arms to Nigeria to support the fight against the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram.

He said the US must overlook the Nigerian government's inability to protect its citizens and render help.

Soyinka in his speech entitled: King Nebuchadnezzar: The Reign of Impunity, particularly chided the new Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman for not wasting time after his appointment to inaugurate a season of brutish power.

The people must decide

His words: "The people must decide— whether to submit or to resist. We may be no-count plebeians in the sight of the new born patricians of Aso Rock and their apologist but must we revert to the Abacharian status of glorified slaves? Of course it is up to any people to decide. The praetorian guards have been let loose to teach the rabble their place.

"The recent choice of a new leader for the guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto enforcer has wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power. When a people’s elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message.

"The latest action of the supposed guardians of the law against the nation’s law givers is an unambiguous declaration of war on the people.

"What sticks to this policeman is worse than shame, it is infamy.

Such a public servant deserves to

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BRIEFING: Professor Wole Soyinka (left) and Mr Kunle Ajibade during a press briefing by the Nobel Laureate on the State of the Nation, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi be publicly pilloried, tried and meted a punishment that is appropriate to treasonable acts.

To demand less is to reduce ourselves below the status of free citizens of a free nation.

"For this latest outrage, one in an escalating series of impunity, the buck stops yet again at the presidency, and that incumbent, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, continues to surprise us in ways that a very few could have conjectured.

Democracy rendered meaningless

Noting the potential dangers to democracy by the actions of the president, he said: "Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfilment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation.

"The recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable. We know of course that this is not the first of its kind in the nation’s history, but precedents are not binding. Each leader selects his or her own model for emulation or avoidance and that choice is certain indication of the true nature of such a leader.

"I don't understand why some media have described their action as a show of shame - this is a very careless, easily misapplied designation. The act of scaling gates and walls to fulfill their duty by the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided. If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector-

General of Police and his slavish adherence to conspiratorial, illegal and unconstitutional instructions - to undermine a democratic structure, and one to make matters worse convoked in response to an emergency of dire public concern."

While noting that Nigeria had in the past suffered under other partisan police bosses such as Sunday Adewusi, he expressed concern that Suleiman Abba may bring far more casualties.

These are not ordinary times

"Every day records new violation of our humanity. The atrocious targeting of the great mosque of Kano has rendered any lingering doubt of impending national imposition an invitation for collective suicide, preferably through piecemeal dismemberment.

"The shambles that punctuated a presidential campaign visit at the Obafemi Awolowo University a few days ago merely underline the total alienation of President Jonathan from the reality that has engulfed the nation.

"Yes, political campaigns are part and parcel of the bloodline of the democratic process. We know they never stop.

One judges leaders on acts

"I shall not insist that the biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment. For one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor

Nero as reference point. You all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning.

“However, you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies.

"Perhaps, he meant it at the time when he claimed: ‘I am no Nebuchadnezzar.’ Perhaps not.

One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises.”

Faults US refusal to sell arms to Nigeria

"I want to appeal to the Americans to please stop laughing at us. They should stop ridiculing this nation. The government claimed that it asked for Cobra Helicopters. The government of Jonathan asked for little weapons to destroy the enemies. We are in a situation of destroy or to be destroyed.

"They asked for the weapons even for self defence, I think the Americans should not boast of what they have done to supply assistance to vulnerable affected households. All are laudable and no body is in disagreement with them. These are necessities.

"But this is not the response I expect to the situation of war. This nation is at war. And this nation is asking for certain forms of assistance. Please United States of America, could you please overlook the arithmetical deficiency of governance and stop giving an excuse to this government for failing to protect us.

"Please just say that you will not supply arms to Nigeria and leave it at that. Don’t say that you sent other things, that is not the issue at this critical time in Nigeria."

BUJA —IN a bid to forestall what happened on November 20 when heavily armed policemen invaded the National Assembly, the Chief Sergeant-at-Arms yesterday deployed all his men to man all entry points into the complex.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the policemen attached to the massive complex who originally man such points were deployed to only the outer gate.

This became necessary considering the fact that parliaments all over the world have Sergeant-atArms in charge of security.

It was also revealed that henceforth the police under whatever guise can no longer barricade the National Assembly.

The source also noted that ”the role of the police is supposed to be supplementary and it is not mandatory but what happened that day was a complete negation of the office of the Sergeant-atArms.

“We will not allow such a thing to happen in this parliament again, it was an abuse and a slap on us.”

The Chief Sergeant-atArms was seen deploying his men at about 10.30 am to the five entry points that were barricaded by the police and hooded men on November 20.

In all these points, no policeman was seen except at the outer gate where about 15 policemen stood guard.

On November 19, before the police invasion of NASS, hooded men in black uniforms and anti-riot policemen padlocked the five entry points into NASS. The following day the Speaker of the House of.

Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, and his fellow lawmakers were teargassed and properly humbled by the police who barricaded the main entry point into the complex.

The lawmakers had convened an emergency session to discuss the extension of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states before the police unleashed terror on the lawmakers who had to scale through the fence to gain entry into the complex.

10— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Why we're backing Jonathan, by Okrika community

By Clifford Ndujihe

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AGOS—LEADERS of the Okrika community in Lagos have thrown their weight behind the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 to deepen his transformation agenda.

Known as Kirike Se (Okrika) Community, with about 20,000 members in Lagos, the leaders said they are backing Jonathan because he is a consensus builder, a detribalised Nigerian and a man of peace.

President of the Rivers State Community, Chief George Olungwe and other leaders including Engr Peter M Kalio, Captain Edward Dagogo Nonju and Chief Perebo Abibio said: ‘’It is our resolve that we the over 20,000 Okrikans in Lagos and its environs will come out enmasse on the election day in 2015 to join millions of other well-meaning Nigerians to vote for the reelection of a man of honour, President Jonathan and his Vice, Namadi Sambo."

Sen Tinubu hosts 3rd annual elderly citizens scheme

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AGOS—THE Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu will host this year’s edition of the Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme, ECAS, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme, ECAS, will benefit more than 1,300 elderly citizens drawn from the 13 local government areas and Local C o m m u n i t y Development Areas, LCDAs, that comprise Lagos Central Senatorial Districton Wednesday, December 10, 2014.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Senator Tinubu said: “Since inception of the ECAS scheme launched by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on December 11, 2012 the scheme has made positive impact in the lives of elderly people drawn from about 2, 600 families.

11 Lagos APC gov aspirants demand direct primaries Emmanuel Azuken, Political Editor

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AGOS—PLANS for tomorrow’s primaries to produce the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC for Lagos State took a twist last night after 11 of the 12 aspirants demanded a change of the procedures to allow for direct primaries.

The stance of the 11 aspirants was purportedly to avoid constitutional breaches on the basis of the fact that the 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs which are not recognised by the constitution were included in the process leading to the emergence of the delegates for tomorrow’s chosen indirect primaries.

The only aspirant that did not endorse the communiqué was Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

With the erstwhile governor of the state and national party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in full control of the state party structure and with most of the delegates who emerged from the ward congresses loyal to him, it is expected that whoever he, Tinubu backs would win the nomination.

Among the 11 aspirants who called for a

modification of the process were Olasupo Shasore, Dr Leke Pitan, Dr Femi Hamzat, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Dr Tola Kasali, Mr Tokunbo Wahab among others. Dr. Pitan who served in the Tinubu cabinet as commissioner for health, Vanguard learned, is being backed by former commissioners in the Tinubu cabinet.

The group of 11 aspirants called for the postponement

of the primaries on the fear that the use of delegates who emerged from the 37 local council development areas could violate the provisions of the electoral act given that the LCDAs are not recognised by the constitution. The eleven thus called on the party leadership to either postpone the primaries to find a way of navigating the hurdle or to use the direct primaries, in which case all party members would be allowed to vote in the primary. The eleven aspirants

also called for a meeting with the party leadership to hold last night. As at press time it could not be confirmed if the party had given heed to their request.

The Ambode camp was dismissive of the threat from the other 11 aspirants last night as it alleged a conspiracy on the claim that a very senior official in the Fashola government had made the same arguments at a meeting of the aspirants with party officials at a meeting penultimate Monday.

DECLARATION: Senator Musiliu Obanikoro with some party faithful during his formal declaration to vie for the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship ticket, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Obanikoro assures on grassroots' devt L

By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—LAGOS State governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday promised to ensure the rapid development of abandoned rural areas if voted governor of the state in 2015.

He said this at the formal declaration of his campaign which he tagged ‘walk with me’, held at the National Stadium in Lagos.

While he commended the governor Babatunde Fashola administration for running the affairs of the state in the last eight years, Obanikoro berated the administration for abandoning the downtrodden in the state.

He noted that it is time to upgrade infrastructures in the rural areas.

His words: “We have seen billions spent on sand filling our waters, we have seen billions spent in repairing Bourdillon road and I believe it is time for a new change. I believe it it time for government to spend billions on upgrading

infrastructures in Alimosho, in Shomolu, Kosofe and other parts.

“A greater Lagos is where hard working families can be successful in Lagos and where the down-trodden will be benefit

from government. We must all stand together to ensure that we have a new and better Lagos. A new Lagos where the masses of the state will not be left out. That is the kind of Lagos that I offer

in 2015.

“The more I look, the less I see.

Any system that takes from the poor to benefit the rich, that system cannot be working for us.”

Court adjourns cement standard case

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By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned hearing till January 7, 2015 in the suit by a human rights group, Alliance Against Monopoly, AAM, against Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, over its recent directive to cement manufacturers on industry standard.

Hearing in the matter was stalled due to the absence of the Director-General of SON, who is the first defendant in the case.

Plaintiff ’s counsel, Mr. Ogbonnaya Agbafo told the court that SON’s officials refused to sign for the court processes served on them and prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him find an alternative means of serving the process on the defendants.

The plaintiff in the suit, is praying the court to declare among others, that SON was strictly bound, and its functions wholly circumscribed by its enabling Act and anything done

or proposed to be done by it in contravention of the provisions of that Act was ultra vires, its statutory powers and is therefore, null, void and of no effect.

Envoy hails Adams as cultural asset

By Dapo Akinrefon

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AGOS—THE Nigerian Ambassador to Sweden, Mr Benedict Onochie-Amobi has described the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams as an inestimable cultural asset which Nigeria is blessed with.

The envoy said this at the launch of Oodua Progressive Union at Crotia katarina Zrinski Idrott-Kultur forening, Kortedala, Gothen.,

The Ambassador who was represented by Mrs Jane Ndem, said that Otunba Adams was the standard light bearer of Nigeria Cultural asset in the global forum .

The Ambassador disclosed that, “without any point of equivocation and bias, Otunba Gani Adams is the only Nigerian who has strongly stoked the embers of Nigeria’s cultural revival on the international scene and in most particular within the Nigeia in Diaspora.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 —11

EKITI JAILBREAK: FG sets up probe panel zAs Police re-arrest 46 escapees, 274 still missing

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By Gbenga Ariyibi & Esther Onyegbula

DO EKITI—THE Federal Government has set up a panel of inquiry to uncover those behind the attack on the federal prison, on Afao-Ekiti Road, AdoEkiti where some inmates were set free.

Minister of Interior, Comrade Patrick Abba Moro made this revelation yesterday during the commissioning of 12 convenience rooms built by United Bank For Africa, UBA, for Ikoyi Passport office of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The minister confirmed that 274 out of the 320 prisoners who escaped are still at large while 46 have been recaptured by security agencies.

through we will appropriately inform the Nigeria public” He praised the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, especially Ikoyi Passport office headed by Deputy Comptroller Of Imigration, DCI, Modupe Anyalechi for adequately keying into the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in the area of attracting the private sectors to partner with government to deliver service to Nigerians. ”I recommend this attitude to other formations of the Nigerian service. I can tell you that the restructuring and repositioning of Nigeria is on course and hopefully with the cooperation of all and sundry the

Nigerian Immigration Service will soon become a new immigration service for a new Nigeria."

He commended the UBA Foundation for demonstrating the will to partner with the transformation agenda of the current administration under the watch of Goodluck Jonathan, to drive the administration of Nigeria.

"Perhaps for you it is a drop in the ocean, in the might ocean of the Nigerian economy but for us in the immigration service it is an enormous contribution."

How police re-arrested 46 escapees

No fewer than 46 inmates who escaped from the custody of

the Federal Prisons, Ado Ekiti on Sunday during the invasion of the prisons by yet to be identified gang have been rearrested by the police,just as the state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose has called for the total overhauling of the entire workforce in Ado Ekiti prisons over alleged complicity.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Victor Babayemi, said the escapees were re-arrested at different divisions in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

Although police put the figure of those re-arrested at 67, Internal Affairs minister, Abba Moro says only 46 had been picked up.

Moro speaks

He said: “The Ado Ekiti prisons were attacked in the early hours of December 1, 2014. The preliminary report that I have is that about 320 inmates out of the 446 inmates escaped.

“As I speak with you, a reasonable number of those inmates, about 46 of them have been recaptured and the search for others is going on. And the Nigerian prisons services officials are also going to police stations to recover all those who have been arrested by other security agencies. At the appropriate time we will be able to give you all the figures. ‘’The attack on the Ado Ekiti prison which is similar to that of the attack on Kotonkarfi, Kogi state, which occurred a couple of months ago is the same pattern of desperate people outside who are possibly friends and accomplices are in jail and have attempted to forcefully release them, luckily only the section of the awaiting trial inmates of the prisons were attacked.

“What these attacks have brought to the fore is that there is need for reinforced perimeter fencing in our prisons which is being done now at Kotonkarfi, Kogi state, in view of the recent attacks and similarly because of the ease with which both prisons have been attacked and broken into, the need to reinforce our concrete fencing of the prison becomes an imperative need."

Investigation ongoing

The minister said he would not pin down the attack on any group till investigation was concluded.

“At the moment I don’t want to attribute the occurrence in Ado Ekiti prison to some conspiracy theory or attack by insurgents.

We will get to the root of these attacks through a multi-sectional investigative panel put in place to find out the culpability or otherwise of those suspected to be involved and when we are

VISIT: From left: Commander, Nigerian Army Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede, Brig.

General Gbenga Adeyemi, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Director, National Military Strategy, National Defence College, Course 23, Commodore Abdul Olabisi, during the Defence College’s team visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, yesterday.

Court spells out acceptable primary for Ogun PDP

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By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court in Lagos, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, from according any recognition or accepting as valid any primaries for next year’s election except those conducted with the ad hoc ward delegates list.

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting as valid any such primaries or publishing any list other than the ad hoc ward delegates list prepared by the Adebayo Dayo-led executive.

The court granted an ex-parte applicant by the plaintiffs’ counsel, allowing them to serve the alleged contemnors with the motion on notice for committal

outside Lagos, such as in Abuja and Ogun State.

Justice Abang directed PDP and INEC to ensure that the primaries in Ogun State for the election of candidates for next year’s election scheduled to hold on December 6, 7 and 8 were

conducted only with the ad hoc ward delegate list.

The plaintiffs are claiming that the respondents have been attempting to remove them from office, despite two Federal High Court judgments affirming the legality of their positions.

Ajimobi, others condemn Ekiti impeachment, political violence

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B A DA N — E M I N E N T personalities including the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.and the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, President, Mr. Austin Alege, SAN, yesterday, condemned the spate of impeachment of speakers in Nigeria by minority legislators, saying it was a bad omen for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

The eminent personalities,

who spoke at the 60th anniversary of the Ibadan Bar, particularly frowned at the recent impeachment of the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, by minority members of the House.

For instance, the CJN, who was represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ogwuta Nwali, described such developments as nothing but an affront on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ooni of Ife's 3rd lecture series holds

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AGOS—THE third Oba Okunade Sijuwade annual leadership lecture and awards will hold tomorrow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The third lecture series, which is entitled: ‘Leadership: The challenge of social justice and good governance’, will also feature the publication/presentation of selected speeches of the Ooni of Ife, Volume II. The guest speaker is the President of the Republic of Benin, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi, while former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi will deliver the keynote address.

The chairman of the annual lecture is the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while Vice President Namadi Sambo is the distinguished guest.

Former Head, Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan is expected to be the special guest of honour.

Prominent traditional rulers including the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadegbo, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, Oba Godwin Emiko and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya are expected to grace the occasion.

We've not resigned —Ondo PDP exco

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE Ondo state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, denied that its state executive members have all resigned in the heat of the furore generated by governor Olusegun Mimiko's defection to the party.

Resignation of the exco was one of the agreement reached few weeks back when leaders of the party led

by President Goodluck Jonathan met with the fuelling leaders from the state.

But the peace agreement brokered by the National Working Committee has since broken down with the party crisis further deepened.

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Prof Monye denies backing Aniocha North Assembly aspirant

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IPPLES in the November 30, primaries for Delta State House of Assembly for Aniocha North constituency has not settled as a governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof.

Sylvester Monye has refuted reports that he supported an aspirant in the election.

Professor Monye expressed his displeasure with media reports, dissociating him from supporting an aspirant that failed to win in his own backyard.

Monye said his grouse over the media report was that he did not describe any of “the failed aspirants as unpopular.”

Initial media reports said that Monye and three other governorship aspirants failed to deliver in their constituency during the Assembly primaries but Vanguard learned that the two other aspirants refused to be pressurised to support a particular aspirant, who was not seen as capable of winning the election.

2015: UPU tasks urhobo youths on unity

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G H E L L I — PRESIDENT General of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Joe Omene, has stressed the need for Urhobo, especially the youths to be united and work for Urhobo interest in next year's elections.

He insisted that the party that needs the votes of Urhobo must field Urhobo governorship candidate.

Omene, who spoke when the new executive and members of the Urhobo Youth Council, UYC, paid him a familiarization visit at his country home in Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, said Urhobo, irrespective of party affiliation must work for the general interest of Urhobo.

According to him, “Personal interest must not override the overall interest of Urhobo because we are first Urhobos before becoming members of any political party.” He urged them to vote for Urhobo interest in the 2015 elections.

Magnus Abe to re-contest senatorial election

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— SIGNS that Senator Magnus Abe may have concluded plans to re-contest for the Rivers South East senatorial district emerged, yesterday as his media aide, Mr Honour Sirawo in a statement, said friends of the Senator had procured interest and nomination forms for him to recontest for the seat on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC. According to the statement, Senator Abe was still consulting

wide on his next line of action.

“Our attention was late December 1, 2014 drawn to the expression of interest and nomination forms procured for Senator Abe by a group of friends, associates and admirers to participate in the Rivers SouthEast senatorial district primaries of APC for the 2015 senatorial elections.

“We therefore, express our profound gratitude and commend these selfless friends and

admirers for this show of love and sacrifice towards our political sojourn. We are aware of the physical and financial resources you have all expended in this regard.

“May, we therefore, request a little time to conclude our last round of consultations which indeed we are about concluding and urge our supporters to continue to support our great party, the APC.” Recall that Abe was among

chieftains of the party rumoured to be nursing ambition to succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi next year but the party shut him out when it suddenly adopted Mr Dakuku Peterside as its consensus governorship candidate, an act that has divided the Ogoni where the senator hails from.

He currently represents the Rivers South East senatorial district, a position he got on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before crossing to APC.

Oborevwori, Yingi clinch PDP House of Assembly tickets

By Emma Amaize

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ARRI—CHIEF Sheriff Oborevwori, a security adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Mr Daniel Yingi have emerged the People’s Democratic Party, PDP flag bearers in Okpe constituency, Okpe Local Government Area and Burutu North, Burutu Local Government Area, in the just concluded state House of Assembly primaries.

Oborevwori polled 46 votes to edge out his rival, Mr Teddy Okumakube, who got 14 votes, while Daniel Yingi, the incumbent lawmaker polled 33 votes against his opponent in a landmark victory.

A party chieftain in Warri South Constituency II, which was won by Mr Dennis Omovie with 21 votes, explained, yesterday, that his closest rival, Chief Vincent Okudolor polled 11 votes, Chief Eruteya Okumagba, two votes and Mr Jackson Omatsola- one vote, contrary to earlier report.

GLOBAL HAND WASHING DAY: From left; Bishop Prosperity Udoji, West Africa Chief Editor, International Association of World Peace Advocates; Amb Per Stafsen, Rep. World Peace President and Chairman, Governing Board; Mr Austin Eruotor, Chairman, White House Hotel and Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke, World Peace Spokesman during the World Peace Advocates for the Global Hand Washing day at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Etsako group accuses Oshiomhole’s clan of marginalisation in Edo North

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—AS the 2015 general elections draw near, a group, Concerned Etsako People, has accused the Uzairu clan of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State of appropriating all political positions in the area to itself at the expense of other clans in Edo

North senatorial zone.

The group, in a statement in Benin by Mr. Bello Omoikhe, called on the leaders of the political parties in the area, especially, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to, in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice cede the position of the House of Representatives to Etsako Central Local Government Area if the

Oshodin formally hands over to new Uniben VC

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY— OUTGOING Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, yesterday, formally handed over the baton of leadership to the new Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Faraday Orhunmwense.

He noted that some former officials of the university fought him during his tenure due to his alleged refusal to share N400 million monthly with them.

According to him, “What do I

need N400 million a month for?

What will I do with it? I will become mad on the streets of Benin. I said I don’t need it.”

Oshodin, whose five years tenure ended yesterday, said shortly after a thanksgiving ceremony at his residence in Benin City, that he incurred the wrath of many people in the university which led to him being poisoned, adding, that government should appoint people who are ready to work and not to line their pockets as vice chancellors.

“It has been really interesting,

I believe I have done my best I had a mission and a vision and I had a strategic plan only known to me and I am happy that I implemented all these strategic plans which were deficiencies before I took over as Vice Chancellor. I met resistance from the devils, and I stood my ground and they tried to eliminate me several times but they didn’t succeed. If you have God on your side, they will not succeed.

“People did not know they were fighting me because I blocked their ways of embezzling allocations sent to the university.''

party is to win future elections in the area.

He accused the Uzairue clan where Governor Adams Oshiomhole hails from of political dominance, adding that they should allow other clans to benefit from their domination and correct the lopsidedness and imbalance in elective positions in the area.

The group said the Uzairue people apart from producing the governor, also produced the former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, former Edo State Commissioner in the Federal Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, Chief Tom Uloko, Majority Leader in the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Philip Shaibu and others in Edo State Oil and Gas Development Commission, State Independent Electoral Commission, Judicial Service Commission, State Teaching Service Commission.

They warned that it would amount to injustice if the House of Representatives seat was zoned to Uzairue clan as they would therefore, not fold their hands to allow this to be done to other clans in the senatorial zone.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—13

DSS invades Lagos APC data centre again, says party spokesman

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, has described as the height of lawlessness and an orchestrated provocation the

second raid that was carried out on the party’s data centre in Ikeja, Lagos, by Department of State Services, DSS, officials, Monday night, saying the

agency must urgently be called to order.

“The raid by over 40 armed DSS officers, despite a court order restraining the service from such action, shows that DSS considers itself to be above the laws of the land, and this is totally condemnable,” the party said in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

“Even under a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government that has nothing but contempt for constitutional order, the lack of respect for a court order by an institution

of state like the DSS has plumbed the depth of anomie, and shows that our democracy is in clear and present danger from anarchists.”

APC said the 40 armed DSS officers, who came with trucks, shoved the security personnel at the building aside and broke into the storage facility from where they carted away over 30 bags filled with APC membership registration forms.

The party said the raid came on the same day it challenged DSS to make public its findings after the first raid that was widely

condemned and described as the worst political scandal in the nation’s history.

APC said it was particularly alarming that DSS carried out its raid despite the November 26 order by Justice Mohammed Yenusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, restraining DSS from further sealing off the data centre or taking further steps in connection with the property.

The Lagos chapter of the party said: “Impunity and brigandage is fast assuming a way of life in Nigeria and unless our security agencies are called to order, they may inflict maximum damage to our hard-earned democracy.”

‘No clear winner in Ughelli North I primaries'

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EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, officials are yet to declare the winner of Delta State House of Assembly primaries conducted in Ughelli North Constituency 1 last Saturday.

Confusion started when aspirants and delegates demanded for result sheets prior to counting of ballot papers to determine the winner. Thugs had disrupted the voting process.

A PDP chieftain in the state, Chief Agberia Efeduku, noted that the actual cause of the crisis was the fact that one of the aspirants was leading during the voting process.

Efeduku said: “There was pandemonium that made the party officials conducting the primaries to go away without completing the electioneering process.”

Transition

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RINCE Pius Abugo is dead. He died November 21, aged 84.

He was a catechist, administrator, security officer and a pioneer member of National Coucil of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

DELTA 2015: Why I’m meeting with gov

aspirants — Sonny Odogwu concerned with the turn of events in the country today. I have observed things from the pre-independence LDER STATESMAN AND a days, what I am seeing now is strange member of Peoples Democratic to me.

"What is actually strange is the way Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, Chief Sonny Odogwu, wants all Delta State people behave and the way they take governorship aspirants on the banner things. I have always thought that the of the PDP to dialogue and hammer younger generation that are now better exposed than our generation in the out ways of developing the state.

This is one of the reasons he will be pre-colonial days, will do better than meeting with the cleared aspirants in what I am seeing now. But it is not so. ‘’We all know the history of Delta Asaba on Friday, he told Vanguard in State; it is a mini Nigeria. The state an interview, yesterday.

On why he wants to meet with the consists of people from different tribes, aspirants, he said: ‘’ I am a Nigerian, ethnic groups and different religions, and a foremost political leader in although, I believe we are all from the Delta State. I am very much same origin. I have for many years hoped that things will be better and I have prayed that things will be better than what we are seeing now. If there can be ELEGATES OF the ruling Peoples peace in Delta State, I Democratic Party, PDP in Burutu South believe other states can constituency primary election have adjudged the election emulate us. ‘’So, The essence of as credible and peaceful.

Majority of delegates, who participated in primary meeting with the cleared election at Tuomo town, said Mr. Kennedy Daubry, the governorship aspirants incumbent member representing the constituency at the is to dialogue with them. state House of Assembly, won the primary election due to Remember I’m a board of trustees member and a his outstanding performance.

They also promised to deliver PDP in the general foundation member of elections and called on all eligible voters in Burutu South the PDP. So, I must be constituency to vote for Daubry, and other candidates of considered as an elder statesman in Delta State PDP at the general elections.

By Clifford Ndujihe & Ikenna Asomba

E

'Burutu South primary credible'

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and in the country and this is the right time for us to start.’’

On power tussle among the three senatorial zones and fear that the primaries may degenerate into mayhem if improperly conducted, he said: ‘’That is the reason for the dialogue and I believe dialogue will produce good results that will please all parties because people of integrity are coming to discuss.

"All the aspirants, as I see them, are all good and I believe that they are respected in the society.

So, they will come, sit down as intellectuals to discuss among themselves.’’

Chief Sonny Odogwu, during the interview. Photo: Joe Odogwu, publisher of Akintola defunct Post Express newspapers, tasked Deltans “to show encompasses a lot of things, it good example as we approach the 2015 embraces a lot of things. If we love ourselves and respect ourselves as general polls. ‘’Delta is a mini Nigeria. If we can brothers, things will go easily.

"I believe the dialogue will come with show good example, by showing brotherliness and love among results for the PDP and of course, for the ourselves, then, we have succeeded country because the PDP is the and every other thing will fall in place. predominant party."

That is what I expect. Brotherliness

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014,

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16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—17 —17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 WHEN cocksure governors complain about others obstructing their political space, we are again reminded – as if it really matters for more than a few moments – that we are all human, with needs, including the need for others.

The issue at stake is the seemingly small matter of representation at the Senate, where some governors want as retreat after eight years of executive control of their States.

Not a few have wondered aloud over what the governors want. In strict political measurements, a senate seat is one-third of a State. The simple calculation leaves many lost about the counts that would make a governor, whose dominion once spanned three senatorial districts, and created platforms that graded him among the top 40 people in Nigeria, would be interested in a miniscule part of his former fiefdom. The ways of politicians are unclear, even to themselves.

Accusations of greed have stemmed from contests for senate seats. It is interesting when one hears politicians

By Collins Njemanze

I

F you had asked me about Senator Musiliu Obanikoro a year or two ago, I would have dismissed him as one of the bad eggs of Nigerian politics, an uneducated and violent man who has no clue about the real essence of leadership and governance. Until sometime in July this year, I had never met Senator Obanikoro but interestingly, my opinion of his personality was based largely on what I heard or read about him. Recently, I took a little more interest in him when he became Minister of State for Defence. It happened that I visited Nigeria in June this year and was at a function in Owerri where he was invited to deliver the Celestine Onwuliri 3rd Memorial Lecture at the Imo State University. He spoke on the subject; “Security and National Development.”

Sincerely, I was shocked by the erudition and brilliance of his delivery. Is this not the man they said is uneducated and a thug? After this encounter, my impression changed and I took more interest in him and did a little more research on his person. I dare say there is a wide gulf between the real Obanikoro and the perception out there.

So when Obanikoro resigned in October 2014 to contest the Lagos gubernatorial elections, my interest in the process was heightened.

As one born and raised in Lagos before relocating to the United States, I believe the options facing Lagosians on who governs the state in the next dispensation are varied and rich.

On parade are people with enviable experience in public and private services as well as rich backgrounds in education, family C M Y K

Greed Rules Us

describing each other as greedy.

Governors think that a senate seat is a natural progression from their eight years of executive nothingness in most States. Governors who opted out of the rush for senate seats appear awkward in a move that could see former governors forming the majority in the Senate soon.

The implications of that outcome are not our concerns now. What we dread is the consequences of restricting entry into primaries for the Senate. The unwritten rule appears to be that a governor is a senatorial candidate at the end of his eight-year tenure. His only qualification is that he wants the seat; and we know governors get what they want or the polity over heats.

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, not one to tolerate anyone disrupting his service to his peoples accuses those trying to stop governors of greed. “ I am aware that people are saying sentimentally that they should not allow governors to the Senate because they said nobody can control people like me.

If I win, I am going to represent my people in the Senate but it is not a question of who would control me. They don’t want governors because of two or three governors in the Senate were giving them tough time or making things difficult for them. They are even sending forms to people to contest election into the Senate against other people (governors). “ It is for their own selfish reasons, it was not for the benefits of the people or for the country; they are protecting their jobs. ” Aliyu drops the hint that governors too are afraid of unemployment when they are out of office. Aliyu has given us another shade of greed.

OPINION Another look at Obanikoro values and impactful work life. There are also those who parade only the credentials of expected endorsements of godfathers.

Having made their intentions known, openly or discretely, their public and private lives have been subjected to diverse reviews and abuses.

A review of Senator Obanikoro’s public profile shows a man who has given all his life to public service. He can be described as a politician and administrator per excellence.

An astonishing fact however is lack of any record of graft or public fund mismanagement in his over 35 years of active politics and public service in Nigeria.

More astonishing is his success as a family man who has maintained a nuclear family in a marriage of over 34 years! The Obanikoros are blessed with children who in their own rights have recorded impressive accomplishments. His first son, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro has taken after his father in politics in what looks to be a promising career in public service.

Unlike other successful politicians we all know have got away with supposedly lying about universities attended, coupled with walking Nigerian streets freely with the baggage of criminal and civil records, Obanikoro has never been arrested or docked for contravention of any law, either here in the United States where he bagged his BSc and MSc in Public Administration from Texas Southern University or in Nigeria.

People who argue otherwise have been unable to produce a single proof till date. Yet,

this man has served Lagos State and the Nigerian nation in positions that others did not come out untainted.

From my personal research findings, he also produced results that his opposition would rather not permit to be placed in public domain.

Senator Obanikoro’s early political career included his appointment as a Director of Lagos Bulk Purchasing between 1987 and 1989 in which he chaired the Finance and Supplies Committee; his election as the Lagos State Deputy Chairman of the now defunct NRC in 1991; and his appointment as the caretaker chairman of the old Surulere Local Government. These were the solid foundations he needed for the sound public service roles that followed. In 1997, he was elected the Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, where he served until July 1998 the year Gen. Abacha died. In his brief tenure, Obanikoro became the first LG Chairman to pay for WAEC fees for all JSS three (3) students in the Local Government.

His interest in education saw the distribution of over N10 million worth of teaching aids and furniture to all primary schools in the Local Government.

At the dawn of democracy in 1999, he became the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture. His biggest achievement was the creation of the Black Heritage Festival in Lagos. The festivals were extremely successful, drawing large international participation and revenue generation for the state.

As a Senator, Obanikoro was famous for his aggressive push for a special status for Lagos State which was included in the bill he sponsored to amend the Federal Capital Territory Act. He was at the forefront of the motion on the surge and overflow of the Atlantic Ocean along the Bar Beach shoreline affecting residents in Victoria Island.

Earlier this year, Obanikoro was appointed a Minister of State for Defence. Though his tenure was brief having served a little over seven months, Obanikoro would be remembered for taking the discourse on the nation’s battle with the deadly insurgence in the North-Eastern part of the country to the people. He championed effective engagement of the citizens on the war progress and recognised the challenging equipment profile of the Nigerian Army and under his administration.

Conclusively, the elite with sympathy for the party in power in Lagos today, have argued that Lagos does not need a politician as its governor. The benefit of hindsight, in the last 15 years, suggests a rethink. Lagos must understand that the role of experienced politicians and that of trained administrators are different. The politician is the atop-the tree leader. He sees far and wide and provides direction to the on-the-ground administrator based on what he knows is best for the people.

Administrators implement while relying on the politician to clear the hurdles of public conflicts that comes with governing a society as complex and dynamic as Lagos. The senator is both.

•Mr.Njemanze, Washington DC.

wrote

from

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—19 —19

IG Abba Suleiman, Tambuwal and Jonathan T HIS may not be the best of times for the Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman. He has been cast in what, I would imagine, is the unwanted role of chief enforcer for President Goodluck Jonathan, in his proxy war against Aminu Tambuwal. Why President Jonathan finds it difficult to come out openly against Aminu Tambuwal who, he obviously does not want to continue as Speaker of the House of Representatives, is a mystery only he can resolve. He wants to be seen as a democrat, no doubt.

He wants nobody calling him names like they did former President Olusegun Obasanjo who wouldn’t make any bones of the fact that there is no love lost between him and Tambuwal, were he presently in the position President Jonathan now find himself with Aminu Tambuwal.

But his failure to put his money where his mouth is, to stand like a politician able to openly stand his ground, whether good or bad, portrays him as less in control than the man he fights. Even worse, it puts another man, Abba

Suleiman, in a position he clearly does not relish. But more on Suleiman shortly.

Since Aminu Tambuwal left the PDP to join forces with the APC, he had become anathema to the PDP hierarchy including President Jonathan. Soon after defecting from the ruling party, in a move obviously meant to enhance his chances in the contest for the governorship of his state (don’t be deceived by his purchase of nomination form for the APC presidential slot), Tambuwal had lost the support of President Jonathan for his continued leadership of the Lower house. There is nothing unnatural about the President’s reaction. Only a masochist of a president would be comfortable with an arrangement that requires him to work closely with the Speaker of a house whose support he can’t count on.

Therefore, President Jonathan is right or, at least, is being human in not wanting to continue to do business with Tambuwal. But he can only show his aversion for the man within the limits of the law, not beyond it.

By Chuks Iloegbunam

B

ABA IYABO is the quintessential hero in every drama of his own scripting or adaptation. If he isn’t the originator, initiator or lead actor, hush!

It means the play ain’t worth it. Therefore, those who presumed to put it together must be impaled on the flagstaff of their impunity. But Baba Iyabo was an unknown quantity until his replacement of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Adekunle (Black Scorpion) as the commander of the 3 Marine Commando Division of the Nigerian Army during the civil war. After the conflict, he claimed the title of the Ultimate-Commander-that-defeatedBiafra. But his stint at the battlefront had been over a spare six months; the war had lasted for two and a half years!

Baba Iyabo, the soldier-turned-author published My Command, (Ibadan.

Heinemann Educational Books, 1981), his account of the civil war. Thirty-three years later, another officer who fought alongside Baba Iyabo, published a counter to the book. Reviewing it at the launch in July 2013, the journalist, Kunle Ajibade, observed that: “The total lack of (a) generous spirit in General Olusegun Obasanjo prompted General Alabi-Isama to write The Tragedy of Victory. [Ibadan.

Spectrum Books, 2013]. Three years ago, when Alabi–Isama turned 70, he came to Nigeria from the US to celebrate his birthday. His close friend, General Alani Akinrinade who attended the ceremony, gave him two copies of General Olusegun Obasanjo’s My Command. By that time Alabi-Isama had heard about the book but had never read it. Akinrinade had told his friend that the book would turn his belly. It surely did. General Alabi-Isama discovered that there were so many distortions of fact in the book, and he immediately dismissed it as a tapestry of inaccuracies. As he read it, he marked out not less than eighty two passages in My

The IG, like any other public servant, ought to be neutral in a contest between and among politicians That, however, is not what Nigerians have been seeing in the last few weeks. What they’ve been treated to is the impatience of a president who cannot wait for the law to take its course before stampeding a political enemy he can no longer care about. His failure to stick to the elementary requirements of the law, to wit, allow Aminu Tambuwal to continue in office as Speaker until a court of competent jurisdiction decides to the contrary blight his democratic credentials. Only those who chose Tambuwal to be Speaker from among them can remove him. Anything outside this can only result in chaos.

Which is what Nigerians saw when personnel of the Nigeria Police locked the gates of the House of Representatives against Aminu Tambuwal in a bid to prevent him taking charge of proceedings in the House. The legislators in reaction to the unseemly display of unauthorised power by the police responded in an equally unseemly display of anger that saw them scaling over the high gates of the House like common brigands. More violations were to

come. The police would respond by shooting teargas at those it called thugs invading the precincts of law-making. The confusion that followed would force the President of the Senate, David Mark, to make an uninvited entry into the chambers of the House in yet another violation of the conventions that separate the operations of the two legislative chambers of the National Assembly. Not only was Mark shouted at and threatened by the outraged occupants of the Lower house, he was shoved severally by some of the enraged members who couldn’t accept his presence among them.

While David Mark has since received the apologies of the senator representing a zone from which some of his attackers come from, a committee of the House of Representatives compelled the Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman, to appear before it to explain the role of the police in the summary pounding of legislators with teargas. This saw them running for their lives in a race many of them had not engaged in a long time. The meeting of this committee and Suleiman came to an abrupt end, no thanks to the Inspector General who refused to recognise Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

For Suleiman, Tambuwal ceased to function as Speaker the moment he quit his membership of the PDP. It was for this reason the IG withdrew the Speaker’s police guards. Prior to this, Mr. Suleiman had, like a lawyer, quoted sections of the law and pronounced on Tambuwal’s ineligibility to continue as Speaker. The whole drama is more absurd than funny. When, many might ask, did it become

Ode to Baba Iyabo Command where General Obasanjo simply told outright lies to massage his ego and damage the reputation of his colleagues. Alabi-Isama then thought that since he was still a moving encyclopedia on the 3 Marine Commando Division, it was time to tear the painted mask of Obasanjo’s lies.”

Baba Iyabo has not uttered a word on the evisceration of his war memoirs by AlabiIsama. But he has continued, with fangs and talons, to attack and maul people he believes are obstacles to his coveted role of Eternal Lead Actor in Nigerian affairs. He expected President Goodluck Jonathan to have a bit of commonsense, which should translate into the Nigerian leader perpetually facing Ota Farm and taking dictation. If Jonathan woke up in the morning, he would be expected to face the Delphic Oracle at Ota Farm and seek permission to rise from bed and brace up for the day’s challenges. If Jonathan got to the office, he would, of course, seek another permission before he presumed to warm his seat. If people visited the presidential office, he would ask whether it was appropriate to grant them audience or whether muscular elements of the

In Baba Iyabo’s two presidential instances, he contributed precious little. These circumstances should have left him permanently in sober reflection

Police Mobile Force should not flog them kilometres away from Aso Rock’s precincts.

Because President Jonathan wisely understood that he should be his own man, rather than dawdle on the lawns of a fellow that since had his day, Baba Iyabo found him guilty of the capital crime of presumption. Therefore, every action of Jonathan’s, however patriotic, has to be visited with Ota diatribe. Baba Iyabo isn’t the only one fate dealt the presidency of Nigeria. All the others would rather consult privately with the President on any matter they felt strongly about.

Surprisingly, embarrassment appears to be scant in this weird situation of just the one man knowing all the answers and incessantly spewing invectives in all directions. But, should embarrassment really be in short supply in the propensity of just the one man habitually barging into open doors?

To return to President Jonathan, for whom Baba Iyabo is of little electoral significance. His stance rebukes the social media-generated opinion that he is weak.

Jonathan has looked the lion in his face and spat at it. Yet, the heavens have not fallen. Nor will they fall. It is obvious that Jonathan understands the sagacity in facing other than Ota in the governance of Nigeria. Those who have not appropriated this wisdom can do with some counsel. If a politician won an election, he tried. If a soldier shot himself to power, he still took some risk, even if his action was patently unconstitutional and undemocratic. In Baba Iyabo’s two presidential instances, he contributed precious little. He was dragged from hiding under the bed in Chief S. B. Bakare’s Ikoyi, Lagos, home and made Head of State after putschists killed General Murtala Muhammed in 1976. He

the business of the IG, a member of the executive, to determine which leader of the other arms of government deserve his recognition or otherwise? What is his business in this matter of recognising or not recognising who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives? This is surely a curious scenario that bears all the marks of a poorly written and 'directed' comedy that might yet turn out tragic.

The only person that can put an end to this nonsensical posturing of the IG, one that casts him in a role he is neither trained for nor assigned by law, is President Goodluck Jonathan.

It is also sad that the President chooses to put Abba Suleiman in this most uncomfortable of positions. He was only recently confirmed as IG and it would seem playing this role of devil’s advocate and agent provocateur, all at once, is something he must do to prove his loyalty to President Jonathan. The position in which the IG finds himself today is one many public servants find themselves- to defend the indefensible policies and positions of their bosses. It is certainly one of the pitfalls and dilemmas of public office which speaks to the need for an independent body to be responsible for the appointment of public officers like the Inspector General of Police.

The IG like any other public servant ought to be neutral in a contest between and among politicians. That he was appointed by a president that is a member of a political party does not and should not make him a supporter of that party.

But that is what is happening to the IG today.

was dragged from prison and made President of Nigeria, following the return to democratic rule in 1999. These circumstances should have left him permanently in sober reflection. Had that been so, he may have tried to attain something of the legend of Nelson Mandela, another man who went straight from prison to the presidential palace.

Instead he tried to twist the constitution in order to serve a third unprecedented term of office.

In calling members of the National Assembly thieves, is Baba Iyabo saying that he is the only person ignorant of the fact that his futile third term bid translated into a whopping N50 million largesse to almost every Federal legislator of that era? Was it not under his watch that the then House Speaker, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, poured next to the Mace, the rejected millions of raw cash the presidency had sought to clandestinely use to misdirect lawmaking?

Important point! If railing against sexual harassment is trending, those posted behind the microphones should not be serial rapists. To determine whether or not to pay any attention to Baba Iyabo, the public will do well to first examine the views of two men and two women. Grab a copy of Wole Soyinka’s You Must Set Forth At Dawn, (New York. Random House, 2007) and read the Nobelist’s accounts of two developments in which he thought that he and Baba Iyabo had some understanding.

The one was the Biafran Army ’s overrunning of the Midwest Region; the other was to do with the attempt to recover the plundered Ori Olokun statue, thought to be in Brazil. Next, get a copy of Bittersweet: my life with Obasanjo (Lagos.

Diamond Publications, 2009) by Oluremi, Baba Iyabo’s first wife. Read also, Iyabo’s 2013 letter to her Baba.

•Mr. Iloegbunam, author, wrote Lagos.

20— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 21

Operators advocate overhaul of privatisation laws

By Peter Egwuatu

S

OME capital market op erators have called on the Federal Government to intensify effort towards amending the existing privatization laws that would transform the Nigerian economy.

They attributed the nation’s stunted growth, limited skilled human capital development and paucity of need infrastructure to the subsisting privatization legal framework.

The operators, who said on the sidelines of the just concluded forth annual capital market retreat that government needed urgently overhaul the privatization laws to maximize the fruits of the exercise in terms of sustainable economic growth and employment.

According to most of them, the present privatization legal framework was contrived in a manner that would make government long term economic development a mirage.

They argued that the inability of the federal government to provide “medium and long term development clause” in the privatization document for emerging companies from the exercise to be listed within a specific period remains an anathema.

They also said that experiences from successful nation states privatization provided their citizens opportunities to benefit in the transformation of the commonwealth into private enterprises.

Mallam Garba Kurfi, Manag-

ing Director and Chief Executive Officer of APT Securities and Funds Ltd, blamed the federal government for the sustained shortcomings in the nation’s privatization laws.

“Most of us support the privatization policy of opening the nation’s investment space but

with the provision that evolved companies must be listed after a certain period.

“Honestly, government short comings, has compelled us to support the National Assembly current moves to make laws that will compel such companies to be listed at the Nigerian

Stock Exchange (NSE).

“Federal government incentives approach to the issue since the beginning of privatization in 1999 has failed,” Kurfi said.

Kurfi said that the current moves by the American Tower Company (ATC) to acquire the Baharti Air-

INDUCTION: From left: Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, Director, Society for Corporate Governance

Nigeria (SCGN); Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, President, SCGN; Chief Folake Solanke, Fellow SCGN; Mr. Tijjani Borodo, Fellow, SCGN, during the annual President Dinner/Induction of SCGN in Lagos.

tel’s more than 4,800 telecommunication towers in Nigeria brought to the fore some of the inadequacies of the privatization laws.

It will be called following the major national telecommunication companies divestment from the operation of communications towers, most foreign concerns had moved in to take over the management and operations of the towers.

Mr. O.P Ezeagu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Solid-Rock Securities and Investment Plc attributed government poor management to “interest driven advice.”

Ezeagu said that ATC aggressive bid for Airtel’s towers remains a manifestation of the collaboration between some Nigerian elites and foreign investors to illegally appropriate the nation’s commonwealth.

He also said that sustained growth and expansion of the nation’s employment space would remain elusive without making privatization an all inclusive programme.

“Federal government through the regulators must consciously overall the laws moderating businesses, especially businesses that are bye products of privatization programme to be listed on the Exchange,” he said.

Mr Christain Udechukwu, Founder of Business In Africa Events (BIAE), urged government to draw inspiration from US economic policy that prevents foreign companies from owning national critical infrastructure.

Oil steadies below $73 after hitting five-year low B

RENT crude oil stead ied below $73 a barrel yesterday, although Russian and Nigerian currencies remained under pressure on persistent doubts over their central banks’ ability to provide support. With Brent crude $188.25 -$1.10 trading at about $72, breaking a five-day losing $2,983.00 $58.00 streak, the rouble staged a brief rally but headed $15.56 -$0.03 lower again, losing 1.4 percent against the dollar.

Unease is growing about the Russian central bank’s $72.12 -$0.42 absence from currency markets despite heavy $68.47 -$0.53 rouble losses, amounting to almost 6 percent at one CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL point on Monday. The DOLLAR 167 167.5 168 bank last month floated STERLING 262.3069 263.0923 263.8776 the rouble which has been EURO 208.0319 208.6548 209.2776 battered for months by FRANC 172.9495 173.4673 173.9851 YEN 1.409 1.4133 1.4175 falling oil and the impact CFA 0.2928 0.3028 0.3128 of Western sanctions over WAUA 239.4338 240.1506 240.8675 the Ukraine crisis. holdYUAN 27.1425 27.2243 27.306 ing onto a rally from fiveRIYAL 44.4906 44.6238 44.757 year lows after oil producKRONA 27.9577 28.0415 28.1252 SDR 244.4045 245.1363 245.868 ers failed to curb production despite a supply glut.

CBN Exchange Rate as 02/12/2014 “The market is trying to

find some equilibrium,” said Olivier Jakob, oil analyst at Petromatrix in Zug, Switzerland. There was a sharp drop last week and a rebound yesterday. Brent is trying to find out if it is going to be trading at the $60 to $70 range or $70 to $80.” Brent was unchanged at $72.54, after jumping 3.4 per cent on Monday. U.S. crude was down 40 cents at $68.60 a barrel.

Oil has fallen by more than a third since June and on Monday reached it lowest since October 2009 as huge new supplies of high quality, light oil from North America overwhelmed demand. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries had been expected at a meeting last week to trim output to try to rebalance the market, but could only agree to maintain existing production targets.

Analysts said the market was going through a volatile adjustment phase that would lead to more erratic price movements before a more sta-

ble pricing environment was found.

“Saudi Arabia and OPEC no longer have the mechanism to balance markets from the supply side,” said Mark Keenan, head of commodities research Asia at Societe Generale.

The bank cut its U.S. crude and Brent forecasts to an average of $65 and $70, respectively, for 2015 and 2016.

Both Brent and U.S. crude touched five-year lows on Monday, with Brent dipping to $67.53 a barrel and WTI touching $63.72, before recovering to settle up on the day.

“Yesterday, much of the move higher right across the entire commodity complex ... suggests that there was a strong element of people increasing their allocation to commodities, taking advantage of these low prices,” Keenan said.

Analysts say much lower oil prices may force some producers out of the market.

As crude prices tumble, offshore drillers are increasing-

ly considering “ warm stacking” their rigs to take them temporarily off the market, and they also threaten unconventional producers that have recently come to the market when prices were still higher.

New data suggests that a much-anticipated slowdown in the U.S. shale rig count has started arriving.

A double-digit percentage fall in oil prices last week sent a shockwave through global financial markets, with countries heavily dependent on oil prices such as Russia, Nigeria and Norway among the biggest sufferers. That had all eased on Tuesday, with the Russian rouble, Malaysian ringgit and many other emerging market currencies stabilizing against the dollar after gains overnight.

Brent crude prices were roughly steady and Europe’s main stock markets were around 1 percentage point higher, driven by gains for oil majors including BP, Total and Royal Dutch Shell.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) has a database platform called the Nigerian Insurers Industry Database, (NIID) which will automatically confirm to you through SMS that your insurance is genuine

,

Aviva to buy Friends Life for $8.8bn

A

VIVA Plc has agreed to buy Friends Life in an all-stock deal worth $8.8 billion in the largest U.K. insurance industry deal in 15 years.

Bloomberg’s Matthew Campbell reports on “The Pulse.”

Aviva Plc , Britain’s secondlargest insurer by market value, agreed to buy Friends Life Group Ltd. (FLG) for about 5.6 billion pounds ($8.8 billion) in stock in the U.K. insurance industry’s biggest takeover in 15 years.

Aviva is offering 394 pence in stock for each Friends Life share, according to a statement. That’s 15 percent more than Friends Life’s closing price on Nov. 20, the day before the companies disclosed that they were in talks. Both boards have agreed to the terms of the transaction. Aviva is adding some 5 million customers, tapping the smaller insurer’s cash flow to help fund growth within existing markets, while accelerating dividend growth. Chief Executive Officer Mark Wilson, 48, said the transaction will help save about 225 million pounds in annual costs by the end of 2017, such as through job cuts and merging businesses.

“It allows them to cut costs and combine two businesses with different risk mix and that’s positive but that’s about it really,” Andy Hughes, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas in London, said before the announcement. He has an underperform rating on Aviva shares.

“Wilson has done a pretty good job until now, but we have got to see what he’s going to do with Friends Life. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

Aviva increased 2.9 percent to 514 pence as of 9:56 a.m. in London trading, bringing gains to 14 percent this year.

Friends Life, whose shareholders will own about 26 percent of the combined company, jumped 5.1 percent to 384.7 pence. That’s the highest since June 2009.

Cash Flow If the deal completes, Friends Life shareholders will receive a proposed second interim dividend of 24.1 pence per share.

At Aviva, directors proposed to pay a 2014 final dividend of 12.25 pence, an increase of 30 percent. The combined Aviva and Friends Life will have 16 million customers, challenging Legal & General Group Plc C M Y K

INSURAN

,

(LGEN)’s position as the largest manager of U.K. pension assets. The deal is expected to result in an additional cash flow of about 600 million pounds per year, according to the statement.

The takeover is the biggest among British insurers since CGU Plc’s 7.4 billion-pound merger in 2000 with Norwich Union Plc, which created Aviva, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

“I would accept that not everyone saw this deal coming,” Wilson said on a conference call with journalists today. “Let me be clear that the acquisition is absolutely consistent with our investment thesis of cash flow plus growth.

Cash flow is what our investors signed up for.”

Job Losses Wilson was appointed CEO in January 2013 after a shareholder revolt cost his predecessor his job. He has since changed

Aviva is offering 394 pence in stock for each Friends Life share, according to a statement. at least half of his senior managers and sold off assets as he strived to rebuild capital, increase cash flow and shrink billions of pounds of debt. Analysts including Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd.’s Edward Houghton and Deutsche Bank AG’s Oliver Steel said the deal will address some of these issues.

The CEO said today that combination of the two companies may lead to “some head count reductions” without elaborating.

“There is an impact on our people and we will look to minimize job losses first and we will consult with our people first,” Wilson said.

You can confirm authenticity of your motor policy yourself---NIA

G

ONE are the days when you carry about a motor insurance policy thinking it is genuine, only to be told at the point of making claims that what you have is fake.

With advancement in information communication technology, ascertaining the validity of an insurance document is just a click away.

Accordingly, the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) has a database platform called the Nigerian Insurers Industry Database, (NIID) which will automatically confirm to you through SMS that your insurance is genuine. If you did not receive

the alert after insuring your vehicle, please confirm the genuineness of your motor cover from the underwriter at the address indicated on your motor insurance certificate.

The NIID notwithstanding, insist on having a policy document (the evidence of the contract) on your insurance even if the cover is third party only and keep records of all your payments and transactions on your motor insurance.

Do not rely solely on the information provided by your insurance provider. You should make personal enquiry about the ownership structure, claim paying

record, status before the regulator, free hand for the management, customer satisfaction record and ease of doing business of your chosen underwriter.

Also, the size of your underwriter does not matter in motor insurance as long as you are satisfied with your enquiry.

However, getting a lower premium from your underwriter does not mean that you have gotten the best deal as more than what you gained in lower premium could have been taken back by coverage reduction, higher deductibles and some ridiculous benefit limits imposed by the underwriter.

Meanwhile, pay special attention to the amounts specified as your deductibles (excess), medical

Car insurers promise discounts to monitor your driving I

NSURANCE companies around the world are prom ising lower rates on car coverage. The catch is they want to install the equivalent of an airplane’s black box to track how and where you drive. Smartphone applications and devices that record trip and vehicle data are set to infiltrate auto insurance at a rapid pace, bolstered by dis-

counts of as much as 30 percent.

Consultancy Oliver Wyman forecasts that car insurance using driver data to set prices will grow 40 per cent a year to become a $3.6 billion market by 2020.

For insurers, it will provide fine-grained information on an individual’s driving style, like flooring it to beat a red

light, to improve returns in the competitive segment. For drivers, Big Brother-like monitoring offers lower rates and faster response time in the event of an accident, including medical assistance and repairs. In any case, the shift away from standard practices of rating customers by age and driving history might be unavoidable.

From left: Divisional Head, Human Resources and Training, First City Monument Bank Plc, Mrs. Felicia Obozuwa; Vice President, Oke Arin Men and Women Provisions Market, Mrs. Adeyinka Oshilaja; Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu; Chairperson, Shine Shine Nigeria Limited, Alhaja Shukurat Modupe Sani; Executive Director, Lagos and South West, FCMB Plc, Mr. Femi Bakre and Chairman/CEO, Alhujaj International Umral and Hajj Services Limited, Alhaji Abdul Jelili Animashaun, at the launch of Personal Business Account in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014,

expense limit and towing expense limit. Any ‘’excess’’ of more than 5% and medical expense or towing expense limit of N20,000 and below, means that you are already shortchanged. You should ask for better

terms.

Also, read your policy document very well and if there is any ambiguity or unfavourable term, make your observation known to the

underwriter immediately and in writing and you may ask for specimen copy of the policy document to be issued to you before concluding the contract.

From right: Engr Umar Hassan of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development; Engr Isah Onobere of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited; Sir. Oladipupo Bailey, former Commissioner for Insurance and Founder of Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria, PEFON and Engr Abdullah of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development during the induction of 23 professionals organised by PEFON in Abuja “In the not-so-distant future, it will become a market standard,” said Domenico Savarese, who heads vehicle-data efforts at Zurich Insurance Group AG , which provides auto coverage for about 15 million drivers in as many as 30 countries.

As autos become increasingly equipped to gather and transmit data, “motor insurance will by definition need to change.”

Insurer Shortcut Auto coverage in Europe generates about 130 billion euros ($160 billion) of premium income a year, the largest segment aside from life insurance. Because motor insurance is largely standardized, insurers fight for market share with lower rates.

That’s meant Germany’s car insurance market, Europe’s biggest, has been unprofitable for carriers since they intensified price cuts in 2005. Insurers in the U.K., Europe’s second biggest, are also seeking ways to end years of underwriting losses.

Insurers are looking for alternative tariffs, and rates based on individual data may make it tougher for consumers to compare prices. That’s becoming feasible due to trends in the auto industry.

Manufacturers from Volkswagen AG (VOW) to BMW are making cars more connected to add features that warn other vehicles of traffic jams and ultimately to facilitate autonomous driving. Regulators are also underpinning the spread of the technology. European Union legislation will reC M Y K

quire new cars to have a system that automatically notifies emergency services after a serious crash, relaying basic data about location of the accident even if the driver is unconscious.

Axa Savings Still, carmakers haven’t made the data readily available as they seek to protect their turf. That’s caused insurers to side step the manufacturers with devices that gather that information independently.

“Since carmakers are sitting on the data, insurers are taking a shortcut,” said Juergen Reiner, a partner at Oliver Wyman. “That means insurers get that part of the customer relationship, at the carmakers’ expense.”

In Ireland, Axa SA (CS) is promoting its Drivesave program with discounts of as much as 20 percent to drivers from 17 to 24 years old. The service uses a smartphone app to record data such as acceleration, speed, distance and stopping force. Another 10 percent a year could be saved if customers continue to drive safely.

In Axa’s home country of France, a similar program will be introduced next year that may reward good drivers and penalize bad ones.

New Standard Allianz SE (ALV), Europe’s largest insurer, is following a similar path and will open a

center at its Munich headquarters next year to expand its monitored-driver offering to 10 countries from four.

For decades, commercial airliners have been equipped with voice and data recorders that record flight information and can help determine the cause of an accident. While privacy concerns exist in expanding that capability to cars, the lure of lower premiums and added safety is a powerful incentive, especially among younger drivers who are accustomed to permanent connectivity.

“We don’t want to get data that we don’t need, so we don’t become a Big Brother,” said Zurich’s Savarese. “Clearly, we want to know if there’s an accident, and that’s probably the moment when we will want to know the most about your drive.”

While user-based car insurance makes up less than 5 percent of the market, the share is expected to soar to 26 percent in the U.S. and 38 percent in the U.K. by 2020, according to a November study from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.

“We think it’s ultimately unstoppable,” said Juergen Thiele, a partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.

“It’ll be a market standard, even though we’ll see some of the old tariffs remain.”

,

CE & YOU

— 23

You also have the duty to introduce the Next of Kin to PFA before/after retirement as well as provide details of bank account for receiving retirement benefits

You still have rights as a retiree I

,

f you are a retiree under the Contributory Pension Scheme, (CPS), there are certain rights and privileges which you are entitled to.

One of such rights is that you should have continuous enlightenment on pension and financial matters by your Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).

Also, you can negotiate/change mode of withdrawal of pension benefits, e.g from programmed withdrawal to annuity.

As a retiree, you should provide quotation/provisional agreement from a life insurance company to the PFA for the purchase of annuity although the regulation does not allow change from annuity back to programmed withdrawal for now.

It is also your right to receive periodic statement of account from the PFA, by hard copy or e-mail.

Duties of retirees However to get the best service from your PFA, it is your duty to provide contact address after retirement as well as other documents required by the PFA. You also have the duty to introduce the Next of Kin to PFA before/after retirement as well as provide details of bank account for receiving retirement benefits.

It is also your duty to receive pension as and when due by direct payment to your bank account while you must write /update a Will with named administrator.

Roles of PFAs to retirees As regards retirement, the PFA has the duty to enlighten the retiree on the features of the programmed withdrawal and annuity as well as file request with the National Pension Commission, (PenCom) of any retiree changing from programmed withdrawal to annuity.

It is also the duty of the PFA to issue payment instruction to Pension Fund Custodians, (PFC) for periodic withdrawal.

The PFA should re –issue standing order every 12 months as well as instruct PFC to effect payment of annuity premium to insurance company.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

From left: Sola Omole receiving Nigerian’s Reputation Builders’ award from Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) President, Rotimi Oladele in Abuja

NB, Consolidated Breweries merger talk holds tomorrow

BY PETER EGWUATU

A

head of the court ordered meetings for proposed merger between Nigerian Breweries Plc and Consolidated Breweries Plc slated for tomorrow, some capital market operators and investors at the nation’s capital market have said that the synergy of both companies has introduced a new platform or sustainable economic diplomacy.

The stakeholders said in separate interviews in Lagos, that the business combination would not only challenge real sectors operators to overhaul the businesses but provided another impetus for foreign core investors to positively review their interest in Nigeria.

According to them, the affirmation of the proposed merger at the December 4, 2014 separate Court Ordered

Meetings (COM) would further leverage the Nigerian real sector operations.

Mr.Godwin Anono, Chairman, Nigeria Professional Shareholders Association, said that the shareholders would support the merger because of the enhanced exchanged ratio proposed by the companies.

Anono said that the exchange ratio of four NB shares to five Consolidated Breweries was a fair deal when compared with developments in the market where shareholders were shortchanged. He said that the shareholders would support all the resolutions of the COM to ensure speedy conclusion of the merger plan.

Anono also said that the merger would stimulate economic growth and development of the capital market. He, however, called on other shareholders to

support the merger which he described as a welcome development in the Nigerian capital market.

Mr Timothy Adesiyan, President, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), expressed shareholders readiness for the consolidation exercise.

Adesiyan said that the merger would turnaround the fortunes of both companies in terms of robust growth and return on investment. The NSSA boss called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure protection of the minority shareholders in the merger process.

Mr. Emeka Madubuike, President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that the merger would increase the depth of the capital market.

May & Baker receives WHO certification

T

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has certified May & Baker Nigeria Plc as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company with adequate facilities and processes that meet the global health organisation’s current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) The certification opens a vast opportunity for global drug contract manufacturing to May & Baker, whose Ota, Ogun State-based manufacturing complex known as The Pharmacentre was designed and positioned as the most modern pharmaceutical factory in the West African region.Nigerian pharmaceutical firms previously were not in a position to participate in international tenders for medicines against the three pandemics that require WHO prequalification. Health experts identified this as a major constraint on the local supply of medicines, especially anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs, anti-malarial and anti-tuberculosis agents.

Commenting on this development, Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, noted that May & Baker has become synonymous with excellence since it started operations in C M Y K

Nigeria in 1944 as the first pharmaceutical company in the country, pointing out that the WHO certification is not an end in itself but another motivation for further attainments in the quest for excellent healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

He outlined that May & Baker was the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, first to introduce a new dosage Chloroquine regimen, first ISO-certified pharmaceutical company, first to set up ARV plant in Nigeria and first and only pharmaceutical company in Nigeria to delve into local vaccine production. According to him, the company has by this certification confirmed that the confidence and funds committed in the Pharmacentre will be used as a spring board to attain greater participation in both the local and international pharmaceutical markets.The announcement of the certification which was formally communicated to May & Baker Nigeria recently by the world health ruling body, caps a deliberate and sustained effort by the company to seek international accreditation and certification for its production processes and products.

Producing competent pupils from our schools

A

lhaji Jakande’s administration in Lagos State between 1979 and 1983 ensured that all school children went to school at the same time and in the morning.

While stating the above in this column on August 27 2014, we went on to say that the quality of learning achieved by our school children as reflected in examination results is a matter that is always before as and we shall place this matter before the next governor.

An example is the significant level of failure that was recorded in the last Bar final examination at the Nigerian Law School. A member of the Council of Legal Education commented that in spite of the university entry requirement of a credit grade in English, there are university students who cannot speak passable English.

He then stated that English is a basic tool for a lawyer and that this cannot be taught at the university or the Law School.

So, where is English to be taught to students? Clearly we must start at the primary schools as English is everybody’s basic tool. The next governor should make a huge investment in the primary school system with the provision of teachers, teaching aids and classrooms starting with the entry year, Class 1.

Classes 2 to 6 would be covered in progression over the following five years. Additional classrooms should be built to cover pupils who may have to repeat a year on account of their failure in the end-of-year class examinations.

The goal would be that 95% of the pupils would be found competent in the subjects of reading and writing English as well as in arithmetic at the Primary School L e a v i n g Examination.

We must ensure that the pupils leaving primary school are able to read and write in the official language, English and that the pupils comprehend the English language sufficiently to be able to benefit from the junior secondary school programme.

The pupils must also have adequate

knowledge of arithmetic. The school programme should be a regime of class instruction, home work and class tests which would develop and confirm the required competence in the pupils.

The performance levels of pupils in the junior secondary school have been found to drop as they advance from one year into the next. Better preparation given to the pupils from the primary school would reverse the trend but we would also have to set about reinvigourating the secondary school system for another six years once we have finished with the primary schools.

It is going to be a long haul.

We must always bear in mind that the yardstick for measuring successful completion of the secondary school programme is the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, WASSCE. A successful student is expected to obtain the credit grade in five subjects and which subjects should include English language and Mathematics.

The foundations we lay at the primary school are therefore very important.

The changes that are required in the primary school system are not cosmetic. If the pupils have to spend double the time now allocated to the study of arithmetic and the English language, we should make the required adjustments to the school time-table.

There is a natural curiosity in children and we must encourage them to acquire knowledge and develop a spirit of inquiry. The government should get involved in the One Laptop per Child

We must ensure that the pupils leaving primary school are able to read and write in the official language, English

programme organized by a non-profit organisation based in the United States. The XO Laptop launched in 2005 is designed to help children teach themselves how to, among other things, programme the computer itself. The XO Laptop is such that the child can teach himself or herself to read and subsequently he or she can read to learn.

Next week, we shall start with flood risk management.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 25

DIARY zITU Telecom World 2014 Qatar National Conference Centre Doha, Qatar 7-10 Dece, 2014

Drive us into new era of strategic business, oh ICT! — Nigerian business leaders pray

zTelecoDays

Prague Marriott HotelPrague Czech Republic Mar 23-24 2015

Preview Amazon's Robot 'Elves' Help Fill Cyber Monday Orders

O

N one of the busiest online shopping days of the year, thousands of bright-orange, pancakeshaped robots are buzzing around Amazon's shipping centers, rushing to fill the company's Cyber Monday orders.

Last year, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced that he eventually plans to use drones to deliver packages to online shoppers, but while the Federal Aviation Administration crafts official regulations for the commercial use of drones, the online retail giant has found an intermediate step: flat, wheeled robots that zoom around Amazon's warehouses, carrying 7-foot-tall (2.1 meters) stacks of books, electronics and toys.

The robots navigate on a grid system made of barcode stickers stuck to the warehouse floor. The bots know which products to gather by scanning the bar codes as they roll along.

C M Y K

By Prince Osuagwu

O

ver 90 percent of business leaders in Nigeria are riding on the back of Information and Communications Technology, ICT to book a place at the unfolding new era of strategic business.

This is mainly after identifying that ICT is a strategic lever for business growth.

With this realization, there is a growing adoption of technology solutions like automation, to manage daily activities with a prayer that it could be enough to drive them into the new era of strategic business planning.

More so, a recent research conducted

by EMC Corporation reveals that of 528 business and technology decision makers across Nigeria’s private and public sectors, more than 80 percent agree that their organisations recognise the increasing role of automation, such as software defined storage, among others as critical to business growth.

The study also found that about 96 percent of respondents expect nextgeneration technologies such as Mobile, Social, Cloud Computing and Big Data to give their organisations a competitive advantage, even as these new technologies will impact key aspects of business, including improving customer experience, managing mission-critical business operations and building new products and services.

The survey result was revealed at the 2014 edition of the EMC Forum in Lagos last week.

Meanwhile, the Forum also showcased the transformation required by organisations in order to remain competitive and seize new opportunities in the coming era of data explosion. The event saw top decision makers and IT professionals from different organisations brainstorming on the latest challenges and trends in the industry. Participants were also provided with information on how to harness the latest IT developments in Big Data, Cloud Computing, Information Security and related services, towards enabling their

organizations meet the demands of the dynamic global IT landscape.

EMC’s General Manager for West Africa, Rasheed Ola Jimoh, said that the survey results reflect heightened interest in third platform technologies

by Nigerian organisations. For him, “enterprises across Nigeria are realising the value that can be derived from technologies such as

I NHuawei Sbrings IAscend DMate 7 Esmartphone to Nigeria

Cloud Computing and Big Data. These technologies form the bedrock for driving agility and engaging the connected consumer. As the transition to third platform commences, IT departments will find themselves open to new opportunities to innovate and truly fuel business transformation,” he said.

Jimoh underscored the need for organisations to take a more cloudcentric approach to business, against the backdrop of changing customer expectations arising from the emergence of new, always-on technology platforms.

“Consumer expectations have undergone a radical shift. They now expect to interact not only with each other, but with a multitude of organizations, via mobile devices and at the speed of now. To remain relevant and competitive, organisations across every industry are reinventing their business models to handle unprecedented levels of access, interaction and scale. For this reason, IT finds itself back in the driver’s seat, morphing from cost centre to a true catalyst for change through the use of cloud and Big Data technologies,” he explained.

He added that EMC’s longestablished reputation as a global leader in helping businesses and service providers transform their operations places the organization at a vantage position for facilitating Nigeria’s transition to an IT-driven economy.

‘Don’t overlook camera surveillance as yuletide draws near’

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Airtel officially launches Trybe

By Bartholomew Madukwe

A

irtel Nigeria has officially launched its new package called “Trybe Plan” which offers free calls, unlimited BBM, WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

Introducing Trybe in Lagos, Airtel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Maurice Newa, described it as a youth product because it allows students in campus interact easily.

He said: “This product will add a lot of value to the youths. The product is a youth product, it is a movement that is called Airtel Trybe. This great product is going to bring a lot of customers and we do have enough capacity. Behind the product is a great network.

“Airtel mobile internet is the internet service of Airtel (formally Zain). Airtel mobile internet offers you high-speed (3G). We do not have any challenge at all when it comes to network capacity.”

Newa said with Trybe any call made from campuses in Nigeria would cost 11kobo per second and free calls from 11pm to 5am, adding that the plan was designed to address the lifestyle of youths, “If you are within Trybe the social media is free. Facebook will be free, Twitter and WhatsApp will be free too. Apart from that, you will also get 5 free SMS daily, after the first two paid SMS of the day.

Visafone Wins 2014 CDMA Operator Award

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isafone Communications Limited has won the CDMA Operator of the Year award at the just concluded AfriICTA 2014 awards ceremony.

Chairman of AfriICTA, Mr. Mkpe Abang who presented the award said “Visafone was adjudged the CDMA Operator of the Year because of its resilience in the market in the face of stiff competition and a very harsh economic climate.”

He noted that the company has remained a dominant player in the deployment of high speed data and high quality voice services in the market place stressing that in the intervening years since rollout, the company has continued to grow phenomenally.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of Visafone, Mr. Srinivasa K.V said “ we are excited by this award which recognizes the company as the CDMA Operator of the Year. We are encouraged and will continue to provide high quality services focused at specific segments to stand out as the provider of high quality services in the telecom sector.”

Srinivasa explained that the company which recently emerged the Telecoms Company of Year in the Niche Services category at the just concluded Nigeria Telecoms Awards, was also recognized by BusinessDay as one of Nigeria’s Top 100 Most Respected Companies in 2014.”.

Huawei brings Ascend Mate 7 smartphone to Nigeria

By Emeka Aginam

W

ITH intimidating large screen, lightning fast octa-core smartphone and singletouch fingerprint technology, Huawei’s latest flagship Ascend Mate7, is tickling the Nigerian smartphone ecosystem.

Lunched last week in Lagos, the smart device features big 6-inch screen with FHD display for enhanced entertainment viewing, a slimmer 7.9mm body for increased comfort, a more powerful octa-core chipset for superior performance, and a longerlasting 4100 mAh battery.

With new single-touch fingerprint technology and EMUI 3.0, Ascend Mate7 dials up the mobile experience to make it easier for users to live life to the fullest.

The device is the latest big-screen smartphone

from Huawei as it showcased its big ambitions as the number three smartphone vendor in the world.

Country Marketing Manager, Huawei Consumer Business, Nigeria, Olaonipekun Okunowo, , said that “today marks the arrival of our fastest and most compelling bigscreen smartphone experience for consumers.

It’s an icon of our relentless commitment to ‘Make it Possible’ for people everywhere to enjoy our

•Huawei Ascend P7 premium quality products,”.

According to him, “Huawei Ascend Mate7 actually leads the big-

screen pack with smarter performance, impressive power efficiency, and outstanding convenience with its superior single-touch fingerprint technology.”

He said that the device has an intelligent Huawei Kirin 925 processor made up of four large A15 1.8 GHz and four small A7 1.3 GHz chipsets which are activated in different configurations depending on the power needs of a specific app or function .

According to him, the product could save up to 50% of the battery by automatically using smaller A7 cores to power standard apps that consumers use at least 80% of the time, and kicking in the larger A15 during high-performance use such as gaming.

SURE-P partners NITDA to create 600 IT jobs in January

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE Subsidy R e i n v e s t m e n t Programme, SURE-P, has signed a partnership agreement with the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA to train some selected youths on software and other technology skills.

The training, which starts in January 2015 is an initiative of the SURE-P aimed at empowering 600 youths at the commencement of the scheme on software and allied IT services, will engage more youths as the programme lasts.

The Director General of NITDA, Dr. Peter Jack, at the signing ceremony, said, NITDA considered the partnership as a potent measure to accelerating the job creation drive of federal government and transforming the fortunes of poor and unemployed youths.

“Software industry and IT services have been recognized as having the potential to transform the

•Peter Jack economy, create jobs and contribute significantly to country’s GDP. It is also a potent tool to constructively engage the youths and stir up their creative ability.

“It is in the light of this that NITDA is partnering with SURE-P to train and empower minimum of 600 selected interns across the six geo-political zones of the country in specific areas of

information technology optimized for identified economic sectors,” he said.

Jack, who was represented by the Acting Director of Software and Outsourcing, NITDA, Mr. Christopher Okeke, explained that the partnership is also expected to stimulate innovation and stir up the creative ability of the interns, and more so

create job opportunities in selected areas of the economy.

Earlier in his address, the Director of Graduate Internship Scheme of the SURE-P, GIS, Mr. Per Papka explained that SURE-P under the scheme will provide the interns with welfare pack made up of a monthly stipend of N30, 000 over a period of 12 months, the progriamme will last.

On the other hand, Papka said NITDA will provide a laptop, the platform infrastructure, training content, venue, facilitators, mentors, and business incubation and certification exams for the interns.

Some of the identified areas of focus at the training include: agriculture; health; oil and gas; education and creative industry.

According to NITDA, the partnership while enhancing collaboration among government agencies and stimulating creativity among the interns is equally expected to establish a minimum of 30 small and medium scale business ventures by the interns within the next three years.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—27 —27

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28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Eaton signs deal with Somotex Nigeria

By Juliet Ebirim

G

• Suveillance cameras

‘Don’t overlook camera surveillance as yuletide draws near’

By Prince Osuagwu

B

USINESS Development Manager, Axis Communications MEA, Roy Alves, has advocated the use of camera surveillance solutions to keep criminals away from shopping malls this yuletide season.

Alves said that deploying cameras as well as shoplifting awareness and prevention training for mall tenants and their employees would play a great role in deterring shoplifters and car vandals.

As festive season is here, “The benefits of implementing a modern, state-of-the-art surveillance system extends beyond creating a highly efficient loss prevention tool, as it also allows shopping complexes to enhance the profitability of their retail outlet. This, as network video helps to improve staff planning, store layout, and in-store advertising amongst other aspects of a retail business.

“In addition, IP camera systems enable malls to improve staff security and can deliver a quick return on investment. This quick ROI comes via reduced loss, less time spent on investigating suspect incidents, and a decrease in liability claims” he said.

He added that Multiple network cameras can be overtly mounted inside as well as outside of a shopping mall for these to become an excellent theft deterrent, with the resulting video footage having further usage benefits in thwarting other crimes as well and helping staff to respond faster to incidents and emergency situations.

“With the addition of video analytics software, the mall management company will also be able

to monitor patron traffic patterns at every entrance into the complex. This will enable them to use this info for marketing purposes and analysing business performance. Axis provides a range of network flexible video solutions that run on standard Ethernet networks and are compatible with the existing infrastructure of most malls. These proven solutions will meet the security and retail requirements of any retail outlet and deliver additional value through the business analytics tools,” Alves said.

lobal power management company, Eaton has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with provider of electrical and electronic equipment in Nigeria, Somotex Limited to warehouse and distribute the company’s leading products to retailers across Nigeria’s power sector.

Eaton, which specialises in helping customers manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably, employs over 103,000 people worldwide and serves customers in 175 countries. The company recently launched in Nigeria to further serve the needs of Eaton’s customers in the country and in West Africa.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Charles Iyo, Eaton Regional Sales Manager, West Africa said Eaton will continue to build a more energy efficient West Africa through an ever expanding group of distributors and partners.

“The partnership with Somotex will enable Eaton provide advance power management technologies for businesses to do more with less energy in an increasingly resource constrained nation,” said Iyo. “Eaton is therefore delighted that this signing ceremony will further bring Eaton closer to its Nigerian customers.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, Somotex Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. Anil Mohinani said “As a frontline provider of electrical equipment in Nigeria, Somotex is pleased to partner with one of the world’s respected energy management companies.

This partnership will no doubt catalyse sustainable growth in the power sector in line with Nigeria’s government transformation agenda.”

He said that as Eaton continues to explore avenues to serve the needs of its customers and build business relationships across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy, the company will host industry players and customers at an Eaton Tech Day event slated for February 2015 at the Eko Hotel, Lagos.

According to Iyo, Tech Day is a platform to showcase Eaton’s solutions in key segments to industry leaders in Africa’s biggest market.

MTN Business urges SMEs to embrace cloud services

By Emeka Aginam

A

s major drivers of economic growth, small and medium scale enterprises have been advised to adopt cost-effective, operationally efficient and flexible solutions in the management of their businesses.

This was the major talking point at the inaugural MTN SME Forum organized by Nigeria’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, MTN Nigeria.

Citing lack of awareness on the benefits of cloud services as well as the mistaken perception among SMEs that cloud computing is very

expensive and beyond their reach, the MTN SME forum was organized to bridge these identified gaps.

MTN Cloud Services offer a range of prepaid cloudbased services designed to provide server, software, storage and security benefits over a secure internet connection without any of the associated IT infrastructure costs. With this development, SMEs in Nigeria can now enjoy enterprise solutions and very affordably too.

According to Mike Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, technology has become a key differentiator and enabler for businesses and as such services like cloud

computing can prove commercially viable for SMEs due to its flexibility and payas-you-go cost structure. He added that cloud computing significantly lowers the cost of running an organization in the final analysis.

“MTN Nigeria is committed to adding value to the lives and helping to drive the growth of businesses in Nigerian, by delivering tailormade, productivity-enhancing solutions to every part of this vast country. We will continue to explore opportunities to help in stimulating economic growth and provide tools necessary for the growth of small businesses in Nigeria,” Ikpoki added.

In his presentation, Adebiyi Mabadeje, Lagos State Commissioner of Science and Technology, highlighted the business imperative for SMEs to adopt cloud technology as a means of reducing the prevalent SME funding gap as well as achieving economies of scale.

“SMEs that embrace technology have the ability to grow faster, export more and employ more people, as cloud technology offers the opportunity to compete globally. The adoption of cloud technology not only brings down total cost of ownership, it also lowers risk and promotes innovation,” he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—29 —29

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30— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—31

The dividend of de-emphasising stereotyping of Nigerians

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

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GOOD number of well meaning Diaspora Nigerians have contributed enormously towards deemphasising stereotyping of Nigerians in various countries of resident abroad.

Although, there are many thorny issues and challenges Nigerians in the Diaspora face

while fighting for survival, it is not enough for some host countries to stereotype Nigerians.

Stories are not short of relating how Diaspora Nigerians have to pull and push on a daily basis to counter stereotyping in different countries of abode abroad, which often leads to several sad experiences.

Speaking at a conference in

Beijing, while commending the leadership of the new Ambassador of Nigeria to Guangzhou, China, Ambassador Wali, China-based Nigerian industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, expressed satisfaction over the concerted efforts towards de-emphasising stereotyping of Nigerians abroad.

Mbisiogu who spoke via

telephone told Vanguard Consular Advisory that Diaspora Nigerians were constantly making remarkable contributions both in the economies of host countries and that of Nigeria, stressing that Diaspora Nigerians contribute more than 60 per cent to host countries' economies.

Soliciting for stronger binational relationship with other foreign countries, where the

presence of Nigerians are felt positively, the industrialist, and CEO, Blue Diamond Logistic, who will be bestowed with the prestigious Igbo Person of the Year 2014 award, charged Nigerians with the responsibility of maintaining the ideals of those who work for the greatness of Nigeria.

The award which is in recognition of his immense contributions to ensuring that stereotyping of Nigerians abroad becomes a thing of the past, is a thought seed of Igbo Amaka, a socio-cultural organization that is committed to promoting excellence in the nation’s interest. It is conceptualized to stimulate the spirit of industry, while also acknowledging the sterling achievements made by Nigerian sons and daughters across the universe.

It is worthy of note that the award as the 2014 Igbo Person of the Year, which is scheduled to commence January 23, 2015, in Ikoyi, shall witness the spirit of oneness and patriotism of Nigerians, as former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekueme (GCON) is expected to present the prestigious award as one of the founding fathers who has constantly preached and worked for the oneness of Nigeria.

Enormous contribution In line with the aforementioned, Vanguard Consular Advisory gathered from notable Nigerians abroad, especially in Asia, that Mbisiogu is befitting of the award. Many of them applauded his enormous contribution towards the realization of a new consulate in Guangzhou, China, while others are of the view that the worthy son of Ideato South in Imo State and China based industrialist and philanthropist, deserves more than being the 2014 Igbo Person of the Year, for his pivotal role in providing jobs for a large number of Nigerian youths.

Many pointed out that Mbisiogu’s far-reaching measures of goodwill in almost all nooks and crannies of his immediate community and the country as a whole is worthy of emulation. Mbisiogu, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Lagos, UNILAG, in addition to other professional certificates, will join other Nigerian Ambassadors who are passionate about the welfare of Nigerians as he receives the prestigious award of the 2014 Igbo person of the year.

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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MIRACLE OF THE AGED: How octogenarian, wife escape death in Imo after house collapse VOL. 1 NO 14

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

10 houses, farmlands destroyed as Anambra communities fight over land A

By VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—NO fewer than 10 houses and property, including farmlands, worth thousands of Naira in Ntokor community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State have been destroyed following alleged invasion by the people of Umuayom, another community in the local government, who are claiming that where Ntokor people had lived for hundreds of years, belongs to them.

The women and old men who took South East Voice round the destroyed houses and farmlands said they now live in fear as the invaders usually come anytime they felt like and, even in their presence, used heavy objects to knock down parts of their houses, including buildings under construction.

longer sleep with their two eyes closed and called on Governor Willie Obiano to prevail on the prominent people of Umuayom village in Awka who, he said, are the mastermind of the invasion, to leave them alone.

He said: “Umuayom people claimed that they own where we live because they helped our neighbours, Isiagu village, to defeat us in a war following a claim that an Ntokor man killed an Isiagu man over 200 years ago and so Isiagu gave them our land where we live. This is a place we inherited from our forefathers and generations after generations had lived here unmolested until now when people who believe they are rich decided to drive us out of our ancestral homes.

“We have no prominent people and money bags in our community to fight for us and

Buildings under construction The matter had passed through various courts, leading to judgments, but was yet to be resolved. There had also been petitions to the Anambra State government and Inspector General of Police, who once sent a powerful team from Abuja to investigate the matter, only to inform the people that the police could not do much since it was a land matter between two communities.

Armed with documents relating to the land dispute, the former chairman of Ntokor Development Union, NDU, Mr. Stephen Iloh said their greatest worry is that they no

We have no prominent people and money bags in our community to fight for us and that is why we are appealing to government and security agencies to rescue us from the invaders

*One of the destroyed buildings that is why we are appealing to government and security agencies to rescue us from the invaders. The surprising thing is that we do not even have a boundary with Umuayom as those who have boundary with us are Umunneoke and Nkwelle villages in Awka.”

Documents made available to South East Voice showed that in 2000, the people of Umuike in Umuayom and Umuoranma, both in Awka, took Ntokor to court claiming that the community known as Ntokor belongs to them. In 2009, a prominent son of Umuayom (names withheld),

invaded part of Ntokor with armed men, thugs and caterpillars and told Ntokor people that he would take over the land by force.

Following the development, the people, through their lawyer, Mr. Hassan

Continues on page 3

ALSO IN THIS EDITION Confusion in Anambra community of 2 monarchs, parallel new yam festivals

— PAGE 5

SACKED BY EROSION:

Fears as abandoned buildings turn sanctuary for hoodlums in Imo — PAGE 7 communities

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Anambra monarch pledges support for agriculture

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA—THE traditional ruler of Igbariam community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, His

*Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano receiving the Eminent Ambassadors of Peace Award from the World Peace Vice President and Chairman, Governing Council Board, His Excellency, Chief Ambassador Per Stafsen during the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women organized by the International Association of World Peace Advocates, at Women Development Centre, WDC, Awka.

Obiano’s wife blames spate of violence against women on culture

By VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—WIFE of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano has said that the Nigerian culture has over the years, provided the smokescreen for the abuse of the womenfolk, especially the widows, regretting that violent and abusive practices against women had continued over the years.

Mrs. Obiano spoke during a ceremony to mark the United Nations international day for the elimination of violence against women organized by the International Association of World Peace Advocates in Awka.

She, however, noted that violence and abuse of women were global phenomena sustained by misconceptions.

According to her, very often, violence against women was fuelled by discriminatory practices, such that across the world, women were beaten, raped, mutilated and killed with impunity.

She said that notwithstanding the fact that Anambra State had the obligation to

prevent, protect and punish violence against women, whether perpetrated by private or public actors, obvious gaps still existed, adding that there should be mechanism for the protection of individuals from human rights abuses.

Mrs. Obiano stated that millions of women and girls still suffer from violence both in times of peace and at war in the hands of individuals, the state, at home, and the larger society, adding that violence against women manifest in various forms physical, psychological, sexual, financial and emotional.

She said: “It is regrettable that violence is often ignored and rarely punished, and the culprits are not held accountable for the crimes.

“I expect that there is need for a second look at the efficacy of the laws in our statute books and how they can be strengthened and where necessary work for a review. Training of law enforcement officials for better enforcement would help in checking rampant abuses and encourage prosecution of

culprits.

“Also, there should be civic education on the rights of the woman and girl-child and the place of culture should be properly defined with a view to eliminating harmful traditional practices so as to preserve the dignity of women, especially widows.

She appreciated the efforts of the International Associa-

Millions of women and girls still suffer from violence both in times of peace and at war in the hands of individuals, the state, at home, and the larger society

tion of World Peace Advocates for their interest in the pursuit of global peace and the elimination of violence against women.

She also drew attention to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW, that frowns at all forms of harmful traditional practices against women, stressing that one of the fundamental human rights is the right to life and freedom from violence, particularly violence against women.

In his speech, the World Peace Vice President, Chief Ambassador Per Staffsen, said that the event helps to enhance the status and rights of women, noting that many Nigerians have the zeal to end violence against women.

He congratulated the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon for putting in place measures that promote global peace

Royal Majesty, Igwe Nkeli Nzekwe Kelly has pledged the determination of his community to support the state’s agricultural policy which is one of Governor Willie Obiano’s fourpoint agenda through provision of land.

He therefore, asked the various tiers of governments to move into the Igbariam farm settlement with mechanized farming implements and demand for more lands in order to boost food production in the settlement which was established during the era of former Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara.

Speaking to South East Voice in his palace, Igwe Kelly expressed concern that for so many years now nothing tangible was happening in the settlement in terms of farming activities.

He said such an ugly trend was responsible for the current high rate of unemployment in the state, adding that if government could mobilize tractors and other farming implements to site, all the unemployed youths who were currently restive would be absorbed.

He said he observed that because of little or no agricultural activities going on in the settlement, most of the kidnappers who operated in some parts of the state were now using the area as their haven.

The monarch who described Obiano’s security measure as the best among his four-point agenda, followed by agriculture, commended him for setting up Operation Kpochapu which has now made people to sleep with their two eyes closed, unlike in the recent past when at a stage, he became ashamed of the high level of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

He challenged his fellow traditional rulers in the state to join hands with Governor Obiano in flushing out criminals in the state, starting from their individual communities.

He said that there is no traditional ruler who can say that he does not know the criminals in his domain and therefore challenged them to take the census of all the people in their communities, especially visitors, stressing that such a step would help them to identify the hoodlums in their midst.

*Igwe Kelly

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 —3

MIRACLE OF THE AGED: How octogenarian, wife escape death in Imo after house collapse

By CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—IF anything can rightly be regarded as one of the miracles of this day and age, it is the miraculous escape of an octogenarian, Elder Francis Nwokorie and his wife, Martina. The walls of their house collapsed on them midway into their sleep.

Going through the undulating terrain that leads to the sleepy rural Umuamara, Umuawuchi community in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, the native home of the Nwokories was not funny. It was a near one hour trip from Owerri, especially with the twists and turns on the road.

On arrival in the family home, the octogenarian’s cheerful but equally aging wife, Martina, who was picking palm kernel at the time of the visit, announced that her husband was away to a nearby farm.

A few people were seen in groups as they discussed the miraculous escape of an octogenarian and his wife.

Others took time off to inspect the ruins of what used to be their modest home, a mud house.

Although the trauma may be fading gradually from the old people’s psyche, the incident has, however, continued to beat human imagination.

Narrating their near-sordid experience to South East Voice , Elder Nwokorie, recalled that they started the day like any of the past days and retired to their bed early, after their dinner.

“I remember that it was a rainy Wednesday. It rained so much that my wife and I, had to go to bed early after

*The Nwokories and their collapsed mud house.

our dinner. The rain was not just pouring, but was accompanied by frightening thunderstorm,” Nwokorie said.

While recalling that the rain midwifed a chilly weather that quickly lured them to sleep, Nwokorie also said

that the big bang that followed the crashing mud walls of his bedroom, jolted them from slumber.

He said: “Part of the collapsed wall fell on me.

My wife raised an alarm, as much as her voice could go that night, but nobody came

10 houses, farmlands destroyed as Anambra communities fight over land Continues from page 1 Omowolo, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, in which they accused Umuayom people of trying to deprive the people of Ntokor of their ancestral land, adding that they had continued to harass them on a regular basis with armed security operatives.

South East Voice recalls that in a judgment delivered on the matter by the then Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Peace Otti on November 1, 2007, she ruled that the boundary between Ntokor and Awka was the Obizi River and restrained Umuayom people not to cross the river to claim any part of Ntokor land.

But a visit to the community last week showed that apart from a multi-million naira farm owned by a prominent son of Umuayom, which is beyond the Obizi River, the people of Umuayom were also seen working on some undeveloped land in Ntokor village without molestation.

Rather, the women said they were only praying that the invaders do not kill them in their homes. One of the women said: “Umuayom people have abandoned the court case and are going ahead with the destruction of our houses and farmlands and selling them to other people. We do not want bloodshed in our land and that is why we are appealing to government to come to our help.”

to assist us. I am not too sure that people heard her scream, possibly because of the thunderstorm.”

He was, however, grateful to his nephew, Mr. Francis Chilaka, who summoned courage and came to his rescue, stressing that it could have been worse.

Nwokorie, who said he is a practicing Catholic and worships at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Umuawuchi, also recalled how the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Anglican Church (Uboma Central Parish), Umuawuchi, Rev. Canon Oliver Okeke, prayed and blessed him the previous day, before the community experienced the heavy downpour.

Giving her own graphic account of the incident, Mrs. Nwokorie, said that her last minute decision to change her sleeping position, saved her from the falling walls, which she said would have crushed her.

The woman, who was full of praise to God, for saving their lives, also said that their children would have faced serious trauma if they

had been faced with such a double tragedy.

For Rev. Canon Okeke, he was only moved to pay a visit to the community, which is also under his jurisdiction, adding that he had no special interest in ministering to the Nwokories.

“I am, however, happy that the falling walls did no harm the man and his wife. I was moved the more when the old man traced me to my parsonage, just to thank me for praying for him the previous day. We are all happy for him,” Okeke said.

The Anglican cleric urged good spirited individuals to come to the old man’s assistance, stressing that it was better to show him love now that he is alive than throwing sumptuous party when he is gone.

For the people of Umuamara, Umuawuchi community, it has been an endless show of thanksgiving, following the narrow escape of their octogenarian son, Elder Nwokorie and his wife, Martina.

4 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2014

Community flags off road construction project as peace returns to Okposi

By PETER OKUTU

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•Governor Willie Obiano with members of Diamond Fitness Club, during their visit to the governor in Awka.

Diamond Club donates vehicle, N7m to Anambra govt to tackle insecurity

BAKALIKI—IT is no longer a hidden fact, that Okposi community had gone through difficult and challenging times following the consequences of youth restiveness, kidnapping, stealing, robbery and murder among other criminal activities which were rampant in the area before now.

The former Coordinator of Okposi Development Centre, late Ihebunadu Okorie was kidnapped months ago during a church service in Okposi and later killed by his assailants in a forest at Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

Also, three other youths had earlier lost their lives as the community gradually became a den for criminals and criminality.

But on April 15, 2014 when Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State appointed a new Coordinator in charge of the Development Centre, Nze Magnus Eze, peace gradually started returning to the commuinty earlier known for its hospitability, thereby giving room to various forms of development strides to begin in earnest.

Only last week, Okposi which is made up of several villages including Amenu, Umunuka, Amechi, Umuka, Umuakuma, Mebi-Ameke, Ameluagu, Mebiowa, Mgbom Enu, Mgbom Ani, Isinkwo, Okposi Achara, Avu/ Umuiwa and Okposi Okwu witnessed the flag off of a significant road construction project in the area.

The exercise attracted representatives of the villages and prominent sons and daughters of the community who sang and praised God for the restoration of peace and the new wave of developmental initiatives in the area.

The new Coordinator who is the founder of a movement: Mezie Okposi (Repair Okposi) had used the forum to preach peace and unity among the three autonomous communities namely Okposi Okwu, Mgbom N’Achara and Okposi, stressing that no meaningful development would take place in a community where there was reign of terror and war.

To ensure lasting peace in the area, Eze had the arduous task of bringing back Okposi people to once again have confidence in government by arresting youth restiveness that ravaged the area and in the process, ensure that security of lives and property became a top most priority.

He was able to undertake a security advocacy tour to the 12 villages that make up the Development Centre; set up Enuakwa Neighbourhood watch, which in partnership with the police and other security agencies now provide security within the area, especially in the Court Area which was the commercial hub of Okposi.

Then, as part of youth empowerment scheme, he initiated the training of 15 youths in various skills in partnership with National Directorate of Employment, NDE as part of the Centre’s N10 million Capacity Building and Empowerment programme for the youths.

•Plans Diamond Estate in Awka

By VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—LAGOS-based Diamond Fitness Club of Nigeria, with membership drawn from Igbo speaking states of the country, has donated a pick-up van fitted with sophisticated security gadgets and N7 million cash to the Anambra State government as part of its support to Governor Willie Obiano’s efforts to drive criminals out of the state.

Presenting the car and the money to the governor at the Governor ’s Lodge in Awka, the club also appealed to the Obiano administration to allocate land to it for the construction of the proposed Diamond Estate in the state capital.

The donation of the vehicle and money was the club’s fulfillment of its promise to Governor Obiano during the launching of security fund in Lagos and in response to the governor’s call to Anambra people all over the world to invest at home, especially in security matters.

Leader of the delegation and president of Diamond Club, Chief Jude Onyebuchi made a personal

donation of N3 million to the state security trust fund, while the grand patron of the club, Chief Chigozie Nwolisa and its vice president, Chief Ben Amuta donated N2 million respectively.

Secretary General of the club, Chief Vincent Ananti, in an address he presented to the governor said their main objective was to perform their social responsibility to one of their home states, adding that they were encouraged by Governor Obiano’s determination to eradicate crime, kidnapping and other ills that made Anambra uninhabitable in the past. He also informed the governor that in their desire to contribute towards the development of the state, they need some hectares of land for the development of an estate.

The proposed estate, he explained, would have a centre for Igbo language and culture, with befitting hostels for the children of Anambra people in Diaspora, to enable them learn Igbo language and culture; a recreational facility that would have a guest house, a lawn tennis court, table tennis, swimming pool, volley ball, among other facilities.

The estate will also have a medical laboratory and diagnostic centre that will Continues on page 5

•Community members celebrating the road project.

•3km Umuakuma Road project in Okposi community.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 5

PATHS2 donates N600m medical equipment to 6 community hospitals

By FRANCIS IGATA

Confusion in Anambra community of 2 monarchs, parallel new yam festivals ….As govt recognised monarch asks Police to intervene

O

By NWABWEZE OKONKWO

NITSHA—THE chieftaincy tussle tearing apart Nnobi community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anmabra State took a dangerous dimension recently when one Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo who is laying claim to the traditional stool staged a parallel new yam festival in the area.

Consequently, the government recognized traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Nick Obi has protested the continued activities of Etudo and is now calling on the police authorities to intervene with immediate effect in order to forestall a possible breakdown of law and order in the community.

In a petition on his behalf by the leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety), signed by Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi and addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 9, Umuahia, Usman Gwary; Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Hosea Karma and Chairman, Police Service Commission, PSC, retd IGP, Mike Okiro, the group called for the steady maintenance of law and order and the protection of recognized traditional institution and the entire Nnobi community.

Intersociety frowned at the activities of some contestant to the royal stool of the community which has been threatening the peaceful coexistence of the people in the area, despite the fact that all litigations coming from the chieftaincy tussle have been resolved which led to the government of Anambra State issuing a certificate of recognition to Igwe Nick Obi on July 4, 2011 and at the same time, presented him with a staff of office.

The group condemned various roles played by the

E

NUGU—NKANU, Agwu, Nsukka, Enugu-Ezike, Ikem and Amagunze district hospitals has benefited from the Partnership for Transformation of Health System, PATHS, phase two rural healthcare donation in Enugu State.

PATHS2 is determined to sustain availability of medical and laboratory equipment and consumables for the provision of qualitative health care in rural communities.

The state team leader, Prof.

Ed Nwobodo said: “The items will boost health care services and halt the trend of avoidable deaths in the state.

He said: “We have provided these medical equipments such as;laboratory incubator, digital centrifuge,

Diamond Club donates vehicle, N7m to Anambra govt to tackle insecurity

•Igwe Nick Obi of Nnobi

DPO of Nnobi police division and the Area commander in charge of Awka area command in the chieftaincy melee and called on the police hierarchy to ensure that government pronouncements must be enforced and protected at all times in the matter.

Traditional rulers law According to the petition, “Section 19 and 20 of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law of 1981 forbid those not recognized as traditional rulers from addressing or parading themselves as if they are royal fathers. They are also barred from holding, sponsoring or participating in community activities under whatever names called in parallel with or outside the consent or knowledge of the

community’s recognized chiefs or traditional rulers. Contravention of the provisions of these sections attracts on conviction two years imprisonment without option of fine. We call on your good offices to enforce these provisions to the letter” The idea of using or converting the dispute in the said community into money making venture by way of indiscriminate and seeming police invitation and arrest must be avoided” the group said.

All efforts by South East Voice to get in touch with Chief Etudo to react to the allegation of parading himself or celebrating parallel new yam festival proved abortive as he was said to have travelled out of town on a business trip.

Continues from page 4 be open to the public.

According to him, if the land is provided in a good location in Awka, the club would be willing to pay all the required fees, promising that their aim is that the projects would be ready for commissioning by the governor in the next two to three years.

While commending the club for the donation, Governor Obiano assured that all the criminals driven out of Anambra State would never return as the state has become a no go area for them.

Though the governor expressed his administration’s willingness to allocate land to the club for development purposes, he informed them that as the smallest state in terms of landmass in the country, deliberate efforts were being made to ensure that every land was put to maximum use.

The governor said: “When I came in, I decided that we should not be allocating land indiscriminately. For this reason, you should liaise with the newly established Anambra State Investment and Promotion Agency, ANSIPA, which will decide where your kind of project will be best sited.

“In addition, you should come up with a design of the project as government is not prepared to allocate land to people who will share them into plots for personal use after getting it.”

electrophoresis machine, c o l o r i m e t e r , s p e c t r o p h o t e m e t e r, autoclave,microscope, delivery bed and wheel chair to all the benefiting hospitals.

“These items worth over N600 million. The hospital administrators should ensure the proper use of the equipments to achieve optimal result.”

When South-East Voice spoke with Mr. Sunday Uduje on the impact of the medical equipment to the natives, he said: “Some of the ailments that could not be diagnosed at Agbani district hospital will now be diagnosed because the laboratory equipment are now available through the efforts of PATHS. “It will save us the financial and physical cost of travelling to the city in search of medical attention which had not been in existent in our community.”

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representative at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Austin Ogwuda(Enugu): 08037136440 Francis Igata 08033387069 Vincent Ujumadu(Awka): 08035804090 Anayo Okoli(Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi Nkwopara(Imo): 08033391108 Peter Okutu (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh Ozor (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze Okonkwo (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim Enyim (Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: easternvoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

•Part of the abandoned road project over.

•A footpath leading to the abandoned bridge

Politics tears Abia community apart ...as town union investigates missing generator ...caskets dropped in front of Ndukwe and Oged’s homes

By ANAYO OKOLI

U

M U A H I A — OZUABAM, a rural community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State is at the verge of being thrown into a serious turmoil on account of what some residents call inordinate political ambition of some people.

The community erupted Tuesday last week when some youths and women were said to have been instigated to rise against a young politician, Nkole Uko Ndukwe, a House of Representatives aspirant for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.

Ndukwe is said to be popular and said to have been contributing immensely to the development of the community and caring and empowering the youths and widows, an action said to have drawn envy from his political opponents.

It was in view of this that one of the politicians in the area, said to be a lawmaker who wants to contest again but feels threatened by Ndukwe’s popularity acquired through his philanthropy, including giving the community ’s residents free water from the borehole in his house.

Crisis crept into the community some time in October last year when the community’s generator they used in pumping water for the

community ’s borehole got missing. The town union leadership mandated the community’s town union to investigate the missing generator.

The elders of the community were said to have prevailed on the leadership of the town union not to take the matter to the police to enable them handle the matter in their “local way”.

While this was pending, last

week, exactly one year after the generator got missing, the lawmaker allegedly instigated pliable youths and women to embark on protest and accused Ndukwe and the President General of Ozuabam town union, Sir Lawrence Oged of being behind the missing generator.

The youths were said to have attacked some elders and leaders and closed the community ’s market and

took two caskets and dropped them in front of Ndukwe and Oged’s homes.

But Oged attributed the action to politics, saying that it was directed against Ndukwe allegedly by his rival politician in the community as he could not imagine what somebody of Ndukwe’s status who has been providing free water to the community since 2007 would be doing with a water

pumping generator.

“The whole thing is politics and it was targeted at Nkole Ndukwe because of his ambition to contest the House of Representatives.

They just include me just to cover up, Ndukwe is the target but they cannot succeed. The young man has done well for the community and the people like him, they just want to tarnish his image but they have failed.

“We have reported and handed the matter over to the police for proper investigations and actions, and warned our people to go about their businesses as the detractors would not succeed”, Oged said.

Abia communities groan over abandoned road project

By ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—AN abandoned bridge and road have effectively separated two brotherly rural agrarian communities in Umuigu and Aroajatakiri in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State as they no can no longer visit their kits and kin on both sides of the divide.

The only road that links them, Amangwu road had earlier been abandoned in the last five years by a contractor whose whereabouts, the community said could not be traced.

Also abandoned in the area was the Umuigu-Aro bridge, which was meant to link the two communities but has now constituted serious danger as there were reports of some people from the two communities who tried to cross the wooden bridge but ended up sustaining injuries.

The road, which according to the people, used to be very busy had since been taken over by a tick forest and deep gullies on account of long years of neglect.

Accessing the abandoned bridge from the Oloko end of the road was hectic as South East Voice and his guide had to meander through the forest and deep gullies to get to their destination.

Apart from the abandoned bridge and road, electricity supply in the community was stopped since February this year and nobody had been told what was responsible for the black out by electricity providers.

Though some community leaders spoken to could not trace the contractor handling the abandoned bridge or road, they pointed accusing fingers to some unnamed elites from both their community and the neighbouring ones whom they accused of either

sharing the contract money with the contractors or being beneficiaries of the contracts which they abandoned after collecting the mobilisation fund.

“We are totally forgotten here; you can see for yourself what is happening. Does this community look like a community that is under the care of any type of government? This road links us with our kits and kin across the river there, but we can not reach them, neither can they reach us.

“We have no body to complain to; nobody tends to care. But as elections are approaching you will see them come here and make promises which they would never fulfill.

We have resigned to fate hoping that one day, God will send us somebody to take up our problem”, a community leader who preferred anonymity lamented.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 —7

•Another uncompleted building.

•One of the uncompleted buildings overgrown with weeds

SACKED BY EROSION: Fears as abandoned buildings turn sanctuary for hoodlums in Imo communities increased in the area following the abandonment of buildings by their former owners due to erosion menace, hence providing sanctuary for hoodlums.

Some of the residents who spoke on the increase in criminal activities blamed the issue on the inability of the appropriate authorities to address erosion menace which they said had forced many families out of their buildings.

It was observed that some of the hideouts pointed out included five buildings which were overgrown by shrubs and weeds as they were deserted by the owners following erosion threats.

Among the notorious hideouts included some storey buildings which had been covered by bushes, and looking scary for the villagers to penetrate, even when it was become necessary to do so.

At Amaorie, two other storey buildings situated opposite each other and looking obsolete in sloppy environment surrounded by

heaps of refuse.

One of the residents who simply identified himself as Ekezie said that the community had been living in fear for a long period of time due to the development.

Other residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: ‘’Here we are; We have been experiencing some increase in criminal activities and we believe that the criminals use some abandoned houses occasioned by erosion threat. Any time there is erosion, we pray to God to save us and we believe nothing will happen to us, so that we do not lose more houses. ‘’We are expecting the government under Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to commence construction on the erosion site to reduce the possibility of having more abandoned buildings as a result of erosion.

O

State, are now living in fear following series of unresolved criminal activities in the area.

Sources told South East Voice that criminal activities

O

Tension mounts in Oko Poly over divided ASUP

By CHINONSO ALOZIE WERRI—THE people of Umusasa, Amaorie community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo KO—THERE is fresh tension in the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, following the emergence of factions of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, in the institution.

A new executive committee of ASUP was elected in the polytechnic, following alleged failure of the former executive committee led by Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe to conduct election when its tenure expired during the prolonged nation-wide strike

by ASUP. The new faction of the union headed by Patrick Ezeigwe with Chris Onuegbu- Vice Chairman; Collins ObioraSecretary; Chioma AwuzieTreasurer; Regina Anyalebechi -Financial Secretary and Frank Okafor as Public Relations Officer emerged on July 21, 2014.

South East Voice gathered that, following the expiration of the tenure, sometime in February this year, some

aggrieved members of the local chapter of ASUP wrote the National President, Comrade Chibuzor Asomugha through the zonal Coordinator, Anderson Ezeibe praying among other things for Uwakwe led executives to conduct fresh elections and hand over power to a new executive.

The group had in the petition signed by 34 members including Umeobi

Fredrick, Onu John, Ezeigwe Patrick, Ejike Nwabuona and Amobi Chiamogu, asking the national body of ASUP to intervene by insisting that elections must be conducted before March 21, 2014.

In another letter to the National President dated May 16 2014 the group reiterated its “clarion call for elections to be conducted into

•Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education

•The new executive committee of ASUP, Oko Polytechnic chapter.

the executive committee of our great union at polytechnic where currently a curable lacuna exists in order to defeat vibrant unionism.”

They demanded the presence of the National body of ASUP at the election at the local chapter in accordance with the union’s guidelines, adding “this action becomes crucial so long

as it is generally agreed that elections as envisaged are overdue so that the interest of the constitution of our great union becomes paramount.”

However, the National Secretary of ASUP, Usman Nda-Umar in a letter to the group acknowledged receipt of their letter “in which you sought to convey your intentions to conduct elections into your Chapter Executive Committee on July 21, 2014,” adding that “in as much as we recognize the right of bona fide members of the union to express their grievances, we are constrained by the oath we took to uphold the sanctity of our union’s constitution to caution against the line of action you seem to have opted.”

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Motorists plying Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway groan as tanker drivers congest road

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

•Osigwe in court before the judgment.

SAVED FROM THE HANGMAN:

NUGU—RESIDENTS and motorists who pass through the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway are grumbling following the activities of tanker drivers who park their vehicles indiscriminately along the Nchatancha axis of the road while waiting for petroleum products at the Emene Depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The tanker drivers have converted that portion of the federal highway to their park which has further narrowed the ever busy single lane road even as other motorists struggle to meander their way through.

Such commuters usually literarily have their hearts in the mouths as they fear that anything could happen in the process.

A visit by the South East Voice to the area showed that tanker drivers park their vehicles at both sides of the road, thus creating artificial bottlenecks for other road users.

It was gathered that a journey from Enugu to Abakaliki which normally took about 40 to 45

How ex-principal was spared death sentence over mother's death

By CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—NIGERIANS were shocked last year, when the former Police Commissioner in Imo State, Mohammed Musa Katsina, broke the news of a man, who allegedly killed his 85 year old mother by hitting her on the head with cement block, embalming and storing her corpse in his wardrobe for a long period of time.

The man at the centre of the story was Dr. Chimezie Osigwe, a retired school principal.

Most people who heard the police story commended Katsina for a job well done.

They applauded the finesse with which the police and their informant(s) made the shocking findings. The ugly news, as expected, spread faster than the fabled speed of light. Commentaries followed the bizarre finding, especially in the social media.

From all indications, the accused person is well educated having retired from the civil service as a school principal and so, in a position to know the implications of his action. And so, Osigwe was picked up by the police for questioning, while the remains of his mother was moved to the Federal Medical

Centre morgue in Owerri.

However, media organizations hardly knew when Osigwe was eventually arraigned before an Imo State High Court, sitting in Oguta, which subsequently remanded him in prison.

The court presided over by Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu, has however, discharged and acquitted Osigwe after going through the rigours of trial.

In a charge number HOG/ 23c/2013, the state had accused Dr. Osigwe of running foul of Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. II Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable in Imo State.

The particulars of offence were that the accused on August 27, 2004, at Nzuru Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru in the Oguta Judicial Division, did ‘’murder his mother, Mrs. Lucy Osigwe, aged 85, by hitting her with a cement block, which caused her death.”

But in his judgement, Justice Anunihu disagreed with the prosecution.

Reviewing the matter, Anunihu said that while the two prosecution witnesses narrated how nobody could trace the whereabouts of Mrs. Lucy Osigwe before the matter was reported to the police, the accused gave a

graphic account of how his mother died.

In his defence, the accused narrated how the seismic work being carried out by Chevron, an oil company operating in their community at the time, caused a serious quake that destroyed the block work in the family’s toilet.

The accused also told the court that he promptly reported the incident to the police, which not only investigated the incident, but also ordered a post mortem examination on the deceased.

The court said that he believed the defence counsel, who submitted that the prosecution did not prove the case of murder preferred against Osigwe.

“None of the prosecution witnesses saw the actual act of killing. They did not see any mark of violence on the body of the deceased. The prosecution neither called the police nor the medical doctor that carried out the autopsy to come and give evidence. This did a colossal harm to the prosecution’s case,” he said.

While saying that the only alleged sin of the accused was that he kept the body of the deceased for years, Justice Anunihu however

ruled that, “being a direct son of the deceased, he had more authority over his mother ’s body than any of the prosecution witnesses.”

The judge ruled that here was no desecration of the late woman’s body, stressing that he did not see any ground to convict the accused person.

“I therefore discharge and acquit you of the murder charge”, the court told Dr Osigwe. Speaking to newsmen shortly after regaining his freedom, Dr. Osigwe described the judgement ‘’as victory of light over darkness and truth over falsehood.’’

minutes when the road was free usually took about two hours as passengers spend over one hour trying to meander their way out of the gridlock.

Tanker drivers union leader speaks

When contacted, the Chairman of Tanker Drivers Association, Enugu State chapter, Mr. Friday Nweke said,”government had designated an area where we will be parking called ‘promise land’.

But the company it was concessionaire has not done anything to build the park.

“That is why we park at any place we can find space. The government should quickly review the terms of the concession.

“The products in the tankers are highly inflammable. It is not appropriate to park such vehicle laden with inflammable products along the road.”

However, when the South East Voice spoke to the Commissioner for Interministerial affairs, Mr. BelovedDan Anike on the issue, he said,”the construction of the park was given to a concessionaire known as Alaukwu Company Ltd, adding that since then, the company had not done anything tangible on the project which was approved on the condition of build, operate and transfer arrangement.

“The expected period under which the company was expected to have built the park is December this year, which is just few days away. By next month the government will review the contract by throwing the job open to capable hands who can raise funds and build up the place,” Anike said.When contacted, the Chairman of Tanker Drivers Association, Enugu State chapter, Mr. Friday Nweke said,”government had designated an area where we will be parking called ‘promise land’.

But the company it was concessionaired to has not done anything to build the park.

“That is why we park at any place we can find space. The government should quickly review the terms of the concession."

•A portion of Enugu-Abakiliki road suffering from lack of proper vehicle parking.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 33

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34 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Stephanie Linus

A Oprah Winfrey

T

HE undisputed global Queen of Talk Oprah Winfrey has ruled the blogosphere for weeks now on account of her health. First, the rumour had gone viral of her having cancer, to be followed by another one of her death.

It was a relief then to hear from the lady herself, as reports came in from her O Magazine‘s annual conference, where Oprah used the very public forum to reveal that she once had a breast cancer scare while failing to give details other than to say it was a false alarm and that she’s in good health now.

So, that is that!

HID Awolowo

M

ATRIARCH of the Awolowo clan has trended astride blogosphere for the fourth week in a row, on account of her 99th birthday celebration, which took place at her legendary home in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Her grandson, Segun, has not relented in showing details and displaying pictures on facebook, and commentators are none too thrilled.

Sarah Palin

C

YBERSPACE went gaga last week over a statement alluded to Sarah Palin, only for the publishing site to give an explanatory statement this week.

Twitter of Palin: If I were Obama I’d put all 11 million of these folks on boats and send them back to Mexico The Daily Currant published an article titled “Sarah Palin: Send Immigrants ‘Back Across Ocean’ to Mexico.” Referencing President Barack Obama’s announcement about immigration C M Y K

CTRESS Stephanie Linus has once again won the heart of Nigerians on her recent statement on rape, which has gone viral on social media. Making a statement about rape allegations made about her brother, she asks fans and journalists to keep focused on getting justice for the victim and for her brother, Daniel.

While it is a very difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of the accused is.

Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have spent my lifelong career advocating and living my conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence, sexual harassment or any form of abuse against their persons.

This conviction led me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating violence against women in several countries including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The conviction also led me to place much of my energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).It is indeed heart breaking for me to receive and deal with news alleging a family member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against a woman. I am devastated.

Whoever is representing Stephanie has definitely raised the bar.

Damilola Adegbite

T reform on 19 November 2014; the article claimed Palin appeared on Fox News after Obama’s speech to discuss the issue: If I were Obama I’d put all 11 million of these folks on boats and send them back to Mexico, she opined. The liberal media says it’s impossible to deport that many people. But I say we can do it if we have enough ships.

“The long voyage back across the Mexican Ocean should give them plenty of time to think about how they shouldn’t be coming here to America and jeopardizing our freedom and prosperity by breaking our laws.

As with a previous preposterous claim Sarah Palin demanded President Obama “invade Ebola” the article was a satirical piece poking fun at the former governor of Alaska.

Palin was not even a guest on the Fox News Hannity program on that day.

The Daily Currant is a satire site known for publishing fake news stories. Our stories are purely fictional. However they are meant to address realworld issues through satire and often refer and link to real events happening in the world.

INSEL stars Telema and Kwame (Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh) are no doubt a match made in heaven, and romantics have faithfully followed their love story ever since it got onto the public space.

The Nigerian-Ghanaian celebrity couple who played husband and wife of the Africa Magic soap is now living the reality. Having become engaged, they have announced via social media the birth of their first child.

The new dad announced the news via instagram: Someone should have told us this is how amazing it feels, Unto us a child is born, I get it now, it’s the greatest feeling ever. Help me thank God for the new member in the family.

Welcome our Child, in whom we are well pleased.

It’s a boy!

Iheoma Nnadi

A

shout out has gone via social media on behalf of Nigerian representative of Miss World and Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MGBN) Iheoma Nnadi. Votes are required to prop the 19 year-old’s Miss World ambition.

Iheoma Nnadi, who was Miss Akwa Ibom, had emerged winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in July.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—35 —35

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36— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—37

Lagos deserves the best — Shashore •The worst APC candidate is better than the best PDP can offer

THE erstwhile Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore is one of the leading All Progressives Congress, APC aspirants in the race to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola. In this interview with newsmen in Lagos, Shasore gives a peep into his plans and policies for Lagos.

Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

W

HY are you running for governor of Lagos

State?

I feel strong passion for Lagos State, I have served in public service for a while and have gained a lot of experience of what the demands of the people of this state are.

With my experience, I have several advantages than other people, but besides that, I feel Lagos State, demands only the best at this time and I think I have the services available to lead the state. I’m running because I have a lot to offer and I have the passion and the commitment to serve the people of Lagos State.

Are you not worried that you are outside Lagos East, the zone the party leadership is looking at to produce the next governor?

I see Lagos personally, as one united constituency, the enormity of the developmental challenges and the share demand on the resources to deliver such services to the people of the state don’t afford us the luxury on cancelling out people on the accident of where they were born or where they come from or the religion they practice.

Historical record Personally, I feel that the voters in Lagos State want a governor that can deliver those social goods to them.

It is a fact, my family has over a 180-year history to the east division of this Lagos, and that is a matter of historical record.

I’m not conjuring it to try and pretend that I’m from the east.

We have deep rooted history to east division of Lagos. So, if it was to conjure an identity, I could have easily said that I’m as much as an easterner as anybody in the field.

Many aspirants have political godfathers, who is yours?

This situation is unique in the sense that I have to deal with several stakeholders. I don’t have a godfather who is sponsoring me. I believe that I have all round acceptability. The

disadvantage of having a godfather is that you suddenly lose all-round acceptability across board.

There are those who said your coming into the race was after much persuasion from those who don't want to see you run, so at what point did you finally make up your mind to run?

This is all news to me. I took the decision to participate in this process a while ago. There was nothing like anyone trying to convince me, I’m convinced, it a strong desire, I feel a strong pull to offer myself, it just an offer. I’m stepping out this time to take Lagos to the next level.

Have you consulted with the national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu?

I have had extensive discussion with our party leaders both in the state and national levels. Only two or three weeks ago, our national leader called a meeting of all the aspirants in the party in his home which I attended; we discussed issues of mutual interest, the rules and guidelines guiding the process.

Some have said you were brought in to cause an upset.

When really did you start nursing this ambition?

Well, immediately the announcement of the availability of forms, I felt like

I don’t have a godfather who is sponsoring me. I believe that I have all round acceptability

•Shasore: there is an opportunity to present myself for service, because as soon the process kicked off and I could see the terrain and the environment, I actually saw that there is an opportunity for me to present myself. The issue of coming in to create an upset, I cannot see how I should be perceived as that.

If asked to step-down what will you do?

If it emerges after a free and voluntary open and transparent discussion, I will for the good of the party do that because the interest of the party is sacrosanct in APC. Will you also step down even if you are convinced you are better than the person you are asked to step down for?

As I said, we are fortunate in Lagos APC to the extent that we have an excellent array of aspirants who have signified their interest to run. I believe any of us is eminently suitable to be the governor of Lagos State.

Do you agree with the saying by some that the APC administration in Lagos is anti masses?

Anti masses, I don’t agree with that. It is not anti masses to initiate the first access to affordable housing project in the country. It is not anti masses to extend access to housing policy

into policies for our social interest and for our people in the informal sector. It is not anti masses to help a strategic transport master plan that involves increasing the use of the water ways by 25 per cent. The statistics are there, the use of the water ways are increased by 25 per cent now. We have developed 11 routes and six feeder routes and by next year we will have 26 routes for ferry services. We have imported an organisation called Lagos Ferry Company, which is an initiative to collaborate with private sector to create a Lag Bus on water, to augur the effect of what the private sectors are doing because the deployment of ferries by private sectors are not meeting the demands.

Equalisation measures So, government has decided to create a Lagos State Ferry Company, you will see a Lag Bus on water very soon. So, these things are not anti masses, they are actually equalisation measures to bring majority of our people to have access to these social services.

Must a lawyer succeed Fashola who is also a lawyer?

Profession is a new one, has it been also zoned away from lawyers? I think lawyers are eminently suitable for public service because of the higher

skills a lawyer needs to build to become a successful lawyer.

I think the competences you build and develop are what you need in multi tasking leadership role.

Considering that the opposition is seeking to wrest power from your party, how would you work to ensure that your party succeeds?

First and foremost, I am a member of the APC, I will work assiduously to ensure that he succeeds. We do not have a viable workable party option in this country, we don’t have except APC. So, I will assiduously work to ensure we succeed because the worse APC candidate is better than the best PDP candidate.

Why is the worst APC candidate better than the best PDP candidate?

It is based on the assessment of their party candidates and ours over the last four years.

I’m sure if you do the statistics and you compare, you will see yourself. The performance, the track record is what people should judge by. Just from the point of view of agenda, personnel, vision. It is extremely unlikely that you can find a candidate from the APC whose vision and agenda is not better than a PDP candidate.

So, the worse candidate that we have in APC is better than the best that PDP has.

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

CHIEF Peter Nwaboshi, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State is presently one of the aspirants for the party’s ticket in the Delta North senatorial district. He is one of those, who strongly believe that Delta North should produce Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s successor in 2015. He explains in this interview why and also advanced reasons why the Delta Central senatorial district should tread sensibly on the issue.

By Emma Amaize,

Regional Editor, South-South

H

OW is your senatorial quest going?

WE are campaigning, selling our vision and programmes to the people, the PDP family and electorate. I and my organization are confident that by the grace of God I will emerge victorious at the primaries of my party, after which, we will go for the main election.

Do you consider Dr. Mrs. Marian Ali, wife of former national chairman of your party as a threat to your ambition?

Mrs. Ali is not a threat to my ambition. Any day, any time, we will go to the field and the people of Delta North will choose who will represent them. For me, I do not see her as a threat to my political ambition, not at all.

Is the Delta North’s bid for 2015 governorship still on course?

I have made myself clear on the

•Nwaboshi

Delta: UPU’s threat does not bother me — Nwaoboshi need for equity. That is why I named my campaign organization, Equity 2015. It is a reminder to those campaigning for me, those who wish me well and those who also do not wish me well that the concept we are talking about is equity. The Delta

Central senatorial district has produced governors of the state for 10 years, the South is doing its eight years, and it is only equitable that Delta North should produce the next governor. I have said this severally, I said it as far back

as 2007. Thank God, from the struggle, we were able to produce the present governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is from the South senatorial district, and until it goes round to all the three senatorial districts, I will not relent on my stand and by the grace of God, it will happen.

Are you not concerned that some aspirants from Delta North will scuttle this agenda?

There is no Delta North aspirant that does not want a Delta North candidate, there is none. I can tell you that, probably because of the publication they made with some other aspirants from Delta Central senatorial district, some people are thinking they have swayed, but I can tell you that I have spoken to almost all of them since I read the publication and there is none of them who is saying he does not want a Delta North candidate to emerge. They are unanimous and committed to the emergence of a Delta North candidate. Yes, you can understand that in a political setting, people are looking for every means to win, but not that when the chips are down, that any Delta Northerner will vote against his district producing the next governor of the state. I can beat my chest about that.

Are you not troubled by the stand of the Urhobo Progress Union that the Delta Central (Urhobo people) will vote against your party, PDP, if it fields a Delta North candidate for the 2015 election?

I have never been troubled by that statement, I am not troubled and I will not be troubled by that statement. The political situation in this state is very clear to me.

Akwa Ibom Senate contest:

How I'll defeat Akpabio — Ini Okori

Having contested the governorship of his native Akwa Ibom State in 2003 and 2007 respectively to no avail, Obong Inibehe Okori, is no longer looking forward to that ambition, at least for now, due to his staunch principle to honour an established zoning agreement among the people of the existing three senatorial districts of the state. But Ini, a former banker is stepping out to confront Governor Godswill Akpabio for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial Zone seat in the forth coming election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He revealed why he will overcome the governor at the poll. Excerpts:

By Joseph Erunke

Y

OU are coming out to contest the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial Zone election against Governor Godswill Akpabio, are you not threatened?

I am not threatened, not at all in any form. The confidence, number one, comes from God and secondly, from the people.

The senatorial district is divided into zones and as you know, in this country and in the PDP, we all believe in zoning. The zone where I come from is called the Abak division, it’s a section of the senatorial district.

The zone where Akpabio comes from is Ikot Ekpene division.

Abak Division is made up of five big local government areas and Akpabio’s section is made up of three local government areas.

In 2007, an agreement was reached for the Anang people to produce the governor and concede the Senate to Ini Ikono Federal Constituency, which is a minority tribe of the Ibibios within the senatorial district.

When that was done, it was agreed that Ini Ikono should produce the senator, and that they produced to the benefit of Godswill Akpabio, the incumbent governor.

He said to us that please, concede this Senate seat to this people and I still recall what •Okori exactly he said then—that 109 senators are not equivalent conceded again and gave it back to one governor. So we made to Ini-Ikono, that was how the concession for him to become incumbent senator repeated governor and he became twice. governor.

If you check the history of that In 2011, our people cried out senatorial district, no federal that this is our turn to go to the constituency has repeated the Senate and he said he still Senate.

And having made all these wanted to do a second term, ‘I told you before that 109 senators concessions to him, for the are not equivalent to one purpose of fairness and equity governor, I will give you the and for the growth of Anang Senate seat come 2015’ and we people which has eight local

Nobody has control over voting.

No senatorial district has monopoly over voting in the state and nobody tells a man, who are you.

If you tell your fellow man, who you are, he will tell you who he is.

We shall meet in the battle field, which is the election. I am not troubled at all by what they have said.

But let me say and I want to say, when I make statement, people say it is controversial and all that, but I will always speak my mind.

And that is that the voting in 2015 will determine the position of Delta state beyond 2015. What will happen- the voting pattern in the senatorial districts in 2015 will determine what will happen in subsequent gubernatorial elections. I want to say that no one senatorial district can produce a governor in this state and if a senatorial district feels that it has a monopoly, that only it can produce the governor, the other two senatorial districts will tell them that they do not have such monopoly. And there is nothing wrong in two senatorial districts forming a bloc. I am making this statement because of the trend things are assuming. Not that after saying it, people will start saying Nwaoboshi has started. The Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri, Anioma are watching.

I believe that an organization that caters for the welfare of its people should limit itself to what it is. I have said it before, in 1999, I was the state secretary of this party ,the UPU supported Moses Kragha against the former governor James Ibori of the PDP, Ibori won.

government areas out of the ten in that senatorial district, he promised that he was going to support one of us from Abak division to become a senator in 2015.

Now, that is not the case. In 2014, when the PDP senatorial primary came up, he offered himself to become a senator, saying that there is nobody from that section of the state that can make the Senate, not even him thinking of bringing somebody else out of his own section but himself.

That is why the people from that senatorial district said no, ‘ your ambition is totally in disagreement and we are going to revolt against it, we must bring out one of our own and that was why I was motivated to come into the race.

Now, are you the only contestant from the Abak division to face Governor Akpabio for the position?

No, I am not but in the PDP, we are two from my section. But I am aware that the incumbent senator, Aloysius Etok has also taken form to contest the senate seat. So invariably, we are three but we are two from my own zone.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—39

Hon Olwale Oshun, a former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, is the National Chairman of Pan Yoruba, Afenifere Renewal Group. He reviewed the state of the nation in this interview: Excerpts:

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE country has wit nessed attack on judiciary on occasions but we have not seen such attack on the legislature as witnessed in Abuja and Ekiti. What is the implication of what happened at the NASS? The sum total of such attack, particularly at the period it happened in Nigeria, was to show the supremacy of the executive arm of government over all other arms.

What happened in the National Assembly coincided with similar police-backed assault on legislature in Ekiti State.

This goes to show that institutions of governance are not what they should be in a democratic setting.

In my mind, what we have is a situation where Nigerians have sold their souls because at every level, whether in the attack on the High Court Judge in Ekiti or the emotive cry for help by the Chief Judge of Ekiti, there is no moral authority anywhere to bring them justice

Nobody is speaking for our institutions — Oshun, ARG

From Ekiti to Tambuwal: or succour. Who do we blame, except that the institutions and those who head them are one way or the other compromised and sold their souls.

In any case, in what ways are the legislators better when seven of them can agree to subvert constitutional authority simply because they want power? These individuals did not just appear to force themselves on us, they emerged through some platforms that threw them into positions of power. So, if our society keeps entrusting power into the hands of charlatans, then we deserve the kind of judiciary, legislature, and executive government that we have.

It is an institutional failure.

Although, the Federal Government has shown its hand in so many places, whether in Ekiti or Abuja, smashing little persons who cannot stand up to fight for themselves, but then the institutions themselves must show that they have the moral authority and moral convictions to stand up to issues. It is not only when they are affected that they will seek public support. Who stood up for the judges in Ekiti? The legislators, at state and federal levels, kept quiet. Perhaps, if they had stood up at that time, maybe what is

happening now would not happen.

So, where does this power play lead us as a country?

The politicians would have to decide themselves. But I can see a situation where gradually, the government is gradually giving the security operatives more roles to play in democratic processes, which should not be, so the day the military stand up to the government and decides to take over power, nobody should complain. Power is an opium in many instances, the more of it you encounter, the more you want to hold on to it.

How do you assess INEC’s preparedness for the forthcoming election?

INEC may be able to speak for itself because outsiders cannot know its intention, we can only extrapolate. But if I take the microscopic view of Lagos Mainland where I monitored the recent PVC collection and CVR exercises, and little extension across Lagos State, there are factors that calls one to question whether INEC is ready or whether it wants to hold an election but only INEC can answer that.

However, what can we deduce from the recent exercises? What I saw was that the bureaucratic support for INEC is weak. Else,

•Wale Oshun if you have prepared for an exercise for many months, why would hundreds of your agents go out with laptops that are nonfunctional? Some laptops had no batteries, some had bad camera, and some cameras came with a cable that did not fit into any port on the laptop.

So, let us not even talk about INEC’s intention now, let us talk about the bureaucratic competence and readiness for election.

What is the probability that on Election Day, they will bring functional equipment and appropriate voter register? They need to

Nigeria should do away with dubious devices that disenfranchise the electorate — Ogbonna Theodore Ogbonna is the founder/Executive Director of Youth for Transparency, International, formerly, African Youth For Transparency. His experience transcends the oil/gas, communication, environment, human rights activism, marketing, arts and craft, finally the social entrepreneurial activities/youth work. Ogbonna has been a key executive volunteer on some local and international youth groups and networks, collaborated /consulted with local and international development agencies like The British Council, World Bank, Goethe Institut, among others. Youth For Transparency International (YTI) is a non- profit, non- governmental organization which envisions a world where young people are integrated in decision making at all levels of development and policy making as change makers; enabling quicker response and effectiveness to social challenges.

On December 4, the YTI in conjunction with the United States Consulate in Lagos is holding the 5th Global Youth Conference on democracy & political participation. The founder of the organisation Theodore Ogbonna answers questions in this encounter.

By Chioma Gabriel

T

ELL us about the 5th Democracy and political participation conference?

YOUTH for transparency Transparency is interested in the evolution of a credible electoral process in Nigeria with the youths as active participants.

The democratic process in Nigeria has suffered a lot of reverses due to

•Ogbonna the inability of the ruling class to organize free, fair and transparent elections plus lack of respect and enforcement of the Law. A look at the findings of electoral monitoring report by African Youth For Transparency, published in a national daily on, September 26, 2002, revealed the dubious devices that disenfranchise the electorate and that the electoral exercise leaves a lot to be desired.

Ninety percent of the youths hardly

come to appreciate that, as citizens, they can infact help decide a common destiny to the desired change of good governance by participating in the electoral process and casting their votes at elections. Also the disillusionment of the recent past naturally makes the older generation, 60% of them wonder, if it is worth the trouble to participate in the electoral process characterized by intimidation, violence, fraud, corrupt practices etc.

answer that question and assure the whole country.

I do not want to start reading meaning into what happened but if INEC really want to hold a free and fair election, would they have not ensured they put in place a competent bureaucracy? INEC has had enough time and they have not spoken out to Nigerians that they lack resources, so we can make a safe assumption that they have the resources and they have the time, yet they are bungling up vital processes that are needed for a credible election.

Why pick on democracy and politics which youths play little role on?

We have sustained this theme in the past as one of the ways to advocate and raise awareness of the need for Nigerian youths to participate in the electoral process as the future belongs to them.

If we believe , we can change Nigeria by performing our citizenship rights/ duty. In that way we are protecting and deciding on the change we want.

What should be done about having the same old faces occupying elective positions in Nigeria?

The young people will effect change by coming together to vote out those who should not have been elected . Power belongs to people when we all participate and vote transparently, that is why we are committed to transparency. The youths are against rigging of elections and manipulation of results of the election and that is why we want to effect correction by being more participatory.

Why the partnership with United States consulate in Lagos for this conference?

The United States is our model of democracy and citizenship participation.

The youths have changed the political landscape in US history first time in 2008 when Barrack Obama became president of the US. We have modelled our democracy after United states and we are still learning from them and copying from them because they have developed beyond us.

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

•Traffic snarl on the Oshodi Apapa Expressway caused by articulated trucks and fuel tankers. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor,

OSHODI-APAPA TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE:

The tank farms connection •Why stakeholders seek their relocation

By Jude Njoku & Michael Eboh

A

YO (as he was fondly called by his colleagues) worked with one of the Flour Mills located in the heart of Apapa before his death in a recent boat accident. The deceased worked with the defunct Ideal Flour Mills before the company retrenched him. He used his entitlements to build a low-cost house in Ikorodu where he lived with his wife and children.

When another Flour Mill based in Apapa offered him a fresh employment, Ayo, found it too expensive and cumbersome to be coming to work from Ikorodu.

The situation was worsened by the perennial traffic jam not only in the Ikorodu axis, but also along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, hence Ayo opted to rent a room across the Waterside because it was cheaper and more accessible to his new company.

This advantage, however, turned sour as Ayo died in a boat mishap recently. When his corpse was later found after about two days

intensive search, the eyes had been gorged out by fishes. He was buried by the waterside as tradition requires that those who drown in the river be buried by the side of the same river.

Ayo would probably be alive today if he had not taken the decision to squat in a building across the Atlantic Ocean due mainly to the traffic jam that has unsettled many residents of Apapa and its environs and led to the closure or relocation of non-shipping companies in the business hub.

Busiest seaports, tank farms Indeed going to Apapa from any part of Lagos is akin to travelling through the biblical “valley of the shadow of death.”

The reason for this description is not far-fetched. Apapa is home to the nation’s busiest seaports, tanks farms and other blue chip companies, hence the traffic snarl on virtually all the roads leading into and out of the town.

It is commonplace to find heavy-duty trailers and articulated vans stuck on the highway for several hours, thereby impeding the free flow of traffic in that axis. The traffic jam along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, has been directly linked to the congestion in both the Apapa and Tin-Can ports and the long queue by petrol tankers to load their consignment from the tank farms in the neighbourhood. Vanguard learnt that the congestion is a fallout of the snail-speed offloading of containers by the port terminal operators and acute shortage of space for the trucks to park while waiting to discharge their consignments.

Fuel imported only through Lagos Ports: Vanguard learnt that more than 90 percent of the petroleum products consumed in the country, come in through the Lagos ports. This necessitated the siting of the tank farms in Apapa where the two major ports are domiciled. While the ports in Lagos are heavily congested

with ships queuing to get port calls to berth, the eastern ports are lying fallow due to little or no patronage.

Apart from the Port at Onne in Rivers State, the other seaports located at Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri and Koko are, mildly put,

The government is deliberately strangulating and frustrating the business activities in the eastern ports, thereby creating capital flight to Lagos

existing only in name. Freight forwarders in the eastern ports who reeled out the challenges facing their operations, accused the Federal Government of churning out policies that were deliberately targeted at strangulating operations in the eastern ports. The duo of Mr. Uche Solomon Eluagu and Chief Obi Chima told Vanguard last year that the disparity in freight charges has greatly impaired the operations of ports in the eastern flank.

Mr. Eluagu who is the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, alleged that the Federal Government is encouraging capital flight to Lagos by its deliberate policy of strangulating the eastern ports.

He declared: “The government is deliberately strangulating and frustrating the business activities in the eastern ports, thereby creating capital flight to Lagos.

Although the two port at Onne which were concessioned to Messrs INTELS Services, can handle oil and gas related cargo, many of importers prefer to use the Lagos ports because of the disparity in freight charges which is tilted in favour of users of Lagos ports.

Non-functional refineries Apart from the reconstruction of the Oshodi-Apapa expressway by Messrs Julius Nigeria Plc which is progressing

Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 41

OSHODI-APAPA TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE:

The tank farms connection Continues from page 40 at a rather snail’s speed and the parlous state of the link roads, the greatest problem of Apapa which directly and indirectly impacts on the traffic situation in the area, is the location of no fewer than 20 tank farms in the neighbourhood.

The plethora of tank farms in Apapa became necessary following the collapse of the refineries and the massive importation of refined petroleum products through the seaports.

Lagos which enjoys a near monopoly of fuel importation in the country, thus became the preferred destination for fuel dealers who send their tankers from all parts of the country to lift the product. Functional refineries at Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri would have lessened the quantity of fuel imported into the country and the number of tankers that come to Lagos to lift the product The recurring question on the lips of concerned stakeholders is “who approved the construction of these tank farms in Apapa and environs? Did the owners carry out the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, required by the law, to determine the effects of such projects on their neighbourhood and how they would be mitigated before the construction of such projects are commenced? If the EIAs were done, were the reports/ recommendations subjected to public scrutiny and open debate as required by the EIA law?

What are the measures put in place by the operators of the tank farms to cushion the horrendous impacts of their activities? It is the view of stakeholders that an EIA

would have identified the negative multiplier effects of locating tank farms in an already congested neighbourhood.

The Lagos State government which is engaged in a buckpassing game with its Federal counterpart, alleged that no EIA done before siting the tank farms. Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Information and Strategy, Alhaji Lateef Raji maintained thus: “The Lagos State Government was not contacted for Environment Impact Assessment, EIA.

Environmental impact assessment “The question should be asked, who did they contact for EIA before they located the tank farms? The problem is that the Federal Government has refused to see the state government as a coordinating partner in all its ventures in the state. The point is that the Federal Government has failed to realise that they do not have the capability to achieve urban renewal; it rests on the state. They should not just dabble into every department, all in the name of Federal might,” he said.

One of the tank farm owners who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that his company did not do an EIA before siting its tank farm at Apapa “What do you mean by EIA?” he asked.

When Vanguard explained what it meant, he retorted: “No! We didn’t do anything like that. I guess there was nothing like that requirement when we started.

But if there was, then the agency of government concerned did

•One of the numerous tank farms in Apapa...they contribute to the never ending gridlock not enforce it, because they did not envisage what is happening now”.

90 per cent of tank farms in Apapa Currently, there are about 20 companies with tank farms and petroleum storage facilities around Apapa, with each storage facility capable of holding between 20 million litres to 50 million litres of petroleum products. According to data of petroleum products’ allocations released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Nigeria currently imports about 4.8 billion litres of petroleum products per quarter. Almost all of these importations are done through the Apapa ports, as about 90 per cent of the tank farms in the country are located around the Apapa area. To evacuate these 4.5 billion litres of petroleum products from the tank farms in Apapa per quarter, about 136,364 tankers, with an average capacity of about 33,000 litres are required.

Negative impact This translates to about 1,515 tankers with a capacity of 33,000 litres plying the Apapa axis on a daily basis to lift petroleum products from these tank farms to different parts of the country. In addition to risks posed by locating these tanks close to the ports and residential areas, the tankers also pose serious risks to road users, the environment and the society.

Worst of all the negative impacts of the tankers, is the perennial traffic situation around the Apapa area. Over the years the tankers

•Traffic gridlock on the Oshodi Apapa Expressway...but when will it end?

have made life unbearable for other road users and businesses around the area, leading to questions over the approval process of these tank farms in Apapa. The issues of the approval process for these tank farms were called to question in 2012, when officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, sealed the premises of five of the oil tank farms’ owners for violation of the state’s environmental laws.

LASEPA disclosed that the oil companies were shut for siting tank farms less than 200 metres away from residential area and operating tank farms without submission of Environmental Impact Assessment report to the relevant government agencies.

However, the premises of the tank farms owners were reopened after one week, after the companies signed a memorandum of understanding, MOU, with the Lagos State Government.

LASEPA agreed with the oil companies that a consultant will be employed to conduct a postimpact assessment of the area to ascertain the extent of environmental pollutions that may have been impacted.

Over the years the tankers have made life unbearable for other road users and businesses around the area, leading to questions over the approval process of these tank farms in Apapa

The Lagos State Government also mandated the oil companies, as part of numerous safety measures, to construct water hydrant in front of their depots and purchase fire engines to fight any outbreak of fire in the area.

However, nothing else was heard about the issue ever since, despite the fact that the oil companies have failed to abide by the spirit and letters of the MOU.

Relocate tank farms to Lekki EPZ A few of months ago, when a tanker discharging fuel went up in flames, at Emordi Street in Olodi-Apapa area of AjeromiIfelodun Local Government, near the vicinity of the tank farms, it took divine intervention to save the entire community from been gutted by fire. Vanguard recalls that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has had cause to call for the relocation of all the tank farms from within the Apapa area.

“Government must understand that its business is the welfare of its people and it cannot deliver that by amateurish standard. This place was not designed for fuel discharge, but they have converted it for that, with all sorts of permits given by regulatory agencies, such as the DPR and the PPMC. I think that agencies of the Federal Government must step up their safety compliance levels.

Everybody must do his/her job and that is short term. The long term is to relocate all these facilities away from residential areas. Lagos state is ready to provide these facilities,” Fashola said Fashola urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the Oil and Gas Section at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in its relocation plan.

Although the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, promised to relocate the tank farms along the Oshodi/Apapa expressway as a way of finding a lasting solution to the unending traffic gridlock, it is the view of stakeholders that the relocation should be hastened as they (tank farms) have become an economic and social nuisance to residents and business concerns in the Apapa area.

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

There are times when I carry out a robbery operation alone.

Usually when I go for robbery operations alone, I monitor the movements in the house during the day before striking at night.

I joined the gang about four months ago.”

Another suspect speaks The second suspect, Abraham Isong, a secondary school drop-out also said: “I am from Akwa Ibom State but I live in Badagry. Before I joined the gang, I was a commercial bus driver but early this year when the vehicle started developing problems, the owner gave the bus to another driver after fixing it.

Later, I decided to work as a conductor to make ends meet.

That fateful day, I was going to Ajegunle when I stopped over at Isashi to smoke. It was where I went to smoke Indian hemp that I met Bright. He was talking about the operation and I showed interest and then followed them on the operation. Before now, I didn’t know Bright but I know Dare. This is not the first time I am participating in a robbery operation but I did it because I needed to survive. I am an orphan.”

•The suspects

I felt robbery was the easiest way to make it in life — Cobbler in police net

By Esther Onyegbula

A

COBBLER, Dare Adetunji, who was recently arrested by the Police in Lagos confessed to bewildered detectives that he went into robbery because he believed it was the easiest way to make it in life. Unfortunately, after the 21-year-old man from Osun State was arrested, he expressed regrets and appealed for forgiveness, promising never to rob again in life.

The cobbler was among a fourman gang of vicious bandits terrorizing Ilogbo community in Lagos State. Two members of the gang who were also arrested with Dare included Isong Bright, 20, and Chukwuemeka, 23 while the fourth member is still on the wanted list of the police. Crime Alert gathered that the robbers were caught while attempting to escape after successfully breaking into the residence of a popular business woman in the area at about 2am. They were about disappearing with her valuables when members of the vigilante group in the area arrested them.

Suspect’s account Confessing to the crime Dare said: “I am from Osun State.

I live in Ilogbo, Ajangbandi area.

Before the operation that fateful day, we met at Iyana-Isashi to finalize arrangements for the operation. During the day, Chika C M Y K

went to monitor the particular building we planned to rob before inviting us to Iyana -Isashi. From there, we proceeded to an uncompleted building in the bush where we hid from 8pm till 2am before breaking into the victim’s house. We scaled the fence and gained access into the house through one of the windows after

removing one of the nets. When we entered the house, we packed the phones they were charging.

Alarm raised Unfortunately for us, the owner of the house, a woman, woke up and raised alarm which alerted neighbours. In a bid to stop her, Joshua hit her with a pestle and she fell down and we took the valuables and escaped.

Daughters of the woman raised alarm as we attempted to escape.

Abraham and I were caught by the local vigilante. After we were arrested, we took them to Chika’s house where he was arrested and we were then handed over to the

Bright Chukwuemeka, the third Suspect

Police.

Why I went into robbery Before now I was a cobbler. I joined robbery because I needed money and I felt that it was the easiest way to make it in life. Things have been very difficult. This is the fourth operation I have been part of and in all, I have made N23, 000. In some operations, I make between N5,000, N7,000, N10,000 and N15,000 depending on how the operation goes.

How we operate We don’t carry out operations in traffic. All we do is go into peoples’ homes to rob them.

“I didn’t go with them. In fact, before I was arrested, I have not seen these two people in my entire life. What happened is that early that morning, they came to our compound and said they were looking for one of their members called Chika who lives here.

Initially, they pointed at one of the tenants, a young man with dreadlocks, but later pointed at me; that I was their member. I am not their member. My names are Bright Chukwuemeka and not Chika. I came to that community to work. I am a carpenter. I fix POP ceilings. I don’t know these people before.

I am innocent.”

Although he denied the allegations, the victim identified him as one of the robbers that attacked her that night.

Enugu P olice image mak er wins Security Watch Police maker war d Africa a aw ard

By Kelechi Azubuike

Usually when I go for robbery operations alone, I monitor the movements in the house during the day before striking at night

E

NUGU State Police Public Relations officer, DSP Ebere Amaraizu has been awarded the Best Community Relations Police Officer in West Africa by Security Watch Africa.

The award ceremony took place during the 11th Edition of the Security Watch Africa Awards/ Lectures with the theme; Developing Strategies and Best Practices in the Fight Against Terrorism and Urban Crimes in Africa held at Al-Ghurai Centre,

and Al-Bustan Rotana Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, respectively.

Lectures on various security issues anchored on the theme were delivered by BrigadierGeneral Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, the Human Security Coordinator, Republic of Ghana and two-time Defence Minister in Ghana, and Ambassador Victor James, former President of Ecowas Commission.

The keynote address was presented by the InspectorGeneral of Police, Suleiman Abba, on The role of Civil Police in the fight against terrorism in Africa,

The Nigeria Perspective which was delivered by AIG Umar Manko, the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, Zone 2, Onikan,Lagos, Nigeria.

The organizers of the award led

by Patrick Agbambu noted that they have decided to take this year’s edition out of the shores of Africa in order to pass to the international community that despite all odds and challenges Africans may have had, there are still those working tirelessly and honestly through their different

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 — 43

Tension height ens in Nsukk ao heightens Nsukka ovver kidnap of tto own union president

By Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

A

NXIETY and confusion now pervades the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State over the kidnap of the President-General, Nsukka Town Union, Chief Augustine Alumonah, along newly constructed Opi-Ugwogo-Nike road in the early hours of Thursday by unknown gunmen.

How he was kidnapped: Crime Alert gathered that Chief Alumona who hails from Echara Community in the area, left his family around 6am only to be ambushed and abducted by trigger-happy men of the under world. Investigations revealed that he was abducted and taken to an unknown destination while his abductors have demanded N10 million as ransom for his release.

Police officer to the rescue: It was learnt that soon after his abduction, a police officer who was returning from night duty

C M Y K

spotted his vehicle where it was parked. He reportedly suspected foul play and went into the vehicle only to see scattered documents bearing a contact, a mobile phone number of one Moses Ugwu. He called the number only for the recipient to confirm that the owner of the car, Chief Alumona is his brother from Echara Community in Nsukka Local Government Area. It was at that point that the wife, a classroom teacher at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, was called and informed that her husband had been abducted. She subsequently called other relations and friends, •CP Enugu, Adamu Mohammed informing them about the development.

Clash of interest:Investigations community spell bound for several further revealed that after his years by refusing to hand over to election as President-General, the the elected committee on flimsy victim started having clashes with reasons. The development made the out-gone land committee of the eldest man in the community Echara Community, who (Onyishi) to direct the committee allegedly bluntly refused to hand to handover to the elected over to the new executives of the executives of the community. This community. The former committee ended in the warring parties members allegedly held the instituting two cases over the authentic committee which are presently pending in court.

State govt. intervenes Competent sources close to Crimne Alert revealed that Enugu s t a t e Commissioner of Police had invited the two groups and advised the former Echara land committee to hand over the attorney of the community to the authentic, elected and approved committee headed by the abducted President General of Nsukka town union, Chief Au g u s t i n e Alumona.

Others React Reacting to the ugly incident, the SecretaryGeneral, Oha N s u k k a A s s e m b l y, D o c t o r Ikechukwu O b a y i ,

•Chief Alumona described the incident as ‘shocking and unbelievable going by the peaceful attitude of Chief Alumona in conducting the affairs of the community to the admiration of members of the general public, as he could hardly hurt a fly.’ Dr Obayi also noted that the matter had been reported to Enugu state police command and every other security organs for intervention adding that “those who abducted the soft -spoken gentle man who grapples with life to eke out means of livelihood were infidels of an unparalleled proportion, may have been bought by other unbelievers in

the community.”

Contacted for comment, the Area commander Nigeria Police command, ACP Musa Haladu, confirmed the incident but however said it was within the jurisdiction of Enugu state command, explaining that the police will soon unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnap of Chief Alumona.

Efforts made to speak with the Enugu State police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebere Amarizu proved abortive as he was unable to pick calls and text messages put across to him to confirm the incident.

Enugu police image maker wins award Continues from page 42 vocations to put Africa in the correct record and that Africans are not as bad as may be perceived by the international community, noting that Africa as a continent is a place to be.

The awards were of different categories to deserving people

both in the force and other spheres of humans endeavours and from various African states.

AIG Umar Manko, Tunde Ogunsakin, CP Adenrele Shinaba, Abubakar Adamu Mohammed amongst others were among the recipients who thanked the Inspector -General of Police for giving them the opportunity to serve in their various capacities.

Speaking to Crime Alert after he came back to Nigeria, DSP Amarizu noted that the award was a clear testimony and reflection of what Enugu State Police Command has involved itself with in the last couple of years.

PPRO Amarizu receiving the award

44—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, DECEMBER 3, 2014 44—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

He kicked me out for being unfaithful Dear Bunmi, HEN my partner and I split up four years ago, I was devastated and jumped at a temporary transfer from my office to one of the branches in another state to get away from it all. It was there I met another colleague and we started a relationship, but it ended when I was transferred back to head office. In time my ex and I got back together and he proposed.

We got married early last year and now have a lovely daughter.

When I resumed from my maternity leave, I was shocked to find my ex lover working in head office on temporary transfer.

He knew of my marriage and was happy with it.

I was foolish to visit him in the guest house where he was lodged and we ended up making love. I visited a couple of times more but stopped.

He must have blabbed to some of his mates because my husband got an anonymous text and he was furlous as he knew of my earlier relationship with this colleague. He was visibly angry and asked me to move out with our baby. I went to stay with my parents and in spite of my pleadings, he’s refused to have

W

Is his request normal?

Dear Bunmi, Y current boyfriend is a hunk: Sophisticated and loving. He is also quite adventurous in his lovemaking. A few weeks ago, he said he’d like to 'spice up’ our sex life by bringing his camcorder into the bedroom and taping us we make love!

We currently live together but until he made his weird suggestion, I had no idea he was a pervert! Half joking, I told him he needed his head

M

exaqrined, but he laughed at me, saying a lot of his friends did it and that it wasn’t such a big deal.

Is he normal?

Mandy, by e-mail.

Dear Mandy, here is no evidence your boyfriend is a pervert.

His request is, in fact within the range of nonnal sex play among consenting adults.

Quite a number of couples actually enjoy making love in

T

front of a video camera and nobody is hurt as long as both partners agree the tapes will go no further than their own VCRs. You sound as if your boyfriend’s request surprised, rather than offended you!

Why don’t you indulge his fantasy at least once?

Perhaps you might just fmd the experience pleasurable or you might feel awkward and uncomfortable. If you do, tell him you don’t relish the idea of being a porn star!

He's turned into a monster Dear Bunmi, left the village to come and live with my uncle in Abuja. Unfortunately, he lost his job and since I was already employed by a private nursery school, I decided to move in with my boyfriend who is a personal assistant to the proprietress.

At first, he was really nice and I slowly started getting my life back together, buying things for the house and for myself. Almost overnight, he changed. He locks me in all the time as soon as I return from work. He wouldn’t let me

I

go out with him and always times me when I go to the market. Whenever he thinks I’ve taken too much time, he’ll beat me up. He doesn’t drink, and he’s not on drugs but his eyes are always wild and scary when he’s angry.

Why is he this way?

Blessing, by e-mail.

Dear Blessing, have no idea why your boyfriend is suddenly behaving in this way.

It might be that he’s mentally ill, or that he has a violent personality.

I

He’ll probably try to assure you that his behaviour is caused by the way you provoke him. He may tell you that if only you were loving, he wouldn’t need to be like this. You may even end up thinking that if only you could change, then he would change.

Well, you are wrong. The reason your boyfriend is like this doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that you get out of this situation right now! It may feel impossible, but you must escape. Violent men seldom change.

He’s not supportive of my career Dear Bunmi, love the job I had since I graduated five years ago and feel that I am successful at it. But whenever I discuss my work and my future and what I’m hoping for, my partner tries to discourage me.

I don’t understand it, as I always allow time for us to have quality time together outside work.

He says that all career women are lonely and hardbitten, and tells me he loves me as I am. He also says that our relationship should be enough for me and that I must not destroy it.

How can I make him be more supportive?

Toke, by e-mail.

I

Dear Toke, o hold down any job, let alone build a future, your partner must actively support you, think you are wonderful and be proud of all your achievements. When he isn’t behind you, it’s much harder

T

to do what you have to do. Try to get the reasons underlying your partner’s negative attitude. Does he fear he’ll lose you if you find success?

Deal with this one together.

Then you’ll need to make him see that any partnership worth its salt is a two-way street.

I’m sure you support him does he expect to get all he wants and still have you beside him? If he does, then surely he must do the same for you. No one can tell

another person not to strive or grow or reach out for all the things that. make our working lives great.

No one has the right to stifle another’s potential, or hold her back from what she could achieve. And no relationship can thrive on an unequal basis of shared love and support. We all change - some of us grow. If he couldn’t grow with you, then he’s the person who is threatening the relationship, not you.

No one has the right to stifle another’s potential, or hold her back from what she could achieve....and no relationship can thrive on an unequal basis of shared love and support.

any contact with me. I can’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with him. Will he ever take me back?

Emma, by e-mail.

Dear Emma, ou have to respect your husband’s decision for now and give him time to think things through so he could decide what he wants to do. In the meantime, why don’t you write him a letter telling him you love him and that you are really deeply sorry for what you did. Explain why you did it and ask him to forgive you.

Then leave him alone and allow him the space he needs to consider his options.

If he refuses to allow you back into his life, you should respect his wishes. You have done wrong and have to suffer the consequences. If he’s willing to give you another chance - and he might - you need to rebuild your relationship from scratch.

You have completely obliterated his trust and confidence in you.

You have to regain it slowly, one piece at a time.

You need to show him every day, through your behaviour and your attitude, that you love him and that he can trust you.

Y

He got the house-help pregnant Dear Bunmi, ’M in my early 60s, a few years ago, I took in a girl as a maid. Her family wouldn’t help her because they thought she was wayward. In the beginning, she was unstable and kept vanishing, at first for days, then for weeks. She would come back, weeping and begging us to take her back and I always relented because I thought I could do something good with her potentials. My husband called me a fool and threatened to throw her out if she didn’t behave.

With time she became more settled and trained as a hairdresser. I got her her own shop and used my money to buy necessary equipments for her salon. A year later, she became pregnant for my husband, a 65year-old man. He claimed he was drunk when she seduced him, but she told me they’d had sex more often, not just once. She’d been to his factory too as confirmed by some of the workers.

This girl has flatly refused to have an abortion and has moved out of the house. I suspect my husband has helped her to set

I

up home. This man has children older than this ungrateful girl and is a grand-father. How could he rubbish the family name with this scum?

Kemi By e-mail.

Dear Kemi, t’s never wrong to show love and affection to someone who needs it as feeling love enriched us a lot. Yet, sometimes, giving that love demands a price that is simply too high. This girl you helped was denied the kindness she needed as a child and to protect herself, she became cynical. She learnt to take when she could and not give back.

As things are, there’s precious little you can do now a baby is on the way.

You’ve been betrayed by your husband too but you must learn to abs’orb the shock. What they both intend to do with the baby is no longer your business. ‘You need to move on with your life.

Experiences like yours are very common and though painful, life goes on. One hard lesson you’ve learnt though is that the fact that you love, trust and give doesn’t mean that you shall be loved, trusted and given in return.

I

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, DECEMBER 3, 2014—45

I was not behind petition against aggrieved aspirants — Wike

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— Former Minister of State for Education and governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as untrue, allegations by 16 aggrieved governorship aspirants of the party that he was behind the initial disqualification of some of them from the race by the South-South zone screening committee of the party.

Wike, who spoke in Port Harcourt, enjoined the 16 aggrieved aspirants not to see politics as a do-or-die affair, adding that those who truly love the party should work for its growth in the state and the country.

The governorship aspirant who said there was never a time the party decided to rotate power between the upland and riverine part of the state challenged Governor Rotimi Amaechi to show proof that he awarded road construction contracts to him at the Amiesimaka Stadium.

Kamson declares for Lagos guber race

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HE Tokunboh K a m s o n Organisation has announced the emergence of Ambassador Tokunboh Kamson as a contender for the governorship position in Lagos State.

The announcement was after Kamson scaled the People Democratic Party’s, PDP, screening hurdle.

The organisation in a statement said: “Ambassador Kamson is a tried and tested professional and technocrat who has the experience, education and influence to lead Lagos State into a new era of progress and prosperity."

Speaking at a media parley, Kamson said: “I believe that my wide national and international experience is what Lagos needs as a vibrant and sprawling megapolis with urgent infrastructural challenges."

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Wike also described as untrue, allegation that he had already commenced campaign ahead of the time slated for it by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He said: “I was at the local

government to talk to them.

People have influence on these delegates and I have gone there to talk to these delegates to support me, to give me the mandate to fly the flag of the party so that I will

be able to withstand All Progressives Congress, APC, in election. So, have I violated the Electoral Act? You mean I should not go to talk to delegates to vote for me during the primaries?”

NGO to host widows

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RIGHT Hope for Widows Initiative, a NonGovernmental Organisation will on Saturday hold its 2014 edition of "Putting smiles on the faces of widows at Christmas."

The programme which is scheduled for Triumphant Baptist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos has as its theme "Celebration of God's faithfulness."

The founder of the organisation, Dr Foluke Omosehin, said the organisation was poised to improve the lot of widows and assist them overcome the challenges of raising their families alone.

Ofremu for burial

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PRESS WEEK: From left: Mr Austine Osakue; Mr. Chris Ogiemwonyi; Mr Desmond Agbama; Mr Titus Akhigbe, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Secretary, Edo State during NUJ Edo State Council Press Week with the theme: ‘Credible elections, insurgency and the Nigeria media: The way forward,’ held at NUJ Press Centre, Benin City. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike

Why I want to govern Delta —Uwaka

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By Gbenga Oke

AGOS — THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta State, Chief Mike Uwaka, has said that his desires for development and good governance were the motivation behind his aspiration to govern the state.

He added that if elected governor of Delta State, his administration will be driven by five points agenda that will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Delta State.

He said: “My first agenda is education because I believe it is an important cornerstone in Delta State and that is why my administration will ensure education is totally free, affordable, accessible, functional at all levels and driven by the inspiration to create a better society for the future.

“Agriculture is significant to the development of Delta State and that is why I will consolidate the state's efforts to develop the agricultural sector and diversify the economy with a view to enhancing the interest of youths in agriculture.

"The agenda will look beyond the mineral resources by beginning to look for ways to create a platform for self sufficiency, so that we can supplement oil revenue.”

Uwaka noted that his administration will “ensure adequate provision of infrastructure for the people of Delta State and this will be based on compre-

hensive construction of projects on a holistic basis while avoiding stop gap measures which are viewed as counterproductive.”

HE Arure of Aviara Kingdom, Chief M. Ofremu of Etigbo quarters in Araya Town, Isoko South Local Government Area od Delta State, aged 75 years who died recently will be buried on Saturday in his own compound, Araya.

According to Lt. Cdr. F.O. Ejoor (rtd), there will be a funeral service at Owhawonya Primary School field, Araya before lying in state at his compound, Otahe Quarters, Araya, followed by interment.

He is survived by two widows, 15 children and host of relations.

Group laments alleged marginalisation of Brass council

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA — AHEAD of Saturday ’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Assembly primaries in Bayelsa East senatorial district and Brass/Nembe federal constituency, a sociopolitical group, the People’s Front for Good Governance, PFGG, has raised alarm over the alleged continued marginalisation of the people of Brass Local Government Area in the current political arrangement in the state.

President of the group, Mr. Ebiegberi Edwards, who spoke to newsmen at Twon-Brass in Brass council, lamented that since the current political dispensation, only Nembe Bassambiri has held the House of Representatives position for 12 years.

He said the position that was supposed to rotate among Twon Brass and Ogbolomabiri Nembe, Akassa, Okpoama, Okoroma/Tereke, Odioama, Oluasiri Minikesi had been domiciled in Nembe

Bassambiri without consideration for other communities and towns that constitutes the constituency.

Late Chief M. Ofremu

2015: Group vows to mobilise for Jonathan in Delta

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By Festus Ahon

SABA— DELTA State Coordinator of Strategic Team for Goodluck Jonathan, GEJ 2015, Mr. Felix Datuowei, has vowed that the group will mobilise the people of the state for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election.

Datuowei, during his inaugural meeting with coordinators of the group in the 25 local government areas of the state in Asaba, said the group which was initiated by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Chairman, cuts across the federation.

According to him, “Delta strategic team for Jonathan has structures across the state

with two offices in Asaba and Warri. Our resolve is to throw our weight behind President Jonathan as a result of his transformation agenda which can be seen in all sectors of our economy.

“President Jonathan has done well. His achievements in the agricultural sector via Growth Enhancement support Scheme, GES, massive road construction/rehabilitation, improvement in power supply among others are eloquent testimonies of his transformation agenda.

“President Jonathan will do more for the betterment of Nigerians and Nigeria if elected into office in 2015. I therefore, urge all of you not to rest on your oars but to redouble your efforts to achieve our set goal.”

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

AUSTERITY MEASURE: Civil servants warn FG against retrenchment

By Victor Ahiumayoung

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SSOCIATION of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, yesterday, warned of dire consequences if Federal Government decided to retrench workers under the guise of austerity measures announced last month.

In a statement by its President and Secretary-General, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Alade Bashir Lawal, the union said any attempt by government to sack workers or reduce their salaries in the name of austerity measures would amount to a declaration of war on Nigerian workers and would be resisted by the labour movement According to the statement, “when the economy boomed, the political office holders were freeloading as if there was no

Burial

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ADAM Mary Obareki-Anidi, 82, is dead. Tomorrow is service of songs at First Baptist Church, Mission Road, off Okere Road, Warri, at 5p.m. Funeral service is the next day, followed by interment.

Refreshment takes place at Oziegbe Primary School, New Post Office Road, Kokori. Outing/ thanksgiving service is 10a.m. on Sunday.

tomorrow, while most Nigerian workers lived below $2.

“During that period, workers called for better pay package but were rebuffed by the ruling elite. It was enjoyment galore for those in government, while workers were helpless and hapless as if they were not stakeholders in the system.

“Today, the meagre N18,000 minimum wage approved in 2011 by the Federal Government has not been fully implemented by some state governments and as such it will be the height of insensitivity for any

government to contemplate sacking civil servants or reducing their pay in the name of austerity measures.”

ASCSN lamented that the union had advised the government to reduce the whopping pay packets and mouth-watering allowances of political office holders and check other leakages that encouraged corruption in the system, but was ignored.

It said: “Records will also show that this union, on several occasions, cautioned the Federal Government to stop the depletion of foreign

Dana donates to Kano bomb blast victims

reserves and needless rush to seek foreign loans for white elephant projects, because such mindless profligacy can only lead to the collapse of the economy.

“It is very sad that it took a drastic drop in the price of crude oil in the international market for the managers of the economy, including selfstyled experts, to realize that government must exercise restraint in the squandermania that has been going on, including plugging of loopholes to beef up government revenue base.”

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ANA Drugs Limited has donated drugs to the victims of the Kano bomb blast. Items donated included infusions, formulations and surgical devices necessary for injured people.

Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Kano, benefited from the donation made through the Kano branch of Dana Group.

In a statement, the company said nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations and some state ministries of health had also benefited from its corporate social responsibility schemes.

Dana donated to Benue State flood victims in 2012 and was involved in a nationwide de-worming exercise for school children.

250 Nigerians depart for Ebola volunteer work in Liberia, others

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HE Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, will be among top government functionaries, diplomats, development partners and private sector chieftains that will be at the formal departure ceremony of 250 Nigerian volunteers in Lagos today.

The volunteers will be offering services to contain the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the neighbouring West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Others expected at the function include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

They are part of a team of a 1000-strong health personnel force being deployed under the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa,

ASEOWA. The team consists of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other cadre of health professionals.

A high point of the departure programme is the official

launch of the Africa Against Ebola Resource Mobilisation Campaign, under a partnership between the African Union and the private sector.

Anglican knights task politicians on 2015

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—JOINT Council of Knights of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has frowned at the increasing political impunity and tension in the country ahead of 2015 general elections and called on politicians to play by the rules in the interest of the nation.

In a 14-point communique at the end of the 19th Joint Council of Knights Conference, at the Knights Abbey Retreat Centre, All

Saints Cathedral Onitsha and attended by 316 delegates from 47 councils in Nigeria, the group also expressed fears on the increasing insurgency in the North-East part of Nigeria.

Delegates noted with dismay, the negative attitude of Nigerian politicians and called for caution, restrain and understanding among politician.

They also appealed to Federal Government to prevail on politicians to

respect the law of the land in their political activities.

The knights also appealed to government to quell the increasing insurgency and step up efforts to secure the release of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted

by Boko Haram insurgents.

The knights, however, commended the Federal Government for embarking on the construction of the second Niger Bridge and prayed that the bridge be completed within the approved time to ease the difficulties encountered by travellers.

On Nigeria's failure to qualify for AFCON 2015?

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ow it is absolutely very clear to those that are singing Keshi's and President Jonathan who used his presidential power to reinstate and impose a mediocre coach on us, that Keshi has nothing new and better to add to our soccer.

Miss Blessing EmmanuelWorker

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t is unfortunate that due to visionless, unpragmatic and people who are not deductive in reasoning are always at the helm of affairs in Nigeria; virtually in all parts of our national life. Such people will never feel any pain that we did not qualify. Miss Blessing Ubah- Student

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ne thing that unites this country is football. You may have observed that when Nigeria is playing we forget about our differences and live as one. And Keshi had a chance to prove his critics wrong, unfortunately he could not. Miss Chioma Ani- Model

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ll these blame games will not turn back the hands of time. We have lost and we have lost, so we do not need to start worrying ourselves over the loss. I have taken my own pills to quench my own disappointment.

Miss Judith EkwuStudent

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his mental poverty is the challenge our country and most African countries will have to overcome before they can talk of development. We will never make any headway without meritocracy.

Nigeria needs new players and coach. Miss Chika Dike- Graduate

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erhaps, just perhaps, it was not meant to be. Because going by the way we are buffeting our Nigeria, it may just be no more by the time the competition commences.

Not my wish though. Mr Lotanna AzuboguMarketer

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014— 47

ALAKYO KILLINGS: Northern govs donate

N34m to victims' families L

By Abel Daniel

AFIA—THE Northern Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NNGF, has donated N34 million to the wives of the police officers, Department of State Services, DSS and other security agencies who were murdered in Alakyo village, in Nasarawa State by suspected Omatse cultists about a year and a half ago. + The donation was to help alleviate their problems occasioned by the death of husbands who died in active service.

The beneficiaries were expected to receive N459, 400, 28k each.

The money which was reportedly handed over to the Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura about three months ago by the secretariat of the forum was yesterday distributed to the widows through cheques presented to them at the Nasarawa State police command, Lafia, the state capital by officials of the state government.

Presenting cheques to the recipients, the representative of the governor and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Abubakar Ahmed Ishiak, urged the widows to utilize the money judiciously in order to better the welfare of their respective families.

Ishiak explained that the disbursement took some time because when the money was released by the forum, the state government constituted another committee comprising the DSS officials and the police so that the fund would be

equitably disbursed.

He also said that the remaining part of the promise made by the northern governors would be made available to the widows as soon as the the fund was received.

Receiving the money, the

widows thanked the governors’ for their kind gesture and promised to spend it prudently. The northern governors had promised to donate N100 million to the widows to assist them but had so far made available N34 million.

DECORATION: From left: Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Shehu, decorating Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, and the newly decorated Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Segir Abubakar, at the Command Officers Mess in Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

We'll abide by outcome of primaries, say Kwara PDP gov aspirants I

LORIN—THIRTEEN governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara said they had agreed to abide by the outcome of Saturday’s governorship primary in the state.

The aspirants, who jointly signed an undertaking, promised to work for whoever emerged as the candidate for the success of the party at the poll.

A copy of the undertaking was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Ilorin.

The Publicity Committee Chairman of PDP in the state,

Chief Rex Olawoye who confirmed the meeting, said the 14th aspirant, Mr Dele Belgore, did not sign the undertaking because he was not at the meeting.

Olawoye told NAN that the

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By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—AN All Progressives Congress, APC, aspirant for Azare/ Madangala State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Abdullahi Kabir has withdrawn from the race ahead of the party ’s primaries.

Kabir stated this after he was cleared to contest the seat by the party in a statement in Bauchi.

He said: ”I realised that there are many candidates contesting for this seat, so in order to avoid

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undertaking, pledged their loyalty to the party and whoever emerged as winner of the governorship primary election.

Olawoye said the forum, on November 1, adopted lists of the delegates in the 15 local government areas, leaving out Ilorin West because the list was not ready.

INSURGENCY: Number of internally displaced

persons rises to 800,000 —NEMA

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BUJA—THE total number of internally displaced persons, IDPs, in camps has risen to 800,000, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA,

2015: Kabir withdraws from Bauchi

Assembly race

aspirants met on November 24, where they all agreed to work for peace during the primary election.

He said that the meeting was called by the aspirants on the platform of Kwara State PDP Gubernatorial Aspirants’ Forum.

The aspirants in the

factions and other problems, I withdrew from the race so as to promote unity and understanding in the party.

“Secondly, this will pave the way for a qualified and better candidate that will give the party an edge in the primaries.

Through this strategy, we will definitely defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state House of Assembly elections by promoting the chances of the party to capture majority of the seats in the House.”

has said.

Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting in NEMA, Zanna Muhammed, confirmed this at a one-day stakeholders workshop on response to emergencies.

He said: "The total number of IDPs in NEMA camps are 100,700, while those in the host communities are 701,448, bringing the figure to a total of 802,144 IDPs across the country.

The event was aimed at addressing the rising cases of emergencies and displaced persons across the country, occasioned by the rising insurgency in the NorthEastern part of the country.

Stakeholders at the National programme sued for a proper framework that coordinates disaster management in the

country for better response.

The theme of the workshop is "Developing a sustainable humanitarian response mechanism for Nigeria" organised by Murtala Mohammed Foundation and the Ford Foundation wants the Federal Government to address issues bothering on segmented response in moments of emergency.

Speaking further, the NEMA Director said: "NEMA has been leading the way in coordinating emergency responses with its National Disaster Management Framework which provides the framework for the coordination of humanitarian preparedness and response in the country, centralising coordination of other interventionist groups such as the CLOs."

Bauchi gets new Govt House Press Affairs director

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By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda has approved the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Sani Umar as the new director, Press Affairs, Government House.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ishola Adeyemi in Bauchi yesterday.

According to the statement, Yuguda described the new Director of Press as experienced, hard working, honest and a loyal civil servant.

While congratulating him on his appointment, Yuguda urged him to utilize those qualities in facing challenges of the new office to facilitate the attainment of the expectation of the electorate.

According to the statement, Sani was appointed based on merit.

Church tasks INEC on unreleased voters' cards

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OMBE—THE A n g l i c a n Communion, Gombe Diocese, has urged the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to urgently address the issues of stolen and unreleased voters’ cards ahead of the 2015 general elections.

This is contained in a 16point communiqué issued after the third session of the fifth Synod of the Diocese in Gombe on Tuesday.

The communiqué, signed by the Bishop of the church, Rt. Rev. Henry Ndukuba, said failure to address the issue would result to unjust disenfranchisement of the electorate.

The synod also called on INEC to relocate all polling units that were located in places of worship or people’s homes, to give credibility to the elections.

The participants also called on all stakeholders to shun provocative acts and violence during the electioneering period as well as urged youths not to be used as political thugs.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

LAUNCH: From left, Head,Youth Segment, Airtel, Segun Aderinokun; Maurice Newa, Chief Commercial Officer Airtel, and Dinesh Balsingh,Vice President Segment, Airtel, at the Media Launch of Airtel Trybe, in Lagos.

Photo: Akeem Salau

PRESENTATION: From left, Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiare Atimomo; star prize winner, Olusegun Adeosi, and Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Professor Olufemi Mimiko, at the presentation of the star prize, a brand new car, during Cliqfest, Akungba Akoko.

MEETING: From left, Managing Director/CEO, New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano; Group Captain Charlton Jose, Command Electronics Engineering Officer, Logistics, Nigerian Air Force, and President of EXHBITION: Customers at HUAWEL stand, built by an indigenous firm, during an Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos chapter, Mr. Joseph Okomah, exhbition organized by WAPIC in Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu at the meeting of the military, police, para-military officers and public relations officers forum, at Nigeria Air Force base, Ikeja, Lagos.

INAUGURATION: HON. Beatrice Igogo-Oyibotha (right), signing the oath of office as the Leader of the Legislative Arm of the Council, assisted

by Rev. Augustine Ovie, during the inauguration of Isoko South Local Government Council legislative arm, in Delta State.

AWARDS: From left, Onyekachi Onubogu, Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Samson Ogunyemi, Art Director, SO&U, and Lolu Akinwunmi, Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria,APCON, at the 2014 Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival awards.

AWARDS: From left, Princess Adeyinka Afolabi, President Life and Chess Club, LACC/Sports Colony International, SCI, receiving her Social OPENING: Honorary Consul of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mrs. Tessy Ekpunobi (right); Innovators Programme and Awards 2013 2013 Fellowship certificate from Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (middle), and the Prime Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder, LEAP Africa, and Mrs. Nadu Denloye, Minister of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Director, CDNet, during Leap Africa’s Social Innovators Programme and at the opening of St. Kitts’ Honorary Consular by the Prime Minister, in Abuja.

Awards in Lagos.

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50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Insecurity: IDPs figure rises to 800 000

Judge disqualifies self from suit seeking to remove Tambuwal as speaker

By Emmanuel Elebeke

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE total number of internally displaced persons, IDPs in camps has risen to 800,000, National Emergency management Agency, NEMA has said.

Director of Planning,Research and Forecasting in NEMA, Zanna Muhammed, confirmed this at a one day stakeholders workshop on response to emergencies.

He said,”the total number of IDPs in NEMA camps are 100,700; while those in the host communities are 701,448;bringing the figure to a total of 802,144 IDPs across the country, following the rising cases of insecurity and communal clashes in the country.

“NEMA has been leading the way in coordinating emergency responses with its National Disaster Management Framework which provides the framework for the coordination of h u m a n i t a r i a n preparedness and response in the c o u n t r y, c e n t r a l i s i n g coordination of other interventionist groups such as the CLOs”.

Mrs Akinjogbin passes on

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RS Aderonke C a r o l i n e Akinjogbin, the proprietress, St. Claire Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja, is dead at 56. Mrs. Akinjogbin, who passed away on Friday, November 14, 2014 is survived by her husband, Mr. Tunde Akinjogbin, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and uncles.

She will be laid to rest tomorrow at Ipetumodu, Osun State, after a Christian wake service at No. 18, Dejo Olawo close, by U-turn bus stop, Abule-Egba, Lagos.

.Late Mrs Akinjogbin

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BUJA—FOLLOWING a petition accusing him of bias, Justice Evoh Chukwu, yesterday, disqualified himself from handling a fresh suit seeking to stop Hon. Aminu Tambuwal from performing the functions of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

When the ex-parte application which was filed by a member of the House of Representatives from Ogun State, Mr. Isiaq Akinlade came up for hearing yesterday, Justice Chukwu said he decided to wash his hands off the suit in the interest of Justice.

The Judge said his attention had also been drawn to a petition that was written against him by the Speaker, saying though the Chief Judge of the High Court has not asked him to discontinue with the matter, “at this stage I think that the best thing to do is to return the case file to the CJ for reassignment to another judge”, he stated.

The Judge had earlier expressed displeasure over media publications (not Vanguard), which he said did not only vilify him, but also accused him of giving favourable judgments to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Akinlade had in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2014, applied for a judicial

interpretation of an earlier judgment of Justice Chukwu that held that there was no division in the PDP. It was his contention that in view of the previous verdict of the court, Tambuwal, having defected from the party that sponsored him into the House of Reps, ought to vacate his seat in line with the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He insisted that it would be illegal to allow Tambuwal who

came into the House on the ticket of the PDP to decamp to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and still retain his seat and position as Speaker of the House.

Cited as respondents in the suit were Tambuwal, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, dissatisfied with the competence of Justice Chukwu to maintain objectivity in the determination of the suit, Tambuwal, in a petition dated

November 30, prayed the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta to reassign the case to another judge.

Tambuwal argued that since it was the same judge that held that there was no division in the PDP, he said it would be against the tenets of justice to allow him to also preside over the instant suit.

He argued that allowing Justice Chukwu to handle Akinlade’s suit would amount to allowing him to sit on appeal over his own judgement.

CONFERENCE: Governor Godswill Akpabio being welcomed by Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah to the 2014 Chief of Army Staff Conference in Uyo, while Minister of Defence General Aliyu Mohammed (rtd) watches with admiration.

Buhari, Atiku, others undergo APC screening

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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B U J A— F I V E presidential aspirants on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC, were yesterday screened by the Ogbonnaya Onu headed Presidential Screening Committee of the party in Abuja.

The aspirants included former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors of Kano and Imo States, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Chief Rochas Okorocha, and the publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Speaking to Journalists after going through the process, Atiku described the exercise as “hot seat”, saying he was now ready for the primaries.

“It was a hot seat because there were questions on the economy, security, etc. I have been on the campaign for more than two months now. I am set to go”, he said.

On his own part, Kano State Governor, Kwankwaso said only a transparent primary election would be acceptable to him.

He said: “Agreement or no agreement, once there is a

transparent (primary) election not only me but the other aspirants will support who ever emerges.

When we were in the PDP in 1999, we had a transparent primary. I have gone round the country and I have interacted with people both within the PDP and the APC, I can assure you that there are people within the PDP that have endorsed my aspiration and are willing to vote for me if I emerge.”

Nda-Isaiah while speaking to Journalists also described the screening as the “biggest job interview” in Nigeria.

“I did well. You know when you go for interview, you will know whether you passed or failed. So, I passed. It shows how serious the party is. This is the biggest job interview in Nigeria”, he said.

Similarly, General Mohammdu Buhari said the screening exercise was a success.

He said: “It went on well. They asked me what I think should be the answer in terms of security.

They are all concerned about the state of affairs in this country, especially the unemployed youth and security. There is no Nigerian who is not aware that these are bigger problems.

Asked what he would expect next, he said “Well we have gone round to ask for understanding and support. My morale is high”.

POWER: Japan loans Nigeria $209m

By Victoria Ojeme

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BUJA—JAPAN Ambassador to Nigeria Ryuichi Shoji has said that the government of Japan is currently assisting Nigeria with the sum of $209 million to improve its power supply to Nigerians.

He said, that $200 million is in form of loan for the construction of a hydro power plant in Jebba while $9.8 million will be in form of grants for solar power projects.

Shoji, who disclosed this at a press conference yesterday in

Abuja, stated that Japan has continued to render assistance for development to Asia and Africa since the end of second world war.

The ambassador who on behalf of his government, tendered unreserved apology to the world, especially to the countries that became victims of Japanese aggression during the cold war noted that the assistance it renders to the countries of Asia and Africa, are to compensate for the aggression during the war.

He therefore declared that Japan

will never again be aggressive towards any country.

Shoji noted that “it is for this reason that the government of Japan adopted the policy of no production or possession of weapons of aggression”.

He added that though his country has trained some personnel in the Sahel region on counter terrorism, Japan has a policy of non exportation of armoury. He noted that his country is also working with the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), on peace and security.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014—55 —55

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56—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Demand accurate and reliable test results as a right — MLSCN

Standard chartered donates N7.5m on blindness prevention in Nigeria

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IGERIANS have been urged to demand accurate and reliable test results as a right from medical laboratories in the country.

Speaking in Abuja recently, at the Induction of fresh graduands of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, MLSCN, the Registrar/CEO, Prof.

Anthony Emeribe lamented the dangers of inaccurate laboratory tests saying it could lead to death of a patient.

Emeribe enjoined Nigerians to desist from walking into any facility and submitting themselves for investigation without asking whether the lab is approved or the personnel licensed to perform such important medical investigations is qualified.

“We must all accept responsibility for our health and this includes demanding our medical results as a right from the facility we submit ourselves for medical investigations. There is also the need to have first hand information about whether the facility is duly approved by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, if it is manned by the right calibre of personnel, if it has the quality equipment, regents, kits, chemicals and consumables otherwise known as in-vitro diagnostics.

That will go a long way in ensuring that the results emanating from such a facility can be relied upon,” he noted.

Emeribe regretted the practice of patronising any facility no matter how awkward-looking, dirty and ill-equipped, simply because there is a signboard announcing that it is a “computerised laboratory”. He stated that as part of measures to sanitise the sector, a National Taskforce on Laboratory and In-vitro Diagnostics Inspection made up of representatives of all the relevant security

and regulatory agencies mandated to ensure compliance and flush out undesirable elements whose nefarious activities are hurting innocent citizens.

“It can no longer be business as usual in the medical laboratory services sector as we are determined to do whatever is required to ensure that only approved facilities with the right calibre of personnel, equipment and kits or consumables continue to function. Facilities which have nothing to hide are often eager to get due approval and are also quick to display evidence of such for their patients to see.

S part of its 8th Walk for Sight charity programme in support of its group, Seeing is believing, SiB, Standard Chartered Bank, has doled out N7.5 million towards the eradication of avoidable blindness in Nigeria.

The SiB project is Standard Chartered Bank’s initiative to help tackle avoidable blindness in communities around the world, 90 percent of which is found in the developing world where the Bank’s business is rooted. It was started in 2003 as a way of celebrating the Bank’s 150th anniversary, SiB has raised over

• L-R: Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed and the Chief Medical Director First Consultant Hospital, Obalende Lagos, Mr. Benjamin Ohaeri during the presentation of 50 million naira cheque to First Consultant Hospital for it effort that helped in containing the Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos.

$75million, reached more than 53 million people, funded 2.97 million cataract operations, trained more than 145,000 health workers, supported 96 eye health projects, and distributed 611,000 pairs of spectacles.

From 2003 till date the bank has played a prominent role in preventing 100 million people from going blind, and now is working in collaboration with the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness, the World Health Organisation and other partners to reduce the prevalence of avoidable visual impairment by 25 per cent by 2019. In support of the SIB initiative, through its fund raising event, STB has raised a total of $900,000 which has helped to fund successful cataract operations and treatment (still ongoing) for over 30,000 affected persons from January 2006 and October 2014.

In the views of Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Society for the Blind, Mrs. Biola Agbaje, the Society has received unwavering support from the bank for years. “Without this support, it would have been extremely difficult for us to achieve the objectives of our Vocational Training Centre for the Blind in Oshodi.

Over the years, the bank has provided us with amazing financial, infrastructural and administrative assistance.”

On his part, STB Chief Executive Officer, Bola Adesola, noted that the bank has achieved desired results with the annual Walk for Sight initiative in the last six years.

“We could not have done this without the support of a lot of our staff, customers, friends, family members and the media.

We will continue to do everything we can to eradicate avoidable blindness in Nigeria,’’ he noted.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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ELLO everybody and welcome. Today we will be discussing more new adult products for the yuletide season. Today’s novelties will focus on educational and entertaining novelties for adults.

Our first stop will be a review of two new adult books namely The Mystery of the Undercover Clitoris and 50 Shades of Kink. As the name implies, The Mystery of the Undercover Clitoris is a fascinating book by pleasure coach and bestselling author Dr. Sadie Allison, whose playfully written and tastefully illustrated master class in clitoral touch is confidently inspiring men of all ages. To cut a long story short, if you want to drive a woman crazy in bed, you need to master clitoral touch and that is why this book is so important for men everywhere. Amongst other things, Dr Sadie’s book features 23 full colour illustrations of clitoral touch techniques and love making positions that will bring even the biggest novice up to speed on what to do when faced with the tricky task of pleasuring a woman.

In our second book 50 Shades of Kink, adult author Tristan Taormino tells you everything you want to know about the world of kink. Kinky sex basically refers to unusual sex patterns that make use of props such as blind folds, hand cuffs, paddles, ball gags, spanking, rough sex and more. Taormino’s book focuses on both processes and the props required to achieve them. Men and women want more from their relationships these days. Those in long term relationships fear that the sex they have has or will become predictable and unexciting.

So if it is excitement and unpredictability that you seek in your relationship, Tristan Taormino’s 50 Shades of Kink will give you enough tips on how to eroticize power, develop the surprise element, cultivate deeper connections and incorporate kink into your sex life.

Whereas books educate and entertain in greater detail, adult films try to achieve the same thing in a lighter and simpler manner. So if you seek light entertainment this holiday season, look no further than the new feature films Family Matters, Champagne Showers, Psycho

Cheerleaders and a Taste of Stoya. These movies are shot in high definition with plots and sequences that will entertain the viewer.

Next on the list are new adult toys for women who seek more pleasure and satisfaction from the sexual experience. The first of these vibrators is the Arousal Cobra, a rabbit style, multifunction and multi coloured vibrator for women that thrills in a variety of ways from its rotational shaft and multiple modes of vibration to its dedicated clitoral stimulator. The Arousal Cobra is a big vibrator for women and many will like it. Women who prefer smaller toys will love the Yin and Yang Vibrator and the Fancy Night Heat series. The Yin and Yang Vibrator has a unique velvety feel on the skin with lovely pink and white colours while the Fancy Night Heat series are a bit smoother and shinier. There are three in these Fancy Night Heat series namely Day Dream, Wonder Lust and Royal Romp. All three Fancy Night Heat vibrators are really beautiful like fairy magic wands and feel more like works of art.

We will discuss more new products in the coming weeks. Let us now take a couple of questions.

I will like something that can help me perform but I don’t know which one to choose – Ike For basic performance stamina, multiple rounds and firmer erections, take Hard Times. It is very good and works for days – Uche Please which Cockring will you recommend for stopping erection loss? I want the best from what you have. Thanks – Shehu The Baxter Vibrating Cockring is the best. It is big and has a powerful vibrating mechanism for female stimulation during use. So you can go for that – Uche That is all for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 07086754515 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2014 — 57

High Court nullifies Oct 5 LG election in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

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Cameroon recruits 20,000 men to battle Boko Haram C

AMEROON says it is recruiting 20,000 more defence and security forces to fight Boko Haram following reports that the terrorist group, based in Nigeria, is recruiting young Cameroonians to fight for them.

Senator Haman Paul, who hails from northern Cameroon, told VOA about Boko Haram’s recruitment of young Cameroonians to fight for the creation of an Islamist caliphate in northern Nigeria.

“That was something that we witnessed in Maroua (in Northern Cameroon). People told us actually that they found people in town that were not actually people that they were used to. Listen when you (the government of

Cameroon) find that one part of the country is in a very delicate situation, you better manage prevention and facts instead of consequences,” said Paul.

Another lawmaker from northern Cameroon, Sali Dairou, said just last week that Boko Haram seized cattle from Cameroonian ranchers who lived along the border with Nigeria’s Borno and Adamawa states, a stronghold of the militant group. He said the ranchers have lost thousands of cattle.

Dairou said the militants also killed some of the cattle ranchers, and thousands of their cows went into the wild. He said this was a huge loss and no rancher has the courage

•Paul Biya to go to the boundary with Nigeria and bring

back his remaining cattle.

Al-Shabab massacre: Kenyatta sacks security chiefs

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ENYAN President, Uhuru Kenyatta has replaced his interior minister and police chief following a massacre by Islamist group alShabab.

The president asked Kenyans to unite, and said: “We will not flinch in war against terrorists.”

Kenya’s police chief David Kimaiyo stood down, while Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku was dismissed.

Earlier, al-Shabab killed 36 quarry workers in the north-eastern Mandera region near the Somali border.

The group attacked the workers around midnight on Monday while they were asleep in tents at the quarry in Kormey, 15km (9 miles) from the town of Mandera.

Non-Muslim workers were shot dead after being separated from the Muslims.

“This is a war against Kenya and Kenyans,” Mr Kenyatta said on national TV on Monday.

“It is a war that every one of us must fight.”

“The time has come for each and every one of us to decide and choose are you on the side of an open, free, democratic Kenya... or do you stand with repressive, intolerant extremists?”

BAKALIKI — A fed eral high court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday, nullified the local government elections conducted by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, on October 5, 2013 across the 13 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state.

The court in a suit filed by Ohaukwu Local Government chairmanship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, , Mr. Alieze Nwekpa, ruled that the open ballot system used in the conduct of the election was inconsistent with the Electoral Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The presiding judge, Justice Maureen Oyetenu, further ruled that Ebonyi State House of Assembly which adopted open Ballot system for the election acted ultra-vires, insisting that the amendment of the Local government electoral act by the House for

the exercise was unconstitutional.

The judge noted that the plaintiff had the locusstandi to file the suit against the claim of the counsel to Ebonyi State House of Assembly that he had no right to do so.

The judge therefore, restrained EBSIEC, the 4th defendant from using the open ballot system to conduct local government elections in the state and set aside the local government elections conducted held last year.

Following the ruling, the state government directed the sacked 13 local government chairmen and their Councillors to vacate their offices immediately .

In a statement signed by Governor Martin Elechi’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, the government also directed them to hand over all government property in their possession to the Director/ Head of Personnel Management in their respective LGAs before the close of work yesterday.

LAGOS APC: Desmond Elliot, others win state assembly primaries

By Olsasunkanmi Akoni & Gbenga Oke

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EADING HOLLY WOOD actor, Desmond Elliot, the sons of Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC Chairman (Chief Henry Cajole) and National Publicity Secretary (Alhaji Lai Mohammed) among others yesterday won the Lagos State House of Assembly primaries of the APC for next year’s election.

The exercises, which were hitch-free in most of the 40 constituencies saw the rejection of at least five incumbent legislators.

The APC nomination exercise, conducted by secret ballot throughout the country, was the first time the newly formed party is choosing and fielding candidates for nationwide elections. The three parties which formed the party, ACN, CPC and ANPP had famously been known for the culture of imposition.

Results for the exercise conducted throughout Lagos showed candidates aligned to the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pulling through in most of the constituencies.

Though, the exercise was generally peaceful, there were hitches in some areas monitored by Vanguard which were, how-

ever, promptly brought under control.

The five serving legislators who lost their tickets in Lagos are Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, OshodiIsolo II; Ramota AkinolaHassan, Amuwo Odofin II; Bashiru Oloto, Lagos Mainland II; Kabir Lawal, Surulere I; and Ahmed Ipoola Omisore, Ifako Iajye II. Olatunji-Edet was defeated by Ladi Ajomale, son of the state chairman of APC, Chief Oladele Ajomale who polled 250 votes ahead of Moroof Ojoola with 58 votes while the incumbent, OlatunjiEdet trailed with 37 votes.

The ticket in the Ifako-Ijaye Constituency II was won by newcomer Rasheed Makinde who polled 103 votes to push former chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Olabinjo, to the second place with 93 votes.

In Amuwo Odofin Constituency II, incumbent Ramota Akinola-Hassan was defeated by another newcomer, Wale Raufu while in Lagos Mainland Constituency II, immediate past chairman of the local government, Oladele Adekanye defeated incumbent Bashiru Oloto just as Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot defeated incumbent Kabir Lawal in Surulere Constituency I.

58— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 3, 2014

Tribute to an inestimable icon

By Ejike Okeke

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EATH no doubt is an inestimable end but if it comes especially to a beloved one, the grief of all those affected can best be imagined especially when it becomes obvious that never again can such a person ever be seen or heard from any more.

However, I am consoled in the fact that my beloved father, the Late Sir Jerry Nduka Okeke (J.P) a.k.a (Okaa Obuluzor 1 Nanka) lived a life worthy of emulation throughout his sojourn on earth. I am doing this tribute of a man of immense character and personality whose legacy will forever remain indelible in the sands of time. Let me quickly recall a portion from the holy bible “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew and approved you as my chosen instrument and before you were born, I separated and set you apart, consecrating you and appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).

Chief Jeremiah Nduka Okeke, was born on July 24, 1942 in an agrarian community of Enugwu-Nanka, Nanka, in Anambra State to Mr. Nwaokeke Igundu and Mrs. Mary Ejiaka Nwaokeke Igundu (nee Ofia). At birth, Late Chief Sir Jerry Okeke, there was nothing in the circumstances of his birth to indicate a future of a great achiever, rather he was just one of the four children of his parents who during the time, had no premonition that among the children a great visitation from God has visited their home in the person of little Jerry Nduka Okeke who from growth became the true ordained from God as: Okaa Obuluzor 1 (The one that leads and pledges/promises and becomes the first to execute) of Nanka. He was indeed, Okaa Obuluzor in words and in action.

Business ventures

Late Chief Jerry Nduka Okeke who had his primary education and came out with flying colours, soon engaged himself with various business ventures and later got married. His marriage produced four children and grandchildren amongst them, Accountants, Medical doctors, Engineers, Business Executives, Marketers, Financial Analysts and a lot of other professionals. For Okaa Obuluzor as he was popularly and fondly called, growing up was like any other child from a humble home of Nanka.

Chief Raphael Mbaka played a very important role in the life of Okaa Obuluzor as his master while in Benin-City as that upbringing which was unknown to man, was God’s ordained destiny. The then young Jerry engaged in learning the trade in the sales of Textile for many years and was later on completion

Chief Jeremiah Nduka Okeke

of the training sales, was set up to begin his personal business which metamorphosed into flourishing and successful business exploits.

It is pertinent to mention here that in the course of the business success of Late Chief Jerry Nduka Okeke, he was affected with a very sad incidence as on two different occasions, his shop located at the New Benin market was gutted by fire, but he remained undeterred rather continued in believing God as a result, he later ventured into the Transport sector, plying Benin-Onitsha or Lagos with peugeot cars while Tippers were used on contract with SAIPEM Construction Company, and into Petroleum business without a prior knowledge, grew into becoming a registered dealer under the then Texaco Nig. Plc now MRS. OIL Nig Plc in 1985.

When the Federal Government opted to give out the management in petroleum product to Independent marketers, Late Chief Jerry Okeke applied and got the approval in 1993 to become a member of the Independent petroleum marketer association of Nigeria (IPMAN) with registered name, JEMOK Petroleum Company Ltd. In 1994 Chief Okeke in view on his immense contributions to the socio-economic development of his community Nanka, the traditional ruler of that community. HRH. Igwe Gilbert Nwabueze Ofomata honoured him with the title of Okaa Obuluzor1of Nanka and in line with his commitment to the service of God and mankind the Anglican Communion made him a knight. The then Bishop of Awka Diocese bestowed on him a Knight of St. Christopher.

In 1998,the late Chief Sir Jerry Nduka Okeke,acquired a land along BeninAsaba express Road, Asaba, Delta State and established a petrol filling station there in the year 2000 and in 2001 ventured into the business of table water production with the registered name of Jemok Table Water. His other business ventures included haulage business and a major distributor of Mrs. Oil Nig. Plc. and A-Z oil lubricants.

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60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

U-23 team is work in progress —Siasia

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S the national U23 men’s football team the, Dream Team VI technical crew continues to juggle with players in camp, Head Coach Samson Siasia has expressed satisfaction with the quality displayed by some of the players in camp for the screening exercise.

Coach Siasia said many of those especially from the academies and the Premier League have shown hunger and zeal to do the nation proud in the various competitions the team will be involved in next year.

“Getting the best legs to play for the country is work in progress, and so far I am impressed with what I have seen from those who have made themselves available to be looked at.”

The gaffer said himself and his assistants would try and see how to prune down the number in camp by Friday 5th December so as for them to concentrate on looking at the invited foreign based players who are expected to arrive camp by the weekend of6th7th of December.

Monday ’s evening screening session was watched by Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, the Deputy General Secretary of the NFF and Alhassan Yakmut of the NSC. Already the team’s camp has seen such established Premier League stars like Rangers goalie Akor Itodo, Warri Wolves pair of Freedom Omofonma and Etebor Oghenekaro, Pillars Azeez Shobowale, Bayelsa’s Azubuike Okechukwu and Tonbara Tiongoli, Adamu Hassan of Pillars, Obioma Arinze of El Kanemi Warriors, Chima Akas of Sharks and gold winning U-17 player Godwin Savior of Plateau Utd amongst a host of other players on ground.

The fight for a place in the team has seen players defying all odds to be selected.

Sokari set to join Flying Eagles

ON DUTY; Coach Samson Siasia (r) passes out instructions to his wards.

NJURED Enyimba midfielder Kingsley Sokari and Obinna Nwobodo from Enugu Rangers are the only players still being expected at the Flying Eagles training camp in Kaduna.

Sokari has promised to now join the team latest this weekend, while Nwobodo is expected later Tuesday.

“Sokari is nursing a hamstring injury, but it is not so major and he has promised to join us latest this weekend. We expect Nwobodo to be in later today,” said team secretary Auwal Aliyu Ibrahim.

NPA Tennis main draw serves off

Ndanusa, NTF President

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HE main draw of the 1st Nigeria Port Authority Open Tennis Championship served

off in Abuja yesterday with 100 players battling for the N5.7m prizemoney event. The tournament scheduled for the Package B of the Abuja National Stadium began at the weekend with preliminary matches in the Men and Women Singles.

NTF Secretary-General Gloria Ekwenpu said modalities for a successful tournament had been put in place. All the players for the main draw are enjoying free accommodation as well as feeding throughout the week-long event.

Afcon 2015 draw Continues from Back Page

The host country, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Zambia will be in pot 1.

CAF said that the qualified teams were seeded based on their positions on the ranking tables as well as their performances during the qualifiers of 2012, 2013 and 2015 respectively.

“Following a meeting by the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, 1 December 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the procedure for the draw of the final tournament of the 30th edition scheduled for 17 January to 8 February 2015 was adopted,” CAF announced on its official website.

“The 16 qualified teams were divided into four pots based on the CAF rankings established by their performances in the last three editions of the final tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations (2010, 2012, 2013) and the qualifiers of the 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions. The performance of the concerned teams during the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was also taken into account.

Pot 1: Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia Pot 2: Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia, Algeria Pot 3: Cape Verde, South Africa, Cameroon, Gabon Pot 4: Guinea, Senegal, DR Congo, Congo

At the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NPA and the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) in Lagos last week, NPA’s Managing Director, Habibi Abdullahi, described the partnership as one borne out of the organization’s desire to contribute its quota to the country’s tennis development.

“This MoU is important because this is an-

other milestone for us at NPA and we believe that through this we can contribute our quota to the development of sports just like we have done in the past,” Abdullahi said.

NTF President Sani Ndanusa assured that everything will be done by the federation to make sure that the status of the championship rise to an ITF-approved tournament.

“Otherwise, we have a full house and the spirit in camp is very high.”

This will be Sokari’s second invitation to the Flying Eagles.

The exciting attacking midfielder has been capped by Nigeria ‘B’ team and was part of the Super Eagles training camp for the 2015 AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Africa last month.

The Nigeria U20s had their first training at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna Tuesday morning and they are expected to train twice daily. The players are coping well with the cold and dusty Harmattan weather.

*Sokari

Minister pays Keshi N14m Continues from Back Page

gogo even though there is no contractual agreement between the coach and the NFF. A top source informed AfricanFootball.com: “The minister has been paying Keshi directly from the NFF subvention without any input from the NFF. And one of the aides of the Minister also confirmed that the payment was equal-

Sand Eagles Continues from Back Page

ment of matches.

“We are going to start camping from Wednesday and I can assure you that it will be a challenge since we have just eight days before the tournament starts.

“The players know each other well and this would be an advantage.

These are players that I

ly extended to the other members of the technical crew like Amokachi, Shorunmi and others. ‘’It’s part of the agreement when the Minister brought Keshi to fill the gap. There was no NFF in place then’’.

“This cannot be good for the relationship between employer and employee.”

Keshi was in charge for the AFCON qualifi-

have worked with for years and we understand ourselves,” he further added.

As defending champions, the Coach reiterated his full commitment to ensuring the squad is fit and ready ahead of the 12th December kick off. “We need to retain the trophy at the end of the competition,” Ejor concluded.

ers double header against Sudan in October and then the qualifiers against Congo and South Africa last month.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick has maintained a contract has not been agreed with Keshi contrary to media reports that the coach will now be paid a monthly salary of seven million Naira, a two million Naira raise from what he received in his initial contract, which ran out after the World Cup in Brazil.

“We have not come to an agreement yet (with Keshi),” he said.

The frosty relationship between the NFF and Keshi has worsened after the federation were ordered to re-instate the coach at the end of October. And this latest revelation can only tear employer and employee further apart.

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62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Wenger: Henry'll return T

HIERRY Henry confirmed on Monday he will leave the New York Red Bulls after four-and-a-half years with the Major League Soccer franchise, prompting speculation that a return to Arsenal could be in the offing. The Gunners’ all-time record goal scorer has retained close links with the club since leaving for Barcelona in 2007 and trained at their Hertfordshire base before a brief loan spell during January 2012.

Henry had hinted during a recent interview with French newspaper L’Equipe he could be interested in a future coaching role with the Gunners, and Wenger said yesterday that Henry’s return is a certainty when asked about a reunion with the former France striker.

“He is an Arsenal man.

The best moment certainly of his life and of his career has been experienced here”.

Wenger said at a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League encounter against Southampton today.

*Henry

Aguero: Lampard key to title

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RANK Lampard could be the difference between Manchester City retaining the Premier League title or not, reckons striker Sergio Aguero. Lampard, who scored his fifth goal for the club in 11 games

*Pellegrini

during Sunday’s 3-0 win at Southampton, is due to start his MLS career with New York City FC in January after leaving Chelsea in the summer.

But the Etihad hierarchy are keen to extend the midfielder’s stay in Manchester and Aguero believes his influence and eye for goal could be key to keeping Chelsea - currently six points ahead - at bay. “He’s been a really important player for us - a key player,” Aguero told Sky Sports News HQ. “Whether he starts the game or comes on in the second half, he’s played a really key role in most of the games he’s featured in. “It would be fantastic if he could stay - he’s a Premier League legend - and it’s been a real pleasure for me to line up alongside him."

Bafana pray for favourable Afcon draw

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AFANA Bafana will know their group opponents for the 2015 African Cup of Nations on today evening, with Malabo set to host the AFCONdraw.

South Africa qualified for the showpiece with an undefeated record of three wins and three draws on their way to topping Group A. Shakes Mashaba subsequently successfully led the country to qualifying for a major tournaC M Y K

ment by means of a qualifications campaign for the first time since the 2008 AFCON in Ghana, while it was the second time Mashaba had helped South Africa to a major tourney, having guided Bafana Bafana to the 2004 edition in Tunisa.

South Africa will have it difficult no matter the result of the draw at the Sipopo International Convention Centre in midweek.

*Mashaba

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Minister pays Keshi N14m S

PORTS minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has paid coach Stephen Keshi for the past two months.

It was understood that

Keshi had been paid 14 million Naira (about $83,000) for October and November by sports minister Tammy Dana Continues on page 60

Nigeria missing as Afcon 2015 draw holds today T

HE Confederation of African Football(CAF) has revealed how the teams will be pitted in today’s draw for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The draw will be held in Malabo, the capital city of the host country Equatorial Guinea without defending champions, Nigeria who failed to clinch a spot from their group A. South Africa and Congo instead qualified at the expense of Nigeria.

Copa Lagos: Sand Eagles begin camping today

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HEAD of the 2014 Copa Lagos kickoff, Super Sand Eagles are expected to commence intensive training today in Badagry, Lagos.

Disclosing this, the Coach of Super Sand Eagles, Adamu Ejor, said: “It is going to be a tough camping exercise because the team has a lot of ground to cover before the commence Continues on page 60

Continues on page 60

ABSENTEE CHAMPIONS: Reigning African Champions, Super Eagles didn't qualify to defend their title in Equatorial Guinea

•Keshi

TODAY'S

•Danagogo

U-23 team is work in progress — Siasia Pg 60

QUICK CROSSWORD

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS DOWN 3 Tally (5) 1 Spate (5) 9 Guide (6) 2 Hell (5) 10 Continued (6) 3 Males (3) 11 Wanderer (5) 4 Excite (6) 12 Sign (4) 5 Applaud (4) 15 Step (4) 6 Owned (3) 17 Sickness (7) 7 Purloin (5) 20 Youth (3) 8 Appended (5) 21 Finished (5) 13 Least (7) 23 Detail (4) 14 Fresher (5) 25 Table (4) 16 Eating-House (7) 26 Rushed (5) 18 Go in (5) 28 Silent (3) 19 Solidify (3) 30 Turned (7) 22 Couch (5) 33 Exclude (4) 24 Chart (3) 35 Number (4) 27 Give (6) 36 Tree (5) 28 Entrance (5) 38 Poured (6) 29 Skinflint (5) 39 Pulling (6) 31 Shy (5) 40 Dissuade (5) 32 Condescend (5) 34 Travelled (4) 36 Colour (3) 37 And not (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Threat 5, Sacred 9, Voter 10, Ripped 11, Virgin 12, Raged 14, Seal 17, Yen 18, Cede 20, Hated 22, Order 23, Gesture 24, Began 26, Belie 29, Oral 30, Ale 32, Pill 33, Field 35, Dubbed 36, Parted 37, Tenet 38, Reeked 39, Reared.

DOWN: 1, Thrash 2, Repeat 3, Aver 4, Today 5, Seven 6, Arid 7, Rugged 8, Dinner 13, Gentile 15, Eager 16, Legal 18, Creep 19, Devil 21, Den 22, Orb 24, Border 25, Gamble 27, Litter 28, Eluded 30, Aided 31, Elder 33, Fete 34, Date.

How to Play Sudoku

P

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

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

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

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