PASSPORT SEIZURE, ARREST:Court orders FG, Police to pay Sanusi N50m damages

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62115

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

50 Fulani herdsmen die in gun battle with soldiers in Nasarawa •P.8

‘Nigeria sitting on time-bomb’•P-53

PASSPORT SEIZURE, ARREST:

Court orders FG, Police to pay Sanusi N50m damages •DSS to appeal judgment ANOTHER RITUALISTS' DEN IN OGUN

BY SONI DANIEL, INNOCENT ANABA, IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, DAPO AKINREFON & CHRIS OCHAYI

L

AGOS — SUS PENDED Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday, secured a ma-

Continues on page 5

COLUMNIST:

When will it happen here?

•P.17

Mr & Mrs

•P.8 Another ritualists' den was discovered by residents of Akinremi Estate in Adigbe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, yesterday. (TOP LEFT: The building burnt by irate youths (BOTTOM LEFT): Commissioner of Police Ikemefuna Okoye addressing the youth at the scene (TOP RIGHT): The victims and (BOTTOM RIGHT) the suspects. PHOTOS: WUMI AKINOLA. •Story on page 7

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

Respondents fail to answer questions raised

From left: Mrs Funmilayo Esho-Williams, representing Osun State Deputy Governor; Hon. Sikiru Ayedun, representing Osun State Governor; Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye, Chairman. Prof. Bamitale Omole, Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU; Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, the celebrant and Prof. Gbadegesin Adeniyi; Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, during the first annual lecture of Chief Odeyemi organised as part of activities to mark his 75the birthday by Natural History Museum, OAU, Ile-Ife, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube

Court orders FG, Police to pay Sanusi N50m damages Continues from page 1 jor victory in his legal battle against the Federal Government as a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, declared as unlawful, his arrest and seizure of his international passport on February 20.

The court in a judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Buba on the suit filed by Sanusi for the enforcement of his fundamental rights also awarded him N50 million as damages.

The court further ordered the Federal Government to tender a public apology to him.

Respondents in the suit were the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police and Department of State Services, DSS.

DSS to appeal judgment

Meanwhile, the Depart-

ment of State Services, DSS, had served notice last night that it was appealing the judgment.

Deputy Director, Public Relations of DSS, Marilyn Ogar, confirmed the decision of the security agency to Vanguard.

“We are appealing the judgment immediately,” Ogar said but did not give details.

Earlier, the Police had said that they would not comment on it until it got the certified true copy of the verdict.

Force PRO, Mr Frank Mbah, said that the force was unaware of the judgment as at press time.

Preliminary objection

The court first ruled on the preliminary objection by the Attorney-General of the Federation, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

We need to enjoy the journey and not be so focused on our destination that we miss everything else.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Others may discourage you, but the most important voice to listen to is your own. Listen intently to your own voice, what you hear may change your life — Steve Goodier.

Do you believe in you! When the sculptor Auguste Rodin was young he had difficulty learning to read and write. Today, we may say he had a learning disability, but his father said of him: “I have an idiot for a son.” His uncle agreed. “He’s uneducable,” he said. What if the boy had doubted his ability to excel?

A newspaper editor once fired Walt Disney because he was thought to have no “good ideas.” The great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso was told by one music teacher, “You can’t sing. You have no voice at all.”

And an editor told Louisa May Alcott, just a few years before she wrote the classic novel, Little Women, that she was incapable of writing anything that would have popular appeal.

History will long praise each of these famous people, but what became of their critics? Nobody even remembers some of their names, which is all that need be said.

entertain the suit, which it dismissed.

The AGF had argued that the suit was wrongly instituted before the Federal High Court since the matter bordered on the employment of the applicant and so, should be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court.

Dismissing the objection, the court held that the provisions of Section 11 of the Labour Act, cannot take away the jurisdiction bestowed on the Federal High Court by the Constitution, noting that the provisions of Section 251 of the constitution vest jurisdiction on the Federal High Court, to entertain matters touching on enforcement of fundamental human rights.

The court said the applicant had brought the suit under the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Constitution, seeking an enforcement of his rights, and so, is not a dispute relating to his terms of employment.

According to the court, “the averment by respondent that the matter is labour related is far from the truth.

The first respondent is trying to set up another case for the applicant. It is a case of 'shifting the goal post' and making a case for the applicant.

“The fact deposed in the applicant’s originating summons and his affidavit speaks for itself. It is a suit for enforcement of his fundamental right which is recognisable by the Federal High Court. The court allows any person who perceives that his rights are likely to be infringed on to approach the court for redress."

The court consequently dismissed the preliminary objection and held that it had the jurisdiction to hear and determine the applicant’s suit.

On the main suit, the court held that from the totality of averments in the applicant’s originating summons, there was no doubt that the respondents had failed to answer all the questions raised.

The court noted that the first and third respondents presented conflicting averments in their counter affidavits, which shows that they were not on the same page on the issue and had acted in bad faith.

The court declared: “The averment of the second respondent is frugal, as it stated clearly that they had not been briefed by anyone to investigate or arrest the applicant.

"The first respondent laboured to submit that the applicant was not entitled to a grant of perpetual injunction, but this court is of the opinion that for every infraction, the applicant is entitled to a relief.

“This court believes that the action of the respondents in this suit, deserves condemnation and exemplary damages. This court has no doubt that the applicant has made out his case against the respondents, and so, resolve all the issues in favour of the applicant.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the court makes the following declaratory orders: “A declaration that the first respondent acting through the officers of the third respondent or its privies, does not have any power to forcefully withdraw and keep the passport of the applicant for any reason whatsoever.

“A declaration that the respondent does not have any power to forcefully withdraw and seize the passport of the applicant without compliance with section 5 (1) of the Passport Miscellanous Provisions Act 2004.

“A declaration that the forceful seizure and detention of applicant’s passport, is an unlawful violation of his right to freedom of movement, enshrined in section 35 of the 1999 Constitution and article 12 of the Charter on Human and Peoples Right Act. “A declaration that the conduct of respondents acting through the officers of the DSS, in forcefully arresting the applicant without due allegation or suspicion of a crime, is an unlawful violation of his right to personal liberty.

“An order of this court is hereby made restraining the respondent, their

agents, privies or any other law enforcement agency of the respondents, from further interfering, harassing or infringing on the personal liberty of the applicant.

“An order for immediate release to the applicant of his international passport forcefully withdrawn and seized on February 20, is hereby made. Having granted a restraining order, the order of perpetual injunction cannot be granted because for every infringement, the applicant has a right to come to court.

“An exemplary damages against the respondents jointly and severally is also awarded in the sum of N50 million only.

“An order is also made directing the respondent to make a public apology to the applicant for unlawful arrest, detention and harassment.”

Commendations greet judgment

Meanwhile, commendations across the country yesterday greeted the court judgment Reacting to the judgment, a member of the inner bar, Mr Sebastian Hon, SAN said: “The Supreme Court had in the case of Director of SSS vs Agbakoba, held that it is wrong for security agencies to impound anybody’s international passport because it infringes on the person’s right of freedom of movement which is guaranteed by the constitution.

"I believe that the Federal High Court in Lagos must have drawn strength from that judgment. Mind you, the award of the N50 million damages may not actually be because he was detained or interrogated few hours by security agents, but because of the continued withholding of his passport.

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jubril Okutekpa, said: “The issue of seizure of passport was settled in the case of Agbakoba vs the SSS. We are not in a military regime. Judges have been authorized by the con-

stitution to give judgment irrespective of whose ox is gored. We must commend the judge for being bold enough to interpret the constitution as it is.

"The constitution guarantees freedom of movement to every citizen. How can that be possible if security operatives seize people’s passports on mere ground that it is investigating one allegation or the other?"

In his reaction, Yunus Ustaz Usman, SAN said: “I have not read the judgment so it will not be fair for me to start criticizing it deeply at this time. However, I hold the view that Nigeria is not under a military rule.

Therefore, the constitution and its provisions remain sacrosanct."

Human rights crusader, Mr Bamidele Aturu, in his reaction commended the judgment but expressed worry that the Federal Government may not learn any lesson from the episode.

Aturu said: "I hope that will teach the Federal Government a lesson not to violate peoples’ rights. If they violate peoples’ right and they go to court, then the court will act to defend citizens’ right.

"That is what I can say about the judgement. It should be a lesson to them not infringe on peoples’ right but I know that at the end of the day, government does not learn any lesson but I hope they will learn from this."

CNPP applauds ruling

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, also applauded the judgment. Reacting to the court verdict, via telephone conversation with Vanguard in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said the verdict was a victory for rule of law.

He said: "It is a good judgment and welcome development."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

DSS nabs 8 kidnap, Internet suspects

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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IGHT kidnap and internet fraud suspects have been nabbed by men of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Edo State. Four of the suspects are university undergraduates, two of them in their final year.

Parading the suspects before Governor Adams Oshiomhole and newsmen, yesterday, the state DSS Director, Mr. Bello Bakori, said the suspects have confessed to the crime.

Governor Oshiomhole, who hailed the agency for tracking down the kidnap suspects, assured the officers and men of the agency of government’s continued assistance in their fight against crime, kidnapping and other vices in the state.

31-yr-old jailed 12 months for stabbing girlfriend

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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AGOS— AN Ojo Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced an unemployed man, Yusuf Adamu, 31, to 12 months imprisonment for stabbing his girlfriend with a bottle.

Adamu, whose address is unknown, had pleaded guilty to the charge of assault preferred against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Taslimi Shomade, who sentenced Adamu, gave him no option.

The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, had told the court that Adamu committed the offence on March 9, at 9pm, at Alaba Rago, Okokomaiko, Lagos.

He said Adamu assaulted his friend, Miss Iyabo Lawal, by stabbing her with a bottle.

Eze said the incident followed a quarrel between Adamu and the complainant.

MOURNING: Boat operators at Majidun Jetty, Ikorodu, suspended ferry services in honour of the victims of Wednesday's boat mishap that claimed seven lives. INSET: Stranded passengers redirected to the Metro Jetty, Ikorodu, yesterday. NAN PHOTOS.

BOAT MISHAP: How 12 cheated death— SURVIVOR

BY BOSE ADELAJA & MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—ONE of the 12 survivors of the boat mishap that claimed no fewer than six lives, Wednesday evening, Mrs. Bunmi Abimbola, a 28years-old trader, blamed the accident on overloading and speeding by the captain.

She said: “The boat left the Ebutte-Ero Jetty at 5:34pm.

I was eating at the time and I complained about the number of the passengers on-board, but he said that it could not adversely affect the boat.

“Immediately he left the jetty, he sped off and the wave was very high. A few minutes after, the boat rammed into a rock in the water.”

Abimbola, who said she lost N350,000 cash and other valuables, said: “After the accident, the boat was stuck in the water for about 30 minutes as the operator made several calls to both jetties for rescue. None came.

“The boat was running at top speed coupled with the wave, which threw us into panic and we started shouting but the boat operator calmed us down and assured us of our safety.

“On getting to IyanaOworo, the wave was so high that the boat could not stand it until it hit an object and got stuck.

“Most of us started shouting for help. The

operator ignored us, picked his cell phone and made several calls to the company.

Fisherman to the rescue

“However, there was no response from the company until a fisherman came to our rescue.

“Of the 12 persons rescued, three were rescued by the fisherman, while seven others were rescued by the company and the Federal and state emergency teams.

“Unfortunately, the fisherman could only carry three of us, while others continued shouting for help.

By this time, the boat had capsized and the passengers had become tired.

“At around 7pm, when everybody had lost hope, an empty boat came. But this was too late as seven of them had died.

“My husband has warned me to relocate my goods from Lagos to Ikorodu, but I asked him to give me some time.

“Yesterday’s (Wednesday) incident was avoidable. The boat in question was substandard and the company didn’t care for the passengers’ lives.”

Bunmi said all the passengers wore life jackets except a baby, but that there were 25 passengers on board instead of 20.

Another survivor, Abegunde Tajudeen, who said the seven victims could have survived the incident if the company had been prompt with its rescue operation.

He said: “In spite of the

several calls made to the company, they did not arrive on time. To compound the problem, the boat manager was seen dinning and winning few minutes after the incident.”

Firm disagree with survivors

The boat capsized around 6pm on Wednesday. At 6am, yesterday, sympathisers had gathered at the scene. There were conflicting accounts of what led to the tragedy.

While some survivors attributed it to overloading, the management of the company, Bell Marine Services, represented by Mr. Ben Kalejaye, insisted the boat only carried 20 passengers that were expected of it.

Among those that lost their lives was a couple, identified as Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Akers, who were expected to have their wedding anniversary next week Wednesday; a pregnant woman and a baby whose body had been deposited in the morgue.

NEMA’s report

At press time Information Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinose, said the body of Mr. Isaac Akers was yet to be recovered.

Vanguard gathered that the late Akers was an employee of a shipping company (name withheld) and his wife, a nurse. Also, a grey color Toyota car, with Lagos number plate APP 259 CN, belonging to the couple, was

among several others cars parked at the Maiden Jetty.

While survivors were thanking God, traders at the jetty wore sad looks as operations were suspended to honour the dead.

Also, the Ebutte-Ero Market, where four of the deceased did business, was shut by the market committee. Two of the traders were identified as Wale and Tawakalitu.

The secretary of the market association, Mr. Monsuru Odumosu, confirmed that four traders from the market were involved in the mishap.

Search continues

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi OkeOsanyintolu and Farinloye, said that the search and rescue will continue by 4pm yesterday.

According to OkeOsanyintolu, “the recovery operation is still ongoing. So far we have recovered seven bodies.

“Six of them are adult female and one male. And these bodies were initially deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary.

They have been transferred to the Lagos Island General Hospital, Lagos Island Local Government Area.

“Only one person was recovered at about 6am, yesterday morning. We are still on the search and rescue to ensure that nobody is left.

The capacity of the boat is between 20 and 25.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4 , 2014 —7

BIZARRE: Man beheads father, eats his neck in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI— THE Ebonyi State Police Command, yesterday, paraded a 30-year-old Nwode Chukwudi Awam, for beheading his father, Michael Awam, 56, and eating the victim’s neck at Egwudinagu Obegu village in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Chris Anyanwu, said: “The Ebonyi State Command has arrested Nwode Chukwudi, 30, who

hails from Egwudinagu Obegu village in Ebonyi Local Government Area for beheading his biological father.

“The remains of the victim were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, FETHA, mortuary for autopsy.

“When the police went for him, he was waving the machete which he used to cut his father ’s head and threatening to kill anybody that gets close to him. He was overpowered all the same.

‘He ate the neck’

“He was seen eating the

entire stub of the neck. So when you look at the exhibit, the head doesn’t have the neck even though he did the beheading from the base of the shoulder. You will not see the part of the body that is supposed to be the neck; he ate it up.

“We can say that it is not unconnected with ritual because it does appear that he may have been asked to do such a thing.

“But as I said, he is still undergoing investigation and if the suspect yields, we will discover the real reason

5 die in Ondo auto crash

behind the dastardly act,” Anyanwu added.

I heard a voice, says suspect

The suspect, who was seen intermittently smiling and looking suspiciously calm, said he carried out the act after he heard a voice which told him to go to his village and kill his father.

His uncle, Mr. Joseph Nwite, said that the suspect had been away from home for over six years, adding “he just came back from Imo State and killed his father.”

FOR SOKOTO CONSTABLES: Sokoto State government distributed motorcycles to police constables that are indigenes of Sokoto in various states, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—AT least five persons were reportedly killed by a heavy duty truck loaded with granites, which overran a commercial bus at Ikare Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The truck reportedly lost control after the brake failed on the Oke Alabojuto hill in Ikare and overran a mini Suzuki bus, known as Agolo.

The truck, according to an eyewitness account, later crashed into the popular Abiola Shopping Complex in Ikare, killing five people and injuring many others.

Among the injured, three were rushed to the state specialist hospital in Ikare, while two were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo. Police Commissioner Isaac Eke and the Commissioner for Works, Engineer Gboye Adegbenro, who were on an oversight function to the area, were said to have visited the scene and sympathised with the people of Ikare Akoko over the incident.

Another ritualists' den uncovered in Abeokuta zPolice rescue three pregnant ladies, three kids as youths set building ablaze

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA— HELL was let lose yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when residents of Akinremi Estate in Adigbe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, discovered another ritualists’ den. Angry youths trooped to the area and set the building ablaze.

Yesterday’s discovery was, however, special as the proprietors also used to breed babies for rituals. This development came barely 24 hours after a ritualists’ den was uncovered in Iyana-Egbado in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

Policemen from Adigbe Divisional Headquarters in Abeokuta rescued three

pregnant ladies, three kids whose ages range between two and four, from the den. The police also arrested wife of the suspected proprietor of the house.

When Vanguard visited the scene, some neighbours around the estate explained that one of the victims, a young pregnant woman, escaped from the den, ran into a building located about 200 meters away and pleaded with the occupants to save her from assailants, Wednesday evening.

The victim, who claimed to have hailed from Abia State, was said to have informed the occupants of the building where she sought shelter that her elder sister sold her and her unborn baby to the ritualists for N100,000.

It was further gathered that the

ritualists told the lady, who had spent three days in the den that she would stay till she delivered her baby, because her aunt had been paid for the unborn baby.

The police were alerted and reportedly carried out a raid on the premises at 11pm, Wednesday. As the news filtered into Abeokuta metropolis, angry youths, who were mostly students from the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta, reportedly invaded the duplex and carried out a thorough search of the rooms.

The youths discovered an ivory plate containing fresh blood, coffin, effigies, scorpion, assorted charms and other ritual items.

Also discovered were international e-passport and

identity cards of junior and senior secondary school students of Sacred Heart Catholic College, Oke-Ilewo who may have been killed by the ritualists.

Several other male and female cloths of white garment worshipers suspected to have fallen victims were also recovered.

The mob set the building ablaze, including two vehicles parked within the premises: a Toyota Camry salon car with number plate LAGOS: EKY 942 AJ and a Mitsubushi salon car, LAGOS: AGL 971 BH. Officials of the Ogun State Fire Service, however, succeeded in putting out the fire.

Fierce-looking policemen, who had been helplessly watching the angry youths,

however, reinforced with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, arrested some youths and took them away to the command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The Command's Deputy Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident, said two victims were rescued, while two others were also arrested in connection with the discovery.

Oyeyemi gave names of victims rescued as Jennifer Goodluck, who is nursing a twomonth-old baby, while the other pregnant lady was simply identified as Oluchi. Both were said to be from Abia State.

He said the arrested suspects are one Muibat Yusuf and her brother, who are indigenes of Kwara State.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Soldiers kill 50 Fulani herdsmen in Nasarawa ...Normalcy restored in Guma, Gwer West and Agatu LGs

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI &

ABEL DANIEL

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AFIA—NO fewer than 50 Fulani herdsmen were yesterday killed during a gun duel with soldiers deployed to contain the activities of armed gangs in Benue and Nasarawa States.

Armed gangs had killed over 200 Tivs in both states just as thousands of villagers, who were seeking refuge camps in nearby local governments and states.

Apparently reacting to the development yesterday, the Defence Headquarters said that ‘’following the directive by the Military High Command that armed gangs, criminals as well as herdsmen causing mayhem and killings in states of the Middle Belt, should be flushed out, the troops have launched major offensive in the areas destroying militant camps and recovered arms while arrests were also made in Shendam area of Plateau State.

The Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, who made this known said, “Formation commanders of the Nigerian Army have moved to the various states in their area of responsibility to conduct the operations aimed at addressing deteriorating security situation in parts of the North Central,”adding that normalcy has also been restored in Guma, Gwer West and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State with some arrests and recoveries made in the process.

In Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, corpses of Fulani insurgents numbering 10 were brought to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, DASH, in a police pick-up van and deposited at the mortuary while about 20 others were deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Keana among others. Some of the corpses were still in the bushes which were being combed by security agents for more bodies.

Source told Vanguard in Lafia that the military launched an offensive on the terrorists while acting on a tip-off about their hideouts in Maraba Giza and TseAzer, where they had taken over the ancestral homes of the people of the area.

It was gathered at the Keana General Hospital that the mortuary was filled and could not contain the number of dead bodies hence they were being conveyed to other hospital morgues in Lafia.

It was further gathered that sophisticated weapons were recovered by the military from the insurgents during the gun battle.

Residents of Keana Local Gov-

Boko Haram: Court declines secret trial of Kogi varsity lecturer

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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PRESIDENT JONATHAN RETURNS: From left—Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan on his arrival at Abuja International Airport, after attending the EU-African Summit in Brussels yesterday. ernment Area who spoke to Vanguard said that troops had taken over the town with about four armoured tanks stationed at strategic areas of the local government to ensure that the insurgents had no escape routes.

One of the residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that: “The military killed the insurgents and were able to recover plenty rifles from them,’’expressing happiness ‘’at the development.”

However, security sources said that some of the terrorists had been camped in some parts of the state under the guise of being international hunters wondering whether the presence of animals in their midst were enough reasons to just their ‘’international hunters status.’’

According to the source, “This

part of the state has received and seen strange Fulani faces this time, more than any time in history and we wonder where they came from because they are not the normal Fulanis that we know.

“Most of these so-called Fulani that we see don’t even have cows and one had continued to wonder what were their mission in the state.”

Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Olukolade said, “Troops deployed in Benue State have already cleared camps of all armed gangs in three local governments of the State”.

“Normalcy has been restored in Guma, Gwer West and Agatu Local Government Areas. Some arrests and recoveries have been made in the process.

“Tagged Operation Restore

Peace, the mission has also resulted in the destruction of militant camps, arrests as well as recovery of arms in Shendam area of Plateau State”. ''Two (2) AK 47 rifles were recovered after an encounter with troops of Special Task Force and the armed gangs in their enclaves in Shimanker in Plateau State.

“In Kaduna State, militant’s camps in Ladduga near Kachia were destroyed while arms were equally recovered in Maigungume Hills in Niger State”.

“General Officers Commanding, GOCs, are directly supervising these operations in their Area of Responsibility in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States as troops comb forests in the mission to apprehend members of armed gangs and destroy their enclaves”.

Petroleum scarcity has political undertone — NNPC boss

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—THE Nigerian National Petroleum corporation NNPC, yesterday, said that the acute shortage of petroleum products especially the ‘Premium motor spirit’ witnessed throughout the nation in the past few months was caused by factors beyond the control of the corporation.

The corporation said there was a political undertone to the fuel scarcity.

The Executive Director, Port Harcourt operations, Engineer Ahamefula Ugochukwu made this known during the corporation’s special day at the on-

going 25th Enugu international trade fair.

Ugochukwu, who represented the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu at the event, said there were peculiar reasons why he would not give details of the political undertone. He, however said that it was good a thing that the scarcity is gradually coming to an end, since the products are now available even though selling at a price, which is above normal pump price.

He stressed that the Kaduna and Warri refineries are being restored to perform in full capacity which to a large extent is restoring hope in the efficacy of refineries. The major problem with the Port Har-

court refinery he said is the consistent vandalisation of the pipelines which indirectly is another cause of the artificial scarcity of the products in the South East zone of the country.

However, the corporation is reaching out to the traditional institution in the various communities on how to curtail the act.

According to him, part of the roadmap to make NNPC competitive in the global market is also to collaborate with the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. “The PIB, he explained was a change legislation which promises to offer our corporation all the necessary incentives to enable it excel,” he explained.

BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, refused to okay secret trial of Dr. Mohammed Nazeef Yunus, a lecturer at the Kogi State University accused of being the spiritual leader of a Boko Haram cell situated at Igala land in Kogi State.

In a ruling yesterday, trial Justice Gabriel Kolawole, said it would not be in the interest of justice to bar members of the public from witnessing the trial of the accused person, though he gave FG the nod to mask its witnesses with a view to protecting their identity.

Meanwhile, the court yesterday fixed accelerated hearing on the charge against the accused lecturer to May 6 and 7.

Yunus is facing trial alongside two other alleged members of the Boko Haram sect, Alhaji Salami Abdullahi and Umar Musa.

The accused persons who were formally in the custody of the Directorate of State Service, DSS, since October 30, 2013, were on February 3, transferred to Kuje Prison, Abuja, on the order of the trial high court.

Government had alleged in an eight court charge before the court that the trio, within the months of May and October, 2013, at Ayangba in Kogi state, engaged in an act in furtherance of acts of terrorism by not only acquiring weapons, but also recruiting new members for the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

According to the charge, some of the weapons recovered from the accused persons included 2 AK-47 Rifles, 2 Magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition.

By belonging and supporting the illegal activities of a proscribed organization, the government, said the action of the accused persons ran contrary to sections 4, 10, 12, 16(1) (4), 17 and 18 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013, as amended.

The accused persons had since pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014—9

FG plans new policy on LPG, April 8 …To bar individuals from owning cylinders

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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AGOS—THE F e d e r a l Government yesterday, announced plans to commence a stricter regulation of the Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG sector, with the introduction of a new policy, come April 8, 2014, that will bar consumers from owning cylinders and also restrict unauthorized persons from handling gas products.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Mr. Joseph Odumodu, Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, said the government is concerned about the safety and security issues associated with the usage of LPG, hence the decision to step up its regulation of the sector.

He explained that the new policy, which will fully come into effect from June 2014, is designed to promote the usage of LPG in every nook and crannies of the country, ensure the revival of local cylinder manufacturing companies and allow local companies to thrive.

He said the new policy will allow government have better control of LPG accessories and also address issues of standards and impurities in LPG. He said, “In the new system, individuals will no longer own cylinders. Only marketers and dealers that are approved by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, will own the cylinders. The consumers will pay a token for cylinders that will be given to them, and on return of the cylinders, their money will be refunded.”

He allayed fears that the new policy will bring about an increase in the cost of LPG and other accessories, noting that it is working to ensure that consumers only deposit a small amount of money for the cylinders that will be given to them by the dealers.

With the new policy, Odumodu said that substandard and faulty cylinders and cylinders that are over 15 years of age will be systematically withdrawn from circulation within six months.

Don’t incur wrath of Nigerians, NLC warns oil marketers

BY VICTOR AHIUMA YOUNG

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BUJA—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Abuja, warned members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, against shutting down petrol stations, thereby further unleashing hardship and pains on Nigerians for purely personal aggrandisement.

NLC in a statement asked IPMAN not to make members enemies of the Nigerian people by compounding the fuel scarcity Nigerians had been going through by their proposed action under the pretext of a strike, because it was uncalled for and not tenable.

NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, in a statement yesterday, said “there have been media reports of an impending strike by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, under the pretence that members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, are on strike at the Nigeria Independent Petroleum Company, NIPCO, a company owned by IPMAN. While it is not true that NUPENG members at NIPCO are on strike, the issues in contention at NIPCO are basically about an attempt to fiddle with internal democracy within the leadership of IPMAN resulting in the refusal of the outgoing President to accept to leave office after the expiration of his tenure.

“The second issue is the refusal by members of NUPENG at NIPCO to accept the continued payment of petroleum subsidy to

members of IPMAN who do not supply any petroleum product anywhere in Nigeria. The genuine concern by members of NUPENG against those who believe they can continue to shortchange the Nigerian people by fraudulently receiving subsidies for the supply of petroleum products even when they supply nothing cannot be considered a strike and must not be used as reasons to advance personal interests by some so called petroleum marketers who survive only by circumventing our laws, taking advantage of a system that has been a conduit for corruption.

“The marketers have absolutely no reasons to close down fuel

stations as there are no issues of national interests in dispute. Indeed, there are no issues in dispute, if any it is the determination of members of NUPENG to fight corruption which has become extremely pervasive at NIPCO, whose facilities are used by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to store and distribute petroleum products across the country. No marketer, hiding under personal interests should be allowed to further deepen the sufferings of consumers through the unwarranted closure of fuel stations anywhere in the country. For months running, we have lost several hundreds of man-hours as a result of non

availability or scarcity of petroleum products, especially petrol or Premium Motor Spirit.

“We urge the authorities, particularly the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to take immediate measures to ensure the threat by the marketers to close down petrol stations is nipped.

They cannot reduce the impact and essence of industrial strikes by claiming that their action is an industrial strike as strikes are not declared to promote personal interests and advance corrupt practices. Petroleum marketers should not make themselves an enemy of the Nigerian people by unleashing further hardships through their proposed action under the pretext of a strike. Strike actions should not be so cheaply abused.”

ICAN'S CONFERMENT OF FELLOWSHIP: From left— Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Special Guest of Honour; Alhaji Kabir Alkali Mohammed, 49th President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN and Mr IK Mbagwu, FCA, Executive Diretor, Fidelity Bank PLC after his conferment of Fellowship at the ICAN 12th Conferment of Fellowship Status ceremony held in Lagos yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

NIS tragedy: Recruitment consultant, Drexel Technologies not licensed – Ministry But what is worse is that we have the Minister of Labour and ProBY VICTOR AHIUMA YOUNG

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REXEL Technologies Lim ited, the outsourcing company engaged by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, for March 15, 2014 recruitment interview that claimed the lives of about 20 job seekers nationwide, is not registered.

Umbrella body of Outsourcing companies in Nigeria, Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, HuCaPAN, which disclosed this yesterday, said this was the outcome of the association’s investigation from the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, saddled with the responsibility of issuing licenses to outsourcing companies.

HuCaPAN claims was confirmed by an official of the Labour Ministry who told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that “the affected company is not among the over 700 registered recruiter companies as at March 2014.”

The association faulted the

claims by the Minister of Internal Affairs that the company passed through the Ministerial Tender Board, declaring that the four companies shortlisted before Drexel were given the job were not registered by the Federal Government.

President of HuCaPAN, Mr. Neye Enemigan, in a chat with journalists at a national workshop on “Strengthening the role of private employment agencies, PEAs in Human resources development”, jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and HuCaPAN, in Lagos, lamented that the Federal Government could engage the services of a company not known to law.

According to him, “The unfortunate death was avoidable. It is something that should not have happened in any civilized country. It is a shame and for me I feel very sad. I express my condolence to the family. The outsourcing company is not our member.

taken pain to investigate and we have found out this outsourcing company is not even registered to recruit. For example, the Minister of Internal Affair, Mr. Abba Moro said that they followed due process and that they shortlisted four companies; Pyrich Global Limited, Bosmos Infotech Limited, Rosebonny Technologies Limited and Drexel Technologies Limited, and that all of them went through the ministerial tenders board.

“We have investigated and found out that all the four companies are not registered to recruit. In other word, the one that got the job, Drexel Technologies Limited is not registered, licenced or authorised by law to engage in that exercise. By Nigerian labour law and to be specific, section 23, 24, 25 and 71 of the Labour Act laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 makes it clear that the Minister of Labour and Productivity, will licence any organisation that is a recruiter. So, if you have not been licenced by

ductivity as a recruiter, what you have doing is illegal. It is a shame that the Federal Government will engage a company that is not known by law to carry out this type of exercise on Nigerians.”

On money paid by the applicants, he said “The company collected according to what the Minister of Internal Affairs said, over N700 million and also by law, no prospective employee is required to pay a Kobo to get a job. You are not required to pay to get form, you are not required to pay for anything. That on its own is also illegal. ''We want Nigerians to establish that this company is quack and the company should be dealt with in accordance with the law. The idea thing is to return the money paid by the applicants. The senate has set up into the matter and I think it hold a public hearings. We are hoping that it would be done speedily and as an association, we will like to make presentation and give our professional advice.”

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

We detected 77,609 ghost voters in Ekiti — INEC

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, said it uncovered 77, 609 ghost voters in the database of electorate in Ekiti State, assuring, however, of its resolve to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in Ekiti State on June 21.

In a paper presented at a dialogue forum between INEC and Civil Society Organisations, organised by the Policy & Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC. Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Ekiti state, Mr. Hussaini Halilu Pai, noted that at the end of the 2011 voters' registration exercise in the state, the total figure declared as registered voters was 764, 726.

He said owing to allegations during the last election that some persons could not find their names in the register, INEC, had to go back and scrutinise the Direct Data Capturing, DDC, Machine, and in the process, recovered and uploaded an additional 1, 833 voters into the database it intended to use for the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti state.

The Ekiti REC, said the electoral body, through the use of Automated Fingerprint Identification System, AFIS, successfully pruned down the state registration figure to 688, 950 having detected fake voters and several cases of multiple registrations of voters.

According to him, “Some rules were applied to the processing activity to further sanitize the register in preparation for

printing of the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. Critical among these is that any registrant with less than two finger prints does not appear on the register and would not get a Permanent Voter Card. The process removed a

total of 31, 694 incomplete registrations from the database leaving the final figure of registrants in Ekiti State Database at 657, 256 prior to the Continuous Voter Registration of March 12 to 17, 2014 million.

He maintained that so far, over 53 per cent of electorate in Ekiti state had already collected their Permanent Voters Card, saying INEC had also commenced the issuance of the card in Osun State.

Lagos‘ll no longer employ uncertified teachers —COMMISSIONER

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AGOS—THE Lagos State C o m m i s s i o n e r for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said yesterday that teachers without the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, Certificate would no longer be employed in the state.

Oladunjoye made the statement during the first induction ceremony of the council for graduates of National Teachers Institute’s, NTI, National Certificate of Education, NCE, programme and Post Graduate Diploma in Education, PGDE, graduates of the institute for the 20102012 session.

250 NCE and 600 PGDE students who graduated from NTI were inducted by the council during the ceremony.

The commissioner was represented by Mr. Banji Alase, Policy Officer from the state Ministry of Education at the occasion.

“There will be no more employment for teachers without the TRCN certificate and those in service without the certificate will no longer be promoted.”

She, however, pleaded with the body to dispatch the 4,000 certificates in its custody to their respective owners.

Oladunjoye also requested

the council to strengthen the disciplinary committee set up five years ago for the monitoring of teachers, so as to enhance qualitative education.

“Teachers involved in

examination malpractice and immoral acts with students should be taken before the disciplinary committee set up by TRCN,” she said.

Ketu residents protest planned demolition

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—RESIDENTS of Demurin-Ketu, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, protesting alleged planned demolition of their homes and Central Mosque by the council headed by Obafemi Durosinmi.

The residents, who stormed the Assembly at about 9:00 am, demanded the intervention of Governor Babatunde Fashola and the lawmakers on the planned demolition.

Vanguard gathered that the

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houses and the Central mosque are part of the structures constructed beside the Ketu Plank Market, which was razed by fire last March.The residents armed with placards which reads: “BRF we are traders and residents of Ifelodun plank market, we need your help; Duro, don’t divide us; Duro, our mosque is our pride; Ifelodun Central Mosque must stand; let us avoid Jihad violence among others.

Spokesman of the protesters, Alhaji Aliyu Bello, said it came as a shock to residents when they woke up only to see a quit notice from the Chairman of Agboyi Ketu, Durosinmi, ordering them to vacate

Health workers threaten another indefinite strike

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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AGOS—THE relative peace in the nation’s health sector may soon be disrupted as health workers under the auspices of the Joint Health Workers Union, JOHESU, yesterday threatened a nationwide indefinite strike from April 29, should the Federal Government fail to meet its demands on or before April 29, 2014.

President of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, Mr. Felix

Olukayode-Faniran, one of the leaders of JOHESU, who issued the warning in Lagos, said Nigerians should not blame health workers if the planned strike materialised by the end of the month.

According to him, when the union concluded its nationwide strike in January, “we told the government that we are going to embark on another nationwide strike, but we have deliberately decided not to embark on that nation-wide strike because of our love for Nigerians."

Oasis Christian women convention

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AGOS—WOMEN Department of Oasis Christian Centre, OCC, Egbeda, Lagos will hold its annual convention and Mothers’ Day celebration from Thursday, April 3rd to Sunday, April 6th, 2014.

A statement from the Women President, Evangelist Bamidele Esan, said the theme for this year ’s convention is “Radiating God’s glory.”

Other activities lined up for

the convention, according to the women President include variety day, health talk on management of stress to be delivered by Dr. Lydia Aborisade of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. She said a cooking competition tagged; “Men also cook” would take place on Saturday between OCC men and youth who would cook the local Ofada rice and its stew.

CONFAB: Dame Fashola decries women’s allocation

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI AGOS—FIRST Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, yesterday, expressed dismay over the 15 percent delegate allocation to women at the ongoing National Conference, describing it as “unfair to women folk.”

Similarly, Governor Babatunde Fashola and his deputy Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, condemned increase in cases of gender based violence and inhuman treatment of women in the society.

They spoke while marking the state’s version of International Women’s Day rally themed; ‘Equality for women is progress for all‘ held at the Police College, Ikeja Local Government Area, which was also attended by the wife of Ogun State deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Adesegun.

Speaking Mrs. Fashola said: “I must state, however that it goes beyond just talking about equality for women. We must make an effort to include women for example, at the ongoing National Conference, one of the items on the agenda is gender equality, yet less than 15 percent of the delegates are women. It is for our own good as a nation for women to be educated and to have equal opportunities as men.”

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Otu-Oma Iwere holds 20th carnival

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AGOS—THE OtuOma Iwere Cultural Society of Nigeria, alias Oma-Iwere Ete, will between Friday, April 18 and Sunday, April 20 (Easter)), present its 20th Annual Cultural Carnival, under the chairmanship of Daniel Gumm to the Lagos audience.

The event, which will feature various Itsekiri cultural revival, will also display Itsekiri dance steps, fashion parade, and spectacular masquerade display. The three-day event will hold at Amodu Tijani Street, off Tolu Bus Stop, Olodo Apapa, Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 11

EFCC tenders 25 exhibits against Daniel in corruption trial A

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, yesterday, tendered 25 evidences as exhibits against former governor of the state Otunba Gbenga Daniel on the alleged corruption allegation levelled again him, as his trial over corruption charges resumed.

The exhibits which comprised Certified True Copies of Certificates of Occupancy of some buildings including Daniel’s residence, his father's church and a hotel in Sagamu obtained from the State Bureau of Land on the alleged conversion of public property into personal use.

Daniel is facing a 38 -count charge on fraudulent conversion of land and diversion of public funds.

At the resumed proceeding, the trial Judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje admitted all the documents tendered by EFCC and marked them as exhibits.

The commission also called two witnesses from the Bureau of land who were crossed examined by both counsels to Daniel and EFCC, Professor Taiwo Osipintan SAN and Rotimi Jacobs SAN respectively.

Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs had called a witness who is a Chief Deed Registrar in the ministry of

land, Mariam Ademoye to confirm the documents he tendered before the court.

Ademoye, during cross examination, told the court that the commission had written her office in March 2012, demanding for some Certified True Copies of some registered documents in the custody of the ministry.

She also said the documents requested for were C of O of Daniel’s residence in Sagamu, his father ’s church, Golf Place Resort, Blue Chapel among

others.

When asked about some files allegedly missing in the ministry of land, the witness cleared Daniel of complicity in the missing files, saying the former governor was not a staff of the bureau and had no access to the documents.

Another witness, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land, Isaac Akogun during cross examination, said he was a schedule officer in Sagamu GRA when Daniel was a governor of the state.

He claimed his office was bypassed during the acquisition of lands on which Daniel ‘s mansion was built as well as his father’s church and hotel.

He also accused Daniel of taking over some lands that were not revoked by the government, adding that the former governor converted some plots of land that were designed for guest houses, access roads among others for personal use.

The judge however, adjourned the case till April 29 and May 30 for the continuation of trial.

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, widow of the late legal icon, Godwin Olusegun Kolawole Ajayi, SAN, Mrs. Margret Olayinka Ajayi, and Chief Bode Ogunlana, during a condolence visit by the Governor to the late GOK Ajayi's Surulere residence in Lagos, yesterday.

Boko Haram attacks possible in Ogun —ARMY CHIEF

BY DAUD OLATUNJI BEOKUTA—THE General Officer Commanding, 81 division of Nigerian Army, Lagos, Major-General Tamunomieibi Dibi, yesterday, in Abeokuta, said Boko Haram insurgency and attacks in the state was possible , urging the Army officers, Ogun State Government and the people of the State not to rule it out.

Dibi, the newly-deployed General Officer, who paid a working visit to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, however, boasted that the Nigerian Army has what it takes to crush the Boko Haram insurgency and its attacks.

He urged the military men to be security-conscious and report any security-threatening information to the appropriate quarters for quick and necessary actions, noting that security watch and consciousness should be seen as everybody business.

The GOC who declared that the presence of Boko Haram insurgents could not be ruled out in any state, cities, villages and communities in any part of the country, charged army and other security agencies to be watchful

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and on the alert every time to crush any attacks.

While confirming the welfare and security challenges facing Nigerian Army and its officers, Dibi assured military men that government would look into the challenges and find necessary solutions to the challenges, saying; “I am impressed with the

environment I met here, in fact, you are living close to the nature.

I know the problems of Army, your Brigade Commander has equally briefed me about your challenges and they are surmountable. While your officers are working, I want you to encourage them and be by their side; be behind them. If

everybody is conscious of his security, it will amount to collective security. I think you know that there is nothing like rumour in the Army, if you have a rumour don’t keep it to yourselves, pass it to the appropriate quarters for necessary attention and action."

Aspirants protest conduct of Osun PDP In a statement issued in ward congresses Osogbo, last night by the Director

BY IGBENGA OLARINOYE SOGBO—REPORTS last night indicated that several Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirants were not pleased with the conduct of the party’s ward congresses, yesterday.

This came as speculations were rife that the former deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore was leading in the ward congresses.

The state congress, where the party’s candidate for the August 9 governorship election in the state would be elected comes up tomorrow.

But a former minister of youth development and one of the governorship aspirants in Osun

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State, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, faulted the conduct of the ward congresses, saying it was marred with gross irregularities, violence and manipulation.

T h e congresses were to elect delegates for the State congress that would elect t h e governorship candidate of the Party in the August 9, governorship election.

Media and Strategy for Senator Olasunkanmi’s campaign organisation, Mr. Ayo AlukoOlokun, said that the Congresses did not hold in more than half of the Local Government Areas in the State.

Ekiti PDP accuses Fayemi of stopping its use of stadium

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI— P E O P L E S Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, yesterday accused Governor Kayode Fayemi of denying it of the use of the Oluyemi Kayode stadium in the planned visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state to kick-start the electioneering campaign of the PDP governorship candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

This came as both the former governor of Ekiti State and the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the June 21 governorship election, Mr. Ayo Fayose and one of the leading gubernatorial aspirants of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye formally sealed the agreement between them promising to work for the common interest of the people of the state.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole, PDP condemned Fayemi for his alleged refusal to allow PDP to use the Stadium for the April 8 rally to flag off Fayose’s campaign by President Jonathan According to the statement: “The refusal letter dated 2nd April, 2014 and signed by one Mr.P.O Dada of the Ekiti State Sports Council has shown that the APC government has displayed the highest level of political intolerance by this action. We wish to inform the Ekiti people that government of APC had denied the use of public schools and other recreational centres because of the same political intolerance forgetting that these amenities were built with public fund.”

12 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Electricity tariff: Why I intervened —Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that he had to intervene in the disagreement between civil society organisations in the state and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, in the interest of justice, public good and to stem a breakdown of law and order.

Speaking at Government House, during a meeting with executives of BEDC in Benin City, yesterday, Oshiomhole recalled that what led to what is now globally referred to as the Arab Spring, was a solo protest by a man, who committed suicide.

He said: “I called this meeting for us to talk through some of the issues raised by the leaders of the civil society groups that organised protests against some of the actions of BEDC. I believe our role here, as a state government, is basically to facilitate a dialogue between the consumers of electricity, who happen to be my employers, and BEDC as they have complained about the policies with regards to some charges by BEDC. I think we can talk through the issues and hopefully get results and resolve them in an amicable manner so that it does not degenerate into a major crisis.

“So, when I heard that people were protesting and I asked questions, I was told about money collected without services rendered. I then appealed to my civil society people that we might need to engage the company and let us see how we can sort it out.

“MD, you will recall the day I had the honour of receiving you in my office, when you formally introduced your compa-

ny to us. I made some statements basically that privatization will lead to greater efficiency and I remember I told you that a private service provider cannot collect money for services not rendered, and therefore, the challenge of privatization and the beauty of it is that you pay only for what you consume and the service provider has certain obligations; both as a market player, but also in the eye of the

law.

“When I began to hear the complaints and about the protest, it just reminded me about the things that I said to you. For me, the issue here is not what the regulatory authority wants to do; they cannot regulate in such a manner as to compel someone to pay for something he has not consumed. If they seek to do that, they will be acting outside the law. No law in a democracy can empower anyone to collect mon

WALK FOR LIFE: From left: Mr. Festus Ebea, Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; Dr Pius Odubu, Edo State Deputy Governor; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Mr. Chris Okaeben, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, at the 12-km Walk For Life keep-fit exercise, in Benin City, yesterday.

Party elders wade into Rivers PDP crisis ...caution against ethnic sentiments

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—FOLLOWING the internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State over which ethnic group should produce the party ’s candidate at the next gubernatorial election, the elders of the party have cautioned members to shun ethnic sentiments and work to effectively consolidate the party in the state.

In a statement, yesterday by Chiefs Ferdinand Alabraba and Maxwell Amadi, under the aegis of Elders Forum, the party elders expressed worries over the way some members of the party were going about using ethnicity to cause disharmony in the party.

Reaffirming the support of the party for Pres-

ident Goodluck Jonathan, the party elders appealed to members to be careful of some members drumming up ethnic sentiment within the party, noting that they could be agents of opposition political parties in the state.

“These are agents of destruction, who are out to spoil the cohesion

within the party. Such persons must be quickly identified and avoided.

“Any group that wishes to aspire to the goverNOTIFICATION OF MARRIAGE This is to inform the general public that MR. UGOCHUKWU KINGSLEY IGBOKWE is married to MRS. LASHON CHEROKETA HAMIGBOKWE on the 6th Day ofApril, 2013. The general public please take note.

norship position of Rivers State can only do so successfully within a strong and virile party in the state. All are, therefore, enjoined to focus more on maximum mobilisation, consolidation

and growth of the party in Rivers State. It is only then that PDP can win the state and contribute maximum support to President Jonathan in 2015,” the elders said.

IYC decries Clark's son's kidnap

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HE Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, yesterday condemned the kidnap of Ebikeme Clark, son of elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the spokesman for IYC, Mr. Eric Omare.

The statement said Ebikeme was kidnapped on April 2 by unknown gunmen at the site of the E. K. Clark University of Technology, Kiagbodo, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The preliminary investigation by the IYC reveals that Ebikeme was taken to the kidnappers’ hideout through the Kiagbodo River which connects the Ramos and Forcados Rivers in Delta and Bayelsa States. The IYC officials in Oporomo, Ingbelebiri, Mein and Seimbiri clans of Bayelsa and Delta states have been mandated to trace and fish out the kidnappers,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the IYC officials would also work with security agencies in Delta and Bayelsa states to ensure Ebikeme's release.

IYC restated its commitment to fight kidnapping in particular and criminality in general in Ijaw land.

“Efforts are being made

by IYC in conjunction with security agents to free Ebikeme”, the statement said. IYC urged family members of the victim not to pay any ransom to the kidnappers in order to discourage kidnapping in Ijawland and in the Niger Delta.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014—13

PDP seeks disqualification of Appeal Tribunal judges

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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25TH ENUGU INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR: From left: Principal Manager, Training, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Patricia Aboh; Vice-president, Membership Development, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr Emeka Nwakpa; Vice-president Trade Fair, Mr. Jasper Nduagwuike and representative of NPA Managing Director, Mr Lawrence Oladele, during the inauguration of NPA stand at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair, yesterday.

Anambra polls tribunal: Ngige identifies INEC voters' registers

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO N I T S H A — S E N AT O R Chris Ngige, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2013 governorship elections in Anambra State, yesterday, entered the witness box and commenced his evidence-inchief at the Elections Tribunal sitting in Awka.

Ngige, who identified both the electronic and printed copies of INEC voters' registers, also identified the list of ad-hoc staff of INEC used for the election.

He also presented a protest letter he wrote to INEC seeking the cancellation of the governorship election, following alleged irregularities in the election process.

Objecting to the admissibility of a copy of the letter by Ngige, the lead counsel to INEC, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, said the letter did

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not meet the provisions of section 102 (e) of the Evidence Act. Ikweto said the only letter admissible in civil proceedings was a certified true copy, which, upon receipt by INEC, had become a public document and what Ngige was presenting could not serve as a counterpart of the said letter.

Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, counsel to Ngige, argued that a private document submitted to a public

Rivers CJ drags NJC to court over suspension

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Chief Judge of the Rivers State, Justice Peter Agumagu, has dragged the National Judicial Council, NJC, before

Edo govt lacks power to conduct teachers' competency test —TRCN tells court

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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EACHERS Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, has told the National Industrial Court, sitting in Akure, Ondo State, that the Edo State government lacked the power to conduct competency test for teachers in the state as it related to certification.

The council argued that it was the only competent body mandated by the Teachers Registration Act 2004 to test the competency of teachers in the country.

TRCN, which is the 3rd defendant in the suit against Edo State government by Academic Staff Un-

body should not become a public document in its own hand.

He further said INEC had refused to produce the certified true copy of the letter submitted to it as they had applied through the tribunal to INEC for the copy in a letter dated March 18, 2014 which INEC received on March 20, 2014. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ishaq Bello, reserved ruling for today.

ion of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, in their statement of defence by its counsel, Mr. Daniel Osiagor, averred that “the roles of the employees of teacher is to organise mandatory continuing professional development programme, wherein the participating teachers can earn credit hours for all TRCN approved programmes.”

It further averred that “these mandatory continuing development programmes, which are organised yearly do not dwell on competency, which is the sole exclusive preserve of TRCN as the only appropriate body that can certify teachers.”

a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, challenging his suspension by the NJC. Agumagu is asking the court to restrain members of an investigation panel set up by the NJC to investigate allegations against him, from taking any further steps in respect of his case, pending the determination of his suit.

He is also challenging the threat

by NJC to sack him as a judicial officer for accepting appointment as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State.

Defendants in the suit are the NJC, Justices Babatunde Adejumo, Jubril Idris and Comwell Idahosa, who are chairman and members of the NJC investigative panel.

The embattled CJ, who was given four days by the NJC to adduce reasons he should not be sacked, wants the court to grant him “an order of certiorari (judicial review) removing to this court for the purpose of being quashed, the query and letter of suspension from office of the applicant as a judicial officer, dated March 26, 2014 written by NJC.

ENIN—EDO State Local Government Elections Appeals Tribunal has adjourned till Monday, hearing of an application by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate in the April 20, 2014 Esan North-East Local Government Area election, Mr. John Yakubu, seeking to disqualify two judges from the panel.

The three-member Appeal Tribunal, was recently constituted by the state Chief Judge with Justices E. Ikponwen, E.A. Edigin, and J.I Acha, to hear the appeal by the party and Yakubu over the ruling of the lower tribunal, that the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, conduct a rerun election for the council.

PDP and its candidate are asking the two judges, namely, Justices E.A. Edigin and J.I Acha to disqualify themselves from further participating as members of the appeal tribunal and or adjudicating over the appeal and cross appeal involving them.

On the grounds for seeking the judges’ disqualification, the PDP counsel, Mr Kingsley Obamogie, told the tribunal that it was because of previous animosity among the party, its chieftains and members on the one hand, and Justices E.A. Edigin and J.I Acha, on the other.

PDP had earlier in a petition dated March 24, 2014, to the Chief Judge of Edo State, demanded the removal of the judges for reasons of judicial indiscretion.

Okpamen lauds Oshiomhole on devt which have benefited the

BY SIMON ADEWALE

A

N aide to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Public Affairs, Mr. Henry Okpamen, has commended the governor for his developmental strides, the provision of roads and other social amenities to boost the economy of the state as he celebrates his 62nd birthday.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, Okpamen congratulated the governor on his birthday and prayed that God will strengthen him and add more years to his life.

He stressed that Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had contributed a lot to the development of the country in his determination to make life better for the people of the state.

He commended the governor on his efforts to move the state to greater heights by his developmental strides and his people oriented policies,

people of the state.

Madam Ogunmu passes on

T

HE families of late Pa George Aghedo and Late Pa Alexander Aiguehiven of Igbanke, Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State, have announced the death of their mother, late Deaconess Comfort Ogunmu (Nee Aghedo) who passed on at the age of 91.

She is survived by children, including Mr. Lawrence Ogunmu, of Vanguard Newspapers, Benin office, grand children and great grand children. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

Late Deaconess Ogunmu C M Y K

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Group accuses

Ebonyi politicians of sponsoring kidnappers, hoodlums

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI — A group, Greater Okposi Initiative, GOI, yesterday, accused some notable politicians (names withheld) at Okposi, Uburu and Onicha local government areas of the state of sponsoring kidnappers and criminals terrorising the peace of the area.

The group in a statement by the national president, Mr. Aja Nwani Aja, called on security agencies to immediately commence the mopping up of arms and ammunition in circulation at Okposi Development Centre and neighbouring communities of Uburu and Onicha in order to forestal break-down of law and order in the area It would be recalled that last month, suspected kidnappers abducted and killed the former Co-ordinator of Okposi Development Centre, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Ihebunandu Okorie and dumped his body in a forest at Afikpo South Local Government area of the state.

Evans Medical Plc holds board meeting

E

VANS MEDICAL PLC, a leading healthcare company in Nigeria is set to roll out about half a billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo of the company at N2.50k to existing shareholders at a ratio of one ordinary share for every share held.

To this end, a very brief and colourful Completion Board Meeting of the Rights Issue of 486,472,800 ordinary shares of the company was held at Evans Medical PLC corporate head office board room, in Isolo Lagos, on Monday, 24 March 2014.

Welcoming the stakeholders to the meeting, the Chairman of Evans Medical Plc, Chief Ademola Edu noted that the meeting has a primary objective of authorising and approving all the documentation and arrangements for the Rights Issue.

I must hand over to Ukwa/Ngwa person —Gov Orji

BY ANAYO OKOLI

and eliminate marginalisation and ethnic cleavages, so everybody could have a sense of belonging.

The governor spoke, yesterday, in Umuahia, when Ukwa/ Ngwa professionals visited him to commend his development efforts in the state and to appreciate his decision to cede power to the area.

Stressing the need to ensure that the project succeeded, Orji called on the Ukwa/Ngwa people to help realise the

“I remember, when I said this, the first attack I had was from an Ukwa/Ngwa person, MUAHIA — ABIA State who said let the best person governor, Chief Theemerge, making me to look odore Orji, has said there was stupid, but I know that I am no going back in his promise not stupid. If there is fairness to cede power to Ukwa/Ngwa and equity, there will be no people of the state, but urged rancour. But if there is no eqthem to help him realise the uity and fairness, anarchy may project. set in.

According to Governor Orji, “So what I said and we are ceding power to Ukwa/Ngwa pursuing will bring peace to people was the only way to Abia. I know that some peoensure justice and fairness ple will be fighting to thwart this, but God will fight for us. I believe that it is the right and proper thing to do,” Orji said.

Referring to the decision of the founding fathers of the state in fashioning Abia Charter of Equity, the governor said though it was not law, it was made to bring justice and equity to all the peoples of the state.

“I prayed God to guide me and I decided that for fairness and equity, it will be good for an Ukwa/ Ngwa person to be the next governor.

You did not lobby me; I did not discuss with any person, only God. This is what I feel God said I should say and do. I think that it is the fairest thing to do.

SIGNING: Mr. Oseloka Obaze, Secretary to the State Government; Chief Willie Obiano, Execu“When I did it I discovtive Governor of Anambra State; Mr. Charles Nzuki, Chief Field Officer, Unicef, and Dr. Femi ered that it is the in-thing.

Adeyemi, HIV Specialist, at the signing of the Programme Implementation Agreement between If you go to Enugu, EboUnicef and the Anambra State government in Awka, yesterday. nyi, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, it is the same. Abia State has come of age, it is now age of reasoning, not intimidation,” Orji said. tors of the state’s economy as state government’s determined

BY ANAYO OKOLI In their remark, the group efforts to ensure that the bud- well expand the revenue base through their leader, Chief get complied with Internation- of the state.

MUAHIA — GOVERSunny Aku commended He charged all implemental Public Sector Accounting NOR Theodore Orji of the governor for the deciing organs of government to Standards, IPSAS. Abia State yesterday signed sion and assured him of the According to him, the bud- strictly see to it that none of the 2014 budget of N115.3 bilsupport of Ukwa/Ngwa get is expected to accelerate the budget’s approved provilion into law. professionals. sions was circumvented.

Governor Orji had on De- the completion of all on-going legacy projects in various seccember 30, 2013, presented a

U

project, saying that the first attack he received when he announced the plan to cede power to them was from an Ukwa/ Ngwa person.

“I want you to support this project. I have said it, I am not going back. But you people have to support me. I made a promise that it should be Ukwa/Ngwa. You have to work hard and present somebody that is acceptable and the party will support him and he will be voted for.

Gov Orji signs 2014 budget of N115.3bn

U

budget outlay of N149.6 billion to the State House of Assembly for the 2014 fiscal year but the lawmakers after assessing the budget, reduced and approved N115.3 billion.

Presenting the budget for signing, speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Ude Okochukwu, explained that the budget was adjusted, following harmonization of policy thrust of MDAs with actual appropriation submitted to the House.

Okochukwu said the 2014 Appropriation law was carefully crafted in the context of medium term expenditure framework, which took cognizance of projections for years 2014 -2016.

The budget, he further explained, was in line with the

... as Anambra House passes N145bn budget

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA — ANAMBRA State House of Assembly yesterday passed the 2014 budget of N145.40 billion four months after it was presented to the House by the former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi. Speaking after the passage of the Appropriation Bill, the speaker, Princess Chinwe Nwebili, said the delay in the passage of the bill was a result of the delay by some ministries and parastatals to furnish the House with the performance indices of 2013 budget.

She said the lawmakers had to pass the budget which was presented on November 11, 2013, to enable the new governor, Chief Willie Obiano, aggressively embark on developmental projects in the state as well as improve on human resources in the state.

Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mrs Nikky Ugochukwu, who submitted her committee’s report, thanked her colleagues for their cooperation in passing the budget.

A break down of the budget showed that the office of the governor took about 5% of the total budget, total recurrent,

N42,205.044.000, while capital expenditure stood at N103,195,000,000.

The committee in the report, recommended that funding should be from the state’s share of federation account in respect of recurrent expenditure (N300,000,000) and value added tax in respect of capital expenditure(N100,000,000), stating that the estimated overhead of N7,900,000,000 was increased to N8,200,000,000, an increase of N300 million for the governor’s office.

For the House of Assembly, its overhead was raised from N809 million to N909million, while that of the judiciary stood at N855 million.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014—15

Bill to revive Railways passes 2nd reading in Senate

5.3m youths unemployed — Okonjo-Iweala ...as 1.8m join employment market every year

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA — MINISTER of Fi nance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government in ensuring that 5.3 million youths are gainfully employed.

Okonjo-Iweala, stated this while commissioning the Global Distance Learning Institute, GDLI, in Abuja.

She said unemployment had been a problem before President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration assumed office, explaining the reason there were over 5.3 million backlog of unemployed youths in the country.

She said efforts would be made to encourage unemployed youths in the country to be entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

Okonjo-Iweala said: “President Jonathan is very worried about problem of unemployment in the country. The reason we are so excited about this GDLI, it would create jobs and also train youths in skill acquisition. ”Now 5.3 million are unemployed in this country and it has been a backlog. We know that 1.8million youths enter the job market every year, plus the 5.3 million that are on ground. We

all feel the Federal Government is not working, but the government is working, and that is wrong.

“We feel how the youths are feeling and if we have 1.8 millon unemployed youths and we create 1.6 million jobs, it gives hope.

No parents would want to spend so much money to send their children to school and sit down. We know that 200,000 youths every year don’t get jobs.

“Let us encourage our young people to create job, let them become entrepreneurs.”

The Chief Executive officer of GDLI, Professor Manny Aniebonam, in his welcome address, said unemployment was a major problem in Nigeria, adding that remained the reason the GDLI was being used as a training ground in Nigeria.

MEETING: From left, Managing Director/CEO, Africa Prudential Registrars Plc, Mr. Peter Ashade; Chairman, Chief Eniola Fadayomi, and Company Secretary, Mr. Musa Bello, at the 1st Annual General Meeting of the company, in Lagos, yesterday.

Election petitions: Senate moves to place burden of proof on INEC

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — THE Bill to make the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, take the responsibility of proving the conduct and regularity of elections in the country before the Election Petitions Tribunal or the court, yesterday, scaled through second reading.

The Bill, if eventually passed into law, would now place the burden of proof of elections on the shoulders of the INEC, instead of the litigants and also reduce the difficulties petitioners normally face while trying to get the necessary documentary evidence in support of their petitions.

The Bill attracted divisions among the senators as some argued that the Evidence Act and Electoral Act had categorically stated that the onus of proof should be the responsibility of the petitioner and not the electoral umpire.

Sponsor of the Bill and senator representing Katsina North senatorial district, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika, in his lead debate, entitled, 'A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act 2010 to

give additional powers to INEC 2014,' argued that the process to prove regularity of elections in the country by the petitioners had become very cumbersome.

Senator Sirika stated: “It is not in doubt that the process of proving the regularity or otherwise of the conduct of an election is one process that is highly burdensome and ought not to be placed or vested on the petitioner, who did not conduct the election, but only participated in it.

“The onus of proving the regularity of an election ought to be a burden to be discharged by the body or organisation that prepared and arranged for the conduct of that election and thereafter went ahead to conduct the said election.

“It is settled under the law of evidence that “he who asserts must prove.”

However, this bill seeks otherwise, that is, that the burden of proof of the regularity of the conduct of an election must first of all shift to the body that conducted the election.

“The burden of first proof having been discharged by INEC, will then shift to the petitioner who alleged that the election was not

properly conducted. I am encouraged to reason that if this bill becomes a law, it will shorten litigation time, make INEC live up to its responsibility and promote transparency.”

Senator Sirika noted that the proposed amendment, which was in respect of Section 2 (a)-(c) of the Principal Act, sought to introduce a new paragraph “d” and should be stated thus; “(d) (INEC) shall bear the responsibility of first establishing the regularity of any election which the commission may conduct under the provision of the constitution in any election matter before a court or tribunal.”

Though the bill scaled through second reading, Senator Heneiken Lokpobiri, Bayelsa West, opposed it as he argued that passing the bill would mean the amendment of the Evidence Act would not be easy to achieve.

He said the proposed amendment was “unmeritorious, misconceived and should be thrown to the dust-bin.”

Also opposing the amendment, Senator James Manager, PDP, Delta South, stated that if the proposed bill passed through, it would affect the nation’s jurispru-

dence which is the foundation of the country’s legal system, stressing that the current Evidence Act was applicable to all cases.

Senator Manager said the Evidence Act remained the law and that if a litigant complained about something and dragged INEC to court or the tribunal, it was his responsibility to prove it.

He added that at this stage of the country’s nascent democracy, it was not good to take everything at the same time.

Senator Joshua Lidani, Gombe South, said it was the litigant that should show evidence and that the bill was against the jurisprudence of the country.

According to him, the bill will contradict the Evidence Act if passed.

He further stated that the proposed amendment was unpractical and would create a deluge of litigation as everybody would like to go to court or tribunal, including those who did not participate in the election Senator Victor Lar, Plateau North, said the bill was off tangent and would not be in the interest of even the senators to get the burden of proof shifted to INEC.

...60,000 jobs targeted — Sen Uba

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — Bill to re position and strengthen the Nigeria Railway system in the country, yesterday, passed second reading in the senate.

It was committed to the Committee on Land and Transport for further legislation and expected back in plenary in two weeks.

Sponsor of the lead debate and member representing Anambra South senatorial district, Senator Andy Uba, said if the railway system became effectively functional, it would reduce unemployment, it is capable of generating over 60,000 jobs.

Senator Uba explained that the bill was aimed at transforming Nigeria Railway Corporation from a non-performing and debtridden corporation to a dynamic player in the transport sector.

FG unveils new devt plan for N-Delta

By CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA — IN its resolve to accelerate infrastructure growth of the Niger Delta, the Federal Government, yesterday, unveiled a new Physical Development Plan to aggressively address challenges of the area.

Supervising Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku, who disclosed this in Abuja while receiving leadership award of Grand Commander of Niger Delta and Peace Medal by by the Niger Delta Peace Initiative Project, NDPIP, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, said what the region needed to attain speedy growth was not master-plan, but physical development plan.

The minister said: “Last year, we launched the Niger Delta development plan, but I keep on saying that what we need in Niger Delta is a physical development plan.

Physical development plan tells you physically what is on ground, what needs to be done, and when to do it and how to do it.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Midnight storm destroys 200 houses in Benue Old and New GRA, Abu King Shuluwa road, Judges’ Quarters and Gyado AKURDI — A midnight wind Villa extension.

Though no life was lost in the devstorm, yesterday, destroyed over 200 houses and public utilities, astation, during the rain storm, many including about 170 electricity poles residents were seen making frantic efforts to rescue their property and valuin Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The storm which lasted for over an ables from their ruined houses.

Officials of the electricity company in hour left the entire town and its envithe area also had hectic time trying to rons in total darkness.

Areas worst hit by the storm include, salvage electric cables and poles which Wadata, Wurukum, High Level, Apir, littered parts of the town.

Speaking on the development, the Makurdi Business District Manager of the PHCN, Mr. John Emeruwa told Vanguard that his comBY MARIE-THERESE party to the appeal.

NANLONG ”In my considered view pany suffered colossal however, for the APC cau- damage as a result of the storm.

OS — A member of the cus to have had the audac“Honestly, it’s a very House of Representa- ity to flaunt the names of serious matter, we have tives representing Jos Speaker Tambuwal and his suffered colossal damSouth/Jos East federal con- deputy as among those age to our facilities, over stituency, Bitrus Kaze had they said had joined in the 170 high and low tension accused the All Progres- purported appeal speaks poles were pulled down; sives Congress, APC, of ly- volumes of the severity of besides, people’s housing to Nigerians over its the loyalty-deficiency-synes, roofs and trees also claims that it had appealed drome the PDP caucus in fell on our power lines against the decision of the the House of Representaand poles, which threw Federal High Court which tives may be suffering the entire town and its asked 37 of its members in from,” he said. environs into darkness. the House of Representatives to resign for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to APC. Kaze said “As at the time Council, EXCO, meeting. they (APC) addressed the

BY DEMOLAAKINYEThey also said that anypress on Tuesday, no one MI body found culpable of had obtained the court masterminding the viojudgement. APC could not LORIN — Kwara State lence would face the full have filed an appeal against government has es- wrath of the law to serve as Justice Ademola’s judgement which declared the tablished ‘’grazing re- deterrent to others.

Moronfoye who spoke for seats of the defected law- serves’’ for cattle rearers makers in the House va- across the state in a bid to the rest said that the present cant. The claims are “com- find lasting solution to administration would do pletely false and totally mis- protracted crisis between everything within its land/farm owners and means to maintain the preleading.” vailing peace in the state He said that since the Fulani herdsmen.

Also the state govern- and urged residents to live APC members could not approach the Court of Ap- ment said it has handed in peace and obey the law. ”The era where people peal without first obtaining over five suspects to the the High Court judgement, Kwara State police com- took laws into their hands ‘’they resorted to flaunting mand for prosecution in is over. Aggrieved people a letter from their lawyer sig- connection with the kill- should use legal means to nifying their intention to ings of scores of Fulani seek redress, that is the appeal and this alone does and Yoruba people and whole essence of democranot qualify as an appeal.” destruction of property at cy,” he stressed.

He also noted that the He further said, “De- Alapa,Asa Local Governpressed by the daunting ment over allegation of de- Governor Abdulfatah reality of losing some seats struction of farms by their Ahmed-led government and thereby further deplet- cattle recently, adding that would not tolerate any acts ing their bogus numbers, investigation was however, of indiscipline from perongoing. sons or group of persons the APC Caucus in their still State Commissioner for In- stressing that grazing recharacteristic haste to wilformation and Communica- serves and stop over points fully deceive Nigerians forgot that as tion, Prince Tunji Moron- had been approved for members of the PDP and foye made this known at a peaceful co-existence bePrincipal Officers of the joint news conference with tween farmers and Fulani House, both Speaker his counterparts in Health herdsmen in the state.

The commissioner also Aminu Tambuwal and his and Works ministries,Alh deputy, Emeka Ihedioha Issa Kayode and Dr said that the government were favoured by the High Abubakar Kannike respec- was yet to decide on whethCourt judgement, and tively as well as the Spe- er to compensate the victherefore had no reason cial Adviser on Media and tims or not.

He added: We shall also whatsoever to institute any Communications to the governor,Dr Muideen Ako- embark on the storage of appeal. grasses for cattle during dry “Fortunately, during our rede yesterday in Ilorin.

The conference was seasons to further avoid executive session last Wednesday both of them aimed at briefing the me- encroachment on farmcategorically denied being dia on decisions reached at lands and clashes bethe monthly state Executive tween the two parties.”

BY PETER DURU

M

Court order: Rep accuses APC of lying over appeal

J

Kwara govt creates grazing reserves for cattle rearers

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Vanguard, FRIDAY,APRIL 4, 2014 —17

When will it happen here?

E

HUD OLMERT, who was Israel’s Prime Minister between 2006 and 2009, was convicted on Monday of collecting bribes totalling 560,000 shekels ($160,000) to fast-track government permits to build a housing estate in Jerusalem.

While Olmert – a good friend of ex-US President, George Bush and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel was in office, he promised to pull Israel’s army out of the West Bank after four decades of globally condemned occupation.

In 2008, he offered the Palestinians a fair land-forpeace deal and has played a key role in every recent attempt to bring about a two-

state solution to the Middle East conflict. Until he was arrested, he was widely regarded as a dynamic Action Man who had a lot of life left in him, politically.

Now his reputation has been dealt a killer blow and his outstanding career lies in tatters. Instead of mostly being remembered for his intelligence, his positive character traits, his glittering social circle and his professional achievements, he will mostly be remembered for avariciously succumbing to corruption – a seriously stupid move in a country where NOBODY is above the law.

His lawyers intend to appeal his conviction before the court rules on his sentence; but there is plenty of evidence against him; and it is more likely than not that he will join the club of Israeli VIPs who have wound up behind bars.

Olmert’s own Finance Minister, Avraham Hirschson, was sentenced to five years, following an investigation into the theft of funds from Holocaust survivors.

An Interior Minister was locked up for three years in the l990s for accepting a lesser

*Ehud Olmert: Convicted for collecting bribes. bribe than the bribe that led to Olmert’s downfall.

Meanwhile, Moshe Katzav, an ex-President, is still

Cross carpeting legislators I

SRAEL is not the only place in which an important court judgement was issued on Monday. Here, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court restrained the 37 lawmakers who have defected from the PDP to the APC from altering the current composition of the

House of Representatives’ leadership.

This judgement is being appealed by Aminu Tambuwal, the House’s Speaker, and his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, who are both PDP but are faulting Justice Ademola’s reasoning on seven rounds and describing

*Nigeria’s House of Representatives in session.

it as “perverse”.

Justice Ademola also ordered the 37 lawmakers to vacate their seats and quit participating in House debates and motions. So hardly surprisingly, the APC is protesting and saying that the judgement is unconstitutional, that it was

meant to cause mischief and that Ademola is not competent to issue such a ruling.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the APC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed an intention to appeal.

People sometimes vote for parties rather than individuals or vice versa; and I have always believed that anyone (Governors included) who gets elected on the platform of one party and then moves to another party should be compelled to resign and go back to the polls in a byelection, so voters can decide whether they like him/her enough to re-elect him/her despite the new party affiliation.

But cross carpeters have never before been compelled to vacate their seats mid-term in Nigeria. So Justice Ademola’s stance puzzles me greatly.

Forgive me, my Lord, but I can’t help wondering whether you would have reacted similarly if 37 legislators had jumped from a minority party to the ruling party.

serving a seven-year prison term after being found guilty of raping and sexually harassing various female subordinates in 2010.

If Olmert is eventually carted off to jail, he might not be lonely because it is expected that he’ll be accompanied by nine cronies, including a Jerusalem Mayor and the Chairman of Israel’s largest bank, who were convicted alongside him.

I am not the type of person who celebrates when highprofile people are disgraced.

Even if I know them personally and dislike them intensely or simply disapprove of them from afar, I feel sad whenever the oncemighty fall into the gutter because of their human weaknesses, particularly if they became successful because they were talented or hard-working or charismatic.

However, in a world full of starving children, devastated victims of war, hospital patients who are slowly dying in agony and so on, it really doesn’t make sense to squander one’s sympathies on dishonourable dignitaries who have enjoyed highly privileged existences, brought their humiliations upon themselves, injected toxic dysfunctions into systems they took oaths to protect, abused the trust that was invested in them and caused suffering to others.

Even relatively minor offences like pocketing a few thousand dollars to push a planning application or whatever for a contractor should be punished. And the Israeli authorities deserve to be heartily congratulated for reacting sternly whenever public servants and other elevated citizens are caught misbehaving.

Will Nigeria take a leaf out of Israel’s book in my lifetime and learn how to purge the corridors of power of rotten apples, so this nation can move forward?

I doubt it!

What do YOU think?

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2013 ANYONE attempting to guess the outcome of the National Dialogue, or rules out its possibilities for charting a new course for Nigeria, is under-estimating the challenges facing Nigeria and the urgency required in dealing with them.

Contention for space is not a Nigerian phenomenon. Politicians contest for space everywhere. They disagree; they proffer alternatives to governments in power. What appears totally Nigerian in these contentions is the absurdity of ruling out options or making decisions without listening to other sides.

Would the National Dialogue face the same challenges? Sectional interests seem to understand the dialogue as a platform to foist their hegemony. Complaints about number of delegates assigned to them indicate they are coming to Abuja to propagate their interests. Would sectional interests translate to national interests? Who would speak for Nigeria at the dialogue?

Claims that Nigeria is built on constitutional structures that promotes the centre over other levels of government are not the only challenges our politics faces. A return to regional-

Let's talk about Nigeria ism seems to be a solution because some regale us with the performances of the post-independence regional governments. None pays attention to the personalities who ran those governments and the competition among the regions.

All parts of Nigeria are dissatisfied with the state of the country. Every part also thinks it has the solution to Nigeria’s problem.

The main disagreements centre on what some parts could lose, if there is a re-structuring of Nigeria. We think that one issue the National Dialogue should address is how to return Nigeria to competitiveness.

We have become an idle country, unproductive and gleefully dependent on an exhaustible product, oil. We consume all our income; we

do not have investments, we are leaving debts for the unborn. How will Nigeria run without oil? Who knows how soon we would have to answer that question?

Another approach is required if the National Dialogue would be different from earlier ones.

We cannot talk if we set off refusing to listen to each other. We should understand the reality of Nigerians hurting from common issues like insecurity, even if it is located hundreds of kilometres from us.

Opportunities to discuss Nigeria would not be endless. We should make the best of them when they are available. Negotiations, talks, discussions, contemplations, concessions to make Nigeria more workable are more important than what politicians want for themselves. The National Dialogue would assume great importance if delegates understand the responsibility on their fragile shoulders: they are being called upon to remodel Nigeria. It is a unique privilege.

Nigeria lost the chance of setting off without challenges of managing oil and its intractable distractions. We should remake Nigeria instead of believing our illusory greatness.

OPINION

BY BASHIR IBRAHIM HASSAN

A

CUMEN has been defined as a sharpness of mind; the ability to make quick, accurate intelligent judgements about people or situation”.

Intelligent judgement is exactly the story behind Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, DMO, decision to issue a $1 billion Eurobonds in the International Capital Market, ICM, last year despite the risk the pronouncements of US Federal Reserve tapering of the Quantitative Easing, QE, may have on the pricing of the bonds at that particular time. Happily the Eurobonds were oversubscribed and today Nigeria is being splashed with the prestigious 2013 Best Sovereign Bond in Africa Award.

“We’re humbled, God is using the DMO to bless Nigeria,” were the modest words of the visibly elated Director General of the DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo when asked to comment on the Award, which was given to Nigeria by the Emerging Market, Europe, Middle East and Africa, EMEA, Finance.

But what is that US Federal Reserve (Fed) tapering and QE policy that are key consideration in the global bond market today? Quantitative Easing, QE, is a bond-buying programme of the Fed which was designed to depress longterm bond yields in order to stimulate the US economy. So far the QE has kept yield below levels where they would trade if there had not been the QE policy

Laurel for Nigeria’s debt management acumen in place. Tapering on the other hand is the gradual reduction of the policy. For example, on December 18, 2013 the Fed decided to taper its quantitative easing policy by $10 billion per month to $75 billion from its $85 billion mark.

Chairman of the Fed, Ben Bernanke (who has recently been succeeded by Janet Yellen), expects the programme to wind down steadily through 2014 and conclude by year-end, assuming the US economy remains healthy. On January 29, this year, the Fed announced that it would taper quantitative easing by another $10 billion per month to $65 billion.

To understand the risk our smart guys at the DMO took in 2013 when they offered two Eurobond in tenors of five and 10 years, each for $500 million, is to know that the Fed was buying $85 million fixed-income securities on the open market monthly during that period through the QE policy. Yet our bonds were oversubscribed. One factor that accounts for the success of the offer was the confidence investors have in Nigeria’s economy. And as we all know confidence is always earned.

The issuance of the Eurobond was part of the DMO carefully crafted public debt management strategy which decided to look up to the ICM to diversify Nigeria’s

source of funding its developmental programmes as well as to introduce the country into the highly disciplined international funds markets. Thus, in January 2011 Nigeria made its debut in the ICM through issuance of USD500 million 10-year Eurobond. Since then the confidence of the investors in Nigeria’s bond has been on the increase. Most of the funds generated will go into financing the upgrading of our power infrastructure, which the country badly needs for its economic growth and development.

What I called risk, Jim Cowles, the CEO of Citigroup for Europe, Middle East and Africa, calls it boldness while handing the prestigious EMEA award to Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonj-Iweala recently. And this was how he explained it: “If you look at the timing, this (Nigeria’s issued Eurobond) was the first sovereign bond that was issued in the beginning part of last year and there was quite a bit of turmoil in the market place because of the discussion on tapering the quantitative easing.

“We think that the Nigerian Government showed courage and foresight in terms of access in the market when they did. When they did go into the market place it generated quite a bit

of demand. It was a $1billion offering and the demand was more than four times oversubscribed which gave them an opportunity to have good pricing on the bond.

Therefore, the award came to Nigeria because a combination of all these factors, timing, the size, and pricing in terms of access in the market place. And I will add another factor—the professionalism with which the Dr. Nwankwo’s team at the DMO is managing our debt profile.

DMO has been advising the Government of Nigeria on Terms and Conditions of Loans, Restructuring and Refinancing; Maintaining a complete and accurate database of all FGN Borrowings (Domestic and External), including contingent liabilities (guarantees) and Preparing and submiting to the Government annually, a forecast of debt service and borrowing capacity.

The award, EMEA Finance Best Sovereign Bond Award for 2013, which was delivered by Citigroup, one of the leading pan-European investment bank in recognition of Nigeria’s high performing debt profile management is a silver lining which could not have come at a better time than now when security challenges are pushing Nigerians to the point of despair about the country ’s future.

*Mr. Hassan, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014— —19

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HE ramming of two planes into the New York Twin Towers and co-ordinated attacks on other selected targets in the United States by suicidal Al-Qaeda agents on September 9, 2011, changed the face of terrorism in the world.

America and the developed world expectedly responded promptly by fishing out the culprits and dealing with them as appropriate. The Bible declares that the end of the wicked shall be sudden, and that the wickedness of the wicked shall end.

This promised sudden end has remained the lot of all terrorists till date, including the founder of Al-Qaeda, Osama Bin laden, who was killed at the age of 54 and packaged as food for the animals of the sea by the American Navy Seals on May 2, 2011, at Abbottbad, Pakistan.

Before then the terror group he founded organised many other strikes around the world, since 2011. America fought terrorism to a standstill, and is still fighting the evil of Al-Qaeda and its hybrids around the world. As complex and integrated as the American society is, the government, irrespective of the political party in the White

House, used high tech systems and methods, sustained intelligence, training and mobilisation of enforcement personnel and the citizens, to combat terror.

After all, it is only the tree that hears that it will be cut down and remain on the same spot without doing something about it. It is believed that Nigeria is one of the victims of Bin Laden’s organisation via the instrumentation of Boko Haram.

The huge difference is that Nigeria continues to talk in ethnic, political party, stealing and corrupt languages, enmeshed in huge cacophony, while terror grew from a small cell to the burgeoning monsters we have today, coloured by Cubans, Sudanese and all sorts of mercenaries targeting to bring Nigeria into chaos.

We have remained in the blame game to the extent that leaders of the North East of Nigeria continue to sing discordant tunes of Jonathan hatred, while the face of their society is being changed for the worse gradually. Experience during the Biafran war tells me that no society remains the same after battalions of soldiers quarter in it for a long time. The soldiers will come with their helmets,

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tents, boots and free cash.

They will meet the men, beat up quite a number of them for many reasons, fall in love, and take over many women, married and single, commandeer many youths for all sorts, and by the time they return to their barracks, they will leave behind a completely new society with changed orientation. The North East of Nigeria can never be the same for long after the Boko Haram is flushed out.

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merica not only fought terror, they also prepared special detention and holding a centre for suspected and convicted terrorists.

One of the places they created is called the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, or Gitmo for short. Gitmo is a United States military prison established in January 2002. It is located within Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, which fronts Guantánamo Bay in Cuba.

Dissecting giant strides in import/export sector

BY LEONARD OKENE

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EFORE the discovery of oil, Nigeria had made great advancements in textile, agricultural, solid minerals and manufacturing sectors. It is then baffling why countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which sustained the tempo of their economic growth, are now ranked among global economic heavy weights, while Nigeria remains a consuming and import-dependent nation. But happily there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.

A key concept in the President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda is the diversification of Nigeria’s other economic endowments so as to realise the economic potentialities in various sectors. It is against this backdrop that the efforts of the Jonathan administration in reforming the power sector are commendable. The power sector remains the flagship of Nigeria’s economic growth. It is the base upon which other sectors of the economy can grow.

President Jonathan took the bull by the horn by unbundling the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. Hitherto every effort made to reposition the power sector did not yield the desired results. But with electricity coming under the control of the private sector, it is expected that investors will cash in on the opportunity.

The Nigeria Export-Import Bank, being a key player in the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, has been in the forefront of encouraging the private-sector driven ventures in Nigeria. It is against this background that Nexim Bank, established

by Act 38 of 1991 as an export credit agency to promote diversification of the Nigerian economy and deepen the external sector through the provision of credit facilities in both local and foreign currencies, risk bearing facilities, business development, financial advisory services and trade, and market information services, has initiated a working blueprint, spanning 2010 and

2015, to propel the non-oil sectors of Nigeria’s economy to an appreciable level.

The bank, in its bid to finance non-oil export, has supported Nigerian exporters, mainly the small and medium enterprises, SMEs, with some engaged in Greenfield projects, to the tune of N23.33 billion and issued guarantees valued at $27.3 million between 2009 and August 2012.

The bank, which was voted the best development bank in Africa recently, has deepened its commitment to the course of stronger performance of the Nigerian external sector. Nexim Bank, under the ableleadership of Mr Roberts Orya, has budgeted about N42 billion for the manufacturing sector’s financing requirement, or six per cent of the manufacturing sector’s financing needs, while accounting for at least 3.71 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product, GDP, by 2015. Nexim Bank is aware that the only way to harness the potentialities attendant to the private sector-driven economy is regular power supply. To this end, it has scaled up its interventions in the manufacturing, agro-processing, solid mineral and service sectors.

According to Mr Orya: “These sectors play the important game of numbers; they hold the opportunities for creation of possible highest number of sectoral jobs, and they have huge potentialities for foreign exchange earnings.”

With the support of Nexim Bank, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has been growing, thus giving the hope that the high unemployment prevalent in the country will soon be a thing of the past. According to Yomi Tokosi, MD/CEO, Riggs Ventures W/A Plc: “Nexim Bank played a pivotal role in the actualisation of the expansion of our polypropylene sacks manufacturing company by providing the guarantee we needed to obtain the dual tranche facility from African-Export-Import.

Nexim Bank also provided us with a mediumterm facility for the expansion and renovation of our factory.”

The National Bureau of Statistics has also

The prison camp was established to detain extraordinarily dangerous prisoners, to interrogate prisoners in an optimal setting, and to prosecute prisoners for war crimes.

Detainees captured in the War on Terror, most of them from Afghanistan and much smaller numbers later from Iraq, the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia, were transported to the prison.

The facility is operated by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo, JTF-GTMO, of the United States government in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Detainment areas consisted of Camp Delta (including Camp Echo), Camp Iguana, and Camp X-Ray (which is now closed). As of March 2014, 154 detainees remain at Guantanamo.

The holding of Boko Haram terrorists and murderous herdsmen at the SSS offices/facilities in Abuja, or wherever, should not be allowed to continue. It should only be a temporary measure, while a facility is built after the Gitmo to keep them away more permanently. The present situation where terror convicts and or suspects are kept in facilities close to the Central Business District of Abuja, and a stone throw to the Aso Rock is most undesirable.

The risks are just too high, bearing in mind that some of these adherents may be in government and even within the rank and file of the law enforcement agencies. The ambush of the Police team by the Ombatse Cult in Nassarawa State last year suggests that there must have been saboteurs within

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BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

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Does Nigeria need a Guantanamo Bay type detention camp?

Nigeria may have to build her own Gitmo type detention centre somewhere, far from any city, such that the public will be safe and far removed from activities of terrorists

With the support of Nexim Bank, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has been growing, thus giving the hope that the high unemployment prevalent in the country will soon be a thing of the past

,

attested to the fact that the performance of the manufacturing sector has been strengthened. According to the NBS, the sector grew by 8. 41 per cent in Q1 2013.

The record of the NBS is not far from the fact that NEXIM Bank has been working closely with some manufacturers in Nigeria through its mass agenda. Echoing the words of Nexim Bank’s CEO: “We thought that the manufacturing, agro-processing, solid minerals and services sectors were very important frontiers of job-rich growth that the country needed to give welfarist meaning to the impressive GDP growth Nigeria has experienced since much of the last decade. … Our interventions usually assist manufacturers to adopt new technology in the form of new equipment and machinery. … By 2015 Nexim Bank aims to provide about N42 billion in short and long-term financing to the manufacturing sector. … With this, we hope to directly mediate about 4 percent of total production value in manufacturing, and create and support over 70, 000 jobs.”

I

n the entertainment industry, the bank under Mr Orya is not resting on its oars.

It is no more news that Nigeria’s entertainment industry is growing by leaps and bounds. President Jonathan has been exemplary in encouraging the entertainment industry which currently enjoys global comparative advantage. This informed his launch of the Entertainment Industry Fund in 2011. The management of the fund is under the saddle of Nexim Bank

the system who informed the cult members that the police team was visiting their area. Same thing can happen anywhere, and it could be most uncomfortable to be happening near Aso Rock, as we saw last week in Abuja SSS facility.

America chose to locate their own detention camp for terrorists along the bay of Cuba for many reasons. It keeps the activities of the detainees and their keepers far away from the civil society. Such perverted killers should not be kept together with common civil criminals, for the obvious corruption of one by the other that could occur, and the likely transformation of an ordinary criminal into a terrorist that such an association could breed.

Terrorists have a very different and strong mindset deluded by religious beliefs such as believing that by committing suicide and killing others in the process, they would be rewarded by virgins in heaven. Whoever told them that they would marry in heaven. The thought that they could even make heaven as killers portray them as mad and pitiable persons.

Terrorists don’t give up, and rarely get reformed because of the high degree of inundation of their minds with strong desire to kill, propelled by heavy demonisation.

Nigeria may have to build her own Gitmo type detention centre somewhere, far from any city, such that the public will be safe and far removed from activities of terrorists. *Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

in line with its mandate to support businesses, including the creative and entertainment sector which has capacities to create jobs and earn foreign exchange for the country. Through its management of the Nigerian Creative and Entertainment Industry Stimulation Loan Scheme, the bank has helped in raising the international profile of Nollywood. For example ‘Dr Bello’, an international film financed with the fund was premiered in Washington DC at the Kennedy Centre in 2012.

In the environmental sector, Nexim Bank has been proactive in ensuring sustainable environment in the country. The bank has been investing in knowledge acquisition. It is currently seeking technical collaboration with other development agencies to help develop carbon finance and climate change mitigation in the country. Although hope of a global agreement for trading carbon credit from emission cuts will probably not crystalise, experts believe that funding continues to flourish. Furthermore, investments in environmental sustainability can generate enough returns in preservation of the natural environment and endangered species apart from slowing down global warming and reducing environment pollution.

Mr Orya also shared his thoughts on how Nexim Bank is helping to promote the transformation agenda as it affects the solid minerals sector. According to him: “Nexim Bank’s intervention in the solid mineral sector is structured as is the case with other three sectors of focus. We combine funding with capacity-building. We engage stakeholders to identify obstacles to the growth of the solid mineral sector. And we look at efficient ways to remove the barriers.”

The development of Nigeria’s solid mineral sector is a global challenge. It involves not only making the sector merely open for investors but providing the atmosphere for such operations to be conducive. This Nexim Bank has come to fill the gap in conjunction with other stakeholders.

*Mr. Okene, an investment analyst, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Bloodbath averted in Anambra •As electricity consumers protest against crazy bills, blackouts

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO, ONITSHA

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AJOR mayhem, nay wanton destruction of properties and possibly lives, was at the weekend averted in Anambra State as irate electricity consumers in Ugwuagba Layout, Obosi, near the commercial city of Onitsha, were prevented by their leaders from

extending their protest march to Uguwagba office of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC(formerly PHCN).

The aggrieved consumers, under the aegis of Ugwuagba Community Residents PHCN Power Consumers, had early on the day converged at the popular Old Motor Car Spare Parts Market, Ugwuagba to visit the

NEMA urges Nigerians to engage in tree planting

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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HE National Emergency Manage ment Agency, NEMA, has advised Nigerians to engage in tree planting, saying this will prevent disasters arising from windstorms presently ravaging many communities in Nigeria.

According to the Agency, about 600 houses have been damaged by windstorm, while over 5000 persons in the South West geo-political zone of the country have been displaced so far in the first quarter of this year.

Also, major fire incidents have displaced about 250 secondary school children of Unity Secondary College, Ikire, Osun State.

NEMA Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Iyiola Akande, made the call weekend, while assessing the extent of damages caused in various affected communities of Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State where over 200 houses were destroyed by windstorm and about 3,314 persons were affected as well as in Idi Araba and Onipanu area of

EEDC’s offices at Ugwuagba and Ogidi Business District, threatening to burn down every avaliable facility in protest against what they considered as EEDC’s crazy bills without corresponding power supply.

But in order to pre-empt a possible break down of law and order, including wanton destruction of properties at the

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Chairman, Ugwuagba Community Resident Power Consumers, Marcel Ezenwa in a speech during public protest against exploitation from EEDC

EEDC office , leaders of the ag- contribute money for repairs of grieved consumers directed transformers or to buy oil for that the protest march be can- transformers and if we don’t celled outrightly so that the contribute, they will keep us in concerned individuals could darkness for months and yet go about their normal busi- every month, they will send us bills?”, among other nesses.

However, before they dis- inscriptions.

The chairman of the group, persed, the consumers numbering over 3,000, conducted Marcel Ezenwa who addressed prayers, sang songs of praises the members, said they will to God and raised up their plac- only pay N3,000 monthly as ards before their leaders came estimated bill until EEDC out one after the other to installs pre-paid meters in the intimate them on their next area, adding that they would no planned encounter with EEDC longer allow EEDC officials to disconnect the area. officials.

Also in a petition to the Some of their placards read in part: “No more estimated bills. Managing Director of EEDC, We need pre-paid meters”, Enugu Zonal Headquarters, “Why N8,000, N7,000, N6,000, jointly signed on their behalf, N5,000 estimated bills per by Ezenwa, chairman; Leonard vice-chairman; month? EEDC, you are killing Onah, us”. “EEDC, the same old wine Evangelist Anayo Eze, in a new bottle”, “No pre-paid coordinator; Ambrose Ikejiofor, meters, no payment”, They alleged that the EEDC has “You are not giving us light been milking the people of the and you are area dry through crazy estimated asking us to pay for what billing system, hoarding of prewe did not paid meters and forcing them to consume”.

Also some of pay for service charges of any the placards repair work read: “From NEPA to PHCN and now secretary; Ikechukwu Ezerioha, EEDC, all are the same PRO, among others, the wahala”, We need prepaid me- consumers expressed their ters, EEDC not estimated hand grievances against the EEDC bills anymore”, “Out of 14 trans- management over the crazy formers in our area, Govern- estimated billing system and ment gave us only two while we exploitation of power paid for 12, why?”, “Why consumers in the area. should EEDC always ask us to They alleged that the EEDC has been milking the people of the area dry through crazy estimated billing system, hoarding of pre-paid meters and forcing them to pay for service charges of any repair work in the area.

Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State where about 100 houses were destroyed and over 800 persons rendered homeless.

Alhaji Akande asserted that in the past, elders were more conscious of the serenity which tree planting brings *A building with its roof blown off by windstorm to their compounds or the environment at large, even when there ed. was little effect of climate change. He Earlier, NEMA carried out on-the-spot said the reverse is now the case in most inpection of two blocks of the hostel at geo-political zones of the country. the Unity Secondary School, Ikire, Osun He also warned against taking refuge State destroyed by windstorm. Over 250 under makeshift structures as these children were affected with 80 of them could cave-in and cause serious injury due to start their final examinations. if such structures collapse due to heavy The hostels were gutted by fire on two windstorm. occasions within five days while the Akande also said over 515 houses in school was in session.

Ekiti State were destroyed by windstorm NEMA suggested that more security with hail storm causing severe destruc- facilities be provided while recommendtion in Omu-Ekiti which injured one per- ing a perimeter fence be installed son and about 1,099 persons rendered against intruders. homeless in Ado Ekiti and Omu Ekiti .

The Zonal Coordinator also called on Osogbo and Ilesa West communities had the state government to introduce the bitter taste of the windstorm with sev- training of school children on basic dieral people and scores of houses affect- saster risk reduction.

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Small scale entrepreneurs They regretted that most small scale entrepreneurs and shopping centers in the area have closed down owing to erratic power supply while they are made to pay high bills monthly for electricity.

They therefore called on President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo; Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano and the immediate past governor, Chief Peter Obi, to prevail on the power distribution company to address the people’s suffering.

However, when VM called on the Public Relations Officer, Ogidi Business Unit of EEDC, Charles Okoli, he said he wasn’t aware of any protest. He urged any aggrieved consumers from the area to send a delegation to their office for deliberations and solution instead of embarking on protest.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 21

Rice, fish imports have affected our revenue collection— CUSTOMS percent.

Further analysis shows that the total revenue collected by

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & PRECIOUS IYOMERE

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ustoms Area Controller, CAC, of Apapa Area1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Charles Edike, has said that the new import policy of the Federal Government has affected the revenue collection of the Command.

Edike, who spoke to Vanguard in his office in Lagos, said that new policy which affected the importation of rice and fish has reduced the volume of the items coming into the country and therefore reduce the revenue collected by the Command.

The Customs boss, who was responding to question on why Tin-can Island Command has overtaken Apapa in revenue collection, blamed it on the new import policy.

According to the Custom boss, unlike 2011 when the total revenue was N235,185,245,803, that of 2012 stood at N285,640,681,488. This showed an increase of N50,955,435,435,685 in the revenue collected in 2012.

In 2013, the revenue collected from rice import dropped drastically to 4.04 percent following the new policy by the federal government which jacked up the levy on rice to 110

171.1

-4.15

2,927.00

-16.00

17.02

-0.16

104.47 99.29 155.24 258.5988 214.1846 175.591 1.4972 0.3164 239.113 25.0145 41.3929 28.6844 239.7837

mere N10,099,434,998 while N240,098,699,327 was collect from other commodities. The

From left: Mr Yemisi Edun, Chief Financial Officer, FCMB; Mr. Ayodele Othihiwa Partner, Audit, KPMG Nigeria; Mrs Bisi Lamikanra, Partner & Head, Management Consulting Services, KPMG, Nigeria and Mr. Adrian Harkin Lead Speaker/Partner, Management Consulting, KPMG UK at the KPMG’s FSI cost optimization seminar for financial institutions in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

-1.15 -0.45

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.74 STERLING 257.7659 EURO 213.4948 FRANC 175.0254 YEN 1.4923 CFA 0.3064 WAUA 238.3428 RENMINBI 24.9334 RIYAL 41.2596 KRONA 28.592 SDR 239.0114

the Command in 2013 was N250,198,134,325, out of which rice accounted for a

155.74 259.4317 214.8745 176.1565 1.502 0.3264 239.8831 25.0955 41.5262 28.7768 240.556

CBN Exchange rate as at 02/04/2014

Apapa Customs helmsman also said that fish which used to be the second revenue generator for the Command also had its levy increased to reduce the revenue collected by the Command.

Continuing, Edike said “ Fish, which used to be the second revenue source for the Command was again affected by the policy of government.

Now tell me, where the revenue will come from. Like I said earlier, we are still holding tight and ensuring that every collectable revenue is collected.”

He added that the command could have collect more from its container traffic but to ensure trade facilitation and prevent congestion at the port, the Command decided to move some containers to outer port facilities as well as Inland Container Depots, ICDs. “I know that in Apapa, there are so much containers we can treat, I know that we have just one Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, it does not matter where the revenue is collected, it is still the same Customs’ account.

IFAD unveils tool to assess rural development

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he International Fund for Ag ricultural Development (IFAD) has unveiled a simple and innovative tool that will change the way rural development can be analysed and measured.

The Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool (MPAT) is the result of a collaborative, international initiative started in 2008 and led by IFAD. It provides a clear picture of rural poverty’s key dimensions by taking into account the complex realities on the ground. By pointing development partners to areas where support is most needed and by monitoring and measuring the actions and initiatives implemented to improve rural lives and livelihoods, MPAT can facilitate and enhance successful interventions.

“The importance of measuring - and then in turn reacting to - levels of poverty in rural areas should not be overlooked at this critical time as the post-2015 development agenda takes shape,” said Adolfo Brizzi, acting Associate Vice-President. “While at IFAD we finance investments in sustainable agriculture and rural development as key ingredients for poverty eradication, economic growth and food security, we know that suc-

cess can only be achieved if there is a clear understanding and monitoring of progress and impact.”

Last month, IFAD launched four policy briefs that identified areas of universal resonance, each underpinned by five target areas. These briefs provide a map of areas where action may be inspired by new goals, targets, and indicators adapted to different country circumstances.

Developing rural areas and reducing poverty is a complex undertaking. It requires a combination of different activities, from improved infrastructure, health and sanitation facilities, to capacity building for smallholder farmers and linkages to markets. It is precisely this complexity that MPAT will help to clarify.

Based on household and village surveys, the tool aggregates people’s perceptions and opinions into 10 different indicators, which reflect the many interrelated dimensions of rural lives and livelihoods, such as housing, food security and empowerment. Based on this data, MPAT produces a clear picture of the situation in a given household, village, or project. This can then be used to inform all levels of decision-making in development programmes and

projects. As a result, MPAT can significantly strengthen the planning, design, monitoring and evaluation of a project, and in doing so can contribute to rural poverty reduction.

Throughout its development, the tool underwent extensive and rigorous field testing in real project and poverty situations in Bangladesh, China, India, and Mozambique, taking into consideration the input from poor rural women and men. The beta version of the tool, which was released in 2010, was productively used by non-governmental organizations, government departments and UN agencies in Africa and other regions.

The tool shines a spotlight on problem areas so that all stakeholders can see where deficiencies lie and can begin to discuss which interventions may be most appropriate based on the local context. The development of MPAT started in 2007 and was primarily funded through the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development grant programme, called the “Initiative for Mainstreaming Innovation”, which supported IFAD to continue its role as a facilitator and promoter of innovation for rural development.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

UBA grows total assets to N2.6trn, loan book up 42%

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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From left: New Managing Director/CEO, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, Divisional Managing Director, Dr. Nino Ozara, Former Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Babatunde Odunayo, Executive Director, Supply Chain, Mr. Rotimi Fadipe and Executive Director, Marketing, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan at the Valedictory Board Meeting for the former EVC/CEO in Lagos.

Reuters partners CBN, SEC others to deepen financial market STORIES BY PETER EGWUATU

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homson Reuters has disclosed its readiness to work closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Financial Market Dealers Association, NASD Plc and other regulators in the financial market to deepen the financial instruments that will attract both local and foreign investors.

Speaking exclusively with Vanguard, Managing Director, Global Head of Foreign Exchange, Marketplaces of Reuters, Mr. Philip Weisberg, who disclosed this said the intention of its firm in Africa is to help deepen the market and as well attract both local and foreign investors to participate in various financial instruments that are efficiently traded in a very transparent manner.

According to him “We are not here to take over the Africa’s market, but to help develop it by providing efficient services. Thomson Reuters provides solutions in multiple classes that connect the global financial community.

“Financial and Risk provides solutions in multiple asset classes including: Forex and money markets, Banking and Research, Investment management, Fixed income, commodities and energy, Equities, governance, risk and compliance.”

He further revealed that Reuters plans to help regulators improve on trading platform as well as develop corporate

governance. We will help Nigeria in supporting its technology and infrastructure that would enable clients to generate superior returns, increase access to liquidity and create efficient, reliable infrastructure in increasingly global, electronic and multi-asset class market.

Also speaking, Head of Financial and Risk Africa , Thomson Reuters, Sneha Shah, said that Thomson Reuters workflow solutions help to improve clients efficiency in order to meet their regulatory obligations. According to her, “The progressively fragmented nature of financial market trading, coupled with greater regulatory oversight

and scrutiny from investors, has considerably heightened the need for operational efficiency.

“So our Trade Reporting solution (Market Tracker) is designed to enhance the way the foreign exchange market in each country operates making it more transparent, and in turn allowing increased visibility to monitor trading trends , to gauge market risk and to identify concentration.”

Continuing, Shah said that Thomson Reuters is committed to Africa. “We will continue to help grow the countries in the continent where we operate. We will help to achieve increased transpar-

ency, intelligence and competitiveness. We are geographically represented in offices across the continent, covering all its editorial, business and government needs.

“Thomson Reuters Africa has built a reputation for independence, integrity, and freedom from bias.

“With five offices in and around Sub-Sahara Africa namely Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Nairobi and Port Louis, employees from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds serve the financial, regulatory, compliance, etc.”

Infinity Trust to pay N125m dividend, posts N5.6bn total assets

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arely three months after the listing on the Main Floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc, ITMB, has posted a total asset of N5.6 billion and declared a dividend of over N125 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

A review of the result shows that the Bank recorded a 32 per cent increase in total assets from 5.6 billion in 2012 to N7.4billion in 2013. Gross earnings grew from 524million in 2012 to 584 million in 2013.

The shareholders’ fund of the bank also experienced a remarkable growth from 4.5billion in the preceding year to 5.4billion in 2013, showing a growth of 20 per cent. This qualifies the bank to be a National Mortgage Bank subject to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s approval.

According to the Managing Director of

Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank, Mr. Obaleye Olabanjo, the remarkable results was as a result of discipline, hard work and a commitment to providing credible mortgage plans for all Nigerians.

ITMB has proposed to pay over 125million to its shareholders. This translates to 3kobo dividend per share, an improvement of 50 per cent over 2012 dividend paid. It is worthy of note that the Mortgage Bank has eight years of unbroken dividend payments.

Set to take a leading spot in the Mortgage business industry, ITMB boss stated that the company will continuously reinvent its strategies to meet the needs of its customers. With ITMB, customers are in top priority as sufficient time and research go into developing products that would ease their needs.

nited Bank for Africa, UBA Plc recorded impressive results in its financial year end, 2013 with the total asset growing to N2.64 trillion, an increase of 16.23 percent over the N2.27 trillion in 2012. Also, the loan book for the year grew by significant 42 percent to N937 billion propelled by ticket transaction undertaken by the bank in the power and oil & gas sectors of the economy during the year.

The growth in loan book was in keeping with management’s assurance in 2013 to increase lending to critical sectors of the Nigerian and African economy.

Phillips Oduoza, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, had revealed in 2013 that the bank committed $700 million in funding to the power sector privatisation exercise in Nigeria, financing different investors to acquire the power assets put on sale by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

Some of the major deals UBA actively participated in the power sector include taking up $120milion (N19.44bilion) of the financing in respect of Transcorp Ughelli Power Plant.

The bank also acted as Mandated Lead Arranger, underwriting the entire facility of $122milion (N20 billon) for Kann Utilities’ acquisition of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, financing the payment of 75 percent acquisition of 60 percent equity stake in Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

It also threw its financial weight behind Aura Energy for the Acquisition of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, acting as the lead arranger for N9.6 billion to finance the payment of 75 percent of Aura’s 60 percent equity stake in Jos Electricity Distribution Company.

UBA also successfully arranged debt financing of US$68million, as well as secured equity investment from a strategic and technical investors for the acquisition of the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Plc by North South Power Company Limited. The significant increase in lending had a positive impact on the bank’s released financials with interest income rising significantly by 23.8 percent to N186 billion while fee and commission based income rose 5.1 percent to N50.01 billion.

Analysts were also impressed with the bank’s lending process as despite the significant increase in lending portfolio, the bank reduced the incidence of non-performing loans on its books well below the industry average and regulatory threshold.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 23

Towards Sustainable Fisheries: FAO hosts workshop in Lagos

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at the Mikap rice production factory in Makurdi, Benue State.

ood and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently organized a Regional workshop on the Use of Ecosystem Approach for Fisheries Management (EAFNansen Project) which among other sustainability issues, focused on the appraisal of the Shrimp Fisheries Management plans of the key participating countries Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon.

Speaking at the opening plenary of the Workshop, the FAO Co -coordinator, Dr.

Nigeria has enough local rice to feed its population— ADESINA … defends high tariff on imported rice

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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he Minister of Agri culture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said that the proposed tariff regime on rice is needed to protect local investors in rice, including farmers and millers, as well as create jobs and wealth for Nigerians.

Dr. Adesina said the Federal Government’s policy on rice a core strategy under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has succeeded beyond all expectations.

Speaking at a public hearing on rice policy at the National Assembly recently, the Agriculture minister disclosed that Nigeria has the capacity to become not only self-sufficient, but a net exporter of rice, adding that the Federal Government and the stakeholders in the rice sector are determined to reduce the ridiculously high foreign exchange of over N365 billion being spent annually on rice import. According to the Minister, it made no sense at all that Nigeria, with an arable land area of 84 million of arable land, is the second largest importer of rice in the world.

The country, he said, definitely can grow rice and end the decades of dependence on rice imports from India and Thailand, “as they don’t have anything that we do not have to produce rice.”

He said it is time we realized that the more Nigeria imported food items that can be grown locally, the less local production and the high level of unemployment and the worse the country’s insecurity.

The Minister explained that

this is why the present administration is driving a major import substitution drive on rice and other commodities under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Dr. Adesina said Nigerians needed to frown upon the heavy flow of import of low quality and sometimes very unsafe foods, including rice and fish, wondering why some citizens are vigorously campaigning and taking sides with importers, wondering why we must import what we can produce, a situation he called “prodigal economics”.

According to Adesina, international trade experts say the only option for Thailand and India to get rid of their excess rice stock pile of 18 and 14 million metric tones respectively is to dump it on foreign markets at a loss.

Thailand, he said, subsidized its farmers paying them 200% price above the market price, costing the Thai government $15 billion this year. “If allowed to happen, rice import has a potential of scuttling the bold drive of the government to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice.”

The rice importers, Adesina argued, simply want to take advantage of huge profits they would make from the cheap rice imports to harp on the need to lower rice tariffs.

The Minister said Nigeria is not an exemption in using high tariffs on rice. All over the world, rice is the most protected and subsidized of all commodities, with tariffs, tariff-rate quotas and tariff escalation for processing and value added.

According Adesina , information being peddled by rice im-

•Dr. Akinwumi Adesina porters and rice processors that Nigeria is not producing enough paddy is wholesomely incorrect and mischievous.

Declaring that he had commissioned an independent USAID-Markets program and the Africa Rice Center to verify the

situation, which shows that there is sufficient paddy available, but the problem was accessibility by millers. While farmers complain of paddy glut, millers complain of lack of enough paddy.

Accessibility was linked to high cost of paddy, long distances between production zones and location of mills, high transport cost from the production zones to the location of their mills, variable quality of paddy due to high moisture content or poor cleaning, lack of standardization of bags (farmers insist on selling in 75 kg bags instead of 100 kg bags or by weight), lack of storage facilities to stock up on paddy and limited financing to buy up the paddy rice., the minister disclosed.

Kwame Koranteng stated that the project is particularly important given the amount of wealth generated from shrimp fisheries and the notable contribution of the fisheries sub-sector to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the participating countries.

In her keynote remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural envelopment (FMARD), Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, represented by the Acting Director of Fisheries in the Ministry, noted that the fisheries sub-sector through the on-going Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration contributes immensely to the Nigerian economy.

Speaking further, Odusote observed that in response to the need for a practical implementation of the Principles of Sustainable Development, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the FAO had developed as her cardinal objective the use of the ecosystem Approach to fisheries management (EAF Nansen project).

She added that given that the objective of the workshop is to ascertain the existence, size and practicality of the shrimp fisheries implementation plans of each participating country, the Workshop came at the right time. Her words; “I am very confident to say that at the end of this workshop, we would definitely achieve more than expected”.

FG debunk claims of adulterated fertiliser

By GABRIEL EWEPU

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BUJA — THE federal government had debunked claims made by some farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support scheme, GES, for being supplied with adulterated fertilisers.

This denial was made by the Director, Fertiliser Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Department, Dr. Akinbolawa Osho, while flagging off the 2014 fertiliser distribution for 2014 wet season farming in Abuja at the week weekend. Some farmers had alleged that the fertiliser bags they received after paying N2, 750 were found to be filled with sand particles and other substances with little of fertiliser mixed with it, therefore accused the federal government of being double standard.

In responding to the grave allegation levelled against the government, Osho said fertilisers released to farmers were not directly from the ministry as being claimed

by the farmers since the government had stopped its participation in fertiliser distribution.

Osho said: “All fertilisers supplied to farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support, GES, were wholesome and this is being monitored by the government to ensure that farmers across the country gets the best of fertiliser and improved seeds to boost food production.

“I don’t know about the purported supply of adulterated fertiliser to our esteemed farmers, the supply had been contracted out to the private sector, and farmers receives alert on their phones to get their fertiliser bags at a subsidised rate at various redemption centres.

“We are also working hard to increase the number of redemption centres for the sake of farmers’ proximity to them and easy collection of farm inputs. We will continue to ensure that farmers get improved seeds, which we will make it more competitive among seed companies.”

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Lagos Water Regatta set for Easter Sunday, promises fun fill event

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•Port James Island, where Kunta Kinte was kept

‘It is never boring watching Dolphins on River Gambia’

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achel Joyce is a Briton who feels at home in Africa. She runs the Pleasure Sports Gambia, the operator of a cruising boat on River Gambia. In this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE during a cruise to Juffureh and Port James Island, the ancestral home of Kunta Kinte, she shares her travelling experience. Excerpt : On her first travelling experience My first travelling experience outside of the UK was Tunisia when I was eight years old. It was nearly 40 years ago now.

Tunisia in those days was a very different country and it was a new experience for me as a small girl then.

It was fascinating and I still

on six months sabbatical and I went backpacking through Morocco , I spent lot of time in southern Spain and I travelled right through Morocco by road and rail system.

I started from Tangier, went through the mountain area, which was a beautiful part of Morocco. I went to Marrakesh; saw the highest mountain covered in snow when it was 40 degrees.

I took the night sleepers from Casablanca back to Tangier. I visited Rabat after spending sometime in Casablanca going through some villages’ right on the mountains. That part of Africa is very important to me.

I have families that live there too. I find Morocco very interesting and nice place, with very nice people.

I read a lot any way, if I am on the plane, I read the flight magazines, I read about destinations I have not been to.

Tourism is part of who I am apart from business

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remember probably every minute of it now.

On how often she travels How often I travel depends greatly on work, for instance here in the Gambia, if I travel it is either to Senegal or back to the UK to visit my family.

Apart from that over the years, I have travelled extensively through Europe and extensively through North Africa, particularly, Morocco.

When I was 40 years, I went

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I have been to lot of places in Europe, I love Florence in Italy. I went with my daughter a few years ago and I have been to Milan. A long time ago, I went for my honey moon in Italy, so I spent time in Rome.

On her best destination Morocco remains my best destination.

On what she travels with If I am packing, my medication is the first, I need a camera and these days, I go

with USB sticks to store things on, because there is no end to the number of photos to snap.

I also take a luggage scale to know the amount of what everything weighs and sun hat.

I take a little clothing as much as possible.

On what she reads on flight I read a lot any way. If I am on the plane, I read the flight magazines, I read about destinations I have not been to.

Tourism is part of who I am apart from business.

I read a lot of books and do a lot of cross words and so those are the kind of things I take with me. I am not a magazine person.

I like reading books as I like to learn from what I am reading.

On her best travelling experience My best experience was probably again in Morocco. I went up to one of the oldest monolithic stone circles and the guardian of those circles is a wonderful man. He was there with his wife and son who was disabled and we were trying to prepare a wheel chair or motorized chair for him and trying to find different ways of him to self propel because the terrain is not so easy .

So we devised one for him. It was nice. They were looking after me. As soon I got there, there was no issue like payment they looked after me like their family member. I think that was a memory I will take along throughout my life.

On her worst travelling experience It was probably getting mugged in Senegal. As I was working down the street some guys were following me, I actu-

ally knew a guy was following me but in fact they were four. One was in the front and two by my sides, by the time we got to the main street in Dakar, the four of them closed in and that was where I lost my passport, money and other items.

On whether she tries local food when she travels Yes, I always. For many years I was a vegetarian, but out of Europe I will try the local meat apart from pork. I think an important part of learning about different culture is to experience the traditions that include their food, the dance and their music.

Food is very important to every culture and person and so it is always good to experience the food. Some you will like and some you don’t.

On her best airline I think one of the best airlines is Turkish airline. It was a very nice experience with them. I have also used the Gambia Bird coming from Barcelona last year and they gave excellent service too.

On the cruise business From my position everyday is different, there is a different dynamics on the boat by the tourists we have and where they come from.

Personally, I find every tour interesting, you find people drawn to me especially the Europeans wanting to know what it takes for another European to live in Africa.

agosians home and abroad will once again converge at the waterfront pier on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi Lagos on Easter Sunday for the 5th edition of the Lagos Water Regatta; a fun filled water-based cultural sporting and recreational activity put together to showcase the aquatic splendour of the state.

According to a statement by the organisers, signed by its Chairman, Engr. Olusegun Jawando, the Lagos Water Regatta is an annual waterbased cultural sporting and recreational activity put together to showcase what the various coastal communities have to offer in terms of water sport, cultural beauty and aquatic splendor.

The event, planned to coincide with the Easter, is meant to energize the tranquil nature of the Lagos Island waterfront during the festival and transform it into meeting point of colour, excitement and beauty. According to the Chairman, Lagos Water Regatta is part of the activities lined up to celebrate the 2014 edition of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival. “The regatta is a private sector led initiative with support from other corporate bodies and the state Government to promote the tourism potential of the state,” said Engr. Jawando.

“The Regatta will consist of large fishing boats, ferries, barges and other marine vessels adorned with colours and decorations depicting the social, cultural, traditional folklores and occupational aspects of the Lagos people.

“There will be a parade of floats and canoes with traditional, cultural and social troupes from 20 communities of the five divisions that make up the state.”

Engr. Jawando added that boats branded by sponsoring corporate organisations and jet skis from members of the Aquamarine Boat Club would participate in water racing and perform stunts to the delight of fun seekers.

He then called on private organizations to support the good initiative of the Lagos State Government by sponsoring boat branding and exhibitions to showcase their brand to the millions of people home and abroad.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 25

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

The orator’s last bow (3) (for Columbus Chukwujindu Ihekaibeya, 1942—2004)

BY ODIA OFEIMUN

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CONSTITUTION that will outlast its makers must derive from collective ambitions that are not driven by immediate, or merely alimentary, concerns! Unity is not enough. Nor welfare. A good constitution must seek a shared future, based on justice and a common, benign morality. It is such a constitution that we seek as a syllabus of ideals into the next Nigerian century. And beyond.

And, there is no reason to try re-inventing the wheel. Our many struggles in the past have given us golden indications of how we may go. We need to look with largeheartedness at our history, and to concede that so much good work has been done in the last century requiring us to take our country very seriously. Hence, in asserting that this conference must be different, I have no reason to engage in far-fetching. I am relying on the cumulative goodness of preceding creativity and hardwork. Let us add a new sense of direction, and studied will, to make good our roadmap.

In my well-considered view, we are, as Nigerians, inheritors of great debates, marvelous precepts, and well-honed constitutional provisions - loaded asterisks - that are answers to our much-vaunted National Question. In over one hundred years of trying, we have arrived at principles that are true to our needs and ought now to be harnessed with the integrity of self-motivated people. In no particular order, the principles cover but are not limited to the following: •A Presidential system with a four year,

Map of Nigeria

•Creation and re-creation of states strictly to ensure that, as much as possible, all people of the same ethnic or language group in contiguous territorial formation are together in one state •The creation of a Gbagyi state, Ekiti state, Ijebu state, Nupe state, Anioma state, Kanuri state, etc. with common welfare policies as guaranteed across all the states of the Federation.

•Removal of pensions, prisons, railways, stamp duties, and wages from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent list; •Addition of road safety, healthcare, public complaints, arbitration, aviation, and environment, health, housing and electricity to the Concurrent list.

•A shared and federated defence and security system with a directorate of each of the forces under each level of government; every tier of government entitled to a police system in the format of the judicial service. •Secularity of the Nigerian state guaranteed; no state religion •All political parties to enjoy subvention commensurate with votes scored in local government elecSecularity of the Nigerian state guaranteed; tions.

•All incumbents no state religion. All political parties to enjoy who change their posubvention commensurate with votes scored litical parties in midstream shall return to in local government elections the electorate for their mandates to be re-determined in a byerenewable, term for chief executives who election. shall be elected on the basis of universal •Every language to be a national lanadult suffrage by the whole constituency guage taught at school in the domicile of over which they seek governance. each language; a multi-language choice •A bicameral legislature based on uniat higher levels, with Universities in each versal adult suffrage catchment area empowered to research into •A judiciary entitled to a first line draw the history, folklore, literature and culture on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the areas.

•A post-office pension for past chief ex•The autonomy of the local government ecutives and officers of the legislature so system to be guaranteed: no joint LG/state long as they were not impeached . account; but a Revenue Mobilization and •The withdrawal of immunity from crimFiscal Commission for the state. inal liabilities for chief executives •Local governments and states to be • Special involved through equity and management, courts for the in resources found in their areas. prosecution, with desTo be concluded patch, of cases emanating from corrupt practices.

•States This is the concluding part of this courts of apdiscourse. The second part was peal to be espublished in Vanguard edition of tablished in Thursday ODIA OFEIMUN six geo-politBY ONAOLAPO DELON ical zones M not an expert in foreign •A mayoral administration for the Federdiplomacy or international law so I al Capital Territory do not know if our bilateral relation with •Transfer of basic education, maternal China permits them to violate our citizens health care, and housing from Chapter two, and lock them up without any explanation on Fundamental Objectives and Directive or notification to our embassy.

The presiPrinciples of State policy to chapter Four dent should, please send a high-power delunder Fundamental human Rights; thereegate to China as majority of the detainees fore justiciable are uneducated and do not know what of-

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BY NIYI OSUNDARE

How Nigerians are maltreated in China (3)

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he replied by mocking my waist-wiggling moves. Quite often, we concluded our entertainment session with a cerebral analysis of the lyrics of the songs as if we were back once again in Dan Izevbaye’s poetry appreciation classes at UI! I returned to Ibadan in September 1974 to begin my career as a university teacher. Chuks and I corresponded vigorously in the first few months before life despatched us on its different trajectories. Thereafter, our correspondence became less frequent, then went into many years of hiatus.

But it wasn’t total silence. I remember our afternoon together in London in December 1986 when I was in the UK to receive the Commonwealth Poetry Prize. Older, mellower, and wiser now, Chuks and I went over our usual fare: literature, music, philosophy, and politics. We pondered over the conundrum called Life and its Eshulike vicissitudes. And more than ever before, my friend and I agonized over the perennial delinquency of our country Nigeria and our continent Africa, and the problems of being black in a world in which that colour still stinks like a disabling blemish.

Our second contact was official and indirect: I was so delighted in November 1999 to receive a letter signed

by Chuks in his capacity as Special Assistant to Chief Emeka Anyaoku to whom I had copied my petition to the British Ambassador to the Unit-

HE audience exploded in admira tion. Chuks and I were locked in cordial embrace. We both knew my gratitude was beyond words... I have carried that poem with me ever since. Its echo hovered over my consciousness as I composed ‘Birth Day’, one of the poems in Days, my book of poems published in 2007, and that particular poem was dedicated to Chuks Ihekaibeya and memories of ‘Crimson Moments’.

But Chuks was no joyless nerd and shriveled book shrimp. He was a rounded human being who cherished the plenitude of life. If Chuks’smile was disarming, his laughter was lungful and robustly infectious. The orator knew his way to the highest reaches of elocution, but he also knew how to mine lowly dialects for their pithiness and earthy humour. He was colourful, demonstrably colourful, but never flashy; sociable without being noisily gregarious. His was a life devoted to the methods of the mind, the priceless treasure of quiet moments. Hence he chose his company judiciously. Two of the people he introduced to me in our first two weeks in Leeds were Gaius Anoka, the famous Thespian and very pleasant human being, and Ogbonnah Agbai, a witty and humorous fellow who had also just arrived in Leeds for a degree in Geology. He was Chuks’ junior in high school and displayed reverential awe for his Cerebral, well spoken, urbane, and former senior’s character and or- consistently humane, Columbus Chukatorical prowess. wujindu Ihekaibeya was an accomOgbonnah and I were age-mates plished human being with a global soul and constantly traded age-mate jokes. Chuks renewed ed States regarding a bungled entry his acquaintanceship with Siyan Malo- visa application issue. A couple of mo, my close friend and our mutual col- months later Chuks and I met at the league from Ibadan, who was on gradu- Murtala Muhammed Airport where he introduced me personally to the ate studies in Geology.

Chuks loved music generally and reg- affable Secretary-General of the Comgae with a passion. He and I used to monwealth. comb the music store at Chapel Town in the West Indian district of Leeds for the Eloquent latest sounds from the Caribbean. We fell response in instant love with The World Needs I was hardly surprised to see that Love, The Pioneers and Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come, loved dancing, Chuks had become a respected Comvery much as I too did, and I was never monwealth official; for in addition to tired of teasing his literary and intellectual acumen, him about his the art and act of diplomacy came to dancing style him as a natural asset. In later years which was he became a Commonwealth envoy something close and much demanded point man. Our to a mix of the last correspondence took place a cougallopy reggae ple of months ago, and it carried stride and the Chuks’ characteristically perspicashoulder-shak- cious and eloquent response to my ing athleticism of 2012 Save Nigeria Group (SNG) lecAtilogu. And al- ture in Lagos. We had agreed to reNIYI OSUNDARE most invariably, connect physically again, and I was thinking of this happening the next time I was in the UK. And then, last week, that highly moving obituary notice from Chukwuma Azuonye.

Cerebral, well spoken, urbane, and ficial channel they can explore. President consistently humane, Columbus Jonathan's intervention is the only light in Chukwujindu Ihekaibeya was an the tunnel. I am also appealing to our law accomplished human being with a makers, the Senate president, Senator Dav- global soul. He strove for excellence id Mark, Speaker, House of Representa- in everything he did, and had no patives - Aminu Tambuwal, the governors, tience with half measures. Chuks particularly the governors of Abia State, The- loved people and he cherished beodore Orji; Anambra State, Willie Obiano; ing loved in return. He had but one Ebonyi State, Martins Elechi; Enugu State, tribe, and that was the human race, Sullivan Chime and Imo State, Rochas Oko- and he did all he could to project it rocha. Ndi-igbo leaders, Madam Ngozi the noblest heights. Now the music Okonjo-Iweala and Dr. Ifeanyi Uba (he has is gone, but the melody remains.. . . been there to help in the past). They should . Sleep well, my dear Chukwujindu. move in to help.

Sleep well, Orator.

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Preface to This Conference Must Be Different

This is the concluding part of this tribute. The second part was published in Vanguard edition of Thursday

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 27

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

DIRECTOR General, Public Service Staff Development Centre, PSSDC, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, has stressed the need of recognising teaching as the

most vital and strategic profession for national development. Fabamwo who stated this during an induction course organized for teachers in conjunction with

Fabamwo canvasses constant training for teachers the Teachers Establishment Pensions Office, TEPO, stated that teachers were crucial to transmitting and

implanting social values such as equality, tolerance and cultural understanding. While advising the

newly employed teachers to take advantage of the training in learning the ethics, norms and values of the

teaching profession, Fabamwo noted that the induction course reinforces government's resolve to build competent teachers who will help to move the state forward in its bid to attain excellence, adding that 1,775 teachers were undergoing a five-day induction training to be conducted by PSSDC. She said the course content contains sessions such as Effective Classroom Teaching and Management, School Improvement Strategies, The Public Service Structure: Its Rules, Regulations, Establishment Matters, Ethics of the Teaching Profession and Personal Development Strategies.

The training modules, she said, are essential foundational training needed to set a new teacher on a successful career path in order to foster the state governments, adding that teachers were primary care givers in teaching and inspiring children to unlock their divine gift from God. She urged the teachers to be dedicated and passionate on their job, adding that competence was a distinguishing factor in the teaching profession and as result teachers should show a high level of competence.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 29

BY RICHARD UDOFIA and IYABO AINA

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AN we meet you?

I am Hafiz Oyetoro, from Iseyin Town, in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. I attended Baptist Day Primary School and Koso Grammar School respectively, all in Iseyin, thereafter I moved to University of Ile Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University where I bagged B.A in Dramatic Arts, M.A from Institute of African Studies in University of Ibadan. Presently, I am running my Ph. D at the University of Ibadan. Aside entertainment, most people don’t know that I am a seasoned lecturer in Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos in the Theatre Arts Department. I am happily married and blessed with children too.

How did you come about the name “Saka”?

The name Saka was a prominent role I played in a T.V Series titled “House Apart” by Wale Windapo and me in early 2000 and it was produced by Royal Hood Communications.

Stage name Basically, ‘Saka’ is a stage name I got on stage, and since then, the name just stuck.

Evaluate the entertainment industry over the years?

In the past, it was very discouraging, both the industry and practitioners were not given due respect. The society saw entertainers as never-do-well people, failures, and wayward people with no future ambition, yet, passion was the aim of the practitioners, the content, message and values then were more relevant, meaningful and moral centred in all ramification.

Presently, the technicality is improving, radio live shows and the incorporation of technology has made it more glamorous, commercially viable, more regulations are now being experienced, but in terms of content and values, there seems to be a decline as more emphasis is now being placed on financial gains rather than the content itself. Dedication was

I am not a man rich — Saka

Hafiz Oyetoro popularly known as Saka has seen more than two decades in the movie industry and thus, has become a reservoir of knowledge that can only be appreciated. He lost his father some months ago, sad, he said he was, but agreed he was truly happy that the man lived long enough (98) to see him turning out to the success story he has become. In this interview, the Nollywood star opens up on his 25-year journey in Nollywood and who really is ‘Saka’. Excerpts:

the focal thing at a time but reverse is the case now.

In future, the audience and society will be selective as they are now raising eyebrows than before. I strongly believe that soonest, value will be the most utmost thing in the industry.

Recent research reveals that we are second to Hollywood in the world, in terms of volume of production, but I believe that we will claim that first spot in future when the industry develops in its content and gets enough support from the Government.

Apart from entertainment, which other area would you have pursued a career?

Honestly speaking, I do not know yet, because I have not ventured into any other profession while growing up.

Although as a child, I used to dream of being a pilot, but the academic environment where I found myself did not encourage me to go after the dream. I guess

Celebrity romances that hit the rocks

•Saka

I can accept political appointment in an event where their philosophy is people friendly, but for me to compete for a political position in an election, that, I will not do

because I was not really good in mathematics. So in my free periods, I joined a performing group called “Akewiebi Theatre Groups” based in Iseyin. In fact when I watched a TV series program in OGTV, the first year it was formed, that added flare to my quest for the entertainment field.

How have you benefited from the Federal Govern-ment intervention fund into the entertainment industry?

I am still looking forward to

MI Ibaga flaunts Bugatti

benefiting from it. I am not a producer yet as such, but I have some works I am working on and I intend producing in future. For now, I am a full-time lecturer, but from all feelers I get, those who try accessing the funds said the process is very cumbersome and stressful, yet they ended up not getting it, that is Nigeria for you.

How do you feel about all the awards you have won?

Continues on page 30

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Synopsis

I am not a rich man Continues from page 35 It is very encouraging, each time I realize I have such recognitions. I am praying to God to get there by His grace, but on the average, I have about fifteen awards excluding international awards, and presently, I am being nominated for an international award, one in London and the other in one of the African countries. I believe that one’s work always speaks for one anywhere one finds oneself, no matter the location.

What has stardom cost you?

Although I have not and will never allow my achievements to go into my head. I still live my normal life and still do those things which I would have done if I hadn’t hit stardom. I always feel grateful to God, my fans, my supporters, and my parents, who have spent so much in bringing me up

over the years and my colleagues (lecturers) too, who have always believed in me.

How do you relate with people?

I entrench values in those I come across, that is why, most times, in the private I prefer spending more time on building myself because I know I am charged with the responsibility of impacting positively on lives of those I meet as an actor.

How do you relax?

I spend time with my wife and children. We watch programs and play games together. I listen a lot when I am relaxing and most people don’t know that I enjoy Badminton as a game a lot. I call my wife “Olomi,” my sister, my love and my mother. She accepted me the way I was few years ago without nothing, but believed in my future, so whenever I have any ample time to spend, I spend it qualitatively with my family. She has time for the children; she has built a home for me and not a house.

Will you accept political position if given the opportunity?

Based on my kind of person, I am very shy and sentimental. I love to be found where people are smiling and laughing and politicians are not noted for such. I can accept political appointment in an event where their philosophy is people-friendly, but for me to compete for a political position in an election, that, I will not do. To me, I don’t see that field as my calling any time.

How did you feel winning the

RENDER TO CEASER African Viewers Choice Award last year?

Of course, I was very happy, coming at a time when this award was first introduced to us, “The best comedian actor award”. The memory is awesome. I want to use this medium to thank all those who voted for me during the voting process.

How has the war on piracy been in the Industry?

There seems to be no war in the industry at all. The law is there but no action to safeguard intellectual property.Marketers and producers need to come together to review their contracts because many producers are losing out to marketers. Many producers work and labour in vain, but the marketers plough in little capital and gain millions of naira in return. Some producers even pirate their works because they know at the end of the day; they will end up becoming the losers after all. Again, we don’t have a united union, but these pirates have a unified union and strong cabal, and it only takes associations with strong unions and government backings to eliminate these leeches from our industry.

Recently you lost your father, any long lasting memory you can never forget?

Pa Oyetoro, my biological father passed away this year, Januar y

2014, at the age of 98, and has s i n c e been buried according to Islamic rites. It is something I cannot just quantify, but one thing I am grateful to God for, is that he was alive to see me become that which he did desire before his demise. I have so many resounding memories of my late father that I cannot forget in my life time. He has lived his life and has left his mark on the sand of time.

We learnt you are a Rich man, how true is it?

Honestly, I am not a rich man, but I am comfortable, satisfied and happy.

What is the secret of your successful life?

It is simple, all you need is patience, humility, staying focused and most importantly, having the fear of God. It is only God that can give a man success. I have been in this industry for about 25- 26 years, but look at when my time to shine came. You cannot get to the top all of a sudden.

The rhythm of life is step by step, stage by stage and from simple to complex. If you do not follow this rule of life, you become irrelevant. God blesses what he finds in your hand.

People should always lear n to appreciate what is in their hands, never be satisfied with what you have achieved now, because the degree of work and quality of value you add to the society makes you an individual.

Synopsis: The movie is produced and directed by Desmond Ovbiagele which features a fiesta of Nigeria’s finest acting talent!! like Gbenga Akinnagbe, Omoni Oboli, Wale Ojo, Kalu Ikeagwu, Lucky Ejim, Bimbo Manuel, Dede Mabiaku, Chris Iheuwa, Kehinde Bankole, Tomi Odunsi .

The movie RENDER TO CAESER revolves round two friends who returned home from abroad to join an ambitious government scheme in the Police Force. Detectives Dipo Daniels & Pade Fashinro are immediately assigned to hunt and apprehend a notorious criminal mastermind wreaking havoc in Africa’s most vibrant city. Cynically chronicling the investigation’s lack of progress through a slew of derogatory features is the acclaimed but prejudiced media entrepreneur, Alero Benson, whose campaign of calumny compounds the dilemma of the new detectives. And just when it appears they’ve finally boxed Caesar into a corner, he responds with a joker that not only turns the game on its head, but threatens to alter the lives of its key players forever. released!

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK BESTMAN HOLIDAY RIDE ALONG ROBOCOP NUT JOB APAYE Exhibition Schedule from FEB, 28 — MAR, 6 2014 SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Noah : 2:55pm,6:20pm,8:15pm Render to Caeser : 1:35pm,2:40pm Ride Along :11:35am,6:30pm, The Nut Job : 10:30am,2:20pm,4:35pm About last night : 8:45pm Robocop : 6:25pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Noah : 7:20pm Render to Caesar : 12:10pm,4:30pm,7:10pm, Ride Along : 1:40pm,5:35pm When dreams fall apart : 7:20pm,9:20pm Apaye : 11:20pm,3:20pm About last night : 11:50pm,2:10pm,4:30pm,6:40pm,8:50pm Deep Inside : 1:20pm,5:20pm, Robocop : 11:55pm,2:15pm,4:35pm,6:50pm,9:10pm Best Man Holiday : 2:30pm,9:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Render to Caeser : 2:20pm,6:35pm,8:50pm When dreams fall apart : 12:20pm,4:40pm About last night : 2:00pm,3:00pm,5:00pm,7:00pm,9:00pm Robocop : 11:20am,1:40pm,4:00pm,6:20pm,8:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Render to Caeser : 11:40am,2:05pm,4:25pm,6:45pm When dreams fall apart : 11:45am,4:15pm Apaye : 11:30am,3:00pm,7:00pm About last night : 12:05pm,2:25pm,4:40pm,6:55pm Jai Ho : 6:15pm Deep Inside : 1:00pm,5:00pm Robocop: 11:35am, 2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm Brother ’s Keeper : 1:55pm The Best Man Holiday : 1:20pm,4:00pm,6:35pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS The Nut Job : 10:30am FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, IBADAN Render to Caeser : 10:20am,6:30pm The Nut Job : 10:10am About last night : 8:40pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR Render to Caeser : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm The Nut Job : 10:10am, About last night : 1:30pm,3:40pm,6:20pm,8:30pm

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 31

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 Stories By AYO ONIKOYI

MI Ibaga flaunts Bugatti M

ister Incredible Ibaga has told his story of grass to grace too many times for many to forget that the rapper has had to battle life’s many challenges to have his voice heard. Now, he is living the dream and he has no qualms taking it to the gallery for all to see.

He has several endorsement deals in his kitty, with Globacom, arguably on top of the bill.

On Tuesday, the rapper share his thought with his fans on Instagram. “All those who have steadily stood by this nigga since day one.

The wait is almost over. We are about to be winning! Not like we ever stopped though!

And MI wasn’t just doling out empty words, he did it with a post of himself, coolly leaning on his Bugatti sport car. No doubt, he is winning, don’t know about the fans .

NIGERIAN IDOL UPDATE: Nneka gets love proposal on Nigerian Idol show

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he power of an awesome voice, good looks and a red rose to complement cannot be overlooked. And that almost got Nigerian Germany-based singer, Nneka in a twist when one of the contestants at the ongoing Nigerian Idol reality show surprised her with a love proposal Xolani, the contestant from Calabar presented the petite damsel with a red rose after going on his knees, during his performance of ‘Lady in Red’ by Chris de Burgh.

After recovering from the moment Nneka said, “Awesome charisma, you were very in tune with the lyrics and you have a charming look and personality, but I just need you to be careful, so you don’t lose yourself in the show.”

Nneka Egbuna is one of the three judges, including Dede Mabiaku and Darey Art-Alade at the Nigerian Idol season four.

…And Dede Mabiaku meets his match!

E

verybody who knows Fela protege, Dede Mabiaku, knows the singer to be a nononsense person, who would rather strike than shy away from any feisty situation. But last time on Nigerian Idol, Dede met a female contestant who seemed to take the fight out of him. There is nothing as daring as a very confident young, lady.

Dawn, a contestant from Lagos is as bold and daring as they come and she lost her cool and took on Dede after Dede took her performance to pieces.

The beautiful student who looked ravishing in an all-black outfit had her performance ‘Next to Me’ by Emeli Sande railed at by Dede who accused the contestant of missing some of her lines “Good start, but why did you forget your lyrics?” said Dede. “I didn’t forget my lyrics,” argued Dawn repetitively and on and on it went.

Memunat Yinusa shines at Yoruba Movies award

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emunat Yinusa isn’t really a household item, but the mention of Mimiano, brings to mind a sexy, curvy and talented Yoruba actress, who is fast rising like she has an occasion with the stars.

She belongs in the new generation of the Yoruba glamour girls who are changing the glam looks of Yoruba films.

As an attestation to her ever-rising profile the actress emerged as the ‘Most Promising’ Yoruba actress at the Yoruba Movies Award which held couple of days back in Ibadan. She beat Titi Oludipe, Misola Iyun, Tayo Sobola and Laitan Ogungbile for her awesome role in Mimiano, the film that actually brought her recognition.

Other actors who shine at the event are Fathia Balogun as Best Actress, Odunlade Adekola as Best Actor, Kelvin Ikedugbas as Best Cross-Over Actor,

and Tunde Owokoniran as ‘Best Promising’ actor. Mama Awero, Kola Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo and Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola received special recognition.

Shocker as BlackREALvolution turns out to be Legend relaunch

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or several weeks, various social media was agog with the BlackRealvolution buzz, which was first presented to the public as a movement, spearheaded

by Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, a couple of other notable Nigerian artistes, including multiple award-winning artiste, Tuface Idibia.

Nevertheless, it was a pleasant surprise for majority of stout lovers to find that the launch of the #BlackREALvolution movement which held at the Atlantic Beach last Friday turned out to be

the re-launch of Legend Extra Stout, manufactured by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Legend Extra Stout now adorns a Staniol cover and metalized labels with the Monde seal of quality.

Legend Extra Stout, however, chose to express its readiness to wrest the reins of leadership out of the hands of the market leader through a theatrical performance delivered by Span Fest, a renowned dance group.

The play was titled ‘First vs Real’. It depicted a lady – the consumer – who was being wooed by two men, Legend Extra Stout and a fierce competitor. When words could not sway the lady’s heart in either contender ’s favour, the stage was turned into a battlefield, with the first competitive event being dance. After several battles of wits, brains and brawn, the fierce competitor was chosen over Legend Extra Stout.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 33

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

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ARYAM Abdullahi lived with her family in a shack in Ilupeju, Lagos, where her father worked.

Life was uncertain and tough, but the illiterate couple from the northern part of the country was able to manage to send Maryamthe last of four children- to school.

It was at that government school that little Maryam met her destiny, borne in the sensitive hands of a nongovernmental organization.

Representatives of Courage Education Foundation relocated her to a better and private school, from where she proceeded to Day Waterman College, a high profile boarding school and finally to Caleb University, where she currently schools.

Invest in the Education of Children

— Dame Abimbola Fashola •As Courage Foundation fetes donors, benefactors

Emotional audience It was to a silent, emotional and spellbound audience that she told her story last week as leader of the foundation’s board of trustees Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Project Director Mrs. Abimbola Ajagunna welcomed guests, benefactors and beneficiaries alike to an evening of comedy and fundraising in Oniru, Lagos.

Now an articulate teenager, Maryam vows not only not to let down those who had invested in her but also to give back to other unprivileged children as well as the society at large.

Meanwhile, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, who was the special guest of honour, has called upon privileged Nigerians to invest in the education of children.

Represented by Mrs.

•Mariam Abdullahi, our first beneficiary presently at Caleb University •Mrs Abimbola Ajagunna and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo Abisola Oshodi, the first lady thanked the foundation and appreciated its work. In her address to the children, she stressed: regardless of where you are coming from, it is

where you are going to that is important. She enjoined beneficiaries not to follow bad company.

It was an evening of glitz, laughter and ideas ex-

change as the best Nigeria’s comedians turned out en masse to give their own support by their different brands of comedy.

Giving the pledge form

From Left Mrs Temilola Adepetun, Mrs Kaine Dosekun, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, Mrs Abisola Oshodi representative of Her Excellency

was Mrs Adeyanju Olomola, one of the benefactors of the foundation, who opined that the best investment you can make is not a property in Lekki, Ajjah or Bond street in London but in the life of a child. Other special guests and benefactors include Mrs. Kaine Dosekun, Mrs Temilola Adepetun, Dr. Onye Kamanu and Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi amongst others. They all had the same message: let’s create more Maryams!

Courage Education Foundation is a registered non-profit dedicated to empowering the Nigerian child through the provision of quality education. It functions by taking children who are unable to attend or continue school due to insufficient parental resources and takes over their education. Though founded in Lagos with 12 recipients in 2004 (now 145), the focus is national as beneficiaries include children from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Jigawa and a dozen other states across the country.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

— 35

By MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS State civil servants have urged Governor, Babatunde Fashola to approve more funds for training especially their colleagues in the local governments to enhance productivity and efficiency.

They lamented that civil servants in the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, LCDA were not privilege to frequently training that would put them at par with their colleagues in the state ministries and Agencies.

They stated this at the recent graduation ceremony for 147 civil servants at the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre, PSSDC, Magodo axis of the state.

Speaking on behalf of the grandaunts, Mrs. Anthonia Dada said : “we are appealing to state government to provide avenue for civil servants in the local government councils to go for training. When we go for training frequently, it will give us the opportunity to be at par with our colleagues in ministries and MDAs.” Dada further appealed to the Fashola to allocate more funds to training the civil servants especially those in the councils.

She however appealed to the state government to review the civil service structure at the council level, saying “the present structure in the councils doesn’t allow them to rise like their counterparts in the ministries and MDAs.” Commissioner for Establish-

GRADUADS AT PSSDC... From Left, Representative of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy, Mr. Gbenro Adetona, Director of Training, Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mr. A. M. Odeyemi, Director General Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) Magodo, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Olalekan Akodu and Director of Programmes PSSDC, Mrs. Kemisola Jiboye at the Award of Certificate/Prizes Ceremony for Graduands of Specialised ICT Programme for Secretarial Assistants and Certificate Course in Local Government Administration.

Approve more fund for training, civil servants tell Fashola ment, Pension and Training, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase who was represented by the Mr. E.M. Odeyemi, said that the state government will look into their issues.

Nonetheless, Oguntuase urged the grandaunts to always acquire additional skill that would enhance their work effectively.

She noted “even if the skills

would not be useful while you were in service, it will be relevant after service.

Speaking earlier, DirectorGeneral PSSDC, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabanwo urged the grandaunts to justify the investment of the government in their programme, even as they continue to develop themselves for more useful services to the state.

According to Fabanwo, “Remember that so much has been given to you during your training; and much would be expected from your employers who have invested in the training.”

Also speaking, the Presidents of Nigerian Union of Civil Service Secretariat and Stenograph Workers, NUCSSASW, Mrs. Josephine

Be Bread Smart B

read can be a friend or a foe depending on why you eat it, how you eat it and when you eat it. Love it or hate it bread has been an important staple through all of history and continues to be. It is now a question of understanding the kinds of breads there are and what makes the difference between them.

Every time you eat bread — be it a bagel, an English muffin, or part of a sandwich — you’ve got an opportunity to improve your diet. For most Nigerians, choosing whole-wheat bread products most of the time is the easiest way to eat more super-healthy whole grains. But when you’re standing in front of the bread array in the supermarket, reading the various label claims, just how do you know which is the best bread to buy?

Go for 100% Just “whole wheat” doesn’t cut it. Neither does “made with whole

grain,” Look for labels that say “100% whole wheat” or “100% whole grain,” and don’t settle for anything less. If it’s 100% whole wheat, the first ingredient listed in the ingredient label will be whole-wheat flour or 100% whole-wheat flour.

You want whole grains because they’re naturally low in fat and cholesterol free; contain 10% to 15% protein, and offer loads of healthy fibre, resistant starch, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and often, phytoesterogrens (plant estrogens).

With all those nutrients in one package, it’s no wonder whole grains provide so many health benefits, including protection from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.

Watch the Sodium.

Most bread products come with a dose of sodium, which is added to help control the yeast activity and for flavour. If you eat three

Ojuolape warned the graduants never to say negative words, as they add these new skills in their daily activities to develop the state.

Ojuolape added “I urge you to always put on the garment of ethics of your profession, as this will help to better the society and to dress officially daily to their duty post.”

grains you want. Truth is manufacturers have a tough time making nourishing bread that’s also soft and fluffy. So sometimes they rely on chemicals, which you also don’t want.

•Seed bread servings of whole grain bread a day, and each slice has about 200 milligrams of sodium, that contributes 600 milligrams to your daily sodium total. It may not sound like much, but it represents one-third of your limit if you’re trying to stay within 1,800 milligrams a day. The good news is that there are plenty of breads with 200 milligrams or less of sodium per slice.

Gluten Gluten is huge right now and easier to find in even smaller grocery store chains. The percentage of individuals that are either suffering from celiac disease or who just claim to have intolerance to

•Bread gluten is rising. The rules for bread choosing remain the same, however. Because gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, these breads will use other grains to make them free of gluten, Regardless of the grain, however, make sure it’s 100 percent.

For example, whole grain gluten free breads may be made with brown rice flour. If it is, look for options again that claim the important 100-percent claim.

Give it a squeeze.

Give a loaf of bread a gentle squeeze before buying. “If it compresses way too easily, keep moving. The denser the bread, the closer you’re getting to the whole

Not White Bread, Definitely Good, old-fashioned white bread? It’s no more than an enormous sugar cube. It will shoot your blood sugar to the roof and take it back down just as quickly and steeply as it turned it up.

Along for the ride is insulin (sugar’s chaperone), needed to take sugar into your cells so it can be used for energy. This roller coaster of blood sugar has been shown to increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, fatty liver, obesity and diabetes. It’s also a real beauty buster, proven to speed up the formation of wrinkles and cause your skin to look dull and lifeless. White bread is created using enriched or bleached wheat flours.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Uncommon gathering for Sylvester Monye lometre 1, UbuluUku Road, OnichaHAT really took place on Ugbo was being comSaturday, March 15, 2015 missioned. AIPP, a at Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North research and training LGA of Delta State, that attracted institute was estabsome 3,000 people? The visitors lished by the Sylvestincluded Delta State Governor, Dr. er Monye FoundaEmmanuel Uduaghan and tion as a platform for former Anambra State Governor, capacity building in Mr. Peter Obi, Delta State’s former information and comDeputy Governor, Chief Ben- munication technolConclave of traditional rulers in attendance. jamin Elue, Ijaw leader Chief E.K. ogy, training, reClark, business moguls Alhaiji search, publiAliko Dangote and Mr. Jim cations, policy Ovia, Mr. Abdullahi Dikko, dialogues and Comptroller-General of Customs, skills acquisiDr. Ibe Kachikwu, Exxon-Mobil tion in various (Nigeria)’s Executive Vice-Chair- fields with emman, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi phasis on the Okowa, Hon. (Dr.) Cairo Ojoug- development boh, Ambassador Nwaozomau- of knowledge do, the Managing Director of in the public Nigerian Ports Authority, or their sector, taxarepresentatives. tion, public policy manCelebration of agement, pubpersonality lic finance, local governAlso there were the former Di- ment adminisProf. Monye welcoming Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Prof Monye introduces his wife, Dr. IfeomaMonye, to Dangote. Jim Ovia to the event. rector of State Services, DSS, tration and Chief Peter Nwaoduah, Dr. Fes- entrepreneurtus Okubor, Chief of Staff to the ship.

The campus grounds are of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Chris Monye thanked Delta State an Economic Summit group got on Delta State governorship and Oyemenem, D.G, Nigerian Iden- size of 10 soccer pitches. Over a Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan worried about the congestion’s the 2015 elections, politics came tity Management Commission dozen buildings to house would- profusely; not only for identify- terrible effects on the national alive there. Mrs. Okwuofu said and his wife Edith, Hon. Mercy be resident scholars are already ing with and supporting the economy and teamed up with the Delta North already had a crowd Almona-Isei, Delta State PDP in place; so too the main hall – a project from day one but also for government to shop for the right of qualified candidates, “and I am Women Leader, Bar (Mrs.) Aja- sprawling architectural sympho- providing a building – the Dr Em- person to perform the needed mother to all, only one of them bu, Delta State political mother- ny of glass and bricks with varie- manuel Uduaghan Centre on the miracle. Mr. Ovia said that it is will become Governor – but whogeneral, Mrs. Nkem Okwuofu, 12 gated sections, and other smaller campus. Benue’s Gov Gabriel on record that Prof. Monye was ever it may be, will also be my traditional rulers from Delta’s buildings. Thus, the campus is Suswam, Anambra’s Peter Obi the person chosen and he per- son”. three senatorial districts and ready to receive its foundation res- (who was handing over power formed a miracle by clearing the Well, E. K. Clark is not waiting many more important personali- idents. The completed campus that week to his successor), Edo’s congestion in two weeks flat. for the election to know who will Governor Adams Oshiomhole, “Why an institute”? Dr. Ibe become his son; his representaeach endowed complete build- Kachikwu, Exxon-Mobil’s Exec- tive, Ojougboh, said that Clark If the calibre of the gathering had any ings that have been named after utive Vice-President asked and asked him to announce that Prof. political considerations then Monye is on them. He also thanked Oluseg- answered the question. He said Monye is already his son, and un Aganga and the suspended an institute would bring knowl- that he would have been present a firm footing Central Bank Governor, Sanusi edge and wisdom that would but for his age which is now reties too numerous to mention in- will have a conference centre, e- Lamido Sanusi and the SCC con- throw up opportunities; and this stricting his movements. library, ICT Centre, lecture the- struction company for their im- is how to really empower people.

The Master of Ceremonies then dividually. openly announced that it has been Was it simply a celebration of atres, meeting/syndicate rooms, mense support.

In his speech, Dangote said Quiet rumoured that Prof. Monye has the personality of Prof. Sylvester club house and other world class that a transformation was taking transformation governorship ambitions in the Monye, Special Adviser to the facilities.

That Saturday, events moved place in the country. He noted that 2015 elections; could he please President on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, who leisurely until exactly 1.10 pm the high and the mighty had conHe said that we must appreci- confirm it? That open confirmaturned 55 this year? Or the launch when there was a huge move- verged on Onicha-Ugbo that day ate that the thing Prof. Monye has tion never came. But it was not of his African Institute for Public ment of a vast number of people not to commission an ordinary started, and which has brought denied either. But if the calibre of Policy (AIPP), a cutting edge re- towards a car that had just arrived; project such as a “cement facto- this “translucence, men and wom- the gathering had any political search and training institute lo- it brought Aliko Dangote, the oc- ry”, but to flag off a project that en from here and there to iden- considerations then Monye is on cated in the serene recesses of casion’s chairman. Then Prof. could unleash the creative ener- tify with this project is nothing a firm footing.

Also, that Dr. Okowa, Dr. Onicha-Ugbo? Was it the show- Monye took the microphone and gies of those that would study short of a revolution, the sort that casing of the rich cultural heri- explained that the occasion within its walls and “make the is quietly transforming Nigeria Ojouboh, Dr. Okubor and Prof.

Monye who are said to habour tage of the Anioma people – their marked the completion of phase impossible possible. This could right now.” dance and music and famous tra- one of an idea which germinated make many cement factories posThen, Dr. Kachikwu focused on governorship ambitions could ditionally woven “Akwa-Ocha” five years ago. He credited his sible.”

Delta state: “Yes, we have solid, relate as well as they did that day, Mr. Ovia celebrated Prof. solid, solid human stock here in indicates that the Anioma (white cloth) which were on full graceful wife, Ifeoma, (who bedisplay there? Or did politics, no came a medical doctor in Britain Monye’s personality, calling him Delta North and I call on the good contestants may actually rally in matter how subtle, run through while in her early 20s and is now a high-achiever with an amazing people from the other Senatorial support of whoever wins the PDP one of the pillars of Abuja’s Na- can-do spirit. He exemplified Districts to support us to contrib- nomination and fight a common the gathering?

The only right answer would be tional Hospital) with this initia- with the trailer congestion of the ute the leadership that would help battle for Anioma North and Delta this: “All of the above!” Officially, tive of giving back something to Apapa, Lagos, Port road that crip- the advancement of Delta State.” State. pled port activities. The Nigeri- Once Dr.Kachikwu had touched the AIPP’s campus located at ki- the society in gratitude to God. •Eluemunor lives in Abuja.

BY TONY ELUEMUNOR

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,

,

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014— —37

D

R. (Mrs) Okonjo Iweala is a world acclaimed personality in the professional fields of economics, banking and finance.

She has been listed as one of the 100 most influential persons on earth and had risen to the heights of the World Bank presidency. If not for the intervention of the United States of America, she will be there today as the number one World Bank personnel, as she was perceived as the better candidate for the position, by those who are in position to know, including the influential Economist magazine.

She was in Obasanjo's government as Finance Minister and hugely credited with the successful negotiation of the Paris Club debt that put to an end the debt albatross that was, for a long time, threatening the nation's economy.

It was rumoured that she left the Obasanjo government because of her uncompromising stand against the financial recklessness exhibited by the regime of that time and not a few people were disappointed at the manner she exited.

President Goodluck Jonathan, while explaining the reason for reinviting Iweala into his government, revealed to the press that anywhere he visited, all over the world, people were singing her praise and the country would be lucky to have her

for the needed rapid transformation, especially in using her international clout to engender sound financial management and control of the Nigerian economy.

It was also rumoured that before Okonjo Iweala agreed to take up the position, she gave conditions that will guarantee her an oversight supervision of other departments of government as coordinating minister.

Her request was granted and there was joy in our hearts as she assumed duty for the second time as Finance Minister, with the additional port-folio of Coordinating Minister.

But few refuse to get carried away by the euphoria that accompanied her return; they pointed to the not-so-smooth manner, the debt settlement was arrived at, especially as it concerns percentage commission for those involved in the negotiations, and also her inability to do anything amidst scandals besetting the government - PDTF, Halliburton, Siemens and others.

Nevertheless, we happily welcomed her back and with the additional job of co-ordinating, it was expected that all the financial recklessness associated with various government ministries and parastatals will be a thing of the past.

Alas, four years into this government, those of us who

The Accountant General, Auditor General , the Governor of the Central Bank, the Finance Ministry... could not agree on the true position of the nation's finances

,

rooted for Okonjo-Iweala are heart broken. Pessimists are now gloating and saying: " we told you so ".

The question we are asking now is: If Dr Okonjo-Iweala is the Coordinating Minister of this government, what has she been coordinating? Can she, in all good conscience and performance standard, absolve herself from blame for all the rots and variegated scandals assailing this regime? Or, is she just a figure head who approves and endorses what people bring to her? From her antecedents and credentials, Dr Okonjo-Iweala can never accept to be a figure head. If this is so, why has she decided to risk all these lofty credentials in the sordid Nigerian political waters?

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ur recurrent expenditures has reached the 80 per cent level and she has done nothing about it.

She is the Co-ordinating Minister for all organs of government, including the other arms like the National Assembly and the judiciary. Reverend Peter

Prisoners of hope

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BY MICHAEL AGBAMUCHE

OPE lies internal in the breast of men even when reality confounds the expectations of man. This truism explains why, for instance, the Anioma of Delta North senatorial zone have again started, even if only on the pages of newspapers, a vociferous campaign to convince possibly themselves more than other people that they are entitled to the office of governor of Delta State in the year 2015.

The reality the Anioma must accept is that only the force of circumstances and their own focused and united dedication to the objective will enable an Anioma to assume office as governor of Delta State. What are these circumstances my readers will ask?

And I say in answer that the political, economic and demographic terrain of Delta State has been radically altered to the disadvantage of the Anioma these past 14 years, that is from the date of return to democratic governance in 1998.

My readers will recall that on the eve of independence, minority tribes, doubtful of their prospects in an independent Nigeria dominated by the major tribes, made such a fuss that the colonial government was obliged to set up the Willinks Commission in 1957 to examine the fears of the ethnic minorities in Nigeria and make proposals, if necessary, towards assuaging these fears.

It is a matter of historical record that the representatives of what is now Cross River State, Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State, Bayelsa State and parts of Delta State sent in copious memoranda making passionate representations to the commission on the need to protect them and their interests in an independent Nigeria. The important point here is that the leaders found that they had the ability to unite in pursuit of a common cause without the dominant ethnic groups dictating to them what their position ought to be.

Names that featured prominently were: Iwarimie Jaja of Opobo, Josiah Jamaso of Okrika, G.B.C Otoko and a host of other names from the area that was then known

as the ‘COR’ states. Significantly, it was only on the issue of the ownership of Port Harcourt that the Igbos, the major tribe of the then Eastern Region, joined issues with the Ijaws and other tribes in the riverine areas and won.

The reader may ask, what has all the above got to do with the aspirations of the Anioma in today’s Delta State? The answer to that question can be located in the agitation for the creation of new states before and during the presidency of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Concurrently with agitation for the creation of Anioma state during the regime of General Babangida, the people further down in what are the creeks, rivers, and swamps of the Niger Delta, had mounted a vociferous agitation for the creation of what they call the real Delta State. Thus, when Babangida announced the creation of today’s Delta State with its capital at Asaba, the announcement was received with hostility from the Ijaws, Urhobos and other inhabitants of the creek, swamps and rivers who saw themselves as the true Delta State.Whilst the Anioma themselves seemed oblivious to the likely consequences of the feeling of resentment in the other parts of the state.

This resentment manifested itself practically in protest and demonstrations immediately Asaba was pronounced capital of the new Delta State. There can be no doubt that the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Urhobos and other sub-nationalities find common cause in their mutual discontent with the configuration of the new Delta State with capital at Asaba. It is significant to note that the Anioma as an identifiable subnationality took no meaningful part in the activities of the Willinks Commission.

Anioma was thus made to look like people who had come to reap where they did not sow with the creation of the new Delta State capital at Asaba. The Urhobos, the largest of the ethnic minorities in Delta State after the Anioma, became the champions of the interests of what was dubbed as the true Deltans. As soon as civilian government was

Adebiyi, writing under the title " Who says Nigeria unity is not negotiable" in the Vanguard of March 19, 2014, claimed that in 1999, the overall budget for the National Assembly was N7 billion, today it is above N155 billion. With no additional constituencies, it is mind-boggling. Under OkonjoIweala this is happening and she has done nothing about it.

The Finance Ministry is the supervisory ministry to the Central Bank of Nigeria. In recent times, the Central Bank governor was placed under suspension for gross misuse or abuse of resources placed under his care. Sanusi has been there for over four years; in fact, his tenure is already completed; he claimed that all through this period, the Central Bank has been sending its audited reports to the Presidency. Why are we just discovering Sanusi Lamido's excesses? What is supposed to be the responsibility of Okonjo-Iweala in this matter?

We are blaming the opposition for trying to bring down the government, whereas those in government provided the perfect tools for the opposition to use against them. We expect Dr Okonjo-Iweala to institute a culture of transparency in the running of our finances. Four years into the regime, we are still grappling with this simple procedure- true transparency that the World Bank has been preaching since Okonjo-Iweala's time at the institution.

It was embarrassing watching Okonjo-Iweala during the NNPC and Sanusi's shadow boxing over the now $20 billion unaccounted for oil revenue. She could not offer

,

BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

,

Okonjo-Iweala disappointed me

The entire Anioma area is now in the grip of hope; hope is primarily based on emotions and subjectivity; that is why the Anioma situation in Delta State is so poignant

,

reinstated in Nigeria, the Urhobos seized the initiative and installed firstly, Felix Ibru and then James Ibori as civilian governors.

Ibori in his person, attitude, and procivilities was the greatest misfortune that ever befell an ethnic group on the African continent. He not only flew the Urhobo ethnic flag and agenda in Delta State, he in fact expanded it and spiced it up with his own personal agenda. After the election in 1999, he (Ibori) set out deliberately to re shape demographic indices in Delta State.

I

n other to achieve a perpetual dominance of the state of his own ethnic group (the Urhobos), he first sought to interfere with the results and or reports of various censuses seeking against all logic to establish that the largest ethnic group in the state even if situated in the less habitable southern low lands characterized by swamps creeks, rivers were the Urhobos, where demographic experts worldwide are agreed that the human tendency is for denser population to exist in upland arable areas. Ibori and his administration sought to show that the Anioma land which is all land in the northern part of the state had not only less density of population than the swampy southern part but that the southern part in fact was experiencing growth in geometric proportion compared to the northern part of the state. It therefore became imperative for Ibori to alter the local government structures of the state and create new local governments, all designed to show that the dominant ethnic group of Delta State was

any clue. Is the Finance Ministry not supposed to have records of the country's incomes and expenditures, independent of the Central Bank? If they do not have, then we have in position, a sleeping Finance Ministry. Whose responsibility is it to ensure proper accounting standard for the country? We expected the ministry to demand for clean financial statements, free from ambiguities.

Now, in the midst of these conflicting statements, the Finance Ministry seems not to be anywhere. Why are they just requesting for a forensic audit of the NNPC account? Has NEITI not done enough in the past to call for action? If Sanusi did not raise the missing fund alarm, would the Minister had requested for a forensic audit? The Accountant General, Auditor General and the Governor of the Central Bank are all under the direct supervision of the Finance Ministry, yet all of them could not agree on the true position of the nation's finances, too bad.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala disappointed me on account of the wastefulness in fuel subsidy, the NNPC, pension fund, SEC, National Assembly, aviation, immigration, and many other government ministries and agencies.

Unemployment rate presently hovers between 23 and 27 per cent, and our foreign reserve is steadily depleting; we have gone back into borrowing. It is a shame.

For Okonjo-Iweala, we demand a better performance, please. It is not too late.

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

now the Urhobos. The effect of this on party politics was that the numerical superiority of the Delta North senatorial district (Anioma) having been erased or at best bracketed by the Urhobos, it became possible for the Urhobos to perpetually produce the governor of the state by simply forming temporary marriages of convenience with any of the smaller groups i.e. the Ijaws, the Isokos and the Itsekiris.

This grand strategy of Ibori backed up by the power of patronage attendant upon occupation of the office of governor for eight years proved successful in that in spite of various alleged promises- viz elections of 2003 and 2007, no Anioma indigene has come anywhere near becoming governor of Delta State. To further strengthen the force of this strategy, Ibori deliberately established as a policy initiative of his government, a proposition that the revenues of the state derived from the exploitation of crude oil and resource allocation thereto from the federation account was to be expended on only two senatorial zones which he identified as oil producing areas.

This is in spite of the fact that the state capital is located in Asaba, a part of the State which he had condemned as a non-oil producing area. To further underscore this deliberate policy of emasculation and marginalisation, the Delta North senatorial district was deliberately characterised by non-allocation of resources to the area, thus keeping the people impoverished and at the mercy of richer neighbors. The rest as they say is history.

The entire Anioma area is now in the grip of hope. Hope is primarily based on emotions and subjectivity. It usually has nothing with reality and more to do with wishful thinking. It is even worse when hope is underscored by a sense of hurt or self righteousness. That is why the Anioma situation in Delta State is so poignant.

It is our turn they cry plaintively. It is only fair they insist that we should have a turn in government house since every other sub nationality in Delta State has had a term.

*Mr. Agbamuche, is the Owelle of Akwukwu-Igbo in Delta State.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

I N S I D E

OSUN 2014:

Difficult options for PDP tomorrow

NATIONAL CONFERENCE: It must be a success

EKITI 2014:

Tit bits

PAGE 41

PAGE 39

PAGE 40

•Fighting in the House of Representatives.

DECAMPING LEGISLATORS:

Caught in the act THE legal dispute over the defection of 37 members from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC is a threat to the integrity of the Tambuwal phenomenon.

I

T was evident there was trouble last Tuesday when the chamber of the House of Representatives recorded 165 members of the 360 legislators in session. The trend had been for the lawmakers not to form a quorum of 120 in their lawmaking sessions in the past.

However, with almost half of the lawmakers in the chamber, no one needed to be told that there were signs of conspiracy in the air.

The day before, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had shaken the

political firmament when he gave judgment in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to stop 37 former members of the party who crossed over to the All Progressives Congress, APC from participating in any move to change the leadership of the House.

Having perused the arguments of counsel and the constitutional provisions, it is clear and unambiguous that the defendants were sponsored by the PDP and won the election on its platform. It is also the court•fs opinion that their tenure has not expired and there is no division in the PDP. The defendants are, therefore,

not competent to vote or contribute to any proceedings in the House of Representatives. An order of perpetual injunction is, h e r e b y, ordered, The judgment immediately restraining brought ferocious response from them from altering or the affected legislators, the APC attempting national leadership which called on to change the National Judicial Council, NJC t h e to fire Justice Ademola leadership of the House of Reps,•h Mr. Ademola had Just before they defected, the ruled. legislators upon feelings that the The court case followed two PDP would come against them actions respectively filed by the had gone to court to obtain an 37 former PDP House members injunction against the President and the party following their of the Senate, Senator David

,

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR AND EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

defection to the APC last December.

Once the lawmakers defected last December, the impression was created that the APC had gained the superiority in numbers in the House putting the PDP for the first time as a minority since the inception of the Fourth Republic.

,

Mark and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal from declaring their seats vacant.

With the ruling party being rubbished all around, the PDP responded when it asked Justice Ademola in early January to grant a perpetual injunction against the 37 lawmakers from participating in any move to change the leadership of the House or the Senate. The party also asked the court to stop the members from defecting.

The PDP's action was especially ironical, given several claims that Speaker Tambuwal who the party was seeking to protect has largely been alleged to be a closet member of the APC. Remarkably, only last Friday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who heard the petition of the decamped legislators ruled that the PDP could not declare the seats of the legislators vacant.

The print on Mohammed•fs ruling had hardly dried when Justice Ademola ruled on Monday that the legislators had no •gmoral or legal•h reason to remain members of the House.

The judgment immediately brought ferocious response from the affected legislators, the APC national leadership which called on the National Judicial Council, NJC to fire Justice Ademola.

APC House leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila described the judgment as strange and an affront to the right of association of the lawmakers. “It negates a fundamental right of association of every citizen that is inalienable. Section 68 of the constitution has been turned on its head and the error of the court is manifest”.

Continuing, the minority leader declared that “Section 68 was never argued in court by any of the parties. The judge gave an opinion he was never asked to give and an argument that was never canvassed before him”.

Hon. Samson Osagie, the House minority whip in his reaction described the judgment as one given in ignorance saying that the procedures on leadership change were clearly spelt out by the constitution. He said the attempt by the trial judge to impose a stipulation on the House members was clearly vain even as he pooh-poohed suggestions by the judge that the members were bent on changing the leadership.

Osagie said the judgment

Continues on Page 39

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014—39

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & GBENGA OLARINOYE

B

UT for the exception of Mr. Wole Oke, tomorrow’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship primary would have been aptly described as a race of former senators. All but one of the four contenders in the contest are former senators. Oke, who is the exception, is no less of a legislator having been a two term member of the House of Representatives.

Until just a few weeks ago, the race was Senator Iyiola Omisore against the others with Oke and Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi being the minions in the contest.

That was until the entry of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first civilian governor of the state.

What Omisore, Olasunkanmi and Oke lacked in terms of outreach and acceptance, Adeleke seemed in the consideration of some party elders to have.

Omisore who is believed to wield large influence over the party executive had echoed negatively in the opinion of some based on his past. But no one among the party elders doubted his strength on ground and capacity to fight. However, with some Southwest party elders and presidency officials looking beyond the gubernatorial election to the general elections of next year, it was the opinion of some that Omisore could be a great risk.

The PDP apparatchik in Abuja is desperate to stop Rauf Aregbesola, the presumptive nominee of the All Progressives Congress, APC from a second term.

It was learnt party elders feared that even if Omisore were to win the party

•Omisore

•Adeleke

OSUN 2014: Difficult options for PDP tomorrow THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP makes its choice for a gubernatorial flag bearer tomorrow with so many permutations on play. even if he won the primaries.

Hence, Senator Adeleke, a Muslim who retired from the Senate in 2011 was lured reportedly by party elders in Abuja to enter the fray.

Remarkably, Adeleke had before now given his blessing to one of the aspirants.

But he quickly changed his mind when he was urged to

,

It was learnt party elders feared that even if Omisore were to win the party ticket that he could be stopped by Aregbesola

ticket that he could be stopped

by Aregbesola.

Their reasons included the negative badge that the APC and before then, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN had put on Omisore. Besides that, is the matter of religion.

Even though not an issue of his making, the recent controversy about students wearing religious attire to school and some policies of the APC administration have put religion as an issue. Osun under Aregbesola is set in the next few months to be the first state in the country to celebrate a public holiday in honour of traditional gods.

Given the belief that the majority of the population is of the Islamic faith, desperate elders of the PDP were said to have reasoned that Omisore who is of the Christian faith may have some difficulties in the main election

,

enter the contest.

Another factor in the consideration of the PDP pundits is the geopolitical factor.

Adeleke is from Ede, one of the biggest voting blocs in the state.

The permutation is that Adeleke could pull of Ede for the PDP in the general elections and with Omisore’s backing also galvanise the Ife axis to fully back the PDP leaving the two parties to contest for the rest of the state.

Adeleke at a relatively tender age became the first executive governor of the state in 1992 when he was elected on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP. Adeleke had at the period taken the state by storm when he proved all the political analysts wrong to emerge as the SDP candidate.

In 1999 at the onset of the current political dispensation, Adeleke also contested for the

governorship seat on the ticket of the then All Peoples Party APP, but lost to Chief Bisi Akande of Alliance for Democracy AD. In 2003 Adeleke for the third time also contested the PDP governorship ticket with Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola but lost.

Senator Omisore like Adeleke has been nursing the ambition to govern the state since 1999.

In the AD primary he was said to be on a rollercoaster to win the ticket before the late Bola Ige intervened to push forward Bisi Akande who subsequently emerged the with the ticket and ran the state for one term.

Omisore was, however, compensated with the post of

deputy governor.

Following the sweep of the PDP through the Southwest in the last decade, Omisore had generally been seen as the governor in waiting to succeed Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

However, his dream and destiny for 2011 was cut short with the court declaration of Aregbesola as governor in 2010.

That declaration changed the configuration and colour of politics in Osun and deferred the ambitions of Omisore.

Omisore’s capacity is not in doubt. The day he made his declaration for the governorship last month the state capital was practically taken

over and it was expedient for Governor Aregbesola that one of his commissioners was bereaved and hence the governor and his cabinet practically left the state capital for Omisore on that day.

Tomorrow’s match up is definitely going to be a clash of heavyweights. Having sustained a machine on the ground for years for this project, the thought of asking Omisore to pull back is almost unimaginable.

But with party elders believing that Adeleke would prove to be a more formidable obstacle for Aregbesola, the outlook for an exciting contest is easily in view.

Caught in the act Continues from Page 38 would be appealed as he further claimed that it had no bearing on the constitution and the rules of the House.

The deputy House Leader, Rep. Leo Ogor, however, differed saying that “the seats they occupy belong to PDP, it is not an individual seat but that of the party”.

“We were more than convinced that the court will do the right thing because you do not need a rocket scientist to interpret Section 68(1) (g) of the constitution”.

“I’ve always emphasised this position that you cannot reap where you did not sow, our party has demonstrated that it respects

the law of the land”.

Beyond the denunciations the APC was also quick to appeal the judgment and the papers were quickly sent to Speaker Tambuwal.

It was not surprising then that despite the •ghuge•h turnout of members last Tuesday that nothing on the court judgment was mentioned in the House sitting that day.

But that did not mean that nothing was happening. Prior to the Tuesday session, both PDP and APC legislators held separate strategy sessions where they contemplated their options.

Despite their different political leanings, many are not oblivious to the fact that the warring sides were not too long ago aligned in

•Tambuwal: Not a laughing matter

securing the integrity of the Tambuwal House. For now, all sides remain committed to securing the Tambuwal leadership. However, no one is disputing the fact that the House is under stress.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON

A

FTER achieving a stunning victory in the PDP primary contest where he rubbished the 13 other contenders, Mr. Ayo Fayose is setting his heights on doing the same against the APC presumptive nominee and incumbent, Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Labour Party nominee, Rep. Bamidele

Fayose unfolds spiritual strategy Opeyemi.

Given the difficulty in achieving that objective, Mr. Fayose may have unfolded a spiritual strategy to war down his two main rivals. Vanguard gathered that the PDP

Fayemi’s worries

contender is eliciting the spiritual counsel of Prophet TB Joshua and is expected to be a guest at Joshua’s Synagogue Church for All Nations, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos in the next few days.

G •Fayose

•From left— Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Wife Of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Governor Kayode Fayemi; And State Interim Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Apc, During The Jkf Re-election Campaign Rallies, At Isan-Ekiti, In Oye Local Government Area.

The gang up against Caleb Olubolade A

,

HEAD of the PDP primary contest, much focus had been put on the prospects of the immediate past minister of police affairs, Caleb Olubolade.

The impression given by many was that Olubolade was the anointed candidate of the president and there were desperate efforts to make a linkage between Olubolade’s presence in the cabinet and an alleged friendship with President Goodluck Jonathan when Olubolade was military administrator of Bayelsa State.

However, sources say that there was no such rapport between the then administrator and the then deputy director at the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission,

The former minister accused the party’s national officers of deliberately manipulating the whole exercise in a way that would ultimately favour Fayose

•Olubolade OMPADEC. Olubolade according to sources was seriously taken

,

aback when the result of the primary was announced.

He described the seven

votes recorded for him as ridiuculous.

The former minister accused the party’s national officers of deliberately manipulating the whole exercise in a way that would ultimately favour Fayose.

The team was led by erstwhile governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili who in his second term was a gubernatorial colleague of Fayose’s.

But on who and how he was overwhelmed by the Fayose phenomenon, neither Oluboade nor any of the other 13 other aspirants have been able to tell., the Olubolade was, however, silent on who and how the gang-up against him was formulated and implemented.

OVERNOR Kayode Fayemi has expressed worries on the inclination of some politicians to dishonour the state by fomenting trouble ahead of the gubernatorial contest in the state that now has the moniker, Land of Honour.

“My greatest worry is that there are elements who would want to turn this election into a referendum about national politics. It is not! This election is about Ekiti people - 2.5 million people who want a government that is progressive; that is accountable; that is transparent and can deliver the goods to them - provide jobs for the jobless, healthcare for its people, feed the hungry and improve the infrastructure.”

Fayemi further posited that the plan to take over Ekiti in the coming elections will equally mean the take of the South west by the PDP. “I see a lot of exaggerated clamour for entering into the South-west – that we need a vehicle to break into the Southwest in order to break the control that the opposition has – the grip of the opposition on the South-west, and we must take Ekiti and once we take Ekiti, we will take Osun after”, a worried Fayemi asserted.

Adebayo puts on fighting gloves

T

O many people, Otunba Niyi Adebayo is a gentleman in all ramifications.

Little wonder he refused to seek legal redress when his successor, Mr Ayo Fayose emerged governor of Ekiti state in 2003.

But this time, Adebayo has put on his boxing gloves and is prepared to do battle against anyone who dares him.

During the flag-off of Governor Fayemi’s second term campaign, Adebayo, a lawyer cum politician said though he is a quiet man but “if anyone toys with me, I will fight such a person.”

•Adebayo

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014—41

I

N a sign of maturity, the delegates to the National Conference have been trying to grapple successfully the logistical and procedural problems encountered in the first few days of sitting.

As expected it might not be that easy for different personalities from different places to be assembled for deliberation on various topics, not well demarcated. It is a good start for the lucky representatives of the people, old and young, men and women.

At the time the delegates were happily settling down to solve the critical problems, came the sad comment by that respected and eminent Constitutional expert, Prof Ben Nwabueze that the National Conference as it is presently constituted is a “waste of time”.

To the learned Professor, the National Conference would not be able to produce a Constitution that would take into consideration the many and obvious problems of the country.

This looks like a sad development when viewed against the noble activities of Prof.

Nwabueze in convincing President Jonathan on the desirability of a type of dialogue to tackle the ills of the country.

For many other reasons, others including the Opposition party, APC see the National Conference as a mere “talking shop” President Jonathan`s hidden Agenda set up under President’s inherent powers and not backed up by any law.

However, despite the apparently justified misgivings, that Conference has started with high hope and expectation which it is hoped, would be sustained till the end.

Many people believe that the National Conference represents a broad view of Nigerian nation and a mixture of liberal, conservative and radical idealists. The Conference which consists of conservatives of the first Republic, Chief Richard Akinjide and Chief E. K. Clark also has Mr. Femi Falana, Mike Ozekome and others of like minds. Undoubtedly, the product of their deliberations could be nothing but sound.

One of the major problems of political

EBONYI 2015:

BY MICHAEL UBANI

I

N the last few weeks, political calculations and permutations concerning which zone will produce the next Governor in Ebonyi State come 2015 has been put in the front burner of national discourse with some political pundits canvassing for power shift to Ebonyi South.

While one school of thought based its argument on flimsy and non-existent power rotation arrangement, the other holds the view that based on morality, justice and fairness, the slot should automatically go to the South.

While I firmly subscribe to the notion that people have the inalienable right to freedom of expression, I do not think such political tokenism is the only answer to the political and economic development of our dear young state.

I believe those Ebonyians who are resident in the state like me, will readily perceive such warped political analysis as the handiwork of some few disgruntled politicians living outside the state who feel they cannot make it to the highest position in the state without hiding under the banner of primordial sentiments.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE:

It must be a success instability is the functions exercised by the Federal Government under a supposedly Federal Constitution. This is little difference between the 1979 Constitution and the 1999 which is now being applied. It is a known fact that Professor Ben Nwabueze and others in the “Patriots” contributed to the framework – of the 1979 Constitution which made the Center to be strong, and had become stronger under the 1999 Constitution.

The expectation of the people is that a way would be found within the present dispensation at the Conference to forge or suggest a new federal Constitution that would satisfy the ingredients of a truly federal document. This idea, unfortunately, is what Prof. Nwabueze thought might not be possible to achieve by the present National Conference.

In a situation when the brilliant brain behind the idea of a National Conference is looking the other way, it is appropriate for the delegates in a ‘Committee on Constitution‘ to find a convenient way of examining the ‘ideal Constitution‘ prepared by the Patriots with others, and then come out with a ‘perfect‘ one (if there is a perfect constitution). The suggestion

is that the ‘Patriots‘ should mount pressure and lobby so that their ideas could be seriously considered. Nigeria needs their valuable contributions.

Some analysts believe that the powers being exercised by the Federal Government has to do with the application of the 1999 Constitution which gives much to the Federal Government in a federal structure. The Federal Government takes 52 per cent of all the federally collected revenue for the country to perform its responsibilities which are many and heavy.

However, the real problem of the Federal Government lies in its structure and application of its power. As expected in an ideal federation, the federal government should be the ‘government‘ of its entire constituent States based on ‘representatives‘ of each State. The present practice is for the President to choose his party members from all the 36 States to satisfy the Constitution.

The policy of ‘winner-takes-all‘ and political exclusion has been the major problem of President Jonathan who perhaps, does not believe in the idea of a national government.

SWISS DEMOCRACY REVISITED

Some friends phoned me over some conclusions on my article last week on “Swiss Democracy”. Some faulted my conclusion on the basis of my equating sophisticated Swiss people with corrupt Nigerians. It is a question of attitude of mind on pursuit of democracy, true federalism and fight against corruption.

For example, in 2012 Switzerland confederation of 8 million people had a growth rate of 1 per cent; unemployment rate of 2 per cent; Inflation rate of 0.1 per cent, Foreign Exchange reserves of $531.1 billion and had only 7 per cent of the population living below poverty line.

Nigeria, a federation of about 160 million had as at 2012 a growth rate of 6.8 per cent; unemployment rate of about 30 per cent with 70 per cent of people living below poverty line, Nigeria‘s foreign exchange reserves amounted to about $44 billion.

Which do you prefer? Swiss Democracy with a federal government or Nigeria autocracy.

According to Dr. Carl Doka in his article, Swiss Democracy, he notes “And what of parliament? Are not its hands tied by referendum and initiative? To this there is only one answer: The Swiss does not want parliamentary democracy, so he does not regard parliament as the summit of wisdom. His member of parliament is not a deputy who makes decision on his behalf, but more of a servant whom the Swiss expects to remain in constant touch with him.

The members of the Federal Assembly and the canton and commune councilors should not only be conspicuous at election time. They have constantly to come to grips, in full view of the people, with parliament`s bills and policies. At meetings they are frequently called upon to give an account of themselves in what virtually amount to hearings.

Membership of a parliamentary body is therefore no sinecure; it demands a passionate concern for the entire community, even though the citizen can at times be a hard taskmaster”.

Leave Elechi out of divisive politics It will be recalled that since the advent of democratic governance in 1999, the emergence of any governor in Ebonyi State has always been rancour-free regardless of whichever bloc or senatorial zone the candidate comes from. Ebonyians are highly perceptive and rational people who always rally behind the best candidate instead of resorting to primordial sentiments.

Any discerning reader from or outside the state who is conversant with the politics of the state would not subscribe to the above thesis or postulations because such permutations have no place in the politics and polity of the state.

The terms and expressions such as zoning, power rotation or “it is now our turn” are yet to find accommodation in the state’s political lexicon, therefore it should be seen by all and sundry as an aberration and an ill-wind that blows nobody any good and should be discarded forthwith.

Going down memory lane, one also recalls that way back in 1999, Dr. Sam Egwu, from Ebonyi North contested alongside other candidates like Dr. Emmanuel Isu (South), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (South) and Hon. Nwagu Onele (Central) respectively within and

•Elechi across party divides.

In the same vein, in 2011, the same scenario was re-enacted when Chief Martin Elechi from Ebonyi Central contested against Sen. Julius Ogbuenu (Central), Sen. Agboti (South) and Polycarp Nwite (North) respectively. This has been the trend in all past elections in the state.

It is therefore instructive to note that in all the elections from 1999 to 2011, there was no consensus candidate nor any rotation principle or zoning observed. All candidates regardless of their zones and political persuasions

went through electoral process of facing primaries in their respective parties and later g e n e r a l elections where voters voted their candidates freely without imposition or prodding from any quarters.

It is against this background that I want to appeal to all political gladiators in our beloved state to move away from divisive politics by insisting on the best candidate who in their estimation will provide the needed leadership to move the state forward instead of looking at candidates from the mosaic of where they come from.

The name of our dear leader, the governor of the state should not be dragged in the mud by power mongers who are bent on promoting anarchy and bringing backwardness to the state thus rubbishing the lofty ideals built by the founding fathers.

All this while, we Ebonyians as

a collective have never toyed with the idea of rotation. Is it now after the state has become a model of democracy and good governance in the country under the able and dynamic leadership of Martin Elechi that we will begin to drag the state backward by saying IT IS NOW OUR TURN. No, Ebonyians are so enlightened and politically too sophisticated to be dragged into such primordial and prebendal politics. At this juncture of our democratic journey, it will be fruitless to drag the governor of the state into the cesspit of divisive politics. We should remember that had our founding fathers allowed divisive tendencies in their ranks, the name Ebonyi State wouldn’t have seen the light to the day, as continued acrimony amongst the political class would have denied us the state.

Dragging the name of Governor Elechi a man whom everybody agree is above board, given his pedigree and antecedents is maladroit as the Akporunkashi will never succumb to such cheap blackmail.

•Michael Ubani, Public Affairs Commentator, Onueke, Abakaliki.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

X-RAY OF THE DRAWS

TREBLE CHANCE Cardiff Everton

v Crystal P. v Arsenal

Hull

v Swansea

Blackburn Doncaster Huddersfield Colchester Port Vale Shrewsbury

WEEK 38 Barclays Premier League 1 Aston V. 2 Cardiff 3 Chelsea 4 Everton 5 Hull 6 Man City 7 Newcastle 8 Norwich 9 Tottenham 10 West Ham

v Ipswich v Birmingham v Bolton v Tranmere v Walsall v Stevenage

Guest Forecaster BAYO AKINWAMIDE BET ON – 2,23,47 ACHIEVEMENT not published would not be celebrated.

However, it’s special greeting to fans nationwide – [16,18,19 NAPPED]. Meanwhile for bigger Jackpot, next appearance of Torquay United being Fixtures Saturday April26,2014, keep-it. And for Saturday April5,2014, quickly let’s go for draws at Boleyn GROUND/The VALLEY: Westham vs Liverpool, Charlton vs Reading. TIPS << >> NAP:2,23,47.

NAP:2,23,26. NAP:2,10,34. NAP:6,10,12,15. NAP:2,15,31.

NAP:2,11,27. NAP:2,19,43.

MAGIC – 2013/2014 English Football 2013/2014 Season and the MAGIC, up for 3-times. That by Fixtures Saturday September7,2013; Fixtures Saturday December7,2013; Fixtures Saturday April5,2014. With the multiplication of 3,2,1 respectively.

KEY:5,13,17. Simply have KEY multiplied, as that multiplication made subtracted the Date-Matches-Played for a sure draw automatically. Research and presentation by Bayo Akinwamide.

08035317164.

Facebook: bayodusports@yahoo.com WEEK08- Fixtures Saturday September7,2013. That’s 5x3=15-7=8banker. Checked for Week08 matches played Saturday September7,2013, Napped-8.

WEEK21- Fixtures Saturday December7,2013. That’s 13x2=26-7=19banker. Checked for Week21 matches played Saturday December7,2013, Napped-19.

WEEK38- Fixtures Saturday April5,2014. That’s 17x1=175=12banker. Checked for Week38 matches to be played Saturday April5,2014 to NAP-12,6.

IBERNIAN – 49 – AWAY [ RECORD, KEEP-IT! <> Scotland and HIBERNIAN 2013/2015, guaranteed perfection for 4-times. That by the multiplication of 4,3,2,1 used respec-

-

tively. By simple appearance of Hibernian on away game Cou

FOUR HOMES

LATE TIPS

1X3X 6 X13 FOUR AWAYS PAIR 31 10 X 11 X X 14X 21 PERMUTATION 33 2X 4X5X 12 X AVOID 16 X 17 9 TIPS RISKY 35X36X 38 29 CREDIT

pon No.49, made Jackpot. Simply have the 2nd letter by left –angle and 3rd letter by right-angle subtracted, as fraction made multiplied, and that multiplication made subtracted “49” for a distinctive draw automatically. Research and presentation by Bayo Akinwamide. 08035317164.

WEEK06-2013/2014 – Fixtures Saturday August24,2013 appeared Hibernian at an away game Coupon No.49 with Kilmarnock as match.

That’s I-O =9-15=6x4=24-49=25banker. [Void though, Colchester (1) Carlisle (1)]

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That’s A-I =1-9=8x3=24-49=25banker. Checked for Week35 matches played Saturday March15,2014, Napped-25.

WEEK36-2013/2014 – Fixtures Saturday March22,2014 appeared Hibernian at an away game Coupon No.49 with Saint Johnstone as 7 match. That’s A-O =1-15=14x2=287 49=21banker. Checked for Week36 matches played Saturday March22,2014, NAPPED-21.

EXCELLENT

Newcastle 2 Cardiff Wycombe 2 Everton Oxford 2 Hall 7 Cheltenham 3 Blackburn 5 Bury 3 Doncaster 5 Accrington 3 Huddersfield 5 AFC Wimbl'dn 3 Colchester 5 Shrewsbury 3 Port Vale 5

.

v Fulham 1 v Crystal P. XX v Stoke 1 v Arsenal XX v Swansea XX v South'pto 1 v Man Utd. XX v West Brom X1 v Sunderland 1 v Liverpool 2

Sky Bet Championship 11 Barnsley 12 Blackburn 13 Blackpool 14 Bournemouth 15 Charlton 16 Doncaster 17 Huddersfield 18 Leicester 19 Middlesbro 20 Nottm For 21 Watford 22 Wigan

v Brighton 2 v Ipswich XX v Yeovil 1 v Q.P.R. 2 v Reading 2X v BirminghamXX v Bolton XX v Sheff Wed 1 v Derby 2X v Millwall 1 v Burnley 2 v Leeds X1

Sky Bet League One 23 Bradford C 24 Brentford 25 Bristol C. 26 Carlisle 27 Colchester 28 Coventry 29 Crawley 30 Gillingham 31 Port Vale 32 Sheff Utd. 33 Shrewsbury 34 Wolves

v Oldham v Notts Co. v Preston v Swindon v Tranmere v Milton KD v Crewe v Rotherham v Walsall v Leyton O. v Stevenage v Peterboro

1 1 2 2 XX 2 1 2 XX 2 XX 1

Sky Bet League TTw wo 35 AFC Wimbl'dn v Bristol R. XX 36 Accrington S v North'pton XX 37 Burton A. v Plymouth 1 38 Bury v Exeter XX 39 Cheltenham v Southend XX 40 Chesterfield v Newport Co 1 41 Morecambe v Mansfield 1 42 Oxford v Fleetwood XX 43 Portsmouth v Hartlepool 2X 44 Rochdale v York 1 45 Torquay v Scunthorpe 2 46 Wycombe v Dagenham XX

5 12 16 46

Scottish Premier 47Dundee Utd. 48 Hibernian 49 Kilmarnock

v Celtic 2 v Aberdeen 2 v St. J'stone X1

Revised Pairs 4 x 5, 12 x16 27 x 33,38 x 46

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 43

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Edo teachers dare govt over competency test

Delta North: Anioma group roots for Nwaoboshi

B

ENIN—THE Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, said yesterday, that its members would not sit for any competency test conducted by the state government. Its chairman, Mr Mike Uhunmwangho disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Benin.

Uhunmwangho said that NUT members will not sit for any test because a court had restrained the Edo State Government from conducting the said test.

“The next court sitting on the matter comes up on April 12 in Akure,” he said.

Uhunmwangho said that those who sat for the recently-conducted assessment test were not teachers, but government officials.

“Those of them who went for the test are commissioners, including other government officials. We are not going to write any test, even if given a second chance,” Uhunmwangho said.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, had, while receiving the report of the Teachers Assessment Committee on April 2, said that the test was compulsory for all teachers.

Oshiomhole said any public school teacher, who had not taken

A

SABA—MEMBERS of Anioma Grassroots Movement, have thrown their weight behind the call by various political groups in Delta-North on the state Peoples Democratic Party's Chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi to contest the 2015 Delta-North senatorial election.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of its meeting in Asaba, spokesman of the group, Mr Ifeanyi Nwaezeigwe, noted that there was need to ensure that a man with good antecedents and leadership quality was supported to represent the district.

Nwaezeigwe said that with the unprecedented track records of Nwaoboshi, there was no doubt that his election as the Senator for Delta-North in 2015 will bring abundance and progress to the people, adding that the Senate remains a strong vehicle to drive development.

Delta organises essay, speech competition in secondary schools

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—AS part of efforts to develop writing skills in students in Delta State, a nongovernmental organisation, Hidden Treasures 4real, in conjunction with the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, is organising essay and speech competition for secondary schools in the state.

Programme Director of the outfit, Milli-Excellence Miller, in a statement, said “33 students drawn from various secondary schools in Delta State have scaled the second stage of the Senior Secondary School essay and

speech competition.

“A student of Youwuren College, Warri, Jesse Megbaghandu scored 95 points to lead those who will enter the third stage of the competition. 82 students, who participated in this round spoke on the topic ‘Resource Control as a Sure Way to Rapid and Sustainable Development.’ The main theme of the essay competition is Delta Beyond Oil. “The essay is to help the children strengthen critical thinking, prepare them for the challenges ahead and help them master the use of English as well as oral presentation," miller said.

the assessment test would not remain on the payroll of the government, adding that: “there is no stopping the teachers’ assessment test.”

The governor stressed that the government would conduct another assessment test for those who were yet to sit for the test.

The governor, however, gave the teachers two weeks within which to comply.

Uhunmwangho said the NUT was waiting for the government

to sack those who did not take the test.

“It will be a world headline that the Edo State Government sacked about 17,000 teachers in the state pubic primary and secondary schools because of their refusal to write an assessment test. He had already sacked 925 teachers.

Why are Nigerians not asking that the same measure be used for other workers on the state’s payroll?

“Why is it that it is only teachers

APC congresses: Oshiomhole, Edo South APC leaders in close-door meeting

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— FOLLOWING the tension in Edo State’s All Progressive Congress, APC, ahead of this weekend’s ward congresses of the party, Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the leadership of the party in Edo South senatorial district met at the residence of the first civilian governor of the state, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, yesterday to ensure a rancourfree congress.

Others at the meeting include the deputy governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, former Vice Chairman South South of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Elder Sunny Uyigie, chairmen of the seven local government areas in the South and other members of the State Executive Council.

It will be recalled that Oshiomhole, had last week held similar meetings with leaders of the party in Edo North and Central senatorial districts, stressing the need for harmonisation of choice of candidates for party offices at the ward levels in order not to cause crisis in the party.

However, the close-door meeting lasted for over three hours. Governor Oshiomhole,

who fielded questions from newsmen shortly after the meeting, expressed confidence that the party congresses in state will be devoid of rancour as the party once again was ready to demonstrate that it was truly a

democratic party.

He noted that contrary to the comments by the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP that the congresses will tear the party apart, “we will come out stronger and more united.”

Five commissioner-nominees to appear for screening before Bayelsa Assembly

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State House of Assembly will today, commence the screening of Governor Seriake Dickson’s commissionernominees.

Dickson had forwarded to the state House of Assembly, the names of his former Special Adviser on Legal Matters and Chief Legal Officer, Kemasuode Wodu, Inuiro Wills also a special adviser and three others as commissioner nominees.

Dickson in his letter to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, said the submission of the names of the nominees was sequel to the recent cabinet reorganisation in the state.

In the letter dated April 2, 2014, the governor said, “I forward

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

that are affected because it was all the workers in Edo State that participated in the state organised biometrics? If he believes that he cannot follow the law that brought him into power, we leave the issue to the people who know the law better,” Uhunmwangho said.

He noted that there were no chairs, tables and laboratories in most of the renovated schools in the state, adding that those were pressing issues that needed to be tackled.

herewith names of commissionernominees into the Bayelsa State Executive Council for consideration by the state House of Assembly. This is sequel to the recent cabinet reorganisation in the state. However, more names would be submitted to the House for consideration soonest.”

The governor had, in late March, sacked seven commissioners, namely Francis Egele (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Ayakeme Massa (Trade, Investment and Industry), Dr. Anapurere Michael Awoli (Health), Nelson Belief (Tourism Development), Gesiye Isowo (Special Duties Federal Projects), Parkinson Macmanuel (Science, Technology and Manpower Development) and Dr. Sylvanus Abila ( Environment).

By Bartholomew Madukwe (nwamad@yahoo.com)

Should delegates be paid N4m each for Confab?

The NYSC that dedicate a whole one year get peanut for serving their country. They do not get this outrageous amount. Is this a money making venture or a time to work for Nigerians to reinvent the country? Mr. Mustapha Alaro- Carpenter

My position is that seriousness, frugality and positive consideration must be allowed to take better part of us this time around.

However you view it, N4m per month for each delegate is on the high side. Mrs Ifeoma Anyambuba - Businesswoman

This is a national call to duty by the Federal Government and so there must be provision for such allowances as these people will be abandoning their day-to-day activities to partake in this conference. Mr. Dozie AdichieBusinessman

Why can’t the delegates be paid by the people they represent? However, if money can buy us a brand new restructured nation, with fiscal federalism and a people’s constitution under a secular Republic, so be it.

Mr. Solomon Bombata- Pensioner

An exercise like this should be conducted in a transparent way so that the outcome will be acceptable to all. The amount budgeted for the conference could provide good roads and potable water. Security challenges are everywhere.

Ms. Dike Chika- Student

How much does it cost to rent accommodation in Abuja please? Does it cost up to N4m a month for an apartment? I am a firm supporter of the conference, but these sums being bandied around just make me really go gaga. Mr. Kabiru Bankole- Student

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 45

Bail refusal: Ibusa youths decry Ajudua’s travails

Group makes case for Diezani over private jet saga

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

T

HE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change, NDIMRC, has challenged accusers of the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, over alleged spending of public funds on the hiring of a private jet for her personal use, saying that she was innocent of all the charges.

The Petroleum Minister had been accused of wasting tax payers’ money in the last two years in the hiring of a private jet.

But NDIMRC, in a statement by its President, Nelly Emma and others, noted that the minister was innocent of the crime she was being accused of.

It said: “The current onslaught against the hardworking Minister of Petroleum is part of the game plan of the opposition to force the minister out of office. We strongly believe that the allegation against her is all about 2015 and President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Owhofasa wins Ecobank Honda CRV car

U

G H E L L I — ECOBANK Plc has presented a brand new Honda CRV car, 2013 model, to the winner of the first prize of its savings promo, Mr. Peter Owhofasa.

Presenting the car to the winner at the Ughelli/Patani Road branch of the bank, in Ughelli, Delta State, its Executive Director in the South-South and South-East states, Mr. Kingsley Umadia, said the savings promo was an initiative that was started in September last year.

He explained that the pre-qualification requirement was a minimum savings of N30, 000, adding that Mr. Owhofasa emerged winner of the draw at the grand finale of the promo.

A

MEETING WITH WORLD BANK OFFICIALS: From left: Global Head and Director, Extractive Industry of the World Bank, Antonio Barbalho; Vice President and CEO of Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency of the World Bank, Michel Wormser in a handshake with Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen and World Bank Country Director, Marie Francoise, after a meeting with World Bank officials on Federal Road Development Project, FRDP, in Abuja.

Bayelsa Assembly uncovers N25bn excess bank charges on govt accounts

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State House of Assembly says it has uncovered excess bank charges/deductions on the state government's accounts from 2007 to 2012 estimated at N25 billion.

This followed an audit exercise embarked upon by the Assembly Committee on Public Accounts to reconcile charges and deductions made on the state government accounts during the period under review.

Raising a motion on the floor of the House, the member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency I, Mr. Tonye Isenah, said the audit was informed by public outcry over unethical practices by banks in

the state.

According to him, the House Committee embarked on the audit exercise as part of its oversight function to reconcile charges and deductions by banks on the account of the state government from 2007 – 2012.

The motion was seconded by the member representing Yenagoa constituency I, Mr Alfred Egba.

Accordingly, the House, in a three-point resolution, urged the state Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice to take necessary steps to recover all excess charges/deductions made by banks operating in Bayelsa State on the accounts of all state ministries, departments and agencies and report back

to the House in writing within 30 days.

It also directed the Ministry of Finance to further cooperate with the Public Accounts Committee of the House to provide all relevant documents that will assist the lawmakers to further audit bank charges/reductions from 1999 to 2006 and 2012 till date.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House, Konbowei Friday, has assured that the House will dig deeper to unearth all pending issues concerning bank excess charges/deductions in the state, reiterating that the legislature was poised to ensure that justice was done and proper refunds made in line with the financial regulations.

FG assures on devt of maritime sector

BY IFEYINWA OBI

M

INISTER of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has said that the current administration remains committed to strengthening the country’s maritime industry, to ensure that the nation’s intermodal transport system becomes one of the best in the world.

Speaking at the 12th Intermodal Africa Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, Umar said: “The maritime sector remains a key sector of the economy whose enormous potential deserves continuous harnessing to meet the expectation of government and the citizenry. In the last two years, Nigeria has been carrying out a number of reforms aimed at enhancing operational efficiency at the various ports.

“For instance, 24 hours operation has been achieved in the Lagos Ports, where more than 60 percent of our port activities take place. For the long term, the Federal Government is making concerted efforts towards ensuring the development of deep sea ports in the country. This is the ultimate solution to the current port congestion as the cargo handling is presently beyond their designed capacities.”

He noted that the Federal Government had approved the development of the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos to handle bigger vessels, and also create employment.

“The Port is to be developed under Public Private Partnership, PPP, initiative. Other proposed deep seaports are Ibaka deep seaport in Akwa Ibom State; Badagary deep seaport in Lagos;

Olokola deep seaport in Ogun and Ondo States; Ogidigbe, near Escravos in Delta State which is expected to be the hub for gas revolution initiative of the Federal Government and Agge deep seaport in Bayelsa State.

The processes for the realisation of these ports are at various stages.

“As you are aware, government had earlier approved the establishment of Calabar Channel Management Company, a joint venture between the Nigerian Ports Authority and Messrs. Niger Global Limited, to guarantee the sustainability of the Calabar Channel. This joint venture arrangement is similar to the ongoing Lagos and Bonny Channel Management Companies that are managing the channels,” he said.

socio-cultural group, Ibusa Youths for Progress, IYP, has pleaded for bail to be granted to Lagos lawyer, Fred Ajudua, to enable him to attend to his ailing health.

The group, in a statement, condemned the travail of their son and benefactor who they claimed has been standing trial since 2003 over alleged fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Speaking on a recent ruling of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, which refused Ajudua bail, the group accused EFCC of double standards and misleading Nigerians to believe that Ajudua was not entitled to bail.

Marketing firm hosts World Malaria Day novelty match

A

marketing communications company, 3ra’fique, will host its second edition of World Malaria Day novelty football match between comedians and on-air personalities, OAP, on April 27 at the Campos Mini-Stadium, Lagos Island, in partnership with Ali Baba and Good Knight Insecticide.

Ali Baba, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu, AY, Bovi, Akpoiroro, Owen Gee, Buchi, MC Prince, LaFUp, Sir Jeff, among others, will be on the comedians’ team, while the OAP team will have Mannie, Yaw, Frank Edoho, Dayo D1 Adeneye, Toyin Ibitoye, Colin Udoh, Femi and the Gang, Jide Alabi, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, D.O.2D.T.U.N and many more.

In a statement, Mr. Irabor Okosun, Chief Executive Officer of 3ra’fique, said there will be free malaria testing and counselling at Silverbird Galleria and Ikeja City Mall from April 22 to 25 as health workers will give out free drugs and insecticidetreated nets.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Fidelity Bank grows assets by 18.2%

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

F

IDELITY BANK Plc has announced total assets of N1.081 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013, 18.2 per cent increase over N914.36 billion recorded in 2012.

The bank’s financial statement released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, showed total customers' deposit of N806.32 billion as against N716.75 billion in 2012, representing an increase of12.5 per cent, while composition of low cost deposit to total deposits stood at 66.6 percent as at December 31, 2013.

Similarly, the gross earnings increased by 6.5 per cent to N126.92 billion from N119.14 billion in 2012. The profit before tax stood at N9.03 billion for the review period.

Further analysis showed that net loans and leases grew by 23.3 per cent to N426.08 billion as at December 31, 2013 from N345.50 billion as at December 31, 2012, while the shareholders’ funds stood at N163.46 billion as at December 31, 2013.

This is despite the increase in industry resolution cost, AMCON, from 0.3 percent to 0.5 percent of total assets and a one-off increased provision of N1.8 billion in respect of Actuarial Valuation on staff pension and gratuity obligations, operating expenses rose by 8.1 percent to N54.82 billion in December 31, 2013 from N50.71 billion recorded in December 31, 2012.

Mrs Roseline Obialisi's dead

Mrs. Roseline Obialisi, of Umulekuba-Aforukwu, Isiekenesi in Ideato South LGA, Imo State, is dead, aged 81.

Christian wake-keep will hold on Wednesday, April 9, in the family compound, and she will be buried on Thursday, April 10, in Obialisi’s Compound, Umulekuba-Aforukwu, Isiekenesi.

She is survived by children and many relations, including Emeka Obialisi.

Late Mrs Obialisi

Workers, UNICEF appeal to FG over social work bill

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

N

ATIONAL VICE President and South West Coordinator, National Association of Social Workers, Mrs. Alaba Fadairo, has urged the Federal Government to facilitate passage of Social Work Bill which has since 2012 been at the National Assembly.

Lamenting that social work practice had suffered greatly in the country due to poor recognition and remuneration accorded professionals, Alaba, who spoke at a symposium organised by the National Association of Social Workers, in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund-UNICEF and Lagos State Ministry for Women Affairs in Lagos, said the passage of the bill would ensure best practices as well as safety for abused members of society.

Alaba, who bemoaned that the lack of legislative tools for professionals had given room for infiltration by quacks, said, “the infiltration of the field by quacks is currently affecting professionals.

"But when we get recognised as a profession, we will be able to flush out quacks. With adequate proviAWARD: Executive Assistant to the Governor of Maryland, Linda Aldredge sion for hazards on the job also, since we do so much (left), presenting the African Government Agency of the Year Award 2013 and earn less, professionals will be more devoted.” to Executive Director/CEO, Rivers State Sustainable Development AgenStressing that the neglect of social workers as well as cy, RSSDA, Mr. Noble Pepple, in Washington DC, recently. social welfare provision for the citizenry had promoted child abuse, violence, delinquency and all forms of societal ills in the country, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Lagos, Mrs. Roselyn Akinroye, and Permanent Secretary, Youths & Social Development, Lagos State, Dr. family, Idiga said his senatorial chieftains of APC to the PDP fam- Segun John Oshinyimika, exBY CHIDI NKWOPARA plained that one of the cornerambition was still intact. ily, blamed the development on He said: “My senatorial ambi- the leadership style of Governor stones for the implementation of WERRI — THE political acts as the Child Rights Acts was tion is still intact and will be pur- Rochas Okorocha. fortunes of All Progressives a vibrant social work sector.

Congress, APC, in Imo State, sued on PDP platform. We must Although they opted to speak “Child abuse is on the rise and again dipped, yesterday, follow- do everything possible to keep on grounds of anonymity, they it is a challenge to us as social ing the exit of Chief Felix Idiga the zone in the mainstream of however, opined that most peoworkers to combat the scourge Nigerian politics.” and his over 15,000 supporters to ple of strong political values had Meanwhile, some APC loyal- defected to PDP, adding that more and other present day challengPeoples Democratic Party, PDP. Addressing his supporters and ists, who spoke to Vanguard on were still preparing to quit APC. es in the society," they said. chieftains of the PDP in his the continued defection of prized Amaifeke, Orlu country home, Idiga said the event marked the end of an era and the beginning of another phase.

With the confirmation of Justice state and had in the past acted as

BY ANAYO OKOLI “This is the beginning of a new Nnenna Oti, the state would end the state’s Acting Chief Judge. dawn. In every circumstance, one Speaker of the House f Assem- the running of the judiciary with MUAHIA — ABIA State must know when to adjust so as bly, Chief Ude Chukwu, said Jus- Acting Chief Judge, which startHouse of Assembly has to advance. I have decided to tice Oti performed very well dur- ed in 2010 after the retirement of screened and confirmed Justice adjust so as to advance the interthe last substantive Chief Judge, ing the screening.

Nnenna Chioma Oti as the subest of the good people of Orlu Justice Sunday Imo. The House, therefore, urged the stantive chief judge of the state. zone in particular and Imo in genAt least five judges, including governor, Chief Theodore Orji, to This is coming four years after eral,” Idiga explained. late Justice Ijeoma Offonry, Jusswear her in as the substantive the state last had a substantive While regretting his absence tice Nnenna Oti, Justice UzoukChief Judge of the state. during the visit of President chief judge. wu, Justice Shedrack Nwanosike During the screening, Oti, Justice Nnenna Oti, currently Goodluck Jonathan to Owerri and Justice Stella Nwakanma, had promised to work hard to reposithe Administrative Judge of Aba, where he received Chief Achike acted in acting capacity. tion the judiciary in the state. is the most senior judge in the Udenwa and others into the PDP

15,000 APC members decamp to PDP in Imo O

Abia gets substantive CJ after 4 yrs

U

Bill seeking amendment to 1999 constitution exposes Jonathan’s hidden agenda — CNPP

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA — THE Bill to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria introduced in the Senate by the Deputy Senate President and Chairman Constitution Review Committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has unveiled President Goodluck Jonathan’s hidden agenda, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has said.

CNPP, which made the observation, yesterday, in Abuja, via a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, however, challenged the National Assembly to stop the Bill.

It would be recalled that Presi-

dent Jonathan, during the inauguration of the National Conference, hinted on the possibility of the use of referendum to ratify the outcome of the conference.

The group said: “Whereas, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has nothing against amendment or new constitution; however, we frown on any move to insert a proviso for the President to initiate the process for a new constitution. This can be done by the National and State assemblies with the present constitution.

“It our considered view that it is fundamentally against the doctrine of separation of powers, espoused by French philosopher,

Baron de Montesquieu, and checks and balances which stabilise liberal democracies.

“Second, the proponents of the proposal to include the President in the initiation process and not ratification process of constitutional amendment or new constitution are unwittingly constructing an imperial President, hence, according to Lord Acton, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

“Let’s we forget, this is the origin of African Big Men, as President Jonathan is not going to be the last President of our dear country. Therefore, we must guard against the entry of a despot. History is awash with how despots

play on the gullibility of the people to scuttle democracy.

“We are at a loss why Senator Ekweremadu and his cohorts did not initiate this proposal in July last year when they came up with the view that Section 9 did not make provision for how a new constitution come into being, thereby placing the cart before the horse. The insertion proposal could have been on the table before the Jonathan conference.

“CNPP also disagrees with the provision to empower INEC to de-register political parties which fail to win presidential, governorship, a chairmanship of local government area or a seat in the national or state assembly elections."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 -47

INVESTITURE: From left: Former Chairman, Agege Local Government, Alhaji Owolabi Dada, Mr. Jonathan Obayemi, Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, Chairman Agege Local Government, Hon. Jubreel Abdulkareem, Mrs. Shade Obayemi, and Chairman, Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Hon. Abiodun Mafe, during the investiture of Hon. Jubreel Abdulkareem as a fellow of the Institute of Information Management in Lagos.

AWARD: From left: Sitawa Wafula, blogger from Kenya, Eunice Namirembe from Uganda, Eseoghene Odiete, creative director, Hesey Designs, Eric Obuh, vocal slender, Nigerian and Christopher Panford from Ghana, at the award night in Nairobi, Kenya.

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AWARD: From left: Winner of the 2014 Vlisco Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Month Award, VWMA, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, nominee for 2014 VWMA, Olamide Orekunrin, Brand Ambassador for the 2014 VWMA, Stephanie Okereke and a nominee for VWMA, Esther Agbarakwe, at the 2014 VWMA award in Lagos.

From left: Tola Elatuyi, Marketing and Activation Lead, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser; Patience Ozokwor, Dettol Brand Ambassador and Oguzhan Silivrili, Marketing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, at the market activation to mark the 50th anniversary of Dettol soap in Nigeria, at Oke Arin Market in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

SEMINAR: From left: Medical Director, Tabitha Medical Centre, Dr. Chito Nwana, CEO, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Dr. Demola Sogunle, Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Mrs. Nike Bajomo and Principal Partner, StarBright Consulting Ltd, Mr. Emmanuel OluAyeni, at the IBTC's pre-retirement seminar in Abuja, yesterday.

From left: Mrs. Mariam Kahloun, Sales Manager, JCB, Mr. Rodoalpho Dehoedt, representative of Vita Construction Ltd, Mr. Vivek Deshmukh, GM, Leventis Motors and Mr. Yogesh Tripathi, Head, Sales, JCB, at the lauch of the new JCB equipment by Leventis Motors in Lagos.

WEDDING: From left: The newly wed couple, Mr. & Mrs. David Terdoo Ortom, Mrs. Yemisi Suswan, wife of Benue State Governor and Dr. Samuel Ortom, Supervising Minister of Aviation and Minister of State for Commerce and Industries, during the wedding of the minister's son in Makurdi.

Winner of brand new car, Arthor Obi, in the Etisalat Cliqfest (2nd right), Vice Chancellor, Anambra State University, Professor Fidelis Okafor (2nd left), Analyst, Youth Market Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh (left), and Analyst, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor, during the 40th edition of Etisalat Cliqfest, at the Igbariam campus of the university.

BURIAL: From left: Snr. Supt. Fagbule, Bishop Ibitola, Elder Joseph Otubu, General Evangelist, Motailatu Church C&S Worldwide, Apostle Dagiloke and, Rev. Olorunnisola, at Motailatu Church C&S Worldwide, International Headquarters, Oke Iwosan, Ondo State, at the burial service for Snr. Lady Superintendent Comfort Akinadewo.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Jang appoints caretaker c'ttee chairmen for 2 LGAs

NIPR boss lauds women over contributions to family values

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BY MARIETHERESE NANLONG

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OS —GOVERNOR Jonah Jang of Plateau State has appointed caretaker committee chairmen for Jos North and Wase Local Councils where the February local government elections were not conducted due to security challenges.

Those appointed were Danjuma Sanda (Jos North) and Haruna Zakari for Wase Local Government Councils respectively.

Speaking while swearing in the local government helmsmen, yesterday, at Government House, Rayfield, Jos, Jang said: “The Plateau State Security Council, PSSC, is watching the security situation closely. We have, therefore, after screening by the Plateau State House of Assembly inaugurated the management committee members for the two local government areas.”

He then asked the new appointees to ensure that peace as well as security of lives and property prevailed in their councils.

His words: “One thing you should bear in mind is that the unity of your people must be paramount. ”I expect you to also ensure that your communities are driven by good governance and functional machinery of government for effective service delivery.

Jang, however, assured that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to flourish at the local government councils level.

He said: ”The state government remains committed to having a complete structure of elected local government chairmen in all local government areas.

As soon as the PSSC is satisfied with the security situation, elections will be conducted in Jos North and Wase.”

COMMISSIONING: Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo, Governor, Gombe State/Member, Governing Council, CIBN (middle); Dr. Segun Aina, President/Chairman of Council, CIBN (2nd right); Mr. Tha'anda Rubainu, Deputy Governor, Gombe State (first left); Alhaji Mohammed Hamza, Emir of Dukku, Gombe (2nd left) and Mrs. Rukayat Yusuf, Assistant Director, CIBN National Secretariat Annex, Abuja during the commissioning of the CIBN North-East zonal office in Gombe.

Yero tasks state Assembly on oversight function ... blames poor implementation of budgets on legislature

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ADUNA — GOVERNOR Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, yesterday, blamed the legislature for poor implementation of budgets in the country.

Yero said legislators wait until the end of each fiscal year and after the presentation of budgets by the executive before starting their oversight functions instead of making it a continuous exercise to keep the executives on their toes.

The governor said some chief executives wait until the last quarter, before rushing to award contracts approved in the budget.

He spoke at a one-day retreat on implementation of the approved 2014 budget organised for government functionaries.

He said: ”Oversight function should be seen as partnership between the executive and legislative arms not as witch-hunting. Personally, I want regular oversights because there is no way you can have a good executive without a good legislature. ”I do not look at oversight as witch-hunting and even if that is the case, I have no fear because the records are there. The House should make oversight more consistent and not only when a budget is presented that you begin to go for inspection; you have to go at all times and if you find any problem

please correct us.

"The major problem with implementation is that we all relax as soon as the budget is passed and wait until the last quarter before we begin to rush to award contracts. We have to begin implementation as soon as the budget is passed.”

The governor, therefore, asked the legislature to carry out its oversight functions regularly instead of waiting for the budget to be presented by the executive before doing itsconstitutional assigned duties.

He said functions were necessary legislative activities that ensure probity and accountability in public sector expenditures.

Yero who said that ‘’the biggest challenge is on how we can meet up with the revenue,” asked all Ministries, Depart-

ments and Agencies, MDAs, in the state to immediately commence implementation of the 2014 approved budget, stressing that, that was the only way budget could only be effectively implemented, when projected revenue was realized.

Earlier in his speech, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Shehu Tahir, had said the legislature would continue to carry out its oversight function as enshrined in the constitution.

He said: ”Parliamentary oversights seek to promote and enhance government accountability and transparency by ensuring that the executive and those bodies to whom authority have been delegated, remain responsible and accountable in the performance of their functions.”

156 projects to be executed under MDGs in Nasarawa

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AFIA — A TOTAL of 156 development projects will be executed this year by the Nasarawa State Government under the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, programme, an official has said.

Dr Mohammed Salisu, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Tanko Al-Makura on MDGs, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Lafia.

According to him, the im-

Analyst tasks confab delegates on lack of basic education, others

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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INNA — A PUBLIC af fairs analyst, Shafii Muhammed, has asked delegates to the ongoing national conference to find lasting solutions to lack of basic education, provision of infrastructural facilities, improvements in the agricultural sector and railway serv-

ices and rule of law for their deliberations to make the desired impact in the society.

Other issues he said included reduction in poverty level, insecurity as well as love for one another.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard in Minna, Muhammed said failure to address the issues which he said were sensitive with permanent solutions would

BUJA —PRESIDENT of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Dr Rotimi Oladele, has commended Nigerian women for their contributions to the improvement and development of family values and cohesion in the country.

Oladele, who made the commendation in Abuja during activities marking Mothers Day, said, Nigeria women stood for the rebirth and transformation of a new Nigeria and described them as peacemakers, bridge builders who have continually worked for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

"They are multifunctional.

They are our mothers and wives; they are in some cases the bread winners of their families. The same women have full time jobs, in which they compete with their male counterparts, earning their promotions and contribute effectively towards the national growth.

"As business women or petty traders, they have the same challenges. In the church or mosques, they are there belonging to various pious societies making valuable contributions and development of their religion.

"It is evidently clear that God has given women extraordinary strength to cope with these multiple roles and still maintain their sanity. It is worthy of note that the generality of Nigerian women do not have one tenth of the opportunities and privileges enjoyed by men in Nigeria."

amount to a waste of time and nation’s resources on the part of the delegates.

He regretted what he said was lack of improvement in the educational sector, saying that the situation was worsening instead of improving just as the level of injustice across the country was aiding fraud and corruption in the society.

He said: ”There are many

people seen to be above the law in the country now. They are referred to as the untouchables.

When they commit any offence no matter how grievous, they are not arrested talk more of being prosecuted but when a poor man steals N1,000, he is immediately sent to jail. This injustice must be addressed by the conference.”

plementation of the projects would improve the living standard of the citizens of the state and enhance development of the country.

He said: “As we are all aware, the importance of the MDGs projects to the socioeconomic development of our state and the country at large cannot be over-emphasised.

“It will help us to fight unemployment, reduce poverty, hunger as well as improve the standard of living of the people.

“It will also reduce child mortality, improve maternity, combat HIV and malaria, promote gender equality and women empowerment.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 49

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 —

By ISHOLA BALOGUN & ADERONKE ADEYERI

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RADITIONAL religious groups should be restricted from declaring ‘oro’ curfew" Amir Qamadeen Ajala Jimoh is the founder of Markaz Dawah organization and a Radio presenter.

I implore all the Muslim representatives at the confab

•Want Hijab, Sharia discussed, ‘Oro’ curfew banned to emulate the ways of Prophet Mohammed both in utterances and actions. There are some important issues that if well addressed at the confab, Islam will move forward and the entire society will be a better place.

The issue of civil sharia in all states should be made optional and should not include criminal offences but should be in marriages, divorces, inheritance and the rest. Islamic banks should be allowed to operate just as the conventional banks; we have the right to choose our banks.

I will also like our delegates to recommend two types of dressing for female students like what we have during the time of Prof Jibil Aminu - skirt with beret or long sleeve gown, trouser with hijab.

Again, the dressing of our female nurses and lawyers should include hijab and long sleeve (optional) as the present dressing of our nurses and lawyers are designed by the Christian oriented

Turbaning

From left: Alhaji Muhammad Qoseem, Giwa adini; Alhaji Ismail Abdul Wasiu, Seriki Adini; Alhaji Akinola Jimoh- Asiwaju Adini and Alhaji Oladele Abdul Rasheed – Aare Adini of Igbe Muslim Community Central Mosque during conferment of religious titles to eminent members of the area held in Igbe, Ikorodu division, Lagos recently.

Sheikh Abdul Wasiu Salaudeen, Grand Chief Imam of Igbeland and other members of the Igbe Council of Imams and Alfas during the Turbaning.

government that colonized Nigeria. I also think no school or teacher should impose Christian Knowledge as a subject on the students.

Female youth Corps members should be allowed to use hijab on their uniform. Traditional religious groups should be restricted from declaring curfew like oro, eyo, egungun

have undergone some special training. In other climes, Imams are often chosen from among the existing members of the Muslim community.

"Hijab, under-aged marriage should be discussed" Alhaja Rafiat Akinsipo Oladoyin is a chattered accountant and a civil servant in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Blessings are fast reducing, good deeds are in short supply, and life has become corrupted because of the wickedness of the people

and other forms of restriction on people. Also, no exams should be fixed on any Islamic festivals to enable our children participate and understand the importance of the festival. Certificates of marriages conducted at registered mosques should be acceptable at every embassy and government parastatals.

51

dressed in conformity with my religion. Although, I was not discouraged but I believe it is ungodly and something urgent should be done about it. The case of marriage of under-aged girls should also be discussed.

Most people have the misconception that that the under-age marriage is supported and propagated by Islam. However, the National Confab is a golden opportunity for our representatives to correct the impression.

Confab: What Muslims delegates should do—Clerics speak

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ALTHOUGH the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is representing Muslims’ interest at the conference, as affirmed by Prof. Dawud Noibi, the Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN); Facing the Kaaba provides this platform for Muslim individuals who do not have the opportunity to be at the conference to express their views on issues affecting Islam in the country.

As the delegates settle for business at the conference, some Muslims have reminded their delegates to consider the issue of undue discrimination against the use of hijab, marriageable age and Sharia as critical for discussion at the confab.

Others suggests that restrictions in some areas (especially in the South west) by the traditionalists through ‘oro’ masqurades should be discussed. Popular Radio presenter, Qamardeen Ajala suggest that outright ban should be placed on the use of oro restricting individuales especially women to their houses while the traditionalists hold ‘oro’ festival.

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It will be appreciated if the Muslim representatives at the on-going confab trash out the issue of hijab in schools and discrimination against hijabite sisters during job interviews.

I had an experience where I was denied of a job I was qualified for because I was

We must respect our secularity — Fagba Sheikh Folorunsho Fagba There must be agreement to honour and respect the secularity of Nigeria. Muslims must be free and allowed to practice their religion without intimidation and molestation; so also the Christians. We must respect and tolerate each other. Islam as a religion of peace allows for freedom of worship as stated in the Quran that there is no compulsion in religion. Therefore, that freedom should be allowed to flourish. If the other religion enjoys the freedom, Muslims should also enjoy the full freedom to practice their religion.

But where the Muslims are being denied some rights relating to the practice of Islam either policy or government actions, it becomes unfair and do not suggests tolerance and respect for one and another.

The future of our youths should be the concern of everygood parent. Every parent wants their children to live and emulate the tenets of the religion.

"Muslims should be no hinderance in the practice of Islam" Ustaz Eletu is a seasoned construction engineer and an Islamic instructor who has passion for nurturing kids in the ways of Allah.

The National conference is a civilized and matured approach to tackle the cumbersome challenges facing our fatherland.

However, to defeat terrorism and corruption, we must start listening to those who follow the path of God. Muslim delegates at the confab should emphasize that Muslims should be allowed to practice their religion according to the teachings of their religion. Recently in Lagos state, some students were beaten for using hijab in secondary schools which is injustice to man and Allah.

Also, it should be established at the conference that there is no body of Imams in Nigeria.

An Imam is selected at the community level. It is the members of the community who chooses someone who is considered knowledgeable and wise.

An Imam may be specifically recruited and hired, and may

From left: Ganiyu Abdllah, Azakiru AbdRahman (Omojeje), Alhaja Anifat Taofeek, Amira Dhicent Society of Nigeria, Muritala Oloyede, Sheik Abdfatai Abdsalam, Chief Missioner, Dhicent Society of Nigeria and Chief Tafsir Ifako -Ijaye, Hon. Bola Asiru Balogun, member, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Abdullah, Alhaja Kudirat Ajani, Iya Suno during Maolud Nabiyyi celebration recently.

From left: Alhaja Anifat Taofeek, Amira Dhicent Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdfatai Abdsalam, Chief Missioner, Dhicent Society of Nigeria and Chief Tafsir Ifako -Ijaye, Muhmmed Saheed Akinola Hinu Riddor Al- Imom, Chief Missioner, Faokan Society of Nigeria, Alhaja Kudirat Ajani, Iya Suno, Dhicent Society of Nigeria during Maolud Nabiyyi celebration recently.

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Dilemma over pay for absentee delegates

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•NLC president, Comrade Abdulwahid Omar and others at the press conference, yesterday

Labour resurrects at confab

BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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IGERIANS who believed that the labour movement had gone to permanent sleep were in for a shocker yesterday when the top hierarchy of the labour movement at the conference surfaced.

The manifestation of the labour leadership was, however, not in connection with any issue affecting the working class, but in connection with the appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees.

Leadership of the conference Addressing journalists yesterday, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Abdulwahid Omar accused the leadership of the conference of manipulating the conference to foist its choice men as chairmen and deputies of the proposed committees of the conference.

The allegation was against the background of the earlier agreement by the conference that delegates nominated to committees would choose their chairman and deputy. That agreement was reportedly upturned by the committee of 50 Wise Men chosen by Chairman Kutigi to advice him on the voting benchmark.

Flanked by representatives of some trade union groups at the conference, Omar fumed that a protest letter from organized labour on the issue was not read out by the chairman. “The decision for committees to select/ elect their officers was validly

and unanimously arrived at on 24th March, 2014 and ought not to be changed without recourse to the general house.

“The committee of 50 acted in violation of their brief since their mandate was to determine what should constitute a majority vote in the absence of a consensus and not to do other things. Yet, the same committee acting, in concert with the conference leadership, reversed the decision on the election or selection of committee chairmen and their

deputies.

“The committee’s recommendations on the issue of presiding officers of the committees therefore cannot, and should not, stand.

“This scenario of a few privileged people tinkering with the decision of a whole House is nothing but dictatorship and tyranny of a few. If it is allowed to stand, it may become a feature of the conference. One of the reasons for convening this conference is to deepen

democracy and not to reinforce impunity.

“The reversal of the right of the committees to elect/select their officers directly is an affront to democracy as well as a violation of the right of delegates to freely choose their presiding officers.

“We must warn that this seemingly innocuous act sends out dangerous signals and is capable of raising credibility issues in subsequent decisions.”

Food crisis persists at Confab, secretariat may monetize lunch for delegates

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ITH delegates continuing to groan over the shortage of food at lunchtime, the conference secretariat is now considering monetizing the food.

A motion to that effect moved yesterday by Mr Jadin Ebunun, a retired police officer initially did not elicit much support. But after lunch when again many delegates still missed out, the issue was confronted head on.

Asked by Vanguard why he raised the issue as a substantive motion, Ebunun said: "They contracted caterers to feed us but when we get there we don’t see food to eat.

"We have been complaining but nothing has been done that is why I said if they cannot supply us food, I cannot go and fight for food in the kitchen, by the time you get there, there is no food, I am a gentle man.”

“When we get there, there is no food, we come back and it has become a ritual. If food doesn’t go round, there is no

need saying they are feeding us; we have two hours for lunch, we will be going out to feed. So, what is the essence of saying they are feeding us?”

But the issue resurfaced after lunch when Labour Party national chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu raised an observation that the issue of food was not supposed to be moved as a motion but should have been subtly discussed with the secretariat to prevent

impressions that delegates were at the conference for food.

In a response, the deputy chairman of the conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi said that a deluge of letters of protests and complaints to the secretariat in the last few days necessitated the permission for the motion.

He however promised that the request for the monetization would be looked into.

*Bolaji Akinyemi and Idris Kutigi

IVEN the conspicuous absence of some delegates, Chairman Kutigi came out yesterday to explain that their absence was due to the involvement of some of the delegates in other government activities abroad.

His explanation was to the effect that some delegates were not available to contribute to the debate on the president’s address when their names were called apparently because of other commitments outside the country on Federal Government business.

Yesterday, the chairman gave some of the delegates who missed their speaking slots the opportunity to make up. However, the question being posed in some quarters is whether those delegates who missed out at sitting would get the allowances for the day that they were absent.

The issue is a burden for them given that one of the issues is whether the legislature should be part time with members being paid for the days that they sat.

How much are delegates being paid?

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NE of the delegates to the conference has expressed bitterness over the seeming lack of transparency in the payment of allowances to the delegates.

His beef is over the failure of the secretariat to supply pay slips after lodgments to the accounts of the delegates.

He said:“They told us that they will give us our pay slips whenever any lodgment is made into our account. They have made two lodgments yet we have not got the pay slips. That’s why I decided to ask so that we could see the break down of the so called allowances.”

“You pressmen have carried it that we are paid N4m a month which is not correct from what we are paid. So those things need to be corrected. It is good we see the analysis of the allowance we are paid.

They promised to give pay slips. We did not ask for it”, he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4—53

Nigeria sitting on a time bomb — Delegates •Military constituency denies responsibility for Nigeria’s problems •Stop praising Jonathan — Gambo, Galadima STORIES BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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EBATE on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration speech continued at the National Conference yesterday with delegates noting that Nigeria sat on a time bomb factored by high level unemployment, insecurity, corruption, and religious intolerance.

Also yesterday, the military constituency at the conference again sharply rebuffed insinuations of military incursion as a drawback to the country’s development. However, the flow of commendation for the president was cut short yesterday after two delegates including former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Gambo criticized what they dubbed as the praise singing of the president.

Besides Gambo, political

take power, please let us tell ourselves the truth, the bane of our problem has been intolerance,” George said.

Also defending the military’s role in governance was the first military governor of former North Western State from 1967-1975, Alhaji Usman Farouk, a retired commissioner of police who is representing Gombe State.

Asserting that he could not in any way apologise for the military role in governance, he said: “The only person who should be called to apologize are the military heads of state, those who plotted the coups.”

Also contributing, the Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi who attributed cases of insurgency in North East, Kidnapping in the South South and ritual killings in South West to poverty in the land, said, “we know the reason why there is insurgency in the Northeast and why there is cattle rustling in Northeast, North-Central, kidnapping in the South-South and ritual killing in the

problems of Nigeria as he said that all Nigerians were familiar with the problems of the country.

Commenting on the president’s address, he said: “The address of Mr. President as laudable as many people have said, to me it is one of the speeches of leaders.

I have been one of the critics of this conference, maybe that was why when my state submitted my name, the federal government found it expedient to remove it.

Well, we are here. We all know the problem of Nigeria. We don’t need to assemble here, spend so

much for such a gathering.

Where is the power of the people?,” he asked.

Don't praise Jonathan — Gambo Also taking the critical view, Gambo, a former Inspector General of Police said that Dr. Jonathan’s inauguration address like any other president’s speech was a conversation between a president of a country and the rest of the citizens.

Submitting that most presidents

do have their speeches written by exceptional speech writers to make it sound interesting, Gambo said the speech did not necessarily reflect Dr. Jonathan’s mind. He charged the delegates to show courage in telling leaders the home truth especially when they do wrong.

“One of the greatest disservice you can do to your head of state is to praise him when you should tell him what he has done. The president’s speech particularly in this case is just ordinary interaction with the citizens."

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I want to plead with our people that as we come here, when you are bringing out your facts, please do your research; the military incursion into the Nigeria politics is not the problem that we are facing today

associate of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and one time head of The Buhari Organisation, TBO Engr.

Buba Galadima, said that there was nothing exceptional about the speech to rate it above speeches given by former Nigerian leaders.

Bode Goerge pleads with Nigerians Retired naval officer and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chief Olabode George while appraising the president’s speech had poured encomiums on the president for his foresight in organizing the conference even as he strongly rejected blames cast on the military for its past interventions in government.

“I want to plead with our people that as we come here, when you are bringing out your facts, please do your research; the military incursion into the Nigeria politics is not the problem that we are facing today; some have been half truth.

“Let us tell the younger generation what happened. I think it was the deputy chairman of the Senate at that time who decided to invite the military, the military did not just wake up from their barracks and ended out to

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Southwest. All these are caused by poverty.

“Injustice is responsible for cattle rustling. When I was appointed an Emir, almost every part of Zamfara was vulnerable to attacks by Fulani marauders. I asked the Fulanis why is this happening?

They said they had good reasons for the attack but since I came I engaged them constructively. Today, Gumi Emirate is free from such attacks.

“The reason they gave me for the attacks was that: They said, over 100 years ago, we had cattle routes. These were places that were kept for the use of the Fulanis. But the politicians came and promised their people that they will give them some lands to farm. Even in Kogi and Benue states, there are clearly designated routes if you check the colonial papers.”

In his contribution, the Chief Priest of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure who identified unemployment as one of the major problems in the country asked the administration to be more proactive in job creation.

In his contribution yesterday, Alhaji Buba Galadima said that there was no need for the conference to sit and ponder the

The empty seats at the confab.

Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Rush for Jonathan’s ‘daughter’s' wedding empties confab hall

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HE rush by delegates to attend the marriage ceremony of a daughter of President Goodluck Jonathan raised unease among some delegates who frowned that conferees abandoned national issues for socializing.

About half of the delegates abandoned proceedings yesterday to enable them travel to attend the wedding coming up tomorrow, Saturday, March 5, 2014 in Bayelsa State.

When the conference chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi called for contributions to the debate of the President’s speech, many of the delegates were not around as their seats were empty.

The immediate past Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai (Jigawa) and former Head of Service, Engr.

Ebele Okeke were among those who took permission to speak ahead of their scheduled slots to enable them go ahead for the ceremony.

Their requests were, however, granted by Justice Kutigi.

Some of the delegates, however, expressed concern over development, as they argued that those delegates failed to realise the importance of the national conference because they were not expected to trivialise a state call for a wedding ceremony.

Mr Ebuchukwu Ezike, representing the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO noted that Nigerians were watching and expecting positive reports from the conference, just as he said it was unfortunate that delegates were not taking it seriously.

He warned that if serious action was not taken, it may jeopardise the success of the conference, adding, “if delegates continue like this, Nigerians would not take the conference serious. Delegates have the option of turning the nomination down ab initio if it would affect their personal business or political activities, but it was clear that the money attracted some of the delegates. Now they realised that the amount publicised was

not what they were being given, they have become disinterested in the whole exercise.”

Oritsejafor meets Christian delegates

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is to host all Christian delegates to the National Conference.

The welcome reception which is slated for Sunday, April 6th at 6 pm will hold at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The invitation issued by the CAN president obtained by Vanguard read thus: “Calvary greetings to you in Jesus Name.

On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria, I congratulate you on your well deserved appointment as a delegate to the National Conference out together by the Federal Government of Nigeria. “ We see your appointment as a delegate to this National Conference at this critical time of our nation’s history as a act of God and for a positive purpose."

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 55

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeke Linda Enuma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpara Linda Enuma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGBESIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christy Ugbesia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christy Brikinns. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGWILO—I, formerly known and addressed as Igwilo Blessing Joseph Okwuchukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Igwilo Jerome Okwuchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAFUNSO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omolola Olasunbo Fafunso, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omolola Olasunbo Inyang. All former documents remain valid.

Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and general public please take note.

UDEOGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ngozim Judith Udeogu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ngozim Judith Akinbi.

All former document remain valid. Delta/ Terratek Limited, and general public please take note.

AHONSI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ahonsi Joy Osatohanmen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abadom Joy Osatohanmen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDIDIDI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Idididi Sentina A., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agba Joseph Sentina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERONINI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijeoma Favour Eronini, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ijeoma Favour OgidiNwankwo. All former documents remain valid.

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OKAGBARE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Ojiyovwi Okagbare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Ojiyovwi Mayone. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ARIYO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ariyo Kehinde Olufunmike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetunji Kehinde Olufunmike.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLOYEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oloyede Oluwatoyin Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akanbi Oluwatoyin Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERHURUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Helen Enerunmone O g h e n e y o m a Erhurun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Helen Enerunmone Ogheneyoma LucentIwhiwhu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ILOHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iloho Abigail Endurance, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eki Abigail Endurance. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ARUOFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aruofor Gloria Ayirioritseolaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Apejoye Gloria Ayirioritseolaye. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Oko and general public please take note.

EFE—I,

formerly

public please take note.

A N YA KO H A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Chiegeonu Nkeiruka Anyakoha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chiegeonu Nkeiruka Ehigiator. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

INEDIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gloria Omon Inedia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gloria Omon Metie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZOUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Chimobi Uloaku Uzoukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chimobi Uloaku Emeka-Okere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

S Y LV E S T E R — I , formerly known and addressed as Sylvester Nwokoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Silver David Nwokoh.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

B A D M U S — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Sariat Olabimpe Badmus, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dorcas Olabimpe Ajose. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NZEKWESI—We, formerly known and called Linus Nzekwesi, Josephat Nzekwesi and Oliver Nzekwesi, now wish to be known and addressed as Linus Ikedinachi, Josephat Ikedinachi and Oliver Ikedinachi. All former documents remain valid. Ebice Group and general public please take note.

OBOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliana E. Oko-Oboh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliana E. Oboh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OZOKWERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaeze Augustina C. Ozokwere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adaeze Augustina C. Ekwueme. All former documents remain valid.

National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), UNILAG and general public please take note.

DAVIS—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Monique Patricia Sylvia Davis, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Monique Patricia Sylvia Chizea-Abuah.

All former documents remain valid. American University of Nigeria and general public please take note.

OMOLOKUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiye Omolokun Olubunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Badmus Taiye Olubunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

POPOOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ramatu Ronke Popoola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rahmat Ronke Jabita.

All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Polytechnic and general public please take note.

AZIKE —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Azike Adaobi Lauretta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnadi Adaobi Lauretta. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Ogechukwu Eze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Ogechukwu Onyia. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, FCTA and general public please take note.

A N I K P U TA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliet Nkemdilim Anikputa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliet Nkemdilim Ozochi. All former documents remain valid. University of Abuja and general public please takes note.

NYAKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aisha Abubakar Nyako, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aisha Musa Sada. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekeh Celestina Onyenachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Harrison Celestina Onyenachi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ARIKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uvierhuvwu Arikoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uvierhuvwu Akpos Esiovwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the name Etop Nkamaenyin Archibong, refers to one and the same person as Archibong Etop Ukpong, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Archibong Etop Nkamaeyin. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, Abia State Poly Aba and general public please take note.

NOAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Linda Effiong Noah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Linda Hope Udodong. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IWOBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iwobi Bridget E., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ubah Bridget E. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edah Ejoke Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adjohwenyo Ejoke Joy. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osimewun Biodun Ojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osimewun Biodun Ogbaide. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M A R AY E S A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajibola Olawunmi Marayesa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajibola Olawunmi Awolesi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

Correction of name OMADA—My complete name is Omada Faith Otaroghene, instead of Omada Faith, as not completely carried in my Primary School Leaving Certificate from Delta State of Nigeria, Ayomanor Primary School 1, Sapele, with Certificate No 2005/ 17011086. This correction is for the information of the general public to please take note.

known and addressed as Eric Joseph Efe, now wish to be known and addressed as Erikpokpo Joseph. All former documents remain valid. General

VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E RT S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E — VA N GUARD 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 , LAGOS.

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 57

Vanguard CLASSIFIED EGHOMIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eghomie Ogorchukwu Tessy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iweriebor Ogorchukwu Tessy.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ARIGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Arigbe Oghenejevwe Julie, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Omonomo Julie Oghenejevwe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MUHAMMED—I, formerly known and addressed as Dele Muhammed Tanimu, now wish to be known and addressed as Dele Omoshola Tanimu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DIDEI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Didei Bogofanyu Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bogofanyu Isaac Officer. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwosu Tochukwu Jenny, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maduka Tochukwu Jenny. All former documents remain valid.

Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State and general public please take note.

BELIEVE—I, formerly known and addressed as Bolou Onaniderikumo Believe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tari Bolou Binasegha Onaniderikumo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O L AT U N D E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Olatunde Idowu Funke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogundimu Funke Rachael. All former documents remain valid.

Babcock University, NYSC and general public please take note.

Russia urges US to accept Crimea’s annexation disclosure by U.S. officials that Washington had added space agency NASA to a list of U.S. entities banned from contacting Russian government envoys, a largely symbolic gesture to

U

.S. policymakers need to calm down, maybe do some yoga and accept that Crimea is now part of Russia, a senior Russian diplomat said yesterday in unusually caustic remarks directed at Moscow’s former Cold War-era adversary.

Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region last month has deepened the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War ended two decades ago. The West has imposed sanctions on officials and businessmen believed to be close to President Vladimir Putin.

Many of those blacklisted have mocked the sanctions, wearing them as a badge of honor, but they have also rankled Moscow, with officials warning the West was only doing damage to itself.

“What can one advise our U.S. colleagues to do?

Spend more time in the

US, Algeria to cooperate over terrorism

A

•Vladimir Putin open, practice yoga, stick to food-combining diets, maybe watch some comedy sketch shows on TV,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax news agency.

“This would be better

than winding oneself up and winding up others, knowing that the ship has already sailed ... Tantrums, weeping and hysteria won’t help.”

His remarks followed

Malaysian police doubts resolution of missing plane mystery

A

police investigation may never determine the reason why the Malaysia Airlines jetliner disappeared, and search planes scouring the Indian Ocean for any sign of its wreckage aren’t certain to find anything either, officials said Wednesday.

The assessment by Malaysian and Australian officials underscored the lack of knowledge authorities have about what happened on Flight 370. It also points to a scenario that becomes

more likely with every passing day — that the fate of the Boeing 777 and the 239 people on board might remain a mystery forever.

The plane disappeared March 8 on a flight to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur after its transponders, which make the plane visible to commercial radar, were shut off. Military radar picked up the jet just under an hour later, on the other side of the Malay Peninsula.

Authorities say that until

Musharaf escapes assassination

P

AKISTAN’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is on trial for treason, narrowly escaped what police called an assassination attempt as a roadside bomb went off shortly before his convoy was due to pass early yesterday.

The bomb was planted on Musharraf’s route from an army hospital in Rawalpindi, where he has been staying since January, to his home on the

raise pressure on Russia.

Ryabkov said such a freeze in bilateral contacts had caused “ridiculous situations” when meetings between meteorologists from both countries had to be cancelled.

outskirts of Islamabad. It went off at around 2:00 am on Wednesday .

Nobody was injured and there have so far been no claims of responsibility.

“Four kilograms (nine pounds) of explosive device planted in a pipeline under a bridge exploded around 20 minutes before the former president was supposed to cross the spot,” senior police official Liaqat Niazi said.

then its “movements were consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane,” but have not ruled out anything, including mechanical error.

LGERIA, which has paid a heavy toll to terrorism, will never bow in front of this scourge, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said at the opening of strategic talks between the US and Algeria.

“Terrorism knows no boundaries, has no creed, no religion and targets all nations,” he added.

But he called for more intelligence sharing from the United States in the fight against Islamist militancy, and greater coordination among regional law enforcement agencies as well as for border monitoring.

Jihadist violence has plagued the vast SahelSahara region since the 2011 overthrow of Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi, prompting a French-led military intervention in Algeria’s southern neighbour Mali in

January 2013 after AlQaeda-linked groups seized control of the country’s north.

But militants have also struck in Niger, Tunisia and Algeria itself, where they overran a desert gas plant last year triggering a bloody four-day siege in which some 40 hostages were killed.

Lamamra said his country was committed to working with all its partners “to stand in the way of this peril, and to eradicate this scourge”.

One of Algeria’s major concerns was the situation in the Sahel, where “terrorism, humantrafficking, drugtrafficking and all kinds of criminal activities have woven their webs,” he said. Kerry said one of the ways to fight terrorism was to help create jobs and ensure stability in people’s lives.

Queen Elizabeth visits Pope Francis

Q

UEEN Elizabeth II met Pope Francis for the first time yesterday on a visit that coincided with the anniversary of the start of the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina.

The royal, who is “supreme governor” of the Church of England, will also be meeting the Argentine pope against the backdrop of thorny Anglican-Catholic relations.

The foreign trip, a rarity these days for the 87-yearold monarch, had to be postponed last year because she was unwell.

She will be accompanied by her 92-year-old husband Prince Philip.

Their audience with the leader of the world’s Catholics at 1300 GMT will come after a lunch with Italian President Giorgio

Napolitano, a former communist with a similar largely ceremonial role to that of the British royal family. The couple’s last foreign trip was to Australia in 2011, and the one-day visit to Rome and the Vatican will last only a few hours, without much of the pomp usually associated with royal travel

to avoid tiring the ageing royals. While the talks are likely to be purely formal, Anglican-Catholic ties are an issue because of resentment in Britain over the Vatican’s move to bring in hundreds of conservative Anglican priests who dissented from the Church of England over female ordination.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, exchange gifts with Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday.

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 59

BY M.O. UDEH, Enugu

I

COMMEND you on your in-depth football analysis, and all embracing reportorial coverage of football matches played by the national teams on foreign lands. You always cover the extra mile, prowling behind the battle lines to assemble privileged information to back up your reports and analysis.

Your piece titled “UNDERSTANDING KESHI ON IKE UCHE AND OSAZE” published in the 14th March edition of the Vanguard newspaper was a master piece and a reference point. You explained the exact meaning of the phrase “TECHNICAL INDISCIPLINE of Players to the understanding of the ordinary reader. Keshi could not have done a better job than you did. Stephen Keshi is always cagey, polite, diplomatic and stingy in his choice of words to explain the rationale behind some of his decisions including invitation of players to camp.

When Keshr told us that he did not see the justification in inviting Captain Joseph Yobo to camp only to sit him on the bench, all he was trying to convey was that Yobo’s performance had dwindled and that Yobo should step aside for the younger generation of defenders who effectively took over from him in South Africa during the Nations Cup. Did we all not witness the fact that the Supper Eagles defence, was wobbling during the preliminary group matches when Yobo was fielded?

Did we not see the difference when he was withdrawn and substituted with youthful Omeruo and Co? The defence clicked since then.

That episode informed Keshi’s decision not to invite Yobo while building his new team.

But both Yobo and his backers are not impressed.

They insist that Yobo must continue to be featured until he wears his 100th cap before stepping aside, in spite of his dwindling performances. Yobo ought to borrow a leaf from Keshi, or Christian Chukwu, or J.J. Okocha each of whom had captained the Super Eagles and stepped aside for younger players without bothering about the number of caps they wore playing for the Super Eagles.

My admiration for you, Onochie Anibeze, is heightened not only by the depth of your analysis, but also by the fact that you lace your analysis with remedial prescriptions to assist erring players to regain their bearings in the national team. The tips you gave to Ike Uche to reconcile with Keshi by assuring Keshi of his readiness to play to instructions was sound. Uche should heed it.

I did not understand why Ike Uche could not click in South Africa until your simplified explanation of the nature of his problem.

Super Eagles need other striking finishers to pair with Emenike and Complement his solo forays into opponents goal areas on goal poaching exploits.

The injury - prone Dike has again been side-lined

08053068728

Still on Osaze, Ike Uche An open letter to Onochie Anibeze by a recent injury which he picked up while playing for his Canadian Club. He will not be available for the World Cup. If Ike Uche reconciles with Keshi and submits to play to instructions, Keshi may reconsider him for further trials before the World Cup proper.

•Uche

•Osaze

NB

T

HANKS Mr. Udeh. I appreciate your contribution.

I want to continue from the last point you made which was on complementing the efforts of Emenike in Eagles attack.

The situation in Eagles is similar to the current one in our track and field where Nigeria has become a one-athlete nation. Blessing Okagbare is the only world class athlete Nigeria has and the whole country, for now, banks on her for medals from the Olympics to the World Championships. Our hopes crash if she falls sick or fails in any of these events.

Too bad. Imagine Eagles attack without Emenike!

We saw it at the FIFA Confederation Cup. And we saw his impact in Ethiopia during the World Cup

qualifiers in Addis Ababa and in Calabar. Imagine if he didn’t play that match in Ethiopia. Brown Ideye has repeatedly failed to live up to expectations as a good support striker. I don’t think he has the quality to feature in the World Cup. Some Nigerians think Shola Ameobi could fit in. I hope so. But he has to play more games with the Eagles to blend well with our style and understand his mates better. I saw Ezekel Imo against Mexico and I want to see him in more matches. Unfortunately, time doesn’t appear to be our friend now. The World Cup is already here.

It is against this background that I join Mr. Ude in asking Ike Uche to quickly get in touch with Keshi and apologise like Osaze has done. A friend called me last week to comment on Mr. Udeh’s contribution which he read on line last Friday. He said that aside the tactical indiscipline Ike Uche was reported to have not projected Keshi in good light before the former sports minister. In my column that Mr. Udeh referred to I recalled that the Segun Adeniyi Panel, which I served as a member, added in the code of conduct that players must not discuss technical matters with administration officials but should feel free to suggest ideas to their coaches.

Whatever wrong Ike Uche did, he should apologise to Keshi and pledge to be a good team player.

Nigerians want our best in the World Cup. Yomi Jones is one Nigerian who believes in Nigeria and who gets excited to see Nigerians excel in various fields especially sports. Yomi Jones made a name in the aviation industry. He was Deputy General Manager, Lufthansa and one of those who made the German Airline very popular in West Africa before President Obasanjo charged him with the responsibility of reviving the Nigeria Airways and appointed him Managing Director. And he did a great job of it before saboteurs set in. Yomi Jones has a story but for now he wants Nigeria to do well in Brazil and called last week to add voice to those appealing to Keshi to “forgive and accommodate all players who may help our team in Brazil.” But Jones insists on discipline and team spirit.

It is also on this note that I appeal to Keshi to reconsider Osaze Odewengie and Ike Uche if they apologise and he truly feels that they can help the team. If he feels otherwise and he knows of players who can work with Emmanuel Emenike in our attack in Brazil and produce results the choice is for him to make. The friendly matches and camping in USA will be crucial, critical and will determine a lot.

CORRECTION Penultimate week, I erroneously wrote that Blessing Okagbare won bronze in the 100m of the last World Championships. Blessing’s feat was in the 200m and not 100m. The error is regretted.

Thanks to Joseph Jeroh who pointed this out to me.

Iuleha tourney thrills ex-Eagles coach Amodu F

ORMER Super Eagles coach, Shaibu Amodu, has said the third edition of the Iuleha Football Festival, in Uzebba, Edo State, will help discover more football talents in the state.

The coach, who helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, also heaped praises on sponsor of the competition, Frank Ilaboya, for initiating the event.

Amodu alongside the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere and the Okumagbe of Iuleha, Oba Ayo Omobare, received Special Recognition Awards for their contributions to sports and youth development in Edo, at the colourful closing ceremony of the event.

“I am impressed with what I saw and Ilaboya deserves commendation. If we have events like this in the rural areas in the state, it will help in talent discovery for

the state football development progamme. I will continue to give the Iuleha tournament my backing,” Amodu stated.

Defending champions

Superstars of Uzebba defeated last year’s runnersup Rising Sun 4-3 on penalties in the final after full and extra time ended 0-0.

Bright Future of uzebba

claimed the third place with a 1-0 win over Crown FC. Rising Sun’s Elvis Okweuye emerged top

scorer with five goals while Justice Ohiolei was voted Most Valuable Player. Ambassador FC won the Fair Play Team award.

Iyoroube, Spencer rule Delta Tennis Classics

T

UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc weekend held a cycling exercise to create awareness for Prostate Cancer.

Picture shows the cyclists during the event.

HE March edition of the Delta State Monthly Tennis Classics ended at the weekend with Joseph Iyoroube and Comfort Spencer emerging champions in the men’s and women’s singles draw respectively.

Conceptualised to prepare tennis players from Delta State for the 2014 |National Sports Festival holding later in the year in Calabar, the Delta State monthly tennis classics, has been attracting a huge wave of participation from players who in

their bid to outdo each other, put wonderful performances to the admiration of the fans at the Asaba Tennis Club.

With head coach Henry Ubochi coordinating the novel programme, well backed by the Delta State Government, through the Delta State Sports Commission, headed by Amaju Pinnick, the latest installment of the Classics, surely lived up to its billing as a new champion emerged in the men’s singles.

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

NFF board did not endorse my sack — Okpala

F

ORMER Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Sylvanus Okpala has absolved the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF from his sack, claiming that it was the handiwork of two officials, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and Chris Green, both President and Chairman of the NFF technical sub-committee respectively.

Okpala who marked one year of his sack on Tuesday said Maigari and Green should show Nigerians minutes of the NFF Board meeting where it was agreed that he should be disengaged from the Super Eagles because of lack of funds as well as where it was agreed that his bonus should be slashed by 50 %.

“The NFF never met to take any decision that my bonus should be slashed by 50 % nor that the federation has no money hence should disengage me from fhe Eagles. It was Maigari and Green that took the decision. When I contacted other Board members, they said they were not aware of such decisions, so Maigari and Green should show Nigerians minutes of the meeting where it was decided,”he said.

Okpala equally disclosed that when he was paid half bonus, he contacted Barrister Green to ask why his money was slashed and the technical committee boss told him it was an error from the NFF secretariat and that it would be sorted out when they got back to Nigeria after the Nations Cup. “I had to call the NFF secretary general (Barrister Musa Amadu) from South Africa but he said it was not the fault of the secretariat.

He said I should ask Maigari (the NFF president) because the money for every member of the technical crew was handed over to him,” Okpala said.

The former Eagles defender disclosed that he tried all avenues including

writing to the Senate and House of Representatives to get the NFF to pay him his dues but didn’t record any success hence he had to resort to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland to get justice.

“I wrote to the Senate president personally, not through my lawyer and it was acknowledged and the president had to forward it to the appropriate channel, the Senate Committee on sports but for reasons best known to the Committee chair, (Adamu Gimba), he didn’t do anything about it.

Someone told me that he hails from Bauchi as the NFF president and I wondered why that should stop him from looking into my case.

“The House Committee on sports did not reply me either but its chairman (Godfrey Gaiya) told a newspaper that why would the NFF say they didn’t have money. He said even if they didn’t have money, have they written to the government or the National Assembly which appropriates money to them?. That was all he said but didn’t invite me. When I didn’t get any help from them I had to go to CAS,” he said.

An angry Okpala wondered that the same NFF which said they had no money to pay him allegedly sponsored many people to South Africa to the Nations Cup.The NFF paid for their flight, accommodated them, fed them and must have given them allowance.”

“I am shocked that this is happening to me, a fomer captain of the Flying Eagles, former captain of the Super Eagles. I was honoured with MON and OON for serving this country. I got them on merit, I didn’t buy them and yet I ambeing treated like this. It is painful,” he lamented.

He however, said he was ready for peaceful resolution of the matter and his lawyer has conveyed same to the CAS but “the NFF are yet to say whether they want out of court settlement or not and if the three weeks given it by

•Green CAS to confirm expires, the case will go and I am ready for them.”

When Vanguard Sports contacted the NFF to confirm or deny Okpala’s allegation, its first vice president, Chief Mike Umeh said “ I am not competent to speak on the matter. It is a technical issue, you should contact Green, he is in a better position to speak about it.”

The NFF scribe, Barrister Amadu could not be reached as he was said to be attending a FIFA seminar in South Africa.

Okpekpe 10km Road Race

World Champion, 11 pros ready for epic race

W

ORLD Champion, Aziz Lahbabi of Morocco and eleven foreign athletes have indicated interest in participating at the forthcoming 10km Road Race slated for May 3rd in Okpekpe, Edo State.

The other athletes expected at the 2nd edition of the 10km race include Edwin Cheruiyo of Kenya and Deriba Merga of Ethiopia. Others are Morroco’s Hassan Elabbasi, Birhanu Kiploma of Ethiopia, Abraham Kiplomo who won the 2014 Beppu-Oita Marathon.

The winner of the 2013 Paaderbm Half Marathon, Ghirmey Ghebreslassie is also expected at the road race which attracts a cash prize of fifty thousand dollars.

Continues from B/P the anti-graft agency, uncovered that the four accused persons illegally awarded the contract for the purchase of the buses to Ekene Dili Chukwu transport company.

EFCC, is prosecuting the NFF officials for offences bordering on conspiracy and breach of due process in the award of contracts while they held sway in the football House.

They were said to have acted in contravention of the Public Procurement Act. While being crossexamined by counsel to the 2nd and 3rd accused persons, Mr. Akin Olujumi, SAN, the EFCC witness, Adebayo, stressed that though contract for the purchase of the buses was okayed by the National Sports Commission, NSC, the accused persons,

•Fingers Maigari, Green •Says NASS ignored his plea for intervention

BY PATRICK OMORODION

NFF contract scam circumvented the due process of the law and awarded the contract to the transport company through ‘Direct procurement Option’.

The witness, insisted that the NSC, like every other government Ministry, usually sets threshold for award of contracts by agencies under it.

“The threshold was N20m and for a committee to go beyond the threshold, it has to revert to the supervising body,” he told the court.

Adebayo further told the court that the accused persons, instead of reverting to NSC for approval after the contract with Ekene Dili Chukwu was terminated, they unilaterally re-awarded the contract to another company, CNBC Nigeria Limited for the same sum of N99m.

F/Eagles depart for Morocco on Sunday

T

HE Flying Eagles are expected to depart Abuja Saturday for Lagos for the early morning flight to Morocco on Sunday.

The Nigeria U20 team will play two matches against their Moroccan counterparts on April 9

Continues from B/P saying: ”If I had seen his petition nothing would have made him to petition the federation to CAS because we would have resolved it once and for all. “ ”The truth is that NFF should pay him all his dues and I can assure you that once I see the petition action would be taken and Okpala will withdraw his petition to CAS. “ ”He should not have gone that far but that is the highest arbitration body in sports administration in the world, I know that once we step in, he would withdraw the petition.”

Vanguard recalls that after Okpala was suddenly relieved of his job, all attempts to get his entitlements paid fell on deaf ears as the NFF boss Aminu Maigari has been threatening him that nothing will make the government agency pay him.

Okpala had said he resorted to CAS to get the NFF pay him because the contract he has with the football house states that

and 11.

In the meantime, former Golden Eaglets skipper Musa Muhammed is expected from Turkish club Besiktas on Thursday, while Chidera Eze from Portuguese champions FC Porto is due to join the

Okpala “any dispute arising from or related to the present contract will be submitted exclusively to Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland and resolved definitely in accordance with the Code of sports-related arbitration.”

“After they served me a letter to disengage me from my services in the Super Eagles in April last year, my lawyer wrote them to pay me off since I had a contract which runs till after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but they failed to respond,” he said.

He said that after exhausting all avenues to help plead with the NFF to pay him, including writing to the Senate and House Committees on sports, without any positive result, he had to go to CAS since the NFF president, Aminu Maigari had vowed not to pay him even if President Goodluck Jonathan intervened.

“The truth is that they (NFF) have the right to hire

team on Saturday.

Team secretary Ali Auwal Ibrahim said English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur have cleared Musa Yahaya to join the country’s youth team.

Yahaya has since joined the team as a result. and fire even if it is 100 coaches but they have one obligation, that is to pay off anyone they sack. If he has a 3-year contract but stays for only one month, they have to pay him off his three year contract or sit with him and negotiate how to pay this money.

That is what I want now, they should pay me off my contract.”

The former Rangers of Enugu player added that contrary to insinuations from some quarters that he was sacked from the Super Eagles for insubordination, the NFF stated clearly in their letter to him that their action was based on “limited financial resources” to “maintain a 17-man technical/ backroom staff for the Super Eagles.”

“They even commended me for the way I worked for the team and wrote that my “toil, high passion for the job and painstaking commitment no doubt contributed to the Super Eagles triumph at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 61

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 63

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Inside today's Sports Vanguard

Pay Okpala now, Rep tells NFF •Promises to summon both parties

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

D

EPUTY Chairman House of Representa-tives Committee on Sports, Ayo Omidiran yesterday asked the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF to pay sacked Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Sylvanus Okpala his accumulated salaries.

Omidiran who told Vanguard that as Deputy Chairman of the committee she had not set her eyes on Okpala’s petition, Continues on Page 60

NFF contract scam: Lulu, Ogunjobi paid N99m for luxury buses —- Witness

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

T V••Omidiran

•Okpala

•Maigari

F/Eagles depart for Morocco on Sunday — Page 60

HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, heard how four former officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Amanze Uchegbulam, Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Taiwo Ogunjobi,

breached due process and bought two Marcopolo buses to the tune of N99million.

An investigative officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, in his testimony yesterday, told the trial court that Continues on Page 60

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Taut (5) 9 Hurry (6) 10 Pointing (6) 11 Expiate (5) 12 Pip (4) 15 Manufactured (4) 17 Extort (7) 20 Born (3) 21 Soar (5) 23 Placed (4) 25 Adore (4) 26 Famous (5) 28 Unusual (3) 30 Feared (7) 33 Smell (4) 35 Swimming-pool (4) 36 Bisect (5) 38 Festival (6) 39 Relaxing (6) 40 Intended (5)

DOWN 1 Pursue (5) 2 Advantage (5) 3 Beverage (3) 4 Whole (6) 5 Pass (4) 6 Fasten (3) 7 Giant (5) 8 Tally (5) 13 Burst (7) 14 Exhaust (5) 16 Erased (7) 18 Pulled (5) 19 Solidify (3) 22 Regal (5) 24 Cur (3) 27 Impelled (6) 28 Command (5) 29 Thick (5) 31 Number (5) 32 Evade (5) 34 Manage (4) 36 Border (3) 37 Consume (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stress 5, Assume 9, Pence 10, Cashew 11, Tester 12, Deter 14, Open 17, Rid 18, Clog 20, Rider 22, Lodge 23, Vacated 24, Screw 26, Defer 29, Char 30, Hip 32, Dude 33, Local 35, Action 36, Rubber 37, Newer 38, Earned 39, Decent.

DOWN: 1, Sector 2, Risked 3, Sped 4, Sewer 5, Acted 6, Seer 7, Untold 8, Enrage 13, Titanic 15, Pitch 16, Never 18, Coded 19, Ogled 21, Raw 22, Led 24, Scrape 25, Rafter 27, Fumble 28, Regret 30, Honed 31, Paved 33, Lone 34, Lure.

How to Play Sudoku

P

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

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

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

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