We'll partner FG to fish out culprits — APC GOVS

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 63020

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

CBN reports further decline in economic 9 activities

N200

Edo lawmakers impeach Speaker, deputy

Police rescue Anisulowo from kidnappers, 12 arrest two 11

ENUGU MASSACRE:

We'll partner FG to fish out culprits — APC GOVS

By Emeka Mamah, Festus Ahon & Levinus Nwabughiogu

Buhari meets Catholic bishops; vows to deal with killer herdsmen Nsukka natives call for arrest, prosecution of CP, Army Commander N U G U — E GOVERNORS Hundreds protest Nimbo killings in Enugu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, under Enugu Police Commissioner redeployed to Eastern Ports aegis of Progressives Governors Forum, PGF, Enugu Assembly wants all security chiefs moved out — P.15 yesterday, stormed Enugu

Government House, to commiserate with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on the killing of about 46 people of Nimbo community in UzoUwani Local Government Area of the state by

Continues on Page 5

Check migration of health workers, WHO urges FG 33 SYMPATHY VISIT—From left: Governors Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa; Rauf Aregbesola of Osun; Rochas Okorocha of Imo; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Kashim Shettima of Borno State, during a sympathy visit to the Enugu State Governor, by his colleagues, over the recent attack by herdsmen, in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

TSA: FG records N3trn inflow in first quarter— AGF Life in Nimbo after herdsmen attack See Inside

C M Y K

COLUMNISTS:

P.43

DEAR BUNMI

He can't fulfil my fantasy

P.17

•P.9 P.19

TABIA PRINCEWILL

ROTIMI FASAN

Aren't the Fulani herdsmen Nigerians too?

Labour's new minimum wage demand: Maximum trouble

Mr & Mrs

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 —

C M Y K

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4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Procurement, Nigeria’s weakest link —Kachikwu Wants Nigerian oil and gas industry managed by Nigerians

By Clara Nwachukwu & Sebastine Obasi

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OUSTON, Texas — MINISTER of State for Petroleum Resources, and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has identified procurement as the weakest link in the Nigerian oil and gas industry value chain.

Kachikwu said this at the opening of the 2016 edition of the Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, which kicked off Monday, at the Reliant Park in Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Represented by Mr. Saidu Mohammed, Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC, Kachikwu said there was need for Nigeria to domesticate its oil and gas industry to achieve optimum benefits.

He said: “Under Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, a lot is going on and it is always towards the programme we have mapped for ourselves. Nigeria has to domesticate what we do in the oil and gas industry, starting with engineering, procurement and construction.

“We have got the first part of it, as substantial part of the engineering today is being done in the country. Substantial part of construction cannot be done elsewhere except in Nigeria. But procurement has been a headache.”

While acknowledging the effects of the dwindling oil price, the minister reiterated the need to look inwards and reduce costs, to stay afloat.

He said: “With the capacity building in Nigerian entrepreneurship going on today, with the sub-letting of so many of the equipment we need in the oil and gas industry, of course, Nigeria is going in the right path. Agreed that so many things are happening in the oil and gas industry, particularly with dwindling oil prices; nevertheless, what does it call for?

“It calls for us to look inwards so as to optimise costs, reduce the cost of production so as to remain afloat. However, we cannot reduce the cost of production if we don’t have Nigerian expertise in the development of procurement materials. That is really why we need to commend

PETAN members in that regard.

“You optimise your cost when you are in difficulties. At the end of the day, there is a bottom line.

What do you use, what are the inputs in terms of production? You look at the inputs and then apart from the human beings, you need

machinery. How can you lower the cost of those inputs – the machinery, the chemicals that you use day and night?

“How do you reduce the cost?

You can only reduce the cost when you produce them locally. That is the direction we are going now.

AGOS — MANAGING Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, remained in custody, yesterday, having been detained last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prompting the bank to appoint a temporary replacement.

Spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this, said the agency

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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CEREMONY: From left, former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, special quest of honour; Prince & Mrs Julius Adelusi, Chairman of occasion, and celebrant, Sir Ezekiel Ainabe, during the 70th birthday ceremony and 45th wedding anniversary of Sir Ainabe, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Alleged N32bn fraud: FG fails to produce Dasuki in court As court shifts trial to May 23

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — JUSTICE Hussein Baba Yusuf of an Abuja High Court at Maitama, yesterday, adjourned trial of erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), till May 23.

The trial which was originally scheduled to kick off yesterday, was stalled by failure of the Federal Government to produce the defendant in court.

Since February 8, when the court ordered full-blown hearing on the matter, the Federal Government has repeatedly failed to produce Dasuki for the trial to commence.

At the resumed sitting, yesterday, though EFCC notified the court that some of the witnesses were present, it blamed the absence of the defendant on refusal by the Department of State Services, DSS, to release him from custody.

EFCC lawyer, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that he made serious efforts to contact the DSS to produce Dasuki in court yesterday for the trial to begin.

He said it was regrettable that the efforts turned futile as the DSS still refused to release the defendant.

Atolagbe said there was no indication that the former NSA would be brought to court for the trial, even though the witnesses

Fidelity Bank MD remains in EFCC custody

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That is why we appreciate PETAN and its members. We need to be cohesive. We need to be focussed. We need to be determined to make sure that Nigerian oil and gas industry is completely managed by Nigerians.”

Buhari’s govt working hard to put food on Nigerians’ tables —Tinubu

obtained a court order to detain Okonkwo and that he would remain in custody while investigation continued.

“It is an ongoing investigation that requires his attention and that was why he was arrested. He has been assisting the commission with the investigation,” Uwujaren said.

Okonkwo had been in the custody of the EFCC since last Wednesday, as part of investigations into transactions

made in the run-up to presidential elections last year.

The bank has said that “the transactions were duly reported as required by the regulators” and that it was cooperating with the authorities.

On Monday, the bank appointed one of its executive directors, Mohammed Lawal Balarabe, as acting chief executive with “immediate effect.”

were available.

However, the EFCC lawyer prayed the court for a standdown to enable the lead prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who he said was handling another matter at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, to appear and give further explanations on what transpired between the commission and the DSS. The request was vehemently opposed by counsel to the other defendants, led by Chief Olujimi, SAN, and Solomon Umoh, SAN, who contended that such stand-down would be inconsequential in the absence of the first defendant in court.

The defendants, while conceding to an adjournment, urged the court to issue a stern warning to the prosecution to ensure the presence of the 1st defendant on the next adjourned date.

In his ruling, Justice Yusuf stressed that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant in court for trial as required by law.

Noting that the prosecuting counsel had previously conducted himself properly before the court, the judge said he was minded to give the Federal Government one more chance.

BUJA—CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central), yesterday, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for working hard to put food on the tables of Nigerians.

Speaking, yesterday, while contributing to a Bill for an Act to make provisions for freedom from hunger and the right to adequate food of acceptable quality, the right of every child to basic nutrition and for connected purposes 2016, sponsored by Senator Theodore Orji (PDP, Abia Central) Senator Tinubu commended the former Abia State governor for the bill and other lawmakers who contributed, saying the bill had come at a very trying time in the country.

She said: “The government we have at present has only been in government for about 11 months. Senator Orji should have given us an example of what has been done in his state.

“This present administration has placed priority on agriculture. It is going to take time. When we get to the committee, we are going to look at it critically. Even next month, we are not going to see but this administration will make sure that we can put food on our table.”

Also contributing to the bill, which passed second reading, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South), noted that sustainable farming and food were some the major problems existing in the country.

He also stressed the need for the setting up of an agency to handle agricultural mishaps in the country.

He said: “We are talking about something very serious which is the stomach. There are so many problems in the country and part of the difficulties we are having today are subsistence farming and food.

“I will support anything that will help us with the problem.

Another aspect that was not brought out well is the bill for an agency that will be able to forecast what will happen when we are not able to handle the agricultural activities.”

Also in his contribution, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) said: “The pride of any nation is to keep itself. Unfortunately, Nigeria has been caught in a trap."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

assured that a judicial panel of inquiry had been set up, adding that government had moved to fund the 472 Neighbourhood Watch Groups in all communities in the state to compliment efforts of the security agencies to forestall a repeat of such dastardly act.

VISIT—President Muhammadu Buhari , welcoming President Paul Biya of Cameroon, while his wife, Mrs. Chantalle Biya (right) and wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari (left), look on during official welcome formalities for the Cameroonian leader as he commenced a two-day visit to Nigeria at the forecourts of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

We'll partner FG to fish out culprits — APC GOVS Continues from Page 1 rampaging Fulani herdsmen. They vowed to “join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and forestall a recurrence, adding that "this time, we speak about the unity of this country."

This came as President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, restated his resolve to deal decisively with marauding Fulani herdsmen. The President maintained his stance against the background of reports of continued attacks on communities across the country by armed herdsmen.

APC Govs vow to fish out perpetrators Worried by the slaughter of 46 natives of Nimbo community in Enugu State on April 25, governors of the APC,

led by Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said they were in Enugu to share in the peoples’ moment of grief, even as he reiterated the need for unity and indivisibility of the nation.

While addressing Governor Ugwuanyi and the State Executive Council members at the Exco Hall, Government House, Okorocha said: “We are governors from various states representing the entire governors elected under APC platform.

“We are here because of the tragic incident that took place here on April 25. Death is painful but the most is, man-made death.

We are here because you are one of us, irrespective of political party affiliations.

"In death, we are one.

We are here to commiserate with you and the people of Enugu State

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO OTHING is impossible to those who give no room to entertain the thoughts of impossibility.

Achievers waste no time erasing the word impossible from their lexicon. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

When resistors show up in your life, disengage from their opposition with polite thanks for sharing and change the subject— Gabrielle Bernstein

O

FTEN when you are excited about pursuing your dreams, people in your life can resist your path. If you get hung up about this resistance, it will block your forward motion. When resistors show up in your life, disengage from their opposition. Keep positive people in your life who will cheer you on small successes.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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ET the kite perch, let the eagle perch; whichever denies the other the right to perch, let it's wings break

over the dastardly act. You (Ugwuanyi) have shown maturity in handling the provocative incident. The traditional rulers have demonstrated a high sense of leadership by suing for peace rather than retaliation.

"This incident is a criminal act and cannot be associated with tribe, religion or political party.

We condemn it in its entirety. We will join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and forestall a recurrence.

"This time, we speak about the unity of this country. All the APC governors would have been here but we are representing them because of some tight schedules. We re-affirm the unity of this country which is not negotiable. Our sympathy goes to the victims and their families.

This matter is being handled with utmost urgency by the Federal Government.”

Speaking on behalf of Northern Governors under APC, Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State, said: “We are here to register our profound condolence to the people of Enugu State over their tragic loss. As a nation,we mourn and rejoice with each other at different times. We have lived with our brothers and sisters in the North-East ravaged by Boko-Haram for years.

“What kept us going was the empathy from people living outside the NorthEast. Times like this call for maturity, calmness, leadership role. We are one nation with a common destiny. The killers should be treated like criminals and should be fished out and dealt with.”

Welcoming the visitors, Governor Ugwuanyi

I'll deal with Fulani herdsmen, Buhari vows Speaking at a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, led by the Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama Monday night, President Buhari confirmed that heads of national security agencies had been ordered to take all necessary action to apprehend and expose those behind the heinous attacks.

“We are determined to secure all Nigerians and I have told the InspectorGeneral of Police and other security agencies, in very strong terms, to deal decisively with the attackers,” he said.

The President in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, also “expressed his personal condolences to the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, the people of Ukpabi Nimbo and all other communities that have suffered fatalities and other losses from the recent attacks”.

The President also gave assurance that he would fulfill his campaign promises to Nigerians, saying he was going about it “methodically”.

He regretted that the previous governments failed to pursue the economic development of Nigeria even with the all-time rise of oil prices.

“We need to rebuild our institutions methodically, we need to change the way we do things. In the last 10 years, crude oil sold for more that $100 per barrel, but Nigeria did not save. That is why we have found ourselves where we are today,” he said.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, the leader of the group, Most Rev. Kaigama, expressed the solidarity of the CBCN with the President. The bishops pledged continued prayers for Nigeria and the government, asking Nigerians to be more patient with the government. The clerics also appealed to the president to intervene in the issue of excessive taxation imposed on catholic schools.

He said: “The catholic bishops in Nigeria have come to the villa to greet the President. We had a warm and cordial meeting. We heard the President talk with passion about how to make this county better and to mobilise all Nigerians to selflessly

put in their best."

Call to prosecute CP, Army Commander

Also yesterday, indigenes of Nsukka called for the arrest and trial of Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu, and the GOC of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, over their alleged complicity in the attack.

Addressing a press conference under the auspices of Nsukka Platform, Asaba, a sociocultural organisation of professionals from Nsukka zone resident in Asaba, the natives expressed anger over the gruesome massacre of their kits and kins in Nimbo community and urged traditional rulers and community heads in the South East to strengthen their neighbourhood watch for utmost efficiency.

Chairman of the Professionals, Dr. Pius Ike, accused the military and police chiefs of gross dereliction of duty.

Ike said: “For breach of their responsibility, they should be arrested and tried. The service chiefs were invited on April 24 to Government House where Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi alerted them of the planned attack.

“They assured the governor that the situation was under control. But the following day, herdsmen unleashed mayhem on Nimbo community, killing people at will without any form of resistance from security agencies.

“This is dereliction of duty and complicity on the part of the security chiefs."

Hundreds protest

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters, yesterday, stormed the streets of Enugu, protesting the killing of over 40 people at Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state by Fulani herdsmen.

The demonstrators, which included 13 civil society groups marched through some major streets of Enugu metropolis from Michael Okpara Square, to Government House,

where they presented their grievances to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on the killing of Nimbo indigenes.

Receiving the protesters, Governor Ugwuanyi said he felt so sad when he visited the troubled community, to the extent that he wept openly after seeing dead bodies and scores of displaced persons in the community.

He further told the protesters that he had already met with the traditional rulers in the state and other stakeholders, with a view to averting a recurrence.

Earlier, spokesperson of the coalition, Mrs. Joy Onyeso, had told the governor that 13 organizations convened on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Roban Hotel, Enugu, to look into the Fulani herdsmen crisis at Nimbo community.

“We strongly condemn the killings, abductions and maiming of our people in vulnerable communities in recent past, especially the killings of April 25 at Nimbo community of UzoUwani Local Government Area that claimed several lives. “ We demand a comprehensive public and transparent enquiry into the immediate and remote causes and aftermaths of the Nimbo community killings by alleged Fulani herdsmen."

Enugu Police Commissioner redeployed

Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has ordered the redeployment of the Enugu State Police Commissioner, CP Nwodibo Ekechukwu, to the Eastern Port Police Command.

A new Commissioner of Police has subsequently been appointed for Enugu State; he is CP Emmanuel Ojukwu.

Until his appointment, CP Ojukwu was the Commissioner of Police, Eastern Port Command. He was at one time the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State.

CP Ojukwu had also served as the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police and the officer in charge of criminal investigations at Zone 7 Police headquarters, Abuja.

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY MAY 4 , 2016

BAN ON HIJAB: Special panel to hear suit coming

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THE Court of Appeal in Lagos, yesterday adjourned hearing of an appeal, challenging ban on Hijab (head covering for muslim women) in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State.

The appeal which was slated for hearing could not proceed as Justice Amina Augie held that the matter was a constitutional matter requiring a full panel of the court.

She urged counsels to the appellants to apply in writing to the president of the Appeal court for constitution of a five man panel to hear the appeal.

In his response, counsel to the appellants, Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem, SAN, urged the court to make the record of proceedings available, to enable him write to the Court of Appeal President.

Monarch sues lawyer, others over land dispute

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—THE Oloto o f Otto, Lagos Mainland, Oba Ganiyu Odesanya, has sued his family’s former lawyer and seven others before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, over a disputed 5.708 hectares of land situate at Oke-Alo, along Ilupeju, Gbagada/Oworonsoki Express Way, Lagos.

In suit, the monarch on his own behalf and his family is asking the court to among others, declare the Oloto Royal Family the owner entitled to a Statutory Right of Occupancy over the land with Survey Plans Nos. FAN/LA/295/2001 and OY295/37/2002/LA. Other defendants are Mukaila Oseni (for himself and on behalf of Adams/Esu family), Chief Lasisi Arubo for himself and for Alase family), Diya Fatimilehin & Co, Lagos State governor, state Attorney-General, Commissioner of Housing and Rilwan Dawodu.

The claimant in his amended statement by Bolaji Mustapha, stated that the 5.708 hectares covered by Survey Plan No. LS/D/LKJ 1876, was excised to it by the state Government from their original plot measuring 54.856 hectares.

Number of HIV-positive people in Lagos drops

By Chioma Obinna & Monsuru Olowoopejo

…As LASUTH records 1st bone surgery in West Africa

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under review, LASUTH in collaboration with Vision Care and South Korean Community in Nigeria provided free cataract surgeries for 120 Lagosians and treated 250 outpatients between November 9 and 13, 2015 with 100 percent success rate, while under the blindness prevention programme, a total of 7, 250 patients with varying ophthalmic conditions were screened at 29 different community screening

AGOS—THE Lagos State Government yesterday said it had recorded a drop from its Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, prevalence rate from 5.1 in 2013 to 4.1, even as it noted that about 47,393 persons living with the virus were receiving free anti–retroviral drugs.

This came as the government said the state University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, carried out the first successful bone bridge surgery in West Africa, as well as successful cochlear implant surgeries on three deaf patients without the support of foreign doctors.

According to the state government, the feat was achieved in December 2015.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris at the Health Ministry’s briefing to commemorate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s first year in office, said LASUTH also had its first successful kidney transplant carried out by the hospital’s team of urologists and nephrologists in November 2015 and discharged the patient in good condition on December 1, 2015, while another transplant is being planned.

According to him, in the period

...4,091 civil servants contact malaria, 1, 277 hypertension

On the outcome of the screening of civil servants in the state, he said “a total of patients seen was 11,418. The Three most prevalent disease entities are Malaria -4,091, Hypertension 1,277, Upper respiratory tract

infection - 1,154.”

Idris attributed the increase to fear and poor life style.

Alongside Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Health, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, the Commissioner, while giving account of the ministry’s activities under the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, LASACA, said in the last one year, the state screened and counselled 645,301 persons for HIV/AIDS.

Court grants Synagogue engineers N10m bail

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Jane Echewodo

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AGOS—JUSTICE Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court, yesterday granted a N10 million bail to the two engineers who supervised the construction of the collapsed sixstorey guest house owned by the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN. Justice Lawal-Akapo, ruling on the bail applications initiated by the contractors through their lawyers, granted them

Labour berates Okupe over call for workers’ sack

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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venues out of which 4, 867 representing 67.1 percent were given free glasses.

AGOS—THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, yesterday expressed shock over the statement credited to Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Special Adviser to erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, that governors should sack thousands of their workers to cope with the dwindling revenues. NLC and ASCSN urged the governors not to listen to Okupe’s satanic verses NLC in a statement by Ayuba Wabba, said: “At NLC, we do not believe staff salaries and allowances are reason(s) why the economy of the states are in shambles. Unlike Okupe, we earnestly believe the states are where they are because of serial acts of corruption in the past, failure to save for a rainy day, high cost of governance (via employment of unneeded aides on criminally high salaries), unlawful and equally unacceptable severance packages for former governors and their deputies, cost of political expediency, failure to invest, etc. ''By the way, we would want Okupe to let us know how much his monthly gross was before President Obasanjo showed him the door. He should also be patriotic enough to let us know what he did before his disorderly exit. ''We would want Doyin Okupe to know that at difficult economic moments like ours, reflatory measures help to stimulate the economy and not deflatory measures he is canvassing.''

bail of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

However, Justice Lawal-Akapo, said one of the sureties must be a civil servant at grade level 14 in the Lagos State civil service.

In addition, the judge told the court that the second surety must provide evidence of tax payment for three years and must also swear to an affidavit of means.

He also ordered the contractors to submit their travel documents to the Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court.

According to the judge, the

addresses of the sureties must be duly verified by the Lagos State Head of Service (HoS).

Justice Lawal-Akapo before the bail was granted to the duo , made a declaration that he was not unmindful of the presumption of innocence of the defendants until proven otherwise.

He also explained that bail is not to be used to punish an accused person, but to make an accused face his trial.

The judge adjourned further hearing in the matter till May 19, 2016 for continuation of trial.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 7

South West PDP crisis deepens

Leaders hold parallel meetings

George accuses Fayose, Kashamu of hidden agenda Nobody above 65'll be PDP National Chair — Fayose

By Dapo Akinrefon & Ola Ajayi

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HE South-west chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is today heading for the precipice as the leaders of the two major factions in the region hold parallel meetings in Akure and Ijebu-Igbo.

A former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, who is among leaders converging in Akure has meanwhile accused Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and Senator Buruji Kashamu, who are supportive of the zoning of the national chairman to the Northeast of having a hidden agenda against the interest of the Yoruba.

The parallel meeting of leaders supportive of the zoning arrangement is also holding about the same time in Ijebu-Igbo with Senator Kashamu as facilitator. It could not be confirmed yesterday if Governor Ayo Fayose, who is a major ally of Kashamu’s would be attending the meeting.

meeting of South West PDP leaders tomorrow (today) and we will come out with a position.”

Lampooning Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Buruji’s attempt to cause division within the South West PDP, George said the two party chieftains have a hidden agenda.

He said “Buruji, an unranked Senator is also calling for a meeting at Ijebu-Igbo. God will help our party but indiscipline is the major bane of our party. After the congress, we will issue a communiqué where we will marshal out our action. For me, it is nothing personal but all I want is for us to follow the rules and the constitution of the party.”

In addition, the PDP leader said “the thing there is that, by whatever yardstick, if there is proper zoning by the definition of our party, it means that since the presidency has been zoned to the North, automatically, the chairmanship of the party should come from the South.

“All that Buruji is doing, asking the acting chairman of the party to continue, it means he has an agenda hidden and I don’t want to talk about it. The chairman of the PDP governors called for a meeting so that we can find a solution but he is calling for another meeting.”

“All those betraying the Yoruba hook, line and sinker, God will ask them. It is only the South West that is yet to produce the chairmanship of the party since it was formed and they are championing that it should go to the North East. Buruji can hang on anything because of his background and for Ayo (Fayose), Ekiti people will ask him”, he said.

Nobody above 65’ll assume PDP national chair — Fayose

Meanwhile, Governor Fayose has insisted that anybody above 65 years will not be allowed to assume the national

chairmanship position of the PDP during the May 21 national convention of the party.

While restating his earlier stance that the former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief George should allow younger politicians to take the mantle of leadership of the party at the convention, he did not mince words as he emphatically said he would prefer former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to continue to steer the ship of the party after the convention.

The governor said: “We don’t want people above 65 years to be national chairman of PDP.” He said this in Ibadan yesterday while delivering a lecture entitled: Journalism and Politics: Two sides of a coin, marking this year ’s World Press Freedom Day at the press centre of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.

Governor Fayose further insisted that his assertions against President Muhammadu Buhari were not meant to denigrate his person, saying he was only displeased with the policies of his government, even as he claimed that the stealing going on in the present administration was worse than what happened in the Goodluck Jonathan era.

There’s no zoning—George

Speaking ahead of the meeting in Akure, Chief George, said the decision to zone the chairmanship position negates the constitution of the PDP. He said: “As far as I am concerned, this is not zoning. The concept of zoning in the party has been between the north and the south. For instance, whatever was in the north, will come to the south and likewise, whatever was in the south, will go to the north. That is the original concept of zoning.

There is no zoning, they did not do anything. We are holding a

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NDO—MEDICAL doctors and other health workers in government health facilities in Ondo town, yesterday, staged a protest against non-payment of their five month salaries by the state government.

PROTEST: Medical and health workers protesting non-payment of salary in Ondo.

Subsequently, medical activities were grounded throughout yesterday in the town.

Also, both social and economic activities were paralysed following the peaceful protest.

The workers barricaded the road to the Mother and Child Hospital in Ondo and disrupted

free flow of traffic for hours.

The workers including nurses, pharmacists, laboratories, records officers gathered at the Specialist Hospital, Ondo displaying different placards to express their displeasure against government insensitivity to their plight.

They displayed placards with various inscriptions including

Medical feat recorded at OAUTH

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex, OAUTH, has performed a medical feat when a team of consultants successfully carried out operation on six children with congenital heart disease (hole in the heart.)

The children, who are within

By Etop Ekanem

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M B AT T L E D Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Adebayo Dayo, has denounced media reports that he and the State Secretary of the party, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo have been suspended from office.

In a statement he issued yesterday in Abeokuta, Dayo said: “The attention of Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the action of some former and suspended members of the Ogun State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which they said my humble self and the State Secretary have been purportedly suspended.

“Ordinarily, we would not have joined issues with these characters but for the fact that lies told severally without a refutal will naturally put on the garb of truth.

“I have decided for the sake of the unsuspecting members of our great party and the general populace to put an end to the misinformation from the impostors and set the record straight.''

...As aggrieved members sue PDP exco over tenure elongation

Medical workers protest non-payment of salaries in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

I remain Ogun PDP chair — DAYO

the ages of one to three were among the set of 10 children selected for the first round of the operations that were carried within the last one week.

Surgeries for the remaining four children have however been suspended till July this year.

Briefing newsmen at the hospital complex, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital,

Professor Victor Adetiloye, said the medical feat was first of its kind to be carried out by the hospital.

According to him, open heart surgery is an expensive venture for which the hospital has spent a huge sum of money for the training of the personnels, buying of equipments and undertaking proper planning before the surgeries were carried out.

“Pay our salaries”; “shall we die before you pay us”; “we are saving life pay our salaries and safe us from hunger.”

Lamenting their plight, some of the protesters said life had become “so unbearable as they can no longer feed their families due to their unpaid salaries.”

Some doctors and nurses from Mother and Child hospital and trauma center said “despite their professional contributions to the medical village which had accorded it international recognition, the state government had refused to pay their salaries for five months.

Govt calls for calm

Contacted, the Information Commissioner, Kayode Akinmade appealed to the protesters to be patient with the government, saying efforts were on to pay the workers salaries in the state.

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A

S the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues, aggrieved members of the party in Ogun, Lagos and Abuja are in court challenging their respective state executives over the extension of their tenure.

Already, aggrieved members who are executive members of the party in the state are Mr Wasiu Boladele, Alhaja Nike Odutola, Semiu Babatunde, Mr. Semiu Adesanya and Elder Sola Soledolu who are against the PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the chairman of the party in Ogun State, Engr. Adedayo Bayo and the secretary, Alhaji Semiu Shodipo as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

The claimants in the suit before Justice M.A. Ojo of an Abeokuta High Court, are contending that the tenure of office of the 3rd and 4th defendants has elapsed.

8— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—9

2016 Budget: Buhari gets clean copy today NASS, Presidency in marathon meeting

By Soni Daniel, Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA— THE lingering controversy surrounding the 2016 Appropriation Bill has been finally put to rest as President Muhammadu Buhari will get the clean copy of the budget today.

Since last week, Senators and members of the House of Representatives have engaged in marathon meetings up till yesterday to put finishing touches to the budget for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

As part of moves to end the impasse, the leadership of the National Assembly and a select group from the executive arm of government began a meeting yesterday, primarily to arrive at a consensus on the final and clean copy of the budget.

According to a source, the meeting was agreed on by both camps and coordinated by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

The source said further that the meeting had one agenda: to make an appropriation bill that would be clean and made available for presidential assent today.

Prior to the meeting, which was held outside the National Assembly, the delegation from the National Assembly had met with the leadership of the Assembly to get a final position to be presented at the meeting.

It was also gathered from a source close to all the arrangements to get the budget issues resolved, that the grey areas were being gradually reduced to the satisfaction of all parties .

A member of the committee from the Senate in a text message to Vanguard, yesterday, said as Senators, they were not happy as other members tampered with the budget and disclosed that the decision was to do everything the President wanted.

“We are going to do everything Mr President wants. This is because our colleagues disappointed us by tampering with the budget at the reconciliation level. We don’t want to be used as an excuse for any failure,” the member said.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had, last weekend, assured Nigerians that President Buhari would this week sign the bill into law.

A Presidency source, who was cornered yesterday to speak on the development, said: “We have received a copy for preview. We are meeting with them, about 3 to 4pm, because it was to be consensual working.

"Ministers will look at what they have done so that it will be agreed fully that this is what will be presented. The assurance that budget would be signed today

will be kept because the Vice President is the head of the economic team.

“The grey areas are being eliminated one by one and Nigerians will be happy when the budget is passed. They are being eliminated and reduced. It will be a budget for Nigeria made by Nigerians.”

According to the source, the

executive wants to make sure that the budget meetings and discussions are done properly so as to keep each other’s powers intact.

He said: “The executive has its powers, very enormous. The small powers of the legislature should be preserved. So in matters like these, it is the legislature that is the Oga."

"So, we the executive have to respond. We are the ones begging them to pass budget.

Therefore, they approve of the venues of the meetings.”

It would be recalled that the National Assembly had on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, passed the 2016 Appropriation Bill submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari in December last year.

DEBATE: Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara (right); Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (left); Olugbenga Ayoade and Kayode Oladele (middle) after debate on Diversification of the Nigerian Economy, at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

CBN reports further decline in economic of companies; professional, activities in April scientific, & technical services;

By Babajide Komolafe

L

AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released the Purchasing Managers Index for April, which indicated further decline in economic activities across the country during the month.

The report showed that the manufacturing and non manufacturing sectors of the economy suffered decline in level of activities during the month.

According to the report, production levels, new orders, employment and raw materials inventory declined in the manufacturing sector, while business activities, new orders and employment declined in the nonmanufacturing sector.

The report stated: “The manufacturing PMI dropped to 43.7 per cent in April 2016, compared to 45.9 per cent in the preceding month. This implies that the manufacturing sector declined at a faster rate during the review period.

"Of the 16 manufacturing subsectors, 12 recorded decline in the review month in the following order: furniture & related products; paper products; primary metal; electrical equipment; computer &

electronic products; printing & related support activities; fabricated metal products; plastics & rubber products; textile, apparel, leather & footwear; petroleum & coal products; chemical & pharmaceutical products & food, beverage & tobacco products.

"The remaining four subsectors, however, recorded expansion in the following order: appliances & components; cement; non metallic mineral products and transportation equipment.

“The composite PMI for the non-manufacturing sector recorded decline for the fourth consecutive month. The index dropped to 44.3 per cent from the 45.4 points registered in the preceding month.

"Of the 18 non-manufacturing sub-sectors, 16 recorded decline in the month of April in the following order: accommodation & food services; agriculture; arts, entertainment & recreation; construction; educational services; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; finance & insurance; health care & social assistance; information & communication; management

public administration; real estate rental & leasing; repair, maintenance/washing of motor vehicles and transportation & warehousing; utilities.

"The remaining two subsectors recorded growth in the review month in the order: wholesale/ retail trade and water supply, sewage & waste management.

“At 42.7 per cent, the production level index for manufacturing sector declined for the fourth consecutive month, but at a faster rate than that recorded in March 2016.

"Of the 16 manufacturing subsectors, 10 recorded decline in production level during the review month in the following order: primary metal; furniture & related products; electrical equipment; paper products; plastics & rubber products; printing & related support activities; fabricated metal products; textile, apparel, leather & footwear; petroleum & coal products and chemical & pharmaceutical products. The computer & electronic products and food, beverage & tobacco products sub-sectors recorded no change. The remaining four recorded growth in production level during the review month."

TSA: FG records N3trn inflow in Q1 —AGF

By Babajide Komolafe

L

AGOS— THE Federal Government recorded N3 trillion inflow into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in the first quarter of the year.

Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Alhaji Ahmed Idris, disclosed this at ICAN UK International Zonal Conference, in London.

He said as at end of March, 2016, total inflows into TSA was about N3 trillion ($15 billion) while the number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, on TSA has risen to 976.

Addressing the global audience on the benefits of the TSA, Idris said the Federal Government had stopped borrowing from itself as commercial banks use MDAs idle balances to buy treasury bills and other short-term instruments.

According to him, successful TSA implementation rests on a tripod, which includes the collection of MDAs receipts, payment by MDAs and budgetary control of MDAs. He explained that two core systems supported TSA: Government Integrated Financial Management and Information System (GIFMIS) at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Cental Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Payment Gateway called Remita at CBN. The two systems were integrated and deployed in 2012.

He said: “TSA became fully operational in April 2012 with 93 pilot MDAs accessing their allocations directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account. Incrementally, MDAs on TSA went to 225 (2013), 345 (2014) and 706 (2015).

Currently, over 900 MDAs are on TSA.” While listing the benefits of the TSA, Idris said the adoption of the system provided better information on the cash resources available to government at any point in time and the financing gap that needed to be met.

He said the initiative had instilled fiscal discipline, eliminated the process of cash backing MDAs accounts with commercial banks, and gained economy of scale due since the adoption of the systems by the MDAs instead of investing resources in several ICT platforms. The system has also reduced average monthly ways and means advances of CBN associated costs.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Man divorces wife of 22yrs for poisoning food

A

N IGANDO Customary Court in Lagos yesterday dissolved a 22-year marriage between Yaya Mustapha, 67, and his wife, Aduke.

Dissolving the marriage, President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said he was convinced that the couple could no longer live together.

According to him, the husband who is the petitioner in the case insisted on divorce after several interventions.

“The court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband.

“The court pronounced the marriage between Yaya Mustapha and Aduke Mustapha dissolved today; both parties henceforth ceased to be husband and wife.

“They are free to go their separate ways without any harassment or molestation,” Omilola ruled Yaya, a fashion designer, had sought dissolution of his 22-year marriage, alleging threat to his life.

“My wife had made several attempts to kill me in order to inherit my property but always failed.

“She once poisoned my food but I sighted the substance when I was about to eat and I called the attention of our neighbours who confirmed it was poisoned. I informed both family members about it.

“For the past 13 years , I stopped eating her food and stopped making love to her because she can also get me through sex.

“Also, she always pressurised me to sell my property to a strange man and I knew she had a mission,” he had told the court.

He said that Aduke abandoned her religion and converted to Christianity without his consent, adding that she always went out at will and in the company of men.

3 die, 3 others injured in Ogun accident inferno

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA—A motor accident claimed the lives of three persons, yesterday, on Lagos - Ibadan Expressway, causing a serious gridlock in which the governor of Ogun State was caught up.

Apart from the three reported dead persons, three other persons were seriously injured in the accident that occurred at

the Lotto Junction, Mowe, on the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway.

An eye witness told Vanguard that a tanker laden with fuel travelling to Ibadan had run into a herd of cows, Monday afternoon, killing four of them instantly, causing the truck to veer off its course as it spilled some of its content onto to the road.

It was gathered that the owner of the truck brought another tanker and transferred the

product into it in preparation for onward movement to its final destination.

“Around 11p.m., a vehicle, towing an accidented car without tyres and the rims having direct contact with the road, was passing by. It was the spark from the rims’ contact with the road that led to a spark which resulted to a huge fire that consumed the tanker, fire fighting truck and three persons.

Multiple tanker fire accident at Mowe, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, yesterday.

Witchcraft: Boy, 17, kills mum for rituals

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—A 17year-old boy, Agayo Iorzenda, paraded by the Benue State Police Command, said he decided to kill his mother at Tse-Agbaigbe Ikyurav-Tiev 11, in Katsina/Ala Local Government Area, because she was responsible for his being impotent in the last few years.

Parading the suspect, yesterday, at the Command Headquarters, state Commissioner of Police, Mr.

Paul Yakadi, said he was apprehended Monday evening by the Police in Katsina-Ala. He said the suspect allegedly shot his mother with a locallymade gun after accusing her of witchcraft.

Represented by the Command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu, the Police Commissioner said the matter was still being investigated by the Police after which he would face trial.

Speaking to reporters, Iorzenda said: “I went to consult the oracle over my impotence and I was told that my mother used my manhood for witchcraft and rendered me impotent. She did not want me to be a man.

“So my friend advised me to kill her so as to use her blood to acquire spiritual powers that will help me become rich and also do many other things. That was why I shot her.”

Agayo Iorzenda

Saraki aide’s detention: Family, youth council protest to US, Chinese embassies ...chide DSS over failure to respect Reps resolution

By Joseph Erunke

A

B U J A — F A M I LY members and thousands of youths led by executive members of the National Youth Council of

Nigeria,NYCN,yesterday, protested to the United States of America, USA and the Chinese embassies in Abuja, against the continued detention of Barr.

Ikenga Ugochinyere, Senior Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youths and Students

Affairs, by the Department of State Service,DSS. They said their action was necessitated by the disobedience of last Thursday’s House of Representatives resolution that Ugochinyere, who is also the President of National Youth

We work for politicians —Robbery suspect

By Evelyn Usman

A

29-YEAR-OLD tricycle operator, who was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, has alleged that some of the arms used by robbers were given to them by politicians during campaigns.

The suspect, Muyideen Ibrahim, was arrested alongside other robbery suspects that have been terrorising the state.

"Three others were injured, including one of the fire fighters, who were keeping vigil to prevent fire outbreak at the scene,” the source said.

A source told our correspondent that three persons believed to be men of fire service from the Ogun State Fire Service were consumed by the fire.

They were also said to have kept watch at the scene, in order to prevent the fire outbreak while three others suffered various degree of burns.

It was further learnt that one of those who survived, was one of the fire fighters who were keeping vigil at the scene.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the state’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said: “Our men on ground at the scene said the fire incident occurred around 11pm.

“Though the fuel tanker had run into a herd of cow in the afternoon, around 3.30pm and spilled some of its content, as it veered off the road, the owners of the truck brought another tanker and transferred the product into it, and moved it to its destination.

Muyideen ibrahim

Recovered from him and five other suspected members of his gangs, were some locally made pistols and live cartridges.

Identities of suspected members of his gang are; Ramonu Sanusi, Rilawanu Ayinde , Sodiq Olaide and Kazeem Idris .

His arrest as gathered, followed a tip off by men of the Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS Ikeja.

In an interview with Vanguard , the suspect also confessed to be

using his tricycle to convey weapons for members of separate robbery gangs, who he said were also members of different confraternities.

He said: “ I use my Keke Marwa to convey weapons for the gang. I am a political thug and not a robber. I work during elections only. Most of the guns were given to us by politicians.

We get the guns from some honourables at Onike.

Council of Nigeria be immediately released.

The protesters, who marched to the embassies with different placards, said they would continue with their protests to other foreign embassies in Abuja in coming days if the youth activist was not released.

They also threatened to lock down the country by Thursday if Ugochinyere was not allowed to leave his detention cell by the DSS in 24 hours.

Speaking to newsmen during the protest, Barrister Ohazurike Tochukwu, who identified himself as lawyer to the detained activist, wondered why he was still being held without food or access to his lawyers, family and doctors, days after the unanimous resolution of the House that he be released.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—11

We've got forex to import petrol —PMAN ...Lagos, Port-Harcourt stocks average 125m litres

By Ediri Ejoh

T

HE INDEPENDENT Petroleum Marketers Association of

Nigeria, IPMAN, said, yesterday its members have overcome Forex challenges as they have been granted Forex

Lagos taskforce nabs fake Army Captain

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—MEN of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit, (Task Force), have apprehended a suspect, Mr. Gorge Edem, for parading himself as Army Captain as he tried to influence the release of an impounded motorbike.

Edem ,who claimed to be residing at Flat 11, Block 2, Intelligent Quarters, Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo Lagos, was arrested at Alausa, Ikeja.

Parading the suspect at its Alausa headquarters,

yesterday, Chairman of the state task force, Superintended of Police, SP, Saheed Egbeyemi, said he was arrested when he came for the release of an impounded motorcycle that was arrested at Oshodi by operatives of both Police.

The impersonator had earlier harassed both Police and Paramilitary Officers of the agency, insisting to see the Chairman as a matter of urgency before he was eventually ushered in to see the chairman.

Egbeyemi, after listening to Edem, questioned him further on his personality as an Army Captain, which later proved that he was just an engineer and not an Army Officer.

Papa Wemba for burial today

By Benjamin Njoku

T

HE REMAINS of the late Congolese musician legend, Papa Wemba who died on stage while performing at a festival in Ivory Coast, will be committed to mother earth this morning.

Wemba had collapsed while performing at a festival on April 24 and died before reaching hospital. The flamboyant musician led the Kinshasa music scene for four decades.

His body which arrived Democratic Republic of Congo last week was taken to the parliamentary building in the country’s capital, Kinshasa, Monday and was later taken to his family home for the public to view.

Known as the king of Congolese rumba, the

Late Papa Wemba

66-year-old died after collapsing on stage in Ivory Coast on 24 April.

President Joseph Kabila delivered a tribute to the singer at the memorial held at the parliamentary building, and awarded him one the DR Congo’s highest honours for the “loyal and eminent services given to the nation”.

An enormous red hat, modelled on the one Papa Wemba was wearing at the time of his death, stood above his coffin. A life-sized effigy of the singer stood next to it.

access to import petroleum products.

This was even as the Major Oil Marketers, MOMAN, also disclosed to have more than 10 days stock at the depots, with about four other vessels not yet discharged, averaging 85million litres of petrol.

Speaking to Vanguard in a telephone interview, National Secretary, IPMAN, Alhaji Hassan Kirmi, said all members should therefore, desist from the act of sharp practices in the prices of PMS to customers.

His words: “So many of our members are bringing in product, which means they have accessed FOREX. But the complaint is that the FOREX is not forth coming as it were.

“There are enough products at almost all the tank farms in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Warri.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC had on Friday structured the distribution chain into six geo-political zones that distribute petrol across the country and they are very effective.

“Our members are importing from Warri, Port-Harcourt, Lagos, Calabar. There is much product coming into the country, we have over 20 vessels on ground and refineries are producing.

“Also, we have presented our case to the government on the issue with the landing cost.

That is why they are contemplating of bringing in subsidy.

Ogun Police rescue Anisulowo from kidnappers, arrest 2

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA — OGUN State Police have rescued the former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, who was abducted by armed men seven days after she was kidnapped at Sawonjo in Yewa North Llocal Government Area.

Anisulowo was found at about 7p.m. yesterday, at Gbegbelawo near Olorunda in Imala in Imala in Abeokuta Local Government Area.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this to newsmen, said two persons have been arrested in connection with the abduction.

According to Adejobi, one of the suspects, who was a kingpin, was arrested at a hotel in Lagos on his way to Dubai. The other suspect is a lady.

“Their names are withheld for now till we finish our investigation.

“We thank God that Mama was rescued alive and well,“ he said.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Edo Speaker impeached, suspended I remain Speaker of Edo Assembly —Edoror

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

C

RISIS of confidence has rocked Edo State House of Assembly with the removal from office, of the Speaker, Mr. Victor Edoror and his deputy, Mr. Bright Osayande, yesterday, by members of the House.

Meanwhile, the new Speaker, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie, yesterday, announced the suspension of the impeached Speaker, Mr Edoror, for three months for invading the chambers with thugs.

Ativie, who briefed newsmen shortly after the former speaker was impeached, said the House took the decision to impeach the speaker on grounds of alleged high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness.

“The removal of the speaker is a victory for democracy and freedom for Edo State House of Assembly; we are all witnesses to how he has brought the House to disrepute.

“We have taken this decision today because he invaded the hallowed chambers with thugs.

Due process was followed in the impeachment of the speaker,” Ativie said.

She added that the impeached speaker has up to six different financial cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, adding that members cannot continue to allow such a person to lead them.

She added that a five-member committee headed by Kabiru Adjoto representing Akoko-Edo I, will investigate the financial recklessness of the impeached

speaker from June 2015 till May 3, 2016, noting that if found wanting after the committee’s report, he will be handed over to the appropriate authority.

The impeachment of the Speaker and his deputy is coming after three attempts had been made to remove them, as only last month, he escaped being removed when he had to adjourn plenary for two days to enable them resolve whatever grievances they had internally.

Meanwhile, the impeached Speaker, Edoror, has described his impeachment as a ruse, insisting that he remains speaker of the Assembly.

Edoror, who spoke after a brief meeting with six other

1

lawmakers, pointed out that 11 members cannot impeach the speaker in a 24-member Assembly.

He also said that the Assembly erred by convoking plenary in his absence.

He said: “They have a paper duly signed by 11 members.

That is not a quorum to remove a speaker. We do not want to suspend any member now. They have learnt their lessons and ran away from the chamber.

“They don’t have the requisite number. We are carrying out our jobs for the benefit of the state in support of the governor. There is no allegation of corruption against me. Those allegations are frivolous.”

2

3

The removal of the two foremost principal officers of the Assembly was sequel to a motion by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Folly Ogedegbe, who represents Owan-East constituency and seconded by the member representing Etsako West 11 constituency, Mr. Gani Audu.

Part of the motion paper as read

by Mr. Audu said: “We the under listed and undersigned members representing the various constituencies in Edo State House of Assembly have on this day, May 3, 2016, resolved to impeach our speaker, Chief Edoror and the Deputy Speaker, Osayande, for acts of gross misconduct.”

Mr. Patrick Iluobe, representing Edo North East 11 presided over the business of the day as Speaker ex-tempo.

1. New Speaker, Elizabeth Ativie 2. Embattled Speaker Edo State House of Assem bly, Victor Edoror 3. Embattled Deputy Speaker, Bright Osayande

Why N1.16trn pension infrastructure fund not utilised —PenCom DG

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—DIRECTORGeneral of National Pension Commission, PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, yesterday, lamented that of the N1.16 trillion available for infrastructure financing, only N1.36 billion had been so far accessed.

The DG of PenCom which is responsible for the management of contributory pension funds from both public and private sectors of the nation’s economy, explained that the factors responsible for this development was largely lack of structured investment instruments for pension funds to participate in the provision of finance for infrastructure development in the country.

This is as the PenCom DG has accepted the invitation to deliver the inaugural lecture at the Scottish Business in Africa Forum, SBIAF, today, at C M Y K

Edinburgh.

The lecture presentation will highlight “Pension Funds: Opportunities for Infrastructure Support in the Development of African

Economies”, the current size of Nigeria’s pension fund assets and historical growth perspectives.

The lecture presentation will afford the DG the opportunity

to take her drive for investment opportunities in the pension sector in the country to the international business community.

Buhari won't fail Niger Delta —Amnesty Boss

By Tare Youdeowei

S

PECIAL Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Co-ordinator of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, General Paul Boroh (retd.), has re-echoed the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to meet the expectations of Niger Deltans, adding that the people of the region should maintain the peace and avoid attacks on oil facilities for investors to have confidence to do business in the region.

Boroh made the remark through Mr. Regent Youmor who represented him at the

event organised by Ijaw Monitoring Group in Lagos in honour of late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha.

According to the Amnesty boss, “President Buhari has shown that he means well for Niger Delta by extending the amnesty programme beyond former President Jonathan’s era.”

The co-ordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah, thanked Ijaws in Lagos for the massive turnout for the event despite the down pour.

“I am grateful to you all for coming out to honour our late leader, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, the coming out of the masquerades in

their colours and performance have given Alamieyeseigha the supreme honour because he worked and died for greatness.

This great crowd outside our homeland for Alamco gives me joy.” Evah added.

Gov poll: PDP vows to reclaim Edo

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—EDO State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has promised to reclaim the state in the September 10, governorship election even as no fewer than 600 members of All Progressives Congress, APC, and Social Democratic Party, SDP, dumped their parties for the PDP in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The defectors, who pledged their loyalty to the PDP at a reception organised for the newly sworn-in lawmaker representing Etsako West II in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga, held in Afashio-Uzaire, said that with their defection, the process of annihilating the APC in the council had begun.

Among the hundreds of defectors were a former councillor in the council, Atogwe Oghie; former APC Youth Leader in ward 12 of the council, Otis Mohammed; Alhassan Enahela, and Nicholas Sedi.

Edo State chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, who welcomed the defectors to the party, said that with the inauguration of Mr. Eruaga, a PDP lawmaker now represents Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the state House of Assembly.

He promised that a PDP government will rename the Edo State University, Iyamho, to Edo State University, Uzaire, as the PDP will ensure that the entire Uzaire clan benefits from the new university.

Also speaking, a PDP governorship aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, said the number of PDP lawmakers in Edo State House of Assembly will increase before the end of the year.

Eruaga, in his remark, said that if not for the leadership of the state chapter of the PDP, the leadership of Edo State House of Assembly was prepared to deny him of his electoral victory.

Labour Party suspends Ogboru, 12 others

By Festus Ahon

A

S A B A — N AT I O N A L leadership of Labour Party, LP, has suspended its 2015 Delta State governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, and 12 others for alleged anti- party activity, saying that the party in Delta State under Chief Tony Ezeagwu, was intact and has no plan to merge with All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

National Chairman of the party,

Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam, who made the disclosure in Asaba while briefing newsmen, said the national leadership of the party was not aware of any agreement purportedly entered into with Chief Ogboru in the build up to the 2015 general election.

Salam said that Ogboru and 12 others were being slammed with indefinite suspension in accordance with provision of the party’s constitution for anti party activities.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—13

Arrest, prosecute gun-wielding herdsmen —PFN

By Emma Una

C

A L A B A R — P E N T E C O S TA L Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has called on the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute all gun-wielding Fulani herdsmen who have been ravaging different parts of the country to stem the tide of violence perpetrated by them.

Pastor Lawrence Ekwok, Chairman, Cross River PFN, who stated this in a communiqué, yesterday, called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest and immediately prosecute the perpetrators of what he called “heinous crimes.”

“The Inspector General of Police should, as a matter of urgent national interest, arrest and prosecute all gun-carrying Fulani herdsmen, as carrying arms without licence violates the laws of the land,” he said.

He said that the fellowship rejects the bill for the establishment of a National Grazing Reserve across the country which, he argued, was tantamount to illegal seizure of landed property from indigenous people by the

Federal Government for private business.

He called on all National Assembly members from the state to resist the National Grazing Reserve bill in view of its negative consequences

on the economy and lives of people of the state.

“PFN Cross River calls on various state legislatures to enact legislation against free movement of destructive animals such as cows in their

states,” he added.

He also condemned plans by the Federal Government to fund federal budget deficit with a loan from Islamic Bank, arguing that such action would contravene the secularity of Nigeria.

AWARD: From left: Mr. Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director, SO&U Group receiving a distinguished award of excellence from the former chapter Chairman of NIPR Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Sam Uko, during the annual general meeting/dinner award of the state chapter of NIPR in Uyo.

Oyegun, Ehanire, Urhoghide mourn Oba of Benin's passage As Edo declares 5-day public holiday to mourn Oba

By Simon Ebegbulem, Gabriel Enogholase & Egufe Yafugborhi

B

E N I N — N AT I O N A L Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, and former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, has described the late Oba of Benin Omo N’ Oba Erediauwa, who has joined his ancestors, as a royal colossus whose exploits in the annals of governance brought honour, dignity and candour into traditional rulership in Nigeria and beyond.

Meanwhile, Edo State Government has declared a fiveday public holiday with effect from yesterday, as a mark of honour and respect for the late Oba of Benin.

Accordint to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, only those on essential services in hospitals, health centres, the Fire Service and others, are exempted from observing the public holiday.

Also, the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILoT, has expressed “great grief” on the transition of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba Erediauwa.

ILoT, in a condolence message, by its Chairman, Pa J.O.S Ayomike and Secretary, Edward Ekpoko, in Warri, Delta State, ILoT said that the Oba’s death meant the loss of one of the most respected and loved traditional rulers in black C M Y K

Africa, as the Benin Kingdom still represents the symbol of black civilization.

“He was a bridge-builder and to us in particular, he was a father. We feel his departure as much as the people of Benin do.

May Almighty God grant Your Highness, the chiefs, the people of Benin and indeed the people of Edo State, the fortitude to bear this great loss,” it said.

Oyegun, who paid a condolence visit to HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken

....ILoT sends condolence

of Uselu, in company of the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said that Omo N’Oba Erediauwa was a great inspiration to all those behind him during his civil service years.

He said that their visit to the Edaiken of Uselu and other members of the Benin royal family was to condole with them and reassure the Edaiken of the solidarity and support of the people.

Responding, the Crown

DPR vows to sanction marketers hoarding fuel in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

S A B A — DEPARTMENT of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has vowed to prosecute marketers hoarding and selling fuel above the approved pump price in Delta State.

Officials of DPR who stormed Asaba and its environs, sealed off over 11 petrol stations for hoarding and selling the product above the approved pump price.

Officials of the department, who went round the state capital, arrested one tanker driver who was suspected to be diverting the product.

They also dispensed the

product for free to members of the public before sealing off the stations that were found wanting.

The petrol stations sealed included Anioma Petrol Station, No Wayo Petroleum, Friends Petroleum and Gas Limited, Crown Filing Station, Edgar Petrol Station, Tonimax Filing Station and Chrisvan Petroleum. In Agbor axis, three petrol stations were also sealed off.

Fielding questions from newsmen, leader of the team, Mr Jerry Udegbunam, said the DPR would ensure that the public continued to get the product at the government stipulated price of N86.50.

Prince said he and other members of the family were touched by the immense display and show of emotional support by the people.

Similarly, the Senator representing Edo South in the National Assembly, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, in his condolence message to the Crown Prince, said that the transition to eternal glory of Omo N’ Oba Erediauwa was a sad loss for all mankind.

Delta community lauds Itsekiri leaders over stand on DESOPADEC budget

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HE leadership of Obitugbo community in Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, has applauded the spirit and courage of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILOT, over their position regarding projects listed for the Itsekiri nation in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC's 2016 budget.

Chairman of the community, Sir, Lawrence Ukubeyinje, who made the commendation, yesterday, in Warri in a chat with newsmen, said that ILOT and the Itsekiri Progress Club, IPC, have always been known to speak out when they think or feel that any development affecting Itsekiri falls short of fairness, justice and equity.

Sir Ukubeyinje, however, charged ILOT to take a second and critical look at the 2km township road project for Obitugbo community in the DESOPADEC 2016 budget meant to open up the fast growing but long abandoned and deserted community ravaged by the infamous seven years Warri crisis, adding that when executed, the road which terminates at the Benin River bank and not a tank farm, will be a blessing not only to the community in particular but the entire Itsekiri nation in general.

The community chairman and former Secretary to the then Warri Local council said that through concerted efforts of the indigenes, the community has been able, using the services of a reputable firm of Chartered Surveyors and Town Planners to produce a master plan for the community.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Not In My Country anti-corruption campaign targets students

FG to SON: Hand over importer of substandard goods to EFCC

By Godfrey Bivbere

T

HE Federal Government has ordered Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to handover persons importing substandard products into the country to the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for prosecution.

Acting Director General of SON, Paul Angya, told newsmen in Lagos that the practise and effect of substandard goods had

become so alarming that government directed SON to hand over such importers, who he called saboteurs, to EFFC. He said the era of seizing and destroying such goods were over and that anyone

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Dotun Ibiwoye

A

N anti-corruption campaign project, Not In My Country, created and produced by Akin Fadeyi, has given a graphic detail of how Nigeria was underdeveloped by corruption, as it tackles the menace from grassroots.

The campaign, which is targeted at youths in primary and secondary schools as a build-up to eradicating corruption, has created 33 film episodes of one minute each showcasing traces of corrupt practices in all facet of dealings and featuring some seasoned Nollywood actors as Afeez Oyetoro, Saka and Ganni Olowo.

Publisher and Founder, Businessday, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, while speaking at the media launch of ‘Not in my country ’ campaign as keynote speaker on the topic Impact of Corruption on Business and on the Masses, gave a graphic details of how corruption had affected the development of various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

Aigbogun, who was represented by Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-inChief, Vanguard Media Limited, said because of corruption, Nigerian had been bruised, maltreated, diminished and labelled as the bad example of the Dutch disease.

He stated further that corruption had led to “infrastructural deficiency, no fuel, no water, faint hope and despondency.”

Frank said: “The more anti-corruption commanders fight corruption, the more hydra-headed it becomes.

“These fights have to be fought head long because of the impact it would have on the unborn and the present children.”

Otunba Gbenga Kareem, Head, Unique Group of Schools, who talked about the role of parents in child upbringing, stated that parents had to instil integrity in their children.

caught would be taken to Abuja and handed over to EFCC. He stressed that 99 percent of all fake and substandard goods were imported, while about 60 percent of such goods got shipped into the country before the process for their form “M” begins, making it difficult to checkmate them through the SON Certification Assessment Programme, SONCAP.

NB grows profit after tax to N10.5bn

By Nkiruka Nnorom

FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION:

From left— Ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka I; keynote speaker, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd.; Publisher, Cable Online Newspaper, Mr. Simon Kolawole; Convener/Producer, Not in My Country, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, and Mrs. Boade Akinola, representing the Minister of Health, at the launch of Not in My Country anti-corruption campaign in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akinwunmi Ibrahim.

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN: Passenger traffic,

aircraft movements tumble

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

T

HE volume of traffic in the Nigerian aviation industry has tumbled against the backdrop of the downturn in the economy.

Total passenger traffic, which had been on decline since second quarter 2015, dipped further by end of the year, with fourth quarter figures at 3,810,758, showing a significant 8.5 percent dip from 4,163,762 passengers recorded in the corresponding period of 2014.

Though domestic traffic picked up in the second quarter of 2015 and increased quarter-on-quarter to reach 2,723,769 at end of the year; the fourth quarter domestic traffic was still lower than the corresponding period of 2014 by 245,971, showing about 8.3 percent drop.

Similarly, number of international passengers also declined by a massive 16.2 percent to 1,086,989 in the fourth quarter of 2015 against 1,296,822 in the corresponding period of 2014.

According to the Nigerian Aviation Industry report unveiled by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday, Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, in Lagos, remained the busiest domestic airport in the second half of 2015, with 983,903 travelling through the airport in the fourth quarter, which represented 36.1 percent of

Nigeria’s domestic passenger traffic within the period.

However, the report also shows a continued decline in MMA share of domestic passenger traffic, while Abuja domestic airport, which is the second largest in terms of passenger traffic, increased its share of passenger travel relative to 2014, although the share declined between the third and fourth quarter of 2015.

In absolute terms, Abuja domestic airport recorded the largest year-on-year increase in passenger numbers in the third quarter of 2015, with an increase of 116,350 passengers.

In Maiduguri

Surprisingly, despite the Boko Haram insurgency, Maiduguri domestic airport reported the largest rate of increase in absolute terms.

As with domestic travel, MMA Lagos continued to account for the largest share

of international passengers.

Whereas with domestic air travel, MMA’s share of passengers was only slightly higher than Abuja Airport, in the case of international travel MMA dominated massively, controlling 71.1 percent of the total international passenger traffic in Nigeria.

Abuja International Airport was the second busiest international airport in the second half of 2015. Whereas Port Harcourt was the third largest domestic airport in passenger turnover, Kano was the third largest international airport in each period considered.

Though total number of aircraft that arrived at, or departed from Nigerian airports, increased by 3,988, or 6.9 percent to reach 61,692 aircraft in the fourth quarter 2015, probably as a result of yuletide period, it still presented a significant 13.6 percent decline, relative to the same period of 2014.

N

I G E R I A N Breweries Plc has declared a Profit After Tax, PAT, of N10.45 billion for the first quarter of 2016, a four percent growth over N10.10 billion for same quarter in 2015.

The unaudited and provisional results released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, showed that the company’s revenue for the period grew by 11 percent from N69.92 billion in 2015 to N77.55 billion in the current period.

A further analysis showed that the results from operating activities improved by 10 percent from N16.37 billion in the first three months of 2015 to N17.99 billion in the corresponding period in 2016.

The company said in a statement that the 11 percent growth in revenue was a reflection of the company’s strong and effective route to market, increased sales during the festive Easter period and higher number of sales days in the period, as against the lower number of days recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 due to the general elections.

Climate change bill scales second reading in Senate

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, passed for second reading a bill seeking for measures to address the negative impacts of global warming or climate change in Nigeria.

The bill, tagged Climate Change and Global

Greenhouse Emission Reduction Bill 2015, sponsored by Senator Issa Misau (APC, Bauchi Central), also seeks solution to the country ’s porous borders, which in recent times have resulted in illegal immigration of herdsmen from other countries.

Presenting his lead debate during the day’s plenary,

Senator Misau said the bill sought to address climate change with a view to engendering the achievement of a sustainable future for the country.

The senators who contributed to the debate supported it, after which the Senate passed it for second reading, with a remark by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, that the bill was long overdue.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—15

Imo PDP congress fails to hold

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

VISIT: From left— Admin Manager, Vanguard Media, Mr. Victor Gotevbe; member, Tutu Okunubi; Secretary-General, Jacqueline Odiadi; President, Dr. Austin Nweze, all of Association of Outsourcing professionals of Nigeria, AOPN; AGM Brand, Vanguard, Mr. Fred Odueme; Chairman, 2016 Outsourcing Expo Planning Committe, Ify Osineme; Advert Manager, Vanguard, Mr. Emeka Nwocha, and Executive Secretary, AOPN, Chijioke Iwu, during a visit to Vanguard in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

HERDSMEN ATTACKS: Enugu Assembly wants all security chiefs redeployed

By Emeka Mamah & Nwabueze Okonkwo

E

NUGU—WORRIED by the attack by Fulani herdsmen on Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, members of Enugu State House of Assembly, yesterday, at its plenary asked President Muhammadu Buhari to redeploy all the security chiefs in the state.

The House said that what transpired at Nimbo community should be conveyed to all the international human right organisations.

In addition, the House urged Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to liaise with the National Emergency Mangement Agency, NEMA, to ensure that the displaced people of Nimbo are taken care of.

Contributing to the motion brought by the member representing Uzo-Uwani at the House, Hon. John-Kevin Ukuta, on the menace of Fulani herdsmen, Speaker of the House, Hon. Edward Ubosi, urged the people of Enugu State not to live in fear or to take laws into their hands as government was doing everything possible to protect their lives and property.

He said: “You all spoke from

the bottom of your heart because human lives were involved. However, I urge the people of the state not to live in fear or take laws

into their hands.”

Also, other members condemned what they described as the “dastardly” acts of the security men who abandoned their duty posts for the Fulani herdsmen to hold sway.

S. K. E. Ude-Okoye, representing Awgu North, said if nothing was done, the entire Igbo nation would be in trouble as, according to him, the attack was a calculated attempt to

Civil society group wants UN intervention Disarm them now— Bishop Ugorji whittle down the population of the Igbo race.

He said: “We, the Igbo people are in trouble. Majority of us have been affected. They want to reduce the population of Igbo. They want to continue the Civil War, which ended in 1970.

“Where shall we run to?

Have we done any evil? Tell us and we will apologise. Are we not part of Nigeria? Is the life of a cow worth more than that of human being?”

Ude-Okoye suggested that the House should urge the government to adopt the security measure employed by Anambra, Delta and Bayelsa states in curtailing the herdsmen menace.

‘We need a law’

In his contribution, Hon. Chinedu Nwamba of Nsukka East suggested that the way out of the logjam was to enact a law curtailing the movement of the herdsmen in the state.

Nwamba was of the view that if nothing drastic was done, the ugly incident might recur.

He said: “This is a heinous act. It is man's inhumanity to man. My heart is bleeding. If drastic action is not taken, something more drastic might happen.

“I am not saying that people should not do business, but talking grammar without a law will not have any effect.”

Mrs Ethel Ugwuanyi, representing Igbo-Eze North 1, equally suggested that the Fulani herdsmen should vacate Enugu State for peace to reign, while Hon. Anthony Ogidi suggested that security posts

be established at border communities of Igbo-Eze North and South as well as IsiUzo Local Government areas to check the influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state.

NBA reacts

Also yesterday, the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Idemili Branch, one of the eight branches of the bar in Anambra State, condemned the invasion of Fulani herdsmen to farmlands in various parts of the country, particularly in the South-East zone and killing of persons in the host communities.

NBA described it as an affront on the communities involved, adding that it had been a thorny issue all this while, where people that rear the cattle which is supposed to be a private business, use it to destroy the farmlands, crops, economic trees of host communities and even kill the people.

Chairman of the branch,

Ben Okoko, who spoke to newsmen in his office at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, said: “We have been hearing these things as rumours from far away, but the recent one at U k p a b i - N i m b o community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State is most bizarre and should be condemned in all its ramifications by all rightthinking members of the society.

“Human lives, no matter how frail, are supposed to be sacrosanct and cannot be equalled to lives of cows. The lives of 1,000 cows can never be equated to one human life

and people killing and annihilating an entire community for the sake of cattle can, at best, be equated to cannibals.”

Call for UN intervention Similarly, a civil society group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety, has called on all the states of the rain forests region (South East and South-South) to rise with one voice and ensure

prohibition of the Fulani animal husbandry in all parts of Nigeria except in the core North.

Intersociety also called for International Criminal & Diplomatic Interventions, ICDI, to intervene in this regard because, according to the society, time had come for urgent international intervention by the International Governmental Organisations, IGOs, and other members of the international community.

Bishop Ugorji

In tandem with the general outcry against the herdsmen invasion, Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has called on the Federal Government to immediately disarm the Fulani herdsmen, warning that delay is dangerous.

According to Bishop Ugorji, who spoke while delivering his homily during an early morning mass in Umuahia, grazing field for herdsmen in the South-East and other parts of the country would stoke more problems rather than solving them.

WERRI—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, congress did not eventually hold yesterday in Imo State.

Vanguard gathered that the electoral materials arrived late in the state and could not be distributed to all the electoral wards.

Armed with this scenario, the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Sergeant Awuse, invited all the major stakeholders in the state, explained the situation to them and they were unanimous that the exercise be postponed for 24 hours.

They also approved the distribution of nonsensitive materials to the electoral wards.

However, PDP loyalists were seen in their numbers at the various polling booths, waiting patiently for the election materials and officers.

At press time, some of the party men, who did not understand the absence of the officials, said unprintable things against the party.

Bishop Ezeokafor decries state of prisons

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has lamented the poor state of Nigerian prisons and called on authorities to ameliorate the situation.

Ezeokafor spoke when he paid a visit to Awka Prisons during which he administered sacrament of confirmation on 15 inmates and also commissioned two cells and a bore hole, which he rehabilitated in the prison.

He said if prisons were meant to reform inmates, both workers and inmates must live and work in conducive environment.

He charged authorities to ensure quick dispensation of justice so that those who found themselves in prison without committing any offence could get justice because, according to him, justice delayed is justice denied.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY MAY 4 , 2016

Anambra special school faces closure due to lack of support

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE only school for the deaf and dumb in Awka , the God’s Care School for Special Needs, may soon close down if assistance fails to come from government and private individuals to sustain its existence.

The school, which was established in 2000 by Mrs. Justina Ndife and her husband, Afam, who is an evangelist, had over the years, been training people with disabilities using their meager resources.

Mrs. Ndife told reporters yesterday that though several letters had been written to the state government and other individuals to come to the aid of the school, the needed assistance were yet to come, adding that the resources for running the school have been stretched beyond limit such that the school may be forced to close down if assistance failed to come it way as soon as possible.

We don’t want Fulani herdsmen to leave our land — UMAHI

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday explained that there was no cogent reason for Ebonyi people to demand the immediate withdrawal of Fulani herdsmen from communities in the state, considering the harmonious relationship existing between Ebonyi people and the herdsmen.

The governor, who stated this during an enlarged security council meeting at the International Conference Centre, Abakaliki noted that grazing routes would be created in communities to enable the Fulani herdsmen carry out their duties without rancour and disaffection.

Umahi condemned the attack on a community in Enugu State allegedly by Fulani, describing it as unfortunate.

He called on security agencies to be on the alert and curb all manner of criminalities across the state, even as he directed them to mount surveillance and checkmate the excesses of herdsmen in the state, especially at night.

The governor directed the Commissioner for Justice and

Attorney-General, Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution and Special Adviser, SA on Internal Security to come up with a modality on how to set up a community-based committee in liaison with the Police to curb incidences of crimes across the state.

According to him, any student found to be a member of a secret cult group will not only be arrested but would be handed over to the security agencies for prosecution.

He also directed that nobody in the state should collect money from cattle herdsmen as anybody

caught in such act will be prosecuted.

The governor, following the absence of two Development Centre Coordinators, Ohaozara West and Ohaozara, Hon. Christian Ngene, and Hon. Eni Odii respectively, suspended them indefinitely.

ANAMBRA CENTRAL POLL: APGA chieftain vows to sue INEC

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA—THE leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA National Stakeholders Forum, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor yesterday threatened to institute a legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission for its continued delay in the conduct of the Anambra senatorial zone election.

Speaking exclusively to the Vanguard , Alor said the constituent had suffered a great loss following undue delay of the conduct of the poll by the electoral body.

“I have consulted my lawyer to file a suit against INEC in that respect and I am suing INEC as a constituent and should the case favour me and the court fails to

implement it, the court would be held responsible. I am going to court to compel INEC to do their job by fixing a date for the election without further delay.

“I am dragging to court because we in the Anambra central senatorial zone are being denied the right of representation at the National Assembly. ''INEC does not have a right to decide who is a candidate of a political p a r t y.

W h a t INEC did in

other states is quite different from what it is doing in Anambra State.

“The constituency has lost a lot because whatever interest that would have favoured us has been lost. I do not see why INEC should be wasting time in doing their job. The problem is actually the fault of INEC,'' he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 —17

I

F my ancestors came from the Fouta-Djallon region(now modern day Guinea), over 200 years ago to conquer a territory that is now Northern Nigeria, does that make me any less Nigerian than someone whose ancestor left the ancient Dahomey empire in today’s Bénin Republic to marry a woman from Abeokuta? Is an African-American whose ancestors came from West Africa on slave ships any less American than an Irish man who fled the 19th century Irish potato famine then settled in New York?

Are the few American families who can trace their ancestry back to the Mayflower (the ship that brought the first pilgrims from England to the new world), more American than more recent immigrants such as the “ItalianAmericans” or the “JewishAmericans” who settled in between the two world wars?

Xenophobia is an unfortunate, universal constant which we in Nigeria have turned into the founding element of our sociopolitical culture, with the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode’s prejudiced, ethnically laced writings inciting Nigerians to turn against one another, therefore distracting the citizenry from allegations of corruption and financial misappropriation. In our national contest for scarce resources, ethnicity serves as an unjust tool to allocate funds based on tribal loyalty and support.

Tribal loyalty and support In reality, politicians end up appropriating state income for themselves and the bigoted horde whose resentment they have whipped up ends up just as poor as before the ethnic sentimentalism, envies and controversies were unleashed. So, our country is left with destitute Nigerians with little else on their minds beyond the desire to blame someone at best, vengeance at worst.

The state, in most democratic, civilized societies advocates solidarity across groups rather than pointing out citizens’ ethnoreligious differences and using them for political gain. Few leaders in our country have ever professed pan-Nigerian nationalism beyond loyalty to their group, especially during the time of our regional premiers, where one could probably find the origins of today’s conflicts, which were later exacerbated by the military divide and rule

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Aren’t the Fulani herdsmen Nigerians too?

Inter-group interaction

tactics. Do we prefer quick personal gains and votes or lasting development and legacies? Politicians as different as Trump and Ahmadu Bello have grappled with the question.

After all, the Sardauna who recognised the need for the North’s socio-economic modernisation still championed

What we must do is work towards a Nigeria where ethnicity and religion are neither politicised nor a necessary source of conflict

religious faith as part of politics because “piety” guarantees more votes among the poor, uneducated masses than discourse on what real equality

would require. It is doubtful the sarauta, the Northern elite or nobility, would like to share benefits, status or power with the talakawas, the poor masses and the same could be said of any elites all over the country.

So, to keep them in check Islam has continuously been used as a political platform, a rallying cry for Northern politicians whose dwindling support due to their inability to impact the lives of their constituents, required drastic measures (such as the implementation of sharia to satisfy some radical elements of society), the same way evangelism is today a pulpit for a new jihad which is the defence of corrupt politicians because they sponsor mega-churches, jet-setting pastors and advertise a materialistic “prosperity gospel” which makes every Christian a believer in the proceeds of corruption and turns “pastor-preneurs” or “entrepreneurial pastors” into the new Southern elite.

Boko Haram started off providing social services in a region where the state was virtually absent: they ran farms, distributed crops, and even paid for marriages as traditional rites

Probe of past governments

‘B

Nigeria: faced with desperation and abject poverty, a return to religious fervour and primordial ethnic identities seem to be all that can save or help to define oneself in an arbitrary, unjust world.

To this socio-political background, let us now add migration. It would be interesting for the Igbo organisations advocating for all “Fulani herdsmen” to leave the South East to remember Igbo people constitute over 80% of the migrant, merchant population in the North and elsewhere. North to South migration involves a smaller percentage of people, outside of seasonal migrations of which the herdsmen’s. freedom of movement, trade and association is a fact of modern life, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. What we must do, rather than advocate for a return to static and archaic principles, is work towards a Nigeria where ethnicity and religion are neither politicised nor a necessary source of conflict.

UDGET padding” has been a constant feature of our democracy, which only came to light with the President’s refusal to sign a budget that included projects he didn’t approve. There seemed to have been a dirty deal between the executive and the legislature before this new dispensation, whereby funds for phantom projects would be allocated, delivered and shared.

No wonder then that year-in, year-out, development seems to elude the poor in our society. Uncompleted rural electrification, sanitation and health care now makes very obvious sense. It’s not about Biafra, it’s not

about marginalisation,it’s about corruption, which found new ways to exist since the return to civilian rule. A grave wrong has been done to Nigerians. Will we stop fighting each other in time to get justice?

Government contractors who served as fronts should also face the courts, not just politicians; and if we believe in a Nigeria free of ethnoreligious violence, we must tackle the corruption that rids us of opportunities and puts, instead, a gun and any religious book in our hands, telling us that it is our way to survive.

Change may be slow, precisely because those who benefit from the system won’t have it, but the signs are there.

had become too expensive for the poor to bear.

This later became a recruitment tactic to attract young men after certain politicians attempted to end their association with the group, upon arming them. We should be asking, from Maitatsine in the '80s, to Boko Haram and the herdsmen today, who exactly arms all these men?

Anti-oppression protest But let us continue our analysis of our society ’s internal workings by also remembering what the Maitatsine riots in the 1980s were fundamentally about.Like Boko Haram, this group seems to have started out as an anti-oppression protest or solidarity network involving the poor who understandably wondered why rich Northern indigenes preached Islamic contentment to them yet chose to pursue riches for themselves while blocking anyone else’s access to opportunity. Socially motivated uprisings become violent and increasingly prone to religious extremismin a process that isn’t particular to

What happens in Nigeria is that when migrants become wealthier than host communities, tensions flare because resources are scarce, the same way some historians argue segregation was an institutional tool to secure the votes of poor White Americans whom elites promisedthat freed slaves wouldn’t economically displace them.

Similarly, ethno-religious conflict and competition has been a continuing feature of intergroup interaction in the North and Middle-Belt. Largely an expression of economic strife and discontent it is further galvanised by the “settler” vs. “indigene” ideology introduced by politicians to gain power, reward their supporters and exclude others. There is no group in this country, “Fulani”, “herdsman”, “Northerner”, “Southerner”, “indigene”, “settler” or otherwise where an individual is intrinsically good or bad by sole virtue of belonging to said group.

Yet we continue to ignore the wrangling which infiltrates and poisons our so-called differences. Violence and insecurity in any society is unjustifiable but we must begin to see crisis as an opportunity to get to the bottom of the social constructs that enable such criminality in the first place.

FG ministers

A

LLEGATIONS surfaced online which claim some ministers are agitating for accommodation grants under the guise that in the past administration, ministers were given N20 million each for that purpose.

It was said that when the President heard of this, he walked out of the meeting.

Interestingly, it was also claimed that only Ministers who are former governors

didn’t solicit for funds. One could say “thank God for small mercies” but it would be bittersweet. Change is a constant battle even from within, it seems.

*Tabia Princewill is a strategic communica- tions consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 THOSE behind the controversial and dangerous grazing Bill are pushing the erroneous argument that it will help in checking the incessant attacks of armed Fulani herdsmen on farming communities in many parts of the country.

For nearly fifteen years, the attacks, which started in the Plateau areas later spread to Nasarawa, Benue anda number of states in the South, with herdsmen boldly brandishing sophisticated weapons unchecked by the law enforcement agencies. They invade communities, lead their livestock into farms, break into people’s landed property and displace people from their communities. They kill, maim, kidnap, rob, rape and harass citizens with reckless abandon.

An indication that the Muhammadu Buhari regime is mulling the establishment of grazing reserves nationwide emerged recently when the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Audu Ogbeh, disclosed that the President had directed him to establish the

Kill the grazing Bill in national interest reserves in the North, and then “move South”.

Already, at least two Bills are reportedly being considered in the House of Representatives, though the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has denied the existence of such in the National Assembly. The Bills in question are attributed to Hon Sunday Karimi (PDP Kogi) and Hon Sadiq Ibrahim (APC Adamawa), with an executive Bill reportedly being expected from the Presidency soon.

A version of the reported Bills,

which is circulating in the social media is a barefaced recipe for national disaster if it is allowed to see the light of day. It provides for a National Grazing Commission, which will have the power to confiscate people’s land in all parts of the country, pay them compensation and hand such over to Fulani pastoralists. People who disagree with the confiscation can only sue if the Attorney General of the Federation grants them the permission to do so.

We call, once again, for all moves towards the establishment of grazing

reserves and cattle routes to be halted forthwith. The opposition to it is mounting from all corners of the country because it will seize land from indigenous communities and hand them over to pastoralists, which will smack of ethnic expansionism.

It will violate the constitutional rights of Nigerians and set the stage for conflicts which the army might have difficulty in controlling. Such a Bill is capable of destroying the unity of the country. It should not even be tabled for debates at the National Assembly because it will polarise the country and possibly lead to unpleasant consequences.

We restate our call for the modernisation of animal farming practices in Nigeria through a ranching policy that conforms to world standards. This will increase productivity, give herdsmen access to better life and eliminate ethnoreligious conflicts between pastoralists and farmers.

We reject the grazing Bill.

OPINION Edo 20 16 and the Obaseki agenda 201

By Ernest Omoarelojie

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S the current administration winds down in Edo state, the people are beside themselves, singing "thank you” to the governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, for a job well done. For obvious reasons, the only exception are members of the opposition who seem to see nothing good in all the amazing developing witnessed across every nook and cranny since its inception in 2009.

At the moment, the state and it's diverse people have more than enough reasons to shout "Halleluya" to the high heavens for making him the governor at a time they almost gave up hope that nothing good can ever come out of the ruling class. None of them has forgotten the hopeless days where life meant residing alongside forgotten streets and abandoned public infrastructure, including roads, schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure. They now rise daily to behold evident testimonies to the breakthroughs the administration recorded in all sectors.

Beyond the dexterity with which Oshiomhole handled development issues, spreading same across the state particularly at a time the country went through an unprecedented economic malaise, there is no doubt that "Oshio Baba", as he is fondly referred to by his horde of admirers, equally invested so much in human capital. This is very evident in the calibre of aides he appointed into the office to help him drive his people-oriented policies. They are the behind-the-scene hands that constantly whispered reminders into his ears just to ensure that plans remain on course particularly in the

light of the state's lean resources. For their roles, the state never defaulted in all its obligations even when some of its richer counterparts were unable to meet recurrent obligations.

One of them is Godwin Obaseki, a very quiet investment banker, heading the administration's economic direction.

As a mark of the confidence reposed on Obaseki, the governor did not only ensure he served out the role successfully in the first term, he also received the mandate to play same duties during the second term re-election campaign. The governor retained him to

The real issue should be the need to have a level-playing ground for all continue to fill in as the administration's economic and investment eyes and ears after securing a second term in office to once more, fulfill the promises he made to the people.

Arguably, the place of Benin-born Obaseki is like that of the Ibo adage which says that a woman needs no better praise for preparing a good meal than seeing her husband clears out every morsel. If praises follow Oshiomhole for his outstanding performance in terms of service delivery at a time the entire nation went through a debilitating economic downturn, the man who played a key role must smile. No doubt, Obaseki deserves some praises and must smile from ear to ear for helping to nurture an impressive governance record. Indeed, given

the praises that trail the performances of the Oshiomhole administration, there is evidently no reason for any sane thinking individual or group to doubt the fact that he has done well.

For so long, the issue that dominated the state's political space is Obaseki's aspiration for the ultimate seat as governor of the state.

The real issue is that what ordinarily is a legitimate aspiration is deliberately jaundiced mainly on the supposition that he is the governor’s favoured heir. Thus tagged, the suggestion remains that he lacks the moral right to aspire to lead the state in the next dispensation. Curiously, however, those tagging him want to wish away the fact that he is as good, if not better than anyone else nursing the same ambition. Deliberately too, they ignored the fact that their claim is true, it does not remove the fact that he has every legitimate right as a citizen to nurse any leadership ambition, particularly when such aspiration is within the ambit of extant laws.

In quickly putting a tag on Obaseki, his traducers also forgot that it is not an accident that democracy prescribes rules with which it must be practiced. No cares to echo the fact that none of the laws excludes him. In other words, they deliberately ignore the fact that he is, by the rules, a qualified and bonafide aspirant. One is, therefore, distressed to realise that the man is being tagged by those who seek to see their own aspirations as appropriate. The question then is, can we rely on individuals and groups who seek to lead us but are at the same time deliberately misleading all of us with claims designed to impugn the character of a very qualified and deserving aspirant? For me, the answer is no because their aim is to employ very laughable suppositions to impose mediocrity on all of us.

For me, the time has come for every right thinking individual and group to impress it on those tagging Obaseki that the real issue should be the need to have a level-playing ground for all. Character assassination will not fly.

By now, Obaseki's opponents need to be reminded the guy's antecedents speak volumes.

They need to be reminded that he seems to have enough professional contacts with the right political and economic clout to further change the face of the state for the better. If he can achieve result even as we have all seen in his capacity as a controlled lieutenant, just imagine what he will achieve calling the shots.

The prospects are enticing. Therefore, rather than whine and tag him negatively, his opponents would do better developing better and bankable links that will help Edo state get to the next level.

I am of the opinion that with such sublime credentials, Obaseki is deserving of our plaudits and encouragement now that he has expressed a legitimate desire to aspire to the highest office in the state. It is wrong for any right-thinking individual or group to celebrate the mundane by considering his aspiration only from the narrow prism that sets aside his sterling qualities.

His chances of success should be considered from the standpoint of his antecedents and what he is doing right now. Come to think of it, he is not sitting pretty like an anointed son as he goes the entire state reaching out to those who matter. That is what matters.

The time has come for our people, particularly decision makers, to celebrate achievements. Those who seek to govern Edo state must show that they have brains.

*Mr. Omoarelojie, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Labour’s new minimum wage demand: Maximum trouble

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IGERIA’S labour movement is surely in a state of intellectual crisis. The leadership of the leading associations of workers in the country needs both moral and intellectual revival. Even if one is inclined to think that the obvious moral deficiency that current labour leaders exhibit demands more immediate attention that any other matter that puts a question mark on their relevance to the life and plight of the Nigerian worker, their manifest display of intellectual vacuity might be more demanding of urgent amelioration than anything else. I say this even when it could be reasonably assumed that today’s labour leaders have far better formal education and exposure than their predecessors from earlier generations. At least some of today’s labour leaders prefix their names with titles that suggest they are beneficiaries of advanced university degrees or professional training. Unlike the self-trained Michael Imoudus that fought epiclike battles on behalf of workers in years gone by.

Those labour leaders of yore might not have had much to show

in terms of possession of chains of western-type educational degrees; they might not have had the exposure to foreign culture that frequent travels have afforded today’s leaders, but they had far more to offer in terms of their dedication, incorruptibility and conviction than the leaders of today. They also demonstrated an appreciable measure of native intelligence and inner wisdom, the kind that would not allow them to become manipulable victims of power, than the men and women that lay claim to the leadership of workers’ bodies today. Yet, the social and political incapacitation of labour leaders, their near-total irrelevance if not active complicity in the immeseration of the Nigerian worker in particular and all others struggling in business or artisanal occupations in generalthe failure of our labour leaders to stand up to be counted on the side of the people reflects more the corrupt disposition of the leaders than their mere lack of intellectual reflection.

The idea that our labour leaders are increasingly hurting the cause of the Nigerian worker rather than working for their good was again

brought home to me by their latest demand for a steep increase in the national minimum wage, up from N18,000 to N56, 000. Several reasons make this demand a thoughtless one, not the least of them is the ailing state of the Nigerian economy now. The massive crash in the price of crude oil, Nigeria’s mainstay as an economic power house in Africa, has resulted in all kinds of calamitous situations for the people of this country. With crude oil selling at just about $35 per barrel for about a year now means a drastic shortfall in the revenue accruable to the Nigerian

Having more money chasing fewer goods around then cannot be the solution to the problem treasury. Many states in our socalled federation are so pauperised that workers have not been paid for many months, many times as many as twelve months. Even when these states got the lifeline of a socalled bail-out, they are still unable and/or unwilling to pay workers.

When they pay at all the actual amount paid, or the actual percentage of workers who benefitted from such payment and what percentage of their monthly wage was paid them immediately becomes an issue of debate and bitter disagreement between the workers and the state governments. In all this, all one hears from the labour leaders are often tepid threats if not loud

silence of a sort that is dispiriting.

For many months now since Nigerian workers became victims of irregular or unpaid salaries, labour unions have hardly taken any stand worthy of note. They address issues affecting their members in a manner that suggests that they would rather not rock the boat of corruption and irresponsibility that has brought everyone to this pass. Our labour leaders are too close to our political leaders to serves as effective check on the criminal excesses of the ‘elected’ lot. They appear to envy the unearned privileges of the ruling elite and so look forward to joining the gravy train.

It is no wonder then that each time the political leaders make special provision of benefits (such as cars) already covered by their salaries for themselves, all our labour leaders do is insist that such benefits be extended to workers.

Yes, we all do know that inflation has creamed off whatever advantages were meant to accrue to workers with the institution of the present minimum wage- yes, we do know that our law makers earn so much that they are afraid to disclose their salaries to Nigerians. But the answer to that is not an increase in the minimum wage again. As we speak many states are yet to start paying the current minimum wage. And the parlous state of our economy simply means that the states concerned will not be able to pay the proposed new wage. This ought to be commonsensical stuff but simple as it is, the point eludes our labour leaders.

Rather than seek yet another increment in wages, what these leaders ought to be doing is devising means of ensuring those in government come up with strategies that can help increase

Buhari, Fayose, Ugwuanyi, and this horrid life

By Chuks Iloegbunam “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

-Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

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EXED voices have, in exasperation, been asking where Reverend Father Ejike Camillus Mbaka is. They are absolutely right who expect the priest to speak up. People should ask where Bola Tinubu is, the one who covets the feat of unknotting Pandora’s Box. People should be asking where many other previously vocal Nigerians are. People should conduct an investigation on the seemingly abrupt dryness of Niyi Osundare’s inkpot, for he has put an incongruous halt to his fondness for poetizing on national questions. All those experts on radio and television, all those incisive analysts on cyberspace and concourses – know you one thing! People have a right to ask what sneaked in and stole your voices.

What crept in and rendered you incapable of standing up? What stealthily stymied your very humanity?

People also have another responsibility, which in fact is more fundamental than pointing accusingly at the supposed guilty.

People should be asking themselves where they stand.

People will, perhaps, temporarily desist from wondering whether Wole Soyinka had embarked on a journey out of the planet Earth.

The Nobelist’s voice finally crashed against the wall of eviscerating injustice: “Impunity evolves and becomes integrated in conduct when crime occurs and no legal, logical and moral response is offered. I have yet to hear this government articulate a firm policy of nontolerance for the serial massacres have become the nation’s identification stamp.

“I have not heard an order given that any cattle herders caught with sophisticated

firearms be instantly disarmed, arrested, placed on trial, and his cattle confiscated. The nation is treated to an eighteen-month optimistic plan which, to make matters worse, smacks of abject appeasement and encouragement of violence on innocents.

“Let me repeat, and of course I only ask to be corrected if wrong: I have yet to encounter a

It is inconceivable that Governor Fayose, were he in Ugwuanyi’s shoes, would have allowed a single night to pass before acting like a man with his people’s mandate terse, rigorous, soldierly and uncompromising language from this leadership, one that threatens a response to this unconscionable blood-letting that would make even Boko Haram repudiate its founding clerics.”

Fantastic! Except that Soyinka’s reaction is like that of a fowl on virgin territory that stands tentatively on one leg. For the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen, he faulted “this leadership”. Well, “this leadership” has at its head someone with a name. Why is the man’s name unmentionable? On Soyinka, there will be much more to say as the unfolding scalping encompasses the variegated swathes of the entity. For now, it requires to explore and expand his observation.

The Government of Enugu State received intelligence on the impending carnage by Fulani herdsmen. Dutifully, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi summoned a 10pm State Security Council meeting attended by the following on the state government’s side: Ugwuanyi, the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Governors’ Chief of Staff, the State Attorney-General, and the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council. President Buhari’s government was represented by the

following: Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi, the Commander of the Enugu Garrison (representing the GOC 82 Division of the Nigerian Army); the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu; the Enugu State Director of the Department State Security Services (DSS), Mr. M. Abdul Malik; the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Lar Stephen; and the representatives of the Nigerian Air Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigerian Prison Services, who attended as observers.

Yet, the carnage took place, costing anything between 60 and a hundred precious lives; leading to widespread destruction. Would this have happened if the threat had been on Muhammadu Buhari’s hometown of Daura?

The attitude of three politicians in this dispensation – Buhari, Fayose and Ugwuanyi – best illustrates contemporary Nigerian antinomies. About Buhari, his inertia and nonchalance hardly surprise. Hadn’t he told the world that his stance on governance was preferentially tied to the quantum of votes he amassed from different constituencies during last year’s presidential ballot? On Governor Fayose, there is clear evidence of leading from the front. He has not, since his election, shied away from meeting the aspirations of his people upfront, doing so fearlessly, clearly conscious of the fact that he owes his gubernatorial mandate to the good people of Ekiti, not some potentate in Abuja.

But, what has been happening to Fayose?

His own people mostly – not those who elected him, mind – but his own people, nonetheless, have been vociferous in damning and condemning him at every juncture, to sustain an untenable patchwork coalition of Masters and Slaves. Some have hung a label of Afonjaism on the perversity.

And then, there is Ugwuanyi. This man looks and sounds pathetic. This was how he started his statewide broadcast: “Four days ago on Monday April 25, 2016 many of our brothers and sisters in Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state were murdered

the purchasing power of our Naira. We’ve been buying fuel at between N200 to N400 per litre in the last couple of months. How would any increase in the monthly wage make life more liveable for people already groaning under the effect of carrying too much cash to buy the few things they could afford? What N1 would buy just a month ago has tripled in price since that time. The things money bought a few years ago are no longer affordable today even when people carry far more cash on their persons. The purchasing capacity of the Naira has been pulverised beyond recognition.

Having more money chasing fewer goods around then cannot be the solution to the problem.

But because these labour leaders are themselves workers only in name and nothing more (their lifestyles and possessions proclaim them as members of the ruling elite), they have become disconnected from the workers and are quick to make tepid demands on behalf of the masses that they know are veritable sheep without a shepherd once their leaders join hands with their oppressors.

Rather than accede to the demands of labour, what those in government obviously do is ‘take care’ of the labour leaders who are thereafter too compromised to be effective and soon join the political train as contestants in gubernatorial and other categories of elections. It is therefore a foolish attempt at mischief for the labour elite to grandstand on behalf of the Nigerian worker by making illdigested demands they know the government will not pay attention to. Nigerian labour leaders should return to the path of old and honour and stop making irresponsible demands for workers.

in cold blood by suspected Fulani herdsmen…”

Four whole days passed before this man deemed it necessary to address his massacred and traumatised people. What was he doing in the interim, apart from leaving his handkerchiefs sopping wet with tears? He found time to be “very grateful to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, for his prompt and decisive reaction to the incident in Nimbo.”

Someone certainly is trapped in cloud cuckoo land. The President hadn’t visited the scene of the massacres. He hadn’t sent a condolence message. He hadn’t ordered an investigation. When he met with Ugwuanyi, it was at the Governor’s instance. Still Buhari got effusively appreciated for his “prompt and decisive reaction”. This beggars belief. This provocative condescension was voiced in a broadcast that had the following only paragraphs away: “In less than three months, violent clashes have occurred in Enugu State in Awgu, Nike, Abbi and Nimbo between suspected Fulani Herdsmen and our people,” with absolutely no reaction from Abuja.

The genocide of 1966 happened before me.

Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the then Governor of Eastern Nigeria, did not respond to that anti-Igbo pogrom by grinning ear-to-ear before the murderers of his people; he didn’t go about salaaming them. It is inconceivable that Governor Fayose, were he in Ugwuanyi’s shoes, would have allowed a single night to pass before taking exception, before acting like a man with his people’s mandate. That recommends itself as the stuff of commonsense.

The bloody trail of mass murders by Fulani Herdsmen is unfolding in front of all our eyes.

Think of the quotes from Archbishop Tutu and Martin Luther King Jr. above. Think of the dictate of conscience. Think of the sacredness of life. Think of the impunity of these mass murderers. Consider that “Impunity evolves and becomes integrated in conduct when crime occurs and no legal, logical and moral response is offered.” Then ask yourself this question: Am I sitting on the fence, deadening my senses in silences? *Mr. Iloegbunam, an author wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, WEDNES DAY WEDNESDAY DAY, MAY 4, 2016

By Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

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Herdsmen attack: Survivors cry out for help

EW days after, Nimbo community in UzoUwani local government •Say it has been hell sleeping at petrol stations, area, Enugu State is still uncompleted buildings, motor parks reeling from the shock and trauma of the unprovoked invasion by Fulani herdsmen who unleashed mayhem, killed over 20 indigenes, inflicted machete cuts on others and displaced the entire community.

Indeed most of those who survived the brutal attack by fleeing for dear lives are still taking refuge at petrol stations, hospitals, motor parks, churches and uncompleted buildings in Nsukka metropolis.

Vanguard Metro visit to the affected areas reveal that most indigenes of Nimbo, Abbi and other communities in Uzo-Uwani Local GovernmentAreahavesince fled their country homes. •Stranded... John Ayogu and family And there is presently no indication that they will return soon the teenagers who were forced out due to palpable fear arising from of school by the barbaric attack and alleged threat by the Fulani herdsmen killings in our community. People to invade other communities within have been helpful to the refugees of Nimbo. Some of them took some and around the troubled area.

Unfortunately, the refugees from of us to their residential homes, and different communities are hard many others buy food items and pressed for food, water, clothing and sachet water for us. We fled our shelter. With relief slow in coming, they community empty-handed, without are looking on to God for intervention food and cloth. What pains us most was those of us that were killed by to assuage their agony.

But for sympathisers who have the Fulani herdsmen at the compassionately been donating loaves farmland. The number of death of bread, cowpea meal (Okpa) among was too much for one community to other food items, the pitiable condition bear. Our children were forced out of the displaced persons would have of school for a good number of days now; we don’t know when it will be been worse. At safe for us to go back to our farms. the time of filing We are predominantly farmers but this report, both •Chisom and Regina the herdsmen will not allow us the Federal and settle in our farms as they rape s t a t e women and young girls. This is displaced. So, where do we go from government why we usually do not let the here. Our situation need urgent emergency younger girls to go alone to the attention”. interventionist Ajougwu Chisom (15), an SS 2 farms for fear of their being defiled agencies, student at Community Secondary namely the We sleep at by Fulani herdsmen”.

School, Nimbo and Ugwoke N a t i o n a l every Regina (10) a primary six pupil Emergency Roaming the who were carrying small buckets Management available streets like cattle said: “We went to buy food items A g e n c y , space at with the little money people gave NEMA and the Struggling to control his tears, to us. We are staying with our sister night and s t a t e Utazi Chikodili of Nimbo who is together with our parents. We want e m e r g e n c y roam the taking refuge at Royal Cross to go back to school”. manag-ement said: ‘’Fulani herdsmen town in the hospital Mr. John Ezugwu of Owerre a g e n c y, have finished our people, turned Ezikolo Abbi community was to SEMA, are yet day time in indigenes of Nimbo to beggars. We inform thus: “My family fled to make their search of sleep at this hospital every day and following rumours making the presence felt. night; kind-hearted people come rounds that the herdsmen would N a r r a t i n g food to eat here to give us food and water, and invade Abbi community, having their ordeals, we bath at midnight because of killed three people, including a some of the space. Dr Ezike who owns the refugees who spoke to VM said that hospital has been good to us; a brother and sister, in Abbi barely they are surviving at mercy of God, good number of us took refuge at two months ago. We are able to adding that apart from being the hospital, majority of us stay at feed through the help of exposed to the elements, they are Nsukka stadium and motor parks. sympathisers who donate food, also forced to scrounge for food and We are surviving by the help of water and cloth. Nimbo was the worst affected of all the water. people. communities so far attacked by the John Ayogu of Nimbo told VM that Look at these children who are his family survives at the mercy of supposed to be in schools roaming Fulani herdsmen in the recent past good Samaritans who donate food, the streets like cattle. Many of our in Uzo-Uwani LGA. Abbi water and fairly used cloths. “We people were either killed or indigenes are fleeing because of sleep at every available space at night seriously injured by the Fulani the alleged threat. We cannot stay and roam the town in the day time herdsmen. The rest of us were to be attacked by the herdsmen”. in search of food to eat, mostly for C M Y K

Stop Fulani herdsmen now!

By Ebele Orakpo “Hmm, this Fulani herdsmen wahala is getting out of hand oo! Na small, small monkey de take enter bush. Government at all levels should wake up before it is too late,” said Lizzy, a commuter in the Badagry-bound commuter bus.

“No be small matter my sister and the government is looking the other way, pretending as if nothing is happening.

This looming evil will be worse than Boko Haram,” said Tim. “These guys are not herdsmen. Herdsmen don’t go about with AK-47 rifles with impunity. Herdsmen don’t go about kidnapping people and demanding for ransom. These are Boko Haram terrorists infiltrating other parts of the country in the name of herdsmen. When did the nomadic Fulani become proficient in the use of AK-47 rifles, not even dane guns? We should put on our thinking cap. The earlier we see them for what they are and treat them as such, the better for us,” said TJ. “They have attacked so many communities across the country. Today, the weapons are not hidden and it seems the Federal Government and security agencies are giving them tacit support with their deafening silence,” said Lizzy.

“This is jihad and nothing else; from Plateau to Benue, Taraba, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, etc. In Benue, they sacked whole communities and occupied some with their cattle and government is saying nothing!” noted Rose.

“JustlookattheEnuguattack.Iheardtheherdsmenbrought in about 500 of their kinsmen from Nasarawa State. The local government chairman reported to the Police, DSS, Army and leaders of the Fulani community. They held a meeting where the Fulani leader said he will not allow such a thing to happen in a place he has lived for about 35 years. The people stupidly believed them and relaxed. Then the attack happened, killing over 40 people and razing buildings including a church,” narrated Eka. “And Government’s answer to all the atrocities is call for establishment of grazing reserves across Nigeria for herdsmen. In fact, a lawmaker from the North said the best solution is for every state to create a grazing field for the herdsmen. A Southern lawmaker argued that farmers from the South should be given farm lands in the North also to balance the equation since government is now These guys are sponsoring private businesses. The Northern not herdsmen; lawmaker retorted that he herdsmen don’t was only trying to bring a solution since the go about with Southerners were AK-47 rifles; complaining but since his herdsmen don’t suggestion was not going down well with them, they go about should keep suffering,” said kidnapping Mercy.

Retorted Rose: “Imagine people and the cheekiness! Boycott the demanding for cows, eat fish and white meat which are healthier.” ransom “Farmers and youths in every community should arm themselves to be able to face the terrorists, period!” counseled TJ. “Ah, don’t even go there. Once that happens, the seemingly sleeping government will wake up and ask all those in possession of weapons to surrender them or face prosecution as happened in Kano some years ago. Igbo were being killed and government said nothing. A rich Igbo guy who dealt in arms then armed Igbo youths in Kano and they fought back.

Immediately government saw they had the upper hand, they asked all illegal possessors of firearms to surrender them. So I don’t blame those alleging jihad and genocide,” said Lizzy.

“But the Fulani said their kinsmen were being killed also.

Don’t overlook that,” said TJ. “Who started the killing, stealing, raping and destruction?

Of course the people had to defend themselves,” stated Rose.

“The solution is for them to get grazing fields in their states and let the Agric Minister import the grass he promised and sell to them. If they want grazing fields in other states, they should negotiate with the owners and buy. The Federal Government cannot use tax payers’ money to fund private businesses. It is not done,” said Tim.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

LASG commences implementation of national policy on MSMEs

By Babajide Komolafe

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AGOS State Government yesterday commenced implementation of the National Policy on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the inauguration of the Lagos State Council on MSME. The state also flagged off the first Lagos State MSME Exclusive fair and the ‘Purchase Made-in-Lagos: Create Employment” campaign to boost patronage for products of MSMEs. Speaking at the inauguration of the council and the fair, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said that the establishment of the Lagos State Council on MSMEs to ensure proper coordination of MSME subsector in the state and to key into the implementation of the National Policy on MSMEs.

judiciously utilised.

Ogunleye, who is also the Chairman of the Council said, “The Lagos State Council on MSMEs would be a platform for implementing the following five critical policy priorities of the national policy: Enabling a regulatory environment that supports MSMEs; fostering MSME growth and profitability by promoting clusters; facilitating business support services and

creating demand for MSMEs’ products and services; improving access to financial support for MSMEs; raising broad-based awareness and appreciation for entrepreneurship and equip a new generation of entrepreneurs with requisite business management skills; as well as ensuring through adequate vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training institutions, an adequately skilled

workforce that can effectively support the growth of the MSMEs subsector in partnership with strategic MDAs at the federal, state and local government levels; the private sector and the civil society.

Speaking on the first Lagos MSME Exclusive fair, Ogunleye said that the fair is a marketing intervention programme for showcasing indigenous MSME products.

Economic development Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, charged members of the Council to identify MSMEs operating in the state and recommend how the state can enhance their productivity so that they can truly serve as bedrock for the economic development of the state.

Elaborating on the functions of the Lagos State Council on MSME, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, said that the Council, among other things, will ensure that resources allocated for the support of the sector are properly and

MSME FAIR: from left, Chief Executive Officer, Konga Online.Com, Mr. Shola Adekoya; Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. Olalekan Akodu at the first Lagos State MSME Exclusive Fair held yesterday at the State’s Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos.

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $55m in talc-powder trial

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U.S. jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay 55 million dollars to a woman who said that using the company’s talc-powder products for feminine hygiene caused her to develop ovarian cancer. A prosecutor said on Tuesday in Jefferson City that the verdict, which J&J planned to appeal, was the second straight trial loss for the company.

He said the company is facing not less than 1,200 lawsuits accusing it of not adequately warning consumers about the cancer risks posed by its talcbased products.

He said following a three-week trial in Jefferson City, Missouri state court, jurors deliberated for about a day before returning a verdict for Gloria Ristesund.

“She is awarded 5 million dollars in compensatory damages and 50 million dollars in punitive damages,’’ the ruling stated. The prosecutor said the verdict followed a 72 million dollars jury award, from the same court in February, to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer after years of using talc powder for feminine hygiene. Meanwhile, J&J Spokeswoman, Carol Goodrich, said the verdict contradicted 30 years of research supporting the safety of cosmetic talc. “The company intends to appeal and will keep defending its products’ safety,’’ she said.

IMF urges African leaders to reset policies •Says growth lowest in 15 years

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

T

HE International Monetary Fund, IMF, has challenged Sub-Saharan African countries, to reset their economic policies in order to return to the $ 120.10 1.00 path of growth. It said in its latest Regional $3,224.00 17.00 Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa has $ 16.10 -0.11 been hit by multiple shocks, especially falling commodity prices and drought $45.51 -0.32 which has hit several $44.31 -0.47 nations on the continent.

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING It said that commodity exporting countries, US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 where fiscal and foreign POUNDS 286.5128 287.2437 287.9746 reserves are being EURO 223.6948 224.2655 224.8361 FRANC 203.5941 204.1134 204.6328 rapidly depleted and YEN 1.8278 1.8325 1.8372 financing is CFA 0.3202 0.3302 0.3402 constrained, the WAUA 276.335 277.04 277.7449 response to the shock RENMINBI 30.2134 30.2909 30.3684 RIYAL 52.2625 52. 3958 52.5291 needs to be prompt and KRONA 30.0429 30.1196 29.1962 robust to prevent a SDR 277.7908 278.4995 279.2081 disorderly adjustment.

“Countries outside CBN Exchange rate as at 03/05/2016 monetary unions should

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— 21

use exchange rate flexibility, as part of a wider macro-economic policy package, to absorb the shock. As revenue from the extractive sector is likely durably reduced, many affected countries also critically need to contain fiscal deficits and build a sustainable tax base from the rest of the economy.

“Given the substantially tighter external financing environment, market access countries with elevated fiscal and current account deficits will also need to recalibrate their fiscal policies to rebuild scarce buffers and mitigate vulnerabilities if external conditions worsen further.

“The required measures may come at the cost of lower growth in the short-term. However, they will prevent what could otherwise be a significantly more costly disorderly adjustment,” the organization said.

It added that such policies would lay the ground work needed for the region to reap the substantial economic potential which still lies ahead. On the causes of the dwindling fortunes

of African economies, the IMF said, “The steep decline in commodity prices and tighter financing conditions have put many large economies under severe strain, and the new report calls for a stronger policy response to counter the effect of these shocks and secure the region’s growth potential.”

The report shows growth fell to 3½ percent in 2015, the lowest level in 15 years. Growth this year is expected to slow further to 3 percent, well below the 6 percent average over the last decade, and barely above population growth.

Commodity price slump The IMF said, “The commodity price slump has hit many of the largest sub-Saharan African economies hard.

While oil prices have recovered somewhat compared to the beginning of the year, they are still more than 60 percent below 2013 peak levels, a shock of unprecedented magnitude. As a result, oil exporters such as Nigeria,

Angola, and five of the six countries withintheCentralAfricanEconomic and Monetary Community continue to face particularly difficult economic conditions. The decline in commodity prices has also hurt non-energy commodity exporters, such as Ghana, South Africa, and Zambia.

“Compounding this shock, external financing conditions for most of the region’s frontier markets have tightened substantially compared to the period until mid2014 when they enjoyed wide access to global capital markets. In addition, a severe drought in several southern and eastern African countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, is putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity.”

However, the organization said that there is prospect in the future for the region as many countries continue to register growth in per capita terms. ”In particular, most oil importers are faring much better with growth of 5 percent or higher in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, and many low-income countries.

22 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Employers of labour, on their part, have a duty to prevent workers from encountering financial difficulties during old age by subscribing to the CPS as stipulated under the enabling Act

,

Insurers’ total assets hit N802.99bn — CBN

INSURANC

,

Prepare early to avoid delay in pension payment

By Favour Nnabugwu

T

HE total assets and liabilities of the insurance business hit N802.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015.

This was contained in the recently released Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Survey Report for December 2015 which put insurance business total assets/liabilities in Q4 2015 to N802.9 billion, a decrease by 1.8 per cent in comparison with the level reported in the preceding quarter.

According to the report, the 1.8 per cent decrease in total assets was largely attributed to the decreases of N17.9 billion or 13.2 percent, N12.5 billion or 4.0 per cent and N1.6 billion or 0.8 per cent in current assets, deposit retained by ceding companies and fixed assets, respectively.

Those decreases were, however, moderated by the increases of N14.6 billion or 9.6 per cent and N2.7 billion or 8.8 per cent in Liquid Assets and Other Investments, respectively while the contraction in Total Liabilities was largely accounted for by the decrease of N47.0 billion or 66.9 percent in Other liabilities.

The decrease was, however, moderated by the increases of N24.9 billion or 7.4 percent, N7.1 billion or 10.8 per cent and N0.3 billion or 2.4per cent in Insurance Funds, Current Liabilities and Long Term Borrowing, respectively.

Liquid Assets: Total Liquid Assets stood at N167.1 billion during the period under review, representing increases of N14.6 billion or 9.6 per cent and N32.7 billion or 24.3 per cent above the levels reported in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2014, respectively.

The report explained that the Aggregate Deposits Retained by Ceding Companies stood at N299.0 billion, representing decrease of N12.5 billion or 4.0 per cent below the level reported in the preceding quarter but, an increase of N34.1 billion or 12.9 per cent above the level reported in the corresponding period of 2014. The 4.0 per cent decrease in Retained Deposits was accounted for by the N27.0 billion or 9.2 per cent and N0.8 billion or 4.2 per cent decreases in Short Term Investments and Statutory Deposit, respectively.

Total assets of the industry These decreases were, however, moderated by the N15.2 billion increase in Listed Ordinary Shares. Deposits Retained by Ceding Companies contributed 37.2 per cent of the Total Assets of the Insurance industry in Q4 2015.

It went on to explain that other Investments of the insurance business amounted to N33.4 billion in the review quarter, representing increases of N2.7 billion or 8.8 per cent and N9.1 billion or 37.6 per cent above the levels reported in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2014, respectively. Other Investments accounted for 4.2 per cent of the Total Assets of the industry.

Fixed Assets: Fixed Assets outlay of the insurance business stood at N185.4 billion, representing decrease of N1.6 billion or 0.8 per cent below the level reported in the preceding quarter but, increased by N23.5 billion or 14.5 per cent above the level reported in the corresponding period of 2014. The decline in Fixed Assets was largely accounted for by the decrease of N6.3 billion or 5.4 per cent in Real Estate. This decrease was, however, moderated by the increases of N4.5 billion and N0.3 billion in others and Equipment, respectively; Capital and Reserves: Capital and Reserves of the insurance industry stood at N332.3 billion, representing increases of N0.03 billion and N31.0 billion above the levels reported in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2014, respectively. The Capital and Reserves contributed 41.4 per cent to the insurance industry Total Liabilities during the period under review.

Laced with lots of potentials and opportunities amidst surmountable challenges, the insurance industry, over the years, has sauntered from being an ill-perceived sector to one beginning to acquire a dominant role within the purview of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Vision 20:20:20.

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

By Rosemary Onuoha

A

LOT of retirees who should be collecting pension from the Contributory Pension Scheme, (CPS) are more or less undergoing financial difficulties due to inability to access their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) as a result of poor preparation and planning before retirement.

It is pertinent for a worker to take advantage of the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to prepare for retirement now, and avoid severe financial difficulties during old age.

Financial difficulties In essence, to avoid delay in accessing ones RSA, a worker should inform his/her Pension Fund Administrator, (PFA) six months before retiring from active service.

Employers of labour, on their part, have a duty to prevent workers from encountering financial difficulties during old age by subscribing to the CPS as stipulated under the enabling Act, so as to guarantee a secure retirement for their employees.

To this end, intending retirees were counselled on the imperatives of putting in place effective plans to ensure a smooth transition to retirement.

At the Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers campaign in Lagos recently, which is part of initiatives aimed at encouraging retirement planning amongst Nigerian workers to raise awareness about retirement, participants were given valuable tips from seasoned experts and professionals on retirement planning.

It is pertinent for a worker to take advantage of the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to prepare for retirement now, and avoid severe financial difficulties during old age With the theme, “Life Continues at Retirement – Retire well,” those approaching retirement were made to have a clear view of the path to a

comfortable retirement, while removing the stress of pondering what will happen when the individual disengages from active service.

The forum was an avenue to update participants on new developments in the pension industry, shape industry agendas, as well as highlight benefits of the country ’s nascent pension scheme.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr. Eric Fajemisin, stated that employers of labour who have yet to embrace the new pension scheme as stipulated under PRA 2014, should come on board and ensure secured retirement for their employees.

He added that Stanbic IBTC Pension was set up with a mission to enable Nigerians retire well after their working lives. “We want to help people plan for their retirement to ensure that the retirement phase is as rewarding and productive to them as possible,” he stated.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers is a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars - corporate and investment banking, personal and business banking and wealth management.

SEMINAR: From left, Economic & Commercial Consul, Chinese Consulate,Mr Peng Zhang;President, Shandong Province Auto Parts Chamber of Commerce,Mr Zhou Liping;Director General,Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf;Vice Chairman, Organizing Committee of China International Auto Product Expo (CIAPE), Mrs Zhang Yazhu, and Director, Policing & Planning, National Automative Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Luqman Mamudu, at the Nigeria-China Auto Parts Economic & Trade Seminar & Business Matchmaking Meeting by LCCI, in Lagos.

VOL. 1 NO 66 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARYWEDNESDAY, 20, 2016 Vanguard, MAY 4, 2016

Mad woman regains sanity after 35 years; becomes choirmistress

The IGP, Arase coming out of Igwe John Akor of Nimbo’s palace, after Arase’s fact- finding tour of Nimbo following Fulani herdsmen attack on Nimbo, killing over 40 people.

Life in Nimbo after herdsmen attack

By Emeka Mamah

L

ife is gradually returning to the troubled Nimbo Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government, following the attack on the people by Fulani herdsmen, leading to the death of over 40 people, including a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and a teacher, penultimate Monday.

A visit to Nimbo Sunday, showed that although armed soldiers and policemen were patrolling the area, only few members of the agrarian community had returned home.

The Traditional Ruler of Nimbo and former journalist, Igwe John Akor who spoke at Nimbo said that many of his kinsmen and women who fled to neighbouring villages and Nsukka Township were yet to come home for fear of being attacked again. Akor said that the few that returned did so because of the presence of armed security men.

He said that the people who were mainly subsistent farmers were afraid that the Fulani would still come back to attack them, hence they were coming home in trickles.

At the time of the visit, the popular Eke Nimbo Market was deserted as there were no buyers and sellers of any food items or goods. Akor however, hinted that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, as well as the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, would visit Nimbo last Monday to distribute relief materials to them.

The senator representing the area in the National Assembly, Chukwuka Utazi, also told South East Voice that he had been around persuading those who fled their homes to return because they should not

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run away from their houses for anybody to occupy them by force.

Utazi, who spoke on the telephone appealed to security agencies to ensure Gov Ugwuanyi of Enugu State crying at Nimbo after Fulani that the crises did herdsmen attacks not escalate and commended the state government for taking prompt action to protect the lives and property of the people of the area.

However, investigations by South East Voice, showed that part of the reason why most people in Nimbo and environs were not ready to return home was due to what they described as “betrayal by armed soldiers and policemen,” who withdrew from their duty posts in Nimbo and Abbi, few seconds before the Fulani herdsmen

who were armed with sophisticated weapons began to unleash mayhem on the hapless people.

Spokesperson for the community, Dr George Ajogwu, had told the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase when he visited Nimbo on a fact finding mission few days after the attack, that apart from the sudden withdrawal of security agents, the Fulani attackers were led by a police corporal serving at the Adani Police Station

in the local government.

This was even as the state Commissioner of Police, Ekechukwu Nwodibo, had said during a live television programme in the heat of the crises that Nimbo was attacked by hoodlums, and not Fulani herdsmen as erroneously believed by the people.

However, Ajogwu said, “What happened was that immediately the policemen posted to the community left; because we pleaded with them to stay till those who would change them arrived but they did not listen to us. The Fulani began to shoot our people soon after the policemen left.

“Immediately they moved out that morning, the Fulani herdsmen struck. If the policemen had listened to us, the incident would have been nipped in the bud. It was only the Area Commander ’s men from Nsukka that responded frontally when they arrived.

“The situation is unbelievable. We cannot say exactly the number of people that died but the death toll is above 20,” Ajogwu said.

As if to corroborate Ajogwu’s observations, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State stated two days after Arase’s visit to Nimbo, that armed soldiers and policemen deployed to Nimbo and the nearby Abbi Communities to stop the Fulani attack abandoned their duty posts.

Ugwanyi’s statement signed on April 29, 2016 read in part, “My dear people of Enugu State, four days ago on Monday April 25, 2016, many of our brothers and sisters in Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state were murdered in cold blood by suspected Fulani herdsmen who have been grazing their cattle in that area for a while now…

“On Sunday, April 24, 2016, by 7 pm, the night before the carnage took place, I got security information from Uzo-Uwani Local Government Transition Chairman, Hon. Cornell Onwubuya that such an incident was likely to take place in the state.

I immediately summoned a meeting of the State Security Council which commenced by 10 pm.

“The meeting was attended by the following, the Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi who normally represents the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu, the State Director of Department State Services, DSS, Mr. M. Abdul-Malik and the state Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Lar Stephen.”

According to him, those who also, attended the State Security Council meeting as observers included, the “representatives of the Nigerian Air Force,

Continues on Page 24

OSU CASTE SYSTEM:

A dead myth or a reality?

By Emeka Mamah, Vincent Ujumadu, Anayo Okoli, Chidi Nkwopara & Peter Okutu

S

IXTY eight years after the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and banned slavery in 1948, some communities in Igbo land are still

discriminating against those they still regard as slaves.

Investigations by the South East Voice revealed that in some of the communities where people discriminate against the socalled slaves, those who call themselves free-born do not allow the slaves to marry their daughters just as their sons do not marry those they regard as sub-humans. To drive home the point, some parents give their children, pejorative names like

Ohuabunwa meaning slaves are subhumans.

Although the situation is slightly different in Anambra and Abia States, the issue of slavery had been causing problems especially, in many communities in Enugu and Imo States.

Three Classes of people exist in Imo State In Imo State, three classes of individuals exist. These are the “free born” (Diala), the

Continues on Page 24

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Osu caste system: A dead myth or a reality?

Continues from Page 23 enslaved outcasts (Osu, Ohu or Oru) and Ume (those prone-todie). Oral history has it that the early outcasts were “sacrificed” or willingly surrendered themselves to one deity or the order, to avoid being sold into slavery or the like.

These groups created by the people, predates the advent of Christianity in Igbo land, and has refused to die in the psyche of Ndigbo till date.

According to the custom and tradition of the people, all the socalled free born had nothing to do with either the slaves or in their communities, including marriages.

Beyond this despicable deprivation is the humiliation and stigmatization the Osu, Ohu or Ume suffered at the hands of the supposed free born. These groups of people bear their pains with equanimity even as marriage to an Osu man or woman is an abomination. Other minor or lower cast groups found in many communities are called derogatory names like ndi ejiri goro ihe (those sacrificed to the gods or slaves to the gods of the communities). In some other communities, the osu or slave is regarded as a worthless human being.

It is believed that the early missionaries did not do much to eradicate this seeming apartheid in Igbo land. It was either that they

did not quite understand the import of the dichotomy or did not want to do anything that would scuttle their missionary activities.

Slavery abolished by the defunct Eastern House of Assembly Due to the stigmatisation suffered by many people in the hands of their brothers and sisters over the Osu Caste system, the defunct Eastern House of Assembly, on May 10, 1956, abrogated the obnoxious practice through an act of parliament, but 60 years after, this has not done the required magic.

Church leaders wade in However, some religious leaders in Imo State, including the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr Anthony Obinna, and the Anglican Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, Rt. Rev. David Onuoha, have been waging a spirited war against the practice.

Delivering a lecture recently in the United States of America, Archbishop Obinna said: “A close reading of Jesus’ relationship with the Jews, Samaritans and the Gentiles and his redemptive concern for each of these human groups, opened my eyes, my ears, my inner hearts and mind to a redemptive… concern among my Igbo folks.”

Obinna further said that identifying with all three groups in his racial Igbo family, recognizing the humanity in each

•South-East state governors sub-group, experiencing and realizing the deep dread, pain and misery borne by individuals in each segment and across Igbo communities, he found himself rejecting, denouncing and renouncing any identification with all three sub-Igbo groups.

“I had to break up with and break out of all conscious, reflexive and subconscious attachment to each and all three groups and their fears. By a combination of God’s grace in Christ and by continued selfprobing, I found a new and unbelievable freedom and courage, which I am offering to the Igbo once enslaved by Igboreligious-cultural divides,” he added.

Although the cleric has been in the fore-front of this mission, many others across church groups are equally pushing it forward and doing away with centuries old inhuman customs, habits and barriers.

In Enugu State, the cases of

Umuode and Oruku in Nkanu East Local Government and Ugbene and Ejuona in Nsukka Local Government, respectively are examples of man’s inhumanity to man.

The perpetual state of war in Oruku, Nkanu, which has led to large-scale displacements of their Umuode kith and kin, now scattered across neighbourhoods within the state, for nearly one decade, is unfortunate and should not be allowed to continue.

The Oruku people, who have always had the upper hand in the recurring violence, and their Umuode victims, had been in the same community as far back as pre-colonial times, even though Oruku was the pioneer in the order of settlement.

However, this innocuous fact of history has been turned on its head and, coupled with slavery and other unwholesome cultural practices, combined to create social stratifications that placed Umuode people on the lower

Life in Nimbo after herdsmen attack Continues from Page 23 the Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Prison Services.

“From the side of government were, myself, the governor, the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, the Chairman, state Traditional Rulers Council and the Attorney General.

“In the meeting, we received assurances from the Commissioner of Police that the Area Commander of SARS was on ground in Nimbo; that the Anti-Terrorism Unit was at Nimbo; that he was in contact with the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and reported suspected herdsmen grouping at Odolu in Kogi State preparatory for an attack on Nimbo and Abbi communities; that Police mobile force and conventional police were already drafted to Nimbo and Abbi communities and that he was in touch with the Area Commander, ldah, ACP lkegwuonwu and had linked him with the Area Commander, Nsukka, ACP Monday Kuryasi.

“Both men according to the CP reported that there were no traces of suspected herdsmen in Nsukka or Idah and that he ordered the Area Commander, Nsukka to redeploy to Nimbo.

“The Garrison Commander on his part assured the meeting that Military was already deployed to Nimbo. Let me state that the state government provided logistics for these deployments.

“After receiving these assurances of deployments to Nimbo, I felt quite confident that we had done everything possible to forestall an attack on Nimbo… Sadly, in the early hours of Monday reports of this carnage reached me. More disturbing was the report

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that the attack of innocent and defenceless citizens were carried out at about 6 30 am.

Further reports available to me indicate that apart from the killing and maiming of innocent and defenceless citizens of Nimbo a church was also burnt. Following this development, I engaged the security agencies in order to ensure that the Nimbo area was secured from further attacks that might escalate the situation…

What happened between 6.30am and 7.30 am on Monday 25th April, 2016 despite assurances from the security agencies? Only the security agencies can answer this question.

“On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, I visited Nimbo in order to establish first-hand the extent of carnage. My visit to Nimbo was revealing. I

came face to face with the wounded and bereaved. I saw burnt and damaged personage of Christ Holy Church. I saw a traumatized community in shock and despair. I saw a dead body. I wept. I wondered what has become of our quest for a united, peaceful and prosperous nation…

“Only two weeks ago we gave a posthumous award to Alhaji Umaru Altine, a Katsina born Muslim who was elected mayor of Enugu before the civil war; in the period that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was leader of the NCNC. Now in less than three months, violent clashes have occurred in Enugu State in Awgu, Nike, Abbi and Nimbo between suspected Fulani Herdsmen and our people…”

stratum of the Oruku society till date.

It is the same story in Alor Uno Community in Nsukka, where the Ejuona people believe that although their forefathers came from Kwara State and settled at Alor Uno, the Ugbene people who reportedly settled later were now slaves.

In this regard, the Ejuona people reportedly smuggled certain obnoxious chapters which stated that Ugbene people were not qualified to hold any chieftaincy title, not to talk of political positions as they were said to be sub-humans.

The Alor Uno imbroglio has even permeated the Catholic and the Anglican churches which are the major religious organisations in the area as well as those who worship idols. In Alor Uno, it is an abomination for the Ugbene man or woman to pass through some designated bush paths or track roads reserved for the Ejuona man or woman.

In Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North Local Government where gerontocracy is practised, it is abomination for the so-called slaves to hold the ofor sticks which symbolise the presence of the forefathers or authority in the eldest village man’s house or other family heads, just as such people are not allowed to inherit family lands held in trust by the elders for the men in their respective communities.

In Ebonyi State, which is one of the six new states created in 1996 by late General Sanni Abacha’s administration when it was carved out of the old Abakaliki division of Enugu State and the old Afikpo division of Abia State.

In Ebonyi, slavery only existed in the psyche Ebonyi State is popularly known as the Salt of the Nation apparently because of the large deposits of salt in the state, South East Voice investigations revealed that slavery existed in the psyche of the people due to some historic/ tourists sites used during the period of slave trade in the state. The only form of slavery now is in the form human trafficking.

Slave market/ routes The slave routes in Ezza and Afikpo served as a reminder of the infamous slave trade era in the state.

There was another route and also slave market at Ezza. Quite a huge number of slaves who were taken off the shores of Africa left the country through this route.

The Slave Market Route, Ezza: Located in Ezza in Ezza South Local Government was where slaves were traded before being moved to other places during the slave and intertribal war years.

This development is no longer a

•Arase meets Nimbo Monarch

Continues on page 25

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 25

Mad woman regains sanity after 35 years; becomes choir mistress

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

Mrs Ada Jesus (left) Evang Rose Nwachukwu (right) shaved and clothed the victim

•The victim during the interview.

NITSHA - To God, it was power above Satan. But to the human mind, it was a miracle.

A 46-year old mad woman who had roamed the streets for 35 years insane, becoming a chorister shortly after she was delivered from the bondage of marine spirits who tormented for the whole period.

Simply identified as Sister Chioma who hails from Ntigha in Ngwa area of Abia State, she automatically regained her consciousness as the evil spirits tormenting her fled during an encounter with Prophet Onyeka Chibuzo (Agina)of the Church of Last Born (a.k.a the Anointed

Assembly).

The miracle leading to her deliverance took place on March 11, 2016 at the premises of Onitsha Main Market where Prophet Onyeka and members of his church went to hold outreach prayers for the traders.

On how the feat was achieved, the source stated that while the Prophet was firing his prayers during the outreach, Chioma passed through the arena and when he saw her in tattered clothes, God said to him that the hour of miracle had come.

According to Prophet Onyeka who spoke in his church at Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a special dedication service where Chioma is presently

Nigeria Legion recruits 500 legionnaires to tackle grassroot security

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU— Worried by the increasing spate of crime in the rural areas of Enugu State,the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires,Enugu command has conducted induction for 500 batch ‘C’ cadet officers to serve as complimentary security men in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Nigerian Legion Corps Commissionaries mostly comprises of ex-servicemen and women that liaise, compliment

the activities of Police, Army in traffic control, fire disaster,crowd control, intelligence gathering to ensure security, especially at the rural areas.

While commissioning the officers at the Federal College of Dental Technology/Therapy, Tr a n s - E k u l u , E n u g u , t h e Commandant, Lt, Col. Ojewoye revealed that the Corps is bent on combating crime in the rural areas through intelligence gathering and collaboration with Police, DSS, Army and other relevant security agencies.

“With the deployment of 500

officers across the 17 council areas in Enugu State,cases of communal clashes, kidnapping, traffic congestion will be reduced.

As grassroot soliders,we rely on intelligence

gathering to proactively secure our environment.

“This is an organization that anybody who wants to assist his or her fatherland in combating the numerous security challenges

•The cadet officers partaking in a march past

Osu caste system: A dead myth or a reality?

Continues from Page 24 phenomenon in the state. What is prevalent now is in form of human trafficking which had plagued the state for a long time due to high poverty levels.

However, speaking in an interview with South East Voice, the state police Spokesman, ASP George Okafor said the command had carried out a series of rescue missions to curtail the excesses of human traffickers in the state.

Okafor said that the masterminds of human trafficking were individual and organised criminal groups often involving relatives or other

THE TEAM Supervising Editor: Chioma Gabriel, Lagos (08052201257) Editor: Emeka Mamah, Enugu email: emekemamah@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Awka Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu, Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Francis Igata, Enugu Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba Enyim Enyim, Onitsha Chinoso Alozie, Owerri Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka Eric Ugbor, Aba

persons already known to the victims.

According to him, contemporary human trafficking was an organized business just as the transatlantic slave trade with various linkages spread around the globe.

A dead myth in Anambra In Anambra State, time was when the issue of Osu caste system was common in many parts of Igbo land. In those days, those dubbed Osu were used by the free born for errand and menial jobs and they were not allowed to marry the free born.

The discrimination was so much that the government of the defunct Eastern Region had to set up a committee which eventually recommended the abolition of the system. Though it met resistance as the various communities subtly discriminated against the Osu, the fact that there was a law against calling anybody Osu eventually led to its final death.

As the subtle discrimination continued, many communities took the bold step to officially abolish it in their areas. For in instance the official abolition of Osu Caste system was made by Igwe Kenneth Orizu III of Nnewi about 22 years ago. Some other communities merely played it down and with time, it also died a natural death.

Also, it was learned that communities in Abatete abolished slavery shortly after the war. The leaders of thought in the area were said to have fined the so-called slaves which they paid to free themselves. It was said that after the payment of such fines, there were several days of merriment across the communities to signify

worshiping, “I held Chioma by the hand as she was passing by and she shouted, ‘’hapu m!” (which means leave me alone!) and I immediately ordered her to bow down”.

“Initially, she disobeyed me by repeating the command after me to also bow down but I knew I was not fighting with Sister Chioma, but the evil spirit that was tormenting her. It was, however, at the sixth command that she fell down and immediately realized that she was almost naked.

“Sympathizers who were around and listening to my preaching, on humanitarian ground started donating clothes to her and among them, two women who had pity on her, took her to a secluded corner, cleaned her up and shaved her dreaded hair”, Prophet Onyeka stated.

He disclosed that God made a startling revelation to him during the prayer session that Chioma’s case was exceptional it was marine spirit which was spearheaded by occult men who were desperate in amassing wealth through occultic and ritual practices that were responsible for her madness.

the end of social stratifications occasioned by the Osu Caste system in the area and it had remained so till then.

A community leader, Chief Francis Nwafor said though the Osu caste system is dead, many families still make enquiries about family background before marriage and the reason was to avoid marrying an Osu. He however observed that these days when people meet in any part of the world and fall in love, nobody goes to check the family background of the two people involved before they get married, which has also helped to nail the Osu system.

He said: “The truth is that the so-called discrimination that characterized Osu system in this part of the world is practically dead. There is an Eastern Nigerian law that abolished the Osu caste system in the 1950s. With such extant laws, anyone who is derogatorily called Osu or discriminated against on that basis, could sue the person under the law. In fact, the Osu system has died a natural death in this state.

“In truth, the generation that perpetrated the abusive inhuman treatment on the Osu in Igbo land had also virtually dead and the present generation is less concerned about such old cultural practice of Osu caste system.

Nobody talks about slavery in Anambra any longer even if it exists in the minds of some people.

That is the truth.

“Today, those who were dubbed Osu in the past have been known to be ministers, governors, commissioners, presidents general of town unions among others in many communities.

They also take chieftaincy titles

without any inhibition.”

Slavery no longer popular in Abia state In Abia State, the Osu and Oru caste practices seem not to be popular now and it is not a topic that is commonly. However, leaders spoken to roundly condemned the practice as a sin against God. Three traditional rulers drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, in unison dismissed the existence of the practice in their areas.

For His Royal Highness, Eze Peter Ginikanwa of Ohonja, Ovim, in Isiukwuato Local Government Council of the state, “We have no such thing as Osu cast practice in our place. It is even forbidden to call somebody an Osu, let alone discriminating against such a person. We relate freely with everybody. Everybody is a free born here. We don’t discriminate against anybody at all.

“It is a taboo in my place to call somebody an Osu; it attracts heavy fine, because we don’t have such thing and we don’t believe in it. We believe that we are equally created by God Almighty, so who are we to condemn what God created and rate our fellow human being inferior or second class. No it does not exist in our area.

“I therefore condemn any person or group that believes in this and charge them to have a rethink and throw away such belief which is very much against God.” According to a Catholic priest who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he did not get clearance from his bishop to speak, “the people who still believe and practice the Osu or

Oru caste system are not of God. “They lack wisdom. Who are they to discriminate against God’s creation, a creation. He made in His own image. Anyway thank God that we don’t hear of such things these days in this area. It is absolute rubbish to discriminate against fellow human beings. I call on the government to adequately punish any person that still believes and practices that type of nonsense.”

Also, a prominent traditional ruler from Umuola Egbelu, in Aba North Local Government, Eze Love Wogu, condemned the practice of any form of discrimination against fellow human beings, describing it as “ungodly.”

In Ngwa land generally, we don’t have such practice, we don’t believe in it, it is ungodly, unchristian. No good Christian will support such evil. God created us equal; therefore we have no right to discriminate against anybody. Anybody who does that is challenging God,” Wogu said.

Furthermore, the Towe l of Umutowe autonomous community, Olokoro in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Eze Godffery Onwuka, said that the osu or oru cast system is not known in his community and Olokoro in general, as the people regard everybody as equal and free born.

Onwuka said, “When we are searching for a wife, we don’t raise such issue because we don’t have such belief here; we don’t know what it means. Everybody is a free.

In searching for a wife our people ask questions on the character and integrity of the family and not the issue of Osu or Oru because they are not known to us.”

Those spoken to did not, however, comment on the origin of derogatory names like Ohuabunwa which some people bear in the state.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

From left— Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba; Governor Abukakar Badaru of Jigawa State; Governor Rauf Aregbeshola of Osun State; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Abubakar Aliyu, during a condolence visit by All Progressives Congress, APC, governors to Governor Ugwuanyi over the killings by Fulani herds men at Nimbo community, Uzouwani LGA, at Government House, Enugu.

Igwe John Akor (left) and Igwe S. Ugwoke at the event.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike (in red cap) with officials of his ministry and members of the Association of People with Sickle Cell Disorders in the state, during the association’s visit.

•Some members of the Association of People with Sickle Cell Disorders.

C M Y K

From left— Igwe Osisi Itodo, Igwe Abel Nwobodo and Igwe Tony Ojukwu at the event.

From left— Senator Jonathan Utazi, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Hon. Pat Asadu Deputy, President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam, and Hon. Dennis Agbo, during an assessment tour of Nimbo community by Enugu State federal lawmakers over the recent attack on the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

From left— Chief Sir Oliver Akubueze,Chairman Onhanaze Ndigbo;Eze Uche Demgba;Eze Pat Ene and Eze Dr Anthony Elui at Vanguard’s Personality Awards, held in Lagos, recently.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

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CE & YOU

— 27

In essence, to avoid delay in accessing ones RSA, a worker should inform his/her Pension Fund Administrator, (PFA) six months before retiring from active service

,

6.9m contributors are under contributory pension scheme — PenOp

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CONFERENCE: From left, Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari; founding father, West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), Prof. Joe Irukwu; representative of Finance Minster, Mrs. Patience Oniha, and President, WAICA, Mr. Ivan Avereyireh at the WAICA 38th annual general meeting and education conference, in Lagos.

220,000 retirees get N6.4bn pension monthly from PTAD — PenCom DG

By Favour Nnabugwu

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O fewer than 220,376 pensioners are on the payroll of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, according to the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu.

The federal government pensioners who are core civil serviants in parastatals, agencies and the Police draw a whopping monthly pension of N6.4 billion from PTAD under four departments of the Directorate as at January 2016.

PTAD is fully established to handle issues of federal government retirees exempted from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

PenCom DG said that the Commission has conducted the maiden examination of PTAD and report on findings were forwarded to the Minister of Finance for further necessary action while she assured of subsequent follow up examination to be conducted on PTAD. It will be recalled that the Director-General of PTAD, Mrs. Nellie Mayshak was on March

18, 2016 placed on indefinite suspension over alleged fraud in the Directorate as confirmed by Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

Adeosun however assured pensioners that the suspension would not in any way affect pension payment and services.

The probe panel that scrutinise the activities of the suspended Director General of PTAD DG concluded its investigations last month and turned in its report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for necessary action.

HE Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), has said that approximately 6.9 million Nigerians have keyed into the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) with total pension assets currently at N5.3 trillion.

Making this disclosure at the 2016 Workers’ day celebration at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos, Executive Secretary of PenOp, Ms. Susan Oranye stated that there has been marginal growth since May 1 last year and there is still a lot to be done by encouraging Nigerians to see the benefit of pension at retirement.

“Since May last year, the industry has grown and that is an indication that workers are paying pension in preparation for their retirements. People understand the importance of pension that is why they are joining the CPS.” She said.

Commenting on the numbers, Oranye said “There is a lot of work to be done because we have 6.9 million people as contributors. This is a drop in the ocean when you consider the population of the country though we have progressed but we are aware that there is still work to be done, if we need to reach N60 trillion mark.”

Speaking on the dignity of labour, she said “There is dignity in Labour, Nigerian workers deserve to still have their financial dignity in retirement also. Something can be said for the independence you enjoy when you have a steady pension coming in to help maintain a decent standard of living for your loved ones when you retire.”

While highlighting on the effect of the current economic situation on the scheme, Oranye said that she does not want to be a pessimist. According to her “It can only get better. The Nigerian economy is going through a bad parch but they usually say ‘after the night fall, the sun comes out’. So the growth may not be as good as we may have wanted because of the current economic situation with retrenchments and businesses going out, but it can only get better.”

Regulatory sanction:

NCRIB advises members to meet renewal requirement

By Providence Obuh HE President of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Mr. Kayode Okunoren, has advised members to meet renewal requirement to avoid regulatory sanction.

He gave the advice at the April edition of NCRIB Member’s Evening hosted by Zenith General Insurance Company Limited, in Lagos, stating, “I like to enjoin my professional colleagues who have not satisfied the renewal requirements to do so as soon as possible to avoid the penalty from the regulatory body. I’m glad to inform you that NCRIB and NAICOM had continued to forge effective collaboration in the area of statutory registration.”

Okunoren who disowned claims that only the 300 Brokers on the list as at the first publication of brokers who satisfied the renewal requirements were the only licensed operators in the market, said, “This information is quite erroneous as the number has increased to about 314 members as at today.

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Renewal requirement Suffice it to note that it is the statutory responsibility of NAICOM to make public the list of practitioners who have satisfied their renewal requirement as they are cleared by the Commission. The list will keep coming in batches as not all brokers have the same renewal dates and that explains the differentiation in the period of the approval of their licenses by the Commission.

“I like to inform you that it is about the time for the Council to carry out this statutory obligation. Leveraging on past experiences, brokers that failed to meet up with the requirements for the publication, often face lots of challenges in business due to the attendant negative image that non inclusion attracts. I therefore urge you to regularise your memberships with the Secretariat, pay your subscription to merit the list. Delay is dangerous,” he said.

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28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

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'Little Messi' flees Afghanistan

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HE family of the five-yearold boy who was pictured wearing a binbag with Lionel Messi's name on it have been forced to flee their home for fears their son would be kidnapped.

Murtaza Ahmadi became an internet sensation after the image of him wearing the homemade Argentina jersey went viral.

The story even reached Barcelona star Messi himself, who sent the Afghan boy autographed shirts.

But dad Mohammad Arif Ahmadi said he had received constant telephone threats and thought his son would be abducted.

Now they have moved from Afghanistan to neighbouring Pakistan after fearing for their lives.

It was a decision taken against the family's wishes, but one Ahmadi said he had to make after the threats were getting more and more serious.

He said: "Life became a misery for us. "I sold all my belongings and brought my family out of Afghanistan to save my son's life as well as the lives of the rest of the family."

Earlier this year, the Afghan soccer federation had promised to arrange a meeting between Messi, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, and Murtaza.

HE ITALIAN press have crowned Claudio Ranieri as King Claudio after Leicester ’s amazing Premier League triumph.

All the Italian papers make great play of the 64-year-old’s amazing achievement in leading Leicester to the most amazing sporting upset of all time.

Ranieri is even mocked up as famous namesake Emperor Claudio on the front page of newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, alongside an editorial comment piece hailing the success of a manager who was known in his homeland as the ‘nearly man’ for having won no major trophies in his 30-year career.

Ranieri is also crowned King of England by Tuttosport, and King Claudio by Corriere dello Sport.

French paper L’Equipe runs a front page photo of the Leicester players celebrating at Jamie Vardy’s house, while Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo runs with the headline Leicester Miracle.

The jubilant Leicester manager told an Italian TVshow he always knew he would bury his ‘nearly man’ tag sooner, but reminded his admiring audience that he was still the same manager who was sacked by Greece less than two years ago.

“I am 64 years old, I’ve been fighting for a long time, but I was always positive and had positivity on my side,” Ranieri told Rai 3’s Processo del Lunedi show.

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RANIERI TELLS ITALIAN ME I always knew I’d win a ti

Leicester revive interest in Musa

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McLeish leaves Zamalek after 65 days

ormer Scotland manager F Alex McLeish has left Egyptian club Zamalek after

just 65 days and 10 matches in charge.

McLeish, 57, is the fourth coach to leave the Cairo side this season.

The former Rangers, Aston Villa and Birmingham boss led Zamalek to the group phase of the African Champions League but they are 11 points behind league leaders Al Ahly.

His overall record during his short stay at the club was six wins, two draws and two losses.

The board are set to announce a successor in the coming days with Mohamed Helmy taking charge of the team as interim-manager until then.

McLeish replaced exZamalek striker Ahmed ‘Mido’Hossam in February after he was in charge of the club for just 37 days.

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Buddhist monk who predicted Leicester’s victory speaks

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eicester City have revived their interest in Super Eagles attacker Ahmed Musa, according to the Daily Mail.

The newly-crowned Premier League champions were keen on signing Musa back in the January transfer window, but felt that CSKA Moscow’s asking price of £20million was too high.

With the league championship safely secured – and the prospect of Champions League football looming large – Leicester are already looking at targets to boost their squad.

Manager Claudio Ranieri is said to rate Musa highly, with the Nigerian’s versatility and goal-scoring prowess two attributes that make him sought after.

The Foxes have sent scouts to watch Musa playing for CSKA in recent times and to keep up with his performances in the Russian Premier League.

Musa, 23, has scored 11 goals in 26 appearances for CSKA, who have a two-point lead at the top of the log with four rounds of fixtures remaining.

he success of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Co has smashed apart the old duopoly of Liverpool and Man United.

And a large part of that has come from the prediction of Buddhist monk Phra Prommangkalachan.

The chief monk predicted months ago that the 5,000-1 outsiders would lift the crown of the world’s richest league.

That came true Monday night after an incident-filled battle at Stamford Bridge meant Spurs could not catch Leicester at the top of the table.

And by Tuesday morning fans were flocking to the Golden Buddha temple in the Chinatown area of Bangkok, hoping to get their hands on Leicester City banners blessed by the monk, who is revered by the club’s owners.

Prommangkalachan said he prayed for his side during the match between Chelsea and Spurs.

He said: “I prayed for them from 2am till 4am... but the victory does not come from me, it’s from the team and the goodness of the owner.

“I believe the power of Buddhism... given through the Buddhist monk and executives has created teamwork and unity in the team.

“With their clear minds, it has brought concentration, ability, and determination for them to go to the international arena.

•Prommangkalachan

Flying Eagles: Am

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lying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke has finally pruned the number of players in camp to thirty one after Saturday ’s friendly match with Nigeria National League side Supreme Court FC. The match ended one nil in favour of the Flying Eagles but it also afforded the technical crew an opportunity to further access the ability of the fringe players ahead of the May 22, CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Burundi in Bujumbura.

Midfielder Kingsley Michael scored from the penalty spot in the 65th minute for the only goal of the match which is the fifth in a series of

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 29

Champions League:

Ronaldo 100% fit, Benzema out of Man City clash, says Zidane ar st rik er ea l M ad rid ’s stis fit to face o ld na Ro Cristiano in the Champions Manchester City mi-final second League football secording to head leg clash today, acdane. coach Zinedine Zi ch es te r Un ite d Th e fo rm er M an Real’s last three forward has missed g th e go al le ss ga m es - in cl ud in leg at the Etihad draw in the first - with a thigh Stadium last week injury. to tra in in g on Bu t he re tu rn ed ce played a full Sunday and has sinead of the clash part in training ah rnabeu stadium, at the Santiago Beco nv in ce d he is le av in g Zi da ne ready to return. ay. H e is 10 0 “C ris tia no is ok th is m or ni ng ed pe rc en t. H e tra inhe wi ll be th er e (y es te rd ay ) an d The whole week, tomorrow (today). na ld o ha s be en lit tle by lit tle , Rohow it is with this recovering. That’s wa s qu ot ed as pl ay er,” Zi da ne orts on Tuesday. saying by Sky Sp and he looks after “He’s very quick himself a lot.” rnational is the The Portugal inte th is se as on ’s to p sc or er in ue with 16 goals Champions Leagces and his return from 10 appearan represents a huge for the second leg boost for Real.

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Ranieri

EDIA: itle

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•Ronaldo

•Amuneke

and abroad in preparation for the coming season.

The club's spokesman said apart from securing the signatures of some players from top clubsides in the country, a technical adviser has already been signed to take charge of the club. He would, however, not mention the names of the players and the coach yet.

According to the club's spokesperson, the club would do everything humanly possible to ensure it becomes the best football club in Nigeria when it joins the premiership next season

inedine Zidane feels it would be a failure for Real Madrid if they do not reach the Champions League final at the expense of Manchester City.

Madrid had to settle for a scoreless draw in the first leg of the semi-final tie, but will book their place in the showpiece in Milan with a win at the Santiago Bernabeu today.

Zidane has acknowledged it will not be easy for the Liga giants, but is adamant elimination is not an option at this stage.

“It will be a failure if we do not reach the final. We are going through a good run of form and we will give our all to progress, but it will be very difficult,” Zidane said at a media conference.

S/South clubs jostle for Frot Group’s champion of champions N1 million

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•Toure

muneke decamps six more players games played so far by the Under-20 boys.

On Saturday, Amuneke fielded a completely new team against Supreme Court FC but was left disappointed at half time as the Flying Eagles failed to exhibit what they have learnt in over three weeks of intensive training.

The second stanza saw the introduction of ten new players as the U-20 boys began to dominate play, leading to a 65th minute penalty converted by Michael.

With twenty minutes left on the clock, the coaches introduced star players Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chikwueze to further pile pressure on the Abuja based team but their effort did not add to the scoreline as the match ended one nil at full time.

he Nigeria Profes sional Football League will soon witness the introduction of a new club in its ranks, Anambra state based Osisioma FC, Sports Vanguard has gathered.

Already, the management of the Ukpo, Anambra state based club has been taking various steps aimed at making their debut season in Nigeria's top flight a memorable one.

The club's PRO, Oscar Iguisi told SportsVanguard in Enugu that the football club, owned by Prince Onyeka Eze have signed players from both Nigeria

Missing C/League final would be a failure – Zidane

Toure travels to Madrid Y

aya Toure could still pla City in their Champions y a part for Manchester League semi-final clash at Real Madrid today afte midfielder ’s fitness causedr mixed messages over the Toure suffered a thigh injuconfusion.

League win over Stoke Cit ry during the 4-0 Premier ruled the Ivory Coast int y on April 23, a problem that ernational out of last we 0-0 first leg against Madri ek’s Th e 32- yea r-o ld tra ine dd at the Etihad Stadium. wit h Ma nu el Pel leg rin i’s squad at the City Footba the club announced via ll Academy on Tuesday but we bsi te tha t did no t fly its Twitter feed and official Manchester Airport to the wit h his tea m- ma tes fro m Spanish capital.

However, this news was late r corrected, with a tweet and updated news story sta tin g Toure was indeed part of the travelling party.

Playmaker David Silva rem hamstring injury, while Cri ains out for City due to a return from a similar complastiano Ronaldo’s anticipated fellow forward Karim Ben int for Madrid is set against midfielder Casemiro (hip) zema (knee) and defensive being absent.

Osisioma FC set for NPL T

he Edo Football Association and its biggest sponsor, FROT Group, have concluded arrangements for a championship which will give all the FA Cup champions of the South South states the opportunity to fine-tune their teams ahead of the national Federation Cup later this year.

The competition, tagged South South Champion of Champions tournament, will feature teams from Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states, who will gather in Benin City for play for a N1 million prize money and a giant trophy.

FROT Group recently sponsored the highly successful Edo FA Cup, which, according to the state’s football association Chairman, Frank Ilaboya, prompted the decision to organise the Champion of Champions competition for teams from the South South zone.

“The South South Champion of Champions, which will hold in the middle of May, will help the teams from the zone to test their might against the possible opposition they will meet during the national championship. It is also part of our efforts to revive the Edo State football culture.

“Our vision is to keep Edo State busy at all times and also give the budding talents in our state the avenue to express themselves.” Ilaboya disclosed that the competition would involve national team coaches at all levels, adding that at the end of the competition they will keep a database of all the players who featured in the competition.

He added: “We will play in two centres, which is the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium and the University of Benin sports centre with eight teams including Edo FA Cup runners up and the Insurance of Benin.

“We have already discussed with the FA chairmen of the states and they have agreed to be part of it. We have also informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who arte the custodians of the game in the country and they are in

•Frank Momoh support of it.”

Explaining his company’ support for the competition, FROT Group President, Frank Momoh, said his company wants to help grow the game in the country because it is the biggest galvaniser of the youths of the country, adding that many Nigerians can make their living through football.

“The Edo FA Cup was the pilot project we used to know the nitty-gritty of football sponsorship. Because of its success, we decided to take it a little notch higher.

“We were able to see some diamonds that need polishing and so we decided to bring all the FA Cup winners of the South South states to the Champion of Champions tournament."

“The Champion of Champions winner will get N1 million, while the second placed team will get N500, 000.

All the teams will get appearance fees and as the Edo FA chairman has said, the competition will be in a knockout format, with final holding at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium.

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30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

DIGITAL SWITCH OVER

Nigeria second time lucky?

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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PRIL 30, 2016, will go down in history as the day Nigeria finally switched on to digital system of broadcasting after several failed attempts in the past.

However, it is also left to be seen if the huge funds usually touted to be required before a successful transition is achieved, would be released by the federal government. This is because the country has gone this way before and at the end of the day, missed the deadline, even when lesser countries in Africa, in terms of population and size of economy, made it.

The journey of digital migration started in 2009 when the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) resolved that countries in region 1, which Nigeria belongs to, must migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Soon after, Nigeria began its journey to fulfil the mandate, but attempted to migrate to digital platform in 2012 and in June 2015 and failed. The resultant effect was that the country missed the 2015 deadline for all countries to switch over. Luckily, a new deadline was set for June 2017.

Switching off from analogue signal As usual Nigeria is at it again.

However, this time around, there are clear signs that it’s going to be second time lucky as this launch, though a pilot phase, which kicked off weekend in Jos Plateau State, is expected to move consistently to 60 cities across the country, until June, 2017 when Nigeria is expected to fully switch off from analogue signal.

Part of the clear signs of success is that this launch comes with about 15 FreeTV to view channels, offering home entertainment services to viewers through highly entertaining and informative channels.

The industry regulator, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, also announced that the Cable Channels Nigeria Limited (CCNL) will be the official Nigerian content aggregator for the Free-to View Digital channels. Digital broadcasting is expected to deliver Nigerian digital incentive channels and improved signal reception and picture quality directly to homes

via Set-Top Boxes.

Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, described the launch as a monumental event , adding that it will bring about democratization of the right to know since an average Nigerian person does not need to pay for subscription for 15 and more local and international TV channels.

In terms of economic value, he said that all licensed Set- Top box manufacturers will create massive employment for Nigerian youths.

The country missed the 2015 deadline for all countries to switch over, but a new deadline was set for June 2017 The minister also noted that the switch over will be the panacea for the various challenges facing the music and creative industry, particularly piracy.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (2nd right); Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof. Sonni Tyoden (right) and others during the launch of Digital TV switch over at the Government House, Plateau State. Photo: Gbemiga Olamika On how to avoid Nigerian factor on distribution of the free Set-Top boxes, the minister assured that care would be taken to ensure that the process is not hijacked.

While commending the Plateau state government for coming up with a good criteria for equitable distribution of the free Set-Up boxes, he urged the state government to fulfil its promise of purchasing 300,000 boxes for the citizens.

The minister disclosed that the train will move to Abuja, Lagos and other major cities in few weeks time and that the DigiTeam will be charged to monitor and supervise the pilot scheme for the next few weeks

before moving to other cities.

In his goodwill message, the Secretary General of Commonwealth Telecommunication Union (CTO), Mr. Sola Tailor, described the DSO launch as a dawn of a new era.

Tailor, who said he was proud to witness the occasion, said on global perspective, digital broadcasting provides us with

Cisco, UNITes empower schoolgirls on ICT event which started in 2011 and

By Richard Udofia S a way of marking the United Nations day on ICT, which holds every April, UNITes in partnership with cisco organizes an innovative education and services that enable businesses to programme store, manage, protect, and analyze that teaches data. As expected, the new solution, girl students according to the technology firm how to enables organizations to regain control d e s i g n , of the spiralling costs of storing and b u i l d , managing multiple copies of the same troubleshoot, data. and secure The new eCDM software, EMC computer said modernizes primary storage and networks for protection efficiency with panincreased enterprise data management software access to and cloud-based analytics service. career and Available in the third quarter, the economic eCDM , according to the promoters opportunities would initially focus on addressing i n copy sprawl in EMC systems, communities including visibility into VMAX All around the Flash, EMC VMAX3, XtremIO and world. The EMC Data Domain systems. Similarly, ICT training eCDA will be available in third quarter

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EMC unveils software to address challenge of copy sprawl, storage costs

By Emeka Aginam, in Las Vegas N a committed effort to expand its portfolio to address growing challenge of copy sprawl, reduce storage costs, at the ongoing EMC World holding in Las Vegas, the United States of America, the technology firm has released Enterprise Copy Data Management (eCDM), that enables organizations to regain control of the spiraling costs of storing and managing multiple copies of the same data.

EMC Corporation is an American multinational corporation that sells data storage, information security, virtualization, analytics, cloud computing and other products

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•Storage sprawl

less spectrum, while providing more channels for broadcast on terrestrial platform.

According to him, digital broadcasting brings new experience and enhance existing TV experience to viewers and comes with high quality broadcasting with high picture quality as well as more interactive content.

of this financial year.

Speaking on the new development, Beth Phalen, Senior Vice President of Data Protection and Availability Solutions, Core Technologies, EMC Corporation said: “To modernize business processes, customers need a complete vision of all the data across the organization no gaps, no silos, no misinformation. eCDM links together a complete picture of the copy data across a business from primary to protection storage."

Girls in ICT

also features girl students from selected federal unity schools across Lagos and Ogun states is aimed at building confident girls who will be creative, productive users and creators of new technologies, including information and communication technologies, and understand the impact of those technologies on the society.

This year’s edition which held at Cisco’s head office in Victoria Island, featured girl students from federal government college, Ijanikin, federal science and technical college, yaba, Queens college, Yaba, federal government girls college, Shagamu, St Michael’s smart school, Lagos and Nigerian Navy secondary school, Ojo, Lagos.

The academy support contact for UNITes academy foundation, Mr. Toyin Olatayo said the goal of the Cisco, UNITes partnership was to raise “technocreators” and a new generation of people who will use technology to advance development.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 31

‘VAS segment, overdue for regulation’

By Anozie Egole

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XECUTIVE Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, has said that the Value Added Services segment, VAS, in Nigerian is overdue for regulation.

Prof Garba, said this during the week in Lagos at the Consultation Forum on Draft Regulatory Framework for the Provision of Value Added Services in Nigeria

Speaking at the event, Danbatta, said that the forum was convened by NCC in order to deepen the growth in the telecommunication sector in a remarkable and measurable manner.

According to him, “You will recall just two months ago, I addressed the global media in a press conference where I unveiled the 8-point agenda of the NCC management under my leadership.

Today, we are gathered here to reflect on the draft regulatory

framework for the provision of Value Added Services, VAS in Nigeria, in another demonstration of our commitment to that agenda.

Our gathering at this time is in line with the commission’s rule-making processes and in substantial compliance with the guiding principle of carrying out representatives and wide consultations in the development of regulatory instrument as stipulated by the N i g e r i a n communication Act 2003" Speaking further he said, “The centrality of Value Added Services segment to the consolidation of the gains in the telecoms sector is one reason this joint examination of the draft regulatory framework is very significant.

This segment is overdue for regulation as envisaged in our 8-point agenda specifically on the items on promotion of ICT innovation and Investment opportunities.

You will also recall that a constitutive component of the 8 - p o i n t agenda is the facilitation of broadband penetration.

The totalizing objective of the 8point schem is to promote ICT innovation l o c a l l y, increase investment in youths, promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as provide and optimize access to the use of affordable fixed and m o b i l e broadband everywhere in Nigeria.

This vision will increase i n employment, stimulate economic activities and growth as well as culminate in t h e development of quality local contents that utilize broadband infrastructure a s

envisioned by the ITU’s Broadband Commission in its characterization of broadband eco system.

Therefore it stands to reason that except we are determined to develop and encourage quality local contents in Nigeria by rewarding contents developers who are the major players in the VAS segment of

the industry our vision will be obstructed.

The regulatory framework when finalised will complement the NCA 2003 and the respective licenses issued by the commission in providing guiding principles, standards and protocols for the VAS operation of the industry,” He said.

Facebook develops partnership with African producers

By Richard Udofia

F

ACEBOOK announced at its annual F8 developer conference, held in San Francisco last week, that the company partnered with many African developers to launch products for the global market. Facebook, with its global reach and scale, is including African developers in its beta testing programme for the launch of new global products and features as it increases its presence and deepens its partnerships on the continent.

Interactive demos F8 hosts more than 2,600 people and hundreds of thousands of people watching via Facebook Live for two days of new products, tools, interactive demos and speakers to help developers build, grow and monetize their apps.

And, more than 70% of Facebook’s developer partners are located outside the United States and about a third of the attendees at F8 joined us from abroad.

Strategic Product Partnerships Manager at Facebook, Emeka Afigbo, said

that “we believe that local entrepreneurs and developers will be the ones to meet the needs of their immediate community, and we are working with developers to know how we can support them in doing so,” He added that “We are listening to our developer partners in Africa, and the strong showing for F8 is a reflection of our commitment to doing more with our partners across the continent to help them build products and businesses.”

African developers who partnered with Facebook to launch products at F8 include Afrinolly Entertainment, Nigeria, GumTree South Africa a classified business outfit, Zikoko, an Entertainment platform in Nigeria, Jobberman, a Jobs platform in Nigeria andGhana, The Net Entertainment, Nigeria and My Music a Media platform in Nigeria.

In addition, this year, Facebook brought F8 to developers around the world through F8 Meetups hosted with tech hubs around the world. In Africa, we hosted F8 Meetups in Nairobi, Lagos, Cape Town and Morocco where participants watched the sessions in San Francisco.

Phase3 promises better services after award

P

HASE3 Telecom has restated its commitment to the provision of quality service to connect the West African sub-region.

This was after the firm bagged the Fibre Optic Company of the Year award at “Beacon of ICT” Awards 2016 held recently in Lagos.

The company described the award as recognizing its modest contribution to interconnecting the continent.

According to Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stanley Jegede, “the award confirms the company ’s inimitable approach to amplifying regional

connectivity to put the customer’s need first with an unfailing drive to give access and enhance the availability of fast and reliable internet to the unserved and underserved parts of the West African sub-region”.

Phase3 telecom has however, received the award in three consecutive times.

The firm said the award is both a validation of its unwavering commitment to top notch service provisioning and a laudable addition to its ever growing sea of local and international accolades and acknowledgments.

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LEO; Early part of the day may bring you good opportunity but for you not to lose it you must exhibit maturity. Protect both your money and source of income.

VIRGO; Others will step on your nerves yet it not the best for you to over-react today. It is good to prove reliable but your secrets must remain intact.

LIBRA; This may not be the best of days as there will be a few challenges within your working arena.

If you rely on luck today, you would be disappointed.

SCORPIO; You will need to watch what you tell others, especially those friends you don’t know too well. Be more loving but refuse to gamble with love SAGITTARIUS; If care is not taken what you have gained yesterday may be lost due to your care-free attitude within your base of operation. Avoid deceit today.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

lady recently said to me - This weather is just not friendly. The sun is too much. Let the sun subside before I do it. And I looked at her and said, ‘Supposing it starts raining

The Weather now, what will you do?’ The truth is that the weather has never been friendly.

Of course, it is not the business of the weather to be friendly to you. But

TERROR MUDA

your duty is to do everything within your power to be able to use the weather as it is. Tell me, have you ever seen a perfect weather? Whether rain or sun, people

in “Never say goodbye”

have always complained. Yet, some people are making fortune from it, rain or sunshine. You too must do the same. For he that must succeed does not need to look at the weather.

By Lanre Kehinde

CAPRICORN; You would fare better if you prepare your mind for possible confrontation from unexpected quarters. Don’t promise more than you can actually deliver.

AQUARIUS; Both your mood and element of luck are as friendly as you would want them to be. Thus success may come the harder way today. Protect your finances.

PISCES; Many will look up to you both for practical assistance and leadership direction thus, you must not ball-up under pressure. Try to reason with your spouse.

ARIES; Diplomacy may become very important today as development within your working arena calls for both maturity and cleverness. Be family minded today.

TAURUS; No matter how helpful friends were yesterday it is important you don’t dance to discordant tunes from any quarter today; gamble not with matters-of-the-heart.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Many people are under pressure today but, if you do away with sentiment and give priority attention to money making, your finances will be better for your efforts. Don’t allow misunderstanding within your family circle go out of hands.

CANCER; To be on the safer side it is imperative you respect the law and it’s enforcement agents. Some people are trying to deceive you for an obvious reason.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Who do you think I am?

Dear Joshua, I have been following your write-ups for a long time you can not believe and to be sincere you are good. Now I wan you to analyse my star and tell me my horoscopic personality. More in to your pen.

Rose, Abuja.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Rose, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/ PLANETARY PLACEMENT Spiritual Neptune as the only Planet at home when you were born pointed to you as a person with great deal of spiritual energy you can tap at will, especially if you are conscious of it’s presence in your inner-self. But then, with majority of (five) planets placed in the Cardinal Zodiacal constellations you are equally an ambitious person who will desire worldly honour and prominence, and luckily for you, you were endowed with abilities to achieve your ambition.

Prominence of Mutable quality and Air Element in this chart are indications of a person with higher pitch of intelligence who can adapt to so many situations without being stressed unnecessarily. And GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY is present here. Although you are a Lady, with nothing-less than SEVENTY PERCENT of PUSH-FULL INFLUENCE in your Horoscope you can unexpectedly become aggressive, especially when issue of freedom is to the fore. Beside 70% of PUSH-FULL INFLUENCE in you, mighty Sun (an indicator of your inner-self) with Uranus (a great freedom lover) conjoined in SAGITTARIUS ( another freedom loving Star Sign) all these are pointers to greater love of freedom in your deeper-inner-self. And whoever is trying to curtail such unnecessarily may unexpectedly court trouble, because you will resist such.

With your natal Sun (your conscious self) and Moon/ Stellium (your emotional state/ sub-conscious self) placed in Sagittarius and Libra respectively, you are mainly a Sagittarian and partly Libran and that is to say basic characteristics of the two Star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—33

CODAF to FG: Stop shifting goal post on cleanup of Ogoniland

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

LEH —COMMUNITY Development Advocacy Foundation, CODAF, a nongovernmental organisation, yesterday, told the Federal Government to desist from shifting the goal post on the cleanup of oil spills in Ogoniland, Rivers State, as it has been doing on the date of ending gas flaring in the country.

Reacting to the decision of the Federal Government to commence cleanup of Ogoni- land on June 2, 2016, CODAF’s Executive Director, Mr. Richard Benin, at an interaction with newsmen in Ozoro, Delta State, said: “Since President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration renewed its commitment in August 2015 to commence the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP report, so many dates have been fixed to commence the cleanup.

“On March 24, 2016, the Federal Government, through the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-General Paul Boroh (retd), said that the cleanup of Niger Delta oil spills would begin in three weeks.

“By our calculation, three weeks from March 24 was on April 7.

Then on April 29, 2016, we read a

media publication credited to the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Muhammed, that the “Ogoni cleanup will begin on June 2.

“While we believe this is true following the frequent and recent visit of the minister to Ogoni, we are also careful not to wait in vain as we are all tired of waiting for the dead line for ending gas flares.

“While we demand a realistic date for the clean-up, it is for the Federal Government to publish a robust environmental management plan with timeline, an administrative framework with adequate participation of the host communities and how money will be allocated to promote openness, transparency and accountability.

“The implementation of the UNEP report must build the capacity of the young Ogoni men and women around the cleanup approach and how to conduct environmental audit.

This means that they must participate from the preliminary stage to the commencement of the cleanup and to the post remediation evaluation.”

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: From left: Mr Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Rivers State Council; Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, representative of Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austine TamGeorge and Mr Sampson Fiberisima, Chairman of the occassion, during the 2016 World Press Freedom Day by Rivers State NUJ, at the council's secretariate in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Check migration of health workers, WHO urges FG

By Ike Uchechukwu

C

ALABAR—THE World Health Organisation, WHO, has called on both the Federal and state governments to, as a matter of national interest, check the migration of trained health workers to other countries with a view to curbing its underlying negative effect on the health sector.

National Data Officer, WHO’s Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel, Dr. Tony Udoh, made the call during the second stakeholders meeting on Project Brain Drain to Brain Gain, organised by African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation held in Calabar, Cross River State.

Udoh stated that the Federal

and state governments should address the issue of health workers’ migration through appropriate policy and mutual bilateral relationship with affected countries.

He said that the project was a culmination of concerns from Africa and some developing

countries about the trend of loss of trained health workers moving from Africa to developed countries, a situation which he said needed to be stopped.

On her part, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong,

Rampaging herdsmen: Delta lawmaker calls for vigilance

By Onozure Dania

A

member of Delta State House of Assembly, Evance Ivwurie, has advised farmers, residents and students in Ethiope East Local Government Area and the state in general to be vigilant about strange faces in their communities, especially those

very close to the hinterland that have contact with herdsmen and report all such suspected persons, their activities and act of violence to the police immediately.

Ivwurie, who represents Ethiope East state constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, said: “As for us in

Grant scholarships to special need students —Christie Toby

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNMENT and multinational companies in the country have been urged to provide scholarship opportunities for special need students in their periodic scholarship programmes for Nigerian students.

Making the appeal at the Founders Day of Christie Toby Inclusive Education Centre, Oyigbo Local Government Area,

identified the migration of the health workforce as a complex issue created by source countries due to poor management, insufficient remuneration, low motivation and uneven performance of health workers.

Rivers State, wife of former deputy governor of the state and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, ABEC Group of Schools, Dame Christie Toby, said that government and companies should also encourage special need students to acquire education that will benefit the nation.

Dame Toby said that the United Nations approved inclusive education for all children in the same environment to promote unity

among students.

According to her, an impaired child in a family of three is not separated from the other children, adding that the parents encourage the impaired child to grow in the same home with the others.

She stressed the need for government, multinationals and public spirited Nigerians to also assist special need children with scholarship to develop their capacities like other normal children.

Ethiope East LGA, I have provided the leadership that has formed a ring around the herdsmen making it a wrong and costly option to kill any of our constituents.”

He spoke while addressing some farmers who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Asaba to seek advice on the recent killings

by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country and how to respond in the event of a similar occurrence in their communities.

Ivwurie, who cited the recent killings in Enugu State, noted that the herdsmen did not just invade the said community that very day they to perpetuate the killing that claimed about 43 lives.

He noted that those who carried out the criminal act, must have been surveying the area to know the right time to strike.

LG boss eulogises workers in Warri North

C

HAIRMAN of Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Francis MakuEyituoyor, has eulogised labour unions in the LGA for their patriotic contributions to national development.

The LG boss who made the commendation in his May Day address, expressed concern over the high rate of inflation in the nation, saying it has rendered workers’ monthly salaries inadequate to cater for their families.

Maku-Eyituoyor further extolled the unions for maintaining a peaceful industrial atmosphere in the LGA. While encouraging the workers to have a positive mental attitude, he stated that the prevailing difficult economic situation in the nation will not last forever, adding that workers will smile again. He enjoined members of the unions to be more productive in their respective work places.

Gbaramatu leader alleges sabotage of investments in N-Delta

C

HAIRMAN, Egbema G b a r a m a t u Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, Chief Michael Johnny, has alleged that some elements in a major political party were using ex-militants in the state to make the oil-rich Niger Delta region unsafe for investors, especially multinational oil companies.

In a statement, yesterday in Delta State, the EGCDF boss claimed that the intention of the elements, using ex-militants to foment trouble was to make the oilrich region ungovernable for President Muhammadu Buhari as he implored security operatives to investigate his claim.

He warned the people concerned to stop playing dirty politics with the Nigerian economy that President Buhari was working hard to turn around.

According to him, youths of the region were no longer interested in the destruction of the region, saying that they were now prepared more than ever before for the development of the region.

34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Enugu West Youth Assembly lauds Senator Ekweremadu

DPR officials seal 7 filling stations in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE Zonal Office of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, sealed about seven filling stations in parts of Owerri and its adjoining communities, yesterday, for flouting varying

By Tare Youdeowei

R

ISING UP from E n u g u West Youth Assembly meeting, Hon. Oliver Okah, Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, weekend, in a press release, described his boss as a man imbued with wisdom and understanding of leadership is about.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Okah said the meeting was called to help the youths grasp the real intention of Ike Ekweremadu's empowerment projects in this period of economic meltdown in the country and thus ensure that the youths are prevented from engaging in activities that will not in any way give them any meaningful life.

Okah said that from all indications, "Ike Oha Foundation had given scholarships to thousands of students from Enugu West, and also could boast of health related projects that had been benefiting all, and skill acquisition programme that had made thousands of people employers of labour today.

All these as a result of the enabling environment provided by the senator.

"Today, Ekweremadu has succeeded in empowering so many youths," Okah said. The meeting, which was attended by a large crowd, resolved that in the next election, the people of the area would en masse elect their candidates.

rules, regulating their operations.

Briefing newsmen after the exercise, the leader of the operation, who also doubles as the Head, Gas Monitoring and Regulation, South East, Engr.

Albert Echeibe, disclosed that one of the outlets was sealed for diversion of petroleum products.

“The manifest in our possession showed that MRS Filling Station, Okigwe Road, Owerri, lifted 33,000 litres of petrol, last Monday, from Aba Depot, but they could not account for the product when we called yesterday,” Echeibe said.

While saying that this is a clear

Market for HP shrinking, says Dell CEO, announces new brand

By Emeka Aginam, in Las Vegas, US

T

HE CHIEF Executive Officer of Dell, Michael Dell after announcing Dell Technologies as the new identity for EMC-Dell merger at the opening ceremony of the ongoing EMC World 2016 holding in Las Vegas, United States, claimed that market for HP was shrinking while demand for Dell product is growing.

“Competiton like HP are shrinking their rate of success,” Dell boss said in his opening keynote, at the forum, adding that, “you can’t shrink your way to success. That’s not even a real thing. But they’re doing it, they’re getting slower.

“They’re getting smaller, they’re separating their edge from their core with far less revenue, less innovation, less investment in R&D, less software, a smaller supply chain and losing share in each of their businesses to Dell,” he told the capacity audience made up of

customers, the media, partners and analysts at the ongoing EMC World 2016.

“We’re going in the opposite direction. Building,while fostering speed, agility and innovation. By combining Dell with EMC, we can become the essential technology infrastructure for the next industrial revolution,” he said with optimism.

Dell added that it is clear “ who’s winning and who’s losing” from market share data, pointing out that, PC market share data from researcher IDC showed Dell’s client business in the United States grew four per cent year on year in the first quarter, while HPs declined 14 per cent.

Meanwhile, Dell gained 2.5 points of market share in the quarter, while HP lost 2.4 points

of share, according to IDC. It would be recalled that Dell announced in 2015 that it had agreed to acquire EMC for approximately $67 billion.

He said that the new development is expected to form family of businesses, such as VMware, SecureWorks, Pivotal, Virtustream and RSA. However, as part of the ongoing merger talk, Dell had cleared the regulatory approval hurdle in the US and Europe.

The deal will make Dell “exceptionally well-positioned for growth in the most strategic areas of next generation IT including digital transformation, softwaredefined data center, converged infrastructure, hybrid cloud, mobile and security,” Michael Dell said.

case of possible diversion, Engr.

Echeibe also said that they had no other option than to seal the outlet until they fully explain what happened to the consignment.

The situation was slightly different at Integrated Oil and Gas, as well as Forte Oil on Okigwe Road, Owerri, as they were also sealed by the DPR. “The report available to us showed that Integrated Oil and Gas sold fuel higher than the approved pump price early in the day, but shut down when they got wind of the DPR check,” Echeibe said.

Continuing, the DPR team leader also explained that Forte Oil staff locked up the station and absconded on sighting DPR officials.

“Based on this act, we sealed that station. People around the vicinity equally confirmed that they were selling fuel before we arrived the scene,” Echeibe said.

All the other stations visited by the DPR officials were forced to sell PMS to customers at the approved pump price.

Some of the citizens, who spoke to Vanguard at the different locations, commended DPR for religiously enforcing the Federal Government regulations on the pricing of petroleum products.

Washington Wears berths in Lagos

By Anozie Egole

A

LEADING fashion designer in the United Kingdom, UK, Nigerian born,

Mrs Cecilia Oladipo for burial

M

RS. CECILIA Oladipo, who died onApril 18, 2016, will be buried on May 6, 2016, after a funeral service at Signs and Wonders Miracle Church, Surulere, Ganmo, Kwara State. Interment takes place at Christian Cemetry, Oke Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Reception follows immediately at HABSEF Catering Services at No. 104, Gaa-Akanbi Road, Ilorin.

Late Mrs. Cecilia Oladipo

Dayo Washington, makers of Washington wears has recently launched his products into the Nigerian market.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Business Management graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, said that with the launch of Washington Wears, Nigerians can now have quality wears at affordable prices without necessarily travelling abroad.

According to him, "one of the lowest points in my life was during my final year in secondary school when I only came out with two GSCE out of eight subjects

which was equivalent to two ‘O’ levels in Nigeria.

"At this point, I believed my life was a waste and there was no way to be successful and make my family proud, but God stood by me when people saw no value in me.

"There is one gift I possess which is the spirit of self-awareness and fashion. As I grew older, I began to understand that my destiny was already certified at a given age and I only did well in business of fashion and seeing the best in people. So with these products, Nigerians do not need to travel far to get what they want.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On fuel price at N1 40 per litre N140

W

e've not had it this bad in the last six years where the official pump prize is N86, but sold at N140 at petrol stations. It's a failure of leadership. A couple of days ago, subsidy was removed and now reintroduced. -Mr. Jerome Samson, Analyst

C M Y K

I

am so short of words.

It is only God that will help us. You need to see the kind of traffic jam the queues at a filling station are causing here in Rivers State. It is very appalling. The petroleum minister needs to buckle up. -Mrs. Mbielu Mabel, Corps member

W

here is Nigeria Labour Congress?

They staged protest for increase in NEPA bills, but they are nowhere to be found now because they cannot face the independent marketers. Alhaja Oluwatoyin Ikotun, Buisnesswoman

I

f organizations are shutting down as a result of fuel crisis or businesses are struggling to run effectively, prizces of goods and services skyrocketing, then it calls for worry.

FG should act fast on this price. -Miss Victoria Kelvin, Student

I

t’s tough on Nigerians. The economic implication is that the scarcity caused fuel prices to abnormally rise.

But now that there is fuel, marketers should return to N87 per litre. Mr. Imanuel Chijioke Jannah, Graduate

I

t is something that has brought pain to every individual in the country.

Imagine a litre of fuel being sold at N140. This situation is just unbearable. In Abuja, you will have to go miles before you can get fuel to buy. Miss Bukola Okereke, Entrepreneur

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 35

Troops rescue 80yr-old-man from Boko Haram hideout I'm being framed up, says suspected killer of Gen Shuwa

By Kingsley Omonobi & Abdulsalam Muhammad

A

N 80-year-old captive, Mallam Ibrahim Matuk, who said he had been subjected to severe hardship and torture by Boko Haram terrorists has been rescued by Nigerian troops in Borno State.

This came as 35-year-old suspected mastermind of General Mamam Shuwa's death, Mohammed Sani Nafiu, claimed he was being framed up by the military.

The 80-year-old Matuk, lamented that all his children were killed by the terrorist group while he was in captivity.

A statement by Col Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, who noted that the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents defied any sane reasoning, said, “The atrocities of the Boko Haram terrorists know no bound.

Troops of 29 Task Force Brigade on clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists rescued an 80 year old man in Shaltimari village, Borno State on Sunday, May 1, 2016. The elderly man, Mallam Ibrahim Matuk stated that he suffered untold hardship in the hands of the

EU-SIGN PROJECT: From left: Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Health care Agency, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa; Governor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State and representative of EU sign project in Nigeria, Dr Adam Dawud, at the inauguration of EU-sign project in Kaduna.

Boko Haram terrorists who killed all his children while in captivity.”

‘I didnt kill Gen Shuwa'

Meanwhile, Nafiu who was paraded by the military in Kano told newsmen that he knew nothing about the planning and assassination of the civil war veteran.

Looking calm, the high profile suspect who spoke in Hausa language without mincing words

said: “I don’t know anything about General Shuwa’s death. I was arrested in my house and moved to the detention centre. They are trying to frame me. I must make it clear, I have no hand in General Shuwa’s death.”

The Boko Haram kingpin was arrested by the military at Hotoro General area of Kano municipal and a GSM phone, and N300, 000 cash were allegedly recovered from him.

Reacting to his denial, a senior

military officer told Journalists on condition of anonymity after a brief encounter with the suspect to disregard his rants, because he was a serial liar.

The officer said “the suspect is a pathological liar. What we know of him was different from the picture he tried to paint before the world. Immediately after General Shuwa was martyr, this suspect relocated from his country home and his arrest was a product of sustained intelligence operation.”

MAY DAY: Emulate Ayade, Oshiomhole, Labour tells govs

By Gloria Adokwu

K

ADUNA—NATIONAL Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, yesterday commended governors Ben Ayade and Adams Oshiomhole

of Cross Rivers and Edo states respectively, for their distinguished pronouncements in restoring the dignity of labour during the 2016 May Day celebrations nationwide.

The union in a statement contended that at a period when

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: Nwulu tasks media owners on salary

By Bartholomew Madukwe

W

EST Africa Programme Officer of Ford Foundation, Dr. Paul Nwulu, yesterday called on media owners in the country to ensure that journalists were paid their salaries as at when due.

Nwulu, who was a guest lecturer at the World Press Freedom Day Anniversary, in Lagos, noted that journalism was one of the toughest professions in Nigeria today.

“In most media houses, journalists are owed six to eight months salaries. The press has the responsibility to hold government accountable to the people and that is why the press has to be free. The press does not really have that freedom today,” he said.

C M Y K

According to him, media owners should not desert their journalists when being persecuted or attacked over a report that was published or broadcast.

Speaking on “Contemporary Issues of Press Freedom in the Digital Age”, Nwulu contended that digitalization was one of the factors affecting media following the wide audience it got from the public.

According to him: “Digitalization has brought a blessing and a curse. It is a curse because it is taking money away, and whether we like it or not, money is problem to the freedom of the press. Today, everybody is a journalist. When there is a news break, people will quickly go to social media like Linda Ikeji, who is not a journalist, and we need to stop that.''

not less than 22 states defaulted in payment of salaries of the workers, Professor Ayade announced the payment of May salaries of the state’s workers while Oshiomhole announced the increment of the National Minimum Wage from N18, 000 to N25, 000 with immediate effect, for the least paid employees in the state public service.

In the statement by the union’s President, John Adaji, General Secretary, Issa Aremu, who is also Chairperson IndustriALL Sub Sahara Africa, it noted that the two governors had by their pronouncements demonstrated that the crisis of non-payments of salaries in most states was contrived, artificial, self serving on the part of the defaulting governors.

The statement said: “It is not the lack of means and resources to pay their workers, but sheer lack of willingness to abide by the spirit and content of 1999 constitution which says that the primary function of the government is the security and welfare of the citizens. It is a class war the defaulting governors are waging against their workers through denial of wages. In a decent country, there is always enough for the needs of all, including workers, but not enough for the greed of rulers, some governors inclusive. We

commend both Governors of Edo and Cross River for breaking ranks with the gang of some insensitive greedy governors who assign little resources to labour as critical factor of development, but throw scarce resources to phoney projects by ghost contractors in the garb of infrastructural development.''

KOGI GOV TRIBUNAL: Wada hopeful of winning

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—FORMER governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada has expressed hope of victory at the Election Petition Tribunal, saying he believes the tribunal will ‘right the wrong’ of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, proclamation.

Wada, who spoke yesterday in Lokoja at the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders’ meeting, said what happened to the party at the last year governorship election was an ‘accident’ but the party was now recuperating.

According to him: “I believe strongly that the Tribunal will vindicate me. I worked hard during the campaign and I meant well for the state during my first time. I adequately sold our programme for the future to the state and I saw us winning the election. But what happened during the election is best known to God. However I am sure that the Tribunal will do the right thing. All that is left is a matter of time.”

Wada, who eulogized the state executive of the party for keeping the party together, urged members to stay together and help each other.

“At present, PDP is going through a lot of challenges but we must remained determined, focus and prayerful and victory will soon come. What happened at the last year election was an accident but I urged members to assist each other until the accident corrected.”

‘Nobody can expel me from PDP'

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—ONE of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Bauchi State, Shehu Gabam has said the recommendation of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee for him to be expelled from will not stand.

Gabam, who spoke yesterday during a chat with newsmen after a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Bauchi, lamented that the crisis rocking the party was as a result of lack of internal democracy and derail from the vision of the founding fathers.

He said: “As a national stakeholder of the party, certain injustices have been melted on the party member lately and given birth to this crisis. The National Executive Committee, NEC in the last four months has made it

position clear on the zoning of leadership in the party. It was agreed that presidency of the party should be zoned to the north while that of the chairmanship should go to the south, but this principle of zoning has not been adhered to and certain individuals are trying to impose their interest on the party. ''This is the major difference between some of us and those trying to impose themselves on the party.

On his expulsion from the party, he said “I m one of the founders of the PDP and Nobody can expel me. We have ways of expelling people. You have to go through due process before expelling anybody. Well, many of these people who found their way into the party do not own it. They do not know how the PDP was formed.''

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

FOR DSP: Mr. Joseph Evah addressing the crowd during a farewell programme in honour of late DSP Alamieyeseigha in Lagos.

BELOW: One of the masquerades performing at the event.

MTN SUPPORTS HEARING: From left— Consultant Surgeon, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adekwu Amali; MTN Trade Partner, Ms. Anthonia Agbasi; Dealer Account Executive, Mr. Chibuike Obilor; Hearing Aid Beneficiary, Ms. Aondoaver Veronica, and MTN Foundation representative, Mr. Henry Okechukwu, during the Foundation's hearing aid support project at the hospital in Markudi.

EMC WORLD: From left— Director, IT/Identity Database, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Chuka Onyepunuka; EMC Enterprice Account Executive, Nigeria, Nwachukwu Ijoteh, and Head of IT Governance/Strategy, Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, Abiodun Ijaware, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing EMC World 2016 in Las Vegas, USA.

Representatives of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, PenOp, at the 2016 Workers' Day rally in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—37

What govt, DISCOs owe Nigerians RIGHT OF REPLY

By Taiwo Adedoyin

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HE transparency that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing provided in the Q&A session on the electricity industry published in Vanguard newspaper is commendable.

There was a time when things happened and no one knew why or why not. We truly live in a new Nigeria.

The candour shown is also worthy of commendation.

Unfortunately, as I read the article I could not help but share my thoughts on some of the responses and hope to contribute my voice to this conversation, one that has never really happened regarding the moribund state of the power industry in Nigeria.

I write this from a place of hope and a desire to see things change for my family and the millions of Nigerians who have gone from a world where there was power to one where people go weeks without a blink of electricity.

There are complaints from the populace but I choose to believe that these complaints come from a place that recognizes that once the power issue is solved there is no way but up for Nigeria. This is how critical power is, it drives the economy.

Critical power There are three main issues to focus on here. The future of the utility will be distributed and not centralized: The utility industry is made up of three layers. The infrastructure layer (generation plants, wires and lines, transformers, meters), a technology layer (the software that runs the operations of all the infrastructure and customer interactions) and the customer layer (metering, billing and payments).

Every one of those layers used to operate on the premise that there was generation in a location that is far from the customer and the power is then transmitted to the consumer. In the future of the industry, one that was not mentioned in the Ministers response, generation of electricity will be closer to the location of the consumer.

The future of the utility industry is already playing out in countries across the world in the form of incentives provided to consumers to purchase solar panels and geothermal generation at a cost that makes it lower than the cost of power obtained from the grid.

Unfortunately this means that the customer is the one who enjoys the benefit and obviously (a point the Minister kept making) the DISCOs are left holding on to assets that are not as valuable as they thought they were when they got into this business of privatizing the

Nigerian power market. The tariff increases compensate the DISCOs for a business model of the past when the government (and customers money) should go into building the utility industry of the future. Embracing solar generation and providing rebates and incentives to consumers will enable Nigeria meet the shortfall in power generation quicker than we would by building huge plants in remote locations to help the DISCOs. Building those solar panels in Nigeria, since we will not be reinventing the wheel on a manufacturing process that is relatively straightforward, would create thousands of technical jobs and consequently improving the lives of thousands of Nigerians creating a cycle of jobs-incomespending and a boost to the economy. The part of the Ministers response that mentioned this future reality spoke about the high cost of solar and I address this in point 2 below.

Technology prices will surely drop once mass adoption takes place: The Minister talked about Solar prices being higher than the current price of electricity (N34/kWh for solar compared to tariff of N24) and I will suggest that there is no technology where this has not been the case in the early days of introducing the technology to the market. I will use an example that is familiar to almost every Nigerian; the mobile phone. When I was growing up in Nigeria in the 80’s

Customers will always want electricity and, as technology improves and the situation continues to get worse, what customers will ask is ‘who can give us power?’ landline telephones were for the few and the management of those phones were centralized (similar to the centralized nature of the power industry of today).

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s when mobile phones started getting into the market it was still for the educated and slightly well off.

That is the reality of most technologies; they are expensive at the beginning and as time goes on they become affordable to the masses. This will be the case

Aspect of change Ireland expects from Nigerian visa applicants Nigeria

with solar energy if we realize that it has a big role to play in the future of the power sector in this country. The price of solar will drop in the same way the price of mobile phones dropped and even right now with $20M we can supply 5000 homes with power from solar for (at least) 10 years. Considering the money we are recovering from our past ‘leaders’ this is a small price to pay to start to head in the direction we need to go.

That future is already here and the cost will be less than fixing the mistakes of the past: Driving through Lagos and even some of the most remote locations in Nigeria what we see is generators managed by businesses and individuals who can afford them and small generators and even smaller lamps being run by individuals who have a need for power to run their lives. This is the future that we are talking about; one where power generation and management is done at the individual level.

Again, this is not something that is hard to envision because it is already here and it takes away the need to buy or replace infrastructure that is best suited for the past and instead focusing on adopting technology that serves our future needs.

Infrastructure as the transition So what is the role of the DISCOs you ask? Their role will be whatever they decide they want it to be. There will still be a need to provide infrastructure as the transition will take time and there will always be a need for some level of centralization even in a localized and distributed grid, the DISCOs can do this.

The real question the Minister should be helping the DISCOs answer is what role do they want to play in serving a country of consumers that are yearning for a world where the naturally abundant sources of energy that they can use is not being provided to them? Customers will always want electricity and, as technology improves and the situation continues to get worse, what customers will ask is ‘who can give us power?’ The role of the government should be to help customers answer that question instead of trying to help a soon to be obsolete business model to survive against the tide of change. It is what consumers and technology wants.

•Adedoyin is a Co- FounderPublisher of Business in Africa Magazine

By Vera Anyagafu they can have no rights and are HE widespread belief left in a very difficult situation, among Nigerian visa adding that, “I know that the applicants to Ireland is the service we provide to stop this complexities in securing a from happening is not a service permit into the country. to protect Ireland but it is a Besides highlighting this service also to protect the people belief among Nigerian visa of Nigeria”. Still advising on applicants, which of course was false visa documentation, he disclaimed by the Ireland warned that the embassy have mission in Nigeria, recent years very easy way of identifying false have witnessed an upsurge in visa profile, saying that it is the number of Nigerians understandable when visa travelling to Ireland. applicants become frustrated by Speaking on what Nigerian the embassy’s services, which Visa applicants can do he thinks is not all about differently to make the work of protecting his country, but also Irish consular officers easier, the about protecting people in Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria.

Nigeria Mr. Sean Hoy stated Responding to the question on that a large number of the number of Nigerians Ireland Nigerians have become trains annually, Ambassador nationalised Irish citizens.

Hoy said, “We do not have a He disclosed that by the formal arrangement for training census in 2015, Nigerians in but we are certainly keen to Ireland were above 16,000 and increase the number of the number kept increasing, Nigerians in our universities “And of course when you that is for certain. When we had become a nationalized Irish the trade mission in 2013 lead citizen you are no longer by our minister; minister recorded in our statistics as a Castallo and I was part of that Nigerian, so I think the figure delegation we had certain level that we generally use is of institutions from Ireland here somewhere around 25,000 but in Nigeria looking for students it could be higher and it is but I think when you asked the certainly one of the largest group question how many people have living in Ireland”, Hoy said. we trained you should look at According to him, the embassy has a team here from Ireland working on Visa and if the volume is not large and the risk of fraud not large we will not need to have a team here. We have a large number of Visas here and they approve most of them. “Our Visa process is very transparent and every decision that is taken is accounted for, so it is not a situation where Mr. Sean Hoy, Ireland Ambassador to the officials have Nigeria discretion and say yes one day and no the other day, how many here have benefitted but there is a minimum amount in education from Irish of information required, a lot of missionaries over the years and forms that are rejected do not we contributed to training have the required information Nigerians as much as anybody and this is one failure aspect. else overtime.”

Vanguard gathered that it is He also told Vanguard that so considering also that people have talked to him about Nigerian visa applicants ensure setting up an alumni of people there is no fraudulent who have studied in Ireland and documentation found in the visa his response was that they application package. This should rather think of an alumni Ambassador Hoy said, will of people who have been negative the application, educated in Nigeria by the Irish. stressing that one important “I have met so many Nigerians thing to note is the risk which of all faith in very senior both governments are aware of. positions who have very positive He said the Nigerian feed- back to me about been government is aware of people educated when they were young trafficking and people been men and women and how their taken from Nigeria to Europe characters were formed by the where they believe they are missionaries it is something that going to get for good jobs and the Irish and the Nigerians have that some of the people are in common, “We were both harvested by middle men who educated by the same people bring them to Europe under false and that goes along way of pretences. Sadly, he pointed out, helping two cultures to that some of these young women understand themselves”, Hoy end up in the sex industry where admitted.

T

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY,

MAY 4, 2016

how many believed him was another matter.

How matters got to this point is remarkably confounding given the long chemistry between the two men.

Odubu, who had acquired a reputation as a laid-back politician, was according to sources introduced to Oshiomhole by his erstwhile political enforcer, Pastor IzeIyamu. The gist is that IzeIyamu wanted someone quiet and without ambition to be deputy governor with the intention of shoving the man aside when it came to 2016.

However, as Oshiomhole’s second term approached, IzeIyamu it is alleged, realised he

•Oshiomhole: Had accused deputy of recruiting native doctors to harm him

•Odubu: Those against my governorship plans planned to kill me

OSHIOMHOLE AND ODUBU:

The sweet, sour story

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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HE divergent views between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu over last Saturday’s reported attack on the latter has exposed the suspicious relationship that has existed between the first two citizens of Edo State.

Odubu had alleged that those against his aspiration were behind the attack that left two of his security aides critically wounded. The governor, however, disagreed and said that Odubu’s supporters were the ones who fired the shots at the entourage of the deputy governor.

Native doctors So suspicious had the governor been of his deputy that he had recently decided to avoid physical contact with Odubu supposedly because of information he received that the deputy governor had contracted native doctors to harm him.

That allegation about the deputy governor plotting to kill Oshiomhole was reportedly made during a peace parley on Monday, April 11, 2016, arranged by some mutual associates of the two to repair relations. The meeting was spearheaded by Osarodion Ogie, the state commissioner for works who had himself been reported to be in the race for

the succession and was deputy to Pastor Osaze Ize-Iyamu in the Grace Group, which threw up Oshiomhole’s initial bid in 2007.

Odubu on his part alleged at that meeting that the governor had lately reduced him to only reducing newspapers, starved his office of funds and victimised his known political associates.

But after Oshiomhole told the

trouble shooters of the alleged plan to kill him using diabolical means, it became evident to them that the crisis between governor and deputy had reached the point of no return. So when the deputy governor threw the allegation that those that shot at him last Saturday in Etsako, the home base of the governor were those against his political aspiration, not many were surprised. But

How matters got to this point is remarkably confounding given the long chemistry between the two men had misread Odubu’s political sagacity and quietly moved to remove him from the ticket for Oshiomhole’s second term and thus triggered an internecine war within the APC hierarchy.

Oshiomhole quietly came to Odubu’s aid through the group, Edo in Safe Hands led

by Ogie and Philip Shuaibu, which countered Pastor IzeIyamu’s dominance in the

political space.

Remarkably, Ogie had been Ize-Iyamu’s deputy in the Grace Group, but he was now called upon to fight his superior in the battle of wits to sustain Odubu in the Oshiomhole ticket in 2012. The question in some minds is that Odubu may have misread Oshiomhole’s tactical support in 2012 to mean he would back him for 2016.

Oshiomhole according to sources had last year called Odubu, Ogie, Godwin Obaseki and a few other close associates he suspected were desirous of succeeding him to contemplate on a way out. Two of such meetings Vanguard gathered, held in Benin-City and remarkably, to the satisfaction of only Obaseki.

Persecution of political associates Odubu was said to have irrespective of the handwriting from Oshiomhole plunged ahead into the contest while many others quietly pulled back. The response from Oshiomhole was the dismissal of some of Odubu’s henchmen in the cabinet, an issue the deputy governor is raising as part of the persecution of his political associates.

Odubu it is increasingly being seen may have served Oshiomhole well in being a tool to ward off Ize-Iyamu from the APC, but apparently not politically wired enough in the consideration of the governor to be his successor.

The dangers for the party are of course ominous if not well managed. Meanwhile, Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s thoughts at this time may be well interesting.

....Oyegun directs Oni to wade into face-off

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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HE national chairman of the APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun has directed the deputy national chairman, South, Engr.

Segun Oni to wade into the crisis

between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu.

Party sources disclosed that the national chairman’s directive followed last weekend’s face off between the two men over the alleged assassination attempt

against Odubu. OdigieOyegun’s instruction to Oni who may also be an attempt by the national chairman to remove himself from suspicion given that he is from the state and was the first civilian elected governor of the state.

Odigie-Oyegun had earlier in the year met with some of the governorship aspirants and promised them a level playing field in the primaries and assured them that the alleged effort to compromise the party delegates’ list was not an issue.

Only Imasuagbon can win Edo poll for APC — Orobosa Omon-Ojo

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R. Orobosa Omon-Ojo, a former Commissioner in the Adams Oshiomhole administration, has said that Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon is the only one of the declared aspirants in the All Progressives Congress, APC, who can win the election.

In an interview, Omon-Ojo cited Imasuagbon’s popularity across the state, his economic blueprint, and the aspirant’s capacity to unite all tendencies in the state as the reasons for what he claimed as the surging popularity of the Imasuagbon campaign.

He said:“Edo people are

supporting Kenneth Imasuagbon because he is the man that can win the election. Let’s not forget that after the primaries there will be the general election and it will be eight weeks for us to campaign and we don’t have time for people like Obaseki who are strangers politically to start learning the ropes and Oshiomhole is not as popular as he used to be for him to take somebody’s hand and climb the soap box and introduce him. So we need somebody who has political followership of his own and Ken has been around since the inception of APC. And his

philanthropic gestures is such that if he stands by the roadside now Okada riders, market women, bread sellers will all mob him wanting to touch him.

“Two, Ken will bring Edo State out of the woods economically.

He started from scratch, and he has taken his schools and other businesses to the level they are now.

“Third, this man is conscious of the homogenous state that we have. The person that can reunite the three senatorial districts now because he is loved in the three senatorial districts. Any other aspirant that will come in now

will divide the party. He is a unity candidate and it is not about tribe.

•Imasuagbon

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—39

Kogi’s legislative logjam THE crisis in the Kogi State House of Assembly is the latest in the recurring constitutional crises that have blighted the Confluence State

By Richard Moyosore

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HE audacity of five l e g i s l a t o r s in a House of Assembly of 20 to "impeach" a Speaker, who had the support of 15 legislators is the latest political absurdity to erupt from Kogi State. It follows the legal complexities thrown up by the death of Abubakar Audu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was leading in the governorship election that was also declared inconclusive.

Jimoh Momoh was impeached by five of the 20 members in the House and his place supposedly taken over by Umar Imam who was backed by four other members.

The crisis led to clashes which eventually forced security agencies to seal off the premises. At the heart of the crisis was the reported attempt to reposition the principal offices in the state following the emergence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as governor of the state.

Bello like Momoh is from Kogi Central.

Repositioning of principal offices An attempt to rezone the office of speaker to another senatorial zone was believed to have be en thwarted by Bello forcing the impeachment spearheaded by the Imam group. It is as such not surprising that some stakeholders are accusing the governor of stoking the crisis.

A legislator who craved anonymity told Vanguard that the Assembly crisis was stoked by the Governor. He said the Governor was the one sponsoring the group of five.

He said the “uncompromising

•Momoh: Embattled Speaker

•Gov Bello: Indifferent?

stance” of the Governor has been responsible for the “intractable imbroglio”.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr. Kingsley Fanwo exonerated Bello from the crisis. He said the crisis “was an inherited one” which had been raging before the advent of the present

he was causing crisis in the Assembly even before he became Governor?

“The Assembly members know the cause of the problem.

They are honorable people who will bury the hatchet soon in the interest of the people they are elected to serve. Having said that, I want to state categorically here that the Governor is desirous of having a stable and peaceful House of Assembly to drive his New Direction agenda”.

The House of Representatives set up a committee to look into

The crisis led to the clashes and eventually forcing the security agencies to seal off the premises

administration. “The Governor is not a member of the legislature and therefore, couldn’t have decided who leads that important arm of government. The Assembly issue predates the present administration. Are they saying

the crisis. The committee recommended that the Green Chambers of the National Assembly should assume the duties of the state assembly pending when normalcy is restored. But despite the resolution which was also endorsed by the Senate, the Assembly, notably, the Imam led faction has continued to sit.

Last week’s invitation of the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation by the House of Representatives to shed light on why its orders were not carried out ended in a deadlock. The Attorney General had advised that the House of Representatives position was inconsistent with the provisions of the law concerning the takeover of legislative responsibilities.

As the Kogi State House of Assembly continues to sit amid constitutional issues, the question on the lips of many is: When will peace return to the House? A highly placed source within the APC revealed that political horse-trading is going on to permanently

resolve the Assembly crisis. He said: “The crisis is quite unfortunate. It is completely avoidable. It is ill advised to want to take all the key positions at the same time. We must shift ground and move forward. We are close to a compromise”.

This same position was corroborated by party leaders in the state as Kogi people look forward to a functional House of Assembly that move the state forward.

A public commentator in the state, Mr. Olushola Daramola said that the House of Assembly should quickly unite to discharge the duties for which they were elected. In his words, he said members “should avoid unnecessary acrimony” which is capable of detailing the good intentions of the present administration in the state. He also called on the Governor to see all members as his partners for the development of Kogi State.

The end might not have been heard of the Kogi Assembly impasse.

Any APC candidate'll beat PDP — Inegbeniki

By Lucky Oji

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HIEF Francis Inegbeniki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State and former senatorial candidate of the party in Edo Central district has dismissed insinuations of a threat to the APC’s hold in the state in the forthcoming elections. Inegbeniki in an interview said the era of a godfather dictating the political direction of the state was long gone with the exit of the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP from office.

Asserting the supremacy of the APC in the state, Inegbeniki said: “Everybody wants the best, and I am very sure the best and the right candidate will emerge. No one man can anoint a candidate. The days of godfatherism are over. There is no more godfather in Edo. The Edo people shall resist any attempt for a new godfather to emerge. It is the people that will decide the APC candidate who will face

other parties’ candidates in the general elections. Let me assure you that another APC governor will succeed the outgoing governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

“Edo people have since rejected PDP. There is no going back on this. Edo people have since joined the progressives. We cannot be in opposition. Thanks to the Comrade Governor for his developmental stride. Edo is working again.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Herdsmen must be disarmed immediately— Ogbe There is tension in many parts of the country over the rampaging herdsmen who have killed several thousand innocent Nigerians, raped and kidnapped others. They attack their victims in farms, homes, and along the way.

In this interview, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, said the herdsmen must be disarmed, immediately. He said that the federal government has already 5, 000 hectares of land in nine states for ranching to stop cows from moving from place to place.

He also spoke on other issues affecting the sector and why the nation must stop food importation. Excerpts:

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Gab Ewepu

W

E are aware that agriculture is very important to this government because of the effort to diversify from oil and gas. Can you give us a brief of the road map of what to expect from agriculture?

The road map is quite straight forward; it is a drive to achieve self sufficiency in the staples within the shortest possible time by that we mean 36 months from now; produce enough rice, possibly most of the wheat, the soya, the millet and the maize which we consume in a large scale in the country. By producing all those we need to cut down on import with the view of eliminating the importation of some of these commodities as quickly as possible. We also have things like vegetables, fruits; tomato is a fruit by the way, which we import from South Africa.

of dollar. We thank God that era is gone because it was a very false sense of security. By today Nigeria should be talking of anything less than $200 -$300 billion in foreign reserve. We don’t have it because all we did between 1986 and now in particular when we were forced to adapt the so called national project cleverly dumped on our head, the financial elite were rejoicing and celebrating the great discovery of how to auction the dollar every week so for 30 years we were devaluing this currency on a weekly bases and like the president said last week, we have gained nothing from devaluation because we are not an exporting nation; besides oil, we are selling nothing and they are still asking for devaluation.

Believe me you can reach a thousand naira to one dollar the situation will not change. You are not a manufacturing nation. You are not a great agricultural

Creating jobs and wealth Lettuce, cabbage, peppers all sorts of things coming into this country which should come including bananas and all sorts of things. We should be able to reorganize agriculture, energize the sector enough to make it unnecessary to import these things and in the process we are creating jobs and wealth. The good news is that the response by farmers is greater than you can imagine, especially in some states like the North west where wheat and rice farming are been embarked on a large scale and we have every reason to be optimistic. The governors are doing marvelous jobs especially the governor of Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina.

So this is the target, we can’t afford to keep on importing and there are those in Nigeria on the other hand that doesn’t see anything wrong with importing everything under the great illusion of wealth and availability

We have 415 grazing reserves but our grazing reserves are nothing if we don’t have grasses on them and not just any kind of grassspecial grasses

nation. You have forgotten agriculture. As long as you are an importing nation for nearly everything, keep devaluing, you will only make your people more miserable, poorer and more

Chief Audu Ogbe ... we have 415 grazing reserves volatile. We only sow the seed of greater violence and insurgency.

We know that even though the economists don’t seem to know it, if you ever practise economics without politics or you are an economist without any knowledge of colonial history, you never impress anyone about your knowledge of economics because there is a history behind everything that is going on.

Economic warfare The powerful and successful nations will always keep you where you belong because the slave trade isn’t finished and economic warfare is as ruthless as any other war. It kills you without your knowledge.

Sir you have spoken about increasing the volume of production in the sector to enable us to feed ourselves at least in the first instance, break down import and later on export. But can you give us specifically your programmes to increase productivity?

Well, we are working in partnership with the central bank under the anchor program and ANCHOR programme to make cheap credit available to farmers by providing them improve seeds, we are expanding extension services, we have designed a new formula for fertilizer formulation. We now have soil and crop- specific fertilizers varying from state to state and farmers are acknowledging the high yields as a result of these innovations.

We can now test the soil in 30 minutes and get results using a device we call the soil doctor in partnership with the University of Columbia.

We are about to embark on a major programme on cattle

breeding improvement. We have asked people who are interested in cattle breeding to apply and they have applied and we are going to start artificial insemination on a very large scale to improve the breed of cattle in this country. Our local cows especially the Fulani white; the Zee bull is a good cow but our cows are among the worst managed in the world. They roam around too much, they don’t eat well, they don’t drink enough water and very little medical attention.

Newspapers and social media So their yield of milk is poor and the beef quality isn’t good, good tasting meat but they are too hard because the cows walk around too much and are therefore tired and malnourished.

So that takes us to a very key issue right now that is of concern to everybody which is cattle grazing, the conflict between cattle rearers and farmers all over the country. Can you give us the government’s position, what can we do? How can we handle this?

We will stop it but again I must also appeal that when we mention that we have to grow huge paddocks for cattle to eat and give them water points and then provide them medical services we received all kinds of abuse from the newspapers and social media. People who didn’t know much about what we were saying said ‘oh is it grass we are going to import now?’ Every country imports grass. Even the Camerounians have even offered to sell us grass and grass seeds. If your cows are not welllooked after, if the herdsmen have no grass to feed their cattle, they

will move and when they move, they will cause trouble.

Most of these herdsmen as we know now are not even Nigerians, they are wandering in from Mali, from Chad and some Shua Arabs, all armed with AK 47s in their desperation to feed their cows. The truth is and I have been reading things even in the Vanguard not too long ago somebody asked why should we waste money growing grass for one ethnic group and one group of people? What have we done for other farmers? We have done a lot for farmers. We have spent money on cocoa, rice, groundnut, we have spent money on tomato and other fruits, palm oil, we are doing researches on these and nobody has really done much for the herdsmen and we have forgotten.

Special grasses for feeding cattle Yes, we have 415 grazing reserves but our grazing reserves are nothing if we don’t have grasses on them and not just any kind of grass- special grasses.

Every other country has special grasses for feeding cattle. US, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand all do same. Saudi Arabia has the largest ranch in the world on one farm; Dairy Farm, 135, 0000 cows.

They import grass from US, from Sudan they are even asking us if we can grow grass they will buy. So we have to create paddocks mainly in the far North because there is a lot of sensitivity about this issue now and people in the south can even grow grass and sell to the north. There is a delay in our budget if not by now I assure you that some two or three hectares should have been planted. We are waiting, we don’t Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016—41

Herdsmen must be disarmed immediately— Ogbe Africa, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso- they come to buy from Nigeria in the north and recently we had a request from Central Africa because there was a drought there for maize; 37, 000 tonnes of maize.

When I am talking about food production in Nigeria I am not only looking at about the 170 million which is Nigeria’s estimated population. That is the point now. It is a good thing, that means there is a market but in the short term it is a pressure on us. That is why prices have gone up because climate change is making it difficult for them to grow crops there.

Continues from page 40 have money yet, so we can do much but as soon as the budget is done, we will show you the fields.

Sir do you intend to have a demonstration site then you can get private sector operators to come and buy into it?

Precisely what we intend to do is government will start and then let private sector investors who will grow the grass, bail the grass and sell to farmers come in.

There are few individuals doing it and making money from it already, including retired Permanent Secretaries who their families laughed at when they started growing grasses, they thought they had gone insane but they are making money now.

I met one of them. Rapia grass, Gamba grass, Kikuyu grass, Elephant grass. The Brazilians have some of the best because the grass must have a certain minimum residue of protein, trace elements, amino acids and then the cow will eat it and give you good milk and meat because we have to be careful what the cow eats because the cow passes it to human beings.

Carcinogenic materials I have seen cattle chewing nylon, sachet water bags out of hunger that is dioxin - it will get back to us. There are so many strange diseases in Nigeria now. You will see a young man complaining of kidney, a woman lying in the hospital complaining of liver and all these are due to new eating habits. My mother just passed on at 96.

In the villages people still live long. They are not as comfortable as we think we are because our eating habits are different. There are a lot of stuffs we are eating, imported stuffs, some of which have carcinogenic materials and we are consuming them because we are not paying attention to the link between food and health.

Then of course we must export produce over and above just meeting our needs, we have to export. There is no reason why we must be number three in Cocoa production.

Before we get to that cocoa product, can you kindly tell us how, right now the tension is very high, there is so much apprehension. While you are trying to grow grass to help provide adequate feed for the cows. As a government; how do we marry feeding the cows and keeping them out of the cropping environment?

It is very difficult now. One thing I am going to suggest now is that which we are putting into writing to Mr. President is that we must disarm all herdsmen.

Climate change

Chief Audu Ogbe ... Nigerians consume seven million tonnes of rice, annually The army, the police should find them wherever they are now and take all the guns from them as the first step. They carry these AK 47s on the necks, they tie them around the belles of the cows, they must be disarmed immediately. That is the first step and then of course communities, too sometimes play a role in this, sometimes community leaders see herdsmen arrive and the local chiefs go and collect money, collect cows and tell them to go on grazing and when they wonder into people’s farm and trouble starts those chiefs go into hiding or are silent.

Cattle from foreign countries Fulanis bring out a receipt of the agreement they have with these chiefs. It is all very complicated but the president has given instructions that the army and police should find them and neutralise them which is the first step and the next step in the future is to shut our borders from entry of cattle from foreign countries into ours. The Fulanis we knew before never attacked any farmer, it is a rather recent phenomenon and they have carried out killings in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau Enugu, Ondo, Ogun, Benue.

Some people are saying provide grazing reserves, some are saying provide grazing routes, some are saying ‘no, don’t provide route because the cows and the herdsmen will not stick to the grazing routes, that they will wonder out to peoples’ farms and they are saying let’s go for ranching.

The question is the route is a

passage leading to where? To grassland or to someone’s farm?

Routes are not the issues; ranching yes -on the scale we are talking about now; spread across many states.

Private sector investors We have already acquired 5, 000 hectares of land from nine states. We wrote and the governors gave us lands but we have to lease them out to private sector investors who will prepare the land and make sure they can harvest grass 6 – 7 times a year, dry or raining season and the cows have fresh grass to eat.

Sir, we know that there is an independent ministry for water resources. Are you working with them to be able to provide dams and water projects that can provide these herdsmen the water they need in the ranches?

Not yet, we are going to do boreholes of our own. Later we will link up with them.

What is the volume of the production of, for instance rice, that we have here? What is our need and how soon can we possibly close the gap so that we can conserve our foreign exchange?

We consume seven million tonnes of rice, annually. A million tonnes will fill up 33, 334 trailers.

You need to put this figures for people to know what a million tonnes amounts to. 33, 334 trailers of 30 tonnes each multiplied by seven. One million tonnes loaded in trailer will stretch 495 kilometres which is Lagos – Benin but that isn’t all we are also feeding Sudan, sometimes Libya, Chad, Central

Wheat is about five million tonnes and we have tomato paste which we should be achieving self-sufficiency but now local production is so small that Dangote factory and Erisco have shut down production. We have to go to green houses so you can produce all your tomato paste.

Once again let’s look at the rice. What is our production?

Right now we are doing two million tonnes now. From the harvest we are seeing, we are expecting in Kebbi, Kano and Jigawa we should hit 2.5 million tonnes of milled rice by the end of this year.

Some people have also raised issues of Nigerian’s preference for imported rice to local rice.

Do you have a plan for a special campaign to encourage Nigerians to eat local rice?

We are not campaigning. Those who can go and import at N325 / $1 can do it and try and see if they can sell it. The rice here is

The army, the police should find them wherever they are now and take all the guns from them as the first step fresher, than rice coming from Thailand, I have been in Thailand before. Some of the rice have been eight years in silos.

Last Christmas, a friend of mine told me his wife cooked rice and when it came out of the pot, she advised the husband not to eat it. It had no taste. We are doing

everything here, increasing rice mills, working with farmers to grow more rice, supporting them with machinery; we just have to be patient and grow our own rice and eat it. It is fresh and cheaper.

Nobody will give you rice that is a year old in Nigeria. As they are harvesting they are milling and taking it to the market and for the health of people it is better.

How are you assisting the rice farmers to increase their productivity?

The CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) is currently running the ANCHOR Programme. In Kebbi, the farmers collected a lone of N7.5 billion and the rice coming out of it is nearly N60 billion. These are small scale farmers and they are paying back. So it works. Commercial banks are, of course too scared they claim agriculture is too risky and so they don’t want to get involved but thank God the CBN is helping out.

What programme does the government have for the poultry industry?

We have a programme for the poultry industry. We are going to start the Backyard Poultry Programme but we have the challenge of the Avian Flu and so we are trying to get a vaccine.

Poultry programme We have appointed a consultant from Tuns Farms in Osun State where we have the largest brawlers farm and he is going to help us with our poultry programme. I have seen various federal government agriculture programmes in various parts of the country but where I come from in Benue, I have never seen any. No dam or any other presence of the federal government whatsoever in the agric sector and I am wondering why. There is a dam at Ofada which was started about four years ago but yet to be completed. We are planning to construct several earth dams in the next two years. But there is also a problem there, people have virtually stopped going to the farm.

That brings us to another question. How does this government plan to attract young Nigerians to the farm?

Advocacy. Showcasing those who have succeeded. But let me also make a point and I would like you to take note of this: People think that agriculture begins and ends in this ministry.

We don’t have a farm.

What are state governments doing? State governments and local governments which have the lands are the ones to drive this process. Ours at the federal level is to come out with appropriate policies, support, finance, education, advocacy. I read in the papers, some people say, ‘the minister is talking and there is no rice now.

To be concluded

42—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Obama says Donald Trump not equipped to be President

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RESIDENT Obama says that Republican front-runner Donald Trump is not equipped to deal with the challenges of being president.

“I think that he is not somebody who even within the Republican Party can be considered as equipped to deal with the problems of this office, but look, we live in a democracy,” President Obama said in an interview Monday with WMUR, an ABC affiliate in New Hampshire.

If Trump does become the Republican nominee, Obama said he’s confident that the Democratic nominee will win in a general election match-up. “If in fact the Republicans nominate Mr.

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•Obama Trump, then it’s going to be an interesting fall season,” he said. “I’m confident that ultimatelytheDemocratinthat circums-tance will win.” The

Islamic State kills U.S. Navy SEAL in northern Iraq

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US Navy Seal who was advising Kurdish Peshm-erga forces in northern Iraq has been killed

by Islamic State (IS) militants, US defence officials say. The special warfare operator, who has not been named, died as a result of a gunshot wound, the Navy Times reported.

Peshmerga officials said the militants breached the frontline north of the IS-held city of Mosul on Tuesday morning.

The American was the third to be killed in combat since the US-led coalition campaign against IS began in 2014.

Although Iraqi progovernment forces have gradually pushed back IS since then with the help of US-led coalition air strikes and military advisers, the jihadist group still controls large parts of the country’s north and west.

The Navy Seal’s death was announced by US Defence

Secretary Ashton Carter, who said only that a serviceman had died as a result of enemy fire near Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

president has not been shy about criticizing the Republicanfront-runner,most recently roasting him at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.

“They say Donald lacks the foreignpolicyexperiencetobe president. But in fairness he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina,Miss Azerbaijan,” the president joked.

Tupac’s mother Afeni Shakur dies at 69

•Afeni

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FENI Shakur Davis, the mother of one of hip-hop’s most seminal and iconic figures, has died at age 69, the Marin County, California, sheriff’s office said Tuesday.

Though she is best known as Tupac Shakur’s mom,

she was also a Black Panther as a young adult and an activist and philanthropist in her later years.

Deputies responded to a call reporting “a possible cardiac arrest” at her Sausalito home around 9:34 p.m. Monday, the Marin County Sheriff ’s Office said.

Shakur Davis was taken to the hospital where she died at 10:28 p.m., the office said.

“Sheriff’s Coroners Office will lead investigation to determine exact cause & manner of Afeni Shakur’s death,” the office said in a tweet.

Passenger loses $260,000 in mid-air theft

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MAN has lost HK$2m ($257,730; £175,530) in cash and valuables from his hand luggage, during a flight into Hong Kong, police said.

Hong Kong police said a male 39-year-old foreigner alerted airline staff early on Monday, who then called the authorities.

Police said the man had lost two watches and foreign currency.

Local media said the man was a Turkish watch merchant flying in economy class from Dubai.

A spokesperson for Emirates, the airline the man took to Hong Kong,

KENYA: Baby saved after four days in rubble

told the BBC: “Emirates is working closely with the police department and providing information to assist with their

investigation.” Emirates said it would not be providing further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

SYRIA: Russia hopes to extend truce to Aleppo Saturday.

But Mr Lavrov warned that

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USSIA’S foreign minister says a unilateral truce declared by the Syrian military could be extended to the city of Aleppo “in the next few hours”. Sergei Lavrov said Russia was working with the UN and US to include Aleppo in the “regime of calm” that has covered Damascus and Latakia since

rebels would have to leave areas where allied jihadist militantswerebeingtargeted.

More than 250 people have been killed in Aleppo in the past 10 days.

About two-thirds of those deathshavebeenintherebelheld eastern side of the city, including 55 in an air strike on a hospital the US says was deliberate.

SIX-month-old girl has been rescued from the debris of a building that collapsed four days ago in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Later the Kenyan Red Cross said the baby, Dealeryn Saisi Wasike, was reunited with her father. She has no physical injuries.

The six-storey residence came down in heavy rain, killing at least 23 people.

Dozens of others are still thought to be buried under the rubble, but hopes of finding more alive are fading. The baby’s mother is still missing. The building had been earmarked for demolition. Its owner was due to appear in court on

Tuesday charged with manslaughter.

The Kenya Red Cross said the baby girl was found in the rubble at 04:00 local time (01:00 GMT), in a bucket wrapped in a blanket.

Dealeryn appeared dehydrated, but had no visible injuries, it added.

She was rushed to hospital

Niger needs 1 bn euros to fight illegal migration

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IGER, a major transit country for Africans seeking to reach the EU, told foreign ministers visiting from Europe on Tuesday it needs 1 billion euros to combat illegal

Free press critical to democratic development —US Consul General

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu N the occasion of 2016 World Press Freedom Day held at the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate General, the US Consul General, Mr. John Bray, expressed the need for enhanced practice of journalism, saying that a free press is critical to democratic development and sustainable growth.

Bray, who lauded the Nigerian media for the role played in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy in the country, also

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for treatment.

She was originally reported to have been oneand-a-half years old.

The fact that the baby was not seriously injured played a key role in her survival, said Dr Ian MacOnachie, an expert in emergency medicine and clinical standards at the UK’s Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

counseled that they maintain the ethics of journalism in line with global practices.

He also said there are challenges and requirements to deal with in getting information, adding that the best practice is being as authentic as possible in disseminating such information. Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, who spoke on ‘Press Freedom and Media/Government Relations’, said it is rewarding for both the government and the media to strengthen each other.

migration.

As many as 150,000 migrants, most coming from other West African nations, will travel through Niger this year, crossing the Sahara Desert on their way to the Mediterranean coast, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

A vast landlocked country, Niger borders Nigeria in the south and Libya to north from whose coast many migrants set off on the perilous sea journey to EU members Italy or Malta.

“Niger needs a billion euros to fight against clandestine migration,” Foreign Minister Ibrahim Yacoubou told a news conference in Niger ’s capital, flanked by his French and German counterparts Jean-Marc Ayrault and Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

L-R: U.S. Consul General F. John Bray; Ms. Kadaria Ahmed; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Mr. Waheed Odusile; Lagos State University (LASU) Professor of Communication Lai Oso; and West Africa Representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Mr. Peter Nkanga; discussing press freedoms on World Press Freedom Day in Lagos yesterday. Photo: United States Consulate General Lagos

Drought-hit Zimbabwe sells off wild animals

By Faith Agbi with agency report

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IMBABWE put its wild animals up for sale on Tuesday, saying it needed buyers to step in and save the beasts from a devastating drought.

Members of the public “with the capacity to acquire and manage wildlife” - and enough land to hold the animals - should get in touch to register an interest, the state Parks and Wildlife Management Authority

said. There were no details on the animals on offer or their cost, but the southern African country ’s 10

national parks are famed for their huge populations of elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalos.

Kenya foils ISIS-linked anthrax attack

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ENYAN police say they have foiled a “large-scale” biological attack using anthrax, by a terror group with links to so-called Islamic State (IS).

A man, his wife and another woman have been

arrested. Rewards have been offered for two other men.

Police did not name the network, but said it stretches across the country and outside its borders, including to Somalia, Libya and Syria.

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, MA Y 4, 2016 —43 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA MAY

How can I cope now I’m pregnant?

Dear Bunmi, Y BOYFRIEND of four years is so possessive and jealous that I sometimes fear for my life. He thinks I’m having an affair if I just pop out to the market or if I stop to talk to a man - any man. I’ve left a few times only for us to make up again.

Now I’ve just found out I’m expecting a child for him and he’s ecstatic. Only, he’s got even more of a hold on me now. He watches me like a hawk and could be verbally abusive. He doesn’t look like a man I want to spend the rest of my life with, but I don’t want an abortion. Please help.

Nike, by e-mail.

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My kids don’t want him back in my life Dear Bunmi, OWARDS THE end of last year, my husband of 20 years decided to separate amicably. My two children from my first marriage aged 29 and 26, were happy about the decision. My daughter told me she’d never liked her stepfather and was glad she didn’t have to see him or interact with him. I was surprised. She’d never really

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shown her resentment or said nothing since he was out of the picture. He’d started coming over fecently and we now get on so well that I wondered if we should get back together. When I asked my daughter ’s opinion, she accused me of choosing him over her feelings. I think she was carrying her resentment a bit too far. I’ve been a good mum and my kids, including

Don’t make any rash decision. Since your eldest daughter is the most resentful, ask her reasons for disliking her step-dad. Explain to her how you feel and perhaps she'll be able to see things from your point of view. This is your life and your future. Your eldest children have lives and families of their own and it’s time to focus on yourself.

the only one I had with my husband are grown. Two of them have families of their own. Should I do what makes me happy or do I put them first?

Ellen, by e-mail.

Dear Ellen, Don’t make any rash decision. Since your eldest daughter is the most resentful, ask her reasons for disliking her step-dad.

Explain to her how you feel and perhaps she'll be able to see things from your point of view. This is your life and your future. Your eldest children have lives and families of their own and it’s time to focus on yourself. Let them know their blessings would be much appreciated but listen to your heart. You’re the one who’s going to live with your enstrange husband, not kids who have flown the nest!

Friend went behind my back to get the job Dear Bunmi, OME MONTHS back, I told my friend that I heard a particular company I was interested in had a vacancy and I intended to apply. She seemed really interested in the details and I thought she was just being nice. I applied for the job and didn’t even get short-listed.

When I saw my friend again, I told her how the interview went. It was then she told me she also applied for the job too - and got it! I was so shocked that I let her know what I

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thought of her in no uncertain terms. But she told me she’d done nothing wrong. But I think she’s behaved outrageously. What do you think?

Kate, by e-mail.

Dear Kate, What your friend did is a betrayal of trust. Whether or not she had a right to apply for the job, if she’d been totally innocent, she would have told you what she was doing. The fact that she kept quiet about it means she

knew she was in the wrong.

Her getting the job now looks as if you weren’t good enough. I wouldn’t trust this friend of yours in future. The only way forward is to end the friendship and walk away.

Only, don’t start to mistrust every potential friend. Most people would either have steered clear or been open with you about what they were doing. So, keep on trusting. It isn’t worth losing your trust in human nature over one friend’s bad behaviour.

He can’t fulfil my fantasy!

Dear Bunmi, ECENTLY, MY boyfriend and I were discussing what would really turn us on. For years I’ve had this fantasy of a rough sex with a really macho man. I’ve had one or two meaningful relationships, but the men I’d met were not really macho.

Least of all, my current boyfriend who’s somehow weedy! Now he wants us to act out my fantasy, but his physique won’t turn me on in that way. How can I put him off!

Dejoke, by e-mail.

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Dear Dejoke, Fantasy isn’t reality. So you don’t need your boyfriend to

be a genuinely strong man to act out your sexy dreams.

Simply close your eyes and pretend. You never know - he may be more powerful than he looks! But if you’re really sure

this won’t work, explain to him that although you like to fantasise when you’re alone, you don’t need or want to act it out. That will let you off the hook and spare your feelings.

Simply close your eyes and pretend.

You never know - he may be more powerful than he looks! But if you’re really sure this won’t work, explain to him that although you like to fantasise when you’re alone, you don’t need or want to act it out. That will let you off the hook and spare your feelings.

Dear Nike, Do you want your baby to be brought up in an abusive environment? Be firm with your man that you’re not putting up with his jealous and possessive behaviour any longer - and if he carries on, walk out or enlist the help of people who can talk to him. The problem with excessively jealous people is that they can’t change. Even when they’re with the ugliest partners, they still suspect them of twotiming. Life is too short to spend your life dodging the blows of a partner with a problem. Think before you leap should be your watchword here.

Be firm with your man that you’re not putting up with his jealous and possessive behaviour any longer - and if he carries on, walk out or enlist the help of people who can talk to him. The problem with excessively jealous people is that they can’t change.

He now prefers to live alone Dear Bunmi, WO YEARS ago, my boyfriend moved in with me and my two children from a previous marriage. He got on well with the children and things seemed to be going well until a few months ago when he told me he would rather be on his own, I was surprised. When I pressed him further, he said friends and relations of his didn’t like the fact he was living off a woman in spite of the fact he helped a lot fmancially. Now he comes to visit a few days a week and sometimes stay the night. I want him to move back in, but he says he really prefers things the way they are. I don’t know where I now stand - and neither

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do the children.

Bukola, by e-mail.

Dear Bukola, I think your man is trying to have a clean break by gradually easing out of the relationship.

Why don’t you set him a time limit? Tell him to keep away from you for this period so he can see what it’s like not to have you around. After that, he has a choice - family or the single life.

If he can’t commit to you 100 per cent, walk away and don’t go back on your decision. Children need stability, not a man who’s nothing more than a big baby himself. I hope things work out, if they don’t, be wary of who you introduce your kids to in future.

My son wants me to move on after losing his dad Dear Bunmi, I lost my husband suddenly last year when he had a heart attack and since then, I’d been so lonely. We did most things together and most people in my situation would want to be around family. Our daughter lives abroad, leaving only our son who lives fairly close to me with his family. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him or tried to, at least. He was good to start with, but now he’s hinting, not too subtly, that I need to get out more. Why is he behaving like this? I am 54.

Abigail, by e-mail.

Dear Abigail, It looks as if your son feels it’s not good for you to be so clingy after a year of mourning the loss of your husband. It’s certainly great to have a family around, but sticking only with people you know limits you to a very humdrum life. I agree with your son - at your age you need to move on with your life. It’s time to find new friends and interests. What about your old friends - surely they could give their support too?

I’m sure your husband wouldn't want you to mope for long, so be brave and make a fresh start.

Look for a new hobby or even start a business - no matter how small - to keep you busy.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

44— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 45

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46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 — 47

Ifeanyi Ubah emerges Anambra FA chair J UST two days before the annual general meeting of the Nationwide League One, the League’s patron and Club owner, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has emerged the Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association.

In elections conducted on Tuesday, the business mogul polled 24 votes. Barrister Jude Obikwelu emerged the new Vice Chairman, while the following persons were also elected into the board of the Anambra State Football Association from the zones: Amuzie Cyprian Chibuike, Udennanka Anthony Bebeto (Anambra Central); Amene Joe Ifeanyi, Emeka Raphael Udoka, Uduh Kingsley (Anambra North) and; Ifepe Edward Adah, Albert Chinye Theodore (Anambra South).

Chairman of the Anambra State Election Monitoring Committee, Sir E. C. Chukwuemeka confirmed the results.

Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria football, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau also witnessed the elections that took place in Awka, the Anambra State capital, alongside the

Chairman of the Enugu State Football Association, Mr. Chidi Ofo Okenwa.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has congratulated Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah on his victory.

North Central set for NFF/ Zenith Bank Championship

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EPRESENTATIVE teams of the seven States in the nation’s North Central geopolitical zone will arrive in Minna, Niger State tomorrow for the zonal finals of the maiden edition of the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship.

The competition, which is for U-13 and U-15 categories, will see Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Benue and Kogi States and the Federal Capital Territory slug it out for supremacy in the Niger State capital.

Chairman of the Niger State Football Association and Coordinator of the zone, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, told thenff.com that the one –week championship will commence on Thursday.

“All arrangements have

been perfected for a hitch – free tournament. The teams will arrive in Minna on Wednesday and screening will hold the same day, while the competition will begin on Thursday.

Rio Olympics: NBBF lists 27 their trade in Europe and for camping

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S part of efforts to adequately prepare for the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Nigeria Basket Ball Federation (NBBF) has released the list of 27 platers invited to camp ahead of the championship.

President of the federation, Tijjani Umar told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the players who are mainly plying

Iheanacho Continues from BP cho £50,000 a week.

City have opened talks with Iheanacho’s handlers over a new contract after he justified his promotion to the first team at The Etihad with goals and five-star

displays in his debut season in the English Premier League.

We have further learnt that Iheanacho is currently earning “between £10,000 and £18,000 a week” after coming through the City youth ranks.

The least paid City first-teamer is on £180,000 a week with the biggest earner at the club Yaya Toure pocketing almost twice that sum.

Iheanacho is expected to bag a new contract by July.

Leicester Continues from BP £6.5million pot shared among the squad for ending the campaign in 12th or above.

There were no provisions made for finishing any higher, let alone in the Champions League places or on top of the pile.

Each season clubs draw up bonus contracts with their playing squads to incentivise performances and Leicester will have been unlike any of the other title-challengers in not including a clause addressing that possibility.

Leicester ’s Thai owners are sure to reward their squad handsomely however, with a trip to Vegas in the pipeline and the

possibility of money to spend on the roulette tables. When the club won promotion from the Championship they were treated to an expensive meal at a posh London restaurant and each given a £1,000 chip to gamble at a nearby casino.

A change to the bonus contract now is not allowed under Premier League rules.

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan discovered this fact in March 2014 when he addressed players at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane before a game against Tottenham. He promised the squad £3.7m to share if they staved off relegation but later rescinded his offer when informed of the regulations.

•Ubah

America were shortlisted after they gave their consent that they will like to represent their fatherland.

However, Umar disclosed that the list ought to have been 28 but for the reluctance of Victor Oladipo who is said to have also been approached by the USA to make up his mind.

Top on the list is Ikechukwu Diogu, AlFarouk Aminu, Olumide Oyedeji and Usman Abubakar who were all part of the team that last year won the AfroBasket which also qualified the team for the global fiesta.

According to the tentative training schedule of the NBBF, the Head Coach and technical staff will carry out a visitation of the players in their various teams between June 4th and 25th.

Indian coach Continues from BP Kingdom.

Team manager of the Nigerian Cricket Foundation Joshua Eshua told Xinhua the choice of the Indian coach, Shrinam Reganathan, who was employed on voluntary basis, will take the country far in the competition organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Reganathan, a level A, certified coach under the Board of Control of Cricket in India, was included in Nigeria’s team technical crew following previous u n i m p r e s s i v e performance, the Nigerian cricket official said.

“ We a r e h a p p y t o have such a coach that has attained the highest level of coaching training in India. India is one of the best cricket nations in the world and we strongly believe his wealth of experience will impact positively on our team at the ICC league,” he said.

The official added that the team would depart the country on May 11 on a training tour to Essex in London to acclimatize before departing for the league.

More than 14 Nigerian cricket players have been invited to camp ahead of the training tour and competition.

Expectations Continues from BP of the year awards, Van Gaal reiterated his stance that United are a club in transition.

That is despite them splurging well over £320million on stars since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

The Dutchman has spent £250m alone.

Van Gaal is still expected to leave Old Trafford this summer with Jose Mourinho taking the reins.

But he managed to take aim at United’s many detractors during what could be one of his final public outings as boss.

‘We have to meet the expectations of the biggest club in the world. Expectations are too high,’ he said. ‘We are in a period of transition. It is not so easy.’

Van Gaal’s future quickly became one of the storylines of this season and truly took hold once Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December.

United’s boss managed to save himself with a draw against Chelsea after four consecutive defeats, including being dumped out of the Champions League.

Caspar But Leicester could theoretically address this is next season’s bonus scheme and pay out early, this summer.

Survival was the sole ambition when their bonus contract was written up nearly 12 months ago, with a minimum payment of £3.5m just for finishing 17th, one place above the drop zone.

The levels increase incrementally for each place higher – £4.5m for 16th and 15th, £5.5m for 14th and 13th – up to the final total of £6.5m for 12th.

Leicester’s squad will receive their money at the end of the season, distributed among the players on a pro rata basis depending on matchday appearances.

Continues from BP lead to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Foxes players watched from the comfort of Jamie Vardy’s house as Spurs, quite literally imploded in a bad-tempered 2-2 draw.

History has also been made by the pair, who have become only the second father and son, after Arsenal forward Ian Wright (1998) and former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips (2006) to both be crowned champions.

Leicester - who had only just avoided relegation the season before, are the first ‘new ’ winners of the English top flight in 38 years - the last first-time champions were Nottingham Forest back

in 1978.

Delighted by his boy’s s p e c t a c u l a r accomplishment, the Old Trafford hero amusingly changed his Twitter bio in recognition of the achievement to make it read: ‘Father to a Premier League winner.’

Back in 1993, Manchester United were striving for their first league title under Sir Alex Ferguson, nearest rivals Aston Villa were at home to Oldham, 24 hours ahead of United’s game with Blackburn.

With Ferguson preferring a round of golf instead of taking in the action, Oldham pulled off a shock 1-0 victory thanks to a Nick Henry strike, hours later

United who were already safe in the knowledge they had won the league, comfortably strolled to a 3-1 scoreline.

With 22 clean sheets that season, Schmeichel senior was an instrumental figure in helping United win a first title in 26 years and the £505.000 signing from Danish side Brondby would go onto be voted the world’s best goalkeeper.

That triumph marked the first of five Premier League winners’ medals for the great Dane and although the Leicester No 1 has some way to go before he can match that feat, the satisfaction of his first, will be one he saviours forever.

Vanguard, WEDNEDAY, MAY 4, 2016

Leicester players ‘ll not receive extra bonuses for winning league

L

Iheanacho demands N58m weekly T

•Iheanacho

HE agents of Kelechi Iheanacho have demanded a bumper new Manchester City contract that will pay the Nigeria starlet a mindblowing £200,000 a week over five years.

“He has deserved his keep at City as he is now one of the most effective forwards in the whole of Europe when you put his game time against the number of his goals,” a top source argued.

The 19-year-old Nigeria international has netted 13 goals in all competitions this season with seven of them in the

Premier League.

In October, Manchester City offered IheanaContinues on Page 47

N

Indian coach will boost its performance at this month’s World Cricket

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

Continues on Page 47

*Father and son – Father Peter and his son Kasper have both won their first league titles bizzarley on Bank Holiday Monday

Caspar Schmeichel is a Premier League winner just like dad Peter ..they won their first titles on the same day 23 years apart

K

ASPER Schmeichel has long been compared to his father Peter and now the Leicester goalkeeper can add another similarity to that list after he became

Nigeria hires Indian coach!

I G E R I A yesterday said the employment of an

EICESTER City’s players will receive no extra bonus for winning the title than if they had finished seven places off the bottom, but plans are in place to go to Las Vegas for a postseason party.

It’s a signal of Leicester’s horizons last summer, terms drawn up make clear the emphasis on survival, with a

League Division 5 to be hosted by the United Continues on Page 47

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

a Premier League winner on Monday night.

In a scary coincidence, the Schmeichels won their first league titles both aged 29, on the same bank holiday

Monday, 23-years apart and ironically neither had to set foot on the pitch to get the job done.

With Tottenham surrendering a two-goal Continues on Page 47

Expectations are too high in Man Utd — LVG

L

OUIS van Gaal has claimed expectations at Manchester United are too high and that he remains one of the

world’s great managers.

In comments made at the club’s annual player

Continues on Page 47

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid v Man City 7.45 pm

•Kasper Schmeichel

Champions League Result Bayern Munich 2 Atletico Madrid 1 (2-2 goals aggregate.

Atletico qualified on away goal rule)

QUICK CROSSWORD DOWN 1 Tart (4) 4 Beret (3) 6 Spruce (4) 9 Free (3) 10 Height (8) 11 Between (4) 14 And not (3) 16 Sheet (5) 19 Instrument (8) 21 Punitive (5) 23 Representative (8) 24 Linger (5) 27 Marry (3) 31 Savage (4) 33 Meant (8) 34 Strive (3) 35 Prophet (4) 36 Youth (3) 37 Location (4)

DOWN 2 Arrive (4) 3 Eat (4) 4 Forgave (8) 5 Excuse (4) 6 Track (5) 7 Edge (3) 8 Fool (5) 12 Spoor (5) 13 Manufacturer (5) 14 Pinch (3) 15 Renovate (5) 17 Map-book (5) 18 Keen (5) 20 Gifted (8) 22 Guided (3) 25 Living (5) 26 Jockey (5) 28 Account (4) 29 Responsibility (4) 30 Trial (4) 32 Untruth (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Cited 7, Error 8, Scoff 10, Coped 12, Rut 13, Mason 15, Related 17, Impair 19, Lip 20, Coveted 23, Chic 25, Drum 26, Grabbed 30, Ice 31, Differ 34, Concert 37, Tatty 38, Auk 39, Yacht 40, Acted 41, Eerie 42, Heard.

DOWN: 1, Dream 2, Cocoa 3, Ironic 4, Ewer 5, Scrapped 6, After 9, Out 11, Deleted 13, Mince 14, Sprig 16, Lit 18, Robbery 21, Draft 22, Emery 24, Cricket 27, Ace 26, Dither 29, Coach 32, Fated 33, Ethic 35, Nut 36, Tale.

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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