2015: Why we want to rescue Nigeria — Opposition govs

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61812

Mali 'll be tougher than Cote d'Ivoire — Keshi •See Back Page

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

PERFORMANCE:

Opposition battles Presidency, slams Okupe •Pgs.5&49

2015: Why we want to rescue Nigeria — Opposition govs •Meet in Lagos, endorse merger •Say Nigeria must not be one-party state

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

L

AGOS—TEN gov ernors drawn from four leading opposition parties yesterday rose from a meeting in Lagos vowing to rescue Nigeria from the abyss she had been flung into by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Continues on Page 16

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

DEAR BUNMI •P.32

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

OGAGA IFOWODO •P.19

Mr & Mrs

OPPOSITION—From right: Gov Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); representative of Yobe State Governor, Senator Jejere Alkali; Govs Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Kashim Shettima (Borno); Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Umar Tanko Al -Makura (Nasarawa); AbdulAziz Yari (Zamfara); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), after the meeting of Opposition Governors on the proposed merger, held at Lagos House Marina, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Obasanjo lived in fear of arrest under Yar'Adua •Pg.6 — El-Rufai•P.14 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

—3 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

CENTENARY—

From right: Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former President Shehu Shagari; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Nigeria Centenary flag-off ceremony in Abuja, Monday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Performance: Opposition parties battle Presidency •Ezeife, Balarabe Musa, Kaita, Aturu, Junaid Mohammed slam Okupe

•PDP accuses ACN, CPC, others of deceit

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, HENRY UMORU, DAPO AKINREFON, CHARLES KUMOLU & GBENGA OKE

L

AGOS—OPPOSI TION parties and Critics, yesterday, rose

stoutly to the challenge of the Presidency to show evidence of the non-performance of President Goodluck Jonathan with various segments of the opposition and civil society rounding up the actions

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

God will always bring us the opportunities we need when we need them. He simply never fails. His job is to create the opportunities, ours is to seize and use them.

TAKE HEART

S

BY ELLA RANDLE

OMETIMES people measure their progress in life by their income or clothing size, yet what truly matters is how much you have loved during your time here...this is all that really counts— Doreen Virtue Everything that you need is available to you right now; life is a storehouse that provides all you need.

When you contemplate a desire, this store house goes to work in preparation on your order, as long as you keep your thoughts positive and have first hand trust that life will bring to you the desires that you need and not necessary what you want.

First, you need to determine what it is you desire and have faith that it will come to you, and you have to give your talents more than the best of your ability and when you really love what you do, you’ll naturally excel at it.

Doreen Virtue sums aptly: “When you request that your need be met, there is still an abundant store left over, so your receiving goods could never take away from anyone.” You deserve to have your wish fulfilled, just as all God’s children do, that which life gives to you is in abundant supply and there is plenty for everyone.

of the administration as the hallmark of non-performance.

Responding to the challenge thrown by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, political parties and civil society groups debunked the claims of progress under Jonathan made by Okupe on Monday, describing them as delusions.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was still unsparing of the opposition, accusing them of fanning the politics of deceit characterised by the spread of lies and innuendos calculated to deceive the unwary.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh cited as an example of the opposition’s use of deceit, recent claims by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC that the Federal Capital Territory Administration budgeted N7 billion for the construction of two Abuja City Gates; N5 billion for the rehabilitation of commercial sex workers and N4 billion for the construction of First Lady’s Of-

fice.

Dr. Okupe had on Monday rebutted charges of incompetence and cluelessness that have been repeatedly thrown at the doorsteps of the Jonathan administration.

While citing several landmark achievements of the administration, Okupe had dared the opposition to produce evidence of the alleged incompetence of the administration or forever keep quiet.

Opposition responds Yesterday, the opposition reacted with fury, with the ACN, CPC, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Afenifere among others responding.

Eminent Nigerians including second republic governors of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Alhaji Lawal Kaita, fiery Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed; Third Republic governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and civil right activist, Bamidele Aturu also re-

sponded to the issue in separate interviews with Vanguard.

The ACN in its response described incompetence, cluelessness and inconsistency as the hallmark of the Jonathan Administration against the suggestions of progress by Okupe who the party accused of trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians through a pedestrian play on semantics.

ACN replies Okupe The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also slammed Okupe for seeking to blame the opposition for the failure of the Jonathan Administration to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians, saying the likes of Okupe, rather than the opposition, have contributed in no small measure to the Administration’s low esteem in the eyes of Nigerians.

“There is no point rummaging through the dictionary to define incompetence, as Okupe has done in his rambling statement. All one needs to do to understand is to look at the waffling Jonathan Administration,” the ACN said.

“Touting President Goodluck Jonathan’s impressive academic qualifications is also very cheap, as they have not proven to be an asset in the way and manner the President has steered the affairs of his Administration, especially his articulation of his government’s policies and the projection of its ability. In any case, while a Doctorate Degree in any field is something to be celebrated, it is not a prerequisite for being a good leader,” the party said.

ACN said the country was being bogged down by corruption, insecurity, policy flip-flops, absence of governance and downright lies that have estranged the citizens and erased their trust in government.

“No Administration in our recent history has been more a hotbed of corruption than the Jonathan Administration, whether it is the fuel subsidy scam or the police pension scam, just to mention two. Even when a feeble attempt is made to prosecute those behind the scams, the majesty of the law is rubbished by prosecution that ensures that convicted persons get only a slap on the wrist.

Under the Jonathan Administration, the more money you steal, the less punishment you receive!

“While a security crisis of the scale perpetrated

by Boko Haram may be unprecedented in our country, equally unfathomable is the government’s inability to rise to the occasion, to such an extent that even the President admits that his administration has been infiltrated by Boko Haram members!”

CPC, CNPP react The CPC in its reaction articulated through its National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Rotimi Fashikin said: “What greater evidence can you have than the huge insecurity that Nigerians have had to cope with in the last 18 months? What about the rising spate of humongous corruption never known in the nation’s history- currently under the president’s watch? How about the profligacy of the regime without cognisance of the parlous state of the nation’s infrastructure?

Continues on page 49

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—7

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Army Corporal guns down Police Inspector over argument

BY TAYE OBATERU & FOM FONDONG

J

OS — AN army corporal, yesterday, shot dead a Police Inspector in Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State following an argument.

The duo, who were security officials on duty in the local government, had a misunderstanding which resulted in a shouting match between them before the soldier pulled the trigger, killing the policeman.

It was gathered that the problem started at about 12.30 p.m. when the inspector and the corporal began to exchange words following which their colleagues intervened and tried

to pacify them.

But apparently still bitter about the hot exchange of words, the soldier reportedly went for his gun, corked it and shot the police inspector, simply identified as Doe, at close range.

One of the security men, who confirmed the shooting, said they were shocked to hear gunshots after they had pleaded with their colleagues to keep the peace and on rushing to the scene, they found the policeman on the ground.

Police spokesman in the state, DSP John Omuogbo, confirmed the incident, saying it followed an argument between two security men.

Police arrest 5 suspected car snatchers

L

BY UJU MBANUSI

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, said it had begun an onslaught against car snatchers in the state, declaring that five suspected members of separate car syndicates have been arrested in two days.

One of the suspects identified simply as Olatunde, was reportedly at the verge of being lynched by an angry mob along Ijebu-Ode road, Ikorodu, after a failed attempt to snatch a vehicle.

Olatunde, who had earlier been arrested over similar offence, attempted to snatch a white colour Mazda bus with

number plate EJ 917 SMK, from where it was parked at a fuel station.

Luck ran against him after its owner raised an alarm, following which an angry mob descended on him and inflicted machete cuts all over his body. But for the arrival of policemen from Shagamu Road Division, Olatunde would have been set ablaze by the mob.

Confirming the arrest, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide said four other robbery suspects who specialised in snatching vehicles from where they were parked , were also arrested.

Rights activist/politician assassinated in Nsukka

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

SUKKA — A frontline politician and rights crusader in Nsukka, Enugu State has been assassinated by unknown persons.

The politician, Christopher Ejike Onah a.k.a. Papa Nsukka, was attacked at his residence in Agbani area of the town at about 9.30 p.m, Sunday night, by assailants numbering over 20.

Vanguard learnt that the assassins had accosted their victim at the gate of his residence even as his neighbours shouted for help while beating wooden security gongs to scare away the alleged hoodlums.

Onah had gone to bed but was reportedly woken by his wife who informed him that people were shouting outside.

Dressed in boxers and a Tshirt, he went out to ascertain what was wrong only to be attacked at his gate with machetes and axes, leaving deep cuts on his head, neck and body.

His attackers fled when they felt he had died.

He was, however, rushed to a private hospital in Nsukka where he died, Monday night, after efforts by the doctors to save his life failed.

Reports also said that one Ndubisi Ugwu, a welder and native of Onah’s Agbani village was also attacked

same night.

The latter ’s two rooms apartment was reportedly demolished by the attackers in an effort to kill him but he eventually escaped unhurt.

Contacted, Enugu State Police spokesman, Ebere

Amarizu, said the incident had been reported to the police command headquarters in Enugu.

He said a case of malicious damage of property was previously reported against the deceased, adding that the

attack on him could be a reprisal.

“Our major concern now is to conduct an autopsy but no arrest has been made," Amarizu added.

The Police Area Commander, Nsukka Police Area Command,

Assistant Commissioner RosAmson Halladu, also described the killing as unfortunate.

He urged the people to always dialogue on issues instead of resorting to violence, warning that the police would not tolerate use of violence to resolve disputes.

Sympathisers at the scene of an accident along Idiroko Road in Ota, Ogun State which claimed about six lives, Monday night. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Technicalities stop arraignment of Cynthia’s alleged killers

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS — EFFORTS by Lagos State AttorneyGeneral, Mr. Ade Ipaye, to formally arraign suspected killers of Cynthia Osokogu allegedly killed by her Facebook friends in a hotel in Festac, Lagos, hit brick walls, yesterday, as the court adjourned their arraignment at the request of the accused persons’ lawyer.

The Nasarawa State-born lady who was a daughter of Major General Frank Osokogu (rtd), was killed in Lagos last year after she was allegedly drugged by her assailants.

However, an attempt by the state government to dock the

Suspected killers of Cynthia Udoka Osokogu at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

EFCC docks 20 suspected Yahoo-Yahoo boys Herbalist nabbed with fresh human tongue, arm in Ogun

zGranted N1m bail each

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arraigned 20 suspected Internet fraudsters before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwajiaren, said the accused persons were arrested by men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in a building located at 56, Siluko Road, Benin City and were handed over to the commission for further investigation.

He explained that one Peter Sunday (a.k.a Richmon), believed to be the leader of the syndicate, was arrested along with 19 others, while 40 computers and other hardwares were seized in the raid.

According to him, “the suspects were arrested by the JTF and handed over to us. The suspects operated from a cyber café, so intricately designed it will never occur to anybody that any

criminal activity was going on there. They scammed people from all over the world from inside of a mud house at 56, Siluko Road, which was used to deceive outsiders. No one will think any criminal activity went on inside of the mud house.”

However, the suspects who were slammed with a six-count charge pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Their counsel, Mr.

Olayiwola Afolabi, laboured to obtain bail for the suspects after the EFCC counsel, Gabriel Edobor, observed that there was no affidavit before the court to that effect.

After a heated argument, Justice A. M. Liman granted bail in the sum of N1 million to each of the suspects.

The suspects were asked to provide sureties with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, adding that in the case of the sureties, the

The suspected Yahoo-Yahoo boys in court, yesterday

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

traditional rulers of the place will have to verify that they actually own such property.

Justice Elima, after pleadings, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1 million each and a surety with landed property within the jurisdiction, which must be linked to the said surety “ with verifiable proof of ownership duly signed by the traditional ruler of the area.”

Hearing on the suit was adjourned to March 4, 13 and 19, 2013.

A

BEOKUTA—A herbalist identified as Chief Dandola Owotomo aka Amuludun Isese has been reportedly caught with human tongue, arm and a woman's private part in IjebuIgbo, in Ijebu-Igbo NorthEast Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He was said to be one of the three suspected ritualists arrested by police in the state in connection with the disappearance of a 70-yearold Kehinde Rabiu, who was declared missing at IdodeImomo in the area.

Vanguard findings revealed that Owotomo,65, was arrested at his residence in Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area by policemen from Atan Police Division following a tip- off.

A police source from Atan Police Station, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that the man was picked up by policemen after his house was searched where a shrine was

uncovered with fresh human parts.

The source further said the police got a tip-off from a member of the Idode-Imomo Community Development Association, CDA, in the area.

It would be recalled that a kidnappers’ den was uncovered in the same area recently after the mysterious disappearance of the aged man which led to the arrest of three suspects.

According to the police source, ”we went to Ijebu-Igbo with the support of the CDA member after we got a tip-off from the people.

When we got to the man’s house, it was an eyesore. We discovered a calabash in one of his rooms where a fresh human tongue, human palm and a woman's private parts were kept in a shrine drenched with blood assumed to be human blood.

“We transferred him to Eleweran on Sunday and the Commissioner of Police has shown much interest in the case and had ordered that investigation should commence into the matter and he has promised to get to the root of the matter.”

When contacted, the police

spokesman in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed that some people had been arrested, said he was yet to be briefed on the latest happening.

Meantime, residents of the area have begun deserting their houses to neighbouring towns such as Atan, Eruwon,

Odosimadegun and Ijebu-Ode following the fear of kidnappers and ritualists in the area.

Vanguard gathered that the residents believed their lives were no longer safe in the town following the discovery of the underground kidnappers’ den.

2 injured as bus crushes tri-cycle in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

L

AGOS — TWO people narrowly escaped death, yesterday, in Lagos, during an auto crash involving a tricycle popularly called Keke Marwa and a commercial bus with number plate Lagos YA 525 MUS. The incident happened around 12.30 p.m at Balogun bus-stop, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja when the tri-cyclist and driver of the 22-passenger bus tried to outsmart each other as they journeyed along Allen-Ikeja axis of the road.

According to an eye witness account, the driver of the fully

loaded bus was maintaining a slow speed while the tri-cyclist who was carrying only one passenger tried to overtake him, unfortunately, he miscalculated and rammed into the bus.

The Keke Marwa, however, skidded off the road leading to severe injuries by the operator and his only passenger.

As soon as the incident occurred, the passengers in the bus disembarked and joined other sympathisers who had already gathered to assist the victims.

The incident caused a gridlock for a while until the arrival of some concerned citizens who helped to ease off the traffic.

four suspects at the high court before Justice Olabisi Akinlade was frustrated by counsel representing two of the accused persons who informed the court that the office of the AG failed to include statement of one of the accused in the proof of evidence only served on them yesterday.

They accused the state of trying to ambush them by only serving them with the proof of evidence in court, and that the statement of one of the defendants was not also included.

Earlier, a counsel representing the second defendant, Ezike Chidera Olisaeloka, Olukayode Dada, had requested the court to put the defendants arraignment on hold, stating that they have already been adjudged as criminals without formal trial through the media.

He, therefore, requested that the court should suspend their arraignment till a later date.

However, the application was

opposed by the Lagos State Attorney-General, who personally appeared in court to prosecute the matter.

The AG argued that it was never part of the Nigerian law to request a push over of arraignment of murder suspects under the pretence that they have been publicised in the media.

This made the trial judge to over rule them, preparing the stage for their arraignment. But this was frustrated as the defendants’ lawyer insisted that they could not go on with the arraignment, unless they got the statement they requested.

The prosecution team led by the Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye admitted to the mix up in serving the processes to one of the defence counsel but promised to immediately resolve the issue.

The presiding judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, subsequently, adjourned the matter to February 8, 2013 for trial.

Cleric, NMA chairman's wife kidnapped in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA— THE Pastor in charge of St Paul’s Anglican Parish, Umunachi in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Rev. James Achigbu and the wife of the Anambra State chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Emmanuel Ekwesianya, have been kidnapped at two different locations in Anambra State.

While Rev Achigbu was kidnapped along UmunachiEziowelle road at about 8.00 p.m as he was returning home, the wife of the NMA chairman was abducted at about 7.30 a.m. as she was about to drive her children to school in Ihiala.

Venerable Obi Ubaka in charge of Ogidi Archdeaconry said, yesterday, that Rev Achigbu was with his wife, Uju, at the time of the incident.

He said: “Rev Achigbu and his wife were returning home in their Honda Accord car after visiting St. John’s Church, Eziowele

when the kidnappers blocked them along the UmunachiEziowele road and forced him into their vehicle. One of the kidnappers forced his wife out of the Honda car and drove behind her husband’s abductors.”

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident and said efforts were on to effect the release of the Pastor.

Elsewhere, at Ihiala, the kidnappers of the NMA chairman’s wife have demanded ransom of N50 million.

Mrs. Ekwesianya had prepared her children for school and as she opened their gate and drove out, the kidnappers blocked her with an SUV and forced her into the vehicle, leaving the children stranded.

Twenty four hours later, the abductors established contact with her husband, who is the Director of Medical Services at Anambra State University, Uli and demanded payment of N50 million ransom.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—7

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Army Corporal guns down Police Inspector over argument

BY TAYE OBATERU & FOM FONDONG

J

OS — AN army corporal, yesterday, shot dead a Police Inspector in Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State following an argument.

The duo, who were security officials on duty in the local government, had a misunderstanding which resulted in a shouting match between them before the soldier pulled the trigger, killing the policeman.

It was gathered that the problem started at about 12.30 p.m. when the inspector and the corporal began to exchange words following which their colleagues intervened and tried

to pacify them.

But apparently still bitter about the hot exchange of words, the soldier reportedly went for his gun, corked it and shot the police inspector, simply identified as Doe, at close range.

One of the security men, who confirmed the shooting, said they were shocked to hear gunshots after they had pleaded with their colleagues to keep the peace and on rushing to the scene, they found the policeman on the ground.

Police spokesman in the state, DSP John Omuogbo, confirmed the incident, saying it followed an argument between two security men.

Police arrest 5 suspected car snatchers

L

BY UJU MBANUSI

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, said it had begun an onslaught against car snatchers in the state, declaring that five suspected members of separate car syndicates have been arrested in two days.

One of the suspects identified simply as Olatunde, was reportedly at the verge of being lynched by an angry mob along Ijebu-Ode road, Ikorodu, after a failed attempt to snatch a vehicle.

Olatunde, who had earlier been arrested over similar offence, attempted to snatch a white colour Mazda bus with

number plate EJ 917 SMK, from where it was parked at a fuel station.

Luck ran against him after its owner raised an alarm, following which an angry mob descended on him and inflicted machete cuts all over his body. But for the arrival of policemen from Shagamu Road Division, Olatunde would have been set ablaze by the mob.

Confirming the arrest, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide said four other robbery suspects who specialised in snatching vehicles from where they were parked , were also arrested.

Rights activist/politician assassinated in Nsukka

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

SUKKA — A frontline politician and rights crusader in Nsukka, Enugu State has been assassinated by unknown persons.

The politician, Christopher Ejike Onah a.k.a. Papa Nsukka, was attacked at his residence in Agbani area of the town at about 9.30 p.m, Sunday night, by assailants numbering over 20.

Vanguard learnt that the assassins had accosted their victim at the gate of his residence even as his neighbours shouted for help while beating wooden security gongs to scare away the alleged hoodlums.

Onah had gone to bed but was reportedly woken by his wife who informed him that people were shouting outside.

Dressed in boxers and a Tshirt, he went out to ascertain what was wrong only to be attacked at his gate with machetes and axes, leaving deep cuts on his head, neck and body.

His attackers fled when they felt he had died.

He was, however, rushed to a private hospital in Nsukka where he died, Monday night, after efforts by the doctors to save his life failed.

Reports also said that one Ndubisi Ugwu, a welder and native of Onah’s Agbani village was also attacked

same night.

The latter ’s two rooms apartment was reportedly demolished by the attackers in an effort to kill him but he eventually escaped unhurt.

Contacted, Enugu State Police spokesman, Ebere

Amarizu, said the incident had been reported to the police command headquarters in Enugu.

He said a case of malicious damage of property was previously reported against the deceased, adding that the

attack on him could be a reprisal.

“Our major concern now is to conduct an autopsy but no arrest has been made," Amarizu added.

The Police Area Commander, Nsukka Police Area Command,

Assistant Commissioner RosAmson Halladu, also described the killing as unfortunate.

He urged the people to always dialogue on issues instead of resorting to violence, warning that the police would not tolerate use of violence to resolve disputes.

Sympathisers at the scene of an accident along Idiroko Road in Ota, Ogun State which claimed about six lives, Monday night. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Technicalities stop arraignment of Cynthia’s alleged killers

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS — EFFORTS by Lagos State AttorneyGeneral, Mr. Ade Ipaye, to formally arraign suspected killers of Cynthia Osokogu allegedly killed by her Facebook friends in a hotel in Festac, Lagos, hit brick walls, yesterday, as the court adjourned their arraignment at the request of the accused persons’ lawyer.

The Nasarawa State-born lady who was a daughter of Major General Frank Osokogu (rtd), was killed in Lagos last year after she was allegedly drugged by her assailants.

However, an attempt by the state government to dock the

Suspected killers of Cynthia Udoka Osokogu at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

EFCC docks 20 suspected Yahoo-Yahoo boys Herbalist nabbed with fresh human tongue, arm in Ogun

zGranted N1m bail each

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arraigned 20 suspected Internet fraudsters before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwajiaren, said the accused persons were arrested by men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in a building located at 56, Siluko Road, Benin City and were handed over to the commission for further investigation.

He explained that one Peter Sunday (a.k.a Richmon), believed to be the leader of the syndicate, was arrested along with 19 others, while 40 computers and other hardwares were seized in the raid.

According to him, “the suspects were arrested by the JTF and handed over to us. The suspects operated from a cyber café, so intricately designed it will never occur to anybody that any

criminal activity was going on there. They scammed people from all over the world from inside of a mud house at 56, Siluko Road, which was used to deceive outsiders. No one will think any criminal activity went on inside of the mud house.”

However, the suspects who were slammed with a six-count charge pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Their counsel, Mr.

Olayiwola Afolabi, laboured to obtain bail for the suspects after the EFCC counsel, Gabriel Edobor, observed that there was no affidavit before the court to that effect.

After a heated argument, Justice A. M. Liman granted bail in the sum of N1 million to each of the suspects.

The suspects were asked to provide sureties with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, adding that in the case of the sureties, the

The suspected Yahoo-Yahoo boys in court, yesterday

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

traditional rulers of the place will have to verify that they actually own such property.

Justice Elima, after pleadings, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1 million each and a surety with landed property within the jurisdiction, which must be linked to the said surety “ with verifiable proof of ownership duly signed by the traditional ruler of the area.”

Hearing on the suit was adjourned to March 4, 13 and 19, 2013.

A

BEOKUTA—A herbalist identified as Chief Dandola Owotomo aka Amuludun Isese has been reportedly caught with human tongue, arm and a woman's private part in IjebuIgbo, in Ijebu-Igbo NorthEast Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He was said to be one of the three suspected ritualists arrested by police in the state in connection with the disappearance of a 70-yearold Kehinde Rabiu, who was declared missing at IdodeImomo in the area.

Vanguard findings revealed that Owotomo,65, was arrested at his residence in Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area by policemen from Atan Police Division following a tip- off.

A police source from Atan Police Station, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that the man was picked up by policemen after his house was searched where a shrine was

uncovered with fresh human parts.

The source further said the police got a tip-off from a member of the Idode-Imomo Community Development Association, CDA, in the area.

It would be recalled that a kidnappers’ den was uncovered in the same area recently after the mysterious disappearance of the aged man which led to the arrest of three suspects.

According to the police source, ”we went to Ijebu-Igbo with the support of the CDA member after we got a tip-off from the people.

When we got to the man’s house, it was an eyesore. We discovered a calabash in one of his rooms where a fresh human tongue, human palm and a woman's private parts were kept in a shrine drenched with blood assumed to be human blood.

“We transferred him to Eleweran on Sunday and the Commissioner of Police has shown much interest in the case and had ordered that investigation should commence into the matter and he has promised to get to the root of the matter.”

When contacted, the police

spokesman in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed that some people had been arrested, said he was yet to be briefed on the latest happening.

Meantime, residents of the area have begun deserting their houses to neighbouring towns such as Atan, Eruwon,

Odosimadegun and Ijebu-Ode following the fear of kidnappers and ritualists in the area.

Vanguard gathered that the residents believed their lives were no longer safe in the town following the discovery of the underground kidnappers’ den.

2 injured as bus crushes tri-cycle in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — TWO people narrowly escaped death, yesterday, in Lagos, during an auto crash involving a tricycle popularly called Keke Marwa and a commercial bus with number plate Lagos YA 525 MUS. The incident happened around 12.30 p.m at Balogun bus-stop, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja when the tri-cyclist and driver of the 22-passenger bus tried to outsmart each other as they journeyed along Allen-Ikeja axis of the road.

According to an eye witness account, the driver of the fully

loaded bus was maintaining a slow speed while the tri-cyclist who was carrying only one passenger tried to overtake him, unfortunately, he miscalculated and rammed into the bus.

The Keke Marwa, however, skidded off the road leading to severe injuries by the operator and his only passenger.

As soon as the incident occurred, the passengers in the bus disembarked and joined other sympathisers who had already gathered to assist the victims.

The incident caused a gridlock for a while until the arrival of some concerned citizens who helped to ease off the traffic.

four suspects at the high court before Justice Olabisi Akinlade was frustrated by counsel representing two of the accused persons who informed the court that the office of the AG failed to include statement of one of the accused in the proof of evidence only served on them yesterday.

They accused the state of trying to ambush them by only serving them with the proof of evidence in court, and that the statement of one of the defendants was not also included.

Earlier, a counsel representing the second defendant, Ezike Chidera Olisaeloka, Olukayode Dada, had requested the court to put the defendants arraignment on hold, stating that they have already been adjudged as criminals without formal trial through the media.

He, therefore, requested that the court should suspend their arraignment till a later date.

However, the application was

opposed by the Lagos State Attorney-General, who personally appeared in court to prosecute the matter.

The AG argued that it was never part of the Nigerian law to request a push over of arraignment of murder suspects under the pretence that they have been publicised in the media.

This made the trial judge to over rule them, preparing the stage for their arraignment. But this was frustrated as the defendants’ lawyer insisted that they could not go on with the arraignment, unless they got the statement they requested.

The prosecution team led by the Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye admitted to the mix up in serving the processes to one of the defence counsel but promised to immediately resolve the issue.

The presiding judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, subsequently, adjourned the matter to February 8, 2013 for trial.

Cleric, NMA chairman's wife kidnapped in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA— THE Pastor in charge of St Paul’s Anglican Parish, Umunachi in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Rev. James Achigbu and the wife of the Anambra State chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Emmanuel Ekwesianya, have been kidnapped at two different locations in Anambra State.

While Rev Achigbu was kidnapped along UmunachiEziowelle road at about 8.00 p.m as he was returning home, the wife of the NMA chairman was abducted at about 7.30 a.m. as she was about to drive her children to school in Ihiala.

Venerable Obi Ubaka in charge of Ogidi Archdeaconry said, yesterday, that Rev Achigbu was with his wife, Uju, at the time of the incident.

He said: “Rev Achigbu and his wife were returning home in their Honda Accord car after visiting St. John’s Church, Eziowele

when the kidnappers blocked them along the UmunachiEziowele road and forced him into their vehicle. One of the kidnappers forced his wife out of the Honda car and drove behind her husband’s abductors.”

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident and said efforts were on to effect the release of the Pastor.

Elsewhere, at Ihiala, the kidnappers of the NMA chairman’s wife have demanded ransom of N50 million.

Mrs. Ekwesianya had prepared her children for school and as she opened their gate and drove out, the kidnappers blocked her with an SUV and forced her into the vehicle, leaving the children stranded.

Twenty four hours later, the abductors established contact with her husband, who is the Director of Medical Services at Anambra State University, Uli and demanded payment of N50 million ransom.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Suspected Islamist denies bombing newspaper houses

Petroleum industry: White Paper on Ribadu report out soon — FG

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—ALLEGED member of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Mustaphar Umar, yesterday, denied complicity in the bomb explosions that destroyed offices of Thisday Newspaper, Moment Newspaper and the Sun Newspaper in Kaduna state on April 26, 2012.

Umar who is 34 years old, told Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he knew nothing about the one-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Government.

The Department of State Security, DSS, which recommended him for trial, had maintained that its investigations revealed that it was the accused person that drove a white Honda Academy car with number plate AL 306 MKA laden with improvised explosives into the premises of SOJ Plaza occupied by the newspaper houses and detonated the explosives.

His alleged act of terrorism, ran contrary to section 1(2) (c) (r) of Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011, punishable under section 33 (1) (a) of the same Act. The high court had on January 29, remanded the accused person in prison custody from where he was brought to court amidst tight security.

After the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Simon Labaran, asked for a date to commence full trial on the matter.

However, Umar, through his lawyers Mr. F. I. Umahi and Mohammed Umar, urged the court to order prison authorities to grant him access to his lawyers and family members, a request that was accordingly granted.

The case was subsequently adjourned till March 12.

It will be recalled that when the matter came up on the last adjourned date, the accused who said he did not understand English language, told the court through an interpreter that since the day he was apprehended, the Police which held him in custody, denied him access to either a lawyer or any visitor, even as he begged the court to allow him to get a defence counsel.

A

BUJA—THE Federal Gov ernment said yesterday, it would soon make public its feelings on the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led report on Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, PRSTF, popularly known as the Ribadu report.

The Federal Government’s assurance emerged just as anxiety became rife that the administration had jettisoned the controversial report apparently because of its damning expose of the rot in the petroleum industry and the image problem it has created for the country at home and abroad.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Ribadu White Paper Report, Mr. Emeka Wogu, told Vanguard in a telephone interview that the committee was working assiduously to round off its work.

The chairman, who is also the Minister of Labour and Productivity, said that the Federal Government was aware of the high expectations of Nigerians on the matter and was set to release the White Paper shortly.

The minister denied insinuations in certain quarters that the report had been dumped or doctored to suit any interest.

Wogu said: “It is untrue that the government had dumped the report. I want to say that very soon the committee, which has been working assiduously, will release its recommendations and Nigerians will get it.”

A dramatic twist had attended the presentation of the Ribadu Report to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa last November, raising dust that the government had arranged the open disagreement between Ribadu on one hand and Ben Otti and Steve Orosanye, on the other so as to discredit the outcome and dump the report.

A few days after the presentation, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, openly rubbished the Ribadu Report at a press conference, describing it as an "incomplete assignment".

According to Okupe, Ribadu also deviated from the terms of reference given him by the government to embark on extraneous exercise that has no bearing on the work of the PRSTF. Okupe noted that Ribadu had shot himself on the foot by concluding that he did not have enough time to verify the work and as such the report could not be used to indict anyone.

The SSA to the President also dismissed as untenable claim by Ribadu that he rushed to publish the report so as not to bow to pressure to compromise it, wonder-

ing on whose side the President who set up the committee stood.

He asked: “If Ribadu claims that to be serving on the committee he is on the side of the Nigeria people, on whose side is Pres-

ident Jonathan whose idea it was in the first place to set up the task force and approved the appointment of Mallam Ribadu as chairman of the committee?”

The report had detailed the

huge revenue being lost daily by the government as a result of institutional corruption in the oil industry, weak institutional and legal framework as well as inefficient oversight and control

Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, (2nd left); Hajia Amina Namadi Sambo, Vice President's wife (2nd right); Senate President's wife, Mrs. Helen David Mark (left); Sen. Bala Mohammed, FCT Minister (right), during the commissioning of FCT ultra-modern youth support centre, in Nyanya, Abuja. Photo: State House.

Kano lawmakers visit Farouk Lawan in Kuje Prison

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—HOUSE of Rep resentatives members from Kano State yesterday paid a solidarity visit on their colleague, Farouk Lawan at the Kuje Prison.

The 24 members of the House of Representatives from Kano State are made up of 13 PDP, 8 ANPP, 2 CPC and one from ACN. A source confirmed to Vanguard that they were on their way to Kuje to see Lawan.

Lawan is the oldest serving lawmaker from Kano. He was elected in 1999 and has since been re-elected three times.

Lawan, a former chairman of the House ad hoc committee on the investigation of monitoring of fuel subsidy regime, as well as secretary of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo are standing trial for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribe.

The men were last Thursday remanded in Kuje Prison, on the orders of Justice M.N Oniyangi who held that they be kept until February 8, 2013, when their trial would be heard.

They were charged to court by the Attorney General of the Federation on a four-count charge under the Corrupt

Practices and other Related Offences, ICPC, Act. It was alleged that they conspired to corruptly obtain $3 million from the chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas, Chief Femi Otedola, as inducement to remove the name of the company from the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime’s Report, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26 (1) © of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and

punishable under Section 8(1) of the same Act. Emenalo too, was charged for failing to report the offer of inducement to other members of the committee to which he was a secretary and for demanding and collecting gratification of $120,000 from Otedola.

It will be recalled that Otedola has also filed a suit against Lawan and Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in a N250billion case of harassment and intimidation.

Govt to institute maritime intervention fund

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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HE Federal Government has concluded plans to provide intervention funding for the development of the maritime industry following such intervention to other sectors of the economy.

Speaking to Vanguard in a telephone interview, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Maritime Matters, Mr. Leke Oyewole said that the decision was reached at the Presidential maritime retreat held in Abuja last year.

Oyewole disclosed that the report of the retreat was ready and that the President has directed the Economic Monitoring Team to

study it and make recommendations that will be brought to him before the funding is made available.

Operators in the maritime industry, particularly the local shipping operators, had protested exclusion of the sector in the provision of intervention fund to different sectors of the economy.

Reacting to the exclusion of the maritime sector, Secretary of the Indigenous Ship owners Association of Nigeria, ISAN, Captain Niyi Labinjo said that the government has not shown seriousness to the development of the maritime sector, adding that this has been the same situation with successive governments.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—9

FG to increase SWF to $5bn in 3 yrs

BY MICHAEL EBOH, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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ESPITE opposition from state governors, the Federal Government yesterday, said it will increase the value of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, to $5 billion within three years.

Speaking in an interview in London, Yerima Ngama, Minister for State for Finance, said the government may issue a planned $1 billion Eurobond and a $500 Diaspora Bond after the National Assembly works out details.

He disclosed that the National Assembly has already approved the borrowing plan, adding however, that it still needs to streamline certain areas.

He said the government plans to issue the bonds in the first half of the year, adding that the government was considering the expansion of the Board of the SWF to accommodate the interest of the state governments who are currently against the fund.

According to him, differences between the Federal Government and state governors, which have delayed additional transfers to the fund, may be resolved soon by expanding the representation of the states on the board of the sovereign wealth authority He said, “once we look at the board and say, okay, state governors, bring your own representatives on the Board; I think it will solve it.”

Ngama projected an expansion in Nigeria’s economic output by 6.7 per cent this year, in line with the estimate of the International Monetary Fund, IMF. The state governors had displayed stiff opposition for the SWF, saying their resistance for the SWF and the Excess Crude Account is borne out of distrust for the Federal Government’s ability to judiciously manage the funds and utilise it for the purpose it was meant for.

The governors said their apathy stems from the fact that the fund lacks the necessary constitutional backing, explaining that until the controversial issues surrounding the fund are addressed, it will continually be seen as a high risk venture by investors.

Commenting on the issue, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said, “These really are the issues. It is not that the governors are up in arms against the idea of saving. But we are asking what the rules of engagement are and do those rules of engagement work within the rules that bind all of us.

“Which fund are you saving?

Are they yours or are they mine?

Before you save on my behalf, there is also need to address the issue of trust. How efficiently have you managed the funds that the federation has put in your

trust? And what makes you the better saver and better investors.

And is the saving done within an expectable framework of the constitution?

“Those are the issues surround-

ing the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

For instance, the excess crude account has no constitutional legality. And I think in trying to find a way around that, we create another solution that will be subject

to constitutional scrutiny. And indeed, can we, therefore, build an economy whose constitutional scrutiny is questionable? And until these issues are resolved, there are risk issues for investors.”

N2.2bn fraud: Court adjourns Ogbulafor's trial to Feb 14

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

From left: Group Managing Director, Suzan General Trading, Mr Afrif Hafiz; Anambra Commissioner for Environment, Dr Michael Egbebike; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, and Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke during investors' conference in Abuja, yesterday.

ALSCON: Russian, American firms on collision over takeover

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

A

BUJA—THERE were strong indications yesterday that Russian Aluminium, RUSAL, and the American firm, Bancorp Financial Investment Group, BFIG, might clash over the directive by the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, to the latter to take over the plant in line with the Supreme Court ruling of last July.

Findings by Vanguard revealed that despite the transmission of the authority letter by the BPE to BFIG about two weeks ago, RUSAL has vowed not to allow any member of the American firm access to the plant in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, until the Federal Government pays it over $500 million compensation.

While that happens, the Russians have also filed two suits in London and California to stop BPE from ceding the company to BFIG. It was learnt that the Russians have been emboldened to ignore both the Supreme Court ruling and the BPE letter transferring ownership to BFIG because the Nigerian government is yet to retrieve ALSCON share certificate and physically take possession of the plant from RUSAL. Vanguard gathered that the BPE might have committed a serious blunder by asking BFIG to take over the plant when the board of directors of the company still being supervised by RUSAL had not been dissolved and the name

of the company not changed and filed with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, to reflect BFIG as the new owners of the plant.

A competent source said the faulty approach by the BPE in implementing the Supreme Court ruling is capable of stalling the move and setting the Russian and American firms on collision course.

An investment expert, Mr. Smith Ekanem, describes the action of the BPE as putting the cart before the horse and asked the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who supervises the National Council on Privatisation to take urgent steps to stop the imminent clash of the two firms by asking RUSAL to quit the plant in accordance with the law of Nigeria.

BFIG Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Reuben Jaja, told Vanguard his firm was ready to pay what the BPE would prescribe as the new price for the aluminium plant, whose current assets have plummeted from N230 billion in 2006 when RUSAL took over to a paltry N14 billion in 2011.

Jaja said: “We are happy that the offer letter finally arrived more than seven months after the order by the Supreme Court last July 6, 2012. We are still studying its contents closely and will make our response public at the appropriate time.

“But, let me assure Nigerians that BFIG is fully committed and ready to take over full control of the plant in the spirit of the Supreme Court order to realise its full value that will meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians".

BUJA—JUSTICE Ishaq Bello of an Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama, yesterday, adjourned the ongoing trial of erstwhile Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor to February 14.

It will be recalled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, had on June 21, 2010, arraigned Ogbulafor alongside two others, Mr Emeka Ebilah and Mr Jude Nwokoro, over an amended 17-count criminal charge bothering on conspiracy, forgery and fraud.

They are facing trial for allegedly using three fictitious companies to defraud the Federal Government to the tune of about N2.2billion, in 2001.

The three fake companies they allegedly floated in 2001 to siphon N82.6million, 11.5million and N6.2million respectively, was listed by the anti-graft agency in its charge sheet as, Henrichiko Nig Ltd, DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries.

Ogbulafor was alleged to have used his position as the head of National Economic Intelligence Committee, NEIC, set-up to verify debts owed local contractors, to okay as genuine, several forged documents, which was relied upon to certify that the three bogus companies executed jobs worth over N2.2billion.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on the matter, a prosecution witness, Mr Basil Momodu, told the high court that the Federal Government had verified and certified all the projects executed under Ogbulafor before payments were made.

The witness under cross examination by defence counsel Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, maintained that the Director General of the Budget Office of the Ministry of Finance certified the projects and signed the payment vouchers to the companies after verifying the projects.

10—Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Lottery Commission appeals court ruling

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AGOS— The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has filed an appeal against a Federal High Court Lagos judgment which held that the NLRC had no right to issue licences in spite of the Lottery Act. In its appeal, the NLRC argued that the substantive matter is pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the ruling by the Lagos court was based on a suit by shareholders of SET. The Commission also argued that it had no dealings with the shareholders called Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria that filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The implication of the court ruling is that no other company will provide lottery services.

It also implies that telecom firms are operating lotteries illegally. The NLRC also awaits the verdict of the substantial suit from the Federal High Court, Abuja.

I am creating jobs now —Jonathan

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

P

RESIDENT GOODLUCK Jonathan has told his friends on Facebook of giant efforts his administration is making in boosting job growth and the restoration of infrastructure in the country.

In a posting on his page, yesterday, Dr. Jonathan cited recent efforts by his administration in boosting job opportunities through encouraging Foreign Direct Investment, FDIs, building of a 600-bed hospital and the restoration of rail services in some parts of the country.

The posting, however, received mixed comments from his friends; some praised and prayed for him, while others said the assurances were things they were severally told in time past.

4 die, 3 injured in Ibadan/Ife road auto-crash

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—AUTO crash, yesterday, killed four persons and left three others

seriously injured along Ibadan/Ife highway.

Vanguard gathered that the crash occurred when a Toyota Hiace bus hit a stone left on

the road, lost control and then crashed.

The accident happened around Asejire area of

Ibadan.

The bus was said to have left Lagos and was heading towards Abuja when it had the accident.

From left: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor; Senator Jejere Alkali, representative of Yobe State Governor; Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State Governor; Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor; Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Chief Host and Lagos State Governor; Alhaji. Umar Tanko Almakura, Nasarawa State Governor; Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari, Zamfara State Governor; Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor; Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Imo State Governor and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State Governor, after the meeting of Opposition Governors from different states, on the proposed merger talk between the parties, at Lagos House, Marina, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

It reportedly burst into flames when it hit the stone.

An official of the Oyo State Emergency Management Authority, SEMA, said the accident was so fatal that axes and cutlasses were used to remove the trapped passengers.

Out of the seven passengers in the car, four of them were reportedly burnt to death while three others were rescued and rushed to the hospital.

The Unit Commander of the FRSC in Egbeda, Abiodun Akinlade, did not confirm the casualties, but lamented that the crash could have been prevented if the driver had driven with caution.

Lagos assures of completion of drainage before April

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—LAGOS State Government, yesterday, assured residents that all ongoing drainage projects would be completed before April, 2013.

This came as residents of

Oluwaseyi and Olaniyi Streets, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA, urged the government to urgently construct drainage channels in the community, saying “two children died in the June 2012 flood in the area.”

The residents who made the

appeal during an inspection tour of ongoing drainage construction by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the area had continuously experienced flooding since 2007.

Responding, Bello assured the residents the state would

Unilag to build N3bn library, holds maiden investiture

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI & LAJU ARENYEKA

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AGOS—THE Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello, has said the university plans to build a new 15-floor library that befits the current and future needs of the institution, to be funded with the TETFUND of N3bn high impact intervention.

He also said the institution has commenced the upgrading of teaching infrastructure in the school, having rehabilitated classrooms with airconditioners, comfortable seats and equipping same with interactive ITC boards and Internet access.

This he disclosed at the 2012 golden jubilee lecture/ investiture ceremony of the Vice Chancellor.

According to Bello, who is the 11th VC: “Teaching and research are the heart of what we do in the University of

Lagos. Nothing else matters if we don’t get this right. This is because our goal is to provide the highest quality of education and lead in conducting and disseminating important researches."

Conducting the maiden investiture, the ProChancellor, University of Lagos, Gamaliel Onosode, said this was an opportunity for the VC to formally present his blue print to the school.

It's not possible to commit Access Bank to prison —Court

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS— A trial judge of Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, in a short ruling, held that “it is a legal impossibility to commit Access Bank to prison, because it is an artificial person.”

Justice Okon Abang also refused the oral application by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, counsel to Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, seeking an order

compelling attendance of directors of Access Bank to court over contempt.

Olanipekun, had made the application seeking an order for the directors of the bank to give explanations for flouting the orders of the court.

He argued that the court order made on January 28, which directed Access bank to discontinue its processes before a London court within 48 hours, had been disregarded by the defendants.

before the commencement of the raining season complete all the drainage channels in the state to combat cases of flooding.

Bi-Courtney lauds self over repairs of Ibadan Expressroad

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AGOS — NEARLY three months after the Federal Government revoked the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession given to Bi-Courtney Limited, BCL, the firm declared yesterday that it deserved praises for saving the highway from total collapse.

Reacting to insinuations that the firm failed on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, its spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, said BCL left the road in a much better condition than it was in 2009, when it won the concession for its reconstruction under a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer, DBOT, agreement with FG. According to him, “The situation must be reassessed because the problem was in the system not the concessionaire."

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6,

2013 —11

Mimiko signs N152bn 2013 Appropriation Bill A

KURE — GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, yesterday, signed into law the year 2013 appropriation bill of N152billion, assuring that all programmes and projects initiated for the desired transformation of the state, would be pursued to a logical conclusion.

At the signing ceremony Mimiko said, “the Budget which I have just signed into Law has a provision of N152billion “It is broken into N73, 586,556,000.00 for recurrent

expenditure and N78, 913,444,000.00 for capital expenditure.

"It was my great pleasure to sign the 2013 Appropriation Bill into Law. Incidentally, the budget just signed into Law today, is the last to be prepared during the first term of my administration, and will consequently be implemented in the first year of my second term.

The governor thanked God “for granting our prayers for the transformation of the state in the last four years,

as demonstrated in the life changing initiatives and projects dotting the entire landscape of the state.”

Mimiko commended members of the State House of Assembly, who postponed

their recess to fast track the consideration of the 2013 budget proposal.

The governor said “ while it is good to start the reengineering process for further transformation of the

state, it is, however, more important to ensure that all programmes and projects initiated for the desired transformation are pursued to a logical conclusion."

Unity among traditional rulers necessary — Olugbo of Ugbo

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — A prominent traditional ruler in Ondo State, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo, yesterday, said unity among traditional rulers in Yorubaland was necessary for the development of the Yoruba nation.

Oba Akinruntan spoke at Igbokoda area of the state during the first coronation

anniversary of Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro in the oil rich community of the state.

According to him, the region needed the unity and cooperation of the people, particularly the traditional institution for it to regain its position in the country.

He urged warring Obas in the region to bury their hatchets in the interest of the area.

From right: Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Ambassador, Lagos Black Heritage Festival; Mr. Uzoma Dozie, ED, Diamond Bank Plc and Mr. Olalekan Olagunju, Education Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Education, during Lagos Black Heritage Festival and Diamond Bank Plc press briefing, in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Education, on the Vision of the Child 2013 Edition, at the Freedom Park, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Court dissolves 30 LGs' caretaker committees

BY GNENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — AN Osogbo High Court, yesterday, ordered the immediate dissolution of all the caretaker committee members in the 30 local government areas including Ife east area office, Modakeke .

It also ordered the reduction of caretaker members in each council from the present 14 members to five members.

Justice Oyejide Falola while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the composition of Osun

State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, and members of the caretaker committee in the local government council, averred that the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria recognises five caretaker committee members to be

constituted at the third tier of government.

He said the 14 member caretaker committee in operation in the state was illegal and unconstitutional.

According to the judge, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the State House of

Ekiti Speaker faces impeachment threat

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI — SPEAKER of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Olawale Omirin may have incurred the wrath of his colleagues who are said to be perfecting plans to impeach him over allegation of mistrust, high handedness, arrogance and too much closeness to the executive arm of government.

The 26-member House with 24 from ACN and two from the

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is now said to be sharply divided into two camps of pro and anti Omirin.

The aggrieved members of the House are claiming that Omirin's “closeness to the executive arm of government” had been denying them of certain benefits.

The group is said to have been meeting regularly in one of the hotels owned by a former lawmaker in the state and

outside the state to perfect the planned impeachment.

One of the anti Omirin legislator, who spoke with the Vanguard on condition of anonymity, complained bitterly that Omirin’s romance with the executive had been his undoing “as he is using his influence to block them to get certain benefits.”

According to him, the last straw

Mimiko asked to intervene in Olikan stool crisis

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — THE people of Etikan kingdom in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, yesterday, insisted that the only recipe for peace in the area was for the state government to instal the Olikan of Etikan as approved by the local government.

They appealed to the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, to intervene and plead with the State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on the matter.

At a meeting with the Olugbo held at Igbokoda the people of the community noted that one of the major requirements for peace to reign was the installation of the Olikan-elect, Adedoyin Oyetakin.

Those at the meeting include, High Chief T. Y. Megbalewon from Ikumapayi family, High Chief Atilere Iwalewa from Kogun ruling house, Most Rev. Christopher Ikuesan of the Mafemiwa ruling house, Aseph Oyetakin, Akinmuliyah Adebayo of Ojabogun family.

that broke the carmel’s back was last December when the legislators wrote to the executive requesting for N66million to celebrate Christmas and New Year festivities.

The lawmakers were said to have been disappointed that the governor only approved N53million, lamenting that majority of the lawmakers had not benefitted from the Speaker’s romance with the executive.

Assembly flouted the rule of the court by amending the state law on local government and appointing the Caretaker Committee members when the case was pending in court.

The court also held that fresh election could not hold as demanded by the PDP without the constitution of new electoral body in the state, maintaining that since the suit against the composition of OSSIEC was before the Supreme Court, the state must wait until the determination of the case before constituting new OSSIEC.

Centre for Black Culture, Osogbo holds Southwest grassroots expo

O SOGBO

—

S O U T H -W E S T Grassroots Business and Investment Forum, aimed at actualising economic development for regional growth takes off tomorrow in Osogbo, Osun State.

The four-day programme will take place at the Centre for Black Culture and I n t e r n a t i o n a l Understanding on the hilltop behind the State Secretariat on OshogboGbogan Road.

The Osun Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Alhaji Bashir Ajibola denied that the centre was shut down, explaining,“ what the government has done is to sanitise the management of the centre in line with government policy.”

He confirmed that pavilions had already been set up at the venue to host the regional expo.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Oritsejafor seeks amendment of PFN constitution

BY SAM EYOBOKA

U

YO—OUTGOING National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has proposed an amendment of the fellowship’s constitution, to draw a structure that will be enduring and self sustaining.

Addressing leaders of the fellowship at the opening session of the 12th biennial conference of the umbrella body of pentecostal churches in Nigeria, Pastor Oritsejafor, who is also the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, said: “PFN leadership is presently, personality driven, making the leadership to be financially tasking and time consuming.”

He said since the leadership responsibility was so expensive to run (from the leaders’ personal purse), “it may inadvertently preclude some category of ministries from ever producing officers in PFN, irrespective of their dexterity, grace and stake-holding in the fellowship.

“To effectively do this, there is, therefore, the need to build PFN on an enduring structure, which urgently, will require a constitutional review,” he said, adding however, that the heat on “the Church as we currently witness, especially in northern Nigeria, is not limited to our nation.

It is part of the prophesied end time global events.”

Oritsejafor maintained that the national biennial conference was aimed at re-awakening Christian leaders as a people given a mandate.

“We are God’s own representatives with authorised charge, in Nigeria and the nations of the world. It is instructive for us to know that while the Almighty God, our Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, founder and owner of the world, takes absolute control of the affairs of men, yet He has put us in charge by a mandate.” he stated.

Sylva seeks court’s order to be declared Bayelsa governor

BY ABDULWAHAB

ABDULAH

E

MBAT TLED former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, to direct Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare him governor of the state by virtue of his election as the valid gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last governorship election in the state.

Governor Seriake Dickson was declared winner of the said election by INEC and subsequently sworn in.

Sylva, through his counsel, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, is praying the court to direct INEC to declare him winner of the last governorship election conducted in the state or in the alternative, conduct a fresh election with him as PDP’s candidate.

Trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong, has, meantime, granted leave to Sylva to serve the court’s process on INEC out of jurisdiction in Abuja.

Sylva, in the suit, is praying the court to determine,

among others, “whether, having regard to the provision of Section 178(2) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and the Supreme Court judgment in the consolidated appeals of Marwa vs Nyako (2012) 5 NWLR, delivered on January 27, 2012, where the court held that the tenure of the plaintiff as the governor of Bayelsa State had ex-

pired since May 29, 2011, the gubernatorial election in Balyesa State became due since April 19, 2011.

“Whether, being the incumbent governor of the state as at April 29, 2011, whose name was submitted as a candidate of PDP for the governorship election, he was the only valid candidate of PDP for the

POLIO VACCINE: Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State (right), administering polio vaccine on a baby at the flag-off of Kick Polio out of Nigeria campaign in Degema, Rivers State.

I was rushed to hospital by good samaritan —Oru

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—CONTRARY to recent media reports, National Vice Chairman, South-South, of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Steve Oru, has said he was not rushed to hospital by Chief Anthony Anenih and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur after he was attacked by hoodlums last weekend.

Oru, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Mr. Monday Okotie, said he was rushed to hospital by a good

samaritan, adding that he was alive and recuperating.

He said the attack on him by armed bandits was neither a kidnap nor an assassination attempt but a mere accident, insisting that he ran into the hoodlums between OrhokpokporAgbarho and Uwiamughe-Agbarho on the East-West Road on his way from Warri.

He thanked God for “breaking the snares of fowlers and like a bird, I escaped. I will be back on my feet again. I wish to express my profound gratitude to my governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for his personal in-

tervention, Prof. Amos Utuama, deputy governor of Delta State and the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay for their visit to the hospital.

“I also wish to thank Chief Anenih, Alhaji Tukur, the samaritan that rushed me to the hospital, the medical team that battled to save my life and a host of other personalities within and outside the country who, through their visits, calls and prayers have encouraged and strengthened us in our trying moment. We appreciate your show of love,” he said.

2,000 Delta villagers shut down flow station ...oil workers chased away

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—NO fewer than 2,000 angry villagers from three host communities in Delta State, yesterday, chased away workers of Nigeria Petroleum Development Corporation, NPDC, flow station at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, and shut down its operations.

The Oleh/Olomoro flow station, which produces about

state gubernatorial election conducted thereafter.

He also wants the court to consider whether, by virtue of Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2011 (as amended), a person whose name had been submitted as a candidate for the state governorship election can be jettisoned other than by his death or withdrawal.

150,000 barrels per day, is one of those divested by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to NPDC, but the anger of the people was that the new owners did not bother to enter into any meaningful agreement with them.

Vanguard gathered that the protesters from Oleh, Emede and Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area, said the company would remain shut until the management agreed to negotiate with them.

A community leader, Mr. Emmanuel Ogedegbe, said: “The company is operating without regard to its host communities and we want to tell them that we own the land and they have to negotiate the terms of their operation and development package with the people. As far as we are concerned, they are carrying out mysterious operation here, the host communities do not know them and they act as if they are not bothered, they should negotiate with us.”

Community raises alarm over alleged sale of govt property

T

HE Enekorogha Community, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, has raised alarm over the alleged sale of government property in their community by some persons, just as they appealed to Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to complete the piling project in their community, which had been abandoned since 1993.

In a statement by Chief Saturday Eregbene and 51 others, they lamented NDDC's silence over the piling project, which had been abandoned for several years, calling on the commission to order the contractor handling the project to return to site and complete the project.

They said: “Some persons are now selling government property meant for piling of the community's water front to another contractor. They removed the piling sheets and sold same to another contractor."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—13

Suspected pirates kill three soldiers, ex-naval officer in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE peace in the creek of Bayelsa State, was disrupted, yesterday, as three soldiers attached to Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield and a retired naval officer were killed in an ambush by suspected sea pirates.

The incident occurred on the Angiama/Ebedebiri waterways in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

Also, an unidentified civilian was reportedly killed in the gun battle while the driver of the attacked barge was allegedly taken away.

It was learnt that the soldiers were on escort duty on board Sterling Global Oil Services barge when they came under attack from the sea pirates.

Sources told Vanguard that “the soldiers were out numbered by the hoodlums.”

Though community sources said three soldiers and one civilian were killed in the gunfight, the sounds of

Delta council boss resolves communal clash

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—TRANSITION Committee Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, Navy Capt. Deinne Buckman (rtd), has waded into the communal clash in Tuomo, which had forced a large number of indigenes of the community into exile.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a peace meeting with the warring parties, Buckman appealed to the people to put the past behind them and work together in the interest of the community.

He said he was worried by the turn of events in the community since he assumed office as chairman of the council, adding that election had been conducted to elect a new executive that would pilot the affairs of the community, adding that Mr. Egoli Ayiba, Mr. Isaac-Boro Duduke and Mr. Pereyokabowei Zoro, emerged as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer respectively.

C M Y K

which caused panic in nearby communities, JTF confirmed that it lost only two of its operatives.

Heavy presence of troops was noticed in the creeks connecting the East-West Road as this reporter was returning from Sagbama axis, the troubled area.

JTF’s spokesman, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident.

He said that only two soldiers were

killed. “I can confirm that our operatives on escort duty on board the Sterling Global Oil Resources barge were ambushed by gunmen on the Angiama-Etelibiri waterways of Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. There was a shoot-out between the gunmen and our troops. Two of our operatives were killed in action. Gunboat patrol boats have been deployed to the area to fish out the culprits.”

COMMISSIONING: From left: Pastor Osawaru Clifford, Executive Director, Network Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited and Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, during the commissioning of Oredo OLM III gas plant in Ologbo, Edo State.

Okada ban in Delta to include police, military personnel

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—NO fewer than 50 commercial motor-cycles, commonly called Okada, caught plying the streets of Asaba, Delta State capital in violation of the ban, have been impounded. Meantime, the initial exemption extended to military personnel due to the nature of the jobs has been cancelled due to abuse.

Reviewing the ban, which took effect on November 1, last year, the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Benson Igbakpa, told Vanguard, yesterday in Asaba, that “initially, we said

because of the exigencies of their (military) work they can use it (okada) but we discovered that even using it has been abused and we said no, whether you are putting on your full regalia as a Major-General, whether you are wearing your uniform as a police officer, it doesn’t effect my work. If they flout the order, the motor-cycles will be recovered from them.

“The policy now is that once we impound your motorbike, it is gone for ever. On the whole, we have about 50 impounded motor-bikes in our premises.”

Edo LG polls: Oshiomhole in marathon meeting with ACN leaders

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—AHEAD the April 20, local government elections in Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, held meetings with leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state, and resolved the crisis that arose in most councils, following disagreements among leaders of the party on their choice of chairmanship candidates.

Vanguard observed that the meeting commenced Monday and con-

tinued yesterday. Some of the areas where issues were resolved, Monday, included Egor, Uhumwonde and Ikpoba-Okhai Local Government Areas. The party in most of the councils had been torn apart due to the interest of the leaders in some of the chairmanship aspirants. It was said that the governor was addressing leaders suspected to have collected money from aspirants and there are indications that some of them may be suspended from the party.

14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FUBRUARY 6 , 2013

Why there is need for First Ladies Mission —PDP

Obasanjo lived in fear of arrest under Yar’Adua —El-Rufai zWhy he endorsed Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket

zUrges ACN, CPC to stop politics of deceit

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BY HENRY UMORU BUJA—THE Leader ship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday explained that when completed, the proposed N4 billion African First Ladies Peace Mission, AFLPM, will reduce the financial burden of rents for international bodies that were being hosted in Nigeria.

The PDP also explained yesterday that the increase in the budget proposals for the renovation of Vice President’s guest house became imperative following emerging security challenges in the country as well as the need to change the earlier designs, just as the PDP noted that the guest house was not strictly for the present Vice President Namadi Sambo.

In a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party warned the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, against what it termed politics of deceit following the stiff opposition to the project by these parties.

Metuh said: “Contrary to the odious and deliberate distortion of facts by the opposition, the building is not for the Nigerian First Lady. The complex on completion is to host the AFLPM which has the backing of the African Union as an instrument for championing women and youth development.

“The Peace Mission House is a public institution, a building in the likes of the Women Development Centre, Nigerian Cultural Centre among others which the law empowers the FCTA to build and operate in provision of facilities for the advancement of its development efforts.

It will go a long way in reducing the financial burden in rents for international bodies being hosted by the country. ‘’Similarly, the increment in the budget of the official residence of the Vice President was occasioned by the changes in the redesigning, expertly advised to take care of emerging security challenges.”

A

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF & CHRIS OCHAYI BUJA—FORMER Minis ter of the Federal capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was mortally afraid that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua would arrest him in spite of the fact that he principally helped Yar’Adua to the presidency.

In his book, “The Accidental Public Servant,” el-Rufai said that Yar’Adua’s perceived willingness to arrest Obasanjo ran counter to Obasanjo’s motive for endorsing the Umaru Yar’Adua/ Goodluck Jonathan presidency in 2007, which he contended was with the hope that he would be succeeded by the two men whom he considered weak and would do his biddings.

Mallam el-Rufai alleged that late Yar’Adua wanted to nail him at all costs and that the Public Hearing on land administration in the FCT under him which was conducted by the Senate was to find something to latch unto for that purpose.

According to him, even though the sale of houses yielded N96 billion, N64 billion was in the account because some of the purchases were through mortgage and the full values were yet to be paid.

Why I ejected late Justice Sambo The former Minister also justified the ejection of former Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, late Justice Bashir Sambo from his official residence in 2006, saying at that time the jurist was an illegal tenant in the house.

El-Rufai, however, dismissed suggestion that the death of Justice Sambo few months later was caused by his forceful ejection from the residence.

According to him, “Perhaps the most publicised controversy arising from the sale of houses programme was the ejection of Justice Bashir Sambo in August 2006 from his official residence located at 1, Aso Drive, Maitama District. At the time, the carefully choreographed media war led by the Daily Trust newspaper was going on, I chose to maintain silence, and just directed the Secretariat to put out full-page adverts explaining what it had done and why. I thought that was the end of it.

“Sadly, less than a year later, Justice Sambo who was former chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, died on April 29, 2007

in a Cairo Hospital. He was 76 years old and had been ill for some time.

“For that reason, I decided never to join issues with those who thought that the ejection of the deceased jurist was inappropriate and went as far as suggesting that it was the cause of his “premature” death.

“I will simply tell my side of the story on the sale of the house in question, subsequent cancellation, and the actions that followed naturally with reference only to letters written by Justice Sambo, himself and the other officials in the government.

These exchanges of correspondence culminated in my directive to the sales secretariat on July 17, 2006 to eject him immediately from the house in question because he had by then become an illegal tenant.”

The Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket “There are those who say Obasanjo’s revenge for his third term defeat was intentionally picking two incompetent people to be president and vice-president, but I do not full agree with that. I think Obasanjo picked them for a different reason. He thought they were weak people he could control and through whom he would continue to exercise power. I think that he thought Yar’Adua would be an acceptable president, but would be weak and subservient to him in many policy areas and would be consulting him regularly so that Obasanjo might be a Lee Kuan Yew sort of figure exercising power from behind the scenes.”

According to el-Rufai, it was not long in the administration of Yar’Adua when it became very clear to the Otta chicken farmer that Yar’Adua would be his own man when the late president revolted against him and reversed virtually everything he did.

The former minister added that all through the period late Yar’Adua was in power, Chief Obasanjo lived in fear of arrest as Yar’Adua was investigating him and would have promptly arrested him.

El-Rufai said: “If I am just naïve and the ticket that ended up succeeding Obasanjo was meant to be a third term revenge, it did not exactly work out. Yar’Adua revolted against him, reversed virtually everything he did and even began investigating him.

Obasanjo recently admitted to a close friend of ours that throughout the years Yar’Adua was in power, he was constantly in fear of being arrested because it was clear to him that at some point, Yar’Adua was after him.

How Yar’Adua wanted to nail me

AUDIENCE WITH GEJ: From left: Managing Director, Maersk Line, Jan Thorhauge; CEO, Africa and Middle East Region, APM Terminals, Peder Sondergaard; Senior Vice President, Africa Region, A.P. Moller-Maersk, Lars Reno Jakobsen, and Group Chief Executive Officer, A.P. MollerMaersk, Nils Andersen and Vice President Namadi Sambo during an audience with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Adamawa PDP crisis: Lamido’s c’ttee to meet with Atiku, Tukur, Nyako, others

A

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—AS part of moves to end the lingering political quagmire in the Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa-led Adhoc Committee has concluded arrangements to meet with the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, governor Murtala Nyako.

The Committee as gathered will also meet with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Education, Professor Jubril Aminu to get their imputs on the issues affecting the PDP in Adamawa State as well as the way forward to imbroglio.

Vanguard gathered yesterday

that at the end of the Committee’s meeting held at the PDP campaign Office, the Committee which was set up to nip in the bud the Adamawa State PDP crisis which is almost sinking the party, has collated memoranda from stakeholders of the party from the state.

The Committee Vanguard gathered will also meet with elders and stakeholders from the state like former governorship aspirant, Dr. Umar Ardo; Senator Jonathan Zwingina; former Corp Marshal of the Road Safety Commission, General Anthony Haladu; Chief Joel Madaki; Alhaji Mijinyawa Kugama; former governor of Adamawa State, Chief

Wilberforce Juta; former Military governor of Plateau State, Commodore Dan Suleiman, rtd; immediate past National Vice Chairman, PDP North East, Senator Paul Wampana; exMilitary governor of Plateau State, General Aliyu Kama; former Minister, Idi Hong; Senator Grace Jackson Bent; Chief Medan Teneke, PDP factional leader; John Elias.

Others the source said include Ambassador Hasssan Adamu, Senator Iya Abubakar, Alhaji Dahiru Bobo; Alhaji Ahmed Song; Brigadier A.U Kama; Mr. John Manasa, Alhaji Yakubu Tsala, Alfa Bele, Bashiru Toungo, Alhaji Danjuma Illiyasu, among others.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 —15

Why Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable —Jonathan A

BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria’s unity was non-negotiable, noting that the amalgamation of the northern and southern parts of the country in 1914 was an act of God. The President spoke at the flag off of activities marking the centenary celebration of the country which kicked off Monday night with an elaborate ceremony, including the lighting of the Centenary Torch and unveiling of the logo and theme song.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was joined by five other former Presidents and Heads of State for the flag off which had in attendance captains of industries, entertainment celebrities and other Nigerians, extolled the virtues of the country, saying its greatness did not lie in the wealth of its resources but in the diversity of its people.

The elebration which kicked off last Monday will climax on January 1, 2014, which will be one hundred years since the British colonial administration amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates to create the modern Nigerian nation.

President Jonathan told the audience in the capacity filled Ban-

quet Hall of the Presidential Villa that the amalgamation of the two protectorates in 1914 was not a mistake but an act of God, which created a unique entity called Nigeria; a beautiful country richly blessed and which has turned out innovative people across the world.

According to him, apart from the natural resources in the country,

the nation is blessed with a unique collection of people specially created by God. The President enjoined Nigerians to safeguard those things that had kept the country together for this long.

Jonathan said: “The unity of Nigeria is indivisible and non-negotiable, we must remain the forward looking people that we are.

“I see a united, powerful and prosperous nation that will make the generation yet unborn very proud. Arise, we shall and prosper we will.”

Monday’s flag off was attended by former military Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Maj. General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) and General Abdusalami Abubakar

(rtd) as well as former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo.

Other dignitaries on the occasion include the President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, his Deputy Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

FG inaugurates NECO Gorverning Council

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PRESENTATION: From left: President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Mr. Peter Esele; Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, Dr. Christopher Kolade, and Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpa, at the presentation of 2012 SURE-P annual report in Abuja, yesterday.

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

BUJA—THE Fed eral Government yesterday inaugurated the new Governing Council of the National Examination Council, NECO. It also charged members of the council to work harmoniously to restore the integrity of the council.

Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, charged the new council members in Abuja on Tuesday during the inauguration of the new board appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to oversee the affairs of the council.

Why Jonathan is yet to sign 2013 budget —Emodi

BY SONI DANIEL &

HENRY UMORU BUJA—THE Spe cial Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly were still working on the 2013 budget and expressed optimism he would soon sign it into law.

Emordi said that contrary to widely held notion that the budget had been with the President for close to two months, it was actually sent to him on Janu-

A

ary 14, 2013.

The former lawmaker did not, however, say whether the President was happy or not with ‘’padding” of the budget with N63 billion by lawmakers, their insistence that oil benchmark must remain at $79 per barrel and their position that no kobo would be approved for the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, until the President sacked the Director General, Orunma Oteh.

Emordi said: “For the records, though the 2013 Budget was passed by the National Assembly in De-

cember, the budget details were actually transmitted to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the night of January 14, 2013; and this, as I noted some time ago, is understandable given that it is a thorough and time-taking exercise for the National Assembly.”

“Knowing that this is one of the most critical policy and development documents with extensive impact on the socio-economic life of the nation, Mr. President, just like the National Assembly, is also carefully studying the details.”

Jonathan, Obasanjo reconciliation, good omen for Nigeria, PDP —Tukur

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—THE Na tional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, described the reconciliatory meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as good for the party and country.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Tukur, who stressed that there was no need for any

bickering among the two leaders, stressed that such a peaceful meetings, must be encouraged in all its ramifications.

The PDP National Chairman, who described the meeting as a good omen for the nation’s democracy, said it would put to an end the heating of the country’s polity and that of the party, adding that “this is a good omen for the polity and party. I will ask you myself, don’t you want to see that

we are building one on top of the other.? Obasanjo was the President before, today it is Jonathan.

“For him to really go and work with Jonathan and give Jonathan what he knew, so that Jonathan will take what he knew and what he is doing today and help us move forward and also handover one day to somebody. Is it not right and encouraging? Let us clap for them and encourage such a meeting.”

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Auto crash claims 3 lives, injured 10

2015: Why we want to rescue Nigeria — 10 opposition govs

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—THREE people were killed while 10 others sustained serious injuries in an auto crash at Sabon Garin Narabi in Toro local Government area of Bauchi state.

According to the Bauchi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, Mr Sunday Olatunji, the accident involved a trailer carrying 13 people along Bauchi–Jos highway

Suswam: A-Court reserves ruling

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, has reserved judgment in the certificate forgery case filed by Mr. Terver Kakih against Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.

The five man panel of Justices led by Justice Jafa’ru Mika’ilu in a ruling yesterday adjourned its judgement on the matter after concluding hearing saying it (the date) “would be communicated to counsel for both parties at a later date.”

The plaintiff, Kakih who contested the 2011 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries against Suswam had challenged the judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi which dismissed his suit against Governor Suswam and the PDP for lack of merit.

Continues from Page 1

Rising from a six-hour meeting at the Lagos House, Marina, the governors elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, said rescuing Nigeria was a mission that must be accomplished and the surest way of achieving this was through a merger of the opposition parties to beat PDP at the 2015 polls.

Those at the meeting included Governors Babtunde Fashola (Lagos), Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) of the ACN. There were also Rochas Okorocha (Imo), APGA and Tanko AlMakura (Nasarawa), CPC. The rest were Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Abdul Aziz Yari (Zamfara) of the ANPP. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, ANPP, was represented by Senator Jejere Alkali.

However, Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State, ACN, and his Ondo State counter-part, Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party, LP, were not at the meeting. The LP has not officially signified its intention to join the merger talks.

Why we met — opposition govs On the purpose of the parley, Fashola asked Borno State Governor to brief newsmen “on the contents of the meeting and the decisions that we have taken. Essentially it is a meeting about our concerns on Nigeria and the way forward.”

Reading the communiqué Shettima said: “We endorse the merger to rescue Nigeria. We, the governors of Borno, Ekiti, Imo, Lagos,

Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Yobe and Zamfara, rose from a meeting at Lagos House, Marina today, Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Having reviewed the situation in our country, we resolved that to rescue Nigeria is a task that must be done.

“As progressive and patriotic leaders of our people across party, religious and geo political zones, we are extremely concerned about the state of the nation and we put our heads together in the interest of our people to deliberate on what can be done to rescue our country.

“As governors, we fully endorse the merger initiatives already commenced by our various political parties and we will put our full weight behind these efforts.

Nigeria is greater than all of us, we have a duty to make it work for our people and future of our children yet unborn.”

We want to stop Nigeria from becoming a oneparty state— Okorocha Imo State Governor, Okorocha debunked allegations that his party, APGA, was not involved in the merger process, saying that he and his party were very much committed to the progress and development of Nigeria.

“This is not the first time I am appearing, perhaps you have not seen me before, but listen, the merger has become very necessary in order to save our democracy and the likelihood of turning Nigeria into a one-party state does not augur well for democracy. Therefore, I personally and fully endorse this movement and this new merger at least to rescue the nation, and we say we are on a rescue mission and to make sure Nigeria gets better, the essence of this whole merger is to make Nigeria a better nation.

We intend to deliver Nigeria’s best — Fashola Governor Fashola said that other state governors would soon join the merger bid, disclosing that some governors were unavoidably absent.

On fears that the merger might not work, Fashola said: “Well, skepticism is one thing the commitment that we bring to the table will certainly override any skepticism. I am convinced that the full weight of 10 of us governors and many more, who unfortunately could not make it today, is a much stronger force. The underlying reason is clearly how to make this country a better place, this is not the best that this country can have and we intend to deliver Nigeria’s best.”

Our sincerity’ll make merger work—Amosun Speaking in similar tone, Amosun, governor of Ogun State said: “A lot of other people will come on board once they see our sincerity, that is why we are not taking this lightly, we are very determined and I am sure that with the support of all Nigerians, this merger will work.

Gesture aimed at rescuing Nigeria— Fayemi Governor Fayemi said the merger was aimed at rescuing the country from bad governance, adding that the representation from the different political parties and geo-political zones was a proof that the merger plan was aimed at nothing but rescuing the future of the country and the citizens.

Merger’ll end PDP reign—Yari, Zamfara gov On his part, Yari said those

Merger to include ANPP, APGA Meanwhile, members of the ACN – CPC merger committees who met in Chief Tom Ikimi’s residence in Abuja yesterday resolved to fix a six week deadline for them to agree on the merger.

The meeting, it was learnt, also agreed to adopt the position of the ACN, CPC, and ANPP governors who also met in Lagos yesterday.

The merger committees also agreed to include the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in the merger talks.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

fearing that the merger might not work were not right because “it’s to fix Nigeria in the right perspective. The PDP is something else and if we as opposition say that, we are right, you as a journalist go and ask people whether they are happy since 1999 till date or not. Therefore, it is a duty for all of us as leaders to lead our people right and we believe the PDP has not done that, so we have the knowledge and progressive idea to move the country forward. So if you say that we intend to move the PDP out of power, yes we are ready to do that.

Senator Jejere (who stood in for Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State) also asserted that the merger would end the reign of the PDP in 2015 and put the country on the right track of development. He stressed that the PDP had not served the country and its people properly since 1999 when it came to power.

After the parley, ACN governors, it was learnt were to converge at the Bourdillon, Ikoyi residence of the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliberate further on how to consolidate the merger effort and make it a huge success.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

SUPER EAGLES VS MALI: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ?

A

NYWAY, I would not say that the Super Eagles will come out with flying colour. With the Super Eagles that I know, they are really full of suprises. But with miracle and prayers from patriotic Nigerians like me, they will carry the day. Miss Oluwaseun Oludemi—Student.

W

ITH the wonderful performance against Ivory Coast, I can say confidently that they can make the final.

I wish our boys the best of luck, especially as they have proved some critics wrong. Mr. Henry Iwaloken—Student.

S

UPER Eagles chance at the ongoing Nations Cup is very bright now, having gotten to this stage. I want to single out Mikel Obi in the midfield, because he has done wonderfully well so far in the competition.

Mr. Fame Mikael—Student.

I

think we still need a for eign coach. Yes, Stephen Keshi may have tried but it is obvious that professional touches are lacking in the team. This is the semifinal stage, we need to work very hard, if they really want to win 2013 AFCON. Mr. Bode Kolawole—Student.

I

think they can make the final, having overcame Ivory Coast, who were the tournament's favourites. However, the team need to work very hard against the Malian side, who are no push over. I wish them the best of luck. Miss Obi Onyinye—Student.

N

IGERIAN football is a reflection of the economy. Our expectations are always truncated. I expect the Super Eagles to fly high since they have been able to make it to the semi-final.

I wish them good luck today. Miss Idowu Lawani—Student.

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013— “The naked truth is always better than the best-dressed lie.”- African Proverb.

P

Days of our lives suggested that they were expired, frustrated under-achievers who failed the nation when they had chances to

,

EOPLE who have taken ringside seats in the on-going bruising fight between President Goodluck Jonathan and President Olusegun Obasanjo must have been jolted when news filtered out that the two had attended a church service at the Presidential Villa, last Sunday and had a private lunch afterwards. Like the longrunning US television drama from which this column is borrowing a title today, the latest twist in the Jonathan/ Obasanjo saga will leave audiences bewildered, and waiting for the next dramatic episode. Unlike the soap, however, which is fiction, the tussles, turns and twists in the relations between the two Presidents are real.

They have the potential to damage one or both of them, and if they can make it stick through the many dangerous bends and booby traps, the nation may have to pay a huge price for a productive collaboration between them.

The appearance of President Obasanjo at the Villa last Sunday would mean many things to different people. The spat which followed the damning condemnation of Presidents Yar ’Adua and Jonathan over profligacy by a former close associate of President Obasanjo, a former Minister and senior official of the World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili was being registered as one more in a series of assaults on the levels of integrity and competence of the Jonathan administration. Either it hurt more than they let it be known, or they had insufficient knowledge of the lady, the response of the President’s men merely brought forth harder blows. It was not the best strategy to deflect accusations of waste and corruption by alleging that the accusers had skeletons in their cupboards as well. If Mrs. Ezekwesili had stolen or wasted public funds, why didn’t the Jonathan administration attempt to bring her to account earlier?

It is also doubtful if those who picked up the gauntlet on behalf of President Jonathan had established strong evidence that the lady spoke out only as a foot soldier in Obasanjo’s war of attrition against President Jonathan. A faulty fightback strategy and an insufficient knowledge of the adversary played into the hands of the President’s opposition.

Mrs. Ezekwesili dug in and challenged the President to both respond to her accusation and bring her to book.

Then more mistakes were made. A sweeping condemnation was put out by the Presidency which lumped together an assortment of the President’s most visible and loudest critics under one label which

Jonathan may be acting on the advice which says that you should keep your friends close, and your enemies closer; but he needs to be very careful in deciding who his friends and enemies are

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do well. Worse, allusions were made in a manner that suggested that Oby, Fani-Kayode, el-Rufai and quite a number of the most prominent critics of President Jonathan were acting out a script as have been bent on fighting Jonathan for want of something better to do. The remote allusion that they could be cheerleaders of the former President Obasanjo also gave him an undeserved advantage, because, except for the possible exception of Fani-Kayode, most of President Jonathan’s most trenchant critics have only a tenuous relationship with

Jonathan/Obasanjo reconciliation: How long would this last?

President Obasanjo, at least in public.

The fact is that el-Rufai, Ezekwesili and Fani-Kayode all served as Ministers under Obasanjo, and were part his of best and brightest, or as they liked to be called, his Dream Team. But Jonathan still has the rump of that same team on his side. Dr. OkonjoIweala, Dr. S. Usman, Dr. Bright Okogwu, Steve Orosanye and one or two others are still key players in the Jonathan administration. Oby’s query over the fate of our resources cannot fail to put some of these people in very uncomfortable positions. They know her well enough to know that she is very likely speaking her mind, and she is far from finished.

T

he “ yesterday ’s men’s” most incongruous member is el-Rufai.

His new book obviously has not reached the Villa, because it is anything but a flattering commentary on the character and record of President Obasanjo as President. For a long time to come, the contents of this book will represent reference points, principally because they raise issues that will touch many toes, and step very hard on others. Nasir elRufai will most likely drop down many places in the list of Obasanjo’s boys, and it may have escaped the President’s men’s attention that he is a key player in the opposition now, and this may be the reason why they chose to lump him with others as yesterday ’s men (and women).

Like Oby and FaniKayode, el-Rufai is far from finished.

Against a raging quarrel largely seen as being triggered by O b a s a n j o ’ s determination to pull the carpet from under Jonathan’s feet, what should be made of the church service and a lunch at the Villa last Sunday? One, it could all be vintage Obasanjo: He hits you

OPINION

BY TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA Continued from yesterday's Pg 17

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ENERAL Dwight Eisenhower was quoted as saying that “to knock people over the head is assault, not leadership”. Similarly, to beat up people, steal their goods and extort money from them is criminality, not law enforcement. There is nothing as legalised or legitimised criminality. The cold hearted excesses of KAI Brigade may have the approval and authority of the law of the state but it is still a crime to beat up defenseless men, women and children and steal their money and wares.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “any system that substitutes it for he is an unjust system.”The pronoun for man is he and the pronoun for animals and inanimate objects is it. To treat human beings like animals or pieces of wood or stone is substituting it for he. Governor Fashola presides over an unjust system because his administration treats human beings like animals.

To stand in the sun for just one hour can be disconcerting.

Therefore, those who stand in the sun endlessly hoping to earn little money from hawking CDs, snacks, soft drinks, etc are neither having fun nor exploiting the system. They

with the left, and hugs you with the right hand. He wants his candidate for the PDP Board of Trustees in place, but wants to avoid a damaging fight against a President who is being primed to resist him. He will advise conciliation and healing, while he is actively rebuilding his base within the party and in the South-west and North. President Jonathan will be advised to be very wary of this gesture by most of his people.

Two, Obasanjo is attempting to hedge his bets. He is unsure of the strategy of building solid oppositions against Jonathan at this relatively – early stage, so he wants to walk on both sides of the street. el-Rufai’s claims of the desperation of the former President to stop Jonathan becoming President in the first place will be reinforced by the serial and damaging condemnation of Jonathan as weak, indecisive and incompetent by Obasanjo in the last few months.

President Jonathan and his men will be forgiven if they see Obsanjo as public enemy number one. But it will also be a great folly to distance the President from him entirely. So both will engage each other in a game of wits until sensitive issues such as the B.O.T chairmanship and the fallouts from el-Rufai’s exposés are settled.

Three, President Jonathan is rattled

by President Obasanjo and his touted army of cheerleaders in the media. The appearance of rising resistance and hostility against incompetence and corruption from strong interests in the South-South, a visible move to push for a Northern PDP candidate in 2015 and spreading popular perception that President Jonathan has no capacity to rein-in corruption and improve the quality of his administration may be pushing the President to seek to limit damage. This may be the thinking that could inform a possible olive branch.

If that is the case, it will take more than an olive branch to satisfy Obasanjo. He wants the whole orchard, and history should caution Jonathan against swimming towards the deep end because the shallow end is crowded.

A very poor record and an eye on 2015 may be responsible for some panic measures and poor judgement on the part of President Jonathan and his legion of spokespersons. The public relations stunt that puts Jonathan and Obasanjo at the same church service and a lunch afterwards is unlikely to convince Nigerians that all is now well between them. Jonathan may be acting on the advice which says that you should keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. But he needs to be very careful in deciding who his friends and enemies are, because confusing the two will make his life a lot more complicated. Sometimes it is your worst enemy who tells you the truth.

Street hawkers are victims not villains (2) are poor and helpless individuals consumed by the drudgery for daily survival. They are victims of a series of kleptocracy that ruined the economy and subverted a rational distribution of the national wealth, and thus, consigned a disproportionate percentage of Nigerians to waste away in gateless poverty. They deserve encouragement, not punishment.

To punish people for hawking on the street is as wicked and insensitive as punishing people for sleeping on the street. People sleep in the street because they are homeless and utterly destitute. So, while sleeping in the street might constitute an environmental eye-sore, it presents the society with a problem that needs to be accommodated on the short run and solved on the long run.

People engage in street hawking – an excoriating and hazardous trade that exposes them to the risk of being seriously hurt or killed by moving vehicles - because they are unemployed and financially strapped, and have nothing better to do with themselves. So, while street hawking may constitute an environmental blemish, it

presents the society with a problem that needs to be sympathised with on the short run and then resolved or regulated on the long run.

To fixate on the environmental smirch of street hawking and feign ignorance of the incontrovertible fact that street hawkers are victims of social injustice and economic dislocation is mindless hypocrisy. To continue to compound the problems of those already struggling with shackling poverty by rough-handling them and stripping them of their money and destroying their means of livelihood is unmitigated wickedness.

Please, Governor Babatunde Fashola direct KAI officials to focus on salient environmental and disciplinary issues in this lawless, chaotic and dirty city (where grown men and women urinate, and even, defecate on the street) and leave street hawkers alone. After all, they are Nigerian citizens, who, though poor and voiceless, deserve to be treated with respect and allowed an opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families.

Concluded

*Mr. Ezukanma, a social critic, wrote from Lagos

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 CONTRADICTIONS that distinguish the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from all others sustain it. A party that, in its 15 years, has never elected its national chairman, talks of democracy with the same glibness it practises it and it works.

Current chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in reminding his members that none of them is bigger than the party, makes the same argument about the supremacy of the party without proof of its efficacy. Supremacy of the party is based on laws not the whims PDP instituted in those 15 years.

The rebellion of governors and other PDP members is based on the inferiority of the party which built over the years through wanton breaking of its constitution from its foreclosure of the debates on zoning to tweaking it to suit immediate needs.

How does PDP intend to punish the mutineers? Can it punish them without further endangering its position? Is the PDP chairman just noticing the powers of governors, whose candidates dominate the National Working Committee?

Tukur suffers the double disability of his

PDP Bigger Than Nothing partisan interests in the turmoil over the executive of the party in his native Adamawa and the weak support he would get from a President whose hands are full battling the same governors and his own various burdens.

Tukur is at most disposable and the history of former seven PDP chairmen is a study in this regard.

When Tukur was governor 30 years ago, politics was a game of numbers – that has not changed. What appears lost on Tukur are the dynamics of today’s politics, where as national party executives appropriate shaky power handles at the centre, governors lock up

delegates whose votes make all the difference.

During Tukur’s days in the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, it was inconceivable that a governor would exchange an unkind word, even in private, with party chairman, Augustus Meredith Akinloye: party discipline saw to that.

Unfortunately, PDP’s bigness is based on nothing. It has no verifiable membership.

Neither the President nor governors use the party’s manifesto (it has one) in their campaigns. PDP is a useful platform for accessing power and easily forgotten until the next elections.

Its national executives bear the moral burden of not being elected. They are unpopular and stooges of the President who handpicks them.

Those are not the credentials that could give one the credibility to claim as Tukur did recently, “I am committed to reconciliation, without confrontation. We must run a party based on justice”.

The indiscipline in PDP prefaces the larger domineering attitude of politicians, across parties, which makes our democracy uncivil, almost militarised.

OPINION

BY IKECHUKWU IDIBIA

S

OME cynics, including those who once served in their state governments but with no concrete achievements to show have been critical of the Good Governance Team being currently led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku. The team is presently touring the states across the country to assess and ascertain the level of democracy dividends being delivered to the people by state governments, especially in the area of infrastructural developments.

Recently a former Commissioner of Information and Secretary to the Abia State Government who is now a columnist in a national daily owned by a former governor of the state called on the President Goodluck Jonathan to recall Maku and his team from the ongoing tours. His argument was that the team has lost focus as members are being guided on the project tours by the officials of government who ensure that they do not see the other side of a state.

Traditionally and in line with protocol, a visitor to a state will normally be received by officials of government and led to wherever he or she desires to go. This simple courtesy does not in any way take away the import of such visit or tour, especially when there is nothing on ground to point at as an achievement by the host government. He also complained that there were no journalists from private television stations on the team, adding that the accompanying

Critics and the Good Governance Team's visit to Abia Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, only show what the government wants the people to see. But this claim is far from the truth as I can confirm that the team is made up of seasoned journalists from all the print and electronic media in the country, including the national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ. Obviously what informed the former commissioner’s criticism of the team was its three-day tour of projects in Abia State after which team members passed objective judgement on the outstanding performance of the state governor in the area of security, youth empowerment and infrastructural developments. It is a verdict that has not go down well with the former governor of the state and his allies who have been doing everything possible to rubbish the state government for refusing to be tied to the apron sting of the former governor.

Fortunately, this ex-commissioner was incharge of the Information Ministry in the state when this kind of media tour was organised by the then Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Unlike what obtained then when there were no tangible projects on ground in the state

to show Gana and his team as their giant strides, the present government in the state showed several legacy projects which they have completed and about completing to Maku and his team. Such projects include the New Judiciary Complex, the ultra modern five- storey Workers Secretariat that is unique in many ways from conception to execution. The Secretariat with state-of-the-art facilities, including a lift, is certainly a spectacle due to the ceramic tiles used both in and outside the building in place of paints to avoid fading.

Beside the new Secretariat is the old one that is undergoing rapid renovation. Just a stone throw from the secretariat is a modern 6000 capacity International Conference Centre that had been roofed while interior works are going on. Also undergoing construction is the new Government House.

Apart from this, more than 4500 youths from the council areas in the state are being presently paid N15,000 monthly by the state government as a social security to help thems. The state in collaboration with the Federal Government was responsible for the evacuation of power from the Ohiya power sub-station which has restored steady power supply in Umuahia and its environs.

Today in the state capital and its environs, power failure is a thing of the past and this was witnessed and experienced by the professional and seasoned journalists in the Good Governance Team. Several roads, hospitals, schools and others have been constructed in the state. The state has also been enjoying relative security since caging the ugly monster of kidnapping that terrorised it in the past. In the commercial city of Aba, several roads have been reconstructed and illegal structures demolished. Many compactors have been procured by the government for the easy disposal of refuse in the state, especially in Aba which was filth-ridden for a long time.

The notorious Osisioma junction in Aba which was once turned into motor parks by touts which made life difficult for commuters has been cleared and reconstructed. To assuage the suffering of motorists using the park before now, a new motor park is being constructed by the state government along the Enugu/PH road just close to the junction.

These are verifiable and visible projects executed and being executed by the present government in the state.

So, when has it become a crime for government to point at projects it has executed or is executing? Politically biased armchair critics and columnists can only grumble and complain, but they cannot change the truth.

*Mr. Idibia, a cleric, wrote from Umuahia, Abia State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013— —19

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OUBLE whammy is what the English will call it. But for Fela, its ‘c-o-n-f-u-s-i-o-n breaki boni’ because ‘deadi bodi geti aksident’ as he put it in his album, ‘Confusion Break Bone’. That’s the situation in which the Nigeria Police finds itself today- a no-win, what you might call, a lose-lose situation, one of double jeopardy.

The confusion that is unfolding before us, to continue with that Fela metaphor, has moved beyond the mortuary, the police station or indeed, the Ikeja Police College, to envelope the entire Police Force and no doubt Nigeria itself. As an organisation, the Nigeria Police has for long been a corpse or at best a living-dead. What Fela in a related but different context had called ‘zombie’. But tormentors of the Police, it appears, won’t be content unless and until it is dead.

This follows the judgement by an Abuja High Court practically sending the alleged thief of the Police Pension Fund home, happy and free. Or what do you call a fine of less than a million Naira for a crime of N22 billion? But that was all the Nigerian State, all thanks to Justice(?) Abubakar Talba,

demanded of John Yusuf, one of the men behind the multi-billion Naira Police Pension Fund theft.

The foolishness of the judgement became clear when the culprit didn’t blink before paying the miserable fine right in the court premises and was on his way home- before he was hurled back into detention by the EFCC in a move that would as likely as not be a painful replay of the national farce that had just terminated in Mr. Talba’s court. Yusuf apparently came prepared, knowing he was taking the lead in a court room melodrama.

After that chest-thumping that no other country but America fights corruption harder than Nigeria (only God knows why America is the measuring rod for this interminable fight), I guess President Goodluck Jonathan can now sit back in feline complacency with a bowl of fish pepper soup and cassava loaf congratulating himself on how well his transformational government is winning the corruption war. The ongoing police saga started when Channels Television transmitted to our national shame the squalor in

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which police recruits in the Ikeja Police College live at Nigeria’s leading training school for police personnel. In what looked like an expression of his righteous anger at the state of things at the college, President Jonathan made an unscheduled flash visit to the place.

Apparently discomfited, the President wondered how potential law enforcers could be made to live like ‘poultry chicken’. But right in the same breath the President sought to know how Channels ‘penetrated’ the gates of a college which open grounds are rented out for profit to members of the public any day of the week. Everybody, except the President, knows many security organisations in Nigeria, from military to paramilitary units, rent out their officers’ mess, halls and other open spaces to members of the public and their own relations for social events.

T

hat is the way they get by, with a little change on the side, in this age of privatisation. How this simple fact of daily existence eludes our President is a measure of his disconnect from what goes on around him. Oh yes, Uncle Joe sure needs to smell the coffee more often.

A case for punishing corruption as armed robbery S the world moves away from capital I am against the death penalty for all punishment, Nigeria, always to be the good reasons that prove it to be A found in the rear-guard of progress, has unjustifiable, chief of which is that it fails embraced it with renewed vigour. Recently, the House of Representatives, that august gaggle of expensive and visionary lawmakers, woke up from its legislative coma to propose a bill to eradicate through the death penalty the crime of kidnapping that currently plagues the country. As far back as 2009, Imo State had made kidnapping a capital offence.

If the reports are true, several other states have since enacted a similar law; among them Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Enugu.

Rivers State, commendably, was not seduced by the siren call of capital punishment, opting instead for life imprisonment.

Under our penal codes, the crimes of murder and armed robbery are punished by death. In the latter case, the law is very specific regarding the manner of carrying out the sentence: “by hanging the offender by the neck till he be dead or by causing such offender to suffer death by firing squad.” The justification for such statesanctioned savagery is that it deters crime.

Simply put, the evil means of capital punishment is more than compensated for by the glorious end of societal peace and harmony. This was taken to its extreme in the seventies when the Federal Military Government, still steeped in the depredations of the Civil War, valorised firing squads and subjected the nation to the televised bloody rituals infamously dubbed “the Bar Beach Show.” The current state of armed robbery in the country presents a perfect measure of the amount of deterrence achieved.

C M Y K

to acknowledge human error. As the use of DNA evidence has shown, many wrongly convicted persons have been killed by the state, but who will go to hell or heaven to bring them back to life and restore them to their former lives and status? What possible humane goal can the death penalty achieve that life imprisonment cannot? Yet, in spite of this I am willing to suspend, temporarily, my opposition to the death penalty and argue for its application to all cases of corruption involving amounts up to and above one billion naira.

Conviction for any amount above N100 million but under one billion would be punished by life imprisonment; one million to under N100 million by a jail term of 5-25 years; and any sum under a million naira would be treated as a misdemeanour.

Corruption is eating Nigeria alive. If we must have capital punishment, then it shouldn’t apply only to the poor and weak who must die irrespective of the amount stolen, insofar as armed with a gun, a knife or even a wooden club in the act of robbery but as well to those armed with a pen and who steal astronomical sums in one heist.

The rich and powerful cannot be immune to the great good of deterrence that the death sentence purportedly serves. This discrepant morality of crime and punishment was shown once again by the scandalous sentence of two years imprisonment or a fine of N750,000 given to John Yakubu Yusuf, an assistant director in the federal service, accused together with six others of stealing N32.8 billion

from the Police Pension Fund.

It wasn’t the first time such a travesty of justice would issue from our courts, aided or condoned by the Minister of Justice. We are all reminded of the many high profile felons who, having been convicted of stealing

,

Deadi bodi geti aksident…

The big thieves steal billions of Naira and are sent home with a pat on the back; an indication that we truly do not count in the matter

The President had hardly left the Police College when words started filtering in of heads (certainly of those who allowed the penetration of the Berlin Wall at the Police College) rolling. Bemused and angry Nigerians have since been wondering what caused the presidential u-turn. While still thinking of what to make of all this and how to digest the constipating bile from presidential guts, in came the judgement from the Abuja court presided over by Mr. Talba. He had been looking into the case of men who abused their position and stole nearly N30 billion of the pension contributions of police officers. The same people who, after leaving police training pigsties misnamed colleges like the one in Ikeja, get into poorly paid, poorly kitted and illequipped constabulary- the little pension that the few lucky of the millions of these forsaken victims entrusted with the security of us allthe pittance of a pension they are able to gather over a period ranging from between two to three decades are then stolen from them by people employed to manage the funds. Yusuf initially confessed to stealing about N22 billion of these funds. Arrested and charged he plea-bargained with the EFCC only to get to court to submit a noguilty plea. The EFCC that allowed the plea bargain in the first place then had the stupid task of arresting him on a far less serious charge of not disclosing his interest in a nondescript company obviously used in perpetrating his criminal entanglements.

This is yet another one of those in-your-face judicial pronouncements increasingly blurted out by judicial officers on pay rolls different from Abuja’s. A poor ordinary Nigerian steals a hundred Naira worth of vegetables and bags a couple of years in jail,

If we must have capital punishment, then it shouldn’t apply only to (those) armed with a gun... in the act of robbery but as well to those armed with a pen and who steal astronomical sums in one heist

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staggering amounts, were literally told to reach in their back pockets or purses, put whatever they found there on the table and go home.

By contrast, barely a day after Yusuf dropped his back-pocket change and became a free man (until he was rearrested for supposedly different crimes), a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikare, Ondo State, sentenced one Adepoju Jamiu

with or without an option of fine.

The big thieves steal scores of billions of Naira and are sent home with a pat on the back. Mr. Talba surely wants to put deluded Nigerians who pretend to have opinions in matters of this nature in their place. That nothing would happen hereafter is an indication that we truly do not count in the matter. As citizens we do not matter; as electorates we are a BIG cipher. This same Mr. Talba mishandled the Kenny Martins case in November 2009 when he absolved him of charges pertaining to the mismanagement of the Police Equipment Foundation Fund. The funds involved were also in their billions of Naira. At this point we need to ask the Nigerian Judicial Council if some judges are actually retained to handle certain kinds of cases. What specially qualifies Mr. Talba to hear suits involving theft of police funds that run into billions of Naira? Would he also continue to hear suits involving the police when he becomes Chief Judge of Adamawa State, as reports have it? What is really happening here? Now the EFCC wants us to believe it has no hand in the judicial reprieving of criminals but is continually entangled in plea bargains, can Ibrahim Lamorde tell Nigerians why they should take the EFCC seriously? Only a few years back the EFCC had such meaningless arrangement with Lucky Igbinedion, former governor of Edo State, accused of helping himself to billions of Naira from his state’s treasury. The police have had it! In training they live in s—t holes; work in penury and at retirement have no pension.

Confusion don break bone; na double wahala for deadi bodi.

to three years imprisonment without the option of a fine for stealing a mobile phone worth N17, 000. As Premium Times which reported this case pointed out, had Yusuf and Jamiu been judged under the same law and “ratio of years of sentence ... relative to the amount stolen,” then Yusuf would have bagged at least 110,000 years in jail.

Under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, any person who commits the offence of stealing with the aid of a firearm “or any offensive weapon” or is merely “in company with any person so armed” is liable upon conviction to death. While an ordinary pen or any virtual signature or authorisation tool cannot be defined as a “firearm”, it seems to me that given its lethal role in inflicting grievous harm to our body-politic, in the massive dispossession and “ wounding” of the nation, and so the consequential death of countless citizens denied life-saving provisions or support, it can and should be included in the definition of “offensive weapon.” The phrase, “adapted for use for causing injury to the person” in the interpretation section of the Act renders it amenable to this redefinition. Perhaps then, the moral warriors of the national and state assemblies may speak convincingly of the death penalty for deterrence. And I would reconsider my “strategic” pro- death penalty stance after the first execution of a billion-naira thief!

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 6 , 2013

Debate of the masses

Some rogues are more equal than others!

BY EBELE ORAKPO

“T *Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, flanked by officials, during his inspection of renovation work at the Vlekete Slave Market, Badagry

Vlekete: When a slave market becomes a tourist centre V

LEKETE Slave Market which was established in 1502 in Badagry Lagos, served as the meeting point for European slave merchants, African middlemen and slaves brought from the hinterlands who were later auctioned. Although there were other slave markets in the country, the Vlekete Slave Market was unarguably the largest and most populated.

Reports showed that the market opened for business every two days with no fewer than 900 slaves sold per week. The slaves were auctioned for commodities like iron bars, mirror, cotton, dry gin, whiskey, cannons, gunpowder, gun and other assorted spirits.

Determined to develop this market into a national heritage and tourist centre, the Lagos State Government recently embarked upon its redevelopment.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who recently undertook an inspection tour of ongoing projects in different parts of the city, last week, visited the Badagry Local Government Area where he gave reasons for redeveloping the market.

According to him, the slave market represents one of the historical sites that Nigerians pay money to visit in other parts of the world. He explained that the state is building all of the road networks around the historical sites as part of the development of tourism in Badagry. The development of a Marina shoreline for the Point of No Return, he said, is aimed at providing the infrastructure that brings people to the place in a comfortable way and takes them back comfortably.

“What you would see on the beach front ultimately is an opportunity for the people of Badagry to show all of their skills; all of our people who sell fabrics, Batik, who make dresses and beads which are all products from the skills centres,” he said.

Fashola explained that it would ultimately be a big market for the sale of souvenirs not only for the people of Badagry but all Lagosians. “It is a place where tourists can eat the local cuisines such that people in the culinary business can set up businesses as part of efforts at waking up the economy,” he said.

On why work at the combined Magistrate and High Court complex is progressing at a rather slow pace, Fashola said he has spoken to the contractor who promised to complete the project in April this year. Apart from the slave market, the Governor’s team also inspected the ongoing reclamation of the Marina shoreline for the exposition of the historical assets at Badagry as well as the Old Dis-

trict Officer’s building whose restoration and preservation is almost completed.

Other places inspected were the 48-bedroom hotel at the Lagos State V.I.P Chalets and the proposed site for Oba’s Palace in Badagry.

Fashola who was accompanied by his Deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and members of the State Executive Council, took time to berate those who are criticising him for borrowing to develop the state.

Describing them as voodoo economists, Fashola claimed that that is why they are in the opposition.

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BY JUDE NJOKU

The market opened for business every two days with no fewer than 900 slaves sold per week; the slaves were auctioned for commodities like iron bars, mirror, cotton, dry gin, whiskey, cannons, gunpowder

,

“They will never get into government because clearly, it is dangerous from the way they are talking, they don’t know what the economics of governance is,” he said.

On 200cc motobikes: Asked whether courier companies should obtain fresh clearance before plying the roads with 200cc motorcycles, the Governor said no such clearance is needed. “First of all, when you have a 200cc motor cycle as your own form of transport or movement, not public transportation, you can ride on any road in Lagos, you don’t need any permission, you don’t need any exemption. Even if you are running courier business, once you have a 200cc, just go to the motor registry, you license it, get your plate number, just as you will license any other vehicle. That is all you need, at least from Lagos State Government. ”I don’t know about the regulation for courier business because it’s not my responsibility, but as far as plying my road, once you meet that, you don’t need any exemption or permit from anybody, whether in the Ministry of Transportation. I have told the Commissioner for Transportation... that he must make further clarification on that; but the answer to your question is that no exemption is needed once you have a 200cc motorcycle,” he said.

HIS country is full of absurdities!”exclaimed Nick in the Ikeja-bound commercialvehicle,referring to the Police pension fund scam..“Are they telling us now that it pays to steal?”

“Of course! That’s the message. It seems it’s the most lucrative business in the country now. Steal billions and go to jail for a very short time with an option of fine and then go home and enjoy your loot or be foolish enough to steal little and you are sent to life jail,” said Iyke. “After all, the Igbos have a saying that he who eats frogs should eat a fatted one so that when he is called a frog eater, he will proudly answer.”

“Recently, a 26-year-old man was sentenced to death for stealing N1,705 and two rolls of peak milk sachets, valued at N400 at gunpoint,” said Uyi. “Ehn, what do you expect?

Na the gunpoint be the wahala now. This one robbed at penpoint not gunpoint. Gunpoint is very dangerous,”saidMercy.This elicited some laughter. (Cuts in Uyi) “Wait, e never finish o. Another was sentenced to six months imprisonment for stealing a goat and another to three years for stealing a phone; meanwhile, this one stole N23 billionbelongingto pensioners and was given option of a fine.”

“Ohboy,ebelikesaythievery isverylucrative.I’llgointothat business,” said Abel.

“Robbery is not easy oo, so manyrisksareinvolved,”said Prince.

“No, I’ll not go for benddown-select robbery but high-tech where you can sit in your cozy office and within two minutes, you’ve made billions. All you need is to be educated, smart and intelligent and not a dullard,” said Abel.

“Chei! Pension fund is supposed to be held in trust.

I don’t blame the Judiciary but the pensioners. They are not serious. To be honest with you, if I were among them, we would have organised and kidnapped the sons of these rogues, and ensured

we maimed them for life. We will tell them why we did so - because their fathers ruined us,” said Obi sounding really angry.

“That’s going too far.

What have the children done?” asked Eno. “It’s a pity but that is the only way we can get back at these heartless people,” replied Obi. “The judge too should be dealt with. He must be seriously sanctioned for giving that kind of judgement,” said Nick.

“But that is the law for you, the judge ruled according to law or why do you think they say the law is an ass? It simply means stupidly and rigidly applying the law contrary to common sense,” argued John.

“Abeg, forget that. We follow the law when it suits us. Even if the Judge was working within the ambit of the law, he should have done better given the situation.

Instead of the two years with an option of fine of N750,000, he should have given him life jail without an option of fine because of the gravity of the offence. For God’s sake, somebody has worked for upwards of 30 years,denyinghimselfinstant gratification,savingpartofhis meager salary so that when he retires, he can depend on his pension, and one fellow somewhere simply stole the money; wailahi, someone go meet the devil that day!” said Ucheangrily.

“Soifthemassesdidnotcry out against this unjust judgement, the guy would have gotten away with it?” askedObi. “Waitasecond,youguysare unbelievable! Youarecursing the Judge for giving him an optionoffinebutwasthatreally all? Remember they had seized all the guy’s property worth billions of naira,” said Pat.“Itseemswedon’treador listenwithunderstanding.It’s not as if he was asked to pay N750,000outoftheN23billion andthengoandenjoytherest.

Thatwillbegrossinjustice.I’m not holding brief for him anyway, just saying it the way it is,” stated Pat.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBUARY 6, 2013 — 21

By JONAH NWOKPOKU & WILLIAM JIMOH The Federal Government’s effort towards rehabilitating the railway sector may not yield any positive result if the current trend of poor service delivery and management continue, Vanguard’s investigations revealed.

Investigations revealed that poor service delivery by staff of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, in addition to inadequacy of coaches to meet demands, poor management issues like inability to control the crowd and allowing touts to infiltrate the ticketing process are hampering Federal Government’s rehabilitation efforts.

Some of the passengers who patronize the railway have expressed concerns about the poor service delivery and called for improvement According to Mrs. Utman Sanusi, a senior civil servant, who was making her second trip in the Lagos to Kano train service that commenced, last month, little has changed from the old way the railway operated in the past. Technical challenges, she said, is still hindering smooth operation.

“I boarded a Lagos bound train last week and the journey would have been a smooth one but a a coach derailed at Minna and they had to remove the affected part which took us some time. When we got to Ilorin, there was another mechanical fault that also took us sometimes for them to correct. These resulted to our arriving Lagos very late.”

Mrs. Utman recounted.

Mrs. Utman who complained about the braking system which had become very loose that they had to be tied with ropes said the authority needed to pay more attention to safety of the passengers by making sure that the trains are in perfect conditions.

From left: Ajen Sita, CEO for Africa (Ernst & Young); Nnenna Obiejesi, Vice-President, NestOil Plc; Henry Egbiki, Reginoal Managing Partner for West Africa (Ernst & Young) and Chukwueloka Umeh, MD, Power Generation Limited, during Ernst & Young’s management team visit to NestOil corporate headquarters, in Lagos.

Poor service delivery threatens railway rehabilitation “All these pipes they are tying with ropes is not good because it is as if they are saying that they are taking the passengers’ lives for granted.

I think since they are just restarting and embarking on such a long distance journey, all these problems ought not to occur considering the large number of people that are involved. Supposing more derailment occurred that day, many people would have died and remember we are talking about lives. Passengers’ lives need be given priority.”

Another passenger who preferred anonymity complained of the sprawling condition of the trains and the terminus and the need for

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2,194.00

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18.73

-0.16

115.75 -1.01 96.38 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 242.8799 211.0963 170.3435 1.6665 0.3029 238.1654 24.5735 41.2058 28.2904 238.934

155.24 243.6647 211.7784 170.8939 1.6719 0.3129 238.9349 24.6533 41.3389 28.3818 239.7061

-1.39 SELLING 155.74 244.4495 212.4605 171.4443 1.6773 0.3229 239.7045 24.7332 41.4721 28.4732 240.4781

CBN Exchange rate as at 05/02/2013

passenger orientation.

“It amazes me that many people just enter the train without knowing class they have paid for. Many people paid for second-class but when they enter, they get into first-class and then police will start arresting them. And they are ignorant of this things, it is the workers that are not doing enough in this aspect.

And these trains are not well maintained, if you look at the toilets for instance, they are very dirty. This is not supposed to be the case. There ought to be a person stationed permanently on each of the coaches to clean it.

“Also, just take a look at this compound; this is not what should be the condition of a

railway station. From what I can see now, having a goat even here is very wrong. If the only way to restrict all these things is to get a perimeter fence, let them do it. You can see many other people that are just passing by, they should be restricted. There should not be a thoroughfare here. Many people will enter through all these unguarded routes and join the train without paying and when the ticket checkers come; they will bribe the checkers.” He said.

Speaking further, Mrs. Utman however urged the corporation to pay more attention to the management of the railway if it intends to properly revitalize the sector.

“The corporation needs to

2014 budget’ll be designed to encourage manufacturing sector — Jonathan

P

RESIDENT G o o d l u c k Jonathan said in Abuja that the 2014 budget and beyond would be designed to encourage the manufacturing sector for employment generation.

Jonathan said this at the inauguration of the Board of the National Competitive Council of Nigeria (NCCN) in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa.

The council, which is chaired by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, is charged with the responsibility of, among other things, proposing policies and rec-

ommendations that will enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness ranking and revitalise the Nigerian economy.

The 18-member board is also expected to generate policies and programmes that will attract domestic and foreign investment particularly in the manufacturing sector, create sales for local businesses and more markets for products made in Nigeria.

“Government will continue to support private initiatives and encourage private bodies to key into our transformation agenda. We have to commend the private sector for their commitment in setting up this body that will help government and the private sector.

“I wish the pioneer NNCC board every success in this assignment and I have every confidence that you will not let

our nation down. We believe that without encouraging the private sector, especially the manufacturing sector, we cannot get out of the current economic position no matter how we struggle to produce primary produce; they will not create enough jobs for this country.

“That is why for the next two years and may be beyond 2015, Nigerian budget will be geared towards encouraging manufacturing sector in this country.”

The president tasked the board to bench mark, monitor and evaluate Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking and make viable recommendation that would achieve consensus on policy measures. He also tasked them to create and release the report on Nigeria’s competitiveness to guide Nigeria’s development and policy frame work.

give priority to efficient management because if things continue this way, just like the power and energy sectors, the huge amount of money spent on this rehabilitation may not amount to anything tangible.”

Also making a recommendation, Alhaji Bagudu Mohammed, who was making his first trip since the long haul train service commenced last month, said, the corporation should employ competent hands to ensure smooth operation of the railway.

“When I heard that graduates would be handling the trains, I was happy but from what is glaring now, I don’t think that is the case. So, to me, if the government dose not want to waste money invested in the rehabiliataion of this sector, let them employ competent hands.”

However, the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. David Ndanusa, who noted that the era of tieing the braking system “hose pipe” with rope will soon be over admitted that there was train derailment but not a passenger train and that the authority has set up a committee to investigate the incident.

“This use of rope is temporary and I am assuring you that all these hose pipes will be replaced very soon but still you can use rope to prevent it from dangling because it is written even in the manual that; if you are short of the normal manufacturer’s parts, specific type of rope is acceptable .” Mr. Ndanusa said.

On the derailed train, he said, “the train that was reported to have derailed is not a passenger train but a cargo train, and this is due to heavy rain recorded on that route.

It is a normal occurrence when we have such situations. And a panel has been set up to look into that. We don’t joke with such things whenever they happen.” He explained.

In a similar vein, one of the corporation’s officials who preferred anonymity and who blamed the poor service delivery on inadequate infrastructure said they are depending on the federal government for a lot of improvement needed in the sector.

“You know the railway has been relegated for a very long period of time. That’s the cause of some of the challenges we have here but things have started coming up again. Also, you know there is nothing that you spend on railway that is enough, because this is a capital intensive project. Look at everything here, the tracks and the coaches, everything is money and they are not even enough. But we are trying to manage with whatever we have on ground. So we are looking up to the federal government for a lot of improvements that we need in this sector.”

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

GSK increases stakes in Nigerian, Indian subsidiaries

G

laxoSmithKline Plc said that plans to raise its holding in Nigeria subsidiary is in progress , just as it has lifted its stake in its In-

dian consumer healthcare subsidiary to 72.5 percent from 43.2 percent.

In Nigeria, GSK’s plans to raise its holding in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc to 80 percent in a N15.4 billion deal are still progressing.

David Redfern, GSK’s chief strategy officer, said on Tuesday the Indian transaction - valued at 48 billion Indian rupees ($901 million) or 568 million

From left: Mr. Eshiet Essien, Chairman, Media Committee Group, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, NACC; Mr. Ehi Braimah, Chairman, Programmes Committee, NACC and Deputy President of the chamber, during a conference to announce the NACC's Annual Dinner Dance, in Lagos.

Standard Bank boosts remittances with Heartland Banking products

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

I

N an apparent move to boost remittances from African living in the United Kingdom, Standard Bank, the parent of Stanbic IBTC Bank has introduced the Heartland Banking Account services, a full suite of banking products that can be used in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.

Last year, Nigerians living in foreign countries remitted home £13.3 billion.

Apart from standard remittance services, the account allows users based in the UK to open a full suite of banking products ranging from a current account to a home loan, which can either be held in local or foreign currencies. The current and savings account can be used by family in the East and West African countries or by account holders when they are back in the country. This is the first full service offering that can be opened and managed from a foreign country in these three Standard Bank markets.

Shalen Moodley, Head of Heartland Banking, says Standard Bank would like to help non-resident Africans manage their finances while accumulating assets and building wealth in their home countries. Standard Bank is well-placed to do this given that it has the largest footprint on the continent with a presence in 18 countries, robust channel capabilities, innovative products and an indepth knowledge of the needs of diaspora customers.

Given recent money transfer trends, there is strong evi-

dence to show that Africans living abroad have the need and willingness to invest in their home economies, and eventually return home.

Standard Bank offers a targeted offering that meets these needs.

The Heartland current account still offers the basic remittance services that many people rely on to send money back home. Customers who already have UK-based bank accounts can transfer money into their Standard Bank Heartland current accounts by simply adding the account as a beneficiary on internet banking.

Through the Heartland savings account diaspora residents can now also save towards a home, an education, a holiday, a sabbatical in their home country, or merely to diversify their savings portfolio by part taking in the Africa growth story. The deposits can be held in foreign or local currency depending on the extent of diversification and currency exposure the customer chooses to experience.The acquisition of a home is the cornerstone of building wealth.

The Heartland account offers a mortgage for the purchase of a home in Kenya, Nigeria or Ghana. This loan is secured against the property and has no penalties for early settlement. The asset backed lending and ease of account opening is arguably the most important feature of this product. The Heartland account is being offered as a bundled suite of features to best meet the need of the customer and if a specific balance is held in the account

the fees will be waived completely.

Standard Bank is the first bank to offer a comprehensive suite of products to citizens in the diaspora, and have developed a customer friendly account opening processes.

In addition, they have invested behind a service model that will ensure that customer ’s needs are attended to on in efficient and timely manner.

Moodley says the competitively priced service and the comprehensive value proposition offered to customers will allow African citizens living abroad to better manage their finances and help grow the economies of their heartland – because putting your money where your heart is can only lead to brighter futures being built on this continent

pounds - would further increase exposure to a key emerging market.

“It is a significant vote of confidence in the long-term growth prospects of our consumer healthcare business in India,” he added.

Britain’s biggest drugmaker announced plans to acquire larger holdings in both its Indian and Nigerian consumer product businesses in November.

GSK offered 3,900 rupees per share for stock in Indian-based GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare during a tender period that ran from January 17 to January 30, with final payment due on or before February 13.

The open offer was managed

by HSBC. Shares in the Indian company were 2 percent lower at 3,750 rupees following news of the open offer result, while GSK was 0.5 percent higher, ahead of the group’s full-year results on Wednesday.

The drugmaker ’s Indian arm sells popular brands such as health drink Horlicks, malt-based drink Boost and a multi-vitamin drink VitaHealth, which is marketed to women. It also markets OTC (over-thecounter) drugs such as paracetamol tablet Crocin, painkiller gel Idex and acidity reliever Eno. The company ’s shares closed at N49.36 on Monday on the NSE

Euro shares recover as European worries recede E

uropean shares and the euro steadied on Tuesday, a day after a sharp selloff caused by rising political risks in southern Europe, as new data confirmed the region’s economy is showing clear signs of recovery.

The euro, which had taken the brunt of the selling and fallen from a high of over $1.37 at the end of last week to below $1.35 on Monday, recovered to be up 0.1 percent at $1.3530.

European shares which have tracked a similar path from closing near two-year highs on Friday to shedding most of the year ’s gains in Monday’s sell-off, also staged a modest advance.

Most analysts see this week’s gyrations as a necessary correction to a rally linked to signs of increasing euro zone economic stability and an improving global outlook, underpinned by the easier monetary policies of ma-

jor central banks.

“What we are looking at, at the moment, is a correction, a consolidation or even a ‘baby risk-off ’,” said Philippe Gijsels, head of research at BNP Paribas Fortis Global Markets in Brussels, referring to investors selling higher risk assets.

“Nevertheless our working hypothesis remains that, after the correction, the trends in place before will continue, as the two main drivers are still there - namely central banks continuing to inject liquidity and more and more proof of an economic recovery,” he added.

The markets regained composure on Tuesday after new data confirmed the euro zone’s still struggling economy was starting to turn around.

Markit’s Eurozone Composite PMI, which gauges business activity across thousands

of companies and is seen as good gauge of future growth, rose in January to a 10-month high of 48.6 - though this still means the region’s economy is contracting.

“The euro zone is showing clear signs of healing, with the downturn easing sharply in January and the region moving closer to stabilization in the first quarter,” said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit.

But the data also highlighted a growing divergence in the euro zone between the performance of its biggest economy, Germany, and those of other partners, leaving some lingering doubts about the region’s prospects.

Markit’s composite German PMI chalked up its biggest one-month rise since August 2009, reaching its highest since June 2011. But in neighboring France it fell to its lowest level in nearly four years.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2013—23

DIARY Select ICT events zCasual Connect 2013. Holds 12-14 Feb 2013 in Hamburg, Germany.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

‘Science, tech'll make Nigeria competitive’

zGraphics of the Americas 2013.

Holds 21-23 Feb, 2013, in Orlando, USA. zMobile World Congress 2013.

Holds 25-28 Feb 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

R

zRSA Conference 2013. Holds 25 Feb1 Mar 2013 in San Francisco, USA.

,

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Sub-surface membrane boosts crop yield

FORUM: From left: Carlos Soto, IC costing expert at PwC, Alastair Macpherson, Quality Assurance, also of PwC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, EVC, NCC and Lolia Emakpore also of NCC at the just concluded stakeholders workshop on Interconnect costing model study held last week in Lagos.

INTERCONNECT RATES:

Operators sing different tunes on price models

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A water retention membrane developed at Michigan State University could help crops survive droughts and improve crop yield.

The process, created by MSU professor Alvin Smucker, involves specially engineered, contoured films placed below the plant’s roots to help retain soil water. The films are carefully spaced to permit excess water to drain off and allow for root growth, and could be useful in areas with highly permeable, sandy soils.

The films will retain the water within the upper 27 to 39 inches of soil, which could increase water retention efficiency by 20 percent. In tests carried out during drought conditions, yields increased as much as 174 percent.

I N S I D E

B

Y the time final draft report and findings on new interconnect rates determination for voice services were presented to the workshop organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC on Interconnect Costing model study to the telecoms operators last week in Lagos, arguments swung from left and right.

Reasons

The operators expressed divided opinion on which interconnect costing model to adopt for the Nigerian market as presented by the consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, while looking at international best practice. Accordingly, there was argument among the operators on adoption of either

Case for stiffer sanctions against promos by mobile operators

asymmetric or symetric model for interconnection costing rate for the Nigerian market.

Asymmetrical rates on new networks graduated from N10.12 from December 31, 2009 to N8.20 in 2012, while call terminations on older operators’ networks is fixed at N8.20 over the same period. In 2009 for instance, the NCC had commissioned PwC to do an interconnect study to determine rates in Nigeria. Under the current regime, which kicked off in December 31, 2009, interconnection rates for mobile voice termination provided by new entrants

,

zCeBIT 2013.

Holds 5-9 Mar 2013, in Hannover, Germany.

irrespective of originating network were set at N10.12. The rates were designed to fall progressively to N9.48 on December 31, 2010; N8.84 on December 31, 2011 and N8.20 on December 31, 2012, from which date all termination rates will be symmetric.

Asymmetric model is big issue

Meanwhile, Alastair Macpherson of PWC who conducted a study on interconnect costing model for Nigeria told the gathering that their study was based on asymmetric rates

for the industry adopted by the NCC. He said that asymmetry was the big issue having looked at the cost and scale of operation of each operator based on their capacity.

Their study, he noted was based on a ‘hypothetical operator ’ which doesn’t represent any real operator in the country. “It only shows the level of termination regime that should be in operation,” and added: “it is not essentially the number of sites (an operator owns) but its operational efficiency.”

Continues on page 27

Asymmetric or not, it's easy to say that there should be a segregation for the big operators but the main issue is about the cost. We need time to study the models. We need to be very careful

Filming yourself possible with 3rd Person camera

Future of Nigeria's economy'll depend on broadband, says Omo-Ettu

ISING from a na tional stakeholders’ workshop and exhibition on National System of Innovation (NSI), participants have urged that for Nigeria to become one of the top 20 economies by the year 2020, the country needs to urgently entrench science, technology and innovation into our system.

Several experts who spoke at the workshops which held in Kaduna, Aba and Lagos said experience has brought into focus the need for research and development (R&D) initiatives hat can be commercialised and the need for specialized funding within the NSI system.

This is because no commercialization can be viable in a situation where NSI actors are not working in unison.

The presiding minister, Prof. Ita Okon Ewa said the National System of Innovation (NSI) was designed to drive the economic development and emancipation of the country, adding that the ST&I (Science, Technology & Innovation) policy focuses on the National Innovation System, tailored towards the building of Nigeria’s Technological capability.

He was of the view that only countries that have competitive advantage in science and technology knowledge will lead in the 21st century. ‘‘My ministry, realizing the importance of creating awareness in the society on the relevance of ST&I culture for the improvement of quality of life and sustainable economic development, quickly convened a National Stakeholders’

Continues on page 27

Who is afraid of NCC's frequency management?

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Case for stiffer sanctions against promos by mobile operators

BY MAXWELL ONOJA

T

HE recent ban im posed by the Nigerian Communications Commission on lotteries and promotions being conducted by mobile phone network operators is one that has received mixed reactions in the media, some of which are against the ban.

Arguably, the key point by those opposed to the ban is that promotions and lotteries have contributed to lowering the costs of services. This may be true in some case because as operators compete to offer perks to woo more subscribers, they end up in reduced prices for some consumers. Some others are opposed to the ban because its ban has deprived media houses and advertising agencies of a major source of income.

While one will not dispute some of these a r g u ments, the truth is that only few consumers benefit from lotteries and promotions at the detriment of the majority of the subscribers. It is not all subscribers that devote their precious time seeking promotions that have also become too frequent, and sometimes, confusing.

But the concern of many discerning Nigerians is whether those opposed to the ban are giving due attention to the reasons adduced by the telecom regulator in Nigeria for imposing the ban. Spokesman of the regulator, Mr. Tony Ojobo, was quoted as saying that the ban was informed by complaints from the consumers, and the quality of service issues that the promotions has caused in the networks. According to him, “the Commission has, in recent times been inundated with several complaints from consumers and industry stakeholders against the various sales promotions offered by telecommunications operators.” He also affirmed that regulator has ‘carefully evaluated the complaints received especially against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of the networks, the general interest of

the consumers, the socio-economic impact of these promotions on operators and other relevant stakeholders.’

In most cases, when subscribers are offered bonuses during promotions, it results in more people making calls at same time in order to utilize the bonuses.

Usually, the networks become congested. At the end, only the operator smiles to the bank while subscribers are shortchanged.

It has been a case of double jeopardy for subscribers but since the ban came into place, most of the consumers are saved they are aware that all promotions or lotteries are banned.

The greatest disservice that commentators who are against the ban have done to telecom consumers was to feign ignorance of the reason given by the telecom regulator that promotions have worsened an already bad quality of services from the networks. If ban on lotteries and promotions would help in alleviating an ugly experience of consumers for many years, it is welcome. There have been many cases where some operators would introduce promotions to the point that the networks would not allow calls to be made or received and the subscribers would in turn begin to request that the promotions are stopped so that their calls would go.

Recently, an operator embarked in a promotion that gives subscribers free calls for 24 hours after paying some little amount daily.

What followed was daily avalanche of calls, resulting in congestion that made calls impossible to all subscribers, including those who are not in the promotion. It is obvious that those who are speaking against the ban are not speaking for the consumers. The Nigerian consumer like me will not share in their collective amnesia which has resulted in their forgetting that one quality service is better than Continues on Page 25

Any operator that defaults should be severely sanctioned. Perhaps, that would force the service providers to do more home work

C M Y K

,

I

F you like to shoot point-ofview videos of your “extreme” endeavors, perhaps you sometimes get people saying “How come we never get to see you in any of these?”. Well, you can address that by using something like the BoomPro or Go360 – both devices suspend your camera from your helmet, allowing it to get a shot of you. Soon, however, you may be able to get something a bit fancier, in the form of the 3rd Person View.

Created by Dutch film producer Thijs Vrij, the device consists of three parts – a waterproof adjustable waistband with a carbon sandwich backplate; an alloy adjustable camera pole; and, a locking/release mechanism. The whole thing reportedly weighs less than 950 grams (2 lbs) and fits inside a backpack when

Filming yourself possible with 3rd Person camera

zThe 3rd Person View camera...mounted.

disassembled.

An actioncam of the user ’s choice is attached to the end of the pole (via the user ’s

own camera-specific mount), and the pole is then plugged into a receptacle in the backplate. Once the pole/camera are

positioned the way the user wants them, everything is locked into place.

The system is said to allow for a variety of shooting angles, as opposed to other products that simply let the camera look in at the user ’s face – and yes, it can get face-on shots from the front, although one would assume that involves wearing the waistband backwards.

Additionally, the pole and camera can be removed from the backplate, so the user can hold them out in front of themselves.

Vrij is currently raising production funds for the 3rd Person View, on Kickstarter.

— Yahoo!News/ Gizmag

CWG's Okere brings Lean Launch pad model to Nigeria

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A

S part of technology transfer commitment, CEO, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Austin Okere, who was at the Columbia Business School, New York, where he featured as an instructor at the Steve Blank “Lean Launch Pad” Class, has disclosed plans to bring the concept to Nigeria The Lean Launch Pad is joining forces with Startup Weekend, Udacity, TechStars and Startup America to offer some of the world’s most effective experiential entrepreneurship education.

The programme is already being offered in 15 cities around the world, with another 25 programmes launching this month. The goal is to expand the programme to more than 100 cities in this year.

Already, entrepreneurs such as Steve Blank are teaching NEXT in Silicon Valley, Andy Sack (TechStars Seattle founder) in Seattle, Alex Farcet (founder of Startupbootcamp) in multiple European cities, Eric Koester (founder of Zaarly) in Washington, DC with countless others joining.

On his involvement in thecourse at Columbia

Business School, Okere said “I believe that it is better to have a thousand millionaires than ten billionaires. It is better still to have a million people with access to a hundred thousand dollars, if they can be taught how to nurture and grow it through entrepreneurial endeavour; and I intend to do something about it, so when I was invited, I did not hesitate in accepting, with a view to bringing the concept to Africa”.

Okere whose entrepreneurial advocacy has taken him on similar teaching expeditions across Africa; through Nigeria,

Kenya and Tanzania also remarked “I like to put the story of the Computer Warehouse Group out there because such success stories contribute immensely to the attraction of capital to the region, which combined with the entrepreneurial acumen and the youthful population unleashes waves of economic boom, which in turn lifts the pile at bottom of the pyramid into the more desirable networked economy of the emerging global village. Besides, it provides the perfect opportunity to be a brand ambassador for Africa”.

The Eugene Lang En-

trepreneurial Center at CBS, where Okere has been a guest lecturer since 2009, conveyed in their invitation their belief that his experience and contribution to entrepreneurial ship in emerging markets will provide unparalleled contribution to the class of aspiring entrepreneurs.

The CWG , whose case study is a regular feature at Columbia Business School and other institutions in Africa, including the Lagos Business School, chronicles the trials and triumph of entrepreneurship in the challenging environment that is Sub Saharan Africa.

OKERE @ CBS: From left: Steve Bank, Co-author, Austin Okere, and Bob Dorf , Co-author at the Columbia Business School, New York

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 — 25

CPN re-designs membership certificate in war against forgery

BY EMEKA AGINAM

Future of Nigeria's economy'll depend on broadband, says Omo-Ettu

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

R

ECENTLY, the Tele com Answers Associates, a technical partner with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC announced a business workshop on Broadband expansion program.

The Business Workshop is expected to feature discussions on implementation modalities of the Program and also on topics such as Investment Opportunities in Infrastructure Extension; Investment Opportunities in Content Development; Challenges of the Industry and how to engage them; Brain Behind Business; Accessing Funding Opportunities as well as Operating Environment and Regulatory Requirements; amongst others. In this interview, the organizer of the programme, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu shed more light on the essence of the workshop to expand the reach of Broadband infrastructure in Nigeria.

Excerpts: Tell us what Broadband Expansion Programme is and what it intends to achieve.

It is an initiative that seeks to mobilise local players who are engaged in broadband solution businesses of any kind, for coordinated access to funding and capacity development with rapid spread of broadband Internet access in focus. It came as outcome of several conferences and summits which were held in the past few years on the subject of expanding the reach of broadband Internet access in Nigeria. It is conceived by our company, Telecom Answers Associates and we sought and got the collaboration of the NCC. Now you have NCC’s support, what are the scope and modus operandi?

The programme is a process and not an event.

Although there is a business workshop component of the process which is scheduled for March 5 – 7, the entire programme is conceived to be measurable over a period of about 36 months in the first instance. It will operate in a manner that those who choose to participate will decide. It is a process whose implementation modalities are neither sacrosanct nor cast in stone.

What percentage penetration are you looking at in the three years short C M Y K

term period?

The figures will emerge as we progress on the process. However, the process will be guided by indices such as the current national penetration percentage which hovers between five to six per cent and the fact that some stakeholder groups and individuals have canvassed achievement of 50 per cent penetration by 2015.

Why is the p r o gram limited to only indust r y playz Omo-Ettu ers?

Because whatever has a scope must have a boundary.

What is the level of government/private participation?

Both the Ministry of Communication Technology and the Nigerian Communications Commission have endorsed the initiative as well thought out and they have given support in almost all manners that were sought. A steering committee is in place and will be expanded from time to time to ensure that the programme is not deband yields a 1.6 per cent railed.

What are the expected growth in the GDP. The ripple effects on the future of the entire economy is destined to depend economy?

Credible experts have very largely on broadestimated that a 10 per band internet access recent investment in broad- sources and any initiative

The future of the entire economy is destined to depend very largely on broadband internet access resources

which promotes the frontiers of broadband Internet access is bound to uplift the economy of the country. This is just one initiative out of many that are being promoted by several efforts within the industry.

What are the expected challenges?

The usual business, infrastructure, and bureaucracy related vicissitudes.

Initiatives like this are not new to our company and they are never immune to the stresses and strains that exist in our environment.

In 1995, we reached a conclusion that the internet was a subject of the future for which the entire society had to be mobilized and we went ahead to promote it as such. In retrospect, the results were worth the effort and the process is still on-going. When we started, we did not know that THE CYBERSCHUUL would emerge to train a n d CyberschuulNews.com to inform. These include Industry Liberalization (1992) The Internet Applications (1995), Mobile Telephony (1999), Co-location and infrastructure sharing (2009) and WiMAX (2010) to mention a few.

Case for stiffer sanctions against promos by Continues from Page 24 mobile operators tion. hundreds of promotions, and their implications to the network. If we all want good quality of service and the regulator says that lotteries and promotions contribute to this ugly phenomenon, then, one would demand for a total ban to be placed on lotteries and promotions in the Nigerian telecom network for at least five years. Any operator that defaults should be severely sanctioned. Perhaps, that would force the service providers to do more home work and find a way to provide quality service to its consumers than contributing to poor quality with promotions

and lotteries.

Recently, one Shola Salako, who claimed to be a consumer activist and advocate, spoke to a Lagos based radio station where she spoke against the ban because, as she said, promotions is the only way the subscribers get redemption for poor quality of service that they receive.

Such puerile argument is some way supporting the operators to keep providing poor quality so long as they can give some perks and silence the consumers. For me, there should be no alternative to quality of service, not even a trillion dollar lottery or promo-

Another antagonist to the ban, Kola Amodu, a marketing expert, argued that the ban should have come only after an assessment of each of the operators’ capacity to manage such promotion.

We must commend Nigeria’s telecom regulator in taking the steps to ban promotions and lotteries in the telecom network.

However, the regulator must go further to impose a long term ban so that the operators give more attention to improving their network quality. z Onoja is an Abujabased telecom analyst and could be reached on maxwellonoja@gmail.com

T

O reduce the incidence of forgery, the Computer P r o f e s s i o n a l s Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN has has approved the design of a new certificate with security features unscripted on the certificate.

The Head, Media, Communication and Brand Management of CPN, Amoo Taofeek Akanni in a statement said that this is part of the Council's ongoing effort to checkmate quackery in the profession and enhance the integrity of the profession.

“The availability of inexpensive scanning and printing technology has contributed to an increasing incidence of identity fraud worldwide.

“Thus, the recognition and reliance placed on the CPN certificates by Government at various

levels as well as members of the profession and the rising profile of the Council in the country has made it mandatory for the Council to restrategise and ensure that certificates issued to members of the profession are secure and tamper-proof.

“A number of security features will be incorporated into the design of the new and enhanced membership certificate to ensure its authenticity as well as the integrity of the Council.

“The new certificates will contain modern security features like Micro text, Hologram, CBS1 watermark paper and a complicated background design” he explained.

He explained that the new certificate will also contain ink security features like Thermo chromic inks which are sensitive to temperature changes and will disappear when heat from breath or finger is applied and will reappear once cooled.

FirstBank boosts internet banking with Premium Lounge service

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

S

INCE Nigerian banks joined in the 21st century banking system, introducing online/ internet banking where customers can bank at their convenience, several bottlenecks have dogged the initiative.

Chief among them is the high cost of broadband services, low internet penetration and the snail speed of some internet services available at the country now.

In fact Nigeria with about $7 billion investments in four major submarine cables including MainOne, Glo1, SAT3 and WACS carrying over 7.78 terabytes bandwidth capacity, still records low Internet penetration. This is considering that out of about 160 million Nigerians, only 45 million have access to the Internet.

Perhaps, part of these bottlenecks was what FirstBank tried to solve, last week, with the introduction of Premium Lounge Banking services.

The service is carved out in a cozy and enthralling ambience to represent a perfect meeting point for success and benefits. The Premium Lounge, is an exclusive location for privileged banking designed to provide priority service, comfort, security, luxury, as well as access to financial advisory services to customers.

The lounge comprises a large seating area with

leather sofas, private meeting room/office with Wi-Fi hotspot for premium customers to stay connected to other businesses while enjoying the ease of priority service. A designated relationship manager is always available to attend to queries, resolve complaints and provide services required at all times. Premium customers also receive priority in branch cash deposits and withdrawals, instant issuance of ATM cards, provision of account statements as well as other value-added services provided by the Bank.

Introducing the service to a select audience at its Tinubu street, Lagos Island branch, at the weekend, the bank’s Head Marketing and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney said that like everything premium, the lounge services are extended to FirstBank customers by invitation only. She explained that qualified customers will be invited by their relationship manager and then a premium card with which the customer can gain access to the Lounge will be issued to them.

For her, FirstBank's Premium Banking Lounge offers customers, who have reached that height of success, a holistic approach to conducting their financial activities with Continues on Page 26

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Ndukwe unveils CADD centre tomorrow

BY GABRIEL AMADIEGWU & QUADRI SHODIYA

N

FIRSTBANK LAUNCH: From left: Group Managing Director, FirstBank Ltd, Mr. Bisi Onasanya; Chairman, Reckitt Benckiser, Chief Olu Falomo and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Eurocomm Securities Limited, Mr Uchenna Ogbu during the official launch of FirstBank Premium Banking Lounge.

IGERIAN profes sionals across various fields will now have access to top-notch skilled training in Lagos, as Asia's biggest network of franchise-based training centres for Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Engineering and Computer Aided Manufacturing, CADD Centre comes to town.

Government and its parastatals will also benefit from Project Planning Management (PPM) for infrastructure and road planning.

Lagos branch of the Indian training centre will officially unveil tomorrow with former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe billed to be the chief Guest of Honour .

Other personalities expected at the occasion include Guest of Honour, Saravanan Karaiadselvan, Managing Director, CADD Centre Training Services, Chief Guest, Engr. Saliu A. Lawal, National Chairman Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Chief Host, Engr. Chris Obi Chikelue, Vice Chairman, Riverbank Technologies and Engineering Services Limited.

According to General Manager, CADD Centre, Vijay Baskarb, the occa-

sion will mark the beginning of a new dawn among Nigerian professionals.

“We create quality tailormade programs that address the specific needs of the corporate houses. Our domain knowledge and subject experts can help corporate organizations identify the CAD, CAM, CAE AND Project Management skill gaps that deter productivity and effectively address the training needs of employees.

“Our customized programs are developed from a list of comprehensive programs ranging from Master's to Foundation level. The programs are designed to offer the highest level of quality and most up to date hands-on training, in an instructor-led environment,” he added.

Meanwhile, , Executive Director, Riverbank Technologies and Engineering Services Limited, Ayoola Jolayemi explained that getting the franchise of CADD centre in Lagos, was his company’s way of contributing to the improvement in skilled workforce in various engineering fields.

FirstBank boosts internet banking Continues from Page 25 ease. At the lounge, each premium customer receives a personalized financial service that comes from an understanding of his personal needs and circumstance.

She said: “At FirstBank, our customers mean a great deal to us; that is why we constantly initiate different ways of creating banking convenience.

Within the serenity of our lounges, our customers can choose to delight themselves with the different facilities available while having a latte or green tea. Make use of our Wi-Fi hot spot to catch up on official activities, whilst your dedicated Relationship Manager attends to your every financial need. At our Premium Lounge, you can just kick back and enjoy the banking experience.

“It’s all about walking in the customers shoes, giving them what they truly want, whilst keeping the age-long banking tradition of trust and reliability,” she added.

Reacting to the initiative, a premium customer, Mr. Kehinde Sote, said he was glad that the service was introduced. “This Lounge makes it more convenient for me so I’d rather come here. I don’t like stress”.

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—27

Operators sing different tunes on pricing models Continues from Page 23

SIDMACH YEAR-ENDER From left: Alhaji Hassan Alao, Managing Director, Sidmach Technologies Nig. Ltd; Chijioke Eke, Executive Director, Sidmach Technologies Nig. Ltd; Sir Ademola Aladekomo, President Nigeria Computer Society (NCS); Mr. Mike Olajide, Chairman Sidmach Technologies Nig. Ltd, and Otunba Adedayo Arogundade, Executive Director, Sidmach Technologies Nig. Ltd; at the company’s end of the year party and special award night, in Lagos.

BY DAKU ABDULLAHI

I

C M Y K

Who is afraid of NCC's frequency management? the Nigerian telecom regulator have raised was why NCC did not subject the frequencies in question to a public auction. The Commission responded that the law allows it to use whatever method prescribed by law that suits it in maximizing the allocation of any frequency.

Since the controversy has raged, the Nigerian Police has never claimed publicly that its frequency is missing. The Commission has in its statement, claimed that it has allocated a frequency designed for security operations to the police while relocating them out of a commercial frequency. The Police on its side never disputed the position of the Commission, making those accusing the Commission of allocating frequency

,

,

N the past four months, there has been unusual attention and comments in the media about frequency spectrum sales and allocations by the telecom regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The allegations of underhand frequency dealings were made topical by one of the national dailies which devoted its front pages to report the matter.

The allegations were that the Commission, in less than one year, and during the regime of Dr. Eugene Juwah as chief executive officer, sold spectrum that belonged to the Nigerian Police to a private firm, Openskys Ltd at a price adjudged to be below value in comparative terms, and also sold another set of frequency to a private company, Smile Communications, without due process and at a price also argued to be below par.

The table began to turn against the whistle blower when the Commission came out with a public statement indicating that the allocations of frequencies to the companies followed the due process, and began since 2009 which predated the resumption of the current chief executive, Dr, Eugene Juwah. The statement also revealed that the self-admitted whistle blower attended meetings where the decisions were taken on both companies.

In recent times, even some non-governmental organizations that have no knowledge of the subject joined the fray, which prompts the question: Who is afraid of frequency management by the Nigerian telecom regulator?

The main question which the traducers of

ate frequencies several years ago was with the full knowledge and acceptance of the Nigerian Police Force, which may have accounted for the silence of the Nigerian Police over the matter.

For several years, the Nigerian Communications Commission has staked its claim to transparency in the manners it has handled spectrum management for the nation. In 2001, it scored major globally acclaimed success when it successfully managed a big auction for digital mobile frequency licenses which led to the mobile revolution in Nigeria.

In 2008, the regulator’s claim on excellent frequency allocation management came under test and from its own backyard, when the then presiding Minister of Infor-

I acknowledge whistle blowing as a safety valve against fraud, but such whistle blowing must be based on facts

belonging to the police to be crying more than the bereaved.

Some news reports credited to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Juwah, also cleared the air to the effect that the relocation of the police to appropri-

mation and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, accused the Commission of not following due process in the sale of the 2.3GHz spectrum frequency. The Minister went further to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission, EFCC, to probe the process. This allegation became a major subject in the media for several months, eliciting all kinds of comments until a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja declared the allegations by the Minister as false, and gave the Commission a clean bill of health.

There are curious similarities in the ignition of bogus allegations about frequency sale at the NCC, between former Minister of Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, and the activities of the famed whistle blower as both were insiders who had access to whatever information they needed to substantiate their allegations, but for some strange reasons failed to do so. In addition, their allegations on frequency sales which attracted the most visible and negative comments about the activities of the Commission have been proven by the court of law and the relevant investigating agency to wit, the EFCC, to be founded on frivolities. I acknowledge whistle blowing as a safety valve against fraud, but such whistle blowing must be based on facts, not on the misplaced fantasy of a selfappointed whistle-blower. z Daku Abdullahi, a telecom and public affairs analyst writes from Abuja.

Email: dicksonabdullahi@yahoo.com

Projected unit costs Based on the analysis, he informed that the average annual change of projected unit costs in real terms is -14%, adding that if f forecasted inflation is taken into account, the average annual change in the interconnection cost of -7%.

“Thus far we have presented the calculation of the cost of interconnection for the Nigerian market.

The regulator will use these costs to set the rates,” he said..

Volumes of traffic increases According to Macpherson, since the initial interconnection study was carried out the volumes of traffic in Nigeria have dramatically increased. “Between 2009 and 2011, voice traffic within Nigeria has almost doubled.

This is projected to grow by 59% by 2013” he said.

Similarly, he said that onnet and off-net traffic is predicted to grow at a similar rate, with on-net traffic growing 32% annually and off-net traffic showing 28% annual growth.

Hypothetical approach will not favour CDMA Reacting to the model proposed for the Nigerian market by PwC, Uche Ojo, a Director with Visafone Communications Limited without mincing words told the gathering that during the consultation with with operators, “We did say that the hypothetical network would not represent Visafone and other CDMA operators.

“The final cost doesn’t represent the cost structure of Visafone. This is because the parameter used in arriving at the final interconnection rate was bigger than what Visafone has and what any CDMA operators has. We don’t think a hypothetical operator represents our cost structure.”

But disagreeing with the Visafone director, Etisalat CEO, Mr. Steve Evans argued that asymmetric was a critical element to maintain a fair and open competition in the telecoms industry.

“Asymmetric model will be better. Asymmetric approach should be used in the next three years for a fair competition. The hypothetical operator used in arriving at the final interconnection rate was smaller than MTN, the biggest operator in the country. This shows that smaller operators are competing at a significant disadvantage with bigger operator,” he told the audience.

“In 2009 when we deter-

mined the current rate we all agreed that asymmetric will fade out by the end of 2012. At that time, Globacom was just about six years old; those that are asking for asymmetric today are as old as we were when we were denied the opportunity. So I don’t know why they are asking for asymmetric.”

Aremu Olajide, Head, Interconnect rate at Globacom said at the forum.

According to him, the operators need clarification but noted that asymmetric model would have faded away by 2012.

Operators asks for more time Considering the content of the final document, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN, Mrs. Oyeronke Oyetunde has appealed to NCC for more time to enable operators study the draft document.

“Asymmetric or not, it's easy to say that there should be a segregation for the big operators but the main issue is about the cost. We need time to study the models. We need to be very careful how we segregate because the cost of operation and equipment is the same for all GSM operators.

“We also need to look at how companies who benefit from asymentary benefit. I think we need time to review the model, to review what PwC has given and revert to NCC. It is important we do that,” she noted.

For the Airtel Regulatory Director, Osondu Nwokoro, who did not support asymmetric model argued that certain data requested from network operators by PwC was not supplied, even as he questioned how the consultant embarked on certain bechmarks to arrive at certain results. He also asked for more time to review those benchmarks.

NCC intervention But NCC boss having looked at the views expressed by the gathering said that by this week, the final document will be given to the operators for review.

“We do not expect to reach a consensus at this forum but the different views will shape our determination. The model will be made available to all stakeholders and responses will be expected within the next seven days. NCC will collate and take decision afterward. Additional factors affecting services will be recognised in decision making. Local content will not also be neglected.” he said.

28 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 — 29

TOO HOT TO HOLD...

Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel appears to hot for Ivory Coast’s midfielder Cheick Tiote (L) to during their AFCON 2013 quarter final match in Rustenburg. Photo: AFP

Cat and run!

O

NE of the many journalists here covering the African Cup of Nations got a dose of a shock after the Super Eagles did the extra ordinary by beating the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire. He had worked himself tired moving from hotel to hotel to get interviews and got back to his hotel exhausted. When he entered, behold, a massive pussy cat was already seated wagging its tail to our Nigerian writer. He tried to scare the cat but it mewed at him with its whiskers standing erect. The guy dashed out of his room and jumped into Richard Jideka’s. All pleas for him to reclaim his room fell on deaf ears. Our Benin brother said that his people were after him and came in the form of pussy cat. He lost his deposit and inconvenienced Richard.

But he got his peace of mind.

NOISE MAKER . . . An Ivorian supporter blows a vuvuzela in vain for his country when Nigeria beat them in Rustenburg.

Photo: AFP

Double wahala for dead body T

HERE is nothing that people can’t do in the name of seeking greener pastures. We have many green bushes in Nigeria, yet every now and then, Nigerians go through harrowing experience in the name of getting visas and checking out.

It is not their fault, though. Who would spit out honey from his mouth? There is this pathetic story of a partially deaf and dumb supporter from Abuja, Federal Capital Territory who sold all his property to be part of the cheerleaders for the Eagles to do well in the Nations Cup. I learnt that the guy(names with-held) left Nigeria days before the kick off and boarded an Ethiopian Airline to Addis Ababa where they transit before hitting Johannesburg the following day. It was in Addis Ababa that his trouble started.

He had a room to himself and slept off to miss his early morning flight to South Africa. It was in the aircraft that some people remembered him. They claimed

S

UPER Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel has cautioned his teammates that it would be calamitous to underrate their opponents, Mali in today’s semifinal at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Nigeria qualified for the last four at the expense of the Ivory Coast with an impressive 2-1 victory at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg to set up a semifinal date with Mali’s Eagles.

Mikel is calling on the fans of the Super Eagles to exercise restraint

to have called his room in the morning and did not get any answer.

He was stranded in Addis Ababa.

They always get one problem or the other in Addis.

I remember my friend and colleague, Jacob. He too had a sweet? experience in Addis on his way to Maputo to cover the All Africa Games. The fanatical fan has finally arrived Rustenburg and has headed to Durban. He is so passionate of Nigerian players that one of the big stars promised to take him abroad from SA. Strange story! His problems appear to be starting from here.

ahead of the game against Mali which he predicts will be tough.

“We cannot afford to look beyond the semifinals now because that would be disrespectful to Mali,” Mikel said.

The Chelsea midfielder however stated that the Super Eagles would go through if the players approach the game with the right spirit.

“We just have to keep doing what we are doing and keep our feet on the ground. We have to keep training hard and believing in ourselves and hopefully we will qualify for the final,” he said.

Strange victory celebration!

L

IKE they say, you may win the war and lose the peace. Indeed, we won the war against Cote d’Ivoire and lost our peace. Victory has many relatives. Nigerians living in all parts of SA joined in the celebration of killing a giant Elephant by a troubled bird that discovered its wings, its claws and its sharp pecking power.

The party was sumptuous. Free drinks, food and meat. Music was waltzing from many speakers. They played mostly

Nigerian artistes.

Old school and new school.

Our South African sisters decided to join in the party.

Denied of an opportunity to celebrate when their Bafana Bafana kissed the dust, they made do with Nigeria’s. The daughters of eve took over the dance floor. With the music of Flavour ‘Shake Ukwu’ meaning shake your waist, we went dancing. Apparently, Flavour who is loved and adored in South Africa may

have gotten his inspiration of praising over-sized waist from South Africa.

“Everything for Nigerians. Ask anything and it shall be given”, the girls now controlled by the liquor in them chorused.

She asked; ‘what do you want, Tony?. I told her to listen to the lyrics which says “Ukwu sara mbara na adi m nma n’obi m oo( A wide waist tickles my heart”), Flavour sang.

N

Why do your girls love alcohol?, I asked. “It is better to die of a good wine than a bad illness”, she said wriggling her waist. I though again. See what Eagles made us miss in their previous matches. Chei!

JUBILATION . . . Nigerian Fans celebrate their team’s victory over Ivory Coast to advance into semi final of 2013 AFCON at a public viewing centre in Lagos. Photo: AFP

Care for enlargement?

I

MAGINE standing on the road or walking and you are approached by two young men. The first thing you would imagine would be, oh, I’m in

their web – robbers. We’ve been repeatedly warned not to walk alone. Not like Ken Ehigiator and Liverpool. No. You must be with other Nigerians to avoid

EXTRA LARGE ...

Burkina Faso’s supporters cheer their team during their AFCON 2013 quarter final match in Nelspruit. Photo: AFP

Me and Maradas!

T

Food is ready!

IGERIANS are everywhere. There is no place in the world you cannot find a Nigerian. They make things happen. They are contributing to the economy of South Africa but are also making life difficult for the police. Some of them are haunted and hounded. They deal in illicit drugs and live big. South Africans hate them for their enterprise.

They wonder how a Nigerian who comes to South Africa to hawk apples would in a matter of one year become so rich that he drives the best exotic cars and buys houses in exclusive areas. It is not a miracle. It is hard work. They have made life easier for us. We’ve discovered Nneoma Restaurant managed by Goddy Odenigbo(Ayola).

The restaurant provides all the delicacies that make Nigeria tick.

Everything about the restaurant is good except the price. It is better eaten once a day, if you still want •DAUGHTERS OF AFRICA ... Ghana female supporters to go back to Naija. showing their colours at Port Elizabeth. Photo: AFP C M Y K

F – L – I – C – K - S ... F – L – I – C – K - S ... F – L – I – C – K - S

being harassed or attacked.

Their re-assuring smile could not give any hint that I was not in danger. ‘’We know you are a visitor. Don’t be afraid. We mean well. Do you care for enlargement?”, the smile getting broader. Enlargement?

What enlargement? I did not take any photograph for me to enlarge anything. They read the confusion on my face and brought out a leaflet showing me all manner and sizes of men’s weapon.

“This is the most effective and safest way to enlarge your manhood. Gains Of 3-4 inches are not uncommon. Try for yourself. It’s risk free. 100% guaranteed to work. And you will be respected and loved by women this Valentine”, they sang. I regained balance and laughed; “I’m naturally endowed. No, thanks”. They

shook hands with me and wished me a fun-filled Valentine. I cross-checked my CBN(my money)and dashed to my hotel room to make assurance doubly sure that I was not placed on a spell to make my money disappear.

Nigerian Fan celebrates his team’s victory

he conference room at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, where the post match conference took place was packed to the brim.

Nigerian journalists were in their numbers. And trust Nigerians that they don’t take the rear in any event. Before now, the Nigerian journalist lacked the voice to be heard. The Super Eagles were ridiculed, riddled with jokes, by all and sundry. Our brother from Chad, Emmanuel Maradas was at the vanguard of the jokers. He knows when to be heard.

He chose the right time when the Super Eagles struggled in the prelims of the Nations Cup and delivered his sucker punch on the team and on Nigerians. He wondered how the largest blackpopulated nation could not raise a formidable team that could be the pride of Africa in the Nations Cup. He referred to the Eagles as average and gave them no chance to stand the fire-power of almighty Cote d’Ivoire. He rolled out their names with pride and made Nigerians feel small.

He spoke a cocktail of languages and switched over to French to convey his message that Nigeria was in the Nations Cup to make up the numbers. Emenike struck a thunderbolt and the Ivorian goalkeeper dodged to avoid injury. Sunday Mba, a homebased who is not worth the weekly millions of one Ivorian made nonsense of their wealth.

They were propelled by the Nigerian spirit. The soccer aficionados, made a sharp u-turn.

Others who could not fathom the new spirit of the Eagles chose to be on the offensive to avoid being asked questions on their predictions. Maradas knows that I will ask him questions on what happened to the power-house of African football, the country destined to win the Nations Cup without crossing the quarterfinals, the country that would tear the Eagles into shreds.

During the question and answer session, after avoiding my raised hand, he recognized me but with a threat. “Ask your questions without making a speech”, he railed. I wanted Maradas to lecture me on what happened to his anointed team and the average Nigerian team.When will Chad

28 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 — 29

TOO HOT TO HOLD...

Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel appears to hot for Ivory Coast’s midfielder Cheick Tiote (L) to during their AFCON 2013 quarter final match in Rustenburg. Photo: AFP

Cat and run!

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NE of the many journalists here covering the African Cup of Nations got a dose of a shock after the Super Eagles did the extra ordinary by beating the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire. He had worked himself tired moving from hotel to hotel to get interviews and got back to his hotel exhausted. When he entered, behold, a massive pussy cat was already seated wagging its tail to our Nigerian writer. He tried to scare the cat but it mewed at him with its whiskers standing erect. The guy dashed out of his room and jumped into Richard Jideka’s. All pleas for him to reclaim his room fell on deaf ears. Our Benin brother said that his people were after him and came in the form of pussy cat. He lost his deposit and inconvenienced Richard.

But he got his peace of mind.

NOISE MAKER . . . An Ivorian supporter blows a vuvuzela in vain for his country when Nigeria beat them in Rustenburg.

Photo: AFP

Double wahala for dead body T

HERE is nothing that people can’t do in the name of seeking greener pastures. We have many green bushes in Nigeria, yet every now and then, Nigerians go through harrowing experience in the name of getting visas and checking out.

It is not their fault, though. Who would spit out honey from his mouth? There is this pathetic story of a partially deaf and dumb supporter from Abuja, Federal Capital Territory who sold all his property to be part of the cheerleaders for the Eagles to do well in the Nations Cup. I learnt that the guy(names with-held) left Nigeria days before the kick off and boarded an Ethiopian Airline to Addis Ababa where they transit before hitting Johannesburg the following day. It was in Addis Ababa that his trouble started.

He had a room to himself and slept off to miss his early morning flight to South Africa. It was in the aircraft that some people remembered him. They claimed

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UPER Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel has cautioned his teammates that it would be calamitous to underrate their opponents, Mali in today’s semifinal at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Nigeria qualified for the last four at the expense of the Ivory Coast with an impressive 2-1 victory at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg to set up a semifinal date with Mali’s Eagles.

Mikel is calling on the fans of the Super Eagles to exercise restraint

to have called his room in the morning and did not get any answer.

He was stranded in Addis Ababa.

They always get one problem or the other in Addis.

I remember my friend and colleague, Jacob. He too had a sweet? experience in Addis on his way to Maputo to cover the All Africa Games. The fanatical fan has finally arrived Rustenburg and has headed to Durban. He is so passionate of Nigerian players that one of the big stars promised to take him abroad from SA. Strange story! His problems appear to be starting from here.

ahead of the game against Mali which he predicts will be tough.

“We cannot afford to look beyond the semifinals now because that would be disrespectful to Mali,” Mikel said.

The Chelsea midfielder however stated that the Super Eagles would go through if the players approach the game with the right spirit.

“We just have to keep doing what we are doing and keep our feet on the ground. We have to keep training hard and believing in ourselves and hopefully we will qualify for the final,” he said.

Strange victory celebration!

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IKE they say, you may win the war and lose the peace. Indeed, we won the war against Cote d’Ivoire and lost our peace. Victory has many relatives. Nigerians living in all parts of SA joined in the celebration of killing a giant Elephant by a troubled bird that discovered its wings, its claws and its sharp pecking power.

The party was sumptuous. Free drinks, food and meat. Music was waltzing from many speakers. They played mostly

Nigerian artistes.

Old school and new school.

Our South African sisters decided to join in the party.

Denied of an opportunity to celebrate when their Bafana Bafana kissed the dust, they made do with Nigeria’s. The daughters of eve took over the dance floor. With the music of Flavour ‘Shake Ukwu’ meaning shake your waist, we went dancing. Apparently, Flavour who is loved and adored in South Africa may

have gotten his inspiration of praising over-sized waist from South Africa.

“Everything for Nigerians. Ask anything and it shall be given”, the girls now controlled by the liquor in them chorused.

She asked; ‘what do you want, Tony?. I told her to listen to the lyrics which says “Ukwu sara mbara na adi m nma n’obi m oo( A wide waist tickles my heart”), Flavour sang.

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Why do your girls love alcohol?, I asked. “It is better to die of a good wine than a bad illness”, she said wriggling her waist. I though again. See what Eagles made us miss in their previous matches. Chei!

JUBILATION . . . Nigerian Fans celebrate their team’s victory over Ivory Coast to advance into semi final of 2013 AFCON at a public viewing centre in Lagos. Photo: AFP

Care for enlargement?

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MAGINE standing on the road or walking and you are approached by two young men. The first thing you would imagine would be, oh, I’m in

their web – robbers. We’ve been repeatedly warned not to walk alone. Not like Ken Ehigiator and Liverpool. No. You must be with other Nigerians to avoid

EXTRA LARGE ...

Burkina Faso’s supporters cheer their team during their AFCON 2013 quarter final match in Nelspruit. Photo: AFP

Me and Maradas!

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Food is ready!

IGERIANS are everywhere. There is no place in the world you cannot find a Nigerian. They make things happen. They are contributing to the economy of South Africa but are also making life difficult for the police. Some of them are haunted and hounded. They deal in illicit drugs and live big. South Africans hate them for their enterprise.

They wonder how a Nigerian who comes to South Africa to hawk apples would in a matter of one year become so rich that he drives the best exotic cars and buys houses in exclusive areas. It is not a miracle. It is hard work. They have made life easier for us. We’ve discovered Nneoma Restaurant managed by Goddy Odenigbo(Ayola).

The restaurant provides all the delicacies that make Nigeria tick.

Everything about the restaurant is good except the price. It is better eaten once a day, if you still want •DAUGHTERS OF AFRICA ... Ghana female supporters to go back to Naija. showing their colours at Port Elizabeth. Photo: AFP C M Y K

F – L – I – C – K - S ... F – L – I – C – K - S ... F – L – I – C – K - S

being harassed or attacked.

Their re-assuring smile could not give any hint that I was not in danger. ‘’We know you are a visitor. Don’t be afraid. We mean well. Do you care for enlargement?”, the smile getting broader. Enlargement?

What enlargement? I did not take any photograph for me to enlarge anything. They read the confusion on my face and brought out a leaflet showing me all manner and sizes of men’s weapon.

“This is the most effective and safest way to enlarge your manhood. Gains Of 3-4 inches are not uncommon. Try for yourself. It’s risk free. 100% guaranteed to work. And you will be respected and loved by women this Valentine”, they sang. I regained balance and laughed; “I’m naturally endowed. No, thanks”. They

shook hands with me and wished me a fun-filled Valentine. I cross-checked my CBN(my money)and dashed to my hotel room to make assurance doubly sure that I was not placed on a spell to make my money disappear.

Nigerian Fan celebrates his team’s victory

he conference room at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, where the post match conference took place was packed to the brim.

Nigerian journalists were in their numbers. And trust Nigerians that they don’t take the rear in any event. Before now, the Nigerian journalist lacked the voice to be heard. The Super Eagles were ridiculed, riddled with jokes, by all and sundry. Our brother from Chad, Emmanuel Maradas was at the vanguard of the jokers. He knows when to be heard.

He chose the right time when the Super Eagles struggled in the prelims of the Nations Cup and delivered his sucker punch on the team and on Nigerians. He wondered how the largest blackpopulated nation could not raise a formidable team that could be the pride of Africa in the Nations Cup. He referred to the Eagles as average and gave them no chance to stand the fire-power of almighty Cote d’Ivoire. He rolled out their names with pride and made Nigerians feel small.

He spoke a cocktail of languages and switched over to French to convey his message that Nigeria was in the Nations Cup to make up the numbers. Emenike struck a thunderbolt and the Ivorian goalkeeper dodged to avoid injury. Sunday Mba, a homebased who is not worth the weekly millions of one Ivorian made nonsense of their wealth.

They were propelled by the Nigerian spirit. The soccer aficionados, made a sharp u-turn.

Others who could not fathom the new spirit of the Eagles chose to be on the offensive to avoid being asked questions on their predictions. Maradas knows that I will ask him questions on what happened to the power-house of African football, the country destined to win the Nations Cup without crossing the quarterfinals, the country that would tear the Eagles into shreds.

During the question and answer session, after avoiding my raised hand, he recognized me but with a threat. “Ask your questions without making a speech”, he railed. I wanted Maradas to lecture me on what happened to his anointed team and the average Nigerian team.When will Chad

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 6, 2013

Un-accessed pension benefits continue upward climb STORIES BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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N-ACCESSED pension benefits under the care of Pension Fund Operators, PFAs, have continued to grow as contributors to the scheme gradually retire.

President of the Pension Fund Operators, Mr. Dave Uduanu, who disclosed this, said that some retirees have failed to collect their benefits from their PFAs. Accordingly, pension operators have intensified efforts to locate the retirees and their families.

Uduanu said that operators would continue to educate the public, adding that the challenge cannot be tackled overnight.

Dauda Ahmed of Corporate Strategy Unit, National Pension Commission (PenCom), said the Commission has directed PFAs to advertise the names of affected retirees in national dailies after a waiting period of six months.

He noted that PFAs have also been directed to visit the last place of employment or address of the retirees to obtain any available contact information or those of their next-of kin in an effort to trace them and ensure that outstanding benefits are processed for payment.

He said: “In effect, we wish to confirm that there are no

“unclaimed pensions” with PFAs in the real sense of it, but possible issues of temporary delay in processing the withdrawal of pensions/terminal benefits due mainly to loss of contact.

“The balance in the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) of a retiree comprises of the proceeds of his retirement bond, his contributions from July, 2004 to month of retirement and the investment income. At the point of retirement, the retiree is expected to submit necessary documents to, and

discuss with the PFA on his preferred mode of withdrawal of his pensions. The retiree has the option of either Programmed Withdrawal (PW) which provides pension over the expected lifespan through the PFA or purchase of annuity from an insurance company which ensures payment of pension for life.

“However, these payments can only be made after the Commission had granted approval of the agreement entered into by the retiree with his Pension Fund Administrator (PFA)

BRIEFS

regarding the mode of withdrawal of his benefit.

“Nevertheless, there could be delays by retirees or next of kin (NOK) in the case of death benefits in accessing retirement or terminal benefits, but not “unclaimed pensions”. Such delays in accessing retirement or terminal benefits can be attributed mainly to the inability of the PFA to contact the retiree who may have retired to his village without leaving an active contact address with the PFA or identify the NOK in the case

From Left: Mr. Collins Anyanwu, Star Prize winner of the Ikeja City Mall (ICM) Scavenger Hunt, receiving his prize from the Centre Manager, Ikeja City Mall, Norman Sander during the just concluded ICM Shopaholic promo in Lagos.

WAPIC Insurance appoints non-executive directors W APIC Insurance Plc. has appointed three non-executive directors to its Board.

In a statement, the company said that the newly appointed directors, Mrs. Titi Osuntoki, Mr. Bababode Osunkoya and Alhaji Adamu Atta; each brings a unique set of skills and experiences that will enhance the current complement of skills on the Board.

According to the company, given the professional pedigree of these individuals, Wapic is assured of added impetus in governance standards as it pursues its medium to long term goals.

Mrs. Titi Osuntoki, is currently the Chief Executive Officer of GTO Professional Services Ltd, a Lagos based business consultancy outfit. Prior to assuming this office, Mrs. Osuntoki was a consummate banker for over 20 years.

She is a multi-skilled professional who has had an illustrious career in banking spanning currency trading, treasury, corporate finance, financial control, risk management and strategic planning. She was an Executive Director at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and served in this capacity from 2008 until her resignation in 2012.

Mr. Bababode Osunkoya, is the Managing Partner of Abax OOSA

Professionals, a post he has held since January 2008. Prior to that, he was the Managing Partner at Bababode Osunkoya and Co a firm of Chartered Accountants.

His professional experiences include but are not limited to auditing, banking operations and strategy, forensic accounting, management consulting and taxation.

Alh. Adamu Atta, is the Chairman and Chief Executive, Matad Group Nigeria Ltd. He has over nineteen years’ experience in financial management and economic consulting, over which time he has developed many valuable relationships in the financial services sector. Atta has managed various projects funded by the World Bank, DFID and UNDP. Furthermore, he has worked on several other projects involving institutional reforms and capacity building in sectors such as water, power, transport, housing, tourism and recently in industries within the oil and gas sector.

The company said that the appointments, which take immediate effect, were consequent upon nominations by its Board Governance and Establishment Committee and receipt of ratifications and approvals from relevant regulatory authorities including the

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). “It serves to sustain a board that had lost three of its members to retirement at the end of 2012. The retiring members of the Board of Directors are Mr. Obinna Nwosu, Alhaji Isyaku Umar and Mr. Ugochukwu Iheanacho,” the company said.

Speaking on the appointments, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said “The appointment of Mrs. Osuntoki, Alh. Atta and Mr. Osunkoya to our Board is an important milestone in our transformation execution. It affirms our commitment to maintaining a high standard of corporate governance and business sustainability.”

He further stated that the extensive expertise and wealth of experience brought by the new members of the Board will confer significant and benefits on the organisation.

While reacting to the departure of the retiring board members, the Chairman said, “We appreciate the years of service to our company by our retiring Board members and convey our heartfelt gratitude to them.

Keep products simple, Chidambaram warns insurance companies

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NDIA Finance Minister P a l a n i a p p a n Chidambaram has warned the insurance industry to stick to simple products and curb mis-selling if it wants to succeed in India.

Speaking at an event to unveil PNB Metlife logo, Chidambaram said India remained one of the most under-insured countries of the world and one of the most challenging markets for insurance companies.

"There are usually two measures to gauge the growth of the insurance industry, one is the sum assured-to-GDP ratio, which in India is 55 per cent, while in the developed countries this is 150-250 per cent.

He noted that the other measure is premium-toGDP ratio, the premium-toGDP has hovered around 4 per cent for many years, but in the last couple of years it has declined a bit.

Uninsured less likely to get heart meds

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RIVATE insurance received about the same number of prescriptions, but the uninsured patients were less likely to be prescribed drugs, compared to the insured patients.

For example, about 73 percent of uninsured patients were prescribed beta-blockers after a heart attack, compared to about 81 percent of privately insured patients.

About 89 percent of uninsured patients received medication for high cholesterol, compared to about 95 percent of privately insured patients.

"If it's just the lack of insurance, it should not affect the physicians' decisions to sit down and prescribe (a drug)," said Ed Havranek, a cardiologist at the Denver Health Medical Center in Colorado, who wrote a commentary that appeared with the study.

It could be driven by doctors' perceptions of their patients, he added.

Chan said that uninsured people tend to be sicker and their other conditions may take priority over heart problems. "Truth be told, when many of these patients come in it's not just cardiovascular disease. It's diabetes, obesity and smoking too," he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 —31

Ropeways to launch cable car mass transit system zSigns agreement with Lagos govt STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJRU

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OR the first time in the history of Nigeria, a cable car company, Ropeways Transport Limited, is set to launch a cable car mass urban transit system in the nation’s commercial capital, Lagos. This followed the signing of a 30year Franchise Agreement between Ropeways Transport Limited, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Lagos State Government recently.

Under the terms of the Agreement, Ropeways Transport will this November begin the construction of towers, stations and connecting network cables along various routes covered in the first phase of the project, namely, Ijora – Iddo, Iddo – Adeniji, Apapa – Oluwole, Oluwole – Adeniji, Adeniji – Obalende, Obalende – Falomo, and Falomo – Victoria Island. The project is expected to be fully completed and commissioned by early 2015.

Speaking on this development the Chief Executive Officer of Ropeways

Transport Limited, Capt.

Dapo Olumide expressed his belief that the Lagos cable car transit system would provide an alternative means of mass transportation in the city and it will help ease the current transportation hassles in Lagos and help restore dignity to commuting because the current situation hampers economic development within the city and negatively impacts the quality of life of it’s residents. “By complementing existing transport modes, the Lagos Cable Car Transit System will play its part in reducing the traffic congestion in the city” he said.

According to him, studies show that Lagos will become the world’s 3rd largest city with 25 million inhabitants by 2015, with

NOG 2013: Halogen partners Earthsearch on security tech

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ALOGEN Security Company Limited, an integrated security solutions company, and her technical partner, United States based EarthSearch

ICM ends promo, rewards winner

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HE Ikeja City Mall, ICM organised ‘Scavenger Hunt’ came to an end penultimate week with a Lagos-based marketer, Mr. Anyanwu Collins emerging winner of N100, 000 and other gifts.

Anyanwu beat nine other contestants - including a Youth Corp member based in Oshogbo, Osun State, and a grandfather from Ibadan, Oyo State in the game to emerge victorious.

The game was that each contestant is given a bag and asked to visit all the stores in the Mall in search of letters of the alphabet. However, only ten stores of the 94 in the modern shopping facility had the letters they were looking for and they had to use clues provided them to know which stores to enter.

The first person to return to the start point and spell out the words, ‘Ikeja City Mall’ was declared the winner. Anyan-

approximately 12 million daily passenger movements and trips in the Lagos Metropolitan Area, set to increase at a rate of six per cent per annum. “The existing metropolitan highway infrastructure is severely constrained, with journeys to and from work within the city regularly exceeding three hours.

“In addition, studies carried out in 2009 on vehicle registration shows that an additional 200,000 vehicles are registered annually in Lagos State. This equates to 222 vehicles per kilometer of road in Lagos, which by far, outweighs the national average of just 11vehicles per kilometer of road, with vehicles estimated to contribute more than 70 per cent of the ambient air pollution in Lagos,” he said.

wu did this in less than 10 minutes, huffing and puffing his way to the grand prize.

The contestants were picked from the over 5,000 entries received from shoppers over the course of three weeks. To enter, ICM customers only had to write their names and phone numbers behind their receipts and drop them off in designated boxes placed around the Mall. On Friday, 2nd February, 10 lucky shoppers were drawn and invited, at an occasion witnessed by reporters.

The man of the day was elated to win, given that he almost gave up even before the game started. “My car broke down this morning. I was almost going to call them and say I’m not going to make it, but my friend just encouraged me to come. Now, I have N100,000 to spend just for shopping at the Ikeja City Mall.

I’m so grateful to them.”

Communications International, have announced plans to showcase their security technology solutions at the 2013 Nigerian Oil & Gas (NOG) International Exhibition, Abuja this month.

The exhibition holds between Monday 18th and Thursday 21st February with a view to engaging participating corporate organizations with their security technology solutions designed to support their businesses, operations and reduce security risks.

Managing Director/CEO of Halogen Security, Mr Wale Olaoye, said: “We are delighted to join major industry players participating at the 2013 Nigerian Oil & Gas (NOG) International Exhibition in Abuja.

In our over 20 years of operations, and serving the oil and gas sector.

“We have developed and mastered the provision of professional security solutions aimed at delivering on our promise to our teeming clientele.

“Our promise of a secured peace of mind for our clients’ businesses and their operations hinges on, among several propositions, our several innovative solutions, highly competent personnel, our various global partnerships and an ISO quality management and standards certification that is yet to be equaled by any Nigerian security company.”

32 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Could I still grow bigger?

Dear Bunmi, MY husband and I have been going through a bad patch recently and I’ve been getting comfort in the arms of his brother. I saw him as a great friend, and nothing else. To my surprise, he tried to get fresh with me a few days ago. He said he was dying to go to bed with me and if I didn’t, he would tell my husband we’d been sleeping together anyway.

This has come as a shock to me and I’m in a no-win situation here. I’m terrified my husband could believe this lie if he was told. How do I prove my innocence?

Ireti, By e-mail.

Dear Ireti, Your brother-in-law is a real creep! All he cares about is what’s in his trousers. Honesty is the best policy here and

I’m sure your husband will take your side as he’s very likely to know what his brother is capable of doing.

But could your brother-inlaw be bluffing? Would he risk losing the respect of his brother just to get even with you?

Don’t find out the answers that might hurt you even further. Go for his jugular before he goes for yours - all is fair in love and war!

I don't love him that much Dear Bunmi, MY birthday is round the corner and I’m thinking of having a fairly big one. My current boyfnend is getting worked up about it and hinted he had something really special planned for the day.

That gets me panicking because I’ve been unhappy with the relationship and plan to dump him. As things are now, I can’t do that if he’s making a big romantic gesture for my birthday, can I? Uche,

’ After your big event and you’re still not certain you can be committed to him, then the fairest thing - even if it’s painful for both of you - is to end the relationship

’

By e-mail.

Dear Uche, Don’t assume that just because you feel less for your man, the relationship is doomed, particularly if you’ve just met. Things can change and love can grow. If you’re not sure, commit to say a month, then take a break.

Most relationships have times when each partner’s emotions shift. A few days, weeks or even months of unbalanced feelings don’t necessarily mean the end - especially if you’ve been together a while.

After your big event and you’re still not certain you can be committed to him, then the fairest thing - even if it’s painful for both of you - is to end the relationship. If you’re the partner who feels more, it will be hard - but it’s still worth calling a halt - because you deserve someone who cares for you. Given the chance of a new relationship, you will find that person.

My mum’s giving herself a reputation Dear Bunmi, MY dad left the family three years ago and my parents are now divorced. For those three years, my mum steered clear of relationships but recently, she’s linked up with some of her friends and has suddenly started enjoying going to parties and outings with men. To date, I’ve counted five different men in the last eight months and none of them lasted more than a few weeks.

I’m really worried about her and would want her to slow down.

Julie, By e-mail.

Dear Julie, If your dad had left two months ago, I’d be worried too - your mum would be having sex just to ease the pain of him leaving and in the end would probably feel bad about herself and even more upset. But

she’s taking time to recover from her heartache - and now she’s finding out what she does and doesn’t want. Let her realise that you’re there if she needs to talk, but don’t interfere in her new love life.

Gently get the message across to her that the highest rate in sexually transmitted disease is among over-forties, who think they’re not at risk.

You need to tactfully check she’s using condoms.

Dear Uchenna, At 18, you may develop more - and you may not. But even if you don’t get bigger, there’s no need to worry. At four to five inches when erect, you’re well able to give and receive a good time from a partner. And as for your friends’ claim to be six or more inches long and your wondering how come they’re so big, they might be having you on! They’re all probably as insecure as you are and cover this up by exaggerating.

They want you to believe they’re bigger than you, but for all you know, they’re the same size as you.

Your friends are welcome to their fantasy. You, on the other hand, are mature enough to face the truth - so well done. Relax, be confident, and don’t believe everything your male friends tell you!

I love my body but my man doesn’t Dear Bunmi, I’VE been with my boyfriend for a couple of years and we’ve talked about getting married. But there’s a problem we seem unable to resolve. I love and respect the body I have but my boyfriend has complained several times that I need to lose at least half a stone.

He says he can feel my stomach when we cuddle. I’m not overweight and quite fit, though my stomach does need a bit of toning. He likes it when I’m ill and can’t eat, as that brings down my weight.

I’ve told him my friends always complimented my looks and he says they’re just being nice. He makes me feel unattractive, yet he says I’m making too big a deal of it. In fairness, previous boyfriends have made similar comments.

Do I attract the wrong type?

I always vowed I’d finish with anyone who said nasty things like this to me, so how can I make my boyfriend see that he's upsetting me?

Jemilat, By e-mail.

’

Blackmailed by my brother-in-law

Dear Bunmi, I’VE finally plucked up the courage to ask you a question I find most embarrassing hoping you’ll be able to re-assure me. I am an 18-year-old accounts clerk hoping to get admitted to the university soon.

I believe I have a smaller organ than the rest of my friends. I’m only four to five inches when I’m erect. But when we talk about male organ sizes, my friends brag that they ’re six to eight inches and still growing. One even claims he’s 10 inches!

Do you think I’ll develop more? I don’t want to get to the university where there’ll be a possibility of mingling with other students only to be laughed at.

Uchenna By e-mail.

Dear Jemilat, Your boyfriend has committed the unforgivable sin of being honest with a woman about her figure. Instead of thinking of him - and every man who has ever dared to speak the shocking truth about your weight - as an enemy, encourage your boyfriend to help you tackle the problem.

It could be that you chose friends who encourage you to believe that you didn’t need to lose weight and that only nasty men who want to put you down would suggest otherwise. You’re miffed that he refuses to be a part of this conspiracy.

Decide once and for all what weight and shape you’ll like to be and can happily achieve.

Then devise a routine of exercise and diet - this may demand that you eat different foods and join a gym.

Make keeping fit and trim your common cause. He’s afterall agreed to get married, so he must care for you.

Your boyfriend has committed the unforgivable sin of being honest with a woman about her figure. Instead of thinking of him as an enemy, encourage your boyfriend to help you tackle the problem

’

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

Vanguard Vanguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

GEMINI: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

CANCER: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

LEO: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

VIRGO: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

—33

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Beware of false prophets - 2

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OME years ago when I was living with my uncle in Warri, I went with my uncle’s wife to her church. I actually did not go there to be prophesied to, but that was the outcome of my visiting the church.

Do you know what? I

was told I should not bother going to school as I would achieve greater success learning a skill as mechanic, ra-

TERROR MUDA

dio repairer and perhaps bicycle repairer. Can you imagine my disappointment? It was like someone telling me I

in “Never say goodbye”

would not amount to anything in life. This I rejected. That is why I am writing this column today. And that is why I am a practising lawyer today?

What about you?

Have you succumbed to the antics of some nay sayers?...

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: Promise made to genuine personalities should be kept if not because of today but for better tomorrow. Be reasonable and clean.

SCORPIO: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

SAGITTARIUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others.

Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts.

Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

CAPRICORN: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

AQUARIUS Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

PISCES: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

ARIES: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

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’s my horoscope?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.. Please tell me my full horoscope Anonymous, Nigeria.

Dear Anonymous, You were born on a Sunday.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

CONSCIENCE AND HISTORY - MY STORY CONSTITUTION, FEDERALISM AND RULE OF LAW:

The judgment that set Peter Odili free (2) YESTERDAY

1st DEFENDANT'S REPLY TO AFFIDAVIT OF 2ND - 4TH DEFENDANTS DATED 6TH MARCH, 2007

Justice Buba reviews Odili's 10 reliefs, six of which were declarations and four, injunctive

iii . A DECLARATION that the Defendants are not entitled to rely on, utilize or in any manner whatsoever put to any use any report, findings or conclusion produced or arrived at by the 1st Defendant as a result of the purported investigation or inquiry into the appropriation, disbursing, administering or management of funds of Rivers State. iv. A declaration that under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the 1st Defendant is not entitled to share in the power of the House of Assembly for Rivers State, vested on it by virtue of section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and accordingly is not entitled to coerce, induce, intimidate or in any manner whatsoever influence the House of Assembly for Rivers State into removing or causing

in respect of any investigation or inquiry into the appropriation, disbursing, administering or management of the funds of Rivers State or putting the said report or finding to any use whatsoever. vii. An order of injunction restraining the 2nd to 4th Defendants by themselves or by their servants, agents or privies from receiving or putting to any use whatsoever any report or finding arising from or purporting to be the result of any inquiry or investigation conducted by the 1st Defendant into the appropriation, disbursing, administering or management of the funds of Rivers State, viii. An order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant by itself or by its servants or agents from inducing, coercing or in any manner whatsoever influencing

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I am of the view that the Plaintiff is entitled to the reliefs sought having regards to the position of the law. The court cannot allow one arm of the government to meddle with another and take it over. I accordingly exercise my discretion in favour of the Plaintiff

to be removed, or into taking any steps whatsoever towards removing the Governor of Rivers State or the Deputy Governor of Rivers State from office. v. An order of injunction re straining the 1st Defendant by itself or by its servants or agents or in any manner howsoever from purporting to investigate or inquire into the appropriation, disbursing, administering, or management of the funds of Rivers State. vi. An order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant by itself or by its servants or agents or in any manner howsoever from disseminating, publishing or circulating to any government, government agency, the news media, or members of the public or in any manner at all, the purported report or findings

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the 2nd and 3rd Defendants or any member of the House of Assembly for Rivers State to commence proceedings for the removal or to remove the Governor or Deputy Governor of Rivers State from office.

For the determination of the following questions namely: I. Whether upon a proper interpretation of the Judgment of the High Court of Rivers State in Suit No. PHC/ 114/ 2007: Attorney General, Rivers State v. The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly & Ors. delivered on 16th February 2007 interpreting the provisions of sections 120,121,122,124,125,128 and 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and indeed upon a proper interpretation of the said sections of the

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the 1st Defendant is entitled to share with the Rivers State House of Assembly in its powers or to participate in the exercise of the powers of control of public funds of Rivers State including the power to inquire into or investigate the disbursing, administering or management of the funds of Rivers State or to prompt, instigate, coerce, induce or in any manner influence the 2nd and 3rd Defendants in the exercise of the powers of the Rivers State House of Assembly under S.188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999?

II.Whether upon a proper interpretation of section 7 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, the 1st Defendant is vested with any power to investigate or cause to be investigated the disbursing, administering or management of funds of a State appropriated or to be appropriated by the House of Assembly of that State or in any manner howsoever investigate the account or financial affairs of a State government?

Attached to the summons, is a 13 paragraph affidavit deposed to by Odein Ajumogobia Esq, SAN, Attorney General for Rivers State, setting out the facts relied upon in support of the originating summons. Attached to the affidavit are exhibit HAG 1, a copy of ThisDay, Tuesday 19, 2006 newspaper publication and exhibit HAG 2, a judgment of Rivers State High Court delivered on the 16th day of February 2007, in Suit No. PHC/114/2007: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State vs Speaker House of Assembly Rivers State and 36 Ors. The 2nd Defendant in this suit, is the 1st Defendant in the suit in exhibit HAG 2.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (hereinafter called the 1st Defendant) in this suit filed a 21 paragraph affidavit, deposed to by one Victor Pam, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Paragraphs 1-14 thereof reads: I, Victor Pam (DSP), Male, Christian, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a police officer attached to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 6A, Olumeni Street, off Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, do hereby make oath as follows: 1. That I am one of the operatives in the office of the Defendant assigned to investigate the complaint that occasioned this application by virtue of which I derived the facts herein deposed.

2. That I have the consent and authority of the 1st Defendant to depose to this counter affidavit.

3. That I have seen the affidavit filed on behalf of the 2nd 4th defendants dated 6th March, 2007.

4. That paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of the said affidavit is hereby admitted 5. That paragraphs 7 & 8 of the affidavit are facts within the knowledge of the 2nd - 4th Defendants and are hereby denied 6. That paragraph 9 of the affidavit is admitted only to the extent that the paragraph 1 & 2 of the affidavit setting out facts relied on is true.

Originating summons 7. That the facts in paragraph 3 of the Plaintiff's affidavit setting out facts relied upon in support of the originating summons, to the extent that the 2nd - 4th Defendants neglected and abdicated their constitutional roles, duties and control over the public funds of Rivers State are facts within the knowledge of the 2nd - 4th Defendants and are hereby denied.

8. That the facts in paragraphs 4-8 of the Plaintiff's affidavit setting out facts relied upon in support of the originating summons referred to by the 2nd - 4th Defendants is hereby denied and the 2nd - 4th Defendants is hereby put on the strictest proof.

9. That further to the above, the 1st Defendant is investigating criminal allegations of official corruption, diversion of public funds, stealing of public funds which the 1st Defendant is statutorily empowered to investigate.

10. The paragraph 10 of the 2nd - 4th Defendants affidavit is admitted only to the extent that the 1st defendant is investigating criminal allegations of offi-

cial corruption, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, illegal acquisition of properties and stealing of public funds reported against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and his cohorts. Attached herewith is the petition subject matter of the investigation and marked as EFCC1.

11. That paragraphs 11, 12, 13 are admitted only to the extent that the 1st Defendant is investigating the criminal allegations reported to it. The other averments deposed to therein are hereby denied.

Criminal allegation 12. That paragraph 14 of the affidavit are facts within the 2nd - 4th Defendants knowledge and are hereby denied.

13. That paragraph 15 of the 2nd - 4th Defendants affidavit is hereby denied. As the 1st Defendant is only carrying out an investigation into a criminal allegation not to audit the account of Rivers State.

14. That I was informed by G. O. Edobor Esq, counsel to the 1st Defendant today, 7th March, 2007 at about 11.00 hours in his office at 6A Olumeni Street, Old GRA, that the 1st defendant is statutorily empowered to investigate allegations of economic and financial crimes reported against any person, corporate or organisation.

Having considered the circumstances and facts of this case, the admissions vis-a-vis the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; especially Sections 120 128 and Section 188 of the Constitution vis-a-vis the provisions of Sections 1, 6, 7, 34 of the EFCC Establishment Act No. 1 of 2004; the actions of the lst Defendant and the interpretation of the provisions of the said Constitution together with Exhibits HAG 1, 2 and all the averments before me, I am of the considered opinion that the case of the Plaintiff has merit. It is bound to succeed, it has succeeded.

I uphold the submissions of Learned counsel for the Plaintiff and the 2nd - 4th Defendants.

Having regards to all the facts the circumstances and the position of the law; the arguments of parties and the admission of parties before me, I resolve question number one in the negative. I also answer question number two in the negative.

Having answered the two Continues on page 35

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—35

CONSCIENCE AND HISTORY - MY STORY

Odili's deputy, Sir Gabriel Toby feeding children under the free school feeding and health programme

The judgment that set Peter Odili free (2) questions for determination in the negative, I have equally taken every thing into account the affidavit before me, the admission and the position of the law and the circumstances, I am of the view that the Plaintiff is entitled to the reliefs sought having regards to the position of the law. The court cannot allow one arm of the government to meddle with another and take it over. I accordingly exercise my discretion in favour of the Plaintiff and make the following declaratory orders.

Declaratory orders i. I declare that the 1st Defendant is not entitled to share in the powers, or to participate in the exercise of the powers or to prompt or instigate the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the exercise of the powers of control of public funds vested in the House of Assembly for Rivers State by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 including the power to direct or cause to be directed any inquiry or investigation or to investigate into the disbursing or administering of monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the Rivers State House of Assembly for any purpose including for the purpose of exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste. ii. I declare that the purported investigation or inquiry carried out by the 1st Defendant into the disbursing, administering, or management of funds appropriated or to be appropriated by the Rivers State House of Assembly is unconstitutional, ultra vires the powers of the 1st Defendant and accordingly null and void. iii. I declare that the defendants are not entitled to rely on, utilize or in any manner whatsoever put to any use any report, findings or conclusion produced or arrived at

by the 1st Defendant as a result of the purported investigations or inquiry into the appropriation disbursing, administering or management of funds of Rivers State. iv. I declare that under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the 1st defendant is not entitled to share in the power of the House of Assembly for Rivers State, vested on it by virtue of section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and accordingly is not entitled to coerce, induce, intimidate or in any manner whatsoever influence the House of Assembly for Rivers State into removing or causing to be removed, or into taking any steps whatsoever towards removing the Governor of Rivers State or the Deputy Governor of Rivers State from office.

I equally grant the following injunctive reliefs sought to wit: v. an order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant by itself or by its servants or agents or in any manner howsoever from purporting to investigate or inquire into the appropriation, disbursing, administering, or management of the funds of Rivers State is hereby made. vi. An order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant by itself or by its servants or agents or in any manner howsoever from disseminating, publishing or circulating to any government, government agency, the news media, or members of the public or in any manner at all, the purported findings in respect of any investigation or inquiry into the appropriation, disbursing, administering or management of the funds of Rivers State or putting the said report or finding to any use whatsoever is hereby made. vii. An order of injunction restraining the 2nd to 4th defendants by themselves or by their servants, agents or privies from receiving or putting to any use

whatsoever any report or finding arising from or purporting to be the result of any inquiry or investigation conducted by the 1st defendant into the appropriation, disbursing, administering or management of the funds of Rivers State is also hereby made. viii. I equally grant an order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant by itself or by its servants or agents from inducing, coercing or in any manner whatsoever influencing the 2nd and 3rd defendants or any member of the House of Assembly for Rivers State, to commence proceedings for the removal or to remove the Governor or Deputy Governor of Rivers State from office.

Before I am done, I must commend all counsel in this matter for making this matter to be heard expeditiously, and a word for the operators of our Federal system.

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Continues from page 34

Judgment delivered in open court.

O. Ugbodima with him K. U. Ubayi Esq. for the plaintiff holding the brief of E. C. Ukah Esq Mr G. O. Edobor with him Mrs. D. Ademu-Eteh for the 1st Defendant Mr. O. W. Arugu for the 2nd 4th Defendants As the handover date May 29th 2007 approached, the atmosphere was fully charged with stories that all Governors would be arrested at the Handover venues across the country because many Governors, they claimed, were planning to run away from the country. I granted an interview to the reputable Source Magazine and made it clear that Peter Odili was not going anywhere and will stay back in Nigeria after May 29, 2007 and that’ s what I have done.

However, in spite of the fact that we had obtained a court judgment against the EFCC, I was contemptuously interviewed by officials of EFCC in July 2007 along with some other former Governors. I held that interview out of respect for the new Government of President Yar’Adua and the Rule of Law. The entire conversation at the interview centered on that ‘so-called EFCC interim report’ of December, 2006 which the court had declared NULL and VOID and prohibited from any use. The interview

However, in spite of the fact that we had obtained a court judgment against the EFCC, I was contemptuously interviewed by officials of EFCC in July 2007 along with some other former Governors

This case reminds me of what I read on separation of powers: the small depiction in the Bible.

That there are 66 books in the Bible and 66 Chapters in Isaiah’ They are clearly divided into sections. Chapters 1-39 (There are 39 books in the Old Testament, and chapters 40 - 66 (There are 27 books in the New Testament).

The theme also corresponds with the the 1st set of chapters addressing law and government of God and the second group covering grace and salvation of God. I am done. So be it.

HON JUSTICE I. N. BUBA JUDGE 20/3/2007

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lasted for two hours - I was neither arrested nor detained. Till date that has remained my first and only official contact with the EFCC. However, in the following couple of months a number of former governors were arrested, interrogated and some charged to court.

Rumours and newspaper speculations kept suggesting that Odili would be in the next batch. This became so irritating that I decided to react. I instructed my legal counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, to approach the court in my personal capacity, and find out if, in spite of the subsisting court judgment against the EFCC, they could still come after me on the

basis of this contrived report.

EFCC spokesperson, Mr Osita Nwaja, expressed surprise at my new action, since, according to him they had no plans to come after me. However, the court again after a full trial ruled in my favour upholding the first judgment and further restraining the EFCC. This second judgment was delivered in March 2008. That is where we are. A reproduced copy of this judgment follows.

SUIT NO: FHC/PH/CS/1291/ 2007 BETWEEN DR. PETER ODILI AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION}— DEFENDANTS JUDGMENT The Plaintiff, in the instant originating summons, was the former executive Governor of Rivers State; between 29th May, 1999 and 29th May 2007 Towards the end of the year 2006, (December) and parts of January 2007 The Second Defendant, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; (hereinafter called the “EFCC”) swooped on Rivers State; arrested the speaker and key members of the Rivers State Government; including the Commissioner for Finance, Transport, Works, Local Government, the AccountantGeneral, the Auditor General, seeking information and documents relating to the public funds of Rivers State.

The second Defendant also invaded, the Rivers State Government bankers, which included Platinum Habib Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, etc. which led to the delay in payment of salaries, for the Civil Servants of the Rivers State Government in December 2006 and inability to pay December salaries of workers in the Rivers State Local Government service, within the month of December 2006.

An un-refuted newspaper publication (This Day, Tuesday of 19/ 12/2006) disclosed that in arresting the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the possibility of the impeachment of the Governor of Rivers State was within its contemplation and could not be ruled out. That the second Defendant employed harassment and intimidation of members of

Continues on page 36

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

CONSCIENCE AND HISTORY - MY STORY

The judgment that set Peter Odili free (2) Houses of Assembly of various States to unlawfully bring about impeachment and impeachment proceedings in Bayelsa State, Ekiti State, Plateau State, and that the same tactic was being employed in Adamawa State.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State sensing that taking over the State and causing impeachment of the Governor and his Deputy by the House of Assembly, amounted to the House of Assembly neglectng and abdicating its constitutional powers and control over the public fund of Rivers State. Consequently, the Attorney General filed Suit No. PHC/114/ 2007: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State v. The Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly; at the Rivers State High Court and got judgment.

Thereafter, the said Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State initiated Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/07: Attorney General for Rivers State v. the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission & 3 others; for additional reliefs founded upon the declarations already made by the High Court of the Rivers State in Suit No. PHC/114/07 earlier stated for additional reliefs, in line with the decisions in the case of Dantata v Mohammed (2007)7 NWLR (pt 664) 176 at 196 (H) The second Defendant in the instant suit the (EFCC) was the first Defendant in the suit that was decided by this Court on the 20th of March 2007. The second Defendant contested the suit and said it was investigating the then Speaker of official corruption, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and stealing of public funds, reported against the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and his cohorts.

The position of the AttorneyGeneral, was that the second Defendant, then was not investigating; but targeted at impeaching the Governor and interfering in the management of public fund for Rivers State.

Originating summons The case was heard and full arguments were canvassed on all the issues in the originating summons dated the 26 day of February 2007. This Court on the 20/3/ 07, delivered its considered judgement, in suit No. FHC/PH/ CS/78/07, granted the declaratory reliefs sought, nullified all the purported investigations and restrained the second Defendant, who was then the first Defendant in the second suit. The Court found the second Defendant’s

purported investigation was not geared towards finding out the truth, but geared towards taking over an arm of the Government, within a Federal set up by an agency of the Federal Government.

The Judgment was delivered a year ago. The judgment is still valid, subsisting and not set aside by an appellate court. Indeed there was no appeal against that judgment up to the time the Plaintiff filed this suit.

However, I note in paragraph 8 of the affidavit of James Binang, an application for leave and extension of time to file an appeal against that judgment was filed by the second Defendant, at the Court of Appeal, in the processes before this Court, and in the instant suit.

Indeed, the second Defendant, in its Counter Claim before this court is seeking for: “A declaration that the tenure (sic) of judgment of this Honourable Court in suit No. FHC/ PH/CS/78/2007 between Attorney General for Rivers State Vs. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission & 3 others which is the substratum of the Defendant’s claim in the originating summons is the subject of appeal before the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Judicial Division.”

For whatever that is worth, there is no gain saying that the judgment of this Court delivered a year ago, precisely on the 20/ 3/07; is still valid and subsisting.

In the course of this judgment I shall revisit the terms of that judgment and its purpose as it affects this suit.

Judgment and orders It is clear to me that the reliefs in the instant suit is founded on the judgment and orders of this Court, made on the 20/3/07 in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007. I took the pains and liberty to state the background facts, because of the questions for determination and the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff in the instant suit. What then are the questions for determination and the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff in the instant suit?

They are:1. Whether, in the light of the subsisting and final judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007.

ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR RIVERS STATE vs. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION, dated 20th March, 2007, the 2nd Defendant can still arrest, detain, investigate, arraign and prosecute the Plaintiff and purport to act pursuant to any of its investigative

British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw with Odili

and prosecutorial powers, for alleged financial offences as they relate to his tenure as the Governor of Rivers State between 29th May 1999 and 29th May 2007?

2. Whether the Plaintiff, as the Governor of Rivers State, from 29th May 1999 and 29th May 2007, having acted in the office of the Governor, with a State House of Assembly, can be investigated, detained, arraigned and prosecuted for alleged financial mismanagement of the Rivers State by the 2nd Defendant, Federal Agency, having regard to the Federal structure of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No.FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 WHEREOF the Plaintiff claims as follows: a. A declaration that, the 2nd Defendant cannot arrest, detain, arraign and/or prosecute the Plaintiff on the basis of its alleged investigations conducted into the affairs of Rivers State between 29th May 1999 and 29th May 2007. In the light of the final and subsisting judgment of the Federal high court in Suit no. FHC/ PH/CS/78/2007; b. A declaration that the purported findings of the investigation team of the 2nd Defendant into the activities of the Rivers State Government between the period of 29th May 1999 and 29th May 2007, the said investigation being subject-matter of a Suit FHC/PH/CS/78/2007, are invalid, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void; c. An order of this Court restraining the Defendants, jointly and severally from arresting, detaining, arraigning and/or prosecuting the Plaintiff in any court pursuant to any purported investigations by the 2nd Defendant in the light of the judgment in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007; d. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, jointly and severally from disseminating, publishing, circulating or distributing the report of the alleged investigation conducted by the 2nd Defendant

into the activities of the Rivers State Govemment under the tenure of the Plaintiff,.

Upon service of the Court process on the Defendants; the 1st Defendant, The Attorney General of the Federation, did not file and/or enter appearance in this suit. However, learned counsel Miss K. Oyir appeared in court for the 1st Defendant on the 15th of October 2007. Mr SA Okoh, also appeared for the 1st Defendant under protest on the 13/11/ 07, and at the resumed hearing of the matter, on the 10th of December 2007, Mr. G. F. Zi, Chief Legal Officer, appeared again for the 1st Defendant, after the matter had been mentioned. Coun-

obtained the leave of this Court, to file its written argument; in support of its preliminary objection, and the motion on notice, out of time, on the 30th October 2007.

Learned counsel proposed to take the Preliminary Objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court, together with the main application, and in line with the decisions, in the cases of Amadi vs. NNPC (2000) 10 NWLR pt 674 page 76 at 88 and Senate President vs. Nzeribe (2004) 9 NWLR pt 878 at 251 esp. 256 257. The court acceded to that request.

Consequently, learned counsel for the 2nd Defendant, relied on his submissions in support of the preliminary objection, as well as the written address opposing the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. In reaction, the Plaintiff, filed his written arguments, dated the 6th day of November 2007, on the 7th of November 2007. The submissions dealt with both the preliminary action, and the main application before the Court. I shall in the course of this judgment revert and make reference to the submissions of counsel as filed before the court.

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Continues from page 35

For whatever that is worth, there is no gain saying that the judgment of this Court delivered a year ago, precisely on the 20/3/07; is still valid and subsisting

sel apologised for coming late.

Counsel informed the Court that he filed processes that morning, but that the processes are yet to be before the Court.

The Court adjourned the case to the 16th of January 2008. On the said adjourned date, neither counsel, nor the 1st Defendant was in Court. No explanation or information was communicated to the Court, about the 1st Defendant. Consequently, the Court struck out the motions filed by the 1st Defendant and proceeded to hear the matter.

The 2nd Defendant filed a notice of Preliminary Objection dated 20th day of October 2007. The 2nd Defendant also by a motion on notice dated the 5th of October 2007, and filed on the 10th of October 2007, sought and obtained the leave of this Court, to file and serve its memorandum of conditional appearance, counter affidavit, and counter claim.

Furthermore by a motion on notice, dated 18th October 2007, and filed on 22nd October 2007, the 2nd Defendant sought and

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Let me say from the outset the 2nd Defendant confined its submissions only on the preliminary objection, but did not proffer alternative arguments in the main originating summons. Let me also quickly take the liberty, to say by way of preliminary point; that all submissions, on the application for interlocutory injunction, goes to no issue. Because motion on notice, for interlocutory injunction was not taken. This is as a result of an undertaking by the 2nd Defendant, until the matter got to the address stage, the motion was not taken. Indeed the motion for interlocutory injunction was struck out at the resumed hearing of this matter on the 16th of January, 2008.

In addition to the foregoing, the 2nd Defendant also filed a counter affidavit and a counter claim against the Plaintiff. The Plaintiffs questions for determination and reliefs have been reproduced elsewhere in this judgment. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Let

Continues on page 37

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—37

CONSCIENCE AND HISTORY - MY STORY

The judgment that set Peter Odili free (2) Continues from page 36 me then take the liberty to reproduce the 2nd Defendants counter claim for the purposes of clarity.

The counter claim reads: (i) A Declaration that the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in its civil jurisdiction cannot make orders outlawing criminal investigation and prosecution of the Defendant in this Counter Claim - Dr. Peter Odili or indeed any person reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence. (ii) Declaration that the Defendant in this Counter Claim - Dr. Peter Odili - was not a party to Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 BETWEEN ATTORNEY - GENERAL FOR RIVERS STATE vs.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION & 3 ORS, and ipso facto cannot appropriate to his benefit the tenure (sic) of the judgment of this Honourable Court delivered on the 20th of March 2007. (iii) A. Declaration that the tenure (sic) of the judgment of this Honourable court in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 BETWEEN ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR RIVERS STATE VS. ECONOMIC AND FlNANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION & 3 ORS, which is the substratum of the Defendant’s claim in the Originating Summons is the subject of appeal before the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Judicial Division. (iv) A Declaration that all the reliefs sought by the Defendant Dr. Peter Odili - who is the Plaintiff in the Originating Summons are before the Honourable court (v) An award against the De-

2007 challenges the jurisdiction of this court, to entertain the Plaintiff/applicant’s Motion on Notice and indeed the entire Suit on three different grounds as follows: 1. That there is a distinction and limitation between the statutory powers of the 2nd Defendant/Applicant to fight corruption in Nigeria and the powers conferred on a House of Assembly of a State to conduct investigations as prescribed under Section 129 of the constitution.

2. Declaratory and injunctive reliefs granted to the Plaintiff in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 between Attorney-General for Rivers State vs. Economic And Financial Crimes Commission & 3 ors cannot operate to outlaw the 2nd Defendant/Applicant’s performance of its statutory duties of investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes perpetrated by the Plaintiff/Respondent, DR. PETER ODILI, erstwhile Executive Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, who was not a party to the said suit; and 3. All the reliefs sought in the Plaintiff/Respondent’s Motion on Notice filed on 13/09/2007 are incompetent in law as they are radically the same with the relief sought in the main Suit - the Originating Summons in this case.

As stated elsewhere in this judgment the third ground becomes otiose as the motion on notice was struck out. The 2nd Defendant/Applicant, arguing the 1st ground, contended that, there is a clear distinction and limitation between the Statutory Powers of the 2nd Defendant/Applicant, to fight corruption in Nige-

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The law remains settled, that a court cannot make orders to restrain the performance of the statutory duties of investigation and prosecution of any person who is alleged or suspected to have committed a crime

fendant - Dr. Peter Odili, the sum of N1Billion only, being General Damages in favour of the Plaintiff in this counter claim - Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. (vi) A declaration that the claims contained in the Originating summons in this case are incompetent in law and constitute a gross abuse of the court process.

Let me first deal with the Notice of Preliminary Objection, challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear and determine this matter. Learned counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Mr. James Binang, Chief Legal Officer, argued and submitted that the 2nd Defendant/Applicant’s Notice of Preliminary Objection filed on 21/09/

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ria, and the powers conferred on a House of Assembly of a State, to conduct investigation, under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution. That the 2nd Defendant/Applicant, is an agency of the Federal Government, which derives its mandate from The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004; an Act of the National Assembly.

The law recognises all agencies of government as organs of initiative, whose powers are derived either directly from the Constitution or from the laws enacted thereunder. That Agencies of Government, therefore, stand in relationship to the constitution as it permits of their existence and function. The Court was referred

to the dictum of the Nigerian Supreme Court in the case of ATTORNEY GENERAL ONDO STATE vs. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (2002) 9 NWLR PT 772 AT 222 esp. 418 - 419.

It is submitted that, and it can therefore be argued without fear of contradiction that, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004 (hereinafter referred to as the EFCC Act) is an existing law within the meaning of Section 315(1) (a) of the 1999 constitution. It is submitted further that Sections 6, 7 and 46 of the EFCC Act 2004, prescribe the mandate on the 2nd Defendant/Applicant to fight both official and unofficial corruption in Nigeria, including Rivers State.

That being an agency of the Federal Government, the 2nd Defendant/Applicant derives its power and function to investigate, initiate and undertake criminal prosecutions in Nigeria under Section 174(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. And by Section 2(c) ofthe EFCC Act 2004, the 2nd Defendant/Applicant is the designated Financial Intelligelence Unit (FlU) in Nigeria, which is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the various institutions involved in the fight against money laundering and enforcement of all laws dealing with economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

It is submitted in this regard that all lawful appropriation of funds made by the House of Assembly of a State, qualifies as a law made by the said state House of Assembly. In the same vein, it is submitted that where there is any breach of the said State law, to the extent that it involves economic and financial crimes, the 2nd Defendant/applicant, has the mandate under the EFCC Act 2004, to investigate and prosecute offenders of the said state law.

That on the other hand, the constitutional powers of a state House of Assembly to conduct investigations under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution are limited in scope to the laws enacted by the State House of Assembly and cannot be interpreted to include or touch on laws made by the National Assembly.

Legislative competence Such powers of a State House of Assembly to conduct investigations are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling the House to make laws in matters within its legislative competence and correct defects in existing laws or to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution of laws made within its leg-

islative competence or administration of funds appropriated by it. The Court was generally referred to sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 constitution which are clear and unambiguous.

It is finally submitted on the first ground that this distinction between the statutory powers of the 2nd Defendant/Applicant to investigate and prosecute offenders of economic and financial crimes vis-a-vis the constitutional powers of a State House of Assembly is the first ground of appeal in the Notice of Appeal filed against the judgment of this Court in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR RIVERS STATE vs. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMlMISSION & 3 ORS. The Court was referred to generally, Exhibit EFCC 1 to the 2nd Defendant/Applicant’s Counter Affidavit filed 10/10/2007.

Limited investigative powers From the foregoing, it is submitted by the 2nd Defendant/applicant that, there exists a distinction and limitation in scope of the rather limited investigative powers of the House of Assembly of a State as provided for under Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution vis-a-vis the unlimited investigative cum prosecutorial powers of the 2nd Defendant/applicant to enforce all laws dealing with economic and financial crimes commission, in Nigeria including but not limited to Rivers State of Nigeria. And the 2nd Defendant/Applicant urges this court to so hold.

On the second ground, it is submitted that the judgment of this Court in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/ 78/2007 BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR, RIVERS STATE vs. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSlON & 3 ORS delivered on the 20th of March, 2007, is the substratum upon which the Plaintiff rests his Case.

That the 2nd Defendant/Applicant has initiated proceedings in furtherance of an Appeal against the said Judgment. The Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Judicial Division has fixed the appeal for 30/ 10/2007 for Hearing.

That suffices it to note, however that the Plaintiff/Respondent - DR. PETER ODILI, erstwhile executive Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, was not a party to the said Suit; and ipso facto cannot appropriate the tenure (sic) of that judgment. That while the 2nd Defendant/Applicant is not inviting this court to sit on appeal against its own judgment, the law remains settled, that a court cannot

make orders to restrain the performance of the statutory duties of investigation and prosecution of any person who is alleged or suspected to have committed a crime. The Court was referred generally to the cases of FAWEHINMI VS. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (2002) 7 NWLR PT. 767 AT 606 esp. 686 687; BAMIDELE vs. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (1990) 2 NWLR PT. 329 at 568 esp. 583; NNEWI & SONS vs. COP (2002) HRLR at 156 esp. 164. That these cases settled the law that a Plaintiff cannot by merely instituting a Civil action preclude the Respondent, (the Police or similar agency of Government) from performing its statutory duties of investigation and prosecution of the offences committed against the State.

And any order of court purporting to restrain the performance of the statutory duty of investigation and prosecution of crime is incompetent, null and void ab initio and of no effect whatsoever. The court was referred to the case of ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ANAMBRA STATE vs. CHIEF CHRIS UBA, 2005 33 WRL AT 191 where Bulkachuwa, JCA held that: "For a person, therefore, to go to court to be shieided against criminal investigation and prosecution is an interference of powers given by the Constitution to law officers in the control of criminal investigation. The Plaintiff has no legal recognizable right, to which the Court can come to his aid. His claim is not one that the court can take cognisanze of, for it has disclosed no cause of action. The Plaintiff cannot expect a judicial fiat preventing a law official in the exercise of his constitutional powers.”

TOMORROW Justice I. N. Buba determines issue of whether EFCC's purported preliminary objection is a valid and sustainable objection in law and is capable of terminating the originating summons in limine

38—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

El-Rufai retweets:

Desist from warpath, CAN warns C

HRISTIAN Association of Nigeria, CAN, has sounded what seems to be its last warning to the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai in respect of the in-flammatory comment he made about the Christian faith on social media, tweeter.

Just a day after CAN's reaction last Thursday, to his insulting comment, el-Rufai retweeted as follows: “To those who see clearly, whose minds are not clouded by sheer religiosity, there is nothing insulting about the tweet”.

The Christian body, in a statement on Sunday by its General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, in Abuja, said the former minister must becareful because had restrained Christian youths who would not tolerate such insult against their faith, from any unholy reaction, warning el-Rufai to desist from "a war path".

The statement reads: "The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has noted with serious concern the un-repentant and unremorseful conduct of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in respect of the inflammatory and utterly disgraceful comment he made about the Christian faith and the person of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"In spite of our warning that he should stop such comments that carry chains of im-plications, El-Rufai has gone ahead to post another response which is insulting to the Christian faith.

"Last Thursday, a day after our reaction to his damningly insulting comment, he retweeted as follows: 'To those who see clearly, whose minds are not clouded by sheer religiosity, there is nothing insulting about the tweet'.

"With this retweet, CAN believes that El-Rufai is set on a war path with the millions of Christians in Nigeria. We must state that unlike others, Christians do not shed blood, take life, kill or maim others at the

slightest provocation.

"Nevertheless, we must warn El-Rufai not to take Christians for granted and to inform him that it is with great difficulty that we have had to restrain our youths from taking the law into their hands; which by extension means bringing El-Rufai to justice on account of his incitement and insult against the Christian faith.

"We may not be able to guarantee this restraint the next time he makes any other explosive statement that impugns on the person of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is, again, warned to desist from playing this dangerous and deadly game of Russian roulette. A word, they say, is enough for the wise".

L-R: Rev. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Idunu Olubusuyi (wife), Bishop Matthew Ayoola Olubusuyi (c) receiving his certificate of consecration from Bishop Taiwo Akinola, Ministerial President (ICCAM) at the cerePhoto: Dare Fasube mony last Saturday.

Adeboye hits 1m mark on Facebook... prays for accountants

By SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

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HE second most influential religious leader in the world today, Nigeria's General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has created another record when he recently hit the one million likes mark on the social media, Facebook.

Adeboye is one of many popular Nigerian personalities with strong social media followings on Facebook includ-ing Nigerian actress, Omotola Jolade Ekeinde as well as President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria.

Other popular personalities on the social networking platform in Africa include Egyptian activist, Wael Ghonim as well as South Africa’s Nelson Mandela who has over 1.2 million followers. The rising social media following of various African personalities points to the increasing adoption of social media platforms on the continent.

Meanwhile, it was another occasion of worship and thanksgiving to God as thousands of bankers, account-ants, cashiers and all individ-uals handling cash gathered at the national headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Ebute Metta, Lagos for a special prayer session.

In his sermon, the General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye urged the congregation to always honour God with their substance, explaining that God will not release His blessings or riches to those who will not take proper care of them.

The man of God said God showers His blessing in abundance on those who know how to appreciate Him, adding that God’s blessing will be withdrawn from those who lack the heart of gratitude.

Praying for the bankers and accountants that God should bless and prosper them and that the spirit of Judas Iscariot should stay away from them, Pastor Adeboye urged the workers in the financial sector to always be on the Lord’s side, shun evil, adding that God is the author of their lives.

Special Assistant to the General Overseer in-charge of Administration and Personnel, Pastor Funsho Odesola with the Regional Evangelist, Pastor Olusola Adeyeye ministered to the members of the financial sector that attended the programme.

The managing director of First Registrars Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi who was present at the programme appreciated the RCCG General Overseer for taking time to pray for the financial industry.

•Mrs. Rani Malick, Consul General, Indian High Commission, Lagos office (4th Left); Mr. Grover Anil, Executive Director, Me Cure Healthcare Limited and other Indian nationals at the ceremony.

It is rewarding to have pride in your country—Rani Malick

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU & PRISCA SAMDURU

capabilities to ensure they maintain the values to which they are known for. Also encouraging HE head, Lagos office of for the best of bi-national the India High relationship between India and Commission, Mrs. Rani Malick, Nigeria." has expressed unalloyed gratitude Mrs. Rani added: “The India to the government and people of High Commission in both Lagos Nigeria for their warm reception and Abuja shall not relent in and continual assistance to a large encouraging every existing and number of Indian nationals future trade relationships resident in Nigeria. between Nigeria and India. It is Mrs. Rani who was speaking our primary desire to ensure that during the commemoration of the Nigeria and India remain 63rd anniversary of the Republic connected in several sectors of day of India, held in Lagos, said both Countries economies .” the Commission was interested in Reacting on the issue of offering first class visa services to insecurity and corruption in Nigeria applicants and giving the Nigeria, which have become an best of consular services to each issue of concern of late, Mrs Rani and every India national in said that the Commission was on Nigeria. She said: “The yearly its feet to support and remain celebration of the Republic day of committed to each and every India is done in remembrance of measures put in place by the the day that India adopted its Nigeria government in order to constitution and became a tackle such issues.

Declaring also a huge Having pride in your Country of comes with a special reward and expanse r e a c h I implore each and everyone of us designed by t h e to often contribute even in the Commission least bit, in order to promote the for the values to which their Country interest of all I n d i a upholds nationals in sovereign democratic republic. I Nigeria, the Lagos Commission’s feel particularly happy to see office Head advised all Indian greatnumber of Nigerians nationals currently resident in expressing indisputable affection Nigeria and those intendeding to alongside the Indians in this visit to often check on the significant celebration. consulate websites for well "Having almost all Indians, informed and updated Nigeria scholars in India and information concerning several Nigeria-India business consular services and support the counterparts present at the event Commission very willing offer. is indeed very encouraging and Speaking also at the event, the it shows a people that have Executive Director, MeCure connection, people with great Healthcare Limited and President sense of belonging and pride for India Community in Nigeria, Mr. their country. Having pride in Grover Anil, who is renowned for your country comes with a special his objectivity and no-holdsreward and I implore each and barred approach to everyone of us to often contibute developmental issues, was even in the least bit, in order to indeed one of those that were promote the values to which their expressive in their joy as he stated country upholds. I am happy to that, “I feel very good, very proud, say thatthe Republic day of India too great today, as we celebrate is an event that is significantand our 63rd Republic day. It is a we all welcome this day with grand occasion for all of us and ceremony such as this, in all India the turnout was great, and I am consulates across the globe” personally happy to see young "From the colourful celebration Indian children taking pride in one can depict the oneness and their country. This is a celebration absolute love of nationals of a that deserves total gratitude to country in a foreign land, striving God.” very hard in their levels of consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com

T

,

By CALEB AYANSINA

,

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 —39

Arc. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, with ministry officials inspecting the construction of Trailer Park, opposite Tin Can Port intended to decongest Apapa-Oshodi Expressroad, in Lagos, weekend

Mr. Yomi Dauda of Vanguard Newspapers (right), presenting a copy of Vanguard Newspaper to Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, the General Overseer of Rehoboth Cathedral, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan.

From left: Mr. Abdul Lateef Kadiri, Director, Aromokeye Pharmacists; Dr. Lolu Ojo, MD, Merit Healthcare Ltd, winner of Merit Healthcare Ltd sales promotion; Alhaji Aremu Kadiri, MD, Aromekeye Pharmacy, Ilorin, Kwara State and Mr. Victor Akinroye, sales representative, Merit Healthcare Ltd, at the presentation of a 8.5 kva generating set, to the winner of the promo, in Ilorin.

Eze Hyacinth Ohazulike,Eze Ndi Igbo of Lagos (centre); Chief V. Odinaka, President, Association of Phone and Computer Dealers, Computer Village, (third from right), surrounded by other members of the association and Eze Ndi Igbo cabinet, during a courtesy call of the association to Eze Ndi Igbo of Lagos, at his palace, in Lagos.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right), presenting a souvenir to Senior Pastor Umai Ukpai, during the visit of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, to Government House, Uyo

From left: Okanu Ibeano, Analyst, Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria; Yinka Davies, Nigerian Idol 3 Judge and ace singer; Femi Kuti, Nigerian Idol judge and Afrobeat singer; Orah Egwu, Manager, Events and Sponsorship Segment, Etisalat Nigeria and Jeffery Daniels, Nigerian Idol 3 judge and former member of music group Shalamar, during the Wild Card performances on the Etisalat Nigeriasponsored TV reality show, Nigerian Idol 3, weekend, at the Dream Studio, in Omole, Lagos.

From left: Senator Babatunde Omole, 2008 President, JCI Eko; Senator Sunday Folayan, MD, Skannet Limited, Jide Adeyemi, 2013 President JCI Eko and Senator Tunji Adekoya, Chapter President, JCI Eko, at the JCI Eko officers' training school, in Lagos

Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, Delta State Deputy Governor (4th from left) in a group photograph with top government officials and executive members of the Warri Branch of Nigeria Bar Association, when the association paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor. To the Deputy Governor's right is Mr. Charles Ajuyah, SAN, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while to his left, is Mr. Ben Oji, Chairman of the Warri Branch of the NBA.

Kehinde Bamigbetan, Chairman,Ejigbo LCDA (right), presenting a copy of the council's 2013 budget proposal to Hon.Adeniyi Abayomi, the council's leader of legislative arm, inside the legislative chamber, yesterday.

From left: Ms Neimat el Magraby,Trade Finance Manager, Mantrac Group; Mr. Sola Adegbesan,Head,Global Markets, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Mr. Edmund Martin Lawson,MD, Mantrac Nigeria, at the press briefing to launch the collaboration between IBTC Bank and CAT Financial Services on the provision of financial services to Caterpillars' customers, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

NUT to decide on payment of TSS by 18 states

BY VICTORIA EDEMA

L

AGOS—THE Ni geria Union of Teachers, NUT, said Monday, that it would on Saturday take definite position over the alleged refusal of 18 state governments to implement the Teachers Salary Structure, TSS, by the end of January.

Out of the 18 states that failed to pay, 11 are in the north, three in the southeast and two each in both the southwest and south-south.

They include Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Lagos, Ekiti, Abia, Enugu and Cross River.

Other states also include Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Delta, Katsina, Nassarawa, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Gombe, and Bauchi.

The NUT President, Mr. Michael AlogbaOlukoya, who made this known in a telephone interview in Lagos said the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union would meet over the issue.

The union had in December last year, warned states that were yet to implement the 27.5 per cent increase in allowances under the TSS, to do so before the end of January.

NACC holds annual dinner

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HE NigerianAmerican Chamber of Commerce, NACC, will hold its Annual Dinner Dance on February 22, 2013, Chief Olabintan Famutimi, the Deputy President of the Chamber, said at a press briefing yesterday at the Tri-continental Industrial Training Centres, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Famutimi said the Annual Dinner Dance has become ‘’a valued platform used in developing, promoting and fostering relationships and contacts between the chamber and its members and other publics.”

According to him, as a joint collaborative event between the Chamber and the American Consulate in Nigeria, the event would be hosted at the residence of the US Consul-General, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, with Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru as the special guest of honour.

VISIT: Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (left) and his European Parliament counterpart, Mr. Martin Schulz, during a working visit by Sen. Ekweremadu to the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

DINNER: From left: Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, CEO, Airtel Nigeria; Dr. Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Airtel Nigeria; Mr. Sunil Mittal, Executive Chairman, Airtel Worldwide and Mr. Rajan Swaroop, outgoing CEO, Airtel Nigeria, at the dinner in honour of Mr. Sunil Mittal in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Wamakko signs 2013 budget into law

BY ABDALLAH EL-

KUREBE OKOTO—GOVERNOR Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, yesterday, signed the 2013 Appropriation as well as three other bills into law.

Assenting to the appropriation bill of N115.8 billion, which was passed by the State House of Assembly last week, the Governor asked public servants to have the fear of God while discharging their duties.

Wamakko said: ”Each and everyone of us is accountable to Allah (God) in spite of the place we are posted to serve.”

S

The other bills signed into law included those establishing the Sokoto State Bureau of Public Procurement and Price Intelligence, Statistical System and Office of Statistician–General and the Fisheries Law. Wamakko said with the signing of the 2013 appropriation bill, “respective MDAs are now responsible for ensuring effective implementation of the 2013 budget. I must categorically state without mincing words that we have, on our part, discharged our responsibility.”

According to Wamakko, the bills on transparency would en-

sure accountability, transparency and adherence to the provisions of due process in conducting government businesses.

Speaker of the State Assembly, Alhaji Lawalli Zayyana, said the House now had working tools and logistics to carry out its legislative duties.

The speaker said: ”A month ago, N220 million was used to procure vehicles for Committees. ”Happily enough, about N1 billion has been voted in the 2013 budget for comprehensive rehabilitation and repairs of the Assembly Complex.”

Cleric canvasses gender equality

BY TAYE OBATERU & FOM

FONDONG OS—VICAR-General of the Catholic Archdioceses of Jos, the Right Rev. Cletus Gotan, has described the rivalry between the male and female gender as unnecessary adding that time has come to accord women their rightful place in society.

Delivering a lecture entitled “Women Leaders and the Challenges of Nation Building” he said women had great potentials to contribute to nation building and should therefore be encour-

J

aged to avail the nation of their capabilities.

The lecture was organised by the Plateau State chapter of National Association of Women Judges in honour of Justice Julie Kyentu, on her recent appointment as the first female President of the state Customary Curt of Appeal.

He said: ”To many uninformed people, a woman’s place is still in her marital home, which in Nigeria is culturally even referred to not as her home but as her husband’s home, and her

role is to be a child bearer and to be in the kitchen. ”One of the richest underutilised resources in the world is the talent of women who constitute half the world’s population and who, according to a Chinese saying, hold up half of the world.”

Professor Gotan who noted that women have a unique leadership style added that the woman’s body stands her soul with particular qualities that are common to all women but different from distinctively masculine trait.

Ex-Edo Dep gov slams ACN on SURE-P funds

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY—THE Chairman of the State Implementation Committee of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SUREP, and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen, has described as mischievous the allegation by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, that the Federal Government had diverted the SURE-P funds towards empowering PDP members ahead the 2015 presidential election.

According to him, the ACN should ask their governors what they have done with their own SURE-P funds which they re-

ceived from the Federal allocation.”

He added that the Federal Government had kicked off its own programme in all the states and in the next few weeks the banks will commence direct payment of N10,000 to the beneficiaries.”

He said: “Lai Muhammed lied by saying that the funds are being given to traditional rulers.

What the Federal Government did was that rather than the beneficiaries collecting money without rendering any services to the nation, we asked traditional rulers to identify areas that these beneficiaries could be helpful to the society. And of course areas such as sanitation, traffic control, maintenance and beautification

of community and public projects.

These areas were identified so that these youths can be useful to the society.”

Zayyana said that the House had passed the 2013 budget with slight amendments.

Man jailed 5yrs for stealing gold earrings

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA SABA—A young man, one Emmanuel Michael was yesterday, sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour by a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Asaba, Delta State, for stealing gold earrings worth N25,000.

Presiding Chief Magistrate, Sylvester Ehikwe, in sentencing him stated that “he does not deserve mercy as burglary is next to armed robbery.”

Upon arraignment, the convict immediately pleaded guilty to the two-count charge preferred against him and began to weep in the dock, saying “I was hungry.”

The prosecution stated that the accused “on the February 1, 2013 at back of NTA Asaba in the Asaba Magisterial District did break into the house of one Okechukwu Uheghbu and stole a pair of gold earrings and its pendant valued at N25,000, property of Mr. and Mrs. Okechukwu Uheghbu and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol. 1 Law of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.”

A

IYC drums support for Jonathan

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JAW Youth Council, IYC, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will continue to enjoy the maximum support of youths in the country, particularly those from the Niger Delta region as a result of his transformation agenda in the economic sector.

Director of Youth Mobilisation, IYC, Abuja chapter, Mr. Ebi Eregbene, who gave the assurance in Warri, Delta State, at a meeting with leaders of various organisations, said the transfor-

mation agenda of the President was on course as visible progress had been made in different sectors of the nation’s economy.

He cited the completion of many national Independent Power Plant projects across the country to boost power supply and the recent commencement of train service from Lagos to Kano as well as the establishment of Federal Universities in areas where they never existed, thereby striking a progressive balance.

— 41 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

2013 BUDGET:

Is there a fiscal cliff at hand?

IT was considered one of the more remarkable points in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the Federal Government when at the end of last year that the National Assembly passed the 2013 budget proposals. Now all the gains are about to unravel.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

I

T was the first time in the life of the fourth republic that the budget of the Federal Government had been prepared before the commencement of the fiscal year.

But now what was considered a spectacular landmark only few weeks ago is about turning out to be an anti-climax.

Both President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly it has emerged are weighing their options following a blunt refusal by the legislators to reconsider objections raised by the president on some specific issues in the budget as passed by the National Assembly.

President Jonathan had during a meeting with the National Assembly leadership on January 25 in the presidential villa raised his concerns on the budget and some clauses planted into the budget document approved by the National Assembly.

At the end of the meeting and reflecting the difficulties raised at the closed door session, the

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IVEN that President Olusegun Obasanjo became a Man of God in the course of his very difficult times during the Sani Abacha regime, it is not surprising that he often goes out to make peace with his enemies. What sensible man wouldn’t after escaping the hangman’s noose by the whiskers?

A normal signpost of Obasanjo’s charm offensive is to eat, dance and merry with the human objects of his peace offensive.

It was in this light that Obasanjo and his entourage, men who have been described by the men of today as ‘yesterday’s vainglorious men’ took the effort to worship with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Villa Chapel last Sunday.

The sight of the two presidents worshipping together must have stupefied many given reports of the sour relationship between them.

Following the church service the two men sat down with close relations and friends for lunch. It is, however, not

•Jonathan

•Mark

president of the senate, Senator David Mark had parried questions raised to him by

anxious newsmen that accosted him.

While the president was

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN detritetradetoxifiedpolitics@gmail.com SMS 08052201189

Obasanjo’s deadly lunch outings known whether it was an ancient cuisine fitting for the men of yesterday or a modern junk food patronized by the men of today that was on the table.

Obasanjo’s action should ordinarily be hailed as the right steps of a statesman.

But such efforts given the Obasanjo persona are laced with premonition of ill wind.

It was in June 2000 at the height of the face off between Obasanjo and the then senate president, Chuba Okadigbo that he shocked many when he honoured the invitation to commission the senate president’s official residence in

Apo. To the amazement of many the president dined and danced away with Okadigbo’s wife in an apparent demonstration of his determination to put the antagonism of yore away.

I

t was the last time Obasanjo would see Okadigbo as senate president as few days later, the Obasanjo boys in the senate decisively outflanked Okadigbo sending his senate presidency to history.

With Okadigbo out, the remaining sour was the House of Representatives where the majority of its members and its leadership were steadfastly in

reported not to have directly questioned the decision of the National Assembly to raise the

budget from N4.92 trillion as proposed by him to N4.98 trillion, Continues on page 43

opposition to Obasanjo.

The Obasanjo that loves his enemies again reached out to Speaker Ghali Na‘Abba and his boys during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja in January 2002 when he openly served the speaker and his other principal officers pieces of the anniversary cake.

Few months later, Obasanjo followed up by donating handsomely to Na‘abba’s reelection campaign purse after ensuring that the former speaker got his PDP ticket easily. Few weeks later many were shocked to receive the news that Na‘abba despite his popularity in his constituency lost the main election. The whisper was that the state and the system worked against him.

Chief Audu Ogbeh as national chairman of the PDP served Obasanjo’s desires greatly, but not beyond the point of hurting his conscience.

When his conscience could no longer take some of the political foibles of that regime, Ogbeh blurted out in January 2005, irretrievably damaging his relations with the president.

Ogbeh was harassed out of office after initiating a series of exchanges with the president in which he detailed how the party was derailing from the path of democracy.

Despite the harassments that came his way, Ogbeh refused to heed the admonitions of friends and foes to jump ship.

After failing to remove him during a meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the party, Obasanjo shocked many when he drove with Ogbeh to the latter’s residence where they ate a meal of pounded yam and egusi soup.

A week later with a gun reportedly on his head, Ogbeh was forced to resign his chairmanship of the party.

No one has for now said what was eaten during last Sunday’s make up lunch for the two presidents. No one may bother.

That is unless something untoward develops as to make the lunch between President Jonathan and his predecessor and one time benefactor, Obasanjo a footnote in the history of the two men.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 —43

Is there a fiscal cliff at hand?

Continues from page 42 the president had at the meeting raised his concern over some projects he said were not well funded and others which received superior funding to what was desired by the administration.

He was also reported to have seriously expressed his discomfort on the clause in the budget barring the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC from funding its activities with Oteh as director-general and the decision to raise the benchmark for oil revenue from $75 to $79 per barrel.

The legislators were said to have listened favourably to the president and promised to get back to him on the issues of the funding details. They were, however, firm on not reconsidering the issue of Oteh and the benchmark.

Ms Oteh, in particular has suddenly become a burden for the administration. Arguably one of the shining intellectual lights of the administration, the director-general’s seeming bad politics has rubbed off negatively on other political stakeholders.

While the House of Representatives has been largely criticized for shielding its own deviants, the administration has also come in for questioning for shielding Oteh who was found by the House to lack the necessary qualifications for the position of director-general. The House resolution asking the

•Tambuwal presidency to sack Ms Oteh was ignored.

“When he mentioned the issues of the funding and all that, the legislators promised that they would see what they could do, but on the benchmark and Oteh, the president met a brick wall as mum was the word from all the legislators present,” multiple sources familiar with the development told Vanguard at the weekend.

The National Assembly had in

BY ENYIM ENYIM FOR almost 10 years now the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA has been enmeshed in intra-party leadership crises. In this interview, former Deputy National Chairman, South and one of the founding fathers of the party, Chief Onwuka Ukwa insists that all aggrieved members have been reconciled by the stakeholders group. Excerpts:

passing the 2013 budget barred SEC from utilising its funds with Oteh as DG. The action of the National Assembly followed the report of the House of Representatives committee on capital markets which affirmed that Oteh did not have the minimum requirements to hold the position of DG. Oteh had on her part before the submission of the report levelled allegations of corruption against the leadership of the house

APGA is in intact — Ukwa

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ARELY 11 months to the governorship election in Anambra State your party, APGA is still embroiled in crisis. How do you feel about the development?

I am happy to tell you that peace has returned to the party that has been ridiculed as a party in perpetual crisis for about eight years now. Finally before a critical political challenge in Anambra State, the party took a decision to reunite the party, create a political environment to meet the political challenge because we should be mindful of what history will record if an APGA government in Anambra fails to handover to an APGA governor in a few months time.

If we cannot meet this political challenge we will lose face with the people. If we fail to hand over to an APGA governor after Mr Peter Obi’s departure our people and history will not be kind to this administration. We risk living in memory of failure about his entire administration. It is therefore important

committee on capital market. Mr. Herman Hembe, the erstwhile chairman of the committee and his former deputy, Ifeanyi Azubogu are presently standing trial for allegedly collecting estacode from SEC for travels that they didn’t go on.

While the leadership at the meeting with the president immediately refused his entreaty to revisit the matter of Oteh and the benchmark, they had, however, promised to pass on his message for a revision of some portion of the funding provisions of the budget.

On returning the leadership of the two houses had passed on the president’s message to the legislators it was learnt as at last weekend were unyielding.

The legislators, Vanguard learnt at the weekend, are claiming that any alteration to the budget would amount to an amendment which they said should go through due process.

“Under what law can the budget be revisited after it has been passed and transmitted to the president?” one legislator familiar with the development asked at the weekend.

While some were hopeful that a way would be found around the issues, many are, however, not waiting for such.

A number of the legislators it was learnt have commenced moves to mobilise their colleagues to override the president if by February 17 the president does not give his assent

•Ukwa that we must put our sword down, forget our personal grievances and unite under the leadership of Chief Victor Umeh to enable the party prepare and contest the forth coming governorship election.

But the chairman of Governor Peter Obi campaign organisation and uncle, Chief Sylvester Nwobu- Alor insists that no reconciliation has taken place in the party. What is the true position?

The critical issue and agenda

confronting the party now is the Anambra State governorship election coming up in a few months time. It is therefore very strange that Nwobu Alor has failed to understand what his present personal combative posture will cause in Anambra State. Unless, of course he has a hidden agenda, the party and members are tired of this endless crisis and litigations that have rocked the party for many years. The party and younger members of the party expect Chief Nwobu Alor to use the advantage of his age to support the peace that has returned to the party.

What is your assessment of Governor Obi’s support for the party since he assumed office as governor?

APGA as a party has given so much to Gov. Peter Gregory Obi and his government The party has given the governor 10 years of support, all the party got back is abandonment by the governor.

The party is completely locked out in Anambra State. It is no longer a secret that there is a grand design by the governor to collapse APGA in Anambra State after using the party for two tenures as a political platform. Governor Obi’s insistence through Nwobu Alor to generate fresh crisis in APGA is looking like a clear confirmation of this widely held view. The family representative of the governor should not issue statements on behalf of

to the budget.

The budget was transmitted to the president on January 17 and he has a latitude of 30 days to give his assent to the budget bill or turn it back raising his objections or keep mum which in effect would amount to a veto.

Close observers of the latest development were especially downcast flowing from what they claimed was the hard work put in by senior presidential aides and the legislators to pass the budget before the end of the last financial year.

Arising from the discontent, a clamour to overturn the president’s objections to the budget is springing up among the legislators. The clamour, would, however, have to wait till February 17 to get a life of its own because the law says that the President should be given 30 days before the National Assembly can revisit the issue.

The budget was transmitted to the president on January 17.

Section 59 (4) making provisions for an override of a presidential veto states thus: Where the President, within thirty days after the presentation of the bill to him, fails to signify his assent or where he withholds assent, then the bill shall again be presented to the National Assembly sitting at a joint meeting, and if passed by twothirds majority of members of both houses at such joint meeting, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required.

the party APGA. What is your reaction Nwobu Alor's push for restructuring of the party?

Those of us who originally raised the issue of restructuring and through the appropriate party organ are satisfied with the restructuring that has taken place and which is responsible for the recent success of the party: Two governors, a senator and about 10 members of the House of representatives and 34 state House of Assembly members.

What about issues surrounding Umeh's tenure as national chairman of APGA? Journalists should ask Chief Nwobu Alor to make public the communication from INEC on this matter. The political party supervising body clearly told him in writing, that there was a convention in Awka and INEC also witnessed the convention.

What about the stakeholder issue he raised?

I am surprised he is talking about court cases, when the focus should be on the fast approaching governorship election in Anambra State.The task should be who APGA candidate should be, the campaign and filing of the necessary papers with INEC. However, for clarification on the issue of stakeholders, Dr. Mic Adams is the recorgnised leader of the stakeholders and therefore competent to make decisions affecting the body.

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How well driller was sent to early grave

BY UJU MBANUSI

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ORTY-FIVE year old David Adebalogun, was popularly known as oba, meaning king in English language.

He was called oba because he was considered the best well driller in and around AbuleEgba area of Lagos, a means he used to fend for his family until the unexpected happened recently.

Aside being very good at his job, his charges were also considered reasonable, compared to his contemporaries elsewhere.

Tragedy however, struck after he was hired to drill a well in a compound located on Olorunda Street, around Ilesha Giwa area of Abule Egba, only to die inside.

There were however indication that the late oba was sent to an early grave following alleged carelessness on the part of his co-drillers.

Eye witnesses said on that fateful day, Oba, came out of the well to pick some instrument, including the pumping machine. However, as he made to descend the well to continue with the unfinished business, he fell right inside, with the devastating impact of the pumping machine he was to take in, landing on his head.

Amidst the confusion, his colleagues tried to draw oba out with the loose end of a rope that was round his waist, only to discover that the loose end was not properly clipped to a metal. An eye witness dis-

•The rope that sent Oba to an early grave handicapped and that he needed to raise some money to enable him take care of some responsibilities at home. I gave him N2,000 to hold before leaving the house for the market, unknown to me that I would never see my husband alive again.

I received the first phone call

Immediately I finished with her, another call came in. This time around it was a neighbour, who bluntly told me that my husband was dead

,

closed that the impact of the plunge even broke the wooden pillars where the rope that was fastened to oba’s waist was supposed to be clipped to.

When Crime Alert visited oba ’s widow at her 11 Bolorunduro Street, she was yet to come to terms with the reality of her husband’s demise,describing it as the worst calamity that had befallen her.

Recalling how her husband left home that fateful day without the slightest inkling that was the last time she would see him alive, she said: “ he woke up that morning complaining that he was financially

,

that changed the entire course of the day at about 1pm, from a woman who lives few buildings away from me. She told me to leave whatever I was doing and rush home that my husband was involved in a fatal accident. I begged her to help me take him to the hospital. Immediately I finished with her, another call came in. this time around , it was neighbour, who bluntly told me that my husband was dead.

At that moment, my world stood still and I passed out”, she said, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Although the remains of the Ondo state-born had been buried, his widow lamented that his demise had

saddled her with the responsibility of catering for their children alone, a responsibility she said was burdensome for both of them,wondering how she would start from where her husband stopped.

•Oba’s widow, Mrs. Adebalogun

Family appeals to police to fish out abductors of its member •accuses neighbour of alleged conspiracy

BY EVELYN USMAN

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HE Akilo family has appealed to the La gos State Police Command to intensify investigation into the mysterious disappearance of its member, one Abass Akilo, since November last year,with a view to unraveling the circumstance behind the disappearance and bringing those behind it to book.

The missing relative identified as Abass Akilo, reportedly left his residence at 5 Oshodi street, in Majidun area of Ikorodu, for IjebuOde,without any word from him since then.

In a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, the family, alleged that its missing relative’s neighbour identified as Sikiru, conspired with others to kidnap 69-year-old Abass.

Although there has been no phone call where ransom was demanded from the Akilos , which would have suggested that Abass was kidnapped, but lawyer to the family in the petition, stated that Siriku was the only person Abass informed about his journey and that he was also, the only person he (Abass) called to inform that he had reached his purported destination.

The petition read in part: “Sikiru has wittingly confided in one of our clients’ family members that he knows the whereabouts of Mr Akilo and that the family should take steps towards mobilizing a ransom whenever the suspected kidnappers come calling.

To us, this statement from Sikiru gravely indicts him and we believe that the said Sikiru might be one of the kidnappers who abducted Mr Abass Akilo, with the sole purpose of extorting our clients. It is in the light o f the foregoing, that we hereby , appeal to you to investigate and unravel the circumstances of this case that is shrouded in secrecy” •Abass Akilo, the missing man

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creasing. Now we have Niger Delta militants coming back to war, while we are still trying to have a dialogue with Boko Haram. Unemployment is rampant everywhere as we have up to 20 million post-secondary graduates in Nigeria.

The president himself said all public institutions have collapsed. So, in what area can he show progress? Certainly there is no progress.”

His advisers are incompetent —Lawal Kaita

AMNESTY FOR ITSEKIRI YOUTHS— From left, Secretary of Itsekiri National Youth council, Dorsu Isaac; President of the Council, David Tonwe; Special Assistant to the President on Amnesty, Hon Kingsley Kuku; Hon. Daniel Reyenieju , PRO of the Council; Abigor Gbubemi and other members of Council, shortly after their meeting with Amnesty Office in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Performance: Opposition parties battle Presidency Continues from page 5 Without doubt, Dr Okupe is being rehabilitated by this appointment, which explains why he is ready to mendaciously spin even when (in all good conscience) the spewing from him is not supportable by the reality in the land.”

The CNPP in its reaction articulated by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu said: “We were taught in primary physics that if there is no distance covered no work done.

Where is the distance covered by Jonathan in the midst of pervasive corruption, gross unemployment and collapse of critical infrastructure?

Which of the promises made during the election has been fulfilled or attempt made to execute?

Is it the new refineries, Second Niger Bridge or Mambilla Power or Coal Power Stations?”

His non-performance is written all over —SNG The SNG, the group that championed the enthronement of Dr. Jonathan as acting presi-

dent in the wake of the political malaise arising from the ill-health of late President Umaru Yar‘Adua in its reaction said: “The non-performance of the president is written all over the landscape of Nigeria.”

In its reaction articulated by its spokesperson, Mr Yinka Odumakin the group said mockingly: “We can see it in the way the Boko Haram militants have been dealt with, that today everybody feels safe and secure. We have seen how kidnappers have been chased into their holes and we can see how all our roads and infrastructure have been fixed. We have seen how we have uninterrupted power supply in the country today.”

While faulting the presidency over the yardsticks used in measuring the president’s performance, Odumakin said: “So, these are the measurements of the president’s performance which Dr Okupe is celebrating; and through his performance, Nigeria is now an eldorado where all our embassies throughout the world are being flooded with foreigners who want to come to Nigeria to see the good things happening in Nigeria? The per-

formance we are talking about is only visible to the Okupes, the Abatis and Makus who surround the president but to the people of Nigeria, they are yet to see that competence which they are celebrating”.

There are many lapses —Afenifere On his part, National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Rueben Fasoranti said: “Whether he is competent or not, there are many lapses no doubt.

But he has to brace up and have a new focus.

There are so many things that need attention. The Boko Haram menace is a problem that he has to face frontally, he has to consult other great powers to give him ideas because the thing is becoming more problematic. That should be a priority. Then the problem of unemployment is growing by the day; also power supply without which you cannot progress, we cannot improve and we cannot develop. These are some of the things he has to tackle apart from indiscipline all over the place.”

Not even Okupe’s children believe him — Aturu Aturu in his reaction told Vanguard yesterday: “Honestly, I feel that Dr Doyin Okupe is an elderly Nigerian and deserves our respect, but on this one, I think he is just on a wild goose chase.

“He himself knows if he wants to speak the honest truth to his children and grandchildren that there is evidence of nonperformance all around us. When you talk about a government that cannot even point to a singular achievement what other evidence do you need that the government is not performing?

I am surprised that he would be saying that....I think he should be fair to us and to his children and grandchildren.”

Our problems persist —Balarabe Musa Also, Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa asserted that “the president is not performing because he has not solved the problems he promised to solve. He has not solved any one of them and aside that, the problems are still in-

Another former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita said it would be difficult for anyone to honestly judge the president as competent in the light of the situation in the country.

“In view of the prevailing situation in the country, it will be difficult for anybody to say that he is performing. His advisers are incompetent for saying that, because nothing is working the normal way in the country, how can anyone say that he is competent in view of what the nation is passing through now. The president should improve.”

We expect him to perform — Ezeife Also, former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife said: “We chose him by voting him into office, so we expect him to perform. If you consider the kind of challenges before him, it would be enough to make the person run away, but as people who elected him, we expect him to perform.”

Jonathan has

nothing to show

—Junaid Mohammed Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed on his part said: “For me, you cannot assess a politician on the basis of what he wants to do but so far, this administration led by Jonathan has nothing to show. If you put together all parameters of a democratic elected government, you will realize that this administration is no where

to be found.”

“In the area of maintenance of law and order, this government has failed the people because Nigeria today is not at peace and the insecurity problems seem to have gone everywhere.

“In terms of economic achievements, he has achieved nothing as well because the economic indices points to the fact that nothing has changed since he assumed office.”

PDP charges ACN, CPC of deceit The PDP was, however, still unsparing of the president’s critics describing them as deceitful and unbalanced in their assessment of the presidency. The party in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh cited as an example of the opposition’s use of deceit the allegation that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) budgeted N7 billion for the construction of two Abuja City Gates; N5 billion for the rehabilitation of commercial sex workers and N4 billion for the construction of First Lady ’s Office.

The PDP also accused the ACN and CPC of falsely claiming that the FCTA padded the budget for the construction of the Vice President’s official residence.

“It is however clear that this coalition of disparate forces are at their usual homage to deceit and bare-faced lies aimed first at misleading Nigerians and whipping up public anger against the PDP. It is unfortunate that the leadership of these political parties among whom are elders whose ‘silver hairs’ we thought, would avail the nation virtues to paraphrase Shakespeare in Julius Caesar, have turned to merchants of cheap lies in an attempt to slur the integrity of our leadership of the nation.

“For the avoidance of doubt,” the statement continued, “there is no provision for the construction of the Abuja City Gate in the FCT 2013 budget and there is nowhere the FCT earmarked N5 billion for the rehabilitation of commercial sex workers in the said budget. We challenge the parties to prove us wrong.”

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, 2013

Chadian troops enter Kidal as France arrests Islamists F

RENCH police arrested four suspected Islamist militants near Paris yesterday as part of an investigation into the recruitment of volunteers by al Qaeda insurgents in Mali, Interior Minister Manuel Valls said.

France’s intervention in Mali to rid its former colony of Islamist fighters has prompted the authorities to increase security against possible reprisal attacks on its interests in mainland France and abroad.

Anti-terrorism judge Marc Trevidic, who is in charge of the operation, told Reuters last month that France needed more robust local policing, better intelligence sharing and the ability to infiltrate small radical Islamist groups if it hopes to fight new security threats on its soil.

Analysts say the insurgency that seized the

north of Mali is paving the way for attacks on France as more French Muslims of African origin were finding a cause in the conflict.

“France is really being singled out at the moment,” said Anne Giudicelli,

consultant with national security specialists Terrorisc.

“It’s being accused of wanting to occupy Muslim territory and that could clearly push some individuals to take action, or encourage others to build up a network,” she

told Reuters.

A police source said three of the four men arrested on Tuesday were FrancoCongolese and one was Malian.

This is even as some 1,800 soldiers from Chad have entered Kidal, the last

Chadian soldiers are known to be experienced desert fighters

N/Korea threatens tougher measures than nuclear testaimed at South Korea and theUnitedStates,although North’s KCNA state news agency said.

N

ORTH Korea, yesterday stepped up its bellicose rhetoric, threatening to go beyond carrying out a promised third nuclear test in response to what it believes are “hostile” sanctions imposed after a December rocket launch.

The North frequently employs fiery rhetoric

the United States and in 2010 was blamed for sinking a South Korean naval vessel. It also shelled a South Korean island in the same year, killing civilians.

It did not spell out the actions it would take. The North is not capable of staging a military strike on

South Korea is in range of its artillery and missiles and it can hit Japan with its missiles.

“The DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, or North Korea) has drawn a final conclusion that it will have to take a measure stronger than a nuclear test to cope with the hostile forces nuclear war moves that have become ever more undisguised,” the

major town in northern Mali under rebel control, the French military has said French-led forces

captured Kidal’s airport last week but have not yet secured the town itself.

Delhi rape trial begins amid tight security

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HE trial of five men charged with gangraping and murdering a young woman on a bus in New Delhi opened yesterday with closed-door testimony from her friend who appeared at court in a wheelchair, still bearing the scars of injuries from the attack. The 28-year-old software engineer, who may not be identified, is the prosecution’s star witness in a case that has triggered nationwide protests, an intense debate about rampant crime against womeninIndiaandtougher anti-rape laws.

The five accused are Vinay Sharma, a gym assistant, Ram Singh, the bus driver, his brother Mukesh Singh, bus cleaner Akshay Kumar Singh and fruit vendor Pawan Kumar. They have pleadednotguiltytocharges

of rape and murder. A sixth accused is being tried separately as a juvenile.

Police allege the six attacked the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist and her friend on the bus as the couple returned home from watching a movie on December 16. The woman was repeatedly raped and tortured with a metal bar.

The couple were also severely beaten before being thrown onto a road.

The woman died of internal injuries in a Singapore hospital two weeks later.

As the trial got under way, the victim’s father made a surprise appearance at a news conference organized by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to call for his daughter’s attackers to be hanged.

Iran President Ahmadinejad begins historic Egypt visit today. After arriving meddle in the affairs of Gulf

M

A H M O U D Ahmadinejad has become the first Iranian president to visit Egypt since the Islamic revolution in 1979. Mr Ahmadinejad is in Cairo for a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which begins

yesterday,hediscussedwith Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi ways to end the bloodshed in Syria and strengthen relations, officials said.

Mr Ahmadinejad was later warned by Egypt’s top Sunni Muslim cleric not to

states. Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb of al-Azhar said Iran should not to seek the“extensionofShiareach” andshould“respectBahrain as a sisterly Arab state”, according to a statement issued by al-Azhar’s media office.

Six tourists gang-raped by masked robbers in Mexico

S

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (c) presides over a state security meeting in Pyongyang.

IX Spanish women tourists have been raped in the famous Mexican tourist resort of Acapulco by an armed gang who broke into their rented beach bungalow as they slept, a media report has said.

Five masked men raped the women after tying up their partners with telephone cords and the elastic from their bikinis, the Daily Mail reported.

The rapists, however,

Obama memo justifies drone-war killing of Americans

D

OES President Barack Obama have the right to order the assassination of an American anywhere in the world—without any oversight from Congress or the courts, and even if that U.S. citizen is not actively plotting a specific terrorist attack? His administration, in a stunning Justice Department memo laying out a broad legal rationale for the country’s everexpanding drone war, says

yes.

The 16-page document, obtained by NBC News, emerged days before John Brennan, Obama’s chief counterterrorism adviser and the foremost architect of America’s hugely controversial unmanned aerial vehicle war, goes before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a Thursday hearing on his confirmation as CIA director.

Obama campaigned in 2008 as a fierce critic of George W. Bush’s national security policies, but he has apparently learned to stop worrying and love nearly unfettered executive power—the literal power of life and death over fellow U.S. citizens overseas thought to be consorting with extremists groups that may be targeting America. So, under what circumstances

does he have the right to act?

The memo says “an informed, high-level official of the U.S. government” must decide that the target is a “senior operational leader” of alQaida or “associated forces,” “poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States,” and that an attempt to capture that individual is “infeasible.”

spared a Mexican woman who was staying with the group.

Already, Acapulco Mayor Luis Walton has condemned the crime and promised to catch the attackers.

The gang fled with the victims’ valuables including cash, credit cards and mobile

phones.

The women were aged between 30 and 32.

Acaulco is one of Mexico’s oldest beach resorts. Its reputation has been tarnished in recent years by drugs cartels that have turned part of the city into nogo areas.

Cameron courts rich allies in EU budget battle

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RITISH Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to enlist the support of Germany and other rich north European countries in his fight to freeze EU spending at budget talks this week and is prepared to block a deal unless more savings are

found.

It will be the Cameron’s first European summit since he set out his plan last month to claw back powers from Brussels and put the changes to voters in an “in or out” referendum on Britain’s membership of the 27nation bloc.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 — 51

Fegor, Onazi give Keshi selection stress

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UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, admitted on the eve of his side’s semi-final clash against the Aiglons of Mali, that he has been having selection headache since he first picked up the job of coaching Nigeria, but it’s even at a boiling point now that the team is on the verge of qualifying for the final of Afcon 2013.

The return of Norway based Fegor Ogude, from a match suspension means that he has to battle Ogenyi Onazi, for the holding midfield role, after the Lazio of Italy man put up a yeoman’s performance in the quarter final duel against Ivory Coast. “Its

been tough and I always have this headache of selection but with Fegor

•Onazi

back, its going to be tough picking who to start but by Wednesday we shall see who starts”, Keshi said at the Press Conference preceding the tie.

Keshi also took a swipe at mediocre foreign coaches that are often hired by football federations in Africa and reiterated his call for a stop to be put to it. “If we hire a quality coach from Europe that we can learn something from, I won’t have issues with that but when they come from the backyard and parade themselves as expatriate coaches when they don’t know what ex-internationals like us know then I am against it”, Keshi asid to a question posed to him.

Eagles will bring President Jonathan to Jo’burg – Maigari

Keshi

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said on Tuesday that the Super Eagles are ready to fulfill President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s desire to travel to South Africa for

Sunday’s 29th Africa Cup of Nations grand finale.

Nigeria’s sports-loving Head of State said last year that he would want to be at the closing ceremony and Final match of the Africa Cup of Nations at National Stadium, Soweto provided the Super Eagles made it there.

Following progression from the group stage and Sunday ’s gutsy performance that eliminated title favourites Cote d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles are only one leg away from fulfilling the President’s desire.

“I have just spoken to the Head Coach (Stephen Keshi) and the Captain (Joseph Yobo), and they have assured me that they will fulfill Mr. President’s desire. It is rare to have this kind of support from a Head of State".

•President Jonathan

Keita: Last flight of an Eagle at war I

N Africa one does not greet and walk away. Greetings come with its compliments of best wishes,prayers and even praise. Like greetings african football holds its own charm and behind or beyond the game there is an abiding attachment which keeps drawing many to its fold. One contact with the game especially at tournament level, one hardly walks a w a y. s o m e t i m e s gripped by an inexplicable fever of varied emotions.

Little wonder the first of the African Nations Cup to be played at an odd-numbered year has been aptly tagged “the beat at the African feet “ But for Mali,a nation dripping with celebrated music talents ,the beat is not only in their players feet but also in their cry and tears.

Ever since the now retreated islamic insurgents usurped control in the historic saharan city of Timbuktu the people and government of Mali have not known peace,seeking and rallying support from all corners to chase away the ugly invaders.

With military support from West Africa states inspired and spearheaded by Frances military and logistical might the people of Timbuktu found their

home again and joy tinged no doubt with the sad,terrible destruction of one of the world’s priceless librairies loaded with manuscripts defying age. Somehow the Malians are picking up the pieces and at the weekend which they rolled out the drums to thank and appreciate the inimitable padding received from France and her visiting president Monsieur Hollande, football , yes football found a way to lift a nation and show its power to heal the wounds of yesterday and stir up a fresh sense of unity and purpose.

And fittingly so the home of Nelson Mandela has provided the impetus of this new face of Mali-one free from war and ready to expose her many gifts.

The symbol of this redeeming drive is a player who came close to winning the African Player of the year in 2011 and has been decorated as World and European club champion with his erstwhile club Barcelona FC. Blessed with a sweet left foot and a rare vision of the game that stands him out as a winner.

Seydou Keita is a true Eagle who has settled his score with fame and wealth and is poised to carry the burden of leading a nation out of the woods of underachievers. Strikingly

•Seydou Keita of Mali Seydou shares the same surname with one of Africa’s soccer legends Salif Keita celebrated and treasured for his exploits in Europe but also leading Mali to their first-ever final in the 1972 Nations Cup which they lost 1-0 to Congo Brazzaville inside the Ahmadu Ahidjo staduim in

Yaounde Cameroun.

Salif keita, a fearsome goalgetter in his playing days,was also Mali’s top scorer in that edition of the Nation Cup just in the same manner Seydou is doing now,providing the goals that matter.

South Africa has not forgotten his equaliser which took the quarter

final crunch to extra time and saw the host out in the shoot-out.

Seydou always alive to his role in the team as captain did not take any of the spotkicks, obviously conscious of the performance of stars in such dramatic moments. No doubt Seydou has seen Mali struggle to make an

enduring impact in the Nations Cup. He was part of the team that failed to reach the final in 2002 when Mali hosted. He knows the pain of coming close and not winning the trophy.

Having glittered in Europe will he still find the shine in Africa in his twilight years? Is this the last battle cry for a player who has voiced his willingness to deep hands in his pocket and support the demands of the team. Seydou is an acclaimed warrior,not loud with words but decisive in action.

In I999 still under -20 he showed the array of skills that helped Mali knock out host Nigeria out of the World youth championship. That was in Calabar ,the same city in which the Super Eagles confirmed their qualification ticket for the on-going Nations Cup. On Wednesday inside Mabhida staduim in Durban. Seydou Keita will lead his Eagles to a semii final war against the Super Eagles of Emmanuel Emenikea and Victor Moses,rising stars waiting to shine.

How will these Eagles all of west african descent end their fight for glory. .

Surely Seydou will not love to greet the crowd and walk away. This is Africa waiting for his last hurrah.

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Nigeria wears green

Yobo declares war on Keita

•As ‘Zambia’ referee returns

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EMBERS of the N I g e r i a n delegation at the Pre match meeting in Durban yesterday heaved a sigh of relief as NIgeria’s colours were announced.

Team Manager Dayo Enebi was to say that Green is the preferred colour for Nigeria and that there is something sentimental about it. ”Yes I am not superstitious, but history has it that we have always done better in Green than in white “ he said.

Mali as team A will appear in yellow, while Nigeria dons Green with Goalkeeper and stand in keeper Vincent Enyeama also given his preferred blue colours.

In another development, Gambian referee Gassama Backary Papa has been assigned the centre role to be assisted by Ogbamariam Angesom from Eritrea and Kabanda Felicien of Rwanda.

There will not be too many happy faces in the Nigerian dressing room when Referee Gehad Grisham of Egypt goes to check equipment as the fourth official.

Grisham it will be recalled, gave the

Jonathan Continues on Page 52 In a call to the Eagles in South Africa, President Jonathan said Nigerians were behind them and expect that they (Eagles) will make Nigerians happy and proud. The president who spoke with the team as a group and individually said the government would make them ‘proud young men’ if they bring back the cup.

President Jonathan first spoke with the team coach, Stephen Keshi and sought to find out the spirit in the Eagles camp, to which Keshi assured him that ‘the spirit of the boys is high’.

The president told the team that ‘on behalf of this country I want to tell you that Nigerians are very happy with your performance. We are looking up to you.

“Just last Night we

controversial penalty that saw Zambia draw against Nigeria and it was widely publicized in the Nigeria media that he had been sent home.

Meanwhile, Mr Amadou Cisse, the Malian team manager said there was jubilation in Mali when Nigeria beat Cote D’ivoire .

He said back home there is so much fear of the Elephants that the thing has gotten to the players.” we tremble at the mere mention of Cote D’ivoire , so we were so relieved when the opposition happened to be Nigeria. ”While not taking anything away from the Super Eagles, there is no doubt that our boys are now much more relaxed and ready to give it their best shot."

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UPER Eagles captain, Yobo Joseph has declared that today’s semi final clash against the Eagles of Mali is a personal war between him and his opposite number in the Malian side, Seidu Keita.

The Nigerian skipper traced the rivalry between them to their days in the U-20 category when they both led their countries’ teams to Nigeria ’99.

“I salute my friend, Seidu Keita who will be leading his country ’s

Threat THE BLACK PEARL... Nigeria's midfielder Victor Moses controls the ball against Ivory Coast. He will be key to Nigeria's exploits against Mali today.

PHOTO : AFP

Mali can’t stand Nigeria – Rufai T

HE 2013 Africa Cup of Nations semi final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Eagles of Mali has elicited a lot of interest among Nigerian football fraternity.

Former Super Eagles captain and first choice goalkeeper, Peter Rufai is not perturbed about the kicked off our centenary celebration. We believe that you will bring the cup to your fatherland this year. We are very hopeful we are all proud of you, we are all happy with what you have done and we want you to do more’.

At this point the president asked to speak with the players individually and they all filed to the camera one after the other to speak with the President.

The captain of the team, Joseph Yobo assured the president that the team will do their best to bring back the cup.

“We appreciate you and by the grace of God we will bring back the cup to you” he said.

President Jonathan told the players that they should do their best as “Nigerians are proud of you. We expect that you will bring the cup this year. The country promise you the best” he said.

Malian threat as he declared that the Super Eagles would triumph at the end of the encounter.

“Mali can’t stand Nigeria,” Rufai said repeatedly, but insisted, he was not underrating the Mali Eagles.

“The Super Eagles impressed me in their match against Ivory Coast, particularly, the technical depth and fighting spirit was

Keshi Continues on Page 52 relationship with the players, some of whom have kept in touch,” said Keshi on Tuesday.

“But in this game I have to be professional because I’m a professional coach and after the game we could get together again.”

Unlike the quarterfinal against the Ivory Coast, Nigeria will be favoured to win, but Keshi, 51, insists both teams are favourites in this clash.

“I don’t know anything about underdogs and favourites. What I know is that we will play against a very good Mali team, most of whom I know as I worked with them for two years,” he said.

“We will approach this game as we have

unequaled.

“They neutralised the Ivorians and made them immobile. If they maintain that approach, Mali cannot stop them.

“With that victory over Ivory Coast, there is no doubt it is going to boost the players’ morale. I know Mali are no pushovers in African football but with the form our players are at the moment, it will be difficult for Mali to beat us.” approached our matches against Burkina Faso, Zambia, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast. No one can tell me more about Mali — they are a footballing nation with great talent.

“I have a lot of admiration and respect for this team and so we have to be prepared.

This match may even be tougher than the match against the Ivory Coast.”

Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo said he believes the win over the Ivory Coast will lift the team against the Malians.

“There is no big difference about how we (Mali and Nigeria) play because we are both physically and tactically strong, but we have more confidence and self belief after our game against the Ivory Coast,” said Yobo.

Continues on Page 52 seeming insatiability of his employers and their masters, the Delta State born tactician declared that he did not know what “tomorrow” held for him.

“I am not sure if I will remain as Eagles coach after the tournament because when a prophet is not known in his own country, he will move to

team against us. But I want to warn him that I am taking it personal and we are very prepared for them.”

Yobo said he was confident, the Super Eagles players, most of who are inexperienced have been well briefed on what to do. “I have been putting the younger players in the team through and hope that at the end, it will be a sweet swansong for me and the team.”

where he can be recognised,” Keshi said.

Although the gaffer said he loved his country, but, like he said, “ we don’t seem to appreciate our own and our people don’t seem to appreciate what we are doing with the team,” the coach said, adding, “I am a professional and I go for the highest bidder, especially, as Nigerians do not appreciate what we are doing.”

Ikpeazus host Flying Eagles

T

HE family of one of the founding fathers of modern Nigeria Football and two time Chairman of the NFA, Late Rt. Hon Justice Chuba Ikpeazu will today in Onitsha, host the Nigeria U20 team, the Flying Eagles who are currently undergoing a 3weeks camping and playing tour in Anambra state at the Neros Sports Stadium, Nanka.

According to the programme of activities released by the Ikpeazu

Family through one of the Children of the Late Jurist, and former Chairman of Anambra United Football Club, Barrister Odi Ikpeazu on behalf of the Family, ”the hosting ceremony will start with a Friendly Match between the Flying Eagles and our Late Father ’s Club, Ikpeazu Redoubtables which was a foremost Football Club in Nigeria in the 60s. The Friendly Match will start by 3pm at the Ikpeazu Mini Stadium in Onitsha”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 — 53

Irabor urges Eagles to remain focused

Build on Ivorian momentum, Okoku tells Eagles

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

A

S Nigeria confront Mali in today’s AFCON semifinal match in Durban, an ex-international, Paul Okoku has urged the Super Eagles to build on the momentum of the victory over Ivory Coast to book their passage in the final of the tournament.

Okoku, who from the onset of the tournament has been at the forefront of wishing the Eagles well in South Africa, said that he was sure that their fighting spirit and great team work were going to propel them to victory over the Malians.

Writing from his United States of America base, Okoku said that he started believing in the Eagles ability to shine in South Africa, during their qualification matches for the 2013 AFCON and

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warm-up matches for the main event. “ I am a realist and I got that from analyzing all

the recent away games Super Eagles have played in so far, against Malawi, Mozambique and Liberia.

H

•Paul Okoku

ONOURABLE Nduka Irabor, Head of Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), has hailed the Super Eagles on their excellent perfor-

MultiChoice Nigeria tasks Super Eagles M ULTICHOICE Ni geria, the leading pay television service provider in the country has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on the success recorded by the team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations holding in South Africa and has tasked the team not to relent on their effort to bring the trophy back home to Nigeria In a statement, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Ugbe extolled the team for the determination, hard work and tactical discipline – qualities that helped the Super Eagles see off the challenge of their West Af-

rican rivals, Ivory Coast, to clinch a place in the semi finals of the competition Ugbe urged Coach Stephen Keshi and the team to remain steadfast in the quest to win the most prestigious continental soccer competition almost twenty years after the country’s last triumph in

1994 ”MultiChoice will continue to support the Super Eagles by providing access to many Nigerians to watch the matches of the National team and the entire competition on DStv” Ugbe said.

“Non DStv subscribers are also able to watch all

the matches of the tournament and support the Super Eagles by purchasing the Walka 3.5 Handheld device which is on offer at a subsidized rate of N13, 000 (Thirteen thousand Naira). The purchase comes with free three months subscription for buyers,” he added.

mance in the quarter-final match against Cote d‘ Ivore in the ongoing Africa Nations Cup on Sunday.

Honourable Irabor also hailed the impact of the home based players in the Eagles performances so far especially Sunday Mba who scored the decisive goal that took the Eagles to the semi-final.

Six of the twenty-three players Coach Stephen Keshi took to the Nations Cup play in the Nigerian league; they are Chigozie Agbim, Oboabona Godfrey, Egwuekwe Azubuike, Reuben Gabriel, Ejike Uzoenyi and Sunday Mba.

Katsina stadium for completion in April

BY EMEKA MAMAH

T

HE 35,000- capaci ty ultra modern Katsina State Stadium is to be completed in April this year, the state Commissioner for Works,

Housing and Transport, Mustapha Maikudi has said.

A statement by the Seniour Special Assistant to Governor Shehu Shema of Katsina State, Al-

haji Lawal Matazu said Maikudi made this known while conducting his principal round the stadium to inspect the new seats installed for the convenience of spec-

tators.

The Governor was told that earthwork had been completed while four sets of flood light had been delivered and were about to be installed.

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

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— 55 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013—

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Mali 'll be tougher than Cote d'Ivoire — Keshi N

IGERIA’S coach Stephen Keshi says he is delighted to come up against former team Mali in an Africa Cup of Nations semifinal today.

Keshi worked in Mali for two years before being fired after failing to get the team beyond the group phase of the 2010 tournament in Angola.

“It’s a good feeling because I had two wonderful years in Mali.

The Mali people were so nice and I enjoyed my

Continues on Page 52

...drops quit threat

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Super Eagles players in training yesterday.

Bring the cup home, Jonathan tells Super Eagles BEN AGANDE, Abuja

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TODAY'S MATCHES RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday charged the Super Eagles to Mali vs Nigeria — 4pm go ahead and win all the remaining matches Ghana vs B/Faso — 7.30pm and bring home the cup.

Continues on Page 52

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has expressed his desire to move on to where destiny would direct as he was not sure he would continue as Nigeria head coach after the 2013 Afcon campaign.

With the degree of uncertainty surrounding his employment and the Continues on Page 52

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across: 3 Concerning (5) 9 Delight (6) 10 Grave (6) 11 Precipitous (5) 12 Dash (4) 15 Manage (4) 17 Postponed (7) 20 Spoil (3) 21 Wild (5) 23 Pace (4) 25 Smile (4) 26 Old-fashioned (5) 28 Skill (3) 30 Swelled (7) 33 Rind (4) 35 Dreadful (4) 36 Bird (5) 38 Epistle (6) 39 Heaviness (6) 40 Intended (5)

Down: 1 Haste (5) 2 Decoration (5) 3 Donkey (3) 4 Improve (6) 5 Employed (4) 6 Summit (3) 7 Broom (5) 8 Bury (5) 13 Ease (7) 14 Called (5) 16 Artist (7) 18 Challenged (5) 19 Toupee (3) 24 Equality (3) 27 Repudiate (6) 28 Administer (5) 29 Irritable (5) 31 Colour (5) 32 Demise (5) 34 Pool (4) 36 Border (3) 37 Entrap (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 1, Resist 5, Bridge 9, Argue 10, Spruce 11, Legend 12, Knoll 14, Area 17, Dry 18, Hear 20, Lasso 22, Badge 23, Kneeler 24, Agree 26, Debit 29, Deed 30, Ply 32, Menu 33, Layer 35, Orator 36, Ailing 37, Start 38, Nudity 39, Needed

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

Down: 1, Rascal 2, Series 3, Sack 4, Trend 5, Bully 6, Reel 7, Deemed 8, Endure 13, Orderly 15, Range 16, Asked 18, Harem 19, Again 21, One 22, Bed 24, Adjoin 25, Reward 27, Behind 28, Tugged 30, Party 31, Yearn 33, Lost 34, Rite

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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