ENUGU ATTACKS: Northern senators warn govs, other leaders

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 63021

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N200

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Senate okays death penalty for 4 kidnappers

Local firms bemoan 14 lack of access to $500m content fund

ENUGU ATTACKS:

Northern senators warn govs, other leaders •Say there'll be no Nigeria if herdsmen are forced to leave states •Those responsible will be brought to book —CDS •Warns Miyetti Allah; says no excuse for violence •S-East APC backs govs on arrest of culprits

By Innocent Anaba, Kingsley Omonobi, Henry Umoru, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Joseph Erunke & Enyim Enyim

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BUJA—SPURRED by the divergent comments trailing the Fulani herdsmen attacks in communities across Nigeria, senators from the North, under the aegis of Northern Senators, yesterday warned governors, leaders and community heads in the country to desist from making inflammatory statements that could further overheat the polity.

This came as Defence Headquarters also, yesterday, vowed that whoever was involved in the killing of innocent Nigerians must be brought to book, in line with the laws of the land.

Rising from a meeting in Abuja, the northern senators promised that, as

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Mr & Mrs DINNER IN THE VILLA—President Muhammadu Buhari (Right), and President of Cameroon, Mr. Paul Biya, during a dinner in honour of the visiting President of Cameroon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tuesday night.

FOREX: Importers abandon consignments at ports COLUMNISTS:

Media narratives Lose weight or and the Fulbe •P.19 •P.17 die soon nomad

Edo 2016: War of succession (3) •P.19

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We've verified Buhari, Osinbajo, others' assets 8

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FEC MEETING: Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (right) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, during the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Senate okays death penalty for kidnappers Says 225 kidnap cases recorded in Oct, Nov 2015 N85m demanded, N28m paid by victims Accuses security agencies of unhealthy rivalry

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA— THE Senate, yesterday, agreed to begin a process for the enactment of a law that would prescribe capital punishment for kidnappers across the country.

The Senate also asked state governments to enact laws that would prosecute kidnappers and other crime-related offences in their jurisdiction and recommended that the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in particular as well as other security agencies be encouraged to do more.

These resolutions of the Senate were sequel to the consideration of a report of the Joint Committee on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence in respect of a motion on the unfortunate recurrence of kidnapping and hostage-taking in Nigeria, entitled, "A National Wake-Up Call."

The Senate also recommended that the funding of security agencies be taken as a priority project, bearing in mind that the practice of envelop budgetary for security agencies had proved ineffective, adding that efforts should be put in place to create employment opportunities for the nation’s teaming unemployed youths.

It also agreed that security agencies should embark on training and retraining of their personnel for effective capacity building.

The Senate equally stated that synergy and information sharing between security agencies should be pursued vigorously.

The recommendation for death penalty, as adopted by the Senate, was recommended by Senator C M Y K

Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi Central) as an additional recommendation after the six resolutions were already adopted by the lawmakers.

In his contribution, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, noted that family members of kidnapped persons go through psychological trauma, having experienced it himself.

He said: “Just recently, one of my relations also was kidnapped. So, I believe I am talking as an expert or an experienced person in kidnapping. I know the psychology of kidnappers because I stayed for two days with them.

"These are normal human beings who are sometimes looking for money and also afraid of security agencies. I think there are three types of kidnappers. There are some who kidnapped either to make a statement or to intimidate the government, like the Boko Haram people and the Niger Delta militants.

“Then there is another type of kidnappers, these are just normal armed robbers. Sometimes, they just kidnapped you, put you in the boot and they can even use the vehicle as an escape or they use it to rob.

"Such kidnappers, once they

succeed, it’s either they take away the vehicle, use it or they dump their victim. But the third type, which is very dangerous, is the professional kidnappers, who kidnapped for money and that is the one we are focusing on this afternoon.

“We have encouraged this type of kidnapping because we panic and pay money most times. This kind of kidnappers, when they take you, they put you somewhere else and they can refer you to negotiate so that they can set you free and go for another business.

"Most times, our people are reluctant to delay or endure the inconvenience or the hardship and then they quickly negotiate and if we can discourage this kind of kidnappings, the only way forward is to insist that you will not pay."

Firing squad for kidnappers.

Also in his contribution, Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), recommended firing squad for kidnappers.

While contributing to the report, the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (PDP, Akwa Ibom), regretted that kidnapping escalated in Nigeria when ex-

governor and now Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, was kidnapped around 2002.

Earlier in the presentation of the report, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Abu Ibrahim, noted that the Senate at its sitting on Thursday, November 19, 2015, deliberated on a motion on the unfortunate recurrence of kidnappings and hostage-taking in Nigeria.

According to him, the Senate at the time, mandated its Committees on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence to invite the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, DirectorGeneral, and Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura, to brief the committees on efforts to eliminate the menace.

According to him, in the course of the briefing, the Director-General of DSS told the committee that in October 2015, a total of 108 kidnap and sea piracy incidents in 24 states in which 180 victims, including 26 foreigners, were involved.

He listed the states to include Abia, Adamawa; Akwa Ibom; Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto and Zamfara.

N85m demanded, N28m paid by victims

Senator Ibrahim, who disclosed that N84,500,000 was reportedly demanded same month as ransom by kidnappers, said some victims’ family/ employers purportedly paid a total of N28,016,000 ransom.

According to him, the committee was told that in November, 2015, a total of 117 incidents were recorded, involving 151 victims spread across 23 states.

Security agencies in unhealthy rivalry

Senator Ibrahim said the committee observed that there appeared to be unnecessary and unhealthy rivalry among the security agencies, leading to lack of required synergy and intelligence sharing on time.

He added that relations of the victims were always ready to pay ransom which tended to encourage the criminals.

He said the committee also observed that security agencies had not been able to perform optimally due to lack of modern technology and equipment.

Jonathan's cousin sues FG over continued detention

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS— A Niger Delta activist and cousin of former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Azibaola Robert, who has been in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since March 23, 2016, has dragged the Federal Government before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, challenging his continued detention.

Respondents in the suit are the EFCC, Attorney-General of the Federation and Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Robert, a legal practitioner and environmental activist, through his counsel in the suit, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, is asking the court to stop the Federal Government and EFCC from applying for any new remand warrant against him from any court in Nigeria, since a pattern had been established that such remand warrant was only a ploy to keep him in custody indefinitely.

He is also asking the court to hold that Sections 293 and 294 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which the EFCC is relying on to secure remand orders from magistrate's courts, were designed to cater for criminal offences attracting capital punishment, such as murder, armed robbery, kidnapping or treasonable felony, for which the police would need time to await a legal advice from the office of the Attorney-General, and not cases relating to financial crimes, being handled by the EFCC, which are mostly documentary.

He is further asking the court to hold that the attempt by the EFCC to force him to implicate the former President, Dr Jonathan, was contrary to Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which has outlawed the practice of arresting a citizen as ransom for the alleged offence of another citizen.

...Bill against sexual harassment in schools passes first reading Bill will punish VCs, rectors who fail to act

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA— A BILL prescribing a minimum of two years imprisonment for vice-chancellors who cover up sexual harassment cases in universities passed through first reading in the Senate, yesterday.

The bill which prescribes stringent

sanctions for sexual predators in schools, allows victims of sexual harassment to file civil damages against their predators, even after they had been convicted.

The bill itself prescribes a fiveyear compulsory imprisonment for lecturers and others indicted for sexual harassment of their students.

The landmark bill, initiated by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta

Central) and co-sponsored by 43 other senators, including all female senators, prescribes a compulsory two-year imprisonment for vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and other chief executives of institutions of higher learning who failed to act within a week of complaints of sexual harassment made by students.

The bill, which was read for

the first time, yesterday, permits sexually harassed students, their parents, or guardians to seek civil remedies in damages against sexual predator lecturers before or after their successful criminal prosecution by the state.

The bill also seeks protection from sexual harassment for prospective students seeking admissions into higher educational institutions.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 — 5

POCKET CARTOON restore order in line with the directives of President Buhari.

Backing govs on arrest of culprits

EXPLOSION IN ONITSHA—A victim of an explosion that rocked Nkutaku/Kara area on Atani Road, Ogbaru LGA, near Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. Photo: Chimaobi Nwaiwu. STORY ON PAGE 34.

ENUGU ATTACKS: Northern senators warn govs, other leaders Continues from Page 1 part of moves to nip in the bud the continued clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, the lawmakers would soon come up with new laws as well as amend existing ones to help promote the interest of Northern Nigeria in particular and the country at large.

They also warned that there would be no country called Nigeria, if other parts of the country asked Fulani herdsmen to leave their communities and states.

Reading a communique issued at the end of the meeting to journalists, Chairman, Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West), who

noted that the forum resolved to continue its support for President Muhammadu Buhari in order to bring about even development to all sections of the country, said members of the Forum shall work assiduously to enact laws and amend existing ones.

He said: “We appreciate the steps the Federal Government had taken so far to contain the problems of herdsmen/farmers clashes and call on community leaders to be careful when making statements on these ugly incidences.”

Asked whether the forum’s call on community leaders to be mindful of what they say was also applicable to governors of respective states, Senator Adamu

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO O not allow your short term goals to jeopardise your long term goals. Do not also let the pursuit of long term goals hinder you from short term wins.

The beauty of life is winning in the short term and self actualization in the long run. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

As we express our gratitude, we must remember that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them —John F Kennedy

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RATEFUL people have a higher sense of selfworth. I think that’s because when you’re grateful, you have the sense that someone else is looking out for you. Once you start to recognize the contributions that other people have made to your life, once you realize that other people have seen the value in you, you can transform the way you see yourself. Just because gratitude is good doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds with some deeply ingrained psychological tendencies but if we focus on gratitude, we’ll attract our heart desires.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE You can only introduce a man to his family member, you can't introduce him to his friend.

said: “It is for all Nigerians. A governor is a community leader. The only difference is that he has a label called governor.

"If you don’t mind, in recent times, it started with the West when elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae, had some very nasty experience. It was attributed at the time to Fulani herdsmen. At the end, those people were apprehended and they were not Fulanis.

"This thing has been going on in virtually all parts of the country today.

If we now say that everybody should rise and say herdsmen should leave, we will not have a country.”

It would be recalled that Northern governors were reported to have said that Fulanis were not culpable in the spate of killings in Agatu, Enugu, others.

Dealing with perpetrators

While speaking at a meeting held at Defence Headquarters between the committee set up to investigate alleged attacks and killings by herdsmen across the country and the leadership of Miyetti Allah, Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, warned that the military would no longer tolerate any excuse for armed men to unleash violence on innocent Nigerians, be it herdsmen, farmers or any other armed group of whatever guise or name.

Olonisakin, who was represented by the Director of Administration, Defence Headquarters, Major-General Fatai Ali, also disclosed that the military, in conjunction with other security agencies, would do everything possible to

Also yesterday, the All Progressives Congress, APC, South-East geopolitical zonal caucus, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of its governors who were in Enugu State to commiserate with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on the slaughter of 46 Ukpabi, Nimbo natives on April 25 by Fulani herdsmen.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, read thus: “For us, the APC governors’ visit is the soothing balm needed most urgently at this tempestous moment of grief, despair and despondency.

"More so, ethnic merchants have quickly latched on the unfortunate recurring altercation nationwide between herdsmen pastoralists and farmers, for the ignoble objective to further promote hate, division and widen the fault lines.

“We are also enthused with the APC Governors Forum’s solemn pledge not only to join hands with the Federal Government to make sure that the perpetrators and their masterminds are fished out, but also pledge that this is the last of such heinous incident.”

Anambra North, Ayamelum communities live in fear

However, the people of Awka North and Ayamelum local government areas of Anambra State now live in fear of possible invasion of their communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen that have recently unleashed attacks on some communities in the South East.

Chairman of Awka North Local Government, Chief Cosmas Okonkwo, yesterday, in an interview with Vanguard, said the incessant attacks by the Fulani herdsmen on communities bordered by Kogi State had become a serious concern for the people who no longer sleep with their eyes closed.

Okonkwo hinted that the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had set up a cattle menace committee, headed by the police commissioner in the state, with traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, leaders of Fulani communities and other security agencies in the state as members.

He said the police had

been deployed to some parts of the state to ensure that there was no security lapses in the bid to protect the people from the attacks of the herdsmen.

While opposing the grazing bill, he described it as a ploy to foist Fulani herdsmen on the people of the South-South and South-East in particular.

Grazing Bill before National Assembly—Group

Meanwhile, a civil society group, International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, Intersociety, has insisted that a Grazing Reserve Bill was pending before the House of Representatives, contrary to claims by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, that there was no such bill before the National Assembly.

Intersociety in a statement in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday, by its chairman, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi, said: “The latest of such statements credited to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ekweremadu during his recent outing in Enugu, we state strongly are deceitful, diversionary, distractive and misleading.

“We had sent our position to the National Assembly through the Senate President and the House Speaker, dated April 26, 2016, stating as follows: “Two Bills concerning the above subject matter, originally drawn from the National Grazing Reserve (Establishment & Development) Bill 2008, introduced and sponsored

by Senator Zainab Kure of Niger South Senatorial District of Niger State in the 6th National Assembly (2007-2011); are presently before the House of Reps.

“The two bills are aimed at creating grazing reserves, ranches and cattle reserves across the 36 states to be funded with public funds through the establishment of a National Grazing Reserve Commission, an agency to be placed under the direct control of President Muhammadu Buhari,

who is also the national patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN.”

CAN goes to NHRC

In another development, Benue State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, lodged a complaint at the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, over alleged killings and wanton destruction of property in the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

While submitting a copy of the petition to the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, the CAN delegation, led by its Chairman in Benue State, Rev. Augustine Akpen Leva, expressed dismay at what it described as “failure of government to curb the incessant, unwarranted killings and wanton destruction of property” in various parts of the state, allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.

Rev Leva told the commission that “these mindless killings and invasion of the land reached its climax from 2013 and is advancing with sporadic and regular attacks here and there”.

He said: “The worst affected local government areas so far are Agatu, Makurdi (Adaka, Adeke, Adem, Upahar, TseKwaghbo, Apir and Mbalagah communities).

Others are Gwer-West, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande and Guma (TseOragbo and Tse-Anundu) and Tarka Buruku”.

CAN demanded adequate compensation from federal and state governments to assuage the feelings of the people who had been traumatized and dehumanized, following the series of attacks unleashed on them from time to time by marauding herdsmen.

Besides, the association told the commission that the herdsmen were equipped with sophisticated weapons.

6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY MAY 5 , 2016

Shun Okupe's advice to sack workers, TUC tells govs

Lagos govt signs deal on DNA forensic centre

By Victor AhiumaYoung

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Olasunkanmi Akoni

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RADE UNION Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday, advised state governors not to in their interest heed the call

by Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan that they should sack thousands of their employees.

Condemning the call by Okupe that governors should sack 20 per cent to 30 per cent of their workers, TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama, in a statement argued that instead of proffering solutions on how to revive the ailing economy, Dr. Okupe elected to declare war against workers.

“It is this type of negative advice by Okupe and his likes that led to the destruction of the economy.

The governors should, therefore, not listen to him because if they proceed to sack their workers, when their states start to boil, Okupe and his fellow jesters will be rejoicing privately or worse and still jet out of the country," Kaigama said.

'Apobolokemi ordered payment of N498.2m to self, others'

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—AN Assistant Director of Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency, NIMASA, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, yesterday told a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere of how the exNIMASA Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, authorised that the agency should be credited with N498.2 millon from where it was disbursed to some of the defendants.

Odusanya, who is a prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing trial of Akpolobokemi and six others, maintained that there were no financial transactions that took place without the approval of Akpobolokemi.

Akpobolokemi is being tried alongside six others over alleged theft of N754.7 million, belonging to NIMASA.

AGOS—LAGOS State Government, yesterday, signed an agreement for the establishment of a Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA. Forensic Centre in the state.

Speaking at the official signing

of the agreement between the State Government and ITSI Bioscience LCC in Alausa, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre, LSDFC, was using a unique forensic technique now being utilized all over the world and aimed at meeting the growing

DNA needs of investigation.

He said the agreement was in fulfilment of the state government’s plan to establish a DNA Forensic Centre to facilitate prompt and effective prosecution of criminal activities.

The Centre, according to the Attorney-General, would aid investigations on domestic and sexual violence cases, boost

family and paternity proceedings, help in identifying victims of natural and man-made disasters, among others.

Kazeem said the centre would be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to support all levels of DNA collection from people and objects, evidence examination, DNA analysis and provide evidential DNA storage.

Ambode okays construction of N49bn Medical Park

By Olasunkanmi Akoni And Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has approved the construction of N49 billion

Medical Park, the first of its kind in Nigeria, aimed at improving healthcare delivery in the state.

The facility, to be located at the old Nursing School along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, is expected to be completed in 2018.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who disclosed this yesterday, at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, noted that the park would promote medical tourism and excellent healthcare services of international standard.

Idris explained that the state

BRIEFING: From left, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Fola Adeyemi; Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Oluwatoyin Suarau; Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Securities, Mr. Ganiu Sanni, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwola Onasanya, at press briefing on rice production in Lagos State and Issue of Oko-Baba Saw Mills, during the 2016 Ministerial Press Briefing by Ministry of Health in commemoration of the one year in office of Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at Lagos Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Photo: Bunmi Azeez

government was not committing any fund into the project aside the land in the old Nursing School in Ikoyi, noting, “it was completely a Public-Private Partnership, PPP project.”

According to the commissioner: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that after the receipt of a Certificate of Compliance from the State Public Procurement Agency and a final presentation today to the Executive Council of Lagos State, Approval has been given to MEDIPARK International Limited Consortium which comprises of MEDIPARK International Limited, Cleveland Clinics Ohio USA, St. Barnabas Healthcare System New Jersey and American Hospital Management Company Washington DC to be the developer to construct manage and operate a Medical Park. It is a joint venture arrangement with Ibile Holdings Ltd.”

NIWA, LASWA, set fresh standards on water transportation

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—AS part of measures to address cases of mishap, the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, and Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, have released fresh

operational standards for water transportation, one of which is the implementation of a minimum 30-passenger capacity commercial boats on Lagos waterways.

The NIWA Area Manager, Alhaji Mu’azu Sambo and

Managing Director of LASWA, Miss Abisola Kamson, while presenting the guidelines and regulations at a one day stakeholders’ forum for water transportation in Lagos, yesterday, said the move aimed at standardizing the state’s water

UBA bids for growth through expansion in Africa

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HE UNITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Group has reviewed the growth made by the bank’s African network in the last 11 years, with a view to providing a platform to reaffirming and emboldening its strategic goals.

The review came at a forum convened by Chairman of the group, Mr. Tony Elumelu, attended by no fewer than 90 participants, including the entire Board of UBA, all chairmen and CEOs of UBA subsidiaries across Africa and the United Kingdom.

The participants resolved to expand UBA’s footprint into six more Africa countries.

The bank said in a statement that this would bring UBA footprint on the continent to 25 countries.

The forum resolved to focus on a customer service transformation initiatives to simplify its processes

for customer transactions.

Speaking on the bank’s customer transformation plans, the Group Managing Director Designate, Kennedy Uzoka, said: “To achieve our objective of being the face of banking in Africa, we have placed the customer as the focus of our business. ‘’One of the things we consider seriously is how we serve our customers. In that sense, we have taken a practical approach by reviewing all the touch points, taking a holistic review of our processes and times for consummating transaction. ‘’We have looked and studied the best organisations in the world in the area of customer services.

This is to enable us realign our processes towards serving the customers better.

“We are one bank; the United

Bank for Africa bringing together our senior leadership talent from across the continent and the distinguished leaders who chair our subsidiaries is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to forge one bank for Africa," Tony Elumelu said.

transportation as well as eliminating frequent, avoidable mishap in the transportation sector.

In the operational standards for boat operators jointly signed by Sambo and Kamson, all commercial boats are expected to use two engines and a functional speedometer.

The guideline stipulated that henceforth, commercial boats must have minimum internal dimension of 7.3m length, 2.2m Width, 0.6m distance between seats, a minimum capacity of 30 passengers, double hull and bottom design.

Emefiele hosts African Central Bank governors on financial stability

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OVERNOR GODWIN Emefiele, last night, began the hosting of several Central Bank governors across Africa to discuss the effects of the exogenous shocks from the global economy on financial systems across the continent.

In the aftermath of sharp drop in commodity prices, which is the main export and foreign exchange earner of most African

countries, many financial systems across the world are still grappling with the adverse effects of these shocks.

As Co-Chair of Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Consultative Group of the Financial Stability Board, FSB, Emefiele, alongside the Governor of the Reserve Bank of South Africa, Mr. Lesetja Kganyago, is hosting this meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—7

EXPANDED EXCO: From left— Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Azeez Gbolarumi; Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu; National Vice-Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South-West, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, and member, PDP Board of Trustees, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, at the expanded South-West PDP Zonal Exco meeting in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, yesterday.

SOUTH-WEST LEADERS: From left— Former Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, at the signing of a communique at the end of the South-West leaders meeting, yesterday.

PDP CHAIRMANSHIP: Mimiko, Fayose resolve differences, rally South-West leaders

By Dayo Johnson & Daud Olatunji

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HE STORM rocking the South-West chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, calmed a little yesterday after the party’s two bickering governors in the zone found common ground on the contentious zoning of national offices allocated to the region.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti Stae sparked the troubleshooting yesterday, after he made a surprise appearance at the parallel meeting of PDP South-West leaders hosted by Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State in Akure.

In an apparent renunciation of his past assertions, he dismissed insinuations of bickering with Mimiko, even as he proclaimed that erstwhile Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, will forever remain a leader of the party in the zone.

His assertion in Akure nonetheless, South-West PDP leaders aligned with him at a parallel meeting in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State pledged the zone’s support for the emergence of Senator Modu Ali Sheriff as national chairman.

The group was hosted by Senator Buruji Kashamu, who, like Fayose, is drumming support for Sheriff against the claims of Chief

George and others who converged in Akure.

of Yoruba nation we are coming together.”

Fayose

Communiqué

Fayose, who stormed the Akure meeting, denied having any disagreement with Chief George and Governor Mimiko over the sharing of national political positions saying “I align myself with my brother, Governor Mimiko.”

He said: “Governor Mimiko and I are one and the same on party issues. Do not mind the newspa-pers. As for our leader, Chief Bode George, you can see me sitting next to him.

“We are bound to agree, whether it is convenient for us or not, when it is in the collective interest of Yoruba and the party.”

Mimiko

Mimiko, who hosted the meeting, said the meeting was convened when “it seemed the party in the South-West was drifting and there were cacophony of voices.

“When we say we are coming together, on the short run, there must be winners and the losers on what you consider as your critical interest: that is what is called give-and-take.

“I want to thank my brother, Governor Fayose. Both of us have resolved that in the interest

6 soldiers court-martialled in Ibadan

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—SIX soldiers, including a major, captain and two lieutenants, are currently standing trial before a general court martial at 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State, for alleged offences ranging from murder to sexual relationship with spouses of other military personnel.

C M Y K

The military men appeared before a six-man panel set up by the General Officer Commanding for the division, Major General Laz Ilo. Other alleged offences preferred against the accused soldiers include manslaughter, stealing and negligence of performance of military duties.

Other soldiers standing trial before panel, led by Brig. Gen Ibikunle Raji, include one corporal and one private.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read out by the former Minister of Sports, Professor Tahohed Adedoja, called on party members to unite in the interest of the zone.

The communiqué also welcomed former Governor Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State, who sent representatives to the meeting, back to the party.

The meeting, in a major concession, resolved to accept the positions of National Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor and Zonal Executive Committee allotted to the zone.

To this end, a structured committee was set up to equitably distribute the positions amongst the six member states.

Roll call

Others present at the meeting were Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo; former Works Minister, Senator Adesewe Ogunlewe; former Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide and former Majority Leader, House of Representative, Alhaja Mulikat Akande, among others.

Kashamu’s group

On its part, the PDP South-West meeting held in IjebuIgbo, Ogun State, threw its weight behind the continuation of the party’s a c t i n g

National Chairman, Sheriff, in office.

The Ijebu-Igbo meeting also expressed agreement with the zoning arrangement as concerning the zone.

Reading the communiqué at the end of the over two and a half hours meeting, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said that the party needed a leader of Sheriff’s calibre to put the party on a more sound footing.

Speaking earlier, Senator Kashamu said he had no apology for backing Sheriff’s continuation in office, stressing that he remained committed to whatever would be in the best interest of the party.

Party leaders at the IjebuIgbo meeting were the PDP National Auditor, Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju; O y o State P D P Chairman, Yinka Ta i w o ; Ondo State P D P Chairman, Dr. Olu Ogunye; among others.

We’ve no link with Auctus — Skye Bank Chair

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HE Chairman of Skye Bank Plc and NATCOM, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, has dispelled speculations that he has interest in an oil company called Auctus Integrated.

According to a statement by Ademola Adedoyin, Special Adviser, Corporate Communications, to Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, the alleged link with Auctus Integrated was described as “unfounded and without an iota of truth.

“Our Chairman, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, has no interest whatsoever and has no link in whatever capacity with the said Auctus Integrated.”

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Troops block insurgents’ movement in, out of Sambisa forest — Buratai Intercept another terrorists’ logistics team

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BRIEFING: President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and President Paul Biya of Cameroon during a press briefing to end the two-day working visit of the Cameroonian leader to Nigeria, at Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Bakassi Peninsula: Put your mind at rest, Buhari tells Cameroon As Biya denies harbouring terrorists Boko Haram suspects to face trial in home country

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By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA — AGAINST the backdrop of allegations that Nigeria was still accessing hydrocarbon from oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula, despite the judgement of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, that ceded the territory to the Republic of Cameroon, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, told his Cameroonian counterpart, Mr. Paul Biya, and his people to put their minds at rest.

The two countries also agreed to transfer arrested members of Boko Haram back to their countries of origin to face trial, in line with international best practices.

Answering questions at a joint press briefing which followed the signing of a bilateral agreement on security, among others, between Nigeria and Cameroon, the President stated that a committee had been set up with members from both countries to deliberate on the matter.

He said while the report of the committee was being awaited, the country needed not to worry as Nigeria would not go contrary to the decision of the ICJ. He said: “On this issue, I will like the government and people of Cameroon to keep their minds at peace. We are an internationally respectful and law abiding nation.

"Somehow, there was crisis between the two nations on Bakassi Peninsula over the hydrocarbon exploitation. This issue is being dealt with by the International Court of Justice.

“The technical part of the extent of international interest forms the second part of your question. On maritime resources, there is a committee of experts, comprising Cameroon and Nigeria sides.

"I cannot fully answer that

question until after the results of this committee report gets to us and when they submit the report, I expect that with a few of us that are still around, we shall sit together and see what is the best way for the two countries. So, feel secured and be at peace.”

Biya denies harbouring terrorists

Also reacting to a question on why Cameroon allegedly harboured suspected terrorists who ran to the country for safety, visiting President Pual Biya said the allegation was unfounded, maintaining that Cameroon was committed to ending insurgency in Lake Chad basin.

He said: “Yes I have heard of this information. I heard it in New York during conferences that Cameroon serves as base for Boko Haram but what can Cameroon benefit from that?

"Is it the ideologies? Are we going to benefit from finances? No. It was just bad press. Cameroon remains focused and committed to the fight against Boko Haram.”

Buhari lauds Cameroon over IDPs

Meanwhile, President Buhari at a dinner and cultural night organized in honour of the visiting President of Cameroon and his wife, Chantal, at the Presidential Villa, Tuesday night, appreciated the Cameroonian government for giving protection to over 56,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from Nigeria since July 2014.

The President, at the dinner that attracted the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Chief Justice of the Federation, Mahmud Muktar, and top private sector and government functionaries from Cameroon, also thanked the United Nations and other international donor agencies for the various forms of assistance to IDPs across the country.

He also condoled the families of Boko Haram victims along the Nigeria/Cameroon border.

He said: “Our special condolences go to families of our fallen heroes who had sacrificed their lives to safeguard our territorial integrity and provide security of lives and property of our people “Permit me to use this occasion of your excellency’s visit to Nigeria to once again extend my personal gratitude and that of the Federal Government for your country’s hosting of over 65,000 Nigerian refugees since July 2014.

“We also appreciate the assistance of United Nations System, international donors, local and international nongovernmental organisations and the ordinary Cameroonian families who share their meagre provisions with the refugees in the spirit of African brotherhood. We thank them all.”

Buhari, Biya commend Joint Task Force

Meanwhile, both leaders who met behind closed doors, Tuesday, also commended the efforts of the Multinational Joint TaskForce, MNJTF which has been battling to root out Boko Haram insurgents from lake Chad region, having reached an agreement to transfer Boko Haram suspects to their home countries to stand trial.

Reading the communique before signing the document on behalf of the Nigerian government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama alongside his Cameroonian counter-part, Mbela Mbela, said both countries also agreed that the tripartite meeting of the two countries and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, should be convened by July 2016.

ORNO —CHIEF of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, yesterday, said ground troops had blocked movement of Boko Haram terrorists in and out of Sambisa forest.

This came on a day military authorities disclosed that soldiers prosecuting the war on terror, in conjunction with Civilian JTF members, intercepted five Boko Haram terrorists logistics team and arrested a leader of the group in a separate operation.

Buratai stated this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after monitoring troops’ deployment at Banki junction in Borno.

He said ongoing “Operation Crack Down” had been successful as the troops were making steady progress in dismantling the remaining Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa.

Buratai said he was at Banki to confirm the movement of troops and equipment and observe the situation in the “theatre”.

He said the location of troops at Banki junction was significant in the military operations to restrict movement of the insurgents from outside the country through Cameroon or Chad.

“This Banki junction is a major route that links the north to the south and is also bordering Cameroon; it is also a link to Chad Republic.

Troops intercept terrorists’ logistics team

Meanwhile, military authorities disclosed, yesterday, that soldiers prosecuting the war on terror, in conjunction with Civilian JTF members, Tuesday, intercepted five Boko Haram terrorists logistics team and arrested a leader of the terrorist group in a separate operation.

A statement from Army Headquarters, detailing the operations, said troops of 120 Task Force Battalion, 27 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with vigilantes, while on patrol, intercepted five Boko Haram terrorists logistics team at Gotumba area trying to move logistics items to suspected Boko Haram hideouts at Aluwa, using five donkeys.

He said on sighting the patrol team, the terrorists abandoned the items, following which the troops pursued them and killed three while two escaped with gunshot wounds.

“In a related development, based on information, troops of 7 Division Garrison today in conjunction Civilian JTF, arrested one Alhaji Bulama Budu at Old Maiduguri general area.

“Preliminary investigation shows that Alhaji Bulami Budu, who hailed from Aiwa village, Mafa Local Government Area, was one of the Boko Haram terrorists detained at Giwa Barracks before he escaped when his colleagues, Boko Haram terrorists, attacked the facility and released all the insurgents in March 2014."

We’ve verified Buhari, Osinbajo, others' assets —CCB

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — THE Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, yesterday, said it has verified the assets declared by President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The bureau, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, refuted a report alleging that it was yet to conclude the verification of assets declared by the duo.

Aside Buhari and Osinbajo, the CCB said it also verified the assets declared by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and other top officials of the present administration that came on board in 2015.

Debunking the report

captioned: “CCB still verifying Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, others assets”, which it said was published on April 30, the bureau disclosed that so many public officers rushed to it and declared their assets after President Buhari assumed office.

“The Bureau wishes to inform the general public that it has since concluded the verification of assets declared by those mentioned in the said publication.

“Therefore, the said publication is another trick to misinform the public so as to undermine the ongoing trials of cases of false declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—9

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5 , 2016

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12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Ex-Rivers LG boss: Court rejects IG's plea to withdraw murder charge

Okowa kickstarts universal healthcare

By Festus Ahon

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT—A Port Harcourt Magistrate's Court, Rivers State, has struck out an application by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, seeking to withdraw a murder charge against the former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Ojukaye Amachree.

Amachree was arrested last month and arraigned in court by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo and is facing murder charges.

Trial Magistrate, Israel Agbeso, had adjourned the matter to yesterday, to get Director of Public Prosecution, DPP's, advice.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel tendered a letter from the Inspector General of Police, ordering the withdrawal of the case for review of the charges.

In the letter, the IG said that the matter was not properly investigated before charging the suspect to court and should be withdrawn for review, for the sake of justice.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Agbeso said that the court could not grant the IG's request following the

report of the DPP, dated April 22, 2016, which he said had indicated a case of murder established against the accused.

Agbeso also informed prosecution counsel that the advice of the DPP indicates

that the accused person should face his trial, adding that the report makes it impossible to grant the request of the IG. The chief magistrate, however, struck out the murder before him against

the accused following the fact that he has no jurisdiction to hear it.

In his ruling, Agbeso ordered that Amachree be returned to prison custody pending when the matter will be filed properly before a high court.

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HIEF Tony Anenih, former Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed disappointment with what he, yesterday, described as the fictional reports about his death, saying his life is in God’s hands.

Anenih, who is in London on a private visit, according to his media aide, Sufyuan Ojeifo, was shocked by news of his death on social media platforms.

“He is in London on a private visit. He will be back in Abuja on Sunday, and he felt really disappointed with the report.

He could not believe that any medium could publish such fiction as news and noted that his life is in the hands of God,” Ojeifo quoted the 82-year-old politician and former policeman as saying.

“I spoke with him (Anenih) at 1.37 pm today (yesterday).

He is hale and hearty. The report was simply a concoction of mischief. Only God and the harbinger of the rumour know the intention behind it. When C M Y K

SABA—AS part of efforts to provide good healthcare for the people of the state, Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, inaugurated the state’s Health Insurance Commission, thereby setting a new record in universal healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Inaugurating the commission which has Dr Isaac Akpoveta as Chairman and Dr Ben Nkechika as Director-General, Okowa advocated universal health insurance coverage for Nigerians of all walks of life.

He emphasized that the health insurance would ensure that funding will not deter Nigerians from having access to healthcare facilities.

He said: “All over the world, the talk is about universal health coverage, because, if we want to improve the health outcome of Nigerians, we must drive the health sector in a new direction."

GOtv celebrates Africa Day

MEETING: President Muhammadu Buhari shaking hands with Senate president, Dr. Olusola Saraki during a meeting at the State House, Abuja, last night

My life's in God’s hands —Anenih

By Emmanuel Aziken & Gabriel Enogholase

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I spoke with him, he said he did not know the hospital mentioned in the report neither did he know the doctor mentioned. He said he did not have brain cancer. He

rounded off with me by saying “God is on the throne.”

Anenih, the Iyasele of Esanland, was Chairman of the PDP BoT and a national

leader of the party and is expected to lead the party into the forthcoming governorship election in his native Edo State scheduled to hold in September.

Court fixes May 19 for hearing on Tompolo’s rights suit

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Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till May 19 for the hearing of the suit by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights.

Tompolo is seeking for an order nullifying, and expunging the provisions of sections 221 and 306 from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.

Joined as respondents are Attorney General of the Fe d e r a t i o n , AGF; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC;

Inspector-General of Police; Chief of Army Staff; Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.

When the case was called, yesterday, counsel from the office of the AGF, Mr Tolu Mukunolu, informed the court of his processes in response to the plaintiff ’s suit.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Idris Abdullahi informed the court that he was yet to regularise his processes, and prayed for an adjournment.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, J u s t i c e Ishola-Olatoregun adjourned till May 19 for hearing.

I n h i s s u i t , To m p o l o argued through his counsel,

Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, that the said sections were unconstitutional as they prevent a court from entertaining any objection to a criminal charge.

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O commemorate Africa Day, May 25, GOtv has earmarked May as “Africa Month”. This is in celebration of home-grown content and will witness the introduction of six series on Africa Magic Family (GOtv Channel 2).

A statement by the cable television network said that every day of the month, GOtv’s Africa Magic channels will feature family-oriented and informative movies, series, sitcoms, comedy shows as well as documentaries.

Jokes Alone and Hope234 will run back-to-back, airing at 5:00pm and 5:30pm respectively on Mondays.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—13

Lawmakers disregard Oshiomhole’s plea to forgive Edoror ...vow not to reverse decision

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, have met with warring members of the state House of Assembly, following the impeachment of the Speaker, Victor Edoror and his deputy, Bright Osayande.

The meeting followed protests from APC members in Edo Central senatorial district of the state where the speakership was zoned to, who are arguing that the change of leadership was dangerous for the party in Esanland where the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seems stronger, particularly as the governorship election approaches.

Meanwhile, the new Speaker of the House, Elizabeth Ativie, and the members who signed the impeachment of the former Speaker, vowed to resist any attempt by the leadership of the party to persuade them to return Edoror.

Some of the members who confided in Vanguard after their meeting, said they were ready to dump the party for the PDP rather than bring back the impeached Speaker.

It was gathered that the governor attempted to persuade the lawmakers to change their decision but each of the members narrated to the governor and

leaders of the party how the exspeaker had let them down, adding that while the exspeaker was getting richer, majority of them were getting poorer.

They informed the governor that while the ex-Speaker allegedly receives N54 million for the running of the Assembly monthly, their quarters look like poultry pens just as the exspeaker never carried them

along on how the N54 million was expended.

The lawmakers lamented that while the ex-speaker received N9.5 million monthly for running his office, other lawmakers receive their normal N370,000 as salaries, adding that of the 45 special adviser positions allocated to the Assembly, the ex-speaker appropriated 25 for himself while most of the ordinary

members were left out.

The impeached speaker and his deputy, who were also at the meeting were helpless when the angry lawmakers confronted them with these facts. When Oshiomhole observed that the lawmakers were not ready to listen to his pleas, he quickly had separate meetings with other leaders of the party, including the state chairman of APC, Anslem Ojezua, who is from the same senatorial district with the impeached Speaker.

INAUGURATION: Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro (left); Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpo (2nd right) and his wife, Onyemaechi, during the inauguration of Delta State Justice Sector Reform/Team three-day retreat, in Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake.

Check spate of killings by herdsmen, Osanebi urges FG As Bozimo wants Buhari to be decisive

By Festus Ahon & Akpokona Omafuaire

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SABA—WORRIED by the spate of killings of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen, Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Friday Osanebi, has urged the Federal Government to take practical steps towards curbing the security challenge posed by the herdsmen in parts of the country.

This came as former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to squander the second chance given to him by Nigerians by applying all wisdom in curbing the menace of Fulani herdsmen.

Bozimo gave the advice, yesterday in Warri, in a chat with Vanguard.

Condemning the menace of the suspected Fulani herdsmen, Osanebi called on security agencies and community heads to be more vigilant and collaborate towards bringing the unwholesome activities of herdsmen under check.

Osanebi, while responding to issues raised at an interactive session with journalists in his C M Y K

office in Asaba, said that the problem should be addressed before it escalates, lamenting that the activities of Fulani herdsmen were causing crisis and bringing untold hardship to many Nigerians.

Saying that the matter had not received the desired attention, the Deputy Speaker appealed to security agencies and all concerned to take steps towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

On his part, the former

Minister of Police Affairs, Bozimo, speaking in Warri, said: “First of all, let me say that as an elder of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, I have been standing back to watch how things are unfolding. I don’t want to start by saying that we told you so. That will be unstatesmanly.

“My appeal to the government, particularly the President, is that he should monitor the activities of the herdsmen. It is not easy

because he is a Fulani and he is from the North, it is very easy to say that he knows about it and is responsible for it.

“But I will not go that far. I will advice that because he is a Fulani and he is a man who loves Nigeria, and he is a man who wants to sanitize this country, it will be a tragedy if under his watch things get out of hand and we begin to have the Southern and the Northerner people taking arms against each other because of grazing."

UNICAL lecturers down tools over kidnappings

By Emma Una

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A L A B A R — UNIVERISTY of Calabar lecturers have embarked on an industrial action, demanding that armed security personnel be deployed on campus and their residential quarters following the kidnap of lecturers and students at their residential quarters on Tuesday morning.

Dr Tony Eyang, Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, told Vanguard that the lecturers feel

insecure with the recent kidnappings on campus owing to the porous security in and around the campus and as such would not go to classes until government takes decisive steps to secure the university environment.

He said: “The action of the lecturers is in solidarity with their colleagues whose loved ones were kidnapped from their homes at the University of Calabar staff quarters and they are saying that this has never happened before. So, we want to draw government attention

to the poor security situation here in order for them to provide enough armed security personnel to stop further kidnappings.”

He said that the Cross River State Government, Federal Government and University of Calabar authorities have to join forces to provide adequate security on the campus before the lecturers would return to work.

“We have taken the decision to stay away from work until we get further directives from the national body and until there is a contrary directive," he added.

PDP gov aspirant promises incentives to Edo workers

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By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—A bumper package of incentives to boost morale and return the public service to its pride of place awaits Edo State workers, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant has assured Edo workers.

In his May Day message to workers, the aspirant, who said that car loans, rapid promotions, manpower training and retraining were some of the incentives he hopes to sustain if voted into office, declared that the welfare of Edo State workers was a cardinal focus of his political agenda.

“I am determined to bring the public service back to its pride of place through the introduction of various incentives, seminars, training and retraining packages and promotion as at when due,” he said.

Group blasts Odubu for campaigning while others mourn Oba of Benin

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ENIN—LEAGUE of Young Edo Professionals, LEYEP, has taken a swipe at the deputy governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, for going ahead with his campaigns when the whole of Edo State is mourning the death of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa.

Secretary-General of the group, Dr Osatohamwen Nosakhare, in a statement, noted that while all other aspirants in the All Progressives Congress, APC, including Engr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Mr. Kenneth Imansuagbon, Chief Victor Atamah and Lady Tina Agbarha, have suspended their campaigns as a mark of respect for the late royal father, only Dr. Odubu, a Bini son, has continued with his campaign around the state.

Reacting swiftly, spokesman of the group, Mr Josef Omorotionwan, described the allegation as laughable, saying that Odubu is a respecter of tradition, adding that nobody has the template as to how to mourn or honour the late Oba.

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

FG bonds borrowing rises to N586bn

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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MIDST the lingering budget debacle between the executive and the legislative arms of government, Federal Government has sustained its local borrowing plans with additional N105 billion slated to be raised from the bonds market next Wednesday.

The new debt issue will bring the total borrowing of government through this window to N586 billion.

The breakdown shows that government had raised about N300.8 billion in the first quarter of this year, while another N180.2 billion was raised in April.

Details of the latest debt issue from the Debt Management Office, DMO, indicate that government will sell N50 billion of a bond maturing in 2036, N40 billion of debt maturing in 2026 and N15 billion of debt maturing in 2020, using the Dutch auction system.

All the bonds on offer are re-opening of previous issues and the results of the auction are expected to be released a day after the auction.

In all, government plans to borrow about N900 billion locally this year, to finance part of the N2.2 trillion deficit in its 2016 budget.

The balance of N1.3 trillion would be raised from external bilateral and multilateral borrowings, as well as other unspecified international funding plans.

Federal Government’s domestic debt stock stood at N8.8 trillion as at 2015, cutting across three instruments, with Federal Government bond dominating at N5.81 trillion or 65.7 percent of the total debt, while Nigerian Treasury Bill accounted for N2.8 trillion or 31.4 percent and Treasury Bill was N255.99 billion or 2.9 percent.

DMO was established in the year 2000 to centrally coordinate the management of Nigeria’s debt, which was hitherto being done by a myriad of establishments in an uncoordinated fashion.

CAMBRIDGE PRESS: From left— Head, Global Education, Rod Smith; Chief Executive Officer, Peter Phillips, both of Cambridge University Press; key note speaker/Executive Secretary, Nigerian Education Research and Development Council, Professor Ismail Junaidu, and guest speaker/Co-Founder, Global Anti-Corruption Group Transparency, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, at the launch of Cambridge University Press in Nigeria, in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Local firms bemoan lack of access to $500m content fund

By Clara Nwachukwu & Sebastine Obasi, Houston, Texas (USA)

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NDIGENOUS oil and gas companies, under the aegis of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, have expressed frustrations over their inability to access over $500 million that had accrued in the Nigerian Content Fund, saying this had put them in a disadvantage position in the execution of projects in the industry.

Speaking at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, taking place in Houston, Texas, Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, said making the fund accessible to indigenous companies would create big companies that will compete with others in the world.

He said: “Today, the local content fund is more than $500 million. If every year you bring out about $50 million, in the next five years, we will create Daewoo, Samsung, Saipem.

This is how big companies are built.

Forex: Importers abandon consignments at ports

By Godfrey Bivbere

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MPORTERS are abandoning their consignments at ports across the country, following devaluation of the Naira that has made it unprofitable for them to clear their goods.

Disclosing this to Vanguard in Lagos, Vice President of Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers, ANTM, Okechukwu Eze-Ifeoma, said

NASS keeps Presidency, ministers waiting for budget

By Soni Daniel

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BUJA—KEY ministers, who are members of the special committee raised by the Presidency to work with the National Assembly towards an acceptable budget, yesterday, continued in the waiting game.

This is because the document was still not ready for Mr. President’s signature despite several assurances to that effect.

In spite of several assurances that the National Assembly had completed work on the document as requested by the President, it was still not ready at 7p.m. yesterday.

“If you borrow at a minimal rate, you can grow; but if you borrow at about 30 percent, you are struggling and cannot compete with the others in the industry.”

Okoroafor, who decried the high interest rate in Nigerian banks, which has prohibited PETAN members from expanding their scope,

Findings by Vanguard revealed that members of the National Assembly committee were hard put to remove most of the vexatious items as demanded by the President and restore the votes originally earmarked for other projects and services.

According to impeccable sources the major problem with the budget was how to remove most of the ‘padding’ from the budget and get the money allocated to them into other uses.

It was learned that some members were protective of their projects and were not too keen to get them, and the amount attached to them, off.

the policy had led to the abandonment of millions of dollars worth of imported goods at the ports.

Eze-Ifeoma explained that the devaluation of the naira, which saw it move from about N200 in December to almost N400 at the time they came back from Christmas celebration, resulted in a huge loss to importers.

He said: “From December till date, more than 80 percent of importers have not imported any goods because of the Foreign Exchange, FOREX, problem. The goods you see coming out are the ones pending.

“You can imagine some people imported based on N200 before going for Christmas and when they came back, what they heard is that dollar is now between N350 and N380. Some left their containers at the ports and ran away.

“What government is supposed to do in four years time, they are doing in their first year in office. First, let us have electricity; we can barely sleep at present.

“We buy the idea of people looking inward, building factories and engaging in agriculture. But the truth of the matter is that there is no infrastructure.”

urged government to make the content fund available, so as to enhance capacity building.

According to him, “borrowing in-country is too expensive. The Nigerian Content Fund should be used to build capacity. That is how companies in a country like Korea were built. The fund is an accumulation of our invoices.”

While noting that every PETAN member would not benefit from the fund at the same time, he suggested that selection of beneficiaries should be done through random means.

Reps move to protect running mates

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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B U J A — APPARENTLY disturbed by the confusion and uncertainties arising from legislative loopholes in the nation’s electoral system, the House of Representatives, yesterday, moved to amend the Electoral Act, 2015, with a view to offering more legal protection to deputy governorship candidates.

The lawmakers also consolidated six different bills of related headings which, if passed into law, would empower a running mate in election to assume the position of his/her principal in the event that the principal loses his/her life in the process of election before the results are announced, as it was the case in Kogi State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—15

Quietly relocate herdsmen from EBSU premises, Umahi orders police

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, ordered the State Commissioner of Police, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, to peacefully relocate cattle herdsmen resident within the premises of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

The governor, who gave the order in Abakaliki during the Agriculture Summit organised by the state government to boost rice production in the state, noted that the university environment was not an ideal place for nomadic activities.

Opposes reprisal attacks on Hausa-Fulani Umahi, however, opposed calls for a reprisal attack on Fulani herdsmen within the South-East zone over the brutal killing of over 40 persons in Ukpabi Nimbo, Uzo-uwani Local Government Area in Enugu State by herdsmen.

He insisted that though he was the first South-East governor to publicly condemn the act, the Hausa-Fulani community in the state had a long history of peaceful settlement and had not been implicated in any criminal

activity.

He added that herdsmen should be allowed to pass to and fro in the state, provided they do so peacefully without causing harm to the people or crops in the state.

Umahi said: “Hausa-Fulani community in Ebonyi State has a long history of peaceful and harmonious settlement and have not been implicated in any criminal activity. But those who are nomadic should be allowed to pass to and fro Ebonyi provided they do so peacefully.

“Those who are settled in the premises of the university must be quietly and peacefully evicted by the Commissioner of Police because the university environment is no place for nomadic herdsmen.”

Against the backdrop of the killings in Enugu, the governor recalled that he held an 18-hour meeting with the security agencies and warned against the alleged extortion of money from the herdsmen, as anybody caught would be prosecuted.

Enugu Health Commissioner laments poor facilities

By Emeka Mamah

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NUGU—ENUGU State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sam Ngwu, has lamented that the Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Programme initiated in 2007 by the state government had collapsed, as the facilities for the programme were not working.

Ngwu spoke, yesterday, at a public hearing organised by Enugu State Committee on Health on how to resuscitate the programme and make it effective.

He said: “It was burdensome as people are taking advantage of the programme from other states. If you see our delivery rooms, you will weep. It is total chaos.”

The Commissioner said that he discovered, on assumption of office, that the programme was ambiguous and needed to be streamlined.

The former Commissioner for health, Dr. Martins Chukwuwike, under whom the programme was initiated, also lamented that it was no longer working.

Chukwuwike lamented that although the programme was meant for “the poorest of the poor,” it had now been turned to a money spinner for the government.

He said: “It was meant for the poorest of the poor but emphasises has shifted from saving life to raising Internally Generated Revenue.”

EBONYI RICE REVOLUTION: From left— Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State; Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Uchenna Orji, and Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Augusta Ude, at a special stakeholders’ summit on rice revolution in the state, in Abakaliki, yesterday.

Imo PDP chieftains threaten mass defection over congresses

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—CONTROVERSY has continued to trail the local government congresses conducted by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as chieftains of the party in Imo State, yesterday, warned that mass defection looms in the state chapter of the party if the contending issues are not addressed.

According to the chieftains of the party, unless the National Working Committee, NWC, comes up with a solution to the controversy that marred the last congress in Orlu zone, the dream of taking over power from All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imo state will not be feasible.

The aggrieved leaders, who noted that the development could lead to mass defection of party members to the ruling APC in the state, stressed that the congress in Orlu was reportedly marred

by heavy shootout and snatching of result sheets with eight out of the 12 local governments in the zone unable to conclude the exercise.

Meanwhile, leaders of the party in the zone were said to have relocated to Abuja, asking the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sherif, to ensure completion of the congress in the affected eight local government areas.

Accusations

Mr. Nnaemeka Ibe and Chief Christian Izuogu, in their separate reactions yesterday, fingered a serving senator from the state in the crisis.

However, a member of the House of Representatives, who would not have his name in print, said the congress in the zone and other parts of the state, on Sunday, was marred by controversy following a heavy shootout

during the distribution of electoral materials.

According to him, it all started with a stakeholders meeting during which the chairman of the state caretaker committee, Sergeant Awuse, reeled out guidelines to ensure a generally-accepted congress.

Leaders and congress committees were raised in the various local governments to ensure a smooth process and prevent any attempt to hijack materials and write results.

Following this order, nomination forms were distributed and various wards asked to proceed to their areas for the congress.

However, the distribution of results sheets which was slated later in the day turned violent when it came to the turn of the 12 local governments areas of the Imo West Senatorial constituency to collect theirs.

PDP cancels congresses in 3 states

By Ben Agande

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BUJA—THE National Working Committee, NWC, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has cancelled the congresses in three states and the respective committees for the states.

In a statement yesterday, PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, gave the names of the states as Adamawa, Lagos and Osun.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that in Adamawa State, an ex-Political Adviser to former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, allegedly hijacked the process.

Similarly, supporters of Senator Iyiola Omisore in Osun State were allegedly excluded from the process of the congress in the state.

The statement added that new committees had been reconstituted for the affected states, while congresses would continue in the states from Friday, May 6.

FG nets N1.8bn from digital switchover

By Emma Elebeke

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BUJA—EVEN before full launch of digital broadcasting across the country, the Federal Government has netted N1.8 billion from three firms chosen to distribute broadcast signals.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed the figure at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, said that Nigeria’s migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, would also attract over $250 million from Nollywood to the national economy yearly.

The minister said Nigeria would do its best to ensure that the 2017 switchover deadline set for the country by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, was met so as not to leave the country behind.

Mohammed said government was poised to use the platform to generate millions of jobs for Nigerians.

16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY MAY 5 , 2016

Water tanker crushes 2 children, injures 2 in Ilorin

By Demola Akinyemi

ILORIN—THERE was pandemonium in the popular Ipata market in the heart of Ilorin, Kwara State capital yesterday when a water tanker reportedly crushed two school children to death and caused serious injury to two others.

Angry youths in the area reportedly destroyed the vehicles beyond repair with the driver escaping the mob action.

The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Sunday Maku, who confirmed the incident last night , said investigations had commenced on the accident.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the tanker's brake failed and it rammed into the school children on the road leading to Ipata market.

Otukpo cult war: 14 cultists arrested

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AKURDI—FOR allegedly being involved in last week’s rival cult clashes that claimed three lives and left several others injured in the Otukpo area of Benue state, the state Police command has arrested 14 suspected cult members.

Parading the suspects in Makurdi, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Paul Yakadi, explained that the suspects were arrested at several locations in Otukpo town.

Yakadi said, “the suspects were all apprehended following our intelligence report which clearly showed their level of involvement in cultist activities in the area.

“We did not just pick innocent people on the streets, we did our work and our intelligence unit did its job and we knew the roles each of them played in the unfortunate incident and we are still going on with our investigation.”

Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, Moses Yamu, the Commissioner said some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects included one red unregistered Jianshe motorcycle, three locally made pistols, and three cartridges.

Anisulowo recounts ordeal with abductors

By David Olatunji

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FORMER minister, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, who was abducted last Wednesday, has described the seven days she spent with her abductors as “terrible and dehumanising."

The former minister, who was abducted on the SawonjoIganokoto road in Yewa-South Council Area of the state, arrived at Government House at Isale-Igbehin at about 10.p.m.

Tuesday in company of the state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali.

Narrating her ordeal, Anisulowo, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, dressed in a peach lace material, said the courage and the fighting spirit of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in securing her freedom, was what kept her alive and hopeful that she would eventually regain freedom from her abductors.

She recalled that she had to shun food offered by her abductors and remained prayerful throughout her captivity.

The former minister said, “I’ve been on water, I did not eat

anything throughout.

“I’m short of words, but I want to thank the Governor and also thank God. I want to thank His Excellency, for all the effort you have put in with the security agents.

“I know the courage you have and the spirit to fight to the end and that was what kept me in the bush, there.

“I have an assurance that with the security agents that you have, you will work it through.

I thank God.” Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed that the kidnappers told him during a telephone

Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, the victim, thanking people, while Commissioner of Police, Majid Ali (right), Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and Chief Yetunde Onanuga (left), watch. Photo: Wunmi Akinola

conversation that they had wanted to ask for N100million as ransom but had to raise it to N200million because of his efforts to secure freedom for the former minister.

Amosun added that the kidnap kingpins even threatened to deal with him and teach him a lesson. “They even threatened me and every other persons. They said they will teach me, the IG, the Brigade Commander and all others lesson. They were abusing everybody on phone, but we thank God the way it is resolved. All glory to God.” “I think it is a big shame that we find ourselves in a situation where we should not be. Young people that are supposed to be working are demanding ransom of N200 million.

They even said because I got involved they increased it from N100 million to N200 million.

They insisted from the second day that their ransom is N200 million.

They said they had wanted to collect N100 million and I told them that they will face the law, and that it is in their interest to release her.

“I can say it authoritatively that no kobo was paid to them. Of course, we did all that we are supposed to do. They reduced the ransom to N150 million, we asked them to come and take, but they did not come. We didn’t pay a kobo to anybody. We thank God that she is here live and direct.”

Kano State loses 8 students in ghastly accident ....Ajumobi consoles Ganduje

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IGHT OF the 16 Kano state secondary students that were in Lagos state for a quiz competition reportedly lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident along Iroko road, via Ibadan, Oyo State, while returning to Kano on Tuesday.

Seven of the students , who were in company of their teachers, were said to have died on the spot, while one out of the nine rescued from the scene, reportedly died few hours after arriving the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, while condoling with his Kano State counterpart, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described the incident, which also reportedly claimed the life of the driver of the bus conveying the students, as highly depressing to him and the people of the state.

Ajimobi had visited the eight surviving victims of the accident at the Accident and Emergency ward of the UCH, where he offered to pick their bills until they were discharged from the hospital.

He was received by the Chief Medical Director of the UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge; and the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim, who was said to have arrived Oyo State with an aircraft to convey the

bodies to Kano for burial.

Ajimobi said, “This is most unfortunate and depressing to me and the good people of Oyo State.

My heartfelt sympathy goes to the governor of Kano State,

parents and the loved ones of the dead students and other victims.

May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

“They are children and we all have children. So, we have to

come and empathize with them.

I want to use this opportunity to announce that we will settle the bills and take adequate care of the surviving ones.

Kidnappers of monarch’s wife, children in A’Ibom ask for N100m

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BDUCTORS OF wife and four children of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket, Edidem Ubong Assam, yesterday, asked for a ransom of N100 million.

The victims were abducted on Friday in the palace in Akpautong, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

The abductors had contacted the

family and demanded for the ransom to release the captives, but a source close to the family, who pleaded anonymity, said, “the kidnappers have opened up for negotiations for the release of the monarch’s wife and children.

“There is tension and anxiety in the palace. The kidnappers of the monarch’s pregnant wife and children have demanded N100

million ransom,” the source said.

It added that the kidnappers were not ready to bargain the price while talking on phone with members of the royal family.

“They issued threats.”

A family member, Norbert Assam, disclosed that the royal father and the family cannot afford such huge amount of money demanded by the kidnappers.

Bury your dead now, traditional council tells Benin residents

By Simeon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enagholase

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HE BENIN Traditional Council has called on residents of Benin kingdom to bury their dead ones as all funeral rites would be prohibited from the date of the announcement of burial ceremonies (Emwinekhua) of late Oba Erediauwa.

Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, told journalists

in Benin, yesterday, that the Emwinekhua would soon be announced.

The Iyase of Benin Kingdom urged all residents to be law abiding and respect the custom and tradition of the people.

“All markets in the kingdom have been reopened as they were supposed to be closed for three days after the transition of Oba Erediauwa was announced.

“All male citizens of Benin

Kingdom are expected, as a rule to shave their hair in obedience to Benin tradition.

“Friends and well-wishers of the kingdom might wish to shave their hair too,” Chief Igbe said.

He added that all chiefs, ‘enigie,’ priests and palace functionaries entitled to wear beads would cease to wear beads “Instead, they will wear ‘omonorhue’ or white thread (Ikhian), until further notice.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016— —17

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EDIA accounts are often very graphic, and validate their claims by including statements ascribed to eyewitnesses and descriptions of the reactions of community leaders, security commanders or government officials. The problem is that the character of such ‘media speech’ is usually inflammatory, freely dispensing hate messages in the guise of information and analysis. The stories are often followed by threats and counter-threats, accusations and counteraccusations. In that way the media becomes the conduit through which the perceived plight and grievances of actors are broadcast. By amplifying the negative conversations between aggrieved parties, the media may be serving to deepen existing conflicts and inciting further violence. Clearly, hate speech in the media may play a substantial role in promoting popular narratives about…social conflicts in mass social discourse, thereby influencing how the issue is generally viewed by society. Hate speech is not only inflammatory, it can often be downright dangerous…” Jibrin Ibrahim& Kopep Dabugat in "Rural Banditry and HateSpeech in Northern Nigeria: Fertile ground for the construction of dangerous narratives in the Media"

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N Thursday, April 21, 2016, Vanguard newspaper carried a front-page story titled: “FULANI HERDSMEN, HOODLUMS INVADE FARM SETTLEMENT IN IBADAN”. I sent a text to the Editor on the absurdity of placing FULANI herdsmen side-by-side with HOODLUMS, and the association that was likely to create in readers’ minds. I reminded that FulBe nomads’ profiling had become common fare in the media. I did not receive a reply from him.

I was not surprised that the story appeared on the cover of a Nigerian newspaper because in recent years, the FulBe people in general, and FulBe NOMADS in particular, have been regularly profiled within a pattern of hate speech that endanger national cohesion in our country.

Violent conflicts Most of the reportage and analyses have centred on the increasingly violent conflicts in North Central Nigerian communities and more recently, in Southern Nigeria. These have led to deaths and destruction, with FulBe nomads alleged perpetrators of the violence.

Consequently, the media image of the FulBe has increasingly become more negative and the trends towards hate speech have also taken very crudely strident tones.

They have recently spiked with the tragic killings in Ukpabi Nimbo of Enugu state. Because these recurrent conflicts between FulBe nomads and sedentary agricultural communities also convey problems associated with history and identities, such as religion, ethnicity and even C M Y K

Media narratives and the Fulbe nomad opposing patterns of land use, they tend to stoke very base emotions on all sides. It is also a fact that most of the reportage and analyses in the media, have been done by journalists and commentators, often from farming or sedentary agricultural backgrounds, or who in many cases, are non-Muslim, they have brought to bear the prejudices of their background.

Leading Nigerian newspapers like The Punch; The Sun; The Nation; Vanguard amongst others, are caught up in this

Unfortunately, what has also been lost in the media, is reportage or analyses of patterns of killing of FulBe nomads in different communities; the rustling of cattle and sundry violence that nomads face in their precarious existence narrative. This seems poignant in my view, and is brought up, not pejoratively, but in order to assist understanding that the values of journalism, in respect of reportage, analysis and profiling of FulBe nomads, have never been value free. On the contrary, these media profiles have reflected in an ongoing manner, the attitudes that for long have been deployed in the context of the inter-elite struggle for power in Nigeria.

Ethnicity and media reportage: In that struggle, the FulBe people have never been the darling of the Southern Nigerian media. There is a persistent pattern of reporting that emphasises the ETHNICITY of FulBe nomads in the media that is not employed for other ethnicities. For example, we don’t read of “IGBO kidnappers”; “YORUBA cocaine pushers”; “BENIN/EDO prostitutes” or “IJAW petrol thieves, etc.

Even when the media reported the killing of 20 Fulbe nomads and over 80 cattle in Nasarawa state this week, the killers did not have their ethnicity reported, they were only “GUNMEN”!

Maybe all is fair in politics, including the negative reportage of the FulBe elements of the

Nigerian ruling class by media outlets owned by their ruling class adversaries from other ethnic groups. But the barefaced distortion that has accompanied reportage of the ongoing violence is unprofessional and unacceptable. There have been persistent reports of Kalashnikov wielding nomads, as part of the on-going narrative, yet on April 30, 2016, Saturday Sun carried a montage of cows and a nomad with a gun; except that the picture was sourced online. It was a nomad, but certainly NOT a Nigerian nomad. It seemed the purpose was to convince gullible readers, and they probably would have succeeded. But why would a newspaper at that level do something that irresponsible? It “ was part of a trend. Amanze Obi’s column of Thursday, April 28, 2016, was titled “INSURGENCY

BY OTHER MEANS”. He was convinced that: “… the Fulani herdsmen have undertaken to accomplish a task which Boko Haram, for logistical reasons, could not broach. The recent activities of Fulani herdsmen in Southern Nigeria is [SIC] suggestive of insurgency. It is Boko Haram in a different form and shape. And the target is to infiltrate the South of the country, which the conventional Boko Haram could not penetrate”.

It is incredible that a leading opinion influencer like Obi actually believed and said such on the pages of a Nigerian newspaper!

Sophisticated weapons But on the same day, inside Vanguard newspaper, Ochereome Nnana’s piece titled “THIS COULD LEAD TO WAR”, said of the tragic killing in Enugu state, that: “…It would seem that, having ‘conquered’ Agatu, the FULANI MILITIA deployed to take over the South East…there were RUMOURS (my emphasis) that 500 heavily-armed Fulani militiamen were camped in the bushes ready to attack”.

The clinchers were several: “The Directorate of State Service (DSS) under Director General, Alhaji Lawal Daura did nothing about it”. But more importantly, the columnist added that: “These ‘herdsmen’ are just the grunt workers; the foot soldiers of highly-placed individuals, such as emirs, titled men, retired generals, retired police chiefs, retired security chiefs, big politicians and businessmen in the North who are not ready to upgrade their animal farming practices…”

Consequently, “sophisticated weapons are purchased and

given to hired hands from all over the West African sub-region to move hungry cattle to greener Southern pastures”. These are thoughts of a columnist who has very close contacts with leading members of the Northern elite!

Sam Omatseye was more nuanced on April 25, 2015, in his “COWBOYS AND HERDSMEN” piece, yet, there was still that attitude of condescension about the FulBe nomad: “Our herdsmen ought to come to the 21st Century”, he wrote; adding that: “They still walk about in the expired glory of a lost era…To live in the past and kill to retain that past is no more than barbarism. That is what the herdsman represent today…Like Boko Haram, they now have access to sophisticated weapons…”

In defence of Fulbe nomads But even the nuance was lost when The Nation of Saturday, April 30, 2016, led with a kicker: “KILLINGS BY HERDSMEN: NORTHERN GOVERNORS DEFEND FULANI”. Just a cursory glance of that lead would never have conveyed the perspective of the Northern Governors’ Forum, which was actually cautioning against the “ethnicization” of the whole crisis…” And it is part of the hysteria of the moment, that even Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, added his considerably influential thought to the antiFulBe nomad narrative. His recent piece on the subject was titled: “THE KILLING CULTURE OF THE NEO-NOMADIC” and he narrated that: “Recently…I returned from a trip outside the country about to find that my home ground had been invaded…In over two decades of living in that ecological preserve, no such intrusion had ever occurred.

I have no idea whether they were Fulani or Futa Jalon herdsmen, but they were cattle herders, and they had cut a crude swathe through my private grounds…There has been no repeat, and hopefully, it will remain the first and last such invasion”. But note the words “INVASION”, “FULANI” or “FUTA JALON” herdsmen! The most chauvinistic, most crude and most emblematic of hate speech came from Femi Fani Kayode. In a piece which he titled: “THE ROAD TO KIGALI”.

It was deliberately couched to recall the genocide of the Tutsi people, which took place in Rwanda. It is no coincidence, that the late Chief Bola Ige had long

ago described the FulBe as “the Tutsis of Nigeria”!

Well, Femi Fani-Kayode quoted approvingly a certain Babatunde O. Gbadamosi: “Those of you Yoruba APC members…when they finish with the MiddleBelt, the South-South, you will be next…” Gbadamosi said a lot more and Fani-Kayode said his “insight and understanding of the situation is second to none”. He similarly described one Charles Ogbu as “an obviously intelligent and gifted young man”, after Ogbu said “the Fulani vampires are at it again…”; “...this murderous group..”; “…these vultures…”; And Fani-Kayode summed it all up by adding that: “The Fulanis are not invincible (undefeatable) because they possess some kind of special fighting prowess. No! Not at all. These Fulanis are invincible because they are enjoying government support/ cover/protection in their murderous activities. The impunity with which these guys operate is state-sponsored”.

President Buhari, he said “has chosen to place the interest of his Fulani people above the lives of innocent Nigerians.

Buhari believes that his Fulani people are superior to other Nigerians. This is no different from the mindset displayed by Hitler which led to the world war.

We know how it ended”. Femi Fani-Kayode was not done: “The Fulani herdsmen have become purveyors of violence, rape, kidnap, robbery, arson and murder…Little wonder they have metamorphosed into the 4th most vicious terrorist group in the world”. He proudly reminded that he recently wrote an article titled “THE HERDSMEN FROM HELL” in which he described FulBe herdsmen as “vampires, cockroaches and tsetse flies”! The same way ethnic communities slated for genocide, have historically been described!

Rabid genocidal thoughts And such rabidly genocidal thoughts come from a character that continues to describe himself as a former minister of aviation of Nigeria! These are the narratives of negative profiling and hate speech directed at the FulBe nomad in the Nigerian media today. Unfortunately, what has also been lost in the media, is reportage or analyses of patterns of killing of FulBe nomads in different communities; the rustling of cattle and sundry violence that nomads face in their precarious existence.

They are not entitled to sympathy or even basic knowledge of their difficulties in these media narratives. That cannot be the way to build an inclusive country. No! In the next piece, I will try to place in context the factors that have conditioned the lives of the FulBe nomads and why knowledge of these phenomena are important to solving problems of nomadsedentary farmer conflicts in our country. FulBe nomads are citizens too and deserve to be understood and appreciated in the context of building our country!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY MAY 5, 2016 THE Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in its May 1 Workers’ Day 2016 statement, called for the establishment of a special account for the lodgement of the public funds recovered from looters and money launderers stashed abroad or within Nigeria.

We consider this a very useful suggestion and we back it wholeheartedly.

We are tired of hearing all sorts of figures being wilfully bandied by the Federal Government, its agents and supporters of the ruling party as having been looted or recovered without any convincing shred of evidence to back up the claims.

For instance, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN) on February 3, 2016, disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered the whopping sum of two trillion US Dollars (over N600

Special account for recovered funds trillion) from looters in the past twelve years. He was hotly challenged to provide proof, but he never took up the challenge.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in January this year, also alleged that 55 Nigerians stole 1.3 trillion Naira in eight years before Buhari took over. He did not disclose their identities nor did he say how soon he would do so.

Furthermore, a former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Ibrahim Lamorde, was accused of stealing over one billion Naira recovered from looters. Though he denied

the charges, he refused to appear before a parliamentary committee enquiring into the allegation, even after he lost his job.

Apart from these, there are countless other stories of former public officers returning stolen public funds, the details of which are kept from the public.

We believe that establishing a special account for recovered funds with the public given open access to all information about how it is being administered will go a long way in boosting public support for the war on corruption.

Nigerians will be glad to be able

to visit an online site dedicated to such endeavours and track the amounts confirmed stolen or laundered and amounts recovered, as well as those being prosecuted for such offences.

It will also delight the public to know how the funds are being spent. Such transparent disclosures will assure Nigerians that the recovered funds are not being re-stolen by those in charge of their custody.

We agree with the NLC that such recovered funds should be devoted to alleviating the sufferings of the common people, particularly providing job opportunities and infrastructure upgrades. They should be duly appropriated by the National Assembly in the overall interest of the nation.

Keeping the administration of recovered funds clean and transparent will not only promote accountability, it will also show that we are serious about the war on corruption.

OPINION CPC: How far can it protect?

ByAdewale Kupoluyi

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FEW weeks ago, I expreienced a terrible flight delay on my way to Abuja. Such was the delay that three or four scheduled flights were either cancelled or merged.

While intending passengers waited endlessly, the most annoying aspect of this experience is, apart from apologies were also delayed in coming from operators, no specific provisions was made for passengers who were delayed for about five hours or more.

While chatting with other passengers as the waiting game was on, a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who also lamented the neglect of passengers, had to challenge officials of one of the airlines on the legal consequence of keeping checked-in passengers for so long without offering them any form of comfort or refreshments.

Sensing trouble, the airline personnel quickly made some calls and within a few minutes, people were served some snacks and drinks.

The above scenario is just one of the several ill-treatments meted-out to Nigerians by manufacturers and service providers. It is in our dear country that the producer, rather than the consumer, is the king. Consumers are repeatedly sold fake or sub-standard products thus constituting social and economic problems not only to consumers themselves but for the manufacturers as well as the government.

It is in a bid to curtail these problems that the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, was established. CPC is a parastatal of the Federal Government, which is supervised by the

Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and established by Act No. 66 of 1992 and commenced operations in 1999, when its institutional framework was put in place.

Its mandate includes working towards eliminating hazardous products from the market, providing speedy redress to consumers’ complaints, undertaking of campaigns that would increase consumer awareness, ensuring that consumers’ interest receive due consideration at the appropriate forum, encouraging trade, industry and

There is the need for the CPC to embark on massive enlightenment campaigns professional associations in developing and enforcing quality standards.

In carrying out these tasks, the CPC adopts a number of measures such as providing speedy redress to consumers’ complaints through negotiation, mediation and conciliation; seeking ways and means of removing unhealthy products from public locations and replacing with safer alternatives; publishing from time-to-time the list of banned, withdrawn, restricted or products that are not approved by the Federal government; causing an offending company, firm, trade association or individual to protect, compensate, provide relief to injured consumers or communities from adverse effects of technologies that are inherently harmful, injurious and disastrous.

Globally, in safeguarding consumer interest, these rights are clearly defined by the United Nations Consumer Bill of Rights.

They are: the right to safety by safeguarding against goods that are hazardous to life and property; right to information, consumers have the right to be informed regarding the price, quality, quantity of the products they buy; right to choice, consumers should be provided with a wide variety of goods to choose from; the right of consumers to have their complaints heard; right to satisfaction of basic needs, this right demands that people have access to basic, essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water, and sanitation and right to redress, consumers have the right to seek redress regarding their complaints. Others are the right to consumer education; the right of consumers to be educated about their rights; right to a healthy environment and the right to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well-being of present and the future generations.

But how far has the interest of Nigerian consumers been protected? It should be appreciated that an uninformed consumer population cannot be effectively protected, if they do not know that they have rights, what the rights are and how the rights could be protected. That is the dilemma of an average consumer in Nigeria. The problem with enforcing consumer protection seems to be diverse in the sense that consumers are not sure of what they are buying, the producers of goods are not effectively monitored to ensure quality assurance, the existing legislation do not appear to be adequate to tackle the observed lapses while offenders are hardly punished for their

illegality, as very few convictions have been recorded in the course of prosecuting violators of the CPC Act to date. Violators are found in virtually every facet of our national life such as those engaging in the sale of fake and substandard drugs, adulterated food, prohibited goods and those engaging in consumers’ exploitation and providing poor services.

However, a number of interventions and attempts have been made by the CPC to safeguard the interest of Nigerians. These include the agreement between the council and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in enforcing the mandatory 60-day order to electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), to either provide meter or stop billing consumers under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.

Similarly, the CPC was able to wade-in and resolve the allegations of consumer rights violations by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited in the provision of its Digital Satellite Broadcast Television (DStv) service to numerous Nigerian viewers.

The council has also successfully intervened on the issue of far-reaching orders including the suspension of service whenever consumers were away; release of free-to-air channels even when subscription had expired; securing compensation across board to consumers for lost viewing time, introduction of local toll free lines; and ensuring reasonable and equitable spread of popular sports channels, among others. To ensure that the consumer remains the king, there is the need for the CPC to embark on massive enlightenment campaigns.

Mr. Kupoluyi, wrote from Federal varsity of Agric., Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5 5,, 2016 – 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com flourished through healthy competition because no region wanted to, as we say in Nigeria, “carry last”. The North, with its vast land, flourished through agriculture. The West, also through its sizeable land and favourable geo-location, also

Lose weight or die soon

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HE chicken has come home to roost. It is time to end the tomfoolery or else… For more than forty years, state governors have gathered in Lagos (when it was still the Federal capital) and now Abuja, to share the federal revenue accruing mostly from our oil resources. It was a militarydecreed sharing formula that ensured that the Federal Government would always get more than the states and local governments put together.

Former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, was recently quoted as accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of running a “command-andcontrol” economy. It has always been so since the civil war ended, even during Ezekwesili’s time as an official of the Olusegun Obasanjo regime as elected president.

Buhari is a reactionary-minded member of the Northern Military/Civilian Oligarchy that created the “command-and-control” economy to enable those who fought against the secession of Biafra milk the oil wealth of the former Eastern Region (now Niger Delta). Naturally, he seeks to strengthen the Centre’s hold

on the economy (as opposed to privatisation pursued by Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan) in order to gratify, essentially, the North.

If you need proof that the centralised economy and federalism was built up to assert Northern control and aggrandisement, you don’t have to look far. Check the amounts each state collects from the Federation Account every month, and you will see that by far the largest chunk goes to the North (through emphasis on landmass, “population” and the humongous number of local government areas allocated to the Region, especially the core Arewa zones of North West and North East). After the North, the West is given the ‘junior partner’s' share and the South East (former core Biafra) gets the least.

While the oil bazaar lasted, the federating units, weakened as a result of the over-arching power of the centre, lost the hunger, appetite and impetus to grow their economies. This was a total negation of the situation that obtained before the war when the various Regions, empowered to assert resource control,

The oil that led the military to establish the corrupt, sectional, unworkable and crisis-riddled centralised federalism in the past forty nine years has lost its ability to sustain Nigeria flourished. The East was not far behind, as its spirit of enterprise and innovation speedily made up for what it lacked in land resources and geo-advantages.

But unfortunately for the East, just when it was on the verge of untrammelled prosperity through the impending crude oil boom, found itself caught in the crises, coups and counter-coups of 1962-1967, which precipitated the civil war. The North successfully allied with the West and the various Minorities, under the supervision of the former British colonial masters and their allies, to edge out the East, capture the oil wealth of the Region and share the proceeds just as they wished.

During the past forty years, we have seen three major cycles of

Edo 2016: War of succession (3)

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S the race for Osadebey Avenue gathers momentum, it becomes increasingly clear that the mass media must play the essential roles of educating, informing and entertaining the people. Among other things, the media has a responsibility to help the people make informed decisions and judgments.

That explains why – depending on available materials – this column intends to bring to you the credentials that the various aspirants are bringing to the table.

Last Wednesday, The Right Hon Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, declared his intension to run for the office of Governor of Edo State in the forth-coming governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. This is our focus for today.

It is necessary to highlight a few points about the man, Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, the incumbent Deputy Governor of Edo State, which bespeak him as a man who in all respects and by all known standards, has distinguished himself in several ways and is destined to make history.

From very early in life, Odubu started preparing himself for a respectable leadership role in the affairs of his community and the larger society. This is one way of appreciating the fact that he has spent a good part of his life for self-development through education and management training.

Little Pius was born in 1958 in the little village of Urhomehe, Urhomigbe North Ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. He had his primary education in St. Pius Primary School, Urhomehe, before proceeding to Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, where he was a recipient of an Academic Scholarship Award from the then Benin Area Joint Board.

In his determination to build up the necessary intellectual robustness relevant to the machinery and process of service to humanity, Odubu soon transcended the narrow confines of a secondary education

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when, in 1977, he proceeded to the United States of America for further studies.

While in the US, Odubu attended Philandersmith College, Little Rock, Arkansas; Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Southern University School of Law; Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington, DC; and Harvard University,

Because of his loyalty, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has asserted on various occasions that Odubu is the best Deputy Governor in Nigeria Kennedy School of Government, Massachusetts.

He later attended Oxford University, Said Business School, Oxford England.

Odubu has to his credit, a chain of quality degrees, including BA (Hons.) in Political Science; Doctor of Jurisprudence in Law; Master of Law with major concentration in International and Comparative Law; and BL (Barrister and Solicitor at Law).

On his return to Nigeria in 1985, Odubu was enrolled in the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 1986.

After his call to Bar, Odubu had a flourishing law practice in Benin City until 1999, when he was elected into the House of Representatives to represent Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode

oil boom and oil busts (19801999, 2008/2009 and 2014 till date). Of the three, the 2008 edition (otherwise known as the “economic meltdown”) was the least hurtful because, not only did Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, under the Obasanjo regime, negotiate Nigeria out of a crippling debt trap, the nation also had through sheer impunity, stored enough excess revenue in the famous Excess Crude Account (over 30 billion US Dollars) to see us through. But all efforts by the Jonathan regime to also save for this rainy day when the prices of oil were over $100 per barrel were thwarted by governors under the abrasive chairmanship of Rotimi Amaechi.

Today, 26 states have become virtually bankrupt. Within the space of nine months, state governors have gone twice to President Buhari for bailouts.

Just six months after the over 800 billion Naira Central Bank of Nigeria bailout, they went back for more last week. They demanded for a review of the revenue allocation formula to give more money to states and local governments. Meanwhile, these governors refuse to reduce their opulent lifestyle.

Labour Unions are now at the door. They accused the Presidency, governors and legislators of refusing to cut their coats down to size, and tabled a demand for upgrade of the minimum wage from N18,000 to N56,000 (or N90,000). This is the perfect setting for an impasse that will further hurt the economy and extend suffering. The way things are now, even if the governors reduce cost of governance, they

F e d e r a l Constituency of Edo State. He was re-elected in 2003.

While in the House of Representatives, Odubu was a ranking member of the Committees on Appropriations; Federal Capital Territory and Labour. He was Deputy Chairman of the Commerce Committee. At various times, Odubu served in the following Committees: Works, Marine Transport, Commerce, Navy, Anti-corruption and Public Accounts.

What is Odubu bringing to the table? Good education, cognate experience, diligence, intelligence, transparency, integrity and accountability shall be some of the visible hallmarks of his administration. His policy thrust shall be based on five cardinal points: Job Creation; Wealth Creation; Infrastructural Development; Agricultural Development and Good Governance.

Odubu is a man of peace. He has remained loyal to his boss, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Odubu is a team-player who gets along with his colleagues. Because of his loyalty, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has asserted on various occasions that Odubu is the best Deputy Governor in Nigeria. By extrapolation, this has been interpreted in many quarters to mean that if given the opportunity, Odubu will be the best Governor in Nigeria.

On his part Odubu has the kindest words for his boss; “I deeply appreciate my boss and elder brother, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for giving me the opportunity to work with him in the last seven and a half years…. I have been in Oshiomhole School of governance and it has been most beneficial and rewarding”.

Odubu cuts across party divides. It is instructive that on the day he declared his intension to run for the office of governor of Edo State, the PDP was the first to congratulate him, pouring encomiums of him and suggesting perhaps that he is the best man for

cannot pay the new minimum wage. Even if oil prices go back above $100 per barrel, we still cannot afford the wage. Most states barely managed to pay during the last oil boom.

The only way out for Nigeria is to discard in its entirety the postBiafra war military commandand-control system for the polity and the economy meant to reward some people for defeating Biafra and freeloading on the oil wealth of Eastern Nigeria (now the Niger Delta). To your tents O Israel!

We must return to an improved version of the regional structure we had before the war. Instead of four Regions (East, West, North and Mid West) we should have six (South East, South-South, South West, North Central, North East and North West), with each region/zone fully in control of its economic resources and the affairs of local councils.

The Federal Government should be the umbrella that covers and protects all of us, guaranteeing the territorial integrity of the country, the constitutional rights of its citizens in Nigeria and abroad and the preservation/promotion of Nigeria’s common institutional heritages (Armed Forces, Police, Customs, Foreign Affairs, Currency and others).

The oil that led the military to establish the corrupt, sectional, unworkable and crisis-riddled centralised federalism in the past forty nine years has lost its ability to sustain Nigeria.

We must act now, or else we will be back to General Muhammadu Buhari’s 1984, when we could not see sugar, bread and milk to buy, let alone rice.

the job. If what we hear from the grapevine becomes true, Edo State may as well be on the enviable path to becoming the first State in Nigeria to produce a consensus candidate for a gubernatorial election.

In any case, the Bible is right that if a man’s ways are pleasing to God, He will make his enemies to be at peace with him.

Odubu is a writer’s delight, any day. We present to you, a most perfect manifestation of political craftsmanship and hope for our people; a man destined to make history, yet, whose humility belies the robustness of his attainment in life. We present to you, a total embodiment of consensus politician; one man who has a vision and mission to work with other patriotic Nigerians for the fulfillment of the Nigerian Dream and the realisation of the manifesto and the Freedom Charter of the All Progressives Congress, which hold tremendous promise for the prosperity, greatness and unity of this nation.

We present to you The Right Honourable (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, one man who has a full grasp of the inner workings of the three branches and the three tiers of government; a lawyer; a legislator extraordinaire; an administrator; a political strategist, tactician; an adept in political engineering; a symbol of political honour, confidence and hope; an exponent of human kindness; a most perfect manifestation of humility, impervious tenacity in the service of this great nation and hope for a sustainable democratic polity in Edo State and, indeed, in Nigeria.

Odubu is happily married to Deaconess (Mrs.) Endurance Odubu and the union is blessed with four children.

20—Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Ten A’Ibom communities face danger of submersion

By Tom Moses, Nsit Ubiom

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T least, ten communities in Akwa-Ibom State are at the verge of being submerged due to illegal land excavation and sand dreading activities in those communities.

The affected communities which include Ikot Ekpan in Nsit Ubiom Local Government Area and Ekpene Ukpa in Etinan where land excavation and illegal sand mining activities have now become parts of the people’s preoccupation are said to be already experiencing occasional ecological challenges due to these adventurous business inclination.

Worried by the dangers associated with the business, the Akwa-Ibom State government weekend, impounded at least, ten dredging equipment as well arrested six proprietors of the sand mining companies in Nsit Ubiom and Etinan Local Government Areas just as it placed embargo on illegal sand mining operations in the state.

Sand mining operations Already, Environmental experts have warned that some communities in the state with unchecked sand mining operations were at the verge of being submerged by water among other environmental hazards if such activities were allowed to continue.

One of the environmental experts, a professor of Human Kinetics, University of Uyo, UNIUYO, Professor Rosemary Ebong who spoke with Vanguard Metro, VM, observed with dismay that illegal land excavation and sand mining activities were rife in communities basically for pecuniary reasons without considering the negative impacts such activities were having on the environment.

“One of the greatest problems the world is facing is that of environmental degradation increasing with every passing year and causing grave and irreparable damages to the earth. It could also pose a serious threat to the life and survival of man and indeed, other living organisms,” she said.

She noted, for instance, that C M Y K

in a situation of any torrential downpour, water could overflow the over 32 identified illegal sand dredging sites in each of the communities and submerge houses and farmlands and cause unanticipated calamities to the people.

“I recommend that the AkwaIbom State government should take drastic measures against illegal sand dredging in the state if the government does not want to wake up one day and see the state being overflown with water,” Professor Ebong advised.

VM gathered that already, the foundations of the bridges where some of these activities go on, have been dug out such that their pillars were now merely hanging, meaning that those bridges could collapse any time and avoidable casualties recorded in the state.

One of the elders in Ekpene Ukpa who spoke with VM, Mr. Sunny Jonah, affirmed that sand mining was becoming lucrative which was the reason many dredging companies were now invading the communities for space but expressed discomfort with the business

Some of the dredgers confiscated by the Akwa-Ibom State Government’s task force

Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen during inspection of the devastated portion of one of the bridges.

Illegal land excavation and sand mining activities were rife in communities basically for pecuniary reasons without considering the negative impacts such activities were having on the environment because of its hazardous consequences to the communities.

Disturbed by the imminent dangers the state was exposed to by the illegal sand mining activities, the Akwa-Ibom State

Ministry of Works, in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Friday arrested six proprietors of the different 32 dredging companies operating in Ikot Ekpan in Nsit Ubiom Local

Government Area and Ekpene Ukpa in Etinan L o c a l Government Area and impounded ten of their dredging equipment while some o t h e r proprietors absconded.

Speaking during what was tagged: ‘O p e r a t i o n Stop Illegal S a n d Dredging”, t h e

Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, described the incursion of sand miners into Akwa-Ibom as an evil wind as, according to him, with 32 dredgers mobilized into one community alone, the

communities were at the verge of being submerged in no time.

Besides, he observed that farming activities close to the sand dredging sites had been devastated by the heavy trucks that daily traverse the communities to lift sand. “As we speak, the activities of these illegal sand miners have almost ruined the Mkpok Bridge along Ndon Eyo Road in Onna Local Government Area. They have dug into the foundation of that bridge, thereby making the bridge to now hang loosely in the water. The same fate has befallen the Ekpene Ukpa Bridge because of this dangerous trade.

“As it is now, landslide is not only imminent but apparent in our communities. So, we cannot fold our arms and allow this to continue simply because we want people to come in and invest in our state. This type of investment is hazardous to us as communities and hazardous to us as a state,” Inyang-Eyen lamented.

Employers tasked on empowerment of workforce

By Faith Agbi

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RESIDENT and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Training and Development, NITAD, Mrs. Janet Jolaoso has urged employers of labour to prioritise empowerment of their workforce, noting that selfsufficiency is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth.

This was disclosed in Lagos at the second annual conference of NITAD which took place at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria ,ASCON, Badagry.

At the event which was entitled: Learning and Development: Catalyst for Sustainable Value Creation, it was a stated that the world has moved away from command and control into a learning organisation.

She said: “This year’s theme is apt, germane and of course relevant at this stage of national development.However,theresponsibilityoflearning

lies with the person who deserves to learn, it is a matterofvoluntarybehaviour.Therefore,organisations that want to be competitively relevant in the global economy must invest in learning and development of its workforce. Unlocking the talents in your workforce is a function of value creation through learning and development.”

In his remarks, the Lead Speaker, Mr. Richard Okhumale said: “Learning is a life time investment, and it’s very effective when initiated by the person involved in his own area of interest. Training has had its days, but now is the time to learn. Technology is a major factor that will help us to move. If our work attitude does not change, then we are not going anywhere in this country. We need our organisations to transform themselves into learning organisations.

You are responsible for your own development. Our dutytodayistoseethatpeoplebecomelearnersrather than depend on trainings.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

N90bn unclaimed dividends: Shareholders task SEC on review of CAMA S

OME shareholder groups yesterday in Lagos called for review of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in view of unclaimed dividends piling at the capital market.

They said that the committee being proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the issue should be quickly constituted.

Director-General of SEC, Mr Mounir Gwarzo, recently said that the commission would soon set up a capital market committee to tackle the N90 billion unclaimed dividends matter.

Mr Boniface Okezie, President of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) told NAN that the committee, when set up, should amend Section 383 of CAMA to address the issue. Okezie said that the committee should initiate a bill to the National Assembly to seek review of the 12-year old statute-bar placed on that section of CAMA.

had contributed to the rising figure of unclaimed dividends in the market.

He said that shareholders would not support the establishment of Unclaimed Dividend Trust Fund (UDTF), pointing out that unclaimed dividends fund belonged to investors, not government.

Okezie urged SEC to strengthen its nationwide en-

lightenment on e-dividend platform to enhance investors’ participation.

He stated that SEC needed to liaise with the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) to address the hitches experienced in using the platform for payment.

Mr Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of

Nigeria (ISAN), said the review of CAMA was long overdue. According to him, dividend once declared belong to shareholders and should not be ploughed back into companies. Nwosu recalled that SEC had promised to review CAMA in the last 10 years, adding that the review should be made public for contributions.

Unclaimed dividends “We should not be talking about statute-barred now; dividends should be claimed at any given time. The stock of unclaimed dividends will continue to increase in the market unless Section 383 of CAMA is amended,” he said. The shareholders’ president also urged SEC to collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on acceptance of dividend warrants into both savings and current accounts. He said that some banks rejected lodgement of dividend warrants into savings accounts, adding that such

OPENING: From left, CEO, Bhaujet V entures, an Airtel Channel Partner, Mrs Bunmi Odubanjo; D eputy G overnor, Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Chairman, Wema Bank, Mr Ade Asekun, and Mr Babajide Odubanjo, at the official opening of Bhaujet Venture’s Airtel Express Shop in Lekki, Lagos.

Panel vets 40,000 applications for BoI’s N10bn YES loans

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By Franklin Alli

SEVEN-man panel has started screening business proposals from 40,000 candidates that applied for the Bank of Industry (BoI) N10 billion Youths Entrepreneurship Support (YES) programme.

Vanguard learned that the bank has $ 118.80 0.20 increased the number of people who $3,178.00 -11.00 will benefit from the money to set up their $ 16.42 0.17 own business from 1,200 to 4,000 per annum and each of them will get a maxi$45.55 0.58 mum of N5 million .

They are also ex$44.19 0.54 pected to create 36,000 jobs.

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING The seven –man US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 panel, comprising POUNDS 286.5128 287.2437 287.9746 Peter Bankole, ExEURO 223.6948 224.2655 224.8361 ecutive Director FRANC 203.5941 204.1134 204.6328 YEN 1.8278 1.8325 1.8372 Enterprise DevelopCFA 0.3202 0.3302 0.3402 ment Centre, Pan WAUA 276.335 277.04 277.7449 African University; RENMINBI 30.2134 30.2909 30.3684 and the ilk of Dahiru RIYAL 52.2625 52. 3958 52.5291 KRONA 30.0429 30.1196 29.1962 Sanni, Umar SDR 277.7908 278.4995 279.2081 Shekaru, Abdul-Gani Mohammed, among CBN Exchange rate as at 04/05/2016 others, was inaugu-

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rated by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah in Lagos.

The minister commended the bank for the introduction of the N10 billion YES-projects, adding that it was in line with the federal government job and wealth creation agenda aimed at addressing the problem of unem-

I have every confidence that the panel will do a great job and the result will show

ployment among young men and women (18-35) years in the country.

“I have every confidence that the panel will do a great job and the result will show,” he said.

The Acting Managing Director of

the Bank, Mr. Waheed Olagunju , said Olagunju explained that the bank was moved to jerk up the numberofthebeneficiariesbecause of the alarming unemployment problem among Nigerian youths.

“Having noticed the huge volume of registration on the online portal at 40,000 which outstrips the 10,000 entries we envisaged, we concluded that we should provide more opportunities for the youths by increasing the number of loan beneficiariesfrom1,200to4,000per annum” he said.

According to him, analysis of the applications received from the six geopolitical zones showed that the South West led with 29 percent, followed by the North East 23 percent; North Central 16 percent; South -South 13 percent, North West 12 percent and South East seven percent.

Responding on behalf of the panel, Bankole assured the bank, government and the candidates that the screening will be done in a transparent and credible way as personal information has been excluded from the applications because we don’t want to know who you are or who you know. So everybody is on the same page, there is nothing to hid.

— 21

Export rubber, cocoa, palm oil to us, EU tells Nigeria

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HE European Union (EU), has urged Nigeria Government to increase export of agricultural produces like rubber, cocoa and palm oil to the EU countries The Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Michel Arrion, stated this at a press conference on commemorate the 40 years of EU-Nigeria partnership yesterday in Abuja. Arrion said there were potential exports, which Nigeria could develop in commercial quantities for export, lamenting that such exports to the EU were currently in low quantities.

“There are potential exports like rubber for instance for tiles that you could certainly develop. We will be delighted to import and to buy more rubber from Nigeria; the problem is that the production is very small. We will be delighted to buy more cocoa from Nigeria.

We are buying most of our cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, while not from Nigeria?” he said.

Possibilities in agricultural products He challenged Nigeria to think of what it could produce in addition to its own consumption adding, Nigeria must meet its local demands before exporting. He explained that Nigeria has a lot of possibilities in agricultural products but that it would take several years to really have an export-oriented commercial farming policy.

He also said that there was the need for the price of Nigerian products to be competitive.

“You (Nigeria) have to be competitive, I mentioned palm oil; I see a potential market for palm oil exportation from Nigeria to EU if the prices are competitive.

“Today, they are not. Malaysia for instance, offers more competitive price, so Nigeria has also to work on the competitiveness of the country’s products. He said there were several factors that contributed to competitiveness which included the costs of production, labour, land and energy, among others.

“When your refineries of palm oil have to produce their own energy instead of being connected to the grid, you are less competitive than others,”he said.

Arrion added that the competitiveness of Nigeria products is also being affected because the rate of exchange of naira visa-vis the dollar or euro is not reflecting the reality of the situation.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Entrepreneurs need to be regularly reminded of the basic functional areas regarding their enterprises

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Agencies that support businesses in Nigeria

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NTREPRENEURSHIP has to do with identifying gaps and business opportunities in one’s immediate environment and bringing together the necessary resources in an innovative way to fill those gaps, bearing the risks involved and in the process gaining personal rewards.

Information is a veritable source of entrepreneurship development, therefore entrepreneurs need to be regularly reminded of the basic functional areas regarding their enterprises so as to be up to date and be efficient and effective managers.

Following are some agencies, public and private, that have been set up to enhance the performance of entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

MAN Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN) was established as a national industrial association in 1971 to encourage the patronage of Nigerian made products by Nigerians and foreigners; encourage high standard of quality for member’s products through the collation and the provision of advice and; to provide avenue for manufacturers to formulate and influence general policy, in regard to industrial matters.

NASME National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) is a private sector organisation, with members drawn from small and medium scale enterprises. It is devoted to networking, capacity building, policy advocacy and promotion of performance of its members firms and operators. It works to improve the welfare of its members and make input in industrial policy. Analysis and publications from NAMSE on business environment, competitive enlightenment and policy making are useful to Nigerian entrepreneurs.

NACCIMA Nigerian Association of Chambers Of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is a voluntary association of manufacturers, merchants, mines, farmers, financiers, industrialists, trade groups who network together for the principal objectives of promoting, protecting and improving business environment for micro and macro benefits.

NEPC Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was established in 1976 to minimize the bureaucratic bottlenecks and increase autonomy in dealing with members of the organized private sector. Its goal and mission are to make the non-oil export sector a significant contributor to Nigeria’s GDP and to facilitate opportunities for exporters to promote sustainable economic development.

RMRDC Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is vested with the mandate to promote the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials. It is the nation’s focal point for the development and utilisation of the nation’s vast industrial raw materials. The council is also meant to encourage industries to substitute local raw materials for imported ones.

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BUSINESS

Important due diligence lessons for start-ups Stories by Yinka Kolawole, with agency report

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UE diligence is an investigation of a business or person prior to signing a contract, or an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations. It is research and analysis of a company or organisation done in preparation for a business transaction (as a corporate merger or purchase of securities).

D u e Diligence is a complex and highly responsible process, and is one of the m o s t important s t a g e s d u r i n g fundraising a n d investment.

Start-up due diligence: The complexity and duration of the due diligence depends on several factors, such as the expected amount of investment, for example. Depending on the goals of a specific investor, it may take a couple of weeks, or protract for a whole year. But whatever the procedure is in your case, the investor

will need to learn several key things about your company.

Following are just a few of them: Market and needs: You can create a product that will seem ideal to you, but you will not be able to make people pay for it, if they just don’t need it. Every investor understands this simple truth, so they are likely

How to enjoy your work everyday MANY people dread going to work - even entrepreneurs. They may dislike their job, the people they work with, the environment they’re in, or are simply bored of their monotonous routines. With a few simple tips and tricks (backed by science), you’ll finally be able to enjoy your job - and more importantly - look forward to going to work.

New things every day Psychologists assert that “nothing contributes to our happiness more than shattering the delusions to which we cling.” Trying something new is one of the most beneficial things you can do to enhance your day. Start a conversation with a colleague you’ve never spoken to. They probably have tons to offer and would welcome the opportunity to converse. If you’re regularly assigned to work alongside the same people, see if your boss is willing to switch things up. If you’re an entrepreneur, talk to employees or teams you don’t normally interact with.

You never know just how fulfilling it may be to work with some fresh new faces.

Stay fit, active and healthy: Most successful people stay in shape.

Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between fitness and career success. In fact, 72 percent of respondents in a study asserted that exercising on work days resulted in significant improvements in time management, while 79 percent reported a noteworthy enhancement in mental and interpersonal performance. In addition, 74 percent said they managed their workload better. If you want to give your morning a huge boost that’ll power you for the whole day, try waking up a bit earlier in the morning. Go for a workout at the gym, a peaceful run or jog, or a blissful bike ride.

Allocate your time wisely While at work, your mind is easily bombarded with thoughts, ideas, to-do lists and more. Our minds work just like our other muscles, and evidence suggests that taking regular breaks helps fuel productivity and creativity (similar to how we need rest days when working out). In order to prevent overload, take a short break to refresh your mind when you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed or distracted. Make sure to leave your

phone and any other work-related devices at your desk - you don’t need to take your work with you. Try going for a five-minute walk outside and just enjoying the fresh air. It’s easy to get caught up in your work, but just remember that you have other things going on in your life, too.

Don’t waste time in meetings An incredible amount of time is wasted due to unproductive meetings. In order to prevent this, follow a few simple guidelines for your meetings. First, make sure everyone arrives on time and is focused and alert. If appropriate, make everyone put their phones away and ask them to close their laptops to avoid any distractions. Notes should be written by hand, as this significantly enhances retention.

Meetings can be unorganised and lack direction or focus. To remedy this, set an agenda beforehand with specific goals in mind. Make sure proper notes or minutes are taken.

If you follow these simple little tips and tricks every day when you go to work, you’ll definitely enjoy your job much more. You’ll finally be able to make work something you love. *Courtesy: Do.com

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Think like a woman, dress like a man

— 23

INSIDE Weight gain has a lot of health complications —Dr Maymunah Kadiri

Pg 26

When it comes to how to dress for business, most women either do not have the time, the patience or the know-how to go about things.

Here are WO tips for communicating power in business, while not losing your feminine side.

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Celebrity marriage: The highs and lows Pg 25

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ET a signature style: Particularly for meetings, get a style for which you will be easily recognizable.

The psychology of this is that you are consistent; therefore you are reliable and can be trusted. Learn about the power of colours and how they communicate meanings in your power dress.

Your signature could be sharp, red pencil skirts, which communicates edginess. A lot of politicians wear blue because blue communicates trust.

A strategic use of colour can ensure that you stand out in any crowd. Vibrant colours will give energy to your look.

Keep it simple: Simple, elegant and classy are buzz words that should always guide your power dressing and have you well on your way to becoming the consummate power dresser.

women in touch with their feminine side.

Evolve: As you climb up whatever ladder you have chosen to climb, let your style evolve to communicate that you are now more relaxed and you are comfortable in what was once upon a time a man’s world.

Don’t be afraid to do casual: just learn to do it in a way that it communicates what you want it to communicate at any point in time- approachability, warmth, intellectualism, conservatism; and most importantly, power.

Hire an image consultant If you are absolutely clueless or you just absolutely do not have the time to think of what to wear, hire an image consultant that has been tried, tested and manages someone that looks the way you want to begin to look.

In addition, an image consultant will get creative on your account, putting together looks for different occasions that would communicate your different sides as a woman of power.

Woman in control When you dress in sleek dresses and suits, you communicate a woman in control that cannot and should not be messed with, without as much as saying a word.

Avoid flashy designers and keep the shoes frills-free. Avoid flats.

Use solid colours and regular patterns to communicate an ease of movement and confidence.

Wear scarves: Nothing communicates femininity more than a beautiful, soft scarf.

Yet image consultants strongly recommend the ubiquitous item of fashion to any lady who wants to master the art of power dressing.

Women in tough fields like Finance might particularly want to soften their look with a different bright scarf every time they make a public appearance as it gives them the look of not being hard-nosed bankers but C M Y K

Yummy mummies

•Omotola Jalade

...what celebs do to defy age

By Josephine Agbonkhese & Anino Aganbi

O

NCE upon a time, black women, especially of Nigerian descent, prided themselves in the overall changes brought about by childbirth and advancement in age. They were in fact obsessed with the plus size body shape, size and the entire outlook synanymous with ageing.

For some, this extra-large size was an expression of their better half’s affluence.

But all that has changed.

The new fad, it appears, is to beat the

clock— keep looking youthful and fashionable no matter your age or how many times you’ve been in the delivery theatre. In fact, the more ‘youthful’ and ‘trimmed’ you look, the richer you’re perceived.

Most women are therefore ready to spend a fortune to retain that fabulous feel akin to youthfulness. In other climes, some take it to the extreme to have Botox or surgery, while some, especially in this part of the world, strictly maintain a daily routine, which often saps both their time and resources. But who cares? To the modern woman, the end justifies the means. The Methuselah gene

Continues on page 24

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Yummy mummies

Tiwa Savage: The b

Continues from page 23

A

S the Nigerian entertainment world goes into a frenzy over the video released by songstress diva Tiwa Savage- in reaction to social media rants attributed to husband Tee-Billz- the brand Tiwa Savage has come under scrutiny of fans, critics and business partners alike.

In the first instance, the Pulse interview that went viral over the labour weekend was explained as being a bid to “save the brand Tiwa Savage” from further disrepute, given the amount of damage- real and imagined- that hubby’s rants about alleged sexual indiscretions may have brought about.

The way it’s looking, the video release might yet prove to be an exercise in killing a fly with a sledge hammer, as the entire episode has been blown way out of proportion, and the said indiscretions have been buried under a deluge of pity that is emanating from her massive fan club.

The message is this: Beautiful diva begins singing career after illustrious career in songwriting and back-up singing. She gets signed on to the top Nigerian producing label and quickly acquires the reputation of being its “First Lady”. The sky is now her limit, and it is about time to settle down, especially with the

fad is so on that these days, one can hardly guess right how old some women are.

Women defying age: One goddess that readily comes to mind is Omotola JaladeEkeinde, the mother of four who is forever looking 25 even though she’s almost 40.

To keep fit, Omosexy, who, like most modern black women, struggle with their weight, revealed she had found an exercise that works best for her- pilates.

Her glowing, wrinklefree skin is also not a bonus from heaven but a product of hardwork.

“I go to the spa once a month and get a body scrub and deep tissue massage. On my own, I wash off makeup every night, apply a clean and clear gel to take care of spots, plus a night •Joke treatment to sort out all Jacobs day’s abuses,” she disclosed in an interview with Ladybrille.

Omosexy also disclosed on her twitter handle recently that, to further keep her skin glowing, she drinks a lot of water, really sleeps when she falls asleep, drinks a lot of fresh fruit juice and uses a lot of moisturizers.

Speaking a languag through a pair of gla

Abhoring of skin bleaching Yoruba film star Biodun Okeowo, a mother of two whose first is about 20, is another. In a revealing telephone chat with Woman’s Own, she said: “I take supplements and a few other things to help keep me in shape.

Sometimes, I watch my diet. I also make it a duty to go to the gym whenever possible. Above all, I take a lot of water.”

On her beauty regimen no-no, Biodun told Woman’s Own she abhors skin bleaching which many women take to, to look fairer.

“I don’t have to bleach my skin. All I need is go through my normal beauty routine. At night, I take off my makeup and apply soft creams. I cleanse and tone too,” she said.

Our very own Joke Jacobs is one who has also been an inspiration to so many women seeking to defy age and be forever young.

“I am permanently on a diet. I was even a lot more disciplined a couple of years ago. Back then, I didn’t eat biscuits or take soft drinks. If I had ice cream, it would be just a spoon.

Now though, I have a personal trainer and I’m working again,” the 54-yearold revealed in an interview.

Joke, of course, has a traditional skincare regimen.

“In the morning, I use a foaming cleansing milk to wash my face. I also use moisturizer and sunscreen.

Sunscreen is very important at inhibiting the excess melanin that we black people have in our skin. We produce a lot of melanin and we need C M Y K

•Tiwa Savage and Tee-Billz

By Ebele Orakpo

•Olajumoke Adenowo

something to ensure that it is not too much. And a little goes a long way.

With that, I don’t really need much through the day except blotting tissues to dab the oily bits.

“At night, I benefit from a night cream and I find that the older I get, the better my skin feels and looks when I use a night cream. They work while you are sleeping. You won’t believe how soft and smooth the skin looks and feels first thing when you wake up.

Fathia Balogun, a mother of three, is 46 and yet looks 29. The screen goddess who also runs a beauty store in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said she has always managed her diet to keep fit.

Tinsel star actress Ireti Doyle is also an inspiration. She by no means looks like she’s almost clocking 50. Except for the fact that she has a 28-year-old daughter, who is now married.

For readers out there seeking to also defy age like our celebs, experts suggest you consult trusted professionals, especially when it has to do with the use of cosmetic products. This is as because cosmetics constitute chemical compounds, some of which have been found to be potentially harmful to the body if used inappropriately.

Master’s degre Sweden. In th There’s no such thing as dead studies, I work languages, only dormant minds. minority langu — Carlos Ruiz Zafón,The Ethiopia, Tanz Shadow of the Wind Cameroon but wanted to des THE language of a people is language from their true identity, hence, any meaning to wo group that loses its language has language with lost its identity. In Africa, many written record languages are going into extinction documentation due to their love of foreign My assignm languages. An average African then write a gra would rather speak English or language and de French than their native tongue. orthography (the c Unfortunately, very few spelling system of Africans are disturbed by together with the the trend and fewer How she got still, are doing about the local something about it. she came to stu •Mirjam Möller... Nigerians are It was, therefore, My superviso very generous and hospitable a pleasant surprise about this spec to see a young language, Nya Swedish lady, Miss Mirjam Möller, doing her PhD on a Nigerian language. In this chat with I have always wanted Woman’s Own, Möller who lives in Paris, speaks on her work, why she came to describe a language to Nigeria and her experience during her from scratch, meaning stay. Excerpts:

W

HY she came to Nigeria I study African Languages at a (Langages, Langues et Cultures d’Afrique Noire, LLACAN) in Paris. I got admitted through a three-year scholarship to do my PhD there last year.

I had studied African languages for my

to work on a language with no previous written record or documentation

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 —25

beau, the baby and the brand biological clock ticking away. Who better to do the deed with than the knight-in-shining-armour who got the gig going in the first place- the Manager? Wedding ceremony costs an arm and a leg and is talked about for months. Baby boy comes along, and completes the picture. Hello… it’s the Nigerian dream!

The brands Not surprisingly, the big brands got on a queue to get a piece of the Nigerian dream pie and changed the face of brand advertising forever. There was Pepsi, MTN and Pampers, all global brands ready to put top dollars on the top female pop icon with a voice of gold.

Pepsi The Iyke and Tina Turner position has not fazed this global beverage brand one bit, as the big dudes on the brand have stormed every possible media to denounce rumours that it has dropped Tiwa Savage as a brand ambassador.

Apparently, they have no intention of dropping her over the scandal either.

Tiwa Savage has been a Pepsi Nigeria brand ambassador since 2012 and currently represents the popular Cola brand alongside Wizkid, Seyi Shay and Davido.

MTN As the conversation continues, this talk that the brand has more to gain than lose in friends, frenemies and gisting partners is keeping the lines permanently buzzing. Guess what would happen when a new beau gets in the picture.

Last year, when she renewed her contract with MTN, the silk-voiced lady coo-ed on social

media upon renewing the contract: “MTN loves me and I Looooveee MTN. Watch out cause this year we have great surprises for our customers”.

Pampers This might be the point where the Tiwa brand might hit a little road block. Nigerian brand experts are divided on this issue: while one expert says the inclusion of TeeBillz junior’s interest in the Pulse video would reinforce the brand as being responsible, another says family values are compromised here.

Another says Tiwa represents the upper middle class mother which pampers is targeting and this has not changed. But at the end of the day, who can resist a cute kid, especially if the mother is also cute?

While her popularity ratings have shot through the roof with the scandal on ground, there is still one miniscule section of society which has put her under attack.

The section accuses her of being an impatient woman who rushed to the media to give her own side of the story; and is in too much of a hurry to get rid of the damaged goods that her hubby has become. Even at that, the general perception is that Tiwa Savage is just another human being who can make mistakes like anyone else and perception, they say, is the reality.

ge is like looking at the world asses – Mirjam Möller

ee and BA in e course of my ked on different uages in zania and t I have always cribe a m scratch, ork on a h no previous d or n. ment would be to ammar of the evelop conventional f a language) e speakers. to know l language udy or told me ific abaa and that

he has a project going on for a group of languages spoken in Adamawa State, NorthEast Nigeria. Nyabaa is spoken by the Kwah people of Adamawa State.

What she hopes to achieve We aim to publish a dictionary which will include a description of the structure of the language e.g., phonology, morphology, syntax etc.

Challenges encountered in the course of the work When working on a language unknown to you and totally new, you may have experience

•Mirjam at work with a colleague.

from having worked on similar languages or not. However, speaking a language is like looking at the world through a pair of glasses, or reading through a pair of glasses.

So often, we tend to come with our own glasses and analyse what we hear and see based on our previous experiences. But each language is unique and there might be features that don’t show in the first place and the challenge is to ask the questions and collect the data you need to see the full analysis of the language.

Then of course, the difference of culture and climate is sometimes the challenge we face but that is part of the adventure and I love Nigeria so it is a great privilege to be working in this country.

Her view on Nigeria and Nigerians Nigerians are very generous and hospitable. I have only stayed in Lagos and would have to visit other places too as I visit Nigeria in the following its years. Lagos is chaotic with all sounds, smells and people everywhere; but that is part of the music and rhythm of Lagos.

I love Lagos for its closeness to water, the lagoon is beautiful. Then you can basically find all things you need or wish food-wise. I believe the future is bright for Lagos, in a few years time it will be cleaner, greener and healthier for all of its citizens. That is my prayer.

•Cynthia Okpala and Ozoemena Mbanefo

Celebrity Marriage: The highs and the lows

By Anino Aganbi & Josephine Agbonkhese

W

ILL you take this man to be your lovely wedded husband........?”

This is a vow every single lady dreams of. But alas, we live in a society where very few people hold this vow sacred. What changes and at what point does it change?

Several people have been known to go into marriage with different high expectations only to come out in a short while biting their fingers and vowing out.

Like every other marriage that seems to have its own ups and downs, celebrity marriages appear the worst hit even after all the glamour, time and expenses put into making that special day work.

Usually, celebrity marriages are no different from any other marriage except for the fact that they are always in the limelight.

People basically enjoy being married from within their circles as they tend to understand each others’ schedule much more than an outsider would. Ironically, it does not always work out that way as we tend to have more broken celebrity marriages. Even Hollywood celebrity marriages are not exempted.

The exceptions There are a whole lot of celebrity married couples who have fought to make their marriages work even when they are both in the limelight everyday. Tunde and Wumi Obe, for example, are one couple who have been doing everything to make their marriage work. No body says they don’t have their differences but it is rare to see these two wash their dirty linen in public.

Another success story is Olu Jacobs and his beautiful wife, Joke, who have been celebrities like forever and yet have done everything possible to make their marriage a success and have successfully kept it ‘private’.

Interestingly enough, it would seem like the percentage of celebrity marriages gone bad are way higher than the ones that made it through the rocks and hard places.

A few examples of celebrity marriages gone bad are Soul E and Ure Okezie, Doris Simeon and Daniel Ademinokan, Hilder Dokubo and Akaroese Mrakpor, Tchidi Chikere and Sophia, Fred & Agatha Amata, Stella Damasus and Emeka Nzeribe, to mention a few. These socialite marriages probably went bad because of irreconcilable differences. But could they have been able to work out those differences if they weren’t who they are?

C M Y K

26— Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Weight gain has a lot of health implications —Dr Maymunah Kadiri DR Maymunah Kadiri is a respected psychiatrist/psychotherapist with over 10 years experience as a practicing physician. She is a trained and certified Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist from Albert Ellis Institute, New York. A highly preferred guest on radio and television shows, Kadiri who is renowned for her mentoring prowess, spoke to Woman’s Own about limits every woman should observe in her quest to look younger.

By Josephine Agbonkhese

Y

OU work with different women daily as a psychotherapist and life-coach. Can you explain why women now strive to look twice younger than their real age more than ever?

It’s because of the pressure you and I put on individuals, especially the so-called celebrities. For example, a celebrity that just had a baby about two weeks ago might come into a place and find that people have already begun analyzing her stomach and wondering whether she is ever going to get back to shape. There’s so much pressure on them to look good.

In the days of our mothers, the belief was that the rounder you looked, the more settled and comfortable you were in your home. But mothers today are not expected to look that way; they therefore struggle to look like their children’s older sister or even age mate, and to keep up with trends.

Again also, women generally feel good when they look good. It boosts the happiness hormone in them and gives them the notion that their happiness is not tied to any external source- maybe relationship, qualification, possession, etc. They feel content knowing that against all odds, they still look good. You can’t imagine how wonderful they feel to hear compliments such as: “You look good; you don’t look your age…”

Mental health issues These words help them overcome any form of depression as women can be more prone to depression and mental health issues. The obsession with fairer skin is a factor because, take bleaching for example, the World Health Organisation, WHO, reported that we have more people using bleaching creams in Nigeria than in any other part of the world.

But shouldn’t health factor in this fad?

It does, believe me, that is the more reason many want to look younger—and feel healthier; especially with the thought of life-expectancy being pegged below age fifty. So, now, there is this pressure to lose weight even when one is not hypertensive as the cholesterol level may actually be high. Such talks about healthy lifestyles have influenced women greatly, pressurizing many to get rid of unwanted fats which clog in areas such as the hip, tummy, etc, as they grow older. Nobody wants to get to that point where they begin to look to medical help. For me, as a professional, I will focus more on lifestyle changes because like Nigerians now say, “Orobo no dey reign”.

And that’s quite correct because as you increase in weight, you are more prone to medical complications than any other thing.

Medically, weight gain has a lot of health implications whether you’re old or young. As much as possible, everyone should watch their weight and not hide under the guise of heredity. You can do so by the quality of meals you eat, engaging in exercise, keeping healthy relationships and of course, setting C M Y K

•Dr Maymuna Kadiri

realistic goals.

In all, it is pertinent for every woman to aim to look good because your looks can actually determine what you attract; it can cause favour to shine on you.

But would you subscribe to taking this to the extreme with Botox, surgery and the rest?

That’s my grouse with the media. The media has, in a way, projected a lot of these fat-burning pills to a level where people only see the final result without being told the years of consistency that went into such resultant looks. That’s why you see many of us trying to emulate the West in very dangerous ways. My advice to every woman is simply to know where she is coming from, her hereditary factors, etc. Do not say because Beyonce looks this way you must also do. Beyonce is a singer, dancer and musician and can burn her fats within the twinkle of an eye; which a career person who sits in the office cannot easily achieve. Failure to take such factors into consideration is the reason why some women are crying in their closets.

What will be your advice to women as they aim to look twice younger?

Understand you have to look good for yourself first. Drink a lot of water to rehydrate your skin. As you grow older, you lose some vitamins, so, try as much as possible to take supplements. Sleep too is very good.

Whenever possible, take a nap to rejuvenate your brain. When you sleep, let your mind sleep too. Then also, cultivate good, healthy relationships. Above all, eat right and do not starve yourself simply because you want to lose weight. Eat more of fish than meat. As much as possible, avoid stress because it makes you age faster.

When you can avoid going out under the scorching sun, do, and just relax indoors.

Spend time with family and friends and develop your cognitive skills by knowing what’s in the news. Do not forget to exercise—at least 30 minutes three to four times a week as recommended by WHO. At least once in three months—if you can’t afford it monthly, indulge in spas to cleanse your skin and pamper yourself. No matter what, avoid bleaching creams.

Celebrity marriages: Vox pop Annette Cookey

In every marriage, there will be bad days, discord, quarrels, anger and so •Annette on; how much Cookey more a celebrity marriage. But what sets the marriages that succeed and last the test of time apart from the others that of course fail is simple: “A solid foundation”. People, time and time again, marry for all the wrong reasons and one day wake up to the reality of their inability to deal with the other’s vices and the rest is history.

When you are married to a celeb for such a reason it is bound to end badly.

The earlier celebs tell themselves this truth, •Mercy the better.

Aigbe Gloria Eweuno

Failure in celebrity marriage is basically due to the bad foundation the marriage was built on in the beginning. Most of them marry for the wrong reasons. The successful celebrity marriages are those in

which the parties live in reality. They are able to separate stardom from basics.

Mercy Aigbe Marital problems are not peculiar to the entertainment industry. It’s everywhere.

Marriages, these days, are not like those days.

A lot of things that our mother took and our fathers took; we women and men of these days will not take it. So, it’s not synonymous to just entertainers.

Sherry Gaba I don’t care whether a marriage is captioned •Gloria “celebrity marriage” Eweuno or not, marriage is marriage and I believe every marriage has the survivability potential if the person or people involved choose to make it so.

Celebrity marriage like any other marriage can survive if the celebrities themselves can lower their ‘pretend’ standard and submit to the teachings of scripture.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 — 27

,

& YOU to want to talk to potential buyers before making a decision. You’ll be doing yourself and the investor a favour if you prepare a list of buyers to refer to beforehand.

Business ‘current status and finances: Your investor will want to see a full-scale, accurate market capitalisation sheet of your startup. How successfully have you been reaching your financial and business milestones? Did you have some pre-existing investments? How distributed is the current stock ownership? Be ready to answer all those questions.

Product or service readiness: Both the product itself and its manufacturing process are under investor’s scrutiny at this stage.

The entrepreneurs have to make sure that the products quality and functionality are in 100 percent compliance with those that are declared officially, and that the company will be able to keep up with those standards in the long run. They also have to make sure that the target product or service

process which requires the work of professionals from many different fields. In your case it’s just a deep, detailed background check, which covers many questions, but still completely feasible for you to do on your own. Let’s cover the main questions that this check has to answer.

Motives: Which goal is the investor after? There are several main options and the first one is the return on investment. The investor puts their money in a start-up, taking all the risks into account and hoping that the potential profits pay off in the long run. The second option is portfolio diversification. Your investor doesn’t want to “put all their eggs in one basket”, so they have a whole portfolio of different investments.

They know that a portfolio speaks volumes about an investor, so they are actively working on diminishing the combined risk of that portfolio and plan on gaining in the future. The third option is strategy. For example, it’s quite probable that in your company, the investor has identified a good opportunity for a merger with another enterprise, which they already have in their portfolio. If it turns out that the investor’s actions don’t fall under any of these categories, that is a good reason to become wary of their intentions.

Background and recommendations

A single incompetent person in a responsible position can make the whole team dysfunctional is their own intellectual property, i.e. they have the right to produce them.

Team capability: The investor wants to see how talented everyone is, and how committed are they to the common cause; your team’s strengths and weaknesses; your management style. A single incompetent person in a responsible position can make the whole team dysfunctional and that that could compromise the entire enterprise.

Investor due diligence: One important thing that a lot of entrepreneurs don’t understand or forget about is that the start-up may just as easily conduct the investor due diligence. This is because you and your company are not just property for someone to command.

Investor due diligence is significantly different from the one conducted by the investors – in their case it’s a multi-layered

It won’t hurt to learn certain facts about your potential investor’s business experiences. For example, which companies have they invested in, during the last couple of years?

How large and diversified is their portfolio? Specific attention should be paid to the number of the companies from their portfolio which were financed in full. Even if the only recommendation that the investor can provide is coming from their legal consultant, that is already a positive signal.

Investment capabilities: A good investor’s functions and opportunities lie far beyond the scope of simple financial activities. Besides making sure that they will just be able to close the deal in a timely manner, you should try to understand what else they will be able to bring to the table.

You probably want to see a person as your investor, who knows how hard it is to build a successful business from scratch; who knows the process of fundraising at every stage inside out and is always ready to help. You may also want your investor to have experience in some particular field.

These are not all the criteria you can use to determine an ideal match between your company and an investor. The main thing that an entrepreneur should understand is that investor due diligence is an integral part of the process. *Culled from Crowdfundbeat.com

Trust, delegation and empowering people are required in growing and meeting targets

,

SUCCESS STORY The moin-moin maker maker: Turning N1,000 into multi-million naira business

A

required from interested applicants about YODEJI Mebope is a Nigerian who wanted to make a difference while their businesses and growth potentials.

She participated in the essay and was doing what she loved doing, cooking. shortlisted and awarded a scholarship.

She runs a catering outfit called No Left Over Nigeria, with an initial capital of She simply wrote what she was doing – selling and hawking moin-moin in front N1,000 by selling local bean cake recipe of a school. The 5-months program known as moin-moin.

She trained as a confidential secretary opened her eyes to the fact that she needed to put her finances together, and and worked in Corona Primary School properly structure her business to ensure for nine years thereafter. After resigning from Corona, she had the intention of her sales and expenditure are clearly spelt. starting a playgroup and not a catering After the program, her story took a outfit. To actualise this, she enrolled in a six-month Montessori programme. different turn. She was determined to run the business truly like a business. She But at the end of the period, she lost opened a bank account for the company interest in pursuing the ambition. and started setting up To get herself business structures. The busy, she started company had moved cooking for her from one single product sister-in-law, who company (Moin-Moin) to was an extremely a full catering outfit, busy career where catering for 1,000 woman. One day, people was no longer a her sister-in-law big deal but she jealously visited her house guarded the humble and joined Ayodeji SEED – Moin-Moin, and her family as which has now become they were having Moin-Moin Department moin-moin, as a in her new outlet. meal.

The contribution from She enjoyed it so this department in one much that she Ayodeji Mebope week was enough to pay insisted that moinmoin must be included in her menu in all the staff’s monthly salary. In less than which Ayodeji charged N1,000 for. And one year of being a Goldman Sachs from there, family members, friends and scholar, she had saved enough money to buy her own delivery vehicle, giving her colleagues began to place orders.

Business realisation and future plans: more control on service delivery. She In three months of selling to a few family moved her business from her “Home” to and friends, her turnover was running into “Office” thus enabling her to take on N30, 000 – N40, 000 and she decided to multiple jobs.

Transformation and expansion plan take the business more seriously and at She had staffing issues at the initial stage that point realised that the best way to achieve success in business is to have a of growth but the HR module (people make it happen) she attended during the high turnover.

CEM program sorted her out. She set up a proper staff structure and started to Expenses delegate duties. But as she grew, she and profit found out that as long as the business is The first question that came to her mind tied around the owner, the business was where can she go to make her product cannot grow. Trust, delegation and available in the wider market? She went to empowering people are required in the school she previously worked to hawk growing and meeting targets.

Message for young female moin-moin for sale and that opened her entrepreneurs: The most important up to larger market.

Goldman Sachs experience and impact message she has is never to be afraid to of CEM programme: Even with the start small and never to be afraid to start income from the sales of moin moin at with any amount. She admitted that the Corona, she could not really account for journey was not smooth all the way.

The zeal to acquire so much set in at a the sales, expenses and profit. She had no point and this really set her back at a time. proper financial account and believed she needed to build her capacity. She will like to encourage the young Coincidentally, she came across an advert entrepreneurs to have a good business in the newspaper saying that an plan because it helps with proper organisation was coming into Nigeria to planning and projection.

Also, she advised that the financial invest in women entrepreneurs with little records must be properly kept. In her or no business.

That was the Goldman Sachs 10,000 words “That would help the business to women program in collaboration with the know when to make the next move, when Enterprise Development Centre (CEM) of to expand and how to expand”. the Pan-African University. An essay was *Source: Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Delegates at a Going Global welcome reception. This year's conference, powered by the British Council, is holding in Africa for the first time — in Cape Town, South Africa. The summit, which focuses higher education, began Tuesday and ends today. Photo: British Council.

Africa's varsities must compete globally Say stakeholders at Going Global 2016 confab

By Dayo Adesulu

N

O fewer than 800 leaders from around the world today attended the opening of Going Global 2016, the world’s largest education conference, organised by the British Council, taking place in Africa for the first time, have said that Africa must become a produceer of globally respected knowledge.

In attendance is the Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwuka, who will be joined by the Secretary to the Committee of Vice- Chancellors in Nigeria, Prof. Michael Faborode, as well as the President, Association of African Vice-Chancellors and the VC of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, among other participants from Nigeria.

Supporting Education At the opening plenary session of the conference in Cape Town, Dr. Blade Nzimande, the South African Minister for Higher Education and Training, told the

audience of ministers, higher education leaders, policymakers, vice-chancellors and institutional heads, that South African universities make a significant contribution to supporting education on the continent.

Policy and positive outcome Dr Nzimande said, “Our universities have a big role to play in our quest for Africa to develop and to deal successfully with the challenges facing our countries. One of the main things that we need is for our academics to undertake research and produce quality output that in the end will inform policy and influence positive outcomes for the greater good of society. We must deliberately seek to change the loca-

tion of our continent in knowledge production from consumer to producer of globally respected knowledge.”

higher education and we believe that high quality education is a fundamental right for everyone.

Cultural transformation International education Dr Nzimande commented on the Rhodes Must Fall campaign, saying, “It highlighted in my view the urgent need for the higher education sector here, and abroad, to champion a necessary process of constant academic and cultural transformation to, among other things, engender excellence and more effective learning, as well as expand access to higher education and serve the needs and interests of society best.”

Matt Hancock, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, United Kingdom, said, “The UK has a world class reputation for

Our universities have a big role to play in our quest for Africa to develop and to deal successfully with the challenges facing our countries

"We will push the boundaries of education, enhancing its reach and quality across the globe, by looking for opportunities to collaborate and innovate in international education. By investing together we will deliver smarter young people to generate the very best future leaders, teachers, engineers and employers for all of our countries.”

Professor Adam Habib, Chairperson, Universities South Africa, and current Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, spoke on issues of access and equality in higher education.

“We need to be able to do two distinct things. First, we need to provide sufficient numbers of students from poor and disadvantaged communities, to access the best universities and institutions around the world. Second, we need to produce sufficient

numbers of high quality graduates in the professions required by society and economies. Our internationalisation efforts must be facilitative of both these outcomes.

The way they do that is by not retarding and weakening local institutions around the world. What internationalisation should be about is to create what some of us have called a global academy of commons.”

Going global Habib added, “In the 21st century, we will not survive as a human species if we do not come together as a global academy and a global society. All of our challenges; terrorism, public health etc., are transnational in character and require multinational and multi-institutional teams of researchers if they are going to be addressed and tackled. This is why we need to go global. ”Professor Janet Beer, Vice President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool said, “Universities are at the heart

Continues on page 29

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 — 29

RESEARCH & DEVT

BUK taking local content to a different level ….solar panels from rice husk, roofing It is said that you use what you have to get what you need. Researchers at Bayero University Kano (BUK), practically demonstrated this at the 6th edition of the National Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF) held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, the leader of the team, Dr Abdullahi Adamu of the Dept of Mechanical Engineering, spoke on some of their innovations. Excerpts:

By Ebele Orakpo

INTER-HOUSE SPORTS: From right Mr Okereke Godwin, Chairman, Board of Directors, Intel Group of Schools; Mrs Nkechi Okereke, Proprietress, Intel Group of Schools; Mr Chibuzo Ebube, Patron, Green House and Mrs Augustina Ebube, Matron, during the school's biannual inter house sports a the Sport Complex, UNILAG.

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XTRACTION of solar grade silicon from rice husk ash: The basic thing used in solar panels is silicon but not just any silicon, it has to attain a certain level of purity. What we did was to extract and purify the silicon from rice husk. They attained a purity of about 37% and at present, we are just above 97% whereas the purity level required for that purpose is a little bit above 98% so the research is still ongoing as we do further purification.

Roofing sheet from groundnut shells: A researcher, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah, developed a roofing sheet from groundnut shells. He made a composite of groundnut shell and plastic and then tested its properties for application as a roofing sheet. So many of the properties he tested were in conformity with standards.

Groundnut oil extractor: This plant extracts oil from groundnut. It begins the process from shelling, down to the point where the oil is extracted from groundnut.

Groundnut sheller: Removes the seeds from the shells.

Soybean sheller: Removes the seeds from the shells.

Soap plodder: What it does is to extrude the soap and cut it into smaller pieces, ready for packaging. So this can come in very handy for small scale industrialists.

Solar tracker: It carries a solar ;panel but for maximum output from these panels, it is usually required that the solar rays incident on them is always constant so because the position of the sun changes,

Govt tasked on policies that'll guarantee quality education

By Dayo Adesulu

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Dr Abdullahi Adamu what this does is to track the sun wherever it is so as to have a maximum output from the solar panels.

Stationary bicycle: You see most people go to the gym to exercise and most of the time, the energy expended in the exercise is usually wasted.

Rather than allowing the energy to go to waste, we decided to look at ways to tap the energy and use it and in the process, you can use it to power many things in the gym. So as you pedal away, the energy being expended is stored and accumulated which is then used to power bulbs.

Road cutting machine: What this does is to break up concrete or asphalt. In the course of road construction or reconstruction, the road has to be broken up so this machine can come in handy. It cuts it up the way we want and then for patching and things like that. So it can cut any material that has up to a maximum strength of about 900 kilopascal.

Chicken de-feathering machine: It removes the feathers from chickens. Once the birds are killed, there is a pot beside it so you put the bird in the hot water like in

the normal process, then you transfer the bird to the de-feathering chamber and once it is placed in the chamber, after about two to three minutes, it removes the entire feather from the birds.

We would like to commercialise all these but more often than not, the problem we usually encounter is that we display these things at many of these fairs but then, we want investors to come in, look at what we have (which are actually prototypes) and then develop them further and commercialise them.

The pounded yammaking machine was developed over time.

When we started, we had only the pounding chamber.

OVERNMENT has been urged to put in place an enabling law and policy statement which will guarantee students quality education, food and health care irrespective of parents financial status.

The Chairman, Intel Group of Schools, Oworoshoki, Mr Okereke Godwin who stated this during the school's bi annual inter house sports held at UNILAG sport complex said: “We need an enabling law and policy statement to achieve this.”

He lamented that in Africa and Nigeria in particular, policies have never been directed towards making children better . “Our policies have always been

focused on adults especially males,” he stated.

The educationist who frowned at the exclusion of children and women from national budget, challenged the government to state the percentage of the budget directed to children and women.

He said: “Let us borrow a leaf from the western world such as the USA, UK and European countries.

They protect the children, women and provide basic education and quality health care free of charge.”

He said that we can stop corruption, armed robbery and other social vices in our society if we take proper care of our children's education.

“Give them free education, free health care, pay minimum

basic allowance to all children annually once the child is less than 18 years,” he said.

According to him, if the government makes this investment in the early years of the Nigerian child, the child will grow and work for the progress of the country. He explained that if any country gives it citizenry the basic care, the children will have no reason to accumulate wealth which should be used to better the lots of others.

Okereke who spoke on “G i v e our Children their Pride of Place posited that we can have a society where e q u i t y, t r u s t , l o v e and peace abound, if the above mentioned citizens needs are met.

Africa's varsities must compete globally Continues from pg 28 of local, regional, national and international knowledge networks providing a conduit for knowledge to flow between communities, regardless of geographical separation.

Our approach to internationalisation has to build on this - rejecting a transactional model and instead nurturing a circulatory system of students, researchers, knowledge and skills which enriches all participants.”

Sir Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive, British Council said, “I believe this century will be an African century. That’s

because Africa has one very big thing on her side: potential. No one

nation, or even one continent, can hope to adequately address all the

big issues facing people.

And because challenges are connected, solutions must be connected.”

IT skills compulsory for all students

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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ROPRIETOR of Truis Computer Institute TCI, Mr. Olu Oduyoye, has called on Nigerian students to familiarize themselves with information technology skills, as it is a prerequisite to gaining employment in a global competitive world.

He made this known at th the 13 graduation and prize giving day of the institute, this weekend in Lagos.

Speaking on the importance of computer, Oduyoye said; “No profession can afford to ignore the computer and what it can do. There is virtually no area of human endeavour or profession that IT skill is not needed.”

“Hence, all Nigerian students irrespective of their educational background should acquire basic computer skill.”

He also urged the graduating students to make good use of the skills they acquired by exploring

to great heights. “The beginning of noble career TCI has given you should be used to do good exploits and reach greater heights in the larger society."

According to Oduyoye, TCI mission is aimed at providing quality computer education with appreciative management leadership training skills through its curriculum that leads to the acquisition of professional diploma and certificate in computer education.

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

French Village unveils own anthem

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CONFERENCE: From left, Dr. Ibrahim Maccido, Provost, Federal College of Education, Zaria; Prof H. Faruk, Vice Chancellor, Niger State University of Education; Prof. Hassan Zeinedde, American University, Dubai and Prof. Victor Peretomode, Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka at the higher education conference organized by Executive Trainers in Dubai, UAE.

Why children with disabilities lack education in Nigeria — JONAPWD …demands review of education policies

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA — The Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) has revealed that children with disabilities remain out of school because virtually all primary and secondary schools in Nigeria are designed, built and managed in ways that are totally not inclusive of and not accessible to them.

The National President of JONAPWD, Ekaete Umoh, said it was unfortunate that about seven million children with disabilities are out of school in spite of the provision of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act of 2004 in the country.

Consequently, the group called on President Muhammadu Buhari led government to review all legal policy frameworks on education at the national and state levels to accommodate more children who are physically impaired in the country.

Ekaete was speaking at the media launch of the Baseline Survey conducted in Akwa-Ibom, Kwara states and the Federal Capital Territory, as part of the ongoing project on Advocacy for Inclusive and Accessible Universal Basic Education for Children with Disabilities in Nigeria supported by USAID

Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) Programme in Nigeria, in Abuja.

JONAPWD President said it is ironical that basic education remains free and compulsory in the country, but the door still remains shot against children with disabilities in their father land. She said; “Research has shown that children with

disabilities constitute more than 50 percent of the over 10 million out of school children in Nigeria despite the provision of free and compulsory of basic education for all children.”

According to her, the idea of special school for these categories of children is no longer working because it takes them away from their family and community lives.

Key into Buhari’s diversification agenda —FUOYE VC

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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S the revenue profile of the nation continues to nose dive, Universities across the Country have been called upon to devise a means of shoring up their internally generated revenue and employment generations to complement the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Kayode Soremekun, made the statement in Oye Ekiti over the weekend while inaugurating a 7-man committee for the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy in the University.

Soremekun , who took over from his predecessor, Prof

Isaac Asuzu, a couple of months ago , said the current economy situation in the country called for all tertiary institutions to seek other way of raising revenue to augment the subvention coming from the federal government.

The Vice Chancellor, who described the host town, OyeEkiti as a goldmine for the establishment of farm in the university, disclosed that the University has finalised arrangement for the establishment of mechanised farming to make the university a food basket and food security zone of the nation.

In his words, “When I came on board, I looked round and found out that we are sitting on goldmine."

WARDC tasks girls on student unionism

By Josephine Agbonkhese

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S a long-term strategy towards increasing the number of women in leadership and politics, the Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre, WARDC, in partnership with Voices for Change/UK Aid, recently organised a workshop for female students of tertiary institutions in Lagos State, to stimulate the girls’ interest in student unionism.

According to Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Executive Director, WARDC, “encouraging girls to start

participating in politics right from school, would equip them with skills necessary for success in national politics and governance, which will translate into growth in national productivity as women constitute over half of our population.”

Akiyode argued that there was a link between where women are starting from and where they can get to, encouraging girls to hold positions in departments, faculties and their school’s governing body.

She lamented that the number of girls in student unionism is unimaginably low, saying: “If you look at student unionism in Nigeria, you hardly find a woman as president of her school’s student

union or in key positions.

“So, this project is aimed at breaking that perception and stereotype by engaging in intergenerational linkages, bringing women who led their schools as students.”

In same vein, Ruth Okonya, Lagos State Coordinator, Voices for Change, emphasised the benefits of starting early and developing smart networking skills, while one of the guest speakers, Barr.

Comfort Idika-Ogunye, a former student union leader at the University of Jos during the military era, now Executive Director, Female Leadership Forum, urged every girl to become card-carrying members of a political party once she is 18.

By Tare Youdeowei

HE Nigeria French Language Village, (InterUniversity Centre for French Studies) Ajara, Badagry has adopted its own anthem. The anthem of the 25 years old institution was formerly unveiled recently by the Director/CEO Prof. Raufu Adebisi. The guest speaker at the occasion was Dr. Ambrose Olutayo Somide of the DAAR Communications. Music consultants for the French Village Anthem were Mr. Bode Atere former Music Instructor, Nigerian Navy School of Music and Rev. Ekpenyong Bassey of Karis Music Ministries.

In his opening address the Director/CEO Prof. Raufu Adebisi x-rayed the activities of the Village since inception in 1991. According to him, the institution in its 25 years of existence has provided outstanding French teaching and learning to foreigners and Nigerians from all works of life.

He stressed that while its primary mandate is targeted at the undergraduates of French in Nigerian Universities and Colleges of Education, the Village, as fondly referred to by staff, students and friends, offers services to Nigerians desirous of the knowledge of French. He pointed out that the Institution has trained a number of diplomats, officers and men of the armed forces, and para-military personnel among others.

He posited that anthems are

often laden with emotions and charges aimed at arousing passion, dedication and commitment towards primary entity. He urged staff and students to learn and know each word of the anthem by heart and promote the message therein as ambassadors of the Nigeria French Language Village. He instructed that the anthem be used at every occasion with the NFLV. In his speech, the guest speaker, Dr. Ambrose Somide thanked the Village for honouring him by the invitation.

He said he was impressed by the development in the Village and urged Nigerians to take the advantage of the institution to learn French fluently. He maintained that one of his regrets as a journalist and a presenter is the inability to speak French. To demonstrate his appreciation for the Village; its Mission and Vision, Dr. Ambrose Somide volunteered to be the Ambassador of the French Village. The offer received a loud ovation from staff students, and the audience that graced the occasion. Embedded into the music programme were guest artists from the Republic of Benin and Old students of the Village who performed using the medium of the French language in the music.

The French Village Music day and Mini Concert was fully endorsed by the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN).

Stanford SEED, Pan-Atlantic University partner TAMS summit

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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B Telecoms & Devices, organisers of the Time Management Summit, have entered into partnership with Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Countries (Stanford SEED) and Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) to deliver TAMS Summit, at its forthcoming high-level time management conference. Stanford SEED is a Stanford Graduate School of Business-led initiative intent on ending the cycle of poverty in developing economies.

Others partnering institutions are the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), ConSat, TVC, Radio Continental and Inspiration FM. The theme of the summit is “From African Time” to “To On Time”: A paradigm Shift.” At the TAMS Summit scheduled to hold 19th May 2016 in Lagos, leaders of thought from Stanford SEED, Pan-Atlantic University, CIPM and other reputable institutions as well as the public and private

sectors of the economy will converge to proffer solution to our curious national devotion to the African Time syndrome.

Speaking on the partnership support, Mr. Afolabi Abiodun, CEO, SB Telecoms & Devices, expressed delight at the bestin-class institutional support garnered by the TAMS Summit. He stated that participation and support from Stanford SEED, Pan-Atlantic University and CIPM will deepen discourse at the summit.

“As an organisation renowned for its efficiency through its TAMS software, we are very excited that these institutions are supporting this initiative of national importance. By partnering with us, they are encouraging us to do more and their involvement will certainly deepen the conversation and also shape the expected positive outcomes,” he said.

The founder/CEO, HealthPlus Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Bukky George, will be the chairperson of the Summit, while Dr. Chris Ogbechie, chairman, Diamond Bank Plc. will be the keynote speaker.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—31

Greenlife holds 1000-man walk against malaria

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Healthy diets help reduce asthma attacks because they reduce inflammation and clear the airways, but diets high in saturated fats increase amount of asthma attacks and cause resistance to medication.

Simple dietary changes can help control asthma

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F you are an asthma patient, you may just want to make a few adjustments to your diet. Certain foods can provide relief as well as prevent asthma attacks while others can worsen the condition. Take note of these dietary guidelines suggested by nutritionists.

Go for probiotics

If you are looking for a natural way to deal with asthma, increase your intake of probiotics. Load up on probiotics from yoghurt, fermented milk and other dietary supplements. Probiotic is key to boosting your immune system by building good bacteria in the gut.

Eat ginger

Ginger is full of anti-inflammatory compounds and is thus a powerful antiasthma herb. It helps reduce the airway

inflammation and is thus therapeutic in the treatment of asthma. Do not replace your asthma medicines with ginger, just add it to your diet.

ensure that you get enough magnesium in your diet. Brazil nut, cashews, bananas, kidney beans and bananas are some of the best sources of magnesium.

Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and thus help deal with symptoms of asthma. Chia seeds and flaxseeds can be an excellent addition to your anti-asthma diet.

Replace your vegetable oils and other types of fats with extra virgin olive oil.

Do not over heat the olive oil so as to preserve the beneficial nutrients.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Stick to a low-salt diet

A low-salt diet can improve your lung function and decrease the symptoms of asthma. Reduce salt intake in your diet by cutting down on processed and refined foods and eat plenty of fresh vegetables.

Eat magnesium-rich foods

Magnesium helps the smooth muscles of the lungs relax and not constrict. So

Replace vegetable oil with olive oil

Avoid dairy foods

Allergies and intolerances to milk are common among most asthma patients, so its best you avoid them.

Don’t eat raw foods

Cut down on raw foods like apple or lettuce as they may trigger asthma.

Cooking foods can help reduce the risk of allergy symptoms.

R E E N L I F E Pharmaceuticals Company makers of Lonart, recently mobilized a 1000-man walk against malaria in Lagos.

In a statement, the company ’s Marketing Manager, Pharm. Ayekun Olufemi said the initiative was designed to equip Nigerians with correct information about protection from malaria.

“We encourage people to get tested for malaria if they have fever and not just take medication. In line with the World Health Organisation, WHO, recommendation, anybody with fever should present to at the hospital and confirm the cause of the fever and if they tested positive for malaria, then Lonart can be used.

Olufemi hinted that Greenlife being a vanguard for health is committed to a healthy society, “Some people wonder how a company that sells antimalaria products, why are we joining in the movement to eradicate malaria?

We share in the vision of prevention is better than cure, but when people are diagnosed for malaria they should take ant-malaria drugs for example Lonart.”

Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Omolola Salako said people are so used to malaria they describe it as “ordinary ”, but said malaria is not ordinary because it kills children and pregnant women.

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32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LEO: You will need to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by others. Be family minded.

VIRGO: Provided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative the better for you. Take your love life more seriously.

LIBRA: Although you will need to be as secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious.

SCORPIO: People who more influential than you will be willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary move. The more self assertive you are the better.

SAGITTARIUS: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment of your finances seek supporters of powerful ones.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

God is watching

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IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil deeds, wicked acts, ways and

sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught.

We live a lie. We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act;

in “Never say goodbye”

the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

CAPRICORN: Think of the best way to improve on your working pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to your creative self, things will work out fine for you. Be more loving.

AQUARIUS: Success is boldly printed on your cards today. Think of both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies offered you but mother nature.

PISCES: You should not have it tough while trying to win the needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your friends who are creatively gifted.

ARIES: Your creativity quotient is enhanced today and if you demonstrate this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and consolidate on your recent progress.

TAURUS: As mercury prepares to go on backward motion it is important you don’t take things for granted. Watch carefully what you agree to do.

GEMINI: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working arena. This is a good day for lovers.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CANCER: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to show for your efforts. The more cooperative you. Don’t neglect love.

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

What does future have for me?

Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born. And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life ?

When would my success come?

Lawal, Ibadan.

Dear Lawal, You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday.

You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: THURSDAY SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final dispositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career. You are a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself.

Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable. Less than 50 per cent of push-full influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person. Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

Around your 30th birthday an endless cycle of great success and achievements will start for you. Oil-petrol chemicals will feature in your life when the predicted great cycle gets started for you.

Congratulation.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—33

DESOPADEC: ILoT kicks against move to displace board member

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—ITSEKIRI Leaders of Thought, ILoT, has warned against what it called a “clandestine move” by a group of Itsekiri people to displace Mr. Victor Wood as board member of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. In a statement in Warri, Delta State, by its Secretary, Edward Ekpoko, ILoT alleged that “A group of persons in Itsekiri who are not comfortable with Mr. Wood are making moves to reach either the governor or the state House of Assembly to remove or dissolve the board and reconstitute it without him.

“These persons, formed into a cabal and call themselves “disciples” have, over the years, with the connivance of previous administrations, held Itsekiri hostage with their politically acquired relevance. They are in all the communities and relevant agencies in Itsekiriland, from DESOPADEC to Itsekiri Regional Development Council, IRDC.” The Itsekiri leaders noted that it was Wood, at the constitution of the new DESOPADEC board, who gave Itsekiri hope for a change in credit to his antecedents as a management staff of SPDC, adding that it took the intervention of well-meaning Itsekiri leaders to

persuade him to leave his Shell service overseas to accept the board appointment.

The body envisaged that Wood’s presence on the board would be a discomfort to those used to enjoying impunity, profligacy and corruption in leading Itsekiri affairs in DESOPADEC, adding that the move to remove him springs no surprise.

“Was it Mr. Wood who made Itsekiri know how individuals

have over the years collected millions of naira monthly from DESOPADEC for phoney jobs like security and pipeline surveillance, over inflated and yet unexecuted contracts fully paid for as completed? We raised it with the governor of Delta State, and he did nothing.

“Was it Wood who made Itsekiri to know that N90 million Christmas package for Itsekiri found its way into the pockets of the disciples and their

cronies? Or was it because Victor Wood returned the N4 million shared to him from the slush fund?” ILoT is demanding the justification for the move against Wood.

ILoT said that the rot in DESOPADEC and those behind it for public knowledge with some of the issues under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.

GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FORUM: From left: Emeka Ugwu-Oju, President, SouthEast/South-South Professionals of Nigeria; Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group and Arunma Oteh, Treasurer and Vice President, World Bank Group, during the inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum 2016, which held in Washington DC, recently.

....DESOPADEC projects in Itsekiriland evenly spread —IDMI

By Charles Kumolu

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TSEKIRI DESOPADEC Mandate Initiative, IDMI, has dismissed media reports that most Itsekiri projects in the 2016 budget of Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission, DESOPADEC, were unevenly sited, noting that the projects were located in the three local government areas of Warri.

The group said it was not true that most of the projects were sited in the community where the Chairman of DESOPADEC board hails from, adding that all the catchment areas of the commission in Delta South and Delta Central districts were also considered.

The group, in a statement by its convener, Pa Malomi Ajatiton, Secretary, Mr. Metsese Olley and other members, frowned at what it described as an attempt to create ethnic disharmony and

misinform the public.

It further listed 11 out of the projects in the proposed 2016 DESOPADEC budget marked for various Itsekiri communities, adding that the commissioner

Delta woman's killing: Army officers beg family

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By Emma Amaize

FFURUN—SOME military personnel, led by a Major, have secretly initiated peace moves with the family of the 53-year-old civil servant, Mrs. Alice Akporobi, who was killed by a trigger-happy soldier during last Saturday ’s Environmental Sanitation

exercise at a military checkpoint in Effurun, Delta State.

Vanguard learned that the soldiers met with some members of the Akporobi family, Monday, at a hotel in Warri, apologizing over the incident and pleading that the family should allow them to resolve the matter

Oil spill ravages four Delta communities

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By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—FOUR Urhobo communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State are currently battling a massive oil spill from a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC. The communities are OtorEdo, Edjophe, Okpare and Iwhrekan.

It was gathered that though a Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, was

representing Itsekiri on the board of the commission is a member of the Olu Advisory Council, who is committed to the development of Itsekiri nation.

conducted last Tuesday by officials of NPDC, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR and Delta State Government to ascertain the true cause of the spill, representatives of the communities are attributing the spill to equipment failure while the company is alleging sabotage.

The spill, which is said to have occurred last Friday, has already affected the Okpare River which serves as the only

source of drinking water for communities.

Recounting the challenges faced by the communities as a result of the spill, a farmer in Okpare community, Omonigho Edafe, explained that their fishing and farming activities in the area had been adversely affected.

Attempts to speak with the NPDC External Relations Officer, Ugo Atugboko, were fruitless at press time.

and foot the burial expenditure of the deceased.

A source privy to the meeting, told Vanguard: “The army officers who came made it clear that they came on their own and not on behalf of the Nigerian Army, but a lawyer representing the family insisted that it was wrong for them to say that they came to pay the family a condolence visit in a hotel.

“The lawyer told them that the family was not against their wish to resolve the matter, but advised them to pay the family a condolence visit at the family home and not at a hotel in War ri. The military men, however, explained that a member of the family suggested the venue and a new date was fixed for Thursday (today),” he added.

Come to our aid, Ewohimi youths urge Oshiomhole

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WOHIMI Youth Vanguard has called on Edo State governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, to make good his promise to complete the projects he began in their community before the expiration of his tenure in November.

The group made the call in a statement by its president, Mr Austin Ejilense.

According to him, the call was for the governor to live up to his promises, even as he praised the governor for the laudable projects he has completed in the town despite the state’s lean resources.

Some of the projects include the ultra-modern general hospital and the IguebenEwohimi Road, one of the best roads in the state.

He pointed out that the people were very worried that despite the governor's pledge to complete all on-going projects before leaving office, he may have forgotten some, among them, the town’s water project which supplies potable water to surrounding towns and villages, completion of the old Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School and other secondary schools in the town, among others.

APC needs Ochei, says party S-South Chairman

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HAIRMAN, SouthSouth, of All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Hilliard Eta, has described former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei’s membership of the party as the needed impetus to enhance its electoral fortunes in the state.

He spoke at a meeting of APC Delta North stakeholders at Ochei’s residence in Asaba, with party faithful from the three senatorial zones of the state. He said: “There are potentials for victory in 2019 if members work together and desist from petition writing.”

In his speech, state chairman of the party, Prophet Jones Erhue, thanked the Delta North zone for the impressive turn out, which, according to him, was an indication that the party was on the right path to electoral victory in subsequent elections.

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5 , 2016

COSON ready for showdown with royalty defaulters

12 injured as explosion rocks Ogbaru market

By Vincent Ujumadu & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

By Anozie Egole

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AGOS—-Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, has expressed readiness to go for an unprecedented showdown and rampage in courts across Nigeria with copyright infringers and royalty defaulters.

To ensure a no-holdsbarred battle, COSON is rapidly strengthening its legal team and engaging different sets of crack lawyers.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, who confirmed the plans by the organisation said: “We have no choice than to fight this war with every arsenal we can muster. We are deploying every resource at our disposal.

"We intend to win this war once and for all and change the intellectual property landscape in Nigeria. For all the defaulting broadcasting stations, we have notified the B r o a d c a s t i n g Organizations of Nigeria, BON, the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, IBAN, and the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. "We have also informed the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, Hotel & Personnel Services Employers Association of Nigeria, HOPESEA, and Hotel Owners Forum, HOFA, event centres and organizers, telephone companies and transport companies, in the country.

We have left them in no doubt as to what we are about to do."

A

WKA—NO fewer than 12 persons sustained various degrees of burns

following an explosion that rocked Nkutaku/Kara area, on Atani Road, Ogbaru Local Government Area, near the commercial city of Onitsha.

Police Public Relations

Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ali Okechukwu, said the explosion was as a result of fuel stored in a jerrycan for future use.

According to him: “The

Anambra PDP congress: Appeals c'ttee receives 6 petitions

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE Congresses Appeals Committee set up by the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to look into petitions arising from the congresses of the party, has begun its work in Anambra State with the chairman, Senator Mohammed Hassan saying the committee had received six petitions before the closing period.

Addressing stakeholders of PDP in Awka, yesterday, Senator Mohammed representing Yobe South in the Senate, promised to be fair to all parties, who had grievances concerning the ward

congress held weekend and other congresses that will follow.

Though details of the petitions were not made public, the senator promised that all the decisions concerning the congresses would be in the best interest of PDP and its members, adding that people have 36 hours to respond to the petitions.

He said: “Our task is essentially to ensure that the rules and regulations as encapsulated in our party’s constitution and guidelines are adhered to, both in spirit and letter, in the conduct of the congresses.

"Accordingly, we shall be impartial arbiters and fair assessors to all in the discharge

of our responsibilities.

“We are well aware of the importance of these exercises to our great party, particularly given the reversal of fortunes we experienced at the last general elections of 2015 in our country.

“It is therefore our collective responsibility to work assiduously to re-establish and strengthen our relationship and social contract with the people of our great country, Nigeria.

"That way, we shall be sure of winning the trust and confidence of our people as the party of choice to be vested with the mandate of piloting the affairs of our dear country at all levels in the months and years ahead."

Digital broadcasting'll boost Nigeria’s global presence —CTO scribe

By Emeka Aginam

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HE SECRETARYGENERAL of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Organization, CTO, Shola Taylor, has said that digital broadcasting would boost Nigeria’s global presence in broadcasting.

Tayor dropped this hint when he spoke at the pilot launch of Nigeria’s digital terrestrial broadcasting switchover in Jos, Plateau State, Taylor, a Nigerian citizen and an internationally known career telecommunications engineer, was particularly optimistic about

what Nigeria with Nollywood stands to benefit from a digital terrestrial broadcasting environment once fully deployed.

“I have personally witnessed how successful Nollywood films and series are in other corners of the world, such as in the Caribbean and in the Pacific islands where I have often travelled and I can report here that people eagerly watch Nigerian films, and this change should help increase Nigeria’s presence in the global broadcasting market,” he said.

Comparing other countries with Nigeria, Taylor said that this change “must not be

underestimated, because there is now an opportunity to produce and broadcast significantly more educational content and more localised content.

"Specialist television channels for health or education or tourism that were once too difficult or impossible to finance or set up, are now possible today, helping ordinary citizens to access practical information more regularly and more readily.

"The CTO actively supports its members’ digital migration in a variety of ways, including helping to promote their national industry."

explosion was not from a bomb as being speculated by people. A jerry can of petrol that was brought to the settlement exploded around the area and some people sustained various degrees of burns.

“They were taken to various hospitals and are currently receiving treatment. No death was recorded.”

However, the leader of the Kara Market, Mr. Sabo Mohammed, said the explosion might have resulted from a suspected improvised bomb allegedly brought into the market by an unknown person.

He said: “A boy walked into a restaurant with three jerry cans and demanded for food, but left almost immediately without eating the food, leaving the jerry cans behind.

“Few minutes later, one of the jerry cans exploded, leaving many people injured.The victims got severe burns that one cannot even hold their skin to carry them to hospital.”

Some of the victims were said to be recuperating at Good News Hospital, and Chioma Clinic both in Ogbaru; Toronto Hospital and Borromew Hospital in Onitsha, as well as the General Hospital, Asaba, Delta State.

One of the victims, Mrs. Mariam Mohammed, who was receiving treatment at Good News Hospital, Ogbaru, said she was washing dishes at the restaurant when the explosion occurred.

“I was washing plates when suddenly I heard a loud noise and there was fire everywhere.

Substances from the fire poured on people eating in the restaurant and those standing nearby. It was then I realized that I was also affected too.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

What is yyour our vie w on Grazing R eser view Reser eservve Bill?

I

see the cattle grazing scheme in this story.

Soon Fulani cattle herders backed by their Fulani killer kinsmen will become too big (to handle) for local people whose lands are used for cattle grazing. -Miss Jennifer Adaeze, Model

W

hy should such bill be brought up in the first place? The Fulani herdsmen should go and build a ranch for their cows. Our crops matter to us, so their cows should now be destroying what people plant. -Mr. Francis Essien, Worker

L

et the northern governments build grazing ranches for their Fulani herdsmen to patronise since that is their business. They should not encroach on other people’s farmlands and destroy their crops. -Mr. Sam Ibe, Journalist

I

am absolutely against the grazing bill. If the cattle owners are interested in the handling of their business, they should take the bill to their area. All these men that have cows are retired soldiers, they are rich men. Mr. Iykee Macvoy, Self Employed

I

f this grazing reserve is allowed, then we should wait for the worst from this Fulanis. The Fulani oil magnates are ready to sponsor such a bill to the extent it will be at variance with the popular demand.

-Mr. Uche Ayambuba, Student

I

f the National Assembly has anything called Grazing Reserve Bill before them and they consider it, it therefore means that they have no agenda. How can this be their pre-occupation? -Mr. Abubakar Ogunbona, Self Employed

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—35

Labour to employers: Let's share company’s pains, gains together

By Prince Okafor

A

GBARA— National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE, has called on employers in the sector to create an atmosphere for workers to share the gains and pains of the organisation together.

Head of Education Department, NUFBTE, Mike Olarewaju, gave this advice while speaking at the inauguration of Beloxxi Industries chapter of the union at Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun State.

Beloxxi Industries Limited is a biscuit manufacturing company According to him, “ we have come to inaugurate a branch of this union in this company. It has been a tradition in our union that anywhere we are inaugurating our branch, we try to ensure that before the next calendar year we must have added value to the profitability and sustainability of the company.

“Our expectation from the workers is for them to agitate for the improvement of condition of service in other to improve their productivity in their place of work and also ensure that there must be commendable and elastic improvement in their productivity.

“We want the management to say now, union we are partners in progress and we are ready to share the pains and burden of the management with them. That is our philosophy as union and we are exchanging it to the management that we are going to collaborate with them and we want them to be prepared and be honest.”

On his part, the company’s secretary, Mr. Bamofin Olatokunbo, said “this occasion is important for two reasons. One is because it is a constitutional right, which is embedded in the constitution that is freedom of association. It is also important for members of staff to come together as a union to fight for their rights and see to the improvement of welfare of their members.”

Northern PDP chieftains to meet Sheriff over zoning

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA — LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the Northern part of the country have resolved to send a delegation to the chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to prevail on him not to contest the chairmanship position in the forthcoming convention in the interest of the party.

The position was taken at the end of a meeting of some prominent members of the party from the north, in Abuja.

According to a prominent member of the party from one of the northern states, who was in the meeting, the decision to send a delegation to Sheriff was taken in the interest of the party.

The member, a former minister during the Obasanjo administration, told Vanguard that

“there appears to be unanimity of opinion in the opposition against Sheriff’s continuation as chairman of the party. The opposition is not because of Sheriff as a person but the general interest of the party. The party ’s national executive committee announced that it had zoned the Presidency in 2019 to the north. It is against the interest of the party and the north in particular to produce the chairman when the party has zoned the presidency to the north already.

“Moreover, the shady manner the zoning committee zoned the position to the North-East is suspect. What were the criteria used? We believe that Sheriff used his position to influence the committee to do his bidding and this portends ill for the party. We

cannot continue to be imposing candidates on the party when we know what imposition did to us in the 2015 elections. We cannot be talking of repositioning the party and then doing same thing that cost us the elections in 2015.”

The zoning of the chairmanship position of the party has been causing ripples with the south west kicking against it.

Members of the party’s board of trustees as well as the PDP former Ministers Forum have also kicked against the zoning of the chairmanship position to the north, arguing that it was done to confer undue advantage to Senator Sheriff, believed to be interested in the position.

BRIEFING: From left, President, National Union of Textile Garment & Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade John Adaji; General-Secretary and chairperson, Industrial Sub Sahara Africa, Comrade Issa Aremu and Deputy General Secretary, NUTGTWN, Comrade Dele Ojo, at a press conference on union demands for immediate implimentation of report of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Reconciliation Committee, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Fulani herdsmen, agents of Boko Haram —C&S spiritual head

I

By Demola Akinyemi

LORIN — THE spiritual father of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni o, Most Reverend Samuel Adefila Abidoye, yesterday, said the Fulani herdsmen now killing innocent Nigerians were offshoots of Boko Haram insurgents and called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on their activities before they get out of hand.

At a briefing to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his leadership of the church, the cleric noted: “Boko Haram insurgents are changing their tactics and evolving as Fulani herdsmen. The Federal Government should look at their activities very critically.

This is because the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers have been friends on the field working together; they have been living

peacefully with the people for a very long time.

“But suddenly, they are now using guns and sophisticated weapons to kill innocent Nigerians. The spate of

herdsmen killings is gaining a frightening dimension, which calls for declaration of a state of emergency. The earlier we realize this as a people and nation, the better for our peace and unity as a nation.”

El-Rufai appoints Flour Mill boss as KADIPA vice chair

K

ADUNA — FOLLOWING the successes recorded at the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADInvest), Kaduna State Government has appointed Flour Mills boss, John Coumantaros, as vicechairman of its investment promotion agency, KADIPA. Coumantaros leads a team of private sector players that will, under the chairmanship of Deputy Governor Barnabas Yusuf Bala, work to realise the investment goals of the Kaduna State Government.

Other members of the KADIPA board are Hajiya Farida Dankaka, Mrs. Adama Jibrin, Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris Mayana, and Samaila Barau Maigoro.

As part of the further institutionalisation of KADIPA, the government announced the appointment of an executive team for the agency.

Leading the team as Executive Secretary is Gambo Hamza, with Hafiz Bayeroheading investor relations and Hadiza Hamza, public-private partnerships and privatisation. The finance and administration function will be led by Shizzer Bada.

The Kaduna State Government has also announced the constitution of the boards of four other agencies. These are the Kaduna Facility Management Agency (KADFAMA), the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) and the Kaduna State Bureau of Pensions.

Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, businessman and senior politician, will chair the board of KADFAMA, the new agency that is charged with the maintenance of all government assets. Other members of the KADFAMA board are: Abdulrahman Garba, Yahaya Baba Pate and Mrs. Rebecca Barde.

Lalong warns against use of public funds for his birthday wishes seek to convey,

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By Marie-Therese Nanlong

OS— GOVERNOR Simon Lalong of Plateau State, yesterday, ordered management of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, MDAs, commissions, boards and other parastatals not to use public funds to send felicitation messages to him on his birthday.

The governor in a statement

by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, said those who would want to extend such gestures to him should do so only with their private funds.

According to the statement, “as the usual practice in our polity, we seek to identify with the governor through sponsored felicitations and gifts. While the governor appreciates the show of solidarity these gestures

he has directed that no organ of government, ministry or parastatal should use public funds for the purpose of this felicitation.

“The governor is of the firm believe that no greater honour could be done to his person and the people of Plateau on this special day than the application of these funds for the good of public service, especially in this time of economic recession.”

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

R AU M P LU S :

From left—Special Adviser on Education to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Mr. Obafela Olemoh, representing the governor; former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama, and Managing Director, Raumplus Nigeria, Mr. Adeyanju Adelakun, at the opening of the Abuja Raumplus’ showroom.

EMPOWERMENT: From left— Welfare Officer, Kirikiri Minimum Prison, Isaiah Adeyeye; facilitator, Mrs Sola Adegbayemu; Director of Programmes, DSI, Mrs Stella Francis, and an inmate-participant during the DSI-organised two-day empowerment programmes at Kirikiri Minimum Prison, Apapa, Lagos.

HONOUR:

NIMN: From left— Registrar, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, Mr. Sidney Ogodo; Mr. Mohammed Abba Tor, receiving his membership certificate from the President, NIMN, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, and NIMN council member, Mr. Chuka Eborah, at the institute's induction ceremony at NIMN Secretariat, Lagos.

C M Y K

Dr. Festus Oshoba displaying his award of Distinguished M e d i c a l Practitioner presented to him by the Association of General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGMPN, in Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—37

2016 Budget: FG plans strategic implementation •economy, security, health, power, oil/Gas, others dominate plan •Buhari may sign budget tomorrow

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—IN anticipation of presidential assent to the 2016 Budget which may happen anytime soon, the federal government has effectively categorized priority areas which must be achieved in the course of the budget implementation. The government said the action-plan was necessary to ensure that the present administration achieved maximum objectives embedded in the change agenda.

The plan was announced by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed after yesterday's meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC presided over by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Addressing State House Correspondents alongside her colleagues, including the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadijat Buka Abba, Ahmed revealed that 34 priority areas had been earmarked by the federal government for urgent attention. The areas, she said, spanned through the economy, trade and investments, security, health, power, Oil/Gas and agriculture. She hinted that the budget might also be signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari any time soon.

She said: “We discussed the strategic implementation plan for the 2016 budget.

Our ministry’s presentation was introduced to council for discussion, priority economic activities that we need to undertake to ensure that the purpose for which the 2016 budget was made ,which is to stimulate the economy, to create jobs for our teeming youths and to extend support to the poor and very vulnerable, is realized.

The priority areas:

Highlighting the priority areas, the Minister stated that there was effort to secure the economy by achieving a predictable exchange rate by the end

of 2016. She, however, emphasized that there was no plan to devalue the Naira. She said: “The 34 priority areas that we need to implement in 2016 are categorized into six thematic areas. There is policy, governance and security and one item from that is to achieve and maintain a capital ependiture minimum of 30 percent on an annual basis, starting from 2016. The objective of doing that is to reflate the economy and enhance employment generation capacity for the productive sector.

“Another area is to achieve an appropriate exchange regime, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is leading this particular action, the objective is to achieve a predictable exchange rate by the end of 2016. There is also a target for us to increase low interest lending to the real sector. The focus is to achieve an interest rate that is single digit, maybe nine per cent, and the purpose is to increase output and growth.

On rice production:

Minister Ahmed also said that the Ministry of Agriculture was working out modalities to put Nigeria on the map of the nations with self-suficiency in rice production. On the thematic area of diversifying the economy, "we plan to implement measures to achieve self sufficiency and become a net exporter of certain number of agricultural produce, the first one being rice. We plan to attain selfsufficiency in rice production by 2018, in tomato paste 2016 and also increase local production of maize, soya beans, poultry and livestock, the deadline for these will be announced later in the year. The Ministry of Agriculture is still trying to work out details. It means we will stop importing and we will get to a point when we will start exporting.

“We also have plans to expand the agro-allied sector to intensify local production of cassava, cocoa, cashew nuts, fruits and sesemi seeds and the Agric Ministry is also leading in that area. There is also plan to make use of 5,000 hectares arable land in 12 River Basin Development Authorities

and to utilise 22 dams for commercial farming by prospective investors and the objective is to extend farming so that it can become an all year round activity and that there is productivity all year round.”

On Power: The Minister also raised the hope of achieving 7,000 megawatts of electricity.

“The power, rails and road are also very important priority areas. There is a number of specific activities but one of them is to optimise up to 7,000 megawatts installed capacity and to ensure associated infrastructure, to ensure we transmit and distribute this capacity in the maximum operational level that is obtainable and also to conclude the privatisation of NIPP plants and improve management and performance of TSA. The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing is leading in this regard. The target deliverables is to increase the availability of power, thereby enhancing investment, productivity and employment and business growth in our country.

“There is also the priority objective of resolving all issues that have to do with gas pricing. The availability of gas is very key to the availability of power to the nation, so gas pricing is a priority and is currently being addressed and will be finalized and payment provided to the gas suppliers who are being owed significant amount of money.

Rail, road infrastructures: “There is also plans to complete the Kaduna-Abuja-Ajaokuta railway lines in 2016. We are also revising the National Rail Masterplan which is commencing construction of the Lagos Kano standard Gauge Rail line and also to finalize the negotiation regarding the Calabar-Lagos rail line. Of course the objective of this is to increase availability of mass transist, to relief pressure on road infrastructure. The federal ministry of transport is leading in this regard working in collaboration with ministry of finance and ministry of budget and planning to ensure the required funding is availed for this project.

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

By Perez Brisibe

T

HE supremacy battle between the 2015 Delta State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP Olorogun Great Ogboru and the party’s state chairman, Chief Tony Ezeagwu has spurned crisis in the state chapter of the party with Ogboru and his ardent supporters dumping the party in preparation for their expedition into the All Progressives Congress, APC. The political love between the two party chieftains went cold following moves by Ogboru and some of his associates to merge the state chapter of the party with the APC. Chief Ezeagwu was especially opposed to the merger upon orders from the national secretariat of the party that LP withdraws from the merger talks.

Despite the impasse, Chief Ogboru proceeded with the merger moves with the inauguration of a 9-man merger committee headed by Mr. Fred Okpowhori for APC and Sir Richard Odibo for LP. Those supportive of the merger believe that that is their only option to mount a formidable challenge for the 2019 general elections in the state.

Ogboru’s authoritarian position in LP Absolving himself and the party from any merger plans with APC, Chief Ezeagwu while lampooning what he described as the authoritarian position of Ogboru in the party with a threat to suspend him, said: “A candidate cannot direct the affairs of the party. If he had won and is the governor of the state, that is a different ball game entirely but for now, he doesn’t have that kind of capacity.

Meeting with stakeholders “I am the final authority of LP in Delta State and I had earlier called a meeting with stakeholders of the party and disassociated LP from fusing or merging with APC. “The national chairman of the party has asked that LP withdraws from any merger or fusion with any political party. Even if we are merging, it has to be at the national level.”

Ogboru’s sucker punch Not waiting to be suspended by the party under the leadership of Ezeagwu, Ogboru immediately dumped the party by sending a letter of resignation to the national chairman, Emeka Nkwoala dated April 26, 2016. He thereafter formed a political pressure group, on whose platform negotiations with the APC would continue.

The group, Light Of Labour, LOL, is chaired by Evang. Ossai Abeh, who had been the Delta North senatorial district chairman of LP, while Mr. Tosan Awani is secretary.

In a communiqué at the end of their maiden meeting in Warri, the group stated that “the entire structure of the party (LP) from

about.”

Ivwurie remarkably had alongside the other LP state legislator, Oviejitobor attended the reception organised by the Delta Central PDP in honour of the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa while their party was holding a stakeholders’ meeting in Warri. He said his presence at the reception did not mean he was defecting.

“We were not invited to that meeting. I did not go to Oghara to welcome Okowa because I want to be a member of the PDP but as a senior government official from Urhobo land.

Ogboru moves again!

FAMED as the Peoples General, Olorogun Great Ogboru, serially AD, DPP, Labour Party governorship candidate in Delta State is set to leave his latest political haven. However, his exit strategy, this time, is clouded by much controversy.

Political leaning

•Ogboru: the state to the ward levels are automatically converted to LOL with executives being automatic members and retaining their respective positions as was in LP.” The group while reviewing the activities of the embattled LP chairman accused him of not measuring up to the expectations needed of some to lead them to the merger. The group thus passed a vote of no confidence

Apparently bound by the law which forbids legislators from decamping, none of them is apparently moving along with Ogboru in his journey to the APC

long time ago.

“Ezeagwu should know that there is an understanding within the LP, which states that when I am leaving the party with my supporters, we will hand over the party to the original chairman of the party.”

LP lawmaker dumps Ogboru’s APC sojourn Meanwhile, the member representing Ethiope East in the Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA elected on the platform of the LP; Mr Evance Ivwurie has reiterated his commitment to the LP with a vow not to dump the party for the APC or any other party.

2016 budget'll bring joy to Nigerians — INEGBENIKI CHIEF Francis Inegbeniki, is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State and former senatorial candidate of the party in Edo central district.

In this interview with Vanguard, Inegbeniki speaks on why President Muhammadu Buhari is enjoying the support of Nigerians and other national issues.

By Lucky Oji

on Chief Ezeagwu, declared him “a persona non-grata,” and warned its members not to hold meetings, private talks or even phone calls with him.

Ogboru sends jab at Ezeagwu On his part, Ogboru while taking a swipe at the embattled LP boss, said: “What is our business with Ezeagwu who cannot win one unit in Delta State? He is just using the party and if not for me, they would have thrown him out of the party a

Besides Ivwurie, the Labour Party produced two other legislators, Mr. Peter Uvie Jitobor, member representing Udu constituency in the state assembly and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, LP Delta Central.

Apparently bound by the law which forbids legislators from decamping, none of them is apparently moving along with Ogboru in his journey to the APC. Ivwurie in fact denied involvement in the merger talks saying “I know very well that any negotiation or whatever they are doing to go to APC, I am not part and parcel of it as I cannot be part of what I do not know

“Being a member of the Delta State legislature, I am part of the government and would work with the government to bring development for my people.

Apart from thanking him, I did the Oliver Twist business by asking for more from him.

“Irrespective of my political leaning, any development and appointment that comes to Delta Central, is an added growth to Urhobo land.”

Remarkably, Ogboru’s last movements had not generated much controversy; it is thus not surprising that many stakeholders are watching out to see if this his latest move would give him that desire that had always spurred him.

Indeed, he walked out of the AD and DPP on his own terms.

But not Labour. Last Tuesday, the national chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam gave the red card to Ogboru and 12 of his disciples who were slammed with suspension.

Indeed, these are tough days for the Peoples General!

H

OW do you assess one year of the Buhari regime?

I will score him excellent despite the situation we are facing now. We all know that one year is not enough to assess the performance of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly when the budget has not been signed. However, it is obvious that the President has made some significant progress.

Nigerians are aware that President Buhari practically

inherited a collapsed economy, a very rotten and corrupt system.

Resources of the country were looted and mismanaged without considering the poor masses.

Imagine funds meant for projects and certain purposes were diverted into the pockets of individuals, marketers who supplied petroleum products were not paid resulting in the fuel scarcity we are experiencing now.

It was a system that never planned for the future of Nigerians and the country.

Since Buhari assumed office a

year ago, the President has been doing everything possible to restore the dignity of Nigeria as a country by fighting corruption which is the major problem facing Nigeria today. This is one major area that the President has done well.

When President Buhari promised to fight corruption, many never believed what he was saying, but from what we are seeing today, the various shocking revelations how government officials in the last administration looted the resources of this country, the people now have confidence in the President, and trust whatever he will do to transform the country.

And because the President is genuinely fighting corruption as

Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—39

Buhari must move his agenda beyond anti-corruption country, definitely, you are going to create more chances for corruption to thrive because when people wait and money doesn’t come, they will start to look for ways.

So, in as much as the President is doing well, I must tell you he is doing well.

The truth is that sometimes, the President may have good intentions but the people around him may have different intentions. For instance, the issue of the budget.

The President had presented the budget and the President couldn’t have written the budget; people did it but the people now decided to tamper with the budget that the President had presented and it became very embarrassing and people will begin to look at it as if the President is not in control but he moved sharply and you could see that a lot of people were dismissed because of that.

— REP ARCHIBONG DR. Henry Archibong represents Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency. In this interview, he comments on many contentious national and state issues; the deplorable state of the Calabar-Itu Federal Road, the debt profile of Akwa-Ibom State, the APC-led administration and its preparedness for leadership and of course, the vexed issue of the 2016 Appropriation Bill. Excerpts:

By Tom Moses

G

IVEN the quantity of money accruing to the state is the governor justified to borrow N15 billion as he has proposed?

I think this issue of loan is not like trading. As I am taking to you now, Dangote still takes loans meanwhile he is the richest man in Africa.

Likewise, the country with the highest indebtedness in this world is the United States of America yet, we are trading with their dollars. So, my governor taking loan does not mean that he is not managing the economy properly.

Managing the economy In fact, I want to commend Governor Udom Emmanuel because two weeks back, we had a meeting with him where he briefed us on the economy of the state.

Certain issues were raised and explanations offered and all the people who attended that meeting were satisfied with his explanations and vision such that all they did was pray for the governor and for more funds to come in.

So, I want to dispel the rumour that the governor is running a kind of kangaroo administration because he

briefs us regularly on how the state is being run.

At the national level, I don’t think the President has briefed us up to two times but our governor at the state level has been coming out regularly to brief Akwa-Ibomites on developments in the state and for me, the governor is doing very, very well.

I will also say that I have never seen a governor who picks calls. Everybody who is

•Archibong

It looks to me that President Buhari had just a-one point agenda, that of fighting corruption and then, probably, fighting the insurgents occupying certain political offices in this state including the National Assembly, has the governor’s number and so, if I want to call the governor, I can call him at any time to make observations.

If he doesn’t pick my calls immediately, I can always send him a text and he will reply

when he is free.

What do you make of the criticisms by the opposition in the state?

Well, I normally don’t like to join issues with people especially those who had been in the National Assembly. They are entitled to their opinions.

Whether the opinion is right or wrong, the issue is that everybody has the fundamental human right to talk except that I think at that level, it would have been better to do constructive criticism and because you have an access to the governor, you are not an ordinary person, you meet with him most times and here, we are not talking about PDP, APC again, we are talking about a state, so, when it comes to matters of the state, we should

sit down and make contributions and not stay somewhere and make divisive comments.

Now, how do you assess President Buhari?

Muhammadu Buhari is the President of Nigeria. Once you have elected a person, he becomes the President of Nigeria and all what is expected of everybody now is to rally support for him but it looks to me that President Buhari had just a-one point agenda, that of fighting corruption and then, probably, fighting the insurgents but while you are fighting corruption, if you get all the monies that you have recovered and put it in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and then, nothing is happening in the

Rallying support That is the kind of President that we have. That is why we are rallying support for him but we are saying that let it not be only corruption, let it not be only Boko Haram because a lot of people are dying of hunger in this country more than what Boko Haram is killing. So, we must look at the economy holistically.

Just as what I said about my governor, Buhari is the best President that we have now and if we did not have him, who knows whether this country would have collapsed because of the massive fraud that would have been going on.

Again, I want to say that the President is doing well, but he has to look into the people that are working with him.

2016 budget'll bring joy to Nigerians — INEGBENIKI Continues from page 38 he promised, even those who looted the funds suddenly realized that they betrayed the country and what they did was wrong, so they started returning the funds.

But some Nigerians, particularly the opposition party, PDP, have continued to criticize Buhari for non performance?

The only Nigerians who I think would criticize Buhari should be those who actually benefited from the corrupt system of the last administration. It is possible that Buhari may have blocked their source, so, what do you expect from them, certainly, they must fight back and criticize the President.

President Buhari has not done

•Inegbeniki

anything wrong to attract such unnecessary criticism. Nobody can instigate Nigerians against the present government of Buhari, such attempts would definitely fail.

Under the government of Buhari, we are seeing that the country is gradually moving to the right direction, people are now doing things properly, even public o f f i c e holders are m o r e careful not to fall under the hammer of Buhari.

I can assure you that when the President starts implementing the 2016 budget, most of the people criticizing him now would

turn around to praise him and in the next few months, Nigerians would enjoy the promised change.

But it is alleged that the president has no good agenda for your Niger Delta region?

That is not true, President Buhari meant well for the region.

Remember, we have about three or four federal government intervention agencies. The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Presidential Amnesty programme. You are aware that some people even suggested to Buhari to scrap the above agencies, but he said doing so amounts to injustice against the people of the region.

In the 2016 budget, the President allocated funds to these

agencies for the development of the region. However, what is very important , is for the heads and management of these agencies to prudently and judiciously use the funds for the assigned purposes.

With these agencies doing what they are supposed to do, accordingly, other federal ministries executing projects in the region, certainly the region will experience rapid development.

What is your take on the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki? Is this not persecution?

No it is not persecution, you can see the revelations coming out of the CCT. It’s unfortunate. The war against corruption is total, no exception, the law is no respecter of person.

40 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Herdsmen attending to their cows

Gracing bill: An ill wind that will blow no good

By Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa

I

N recent times, the nation has been awash with news of a certain grazing bill pending before the National Assembly for consideration. Up till now, no one is sure as to the exact purpose for the said Bill, save that it was said to be meant to address the incessant Fulani attacks, especially on farms and local settlements. This Bill has been rejected by all concerned, especially because of its manifestly dangerous consequences on us as a nation.

The grazing bill: Perhaps the best way to start is to examine the details of the said Bill, as it affects everyone.

Grazing routes and reserves The proposed Grazing Bill is for the establishment of national grazing routes and reserves for the Fulani herdsmen. The essence of this Bill is to establish National Grazing Routes and Reserves Commission, which shall acquire lands in all the 36 states of the Federation for the purpose of grazing and ranching.

It is targeted to curb incessant conflicts between nomadic herdsmen and livestock farmers and settlers in Nigeria. The central objective is to foster national cohesion and eliminate intra-state conflicts.

The bill, when enacted into law, will be known as the National Grazing Route and Reserve Commission.

C M Y K

Its functions: When enacted into law, the commission is expected to establish cattle routes, farm camp and grazing reserves in different parts of the country.

The grazing commission, is expected to manage, control and maintain the cattle routes and grazing reserves and farm camps, while at the same time, prescribe those who may use the grazing reserve and the number and type of stocks that may be permitted therein.

Also, the commission will prescribe the parts of the grazing reserve and route which may be used and the times when they may be used. Its major function will be to foster peace in the grazing routes and reserves and at the same time, improve land use and land management.

Notwithstanding this, the Commission’s central objective is to encourage ranching as an alternative to grazing livestock as such the grazing areas shall crystallize or may be used as ranches as Nigeria develops.

Grazing Routes As a means of dissuading an abuse of the grazing routes, the bill proposed that no person, other than a government officer on duty shall enter any grazing route or reserve unless he is authorised to do so by this law or regulations.

Also, no person shall alienate any right affecting land included in the Government Grazing Route and Reserve, which has been established in accordance with this Act, by sale,transfer, mortgage without the consent of the Commission first had and

obtained.

Furthermore, the bill proposes that if any right within a government grazing route or reserve is not exercised for a period of 10 years, it shall be deemed to have been extinguished.

Again, the sponsor propounds that where a land has been marked a government grazing route or reserve, the Commission may be subject to the consent of the Minister, close any right of way or watercourse where he is of the opinion that there already exists an equally convenient right of way or watercourse.

Procedure for acquiring grazing routes Reeling out the procedure for

It is indeed a burden on the nation to set citizens against themselves in the name of grazing

acquiring grazing routes, the bill proposes that the Commission,

saddled with the responsibility of the route, shall undertake a physical/geographical analysis of the land use in each of the states in order to ascertain the best and most appropriate place to locate the Federal Government Reserve and Route within the said state.

In addition, after having undertaken the analysis of the Grazing Reserves and Routes, the commission will approach each state governor, with the cooperation of the member of the Commission from that state, to negotiate with the Governor to transfer the land to the Commission for the purpose of grazing routes and reserve.

Limits of the lands Whenever land has been transferred by the governor to the Commission for use as grazing routes and reserve, the governor is expected to set forth the limits of the lands which constitute the Reserve.

Legal Issues Arising: Section 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grants every citizen right to property, including land and Section 44 says that such land can only be acquired compulsorily, whether by Grazing Commission or any other person, upon proper notice, upon payment of appropriate compensation and if the acquisition is for public purposes. This is also replicated in Articles 12 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Thus, it is totally

unconstitutional to seek to acquire another person’s land to be transferred for the private business of another person. The State must not be seen to be using the powers and instruments of authority to muzzle a citizen in favour of another citizen.

The problem with the bill is that it will soon lead to an upsurge of violence from other places. Surely, there are hunters all over the land who need forests reserves to do business; so also the fishermen and women, who need water reserves and ocean boundaries to carry on their fishing. There will be no end to this, as virtually everyone will love to take advantage of federal intervention to promote their private businesses. The role of government is to create enabling environment for the practice of trades and businesses, and not directly to take over the responsibility of providing the resources needed for a particular trade or vocation.

In many cases, the local herdsman is not the true and actual owner of the cattle, but rather a representative of some business man who has only invested money on the cattles for the purpose of raking in some profit.

Language and religion So in essence, the herdsman is like a shepherd or guardian of some sort. And if any land is given to him, it will eventually and assuredly pass to the businessman that sponsored him.

Transfer of Land to Foreigners It is argued that many of the herdsmen are really not Nigerians but are just hiding under the umbrella of language and religion to take advantage of the economy of Nigeria. So the question then arises: how do we confiscate land from Nigerians and then turn around to transfer the said land to foreigners?

It is indeed a burden on the nation to set citizens against themselves in the name of grazing. Already, some people have started reading religious meanings into this development.

Ownership of Land is beyond the Governors The Land Use Act has not abrogated the ownership of land from the people through the Governors. In fact, section 34 of the Land Use Act has granted a deemed right of occupancy to the owners of land such that even without going through the Governor or obtaining relevant title documents, their ownership is well preserved.

It is in the light of the above that one can best advise the National Assembly to jettison and discard the Grazing Bill as it is wind that will blow no good to the nation.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 — 41

IPLAN urges National Assembly to amend copyright Act L

By Onozure Dania

AGOS — The Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) and other stakeholders have urged the National Assembly to reform the copyright laws to ensure it meets all the necessary needs in the creative industries. The call was made during the association’s annual general meeting and pre AGM lecture with the Theme: “Intellectual Property Rights and National Development,” which was held in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, former Commissioner, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Professor Egerton Uvieghara, said that the members of the National Assembly have failed to perform optimally in their legislative functions, stating that unless lawyers and members of the public engage them, they may not take their legislative duty s e r i o u s l y .

He said: “Members of the National Assembly do more of oversight functions than law making. They are spending our monies more than they are giving us and they do not seem to worry at all. Many of them are not doing the job the constitution has placed on them.

Many of them are my students but don’t even know what they were taught in school. We cannot be talking about development without Intellectual Property put in proper perspective.”

In his welcome address, the out gone president of the association, former dean, School of Law and

From left: Mrs. Uche Ikwueme, Head, J-K Gadzama Lagos office, Mr. B.O. Igwe, Dr. Tahir (SAN), Mrs. Ogwemoh, Pa. Gomez, Mr. Etomi, Mrs. Harrison Abiola, Mr. Ogunleye,Mr. Wale Irokosu and Kafilat Foluke Abaniwonda.

Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun state, Professor Bankole Sodipo, said the focus of the workshop is to highlights some of the works

that have been done in various sectors of Intellectual Property. Mr Sola Dosunmu, a staff of British American Tobacco, spoke on Plain Packaging Product Intellectual

Property Rights while Mr. John Asein, an Intellectual Property Management Consultant presented a paper on “An Appraisal of the Draft

Firm drags Lagos Govt to multi-door court over contract

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS — A real estate firm, Afriland Properties Plc has filed a N13billion suit against Lagos state government before a Lagos state Multi Door Court House, over the termination of a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) in the redevelopment of Falomo Shopping Complex, Ikoyi between the firm and Lagos State Development and Property C o r p o r a t i o n .

The firm, which instituted the suit through its lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN claimed that Lagos state government terminated the contract which was

awarded few years ago without following the due process.

The firm is asking for compensation to the tune of N5, 255, 770, 162.12 being the total aggregate of the project expenses incurred by it.

Specifically, the firm is claiming the sum of N6, 248, 383, 382.62 being the loss of income due to it and which income has been interfered with and jeopardized by the wrongful act of repudiation of the JVA by the Corporation.

It is also asking for the sum of N1.5 billion being legal and consultancy fees now payable by it as a consequence of the

wrongful act of repudiation of the JVA by the Corporation.

During Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, a Joint Venture Agreement was entered between the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Heirs Holdings Limited, Heirs Real Estate Limited for the redevelopment of Falomo Shopping Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

No sooner than a new administration under the same All Progressive Congress (APC) led government of governor Akinwunmi Ambode came into

Supreme Court Justice wants review of training curriculum for young lawyers

By Innocent Anaba USTICE Centus Nweze of the Supreme Court, has called for the review of training curriculum used in training Nigerian lawyers to enable the country produce young lawyers that will have audience in international courts and foreign jurisdictions.

Justice Nweze at the monthly meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Abuja branch, hosted by the law firm of J-K

J

EDITORIAL Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) dayobenson@yahoo.com

Amendment to the Copyright Act.” Mr. Asein in his presentation identified non-committal of industry players to the reform process; weak advocacy and competing national issues; slow pace of the legislative process; low level of awareness amongst stakeholders; non ratification of the international treaties as some of the challenges encountered in the process of passage of the bill stressing that unless the bill is passed into law, it will soon become stale. He therefore urged stakeholders and copyright interest groups to play more visible roles in the formulation and direction of copyright policies noting, that Section on Business Law and IPLAN must work closely with the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Ministry of Justice and the legislature for a wellcoordinated reform process.

Gadzama LLP at its corporate headquarters in Abuja, said “We must thank Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, who first intimated me of this meeting and the imminence of my encounter with the distinguished members of this branch this evening. His specific entreaty to me was to tailor my reflections to the challenges of young lawyers. That entreaty dictated the choice of issues which we shall broach in this presentation.

“We canvass the view that law scholars in Nigeria should reimagine the intellectual content and breadth of their fields of study. They should now be thinking of moulding and shaping future advocates who would have audience not only in Nigerian courts but also in the global community of courts “This is even more so since Nigerians are found in virtually all corners of the globe. These Nigerians in the Diaspora are either engaged in transnational trades or businesses or other forms of endeavour. “The question may be posed: of what use would the Nigerian lawyer be to such global Nigerians if the contract law curriculum, for example, does not

transcend the traditional English Law assumptions?

“Do Law Faculties teach their students about the norms of international Contract law? The world’s emerging lex mercatoria: the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts? Or the UN Convention on Contracts for international sale of goods?

WTO dispute settlement regime “How many Law Faculties in Nigeria teach their students that the World Trade Organisation, WTO, dispute settlement regime possesses an attribute that international law lacks, namely, effective enforcement mechanisms?

“Incidentally, as has been observed elsewhere, the WTO dispute resolution mechanism possesses the allure of an international legal regime with efficacious mechanisms, and hence a simple and compelling answer to realist sceptics who doubt that international law is really ‘law. “Coming nearer home, we do not entertain any doubt that our Professors of Family

Law are conversant with the traditional definition of adultery as the physical infidelity of a spouse. But then as Professor Karen Peterson has, insightfully, shown in the illuminating article, “Infidelity Reaches Beyond Having Sex,” new forms of social media and virtual communication are shaping the way relationships (including extra-marital physical and nonphysical relationships) are conducted.

“More communication takes place outside the confines of marriage, even if still within the home. His finding is that cybersex and virtual affairs on the Internet are popular areas of interest among professionals who study spousal infidelity.

“Against this background, therefore, the question may be asked: how many Family law teachers have given a thought to whether “virtual adultery” should constitute actionable conduct in divorce proceedings under the Matrimonial Causes Act? The expression “virtual adultery” has been defined as “non-physical behaviour that adopts one or more aspects of a romantic relationship and consequently creates disconnect in the marriage.

power, the JVA was terminated via a letter with reference No: SE: 01: 04: 004: Vol. V/15/15 from LSDPC dated August 21, 2015 claiming among others that the corporation (respondent) was not listed as a shareholder in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and therefore in breach of the provisions of Articles 14.1, 14.2.3 and 14.2.5.5 of the JVA. Meanwhile the applicant through its lawyer, Ayorinde SAN is contending that the respondent’s letter is insufficient to terminate the JVA as it constitutes an event of default by the respondent under Article 14.2 and 14.2.2 of the JVA. The applicant contends that the respondent’s complaints with regards to the incorporation documents of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) are clearly related to events post-execution of the JVA which disables the respondent from relying on Articles 14.1, 14.2.3 and 14.2.5.5 of the JVA as a basis for the purported termination of the JVA.

Right to terminate the contract The applicant further stated that assuming without conceding that an event of default had occurred through the applicant; the respondent’s right to terminate the contract falls within Article 14.3 which states that: “ without prejudice to the other rights or remedies that may be available to LSDPC under law or this agreement in respect thereof, upon the occurrence of a concessionaire event of default, LSDPC shall be entitled to terminate this agreement by giving at least a 60 days written notice of its intention to terminate this agreement (“Termination Notice”) to the concessionaire and provided that within the currency of the termination notice (“Termination Notice Period”) the underlying breach/default was not cured by the concessionaire.”

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Dissecting gains of natural, cultural heritage in troubled times

By Japhet Alakam

T

HE Chief John Agboola Odeyemi Annual Lecture has progressively become a rallying point for people of like minds and a veritable platform for scholars to chart the way forward for the preservation of the natural and cultural wealth for the development of the country.

The yearly intellectual feast initiated by Chief Odeyemi and organized by the Natural History Museum in recognition of the need to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the country and also in recognition of Odeyemi’s love for nature and culture as well as his immense contributions to national development as well as support for the institution.

The massive turnout and the caliber of dignitaries that graced the 3rd edition held at Conference Centre and Guest Houses, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State was a clear indication that the annual lecture is getting bigger, more entertaining and more encompassing.

This year’s topic,‘Harnessing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage for National Development”, was timely as it came at a time when the economy is in crisis as a result of the fall in oil price and the need to diversify the economy.

And as it turned out to be, the various speakers harped on the

imminent potentials in the country’s natural and cultural resources that had not been harnessed and called on the government and individuals to utilize the opportunity.

One other issue that took the center stage was the encomiums poured on the personality of the celebrant, Chief Odeyemi who clocked 77 years, for his numerous contributions to the devel-

There is a need to build and craft a new narrative of Nigeria forged in our cultural legacy and financed by the smart use of our natural assets opment of the society and mankind, especially to the university and the Museum. It was indeed an honour well deserved.

Speaking on the theme: Harnessing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage for National Development,the guest speaker,

From left: Celebrant; Chief (DR.) John Agboola Odeyemi, representative of OAU VC; Prof.

Omolayo Ajayi, Ooni of Ife; Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Guest lecturer and Minister of Solid Minerals; (DR) Kayode Fayemi at the event Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Mineral Development,who happens to be an alumni of the institution, said that Federal Government is set to hit another gold mine in the solid mineral sector, which has potentialities to fetch the nation about N5trillion annually, if adequately harnessed.

The former Ekiti governor, who offered an insight into what he believed would be Nigeria’s next frontier of opportunity, stated that the federal government would no longer renege in its bid to diversify the nation’s economy, saying his ministry was working assiduously to realize this objective and had sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in the sector to attain success.

Pointing out that the country’s dependence on crude oil had blinded and taught it a great lesson, Fayemi said it was imperative for Nigeria to stop paying lip

service to the development of other sectors to enable it come out stronger and be on the path of sustainable development.

Fayemi, took the audience down memory lane on how the country fared during the colonial period when it progressively carried out extensive geological surveys and had a good idea of the extent of its mineral reserves, noting that Nigeria currently has about 44 known mineral assets that are not fully harnessed.

Cultural legacy According to him, “there is the need to build and craft a new narrative of Nigeria forged in our cultural legacy and financed by the smart use of our natural assets in a new competitive federal system”.

He expressed optimism that major stakeholders in the solid

Kudos as Edak Willie launches foundation, book on environment

By Prisca Sam-Duru

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HURSADAY, April 7, 2016, will remain an important day for popular TV host, Edak Willie as she launched the Edak Willie Empowerment Foundation alongside her book on clean environment for students titled, Environment/Health Handbook.

The launching which also featured a documentary screening and workshop on Lassa Fever/ Environmental Hygiene sensitisation for young Nigerians, was held at the main auditorium of the Nigerian Institute Of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Diverse audience The well attended event had his royal highness, Oba Dokun Thompson, the Olooni of Eti Oni, Osun State as the father of the day. Dr Charles Elikwu from Department of Medical Teaching Hospital, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Illisan, Ogun State was the key note speaker.

Others who delivered papers were Dr. (Mrs.) Celina Maduemezia and Dr. Dominic

Iroko Percussion of Africa performing at the event Ukpong.

The unique thing about the event was that in trying to reach the diverse audience across the country, Edak Willie utilised several forms of art that complemented the paper presentations.

The documentary film exposed several factors most especially, dirty environment which are responsible for epidermic of outbreak in the country. It emphasises on preventive measures such as ensuring clean environment as well as good hygiene to keep the country free from epidermics.

The book, Environment/ Health Handbook, is targeted at African children from basic 11 to those in the last years of post pri-

mary school. It also comes in handy for anyone who wishes to teach matters of community health and environmental hygiene to younger children. Spe-

Edak Willie utilised several forms of art that complemented the paper presentation

cifically, Environment/Health Handbook provides important tips on what is Lassa fever, how do people get Lassa fever, symptoms, treatment, how to clean and disinfect environment around a person infected with lassa fever, etc.

Iroko Percussion of Africa, a 7 piece band member led by Samson Olawale was among the stage performances that spiced the event. Theirs was an interesting showcase of the beauty of African talking drum.

Versatile artiste, vocalist, dancer, lyricist and judge of reality show, Nigerian Idol, Yinka Davies and Albert Kanu also thrilled guests with spell-binding performances.

“The need for a better environment, a clean environment, informed the foundation”, Edak Willie began explaining adding that “I come from an environment that is clean always, this has been a passion for me. To ensure this, we decide to involve the young ones so as to catch them young. Whatever values you give a child, he grows up with it and he will not depart from it. It is difficult to teach an old person something new."

minerals sector, including the Association of Metal Exporters of Nigeria, had stated that the country could generate at least N5 trillion annually from mining and exporting of its vast solid mineral deposits. “This with several multiplier effects on job creation, state development and social infrastructure can position the solid minerals sector as the main catalyst for national development,” the minister posited.

Also speaking at the event, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called for a cultural rebirth as the country had lost its moral values and heritage.

The Ooni, who described morals as the bed rock of development, urged all to go back to the source, even as he also enjoined those in positions of authority to lead by example, love one another and always remember to give hope to the led.

Adisa Ogunflakan, Director of Natural History Museum , OAU, who earlier welcomed all to the 3rd Chief (Dr.) John Agboola Odeyemi Annual Lecture that marks his 77th Birthday pointed out that the present situation in the country calls for sober reflection, hence the need for a way forward.

Presentation of awards Pointing out that it was on this premise that this edition and theme was chosen. He, however, enumerated some of the milestones achieved by the museum, even as he outlined some of the challenges and called on partners who will share the challenges with them. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to Prof.

Ademola O. Segun, Prof.

Abiodun Adediran and Chief Joseph Olu Tariola for their service to humanity and also to the guest lecturer, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Alo noted that the country’s culture is rich but has been relgated to the background.

“We have rich culture that can be harnessed like marriage ceremony, burials, dance etc but we are not utilising it, we need to do something about that”.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5 16 — 43 5,, 20 2016

BITS Bits Salary increment: Oshiomhole sets the ball rolling

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MAY DAY:Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State with Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa, Chairman of the Union (middle) and Comrade Bayo Oladipupo, Secretary of National Union of Textile Garments & Tailoring Workers join in the march pass during the 2016 May Day rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

May Day shocker for workers, governors

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

T

HE May Day celebration, also known as Workers’ Day held on Sunday, was remarkable in many ways.

From Edo State where Governor Adams Oshiomhole, announced a N25,000 take home pay for the least paid workers from the current N18,000, to Cross River State where Professor Ben Ayade paid the state civil servants May salaries on May 1; to Lagos State where workers refused to march because of what the National Union of Textile Garment, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, described as “absentee governors who have lost all moral authority to demand for discipline on the part of their workers after May-Day” because “by boycotting the May Day and “represented by proxies, these governors were not on duty to dignify their work-force", down to many other states where labour leaders issued strike notices to governors over unpaid salaries.

Unpaid salaries The May Day was indeed a shocker for both the workers and governors where about 12 of them received strike notices over unpaid salaries and other labour related issues. It was a day when few workers went home smiling while others left in despair.

Among governors that received strike notices included Benue, Kogi, Niger, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Plateau, Delta, Abia, Imo and Ekiti states.

There was the Lagos fiasco . As long as one could remember, what happened at Onikan Stadium venue of the event where workers refused to march, was an aberration. While Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has no excuse not to attend his maiden May

Day, the workers and their leaders should know that the May Day is not for government officials or employers, hence it is called Workers Day. Based on the above, one cannot, but agree with Joe Ajaero when he told workers at the front of the National Stadium, Lagos, after a long procession that “We have taken this year’s May-Day to the streets because that is where the people who are the true owners of the day reside. We are tired of marching in front of our oppressors and saluting them for oppressing us.

Reflecting on the tragedy We resolved to stand with our kit and kin in the streets and together mark this day solemnly while reflecting on the tragedy that would befall all of us as a people and as workers if we fail to work together to salvage our dear fatherland from the clutches of the wicked and heartless ruling class."

Unfair practices: Expressing the mood of workers nationwide, leaders of NLC and TUC decried among others, non-payment of salaries by state governors, rising unemployment, increasing unfair labour practices such as casualization, outsourcing, retrenchments among others, by employers.

Addressing workers at the Eagle Square, Ayuba Wabba, noted that “the unemployment crisis in the country is a reflection of the wider national economic crisis. As we have persistently pointed out, there is hardly any household in Nigeria where there aren’t at least two or more unemployed persons who have graduated from various tiers of our educational system, looking for job placement for upward of three to five years.

He insisted that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, government in its manifesto promised to create three million jobs annually and lamented that “we have waited one year for the government to bring out its blueprints on how it intends to go about achieving this."

Onslaught against workers: Similarly, Ajaero, while addressing workers said “Nigerian workers and the labour movement have come under mounting threats which have largely remained unabated and stand at the threshold of history. Increasing onslaughts against the survival of the Nigerian worker either as individuals or as collectives have become the new agenda of Governments at all levels of the Nigerian society. Our jobs are becoming increasingly more precarious and unstable. Lay – offs have become increasingly more ram-

Our jobs are becoming increasingly more precarious and unstable

pant and new jobs are rare if not disappeared completely. The negative impacts of this on our capacities and capabilities to effectively organise and engage other social partners within the Industrial Relations space has become enormous. Governments at all levels are showing increasing intolerance to the basic practice of democracy as espoused by the tra-

ditions and ethos of our movement. There is a strong desire among those in Government to scuttle the growth of the trade union movement.

Attack on unionism: Salaries have gone unpaid at various levels of Governance and various organisations. Illegal Lay-offs and a gale of sacks have become the lot of Nigerian workers in the guise of a bust in the Oil industry when we were totally excluded when there was a boom.

He added that "employers and others are having a field day desecrating and defiling Nigerian workers with impunity, believing that Nigerian workers have become an easy prey.”

Rights of workers Speaking, the President of TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, while corroboration Wabba and Ajaero in a speech at the Eagle Square, contended that “the same way the Federal Government licensed corporate organisations to operate business in Nigeria is equally the same way trade unions were duly registered and backed up by Trade Union Act of 1973, CAP 437, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, to operate as watchdogs in the workplaces.

"It is therefore unacceptable for organisations to infringe on the rights of workers and even victimize their leaders on account of their lawful union activities.

Sometimes workers are forced to sign undertakings never to have anything to do with unions.

Most South African, Lebanese, Chinese, and Indian investors in Nigeria are infamous for their pronounced anti-labour and environmentally unfriendly practices like increments, etc., and readily try to frustrate efforts to unionise the workers."

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, like a true labour leader, who understands the pains of workers in the economic reality of today in Nigeria, has increased the take home pay for the least paid workers in the state from N18000 to N25, 000 a month.

Announcing the increment during the May Day, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “I am happy to be able to demonstrate that even in the face of the present economic crisis, Edo State government is raising the minimum wage from N18,000 to N25,000 for the least paid worker. We will ensure that the Directors will have increase in their salaries.

Though it is left with the labour leaders in the state to sit with the government to work out how this can add to the take home pay of other workers, there is no doubt that Comrade Governor has set the pace and made easier the job of leaders of NLC and TUC who are asking for upward review of National Minimum Wage. Other states have no excuse not to increase and pay an improved wage for their workers, even if they have refused to pay the current N18, 000 minimum wage, not that they cannot.

The question is, if Edo State can pay, why other states can’t pay. The simple answer is that when there is the will, there is a way.

…As Ayade enters labour history book

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OVERNOR of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade have entered into workers’ history book by his singular act of paying May salary on the first of May even when the state workers have not done anything for the month.

Arguably, no governor has achieved this feat before. The governor, a former lecturer, knows what salary means to a worker. While some governors were receiving strike notices from labour leaders over unpaid salaries, on the May Day, Professor Ayade shocked state civil servants when he announced the payment of salaries for the month of May on the first day of the month.

In fact it was gathered that a mild drama immediately ensued when workers at the U.J. Esuene Stadium venue of the Workers Day celebration began to receive salary payment alerts from the various banks.

Before then, the governor had been part of few governors that were paying salaries between the second and third weeks of every month.

Certainly, the governor has set a precedence worthy of emulation and one expects the workers to reciprocate the gesture by being more productive.

44—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Trump becomes presumptive Republican nominee D ONALD Trump has gone from long-shot contender to the Republican party’s presumptive nominee for president with a crushing win in Indiana that forced his main rival Ted Cruz out of the race.

Addressing jubilant supporters at Trump Tower in New York after romping to his seventh straight statewide victory, the real estate mogul promised them: “We’re going to win in November, and we’re going to win big, and it’s going to be America first.”

Ohio Governor John Kasich was also said to be dropping out of the Republican presidential race after Trump’s victory in Indiana, US media reported citing senior campaign officials.

B

E

GYPTIAN riot police have cordoned off the headquarters of the journalists’ union and limited access to the building in an escalating standoff following a raid on the premises and the

arrest of two journalists.

Hundreds of journalists rallied on the steps outside the union headquarters on Wednesday, chanting “Journalism is not a crime!” and demanding the

Kenya’s ‘gay anal tests’ challenged

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•Trump: Promises to presidential election.

Trump won at least 51 of 57 possible delegates awarded in Indiana, according to the Associated Press news agency delegate tracker. His victory in the state pushed him to

win big in November 1,047 delegates of the 1,237 needed to clinch the nomination, compared with 153 for Kasich.

Cruz had 565 delegates before suspending his campaign.

Brazil’s Senate recommends President for trial RAZIL’S Senate has recommended the country’s President Dilma Rousseff for trial over allegation breaking budget laws and obstruction of justice.

On Tuesday, Brazil’s Attorney General Rodrigo Janot asked the Supreme Court to authorise an investigation against Ms Rousseff for obstruction of justice.

Mr Janot also accused the former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, of

Egypt journalists’ union cordoned off in crackdown

involvement in the scandal.

Lula has denied any

•Rousseff

wrongdoing.

The allegations were based on evidence given by Senator Delcidio do Amaral, who as part of a plea bargain agreed to testify against other suspects after being arrested last year.

President Rousseff described Mr Amaral as a compulsive liar.

“The accusations made by Senator Delcidio do Amaral are absolutely irresponsible and above all false,” Ms Rousseff told journalists in Brasilia.

WO men who say Kenyan police forced them to undergo anal examinations to prove they had gay sex have launched a court case, calling for the tests to be declared unconstitutional.

They allege they were also madetotaketestsforHIVand hepatitis following their arrest inFebruary2015onsuspicion of homosexual activity.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Kenya, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The High Court in Mombasa has given government lawyers a week to respond.

In a statement, campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW), which has called for a global ban on the practice, said: “Under international law, forced anal examinations are a form of cruel, inhuman, and degradingtreatmentthatmay

amount to torture.

“Anal examinations prove nothing,andtheyaccomplish nothing, other than humiliating and demeaning people who are considered moral ‘outcasts'," HRW researcher Neela Ghoshal said.

dismissal of the country’s Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar.

The protests are the latest in a series of demonstrations against the government of PresidentAbdel-Fattahel-Sisi, whichhasbannedvirtuallyall protests and carried out a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent.

Police severely restricted access, banning non-union members from entry, as well as some residents and people who came on work errands to the surrounding area.

S/A parliament in brawl over Zuma

A

BRAWL broke out in the South African parliament on Wednesday after security officers were ordered to forcibly remove opposition MPs from the chamber.

Several punches were thrown as members of the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were expelled for heckling President Jacob Zuma.

It was Mr Zuma’s first appearance in parliament since two damning court rulings against him.

The case is related to a multi-billion dollar arms deal the government negotiated

in 1999.

Mr Zuma denies any wrongdoing, and says he will continue to “shepherd” the nation. His term is due to end in 2019.

Last month, South Africa’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, ruled that Mr Zuma had violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money used to upgrade his private home in the rural area of Nkandla.

Mmusi Maimane, leader of themainoppositionDemocratic Alliance (DA), was forced to withdraw his description in parliament of Mr Zuma.

US, Russia reach deal on ceasefire in Syria’s Aleppo

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N agreement has been reached with Russia to extend a ceasefire in Syria to Aleppo province and the besieged city of Aleppo, the US State Department said.

The expansion went into effect on Wednesday just after midnight in Damascus (02:00 GMT), the State Department said, noting an “overall decrease in

EU commission backs Turkish citizens’ visa-free travel

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HE European Commission has recommended the European Union to allow Turkish citizenstotravelfreelythrough the Schengen countries without visas.

The EU’s executive organ said Turkey has met most of the 72 criteria needed for a visa waiver, and it invited legislative institutions of the bloc to endorse the move by June 30.

The deal has raised legal and moral questions as EU nations, unable to agree among themselves about how to handle the refugee emergency, chose instead to outsource it to Turkey, where almost 3 million refugees are staying, most of them people fleeing war in Syria.

Visa liberalisation, which C M Y K

must come by June 30, would be an important sign that the Europeans are living up to their promises.

violence” since then despite some continued fighting.

“Since this went into effect today at 00:01 in Damascus, we have seen an overall decrease in violence in these areas,” spokesman Mark Toner said.

The announcement was delayed because “officials wanted to see how long it would take for the ceasefire to come into effect.”

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Papa Wemba buried in Kinshasha

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Prince’s team sought doctor’s help RINCE’S team requested emergency support from a leading addiction specialist just a day before the singer died, the doctor’s lawyer has revealed.

The specialist, Dr Howard Kornfeld,wasunabletomake it from California to Minnesota immediately but sent his son.

In a strange turn of events, it was his son, Dr Andrew Kornfeld, who called police after joining Prince’s staff to

Journalists in Egypt protesting against the government crackdown on dissent. Photo: Reuters

search for the missing singer.

The Kornfelds’ lawyer said neither had met Prince before his death.

William Mauzy told reporters on Wednesday that Prince’s team contacted Dr Howard Kornfeld on 20 April, the day before Prince died.

Unable to make it to Minnesota, the doctor dispatched his son and called a local doctor, who cleared his morning schedule to stabilise the singer.

HE funeral for one of Africa’s biggest music stars, Papa Wemba, has been held in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Large crowds gathered outside the Notre Dame Cathedral, where the private service took place.

The singer’s body was due to be buried on Wednesday evening in the capital.

Wemba, dubbed the king of Congolese rumba, died at the age of 66, after collapsing on stage in Ivory Coast on 24 April.

Mourners in DR Congo’s second city of Lubumbashi

also attended a final memorial service for Wemba on Wednesday.

Official commemorations, which began on Monday, were attended by thousands of people.

Libya’s east tests muscle with oil shipment, troop dispatches

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Y defiantly attempting to export their own oil and dispatching troops towards the centre of the country, Libya’s eastern factions may be gambling on force as they bid for a larger stake under a U.N.-backed unity government.

It could be a costly bet, one that ignites renewed conflict between east and west over territory,slashesoilproduction, and pushes Libya closer to a

split that has threatened the countrysincetheuprisingthat ousted Muammar Gaddafi five years ago.

The unity deal, signed in December despite opposition from hardliners, was meant to end the divide between rival governmentsinTripoliandthe east who have vied for control over the country and its oil resources since 2014, backed by competing factions of former anti-Gaddafi rebels.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016—45

Herdsmen must be disarmed immediately— Ogbe (2) The first part of this interview was published in Vanguard yesterday

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Gab Ewepu

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LL we do is to help the states, local governments drive policies and support them with fertiliser subsidies, chemicals and soil research. The governments at the state level should do more.

The rains are already here.

What are you doing to provide farmers with fertilisers early enough to meet the on-going planting season?

Fertilisers are already coming in. We had started moving fertilisers but recently, a security problem, which I can’t describe here arose which halted the movement. That was as early as February. But we met yesterday (Wednesday) with the blenders. Fertilisers now are not what they used to be. With the benefit of research, fertilisers are now soil and crop specific. The fertiliser they use in Ebonyi won’t work in Sokoto; the one in Kebbi can’t work in Oyo. We are cutting down on importation of wholesale fertilisers because we have enough capacity in Urea between Indorama and Notore.

We are a little late because of budget issues but I can assure you we are working hard on this. Agriculture is no longer a seasonal activity. We want to make it all the year round. That is why we will be constructing new dams and boreholes throughout the country so that farmers can work on their farms year-round.

What has happened to the country’s Cassava programme?

The mentality of the Nigerian elite is one of our most complicated problems. As we all walk around: political leaders, economic leaders, bankers and leaders in various fields, our level of patriotism is near zero.

External excitement Almost everything our elite do focuses on external excitement.

Brazil is the largest producer of wheat in the world, yet Brazilians include 15 per cent of cassava in their bread. A reduction of 15 per cent of $6 billion a year is a lot of money. There was no law to back the cassava bread initiative so they managed to get away with it. Consequently, people who invested in cassava farms had problems as there was a glut.

The Chinese told us they want to buy cassava from us on a large scale. This is because our cassava has 10 per cent more starch than the cassava from Thailand. The Chinese want cassava worth $23 billion yearly. What is slowing them down now is the problem of transportation. If you process

cassava chips around the South West, may be you can get it to the ports at a fairly reasonable cost. But if you produce here, inland, it is N300, 000 per trailer to get it to Lagos. That is N10, 000 per tonne. Then when you get there you pay freight and duty in China. You can hardly have any income. So we are negotiating with China to remove the duty like they did for Thailand and when the railways begin to function we will be able to move goods at about one quarter the price or maybe 10 percent the price and then we can take the Chinese market.

China is also looking for soya beans. Europe is looking for banana, pineapples. The Middle East is looking for goat meat; 120, 000 carcases a week.

Sir, what would you consider as the benefits of the China trip for the agricultural sector?

We had a meeting with the president and they said they want to invest in Nigeria because they need partners, they would need food from Africa. The trade balance, the trade situation between China and Africa is too much in their favour. He said so himself that he wants to redress it so we can gain more. He said they want to buy and that is why they are going to give us billions of dollars to invest and improve

If Ajaokuta had not suffered its fate, by today, we would have being building tanks for the military, building our own railway coaches, truck bodies and the rest of them our economy and sell things to them. We don’t hear that very often. The Chinese have their own issues that we have to deal with and it is not their fault- it is Nigerians who go there and buy the worst products because they say ‘them go buy’ and dumb them on us because the Chinese have standards; Europeans have standard, Americans have standard, African and Mid East standards are the worst. During the event I had to tell them that they must cut down on selling us junk and the Nigerians there

clapped and clapped but the fact is that the Chinese are more forthcoming than our traditional partners who only see everything wrong in us; corruption, blah, blah, blah.

Mobutu asked them once where did we learn corruption?

Sir still on the trade, how is it going to impact on our energy sector?

If we do the Mabila Dam, apart from that 3, 600 megawatts of electricity, the railways, reviving Ajaokuta steel, I was a minister there briefly, we have a place there called the medium steel section, you can do two kilometre of tracks per day.

Revival of Ajaokuta I was talking with the Minister of Solid Minerals yesterday, we want that revived in Ajaokuta so we will produce the tracks itself here in Nigeria. The bolts and the nuts we don’t have to import everything and our engineers here will fix it and of course link every state together by two tracks.

Then you can dream of speed trains and what have you.

Why can’t we, if Ajaokuta starts working?

Inter African trade is impossible because you can’t move goods.

The man who led the Ajaokuta team is 82 years old now. I spoke to him about three months ago and he asked me what is wrong with you people?

That same guy built the largest steel plant in China now that produces 100 million of steel per annum and the Chinese have learnt enough to take over the operation. All t h a t propaganda is part of the campaign.

When we began the steel industry as far back as the first studies where done in 1956 the Europeans said to us they couldn’t afford an Africa with

Audu Ogbe...producing wheat of better quality steel and oil. If Ajaokuta had not suffered its fate, by today, we would have being building tanks for the military, building our own railway coaches, truck bodies and the rest of them.

The problem is the Nigerian elite at the political level even those who run the economy who must have read things in Harvard and Yale for years don’t know the complexity of colonial history. If you haven’t read colonial history you can never understand. They are talking of free trade now. What did Britain do? There was a Prime Minister called William Pick. He instructed people that the American colony when they left Britain shouldn’t be allowed to manufacture as much as a horse shoe nail, you must buy from Britain. India was allowed to do textile you must buy from Britain. They told us here once don’t grow wheat that our lands can produce it well but

that isn’t true. We are now producing wheat of better quality with higher protein that yield five tonnes per hectare. The point is people have enjoyed the Nigerian market so much they won’t let go unless we are strong enough.

Finally sir; we have about three Universities of Agriculture in this country but it is difficult to say that these universities are concentrating on their core mandates.

The University was set up in 1992 right to pursue agriculture and research. To be under this ministry funded by us, to have a university commission under this ministry. They migrated for some reason to the ministry of education. They are now teaching political science, accounting and management, they even want to teach human medicine.

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Pep Guardiola’s anguish was clear to see as his Bayern Munich side were dumped out of Europe on Tuesday

Guardiola could only watch from the sidelines as his side were knocked out on away goals by Atletico Madrid

Guardiola has fallen victim to his own brilliance … Bayern Munich’s third-straight Champions League semi-final exit means he failed to deliver absolutely everything GUARDIOLA’S BAYERN MUNICH IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015-16 Lost to Atletico Madrid on away goals in semi-final 2014-15 Lost 5-3 to Barcelona in semi-final 2013-14 Lost 5-0 to Real Madrid in semi-final

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T is over, then. Pep Guardiola came to Munich to win the treble, and he will leave having suffered a treble nightmare in the Champions League.

For the third time in Guardiola’s three seasons at the club, Bayern Munich have been knocked out of Europe at the penultimate hurdle.

Each time, they have lost to Spanish opposition.

Unlike the last two years, Bayern did not capitulate.

They gave everything on Tuesday evening, and dominated Atletico for much of the game. But it wasn’t enough to save Pep’s European dream.

‘I gave my life for this team,’ said Guardiola. ‘I fought, and I tried my best.

That is all.’

Amid all the disappointment in Munich, nobody would seriously accuse Guardiola of any less. Despite all the talk of being distracted by his plans for Manchester City, the 45-year-old has clearly given everything to Bayern in his final weeks.

Everything wasn’t enough. ‘It doesn’t matter which team plays better; only the results count,’ admitted Guardiola.

The result shows that Guardiola was once again outwitted by Spanish opposition.

Chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quick to criticise the referee, but the truth is that Bayern lost a tactical battle. They only C M Y K

lost it by a whisker, but they lost it.

Despite their relentlessness going forward, one defensive mistake was enough to knock Bayern out of the Champions League.

‘It was ugly football against the most beautiful football in the world,’ complained Arturo Vidal.

‘They got the ball twice in two games, and scored both times.’

Those two goals rather summed up Guardiola’s time at Bayern. Totally dominant over long periods, just a handful of weak moments have kept Pep’s team from the biggest prize.

Guardiola won his first Bundesliga title in March, the earliest any team had ever become champions. He won the double in his first season, and may yet do so again.

If Bayern wrap up the league on Saturday, it will be an unprecedented fourth title in a row.

He has also reached the semi-final of the Champions League in each of his three years at Bayern. Only Real Madrid have been equally as consistent over the same time frame.

Guardiola’s three years at Bayern have been as dominant and thrilling as his possession-based style. They have also been equally susceptible to a well-timed sucker punch.

‘It’s bitter to be knocked

out like that,’ said Philipp Lahm, ‘and it’s a huge shame that we haven’t rewarded ourselves and the coaching staff for a great three years.’

Lahm went on to speak of how Bayern could still win the double, and how even in the dressing room on Tuesday night, they were immediately pumping themselves up for the chance to wrap up the Bundesliga title this weekend.

He didn’t sound too convincing. For now and for the rest of the season, all thoughts will be on what Bild’s front page on Wednesday labelled ‘Pep’s most bitter defeat’.

‘Pep has without doubt given so much to Bayern and German football,’ wrote one columnist, ‘Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld are probably not better managers just because they managed to win the Champions League with Bayern.’

Pep Guardiola will not leave Bayern in disgrace.

There is an enduring respect, if little love lost, for the Catalan in Munich.

Ultimately, though, the world’s most coveted coach has fallen victim to his own all-encompassing brilliance. When you hire Pep Guardiola, only absolutely everything is enough. Absolutely everything is just what Pep Guardiola couldn’t deliver.

MAN IN BLACK — Diego Simeone

Chelsea Captain, John Terry, Confirmed for Yobo Centenary Game

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HELSEA Captain, John Terry, is the latest player from the English Premier League to confirm to be available in Port Harcourt for the Joseph Yobo Centenary Game scheduled for May 27 to celebrate the retirement of the former Super Eagles captain from football.

The centre back who captained England national football team, the Three Lions between August 2006 and February 2010, and again from March 2011 to February 2012 confirmed his availability for the game to Yobo last weekend.

“We are really excited by the confirmation of John Terry for the Yobo Centenary Game in Port Harcourt.

He’s one big player that is very popular here in the country because of England and Chelsea’s

large followership in Nigeria,” observed Coordinator of the Centenary Game, Waidi Akanni.

Terry is Chelsea’s most successful captain, having led them to four Premier League titles, four FA

•Terry

Cups, three League Cups and one UEFA Champions League title since 2004.

He is one of five players to have made over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the club’s alltime highest scoring defender.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 — 47

Olympic torch arrives Brazil T T

HE Olympic torch has arrived in Brazil, marking the start of a 95-day journey that will end at Rio’s Maracana stadium in August for the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The flame arrived at the international airport of Brasilia at 7:25am local time after being carried inside a protective lantern on a flight from the Swiss city of Geneva.

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff officially received the torch ahead of its 325-city relay of Brazil that will involve around 12,000 runners.

At a ceremony to mark the flame’s arrival, Rousseff vowed the international community would be made to feel welcome during the Games, despite the country’s ongoing political and economic crisis.

*OLYMPICTORCH: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff lights the Olympic torch at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia May 3.

T

HE national wom en’s basketball team, D’ Tigress will on May15 in Abuja open their camp ahead of the Olympic Women Qualifying Tournament scheduled for Nantes, France from June 13 to 19, 2016.

President of the Nigeria Basket Ball Federation (NBBF), Tijjani

*Elonu Adaora

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HAMPIONS Eny imba defied the form book today when they beat Kano Pillars 21 and denied the host team the chance to go top of the Nigeria league table.

Pillars thus stay in sec-

Umar told a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that the team will play two international preparation games against the Turkish national women’s team in Istanbul on May 27 and 28.

He also disclosed that the team will thereafter set up a training and preparation camp in Turkey from May 29 to June 5. The team will further camp in France from June 6 -12 and will also play two warm-up matches against their counterparts from Argentina on June 8 and 9 as well as another game against a local basket ball club in Nantes on June 11.

“The team will depart France for Nigeria on June 20 hopefully with the Olympic ticket in the kitty ” concluded the NBBF boss who also released a list of 25 invited players.

Players grumble Continues from BP as clearly stipulated in the rules of the competition. One of the disturbed Giwa players said their fate is hanging in a balance.

“We don’t know what is next for us here. All we do is to go to training and come back. We are not happy at all,” he told AfricanFootball.com “We went to Jos stadi-

Organisers dedicate 2016 Okpekpe race to late Oba of Benin time.”

By Chinwe Okeke

poused in conceiving the Okpepke race few years ago.”

The organisers stressed that: “though deeply saddened, by the passing on to glory of the Oba, we are however consoled that the sterling legacy bequeathed by the great monarch already secured for him a front-roll seat in the pantheons of sages of all

Enyimba humble Pillars in Kano

Basketball: D’Tigress open camp for Olympic qualifier

By Jude Opara

HIS year’s 10-km Okpekpe Road Race has been dedicated to the memory of Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, the Oba of Benin, who was a passionate follower of sports in the country.

In a statement by the organisers in Lagos yesterday, “the late monarch was not just a great unifier of all Edo people; he was also a keen lover of sports as a vehicle to promote peace and unity.”

The statement added, “ we drew a lot of inspiration from the noble values Omo N’Oba es-

um last weekend for the game against Wikki and there were no referees for the game. We the players are in dilemma right now and every day we get frustrated.”

Another player said they have not been paid salaries. “We are being owed salary, some four months, some three and others two months,” he disclosed.

ond place on 24 points from 14 matches, three points behind leaders Enugu Rangers, while Enyimba climbed to 13th place with 17 points from 11 matches.

Experienced central defender Ike ThankGod grabbed the match winner for Enyimba eight minutes from time in a rescheduled league match today.

*Ike ThankGod

NBC thrills at 2016 Lagos Yacht Club boat racing championship

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T was fun and excite ment for boat race lovers in Lagos, as the fourth edition of the Lagos Yacht Club Annual Boat Racing Competition sponsored by Nigerian Bottling Company held recently at the Lagos Yacht Club, Onikan , Lagos At the end of the rounds of the competition, which was witnessed by a large crowd of boat race lovers, including school children and foreigners from different parts of the world, prizes were awarded in three categories – Combined Monohull Class,

Hobie Class and the Lightning Class.

A total of 22 boats took part in the 2016 edition of the completion, but 19 boats were able to complete the race.

Speaking at the end of the competition, the National Sales Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mr. Dan Fratila, said that Nigerian Bottling Company Regatta Cup was part of his company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. “ Nigerian Bottling Company is a company that encourages people to do sports and we are

Chelsea, Tottenham Continues from BP incidents in the 45th and 87th minutes, as well as for a bust-up between both sets of players in front of the tunnel after full-time. Mousa Dembele, meanwhile, has been charged separately for violent conduct after the Tottenham midfielder appeared to gouge the eye of Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the first half.

Claims that Dembele will be slapped with a 10-game suspension surprised those behind the scenes at the FA on Wednesday morning.

Luis Suarez was handed a 10-game ban in

2013 for biting Branislav Ivanovic and that would be seen as a severe punishment.

Dembele does face a ban in excess of the usual three games, however, and has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.

The incident in the 45th minute saw Danny Rose and Willian booked after the pair clashed, while a late sliding tackle by Eric Dier on Eden Hazard in the 87th minute sparked a mass melee.

Then, after full-time, both teams were caught in a brawl as they headed down the tunnel.

trying to encourage people to embrace boat racing as a sport and a lifestyle “ Dan Fratila said.

Dembele Continues from BP and Tottenham, with both clubs also facing sanctions following the mass brawl at Stamford Bridge.

The FA said of Dembélé that “it is alleged the player’s behaviour constituted violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient. The player has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.”

The incidents were not seen by the officials but were captured on video during the game. The clubs have until 6pm on Monday to respond to

Continuing, the organisers said, we are further comforted that we have a worthy successor in the Crown Prince, His Excellency, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa.”

“It is with mixed feelings that the organizers of the Annual Okpekpe International Marathon received the news of the passing on to glory of our most revered Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR. “As our own modest way of celebrating this icon, the board met and resolved that this year’s edition of the Okpekpe race be dedicated to the great king as he joins his ancestors.

“Our heart-felt condolences to the Crown Prince, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the people of Edo State,” the statement signed by the Mike Itemuagbor, MD/ CEO Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM), organizers of the annual road race. their charges.

Tottenham’s title hopes were abruptly ended when Eden Hazard struck late to hand Leicester City the Premier League crown. The referee, Mark Clattenburg, awarded nine yellow cards to Spurs during the match – a Premier League record for a single game – but the officials did not punish Dembélé on the night.

Nor did Clattenburg penalise Mauricio Pochettino when the Tottenham manager encroached on the pitch to separate Danny Rose and Willian. That sparked the melee which resulted in Dembele raising his hand to Costa’s face, but there was further controversy to come at full-time.

Leicester Continues from BP were held to a 2-2 draw

by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This Saturday will give Leicester supporters a chance to celebrate being crowned champions – but only those with deep pockets will be able to attend if they use resale websites such as Ticketbis.

Even the cheapest tick-

et in the Leicester home end will set fans back £1,700. The most expensive, meanwhile, was advertised at £7,920.50.

The cheapest ticket in the Everton away end on Ticketbis was £434.

The face vale of tickets for the game when officially on sale by Leicester was between £30 and £50 for adults.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Crisis hits Giwa FC:

Chelsea, Tottenham slapped with three FA charges

T

HE Football Association have come down hard on Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and charged both clubs for failing to control their players during the Battle of the Bridge on Monday night.

The FA have charged the London sides for Continues on Page 47

Players grumble over unpaid salaries P

LAYERS of Giwa FC are grumbling over the uncertainties hanging over them as the Jos club will be thrown out of the Nigeria Professional Football League should they fail to honour a second straight league match this weekend.

Several players of the club are unhappy they have not been paid salaries for several months

now.

At the weekend, Wikki Tourists walked over Giwa at the Ilorin Stadium after the Jos club stayed away from the match venue following their banishment from the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos on account of crowd trouble.

Should Giwa fail to honour their next game away at Abia Warriors on Sunday, they will be expelled from the league

Tickets for Leicester City Continues on Page 47 •Giwa EPL title celebrations go Dembélé could face for N2.4m each lengthy ban

T

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (L) vies with Real Madrid's forward Gareth Bale during the Champions League semi-final second leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium yesterday. Real Madrid won 1-0. PHOTO: AFP

ICKET touts are asking for as much as £8,000 (about N2.4m) from fans who want to be at the King Power Stadium for Leicester City’s final home game against Everton.

Leicester won the Barclays Premier League title on Monday night, when Tottenham Hotspur Continues on Page 47

M

OUSA Dembélé could face a lengthy ban after being charged with violent conduct for appearing to eye gouge Diego Costa during the heated 2-2 draw between Chelsea Continues on Page 47

•Dembele

Champions League Result Real Madrid 1 Man City 0 •Vardy

(Marid qualified 1-0 goal aggregate)

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Clergyman (5) 7 Astounded (6) 9 Guided (3) 12 Wash Out (5) 13 Irritation (4) 15 Weird (5) 17 Funeral-car (6) 19 Repulsive (4) 20 Crawl (5) 22 Rotter (3) 24 Polluted (7) 27 Lair (3) 28 Smallest (5) 31 Music-work (4) 33 Confused (6) 35 Irrigate (5) 37 Method (4) 38 Beneath (5) 39 Cur (3) 41 Deed (3) 43 Demise (5)

DOWN 1 Madman (6) 2 Awkward (6) 3 Vitality (3) 4 Fairy (4) 5 Farewell (5) 6 Uneasy (8) 8 Caribou 11 Revoked (9) 14 Respect (4) 16 Genuine (4) 18 Imitated (4) 21 Reply (8) 23 Dale (4) 25 Stunt (4) 26 Consider (4) 29 Worshipped (6) 30 Pact (6) 32 Perspire (5) 34 Fall (4) 36 Cunning (4) 40 Breach (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Acid 4, Cap 6, Trim 9, Rid 10, Eminence 11, Aimed 14, Nor 16, Plate 19, Clarinet 21, Penal 23, Delegate 24, Tarry 27, Wed 31, Wild 33, Intended 34, Vie 35, Seer 36, Lad 37, Site.

DOWN: 2, Come 3, Dine 4, Condoned 5, Plea 6, Trail 7, Rim 8, Idiot 12, Scent 13, Maker 14, Nip 15, Renew 17, Atlas 18, Eager 20, Talented 22, Led 25, Alive 26, Rider 28, Bill 29, Onus 30, Test 32, Lie.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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