Why we questionJonathan — Tambuwal

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 61767

I don't need Will to take over my father's house •P.13 — Ojukwu Jr

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

A SERIAL YOU MUST READ

The Public Service and the Transformation Agenda: —Redefining the rules of engagement (2) "The woes of the Civil Service were compounded by the promulgation of Decree No. 43 of 1988 which politicized the Civil Service."

•Pgs.40&41

BY CHIEF PHILIP ASIODU

GOVERNANCE:

Why we question Jonathan — Tambuwal •We have right to question activities of the Executive, he says •Jonathan in closed door meeting with Mark, Tambuwal

BY HENRY UMORU & BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, declared that the legislature has powers under the present democratic dispensation to query the activities of

Continues on page 5

Tony Blair's religious reconcilatory efforts •P.19

Mr & Mrs

FOR AHMADU BELLO —From left: Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State; ANPP National Chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais; Guest Lecturer, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and other dignitaries during the 1st Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Gambari at the Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida .

No alternative to deregulation — FG C M Y K

•P.6

2 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Flood: We spent N25bn of Ecological Funds —SGF ••As Reps blast Environment minister for non-appearance

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—S E C R E TARY to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, yesterday, said the N25billion Ecological Funds was spent on the recent flood crisis that ravaged most communities in the country.

Speaking at an interactive session with the Committee on Environment, the SGF said the Ecological Fund was not properly managed at the time it was created, stressing this was part of the problem now facing the nation.

The SGF noted that the amount spent was the intervention in the devastation which was wrought on several states of the federation. .

Uche Ekwunife, chairperson of the committee, noted that the fund was solely meant to address the ecological problems facing various states across the country.

Abandoned projects She stressed further that her committee was not impressed with the application of the funds as everywhere the committee went on oversight, there were scores of abandoned projects.

She also observed that the investigative process stemmed out of a motion deliberated on the floor of the the House on Thursday, November 15, 2012, on the Ecological Funds Projects procurement process as it concerned 17 projects for which procurement commenced since 2006 and was still not completed six years after the projects were first advertised.

She said: “We are concerned that the ongoing process may have contravened provisions of the Procurement Act 2007; and that due diligence may not have been carried out before the said projects recently found their way to the office of the SGF and the Minister of Environment for signing. It is the opinion of the committee that the ongoing process has not only become moribund but time bared because ecological problems progress with changing years and weather and as such are time sensitive.”

A member of the committee, Pat Asadu, called the attention of members to the absence of the Minis-

ter of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, who was supposed to have been at the session. Members of the committee condemned the absence of the minister who wrote to request that the hearing be moved to another date as she had to travel to Doha on official assignment.

They wondered why the “jamboree” to Doha when there were more urgent issues to address at home.

The SGF in his response, said the main problem that dogged the ecological funds was that at the time it was created, it was not properly streamlined.

L-r: Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal and guest speaker, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, during the first annual Sir Ahmadu Bello memorial lecture on leadership and good governance, at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja. had cut down on foreign Anyim, who lamented that have their own allocation of conceived, as there was a trips, “the minister had projects were abandoned, the funds and should stop need to review the projects. scheduled the meeting charged states that initiat- heaping the blame on the Anyim apologised on be- from February with approved or requested for projects federal government. He half of the minister and ap- al from the President and it to monitor them. said most of the projects pealed to the members.

He said though President was not an excuse to avoid According to him, states might have been poorly the committee.”

Vanguard, TUESD AY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—5 TUESDA

POCKET CARTOON

Jonathan meets Mark, Tambuwal

M

JOB SEEKERS—Tens of thousands of graduates queue for just a minute with employers at China jobs fair. The fair was attended by around 150 companies who were looking to fill about 9,000 positions.

Why we question Jonathan — Tambuwal Continues from Page 1 President Goodluck Jonathan even as the president met with both Senate President, David Mark and Hon Aminu Tambuwal for over two hours in the president’s office.

Speaking as the Guest

Speaker at the 1st Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on “Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria,” Tambuwal, who eulogized the leadership qualities of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, stressed that it was

LIFEWORDS

T

BY PASTOR ITUAH

HE most important thing that can happen to a man happens from his mind and until you are able to talk to his mind, you might not be able to influence his life.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T

HIS story is about taking imagination seriously.

Janet Echelman transformed her life and career and became a success story through applied creativity, the turning point to success was recognising that there are other ways to achieve a means and even though she applied after college to seven art schools and was rejected by all seven schools, undeterred, she went on to become an artist and a great success.

“I painted for 10 years, when I was offered a Fulbright to India. Promising to give exhibitions of paintings, I shipped my paints and arrived in Mahabalipuram. The deadline for the show arrived - my paints didn’t. I had to do something. This fishing village was famous for sculpture. So I tried bronze casting. But to make large forms was too heavy and expensive. I went for a walk on the beach, watching the fishermen bundle their nets into mounds on the sand. I’d seen it every day, but this time I saw it differently - a new approach to sculpture, a way to make volumetric form without heavy solid materials.

My first satisfying sculpture was made in collaboration with these fishermen.” At present, Janet Echelma’s art is seen and admired in famous cities in all continents and indeed has revolutionised art in ways that brings deeper connection to our sense of purpose and place in an ever increasing fast pace world. Dare to dream and live it.

disheartening that it is common these days for individuals to embezzle the nation’s money running into trillions.

Said he: “The democracy we are practicing today has embedded in it, a particular mechanism that calls to question the activities of the executive. Sometimes we are being seen as going beyond our expected roles as if we are doing something that is well beyond what is expected of the parliament but the parliament is there to represent the people and ask questions on behalf of the people on the executive’s activities.

“It is an opportunity for us to come together once again to reflect and learn even more from the life of the great Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was an embodiment of good governance per excellence, good governance because you must have heard not in this forum but at several fora, how he was able to galvanize the North towards a particular direction and how he was able to govern the North and achieve what they were able to achieve.

“Here we are in Nigeria of today with even greater resources and even larger army of men and women who are supposedly more dedicated in the western sense, but then what is happening today? That takes us to

the question of a leadership that is good in all sense of the word. The leadership that is selfless, a leadership that is not seen to be tolerant of corruption and corrupt practices.

“Here we are in Nigeria of today where we are talking about trillions of naira being carted away illegally by individuals and when we talk from parliaments that there is the need for these checks and balances, we are being called names. The parliament is there to represent the people and ask questions on behalf of the people on the executive’s activities.

“I believe that the current National Assembly and in particular the House of Representatives has reasonably been asking some of these questions. I believe we shall continue to do what we are doing in the parliament and I believe that at the end of the day we must not see it as individual fight between someone in the legislative arm of government and another in the executive arm of government; our destination should be the electorate and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we must deliver on our mandate if truly we want to go back to the people and if truly whatever we are doing is in the service of the people.”

eanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, met with the presiding officers of the National Assembly for over two hours.

Though details of the meeting were not known as both Mark and Tambuwal declined to speak with the press, but it may not be unconnected with the on going review of the constitution by the National Assembly and other national issues.

At the end of the meeting which was held in the president’s office, the chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi later joined the duo and rode in the same car with the two leaders of the Na-

tional Assembly.

Senate president David Mark who was dressed in a white Babanriga simply told State House correspondents “thank you” and drove off.

It was not clear whether Gov. Amaechi was also part of the meeting as he walked into the Villa after the two leaders of the National Assembly had gone into the president’s office.

The review of the constitution has pitched the leadership of the National Assembly against the Governors’ Forum who are opposed to some of the proposed amendments by the National Assembly.

While the lawmakers favour granting of autonomy to local governments, the governors are opposed to the proposed amendment, arguing that local government autonomy is not feasible.

Subsidy Scam: FG recovers N29bn from suspects

A

BUJA —THE Fed eral Government says it has recovered N29 billion out of the N232 billion oil subsidy scam. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala dropped the hint in Abuja, yesterday.

Okonjo-Iweala spoke at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Conference.

She said the amount was recovered from some marketers who allegedly defrauded the Federal Government in the oil subsidy payment scheme.

The minister maintained that the recovery exercise was part of government determination to fight corrupt practices in the oil and gas sector.

“Now of the N232bn that has been put forward

as fraudulent claims, we are right now able to hold N29 billion of that.

“So instead of paying them, we are recovering what they owe us.

So, my single hope is that out of this, we have recovered virtually that amount of about N29 billion and we are looking forward to recovering the balance of the total.

“Some of these people are being chased and prosecuted and the EFCC and ICPC are still investigating this.”

The minister said that about 50 marketers were being investigated over the subsidy scam.

She attributed the slow pace of payment of the subsidy claims to the ongoing verification and thorough scrutiny of such claims by relevant agencies.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From right: General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd); Senate President, Senator David Mark and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari during the Senate President's condolence visit to Buhari over the death of his eldest daughter, Zulaihatu, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

No alternative to deregulation —FG zTask Force ascertains N232bn fraudulent subsidy claims zWe can't attain Vision 20:2020 goal by 2020 — NESG

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

A

BUJA — THE F e d e r a l Government, yesterday, said that there was no alternative to the deregulation of the economy if Nigeria must achieve the Vision 20:2020 goal.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Fuel Subsidy Claims has said that N232 billion has been confirmed as the amount of fraudulent subsidy claims by oil marketers.

Speaking at the 18th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, VicePresident Namadi Sambo said the Federal Government believed in deregulation and expected that it was the way the economy should go.

He said economic realities showed that anything besides deregulation was a bad economic policy and when the time comes, Nigerians would realise that there was no alternative to developing the economy than to deregulate.

In an address delivered on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan at the on-going Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Sambo said: “The theme of the summit,

“Deregulation, Cost of Governance and Nigeria’s Economic Prospects” captures the essence of our Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Agenda. The goal is to unlock those critical sectors of the economy that will accelerate job and wealth creation in our country.

In addition, the theme captures our commitment to good governance and efforts to fully realise our huge economic potentials.

Reforming various sectors “The task of nation building is a shared responsibility, requiring both the leadership and the governed to demonstrate integrity and accountability in the conduct and management of national affairs. This is the guiding principle behind the determination of the administration to hold people accountable and ensure that business activities in both the public and private sectors are carried out responsibly in compliance with global best practices.

“To accomplish this objective, we started reforming various sectors of the economy,

notably, oil and gas, agriculture, solid minerals, works, housing, and power immediately after coming into office. We are also placing emphasis on transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

"The newly introduced process for the payment of subsidy on importation of refined petroleum products by marketers as well as the empowerment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute those that undermine the system, no matter how highly placed, clearly underline our determination.”

Task Force ascertains N232bn fraudulent subsidy claims Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister for Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, speaking at the summit, disclosed that the AigImoukhuede-led Presidential Task Force on verification of fuel subsidy claims had submitted its final report, with N232 billion ascertained as fraudulent subsidy claims by independent oil marketers.

She said: “The Presidential Task Force that verified over N1 trillion of subsidy claims, with very detailed work, off course there was the work done by

the National Assembly but we went into it in details in order to determine which transaction has not been fraudulent.

"To do this, we needed forensic examiners, and we took between 15 and 20 of them from PriceWaterHouse and Central Bank of Nigeria, and they have been working for more than four months now. They did detailed, painstaking, transaction-by-transaction verification of independent marketers claim of over N1 trillion.

"Last week, the work was submitted to Mr. President and of the amount verified, they have determined that N232 billion finally, you know they first came out initially with N370 billion, but now it has come down to N232 billion as claims that were substantiated to be fraudulent.

50 marketers involved

not doing their jobs and we are putting in new ones with very strong letters of reference.

“We are taking care to make sure that before we pay, we check again and again to make sure the payments we are making for 2012 are not subjected to the problem of that of 2011. Yes, it has slowed down the pace of payment but it is because we are responding to what Nigerians want, though marketers who are not doing the right transactions are crying about it but we would not yield, government will not yield until we make sure we are doing the right thing.

N232bn for loans "'Now, of the N232 billion that have been put forward as 'fraudulent' claims, some of those marketers said that government owe them some money, we have now been able to vote N29 billion for that (to repay the loans). So instead of paying them, we are recovering what they owe us. And we look forward to recovering the balance of the total from them.

Some of these people are being chased and prosecuted, and the EFCC and ICPC are still investigating them.”

We can't attain Vision 20:2020 goal by 2020 — NESG Meanwhile, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, has said Nigeria cannot realise its goal of becoming one of the largest 20 economies in the world by the 2020.

Director General of NESG, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, said the achievement would go to Saudi Arabia.

Nweke made the observation while presenting the 2012 Nigerian Economic Scorecard at the event The Vision 20:2020 is aimed at making Nigeria one of the top 20 economies by year 2020.

S/Arabia 'll be 20th largest economy “Fifty marketers were

involved, some of them have transactions that are clean but some are not clean. The report has been submitted. This has taken so much work, this has slowed down the pace at which we make payments. But it has also enabled us to put in place a series of steps. We have fired auditors who were

He said:“Based on our projections, using the IMF World Economic Outlook database, our findings are that: Saudi Arabia will be the 20th largest economy in the world by 2020, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1.2 trillion in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

"Nigeria, on the other hand would be the 27th largest economy in the world by 2020, with a GDP of US$864 billion in PPP; falling short of being the 20th largest economy by a GDP of US$316 billion.”

Nigeria needs $730bn He said that Nigeria needed $730 billion to close the gap to become the 20th largest economy by 2020.

According to him, this is calculated as the difference between the GDP of the 20th largest economy in 2020,which is Saudi Arabia and Nigeria’s current GDP in 2012 estimated by the IMF as $450 billion in PPP. “Otherwise, Nigeria could become the 20th largest economy by 2035, cetetris paribus.”

He said only an accelerated pace of economic growth and reforms could shorten the time frame for the country.

Need for substantive reforms Nweke noted: “For instance, there is a need for substantive reforms to ensure local oil refining capacity within the economy. Beyond the need to ensure oil refining capacity in Nigeria, we find a compelling need to diversify a way from the mono-productive oil base.”

In his comment, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, Minister of National Planning Commission, said the vision was not a prediction but an inspirational roadmap through which Nigeria could become one of the 20 top economies by year 2020.

Nigeria is 31st economy Usman said Nigeria was the 37th economy in the world when the Federal Government initiated the vision document in 1999 but “Nigeria is now ranked 31st economy in the world.”

He said the country’s present rank was based on the concerted efforts by the Federal Government to provide good governance, improve infrastructure and human capital development.

Mr Foluso Phillips, chairman of NESG, urged the Federal Government to come up with national projects that would engage massive population, adding that projects such as the integrated rail system and infrastructure would provide massive employment to the people.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—7

FCSC renovates 26 toilets with N28m zIt ridiculous and clear robbery —Senate

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

DIALOGUE: From left: Former Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa Group, UBA, Mr Tony Elumelu; Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Vice President Namadi Sambo during the Presidential Policy Dialogue at the 18th Nigerian Economic Dialogue, in Abuja, yesterday.

Gambari, Aliyu, others lament deteriorating security in the North zGood governance, not Boko Haram, is North's problem—Gambari zCalls for dialogue with sect

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA — N O R T H E R N leaders, yesterday, spoke in unison, condemning the activities of members of Boko Haram sect, just as they lamented that the security situation in the north was fast deteriorating.

Former United Nations Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, raised alarm that the activities of members of the Boko Haram sect was a threat to the nation, just as he said dialoguing with them by the Federal Government was the way forward.

According to him, there would be consequences for Nigeria, Nigerians and its foreign relations if the sect was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States of America.

Suggesting another solution to the problem, Gambari pleaded with the Federal Government to approach capable and credible Nigerians that would help mediate and lead a dialogue with the group, adding that the establishment of what he called a ‘core group of Nigerians’ who have led peace-making, peacekeeping efforts in Africa and other parts of the world can lead the dialogue.

Speaking as the guest speaker at the First Annual Sir Ahmadu

Bello Memorial Lecture on "Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria,” Gambari noted that the problem in the north was not Boko Haram, but good governance.

According to the former Minister of External Affairs in his lecture entitled “Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria: Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Ghost of 1914 and the Audacity of Hope for Nation-Building,” he, however, wondered why the country must deteriorate to the level it finds itself. He called on the leaders to pay “attention to social justice,” if the present problem must be solved, adding that “too many Nigerians have fallen below the poverty line while a few are swimming in stupendous wealth.

"Private jets are increasing on the tarmacs of our airports at almost the same rate as that of the increase in misery and criminal poverty.

“While the current estimate of the GDP in terms of purchasing power parity for Nigeria is about $414 billion, the unemployment rate is 21 per cent, while 70 per cent of the population live below poverty line.

Good governance, not Boko Haram, is north's problem ‘’We must embark on a comprehensive effort to

stop the killings. Dialogue is one of the many ways we can address the issue of Boko Haram. Boko Haram is not the problem of the North, but good governance. Government should invest in education and address the rate of poverty in the land.

“Anyone who wants to break up this country will find out that he will not get support from any part of the country. Some people said let’s break up; breaking up has never solved any problem. We must build a Nigeria that everybody will be proud of.”

Gov Aliyu laments insecurity Also speaking at the event which took place at the Shehu Musa Yar ’Adua Centre and organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Chairman, Northern Nigeria Governors Forum, and governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, however lamented the deteriorating security situation in the region."

According to him, it has become imperative for people of the north to stand up against terrorism, adding: “North must stand against terrorism because investors are already scared of investing in our region."

Aliyu who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, urged the citizens to tell the

government what to do.

According to the governor, “during the time of Sardauna there was nothing like this. No investor wants to invest in the North. Sardauna did not discriminate in terms of religion and ethnicity.

I am sure some of us will recall that security of lives and property was almost taken for granted in that era, as people went about their lives without any let or hindrances. In all communities in the North, murder, kidnapping and extreme criminality were abomination and avoided.

“The (insecurity) situation has reached a situation whereby members of the State Executive Council in Yobe now run away to nearby Jigawa State for safety.

What is happening now is very scaring.

“This is indeed a moment of sober reflection for all of us; a moment that we should ponder to find out where we got it wrong almost a century after Sardauna left us."

Also in his contribution, a former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said President Goodluck Jonathan and the government could not solve the problem of Boko Haram, but the governors of the north must come together and find a lasting solution. He frowned at a situation where the President has refused to visit Borno and Yobe States to commiserate with the people following the killings.

BUJA — THE Senate, yesterday, described as ridiculous a total sum of N28 million spent this year by the Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC, to renovate 26 toilets facilities.

The Senator Aloysius Etok, PDP, Akwa Ibom North-West-led Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service was also told that N18 million was expended to renovate the commission’s offices in 2012 and N25 million went to ITC equipment for the offices.

Disclosing this when she led others to defend the 2013 budget of the Commission, Chairman of FCSC, Deaconess Joan Olatoyosi, informed the commission that over N129 million was approved for the commission to conduct the 2012 interview and

promotion of civil servants, adding that N70 million was released by the Federal Government to complement the N59 million earlier released by government to conduct the exercise, just as she explained that this led to the promotion of 1,229 workers out of the 4,034 civil servants interviewed.

Reacting to her explanations, Etok who described the commission’s expenditure as a clear case of robbery, however, wondered why it could go such extra mile in defrauding government in such manner, adding: “As a chairman of this committee, let me say here that we disagree with this and on this note, we request to meet with all those involved in this contract.

“We, the politicians are the ones that people call thieves, nobody calls you, the civil servants thieves.”

Change SURE-P to commission, NASS tells Jonathan

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA — THE National Assembly, yesterday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately change the present status of the Subsidy Reinvestment and E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, SURE-P, to a Commission.

According to the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum (Downstream), it has become imperative to effect the change of the programme to a commission against the backdrop that the SURE-P’s assignment was just intervention on existing projects, adding that people engaged by the agency may be sent back to the streets when it concludes its job.

Speaking when Chairman of SURE-P, Dr Christopher Kolade, appeared before the committee to defend the agency ’s budget, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Magnus Abe, PDP, Rivers

South-East however, queried the Chairman of SURE-P for spending N27 billion, N4 billion and N2.2 billion on Youth E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, Mass Transit Scheme and Secretariat services in its 2012 appropriation with little job done.

The National Assembly also picked holes with the N75 million spent on local tours and travels in four months to inspect its ongoing projects across the country by the SURE-P. According to Abe, a situation where such amount was spent on tours was not unacceptable to Nigerians and the National Assembly, adding that the agency deviated from its original mandate.

Kolade, who appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee for the second time to defend SURE-P’s 2013 budget, however requested for time to bring evidence of spending before Friday, just as his explanations could, however, not convince the lawmakers on the rationalization for the expenditure in 2012 budget.

8 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Nigeria, primary investment destination in Africa —FG

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

MEMORIAL LECTURE: From right: Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State; ANPP National Chairman, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; former Cheif Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais; guest lecturer, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Governor Babangida Aliyu of NIger State; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and other dignitaries during the 1st Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Gambari at the Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida .

Oil savings more than doubled —Okonjo-Iweala C

O S T- C U T T I N G has helped restore Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) to about $9 billion in oil savings, or more than double what it was a year ago, Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala said on Monday.

Okonjo-Iweala was addressing delegates in Abuja at the annual Nigerian Economic Summit, whose themes include reducing the high cost of governance in Africa’s top oil producer.

Nigeria is Africa’s second biggest economy and its sovereign debt is closely watched by foreign investors, especially since JP Morgan included it in its emerging market index in October. Flush with oil cash, the country has been seen as a relatively safe destination for frontier debt investors, but poor fiscal management has dogged it for decades - something OkonjoIweala has made her top priority to fix.

Fiscal discipline

“Before you can even look at the centres of the economy and try to change them and create jobs, you must have macro-economic stability. We have introduced a measure of fiscal discipline, Okonjo-Iweala said.”

"The fact that (forex) reserves are climbing now is not a miracle. It happened because of proper fiscal management. We have about $9 billion in the excess crude account.

Last year it was $4 billion,

so it’s more than doubled,” she added. The figure is still lower than the $20 billion it had in it in 2007, but this was reduced to $3 billion when Jonathan took office in early 2011, despite a year of record high oil prices.

Some of it would have to be used to pay for the latest round of Nigeria’s costly fuel import subsidies, she said. Economists have cautiously welcomed Nigeria’s improved savings level, but caution that there is nothing in place to stop it being reversed, as in the past.

Accumulation of fiscal savings

“There’s been some modest accumulation of fiscal savings, but put it in context: even $9.6 billion, as we estimate it, is only 3.7 percent of GDP,” said Standard Bank’s Samir Gadio.

The Sovereign Wealth

Fund (SWF) launched this year would in theory help Nigeria better manage its oft squandered oil funds, by putting them out of the reach of its political elites, but powerful state governors who want more money to spend are blocking attempts to transfer the ECA into the fund. “Without the SWF there’s no sustainable basis for savings. The risk is that as we approach elections in 2015, the ECA could be depleted quite rapidly,” said Gadio.

The Finance Minister also faces a showdown in parliament over the government’s latest budget, with some lawmakers saying too much money is being set aside as oil savings when the country needs more spending on things like infrastructure.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s 4.93 trillion naira ($31.35 billion) budget plan for 2013 assumes oil prices at $75 a

barrel oil prices, but many legislators want this inflated - especially with prices now hovering around $112 a barrel.

HE Federal Gov ernment said yesterday that Nigeria was now the number one investment destination in Africa, with a foreign direct investment, FDI, inflow of $8.9 billion in 2011, representing about 16 per cent of Africa’s total estimate of $55 billion.

This came as Nigeria and the United States of America yesterday renewed their commitments towards strengthening relationships in economics, trade and investment, with special focus on non-oil exports.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who disclosed this at the 7th USNigeria Trade and Investment Agreement Council Meeting in Abuja, said: “In terms of Foreign Direct Invest-

ments, Nigeria is now the number one investment destination in Africa, recording FDI inflow of $8.9 billion in 2011, about 16 per cent of Africa’s total, estimated at $55 billion, “However, we must turn the nation’s resource advantage and investment opportunities into economic fortune, and the US-Nigeria TIFA provides a good window for achieving this.

“The United States, for instance, is the world’s number one in manufacturing, particularly in those sectors we have prioritised under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, such as the iron and steel, aluminium, automobile and petrochemical sectors, among others.

“This means there is already a good foundation for a win-win trade and investment collaboration between the two countries.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—9

Court retains company’s name in My Pikin case

BY INNOCENT ANABA

L

AGOS — Manufacturers of My Pikin teething mixture, Barewa Pharmaceutical Company, yesterday, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to strike out its name from the on-going case over alleged manufacture and distribution of adulterated drug.

Barewa Pharmaceutical Company, its Chief Executive Officer, Gbadegeshin Okunlola; and two of its staff, Messrs.

Adeyemo Abiodun and Egbele Eromosele, were arraigned before the court on March 8, 2009.

They were accused by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, for manufacturing and distributing the adulterated teething mixture, which allegedly killed no fewer than 80 infants.

However, Okunlola, a pharmacist, died on October 27, forcing the court to strike out his name from the charge.

At the resumed hearing in the matter, counsel to the company, urged the court to strike out the name of the company following the death of the first accused, Okunlola.

The company contended on plans by the prosecution to replace the late CEO, that nobody should be made to stand trial in place of the late CEO, adding that though the company was a legal entity, the director who was primarily responsible for the offence was now dead.

Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, noted that the line of argument canvassed by the company should not be made at this stage of the proceeding, when no person had been produced to replace the late CEO.

NANS calls for CBN boss’ sack

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

T

he National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called for the sack of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for suggesting that a reduction in the civil service workforce would reduce cost of governance in Nigeria.

Speaking through NANS National President, Comrade Dauda Mohammed, the Nigerian students said

they would not tolerate the excesses of the CBN Governor and they remain resolute in the defence of the right of their parents, who are the Nigerian workers.

“We view the call by Sanusi for the mass reduction in the civil service workforce as another display of his usual character of a man with ‘so much power, little responsibility’.

“As a reasonable public officer, he should have advocated for a maximum cut in government wastages.

AES to host Buhari, Sambo, others at CEO’s dinner

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

HE management of AES Excellence Club is set to host the former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Namadi Sambo, among others, in the 2012 edition of its annual CEO’s Dinner/ Awards Nite.

Other guests expected at the occasion are Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Minister of works, Arch Mike Onolememen; Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Chief Sunny Odogwu

and a host of others.

Buhari on that day,will deliver on: 'Good Governance - Art of Nation Building.'

Pastor and Pastor (Mrs.) Julius Sajuyigbe, General Overseer, Truth Foundation Christian Centre, TFCC, receiving a Merit Award certificate from Bishop David and Margarat Richey, from Mobile, AL, USA, Sunday, in Lagos.

FG to re-introduce tolling on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

BY OLA AJAYI & KINGELEY ADEGBOYE

I

BADAN — THE Federal Government restated yesterday that it will re-introduce toll gates on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Speaking through the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenmen during the tour of North/ South road from LagosIbadan road, the government explained that toll taking was necessary to maintain the road.

He said the funds realised from it would be used to “sustain and maintain this road so that it would not go back to the sorry state we met it and similar others across the federation”.

Onolemenmen shortly after touring 52km Oyo-

Ogbomoso road which is the section 11 of IbadanIlorin road being handled by Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, said toll gates would be introduced as soon as the on-going reconstruction and expansion works are completed by both the RCC and Julius Berger.

He made more clarifications on the termination of the contract for LagosIbadan road earlier concessioned to BiCourteny Highway Construction Services, saying the company failed to meet up with the financial involvement needed to fix the

....Commences rehabilitation

M

eantime, the F e d e r a l Government also yesterday reiterated its irrevocable commitment and determination to providing good motorable roads across the country with the transformation agenda of the present administration.

The Minister of Works,

Arc. Mike Onolememen who disclosed this while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation works on Lagos/Ibadan dual carriageway being handled by construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. said “specifically, the Federal Government is irrevocably committed to the full reconstruction of

Police nab alleged attackers of Fashola’s aide

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

LAGOS — The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested five persons who took part in the armed robbery attack at the home of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Information and Strategy, Alhaji Lateef Raji, recovering a locally made gun, three

cartridges and two laptop computers from the bandits.

Vangaurd gathered that the suspects who were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, attacked Alhaji Raji’s at his Shomolu residence on November 13, 2012, where they dispossessed him of cash, phones, laptop and other valuables.

road in record time.

“I assure you that by the first quarter of next year, you will see a major difference on LagosIbadan expressway,” he said.

The site engineer of RCC, Yehoda Leve assured that the road would be completed by December 2013

Sources at SARS, who took part in the investigation, gave the identities of the suspects as Momoh Jimoh, Sheidu Musari, Sadiq Dauda, Ahmed Abdulkareem and Moruf Babarunde.

A source who craved anonymity, intimated Vanguard after exhaustive follow-up of the case, adopted both

phone tracking method and other tactics in trailing the suspects.

According to the source; “Our efforts paid off and the three notorious armed robbers Momoh Jimoh, a.k.a Jamiu; Sheidu Musari and Sadiq Dauda, all Igbira tribe, were arrested with a locally made gun with five cartridges .

L a g o s / I b a d a n Expressway which is a major economic artery in Nigeria”.

O n o l e m e m e n explained that the Federal Government decided to terminate the concession agreement on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the ever busy expressway to enable urgent rehabilitation works to be carried out quickly.

According to him, “following the g o v e r n m e n t ’ s determination to realise the stated objectives, the Federal Ministry of Works engaged the services of two reputable contractors who are Messrs Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company Limited to carry out rehabilitation works on the road.

10—Vanguard,TUESDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2012

4 arraigned over attack on Fayose

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

From left: Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State Governor, Sen. David Mark,Senate President and Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, after their meeting with the President Jonathan, at the State House, in Abuja yesterday.

2 in court over alleged N976.6m subsidy fraud I

KEJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday re-arraigned two oil marketers, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Habila Theck, on an amended charge of N976.6 million fuel subsidy theft.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the marketers were re-arraigned alongside their company, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Ltd., before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos

High Court in Ikeja.

The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering and use of forged documents, among others.

EFCC counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, alleged that the defendants conspired with one Olugbegan Adesanya (still at large) to fraudulently obtain N976.6 million from the Federal Government.

Usani further alleged that the defendants had on Oct. 14, in Lagos, forged a document entitled Certificate of Origin, Port of Loading Antwerp, Belgium, which was used to facilitate the fraud.

Usani added that the defendants falsely claimed that the document was issued by Seatac Petroleum Ltd. According to him, the offences contravened Sections 1, (sub-sections 1,2,3) and 8 of the

Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Usani also said that the offences contravened Sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The judge ordered that the defendants should continue to enjoy the N20 million bail granted them earlier and adjourned the case till Dec. 5.

Aregbesola hints of second term ambition .Says he’s not witch-hunting Oyinlola

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO —Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has declared that his bid to rule the state for a second term after the expiration of his first term in 2014 will be guaranteed considering the support his government enjoys from the teeming people of the state.

Speaking at a public function in Osogbo, the state capital, Aregbesola noted that the developmental programmes of his administration in the last two years would serve as campaign elements for his second term ambition.

He stressed that “I am too sure of my second term in office. My

ambition to rule the state for a second term was not because I have failed, but to continue with my developmental agenda and ensure that Osun is rated as the best in the black race.

"The people of the state will give me a second term because they have seen what my government is doing in the state."

Aregbesola who recalled the pre-elecion events in 2007, said the reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was over in the state, adding that the PDP rule was characterised by violence and corruption.

He also declared that both the PDP and the Labour Party (LP) could not unseat him, saying that the combination of

both parties are not enough to give him challenge in the 2014 gubernatorial election.

He noted that “the transformation going on in all parts of the state are enough to tell any discerning mind that the ACN led government cannot be compared with the PDP led government which is the government of corrupt for the corrupt.

"We have given the state a face-lift and history will judge us well. We have done the best for this state within the last two years and we shall not hesitate to do more.”

He added that “only those who have no sight to see what we are doing will complain about our visionary government.”

Meantime, the governor has dismissed

the claim that he was witch-haunting or on a revenge mission of his predecessor in office, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Aregbesola also described Prince Oyinlola as not better than a councilor going by the result of the 2011 general election.

Speaking at the weekend at an interactive session with media men and members of the public as part of the activities marking his two years in office, Mr. Aregbesola stated that it will be fool-hardy for anybody to misconstrue his action since coming into office as been targeted on Prince Oyinlola to rubbish his seven and half years in office.

ADO Ekiti —Four persons were yesterday arraigned before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court for alleged attackedly attacking supporters of former of Ekiti State Gov. Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in EfonAlaye on Nov. 20, 2012 According to the Police prosecutor, Corporal Bamikole Olasunkanmi, the accused persons included Eniolorunda Olaoluwa, 26; Adeyemi Sunday, 24; Olowe Bidemi, 23 and Ojo Tunde, 22.

The accused persons were docked on a twocount charge of conspiracy to commit an offence to wit assault,

occasional harm and malicious damage, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2012 Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Akomolafe Taiwo,asked the court to admit the accused persons to bail in liberal terms, saying the offences were bailable.

In his ruling on the oral application for bail, Magistrate S.I.Ojo, however, admitted each of the four persons to bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety each in the same sum The matter was adjourned to January 18, 2013 for further hearing.

Jonathan, Obj’s feud can’t affect PDP— Kashamu

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

B E O K U TA — A Chieftain and financier of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Chief Buruji Kashamu has said that the feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo cannot create tension in the party.

The party chieftain in a statement sent to newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday said that the statement was orchestrated by stooges of Obasanjo, who according to him, are in the National Working

Committee, NWC, of the PDP. Kashamu, however, described Obasanjo as “an enemy of the North who has betrayed them severally just like he did to the South-West.

"If he were that popular as his allies would want to have us believe, how come the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has dictated the pace in South-West politics in the last 13 years or so” He said the NWC member who reportedly spoke, it is obvious that the views expressed in the reports were from one of Obasanjo’s stooges.

Robber y scare causes pandemonium in Akure

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—BANKS in Akure, the Ondo State capital hurriedly shut their doors against their customers yesterday following an alleged invasion of the state by armed robbers.

As early as noon the banks received signals that hoodlums were within the metropolis and not wanting to take chances they literally drove their customers out of their banking hall and shut their gates.

Customers that were lucky were allowed to hurriedly complete their transactions before they were asked to leave the banking halls.

Vanguard's visit to some bank premises showed that the even the

bank workers fled their duty posts leaving only security guards at the entrances.

I m m e d i a t e l y information of the robbery scare spread, both the customers inside the banking hall and the bank workers took to their heels.

The Police image maker Adeniran Aremu when contacted described the scare as misplaced.

Aremu told Vanguard that Policemen are “fully” on ground in every nook and cranny patrolling the state.

Meantime, police in Ondo State have arrested three hoodlums said to be specialists in blocking highways with logs of wood to rob motorists on the Akure-Ilesha highway.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—11

Bayelsa LG polls: Group warns against breach of agreement

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

FUNERAL SERVICE: From left: Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Valerie Ebe; Governor Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Samuel Ikon; and his Deputy, Sir Kierian Akpan, during the funeral service of the mother of the member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Late Deaconess Alice Sampson, at Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin.

Delta fumigates flood devastated homes ....As 10,000 IDPs return home

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA & FESTUS AHON

A

SABA—NO fewer than 10,000 flood victims accommodated in several camps in Delta State, have returned home, even as experts from the state Ministry of Environment have commenced the fumigation of the flood ravaged areas, including homes, farmlands, hospitals and schools affected with a view to preventing possible diseases and attack by dangerous reptiles.

State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, told Vanguard in Asaba, yesterday, that “in accordance with the directive of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, experts from my ministry have commenced massive fumigation of structures affected by the flood, including houses, farmlands, schools and hospitals.

“We are doing all these to ensure that Delta State is free from diseases. So far, we have fumigated six local government areas, namely Patani, Isoko North, Isoko South, Ndokwa East, Oshimili South and Oshimili North and are still moving to other councils.

“For those eager to return home, we are pleading with them to be patient as the fumigation exercise is key because of pollution from River

Niger and forests that discharged into homes and farmlands.”

Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, also told our reporter that “so far, 10,000 persons must have left (the camps). It is a continuing process.

Some persons are leaving as we speak. The exact figure can only be confirmed when all the camps have wound up.”

Meanwhile, Isoko Development Union,

Women forum tasks S-South govs on female appointments

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN —SOUTHSouth Women Forum, SSWF, has called on the governors of states in the zone to increase the

stake of women in the governance of their respective states by appointing more women into their cabinets.

In a communiqué by Secretary General of the forum, Chief Theresa

Delta 2015: Okobah tasks Anioma on unity

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

D

ELTA North politi cians have been advised to shun selfish politics and work as a team to produce the governor of Delta State in 2015.

Vice President of Anioma Congress in Diaspora, the umbrella body of Anioma people abroad and patron of Equity and Justice Political Group,

IDU, Port Harcourt branch, Rivers State, has donated food items and other relief materials to flood victims in Ozoro and Oleh camps in Delta State.

Making the donation on behalf of the union, its branch President, Mr. Patrick Ugbolodi, said the items were their contribution towards assisting those affected by the flood which recently wreaked havoc in the state.

Mr. Amechi Okobah, gave the advice at the end of the National Executive Committee meeting of the group in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North, Delta State.

Okobah, who decried what he called “uncoordinated approach” being adopted by the political class, insisted that they should be guided by the collective aspiration of the district to produce the governor in 2015 rather than

personal political aspirations.

He argued that divisive tendencies, internal wranglings, acrimony and “pull him down syndrome” might rob Delta North of the opportunity to produce the number one citizen of Delta State in the next political dispensation. He stressed that no ethnic group or district can single handedly produce the governor of the state.

Ijede, at the end of a meeting of the group in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, they commended the appointment of Mrs Valerie Ebe as Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and stressed the need for other governors to emulate the Akwa Ibom State example.

Saying that women had been marginalised in the region in terms of appointments, the forum noted the achievements of Dame Patient Jonathan, Mrs. Uloma Akpabio, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others, in the development of the country, adding that there were lots of women in the region who were ready to contribute their quota to the development of the South-South region.

ENAGOA—THE Yenagoa Integrity Group has kicked against what it described as a design by some politicians to cede the chairmanship position of Yenagoa Local Government Area to Epie clan in the forthcoming council polls in Bayelsa State.

Reacting to the purported meeting of a group, which claimed to be stakeholders of Yenagoa Local Government Area and led by a prominent politician from Epie clan, where it was allegedly decided that the chairmanship

position of the council be zoned to Epie clan, Yenagoa Integrity Group, insisted that going by the existing conventional rotation formula, which is sacrosanct and respected by all the clans and constituencies in the council, it was the turn of GbarainEkpetiama clan to produce the next chairman of the council.

Spokesperson of the group, Dandyson Okiagbe in a statement in Yenagoa, said the planned ceding of the chairmanship position of the council to Epie clan was a deliberate and desperate machination to twist the long accepted convention in the council.

Rep gets kudos over projects

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—PEO PLE of Patani/Bomadi federal constituency, Delta State, under the aegis of Unique Committee of Friends in Politics, have commended the member representing them in the House of Representatives, Mr. Nicholas Mutu, for his developmental and empowerment projects in the constituency.

Speaking to newsmen at Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi Local Government Area of the state, President of the group,

Mr. Dennis Alade, said the lawmaker had attracted many projects to the two councils that make up the constituency.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank Mutu for the constituency projects he had embarked upon so far in Bomadi and Patani, and I pray God to strengthen him to do more. He has empowered the youths, the elderly, various political and non-political groups. Our main objective is to ensure that political leaders are transparent and meet the needs of the masses.”

Exhibitors gear up for Nigeria Quality Summit

N

IGERIA’S busi ness community is in last-minute rush to register for the maiden Nigeria Quality Summit 2012 slated for Thursday in Lagos, as several companies and agencies are making haste to participate in what has been dubbed the defining moment in Nigeria’s economic renaissance.

Organisations that have registered to partic-

ipate in the summit include foam, foods and beverages makers, bottling companies, breweries, services providers (telecoms and banks), and some conglomerates.

Government agencies – mainly states’ ministries of commerce, trade and economic planning from the North-East, North Central and South- East are said to have booked.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Judges’ kidnap: I’m vindicated —Lori-Ogbebor

BY DAPO AKINREFON

I

TSEKIRI leader, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has said she had been vindicated on her position over the alleged abduction of judges in Delta State.

Ogbebor had alleged that the case of kidnapping of judges, who were about to deliver vital judgment in the state, was suspicious.

It will be recalled that Vanguard had earlier reported that Justice Flora Azinge of the state High

Court sitting in OtorUdu, Delta State, was unable to sit for two months because kidnappers had asked her to pay a ransom of N20 million or she would be abducted.

Ogbebor noted that the kidnappers were reported to have told the judge that “many of her colleagues had paid similar monies, and that if she failed to comply, her life would be in danger,” and thus frightening the woman and preventing her from going to her court for two months.

NBA commends Uduaghan

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

T

HE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, for appointing former chairman of Asaba branch of the association, Mr. A. O. Odum, as Special

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES This is to confirm that the names Chukwura Dudu, Chukura Dudu, and Dudu Chukwura refer to the same person as Molokwu Chukwura Dudu. I now wish to be known and addressed as Molokwu Chukwura Dudu. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters.

NBA made the commendation at its just concluded National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held in Asaba, Delta State.

The association noted that Odum, had not relented in giving support to the association at national and state levels.

VISIT: From left: Prof. John Osemekhian; Mr. Tosan Rewene; Princess Inewari Diete-Spiff (right) ; Dr. Ese Owie; Akinfela Akoni, during the courtesy call by the Oxford and Cambrige Club of Nigeria on the Oba Of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, in his palace in Benin. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

Vanguard commends Delta CP for alertness

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—MAN AGEMENT of Vanguard Media Limited, yesterday, commended Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, for his promptness in providing adequate security for its new factory site in Asaba.

General Manager Publications/Editor-in-Chief Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, who made the commendation when he led a delegation of the company's management on a courtesy visit to the police boss at the state police headquarters, Asaba, said: “We of the Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of Vanguard newspapers, have come to build a factory here in Asaba as part of our expansion plan. But unfortunately, as we were starting work, some miscreants came encroaching on our land and molesting us.

“Our chairman had said I should come to say

a personal thank you for the security provided to checkmate their nuisance.”

Responding, Mr. Aduba, said: "The police have the primary responsibility to provide security for all and sundry, especially at some flash points and we will continue to discharge the duty without fear or fa-

vour.

“We are media friendly and I wish to thank the media, especially Vanguard for its objectivity.

We have been working with the media and will continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to achieve a crime-free environment.”

Other management

staff on the entourage were the AGM Administration/Legal, Mrs Omasan Amuka-Dudu; Financial Controller, Titi Jolaosho; Operations Manager, Mr. Sunday Awevia; Administration Manager, Mr. Victor Gotevbe; Internal Auditor, Mr. Sola Ojo and Deputy Administration Manger, Mr. Hassan Balogun.

Amaechi calls for quick justice delivery

R

IVERS State Gov ernor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, has assured members of the legal profession in the state of his administration’s determination to ensure effective and quick dispensation of justice in the state.

Speaking during the first town hall meeting with the legal profession on Justice Delayed Equals Justice Denied, at the Chief Judge’s ceremonial court in the state High Court, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Amae-

chi said his administration was doing everything possible to ensure even development of the state.

He said: “I say to you that there are several developmental projects in the state that are ongoing and I assure you that we will complete them. We will be ruthless in tax collection in the coming year. Everybody must pay their tax. We will amend the law to ensure that those who don’t pay taxes go to jail.

That is the way the law

will be. We will stop our brothers from collecting taxes on the road. We will stop multiple taxation and we have sent the bill to the state Assembly. We are waiting for them to pass it. We will stop all that but we will ensure that those of you who don’t pay their taxes and avoid taxes will be punished for avoiding taxes because we need the money to run free education and free health care.”

He added that his government will continue to fund the state judiciary.

"I assure you that we will continue to fund the judiciary but know that it is not only funds that make the judiciary independent. What makes you independent is the ability of the judges to assert themselves and say no to any arm of government or any individual, no matter his position in the country or the state," he added.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—13

Chime frowns at declining Igbo language, culture

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & MONSUR OLOWOPEJO AGOS—GOVER NOR of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, has frowned on the fast rate Igbo culture and language were giving way to western culture.

Consequently, the governor charged the people to be cautious of promoting their culture and heritage.

Speaking through the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Ozor Mammel, at the 19th edition of Enugu State Cultural day, organised by

L

INSPECTION: Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen (2nd left), inspecting ongoing works on Ibadan-Ilorin dual carriageway. With him are officials of the Ministry and the contractor.

Enugu State Development Unions, AESDU, in Lagos yesterday, the governor noted that recent events and development showed that Igbo people across the globe would prefer to communicate with their children or brothers in languages not their own than take pride in the Igbo dialect.

According to him, this development has almost affected both the educational and cultural system of Igbo nation.

He commended the efforts of the Igbos from Enugu State for being consistent in their annual cultural day.

I don't need Will to take over my father's house —Ojukwu Jr

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—AS the con troversy over the Will of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu continues, his son, Mr. Emeka Ojukwu Jr., a former commissioner for special duties and trans-

port in Anambra State, has said he did not need any Will to take over his father’s house in Nnewi.

Speaking yesterday, Ojukwu Jr. said he had taken over the house according to Igbo tradition that stipulates that the first

son should automatically and traditionally inherit his father’s house and compound in the event of the father’s death.

The Nnewi mansion was given to Emeka Jr in the controversial Will read last week in Enugu, while

Ojukwu’s multi–million naira commercial property located at Sokoto road, Onitsha, was given to him to manage, while the Ikemba was still alive and it was not reflected in the Will.

Emeka, however, said other contents of the Will were subject to challenge at the law court, adding that it was left for his father’s lawyer who prepared the original Will to take action before he (Emeka) contacted his own lawyer for any possible litigation.

Meanwhile, the crisis rocking the family over the Will took a new dimension yesterday with a director in Ojukwu Transport Limited, OTL, one of the companies mentioned in the Will, saying the late Ikemba’s wife, Bianca, had no stake in the

company.

A director of the company, Mr. Ifeukwu Ojukwu, who is based in the United States of America, USA, said the company, owned by their late father and grandfather, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu was a different property from the private property of late Ikemba Nnewi, arguing that Bianca could not claim the trustee of the company as conferred on her in the Will.

It would be recalled that the will had given the trustees of the company belonging to the late Ojukwu Bianca which the eldest son to Ojukwu Emeka Jr. described as untrue and improper.

Ifeukwu Ojukwu said: “Bianca was neither a trustee member, nor a director

of OTL and it is good to note that OTL is a different property from the things late Ikemba Nnewi left behind because the directorship cannot be transferred through a Will.

“I attended a meeting of OTL directors and Bianca was not there and she is not even a member of the board of directors and she cannot lay claim to that.”

He explained that all the directors of OTL were in full support of Emeka Ojukwu (Jr.) as the head of the Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu’s family, recalling that the late Ikemba told him that Emeka was his first son and head of the family in the event of his death.

He added that members of the family would support him in whatever he decided to do.

Will: You lied, Ojukwu's lawyer tells Emeka Jr

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—CONTRO VERSY has continued to trail last week’s reading of the Will of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu Ojukwu, at Enugu High Court, with his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Onyemelukwe, saying yesterday that Emeka Ojukwu Jr. lied when he claimed that he (Onyemelukwe) was not his father’s lawyer.

Emeka Ojukwu Jr had dismissed the Will on the ground that it was not his father’s Will and vowed not to obey it.

He also said he did not know Onyemelukwe as his father’s lawyer.

But backing his long standing relationship with the late Ikemba Nnewi with

documents, Onyemelukwe said he prepared Ojukwu’s Will in July 2005 and the CODICIL which gave details of the contents and corrections of what was missing on the original Will, with Ojukwu on July 24, 2009, insisting that Ojukwu had no other Will.

According to him, the Will read in court last week is incontestable.

He said: “It was a blatant lie for Emeka Ojukwu Jr to say that he did not know me and that I was not his father’s lawyer, when I was the person that prepared the legal documents for Ojukwu’s commercial property at No 26 Sokoto road, Onitsha yielding millions of naira, which Emeka Jr is managing and collecting rents. “ I was also the lawyer

that handled Ojukwu’s case against the federal government from the High Court to the Supreme Court.

“I was also the master of ceremony, MC, when Emeka Jr. wedded at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, to the daughter of the late Chief Cyprian Ekwensi and the reception was held at Nike Lake Hotel, with Justice Iguh, formerly of the Supreme Court, as the chairman of that wedding.

“Before Ojukwu’s Will was read last week, I was the one that sent text messages to all the parties concerned, including Emeka Jr. I got his two telephone numbers from Mr. Val Nwosu, Ojukwu’s nephew."

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

LAUNCHING: From left: Mr. Dave Shin, GM, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics, West Africa Operation; Mr. Mohammed Fouani ,MD, Fouani Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Paul Mba, Assistant Manager, Digital Marketing and PR, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, at the offical launch of LG 84 Inch Ulta High Definction TV in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Okorocha presents 2013 Budget to Assembly O

WERRI—IMO State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has presented a budget proposal of N197,743,684,031 to the state House of Assembly for the 2013 fiscal year.

The amount represents 34.4% recurrent expenditure or N63,550,209,564 and 67.53% capital expenditure which represents N132,183,474,467.

An estimated revenue projection from recurrent sources for the year and capital receipt stand at N93,889,888,530 and N101,853,795,501 respectively.

In the budget christened ‘Rescue Budget 2’, Gov. Okorocha said an expenditure of N59,171,065,600, representing 47.29% of the total capital receipt, will be allocated to the economic sector which comprises agriculture, petroleum and environment, housing, lands, commerce and industry, works, transport, public utilities and rural

development.

The governor explained that the 2013 budget was anchored on the 2012-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, otherwise known as Imo Rescue Development Plan earlier approved by the state House of Assembly as the capital allocations and projects in the budget remain part of the entire package.

He maintained that government would pursue policies and programmes aimed at revamping the agricultural sector after sev-

E

NUGU—THE Man aging Director and Chief Executive of Loc Metals and Minerals Limited, Enugu, Chief Loretta Ngozi Aniagolu, has narrated how some immigration officials allegedly attacked workers of her company and inflicted a deep cut on the head of the company’s foreman, Arabor Mohammed.

According to her, Mohamed, whose head was allegedly broken with

of Imolites.

He said government will partner effectively with a foreign company to build a per-cast concrete factory while vocational centers will be established at Orlu and Okigwe for artisans.

In the transport and aviation sector, Gov. Okorocha said his administration would continue to explore the possibility of setting up an airline in partnership with private sector, with new commuter buses and cars purchased to complement the services of Imo Transport Company, ITC, and Imo Municipal Transport Services, IMTS.

Court denies 2 MASSOB members bail over attempt to abscond

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—TWO mem bers of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, who allegedly absconded on their way to prison custody, were yesterday denied bail at an Onitsha Magistrate

Firm alleges assault on staff

by Immigration officials

BY TONY EDIKE

eral decades of negligence to ensure that Imo contributes to Nigeria’s food security agenda, adding thatsuch step will lead to an increased productivity in the areas of rice, livestock, fish, vegetable and fruits, poultry, cassava and oil palm production.

Okorocha also projected a grant 2.3 Dollars equivalent to N378,958,400 that will be attracted within the year under the United Nation Development Assistant Framework, UNDAF 11, Plan, while 1000 of housing units of various categories will be constructed to address the housing need

a stick by an immigration official, is still being treated at a hospital at Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Aniagolu told reporters in Enugu, that the Federal Government’s effort to diversify the nation’s economy from too much reliance on oil to solid mineral sector and encourage foreign investors would be wasted if the excesses of those working for the government were not curtailed.

Court.

The suspects, whose names were given as Friday Nwafor and Emeka Okorie, fled on their way from court, even with six police men guarding them.

They were being charged for robbery. .

The incident came as the regional administrator of MASSOB for division four in Onitsha, Mr. Arinze Igbani, who had been in hospital for a long time, but appeared in court yesterday, was arrested by the police.

Addressing reporters in Onitsha , the director of information of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu, demanded immediate release of four of their members who were arrested along with Igbani.

He said: ‘’Up till now, our members have not been seen, The police should produce the other two who they claimed ran away and also release Arinze and oth-

ers on medical grounds.

“How can six police officers who were armed and with their vehicle, allow suspects to run away? It is an unbelievable story. As a matter of fact, the same Arinze sued the police last week claiming damages at Otuocha High Court in Anambra East Local government Area and now they have arrested him to undermine court process.”

Celebration

A

SCENSION JUN IOR Seminary, AJS, School, Ukwa Diocese Old Boys Association Lagos Chapter, will hold its end-of-year party on December 9, @ Gilford View Hotel, 114 Adetola Street, Emmanuel bus stop, Surulere, Lagos.

The event will commence by 2:00pm.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—15

NUPENGASSAN begins strike over Shell's labour policy

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

L

EADERS of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, yesterday, announced that beginning today, members of both unions would

commence a nationwide strike should the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, fail to reinstate sacked members as directed by the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

PENGASSAN disclosed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Zaid Kolawole.

FG slashes EFCC's budget by 50% z

N25m arms, ammunition allocation withheld

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA—ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, may be crippled next year if the Federal Government’s slashing of its 2013 budget proposal by N11.7 billion

sails through the National Assembly.

Already, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Larmode, has expressed concern that the development might prevent the agency from meeting its personnel cost in 2013.

The anti-graft agency

had proposed N21,028,488,772 billion to fund its operations in 2013, but the Budget Office approved N9,328,159,022 billion, less than half of the commission’s request to meet capital, personnel and overhead expendi-

Wogu clears self of N2.7bn subsidy fraud

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

M

INISTER of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, yesterday, exonerated himself from allegations of culpability in the alleged N2.7 billion fraudulent subsidy claim by a privately-owned company, Pinnacle Contractors Ltd. Reacting to allegations that he owned Pinnacle Contractors Limited,

which claimed N2.7 billion from the subsidy regime last year, the minister said he sold off his interest in the company to Masters Energy Limited, months before the company made the alleged fraudulent claim.

Reacting for the first time since the controversy broke, Wogu in a statement issued by Mr. Samuel Olowokere, Assistant Director, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, said: “The attention

of Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour and Productivity, has been drawn to the false allegation concerning his involvement in the dealings of Pinnacle Contractors Ltd over Petroleum Subsidy.

“The minister wishes to state that Pinnacle Contractors Ltd was sold to Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd in March 2010 for an agreed sum of which payments have been effected in accordance to the

sales agreement.

“The resignation of the minister from the Board of Directors and Shareholder of the said company was duly registered by the CAC on April 7, 2010 after his formal resignation on March 9, 2010.

“After the said sales and business takeover of Pinnacle Contractors Ltd

by Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd the new owners took over the affairs of the said company completely and ran the

enterprise without any recourse whatsoever to the minister.

“Their transactions were sometimes in August 2010, five clear months after they had taken full and effective control of the company.

“All documents relating to the sale and transfer of Pinnacle Contractors Ltd to Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd are public documents and are available to all Nigerians to see with the CAC.”

ture items next year.

While defending the commission’s 2013 budget proposals before the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes yesterday, Larmode told the committee that the Federal Government failed to release N25 million appropriated for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the commission this year.

Members of the Adams Jagaba-led Committee queried phased releases of funds by the Finance Ministry to EFCC as evident in 15 percent deficit in cash-backed 2012 release to the commission with a month left to the end of the fiscal year.

Due to allegations of politically-motivated prosecutions, EFCC has come under criticisms lately for its seeming lukewarm approach to its anti-corruption fight.

16—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

World Disability Day: Physically-challenged seek fair treatment

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—OVER 100 physicallychallenged students converged in Makurdi, Benue State capital, to mark the World Disability Day yesterday, with a plea to Nigerians to change their discriminatory disposition towards them.

The disabled students, who met under the auspices of the National Association of PhysicallyChallenged Students, NAPCS, were drawn from higher institutions in the country.

National President of NAPCS, George Marvel said disability was not a curse. He advised the physically-challenged to resist being objects of pity.

Marvel recalled that in the just-concluded paralympics, the physically-challenged persons brought glory to the

country by winning several medals even when the able-bodied men and women failed to make any impact at the games.

Guest Speaker at the gathering, Dr. Osmond Ukanacho, lamented the discriminations experienced by the disabled population in schools, adding that it amounted to social injustice.

“Once we have the right orientation, it would be easy for us all to willingly work together to improve the status of the challenged population.

“It is their right and as social justice demands, we need to allow them access to more benefits of the society than ourselves to cover up for their deficiencies.”

Ukanacho regretted the experiences of the physically-challenged in the school environment, where they were some-

Akpodiete advocates support for Uduaghan

A

N Abuja-based law yer and human rights activist, Prince Christmas Akpodiete, has condemned critics of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State’s administration. He enjoined the critics to have a rethink in view of the numerous achievements the governor had recorded.

Speaking, weekend, at a forum for good governance in Abuja, Akpodiete said he was supporting Uduaghan because he was Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, stalwart, but that some people have ignorantly made up their minds to discredit the Uduaghan-led administration without recourse to the governor’s developmental strides.

Akpodiete said: “I am not saying we do not have corrupt officials.

“However, if you look at ongoing and completed projects in Delta State, you will agree with me that Uduaghan is a splendid administrator, who is determined to transform the state.”

24 killed in Bauchi, Borno, Kano

BY ABDULSALAM MOHOHAMMAD, SUZAN EDEH & NDAHI MARAMA

B

AUCHI—NO fewer than 24 people were killed in Bauchi, Borno and Kano States within Sunday and yesterday following different forms of crises that rocked the areas.

About 10 people were killed in Bauchi when villagers and security personnel tried to prevent suspected armed robbers from dispossessing innocent individuals of their property, while three persons were killed in an early morning bomb blasts that rocked Kano State yesterday.

Eleven others were killed in Borno when members of the Joint Task Force, JTF, clashed with suspected terrorists in Maiduguri, the state capital.

In Bauchi, several people including two security men, some robbery suspects and villagers lost their lives during an exchange of gunfire with four suspected armed robbers in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

Junction during the early morning rush hour.

The source said: “What appeared like a low calibre time bomb went off at the city centre during the morning rush hour, leaving a police officer, a Hisbah guard and a local traffic officer, among others, seriously injured.”

11 in Maiduguri

In Maiduguri, violence was said to have broken out resulting in the death 11 people at 9am yesterday, when two people suspected to be terrorists were shot dead while three others were arrested by men of JTF at the main entrance of the Musa Usman Civil Service Secretariat amid multiple explosions at the Gwange Ward.

Mr. Inuwa Usman, a resident of the area said nobody died during the Gwange explosions, but that an ANPP Councilor, Abatcha Gajigana was shot dead in his residence in the area, just as two classroom teachers were killed in their class-

In Bauchi

In Bauchi, the actual number of casualties was not clear. But residents put the number between 10 and 12 including two security men, six civilians and four suspected armed robbers, even as several others were injured.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “10 people were killed and a funeral prayer of three civilians was held at the Azare Central Mosque after the Magrib Prayer.

“But the dead bodies of the two security personnel and four armed robbers killed by security men were not brought to the mosque.”

Commissioner speaks

In his account of the incident Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ladan ex-

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA—THE crisis over the rightful ownership of the disputed oil wells between Kogi, Enugu and Anambra states will be determined in the next six months, Director-General, National Boundary Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bose Ahmed, has said.

Ahmed spoke at a joint meeting between Anambra and Kogi states on the dispute in Lokoja, yesterday.

He pointed out that the disputed boundaries were demarcated about 58 years ago in 1954, but that issues of development, population and the nations federalism had necessitated fresh demarcation exercise in the

affected areas.

Ahmed said the fresh demarcation exercise would help resolve issues surrounding the boundaries and bring about peace and good neighbourliness.

He added that the discoveries of natural resources had made determination of boundaries in the country very tasking and difficult.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

plained that the four armed men that attacked the Seeds Market were killed by security personnel.

Ladan said the incident started when some gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, attacked the market in Azare at 12:30pm, and robbed some people of their belongings.

He said the attackers were about to escape when some good Samaritans alerted security agencies, prompting a hot chase by a combined team of security men and some indigenes of Azare.

He said: “Both the Police, Army and Azare community pursued them. There was serious exchange of fire and in the process all the four armed robbers were killed.

“Some security personnel sustained injuries, but I do not have the details of the casualties on the part of the security personnel. We will get the actual details after investigation.”

Oil wells: Anambra, Kogi meet over boundaries demarcation

Five arrested

This was even as a renowned armed robbers’ hunter, Alhaji Ali Kwara, arrested five other robbery suspects and recovered three AK 47 rifles from them in Azare.

In Kano State, police authorities said three persons sustained injury when a time bomb planted by unknown persons went off at the Plaza/Kwari Market

rooms.

The school proprietor, Kofi Amag said he would close the institution following the attack.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Do you support creation of new states?(4)

C

REATION of more states would only make room for more embezzlement of public funds. If those calling for more states are saying it is because they want even distribution of wealth or resources, there can never be such in this country.— Miss. Eunice Okechukwu, Teacher.

I

support the creation of new states. The reason being that government would be closer to the people and know specific problems to tackle. I believe it will also help government in effective supervision of contracts.— Mr. Abraham Alexander, Cameraman.

I

T is quite obvious that we need new states because the civilian government is yet to create any since its inception. But before we start talking of creating new states, I think we should first ask ourselves whether the existing ones are okay?— Mr. Uwabu Nkeonye, Teacher.

T

HERE is nothing wrong in creating new states. I think those making such calls have done a good study of some states and saw that some parts are better than others. All the same, I support the creation for new states.— Miss. Chinenye Ayambuba, Applicant.

T

HE idea of having new states is not bad at all. But for now, we do not need it.

When you have new states, you would have new problems added to the existing ones. Let us focus on developing the existing ones.— Mr. Francis Esupofo, Musician.

W

HO says we do not need new states? Parts of some states are getting more developed than others. Therefore, let any part that has the money to run itself stand as a state. However, it will make room for more Abuja visits.— Mrs. Kate Nduba, Businesswoman.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 17

How hotel attendant was stabbed to death over Chelsea/ Man City match •An eyewitness account

T

WO suspects identified as Kayode Ogunwa and Oluwa Femi, are currently cooling their heels at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following the stabbing to death of a hotel attendant, identified as Mr. Otumala Ukama Benson, a 32-year-old, a native of Benue State, over a misunderstanding during penultimate Sunday English Premiership League, EPL, clash between Chelsea and Manchester City football clubs.

The incident happened at one of the popular hotels (name withheld), along Isheri- LASUIgando Road, near Diamond Estate. The two suspects were promptly arrested and detained in a cell at the Area ‘M’ Police Command, Idimu, and are now facing murder charge in connection with the incident.

According to a police source, the suspects reside at Diamond Estate, opposite the hotel and drove there to watch the match.

On the fateful day, the hotel, it was gathered, was filled to capacity and some customers who wanted to buy drinks could not get chairs to sit.

This prompted the late Ben to ask those watching the match without buying drinks to get up and allow those willing to buy drinks to be seated. The suspects who did not buy drinks refused to vacate their chairs and this resulted in an argument between them and the late Ben. The argument later degenerated into a brawl during which one of the suspects ran to the car and brought a knife with which he stabbed Ben in the neck.

The hotel attendant, investigations revealed, bled to death from his wound before he could be rushed to the Igando General Hospital. His body was later deposited at the Ikeja General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

The “Area M” Command, later transferred the case to SCID, Panti, Yaba, for further investigation.

An eyewitness, who is also one of the managers in the hotel, narrated the ugly incident to Vanguard Metro thus: “Ben was carrying out the instruction of the management that anyone who was not buying drinks should not use the Executive bar but could make use of the general bar. So Ben approached a group of guys, who were just occupying the sofa, and asked them to kindly vacate the place as there were many stranded guests outside who were ready to buy drinks.

“I learnt that this infuriated one of the guys who went after Ben for daring to ask him get up from his seat. He dealt some blows on Ben and in defense Ben pushed him away and took to his heels sensing that the clash might degenerate into a

,

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

Ben was backing the guy with the knife and the guy went straight for Ben’s neck, stabbing him so deep that blood started gushing out like tap water; Ben screamed immediately, holding his neck and trying vainly to staunch the flow of blood

,

serious fight. But the guy in anger smashed a glass door with his foot and in the process sustained injury on the leg with blood dripping from the cut.

“A guy from the group seeing blood dripping from his friend’s leg went straight to his Honda car with registration number FKJ 436 AH, and emerged with a sharp knife. I tried to stop him but he threatened to stab me if I

*The suspects’ car parked at the premises of the hotel. INSET: The late Ben...stabbed to death in his prime did not move away. I could see the determination to kill in his eyes, so I quickly stepped aside thinking Ben was still in hiding but not knowing that he had reappeared.

“Ben was being held by the other members of the group who were asking him how their friend got his leg wound. At that point Ben was backing the guy with the knife and the guy went straight for Ben’s neck, stabbing him so deep that blood started

gushing out like tap water. Ben screamed immediately, holding his neck and trying vainly to staunch the flow of blood. Failing to stop the bleeding, he ran outside the gate seeking for help. At this stage, the guy who stabbed him, realising the gravity of his crime, started saying he didn’t mean to stab Ben so deep.

“I ran after Ben and soon caught up with him; but he slumped into my hands, say-

ing, ‘I am going to die’. I assured him that he would not die as I was taking him to the hospital.

“We rushed him to Igando General Hospital where he was pronounced Brought In Dead, BID, that is dead on arrival. The Police were later contacted and the suspects were arrested and detained.

“We have contacted the families of Ben, they are on their way to Lagos to pick the corpse for burial in his home town.”

IRC to raise $4m for flood victims in Nigeria

BY BOSE ADELAJA

N

EEDED help has continued to come the way of victims of recent flood disasters in Nigeria, with the International Rescue Committee, IRC, sending a delegation to the country to render technical assistance and supports worth millions of dollars through an appeal fund planned for that purpose. It is doing this in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. Receiving the delegation in his office at the weekend, the Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi noted that various groups have shown concern and great commitment towards the plight of the displaced people, just as the agency is currently working towards confronting hazards associated with harmattan and dry seasons after the rainy days.

He said that: “We are impressed with supports from local and international organisations to the victims of flood disaster. In our effort to reduce another disaster after

the rainfalls, NEMA has activated its early warning against misuse of flammable items like matches, lights, stoves, electrical appliances and bush burning that could easily trigger fire in home, market, office and farms during harmattan and dry season. We strongly believe that prevention is better than cure.”

The leader of IRC team, Suzanna Tkalec said that her team has concluded its impact assessment and launched an appeal for provision of about $4 million dollars to provide water sanitisation and livelihood through provision of agricultural inputs and seedlings to the most vulnerable communities.

She said the support which is targeted at over 40,000 households would help those in dire need of humanitarian assistance to recover and rebuild their lives. She added that IRC is a non-sectarian, nongovernmental international relief and development organisation based in the United States, with operations in over 40 countries.

She added that the

organisation provides emergency relief, post-conflict development and resettlement services.

Ms Suzann stated that the IRC has assisted millions of people around the world since its founding in 1933 and is composed of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, international development experts, health care providers, and educators.

In another development, the management of UACN Nigeria Limited has donated food items worth over N10 million to NEMA for distribution to the most affected victims of flood in the country. The Director of Administration and Supply in NEMA, Dr. Muhammad Zanna, while receiving the items, restated the commitment of the agency to ensuring transparent distribution to the people in need.

The Public Relations Manager of UAC, Mike Asuquo said the gesture was part of its corporate social responsibility to Nigerians and commended NEMA for discharging its responsibility professionally and responsibly.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 AFTER nearly 30 years of desperately searching for solutions to the Human-Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, the vermin that leads to the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, the world may soon heave a sigh of relief, as real hope has been kindled of a possible vaccine that could, on a single dose, offer lifelong immunity to HIV/AIDS. A Texas-based institute has applied for a patent to begin the production of the vaccine genetically engineered to provide immunity for life to potential HIV/AIDS sufferers. The vaccine - its name is still shielded from the public - is also said to have the potency to provide relief for other infections. It reportedly functions by preventing the replication of viruses when they enter the human body. Since the potency of the HIV/AIDS virus is rooted on its ability to reproduce rapidly and spread within the body, thus eventually overwhelming the body’s natural resistance to infections, the full release of this vaccine into the open market could become the first real advancement in the war to eliminate the killer virus

Expected HIV vaccine

and save millions of lives.

The news is particularly welcome to Africans living in the sub-Saharan zones, where the scourge has taken the bulk of human casualties, robbing them of valuable manpower and resulting in millions of orphaned children. In time it will render anti-retroviral drugs useless since the AVRs only slow down the rate of infection and spread.

Even when this drug becomes widely available, the war on HIV/AIDS will only be halfway won. This drug, however, has no benefits for those who have already developed the terminal stage of the disease (full-blown AIDS). The concerted efforts that have been going on, both on orthodox and traditional medical research should

continue unabated.

Since this drug is, as yet, a preventive vaccine, it will take a long time of cautious observation before people will wholeheartedly accept it as vaccine against AIDS. Health authorities and advocacy groups should continue to prevail on Nigerians to adopt risk free sex practices. They should also ensure the vaccine is affordable. Availability of a vaccine should not be an invitation to the recklessness that promotes HIV/ AIDS. Nigerians should continue to observe safe sex measures that limited spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria in the past five years. We make these points because about 90 per cent of new infections in Nigeria and Africa are acquired through sexual activities.

Even when this vaccine becomes widely available to users, Nigerians should not see it as a substitute to healthy sexual practices. The greatest weapons against HIV/ AIDS are not condoms or vaccines. Desisting from unsafe sex practices and, use of sterilised metal objects bear more preventive prospects than vaccines.

OPINION

BY ADEWALE KUPOLUYI

Continued from pg 17

S

UCH resources committed to flamboyance and misplaced priorities like the purchase of jets as well as the cost of maintenance could have been deployed into more useful activities that will have direct impact on the lives of the pastors themselves and the people, in terms of the provision of employment, social services and municipal facilities that will, in turn, generate income for the churches and invariably reduce the burden of imposing frequent levies on the already drained members.

Apart from the controversial private jets, churches are now seen as places where religious leaders own choice properties, fortunes and to an extent, join the political train, to acquire power to become relevant in the society.

This is made worse when religious leaders compete among themselves to own fleet of aircraft, travel in expensive SUVs in convoys of siren-blaring vehicles or have chains of businesses - these acts call to question the sincerity of those who claim to have such divine calling.

Apart from some missionaries, such as the orthodox and the Catholic Church that have established schools, hospitals and C M Y K

What is wrong with pastors owing private jets? (2) other social services for both the rich and the poor, most of the churches now have and run such ventures to secure their investments, not with the intention of offering any welfarism or to provide employment opportunities for the people.

In a desperate bid to get money, some religious leaders go extra miles to make clearly unsubstantiated, cynical and spurious claims from their followers who attend these churches to get miracles which, in most cases, are non-existent.

From time to time, they organise vigils, crusades, deliverance services and other crowd-pulling revivals, to bring together multitudes of worshippers to contribute to a pool of offerings that are managed absolutely with low level transparency and devoid of any accountability.

Many of the so-called men of God are highly dictatorial as they engage in various antics such as divide and rule that tend to tighten their grip on the financial fortunes of their churches and weaken the collective will of their congregations in presenting any form of lawful challenge.

Proliferation of churches is, no

doubt, a recent phenomenon in Nigeria as most of the existing ones were born in the late 1980s, after the economic depression occasioned by the Structural Adjustment Programme and the painful Bretton Wood institutionsinduced public policies.

This is coupled with the prolonged military rule that had induced some negative sociopolitical consequences for the nation – endemic corruption, unemployment, sectarian crises and increased poverty.

T

hese societal problems, fostered by bad governance over the years had led not a few adherents to quickly wish for a way out of such problems that governments, as a constitutional duty, had failed to offer any succour – so the fastest and easy way out: visit mushroom churches, dance and smile away sorrow and listen to soul-rending but empty salvation tirades. No wonder, churches dot every nook and cranny of Nigeria without anything to show for our religiosity.

Nothing.

And at the end, their pitiable conditions remain same or even become more critical as the

religious leaders smile home with financial resources at the detriment of these hapless people.

It is instructive to note that recently, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, had observed that "the acquisition of private jets by Christian leaders diminishes the moral voice of the church in the fight against corruption".

Kukah spoke against the backdrop of the presentation of a private jet to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor by members of his church, at the 40th anniversary of Oritsejafor’s ministry.

The Prelate, who was guest speaker at the annual Founder’s Day Anniversary lecture of Providence Baptist Church in Lagos, described the exhibition of such opulence by church leaders as "embarrassing'.

“The stories of corrupt men and women being given recognition by their churches or mosques as gallant sons and daughters and the embarrassing stories of pastors displaying conspicuous wealth as we hear from the purchases of private jets and so on clearly diminish our moral voice,” he had stated.

He said such alliance will weaken the ability of the church to speak the truth to elected public office holders, adding that: “CAN has become more visible in relation to national prayer sessions, pilgrimages, alliances with state power and so on and unless we distance ourselves, we cannot speak the truth to power.

We cannot hear the wails of the poor and the weak. We should not be seen as playing the praying wing of the party in power”.

Inasmuch as I tried to avoid making this piece look like a sermon, the church should be made to play its important role by exposing the ills of the society and be at the forefront of championing the dogma that de-emphasizes worldly desires, profess the ethos of "practice what you preach", further the message of love and compassion for the poor, stop placing materialism above Christ’s teachings and put a stop to the undue emphasis on prosperity preaching.

The nation is in dire need of change, due to the near collapse of all known social institutions.

Other pastors contemplating such purchase- which is nothing but a status symbolshould shelve it.

*Mr. Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal Varsity of Agric., Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012— 19

,

There is a world of difference between what the Scriptures declare and what religious adherents pursue as faithbeliefs

Tony Blair's religious reconcilatory efforts where those who seek to misuse religion for violent ends aim to destroy it. President Jonathan in his own address blamed “the current security situation on the handiwork of “false prophets”.

He said: “I commend you (Tony Blair) for this singular and timely joint initiative. The idea is not only creative, it is also consistent with our efforts to promote inter-religious dialogue and harmony. Our country, Nigeria, is blessed by the Almighty God with two of the world’s great religions which honour Him in their different ways. For generations, the two religions have coexisted and their proponents have lived side by side, in peace and harmony, knowing that both religions espouse the universal values of peace, freedom, human rights, dignity and the oneness of humanity.

Our young people can easily be seduced by false prophets who take them down the path of violence and hatred. It is very important that religion is not misused to justify violence.

Inter-religious dialogue is

,

already playing an important role in our society. The Federal Government continues to promote religious harmony by constantly engaging the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, jointly chaired by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and the Sultan of Sokoto. While progress on this front is satisfactory, it must be pointed out that some of the religious tensions in the country are politically motivated. We must use both platforms to call on all believers to reject religiously anchored violence, advance tolerance, and promote mutual understanding. We must emphasize the imperatives of dialogues as part of our efforts to create peace and advance development”. The President’s statement on inter-faith ecumenism could not be better phrased and the values of reconciliation Government seeks to advance better articulated.

The rot in Police Commission

BY EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO

O

FFICIALLY, the police service commission of Nigeria is said to be the civilian oversight body established under the Nigerian constitution for the Nigerian Police Force. It has power to appoint, promote, discipline and dismiss all officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) except the inspector general of police (IGP).

Information obtained from the website of the Police Service Commission says that the objectives of the body are to make the relationship between the public and the police one of trust and confidence instead of suspicion and indifference. It further stated that the commission recognises the public as essential to ensuring an effective police. The commission is said to have a charter, which is addressed to the Nigeria Police, Civil Servants, Non-Governmental organization, Security Agencies and the general public. It was established as an executive body for the Federation of Nigeria under section 153 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999, and the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act of 2001.

Presently, the commission is headed

by Mr. Parry Benjamin Osemwegie Osayande, who retired from the Nigeria Police Force as a Deputy Inspector General of Police. Details on the profile of the chairman published online by the Commission's official website, showed that he is indeed a well read Nigerian.

There is little doubt that the Police Service Commission was established to breathe some fresh air into the nearcomatose Nigeria Police Force that is replete with divergent but overwhelming evidence of corruption,

indiscipline and lack of professionalism.

But has the commission delivered on its core mandate which is to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence in the minds of Nigerians on the credibility, integrity and professional excellence of the Nigeria Police Force?

Try, as any die-hard propagandist would like discernible Nigerians to believe to the contrary, most members of the general public are bitter that the present Nigeria Police Force and its operatives have largely failed to deliver on their core constitutional mandate which is the enforcement of the Rule of law and the maintenance of law and order.

Going by the plethora of proven allegations of inefficiency, corruption, abuse of power and the near-total collapse of the mechanism of law enforcement in Nigeria, it is the opinion of majority of Nigerians that the Police Service Commission is yet to deliver on this critical mandate. In the recent time, there have been accusations from a cross section of aggrieved police operatives that the commission has failed consistently to follow merit, competence and seniority as the fundamental bedrock of determining who gets promoted but has rather promoted most beneficiaries based on primordial and pedestrian sentiments.

As an organisation that champions the issues around the human rights of Nigerians, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria is not satisfied with the disciplinary role being played by the Police Service Commission to ensure that indiscipline of all dimensions are confronted and minimised in the institution of the Police Force which constitutionally is the

T

o be opposed to intra-faith and inter-faith ecumenism is not the same as commitment to anti-reconciliation sectarian fundamentalism. The President has well stated that some religious tension in the country and in the world for that matter “are politically motivated”. I will, in fact, argue that all interfaith tensions are politically motivated in order to make the point with respect to the core values the “God” of each religion declares to be His values. There is a world of difference between what the Scriptures declare and what religious adherents pursue as faith-beliefs. There are personal testimonies that preface my position on ecumenism. My family history is one of interfaith tolerance. My father, Amoda Alli Elenpe of 10 Robert Road Warri, was a Muslim who lived in the Niger Delta for over six decades and married wives who were not Muslims. I grew up in my mother’s family where sacrifices in home shrines were openly made. My Uncle, Walter Anukpe became a life-long Baptist and Deacon coming out of the Okere heathen background. My father enrolled us in Roman Catholic School Warri and when the school presented the three of us in the school with the ultimatum to be baptized or seek another school, my late brother Ganiyu Amoda was admitted to Government School Warri, and the present head of the Amoda Family, Alhadji Fasasi Amoda and I “converted” by agreeing to a name change upon baptism.

My brother took the name

,

T

HE front page of Friday, November 23, 2012 Vanguard carries the prominent picture captioned “Reconciliation: From left were: Bishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury Designate; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; former Prime Minister Tony Blair; President, Christian Association of Nigeria, C.A.N, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Estu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar at the launching of Tony Blair Foundation Led-Work, to encourage reconciliation between Christian and Moslem communities.

Tony Blair in his speech tasked Nigerian politicians, saying “there was need for them to really imbibe the true qualities of leaders not just politicians…". He said: “My foundation and I are deeply committed to addressing the challenge of religious reconciliation in Nigeria”.

According to him, understanding and respecting different faiths is central to securing peace, particularly

Critique of Ecumenism

Extra-legal execution of suspects in police detention centres across the country is common place; this has seriously dented the image of the police as these cases of extra-judicial killings have brought international opprobrium against Nigeria

,

government's agency that ought to have the closest proximity to members of the public.

E

xtra-legal execution of suspects in police detention centres across the country is common place. This has seriously dented the image of the police as these cases of extra-judicial killings have brought international opprobrium against Nigeria from respected International Non –Governmental organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch of the USA and UK respectively.

The Police Service Commission seems to be engaged in ferocious turf war with other important agencies of government like the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs that is administratively charged with representing the collective interest of the Nigeria police before the Executive Council of the Federation.

The other day in the full glare of the international community, during a presentation of the reports of the

Michael and I the name of John after the Italian Saint John Bosco. While my father, a staunch Muslim, did not mind hearing me called John whom he named on my circumcision Moyibi, my uncle, the late Alahdji Ladejobi required my brother to ‘ reconvert’ and resume the use of his name, Fasasi. My brother, whom I love, has performed the Hajj several times.

From the political history of Jesus of Nazareth

A

s a teacher and leader in Roman controlled JudeaJesus of Nazareth made it very clear he was not an anti-Roman or pro -Roman Jew. His kingdom was not of "This World". When his Jewish adversaries wanted to entrap him on the issue of payment of taxes to the government of Rome, his answer was a nuanced one: God’s demand on Jews are different from Caesar ’s demands on Jews; Caesar requires his taxes to be paid with Roman money- so give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s; there are no conflict between these two separate demands; what is God’s is our soul and what is Caesar’s is the coin that bears his image. When Satan asked Jesus to worship him and to receive proprietary ownership of ‘all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, all this power will I give thee, and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Continues next week

presidential panel on police Reforms, the chairman of the Police Service Commission asked that the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs be scrapped.

This statement was made in the presence of the serving police Affairs minister who is also a member of the presidential panel on police Reforms.

These local political bickering, intrigues and turf war is none of our business in the civil society community but we are worried that government officials charged with strategic duty of driving the process of achieving efficient national policing objectives are rather engaging in open confrontation while the Nigeria Police Force as an institution is near collapse.

Few days back, our officials got series of complaints bordering on alleged violations of extant statutes meant to promote the highest professional ethical standards, transparency and accountability.

It is a known fact that most serving police officers lobby intensely for promotions which may result in compromise.

How then can an officer under the direct disciplinary control of the police service commission be seen to be investigating someone or persons clothed with supposed statutory functions over him/her? How independent and impartial can any investigation commenced against members and/or chairman of the police commission by both anti-graft agencies be, given that the obvious lapses inherent in the establishment Act of the Police Service Commission which rightly or wrongly gives overwhelming powers to the police commission?

Section 15(5) of the constitution states clearly that: “The state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”

*Mr. Onwubiko, a human rights writer, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

DECEMBER 4, 2012

Re-execution of corrupt govt officials

K

INDLY allow me a space in your widely read newspaper to react to the recommendation by the Arewa group from the Northern part of Nigeria that any government official convicted of corruption charges in the country, should be killed.

The problem with this recommendation is how many Nigerians would be killed. Apart from those who were involved in corruption allegations who have obtained questionable interlocutory injunctions in our law courts, there are many others who names were mentioned in the oil subsidy scandal who are still walking tall in various parts of the country. What we have seen so far are trials without convictions by our lawmakers.

We are all living witnesses to the case of a prominent banker who was charged and convicted in the court but spent her time of imprisonment in the hospital. It was only God and the doctor who granted her admission that knew whether she was actually not fit to spend her jail term in prison or not.

Plea bargaining and corruption

WHY should government be encouraging plea bargaining by corrupt political officers ? Many corrupt officers who are supposed to be languishing in jail are walking on the streets today as free men and women because of the plea bargaining opportunities they took.

Emmanuel 08033549110

Plea bargaining and corruption

The fact that high profile corruption cases filed over five years ago are still at the plea stage is a clear indication that the Jonathan administration is not committed to fighting corruption. And to make matters worse, most of the accused persons have since regained political prominence. What a shame! This can only happen in Nigeria.

Mike writes in from FCT, Abuja

Still on plea bargaining and corrupt judges

The court is where justice is expected to be served, but not

The question is: How many elites in Nigerians can be sent to jail not to talk of being shot or hanged. If somebody from an ethnic group is convicted and sentenced to death, would people from his/her tribe not carry placards to know whether he/she is the only Nigerian that is corrupt?

Since the manner corruption cases are handled in Nigeria has created the impressions that there are untouchables in the country, the masses are left with no

alternative than to leave our corrupt government officials to the Almighty God whose Holy Books were used to take the oaths of office to serve the nation with loyalty James O. Adeyemi, Oke-Odo, Abule-Egba, Lagos State.

08026106556

A

JOURNEY from Ketu to Ikorodu which under normal circumstances should not be more than 15 minutes, takes between two - four hours on working days. On a very bad day, it could be over six hours!

However, almost two years after the completion of the Ikorodu modern Jetty which

here in Nigeria. Many of our judges are very corrupt. Rather than bring those high profile corrupt people to book, they allow them to walk freely by granting them bail and plea bargaining. Mr. President should order the reopening of all corrupt cases and forgotten cases of looting.

was started by the Tinubu administration, it is difficult to understand why the Lagos State Government has not yet opened the facility for use.

Many had expected that Gov Fashola would open the Jetty, especially when the 3rd mainland bridge was closed to traffic, to provide alternative route to commuters, but that was not the case.

Although it was remoured that the state had placed or-

occasions to enter a convincing defence against allegations of her adversaries is the reason for the cruel drama, is not convincing. If that be the case, she shouldn’t have been invited to the swearing- in the first place till the issues are sorted out.

That explanation is a poorly thought out afterthought and I don’t believe the CJN knows about the explanation and could not have approved that to be her reaction to the senate directive.

Anonymous 08036662923

Credentials and Adams Oshiomhole's perform-

The fact that high profile corruption cases filed over five years ago are still at the plea stage, is a clear indication that the Jonathan administration is not committed to fighting corruption. And to make matters worse, most of the accused persons have since regained political prominence. What a shame!

,

Anonymous 08075167180

Jombo- Ofo’s appointment and CJN agrees

The explanation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s aide that inconsistencies in the documents tendered by Jombo- Ofo and her inability, on several

ances Governor Adams Oshiomhole should be given credit if truly he did not go to school as alleged by opponents and yet he is performing excellently well.

Major Gen. Charles Airhiavbare should go and sit

Abel O. Iyasele Lagos

Aba’s infrastructural decay

W

Fashola should commission Ikorodu jetty Dear Sir,

ders for special fleet of speedboats from Russia, private ferry operators should have

Dear Sir,

,

Dear Sir,

been allowed to pick their passengers from the Jetty, which has a large car park.

This would, no doubt, reduce the inherent risks associated with their operations in their rickety, make s h i f t a n d wooden Jetties located at Ofin, Ebute, Origin and Majidum.

E believe in Abia, the owner of all moribund industries and deplorable roads in Aba. Endowed with oil wells and a formidable football team, including cheering fans. We believe in Aba, the only commercial nerve centre of Abia state, formerly beautified and decorated by SOM and after some years went into decay but was fairly repaired

by OUK and finally suffered under TAO. Crucified and dead but not yet buried, Aba would rise again under a forthcoming God fearing leader and be restored to its former glory. There and then its residents would heave a

sigh of relief.

We believe in the law and policy makers, supporters of multiple taxes and levies in Abia state, especially in Aba. We also believe in the judiciary, the overseers of all goods and bads in the state and we hope for a sensitive leader who would put smiles on the faces of Aba residents in no distant time.

We believe in one indivisible Nigeria that would lunch us into the utopian world by the year 2020..

I know they would call for the head of this writer but I fear no evil as I want to go to heaven but I cannot reach there if I do not die.

Nkemakolam Gabriel Port Harcourt 08072257360

down. Those that went to school, what did they do? They killed Edo state for more than eight years.

Uduebor Osaro 08059826021

unite and crush terrorism before it consumes us.

Mrs. Shu’aibu 08096234189

ICPC Chairman

The Federal Government is finding it difficult to solve Boko Haram’s problems. It’s because some northern political elites are frustrating the efforts. Opposition parties in Nigeria are also not helping matters as their criticism is always based on tribal sentiment which is too bad. The FG should not dialogue with Boko Haram based on their conditions that such meeting should be held in Saudi Arabia.. It only exposes their short sightedness with the notion that Nigeria is their personal property which is false. The best option available is for them to surrender because they can’t win the war.

Solo Aloba 07052624455

The new ICPC boss should tackle corruption from the grass root to the top. Both the local government chairmen and presidency are self- centred, corrupt and wicked.

Alhaji M.H 08123841742

Boko Haram's insurgency

Nigerians are aware that politicians from Borno and Yobe states iallegedly nitiated, motivated and are now sponsoring the Boko Haram activities in the north. President Jonathan should not play politics with the Boko Haram’s activities, so that it would not consume his government. Political office holders are quite aware of those behind these terrorists, Nigerians should

Still on Boko Harams’ activities

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS 1.If you do not want lizards to visit you, do not bring home firewood that contain ants.

Francis Uzoaru(07025716475), Nitel Headquarter, Abuja, FCT Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. You will be paid N100.00 for every saying published. Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 21

Only 1.3m Nigerians have insurance cover — Survey ...40m Nigerians financially excluded

By MICHAEL EBOH

O

NLY 1.3 million Nigeri ans, representing 1.5 per cent of the total population of 160 million people have insurance cover, while 34.9 million representing 39.7 per cent of the adult population are financially excluded, according to a survey by Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access, EFInA released weekend.

According to EFInA’s 2012 Access to Financial Services in Nigeria survey presented by Ms. Modupe Ladipo, Chief Executive Officer, EFInA, only 37.8 million Nigerians, representing 43 per cent of the adult population have access to and use formal financial services.

“The good news is that between 2008 and 2012, the number of adults that are financially excluded decreased by 10.5 million,” she said.

The survey, presented at its Innovation Forum titled, ‘From Data to Action: Making Financial Inclusion Real in Nigeria’, in Lagos, she said, the survey is aimed at measuring the trends in access and usage of financial services in Nigeria from 2008 to 2012, and to establish credible benchmarks and indicators of financial penetration in Nigeria.

She described financial inclusion as the provision of a broad range of high quality financial products such as savings, credit, insurance, payments and pensions, which are relevant, appropriate and

affordable for the entire adult population, especially the low income segment.

“An inclusive financial sector is characterised by the diversity of financial services products and providers, the level of competition between them, and the legal and regulatory environment that ensures the integrity of the financial sector and access to financial services for all,” she maintained.

In his address, titled, “Overview of the National Financial

Inclusion Strategy and the role of banks in promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said: “There has been some improvement in the move to drive financial inclusion in Nigeria, however we still have a lot of issues to cover, such as access to financial services and to the right financial product. “In addition, consumer protection and financial literacy are critical issues that are paramount

to making financial inclusion work.

“The Central Bank has therefore set a target to reduce the percentage of financially excluded adults to 20 per cent by 2020, as stated in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy.” Also speaking, Mr. Fola Daniel, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, said, “The National Insurance Commission is fully committed to driving financial inclusion through the development

of Takaful (non-interest ethical insurance) and microinsurance for the excluded and low income segment of our society. NAICOM has also put in place a strategic roadmap to reposition the insurance sector to effectively serve the low income segment in Nigeria.”

In his own view, Mr. Peter Gross, Business Development Manager for Africa, MicroEnsure, disclosed that the cost of delivery and operations of conventional insurance products helped put them out of

From left: Representative of the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. Babangida Ibrahim; Ag.ECFIRS, Alhaji Kabir M. Mashi and FIRS Coordinating Dir. Support Service Group, Mr. Osy Chuke during House oversight visit to FIRS.

Lafarge invests N100m in infrastructure devt in host communities

By MICHAEL EBOH

L

AFARGE Cement WAPCO Ni geria Plc said it is investing N100 million in the development of its host communities. The company is also spending over N100 million in various empowerment programmes targeted at youths and farmers in its host communities. Speaking at the Lafarge WAPCO-Ewekoro Day and launch of a dual empowerment programme in block making and technical apprenticeship scheme, in Ogun state, Mr. Joe Hudson, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge WAPCO, said the company is currently undertaking various projects within its 12 host com-

munities to help bridge their developmental challenges.

According to him, some of the projects include rehabilitation of roads and bridges, building of culverts and drainages, various borehole projects, schools and many others.

He said: “As you are aware, Lafarge considers the community as a key stakeholder in all its businesses worldwide. At Lafarge, we place local stakeholder relations at the core of our business, basing our approach on dialogue , transparency, responsibility and the contribution to the economic and social development of our local territories.”

The launch of the dual economic empowerment programme will see the

company providing support to 10 persons, comprising four undergraduates of Block Making and Concreting from the Federal College of Science and Technology, Ijebu Imusin, Ogun State and six upcoming block makers, while 12 persons are to benefit from the company’s apprenticeship programme, designed to enable youths from its host communities acquire the necessary technical skills in the field of electrical, mechanical and automation. Hudson stated that the Block Makers Empowerment Programme, BMEP, will help willing and committed block makers to either start up or expand their businesses and move from unemployment or small scale artisans to medium sized entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

141.8

-0.35

2,527.00

-35.00

19.12

-0.02

110.59 87.50 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI

RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.76 246.9196 199.2535 165.3595 1.8741 0.2831 235.327 24.8438 41.266 26.7141 236.0864

155.26 247.7173 199.8973 165.8938 1.8801 0.2931 236.0873 24.9245 41.3994 26.8004 236.8491

-0.79 -0.78 SELLING 155.76 248.5151 200.541 166.428 1.8862 0.3031 236.8476 25.0052 41.5327 26.8867 237.6119

CBN Exchange rate as at Monday 3/12/2012

22—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Nigerian capital market and the small investor (2)

T

From left: Iruka Edema, Head, Priority and International Banking, Standard Chartered Nigeria; Thompson Idowu, Regional Manager, Abuja and North Consumer Banking, Standard Chartered and Ahmed Mu’azu, former Governor Bauchi State during a wealth & leisure lifestyle event, organised by Standard Chartered Bank for its priority customers at the IBB Gulf course, Abuja.

IPF: Shareholders seek more enlightenment, proper utilisation

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

HAREHOLDERS in the Nigerian capital market have called on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, to take steps to educate investors on how to benefit from the recently inaugurated Investors’ Protection Fund.

Some of the representatives of shareholders’ group, who applauded the management of the NSE over the idea, said that without adequate enlightenment, enough demand may not be made on the Fund when the need arises, which may affect its effectiveness.

Mr. Augustine Anono, Chairman, Nigeria Professional Shareholders Association, said: “Nigerian Stock Exchange must set out modalities on how investors can benefit from the Fund. They have to state this categorically.

There is need to organise various fora to educate the public. A lot of the retail investors are not aware of it.”

He expressed fears that there could be possible diversion of the fund, arguing that people who actually need it might not get it if it is not properly managed, stressing “So, there should be thorough screening for those seeking that kind of fund.”

He explained that the initiative was borne out of the need to re-energise investors to return to the capital market after the bitter experience they had

during the global melt down a few years ago.

Speaking in the same vein, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association, NSSA, urged the Exchange to ensure that there is full disclosure on the fund, saying that what impeded the functionality of the first IPF established by the NSE was lack of disclosure. His words: “The fund is not just being set up for the first time.

I remember in 2007, in a seminar organised by Nigeria Institute of Bankers and Securities and Ex-

change Commission, SEC, this issue came up and a representative of World Bank at the seminar confirmed that the Fund was in existence, including Investors’ Training Fund, but we don’t know anything about their utilisation.

“The first thing is non-disclosure of material facts, this is because people who knew about the existence of the Fund the initial time it was established did not want people who could benefit from it to know that such fund was existing. Thus, there was no demand on the Fund due to ignorance.

NSE monitors stocks’ order execution, launches market quality report

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has provided a platform through which participants in the market can monitor order flow and execution data on equities traded on the floor with the launch of its NSE Market Quality Report (X-Qual).

The X-Qual, which is the first of its kind in entire Africa, is meant to provide market participants opportunity to follow the execution quality of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on stock-to-stock basis.

Unveiling the X-Quality report at the Capital Market Committee Retreat and Conference in Warri, Delta State, the NSE Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the Quality Report is designed to

disclose the extent to which equities traded at the Exchange provide executions at prices better than the prevailing price quotes before an investor places an order.

“The information will no doubt enable analytical investors or broker-dealers gain a better understanding of how best to execute orders in the market and the quality of execution they can expect for the different stocks being traded”, he said. Onyema added that the report include information about the Exchange’s quality of executions on a stock-bystock basis, including how orders of various sizes are executed relative to the available price quotes.

HE crash of share prices on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in 2008 has been attributed to a number of factors which include the failure of the regulators to ensure the protection of investors and maintain fair, efficient and transparent market as intended by applicable legislation, the Investments and Securities Act, ISA, 2007. The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, is the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market and the NSE is self-regulating but responsible to the SEC in accordance with ISA 2007.

Small investors were attracted to the capital market in 2006/2007 when shares in companies were offered for sale and the companies were projected in offer documents as being profitable into the future. Within 3 years, these small investors and others had lost all their investments in some of these companies, mainly the banks.

Subsequent to these failures, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, issued a public statement th on 9 June 2011. The final sentence of the CBN statement is that if the CBN takes over a distressed bank, “the CBN has no obligation to protect or give value to shareholders as they will have to face the reality that their investments have been wiped out by the management teams they appointed”.

Are shareholders ever going to be protected? The performance of any company, including banks, is entirely in the hands of the company’s directors. The applicable law for the conduct of a company’s affairs is the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, and under this law directors have a duty of care and skill and action can be taken against directors for negligence and breach of duty. However, there are no provisions in the law that readily allows shareholders to find out if and why there is something amiss in a company. Even when shareholders have information on the directors’ acts of negligence and breach of duty, it would take a substantial shareholder revolt before the directors submit to an inquiry.

Sometime in 2001/2002, First Bank of Nigeria Plc gave a loan of over $100 million to Investors Group Nigeria Limited, IGNL, such that IGNL could make a deposit for shares of Nigerian Telecommunications Plc, NITEL, as the preferred bidder for NITEL. This loan was subsequently lost and one cannot help but notice that the loan was not given to a telecommunications company with

adequate resources for the management of NITEL, but that the loan was given to a group of investors. There is currently another round of privatisation, this time in the power sector. We have recently been made to understand that preferred bidders were chosen for some of the companies being privatised on the basis that the preferred bidder would reduce technical, commercial and collection losses. This is a wakeup call to investors in bank shares to engage the directors of the banks in order to ensure that the banks do not give loans to the preferred bidder for any of these loss-dependent ventures. A dose of activism by shareholders would help protect the interests of shareholders.

I

t has not all been doom and gloom on the NSE since the crash of share prices in 2008. A few companies in the breweries, food products, personal/ household products and pharmaceutical sectors have recovered any drop in their share prices and current prices are above 2008 price levels.

These companies have paid dividends to shareholders each year since 2009. Is there anything other companies can learn from these companies in order to improve their performance?

Besides the performance of a company as reflected in the dividends paid, there is also the question of the relationship between its share price levels on the NSE, its profitability and the projection of its activities into the future. In the 2006-2008 period, there were companies which had not declared profits for several years but the companies had significant upward share price movements before the crash. The SEC will therefore have to continually look at the profitability of companies, the market activities in the companies such that it would ensure that the forces driving market prices are free of manipulations.

The SEC needs to be strengthened on several fronts.

The SEC has to move out of its symbiotic relationship with NSE and be manifestly independent. The SEC should not continue to rely on the NSE for all the data that SEC requires for doing its work. The first practical step would be for SEC to acquire its own computer systems and the expertise to run and maintain these computer systems in tandem with the NSE computer systems.

The SEC can then have its own revenue collection system.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—23

Ford Motor votes N2.3bn for environmental conservation in Nigeria STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

F

ORD Motor Company has thrown its weight behind the fight for the environment in a campaign tagged Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) waste materials with N2.3362.5billion ($50,000) grant.

Since ten years Ford has awarded more than USD $2 million in grants

to hundreds of environmental projects in Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East and Puerto Rico.

“This program is one of the many ways Ford goes further to preserve the environment and improve its communities’ quality of life. Ford’s grant program is one of the largest corporate initiatives of its kind in the world that is aimed to protect and preserve a

sustainable environment for communities where they do business.

Ford Motor Company is dedicated to preserving the environment for future generations and providing ingenious environmental solutions that contribute to a sustainable planet.

Initiatives such as Ford’s Conservation and Environmental Grants program evidence a commitment to encourage, support and

reward the actions of individuals, groups and non-profit organizations in achieving the same goal, these where the words of Laura Oloyede, General Manager, Cutler Ogilvy PR and

Ford Spokesperson in Nigeria, said at apress briefing in Lagos.

Speaking further, Oloyede said as part of Ford’s RRR campaign initiative it will deploy a 360 degree

enlightenment program that will run from now to the end of 2013 to enlighten and educate Nigerians on how to preserve their local environment, heritage and natural resources.

NB unveils Heneiken in new bottle

N

IGERIA Breweries Plc has unveiled Heneiken beer in a new bottle. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde,

Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries said the company has been reinventing its brands and driving them over the years. Heineken, he

noted, is a fast growing brand in the country, hence the name “Chairman”.

The packaging, he continued, is a state of the art and a retinue of distributors will ensure that it gets to its consumers wherever they are. Mr. Walter Drenth, the Marketing Director affirmed that the new world class and innovative, proprietary bottle comes in 60cl and 33cl content. “It is a uniform Heineken® bottle across the world and I am proud that Nigeria is one of the first countries to introduce this new design on a returnable bottle. This bottle is designed with true perfection to match the premium quality that Heineken® always delivers”.

Lucky Fibre’s Nobel Carpet promo rewards winners

I

N four weeks, Lucky Fibre Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Nobel carpets has said that a total of twenty three thousand winners have so far won various prizes in the ongoing Nobel Carpet ''Guaranteed Win-Win Bonanza'.

Some of the Mega winners were presented with their gifts at the company’s head office in Surulere, Lagos on Thursday November 22, 2012.

The mega gift winners include 7 lucky customers who received cash prize of N100,000 each, 10 won BlackBerry phones, 23 won Nokia phones, 20 won Generating sets and 18 won Home Theatres. In addition customers also won 23 pieces of feet Rugs,and 27 Food Processors while other gift items won include welcome foot mats, School bags, torch lights etc.

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

Fidelity Bank rewards promo winners with cars, cash, others

W

ITH about 39.2 million or 46.3 per cent of Nigeria’s population still experiencing financial exclusion, getting more people to embrace the nation’s financial products and services has become a major priority for regulators in the financial sector.

To this end, the regulators are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that financial inclusion for majority of Nigerians is achieved going by 2020.

Financial inclusion is a strategy aimed at bringing the unbanked or financiallydisadvantaged public into the banking system by ensuring the availability of financial services at affordable costs.

In other words, financial inclusion is the process of ensuring access to appropriate financial products and services needed by vulnerable groups (weaker sections and low income groups) at an affordable cost in a fair and transparent manner by mainstream institutional players.

It will be recalled that the CBN at the Maya Declaration, committed itself to developing a National Financial Inclusion Strategy, NFIS, with the aim of reducing the percentage of financially excluded adults from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent by the year 2020.

In pursuit of the above commitment, some policy priorities were identified which included amongst others, establishing consumer protection department, drafting consumer protection framework, as well as developing a financial literacy framework, The national strategy was launched on October 23, 2012.

It is in line with this commitment that the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, gathered together business editors and financial correspondents in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital

•Umar Ibrahim, MD, NDIC

Low level financial inclusion and regulator’s drive to fast track it Mrs. Bolaji Ibunoluwa of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said that the impact of financial products and services on the lives of consumers are profound and significant however, growing sophistication in such products and services as well as the competitive environment in which the service providers operate has subjected consumers to their mercy

,

penultimate week to discuss the role of the NDIC in promoting financial inclusion.

Speaking on ‘Role of deposit insurance in promoting financial inclusion,’ Bashir Umar, Director Special Insured Institutions Department of NDIC, said that there is high level of financial exclusion with about 39.2 million representing 46.3 per cent of Nigeria’s population that are financially excluded, and while 23.8 million adults are saving at home, billions of naira circulate through the informal sector.

The ratio of bank branch to total population is 1:24,224 persons.

According to Umar, financially excluded persons are mainly the rural dwellers, persons who had bitter experiences in banking services and some other disadvantaged groups.

He said that deposit insurance systems as one of the financial safety nets, play a critical role not only in promoting public confidence in financial systems but in protecting unsophisticated and small depositors.

Link between deposit insurance and financial inclusion, according to Umar, is therefore both direct and indirect. Relevance of deposit insurance gets more pronounced as households’ needs to be assured of the safety of their hard earned savings, hence financial inclusion, financial stability and deposit insurance are inter-related and mutually supportive, Umar said.

Umar however cited barriers to financial inclusion to include, poor income, hurdles to customers’ physical access, inadequate infrastructure, lack of adequate financial literacy, affordability, eligibility, security and transparency of service providers.

I

protection regime would enhance consumer confidence in the financial products/ services offered by the financial institutions thereby resulting in high levels of participation and stability in the system. All these would ensure the attainment of financial inclusion strategy with an impact on the real economy, she said.

For Rotimi Ogunleye who spoke on the topic ‘Conceptual

Deposit insurance systems as one of the financial safety nets play a critical role not only in promoting public confidence in financial systems but in protecting unsophisticated and small depositors

because of the latter’s limited knowledge. According to her, this is a peculiar issue in developing countries, especially in Nigeria, where information flow from the service providers to the consumers is at the discretion of the former, coupled with the fact that the global financial crisis also brought to the fore the need for consumer protection especially in areas of education/enlightenment.

Ibunoluwa said that robust consumer protection is a critical aspect of financial services regulation. A robust consumer

,

issues in E-banking, agent banking, mobile payment system and financial inclusion,’ said that the main barriers to financial inclusion include income, physical access, financial literacy, affordability, eligibility, peculiar challenges in Nigeria, current Know Your Customer, KYC, regulation and the lack of adequate identification systems.These she said posed serious challenges to increasing financial inclusion for clients.

For the providers of financial services, Ogunleye identified

lack of enforcement of existing regulations and the steep distribution channel costs as other challenges to financial inclusion. However, on ways to improve financial inclusion in Nigeria, Ogunleye said that the nation should maintain macro-economic stability; products/services innovation and development (enhanced mobile payment system, microinsurance); growth in channels: branches, ATMs, POS, agents; client lines which includes adopting a riskedbased approaches to KYC instead of relying on uniform KYC requirements; consumer protection; financial literacy (central pillar to the enhancement of financial inclusion) as well as giving priority to those elements of financial infrastructure that are essential to increasing the use of financial services.

For Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of NDIC, Mr. Umaru Ibrahim, a measure that could be adopted in promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria is the promotion of all women microfinance institution.

Evidence from other countries, for example Kenya, according to Ibrahim, has shown that such institutions have the potential to promote easy access to credit amongst rural poor women, especially at the group level and could also be used to mobilise large quantum of savings among these group of people.

N line with its promise, winners in the recently held draws of the ongoing Fidelity Bank Plc’s 25th anniversary promo have been rewarded with cars, cash and other items.

Customers that emerged winners who spoke with journalists, were full of praise for the bank, even as they lauded the transparency of the promo.

Mr Chukwunonso Vincent Ozor, who was present to receive his prize and four other star prize winners, who emerged in the promo went home with a Hyundai Accent car each.

According to Ozor, “I want to use this opportunity to tell other customers of the bank that the promo is real. I believe that other bank customers would continue to bank with Fidelity and those not doing so will join because this is real. This is my fourth year of banking with Fidelity, their services are efficient.”

Also, the winner of N1 million, Mr. Nwanjoku Chima said: “I have never seen what I am seeing here today before. This is real. I am very grateful to Fidelity Bank. I thank the bank because it kept to its words. I know many people out there don’t believe in such promo, but I advise that they give it a try. If they give it a try, they will know that it is real.”

The other star prize winners include Mr. Mohammed Isa Shemsu, whose account is resident in Kachia Road branch of the bank; Miss Benita Onwuneme, a 23 year old student of Madonna University who operates a savings account in Calabar branch of the bank, and Miss Odo Ngozika Blessing whose account is domiciled in Nsukka, as well as Mr. Saidu Sanusi who operates an account with the bank’s branch in Zaria.

Group Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, had said the ongoing promo is not a money-making venture for the bank, but is the bank’s own way of giving back a little to those who have supported the organisation in its 25 years of operation in the country.

The promo draw was monitored by representatives of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) and the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—25

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Being a paper presented Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, mni, CON, Governor of Edo State by First Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation’s Lecture on the Theme: Challenges of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria under the Current Democracy, in Abuja

T

HE remarkable thing about the late Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, one can say at the outset is the fact that generations of Nigerians have been direct or indirect beneficiaries of his vision and mission in life.

He was a builder of men and of society; he was a man of ideas and foresight. Without equivocation, I can say that I am one of the direct beneficiaries of his development programmes in the Northern Region, at least at two levels. The first is related to the North he built, the North that was accommodative of all irrespective of tribe, ethnic background, religious affiliation or social status.

This enabled me, as someone coming from another part of the country to easily make Kaduna the capital city of Northern Region a home and begin a re-

AD AMS OSHIOMHOLE ADAMS warding working career. I did not suffer any discrimination on the account of my background, as I was treated like any other Northerner and Nigerian in the larger context. The second is of course related to his industrialization strategy to develop the Northern Region which, in the first place, attracted people like me to come to Kaduna to seek for productive employment.

The late Sardauna built the Arewa textiles and the Kaduna textiles among several of the industries he established across the Northern Region and it was these two organizations that provided me with the platform

to launch a trade union career right through to the point when I became the NLC President in 1999. Only a couple of days ago, I had a rare privilege of playing host to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and I did re-echo this sentiment: the fact that I knew Kaduna and some parts of the North more than I knew my ancestral town of Auchi in Edo State.

I, therefore, see myself as a creation of the late Premier’s Northern Nigeria because both the North and Kaduna moulded my life in every respect, and I am always proud of that. I still look up to Kaduna as my home, being a Kaduna boy of course, and I am sure it will continue to be so, my current posting in Edo State notwithstanding.

Introductory remarks: It is an honour and a privilege to be called upon to be part of history, of an occasion that I understand coincides with the centenary of the late Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello. I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my brother and the chief host of this occasion, the Chief Servant and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, CON, fspsp, FNAE, Talban Minna, Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, for inviting me to play the role of Chairman to this historic occasion, the First Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation’s Lecture.

The Chief Servant has remained one of the last men standing, as torch bearer of the late Sardauna’s legacy and has provided leadership at various levels that fitted well with the ideals and values espoused by the late Premier. I also wish to commend the leadership and

Map of Northern Nigeria

organizers of this event, for their keen sense of history and their commitment to preserve the worthy legacy of the late Sardauna, who to date, has remained an exemplar of visionary and transformational leadership; a model of politics of development and an inspiration for all Nigerians that are committed to good governance and public service for the common good.

Let me seize this opportunity to pay tribute to the guest lecturer for this occasion, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, Joint Special Representative, African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). I know Professor Gambari as a cerebral teacher and scholar of high repute, an international relations guru and a quintessential international public servant.

Engaged intellectuals Professor Gambari was among the few intellectuals that worked to put our great Ahmadu Bello University Zaria on the global intellectual map. He, indeed, belongs to the class of what one would call “engaged intellectuals”, those who combine theory and practice for the betterment of their society. I must say that the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation could not have found a most suitable and competent specialist to x-ray the subject of leadership and governance in the context of Nigeria’s evolving democratic order than this worthy ambassador of Nigeria.

When intellectuals speak, the world listens, because ideas are the ingredients to nurture a better society for all.

Sardauna and the leadership question: In discussing the question of leadership as it relates to the late Sardauna, it should be noted that volumes have been written and said regarding his legacy and the lessons that could be learnt by both current and future leadership in Nigeria. The Sardauna was in office for only six years, yet the impact he made on the political, social and economic landscape of the North, Nigeria, Af-

,

Challenges of good governance and leadership in Nigeria under the current democracy

This explains why today, across the North and the country at large, the political leadership is being assessed and benchmarked in relation to what he had achieved and his approach to governance. This is with good justification, when viewed against the background of the meagre resources available to him in that era.

The late Sardauna did not just build schools, hospitals, industries, roads and agricultural centres, rather he devoted quite some time in delivering these to all nooks and crannies of the Northern Region.

The late Sardauna also provided leadership towards evolving a just and humane society, which is particularly illustrated by his acute sense of concern for Sir Ahmadu Bello, late Sardauna the common man, his strong desire to prorica, and indeed the world, was mote unity and sense of belongunmatchable, and it has contin- ing among the diverse people ued to resonate and inspire. of Nigeria, as well as his high Hardly was there a leader that sense of responsibility and comhad traversed this part of the mitment to duty in the conduct world that has had such histor- of public affairs. ical impact on his generation According to Chief Sunday and generations that followed Awoniyi, the Aro of Mopa (of thereafter. Indeed, many peo- blessed memory) who was one ple in this here will not have of those that worked very closely been where they are today but with the late Premier, what was

I still look up to Kaduna as my home, being a Kaduna boy of course, and I am sure it will continue to be so, my current posting in Edo State notwithstanding

for late Sardauna’s purposeful and development-oriented stewardship, as Premier of the defunct Northern Region. He made giant strides in educational, agricultural, industrial, and infrastructural development of the Northern Region. He built a first class civil service and introduced far-reaching judicial and legal reforms all aimed at building an enduring foundation for the socio-economic development of the Northern Region and positioning it to be an important player in the national development process.

That we are still talking about Sardauna’s leadership today is suggestive of something more fundamental about the man, his style, his world outlook, his values, and his capacity and competence to provide sound leadership and good governance.

,

outstanding about the Sardauna was his concern for the common man. He recalled that there was a day when the late Sardauna said that while he would use his position and power of government to enable businessmen to make money legitimately, whenever the interest of the business and the common man clashed, he would be found on the side of the common man.

Such sense of compassion, I must confess, is rare in contemporary times.

The late Sardauna was also an ardent proponent of national unity as the foundation for building a great nation. Not for him the rampant ethnic chauvinism and religious bigotry that are steadily eating our nationhood these days.

To be concluded

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 27

Toyota exports Venza out of N.A. for first time

BY THEODORE OPARA

T

OYOTA has announced it began to export US assembled Venza crossovers to its distributor in South Korea last month. Venza exports to South Korea are initially forecasted at approximately 600 units annually.

The announcement was made

by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. Senior Vice President Bob Carter at the Barclays Capital Global Automotive Conference.

These Venza vehicles

will be produced by team members at Toyota's manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky. The plant is Toyota's largest manufacturing facility outside of Japan, employing about 6,600 team members directly and creating nearly 20,000 additional jobs with vendors and suppliers in Kentucky and other states in the region.

This is the first time the U.S.-assembled Venza will be exported outside of North America.

Toyota began exporting

U.S.-assembled vehicles in 1988, and now exports U.S.-assembled vehicles to 21 countries around the world. These exports are expected to increase in calendar year 2012 to more than 130,000 units ? a 52% increase from last year and an all-time high for Toyota.

The company began exporting Indianaassembled Sienna minivans and Kentuckyassembled Camry sedans to South Korea last year.

Other exports include the Kentucky-produced Avalon sedan, the

Indiana-produced Highlander and Sequoia SUVs and the Texasproduced Tacoma and Tundra pick-up trucks.

"We are proud that Venza, designed, engineered and

ATIONAL Auto motive Council is intensifying training programme for technicians on the use of four stroke motor cycles and tricycle engines.

The Council recently partnered Simba Group on training programme for auto technicians in Lagos.

The programme, organised in conjunction with Simba Group, was held at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu as part of its efforts to improve the skills of artisans and offer them up-to-date knowledge in the automotive industry.

Director-General, NAC, Mr. Aminu Jalal reinstated the government's commitment to the revi-

talisation of the nation's automobile industry, and said the council was working on auto test centres across the country.

Jalal, who was represented by the council's Director, Industrial Infrastructure, Mr. Waheed Odetoro, said that the approved six testing centres across the six geopolitical zone, were designed to ensure that all imported vehicles into the country were tested wholly and certified for Nigerian roads.

He said that NAC was also working in collaboration with other government agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency

of Nigeria to ensure that the exercise was conducted according to the law of the land.

He said approvals had been given to establish test centre for testing emission in Lagos, component testing centre in Enugu, and vehicle evaluation and materials laboratory at IDC Gbamaru, in Zaria.

The NAC boss said, "There is already final approval to establish automotive test centre for testing emission in Lagos and it is going to be hosted by this institution (the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu). The component testing laboratory is situated within SON premises in Enugu, while the vehicle evaluation and

result of the great work of our talented U.S. team members and our extensive investments across North America.

We look forward to other opportunities to continue expanding exports from our American operations."

Infinity Tyres unveils ‘Value Drive Promo’

I

NFINITY Tyres, fore most tyre and battery marketing company in Nigeria has kicked-off its annual ‘Value Drive Promo’ to reward its customers across the country. The

NAC trains technicians, establishes test centres

N

assembled in the U.S., has garnered so much interest not only here, but abroad," said Mr. Carter.

"The export of Venza vehicles to South Korea helps maintain Toyota's strong, stable base of U.S. jobs, and is the

materials lab is situated at IDC Gbamaru, in Zaria.

promo runs from the beginning to the end of December 2012.

Announcing the kick-off of the 2012 edition of the ‘Scratch and Win Promo’, themed ‘Valued Drive’ at the Pearl Garden Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Managing Director, Infinity Tyres, Mr. A. S. Chadha, said it had become the tradition of the company to give something back to the

customer at this time of the year for their patronage.

To this end he said "for three decades, we have been offering premium products to the motoring public in Nigeria and the customers were the reason for our success," adding that they were obliged to find suitable ways to reward customers patronage.

Infinity Tyres is the sole representatives of leading •Continues on page 28

L-r: Vikas Bahl, Marketing Head, Infinity Tyres Limited, Arshi Chadha, Managing Director, Infinity Tyres Limited, Uche Nwankwo, CEO, Discovery Brands Management at the unveiling of this year’s Infinity Value Promo in Lagos

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Coscharis Range Rover kicks off, as Multi-Choice wins

F

Lagos to standardize driving schools I

N its determination to reduce accidents and ensure safety of road users, the Lagos State Government has commenced the standardization of all driving schools in the State.

Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, who disclosed this during a meeting with Nigeria Driving School Proprietor Association recently stated that the commencement of the standardization is very important since driving schools play prominent role in determining the quality of drivers.

He warned that the era where mushroom driving schools, incompetent instructors or drivers who do not know the rudiment of driving are recommended by driving schools for drivers' license is gone.

With the standardization, a uniform curriculum would be introduced by the State Government for the Driving Schools in order to ensure that all intending drivers acquire the necessary training.

He urged the association to ensure that they do their best to upgrade their schools adding that the State Government would soon embark on the inspection of driving schools, after which a compendium on driving schools would be published in order to guide intending drivers in knowing the government approved driving schools.

He pledge the state government support to Driving Schools especially in the area of instructional materials as well as ensuring that professional drivers, who failed the Lagos State Drivers' Insti-

tute re-certification training, undergo a compulsory training in the standardized Driving Schools.

The Commissioner urged the association to cooperate with the State Government in sanitizing

and standardizing Driving Schools in the State adding that this effort by the State Government is to uplift the image of Driving Schools as well as ensure that only competent and qualified drivers are allowed to handle the steering.

He implored them to ensure that all their instructors are well trained and are exposed to modern techniques in driving adding that vehicles used in the training of intending drivers should be roadworthy.

ABC Transport tasks govt on road repairs

T

HE management of ABC Transport has called on the Federal Government and other tiers of government to hasten the rehabilitation and upgrading of deplorable highways across the country.

Speaking at the company’s annual accident free campaign, the Deputy Managing Director, ABC Transport, Mr. Jude Nneji said driving on the highways has become more dangerous than ever as a result of poor state of the road and heavy traffic.

According to him, it is unlikely that a greater percentage of the motorists are largely untrained, thus

posing danger to other road users.

He gave the theme of this year's programme as "Defensive driving in a chaotic road traffic situation in Nigeria and West Africa."

The ABC DMD also urged the Federal Roads Safety Corps to strengthen its capacity, field patrols and deploy more advanced information and communication technology to ease their operation.

As part of its safety measures, he said that ABC had installed speed limiters in some of its buses and would have installed this safety device in every ABC

vehicle before the end of the year.

He said, "The management has taken time to install advanced GPS tracking in all the buses.

This is to reinforce safety consciousness, practice and standard associated with the short, long distance and cross border transport business."

Nnaji told the company's cabin crew members, comprising drivers and conductors, the importance of this year's safety campaign, which he noted was in line with the organisation's objective of protecting lives and property of its passengers.

OREMOST automobile distributor in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors has announced an exciting offer for its customers and prospects in the spirit of the Christmas season with a 7-seater bus or an equivalent in monetary discounts for any single purchase of the 2012 Range Rover.

The Promo, according to the Group Marketing Manager, Mr. Ifeanyi Nihe, the promo is part of the company's commitment to continually deliver on its promise to give it customers value for money.

The promo which runs from November 5 to the end of December 2012, builds on a successful sales and appreciation of customers' patronage during the on-going 2012 business year.

Meanwhile, MChoice has become one of the first companies to win a brand new bus under the Coscharis Ember months promotion, which kicked off on November 5, 2012.

The promo which run

Infinity Tyres unveils ‘Value Drive Promo’ •Continues from page 27

tyre brands like GoodYear, Pirelli and Ceat as well as Infinity Batteries in Nigeria.

According to the Managing Director, many prizes would be won in the promo including pressure guages, umbrellas, Tshirts, caps, as well as tyre services like wheel balancing, wheel alignment and nitro-filling.

Other prize include cash sum, up to N100,000. He explained that every buyer of any of their product is a winner while the promo last as all prize are redeemable instantly at the point of purchase.

Manufacturing plant

L-r: Guest Speaker, Director, Safety Beyond Borders, Adenusi Patrick; Mr. Corps Commander, Sector Commander Lagos State, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, Commissioner of Transport, Lagos; Mr. Kayode Opeifa, and Chairman of the occasion, Managing Consultant Newsletter, Dr. Oscar Odiboh, during the seminar on Safety on Nigeria Roads and Economic Development by Guild of Motoring Correspondents (GMC), in Lagos

till the end of the year, according to Coscharis Motors was packaged to appreciate its customers for their support over the years.

Speaking during the presentation of the car to Multi-Choice officials on Thursday, the Chief Operating Officer, Coscharis Group-Eko LPP, (CG Eko) Mr. Ekpenyong Duke, said that everyone who buys any vehicle from the company within the period will win a valuable gift or a bus.

According to him, anyone who purchases any of the auto brands distributed by Coscharis to the tune of N20 million, automatically goes home with a Wuling mini-bus."

The Wuling mini bus is an eight seater bus with air condition system and other modern features.

"This is our own humble way of saying thank you to our loyal customers. You don't just keep taking from the customers all the time. At a time like this, you have to say thank you to them for your loyalty," he said.

He however, used the opportunity to disclose that the company has plans to set up tyre manufacturing plant in the country if the infrastructure improves.

The Infinity boss also disclosed that the company is opening more branches to enable it reach out to more customers.

On why the company is rolling out the promo during the season, the man-

aging director explained that apart from the prizes on offer, the promo would afford customers the opportunity to change their old tyre since most families travel during December period.

"We are aware that Nigerians travel a lot during the festive season and we are concerned about their safety and would not rescind on our promise to deliver the best automobile solutions during this period.

In his remark, the Executive Director, Mr. Kanwal Bajwa hinted that more exciting packages had been lined up for its customers. Apart from the promo, the company has plans to expand its reach in order to serve the customers better. The company also mentioned the launch of the Infinity Monatec, which provides high quality range of equipment for motoring maintenance. This will afford garage business owners to get more efficient solutions that can deliver wheel balancing, wheel alignment tyre change service etc for the customers at affordable running cost.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—29

Lekki Scheme 2: Why allottees are lethargic about developing their plots

HIGH POINTS Most of the land are in the hand of speculators who are waiting for the appreciation of the property value before selling The infrastructure provided is not yet adequate to make the area liveable The economic crunch is taking its toll on allottees

•Oba Elegushi Housing Estate

BY JUDE NJOKU

L

ekki Peninsula Scheme 2 is one of the schemes designed by the Lagos State Government over a decade ago to satisfy the yearning of people for plots of land to build personal houses in the highbrow Lekki axis.

Specifically, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 2 which was mapped out in 1996 has a land area of 514.53 hectares. A further breakdown shows that the scheme has 3,095 residential plots, 64 commercial plots, 47 mixed development plots, 26 institutional plots and 17 recreational plots.

Following the huge success recorded in the development of Lekki Scheme 1, many people who wanted to own properties in the choice area, including land speculators, rushed in and in a jiffy, all the land, including parcels that were heavily water-logged, were sold off. But unlike Lekki Scheme 1 where massive development is still ongoing, the development of Scheme 2 is going on at a snail’s pace.

Governor Babatunde Fashola who was evidently worried by this development, frowned at the activities of land speculators in the area.

The Governor warned plot owners in the scheme to commence the development of their plots, or have them confiscated by the State.

According to him, the Government will carry out a

verification of plot owners in the scheme to determine true allottees from speculators with a view to confiscating plots of speculative land holders.

The Governor who had in February this year, commissioned the Oba Elegushi Housing Estate in a bid to open up the area, was pissed by the activities of those who buy land and instead of developing them, wait for when the value will appreciate so that they can resell to make huge profits.

Fashola who commissioned nine road projects at the Lekki phase 11 scheme as part of efforts to open up the area, stated that ”those who are just speculative holders will have their plots taken from them and sold to genuine prospective home owners”.

He appealed to plots owners

T

in the scheme to immediately commence the development of their plots to justify the state’s huge infrastructure investment in terms of road network,drainage system and street lighting..

T

he Governor who stated that the Oba Elegushi Housing Estate was deliberately sited in the scheme as part of government’s efforts to attract people to the area, wondered why some people who got their allocation over 20 years ago and have done nothing to take physical possession of them, should be allowed to retain ownership of such plots.

Some of the facilities already put in place to woo developers into the area include a micro-water work

that will supply potable water to the scheme and the erection and reticulation of the electric poles, the street lights and the installation of transformers.

General Manager, New Towns Development Authority, Dr. Adeyemi Isiba said aggressive pursuit of the development of the scheme is a catalyst to attract the movement of allottees into the scheme to develop their plots.

A Lagos -based estate surveyor and valuer, Mr. Stephen Jagun wondered why the Government should compel allottees to move in when the infrastructure required to make the place liveable, have not been provided. He stated that the inability of most plot allottees to move in to commence development, stemmed from

the dearth of funds in the country and the fact that the infrastructure already put in place by the State Government is not yet adequate. Jagun wondered why the Government should threaten the allottees with revocation of their plots when they know that there is no money in the system. Noting that the area is prone to flooding, the former President of the International Facilities Management Association Nigeria chapter, IFMA Nigeria, explained that adequate provision has not yet been made for drainage outlets in the neighbourhood.

A

ccording to him, it would gulp a lot of money to sandfill the swampy land not to talk of actual development of the plots. He therefore called on the State to first provide the infrastructure instead of threatening the allottees with revocation of their titles.

Vanguard Homes& Property learnt that almost one year after the commissioning of the 90-units Oba Elegushi Luxury Estate built by the Lagos State Development & Property Corporation, LSDPC, some of the houses are yet to be sold, unlike what obtained in other estates developed by the corporation.

How to make Christmas wreaths

he tradition of hanging a wreath on the front door in the run-up to Christmas comes from an old Catholic ritual. The advent - or the season prior to Christmas Day - is a significant time, and a circular wreath is hung on the door. The circle symbolises that there is no beginning or end and that God is eternal. A more traditional advent wreath contains four candles in the circle and one candle in the middle Christmas wreaths don’t have to scream Christmas! Get creative and make something to suit your theme or colourway. Depending on the style

you choose, you might even get away with using them on special occasions like weddings and christenings.

You’ll need A foam wreath from Spotlight/ Lincraft or discount craft store A hot glue gun An assortment of buttons in a colourway of your choice Ribbons Step one Randomly glue the buttons onto the foam wreath going inside it slightly as well as on the outside to cover it entirely. You’ll need to work quickly as the glue dries fast - it’s best to space

out the large sizes and the most decorative and fill the rest with a mix of small and medium-sized buttons, placing them close together so there are minimal gaps.

Step two Once done, tie ribbons around the top and loop them several times, gluing the loops in place until you have a flower.

Tie one more piece of ribbon around the top of the wreath behind the ribbon flower and use that to hang.

You can also try Shells for a beachy theme; Sequins for a glam style and Natural pods, seeds or dried flowers and leaves for an earthy theme

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

MATERIALS WATCH Cement Dangote cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Elephant cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Sandcrete Blocks 6 inches vibrated per block---N130 9 inches vibrated per block---N150 6 inches hand mould per block---N80 9 inches hand mould per block---N90 Sand Soft per tipper load ---N13,000 Sharp double tipper load---N23,000 Gravel double tipper load---N25,000 Gravel single tipper load---N18,000 Granite per tipper load----N120,000

•Mr. Mbagwu flanked by Akinbola Omolara and Atureta Emmanuel at the briefing.

CMB boss rraps aps go vt, de veloper or govt, developer veloperss ffor not making housing af dable afffor ordable ...unveils plans to build four new estates

BY JUDE NJOKU

U

nless the enabling environment is created by government, adequate funding provided by the financial institutions and land made readily available to developers, the national housing deficit currently put at a staggering 17 million units, will continue to plague the country.

This view was canvassed in Lagos last week by the Managing Director of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co. Limited, Mr Kelechi Mbagwu.

Mbagwu who spoke to newsmen as part of activities to mark 10 years of the company ’s foray into real estate development, noted that the housing industry alone can generate economic boom for the country, if the various stakeholders play their parts well. He however regretted that the government (particularly the state government) and some private developers are not serious about making housing affordable to the millions of Nigerians who need decent and affordable shelter.

“The truth is that the housing industry in Nigeria is not serious about making housing affordable. The Governments in Nigeria especially the state governments are not serious about making housing affordable. There are so many things that can be done that can cut the prices down drastically,” he said, adding that the Land Use Act and the absence of a virile mortgage industry, are major drawbacks to housing development in the country. On the Land Use Act, Mr. Mbagwu declared: ”We don’t see the real use of the Act. It doesn’t make sense and should be scrapped”.

Speaking specifically on the

achievements of the company, Mr. Mbagwu said CMB has within the 10 years of its operation, built over 1,000 units for both the middle and upper income segment of the society.

He unveiled plans to three new estates in different parts of Lagos. The estates include 26 family living units which will come in a block of flats at Oniru Estate; 60 individual houses to be called Pearl Nuga Court at the Lekki Peninsula and 12 family living units at Ikeja GRA. The Ikeja GRA project which would be christened Pearl Grace Court, would cater for the upper income group. Another 20 units of terrace houses is also in the offing and would be sited at Surulere.

Further flaunting the

achievements of the company, Mr. Mbagwu said CMB ranks amongst the first three private estate developers in the country. He was quick to point out that the sterling position occupied by the company, would not have been possible if other real estate developers are up and doing. “What is sacrosanct with us at CMB is that once we have a project, we hit the ground and start building. When you start work, financial institutions can now come in to support you,” he said.

Also speaking at the briefing, the company’s According to him, the company which started operations with four part-time staff, today boasts of about 300 on its payroll.

Reinforcement 8 mm (153) pieces per ton ---N125,000 10 mm (153) pieces per ton---N136,000 12 mm (93) pieces per ton---N161,000 16 mm (93) pieces per ton---N172,000 20 mm (53) pieces per ton---N122,000 Woods Timber (hard) 1x1x12---N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12---N800 Timber (hard) 2x4x12---N700 Softwood 2x2x12---N260 2x3x12---N300 Plywood 3x3x8---N3,500 2x4x8---N2,400 Roofing Sheets Corrugated iron sheets per bundle---N10,000 Asbestos (Super) 4x8 per piece---N1,600 Asbestos (Solo) 4x6 per piece---N1,500 Wall tiles (ceramic) 6 x 6 per square metre----------N1,200 20 x 20 (China) per square metre----------N1,100 20 x 25 (China) per square metre---....N1,400 Floor tiles (ceramic) 14 x 14 (Spain) per square metre------------N1,800 14 x 14 (Brazil) per square metre------------N1,420 13 x 13 (Spain) per square metre---------N1, 550 45 x 45 (Spain) per square metre------------N1,900 40 x 40 (Marble Spain) per square metre--N3,800 30 x 30 (Marble Spain) per square metre----N2,000 Plumbing Materials Galvanised conduit pipes per length 20 mm diameter -----------------N170 25 mm diameter---------------N170 PVC conduit pipes 20 mm diameter per length -------N120 25 mm diameter per length------N130 Source-----------Cement tiles and building materials market along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

Estate Surveyors restate claim to plant, machinery valuation

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

I

n a bid to remain relevant in the scheme of things particularly in the area of valuation which is one of the core areas of estate surveying and valuation, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, last week, reiterated the need for regular training and retraining of its members. The training and retraining is expected to afford members the opportunity to know about unfamiliar areas with a view to determining their valuations.

Speaking at a two-day International Seminar on Plant and Machinery Valuation with focus on Aircraft, Oil & Gas organised by the Faculty of Plant and Machinery of NIESV in Lagos last week, Mr. Paul Osaji who chairs the Faculty, said it was mandated by the

institution to train and retrain members through seminars. According to him, the Faculty decided to organise the seminar because not less than 1.3 trillion Naira has been invested into the acquisition of private jets in Nigeria without proper valuations.

Noting that there are about 200 private jets in Nigeria today, Osaji said the purpose of the valuation is to determine the age of the aircraft and other considerations when buying or selling them. This will enable them to put actual cost to it. He pointed out that private jet owners in Nigeria did not do valuations of the jets before purchase, which makes them not to know the actual value of their jets.

Osaji who stated that NIESV is the statutory authorised professional body to value plants and machinery, said they studied engineering as part of their

course. He stated estate surveyors apply the principle of economics in plant and machinery valuations. He argued that for anybody to be able to value anything, the person should be able to understand the dynamics of that thing. “About 1.3 trillion Naira has been invested into private jets by Nigerians.

We need to know the value of the aircrafts in terms of their years of manufacture, air worthiness and others”, he said.

The chairman of the Faculty however noted that estate surveyors and valuers have to be trained and retrained in unfamiliar areas to be able to carry out effective valuations in those areas.

Earlier, NIESV’s president, Mr. Emeka Eleh had noted the faculties of the institution were set up to broaden the horizon of members, pointing out that over the years, members had left the core areas of the profession to face other areas. “The core area of our profession is valuation of plants and machinery. But everybody is into agency. We have to get back to these core areas of our profession.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—31

ENVIRONMENT WATCH

Ozone statue unveiled in Vienna to mark Montreal Protocol anniversar y

A

s part of ongoing celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of one of the world’s most successful environmental agreements, a statue dedicated to protecting the ozone layer was officially unveiled recently at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna.

The 3.9 metre high sculpture, which depicts the Chinese Goddess Nüwa, was produced by celebrated artist Yuan Xikun, who also acts as a Patron for Arts and Environment for the United

Nations Environment Programme UNEP. In Chinese mythology, Nüwa smelted a seven colour stone to block a hole in the sky to repair the wall of heaven. Yuan Xikun chose the figure of Nüwa to draw parallels with modern-day challenges of ozone depletion and climate change.

The unveiling of the statue in Vienna was hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with UNEP’s

OzonAction Branch.

UNEP and UNIDO, as implementing agencies of the Montreal Protocol, have been assisting developing countries and countries with economies in transition to achieve and sustain compliance with the Protocol.

“I am donating this sculpture to the United Nations as a sign of my commitment to support the organization in its efforts to protect the earth, especially for future generations,” said Yuan Xikun.

The sculpture has now found a permanent home in Vienna following an earlier exhibition in Beijing, China, where it was unveiled by the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.

The artwork has also been exhibited in Times Square in New York.

Attending the event in Vienna were, among others, Zhao Bin, Ambassador of China to Austria; the deputy of the Director-General of UNIDO, Taizo Nishikawa; Sidi Menad Si-Ahmed, UNIDO Montreal Protocol Branch; and James S. Curlin, Interim Head of the UNEP OzonAction Branch.

“I would like to reiterate UNEP’s profound appreciation to Yuan Xikun for his sincere commitment to using his art to promote awareness of sustainable development - this time by donating this great symbol of action for conserving the ozone layer and combating climate change, his

Experts advocate energy efficiency as road map for national devt

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

TWO day national energy efficiency summit which ended in Abuja at the weekend has called on the Federal government to create an enabling environment and adequate awareness on the importance and gains of energy efficiency in meeting national development.

The summit also harped on the need for government to step up actions to ensure environmental sustainability and to integrate energy efficiency into national policy, strategies and programmes towards achieving its goals of vision 20-20-20.

The two-day summit organized by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and Global Energy Facility, GEF is part of activities geared towards the successful implementation of the UNDP-GEF Energy Efficiency Programme with the theme “Promoting Energy Efficiency for National Development and Environmental Sustainability”.

Speakers at the summit were of the opinion that the government must make policies and legislation that would promote energy efficiency,

especially in the area of setting minimum energy efficiency standards, label and develop frameworks for enforcement, if Nigeria is ready to realise its Vision 20 2020 goals.

Major highlights at the summit includes the presentation of the preliminary report of the end-use monitoring study; draft revised energy efficiency training manual; draft national energy efficiency policy and the draft report of the Nigerian appliance inventory study as well as technical papers presented by various speakers from within and outside Nigeria.

Declaring the summit open, the Minister of Environment Mrs. Hadiza Mailafiya, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Taye Haruna, said the summit was aimed at complementing the Vision 20 2020 goals of Nigeria by improving the use of end use equipment used in residential and public buildings in the country.

She traced the cause of climate change to emissions of green house gases and other human activities, which she said had posed a great threat to the whole world and called

for change of human behaviour towards the environment and energy utilization.

“Nigeria is greatly challenged in energy supply of 50 Mega Watts with the current generation capacity below expectation due to increase in human and industrial population. We need the support of UNDP to create awareness and every stakeholder has a role to play in this junction. For us in the ministry, we are adopting the use of clean stove across the country to achieve sustainable energy efficiency,” she added.

While emphasising the need for Nigerians to change their life styles, cost of living, the minister implored all the partners to help in reducing energy usage in the country.

In his Keynote address on behalf of the UNDP Climate Change Technical Advisor, Mr. Benoit Lebot, Dr. Jason Yapp said “Nigerians rely on generators for energy supply because of shortage of power supply to demand,” saying that generators are not only pollutants but are noisy and expensive, hence the need for sustainable energy efficiency in Nigeria.

monumental statue of the Goddess Nüwa,” said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director.

China is using the Goddess Nüwa as a brand for a communication campaign to reduce and phase out the use of chemicals known as hydrofluorochlorocarbons (HCFCs), which degrade the ozone layer. These chemicals are mainly used in domestic and commercial refrigeration, airconditioning and industrial foam.

New models to finance climate change unveiled

T

he World Economic Forum and the United Nations Climate Change secretariat announced last week, the launch of “Momentum for Change: Innovative Financing for Climate-friendly Investment”, an initiative that showcases successful public-private financing mechanisms and approaches to support climate change adaption and mitigation activities.

The initiative will inform governments, investors, business, public finance agencies and the media about practical ways and means to enable a global shift to environmentally and economically sustainable growth. It will be formally launched on 6 December during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place in Doha, Qatar, from 26 November to 7 December.

“It is clear that the private sector needs to deliver significant investments to put the world on a path to a climate-secure future,” said Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary.

“However, given the scale of investment needed, the newness of technology solutions and the perception of risk that exists, the current level of investment is far too low. The public sector can help to unlock private finance and ensure supportive policy frameworks for climate-friendly investment.”

“Momentum for Change: Innovative Financing for Climatefriendly Investment” builds upon the results of the larger Momentum for Change initiative by the United Nations Climate Change secretariat, which was launched at last year ’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, to highlight public-private partnerships that are addressing climate change, and have the potential to be expanded and replicated.

“The World Economic Forum is pleased to be working with the United Nations Climate Change secretariat to help document and share successful public-private models that deliver innovative finance to address climate change, one of the most pressing global challenges that we face,” added Børge Brende, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.

32 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—33

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2012—34

Nigerian Customs holds conference in Katsina

Ibrahim Shema, Katsina State Governor, at the Customs conference From left: Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Compin Katsina troller General of Customs, Dikko Abdullahi, at the Customs conference in Katsina.

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, at the Customs conference . Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, at the conference

Vice President Namadi Sambo flanked by Mr. Folusho Philips, the Chairman, National Economic Summit Group (l), and Dr. Samshudeen Usman, National Planning Minister, during the opening of the 18th National Economic Summit, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

Mr. Tony Elumelu (middle), Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, and winners of The Elumelu Legacy Prize for Top-Performing Graduating Students -from left: Atiku Jibrilla Usman, Medicine; Muhammad Sani, B.Sc. Economics; Salihu Umar, Master's in Business Administration and Shadi Sabeh, M.Sc. Economics, during their convocation at Othman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and the institution of Elumelu Legacy Prize by The Tony Elumelu Foundation in the university.

From left: Revd.Buchi Aninye, Chairman of the board; Mrs. Margaret Ayanka and Revd.Nathaniel Agbikimi (board members) at Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board cheque presentation ceremony to beneficiaries of 2011/2012 scholarships to children of deceased civil servants and physically challenged students, at the Scholarship Board offices, Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake

From left: Jack Cao, Business Manager, Nantong Construction Engineering General Company Ltd; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor; Mr. Chen Jin Shi, Chairman, Zhongnan Group and Dr. Adewale Omirin, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, during a business dinner, hosted by the Governor, in Ado-Ekiti, weekend.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 35

HIV test: In Nigeria, one step forward, two steps backward

BY CHIOMA OBINNA& GABRIEL OLAWALE & CHARLYNE IKPE

O

N Saturday, December 1, 2012 -another World AIDS Day, all attention focused on one of the world’s most dreaded challenges, the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, HIV that causes the Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. Nigeria along with the rest of the world, is currently taking stock of collective and individual roles in the battle to check the spread of the pandemic, under the global theme of the World AIDS Campaign: “Getting to Zero”. The campaign focuses on the three goals of zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

The National Theme is “Resourcing the National Response towards Getting to Zero AIDS-Related Deaths”. This campaign signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. Stakeholders are of the view that it is a call to honour promises such as the Abuja declaration and for African governments to at least hit targets for domestic spending on health and HIV. There have been success and there have been failures in the wake of the global and national HIV/AIDS response. For instance, there are more testing sites today more than in the past three years, and there are plans by the National AIDS Control Agency, NACA, to test 20-24 million persons annually. Issues of HIV prevention, cared and support are also on the upscale, especially now, that there is technology to ensure 100 per cent interruption of HIV transmission from mother to child.

But observers say many new infections may be missing out early which will definitely hinder the zero-related deaths target of the world and Nigeria in particular. Apart from scaling up HCT services, with less than 500,000 persons assessing treatment out of the over 1.5 million persons that need it, Health watchers say testing to determine HIV status have left more to be desired.

Good Health Weekly took random samplings that cut across different social circle and groups of Nigerians. Findings were a revelation. Many respondents declined to comment or were indifferent. From the few responses, it was clear that even though some people have knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS, the influence of social stigma and discrimination remains overwhelming. Ninety percent of the

• Jeffrey J. Hawkins. Jr, U.S. Consul General; Kendra Etufunwa, Lead Actress, Inside Story; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc and Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Lead Actor, Inside Story during the Première of the Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS at the SilverBird Galleria, in Lagos weekend.

respondents are yet to understand the importance of HIV testing despite efforts by government and other stakeholders such as the donor agencies and the Non governmental organisations over the years including the large chunks of money committed to ensuring that the HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT )services are effective. Even though, some people understood the significance of HIV testing, their behaviour remains unchanged. Some were even non charlant about it.

Many persons claimed to have decided to live with their situation even when they have to avoid the stigma and discrimination. For them, it is better not to go for testing than to be labelled HIV positive.

Unfortunately,testing remains a major key to check the spread of HIV. It has been confirmed as the best protection against HIV. Today 33 million persons are living with HIV across the world.

In Nigeria, at least four million persons are HIV positive. However, although the prospect of being diagnosed can be scary, anyone can now live a long and full life with HIV, especially if you treatment starts early. According to experts, knowing you are HIV infected can also help you take precautions so that you don’t pass the virus to other people. It is important to get a diagnosis because everyone is at risk for HIV infection and should be tested for it if there has been any of these: several sexual partners, unprotected sex with someone who is or could be HIV-positive, or with someone whose sexual history you don’t know,used injected

drugs or steroids or shared needles or other equipment during drug use. The most common HIV test, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA (also called EIA), is used to detect HIV antibodies in a sample of the blood. Other versions of the antibody HIV test use a sample of saliva or urine. Although HIV tests are very sensitive, they can produce false-positive results. So ELISA HIV tests must be confirmed with another HIV test, such as a Western blot or indirect immunofluorescence assay

(IFA). Rapid HIV tests are based on the same principles as other antibody HIV tests, but they can detect antibodies in blood or saliva much faster within about 20 minutes. The results of a rapid HIV test also must be confirmed with a follow-up test before doctors can firmly diagnose HIV.

rather die than let it be known that I am HIV positive.

...What Nigerians are saying Jonathan Ugbo, Business man HIV test is like a person going to face the hangman. I would

Olaitan Abdulgafaru, book

Continues on Page 37

Milestones in HIV treatment, care and support in Nigeria since 2008

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

A

DMITTEDLY, there are ma jor challenges confronting Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS campaign, however, it is undeniable that the country has made significant progress against the epidemic in recent times. The National HIV prevalence which was 4.6 percent in 2008 declined to 4.1 percent in 2010 and there are strong indications that results of the new sentinel survey would be even more optimistic.

From the foregoing, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS receiving anti-retroviral drugs increased from 230,000 at the end of 2008 to 500,000 at the end of 2011 even as the number of sites for providing ARV drugs increased from 296 at the end of 2008 to 491 at the end of 2012.

The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services which have increased from 7 percent in 2008 to 32 percent in 2012.

Meanwhile, the number of PMTCT centres has increased from 533 in 2008 to 800 in 2012.

Other positive indicators include: launch of the Accelerated PMTCT Programme for in a bid to get to 90 percent coverage and get to an “AIDS free generation” with zero transmission of HIV from mother tochild.; number of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) centres increased from 896 in 2008 to 1,357 in 2012; mapping exercise and size of Mostat-Risk Populations (MARPS) to enhance targeted preventive services to curb HIV transmission in Nigeria ; setting up the National Strategic Plan/Framework 2010 -2015), Strategic plans/Frameworks (2010-2015) for 35 states + FCT, 6 CSO platforms, line ministries (2010), the National HIV Policy (2010), National Research Policy and Agenda and National HIV Prevention Plan (2011), and National Vaccine Plan (2012), expanding the country’s participa-

tion in the global search for an HIV. Others are increased budget for HIV/AIDS from Federal government, states and LGAs; passage of the Stigma and Discrimination Bill has passed by 6th House of Representatives and efforts to represent it on the way the 7th House for onward submission to the Senate and decentralisation of comprehensive HIV services to PHCs - 524 PHCs upgraded, equipped and staff trained to deliver comprehensive HIV, TB and Malaria services The integration of HIV services with Malaria,TB,Maternal, New Born and Child Health(MNCH), provision of grants for research individuals and organizations to undertake operational research in priority areas of the national HIV response; building capacity and strengthening and coordination of civil society networks and successful co-hosting the 5th

Continues on Page 36

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Spices for fighting cancer (2) Red wine Red wine studies show that even without alcohol, this drink has numerous polyphenols that may protect against various types of cancer. Studies suggest that polyphenols are potent antioxidants that help neutralize disease-causing free radicals.

As with red grapes, red wine contains resveratrol shown in many studies to inhibit malignant cell growth and cause existing cancer cells to die off It is important to note most studies show only moderate amounts of red wine off er these protective properties. Excessive alcohol can

be toxic to the liver, nervous system. Alcohol in itself is classifi ed as a class “A” carcinogen meaning there is adequate evidence it does in fact cause cancer, specifically breast and liver cancer. As such, limiting consumption or choosing non-alcoholic red wine may be your best option.

Teas All tea comes from the leaves of a single evergreen plant called camellia sinensis.

The leaves of this plant are picked, rolled, dried, and then heated. To make black tea, the leaves are allowed to ferment and oxidize. Research shows that both green tea and black tea contain antioxidants called

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

polyphenols which are shown to inhibit cancer cells growth. Green tea however, contains higher levels of these antioxidants, likely because it is less processed, than black tea. Some studies suggest green tea consumption could be a key factor in Japan’s overall lower cancer rate.

Other studies show drinking at least one

Access Bank partners global organisations on Inside Story

T

HE fight against HIV/AIDS in Ni geria received a boost weekend as Access Bank Plc as part of its commitment towards building a healthier world partnered global community on public presentation of “Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS” to mark 2012 World AIDS Day in Lagos.

The movie, captured in compelling story of sports, love and ill fate, has been developed to enlighten audiences about HIV/AIDS as well as raise awareness about the disease among mankind. The partners include UNAIDS, Discovery Communications, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, DCGEP, Chevron, Management Sciences for Health and some other global organizations.

Speaking, Access Bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede, said the Bank’s intervention in the health sector was a responsible approach to managing the impact of the triple pandemics of HIV/

AIDS, TB and Malaria through effective workplace programmes, partnerships and community involvement aimed at reducing the effect on employees, families, supply chain, clients and society in general.

Aig-Imoukhuede added that “The partnerships between organisations are essential, and Inside Story is one of such partnerships. The film will help ensure that awareness and education

about HIV/AIDS reaches the grassroots and shapes behaviour.”

On his part, Consul-General of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Jeffery Hawkins, who attended the film premiere said “Inside Story will be a valuable tool to inform people across Africa and the world about the science of HIV. With greater understanding of

Continues on Page 38

Milestones in HIV treatment in Nigeria Continued from Page 35 National Conference on AIDS with the theme “Ownership and Sustainability” in May 2010, are all part of the package.

Earlier in the year, the NACA DG ,Pro-

fessor John Idoko was appointed member of the Core Team of the Adult Guide Lines for the Antiretroviral Treatment Committee and election as a member of the Governing Council of the International AIDS Society -IAS (2012 -2016).

cup of green tea per week can reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Some studies actually suggest the antioxidant properties of green teas are more powerful than those found in vitamin C and E. Recent studies of green tea suggest it may even prevent cancers from spreading to other organs.

It has also been found the anticancer properties of the various types of green tea may vary and factors such as climate may contribute to the tea’s potency.

Coconut Oil Since the campaign to ban saturated fats, coconut oil has been replaced by polyunsaturated fats like soy bean and corn oil, which studies now show are extremely high in omega-6 fatty acids, a leading cause of cancer. On the other hand, coconut oil contains 50 percent lauric acid, a chemical shown to cause cancer cells to die off One review of over fifty years of studies determining the anticancer effects of coconut oil, reaffi rms dietary coconut oil does in fact protect against cancer.

Further studies on colon cancer, show coconut oil has more protective anticancer properties than olive oil.172 Coconut oil is also shown to provide protection from breast cancer. Another important factor with coconut oil is doesn’t release free radicals when heated like vegetable oils.

Researchers suggest three to four tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil daily provides enough lauric acid to help build your immune system, although you should build up to this amount as coconut oil can cause nausea in some people.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

G

OOD day sir. I use Anafranil to deal with my premature ejaculation issues. But each time I use it, I feel depressed and I won’t have appetite for food even though it works. Can you please recommend a better one? Thanks – John Dear John, Anafranil is a prescription drug for people who suffer from depression. It is not for premature ejaculation and that is why you have been having those side effects. The best products for controlling premature ejaculation are delay creams, wipes and condoms. These delay products contain benzocaine, a mild and topical anaesthetic that slightly numbs the surface of the penile skin temporarily so that you don’t climax as soon you penetrate. They have no side effects and will not affect your appetite. So next time, use a delay cream like Keep it up Delay Cream or Pasante Delay Condoms . But avoid taking Anafranil before you hurt yourself – Uche Good day Mr Edochie. My name is Sylvia and I am 32 years old. I read your column in the newspapers and I was so happy that I did. Please I want to find out if there is any way that somebody who was circumcised can enjoy sex or have an orgasm when making love. I was circumcised as a kid and I feel that is the cause of my problem. Please I need your help – Cynthia Dear Cynthia, sorry for the problems this has caused you. Female circumcision is pointless and wicked. I don’t understand why our people started that practise. Anyway, there is hope for you. You can still enjoy sex but it will be more difficult. There are different kinds of orgasms. There is the clitoral orgasm and the vaginal orgasm. Clitoral orgasms are easiest to achieve and since you don’t have a clitoris, your only option for sexual enjoyment is the stimulation of your internal G spot which is located about an inch deep on the roof of the vagina. If this G spot is skilfully stimulated, you will have a powerful vaginal orgasm and even ejaculate like a man. It is the best kind of

orgasm but it is difficult to reach. To experience this orgasm, you will need three things. The first is an orgasm gel that you will apply inside to make stimulation easier. The second is a G Spot vibrator and the third is a DVD tutorial called Guide to Female Ejaculation. This DVD will teach you everything that I cannot describe in the paper. For a very good G Spot vibrator, get the Euphoria Blue Dolphin G Spot Vibrator and for the orgasm Gel, go for the Swiss Navy Two in One orgasm Gel. It is new and has two different formulas – Uche Each time I have sex with my wife, she compares me to her late ex-husband who had a bigger penis and satisfied her better than I can. She keeps saying I should go deeper but I can’t. My penis is short. This is frustrating. I need to enlarge my penis fast – Okwudili Okwudili you seem to be under a lot of pressure. Penis enlargement takes time so I advise you start by wearing a Penile Sleeve during intercourse. It is an artificial penis for men and some of them are really big. I think you will prefer the 10 inch Penile Extension. There is also an 8 inch and 6 inch version. And while you are using these extensions, you can take your time and enlarge your penis with the Big Bam Boo enlargement supplement or Mega Me Penis Enlargement Cream – Uche Hello sir. I have started using the Sex Volts. My erections are rock hard and my performance is the best.

But my friends have finished the Sex Voltz. Thank you anyway - Isaac You are welcome. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 37

HIV test: one step forward, two steps backward Continued from Page 35 seller “I knew my status in Ilorin two years ago but I have not done it, again because I do not have enough money. I have heard about HIV but I have never seen anyone with HIV.” Abidemi Ajala, Student “I do not know my status because I have never gone for the test and I am not prepared to do it. An average person like me must have engaged in sex once or twice before. I know that the best way to protect is through abstinence or use of condoms. I use condoms. I deal with decent girls and I will never ask them about their status. Even if I want to go for the test but the fact is that I don’t know how or where it is being done. Youths need more orientation about HIV testing,so we can appreciate the essence of testing.”

ple about discrimination. When people hear that you have HIV, nobody will talk to you again. That is why people are afraid to go for testing. Again, people see people with HIV as promiscuous.”

Olamilekan Ogunseye, student “I don’t know my status because I have been busy. I am not afraid because I have what it takes. I don’t share sharp objects. I have my barbing saloon kits. I have only one partner and I am abstaining. I have no business with HIV.” Kareem Amzat, affidavit racketeer: “I am too busy to start thinking of HIV testing Helen Oke, credit card vendor “I have not done it before, please don’t disturb me. I have so many other things I should be worried about. I don’t know my status because I have not done it before. Iam not sick. I

“People do not come in voluntarily to screen for HIV. People don’t have the culture of voluntary testing. That is why we should do more about advocacy and reorientation of the elite.

Less than 5 per cent of people come in voluntarily for HIV test except when it is time for blood donation or accident cases. In this

The social stigma put on HIV is making people afraid to come voluntarily to check

MSD introduces new HIV drug, Atripla

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

Michael Odion, Book seller “I have done the test before but I was sick then. I did not just go there for the test, it was the doctor who asked me to do it as part of my treatment. I was not afraid then, I did the test in the hospital free of charge. It was negative.

Government should educate peo-

can think of that, when I fall sick.”

Mr. Attan Chioma, Businessman: “I don’t know if I am negative or positive because I have not checked my status. I cannot give you reasons why I have not checked.”

‘Less than 5% of Nigerians adopt voluntary HIV testing’

S part of the efforts to meet the Anti-Retroviral, ARV, drugs requirements of Nigerians living with HIV, MSD, one of the world’s healthcare leaders, weekend launched into the Nigerian market its innovative antiretroviral, ARV, drug - Atripla - a prescription medication used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children of at least 12 years of age.

A combination of three HIV medicines Efavirenz, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate - Atripla is currently the only one pill daily

HIV regimen for HIV management and it is proven to lower HIV load to undetectable levels while helping to raise T-cell (CD4+) count to help control HIV through three years of a clinical study in patients new to the therapy.

Currently, less than one third of 1.5 million Nigerians requiring ARVs are able to access treatment currently while only 20 percent of the population has access to quality drug.

MSD recently opened office in Nigeria to address health challenges by ensuring availability of quality and affordable drugs in the country and neighbouring West African countries.

Disclosing the development on World AIDS Day 2012, the Commercial Director, MSD West Africa, Mr. Kingsley said bringing Atripla to Nigeria is consistent with MSD’s commitment to register the innovative treatment for HIV broadly. Atripla is recommended in Nigeria guidelines for the treatment of HIV. “Our commitment is to get the right medicines to the right people in the right place and we will achieve this by focusing on bringing medications and vaccines to Nigeria to address unmet medical needs.

Continued on Page 38

Jonathan seeks sustained financial drive against HIV/AIDS

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

HE Federal government has called for sustained financial drive towards enabling Nigeria meets the goals of HIV treatment and support efforts in the country even as HIV funding in Nigeria increased from N2.5 billion in 2002 to more than N5.0 billion in 2011.

President Goodluck Jonathan who disclosed this in Abuja at the special World AIDS Day session on resourcing the National HIV response to zero-AIDS-related deaths, address to the nation said government will continue to support mainstreaming of HIV programmes in the public sector and work towards providing adequate budgetary allocations to the health sector.

The President said the Federal government recently signed a Partnership Framework with the United States Government to increase commitment to HIV financing from the current 25 percent to 50 percent in 2015, and that there was need to reflect on the collective efforts to mobilise resources for the response in Nigeria in order to achieve the objectives and targets of the 2001 Abuja Declaration, the GoN / USG Partnership Framework and the United Nations Political Dec-

laration on HIV/AIDS in 2011. ”According to him: “Over a million people living with HIV are requiring treatment many of whom do not know their status as a result of stigmatisation. Most of those currently on treatment are being supported by donor funds.

In the light of evidence that treatment does not only save lives but is a potent weapon for prevention,

it is therefore important for Government to invest more on HIV treatment.” The President observed that an estimated N700 billion is required to fund the National Strategic Plan (2010 – 2015). “In addition to the efforts of the Federal Government, HIV control Agencies have been established in more than 34 states and now draw down from budgetary

allocations to enhance HIV activities in the states. ”It is the hope of government that through the decentralisation of HIV services and integration with other related diseases at the community level, 80 percent of all people living with HIV in Nigeria will have access to lifesaving treatment and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS by 2015.”

•Mr.Adeyemi Elijah, Lagos State Coordinator, Laboratory Services part of the world, you are talking about reorientation and advocacy, The social stigma put on HIV is making people afraid to come voluntarily to check. That is why we are trying to orientate educationally and encourage people to come in to check their health status.

And during that check we check things like HIV, hepatitis, typhoid etc. If you pin people down on just HIV and hepatitis, they will run away. Another problem is lack of counseling. When you do not counsel people, they run away from treatment. But when you counsel, let them know they can be there for as long as possible.

Show them people that are living and surviving with the virus.”

Nigeria has made progress — Ujah “Progress is being made by the global community through research efforts towards an effective AIDS Vaccine and Nigeria through NACA has commenced the process of planning for AIDS vaccine trials. With the current momentum and the commitment

•Prof Innocent Ujah, NIMR DG.

•L-R: From right; the Commercial Director, MSD West Africa, Mr. Kingsley, Moderator, Mr. Dapo Oyewole and Head Clinical of Services Department of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, at the University of Maryland, Prof. Ernest Ekong during the official presention of MSD Anti-Retroviral, ARV, drug - Atripla at a programme to mark this year’s World AIDS Day in Lagos

of the Federal Government and international partners, sufficient awareness is being created about HIV/AIDS prevention, control and treatment with prevention of mother-to-child transmission as a strategic option to reduce HIV/ AIDS prevalence, as well as the anti-stigma bill currently before the National Assembly.

It can be safely said that the awareness campaign is succeeding as the country has graduated from a state of hopelessness and helplessness with regard to HIV/ AIDS prevention and control to a situation where Nigerians living with HIV now have hope with great expectation and many of them live productive life and can reproduce with minimal fear of transmission of mother-to-child of the virus.” .

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Physician urges WGO to establish gastroenterology centre in Nigeria

C

HIEF Medical Director, needing training in gastroenter- residents/fellows rotate through Benue State University ology definitely needs a training such a center.”

The AMAGE congress also feaTeaching Hospital, Makurdi, Prof. center. Opportunities for training Abraham Malu has called on the the trainers will help develop tured several presentations from World Gastroenterology Organi- these centers, improve network- specialists on different digestive sation, WGO, to help establish a ing with other centers and WGO disorders said to be on the ingastroenterology centre in Ni- affiliates, help source for equip- crease as a result lifestyle changes geria to address the current chal- ment—videos, animated models, in Africa.

Speaking, Dr. Mary Afihene, a lenges faced by internal medicine etc. and provide trainers even on Physician Gstroenterologist at the visiting basis, specialists.

“This will also help establish Komfo Anokye Teaching HospiMaking the call at the AfricaMiddle East Association of Gas- and maintain standards through tal in Kumasi Ghana disclosed troenterology, AMAGE, held in the colleges, expand the scope that intestinal diseases such as Tinapa, Calabar, recently, Malu said the establishment of a WGO-assisted centre in Nigeria would help nurture core training centres for primary and advanced GI training in different parts of the country. According to him, there are only few trainers in different fields of gastroenterology and “very few with therapeutic endoscopy experience (such as) banding, injection of bleeding lesions, etc” He regretted that • Wife of the Osun State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (middle); Comthe nation was faced missioner for Health, Dr. Temitope Ilori ; wife of Chief of Staff, Mrs. Kafayat with the dearth of Oyetola; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega, and equipment which State Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV, Mr. Oladejo Ajibola , are suboptimal, during the 2012 World AIDS Day, in Osogbo. break down frequently and with no competent of training of fellows before they Gastroesophageal Reflux Dismaintenance personnel which he graduate (not just endoscopy, but ease, GERD is on the increase in said, often results in interrupted research, etc), establish an apex most parts of Africa as a result of services thus extending training institution which can comple- lifestyle changes among the peoperiods. ment the efforts of the different ple. “We are not eating right.” he His words, “Nigeria with its training centers and encourage added that Africans had jettisoned population and number of doctors training institutions to have their their normal diets rich in fruits and vegetables for the western fatty and oily diets which predispose them to obesity. For instance, she cited a study which reveals a prevalence of GERD in 26.34 perBY BUSOLA LIKOLO Development Goals, MDGs 2015 cent population of students in a Nigerian Medical college.

WELVE African countries will of reducing infant mortality in Africa as well as celebrating babies be represented today at the Breastfeeding Competition of 2012 born in Africa.

Odiboh said apart from the 5th African International Babycare breastfeeding contest, the Federal and Mothercare Pre-Xmas FestiRoad Safety Corps will be on hand

BY CHIOMA OBINNA val holding at the University of to demonstrate breastfeeding Abuja Teaching Hospital, CUMULATIVE 18,335 mothers the steps to take in enGwagwalada. persons including pregsuring the safety of their babies The Executive Director, AFRIBABY nant women and children, are while driving, in public transporINITIAVE, Mrs. Olayinka Odiboh currently accessing compretation or in emergency traffic situwho disclosed this listed the countries to include; South Africa, ations. The expo will also feature hensive HIV treatment care Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nannies’ Training and a sympo- and support at the Nigeria InEgypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Tu- sium entitled “Six Months Ma- stitute of Medical Research nisia, Morocco, Kenya, Uganda ternity Leave: In whose Inter- NIMR, Yaba, Lagos. This is est?” to be moderated by profes- coming on the heels of a reand Nigeria.

Odiboh who disclosed this while sional Pediatricians, Nutritionist cent report ranking Nigeria briefing the Chairman of and other specialists in the field eighth out of the 12 countries that have attained stability in AFRIBABY Initiative, Sir Chief of babycare.

The symposium is dedicated to HIV infections. At 0.9 per cent, Molade Okoya-Thomas and other members of the Board of Trustees the late President of the Grassroots the Institute’s Prevention of of the NGO on the programme of Association of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Mother to Child Transmission, event billed to run through 4th to Jummai Aduda, who was also the MTCT, programme is one of December 6th 2012, said the rep- Patron of AFRIBABY. Dignitaries the lowest in the country.

Though not strictly a hospiresentation of all African countries expected at the expo, include wife tal, NIMR quickly became one of the President, Her Excellency, at Abuja AFRIBABY Festival is to of the prime sites for compreDame Patience Goodluck justify the NGO’s continental objectives of promoting everything Jonathan who will serve as spe- hensive HIV care, treatment that is associated with babycare cial guest of honour and mother and support as a result of dedication and commitment of with reference to the Millennium of the day amongst others.

AFRIBABY pre-Xmas festival opens today in Abuja

T

MSD introduces new HIV drug, Atripla Continued from Page 37

We have set our number goal to be the number one healthcare partner in Nigeria in scaling up access to healthcare services and medicines,” he remarked.

Endorsing the product, Head Clinical of Services Department of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, at the University of Maryland, Prof. Ernest Ekong, noted that each component in Atripla has been shown to be effective and has a well established tolerability profile in HIV patients.

Ekong, said: “This one pill a day treatment for HIV is already globally available and represents a simplification of dosing which is important as patients remain on the therapy longer.

He said more than three million Nigerians are currently living with HIV but 1.5 million are confirmed eligible for ARVs. Ekong who noted that urban prevalence of HIV was higher than rural prevalence in Nigeria, further said: “Sub-Saharan Africa remains most severely affected, with nearly 1 in every 20 seconds (4.9 percent) living with HIV and accounting for 69 percent of the people living with HIV worldwide. Although the regional prevalence of HIV infection is nearly 25 times higher in Sub-Saharan Africa than in Asia, almost 5 million people are living with HIV in South-South-East and East Asia combined.

08126440209

Access Bank partners global organisations on Inside Story Continued from Page 36 the virus people can seek to know their status, to protect themselves, and to adhere to life-saving treatment if needed.” He used the occasion to call on other organisations to forge stronger alliances to put a stop to the AIDS pandemic.

According to him, the global AIDS response is a shared responsibility. With strong leadership from the United States, and continued partnership from the private sector, we are seizing the opportunity the science has presented us to move toward an AIDS-free generation.”

Stressing the importance of knowledge and awareness in the struggle against the HIV/AIDS, Aric Noboa, President Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and the Executive Producer, Inside Africa said “Knowledge is power, and with Inside Story we have a powerful tool with which to share the science of HIV, adding that Inside Story is an African film for African audiences that tackles a global pandemic. We’re honored to premiere the film here in South Africa, and thankful for the generous support of our partners”.

“Understanding HIV/AIDS is central to making healthy decisions, complying with treatment, and ending stigma and discrimination. This is the right time for Inside Story, an innovative approach to helping eradicate HIV/AIDS in Africa and beyond”, said Aric.

18,335 access HIV treatment at NIMR

A

staff. Director General, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah told Good Health Weekly that a level progress has been achieved in the fight against HIV &AIDS, but the global economic downturn and consequent donor fatigue was impacting negatively on ongoing efforts. He stressed the need for to scale up services to ensure that all infected persons are identified and enrolled into care and that all who are eligible for ARVs are getting them regularly and consistently.

“The goal of zero HIV related – deaths in the country are achievable, we must raise the momentum to increase the uptake of PMTCT by pregnant mothers if we must reduce the prevalence of new paediatric

HIV infection in Nigeria.”

Coordinator, Positive Life Organisation of Nigeria, NIMR Support group for people living with HIV& AIDS, Mr. Patrick Akpan identified poor funding as a major challenge and called on the three tiers of government to step up their response efforts by providing more fund on HIV projects as well as pass a Bill that would protect people living with HIV&AIDS against stigma and discrimination and ensure it is implemented.

Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Oliver Ezechi maintained that the world is on the last phase of the battle which is the elimination phase. He said the phase could be very prolonged or short depending on collective ability.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBERE 4, 2012—39

In The Cupboar d debuts on DVD

N 50 cent

Brooklyn Boys & Girls club agog as 50 Cent performs Crash concerts

R

ap superstar 50 Cent kicks off Yahoo!’s new Crash Concerts performance series with a surprise show at the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in Brooklyn, New York.

With G-Unit partner-inrhyme Tony Yayo and DJ Whoo Kid in tow, the “In The Club” rapper gives the group of more than 300 kids the afternoon of their lives, performing his hot new single, “New Day.” Before taking the stage, 50 Cent said he was nervous.

“It’s an opportunity for me

to influence the youth,” he said.

The kids went wild when the multiplatinum rapper emerged from backstage.

One girl said the event made her day. “Today is one of those days when you have bad days at school and you come to the Boys & Girls Club and see a celebrity which you don’t see everyday,” she said.

50 Cent’s Yahoo! Crash Concerts episode is the first in a series of secret shows from your favorite artists.

ate y,, w if e c e le b r e r s a rry ey D a rre y iv n n a g in d d e 6th w O G UN JI M I

BY O PE O LU W AN I

S

ix years down the line and both are still waxing stronger. Darey Art Alade and wife, Deola, who walked down the aisle in December 2006, recently celebrated their six years marital bliss.

Darey is a seasoned R&BSoul singer while Deola, is an interior decorator and label CEO. The marriage is blessed with two kids – a three-year-old boy, Femi and a baby girl ‘Tin Tin’ who was added into the family just this year Together, they have built the Soul Muzik label , same la-

Darey & wife bel which produced Darey’s last two albums ‘UnDareyted‘ and the double disc effort ‘Double Dare‘.

Last year they added another artiste rapper Mo’Eazy to their label and R&B singer Zaina in 2012.

Gangnam Style takes over the world

T

Psy

he whole world seems to have gone agog with Korean rapper, Psy ’s Gangnam Style video hit.

The video which has gone

viral since its release, has attained number one position online as the most watched video on YouTube.

‘Gangnam style’ surpassed Justin Bieber ’s ‘Baby’ by having 806.3 million views, approximately 2.4 million more than the Canadian singer’s 2010 hit.

An excited Psy himself announced the good news on social media Twitter.

ollywood actor cum producer, Desmond Elliot, has taking his game to the next level with the debut of blockbuster movie, In The Cupboard on DVD. In The Cupboard which has received 5 awards since its release in August, had its DVD released into the market on Monday, November 26, 2012.

In The Cupboard is a story that revolves around the lives of six siblings born into the rich, aristocratic De Souza family; a name synonymous with wealth and power. Everything seems perfect in their lives until their father dies unexpectedly and all of them gather together from different parts of the world to be with their mother, the elegant matriarch Veronica “Ronnie” DeSouza played by legendary actress, Biola Williams.

What ensues is a series of events that threatens to shake the family to its very foundations.

Asides stellar acting by most of the cast, Ini Edo, Uti Nwachukwu, winner BBA, Ghanaian Actress, Lydia Forson, Biola Williams, Alex Ekubo, and others, the movie tackles subjects that are hitherto seen as “taboo” in the Nigerian context. Issues like Lesbianism, drug use and adoption received the full beam of the Producer and somehow made those subjects more believable and real.

The inclusion of actors from

in-the-cupboard, Ghana and Senegal adds a true African authenticity that is becoming more prevalent as time goes on; and this definitely signals a positive development and perception for movies that come out of Africa.

Perhaps as a nod to the exceptional nature of “In the Cupboard.” The movie has received 5 awards since its release in August. It won Best

drama, Best Original Story, Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 GIAMA Awards in the USA. It also won the Most Promising Actor at the 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards.

Marketed under the Denziot Productions brand, the movie was produced and directed by Desmond Elliot and Co-Produced by Caroline Danjuma.

Lagos State Govt empowers film makers with Nollywood Upgrade workshops

I

n the bid to boost the qual ity of movies churned out from the Nigerian movie industry, Lagos State Government yesterday lent its support to the industry when it organised the first ever Nollywood Upgrade Training and workshops.

The project, which ends on Friday, December 7, kicked off yesterday, at PSSDC Magboro. It is powered through the state’s Innovate Lagos programme.

The empowerment project is also aimed at supporting and assisting the Nigerian Film Industry, currently ranked third globally, to withstand current challenges being presented by piracy.

The laudable initiative is the brainchild of Nollywood Workshops, a global NGO that empowers independent film-making through consistent professional training and production.

The Nollywood Workshops team is led by Aimee Corrigan, a film producer, new media strategist and digital educator.

Also on the team is, Bond Emeruwa, a prolific Nollywood filmmaker, former national president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and current chairman, Coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (CONGA).

Others are: Robert Caputo, a renowned National Geographic photographer and filmmaker with multiple feature films and Fracco Sacchi, who directs, produces and edits award winning films with focus on economic development.

According to the team, through a widely transparent application process, thousands of entries were received from mostly practicing filmmakers from all over the country.

“This workshops will cover core areas in Cinematography, Screenwriting, Post-Production, Directing, Sound, Acting and The Business of Film and Distribution, taught by leading global film professionals.

Participants were selected through a competitive and transparent application process that considered their experience, skills and willingness to train others in the industry.

The training team combines seasoned Nigerian and American filmmakers and trainers. Amongst them are Tunde Kelani, Kunle Afolayan, Cinematographer Ed Gutentag (credits include: War of the Worlds, Austin Powers, Forrest Gump), actor, Ekpenyong “Kepy” BasseyInyang, Screenwriter, Lee Zlotoff (MacGyver) and Producer Robert Caputo (National Geographic) among others.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

A SERIAL YOU MUST READ

The Public Service and the Transformation Agenda: Redefining the rules of engagement (2) Chief Philip C. Asiodu, CON, opened his lecture on public service , the challenges ahead, the need for a vision, the type of public sector required and the after-effects of the overthrow of the the Gowon administration in 1975.

TODAY....

"The President and national Leadership should find ways of continuously communicating to the general public their commitment and enthusiasm for the Transformation Agenda". With this, Chief Asiodu , in this second part of the serial, gives his recipe on the Transformation Agenda .

The Gowon overthrow (1975) The suffering, including the pre-mature death of scores of officials affected by the purge fuelled the resort to “make hay while the sun shines” an obvious euphemism for corruption which now threatens the future of the country.

3. The new Administration abandoned the implementation of the 1975 - 80 Plan with its great promise of creating the basis for economic diversification and industrialization. Some very significant new projects were embarked upon while some properly costed Plan projects were aborted or not started. More destructively the discipline of planning was abandoned.

This set the stage for the economic stagnation and the degradation of infrastructure, educational, health and other sectors over the next two and a half decades despite ‘the fairly high level of oil revenues compared with the Pre-Civil War situation.

The statistical data clearly illustrate this. Indeed the growth rate in the decade up to 1999 averaged only 2% per annum, while the population was growing at 3% per annum. tedUnder it the ministers, transient as they often were, could hire and fire civil servants; the functions of the Independent Public Service Commission were transferred to the ministries; the Minister replaced the Permanent Secretary, now re-styled Director-General, as the Accounting Officer of the Ministry. Although repealed in 1995 the great damage done to the Public Service under the decree still afflicts the Service.

Vision 20: 2020 And The Jonathan Transformation Agenda After the death of Gen. Abacha in

,

YESTERDAY

1998, democratic rule was hastily restored with the election and installation of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President in May 1999. Towards the end of his second term Goldman Sachs published a Report which listed Nigeria amongst 10 other countries, and which suggested that if Nigeria pursued all the right policies and achieved international competitiveness she could become one of the 20 largest economies in the World by 2025. The other countries are Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan and Turkey. We should note that even in this list we are No.7. In adopting the target of the Report, the Nigerian Authorities brought the date nearer by 5 years to 2020!

As I indicated earlier, the Government had prepared and launched the 15t Implementation Plan 2010 - 2013, otherwise called the 5th National Development Plan. This is now superseded by the Jonathan Transformation Agenda 2011 Transformation implies a complete change in form or character. I have described at great length the present situation in Nigeria and how we arrived there in order for us to appreciate the enormity of the tasks before us in undertaking the revolutionary changes required to achieve the desired transformation. The Jonathan Administration emphasizes “The need for a holistic transformation of the Nigerian State” and the imperatives of “continuity, consistency and commitment”.

In launching the Transformation Agenda the Government states that “The Transformation Agenda which is based and draws inspiration from the NV. 20 : 2020 and the 151 National Implementation Plan (NIP) aims to deepen the effects and provide a sense of direction for the current administration over the next four years. The Agenda is based on a set of priority policies and programmes which when implemented will transform the Nigerian Economy

However, the Government quite rightly states: “Nigeria’s inability to decisively tackle most development challenges such as poverty, unemployment, security, and deplorable state of infrastructure has been largely attributed to bad governance in all its ramifications.

,

Chief Philip Asiodu, CON: to meet the future needs of the Nigerian people”.

The Transformation Agenda as you all probably know envisages total investment of N40.75 Trillion in the period 2011 to 2015 broken down as follows: Public Sector 60% (N24.45 Trillion); Private Sector 40% (N16.30 Trillion) .

Within the Public Sector, Federal Government is expected to invest N12.86 Trillion while the States and LGAs will invest N11.5 Trillion. The bulk of the funding required must come from abroad. Such funding will flow in only when Nigeria has successfully addressed all the issues which will make her internationally competitive and these are mainly issues of good governance.

The Agenda has set out very good programmes and projects for human capital development, health sector, labour and productivity, the main growth sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, power, transportation, housing, ICT, FCT, Niger Delta, etc.

However, the Government quite rightly states: “Nigeria’s inability to decisively tackle most development challenges such as poverty, unemployment, security, and deplorable state of infrastructure has been largely attributed to bad governance in all its ramifications. These include political gov-

,

BY PHILIP ASIODU

The Agenda has set out very good programmes and projects for human capital development, health sector, labour and productivity, the main growth sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, power, transportation, housing, ICT, FCT, Niger Delta, etc.

,

ernance, economic governance, corporate governance and effectiveness.

During 2011 - 2015, the policies and programmes directed at addressing governance challenges will focus on the public service, security, law and order; the legislature; anti-corruption measures and institutions; the judiciary; economic coordination; and support for private investment”. I am quoting from a publication of the National Continues on page 41

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—41

A SERIAL YOU MUST READ

The Public Service and the Transformation Agenda: Redefining the rules of engagement (2)

What the President, leaders must do The President and national Leadership should find ways of continuously communicating to the general public their commitment and enthusiasm for the Transformation Agenda. I shall repeat some of the suggestions I made at another forum recently. Vigorous and disciplined implementation of the Jonathan Transformation Agenda, as well as leading the PDP and the nation to embrace all the aspects of good governance will launch Nigeria irreversibly on the path to unity and greatness. However, there are immediate difficult things which must be accomplished: The present post - 1998 political parties formed even more hastily than those in 1979 have no roots in past political parties and usages. They have not yet articulated long-term party visions for Nigerian Society or the Federal Country which they seek to administer. Most of our new politicians are not aware of the self-sacrifice, the patriotism, the idealism, the promise and commitment of the pre-independence politicians to improving the welfare of the broad masses after Independence nor do they know about the discipline and self-restraint required in managing the lean resources of preoil Nigerian. I mean no offence. No fault of theirs. Most of the comments on the past in our media since 1966 have been self-denigrating and abusive of the national psyche.

Let us remind ourselves that through-

achieve Vision 2020 and loftier goals beyond. Indeed, achieving the targets contained in Vision 20;2020 may take us beyond 2025. What is important is to embark earnestly on its implementation. The political pm1ies must become effective organs for selecting and disciplining candidates for positions in the executive and legislature all of them subscribing to the same policies and programmes for moving the na-

Chief Philip Asiodu, CON:

,

Planning Commission.

I am sorry to observe that the vast majority of Nigerians are not aware of the Transformation Agenda - its contents and what it means for them now and future. I am also not so sure how well the civil servants and the public service in general and even our legislators know the details of the Transformation Agenda. It is very necessary for the Government to give effective and sustained publicity to elicit the ‘buyin’ of the general citizenry.

The Transformation Agenda and the subsequent Implementation Plans for Vision 20 : 2020 should be publicized and canvassed continuously in many fora all over the country - in schools, universities, work places, barracks, professional societies, civil service clubs, social clubs, until the goals, objectives, targets, strategies, the sustained hard work and consistency required become accepted by the generality of our people. Vision 20: 2020 can and should be made the nation’s rallying anchor for years to come, transcending conflicting partisan interests just as the promise of Independence was a uniting anchor despite the partisan clashes before 1st October, 1960.

Indeed such a general commitment and buy-in by various stakeholders will put added pressure on the Public Service and other Agencies to deliver.

out British Colonial Rule the annual revenue of the Government never exceeded £40 million. It was under Balewa after Independence that it reached £50 million, and it rose to £100 million in the 2nd year of Gowon’s Administration and by then we were already engulfed in the Civil War. You can then try to imagine how frugally public funds were managed when you consider that the ports of Lagos, Warri,

Most of our new politicians are not aware of the self-sacrifice, the patriotism, the idealism, the promise and commitment of the pre-independence politicians to improving the welfare of the broad masses after Independence.

,

Port Harcourt, and Calabar, the 4000 miles of railways, the telegraph lines which crisscrossed the country from North to South and East to West the good schools which mine and earlier generations attended and from which we went direct to the best British, American and other universities · The political parties and the party system have to be re-invented and reengineered to become patriotic responsive vehicles for promoting the general welfare of all citizens and national greatness. They must adopt and believe in clear manifestos and programmes to promote national progress.

Indeed, it will be desirable for all of them to base their programmes on Vision 2020 and let partisan competition and differences be on how best to

tion forward. Only such reengineered political parties can help the President and his successors in achieving Vision 20;2020 and good governance. · The current epidemic of competitive corruption, and excessive greed amongst the political class and our elites in appropriating national resources to themselves must be stopped immediately. · The President should lead the nation to adopt and live with more realistic national remuneration scales for all those paid from the public purse.

Nigeria’s per capita income is only N300,000 per annum would suggest the following maximum figures for aggregate remuneration (basic salary + allowances) per annum- President N30 million. Governors N25 million.

Head of National Assembly, Judiciary, and Federal Ministers N24 million. · Proportionate reasonable adjustment of these figures down the various hierarchies. · Enhancement of present relative positions of certain groups like teachers. · Cost effective, transparent public procurement. Over 200% inflation of costs have been reported in some instances these days. · Return to the old values of patient, disciplined life-time career progression as opposed to the current craze to achieve billionaire status, if possible, before the age of 35.

Above all, a far-reaching rationalization of the Ministries and Agencies of Governments taking into account the Oronsanye Report. There must be a drastic reduction in the cost of governance at Federal, State and Local Gov-

ernment levels. Let us remind ourselves that the Federal Government of USA is run through 12 Departments (our equivalent of ministries) and no American State has more than 6 persons of the status of our state Commissioners. Here some states have more than 24 Commissioners and scores of Special Advisers and Special Assistants.

If above suggestions are strictly implemented, we would be aiming for target resource allocation of at least Recurrent to Capital ratio of 45 Recurrent, 55 capital, compared with the ratio of 74 Recurrent, 26 Capital in the Federal Budget of 2012.

Considerable resources will then be freed to be invested in Education, Power, Transportation, Health and other priority sectors in pursuance of the Transformation Agenda We must recall the example of Balewa, the Regional Premiers, and all the Ministers, who in 1962 at the launching of the 1962 - 68 National Plan took 10% cut in their salaries to signal the need for national savings to help finance the Plan. That measure brought the salary of a Federal Minister below that of a Federal Permanent Secretary!

,

Continues from page 40

We must recall the example of Balewa, the Regional Premiers, and all the Ministers, who in 1962 at the launching of the 1962 - 68 National Plan took 10% cut in their salaries to signal the need for national savings to help finance the Plan.

,

I should add that in the First Republic, the salaries of a Professor, Federal Permanent Secretary and Federal Minister were about equal. A Federal Legislator who was part time then earned about 1/3 of the Minister’s figure. Compare the position today!

The Private Sector in Nigeria also needs to improve corporate governance and to rein in excessive Executive Greed. Some of the charges in court against some bank managers, for example, made me extremely sad.

*Text of Mohammed Uwais Public Service Award Lecture at The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies on September 12, 2012. ....Continues Tomorrow

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Anambra 2014: Collateral damages If a man ever personified a political party in Nigeria, that man was Chief Chekwas Okorie, whose name was ingrained in the constitution of the All Progressive Peoples Alliance, APGA as its national chairman. Even at that, he was outwitted by Chief Victor Umeh who dethroned him. Now Umeh is enmeshed in his own battle for control of the party.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

T

HE setting was a press conference following a national executive committee meeting of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA some three years ago at the Chelsea Hotel, Abuja. Chief Victor Umeh, the national chairman of the party sat at the head of the table and party officials fawned over him. His authority over the party was unquestioned as one party official curtsied, another sought his approval just as Umeh sometimes harried one official or another. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC following a political solution at the instance of the party’s national leader, Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu had not long ago certified the Umeh faction of the party as the recognised faction.

Umeh’s authority over APGA was further confirmed after the 2011 general elections when the party ’s reach was extended from Anambra State to Imo State where the party picked the governorship and a senate seat.

Expectations that the party should follow up the remarkable victory in Imo by positioning itself as the party of Ndigbo have now been beclouded by the battle of wits between senior officials of the party.

Umeh’s one time grip on the party is now being contested in a vicious power struggle that it is feared in certain quarters could pull down the foundations of the party and destroy the prospects of APGA becoming the voice and face of the Southeast.

Umeh’s power is being contested by a rival faction of the party which emerged following a factional meeting of the National Working Committee, NWC meeting of the party last June. The faction, headed by the Deputy National Chairman, North, Alhaji Sadiq Massala has since the development been engaging Umeh in the courts over the validity of their claims.

In an interview with

•Umeh: Embattled national chairman

•Obi: Who succeeds him?

Vanguard following the development, Massala had said: “Umeh was a sole administrator of APGA. He always challenged anybody to dare to ask question about the way he was running the party.

The other weapon he always used was suspension of members who challenged him.”

“The one-man show continued until recently when we called a meeting and said it was enough and we suspended him and the national secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, from the party. We also set up a seven-man committee to look at the 13 issues we raised against them,” he said.

Umeh was quick to counter their claims and the superiority of their arguments against him.

“They were sponsored to disrupt the party. These five people have been under watch and they have not succeeded in wooing the other NWC members. Ordinarily, their actions would not require any response, but, we want to inform the party members who might be deceived by their actions that all what they did were illegal, null, void and have no effect whatsoever. As you can see, I am still in my office,” Umeh stressed.

Before the Masalla eruption, Umeh had suffered a string of attacks in the media by aides of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, the first governor elected on the platform of the party. The main agent of the attacks was Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, the Special Adviser on Parks and Markets to the governor, a member of the second republic Anambra State House of Assembly who is also Governor Obi’s uncle At the centre of the crisis is the alleged attempt by the party’s first elected governor, Mr. Obi and some of his associates to supplant Umeh as national chairman.

The crux of the battle is allegedly the future political direction of the state after Governor Obi whose second term in office is expected to end in 2014.

Umeh, according to some sources is said to be supportive of oil billionaire, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah as a successor to Mr. Obi. While Umeh has not been openly quoted to have made the declaration of his support for Ubah, sources disclosed that Ubah who has on his own engaged in several philanthropic gestures in Anambra State has been able to build up a structure that has won him some respect from several political stakeholders

•Ubah: Suffering the collateral damage? that it is believed may have shaken the confidence of the political associates of Obi who may not be supportive of Ubah.

Remarkably, Ubah as at present has not come out to lay claim to any political ambition but sources close to him assert that with his wealth he would not be quiet in any way when support is needed from him to help his people.

Even though Obi has not made his opinion on the issue of his successor public, it is generally believed that Ubah is definitely not in his

calculations. It is not surprising then that Ubah is now largely said to be the financial muscle behind the Umeh faction giving him the muscle to square off with the crowd around Obi. Remarkably, the unfolding events that have beclouded Ubah, the boss of Capital Oil and Gas Limited are allegedly partly attributed to his connections with Umeh.

If Umeh is not, then Ubah now engaged in the battle of his life over ownership of his company, is then a collateral damage of the intrigues in APGA.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—43

AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP:

Intrigues won't derail us — Sen Umoyo SENATOR Etang Umoyo was a third republic senator from Akwa Ibom State. Now a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he alleges that the recent resignation of Chief Nsima Ekere as deputy governor was part of a larger conspiracy to stop his people in Eket Senatorial District from aspiring for the governorship of the state in 2015.

BY STANLEY OKOLIE

W

HAT is your reaction to the resignation of Chief Nsima Ekere as Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State?

We received it with mixed feelings and it is not unconnected with the intrigues in politics and the agitation of Eket Senatorial district that the governorship should shift to Eket Senatorial district in 2015, other senatorial districts in the state having had their own turns.

Since the creation of the state 25 years ago, Eket Senatorial district is the only senatorial district which has not produced the governor of the state and we have said so, boldly and firmly and assertively that justice be done at the end of the day. All these intrigues, blackmails are necessary accompaniments of the game and we shall survive in the end. It shall not deter anybody to demand for their own rights.

It is done everywhere. The

other day, Senator Liyel Imoke, the governor of Cross River State came out very clearly to say that in Cross River State that the Southern Senatorial district has produced a governor in the person of Donald Duke and that the Central Senatorial District is now having its turn and that in 2015, that he is going to hand over to somebody from the Northern Senatorial District in order to have peace, equity, fairness, unity and sense of justice which he had been working for even before he became governor of Cross River State.

We expect our own governor to do the same thing and we believe that at the appropriate time he would do the same thing to say that power should shift to Eket in the interest of peace and harmony. The party position is clear on this. The secretary of the party, Olagunsoye Oyinola said it that zoning is alive in the party and that they would continue to maintain it. So, on zoning we stand.

You say Ekere’s resignation

•Sen Umoyo...Eket senatorial district not deterred had to do with the aspiration of your people. So, do you believe he was dissatisfied with the zone’s failure to produce a governor?

Yes, he was dissatisfied, although he had not come out to say as some people have done, to say that he is contesting. He didn’t campaign openly for example as Umanah Umanah, who is Secretary to the Government is doing, but somehow, because of his body

language they suspect that he is doing something and they went after him because of that.

So, was the governor part of this plot against him?

I can't say for sure. I cannot say what I do not know, but there were other big interests.

Like who and who?

Like those in the House of Assembly, like those other aspirants, especially those from Uyo Senatorial District.

So, are you deterred by this?

We are not deterred. This will not discourage us and if anything, it is going to redouble our resolve. Power is not given to you, you take power and we have all that there is to take power. We produce the resources needed to run a state, we have the largest number of local governments, we have 12 local government areas, we have 127 wards, we have the population, we have the resources and these are the two key ingredients guiding any polity and we say that as a right that it is our turn and no matter the intrigues, no matter the obstacle, we shall overcome and produce governor come 2015.

We have the right sort of people, experienced, tested, knowledgeable, who can run the state as effectively as being done by Akpabio and if not more. So, we can never be deterred. If anything, seeing that they don’t want us, we are going to redouble our determination.

There were speculations that the Speaker was also about to be removed. Why? The Speaker is from Etinan in Uyo Senatorial District. Yes, there was a plot to remove him and it was not unconnected to the 2015 election because they think that he does not support somebody who feels that it is his birthright.

Respite for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway?

BY JOE IGBOKWE F there are indices to measure how low we have sunk into in matters of leadership in Nigeria for years now, I think the conditions of Lagos – Ibadan-Shagamu – Benin , Onitsha – Enugu , Enugu – Port Harcourt expressways etc will tell the story better.

You do not need to go too far to measure the depth of our leadership crisis in Nigeria for nearly four decades. Our problem has not been money, it has not been bad weather or bad soil, it is the failure of a people to come to terms with those who govern them.

Lagos – Ibadan expressway was commissioned almost 40 years ago when there were not too many vehicles in Nigeria.

Under our own very eyes, things began to change; economic activities increased, population increased, vehicles increased, houses, churches,

I

industries etc increased on the corridor but that road has remained like that for nearly forty years.

The criminal neglect of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway and other federal roads in Nigeria has lingered on with a huge price.

Billions have been lost, thousands of lives lost, millions of man hours lost. For 13 years since 1999 we have been talking about Lagos – Ibadan and Shagamu – Benin expressways, the busiest in the country.

Former President Obasanjo and the late President Umaru Yar’Adua saw the disaster and said that actions will be seen on these critical roads but all to no avail. Soon, we began to hear about Bi-Courtney and the concession agreement with the Federal Government signed since 2009.

For three years Bi-Courtney

has been speaking from both sides of the mouth offering one reason or the other why work has not started on this critical road. Two years ago I began to notice mobilization of men and equipment on Lagos – Ibadan expressway only for them to vanish into the thin air. What we continued to see are signboards telling motorists that work will commence soon on the road.

The ‘soon’ has winded to years and the road continues to decay to an unbearable state.

It is only in Nigeria that this kind absurdity can take place.

It is only in Nigeria that this kind of impunity will be tolerated. It is only in Nigeria that we do not use sanctions or punishment to call people to order.

The truth is that if the economy of Nigeria is to be propped up quickly, we need to invest seriously on critical

infrastructure like roads and power. The failure of the federal Government to reconstruct and rebuild Lagos – Ibadan and Shagamu – Benin roads has drastically reduced the rising economic strength of Lagos State .

Realizing the potential damage these unattended critical roads have brought to the economy of Lagos and South West states, ACN Governors met few weeks back to begin plans of building an alternative road to the existing Lagos – Ibadan expressway.

Perhaps, the Federal Government was rattled by this decision and now decided to act even though belated.

The time you wake up from sleep is your morning. If after 13 years of democracy the PDP controlled Federal Government is now realizing that Lagos – Ibadan and Shagamu – Benin roads need to be fixed quickly,

•Obasanjo: former president

I say good morning PDP. We expect such quick and decisive actions on the many dilapidated federal roads in Nigeria; be it the ApapaOshodi Expressway or the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.

And Nigerians demand that for once, this government should match its words with action.

Igbokwe is the publicity secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Lagos State

44— Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

HE 59 year-old Mile 12 to Ikorodu dual carriageway scheduled for expansion seems jinxed because the mobilisation of contractors to site by the state government not withstanding, the wait has to continue The delay in the take off of the project is due to some issues which needed to be sorted out between Lagos state and the Federal Government.

However, the consideration for compensation, it was learnt is already currently being worked out by the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in collaboration with the state Land Bureau to genuinely identify those whose properties had been marked for demolition as well as obtain relevant documents inclusive of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Approved Building Plans and related papers for assessment, and subsequent compensation.

Meantime, commuters continue to suffer on a road referred to in local parlance as the international headquarters of ‘go slow’ The planned expansion of the road includes extending the existing Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, corridor from Mile 12 to Ikorodu town.

The existing roadway consists of a two- lane dual carriageway expected to be expanded to three lanes with a BRT scheme designed to be implemented as median running with bilateral bus stations configurations linked by bridges for pedestrian access.

The major infrastructure provisions of the multi million Naira project include: 15 BRT bus sta-

N29bn World Bank Mile 12- Ikorodu Commuters continue to groan LAMATA to review planned design As stakeholders raise fresh issues tions, three terminals-to be located at Mile 12, Agric and Ikorodu, 9 new bridges, 7 pedestrian bridges to access BRT stations, 9 pedestrian crossing points, 12 new U-turns to allow for traffic going towards Lagos and Ikorodu, lane markings, signal junctions and streetlights. The project is scheduled to be completed within two years.

The project is targeted to create more than 2,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs for residents, especially the residents of Ikorodu as well as improve the environment with less pollution from the Green House Gas along the corridor to be reduced by 16 percent.

256 BRT buses would be provided and estimated to carry about 160,000 passengers per day, and would operate from 6am to 10p.m daily.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on the project last Thursday, the Managing Director, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stressed that the project is divided into three Lots with Lot I and II already awarded and work commenced.

He said the road on completion would transform the face of transportation in and out of Iko-

rodu not only by shortening travel time, but reduce significantly the high fare being charged on the road by existing commercial bus operators.

As work begun on the expansion work on the 13.5 kilometre Mile12-Ikorodu Road project, estimated to gulp N29 billion, Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA, the supervising authority of the project has expressed possible review of the planned design to accommodate some of the demands raised by stakeholders.

Responding during the interactive session, Mr Gbenga Dairo,

Why the project and the choice of the corridor:

*The project is needed to provide quality, accessible and affordable mass transport system to the people of Ikorodu Town, community and commercial areas along the corridor *This corridor links the fast growing Ikorodu town to major activity centre such as Ikeja, Oshodi and the Island. *It is presently in a deplorable condition with perennial flooding. *The project would facilitate transit oriented developments around the Ikorodu corridor and hence generate employment in the much needed area *Build upon the existing BRT and develop an integrated network of BRT’s in Lagos state as a whole

Beware, Lagos underground water is polluted •Fashola raises alarm

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

G

overnor Babatunde Fash ola of Lagos state has raised the alarm over the indiscriminate disposal of domestic and human waste by residents of the state, saying “the act has polluted the underground water in the state.”

Fashola who raised the concern during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in the Lagos-West senatorial district, said that the domestic waste generated by citizens of the state are not disposed into the septic tank rather they are disposed carelessly.

According to him, “With all the chemicals going into the underground water, it, therefore, does not surprise me the incidence of strange diseases among the people today such

as cancer, bronchitis, kidney failure and other strange ailments”, adding, “Our environment is becoming increasingly toxic”.

Explaining that most of the wastes, especially organic wastes, being dumped indiscriminately is affecting the underground water from which water is extracted when boreholes are sunk, Fashola declared.

According to him, the underground water in the state is not safe for human consumption because the indecent disposal of domestic and human waste generated daily is polluting the underground water.

The governor also added that the waste disposed by the Lagosians have gain access into the underground water which has led to adequate treatment

Director Operations of LAMATA, noted that with the yearnings and demands from the stakeholders, the project might slightly be adjusted to accommodate other features raised by concern residents, but subject to approval of the state government, “we are committed to serving your needs because the whole essence of the project is for the good of the general public.”

He assured that the project would not be hampered by lack of fund as the fund needed had been secured from the World Bank and would be released in tranches as work progresses.

Abandoned corpses litter Lagos roads daily

BY BOSE ADELAJA

W

Gov. Fashola

of the underground water before consumption.

Fashola added that the domestic waste generated within the state get easy access to the underground water because the underground water in the state is high.

HO is officially re sponsible for the removal of corpses found in public places in Lagos?.

Is it the Police, fire services, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority LASEMA, National Emergency Management Authority NEMA, the community development associations or the local government.?

This question came to mind last Monday when Vanguard came across a corpse precisely at Ojubode junction in Ikorodu.

This corpse was lying at the centre of the road with some parts of the body like the neck and waist mutilated.

It was in shorts without shirt soaked in the pool of

his own blood.

The scene generated controversies and no one could precisely tell what brought about the ugly development.

While some residents of the area told Vanguard that they suspected it was dumped there at the middle of the night, passers-by said it could be a victim of ritual killing but the mystery was that nobody could precisely identify him.

Vanguard observed that the scene of the incident was not far from the suspected authorities who were supposed to remove the corpse as it was located in less than two minuted drive to Ikorodu local government adjacent to Ikorodu General Hospital The most annoying thing was that the corpse was there for two days decomposing.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 45

road expansion project jinxed?

Graveyard silence after Ilaje, Ajah communal clash

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

P

OLICE authorities in Lagos have been put on their toes to restore palpable peace to Ajah community, following recent communal crisis between Ilaje and Ajah indigenes that broke out, as Ilaje youths, who were brutally attacked last Wednesday by Ajah indigenes, have vowed to avenge the death of their people. The clash was sequel to a disagreement over tolls at motor parks, as the two parties laid claim to con-

trol of the parks.

Ajah indigenes alleged that the Ilajes are settlers and as such have no right over toll collection in the area, adding that they could only be co-opted through the indigenes permission. The argument led to a face-off whereby dangerous weapons were freely used.

In the wake of the clash, three people from Ilaje were reportedly killed and about 12 houses razed by Ajah indigenes.

This infuriated Ilaje youths and vowed to unleash reprisal attacks

Residents fleeing their homes.

any moment and it was gathered that unless adequate compensations were paid for those killed, Ajah would boil again anytime.

With the concerted moves by elders of the community to mend fences and the need to sheath the swords, the youths were adamant on retaliating the action they viewed as taking advantage of them. “We will fight back with anything,” Also, it was gathered that Ajah youths were not leaving any stone unturned to curtail any possible reprisal attack. Last Friday again, a minor clash broke out but was quickly put under check by the police.

However, when Vanguard visited major parts of the area yesterday, were deserted as most people especially the youths have relocated to another places for fear of being killed in the fight while armed security state’s personnel were seen patroling the areas to ward off any ugly incident.

How it started

All hell was let loose last Monday, when the Ilaje Waterside community of Ajah, on Lagos Island witnessed free for all.

It was gathered that the Ilaje, being the main settlers in the area, wanted total control of the boundary and the collection of tolls from the motor park but the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, objected to it; saying being settlers in an area does not confer control of parks and toll collections.

This angered the Ilaje who believed that the decision of the union was influenced by the Ajah people who allegedly had three of their indigenes as principal officers of the union.

Trouble, however, started when some Ilaje youths allegedly attacked the Ajah people, injuring their monarch, Baale Ojupon Alani, and two other chiefs.

According to a source the Ilaje waterside people got reinforcement from their neighbouring kit

and kin for support because of their low population against the Ajah indigenes.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ngozi Braide, said the fight broke out early Monday morning and that police officers were quickly deployed to the area to maintain the peace.

Braide, however, said she could not confirm if anybody died in the incident, stressing that the area was now calm.

The PPRO said: “The fight broke out early hours of today (Wednesday) and our men from Ajah division and surrounding divisions, including men of Rapid Respond Squad, RRS, were quickly deployed to the scene.

“They were able to bring the situation under control and arrested two persons with two pump action machine guns.”

She, however, added that the suspects had been transferred to the State Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS.

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY DECEMBER 04, 2012

When intimacy refuses to bind (5)

E

mmanuel, (29), Sur veyor, has been living alone for the last three years. His wife insists she cannot endure a sexual relationship with him. Why? His account: After they were discharged from the hospital, Bola returned to her parents’ for further care on the order of her mother. I later heard that they said they could not trust me to keep my hands off her and that they do not want a repeat of what happened before.

I was disappointed, but

maybe not as much as my parents and siblings were.

They insisted that if Bola needed care, it ought to be at either our matrimonial home or my parents’ home since we were legally married in every way possible in the eyes of God and

,

HI, a lot have been said about sex.

Its ordained by God for procreation and recreation between a man and his wife.

It has been described as the lubricating oil for a healthy,intimate relationship. Sex has also been ascribed some therapeutic and rejuvinating powers.

The more sex a couple has the better for them and their relationship.

However, this is not always the case in many relationships.

Sex, which ought to be freely given and enjoyed between a man and his wife may sometimes turn them into enemies, eventually destroying their otherwise great marriage and relationship.

In this article, our respondents share with us, their stories and how it affected their lives.

Please, feel free to share your experience or that of someone you know with us too. It might be benefitial to someone out there.

Our address remains: The Human Angle, Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos.

E-mail address: humananglepage@yahoo.com.

Happy reading!

she relocates back home.

Though I was happy to have them back, things did not change. We continued to live together like strangers. Sometimes she will relax but most of the time, she had a scowl on her face. All her attention was

My mother said all her efforts to make Bola’s mum see reason with her failed as she insisted that marriage was not only about sex and enjoyment

man. Bola was now our responsibility and not her parents’. But their argument did not hold much water and Bola and our daughter remained at her parents’. She did not return home until she was due to resume back at work after the expiration of her maternity leave.

Before this time, all sorts of rumours had been making rounds in the family circle and even in the church and my place of work. Bola had not been attending our own church but had been following her parents to their family church.

At first, it made sense to me, but my people did not see it that way. Being with them did not mean we were no longer a family and we ought to worship at th same place people insisted. This was also another source of embarrassment for me as I had to constantly make up excuses for her absence.

The visit by the Pastor’s wife and the Woman Leader to Bola at her parents’ house did not yield any result too as she only told them she will return when

,

on the baby and her work, nothing more.

If I made to touch her, all hell will break lose. She was not ready. She was scared. She wants the baby to grow older. She does not want to have another baby.

There was no excuse under the sun that she did not cook up. Eventually, almost three months after her return, I had to confess to my parents, the Pastor and a few friends that nothing had changed. I just needed help.

How can I be married and still not be allowed to enjoy myself?

However, at the church, all I was being told was that I had to be patient. It takes a lot of patience to be a good husband. It was because we are both young and inexperienced. Soon, they began to sound like music from a broken record, annoying.

Back at work, things were not as encouraging too, as friends and colleagues were also asking questions which I did not have adequate answers for. As for my family, the story was not much different.

My mother especially,

became rather impatient with the whole arrangement. She soon concluded after her visit to Bola’s parents to discuss the issue once again, that her parents were aiding her in dodging her marital responsibility.

According to her, her discussion with Bola’s mother proved to her that Bola’s excuses were echoes of her mother’s words. She said Bola’s mother was uncooperative about seeking help for the problem and only kept enphasising on the fact that she was not ready to have her daughter maimed or killed because of sex or marriage.

Bola’s mother told my mother that she is the one who knows how she suffered to have her daughter and raise her as a good woman.

She will not stand by and watch while someone will kill her in her prime over nothing.

She insisted that because of my peculiar problem and the fact that Bola had to be operated upon and her illness after, she would not want her to be rough handled for any reason for now.

According to her, women who undergo such operations cannot have another child until after two years at least, so, there ought to be no hurry about resuming sex.

My mother said all her efforts to make Bola’s mum see reason with her failed as she insisted that marriage was not only about sex and enjoyment. It was more about companionship, endurance, living godly lives, worship and making heaven.

She asked my mother how many times one needs to have sex to make children, adding that sex is not food.

My mother concluded that she had always suspected that Bola’s mother wielded some powers over her father, but she did not realise how much until that day.

That the mother did not allow the father a chance to even contribute to the matter and the man promptly excused himself, insisting it was women’s talk.

To be continued Asisted by Onozure Dania

Friends Searching Males

•Austine, 28, resides in Abuja, needs a girl, aged

20-26, who is beautiful, a graduate, either employed or self employed, for a relationship.07037487804 •Desmond, 31, handsome, a graduate, gainfully employed and a businessman, needs a lovely girl, aged 18-30, for a serious relationship.08064261877, 08157040267 •Prince, handsome and resides in Warri, needs a tall, beautiful, sexy and God fearing lady, aged 1825, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.08160402267 •Destiny, 23, tall and handsome, a student from Delta state, needs a Christian girl, aged 16-24, for a serious relationship.07069662550 •Sly, needs a beautiful and employed lady, from either Calabar or Akwa Ibom, for a serious relationship that may lead to marriage. 07039241027 •Kene, 30,needs a lady, aged 30-50, for a relationship. 07068054587, 08092394416 •Filda, 23, fat, sexy, beautiful and fun loving, needs

an older lady, aged 28-40, for a serious relationship.08055323331 •Billy, 40, needs a mature, responsible, busty and fat lady, aged 35-40, for marriage.08025227158 •Kunle, 30, dark in complexion and resides in Warri, needs a sexy and romantic lady, aged 25-40, who

•Dear readers, please note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests on the Lovezone that may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public.

Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

How to know when you are in love

BY ONOZURE DANIA

FOR thousands of years, the feeling of being in love has been described as one of the most beautiful things ever. A person ‘in love’ is optimistic, humane and most importantly has the ability to love a fellow human being. All through a person’s life, you will love many people, including parents, relatives, siblings, friends, etc.

However, being in love, is different from loving all those around you. Love is very difficult to describe.

This subtle feeling may occur because of a single look, smell, words and appearance can change the way you feel about someone.

Though most of the time, it is the physical appearance that plays a huge role and initially attracts someone to you. However, love is not just a physical attraction, it is as spiritual and emotional as physical.

Therefore, if people do not show the love to each other spiritually, the physical attraction may wear off soon.

When you are in love, you will feel a strong bond between you and the other person. You will always be on the lookout for this person. You will be happy whenever the person you are in love with acknowledges you. This acknowledgement could be a mere look, a polite nod and so on, it could be just anything.The feeling of being in love is one of the most beautiful of them all.

You will find that everything around you seems bright, sunny, optimistic, happy, etc. Being in love is a unique experience all human being should undergo. The experience can teach us, make us to reach new heights in maintaining and nurturing relationship.

It is difficult to conceal love from others especially when the person you love

is around you. People who know you well will immediately notice the difference in your attitude. When you are in love, there is no way you can hide your feelings.

As much as you may try, you will end up expressing love one way or the other.

Your being in love however should be conveyed to the right person perfectly.

Again, in matters of the heart, the faster you convey the better it is. There are many ways you can convey these feelings. However, you should know whether this person nurtures similar feelings towards you or not. You can know whether or not you are in love with a person.You can simply use some practical knowledge and divine signals.

This can be conveyed to you successfully through a counsellor. They can use the information or photograph of the person and summon special energies for letting you know whether the person you are in love with is in love with you too.

Your Councillor can guide you, during this time of deep confusion. You will also know whether or not if this love is a reality or it is simply infatuation which will wear off in no time.

With the help of a Counsellor, you will also know the right time for letting this person know about your feelings. You can also know whether or not the person you are interested in is not really in love with someone else.

Your being in love is precious. You should try and see a Counsellor, because they can guide you aptly and help you out of the confusion. You will also know clearly whether or not you should go ahead with love.

It would always be better if you can gain help from a genuine counsellor and gain help in precious matters of the heart.

is caring and loving within Delta state, for a relationship.08081785173 •Dayo, 62, a businessman, resides in Lagos, needs a responsible, God fearing and a Christian lady, who is 5.7ft tall, for a lasting companionship, aged 40-50. 08051895980, 08021209401 •Daniel, 27, resides in Edo state, needs a good girl, aged 19-24, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage.07066436606 •Bryan, 24, tall, handsome and dark in complexion, needs a comfortable and beautiful lady, for a serious and fun filled love affair.08162359770 •Fred, tall, handsome and comfortable, needs a beautiful and sexy lady in PH, for a relationship with benefits.08061560575 •Umar, slim, light in complexion, average height, employed and from Kaduna state, but resides in Lagos, needs a nice, descent lady, who is God fearing and employed, for a relationship.

08055408811

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; Similar to yesterday but, today more emphasis’ll be on money. Thus those of you who are more financially ambitious’ll have better and rewarding day than others. However that is not to say you should neglect your health.

SCORPIO; Positive things are happening from (and around) you. The more enterprising you are the better for you today. And some of you will be mixing business & pleasure without harm. Lovers can have their way moderately.

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when things’ll go according to your plans. And you’re advised to hit very hard not minding minor pressure from your base.

CAPRICORN; Once again success would come if you experiment with good ideas rightly at the right time. Those of you travelling are in for an exciting day.

AQUARIUS; Early part of the day may bring you good opportunity along your business/business lines. Work and your health must be taken very seriously

—47

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

believe you have heard of the word ‘heaven’. My question now is where is heaven? Is it a geographical expression or a spiritual condition?

This was a question thrown at me recently

Where is heaven? in one of my teachings.

My attempt to answer that heaven as above was met by yet another question – which above? Where is above?

The general belief is that heaven is above.

The basis of the Chris-

TERROR MUDA

tian religion is Christ crucifixion and resurrection. If you believe Christ resurrected, then where did He resurrect to? Could He have resurrected from earth to earth? Resurrection connotes moving from a lower plain

in “Never say goodbye”

to a higher plain. If God is in heaven (as indicated by Christ … our Father who art in heaven) and God is above, it therefore means that heaven being the seat of God is above.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; Like yesterday the Moon will operate from your Star sign again to the betterment of your cause.

Think of both your immediate and far future now.

ARIES You can still count on the supports of your tried and trusted friends. But it’s imperative you keep secrets as much as you can positively do.

TAURUS; The more receptive and willing you are to give and take co-operation the better for you today. It’s wrong of you to neglect your friends in need now.

GEMINI; You’ll have the needed opportunity to consolidate on progress you have recorded yesterday along your career/business lines. Try to work harder.

CANCER; Element of luck will work favourably for you. Therefore you’re advised to expand the scope of your tentacle for better results. It’s another fairly favourable day for lovers who are more enterprising today.

LEO; Joining forces with other people is not a sin but it’s important everybody knows the clear term of the venture , be it of short or longer duration. Be very practical.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; Many of you’ll travel either physically or within your mind; whichever one you’re involved with the out come will be favourable. Be more receptive, especially if your priority is commercial success. Take your new ideas more seriously today.

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,

Success for me?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in your Astrological counselling. Kindly tell me everything about myself, especially my finance and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should I do to make it happen quickly.

John, Lagos.

Dear John, There are indications of financial success for you but you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in your letter) Certainly however no failure for you.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world.

Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of becoming A Professor will come to reality.

Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political.

Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn, you are not giving to serious frivolity. One major challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life which looks not totally balanced.

Basically you are a family minded person. You are equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault making love-business very interesting. And unless you are more careful and determined you may marry more than once.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Voters checking their names on the voters register, at Badarwa Ward polling centre,during last Saturday's council election in Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

From left: Director-General, Nigeria Fren ch Language Village, Prof.

Samuel Aje, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha and Director of Kings College, Otunba Dele Olapeju, at the 20th annisversary public lecrture of the Nigeria French Language Village in Lagos.

PDP to woo members back to party

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—THE Na tional Working Committee, NWC, of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, would soon embark on a nation-wide tour to woo former members back to the party, the Acting National Zonal Chairman of the party in the Northeast zone, Mohammed Wakil, has said.

Wakil said the party

would embark on the reconciliation tour to put it in a strong position to win the 2015 general election.

He said the PDP would emerge victorious in the forthcoming election because it will ensure that the elections are free and fair unlike what was experienced in 2011 general elections where there were lots of cases of electoral malpractices and rigging.

He expressed concern over alleged marginalisation of the North East in the scheme of things, saying that some positions which were supposed to be filled by people from the zone had been taken over by people from other zones.

Wakil who spoke to newsmen on the issue in Bauchi, after a meeting with other zonal executive members, said that the position of the

Deputy Senate President was unjustly taken from the North East and zoned to the South East, and attributed the backwardness of the region to marginalisation.

He however blamed the security challenges in the region as well as unemployment, poverty, educational backwardness among others on lack of unity among the leaders of the area.

2015: Era of election rigging over, says Jonathan's aide capital, he admonished present Governor, Mr.

BY VICTORIA EDEMA

A

WKA—AS the Inde pendent National Electoral Commission, INEC, prepares for the 2015 election, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations, Senator Ben Obi, has said that “the era of rigging election and snatching of ballot boxes is over.’’

He said that there would be improvement in the conduct of elections in the country until Nigeria got to the desired destination.

Obi spoke during the seventh Awka Day Celebration in Lagos.

He said: ‘’We should bear in mind that Nigerian election now meets international standard.

Yet there is still room for improvement to get to the desired destination.”

On the development of Awka, the Anambra State

indigenes living in Lagos to contribute their quota to move the capital one step further, and not to rely on what had been done previously since the creation of Anambra State adding that although the

NEW BABY AFTER 19YRS: Cleric tasks politicians on gratitude to God showing appreciation to

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—SENIOR pastor of Power of Life World Outreach, Ughelli, Delta State, Pastor M. A. Obuks, has urged Nigerian politicians to show gratitude to God and their political benefactors.

Obuks, who spoke during the thanksgiving service of the caretaker committee chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Chief Friday Akpoyibo, who was blessed with a son after 19 years of marriage, said there was reward in

Winners emerge in KBF spelling competition

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE BUJA—WINNERS emerged, last weekend, in the second edition of Kings Benefits Foundation, KBF, spelling Bee competition held in Abuja.

The three winners are; Rebecca Peter, from Talita Cumi orphanage home (first position); Esther

A

Peter Obi, has done well for the people of the state, more were still expected of him and advised the people of the area to complement the efforts of the government to increase the pace of development of the area.

Gbemileke, from FCT Unity school (second position) and Pelumi Odusonya (third position).

The three winners went home with N150,000, N75,000 and N50,000 in that order and a set of desk top computer each.

Three winners emerged after beating 42 other contestants.

Presenting the awards,

the Founder of the foundation, Mrs. Joy Ogiemwonyi said that the gesture was informed by the desire to give the less privileged, vulnerable and orphanage children the opportunity to access formal education so as to realise their talents, regain self esteem and be better placed to compete with their peers anywhere in the world.

God and man.

Noting that God gave man the ability to be great, he stressed the need for people to be guided by the love of God. He enjoined the people to have the fear of God and “be dedicated to the work of God and we must learn to forgive ourselves.”

Chief Akpoyibo thanked God for blessing him with a son after 19 years of marriage and also making it possible for him to be chairman of the Ughelli council.

Thanking the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Olorogun Ovie Omo-Agege, whom he describedashispoliticalmentorand leader for finding him worthy to serve, he said; “God has used Governor Uduaghan and OmoAgege to lift me up.

Martins charges Christians on use of ICT for evangelism

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

L

AGOS—THE Catho lic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins has advised Nigerians to imbibe the culture of using modern technology and their resources to preach the gospel and promote human values.

Speaking during the commissioning, first convocation and award ceremony of Centre for Media Development, CMD, in Lagos, Bishop Adewale who did not only extol the power of the media for evangeli-

sation also encouraged Christians to embrace it and use it positively for the propagation of gospel and betterment of the society.

Appreciating the effort of Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who inaugurated the centre two years ago, Martins said the centre is significant in the life of Catholic Church especially in the archdiocese of Lagos. He added that the centre will serve as an added advantage in preaching the gospel.

Integrity confab for Port Harcourt

P

ORT HARCOURT— Proven Integrity Communication Networks Ltd, Publishers of Integrity International Magazine is organising her fifth International Leadership Conference on Development in Nigeria The programme which is slated for December 20, 2012 in Port Harcourt, will attract stakeholders in leadership circles across the African conti-

nent and beyond who are expected to rub minds on issues affecting Leadership and Good Governance in Africa.

The conference lecturewith the theme ‘’Factors Accounting for Africa’s Stunted Growth; Nigeria as an Example and the way forward,” will be delivered by Prof. E.T Eshett, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State.

Bureau allays fears over flood impct on agricuture

A

BUJA—NATIONAL Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has confirmed the position of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, that the recent flooding of some farmland across 12 states in the country notwithstanding, the country would not experience any food crisis.

In its third quarter 2012, Gross Domestic Productivity, GDP, report, the national statistical agency said its

analysis suggested that the impact of the recent flood in some parts of the country would not be severe in view of the fact that each crop type had a gestation period.

The Bureau’s findings confirmed the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina’s position that there had been exaggeration of the impact of the floods on crop production in the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—49

L-R: Gen. Lonsdale Adeoye, Director Rehabilitation, |Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, representing the permanent secretary and the representative of Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Fuyinsola Oyebola at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities organised by MTN Foundation in Abuja yesterday.

Days of Boko Haram over soon —DG SSS ••Says sect now a business venture

By CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA—DIREC TOR General of the Department of State Security, Ekpenyong Ita, yesterday, assured that the service and other security agencies are working with other stakeholders including the media towards ensuring that the activities of the Boko Haram sect are brought under total control for peace to reign in the country.

Ita who gave the assurance at the opening of a one week training programe for media practitioners in Abuja, disclosed that activities of the sect have turned to a full scale business venture for its leaders. According to him, recent discovery of the main objective of the terrorist group runs contrary to the earlier claims by the group that they are actually fighting a religious war.

Criminal activities The group he said actually started as an extremist religious group under the late Mohammed Yusuf, but later transformed into a business venture, as the sect members are now make good living out of their criminal activities.

Assuring Nigerian public of the capability and readiness of the security agencies in the country to restore peace, Mr. Ita noted that activities of the group have not in anyway overwhelmed them. He declared: “ we are not overwhelmed, we can never be overwhelmed

and we will never be overwhelmed. We are up to the task”.

He said that despite continued bombing of innocent persons across the northern region of the country he assured that the group will soon be put out of business, describing the group as enemies of the common man which should be jointly fought by all and sundry.

Armed robbery Giving an insight into activities of the group, he disclosed that the service has confirmed from some high ranking members of the group that they mainly engage in armed robbery and share the loot with the leaders taking the lion share. Explaining how the loot are shared, he said that “ what is brought in is divided into five portions with the leader given a portion and the rest four divided among those who took part in the robbery, while a portion will be given to alleged widows, the less privileged and as well, the elderly.

“However, the four groups aside the leaders are forced to pay “zakat” which in turn are remitted into the account of the leaders who use such proceeds to purchase exotic cars and flaunt their wealth which run contrary to the tenet of Islam which they allegedly profess."

He appealed to the media to contribute to the fight against the group by stifling the terrorist group of publicity which he not-

ed, they crave to instil fear into the minds of the citizens.

According to him, terrorists across the world take delight and grow when they are given publicity as he urged media house owners and practitioners to stop giving “oxygen” to the terrorists, who will die with force mounted on them by the security operatives and as well, ably supported by media blank out.

He noted that national security should be paramount in the minds of practitioners as media owners can only flourish and enjoy the fruits of their labour in a society devoid of crisis and insecurity.

In his presentation, the guest speaker, Alhaji Musa Maiyaki, Acting Director General of Nigeria Television Authority said that there is the need for cooperation among stakeholders especially the media and security agencies to an end the activities of the evil group to restore peace and stability to the nation.

First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (l) with the chairman, South-South traditional rulers council, Dr. Edmund Daukoru during a condolence visit at Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday

Newswatch: Founding directors ask court to dismiss Jimoh Ibrahim's suit

BY INNOCENT ANABA

M

R Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade, founding directors of Newswatch Magazine, yesterday, asked Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to dismiss a suit by chairman of the company, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, contending that the suit was an attempt to waste the time of the court.

Ibrahim, had sued the founding directors over the Share Purchase Agreement of Newswatch magazine.

Ekpu and others were removed from the board of the company in October on the grounds of their alleged failure to comply with obligations incumbent upon them under the Share Purchase Agreement.

The founding directors of the magazine, argued at the resumed hearing in the matter, through their counsel, that there was no where in the Share Purchase

Agreement that states that parties can or cannot declare trade dispute outside the agreement.

According to them, Ibrahim’s suit disclosed no cause of action, as what he (Ibrahim) did was to create an imaginary dispute and rush to court, further contending that the agreement provides that parties have the right to terminate same (agreement).

But Ibrahim prayed the court to dismiss the preliminary objection, contending that since Ekpu and other directors of Newswatch had resigned and sold the company, they no longer have the power and mandate to continue to act as directors or remain on the board of the company.

He argued that the founding directors lacked the power to declare trade dispute as contained in their letter to Ibrahim, because they are no longer owners of the company, contending that the fact that Ekpu and others continue to act

Group lauds amnesty programme, warns detractors

N

IGER Delta Buck ingham Palace, a civil society organisation has commended the presidential amnesty programme, for the recent approval for the inclusion of additional 3,642 former militants into the amnesty programme.

It warned detractors of the programme, not to frustrate the good intention of government.

The group in a statement by its Secretary, Mr Brown Ogei, said, “we wish to applaud the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, under

Mr Kingsley Kuku. It is instructive to note that under Kuku, the amnesty programme has become one of the most efficiently run agencies of the Federal Government.

“In particular, we want to alert members of the public of the on-going plot by political charlants in some states in the Niger Delta, particularly Ondo State, to unleash a media war against Kuku and the Presidential Amnesty Office.

“We wish to remind the Federal Government that the Niger Delta struggle was not for the proclama-

tion of amnesty and the establishment of a post-amnesty programme, but the struggle was about development of a region that is giving so much to Nigeria.

“Now that PAP under Kuku has aided the stabilization of security conditions in the Niger Delta, it is the expectation of all discerning people of the Niger Delta that both the Federal and State Governments as well the oil and gas multinationals will move in to provide the desperately needed infrastructure in the zone, so as to stimulate development,” he added.

as directors after they resigned was enough cause of action to maintain the suit.

The plaintiffs are contending in the suit that the said Share Purchase Agreement requires Ekpu and others to have “appropriate shares” to be on the board of the company, adding that Section 7.0 of the Share Purchase Agreement also provides that “parties agree that the founding members of the company retiring could take up appointments as consulting editors, up to a period of two years, or membership of the board, where appropriate.”

Share acquisition The share acquisition by Ray Ekpu and others, according to the company, grossly fell short of both the requirement of Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA and the provisions of the SPA, hence the decision of the company that they were not eligible to continue occupying the offices of directors on the board.

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, adjourned till December 7, 2012, for parties to re-adopt their oral and written addresses, before adjourning for ruling, noting that in view of the fact that judgment or ruling must be delivered within 90 days after parties had adopted their written addresses and because there are many pending cases before him for judgment and ruling, parties needed to come back to re-adopt their addresses so that ruling can be delivered within the 90 days period.

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Nigeria now prime investment destination in Africa, says Aganga level of trade and investBY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

A

BUJA—THE Fed eral Government said, yesterday, that Nigeria was now the number one investment destination in Africa; with a foreign direct investment, FDI, inflow of $8.9 billion in 2011, representing about 16 per cent of Africa’s total estimate of $55billion.

This came as Nigeria and the United States of America renewed their commitments towards strengthening relationships in economics, trade and investment, with special focus on non-oil exports.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who disclosed this at the seventh US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Agreement Council Meeting in Abuja, said: “In terms of Foreign Direct Investments, Nigeria is now the number one investment destination in Africa; recording FDI inflow of $8.9 billion in 2011, about 16 per cent of Africa’s total, estimated at $55billion.

Resource advantage “However, we must turn the nation’s resource advantage and investment opportunities into economic fortune, and the US-Nigeria TIFA provides a good window for achieving this. The United States, for instance, is the world’s number one in manufacturing, particularly in those sectors we have prioritized under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, such as the iron and steel, aluminium, automobile and petrochemical sectors, among others. This means there is already a good foundation for a win-win trade and investment collaboration between the two countries.”

Aganga said that given the current global economic meltdown, trade and investment remained the only potent tool for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth globally.

He added that there was need for the country and the United States to deepen their trade and investment relations, especially in areas where both countries had comparative and competitive advantage.

The US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA), signed in 2000, establishes the framework for structured

dialogue on Trade, Intellectual Property Rights, flow of investment as well as partnership for cooperation and collaboration between the economic operators of the two countries.

He said: “All over the world, presidents and policy makers have agreed that there is only one tool that can lead to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. That tool today, is trade and investment. Nigeria is indeed the United States’ largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is largely due to the high level of trade in petroleum products, which accounts for nearly 46 per cent of

Nigeria’s daily oil production and ranks Nigeria the 5th largest exporter of oil to the United States.

“This indicates clearly that the Nigeria-US bilateral trading activities evolve around oil and gas, particularly Nigeria’s export to the United States. This highlights the need to accelerate the growth of non-oil trade between the two countries for inclusive economic growth and development.” Speaking during the event, the Assistant United States Trade Representative, Ms. Florizella Liser, said that the US would work with Nigeria to enhance the current

ment between the two countries.

Liser said: “We recognise that there are inhibitions to the expansion of trade and investment between Nigeria and the United States. There are a number of issues relating to increased trade and investment between the two countries as well as improving the investment environment in Nigeria, which this meeting has addressed. Mr. Aganga has already taken the lead by going around the world to promote investment opportunities in Nigeria, not only in the oil and gas sector but also in the manufacturing and others sectors.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—51

Winners emerge in UBA National essay contest

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

T

HREE students have emerged winners in the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Foundation National Essay Competition 2012 for secondary school students in Nigeria out of 2,847 entries in which there were 12 finalists. At the grand finale/ award presentation ceremony, yesterday, at UBA House, Marina, Lagos, the Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzorka presented prizes to all the 12 finalists and the top three. They are Ikenna Ugwuebulam who came first, Chisom Nwaezeuoke, second runner-up and Arokoruba Cheetham-West as first runner up.

They won N1million, N700,000 and N500,000 respectively with Laptops and certificates. The winners will be known as UBA Ambassadors-Designate. Three professors from first generation universities in the country constituted the Panel of Assessors who selected the winners from nearly 3,000 entries. These were Professor Ralph Akinfeleye of University of Lagos who chaired the panel, Professor Sam Onuigbo of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Professor Nasidi Yakubu of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The competition was conceived as a measuring tool which availed students in senior secondary schools in Nigeria opportunity to win laptops and prize money in the form of educational grants to assist their university education.

Mr. Uzorka, in his welcome address said the objectives of the initiative, among others, is to restore the dwindling writing culture because many student are not writing well nor speaking good.

He noted that many youths now use SMS to write which is adversely affecting their ability to write good English. Uzorka explained that there were nearly 3,000 validated entries from secondary schools students which werenarroweddownto12andthen the final three. He disclosed that the competition would be extended to cover other West Africa countries including the Franco-phone states.

According to him, this gesture has put UBA as one of the few institutions in the country that takes education to mean getting the best out of our children who are acknowledged as future leaders, and without quality education, this dream becomes a herculean task and almost unattainable. Present were parents and guardians of the students, Mrs. Somefun, Ijeoma Asso who is the chairman of UBA Foundation and anchors the bank’s CSR, while the special guest of honour was Mr. Bismarck Rewane, the MD of Financial Derivatives.

Dana crash: We will fully compensate victims’ families —USIDAMEN

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

F

AMILIES and de pendents of victims of the June 3, Dana Air crash have been assured they will be paid full compensation in accordance with the law and available evidence.

Dana Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Tony Usidamen, who gave the assurance in a statement entitled “Dana Air Press Statement on Payment of Insurance Benefits to Families” said com-

pensation will be paid to those properly entitled at the earliest opportunity.

The statement said: “The present position is that 80 advance payments of US$30,000 have been processed by virtue of documentation supplied demonstrating familial links and kinship; our insurers are continuing to deal with all other claims in accordance with the applicable law.”

Refuting reports that Dana Air and its insurers had refused to

pay statutory compensation to families of victims of the tragic incident, the company’s spokesperson explained that to assess and verify full compensation due and payable, it is necessary for claimants to produce therequired Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration.

He said: “To date, Letters of Administration have been produced by only a small number of claimants.

However, these need to be verified by the Probate Office who issued them. This is custom-

ary procedure and an important requirement in order to ensure that just compensation is only paid to those who have entitlement.”

Further, Usidamen said: “Dana Air has no control over the speed with which the Probate Office deals with the verification process, although maximum pressure is being exerted to expedite this.

Subject to verification, full compensation will be paid to those properly entitled in accordance with the law and available evidence at the earliest opportunity.”

52 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—53

FORD: From right— Mr. Raju Sawlani, Executive Director, Coscharis Motors; Ms Laura Oloyede, General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, Cutler Ogilvy Public Relations, and Mr. Yomi Olowu, Head of Operations, Lekki Branch, Briscoe Ford, at the launch of Ford environmental grant in Lagos.

PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

Fuel queue in Abuja, yesterday.

Vigilante outfit seeks partnership with Lagos

A

security outfit, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, has urged Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to partner with to reduce the crime rate in the state to zero level.

Speaking, yesterday, in his office at Ejigbo, the Lagos State VGN Commander, Prince Ademola Akerepa, said his organisation was ready to complement the efforts of the state government in making the state a real centre of excellence in every aspect of life, especially security.

He said: “We will like to appeal to the governor to consider partnering with VGN and assign it a particular responsibility as far as security is concerned; right from the grassroots.

“I can assure you that within one year of our recognition and partnership with the state government, our achievements would be so much that other states would be willing to pay any amount to learn how Lagos is doing it.”

Akerepa said when his group earlier attempted to meet with the state governor for introduction, it was directed to his Special Adviser on Security Matters, who in turn advised it should go and work first before any consideration.

He said: “That was in February. We have since been working and records of our brilliant performances with the police speak volumes of our competence and seriousness in security matters.”

Tributes at Aworinde's 5th memorial

L

ATE Dr. Ise-Oluwa Aworinde has been described as an astute medical practitioner, philanthropist and socialite, who lived a life that was not separated from the love of God. Speaking at the fifth memorial service for late Aworinde and the presentation of his biography in Lagos, weekend, Chairman of the occasion, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, who is also the chairman of Niemeth Pharmaceuticals Plc., called on Nigerians to emulate the life of the late Aworinde who he said lived a godly life and practiced his profession and other vocations with godly principles.

He noted that as a medical doctor, the late Aworinde showed love

for fellow human beings and took good care of those who came in contact with him.

He said Aworinde founded the St Paul’s Senior Citizens Foundation, which has continued to help the elderly since its establishment in 2002.

In her speech, Cofounder of St Paul’s Senior Citizens Foundation and Chairman of May Clinics Ltd, Mrs. Esther Aworinde, called on public-spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of St Paul’s Citizens by donating landed property where they can build recreational facilities for the senior citizens.

She said St Paul’s Senior Citizens Foundation started with 18 members in 2002 and now have 200.

Defence Minister woos EU on counter-terrorism

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA—MINISTER of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada has said the European Union, EU, can come to the aid of the Nigerian military in the areas of intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism training and modern technology used in diffusing improvised explosive devices, IEDS. She spoke while receiving the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr. Gilles De Kerchove, in

her office.

The minister said these were vital areas in which the EU counter-terrorism office can support Nigeria for her to checkmate insecurity and terrorism challenges facing the nation.

She commended the counter-terrorism chief for showing interest in how Nigeria can scale through the present terrorism huddles.

Obada said: “This is about the third time you are visiting Nigeria to find out how the EU can be of assistance to solv-

ing this problem.”

Earlier, Mr. De Kerchove said he was in the country to discuss latest developments and efforts at fighting insecurity and terrorism because of the importance of Nigeria in the efforts to achieve world peace.

He said counter-terrorism component of the EU was created in 1994 after the Madrid bombings in Europe, adding that EU was ready to support Nigeria in counter-terrorism training.

He said: “We would like to know how we can

support the Nigerian Army in particular and the Joint Task Forces be cause we know they are involved and doing a lot to checkmate the insecurity and terrorism challenges.

“We are also aware that you are participating in the ECOWAS force that is being put in place to reclaim the territory of Mali that has fallen into the hands of rebels in that country.

“We would like to know the areas where you feel we can support your country.”

NCC wants NIGCOMSAT Bill dropped T

ELECOM regulatory authority, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has requested the Senate to discontinue any consideration of the proposed bill on the Nigerian Communications Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, as it is contradictory to existing telecommunications laws, and would be inimical to the stability of the sector if passed into law.

Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management of NCC, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, made the submission to the joint public hearing by the Senate Committee on Communications and Science and Technology, with a strong opposition to the Bill.

He said: “The Commission opposes in its entirety, the passage of the Bill by the National Assembly.

“The Bill serves to add nothing positive to the current state of the industry but will destabilise and distort the achievements, which the industry has recorded in terms of regulatory certainty, investor encouragement and healthy competition.”

In line with the clamour by the Ministry of Communications and other stakeholders, Mr. Itanyi said a privatised NIGCOMSAT can seek any license it wishes to operate to provide whatever service it intends to provide from the regulator.

He said currently, the company is a licensee of the NCC, wondering what difference the bill will deliver to the company.

The bill, which is already interpreted as a bad omen for the telecommunications industry, and tantamount to the National Assembly

issuing telecom licenses to government agencies, against the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, is also opposed by the Communications Technology Ministry, which supervises NIGCOMSAT, as well as the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mr. Itanyi indicated that the provision on the bill for NIGCOMSAT to manage and operate frequency bands as well as designing and operation of communications satellite with respect to telephony, television, radio, broadcasting, broadband internet services, navigation, global positioning system or any other activities or facilities of like nature, together with the transmitters, tele-ports, transponders, earth stations, terminal, antenna and frequency band is an overwhelming contra-

diction.

He said: “Section 121 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, already provides that ‘Notwithstanding the provision of any other written law but subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall have the sole and exclusive power to manage and administer the frequency spectrum for the communications sector and in that regard to grant licenses for and regulate the use of the said frequency.’

Itanyi said the provision that empowers NIGCOMSAT to provide for the bandwidth requirements of government agencies on commercial basis also contradicts the provision of Section 121 of NCA Act, while also conflicting with government’s policies on space development and ICT growth.

54 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 55

56 — Vanguard,

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Clinton lobbies Czech over nuclear power project U

.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lobbied the Czech government yesterday to approve an American bid for a $10 billion expansion of a nuclear power plant amid fierce competition from a rival Russian offer.

Clinton made her pitch for the American energy giant Westinghouse Electric Co. in meetings with Prime Minister Petr Necas and other senior

Czech officials in Prague.

Speaking to reporters, she stressed the need for the Czech Republic to wean itself off of a dependency on Russia for fuel.

“We are encouraging the Czech Republic to diversify its energy sources and suppliers,” Clinton said. “Given how long-term and strategic this investment is, the Czech people deserve the best value, the most

•Clinton tested and trustworthy technology, an outstanding safety record, responsible and a c c o u n t a b l e

management.”

The Czechs get 60 percent of their oil, 70 percent of their natural gas and all of their nuclear reactor fuel from Russia. That leaves the NATO member highly susceptible to economic and political pressure from Moscow, which dominated the Central European country from the end of World War II to the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Judicial council to oversee Egypt’s referendum Egypt’s Supreme Judicial Council has cleared the way for a referendum on a new constitution which President Mohamed Mursi hopes will end a political crisis that has split the country.

Already, some judges had called for their colleagues to shun the

•Mursi December 15 plebiscite, which must be supervised by the judiciary like all

elections in Egypt. But the council’s decision suggests enough officials can be mobilized to oversee the vote.

“The Supreme Judicial Council has met and agreed to delegate judges to oversee the constitutional referendum,” Mohamed Gadallah, a legal adviser

to Mursi, told Reuters yesterday even as State media also reported the decision of the council.

Gadallah said about 10,000 members of the judiciary are needed for the monitoring. These do not all have to be judges and could include officials in prosecutors’ offices for example.

British Royals expect new member T HE most eagerly awaited pregnancy was announced yesterday by St. James Palace on behalf of Middleton and her husband Prince William.

The child, whether boy or girl, will eventually be heir to the British throne according to new legislation awaiting final approval.

The duchess was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital today in central London with h y p e r e m e s i s gravidarum, an acute morning sickness which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients, the palace said. ”As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter,” the statement said. The royal family was clearly delighted with the news.

“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby,” the palace said in a statement today.

“The Queen, The Duke

Revitalizing the Temelin nuclear power plant is a big part of the Czech agenda to radically boost its nuclear power production, defying global skepticism about the use of atomic energy in the aftermath of last year’s

meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima plant. And the Obama administration is hoping to get some of the windfall by securing Westinghouse’s bid. The project could generate 9,000 American jobs, U.S. officials said.

Russia, China dissuade N/Korea on rocket launch

R

USSIA and China urged North Korea yesterday not to go ahead with a plan for its second rocket launch of 2012, with Moscow saying any such move would violate restrictions imposed by the U.N. Security Council.

North Korea’s state news agency on Saturday announced the decision to launch another space satellite and reportedly told neighbors it would take a similar path to that planned for a failed rocket launch in April.

“We urgently appeal to the government (of North Korea) to reconsider the decision

to launch a rocket,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

North Korea has notified the U.N. shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization, about the launch, which was scheduled to take place between December 10 and December 22.

Japan orders check on tunnels

J

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make an official visit to The Guildhall on November 28, 2012 in Cambridge

APANESE officials yesterday ordered the immediate inspection of tunnels across the country after nine people were killed when concrete ceiling slabs fell from the roof of a highway tunnel onto moving vehicles below.

Nigeria, U.S conclude investment talks

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, FOREIGN AFFAIRS EDITOR

N

IGERIA and the United States yesterday ended their meeting to draft a agreement for Trade and Investment between the two countries. The meeting which took place in Abuja came as the US ambassador Mr. Terrence McCaulley began a four city campaign to promote the concept of doing business in Nigeria. The Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun

Olutoyin Aganga led the Nigerian team to the talks while the US team was led by the Assistant Trade Representative for Africa Florizelle B. Liser . The

two sides examined the progress made during the seventh meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)

Council. They alsoseveral common objectives, including market access, cooperation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), issues .

Syria denies chemical weapon use as UN staff leave

T

HE United Nations said yesterday that it was suspending its aid operations in Syria and withdrawing all nonessential international staff due to the worsening

security situation. Up to 25 of about 100 foreign staff could leave this week, it said, adding that more armored vehicles were needed after attacks in recent weeks on humanitarian aid convoys and the hijacking of goods

or vehicles. Some convoys had been caught in crossfire between Syrian government and rebel forces, including an incident near the airport in which two staff were injured, it said.

Those killed in Sunday’s accident were traveling in three vehicles in the 4.7-kilometer (3mile) long Sasago Tunnel about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Tokyo. The tunnel, on a highway that links the capital to central Japan, opened in 1977 and is one of many in the mountainous country.

The transport ministry ordered that inspections be carried out immediately on 49 other tunnels around the country that are either on highways or roads managed by the central government and of similar construction.

Police and the highway operator Central Japan Expressway Co. were investigating why the concrete slabs in the Sasago Tunnel collapsed.

An inspection of the tunnel’s roof in September found nothing amiss, according to Satoshi Noguchi, a company official.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012—57

Oil subsidy fraud: Hope Democratic Party accuses Jonathan of diversion of funds *Asks court to compel him to publicly declare assets *PDP oppose suit, seeks its dismissal

By IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—HOPE Democratic Party, HDP, has dragged President Goodluck Jonathan before the Federal High Court,sitting in Abuja alleging that he used children of chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to illegally diverted over N160billion from the national treasury through fuel subsidy scam.

The plaintiff who filed the case alongside its national chairman, Chief Ambrose Owuru, further alleged that it was due to threat by some proxies used in perpetuating the fraud, to expose President Jonathan and his top aides involved in the scam, that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, keeps tampering and withdrawing charges against some of the high profile suspects.

Most expensive presidential election The party told the court that bulk of the looted funds were channeled into the 2011 presidential election, adding that “the said election was characterized by large scale vote buying, highly monetized and corrupted election campaign largely reported as the most expensive presidential election in Nigeria.”

The plaintiffs are consequently asking the court to determine, among them “whether the AGF withdrawals and termination of cases against some select high profile subsidy fraud suspects, who threaten to expose Jonathan and his aides over their contributions and sharing of N160 billion of the slush fund to the 1st defendant’s 2011 presidential election campaign funds is not political, and an admission of complicity in the crime as alleged and a violation of the constitutional powers of the AGF under the laws.

“Whether where the exercise of the powers of the AGF is shown to be politically motivated and is coloured by partisanship, the 5th defendant, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, is

bound to obey such and drop charges against suspects of financial crimes and such directives/orders not liable to be questioned by the court.

“Whether the 1st and 2nd defendants have not violated the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended having shown to allow personal interest to influence their official conduct and decisions in light of the revelations of their involvement in the N160billion contribution into Jonathan campaign fund by the oil subsidy suspects under trial.

Oil suspects under trial “Whether the 1st defendant can be deemed to have begun to perform the functions of the office of the president without a declaration of his assets in compliance with section 140 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“Whether the oath of office administered on the 1st defendant on assumption of office is not a violation of section 140 of the 1999 constitution as amended, the first defendant having publicly announced he cannot declare his assets as required by section 140 of 1999 constitution to enable him begin to perform the function of the office of the president of Nigeria.”

Besides President Jonathan and the AGF, others joined in the suit are the PDP, INEC, and Senate President.

The plaintiffs, told the court that “the present min-

isters of Petroleum, Niger Delta and Aviation and current presidential senior media adviser were persons used by the 1st defendant to engage the electoral system as the first two used their public office for influence peddling and pecuniary advantage in favour of the 1st defendant's electoral victory under his watch and approvals and as the current media adviser was used to prevent public debate with the 1st defendant, who debated alone before the election as records have shown.”

Meanwhile, PDP has filed preliminary objection against the suit, arguing that President Jonathan, “enjoys immunity from civil and criminal process.”

According to PDP, “the propriety or otherwise of the 2011 presidential election, subject matter of this suit, is a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, while breaches of the code of conduct in relation to declaration or non-declaration of assets are matters constitutionally entrusted to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal.

“This suit constitutes an abuse of process to the extent that plaintiffs question the propriety or otherwise of the election of the 1st defendant in the 2011 general election. The suit, to the extent that it challenges the 2011 presidential election is statute barred. The power of the AGF to withdraw or discontinue criminal prosecutions cannot be questioned.”

L-r: Mr Hamant Nahar, National sales Manager Nobel Carpets and Rugs, Mr Ibrahim Taiwo Isiaka, Winner of the Promo, with him, Mrs Bunmi Odunoye, Assistant sales Manager, at the Nobel Carpets and Rugs presentation of cheque and other items to winners of win and win bonanza Promo, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Capital Market: Govt announces forbearance for Stock Brokers, removes stamp duty and VAT

By NOEL ONOJA

A

S part of its attempt to resuscitate the capital market, the Federal Government, yesterday, announced the forbearance of about N22.6 billion on the margin loans of 84 stock brokers, in accordance with Section 6(5) of the AMCON Act. It also announced the elimination of stamp duties and VAT on stock market transaction fees.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala told newsmen that in furtherance of AMCON’s clean-up of the banking sector, it was necessary to wipe off the debt overhang in the capital market, as it was dampening market activity.

She said: “Let me state clearly that this forbearance will be accompanied with sanctions to discourage excessive borrowing

behaviour by capital market operators in the future.

AMCON had purchased the margin loans from banks for about N42.6 billion, but the value of the underlying assets or collateral is worth only N19.96 billion today”.

The Minister, however, noted that sanctions that will follow the forbearance will include the prohibition from services to AMCON as Brokers benefiting from forbearance will not be allowed to provide any professional services to AMCON for a period not less than three years; Greater disclosure whereby firms will be required to reveal to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), any dealings in any security valued at a minimum of N25 million executed in a single deal or multiple deals on the same day on behalf of their clients. Limit on debt financing as part of their net capital requirement, no broker that has received forbearance shall

permit his aggregate indebtedness to exceed 100 percent of his net capital; also report to Credit Bureaus details of the firms will be forwarded to the Credit Bureau Agency. On Use of Custodians, she said there will be a strict requirement that imposes separation of assets and control for brokerage services and/or future margin facilities through the use of custodians; and on trading restrictions, she noted that the brokers will be prohibited from taking proprietary positions or trade on their own account for one year.

Second measure As part of the second measure taken to support the Capital Market, Dr. Iweala said: “Taxes on stock exchange transactions fees are as high as 12 percent (five percent in VAT and up to seven percent in stamp duties) – much higher than in other jurisdic-

tions, and these constitute a major disincentive to invest in the Nigerian capital market. I will like to announce that the Federal Government has consented to waive the 0.075 percent stamp duties payable on stock exchange transaction fees; and to exempt from VAT, commissions: (a) earned on traded values of shares, (b) payable to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and (c) payable to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS); by including these commissions in the list of VAT-exempt goods and services”.

Some of these measures are taken off the recommendation of the Moghalu Committee set about a month ago by the Minister of Finance to look into some of the issues bedeviling the Nigerian Capital Market.

The committee was headed by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Mogha-

lu.

It will be recalled that activity on the Nigerian Capital Market, particularly the stock exchange, has been very slow in the aftermath of the global financial meltdown and the Nigerian banking crisis. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All Share Index (ASI) plummeted from a peak of about 66,000 points in March 2008 to less than 22,000 points by January 2009, wiping out over N8 trillion (or around 70 percent) of the total capitalization of the stock exchange within this period. Since then, activity on the stock market has remained sluggish though there are some signs of recovery, with the index now at about 26,494 through efforts of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Nigerian stock brokers under the umbrella of Association of Stock Broking House of Nigeria (AS-

HON) reacting through the Chairman, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, said the measures taken by the government was welcomed and would go a long way to encourage the growth of the capital market. He disclosed that the over N400billion margin loan crisis and the controversy surrounding the issue of stockbroking firms’ huge indebtedness to banks have been resolved.

Madubuike said: “ASHON is committed to increasing local investors’ participation in the capital market which currently stands at N5million to N70million, making up about 60 per cent of the country’s population. He added that discussions with the relevant stakeholders have reached an advanced stage stressing that a resolution has been reached and it would be announced before the weekend.”

The Association during the weekend also resolved to stop doing business in the Northern part of the country due to the insecurity situation currently being witnessed in that part of the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 59

TODAY'S MATCHES Dinamo Zagreb v Kiev 8.45 PSG v Porto 8.45 Montpellier v Schalke 8.45 Olympiakos v Arsenal 8.45 AC Milan v Zenit 8.45pm Malaga v Anderlecht 8.45 Borussia Dortmund v Man City 8.45 Real Madrid v Ajax 8.45pm

Shakhtar keen to see off Juve S

•Lucescu

Marchisio: Juve have to beat Shakhtar C

LAUDIO Marchisio has urged Juventus not to settle for a draw in Wednesday’s Champions League match away to Shakhtar Donetsk. ”A draw is not what we’re after. It’s a risk for both teams to play for a draw. We have to go there to play our own game and try to win the match,” Marchisio was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. ”We are aware of their quality. They sit atop of the group and are the strongest team we have faced so far. It’s true that we put in a great performance against Chelsea, but we aren’t there yet. ”It will not be an easy game and we will have to put in a performance similar to the one against Chelsea. We have to remain cautious and cannot let them surprise us.”

•Toure

Toure out of Dortmund duel

M

ANCHESTER City will be without midfield talisman Yaya Toure when they travel to Germany for Tonight’s

UEFA Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

The towering Ivorian is suspended for a match that City will still be wanting to win so they can feature in Europa League football. Their Champions League hopes are, however, extinguished.

Mourinho: My future is that I’ll have my 101st Champions League match today

J

•Marchisio

Wenger rests regulars for Olympiacos tie

A

•Wenger

HAKHTAR Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu says that his men will always go into matches to come out victorious ahead of the Champions League clash against Juentus. ”Shakhtar is always there to win,” the 67year-old told Tuttosport.

“If the [game on] Wednesday will end in a tie, it will mean that it was fate." ”The fact that we are playing against Juve should be motivation enough for us. Great players thrive on these comparisons. Speaking of motivation, it is clear that Juve has more,. ”It has definitely been a hard time and we are starting to feel it,” he s a i d . ”All they think about are the holidays, especially Brazilians who cannot wait to go home, where they will find the summer.”

“The danger? Holidays in Brazil.”

RSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has chosen to rest several first-team regulars for tomorrow’s final Champions League Group B tie against Olympiacos in Athens.

With the Gunners already qualified for the knockout stage, England duo Theo Walcott

and Jack Wilshere both stayed behind, along with Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker.

Youngsters Zak Ansah, Sead Hajrovic, Elton Monteiro, Chuba Akpom and James Shea are all in contention to make their senior debuts.

OSÉ Mourinho ap peared in the press room at Real Madrid’s Football City the day before the match against Ajax. The Whites’ coach, who revealed that “Adán, Nacho, Ronaldo, Benzema, Khedira and Coentrão will play ”, spoke about his future at the club and his relationship with club president Florentino Pérez: “I do my job every day. My future is that tomorrow I’ll have my 101st Champions League match and UEFA will confirm that.

Neither I nor I think the president will say a word about it. I have nothing to say about what we talked about. My relationship with him is very good and I will not be giving any substance to this situation. You have no story”.

The Portuguese analysed his team’s last

•Mourinho match in the Champions League’s toughest group: “Qualifying from this group is a success because we knew that a big team and title contender would be going out. The other two are through and that should be seen as a success because there was a big risk of being knocked out. We have played demanding matches and that’s good because we play the most important

matches of the match days, but that competitiveness means that you accumulate cards and means that players are on the verge of a suspension while other teams can handle these situations better and do, without being punished, what we did three years ago against Ajax. We are already qualified and we can go out to win the match and our players will play without any pressure."

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Team Lagos cruise into semi finals The Lagos team

L

AGOS State on Monday qualified for the semi finals of the female Volleyball event of the ongoing 18 th National Sports Festival.

Team Lagos defeated Team Adamawa in a one-sided game decided at the Volleyball court of the Teslim Balogun in the first quarter-finals game.

dominated the proceedings from start as the North Eastern side failed to match them throughout the encounter, losing all three sets.

The hosts showed they were here for business from the blast of the umpire’s whistle in the first set, beating them mercilessly.

AFN Continues from B/P

OFF THE BLOCK . . . Swimmers at the 18th National Sports Festival taking off from their blocks from the swimming event which took off yesterday at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi

16 Gold medals up ffor or grabs ttoda oda odayy as Athletics begin S

IXTEEN gold medals are up for grabs today as the athletics events of the 18 th National Sports Festival begin this morning at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The first track and field gold to be won this morning is the women’s 20km walk race starting at 8.00am. The men’s version follows immediately.

The women’s 5,000km promises to be another interesting race as Benue girl, Shimenenge Agber and Bukola Pereira slug it out for the precious medal.

Men’s Shot put and women’s Javelin event finals are to be decided today.

Other events where medals are up for the pickings include, Amputee’s F57-58, Discuss F42-44, 100m (men) T45-46, 100m (women) T45-46, and

Shot put F55-56.

Fans looking forward to the major races are not likely going to see more than heats of the men and women 100m and the 400m during the morning session.

The afternoon session

DUTCH linesman has died after being assaulted by several players in a youth match he was involved in on Sunday.

The incident, which took place in the moments directly after the final whistle of SC Buitenboys’ fixture at home to SV Nieuw Sloten, saw

evening session include; Shot put F55/56 (women), Amputee F4244, 100M Amputee T4546 and Wheelchair T54 (women).

The men and women 100m finals are scheduled for tomorrow evening.

Edo tops medal table in taekwondo

T

EAM Edo on Monday overtook Kano on the medal table of the taekwondo event.

With three gold, four silver and one bronze medals, Edo now leads

the table while Kano is second with three gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Host - Lagos is fourth with two gold, and three bronze medals. Bauchi

is fifth with one gold and two silver medals.

Others with one gold each are Abuja, Niger and Bayelsa.

Plateau promises to beat Imo

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

E

X-international handballer, Nadabo Ibrahim has promised to run down their counterparts from Imo in their quarter final match of the 18 th National

Footballer s kill linesman ootballers

A

will witness women long jumpers take to the pit to fish for the precious metals in the long jump event. The women’s 10,000m is to cap the day’s event.

Other special sports finals listed for the

members of the visiting side aged just 15 and 16 punch the 41-year-old to the ground, continuing the assault while he lay on the pitch. Richard Nieuwenhuizen was verbally berated by the youths throughout the match and collapsed again hours after the attack.

Sports Festival which throws off this morning at the handball court of the University of Lagos.

Ibrahim who is one of the accompanying coaches of the Plateau state handball team to the festival was drawing his strength from the fact that the Plateau female team was picked from a particular village in the state. He boasted that what his girls would play against Imo this morning is ‘scientific handball’ owing to the kind of training they were given while in camp ahead of the festival He said, “I want to place on record that Plateau state did not

poach any handball player from any state outside Plateau. All the girls you see in Plateau are from the same village, same language and this makes it easier to bring them together and they are going to play against Imo a scientific handball. We took them from the beginning with professional training”.

Among the qualifiers in the quarter final stage include Oyo, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, Ondo and Edo in the female category while in the male event are Lagos, Borno, Sokoto, Rivers, Ondo, Kano, FCT and Niger.

they out of the competition,” said AFN vice president Jide Josiah. He added that the federation was ready to deliver an hitch free athletics event.

Meanwhile, the AFN yesterday listed Coach

Tony Osheku, Olympic medalists, Mary OnyaliOmagbemi, Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo, Sunday Uti and Moses Ugbisien in the team to monitor budding athletes at the track & field events of the 18th National Sports Festival.

Team Lagos Continues from B/P stronger with every match. “We are getting stronger day by day. I want to say that Kwara are no pushovers because they are good as well. But my players are in form and we will remain committed to our objective of claiming the gold medal, and we shall

surely make Lagosians proud at the end.”

Also in the men’s event played at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Bayelsa defeated Zamfara by 5347. In the women’s event, Team Abuja recorded their third victory after beating Niger 82-52.

Ondo swimmer Continues from B/P support of fans whose cheers appeared to be inspiring all in the pool.

In the beginning of the final of 200 m Butterfly for women, Ibukun took a comfortable lead at the first and second laps.

She appeared to be coasting to the gold even on the third lap. But Emutimu Duke of Delta gave her the chase of her life and alsmost caught up with her in the final lap. Emutimu surprised all and she was cheered on. But Ibukun would rather die than lose the gold that once appeared an easy one before the hot chase. She gave her all and still won it but it was not as easy as she impressed in the beginning. She was exhaused and while celebrating her hard earned gold she saw herself gasping for breath and was falling back into the pool before she was quickly rescued.

She signaled danger and called for help. She collapsed and the

medical team battled to revive the fanited swimmer. The arena turned quiet and people prayed that tragedy be averted. After about five minutes, Ibukun was revived and the fans cheered the gold winner as she was taken to the medical room for further attention.

“It was an interesting event’’, veteran swimming coach Steve Onyeacholam said. ‘’If I went fast early I would have probably beaten her but I was cautious not to brun out early but by the time I realised the gap was wide. It was late for me to catch up’’, regretted Delta’s Emutimi. More than one hour after the event, officials were yet to release times of the swimmers, a low point for them. ‘’You are causing me tension’’, replied an official in charge of recording the times when asked to supply times recorded by swimmers in the events.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 61

C M Y K

62 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 — 63

C M Y K

Page 54 VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

As Athletics begin today...

AFN threatens to eject late comers

BY BEN EFE

A Eko 2012: National Sports Festival

THLETICS events of the 18th National Sports Festival begin today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos and officials have warned

participating athletes to keep to time or they will be ejected from the competitions.

Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials disclosed that the programme will run according to the time

Ondo swimmer wins gold, battles for life

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

T

HE atmosphere was similar to what fans experience at international championships.

Ambiance was superb and the crowd enjoyed it and showed this with ceaseless cheering the moment the swimmers took the plunge.

The swimming poolarena was full last night at the ongoing Sports Festival in Lagos.

Fans even gate-crashed for seats. Lagos had a fan club that produced soothing music for their swimmigers and Ondo’s Ibukun Adamolekun benefited from it and the

Continues on Page 60

TODAY'S

table and the participating States officials have a responsibility to get their athletes ready.

“We want to follow international standards starting from this Festival. All the events will run according to schedule and if any athlete comes a second late to his or her event,

Continues on Page 60

Team Lagos continues winning streak • BASKETBALL

T

EAM Lagos male basketball team continued its impressive runs in basketball at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 after defeating Kwara 76-47 in the fifth game of the competition.

Before the victory over Kwara, Team Lagos had defeated Enugu 63-43, Plateau 53-41, Ekiti 83-33 and Imo 58-37.

Mark Balogun Team Lagos coach said his lads are getting

Continues on Page 60

PUZZLE

NARROW ESCAPE......Medics attend to Ondo State swimmer, Ibukun Adamolekun, who almost passed out after winning the gold in the 200m Butterfly for women YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Bend (6) 5 Invented (6) 9 Go in (5) 10Canned (6) 11 Harm (6) 12 Revolt (5) 14 Exclude (4) 17 Father (3) 18 Listen (4) 20 Pattern (5) 22 Poorly (5) 23 Whinnied (7) 24 Satisfied (5) 26 Outcoming (5) 29 Plan (4) 30 Era (3) 32 Identical (4) 33 Rid (5) 35 Rescind (6) 36 Analysed (6) 37 Stitched (5) 38 Score (6) 39 Guard (6)

DOWN 1 Base (6) 2 Frank (6) 3 Ogle (4) 4 Finished (5) 5 Yielded (5) 6 Spoken (4) 7 Approached (6) 8 Dull (6) 13 Luggage (7) 15 Virtuous (5) 16 Principle (5) 18 Hell (5) 19 Book (5) 21 Guided (3) 22 Couch (3) 24 Ghost (6) 25 Fall (6) 27 Fight (6) 28 Nursed (6) 30 Passage (5) 31 Relaxed (5) 33 Throw (4) 34 Travel (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Raise 7, Hermit 9, Pod 10, Boa 12, Tutor 13, Seat 15, Ideal 17, Deploy 19, Team 20, Share 22, Rep 24, Meander 27, Rum 28, React 31, Romp 33, Rested 35, Leant 37, Lose 38, Nomad 39, Tea 41, Tin 42, Priest 43, Asset.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Thesis 2, Armada 3, Rib 4, Rota 5, Adult 6, Sporadic 8, Toil 11, Adornment 14, Term 16, Eyed 18, Peer 21, Humorous 23, Pert 25, Aura 26, Reel 29, Adored 30, Treaty 32, Plate 34, Step 36, Edit 40, Yet.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.