No end, as B-Haram kills another 40 in Borno by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62093

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Fuji musician, Obesere arrested for alleged rape 6

FUEL SCARCITY: 74m litres of petrol arrive Lagos port 8

No end, as B-Haram kills another 40 in Borno BY NDAHI MARAMA

•Sacks villages, burns houses, school, police station •Yobe: We're working to avert future attacks on schools — IG

AIDUGURI—IN what appears to be total dominance of Borno State, Boko Haram terrorists, Monday night, invaded Jakana village in Konduga council area of the state, killing no fewer than 40 people including two policemen. The gunmen were said to have arrived the village around 10 pm in 21 Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles, as well as explosives and petrol-bombs. Other property destroyed in the multiple Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

•P.19

•P.40

Mr & Mrs

FUEL—Confusion at a filling station on Apapa Road, Lagos, yesterday.Marketers believe fuel scarcity might end before weekend.

2015'll be brutal for economy, says Okonjo-Iweala 8

Jonathan sacks heads of aviation parastatals 9

31 winners emerge in Lagos HOMS draw 10

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

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4— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

BORNO ATTACK—A woman and her child stand in front of their burnt house at Mafa in Borno State yesterday after Monday's insurgents attack. Photo: NAN.

No end, as B-Haram kills another 40 in Borno Continues from Page 1 attacks include the police station, a primary school, mosque and several houses and huts of villagers.

An unconfirmed report, however, said that dozens of the terrorists who attacked Jakana were bombed in a nearby Sambisa village

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When a bird is alive it eats ants. When a bird dies ants eat it. Time & circumstance can change at any time. Don’t devalue or hurt anyone in life.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

Sometimes new opportunity means new opposition. Not everything God asks us to do will be comfortable — Joyce Meyer

OU have a choice to feel beautiful and em brace your whimsy with uplifting virtues from within. Whenever there are droplets of hard ice raining down, that is when you experience those days where it seems that things are not going as expected. Figuratively, you can shrug and snap open an umbrella or wear a rain coat, those droplets will fall away like beads of water on the feather of a duck, and more interestingly your attention could be so caught in the moment of doing something uplifting, you can even go Shakespearean by writing a love sonnet while taking a walk in the rain. I hope you smile and laugh at this attempt to simplify life challenges, for that is the intent of humour. Laughter opens the heart for joy to come in. We are powerful genies. We are creating our worlds momentarily. But the most powerful genie is Divine Spirit. When you think about it, the power to choose the next thought is within the grasps of our reach. When we choose beautifully, we are transformed to a state that is ever expanding and it comes with it, a most exhilarating feeling of love. This is a profound knowing but it is going beyond to living from the heart that makes it an awesome experience for any who sees the face of love in another. Love thyself as thy neighbour, one of the most powerful impacting expressions of our times. It is our divine nature to be kind, generous and loving beings. I choose to live this way and of course it’s your choice to always choose the path of love.

by Air Force fighter jets while attempting to flee from military counter offensives. Jakana is on Maiduguri-Damaturu road and 40 kilometres west of Maiduguri, the state capital. The insurgents that attacked Mainok, last Saturday, also killed 39 people. Jakana village which was set ablaze, is 20 kilometres east of Mainok. An eyewitness, and resident of Jakana, Ba Mala Modu in a telephone conversation, yesterday, in Maiduguri said that the insurgents stormed the village at 10pm with explosives and petrol-bombs, chanting God is Great in Arabic. They shot sporadically into the air initially, before setting the houses ablaze for three hours. Modu said: “The gunmen came in droves in Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles; and started shooting, killing and at the same time pouring petrol on our houses and huts, setting them on fire. The people in the houses cried for help, but no one was there to prevent these multiple attacks and killings. Some of us had to flee towards the neighbouring villages, farmlands and bushes. “I am talking to you now from a hiding place in the bush. I cannot get into the village, but we counted 35 bodies that were pulled out from the torched houses this

morning; and more bodies could be retrieved before noon today (yesterday), because several people were trapped in their houses when the insurgents wreaked havoc on both lives and property.” Speaking on the fleeing villagers, he said: “We had to flee, because when the gunmen struck in the night, some of us fled through the farmlands and bushes. Some of the fleeing villagers had to trek to Maiduguri for safety, while others are taking refuge in the neigbouring villages with no protection from security agents. My neigbour called me that two policemen were killed, while repelling the insurgents who set the police station on fire.” He said there were no soldiers in the village when the attackers struck, adding that the policemen at the station were overpowered, and lost officers who were on duty, while trying to repel them that night. According to him, “the soldiers rushed to the village immediately after the attack on their patrol vehicles, and cordoned off the MaiduguriDamaturu Road for two hours, before motorists were allowed to pass through the destroyed village in which over 35 people were slain, including 15 women and children between the ages of nine and 12”. Confirming the inci-

dent, the Borno police commissioner said that armed hoodlums attacked another village (Jakana) on the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, killing several people and promised to send the details to newsmen as soon as it got to his office. However, Police sources in Maiduguri also said that since the Maiduguri twin blasts of last Saturday that claimed 53 lives, the weekend and Monday’s attacks in Mainok, Jakana villages and Mafa town also claimed the lives of over 120 people, while property worth billions of naira were destroyed.

Yobe killings: We're working to avert future attacks on schools —IG Meanwhile, following the gruesome massacre of over 50 students of a Federal Government College, in Yobe State, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has assured that the security agencies in the country were

working together to ensure that such dastardly act was not allowed to occur again. Towards this end, the police boss said the safety and security of students and academic institutions across the country are now to be accorded top security priority. Speaking at the Force Headquarters when the staff and students of Pacesetters’ College, Gwarimpa, Abuja paid him a visit, Abubakar noted that “following the concern and directive of President Goodluck Jonathan, all the security agencies are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that no child, student and their teachers are attacked again anywhere in the country”. While requesting for the observance of a one minute silence in honour of the students who were murdered in Yobe State, he stated that both overt and covert deployment of operatives into schools were being increased. He assured that the security agencies were also working with local communities to improve security in and around schools.

Jubiliation as Police promotes 24, 118 officers BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

BUJA—AS part of ongoing measures towards boosting the morale of Police officers in the face of daunting security challenges confronting the nation and rewarding those that have excelled in their assigned roles, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has ordered the promotion of 24, 118 officers. According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations officer, CSP Frank Mba, one Commissioner of Police was promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police; six Deputy Commissioners of Police pro-

moted to substantive Commissioners of Police and seven Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police. Others are seven Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police, 242 Superintendents of Police promoted CSPs and 424 DSPs promoted to Superintendents of Police. Also, 715 Assistant Superintendents of Police were promoted to DSPs, 5, 115 Inspectors promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police, 55 Senior Inspectors promoted to Principal Inspectors and 525 Inspectors promoted to Senior Inspectors.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Bomb scare halts bank operations in Osogbo BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO— An explo sive device suspected to be a bomb was yesterday detected inside the premises of a branch of FirstBank in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The development which almost paralyzed commercial activities led to the untimely closure of most of the banks in the town. It was gathered that a security personnel at the bank located along Station Road detected the device and alerted the manager of the bank. Checks revealed that the incident was later reported to the Police and officers attached to the anti bomb squad of the state Police command were drafted to the bank to ensure safety of lives of people at the bank. The bank hurriedly shut down operations as a result of the development and other banks in the town also followed suit. State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Maishanu said he received report of the situation at the bank, adding that the bomb detectors from the state Police Command confirmed that the object detected was an improvised explosive device.

Obesere arrested for alleged rape ...We made love as lovers — Obesere arrested last Wednesday by the Police at Isolo Police Division, where Olaiya reported the matter. He was subsequently released on administrative bail. He was later re-arrested on Monday, when medical examination conducted on Olaiya revealed that she was actually raped and the Divisional Police Officer, Isolo, Adamu Ibrahim, was said to have ordered the transfer of the matter to State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, for further investigation. Sources disclosed that Obesere’s arrest was made possible through a warrant of arrest issued by the Chief Magistrate of Isolo Magistrate Court, Mrs Kike Bukola Ayeye, as he had declined to honour several police invitations sent to his house at Johnson Famiye Street, Canal Estate, Ago, Okota.

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

AGOS — POPULAR Fuji musician, Alhaji Abass Akande, popularly known as Obesere, has been arrested by the Police in Lagos State for allegedly raping a 29-year-old business woman, Miss Olanike Olaiya in his Okota residence, Lagos. The victim, who took the matter to the Police, also narrated her ordeal in the hands of the musician whose shows generally fascinate society women. According to Olaiya, a National Diploma graduate of business administration from Ibadan Polytechnic, “I got to know Obesere through one of my friends, Mrs Bola Okoro. She told me that Obesere would assist me in my business. "I deal in office equipment and when I contacted Obesere, he asked me to meet him in his family house at Okota. When I met him, I introduced my business to him and he promised to connect me to some of his friends in Dubai who would sell goods to me on credit. "After the discussion, he started demanding for sex and I refused and when I wanted to leave, he insisted I should sleep over in his house because it was late and he claimed that it was dangerous to go out late in the night in his area. "I thought he was a responsible man and I decided to sleep over, but at the dead of the night, he came into the room where I slept and pounced on me. "He raped me and afterwards inserted a ring he wore into my

We are lovers — Obesere

Abass Akande aka Obesere private part and I started bleeding. He hurriedly left me in the room saying he had an appointment to fulfil. "I could not bear the trauma and the bleeding and I reported the matter to the police.” Vanguard gathered that Obesere was first

Police sources also said Obesere in his statement denied ever raping Olaiya, rather he claimed she was his lover and they made love when she visited him. The source added that Obesere claimed he asked her to go to a private hospital for treatment when she complained that she was bleeding, but he was surprised when she reported to the police that she was raped.

Confab: Unemployed youths protest non-inclusion BY OLA AJAYI

BADAN — YOUTHS under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Graduates Against Unemployment have expressed displeasure on their non-representation in the proposed national conference. In a letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan, the youths through their National Coordinator, Mr. Ehis Abuya, said: "Giving their number which is put between 30 million to 45 million, it was

unfortunate that they have no representative at the conference. "Having read the modalities of the National Conference and components involved, we are convinced without prejudice or doubt, that our children would blame us if we fail to inform you, Mr. President, of the mockery of the committee as a result of misplaced priorities. “The political selections will only give the same answers and report only what they feel

you would be comfortable to hear.” According to them, the only common element which costs less, and can solve the myriad of problems faced by most Nigerians is employment. The youths also said: “We passed through various challenges and delays in school such as ASUU strikes, late school enrolment due to poverty and ignorance, bureaucratic arrangement in government, unfortunate policies and administrative problems."

Pastor arrested for conducting virginity test on member with finger BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Command said yesterday, that it had arrested a pastor identified as Adekunle Kayode, 34, for conducting virginity test on a 20-year-old female member of his church in Abeokuta, the state capital, using his finger. Kayode, a pastor in charge of Jesus Is The Way Evangelistic Ministry, Olorunsogo, Abeokuta, was reportedly arrested by detectives attached to Kemta Division in his house, 3, Okeyidi Street, Abeokuta. The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said the pastor’s arrest was carried out when the victim narrated her ordeal to her father who then informed the police of the incident. The pastor was reported to have been engaging in the act in the church weekly in a bid to confirm the girl's virginity status. According to the PPRO, “there

was also a drama when the victim received ‘holy spirit’ which propelled her to reveal the misdeeds of the pastor who has indulged in this ungodly act for years. “Another suspect arrested for similar offence is one Onatade Oluwasegun, 23, of 4, Sheriff Onatade Street, Obantoko for conspiring with the said pastor to use the victim for a ritual purpose. “The father of the victim alleged that the duo were fond of dipping their fingers in the victim's private part even when she was menstruating for reasons best known to them. "She also claimed that the pastor recently confirmed her virginity status when she was to take part in a church programme. “The victim has also claimed that Oluwasegun used a charm while attempting to rape her as directed by the pastor possibly for a ritual but she miraculously

escaped. "Meantime, the police have recovered the charm from the pastor within the church premises. “The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Ikemefuna Okoye, has directed that the matter be transferred to the SCID, Eleweran for further investigation."

Man beats daughter to death

Also, a man, Bisi Onigbogbo of J6 Camp, Ogbere, in Ijebu-East Local Government Area of Ogun State allegedly beat his 12-year-old daughter, Yemi Onigbogbo, to death while trying to correct her for some mis-

behaviour, on Monday According to the Police spokesman, shortly after the incident, the suspect ran away immediately he noticed that the young girl was dead. He said: “Efforts are being intensified by the police with the help of the community members to get him apprehended."

Be our eyes Are you an eye-witness to an accident, robbery, fire outbreak, kidnap, building collapse, etc? Share it with Vanguard readers. Send pix, text or e-mail to The News Editor on 08023145558, kayodematthew@yahoo.com An overloaded commercial bus at Orileor Iganmu, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

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Lagos police parade 13 suspected cultists BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, paraded 13 suspected cultists who were said to have converged from different parts of the state at a hotel recently. Parading the suspects, state Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Manko said: “On March 1, 2014 at about 3:55 a.m. upon a distress call received by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ilasan Division, Lekki, Lagos, it was discovered that a group of cultists were converging on a hotel situated at Igbokosun, Lagos and were about to perpetrate some evil. "Among the suspects paraded were: Ayomipo Sunny, Rilwan Saludeen, Tosin Jacob, Suleiman Abolaji, Babatunde Fashola, James Imeh, Olumide Tosin, Kola Abanikanda, Ibrahim Sikiru, Adedeji Adekunle and Ogunsola Oladimeji. “Based on this information, a team of policemen, led by the DPO, CSP Gbenga Olurunfemi, proceeded to the scene. On sighting the policemen, they took to their heels. "They were subsequently chased and 13 of them wearing T-shirts bearing Supremost Eiye Confraternity inscription were arrested. “Further investigation revealed that the celebration was the birthday of a member who has just been initiated into the cult. "However, members were said to have come from Ogun State, Bariga, and Ajah for the ceremony. "The following items were recovered at the scene of the crime: a set of sound system, various mobile phones, two Vanagon buses with number plate AAA 265 XJ, APP 198 XJ and one Infinity SUV with number plate EPE 505 MD. The case was later transferred to SCID Yaba for investigation and report.”

BY WAHAB ABDULLAH

•The suspected cultists Adedayo Ojomo: “Usually after I close from work I go to the hotel to relax. It is my usual style. On that fateful day, after I had finished work I went there, and I met some guys there. "They bought drinks for me, I also bought for them too. But I didn’t know they were cultists.

They told me that they wanted to have a party, saying they had branded T-shirts and it costs N2,500 each and I showed interest. "The next Friday, as I got there I wore another dress but they gave me the T-shirt and I wore it. I sat down with them; they

served us food, and drinks and we ate. The next thing I saw was policemen everywhere and they started shooting. "Because I didn’t know anything I refused to run. That was how I was arrested by the police." Crying profusely, Ojomo said he has a wife and two children.

Beneficiaries of Midwives Service Scheme protesting over suspension of the scheme by Lagos State Government, at the State House of Assembly, Alausa, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Man, 23, remanded for chopping off woman's finger

Suspects' accounts “My name is Ogunshola Olademeji, I am a waiter at Blue Fish Restaurant. I closed from work at about 11: 30 pm. "It was on my way from Victoria Island that I decided to relax which was why I stopped at the hotel. "I was at the bar trying to enjoy myself in the morning between 2 am and 3am. I didn’t know these people but when I came there I noticed that they were celebrating. "I was inside the bar but the others were in an open field inside the hotel premises. I live in West Coast area in Jakande.”

Court orders Osun commissioner to pay N5.5m to landlord

BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — A 23-YEAR-OLD la bourer, Isaac John, who allegedly chopped off a finger off the hand of one Mrs Ogochukwu Aronwu, was yesterday remanded in prison custody by an Ikeja magistrate's court pending when his remand warrant will be brought to court. The defendant is facing a three count charge bordering on robbery, infliction of wound and attempted murder, preferred against him by the police. Magiatrate Eniola Fabamwo ordered that he be remanded after going through the first count charge.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on February 14, 2014 at about 7:50 p.m. He said the incident happened along Murtala Muhammed Airport Road in Ikeja area of the state. Okoi said the defendant, while armed with a knife and other dangerous weapons, robbed one Mrs Ogochukwu Aronwu of her hand bag containing some money and headtie. The prosecutor also alleged that John inflicted wound on his victim by cutting off her left hand, adding that the defendant with intent to kill his victim,

used a knife to cut off the fourth finger of her left hand. However, the defendant, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the charges. The magistrate then adjourned the case till March 10, 2014.

AGOS — JUSTICE Oludotun AdefopeOkojie of an Ikeja High Court has ordered the Osun State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Mr. Stephen Kola-Balogun to pay the sum of N5.5 million to his landlord in Lagos, being unpaid arrears of a rented apartment between August 1, 2009 and April 2012. In her judgment, Justice Adefope-Okojie ordered the commissioner to pay the sum within seven days of the delivery of the judgment. Justice Adeniyi Adetokunbo-Ademola of Federal High Court, Abuja, the owner of the rented apartment in Ikeja G.R.A. had dragged Kola-Balogun and his wife, Taiwo, before the state high court for failure to pay rent arrears of an apartment located at 51C, Oduduwa Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Justice Ademola in his process had claimed that the commissioner and his wife had refused to pay the rent arrears despite repeated demands, adding that the commissioner also refused to give up possession of the property despite a quit notice to that effect. The plaintiff further stressed that the commissioner had never paid house rent as at when due since the first payment resulting in substantial rent arrears over the years. To this end he prayed the court for an order directing the commissioner to vacate the property as well as pay the arrears up till the time he parks out of the house.

Ritualists pluck out woman's eyes in Bauchi tion. BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI — PER SONS suspected to be ritualists, yesterday, attacked a middle aged woman in Lukshi village, Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State and plucked out her two eyes. It was gathered that the victim, Zainab Mohammed, was returning home after attending a coronation ceremony when she was attacked. The attackers, after removing her eyes, were said to have escaped to an unknown destina-

Confirming the incident, the state Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police Haruna Mohammed said one Zainab Mohammed of Yelwan Dawani village was attacked and her eyes removed by three unknown persons inside a bush at Lukshi village while on her way home after attending a coronation ceremony. He said police detectives attached to Dass division visited the scene of the attack and rushed the victim to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital Bauchi for treatment.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

2015 would be brutal for economy —Okonjo-Iweala BY PETER EGWUATU

BUJA—THE Coordinating Minister for the economy and Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo –Iweala, yesterday disclosed that with the country ’s election looming, the 2015 would be a tough and brutal year in maintaining a strong macroeconomic performance the country has recorded in recent times. Okonjo–Iweala, however, assured that she is determined to ensure that the country’s strong macroeconomic performance of recent years and reform agenda do not slip. The finance minister who realises that she will be targeted by opposition politicians jostling for power ahead of elections in February 2015 and keen to denounce the government’s economic policies said, “It will be brutal,” she tells The Banker in Abuja, “We’re going to see extreme bashing. Somebody has to be the scapegoat,” she added. According to her, “Nigeria’s strong macroeconomic performance in the past five years has seen its standing abroad rise considerably. Many frontier and emerging market investors crave exposure to the oilrich West African country’s rapidly growing economy and population of 170 million, by far the largest in Africa. Jim O’Neill, the influential former Goldman Sachs chief economist, has dubbed it, alongside Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey, a MINT – a group whose global significance he believes will only increase.” Yet for all the hype, Okonjo-Iweala knows that investors will be watching Nigeria closely to see that its reforms and its fiscal and monetary record do not unravel in the run up to voting. To help ensure that does not happen, she has proposed a largely conservative budget for 2014. It forecasts a small deficit of 1.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and is based on a real growth rate of 6.75per cent , which is slightly below the International Monetary Fund’s estimate. Total spending will be reduced by 7 per cent from 2013 to N4640billion ($28.5billion).

Fuel scarcity: 74 million litres of PMS arrive Lagos port …Hundreds of commuters stranded …DPR blames fuel scarcity on contract renewal, bunkering …Call NNPC, marketers to order — TUC BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG, SOLOMON NWOKE, SEBASTIAN OBASI, MICHAEL EBOH, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, KUNLE KALEJAYE & GRACE UDOFIA

HE fuel scarcity situation in Nigeria is set to abate, as major fuel marketers, yesterday, said they have secured the delivery of about 74 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, at their depots in Lagos. This was even as the scarcity worsened, with many of the filling stations closed to motorists, while the few that were selling had long queues. A number of the filling stations that were seen dispensing the products were selling above the official pump price of N97 per litre, while others collected fees before allowing motorists inside their premises. Mr. Obafemi Olowore, Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, told Vanguard in a telephone chat that three vessels, namely United Enterprises, Ocean Centurion and Alizea are discharging fuel in PWA jetty, NOJ jetty and BOP jetty all belonging to MOMAN. According to him, United Enterprise is discharging 22 million litres of fuel, Ocean Centurion is discharging 22 million litres and Alizea — 30 million litres. He said, “That gives you a total of 74 million litres of fuel. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation but everything will ease out this week because we now have products. “Some of our members would receive their product this weekend while others would receive theirs as from next week. So there is no need for panic buying, no need to hoard fuel and my contact in government has assured us that there is no plan to increase the price.” Non-renewal of contract, bunkering responsible In addition, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, attributed the recent scarcity to the non-renewal of contracts of some independent marketers to import the product and the illegal bunkering in many cities. The Director of DPR, Mr. George Osahon, represented by

CONFERENCE: From left – Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri and the Head of Political Section, European Union EU, Mr. Henry Prankered at the UNDP Democratic Governance for Development Project DGD II conference on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, held in Abuja yesterday.

the Zonal Controller, Abuja, Aliyu Halidu at the budget defence before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), yesterday, claimed that non-payment of subsidy fund to the marketers by government had hindered the importation of the product, resulting in shortage in supply. According to the DPR, the resurgence of fuel queues in filling stations across the country is as a result of the failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to renew importation contract of independent oil marketers. Halidu stated that even though there was fuel at depots, independent marketers were not willing to lift the product as they complained that they could not break-even with the current pump price of N97 per litre. According him, the marketers had complained that the operational cost and other incidentals had seriously eaten into the pump price, making it difficult for them to break even at the current price, adding that the problem was that of supply of petroleum products and not that of availability of fuel. Besides, he said that the shortage in supply of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, was equally affected by the increased activities of illegal bunkering in the country. He said that though 120 trucks were quite sufficient to meet the fuel needs of Nigerians per day, the supply had dropped to 60 trucks per day due to inability of independent marketers to import products. He said: “We have been importing fuel through contract; some of the contracts have not been renewed. It is only the

major oil marketers that are selling. The independent marketers cannot buy from the depots because of the price.” Call NNPC, marketers to order Reacting to the development, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday described the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country as unacceptable and urged the Federal government to call the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, marketers and any other organisation involved in fuel distribution to order to avert a total shut down of the economy. TUC in a statement by its President and Secretary General, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, respectively, lamented the ongoing fuel scarcity and consequent reappearance of long queues of vehicles at filling stations throughout the country for about a week now. The TUC said, “The familiar trend of periodic scarcity of fuel is simply unacceptable. Nigeria remains about the sixth largest oil producing country in the world and ‘giant of Africa’ and one ordinarily expect this to translate to great fortune and comfort for the average Nigerian.” Also speaking, Mr. Uche Iheakanwa, Oil and Gas Consultant to a number of the jetty owners and oil companies, blamed the scarcity on cabals and entities that look for every opportunity to rubbish the government. He said, “I must say that all hands must be on deck to protect this democracy as the

government is truly making stringent efforts to better the quality of life for our people. “Within the week, most of the petroleum products warehoused offshore Lome will be in our Ports, depots and Petrol filling stations. It is expected that this unnecessary strife and tension will be fully resolved.” Scarcity worsens, long queues persist A visit to petrol stations around Alimosho Local Government, Oshodi-Isolo Local Council Development Area and some areas along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, revealed that a number of the stations were closed down, while the few that were selling sold above the official price and also engaging in various sharp practices. At Forte Oil petrol station at Berger Yard, along OshodiApapa expressway, motorists were being made to pay N200 each, before allowed entry into the station, while at the point of purchase, motorists are made to part with another N200 by the fuel attendants. Failure to pay the fuel attendants the amount meant only 10 litres will be sold to the motorist. Vanguard was told by residents that Mat Oil at Prince bus stop, along Ijegun Road is notorious for ripping off motorists and is presently selling the commodity at N180 per litre, cashing in on the scarcity. Fidelity Energy Oil and Gas petrol station at Babalegba bus stop, Ijegun road, Ikotun, was closed to motorists, despite claims by the manager of the station that it has about 100,000 litres of fuel.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 9

Stop fighting govt at the centre, Jonathan counsels govs BYBENAGANDE

B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday advised state governors to always be in good terms with government at the centre noting that “ wearing boxing gloves and jumping into the ring to fight the President does not help the development of any state”. President Goodluck Jonathan spoke yesterday when a large delegation of Anambra indigenes paid him a thank you visit. “A number of politicians feel that the best thing to do is to be abusing Mr. President, abusing the Federal Government and so on. if you are elected to develop your state, I think the best thing is to have good relationship with the centre, whether you have a pin or you don’t have but one day it will come, wearing boxing gloves, jumping into the boxing ring to face Mr. President does not help the development of any state” he said. He commended the out going governor of Anambra state Peter Obi for ability to delicately navigate the affairs of the state despite the fact that the state House of Assembly was controlled by the opposition party.

Christians mark Ash Wednesday BY SAM EYOBOKA

HRISTIANS all over the world will today mark Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent; its official name being “Day of Ashes,” so called because of the practice of rubbing ashes on one’s forehead in the sign of a cross. According to a release by the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Lenten season is a period of 40 days during which Christians are encouraged to intensify prayers, abstinence, fasting and alms giving.

How to balance capital recurrent votes, by Okonjo-Iweala BY EMMA UJAH

BUJA—MINISTER of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala has said that the only way to increase the capital vote of the federal government was to implement the report of the Steve Oronsaye Committee on harmonization of federal government agencies. Speaking at the Budget2014Jam with Nigerian youths in Abuja yesterday, she said that the option was a tough one that required public support. According to her the government could only implement the recommendations of the committee with the backing of the public because those whose interests would not be served by so doing would likely protest. Her words, “to improve the capital recurrent ratio quickly and significantly, one of the measures to be considered is to implement the Oronsaye report. But this won’t be easy because there will be protests by some Nigerians who feel that their interests will not be served by merging agencies which are duplication functions. Strong public support will be needed”. The Oronsaye committee recommended the merger of federal government agencies that are performing similar

functions and the scrapping of those that are considered irrelevant. Dr. Okonjo Iweala counselled against politicization of the budget, saying that the budget proposal before the legislature has many merits and has been crafted to sustain the transformation agenda of the present administration. She urged those criticising the budget to always take a holistic view of the proposals especially with regard to job creation and

creating a more favourable environment for economic activities to thrive in the nation. On the new contributory pensions scheme, she said that over N3trn has been accumulated and would be effectively deployed to boost critical sectors of the economy. According to her, “the new scheme is working very well. The challenge is the old defined benefits scheme which has witnessed delays and fraud. Some people are being prosecuted for

various acts of fraud. “But to ensure that there is a sustainable solution to the problem, the Pensions Transition Administration Dept, is being set up to address abuses through biometrics and better monitoring. Government is taking this very seriously because a situation where our senior citizens are put through this kind of ordeal after serving the nation is unacceptable”. She said the new department has already started correcting past errors and expressed administration’s commitment fully sanitise the nation’s pension administration.

BUDGET DEFENCE: From left, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, during budget defence before the committee on Power, at the National Assembly, in Abuja yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Jonathan sacks heads of NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NCAT BY OKEY NDIRIBE & LAWANI MUKAIRU

BUJA—IN what appears like a move to cleanse the aviation sector, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sacked the heads of four aviation parastatals in the country. Those affected include Mr George Uriese of FAAN, Mr Fola Akinkuotu of NCAA, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh of NAMA and Mrs Chinyere Kalu of NCAT. This was contained in statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Mr. Sam Nwaobasi, Special Adviser on Media to Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to the statement, Engr. Saleh Dumona (Director Projects, FAAN) is to replace Mr. George Uriesi as Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The statement further showed that Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam (General Manager, Procurements, NAMA) is to replace Engr. Nnamdi Udoh as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) while Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick (Government Safety Inspector &

ICAO Focal Point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems, OASIS) is to replace Capt. (Mrs.) Chinyere Kalu as Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT). In the same vein, Capt. Muhktar Usman (Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIPB) is to replace Capt.

Fola C. Akinkuotu as Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). However Usman’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. In the meantime Engr. Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA pending Usman’s confirmation by the Senate. Dr. Engr. Felix A. Abali (Director

Licencing, NCAA) has also been appointed to replace Capt. Usman as Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB). However, Dr. Tony Anuforo retains his position as Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

...Approves retirement of suspended Justices BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the compulsory retirement of Justices Gladys Olotu and U. A. Inyang of the Federal High Court and FCT High Court respectively with effect from February 3 2014. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, who confirmed this to State House correspondents, said the compulsory retirement is in accordance with the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. It would be recalled that the NJC last week announced the suspension of the justices for

for gross misconduct after which it forwarded a recommendation for their cumpulsory retirement to President Goodluck Jonathan. Giving details of the misdemeanour of the affected justices, the Acting Director of Information in the NJC, Soji Oye had explained that the council, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar “recommended the compulsory retirement from office of Justice G.K. Olotu of the Federal High Court and Justice U. A. Inyang of High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, respectively for gross misconduct.” He said the recommendation

for compulsory retirement of the two judges was based on findings made by the NJC after investigations into allegations contained in petitions brought against them. The NJC found that Justice Olotu “failed to deliver judgment on Suit No. FHC/UY/ 250/2003, 18 months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit, contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days.” Also, Justice Olotu “admitted before the Fact Finding Committee of the Council that investigated the allegations that she forgot she had a pending ruling to deliver in an application for joinder.”

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—LAGOS State government yesterday said the dwindling federal allocation to the state was having adverse effect on the state accruable revenue, saying; “Today, Lagos State is struggling to ensure that the effect is minimal.” The government lamented that the review of the country’s revenue sharing formula last year by the Federal Government led to the state losing N800 million in November and December. The disclosure came at a special plenary session chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Kolawole Taiwo, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, attended by Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Economic Planning and Budgeting; Mr. Ben Akabueze, Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abimbola Shodipo and the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Office of Treasury, Mr. David Sunmoni. The Assembly had on Monday after Governor Babatunde Fashola spoke on the dwindling federal allocation, invited officials of state government to explain further the effect of the decreasing federal allocation on the state. While speaking on the adverse effect of the allocation on Lagos State, Shodipo said: “But how long can we be able to keep this.

Stakeholders advocate legislation on building control BY PEACE ONYEUKWU

AGOS—IN a bid to reduce the incessant building collapse and promote acceptable building standards through eradication of quackery, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Amuwo Odofin Cell, has called on stakeholders to advocate for legislation that will ensure government implement laws and regulations on building control. The Vice Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Femi Shoduke who spoke at the stakeholder's forum in Lagos said that while advocating for bills that will encourage mortgage system and ease the burden of owning a house, the guild will embark on awareness campaign to sensitise the public on the importance of building control to prevent further building collapse. According to him, the objectives of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild was to bring together professionals to enlighten construction workers and equip them for the betterment of the industry, among others.

BY DANIELETEGHE

HOME OWNERSHIP: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (middle), Mr. Bosun Jeje, Commissioner for Housing (left) and some of the winners, during the 1st draw of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, at LTV8,Ikeje, Lagos, yesterday.

Lagos slams FG over dwindling federal allocation There is need for this act from the central government to be nipped in the bud immediately. “The worrisome issue is that if the fund doesn’t come in as at

when due, they will not have appreciable effect on the state budget and economy. It affects every aspect of the state. It will affect the resident’s purchasing

power and their ability to employ people. “In the month of November, last year, the Federal Government reviewed the formula quietly. And this has a negative effect on Lagos State. If the state has projected from the beginning of

the year what it would earn and spend. But midway, it will change the rule, the Federal Government is putting the states into jeopardy over the effectiveness of the state in achieving its set goal at the beginning of the year.”

31 owners emerge in Lagos HOMS 1st phase draw BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

AGOS—LAGOS State government yesterday commenced the allocation of the Lagos Home Mortgage Scheme, Lagos HOMS to 31 residents who emerged winners in the scheme aimed at reducing the housing deficit in the state. Speaking at the allocation ceremony, Governor Babatunde Fashola, said his administration had put in place a sustainable template to provide homes for Lagos residents in dire need for shelter on mortgage. He called on private sector, especially housing developers to partner with

the Lagos HOMS to increase the number of homes available to new owners in the state monthly. Fashola argued that partnering with private housing developers would enable the State Government to double the number of homes made available to Lagosians monthly. The governor said: “We promised you that there will be a second phase of this initiative and I am pleased to say that the committee has started work on the second phase. The substance of the second phase is that we are opening up the scheme now to the private sector,

housing developers who will build the homes and government will be the guarantee purchaser of the homes. By so doing, we

would be in the position to double or triple the number of homes, from 200 to 600, or 800 a month. If we allow private sector

to build the homes, we would buy from them and put them into the mortgage fund and distribute out to potential owners.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 11

Water supply restored to Abeokuta

B E O K U TA — RESIDENTS of Abeokuta in Ogun State can now heave a sigh of relief as potable water supply has been restored to the metropolis. The General Manager of Ogun State Water Corporation, Mrs. Monsurat Agboola, an engineer disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta. She said that water supply to Abeokuta was disrupted in the last few days because of power outage from public power supply. Agboola explained that the power situation caused by a maintenance work at the Lagos end of the power providers operations hampered the pumping of water from Adiyan Water Works, from where the state capital was supplied. She added that the corporation deployed 10 water tankers as temporary means of supplying water to different parts of Abeokuta while the scarcity lasted. Mrs. Agboola expressed regrets over the scarcity and explained that the occasional hiccups in the supply chain would be permanently solved upon the completion of the major projects being undertaken by the Senator Amosun-led administration.

Ajimobi swears in 495 customary court judges BY OLAAJAYI BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has sworn in 495 judges for the Customary Courts in the state. While swearing them in yesterday at the Parliament Building, Ibadan, the governor charged the judges to have the fear of God at heart in dispensing justice to the people. The judges consisted Presidents and members of the various Customary Courts located all over the 33 Local Government Areas of the state. Governor Ajimobi advised the judges to live above board and shun bribery and corruption in all its ramifications. He advised them to see their appointment as dividends of democracy from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ekiti lawmakers call for Jonathan’s impeachment BY GBENGAARIYIBI DO EKITI—FOR alleged illegal deduction of fund accruable to Ekiti State from the federation account, members of Ekiti State House of Assembly have called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment process against President Goodluck Jonathan. The lawmakers at a plenary session in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, condemned the alleged deduction of the oil money by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. They, however, called on the National Assembly to order an independent body through the use of forensic auditing to get to the root of the allegation against the NNPC. The assembly men who frowned at the deductions described it as irresponsible and criminal, the monthly deduction of over N480 million from the revenue accruable to the state saying; “This has been having a toll on the living standards of the people and the state’s economic development ." The lawmakers held the session following the presentation by Governor Kayode Fayemi on the floor of the House on Monday, where he alleged that over N4.62

trillion had been frittered away from the federation account in the last three years being the amount not remitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Aside auditing the accounts of NNPC, the lawmakers are equally asking the Federal Government

to return all illegal deductions to the federation account. Other resolution reached by the lawmakers included: that the Supreme Court should expedite actions on all cases relating to Sovereign Wealth Fund, illegal deductions pending before it and

immediate review of allocation sharing formula between the Federal, State and Local Governments. The resolution, according to them, will be passed to Governor Fayemi for onward transmission to the National Assembly.

SYMPOSIUM: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (2nd left), Chairman, National Summit Group, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (left), Professor of African Literature & Culture, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, Professor Pius Adesanmi (2nd right) and Executive Director, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, during the 2014 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Symposium in Lagos, yesterday.

Ogun PDP forecloses merger with Labour Party BY ETOP EKANEM & DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—CHAIRMAN of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Chief Adebayo Dayo, has ruled out any merger plan with the Labour Party, LP, in the state for the purpose of 2015 polls. He spoke in Sango-Ota during a reception organised for more than 2,000 former members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who defected to the state chapter of PDP. Speaking at the reception, Dayo described other parties as mushroom parties, saying the PDP leadership in the state was focused on repositioning the party for greatness. He said: “It is not a matter of fusion. All of them have been coming from the APC and the Labour Party to join the PDP because the PDP is the only party that can take them to the federal level. We have no plans to fuse with any party. What we are doing now is to reunite aggrieved members of the party, to reposition it for greatness.” The event was also attended by Prince Buruji Kashamu, Chief Adebayo Dayo, former zonal secretary in South West, Chief Pegba Otemolu, former House of Representatives member, Kayode Amusan, a gubernatorial aspirant, Sikirulai Ogundele,

former Commissioner for Agriculture, Tunji Akinosi, and Chief Agboola Alausa. Meantime, a former deputy governor in Ogun State, Chief

Rafiu Ogunleye has predicted that the ruling APC in the state will soon collapse following what he called the imminent wave of defections.

Addressing the defectors, Ogunleye, who defected to the PDP last year, stated that more politicians would soon leave the APC in the state to join the PDP.

FG records N601bn 4th quarter deficit in 2013 BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

BUJA—THE federal government recorded a budget deficit of N601.56 billion in the last quarter of last year, according to the fourth quarter report of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. According to the apex bank, the federal government retained revenue for the last three months of 2013 was N822.19 billion, while total expenditure was N1,423.75. “The Federal Government

retained revenue was N822.19 billion, while total expenditure was N1,423.75 billion. Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N601.56 billion or 5.1 per cent of estimated nominal GDP for fourth quarter of 2013, compared with the quarterly budget deficit of N221.77 billion or 1.9 per cent of estimated GDP”, it said. The dismal revenue profile of the federal government in the last quarter of 2013 was blamed on the unprecedented level of low crude oil output which was put

at a mere 1.42 million bpd as against the 2013 budget oil production estimate of 2.526 million bpd. “Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, was estimated at an average of 1.87million barrels per day (mbd) or 172.04 million barrels for the quarter. Crude oil export stood at 1.42 mbd or 130.64 million barrels for the quarter, while deliveries to the refineries for domestic consumption remained at 0.45 mbd or 41.40 million barrels”, the bank said.

Fayemi's wife addresses women directors

AGOS—THE first lady of Ekiti State and co-founder of African Women Development Funds, AWDF, Erelu Bisi Fayemi will address top women directors and technocrats in Lagos on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. The event which is the 2014 institute of Women Director's Conference will address the main theme: Women as Leaders:

Discovering Authentic Leadership. According to the statement by the acting Director General of Institute of Directors, IOD, Nigeria, Dr. Tony Fadaka, other distinguished speakers at the event are Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, the first female President, Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association, NTOA; Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Chief

Executive, Famfa Oil and Rose of Sharon Group and Iyalode Alaba Lawson, renowned Educationist and Chairman, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. Others are Ms. Benedikter Molokwu, past President, Institute of Directors Nigeria; Dr. Florence Seriki, CE, Omatek Technology Limited and Dr. Yinka Olaniyan.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Ugborodo crisis: FG orders restoration of peace ...as lawlessness persists BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ARRI—THE Federal Government’s mediation committee, looking into the leadership conflict in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, has directed the Nigerian Navy in the area to stem continued acts of lawlessness in the community. At the continued meeting in Abuja, Monday, with the warring factions, Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, represented by Rear Admiral A. Oyagha, was said to have ordered the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Warri, to apply minimal force to contain the violence in the community and for law abiding residents and visitors to go about their businesses. The CNS, who heads the government mediation committee for peaceful settlement of the crisis, reportedly took the decision when parties at the Monday meeting informed of last Friday’s attack on journalists and Ugborodo women leaders, who were on a boat to Ogidigben to pray for peace and the successful execution of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in the community. A source at the meeting told Vanguard yesterday, “You are aware that the lawlessness in Ugborodo has continued. Last Friday, women in the community who were on their way for prayers for God’s intervention in the crisis were attacked at Madangho along with journal-

ists on ground to cover the event. “It is a welcomed development that the mediation team is beginning to recognise the necessity for military intervention as some freeborns of the community are being stopped from entering their homes by violent elements using force of arms. This cannot continue.” Meanwhile, the mediation committee has also summoned evasive Dr. Alex Ideh and David Tonwe faction to appear before it on Wednesday next week to explain the continued absence of the faction’s mediation team in the ongoing peace talks.

It was gathered that the traditional authority in the community, the Olaja-Orori and Eghare-Aja, as well as a notable figure in the camp of Dr. Ideh and David Tonwe, have also been asked to face the mediation team unfailingly on Wednesday for the resolution of the issues in the crisis. The source said: “You will recall that the final resolution of this crisis had to be shifted by the government's4 peace committee three times owing to the absence of the Ideh/ Tonwe faction. Last Monday,

they stayed away again, except Dr. Ideh, who showed up with their counsel, Femi Falana and Festus Keyamo. Not happy with the delay tactics by Ideh/Tonwe faction by the CNS, we want this crisis resolved.” Also present at Monday’s meeting were representatives of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, the Department of State Services, DSS as well as representative of the Delta State Government.

Confab: Outcome'll be nullity unless... —Osunbor BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE ENIN—FORMER governor of Edo State, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, has said that the outcome of the National Conference scheduled to begin on March 18, will amount to nothing unless the issues of impunity, corruption and disrespect for the constitution, law and order were resolved by Nigerians. “Whether you change from presidential system to parliamentary system, change from state structures to regional, zonal structures, whether you start the constitution with 'We the people of Nigeria' or you don’t even have that preamble in the constitution, it will amount to nothing unless and until Nigerians resolve that this is our constitution and we must respect it,” he said.

Madam Nani for burial

NIGERIA OIL/GAS INDUSTRY GAMES: From left: Dr. Ogbeifun Louis Brown; Dr. Dan Efebo, GGM Human Resources, NNPC; Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams, Nigeria LNG and Mrs Ogechi Anusiowu, overall winner, from NNPC, at the 5th Annual Nigeria Oil and Gas Industries Games, NOGIG 14, held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

RS. Victoria Nani, nee Chokor, is dead, aged 82. She was a cosmetic dealer. She is survived by six children among whom is Mr. John Nani, a member of Delta State House of Assembly. Burial will take place on March 14, in her compound at Boboroku village, Jesse, Ethiope West, Local Government Area, Delta State.

Nigerian millionaires to hit 23,000 in next four years— Study BY OMOH GABRIEL

NEW report published by New World Wealth has disclosed that the number of Nigerians having about N160 million investable funds has risen to 15,700 as at last year end. It said that about $82 billion of the wealth is held abroad. According to the report “The number of people in Nigeria with investable assets of at least $1 million will jump to 23,000 by 2017, after increasing by 44 percent over the past six years to 15,700 in 2013." The Johannesburg-based New World Wealth in a report published, yesterday, added that about 26 per cent of their $82 billion of wealth was held offshore last year, with the bulk of private-banking funds deposited in the U.K., Switzerland and the Channel Islands. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital is home to 9,500 millionaires, or 61 per cent of Nigeria’s total. Next to Lagos the report said is oil industry hub Port Harcourt with 1,300 and the capital Abuja with 600, according to New World

Wealth. The oil and gas industry with being Africa’s largest was the source of 24 per cent of economy, the reality will remain this wealth. that more than half of Nigeria’s Nigeria is home to five billionpeople live on less than $2 a aires, according to the report, inday and that despite the recent cluding Africa’s richest man Aliko rapid growth of its non-oil secDangote, whose businesses range tor, it is overly dependent on from cement to sugar. Dangote has the commodity, from which it a net worth of $25.2 billion. The derives 70 per cent of governcountry has a population of 167 ment revenues and 90 per cent million and could officially become of export earnings. Africa’s largest economy this year, In recent months, Nigeria overtaking South Africa, which has has been reminded of its vulan annual output of about $320bn. Nigeria will complete a recalculation of its GDP, which currently IVERS State governor and totals $295bn, in the Chairman of Nigeria Governext few months. This nors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, rebasing, its first since has said that it was his constitu1990, will lead to sectors tional obligation to the people of that have boomed in the the state to deliver on infrastrucpast decade, such as ture and spend public funds juditelecoms and banking, ciously. being given more statisHe said it was also his constitutical weighting and liketional responsibility to ensure the ly increase the size of safety of lives and property in the the country’s economy state. by 30 per cent to 60 per He spoke during an inspection cent. However, for all tour to Elioparanwo and Ogbogoro the kudos that will come

nerabilities. Its stock exchange, having climbed 40 per cent in 2013, has dropped sharply and its currency has weakened because of a fall in oil revenues and foreign portfolio inflows slowing as the US has unwound its quantitative easing programme. The central bank warned in January that “monetary policy is almost at its limits” in terms of keeping the naira stable.

I’m bound to deliver —Amaechi

roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. Amaechi said: “I’m paid to do this job. I’m employed by the Rivers people, so I’m bound to deliver. The responsibility of a governor is to deliver on infrastructure, the lives and well-being of the citizens and ensure that they have security. “You can’t have government money in your kitty and not be able to utilise it. You must deploy it to the development of the people. It’s a matter of priority.”

Late Mrs.Victoria Nani

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 13

14— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014—15

Looting in PenCom: Clerk operates 50 bank accts ...has 50 signatures BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

BUJA — CHAIRMAN of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, yesterday, told a bewildered House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Val-

ues, how the commission accosted a junior officer, names withheld, with the Pension Commission operating 50 bank accounts with different names and signatures, with several millions lodged in the accounts. Nta made the disclosure when he appeared to defend the 2014 budget and the 2013 budget performance before the Committee, chaired by Mr.

Abiodun Faleke. Also, yesterday, Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, told the House Committee on Works that the Ministry was not at war with Rivers State government over allocation of roads. He also revealed that an agency of the Federal Government was discovered to have put N4billion, being the personnel cost of the agency for the year, in a fixed deposit account and that the head of the

agency was being investigated. Nta said 62 houses and plots of lands were seized from an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,NCSDC , who defrauded members of the public for non-existing housing scheme.

Chairman of the Committee, Abiodun Faleke, in his response, declared that the commission should expedite action in charging government officials found guilty of corrupt practices so as to serve as a deterrent to others, and to sanitise the system.

15 firms invest $1bn in 450mw Azura-Edo IPP BY CHRIS OCHAYI & CALEB AYANSINA

BUJA — NO fewer than 15 companies are currently investing over $1 billion in the ongoing Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant Project in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant is electricity generation project that comprises two phases; the first of which will generate 450mw for a total capital cost of $735 million. The power project, signed April 22, 2013, by Azura and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, is said to be the first time a group of investors would

come together to fund a power project from the scratch. The lenders to the project are Standard Chartered, Rand Merchant Bank, Siemens Bank, KfW, StanbicIBTC, First City Monument Bank, FMO, Netherlands, and the World Bank Group. Others are the International Finance Corporation, German Investment Corporation, French Investment Corporation, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, ICF Debt Pool, Frontier Markets’ Fund Managers, Swedfund of Sweden and CDC of the United Kingdom.

CBN lists 83 micro-finance banks for liquidation

.Depositors to be paid N102bn BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

BUJA — THE Cen tral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has approved the liquidation of 83 existing microfinance banks for engaging in fraudulent activities and having no operational offices. Already, a total of N102 billion has been earmarked in the 2014 budget of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, for payment to depositors of the affected banks. Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, who disclosed this when he appeared to defend his agency’s 2014 budget before the Senator Bassey Otu-led

Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, yesterday, said the banks were among the 900 microfinance banks with licences in the country. He insisted that the sledge hammer fell on the banks due to discovery that they were not only existing on papers but also used to defraud unsuspected Nigerians. Ibrahim said the NDIC was already working towards determining the number of depositors and how much each deposited in the banks in order to pay them. ”Some assets of the banks will also be sold. There is no doubt that the operations of some of the microfinance banks have become epileptic.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

FUEL SCARCITY BITES HARDER IN LAGOS, IBADAN

A long queue of motorists at AP filling station in Hotel Bus Stop, LASUIsheri Road, Igando.

Illegal petrol buyer in Lagos State.

Long queues of Okada riders at a fillinig station, at Aboru Road, IyanaIpaja, yesterday. Photos: Joe Akintola, photo editor & Bunmi Azeez

Another black market sellers of petrol. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Queues at Queen Elizabeth Road, Mokola, Ibadan. Photo: Dare Fasube

2015: You’ve no powers to stop Jonathan, Jubril Aminu tells northern politicians BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

ORTHERN POLITICIANS opposed to the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 have no power to stop him from running for a second term in office, former Petroleum Minister, a Professor Jubril Aminu, warned, yesterday. The former petroleum minister

said while it was proper for people to hold their views in a democratic setting, it was wrong for some elements to cause avoidable political rancour over a matter that did not warrant any protracted argument. He pointed out that any Northerner who wanted to stop Jonathan from getting a second term should not try to stop him by stoking unnecessary debate, which the law court could settle,

but should go to the poll to vote against him. Aminu said: “I don’t support the argument that Jonathan has the right or not to contest in 2015. That is not the issue because you cannot stop him from exercising his political right. "But I want to say that instead of arguing whether Jonathan is qualified or not, let those op-

Boko Haram: Product of corruption —Bishop BY NDAHI MARAMA

AIDUGURI — THE Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Reverend Oliver Doeme, yesterday, blamed the

Boko Haram crisis ravaging the North Eastern part of the country, especially Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states on the high level of corruption in the country.

Dep. Comptroller laments conditions in Jalingo Prisons BY JOHN MKOM

ALINGO — THE Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in Taraba State, Magaji Jatau, yesterday, lamented the deplorable condition of prisoners as well as those still awaiting trials for various offences in Jalingo Prisons, describing the situation as terrible. Jatau spoke when the Chairman

of DSK Foundation, Chief David Kente visited the prisons to donate some items to the inmates as part of his 49th birthday celebration. According to him, the poor condition of the prison was worsened by lack of water supply since the only pipe that connected it to public water supply had been been damaged.

Briefing newsmen at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Church, Maiduguri, Doeme said with the resources the country has, Nigerian youths were supposed to be trained and gainfully employed, but regretted that this was not the case because of high level of corruption in the land. ”If all youth are employed, we would not have witnessed the carnage we are witnessing today. ”Attacks on schools, places of worship and killings of innocent students is unacceptable. I therefore call on the Federal Government to equip the security agencies to enable them checkmate the activities of the insurgents.

posed to him use the ballot box to vote him out during the election. “If those opposed to him can muster enough votes to prevent him from winning, will the President not stand down?” he asked. Aminu, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard in Abuja, claimed that most of those parading themselves as Northern politicians opposed to Jonathan’s re-election, did not represent the voice of the northers, but their selfish interest.

Jonathan to visit Niger State Saturday

INNA — GOVERNOR Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger said, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to visit the state on Saturday. Aliyu disclosed this in Minna while receiving the North Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jong Yong Chol. Chol was in company of the Managing Director of the Inland Water Ways Authority, Hajiya Inna Ciroma.

Pension Scam: Court orders forfeiture of hotel to FG BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA — A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Federal Government to take over the ownership of Brifina Hotel which hitherto belonged to one of the alleged pension thieves, Dr. Sani Shuaibu Teidi. Teidi, who was a former director at the Pension Accounts, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, was said to have bought the hotel with proceeds of fraud. Ruling on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, ordered the final forfeiture of Brifina Hotel Limited which is located at Plot 1106, Cadastral Zone B02 ,Durumi District, Abuja. The hotel was among over 32 choice property that were traced to the accused person, who is currently standding trial from Kuje prison in Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 17

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 NIGERIANS woke up last week, panicked so much that they collectively agreed to purchase more fuel than they needed. Before the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation realised the ploy, fuel scarcity had overtaken the country. Panic buying, according to NNPC, was responsible for the scarcity that hit all parts of Nigeria. In Calabar, the product was available for N250 a litre in the black market. Nigerians are wondering how a product that is unavailable in the petrol stations is on the streets, for the highest bidders. NNPC sticks to its story – panic buying. What happened, the ordinary Nigerian thinks, was a gradual drying up of NNPC’s supplies while whoever was responsible was doing something else, or nothing at all. Better still, he did not need to do anything about it than go through files that for almost 30 years had blamed panic buying for fuel scarcity. Economic and social activities have slowed down. Losses from almost a week of fuel shortages would run into billions of Naira. Small businesses would hurt more.

Blame Nigerians FFor or Scarcity The jump in inflation figures is predictable. None of these affects those who got the country into this mess. Do they queue for fuel? Do they know of emergency services like hospitals that would shut down if they do not get fuel for their generators? Do they feel the pain of the ordinary Nigerian who needs fuel to provide his potable water? If you do not feel it, you can think excuses would suffice. What is so difficult about importing and distributing fuel since the official position is that Nigerians cannot refine fuel for their own uses? Can those who stand against domestic refining of products now

argue that they cannot fund product importation? The debate is not the same as increasing the pump price, a pet project of another group that posits that Nigerian refineries can only work, if fuel prices in Nigeria are the same as the international price of the product. Our country could go down the drain for all that some care. They have no concerns for either the country’s present or its future. All they want is their welfare, which they seem to have figured out rested mostly on things going wrong with Nigeria. Government has to address product availability through private investments in domestic refineries. Labour, high volumes of usage, availability of the crude, savings on freight, insurance, port charges and other import-related costs would make fuel refined in Nigeria cheaper, in addition to creating jobs. If panic buying caused the disruption of economic and social life of the past one week, government has a huge responsibility of attending to it in the same emergency manners security operations demand.

OPINION BY KAYODE OJO

HENEVER a newly appointed public office holder newly sets out by criticising and even underplaying all the efforts of his or her predecessor that is a red flag. This was precisely my earliest concern about the competence of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi years ago when he was named Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Yes, Sanusi started out with the wrong assumption that the only way he could legitimise his appointment and win popular acceptance was by demonizing his immediate predecessor in office, the very erudite Chukwuma Soludo. Thus, within a few months into what is now a tragic regime, Sanusi dissipated energy on undoing all the honest efforts of Soludo, portraying him in bad light as a poor manager of the economy, and even when executing the plans of the former governor, Sanusi lacked the courage and integrity to credit his predecessor just because of his cravings to be seen as a helluva banker. Well, the chicken has come home to roost and Sanusi’s rabidity, which has been mistaken for competence, by not quite a few, has unravelled. To be fair, not all Nigerians bought Sanusi’s dummy. Quite early in the day, Pat Utomi characteristically was unafraid of his voice and spoke out succinctly on what he thought was a bad appointment as the CBN governor. He was particularly worried that Sanusi’s rabid approach would not augur well for the economy, especially his interventions in the banking sector as opposed to the discreet style adopted by Soludo. It is a shame today, that Utomi’s comments on the suspension of Sanusi, which are consistent with his

Sanusi, APC : How not to run an economy earlier position, are now being misconstrued by the opposition because a bank which he chaired was one of those that the CBN Governor sanctioned. From the stories now coming from those who were shut up before – when Sanusi was holding sway – how are we sure that even the predicament of Utomi was not a consequence of his earlier opposition to Sanusi’s appointment? It is even more disheartening that the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is defending and supporting Sanusi in the face of serious allegations of incompetence, fraud, wastefulness, abuse of due process for which he has been suspended from office by the President. The Report of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria dated 7th June, 2013 is so damning that it is a shame that a political party like APC that has been pontificating on due process and fighting corruption is the one defending the suspended CBN Governor. If all that APC has been doing is not grandstanding, the party ought to have been very angry with President Jonathan for keeping Sanusi on the job long after the report of the FRCN. Comment (a) of the Report for instance, states inter alia: “The explanation provided is a clear display of incompetence, nonchalance, fraud, wastefulness, abuse of due process and deliberate efforts to misrepresent facts on the part of the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria”. After going through this unambiguous submission, it is still unbelievable that a party that claims to be an advocate of due process and anti-corruption is rather celebrating and defending a man that a

credible professional regulatory body as FRCN has indicted. Why would the APC not be worried that the man whose responsibility it is to regulate the monetary policy of the country is presenting financial statements that are unreliable for decision making? As the FRCN Report indicates, the financial statement that seems to have put Sanusi in trouble was highly abridged with poor disclosures of transactions and at best contained figures that were mere allocations to items to arrive at a predetermined number. The Report also clearly stated that the CBN claimed it paid the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting N38.233 billion in 2011 for “printing of banknotes” whereas, in fact, the turnover of the company (NSPM) is N29.370 billion. Sanusi’s CBN also claimed it paid Emirate Airline N0.51 Billion to distribute currency by air nationwide when everybody knows it for a fact that Emirate does not fly local charter flights in the country. Wing Airline, which Sanusi claims to have paid N0.425 billion is not registered with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority; and Associated Airline, which Sanusi claimed he paid N1.025 billion, according to FRCN report, cannot boast of a billion naira turnover in the year in question. Yet, this is the same CBN Governor that dragged bank executives disgracefully on the streets of Lagos for allegedly falsifying figures, granting fraudulent loans and engaging in insiders credit abuse! As we all know, the main responsibility of the CBN is to act as the banker to the government and to provide economic and

financial advice to the Federal Government. From what is coming out now, it is clear that the CBN, under Sanusi, is not primed to carry out this all-important responsibility to the government. As the FRCN Report has shown, there is no credibility, integrity and professionalism in the CBN system under Sanusi. It is heart-rending to hear that a central bank can compromise joint external auditors and that Sanusi threw corporate governance out of the window. By taking important decisions alone like that of the annual financial statement, the suspended CBN Governor deprived the nation the services of the Board that was carefully chosen to regulate monetary policies in the land. It is quite obvious that Sanusi was too distracted to be an efficient and competent CBN Governor. The many reports of his peccadilloes and his widely advertised dream of becoming the Emir of Kano when the incumbent is still alive did not help matters. Is it therefore surprising that under Sanusi’s watch, the Naira that used to exchange for about $130 is now exchanging for about $163? But what is indeed baffling for many watchers of Nigeria is the manner that the APC is defending Sanusi, a man who has heaps of fraud allegations hanging on his neck. This is the same APC that shouted vociferously for the removal of Stella Oduah for allegations of corruption; how come the same people are now decorating and canonizing Sanusi for even more heinous crime? So this is how APC plans to run the Nigerian economy if it comes to power!

*Mr. Ojo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014— —19

, N

IGERIAN governments are known by the many wars they fight. Each Nigerian government is a kind of war council that chooses its own kind of war. Our 'corrective' military regimes are particularly notorious for their many wars, especially the war against corruption. The purge initiated by the Murtala Mohammed regime in the mid1970s was meant to restore sanity to our sense of national existence. Both the civil service and military were dealt heavy blows in a series of purges that saw to the return of thousands of Nigerians to private lives as they lost their means of livelihood for very mundane reasons. These ranged from laziness, incompetence, lack of productivity and old age, etc, but all under the broad rubric of corruption. It wouldn't matter that a Nigerian military regime holds what one might call the record for the worst heist against the national treasury, military regimes are adept at starting and prolonging social wars. The Obasanjo regime that continued the unfinished business started by Mohammed would bring down the war dance to something of a military as opposed to a

'police operation' of the kind that started the civil war. The regime, led by a man with the rustic upbringing of a farmer, called its campaign 'Operation Feed the Nation' that mischievous Nigerians call 'Obasanjo Farms of Nigeria'. It was meant to save us from mass starvation but many thought it was a self-serving initiative of Obasanjo, hence the re-christening. The successor government of Shehu Shagari, although a civil administration, adopted the Obasanjo rhetoric but saw its own campaign in very grand terms which it called a revolution. Thus began its 'Green' and later 'Ethical' revolutions. But this administration was peopled by Nigerians of assumedly weak moral fibre. They were booted out by a Buhari/ Idiagbon regime that saw itself as an incarnate of the Mohammed/Obasanjo regime. Its own version of the national war was against indiscipline and it called this WAI: War Against Indiscipline. It was the era of 'turnby-turn' during which Nigerians learnt the value of queuing for services in the hardest of ways as they were flogged like children and common thieves in public for

their moral infractions. Others were made to do 'frog jumps' while the very big politicians each bagged many lifetimes in jail for treasury-looting. Ibrahim Babangida took on the WAI campaign but with a different tempo and emphasis that turned to agriculture. Uncharitable Nigerians who thought Babangida began the 'settlement' syndrome in Nigeria would argue that the change in focus was deliberate. The more to loot the treasury without calling attention or, more precisely, diverting attention from it. Anyway, the regime set up a directorate, one of several such agencies set up over eight years period, with a long name that was better known by its simpler moniker- DFFRI. Thereafter Sani Abacha took over like he had not, that is without calling what he did to his ousted predecessor (a coup) by any name. But no sooner had he pushed over the Ernest Sonekan 'interimist' government than he launched what he called a War Against Indiscipline and Corruption: WAI-C. In one fell swoop Abacha proposed to combine the military campaigns

The President's Media Chat and the stolen fund at NNPC: Let the truth be told BY GODWIN ETAKIBUEBU

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan obliged Nigerians with another media chat on Monday, February 23, 2014, to talk more specifically about the Centenary celebration. Few other topical issues crept into the chat. One of such issues that challenged this writer ’s curiosity is the alleged missing funds at the NNPC. The NNPC missing fund is of great importance to Nigerians, ditto the civilised world, for many reasons. One, the man, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who told the whole world that money is fraudulently stolen at the NNPC is on his way to jail, having been placed on “permanent” suspension; the same route Justice Ayo Salami [the former President of Court of Appeal] followed into oblivion of retirement, courtesy of Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Powers. Two, there are witnesses from governmental quarters who bore witness before Nigerians, through their representative in the Nigerian National Assembly, that money was actually missing [stolen - either they want to call spade by its name of spade or not]. The only point of discrepancy is the amount stolen. Major amongst these witnesses are the Coordinating Minister of the Nigerian Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Group Managing Director of the NNPC and the Minister of Petroleum Resources,

Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who told the National Assembly loud and clear that she spent N3.5 billion as kerosene subsidy without budget appropriation. Three, there is a colossal sum of US$734.4 trillion, by NNPC admission of importing 9.6 trillion metric tonne of DPK in four years [this looks like overexaggerated figure as fact of the Nigerian Ports Authority berthing facilities may not support this quantity of import], looted from the Nigerian treasury by a few people somewhere “up there”. In view of these salient points and many more, the President’s response to questions posted “half-heartedly” by the panellist of those journalists, during the media chat, fell far short of logical presentation. Let us deal with just only two of those responses. The reason for suspending Sanusi at the time he was suspended, according to the President, was to enable the Board of CBN scrutinise the report of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria [FRCN] that allegedly indicted Sanusi, without him [as the Chairman of the Board of the CBN] interfering with investigation. The second reason is the urgency of Mr. President to approve the audited financial report of the CBN “which was overdue as it [same audited financial report of 2013] must be approved before the end of the first quarter of 2014 as stipulated by law”. I submit that it is in-between these two “justifiable reasons” for suspending

of the Mohammed/Obasanjo regimes with the Buhari/ Idiagbon regime. It is a measure of this regime's success with its campaign that nearly two decades after the death of Abacha Nigeria is still prosecuting members of the Abacha family for stolen funds kept in secret Swiss accounts and other foreign accounts around the world. The return to civil rule has not seen much change in the initiation of national campaigns. But the focus now is on projections and visions of the future. Somehow this talk of vision, if not the idea behind it, was first bruited under the Abacha regime with its so-called Vision 20-20 campaign. The Umaru Yar'Adua and the succeeding Goodluck Jonathan administrations decided on pursuing versions of this 20-20 Vision with their different agenda which were supposed to be either of Seven-Point or, in fact, of a 'Transformational' hue. Theirs was not a complete abandonment of the war against corruption as every Nigerian leader must be seen to be talking against corruption even while actively promoting it. No, these leaders did not abandon the fight against corruption but they came with their individual 'agenda' to the war. The short-lived and tragedyprone Yar'Adua administration was able to escape scrutiny. But with Goodluck Jonathan, there has been ample opportunity to view the administration's type of war. Clearly, it has returned to the war against corruption with very little to show beyond rhetoric that is as empty as it is uninspiring. But what is even more alarming is that under this administration

Nigeria's expanding war zones

The series of successes being recorded by the terrorists may gore them into expanding the theatre of war beyond the North-East into other parts of the country hitherto safe from terror activities

Sack and jail all of them (the culprits) at both the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources at once as the first step; then follow this up with bringing all our money back to the Federated Account through a transparent route

Sanusi, at the time the President did, lies his unsuccessful attempt in distancing himself from promotion of corruption. Let us look at both reasons critically. If the urgency of approving the audited financial report of the CBN for the years 2012 and 2013, Which Are Ready, could force hastening Sanusi’s suspension, what happens to the NNPC that has not audited its financial report [or at least not presented same] for eight years? The minister who supervises the NNPC is an appointee of Mr. President. Ipso facto, Nigerians, ditto the whole world, want to know how many queries he [Mr. President] has given to the Minister or how many suspension order has been placed either at the ministry or at NNPC. While on this, why did the President fail [or continuously failing] to query his appointed minister who admitted spending un-budgeted and unappropriated N3.5 billion for kerosene subsidy. Nigerians want to know Mr. President, and they have the absolute legal

there is increasing prospect of Nigeria actually going to war with itself or an outcast part of itin other words another civil war. This time it is a war being waged at great loss to the state by religious zealots and terrorists. And the terrorists are again gaining the upper hand in the North East theatre zone that has been the hub of terror activists in the last four years. This part of the country does not seem to be part of the Nigerian civil arrangement anymore. Indeed, the war going on here is without punning of the very uncivil type. Innocent lives, young lives are increasingly being lost in a manner that puts a question on the legitimacy of any claim that this part of Nigeria is still part of the Nigerian state. The Jonathan administration has all but lost its war against corruption given the time it has left in office. In light of its plan to continue in office, this means it has no time to either win or at least give a good showing in the war any more. Its major preoccupation, the new war it is interested in, is how to hold on to the reins of power. The grim harvest of young, innocent lives brutally cut down in schools across Bauchi, Yobe and Adamawa states in the last six months may continue for a while to come. What is worse, the series of successes being recorded by the terrorists may gore them into expanding the theatre of war beyond the North East into other parts of the country hitherto safe from terror activities. With the war against corruption lost is Jonathan also prepared to lose the war against terror?

right to know, where she pulled the money from. Please tell us the details if you gave her such colossal sum from your security vote. What the President may want to know on this matter is that Nigerians are aware of one fact – to wit: the rottenness at the NNPC is a direct indictment of two Ministers than others. These are that of Finance [minor] and Petroleum Resources [major] and these two are closest to Jonathan, acting more as his back bones. They, for now, would remain untouchable and whoever goes near them must be consumed with “Presidential fury”. This is the truth. Yes, we concede that the President can deal with any of his employee, Sanusi inclusive, as he likes within the supremacy of his wisdom in the conferment of legality. My advice to the President is to sack him if he must, jail him if he must or even to kill him if he must – but all within the orbit of the laws of the land. At the same time, Mr. President, you are facing severe moral crises and the onus of clearing your name that you are not a promoter of corruption lies on you exclusively. Sack and jail all of them [the culprits] at both the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources at once as the first step. Then follow this up with bringing all our money back to the Federated Account through a transparent route. We are waiting for you to do this. Anything short of this shall throw all your endeavours of this battle into the field of exercise in futility. *Mr. Etakibuebu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 , 2014

Boko Haram: GEJ should act decisively now! (2) BY EBELE ORAKPO

‘D

*The recently commissioned asphalt plant at Imota

Road rehabilitation: Relief for Lagos communities, thanks to asphalt plant BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

ESIDENTS of Ikorodu, Im ota, Agbowa, Epe and other neigbouring communities in Lagos East Senatorial District, Lagos, recently received an unexpected visitor in the person of the state governor, Babatunde Fashola. The Governor came to inspect ongoing projects and to hand over already completed ones, while affirming his administration’s resolve to consolidate current massive infrastructural upgrade and renewal in the areas. One of the projects is the Imota Asphalt Plant which is expected to solve the problem of asphalt production for road construction and rehabilitation in the zone. The plant is expected to service Iko-

out projects for the general good, some people had taken government to court, thereby delaying such projects and the benefits that could have accrued to the people, adding that such projects would also solve the problems of unemployment. Using the Imota Asphalt Plant as a reference, the Governor said while under construction, scores of unemployed youths got jobs directly while other indirect jobs such as selling of food and other support jobs became available, saying that after the construction many residents had gotten engaged in the supply of raw materials for the production at the plant. “The plant is already impacting on the community, addressing

The plant will go a long way in regenerating the environment in terms of an increase in the number of annual road maintenance and employment generation

rodu, Ibeju Lekki, Eredo, Epe, Agbowa-Ikosi, part of Eti Osa, Ijede, among others. Siting the plant in Imota area, according to government sources, will go a long way in regenerating the environment in terms of an increase in the number of annual road maintenance, employment generation and a boost in commercial activities. While handing over the plant, Fashola assured that his administration would continue to find solutions to developmental problems in the state instead of talking about them. He, therefore, appealed to residents to cooperate with his administration in its developmental efforts by giving up land where required in the interest of the generality of the people. “Government is making steady progress with its plan to develop all parts of the state,” he said. He lamented that in some areas where it had sought to carry

youth unemployment in a positive and visible way. The most interesting thing about the plant is that it is modern and sophisticated as it reuses all asphalt scraped from the roads. According to the Chairman, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, Mr. Gbenga Akintola, the creation of the plant would increase the number of roads maintained, saying that the host community as well as four other local governments such as Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu and part of Eti-Osa would experience an increase in the number of roads maintained annually, estimating that the plant would cater for 420 roads in this axis. The community has a few years ago complained of lack of government presence. Slowly, but surely, the economy of this place is picking up. I will not be in the discussion of youth employment but I will engage in finding solution to it,” he said.

The Governor also inspected the Vocational and Technical College, Ikorodu where he inspected the MTN Youth Skill Development Centre and commissioned the Nigerite Projects building. He urged Lagosians to partner with the government so as to continue to sustain its development plans for the State. He expressed joy that his administration’s objective to lift the image and value of technical education in the State was being realised.

Training of youths Fashola stated that his administration had gone into collaboration with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association to ensure that as the youths were trained, they were employed directly. He added that “it is no longer how many youths are going to be employed after training, it is how many of the graduate youths are available for employment.” Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Pascal Edozie said in engaging in developmental projects in Lagos State and across the country, the company was showing gratitude for accommodation given to it and creation of enabling environment in which it has thrived over the years.The new LSPWC Imota Asphalt plant is of a batch of mix type with a maximum production capacity of 180 tons per hour. The plant was manufactured in Italy by a company called Marini whic was founded in 1899 and has over 60 years experience. The Imota plant is of the Marini Ultimap 2000 B5 range. It is considered the most universal range Ultimap plant type with best ratio hourly production, price and quality and charaterised by ample and easy access to whatever plant component in accordance with European regulations.

ID you read the interview of an ex-Boko Haram member named Nasir Isiaku? He said they used to kill Christians because they believe that by killing them, they will enter heaven at death? Their leaders told them the Quran said they should kill their enemies - Christians. He said their sponsors are wealthy Nigerians, some in government, and many are past leaders. Among them are governors and senators who sponsor them heavily. He even mentioned names but they were withheld. He said they have infiltrated the armed forces and those members help them a lot whenever they want to fight,” narrated lyke. “We still have a very long way to go. Imagine them telling the President to change his religion because they see him as inferior to them, so he is not fit to lead them. Imagine the insolence! Recently, one Sheikh Abdulkadir Ahmed called during a Radio Nigeria programme to say that the only thing that will stop Boko Haram and return peace to Nigeria is if only Northerners are allowed to contest the 2015 presidential election. I was flabbergasted,” said Tim. Said Julia: “Yeah, I heard the story. He even went further to tell us who and who should contest on what platform: PDP - Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; APC -Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari; PDM - Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and VOP (Voice of the People) - Alhaji Sule Lamido.”

Right to contest elections “Oh, he is way behind the times. All these people have changed parties. So the Southerners no longer have any right to contest elections? I just dey laugh. They should not forget that no one has the monopoly of violence. If a Northerner becomes president in 2015, the Niger-Delta guys will unleash their own brand of terror on the nation so they better think well,” cautioned Ade. Said Florence: “Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said recently that ‘the situation has gone beyond the normal pattern that we gave to Boko Haram and I think we need to really appreciate the gravity of the situation’. Just imagine that!” “What? The pattern they gave Boko? Tell me you are kidding...” shouted Tim, mouth agape. “He said it. He was not misquoted at all,” insisted Florence. Said Tim: “The implication is that they, the Northern governors and the elite, are the ones sponsoring Boko Haram terrorists and the relationship has kind of gone sour and the dogs are now attacking their owners...pay back time!” “Water don pass garri’. No wonder they are all condemning the terrorists now, right, left and centre. So it was okay for them to kill Southerners and Christians and moderate Moslems? Whatever a man sows, he will surely reap! The Bible was very clear on that,” said Ade. “I don’t think that was what the man meant. I think it was a case of grammar not well constructed. No right thinking person would make such a statement. He may have been saying that the Boko guys have deviated from the pattern they were known to follow,” noted Julia. “He meant exactly what he said! It’s divine intervention. God is in the matter now and true confessions will continue to flow. First was the season of open letters and now this! Nigeria must be saved from all the vampires holding her by the jugular. The blood of all those innocent people murdered in cold blood is crying out for vengeance,” said Florence. “I feel the Federal Government should engage the services of the international community. These guys are terrorists and not just armed robbers or kidnappers,” submitted Julia. Continues next week

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 21

Biotechnology’ll grow economy by $11.6bn — Monsanto By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

F biotechnology application becomes firm in Nigeria, the country will generate additional economic output of $11.6 billion, Monsanto President has said. Mr. Jose Manuel Madero, the President and Managing Director, Monsanto Company, Europe, Middle East and Africa, EMEA, stated this at a stakeholders meeting/dinner organised by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, OFAB, during a visit from the European delegation led by the EMEA. Madero President promised to assist Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda from farming to engine of economic growth, saying that vision 2020 will be an engine of economic growth of Nigeria, when biotechnology is fully rooted into the nation’s agricultural sector. According to him, farmers need to access biotechnology anywhere in the world and it would be left to them to decide whether to use it or not. “Monsanto is not new in Africa, we are in sixteen (16) locations in Africa, Burkina Faso now has huge agricultural transformation while in South Africa, 95 per cent of farmers are into biotech”, he said. “We also invest in research and technology that can improve life as well as invest $4 million a day to bring technology to farmers,” he ex-

From left: Mr. Lucas Scaraffiotti, MD/CEO, Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company, MEMMCOL; Hon. Abike Dabiri (Power Committee member and Chairman, Diaspora Committee, NASS) and Engr. Kola Balogun, Chairman, MEMMCOL during a courtesy visit to the factory, in Lagos. plained. He further highlighted other EMEA activities focused on Africa, to include commercial crops, such as Cotton, maize & vegetables; cowpea trait donation in Western Africa; improving maize and vegetable value chains in Tanzania and partnering with local NGOs. Others are farmer groups, research organizations and the Tanzanian government built to help improve hybrid maize and vegetable valuechains in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania, SAGCOT, which help by improving productivity, reduc-

ing waste, improving soil health and enhancing economic opportunity for Tanzanian farmers. According to him, the company is also involved in transferring technology to improve cassava in Uganda and Kenya; in partnership with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, the National Root Crops Research Institute in Uganda and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, as well as supporting local NGOs to fight hunger and improve nutrition. In his remark, the Chairman Senate Committee on Science

and Technology, Prof. Robert Boroffice, expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan will be anxious to sign the Biosafety Bill for the interest of the country. “I see no reason why the President will not assent to the Bill, he is anxious to see that food production is improved in the country and to ensure that more people are employed in the agricultural industry which, biosafety can lead,” he assured. “I say it again, I can speak authoritatively that Mr. President will be anxious to enact a Bio-safety law, when he gets

the passed bill before him, for the interest of the country, he will sign. So that Monsanto and other countries can come to Nigeria to assist us in boosting agricultural production not only in food but also in area of cotton, cowpea, maize, tomatoes. “You can imagine the number of farmers that will be employed or agro-industry that will emerge and increase productivity ten times, twenty times and hundred times,” he added.

Reforms destroying jobs in Nigeria, others, laments PSI By JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

UBLIC Services International, PSI, West African region, has said that the reform programme in the African continent; especially the West African sub-region is killing jobs and compounding poverty. At the 2014 English speaking (East and West) Africa Sub-Regional Advisory Committee, SUBRAC, in Abuja, organised by Public Services International, PSI, participants lamented that job losses had been worsening the level of poverty in the continent. Speaking, Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said another consequence of the reform was the militancy and other forms of criminality in the region.

He argued that when the government killed jobs, people were made to be redundant and became willing tools to carry out criminal activities, stressing that the issue of Boko Haram would have not existed if there were jobs available for the youths. Ajaero who is also the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, said that the masses were yet to experience any positive impact from the civil service reforms and that if any impact existed; the negative impact outweighed the positive. According to him, since the privatisation of electricity in the country, the power situation had not improved while many Nigerians had lost their jobs and tariffs are on the increase, thereby making the work-

ers poorer. While appealing to the governments within the region to take a critical look at the reforms, he also appealed to them to encourage women and youths employment in ministries, department and parastatals. In his goodwill message, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu noted that PSI was a global Trade Union Federation representing 20 million working men and women who deliver public services in 150 countries. Wogu said the public service reflected the form of political structure in a society, adding that historically, the public service in Nigeria was a child of colonialism, borne out of a need to have a body of officials to implement the ordinances and other decisions of the British Monarch.

168.05

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2,934.00

-16.00

16.63

0.3

109.66

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102.09

-0.66

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI

RIYA KRONA SDR

154.75 258.123 212.1777 173.8764 1.5102 0.3053 238.3459 25.4025 41.2601 28.4279 238.7638

155.25 258.957 21 2.8633 174.4382 1.5151 0.3153 239.116 25.485 41.3934 28.5197 239.5352

SELLING 155.75 259.791 213.5488 175 1.52 0.3253 239.8861 25.5676 41.5267 28.6116 240.30

CBN Exchange rate as at 04 /03/2014

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

BRIEF Insurance agency employee accused of stealing $1,250

n employee of a Golden Gate Insurance Company was arrested Friday after he admitted to altering customers’ accounts and stealing more than $1,200. Geoffrey Adam Abbott, 31, of the 3100 block of La Costa Circle, East Naples, faces felony grand theft and fraud charges. The owner of the insurance agency told Collier County sheriff ’s investigators that he became suspicious when he started getting complaints from customers who were receiving overdue notices even after they had stopped in the office to make cash payments. The owner ran a transaction history and found that Abbott had been deleting cash payments from their computer. In total, Abbott is accused of pocketing $1,257 by altering the accounts of nine customers in December. Abbott met with deputies on Friday and admitted to stealing the money, reports said.

Allianz Life profits up 10% In 2013

igher interest rates drove a turnaround for annuities in 2013, boosting profits at Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America. Operating profits at Allianz Life jumped 10 per cent last year to $646 million, the Wayzata-based company said. Total premiums, or sales, climbed 4 per cent from a year earlier to $9.7 billion, after showing serious declines in recent years as rock-bottom interest rates took a toll. Sales of variable annuities continued declining last year, dropping 9 per cent. However, sales of fixed index annuities jumped 11 per cent. Allianz Life is the country’s No. 1 seller of fixed annuities. Annuities are insurance products used for retirement, with a reputation for being complicated. At their simplest, buyers put down a lump sum for a regular stream of pension-like payments. Fixed annuities offer a guaranteed payout, while variable annuities are higher risk and pay out based on the performance of underlying investments. The entire annuities C M Y K

STORIES BY ROSEAMRY ONUOHA

HE National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has denied any involvement with the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in the alleged diversion of the Police Group Life Insurance premium to Custodian Life Insurance Company. In a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Rasaaq Salami, NAICOM stated that it is not involved in the pre-qualification and selection process of awarding the Group Life Insurance Policy (GLIP) of the Nigeria Police or any other agency or organ to insurance brokers or underwriters, as it has no mandate to direct the Accountant-General of the Federation to effect premium payment to any particular insurance company or broker. According to the statement, “The Commission did not and will never have directed the Accountant-General to make payment to insurance company A and not company B in a transaction it was never a party to and, moreover that which it has no powers over.” The Commission further said, “It is pertinent to note that the Commission is aware that the Pension Reforms (Amendment) Act 2011 provided that the categories of persons mentioned in section 291 and members of the Armed Forces of the Federation in section 217 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and members of the Intelligence and Secret Services shall be exempted from the Scheme. “On the strength of this amendment, available records in the Commission’s disposal revealed that PENCOM wrote the Inspector General of Police on August 07, 2012 to advise the Police Force “on the need to expedite action and solely/ entirely handle the Nigeria Police Force’s Group Life Insurance Policy from 2013 financial year … and to make necessary arrangements to submit the 2013 budget proposal on Police’s GLIP to the Budget Office of the Federation. “The NPF in a letter dated August 16, 2012 duly intimated the DG, Budget Office of their autonomy to manage their own Group Life Assurance Policy separate from those of the civilians and other forces, and “ we are making arrangements for submission of 2013 budget proposal for the Nigeria Police Group Life Assurance. Available records in the Commission also show that the NPF placed advertisement in Newspapers on Friday, February 22, 2013 for “prequalification of Contractors for

From left: Managing Director, Capital Express Assurance Limited, Mrs. Bola Odukale; Chairman, Otunba Tunde Adenuga; Company Secretary, Mrs. Joy Sulucainan; and Vice Chairman, Mr. Anthony Aletor, during the 12th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos.

NAICOM denies allegation of diversion of police group life premium 2013 Recurrent/Capital Projects of the NPF” including procurement of Group Life Assurance Scheme 2013 policy year as LOT 16. From available records, a total of 20 insurance companies and 46 brokers participated in the prequalification process conducted by the Police Procurement Office. On April 15, 2013 the PENCOM vide a letter advised the Office of Head of Service to allow the NPF handle its GLIP separately. On May 14, 2013 the NPF vide a letter, appointed Hogg Robinson Nig. Ltd as “the Lead broker to handle the Scheme for the year 2013. By this appointment, you will be expected to assist in getting financial bids/quotes from the pre-qualified underwriters.

“Between May 18 and 22, 2013 the underwriters submitted their quotes to the Lead Broker who thereafter, May 30, 2013 to be precise advised the Police thus: “As requested in your letter, we are pleased to forward herewith the various costs and benefits submitted by the Assures for your considerations. In this circumstance, we hereby recommend Custodian Life Assurance Company ’s submission for Leadership. Records available to NAICOM shows that the NPF on June 5, 2013 vide a letter informed the Office of Head of Service of the Federation of the approval granted by the SGF “in his letter No. 59149/5 i/c/11/266 dated July 20, 2012 to administer its own Pension separately like the Army and

SSS. We have now placed the 2013 GLIP with our underwriters and Brokers and have approached the Budget Office to release the money to our lead underwriters/lead brokers. Consequently, the PENCOM vide a letter on May 27, 2013 to the DG, Budget Office at the instance of the NPF stated that “the Commission (PENCOM) has no objection to the request of NPF for the release of the sum budgeted for the payment of premium on Group Life Insurance Policy for 2013 in favour of Nigeria Police Force to enable them manage the scheme separately as envisaged. “From available records, there is nothing to suggest that NAICOM was involved in the transactions,” the statement noted.

Capital Express records N2.8bn premium in 2012

APITAL Express Assurance Limited recorded N2.8 billion premium in 2012 financial period. The Chairman of the company, Mr. Babatunde Adenuga, disclosed this during its 12th annual general meeting in Lagos last week. “Against harsh economic backdrop, your company achieved a gross written premium of N2.8 billion for the year ended 2012,” he said. He noted that the company achieved 79 per cent growth in investment income in the financial period under review. The chairman said that the current year promises to be better in terms of premium drive and increased performance.

“With fervent pursuit of our corporate strategy and business approach, we would leverage on our strength with promises of better and more rewarding 2013,” he said. He said Capital Express was strategically positioned to face the challenges of the new year and respond to the ever changing economic environment. According to him, a series of deliberate actions necessary to turn around the fortunes of its foreign subsidiaries and reposition them for better performance will be a key part of its strategic thrust in the coming year. The firm, he added, would diligently execute its 2013 business plans intended to position the

company as a clear leader in its various markets. “We will continue to focus on optimal resource deployment, empowerment of our employees, utmost professionalism, high values and ethical standards, and sound governance and risk management practices,” he said. The chairman said that its management and employees remained pivotal in the growth aspirations of the company as they continue to drive and support its growth. Adenuga also said that in 2012, Mr. Anthony Aletor retired as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company but remained on the board as a Non-Executive Director.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 23

Employees should demand group life insurance from employers —NAICOM Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

OMMISSIONER for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, has urged employees to demand for group life insurance cover from their employers. Daniel who disclosed this in Lagos recently noted that most employees, especially in the private sector, are ignorant of this coverage and at such, their employers ride on this to deprive them of their rights. Group life insurance cover, he said, will provide succour for them and their families in times of need. He added that employers with four employees were mandated under the Pension

Reform Act of 2004, to provide insurance cover for their workers, saying it is mandatory on workers to ask employers who are subverting the law to comply. Daniel stated that Naicom’s recent visit to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was

to provoke its officers to challenge workers to demand their rights from their employers. While stating that government is frequently providing group life cover for its workers, he called on employers in the private

Soladoye to serve as national technical adviser to INSCAN T

HE Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, INSCAN, has announced the acceptance of its offer to Mr. Yemi Soladoye to serve as its National Technical Adviser

According to a statement, with this development, Soladoye would assist the association in achieving its countrywide project, tagged Full Confidence and Trust in

From left: Vice President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Sola Tinubu; President of the NCRIB, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu and Mr. Kolapo Adedeji, Managing Director of Niger Insurance Plc, during the February Edition of NCRIB Members’ Evening hosted by Niger Insurance Plc in Lagos.

Economy needs terror coverage scheme, RIMS warns

sector to do the same. Daniel said, “I want to assure the public that any insurance company that provides group life must pay claims. The company will not just pay when it wants to, but pay promptly.”

he Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) has told a US Senate committee that extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) is vital. TRIA was introduced in 2002 when terrorism cover fell away following the September 11 2001 attacks. It is due to expire at the end of this year. The government program, which has already been extended twice, provides reinsurance coverage in the event of major losses. RIMS President Carolyn Snow told a committee on banking, housing and urban affairs that reauthorisation of TRIA is in the nation’s best interests. “We believe the availability and

affordability of adequate insurance coverage for acts of terrorism is not only an insurance issue, but an economic one. By providing a backstop and assuming some of the market terrorism risk as a reinsurer, the Federal Government has freed up capacity in the private market that would not otherwise exist. “This capacity can then be made available to the consumer at affordable prices, which we have seen in the current marketplace.” Without a TRIA-style program, RIMS believes many will self-insure because coverage is unavailable or unaffordable – leaving companies and workers exposed.

Insurance Initiative 2021 [FCTII 2021], which began late last year. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Isaac Areola said, “The association is delighted that Soladoye has agreed to lend his wealth of experience to the association in his continual contributions to the growth and development of insurance in Nigeria which is now more needed on the side of the consumers than ever before.” Soladoye graduated from University of Lagos with B.Sc (Hons) degree in 1981, passed the Professional examination of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) London in 1983, specialising in Life and Pension route, obtained the Associate Certificate (AMIAS) of the Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors, Northampton, England in 1984 specialising in Fire Risk Survey and attended the University of Ibadan in 1985 passing out with a Master of Science Degree in Banking and Finance. Soladoye is at the moment an insurance consultant and some of the notable works he has done are the FSS2020 Insurance Strategy Sector Report for the CBN, Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) for NAICOM and the Country Diagnostic Study of Microinsurance and Takaful in Nigeria also for NAICOM. He has also consulted for many insurance companies in Nigeria. Also announced is the appointment of Mr. Chuks Udo Okonta as the National Public Relations Officer of the INSCAN. Okonta holds HND in Business Administration and Management from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and Certificate in Media Enterprise from Lagos Business School. He is at the moment the Managing Director/CEO of INSPEN-an online Insurance and Pension news medium.

BRIEF

General insurers pay high price for complaints

u s t o m e r dissatisfaction costs general insurers and other businesses at least $720 per negative experience, according to an Ernst & Young (E&Y) report on complaints. E&Y Advisory Partner Jenny Young says 39% of customers do not contact suppliers to have complaints heard or resolved, while nearly half raise the issue with friends, family or colleagues, or post social media comments. “Suppliers need to develop social media policies to monitor and m a n a g e communications through this important and growing channel, minimising brand impact from publicly voiced issues,” she said. About 15% of households have reported general insurance experiences that “could have been better ”, the research shows. Price rises and not being competitive represent 35% of complaints, while poor customer service accounts for 17%. The study also covers private health i n s u r a n c e , telecommunications, utilities and banking. Only 8% of customers who complained to suppliers were satisfied with the outcome. Customers are more than twice as likely to “vent” on social media if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of their contact. “As well as creating open and responsive channels, it is essential that staff have the knowledge and tools at hand to reconcile a customer ’s enquiry quickly and efficiently, leading to a successful outcome,” Ms Young said.

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Forte Oil Plc 2013 results F

From left: Managing Partner, Citymatters International, Mr. Muyiwa Adelu; Managing Director/CEO, Propertygate Development and Investment Company Plc , Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi and Managing Director, Exq-Shore Properties, Ms. Iyabo Adeoye, during the PropertyGate Breakfast Forum in Lagos.

Enugu State, BOI launch N1bn MSME intervention fund By NAOMI UZOR

NUGU State Govern ment in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) has launched a N1 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) intervention fund. Speaking at the launch of the fund and presentation of cheques, Managing Director, BOI, Ms Evelyn Oputu, who was represented by the South/ East Regional Manager, BOI, Mr. Balarabe Hassan, disclosed that the Governor of Enugu state, Sullivan Chime has approved a contribution of N500 million which has been equally matched in like sum by BOI towards the establishment of the fund. ” The uniqueness of this partnership from other matching funds we have had so far, is the contributions from the local government councils which would guarantee financial inclusion of all those in the local government areas of the state. The pool of funds shall be provided as loans to entrepreneurs in the state” she stated. She said the strategy adopted in the administration of the fund is to target those projects that will convert the mainly agrarian and solid minerals comparative advantage of the state into competitive advantage, adding that, as at today, BOI has granted loan facilities of N2.329 billion in Enugu state to Micro, Small, Medium and Large enterprises outside the BOI-ENSG MSME fund, which are all mainly engaged in processing and manufacturing activities. Oputu urged the state government to offer fee waivers to entrepreneurs in the state that intend to access financial assistance from the Bank of Industry, as this would reduce

the cost of legal documentation and also accelerate the disbursement of the economy loan facilities. ”The government should also endeavor to put the necessary infrastructure in place that would create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs in the state. One way of doing this is to organize them into clusters and establish minicluster parks with common facilities. This would drastically

reduce the cost of doing business for the entrepreneurs” she said. The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Enugu state, Dr. Jude Akubuilo, said Governor Sullivan Chime has done his part, by the establishment of the fund, saying it is now up to the SMEs across the state to key into the programme, tap into this fund to boost their growth, expansion and job creation.

NSE to cut transaction costs by N1bn PETER EGWUATU

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has concluded arrangement to reduce the cost of its Trade Alert service by about N 1.24 billion from March 2014 via the scrapping of the current charge of 0.06% of every trade on the exchange and an introduction of an enhanced notification system, XAlert which will be charged at a flat fee of N4 per transaction. Speaking on the development, according to a statement made available to Vangaurd, Mr Ade Bajomo, Executive Director of Market Operations and Technology of the NSE noted that the enhanced X-Alert is a service that will allow the investing public know when a transaction has been made on their account. According to him “Each time investors buy or sell a security, an alert is sent to them via a Text Message to the recipient’s mobile phone or via an e-mail to the recipient’s mailbox. So what that does is to bring real time notification plus transparency to the market at market rates while safeguarding against unauthorised sale or purchase of securities” Bajomo further noted that “the big difference for the investing community is that rather than

pay 0.12 per cent of every trade roundtrip, investors will now pay a flat fee of N4.00. "Based on 2013 figures, the trade alert charges with the old system was some N1.25 billion; with the improved notification system however, the annual cost of the alerts would be some N5.52 million based on a N4 flat fee – that is a reduction of N1.24 billion per annum in the cost incurred by investors transacting in the market.” Sheding light on the development, Managing Director of CSCS, Mr. Kyari Bukar shared that the enhanced service is delivered in real time to customers. He also urged that all customers should ensure that their brokers are provided with up to date mobile phone numbers and email accounts to enable the notification system work effectively and provide timely update on all account transactions. There are also the added benefits of effective fraud alert in cases of unauthorized transactions on account, reduction in time spent confirming trades and an enhancement of transparency between the trader and its clients.

orte Oil Plc has set itself new standards by being the first company to declare its 2013 results to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The company is also paying a dividend after a period of losses and after a small profit for 2012. Investors who bought shares at N250 per share at the share sale offer in 2008 would be happy that they are receiving returns for their investment. The company has been able to pay a dividend because it has decided to reduce the amount in the share premium account in order to offset the accumulated losses on the balance sheet. The company will be paying a dividend of N4 per share. The annual general meeting, AGM, of the company has been fixed for 28 March 2014 and, if the AGM approves the dividend, the dividend would be paid on 4 April 2014. The closure of the register of members of the company for the purpose of determining those qualified for divided payment will be from 10 March to 12 March 2014. The total revenue for 2013 was N128 billion. After allowing for cost of sales, other income, distribution expenses and administrative expenses, the company’s result from operating activities was N1.88 billion. There were other gains of N4.38 billion, net finance income of N.025 billion and when these are added to the result from operating activities we have a profit before tax of N6.52 billion and a profit after tax of N5.0 billion. One hopes that the company’s annual report and accounts would provide some explanation of the other gains as they represent a significant part of the profit distributed as dividends. Forte Oil Plc has during the period under report acquired interests in the power sector. The company is part of a consortium that has majority shareholding in the Geregu Thermal Power Station located in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. The interests are in the first phase of the power station which consists of three turbines capable of generating 414MW of electric power. This power station was handed over to the consortium in late 2013 at the same time other power generating companies and electricity distribution companies were handed over to new managements. However, the performance level of the power sector has dropped since the new managements took over and there are concerns as to whether these power sector companies could become successful operations. The downturn in the power sector has been attributed to a number of factors which include gas shortages. For the Geregu Thermal Power Station, the gas available is meant for the Ajaokuta Steel Company complex. The Ajaokuta Steel company is not functioning, hence the gas has been available to the power station. However, there is a second phase of this power station which also has three turbines and which has been put up for sale by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. The gas that can currently be made available at Ajaokuta is inadequate for six turbines, a new gas pipeline would be required to adequately provide for the six turbines. Major issues before the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, include the fact that generating companies may not be receiving payments from the Market Operator as and when due because the electricity distribution companies are not making their payments when required to the Market Operator. There are also indications that NERC is considering how to allocate risks for situations in which the gas supplier cannot supply for reasons outside the control of the gas supplier. It would appear that the consortium at Ajaokuta should consider the feasibility of modifications to the gas turbines such that fuel oil can be used whenever gas is not available. The electricity tariffs have been structured such that operators would make a profit. One therefore hopes that the consortium at Ajaokuta and Forte Oil Plc would make a success of their investment. The public expectations are for a substantially improved performance in the power sector.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014—25

DIARY Select ICT events zTelecom CEM World Congress 2014 April 2014, Venue TBC, London zHong Kong ICT Expo 13 – 16 April 2014 Hong Kong. z Cards & payment Asia holds in Singapore 23-24 April 2014. zTransport Networks for Mobile Operators 2014 13 – 14 May 2014 London. zCritical Communications World 27-29 May 2014 BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Airgun Cordless Compressor The Airgun inflates bicycle tires, rafts and other items quickly and easily, without the need for a manual pump or a large compressor. Offered by Airman, the battery-powered Airgun compressor looks a great deal like a cordless drill. Easy to hold in the hand, the device is equipped with a 5-inch flexible hose and an LED to help users see as they attach the hose. The Airgun can be used to inflate bike tires, and also comes with a selection of adapters to allow it to inflate balls and inflatable toys.

I N S I D E

• Juwah adressing participants at the 2014 mobile world congress in Barcelona.

Juwah to the world: Expect broadband boom in Nigeria *says success of voice services to be replicated in broadband *lists opportunities, potentials BY EMEKA AGINAM, who at the just concluded was in Barcelona, Spain GSMA Mobile World

he Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian telecoms regulatory authority, the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, has again told the international community to expect broadband boom in the Nigerian Information Communications Technology market. Dr. Juwah who stated this in his presentation at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Summit of the Ministerial programe

AFRICA: Microsoft invests $75m in skill devt

Congress held in Barcelona, Spain said that the success of voice services will be replicated in the Nigerian broadband market. For Juwah, what we had was a telecom revolution. What we are going to have now is broadband revolution that will eventually impact positively in the lives of every Nigerian, he told the capacity audience. Expect broadband boom: With optimism, he told the audience to expect

Bill Gates becomes world richest man again

mobile broadband boom in Nigeria whose teledensity has grown from 400,000 telephone lines in 2001 to the 120 million subscribers in 2013, representing a ratio of 0.04 per cent and 86 per cent tele-density in 1999 and 2012 respectively. Nigeria, Juwah believes would fast track the growth of the nation to knowledge economy and the contributions of broadband to GDP growth with a number of initiatives including the successful auction of 2.3 GHz Spectrum, broad-

band Industry Infrastructure framework fully articulated, Licensing of infracos, among others. Government to assist potential investors: He assured that the government has put in place initiatives to assist potential investors with the right framework to set their investments on the right footing for the broadband market boom. Sharing the successes of mobile services in Nigeria with the capacity audience during his presentation, Juwah was

Networked Society took centre stage at 2014 MWC

optimistic that broadband availability will be achieved through clear government policy, effective and independent regulation that attracts the necessary investments and spectrum among others. From voice service to broadband: While admitting that Nigeria has done well in voice services, he told the international audience that Nigeria was ripe for broadband boom having concluded auctioning of 2.3GHz and the planned licensing of InfraCos company that will provide a national broadband network on a n o n - d i s c r i m i n a t o r y, open access and price regulated basis to all service providers. “We are creating enabling environment and incentives for the private sector to roll out broad band networks which will be a one off incentive for last mile to be achieved. We will replicate the success we made in voice in broadband plan as we proceed on the journey. “We are also going to license more retail services and encourage the operators where possible to extend fibre to homes Continues on page 27

C M Y K

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Senate berates CT Minist er o e of Minister ovver non-tak non-take offf of rural ttelephon elephon oject elephonyy pr project BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

HAIRMAN, senate committee on communications, Gilbert Nnaji, has taken a swipe at the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, over the nontake off of the National Rural Telephony Project despite government’s huge investments in the project. He was speaking at the budget defence by the ministry of communications technology and it’s parastatals at the National Assembly last week. According to the law maker, “the fact that our nation has little access to broadband services, even with the number of undersea cables running across the country, is worrisome, we still lag behind in terms of broadband and internet penetration. “Until there is a seamless network service, there is no way the committee can shy away from raising alarm in the face of poor quality of service because the situation is perplexing.” Nnaji accused the ministry of reluctance and keeping unnecessary quiet on the Na-

tional Rural Telephony Project, saying it would have relieved pressure on the GSM. “ If we agree that ICT is a powerful tool for national development; if there is a consensus that Nigeria still ranks abysmally low in terms of knowledge creation, penetration of ICT, as well as physical infrastructure; if we believe that there is urgent need to deploy ICT to address the challenges of terrorism and national security and more importantly, create opportunities in every sector of our national life, then the onus is on the Ministry to enlighten the committee on how it intends to utilize this fund in a way that it’s mandates, programmes and policies will be well executed,” he posited. Responding, the Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson said the Ministry is committed to its mandates, which include speeding up of the building of ICT infrastructure, enabling access of Nigerians to good quality telecom service and high speed internet as well as bridging the digital divide and stimulating job creation in the industry.

Huawei signs MoU with Etisalat on IT outsourcing in Africa BY EMEKA AGINAM

S part of its infrastructure building, one of the leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provides, Huawei and Mobile service provider in the Middle East and Africa, Etisalat at the just concluded GSMA Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, signed strategic partnership on IT outsourcing to boost services in Africa. This agreement witnesses the first IT outsourcing program that would be implemented in Africa region. In addition to this, the strategic agreement would lead to the transformation of the telecommunications industry in Africa. Under the arrangement, Huawei will be responsible for the operational management of Etisalat Nigeria’s IT services across Technical Infrastructure, Application Management and User Support. However, the Business Planning,

Architecture and Governance shall still be retained by Etisalat Nigeria The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, shortly after signing the agreement told Journalists that the decision to outsource aspects of the company ’s IT function followed the adoption of a new model which was effectively aligned with the corporate vision of creating more value for customers by improving quality, reducing costs, embedding innovation, and increasing the speed of delivery. “There will be radical changes with the signing of this agreement. There will be improved quality of service. There will more in mobile health,, education, mobile money among others”, Willsher assured. For Mr. Pang Jimin, the Managing Director of Huawei Nigeria, the agreement will further deepen the relationship between the two companies in term capacity build.

Bill Gates becomes world richest man again By PRINCE OSUAGWU

ICROSOFT founder Bill Gates has reclaimed his spot as the richest man in the world again. This was revealed in the latest edition of Forbes’ annual list of billionaires. According to Forbes, Gates, is now worth $76 billion, net. This was following his rise with $9 billion from last year. Gates upstaged Mexican telecoms magnate Carlos Slim Helu from the top spot, to reclaim the position he has held for 15 of the last 20 years.

Forbes calculates that there are a total of 1,645 billionaires around the world, who polled a total of $6.4 trillion. While Bill Gates of US based Microsoft is worth $76b at 58 years, the second world richest man, Carlos Slim Helu

of Mexico is $72b at 74 years. He plays in the telecom sector. The third richest man, Amancio Ortega of Spain who operates in retail stores is worth $64b at 77 years. His closest rival and the fourth world rich-

est man, Warren Buffet of the United States is worth $58.2b at 83 years. He owns the Berkshire Hathaway. In the same line, the fifth world richest, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, also of the United States is worth $48b at 69 years. Meanwhile Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, made the list as the 23rdrichest man in the world with $25b at 56 years. Larry Page of Google and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, both of United States, made the list as the 17thand 21stworld richest men respectively at $32.3 and $28.5b respectively. They are also 40 and 29 years old respectively.

AFRICA: Microsoft invests $75m in skill devt, youth empowerment, others BY EMEKA AGINAM & JONAH NWOKPOKU

HE President of Microsoft International, Jean-Philippe Courtois has disclosed that the Devices and Services company, Microsoft has invested fresh $75 million in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and other African countries in the areas of access, innovation, skills development, youth empowerment; software development; digital curriculum, skills among others. Courtois who stated this last week during a press briefing shortly after several meetings with the company’s local partners said that , “I think so far in a new drive, we have invested about $75 million in the African Markets and Nigeria has had a fair share of that deal. Affirming Microsoft’s status as the no .1 go-to in the driving down of data costs especially for SMEs that often don’t have the capital for IT infrastructure investment, he said that Nigeria was one of company’s most important markets in Africa hence its upgrade of Microsoft Nigeria office to a single country subsidiary come its new Financial Year 2015 which will commence on July 1, 2014. According to him, with Microsoft’s rapid transition to devices, the corporation was set to double its efforts in skills investments, innovation support and access pro-

vision for people across the globe in general and Nigeria in particular, to create sustained economic opportunities. A testament being the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology to support the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Week. Also speaking, , Kabelo Makwane, the incoming Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria said the Nigeria office elevation became necessary because of the maturity of the market; immense opportunities that abound; fast economic growth; skills deposit as well as large enterprise that exist. According to him, there is urgent need to support these. Mak-

wane also noted that under the 4Afrika initiative which goal is the empowerment of African youth, Microsoft is already training 18 interns while one of its partners, Galaxy Backbone is training 50 with an explanation that 75 per cent of them will end up in Microsoft Ecosystem. Addressing Microsoft’s acquisition of NOKIA, Courtois explained that full possession will take place once every regulatory structure has been put in place. He also tipped Steven Elop, to head the Devices division once the transaction is completed. Jean-Phillipe expressed optimism that Microsoft which will expand its cloud services in Nigeria and other markets, will benefit from NOKIA’s mapping system.

Jean-Phillipe who made a stop-over at the Co-Creation Hub described the capacity building as a vibrant place of innovation. He encouraged the app developers present to take advantage of the new Windows 8 platform to identify real life problems; create functional local applications that have global competitiveness around such and publish same to the Windows Store so that they can monetize their innovation and share it with the world. Meanwhile, JeanPhilippe Courtois leads global sales, marketing, and services for Microsoft International, a territory that spans more than 110 subsidiaries operating outside the United States and Canada.

From left: Chris Uwaje, President of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON; Odo Effiong, Special Adviser on ICT to the Government of Cross River State and Charles Uwadie, former President of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, at the 2014 ISPON President Dinner held in Lagos. Photo: Emeka Aginam.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 27

Cheki.com cement partnership with Berger auto dealers BY JULIET EBIRIM & IYABO AINA

Technology will drive Africa's growth in future — Cisco

By RICHARD UDOFIA

HE Head of Architecture and Enterprises, CISCO Emerging Market, Mr. Den Sullivan who recently visited Nigeria, has predicted that improvement in Technology will drive Africa’s economic growth in the near future. Sullivan, said that IT organizations across Africa and the world in general need to prepare for Internet of Everything (IOE). He said the rapid changes seen today in various Sectors were as a result of the emergence of an application Economy, where focus is no longer on the hardware alone, but also on supporting a large number of applications on all connected devices. He noted that from recent studies, Middle East and Africa is set to Post the world’s strongest Mobile Data traffic growth at 77 Percent CAGR in 2018. He said that in future, devices will learn about an individual, tell how his activities went for the day, where the person stands at a given time and also predict what the person’s next action will be. For him, the technology completely redefines the users experience and the way an IT system is built. He predicted that by 2022, a technology economy that allows for person-to machine and person- to-person combined will constitute 55percent of the total IOE value at stake, whereas, machine to machine connections will make up the remaining 45 percent. Meanwhile, CISCO’s, Bola Adegbonmire also identified one of the major benefits of imminent new internet architecture as power-based video and collaboration, where a new common standard can enhance employee productivity by integrating audio-based multimedia space. He further revealed, that a similar transformation will be experienced on digital imaging with Ultra HD Video, enhancing the viewing experience on televisions, smart phones, augmented reality glasses, tablets, and cameraequipped glasses. He however, agreed that significant impact will also be felt on healthcare services, education, office connectivity and security. Manager Systems Engineering and Sales, CISCO, Mr. Kunle Oloruntimehin, also in his remarks, predicted that 2014 and beyond will bring a huge influential and constructive technology explosion through out Africa that is driven by on-line growth and convergence of processes. “These data from technology will allow humans to explore unprecedented opportunities that will benefit both business and society as a whole” he added.

L-R; Mr. Bola Adegbonmire, Unified Collaboration Architectural Play Team Africa,; Den Sullivan, Head of Architectures and Enterprise, Emerging Markets, and Mr. Kunle Oloruntimehin, Manager, Systems Engineering and Sales, all of Cisco at the Cisco Tech Radar Media Roundtable in Lagos recently

UTO website Cheki.com.ng recently cemented its partnership with auto dealers in Berger area of Lagos, as online partner. It also unveiled some of its signage which it said would enhance the patronage and wider reach the auto dealers have enjoyed in the past. Speaking at the event, General Manager of Cheki.com.ng, MrsTomi Hodonu said, “Cheki.com.ng is an internet portal with about 2,500 visitors who on a daily basis acquire information on how to buy cars. Our job is to bring the car dealers more people to buy their cars, their job is to sell the cars. So, we believe in this great partnership. With the advent of the internet, life has been made easy. These days, cars can be bought and sold on the internet. This has been adjudged the best way to buy and sell.” On their part, the auto dealers expressed satisfaction with the services of Cheki.com and declared that the partnership is mutually beneficial. One of the dealers who identified himself as Mr Obasi Eze noted that “today, we celebrate another year of doing business with Cheki. The involvement of Cheki in our business goes to show that online advertising works”. Another auto dealer who doesn’t want his name in print added, “it has been great doing business with Cheki. As a dealer, I feel it is a good development. The signage all around Berger show how popular the online company is here”.

Juwah to the world: Expect broadband boom in Nigeria Continued from page 25

and businesses on their own. Government is committed to providing incentives to winners of infrastructure licenses, ``he said According to him, InfraCo would enjoy government support , hence would be getting funding from government to rollout nationwide broadband infrastructure. According to Juwah, for Nigeria to be part of 21st century knowledge economy, there was need to leverage on the potentials of broadband. While informing that the NCC would license 2.5 and 2.6GHz bands before end of this financial year, he said that, “Looking at the perspective of where we are today resulting from the liberalization and privatization of the sector in Nigeria. If we look at the voice services, we have achieved a teledensity of 86.6 per cent coverage as at September 2013 and we have active subscriber base that has reached 120.1 million. “We have done quite well in the voice segment, but taking a look at the data segment, our internet penetration rate currently is 32.9 per cent, our broadband penetration rate is 6.1 per cent, taking it to a higher speed broadband, this 6.1 per cent will disappear ” he explained. Open Access Model: With the Open Access model, Juwah was convinced that the problem of broadband access in Nigeria would be adequately addressed because the establishment of the broadband networks in the metropolitan areas of Nigeria would aid in taking capacities to the households and businesses. The objective of this initiative, according to him is to stimulate a new national broadband network that is not only more widespread but also faster and more secure than what is available today. Accordingly, it would offer efficient connectivity as well as ultra high-speed broadband services that is available, affordable and sustainable.

While the proposed industry structure offers InfraCos as entities that complement the existing industry players by focusing on the market gap and offering non-discriminatory open access wholesale bandwidth services to the industry players, he further explained that proposed structure allows existing players to operate on the basis of business-as-usual, with the option of leasing their inter-city and existing metropolitan fibre infrastructure to the InfraCos. The Model, according to him is also envisaged to address the challenges of congested and unplanned towns, the challenges around infrastructure sharing and other issues such as high cost of Right of way. The Open Access Model will potentially help optimize the cost of broadband access across Nigeria and ensure that all operators, whether large or small, have equal access to broadband infrastructure. Potentials: Juwah who is very optimistic of what broadband will do for Nigeria said that it

he assured that the strategy will be operator-neutral, providing a network that is open to all players on equal terms. While Nigerian telecom market is seen as a haven for technology businesses,,according to ITU, Juwah further assured that the regulator will continue to create an enabling environment for private sector participation and robust investment in the broadband ecosystem to fast track its penetration. For Juwah, who has been marketing the nation’s broadband potentials, Nigerian broadband market is one of the top markets in the world with highest returns on investment. Bottlenecks: Although he listed a number of factors including lack of collocation and sharing of infrastructure among the operators, duplication of intercity fibre, multiple taxation and many more limiting broadband development in Nigeria, Dr, Juwah told the interna-

Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Airtel, Nigeria; Mr. Manoj Kohli, CEO, Airtel International Strategy, and EVC of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah at the just concluded Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain. has the potential to stimulate business activities, providing support for other sectors of the economy as well as providing better living and governance. To realize Vision 20-2020 , he said that the nation needs to take advantage of broadband and become an e-economy. With the Nigerian open access model to drive broadband penetration nationwide,

tional audience that the Nigerian broadband market is very huge with lots of potentials and opportunities. But with the intervention of the Ministry of Communication Technology, these challenges, he said were already been resolved as the Lagos State Government has reached an agreement with the telecom operators to remove barriers to infrastructure deployment.

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op discussions at 20 14 MW C Networked Society ttop 201 MWC By Emmanuel Elebeke, just back from Barcelona

S the mobile seg ment of the communication industry continues to diversify, the emerging technologies have continued to put up a robust dominance over the traditional technologies with great impact on quality of services. This was explicitly demonstrated at the just concluded 2014 Mobile World Congress Conference programme, held in Barcelona, Spain, which examined the present and the future of the industry with expert analysis of the trends that are shaping the future. Discussions at the show also revolved around the challenges of the industry and educated participants on the new trends, while different players showcased latest technological advancements in next-generation services and growth strategies. Various leaders of thought from leading companies in the mobile industry were also present to explore and crossfertilize ideas on novel technologies. Prominent at the 2014 edition of the event was the world leading innovation company, Ericsson, which

preached about the connected future, giving a description of what the Networked Society would look like. In his keynote speech delivered at the MWC stage of over 2,000 people, with a demonstration of remote control operations over a mobile network, Ericsson President and CEO Hans Vestberg, reminded the audience about Ericsson’s prediction in 2009, that about 50 billion devices in the world would be connected, which he said is now coming true and urged the attendees to be futuristic in their technology plans and also brace up for what he termed the inevitable change knocking at the door. Vestberg used the occasion to highlight the changing roles that would happen when mobility, broadband and the cloud come together to transform all industries. ” We said in 2009 that we would see 50 billion connected devices, and now it’s really coming true. We are accelerating towards the Networked Society and we see new business models already being realized in the music industry, healthcare, and transport. This is only the beginning, and change will never be this slow again,”

he stated. The event provided Ericsson the opportunity to announce its key launches for Mobile World Congress 2014. The launches include: the Zero Site, a Philips lamp post with LED lighting that enables cities to rent space to operators for mobile broadband equipment; small cell as a service; Service Agility, which enables operators to launch services within hours rather than weeks; and TV Anywhere, a “pay-Tv at web

speed” service that capitalizes on Ericsson’s acquisition of Mediaroom and Ericsson Managed Services. ”What we have launched here supports superior network performance and great customer experiences in the Networked Society,” said Vestberg, insisting that the world has no better option than to move along with novel technology since the people are limited only by their imaginations. In his remarks, the Chief

Executive Officer of Group Digital Life and Country Chief Officer of Singapore for SingTel, Allen Lew, said: “We have to learn to be a lot faster and take more risks going into the mobile internet age. So what would really make a difference for us is to make Ericsson part of our innovation team, helping us compete better against large digital players as well as to get small innovators, or small start-ups. Shared investments will lead to shared benefits.”

Nadani TV hosts 100 influential tech leaders to influence youths

ROMINENT tech innova tors gathered last week at the prestigious Sheraton by Four Points Hotel, Lekki, to facilitate networking and connection, particularly among youths. This was when Nadani TV in collaboration with Guarantee Trust Bank, hosted 100 influential, innovative, and intellectually sound technology leaders in the Nigeria. Participants, particularly youths who attended the event, had a lot of positive influence to play in the technology field as all the people

who are making things happen in the technology world from the developers, the big entrepreneurs, including Konga, Iroko, Paga, developers were handy to tell stories of their beginning. Convener of the event and Managing Partner, Red Media Africa, Mr Chude Jideonwo, said that the event was to create a media platform to facilitate the connection of tech enthusiasts. He noted that technology is the in-thing today, being a good reason why everybody should encourage those who are play-

ing in it. “We need to amplify their work and that is what this event is out to achieve” he added.

Meanwhile, he expressed confidence that the aim of the event was achieved. “As you can see after the event, many people are networking, facilitating, many who have not seen themselves for years are networking. Up and coming start ups have opportunity for mentoring without going to Lagos Business School or any such place. The opportunities that abound in events like this can only be realised later not necessarily immediately,” .

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99 DAYS TO

Nigeria vs Mexico

ll five of Africa’s World Cup finalists are in action this week as they continue their preparations for this summer ’s tournament in Brazil. Continental champions Nigeria take on Mexico in Atlanta, USA on Wednesday but will be without recalled captain Joseph Yobo, who has pulled out because of an “undisclosed strain”. While the experienced Yobo misses out, there will be chances for new blood to impress with uncapped trio Imoh Ezekiel, Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo set to be given game time by coach Stephen Keshi.

Ghana vs Montenegro

hana travel to Montenegro and coach Kwesi Appiah will use the match to test out his goalkeeping options. He has dropped current first choice Fatau Dauda, who is struggling for games with his club Orlando Pirates, and included only Stephen Adams and Adam Kwarasey in the squad. The Black Stars have, however, been boosted by the return to fitness of centre-backs John Boye and Jonathan Mensah.

Cote d’Ivoire vs Belgium

geing Ivory Coast will take on Belgium in Brussels knowing that Brazil will be the last chance for many of their top stars to make an impact on the biggest international stage. The likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure and Dider Zokora have been some of the main men in what has been labelled the golden generation a group of players who have been heavily tipped for success but haven’t delivered. Belgium are considered a dark horse for the World Cup, having qualified impressively - unbeaten and drawing only two of their 10 matches - and will provide a stern test for Sabri Lamouchi’s side.

Cameroon vs Portugal

FIXTURES

here is top European opposition for Cameroon, too, as the Indomitable Lions challenge themselves to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at bay in Leiria. Cameroon coach Volker Finke has handed Barcelona reserves Frank Bagnack and Jean Marie Dongou unexpected call-ups, and he has also recalled in-form centre-forward Mohamadou Idrissou.

Algeria vs Slovenia

he only one of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers to play at home this week is Algeria, who welcome Slovenia to Blida. The Fennec Foxes are keen to ensure they are well prepared ahead of their second successive finals appearance and announced on Sunday that they have added another friendly to their build-up - a game against Armenia in Geneva on 31 May.

South Africa vs Brazil Elsewhere, there is a glamour tie for South Africa who will be visited by World Cup hosts Brazil in Johannesburg While the game creates a buzz for fans, desperate to catch a glimpse of the five-time world champions, it also is a serious affair for under-fire Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund. He recently said he got “a vote of confidence” from the South Africa Football Association (Safa) after a long discussion over recent failures. But reports in City Press newspaper quoted an unnamed Safa official saying: “Even if he (Igesund) beats Brazil 5-0 it will not help his case. The decision has already been taken that he should go.” However, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said he is expecting a tough challenge against a South Africa side who beat world champions Spain 1-0 in November.

Switzerland Germany Poland Rep of Ire Wales Belgium England France Australia Portugal Spain Mexico

v v v v v v v v v v v v

Croatia Chile Scotland Serbia Iceland Ivory Coast Denmark Netherlands Ecuador Cameroon Italy Nigeria

I now know how to succeed in England – Omeruo S

uper Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough, has said he now knows what it takes to succeed in the English game. Omeruo, who is yet to see a single minute of action at parent club, Chelsea, has now been moved to his favourite position in the center of defence by Boro coach, Aitor Karanka. The defender has big ambitions to go to the World Cup this summer and he thinks his spell at Middlesbrough will make him a better player. He also hopes Jose Mourinho will have noticed his progress when he returns to Chelsea. “Playing well for Middlesbrough will definitely be good for my international career,” Omeruo told Northernecho.co.uk “When I go back to Chelsea this move will have benefited me, certainly. “I now know what it takes to play in England, I know what is expected of me, I know when to keep the ball, when not to take risks and I’m doing well here,” the Afcon 2013 winner said. “They play good football here, it’s helping me. I try to give my best in every game, everyone

was fighting for each other which is important.” Omeruo is currently with the Super Eagles in Atlanta, USA, preparing for an international friendly against Mexico.

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TO BRAZIL 2014

Blatter says World Cup problems under control

roblems with Brazil’s World Cup venues are under control, with just 100 days to go before the first match kicks off, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said yesterday. “One hundred days; it’s a long way to go, and it’s a short way to go if there are still problems,” the Swiss told fifa.com in a video to mark the occasion. “But now, all problems are under control and it will be in 100 days an exceptional good start for an exceptional competition.” Brazil is racing against time to complete stadiums, airports, communications infrastructure and transportation systems, as the June 12 opening day approaches. FIFA secretary general, Jerome Valcke, said at the weekend that the world body faced a huge challenge following delays in building stadiums.

LiWalker misses Denmark friendly

ngland defender Kyle Walker has been ruled out of the midweek friendly against Denmark at Wembley due to injury. Tottenham confirmed the full-back would take no part in the World Cup warm-up after missing the last four matches with a groin problem.

The Sao Paulo stadium that hosts the opening match is not due to be ready until May, while other stadiums in Curitiba and Manaus remain unfinished. One survey in February showed the number of Brazilians who favoured hosting the tournament had fallen to an all-time low, with many criticising it as a waste of money. Support has waned since protests broke out in June last year against poor public services and the high cost of building stadiums, but Blatter was confident Brazilians would embrace the Cup when the time came. Brazil, said Blatter, was “the country of football, and they will receive this competition with open arms and full of their heart”.

Thiago: Spain call-up reward for form

hiago Alcantara has told AS that his recent good performances for Bayern Munich have propelled him back into the reckoning for Spain’s international squad. The 22-year-old made his

US vs Ukraine friendly to go on

edia reports out of Ukraine stated earlier that because of the increasingly tense political situation in the country, the team was refusing to travel to the match. The exhibition was originally scheduled to take place in Kharkiv, but was moved last week to Larnaca, Cyprus amid security concerns. This was on top of news that

the start of the Ukrainian Premier League had been postponed due to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine’s autonomous region of Crimea. “We cannot hold the national championship so what kind of football can we talk of at all? If we do not have an opportunity to play on home soil, why shall we go to Cyprus in those troubled times for your country?

debut for La Roja back in August 2011, but then spent time on the fringes of the squad as he struggled for a regular starting spot with former club Barcelona, and has picked up just four senior caps to date. The young midfielder made a 25 million-euro move to Bayern in the summer, and has returned to the international set-up for today ’s friendly meeting with Italy in Madrid. Thiago now looks likely to be named in Vicente Del Bosque’s final squad for this summer ’s World Cup in Brazil, and the Italy-born midfielder believes that his fine current form was due to feeling more confident in his surroundings in Munich. “News of the call-up made me very happy,” Thiago said. “I believe this is a reward for the good work with my club. It is the biggest honour for a footballer. “I believe I am going through a very nice moment. I see my teammates trust in me, I trust in them 100 percent, and the result is a very good symbiosis.”

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Sanusi Lamido Sanusi: Sleaze as a strategy BY OSEGHALE ERAHODU

Cardinal sins at Davos (2) C BY BASHORUN J.K.RANDLE

This is the concluding part of this piece which was first published last Friday

N BBC she said the true cost of corruption was probably much higher than Euro 120 billion. Indeed, three-quarters of Europeans surveyed for the European Commission study said that corruption was widespread, and more than half said the level had increased. Ms Malmstroem who is Swedish was provided with a ready platform by Sweden’s Goeteborgs-Posten dai- Pope ly newspaper which gave front page coverage to the devastating revelation although Sweden is among the countries with the least problems as far as corruption is concerned. “The cost to the EU economy is equivalent to the bloc’s annual budget. For the report, the Commission studied corruption in all 28 EU member states. The Commission says it is the first time it has carried out such a survey. In the United Kingdom , only five people out of 1,115 – less than one percent – said they had been expected to pay a bribe. It was “the best result in all Europe”, the report said. But 64 percent of British respondents said they believed corruption to be widespread in the UK, while the EU average was 74 percent on that question.In some countries there was a relatively high number reporting personal experience of bribery. In Croatia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, between six per cent and 29 percent of respondents said they had been asked for a bribe, or had been expected to pay one, in the past 12 months. There were also high levels of bribery in Poland (15 percent), Slovakia (14 percent) and Hungary (13 percent), where the most prevalent instances were in healthcare.

Legal economy Ms Malmstroem said corruption was eroding democracy and draining resources from the legal economy. “The political commitment to really root out corruption seems to be missing,” she complained. National governments, rather than EU institutions, are chiefly responsible for fighting corruption in the EU. But Ms Malmstroem said national governments and the European Parliament had asked the Commission to carry out the EU-wide study. The Commission drafts EU laws and enforces compliance with EU treaties. The EU has an anti-fraud agency, Olaf, which focuses on fraud and corruption affecting the EU budget, but it has limited resources. In 2011 its budget was just €23.5m. The Commission highlighted that public procurement (public bodies buying goods and services) is vulnerable to corruption, so better controls and integrity standards are needed. Corruption risks are generally greater at local and regional level while many shortcomings remain in financing of political parties - often codes of conduct are not tough enough. It concluded that often the existing rules on conflicts of interest are inadequately enforced while the quality of corruption investigations

Francis

varies widely across the EU. The EU study includes two major opinion polls by Eurobarometer, the Commission’s polling service. Four out of 10 of the businesses surveyed described corruption as an obstacle to doing business in Europe. Sweden “is undoubtedly one of the countries with the least problems with corruption, and other EU countries should learn from Sweden’s solutions for dealing with the problem,” Malmstroem said, pointing to the role of laws on transparency and openness.

Seven deadly sins As for Cardinal Sin and the “seven deadly sins” there is ample stuff provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The seven deadly sins, which are also known as capital vices or cardinal sins, is a classification of vices (part of Christian ethics) that has been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct Christians about fallen humanity’s tendency to sin: €Sloth, € Gluttony, €Pride, €Lust, €Envy, €Anger, €Greed. The Seven Deadly Sins are those transgressions that are fatal to spiritual progress. The challenge if you are bound for hell is to discover what sin will send you there!! As for Cardinal Sin (the person), he became a legend in his lifetime. According to M O Donnell, he used his enormous influence to champion the rights of poor people. He led the nearly 40 million Catholics in The Philippines for almost three decades, through political upheaval that brought martial law, repressive dictatorship and democratic rule. He was well known for his great sense of humour which included poking fun at his own name. But it was through his blistering and unwavering public criticism of the Marcos regime in the 1980’s that he became an international figure. Cardinal Sin was a popular figure at protests where he spoke forcefully throughout his career and he directed street protests that led to President Estrada’s ouster in January 2001. Cardinal Sin openly involved himself not only once but twice with politics in the Philippines with wide support from the people majority of whom were Catholics. He played a vital role in ending Martial Law days of President Ferdinand Marcos with his participation with EDSA I along with Fidel Ramos, Ponce Enrile and the widowed Corazon Aquino.

•Bashorun J.K. Randle is Chairman & Chief Executive JK Randle Professional Services Chartered Accountants in Lagos.

far beyond the financial and economic circles, even poking his nose into Boko Haram affairs. Then he launched himself into the business of doling out billions of naira from CNB coffers to various supposedly humanitarian causes during which public concern was expressed specifically about the selfish selectivity of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s “philanthropy” with public funds that tellingly favoured his home front. After a brief lull in his contrived crusades, the sudden re-emergence of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi towards the middle of last year has now proved to be a cunning strategy precisely timed to pre-empt the revelation of the crusader’s soft underbelly of selective philanthropy with public funds. Just as the public outrage and curiosity was aroused so also was the statutory oversight of the Financial Reporting Council which has responsibility for monitoring the financial activities of the CBN. It has emerged that the Council discovered stunning departures from due process in the Sanusi philanthropy. Among their findings were a host of hush-hush donations that Nigerians never knew had been made, including some with political coloration and others taht could only have been intended to strengthen the hands of the detractors of government. What Nigerians should be looking at now with their traditional cynicism is the coincidence between Sanusi Lamido Sanusi resuming his rabble-rousing tirades and the emergence of a potentially indicting report

LEARING the thick fog of media hype from the personality of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi reveals the true colours of this very unusual public officer who demands accountability in the financial sector but adamantly refuses to be accountable to anyone other than himself. The way he posed and pranced in the assumed role of an extra-official anti-corruption crusader at the tail end of his chequered tenure as CBN Governor, it is easy to forget that he was once an applicant, if not a prospector, for this coveted position. That he voluntarily accepted the appointment after subjecting his haughty self to the rituals of screening underscores his awareness of the overriding superintendence of the procedures and systems and the inevitable subordination of ego and conviction, as pre-requisites for applicants. But, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi swiftly succumbed to the inebriation of powerful office so much that he relished in the misguided mindset of a presidential aide to whom the President should defer, capitalizing capriciously on the flaws of the CBN Act. Typical of successful applicants once ensconced in the privileges and perks of such a prestigious position, humbling recollections of the rigorous rites of passage to coveted office are quickly consigned to the remote recesses of memory. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was no exception. In fact he was a good example of an applicant turned opportunist who boisterously bulldozed himself to the frontiers of despotism under the delirious influence of superiority complex gone haywire. For it was not only the banking sector that he reduced to a trivial turf for his self-righteous tantrums, even the revered emirate of Kano fell under his vaulting urge to subdue as he indecorously paraded his inherited title of Ciroman Kano with unbecoming bravado, barely concealing an inordinate desire to usurp the emirship. It is, however, his tattered tenure at the CBN that best illustrates the worst in Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s convoluted perspectives of public service in general and governorship of the CBN in particular. It is pertinent to point out that the suspended CBN Governor has been in office since 2009 when late President Yaradua Sanusi brought him onboard. Although he is credited with the implementation of sig- from the Financial Reporting Council. There nificant reforms in the banking sector, the is plenty room for cynical review of the “antifact is that he was actually completing what corruption” antics of the suspended CBN his predecessor Charles Soludo initiated. Governor in the context of a drowning man clutching at straw. In particular the level of Gullible inaccuracies, approbations and reprobation fringes that have bedevilled Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s attacks on the integrity of the NNPC Those familiar with developments in the and the Petroleum Ministry are strongly nation’s banking sector have, therefore, nev- suggestive of a panic-driven inquisition that er regarded Sanusi Lamido Sanusi with the was unavoidably bereft of thoroughness awe the gullible fringes of the media ac- and conclusive verification prior to going cord him because there is simply nothing public. new or original in the options he took in Despite these discrediting deficiencies in response to emerging issues in the sector. his anti-corruption stance, Sanusi Lamido The suspended CBN Governor usurped Sanusi has nevertheless substantially media attention by launching sporadic at- achieved the ulterior motive of his endeavtacks on the National Assembly over the our by whipping up so much media hystefinancial cost of maintaining its members, ria of prejudice and partisan political proa confrontation that first exposed Sanusi paganda portraying him as the under-dog Lamido Sanusi’s penchant for throwing victim of presidential vindictiveness wherestones at high quarters in order to be seen as an objective and detached viewpoint as being above-board and fearless critic of clearly debunks this as cunning maniputhe high and mighty. lation of compromised media and gullible The truth, however, is that he was going public sentiment. beyond the call of duty in seeking to turn In the fullness of time the truth and noththe CBN into some sort of auditor of the ing but the whole truth will set the records political economy, a role better suited to the straight once and for all. Until then not Auditor General of the Federation. In pur- every “whistle blower” is as clean as a suit of a customized clean bill of health, the whistle. suspended governor courted controversy •Mr. Erahodu writes from BeninCity.

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Police in Rivers clamp down on fake prophets •Arrest two brothers for duping biz man By EVELYN USMAN

HE Rivers State Police Command have spread their dragnet in search of fake prophets that have been duping unsuspecting members of the public of large sums of money and their hard-earned properties. Recently, detectives in the command arrested two brothers that operate under the guise of being ‘God’s men’ to dupe a business man in the state. Police sources said a resident of the State who had fallen prey to one of the false prophets, was one Mr. Umejiego, a Director of a private firm who was lured into a false scheme through his wife by the operator of a Church named ‘Favour Anointing Ministry’, situated at No. 74A, Ojoto Lane, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, being operated by one prophet who goes by the name of Victory Ibe. According to the sources,

after being arrested by the Police, Ibe confessed to been a perpetual dupe and that he has always had in his possession, a pro-forma change of ownership which he uses to make people part with their properties. In the case of Mr. Umejiego, he (Ibe) instructed that a Toyota Land Cruiser, V8 be sown as seed by the former. He, thereafter, produced a change of ownership which was promptly signed by the unsuspecting victim, who immediately handed over the original documents to him together with the vehicle. “Unfortunately for the fake prophet, the said vehicle was involved in a serious motor accident with the ‘prophet’ in it. Surprisingly, the selfacclaimed prophet also ‘prophesied’ that the same victim should part with the sum of N200,000.00 to neutralize a curse placed on him and his household. The victim complied with the instruction and paid the

‘prophet’ the sum of N90,000.00 on February 7, 2014, which he told his victim will be donated to an orphanage. The State Command Police spokesman, Ahmad K. Muhammad, DSP, who confirmed the story lamente that the f r a u d s t e r s masquerading as prophets are on the loose and prey on the gullible members of the public through the use of false prophesy and divine pronouncements. He stated that as at the time of his arrest, the supposed man of God was still in possession of the said amount of money stating that the fake prophet alongside his brother, one Apostle Austin Ibe who acts as his Assistant prophet, have been apprehended by the Police and both of them will be charged to court at the appropriate time.

As fuel scarcity bites harder ...Attendant goes to sleep PHOTO: Emma Nnadozie

Ekhomu gets security pioneer award R

ENOWNED security expert and Chairman of Trans-World Security, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has been honored by the PortHarcourt Chapter of ASIS International (American Society for Industrial Security) for his outstanding pioneering efforts in

Nigeria’s security industry. Ekhomu was bestowed with the prestigious Security Pioneer award on 25th February 2014 during the ASIS Port Harcourt Chapter two-day International Security Conference held at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. The Assistant Regional Vice

President of ASIS International, Mrs. Elizabeth Yakubu who chaired the conference organizing committee described Dr. Ekhomu as a distinguished security expert who became the first Chartered security professional in West Africa when he obtained the

Certified Protection Professional, CPP, designation in September 2000. Ekhomu is the first Nigerian to achieve the Quarter Century designation of ASIS International (January 2011). Ekhomu, who is the Chairman of the School of Management and Security is

also President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria,AISSON. A native of Irrua, Edo State, Ekhomu, 58, received the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a specialization in Policy Management from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985. He is the author of Effective Personal and Corporate Security (2009) a seminal book in security awareness.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 —39 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Cultists on rampage in Nsukka •Kill first year student, driver, one other

attached to Enugu State Transport Company, ENTRACO, whose identity could not be ascertained as at press time, was shot dead around 6.30pm along Achara road in Nsukka town. Reports revealed that the ENTRACO driver had allegedly been an old member of one of the cult groups and took part in several operations of his group.

By CHINENYEH OZOR, Nsukka

WO rival cult groups in the University Town of Nsuka, Enugu State, Vikings and Black Axe, in what looks like a reappraisal attack, clashed and killed three people including a first year student of Uiversity of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, a driver attached to Enugu State Transport Company, ENTRACO and one other notorious cult member. Crime Alert gathered that the rival cult groups have been on the neck of one another for several years, maiming and hacking each other to death in the slightest simmering differences. Sources said last Monday at Achara road in Nsukka Urban, one Ndubuisi Eze (aka Tafa) was shot dead by an unidentified cult group, his head was cut off and laid behind his lifeless body. Investigations revealed that the deceased Ndubuisi had been on the wanted list of the other rival cult group for over two years, he absconded from the town over an alleged involvement in several killings, kidnap, robbery among others. It was learnt that the said Ndubuisi Eze sneaked into Nsukka having fled Enugu where it is alleged that Vikings cult group and Black Axe held

The driver was said to be returning from work on Thursday night when the rival cult group accosted him and killed him instantly. The rival group, it was learnt ,shot indiscriminately into the air to scare passersby and fled to an unknown destination. When Crime Alert contacted Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebere Amarizu for confirmation and comment, he said they were suspected cult gangs in Nsukka and assured that the police were on it.

Vigilante Group petitions Lagos Speaker over case of impersonation sway for days, unknown to him that the other rival group had ambushed him at Nsukka. Investigations further revealed that Ndubuisi had gone to charge his phone but on his way back to his house around 7pm , a group of fiercelooking men shot him. Sensing danger, he reportedly ran with the gun shot wound. The gang, in a hot chase, followed him to a point where he fell down, they then pumped bullets into him and beheaded him and fled. While fleeing through Amukwa village in Nsukka, the gang accosted one Ebuka Asogwa, a first year student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka sitting in front of their house,

they reportedly questioned him briefly and in the process, shot him dead. Ebuka had been a car wash attendant along University road for years only to gain admission this year and was killed in front of their compound. The alleged killer cult group while fleeing entered a popular drinking joint “Casablanca” at Odenigwe area where students were watching football and shot severally into the air while students and residents of the area scampered from pillar to post to escape from the scene while the group collected all the handsets that were charged as that time. Meanwhile, a driver

P-H-O-T-O-S-P-E-A-K

New Police Commissioner, Rivers State, Tunde Ogunsakin recently paid a courtesy call on the Commander, 2 Brigade/Sector 2, JTF, Bori Camp, Brigadier-General Osasogie Uzamere. Pix shows Brig-Gen. Uzamere presenting a plaque to CP Ogunsakin.

By BOSE ADELAJA

IGILANTE Group of Nigeria VGN, has petitioned the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji, over the need to revisit the case of impersonation by one Mr. Olawale Jahum, who has allegedly been falsely parading himself as the Lagos State Commander of the Vigilante group. In a letter titled ‘’Call for revisiting the case of impersonation and false parading as a Commander by Mr. Olawale J.O’’ and signed by its solicitor Hanacho Alozie Esq, the group, a registered entity, wants the Speaker to intervene alledging that as the activities of Mr. Olawale, if not checked, was capable of causing confusion which could degenerating to breach of the peace. They also stated that it was capable of endangering lives and property of innocent persons should the group decide to retaliate. The group, headed by Alhaji Ali Sokoto as the National Chairman/Commander General and Prince Ademola Akerepa as the State Chairman/Commander, said it had reported the activities of Mr. Olawale with disclaimers from the National Chairman/Commander General to the House and other organs of the state but rather than such activities to reduce, he appears to have the support of the state as he has severally been invited by the House to make presentations on behalf of VGN in spite of the disclaimers and petitions. The letter also claimed that between June 18, 2013 and August 21, 2013, Mr. Olawale had allegedly led some thugs and hoodlums to attack some of its offices and members respectively. ‘’Be that as it may, it is our brief to inform you sir, that Mr. Olawale, who has been parading himself in a provocative manner as the Lagos State Chairman/Commander of the VGN and issuing various press statements as well as making representations in that behalf is an impostor whose activities if not checked is capable of not only causing confusion but also degenerating to breach of the peace that could endanger lives and property of innocent persons should our clients decide to retaliate. It is our brief to inform you on behalf of our clients that but for the maturity and restraint of the Lagos State Chairman/Commander, the brazen provocations of Olawale and co would definitely have degenerated to attacks and counter attacks which may likely degenerate unless you use your good office to act by stopping all collaborations and cooperation which our clients believe the Lagos State House of Assembly is erroneously according this impostor. ‘’Be also informed that we have the brief of our clients to take all legally cognizable steps to protect our clients’ name and interests should this petition be treated with levity or disregarded. This is a distraction that you cannot afford in these turbulent times,” he stated.

40— VANGU ARD,WEDNESD A Y,MARCH5,2014 ANGUARD,WEDNESD ARD,WEDNESDA

She toasted him behind my back Dear Bunmi, ’VE BEEN with my boy friend for almost four years. A few months ago, we were experiencing some problems and I confided in a close friend. She took this as an opportunity to tell him she had feelings for him and asked if they could have a chance together. He told her he did not feel the same way. I found out from someone else what happened and, although I understand why he didn’t tell me, I find their friendship difficult to accept. But I want to move on and I don’t to ruin my relationship with my boyfriend. Adaora, by email.

My boyfriend’s brother’s girl is a pain! Dear Bunmi, GET on well with my boy friend’s brother, but I hate his girlfriend. Everything about her annoys me. She talks non-stop about herself and has him wrapped around her finger. I have reason to believe she’s even cheated on him a few times.

We are all going to their home town for a whole week for a wedding soon, but what chance do I stand of enjoying all that time in her company? My boyfriend and I are starting to fall out over my attitude, but I’m never rude. Julie, Bye-mail.

His demands embarrass me! Dear Bunmi, Y EX-HUSBAND was the only man I ever knew but the marriage broke up after eight years. I was in shock but I’ve moved on with the only child of the marriage. I’m now going out with another man but there is a problem. My ex-husband and I always made love the missionary way, but this new ‘man is demanding all sorts of wild stuff, porn movies and oral one. He once even tried to have anal sex with me and I told him I found it disgusting to say the least. Is he some sort of pervert or am I behaving like a prude? Ajoke, Bye-mail.

Dear Ajoke, I don’t think you’re a prude, you’re being sensibly cautious. These sorts of things are not activities you should be jumping into with a totally new partner. It takes time to build up enough trust and respect. By the sound of things, this man is not giving you the time or space to do so. Instead, he’s made you feel hassled and pressured and that’s different from the natural nervousness you may experience when you enter a new relationship after ending an old, long-term one. So stick to your guns and if your new man doesn’t like it, tell him to move on.

Dear Julie, Being unable to change your mind is a problem and the cure is within yourself, not the other person. Examine your true emotions: is there a trace of jealousy there? She draws attention to herself (away from you) and she has her boyfriend wrapped around her finger (you are falling out with yours). Try and eliminate your jealousy and look at her again. Does her boastfulness stem from insecurity, particularly when you’re around? If you have real courage, arrange an outing just for the two of you. She might be nervous, so give her time to calm down without judging her; then do your best to get to know her and see what everyone else sees in her. If you want to live in a family that includes her, you’d better learn to like her. Otherwise, she’ll win this pointless contest that you’ve started. And as for your suspicion of her infidelity - that’s her business, nobody else’s.

I love my ex and we still make love Dear Bunmi, ’M IN my early 20's and I split up with my boyfriend a few months ago after a year together because he didn’t want a steady relationship. He said he loved me and would always be there for me,

but he broke my heart. We still make love and last month he said he wanted us to get back together. But when I texted him the next day, he said he had a girlfriend and had changed his mind. His mum says he cares for

He’s sleeping with our daughter-in-law Dear Bunmi, Y HUSBAND had a son in his teens before we got married and we had been married for over 20 years now. His first son too is married with an adorable child and they live in one of my husband’s flats. He visits them from time to time. I just learnt that my husband sleeps with his daughter-inlaw when he visits. He goes visiting when his son is at work as the girl works from home. Then they spend the morning in bed. I haven’t told my husband about my discovery because I found the tell-tale evidence in his briefcase which combination lock he’s not aware I can open. I love my husband and he is a very generous man and I don’t want to em-

barrass him. How do I go about breaking this repulsive affair. Tanmo Bye-mail Dear Tanmo, I guess knowing that his son’s wife finds him erotically desirable helps ease your husband’s fears of getting old and unattractive, but he should graze further away from home. No matter how generous and nice your husband is to you, you must let him be aware of the fact that sleeping with his daughterin-law is incestuous. You can tell him you heard from the grapevine, but for your peace of mind, discuss it you must. I’m sure once he discovers you know, he’ll change his ways.

me but needs to sort out his head. I’ve got a new boyfriend now and I’ve told my ex I have no feelings for him - but deep down) I do still love him. He’s the only one who understands me. What should I do? Ireti Bye-mail. Dear Ireti, If he understands you, you should try to understand him. His mum still freely expresses her opinion of him to his friends, which means he hasn’t been away from home for long and isn’t much older than you. He’s not ready to tie himself down to one partner, no matter how much he cares for her. There’s a world of achievement and freedom out there that women currently enjoy you must explore it and test your strength in it before you choose your direction and settle down. Perhaps you will rediscover each other - at least as friends - but for now, stop seeing your not-quite-ex, especially if it leaves you in turmoil whenever you do. Remember that as long as you still make love with a man, he’s not an ‘ex’ but someone you have to get over again and again when he leaves.

Dear Adaora, Okay, so you confided in a close friend about your problems; she used the opportunity to make a play for him, your boyfriend confided in someone else about what happened; and they spilled

the beans to you. What a bunch of gossips! It’s time to stop talking about each other and start talking to each other. Let the gossipy past lie. ‘Falsehood by exaggeration’ is what gossips often do to create a more powerful story and increase the attention drawn to themselves. Talk to your boyfriend - and only your boyfriend - about what is nobody else’s business. When you have problems, vow to work them out together. As for your ‘close’ friend, it is tempting to tell her to keep her claws off your boyfriend and, when she asks you what you mean, answer with a smile: "Oh come on, everyone knows you fancy him!” But, in your place, I would say nothing and take particular care never to trust her with any confidential matters again. At least, he had the good taste to turn her down.

Stop talking about each other and start talking to each other. Let the gossipy past lie. Talk to your boyfriend - and only your boyfriend - about what is nobody else’s business. When you have problems, vow to work them out together. As for your ‘close’ friend, it is tempting to tell her to keep her claws off your boyfriend... My friends resent my toy boy Dear Bunmi, ’M IN my late 50's, but my lover of four years, is 13 years younger. He’s not after my money as I haven’t got any. Instead, he’s been the nicest man I’ve ever met. You can’t really call me goodlooking and my friends have wondered what he saw in me. I know I shouldn’t let them get to me, but I do and it’s upsetting me. My friends said I should give him his marching orders before he breaks my heart. Do you agree?

Dear Justina, In whose eyes are you un-

attractive? This insecurity of yours is bound to cause problems within your relationship and this may result in your losing the person who is most important to you. So discourage other people from judging you. Beauty comes from within and is in the eyes of the beholder! Continue having fun with your man because he obviously cares for you, otherwise he wouldn’t still be with you after four years. Your friends might be wishing they were in your shoes, so laugh in their face and continue feeling happy.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014—41 YOUR LUCK TODAY By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

CANCER; Many of you’ll find it relatively difficult to ignore romantic feelings within and attractive invitation from outside. Some’ll travel for love actually.

By Richard Eromosele

LEO; Happenings within your base of operation must not be allowed to weigh you down to the point of missing good opportunity at work before 2.17pm

Have you now settled your internal contradictions? I advise that you do this because it is easier to succeed when there is harmony in the inside/

VIRGO; Financial success is closer to you but if you misplace your priority then, that’s another thing entirely. Heated argument can not help your cause today. LIBRA; If good advice comes your way don’t be too arrogant to take it. Travelling for love or business will bring you the desired results. Be cautious before 2.17pm SCORPIO; Success is boldly printed on your cards today and much will depend on what your priorities are. But your star desires mostly today is financial success . SAGITTARIUS; The moon continues it’s operation from your Star and enhances your prospects for success further. The more friendly you are the better for your cause.

Succeed Anyway — 3 within. And having done that the next thing is to define your kind of success. What kind of success do you want. Be specific –

academic success, professional success, social s u c c e s s , occupational success, political success, marital success, family

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

success, etc. Apart from defining, endeavour to determine your level of success e.g, I want to be a millionaire within five years; I want to be a lawyer within six years etc.

By Lanre Kehinde

CAPRICORN; Don’t rely too heavily on friends today, especially before 2.17pm when Moon fluctuates. Learn how to consolidate on your recent progress. AQUARIUS; If you must take advantage of your magnetic personality before too long this is the right time to do just that as Venus’ll soon leave positive angle to you Star. Think of your image in all you do now. Watch carefully before 2.17pm PISCES; Tomorrow’ll bring more challenges through friends. Try your best to accomplish more along your career line today. Be very practical before 2.17pm ARIES; Better than yesterday. And there are people willing to give you the needed co-operation. Don’t allow your love life to degenerate to laughing stuff with friends.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; As the saying goes “hard work pays” you will see evidence of the popular saying today as you’re rewarded according to your efforts at work. GEMINI; Good luck’ll knock at your door today. Those with burning desire for romantic pleasure are in for an exciting day with lots of satisfaction. Be loving.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Basic characteristics of Scorpio Scorpio - the eighth of twelve zodiac signs, stands for secret, sex, sin, death, jealousy and regeneration. You can see that sex and death have powers to compel any earth’s inhabitant to surrender. Thus, Scorpio is the most powerful of all the 12 zodiac signs. That is why you are endowed with strong will powers that can be used to regenerate either yourself or those close to you. Scorpio is a water sign. It’s natives are emotional types with powerful intuition. They are of inclination to protect their loved ones and/or the people with weaker personality, however, if they have any cause to doubt the loyalty or sincerity of such person/persons, they tend to become jealous and the strong love they have for the person can turn to hatred. And as they are the type capable of intensive love and bitter hatred, it is not good to incur their wrath. Scorpio-being a member of fixed signs, it’s natives are not keen lovers of change. That is why you aalways love to make success of any important project of yours before consideration can be given to another one. And by so doing, you make yourself a reliable person. The water element of Scorpio makes them highly mysterious personalities who intuition (and emotion) can be regarded as extra-ordinary. Although, other influence in your natal horoscope can tempt some people to think that you are very open; the truth is, you can be highly secretive person who knows what he wants and how to get it. Your being secretive has many advantages, thus, you are encouraged not to be tempted to open up unnecessarily whenever it comes to manipulation of unseen forces or psychic energies. Let it be known that African Scorpio born person that refuses to acknowledge the reality of occult forces heads for failure. Whoever tries to jeopardise your interest and/or anything that is important to you and yours will be met with resistance. Equally, Scorpio tends to nurse grudge; that is why some people will say natives of this powerful zodiac sign are truly good friends but dangerous enemies. Pluto’s ruling influence over Scorpio makes Scorpio’s desire for unknown to be strong. That is why many Astrologers call Scorpios the deadly detectives. And a well-developed Scorpio is as bold as aggressive soldiers and fears no death.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Ekiti guber poll: It’s a three horse race WITH less than four months to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State, the major political parties are making frantic efforts to outwit one another ahead of the polls. The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party, LP, are presently the frontline political parties that will slug it

out at the polls. While the APC and LP already have their presumed nominees, the PDP, is in the process of choosing its candidate from the pool of 26 aspirants now jostling for the ticket. Vanguard spoke with the chairmen of the APC and LP as well as the scribe of the PDP on their plans and preparations for the poll. Excerpts

Fayemi will break 2nd term jinx — Awe, APC chairman

Our people are angry — Aluko, PDP Scribe

•Awe: APC has touched lives STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON

We are doing that but we will not tell you the nitty gritty of it. When a plan is still in the offing, you do not let out the strategy until it is completed. Aside this, Hon Bamidele has accused the Ekiti state government of plunging the state into debt. What is your reaction to this? As far as we are concerned at the state level, that matter has been explained in detail by the government. But as far as I am concerned, I know we are not indebted to anybody. How do you respond to the remarks made by the People’s Democratic Party that it will disgrace the APC out of office in Ekiti state? If that is their intention, then they have failed and I wish them well. We depend on God’s might and the will of Ekiti people. We know that what we have done in this state will speak for us and that will enable the people to vote for us. We are not afraid of any might other than that of God, who is on our side. But are you not disturbed that there may be an alliance between the PDP and Labour against your party? Let us wait until then. That will give us ample chance to go back to our drawing board and put our strategies in place. That will also dislodge whatever plans they have. It is a game of politics. I want to tell you that our platform in Ekiti state APC resides with the people. That is why whatsoever anybody may be saying about APC and

OW do you react to the allegation leveled against your party that it flouted INEC ’s directive on the forthcoming election in the state? I will not like to belabour the issue with you. The issue of Labour Party in Ekiti state vis-a-viz Opeyemi Bamidele is an issue before a competent court. So, as we speak, the Labour Party in Ekiti state has no governorship candidate. There was a restraining order issued by the court in For the first time in the history of Ekiti the state restraining Bibire, which is politics, we are having a government Bamidele’s platform that has the people at heart from parading themselves as members of the Labour Party. So, I will the forthcoming elections, we solely rely not want to comment on that. on God. One will like to know the story behind Why should the people of Ekiti State Opeyemi Bamidele’s exit from the vote for your party and the governor APC? a second time? It is his personal decision. In party The good people of Ekiti state, who politics, you have free entry and free we have absolute trust and confidence exit, but what made his own quite in, will vote for APC in the coming different is that, he was representing elections on the following premise. our party, at the ACN level, in the House For the first time in the history of Ekiti of Representatives when he decided to politics, we are having a government move to the Labour Party. It is his that has the people at heart. We are personal decision. having a government that is ready to Is there is any plan to bring him and lay the foundation of Ekiti State. Today, others who left the party, back? Continues on page 43

Dr Temitope Aluko is the secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State.

•Aluko: Ekiti will vote PDP again

when you look at the agitations, I can honestly tell you there is need for change. When you are talking about genuine developmental programmes that will get to the grassroots, they are not doing that. The PDP is going to do it because we have done it before and we are going to do it again. What difference will your party be bringing to governance and why should Ekiti people vote for PDP again? They have voted for PDP once, when there was an incumbent AD governor, the people voted against the governor. They will vote PDP again because PDP has been tested, tried and they have found out that the PDP is still the only party that has a holistic approach to issues. What we will do in Ekiti is not just a disjointed developmental programme, it is a synchronized one where everybody will benefit from. How true is it that your party is polarized? The PDP is united and that is why we have about 26 aspirants coming out saying that they want to pick the ticket of the party but in our party constitution, it is the National Working Committee that can dabble into the issue of gubernational

OW prepared is your party for the June governorship election? I want to tell you that we are very prepared because election is not just about the party, it is about the electorate. When you see what is going on now, the voters are yearning for a change. They are saying that They will vote PDP again because they are tired of this PDP has been tested, tried and they government, they are saying that this have found out that the PDP is still government is not the only party that has a holistic meeting their expectations, that this approach to issues government has let them down. candidate and they have set out a Are you saying that the Fayemi time table and conditions for proper administration has not delivered documentation of governorship democracy dividends to the aspirants. That is what they currently people? doing in Abuja, they are screening Governance is a continuum, I do the aspirants. March 15 has been not want to say that this government fixed for our primary and after that, has done this or has not done that. a governorship candidate will What I am just saying is that when emerge and that is in line with our you look at the quantum of funds constitution. the state government has gotten and Is it true that there is an anointed you look at what they are saying that candidate for the party ahead of the they have done, you will see that primaries? there is a wide gap. When you see People will always say whatever this wide gap, automatically, people they want to say. Even President will begin to ask questions and they Jonathan has learned that if he are already asking such questions. listens to distractions, he will not They are also not getting answers succeed and that is why he has from anywhere and that is why Continues on page 43

CHIEF Jide Awe is the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State. In this interview, Awe submits that the forthcoming governorship election in the state will not be a do or die affair. He, however, affirms that Governor Kayode Fayemi will break the second term jinx in the state. Excerpts:

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014—43

Ekiti guber: LP is party to beat — Omole Mr Akinbowale Omole is the Ekiti state chairman of Labour Party. Omole, in this interview with Vanguard, says his party is ready to win the forthcoming governorship election slated for June this year. Excerpts:

OW true is it that Mr Opeyemi Bamidele has been restrained from parading himself as a governorship aspirant of your party? I find it very funny because things that have not been happening in the past, you find them happening now. It is untrue. When an organization deliberately presents what is not true to the members of the public, such an organization is dishonorable because it has succeeded in misinforming the people. For that reason, such an organization should not exist. So, such is not true. How prepared is your party for the June governorship elections? I want to tell you that we have been making our preparations and I want to tell you that if an election is held today, Labour Party will win. But you know there are levels of preparations and there is a timetable that has been

Ekiti poll: It is not a do or die affair — Awe, APC chairman Continues from page 42 we have a befitting Government House that can compete with any Government House in this country. Secondly, the capital of Ekiti State, since inception, looked like a glorified local government headquarters but in the last two years, the situation has changed. As a result of that, the jinx will be broken. Do you have faith in INEC conducting a free and credible election? Recently, there was a stakeholders meeting in the state between INEC and the political class. I must confess to you that we were a little bit convinced. I know we can get it right and that will be a good foundation for INEC to build upon. If INEC practices what it preaches, we will succeed. We do not have much negative things to say about INEC.

released by INEC. We will meet all available requirements. Aside Bamidele, are there other aspirants contesting on your party’s platform? As of now, we have only one aspirant and that is Opeyemi Bamidele but the door is not closed to other persons, who still want to run under the banner of our party. If anybody still wants to come around, he is welcome. How solid is your party in terms of structure and the wherewithal to contest and win the June guber elections? It is true that before now, the Labour Party could not be said to be one of the frontline

BY DAPO AKINREFON

victory in the elections. What I am trying to say is that we have been existing as a strong political party since November last year and that is sufficient for us to win elections. Why should the people of •Omole: Ekiti state vote for the Labour Party in the forthcoming elections? It is a movement of the people. Why do I call it a movement? I call it so because

I want to tell you that we have been making our preparations and I want to tell you that if an election is held today, Labour Party will win

political parties. But you will want to agree with me as well that if you go into the history of political parties in this country, you will know that some political parties are formed three months before the elections but still coast to

people want to take their destinies in their hand. They have been deceived by the present government. They have seen the insincerity of the APC government and they have decided to embrace Labour

LP is a movement in Ekiti Party. The people called us, they passionately appealed to us to save them from the hands of the deceivers. Government has moved away from the people. Are you saying that Fayemi-led government has performed below expectation? The Ekiti state government is not a government in the real sense of it. When we look at what should be the benefit of Ekiti people, they have failed totally. Government is about meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people. What will your party be doing differently from what the current government is doing if voted into office?

We will bring civility into government. Do not forget that Labour Party is the party of the workers. What I am saying is that Labour Party will project the cause of the man on the street. Are there plans by your party to go into alliance with the PDP? Politics is dynamic, but as at today, there is no such relationship. All I know is that when we get to the bridge, we will cross it but for now, no such relationship exists. Do you have faith in INEC conducting a free and credible elections? I do not want to be a pessimist. Let us be hopeful.

Ekiti people will vote PDP — Aluko Continues from page 42 anointed aspirant for our party. Are you not worried that after the emergence of a candidate, there will be defections by some aggrieved persons from your party? If we have a situation like that, then, it means they are not genuine party members. It means even if they have gotten the ticket, they would have done anything they want with it. So, if you have a genuine PDP man and he loses out, I do not see why he should pull out because when you are talking about a governorship candidate, the man cannot do it alone. In politics, there will be dynamics of relationship and there will be benefit of relationship. I do not see anybody pulling out from the PDP. Does your party intend to go into alliance with the Labour Party? If you look at the structure of the Labour Party, you will see that it is almost an extension of the PDP. Our doors are wide open, the umbrella can cover everybody. If they extend the hands

of fellowship, we will welcome them into our fold. Do you see INEC conducting a credible election in June? We met with Professor Jega in February for a consultative stakeholders’ forum and we bared our minds out. To a certain level, he was able to allay some of our fears and he took us through the procedures for elections and I can say for now that I can score INEC 65 per cent from the presentation and our interaction with Professor Jega. Will your party be depending on federal might to win the election? We are going to depend solely on the people in Ekiti state. We are going to ensure that our

manifesto is known far and wide and that is what we are going to rely on. We are going to rely on the votes of the people. We are going to appeal to the people and let them know that we are going to better their lot.

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Yobe Killing: CEPEJ urges Jonathan to take proactive action

OLLOWING the killing of the over 43 students of the Federal Government College, Bunu Yadi in Yobe State, a non-governmental organisation, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take a stern and proactive stance in securing the lives and property of the citizenry. National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Mr Sheriff Mulade, who spoke to journalists yesterday, expressed dismay at the unwarranted killing of the innocent students as well as other Nigerians in recent weeks by members of the Boko Haram. Mulade commiserated with the bereaved families over the loss of their loved ones and enjoined Nigerians to freely volunteer information to aid security agencies in the fight against terrorism.

Edo traders tasked on proper sanitation

DO State traders have been advised on the need to ensure proper sanitation of their surroundings and markets across the state. Mrs. Josephine Omoregie, the leader, Edo Market Women Association, during a working visit to traders and traditional rulers in Edo central senatorial district, said: “I encourage our traders on the need for the members of the association to always participate in environmental sanitation exercises and ensure that their markets as well as their homes are always in clean condition.” On her part, Edo Central Senatorial coordinator for the association, Mrs. Josephine Ehis-Isi, admonished the traders to be non-partisan. She thanked the traditional rulers and wives in Esanland for their support to the Edo Central senatorial Market Women Association and craved for continuity.

N/Delta communities threaten to shut down oil, gas operations over alleged neglect by NDDC BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—WORRIED by their alleged neglect by the management of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, 24 communities in Bayelsa and Delta states under the aegis of Coastal/Swamp Oil Producing Communities have threatened to shut down oil and gas operations in their areas. The communities, which include Amatu I, Amatu 2, Agge, Azamabiri, Bilabiri I, Bilabiri 2, Bisangbene, Ezetu, Orobiri, Ogbeintu, Letugbene I, Letugbene 2, Azegbene, Egbemo-Angalabiri, Agbediama, Odimodi, Beniboye, Ogbotobo, Isiayegbene, Ekeni and Old Ekeni, Agbayama and Amazor in a letter, said “despite the fact that oil fields in our area produces about 668,000 barrel per day, we still live in abject poverty.” The communities,in the letter by Chief Lambert Odudu, Chairman, and others, addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan, said “the amount of oil produce per day in our communities is 1/3 of the total oil produced in Nigeria daily. It is logical to say that these communities deserve more

sustainable mega projects from NDDC pursuant to section 7(1) & (2) of the NDDC Act. Without sounding immodest, since the creation of NDDC, there is no presence of NDDC projects of any kind in our communities. “NDDC has utterly neglected our communities despite our oil production quota consequent upon which several letters and

petitions were written to Mr. President, National Assembly and our leader, Chief Edwin Clark. “Despite several protests, publications and letters, we have not received or got acknowledgement from any quarter, except a peace meeting summoned by Chief Clark. It is based on the foregoing that we have decided to take our destiny

into our own hands and we may be compelled to shut down all ongoing gas projects in Tunu, Opukushi, Ogbotobo and Benisede, if appropriate actions are not taken in this matter. “We advise that Mr. President direct the NDDC management to stick firmly to the resolutions reached at the Chief Clark’s Peace meeting,” they added.

PROMO: From left — Mohammed Lawrence, 2nd runner-up and winner of a 32-inch TV set; Timothy Victor, winner of the Star trip to Brazil ticket and Tajudeen Babatunde Bello, 1st runner-up and winner of a generating set at the''Star Trip To Brazil'' consumer promotion held at the Cyclic centre, Costain, Lagos, recently.

Court reaffirms Ojora's ownership of land BY INNOCENT ANABA

Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, has re-affirmed the ownership of the Ojora chieftaincy family of a vast hectares of land in Iganmu, Ijora, Badia, Orile and Coker Village areas of Lagos State. The Supreme Court had on April 3, 2009 pronounced the Ojora family the legitimate owner of the disputed land in Suit No. SC/54/2005, after 37 years of legal battle. The Adesiba Adedewe royal family had last year in a fresh suit before Justice M. Obadina of the Lagos High Court, sought among other things, for an order giving them possession of the land and a declaration of title under Native Law and Custom to all the parcel of land at Iganmu, Orile, Coker Village and adjourning villages on plan No. AL/64A/1974. Justice Obadina in her judgment, held that there had to be an end to litigation as the case had earlier been decided in Suit No. LD/562/ 72 by the Lagos High Court and the findings of the court was upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court affirmed the findings

of the two courts. The court held that the institution of the present suit amounted to an attempt to relitigate the issues which had already been decided upon by the Supreme Court. The court held that despite several newspapers publications, public notices, caveat emptor and warning notices published in various newspapers, the claimants alleged did not read the newspapers, saying “What about the people who bought from them and those they put in possession? Are they saying that not even one of their privies in estate brought these publications to their notice? “I hold that the claimants cannot in this court re-open and re-litigate the issues of the land the subject of LD/562/ 72, whether or not they are claiming a larger parcel of land. Their claim to the larger parcel of land would have been pronounced upon by the court if they had joined the suits instituted, instead they chose to stand by while other people fought for the land. They are stopped from relitigating the claim of title. “Re-litigation of already

decided issues is an abuse of court’s process. No doubt, this suit is an abuse of legal procedure. It is an improper legal process. It is an abuse

of court process to seek to use this court to nullify a judgment the Supreme Court has affirmed, “Justice Obadina said.

NGO honours Isolo LCDA boss, APLP chairman, others

HE African Child Social Empowerment Centre, a non-governmental, social organisation, which focusses on children, youth, women and community development, has honoured seven prominent Nigerians. At an award tagged: ”Children Ambassadors Award” held at the Rotary Club Hall, Isolo, Lagos, the NGO honoured the Ewusi of MakunShagamu, HRH Timothy Oyesola Akinsanya; Chief Osita Okereke, the national chairman of the All Peoples Liberation Party, APLP, who is also the Director General of the national task force to combat illegal importation of arms and Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye, the Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, LCDA. The non-profit initiative, founded in 2008, said it was

honouring the recipients in recognition of their immense contributions to the welfare of children and the underprivileged. According to Bonaventure Enemali, the Executive Director of the organisation, “There is a need to appreciate these seven Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in philantrophic commitment and dedication to a better livelihood of African children.” Enjoining Nigerians to respond more positively to the plight of the African child, Enemali said that ”If everybody impact one life a day, we will make a better continent, Africa.” Also honoured were; HRH (Dr.) Lawrence Nnamdi, Hon. Michael Adegoke, Otunba Mike Osimen and Chief Nicholas Ajayi, in an event that drew people from far and wide.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 45

2015: Groups beg Mutu to contest

Odubu’s kinsmen confer chieftaincy title on Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN—THE royal father and people of Urhonigbe, in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State, ancestral home of the deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, have conferred a chieftaincy title on the state governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. Announcing the conferment of the title, Okakuo of Urhonigbe (warlord of Urhonigbe) on the governor, the Okaevbo of Urhonigbe, Chief Igie Aimuyo, said the title was to show appreciation for all the good works Oshiomhole has done in Urhonigbe, which have not only transformed the community, but have set it on the path of reclamation of its lost glory. The royal father, who conferred the title on the governor in his office, yesterday, said: “We want to commend the governor for his programme and the holistic attitude towards development of Edo State and Urhonigbe in particular, which has been unprecedented. “You renovated and equipped our secondary school, (Urhonigbe Grammar School) turning it to a university standard. You did same in Idunmwogo Primary School and elevated our cottage hospital to an international status and you also gave us an ambulance. The Okaevbo, who spoke through Dr. Wilson Ogieva, said: “The most impressive and fascinating part is the ongoing road project which we have never experienced for the past 40 years.” He thanked the governor for the cordial relationship between him and his deputy, Dr Odubu. Odubu, who joined his voice to that of the Okaevbo, said the governor had made a major intervention in the development of not only Urhonigbe, but Orhionmwon and indeed, the whole of Edo South and Edo State. He congratulated the governor on the conferment of the title, saying, "it is a great honour done him by the Urhonigbe people in appreciation of the governor ’s developmental strides in the area." C M Y K

SENATOR UDOMA AT 60: From left: Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Mrs Sally Udo Udoma and Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, at the 60th birthday celebration of Senator Udoma, in Lagos, yesterday.

2015: Guber hopeful urges support for Delta North BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ARRI—A GOVERNORSHIP hopeful in the 2015 election in Delta State, Mr. Ben Enwosa-Williams, has said that ceding the next governorship position of the state to the North senatorial district was more a matter of conscience than a political debate among ethnic groups in the state. Enwosa-Williams, who is already in consultation with political leaders and monarchs in the state, told Vanguard in Warri that the multi-ethnic composition of the state and the demand by Delta North, which has never tasted the number one seat in the state,

should be accepted without rancour by Delta Central and South. The retired Air Force officer, who is eyeing the governorship seat on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said: “The zoning debate in Delta State has been personalised by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Honestly, the matter is beyond party interest. Whether PDP or opposition, it is only fair that Delta North enjoys the privilege of producing the next governor. “I have heard the contentious judgment by Secretary to Delta State Government,

Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay, on the politics of zoning in Delta and the backlash it has been attracting. But I think the issue is not about party agreement or hard lines. It is about give and take to consolidate Delta’s peaceful coexistence among the three major blocks.” The APC gubernatorial hopeful, however, stressed that Delta North should not, on basis of demanding an exclusive shot at governorship, be perceived as being weak or begging for it, rather it should be seen in fairness and spirit of democracy that the North should be supported.

Emulate exemplary lives of elders —Utuama BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

ARRI—THE deputy governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, has charged youths to emulate the exemplary life of Chief Johnson Gbemre, who was crowned Okpako-Orere (oldest man) of Iwhrekan community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend. Utuama, who was represented by Chief Fred Majemite, Political Adviser to the governor, said Gbemre also enjoyed good life which he said was a secret to enjoying old age. The occasion attracted the cream of Urhobo leaders and Warri community who gathered in honour of the 89 years old Gbemre. The event began with the installation rites at the community hall, followed by a Church Service at St. Mathias Anglican Church, Iwhrekan.

WO Niger Delta groups, Unity Movement for Peace, UMP and Niger Delta Liberty Movement, NDLM, have told House of Representatives member, Nicholas Mutu, to recontest the National Assembly election in 2015. Mr. Ebiyekefe Stow of NDLM and Mr Ebiayibo Epebitimi, UMP, who spoke to reporters after their meeting in Angiama community, Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, said what the masses expected from Mutu in 2015 was for him to re-contest the seat. According to the duo: "Mutu has brought in total development to the lower part of Niger Delta through the auspices of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. He has contributed immensely to the physical and infrastructural development of the area.” They appealed to the people of Bomadi/Patani federal constituency, especially Patani Local Government Area, to give their support to Mutu’s initiative for 2015, adding that in the next dispensation, the area would experience monumental development due to on-going projects.

Madam Omoseomofa for burial

Court orders release of okada union officials

URIAL ceremony of late Mrs. Deborah Omoseomofa from Lagos Iyede town, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, aged 87, comes up March 7, 2014 at her home town, Lagos Iyede. She is survived by her widower, Pa Samson Omoseomofa, children, grand children, great grand-children, brothers, sisters, inlaws and friends.

The three applicants, Hope Umukoro, Vincent Edun and Ben Ukuyade, had challenged their continued detention on the alleged order of the state Police Commissioner. Ruling on the application, trial judge, Justice F. Azinge, said having heard Dr. D. Orji, counsel for all three applicants, "it is hereby ordered that they be released from the custody of the respondent (Police) forthwith.”

Late Mrs. Omoseomofa

Eldest son of the Chief Gbemre and a judge of Delta State High Court, Justice Godwin Gbemre, said: “Our father and patriarch has lived the good life. The good life is that which transcends

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

ARRI—A DELTA State High Court sitting in Otor-Udu, has ordered the state police command to release three members of Delta State Commercial Motor Cycle and Tricycle Union of Nigeria, DSCMTUN, detained over their alleged role in a recent lynching of a tricycle driver in Effurun.

self fulfillment to touch many lives. Papa has 15 biological children, but he can point to having as many as 200 children, some not related by blood to him, that he has nurtured to self fulfillment.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Poly bursts admission racketeering syndicate

Fire guts FGC, Umuahia as Gov. orji donates N2m to assuage students

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI — THE management of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, has burst a syndicate perpetrating admission racketeering. Already, a staff of the institution, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, had been arrested and handed over to the police. Vanguard investigation revealed that the staff, whose employment was yet to be confirmed by the institution, was in the habit of charging every prospective student fees between N40,000 and N50,000.

No plan to relocate Oko Poly —Rector BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA — THE Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Professor Godwin Onu, has allayed fears that there were moves to relocate the institution from Oko to his hometown, Ezira, in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state. Onu, who dismissed the rumour when officials of the youth wing of Oko Peoples Union, OPU, gave him an award for his strides in the institution, said those who peddle the rumour did not understand the workings of government.

Funeral MRS. ALICE Oluwabusayo Akindolu (Nee Adunloju), is dead, aged 85. A statement by the family said service of songs will be held at her residence, 22, Badore Street, Iju-Odo, Okitipupa, Ondo State, on March 6, 2014. Funeral service and entertainment of guests will commence immediately at St. Paul Anglican Church, Iju-Odo, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

Late Mrs. Akindolu

BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA — A hostel housing 119 students of Federal Government’s College, Umuahia, Abia State, was gutted by fire Sunday night, destroying property

worth millions of Naira. However, no life was lost as the students were out of the hostel observing their evening devotion when the incident happened. This is about the third time fire would occur in the school,

prompting observers to suspect sabotage. On account of this Abia State government has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, with a view to tracing the cause and warned

From left, Capt. Henry Omeogu, Director, Airport Operations; Mr. George Uriesi, Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Professor Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs; Dr. Samuel Ortom, Hon. Minister of State, FMTI & Supervising Minister of Aviation, and Mrs. Jamila Shu’ara, Perm. Sec, Ministry of Aviation, during the inspection of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, by Supervising Minister of Aviation and Team of FAAN.

any act of sabotage would be severely dealt with. Governor Theodore Orji, who gave the pledge when he visited school to assess the level of damage caused by the fire on Monday, recalled that this was not the first time fire would occur in the school in recent times and assured that it would be the last. Sympathising with the students, who lost their belongings in the inferno, Orji donated N2 million to the principal of the school to help the affected students replace lost items. The governor said it was his primary responsibility to provide security to the students and thanked God that no life was lost in the incident. He described the school as a great one which had recorded many achievements in academics and in other areas, saying he was proud of the institution. Conducting the governor round the affected hostel, Acting Principal of the school, Dr. Earnest Chukwuka explained that the fire started while the students were in the classroom for night prep.

Over 4,000 participants for signage and outdoor parley in Lagos BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

BOUT 4,000 par-ticipants are expected to grace the maiden international outdoor conference and exhibition organised by Lagos State government. The conference, first of its kind in Africa, is tagged, ‘Sign and Outdoor Conference and Exhi-

bition Africa (Lagos 2014), and is expected to take place between June 22 and 27. Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA, Mr. George Noah, who disclosed this at a briefing in Lagos, yesterday, said about 300 exhibitors from 30 countries, drawn from Africa, Europe, Asia and America,

would also take part in the conference and exhibition. Noah said the conference was geared at creating a convergence of stakeholders within the out-ofhome advertising industry. According to him, it will focus on trends, best practices, innovations and challenges within the Nigerian and African context. He added that conference par-

3500 unabsorbed members of NSCDC in S/E threaten showdown with FG BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA — NO fewer than 3500 pioneer staff of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, from the five South Eastern states, who

were not absorbed into the system after working for years as volunteers, have threatened a showdown with the Federal Government. The aggrieved NSCDC personnel said they would no

Nigeria on the path to economic recovery — ASSE BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — NIGERIA is currently experiencing economic growth, driven by oil reserve and construction of public infrastructure, the American Society of Safety Engineers, ASSE, has said. President, Nigerian chapter of ASSE, Jeff ‘Vwede Obahor, who disclosed this while announcing the body’s plan to hold its maiden professional development conference, PDC, in Nigeria in May, said the country was on its path to

economic recovery. “The Nigeria PDC 2014 is aimed at bringing together all safety professionals and captains of industry under one roof in Nigeria with a common goal, giving voice to safety. “The event is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, providing the long overdue opportunity to give occupational health and safety a voice beyond the oil and gas industry,” Obahor said. According to him, Nigeria is poised to be Africa’s top economy and listed as an emerging market by the World Bank.

longer continue to receive N5000 as monthly pay, despite their contributions to ensure security in their places of work in the various local government areas. Addressing reporters in Awka, their spokesman, Mr. Nkem Iroha, regretted that their colleagues in other geo-political zones in the country had since been absorbed by authorities of NSCDC and wondered why those in the South East should be left out. According to Iroha, the most worrisome aspect of the situation was that there had been regular recruitment into the corps without consideration for the pioneer staff. He said: “We were enlisted into the Corps and given identity cards before the existence of NSCDC was regularised. Since then, we have been functioning effectively, and even received paper promotions.

ticipants would include advertising agencies, outdoor practitioners, media owners, signage fabricators, printers, advertisers, regulators, government officials, event companies, outdoor protection services, retailers, franchisees and marketing professionals. ‘’The objective is to provide a veritable platform for the growth and development of signage and outdoor advertising in Lagos State, Nigeria and Africa."

Madam Chukwurah passes on at 89

RS. COMFORT Oritshe binomi Chukwurah (nee Erewa-Maggison), is dead, aged 89. She was a devout Christian and survived by many children, many grand children and great grand children and other relations. The burial arrangement would be announced later by the family.

Late Mrs Chukwurah

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 - 47

BURIAL: From left: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Governor Ogun State, Mr. Seni Adetu, MD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, his wife, Mrs. Janet Adetu, and Mr. Adekoya Adetu, at the burial of late Mrs. Felicia Olawunmi Adetu, mother of Mr. Seni Adetu, at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Remo, Agbowa, Sagamu, Ogun State. Photo: By Akeem Salau.

From left: KCEE, Hakeem Ogunnirin, MD, UPDC, and Shousha Moshen, GM, Golden Tulip, FESTAC, at the briefing on the forthcoming second annual music festival in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

From left: Chairman, Sofialys, Mokhtar Bouchelaghem, GMD, Terragon Group, Mr. Elo Umeh, Jeremy Makin, VP, Business Development, Sofialys and Hani Ramzi, CEO, Sofialys, at the Terragon exhibition stand, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Justice Godwin Gbemre (left) and Chief Bernard Edewor, during the installation of Chief J. K. Gbemre as the Okpako Orere of Iwhreken, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire.

From left: Director, Community Development, Mr. Eniola Awolaru, Special Adviser to Governor Raji Fashola on Rural Development, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe and Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, at the stakeholders meeting of the ministry with the executives of CDAs and others in Lagos.

NOGIG GAMES: From left: Dr. Ogbeifun Brown, Dr. Dan Efebo, GGM, Human Resources, NNPC, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams, and Mrs. Ogechi Anusiowu, the overall winner from NNPC, at the 5th Annual Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games, NOGIG 2014, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau. C M Y K

LAUNCHING: From left: Thomas Kowallik, COO, Norvatis Pharma Nigeria, Dr. Linus Igwemezie, Executive Vice President and Head, Malaria Initiative, Norvatis Pharma Nigeria, Dr. Paul Orhii, Director General, NAFDAC and Vera Nwanze, Country Group Head, Norvatis English West Africa, at the launch of Coartem 80/480 in Abuja.

Hon. Olatunde Adepitan, Chairman, Mushin Local Ggovernment, presenting a certificate of return to Mr. Sunday Adeneye, Chair man, Omobola Community Development Committee/CDA, at the inauguration of the newly elected executives in Mushin, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

From left: Nneka Egbuna, Mr. Dede Mabiaku, all judges of Nigerian Idol Season 4, Ugochi Pedro, MD, Optima Media International, Mr. Dare Alade, Judge, Nigerian Idol, Mr. Enitan Denloye, Director, Brand & Communication, Etisalat and Mr.Norden Thurston, Head, Marketing, Pepsi, at the Nigerian Idol briefing in Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

FRSC produces 620,925 drivers’ licences

Why I defected to PDP —Nasarawa deputy gov

BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI—THE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Osita Chidoka, says that the commission has produced about 620,925 drivers’ licences for motorists in the 36 states of the country. Chidoka spoke in Bauchi, Bauchi State, yesterday, in an interview with newsmen. He asked prospective drivers to always go through the official processes and procedures instead of patronising criminals who would produce fake licences for them. He was represented at the occasion by the FRSC Head of Vehicle Administration, Abuja, Commander Emmanuel Omoshoto. He spoke shortly after a meeting with stakeholders in states transportation sector drawn from the military, Department of State Services, DSS, the police and Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIOs. According to him, motorists who drive without valid driving licence and number plates would have their vehicles impounded in addition to possible prosecution. The purpose of the meeting was to educate stakeholders on the need to force motorists to comply with the rules and regulation of the commission. He said: ”a criminal charge of possession of fake vehicle documents would be added to the offence of such a motorist and sent straight to court.” Chidoka then appealed to those intending to obtain the vehicle documents not to apply through dubious means but go through the normal process; though cumbersome. “It is important that you go through the normal process and get it (driver’s licence); the normal process is cumbersome for some people, it takes time,” he said. He also said that out of the 9,250 number plates produced for Bauchi State, only 5,855 were successfully uploaded into the National Vehicle Identification Scheme potter at the national headquarters of the commission.

VISIT—The President and team of NACCIMA paid a courtesy visit to the Coporate HQ of Vanguard Newspapers in Lagos, Monday. From left: Mr Adams Idufueko, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, National President NACCIMA; HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu; Iyalode Alaba Lawson, 2nd Deputy National President NACCIMA; Mr Gbenga Adefaye, GM Publications/ Editor-In-Chief Vanguard and Dr John Isemede,DG NACCIMA during the visit. Photo: Biodun Oguinleye.

Northern govs to introduce free education in secondary schools M

INNA—THE governors of the 19 northern states have pledged to introduce free education in secondary schools in the region to boost enrolment of students. They spoke under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu made this known in Minna while speaking at the National Association of Nigerian Students,’ NANS, award ceremony to distinguished Nigerians. Aliyu said that the governors would also harmonise fees in its tertiary institutions and reintroduce the “Grade 2 Teachers Training Programme,” abolished in the country to improve the standard of teaching in schools. He was represented on the occasion by the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Muhammad Nuhu. Furthermore, the governor said that the forum had decided to close the educational gap between male and female students in the region. Aliyu, who described education as the bedrock of any development, said they had also resolved to establish schools of preliminary or basic studies to prepare students for admission into tertiary institutions. He said an education conference aimed at addressing the problems associated with the development of education in the region, the problem of Almajiri and falling standard of education will be held soon. Aliyu said the state govern-

ment had computerised the payment of scholarship to students in tertiary institutions and introduced the scratch card to all beneficiaries to block wastage. He said the state government was spending an average of N1.8 billion on scholarship and other allowances yearly. The governor commended NANS for the recognition of those that had contributed to

the growth of education in the region. Aliyu assured that the state government would collaborate with NANS to construct its befitting secretariat in Minna. Earlier, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who was a special guest at the event, commended the governor for the transformation of the state.

AFIA—THE Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Mr Dameshi Luka, says he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, due to the “attitude of exclusion exhibited by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.” Luka made the clarification on Tuesday at the PDP secretariat in Lafia, while addressing newsmen shortly after submitting a letter of intent to join the party. He said that his purported suspension from the APC while he was away in the U.S.A. did not follow conventional procedure and was targeted at humiliating him. He alleged that he was accused of disloyalty by honouring President Goodluck Jonathan’s invitation to accompany him on the 2013 pilgrimage to Israel. According to him, Gov. Al-Makura misinterpreted the spiritual obligation as a plan being hatched to unseat him. Luka said he opposed the directive of the APC leadership to its members in the National Assembly to block all executive bills, including 2014 Appropriation Bill.

Jang signs N225bn 2014 budget into law; swears-in LG chairmen BY TAYE OBATERU & MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

OS —PLATEAU State Governor, Jonah Jang has signed the state’s 2014 appropriation bill totalling over N225 billion into law just as he swore in newly elected chairmen into 14 of the 17 local government areas of the state. Speaking after signing the bill, he called on citizens to cooperate and pay all taxes so that the administration would have needed funds to implement its programmes. Jang also charged all ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen their internal monitoring machinery to ensure that all expenditure are carried out based on aproved budget provisions.

He urged the sworn-in chairmen to wake up to their constitutional roles in the overall interest of the grassroots people and ensure a local government administration where service and development will be the motivation. He urged them to tackle corruption and not to hide from the people. His words: “I have signed into law the 2014 appropriation bill which budget size of recurrent and capital expenditure standing at N225, 058, 026, 306.00. The driving force behind this budget is our administration’s conviction on service delivery and our resolve to work on our projects till the last minute of our administration. “A major bane of budget implementation is monitoring.

I direct the State Planning Commission to ensure that MDAs strictly comply with budgetary provision.” To the chairmen, the governor said: “I envisage a local government administration where service delivery and development will be your motivation, where corruption will be tackled, where primary health centres will be manned by qualified personnel with required medicaments, where communities will have access to clean water. “I dream of local government where the leaders will truly give account of their steward and I urge you to support State government efforts aimed at sanitizing the local government system especially regarding workforce and wage bills.”

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A tricycle park

Tricycle business under threat •Amalgamated association dogged by internal wranglings

HE furore that led to the merger of the splinter associations of Lagos tricycle operators has refused to abate. With the issues confronting the operations of tricycles in Lagos, thousands of its riders had to unionise last July, thus setting the stage for an end to years of rivalry that led to clashes for supremacy. After series of meeting, the warring factions and unions eventually merged to form Tricycle Workers Association of Nigeria TWAN, an affiliate of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. However, disgruntled elements that are not in support of the merger of the associations, have alleged that they are not being carried along by the central body.

Amalgamated association When Vanguard probed into issues confronting TWAN, it was discovered that the Lagos State government only intervened at the peak of the crisis urging the factions to come together. The state also showed no interest in the affairs of the association but only for maintenance of peace and sanity in the amalgamated association. It was also discovered that the tricycle has created over 2,000 jobs for both graduates and non-graduates that are within the system thereby

alleviating poverty. Even though there are disgruntled people, both parties have attested to the huge number of jobs being created by the tricycle business. With this ability to provide

1998 during Col. Buba Marwa’s era. We got it registered in the year 2000. “I am a member of the board and at the same time an active member. When I say an active member, it is not just staying at home, I am a part and

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

We are not trying to remove anybody, but we want to have a sense of belonging, the process of governance should be clear to all of us

meal tickets for thousands of Lagosians, no one can really claim that the tricycle have been a menance to the society. The present Chairman of TWAN, Comrade Joseph Olu Odusanya who was the founding father of the tricycle operators in Nigeria 15 years ago and his executive members allege that the few people making false claims against the organization are not genuine members of TWAN. According to Odusanya; “Any individual who feels he is not satisfied with the executive committee should come out openly and state his unit or branch.” He also stated that people that benefited from the several factions of the association will never support a union. According to him: “Can a nonjournalist challenge NUJ (Nigerian Union of Journalist)? When the ministry came into the affairs, the crisis was so tough, it was a terrible one where guns and cutlasses were freely used and the state government was forced to come into the issue, asking us to come together. “We started this association in

parcel of this association from day one. When the association was in disarray in 2006, I rebuilt it. “As at the time I resumed office, I set up a committee to harmonize everybody within the

rank and file of the association. The next thing we did was that we wanted to know how many tricycles we have in Lagos. We went to the streets of Lagos to count them. These are part of the things that never happened before.

Opposing voice speaks However, factional leaders disagree with Odusanya’s claim to his achievement. According to Mulaila Adeola who belongs to the opposing faction, the present executive has not convinced him and others

that the TWAN is progressing. “We are not trying to remove anybody, but we want to have a sense of belonging. The process of governance should be clear to all of us. Is it a crime for someone to be unhappy about how his association is governed? “I want the EXCO to come out and brief us how the association can have a strong hold in Lagos. Can you imagine members being harassed by police, local government officials and other just because there is not clear direction. The EXCO should make sure these issues are addressed.

Make hoax call to 767, 112 BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

An emergemcy caller

ough time, henceforth, awaits those who make false calls to its 767 and 112 telephone numbers set aside for emergency situations. Governor Babatunde Fashola, recently assented to a law establishing the Lagos State emergency command and control centre, that regulate the making of telephone calls to the centre and provide for other connected matters. Following Fashola’s assent, the law, which was earlier passed by the state House of Assembly, makes it illegal for anyone to call the emergency numbers for fun and irrelevant issues as offenders would be liable to fine or jail term. Lagos State Government in its effort to respond effectively to emergency

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

NDER the scorching sun in Makoko, a slum community in Yaba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mrs. Abraham Adesope, a dispatch rider for a courier firm, walked back and forth to locate the address on the parcel he was holding. Thirty minutes after her arrival, she was sweating profusely and was obviously confused. She had ferried through the phalanxes of structures in the coastal community searching for the address. Accosting a resident, she asked for assistance towards locating the address. Adesope spoke politely. “He directed me to what he believed should be the structure with the said address. But to my surprise, I discovered avalanche of structures attached to that particular address. And they all claim the same address.” Efforts by Adesope, at locating the owner of the parcel through his mobile lines, that day unfortunately proved abortive. Like Adesope, Miss. Subomi Ige, a petty trader, lamented that none of the homes in the

4,000 Makoko structures finally get House Identification Numbers

Makoko slum

other five coastal communities under Makoko-Iwaya Waterfront Community, Yaba LCDA, was labyrinthine.

He directed me to what he believed should be the structure with the said address, but to my surprise, I discovered avalanche of structures attached to that particular address

communities, posted on stilts raised above putrid, black water, had identification number, adding; “Despite my weekly visit to the communities which started three years ago, identifying the structures is strenuous.” For decades, identifying the numbers of structures in Makoko or the boundary between the community and

— 55

Others were: Appollo, Medewe, Adogbon, Yasen, Oko-agbon and Makoko. These communities, described as the Lagos Venice has 50 percent of its structures erected on water. The network of roads in the community spreading from the backyard of the University of Lagos, Akoka to the Adekunle axis of Yaba can

be navigated by canoe. The coastal community had no means of identification or numbers which could aid anyone having the accurate number of structures in the six communities and their location. The need to have an accurate data of structures in Makoko came to fore two years ago, when the state government demolished several shanties erected 100 meters to the electricity installation on the lagoon. The purpose, according to the state governor, Babatunde Fashola was to protect the environment and life of the residents. Even the state government after demolition, was unable to state emphatically the number of structures removed from the waterfront. The residents also couldn’t categorically state the

number of affected structures. But only relied on the large space where the structures previously occupied to estimate the number of structures demolished. Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe in 2012, lamented over lack of street names and House Identification tag in the community. Fadipe explained that this was the reason for delay in responding promptly to an inferno in the community which razed about 10 structures.

International standards The House Numbering Project, HNP, undertaken by the Lagos state Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA,

was embarked upon two years ago, to conform to international standards. Worried by LASAA’s less attention to the communities in its numbering project, MakokoIwaya waterfront community embarked on implementing a unique house numbering project for its community that will make identification of over 4, 000 houses in the six communities easier. Speaking on the development, the secretary of the community, Mr. John Keke said; “This will help the government and even the residents to know the total number of houses in the communities. And that will put the communities at par with their counterparts in other megacities across the world.”

emergency numbers, go to jail situations set up hotlines to receive information and assist affected persons. It has however, been observed that since the provision of the emergency numbers, a good number of callers were using them for purposes other than the intended one. It alleged that a lot of callers drop the line once it is answered or just announce their intentions to greet or encourage the operators. Others give wrong addresses or announce false emergencies. To prevent these mis-use, the state saw the need to provide a regulatory control over calls made to the emergency telephone numbers. It is in the light of this that the Lagos State Emergency Command and Control Centre Law was made. The Law generally outlines the process for

the exercise of the emergency response by the Centre through speedily processing emergency calls received and taking urgent steps to respond to them by informing other safety and emergency service providers within and outside the state as may be required, to provide an effective response to emergency situations. The Law also prohibits persons from making hoax calls to the emergency telephone numbers of the Centre. Particularly, the Law provides under Section 12, that a person who misuses or persistently misuses the emergency telephone numbers of the centre shall be guilty of an

offence and liable to penalties stipulated under Section 14 of the Law. At the signing of the bill into law, Fashola said by establishing emergency lines of 767 and 112, the government created a path that were none existing in order to improve the capacity to respond to life threatening incidents and emergencies in the real sense of it.

Dedicated emergency line “As for the emergency line, we have broken a path here were none existing, we provided a three digit dedicated emergency line for

Lagosians in order to improve our capacity to respond to life threatening issues and emergencies in the real sense of it” ,he added. According to him, people must pay attention to what really is an emergency, because the way people have used the words- emergency or urgent shows that the word must really be defined. “Those lines, the 767 and 112 are for emergency and nothing and nothing less, emergencies are often times for us, life threatening situations, very grievous threat to property or a combination of both and as the Attorney General said in his remarks, this is not a line to commend us or to ask for

broken pipes to be repaired or complain about our neighbours making noise because we know that those are still service issues”. “When the threat to life occurs, our capacity to respond makes the defining difference in what in real emergency management is referred to as the golden hour and during that period, if you clog the lines, then those who need the lines desperately are denied use of the assets, so it is not just the law that we will enforce, it is also an attitude and behavioural requirement that we must all resist the temptation to use that line unless there is an emergency”, he stated.

56— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014—57

Confab: Kutigi is qualified—Sagay, Falae, Afenifere, others •It'll change Nigeria – Igbo Leaders of Thought BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, DAPO AKINREFON & CHARLES KUMOLU

ROM the lips of some eminent Nigerians came commendation, yesterday, for the appointment of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, as chairman of the National Conference. President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday, named Kutigi as chairman of the conference with Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, as his vice and Dr Valerie Azinge as secretary. Reacting to the appointment, yesterday, legal icon, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), said the choice of Justice Kutigi as chairman of the National Conference is a good one. Speaking with Vanguard on the telephone, he said: “I do not know his political lineage or ideological orientation but professionally and in terms of status and achievement, he is quite entitled. He is a retired chief justice of the country, he was called to the bar 50 years ago and did quite well as chief justice of Nigeria. He left with an impeccable reputation. Since he retired, nothing negative has been heard about him, so, I think he is qualified, he is quite okay.” Also, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, said: “Kutigi is a retired chief justice of the Supreme Court, he is a Nigerian and I believe he is eminently

qualified to preside over such a meeting. Although I do not know him personally but based on his qualification and career profile, I think he is qualified to preside over the meeting.” In like manner, the PanYoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, said the choice was a good one. Afenifere National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said: “I think he is eminently qualified to be the chairman, the choice is in the right direction. His deputy is also good and the secretary will also do well.” Kutigi is okay but only angels can save Nigeria – Kwande Elder statesman, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, said: “I don’t think I have any problem with Kutigi. But I have not been speaking on the conference because I am not interested in it. I have participated in two conferences in the past where I, alongside other eminent Nigerians, sat down and proffered our contributions but the recommendations have not been implemented. It will

••As Yakassai, Aregbesola, Ubani, others prescribe the Awolowo formula

F Nigerians had taken the prescriptions of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, on fiscal federalism, regionalism and devolution of power to the federating units, the country would have frog-jumped the unending search for a

Jonathan to perform ground breaking of 2nd Niger Bridge, Mar 10

BUJA—President Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, that he would do the “real groundbreaking” ceremony for the second Niger Bridge in Anambra on March 10. The president said this when he received a delegation of Anambra people led by Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and Gov. Peter Obi. The delegation, which also included the governorelect of the state, Willie Obiano, was on a thankyou and solidarity visit to the president. Jonathan said that the launch of the construction work on the bridge was in keeping with his promise to the people of Anambra. He explained that he could have launched the project long ago with fanfare but government must show commitment to its execution.

only take angels to provide what the country needs because we have done that in the past. What is expected of them would have been to make suggestions in addition to what we did in the past and present it to the National Assembly. But what they are doing now amounts to a waste of time and resources.” Confab will change Nigeria – Igbo Leaders of Thought Igbo Leaders of Thought, yesterday, expressed belief that the exercise would change the country for the better. Rising from a strategic committee meeting in Enugu, the Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN,-led body commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to the survival of the country by initiating the conference. Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Evangelist Elliot Uko, ILT deputy secretary and founder of the Igbo Youths Movement (IYM), said: "Igbo Leaders of Thought are proud of President Jonathan and are confident that the confab will change Nigeria for the better."

He said that with proper planning and funding now put in place, he was ready to start the project in earnest, adding, ”The Minister of Works has briefed me that they have done a lot of mobilisation; we are coming to do real ground breaking ceremony of the second Niger Bridge and other projects.” It will be recalled that the president had, during a recent visit to the state, pledged to launch the construction of the bridge before Obi leaves office on March 17. He commended Obi for maintaining a cordial relationship with the Federal Government, and admonished other elected officials and politicians to focus on developing their states rather than make a past-time of attacking and abusing the president.

people’s constitution and the attendant socio-economic and political retardation. This was the aggregate views of some eminent Nigerians who congregated in Lagos, yesterday, for the 2014 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Symposium entitled: “The Nigerian Constitution: The Awo Road Not Taken.” Held at NECA House, Alausa, those who shared this view included First Republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (who chaired the event), Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Professor Pius Adesanmi, Mr Fela Durotoye, Monday Ubani and Bala Zakka. Dr Awolowo-Dosunmu, daughter of the late sage and chairperson of the Awolowo Foundation, which organized the symposium, in kick-starting the issue said that Awolowo devoted his entire life to Nigeria but unfortunately Nigeria did not take his prescriptions for an effective and working constitution, which include true federalism and resource control.

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Present childhood cancer cases early, experts urge

By CHIOMA OBINNA

XPERTS in paediatric oncology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, have blamed high number of cancer deaths, particularly in children in Nigeria on late presentation of cases in various hospitals for treatment. Meanwhile, Children Living With Cancer Foundation, CLWCF, in partnership with Avicenna International School and Unilever Nigeria Plc, has donated cancer treatment equipment valued at about N6.7 million to LUTH paediatric cancer ward. At the donation, the experts agreed that Nigeria was faced with challenges of effective cancer treatment due to late presentation and wrong diagnoses. Consultant paediatric haematologist at the Department of Paediatrics, LUTH, Professor Edamisan Temiye, said most parents whose children have cancer symptoms do not take the prompt initiative to seek medical care until it is too late to save the child. He lamented the growing incidences of wrong diagnosis of cancer cases in the country, regretting that some medical personnel do not have the capacity to diagnose cancers among patients, thereby worsening cancer morbidity and mortality rates in Nigeria. Commenting on some of the equipment donated which included 180 bone marrow aspirators, 20 central lines, 14 infusion pumps, six pulse oximeters, oxygen panelling and points for each bedside, Temiye said the donation would go a long way in the fight against childhood cancer in the hospital and Nigeria at large as well as bring hope to children living with cancers in the ward. The hospital’s Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Professor Chris Bode, said the kind gesture would help the hospital care for the children better.

Bode who represented the Chief Medical Director, Professor Akin Osibogun, urged parents to seek medical help for their children early enough. Founder, Executive Director, CLWCF, Dr. Nneka Nwobbi, called on Nigerians to donate towards saving the children, adding that “ if everyone in Lagos donated at least N500 “ there is no way children living with cancer would not have free treatment in LUTH.” Unilever Nigeria Plc representative, Mr. Osita Ubana, said that the donation was in line with the company’s social responsibility and business philosophies.

Sanofi reinforces commitment to African children

O improve childhood health through partnerships with health authorities and professionals, Sanofi has launched across the African continent the Paediatrics Initiative entitled “Healthy Children, Happy Children.” In line with the launch, Sanofi Paediatric Initiative weekend in Lagos commissioned Paediatric Fun Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital’s (LUTH) Paediatric Ward as its 1st Paediatrics Initiative in Nigeria. The Fun centre which also gave a facelift to the children’s ward of the hospital was part of the company’s determination to diversify and adapt its

•L-R: Head of Pediatric, LUTH, Prof. A. O AKINSULIE; Director of Administration, LUTH, Mr. Ayo Olagunju; Chairman of Pediatric Advisory Board, LUTH, Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo; Medical and Regulatory Director, SANOFI North East Africa, Dr. Fifen Inoussa and Head of Nursing, LUTH, Mrs. Bastos Mary Iyabo at the launch of SANOFI Fun Centre in LUTH, Lagos.

healthcare offer to young Nigerians and African patients at large. Speaking at the commissioning of the Centre, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Akin Osibogun, who stressed the importance of social health, noted that the environment where a child is kept also contributes a lot to the health of the child. Thanking Sanofi for coming from the rubbles to put a smile on the faces of the children and those yet unborn, Osibogun said the company has written their name in Gold as it concerns children’s health. Represented by the Director of Administration, Mr. Ayo Olagunju, he pledged to ensure that the fun centre is maintained at all times. On his part, Head of Paediatric, LUTH, Professor A. O AKINSULIE also noted the importance of the environment to children’s health. He commended the company for all their efforts at making the project a success. Presenting Sanofi Paediatric Initiative in Africa to the gathering, Medical and Regulatory Director, SANOFI North East Africa, Dr. Fifen Inoussa noted that with 42 percent of the total population of Africans under than 15 years old, paediatrics should be key priority. Noting that not less than 4 million children die in Africa annually, Inoussa stated that Sanofi’s paediatric Initiative has been designed into three pillars to tackle the problems. He explained that the first concerns which was the development of medicines and vaccines offer,adding that the company will broaden its offer to new therapeutic areas, develop formulations and dosages adjusted to the needs of African patients, and improve access to medicine.

Is there a Doctor onboard?

“W

E need a doctor at the back of the aircraft. Any doctor on board, we need help at the back of the plane, please.” A DOCTORcalm AT THE BACK of OF the THE It was"WE theNEED seemingly voice "WEAIRCRAFT. NEED A DOCTOR AT THEON BACK OF THE ANY DOCTOR BOARD, WE flight Purser on theANY overhead. AIRCRAFT. DOCTOR ON THE BOARD, WE NEED HELP AT THE BACK OF PLANE, I had heard this many times but, there PLEASE." was tinge of THE anxiety in herCALM voice. IT WAS SEEMINGLY VOICE OF THE The long transatlantic flight was two hours from Lagos. I had just taken what I call a “de-clotting” stroll to the back galley minutes earlier so I was curious as to what had happened. Some doctor would probably be there already. These are often false alarms. But I couldn’t just sit there. There have been times when I’d answer such a call, make a passive observation and discreetly return to my seat if things were been done satisfactorily and life was not in immediate danger Ok...got to see what’s going on. I got up and headed to the back of the Boeing Jet. There was chaos back there. Passengers were aghast in the aisle....a crowd gathered at the second to last row. Some were yelling; some were praying. I thought I heard someone already burst into “tongues”. Even the flight crew, trained as they were, appeared anxious and distressed. I meandered down the narrow aisle and came to a huge man performing chest com-

pressions on a frail elderly lady supine across two seats. “He’s a nurse”, I’m told. “Excuse me, may I take a look at her”. The man ignored me. He continued compressions yelling some orders to the flight attendants while barking “Mama! Mama! Mama” to the unresponsive patient. While he was well meaning and maybe actually doing the right thing by the compressions, i needed to examine the pt. I gently pressed on his arms and guided him aside. The woman was not cyanosed...so the incident was still very fresh and oxygen was still within her...or he was doing very effective compressions. There was no radial pulse but I felt a faint carotid with a very long interval between the pulses. This was a true life threatening emergency. I asked the man to continue the compressions. “But you just asked me to stop”, he shouted. I looked at him puzzled. Is this fellow really a nurse? “You can start again”, I said. “No..you do it yourself”, he shouted again, playing to the audience. He did not like my intervention.

fogfem@yahoo.com I continued the chest compressions, then asked him again. “ I have to do other things to this woman” I pleaded. He took over from me. After about two minutes, the lady started to gasp . A good sign. Hesitantly, I asked him to stop compressions again. “Why?” I was beginning to lose patience with my assistant. “Because she is now trying to breathe by herself!” The elderly lady became more responsive and minutes later became communicative. A young doctor joined us and assisted by checking the lady’s blood pressure and pulse. They were all back to normal. I had opened an AED ( Automated Electrical Defibrillator - which is supposed to be onboard EVERY aircraft in the world!), but, thankfully, it wasn’t needed. The 74 year old was returning to Warri

where she lived with her son. She gave no significant medical history. I made my diagnosis, left her on oxygen by face mask, returned to my seat and ordered a glass of champagne. I wrote a brief medical note for the Crew’s record and got a thank you from the Captain. Just before we landed I asked the Purser to announce a “Thank you” to the “Nurse” that had done the effective compressions. A round of applause filled the cabins of the plane. Mama was doing fine. Mama was someone’s mother, grandmother, daughter, wife or friend. She would have died a few minutes later if we had not intervened. Yet, how do I tell those on board that we, the two doctors and our “ nurse”, gave no medicines and did nothing magical for her? Someone else did.

V anguard Vanguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

— 59

NEWS BRIEF

Egyptian court bans Hamas

Ukraine : Military force is last option — Putin R

USSIAN President Vladimir Putin has said his country reserves the right to use all means to protect its citizens in eastern Ukraine, but added that the use of force would be the “last resort”. This developed as warning shots were fired yesterday when unarmed Ukrainian soldiers approached Russian forces guarding a seized airbase at Belbek near Sevastopol. At a news conference on Tuesday, Putin said there had been an “unconstitutional coup” in Ukraine and that ousted leader Viktor Yanukovich was still the legitimate leader of the country despite giving up all power. “The legitimate president, purely legally, is undoubtedly Yanukovich,” Putin said. He said this meant

Russian intervention in Ukraine would be justified because Moscow had received a request for protection of its citizens from Yanukovich. He also said that troops in Crimea had been invited in, and were not Russian soldiers, but proRussian self-defence forces. “We have a direct request from the acting and legitimate - as I have already said - president Viktor Yanukovich about using armed forces to protect the lives, health and freedom of Ukrainian citizens,” Putin said. “We reserve the right to use all available means. And we believe that this is fully legitimate. This is a last resort.” The comments were Putin’s first public reaction to the crisis in Ukraine since the ousting of Yanukovich.

Also yesterday, U S secretary of state, John Kerry, arrived in Kiev to support the country’s new government, while stepping up pressure on Moscow to withdraw its troops from Crimea, calling it an occupation. The US government also announced that it would work to get $1bn in loans to help lessen the impact on Ukranians of Russia proposing to life subsidies on the cost of

energy it supplies. The United States will also send technical experts to advise Ukraine’s central bank and finance ministry on how to deal with the country ’s economic challenges and help combat corruption, according to the Reuters news agency.

...IMF plans economic bailout

UROPEAN countries are faced with the task of saving Ukraine from economic collapse as Russia raised the pressure yesterday by ending discounts on its natural gas supplies, while the U.S. and European Union offered quick-fix aid to the beleaguered government. To help Ukraine in the longer term, International Monetary Fund experts began work here on a plan to stabilize the nearbankrupt country ’s finances and failing economy. The IMF’s help is expected to come with conditions that will be tough, but at this point inevitable. “Without the expected financial assistance from Western donors, Ukraine is likely to default,” Lilit Gevorgyan of IHS Global Insight says in a research note. Concerns over Ukraine’s financial condition — whose treasury account is, by its own admission, almost empty — rose after Russian state gas company Gazprom said it would cancel a substantial discount on natural gas granted in December. President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, noted Ukraine still owes some $2 billion for gas.

N Egyptian court has banned all activities of Hamas in Egypt, a judge said, in another sign that security forces plan to squeeze the Palestinian group that runs the neighbouring Gaza Strip. Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, which has been declared a terrorist group by Egypt’s army-backed government and has faced a security crackdown since the military ousted one of its leaders, Mohamed Morsi, from the presidency last July. “The court has ordered the banning of Hamas work and activities in Egypt,” the judge, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters news agency. Egyptian authorities see Hamas a major security threat, accusing the group of supporting al-Qaedainspired fighters in the Sinai peninsula, allegations it denies. The court also ordered the closure of Hamas offices in Egypt, one of the judges overseeing the case told Reuters. Hamas condemned the ruling, saying it targeted the Palestinian cause.

Obama, Netanyahau disagree over peace talk

ENJAMIN Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has bluntly told Barack Obama that he would never compromise on his country’s security even as the US president sought to reassure him on nuclear diplomacy towards Iran and pressure him on Middle East peace talks. In a White House meeting on Monday, overshadowed by the Ukraine crisis, the two leaders avoided any direct clash during a brief press appearance but were unable to paper over differences on a pair of sensitive diplomatic drives that have stoked tensions between them. Obama assured Netanyahu of his absolute commitment to preventing Iran from developing atomic weapons, despite the Israeli leader’s deep scepticism over US-led efforts to reach a final international deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme, the Reuters news agency reported.

Turkish PM slams Islamic cleric

RIME Minister Tayyip Erdogan yesterday berated an Islamic cleric he accuses of plotting to wreck his government, as more voice recordings apparently intended to embarrass the Turkish leader were aired on the Internet. Erdogan is locked in a power struggle with U.S.based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former ally he says is behind a stream of “fabricated” voice recordings purportedly revealing corruption in the prime minister’s inner circle. Four more recordings have appeared on YouTube in the last two days, part of what Erdogan sees as a campaign to undermine his ruling center-right AK Party before local elections on March 30 and a presidential poll due later this year.

Japan worries over Ukraine crisis

USSIA’s incursion into Ukraine is setting off alarm bells in Tokyo, where officials worry that any push by Japan’s Western allies to impose economic penalties will undermine its drive to improve relations with Moscow. While U.S. President Barack Obama and other G7 leaders of advanced economies talk of sanctions or other punitive responses, Japanese officials say ties with Moscow remain on track. There has been no change in the direction of economic and resource diplomacy between Japan and Russia, Trade Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. In reality, “they are in a state of shock”, one diplomatic source close to the situation said, referring to Japanese officials. “It is a big pain in the back for the Japanese government.”

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Flight hitch keeps out Oboabona Messi will never be Maradona

HE Super Eagles on Tuesday morning had their first training in Atlanta without Godfrey Oboabona, who was held back by a flight hitch. Turkey-based defender Oboabona could not join the rest of the squad due to bad weather in Chicago as he could not connect to Atlanta in time. “I have all the players in camp. Its only Godfrey who is not here. He is stranded in Chicago as the bad weather did not allow him connect to Atlanta. But we hope he joins us for our last training session,” stated coach Stephen Keshi. The Eagles coach also expressed satisfaction with the form of his players. “I am happy with what I saw in our first train-

Idowu, Oshodi for district Athletics Championships

HAIRMAN, N a t i o n a l Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu and Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi will on Wednesday grace district six qualifiers of this year’s Lagos Premier Lotto Schools Athletics Championships. NASCOM supported the tournament during the maiden edition and the presence of its helmsman is another effort to back the competition this year. Oshodi, whose efforts to revive sports at grassroots level have continued to yield positively in Lagos will join the NASCOM boss for the championship on Wednesday. Schools from Oshodi Isolo, Mushin and Ikeja will compete for places in the grand finale slated for Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Meanwhile, athletes from district five that competed on Tuesday have called on the organisers to make the tournament a quarterly basis.

—Enrique

•Maradona

ORMER Argentina international Hector Enrique believes Lionel Messi will never be on Diego Maradona’s level. Messi and Maradona are often compared, with the Barcelona forward having won an unprecedented four Ballon d’Or awards. Maradona scored 34 goals for Argentina and

•Oboabona

AWC: Falcons to face Rwanda T

HE Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn to face Rwanda Women in the second round of the Africa Women Championship qualifiers. The Rwanda Women qualified despite a 2-1 loss to Kenya in Nairobi on Sunday. The She-Amavubi, as the Rwanda Women are called, marched on via the away goal rule after a 2-2 tie. Jackie Ogolla and Mural Amau scored for the Kenyans whilst Jeanne Nyirahatashima found target in between for the visitors that turned out to be the vi-

tal goal. The First leg of the encounter will be played on the weekend of 23-25 May in Kigali, while the Second leg will be played on the weekend 6-8 June in Abuja. The winners of the Second Round ties will pro-

ceed to the Africa Women Championship in Namibia. The final tournament, which will hold between 11-24 October, will also serve as the qualifier for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next year.

All the Second Round Fixtures Ethiopia Rwanda Senegal Comoros Zimbabwe Algeria

vs vs vs vs vs vs

Ghana Nigeria Cameroon South Africa Zambia Tunisia

•Messi has been overtaken by Messi (37), but the former won a FIFA World Cup in 1986. Enrique, who represented Argentina 11 times, believes Messi is a long way behind Maradona. “Messi does not have anything on Maradona. I love Messi and I would be happy if my son would play at one per cent of his abilities, but Maradona was unique,”

Eagles ready for Scotland challenge, says Keshi

FTER days of speculations and fears over the much speculated international friendly between Nigeria and Scotland at the Craven Cottage in London, Nigerian Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has given his blessings to the encounter, scheduled for May 28. The Nigeria Football Federation had already given provisional approval for the game while awaiting final words from match organizers and the coach of both sides. And on Monday in far away Atlanta, United States,

Blatter backs Brazil to deliver with 99 days to go

EPP Blatter is in no doubt that the FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be “an exceptional competition” as the countdown to the tournament continues. Off-field issues have raised questions as to the suitability of the South American nation as a host for football’s biggest showpiece. Four stadiums are still yet to be finished and three construction workers have been killed during the building of the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus.

•David Luiz FIFA put back their deadline of December for all stadiums to be finished and still the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba is not expected to be com-

pleted until the middle of May - just a month before the finals begin. However, Blatter, the president of the world governing body, is con-

he told Continental. “There will never be anyone like Maradona again, not even if Messi wins three World Cups in succession or scores a bicycle kick from midfield. “Maradona and Messi have different characters on the pitch. Diego radiated confidence and made all of us play better. Messi has personality as well, but not like Maradona.”

fident the eagerly-awaited competition will be a resounding success as Brazil prepares to host the finals for the second time. He told FIFA.com: “One hundred days is a long way to go and it’s a short way. It’s a short way to go if there are still problems, but now all problems are under control and it will be in 99 days an exceptional good start for an exceptional competition FIFA’s World Cup in Brazil, the country of football.

•Keshi Keshi declared his readiness for the game and thanked the NFF for always being forward looking as it concerns Nigeria’s preparations for Mundial 2014 in Brazil. Hear Keshi: “We are delighted to be playing the Scottish team in London as part of our pre World Cup preparations and we know it would be a real test in front of a passionate crowd. We hope that many London based Nigerians will come out en masse to give the Eagles a rousing send forth ahead of Brazil 2014”. NFF match agent, Jairo Pachon, said all loose ends in the proposed game have now be tied up adding that he foresees a very entertaining game in London for both countries. The game is expected to be one of the Super Eagles last warm up games before the World Cup kicks off on June 12 in Brazil.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 61

Puyol gives Barca quit notice

•Puyol

ARCELONA captain Carles Puyol has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the current season. The 35-year-old’s departure from Camp Nou will bring the curtain down on a 19-

year association with the Blaugrana, during which time the Catalan defender has emerged as one of the greatest and most decorated defenders in the club’s history. During his time with the club Puyol has won

Pardew won’t appeal FA charge

EWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew is not expected to contest a Football Association charge over his headbutt on Hull midfielder David Meyler. S p o r t s m a i l understands the 52year-old will accept the charge of improper conduct announced on Monday after headbutting Meyler on the touchline at the KC Stadium on Saturday. Pardew has until 6pm on Thursday to respond, and has the right to request a personal hearing to give himself an opportunity to explain his actions. Pardew apologised immediately after the game, which his side won 4-1, but was fined £100,000 pounds and handed a formal warning by the Magpies hours later. He is likely to receive

a significant further penalty if he either accepts or is convicted on the FA charge, and that could include a stadium ban. However, he will not face criminal charges over the incident with Humberside Police having confirmed neither Meyler nor Hull have made a complaint.

three Champions League titles, six Spanish titles, two Spanish cups and two FIFA club world cups also. However, despite having a contract until 2016, the defensive warrior has decided that - thanks to a number of knee problems and operations - he no longer feels capable of playing to the level he deems necessary of turning out for Los Cules. Nonetheless, the 100cap Spanish international has not retired, though he doesn’t know what the future will hold. “The club knows of my decision. It doesn’t mean that I am leaving today; there are three months of the season left to play,” said Puyol at a press conference on Tuesday. “I am tired after so many injury problems and operations. The club will rescind my contract. “After the last two operations I went through, I have struggled to return to the level I demand of myself to continue here at this club. “I have struggled more than I had expected and a lot more than what the surgeons predicted. That is the reason why I have made this decision."

•Pardew (m) headbutts Meyler

Lebron James bags record points haul

EBRON James created history on Monday night by scoring a career-high and Miami Heat record 61 points against the Charlotte Bobcats. Dazzling from inside and out, James put on the best scoring show of his NBA life, pouring in 61 points as the Heat brushed aside the Bobcats 124-107. It was the eighth straight win for the twotime defending NBA champions, who are starting to roll as the playoffs near. James, still sporting a

plastic mask after sustaining a broken nose against Oklahoma City Thunder last week, made 22 of 33 shots from the field, including his first eight three-point attempts. ‘The man above has given me some unbelievable abilities to play the game of

•James

basketball,’ James said. ‘I just try to take advantage of it every night. I got the trust of my team-mates and my coaching staff to go in there and let it go.’ His career best had been 56 points, on March 20, 2005, for Cleveland against Toronto. Glen Rice scored 56 to set the Heat record on April 15, 1995, against Orlando. James had 24 points at half-time, then added 25 in the third quarter. The record-breaker came with 5:46 left, when James spun through three defenders for a layup that fell as he tumbled to the court.

62— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 — 63

Senate summons Sports Minister over budget BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

that the minister did not even have the courtesy of formally informing the committee that he was not going to be around to defend the budget adding that the budget was more important than the indoor championship which the minister was neither a technical person nor a participant in the event. While expressing disappoint over the action of the minister, he said that for three years he (Abdulahi) had avoided appearing before the committee to answer questions either on how the previous budget was spent or how the present budget would be spent and some of the problems facing the ministry. “We insist he must be here, we are not going to take any submission until he comes,” the visibly annoyed Senator Gimba stated. He also decried a situation where only 50 per cent of the budgetary allocation to the ministry for the 2013 fiscal year was released.

HE Senate Committee on Sports, Tuesday summoned the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi to appear before the committee by 12 noon, Tuesday next week for absenting himself from the budget defence of his ministry without any formal communication to the committee. The committee alleged that the minister in the last three years had treated the committee with disdain by refusing to appear before it as was the tradition in other ministries to defend the budget proposal for the fiscal year. The committee was told by the DirectorGeneral, National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye that the minister traveled to Poland Monday evening for the World indoor athletic championship and was not aware that the ministry was to defend its budget proposal Tuesday (yesterday). But the chairman of the committee, Senator Adamu Gimba said that the minister in the past three years had established the habit of not appearing to defend the budget of his ministry which he said was key in the function and running of the ministry. Senator Gimba said

OACHIM Loew has issued his Germany stars with a World Cup warning for Wednesday ’s friendly against Chile by insisting he will only pick his Brazil 2014 squad on current form. Germany host Chile in Stuttgart on Wednesday in their final match

before Loew names his World Cup squad on May 8. The 54-year-old head coach has said time is running out for some players to prove they are in form and to secure their ticket to Brazil. “The clock is ticking. Only those who hear it will have a real chance,”

said Loew. “I appeal to all of the squad to prepare their case as strong as possible, just as it needs to be if they have big goals in mind.” Germany captain Philipp Lahm echoed Loew’s concerns with several members of the squad lacking form.

Continues from BP

Balogun

Mexico are the duo of Leon Balogun of German side Fortuna Dusseldorf and Standard Liege of Belgium’s Imoh Ezekiel and incidentally both players are sharing a room together at the team’s camp and they seem to like it. Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo are also new in the setup but the former are newer and have created sensation the last 48 hours. Balogun, who came into the team’s W. Buckhead Hotel moments before dinner on Monday has beenon the radar of the coaching crew for a little while and the time was just ripe for him to join his dream national team. With skipper of the side, Joseph Tambarin Yobo,

forced out of the international friendly due to injury, while featuring for his English Premiership side, Norwich City he is seen as a natural replacement for the most capped Nigerian international. Head Coach Stephen Keshi has said he is not too happy about the latest setback for Yobo and wishes him a quick recovery even as he said Balogun has been trailed for a long while before now. “ He is not replacing Yobo at all. Yobo was still bent on coming for the game even if just to support the team but I told him to relax and recover quickly for the World Cup. We have to look to the future and that is why we called up

Balogun, he has been in our plans for a long time and it was just time that he steps out into the team for us to see what he can do and I must say I am glad that he responded well and the boys here also welcomed him well. We also have an opportunity to see Imoh who is a part of the system now for us to see what they can do to make the team better, we must look ahead”, Keshi said. Standin skipper Vincent Enyeama, was very glad at the invitation of Ezekiel and Balogun and has been doing all he could to integrate all the new players into the system, something Yobo is also known for. “Make una see our new brothersooo,” he said as he hugs Imoh and points to Balogun at the dinner table Monday

night. The half cast Leon Balogun has been the shock here to many as he seems to have known all the players for a long while, going by the manner he relates with all of them. The team will have a full house training session Tuesday at the Georgia Dome, by 8pm local time (2am Nigerian time), when the match will be played on Wednesday evening in Atlanta and Thursday morning in Nigeria. All the players invited for the friendly are now in Atlanta. The last to step in was Godfrey Oboabona, whose flight was delayed in Chicago due to bad weather forcing him to negotiate another route to Atlanta. “We are here to give our best and defend our national colours very well”, said Enyeama.

•Mark

•Bolaji

Yobo misses Mexico match S

•Keshi

Loew warns Germany stars

Taekwondists begin camping for Youth Olympics

UPER Eagles will have to do without captain Joseph Yobo for their friendly game against Mexico in Atlanta today. Yobo, 33, who has not played for Nigeria since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year, has suffered “an undisclosed strain”. The Norwich defender has been replaced by 25year-old uncapped German-born defender Leon Balogun. Balogun, who plays for German second division side Fortuna Düsseldorf, has a Nigerian father and a German mother. Nigeria media officer Ben Alaiya said: “Balogun has joined the team here in Atlanta. He’s very positive and mixing with others players already. “The game against Mexico is crucial for players like Balogun and others who are keen to make a good impression ahead of the World Cup.” Wednesday’s game will kick off at 2030 local time at the Georgia Dome Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. According to the organisers, more than 60,000 tickets have already been sold for the game, in what will be the largest crowd ever to attend a professional football match in Atlanta.

Eagles Continues from BP else. “For me the Green is not our national colour, I would have preferred the green that we have in our national flag,” Gaiya said, vowing to ensure those behind the designing of the jerseys have some explaining to make. But before the

HE new national taekwondo coach, Jin Beom Kim began his first assignment as nine athletes are at present in camp for the Youth Olympics Qualifiers cum World Junior Champions holding this month in Taipei, Chinese Taipei. In a letter singed by the President, World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), Chungwon Choue, the 10 th WTF Junior Championship and Youth Olympics Qualifiers would help the athletes to display their skills to the full. “I expect that the 10th WTF World Junior T a e k w o n d o Championships and the WTF Qualification Tournament for 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games will serve as an opportunity for the youth to display their skills to the full and also to exchange friendship among the youth from all parts of the globe,” the WTF boss said. However, the nine athletes at the Abuja camp are all gold medalists at the maiden National Youth Games organized by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and they are expected to represent Nigeria at the two events on March 20 to 26. The athletes made up of five male and four female will undergo intensive training under the tutelage of the Korean tactician in Abuja. Aside from the Chinese Taipei tournament, the team will have another opportunity to qualify for the Youth Olympics at the African Youth Championships later in the year. chairman’s objection the Nigeria Football Federation had since set aside the Nigeria versus Mexico friendly for the first time the Eagles will wear the new jersey. Apart from Gaiya, football fans across the country have also condemned the new jerseys, saying they were not a true reflection of Nigerian colours.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Balogun, Ezekiel blend with Eagles in Atlanta …Team wish Yobo quick return

HE newest faces in the Super Eagles ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against the El Tri of •Continues on Pg 63

99 DAYS TO BRAZIL 2014 —Pg 32-33 World Cup hopefuls in dress rehearsal Eagles play Mexico with controversial jersey

Rude shock: Yobo misses out of Eagles friendly •Mexico v Nigeria 2.30a.m Japan Algeria Greece Montenegro South Africa Bosnia Czech Republic Israel Colombia Turkey Romania Ukraine Austria Switzerland Belgium Germany Australia England France Portugal Spain

•Mikel

PUZZLE

v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

New Zealand Slovenia South Korea Ghana Brazil Egypt Norway Slovakia Tunisia Sweden Argentina USA Uruguay Croatia Ivory Coast Chile Ecuador Denmark Netherlands Cameroon Italy

11:40pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7pm 7:30pm 8pm 8pm 8:30pm 8:30pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 9pm 9pm 9pm 9:45pm 10pm

•Yobo

Senate summons Sports Minister for shunning budget defence — Pg 63

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

•Ezekiel

Today’s Matches

F R I C A N champions, the Super Eagles will be filing out tonight in their new but controversial jerseys against their Mexican counterparts in an international friendly match in Atlanta, USA. The national team jerseys that were unveiled in Abuja last week came under scrutiny Monday when the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Honourable Godfrey Gaiya said the dominant colour which was supposed to be green was something •Continues on Pg 63

•Balogun

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across 2 Store (5) 7 House (5) 8 Vision (5) 10 Similar (5) 12 Consume (3) 13 Danger (5) 15 Penetrated (7) 17 Pressed (6) 19 Drunkard (3) 20 Disproved (7) 23 Gang (4) 25 Prima-donna (4) 26 Harmed (7) 30 Tank (3) 31 Swell (6) 34 Matured (7) 37 Poison (5) 38 Scull (3) 39 Material (5) 40 Change (5) 41 Tend (5) 42 Guide (5)

Down 1 Snake (5) 2 Killed (5) 3 Higher (6) 4 Sponge (4) 5 Saluted (7) 6 Irrigate (5) 9 Spike (3) 11 Ascertained (7) 13 Throw (5) 14 Wandered (5) 16 Child (3) 18 Discussed (7) 21 Couch (5) 22 Seraglio (5) 24 Hesitated (7) 27 Male (3) 28 God-like (6) 29 Instrument (5) 32 Animal (5) 33 Trunk (5) 35 Tap (3) 36 Adroit (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 2, Inter 7, Atom 8, Office 9, Purse 11, Rid 13, Rum 15, Eden 16, Par 18, Mere 19, Minimal 20, Chit 22, Taxi 23, Natural 25, Even 27, Eel 28, Fete 30, Did 31, Dud 33, Pleat 36, Simple 37, Avid 38, Tramp

Down: 1, Staid 2, Imp 3, Tor 4, Roe 5, Aft 6, Scour 10, Span 11, Rescued 12, Defined 13, Relaxed 14, Merited 16, Pique 17, Rival 18, Mat 21, Tan 24, Reel 26, Visit 29, Tulip 32, Apt 33, Pet 34, Era 35, Tap

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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