Enough, N-East govs beg Boko Haram

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...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62094

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

OBESERE RAPE SAGA: I don't know my 7 I bled for two real age

weeks — VICTIM

CENTENARY AWARDS:

11

— Obasanjo

Abacha's children blast Soyinka 4

Enough, N-East govs beg Boko Haram

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH & NDAHI MARAMA

NEW MINISTERS & PORTFOLIOS DEFENCE Gen. Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara), Minister, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State FOREIGN AFFAIRS Alhaji Aminu Wali (Kano), POWER Alhaji Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Minister of State POLICE AFFAIRS Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun) SPORTS Dr. Tamuno Danagogo (Rivers) YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Boni Haruna (Adamawa) HEALTH Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto), Minister of State LAND, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Mrs Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom) ENVIRONMENT Mrs Lawrencia Laraba Mallam (Kaduna) AGRICULTURE Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger), Minister of State

Why Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi was fired — Pg 9

•Move to end attacks, rebuild ruins •Pay condolence visit to Borno Gov

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B U J A — ALARMED by the wanton destruction of lives and property by Boko Haram insurgents, governors in the NorthEast zone of the country, yesterday, declared that ‘enough is enough’ even as they launched moves to dialogue with the terrorists and end the orgy of violence in the region.

To achieve this objective, the governors of

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COLUMNISTS: Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17

Josef•P.19 Omorotionmwan

Mr & Mrs MEETING—From left: Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) and Garba Umar, Acting Governor of Taraba, during their visit to Borno State, yesterday.

Photo: Sahara Reporters.

Sacked Justice Olotu sues Jonathan •P.8 Petroleum ministry debunks SHOPRITE story on alleged misapplication LOWEST PRICES •PGS.31-34 of N500m PIB fund 14

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

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4 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

PTDF spends N15bn on Kaduna Petroleum Institute

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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HE management of Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, yesterday said that the institute spent N15 billion on the development of Kaduna Institute of Petroleum, Strategy and Policy Studies.

Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleyewho disclosed this while fielding questions from the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) during the defence of the agency’s 2014 budget in Abuja, also denied that there was an additional variation of N4billion of the original project cost of the agency ’s headquarters building in Abuja.

MTN paid N1.128trn as taxes in 5 years

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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TN yesterday said it has paid a total of N1.128 trillion ($7.077 billion) as taxes, levies, fees and charges to federal, state and local governments across the country since it commenced operation about 13 years ago.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos while taking journalists through its 2013 financial year MTN executive Director Corporate Social Services Mr. Akindele Goodluck said that the telecom industry in Nigeria has contributed about nine per cent to gross domestic products insisting that when the rebasing of the Nigeria economy would have been finished, the sector contribution will rise to about 20 per cent.

He said that it is not true that the sector has not been making meaniful contribution to the economy. He said though there has been several environmental constrain the industry added value to the economy. He disclosed that in 2013, the company spent N34 billion on diesels lamenting that if there was regular power supply, the sum would have been reinvested in the business.

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Centenary Awards: Abacha's children lash at Soyinka in open letter …US freezes $458m Abacha's assets

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, Political Editor

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UMSU SANI Abacha and Sadiq Sani Abacha, children of the deceased former Nigerian military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha have lashed out at Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka over his criticisms of their father’s inclusion in the centenary roll of honour saying his assertions were distortions of history that stood reasoning on its head.

The duo contested Soyinka’s denunciation of the centenary award to their father in separate assertions conveyed through Facebook.

The two children of the late ruler who were apparently fans of the literary works of Prof. Soyinka were, however, divided on their continued devotion to the Nobel laureate.

“Someone tell Soyinka I liked his books when I was younger but that is where it ends. Today I reject his stupid, foolish insignificant statement,” Gemsu wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday. The comment had as at yesterday evening attracted 235 likes.

Sadiq, in a more temperate 1,761 worded rebuttal said he continues to be an admirer of the literary works of Soyinka added that the centenary should not be used to dig past rancour but a point of celebrating the country’s triumph over several misfortunes.

Sadiq’s rebuttal posted on his sister ’s Facebook page was directed as an open lecture/ letter to Soyinka. He said that while his father was not perfect as no human is, he pointed at several landmark achievements of the father’s rule including creation of Bayelsa State,

monetary stability and suppression of inflation pressures even as he cited what he claimed to be the lapses of Prof. Soyinka as a public figure.

Sadiq in his lecture cited three laws upon which any one should speak and act, namely the laws of identity, of excluded middle and of noncontradiction.

He said: “Sir, I believe brilliance is not perfection. I have grown and watched you criticize regime after regime and at that young and naive age I was thinking why wouldn’t this man just contest to be president so that Nigeria can be saved. I would

have defiantly voted for Mr Soyinka if it would have brought an end to Nigeria’s woes. To my utter surprise, I heard about your FRSC leadership and how funds were misused and a great deal of it unaccounted for. “Oh my God! In the end he turned out to be just the same as everybody else” were my next thoughts. My hopes for you, all ended up in great disappointment.” ”Here I find myself defending my father 15 years after his death because some of you have no one else to pounce on, or rather, you have chosen a dead person to keep pouncing on over and over again when you

have more than an array of contestants. A coward’s act I believe. “A common writer ” is what I have heard you being referred to lately, and I believe a mature mind would now agree to such referrals.”

“With all due respect, there is a great challenge that faces the country, we have to put our heads together, rather than clashing, our collective ships must sail in the same direction, let us leave the ghosts of past contention and face the future bravely as one, criticizing the past does not help the present or define a path to the future.”

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COMMISSIONING: From left: Prof. Solomon Akinboye, member, Court of Governor, College Medicine, University of Lagos; Yetunde Kayode-Owotutu, Deputy Manager, Zenith Bank, Victoria Island; Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Provost College Medicine, University of Lagos; Prof. Duro Oni, Deputy ViceChancellor, Management Services, Unilag; Prof. Rahamon Bello,Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos; Bukky Latunji, General Manager, Zenith Bank, Victoria Island branch; Chief Obafemi Olapade, Chairman, Court of Governor, College Medicine, Unilag; Prof. Babajide Alo, Deputy ViceChancellor, Academic and Research and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief Vanguard newspapers and member, Unilag Governing Council, during the Commissioning of newly-renovated gate by Zenith Bank in honour of Chief Obafemi Olapade's last assignment as Chairman, Court of Governor College Medicine, University of Lagos, held at College Medicine, Idiaraba, Lagos. Photo:Bunmi Azeez.

ACN presents road map today, says Presidency is confused

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

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HEAD of today’s launch of its road map to 2015, the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday described the Presidency as being confused over a recent poll which gave the opposition party an edge over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. This allegation was made yesterday by the Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC Alhaji Lai Mohammed while briefing news men about the party’s preparation for the launch of its draft manifesto.

According to the APC spokesman: “We commissioned the largest ever public opinion survey in

Nigerian history to determine the current status of things in the nation directly from those who know best - the actual people of Nigeria.

“We said the results of the opinion survey were even more revealing than we had anticipated. Unfortunately, not everyone who read our statement understood it, hence the totally unnecessary and clearly misplaced criticism by the presidency, which tagged our effort ‘Voodoo Polling’ and said it did not know when the APC became an expert on opinion poll.”

He further stated that APC had no doubt that the methodology adopted to evolve its road map and the results of the survey

took the Presidency by surprise,.

According to him: “Unlike the PDP, we do not conduct surveys ourselves; instead, we commission professionals to conduct our polls. We use experts in the field so that the results are accurate and above reproach. In this instance our poll was conducted by KA Research Limited, Africa Division. It was the largest survey of its kind ever conducted in Nigeria.

“I understand how this might have been confusing to the Presidency, since the PDP does not use unbiased, professional pollsters. That explains why the results were such a shock to the PDP.

“The Presidency suggested we were practicing some kind of voodoo. It seems that the voodoo is coming entirely from the PDP and its survey company.”

Mohammed who went further to allege that NOI Polls was hired by the Federal Government to launder its image also claimed the company belongs to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

He asked: “... Just who is the PDP/Presidency ’s polling company?”

Said he: “ It is a firm named NOI Polls.” “And just who is this firm? Do those initials ring a bell with anyone?” he further asked.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

NATIONAL CONFAB—From left: Ekiti State delegates to the National Conference, Dr. Kunle Olajide; Prof. Akin Oyebode; Prof. Olabisi Aina; Chairman State Council of Obas, Oba Adamo Babalola; Governor, Kayode Fayemi; and Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during a courtesy visit by the team to the Governor, in Ado-Ekiti.

Enough, N-East govs beg Boko Haram Continues from page 1 Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe states, yesterday, met for several hours in Gombe and mapped out measures aimed at appeasing the sect members to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

Mallam Isa Yuguda, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo and Alhaji Garba Umar, first met in

Gombe and resolved to do whatever is necessary to reach out to the sect members and explore the possibility of convincing them to come to the negotiation table.

The meeting resolved that it would be better to dialogue with the terrorists than using force.

The governors said the terrorists are so set in their ways that they cannot easily be dislodged

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When you create a vision of what you truly want, your actions will automatically propel you closer to your dream.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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F you don’t like the scene you’re in, if you’re unhappy, if you’re lonely, if you don’t feel that things are happening, change your scene. Paint a new backdrop - Leo Buscaglia You are the best thing that has ever happen in your life, when you see and consciously know how very special you are, you will understand fully that only you can do the best with what you have. Those special gifts, skills and talents given to you. If you try to be anyone else, it is the worst thing that can happen because you cannot ever be them - and then you give up being you.

The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honour. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.

Buscaglia in his writings, says it perfectly. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.”

with force. They also reasoned that as governors, who were elected to protect lives and property, it was incumbent on them to take whatever measures possible to end the cycle of violence that is fast destroying the economy of the North and its environs.

In particular, the governors resolved that the incessant killings being orchestrated by insurgents especially in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa must stop so that peace could be restored to the region.

The governors, who condemned the menace of Boko Haram argued that it would spread to other parts of the country and become a national problem if not checkmated.

Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, who initiated the meeting, told Vanguard that they had to take action to put an end to the violence in the North-East so that the economy and the safety of the people were not put in permanent jeopardy.

Yuguda said: “As leaders, who have sworn to protect the lives and property of our citizens, we owe it a duty to take necessary measures to save our people in times of threat such as we have been witnessing in recent times.

“We have resolved to come up with strategies that would rebuild the destroyed areas and give hope and succour to

our people over time."

Yuguda appealed to members of the sect to stop the carnage, as according to him, there is no religion that preaches violence or for someone to take another person’s life.

“For Allah's sake, we are appealing to whoever is behind the wanton killings and destruc-

tion of property in the region to stop, and let us sit down and chart the way forward to ensure that peace and unity return to the North-East in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

“We are, therefore, looking forward that in the next few weeks, our young ones who have been perpetrating such deadly act will come forward so that we will collectively talk on how to iron out our differences,” Yuguda appealed.

After meeting in Gombe, the three governors later moved to Maiduguri, where they met and commiserated with their Borno State counterpart, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on the series of attacks in the state, which had claimed

thousands of lives and property in recent times.

The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims of the terrorist attacks in the region and for the restoration of peace.

Responding, Governor Shettima expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their visit to him and the people of the affected communities in the state.

“On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Borno State, we will remain ever grateful for this visit and the support you have personally and collectively rendered to us since the beginning of this Boko Haram crisis,” Shettima said.

FG to reduce tariff on imported rice

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BUJA—MINIS TER of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday, said the Federal Government was contemplating a downward review of tariff on imported rice.

Okonjo-Iweala, who disclosed this while answering questions at the ‘Budget 2014 Jam’, in Abuja said that the drop in the tariff would reduce smuggling of the commodity into the country.

Budget 2014 Jam is a youth online programme, where the minister answers questions on the Federal Government’s 2014 budget from youths across the nation.

The three-day programme, which began on Tuesday is organised by the Ministry of Finance in Collaboration with IBM Technology, a telecommunication firm.

The minister said that the existing 110 per cent

duty on the importation of rice was encouraging smuggling of the commodity into the country.

“We increased the tariff to110 per cent, and it encouraged some people to go and grow rice and we grew 1.1 million metric tonnes of the product. But it also encouraged smuggling by neighboring countries because they immediately dropped their own tariffs to 10 per cent,” she said.

She added that the rice issue was similar to tariff on importation of used vehicles, saying “we are watching it now to see what the appropriate tariff to be paid on it will be.

“For rice, we decided to bring it down because we see that it is not working.”

Okonjo-Iweala explained that the government had decided to encourage the automobile industry to ensure that

vehicles were manufactured in the country.

She said that the government spent a lot of money on importation of cars, adding that such expenditure had to be halted to encourage indigenous production of vehicles.

“We have our own indigenous Innoson, who has been manufacturing cars. First, it started with assembling of the cars but now 50 per cent of his car parts are manufactured from scratch here in this country.

“And, we said that if we can do this, why can’t we invite other people to manufacture cars here and sell. For that, we are giving them some incentives to bring in some parts that they will need, free of duty. We are also increasing the tariff but that’s a very tricky area.

We are watching it to see what the appropriate tariff should be,” she said.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

33-yr-old labourer remanded over robbery

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — MAGISTRATE Margaret Dan-Oni of an Ikeja magistrate’s court, yesterday, remanded a 33year-old labourer, Soliu Adeniran, in prison over alleged robbery.

She ordered that the defendant be remanded pending the legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The defendant is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, said the defendant conspired with others at large to commit the alleged offence on February 17, 2014.

He told the court that the robbery operation happened at about 5:45 am, adding that the incident took place along Festac Extension in Amuwo Odofin, Mile 2 area of Lagos.

He also said the defendant, while armed with gun, robbed one Pastor Ray Bakeli of $500 (about N81,000), two phones, wrist watch and a wallet containing retirement identification card and complementary cards.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is contrary to section 5 (b) and punishable under section 1 (2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap 398, Vol xxii, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, as amended.

However, the defendant, who has no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge against him.

However, his plea was not taken.

The magistrate ordered that he should be remanded and adjourned the case till April 2, 2014 for DPP’s advice.

Queue during direct sale of kerosene by the Bauchi State government in Bara, Kirfi Local Government Area of the state, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Jilted 400-level OAU Law student commits suicide

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — A 400-level Law student of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Ige Dipo, has committed suicide at his residence outside the campus of the university few days after his lover broke up with him.

It was authoritatively gathered that Dipo, said to be above average academically by his colleagues, was found dead in his apartment at Asherifa area, a stone's throw from the campus, on Monday.

Dipo's suicide note left for his father reads in part: “Father, while reading this message, I would have been gone” before he allegedly ingested some substance later discovered to be poison.

The deceased, a member of the Christ Apostolic Church Fellowship on campus before his death was said to have met the lady last year.

It was gathered that Dipo’s lover had been financing his education for over eight months of their relationship before calling it quits with

him.

The lady, also a member of the same fellowship, was said to have broken up with Dipo because of his poor background and she could no longer cope with him.

This development, according to a source, was said to have subjected Dipo to emotional trauma.

He was said to have threatened that he would commit suicide should his lover re-

main adamant on her decision before he finally took his life.

Meanwhile, Dipo’s untimely death has been described as mystery by his fellow students, who urged the police to conduct thorough investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding his mysterious death.

While the news of his death filtered into the campus, some students who knew Dipo ex-

One killed, 3 injured as Ikorodu cults clash afresh

BY BOSE ADELAJA

used. In the process, a member of Aiye was feared dead.

In revenge, the other group returned last Tuesday around 10a.m. but the timely arrival of policemen as well as a community vigilante group popularly called On-yabo prevented further clash.

However, the cultists returned yesterday and injured three people but the interven-

tion of law enforcement agents again saved the situation from AGOS — A renewed cult degenerating. clash has claimed the life A community leader who of one person and injured pleaded anonymity said the three others in Igbogbo area cultists escaped through of Ikorodu, Lagos.

Bayeku, Oreta and Ofin due Problem started three days to the swampy nature of the ago when two rival groups, area.

Aiye and Eiye, clashed in the He also said the law encommunity during which danforcement agents have been gerous weapons were freely combing the area in search of the hoodlums.

In a chat with Vanguard, commander of the local vigilante, Chief Kamorudeen Bombata, confirmed the development, saying one casualty lice in their investigation. alleged rape and robbery. was recorded while others According to her, the suspect, The PPRO gave their names were injured, noting that no before his arrest, was operating as Aderibigbe Gbenga, Akinola arrest has been made. two illegal hospitals.

Kazeem and Adeolu He said: "We are on top of She gave the names of the hosEmmanuel. the situation because we are pital as Divine Hospital, Soka Items found with the suspects still patrolling the area and area along Sanyo and Gbemisola include Nokia handset valued Memorial Hospital at Boluwaji at N18,500, crayfish valued at have been to Ofin and Oreta area, Ibadan.

N3,000 and plantain chips valbut yet to make any arrest."

Ilobanafor noted that in Sepued at N200.

At press time, commercial tember 2009,an theeye-witness suspect carried to an According to her, the suspects Are you accident, robbery, fire outbreak, kidnap, buildand vehicular activities have out operation a pregnant had driven the victim to a di- Send been disrupted the commuing collapse,onetc?

Share it with Vanguard readers. pix, text orine-mail to woman. lapidated building where she nity as residents fear the cultThe Newsdevelopment, Editor onthree 08023145558, In another was robbedor andkayodematthew@yahoo.com raped. ists might return. suspects have been arrested for

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Police arrest quack doctor 5 yrs after conducting abortion

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — FIVE years after conducting an abortion on a woman, the Oyo State Police Command has arrested one Koye Babalola, 45, charged with the offence. The victim was said to have died in the process.

Confirming the arrest of the suspect, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police Olabisi Ilobanafor, said the suspect is currently helping the po-

pressed shock over the sudden death.

Describing the late student as a person who lived a lonely life, some students, who spoke with our correspondent on OAU campus, said his studious life should be emulated by fellow students.

Our correspondent further gathered that his lifeless body had been taken to Ibadan, his home town by his family members.

Be our eyes

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 —7

Obesere rape saga: Case transferred to SCID I bled for more than two weeks —Victim ...relocates to her village for treatment

“But when I got to the SCID, I discovered the IPO, who took over the case, one Mr. Jacob, I don’t know his rank, became hostile to me.

“You need to see how this man treated me. He started by asking me to write a new statement and when I tried to explain that I had written a statement at Isolo division, he rebuffed my explanation and insisted I wrote a new one.

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — THERE were in dications, yesterday, that the case involving popular Fuji musician, Alhaji Abass Akande, also known as Obesere, arrested for allegedly raping a 29-year-old business woman, Miss Olanike Olaiya, in his Okota residence may have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID. Sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that the embattled musician preferred the SCID to the Isolo Police division because the DPO had insisted on the matter going to court.

Normally, it is the Divisional Police Officer at Isolo Division, Aminu Ibrahim, that should have ordered the transfer of the case to SCID for further investigations.

But Obesere was alleged to have used his contacts in the police to have the case transferred to SCID. A police source also disclosed that Obesere found it difficult to pressurize the DPO at Isolo into striking out the matter or persuade the victim to accept a settlement.

The source, who craved anonymity, also said Obesere contacted some top citizens to wade into the matter by persuading the DPO to soft-pedal on the matter but they backed down when they discovered that the police have incriminating evidence against the musician.

Victim relocates to Sagamu for treatment Meantime, the victim, Olaiya, told Vanguard yesterday that she had relocated to her home town, Sagamu in Ogun State, where she is currently receiving treatment for the rape incident.

Olaiya, who spoke with Vanguard on the telephone, said: “As I speak with you, I am in Sagamu, my home town, where I have been receiving traditional treatment since the incident occurred.

bled for more than two weeks —Victim

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“I bled for more than two

They threatened to kill me

Alhaji Abass Akande aka Obesere. weeks after Alhaji Obesere raped me and inserted his ring into my private part. The incident occurred on February 12, 2013 and I have spent a lot of money treating myself.

“The DPO, Isolo Police division, took pity on me and refused to give in to Obesere’s pressure to strike out the case and God will bless him for that.

“But last week I was informed that the case had been transferred to the SCID and my Investigating Police Office, IPO, at Isolo asked me to come to the station on Tuesday for the transfer.

“Afterwards, they started threatening me. The IPO, Alhaji Obesere, and some of his brothers, who were present there, asked me to stop the journalists from publishing my story and if I don’t, I will be a dead person.

“I was so frightened when they said this and each time my phone rang someone would pick it up to know who was calling.

“Later, they discovered I wasn’t going to break, then they started begging me and promised to take care of me.

Alhaji Obesere even said he was going to take me to the best hospital for treatment.

“At the end, I rose to leave and they offered to drop me in my place. The IPO also insisted that I should follow them.

Instead of taking me to my area, they took me to Obesere’s house and the woman who introduced me to him was also there.

“While I was with them I alerted the police at Isolo and told them where I was.

“But yesterday, they called after they saw the publication and started threatening again to kill me.

“I am highly terrified, that was why I travelled back to my home to get some treatment.”

Ipara crisis: Ogun govt wades in

BY PEACE ONYEUKWU

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GUN — THE Ogun State Government is doing all it can to ameliorate the communal crisis caused by the bad blood between Oba Fatai Sorinola, Onipara of Ipara, Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State and Chief Matthew Sorinola, the Oluwo of Ipara.

The Oluwo had alleged that the monarch disallowed him from performing his traditional rites as head of the Osugbo cult.

This unresolved crisis between the monarch and Oluwo

was said to have started shortly after the monarch was installed in 2002, while the Omode Ilu-in-Council was made to take over the administration of the Iledi (cult house) as well as that of the market.

This action led to serious internal crisis and undercurrent war among the concerned stakeholders.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladapo, in a bid to reach a consensus at resolving the lingering crisis at a peace meeting in Oke-

Be our eyes Are you an eye-witness to an accident, robbery, fire outbreak, kidnap, building collapse, etc? Share it with Vanguard readers. Send pix, text or e-mail to The News Editor on 08023145558, or kayodematthew@yahoo.com

Mosan, said the crisis, which has lingered for so long, would have been resolved if the monarch had embraced peace with all the chiefs and Omode-Ilu. He disclosed this while giving examples of Chief Yemi Ogunbiyi, the Balogun of Ipara and Chief Yemi Ajayi, the Asiwaju of Ipara as great sons of Ipara community whom the monarch ought to have made use of and tapped from their wealth of experience to develop the community.

Oladipo enjoined the monarch to see himself as the father of all and forget what transpired over 14 years ago in the selection process that eventually favoured him.

He advised him to convene a peace meeting with the stakeholders to amicably resolve all disputes creating internal instability in Ipara community.

Man arraigned over assault on father, son

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS— A 32-year-old man, Ademola Adewusi, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate’s court for allegedly assaulting a man and his son.

The defendant who resides at 19, Raji Street Dopemu, Agege was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe.

The defendant is facing a two-count charge of assault preferred against him by the police.

The Police prosecutor, ASP Iranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on Monday, March 3, 2014 at about 8 p.m.

He said Adewusi assaulted one Timothy Ogunbamwo, who is 77years old, by hitting him all over his body, which caused injuries.

Nnamonu also alleged that the defendant also assaulted one Olayinka Ogunbamwo, a son of the 77-year-old man, by hitting him on the head with a plank.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him when it was read.

The magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one responsible surety in like sum.

She adjourned the case till April 17, 2014 for mention.

...another for robbery

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS— A 41-year old unemployed man, Godstime Ejiro, has been remanded in prison by Magistrate Margaret Dan-Oni of an Ikeja magistrate court over alleged robbery.

The defendant, who has no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery preferred against him by the police.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired to commit the alleged offence on February 15, 2014, at about 6am.

He said the robbery incident happened at Ayilara Street, in Surulere area of Lagos State.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Sacked Justice Olotu drags Jonathan, NJC, CJN to court

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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B U J A — SUSPENDED judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice Gladys Olotu, has dragged the National Judicial Council, NJC, to court.

Olotu, who was on February 27 ordered to vacate her office after the council found her guilty of judicial misconduct, is seeking a reversal of the decision which she contends is in breach of her fundamental human rights.

Consequently, the embattled judge, yesterday, filed a motion ex parte before the high court, applying for an order of certiorari for judicial review of her suspension and recommendation by NJC that she should immediately proceed on compulsory retirement.

Others joined as respondents in the suit are President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

It will be recalled that President Jonathan had, Monday, approved the decision of NJC against Justice Olotu.

Meanwhile, ruling on the ex parte application yesterday, presiding Justice Ademola Adeniyi granted Olotu leave to challenge her suspension, just as he adjourned hearing on the substantive matter to March 19.

Besides, Justice Adeniyi ordered service of all the relevant court processes on all the respondents to enable them to enter their appearances on the next adjourned date.

UDO UDOMA AND BELO-OSAGIE: From left— Mrs Taba Peterside, GM, Listings Sales & Retention of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Mr. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Founding Partner, Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie; Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, NSE; Mrs Myma BeloOsagie, Senior Partner, Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie, on a courtesy visit to NSE in commemoration of the Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie’s 30 years in legal practice in Lagos, yesterday.

FG shuts 5 unity schools over Boko Haram attacks

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA— FOLLOWING the recent terrorist attack on a Federal Government College in Yobe, which claimed the lives of more than 40 students, Federal Government, yesterday,

ordered the closure of all the five Federal Government Colleges in the north-eastern part of the country which were said to be located within the high security risk areas.

A statement issued yesterday, by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant,

Media, to the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, approved the relocation of the students, who are not writing public examinations, to FGGC Bauchi, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Maiduguri, FSTC Kafanchan and FSTC Dayi.

... says terrorism stalls oil exploration in North

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA— GROUP Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, yesterday, told the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) that the insurgency in the North had negatively affected oil exploration in the region.

He also said that despite the security challenges, exploration was going on in seven basins within the region aside the Chad basin and that aero magnetic data had been gathered from the geometric survey department of the corporation.

Yakubu stated this while defending the 2014 budget of the agency before the Senate Committee.

He said: “In line with government’s aspiration of opening up known oil sedimentary basins for exploration, a seismic acquisition contract was awarded in 2010 in respect of the Chad Basin.

“Several other studies as well as community projects are ongoing in the same basin.

The low performance in the Chad Basin was as a result of the insurgencies in the region.

However, work is progressing.

“There are seven other basins apart from the Chad that we are exploring. What we did last year was to acquire the aero magnetic data from the geometric survey department. We have Yola, Bida, Sokoto, Dahomey and others.

“The main focus, a result of an extensive geological study that was done a couple of years ago, is on the Chad basin. It has 13 phases and we are in phase six.”

He said the projection for 2014 daily production was 2.448m barrel per day and that “it is realistic in spite of the security challenges.

“We have the capacity but we need additional investment to address the security breaches.”

He said the 2014 budget assumptions was based on

“average daily oil production of 2.488 million barrels per day, average natural gas sales forecast of 3.306 BCFD, average crude oil price of US$77.50 per barrel, NNPC weighted average equity share of 58.65%.”

On fuel scarcity

Commenting on the ongoing fuel scarcity, he said “ we have a full team right now in Lagos. Last week, the team was in Abuja.

“We went round to get strategic reserves released to the stations and were able to reduce the fuel queues.

“We shifted to Lagos at the weekend. We have injected quite a lot into the Lagos market. All the marketers, the DPR, the PPRA, NNPC, and the PPMC have a very strong team out there to ensure that the deliveries are made.

“Offshore, we have some vessels that had not been offloaded into the tank farms in Lagos and a lot of supplies have gone into most filling stations.”

Affected schools

The schools that were shut down with immediate effect are Federal Government Girls College, Munguno; Federal Government College, Potiskum; Federal Government College, Buni Yadi; Federal Science and Technical College, Lassa and Federal Science and Technical College, Michika.

The Minister directed that candidates who registered for WASSCE, NECO SSCE and BECE in FGGC Potiskum should have their examination centres relocated to FGGC Bauchi, while those from FGGC Munguno and FGC Buni Yadi should also be relocated.

He further approved that other students who are affected by the shutting down of the schools, but are not writing public examinations be relocated to FGGC Bauchi, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Maiduguri, FSTC Kafanchan and FSTC Dayi.

He, however, left the choice of the school to accommodate affected students at the discretion of parents, but limited to the six listed schools.

It will be recalled that on February 24, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents, killed more than 40 pupils in FGC Buni Yadi, Yobe State.

The Minister once again commiserated with families that lost their children during the attack on FGC Buni Yadi.

He said the Federal Ministry of Education will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to improve security around federal institutions of learning.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014—9

Why Sports Minister was sacked

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA— THE removal of the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, from office yesterday has been traced to his failure to openly associate with the political interests of the President in Kwara State.

Abdullahi, a former commissioner in Kwara State under the regime of former Governor Bukola Saraki may also have been dropped for his failure to openly disavow Saraki’s leadership of the state.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, swore in 11 ministers and assigned them portfolios.

At the ceremony, which was witnessed by a large turnout of family members of the new ministers, President Jonathan charged the new ministers to see public office as public trust and to serve people without fear or favour.

The president also urged the new ministers to be innovative and creative and do things differently to bring positive changes to the administration, saying that if they fail to be innovative, their tenure would be deemed a failure.

The former Minister of Sports, Abdullahi, according to sources, had refused to openly associate with the new leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after Saraki and his followers defected from the party to All Progressives Congress, APC. He was absent at the stakeholders’ meeting summoned by the state PDP caretaker committee, drawing insinuations of double loyalty from some political stakeholders in Kwara State.

It was gathered that the final straw that might have broken the camel’s back was the rally at the reception in Ilorin, where he failed to address the audience to reaffirm his loyalty to the PDP government. He was at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace when President Jonathan paid homage to the Emir.

The organisers of the rally did not recognise him and it was suggested that the failure to recognise him was due to assertions by his associates that he, Abdullahi, is not a politician but a technocrat.

Presidential charge

During the swearing in, President Jonathan further stressed the need for the Ministers to work closely with one another, the permanent secretaries, directors and staff in their respective ministries, saying that there is a lot to be gained by

zAs Jonathan swears in 11 ministers galvanising the resources of their various ministries together.

The new ministers

The new ministers are Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State Defence; Alhaji Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Minister of State Power; Alhaji Abduljelili

Adesiyan (Osun), Minister of Police Affairs and Alhaji Aminu Wali (Kano), Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Others are Mrs Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom), Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development; Mrs Lawrencia Laraba Mallam (Kaduna) Minister of Environment; Dr. Tamuno

Danagogo (Rivers), Minister of Sports and Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger), Minister of State Agriculture.

Gen. Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara), Minister of Defence; Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Minister of Youth Development and Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto), Minister of State, Health.

Reps query Budget Office, SGF over N16trn Service Wide Vote

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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NEW MINISTERS: President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Vice President Namadi Sambo (6th left), Mallam Adamu Mu'azu, Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman (6th right), with newly-appointed ministers after their swearing in at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

FUEL SCARCITY: More vessels carrying PMS arrive

BY MICHAEL EBOH, KUNLE KALEJAYE, CHRIS OCHAYI, AMAMDI ONYEGADUE, EDIRI EJOH & GRACE UDOFIA

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IGERIANS continue to feel the pains of the lingering fuel scarcity, even as more vessels carrying Premium Motor Spirits, PMS, arrived the country yesterday.

Also, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, said it had reinforced its monitoring of filling stations to curb hoarding and diversion of the product by marketers.

A source at the Apapa depot said MT Centurion, a vessel belonging to NIPCO Plc berthed at the Apapa port, with 26 million metric tons of PMS. The source also stated that another vessel belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, discharged 15 million metric tons of PMS in Apapa.

The source said: “NIPCO’s vessel, MT Centurion is currently discharging 26

million metric tons of fuel in Apapa , while another NNPC vessel is also discharging 15 million metric tons of fuel.”

On its part, DPR said it had reinforced its monitoring of filling stations to curb hoarding and diversion of the product by marketers.

The agency said also that it was collaborating with Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, AEPA, to raid fuel hawkers and black marketers and restore sanity to the country.

DPR’s Zonal Operation Controller, in charge of Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger and Plateau states as well as FCT, M r.

Aliyu Haladu, who disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja, reiterated the commitment of the agency to strictly enforce monitoring to ensure that the product was available for motorists.

Haladu, who explained that its responsibility does not cover loading of fuel at the depot, said it only embarks on product monitoring once the

product leaves the depot, where it conducts checks and balances of what is supplied to the filling stations.

The Controller used the occasion to dissociate himself and the agency from media reports credited to him that “scarcity is as a result of delay in signing of contracts for importation of petroleum products and illegal bunkering,” among others.

He said the publication which quoted him as making the above statement, where he represented DPR at the budget defence in the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, was untrue.

According to him, “to put the records straight, the issue of renewal of contracts for the importation of petroleum products was never discussed in the meeting.

“The issue of bunkering only came up when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Upstream suggested that DPR could collect more revenue on behalf of the Federal Government if bunkering is resuscitated.”

BUA— THE Public A c c o u n t s Committee of the House of Representatives, yesterday, accused Budget Office of the Federation and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, of diverting N16 trillion from the Service Wide Vote Accounts.

The committee also raised questions over various sums of money totalling N5.1 billion said to have been used to finance the activities of Presidential Advisory Committee, PAC, led by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.) in 2010.

The committee also sought to know how N700 million was spent

by PAC on hotel reservations at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

According to the committee, the breakdown of the funds shows that N1.28 billion was sunk into PAC, while other unbudgeted expenses gulped N3.9 billion.

Other financial matters which were examined by the committee were N1 billion expended by Independent National Electoral Commission on printing of ballot papers by a South African firm, N5.7 billion released to the National Hajj Commission, N65 million spent by the Minister of Justice on the ministry’s participation at the 3rd Conference of State Parties to the United Nations and five per cent Redemption Fund attached to the pension of Federal Government workers.

Speaking during a hearing with the Budget Office, Chairman of the committe, Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos) said that the existence of SWV encourage fraud.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Money laundering: Court adjourns Nnamani's trial till June 17

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till June 17, for trial, former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, charged with money laundering.

Nnamani is being prosecuted by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside seven others, on 105 counts of money laundering.

The other accused are: Sunday Anyaogu, Rainbownet (Nig) Ltd, Hillgate (Nig) Ltd, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile (Nisg) Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

At the resumed hearing of the case, defence counsel, informed the court that the case was for mention, since at the last date the judge was said to be away for a conference.

The prosecutor, however, noted that criminal matters were never adjourned for mentioned, but always for trial, arguing that the prosecution witness was in court to proceed with trial, but would accede to an adjournment if the defence was not prepared to proceed.

Fashola accuses military personnel of land grabbing

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — G O V E R N O R Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday accused some military personnel in the state of acquiring land illegally, saying; “They acquire land without seeking the government's consent.”

Speaking during a courtesy visit by new Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Fashola lamented that though naval officers in the state had not been accused of land grabbing, but the habit was rampant with military men who were found erecting military zone sign posts indiscriminately.

According to him: “The other thing I will like to bring to your notice is, though I don’t have any naval experience, but they sometimes cut across the services. We have some local challenges, as I said they are not new. This is only a response to your demands to hold more workshops and seminars for naval officers in the state.

“Military officers get onto our lands, and place military zones there; warning people to keep off. The land that they did not buy from us, lands that are not allocated to them, put their officers there and threaten everybody and that is not the way to go about acquiring land. If anyone wants land, they have to apply for it; they have to pay for it.

“In as much as military officers

have their code of conducts within their barrack; they are equally members of our community. And when it is well with them, it is well with us. We are developing our water transportation gradually as we are developing our ferry terminals. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a connection between us and you. And if anyone would be

knowledgeable on that matter, it must be the Navy. From my experience on water transportation, I have discovered that perhaps, it is easier to build roads than construct safe water navigational area. But these are areas where clearly we could have improved partnership in the areas of dredging, maintenance, etc.

Earlier, Jibrin however said “We are hoping that next year when the country will be going to the polls, the state government will further collaborate with the Nigerian Navy to transport the electoral materials to the riverine areas in the state.

The Vice-Admiral assured that the Nigerian Navy would support the state in its internal security operations, adding “We need the state and the state needs us as well.”

COMMISSIONING: From left: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, Alhaja Sherifat Abdulkareem, Olu of Agege, Oba Oyedeji Kamila Isiba, Chairman, Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Jubreel Abdulkareem and others, during the commissioning of the reconstructed statue of the first Olu of Agege, Oba Jinadu Idowu, at Agege Roundabout in Lagos.

Fuel scarcity worsens in Lagos

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS—AS the current scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol persists in Lagos State, small entrepreneurs as well as commuters have begun to groan over high transportation fare.

Checks by Vanguard yesterday, showed that the scarcity was biting harder as motorists and residents went in search of fuel endlessly as most filling stations were not dispensing on the ground that they had no product.

Some of the filling stations along EgbedaLASU- Iba Road which had supply, were selling at increased pump prices, ranging from N150 to N200 per litre while black markets also thrives, selling as high as N250, per litre.

Most restaurant operators were seen lamenting low sales due to lack of fuel to power their generators as public power supply remains erratic.

Also commuters lamented hike in transport fares which had gone up to over 100 per cent. The normal journey

that cost N100 before the scarcity now goes for N200 or N250 as the case may be.

According to Mrs. Fumi Akiola, a trader at Abule Egba and lives at Ignado area of the state, instead of the earlier N250, she spent daily on transportation, it

had gone up to N750 per day due to hike in transportation fares.

She said: “We are really suffering in this country and we say we have a government. We have been left in the hands of oil dealers by federal government to punish us unduly. It’s only God who will save us from their merciless hands.”

....NAFDAC begins food fortification

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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AGOS—THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has said its food fortification programme will reduce micro-nutrient deficiency among Nigerians.

To this end, the Agency has begun largescale food “Food F o r t i f i c a t i o n Programme”in Lagos.

Food Fortification Programme is an intervention by the Federal Government, to enhance the quality of readily available and more affordable foods nutritionally by addition of some vital minerals and vitamins required by the body.

It is also aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiency disorders in the country.

Reeling out the milestones recorded by the

Agency in food fortification programmes, the DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, lamented that the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency among Nigerians was still of public significance.

According to Orhii who was represented by the Director, Food, Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Ogochukwu Mainasara, the staple diet of the rural poor still lacked the essential nutrients that would enable them live healthy life.

11—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Court begins sitting over alleged theft of INEC's DDC machines

BY OLAAJAYI BADAN—AN Oyo State High court yesterday began sitting on the case of stolen six Direct Data Capturing machines, DDC, and other materials belonging to the Oyo State office of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, allegedly caught with a former INEC staff, Osunlola Akinyinka in a hotel in Ibadan in 2011.

The materials were recovered from the exstaff of INEC before the commencement of the last governorship election.

Other materials said to have been caught with suspects included one laptop, eleven chargers and eleven external discs all belonging to INEC. The court is to determine whether the INEC materials were actually tampered with or not.

Osunlola who was the former head of the ICT unit at Ibadan INEC office and three others whose names were given as Olufemi Samuel, Dauda Oladeji and Salami Adetola are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and alleged tampering with the data capturing machines.

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Osun lecturers get new retirement age

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO—OSUN State Governor has signed into law a bill approving a new retirement age for lecturers of the state-owned tertiary institutions, ending a protracted dispute between the state government and the lecturers.

It was gathered that Governor Rauf Aregbesola signed the bill into law at the last State Executive Council, SEC, meeting.

The bill, according to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, tagged “Osun Tertiary Institutions Academic Staff Retirement Age 2014” placed the lecturers in the state owned institutions at par with their counterpart at the Federal Government Universities.

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BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo who clocked 77 yearold yesterday confessed that he had no real record of his birthday.

Obasanjo said he could not give an actual date of his birth, attributing it to his parent’s inability to document it.

The ex-president spoke at his 77th birthday ceremony held at the Amphitheatre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Obasanjo, who took a retrospective look at his life, admitted that God had been gracious to him despite his shortcomings and promised to make concrete revelation on the matter very soon.

Admits shortcomings

The former President admitted that as a human being, he had shortcomings and had failed God on several occasions and was, however, grateful that God never counted his faults against him.

He said: “I have disappointed God several times but God had never taken my faults against me. If He has counted my faults against me, I would have been consumed. So what have been sustaining me is the grace, mercy and kindness of God.” According to him, “Sooner than later, the cat will be let out of the bag by myself but one thing that is clear is that I was born, there is no doubt about that. Another thing that is clear and that I was told by my mother is that I was actually born on Ifo market day because according to her in our village, she had prepared to go to Ifo market and Ifo market is every five days.

“And then she was in labour.

Before those who went to Ifo market had come back, I was born. I know and she knew I was born on Ifo market day.

Don’t ask me what year or month. Whether I know the exact date or not, I think God has made my path to be glorious.

There are others like me who have no real record of birth. I want to thank God once again for what He has done in my life.

Whether I know the exact date of my birth or not, I think God has made my birth glorious.

“I am grateful to God and I cannot thank God enough for all He has done, for all that He is doing and all that I know He will continue to do in my life. I will continue to thank Him for making me to be a source of blessing to others, for making me to be a participant in areas that are of relevance and importance in the life of this country, Africa and indeed in the world.”

Obasanjo, however, assured that there was still hope for Nigeria to realise the goals and aspirations of her founding fathers, saying “when you listen to these younger ones, you cannot but agree that there is hope for this country. When you hear them and listen to them,

OBJ @77—Assisting Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (middle) to cut his 77th birthday cake are from left: Professor Adeyemi Aderibigbe, Mrs. A. Obasanjo-Eweje, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, Govenor Ibikunle Amosun, Olori and Oba Gboyega Dosunmu, Olowu of Owu. Photo: Wumi Akinola

I don’t know my real age —OBASANJO zCelebrates 77th birthday you will feel proud. Here we have two organisations that are working together not only to give hope, not only to raise expectation for the up and coming in Africa but to make sure that tomorrow will be better than today. And in those children, I can assure personally that tomorrow will be better than today.”

He was full of gratitude to those who had contributed “positively and negatively” to his life, saying, “life is sweet and savour”, and particularly appreciated his parents, his community and those who had worked closely with him in the course of his life.

Some of the dignitaries who attended the ceremony extolled the virtues of the elder statesman describing him as a detribalised, humane and dogged fighter of

Nigeria’s unity.

Lauds Amosun

Meanwhile, Obasanjo has said Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in the state has performed fairly good.

According to him, “Normally I don’t like to say things about politicians especially when they are still in power. It is only when politicians have been out of power that you can assess them accurately but this one, I will stick out my neck a little bit. So far so fairly good. Those of you who were here in Ogun State will testify. Even if you belong to a party which doesn’t like the governor, you must say yes I didn’t like.”

Earlier, Amosun described Obasanjo as one of the greatest

products of the state at the global stage.

Co-chairmen of the library, Dr. Christopher Kolade and Ambassador Carl Masters in their separate remarks, said Obasanjo remained one of the most revered African leaders.

Roll call

Dignitaries at the event included Sierra Leonean Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Minkailu Bah, former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Segun Oni, former Minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borisade, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso among others.

Mimiko signs N168bn 2014 budget into law

BY DAYO JOHNSON KURE —GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday signed into law this years budget proposal of N168 billion with a promise to make the state a reference point in global practices.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Akure, Dr Mimiko said the budget would consolidate the journey “ we started five years ago.”

The budget has N71.9 bilion as recurrent expenditure and N96

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bilion for capital expenditure.

Dr Mimiko said his administration would be expanding the economic base of the state and would continue to provide social facilities that would protect the most vulnerable in the society.

This will be done by ensuring adequate social safety nets in the polity through programmes like Abiye Safe Motherhood, Mother and Child, Mega Primary Schools, Trauma and Kidney care centre.

He said because of the dwindling resources from the Federation account, his administration would look inwards and increase its revenue drive.

This, according to Dr Mimiko would include reorganising the board of Internal Revenue to drive the expansion of the state revenue base, saying, “You have all seen what we are capable of doing when fund is available; hence we solicit the support of all the citizens in terms of paying their taxes and levies promptly.”

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

National Confab: Regionalism, fiscal federalism top Edo agenda

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE return of Nigeria to regionalism topped the agenda set by the people of Edo State for their delegates to the National Conference opening in Abuja, next Monday.

The state’s delegates to the conference include Professor Edy Erhagbe, Chief Charles Edosomwan, SAN, Professor Sylvanus Oboh, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN and Chief Nosakhare Isekhure.

Other items on the agenda listed by the people include part-time parliamentary system of government, fiscal federalism; decentralisation of the Police and Armed Forces along regional lines; independence of the judiciary with first line charge in the constitution; return of the civil service to professionalism; removal of land use from the constitution; removal of immunity clause, carving a role for traditional rulers, among others.

Mr. Clement Ehebha, who read the Esan Forum agenda, which was unanimously adopted as the Edo agenda, with corrections, said the problem with Nigeria was that it was governed by 37 strong men, who are not accountable to the people.

However, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the state’s

delegates to the conference should canvass the interest of the ordinary people, saying: “Anything we do which does not translate to prosperity for the average people will have no meaning. In seeking to address the Nigeria question, there must be solutions we must proffer to raise the quality of life of our people.”

He said the problem with the country was not which system

of government was practised or whether the country should revert to regionalism, noting, “no country makes progress by taking one step forward and two steps backward. We should deal with attitudinal issues and not system of governance.”

He said desperate politicians could misuse state police to harass their perceived political enemies, adding

that “ we have to be careful with the decentralisation of the Armed Forces, we can’t have sovereignty within a sovereignty.”

According to him, “52.4 percent of the declared revenue is under the control of the President, while the other 36 governors share 26 percent, which is slightly less than half of what the President spends."

CHIEFTAINCY: Urhonigbe chiefs, representing the Okaevbo of Urhonigbe, Chief Igie Aimuyo, presenting beads to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, after conferring on him the title of Okakuo of Urhonigbe, yesterday.

Osunbor says outcome of Confab'll be nullity unless... is Chairman Nigeria Law Reform Commission, spoke to Vanguard at the palace of Onojie of Opoji, shortly after the harmonisation of the interests of Esan people, ahead of the conference.

He insisted that government can only make meaningful impact on the lives of the people

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—FORMER governor of Edo State, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, has said that the outcome of the National Conference scheduled to begin on March 18, 2014, will amount to nothing unless the issues of impunity, corruption, disrespect for the constitution, law and order were resolved by NigeBY CHARLES rians.

KUMOLU “Whether you change from presidential system ELTA State goverto parliamentary system, nor, Dr. Emmanuel from state structure to Uduaghan, yesterday, regional or zonal struc- c o m m i s s i o n e d ture, whether you start four Armoured Personthe constitution with 'we nel Carriers, APC, and the people of Nigeria' or five other operational you don’t even have that vehicles refurbished by preamble in the constitu- the state Police Comtion, it will amount to mand, with a charge to nothing unless and un- politicians not to polititil Nigerians resolve that cise security matters. this is our constitution The governor, repreand we must respect the sented by his deputy, constitution,” he said.

Prof. Amos Utuama, said Professor Osunbor, who that security remained a

when people, especially public officers, change their attitudes toward governance and have respect for law and order.

He faulted the claims that Nigerians have never sat down on a round table to discuss issues confronting the country, saying that “Ni-

gerians have talked about all these issues we are talking about today. But the constitution that has emerged from all these efforts, the current constitution of 1999, is it being respected? Are we operating in accordance with the tenets of the constitution, the laws, and the institutions that have been made pursuant to the constitution?"

Uduaghan to politicians: Don’t politicise security matters

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priority of his administration, adding that police officers require the right tools, gadgets and other forms of encouragement to effictively fight crime.

He said: “When it comes to security, all of us must sink our political differences and rise in one voice against crime and criminality.

"As patriots, we have to bury our differences, whatever they may be, when serious national challenges like the ones in certain parts of the

country arise, because we have no other country we can call ours.”

Uduaghan, who assured Deltans that the state was prepared to confront security challenges at all times as peace and security remained one of the cardinal points in his administration's agenda, noted that the state, since his assumption of office in 2007, had given out 110 vehicles, including two armoured personnel carriers to the state Police Command.

2015: Group urges Mutu to contest

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BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

EOPLE of Bomadi/ Patani federal constituency in Delta State have pledged to support the current House of Representatives member representing their constituency, Mr. Nicholas Mutu, to continue as their representative.

The constituents, under the aegis of Ekameta Urban Federated Communities, Bomadi Local Government, after a meeting in Bomadi, said that Mutu deserved to continue in office to consolidate on the progress his representation has brought to the people.

National President of the group, Idowu Tobi, noted that in line with his promises, the lawmaker installed three transformers and also extended solar street lights to communities in his constituency.

NAFDAC destroys N2.2m unwholesome fish in Rivers

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BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

ORT HARCOURT— UNWHOLESOME frozen fish worth N2.2 million have been destroyed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC in Rivers State.

In a statement, Public Relations Officer of the agency in the South South region, Mr. Monye Cyril, said the frozen fish were imported from Cameroun by a firm in Port Harcourt, adding that they were destroyed after they were found to have gone bad.

Olejeme urged to join guber race

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SABA—A POLITICAL pressure group, Delta Vision, yesterday, asked Dr. Ngozi Olejeme to contest the 2015 governorship election in Delta State.

Speaking after its meeting in Asaba, with notable chiefs from the three senatorial districts, the group with branches across the 25 local government areas of the state, called on all Deltans to vote en-mass for

Dr Olejeme in the 2015 election.

Briefing newsmen, Mr, Monday Edemiruaye, president of the group, noted that their choice has served in various capacities in government and has the experience to transform the state.

Present at the meeting were, Chief Francis Omatseye, Chief Temile, Abakpolor Super and Chief Omene Evans among others.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—13

Amaechi urges N'Assembly to engage in ‘parliamentary activism’

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday, called on the National Assembly to engage in what he termed political and parliamentary activism to save the country’s democracy.

The governor, when he hosted the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster, Mr. Ifedayi Abegunde and other members of the committee at Government House, Port Harcourt, said they should see political and parliamentary activism as part of their oversight functions.

He urged the lawmakers to take steps to protect the country’s democracy, saying, “The judiciary became judicial activists in 2007 when I got the Supreme Court Judgment.

You can also be progressives in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. If the parliamentarians don’t do that, then one day, the citizens will wake up and

start running for their lives.

That is why you and I have the responsibility to repair the damage. We need to protect our democracy.

“I must say that, at different occasions, you had risen to defend democracy. You have a big assignment. The assignment has both natural and man-made

disasters. The disasters include the ones in Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa. We are living in a disastrous country, with disasters everywhere. There is even disaster in the revenue that we are sharing. You won’t believe that from N18 billion to N20 billion Federal Allo-

cation that we have been receiving from the Federal Government, we now receive only about N13 billion monthly, meaning that our wage bill is now affected by disaster. Social developments are also affected, that is disaster too."

Police boss assures on hitch-free 2015 polls

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, Police authorities have assured that adequate security would be provided to ensure hitch-free polls.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Hashiru Argungu, in Yenagoa, while addressing officers and men of the Bayelsa State Police Command during a tour of police formations under his command, said the force had commenced preparations towards providing ad-

equate security for the elections.

According to him, the police will soon commence the sensitisation of its officers and rank and file on how they should conduct themselves before and during the elections.

Argungu said the Police have a duty under the Public Order Act and the Electoral Act, to provide security at political campaigns and rallies.

He enjoined policemen to ensure they studied the laws so as to be better enlight-

ened on what roles they would play as political activities gear up ahead of the general elections.

He specifically lauded the state police boss and men of the command for reducing criminal activities to a minimal level.

“Our foot soldiers, who are the rank and files, are doing a good job and we appreciate them. Our zone and in particular, this command, you have worked wonderfully. We believe in your work and punctuality,” he said.

Bini youths shut NDDC offices in Edo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—PROTESTING Bini youths, yesterday, sealed up the premises of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC,in Benin City, Edo State, after sacking staff of the commission, saying that the delay in the appointment of the state representative on the board of NDDC was impeding development in the oil producing communities in Edo South.

Urging the senator representing Edo South, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, to stop playing politics with the NDDC position, they appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to jettison the politics of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and appoint Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s nominee for the NDDC board.

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Women demand immediate removal of rector BYEMEKAAGINAM & BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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UNDREDS OF women, yesterday, embarked on protest, demanding the immediate removal of Professor Godwin Onu as rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

Not even the presence of heavily armed security men deterred the protesting elderly women who wielded placards with inscriptions, such as “Onu must go,” "We are tired of Onu,” "Appoint new rector for OkoPoly,” among others.

The protesters, however, were not allowed through the polytechnic's gates earlier shut by security men.

Staff, who had business in the school were shut out, even as those inside school premises had to wait for the coast to clear.

An eye-witness, who pleaded anonymity, said the women were accompanied by men and youths as a show of solidarity.

Spokesperson for the women, who did not disclose any identity, lamented the continued assault on the people of Oko, disregard for the culture and authorities in the town and steady harassment of their children by private security guards engaged by the rector.

....Oko Poly blames plot by cabal

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KO — FEDERAL Polytechnic, Oko, Anamabra State has raised the alarm over plans by a faceless cabal in the host community to destroy the achievements of the current administration and scuttle the peace in the polytechnic.

The Public Relations Officer, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, stated this, yesterday, in response to a protest by some women in the community, who reportedly acted on the prompting of the cabal nursing grievances for being denied the chance to siphon the treasury of the polytechnic.

Onuchukwu expressed surprise that the women could be lobbied by the same group of cabal to protest against the current administration of Prof. Godwin Onu, despite his unequalled level of development in the institution.

Petroleum ministry debunks misapplied PIB N500m story

BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA — PERMANENT Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Danladi Fikasi, yesterday, denied report that his ministry could not explain how the sum of N500million earmarked for the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB campaigns was expended.

Mr. Fikasi, who appeared before

the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives, while answering questions, yesterday, told journalists that”the issue we discussed at the Senate was purely gas matters and that issue was not really discussed.“ When asked how it was published in some papers that the money was spent on adverts

and jingles, Fikasi said, ”the chairman only passively asked what concerns PIB with gas matters.”

“I told him the money was meant for campaigns and vehicles to be used to move around to places like North east of Nigeria and we laughed over it.

“What was published in those

AWARD: From left, Development Communication Specialist and a nominee for the 2014 Edition of Vlisco’s Women Month Award, VWMA, Esther Agbarakwe, Publisher and Editorin-Chief of TW Magazine; a nominee for the 2014 VWMA, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, and Marketing Manager, Vlisco, Adaeze Alilonu, during the 2014 VWMA, in Lagos

Contempt of court: Ex-APGA bosses, Umeh, Shinkafi may be jailed

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA — FORMER chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, and his former national secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, may be jailed for contempt of court as the national chairman of the party, Chief Maxi Okwu, had this week served the duo with Form 48.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in his Nkpokolo town, Achi, in Oji Local Government Area, Enugu State, Okwu said Form 49 would be served on them next week should they continue to parade themselves as national leaders against the January 15, 2014 judgement of the Federal High court, Abuja, that enthroned his executive as the authentic national leadership.

Besides, Okwu hinted that Chief Willie Obiano, who was declared as governor- elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the last governorship election in Anambra State might not be sworn-in on March 17 following a court order that would this week be served on the state chief judge till the determination of a substantive suit on "who is the real governorship candidate" still pending in court, was dispensed with. ”We are in a law-abiding society, we are not in a jungle. Before the tenure interpretation of Governor Peter Obi people assumed that it would go the other way, so let us see what happens and I will not prejudge it.

"The matter is squarely and squarely before the court and the court will determine it based on its merit. If there is a court order obtained by Obidigbo which the Chief Judge of Anambra State is a party in the suit along with Obiano himself, myself and the APGA, the Chief Judge and all the parties in the suit will obey.

papers were non-existent in that hearing."

The ministry further denied the story in a statement by Kingsley Agha Director, Information Press and Public Relations, saying, "the said publication is a total distortion of what transpired at the sitting of the Senate Gas Committee on Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

"The Gas Committee chaired by Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, was for budget hearing, dealing with the Ministry’s gas project as can be seen in the name of the Committee.

"The reporters carefully and deliberately ignored the main subject of the sitting and delved into a subject the Committee only mentioned in passing.

“On the report disparaging the character and person of the Permanent Secretary, Danladi Kifasi as being incompetent to explain the Ministry’s Budget, what happened was that the Permanent Secretary had informed the Committee that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources did not implement any gas project because they lack the expertise to carry the construction works hence his decision to transfer the Vote to the NNPC where the necessary expertise is domiciled.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—15

FEC ratifies $170m loan

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA — THE Federal Executive Council, yesterday, ratified an earlier approval given to the Ministry of Finance to borrow $170million from the French Development Agency to beef up power infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

Corrigendum

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N OUR story, yester day, on the lingering fuel scarcity, we inadvertently stated that at Forte Oil Petrol Station at Berger Yard, on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, motorists were made to pay N200 before entering the station, while at the point of purchase, they were also made to part with another N200.

Vanguard has discovered that the story was written in error and, therefore, regrets any inconvenience it might have caused the management of Forte Oil.

told State House correspondents after a meeting of the council that the project would cover 270 kilometre transmission lines and construction of additional substations.

According to her, the loan is usually given on an exceptionally concessionary grounds to developing and friendly countries by the French government and is payable over twenty years. ”This loan is to boost transmission in the FCT, to make sure that we keep ahead of the demands for electricity in the FCT. ”This was one of the loans that was signed when the French President came for the centenary celebrations, because we had an anticipatory ratification from the President and it was ratified today by council. ”The terms include 1.56 per cent interest rate per annum, commitment charge of 0.5 per cent per annum and then a service charge of 0.25 per cent per annum payable on the amount withdrawn. The loan is for 20 years with a seven years grace period that means moratorium on payment for seven years.

Budget Defence: From left, EFCC Secretary Adegboyega Aremo; EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde; Director of Finance and Account, Bukar Abba; Deputy Director Account, Bashiru Bello –Omeiza, and Head, Internal Audit, Ahmed Pate, defending EFCC Budget, at National Assembly, Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Reps committee cautions EFCC against politically-induced cases

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

ABUJA — THE House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, yesterday, warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against allowing itself to be used by the government against

perceived political enemies.

Chairman of the committee, Jagaba Adams Jagaba (PDP, Kaduna), gave the warning to the commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Larmonde, during the 2014 budget defence of the commission.

Jagaba also asked the commission to take staff welfare and motivation seriously to forestal any act of compromise among them.

He said: “I want to tell you this; please, don’t allow yourself to be used for political vendetta. If it’s a PDP man that is involved, do your work; if it’s an APC man that is involved, do your work. In fact, even if

it’s Jagaba that is involved, do your work.

“Always discharge your duties with the fear of God. Motivate your staff, so they will not be tempted by anything in the course of carrying out their work.”

He further asked the chairman to take advantage of the contributions made by civilian staff in the commission to enhance their operations.

In his presentation earlier, Lamorde said the commission proposed N21 billion as its expenditure for 2014, but noted that only N10.245 billion was earmarked by the Budget Office, out of which N1.399 billion was for capital

projects, N6.845 billion for personnel and N2 billion for overhead.

He also stated that the N1.399 billion approved for capital projects would be expended on the completion of the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

He, however, expressed fears that the amount was insufficient for the project.

Lamorde solicited the intervention of the committee in the allocation of more fund to complete the project to meet up the January 2015 deadline and relieve the commission of the burden of huge spending on maintenance of seven offices in Abuja.

Lent: Mark calls for reconciliation, forgiveness gerians at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, yesterday, BUJA — AS Chris-tians begin expressed the hope that the forthcomthe Lenten period with Ash ing national conference would carefulWednesday, the Senate President, Sen- ly study and make concrete recommenator David Mark, has appealed to Ni- dations to the government and, ingerians to use the period for dialogue, deed, people of Nigeria to find lasting reconciliation, understanding and for- solutions to these burning issues.

He said: “I will not relent in my call giveness in a way to create a crime and that violence must be stamped out. I violent free society.

Senator Mark in his message to Ni- strongly condemn the senseless killings of our people, especially children and women by violent groups.

“I find it extremely difficult to understand why

BY EMMAN OVUAKagencies in Nigeria.

PORIE Faleke, who disclosed this violent group would this after an interactive invade schools and BUJA — CHAIR session with stakehold- opened fire on innocent MAN, House of ers, said: “If the Federal and defenceless stuRepresentatives Commit- Government wants to dents. This is unpardontee on Anti-Corruption, fight corruption, then it able and clearly unacNational Ethics and Val- must properly fund these ceptable.”

The Senate President ues, Abiodun Faleke, agencies. ”If the President wants reminded politicians yesterday, said the Independent Corrupt Practic- to combat corruption, he ahead of the 2015 eleces Commission, ICPC, should make the anti-cor- tion campaigns to pracCode of Conduct Tribu- ruption agencies to be to- tice politics without bitnal and Code of Conduct tally independent and put terness, saying that deBureau were the worst them on the first line cency was required in our polity. poorly funded anti-graft charge.

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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ICPC worst funded anti-graft agency in Nigeria — Rep

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16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 17

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HIS week, President Goodluck Jonathan led a delegation of PDP bigwigs to attend what was termed a “Unity/ Freedom Rally”, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Senate President, David Mark, must have spoken the minds of other members of the delegation when he confessed apprehension that they might have just a few people to receive the delegation.

They were shocked! Kwarans from all walks of life turned out in thousands to receive the team. And believe me when I say that it was NOT a rented crowd! People trekked from far and near. All the dirty tricks in the books had been employed by Bukola Saraki and his sidekicks in the Kwara State administration to hamper people’s turnout: civil servants were ordered to stay in offices for ‘screening’; APC members were directed to remain in their wards to await distribution of money; a number of Tokunbo taxicabs were scheduled for distribution to road transport workers inside Government House and timed to coincide with the Freedom Rally. But people voted with their conscience, consciousness and feet, and chose to attend the “Unity/Freedom Rally”!

It was unprecedented. What is unfolding in Kwara State, is a seismic political shift of potentially sweeping dimensions. After eight years of arrogant, insensitive and anti-people governorship and another three years of the most elaborate satrapy in recent Nigerian political history,BukolaSaraki made a transition from Governor to Governor-General. But Kwarans have had ENOUGH of deceit, governance as elaborate fraud and the impoverishment that has sapped the people of all dignity. The end game has arrived in Kwara State for BukolaSaraki’s

,

What is unfolding in Kwara State, is a seismic political shift of potentially sweeping dimensions; the end game has arrived in Kwara State for BukolaSaraki’s political regime of hegemonic control of power of our state

,

political regime of hegemonic control of power and the financial resources of our state. This week’s “Unity/Freedom Rally” is an indicator of the dominant mindset in Kwara today. The people are saying emphatically: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”!

The lead to the rally had seen a major gathering of thousands of PDP supporters at the Lower Niger Basin Authority grounds, a week ago. That was after Gbemi Saraki publicly declared for the PDP a few weeks ago, just as Muhammed Dele Belgore left the APC for the PDP. Bilkisu Gambari, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and the late Governor Lawal’s son, Abdulhakeem, also declared for the PDP, joining other notable Kwarans who stayed in the party, when BukolaSaraki led his government machinery and supporters away into the APC. That was Bukola Saraki’sfirst STRATEGIC mistake! He had NEVER won an election without the formidable apparatus of federal power. Those in the opposition noted his faux pas and seized the opportunity. PDP became a natural choice in Kwara State. It is a platform to demystify the local tin god,Bukola Saraki, whose domineering and suffocating hegemony has become loathed by the MAJORITY of C M Y K

End game for Bukola Saraki’s Kwara hegemony impoverished Kwarans.

In 2011, he had actually lost the Senate election to Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, within the Ilorin metropolis, until cooked up figures were added from the rural areas of the Asa local government of the Ilorin Emirate. So unpopular has the chap become in the community.

The roots of the crisis thatBukolaSaraki faces must also be located in his governance mode. Most projects in the state became exemplars of voodoo governance.

These include Zimbabwe farm, Shoprite, Aviation College and Diagnostic Centre that are his ‘flagship’ projects. Huge loans/ bonds were sourced to build each one of them, but in a most dubious twist of logic, Kwarans discover that these projects DON’T belong to them, but a faceless “private sector”.

Who owns Bukola Saraki’s“private sector”? The people in whose name the loans were taken don’t know! Another example. The Alimi Guest Houses located behind Ilorin Government House were renovated at N1billion but were then “monetized” for Bukola Saraki at an alleged sum of N100 million. At the same time, as part of the unconscionable pension package he awarded to himself through the supine House of Assembly, he has built a house that occupies almost half of a street inside the Ilorin GRA. In the 11 years he has been Governor and Governor-General, major contracts are awarded to nonindigenous contractors, and whenever Kwarans are appointed ministers, either of three non-indigenes: Tunde Morakinyo, Kola Alagbada and Koye Shogbola (chaps from his Lagos haunt),are attached to them as PAs (He did that for Halima Tayo Alao, Bio Ibrahim and Abubakar Baraje as PDP chairman), to monitor their activities, but especially to “scope” all contracts in their ministries!

The dominant motif of existence in Bukola Saraki’s satrapy, Kwara State, is the humiliating poverty of the majority, where there is hardly any trickle down to the people and the obscene wealth of the man himself and the few individuals around him, that he continuously recycled as commissioners, chairmen of statutory boards, SAs, SSAs, Special Advisers, members of the National Assembly. It

•Bukola Saraki has led to a unique form of political inbreeding in Kwara state, and like all forms of in-breeding, has become a danger to

the health of the species. Bukola Saraki’s satrapy is unsustainable and has become a serious and present danger to the healthy community, political, economic and social existence of Kwara State.

In Ilorin (and Kwara State) today, there is a spike in the levels of consciousness and a war of political posters has become indicative of the political heat being generated in the lead to 2015. Long after his tenure as Governor but as part of his assertion of control as Governor-General, Bukola Saraki’s posters are permanently displayed in an in-your-face and youcan’t-do-anything about it manner. Not anymore!

From the Omoda roundabout, to the Ubandawaki, Adeta roundabouts, through to the Unity Road Roundabout and Post Office areas of the city, he is being matched poster-for-poster and there are open expressions of dissent all over the state. This is not localised to Ilorin. Two weeks ago,Muhammed Sha’aba Lafiagi, a gung-ho Bukola Saraki sidekick, was allegedly stoned in his hometown, Lafiagi, in the Kwara North senatorial district.

This is the reality of today’s Kwara State.

The people are FED UP with a regime designed to ensure Bukola Saraki’s perpetual prosperity and the tiny clique around him. Let meillustratewithwhatmightverywellbeapocryphal, but is well-quoted in Ilorin. Kayode Yusuf (Maja), one of his hirelings, once addressedBukolaSaraki: “Oga, we are very happy for you. We have served your father; we are now serving you; and we look forward to also serving your son”!

Those are thoughts very much befitting of a slave, not a decent citizen. This is the sickening type of groveling servitude that Bukola Saraki relishes and sits atop in Kwara State.

That is what the majority of the people have consciously rejected. That explains why they turned out in thousands for the “Unity/Freedom Rally” on Monday. The endgame has arrivedforBukola Saraki’shegemonyinKwara State!

After the Boko Haram killings at FGC, Bunu Yadi

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HE tragic killing of over 59 students by the Boko Haram insurgents, at the FGC, BunuYadi, Yobe State, was the latest in the increasing number of attacks on educational infrastructure in the North-Eastern states. By April 2012, 14 schools had been burnt down in Maiduguri, forcing over 7,000 children from school in an already educationally disadvantaged area. The Nigeria Education Data survey for 2010 already indicated that schools enrolment in Borno dropped by 28% as a result of insurgent attacks. Security forces have been unable to prevent these attacks, underlining the danger of total collapse of already fragile educational projects in areas locked into the insurgency. The short and long term consequences of these, underline the need to think outside the box to find ways to halt the insurgency.

But there is an international dimension to the increasing levels of violence against schools and education in general. A recent survey of conflicts in 70 countries, between 2009 and 2013, by the US-based Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, GCPEA, revealed widespread attacks against schools around the world. In the period of survey, 9, 600 schools were documented as damaged or destroyed by attacks, burning, looting and occupation by armed groups.

Pakistan was worst hit, with 800 schools deliberately targeted. Director of GCPEA, DiyaNijhowne, said “many individuals are bombed, burned, shot, threatened or abducted for attending classes or doing their job at school or university”, adding further that “many schools and universities are deliberately attacked because they are soft, easy targets, or to undermine government control- a tactic of war”. The summary fits tactics that Boko Haram has continued to employ in its attacks in Borno and Yobe states.

What is most worrisome is the attitude of the

Nigerian federal government. Despite the tragic killings of FGC students, President Goodluck Jonathan still hasn’t personally visit either the school in Yobe or Borno, where killings have become daily, or even both. Leading members of the Nigerian ruling elite were too busy last week, in Abuja, celebrating 100 years of Amalgamation, in a Nigerian parody of the classic, of the Emperor fiddling as Rome burnt.

Jonathan and his handlers must be weaned from the ridiculous narrative that Boko Harm is a Northern conspiracy against his presidency. No sane people will choose to kill their own children; destroy their infrastructure and tear apart their society, just to make life difficult for any president. It makes absolutely no sense! Jonathan must act as president of the whole country and show extra urgency to contain the insurgency. He needs to get closer to the action and borrow a leaf from his counterparts in other parts of the world. It is poignant that one of the world leaders that addressed the security conference organized last week in Abuja was French President, Francoise Hollande. Well, he left Abuja for Bangui, Central African Republic, CAR, to visit with the French forces helping with the difficult situation in that country. It was his second visit since December 2013. He left for Bangui from Mandela’s funeral ceremony, following the killing of two French soldiers in the CAR. The most positive point this week related to the killing of the FGC students was the demonstration in Lagos, by some Alumni of Federal Colleges. These were concerned Nigerians from all backgrounds who are not likely to have children or wards in far-flung Yobe state.

But they understand that we have a common humanity; and those killed were Nigerian children. They were living John Donne’s admonition: “every man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind; never ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee”.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 IT is tiresome keeping track of the killings in the North East. It is almost impossible to have accurate figures of the death toll in four years of the war with terrorists. Neither the official reactions, nor the justifications adduced for the crisis, can bear out the attacks that have become daily, almost routine, with school children as major targets.

Perhaps more disturbing are some suggestions to end the killings. Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, have recorded attacks at different times. Adamawa, Borno and Yobe appear to be the last, cherished strong holds of the attackers.

Reactions to the killings that started targeting students in October 2012, when more than 40 students of tertiary institutions in Mubi, Adamawa State, were slaughtered in goriest manners, have evoked similar reactions – only condemnations that do not solve the problem.

It is appalling that suggestions made in 2012 are being trumpeted after another 59 students were killed in Mubi. Other attacks have taken place since then.

The Senate, during the military’s defence of its 2014 budget, re-echoed a House of Rep-

BY CHUKS ILOEGBUNAM

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OR every action, there should be a reaction.

For every position held, there should be a day of accounting. It is true that, from the days of the First Republic, an overwhelming percentage of those who held public office invariably walked away without giving an account of their stewardship. That is why society is brimming with past political office holders, civilian and military, reputed to be millionaires and billionaires whose sources of affluence dare not be publicly declared.

But, according to Goethe, the German version of the English Shakespeare: “The fact that things have remained bad for so long does not mean that change is impossible.” In that wise, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s allegation of monumental fraud at the NNPC requires thorough investigation. Because it should not be swept under the carpet, it is welcome news from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, who has promised a “forensic auditing” of the NNPC account by reputable international auditing bodies.

The matter has a reverse side, the only problem being that a great majority of those who are baying for a probe of the NNPC do not begin to get the insistence that other individuals and institutions could do with the probe. One such individual deserving of a thorough probe is Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nigerians need to know in every detail how this individual ran the affairs of the country’s apex financial institution for five unbroken years. There is a good reason for this call for a probe. But, first, the recap of a 2000-year old Biblical story!

A woman was hauled in front of Jesus by some

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Stop The Killings resentatives resolution that Army Headquarters should re-locate temporarily to Maiduguri for proper countering of the attacks. It is apparent the National Assembly is unaware of the assemblage of forces dealing with the challenges in the North East.

A combination of security agencies works in the North East. Is the National Assembly asking all defence and security forces involved in the North East, including the Department of State Services, DSS, police, National Intelligence Agency, Air Force to relocate their headquarters to Maiduguri, even if temporarily?

Do we also move headquarters of the forces if insurgency arises in another part of Nigeria? How long does it take to make these

movements? How much would they cost?

How would re-location improve management of North East operations?

Boko Haram attacks have lasted this long, with deadlier consequences, because lives are unimportant to us. Few countries would watch thousands of people killed and discuss it with the compromising stance of the National Assembly and many top political officials whose only interest is political correctness for the next election.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State is representative of this group. He told journalists last month that Nigeria stood no chance against the group because Boko Haram was better equipped and had international financial backing. Should that be the reaction of a leader whose people have been under attack for almost four years?

How did he know about the operations of the group? What is his role in stopping the killings?

Collaboration with governments of Cameroun, Chad, and Niger Republic, and measures to end the killings should be applied quickly. Lives are more important than politics.

OPINION What Sanusi is all about men who accused her of adultery. Under the Mosaic law, adultery carried a mandatory death sentence by stoning. Some readers of this story often fall short of realising that not just the alleged adulterer, but Jesus himself, was also in the dock. Jesus, as the reformer, had happened on the Jewish people with the message of forgiveness. If someone slapped you on one cheek, he preached, you turned the other cheek for the resounding repeat blow! If anyone took possession of your cloak, why, you let him have your coat also. How was Jesus going to respond to the woman’s accusers, who hadn’t even bothered to produce the partner of the alleged adulterous act?

Yes, the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin were intent on nailing Jesus. They wanted him to pronounce against the Mosaic Law of ‘an eye for an eye’, and 'a tooth for a tooth’, in order that they would find justification for his crucifixion. That would be the obvious consequence of Jesus pronouncing his message of forgiveness on the woman. On the other hand, if Jesus upheld the Law of Moses, he would be branded a hypocrite who preached what he didn’t practise. Of course, Jesus knew where his adversaries were coming from. For which reason, he demonstrated to them that the head was bigger than the body.

According to the story, Jesus invited those of the woman’s accusers who were without sin, to commence pelting the accused with stones.

Meanwhile, he bent low and started writing on the sand. What was he writing? Some interpreters of the Sacred Word have offered that as Jesus wrote, each person in the crowd read clearly their own sins in the Preacher’s fine hand. By the time Jesus finished writing and stood back up to his full height, everyone

in the crowd had disappeared, leaving behind just Jesus and the alleged adulterer. Jesus then did what he always preached. He set the woman free, with the admonition to sin no more. He demonstrated to all and sundry, that the head is bigger than the body.

Today in Nigeria we still think and behave like the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin. The mentality of motor park justice still has a stranglehold on us. The moment we hear the screams of “Ole, Ole!” we move in to lynch the hapless person accused of stealing. Jungle justice! Are we saying by mob lynching that accusation is equivalent to guilt? Do we not realise that in some cases, the call to instant lynching is designed to silence people who could sing like a bird and, thus, expose gang members whose hands are deep in the till? In screaming to the heavens about his perceived fraud and graft at the NNPC, was there no chance that Sanusi expected a public uproar capable of blurring logical thinking and sound reasoning? Was there no chance that he was diverting attention from his person? Was it not the case that Sanusi’s allegations elicited from acolytes, activists, carpet-crossing politicians, pundits and saints the picking up of the gauntlet for howls of execration? Was that the best way for the altruistic to go about things? Was Sanusi’s penchant for courting publicity not a subjugation of presidential powers, a confusion of CBN autonomy for his personal autonomy? Is there in the whole of Northern Nigeria any village head or emir who would tolerate the spectacle of a member of his council of chiefs repeatedly and publicly ranting against his authority?

But this is not about Sanusi’s sins, assuming he has any. Rather, it is about the equality of

everyone under the law. It is about what is good for the goose being equally good for the gander. It is a case against precipitate action.

It is a call for the activities and finances of the NNPC to be forensically audited as promised by the Finance Minister, just as it is a call for Sanusi’s five years at the CBN to be examined.

The issues raised against Sanusi by the Financial Reporting Council deserve to be properly scrutinized, even if only to guarantee that there hadn’t been a witch-hunt. To what extent were his donations of Nigeria’s billions to sundry interests justified? There is more.

Did Sanusi act within the bounds of the law establishing his office in the style and manner he employed in “sanitizing” commercial banks? Specifically, did Erastus Akingbola, the former Managing Director of the Intercontinental Bank Plc, have a point in the letter of protest he sent to Mr. President, alleging gross misconduct against Mr. Sanusi?

Despite Mr. Akingbola grave allegations, I cannot condemn Sanusi. He, like the top functionaries of the NNPC, must remain innocent until proven otherwise. If their innocence is established, they must be vindicated. That is what the law of natural justice dictates. That is what the Nigerian Constitution stipulates. Nigerians want to know whether the stone-thrower has been living in a glass house all along. They want to know whether the one who had gone to equity did so with clean hands. They want it demonstrated that a lecturer on morality cannot come from the ranks of brothel dwellers. They want people who hold public office to always give account. That is what Sanusi is all about today.

*Mr. Iloegbunam, a former Chief of Staff to Gov Peter Obi of Anambra State, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014— 19

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There is no way that the Boko Haram terrorism can bring any political windfall for anyone, especially in 2015; forget that; neither can it alter Nigeria as we know it in any way; it will only lead to needless wastage of innocent lives and deprive more Nigerians of their hard-earned material goods

Confronting the North-East war AM wondering how former Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Nmodu Sheriff, is still strutting around the political landscape a free man. He ought to be cooling his heels somewhere for the roles he played in lighting the spark that has become a full-scale insurgency of international scope. Rather than that, he had the gumption to return to Maiduguri a month back after more than a year in self-imposed exile. His mission on his return home was to pick a new candidate to replace his godson, His Excellency, Alhaji Kassim Shettima, the incumbent Governor of the nation’s epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency.

It was a small spark that has grown into this huge conflagration. Rather than give the young people of his state free education at all levels and liberate the state from being the poorest and the most educationally backward, Sheriff chose to prey on the illiteracy and poverty that shackled his people by promoting negative religious politics.

Eventually, the political mujaheddins he armed to intimidate his opponents started

setting up an alternative society and recruiting hordes of unemployed young people to fight for a new system of Islamic rule which, in their deluded view, will cure their problem holistically and permanently.

They bought into the newfangled ideas being promoted by Al Qaeda and other Salafist Islamic Jihadists in the Muslim world. This is a system that sees such “Western” ideas as democracy, human rights and Western-style education as the major problems hindering the emergence of the new order of their warped dreams. Boko Haram, as the group is known in popular parlance, turned against society, the state and its various supportive agencies, deploying the novel but frightful strategy of suicide bombing and coordinated attacks on everyone in sight.

With this reign of terror, most members of the political and traditional elite were cowed. Some of them were forced to send financial offerings to Boko Haram, either in open support of their “exploits” to make governance difficult for President

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Goodluck Jonathan or as ransom for the safety of themselves, family members and property. That was the situation until the international network of the Al Qaeda became fully involved in the training, financing and guidance of the terrorists. Today, Boko Haram has grown in leaps and bounds to become much more than a mere local challenge on our North Eastern frontier.

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t has assumed an international dimension, with fighters drawn from floating, stateless individuals drifting from war-torn exclaves such as Chad, the western regions of Sudan, Mali, Somalia and recently, the northern part of the Central African Republic. They now use Chad, Cameroon and Niger as hideouts from which they stage their murderous raids on Nigerian territory and bolt back to hiding.

Still on Lamido Sanusi HE witch hovered over the house and T cried all night. In the morning, the baby died. We do not need to search too far for the killer of the baby. The Federal Government keeps embarrassing people when it denies the obvious. It still maintains that Sanusi’s suspension has nothing to do with his penchant for blowing the whistle on the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

We invite the Financial Reporting Council, FRC, to the witness box. President Jonathan projected Sanusi’s suspension on the report of this body. The FRC indicted all the Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, along with their boss, Lamido Sanusi, and recommended that they should all be fired. Not only were they not sacked, one of them has just been elevated to the position of Acting Governor.

A better case for the Federal Government would have been that absolute loyalty is important in the public service. You cannot be serving in a government and be fighting it. You should step aside and fight from the outside. Here, Sanusi is guilty as charged.

In most cases, the whistle blower enjoys the admiration of the populace. This provides the apparent phoney support that Sanusi is enjoying from Nigerians today.

The assumption is that he is being witchhunted for blowing the whistle on the rots in society. This is where the House of Representatives comes in. Left to their individual convictions, they know where their votes would swing; but they must act in their representative capacity and that is what is playing out on the microphones.

All the same, they must know where to softpedal before Sanusi drags them into his deep shit (excuse my French). We pick offence whenever we are told that politics is a dirty game. Yet, no one wants to be openly tied to politics. Just see how the President and his C M Y K

PDP are busy warning the opposition party not to politicise the Sanusi affair.

Meanwhile, the PDP spokesman, Chief Olisa Metu, jumps into the bandwagon to announce the PDP’s support for the President’s action! If this is not politicisation, we wonder what is.

Some have queried the timing of Sanusi’s suspension. Sanusi’s whistle has been quite loud for some time. Why has he not been suspended all along? Our conjecture is that, in a situation where everybody is guilty, no one is guilty. Corruption is now so pervasive that no individual can be singled out for discipline. In their inner minds, they are aware that the happenings in the NNPC and the CBN may just be a tip of the iceberg.

Rather than do the needful, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, may have shared the clearance of the various organisations among themselves. We saw a foreshadowing of this “Clear me, I clear you” system, the penultimate week, when the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, who has two left hands in book-keeping, issued a clean bill of health on the NNPC; when an auditor, qualified or unqualified, should have been the one doing the job.

In all this, where is the Petroleum Minister?

If she can be faceless in her livingroom, the simple implication is that we probably do not need any Ministry and Minister for Petroleum. Otherwise, where does she come in, in this age of accountability?

Back to Sanusi. In local parlance, many might be willing to set the murderer free but after seeing the corpses of his victims lying on the ground, they would hurriedly invite the hangman to come and execute him.

After taking a bird’s eye view of some of the atrocities of the CBN under Sanusi’s watch, we have come to the inevitable conclusion that, if the prison is truly a home for

offenders, then, the only place for Sanusi is also the prison.

In an investigation carried out in April 2013, the FRC allegedly discovered that N38.23 billion was missing.

This amount was said to have been paid to

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The fight against Boko Haram has therefore, become a challenge that must be met at the international level. All the countries sharing the theatre of this war – Nigeria, Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon – must close ranks. But unfortunately, Cameroon is dragging its feet in fear that a decisive action against Boko Haram might result in its being targeted. That is very myopic because since Boko Haram has a foothold in Cameroon it is only a matter of time before it launches out there.

Unless they are rooted out, and quickly, Boko Haram could see a cowering Cameroon as a softer and easier target and go after it.

Rather than join hands to defeat this destructive vermin, Cameroon is more interested in sending its officials to corral Nigerian villages into their country in the name of boundary adjustment and implementation of the International Court of Justice verdict.

It is gratifying to note that France is now willing to partner with Nigeria in the war on terror.

If they do as they have said, it will help a lot. France is still the notional overlord of its former colonial territories such as Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon. If France reassures Cameroon it will assist against the Boko Haram threat to its security, our eastern neighbour is more likely to begin cooperating. France has a duty to get involved in the effort to decision Boko Haram once and for all, not only because Nigeria played a leading role in driving the Jihadists out of Mali, another of its vassal state in West Africa, France also still has commanding economic presence and interests in Nigeria. We have enough pressure levers we can tweak to get the

If Sanusi has been suspended on the basis of irregularities in CBN’s audited accounts, then NNPC authorities should be suspended five times over, even before you open their books

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MINT, a subsidiary of the CBN, but at the MINT end, no such money was received. nder his Father Christmas posturing, Sanusi is said to have doled out an U aggregate of N163 billion in about 63

“intervention projects” throughout the country at different times, without any legislative approval and authorisation.

Clearly, this is more than the annual budgetary outlays of most of the states in the federation.

In 2011, the CBN was said to have paid N38 billion to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC, for the printing of banknotes. In a twist of

Froggies jumping behind us in this war on terror.

But at the end of the day, the effort must be led from where the fire was lit. Nigerians, especially Arewa Muslim Northern Nigerians, must make up their minds that this war on terror must be won. They must stop using it like an instrument of blackmail against President Jonathan or the Federal Government. Northern Nigerians are being massacred, and the economy of Northern Nigeria is being emasculated. The shoe is pinching Nigeria but the toe on which it is pinching is a Northern toe. While the Federal Government must continue to lead the effort to defeat Boko Haram, all hands must come on deck. The North, including its noisy, grumpy Elders Forum, must play the active, leading role. There is no way that the Boko Haram terrorism can bring any political windfall for anyone, especially in 2015. Forget that. Neither can it alter Nigeria as we know it in any way. It will only lead to needless wastage of innocent lives and deprive more Nigerians of their hard-earned material goods.

The longer the war drags on the more entrenched the terrorists will become. Al Qaeda and the Taliban have been in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan for more than 20 years now with no end in sight to the conflict there. We don’t want that here. Compared to Afghanistan, Boko Haram is still a budding challenge, and we must nip it in the bud. But if sections of the Northern elite continue to blackmail the Presidency because Jonathan is the one there, this conflict might linger till long after Jonathan had left after serving his full two terms.

We don’t want that!

fate, it has since been discovered that the total turnover for the NSPMC was only N29 billion for the entire year. Where did the CBN payment go?

In the same year, 2011, the CBN claims it paid N511 million, N425 million and N1 billion to Emirate, Wing and Associated Airlines respectively, for currency distribution nationwide. While the Emirate Airline has no local charter service, the Wing Airline is not even registered in Nigeria and the Associated Airline had a total turnover of less than N1 billion in that year.

Other mind-boggling expenditure items in 2011 included sundries N1.1 billion and legal and professional fees N20 billion! In 2012, CBN claims spending N1.2 billion on “private guards and lunch for policemen”; N1.6 billion on newspapers, books and periodicals; and N3 billion on “promotional activities”.

It is instructive that these sordid revelations emanated from the audited accounts of the CBN, which means that audits have their intrinsic values.

Meanwhile, the NNPC accounts have not been audited in the past five years or more.

If Sanusi has been suspended on the basis of irregularities in CBN’s audited accounts, then NNPC authorities should be suspended five times over, even before you open their books.

In calling attention to the rot in the NNPC, and by extrapolation, all departments of government, Sanusi has played his role. We should not now be talking of just the missing sums pronounced by him. Nothing short of a total overhaul of our system will do!

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 21

Patronise locally manufactured meters — Dabiri-Erewa

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Mr. Harshvardan Sarda, Country Manager (middle), flanked by Joyce Eke (left) and Kunbi Igbekoyi, Client Service Executives, all of Nielsen Nigeria at the Nielsen Client Insight Event 2014, in Lagos.

$200m intervention fund small for start ups —NSIA

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

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HE Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Authority (NSIA) has said that the $200 million intervention fund earmarked for start-ups in the country will not have significant impacts.

Managing Director, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, made this known at a forum with stakeholders in Lagos.He said that the impact of intervention funds on economies are measured on long term basis, and that consistent contributions will determine how it will strategise its investment both locally and internationally.

He said, “The truth is this, $200 million in the NSIA intervention fund account at this point is small. It is 20 percent of $1 billion that is the total amount made available to the fund which is the only portion available for use for this purpose. This is not enough to stabilise the country, but we are not doing this for now but, we believe that over the next ten to fifteen years, we will get to a point where we will have enough funds to intervene when necessary. However, we are starting with this amount, if the contribution is maintained we should get to a comfortable position soon.

He pointed out that Dubai was almost wiped out between 2008 and 2009 when it had mortgage crisis, but was stabilised by Abu Dhabi Investment Company with a $20 billion cheque.

He added that Norway went from $300 million initial start up to now $1billion every week, “last year they got 52 billion dollars and every year that’s what they get. We haven’t gotten anything except N550 million from the federal government,” he stated.

Furthermore, he disclosed that it

is in talks with the Federal Government to invest in the LagosIbadan Express way, adding: “We are interested in investing in LagosIbadan Expressway and we have engaged the government in conversation around it.”

On the second Niger Bridge construction, he said that its first motorway investment is on the bridge as a lead financial partner in the consortium and with responsibility to invest equity and attract other equity partners and raise debt for this project.

member of the House of Representatives, Committee on Power, Mrs. Abike DabiriErewa, has urged the ministry of power and the new management of all Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to promote and patronise locally manufactured meters as part of efforts to drive economic growth.

She made this call during her facility tour of an indigenousmeter manufacturing company, Momas Meter Manufacturing Company Limited in Lagos.

She said economic growth in the country can only be realised when small and medium entrepreneurs are encouraged and patronised locally, noting that it is needless to import meters into the county as Nigeria has one of the best manufacturing companies in the world She said: “I was shocked when I saw all the equipment at MEMCOL meter manufacturing company in Nigeria. I don’t believe that we can have this kind of facility and sophisticated equipment in Nigeria and still complain about metering challenges.

“Despite these local companies striving to manufacture energy meters, we still go ahead to import meters.This is indeed very bad for our system. I am amazed by what I have seen here today. It will be a big shame if we do not make use of what I have seen here as regards meter manufacturing in the country.

“I’ve heard a lot of things about this place, and it’s overwhelming. We have to learn and believe in our people, we have to learn to celebrate ourselves and decide that we are going to develop. As a parliamentarian, am going to discuss with my chairman on power and members of the house committee on power on ways to enforce local content patronage in meter manufacturing companies,” she said.

Erewa noted that there has been lack of patronage in the meter sector despite best quality meters being produced locally.

She said that all DISCOs in Nigeria should ensure that all its customers are metered to avoid estimated billing and overbilling.

CIIN urges marketers to stop pushing for higher fuel price

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RESIDENT of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr Kayode Lawal, has advised petroleum marketers to stop their demand for higher pump price of petrol.

Lawal gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, this is not the right time to push for increase in the price of fuel.

“Any increase in pump price of fuel will lead to rise in the price of other goods and services. It will also add to the suffering of the citizenry as it will affect price of various products in the market, including transportation. It will be difficult for potential insuring

public to take up policies as the income level will still remain low as well as has adverse effect on people renewing insurance policies,” he said.

Lawal said that when people were affected by hardship, insurance would be the last thing to cross their minds.

He said that the consequences of not having adequate insurance cover would be grave for the country in future. The CIIN president said that the call for higher fuel price might cause people to store fuel in their houses and offices and such could make them vulnerable to fire outbreak.

According to Lawal, the timing for the call for higher price is not proper as such marketers should have a rethink.

184.90

-7.70

2,852.00

-42.00

17.75

-0.05

103.09

-1.83

109.12

-2.08

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.75 STERLING 258.6801 EURO 212.9824 FRANC 175.6926 YEN 1.5282 CFA 0.3069 WAUA 238.6915 RENMINBI 25.176 RIYAL 41.2623 KRONA 28.539 SDR 239.4292

155.25 259.5159 213.6706 176.2602 1.5332 0.3169 239.462 25.2578 41.3956 28.6312 240.20

155.75 260.3517 214.3587 176.8279 1.5381 0.3269 240.2339 25.3396 41.5289 28.7234 240.9764

CBN Exchange rate as at 05/03/2014

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Banks’ assets hit N24trn in 2014 STORIES BY

stood at N24,334.7 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2013, representing an increase of 4.4 per cent over the level at the end of the preceding quarter “At N12, 224.8 billion, banks credit to the domestic economy, rose by 8.6 per cent above the level in the preceding quarter. The development was attributed, largely, to the 346.9 per cent increase in claims on the Federal Government.

“Central Bank’s credit to the banks fell by 1.6 per cent to N229.8 billion at the end of the review

points below the prescribed maximum BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE ratio of 80.0 per cent.

“At N15,040.7 billion, aggregate banking system’s credit (net) to the he total assets of the domestic economy, rose by 14.9 per 24 banks in the cent at the end of the fourth quarter of country rose by 4.4 per2013, in contrast to the decline of 0.5 cent to N24.3 trillion in and 1.5 per cent at the end of the prethe fourth quarter of last ceding quarter and the corresponding year. On the other hand, quarter of 2012, respectively. The dethe banks increased their velopment relative to the preceding lending to the economy quarter was due, largely, to the 54.0 by 8.6 per cent to N12.3 and 1.4 per cent increase in claims on trillion. the Federal Government and the priThe Central Bank of vate sector, respectively. Over the levNigeria (CBN) disclosed el at end-December 2012, aggregate this in its economic rebanking system’s credit (net) to the port for the fourth quardomestic economy, rose by 18.5 per ter. The report stated, cent, reflecting largely the 40.1 and 9.0 “Available data indicated per cent increase in claims on the prithat the total assets and liabilities of the deposit vate sector and the money banks (DMBs) Federal Government.

“Banking system’s credit (net) to the Federal Government, at the end of the review quarter rose by 53.9 per cent to negative N1,468.8 billion, in contrast to the 25.5 and 31.4 per cent decline at the end of the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2012, respectively.

“At the end of fourth quarter of 2013, banking system’s credit to the private sector rose by 1.4 per cent to N16,509.5 billion, compared with the 3.7 and 2.7 per cent increase in the preceding quarter and the correspondFrom left: Ifie Sekibo, Managing Director, Heritage Bank; Olubunmi Adebiyi, Deputy Maning period of 2012, ager, Financial Inclusion Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria; Subairu Akano, Chairman, Gbagada Plank Market, and Mary Akpobome, Executive Director, Cowry Banking, Heritrespectively. age Bank, during the commissioning of the bank’s agent banking rollout at Gbagada Plank Market, Lagos.

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quarter, reflecting the decline in overdrafts to banks, while total specified liquid assets of the DMBs stood at N6, 614.79 billion, representing 39.5 per cent of their total current liabilities. At that level, the liquidity ratio, rose by 1.8 percentage points above the level in the preceding quarter, and was 9.5 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30.0 per cent. The loans-to- deposit ratio, at 36.3 per cent, was 2.9 percentage points above the level at the end of the preceding quarter, but was 43.7 percentage

Agent banking: Heritage Bank offers financial services to Gbagada plank market

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eritage Bank has offered traders and artisans of the Gbagada Plank market,located in Gbagada Industrial Estate of Lagos State, the opportunity to enjoy financial services without the risks and stress of walking kilometres in order to visit a bank branch.

On Tuesday, the bank launched its agent banking scheme with the opening of what it called the ‘Corner Shop’ bank in the market.

“The choice of the market as the first place to launch our agent banking is deliberate. We decided to launch our agent banking in this market because of the importance we attach to the business that our

customers do,” said Mary Akpobome Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Heritage Bank.

Addressing members of the market at the launching, she said, “Agent banking is about bringing banking services to the bulk of the many people, so that they don’t need to go far away to obtain banking services “If you look from the beginning of the road to this place, there is no bank around. I believe if you want to do banking business in this place, you have to cross the bridge to other side. So we have brought to you our agent bank, what we call in Heritage bank, the Corner Shop.

“You can now make your deposits, make withdrawals. You can purchase anything that you need to purchase that involves use of money, in that shop. You don’t need to go far, to different places to do different things like paying Water bills, Nepa bills.

You can now do everything in one place, right within your shop area.

In his opening remarks, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said, “Banking services is not only for some people, it is for everybody, and with the small bank we are opening in this market today, we are offering banking services to everybody in this market, irrespective

of your educational background and what you do”.

“From this small bank, you can enjoy a lot of banking services, which is available in the bank branches. You can send money to people, receive money from others, buy airtime vouchers. You can even send money to people abroad. You can do all these at this corner shop bank”, he said.

Speaking further, Akpobome promised that Heritage Bank is also open to suggestions on how it can help their business. “We are not a bank that believes that we know everything that our customer needs, if there is any service, anything that the bank can do to improve the business that you do, please use that shop to let us know.

Our promise is that we will do our best to ensure that we meet the financial needs of this market. Our prayer is that through this corner shop, prosperity will come to this place, through the financial services we have brought here; your business will grow in leaps and bounds,” she said.

BRIEFS

AFC gets first int’l credit rating from Moody’s

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he Africa Finance Corporation, AFC has secured its first International credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s).

Moody’s has assigned the Corporation an A3 (long term) /P2 (short term) foreign currency debt rating, making the AFC the second highest investment grade rated multilateral financial institution on the African continent.

Moody’s rationale for the investment grade rating was based on a sound capital adequacy position, high asset quality and strong prudential framework that supports a high degree of liquidity, supported by an excellent profit margin and profit retention.

Additionally, the Corporation’s strong liquidity framework and position which is in excess of the requirements of Basel III Capital Accord on liquidity risk management, will mitigate against external economic shocks, and help support planned growth.

Commenting on the international rating, Andrew Alli, President & Chief Executive Officer, AFC said: “Attaining an investment grade International credit rating, only six years after inception, is a tremendous achievement. It is a major milestone in the Corporation’s history.

Diamond Bank urges entrepreneurs to ‘build & breakthrough’

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n further demonstration of its commitment and support for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria by providing financial and non-financial intervention, Diamond Bank, a leading player in the Nigerian Retail Banking space, has hosted the 41st edition of the BusinessXpress seminar, tagged: Build Up and Breakthrough.

The seminar, which held recently in Lagos, is aimed at educating MSMEs on how to build capacity in the area of Financial Management. The topics discussed included:Build Up to Breakthrough, Introduction to Cash Flow and Diamond Bank Offerings for MSMEs. Addressing the participants at the seminar, Mr. UzomaDozie, Executive Director, Retail Banking, Diamond Bank PLC, stressed the need for entrepreneurs to have well-articulated visions for their businesses.

According to him, “Entrepreneurs need to have a well-articulated vision, which involves understanding the perspective of their customers and staff, because a business grows as her customers grow and capacity building is what will help MSMEs

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—23

Sharp, Dajcom in products assembling deal

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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HARP Corporation of Japan has started assembling its electronics and home appliances products in Nigeria through DAJCOM Limited, citing the country ’s growing Gross Domestic Product and huge consumer market as reasons for expanding its business volume in the country.

Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the consumer market in the country is now worth over $100 billion annually and growing fast as the purchasing power of the citizens continued to rise.

Group Deputy General Manager, Sharp Corporation Japan, Mitsuo Nakashima, said Sharp is coming back to Nigeria at full strength to expand its business volume through Dajcom because the company already has manufacturing lines in Nigeria for assembling, distributing and retailing of home appliances in the Nigerian market and in the West African region.

Fumio Yamaguchi, the

Managing Director Sharp Middle East FZE Dubai, added: “We would like to offer more life style and employment to Nigerian customers. With the analysis of the market, we would like to differentiate ourselves from competitors. For Sharp, Nigeria is an extremely important market and with Dajcom Ltd as our partner, we are committed towards enriching every Nigerian household with our one of a kind technology and products.”

Managing Director Dajcom Limited, David Safa, disclosed that Dajcom was established twelve years ago in Nigeria, as an importer of air conditioners for the domestic market.

“Since then, we have grown from being a small importer in Nigeria to becoming one of the largest manufacturers across the larger group of 14 countries that form the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“I am confident about the collaboration, and Sharp products would become popular among Nigerians in the near future,” he said.

From left: Head of Marketing, Nutricima Limited, Mrs Wande Oluwasegunfunmi; Assistant Director/ Coordinator, Lagos Zonal Office of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Fidelis Ajibogun; Assistant Manager, Legal, Lagos State Lotteries, Gbemi Ajibose; e-raffle draw presenter, Ifedayo Olarinde; Director, Regulation & Monitoring, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Prince Emmanuel Jeminiwa, at the first e-raffle draw of Nutricima Mega Cash Consumer Promo in Lagos.

Importers demand implementation of $190 duty on imported rice

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

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EY rice distributors, importers and other relevant stakeholders in Nigeria have urged the Federal Government to quickly implement the 2013 benchmark of $190 per metric ton duty on imported rice.

The stakeholders un-

der the aegis of Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RiMIDAN) said the non—implementation of the 2013 benchmark has made the country a dumping ground for smuggled rice from neighbouring countries.

The rice stakeholders noted regrettably that

LCCI seeks restoration of pre-release of cargo

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HE Lagos Chamber of Com merce and Industry, LCCI, has called for restoration of PreRelease of cargo regime to import-

ers and manufacturers, saying “The new import guideline ‘PreArrival Assessment Report (PAAR) is fraught with capacity

From left: Senior Brand Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr Lanre Da-Silva (left); Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Commissioner 11, Mrs. Olubunmi Adelugba (right); wife of the State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (middle) and participants at the Honeywell-sponsored 2nd Trade Fair for public primary schools, in Ado Ekiti.

challenges.”

In a statement, Tuesday, LCCI President, Remi Bello, lamented “The PAAR which was originally programmed to be issued within 6 hours now takes weeks to be released. And without the issuance of PAAR, other cargo clearance procedures cannot progress.”

“In the meantime, the Pre-Release of cargo pending the resolution of the transitional problems should be restored. Speedy processing of import document is an important element in the trade facilitation process; it is also a major variable in the 2014 World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking which is currently at a lowly 147 out of 189 countries profiled,” he said.

He warned that the delay in processing PAAR has the following consequences for importers including manufacturers: “High demurrage charges imposed by the shipping companies and the terminal operator, high interest charges on funds used to finance the imports; delays in the delivery of raw materials to various factories which disrupts production time lines.

that USD570 remains the duty for rice in Nigeria despite international price crash and stiff competition from the Benin Republic.

“Though the Government reviewed the dutiable price on rice, the measure was yet to be implemented leading to dislocations and unease within the rice industry in Nigeria.”

They argued that because of the non-implementation of the benchmark of $190 per metric ton duty on imported rice that Benin Republic deliberately crashed dutiable rate to USD200 per ton.

The action of Benin Republic has made the place a haven of sorts for smugglers of the product into Nigeria.

Mr. Tunji Owoeye, President of RiMIDAN, said apparent inaction of the federal government has made it impossible to improve the value chain on rice, less than 100,000 tonnes of rice were legally imported into Nigeria last year.

He said at a meeting last year with government officials“ we all agreed to introduce palliative duty and incentive in the sector to reduce smuggling of rice.

Somewhere along the line someone is holding the entire nation to ransom. “ We urged Mr. Presi-

dent, as a listening leader to intervene in the issue, quote me any where smuggling is not only affecting the farmer but it is rather killing them.” he said Meanwhile, the body has resolved to alert government agencies and functionaries such as the Nigeria Custom Service, Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, among others, on those dealing with smuggled rice so that the law would take its course.

As part of the resolutions at a stakeholders meeting recently, the body promised to inform various bodies and relevant government agencies on the need for action as they agreed to continuously collaborate and work together towards sanitising the sector which they said has been taken over by unscrupulous people due to the inaction of the federal government on the agreed duty.

Mr. Tunji Owoeye, President of RiMIDAN, speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting disclosed that the Federal Government has assured that it would soon resolve every contentious issue in the rice business in order to boost economy and make those in the sector to survive.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Customs Arrest: Freight forwarders commend CG, call for more action

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

F

R E I G H T forwarders have commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Abdullahi, for his impromptu visit to Tincan Inland Command which resulted in the arrest of two Customs officers on Monday.

The freight forwarders charged the Customs boss to continue with such visit as this would help ride the system of corruption.

President of the Institute of Freight Forwarding of Nigeria, Zeb Ikhokide, said the Customs boss’s action was a step in the right direction, stressing that if it is sustained, it help clean up the Service.

According to him, “I think it is a good omen.

If he continues like that the system would be cleansed up on the side of the Customs. If the system is clean other port users would queue behind them and do the right thing.

“If we still have some bad eggs like that in the customs, they can easily corrupt other port users and people will now start thinking that you can do anything with money and arrange things like that which would actually spoil the system.

It can spoil a good system, if the system is good and if the operators are not careful, if they do not put people of integrity in the system to drive the system, the system would go wrong.

“I think what the Comptroller General did was a very good thing. I think what he should do is to also give power to

his Deputy Comptroller Generals of Customs, DCGs to go round like that to make sure that the system is fully cleaned up, if not, it is the Customs themselves that will spoil the system.”

On his part, Founder of the National Association of

Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniegbonam, when asked his reaction to the alleged arrest, said he doubts if anything has actually happened.

In his words,”I do not think anything has happened as far as I am concerned because I

have not seen the material evidence. If they say something was found on them, where is it or where is it kept?

Chief Executive of Maritime Media Limited, Elder Asu Beks, said though the action is the step in the right direction but noted that it is like a drop in the

ocean. He challenged the Customs boss to do far more than he has so far done.

He however observed that is it not even important as there are other pressing issues to be addressed by the management of the Customs and challenged to focus their attention on the border post.

Customs urge agents to update cargo declaration

BY GODWIN ORITSE

T

HE Apapa Area Com mand of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) on Friday urged customs agents to update their cargo declaration in order to perfect the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) system.

The Deputy Comptroller of the Command, Mr Mananta Yusuf, told the newsmen in Lagos that perfecting the declaration was necessary to process the rest of the Pre-arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) in the system.

He said that the Comptroller-General of Customs only allowed the use of conditional release for the processing of cargo clearance as a temporary measure.

Yusuf said the measure was meant to ease the bulk of unprocessed PAAR requests for cargo clearance and was not meant to serve as a replacement of the actual process.

“The Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team, designed a procedure which is in tandem with World Customs Organisation’s procedures that is in terms of trade facilitation, to process cargo based on the form ‘M’ and invoice value.

“Doing that does not make it a procedure that comes to stay. It is an adhoc procedure designed to facilitate trade, particularly with the volume of Form ‘M’; the backlog of

Form ‘M’; 99,000 Form ‘M’ left behind by the service providers.

“But unfortunately, people try to capitalise on it as a window to make it a procedure, but no, that is not the purpose of PAAR. “The CGC did all these things to make sure that people are taking their cargo, avoiding demurrage and avoiding congestion within the port.

But it is now found out that all the provisional release we did, the PAAR are there in the system; people are not coming to perfect.

“Let them come and perfect the declaration to clean up the system. You can’t be having a declaration that is not updated.

Yusuf said that people could not start applying for PAAR when their cargo was already on ground.

He said that PAAR started about three months now and customs had been attending to the requests.

The customs chief said that with over 850 PAAR processed daily, the service had attended to about 90 per cent of the backlog.

Yusuf said that people must comply with their declarations to achieve a perfect system to improve trade.

According to him, people have to understand that for you to get it done, you have to do it well. He said that all the service was looking forward to is compliance.

National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu and CAC of MMIA command, Comptroller Mohammed Ndalati, at the commissioning of the association’s secretariat at MMIA.

We will help to push NIMASA’s projects through — Zainab Kure

T

HE Senate Commit tee on Marine Transport last week visited Delta State to inspect the facilities at the Warri port and on-going projects initiated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Okoloba and Ekerenkoko where members also inspected the NIMASA’s Science and Technical College, both the proposed shipyard and Maritime University in Ekerenkoko in Gbaramatu kingdom of Delta State. Committee’s Chairman, Hajia Zainab Kure in this interview with Godwin Oritse said that the Senate will assist the maritime agency in pushing through these projects.

Excerpts HE Committee has been to Lagos and now in Delta to inspect NIMASA’s projects.

Having come this far, what is your impression?

Well, like I said to you

T

•Senator Zainab Kure earlier, we are on our oversight function to inspect these. We have come, we have seen, and we are going to act on what we have seen.

It is true that we were in Lagos last week. This week, we are here in Delta, but remember that there are two agencies under consideration we are here in Delta.

From what you have seen so far, is this enough for the Committee to approve 2014 budget ?

We will have to sit down and study the situation properly because it is not enough to visit the project sites and pass their budget.

Now we have seen and we spoken with the contractors on site and we will be able to compare what we saw with the contractors’ claims as this will form the bedrock of what we will consider for 2014. Because percentages of work done are what we wanted to ascertain. That being the

case, we will sit down as Committee to prioritize projects we know can be completed in 2014 and those that can possibly be slowed down so that others can be completed.

That is the whole essence of the inspection.

Certainly, we must consider the budget, budget must be considered, if not for capital projects, we will consider it for recurrent so consideration of budget is certain.

From what you have seen so far, how would you rate NIMASA in terms of budget implementation?

In terms of budget implementation, I think they are trying their best, at least they are doing something. But I cannot single handedly tell you that NIMASA has done this or that percentage of budget implementation because this is a Committee and there are members whose opinion may be different from mine.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 25

*From 5th right: Executive Director, Corona Schools' Trust Council, Mrs Olufunto Igun; Educational Administratior, Corona, Mrs Maureen Ihonor; Director, Corona Teachers' College, Mrs Ifueko Omowunmi Thomas and five Cohorts of Corona i-Teach Programme during a press briefing held Monday at Corona Crporate office, Ikoyi, Lagos.

By AMAKA ABAYOMI & LAJU ARENYEKA

DESPITE the Federal Government’s plea to chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal polytechnics to prevail on striking polytechnic staff to accept government’s offer to

pay the outstanding CONTISS 15 arrears in two installments for the immediate resolution of the ongoing strike, students in the over 20 federal polytechnics and several other state polytechnics would have to remain at home a little longer as the Academic

Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has remained resolute, saying it would not call off the strike till its demands are met.

Recall that during a recent meeting with the chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics in Abuja, the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike,

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Geneticallymodified Two Rivers students to speak babies now at UN conference possible Pg. 30 Pg. 27 C M Y K

AHI makes case for 5.5m out-of-school girls Pg. 26

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All demands must be met before we suspend strike — ASUP President

said government is committed to paying CONTISS 15 in two installments in March and November 2014 which stands at over N40 billion.

“At our exhaustive meeting with ASUP, we agreed on the two installmental payment of the CONTISS 15. We have

Of the 13 issues we raised, government selected four which it promised to treat as urgent

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since raised a memo to the President to this effect. I took the risk of committing government because we are deeply worried over the prolonged strike.

“Thereafter, ASUP wrote to inform us that they have rejected this offer. Please, as chairmen of Polytechnic Governing Councils, we ask that you communicate our commitment to adhering to the schedule of payment. All

the processes are on and we are committed to resolving the strike action.”

Giving reasons for their rejection of government’s offer, the Chairman, ASUP, Mr. Chibuzor Asomugha, said government reneged on an earlier agreement by both parties.

“Of the 13 issues we raised, government selected four which it promised to treat as urgent. The four issues include release of the White paper on Visitation to Federal Polytechnics; the completion of the constitution of the Governing Councils for federal polytechnics; the migration of the lower cadre on CONTISS 15 salary scale; and the commencement of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian polytechnics.

“We suspended the strike and gave government one month to resolve these issues, but it was not until we resumed strike again in January that government commenced the Needs Assessment and completed the constitution of the Governing Councils for federal polytechnics.

“On the CONTISS 15 salary scale, we agreed with government for it to be paid in two installments in the

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

STRIKE Continues from page 25

AHI makes case for 5.5million out-of-school girls I

T is disheartening that Nigeria, world’s eighth largest oil producer has the highest number of out-ofschool children as stated by UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report (EAGMR).

With approximately 10.5m children out of school, Nigeria is ahead of 12 other countries which account for 47 per cent of the global out-of-school population. Out of this number, the out-of-school girls amounts to 5.5m.

Other countries affected include: Pakistan (5.1m), Ethiopia (2.4m), India (2.3m), Philippines (1.5m), Cote D’Ivoire (1.2m), Burkina Faso (1m), Niger (1m), Kenya (1m), Yemen (0.9m), Mali (0.8m) and South Africa (0.7m).

Among these countries, according to UNESCO, Nigeria is among the four that have experienced the highest increase since 1999.

Downward trend Worried by this development, various bodies, organisations and some concerned governments have been trying to arrest the downward trend through various means.

As increasing hardship and poverty reduce incomeearning opportunities, out-ofschool adolescent girls lacking parental support, become even more susceptible to the vagaries of unemployment, social isolation and other forms of deprivation. As options run out, some girls fall back on unsafe sexual liaisons with older men as an alternative

survival strategy. These findings have spurred Action Health Incorporated, AHI, to turn the spotlight on the plight of girls in Nigeria’s poorly resourced communities through the film production effort, to help catalyse a coordinated response to their challenges and needs.

According to AHI which released and premiered screening of three short filmsGirls Are Us, Slipping Through the Crack and Make Every Girl Count - that project the true life stories of out-ofschool adolescent girls.

The films are based on

,

By DAYO ADESULU

community lacks decent sanitation facilities and potable water supply. The dominant occupations of residents are fishing and trading and there are many unemployed and underemployed persons.

“Majority of the girls interviewed have no formal education. About 95 per cent of all the young adolescents aged 10-14 and 70 per cent among the older adolescents cannot read at all," according to the survey.

For those who had never attended school, the need to contribute to family income

One tenth of the girls are married, while 19 per cent have been pregnant or have had a child before

findings of a study commissioned by AHI to explore and document the realities, needs and concerns of out-of-school adolescent girls in Lagos, as a foundation for intervention planning. The study location was Iwaya Community and the survey covered 480 out-of-school girls aged 10-19 years. It entailed quantitative and qualitative assessments of their demographic, educational, sexual and reproductive health, livelihood status as well as assets mapping/profiling.

Iwaya is one of the densely populated slums in Lagos metropolitan area with residents from different ethnic groups but predominantly, Yoruba of the Ogu (Egun) sub-group. The housing situation in Iwaya is chaotic including several houses sitting on stilts inside the lagoon, and the entire

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and lack of funds for books, uniforms or transportation, as well as the stigma attached to repeating classes, were the reasons given for dropping out of school.

Sexual activity is initiated at younger ages (than the national average), mostly with older sexual partners and the incidence of multiple sexual partnerships is high.

“One tenth of the girls are married, while 19 per cent have been pregnant or have had a child before.

Sixty-two per cent of the girls had no access to basic necessities and many reported that going hungry for much of the day is a common occurrence.

A significant number of the girls are also subjected to unsafe and exploitative work conditions to survive.

“We call on all education, health and youth development stakeholders

within the public and private sectors to rise up to the challenge of securing the education, health and development of young people, particularly out-ofschopl girls in underserved and under-resourced communities.

Out-of-school girls need: •Formal or non-formal education •Sexual and reproductive health information and services • Vocational skills and business-related training • Protection from sexual abuse and violence.

AHI’s experience of working in Iwaya, with initial efforts at livelihoods training through apprenticeships, offering sexuality education combined with the evening basic literacy programme, and supporting younger girls to return to school has clearly demonstrated both the scale of demand for such services and the need for an integrated response.

It has highlighted the necessity of engaging and engendering action within the public sector in these communities, at local government and state levels. Only the public sector offers the breadth and reach needed to provide accessible basic education for girls at risk and second chance education for girls already out of school; livelihoods skills training and market access and/or linkages to formal sector businesses to provide girls economic independence; and opportunities to broaden both their world view and life choices.”

months of March and September, but government reneged on our agreement and changed the date to November without consulting us.

“We convened an emergency NEC meeting and members agreed we reject the offer because the Minister is trying to reduce our demands to just one issue without considering the fact that we had tabled these issues before government since February 2012.

“It is so unfair that government has settled universities but has neglected polytechnics which I attribute to government’s general disregard for polytechnics. We were supposed to have open discussions with government on the remaining issues since July 2013 but government is not bringing that up.”

Meanwhile, ASUP has directed its different chapters to start mass protests in their different locations so as to press home their demands.

Pressing home ASUP's demands The root of the strike is an agreement ASUP had with the Federal Government in 2001, which was reviewed in 2009 with an agreement that it should be renegotiated after three years.

In December 2012, as a result of government’s failure to address any of the demands, ASUP issued government a 30day ultimatum which expired on January 31, 2013.

Though ASUP had reasons to embark on strike in view of government’s repeated failure to address its demands, it decided to give government more time to respond; a response that never came.

This compelled the union to issue another 21-day ultimatum on March 25, 2013 which expired on April 22, 2013 and was followed by the declaration of a one-week warning strike which dovetailed into an indefinite strike beginning Monday, April, 29, 2013.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 27

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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ESIGNER shoes, bags,wrist watches, clothes, perfumes etc, and now what? The world is really on the fast lane.

Researchers are now making it possible for couples to go for made-to-order designer babies, thanks to rapid advances in the knowledge of the genetic blueprint for human beings (human genome), the Holy Grail of genetics research. The mapping of the genome was finished in 2003, and scientists went on to discover how each gene functions and what it does.

Today, it is possible to manipulate the genes of embryos.

Experts have described a designer baby as “an infant created by genetic engineering combined with in-vitro fertilization in order to ensure the absence or presence of a particular gene or characteristic."

In other words, couples could preselect their babies’ physical and personality traits. It’s like going to your doctor with a shopping list detailing the traits you would want in your baby. You could ask for a tall, intelligent, fair skinned, dark-haired baby boy that will love music, the sciences and arts, with 0.1 per cent chance of coming down with arthritis, diabetes, and any form of cancer.

Genetic disease A recent report in bloomberg.com noted that “a new technology aimed at eliminating genetic disease in newborns would combine the DNA of three people, instead of just two, to create a child, potentially redrawing ethical lines for designer babies."

How it works: “The process works by replacing potentially variant DNA in the unfertilized eggs of a hopeful mother with disease-free genes from a donor," said bloomberg.net.

The procedure is used only in monkeys for now but they are working to see if it is safe enough to be tested in humans.

The argument about whether the procedure is ethical or not, intensified recently when a blind couple in the US listed blindness as one of the characteristics they want to see in their designer baby.

Advantages: This technology, according to experts, could be used to eliminate genetic diseases in newborns. "There are two types of DNA: nuclear, which is handed down by both parents, and mitochondrial, which only comes from the mother. The technology replaces a donor's nuclear DNA, which determines things like hair color and intelligence, with the same material from the prospective mother, leaving the healthy mitochondria from the donor in place.

"Potentially, the procedure may cut off mitochondrial diseases

WANT DESIGNER BABY?

Genetically-modified babies now possible Costly: With all the gains of this technology, it is feared that it will be so expensive that only the super rich will be able to afford designer babies.

Distorted society: "If designer babies were to become commonplace, individuality as we know it would most likely cease to exist. As a whole, many people would be pretty, healthy, and intelligent. A society of pretty, healthy,

Photo: iq2oz.com

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By EBELE ORAKPO with agency reports

The process works by replacing potentially variant DNA in the unfertilized eggs of a hopeful mother with disease-free genes from a donor

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Photo: beginningandend.com

creates a new class system made up of genetically designed people and naturally made people. Naturally made people would experience a loss of opportunity based on a chance that their defective genes will be expressed. In this new society, people with a 50 per cent chance of cancer would get passed over for a job in favour of the person with .01% chance of cancer."

Favouritism: People have also argued that the technology could lead to favouritism where a gender or certain traits are favoured over the others. For instance, in countries where boys are favoured over girls, they may end up having only boys. The implication is that the human race will become extinct with time.

"Creating a generation of genetically modified humans could mess with evolution in unpredictable ways. The premise of evolution is simply this: as environments change, the individuals in a species best suited to the new environment are selected for. Without diversity in the species, adaptation to the new environment is more difficult without a wide range of individuals to choose from," stateddesignerbabies.weebly.com.

The evolution of humans has spanned about 2 million years and has resulted in the types of people we see today: people who have imperfections and people who are very different from one another. A large scale of organisms in a particular species is necessary for that species to continue to be competitive with other species and be successful. By creating a generation of genetically similar people, the human species loses its ability to adapt to changing environments (Agar).

that are passed down through females. One example is Melas syndrome, and intelligent people may which causes a person to have continuing small strokes that damage sound reasonable and their brains, leading to vision loss, problems with movement, dementia even favourable, until the and death, according to the National Institutes of Health. “This technology full social implications are is designed to prevent disease and to offer a woman who’s a carrier of considered," noted disease more options,” said Vamsi Mootha, a professor of systems biology designerbabies.weebly.com. and medicine at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. Prejudice: "People will Disadvantages: May be unsafe: Scientists have expressed fear over encounter prejudice, not for the safety of the procedure. "The research in mice suggests that the their race, but for their replacement technique may destroy some lines of communication between inferior genetic makeup. It mitochondria and the cell’s transplanted nucleus. Though the macaque monkeys don’t show the same problems, there may be longterm issues from the DNA replacement," wrote Klaus Reinhardt, evolutionary biologist at the University of Tuebingen, Germany in the September 2013 issue of Science journal."

By BOSE ADELAJA Odubela also stated that a school bus "The genetic engineering itself may not work gun State Commissioner for will be allocated to each school to correctly. Choosing a certain type of gene, say convey day students to and from school.

Education, Science and for hair color, may turn off a different gene, say He assured that admission will be Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela, for aging longer. This type of problem may not based on merit, urging money bags/ has stated that 15 of the 26 model schools manifest itself until the baby is born. politicians to steer clear. “Let me assure being constructed by the state Furthermore, the parents may not get what they government will be ready for full our listeners that there will be admission expect. Hypothetically, they might choose a process to be laid down. All prospective academic activities in September. female embryo with fair skin, dark hair, and a candidates are expected to fulfill this He said the schools are being minimal chance of disease, and get a healthy constructed in each of the 20 local before they can be admitted.” daughter who is fair skinned with dark hair On overcrowded classrooms, Odubela government areas of the state except who also has a terribly mean personality.

Abeokuta South, Ijebu Ode, Sagamu and said the process of decongesting the Because “personality genes” are difficult to classrooms has commenced, adding that Ado Odo-Ota which have two each. interpret and understand (they may not even the state government through the State The commissioner who stated this at a exist!), the personalities of designer babies public enlightenment programme of the Universal Basic Education Board, cannot be chosen for. "The parents who wanted SUBEB has procured furniture for some state radio station, OGBC 1 the fair and brunette daughter may have ‘’Orosunukun’’ said his ministry will schools and more learning items, he accidentally passed up a sweet tempered red soon commence placement of added, will be procured by the haired son," according to government. advertisement for JSS1 for 2014/2015 designerbabies.weebly.com Furthermore, he said government will academic session.

Wastage: Ethicists have argued that this soon commence rehabilitation of According to the commissioner, each technology will lead to wastage of embryos. of the schools with a total capacity of dilapidated blocks of classrooms in all Many embryos are created in the process and 1000 students, has a hostel, football public secondary schools in the state but only a few that fit the specifications set by a pitch, well equipped laboratory, wood appealed to residents to support the couple will get implanted into the mother and workshop and home economics state government in its rebuilding the rest are thrown away. mission. workshop.

Ogun model school ready soon — Odubela

O

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Educationist faults exclusion of private varsities from govt intervention

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UTHORITIES of the Adeleke University AU, Ede have faulted the noninclusion of private universities in the N200b intervention fund released to public universities by the Federal Government.

Briefing newsmen on the activities to mark the university's third founder’s day, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Gideon Oluwole Amusan stated that since both the private and public universities are working towards the same goal, it would have been better if private universities were also included in the scheme.

He, however, added that, “we are not asking the Federal Government to give us equal treatment with the public universities, but certainly it is not out of place if private universities are given some token as life line.”

According to him, private universities in the country pay higher taxes to the Federal Government than any of the public universities, saying that if any benefit is coming to the universities, it should not be discriminatory.

Amusan disclosed that the university is currently running 13 programmes, while it has concluded arrangements to

add 15 new programmes including Law and Pharmacy by the next academic session.

He also hinted that the university is collaborating with other renowned universities both within and outside the country to provide quality education that would lead to excellence and selfreliance by graduates of the university.

“The university partners with various universities within and

outside the country to expose faculty and students to opportunities for enriching their educational experiences through carefully prepared memoranda of understanding,” he added.

He explained that the university was rated high by the National Universities Commission (NUC) during its accreditation, stressing that the institution would strive to maintain its high academic excellence.

Ex-Ambassador urges cultural consciousness in schools

By LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA - Former Nigerian Ambassador to Austria, Biodun Owoseni has tasked the three tiers of government to ensure they encourage cultural consciousness and orientation in Nigerian schools.

He said considering the general unrest currently experienced in some parts of the nation and other parts of the world, culture could be a potent tool with which governments can foster national unity.

Owoseni, who is also the Executive Director of Royal Rainbow International School, Lugbe,Abuja stated this at the 2nd Cultural Day festivity of the school.

“I think culture remains a unifying factor for Nigerians,the government can easily key into this to promote peace and cohesion, we are very proud of our culture and it distinguishes us from other nations.

“As a former Ambassador, who has travelled far and wide, I can tell you that most foreigners respect the culture and traditions of our country because of our diversity.”

Joseph Anom, in his paper entitled: The Veracity of culture in our contemporary society, said culture shapes our understanding of relationships,especially how to deal with conflict and harmony that are always present whenever two or more people come together."

Karibi Whyte advocates higher fees in varsities

By WOLE MOSADOMI

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hairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian state-owned universities, Justice KaribiWhyte (rtd), has called for the urgent upward review of the fees charged in various universities across the country in order to attain world class standard.

Justice Whyte in his welcome address at the 3rd Biennial Conference of Pro-Chancellors held in Minna, Niger State said the call had become necessary due to the fact that both federal and state governments are politicizing the issue of payment of fees in the universities.

“We at the Committee of ProChancellors have observed that the federal and state governments are politicizing the issue of payment of fees in the universities. For the state universities to attain world class standard, there is the urgent need for upward review of the C M Y K

fees charged by the universities because it is common knowledge that private primary and secondary schools charge higher fees than many of the state universities,” he declared.

He noted that critical to the attainment of world class standard is the issue of funding and therefore called on state governments to adequately fund their universities by ensuring that budgets allocated to these institutions are released as at when due. He, however, called on authorities of the existing state universities to explore ways and means to improve on the internally generated revenue and also raise funds through external interventions adding that this has become necessary since state governments are faced with other challenges.

Justice Whyte applauded the settlement of conflicts between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government but noted that if

care is not taken, another disruption of the university calendar is almost in the air. He did not however elaborate on this.

He said for the survival of the university system and the realisation of the goals of university education in the country, an equitable system should be devised to curb incessant strike actions by lecturers.

“The Federal Ministry of Education should know their proper role in university administration and confine itself within that scope because it is clearly not the employer of staff of universities and cannot lawfully and rightly intervene,” he said.

Justice Whyte lamented the obstacles between the visitors to state universities pointing out that the interaction between the two bodies is very vital as it will provide a forum to exchange ideas and intimate the visitors on the common challenges of state universities.

RIGHT OF REPL Y (2) REPLY Continues from last week “Those who deal in ideas, if they are wise, will welcome attack.

Only a peaceful passage should dismay them; for it proves that the ideas do not affect anyone very much.” Professor John Kenneth Galbraith. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 97).

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FTER I returned from my postgraduate studies and postdoctoral fellowship in the UK 24 years ago, I have lectured in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin and in that period, I have taught thousands of pharmacists, doctors, dental surgeons and many postgraduate students now working in Nigeria and in the five continents of the world. Some of the PhDs I supervised are also professors and I am now the most senior and longest serving academic staff in my department. I therefore have the experience and legitimacy to provide an enlightened comment on this matter. While I cannot hold brief for the staff of the University of Ibadan or any other university, in all my stay in the University of Benin which began in September 1981, about a year after my NYSC programme, I can categorically state that I have never sold a Course Note to any student and none of my colleagues in the department ever did. As I have stated above, we produce some free copies of our course notes where necessary for the students to reproduce for themselves at no financial gain whatsoever to ourselves. Those who cannot afford it can share with their friends.

The same is true to the best of my knowledge in I can categorically all the departments of my faculty. The reason state that I have never is simply that we have sold a Course Note to an obligation to bring up our students in a any student and none responsible manner of my colleagues in inculcating in them the the department ever ethics of their professions. The sale of did course notes and other unwholesome practices is not the way to inculcate discipline and professional ethics in our doctors, pharmacists and dental surgeons. I should also point out that some children and wards extort money from their parents and guardians ostensibly for the purchase of course notes only to spend such money on the purchase of the latest i-pads and android phones that their lecturers know nothing about. It is not all tales told by children about their lecturers that parents should accept as the gospel truth. How come Dr. Sobowale could not enquire from the WHO-acclaimed professor if indeed his daughter needed to buy any course notes? I know that by his standing in society, he could even have approached the vice-chancellor of the university and informed him of his course notes predicament and the true situation would have become known. If we all wash our hands off fighting corruption because we do not want to pay a price, what right do we have to complain about its endemicity?

It is easy for Nigerians to believe such sweeping statements as the one made by Dr. Sobowale that all lecturers sell course materials making tons of filthy lucre in the process. This is because corruption, with impunity and unethical practices, has become second nature in many of our public institutions. I know the sale of course materials occurs in our universities but it is neither approved by the universities nor as widespread as Dr. Sobowale has stated. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is indeed opposed to these practices and proper funding and provision of infrastructure along with proper training, remuneration and orientation of academic staff will check some of these malpractices. Firm, prompt and transparent sanctions which are within the authority of the management of any university with the degree of autonomy being canvassed by ASUU, will guarantee the environment and conditions that are required for the proper training of our youth in our universities and stem the exodus of the children of our politicians and rich Nigerians to foreign universities some of which are mere portacabin institutions that would not ordinarily rival our own institutions.

I honestly think that Dr. Sobowale should apologize to the hundreds of Nigerian university lecturers who despite the privations of their work environment are doing their selfless best and are quietly making the necessary sacrifices for the good of our education and our country.

Prof. Eric Omogbai.

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BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, OSOGBO

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 29

Vodacom hosts students on ICT Cloud Computing

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*From right: Rev. Father Felix Onemheghie of St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba; Director, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Dr Laolu Oguntuyi and the administrator of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School (OLASS) Yaba, Sister Patricia Oguejiofor during the school's 46th speech and prize giving ceremony, in Lagos.

N a quest to further its mission of making its resources available to a broader number of Nigerian students, Vodacom on its power to you initiative has extended its ICT field trip and tour opportunities to schools in communities where it operates.

Vodacom Business Nigeria typically invites a number of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to its facility, enabling hundreds of Nigerian students to benefit from complementing their science, computer, engineering and electrical electronics studies with field trips to the company’s facility. February 28th will be remembered by students from the Computer craft trade of the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos as they were taken through the technology and the benefits of cloud computing.

“We are excited that our students were given access to Vodacom’s facility and its excellent educational sessions,” said the Principal, Mrs. M.A Nwankwo. “Getting children interested in ICT is very important for our school and coming to an enterprise service provider and learning about ICT first-hand, helps students apply classroom learning to real-life situations and opens opportunities for future careers in ICT for them.”

The field trip included a tour of Vodacom’s data centre, Network design department and Customer support centre. The students, guided by the company ’s IT Manager, Tunde Dada, were introduced to virtual hosting, security and Cloud Back-up and Archiving which exposed the students to how Vodacom is able to store and secure large data in a 99.998 per cent uptime environment.

“We’re pleased and proud to host the students of FSTC Yaba in our facility. It is an opportunity that so clearly supports our commitment to youth empowerment through ICT education,” said Guy Clarke, Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria. “We believe that ICT can address some of the country’s most pressing challenges in education.

There is no better way to drive this change than exposing the youth to the technical, business and leadership skills required for ICT innovations,” he said.

MAPOLY matriculates 5,000, warns against cultism DAUD OLATUNJI

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HE Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has warned newly admitted students to shun all forms of social vices.

The Rector of the institution, Professor Oludele Itiola stated this during the matriculation and oathtaking ceremony for 5, 000 new intakes for the 2013/ 2014 academic session.

Prof. Itiola who disclosed that plans were on top gear to provide students with conducive hostel accommodation said that the hostel might be built along what he tagged ‘build, operate and transfer’ system in partnership with the organised private sector.

He, however, noted that the polytechnic was in need of more lecture rooms, adding that new members of staff would soon be employed.

He also stated that the polytechnic’s library would be rehabilitated to meet world standard, which he said would aid the students in their academic pursuit.

According to the rector, “we need more classrooms and we need to provide some facilities in the library.

Also we are in the process of providing hostels for the students.

“Apart from creating a good academic community, it will also give us a good leverage on the way people move around on campus.

“We are going to provide hostels. We may have to use for the most part the system of build, operate and transfer (BOT) but over the next twelve months, you will see a lot of changes.”

Professor Itiola however, commended the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led government in Ogun state for providing the school with regular subvention which he said had assisted in the overall development of the polytechnic.

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NHIS offers centennial treatment package

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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S part of activities to mark Nigeria’s Centennial anniversary, the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, is offering a special treatment package of Non-Communicable Diseases to hundreds of enrolees nationwide.

Disclosing this to newsmen during a working visit of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, and other parastatals in Lagos, Executive Secretary, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas, said the programme, was designed to give back to beneficiaries of the Scheme.

“The National Health Insurance Scheme has approved funds to take care of tertiary and super tertiary diseases for 2014. We are going to cover 100 cardiac interventions and open heart operations, 100 cancer cases, 100 major renal and orthopaedic operations, nationwide as part of the centennial celebration,” he disclosed.

Thomas said there is a window of opportunity for enrollees to benefit from the initiative this year, noted that efforts was on to develop programmes that will cover other enrolees in the future.

The Executive Secretary and his entourage were in Lagos to jump-start the accreditation process of the Scheme in readiness for massive enrolment earmarked for 2014.

Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan mandated the Scheme to cover 30 percent of Nigerians by 2015, however, in-house, Thomas said the decision is to go to 40 percent and to achieve that, at least 70.8 million

Nigerians must be reached. He argued that the nation needs more health facilities. “the NHIS is trying to do massive accreditation so as to enlist more facilities for the programme.

On legislation, he said the process should be concluded this year. “Before then, we are making use of what we have. Making the scheme mandatory is the way to go. The language worldwide now is Universal Health Care, UHC. For health insurance to be universal it has to be compulsory. As long as you do not make it compulsory people will find reason not to enroll.

“What we operate is a form of crosssubsidisation. We will see a situation where people who are strong and able

are paying and then the state will have to provide for the vulnerable group that cannot pay. That is the whole essence of making it mandatory.

Thomas debunked the belief that Health Maintenance Organisations, HMOs, benefit more that other partners under the Scheme. “It is not correct that one group is benefiting more than another. The situation is essentially about risk-pulling at the level of facilities.

Facilities are paid in advance quarterly whether enrollees fall ill or not. The risk pulling is at the level of the facility.

HMOs are like conveyor belts. They collect the money, give to the facility and take a percentage, as running cost, that's all.”

•L-R: Members of IGNITE Scientific Committee, Consultant Cardiologist Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH, Dr. Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph; Nutritionist and Research Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Dr Bartholomew Brai and Public Health Physician LUTH, Dr. Kemi Odukoya. With them are Medical Director Anglo-phone West Africa GSK, Dr. Bode Adesoji (2nd right) and Paediatrician Clinical Director of Emel, Dr. Olatoye Agbato at the 2014 IGNITE Stakeholders Parley in Lagos yesterday.

GT Bank holds 4th autism seminar

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HE theme for Guaranty Trust Bank’s 2014 Autism Awareness programme. “On the road to future inclusion” takes place March 22nd to April 2nd, 2014.

Autism Spectrum Disorder as with other developmental challenges arises from insufficient development of a child’s physical, emotional or intellectual capacity. This Disorder, which is largely misunderstood by society makes it difficult for affected children to cope with the everyday demands of their environment and leads to varying stages of social stigmatisation.

Mr. Segun Agbaje; MD/CEO, GTB, said the advocacy programme is to ensure societal awareness and knowledge about the disorder as well as highlight the plight and requirements of person’s living with Autism.

Highlight of the event will be the awareness seminar March 31- April 1, 2014 at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The seminar, will be facilitated

by International and local nutritionists, psychologists, educationists and medical practitioners will feature sessions on managing people with varying levels of ASD. Other activities include autism talk shows on major radio stations, a fun day for children living with Autism and awareness walks within Lagos metropolis.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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These two will help you in the short term and in the long term – Uche My wife says she does not enjoy sex. I want to improve but nothing I try seems to be working – Sunday Sunday you will need instructional films to teach you.

Get the DVDs How to be a better Lover and Sizzle: 101 Sex Positions. They will set you on the right track to marital bliss – Uche I am interested in penis enlargement. My friends keep talking about Max size but they are not experts. I only want to take advice from you – Femi Femi Max Size is a good penis enlarger. Some of your friends must have used it to recommend it. It is an effective organ enlarger that you too will enjoy – Uche I have read so much about Exploding Thunder. I am 64 years old and my erection is weak. Is it good for me? Kolawole Yes Kolawole. Exploding Thunder is an effective supplement specifically made to enhance male performance and restore weakened erections to full strength of penile hardness. It can be used by all adult men – Uche That is all for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 07086754515 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria.

For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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HAT is your take on the difficulties in accessing a deceased person’s benefits from the new Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS and other schemes?

To start with, the blame will be on both sides. Most of the beneficiaries you are talking about are likely to be illiterate or semi-illiterate and they do not have any idea of what they need to do. I tell you, to get a letter of administration is a very cumbersome process on its own. That, they must get. I like to stress that nonpayment of this fund to the “beneficiaries” stated in the file of the employment of

Why people face difficulties in accessing benefits of deceased relations — EBURAJOLO DEPUTY Group Managing Director of Kewalran Chanrai Group and renowned Human Resource Practitioner, Mr. Victor Eburajolo, in this interview with Pension & You, gave reasons why beneficiaries face difficulties in accessing benefits of deceased persons, solutions among others. Excerpts: the deceased could also be because the body wants to protect themselves. Sometimes, one of the issues that create problems too, could

be family problems because from my experience in the factory, most of the class of people we are talking about, if you ask them for

next of kin, very likely they bring the person who helped them to get the job.

Or, they can put a brother because they do not under-

zEburajolo stand what next of kin means. That is why when we were running a factory we took the trouble to explain to them that, if you are

married, there is nothing wrong in putting your wife.

So, we explain to them, when anything happens to you it is the person that will be in position to utilize this money for the benefit of your immediate family. Most of them do not understand this. So, when they want to make a claim and you say these are the requirements, it takes them a lot of timebecause to get a letter of administration, you have to spend some money.

Sufferings of next of kins

I would have suggested that we try to simplify the process for these people, if not, a lot of their money will be unclaimed and the deceased's next of kin will be suffering. Sometimes too, they have to travel to the point where they have to present their papers and start processing, and the cost of transportation and so on. When they look at that and what they are going to get is very meagre, most of them just abandon it. For them, it makes economic sense.

So, this is the problem. It is the case of one not knowing what to do, and even when you know what to do, how to go about it, could be cumbersome. I would have thought we would look at it holistically and see how to make it easy for these people. But we have come to accept in this country how to use bureaucracy to scuttle whatever anybody wants to claim.

Let me give an example.

I have a cousin who today is 82 years old; he retired from Federal Civil Service, the daughter who was also working in the service, died about five years ago. Now, this man has been trying to claim the benefit, but he could not, because I go to Abuja often, he asked me to assist him and so, I collected all his papers two and half years ago.

To be continued C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—37

BITS Bits Ministry, stakeholders to discuss unfair labour practices

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FES relocates

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RIEDRICH Ebert Stiftung, FES, has relocated its Lagos office at the University of Lagos, UNILAG. A statement by its Project officer, Mrs. Remi Ihejirika, said the new office is on the second floor of the Human Resource and Development Centre, HRDC, Building,

by UNILAG second gate.

NLC President, Abdulwahed Omar

NLC’s tidal waves between Dubai and Calabar The recent trip of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to the United Arab Emirate specifically Dubai exclusively reported by Vanguard has generated reactions frompeople within the labour movement and those outside it. This edition of Labour Vanguard takes a look at recent activities or inactivity of the Central Labour Organisation.

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

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BOUT two weeks ago, the Nation al Administrative Council, NAC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, made up of all elected officers and appointed officers were in Dubai for a retreat.

Latest information available to Labour Vanguard showed that two of the NAC members, Comrade Samuel Adeoye, immediate past president of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, and the President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria ( MWUN), Comrade Anthony Emmanuel Nted were not in Dubai.

Given the no present in Dubai, a quorum was formed for a meeting of the National Administrative Council ( NAC) to have been held there.

However, last Friday, the leadership of the NLC again went to Calabar to hold a meeting of NAC. What is NAC and where should it meet?

Labour Vanguard sought the views of a former national treasurer of the NLC, Comrade Stephen Oshidipe. Oshidipe who is also a former president of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees ( NUFBTE) said, “ We never went out of the secretariat to hold NAC. NAC is a serious meeting and immediately after the meeting, the secretariat begins implementation of decisions taken”.

Comrade Oshidipe said, “ It is only the National Executive Council that we moved outside the secretariat”.

The former treasurer said, even if the NLC can afford the cost of hosting NAC outside its headquarters, “ It is not prudent . It is not wise. They know what they went to do in Dubai”. On the presence of NAC members in Dubai and the hosting of the same meeting in Calabar barely a week after the ‘retreat ‘ in Dubai, the veteran unionist asked, “ Who is fooling who?”.

In the days of Comrades, Hassan Sunmonu, Ali Chiroma, Paschal Bafyau and Adams Oshiomhole, the NAC prepared the working document for the Central Working Even if the NLC can afford the cost Committee,CWC, made up of all presidents and of hosting NAC outside its headgeneral secretaries of af- quarters, is not prudent , it is not filiate unions. wise In the absence of the the other way .

National Executive CounThis trend in the labour movement is cil meeting, the CWC takes very cruso worrisome that it could ( if possible) cial decisions on behalf of Nigerian make the likes of Imoudu, Goodluck , workers. Comrade Oshidipe said, rather than waste money on frivolous trips, Essiet, Adebola and others turn in their the leadership of NLC should set up a graves. However, this is only one side Labour College “ based on ideology of the story. The other side is that increasingly, governments want to pocket labour where they will teach the rank and file what the movement is all about”. and anyone who is not likely to play ball is Vanguard investigations showed that shown the way out using all sorts of flimsy staff morale at the NLC has become excuses. The way out- It is high time that low. A staff who prefers anonymity workers took charge of their unions. . The said “ people have no incentive to put union cannot be left to arm chair unionists.

The struggle must not only continue, it in their best anymore. The Congress is must move at a faster pace. The next elecbeing run as if it is a cult. “.The staff asked tion of officers into the offices of the NLC “ where is the vibrancy that the NLC was associated with in the days of Comrade should be based on the integrity of indiOshiomhole? We are all worried”. vidual and not on any caucus arrangement.

Another ally of the NLC asked “ When One of the slogans of the NLC becomes more policemen in Rivers state, dispersed relevant at this time, “ Organize don’t teachers recruited by the Rivers State gov- Agonize”.

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HE Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, in collaboration with stakeholders will between April 2 and 3, 2014, hold a conference on how to check incidences of unfair Labour practices in Nigeria.

Consequently, the ministry has notified all unlicensed Private Employment Agencies, PEAs, to regularize their operations with the Ministry or face sanctions provided by Labour Law. Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the national workshop on Strengthening the Role of Private Employment Agencies, PEAS, in Human Resources Development would hold at the Conference Hall of NECA House, Ikeja in Lagos.

According to him, the Ministry, in collaboration with Human Capacity Providers Association of Nigeria, HUCAPA, was organizing the National Workshop as part of efforts at achieving the laudable objectives of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration for the Labour and Employment Sector of the national economy.

Chief Wogu pointed out that in addition to reducing the incidences of unfair Labour practices, the workshop was geared towards strengthening relations with all PEAs while promoting productivity and decent work.

He listed other objectives of the workshop as addressing the emerging trends and challenges in the recruitment industry while also providing a platform for interaction between regulators, operators of Recruiters’ License and applicants. The Labour Minister further revealed that the workshop was being organized in accordance with the mandate of the Ministry with regards to licensing of qualified Companies, including those providing Security Services to operate as Labour contractors and Private Employment Agencies in line with the provisions of Sections 23, 24, 25 and 71 of the Labour Act, CAP L1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

ernment with tear gas, what did the NLC do, nothing? .

Pending workplace issues : An officer of a non-governmental organization that has closely worked with the NLC noted that thousands of workers in the banking industry, oil and gas industry and even the media are being denied their right to unionize yet there has not been a single action from the Central Labour Organisation and its affililates. He said, “ gradually the unions are dying. The attitude of the leadership is weakening the unions”.

As it is in Nigeria, so it is in other parts of the world. Workers are generally losing interest in the unions. Recently, workers in an auto company in the United States of America, took a vote against the interest of their union. The union leaders were shocked.

Unions/ Elections With national elections due to hold next year , labour leaders may become willing tool in the hands of politicians. This is not peculiar to Nigeia. It is happening in South Africa where, the government of Jacob Zuma has used other officials of the Congress of South African Trade Union ( COSATU) to shove out the union’s general secretary, Zwelina Vavi . Vavi is on suspension on trumped up charges .

Unlike Nigeria, the government of Jacob Zuma knows that it may not fully have its way with COSATU which has retained its ideological focus.

What is expected of the leadership of any union or labour centre is, define the role of organized labour and educate workers on how to deepen democracy.

Part time officers hijack unions Another trend in the labour movement is that of part-time officers who have hijacked the unions from career trade unions and turned unions into their personal estates. Of course there are general secretaries too who have become landlords of their unions.

The Agriculture and Allied Workers Union ( AAWUN) also has a similar experience. In both cases, the NLC looked

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38 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 39 YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today. It’s good to secure support of your spouse LEO; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

VIRGO; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image LIBRA; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena. Respect the law and its agents today.

SCORPIO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

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OW that you h a v e adequately defined your kind of success, how do you achieve your objectives?

If you wan to build a house, don’t you

Succeed Anyway — 4 identify your needs and how to acquire them? It is the same thing with other forms of success.

Some of these things you need may

be simple, some complicated and others highly complicated and necessary.

If necessary, start small. Break them

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

down. Don’t be ashamed, don’t be afraid.

If you remove shame – shame of what people will say and fear – fear of what will happen – you will succeed.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire. If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?.

CAPRICORN; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but, you’ll succeed.. Entertain no fear, and take advantage of your sex-appeal for love.

AQUARIUS; Placement of the Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed.

PISCES; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powers-that-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation.

ARIES; Tomorrow is your better day. But you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; If what you’re doing today’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now. Even things may not go according to your personal plans today.

Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now.

GEMINI; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being cooperative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble.

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,

Basic characteristics of Sagittarius Sagittarius is a mutable sign by its quality. It ‘s element is fire, symbolised by half horse half man and/or an Archer aiming at the sky. Mutable means changes and experimentation, while fire is all about enthusiasm, taking of the initiative and leadership ability. Thus, you are the type that will exhibit strong interest in an important project that catches your fancy and you will not mind to experiment with ideas just to achieve your objectives and aims.

Sagittarius is 9th of the twelve Zodiac signs that rules philosophy, RELIGION, law, foreign land, higher mind/ higher institutions, lawyer, long (distance) travelling, inlaws, future, optimism and bluntness. Major problem or weak points of Sagittarians are excessive openness/ bluntness and sometimes fanatical approach to religion.

Being a born adventurer, you are not afraid of exploration and new beginning. Sagittarians are incurable optimists and ever ready to listen to and eager to believe others.

Honesty is truly in your inner self You are a tolerant person but you are not ready to compromise your FREEDOM Sagittarius as a fire sign can make you a quick tempered person. Half horse half man as the symbol, of Sagittarius indicates dual (double) personalities known in different circles with different personalities. Yet, you are not a pretender. As the Archer aims arrow into the sky so also Sagittarians have many lofty ideas and ambitions. But sometimes their ideas and/or ideals are not practical enough for realisation. Many times, they start too many things at the same time only to .either forget or lose view of their original target.

Development of practical approach is more important for Sagittarians this is in order to make success of many of their brilliant ideas, otherwise they tend to become dreamers.

In reality, Sagittarians are dreamers (by this 1 mean real dream many use to have at night when sleeping) and many of their dreams usually come to pass. Sometimes their dreams are vividly prophetic.

Sagittarians are born philosophers. That is why they have well developed minds indispensable to rare wisdom, Then, they are humorous, lively, sports loving out going, energetic, good hearted, in love with change/experimentation, ever willing to co-operate, socially inclined, enthusiastic and highly intelligent. Ironically as intelligent as they are, they can surprisingly appear fanatical about their convinction and/or views.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

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HE senseless massacre of innocent students at the Federal Government College, Yobe, on monday February 24, 2014, has again brought to fore, the hopelessness of our defense capabilities. It is now time for everybody, to get involved; we must remove ethnic, political and religious sentiments.

According to the words of Bishop David Oyedepo, " what you do not want, you do not watch ". Do we really want an end to the Boko Haram senselessness?

A country deserves the kind of treatment it gets, whether from its leaders, criminals or even foreigners. A country that is apathetic to common goals and interest, will not make progress.

The choice is ours.The Lagos State government realised that it had to take responsibility of security for its citizens and earmarked huge resources - in term of personnel, cash, resources - into making the dream come true. Today, Lagos is, arguably, the safest state in Nigeria.

The governors of the troubled Boko Haram states, should not sit and watch, waiting for miracles to happen, they must take action; what you want is what you get.

If there is no peace in those regions, we might as well say good bye to peaceful elections.

Opposition politicians must begin to take note of this and join the federal authorities in finding lasting solution to insurgency challenges.

The states harbouring these Boko Haram insurgents are - we must note here - mostly in the opposition and PDP rebel governors enclaves: Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano. If we are to stretch the argument further, we assume that they are not giving the federal authorities enough co-operation and support; that is why the situation is not abating.

The only thing that is constant in life is change. The changing patterns of crimes all over the world calls for new approaches in containment. It is my humble submission that Boko Haram and other insurgents threatening the peaceful existence of our country, Nigeria, can be contained if the right strategies are implemented.

We must start by first thinking out the problem confronting us before we take action. It is an established fact that behind great breakthroughs are great ideas.

The battle with the Boko Haram can only succeed if we put all our intelligence capabilities to work.

Every intelligence unit in the combined armed forces and beyond must begin to put their training to practice. Questions must be asked and answers provided; Is the Boko Haram battle bigger than our combined armed

It is my humble submission that Boko Haram and other insurgents threatening the peaceful existence of our country, Nigeria, can be contained if the right strategies are implemented

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forces capabilities? If so, why?

Are the men better trained, than our personnel? Do they have superior fighting equipment?

Where do these equipment come from? Are the perpetrators of these destructions Nigerians?

Because it is only a bastard child who will destroy his home and that of his ancestors.

If they are not Nigerians, which country(ies) did they emanate from?

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e notice that in Mali the Islamist militants were mostly foreigners. If they are foreigners, why did our brothers in the Northern part of Nigeria accommodate them?

The Governor of Borno State claimed that the insurgents are better motivated than our soldiers. If this is true, what kind of motivation is given to them that cannot be extended to our

Delta 2015: Power shift or credible leadership

BY BOBSON GBINIJE “Our object in the construction of the state is the greatest happiness / Of the whole and not that of one class”.- Piato “All well governed states and wise princes have taken care not/ To reduce the nobility to despair, / Nor the people to discontent” Niccolo Machievelli.

HE inability of our leaders past and present to practice the Aristotelian concept of the pursuit of the greatest good for the largest number, altruistic commitment, failure to see the Nation, state and local Government Area as one constituency under their leadership etc has given rise to what sociologist call structural distrust, mistrust and fears. The people now believe that the only way development can come to their areas is only when their kinsmen, townsman and tribal cohorts are in power. This has given rise to the clamor in most nations and states etc for power shift.

Power shift is seen by some political analysts as one of the taboos to true and modern democracy.

Nigeria is a nation formed as a result of the agglomeration of different heterogeneous groups of people. But after our independence in 1960 the Hausa/ Fulanis took over the reins of leadership from the British and went through their Nothernisation policy to entrench a very complex Northern stranglehold dominance of all the institutions of coercion, like the Army, Police, Navy, Air force etc. The presidency became their exclusive preserve.

The leadership Algebra and political statistical data shows that right from independence in 1960 till date there has been a preponderant dominance by the North,- Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1960-1966), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (19661975), Gen. Murtala Muhammed (six months), Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo ( he came as military and two-time

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democratically elected President), Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1994-1998),Gen.Muhamed Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (19851993), Gen. Sanni Abacha (1994-1998), Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (1998-1999), President Musa Yar'Adua and now President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan ( not in sequential Order). When these facts are silhouetted on the canvass of time and history, it shows that the North West geopolitical zone has had four presidents, the North central geo-political zone have had three presidents, the North East geo-political zone have had two presidents, the South west have had (two presidents), the South east geo-political zone (none) because Zik was a figurehead and the South South (Niger delta) (1).

It was this transparent and lucid injustice that give rise to the “Power Shift” clamour in Nigeria. The wrangling and farrago gained on immense political intensity, indeed, push came to shove and the Notherners kow-kowed and then called for an election. In the subsequent election, Chief MKO Abiola won hands down, but was manipulated out of the presidency in what is now known as the “JUNE 12TH SAGA”.

One thing led to another and THE MAN DIED. Nigeria was thrown into political confusion of unspeakable proportion. The Northerners saw that Nigeria was on its way to Yugoslavia and on the verge and epicenter of disintegration and then decided to call for a fresh election under General Abdusalami Abubakar to empower the South West (Yoruba) because of MKO Abiola’s death. Then power was reluctantly shifted to the South west (Yoruba) with Chief Aremo kikiola Matthew Olusegun Obasanjo emerging as the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999.

The success of power Shift in 1999 led to the recrudescence of the power shift mantra at national, state and community levels that

own soldiers to ginger them to action?

Are there conspiracies by people who are not happy with the Jonathan presidency? If no, why are the people not coming up with information to aid our security personnel?

What is the relationship between our security personnel and the locals in the troubled territories? Who are the extremists/religious leaders feeding these insurgents with hate ideologies? Why have they not been rounded up and dealt with decisively? That is what they do in China and North Korea.

Are the citizens of these war zones happy with the situation at hand? If no, what efforts have been made by them to discourage such attacks? What co-operation have they given to the military men on ground?

Are the soldiers that we have sent to the Boko Haram states familiar with the terrain, locality and culture? Because, you can never win a battle, if you do not have a proper understanding of the terrain.

What is the state of the youths, in those areas? Have they all been identified to their ancestral sources? What form of cooperation are they giving to the insurgents? How ready is our military for such challenges? Do we have indigenes from these areas in our armed forces? What is their contribution towards check mating the insurgents?

What efforts have the states authorities made to put in place effective policing through local vigilantes, neighbourhood watches and provision of equipment and funds for the

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BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

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Boko Haram is everyone's responsibility

It will however be tantamount to political escapism and despotism for the Urhobos to say that politics is a game of numbers only, and that the minorities should have their say and let the majority have their way

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led to the election of President Good Luck Ebele Jonathan. Today, in Delta state the power shift Syndrome has attained an unthinkable political crescendo, so much that, it is already setting the stage for a great political upheaval as we approach 2015.

The Aniomas, Ijaws, Isokos, Urhobos etc are already strategising. Delta state is a melting pot. It is a mini Nigeria with 25 local Government Areas and over eight ethnic groups. It is a consequence of Willinks Commission (1957/58), it became superimposed in the old mid- western region chipped off old western region then in 1963, it came into Bendel state until it is finally gained the long sought-after autochthonous status in August 1991, as Delta state (THE BIG or is it the FINGER OF GOD)?

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security personnel?

What is the level of co-operation between the governors of these states and the federal authorities?

In the North, the emirs and other traditional rulers are very much revered. To what extent have we gone to bring the traditional authorities into the picture? The traditional institution is very vital to the whole project through the control and proper indoctrination of their wards.

The North also have Islamic leaders with radical follower ship; have they been identified and brought into the picture?

What measures have citizens of the affected areas taken to protect themselves? Are they depending on the Federal Government alone? Government can never succeed without their co-operation.

Do the North want their lands to be destroyed, like we have in Afghanistan? What effort has the North, as one body, made to put an end to this satanic intrusion?

Have they forgotten that a people without any economic contribution is weightless amongst her peers? Is the North ready for the role of a fully dependent society?

If the answer is no, why have they not come out, as one, to protest all of these Boko Haram killings? Or, are they afraid?

Wole Soyinka quoted in his book, The Man Died: " The man dies in him, who keep silent in the face of tyranny ".

The time for everyone to act is now. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

the Urhobos are in vast majority? Will there be peace, progress and tranquility under such a system. The answer, without slips of prolixity is a resounding and outright NO. One of the tragedies of power is in its ambrosial insatiaty. When you are at an advantage you want to consolidate your hold on to power with peremptory magistracy, but when you are at a disadvantage you vociferously assert your rights to that position. This instinctual edacity and natural desire to hold on to power has continued to be a troglodyte and Paleolithic idiosyncrasy of man. But there must be a balancing through political synchronization aimed at ensuring equity through adequate representational participation in the Wheels of governance.

When Northern hegemonists through their Hausa/Fulani oligarchical feudalism dominated and still dominate the political horizon in Nigeria, the Igbos, Yorubas supported by other minorities clamoured for power shift. In the old western region the Edo’s clamoured for power shift to forestall the yoke of Yoruba’s domination. This ultimately led to the creation of the old MidWestern state and Bendel State. The political metamorphosis continued until the creation of Delta state. You will observe that once a New a state or status quo is created there always emerges a dominant group. In our peculiar situation in Delta state the Urhobos are now the dominant group. Are the Urhobos in a political dilemma over power shift?

Will power now shift to the Delta Central Senatorial District to the North or Southern Senatorial District? Was there an amicably agreed functional formula to that effect amongst the political parties? It will however be tantamount to political escapism and despotism for the Urhobos to say that politics is a game of numbers only, and that the minorities should have their say and let the majority have their way. This will definitely be a recipe for political topsy-turvydom and a fundamental and sacrilegious desecration of the inviolable pantheons of democracy.

he Urhobo ethnic group in terms of demographic data constitutes about 51.4 percent of the state. Indeed, they enjoy numerical superiority over all the ethnic groups in the state and they have had two democratically elected governors ever since the creation of the state- Chief Felix Ibru and Chief James Onanafe Ibori and they are clamouring for an Urhobo Governor in 2015.The question arises, for how long will the Urhobo ethnic group continue to hold on to the governorship position in Delta state? Is the governorship position the exclusive preserve and birth right of the Urhobo people? Will other ethnic groups, exclusive of the Itsekeris continue to be *Mr. Eda, a journalist, wrote from Los political underdogs in Delta state because Angeles, USA.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—41

Urhobos and the Delta State scholarship scheme

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Perhaps the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta has forgotten that Urhobos have always been in the vanguard of those opposed to the marginalisation of the Niger Delta people. We could well recall that among the erstwhile Niger Delta Governors who were agitating for outright resource control, Chief James Onanefe Ibori was at the forefront of that struggle. The 13 per cent Derivation Fund which states in the Niger Delta are enjoying today is the fruit of that struggle. In case most of us are not aware, the ill treatment and political persecution which Chief James Ibori suffered under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration was as a result of his commitment to the Niger Delta struggle.

The quiet and peaceful nature of Urhobo should not be mistaken for cowardice or docility. Like every other ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, Urhobo should be given their fair share of scholarship slots.

Ohwevwo Ufuoma Eugene 08127029122 ufuomaohwevwo@gmail.com

Unwholesome use of BRT Dear Sir, OUR guided steps to introduce the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT to facilitate transportation for the masses is a commendable effort. Also, the brave decision to phase out the popular ‘Okada’ from our various routes has made the city somewhat decent.

Permit me however to mention some unwholesome practices exhibited by some BRT users.

As one boards the BRT, one would notice by the sides of the bus an information boldly written, “NO HAWKING! NO PREACHING!! NO ADVERTISING!!!

The motive is to ensure that users would enjoy a peaceable and quiet ride to their various destinations. It is however disgusting that these days as you board the bus, you see people engaged in hot political arguments. These arguments oftentimes degenerate into tribal and religious sentiments which result into fighting inside the bus—breaking public peace.

It is an acceptable fact that these activities are not healthy to a society such as ours which is being pampered, as these also tend to contradict the motive behind the information.

As a means to curb these anomalies of some unruly persons while in transit, I recommend that due consideration should be given to preaching God’s word to people while on board. This would be of great advantage to people who could not afford to pray nor meditate upon the word of God due to circumstances beyond their control in their homes.

This is in response to the call for all to join hands to build our nation.

Ndaji Chinyere, Lagos

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Re: DELSU trains youths in power, energy Dear Sir, HE attention of the Management of Delta State University, Abraka has been drawn to an article “DELSU trains youths in power, energy ” published in Vanguard newspaper of Friday, February 28, 2014 (page 38).

In the publication the

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name Engr. A k p o s Okeren was inscribed under the picture of the V i c e - C h a n c e l l o r, Professor Eric A. Arubayi.

For the avoidance of doubt, the name of the Vice-Chancellor is Professor Eric A. Arubayi and not Engr. Akpos Okeren. We therefore,

wish to request the editor-in-Chief of Vanguard newspaper to correct this erroneous publication in the interest of the University and the general public.

E. Udjo Registrar & Secretary to Council, Delta State University, Abraka

National Confab and 2015 elections AFRICA and Nigeria in-particular are paying so much for our insincerity, lack of trust and dignity.

Spending a huge amount of money for the 2015 election is senseless wastage.

If our leaders have integrity, trust , and maintain our dignity, how on earth can we be budgeting 93billion for electing those that will lead us?

National Confab must focus on all these and the way we entrust our common wealth on corrupt leaders.

The Nigerian Constitution must change.

Romanus Ndehigwo 08123185221

APC directive to its members in NASS

If a political party can direct its members to block the 2014 budget and stop confirmation of Service Chiefs because of a confused

ourselves if we allow these Sadistic fiscal outrage to sail through. Arise O’ Compatriots!!!

Chief Bobson , Mandate Against Poverty(MAP)Warri, Delta State

President Jonathan’s reaction to OBJ letter

Instead of debunking the weighty allegations against him, surprisingly our President derives joy in abusing our sensibilities by sermonising and calling Obasanjo names.

Who will call our president to order to save the country from the shame and embarrassment the country is being made to face in the comity of nations by Jonathan’s action or inaction?

Anonymous writes in from Ekiti state

President Jonathan and feud with Amaechi

President Jonathan is not fighting

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Dear Sir, ECENTLY it was reported in some national dailies that the Federal Government awarded 52 scholarship slots to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality as part of the scholarship scheme put in place by the Presidential Amnesty Program. What is even more heartwarming is that the 52 students have already left the shores of the country to pursue specialised courses in strategic areas of human endeavour, with a view to returning to impact positively on their communities and the country.

Until the recent deployment of the 52 Itsekiri students to the United Kingdom, the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta has dispatched no fewer than 595 Niger Delta youths to pursue diverse graduate and post graduate courses in Britain. This is in addition to the 187 students sent to Malaysia, United States of America and South Africa.

No doubt this initiative by the Federal government through the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta has brought succor and hope to many families in the Niger Delta, just as it has helped to assuage the age-long feelings of neglect and discontent among the people of the region. However, as well intentioned as the scheme has seemed, it has not been without its own grey areas especially in the area of execution. So far, the execution of the scholarship scheme suggests grave lopsidedness in the distribution of opportunities. The scheme appears to favour the Ijaw over other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.

One of the severe signs of the lopsided execution of the scholarship scheme can be observed in the outright denial of the Urhobo ethnic nationality of scholarship slots which the scheme entails. It beats the imagination and all sound reason why Urhobo is been marginalised and short changed in spite of being home to vast oil reserve in the Niger Delta. For the records, there are over 103 fields that dot Urhobo land which are responsible for about 20 percent of oil production in Nigeria.

About 65 million barrels of oil are exported from Urhobo soil annually. This figure represents the fact that approximately 177,000 barrels of oil is exported from Urhobo territory every day. Apart from its huge oil deposits, Urhobo land hosts the biggest Gas Plant in Sub-Sahara Africa, the Utorogun Gas Plant at Out-Jeremi.

The truth is that there is basically no explanation for the unjust and ill treatment of the Urhobo nation. The fact that Urhobo youths did not take up arms against the Nigerian Federal government in the past does not explain why they should be treated with such ignominy. Or is Kingsley Kuku and his office suggesting that Urhobo is not part of the Niger Delta region?

If a political party can direct its members to block the 2014 budget and stop confirmation of Service Chiefs because of a confused Rivers State Governor, then we are in trouble in this country; why did APC not direct its members to stop collecting Jumbo salaries? Will APC pay these legislators from the party’s coffers?

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River ’s State Governor, then we are in trouble in this country. Why did APC not direct its member to stop collecting Jumbo salaries?

Will APC pay these legislators from the party’s coffers? I won’t be surprised if the APC legislators are paid through the Rivers State budget that was allegedly passed in the Governor’s lodge.

Dedemo 2348033783758

On refineries

Nigerians are luxuriating in deep slumber,whilst Jonathan and his surrogates are planning to sell our refineries to themselves and their cohorts.

NLC,TUC,NUPENG,PENGASSAN and all patriotic Nigerians should resist these economic harakiri with every weapon at our disposal. See the oil theft,NNPC fraud,Subsidy scam,PIB bill, acrobatics and kerosene syndicate etc.

We have nobody to blame,but

Governor Amaechi rather, Governor Amaechi is the one heating up the polity with his lies for his political ambition.

Comr. Micheal Edoukumo 08082249178

Adamawa PDP’s endorsement of Jonathan for 2015

It is quite unfortunate that we are in a country where leaders tend to stick to power, irrespective of being incompetent and unable to impact meaningfully on the lives of citizens.

It is barely four years of President Jonathan’s administration. Can he boldly and faithfully name three ways he has ameliorated the plight of the ordinary Nigerians. I urge Mr. President not to listen to the calls by some selfish, sycophants to run for the 2015 presidential election.

Elvis Obire 08079018001

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later. Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. You will be paid N100.00 for every saying published. Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Former govs in the Senate're a threat to democracy — Sen. Braimoh SENATOR Yisa Braimoh represented Edo North in the Senate from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was vice chairman of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. In this interview with select journalists, he speaks on recent rumblings in the Senate and the National Conference among others. Excerpts:

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OW would you assess the current politics in the Senate where some former governors have been throwing their weights behind an agenda to upset the PDP majority and the leadership of David Mark?

I have long, before now, expressed serious concern at the rate at which sitting governors, who, in a bid to negotiate their exit from office at the threshold of their constitutionally prescribed two terms of eight years, have gravitated to the Senate for refuge.

The trend, from all indications, will continue and will certainly not augur well for the Senate which is seen as an enclave of equals with the Senate President as first among equals. Once these governors have made up their minds to go to the Senate, it does not matter whether the incumbent senators they seek to replace are doing well and deserving of re-election.

They mobilize state machinery to clinch the party ticket and also to win in the general election. Now, the experience has been that these former governors in the senate do not contribute to the progress of legislative activities; but rather, they have constituted themselves into some power cult with which they have caused political unease in the Senate. This has been the sad narrative in the past ten months or thereabout, particularly since the advent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), with legislators jostling and threatening to defect from the PDP to the APC. In the Senate, three former governors who served on the PDP platform-two from North Central and one from North East zones-have been holding the Senate to ransom, and giving the leadership sleepless nights. They have also become consequential “caucus” leaders in the Upper Chamber irrespective of political party affiliations. The mentality of these former governors is such that they still imagine themselves as being in a position to bark out instructions and manipulate their followers.

They do not want to recognize the fact that the Senate is different from the fiefdoms into which governors have converted their states.

At the moment there are about 18 serving governors who are finishing their second term who are jostling for the 8th Senate in 2015. The implication of this is that in 2015, about 25 former governors may be in the Senate with their gubernatorial tendencies and dispositions.

My fear is that they may transform into Gubernatorial Senators’ Forum, seek to

influence and control voting patterns on motions and executive bills.

If they are not stopped now and the trend continues in 2015 through to 2019 and 2023, I can only say: God save Nigeria.

You are from the South-south zone.

What is your position on the National Conference?

The National Conference has come at a right time. There is the necessity for our people, ethnic nationalities, groups, et al, to talk and that is what the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has made possible.

End of the exercise

•Braimoh: The National Conference has come at a right time take over the leadership of the Upper Chamber and use the platform, at their whims and pleasure, to seek to sway political powers in Nigeria like the Governors’ Forum has been doing.

How can it be a threat to the stability of the Senate?

Anything that threatens the leadership of the Senate threatens the stability of the institution of the Senate especially when you have a leadership that is a binding force in the Senate. Consider the present leadership under David Mark: sharply focused, consistent and persistent as far as observing the standing rules is concerned. He has demonstrated legerdemain in running the affairs of the Upper House.

Legislative acumen Mark has been able to clear the Office of the Senate President of banana peels.

He cannot be faulted on those general matters of administration and legislative acumen.

But I consider the planned defection of some senators from PDP to APC as masterminded by two former governors from the North Central zone and another one from the North East zone as one of

the first steps in the direction of upsetting the leadership of the senate.

Their calculations were that if they defected and were able to secure the majority seats in the Senate, they would effect a change in the senate leadership.

This is the political nuisance that I am against. Serving and former members of the Senate should work together to put down these shenanigans.

They should not be allowed to destabilize the Senate with their ill-gotten wealth, with which they would be ready, at all times, to

I expect that the conference will discuss everything under the sun save the unity of Nigeria, which the government had already listed as a no-go area; and that at the end of the exercise, the outcome will conduce to the emergence of a better Nigeria.

Is the Southern region ready to present a unified position at the conference against the backdrop of the resolution at Southern Leaders’ Summit that held recently in Calabar ahead of the conference?

I think it is high time the Southern region began to speak with one voice. Even at the level of South-south geo-political zone, there should be unison of position on issues that affect the zone. And to achieve this, we should not dissipate energy and resources in pushing a plethora of groups.

We should work towards having one group so that we can effectively speak with one voice.

At the Calabar meeting, the issue of harmonizing the positions of the SouthSouth Peoples Assembly and the Southern Leaders’ Forum came up.

I sincerely believe that we should not be talking about unifying positions; rather, we should be talking of unifying the groups into one so that we can have one leadership. Once we have one leadership, we will be able to speak with one voice.

2015: Why Nigerians ‘ll vote for

Jonathan — Nanaghan MR Ben Nanaghan is a Media Consultant and a public affairs commentator. In this interview, he explains why President Goodluck Jonathan should be given a second term. Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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HAT is your opinion on the recent removal of four ministers

by President Jonathan. Do you think the move is in the right direction?

My impression of the President is that

of a man who cannot be stampeded into taking decisions. His maturity, astute reasoning and measured temperament are part of his defining personality.

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—43

Delta: Finishing strong

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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HE truth is that if you know where we are coming from, in terms of the politics of the state, then you will know what this means to us,” the Delta State commissioner for information, Mr. Chike Ogeah remarked recently in response to the recent flow of awards to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Mr. Ogeah’s assertion was undoubtedly reflective of the difficult challenges that characterized the leadership of the state at the onset of the administration in 2007. On assumption of office the administration was faced with several challenges including security challenges in its coastal region.

Besides, the circumstances and ethnic mudslinging that characterised the governorship election of 2007 added to the cynicism on the prowess and potentials of the then neophyte governor.

“There were lots of skeptics, because of the background where the governor was coming from, who felt that this man was not going to achieve. Now, they have all seen his accomplishments in all areas,” Mr. Ogeah added.

The Sun Man of the Year award received by Governor Uduaghan penultimate weekend was just one of several awards that have been received by the governor in recent times. The governor has also won 2013 Man of the Year Award of Leadership Newspaper, Pilot Newspaper Man of the Year, and from overseas, he was also bestowed with the International Outstanding

•Uduaghan: Has helped in defining the broader peace initiative Leadership Award by Metro Éireann, Ireland’s leading and only multi-cultural newspaper.

Undoubtedly, the crown in the jewel is the Vanguard 2013 Personality of the Year also won by the governor for what the newspaper cited as the intrinsic touch of the administration on the citizenry from conception, through infanthood, to school age.

Landmark achievements The investiture of that award coming at a later date will see friends and associates of the state

gather to celebrate the landmark achievements of the administration.

The initial challenges the administration was faced with could have led to the formulation of the three point agenda by Dr. Uduaghan at the beginning of the life of the administration.

The agenda at that time was human capital development, peace and security and infrastructure development.

The administration’s bold attempt at resolving the spate of insecurity in the coastal regions where militants had at one time reigned supreme was quickly noticed and helped in defining the broader peace initiative by the

Federal Government that translated into the Amnesty Programme.

Besides the insecurity fanned by the militants, was also the spate of insecurity stirred by kidnappers and robbers across the state. The challenge of insecurity led the administration to make heavy investments in security infrastructure.

In the area of infrastructure, the administration changed the transportation model in the state with the establishment of an airport in Asaba, the state capital that radically reshaped traveling times for businessmen and other investors in the state.

2015: Why Nigerians ‘ll vote for

Jonathan — Nanaghan Continues on page 42 The opposition and some Nigerians castigated the president for not sacking Princess Stella Oduah on the spot during the Oduahgate scandal.

Nigerians must be patient to stay on the same page with their president as Jonathan is not a military president who acts on the spur of the moment. Odi and Zaki-biam are good examples here.

However, this is not to say that the other three ministers were also sacked. For instance, Godsday Orubebe-the Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Caleb Olubolade-Minister for Police Affairs and the Minister of state for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama all have political ambitions, which they want to pursue. They have

all done excellently well, even Princess Stella Oduah who unfortunately fell in evil hour to indiscretion.

What is your opinion on the National Conference, do you think there should be no-go areas?

I have always harped on the fact that the National Conference with its present template will be the icing on the cake of President Jonathan's political achievements.

The real opponents of the conference are those die-hard critics of the president, who would rather stab him at the back than jointly build an economically prosperous nation.

It is however heart warming that leaders from the region met recently in Ibadan and all supported the conference. The

aim of the National Conference is for us to sit down on a round table to solve our peculiar problem as ethnic nationalities and groups.

Do you think Nigeria’s unity is negotiable as is being canvassed in some quarters?

The Federal Government has made it abundantly clear that the only no-go-area of the N a t i o n a l

•Nanaghan

Conference is the indivisibility and indissolubility of the nation called, Nigeria. This simply means that the geographical entity called Nigeria is not

negotiable but every other aspect of its existence that could fast track a great peaceful prosperous nation is negotiable. Our political progenitors did not have this

Besides, the administration has touched the road infrastructure with some major roads that had been long abandoned being rehabilitated.

A number of state roads have been rehabilitated and some dualised among which were Ugbenu-Koko Road, Trans Warri/ Ode-ltsekiri Roads and bridges, dualisation of Old Lagos/Asaba Road, Agbor, dualisation of Ughelli-Asaba Road, Sapele/ Abigborodo/Arowon Road, Umeh Road, dualisation of Refinery Road with Sgur Along NNPC Housing Estate Road to Ekpan Roundabout, Effurun, Dualisation of Ughelli Arterial Road, Olomu Bridge and Access Road, Udu/NEPA Road, Dualisation of Effurun-OsubiEku Road, lssele-Uku/OnichaUku/Ugbodu/Ukwunzu/ Obomkpa/ldumu-Ogo/lsseleUku Road, dualisation of PTI/ Jakpa/Ekpan Road, Koko/UbaEgbelemeji Road, Ekiugbolyede/Olomoro Road among others. In the area of health infrastructure the administration has also made a bold statement in setting up the state as an increasing centre for medical tourism with the opening of a state of the art health institution in Oghara.

The three point agenda of the administration were in the second term subsumed by the larger vision of Delta Beyond Oil, a bold initiative by the administration to position the state above the shocks of unsteady oil revenue in the future. The initiative which focuses on agriculture, culture and tourism and infrastructural development, among others, it is envisioned, would help put the state economy on a steady footing that would absorb whatever inadequacies that may be lacking from lack of oil flow. That is, finishing strong.

golden opportunity to dialogue and so late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who believed that every Nigerian child should be educated was frustrated by the very slow pace of education and development in Northern Nigeria which led him to describe Nigeria as a •mere geographical expression.

Remember that the late Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto also described Nigeria as a historical mistake.

Why do you think Nigeria should vote for President Jonathan for a second term?

Let me start by informing you that Jonathan’s profile is soaring by the day. In July 2013 the President was rated 53 per cent

by Nigeria's authoritative pollster – NOI polls. By August of the same year, he soared up by four notches scoring 57 per cent.

Forget APC's Jonathan haters and bashers who depend only on rigging elections.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

HOSTCOM gets new exco

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI— A new executive for the Delta Central chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria, Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, has been inaugurated.

The body ’s new chairman is Mr. Andrew Agoyo; Mr. Kennedy Oberokpa, Secretary; Mr. Green Adatire, Treasurer; Mr. Francis Esane, Legal Adviser, among others.

After the inauguration in Ughelli, Agoyo said his executive was committed to the pursuit of all that HOSTCOM stands for, assuring that they would liaise with the government, oil c o m p a n i e s , interventionist agencies and relevant authorities to attract development to oil-bearing communities in Urhoboland.

POWER PLANT: From left— HRM Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Orue I; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, representing Vice President Namadi Sambo; Bishop of Sapele Diocess, Anglican Communion, Bishop Blessing Erifeta; Chairman, Eurafric Power Limited, Mr. Anthony Onoh; his wife, Heather; and Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, during the handing over of the privatised Sapele Power Plant to the new owners, Eurafric Power Limited, in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.

RAINSTORM DISASTER: Oshiomhole donates N10m to Edo community

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

Nigerian makes IABC communication council

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HE International Association of B u s i n e s s Communicators, IABC, has appointed Nigerian media scholar, Mr. Richard Ikiebe, to a 10person inaugural Global Communication Certification Council, GCCC, to develop and manage an international certification programme for business communication with ISO endorsement.

IABC President and International Executive Board Chair, Robin McCasland, announced the composition of the council.

Ikiebe has a renewable three-year term on the council.

Mr. Richard Ikiebe.

B

ENIN— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has donated N10 million and 20 bundles of roofing sheets to the people of Ozalla community in Owan West Local Government Area of the state, victims of the recent rainstorm disaster which destroyed over seven houses and farmlands.

Meanwhile, the Ogieaga of three Ibie Kingdom, HRH Bamaiyi Momoh, and the Onwuwekwo of Okpekpe Kingdom, Peter Osigbemhe, have commended Governor Oshiomhole for the completion of the Imiegba-ImieakegbuOgba Road, and Onwuwekwo of Okpekpe roads and bridges.

Momoh spoke when the governor paid an unscheduled inspection visit to some of the roads and bridges projects in Etsako West, Central and East local government areas.

He said they were called “bush people” in the past because there was no road in

pressure group in Delta State, Grassroots Mobilisation for 2015 Governorship Elections, GMGE, has said its choice of Chief Goodwill Obielum as Delta State governor in 2015 was because of his teamplayer spirit.

National Coordinator of the group, Chief Kris Oputah, alongside other leaders of the group such as Deacon Richard Egodibie and Dickson Okonta, in a chat after their meeting, reiterated the call on Chief Obielum to contest the 2015 governorship election.

Chief Oputah, while

Aiselokhai, after inspecting the damages caused by the rainfall.

He said: “The disaster is an act of God and may He, in His infinite mercy, protect this domain from other disasters.

May Uzallaland witness progress and development in your reign.”

Activist demands details of Delta's N50bn bond

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI— A Warri-based activist and legal practitioner, Mr. Okiroro Iki-

Delta 2015: Why we want Obielum— GMGE

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their domain, but that Oshiomhole had removed their shame by opening up the communities through construction of roads.

Oshiomhole announced the donation when he visited the palace of the Onotare of Ozalla, HRH Albert

highlighting the virtues of Chief Obielum, posited that beside being a great achiever, the “politician is a mobiliser who has been instrumental to People’s Democratic Party, PDP, victory in the state, particularly Ndokwa East Local Government Area, where he hails from.”

He recalled that Chief Obielum contested the PDP primaries in 2007 and lost to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, noting that despite pressure from political associates, he refused to either challenge the matter in the court or decamp.

Ebieroma, has urged the Delta State Government to give detailed information about the N50 billion bond issued by the government in 2011.

Iki-Ebieroma, in a letter by his counsel, Mr. Edun Olunkunle, said the request was made pursuant to Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

He said: “This is to enhance

probity and accountability, an ideal I strongly believe the Emmanuel Uduaghan-led government also stands for.

“The state government, through the Commissioner for Finance in a publication, listed the areas they said N50 billion was expended on, but did not give further details as to the various stages of the projects and what had been released to each so far.”

Eruotor lauds Uduaghan, DESOPADEC

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Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart and former state House of Assembly aspirant in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Mr. Steve Eruotor, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for his great strides in developments across the state.

Eruotor advocated support for the government’s threepoint agenda, while extolling the leadership quality and performance of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, DESOPADEC, and commissioners for bringing the dividends of democracy to their respective oil-bearing communities.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—45

FMC Asaba plans mass burial for abandoned corpses

Edo community begs NPDC to clean up spill

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BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—IKARA, an oil producing community in Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, has appealed to the management of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to clean up the Ogba River, polluted by a spill from its pipeline conveying crude oil from its Oredo Flow Station to Ajoki.

The community leader and the Olareaja, Pa Philip Atsedagho, who spoke to Vanguard, after conducting newsmen to the scenes of the spill along the river, said that the latest spill occured in January, 2014, and had adversely affected their source of livelihood.

He said: “Our river has been polluted. We can no longer fish or farm and we don’t have good water to drink. We are alerting NPDC management that while a spill occurred on December 15, 2013 and as we were waiting for them to do something, another one occurred in January and February 2014. The latest spill is worse than that of December last year as crude oil covered the entire Ogba River, the source of our drinking water and means of livelihood.

“We appeal to them to come to our rescue, as most of our people are now afflicted with strange diseases. We have recorded about five deaths so far from young ones who drank the polluted water.”

He appealed to the company to provide potable water for their use as the people can no longer drink from the polluted river and appealed to the company to provide them with relief materials and medical care.

However, an official of NPDC, who spoke with Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said that the company held a meeting with leaders of the community during which they agreed on some issues.

He said that the company had decided to provide Ikara community with relief materials as well as clean up the spill and sued for their cooperation to enable NPDC effectively seal up the leaking pipe.

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BY AUSTIN OGWUDA SABA—MANAGEMENT of Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Asaba, Delta State, has expressed worry over the number of abandoned corpses in its mortuary, threatening to carry out a mass burial if the corpses were not claimed within one week.

Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the centre, Mr. Nnamdi Ogbogu, in a statement in Asaba, yesterday, said: “There are some abandoned corpses in the hospital mortuary and these corpses have not been claimed by their owners in the last one year.

“Relations or depositors of these corpses are requested to come forward to identify and claim them within one week.

Those whose relations have been declared missing are equally advised to visit the hospital’s mortuary to identify the corpses if their relations are there for collection. Corpses not collected or identified within the stipulated period will be given mass burial.”

COMMISSIONING: From left: Dr. Donald Duke, Chairman of the occasion; Mr. Afolabi Oke, MD/CEO of the Academy; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Mr. Adeboye Abioye, during the commissioning of Trinity Cisco/IT Academy, at the Academy coumpound, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Delta, Edo communities at loggerheads over boundary

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—THERE is renewed tension between Overe Eku community in Agbon Kingdom, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State and Orogho community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State over boundary dispute.

The dispute between the two communities started when a petroleum company, Newcross, started oil exploration in the area.

Both communities are claiming ownership of the land where the company is operating.

President General of Eku,

Chief Joseph Ukueku, who addressed newsmen on the mounting tension, claimed that the Enogie of Orogho, in a letter dated September 20, 2013, wanted to introduce Bini tradition to his people.

He said the Enogie referred to Eku (Iwevbo) as Iwvbo, an Edo community, adding, “Our people are seeing this as a clear ethnic cleansing cum modern day colonisation. We reject such a move by the Binis.

“We call on relevant authorities to call the Enogie to order. The Enogie should be

well tutored on who his subjects are, and not over step his bound. Our culture and tradition are not the same, so we cannot be Binis,” he added.

Chief Ukueku had protested to the Delta State Government over the incursion, adding: “We are taking our protest to the Federal Government shortly.”

Vanguard gathered that since the creation of Edo and Delta States in 1991, there has not been any clear demarcation in the River Ethiope axis of the two states.

125 Itsekiri women get economic lifeline

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ARRI—A TOTAL of 125 women from five communities in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, have been presented with cheques of N75,000 each by a Warri-based company, Matrix Energy Limited, in line with the state government’s human capital development agenda.

The money is a 50 per cent increase from last year ’s figure of N50,000 given to 40 women from Ifiekporo, 25 from Ubeji and 20 each from Aja-Etan, Egbokodo and Ijala communities.

Managing Director and CEO of Matrix Energy, Alhaji Abdulkadir Aliu, who spoke while presenting the cheques, blamed the company’s inability to combine this year ’s presentation of cheques with its students’ scholarship programme on the inability of academic institutions to complete the 2012/2013 academic calendar.

Noting that the number of beneficiaries of its women empowerment scheme for 2014 was 33 per cent more than last year’s fig-

ure of 94, Alhaji Aliu commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Olu of Warri and people of Warri Kingdom for the hospitality his company was enjoying, while doing business in the area.

Governor Uduaghan, in a message by his Senior Special Assistant on Community Relations, Mr. Vincent Omorie, attributed the smooth operations of the

company in Warri to the enabling environment created by the government and described the women empowerment programme as a dividend of democracy.

Special Project Director of Trans Warri-Ode-Itsekiri Bridges and Access Roads, Chief Otimeyin Adams, in a remark, enjoined other corporate bodies doing business in Warri to emulate the gesture of Matrix Energy.

PDP forum berates Lagos over education audit

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

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HAIRMAN of Lagos State chapter of SouthSouth Peoples Democratic Party Forum, Mr. Sunday Ekanem, has said that Lagos State Government has not provided a valid audit/ account of the supposedly huge sum expended on the education sector since 2008.

He spoke at an event in Lagos to drum support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ekanmen also said that the light-train the state government promised Lagosians from Badagry to Ijora within the tenure of this administration was yet to be seen and may not be provided in the life of his administration.

Family takes over part of state school in Delta

BY GODWIN OGHRE

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OLLOWING a purported order of a Delta State High Court sitting in Sapele, on December 17, 2013, delivered by Justice E. Emudainohwo, secured by one Mr French Ogodo and Mr Morris Ogodo (on behalf of themselves and the Ogodo family of Sapele), Sapele Local Government Area, part of the 40.1 acres of land on which St Malachy ’s Grammar School, Sapele, is situated, has been taken over and is currently being developed by private individuals and land speculators.

Vanguard gathered that when some of the school's old boys and staff confronted the Ogodo family on their authority to sell/allocate part of the school's premises, they merely retorted that they were the landlords of the portion being developed and therefore, required no explanation or report to anyone.

A source close to the school authority said that within a week after the said Ogodo family was confronted to prove their authority and legitimacy to sell/allocate the land to private individuals, they brought the court judgment to support their ownership of the land.

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

2 killed over N1000 in Abia

BY ERIC UGBOR

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BA — TRAGEDY struck, last weekend, at Obegu Autonomous Community in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State when two youths, Nkwachukwu Onyeukwu and Eze Kafor, lost their lives over N1000.

Nkwachukwu Onyeukwu, a.k.a One Thousand, was the son to the village head of the community and village youth leader, while Eze Kafor , a.k.a Senator, was a prominent youth in the community.

A reliable eyewitness told Vanguard that the duo died while struggling for N1,000 commission meant for the youths from the proceeds of palm fruit sales in the community.

The buyer of the community palm fruit, from Cross River State, whose name could not be identified at press time, was supposed to have settled the youths with the said sum of N1,000 but was only able to provide N300.

While Nkwachukwu, the youth leader, appealed to Eze to allow the buyer to go and pay the balance later, Eze refused and a scuffle ensued during which Eze collected the palm fruit buyer’s knife and fatally struck Nkwachukwu.

Angry youths of the community on hearing the sad news, trooped to Eze's residence, bundled him into his house, set it ablaze and watched him die inside it.

Over 1200 doctors, expected at AGPMPN conference NO FEWER than 1, 200 medical doctors have registered for the forthcoming 36th Annual General Meeting and International Scientific Conference of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference, slated for April 2-6, will focus on environmental pollution and health in a developing economy as its theme.

A joint statement by the conference organising committee chairman, Dr. Iyke Odo, and the Rivers State AGPMPN chairman, Dr. Henry Sota, blamed the huge and unprecedented registration of participants on the relevance of the conference to the growth and development of Nigeria.

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BoI laments govts’ bottlenecks over mortgaged property as collateral

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU — BANK of Industry, BoI, has raised the alarm over the difficulty in

obtaining Governors’ consent for mortgaged property to be used as collateral for loan facilities.

Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Evelyn Oputu, raised the alarm during the

launching of Enugu State Bank of Industry N1 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME, Fund, at Golden Tulip Hotel, Enugu.

She disclosed that the bank had on its own, granted total

FLAG-OFF: From left, Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Jude Akubuilo; Dr. Godson Nnadi, Commissioner for Finance Enugu State and rep of Governor Chime, and Mr. Balarabe Hassan, rep of MD/CEO, Bank of Industry, at the flag-off of N1billion Intervention Fund and presentation of fund to the first batch of Micro-small and Medium Enterprises, in Enugu State, yesterday. Photo: Obi Ikechukwu

loan facilities of N2.329 billion in Enugu State to Micro, Small, Medium and large enterprises outside BOI-Enugu State Government, ENSG MSME Fund.

Oputu, who was represented by a senior official of the bank, Barade Hassan, said the ugly development had proven to be a major bottleneck in implementation of the projects as it resulted in the inability of the bank to disburse loans to beneficiaries. ”The BoI’s experience in extending facilities to applicants in different parts of the country has shown that beneficiaries face similar challenges that inhibit the implementation and operation of their projects as well as increase their costs of doing business. ”Some of these challenges include: Difficulty in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) and Governor ’s Consent to mortgaged property to be used as collateral. ”This has proven to be major bottleneck in the implementation of projects as it results in the inability of the bank to disburse loans to beneficiaries."

FCC's failed most geo-political zones, says Elechi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday declared that the Federal Character Commission, FCC, has failed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all the component states and ethnic groups in the country.

The governor stated this during

a one day workshop organised by the Federal Character Commission, FCC, in collaboration with Ebonyi State government at Abakaliki.

He said: The appointment of key officers in Nigeria, at both Federal and State levels as prescribed by the Constitution in most cases only guarantee nominal but not substantive equity.

”For example, how many Ebonyians are working in sensitive Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as Central Bank, NNPC, Customs, Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS; Immigration, Foreign Affairs, to mention but a few.

"The sad story is that today in Nigeria, the gap between theory and practice is as wide as the dis-

Retired officers want policemen removed from pension scheme

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — RETIRED po lice officers in Imo State have called for the removal of the Nigeria Police from the contributory pension scheme.

A retired superintendent of police, Dr. Moses Ajeka, made the call when he led officers of his Association on a courtesy call to the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, at the Police Headquarters, Owerri.

“Retired police officers have been finding it extremely difficult to access their pension fund with ease, since our retirement,” Dr. Ajeka said.

He said the police should be exempted from the scheme like their counterparts in the Nigeria Army and Nigerian Navy.

He said: “We want outright pullout from the contributory pension scheme. We want to be on our

own.

“When we came into the police, we knew our job was pensionable and that was why we enlisted in the establishment.”

While noting that there was nothing like PENCOM when they enlisted in the police, Dr. Ajeka lamented that the scheme was no longer in their favour.

He expressed regret that most members, who lost their lives in active service, were not compensated as required.

He used the forum to welcome the Imo police boss and pledged their support to enable him succeed, like his predecessor.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police commended them for coming and promised that the police high command would do everything possible to ensure the retirees were treated like their counterparts in the Army and Navy.

Ali said that if those currently in service failed to do anything now, they would face the same difficulties when they retired.

“It will, therefore, be in every person’s interest to collectively do the battle now, so that we will not face the same music when we retire,” he said.

tance between Port Harcourt and Maiduguri.”

In a remark, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaibu Abdulraheem, who was represented by the Commissioner in charge of Gombe State, Alhaji Haruna Geidam, argued that if the imbalances meant to be addressed by the commission were not properly handled, they might bring about suspicion, conflicts, feeling of alienation among various ethnic nationalities. ”There is no gain-saying that among the states in the SouthEast, Ebonyi State has the least representation in terms of federal appointments.

“I urge you to always support your commissioner to address imbalances against your state. We will continue to work collectively to make you receive what belongs to Ebonyi State,” he said.

FUTO'll soon access FG's N2.6bn for capital projects —VC

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — THE Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, will soon access its allocation of over N2.6 billion from the Federal Government for the development of more capital projects in the institution.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Professor Chigozie Asiabaka, who disclosed this to newsmen in Ow-

erri, explained the new allocation was a fall-out of the agreement Federal Government reached with Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. “The new allocation is for beefing up infrastructure that will significantly enhance and improve the quality of teaching, learning, research and other service delivery in the university system nationwide,” Asiabaka said.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 - 47

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Mr. Adetunji Odeneye, Senator Olorunibe Mamora, Mr. Clement Olowokande, Chairman, Programme SubCommittee, Professor Wale Omole, Chairman Anniversary Committee, Rt. Rev. Dapo Asaju - The Bishop Theologian, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, Bishop of Lagos West, Ven. Oluyemi Ajibodu, Dean of the Cathedral, Sir Mike Lawani and Mr. Olutoyin Okeowo, Chairman, Finance & Budget Sub- Committee, VISIT: Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State (left) and Ambassador of the during the Eucharistic Service in Commemoration of the 50th Founder's Republic of North Korea to Nigeria, Mr. Joung Youg, during a visit to the Governor Day Anniversary of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja in Minna Lagos.

From left: Omatsola Barrow, Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi, GM, Consumer Marketing, MTN, listening to Steve Wozniak, Innovator, Philanthropist and Guest Speaker, at the MTN leadership series and Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, MTN, in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

From left: Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, Mr. Kamadeen Shonibare, King Sunny Ade and Marketing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Austin Ufomba, at the end of Glo Evergreen Series KSA edition in Lagos.

SIGNING: Chairman, Stallion Group, Mr. Sunil Vaswani (right) and Mr. Tom Lee, Head, Hyundai Africa and Middle-East Headquarters, after the signing of the partnership agreement between Hyundai and Stallion Motors to manufacture Hyundai range of vehicles in Nigeria.

Mrs. Okoro (middle), Mr. Nwankanma (2nd right), Mr. Martins Agunbiade (2nd left) and others, at the launch of the Dayspring Pourvoir multi-sleep over camp for teens in Lagos.

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From left: Mr. Tajudeen Akande, Chairman, Table Tennis Section, Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Mr Francis Barde of Union Bank Plc, Mr. Olatunji Lawal, overall winner and Mr. Wale Osomo, President, Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, at the 3rd Annual Union Bank Table Tennis Tournament at the club in Ikeja. Photo: Akeem Salau.

AGM: From left: In-coming General Secretary, Eko Club, Prince Tunde Adele, out-going General Secretary, Alhaji Rafiu Ojikutu and the out-going President, Mr. Owolabi Lawal, during the Annual General Meeting of the Club in Lagos

POLO TOURNAMENT: Back row; Ann Ogunsulire, Brand Manager, Moet Hennessy-Champagnes (4th right) with Fifth Chukker/Ironclad team, winners of the Majekodunmi Cup, at the 2014 Lagos International Polo Tournament, at Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Bizman sues ex-LG boss for unlawful detention

VIP Express Tourism, others bag awards for advancing FCT

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AGOS—THE former Coordinator of Orsu North Development Area of Imo state, Chief Damian Santa Okpara has been dragged to an Orlu High Court for the unlawful detention of one Chief Nelson Janel Okpara.

The plaintiff is claiming the sum of N300m from the ex- Orsu North boss and two others, Edwin Obiezue and Ambrose Ogbuji for maliciously writing a petition to the Inspector- General of police which caused him to be arrested and detained.

In the petition, the three men alleged that Chief Nelson Okpara kidnapped the four children of one of the defendants and also burnt his house in Amaruru autonomous community, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

In the cause of investigation, the police discovered that the allegation was false. As a result, the three defendants were arraigned before a Chief magistrate court in Abuja for giving false information to the police.

Jigawa demolishes 1,000 illegal structures in Dutse

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UTSE—NO fewer than 1,000 illegal structures have been demolished by the Dutse Capital Development Authority, DCDA, within Dutse metropolitans. The government equally established a mobile court to prosecute d e f a u l t e r s .

Addressing journalists in his office, the Executive Chairman DCDA, Alhaji Aminu Suleiman said, the demolition of the illegal structures was carried after series of warnings to the owners of the structures.

Suleiman also said that the exercise was conducted according to the original master plan of the state capital to make the area look nice.

He further explained that the present administration had done a lot to enable traders in the state operate under conducive atmosphere by building different markets including those for plumbers, timer dealers, mechanics as well as building materials among others.

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UNVEILING: From left—Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Bibire Ajape, State Financial Secretary of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Abdulrasak Badmus, State Secretary of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Faruk Opeloyeru, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and the Secretary to the State Govt, Alhaji Isiaka Gold during the unveiling of 100 units of taxis for Kwara State transporters at Government House, Ilorin.

Gunmen kill 10, burn 100 houses In Plateau

BY TAYE OBATERU & THERESE NANLONG

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OS—UNKNOWN gun men have again struck in four communities in Riyom local government area of Plateau State killing 10 persons and burning over 100 houses.

The attack reportedly stormed Gwon, Torok, Gwawereng and Gwarim all in Rim district of the Local Government Area early yesterday shooting sporadically and setting houses on fire.

A survivor who does not want to be named alleged that the attack-

ers were Fulani herdsmen accompanied by some people in uniform.

Confirming the incident, the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly who is the member representing Riyom, Daniel Dem confirmed that 10 persons mostly women and children were burnt to ashes by the attackers. He described as sad, the constant killings of innocent people in his cons t i t u e n c y . ”In most of the villages, attacks are carried out in the

presence of men of the Special Task Force; why are they not going after the attackers?”, he q u e r i e d .

Another survivor from Gwon village by name Bot called for the withdrawal of the Special Task Force as he said they have done more harm to the people than protecting them adding, “as the rainy season is approaching, I don’t think our people can go to their farms because of fear of constant attacks by gunmen.”

Already, villagers in the four communities attacked had fled their homes due to fear.

Dep. Comptroller decries condition of prisoners

BY JOHN MKOM

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

Jatau spoke yesterday when the Chairman of DSK Foundation, Chief David Kente visited the prisons to donate some items to the inmates as part of the ceremonies marking his 49th birthday.

According to sources the poor condition of the prisons had no source of water supply since the only pipe that connected it to public water supply had been earlier been damaged, adding that the situation had made it impossible for them to take their bath daily.

The sources added that the prisoners also sleep in the over crowded cells for days now without food due to scarcity of water.

Apart from water, the only one Black maria which used to convey those waiting trials to their various courts for prosecution of their cases had broken broken down even as the prison authorities were now facing the security challenges of taking the inmates to courts for trials.

Jatau has asked the government to relocate the Jalingo prison out of Jalingo town stating that going by the current security challenges in the north east, the location of the prison in the middle of the town posed serious danger to the prison neighbours.

He further reviewed the prison

plan which was built for 150 inmates but currently accommodating about 500.

The chairman DSK Foundation, Chief Kente later donated N500,000 for improvement of facilities in the prison and prayed for the inmates, even as he called on governments at all

IP Express Tour ism Ltd, one of the leading tourism companies in Nigeria, was adjudged the champion in the ‘Tourism Organisation of the Year’ category in the 2013 edition of the Capital Territory Advancement Award, CTAA, at a gala and dinner award night recently at the Shehu Musa Yar ’adua Centre Abuja, an event that was graced by eminent Nigerians, foreigners and top government officials at all levels.

The company emerged winner in the 2012 edition of this award, making them a two time winner in this category for the second year in a row.

The Management of VIP Express Ltd led by Wesley Bezuidenhout, Leslie du Plesis, Francois Brites, Owoseni Samuel and others, receiving the award on behalf of the Managing Director, Sandra Wilcocks, thanked Newaves Innovation, organisers of the event for their relentless efforts in seeing that significant accomplishments and outstanding contributions to the advancement of the FCT do not go unnoticed and unrewarded. levels to improve the lot of prisoners in the country.

“I know that governments have done much to these people but they should keep it up by providing for their up keep because they are still members of the society.

Let us have it in mind that they are just few that the law has been able to catch up with. We are having some criminals among us who are worse than them,” he said.

Boko Haram terrorists, a serious challenge to Nigerian Armed Forces, says Air Force chief

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—THE Air Officer Commanding , AOC, Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Air Vice Marshal, AVM, Umar Omeiza yesterday said that “the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists,’’ had become ‘’a serious challenge to the Nigeria Armed Forces.”

Omeiza noted that the sect was threatening the peace and security of the country pointing out that terrorism was a global phenomenon, “and combating its menace requires the coop-

eration of the entire global c o m m u n i t y . ’ ’ He spoke at the meeting of officers and supervisors of the Directorate of Air Intelligence, DAI, held at NAF Base, Makurdi, the Benue state capi t a l .

His words, “Nigeria had in the last few years been faced with heightened level of insecurity of different forms and s h a d e s . ”The increasing sophistication of the terrorist attacks and their proficiency in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, make increasing use

of proactive intelligence a panacea for decisive action. ”With the ongoing military action in which the NAF is actively involved, I am persuaded that the menace of the Boko Haram terrorists will soon become history, but we must have all hands on deck in this fight and intelligence operators must be at their best at a time like t h i s . ” Earlier, the Director of Air Intelligence, Air Commodore Kayode Adediji had said that the emerging security challenges facing the country called for new strategies to counter them.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 49

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Unleashing the secrets of success

Make we Waka explores the artistic value of Freedom park

By JAPHETALAKAM

I

A performance at the park ing to arrest a fugitive who frequents the bar and her sister who works there. Determined to bring this fugitive to book, Kamal HE entire area of Freedom Park wore decides to do the unthinkable at the bar, a new look as all the corners of the but he paid dearly for it. place were decorated with different banners Oguntokun in the play brought his exabout the second edition of Lagos Theatre pertise and storytelling skills to bear as he Festival organised by the British Council. narrates the story of one of the characters, For three days the event lasted, theatre lovEsther, a Nigerian girl who fell in love and ers got a glimpse of theatre performances got conned by a Briton. She ended up stabin Nigeria from what can be described as bing him in the heart. In all, the play was the largest gathering of theatre companies great and engaging. It was not a corrective and audiences in Nigeria . As usual, the play, but just an aesthetic that tries to tell Lagos Theatre Festival, the largest outdoor the story of some of the things that happen theatre festival in Nigeria that promotes the in some areas in Lagos. concept of ‘Theatre in Unconventional SpacAfter that, the audience were led to expees and offers opportunities for professional rience what the Freedom park was all about exchange between Nigerian and British artin the play Make We Waka . Directed, written and creIt was a fusion of an audio tour and ated by Molly Taylor and Mimi Poskitt, it was a fusion a reenactment based on the history of of an audio tour and a reFreedom Park enactment based on the history of Freedom Park. 16 ists, lived up to its bidding with the calibre people were paired in twos and handed of plays and audience that attended.

MP3 players that took them on a walk Avalanche of plays: Four plays were around the park, from one site to another scheduled for each day of the festival: Make meeting different people that tells the story We Waka by Look Left Look Right, Waiting of the place.

For A Lottery by Oxzygen Koncepts, DiagTo many who has been visiting the park, nosis by Imagine Nigeria and Queen of the but never really knew the significance of Night by Renegade Theatre the Freedom Park , the tour and interaction On Friday, after addressing the press afforded them the opportunity to go around about the event by the organisers, The Britand know more about it. Apart from it beish Council represented by Connie Price, ing the usual place where people could go, Director British Council Nigeria and Disun relax and have a bowl of nice fresh fish pepHolloway, Lagos State commissioner for per soup and drinks; there are more to it as Tourism and Inter governmental relations, its historical meaning was totally lost to the stage was set for the plays. First was many. After about 60 minutes of walking Wole Oguntokun’s Queen of the Night, perround the different sites, the participants formed by Renegade Theatre. The play is came to learn that the famous Freedom Park an interactive performance set in a bar, it was once the Broad Street Prisons that was all about adhering to laid down rules housed notorious criminals, activists and whether good or bad, incidentally, one mongovernment opposition parties of the late ster that has stood against the development 50’s and 60’s. of the country.

It was indeed a real theatrical experience Queen of the Night is a bar run by a Queen that got the participants involved, engaged who seems to have some mysterious powand informed about the history of the place ers. There is no good or bad at this bar and and Nigeria. all right and wrong stop at the door. But a Other plays performed were Waiting For young police officer, Kamal and his assisA Lottery by Oxzygen Koncepts, Diagnosis tant, Pabina, tries to break the order by seekby Imagine Nigeria

By JAPHET ALAKAM

T

, C M Y K

,

DEAS, they say rule the world and the only difference between an achiever and a non achiever is the ability of one to think out of the box and apply it effectively to achieve results.

Every individual has the potentials to make it on earth, but many people for one reason or the order have died with their potentials. How can one make it and what are the steps to take in order to make it. This is what the young tranformational writer and speaker, Babs, highlights in his new book, entitled Transform Yourself: The Secrets for Unleashing and Maximising your Potentials.

Transform Yourself, the 201 pages book written by Babs Olugbemi can actually be described as a manual or a guide for those who want to change the story of their life from nothing to greatness.

For everything in life, there is always rules that govern it and those who became successful earned it by observing and operating by the rules. That is why the author who started from nowhere and now is a celebrity has decided to use his experience to impact meaningful knowledge to many who wants to transform their lives in a positive way.

According to the author,: “My intention is to reveal the phases and some secrets that transform people in life. ”

You do not have to blame anyone for your woes, icons we celebrate today were once ordinary men, but they took responsibility of their lives and worked themselves out of obscurity.

In the three chapters that make up the second part tagged change, Babs focuses his writer’s lens on some of the change processes, the need to get out of the comfort zone and the beatitudes of transformation. Our lives can only be what we want it to be if we embrace change.

There is need for one to adopt his personal philosophies and get out from the so called place we regard as comfort zone and follow the steps and apply same effectively to get the desired change.

Finally, the last part, termed possibility, the author posits that after taking responsibility, there is need for the reader to change. Describing change as taking action by doing things differently to get different results.

With a foreword by Gbenga Adefaye who described the author as a young man who has

Subject of mentoring Babs Olugbemi is an authority on the subject of mentoring. A teacher, coach and sociologist who understands what it takes to change the life of any who sticks to his teaching in this well researched guide invests his creative energy in providing the necessary tips required Transform Yourself: The Secrets to attaining greatness. for Unleashing and Maximising In the 12 chapters book your Potentials; Babs Olugbemi; divided into three parts, and Metoras Multimedia, Ogun laced with amazing testimo- State, Nigeria; 2013; PP.201. nies of those who came from nowhere and become successful literally pulled himself by the entrepreneurs, the author nurs- strap “ reading through the book, es you to rediscover yourself and the nuggets of wisdom, potentials. What is a dream? What service,excellence and the illusabout passion? What is the im- tration with personal example of portance of attitude to achieving fortitude, aspiration, inspiration one’s purpose? What differenc- and you come to accept the more es do personal discipline, and the wisdom of the sage, that life’s determination makes to one’s battle does not go to the strong. progress? What about taking re- But the man who wins, is he who sponsibility for one’s life through thinks that he can.” training and retraining? This and Written in very simple English others is what the book highlights with good text for easy underin three parts the stages you need standing, Transform Yourself simto pass through to get all you plifies how taking Responsibiliwant out of life and be fulfilled. ty, Changing and seeing the PosThe first part tagged responsi- sibilities of a better tomorrow inbility, where the author in the five fluence your life positively and chapters that made up this part make you a generational blesstakes the reader to wake up and ing. I recommend it to all. take responsibility for their lives.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 51

C M Y K

52 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 NEWS BRIEF

Trial of Al Jazeera staff adjourned in Egypt

N

Russia, US meet over crisis in Ukraine R USSIAN Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is holding talks with counterparts from the US and key EU states to try to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

The US wants independent observers in the flashpoint region of Crimea and direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.

Russia was expected to call for greater representation for Ukraine’s Russian-speaking areas in the Kiev government.

The EU earlier offered 11bn euros ($15bn; £9bn) of aid to Ukraine and froze the assets of 18 Ukrainians.

European Commission

President Jose Manuel Barroso said the package of loans and grants over the next couple of years was “designed to assist a committed, inclusive and reforms-oriented government” in Kiev.

Ukraine’s finance ministry has predicted it needs $35bn to rescue the economy.

Hundreds of pro-Russian demonstrators have stormed the regional government building in Donetsk for the second time in recent days Gunmen in Crimea threaten UN secretarygeneral’s envoy, Robert Serry Russian forces have seized two Ukrainian

•Russian President Vladimir Putin missile-defence sites in Crimea, according to unconfirmed reports Mr Lavrov met US Secretary of State John Kerry and counterparts from the UK, Germany and France on the sidelines of a longplanned conference on Lebanon in Paris.

Meanwhile, Nato and Russia are also due to hold parallel talks in Brussels.

The Paris gathering is being seen above all as a chance to test the waters for a dialogue about Ukraine, says the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall.

But UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Russians had already failed to appear at one meeting with the Ukrainians in Paris so he was “not optimistic” of making progress later.

“If we cannot make progress on that course there will be costs and consequences,” he said, in reference to a threat of sanctions by the US and EU.

UN blames world powers for condoning Syria war crimes next week, 2.5 million

A

LL sides in Syria’s civil war are using shelling and siege tactics to punish and starve civilians and big powers bear responsibility for allowing such war crimes to persist, U.N. human rights investigators said yesterday.

The independent investigators, presenting their latest report documenting atrocities in Syria, called again on the U.N. Security Council to refer grave violations of the rules of war to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.

“The Security Council bears responsibility for not

•Ban Ki Moon addressing accountability and allowing the warring parties to violate these rules with total impunity,” Paulo Pinheiro, who leads the U.N. commission of inquiry, told a news conference.

“One of most stark trends we have documented is the

use of siege warfare, the denial of humanitarian aid, food and basic necessities such as medical care and clean water have forced people to choose between surrender and starvation.”

More than 140,000 have been killed in the conflict, which enters its fourth year

refugees have fled abroad and 6.5 million people are uprooted within Syria.

Divided world powers have backed both sides in the conflict and a diplomatic deadlock has exacerbated the bloodshed.

Fighters and their commanders may be held accountable, but also states which transfer weapons to Syria, the report said.

Syrian government forces under President Bashar al-Assad have besieged towns including the Old City of Homs, shelling relentlessly and depriving them of food as part of a “starvation until submission” campaign, the report said.

I

TALIAN aircraft car rier, Cavour was in Nigeria at the weekend.

Its flight deck is 234 mt long with 6 plus 1 SAR aircraft take-off and landing spots, 2 aircraft parking area and 2 30tons elevators linking the hangar bay with the flight deck.

The ship can embark a rotary/fixed or mixed wing capability of 22aircrafts. The airplane onboard are AV8B Plus capable of short and vertical take off and vertical landing tasked for protection of the fleet, power projection and support of amphibious ops. Helicopters onboard are AB212, EH101 and SH90.

Cavour is also fitted with a short range self defense missile system – SAAM-IT, built in co-

ETWORK continues to call for release of journalists accused of spreading false news and belonging to “terrorist group”.

The trial of three Al Jazeera English journalists in Egypt has been adjourned until March 24 and the defendants remain in jail on charges of spreading false news and belonging to a “terrorist group”.

Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy, and Baher Mohamed, who have been held for more than two months, appeared in court for the second time on Wednesday when witnesses for the prosecution were heard. Al Jazeera rejects the charges against its staff and continues to call for their release.

“Mohamed, Peter, and Baher are world-class journalists, and were simply doing the job of journalism covering and challenging all sides of the story in Egypt,” Al Anstey, managing director of Al Jazeera English, said.

Venezuela’s Chavistas remember late leader

S

UPPORTERS of the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez took to the streets in their thousands to mark the one-year anniversary of his death.

Tens of thousands of red-clad Chavistas gathered for rallies in Caracas and elsewhere yesterday to honour the socialist leader, whose 14-year rule won him the adoration of many of Venezuela’s poorest.

“This anniversary is enormously sad. There’s not a single day I don’t remember Hugo,” Chavez’s cousin, Guillermo Frias, said from Los Rastrojos village in rural Barinas state, where the pair used to play baseball in the street as kids.

“He changed Venezuela forever and we cannot

Israel halts ‘weapons shipment from Iran’

I

SRAEL says it has seized a ship carrying advanced Iranian weapons made in Syria that was heading towards Gaza. The Panamanian-flagged vessel was boarded by Israeli naval commandos in the Red Sea off the coast of Sudan, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

They found M-302 surface-to-surface missiles that were flown to Iran before being loaded onto the ship, it added. Hamas, the militant Palestinian Islamist movement that governs Gaza, strenuously denied any involvement.

It accused Israel of concocting a story to “justify the blockade” of the coastal territory. Israel tightly controls its border with Gaza, restricting what is allowed in for what it says are reasons crucial to its security.

India goes to polls next month

I

operation with France using ASTER15 missiles.

The hangar bay is 134m long, 21m wide,

holds up to 16aircrafts and it’s used for recovery and maintenance.

NDIA’s general election will take place in nine phases in April and May, the Election Commission has announced.

Polling to elect a new Lok Sabha, or lower house, will be held from 7 April to 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May. With some 814 million eligible voters, India’s election will be the largest the world has seen.

The ruling Congress party and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party will be battling a host of smaller parties.

Leaders of 11 regional parties have formed a Third Front against the Congress and the BJP. A new anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man’s) Party (AAP), which made a spectacular debut in recent polls in the capital Delhi, will also contest the elections.

If no single party wins a clear majority, smaller parties could play a crucial role.it one of the most exciting elections India has seen for years India’s lower house has 543 elected seats and any party or a coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.

Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

JUDICIAL CLEANSING:

Mass sack of Judges looms to fight corruption like the present Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, whose regime has seen the sack of about seven Judges within a period of barely two years.

Even though only high court Judges have so far fallen under the sweeping broom of transformation within the Judiciary, fact remains that bad eggs equally abound at other level of the court.

Last week Thursday, the pruning axe of the NJC, descended on two high

CJN, JUSTICE MARIAM ALOMA MUKHTAR

D

ETERMINED to purge itself and evolve into an arm of government to emulate in the ongoing war against graft and corruption in the country, the Judiciary, has once again, put machinery in place to enable it ferret and terminate the appointment of some questionable characters that found their way into the Bench.

It is not a fact in dispute that some of the Judges currently into the business of dispute adjudication in Nigeria are extremely very corrupt.

Whereas some of them not only handle their job as a no-man’sbusiness, others, aside elevating themselves to a ‘god-status’, treating court users with glaring indifference, a situation that often see litigants and lawyers waiting endlessly in the open court for a Judge who may be having a nice time somewhere or sleeping inside his chambers.

For some of them, once you don’t belong to the class of judicial ‘moneybags’, no matter how eloquent or legally superior your submissions are,

,

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

Gone are the days when Judges are hardly seen in social gatherings: these days, it is not uncommon to meet a sitting judge at a kid’s birthday party

you must as a matter of necessity, engage the service of a ‘behind-thecourt’ negotiator, who chips in favourable words about you during cocktail parties- which are becoming too frequent these days.

Gone are the days when Judges are hardly seen in social gatherings.

These days, it is not uncommon to meet a sitting Judge at a kid’s birthday party.

As it stands today, there are over 90 petitions pending against several Judges across the federation, with about 25 judges currently under the probing lens of the National Judicial Council, NJC. Undisputedly, no administration in the judiciary has ever made attempt

The Goose that laid the golden egg P/41

,

court Justices after they were found guilty of judicial misconducts.

At the end of a meeting it held in Abuja, the Council which is headed by the CJN, okayed their compulsory retirement from office.

Specifically, the NJC, ordered that Justices G.K. Olotu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and Justice U. A. Inyang of High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, should forthwith vacate their various offices.

In a letter it wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfill all righteousness, the Council, maintained that the two Justices should not be allowed to adjudicate in any court in

South east lawyers Honour Jurists P/42

— 53

the country, stressing that pursuant to its findings, they ought not to sit on the Bench.

Their sack, according to a press release that was signed by the acting Director of Information at the NJC, Mr Soji Oye, was based on the outcome of petitions that were written against them.

NJC insisted that Justice Olotu, breached the laid down judicial procedure by delivering a judgment in a case with Suit No. FHC/UY/250/ 2003, eighteen months after the final address by Counsel to parties in the suit, contrary to the Constitutional provisions that Judgment should be delivered within a period of 90 days. ”The Hon. Judge admitted before the Fact Finding Committee of the Council that investigated the allegations that she forgot she had a pending ruling to deliver in an application for joinder, and the Judge entertained a post judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after delivering Judgment, which made her functus-officio.

“That in another case: Suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/505/2012, Hon. Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment twice”, the Council stated.

Compulsory retirement It further disclosed that Justice Inyang, was also recommended for compulsory retirement from office owing to the findings of the Council that, “the Judge included in his Judgment, references to the Garnishee Proceedings, which came after the judgment had been delivered on 20th December, 2011. ”That His Lordship also included the name of the Counsel to Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, who came into the matter after the judgment of 20th December, 2011 was delivered. ”That the Judge recklessly signed a writ of execution, a day after delivering his judgment of 20th December, 2011, the same day a Notice of Appeal and Motion on Notice for Stay of Execution were filed. ”That the Judge continued with the garnishee proceedings despite application for stay of execution; and that before delivering his judgment of 20th December, 2011, Hon. Justice Inyang ignored a properly filed motion on notice for leave to file additional witness Statement on Oath.”

Continues on page 54

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson (Editor) Innocent Anaba Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Mass sack of Judges looms Continues from page 53

Meantime, the NJC, said it has in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, suspended the two Judges from office with immediate effect.

The Council equally issued warning letters to former acting President of the Court of Appeal who is currently the presiding Justice of Court of Appeal Kaduna Division, Justice Dalhatu Adamu.

Justice Adamu, who temporarily took over after the erstwhile PCA, Justice Isa Ayo Salami was suspended from office, was specifically reprimanded after it was found that he deliberately absented himself from duty, an action the NJC said amounted to gross misconduct contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Other that were issued stern warning by the Council

CJN, JUSTICE MARIAM ALOMA MUKHTAR

it.

According to the NJC, “At the end of deliberation on the report of the committee, Council found Hon. Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Hon. Justice D. O. Amaechina of

,

With the tenure of the CJN gradually winding up, it is still the earnest desire of Nigerians to have an independent corrupt free judiciary, especially as 2015 election approaches with the antecedent unavoidable disputes that must follow

included Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Justice D. O. Amaechina of High Court of Justice, Anambra State, respectively.

It will be recalled that Council, at its meeting held on the 4th and 5th of December, 2013, considered and deliberated on the report of its five-man committee who were mandated to invite judicial officers with very low performance or nonperformance, to appear before

,

High Court of Justice, Anambra State, respectively culpable of very low performance. Consequently, Council decided to issue warning letters to them for decline in their productivity.”

With the tenure of the CJN gradually winding up, it is still the earnest desire of Nigerians to have an independent corrupt free judiciary, especially as 2015 election looms with the antecedent unavoidable disputes that must follow.

Sack of Justices Olotu, and Justice Inyang a healthy revival for the judiciary —Prof Sagay SAN

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

constitutional lawyer and activist, Professor Itse Sagay SAN, has described the sack of Justice Gladys Olotu of the Abuja Federal High Court and Justice U. A. Inyang of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, as a healthy revival for the judiciary.

The National Judicial Council, NJC, under leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mariam Mukhtar, last week found the two high court justices guilty of judicial misconduct and

okayed their compulsory retirement from office.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard Law and Human Rights in Lagos, Prof Sagay noted that with such move, the CJN would succeed in bringing an end to corruption in the judiciary at the end of her term of office.

“It is a very healthy revival for the judiciary. Hopefully, by the time the CJN finishes her term of office, the whole corrupt judges would have been cleared and we will have a healthier judiciary. It is clearly a consistent implementation of the new CJN determination

to root out corruption and indolence from the judiciary,” Prof Sagay said.

The constitutional lawyer explained that the sack of the two justices clearly implies corruption, saying “though it (NJC) did not say so, but by the time you go through the announcement of the things that happened, including the press report about two bank accounts running into billions, it was clear that it has to do with corruption, not just indolence.”

Judicial procedure Prof Sagay pointed out that the issue also leading to the sack has to do with indolence because Justice Olotu breached the laid down judicial procedure by delivering a judgment in a case eighteen months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit.

“The second thing also has to do with indolence because the judgments that were given seem to anticipate other actions that were to filed later on, so it was clear that there was something under-hand that was going on. So that one involves corruption, but the other three involves indolence, giving a long judgment within a period of time,” Prof Sagay added.

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Mass sack of Judges looms Continues from page 53

Meantime, the NJC, said it has in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, suspended the two Judges from office with immediate effect.

The Council equally issued warning letters to former acting President of the Court of Appeal who is currently the presiding Justice of Court of Appeal Kaduna Division, Justice Dalhatu Adamu.

Justice Adamu, who temporarily took over after the erstwhile PCA, Justice Isa Ayo Salami was suspended from office, was specifically reprimanded after it was found that he deliberately absented himself from duty, an action the NJC said amounted to gross misconduct contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Other that were issued stern warning by the Council

CJN, JUSTICE MARIAM ALOMA MUKHTAR

it.

According to the NJC, “At the end of deliberation on the report of the committee, Council found Hon. Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Hon. Justice D. O. Amaechina of

,

With the tenure of the CJN gradually winding up, it is still the earnest desire of Nigerians to have an independent corrupt free judiciary, especially as 2015 election approaches with the antecedent unavoidable disputes that must follow

included Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Justice D. O. Amaechina of High Court of Justice, Anambra State, respectively.

It will be recalled that Council, at its meeting held on the 4th and 5th of December, 2013, considered and deliberated on the report of its five-man committee who were mandated to invite judicial officers with very low performance or nonperformance, to appear before

,

High Court of Justice, Anambra State, respectively culpable of very low performance. Consequently, Council decided to issue warning letters to them for decline in their productivity.”

With the tenure of the CJN gradually winding up, it is still the earnest desire of Nigerians to have an independent corrupt free judiciary, especially as 2015 election looms with the antecedent unavoidable disputes that must follow.

Sack of Justices Olotu, and Justice Inyang a healthy revival for the judiciary —Prof Sagay SAN

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

constitutional lawyer and activist, Professor Itse Sagay SAN, has described the sack of Justice Gladys Olotu of the Abuja Federal High Court and Justice U. A. Inyang of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, as a healthy revival for the judiciary.

The National Judicial Council, NJC, under leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mariam Mukhtar, last week found the two high court justices guilty of judicial misconduct and

okayed their compulsory retirement from office.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard Law and Human Rights in Lagos, Prof Sagay noted that with such move, the CJN would succeed in bringing an end to corruption in the judiciary at the end of her term of office.

“It is a very healthy revival for the judiciary. Hopefully, by the time the CJN finishes her term of office, the whole corrupt judges would have been cleared and we will have a healthier judiciary. It is clearly a consistent implementation of the new CJN determination

to root out corruption and indolence from the judiciary,” Prof Sagay said.

The constitutional lawyer explained that the sack of the two justices clearly implies corruption, saying “though it (NJC) did not say so, but by the time you go through the announcement of the things that happened, including the press report about two bank accounts running into billions, it was clear that it has to do with corruption, not just indolence.”

Judicial procedure Prof Sagay pointed out that the issue also leading to the sack has to do with indolence because Justice Olotu breached the laid down judicial procedure by delivering a judgment in a case eighteen months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit.

“The second thing also has to do with indolence because the judgments that were given seem to anticipate other actions that were to filed later on, so it was clear that there was something under-hand that was going on. So that one involves corruption, but the other three involves indolence, giving a long judgment within a period of time,” Prof Sagay added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 55

The Goose that laid the Golden Egg M

OST readers would of course be aware of Aesop’s Fables in which is embedded the cruel Irony or crass foolishness, if you may, in the fable of the Goose that laid the golden egg. As narrated in storyit.com, there was a man and his wife who owned a very special goose. Every day the goose would lay a golden egg, which made the couple very rich. “Just think”, said the man’s wife, “if we would have all the golden eggs that are inside the goose, we could be richer mush faster”. “You’re right,” said her husband, “we wouldn’t have to wait for the goose to lay her egg every day”. So, the couple killed the goose and cut her open, only to find that she was just like every other goose. She had no golden eggs inside of her at all, and they had no more golden eggs. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, comments that there are several versions of the fable and that it is generally used as an illustration of a short-sighted action that destroys the profitability of an asset.

Put in the context of the brickbats generated by the now suspended Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over allegations of missing funds from the NNPC, a comparison may be easy.

Unmitigated prevarication Although the allegations involved unmitigated prevarication over the quantum of funds that he deemed missing, it is sufficient for our present purpose to state that Sanusi fancies the final figure which is $20 billion as the staggering amount allegedly missing from the Federation Account. It is now difficult to recall how that sum became branded as missing. The initial allegation was that the NNPC had failed to pay a sum of money (said to be $49.8 billion) into the Federation Account but those who are interested in fables tagged such a huge sum of money missing and set most people asking “missing from where?”.

Well, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank had gone to a hearing at the Senate armed with a memo in which he pointedly alleged that “The amount of money illegally and unconstitutionally withheld, diverted or spent by the NNPC is in excess of $10.8 billion…” it is amazing that the Governor himself was not entirely sure whether the sum of $10.8 billion was withheld, diverted or spent because each of these words has different implications. For instance, to “withhold” means (in Dictionary terms) “to refuse to give or grant something; to hold back something”.

The same Dictionary (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary) defines “divert”, to mean “to make someone or something change direction”. To spend means “to payout (money, etc) on buying something new, for a service, repair, etc”. Having regard to the foregoing, what indeed was Sanusi’s case against the NNPC? This question is relevant because if it is his case that the staggering sum in dispute was withheld, then the NNPC would not have a serious case to answer. Inevitably, the money would still be somewhere. If on the other hand, the money was diverted, the question would then be, ‘to where and for what?’ There is as yet no illumination on how the diversion occurred. Furthermore, if the only allegation was that the sum of $10.8 billion was spent, then further questions would also arise.

If an amount is said to be spent,

,

By AWA KALU, SAN

infraction of the constitution.

The inevitable outcome of the suspended Governor’s allegations was a massive Hearing at the National Assembly which brought several government departments into the fray. Given that the Hearing did not make anyone the wiser, what did it profit the Governor to make allegations that were bound to create such shock waves of seismic proportion? To find an answer, one was

The inevitable outcome of the suspended Governor’s allegations was a massive hearing at the National Assembly which brought several government departments into the fray

,

then no problems would arise unless the allegations extend to unrestrained or unauthorized spending. Would anyone at the helm of the apex bank be expected to be more certain of an allegation made in the public domain? We think so. This is because an allegation leveled against a massive institution such as the NNPC must be serious especially if it concerns profligacy or illegality or anything touching on an

forced to have a quick glance at the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act in order to determine what prompted Governor Sanusi into probing the nooks and cranies of the Bank’s vault in search of funds from the NNPC. By virtue of section 2 of the Act, the CBN has, as its principal objects, the responsibility to – (a) ensure monetary and price stability; (b) issue legal tender currency in Nigeria; (c) maintain

external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency; (d) promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; and (e) act as banker and provide economic and financial advice to the Federal Government. Can anyone who finds him/she self on the seat of the Governor of the Central Bank begin to comb the coffers of each revenue yielding agency of the Federal Government in search of funds which have been illegally or unconstitutionally withheld? Is it part of the Governor’s job specification to turn into an imperial auditor, demanding from such revenue generating agency the authority to incur expenditure? Is the job of the Central Bank Governor the same as that of the Co-ordinator of the Economy, or of the Accountant-General of the Federation or indeed of the Auditor General?

If the Governor of the Central Bank is none of these, then how did the suspended Governor bring himself into the wrong arena?

The principal plank of the allegation is that the NNPC failed the nation by not paying all its revenue into the Federation Account – an account created by the Constitution “into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation”. It appears that the constitution has been seen in some quarters as a trading journal which contains the nitty gritty of the operational impulses (including accounting standards) for government reve-

nue or income making organizations. It is reasonable to imagine that the draughtsman contemplated that sooner or later, some controversy would arise from the directive which is contained in section 162 of the constitution. It is for that reason, probably, that subsection (10) of section 162 defines revenue as: “… any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government from any source and includes- (a) any receipt, however described arising from the operation of any law; (b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government or the Federation; (c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body…”

There is presently what one is tempted to call an “uncommercial” argument by which its protagonists contend that section 162 of the constitution intends that revenue will include both cost and profit. Nothing can be farther from the truth because any commercial entity which fails to differentiate between its capital and profit will be as doomed as any person who fails to note that the bone is the not the same as flesh.

It has been suggested in several quarters that resort must be had to the NNPC Act which makes provision for the corporation’s general duties, the powers granted to the corporation and above all, makes financial provisions.

Inherent in the financial provisions is the authority to defray all expenses incurred by the corporation.

Having explained that for its survival, the NNPC must in all reasonableness deduct the cost of doing business, what remains is to insist that anyone who conjures thecontraryopinionwouldinallcertainty kill the Goose that lays the golden Egg.

Wrong legal framework, bane of oil industry – Experts

By DAYO BENSON

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RONG legal framework and policies have been identified as the major problem militating against the oil sector in the country. This was the position of a professor of petroleum law and one time company secretary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, Professor Yinka Omoregbe. She stated this at the first lecture series to mark the 30th anniversary of George Etomi & Partners (GEPLAW) titled ‘life without oil’ which held in Lagos. Among legal and other prominent personalities were Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN, Nigerian Bar Association president, Chief Okey Wali SAN, former NBA president Chief Rotimi Akeredolu SAN , former foreign affairs minister and minister of state for petroleum Odein Ajumogobia SAN, former Lagos state Attorney general and com-

missioner for justice Professor Yemi Osibajo SAN, Justice Of The Supreme court Bode Rhodes-Vivour and former foreign affairs minister Major General Ike Nwachukwu ( retd ).

According to prof. Omoregbe “It is sad that half of Nigerians have been living life without oil with constant power outages.

The country has been stagnant for 50 years. Our policy and legal framework for oil industry have been wrong, hence the problem in the industry. Part of the problems are bad refineries and continous importation of fuel.Because of oil exploration all over the world, Nigeria’s importance has been receeding .As a matter of fact, other countries have been studying how not to be like Nigeria.

Speaking further, she said “We lack proper record keeping in the oil industry and where there is poor record keeping, there is bound to be conflicting

figures.” In his own comment,Ajumogobia said the oil infrastructure was built in Nigeria 50 years ago to export oil to the western world adding that “ it is a shame that we are still doing the same”. He expressed optimism that “ Nigeria would not run out of oil”but however cautioned that the country might become a major importer of petroleum.

Development of infrastructure Speaking further,Ajumogobia also recommended the development of infastructure in the country with oil proceeds adding that “ with increase in consumption, prices of oil would also increase but pointed out that “the country can be immobilized if there is no oil reserves in situation of war as currently being experienced in the North

East” In his own comment Chief Akeredolu stated “all that have been said here had been said before. We are talking instead of working, we are all suffering from credibility deficiency syndrome”. we need to distil our conviction through another talk shop, I wonder when the talking would stop”.

Earlier, in his key note address , Governor Fashola said Nigerians should not keep quiet over the missing $20 billion from the NNPC account as complacency would not only make the money untraceable but lead to similar disappearances of such revenue in future.

He decried the present state where Nigeria put all her eggs in one basket without diversifying the economy. He said such a situation could not bring desired progress and development.

56—Vanguard , THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Jega to deliver AANI lecture

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HAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega will, on Tuesday, deliver a paper at the inaugural lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) with the theme: Building Credible Electoral Process for Democratic Sustainability.

The lecture, which will be chaired by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also has Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), as the keynote speaker and frontline constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), as the lead speaker.

The lecture which starts at 9am will be held in Grand Ball Room of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos The alumni body, which is the apex association of the past course participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), said the lecture was being organised to contribute to discourse affecting development of the country, to enable government and the society tap from the knowledge of professionals trained by the Institute.

Teenager wins Ultimate maths competition

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ASTER Madumere Samuel Onyekachi of God’s Pride Group of Schools, Ota in Ogun State has emerged the best pupil in the second edition of The Ultimate Mathematics Ambassador (TUMA) 2014 organized by the Ambassadors Schools, Ota. Master Ogbebor Abraham Louis of Solid Heritage School, Ojodu and Bale Idris Mayowa of Prestige Group of Schools came second and third respectively in the competition.

The awardees, their subject teachers and schools carted away with different monetary prizes.

The competition was initiated by the chairman and the proprietor of The Ambassadors Schools Samson Yomi Osewa and Victoria Olayemi Osaka respectively.

Centenary Awards: Abacha's children lash at Soyinka in open letter Continued from Page 4 or define a path to the future.” ”You say, with the weight of your sense of history and the authority you possess on national issues that “ a vicious usurper under whose authority the lives of an elected president and his wife were snuffed out” referring to my late father, you must be growing old, or you would rightly recall that that president elect you refer to did not die while my father was alive. Did you slyly change your facts to fit a history that would better serve your narrative, or are you just plain forgetful? Either way, it shows you are losing your grasp of reality.” ”Comparing my father ’s leadership to Boko Haram’s current reign of terror, is a rather cheap shot, you are in no position to examine, judge and sentence an entire regime based on the information you think you have, you are privy to almost none of the true facts, what is at your disposal is at best, hearsay, or were you ever minister of defence?”

“Did you ever sit in during security meetings, evaluate the facts and subtleties of national security? You remind me of Obama criticizing the Republicans before he became a sitting president himself, vouching to put an end to all American occupation, this all came to an abrupt end once he had access to the briefs and security issues, economic and political, facing his nation. Surely he did what he could, and history will judge him. To lead is not to be a rock star, and to be a Nobel laureate is not to be a an antagonist of this countries legacy.”

“We are Africa’s leaders, whether we like it or not, we cannot trivialize the centenary celebration, it happens only once, let us come together, if only for this one occasion and agree to disagree.” ”Open rebellion against the current government at this time, on the manner of the centenary celebrations, for whatever reason, is tactless, it is not about you, it is

about our nation, our beloved country. There is a time and place for everything. My late father was a Nigerian, lived in Nigeria and died protecting our interests to the best of his ability, critiquing placing him on the honor roll, along with many deserving dignitaries is your right, you have the right to your own opinions, but you do not have the right to your own facts. Facts stand alone, regardless of who espouses them, let posterity judge, but you are clearly politicizing a dead issue, how could you not be? Having an issue with the naming of a hospital after the late General and leader?” ”It almost seems as if you want to turn back the hands of time, what else would you like to undo besides the naming of the hospital, would you like to unmake Bayelsa state, Zamfara state or the others? What about the advances we made in commerce, reducing the inflation rate, what about security and welfare, how many projects, hospitals and schools were created? Inflation went from 54% to 8.5%! my father oversaw an increase in our foreign currency reserves from 494 million dollars in 1993 to 9.6 billion dollars by

the middle of 1997, that was unprecedented, 15 years after the PTF the benefits are still being reaped today in Nigeria. What of peace keeping and nation building, not just in West Africa but the entire continent, restoring democracy in Liberia and Sierra Leone, all these under my father’s leadership, are all these not laudable? Or would you like to undo them all. All this on 8$ per barrel of oil! You have to be kidding me.”

You are a learned man, you would have to undo all your learning to knowingly wish to undo all these achievements! I will be the first to proclaim that my fathers leadership was notpitch perfect or spot free, that does not exist, maybe in utopia but not here on this earth, so let us keep our discourse set in the sphere of reality please, he deserves the award, and he did not campaign for it, let it go, Sir...and allow Nigeria to at least bask in our survival and endurance in our growing prosperity and development in these trying times. I have been accused of being an optimist, hence, I am optimistic that you will come around and accept that we can all come together and face the future together,

forgive each other our wrongs while celebrating our rights, I am still an admirer of your works after all, however, I cannot and will not attempt to answer your every charge, this is not the time or place, this is a time for solidarity, if only you were wise enough to grasp this.

I applaud the patience of President Goodluck Jonathan and his composure and restraint in not having a knee jerk reaction at such a pivotal moment in our nations history, but you would mar the occasion, Sir, in the future, please pick your battles, and do better to safeguard your relevance, Enough Sir! Sadiq Abacha.US freezes $458 m in assets of Abacha The United States said it had ordered a freeze on $458 million in assets hidden in European accounts by former Nigerian former Military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha and his conspirators.

The Justice Department said the corruption proceeds — stashed away in bank accounts in Britain, France and Jersey — were frozen at Washington’s request with the help of local authorities.

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Mr Robert Mbonu, Executive Director, Heritage Bank; Mrs Josephine Aligwekwe, Group Head, Corporate Affairs and Mr Ifie Sekibo, Managing Director at the media parley with Heritage bank executives to mark the first anniversary of the bank in Lagos yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Kwankwaso accuses FG of fanning embers of disunity among govs

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

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ANO State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso has accused the Federal Government of giving each of the 16 governors who belong to the Governor Jonah Jang’s faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum of N2 billion in a bid to weaken the solidarity of the 36 state governors in the country.

“Each of the 16 governors that

voted for Governor Jang has benefited N2bn each from our own money; given to them free of charge. All of us on Ameachi’s side were given nothing, that is not being fair, that is not even correct and it is illegal”, he said.

He spoke yesterday at a meeting with a team from the secretariat of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s faction Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, led by the Director General, Mr. Mr. Ashishana Okauru, at Government

H o u s e .

The governor faulted the recognition of Jang, who scored 16 votes as against Amaechi, who scored 19, describing the action as mischievous.

According to him, the Federal Government has however, been benefiting so much from the disunity in the NGF. “We are having difficulties in coming together as a forum because the Federal Government is not respecting democratic ten-

ets,” he said, adding that “for rapid progress, governors in the country must work as brothers.”

Earlier, the Director General of the Forum, Mr. Okauru, had spoken of the need for all the 36 governors to be under one umbrella, pointing out that a lot of ground has already been lost in polio eradication, the lingering insecurity in the country, youth unemployment and the cries associated with Excess Crude Account.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 57

LMC Commends new Stationery Stores Insists govts must divest from clubs

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

BY JACOB AJOM

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T

HE League Management Company, organisers of the Glo Premier League, have pleaded with Nigerians to be patient in their expectations for a perfect league.

Speaking in an interactive session with the sporting press in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of the LMC, Honourable Nduka Irabor said that his team, which is in its second year, started from the scratch.

“We had no favourable structure in place to build on. We are starting from the scratch. ,” he said.

He disclosed that with the strict observance of conditions for registration of clubs, there was a gradual change in the attitude of club managements.

“We are insisting on 30% government divestment from clubs this year and 50% by the end of next season; we are also insisting on N50m bank guarantee from clubs before licenses can be issued,” the former legislator said, adding that the conditions are geared towards making clubs

RESIDENT of the N i g e r i a Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr Daniel Igali has eulogised the vision ‘High Performance Centre that out gone Sports Minister, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi instituted and tasked his successor to keep the vision alive.

Reacting yesterday to news of Alhaji Abdullahi’s removal as the country’s Sports Minister, Dr Igali said the news did not come to him as a shock, it was a political appointment of which

Ere who vouched that the new Sports Minister would change the face of sports and create a better enabling environment for more results to come the way of Nigeria. ‘’He is a PHd holder, a former Chairman of a Local Government in Rivers State and former Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Rivers. He has been in sports and did absolutely well at the Local Government where he helped Rivers to win the Sports Festival because of many athletes who came from his domain.

He is a hard-working young man and very humble and thorough.

He is not petty. He will follow what is good to its

nobody so appointed has any immunity .

“I do know that ministers are not meant to be there for ever.. What I am so much impressed about him is his focus on high performance centre he was trying to perpetrate, so my expectation is that the new minister will focus passionately on that and ensure that the high performance project is kept intact.

“I wouldn’t say that the news of his removal came to me as a surprise because I do know that when a minister is in place there is no immunity protecting his removal."

Stakeholders

LMC boss, Hon. Nduka Irabor (r) addressing the press yesterday. With him is Modele Sharafa Yusuf, member of LMC financially independent.

On how to return football fans to the stadia, Irabor said in as much as the LMC is ready to support any genuine effort aimed at achieving large crowds at match venues, it is the responsibility of the clubs to market themselves.

“It is their responsibility to push their brands. In the 1980s when our league was good Brazilians and

Opukiri Continues from BP

Igali eulogises Abdullahi’s ‘high performance’ vision

logical conclusion. That means, he is not one who will abandon any good thing by his predecessor. He is meticulous and very transparent. That means that all funds appropriated will get to all the sports federations”, Opukiri himself who sparkled during his tenure as Sports Commissioner said.

Asked if he would as usual become Minister of sports, Opukiri retorted; no, no, no. He will be fair to all sports. Honestly, I tell you that a Daniel has come to judgment’’, Opukiri said of the former Chairman Akuku Toru LGA and Commissioner of LGA and Community Affairs and also Commissioner of Urban and Physical Planning who resigned voluntarily in 2013.

other nationals came here to play.”

He praised the effort of management of newly revived Stationery Football Club of Lagos which has put in place a machinery for attracting fans to the stadium.

“They have impressed me so far. I expect they continue in that spirit.”

He said no matter the amount of pressure from

Continues from BP

Nigerians, the League Management Company will not rush things.

“Clubs must get the basic things right. The conditions for registration are not LMC’s. They are from a template from FIFA which is being implemented by member associations across the world. That is how modern football is run.”

NFF

to replace Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi.

Speaking to the new Minister on telephone from Atlanta, United States of America, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, welcomed him to his new office and prayed for Nigeria’s string of successes on and off the football field, nay sports sector to continue, and even blossom, during Dr. Danagogo’s tenure.

“It is my special pleasure to, on behalf of the entire Nigeria football family, congratulate you on your new appointment and wish you tremendous success in your tenure. Our football has been experiencing a renaissance in the past two years and we pray that it continues, and in

fact get better, during your tenure.

“We hope to make your coming in memorable by charging the Super Eagles to go all out and win today’s international friendly against Mexico here in Atlanta. We have never beaten Mexico at full international level, so it would be historic for us to win today,” Maigari told Danagogo.

In his response, the new Sports Minister prayed for the Super Eagles’ success in the game and urged the NFF President to call him at the end of the match, “so that I will have good news for Mr. President.

Please tell them to go all out and win today ’s match. I will meet with the team later and let them know the huge importance of doing well at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.”

Continues from BP

shocked at the removal of Abdullahi, who was until Wednesday also Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC).

His removal was announced shortly after the regular midweek Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan.

While reacting, a former Green Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, said the removal was within the prerogative of President Jonathan.

He, however, described the minister as “a hardworking and result-oriented man”.

The coach said it was during Abdullahi’s tenure that the the Super Eagles won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations under the guidance of an indigenous coach, Stephen Keshi.

“He helped to set the football house in order as soon as he came by, facilitating the appointment of Keshi as coach and proving that he preferred an indigenous talent to a foreigner.

“He was a man determined for success, although with no history in sports administration, and he showed he was competent for the job”.

Abdullahi Continues from BP informed him and he aborted the journey to Poland where he was expected to motivate the few Nigerian athletes competing in the championships.

Abdullahi had picked special interest in track and field, noting the number of medals the sport could win for Nigeria in international events like the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games and engaged two Americans to help develop the sports Nigeria has comparative advantage in. Athletics was favoured although the minister was yet to back his support with

adequate funding.

However, there were promises and plans to boost the sport. The event in Poland would be the first outing of the American High Performance Directors for Nigeria and the minister wanted to see things for himself. But fate had a different plan for him.

“He did his best for Nigerian sports. The achievements speak for him,” Ogunro said of the man from Kwara and who was nominated for ministerial appointment by the Sarakis who have now pitched tent with the opposition party, APC.

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014—59

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 61

Chipolopolo beat Uganda Cranes

Brazil World Cup: Klose eyes Ronaldo’s record V

ETERAN Germany striker Miroslav Klose has said he wants to break Ronaldo’s record of 15 FIFA World Cup™ goals before stepping down from international duty after Brazil 2014.

Having scored 14 goals for Germany at the last three World Cup tournaments, Lazio’s Klose is just one short of Brazil legend Ronaldo’s record.

“I can’t say that doesn’t interest me, I’m too ambitious for that, but the team always comes first,” Klose, who is set to make his 131st appearance for Germany in Wednesday’s friendly with Chile, told Munich-based daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The ex-Bayern Munich star has struggled with

injuries this season after a foot operation in September, then a shoulder problem in November, and he says UEFA EURO 2016 will probably be beyond him. “I think that the World Cup in Brazil is to be my last tournament,” said the 35-year-old. “The way my fitness is, I find it hard to assume I could play for two more years at the highest level.”

Germany kick-off their

World Cup campaign in Group G against Portugal in Salvador on 16 June before taking on Ghana and the Jurgen Klinsmann-coached USA. Klose’s contract expires in June and while Lazio are reported to want to offer him a year’s extension on a reduced salary, the striker is considering offers from the United States and United Arab Emirates.

F

CONTEST . . . South Africa’s midfielder Daylon Claasen (L) vies with Brazil’s forward Neymar during their friendly match yesterday at Soccer City stadium in Soweto. Photo: AFP

NBBF appoints Bakare Technical Director, reconstitutes committee

F

RESH into the new season, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has appointed a Technical Director to drive it’s 2013-2017 Stra-

tegic Plan aimed at developing and adding value to all it’s leagues and programmes. After considering a number of candidates, the federa-

tion settled for former long-time national coach, board member, team owner and international scout for New York Knicks, Ayo Bakare.

Bakare is expected to

bring additional impetus and experience to the rather difficult job of implementing, supervising and diversifying the various initiatives of the federation.

ORMER African Champions Zambia have this evening picked up a deserved 21 home victory over arch rivals Uganda Cranes in an international friendly played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Two second half goals by Evans Kangwa were enough to cancel out substitute Hamis Kiiza’s 53rd minute strike.

The hosts started brightly and made several attempts at the goal, but Dennis Onyango was steady for the visitors. Emmanuel Okwi’s cross was also missed by Daniel Sserunkuma for the Cranes’ best c h a n c e .

On resumption, the CECAFA giants returned strongly after bringing on Kiiza for Okwi and Robert Odonkara for Onyango in goal.

62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 — 63

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V anguard anguard,, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Abdullahi in London, aborts trip to Poland

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OLAJI Abdullahi heard the news of his sack as sports minister in London, Julius Ogunro, his spokesman said yesterday, reports ONOCHIE ANIBEZE. The former minister was transiting in London on his way to

Danagogo ‘ll not be Minister of football — Opukiri

Results Brazil 5 S/Africa 0 Japan 4 N/Zealand 2 Russia 2 Armenia 0 Azerbaijan 1 Phillippines 0 Lithuania 1 Kazakhstan 1 Bulgaria 2 Belarus 1 Algeria 2 Slovenia 0 Montenegro 1 Ghana 0 Greece 0 S/ Korea 2 Hungary 1 Finland 2 B/Herzegovina 0 Egypt 2 Iran 1 Guinea 2

BY TONY UBANI

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RESIDENT Good luck Ebele Jonathan yesterday sacked Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi and appointed Dr Tamuno Danagogo as his replacement.

But who is Danagogo?

What pedigree does he have in sports? Is he a green-horn? Is he one who would continue with the string of successes that have come the way of Nigeria since Abdullahi mounted the saddle?

These and many more were the questions that our readers and fans bombarded us with after the announcement of the new Sports Minister. We got ready answers from former Sports Commissioner of Bayelsa State, Prince Opukiri Jones Continues on Page 57

the World Indoor A t h l e t i c s Championships in Poland. He left Abuja yesterday morning.

While on board, his disengagement was announced.

Ogunro quickly Continues on Page 57

•IN — Tamuno

•OUT— Abdullahi MASTERFUL. . . Brazil’s midfielder Paulinho (R) advances with the ball past South Africa’s players during their friendly football match yesterday at Soccer City stadium in Soweto. Brazil won 5-0. Photo: AFP

Stakeholders differ on Abdullahi’s removal

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IXED reactions continued to trail the removal Wednesday of Bolaji Abdullahi as Sports Minister and his replacement with Tamuno Danagogo, with some stakeholders expressing shock and some hailing his removal.

In separate interviews

with stakeholders across the country, some of them said they were

Continues on Page 57

NFF congratulates new Sports Minister T HE Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation on W e d n e s d a y

congratulated the newly-appointed Minister of Sports and Chairman, National

Sports Commission, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo.

Danagogo, a lawyer, was sworn into office

Wednesday morning by President Goodluck Jonathan, Continues on Page 57

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Region (4) 4 Decay (3) 6 Sense (4) 8 Shut (6) 9 Abrupt (6) 10 Newt (3) 12 Crawl (5) 14 Punitive (5) 15 Revolt (5) 18 Respect (6) 20 Rubber (6) 24 Handle (5) 26 Shabby (5) 28 Prickle (5) 30 Agent (3) 32 Marionette (6) 33 Free (6) 34 Encounter (4) 35 Whelp (3) 36 Whirlpool (4)

DOWN 2 Sovereign (5) 3 Harsh (7) 4 Travel (4) 5 Trial (4) 6 Sweetmeat (5) 7 Raise (7) 11 Charge (3) 12 Dog (3) 13 Through (3) 16 Wager (3) 17 Shelter (3) 19 Perform (7) 21 Rodent (3) 22 Sportsperson (7) 23 Manage (3) 25 Tear (3) 27 Storehouse (5) 29 Swift (5) 30 Cease (4) 31 Yap (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Stock 7, Villa 8, Dream 10, Alike 12, Eat 13, Peril 15, Entered 17, Ironed 19, Sot 20, Refuted 23, Crew 25, Diva 26, Damaged 30, Vat 31, Dilute 34, Ripened 37, Venom 38, Oar 39, Denim 40, Alter 41, Nurse 42, Steer.

DOWN: 1, Viper 2, Slain 3, Taller 4, Cake 5, Greeted 6, Water 8, Ear 11, Ensured 13, Pitch 14, Roved 16, Tot 18, Debated 21, Divan 22, Harem 24, Wavered 27, Man 28, Divine 29, Viola 32, Lemur 33, Torso 35, Pat 36, Deft.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-4544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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