BLACK THURSDAY IN LAGOS..Plane crashes with Agagu's casket, kills 13; First son survive scrash

...towards a better life for the people

***

VOL. 25: NO. 61980

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

N150

BLACK THURSDAY IN LAGOS

TRAGEDY—The crash scene and rescue operations. See more on Pages 14-16.

Plane crashes with Agagu's casket, kills 13 List of passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated aircraft: 1.Feyi Agagu 2.Femi Akinsanya

13. Olatunji Okusanya

3. Akintunde Joseph

CREW:

4.Akeem Akintunde

14. Capt. Yakubu

5.Tunji Okusanya

15.Flight Oyinlola

6. Chijioke Duru 7. Kingsley Amaechi

Officer

16. Engr. Soroh Ebiya

8. Deji Afolabi

17. Flight Despatcher Ibrahim

9. Mrs. A.O. Alabi

18. Mr. Felix Latoya

10. Deji Bernard

19. Cabin attendant Owolabi

11. Deji Falae 12. Samson Hassan

20. Cabin attendant Samson.

First son survives crash

BY BEN AGANDE, JUDE NJOKU, LAWANI MIKAIRU CHIOMA OBINNA, EBUN SESSOU, DANIEL ETEGHE, ADERONKE ADEYERI & KOSISO UDEMBA

L

AGOS—NIGE RIA'S aviation industry witnessed another tragedy yesterday, as an Embraer aircraft operated by Associated Airlines with registration

•Burial holds, nevertheless •Widow, daughters relocate to Iju-Odo •Falae's son, MIC boss feared dead •Mimiko weeps at airport •Black Box secured — Minister •Pilot could've done something — Tito •Jonathan shocked, orders full probe •Eyewitness account

number SCD 361, conveying the corpse of former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Olusegun Continues on page 4

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—3

Stop making excuses, tackle oil theft, Reps tell Jonathan

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—APPARENTLY n g e r e d by the docility of the executive arm towards finding lasting solutions to the lingering oil theft in the country, the House of Representatives, yesterday, lashed out on President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him stop making excuses and muster the political strength to deal with the problem.

Speaking through its spokesman, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, at a media briefing, the House wondered why Jonathan should bat an eyelid in applying sanctions to anybody or government agency found culpable of the act.

Mohammed who reacted to the revenue shortfall consequent upon crude oil theft, said: “Governance is not about giving excuses, but it is about proffering solutions. Those who are carrying out oil theft are not ghosts. The political will to tackle it should be there.”

He described as laughable the situation where the President said he is handicapped when there are technological ways available to the security agencies to a

I'll always stand up for Nigerians —Saraki

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

I

LORIN — FORMER governor of Kwara State and one of the stalwarts of the new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, Senator Bukola Saraki, has declared that no level of intimidation, whether personal or political will prevent him from standing up for the rights of ordinary Nigerians.

He also said that he never consulted anybody to negotiate with EFCC on his behalf in order for the agency to stop probing him.

Saraki, a senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly said this in a press statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Mr. Bamikole Omishore.

Omishore said: “Dropping EFCC probe against me was never part of demands of new PDP.” According to the former governor, “times are changing; the world is changing, and Nigeria and the PDP must change accordingly."

INAUGURATION: President Goodluck Jonathan (5th left), cutting the tape to inaugurate the Geregu II Power Station in Kogi State yesterday. With him, from left, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State; Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN); Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Gov Idris Wada of Kogi State, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Aduda.

Army bombs Boko Haram ‘camp’ near site of massacre K

ANO — NIGERIA’S military has launched air strikes on a Boko Haram camp, killing several Islamists, near a northeastern college campus where insurgents massacred 40 students, weekend, a spokesman said yesterday.

“We tracked the Boko Haram terrorists to their camp in the forest

outside Gujba,” military spokesman in Yobe State, Lazarus Eli said of the Tuesday operation. He added, “fighter jets bombarded the camp while troops launched a ground offensive, which left several terrorists dead.”

On Sunday, heavily armed

Boko Haram gunmen attacked an agricultural college in Gujba, killing 40 students as they slept in their dormitories. Gujba is roughly 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Damaturu, Yobe State capital.

“The whole camp was destroyed in the raid and we are

US govt shutdown won't affect African operations — Diplomat

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA — THE United States of America Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador Linda ThomasGreenfield, has assured that the shutdown of government will not affect its commitment to Africa.

Ambassador ThomasGreenfield further assured that US commitment to its citizen abroad would not be impacted by the shutdown of funding for government business.

Thomas-Greenfield who spoke via a live web chat with journalists at the US Embassy in Abuja on the implication of the government shutdown on its activities in Africa, said, “we are able to continue operations sometimes at lower levels as we move forward. Most of our funding right now is 2013 funding and that funding will continue.

"We are hoping that this is short-lived and we will be able to move forward. I think most of you will not see any difference in what we are doing in Africa on the development front.”

In a related development, a press statement released by the US State Department assured that, the “State Department and USAID have taken steps to continue working to advance the national interest, regardless of the challenges created by the shutdown, and we will continue

to operate to advance our national interests and protect health and safety of U.S. citizens abroad.

The statement said, “Department of State and USAID operations can continue on a limited basis for a short period of time. Certain multi-year State Department and USAID accounts have re-

sidual funds that remain available. However, we are not conducting business as usual.

The Department and USAID will not hire any new personnel and is severely constraining spending. This includes avoiding new obligations; sharply curtailing travel and conferences; and avoiding making all but the most essential purchases.”

on the trail of fleeing members of the terrorist group,” Eli said.

The military had previously issued statements following major Boko Haram attacks, boasting of successes which are often difficult to verify. Eli said: “Fifteen suspected terrorists” have been arrested around Gujba.

The weekend school massacre cast further doubt on the success of an on-going military campaign, launched in May, which is aimed at crushing the four-year insurgency.

More than 100 people have been killed in a spate of school attacks since June, while dozens of others have been slaughtered in violence across the northeast, Boko Haram’s historic stronghold. The insurgents have said they are fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, but their demands have repeatedly shifted.

S-South govs task FG on East-West road

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN- GOVERNORS of the South-South geo-political zone of the country, yesterday, ended their seventh meeting in Benin City, capital of Edo State, with a resolution to engage the Federal Government on the fiscal development, notably the speedy completion of the East-West road project, the proposed coastal railways from Calabar to Lagos and the Niger Delta energy corridor.

Meanwhile the governors commiserated with the Ondo State Government, family of late Governor Olusegun Agagu and all those that lost their lives in the air crash that occurred, yesterday, when the remains of the former governor was being

conveyed from Lagos to Akure.

They also condoled with the government and people of Yobe and Bornu states over the recent Boko Haram attacks. The South-South governors who met under the aegis of BRACED Commission, comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States, also listed issues in which they will engage the Federal Government to include, the development of ports in the region notably, the deep water seaport in Bayellsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta and the dredging, rehabilitation of Port-Harcourt and Calabar ports and the completion of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas and Bonny Gas Project.

In a communiqué read by chairman of the forum and Gov-

ernor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, after hours of deliberation said, “the council decided to endorse the commission’s recommendation of agriculture, education, environment, regional infrastructure, investment as contained in the midterm review. Council also decided to support and strengthen the BRACED Commission to enable it accomplishe its mandate”.

While recognizing the progress made so far in transforming the economy of the region the governors expressed deep apprehension on the continued incidence of oil theft which they noted was capable of destabilizing the nation’s economy and appealed for a concerted effort by the FG to resolve the seeming intractable problem and nefarious activities of some miscreants, saboteurs and their local and international collaborators.

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

POCKET CARTOON

Another crash scene.

Plane crashes with Agagu's casket, kills 13 Continues from page 1 Agagu from Lagos to Akure for burial, crashed shortly after take-off at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos killing 13 persons on board while seven others survived.

The crash which occurred at about 9.30 a.m. had 13 passengers, and seven crew members on board.

President Goodluck

Jonathan, in his immediate reaction ordered a thorough investigation into the crash by all relevant agencies with a view to determining the cause and taking further actions, as may be necessary. Embraer, manufacturers of the aircraft has also said it had offered to help authorities investigate the crash of the 30-seater plane.

An engineer, Rasheed

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Money does not answer all questions, it does not always bring you or guarantee you happiness and rest of mind; only your mind can settle your mind.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult —-Seneca A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. Gail Devers writes about keeping your dream alive, if we learn to understand that to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.

One way to keep the dream alive in your mind is to journal about it. Write about yourself and about your dreams. Write about the little things, the emotions, and try to describe your dream as vividly as possible. The point is to help you feel that joy before it has even happened. Whenever you need a little boost, try to read something you wrote weeks ago, something you might have even forgotten about writing. Let the trust in your dream and the warm comfort, guide you all the way from dream to finish.

Another technique to help you keep the dream alive is to surround yourself with little reminders. It can be anything from a vision board, to a note on your phone. Here is a beautiful reminder I tell myself. “Everything is possible”

Olajide, who witnessed the air crash at the airport told Reuters that “the plane was making a lot of noise and appeared to make a maneuver to avoid a residential area before it came down. A diplomatic source told Reuters the engine was made by Pratt & Whitney Canada, a unit of United Technologies Corp, PW100. According to the airfleets.net website, which keeps a record of passenger aircraft worldwide, the crashed aircraft was more than 23 years old.

The crash happened within Sahara Group tank farm, one of the companies supplying aviation fuel to airlines.

The tank farm is situated some 200 metres away from the perimeter fence of the international wing of the Murtala Mhuammed Airport. The aircraft broke into two with its cockpit compartment burnt, while the remaining part that included the luggage compartment, was slightly burnt.

Agagu's casket intact

However, the casket containing the remains of Agagu, kept in the luggage compartment, was intact as it was not burnt when it was finally removed from the wreckage. The casket was conveyed in a NAF Ambulance with registration no

AF 054 -Eo1 to the nearby NAF hospital, a few hours after the accident.

All relevant security and emergency agencies comprising Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), members of the Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Red Cross and Lagos State Fire Services, were present at the crash site. Others include the Nigerian Air Force personnel and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Some officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were seen retrieving personal effects of passengers from the aircraft into their waiting vehicle for identification. Some of the retrieved belongings were a small camera, laptop bags, one iPad, a travelling bag containing personal effects, a torchlight, a walkie-talkie, a wallet and the case of a reading glass.

Many people wanted to catch glimpses of the incident and used their camera phones to snap pictures of the site. However, security agents had to cordon off the area to be able to dismantle the luggage compartment and bring out the casket.

A Commissioner of the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau

(AIPB), Captain Usman Murktar, who spoke on the air crash confirmed that there were 20 people on board the ill fated plane and that all persons on the aircraft have been accounted for. He also confirmed that search and rescue operations were called off at exactly 11.50am yesterday. This was after the last missing person on board the aircraft was recovered.

Black Box found — AIPB boss

Captain Murktar said: “We can confirm that there were six survivors on the aircraft. Four are in stable condition while two are critical. All are receiving full medical attention in the hospital.

The Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) has commenced investigation into the probable cause(s) of the crash.

The Cockpit Voice Recorder, popularly called the Black Box has been found and is in the custody of AIPB.” In the course of search and rescue, the casket bearing the remains of Late Olusegun Agagu was brought out unscathed while survivors were rushed to hospital.

The AIPB commissioner however failed to disclose the names of those aboard the aircraft, saying the bureau has to first officially notify the families of the victims before making their names public.

General Manager, Corporate Communication of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Datti while speaking on the crash said that the aircraft was heading to Akure with 20 passengers onboard and that immediately the crash occurred, emergency response team rushed to the site of the crash to rescue the victims.

He said: “The propeller aircraft which belongs

to Associated Airlines with registration number 5N-BJY crashed around 9:32am with 20 passengers onboard. Rescue operations commenced immediately with all relevant agencies to help and some of the survivors, about six of them have already been rushed to the hospital and they are receiving medical attention. We call on the public to shun unconfirmed reports and avoid speculation, so we will continue to update you every thirty minutes.”

Also speaking, Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Idowu Fadipe said that the agency was able to recover 11 passengers who were dead, while four other passengers were rescued alive.

Mr. Fadipe said: “We rescued 11 suspected dead passengers and four were rescued alive.

Immediately we heard about the crash, we mobilised a lot of equipment and personnel to the site, so immediately we arrived here, we quickly engaged ourselves on search and rescue operation but before then, we put out the fire because there is no how you can work here without putting out the fire first, so within a few minutes three fire trucks responded, each carrying 10,000 litres of water to enable us quickly put off the fire and after that we engaged on search and rescue operations with other emergencies agencies.

A hospital source gave a total of seven survivors. Five of the injured are receiving treatment at the Surgical Emergency Section, LASUTH, one at the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, base, Ikeja, and another survivor who suffered some degree of burns was being attended to at the Burns

Continues on page 5

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—5

Rescue operation.

Plane crashes with Agagu's casket, kills 13 Continues from page 4 and Trauma Unit of Gbagada General Hospital, after being referred from the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta.

Agagu's son, others at LASUTH

Mr Feyi Agagu, son of late former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Agagu; Akintunde Taiwo, Akinsanya Femi, Mrs Toyin Samson and one unidentified adult male are at Surgical Emergency unit of LASUTH recuperating. Mr Agagu wore a cast on his neck while Mrs Samson is in stable condition.

Full manifest still awaited

Identities of all the victims remained unknown at press time as the full manifest was yet to be released, but unconfirmed reports indicated that among the dead were four staff of MIC Funeral Services, Lagos, as well as the Managing Director, Mr Tunji Okusanya and his son.

The first son of Agagu who was on the flight was believed to be among the survivors.

Confirming the deaths, Lagos State deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said

all the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Expressing shock over the incidence, the Deputy Governor consoled families of the victims, assuring that the government would take necessary steps to identify the bodies of the victims and give the best treatment to the survivors. “Accept our condolences. We will support the family members,” she stated.

Meanwhile the state government may not release any of the bodies until it has conducted autopsies and forensic tests on the bodies before release to relatives. Already, family members of the deceased have been urged to come forward to submit DNA samples for the forensic tests and proper identification of victims bodies.

It was gathered that the samples for DNA was necessary since the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Giving the hint, the State Chief Pathologist and Medical Examiner, Prof. John Obafunwa, said: “We will take samples from their mouths. We will not push needles into anybody.

We will compare this with DNA samples of the victims and this will be done as soon as possible. We will hasten up whatever we have to do because we appreciate the feelings of individu-

als.

Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed observed the state has created a Help Desk to provide information to those whose family members were involved in the crash. The commissioner can be reached through 08022234870 for further information.

Striking LASUTH doctors work on crash victims

Meanwhile, following the crash, members of the Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH-ARD has modified its ongoing strike to attend to emergencies.

Bodies of victims of the ill-fated aircraft have been evacuated to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. President, Association of Resident Doctors, L ASUTH chapter, Dr Oluwajimi Shodipo who confirmed the situation said the on going strike was not about wasting lives but saving them.

“We have joined the strike but we have modified ours at LASUTH because of the plane crash in order to save lives.

“We are attending to emergencies now. Consultants are also working at the various units. The

strike is not about wasting lives but about saving lives.

The Associated Airline involved in the crash has stopped scheduled flights operations since last year after the Dana plane crash. The airline has been operating skeletal chartered services.

Jonathan orders thorough investigation

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a thorough investigation into the Associated Airline plane crash by all relevant agencies with a view to determining the cause and taking further actions, as may become necessary.

In a statement, yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati quoted the President as saying: “The President views the plane crash as most unfortunate and regrettable, given the concerted efforts of the Federal Government to enhance aviation safety in the country.

The statement reads: “President Goodluck Jonathan has received with great shock and sadness, news of the tragic airplane crash in Lagos earlier today (yesterday).

“On behalf of himself, his family and the Fed-

eral Government, President Jonathan extends condolences to all families who lost members in the plane crash, and the government and people of Ondo State who have been plunged into sorrow yet again while preparing to lay their former governor to rest.

“The President feels and shares the grief and pain of the Agagu family as they grapple with the further loss of beloved relatives and associates so soon after losing their husband, father and mentor.

“He prays that God Almighty will comfort the Agagu family, as well as their relatives and friends, and grant them the divine grace they will undoubtedly require to overcome the trauma of this most trying time.

“President Jonathan views the plane crash as most unfortunate and regrettable, given the concerted efforts of the Federal Government to enhance aviation safety in the country.

“He has, therefore, ordered a thorough investigation of the crash by all relevant agencies with a view to determining the cause and taking further actions, as may become necessary” it concluded.

Uduaghan condoles

Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed deep condolences with the people and Government of Ondo State as well as families of victims of yesterday’s plane crash.

In a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, the governor noted that the crash occurred when the nation was still at its wits on how best to console the people and Government of Ondo State on the untimely death of former Governor Olusegun Agagu.

Dr Uduaghan said it was more painful that the corpse of the former governor and key members of the Agagu family and other sympathisers were involved in the said crash.

“How can anyone explain what has happened? How can we console those who have been thrown into another round of mourning? What of sympathisers who have become victims in the crash?”, he asked.

The Delta Governor, however, said that instances such as these

call for prayers from all, especially for the Agagu family and Ondo State in general.

“These are times when we must draw closer to God. It’s a time when we must come together to pray for the Agagu family, victims of the plane crash and Ondo State.

We share in their grief ”, he added.

Imoke mourns

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has also expressed shock and disbelief over the crash.

Imoke who described the incident as tragic, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said: “It was unfortunate and horrendous that the country was losing some of its brightest and vibrant young men in their prime to air mishap at a time the government was investing so much in the aviation sector reforms.”

According to Governor Imoke, “by their death, the nation has been deprived of their yet unharnessed talents and ideas which would be difficult to replace.”

While condoling with families of the crash victims, Governor Imoke called for a thorough inquest into the crash to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ill-fated chartered plane.

Ekiti govt declares three-day mourning period

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has declared a three-day mourning period in the state to mourn victims of yesterday’s Associated Airline’s plane crash.

The declaration was conveyed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode.

Mr. Oyebode in the statement quoted Fayemi as describing the crash as a “calamity of unimaginable proportion”. He said the three –day mourning was in solidarity with the government and people of Ondo State and the entire families of the victims of the crash.

The three day mourning period starts today and will end on Sunday.

•More stories on Pages 6-10.

•Pictures on Pages 14-16

6—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

AGAGU: The bumpy rides of his life

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

D

R. Olusegun Agagu, who died at 65 on September 13, 2013, and was to be buried today, lived a remarkable life that was characterised with notable bumps.

His passage from earth was not the least extraordinary as reflected in the crash of the Associated Airlines plane conveying his remains for burial in Ondo State, yesterday.

The first major jolt in Agagu’s life were recorded during his primary education, which was achieved through three major Nigerian towns— Okitipupa, Ibadan and Kano between 1954 and 1960.

While his secondary education was a straight stretch at Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, his university education was bumpy.

He had entered the University of Ibadan to read Botany, but along the way he diverted and ended up studying Geology, qualifying as a geologist in 1971.

He subsequently obtained higher degrees in geology and became a lecturer at the University of Ibadan.

Agagu was to leave the settled world of academics into the murky terrain of politics and served as deputy governor of Ondo State between January 1992 and November 1993, when the military derailed the country’s fledgling democracy.

At the return of democracy in 1999, he was appointed the Minister of Aviation and then Minister of Power, following

which he contested and won the governorship of Ondo State in 2003.

His aspiration for a second term led to the most remarkable bump of his political career, when he was tackled by his one-time political associate and commissioner, Dr. Segun Mimiko.

Mimiko tackled Agagu from the polling centres to the courts and eventually prevailed after a cantankerous legal battle that ended Agagu’s gubernatorial stint in February 2009.

A last ditch battle to regain the political space with a bid for the Senate in 2011 was also jolted.

The last, but perhaps most controversial, bump Agagu encountered was yesterday’s crash, which led to the death of several of his associates.

However, unlike the preceding bumps, he was totally ignorant of the last bump and it was significant that his casket was picked up intact.

CRASHED: Fuselage of the crashed aircraft Embraer 120RT Brasilia, registration

number 5N-BJY.

Agagu's burial holds today, nevertheless STORIES BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — LATE Dr. Olusegun Agagu, the immediate past governor of Ondo State, will be buried today as planned.

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Ebenezer Alabi, said: “We just consulted with the family and have decided to go ahead with the burial.

“More so, the son of the former governor survived and

Deji Falae, young, vibrant commissioner

A

KURE—DEJI Falae, who died yesterday in the Associated Airline plane crash conveying the body of Dr. Agagu, was Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

News of his death was, however, made more prominent by the fact that he was the son of the leader of Afenifere and erstwhile Secretary to the Government of the Federation and presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in the 1999 election,

Mr. Deji Falae.

Chief Olu Falae.

A lawyer, Deji came into reckoning in 2011 when Governor Olusegun Mimiko appointed him a commissioner following his failure in the struggle to win the Labour Party ticket to contest for the Akure North/South Federal Constituency to the House of Representatives.

He was reappointed at the reconstitution of the state cabinet earlier this year, following the inauguration of Mimiko for a second term.

Deji was in his early 40s Some civil servants in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism rolled on the floor, yesterday, shedding tears as news of his death broke.

With the death of Deji, the state Executive Council has lost one of its most youthful and energetic members.

Deji’s father, Chief Falae, is a traditional ruler. The Olu of Ilu-Abo in Akure North of the state.

Leaders of Akure, mostly traditional title holders were seen

with his father, yesterday.

Chief Falae was largely speechless.

the son-in-law survived.

There was no scratch on the casket.

“So while the family sympathised with those that lost their lives and their loved ones, they have decided to go ahead with the burial as was initially planned.”

Also, the body of the former governor, which was still intact despite the plane crash, is in transit to Iju-Odo, his country home and final place of rest.

It was gathered that the family of late Agagu in Iju-Odo had ordered that his remains be conveyed to his home town, yesterday, by road to continue with the burial arrangement.

A dependable family source said that the burial will now be done without the usual pomp and pageantry.

This is coming after the death of 11 persons, including a Commissioner in the state, Deji Falae, top government officials and the crew.

Wife, daughters relocate to Iju-Odo A KURE—MRS Olufunke Agagu, wife of late former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, and her daughters, Solape and Omowunmi, have relocated to Iju-Odo in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state for today’s burial of the ex-governor.

They were initially housed at a popular hotel in Akure after the incident, but following directives from elders of the family, they moved to their deceased bread-winner ’s country home yesterday afternoon.

It was gathered that the wife of the former governor insisted that burial arrangements of her late husband will take place as earlier sched-

uled. A family source said Mrs Agagu insisted that burial plans should go ahead after she confirmed and spoke with her son (Feyi) and son in-law, who were involved in the crash.

The Christian wake-keep was held as scheduled, yesterday, while the body will be interred today.

Vanguard learnt that the plan of the family to go ahead with the burial arrangement had been communicated to the burial committee and the state government.

A member of the burial committee, who confirmed the decision of the Agagu family to go ahead with the burial despite the air mishap, however, expressed concerns over

the plan.

Speaking with Vanguard in confidence, the member said that the burial ought to have been shifted at least for one week in honour of those that died in the crash.

Mr. Feyi Agagu, son, survived.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—7

Investigation 'll be thorough, Black Box secured— Aviation Minister

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU

M

INISTER of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, yesterday, assured the public that investigation into the cause of the crash of Associated Airline plane conveying

the remains of former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, for burial in Akure, will be thorough.

In a statement, Oduah said: “While it is too early to determine the cause of the accident, we urge the public to be pa-

tient while the investigation progresses.

“I assure the public that the investigation will be thorough and that our airspace remains safe and secure.”

The Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N-

Pilot could 've done something— Capt Tito

S

OME ex-pilots warned, yesterday, that it was too early to speculate about the cause of the crash of Associated Airlines plane at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, but Captain Tito Omaghomi was quick to add that the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft ought to have steered it to land with one engine.

Tito actually said he was not ready to speak on the crash, saying people were never really comfortable with the truth.

Prodded further, Tito, a former DC-10 pilot with the de-

Falana petitions Chief Coroner on inquest

L

AGOS lawyer and human activist, Femi Falana (SAN), yesterday, petitioned the Chief Coroner, Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, seeking for immediate inquest into the crash of the chartered Associated Airlines plane conveying the remains of Dr. Agagu and 20 passengers.

Falana, however, threatened that if the request was not granted within seven days of receipt of his petition, he would proceed to approach the Lagos High Court for an order of mandamus to compel the chief coroner to discharge his duty under law.

In the petition entitled Request for inquest into the plane crash at Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos State, on Thursday, October 3, 2013, he said: “Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the tragic crash, it is either that the plane was flown by incompetent pilots or totally unfit to embark on the 35 minutes flight from Lagos to Akure.”

funct Nigeria Airways, said it would have been to the credit of the pilot if he had landed the aircraft safely at the loss of one engine of the turbo-prop twinengine plane.

According to him, it is unfortunate that the pilot was not able to sustain the flight when the plane developed technical problem.

On his part, Captain Dele Ore said it would be hasty to say what caused the crash, saying so many conditions could have been responsible for the pilot’s

inability to steer the plane to safety after it developed engine failure.

Ore, former Director of Operations of the defunct Nigeria Airways, said such conditions as temperature and wind could have made it difficult for the pilot to return the aircraft to base, having noticed a problem.

He said: “It could be that the temperature was not right; it could be the wind condition was not right at the time of the crash. In fact, so many things could have gone wrong.”

BJY operated by Associated Airlines on a private charter flight from Lagos to Akure, crashed shortly after take-off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

At departure, the crew of the chartered operation reported 20 persons on board, including crew.

The statement further said: “The Control Tower immediately activated the crash alarm of the airport as the first step of the Emergency Response Procedure.

Rescue

“First Responders immediately proceeded to the crash site. FAAN Fire Service Department, ambulances and other relevant emergency apparatus successfully extinguished the fire within two minutes despite the surging crowd.

“The rescue effort secured six survivors and 14 fatalities.

The six survivors were promptly transported to the

hospital and are receiving appropriate medical care.

“Rescue Coordination and Trauma Centres have been set up at the annex of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to provide necessary information and support.

“The Authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident, and upon completion, will make information about the identities of the victims public.

Consoles family

“The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

“The Black Box of the aircraft has been located and is in the custody of the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau which, with the cooperation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies, have commenced full investigation into the cause of the accident.”

Technical report, history of the crashed airliner Status: Preliminary Date: Thursday, October, 3 2013 Time: 09:32 Type: Embraer 120RT Brasilia Operator: Associated Aviation Registration: 5N-BJY C/n / msn: 120174 First flight: 1990 Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW118 Crew: Fatalities / Occupants: 7 Passengers: Fatalities / Occupants: 13 Total: Fatalities:16/Occupants: 20 Airplane damage: Destroyed Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Lagos-Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) (Nigeria) Phase: Take-off (TOF) Nature: Passenger Departure airport: LagosMurtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS/DNMM), Nigeria Destination airport: Akure Airport (AKR/DNAK), Nigeria Flight number: 361

Narrative:

An Embraer 120RT Brasilia turboprop was destroyed in a takeoff accident at Lagos-Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), Nigeria.

The airplane impacted the ground near an airport fuel depot and broke up. A fire

THE ILL-FATED PLANE: The Embraer 120RT Brasilia, registration number 5N-

BJY, before it crashed yesterday. erupted.

There were 20 people on board the plane. AIB Nigeria reported that four occupants survived the accident.

Associated Aviation flight SCD-361 operated on a flight from Lagos to Akure, Nigeria.

The airplane was carrying the body of a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, for burial in Akure.

Associated Aviation is an airline based in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.

It was established in 1996 and operates passenger and cargo services within Nigeria and in West Africa. Its main base is Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

History

The Nigerian government set a deadline of April 30, 2007 for all airlines operating in the country to re-capitalise or be grounded, in an effort to ensure better services and safety.

The airline satisfied the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA’s criteria in terms of recapitalisation and was re-registered for operation.

In July 2008 the company was sold to a group of investors, who have launched a major route expansion and acquisition of new aircraft from Embraer.

After the Dana crash on June 3, 2012, NCAA began

recertification of all airlines in the country, hence Associated Airlines was forced to stop its scheduled operations since and has been on charter operations.

Destinations

Associated Aviation serves the following destinations (January 2009): Abuja, Benin, Calabar, Ibadan, Jeddah, Lagos and Makurdi.

Fleet

The Associated Aviation fleet consists of the following aircraft (at November 2008)[2]: 2 BAe 125700; 2 Boeing 727-200F; 4 Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia and 1 Lear 45 XR.

8—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state wept openly both at Akure Airport and Government House following the crash of the Plane that was conveying the former governor Olusegun Agagu and his family members and government officials for his lying in state yesterday.

The crash was a sort of coincidental tragedy for governor Mimiko as he clocked 59, yesterday.

The Culture and Tourism Commissioner Deji Falae and some government officials were in the crashed plane from Lagos to Akure.

Falae led the state government delegation that accompanied the corpse from Lagos before the crash.

He betrayed emotion immediately his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi briefed him while he and other top government officials awaited the corpse of Dr Agagu at the Akure Airport.

The wife of the former governor, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu and his two daughters Solape and Omowunmi had earlier arrived the airport from Ibadan waiting to receive him when the news broke that the plane had crashed.

Governor Mimiko burst into tears and was shielded by security personnel who smuggled him into his official car.

He reportedly wept like a baby throughout the about fifteen minutes journey from the airport to the Government House.

Dr. Mimiko could not attend to visitors as he stayed indoor all through.

Engine of the aircraft , at the Joint Users Hydrant Installation, JUHI, Avation Fuel Depot, site where the plane crashed.

The aircraft with number SCD 361 was operated by Associated Airlines Limited. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Mimiko weeps at airport Also, the wife of the former governor and her daughters were whisked away by family members and moved to a family friends house in Akure where doctors attended to them.

Efforts to speak with family members failed as they all kept sealed lips describing the incident as too tragic.

Meanwhile the state government in a statement in

Akure said “ The Ondo State Government received with shock the news of the crash of the plane bearing the corpse of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, as it was taking off from Lagos.

The statement was signed by the governor's Chief Press Secretary Eni Akinsola.

Akinsola said that “A commissioner, family members,

associates and other top government officials were also involved in the crash.

Information available indicates that there were casualties and a few survivors of this unfortunate crash. We are however still expecting more information.

“No doubt, this is an unfortunate disaster in the life of our dear State. We can only pray that God will visit the

State with mercy and give us all the strength to bear these unfortunate losses.

“We ask all residents to be in a sober and prayerful mood at these trying times as God is indeed the only person we should call upon in this period.

“Government assures that further information will be released as soon it is available.

How my children should bury me —Late MIC boss

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU & HANNAH ISIBOR AGOS—MR. Tunji Okusanya, Managing Director, MIC Funeral Services, who was allegedly killed in an Associated Airlines plane crash, had in the interview before his death, given guidelines on how he should be buried by his children.

When asked in the interview if he had planned his funeral yet, having planned the funerals of others, he said, “Fortunately, I am in this line and my kids see what I do. You plan for yourself as you get older and we have people who plan their funerals before they die. They even choose the clothes they want to be buried in. My children know what I like to wear but it is always good to plan before hand because in most instances, your kids will not give you what you want. My children should bury me the way I live.”

The ill-fated Associated Airline plane was flying to Akure, where the remains of the former Governor of the state, Olusegun Agagu was supposed to be interred by the weekend.

On hearing the news of the crash, crowd of sympathizers thronged

L

MIC House, the office of MIC Funeral Services at No.10, Odunlami Street, beside CSS Bookshop, Lagos Island.

When Vanguard visited the office, the funeral house was under locks and key, while the Nigerian flag in front of the office flew at half mast.

One of the sympathizers, a woman who preferred anonymity, alleged that the Managing Director, Tunji Okusanya and his first son whom he has handed over the company to were involved in the crash.

There were, however no immediate members of the family or

The late Tunji Okusanya

close associates within the office, to confirm this information.

Attempt to get the reaction of other sympathizers who thronged the funeral undertaker’s office, proved abortive, as most of them said they were too shocked to comment.

Sympathisers, in their hundreds gathered in front of the office, temporarily blocking ac-

cess to the company and other businesses around the area.

However, following the huge crowd which besieged the premises of the company, the gates were closed.

Tunji Okunsanya was trained as an engineer in the United Kingdom. He runs the Magbamowo Industrial Company, M.I.C, as the Managing

Director. The company was handed over to him by his father in 1982.

In a recent interview, Okusanya said he formed his company from his father ’s company — Magbamowo Industrial Company. “All I had to do was pick the first letter of each word to arrive at MIC. This was in 1982,” he said.

Crash: ‘Another instance of failed regulation'

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AGOS—FAILURE of regulation may have been responsible for the crash of Associated Airlines plane at the Lagos airport yesterday, killing about 15 persons and injuring others.

Reports have it that 20 persons, including seven crew members, were on board the illfated plane, Brazilian made Embraer 120, when it came down.

Although Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, is yet to conclude investigations into the crash, circumstances surrounding the crash indicate that the aircraft was not airworthy and was not checked by inspectors

of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, before take-off.

This is because it is unusual for an airliner that just took off from the airport to be unable to make an air return to base minutes after Vanguard learnt yesterday that the plane crashed shortly after it took off for Akure, after allegedly losing one of its twin-engine .

Ideally, every aircraft is supposed to carry an inspector on board or at least certify that the aircraft is fit to fly.

Immediate past Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, had always lamented that the agency lacked adequate inspectors to properly discharge

its responsibility of auditing aircraft operating in the country for safety.

The reason Demuren adduced for this was insufficient funds to engage aircraft inspectors who are mainly retired pilots and aircraft engineers.

It was also the same reason he constantly prevailed on airline operators to remit the 5% passenger service charge, PSC, collected by airlines on behalf of the agency, which the airlines hardly remitted.

Since the exit of Demuren from office, there had been no sign to show that the agency now has adequate number of inspectors to certify planes for take-off.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—9

NASS, Atiku, Orji, Wada, Baraje, Okonkwo, others react to tragedy

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE, ANAYO OKOLI, HENRY UMORU, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO & OLASUNKANMIAKONI

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AGOS—NIGERIANS, yes terday, reacted to the plane crash involving the family of late Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State in Lagos, describing the incident not only as shocking but a double tragedy.

Among those who reacted to the plane crash included members of the National Assembly, Governors Theodore Orji and Idris Wada of Abia and Kogi States respectively, the Kawu Baraje-led new People’s Democratic Party, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Senator Chris Ngige, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Mike Omeri, Senator Annie Okonkwo as well as the Ondo State chapter of the PDP. An Associated Airline plane conveying Agagu’s body crashed in the morning leading to the death of 15 people including the crew members.

Crash, more than double tragedy—Mark

The Senate President, David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba described the death of victims of illfated plane as very cruel.

According to them, the crash was “more than double tragedy” not just for the families and the people of Ondo State but Nigeria as a whole.

Also, members of the House of Representatives described the crashed Associated Airline conveying Agagu’s corpse and other members of his family as disheartening, unfortunate but promised to investigate the matter.

The Senate President, Mark said: “It is sad. It is disheartening. This is death is too cruel. This is one tragedy that a man is tempted to question the essence of human existence. But as ordinary mortals, we lack the locus standi to question our creator. In all circumstances, we give thanks to the Almighty. May God’s wish be done.”

According to him, ‘’the Senate shared in this pain and indeed grieves over this unfortunate incident” just as he prayed that God gives the nation especially the

immediate families of the deceased the fortitude to bear “this painful loss.”

this tragedy. I pray for strength for all those involved, and speedy recovery for survivors.”

Ekweremadu

Sen Ndoma-Egba

On his part, the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu, described the development as ‘’a rude shock given the progress made in repositioning the nation’s aviation sector, including the tremendous improvements in aviation safety in recent times.

“I feel most saddened over this unfortunate incident, and send my heartfelt condolences to all the affected families and pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives.”

He further reiterated his call on all Nigerians to pray for the nation saying, “Nigeria needs divine intervention in addition to the government’s efforts to mitigate such occurrences.”

Tambuwal

Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal also described the crash as ‘’tragic and sorrowful,’’ even as other members of the House of Representatives pledged to ensure thorough investigation of the incident.

Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said: “As we await the full details of who and what we as a country had lost, my thoughts are with the Agagu family and all the other families involved in this tragedy. I pray for strength for all those involved, and speedy recovery for survivors.”

A terse message issued by the former Vice President’s media office in Abuja yesterday, said the news of the air crash and the resultant deaths was difficult to believe, yet true.

The condolence message reads: “As we await the full details of who and what we as a country had lost, my thoughts are with the Agagu family and all the other families involved in

Also speaking, Senate leader,Victor Ndoma-Egba, while commiserating with the families of the victims of the air mishap, called on the aviation regulatory authorities to take total control of the situation.

He said that the frequency of air disaster in the country was worrisome His words: “It is a very tragic incident; tragic because the body of Dr. Agagu was on board. He was being taken to eternal place of rest only for this to happen.”

Chairman House of Representatives’ Committee on Aviation, Nkiru Onyejeocha said though “it is disheartening, an investigation has to be carried out to ascertain the remote causes of the crash.”

Wada

In his reaction, the Kogi State Governor, Captain Wada said the crash was ‘’shocking and unbelievable,’’ pointing out that it “as a disaster of many consequences.”

A statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, said “Captain Idris Wada received the news of the crash and the attendant casualty with shock and disbelief. Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the demise of the former governor and this disaster is of many consequences. ”His (Wada’s) heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives and the injured. This is one disaster too many. May God grant the departed, a peaceful repose of their souls and their families the fortitude to bear the irreversible loss.”

NOA boss

The Director General of the NOA, Mike Omeri in his reaction, said Nigeria has lost much in the several disasters that had occurred and asked God to give the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said it was ‘’deeply saddened by the death of other promising Nigerians in the ill-fated flight and commiserated with the families of the dead and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Baraje

On its own, the Kawu Barajeled new PDP, in its reaction said it received the news with shock.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said: “The PDP has learnt with shock of the plane crash that took place

in Lagos this morning (yesterday) in which several lives were lost. ”As confirmed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the Associated Airlines’’ aircraft had engine failure ‘’on takeoff and it crash-landed and burst into flames."

Orji

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State in his reaction also described the plane crash as “highly devastating and shocking.”

According to his Chief Press Secretary, the governor “was yet to come to terms with this ugly incident which has thrown the nation mourning.’’

He then condoled with Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the people of Ondo State as well as the Agagu family and urged them to bear the “this great loss with fortitude”.

Sen Ngige

The PDP in Ondo State in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka, said it received with deep shock the news of the crash, adding that the incident was not only incomprehensible but unprecedented.

Senator Ngige also described the crash as devastating and asked the regulatory authorities to investigate the matter properly to prevent such occurences in future.

Sen Okonkwo

In the statement through his Special Assistant, Media, Mr Collins Ugwu, the All Progressive Congress National Deputy Chairman, South, Senator Annie Okonkwo, said: ‘this is a national grief beyond immediate comprehension and a family truama without easy parallel APC chieftain urged Nigerians to be unsparing in their prayers for unusual mercies on the families of the bereaved as they contend with this heart rending disaster, cautioning that those who were divinely spared death from the crash must not be lost to human indiscretion and rescue tardiness.

Lagos Government

Lagos State Government also described as “monumental and unfortunate” the loss of lives of people in the ill fated Associated Airline plane which crash-landed yesterday in Lagos.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, who spoke said the government received the heart rending accident with shock and dismay.

“We, government hereby, commiserate with the families and friends of the deceased including Ondo State Government in particular and indeed the whole country over this irreparable loss,” the governmentadded.

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

It hit mango tree, broke into two— Eyewitness A

N airport taxi driver, Mathew Babatunde who witnessed the crash narrated how it happened. He said, “I was just passing the toll gate with passengers in my car when I saw the aircraft coming down. I even thought the plane will crash on my car the way it was bent. My passengers immediately shouted at me that I should swerve the car. Immediately, I swerved my car then I saw that the plane was struggling to go back up. It eventually hit a Mango tree behind Saraha

Tank Farm. Immediately the plane hit the tree, it divided into two and caught fire. I saw one man walk out with his leg, he was supported by two other people. It took about 20 minutes before ambulance came and another forty minutes before fire service people arrived the scene.

“Those around, including Air Force, Arik and other Nigerians were helping to rescue the victims.

“I am not working again today, I want to go and park my car now. I am no longer in-

terested.” Another witness, Mrs. Chidinma Nwoke spoke while crying, saying she was among the first people who arrived the scene of the crash. She said “ we tried to help the victims but the soldiers and airport officials refused. They said it is dangerous and that we were not wearing safety boots.

“It is horrible. I saw a woman who tried to jump out but she got hooked on the fence and she died there. The

fire outbreak consumed most of them, including one man who was almost out. That man would have been alive if the fire services were on ground early enough. He was almost out of the aircraft but fire caught his trousers and that was how he got burnt”.

“I saw a man who wore a white trouser walk with his legs from the crash. He had only a slight injury on the head and was taken to the

clinic near the toll gate”.

Another person who witnessed it, Mr. Nasir Ramon Olanrewaju, a senior communications manager working at the headquarters of United Bank for Africa (UBA), simply said, “I was at a private hangar waiting for a flight to Ghana when I saw the plane, an Embraer come down at the airport. I saw it plunge into a building, close to Tank Farm at the airport, close to toll gate”.

Northern Governors' Forum shocked, wants crash investigated

BY EMEKA MAMAH, with agency report

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HE Northern States Gov ernors’ Forum, yesterday, expressed shock and deep sadness over the crash.

The Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash with a view to preventing a recurrence.

According to a statement signed by Aliyu’s Spokesman, Mr Danladi Ndayebo, in Minna the governor urged the Federal Government to probe the crash, stressing that “this latest crash must not be allowed to go the way of the previous ones. “The safety of the flying

public must be of paramount importance to those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safe air travels. No stone should be left unturned in ensuring this.”

He condoled with the government and people of Ondo State, the family of late Agagu and the families of those who died in the crash.

Aliyu prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss, grant the deceased eternal rest and quick recovery to those who sustained injuries.

The Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed also commiserated with the government and people of Ondo State over the death of some government officials in a plane crash in Lagos.

COMMEMORATION: From left, Tayo Oyetibo, Professor Anslem Odinkalu, and Professor Akin Oyebode, at the public lecture: 'The Social Contract: Which Way Nigeria?' to commemorate the commissioning of the new law office building of Tayo Oyetibo & Co, on Lekki Expressway, in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

S/South govs commiserate with Ondo, Borno,Yobe govts

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN — GOVERNORS of the South- South geo-political zone of the country, yesterday, commiserated with the Ondo State Government, family of the late Governor Olusegun Agagu and those that lost their lives in the air crash that occurred, yesterday, when the remains of the former governor was being conveyed from Lagos to Akure.

They also condoled with the government and people of Yobe and Bornu States over the recent Boko Haram attacks.

Meanwhile the governors

resolved to engage the Federal Government on the fiscal development notably among other issues, include the speedy completion of the East-West Road project, the proposed coastal railways from Calabar to Lagos and the Niger Delta energy corridor.

The south-south governors, who met under the aegis of BRACED Commission, comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Edo and Delta States, in Benin Edo State, also listed other issues they will engage the Federal Government to include the development of ports in the region notably, the deep water seaport in Bayellsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and the

dredging, rehabilitation of Port-Harcourt and Calabar ports and the completion of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas and Bonny Gas Project.

Chairman of the forum and governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, after over hours of deliberation said: “the council decided to endorse the commission’s recommendation of agriculture, education, environment, regional infrastructure, investment as contained in the mid-term review.

“Council also decided to support and strengthen the BRACED Commission to enable it accomplished its mandate. Recognising that

the progress made so far in transforming the economy of the region the governors and expressing apprehension on the continued incidence of oil theft, which they noted was capable of destabilising the country ’s economy, they appealed for a concerted effort by the Federal Government to resolve the seeming intractable problem and nefarious activities of some miscreants, saboteurs and their local and international collaborators.

Insisting that it would undertaking to do all within its powers to address the issues within its jurisdiction,

the governors urged the Federal Government, its agencies, oil companies and other stakeholders to take all necessary measures to stem the tide and deal decisively with the perpetrators.

Present at the meeting were, Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Liyel Imoke of Cross- River State, Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, while Akwa-Ibom State and Bayelsa State were represented by their deputy governors, Lady Valerie Ebe and Rear-Admiral Gbobioriogha John Jonah respectively.

the first accused.

“Also, on August 4, the first accused, Segun raped the 13year-old daughter of the second accused in his (Olukoya’s) room.

“It was the screaming of the girl that attracted the neighbours and the first accused (Olagbebi) was

arrested. It was at the police station that Segun told the police that both himself and Olukoya had previously raped an 11-yearold daughter of one of their neighbours,” she said.

The case was adjourned till October 15, for mention.

Court remands man, 27, for alleged rape

BY EBERE NWAFOR

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WO MEN, Segun Olagbebi, 37, and Tokunbo Olukoya, 38, were on Thursday arraigned in Lagos, over the alleged rape of two daughters of their neighbours.

The victims were aged 11 and

13 years, respectively.

Segun and Tokunbo are standing trial at an Abule-Egba Magistrate Court in Lagos, on a fourcount charge of rape.

The accused, who reside at No. 85, Akinpelumi Close, Oko-Paki, Kola Bus stop, Agbado-Ijaiye, are both carpenters.The prosecutor,

Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the offences was committed on July 12 and August 4, respectively, at their residence.

According to the prosecution, on July 12, the accused raped an 11-year-old daughter of one of their neighbours in the room of

Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—11

Man docked over alleged rape of 13-year-old

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VISIT: From left, member, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Dr. Joseph Amedu; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Executive Secretary, NCPC; Mr. Opara Kenedy, and a member, Mrs. Helen Osharo, during a visit by the Commission to the Governor, at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Yobe foots N133m medical bill for Boko Haram victims, others M

AIDUGURI — GOVERNOR Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State yesterday approved the payment of N133 million hospital bill for 300 patients and victims of Book Haram attacks whose conditions require medical treatment outside the state.

This was contained a statement signed by the governor's spokesman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego in Damaturu, the state capital.

Bego said: “this is part of ongoing effort to provide succour to the less privileged as an interim measure, as government works to re-position the state’s health sector through massive renovation of hospitals and provision of equipment and drugs.”

He said that some of the conditions/procedures for which the patients were supported by the government on the recommendations of the state medical

board, include kidney transplant, open heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, spinal cord surgery, knee and hip replacement therapy, and several orthopedic and ophthalmology cases referred to hospitals within the country like the Dala Orthopedic Hospital Kano, National Eye Centre Kaduna among others in India and Egypt.

Among the 300 patients

were 18 expected to under-go knee and hip replacement therapy and other orthopedic procedures to treat gunshot wounds sustained in various attacks by criminals and insurgents.

The number also include less privileged patients with chronic conditions such as advanced diabetics and liver diseases who require regular medications but are not in a

Former Oyo Commissioner remanded over fraud

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ordered the remand of Kazeem Adedeji, former Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperative in Ikoyi prisons, Lagos, who is facing a million fraud charge.

Adedeji is standing trial alongside Yinka Fatoki and Kolawole Adewole on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the hearing in the matter, trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, ordered their remand in prison custody, following an application by the prosecutor.

The prosecution had informed the court that counsel to the accused, had just served him a bail summons for his clients, adding that he would require time to file a coun-

ter affidavit in reply.

Justice Aneke adjourned the case to October 8, for hearing of the bail application, but ordered the accused to be remanded in prison pending the determination of their bail.

The prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offence between July 2012 and June 2013.

He said that sometime in 2012, while Adedeji

was still Commissioner, the Oyo State Government entered into partnership agreement with Bank of Industry, known as OYSG/B.O.I Fund, to create a pool from which indigenous entrepreneurs could access credit facilities.

He told the court that parties had made a contribution of N500,000,000 each, which amounted to N1 billion joint contribu-

tion, as the joint venture was aimed at promoting Micro and Medium business in Oyo State.According to the prosecutor, Adedeji lodged the said contributions into Enterprise Bank, where his wife allegedly worked as account officer, without the consent and approval of the Oyo State Government.

Contact Agent: 07054070574, 08065198763, 08050617977, 07062041722

Police arrest 2 of 5-member robbery gang

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI — THE Benue State Police command, yesterday, arrested two out of a fiveman armed gang that had been terrorising Kwande, Vandeikya and Ushongo Local Government Areas of the state in recent times.

Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adams Audu

said the suspects were arrested at their hide-out at Tsemke village, Vandeikya while preparing for an operation.

Audu said, “today at about 11:30a.m., a police patrol team, while on duty at Vandeikya received a distress call that a gang of armed robbers was in their hide out at Tsemke village preparing to strike their victims. ”The patrol officers stormed the area and on arriving at the scene they

position to provide on their own, hence, the governor approved the release of the funds to support them on humanitarian grounds.

HE POLICE Thursday arraigned a 27-year-old man, Justin Ikyem in a Makurdi Chief Magistrate's Court, Benue State for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Gabriel Ebonyi told the court that, one Terhemen Ade reported the case at ‘E’ Division Police Station on September 19.

The complainant had told the court that Ikyem had allegedly lured the girl to his room when she went out to play with her friend in a neighbour ’s house.

He claimed that the accused had lured the girl to his room and forcefully had canal knowledge of her after promising to settle her school fees.

Ebonyi said the accused was arrested in the course of investigating the case, which contravened section 284 of the penal code of Benue, 2004.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Dan Ogo, however, ordered that Ikyem be remanded at the Federal Prison, Makurdi, and adjourned the case to October 28, for further mention.

were greeted with a heavy gunfire by the suspected armed men and in an exchange of gunfire that ensued, the duo of Messrs Terkimbi Msuega and Aondohemba Tyo were arrested while three others escaped into a nearby bush. ”My men also recovered from the gang, one AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds of live ammunition; one FMC rifle with 18 rounds of live ammunition.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Non-payment of states’ allocations, recipe for national disaster —Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, warned that the country was witnessing financial crisis since most states were unable to pay salaries to their workers.

He noted that the inability of the Federal Government to meet its financial obligations to state governments was a recipe for national disaster, which has serious security implications.

Oshiomhole, in Benin City, during a media chat as part of activities to mark the Independence Anniversary celebration, urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to pay the over N2.3 trillion owed to the Federation Account He was reacting to the inability of the Federal Government to pay monthly allocations to the states.

He noted that NNPC was not being sincere to Nigerians with regard to the number of barrels of crude oil being refined daily, which according to him, was pauperising the country despite its oil rich potentials.

He said: “I don’t know if the Federal Government is broke, but I know that there is serious crisis and it is unprecedented in the history of this country. For the first time since 1999, allocations can no longer come as at when due to states. I have been trying

to understand what the reasons are and I have not seen anything yet. Whether we use the word broke or you deny the word broke, the truth is that there is financial crisis in Nigeria, which has very serious national security implication.

“Because when we can’t pay salaries, when the Federal Government can’t pay salaries as at when due, and you can’t pay your contractors and your contractors will begin to retrench their workers,

that is a recipe for national disaster. So, I hope that NNPC should wake up and meet its obligation to the Federation Account, otherwise, the integrity of government is at stake. If I can’t keep my promise, the Federal Government can’t keep its promise, all other governors can’t keep their promises, the Nigerian electorate will be so disillusioned that it will be a disaster. So, I hope that NNPC recognises that it cannot be business as usual and that it

has a few cases to answer, as far as I am concerned.

“Two years ago, it was about the kind of money we were spending on subsidy. In no time, following series of probes and enquiries by the National Assembly and by the Presidency, they have since discovered the kind of money they stole as regards subsidy, all the people that conspired with them, and I believe the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is dealing with that.”

SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS’ FORUM: (L-R) Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, during a meeting ot the governors, at Government House, Benin City. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

PDP not factionalised —Nwuche

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

F

ORMER Deputy Speaker, House of

Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has dismissed reports of the factionalisation of Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP, saying that the walkout on the President during the last PDP convention was an insult on Nigerians.

Nwuche, in an interview, also dismissed the famed influence of the governors, saying that their powers in the par-

ty had been overstated.

Nwuche, who served as deputy national chairman in the immediate past caretaker committee of the party, said: ”As far as I am concerned, there is no faction in PDP because Nigerians were witnesses to the very colourful and massively attended convention where every state in Nigeria was represented. ”It was covered live on television and we had free and transparent primaries that began at 10.am, till almost midnight. Before we dispersed, we elected officials in a free and fair manner before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other observers as well. So, if a few people felt disgruntled and decided to create an impression of a split by walking out, I think it is not consequential. ”In a family as big as

National confab’ll keep Nigerians busy—Sen Obende

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—THE Senator representing Edo North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Domingo Obende, has said that the decision of the Federal Government to hold a national conference on the way forward for the country was to keep Nigerians busy.

Obende, who fielded questions from newsmen in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, where he highlighted some of his achievements in the Senate so far, which he listed to include sponsorship and co-sponsorship of at least 14 bills in the fourth Senate, creation and procurement of employment and various projects across the six local government areas that make up the district, denied allegation that lawmakers were earning jumbo salaries.

Insisting that the proposed National Conference might not be completed until next elections are held, he said: “Sometimes, a lot of things that happens come with an agenda. I have always said that the people that will sit down to draft the agenda of a meeting know exactly why the meeting is being held.

“As far as I am concerned, I don’t see anything visible that will come out of it. If we want to have a sovereign national conference, let us have it, if it is a national conference that we are going to nominate people or government will select people to go and debate the situation of Nigeria, obviously we can’t get result that is going to be people friendly. That is my belief.

“It can never be people friendly because they have an agenda and it is that agenda that will be foisted on the committee. I don’t think Nigerians should be treated in this manner. If we want to hit the nail on the head, let Nigerians sit down and discuss our future.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—13

Jonathan commissions Geregu Power Plant zSays Nigerians should expect steady power supply

BY BEN AGANDE

A

JAOKUTA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that with the investment made by government in power generation in the country, Nigerians should expect a steady power supply by the end of the first quarter of next year.

He gave the assurance, yesterday, in Ajaokuta where he commissioned the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, 434 Megawatts Geregu II

Power Station in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

While reiterating that no nation can be industrialised without steady power supply, Jonathan said his administration remained fully committed to power sector development.

He said that the commissioning was part of the programmes lined up by his administration to shore up power generation in the country, adding that despite the problems encountered in the

process, the sheer determination of government had made it to remain focused on its realisation.

He said: “Without power, no country can industrialise. If we must industrialise, we must fix our power sector. This project is part of our commitment to providing electricity to our teeming population.

With electricity generation and distribution in the hands of the private sector, we are on full course.”

President Jonathan said

that with the successful hand over of the companies that emerged from the unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, his government would also privatise the 10 independent power projects that are under construction, adding that a conducive enabling environment would be provided for the private sector to operate.

Earlier, the governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, praised the Federal Government for citing

the project in the state, noting that it will create job opportunities for many youths in the state and also ensure power supply to many factories in the state and across the country.

He called on the President to facilitate the establishment of Free enterprises zone in Ajaokuta in order to take full advantage of the Geregu plants.

He also called on the

President to ensure that in the same manner the Geregu Power plant was made a reality, the Ajaokuta Steel Company should be resuscitated in order to take advantage of the available power from Geregu power plant.

The Power Minister, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said that the project would add significantly to the national power grid, adding that with the investment made in the sector, epileptic power supply would soon be a thing of the past.

Anambra: PDP bows to court, forwards Ukachukwu zNwoye banks on appeal

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—BOWING to court orders, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has forwarded Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as its candidate for the Anambra State gubernatorial election.

The development came as a blow to the camp of Mr. Tony Nwoye, who won the party’s official gubernatorial primary and had been upheld by the national party until the latest development.

The Nwoye camp was, however, hopeful that the letter conveying Ukachukwu as the candidate was in compliance with the orders of the court and could be reversed pending the determination of the appeal against the

judgment coming up next Tuesday.

It will be recalled that in the heat of the controversy and prior to the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, that PDP had insisted that Nwoye was its candidate despite the insistence of rival aspirants including Ukachukwu and Senator Andy Uba. In a letter by the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo, dated October 2, 2013 and addressed to the Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, the party stressed that Ukachukwu was the candidate of the party for the governorship election.

Oguntade, others condemn congestion in courts

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

F

ORMER Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice George Oguntade and other eminent jurists, yesterday, condemned the congestions in courts, and called for the cancellation of objection to jurisdiction of want to hear cases.

Guest lecturer at the commissioning of the new law office building belonging to Tayo Oyetibo & Co., Justice Oguntade spoke on Social Contract: Which way Nigeria?

He pointed out that the act of transferring judges from regions where they are only exposed to a particular kind of practice to regions where they are faced with complex commercial dis-

putes, contributes to the congestion in court, as some of the judges find it difficult to adjudicate on such cases in their now new area of posting.

He said: ”The level of congestion in our courts is unacceptably high, such that it takes between 15 to 20 years to litigate from the High Court to the Supreme Court. The time has come when judges should stop taking application on jurisdiction.

We must cancel the regime of jurisdiction, instead of moving from Federal High Court to Lagos High Court, then to Court of Appeal, over the issue of jurisdiction.”

Oguntade also condemned the size and funding of National Assembly, noting that so much money was wasted in maintaining the public service.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Sympathizers and family members at the emergency ward, Lagos Site of the plane crash at the Joint Users Hydrant Installation, JUHI, Avation fuel depot, State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos Ikeja, yesterday. Pix: Dare Fasube, Kehinde Gbadamosi & Bunmi Azeez.

The aircraft that crash landed shortly after take-off from Ikeja airport.

NEMA officials and other rescue workers taking the body of one the victims to the mortuary

Newsmen and other sympathizers at the scene of accident.

NEMA officials cordone-off the site of the crash.

Yet other sympathizers and family members.

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Onlookers at the scene of accident

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—15

The carcass of the ill-fated plane A sympathizer collapsed at the emergency ward of LASUTH

Security personnel at the site of the accident.

From left: Professor John Obafunwa, Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU; Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner of Health; Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Commissioner for Rural Development, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, and others at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja.

Newsmen taking photographs of proceedings at the wreckage site.

Sympathizers and family members at LASUTH

Wreckage of the plane crash.

NEMA officilas and other security personnel at the wreckage site.

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16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

THE ABORTED LYING-IN-STATE OF OLUSEGUN AGAGU IN AKURE

The prepared podium for lying-in-state in Akure awaiting the arrival of the remains of Former Governor of Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele former Governor of Ondo State, Late (Dr). Olusegun Agagu, which was aborted as a Olumilua (right) in pensive mood as news of the plane crash filtered in at the Democracy Park, venue of the lying-in-state of result of the plane crash in Lagos, yesterday. former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

Cross section of sympathizers awaiting the arrival of the corpse at the Democracy Park, Akure for the lying-in-state of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, which was aborted as a result of the plane crash in Lagos.

Mr Femi Agagu, Chief of Staff to Late Governor Olusegun Agagu and brother (left) and son of the deceased, Mr Feyisayo Agagu (right), who survived the plane crash, during the paying of tributes at the University of Ibadan on Monday.

The well decorated stage prepared for the VIP to grace the lying-in-state of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

Former Governor of old Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke (middle) and other dignitaries arriving at the aborted lying-in-state in Akure, yesterday.

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Sympathizers who came to witness the lying-in-state of Late Olusegun Agagu, which was aborted.

Some members of the Mass Choir in disarray and sobre mood as they received news of the plane crash.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 —17

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

S

TATISTICS on rape incidents may still not be a good reflection of the extent of the crime. Stigmatisation of rape victims keeps the numbers low, a further armoury to the criminals.

In the United States, where about 80,000 cases of rape reported to the police from 2004 to 2010, according to United Nations data, US Justice and Department estimates 300,000 American women are raped annually, and the Centre for Disease Control says 1.3 million.

The 678 cases the Lagos State Police Command said it recorded between March 2012 and March 2013, should be seen as numbers: Unreported rape cases are on the increase. More alarming is that the epidemic affects underage persons.

The media are replete with reports of young girls sexually violated, as young as three months.

According to a 2009 study in Clinical Psychology Review, in 65 studies from 22 countries, the highest prevalence rate of child sexual abuse was in Africa (34.4 per cent).

Surge in rape cases Most child sexual abuse is by men. About 30 per cent are relatives of the child — brothers, fathers, uncles or cousins — about 60 per cent are other acquaintances such as ‘friends’ of the family, babysitters, or neighbours; strangers are offenders in about 10 per cent of child sexual abuse cases, the studies revealed.

Obstacles abound in fighting rape. Section 353 of the Criminal Code Act treats rape discriminately. While unlawful and indecent assaults of a male person as felony punishable by three years imprisonment, Section 360 of the Act regards indecent assault of a woman, a misdemeanour, with two years’ imprisonment.

More obstacles — the laws expects collaborated evidence of a witness for a crime

committed mostly secretly. If the case survives these encumbrances, the serious crime of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl of or above 13 years and under 16 years of age or of a woman or girl, who is an idiot or imbecile is punishable by two years’ imprisonment. The law never imagined rape of much younger people.

A bill is before the House of Representatives. A section of the bill reads, “Any man convicted of rape is liable to life imprisonment. Persons convicted of gangraping any victim shall be liable, jointly and severally, to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine; where the offender is less than 14 years, he shall be liable to a maximum of 14 years imprisonment and a minimum of 12 years, without an option of fine.”

Society should stop blaming rape victims for the assault on them. Rape is a crime, the long walk to minimising it starts with rapists facing stringent punishments rather than society excusing their aberration for whatever reasons.

OPINION

BY YUSHAU SHUAIB

A

T 53 Nigeria has faced some challenges of nation hood, similar to what other great nations had or have faced. While one is concerned by the recurring disturbing and negative trends that dampen the spirit of writing positively about the country, Nigeria’s greatness is in its abundant human and material resources.

Having had the opportunity of travelling to some great countries, I am amazed by accomplishments of Nigerians who are highly regarded in various spheres of human endeavour. We are not unmindful of the fact that very few vagabonds among the citizens give the nation a bad name due to their corrupt tendencies and criminalities that, to some extent, exacerbate insecurity in the land.

Meanwhile, not minding what others will say about Nigeria’s quest to becoming a member of the United Nations Security Council, UNSC, the country has made positive impact in international diplomacy and peacekeeping operations. This argument was re-echoed by President Goodluck Jonathan when asked world leaders to support the country’s quest to be a member UNSC. Speaking at the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, President Jonathan said Nigeria’s commendable performance on previous occasions when it held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council should assure the global community that the country deserved to be elected to the council again for the 2014/2015 session. He also called for faster action towards the democratisation of the Security Council as many countries are concerned about the lack of progress in the reformation of the United Nations.

A casual observer may not attach significant importance to the clamour for special seat at the United Nations, after all, only few countries call the shot on global

That Nigeria’s quest for membership of UNSC political arena in the United Nations in the name of Veto Power. The permanent members who have the veto power are America, Britain, China, France and Russia.

They solely wield the so-called “veto power”, enabling them to prevent the adoption of any “substantive” draft Council resolution, regardless of the level of international support for the draft. With such power they can do anything no matter what other nations consider and propose.

The Permanent Members top the list of countries with the highest military expenditures as they spend an average of US$1 trillion combined annually on defense, accounting for large percentage of global military expenditures. They are largest arms exporters and the only nations officially recognised as “nuclear-weapon states” under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, NPT, though there are other countries believed to be in possession of nuclear weapons.

T

here is also G4 Nations of Germany, Japan, India and Brazil who are clamouring to become members too. Meanwhile two seats are to be reserved for Africa, where Nigeria is in contention with Egypt and South Africa for the coveted membership.

Apart from the five permanent members, there are 10 non-permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms who take turns at holding the presidency of the Security Council on a monthly basis.

Sentiments apart, Nigeria deserves the membership than any other African country because of its significant roles in global politics. It is the largest single contributor to UN global security engagements in Africa.

It played greater roles in the ending colonialism in several African countries, including Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and still remains the main force in the regional ECOWAS/ECOMOG, which actively intervened in resolving and stabilising warravaged Liberia and Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire. n addition, Nigeria’s military have been deployed as peace keepers under UN and ECOWAS arrangements in former Yugoslavia, Angola, Rwanda, Lebanon, Somalia, Iran_Iraq, East Timor, Dafur-Sudan, Congo and Sierra Leone and later Mali. In some of the foreign operations, Nigerian officers served as chiefs of defence in other countries or Command Officer-in-Charge of military operation.

The country has unique and enviable demographic position, human and natural resources, which are brought to bear on sub-regional, continental and global affairs. The country is Africa’s leading oil and gas producer and with population of over 170 million making it the most populous black nation on earth and seventh most populous country in the world. It is a plural society with multi-ethnic and multi-religious diversity.

I believe Nigeria should adopt an appropriate strategy in pursuing the quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. Since it has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS and the African Union, AU, Nigeria should work with other regions for strategic alliances for the success of the campaign We have always being a big brother, this is the time for others to support our aspiration.

I

*Mr Shuaib, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013— —19

R

ECENTLY, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, claimed to know the source of the plane owned by the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. It is now running into weeks and he is yet to tell how the Pastor got his plane.The annoyed Pastor has threatened to sue. If suing is best the way to deal with this type of man, he should be sued to tatters. Litigation is perhaps the only language such a man will understand, since he obviously has no respect for servants of God.In his book the Accidental Public Servant, he took a swipe at OBJ under whom he served as a Minister. At one time he thought,laughably, that Igbos were not well educated; at other times he seemed to be against everybody and everything Nigerian.I pray he gets a good trouncing from the Pastor. There are many Nigerians who consider themselves wealthy enough to own private jets; why should that of Pastor Oritsejafor be his problem? El-Rufai must learn to respect Men of God, and stop the jabbering with Christianity and Church leaders.

Period!

Nigerians, they say, top list of private jet owners in Africa, spending N1.3 trillion on these big flying toys.Our avi-

ation sector has brought into sharp focus, the paradox of a nation that is endowed with huge oil resources but where only a few are wealthy.In a country where the average Nigerian lives on less than $1 a day, there is a super-rich class of business moguls, bankers, preachers, politicians and oil magnates whose private ownership of jets is more than that of any other country in Africa.

In fact,the ownership of the state-of-the-art jets in Nigeria had grown from only 50 in 2008, to over 200 in 2012.Their planes mostly carry foreign registration credentials rather than Nigerian registration, for which the owners have their reasons, while Nigerian money continues to flow from our super-rich to other nations because of the hostile registration environment. The chief of the many factors that have encouraged the rise of acquisition of customised jets, which cost between N2.4 billion and N9 billion, is the fact that flight schedules in the aviation industry are no longer flexible.In a situation like this, wealthy Nigerians would opt to acquire their own private jets to save time that would have been wasted waiting for flights whose times of departure are not known.The FG has begun to impose a luxury tax on the non-scheduled flights of private jet owners and operators

The multiplicity of religious and non-governmental organisations in Nigeria make it mandatory that a Charities Commission be set up by government to regulate their activities

,

in Nigeria. A tax of USD4, 000 is now to be levied on the owners and operators of foreign-registered private jets for every flight departure within Nigeria, while Nigerian-registered private jets have to pay USD3,000. The tax has to be paid before each departure.

Private jets are for the superrich.

How right is it, therefore, for a Pastor, or an Alfa, to own a private jet, being a person managing and running a nonprofit organisation per se?

There are two sides to the question: On one side are those who say the work of God is a big business, and also with big rewards. The pastor needs to take the advantages of the private jet to cope with the ever increasing challenges of his work, both as a preacher and an evangelist.

After all, he is serving His Father in heaven who owns all the gold, silver and wealth on

Empowering youth for sexual and reproductive rights

BY JILL SHEFFIELD and REMMY SHAWA

T

ODAY, nearly half the world’s popula tion is under the age of 25. These three billion people – the largest-ever generation of young people – are our future and our present. Each has an indispensable role to play in achieving international development goals, driving economic and social development, and shaping the course of history.

Yet around the world, young people are all-too-often unable to make critical choices that impact their futures. We hear it straight from the young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women, we work with every day – they are unable to access the information and services they need to protect their sexual and reproductive health and plan their lives. In the world’s poorest countries, contraception use is low, and one in three women has a child before the age of 18. In sub-Saharan Africa, 53 million women want, but do not have access to modern contraception – and the unmet need is greatest among women under the age of 20.

For far too long, the issues of reproductive health and family planning for adolescents have been taboo, and in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the issues have been almost completely ignored.

Consequently, pregnancy- and childbirthrelated complications remain the leading killer of teenage girls in developing countries. And countless more girls who drop out of school due to early pregnancies do not learn the skills they need to gain paid employment and contribute productively

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to their families, communities and nations.

These facts cannot be ignored, and what we urgently need now is more support from every sector of society.

First, we need developing country governments and donors to prioritise and scale up youth sexual and reproductive health programmes. This includes comprehensive sexuality education that teaches young people about their rights and their options, as well as programmes to ensure that girls and young women have access to a range of contraceptive methods. We also need government to pass supportive policies that impact reproductive health like increasing the legal age of marriage in countries where child marriage is still prevalent.

At the July 2012 London Summit on Family Planning, the Nigerian government pledged to reach a contraceptive prevalence rate of 36% by 2018, which will not only enhance maternal and child survival, but will also contribute to Nigeria’s goal to save one million lives by 2015. These efforts show the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving access to the family planning services that Nigerian girls and women want – and deserve.

Second, we need to reduce the stigma associated with youth sexuality. Even when girls and young women are informed about family planning and services are available, many do not access the services due to fear of reproach or criticism. To lower cultural and social barriers to care, we must engage community leaders – including political and religious leaders in Nigeria– as champions for youth sexual and reproductive health and rights. We also

earth. Jesus died poor that son from being taxed based on His believers may become rich. his known income. But the Wealth, affluence and opu- Church and Mosque being lence become proofs of serving charitable organisations involved in humanitarian nona rich God. On the other side, are those profit ventures cannot and who think that modesty and should not be taxed. Whereas humane standards should there are a few religious leaddefine the life style of Church ers who are very affluent, an leaders. As servants of God, overwhelming majority of the most of their wealth should be rest struggle over their annuspent on humanitarian works al budgets.Non-governmental rather than on pleasure. They organisations, NGOs, cannot are thus expected to be pious be taxed because of their serand humble, helping in the vices to humanity. The multireduction of the spiritual and plicity of religious and nonphysical sufferings and groans governmental organisations in of the people around the Nigeria make it mandatory world, victims of wickedness now that a Charities Commisin high places, deceit, bad sion be set up by government rulership and bad governance to register,regulate and control all over the world, especially all charity organisations and in Nigeria. They argue that their activities in Nigeria.The Christians should live in mod- Corporate Affairs Commission, esty and humility, shunning CAC, should be relieved of the burden and responsibilities of boisterous life styles. registering, regulating, The early missionaries were controlling and monitoring all not men of super affluence. charities, including NGOs. They had the money from their This way, the CAC will be home countries, but used this more focused on the creation money to introduce and en- of the necessary enabling enhance human development in vironment for company develthe world around them. Mon- opment in Nigeria. The ey is of no use if it cannot be Charity Commission should be channeled to change the life a non-Ministerial Government of the majority of the people Department, part of the civil for the better. Politicians, busi- service which registers and ness men, and others, may live regulates charities in Nigeria. as they like, servants of God Charities are accountable to are not expected to follow the the public, so the Charity world.

Commission will prescribe the Many out of ignorance and rules and regulations of lack of knowledge have there- registered charities in the best fore argued that churches and interest of society. mosques should be taxed.Where the clergy has accumulated wealth, using his gifts, influence and time well, *Mr. Udegbe, a lawyer, wrote nothing excludes him as a per- from Lagos.

,

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

,

Private jets, the Church and Nigerians

By enacting supportive policies and implementing effective family planning programmes, we can make a real and lasting impact on the lives of young people everywhere and help ignite a virtuous cycle of development

,

need to train health care workers to provide services to young people confidentially and without judgment.

Third, we need to encourage and empower young people to be their own advocates and agents for change. Young people in Nigeria and everywhere have the right to the knowledge, tools and services they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and live full, healthy and productive lives. In many communities around the world, young women and men are working tirelessly – both individually and collectively – to demand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

For too long, these young leaders have been on the sidelines of the global dialogue about health and development. We must bring them into the conversation.

Recently, Women Deliver brought 100 Young Leaders to its third global conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the goal of building youth capacity to advocate for issues around maternal and reproductive health. At the conference, these

100 Young Leaders spoke passionately about the challenges youth face, and shared their strategies to fight for change.

Giving youth a voice at international forums like these is an important first step forward.

And, finally, we must involve boys and men in the process. That’s why the 100 Young Leaders programme includes almost 40 young men. And, that’s why we are excited about the amazing work that’s being done to increase male involvement in sexual and reproductive health and rights. For example, we’ve seen great success through programmes like the Learning Centers Initiative in Zambia and Uganda, run by the Sonke Gender Justice Network and supported by the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, RSFU. These centres encourage boys and men to be equal partners in their relationships, access sexual and reproductive health services themselves and promote their peers’ adoption of these behaviours.

By enacting supportive policies, bringing new voices into the conversation, and implementing effective, age- and culturally-appropriate family planning programmes, we can make a real and lasting impact on the lives of young people everywhere and help ignite a virtuous cycle of development.

As we celebrate World Contraception Day(September 26), let’s all take up the charge – across generations – to make sure that young people have the information, services, and support they need to become agents of change for girls and women around the world.

Ms Sheffield is the Founder & President of global advocacy organisation, Women Deliver. Ms Shawa is the International Sida Project Coordinator for the Sonke Gender Justice Network, South Africa.

20— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Independence Day triplets face bleak future •Unemployed parents struggling to cater for their needs

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

A

S the drums rolled out to markNigeria’s 53rd Independence Day anniversary, millions of Nigerians are heaving a sigh of relief and giving thanks for surmounting the travails of the past year, even as they look forward with greater expectation to another year of life as citizens of Africa’s most populous nation.

However, amidst the “low key” activities earmarked simultaneously for Abuja and major cities and State capitals nationwide, there is one distinctly special family that has reason, more than most, to be especially thankful for the day.

Kelly and Mabel Ighedosa , are particularly elated because their set of triplets, two boys and one girl, are marking their 2nd birthday on Nigeria’s most special day.

Kelly and Mabel are special parents because their triplets Jakes, Treasure and Jason - were born just minutes apart in the wee hours of October 1, 2011, at the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos. The proud parents hail from the Ishan tribe in Edo State.

Kelly, who holds a National Diploma in Business Administration and a Degree in Accounting from the Lagos State University, is presently unemployed. He just does menial jobs while Mabel who studied Anthropology & Sociology from University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, is engaged full time with the triplets.

First reaction: The first time he learned Mabel was expecting multiples, Kelly was shocked. “To

registered at the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, and Golden Cross Hospital, Festac. did a pregnacy test and ultrasound scan, the result indicated twins in her womb.

“But at six months gestation,

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• Three is company Jakes Isaac (left); Treasure Itohan (centre) and Jason Samuel.

• Nigeria’s 1st Independence Day triplets family. Clockwise from left : Mabel, Kelly, Jason, Treasure and Jakes after their dedication in December 2012. we went to Golden Cross,Festac, and it was there they detected the triplets. Our doctor, one Dr. Dele said come and see o. There is a third one o, and I was thinking it was a joke. Here was I who was still crying about the twins not even knowing there were actually three. I went to look and lo and behold, there were

It took me a whole year to fully realise the fact that I am actually the father of a set of triplets be frank I was dazed. I received the message with mixed feelings.

I kept wondering how I was going to take care of triplets at my young age. I didn’t have a comfortable apartment, where was I going to put these children?

I wasn’t earning much from the job I was doing at that time. As much as I was trusting God and hoping that when my wife was delivered she would soon get employed and we would be able to make ends meet, but hearing this news was really disturbing.

I was very, very surprised..

Initially, when Mabel, who was

carve out time to be with her.

According to Kelly, it was not until after the delivery, that I confirmed there were twins in my family. “My mother was a twin, and my wife told me that her great grandmother once gave

three. I was speechless, and didn't know what to say, what to do. Even Mabel was astounded.

“I was surprised and shocked at this wonderful gift,” she confirmed.

Said Kelly, “I was expecting one, and three came; one is a challenge, two is big challenge, three a very big challenge. That was how it was playing back in me, I was not even earning enough to take care of myself and wife. I had taken a N100,000 loan just to make sure my wife was okay. I was then working at a cinema at Lekki, but I had to

birth to triplets. Nobody in my family wanted twins but my mother used to tell me that I would be the one to give birth to twins. I love children but I knew having twins would be a great responsibility.

Day of birth: The day they were born, Kelly was on night duty at Lekki. “My mother-in-law called me around midnight that she had taken my wife to the Island Maternity Hospital. My manager then directed the driver to drive down.

“It was raining heavily. When I checked the ime, it was a little after midnight on October 1, 2011. It didn't even occur to me that it was Independence Day. I got in to the hospital we went upstairs stood at the theartre doors. My mother in law was praying. My mind was blank, but was just able to talk to God. All I was concerned about was my wife. It took me a whole year to fully realise the fact that I am actually the father of a set of triplets.

I was at the theatre door, when one nurse came out and asked for pampers, I asked her about

my wife, and she said, Oga, you have triplets, a bunch of multiples; they are okay and your wife is okay.

“Somebody now wished me happy independence and then it hit me that these are actually independence children!

Jakes was born at 1.36 am. he weighed 1.8 kg. Next was Treasure at 1.37am, 1.6 kg, and finally Jason at 1.38am, weighing 1.15kg.

At home: At a point in time Mabel was no longer in charge.

To feed the babies was challenge.

We were expressing breast milk mixing wioth pre-NAN, each tin cost N1,800 and lasted just a day.

We used a syringe and fed them as we had been taught at th hospital”.Kelly went from pillar to post looking for the special milk and the children announced thy were hungry by crying very loudly.

It was Mbel’s first pregnancy.

“There were no unusual symptoms of pregnacy except that I was spitting for three months. It was very challenging and it got to a point I just wanted to offload and have these

babies.Funny thing was that my tummy wasn’t all that big. You wouldn't event suspect I was carrying twins talk less of triplets.

It was just like a normal pregnancy.”

Plans: Before the triplets came, Kelly was planning to get a new accommodation. “Now more than ever, I require a bigger place and to prepare for their education.

I planned that they ought to have started school, but what is coming in now cannot sustain that. One dream I have is to give these children sound education in a very conducive environment. I see them as peculiar children.

Challenges: I am trusting God for a schorlarship for their education; accommodation and a good job.

Where we are currently staying is inadequate. They need space to move around. They have started climbing. If one is crying others are crying. We have never stopped needing money. Before I've finished buying one thing, another has finished.

Struggling to go to school Because they are three, I have never stopped requiring finances.

On the average I require up to N100,000 every month to cater for them comfortably.

There was a time I had to sell off my DSTV decoder, to raise funds to feed them. And I keep asking God to meet me at my point of need.

I cannot steal. It is the last thing I would do, God had better take my life rather than allow anything happen to these children. All my life has been struggling, I struggled to go to school, I do not want them to suffer, I cannot even respond to family needs.

My wife and I are barely making ends meet and need something substantive to survive on. I would like a job offer or a realistic plan to become an entrepreneur. However, I still need money to carry out this vision while carrying my family along.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 — 21

From left: Mr. Femi Abegunde, Chairman, Governance Board, Deloitte Nigeria; Mr. Brain Derksen, Deputy CEO, Deloitte global; Mr. Lwazi Bam, CEO, Deloitte Africa, and Mr. Tawanda Gumbo, Transitional Leader, Deloitte Nigeria, at the business luncheon with Deloitte global leadership in Lagos.

Foreign investors plan $16bn investment in Delta

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HE Delta State g o v e r n m e n t has attracted more than 16 billion dollars worth of investment for its export free zone, which is expected to create some 500,000 jobs The state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said in Warri, Delta State that investors from Saudi Arabia and India are ready to invest in petrochemical and fertiliser

plants.

Uduaghan also said that the Koko Export Free Zone had been approved by the Federal Government and the issue of approval for Warri Export Free Zone was still being pursued.

He said that it was the nature of Koko as an export free zone that attracted the investors since the Federal Government/NNPC Master plan approved three states,

namely, Rivers State, Delta State and Akwa Ibom State for such projects.

The governor said that the location of the state and the approval of Koko as an Export Free Zone helped it in securing the approval. Uduaghan further said, “Every investor is very much interested in the tax regime and there are some tax relief for companies in the export free zones.”

The governor said that the Delta State government has done much in Koko by ensuring the approval of its status as an export free zone, ensuring peace and following closely the gas master plan.

He said that already, the state government has prepared grounds for the free zone by putting in place the Asaba Airport, which would assist investors to fly their equipment into the state.

Uduaghan said that AsabaUghelli dual carriage way project is being implemented to offer easy and fast transportation from Asaba Airport to the Koko Export Free Zone.

He said that the strategic location of Koko also would assist cargo shipping through the Benin River.

Uduaghan said that the Federal Government would tackle the dredging of the Benin River to allow bigger vessels to get to Koko, adding, “‘transport infrastructure is very critical”.

On provision of constant power supply, he said that the state’s Independent Power Plant (IPP) project was progressing as the turbines were presently on test-run.The governor, however, said that the important aspect of the investment was the creation of direct and indirect jobs that would bring down the unemployment rate in the state.

Huge investment opportunity exists in Nigeria’s power sector - Experts M

rs Anita Mathews, Director, Informa Energy Group, a Dubai-based organisation, says there is huge opportunity for investment in Nigeria’s power sector.

Mathews made the observation in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of an exhibition tagged: ‘Power Nigeria’ organised by the group.

According to her, the huge demand for power in the Nigerian manufacturing sector and the ongoing privatisation process in the power sector will create influx of foreign investments to both sectors.

She said that the exhibition was organised for international organisations involved in power generation and distribution to showcase their products and develop sustainable business partnerships with Nigerian entrepreneurs. “ The exhibition will create a platform for foreign Investors to form partnerships with Nigerians in order to improve the power sector of the nation.

“Local entrepreneurs, who want to know about new products and new technologies, will get answers to all their questions at this exhibition,” she said.

Matthews said that technical seminars would run concurrently with the exhibition till Friday. “ International experts in the energy

sector will be talking on innovation, energy conservation, energy demands, latest technologies and their usages,“ she said She said that products enhanced by renewable sources of energy were on display at the exhibition in order to encourage energy conservation in Nigeria.

NAN reports that 200 international and indigenous manufacturers were exhibiting products at the exhibition.

Some of the exhibitors, who spoke to NAN, expressed optimism that they would develop business contacts to project their products in the Nigerian market.

Mr Lawrence Noronha, Assistant Marketing Manager, Interplast Company Ltd., in Dubai, told NAN that his organisation is interested in investing in Nigeria because Nigeria is one of the fast developing emerging markets in the world.

He said that his organisation has products that would meet the energy demands of Nigerians.

Mr. Nitin Bansal, Sales Manager, Westinghouse Lighting Corporation, also in Dubai, told NAN that his organisation is committed to international standards and would not flood the Nigerian market with inferior goods.

Intercontinental hotel invests N30bn to boost economy

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

I

ntercontinental hotel, Lagos has investment a total of N30 billion in the hospitality industry as part of efforts to boost economic activities in Nigeria.

The hotel under the InterContinental Hotel Group, IHG, which was officially opened to the public appears to be taking business to a new level in Lagos and Nigeria in general.

The hotel described as the first official five-star hotel in West Africa was specifically opened by Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babatunde Fashola, who cut the tape to signal its readiness for operation.

Chairman of Milan Group, parent company of IHG, Ramesh Valechha, said the N30 billion hotel was built to compliment other hotels in Lagos, as more hotels are needed to boost hospitality in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.

Speaking, General Manager, InterContinental Lagos, Didier Coeln, said the decision to launch the hotel brand in Nigeria and specifically Lagos was a testament to Nigeria’s significant economic growth.

He added that InterContinental Lagos has employed 650 Nigerians , providing them professional training of International standards and new career paths in the hospitality industry.

As Nigeria’s first official fivestar hotel, as designated by Lagos State government’s new Hotel Licensing Authority, InterContinental Lagos is set to bring an authentic and exclusive luxury experience to Nigeria. The hotel has already made an impact in the market, appealing to local residents and international travelers alike.

The 352-room InterContinental Lagos is located in Lagos, Nigeria’s business city and diplomatic hub and multinational companies.

Close to Lagos Creek, the 23story hotel offers guests stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Guinea and the Lagos lagoon. InterContinental Lagos is the sixth InterContinental hotel in subSaharan Africa. The hotel is due to be joined by an additional two in the next five years.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 , 2013

Courteville exceeds NSE post-listing requirements zNominated for TABA award

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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From left: Vitafoam Nigeria Plc's Institutional Sales Manager, Charles Akujobi; Head, Sales and Marketing, Gabriel Okoli; Marketing Manager, Ben Collins Okosun and Retail Development Manager, Allizon Dimgba at the presentation of Best Foam Marketing Company to Vitafoam by National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria in Lagos.

NSE picks holes in CISI Bill ...seeks wider consultation

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has listed areas of concern in the proposed Institute of Securities and Investment, CISI Bill, currently before the National Assembly, saying that the Bill in its current state is not adequately defined and articulated.

NSE noted that while the objectives were well intended, from an operational perspective, it wasimpractical to extend the scope of the CIS without adequately the concerns.

The CISI Bill seeks to replace the law that set up the Chattered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, as well as bring other trade groups in the capital market under the supervision of CISI. The Bill is being sponsored by the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Mr. Solomon Ganiyu.

In a draft memorandum to the Senate Committee on Capital Market, the NSE stressed among other things the need to

clearly define the scope of power of the new Bill, saying that if at all, such powers should be restricted to professional standards and ethical conducts.

According to the NSE, the Bill was drafted without due consultation and collaboration with other major stakeholders that fall under the jurisdiction of the Bill.

“These stakeholders play a major role in the securities and investment markets and cannot be compelled into participating in an association without due consultation and collaboration.

These stakeholders include Issuing Houses, Fund and Portfolio Managers, Trustees, Financial Advisers, Financial Analysts, Treasurers, Bond Dealers, Foreign Exchange Dealers, Custodians, Private Equity Managers, Venture Capitalists amongst others. These stakeholders have to be adequately consulted and carried along for the Bill to achieve the purpose of improving broader participation.” The

Vitafoam laments influx of adulterated products, bags award

BY PETER EGWUATU

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itafoam Nigeria Plc has kicked against the influx of adulterated products in the country, even as it bags marketing award.

Commenting on the challenges facing the industry, the Head, Sales and Marketing, Vitafoam Nigeria, Mr. Gabriel Okoli, said, the influx of adulterated products has been a major problem in the industry.

He urged the regulatory authorities such as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to wield big sticks on the culprits in order to curb the menace of poor quality products whose low prices and orchestrated packaging make them attractive to unsuspecting consumers.

Meanwhile, the National Institute

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of Marketing of Nigeria awarded Vitafoam the best foam marketing company of the year.

By this prestigious award, the company towered above its peers in the art and science of marketing of foam products.

Presenting the award to Vitafoam Nigeria Plc at the 10th Anniversary/Lecture and Conferment of Fellowship and Marketing Excellence Awards on Corporate Organisations in Lagos, President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Marketing, Mr Rotimi Adeyeye, commended Vitafoam Nigeria Plc as a trail blazer in the manufacturing and distribution of foam and allied products.

Adeyeye urged the company to sustain its excellent corporate performance in order to uphold its philosophy of creating shareholder value.

NSE said.

It further stated that the provision for the governing council, which The Nigerian Stock Exchange as a member of The Council, runs contrary to the current composition of the Governing Council, where the NSE is permanently represented as the foremost Securities Exchange in the Nigerian Capital Market.

“As stated earlier, there are several other capital market professionals that operate in the Nigerian capital market outside of the stockbroking community.

The CISI Bill would need to state the professionals that fall under its jurisdiction.

“Furthermore, the Bill grants the CISI disciplinary powers to sanction individuals who hold themselves out to be capital market professionals but are not members of the CISI.The offence is punishable by monetary fines ranging from five hundred thousand naira to five million naira and six months imprisonment. This can only be achieved after due consultation and collaboration with the other capital market stakeholders taking into consideration the fact there are numerous other trade groups and associations that already exist.

“The CISI Bill also introduces corporate memberships from organisations that meet their prescribed conditions. These conditions include satisfying the CISI Council that the organizations are fit and proper in conducting business in the securities and investment space. However, this could potentially duplicate and conflict with the regulatory oversight functions of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange as the Apex regulator and front line SelfRegulatory Organisation in the Nigerian capital market,” the NSE added.

It will be recalled that several trade groups in the market had kicked against the Bill, calling on the Senate Committee to quash it.

OURTEVILLE Business Solution, CBS, has recorded a number of positive developments in the current financial year as the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has listed it among the quoted companies performing above the minimum listing rules requirements.

In its latest Early Filers X-Compliance Report, the NSE commended the company for early submission of its 2013 second quarter result ahead of the stipulated date.

This is even as Courteville recently rewarded its shareholders with 5kobo dividend and a bonus of one for five in the just concluded 8thAnnual General Meeting for the year ended December 31st, 2012.

In another progressive move, Courteville has been nominated for the 2013 African Business Award (TABA), which would be holding on October 18, 2013 at the Dorchester, Park Lane, London.

The global awards event will honour Africa’s leading business brands’ outstanding work across Africa and around the globe by recognising their impact as market leaders.

Courteville was nominated for the category of “Outstanding West African Regional Brand.”

Other organisations from West Africa such as Globacom (Nigeria), GT Bank (Nigeria), Bank Group(Gabon), Honeywell Group (Nigeria), Dangote Group (Nigeria), RLG ( Ghana), BGFI, TAF Holdings(Gambia), Oando Plc (Nigeria) and UT Holdings(Ghana), among others were also nominated in various categories.

Speaking at the announcement of the nominees, Fola Kudehinbu, Founder of TABA said, “The vision of African Brands Awards is to create a platform that will support the efforts of businesses inside Africa to promote and raise awareness of their brands to a global audience. The region has shown the resilience to overcome many challenges and the African Brands Awards will be a powerful illustration of how African companies can continue to build on its success by raising standards in creativity and innovation and facilitate the beginning of new African experiences.”

The awards are open to firms with Africa origin that are independent and not subsidiaries of any global organisation and are fully registered in their home country.

The awards will further celebrate and publicise the companies and individuals behind the brands and also showcase new and emerging brands. TABA will reward exceptional business strategies built on strong leadership, employee investment, innovation and community involvement.

Incorporated in 2004 as Courteville Investment Limited, Courteville Business Solutions Plc is listed on the NSE and is an ISO 9001:2008 certified e-business solutions Development Company.

23 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

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STORIES BY DANIEL GUMM

ATER this month, Nigeria will be in two Ghanaian cities, namely: Accra and Kumasi to participate in the biannual ECOWAS Trade Fair.

The fair is a regional platform for accessing West Africa’s market of 300 million consumers. It seeks to promote economic integration and trade among industrialists, investors, manufacturers, buyers, and sellers in all member-states.

The fair is expected to bring together 1,000,000 people.

Nigeria’s participation at this year ’s event is purposed to strengthened trade between the nation and ECOWAS member-states, showcase made-in-Nigeria products and services in order to increase Nigeria’s share in the global market, especially at intra-community and regionl level.

The fair will also provide a unique opportunity to network, build relationship and showcase membercounty ’s products for sustained economic growth and development.

GHANA’S ECONOMY The economy of Ghana has been straightened by a quarter of a century of

ECOWAS FAIR — From left: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Timmod Investment Ltd., Mr. Rotimi Omodehin; Deputy Director, Market Development Department, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Matthew Iranloye; Ag. Zonal Controller, NEPC, Lagos Office, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike; and Director-General, NACCIMA, Mr. John Isemede at the oneday meeting to select exhibitors for ECOWAS Fair in Ghana.

PHOTO: Daniel Gumm.

NEPC briefs, selects exhibitors for ECOWAS Fair in Ghana relatively sound management, a competitive busines environment and sustained reduction in poverty level.

In 2009, Ghana signed a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth facility with the

International Monetary Fund, IMF, to improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competiveness, human resources devlopment, good governance and civic responsbility.

The Deputy Director, Market Development Department, NEPC, Mr. Matthew Iranloye,

Agribusiness will diver sify diversify sify,, sus susttain Nigeria

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HE Co -ordinator, Agribusiness and Youth Empowerment of Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON), Mr. Sotonye Anga has acknowledged the gains of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, saying that the government has done well in the area of agriculture and urged them to do more based on the fact that agriculture when given the best attention will both diversify and sustain the economy of Nigeria.

Speaking at the yearly Omolayole Annual Management Lecture Series,

Anga stated that the face of agriculture in Nigeria has changed for better.

He said that many farmers that have abandoned farming in Nigeria are now returning to farming, and “this is because they now see a future in Nigeria’s Agribusiness.”

He called on leaders and financial institutions that lend to the agricultural sector in Nigeria to make it at single digit interest rate.

“You will kill our farmers when you lend to them at 26 per cent per annum.

Agribusiness is not cocaine business, but once the sector is well supported and

AU pushing for more inter-continental trade

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OTH the African Union and the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have held countless meetings and conferences on increasing intra-Africa trade. Efforts so far, however, have not translated into results.

How intra-Africa trade can be improved is one of the most discussed topics at the AU and UNECA. African countries do only 11 per cent of their foreign trade with other countries on the continent. In comparison, Asian countries do 50 per cent of their trade with each other, while European Union countries do 70 per cent.

UNECA Regional Integration and Trade Division Director, Stephen Karingi said several conferences during the

past decades were needed to find common positions.

"They have had to come up with common positions on their discussions, negotiations with bilateral partners, for instance the European Union. But much more importantly, they had to come and agree on what they need to do as sub-regions in the context of deepening regional integration through the regional economic communities," said Karingi.

A 2012 World Bank report says the continent loses billions of dollars annually because of continental trade barriers. A U.N. report on intraAfrica trade released in July, urges African governments to boost the private sector, reduce trade barriers and expand infrastructure.

strengthened, we will see our Nigerian farmers doing Agribusiness, making good profits and someday, we will see our farmers own their private jets and helicopters because they need them for serious business.”

Anga noted that agriculture is expensive, and for Nigeria to be competitive in the sector, “we need to really increase our national spend on agriculture, we need to boost the capacity of our research institutes to deliver high yielding and productive crop and animal varieties, we need to build and put in place robust, supportive agricultural infrastructure such as the staple crop processing zone that will make the agribusiness friendly. The time to make agribusiness in Nigeria to yield increase and profits for our people is now!”

explained to participants, who gathered at the Apapa Office that Ghana impotred the following products from Nigeria, namely: Food and beverages, cosmetics, engineering and Information/ Communication Technology products, wood and wood products, household utensils, Nollywood films, agricultural and agro-allied products, and eletronic products.

He said that the NEPC, will provide the normal international trade fair incentives as follow: 100 kgs product sample allowance, refund of 50 per cent economy air tickets as rebate, provision of free stand/pavilion, local transportation in the host country (hotel - pavilion hotel only), and clearnce of product exhibits within 100 kgs specified allowance, among others.

Iranloye pointed out that for a company to be eligible for accesing the trade fair rebate, it has to meet the follwing requirement: Name/address of company, name of contact person, fair attended, bank details, name of banks, among other requirements.

Earlier in her opening remark, Ag. Zonal Controller, Lagos Office, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike, urged the the exporters to maintain standard, as that was the only way to make them successful.

Co-ordinator, Agribusiness and Youth Empowerment of Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON), Mr. Sotonye Anga and Dr. Michael Omolayole at the lecture.

DHL predicts increased trade for U.S., sub-saharan Africa

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HE United States and sub-Saharan Africa have been predicted to have continued growth in bilateral trade.

DHL Express, a global courier and express company, which made the prediction recently, said its call was based on the recent US Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) that was signed by both regions to achieve sustainable development through increased trade and investment.

According to the Managing Director for DHL Express subSaharan Africa, Mr. Charles Brewer: "We have already seen this increased trade in specific countries on the continent, as they take advantage of preferential trade agreements and state-led policy change to increase exports and imports with the US." Brewer is currently on a visit to the US to meet with key stakeholders and multi-nationals to promote commerce between the two regions.

Figures recently released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as the company's own performance, revealed an extremely positive economic outlook for Africa. The figures also highlighted the fact that Africa is proving to be less susceptible than other regions to the peaks and troughs in the global economy, as it diversifies its trading partners.

"Since 2001, many African countries have seen a significant shift in trade partners," Brewer said, adding that: "Our dependency on Europe has been reduced, while trade with Asia as well as intra-Africa has picked up significantly. The next region for growth is the US and we are very pleased to see the US government's willingness to pull down trade barriers to achieve this."

The IMF's Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa report revealed that economic activity in the region is projected to expand by about 5% in 2012 and 2013, a similar pace to that observed in 20102011. Key markets driving the growth are Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Mauritius and South Africa.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

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26 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Centenary celebration: Tourism should be at the centre — Dantata R

ecently the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) had a sensitization seminar in Lokoja, Kogi state for stakeholders on the forthcoming Centenary celebration.

Director General of the Institute, Alhaji Munzali Dantata, took time out to interact with travel journalists on the importance of the seminar and tourism education in the country.

Here is an excerpt.

On the need for the seminar What we hoped to achieve with the seminar is to create that awareness, which is at the core of our mandate, tourism awareness and tourism education. But this year we pick as our theme the centenary celebration.

The potential of tourism as a vehicle of transformation in line with the current administration agenda We hope to become a catalyst for tourism practitioners taking their rightful place because any celebration is embedded in tourism. So if we are celebrating 100 years of Nigeria and there is a movement of people, it is a tourism activity.

Tourism should be at the centre and so that is one of the objectives here, the sensitisation of tourism stakeholders and also as a vehicle not only for the transformation of Nigeria but for the promotion of the centenary, which will be at its peak on the first day of January 2014, which is the actual date of the amalgamation.

So things will be happening then and am sure that within the next two months we will start witnessing activities from the state and from the Federal government until the climax on January 1 2014.

We are preparing the practitioners to even explore the centenary because there are opportunities for tourism practitioners, from tour operators who will move people around to the hoteliers and others as well.

On the choice of Lokoja This beautiful city played historical role the development of Nigeria and there are abundant historical relics here in Lokoja.

Lokoja is the first settlement of the British in Nigeria, In

Dantata fact, the name Nigeria was coined here in Lokoja. After the amalgamation of Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914, the new Governor General, Lord Lugard ruled Nigeria from Lokoja.

This is where the history of Sir Lord Lugard is well embedded. Their best foot forward is the historical sites – the colonial and rich history of Nigeria, so they should try to rally all these relics and historical sites.

The first thing is to work on the historical assets and heritage. Some of them have been defaced and devalued.

They should concentrate on this and that is why there is an opportunity for them in the centenary because their tourism asset is embedded in Nigeria history.

We came to Lokoja because we feel that there is no better place to come and we also have a willing governor who has a vision for tourism who came and saw his state behind in tourism and he told me that tourism is a corner stone for driving the economic development of his state, which he repeated today.

Also they are claiming to be the centre for the centenary and you even wonder why Nigerians are not trouping

down for the centenary.

We identify two t h i n g s , promoting tourism and also the centenary because these two ingredients are here in Lokoja.

You can see that one of our objectives has been achieved especially with the singular act of the Governor Wada coming here today and not sending someone to represent him.

The attendance as well is very encouraging and impressive from the private sector, especially from within Lokoja and also the neighbouring states because the catchment areas are the state and the immediate neighbours On tourism education in Nigeria There is no standard in training within and across the various industries and sectors. European countries

are more concerned with the skills which we are neglecting here. So the government is very concerned now.

Recently, we got a letter from National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which is basically in charge of technical education in the country informing us about the mandate give to them by Mr. President to standardize technical training in tertiary education in the country.

And a committee was set up called National Education Standard Committee with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as chairman.

A meeting was called in Lagos and we were invited to be part of a month long programme to set up curriculum for training and they charged NIHOTOUR with that of tourism.

They had about six sectors.

Sponsored six senior staff for the programme and spending a couple of millions of naira to keep them for that long in Lagos. I came for both the opening and closing ceremonies.

Now they have produced a standard called National Occupation Standard (NOS) for the training and certificate being issued to people.

The emphasis now is not on white cola, but blue collar job with standard and regulation for anyone setting up a training education.

Intercontinental hotel redefines dining with Sunday meal S

ince Intercontinental Hotel opened its door for full operations in Lagos some months ago, the hotel is gradually redefining the face of hospitality business in the country.

Being the first of the group properties in West Africa, the Sunday brunch of the hotel has become a perfect family indulgence.

At the Ekaabo restaurant, each dish is prepared in a way that the best captures the genuine flavours of the authentic cuisine.

During one of the Sunday’s outings at the hotel, guests and customers were seen waiting earnestly before mid

day when the buffet was to open.

Mr. John Afolabi, who was with his family, said he enjoys bringing having family lunch there because of its ideal setting, the choice of continental and local food as well as drinks.

He added that while having their meal, the family enjoys the soft music dished out by the live band, just as his little baby have fun at the kid’s corner where she has her face painted while having fun in the bouncing castle.

The Ekaabo restaurant is one of the four restaurants and stylish bars on offer at the 352room Intercontinental Lagos.

Ekaabo, which in semantics

and offerings welcomes all to an all-day dining restaurant, serves up a blend of Nigerian and international cuisine, both buffet and a la carte. Its outdoor option is a beautifully terraced arena adorned by a majestic waterfall.

Another dining option is Milano, offering authentic Italian cuisine. For those after Far Eastern fare, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Soho, is the ideal option. At the hotel’s poolside bar, PS/SP, guests can choose from a variety of healthy light meals and drinks, while they enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, close next to the hotel’s Zen garden.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 —27

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28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

My only regret is I’ve not got to where I want to be–Ijeoma Imoh I

jeoma Imoh has been in Nollywood for almost a decade; and if she would not be quick to tell you she has made a name for herself, it is only because she is being modest because the records are there to see and they speak well in her favour. Few weeks ago, she added another year and instead of wallowing in celebratory bliss with just friends, the Abia State-born actress showed her ‘heart of gold’ by visiting Heart of Gold Hospice in Surulere, Lagos to celebrate with the underprivileged before painting the town red with her select friends. It was at Ojez Restaurant our reporter caught up with her. Enjoy the chat:

When did you start acting professionally? started acting in 2004.What actually made me go into acting?I was in school then and there was a strike, I was jobless.

I’m not really an office person, so I needed somewhere I could showcase my talents. I started out as a model actually, then later started acting. I love expressing myself and acting gives you that opportunity, the platform to do that. And I love glamour itself.

I

Can you say you’ve found fulfilment in acting?

More than fulfilments (Laughs). I love it, that’s why I’m still there. I probably might not be at the top yet, but the love I have for it is enough for me and that’s why I’m still there, still striving. It’s not magic, things don’t just happen. For some people, it happens easily, but whichever way, it is okay.

For me, I believe it’s one step at a time.

What are some of the movies you’ve featured in?

I have done a lot of soap operas, more than 20 movies including Igbo, Yoruba and English. I’ve also done cinema movies. Like I told you earlier, I started as a model and I’ve done some modelling jobs for billboards, TV screen, calendar and plus-size runway.

Can you name some of the movies?

Yeah, ‘Ill Conscience’, ‘Untapped Gold’, ‘Daytime Lovers’, ‘Heart of a Woman’,…..I’m so excited, I’ve lost count. Though some of my movies are not out yet.

How easy was it for you to come into the industry?

It’s easy and it’s not easy. I didn’t come in through someone – like someone handed me over to someone in the industry, No! I came in on my own through someone who told me he knows where actors usually meet, which was NCAC and Winnies Hotel then. So I got the address and found my way to Winnies, met one guy and asked him where the National Theatre was. He actually took me to the National Theatre and was introducing me to people. It was an opportunity to just meet some people then under the chairmanship of Remy Ohajianya. I realised you can just walk in freely, do your audition and if you are lucky to be chosen , fine and if you’re not , you keep doing auditions.

work, it’s like your habit, it’s like you. You just want to play and ‘flex’ with it. For me, I love what I do.

Has the journey been easy so far? he journey is not easy because I’m not yet a star (Laughs). It hasn’t been easy because you’re doing it with your fellow mortals. Every other person wants the same job, so it’s not as if you just go there and grab script, you have to compete with others.

You have to be at your best to make sure you come out first before

T

,

BY JULIET EBIRIM

I’ve never gotten a role for sex, God bears me witness. What happens is, these guys might ask you out, “Oh, you’re fine, I want you to be my girlfriend”. It’s a different thing from saying “You want that role, come and meet me in a hotel”. Don’t forget,

,

So it’s been fun all the way? hen you love your job, you don’t see it as work any longer, you play with it. Have you listened to Tuface songs, you see the way he sings, he knows he’s good, so he plays with his songs. When you love your job to the core, it’s no longer

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any other person. It’s not that easy, you have to really work hard to get it but with God, it has been easy.

Who are those you look up to in the industry?

I look up to everyone who is good at their jobs, at interpreting roles and characters given to them.

Omotola and Genevieve don’t act

Continues on page 29

INSID E: Independence Day special: Miss Nigeria turns traffic warden

Obey, M.I, Yemi Sax star as Glo Evergreen Series takes off

Is it Black out for Blackberry?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—29

I’ve never got a role for sex the same way; RMD and Ramsey Noah don’t act the same way. They have different interpretations to the same script. That’s what makes them different. Everyone has their own ‘ginger ’ and ‘swagger ’. That’s what makes you unique and it’s what brings you out. I look up to everybody that’s good in the industry, not a particular person.

When I work with them especially, it makes me a better actor.

Name some top actors you’ve worked with?

I’ve worked with K anayo .O. Kanayo, Aunty Ngozi Ezeonu, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye, Jim Iyke, Ramsey Noah, Emeke Ike, Lilian Bach.

In the Yoruba section, I’ve worked with Aunty Bukky Ogunnote, Iya Awero, DJ Teeway, Pa Kasumo and so on.

At least, I’ve tried.(Laughing)

God bears me witness. What happens is, these guys might ask you out, “Oh, you’re fine, I want you to be my girlfriend”. It’s a different thing from saying “You want that role, come and meet me in a hotel”. Don’t forget, it’s a matter of choice; it’s either you say yes or you say no. If you say yes, what’s the assurance that after sleeping with him, you’ll get the role, because there are other girls queueing up? What’s the assurance that you’ll be good in bed because • Ijeoma other girls will

BYAYO ONIKOYI

I

Do you h a v e regrets?

Yeah, my only regret is that I’ve not gotten to where I want to be. I am happy with being an entertainer and being in the entertainment industry.

Are you involved in any form of humanitarian project?

Yes, everyday is not for you to find yourself in the club and spend money. That is why I actually decided to celebrate with the kids at the Heart of Gold Hospice today. You find out that the place is not just for orphans and motherless children alone. There are children there with Down Syndrome who have been given up by their parents, who noone would ordinarily want to adopt.

Except you have a ‘heart of gold’ like the woman in charge there who has dedicated all her life to them. I’m just trying to share the little I have with them. I thank God and talk to myself as regards what I want to do with my life.

In getting movie roles, have you ever been in a situation where you had to give in to a producer ’s sexual advances?

I get this question a lot and I tell them, it happens and it doesn’t happen. Some girls also go to these men and offer themselves to get roles. I’ve never gotten a role for sex,

Obey, M.I, Yemi Sax star as Glo Evergreen Series takes off

b e doing the same thing? So what now happens if after sleeping with him, you still don’t get the role? It’s another thing entirely.

So how have you been coping?

I’ve been coping just fine.

Do you plan to go into movie production like some of your colleagues are doing?

Yeah, God willing.

How do you unwind?

I go to club to dance. I love swimming, dancing and cruising. I also love being with my family. That’s how I unwind.

Are you in any serious relationship at the moment?

Yes, I am.

Would you quit acting for marriage?

No, acting is my work. And if I’m going to be a producer, why would I quit? It’s still acting.

t was indeed fu sion of different generations of sound, philosophies and rhythms when last Saturday Glo brought together iconic Juju musician Commander Ebenezer Obey, in a thrilling concert with M.I Abaga and Yemi Sax at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

First to mount the stage was the Grand Commander, Chief Ebenezer Obey. He started the evening with a song that paid tribute to God titled Iba lo ye kase and gave the audience the rare privilege of requesting for any of his favourite songs which he promptly rendered to their delight. Without betraying the slightest sign of old age, Obey took total control of the stage right from the first string of the guitar cord. Moved by the classic rendition, significant members of the audience could not hold the urge to dance.

Dread-locked Yemi Sax, garbed in a white Kaftan was the next to thrill the audience with his dexterity on the saxophone.He reeled out tunes of the “old school” with the backing tracks by the D.J. to the delight of the audience.

MI was at his vintage best that night as he dished out hits of contemporary flavor.The concert audience, an admixture of different generations, brought together by their love for music, danced and sang along with Mr Incredible who mes-

merised all with his stagecraft.

But highpoint of the event was the collaboration by Chief Obey and the two younger artistes, M.I. and Yemi Sax whom Obey described as his children. ?They performed together to the immense admiration of the crowd.

Obey led the way with two of his evergreen tracks Ore mi e se pelepele and Olomi gbo temi with M.I.emblazoning his signature into the two songs. Yemi Sax ?also jazzed up the tunes with

,

Continues from page 28

Fashola commended Chief Fabiyi for his giant strides in the music industry. He said that he is a big fan of the juju maestro, and remarked that he uses Obey’s music and the philosophies espoused in his music to brush up his proficiency in Yoruba language.

Similarly, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo went down memory lane to recount how one of Obey ’s songs brought nostalgic feelings of home to him when he was on tour of duty in Zaria. The Osi-

I can’t imagine missing this show. This is one of the best concerts I have attended in ages. Kudos to Glo for bringing such a unique experience to us live

his saxophone. Their performances drew spontaneous burst of applause.

The show was aptly anchored by two foremost, resourceful comedians, Gbenga Adeyinka and Okey Bakassi. They laced the show with rib cracking jokes.

Ebenezer Obey later commended Chairman of Globacom for conferring the epithet of Great Commander on him.

While fielding questions from journalists at the event, he described Globacom “as the greatest supporter of Nigerian entertainment industry.

He noted that the Glo Evergreen Series will take African music to the greatest height.”

In the documentary screened at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji

,

le of Oke Ona, Oba Dr Adedapo Tejuosho thanked Chief Obey Fabiyi for popularising Teju Foams in the seventies and described him as a quintessential Cultural ambassador whose prolific repertoire of music has dignified a lot of Nigerians.

“I can’t imagine missing this show. This is one of the best concerts I have attended in ages.

Kudos to Glo for bringing such a unique experience to us live,” a member of the audience, Mr Kolawole Adedeji, a Lagos-based public relations consultant commented after the show.

The show was attended by over 100 managing directors including the MDs of First Bank, Guinness, Nigerian Breweries, and Arik.

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

e l a m e f d e g e l l a s ’ i j a n N n o e i v t e a i s v u e c n c a Ge s k n u b e d y l l a n i f r e v o l

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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ometimes ago, Nollywood diva, Genevieve Nnaji was reported to be allegedly involved in an affair with Benin Republic actress, Ella Martins.

Well, Ella has finally stepped out to debunk the story, saying Genevieve and herself are just good friends and not lesbians as people think.

Here’s how she put it: “Genevieve is a very good friend of mine, we met way back in 2004 and we have been good friends since then. The story that we are lovers must have come from another female friend of hers. I am saying this because since 2004, there have been no such lesbian stories but suddenly it sprung up.

Towards the end of last year, I came to Nigeria and I stayed with Genevieve.

Although we stayed under the same roof,

Music, drama as The Journey Begins at Muson

Haven Homes celebrates 2face

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

I

n order to show appreciation for his artistic ingenuity, Haven Homes, promoters and developers of lifestyle living recently took time out to celebrate one of Nigeria’s most talented music stars, 2Face Idibia in grand style.

The company, which also endorsed the “African Queen” crooner as its roving ambassador decided to celebrate 2Face, for making the top ten in the recently released Ten Bankable Artistes list in Africa by Forbes and Channel O. 2Face clinched the 6 th position, having been credited with the oration: “10 million disc and at least 7 milllion digital scale, multiple ambassadors, one campaign associated with Guinness,

Haven Homes, Airtel Worldwide and philanthropist2Face Foundation!

Apart from getting involved in “Awards Projects” which he explained was aimed at giving back to the society, ensuring peace and addressing the ills of violence, unfairness and injustices among others, the Haven Homes brand recently deployed 2Face’s musical artistry and ingenuity to adapt a theme song that depicts the affordable luxury brand of homes that the company develops. The song is currently on Haven Homes’ website.

2Face had earlier purchased some units of houses from the Haven Homes exquisite stable.

Seven Nigerian artistes were featured on the distinguished list of musical achievers. The Managing Director of Haven Homes Global Resources, the company whose exquisite

By Kehinde Ajose

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* 2Face Idibia, and Haven Homes MD/CEO Tayo Sonuga brand 2Face endorses as its ambassador, Mr. Tayo Sonuga was proud of the various successes recorded by 2Face.

Ruggedman drops single to mark birthday

By Ayo Onikoyi

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n a recent interview with Weekend Groove, multiple award-winning rapper, Michael Stephens known as Ruggedman promised to celebrate his birthday with a single as he has been doing for years and last Friday he made good that promise as he dropped “ I Can’t Come N Go N Kill Myself ”.

The party venue was Lounge 38 in Surulere and constellation of stars came together to celebrate with the top act. Notable among them are Beverly Osu of the just concluded Big Brother Africa, The Chase,Rugged Records act “Mbryo”, Jaywon, C-Mion, Djinee, DJ Humility of Rhythm 93.7FM, Chinaydu, Abini, Fedi, Ebubedike,YC,Ugly,Ugo Repping SwagNewsAfrica, Michellina aka Gossipgirl and many others.

we slept in different rooms.

There was a time during my visit that we both went to see a friend in a hotel in Lekki and people saw us going in. We later went clubbing that night with the friend and which I think is a normal thing for girls to club if they want to. But that was when the rumours got worse, that we went into the hotel to sleep with each other!!!”

According to her, that wasn’t the first time the press would call her a lesbian but, she’s learnt not to respond and bother about such nasty stories about her.

“Genevieve and I have known each other since 2004 and she really is a nice person if you get to know her. We talk on phone a lot and we discuss life’s issues like normal girls do, she is a wonderful person.

I guess it’s because she is a famous person that some undesirable elements want to tarnish her image and mine too. The Press make things worse too.

There was a time I performed with Tony Tetuila and there were rumours after then that we were dating. But I just want to emphasize here that Genevieve and I are not in any form of sexual relationship, we are just good friends”

*Ruggedman, Beverly Osu and others

he Shell Hall Muson Centre will come alive on the 28th of September 2013 as the Republic of Xtreme in conjunction with SwiftThink Limited brings to Nigerians a blend of Music, Drama and Dance. This exhilarating broadway and concert tagged “The Journey Begins” promises to be one to always remember.

Speaking on the idea, the CEO of SwiftThink Limited, Ayoola Jolayemi said “If you are looking for education, entertainment and inspiration all in one package, then you do not want to miss “The Journey Begins”.

The star studded casts of Tim Godfrey and the Xtreme, Banky W, Joseph Benjamin, Lepacious Bose, Yaw, Julius Agwu, Akpororo are gearing up for this event that promises to be one to remember.

Akpororo who is currently on tour in the United States, when interviewed by our correspondent, said “My friends and I are very excited about “The Journey Begins”.

When Tim Godfrey muted the idea to us, we were very impressed at the sheer creativity in the concept of fusing music, drama and dance to address social ills in our country”.

With a smile on his face Banky W said “I’ll be joining my compatriots in delivering a world-class performance on the 28th of September 2013, this is an event you will not want to miss”. This event has been gaining support from across Corporate and religious organisations like Century Energy, Solution Media and Infotech Limited, HoneyGold Resources, X2D, GoldCrest Family Centre, This Present House among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—31

Independence Day special: Miss

Nigeria turns traffic warden

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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HO would have expected an alluring damsel, especially a beauty queen to take on a toga of a ‘traffic warden’ on a special day as the Independence Day. But that was exactly what the reigning Miss Nigeria 2013, Ezinne Akudo chose to do to celebrate the 53rd Independence anniversary of the country.

Draped in a jeans trouser and a white T-shirt, underneath the orange and lemon ‘Traffic Wardens’ apron, she took her stand at the T-junction of Adeola Odeku,Victoria Island,directing traffic.

According to her,choosing to control the traffic was a way of giving back to the society, in view of the fact that traffic remains one of the major

problems Nigerians still face at 53.

Explaining that the gesture was not a one-off thing she said she would continue on 10th of October with a car wash phase, where she would be on ground to wash cars for those who wish to patronise her and use the proceed thereof to support her pet project known as ‘Serve Nigeria’.

According to her, project ‘Serve Nigeria’ is her own way of combating sexual harassment in the society and the mission only became a passion for her after a friend of hers fell victim to rapists last year.

On ground to make sure she had a hitch free day as a traffic warden were the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Bar Beach Police Station, Mr. Fayoade Adegoke and two policewomen, Inspector Morayo and Corporal Abiola Khadijah.

Susan Peter joins ‘Born Again’ league?

BY IYABO AINA

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NE of Nollywood popular actresses , Susan Peters, was recently reported to have turned to God . But we also learnt that a lot of her friends are of the opinion that

she can never be a true ‘Born Again’ Christian.

The actress recently gave her life to Christ and now a dedicated follower as she has not stopped telling people about Christ and prophesying.

The actress, ever since have been telling people about Christ, and still been seriously criticized that she can’t be real.

One of the things they remind her of is her controversial lesbianism allegation, her talentless acting skills and the attitude she displayed in Aso Rock Presidential Villa . But she has not let any of that got in her way as she sees that as her past.

The actress will join the likes of Nollywood actresses and actors that have claimed being ‘born again’ Christians: Eucharia Anunobi, Liz Benson, Ernest Asuzu, Kanayo.O.Kanayo, Pat Attah, Zack Orji, Rita Nzelu and more who are now preaching the gospel of the truth.

Jim Ikye’s Synagogue’s deliverance saga:

Where lies Nadia Buhari’s fate?

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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Reminisce declares: I am not a cultist

BY KEHINDEAJOSE

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igeria’s vivacious Indigenous rapper, Remileku Khalid Safaru a.k.a Reminisce has been dropping singles after singles in order to stay ahead and become a reference point in the hip-hop game. His

verse on Naeto C’s “Owu no dey touch Remix”and his recent freestyle “3rd world thug”has generated a debate on some Nigerian public forums with some alleging he is affiliated with a certain cult and fraternity.

Addressing the issue in a recent interview , the husky voiced rapper

said, “It was just freestyle. I was addressing some issues with my verses.” With smash hit singles like Kako bi chicken and Too much, Reminisce is making it clear that he is not treating his music career with kids gloves.

OW that her Nollywood boyfriend, Jim Iyke has been allegedly delivered of the evil spirit preventing him from loving and getting married all these years, tongues have started wagging as to what happens to the Ghanian actress, Nadia Buhari.

Iyke and Nadia have been an item for some months now and have not stop professing love for each other on social media. And day by day, your eyes are always fed with lovey-dovey pictures from the couple’s stable and fans are beginning to worry whether or not both will end up with each other or it’ll be another run-of-the-mill, just like in the case of Jamaican Keturah Hamilton.

So, since the promiscuous evil spirit has left Iyke, obviously Nadia should be happy and expect him to propose soonest.

But the fear is, will Nadia be able to stand the public ‘shame’ her lover has caused her by falling into the hands of T.B Joshua of all prophets and still love him? Or will she run away pretty soon?

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Lagos Architecture Students ‘build’ with Recycled Bottles I

t was a good week for the student Architects, Builders, Urban and Regional Planners of various Lagos state universities as they took part in the Capacity Development Integration (CDI) workshop of African Artists’ Foundation, last week of August.

This pilot edition of Capacity Development Integration entailed the design and construction of pavilions and installations for LagosPhoto under the design mentoring scheme ‘Capacity Development Integration (CDI).

Capacity Development Integration (CDI) is an innovative new p r o g r a m organized by African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) and encouraged by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Innovative C o u n c i l (Innovate Lagos) that

combines the collaboration between creative mentors and students, and culminating in dialogue and constructive experimentation geared towards generating socially inclusive results.

CDI will play a pedagogical role for students to utilize the knowledge and skills obtained from institutions of learning through a practicable work initiative. The key objective of CDI is early engagement of educational

Saudi’s Domestic

Violence Law I

n a move that can be considered both a surprise and an example, Saudi Arabia’s cabinet has passed a ban on domestic violence and other forms of abuse against women for the first time in the Kingdom’s history.

The cabinet approved the ban on physical or sexual violence earlier this week, which applies both at home or within the work place.

The legislation makes domestic violence a punishable crime for the first time. It also provides treatment and shelter for victims of abuse and holds law enforcement agencies accountable for investigating and prosecuting allegations of abuse.

The ban includes penalties of a maximum12 month jail sentence and fines of up to $13,000.

According to the law, “all civilian or military employees and all workers in the private sector who learn of a case of abuse — by virtue of their work — shall report the case to their employers when they know it,” Alnbawaba reported the cabinet as saying in a statement. “The employers

C M Y K

shall report the case to the Ministry of Social Affairs or police when they know it.”

A campaign calling for an end to violence against women was run for the first time earlier in the year, using an image of a woman wearing a hijab with her eyes visible through slits in the veil.

Domestic violence has previously been considered legally a private matter in the Arab state, until the poster was released to encourage more open discussions of the issue.

In the domestic violence advert, one of the woman’s eyes appears blackened and bruised, with the slogan “Some things can’t be covered up” written in Arabic underneath.

The campaign aims to “provide legal protection for women and children from abuse in Saudi Arabia” and is endorsed by the King Kahalid Charitable Foundation, who describe “the phenomenon of battered women in Saudi Arabia” as “much greater than expected”.

training and rewarding hard work and willingness to develop further.

This year ’s CDI programme will feature the design concepts of A r c h i t e c t s Tosin Oshinowo Akinkugbe (cmDesign Atelier) and Ifeanyi Oganwu (Expand Design Limited). Deputy Chief of Staff (Lagos State), Ms Moji Rhodes, member Lagos Innovative (Innovate Lagos) Council also made an appearance to show support to the students.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 —

Making a mountain from a little heap of sand

By PRINCESS ADENRELE ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA

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or a few weeks now, I have diligently followed the saga that has trailed the issue erroneously tagged “deportation” of destitutes to Anambra State. I have also read numerous comments and views of Nigerians from various walks of life – Femi FaniKayode; Femi Falana (SAN); my brother, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Eric Osagie, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary, Ohaneze Youth Organization; Ogwusike Nwachukwu. Also, the reaction of His Excellency, Governor Peter Obi, a gentleman I hold in high esteem, notwithstanding that we do not belong to the same political party.

The issue at stake is quite close to my heart for obvious reasons – while Lagos State is my state of origin; the other, Anambra – in the South-Eastern part of the country – for me is home. It’s one part of the country I feel closely affiliated to. Sincerely, I have no apologies for this. I am also an incurable supporter of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (he is my Oga) and I am totally passionate about Lagos I have been amused by most of what I read and let me also add that I sincerely respect all the views that have been expressed because each and every one of the commentators and writers have a strong ground on which their respective argument are premised.

Genuine comments In as much as I see myself as a huge supporter of genuine comments expressed on the grounds that individuals are entitled to their own opinions, but I dare ask here and now – have we not honestly created a mountain from a little heap of sand?

In going into the fray it’s important for me to make it clear from the onset that it is erroneous for some people to claim Lagos is a “no man’s land” or for that matter that “the Igbos developed Lagos” – such statements could be likened to making the truth stand on its head. I have heard several opinions on this issue over the years but never wanted to join issues. At this point in time, I must express my strong views on this. Whether people want to accept it or not, there are indigenous people in Lagos State and bonafide Lagosians for that matter. The Centre of Excellence has served the Nigerian nation well and the fact that the state has been so accommodating is no license to be labelled a “no man’s land” I am an indigene of Lagos State and I am proud to be one, so was my father, the Late Otunba (Dr.) Adeniran Ogunsanya (SAN) and generations before him. Non indigenes come in here make a success of their business enterprise as well as their political aspirations and at times go back to their state of origin to contest elections also. Many make it a ritual to return home to spend the Eid-El kabir C M Y K

*PRINCESS ADENRELE ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA holidays; Christmas and New Year festivities. It is also non-indigenes who return home to be counted during census;

Any disaffection between the South-East and South-West or any other ethnic group for that matter will be an uncomfortable and painful development for our nation it is also non-indigenes who return home to register for electioneering purposes.

But as indigenes we remain here because, for us, this is our beloved home; we have no other place to run to and in all sincerity, we are proud of our Lagos.

One only needs to take a cursory look at successful indigenous Lagosians who have played prominent national roles to appreciate the fact that Lagos indeed belongs to some people; the late Herbert Macaulay; Ibiyinka Olorunnibe; Ibikunle Akintoye; Fagbenro Beyioku; TOS Benson; Mobolaji Johnson; I. S. Adewale; S.O. Gbadamosi; Oba Adeniji Adele; Oba Adeyinka Oyekan; Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Sir Mobolaji BankAnthony; the Gbajabiamilas; the Keshinros; the Shitta Beys; the Fasholas; the Animashauns; the Fasinros; the Obanikoros; the Alli Baloguns; the Anibabas; the Ojoras; the Kosokos; the Dosunmus; the Oluwas; the Olotos; the Ajose-Adeoguns; the Taiwo Olowos; the Sasores; the Disus; the Kekere-Ekuns; the Durosinmi-Ettis; the Olusis; the Okis; to mention just a few.

Before this trend of argument is read wrongly, let me quickly point out that I share in the strong belief that once you live in a place and pay your taxes regularly, have properties and investments you have a stake in what goes on and are entitled to all the privileges in that environment.

There is something an uncle of mine told me before he died some years back and I have played it over and over in my mind since this saga started. He had said to me that if you visit someone’s home and your host tells you that you are free to explore the environment and feel free to do as you wish in his home, common sense and good behavior will make it clear to you that this is not your home but the home of your host and you would know that his bedroom, possibly his study and his wife’s kitchen is out of limits. And I dare say you won’t go into his garage and start using his cars as you wish without his permission. It’s just common etiquette. Simply put, what my uncle was trying to say is that any decent person would know his or her limitations.

Those who wrongly call Lagos a ‘no man’s Land’ must have probably based their argument on the input of the Federal Government to the development of Lagos, but even at that the federal largesse was restricted to the Federal Capital Territory which does not cover the entirety of Lagos State. The same largesse was extended, simultaneously to other cities across the country - Kano; Jos; Kaduna; Port-Harcourt; Calabar (also once the capital of Nigeria); Enugu; Onitsha;– how come these locations are not labeled ‘no man’s land’? Even the present Federal Capital Territory, Abuja which is predominantly Gwariland, special attention is given to the indigenous people when it comes to nomination for elections, etc.

Long history Having said that, it is also imperative to stress that the Igbos and Lagosians have a long history. A good number of commentators who have had cause to join the fray have also gone down memory lane to dig up historical facts - Femi FaniKayode; the respected lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana; Akin Ajose-Adeogun; Mr Azubuike Ishiekwene; Orji Uzor Kalu; Tony Oganah (Ohaneze’s spokesman) have gone back into history to put the records straight. But for me, we need not not go that far. If you grew up in Lagos, you would remember Madame Mercy Eneli; Ibezim Obiajulu and Moronu– all the three personages were councilors who won election into the Lagos Town Council and served Lagos. It’s on the strength of their meritorious service to the city of Lagos that streets were named after them in Surulere (new Lagos).

Several non-indigenes have contested elections and Lagos voted for them. It is also refreshing to note that Yorubas, Hausas and Igbos trade side-by-side in various markets and streets in Lagos. A

33

few weeks ago, I visited a customer of mine in central Lagos. What amazed me was that when my customer discovered that he did not have what I wanted he called out to one Bayo: “my customer wants to buy some discs I have run out of stock” I bought from Bayo and my customer Chike was happy. This, to me, is a clear case that there is no tribal discrimination because there were other Igbos in the vicinity who had what I wanted. Chike didn’t call any of his kinsmen who were near him but reached out to a Yoruba trader, called Bayo.

When the civil war broke out my friends and I did not understand why some of our friends had to leave. And when they did return, we were excited to see our friends back again; though I lost a very dear friend and still miss her till today.

African Continental Bank (ACB) came into being as a result of the joint effort of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and some prominent Lagosians amongst whom was Papa Abibu Oki. This enabled indigenous businessmen an avenue to access loans to enhance their businesses. Lagos has never discriminated against the Igbos – we enjoy the same facilities; not even during the civil war did we go out to hunt down the Igbos.

Settlement of issue Over the years, we have intermarried and have lived side-byside in harmony. This is certainly not the time to erect barriers where none is needed. I will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Igbos whenever I can – my heart will always be with Igboland; I have no choice because they vindicated my dad’s stance and bade him farewell in a befitting way. Besides, I have too many people from the South-East who are family to me.

While lessons have been learnt from this saga, it is my candid wish that this issue is summarily settled. I feel and pray that as we all go into the year 2014 and cruise along into elections that we are careful; that we do not spread tribal disaffections in the course of electioneering campaigns, the quest for political offices and people should definitely not take advantage of this issue because of personal beef. We must lay gutter tactics to rest and discuss issues. I repeat, the populace is becoming more and more politically aware and watchful. Therefore, there is a need to tell the people what we have to offer and desist from this verbal war politicians have embarked upon. For me, any disaffection between the South-East and SouthWest or any other ethnic group for that matter will be an uncomfortable and painful development for our nation. Nigeria has more serious and pressing problems at hand to deal with. Please, don’t let us blow this out of proportion.

Princess Adenrele Adeniran Ogunsanya was Secretary to the Government of Lagos State

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

SCAM-ALERT: That scholarship could cost you more!

Is it Black out for

Blackberry?

C

OULD it be all over for Blackberry? A mobile device that is still one of the best companions of upward mobile people in many parts of the world. How could its fortunes begin to experience a near blackout at twilight?

Last Monday, it announced, that it has reached a preliminary deal with one of its biggest shareholders, Fairfax Financial Holdings to take the company private for about $4.7 billion.

This deal also followed BlackBerry’s an embarrassing announcement, Weekend, that it had nearly $1 billion in unsold phones and would slash 40% of its workforce.

Immediately after that announcement, its stock plunged from 17% to below $9, that day. Yet there were still rumours of bankrupsy hovering around the once robust outfit.

Blackberry has had slow pace of growth in recent times

despite launch of Z10 and Q10 brands which were expected to have raised its market shares.

The Canadian insurance firm which it is now entering the deal with is a 10 percent shareholder in Blackberry and has already signed a letter of intent with the BlackBerry board under which it could pay $9 a share in cash for the 90% of BlackBerry shares it doesn’t already own.

However, the deal has not been totally completed because it is subject to six weeks of due diligence and Fairfax would still have to arrange financing. During this period, BlackBerry still has the right to change its mind.

The agreement also doesn’t compel Fairfax to ultimately come forward with a firm offer and technology experts said

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

T

•BB Bold this underscores the weak negotiating position BlackBerry stands at the moment. BlackBerry, on the other hand, would have to pay a breakup fee of more than $150 million if it turns to another buyer by Nov. 4.

Four Nigerian apps for Demo Africa A

MONG the over forty of Africa’s most innovative technology products that will be launched at Demo Africa, in Nairobi Kenya, October, would include at least four from Nigeria that are finalists They include ChopUP an app developed by a Nigeria youth, Bayo Puddicombe . The app is a social platform that connects mobile device gamers across Africa and allows them to interact based on in-game achievements and transferrable points.

OTGPlaya; Also developed by another Nigerian Modupe Ajibola. This app is also an affordable platform solution that brings “accessibility ” to critically underserved sectors.

RAMP, is another innovative web app developed to simplify the management process of Resident Associations in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. The app was created by Nigeia’s Tunde Aguda.

Save & Buy by Hugo Obi is another web and mobile platform that enables anyone save towards any item they desire in an easy to use, fun and safe environment. Obi is also a Nigeria local app

developer.

The other two slots that complete West Africa’s six slots at the finals of the event were taken by Ghana and Senegal.

They were BoxBuzz, an SMS alert system which sends text

message to owners of Post Office Box addresses whenever they receive a letter in their boxes, created by Ghana’s Maximus Ametorgoh, and Teranga Hospitality Suite, a suite of Web and Mobile Applications for hospitality professionals in Africa, created by Moustapha Ndoye of Senegal.

Organisers of the event which is now in its second year, say the event will provide the most innovative new and established companies from across Africa the opportunity to launch their products on stage at this high profile event.

he very essence of a scholarship is the opportunity to pay less or nothing at all for quality education. Truth be told, this is the dream of nearly every Nigerian youth. So getting an email that offers you the scholarship of a lifetime is definitely an answer to prayer.

Well, not really all of the offers.

Scammers have taken advantage of this yearning for cheap higher education and have a variety of tricks to get you in their trap.

Some unscrupulous companies guarantee that they can get scholarships on behalf of students or award them “scholarships” in exchange for an advance fee. Most, offer a “money back guarantee” – but attach conditions that make it impossible to get the refund.

Others provide nothing for the student’s advance fee – not even a list of potential sources; still others tell students they ’ve been selected as “finalists” for awards that require an upfront fee. Sometimes, these companies ask for a student’s checking account to “confirm eligibility,” then debit the account without the student’s consent. Other companies quote only a relatively small “monthly” or “weekly” fee and then ask for authorization to debit your checking account – for an undetermined length of time.

Here a sample from a so called ‘World Scholarship Alunmi Foundation’: Welcome to the WSAF

Scholarship 2010. You are just a few short steps away from realising your ambitions at a university of your choice. Please note that the scholarship application is only available online. We will not accept any hard copies or physical applications. Candidates must attach softcopies of the documents to be submitted to the Scholarship Committee.

WSAF is currently accepting softcopies only. No hardcopies

will be accepted.

Downloadable application forms in pdf format are used for most of our programme. Shortlisted candidates will be notified six (6) weeks after the application deadline. The candidates will be contacted directly and instructed on the next course of action to consummate the award process.

According to an online poll, 7 percent of people who received this email had already paid the sum of 204.25 US dollars for the purpose of this scholarship, and 30 percent planned on paying.

How then can you know when you’re being scammed? Experts advise is to watch out for these tell-tale signs: The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”

“You can’t get this information anywhere else.” “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”

“We’ll do all the work. You just pay a processing fee.”

“The scholarship will cost some money.”

“You’ve been selected” by a “national foundation” to receive a scholarship – or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

Dovado innovation breaks limitations of mobile routers

I

n recent months there has been an explosion in the number of 4G mobile WiFi hotspots devices quite often referred to as Mi-Fi on the market, and while their convenience and utility is not in question, they do come with certain inherent limitations. The WiFi range is often limited, covering perhaps just one room as opposed to an entire average-sized house or place of business. Likewise, the maximum number of devices which can connect to the router are often limited to between 5-10 connections and lack Ethernet ports for wired devices. This, combined with a limited range, can lead

to a huddling of users. The greatest drawback, however, is that maximum throughput is strangled by design in order to maximize on portability and battery life: often restricted to no more than 25-30Mbps.

But supplier of mobile broadband routers and software to 4G/LTE and 3G operators, Dovado has come up with a product which it said would allow owners of Mi-Fi to connect 4G mobile hotspots from leading vendors such as Huawei, ZTE and Sierra Wireless for faster connection with more people, over a greater distance.

•Dovado Pro

Vanguard Vanguard,,

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 —

35

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; You will be in better position to consolidate on progress made recently. And it is wrong to take people for granted today……

LIBRA; Many people may be disappointed because of broken promises, therefore you will need to prepare your mind accordingly and refuse to take others for granted SCORPIO; . You can make it a good day as both career advancement and financial success are closer to you.

Secret lovers are in for an exciting day.

SAGITTARIUS; Although there will be challenges here is a day when things will eventually go according to your plans. Don’t take friends for granted.

CAPRICORN; From now until next few days you will need to be as practical as possible along your career line; this is the wrong time to experiment with new ideas.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I AM sure your swift answer to the above question will be God forbid, how can I be a photocopier.

But let us first examine what photocopier is: A photo-

Are you a photocopier? copier simply put is a machine used in producing duplicate copies of documents.

Can you now answer the question?

Do you copy other

people’s behaviour easily without any modification? For example you see some men put on ear rings, can that be rationalised?

Some people ex-

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

pose their under wears, is this justified?

Don’t just do things because other people are doing it, do it because it is the right and proper thing to do.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; You may not be in total control of your mind till around 5.36pm. That is to say you will need practical approach in all you do today. Be more cooperative.

PISCES; Continue to be more careful about proposals having to do with joint ventures. Yet that is not to say you can not take good advice. Prepare to work harder.

ARIES; You stand good chance to extend recent favourable events both at work and on matters-of-the-heart.

Watch what you sign before 5.36pm.

TAURUS; Young-at-heart will be willing to give priority attention to sentimental related issues probably because of your recent success.

GEMINI; Refuse to become mentally arrogant or else you would be working against your own interest. Your love life will continue to enjoy favourable aspects.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Financial success is within your reach, especially if you back your old plans early in the day. The more family minded you are the better for you.

LEO; It is important you don’t allow others to mislead you in the name of giving you good advice before 5.36pm. Those travelling or moving around in search of love may be in for both an exciting and pleasurable day.

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

What’s my immediate future?

Dear Joshua, I am into business; sometimes I am alone but the other time I just have to do with some partners. Kindly tell me what my immediate future does have for me, especially between now late November 2013.

Anonymous-Jos. Dear Anonymous, For your own goodness I appeal to you to take what you will find here-under very seriously so that you will avert very serious business trouble coming through partnership very soon. I wish you the best.

Here is a period that will reverse most of the difficult situation you have experienced in your immediate past period. You are therefore advised to take good opportunities the period will bring. However it is imperative you have it at the back of your mind that next few weeks will bring another round of similar challenges thus you will need to take business you will be able to conclude on or before March 14th when the whole thing favours you, especially as it concern partnership related issues.

The said favourable period will bring you co operation, money, love and emotional satisfaction. Savour your good time.

Planetary placement and aspects are calling for carefulness on how you manage your relationships with others as some of them may be forced to betray and or disappoint you over MONEY and other important business transactions, consciously or unconsciously. Either a junior female worker or a lowly rated member of your opposite sex may be willing to tempt you during this period, who you just have to resist whichever way the person comes with antics.

Your health looks fragile. And you are accident prone.

Although the whole of the period calls for carefulness last four weeks can be a little bit sensitive. Please take note that nothing fatalistic is predicted here, you only need to take care so that you will avoid the pitfalls of the period.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

36—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Residents desert Kokori as soldiers search for Kelvin's armoury, associates

Uduaghan fires SSA on Community Relations

BY EMMA AMAIZE & FESTUS AHON

BY EMMA AMAIZE

N

A

O fewer than six schools and the only health centre in Kokori have been abandoned by teachers, students and medical personnel, following the siege laid to the community by soldiers.

Kokori is the home of arrested alleged kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Oniarah, in Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Delta State.

Vanguard learnt that teachers,

SABA—GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has sacked his Senior Special Assistant on Community Relations, Mr. Clement Osieta.

A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Macaulay, said: “In view of the recent activities of Mr. Osieta, which have greatly embarrassed government, the governor has relieved him of his appointment as the Senior Special Assistant, Community Relations, with immediate effect.”

The state did not disclose particulars of the activities, but it requested Osieta to “handover all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government within 24 hours.”

health workers, parents and their children fled for fear of falling into the hands of soldiers combing the community for the armoury and associates of Kelvin.

A source told Vanguard, yesterday, that Kokori Girls School, Kokori; Ozegbe Primary School; Anigboro School; Erijere Model School; Samono Primary and Secondary Schools; Samono Primary and Secondary Schools; Suprina Academy and All Saints Mod-

ern College/Primary School had all temporarily shut down.

“Kokori Health Centre, the only health institution in our community, has also ceased to function for now, while the Okarhoro-in-council cannot seat also,” the source added.

President-General of the community, Mr. G. S. Avbunudiogba, who confirmed the development, said: “It is not that government officially ordered the schools to be shut down.

“In a situation where soldiers

2015: A'Ibom forum backs Akpabio for Senate

I

KOT Ekpene Senatorial District Peoples Forum, Lagos, has endorsed Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State for Senate in 2015, for what it described as the governor ’s satisfactory leadership style and infrastructural development in the state.

The Forum, comprising the 10 local government areas of the senatorial district, also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan on the setting up of a committee on national dialogue, say-

War veterans tasked FG on security

BY FESTUS AHON

A

SABA—NIGERIA Civil War Veterans have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to redouble his effort to integrate all pressure groups in the country as a way of tackling the current security challenges facing the people.

According to the National Chairman of Nigeria Civil War Veterans, Col. Ubi Ikoi (rtd), who spoke in Asaba, Delta State, there was the urgent need to effectively eradicate

the negative activities of all insurgent groups in the country, to firmly establish progressive democratic values.

He said: “Our current sociopolitical challenges are as a result of the conflicting interest of various pressure groups in the country that have been neglected since independence in 1960.”

He added that the time has come for the government to take decisive measures to reexamine all the interests being pushed by these groups.

ing it would define the way for a peaceful, unified and developed Nigeria.

President of the Forum, Mr. Brian Efa, told newsmen in Lagos “we, from Ikot Epkene Senatorial District residing in Lagos, at our extra-ordinary general meeting attended by over 2,000 members, unanimously en-

dorsed Governor Godswill Akpabio for the senate seat come 2015.”

Efa said that with Akwa Ibom State at 26 and the country at 53, there was much to celebrate.

He also lauded Akpabio’s assurance that the next governor of the state would come from Eket Senatorial District.

‘Benin-Abraka Road a death trap’

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—ELDERS, youths and children from Orhionmwon South constituency of Edo State, the oil producing area of the state, have protested against the abandonment of the Benin-Abraka Road by the Federal Government.

They said that a lot of Nigerians have lost their lives on the road, especially at the Ukhiri-Okpe Axis, since work on the project stopped.

It will be recalled that the construction of the road was awarded in 2009 at N32 billion by the Federal Ministry

of Works to Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, to link Benin to Abraka in Delta State and other oil producing communities in Niger Delta region.

The member representing Orhionmwon South Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Ogieriakhi, addressed the protesters.

He said: “We, the people of Orhionmwon are calling on Mr. President to give a marching order for the immediate mobilisation of the contractor to site.

“This road is critical to the economic rejuvenation of Orhionmwon, given the

abundance of resources that can be tapped if this road is in good condition.

“This road was awarded by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The contractor did not do up to half of the total length.

“The state of the road had worsened, many lives have been lost. Gully erosion has eaten several portions of the road and it is not acceptable to the people.

“It is not acceptable for a locality that is the sole reason why Edo State is categorised as an oil bearing state. We have oil and gas, and we have other material resources, but no good road.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

besieged the community and are shooting, teachers, health workers and parents, have fled with their children.

“We are appealing to the state and Federal governments to come to our aid, so that schools will resume and the health institution opened.”

He said the few villagers, who remained in the community, do not allow their kids to go out for fear of the unknown.

He alleged that soldiers were breaking into people’s houses even when Kelvin had been arrested and still asking of Kelvin and this was disturbing to the people, as they were being intimidated for what they knew nothing about.

A military officer, told Vanguard: “Soldiers are on internal operation in Kokori and they are mindful of the instruction that they were given to be civil with the residents.

“Their mandate is to fish out criminals in the area and they have not exceeded that.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On 2015 elections

LL the “Greedy-7” governors are in their second term.

What did they forget in the first tenure that they needed another for? Whatever made them go for second term applies to President Jonathan. Only Nigerians will decide the President’s fate.— Mr. Chibuzo Eke, Businessman.

A

ONATHAN’S presi dency may have a dismal production quotient, yet arguments against his right of re-run, should he so desire, are faulty and feint. They are weakened by their unreasonable propositions and pseudo-arithmetical calculations.— Mr. Darlington Ehondor, Journalist.

J

HOSE opposed to Jonathan’s second term are selfish people. If Nigerians deem it fit to vote him to a second term, who are they to tell us not to? What are their interests for Nigeria if not greed and lust for power at all cost? Run Jonathan, run.— Mr. Paul Tuama, Businessman.

T

T is no secret that some past leaders spent at least eight years ruling Nigeria, yet wanted more. One particular president, who was once a military ruler, wanted another four years after his eight-tenure presidency. — Mr. Onyebuchi Hookz, Worker.

I

HE President has performed creditably given the extent to which some people want to make Nigeria “ungovernable” for him.

He has achieved great strides in agricultural reforms, which is crucial for food security and employment. — Mr. Austin Ekanem, Businessman.

T

IGERIA’S constitution stands. People should read it.

If the President says he is not going to run for a second term gazillion times, he has the right to change his mind as long as the constitution allows him to do so. He has not broken any law.— Mr. Larry Irabor, Self-employed.

N

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—37

Ughelli community drums support for Aguariavwodo

Uduaghan inaugurates 130 boats for riverine transportation

BY FESTUS AHON

BY EMMA AMAIZE

A

U

GHELLI—THE people of Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State under the aegis of Concerned Evwreni Indigenes for Development, yesterday, urged the urhobos to vote enmasse for candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo in the forthcoming senatorial byelection in the district.

President of the group, Chief Michael Avwotuvwo, alleged that some indigenes of Evwreni community, who were jostling for the senatorial position would not be able to deliver the expected dividends of democracy to the Urhobo nation, adding “we are in touch with the people at the grass roots.”

Avwotuvwo said: “I am saying this because before now, they had not affected the life of anyone positively with their wealth in Evwreni community. So, if someone with enormous wealth cannot cater for even few persons from his own community, is it the entire Delta central senatorial district that he will govern well?"

Seplat commissions projects in Edo, Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—MOVED by the need to improve on the socio-economic lives of its host communities, Seplat Oil Company, has commissioned a community town hall project in Mosogar, market stalls in Urhuakpa Market, Sapele in Delta State, a civic centre in Basuogbe-Nugo and market stalls in Ikobi, Edo State.

The company also renovated the Power Holding Company, PHCN, office in Mosogar.

Commissioning the Mosogar Community Hall and the Urhuakpa Market projects, Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Mr Mofe Pirah, commended the company for renovating the market to save the traders from the dangers of occupying a gas pipeline RoW. He urged the company to give the Urhuakpa Market Road a facelift to ease traffic when the renovated market becomes fully functional.

C M Y K

COMMISSIONING—From left: Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Commissioner for Transport, Ben Ibakpa; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama, during commissioning of 130 Executive Passenger Boats in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

FIDA urges rape victims to reject out of court settlement

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Bayelsa State chapter, has called on parents of rape victims not to accept out of court settlement in the course of seeking for justice.

Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs. Pere Egbuson, in Yenagoa, decried the incessant rape cases in the society and called for stiffer penalty for offenders.

The out of court settlement, she noted, would encourage the would be offenders to continue such crime against children and women in the society.

She called on parents to always report such matters to the police and get doctors report, as well as involve FIDA or any other lawyer, adding that the body would protect the victim and prosecute offender and pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

Mrs Egbuson noted with sadness that rape cases have been on the increase in recent times, while victims are most times reluctant to prosecute the matter in court because of the perceived negative publicity and fear of stigmatisation.

She urged rape victims to speak up when faced with such

challenges, without fear or favour as FIDA provides free legal services for victims, who could not afford the services of a lawyer.

She called on parents to be vigilant and watchful over their children especially the girl-child and also to be close to their children to ensure that they could open up to them on such rape matters.

Mrs. Egbuson further called on parents to be careful with people they keep their children with assuring that FIDA would educate and sensitise the populace on the dangers of rape against children and women.

Medical doctor, 4 others drag IG to court

BY EBERE NWAFOR

T

HE Medical Director of Ajike Medical Centre in Saka Village, Lagos State, Dr Babawale Joshua and four of his staff, have dragged the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, ‘D’ Department, Force CID Annex, Lagos before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, over their alleged continued detention, over a matter for which they have already been arraigned before a magistrate court.

Other applicants in the suit are Dr Ogunrinde Opeyemi, Omoyinmi Akinbolagbe, Muraina Temitope and Olaide Adenaju, while also joined as respondents were Mr and Mrs Obinna Oleh.

The applicants, who are claiming N25 million as damages, are also asking the court to order their immediate release from police custody. They also want the court to restrain the police, whether by

themselves, agents and servants from further arrested and detaining them, pending the determination of the suit.

They are praying the court to declare that their arrest and rearrests by the police on September 3, 2013, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, ‘D’ Department, Force CID Annex, Lagos on the instigation of Mr and Mrs Oleh based on the same complaint for which they had been arraigned and are now standing trial, is wrongful, illegal and unconstitutional as it is a violation of their fundamental rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and freedom of movement guaranteed by section 34, 35, 36 and 41 of the 1999 constitution as amended and Articles 5, 6, 7 and 12 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, cap 10, laws of the Federation of

Nigeria, 2004.

Dr Opeyemi in an affidavit in support of the suit, averred that “Mr and Mrs Oleh brought their child called Master Kingsley Oleh, 13 months old boy, to our hospital for medical attention, and the child was admitted and diagnosed of ‘cardiac failure-secondary to bronchopneumonia post measle infections and treatment was commenced immediately. .

“However, on June 8, 2013 at 9p.m, the child died and as at the time of the demise of the child, Mr Oleh and three elders from the wife’s church were with him praying for him, and following the death of the child, and Akinbolagbe, being the nurse on duty at the maternal time, informed Dr Joshua of the transition of the child, and he directed that the outstanding medical bill of the child be waived and the corpse be released to the family in line with their request.

SABA—DELA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has commissioned 130 executive passenger boats to improve riverine transportation in the state.

The boats, purchased and subsidised by the state government to provide safe, comfortable and fast means of movement of persons and goods across the riverine communities, were commissioned in Asaba.

Indicating that the boats would have been commissioned much earlier, the governor, who said that the delay was because of the condition placed by National Environmental Safety Regulatory Agency, NESRA, on the environmental friendliness of the imported boat engines.

He, however, noted that given the prominent role of the state in environmental matters, “the engines conformed to all environmental laws and will not pollute the environment.”

Uduaghan said the state government had to apply to President Goodluck Jonathan for permission to import the engines of the boat, which was graciously approved by him.

Eguriase for burial

T

HE death has been announced of Mr. Michael Adaighofua Eguriase whose sad event took place on September 2, 2013 after a brief illness.

Mr. Eguriase is survived by a wife and five children among whom are Mrs. Angel Francis, Mr, Oshevire Eguriase, Barrister (Mrs) Ubido Odigie, Mrs Edoreh Ogheneruemu and Miss Aghogho Eguriase.

Late Mr. Eguriase will be buried tomorrow at his compound in OrhokpokpoAgbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. Reception follows after at 5, Esiso Street, Agbarho.

Late Mr Eguriase

38—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

How to tackle security challenges, by ex-CP

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA— FORMER Commissioner of Police and chairman of Abia State vigilance advisory committee, Chief Udeka Onuoha, has called for collaboration among security agencies to effectively tackle the current security challenges in the country.

Onuoha contended that for crime to be effectively tackled, security personnel must work in synergy and collaborate with members of the public in the area of information gathering.

Onuoha who spoke, yesterday, in Umuahia, while addressing a seminar organised for Abia State Vigilance Group, ASVG, unit heads commended the Abia State Government for establishing the vigilance group, describing the decision as “a step in the right direction.”

According to him, the setting up of the vigilante group had given security additional impetus in the state.

He said: “Abia is relatively peaceful and clam today because the governor is giving adequate support to all security agencies especially the members of Abia vigilance group who are at the grassroots.”

Parents tasked on fight against polio

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE Dis trict Governor of Rotary International, District 9140, Dr. Charles Onianwa, has appealed to parents and governments at all levels, to key into the current battle against polio virus in Nigeria.

Dr. Onianwa, who made the appeal in a chat with Vanguard in Owerri, equally extolled the disposition of Rotarians worldwide towards the eradication of the deadly virus.

He said: “The current and most notable global project of Rotary International, Polio Plus, is contributing to the global eradication of polio.

Let us take pride in participating fully in the project.”

Traders protest alleged illegal fees in Onitsha O

BY ENYIM ENYIM

NITSHA—TRADERS in Onitsha have protested against collection of taxes, stall-age and development fees

by Anambra State Ministry of Commerce and Industry without issuance of receipts.

Speaking at a meeting with the House of Assembly committee on commerce and industry headed by Umeh Ikechukwu, the market leaders drawn from all the markets in Onitsha said apart from nonissuance of receipts by the office of the commissioner, Mr. Robert Okonkwo, there were cases where a single receipt allegedly was used for taxes and stall fees instead of separating them for proper accountability.

According to them, the development was not healthy as it was robbing the state government revenue that could have been used to provide infrastructure and other amenities to the people of the state.

The traders who were at the House of Assembly following a petition by some traders on the aegis of Anambra State market stakeholders and elders forum appealed to the House committee to intervene in the matter, saying “ we therefore call on you to use your good offices to order the concerned department for immediate is-

suing of the original tax receipts to the markets involved and let the perpetrators of this ugly trend be cautioned to avoid breach of peace. A stitch in time saves nine.”

The petition by market leaders from Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi addressed to Governor Peter Obi and copied to the House of Assembly, commis-

sioner for commerce and other government agencies stated that staff of the ministry were forcefully collecting taxes and other levies from traders without issuing them with receipts.

The chairman of the committee assured the traders that the matter would be addressed with a view to making sure that the anomalies was cor-

rected to ensure that the revenue that should get to government got to it.

Contacted, the commissioner for commerce and industry told the Vanguard that he would not comment but directed the reporter to go to the market and investigate the allegation of fraud made by the traders.

COMMISSIONING: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (middle), commissioning the phase 1 of Isieke Housing Estate, recently completed by the adiministration in Umuahia.

With him from left are Dr. J.B.Orie, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Allwell Asiforo-Okere, Deputy Speaker, state House of Assembly, Sir Emeka Ananaba, deputy governor and Sir Udeh Oko-Chukwu, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly.

NASU worries over rising insecurity

BY BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

YOUNG

L

AGOS—NON-ACA DEMIC Staff Union of Educational and Associated Instructions, NASU, has expressed concern over the growing insecurity and bloodletting in the country, the latest being the killing of more than 72 students of College of Agriculture, Yobe.

The union also called on the three tiers of governments to increase their funding of the educational, health and research institutions towards achieving national development, saying improving the level of funding to these sectors will boost the nation’s economy.

NASU in a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Ilorin Kwara State, also expressed reservations over the deliberate misinterpretation of the Retirement Age Act for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education by some state governors who were insisting that the Act was only for Academic Staff.

It implored all such gover-

nors to seek clarification from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation as well as the National Assembly to enable them fully implement the Retirement Age Act in favour of all the nonteaching staff in the polytechnics and colleges of education

in Nigeria.

The communiqué by Mr. Ladi Iliya and Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, President and General Secretary, respectively, reads in part: “The NEC-inSession noted with great concern the inability of governments at all levels to meet up

with the constitutional responsibilities of providing security for the citizenry of Nigeria. NEC-in-Session frowned at the unabated trend of kidnapping, communal clashes, armed robbery and terrorism resulting in the destruction of lives, property and other valuables.”

Maternal mortality: Experts harp on use of technology

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

L

AGOS—WITH no fewer than 2,300 deaths of under-five and 145 women of childbearing age occurring every single day in Nigeria, experts have called for the need to leverage on technology to reduce neonatal and maternal death rates in the country.

The experts also raised the alarm that Nigeria has the highest neonatal and maternal mortality rate in the world.

According to UNICEF report, although analyses of recent trends showed that the coun-

try was making progress in cutting down infant and under-five mortality rates, the pace still remains too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child mortality by a third by 2015.

In his submission at the flag off of the three-day trainingprogramme for paediatrics organised by Outreach Medical Services in Lagos, a Consultant Anasthestist, Medway General Hospital, Kent, UK, Dr. Seyi Oyesola, explained that “having realised the lapses in the human capacity, knowledge, skills and the

technological level of development in the Nigerian health sector, there is need to leverage on technology to reduce neonatal and maternal death rates.

Currently in Nigeria, less than 20 per cent of health facilities offer emergency obstetric care and only 35 per cent of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants. ”This shows the close relationship between the well being of the mother and the child, and justifies the need to integrate maternal, newborn and child health interventions.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 2013—39

,

COMMISSIONING: From left, Niger State PDP Chairman,Mr. Abdulrahaman Enagi; Emir of Lapai, Engr. Umar Tafida; Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, and Director General of the state SURE-P, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, during the commissioning of 50 Toyota Hiace buses for local government SURE-P mass transit scheme, at Idris Kutigi International Conference centre, Minna, yesterday.

VISIT: From left, Mr. Yakub Balogun, member, House Committee on AirForce; AVM Mike Iloenyosi, Acting Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command Base, Ikeja; Mr. Kenneth Archibong, Chairman; Group Captain Tanko, Mr. Haske Hannaniya, and Mr. Deji Jakande, members of the House, during the House Committee on AirForce members' visit to Nigerian AirForce Base, Ikeja, Lagos.

WINNER: Winner of MTN Project Fame Season 6, Olawale Ojo, dispaying his N5 million cheque, weekend, at the competion's grand finale

LECTURES: From left, Paedriatics specialist and consultant, Prof. Oluyinka Ogundipe; faculty chairman, Dr. Kike Osinusi, and provost, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Professor Theodore Okeahialam, at the 2013 Faculty Day lectures of the National Postgraduate College of Nigeria, at LASUTH auditorium, Ikeja, Lagos.

C M Y K

AWARD: Professor Isaac Esema, Coordinator Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria, IAMN, (Lagos Island district); Olusegun Okebiorun, Controller-General Federal Fire Service; Mr. Debola Ajeboriogbon, Membership Secretary, International Community Education Association, ICEA (Nigeria Chapter), and others, at the presentation of the Grand Life Patron Award of the Institute, in Lagos.

VISIT: National President of National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, Mr. Tola Faseru, during his visit to the Minister of Agricultre and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, CON, in Abuja, where the Minister gave his endorsement to the Global Cashew Conference & Expo 2013, GCCE.

CEREMONY: From left, Commercial Director, Telefunken, Netherlands, Mr. Gerad Lindout; Chief Executive Officer, Healthpro Nigeria, Mrs. Shade Odebiyi, and Mr. Seni Adio, during the signing ceremony appointing Healthpro as sole distributor of Automatic Electronic defibrillator in Nigeria, AED, at Civil Centre, Victoria Island.

BIRTHDAY: From left, former Chairman, Somolu Local Government, Sesan Olanrewaju; Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Cul- CONCERT: From left, Marketing Manager, Diageo ture, Mr. OyinlomDanmole, and Senator Anthony Brands Nigeria, Mr. Sola Oke; Brand Support, Adefuye, at the senator's 69th birthday, in Lagos. Ufuoma Udjoh; Soul/R&B star, Mary J Blige, and Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker; Mr. Amaechi Okobi, at the Dinner Sisters' soul concert party, cosponsored by Baileys, in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Reps to probe Kaduna killings

Zamfara Bizmen to sponsor wedding of 100 widows to interested suitors

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

G

USAU—ALHAJI Ibrahim Sani, Chairman Zamfara State Businessmen Association, says the association will sponsor the wedding of 100 widows to interested suitors in the state.

This came about two weeks after about 8000 women including widows, divorcees and spinsters demonstrated over lack of husbands in the state.

Sani told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Gusau, yesterday, that the gesture was part of its efforts to complement the state government in reducing the number of widows in the state.

He said that the association decided to intervene considering the increasing number of widows in the state and the need to assist in addressing the problem.

Sani said that all the arrangements toward the exercise had been concluded and a suitable date would soon be fixed.

He said that the association had already contacted the state Ministry for Religious Affairs, Zakkat and Endowment Board as well as the Hisba Commission for their guidance and advice.

Broken homes He called on the state government to introduce a policy that would regulate the issue of marriage so as to minimise the incidence of broken homes in the state.

Sani urged non-governmental organisations in the state to contribute to the programme as government alone could not cater for the needs of all citizens.

He commended wealthy individuals in the state who already contributed to the programme.

NAN reports that over 8,000 widows in the state had on Sept. 26 appealed to the state government to assist look for suitors and to organise the Kano-style mass wedding for them.

WORKSHOP—From left: Governor Muhktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, with the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Shehu Idris at the opening of a two-day workshop for district heads at the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua indoor sports hall,Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Kogi Gov urges FG to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company L

OKOJA—GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State has appealed to the Federal Government to resuscitate the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company in the state.

Wada made the appeal in Geregu yesterday at the inauguration of the Geregu 11,434megawatts power plant.

He said that this was necessary to enable the state to reap maximally from the new power plant.

He also appealed that the National Iron Mining Company, NIOMCO, at Itakpe should also be resuscitated to revitalise economic growth and devel-

opment in the country.

The governor described the completion of the project as a way forward in the nation’s quest for stable power supply, saying that it was an excellent investment.

Wada lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for putting the issue of power generation, transmission and distribution in the front burner.

He thanked the President for his support and concern during the 2012 flood disaster that ravaged parts of the state.

The governor appealed

that the state’s request for the establishment of a free enterprise zone in Ajaokuta be given speedy consideration.

Mr Michael Lakota, the Managing Director of Siemens Ltd., the contractor that handled the project, said that the plant would play a critical role in the efforts to ensure stable power in the country.

He commended the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, the owner of the project, for the confidence reposed in Siemens throughout the entire project.

Lakota said that the project was completed on schedule.

NATIONAL CONFAB: AFC tackles Ohanaeze on equal representation

BY EMEKA MAMAH

L

AGOS—THE Arewa Con sultative Forum, ACF, has rejected the suggestion by the umbrella association of all Igbo unions, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that representations in the proposed national conference should be on equality of tribes or ethnic groups.

National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr Anthony Sani, made this known in a terse statement yesterday.

The statement read: “Someone needs to inform Ohanaeze that its recommendations that representations in the national dialogue should be on equality does a lot of violence to definition of injustice by Aristotle who said injustice is not only when equals are treated unequally but is also injustice when unequals are treated equally.

“One wonders the justification in making the repre-

sentations by Ibos and Idoma of Benue State to be on equality,or that of South East and North West to be on equal basis. Those making such submissions are trying to reinvent the wheel or redefine democracy to mean minority prevails.

“It is too early to forget the fact that the progenitor of the unitary system introduced by General (Aguiyi) Ironsi was our revered Zik (Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe)."

BUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, mandated Committees on Internal Security and Public Safety to investigate the killing of over 200 residents of Kaura Local Government in Kaduna State by unknown gunmen between 2011 and 2013.

This was sequel to a motion brought to the floor of the House by Gideon Goni, PDP, Kano under Order 8 Rule 46 of the House.

Goni told the House his “constituents have suffered so much in the last three years in the hands of unknown gunmen,’’ adding, “between March and now the attacks have increased and we have lost over 65 people."

BRIEF The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, FESTAC branch will between the 2nd and 6th of October, 2013, hold a fourday programme titled ‘God Will Restore’ aimed at employment and financial upliftment of Nigerians.

In a statement, the host pastor, Rev Iyke Osuji, said the programme is designed to bring spiritual, financial and physical restoration to the tresidents of Festac and its environs.

PASSAGE

F

ORMER lecturer at the Lagos State University, L ASU, Prince Yinusa Abayomi BelloOgunyomade, is dead, aged 67.

A statement by the Oloriki ruling house of Ogbagi Akoko said the late BelloOgunyomade has been buried according to Muslim rite.The final burial rite is scheduled to take place on October 5, at AUD Primary School Field Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State.

He is survived by wife, children, grandchildren and other relations.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—41

Hajj update from Saudi Arabia

Virtues of first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

BY HARUN RAZAQ

O

NE of the most virtuous days in Islam is the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar). The importance of these blessed days is based on the following: (1) Allah swears an oath by these blessed days, which underlines their importance and the great benefits they contain.

Allah says in Suratul Fajr: “By the dawn, by the ten nights”, (Q89:1-2). Ibn Abbas, Ibn alZubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: “This is the correct opinion.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413) (2) Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.”

(Bukhaari, 2/457).

(3) These ten days occurred in the month of Dhul Hijjah, one of the four sacred months in Islam mention in Qur ’an 9 verses 36.

(4) These ten days include: the days of Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafaah, the greatest day of the entire year on which Allah perfected His Religion, Yawm al-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice) etc.

DO’S OF THE DAYS: Among the good deeds that a Muslim is expected to do during these ten days are: (1) Performing Hajj and Umrah in line with the

commandment of Allah, Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and agreed by all Muslim.

(2) Fasting on some of these blessed days is established from the sunnah, more importantly, it is desirable to fast on the day of Arafah (with exception of Hujjaj). The prophet (SAW) said “fasting the day of Arafah expiates the sins of two years” (Muslim).

(3) Zikr (remembrance) of Allah, Ibn Abbas (RA) says concerning ayah “Remember Allah during the well known days” (Q2:203) that it refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (Bukhari). The prophet (SAW) is reported to have said …say tahlil (lailaha illa llahu), takbir (Allahu akbar) and tahmid (Alhamdu li llah) a lot (on these days).

Act of worship And to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place that is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.

Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people when going to eid ground. Where as this Takbeer should be pronounced from the first of Dhul Hijjah loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evidence that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (RA) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten

days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. (Fiqhu Sunnah 1/245) Shykh Salih Munajid said: “the idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Shari’ah for doing this”.

(3) Offering a high quality animal in sacrifice on the day of ‘eid. (4) Performing salat ‘id (‘eid -l -adha) with all the etiquettes attached to it.

(5) To occupy oneself with doing a lot of good deeds in general. For example to engage in act of worship such as salat, Qur’an, dhikr, du’a, sadaqah, ta’liim, honouring the parents, enjoining what is good, forbidding evil etc. at its appropriate time are highly encourage during these days.

DON’T’S OF THE DAYS: (1) It is forbidden for a person who wants to offer sacrifice to remove or cut his/her hair or nails from the first of these days till he/she offer his sacrifice on the day of ‘id. According to the Hadith that says: “When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.”

According to another report he said: “He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin.” (Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146) (2) Also forbidden is using ram meant for sacrifice to fight another ram, playing and listening to music which is often associated with alcohol, committing zina, missing salat ‘id, and other salat under the guise of ‘id celebration. And all others act of sin.

•Ogun Pilgrims in Muna

•Ogun Pilgrims at Mount Jabalithaor one of the holy sites in Makkah

Ogun pilgrims perform sihara in Makkah

I

N continuation of the Hajj rites expected to be performed by pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims from Ogun State recently concluded (Sihara) tour of holy sites in the city of Makkah.

According to reports, the pilgrims guided by the Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Isiaq Yusuf, moved round Holy sites which included Mount Jabalithaor, Mount Arafat, Jabal Nur, Musdalifha and Mina.

Dr. Yusuf, who was aided by members of the board during the tour, also visited the packaging factory for Zam-Zam water, explained the historical and religious importance of each location in details to pilgrims.

He urged them to shelve all

vices and strengthen their belief in Almighty Allah, noting that positive effects of having embarked of holy pilgrimage must be impacted as better citizens after completion of the exercise. Also, he charged them to maintain a perfect health conditions in anticipation of movement of pilgrims to Mina camp for full Hajj rites, adding that adequate welfare packages have been put in place by the state government to ease their stay in the camp.

Special prayer session anchored by Sheik Iskieel Lawal was also held for the success of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led administration in its rebuilding mission, and for continuous peace and progress of the entire country.

Fasanu foundation tasks Muslim parents on child education

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI USLIM parents have been urged to see the education of their children and wards as obligatory and carrying out the ordinances of Allah as contained in the Holy Quran.

Alhaji Ismail Balogun, told Muslim parents at a lecture in memory of Pa Fasanu in Lagos recently. The event which was organised by the family of the deceased under the auspices of T.A.B Educational Foundation was attended by people from all walks of life.

M

Pilgrim tents in Mina, Saudi Arabia a few days ago

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Babatunde Fasanu, SAN, son of the deceased said the foundation which is aimed at responding to the educational needs of indigent children was in line with the passion and vision of his late father – Alhaji Taoheed Akanbi Fasanu and would dole out scholarships to deserving children.

He maintained that his late father committed his time, energy and funds to the educational development of children in the neighbourhood and that idea must be sustained.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—43

Re- time to ponder

Imperatives of a sovereign national confab

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Map of Nigeria showing ethnic nationalities

O

N October 1, 1960, the British Union Jack, being the symbol of Her Imperial Majesty’s domination of Nigeria and her peoples, was lowered at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. It was spontaneously replaced with the Green-White-Green novel Nigerian Flag fascinatingly designed

by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi; a Nigerian student at Norwich Technical College, England. On that momentous occasion, the joy and excitement of Nigerian leaders who had relentlessly fought for the independence of Nigeria from Britain, knew no bounds. The likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Festus Okotie Eboh, Chief Dennis Osadebe, Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, Dr. M. I. Okpara, Chief Joseph Tarka, Dr. Jaja Anucha Wachukwu, Chief Dappa Biriye, Chief O. C. Ememe, Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe, Dr. Nwafo Orizu and Dr. J. O. J. Okezie felt it was a battle justifiably fought and meritoriously won.

It may not be out of place to reiterate that the Nigerian state that had just secured political freedom from the British on the said October 1, 1960 was merely an outcome of a coerced amalgamation of multiple heterogeneous ethnic nations by the British colonial

ratory to the said war which, true to prediction, broke out and lasted for almost five consecutive years.

This development impacted very negatively and immensely on the economic fortunes and viability of the British Home Government. It also affected her colonial policies overseas. Hence the need to cut cost of administration tremendously. To add salt to injury, the Northern Protectorate, as the defunct Northern Nigeria was known before the amalgamation of 1914, was constantly having deficit in her budget due to her very low pace of socio-economic development. In order to make up the Northern Protectorate’s budgetary deficit and taking into strategic consideration the anticipated global holocaust that was imminent, British Home Government amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914. It is, therefore, evident that self interest rather than liberal consideration was the principal factor that gave rise to the amalgamation of the two Protectorates in 1914.

The obvious implication of this forced union is that the confederating units of the amalgamated Nigeria were not given any iota

,

Fear of economic domination by one group or the other has never been left out as one of the factors that have continued to shake the very existence of the Nigerian state

government. The question has often been asked if Britain was driven by altruism or selfishness in her amalgamation of the more than three hundred divergently complex ethnic nations into one political entity in 1914. The answer has remained as constant as the Shakespearian northern star.

As has been narrated severally, the British Government did not set out to conquer and acquire colonies for any other reason other than economic. Having foreseen the likelihood of an outbreak of the First World War; 1914-1918, due to characteristic threats by the Nazi Germany, the British Government was compelled to devote an unprecedentedly large chunk of her budget to defence, prepa-

,

of opportunity to discuss the frame-work of their co-existence.

Even in ordinary simple relationship of marriage between only a man and a woman, the basis for such union is usually, if not always, discussed and principles of co-existence agreed upon before the union is formalized. History is replete with unmitigated cases of acts of inhumanity that have unjustifiably befallen and consumed many innocent Nigerians since the country obtained her political independence in 1960.

These disastrous developments have often resulted from fears consummated in hatred based on differences in ethnicity or religion.

Fear of economic domination by one group or the other has never

been left out as one of the factors that have continued to shake the very existence of the Nigerian state.

In the pre-independent Western region of Nigeria, the National Council of Nigerian citizens; N.C.N.C., had won majority of seats into the Western House of Assembly on September 24, 1951 and was set to form the government of the region. Under the parliamentary system of government, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was the leader of the Party should have become the leader of government business in the region but this was not to be as anti-Igbo sentiments were vehemently aroused against Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and his N.C.N.C. by the opposing Action Group; A.G. led by a Yoruba tribesman; Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Hostile development On the day the government of the western region was to be formed, majority of Yoruba legislators elected on the platform of N.C.N.C. surprisingly and derisively crossed-carpet to Action Group. This left Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s N.C.N.C. an opposition party in the western regional assembly. This hostile development compelled Igbo leaders to ask Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to return to his native home of Eastern Region. Since the above incident took place on the floor of Western House of Assembly at Ibadan, there has been no love lost between the Igbo and the Yoruba. Before the return of Zik to the Eastern Region following his humiliation by the Yoruba, the leadership of the Eastern Regional Government had been constituted with Prof. Eyo Ita as Head of Government Business. The return of Zik eventually gave rise to the painful displacement of Prof. Eyo Ita. This development, as would be expected, did not go down well with the minorities of defunct Eastern region and became the foundation of suspicion and distrust the said minorities would nurse against the Igbo for a very long time.

To be concluded

EMI Kayode's online appraisal of 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria, in an article, entitled A Time To Ponder on September 12, 2013 caught my attention with exhilaration and hope that a prominent Nigerian can remove the toga of pretence and face facts. The call for convocation of sovereign national conference, meant for all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to converge for discussion and decision on how to restructure the political and economic imbalances has become more flurry.

The call is now coming from several strata of our society spanning from people of immense integrity and international influence, the calibre of Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. Pat.Utomi, Prof.

Ben Nwabueze, the one-time secretary general of Commonwealth of Nations, Emeka Anyoku, the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) of which Alex. Ekweme and Edwin Clark are members, to Boko-Haram, who through reverberation of bombs

mand for sovereign state for Biafra by Bilie Human Rights Initiative, which has filed Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/102/ 2012 in Federal High Court, Owerri Judicial Division against the Federal Government of Nigeria, seeking self-determination and independent sovereign state of Biafra. Others are the emergency of the movement for actualization of sovereign state of Biafra, MASSOB, the political instability, the Major Gideon Orkar coup of 1990. Every indication from every side strengthens the fact that the ethnic nationalities making up Nigeria are held together against their will and that the nation we have presently is foisted on us with so many questions begging for answers about the much touted one Nigeria, always brandished by the thieving elite.

Femi Kayode's article raised the following pertinent questions: •Is our interest better served by remaining as

,

BY DON UBANI

BY ONYEBUCHI NWALUGWU

Is our interest better served by remaining as one nation or is it time for those nationalities that wish to leave the federation in a peaceful and orderly way

and AK 47 rifles, demand for tearing into shreds the amalgamation document in quest of re-establishment of Islamic sovereign land in the north which it has been before 1914. Also, Niger Delta militants threw down the gauntlet for resource control, with the attendant reduction of petroleum production to an abysmal level few years back.

Isolated incident Interestingly, all these groups and other happening from day one of the amalgamation, such as pogrom of 1966 which was neither an isolated incident nor was it just a reaction to the coup of January1966 but an escalation of what had been a continuous tension, conscious and systematic dislike, discrimination, non acceptance of fellow Nigerians as citizens.

The Maitatsine Kano riot, the beauty queen riot, the Demark cartoon riot, Kaduna sharia riot of 1999/2000, annulment of June 12 presidential election believed to be the freest and fairest election in Nigeria won by M.K.O.Abiola, the riot inspired

by Luna eclipse, the 30 months civil war, registration of Nigeria as a member of Organization of Islamic Countries, OIC, in 1986, without the consent or due regard for others who are not Muslim, who also claim to be majority, the recent resurrection of de-

,

one nation or is it time for those nationalities that wish to leave the federation in a peaceful and orderly way, as a result of a legitimate and honest referendum, be allowed to go?

•If the breaking up of larger countries into smaller and more viable ones is good enough for India (which broke into three), the Sudan (which broke into two), Czechoslovakia (which broke into two), Yugoslavia (which broke into five), the Soviet Union (which broke into 15) and numerous other countries over the years why is it not good enough for us?

In my attempt to answer the above questions, I will like us to cast our minds back to the situations those countries were before the break up and were they are now: India, prior to 1947 found herself in similar situation like the present Nigeria, where she was enmeshed in poverty, unemployment, corruption, religious violence, occasioned by Hindus and Muslims struggle for supremacy. The Pakis who were mostly Muslims wanted Sharia law to be more visible in India legal system, which was opposed by the Hindus, the result was a waste of human and material resources leading to poverty and underdevelopment.

To be concluded

44—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Health: Still

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

It cannot be overstated that the health sector has, post independence, suffered several false starts and downfalls

,

HE Nigerian health sector is reminiscent of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” the famous play that depicts and explores the utter meaninglessness of life. In a playback of its repetitive plot, the play theatrically implies that in life, everything that is possible will happen. In one unending scene, the actors talk about life, the world, and everything else that occurs from cradle to grave.

They talk, they wait, they anticipate. But they fail to do the most important thing - act.

To the casual observer, there is calm. There is an impression that all is well and that everything is on course. But to the more discerning, the lack of action and activity is a false calm - a façade.

It is an indication that all is not well. In reality, underneath the apparent calm, unmitigated chaos is raging.

Nigerians asked for independence. They worked for it, prayed for it and waited for it, and it came on a platter of gold.

Yet the people did not stop waiting. They continue to wait... and wait... and wait – for “something” to happen. But “nothing” has happened, not because it isn’t meant to happen, but more because nobody is making it happen. This depicts the state of affairs of the health sector today.

Long before Independence Day on October 1, 1960, in the 1940s and 1950s, Nigeria, with its population of around 34 million (at that time), was already considered the giant of Africa. It was the dawn of the oil boom and there were great expectations for the affluent, former British colony.

The whole world could not help

waiting for promises viewing the young nation through rose-coloured lenses.

At that point in time, every relevant resource imaginable was present. Medical supplies were in abundant supply. There were few (if any) centres of medical excellence in healthcare, but they were patient-focused. There weren’t as many experienced and well-trained health workers as there are today, but they thronged the local healthcare centres that were equipped with up-to-date, if not state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Brain drain was virtually nonexistent because there was enough motivation for health workers in the form of good remuneration and almost unlimited career opportunities.

In the face of such efficient and effective coordination, the future was bright, rosy, almost fulfilled.

Today, the picture has changed considerably, unfortunately, for the worse.

Sovereign independence As Nigeria marks its 53rd anniversary of sovereign independence, it is a sad commentary that the nation’s strategic position in Africa is no longer commensurate with its standing in the continental and global health care sphere of five decades ago. It cannot be overstated that the health sector has, post independence, suffered several false starts and downfalls, but how did an outlook that was so bright and promising become one so grim and uncertain? The transformation is so palpable the whole world feels it.

Now with an estimated population of 170 million, coupled with the onset of

internal strife, insecurity, bigotry, gluttony and other forms of deepseated political instability, the elements of discord have conspired to rob the nation of its once-great potential. Lack of coordination, fragmentation of services, dearth of medical resources, including drug and supplies, inadequate and decaying infrastructure, inequity in resource distribution, and access to care and very deplorable quality of care, have been the hallmark of this sector over the past 53 years.

While these challenges have not any means been different from what other developing countries have faced or are still facing, the dividing line has been the level of political attention. Close watchers of the system have long recognized the absence of a step by step transformation of public health from Primary Health Care, to Secondary Health Care and finally Tertiary Health Care, required creating and sustaining an information-rich and patientfocused system that reliably delivers high-quality care.

Today, Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and coronary heart disease have become a recurring decimal in the life of the average Nigerian and a major issue of survival and national security, unlike 53 years ago when it constituted a mere threat. That is no to say communicable disorders such as HIV& AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, cholera, polio, etc., are less of a threat.

Thankfully, it is now possible to track outbreaks of diseases and step up medical treatment and preventive measures even before there is a spread. Despite various reforms put forward by the

government to address the wide ranging issues in the health care system, health facilities (health centers, personnel, and medical equipment) are no longer adequate, especially in the rural areas. But spending and implementation have not matched policies. For instance, Nigeria spends only 6.5 percent of its budget on health care as against the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 15 percent.

The nation’s high maternal mortality rate remains worrisome.

It is among the highest in the world. One Nigerian woman dies in childbirth every10 minutes. Nationally, the maternal mortality rate is 545 deaths per 100,000 live births, nearly double the global average. Children are hardly better off because more children die before their fifth birthday in Nigeria than any other country in Africa. At 5.7, Nigeria’s overall fertility rate has declined, but there is still a high unmet need for family planning, hence too many women are giving birth to too many children too often. While there may have been some measure of effective and even realistic implementation at the Federal level, more is to be desired at the State and local government area levels.

Capacity utilisation Worse still, the problem of counterfeiting, faking and cloning of drugs are compounded by poor regulation and enforcement. Capacity utilization is a hindrance and there is serious problem with the handling, storage and distribution of drugs which remains chaotic, with attendant ability to promote loss of confidence in all drugs whether imported or manufactured locally.

Essential functions are still desirable to protect public from major health threats. More efforts are also required at strengthening the health work force through planning, management, and training to have a positive effect on the health sector performance.

The bottom line remains is that it remains an unavoidable and unpleasant commentary that the state of the Nigerian health care system is worsening. The nation is not even on track to meet any of the targets of the eight Millennium Development Goals, MDGs before the 2015 deadline.

Year after year, the indicators of health and life continue to go from bad to worse. The dynamics of health care are still not good enough and the search is on perpetually for effective and lasting recommendations/ solutions to enable the sector meet requirements of the typical health care system of modern era.

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—45

This isn't the Nigeria we fought for — Amaechi HIS take on Nigeria at 53 and 100 years of amalgamation Nigeria started by one man by convenience of administration amalgamating the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914. It will be 100 years of that amalgamation next year. It is for us to look at ourselves after 100 years of being together and ask: has this thing worked? If it has not worked, where did we go wrong and what can we do to correct it?

In these 100 years of being brought together and forcibly put together as one country, we operated up to 1960 under British rule; no constitution.

The constitution that brought independence in 1960 was not written by Nigerians, it was an Order in Council made in London that created Nigeria as a sovereign nation. It was not a Nigerian constitution.

In 1963, Nigerians made a request and Nigerians met at a conference and agreed on a constitution. They sent it to the National Assembly for the Senate and the House of Representatives to vote. I was a member of the House of Representatives, the two arms voted unanimously for the constitution.

Military decree But in the 1966, the military unreasonably took over. I always like to use that word ‘unreasonably’ because it was a criminal act. They canceled the constitution written by the people of Nigeria. They ruled the country without constitution, till 1979. Then the 1979 constitution, even though a committee was appointed to draft it, it was through a military decree; it wasn't the constitution of the people.

Then, in 1983, the army took over and stayed on till 1999.

The 1999 constitution even though, a conference recommended it, was yet an army decree, not Nigerian constitution. So there's need for Nigerians to meet and discuss the basis of coming together; examine the gains and losses of the 100 years; the pleasant and bitter experiences they have had and what the shortcomings and weaknesses are. So, there should be a national conference, where all interests, not basically ethnic groups, but the organized business, trade unions,

ELDER Statesman and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is the last man standing in Southern Nigeria among the generation of nationalists who fought for the nation’s independence. He is also the only surviving minister from the South that served in the first post-independence cabinet. The surviving quartet in that cabinet is Shehu Shagari, Shettima Ali Mungono, Inuwa Wada and Maitama Sule, who are all from the North. Looking at Nigeria at 53, he lamented that things had degenerated and offers the way forward.

•Amaechi organized labour, the youths, women, the tribes, political parties, and all other interests put together can sit on a roundtable and discuss. What we want now is to renegotiate the whole basis of our staying together. We can only do this by a national conference.

As a youth you fought for Nigeria's independence, several years after, how do you see the Nigeria you fought for?

What I have to say is that this is not the Nigeria we fought for, it's not the Nigeria that many of us died for, it's not the Nigeria many of our youths want to be with, it's not the Nigeria that our founding fathers like Azikwe, Awolowo, Okotie-Eboh and others dreamt of. No, the military damaged everything. They stayed for too long. For 38 years the military ruled this country.

They disrupted everything.

Even the people who are leaders in this so-called democratic dispensation are working in the footsteps of the military. However, there are some of them who are genuine politicians, who want to do the

right thing but many of them are not genuine.

What really motivated you as a young man then to join the dangerous struggle?

The need for freedom of my country motivated me. I hated oppression in every way. I joined the Zikist movement at the age of 18. That was my final year in secondary school. My first imprisonment was at the age of 22.

My second imprisonment was at 23. So then, we were happy and proud that we contributed to the freedom of the country. We sacrificed; we vowed not to marry until Nigeria became independent.

We didn't want to marry and produce children in the struggle and through our incarcerations and imprisonments render our wives widows. That was the kind of nationalism spirit at that time. Then, people joined politics because of what they could give or offer. But today, people join politics for what they could extract.

53 years after, we are still in the crusade for a better Nigeria, are you not tired?

Of all the nationalists and ministers from Southern Nigeria, East or West, I'm the last person left. I'm the only one alive. So, when occasions like this come and God has given me the strength, I still come and share my experience- that this is how we did it yesterday and also to suggest how we are going to do it today for the good of the country.

What's the way forward for Nigeria?

The way forward for Nigeria is for a new beginning. Nigeria is richly blessed by God with abundant natural resources, particularly oil and gas that could make a country great. In fact, our problem is that there's too much legal and illegal stealing going on in the country.

When you make laws to take what is not due to you, it becomes legalized stealing.

So, we must get back to redeem our image where people would work and then the government should do something to industrialize this country, to create employment. It's because people are unemployed that's why criminality is very high.

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BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

What I have to say is that this is not the Nigeria we fought for, it's not the Nigeria that many of us died for, it's not the Nigeria many of our youths want to be with

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46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

1500 PDP members decamp to APGA STORIES BY VINCENT UJUMADU BOUT 1,500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday decamped to All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra.

Their leader, Chief Arthur Nwandu, who was a PDP governorship aspirant for the 2013 election led the members to join the party at EnugwuUkwu in Njikoka local government area of the state.

Nwandu said they decided to leave PDP because of the lingering crisis at both the state and national levels.

He said: “PDP, for quite some time, has been having a lot of inherent problems which did not start as a result of this election.The crisis has also extended to the national leadership of the party which nobody knows when it would

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be settled.”

He described APGA as a well organized party, formidable and a party to beat in any election in the state, and pledged their support and loyalty to the governorship candidate, Chief Willie Obiano.

He also promised that they would work for the victory of APGA in the November 16 election.

Nwandu commended APGA for doing his community, Enugwu-Ukwu, the favour of nominating Dr Nkemakonam Okeke as the running mate to Obiano, saying that he is very reliable and trusted by the people.

He described the national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh as a charismatic, eloquent, and wise man who had fought and won many political battles for the party.

Receiving the members,

the bold step to rediscover their roots by joining the party and urged Nwandu to work with the youth to ensure victory for the party at the election.

Umeh described APGA as the only party for Igbos to realize the democracy dividends at the centre and noted that the combination of Obiano and Okeke was a force to reckon with in view of their pedigree.

“With the collective efforts of Nwandu and Okeke, from

ASATU youths plan prayer session for candidates

M Umeh commended Nwandu and his supporters for taking

Ngige makes inroad in Nnewi

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HE people of the industrial town of Nnewi on October 1, 2013 gathered at the Royal Square of the famous Igbokwe family to drum support for the candidate of APC, Senator Chris Ngige.

Nnewi is the home town of LP candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah.

Convener of the meeting, Chief Joe Igbokwe, who is the publicity secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the APC and General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency, told the gathering that Ngige had done it before and would do even better if given the chance.

Political parties He told them: “We know who Ngige is and we know that he has the capacity to drive the economy of the state positively.

The money to run the affairs of the state effectively is available and the only thing we need is to elect the right person to properly manage what we have.

“There are other political parties contesting the election, but I want you to trust my choice of Ngige. Other contestants are good, but Ngige is the best. “Leading a state is not easy and that is why people must prepare for leadership. We in APC have prepared for leadership not just in Anambra, but in Nigeria. So in making your choice on November 16, where the person comes from does not

matter, but the person’s ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

“Anambra State has enough resources to move the state

forward and since we have been doing that in other parts of the country, there is no reason why we cannot do it at home.”

Candidate crisis:

PDP’s loss is APGA’s gain

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HE Omambala Youths Forum, OYF, a pressure group of people in Anambra North senatorial zone comprising youths from Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West and Oyi local government areas has withdrawn support for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and endorsed the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA candidate Chief Willy Obiano.

Rising from their meeting at Otuocha in Anambra East local government area in which about 2000 people attended, members of the forum said they had waited long to see if the crisis rocking the PDP would be resolved having earlier endorsed Senator Andy Uba for the governorship race.

The group regretted that it is obvious that PDP is not prepared to contest the November 16 election in Anambra State.

President-General of OYF, Prince Innocent Ofordile, who presided at the meeting, said their decision to endorse Obiano is because he is from Anambra North, coupled with the fact that he is the most qualified of all the candidates to provide the

Enugwu-Ukwu, APGA is sure of winning in Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha local council areas of the state,” Umeh said.

In his remarks, Okeke said that the event portends that people of the area were beginning to see the value of APGA as apolitical party.

He promised that those who defected would become major stakeholders of the party in the town and the entire state.

dividends of democracy to Anambra people irrespective of their area.

According to him, with the endorsement, OYF has transferred all its structures in Anambta North to Obiano and would work hard to ensure that he wins the election.

Ofordile said: “Our members had to assess all the candidates and their antecedents and we believe that Obiaano has the capacity to sustain the giant strides of Governor Peter Obi. We have already discussed with the APGA candidate and we are excited at the programme he has for the state.

“What gladdens our hearts most is his programme for youth empowerment, infrastructural development of the state and ensuring that no child of school age drops out of school.

“He is a very intelligent person who does not make unnecessary noise like other politicians who are causing confusion in the polity and constituting nuisance in public places.”

He described his emergence as the opportunity for Anambra North to produce governor for the state and commended Governor Obi for remaining steadfast.

EMBERS of the youth wing of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, are planning a prayer session with the candidates of the various political parties for a peaceful contest.

Chairman of ASATU youth wing, Mr. Osita Ozalagba said in Awka that his group has already approached a number of clergy men in the state on the matter, adding that Anambra youths were encouraged by their response to the plan.

Ozalagba also said that they would be visiting the various candidates to discuss the issue with them because of the belief of the youths that there is need to seek the face of

God to ensure a peaceful election in November.

The youth leader said further that Anambra youths have vowed to extract commitment from the candidates on what they would do for the youths who, he stated, are the worst hit by the bad governance of the leaders.

According to him, “the governorship candidates should tell us in clear terms what would be the role of youths in their government and we will insist that there should be written agreement so that we will hold them responsible when they renege on the agreement.”

Where is Ukachukwu?

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OLITICAL observers were surprised when INEC listed Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as the candidate of PDP for the November 16 election despite the insistence by the PDP that Comrade Tony Nwoye was the party ’s candidate.

That was also despite an addendum by INEC that Ukachukwu’s inclusion was as a result of a court order upon the latter’s prayer that Nwoye was not qualified for the election.

On the day the INEC displayed the list, Ukachukwu’s supporters besieged his campaign office located along the Enugu – Onitsha expressway in the heart of Awka in celebration of their internal party agitation for recognition.

However, following that, Ukachukwu and his campaign officers have gone underground and have largely not be heard from.

The question being asked in

Anambra State is, where has candidate Ukachukwu been since his inclusion in the list of candidates to contest the election?

•Ukachukwu

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—47

to the movement of some of its members to the new party and this, no doubt, will tell on the fortune of the DPP in the byeelection.

But, Ogboru and other DPP leaders, at a retreat, August, in Abraka, denied the party was dead in the state, maintaining that the vacuum left by Ewherido would be filled with a credible candidate from the party and that it had a formidable structure on ground to win the election, and checkmate the alleged antics the PDP had been adopting to rig elections in the state since 2003.

Time for progressives to take over — APC Former National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers(NUPENG), Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, a one-time DPP chieftain in the state is one of those who believe the newly registered APC must make a statement in Delta state with the October 12 Delta Central Senatorial byeelection.

•National Organizing Secretary of APC , Senator Osita Izunaso (left) declaring Olorogun O'tega Emerhor winner of the APC primaries in Ughelli.

Delta Central bye-election:

The bone of contention among parties THE Delta Central senatorial bye-election, initially fixed for this weekend, but now postponed to Saturday, October 12, to fill the vacant position created by the unexpected death of Senator Pius Ewherido, means different things to the political parties currently jostling to enthrone their candidates in the chiefly Urhobo senatorial district of Delta state.

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NTIL his death on June 30, the last occupant of the seat, late Ewherido, a former acting speaker and deputy speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, was the only Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, senator.

His victory in the 2011 general elections was a protest against his former party, the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which he felt, underestimated or did not adequately compensate him after the primaries that saw Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan emerge as the gubernatorial candidate for the PDP in 2007 gubernatorial elections.

Though, Governor Uduaghan, a personal friend of the deceased visited him in his country home and did everything to resolve the ill feelings, it still did not stop Ewherido from decamping to the DPP. But they remained friends and Uduaghan, who was among those making arrangement to fly him abroad for further treatment, was by his bedside at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he died.

Under the DPP, which had the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, as its game changer, Ewherido defeated PDP’s candidate for the election, Chief Ighoyota Amori.

Chief Amori is a political titan in Delta Central senatorial district and whilst Ewherido and others were campaigning for governorship primaries in 2006 under the platform of PDP, he was like their “political leader”.

Many did not see why Amori should have contested against Ewherido but that battle and Amori’s defeat upped Ewherido’s political profile.

PDP fights for missing glory Since PDP, which produced Ewherido’s predecessor, lost the seat in 2011, ostensibly due to internal infighting and “revolt” against the party in the district, it had not forgiven its tacticians and to a large extent, sees the October 12 senatorial byeelection as the right time for the party to make a definite political statement regarding Delta Central.

The party has practically assembled a 16-man “war” team named campaign council, headed by former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, to prosecute the battle.

In the council are Chief Fred Majemite as secretary, exMinister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, PDP leader in the district, Chief Tom Amioku, Obarisi Ovie OmoAgege, Chief Emmanuel Ighomena, Chief Arthur Akpowowo, Chief Grace Oddiri, Hon Evelyn Oboro, Chief Sunny Emeyese, Chief Monday Igbuya, Chief Kenneth Okpara, Mr. Christian Onogba, Mr Raymond Edijalah, Mrs Beauty Anidi and Chief Malachi Orode.

The party seemed to have discovered what made it lose the senatorial seat in 2011 and was determined to block the leakage and is reaching out to the electorate canvassing for votes.

DPP wants to retain mandate The DPP does not, however, find the PDP move amusing, as it views Delta Central as its “captured” and “sealed” territory.

One of the points the DPP had

tried to assert conspicuously in the last few elections in the district, particularly under the Uduaghan reign, is that Delta Central belongs to it.

It is a medal Chief Ogboru does not want to relinquish and for the October 12 bye-election, the party, thinks the other parties should steer clear.

For the DPP, it is a battle to

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BY EMMA AMAIZE & FESTUS AHON

Rightful position His wish summarizes the opinion of the average APC member, who sees the byeelection as an opportunity for the ‘real’ progressives to take their rightful position in the state. To some APC members, DPP had outlived its usefulness in the state, while the PDP is the ‘enemy’ that must be crushed.

APC supposes it is the only truly progressives’ party in the country at the moment and, therefore, all progressive-minded persons, particularly in Delta Central senatorial district, should support the party to vote out the “usurpers” on October 12.

Matter of pride for LP The Labour Party, LP, has neither won election in Delta Central nor in any part of Delta state since the current political dispensation, but that has not deterred it from raising its head

One of the points the DPP had tried to assert conspicuously in the last few elections in the district, particularly under the Uduaghan reign, is that Delta Central belongs to it

retain and reclaim its mandate, which has not been completed with the death of Ewherido.

With the recent merger of some opposition parties to form All Progressives Congress, APC, and exit of some of the party’s chieftains in the state (the late Ewherido was part of the APC train), some political observers said DPP was dead in the state.

With the registration of the APC, the structure of the DPP has been fragmented in Delta Central due

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in the up-coming contest for who represents the district in the byeelection and has picked the former secretary of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Andrew Osawota as its flag bearer.

It was learnt that the contest is a matter of pride for the party, which would have provided a legitimate platform for its candidate, Barrister Andrew Osawota.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

O

NE of the many problems of Nigeria and Nigerians, as correctly observed by many patriotic Nigerians, is the obvious lack of self-analysis. This has prevented the following the right path to peace and prosperity in the midst of plenty.

There is no doubt that President Jonathan deserves sympathy if not total commendation for his address to the nation on the occasion of Nigeria‘s 53 years of self-government.

That address, well crafted and solemnly delivered must have been graciously received by many Nigerians including those of doubtful patriotism. Even the pessimists would acknowledge the fact that President Jonathan has started (if he is sincere) to face reality of the present situation of the country.

That the country is facing a serious security challenge is no longer strange news. The President has asked Nigerians to act and speak more as Nigerians in the service of their country.

Many Nigerians fear the worsening insurgency situation in the North-Eastern part of the country where, despite military presence and action, Boko Haram killers could choose their spots and operate effortlessly. Apart from the heinous crimes of murderers in the North, the South is plagued with the ‘fun‘(monetary ransom) of kidnappers and the deadly pastimes of armed robbers and ritual killers.

In the midst of security challenges and the political crisis in the country and the economic uncertainties surrounding growing unemployment, President Jonathan has reminded the country that the temporary problems would soon be a thing of the past if every Nigerian is prepared to make sacrifices and work together to make Nigeria a great nation.

However, it should be remembered that political leaders, whether military or civilian, are gifted with sweet mouths and tricky lips and their utterances should be treated with circumspection. It should also not be forgotten that most of the current

Crawling for survival at 53 problems are self-inflicted by the political leaders through the facilitating attitude on security matter in the North and the uncoordinated policies between the center and the states on economic matters. At present, some political leaders still view the Boko Haram‘s insurgency as President Jonathan‘s baby and Federal government‘s affairs only.

A more interesting aspect of the President‘s Anniversary Speech touched on what is generally regarded as the “National Question” – the need to dialogue on how Nigeria could live together in peace and prosperity. The President‘s action in setting up a machinery to facilitate such opportunity to discuss truthfully and amicably, though belated, is welcomed and should be supported by all patriotic Nigerians.

There are mixed feelings about the question of National Dialogue, Sovereign National Conference or National Conference. Some respected Nigerians, perhaps in their pardonable cynicism have recognized that the Nigerian Union is fundamentally flawed but doubted the need for a national Conference as a reliable solution; some in their palpable ignorance see in a national conference a means of breaking Nigeria into pieces. They may be right viewing clearly the objectives of

past conferences under former rulers:Gen (Chief) Obasanjo and Gen Abacha.

It should be agreed that the lack of genuine Conferences in the past is responsible for today‘s problems – political and economic uncertainties, increase in ethnic and tribal feelings and hatred, religious bigotry and upsurge of criminal activities as a result of mass unemployment and deepening poverty.

I remain an incurable optimist as far as the desirability of a genuine national dialogue is concerned as a remedial process for national understanding and unity. In 2003 (a decade ago), I wrote that; Looking at the present situation in the country, the scenery looks pathetic, if not gloomy. The economy continues to show the red signs of depression (heavy unemployment); the political atmosphere is being polluted by party indiscipline and corruption. The general security of the country is under the siege of armed bandits and the freely roaming assassins.

The rising rate of unemployment is driving our agile youths into desperation and prostitutions. I do not think the political and economic panorama has dramatically changed since 2013.

At that time I became convinced that the present ruling party, in spite of its spirited efforts, is not able to meet the expected

challenges of modern Nigeria, I advocated in this column for the formation of a genuine National Government of wider and tested talents under the current President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The idea was not heeded or perhaps, not worthy of consideration.

It is still the hope of many Nigerians that in order to save the country from further economic, political and social decadence, widespread and rural poverty and urban congestion – with its attendant filth and disease, it is necessary to seek for a new direction and solution.

The answer lies in commonsense economics and sensible politics (which would ensure that the Federal Cabinet is made up of appointed representatives of governments of the States of the Federation). The present position of the President chosen Ministers from States not controlled by his party (without their Governors‘ consent) may be politically convenient but would not ensure cooperation.

If President Goodluck is a true convert to the Principle of National Dialogue, then there is hope for the resolution of the ‘National Question‘ in bringing enduring peace and prosperity to the country. If it is believed that the structure of the country is deficient, and there is an urgent need for restructuring, the need for a dialogue is desirable.

Why should not the ruling party test Nigeria with a vibrant new Constitution?

A Jonathan constitution prepared and agreed by all Nigerians through their representatives. It is in the ‘enlightened interest ‘of that fractured (once) great party called Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Perhaps the new constitution if there is any, would have solved the problem of true federalism as opposed to pseudofederalism as practiced in a centralized environment and also the management of our oil which is under the attack of illegal bunkering and thieves.

Monye takes Jonathan, Uduaghan’s score cards to the grassroots

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PECIAL Adviser to the President on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye has called on Nigerians, especially the people of Niger-Delta, to exercise patience with the President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administrations saying they had done well in governance.

Professor Monye gave the charge while addressing about 5000 stakeholders, leaders and members of PDP drawn from the three senatorial districts and 25 local government areas of Delta State.

Developmental programmes At the event held at his expanse conference hall at Onicha-Ugbo, in Delta State, Monye enumerated the numerous developmental programmes and projects of Presudent Jonathan and Governor Uduaghan .

Monye, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Ifeoma Monye, Ambassador

Echiegile and f o r m e r Representative of Ndbkwa East Constituency, in the House of Representatives, Mercy AlmonaIsei among others, told the crowd that the purpose of the gathering was to educate and inform them of the need to e x e r c i s e patience with the present administration as regards infrastructural development.

He remarked •Jonathan that it was a thing of joy to have Dr. or the governor of our dear Jonathan as President state, Dr. Uduaghan to tell assuring. that if given support you this but with my position for a second coming, he would as special adviser on deliver more dividends of Monitoring, I am here to tell democracy to the citizenry. you the truth as it stands in “The media in the country is terms of development.” dominated by opposition as a Highlighting the result, do not tell all the good achievements of the works of Mr. President. I am President, since assumption of not sent by either the President

office, he said that Dr. Jonathan’s administration had improved for the first time the country’s economic base which is the second fastest growing in the world, while there is increase in power generation.

On roads, he stated that most link roads across the country are being constructed as well as rehabilitated including the longest road in the country, the Kano – Maiduguri Road which he

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BYTOMMYANADUAKA

were importing rice; but the story will soon be a thing of the past as plans are in place through partnering with various individual farms to produce large quantities of rice while farmers now have access to fertilizers for their farms”.

He pointed out that apart from the road networks, the various airports of the country are now wearing new looks including that of the Asaba International Airport which

Dr. Jonathan’s administration had improved for the first time the country’s economic base which is the second fastest growing in the world, while there is increase in power generation

said work on it is 50 per cent completed.

Also, the second Niger bridge is ongoing as well as works on the Lagos/lbadan — Lagos/Benin — Asaba roads among others.

“For the first time in 30 years, this is the first time a rail line from Lagos to Kano has been put in place by this administration. At the inception of this administration, Nigerians

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has state of the art facilities.

Monye commended Governor Uduaghan for his giant strides especially in road construction, educational upliftment and development, health facilities among other human capital and basic infrastructural developments in the state.

He appealed for leaders to be encouraged and supported by the electorate so as to enable them do more.

Vanguard, FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2013 — 49

Shutdown: Shooting at Capitol, White House on lock down

BY UDUMA KALU with agency report

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HE United States Capitol was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon after a woman tried to ram a car into the White House gate, was chased by Secret Service and exchanged shots with police, sources said.

The suspect — who had a child in the car — was shot, and a shelterin-place order was lifted at about 3 p.m. At least one Capitol Police officer was injured but apparently not shot.

“The United States Capitol Police have stabilized the incident,” officials said in a message.

The incident began a little after noon when the woman tried to breach White House security at 15th St. and E but didn’t get through, law-enforcement sources said.

She was chased at high speeds for about 12 blocks, the sources said.

Near the Capitol, she began firing and was shot, the sources said.

Her condition was unknown.

An NBC satellite truck operator saw several police cars with lights flashing near the gardens below the Capitol when he suddenly heard rapidfire shots. Several police cars could then be seen chasing the black car, he reported.

The FBI responded to the scene, and a helicopter landed in front of the Capitol to medevac the injured officer. A message from the Capitol Police ordered anyone in a House office to “shelter in place,” but that order was lifted a short time later.

The House recessed, and the Senate went into a quorum call — dispensing momentarily with its official business — shortly thereafter.

The locked down derailed debate over how to end a government shutdown.

The White House also was quickly locked down after the incident at Capitol Hill and the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the compound was closed to pedestrians.

Secret Service said the procedures were precautionary. There was also a call for ‘Shelter in Place’ which was later lifted.

The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the U.S. Congress, the legislature of the U.S. federal government. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall.

The female driver tried to ram the gates of the White House and was chased by the Secret Service to Capitol Hill.

CNN’s Jake Tapper cited an unnamed White House source with an account of what has happened, which chimed with other similar reports from other outlets. A car was chased from the White House to Capitol Hill, Tapper said the source told him. Gunfire was “exchanged” near the Hart Senate office building.

One officer was injured and was taken by helicopter from the scene.

Cops were chasing a black car near the Capitol builfding. They cornered the car and that’s when shots rang out. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., told reporters he was walking from the Capitol to the Senate Russell Office Building across the street when he noticed several police officers driving fast up Constitution Avenue on motorcycles.

“Within seconds of that,” Casey said, “ we heard three, four, five pops,” which he assumed were gunshots.

He said police ordered Casey and nearby tourists to crouch behind a car for protection.

In about two minutes, he said, the officers moved everyone into the Capitol. FBI agents rushed to the scene and Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrance Gainer said: “There are reports of injuries.”

As a warning was sounded, the House abruptly went into recess and lawmakers left the chamber floor. The Senate also suspended business.

...As Obama blames Republicans for shutdown Republicans and Democrats remained locked for a third day in a battle over the terms for reopening the federal government, and both sides continued to blame the oth-

er for the lack of negotiations toward a solution.

President Barack Obama, speaking at a Maryland construction company, urged House Republicans to move legislation to reopen the entire government.

House Speaker John A. Boehner, apparently sharing Obama administration alarm about a possible debt default, told colleagues he would act to raise the federal debt limit even if he has to rely on the votes of House Democrats, GOP aides said Thursday.

It was not immediately clear, however, whether Boehner would stand by such a position publicly or whether it would prove to be a trial balloon allowing him to gauge the reactions of the GOP’s tea party wing.

“Take a vote, stop this farce and end this shutdown right now,” Mr. Obama said in a speech that also sought to highlight the potential economic impact of a protracted fight over spending and the nation’s borrowing limit. “As reckless as a government shutdown is...an economic shutdown that results from default would be dramatically worse,” the president said.

•Police take over scene of shooting

•People running from the scene of shooting.

Netanyahu: Iranian missiles may hit US one day N his latest warning must first prove it is will- ly 2012 said that it years before Iran has I about Iran’s nuclear ing to end the stand-off would be two to three ballistic missiles,” said ambitions, Israeli Prime over its nuclear program. years before Iran would the official, who declined Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Iran was working on intercontinental ballistic missiles that could one day hit the United States.

“They’re not developing those ICBMs for us.

They can reach us with what they have. It’s for you,” he told CBS News.

“The American intelligence knows as well as we do that Iran is developing ICBMs not to reach Israel. They want to reach well beyond,” he said on the network’s “This Morning” program.

The United States and other Western powers have shown an increased interest in engaging with Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, although Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday that Tehran

The ICBM issue first emerged after a 2011 blast at an Iranian military base that Israeli officials said was linked to efforts to build a missile that could travel 6,000 miles - far enough to reach the United States.

Israeli officials in ear-

have such long-range missiles that could hit the United States.

One senior Israeli security official, asked about Netanyahu’s comments Thursday, said the threat of Iranian ICBMs was still not imminent. “It will be a few

to be identified.

Netanyahu told CBS that he was not worried that his warnings may sound too strident given the ongoing efforts by the United States and others to negotiate with Iran.

100 dead, 200 missing as African boat sinks off Italy

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ORE than 100 people drowned and over 200 were unaccounted for after a boat packed with African migrants caught fire and sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on Thursday.

The disaster occurred when the boat’s motor stopped working and the vessel began to take on water, Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said. People on board

burned a sheet to attract the attention of rescuers, starting a fire on board.

“Once the fire started, there was a concern about the boat sinking and everyone moved to one side, causing the boat to go down,” he told a news conference.

The 20-metre (66 foot) vessel, believed to be carrying around 500 people, sank no more than 1 km (half a mile) from shore.

Bodies pulled from the water were laid out along the quayside as the death toll rose in what looked like one of the worst disasters to hit the perilous route for migrants seeking to reach Europe from Africa.

“It’s horrific, like a cemetery, they are still bringing them out,” Lampedusa Mayor Giusi Nicolini told reporters.

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 — 51

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

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VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E R T S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E — VA N G U A R D MEDIA LIMITED (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 E A S T P AV I L I O N T B S , L A G O S .

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013—53

L-r:Patrick Fay, Irish Ambassador to Nigeria; Oba Dr Olurotimi Fagbenro, the Oloke Odan of Oke-Odan; Rotimi Adebari, the first elected black African Mayor in Ireland, and Victor Oladokun, of 3D Global Leadership at the unveiling of Irish Mayor cream liqueur in Llagos

Military cautions ex-Biafran soldiers

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

F

OLLOWING threat by hundreds of ex-Biafran soldiers to storm Abuja and engage in street protests over non payment of their gratuities and benefits arising from the presidential pardon granted them in 2009, the Military Pensions Board has said its doors were open to genuine ex-soldiers whose name have been gazetted.

Chairman of the Board, Commodore Audu who spoke to Vanguard on the issue, explained that so far, more than 330 ex-Biafran soldiers made up of former Nigerian Army and Nigerian Airforce personnel, have been cleared to enjoy the presidential pardon.

Audu said that following the release of the list of this number of out those pardoned, the Military Pensions Board initiated the publication of the beneficia-

2015: Christians clamour for Lagos guber seat

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EMBERS of the Christian Welfare lnitiative (CWI), a political arm of the Christian Association of Nigeria, are demanding that a Christian must be voted as the next governor of Lagos State .

Addressing press conference, its national president, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade said that after the Muslims had ruled the state for an uninterrupted 16 years, it was fair and just for a Christian to have a shot in the coveted post.

The CWI president stated that Christians in Lagos State had been magnanimous enough to allow their Muslim brothers govern the State for that long period and that Muslims should reciprocate the kind gesture.

Archbishop Atilade said that presently, the Muslims were controlling about 95 percent of the civil service and political appointments in the state, stressing that this should not be so. Atilade, who is the chairman Southwest chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, noted that four out of six states in South West were being governed by

the Muslim brothers.

He said, “We are putting this fair and just demand of Lagos Christians in the front burner of the political calculations of all political parties, hoping to contest elections in Lagos State and to clear all doubts and questions about our resolve of Christians to see our demand materialized”.

ries in the National Dailies with instructions of how to go about collecting their benefits and they have been responding without any hick-up.

He said, “So for any socalled ex-Biafran soldier to come forward and claim that he is being owed benefits and he wants to embark on violent protest, that shows the person or persons are either fake on not genuine. We have the names and records of those that are genuine. Let those complaining come forward to prove their genuineness then we will sort their matter out.”

Explaining how it is done, Director of Army Pensions, Colonel Akerele, noted that once the ex-soldiers come forward to say they are qualified or they are exBiafran soldiers, their names (army component) are sent to the Directorate of Army records for verification, and to see if they are gazetted.

African-Americans honour Gov Aliyu in US

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OVERNOR of Ni ger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has won the Equitability and Excellence in Governance Award of the Black United Fund of Illinois in the United States.

Aliyu was so recognized because of the way his administration has distributed democracy dividends equitably across the length and breadth of the state since he became governor in 2007.

Justifying the choice of Governor Aliyu for the award, President of Black United Fund of Illinois, Mr Henry English said “the Niger State governor has, throughout his career, served the people of Niger

State with dedication, courage and integrity and he is truly deserving of recognition for his outstanding achievements”. The award was received on behalf of the governor by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Joshua Nuhu Bawa.

Speaking after the delegation presented the award to him at the Government House, Minna, Governor Aliyu dedicated it to the good people of Niger State and all those who have worked for the transformation of the state. Aliyu observed that “if one makes a little effort and adds prayers to it and have faith, one would certainly reap the reward’.

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2013 THIOPIA played conservatively for the great er part of the game when we met them at the last Nations Cup in South Africa. They closed up the game by playing about eight players behind the ball. The game dragged on clumsily, apparently in accordance with their initial game plan. Eagles needed to win to qualify for the next round after drawing with Burkina Faso and Zambia.

Pressure was on Nigeria. They attacked and attacked but couldn’t make hay. The chances were not even close and Eagles appeared to lack the strategy to change things. Ethiopians had become more confident and appeared to have contained the Eagles. And in the last 20 minutes they felt that they could beat Nigeria. They then became adventurous, hoping to surprise Nigeria. They tried to attack. It backfired. In two counter attacks when they opened up the game, hoping to score, Victor Moses made brilliant runs that resulted into a red card and two penalties. He scored both and Nigeria won. I simply crave your indulgence to play back that match and analyse it professionally and see how difficult it was for the Eagles.

Sylvanus Okpala, in three different interviews, described it as their toughest match in South Africa.

I’m, therefore, surprised that many Nigerians, including some so-called technocrats who should know better, have written off Ethiopia, predicting an easy ride in the last qualifier. I hope that Stephen Keshi is not listening to them. I hope the NFF will not sleep on the last day. I’m happy that Keshi is not among those writing off Ethiopia. He should not be influenced by them. The players should not be influenced into taking it easy. The trip to Ethiopia will not be easy and I support those who have suggested acclimatising in Kenya for two or three days before the game. This is my contribution to those who matter in the business of qualifying Nigeria for the 2014 World Cup.

E

08053068728

That Ethiopia falls!

,

The trip to Ethiopia will not be easy and I support those who have suggested acclimatising in Kenya

,

Qatar should put them to shame

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HE world has been fed with all sorts of sto ries on the 2018 World Cup that went to Rus sia and the 2022 World Cup hosting right that Qatar won.

England have championed the campaigns against the hosting right winners. England bidded and lost.

Lately, the attacks on Russia have reduced but Qatar is still under fire. I’m sure that if England, for example, won the 2018 bid, they would not be breathing down on Qatar the way they do at the moment. That would have pacified them. I feel it’s a case of ‘it must be me.’

The campaigns have ranged from allegations of corruption to weather factors. Summer in Qatar will be too hot and winter time will disrupt the league in Europe and affect marketers in America. Only last week, the story was that construction work will kill many people.

We are waiting for the impending calamity. Qatar has become a pariah state because they won the bid to host the World Cup. But it's only in their own estimation.

That is the good thing going for Qatar. The world is not one or two countries. They want fifa to cancel the rights awarded to Qatar. The campaign is on. Fifa must be careful.

If Qatar made presentations to fifa and to the rest of the football world and the fifa executive members voted for them based on their presentations and government guarantee to deliver a memorable World Cup, why these campaigns? I think that it’s time everybody move on. If those bellyaching that a small country won the hosting rights can prove allegations of corruption we will all support them. But if not, they should realise that we are talking about the World Cup and not European Cup or England Cup if there’s anything like that.

I’m yet to hear or read about such campaigns from Asia, Africa, Latin America, many parts of Europe etc.

It is the World Cup, for God’s sake. And those who follow the game are aware of the policy to take the World Cup to other ‘areas’ and not just Europe and America. Fifa does that now to popularise the game globally. If they considered only the football culture and development, South Africa might not have won the right to host the global event that they did with style. But do you remember the acrimony from those now calling hellfire on Qatar at the time South Africa was announced the host of 2010 World Cup? Didn’t South Africa put them to shame? That’s what I would like Qatar to do at the end of 2022. They should be able to host a befitting World Cup during summer or winter, whichever period fifa opts for.

They should be able to host a unique World Cup, one which fans could watch two matches in a day. The country is small and I hear a fast train could take fans from one stadium in one city to another stadium in another city within one hour. That will be interesting. Let Qatar record many firsts so that fifa would be happy that they awarded the right to them and may consider other small countries in future.

What matters is the ability to host a great show. If Qatar is capable of doing that and demonstrated it to the inspectors who voted for them and did so without fear or favour, then let peace reign for us to look forward to a great spectacle in Qatar in 2022.

Roger Milla raps Eto’o over commitment Kwara Utd player, Sanni C

AMEROON leg end Roger Milla has called on striker Samuel Eto’o to commit fully to the Indomitable Lions’ quest for qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Media reports suggested that the 32-year-old Chelsea striker told teammates he was quitting international football, after their 1-0 win over Lybia in September.

That result saw Cameroon top Group I in the second round of the qualifiers, booking a twolegged play-off clash against Tunisia for one of five places reserved for CAF in Brazil next year.

The Indomitable Lions head coach Volker Finke has included the Chelsea striker in the 25-man squad to contest the first leg in Rades on October 13, and Milla has made

a public plea for Eto’o to confirm his participation in the team’s remaining qualifiers.

“If I’m asked to go and bring Eto’o back home I’d do it freely and with pleasure,” the man who scored Cameroon’s first ever World Cup goal said on Monday.

“Even if he has decided to no longer play for Cameroon, he should come first and honour the call up.”

He added: “To me, Eto’o is still a member of Cameroon national team and we are seriously counting on him for qualification to the Brazil 2014.

“I urge him to come and be with his mates and help us qualify. He must stop behaving in a different way. He needs to do more”

Abacha is dead

T

•Eto’o

Chevron Junior Masters Tennis final holds Sunday

C

HEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL), Operator of the NNPC/ Chevron Joint Venture, states the final of the 2013 Junior Masters Tennis Tournament, will hold on October 6, 2013, at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.

The championship, which commenced on September 30, 2013, is sponsored by NNPC/ Chevron JV in collaboration with the Nigerian Tennis Federation and Prime Sports International Limited. It is part of the JV’s commitment to promoting youth and sports development in Nigeria.

The objective of the Junior Masters Tennis Tournament and Junior Tennis Summer Coaching Clinic- held earlier in the year, is to engage the youths, particularly during the holiday period to develop their tennis skills and to afford them an opportunity to participate in tennis events. The program targets mostly the less privileged, but is open to young persons of all social cadres.

According to the General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, “The NNPC /Chevron JV Tennis tournament is designed to foster the

spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship amongst target youths, build capacity and develop skillful tennis players that would be able to earn sustainable living from tennis and bring glory to Nigeria.”

In addition to the Junior Masters Tennis tournament, NNPC/Chevron JV also pioneered an annual Junior Tennis Summer Coaching Clinic.

This clinic benefits more than 100 boys and girls, between the ages of eight and fourteen years annually. The youngsters who qualify at the end of the Clinic are selected to rep-

resent Lagos State in the NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Masters Tournament.

Distinguished guests expected to grace the occasion include the Honorable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; President, Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, Engr. Sani Ndanusa; Group General Manager of NAPIMS (GGM), Engr. Chinaka Mac Nwogu; Senior representatives of NNPC/ Chevron Joint Venture Management, as well as teachers and students.

HE Team Manager of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, Ibrahim Agbola, has expressed deep shock over the death of a former player of the team, Sanni Abacha.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former Super Eagles player died in Ilorin in the early hours of yesterday, aged 35.

Agbola while speaking with NAN on Thursday in Ilorin described Abacha as a committed player who took his job seriously while playing for the Afonja Warriors.

He also described his death as a great loss to the football fraternity in Nigeria, adding that he died when the country needed his services most.

Agbola prayed that God would give the Abacha family the fortitude to bear the loss. Sources close to the family told NAN that Abacha was hale and hearty as at the close of midweek Globacom Premier League match between ABS and Nasarawa United in Ilorin.

The Kogi born ex-play-

•Sanni Abacha er was said to have slumped later in the night and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Ilorin where he died.

NAN reports that Abacha played for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan between 1996 and 1997 before he moved to Kwara Utd in 1998. He later left the Afonja Warriors in 2000 and joined Enyimba International in 2001.

Abacha moved to Sharks of Port Harcourt in 2002 and re-joined Kwara Utd where he finally retired. He has since been living in Ilorin, the Kwara capital until his death on Thursday.

Eaglets tackle American University tomorrow

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OLDEN Eaglets would play their first ever match on the soil of oil-rich United Arab Emirates when they tackle the American University at the Dubai media city tomorrow.

The match would expectedly be used to ascertain the physical condition

as well as their match fitness after few days of intensive training upon their arrival in Dubai.

In a related development, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has earned the praises of the rank and file of the National Under-17 team

Vanguard, FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2013 — 55

We’ll prove our Champions stuff — Maigari

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said yesterday that victory for the Super Eagles in Addis Ababa next weekend would pave the way for Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA World Cup ticket.

“The clash between Nigeria and Ethiopia is a two-legged affair, but we know that if we win in Ethiopia on Sunday next week, 90 per cent of the job would have been done.

“Of course, we are taking both legs of the fixture very serious. But we are determined to prove in Addis Ababa that we are the champions of Africa and we can win on any soil,” Maigari told the media in Abuja.

The NFF spoke at the occasion of presentation of the report of an investigative committee set up to unravel circumstances behind a petition lodged with world football-governing body, FIFA, by a former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Chief Rumson Baribote. FIFA has since dismissed Baribote’s petition as having no legs to stand on.

Speaking further on the match, Maigari called on the entire Nigeria football family, including media practitioners, to work in unison with the NFF and pray towards a Super Eagles’ triumph in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 13th October.

CONTEST......Eagles forward Emmanuel Emenike (left) jostles for the ball with Ethiopia’s Biyadiglign Elyas during their 2013 AFCON match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on January 29 in Rustenburg, South Africa.

The African champions Emeka Inyama stated Muazu Kawu and face the lowest ranked that his panel did a foremost journalist job, K Richard Jideaka also team left in the race in thorough on the the continent at the interrogating even NFF served Aminu committee, with National Stadium, Addis President Ababa in the first leg, Maigari, and followed Tajudeen Tiamiyu as The with the return football’s best practices secretary. scheduled for the U. J. in the discharge of its committee’s report and recommendations will Esuene Stadium, duties.

NFF Executive be presented to the NFF Calabar on Saturday, Committee members, Executive Committee at 16th November.

Earlier, Chairman of Chief Felix Anyansi- its next meeting. the committee, Chief Agwu and Alhaji Ahmad

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

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HE sum of $80, 000 has been earnmarked as prize money for the 2013 Governor’s Cup Futures I and II serrving off October 13 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

Disclosing this yesterday in Lagos, the Chairman of the LOC, Chief Pius Akinyelure said that the money would be shared among the players in the main draw of the men’s and women’s singles and doubles categories. The winner gets the most, followed by the losing finalists, in that order.

He added that the tournament which is in its 13th edition, promises to be exciticing given the high number of entries so far recorded.

S

PORTS Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, says the National Sports Commission (NSC) will never neglect any ailing athlete who has at one time or the other represented the country.

The minister spoke

Menkouande, Yanoussa Moussa and Henry Duvalier Mouandjo Kalla as Assistant Referee 1, Assistant Referee 2 and Fourth Official respectively.

Egyptian Essam Siam will be Referee Assessor, with Wilfred Mukuna from Zimbabwe as Match Commissioner and Kenyan Nicholas Musonye as Security Officer.

through Bolaji Ojo-Oba, a Director in the NSC, on Thursday in Benin, while presenting N1 million cash as medical assistance to exinternational, Sunday Eboigbe, who had been

down with stroke.

“It is the new thinking in the NSC that our past athletes will not be forgotten, because they are our heroes and heroines.

According to him, it is not in our character to abandon our past

Bankers Games: Mainstreet, First Bank in must-win tie

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ATCH Day 5 of the 2013 Nigeria Bankers Games holds this weekend at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) as the teams continue to quest for a place in the knock-out stage. In the first fixture of the day, a resurgent Mainstreet Bank has First Bank to contend with as both teams look to secure a win to fancy their chances in the knock-out stage.

Following two straight defeats against Cup holders, Skye Bank and Fidelity Bank, Mainstreet returned for their third game to humble Keystone Bank 3-1 in what could be adjudged an upset given Keystone’s pedigree in the competition which they have been absent from in the last couple of seasons. This is their last Group game and definitely should be considered a ‘Must-Win.

“Thirteen, they say, is unlucky for some: but for us, it is a turning point in the process of perpetuating the Governor’s Cup, and making it self-sustaining.

We expect a keen competition from other players” said Akinyelure who was represented by the Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye.

Also speaking, President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engr. Sani Ndanusa said this year’s competition as usual provides a good platform to showcase Nigeria’s tourism potentials, cultural heritage and create an avenue for the home-based players to compete for supremacy with better ranked players from Europe, Asia and others continents in Lagos.

Neville criticises Hart

J

OE Hart was criticised by Gary Neville, a member of England’s coaching staff, for the errors that allowed Bayern Munich to score their first and third goals in their 3-1 defeat of Manchester City at the Etihad

Abdullahi presents N1m cash to ailing Eboigbe

FIFA Continues from BP Nigeria scheduled for Addis Ababa on Sunday, 13th October.

The world body has also confirmed that the match will start at 4pm Ethiopia time, which is 2pm Nigeria time.

FIFA also appointed Cameroonian referee, Neant Alioum to take charge of the potentially-explosive game, with Alioum’s compatriots Evarist

Gov’s Cup players to share $80, 000

heroes.

“We will always respond to their distress calls, whenever we hear of their calls for assistance, while they are still alive.''

Stadium.

Neville’s assessment could have implications for Hart’s status as the international No1 before the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

After Hart allowed Franck Ribéry ’s seventh-minute longrange shot to go in off a forearm, Neville said: “It’s the power of the shot. He’s got to do better there, Joe Hart, beaten at his near post.

It just goes through his hand. It’s not the start Manchester City wanted or the goalkeeper.”

Chelsea kid Continues from BP aiming to make Nigeria the first country to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

Earlier success in 1985, 1993 and 2007, and runner-up position in 1987, 2001 and 2009 pinpoint the Golden Eaglets as one of the teams to watch at this year ’s fiesta in the Emirates.

Manu Garba also picked Bello Zaraddeen, Japhet Raymond, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Ezeh, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi

Iheanacho, Alfa Abdullahi, Chigozie Obasi, Abubakar Abdulazeez, Baba Salihu, Godwin Saviour, Habeeb Makanjuola, Okon Denis, Uzoha Odinaka, Chidiebere Nwakali, Abubakar Aliu, Godwin Samuel and Sunday Alampasu.

Nigeria play reigning world champions Mexico, Sweden and Iraq in Group F of the tournament, with the Eaglets’ first game against the Mexicans coming up in Al Ain City on 19th October.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Today’s Fixtures Villarreal Malaga Hannover Bastia

v v v v

Granada Osasuna Hertha Berlin Lorient

7pm 9pm 7:30pm 7:30pm

•Complete fixtures guide in Sports Vanguard

IN TODAY'S CENTRE SPREAD

Battle of Addis Ababa

We’ll prove our Champions stuff — Maigari — (Pg 55) Chelsea kid, Success, 19 others fly Eaglets flag in UAE 2013

U

-17 Head Coach, Manu Garba has listed Chelsea starlet Habib Makanjuola among 21 players to fly Nigeria’s flag at the 15th FIFA U-17 World Cup finals taking place in the United Arab Emirates between 17th October – 8th November, 2013.

Captain Mohammed Musa, striker Isaac Success and midfield linchpin Idowu Akinjide lead the pack of the youngsters who will be Continues on Page 55

Mikel

THE FULL LIST Sunday Alampasu, Bello Zaraddeen, Japhet Raymond, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Ezeh, Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alfa Abdullahi, Chigozie Obasi, Abubakar Abdulazeez, Baba Salihu, Godwin Saviour, Habeeb Makanjuola, Okon Denis, Uzoha Odinaka, Mohammed Musa, Chidiebere Nwakali, Abubakar Aliu, Idowu Akinjide, Godwin Samuel

FIFA appoints Gagg, Cameroonian ref Kwara's FIFA World Cup Sanni Abacha for Ethiopia match qualifying final

W

ORLD footballgoverning body, FIFA, has appointed

PUZZLE

elimination round match between Ethiopia and

Continues on Page 55

is dead — Pg 54

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

veteran official, Walter Gagg from Switzerland as Observer for the 2014

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Remnant (5) 9 Decapitate (6) 10 Comfort (6) 11 Cede (5) 12 Chanted (4) 15 Tower (4) 17 Growled (7) 20 Queer (3) 21 Exercise (5) 23 Thought (4) 25 Thoroughfare (4) 26 New (5) 28 Sicken (3) 30 Intimate (7) 33 Mistake (4) 35 Always (4) 36 Suspect (5) 38 Flower (6) 39 Lent (6) 40 Salute (5)

DOWN 1 Chasm (5) 2 Porcelain (5) 3 Beam (3) 4 Revised (6) 5 Island (4) 6 Fish (3) 7 Forbidden (5) 8 Learnt (5) 13 Discourteous (7) 14 Sorrow (5) 16 Unfavourable (7) 18 Attire (5) 19 Every (3) 22 Huge (5) 24 Limb (3) 27 Meek (6) 28 Away (5) 29 Supple (5) 31 Happening (5) 32 Commerce (5) 34 Pig (4) 36 Delve (3) 37 Child (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Cuddle 5, Formed 9, Anger 10, Retard 11, Tassel 12, Devil 14, Epic 17, Did 18, Oast 20, Donor 22, Apple 23, Valiant 24, Screw 26, Tired 29, Char 30, Mud 32, Cope 33, Eased 35, Remark 36, Tabard 37, Never 38, Dodder 39, Remedy.

How to Play Sudoku

DOWN: 1, Carved 2, Detain 3, Lard 4, Ended 5, Fetid 6, Oral 7, Mishap 8, Delete 13, Vicious 15, Porch 16, Cover 18, Optic 19, Sleep 21, Raw 22, Ant 24, Scared 25, Rammed 27, Rotate 28, Deadly 30, Maker 31, Deter 33, Erne 34, Dare.

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

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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