Buhari's anti-corruption war takes off by Vanguard Media Limited

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Buhari’s anti-corruption war takes off •FG bars ministers from paying contractors •Those who violate extant rules to face the law BY SONI DANIEL and FAVOUR NNABUGWU, Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption crusade appears to have taken off in earnest barely a week after assuming office with a stern warning to ministers not to dabble into approving payments for contractors. The government came boldly yesterday with a clear policy directive asking only the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs not to abdicate their core functions to ministers who are political appointees but to do their jobs in strict compliance with the policy guidelines of the administration. The Head of Service of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi, made the new position of the government known at a media briefing in Abuja. According to the Head of Service of the Federation, the government wants to keep the political class away from issues of finance so that development of our country can be sustained. He said: “If a minister travels out and payment is due, we cannot afford to wait for the minister to come back before we pay.” Findings by Saturday Vanguard revealed that the HoSF was compelled to make the clarifications following a clash between permanent secretaries of major Federal Government ministries and former ministers in the Jonathan government over the payment of contractors. Saturday Vanguard learnt that most permanent secretaries and directors of accounts in the ministries and MDAs fell out with many of the immediate past ministers following their refusal to pay contractors favoured by them for jobs approved and awarded through the backdoor by the ministers in their last effort to make quick money out of the system. The clash between a former minister and a serving permanent secretary is said to have degenerated into a near major scandal in one of the major Federal Government ministries in Abuja which deals with land and development of infrastructure. The minister was reported to have hurriedly approved the award of many contracts for companies said to be close to him and later ordered

the permanent secretary to pay the affected contractors, an order, which the civil servant bluntly turned down, thereby entering into the bad books of the former minister. To reverse the trend as the Buhari government takes off, the HoSF, warned that henceforth, no permanent secretary should allow themselves to be misdirected by any minister in the award and payment for contracts. Kifasi who cleared what he described as a misconception of political appointees to approve payment for contracts, made it clear that approval of payments for contracts are strictly the jurisdiction of accounting officers or directors of the various ministries. The Head of Service, who was apparently in support of the refusal of permanent secretaries to pay contractors approved for payment by out-gone ministers, explained that both the Procurement Act and extant government circulars clearly define the roles of the civil servants relating to contract awards and payment. Kifasi said, “The President has said that his administration will concentrate on policy issues and so we civil servants are re-directing our efforts and minds towards achieving or aligning with the president’s directive. “Payments are normally approved by the accounting officers. In a parastatal, it is either the managing director or the director-general. In the ministry it is the permanent secretary and not the minister. “In the procurement process, ministers do not approve either. It is the Ministerial Tenders Board that sits to consider and approve contracts within their approval threshold. If it is beyond the Board, it goes to the Federal Executive Council. “The only thing a minister does is that he signs the council memo for the procurement that goes to the Federal Executive Council. For the Ministerial Tenders Board which is usually chaired by the Permanent Secretary; the Permanent Secretary sends his report and the minutes of the tenders board to the minister for his concurrence and endorsement. That is their role “For instance, if ministers were asked to be approving payments, now that there are no ministers will work then stop? So

it is actually a misinformation.” Beyond finance, the HoSF warned civil servants that the warning by President Buhari for them to change their attitude to work should be taken seriously as lateness to work and other acts inimical to the service would not be tolerated any longer. “C o n s e q u e n t l y, permanent secretaries, Directors, Chief executives of parastatals and agencies are to take appropriate steps to address this situation. All public servants are to note that measures as enshrined in the Public Service Rules will be enforced on erring officers,” Kifasi warned.

R-L; Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Dahiru Musdapher, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Abdulrhman Dambazu; Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdullaziz Yari Abubakar; President Muhammadu Buhari and his personal aide, Abba Sarki during a prayer in remembrance of Late Emir of Kano Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero shortly after the Jumaat prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

Boko Haram’s baptism of fire on Buhari • More than 20 die in Borno as daily attacks continue BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

HE Boko Haram terrorist group yesterday sustained its daily baptism of fireonthenewMuhammadu Buhari administration, putting peace optimists on edge. Yesterday’s double suicide attack in Shetimari in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State led to the death of more than 20 terrorists who were led by the suicide bombers in a failed attack that was repelled by the Nigerian Army. “Over 12 rifles and one machine gun were captured from the terrorist group as the attack was repelled. Also recovered from the group were rocket-propelled grenades, and some bombs,” the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade was quoted as saying in a statement made available to Saturday Vanguard. The exact number of the innocent people killed was still unclear as at press time. The incident in Shetimari Village, which is about 80 kilometers southwest of Maiduguri follows the unprecedentedattackonYola, the Adamawa State capital that led to more than 30 deaths on Thursday. The almost daily attacks since President Buhari’s inauguration last Friday is believed in some quarters to be the terrorist group’s response to the decision by President Buhari to relocate the command and control centre of the operations against Boko Haram to Maiduguri. Following Buhari’s declaration as the winner of the March 28 presidential

election, Nigerians had expressed the hope that the lingering crisis would become a thing of the past. However, the contrary has been the case in the last week. Although the military has continued its offensive and rescued many women and children from the Sambisa forest enclave of the terrorists, the terrorists continue to spurt out venom now and then in different areas of the Northeast. After Buhari’s formal declaration on Wednesday, April 1, the insurgents launched deadly attacks on differentcommunitiesaround Maiduguri before descending on the city on May13,2015.Intheirattempt to enter Maiduguri through Kayamula village near the 21 Armoured Brigade (Giwa Barracks) scores of people were left dead and injured as the troops repelled the attack. That incident led to the impositionofaroundtheclock curfew in Maiduguri that lasted four days. On Friday, May 15, 2015 the insurgents recaptured Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, killing 12 residents. Marte is a border town with Chad Republic and about 155 km North-East of Maiduguri. On May 16, 2015 a 10year-old female suicide bomber hit Damaturu Motor Park, in Yobe State, killing seven persons and leaving 30 others seriously injured. On May 17, 2015 military authorities claimed they had killed scores of terrorists as ten additional camps used by the insurgents were overrun in the continuing offensive operations in Sambisa Forest. Director Defence Information, Major General

Chris Olukolade in an email message to Saturday Vanguard said that the ‘Dure camp’whichisoneofthemost prominent camps in the forest, witnessed the fiercest battle as the special forces descended heavily on it before it finally fell into the hands of troops. On May 21, another group of insurgents laid ambush in three communities of Lehu, Mbulakudla of Askira Uba Local Government Area and Gatamwarwa village of Chibok Local Government Area, killing over 20 persons after sacking the communities. Similarly, on May 22, a large number of suspected terroristsinvadedGubioLocal Government Area of Borno State, killing scores of people. On May 25, 2015, 30 members of the terrorist group were killed by troops in an encounter around Mafa LocalGovernmentAreaofthe state, with arms and ammunitionrecovered,along with large bundles of money in euro denominations which were found on the dead body of one of the Boko Haram commanders. Six people were killed in an attack on May 29, the day of Buhari’s inauguration. Insinuations that the movement of the Command and Control Centre of the insurgency operations to Maiduguri is the reason behind the daily attack has led to apprehension among some stakeholders in the region. The decision has, however, been wholly endorsed by the former Chairman of Biu Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Jubrin Gunda, who is also the legal adviser of the Civilian JTF.

“The action is highly commendable. If the military high command moves to Borno, there will be no room for excuses or failure, like we witnessed in the past,” he said. Mr. Gunda, who is confident that the military wouldwipeouttheinsurgents in a short time said: “The military will wipe out the insurgents in a couple of days or weeks”, said Gunda. “It is indeed a right step in the right direction.” He said that stakeholders in the state had been waiting anxiously for the inauguration of Mr. Buhari as the president. “Everybodymustcommend the president for taking such a laudable step towards tackling the insurgency,” he said. Unfortunately, the situation is perceived differently by some businessmen and women in the state, who expressed concern over the increasing cases of suicide bombings and killings in the state since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. They argued that the sustained bombings and killings by the insurgents in mostly crowded areas like markets have caused serious destruction to lives and property and make them totally out of business for fear of being caught up. Alhaji Ali Usman Gwoza, a butcher at the Maiduguri abattoir which was bombed recently, said he lost four of his men to the blast which claimed over 30 lives, as well as property worth millions of naira, pointing out that it will be difficult for him to continue the business as all his hard earned money was lost in the blast.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

Dangote opens cement plant in Ethiopia •Tasks African leaders on job creation, poverty reduction

ITH a prospect of about 7000 job opportunities in Ethiopia, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote yesterday opened his 2.5million mtpa cement plant with a charge on African leaders to make environment conducive for the growth of real sector as a sure way of creating jobs to reduce poverty in the continent. Dangote, who was speaking shortly before the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn cut the tape to inaugurate the plant said that achieving a real economic integration in Africa would require that Africans work together to ensure economic and political stability on the continent. Besides, he stated that conscious efforts must be made to break down the barriers and borders between countries so as to allow free flow of goods, services and people. Dangote stressed the need for a genuine collaboration between the private sector and governments at all levels for the much needed real sector growth, noting that there must be deliberate efforts to encourage Africans, not just foreigners alone, to invest in Africa. “Take for example, my company, the Dangote Cement is currently investing in 16 African countries, with plans to invest in many more over the next few years. There are a number of other

successful pan-African brands today such as MTN, Shoprite and Ecobank. We need to encourage this trend to see more investments in Africa by Africans. “Above all, there is the need to encourage the private sector to collaborate with governments across Africa, to address the issue of infrastructure deficit, which has plagued the continent for decades”, he advised. Said he: “I believe that manufacturing, and not trading, is the best way to grow an economy. This event, which we are witnessing today, attests to the fact that we took the right decision when we decided to transit from trading in our home country, Nigeria, into manufacturing, in 1996. “Dangote Cement is

currently simultaneously setting up new cement plants and terminals across 16 African countries, including Ethiopia. This is in line with our long-term vision to become one of the world’s biggest cement producers. We envisage that by the time we complete all our ongoing African projects, we will be on track to achieving our target.” He explained that the various developmental projects, including the construction of the continent’s largest hydropower dam, makes Ethiopia a beautiful bride to investors. While commending the government and appreciating the country’s remarkable economic achievement, Dangote said that the favourable

investment climate together with abundant raw materials and sustainable peace attracted him to invest in Ethiopia. According to him, in addition to supplying 2.5 million metric tonnes of cement per annum to the market, Dangote Cement Plant has also created direct employment for about 2,000 people in the main plant operation and 5,000 indirect job opportunities. Inaugurating the Dangote Cement Plant established with over 600 million USD direct investment in Muger Town, Prime Minister Hailemariam said Ethiopia representing a lucrative market, is a destination of choice for investors with a population of well over 95 million people and a growing middle class.

Saraki faults passage of 46 bills in 10mins

HAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology and one of the leading contestants for the Senate Presidency in the 8th Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has faulted the passage of 46 bills in less than ten minutes. But the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang has said that there was nothing wrong in legislative reciprocity as according to him, the House of Representatives followed all the necessary legislative procedures in the passage of the bills. Senator Enang also said that the House of Representatives also concurred to the bills sent to it from the Senate, stressing that adopting legislative reciprocity had caused no injury. “There are times you apply legislative dexterity to solve legislative problem,” he stated Saraki, in a statement in Abuja, to mark the end of the Seventh Senate, decried the passage of 46 bills in 10 minutes. According to him, “The new Senate must now learn and show that it has the vigour and drive to work harder through enriched deliberations to pass important bills that form the core of its agenda rather than be seen as a last minute assembly where important bills are rolled through the process in 10 minutes.’’

I’m not behind Lagos PDP crisis— Obanikoro BY DAPO AKINREFON

Declaring Dangote Cement plant in the Mugher District of Ethiopia open: Pix shows Prime Minister, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Hailemariam Desalegne, (2nd left); Alhaji Aliko Dangote, right, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele, (2nd right); President of The Oromia National Regional State – His Excellency Ato Muktar Kedir, (left) at the occasion.

ORMER Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday distanced himself from the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State just as he threw his weight behind the suspension of the state chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle. He said this when the party leadership met with lawmakers elected on the party’s platform. Obanikoro, who said those accusing him of been the arrowhead in the crisis are been unfair to him. He said “I want to strongly throw my weight behind the other speakers that have spoken before me that there is only one PDP in Lagos State. I have never been a member of the state executives and I have no right or privilege to be part of those who suspended the state chairman. The youngest among the state executives is 40 years old and for anybody to insinuate that it is Obanikoro that created the situation for the suspension of Captain Tunji Shelle, I think it is preposterous and unfair to my person.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 — 7

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Fuel Scarcity: FG, marketers mobilise 700 tankers … Say Oshodi-Apapa gridlock delays distribution nationwide BY MICHAEL EBOH

HE Federal Government, yesterday, entered into an agreement with the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, as well as major and independent oil marketers, to move 700 truckloads of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Abuja and also increase fuel supply across all the nooks and crannies of the country with immediate effect. The agreement was reached in Abuja after a stakeholders meeting organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, chaired by Mr. Taiye Haruna, Permanent Secretary of the ministry. The meeting was attended by the chief executive officer of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Major Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN; Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN; Capital Oil, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DPPMA and the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF, among others. Speaking at the end of the meeting, Mr. Taiye Haruna noted that the fuel situation was embarrassing to the country and called for drastic measures to be taken to address the crisis. He disclosed that the oil marketers have agreed to totally address the shortage witnessed across the country before June 13, 2015. He said that a task force comprising all stakeholders has been constituted to monitor loading and distribution of PMS, adding also that the PEF will track all the trucks using the Aquila Programme to avoid

diversion of the products. Haruna further noted that the persistent gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway has been a major setback in efforts to end the fuel scarcity, stating that about 2,800 fuel tankers are currently stuck in the traffic. According to him some

trucks that are supposed to lift fuel from the depots at Apapa for onward distribution to retail outlets across the country have been stuck in the ApapaOshodi Expressway gridlock for the past 10 days. He said, “We agreed at the meeting that the

gridlock at the ApapaOshodi Expressway in Lagos is affecting the loading and distribution of fuel from the depots to retail outlets across the country. To this end, we have agreed that the logjam should be cleared so as to ease loading and distribution of products.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) with the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (left) and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti (right) during the Governor’s visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command and Area Commanders at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, yesterday.

Ambode reviews life insurance benefits for police BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

OVERNOR of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday announced the approval for upward review of the Group Life Insurance scheme for officers of the Nigeria Police Force in the state. He also declared a zero tolerance for domestic violence in the state. Addressing police officers at the Nigeria Police Command, Ikeja ,the governor said the review was in line with his administration’s aim of ensuring life was easier and simpler for the residents. “I will do whatever is required to achieve it”. The scheme was

introduced by the state government 16 years ago to complement the Federal Government’s contributory scheme, to cover death and permanent disability the police often suffer while securing the state. He said, “In fulfillment of our resolve to sustain, improve and consolidate on past attainment, I am pleased to announce the upward review of the compensation value as follows: Senior Police officers-N5 million, Inspectors-N3 million and

Rank and File-N2 million respectively.” The previous compensation value was at N2 million for Senior Police officers, Inspectors-N1.5 million and Rank and FileN1 million. The governor stressed that this would further complement the effort of the central government to improve security in the state. On domestic violence, Ambode said, “I am committing myself and the government of Lagos State to ensure that women and children are protectedin Lagos.”

••• hints of plans to convene traffic summit

AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday hinted of plans to convene a summit in the next few weeks to deliberate on traffic gridlocks in the state. The Governor spoke at an interactive session he had with Media Executives alongside his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule and Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello. He said traffic gridlocks which have become an

integral part of areas like Apapa, Lekki, and others would be decisively dealt with after the stakeholders’ summit where experts would proffer solution to the thorny issue that has resulted in the collapse of businesses in Apapa. “The solution is not restricted to only Alausa, there are so many people who have ideas that we can buy from. The Traffic Summit is the first of its kind because we are now dealing with practical issues”.

Robbers invade Alausa Secretariat, cart away N3m …Police detain 20 staff BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

USPECTED armed robbers have invaded Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, carting away a sum of N3 million kept in the ministry. Saturday Vanguard gathered that the robbers attacked the Ministry’s Account Department at the early hours of yesterday, through the ceiling, where they carted away the fund. Sources said that the money was brought in at the close of work on Thursday and kept in one of the offices. The fund was raised to offset the allowances of about 40 ad-hoc staff, working as mediation officers for the ministry. Saturday Vanguard learned that in spite of the security officers attached to the ministry, none of the robbers was arrested. But the act was not discovered until about 9:00 am by a staff that raised the alarm to alert others of the act perpetrated earlier in the day. When our correspondent visited the Ministry, the entire doors were shut to avert any interference with the investigations. Sources said that about 20 civil servants attached to the department and security officers have been detained at the Alausa Police Station for investigation. Confirming the incident in an interview with Vanguard, the Solicitor-general and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lawal Pedro said that the department was burgled by some unidentified men and made away with N3 million over night.

Fashola, Kwankwaso, Akpabio bag honorary degrees from Babcock Varsity BY IKENNA ASOMBA

HE immediate past governors of Akwa Ibom, Kano and Lagos states, Godswill Akpabio, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Babatunde Fashola respectively have been conferred with honorary degrees by the Babcock University, BU, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State for their outstanding achievements while they held forth as governors of their states. Speaking at the 4th postgraduate convocation of the university, held Thursday, in it’s central cafeteria, the ViceChancellor, BU, Professor Kayode Makinde said the university conferred the honorary degrees on the past governors having identified with their commitment to making the future of their states and Nigeria bright. Makinde said, “In keeping with our tradition of recognizing excellence as part of our initiative of encouraging development and patriotism, the university is conferring honorary degrees on the following achievers: Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso and Mr. Godswill Obot Akpabio.”

You ‘ve to be professional in your duties, IGP tells ADCs, CSOs

HE Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, NPM, fdc, has charged newly appointed Aides-De-Camp (ADC) and Chief Security Officers (CSOs) attached to State Governors in the Federation to be professional in their duties and also maintain the standard dignity of the Force. The call came while the IGP was declaring open a two-day induction course for newly appointed ADCs and CSOs, which was held at Nigeria Police Force International Peace Keeping Training Centre, Force Headquarters Abuja.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

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I’ve conquered my enemies — Fayose *Promises to pay former APC lawmakers their entitlements *Exonerates Buhari from his problems By Gbenga Ariyibi, Ado Ekiti

OVERNOR Ayo dele Fayose, at the end of a victory procession round Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday, declared a total conquest of his political enemies with a warning that any further uprising would lead to the premature political death of such instigators. The governor spoke upon the inauguration of a new State House of Assembly entirely composed of his associates in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The new speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, himself, a former Chief of Staff to Fayose during his first advent, promptly pledged to toe a different line from the antagonism that characterised the relationship between Fayose and the immediate past House of Assembly controlled by the All Progressives Congress, APC. Fayose who said he had forgiven the 19 former APC lawmakers who instigated the impeachment motion against him also absolved President Muhammadu Buhari of complicity in the political battles that were recently waged against him. The governor who said intelligence reports at his disposal distanced the president from his troubles was also quick to assert that the president did not wish him any ill-feelings. The end of the governor’s troubles came on Thursday with the end of the tenure of the Fourth Ekiti State House of Assembly that was dominated with the APC which had 19 members compared to the seven members of the governor ’s PDP. Supporters of the governor including commercial motorcyclists and other hangers-on had for days laid siege to the

House of Assembly complex to prevent the 19 APC members from having access to the chamber. Other supporters also mounted roadblocks at strategic entry points into the state with the express determination of stopping the legislators who were allegedly based in Oshogbo, Osun State from entering the state. Having succeeded in their aim of preventing the

legislators from proceeding with their plans of impeaching the governor, the governor and his associates yesterday went on a victory procession through the streets of the state capital. Governor Fayose had called out the people of the state in a broadcast he made on Thursday. While thanking the people for the support given to him in stopping the

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

HE Director for The Bee Centre for Research and Development (CEBRAD) Mr Bidemi Ojeleye has said lack of government policy on bee-keeping is affecting the center’s operations in Nigeria. Ojeleye who made this disclosure during a telephone chat with Saturday Vanguard said the formulation of a clear policy will make bee-keeping practice an attractive agro-business venture and expose its products to foreign markets. “All over the world, where ever you are practising beekeeping, there must be a policy guiding that vocation; presently, we don’t have such policy in Nigeria. “The European Union is not taking our honey simply because we don’t have a clear-cut policy; and one of the clear-cut policies is to determine whether what we are producing are fit enough to enter EU market. We actually not practising bee-keeping the way it ought to be practised”.

Lagos, Onitsha tanker fires: NUPENG condoles with victims’ families BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

An Ongoing demolition of buildings for road expansion along Gaskiya Road in Ijora Area of Lagos State, as picture shows Uncle Bisi Lawrence's property along the road demolished by Lagos State Government. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Lagos residents lament demolition of houses on Gaskiya Road

ESIDENTS of Gaskiya Road, Amukoko, Lagos have condemned the demolition exercise being carried out in the area, saying they were not given prior notice and that the bulldozers exceeded the points measured for demolition. The demolition was part of the ongoing road expansion project of the state government in the area. Some of the affected residents who spoke to Saturday Vanguard bemoaned the situation

which they termed ‘brutal and unexpected’, saying before they could bat an eyelid, caterpillars roared into the vicinity, clearing houses in the area, and displacing most residents without compensation. One of the residents, Kola, said the demolition has left his family homeless. “Our grievance is that when the bulldozers came, they went about the exercise with such brutality that they exceeded the demarcation. My wife and children are outside

Scarcity: DPR investigates petroleum products depots in Lagos the depots. HE Department of P e t r o l e u m Department (DPR) might have commenced investigation on erring petroleum products marketers following the subsisting national energy crisis and its effects on Nigerians. A source close to DPR management told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the orgnisation was only being proactive in the face of the national energy crisis. The source said that DPR wa s aware of the illegal

impeachment move, the governor said: “I am a man destined for greatness and with the power of God, nobody can bring me down. I have defeated my enemies during elections, and now I defeated impeachment”, Fayose stated. “The President had said that he had no enemy to fight. He said he has put the past behind him and why are the APC lawmakers still bent on impeaching me? What is their own in this matter?” Fayose asked.

Lack of policy affects bee-keeping practice in Nigeria — Ojeleye

activities of petroleum marketers, especially the sale of products above government approved price. He said that the department was currently investigating the source of higher pricing of products, especially the depots with a view of getting the actual price of loading of various products. “We have received information on petrol stations selling above the pump price of N87 per litre but we do not want to commence the sealing of stations without getting the actual price from

“We do not want to add to the problem of scarcity by sealing up the petrol stations at this period. “If you go around, you will see Nigerians carrying jerry cans looking for the products. “If we start to seal petrol stations without confirming the loading price from depots, we are also punishing the people as well as the marketers. “We have commenced investigation on the loading price from the depots, when we are through with depot then we will start to work on the petrol stations selling above the price.’’

because my shop and house were affected. They never came to inform us that they would be demolishing the place or informed us about any compensation. Even the popular Gaskiya College was affected” On her part, another resident Tawa said the situation has left her hopeless. ‘The fact is that they had already marked the place to be demolished a day before. But when they came, it was as if they were under a spell to destroy everything.They went beyond the place they marked. Look at me, my house and shop were destroyed. Do they want me to become a harlot? Last night, I wept because I couldn’t find a place to sleep. They exceeded the initial measurement; this is not fair. They didn’t consider us.” Elizabeth, a shop owner in the area said they weren’t informed, “They didn’t inform us that they were coming. They came, made some measurements, but when the caterpillars came, they exceeded the mark. They concentrated more on this side of the road and we didn’t have time to gather our valuables.’’

IGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday in Lagos, consoled with the families of victims of Lagos and Onitsha tanker fires which killed over 70 persons. The union also expressed its sympathy to the governors of Lagos State Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and Anambra State Mr. Willie Obiano over the tragic incidents and loss of lives of their citizens. In a statement by its President, Mr. Igwe Achese, NUPENG commended the governors for their quick responses in the rescue missions which reduced the level of calamities. According to the statement, “NUPENG mourns the loss of the innocent souls and pray that God Almighty will give the families the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones. NUPENG also consoles with those who lost their properties, shops and cars as a result of the inferno caused by a tanker in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos.

APC members beg Tinubu to wade into crisis BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

UPPORTERS of former Lagos Sate Deputy Speaker, Honourable Kolawole Taiwo, who lost his bid to return to the state House of Assembly at the last April 11 election, have cried to the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos Sate governor Akinwumi Ambode, to wade into the crisis rocking the party in their constituency which has resulted in the victimisation of some members. At a press conference held in Badagry, Lagos, yesterday, the supporters drawn from across the Badagry Division comprising Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency, Badagry and other parts of the division, said their persecutors who had engaged in anti-party activities that led to the “undeserved defeat” of the deputy speaker at the election, were using government machineries to persecute them According to them, “we have become victims of attack even on our private businesses.’’

Wike appoints SSG, Chief of Staff BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

OVERNOR Nyesom Wike has appointed ChiefKennethKobaniSecretarytothestateGovernment whileEngrChukwuemekaWokeasChiefofStaffGovernment House. Healsoappointed”SirOpunaboC.Inko-Tariah,JPasSpecial Adviser to the Governor on Media & Publicity and Dr. A. J. Beredugo as Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation. OthersareGilbertNriaandImehFubara,they are to serve as Senior Special Assistants, office of the Deputy Governor.”, he said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 — 9

BRIEFS High rate of crime, sign of end time, says clergy

Oil spillage: S-Court orders Shell to pay N30m to four communities in Delta D

ELTA State Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Obinna Nkemjika, has said the high rate of crime in the country and other parts of the world was sign of the end time. Nkemjika who stated this while briefing newsmen in Asaba on the visit of their General overseer, Pastor William Kumuyi to the state from June 9 through June 13, 2015 across some major cities of the state, said but for Christianity and Islam, the crime rate would have been higher than what they were experiencing, adding that Christianity and Islamic religion have helped to curb the crime wave in the country. Disclosing that the visit which was earlier scheduled for March 24 through 27 this year was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, he said Pastor Kumuyi would be visiting Asaba, Ogwuashi-Uku, Agbor, Kwale, Ughelli, Bomadi, Sapele and Obiarukwu where he is expected to hold spiritual programmes for the people.

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

HE Supreme Court, yesterday, ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to pay the sum of N30,288,681 to four communities in Delta State. The apex court found the company culpable for the oil spillage that adversely affected the communities about 32 years ago. The communities to benefit from the judgment of the court yesterday are Obotobo, Sokebolo, Ofogbene (Ezon Burutu) and Ekeremor Zion (Ezon Asa). Some leaders of the communities had in 1983, dragged the oil company before a High Court of the then Bendel State. In a judgment it delivered on May 27, 1997, the Bendel State High Court adjudged the matter in favour of the communities, even as it awarded the sums of N4,095,085 to Obotobo; N13,278,306 to Sokebolo; N7,392,589 to Ofogbene (Ezon Burutu) and N5,522,701 to Ekeremor Zion (Ezon Asa). Dissatisfied with the judgment, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited took the matter before the Court of Appeal in Benin City. In a verdict it gave on May 22, 2000, the appellate court, affirmed the decision of the trial court and directed the company to immediately pay compensation to the four communities.

Ex-militants urge Buhari to restructure amnesty programme NYSC --- Members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the swearingin ceremony for the Batch A Stream 2 at Permanent Orientation Camp Kubwa in Abuja on Thursday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Crude theft: JTF, Navy impound vessel, three suspects nabbed in Bayelsa creek BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

MERCHANT vessel laden with 1500 metric tons of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil AGO substance have been impounded by operatives of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta code named Operation Pulo Shield off the Atlantic fringe of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State. Also, the three suspected illegal refinery operators were nabbed in the creek of Bilabiri in Ekeremor local

government area, Bayelsa west senatorial by men of the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in another operation. The Merchant Vessel EUROPORT, was intercepted Tuesday along the Forupa creek in Sputhern Ijaw council area by a JTF patrol team following a tip off at about 0230 hrs. Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col Isa Ado who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects on sighting the patrol team boarded a speed boat and sailed into the high sea. He also said troops of

JTF operating along Eleme Area in Port Harcourt, Rivets State impounded an illegal oil bunkering truck with 33,000 tons capacity loaded with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil. The seized truck and its contents, he said, were destroyed in -situ but that the suspect bolted away on sighting the troops. The seized truck with registration number, Anambra 784 AWK , according to him, was arrested at Onne community.

Delta debunks rumour on DSCTD bill

HE Delta State government yesterday debunked speculations in some quarters on a purported promulgation of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Bill, saying that there is no iota of truth in the story. The government in a release to Saturday Vanguard said: “The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to the rumour making the round particularly in the online media, regarding the promulgation of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Bill which has been approved by the State House of Assembly. “Specifically, there have been insinuations that the Bill is designed by the new C M Y K

BY FESTUS AHON

administration of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to jettison the Government House Annex in Warri. Nothing could be further from the truth. As the name of the Bill clearly implies, the Bill is meant to address the peculiar infrastructural and environmental challenges of the State Capital Territory without prejudice

to the functions of the Government House Annex in Warri, or the status of Warri as the commercial nerve centre of Delta State. “His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, implores all Deltans to ignore the rumours which appear to be a calculated attempt by political whore mongers to spread

falsehood, engage in cheap blackmail, and cause disaffection in the State. The functions of DSCTDA are clearly spelt out in the Bill establishing it. Among other things, the Agency is to formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the State Capital Territory.

Rivers confirms 38 dead, bans consumption 10 out of 11 persons that victims died as a result of of ogogoro BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

HE Rivers State Ministry of Health, RMH, has confirmed 38 people dead across the state as a result of the consumption of the local gin also called ogogoro. The health ministry said

took the gin in Obio-Akpor area died. In Bonny area, 17 out of 18 died while in Gokhana Local Government Area, 11 out of 13 persons died. Speaking, yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Somieari Isaac Harry dismissed rumours that the

dog meat. He called on the residents of Port Harcourt to abstain from illicit gin for the moment, pending when the supply of the bad gin was totally stamped out from the state, adding that there were no measures to differentiate between the original gin from the one produced from ethanol.

BY OCHUKO AKUOPHA, Oleh

X-MILITANTS under the aegis of Justice Group, have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the amnesty programme so as to accommodate “ex-agitators” who were yet to benefit from it. The former militants, in a statement by their leader, ‘Gen’ David Owhegbe appealed to Buhari not to scrap the amnesty programme, enjoining him to address the lingering problem of the non documentation and integration of members of the group into the third phase of the amnesty programme. The statement alleged that ex-militants of Urhobo and Isoko extraction who embraced peace in the Niger Delta region had been unfairly treated in the amnesty programme under the headship of Mr. Kingsley Kuku. Ohwegbe explained that they were disarmed by the 3 battalion, Effurun, lamenting that all efforts to have their members documented and integrated into the third phase of the programme had been to no avail.

Civil Service, veritable tool for delivering electoral promises, says Okowa

ELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has described the civil service as a veritable tool to deliver on his 5-point agenda for Deltans. The Governor who met with top echelon of the Delta State Civil Service yesterday at Government House, Asaba asserted, “there is no government that can succeed without the civil service and we are committed to delivering on our electoral promises.” “I want to let you know that we are in partnership with you because without you, we cannot succeed,” the Governor told the Civil Servants, stating that a disciplined and trustworthy civil service was desired by his administration. According to Senator Okowa, “we desire a civil service that is trusted by Deltans and the government of Delta State,” adding, “you should be disciplined in your hearts and instil discipline among the working class, you are the role models people look up to and the success of our administration will largely depend on you.

Police arraign 129 cult-suspects in Benin By KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

HE ongoing onslaught against criminal gangs in the country received a boost yesterday, with the arraignment of 129 people for offences ranging from Kidnapping, Cultism, Murder and Armed Robbery at the Chief Magistrate, Special Grade “F” Court in Benin. The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase made this known, while restating his resolve to ensure justice for victims of crime in Nigeria. He used the occasion to admonish recidivist to shun crime or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law. Meanwhile, the IGP has charged newly appointed Aides-De-Camp (ADC) and Chief Security Officers (CSOs) attached to State Governors in the Federation to be professional in their duties and also maintain the standard dignity of the Force.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

Chaos as police, thugs, attack protesting Enugu hospital workers THE peaceful protest organized by the striking workers of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, New Haven, Enugu, over the non-payment of their entitlements and the alleged maltreatment of the workers, turned bloody Thursday morning as some thugs allegedly invited by the hospital’s management attacked the workers with axes and other dangerous weapons. The Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, Mr. Alozie Ejimmadu, sustained injuries on the

Unravel cause of death of corps member —NYSC

head and was rushed to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, where doctors are now battling to save his life. A management staff who was armed with a sharp axe, allegedly inflicted on the union leader a deep cut on the head at the gate of the hospital where the union leader and other aggrieved workers had converged at about 8 am for the peaceful protest. As a result, medical activities in the hospital were paralyzed as workers, patients and visitors were denied access into the hospital for several hours. The labour leaders said the strike action which would be called off only when their demands were met by the Dr. Onwukwe-led management, advised peo-

ple to stay away from the hospital as no service would be rendered during the period of the strike. Some of their placards read: “Pay us our teaching allowance, 2014/2015 increment allowance”, “Give us our due promotions and conversions”, “Our President listen to our cries, and “Stop bribery for second tenure” . However, the protest by the aggrieved workers, became violent as the thugs brought in by a teaching staff of the hospital, descended on them. A team of policemen from Abakpa Area command led by the Area Commander, Mark Igwe, and a team of Department of State Service, DSS, operatives, later arrived the scene and advised the protesting workers to eschew violence in their agita-

tions. But when the Divisional Police Officer for New Haven, Enugu drove to the hospital in a patrol van, he ordered the workers to leave the premises immediately. When they refused to disperse, the DPO and the thugs forcefully pushed them from the hospital’s gate. The police officer released some shots as the thugs and some policemen from his Division pursued some of the workers in a bid to arrest them. The Area Commander had advised the protesters to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters in a peaceful manner, saying “If you want to embark on strike you must conduct yourselves peacefully and avoid taking the laws into your hands.” He asked them to allow patients free access into the hospital, but the DPO, who was not satisfied by the Area Commander’s directive, pushed them out of the hospital premises.

BY CALEB AYANSINA

HE National Youth Service Corps has called on the security agencies and the Emir of Ilorin to unravel the cause of the death of one of its corps members in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. Miss Idowu Yetunde Shukurat, a 2014 Batch ‘B’ member from Ogun State, was last seen on Saturday, 23 May, 2015 when she informed her colleagues that she was going to Shoprite located at Fate Road in Ilorin for shopping. A source from the scheme told Vanguard that Yetunde’s lifeless body was later found on Sunday in GRA area of Ilorin with her head butchered. Reacting to this, the Director General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi strongly condemned the killing, insisting that the scheme would not take lightly any form of attack on its corps members. In a statement signed yesterday in Abuja by NYSC Director of Press and Public Relation, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, the DG said they had visited the state police command, the Department of State Security as well as Emir of Ilorin to bring the perpetrators to book and prevent a reoccurrence. “The visit is to among

Vanguard driv er rrobbed obbed in driver Owerri Lawrence said the armed BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, OWERRI

ALPABLE fear has gripped residents of Owerri metropolis and the adjoining communities, following the increasing sordid activities of dare devil armed hoodlums that are reportedly on rampage in the city. Only yesterday, Mr. Lawrence, who is a contract staff with Vanguard Media Limited, was attacked and robbed in Owerri. Narrating his ordeal to Vanguard, Mr.

robbers struck as soon as he alighted from his vehicle at the Vanguard Regional Office. “My assistant and I arrived 5 Rotibi Street, Owerri, a multi-storey building that houses Vanguard and other national newspapers, at about 4.45a.m yesterday. We were about offloading the papers when the robbers struck”, Lawrence said. According to the driver, “the robbers collected all the money we had, as well as our telephone handsets before disap-

Ugwueke Community agog over Obi’s visit

HE sleepy town of Ugwueke in Abia State was agog over the visit of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. He was accompanied by a respected son of the town, foremost Economist and Managing Director of Cowry Assets Management Company, Mr. Johnson Chukwu. Obi who was at Ugwueke Secondary School, Ugwueke en-

couraged the students to see education as their future, as that acquisition that would sufficiently arm them for global competition. He also encouraged them to take interest in other extra-curricula activities such as sports, while shunning acts of indiscipline and other tendencies capable of affecting authentic self development. After the interactive

FMC Accountant kidnapped in Owerri after the Bureau Chief of

From Left: Mr Jamiu Abiola, son of late Kudirat Abiola, Otunba Gani Adams, Coordinator Oodua People’s Congress, [OPC], Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, NADECO Chairman, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President Campaign for Democracy and Mrs. Ganiyat Gani Fawehinmi, during 19th anniversssary of the assasination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, organised by Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise held recently in Ikeja Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Aba infrastructure needs Buhari’s int er inter ervvention —Abia APC chieftain

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne has appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to intervene in the infrastructural dilapidation of Aba ancient city. Of particular interest to Ikonne was the rebuilding of Ariaria International Market which he said attracts traders from all over the world. Recalling that the major road leading to the market was built by Buhari during his days at the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, the APC

chieftain who was also the 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN in the state decried the level of infrastructural decay in Aba. According to Ikonne who spoke to Journalists in Abuja, the situation had gone beyond the state government. He remarked that by fixing the city, Buhari would have engraved his name in the heart of Igbo people of the SouthEast. “We want the federal government to pay attention to Aba. That is the desire of every sin-

gle person. When you get Aba right, you have gotten Abia right, you have gotten the SouthEast right. “There is no family or tribe in Nigeria that does not do business in Aba. There is no country that does not have their business in Aba. People move products from Aba to Cameroon, Cotonou, Lome and Abidjan. So, if you get Aba right, you have gotten the South-East right. “We are not talking about fixing any how market; we are talking about an international market.

DARE devil kidnappers appear to be having the upper hand in Imo State, as no day now passes without reports filtering in about kidnapping or armed robbery. The latest kidnap victim is the wife of the Chief Accountant of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, FMCO, Mrs. Ngozi Iroegbu. Mrs. Iroegbu’s kidnap came barely 48 hours

the News Agrncy of Nigeria, Miss Chidi Opara, was picked up in Owerri, on her way to her residence at Uratta, Owerri North local council area of the state. The story making the round was that the woman was kidnapped by armed hoodlums, from the family’s residence at the Redemption Housing Estate, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

Dela ed Delayyed elections af afff ect ected hospitality industr industryy –Andeweg BY CHRIS ONUOHA

hospitality expert has revealed that the postponement of the just concluded general election in the country has had adverse effect on the hospitality industry and the nation’s economy. Making this known during a cocktail organized for her esteemed customers and guests recently, the General Manager, Golden Tulip Hotels and Conference Center, Festac, Mercel Andeweg said the delayed elections affected

hotel business, as numbers of foreign visitors, tourists and business investors coming to Nigeria within the period were reduced. Mercel Andeweg, a seasoned hotelier who resumed duty as Golden Tulip’s General Manager barely five months ago said that the first quarter of each year was usually one of the peak periods in hospitality business, when companies and organizations hold various events but the extended electioneering season inadvertently affected the industry.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015—11

Darkness welcomes

Buhari By Oghene Omonisa, Emmanuel Edukugho, Yinka Ajayi, Aderonke Adeyeri, Nojor Irone, Bala Ajiya (Damaturu), MarieTherese Nanlong (Jos), Vincent Ekhoragbon (Gombe), Francis Igata (Enugu), Jimitota Onoyume (Port Harcourt) & Umar Yusuf (Yola)

Since 1999, power management in Nigeria has gone through various phases to ensure adequate, safe, reliable and affordable power supply. All clearly to no avail as Nigerians still groan under irregular or in most cases, nopower supply, but consistent billing C M Y K

igerians who witnessed the 1950s,’60s and ’70s hold fond memories of their country. “In those days’’, they often reminisce, “Nigeria used to be a very good country to live in.” Then they would reel off reasons why their time was better off: a better standard of education, availability of jobs for qualified Nigerians, security, very low level of corruption in the public service as well as the private sector, government provision of low-income quarters for the working class and low-income earners, nonexistent shortage of petroleum products, good and regular water supply among others. But a major reason why they would wish they could roll back the clock is electric power supply. “In the sixties”, reminisces Pa Rufus Olamide, a retired school principal and landlord at Yaba, Lagos, “we used to have regular and uninterrupted electric supply. Not these ineffectual Power Holding and DISCOs they talk about these days. It used to be ECN (Electric Corporation of Nigeria), till it was changed to NEPA (National Electric Power Authority) sometime in the 70s. Even under NEPA, we used to enjoy light.” The old man recalls when he built his house in 1978, revealing that he had only one consumption-reading metre for the whole building. “At the end of each month, I received NEPA bill and shared it among myself and all my tenants according to units. No crazy bills then. NEPA officials came to read the metre and billed you accordingly.”

Corruption creeps in According to Pa Olamide, “The problems of electric supply started in the early 90s. That was when NEPA officials started demanding for bribe not to cut your light if you owed. With the fall of regular supply, consumers then started having more than one phase and illegal connections became rampant.” He blames it all on corruption.“I wish this generation witnessed our time”, he says. “They would have known what is called enjoyment. Now, there's pretense of generator being evidence of enjoyment. It's suffering.” The old man could not be far off from the truth. The old times were definitely better off. It is the same old and better times that every government since 1999 wished they could take Nigeria to: better living conditions for the people, good and affordable housing, good standard of education, employment, security, very low level of corruption, good and regular water supply, availability of petroleum products, and especially regular and uninterrupted power supply! Regular supply of electricity is one of the most important commodities for national development, but it is a major problem which has defied every government since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, as the country currently has one of the lowest net electricity generation per capita rates in the world. With electrical energy, the people are empowered to work from the domestic level and the cottage industries, through the smallscale and medium industries to employment in the large-scale manufacturing complexes. Depriving people of electric power is therefore tantamount to castration. The power supply system in Nigeria is run with a shortfall where demand exceeds supply. As controversial as the epileptic supply of electricity in Nigeria is, so also are the various

attempts by different governments to find a lasting solution to the problem. Failed attempts Since 1999, power management in Nigeria has gone through various phases to ensure adequate, safe, reliable and affordable power supply. All clearly to no avail as Nigerians still groan under irregular or in most cases, no-power supply, but consistent billing. On its take over of the mantle of leadership on May 29, 1999, the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was reported to have met the power generation level left by his predecessor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, at between 2,000 to 2,500 megawatts per day, at a time Nigeria was required to generate 100,000 megawatts as the country's requirement for both industrial and domestic needs. Nigerians were, therefore, filled with high expectations on the coming of Obasanjo, especially on power; expectations which were heightened by the promise by then newly appointed Minister for Power, late Chief Bola Ige, who assured Nigerians of uninterrupted power supply in 6 months, by December of that year. Not only did Chief Ige not meet

his promise, Obasanjo himself did abracadabra with power for whole eight years. He initiated the Independent Power Projects (IPPs), allegedly wasting $15, and the best most Nigerians got was blinking of light, which they also paid exorbitantly for. A few years after leaving office, the ex-president attempted to rationalize his failure on power supply by alleging that “then, we had no money. People have forgotten that in 1999/2000, the price of crude oil was $9 per barrel”, but that “when we started having money, we started the National Integrated Power Plant.” Certainly Nigerians have since come to realize the source of the $15 billion allegedly wasted on nonavailable power, which has continued to leave Nigerians groaning under darkness. Though the short-lived government of former President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is not reputed for achieving much on power supply, that government is known to have increased the megawatts from the about 2,000 it met it in 2007 to between 3,500 to 4,000 when Yar'Adua passed on. But as far as power is concerned, the best memories Nigerians have of him is that his government instigated the House of Representatives' probe of

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12—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

‘State of power supply nationwide’ ‘S ‘Sttat atee of power supply nationwide’

Continues from page 11

President Buhari's first week in office, persistent consumers’ complaints of operational ineptitude and fraudulent dealings by electricity distribution companies across Nigeria stand to prove that the improvement in electricity supply expected from the privatisation of the country’s electricity assets by the past government did not meet the expectations of Nigerians C M Y K

Obasanjo's power projects, which revealed the controversial wasted $15 billion. With the passing on of Yar'Adua, and the emergence of outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan as eventual President, Nigerians were again filled with exciting expectations over the possibilities of remarkable changes in their socio-economic lives, not excluding improvement on power supply. He was the first doctorate degree holder to lead Nigeria, the people were rightly informed, so changes should be expected. But six years after, as President Jonathan was vacating Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the indelible impression Nigerians have of him is that he left the power situation worse than he met it. The most notable power policy of that government was to unbundle the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), breaking it into five power generation companies (GENCOs) and 10 distribution companies (DISCOs). The purpose of which was to privatize PHCN, for which there have been several accusations that he sold PHCN to his cronies. But unfortunately, not much differences have been felt by the people. While the DISCOs and GENCOs are grappling with their numerous challenges, electricity consumers have continued to accuse them of insensitivity to their plights. For example, consumers nationwide allege that they are being extorted monthly through estimated bills, exorbitant tariff and non-supply of metres, while electricity supply is yet to improve. This means that the long wait for uninterrupted power supply

continued till President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in May 29, as the GENCOs and DISCOs were still grappling with the numerous challenges, while the immediate past government was yet to solve the problems inherent in the transmission network, the backbone of the electricity sector. They failed totally. The Jonathan government, however, regularly claimed that it increased the megawatts from the about 3,500 it met it in 2010, to 4,000; a position that has continued to be frequently disputed by experts in the know, alleging that it left it hovering between 2,500 and 3,000 which further dropped below 2,000 in his last month in office, worse than Nigerians had ever known in more than two decades. State of power supply nationwide As at mid this week, President Buhari's first week in office, persistent consumers’ complaints of operational ineptitude and fraudulent dealings by electricity distribution companies across Nigeria stand to prove that the improvement in electricity supply expected from the privatisation of the country’s electricity assets by the past government did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. This is even no longer news. There had been and there still are nationwide cries by electricity consumers against the DISCOs, of exorbitant tariff, non-supply of metres, nonsupply of electricity, extortion through estimated bills among other accusations. The lamentation is a nationwide thing, indicative of how every Nigerian is negatively affected.

And it was kudos to the court that restrained them from further hiking the tariff last week. In Lagos, where Eko and Ikeja DISCOs hold the fort, consumers' complaints are prevalent. Many residents are frustrated by the poor electricity supply and its adverse impacts on their businesses. Some of the areas most affected, and whose residents lament poor power supply in Lagos include Magodo, Isheri, Ajegunle, Ebute Meta, Cele, Oluti, Navy Town, Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Surulere, Ojodu Berger, Isashi, Badagry etc. the story is same in other parts of the country. Mrs. Ellen Adakwu, a resident of Ijegun-Satellite axis of Oriade Development Area, who deals in frozen foods, laments, “My business has been shut down for the past two months due to total power outage at Ijegun. The other option of using generator has been disrupted by obvious scarcity of fuel.” “Power failure is agonizing”, quips Madam Christie Mba, a fashion designer at Iwaya, Yaba. “But more horrific is forcing us to pay for what we don't consume.” “For billing us for electricity they don't supply, we're just paying for what we don't use”, laments Mr. Joe Amun, a businessman at Olodi Apapa. “At times we are without light for two months, and they will come with high bills.” Street protests by Lagos residents against power outage and exorbitant bills is a common occurrence. Like it is in Lagos, so also it is in other South-Western States. In Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and part of Ekiti, which all fall under Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the stories are the same.

Only recently, some aggrieved consumers protested in OmuAran, Kwara State, over sudden high increase in electricity tariff effected in the January bills in the area by IBEDC. “What do these people take us for?” one of the protesters asked rhetorically. “Why must they increase tariff when they don't even provide light?” The story is not different in the South-South, where Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) is in charge of Edo, Delta, Ondo and part of Ekiti States; and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), under which falls Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States. There was protest a few weeks ago in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State, over what was termed “outrageous and strange billing” by officials of BEDC; while a few days to the governorship election on April 11, some residents of Diobu area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, staged a peaceful protest to register their anger over poor power supply. The Diobu residents accused PHED of deliberately leaving them in darkness over the previous three months even after distributing outrageous monthly bills to the area, and threatened not to vote, unless the state government and relevant authorities addressed their plight. “Power supply has been very epileptic”, lamented Mr. Nkem Charles, a resident of Port Harcourt. “We could plan with the light in the past but the story is different now since this year. The privatization is a huge failure. I pray General Buhari will focus on this area.” In the South-East, where Enugu

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015—13

Culled from the internet(MBTN)

‘The expect ations of Nigerians fr om President Buhari’ expectations from Continues from page 12

The Jonathan administration weakened Nigerian institutions and empowered individuals and the result was the emergence of billionaires from subsidy scams, inflation of contracts, various oil businesses, etc while more Nigerians wallowed in poverty C M Y K

Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) is the distributor in charge of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi States, there have been general complaints by consumers. A consumer in Enugu laments: “We're buffeted with astronomical bills for nonsupplied power. Where you see power, they engage in load shedding. We will continue to cry out until the issue of power supply is addressed because it is at the heart of socio-economic empowerment of the people.” The story is not different in the North-East, where Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) is in charge of Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe States. From Yola, it is reported that as at last week, the services of YEDC has continued to degenerate so low that most parts of the state capital stay for days without electricity supply. And from Damaturu is the report that the epileptic power supply in the state capital has degenerated into total blackout to the extent that the suffering masses presently doubt the existence of a DISCO in the state. “I can't tell the difference between PHCN and YEDC”, laments a resident, Mr. Alfred Levi. The power supply situation in the North-Central is not different. Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) covers Plateau, Bauchi, Benue and Gombe States; while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) covers Abuja FCT, Niger, Kogi and Nassarawa States. From Jos, the Plateau State capital comes the report that electricity distribution has been having hitches in the past

two months with consumers who do not have the pre-paid metres complaining about exorbitant estimated bills. “We're suffering unnecessarily”, a Jos consumer complains. “There's is overbilling, lack of adequate power supply, non-reflection of part payment of arrears on current bills issued as well as delay by officials in looking into complaints made to PHCN offices.” However, the Assistant Head, Public Relations of JEDC, Hajia Lubabatu Rabiu says lack of effective power supply is a national problem but that they “are working effectively to meet customers' demand." In Abuja FCT, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) recently called on electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory to be patient over the present state of power in its service area. Consumers regularly file various complaints ranging from metre recharge hitches to protracted power outage in parts of the Federal Capital and Nasarawa State. From Gombe is the report of consumers’ complaints of frequent outages and longer periods of blackout, which has left much to be desired. Mr. Sunday Uzoh, a Gomberesident businessman believes there are people sabotaging the system. From the North-West, where Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) is in charge of Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) is in charge of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States, complaints by consumers are the same.

Residents of Kaduna recently complained of frequent outages in the town, saying that they have experienced severe power cuts since December last year. A resident says power supply has drastically dropped since the takeover by the private investors. "We used to enjoy up to 12 hours of power supply, unfortunately, the trend has changed.” In Kano State, like other states of the federation, residents have been grappling with unstable and erratic power supply, which no doubt has virtually crippled industrial establishments, as these businesses solely depend on electricity in order to sustain production capacity. There is no doubt that the government of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan did not live up to the expectations of Nigerians, be it better living conditions, good and affordable housing, good standard of education, employment, security, very low level of corruption, good and regular water supply, availability of petroleum products, and especially regular and uninterrupted power supply! The symbolism of the failure of the immediate past government to adequately provide electricity for the country is that this failure rubbed off on every other single sector of the needs of the people, leaving darkness in its wake. From unemployment, insecurity, crisis in health and education sectors to infrastructure, the darkness that hovered over Nigeria at the beginning of Dr. Jonathan's administration deepened by the time he handed over last week. He left the country in crisis with fuel shortage crippling the economy in spite of the

huge sum of money his administration doled out as subsidies, another scam that his government is believed to have perpetuated, enriching a few individuals and impoverishing millions of Nigerians. The Jonathan administration weakened Nigerian institutions and empowered individuals and the result was the emergence of billionaires from subsidy scams, inflation of contracts, various oil businesses, etc while more Nigerians wallowed in poverty. What next? It is the norm worldwide that when a new government takes over the mantle of leadership, citizens' expectations are naturally high. The expectations of Nigerians from President Muhammadu Buhari are therefore high. The Nigerian people clearly expect him to lift the veil of darkness beclouding the country, bringing light and brightness, especially starting with the provision of electric power. He promised change; and Nigerians need change, in every facet of national life. It is now up to the new president to prove to old generation Nigerians like Pa Rufus Olamide that the people do not necessarily need to return to the past to enjoy the best life can offer, that the future can be made better with the country's God-endowed resources. The future definitely can be made better and light may begin to outshine the darkness of the Jonathan days. The journey could have begun last Saturday with the change of government.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

PETROLEUM REFINING:

Why Super Majors ‘Shun’ Nigeria BY SONNY ATUMAH

The development of NOCs in countries with large oil reserves was a struggle to control petroleum resources C M Y K

INTRODUCTION igeria became a top drawer when she joined the league of crude oil exporters in 1958. With that achievement, Shell d’Arcy, the company that first struck oil, took significant move to construct the first Port Harcourt refinery in 1965. After that quantum leap why has none of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) otherwise known as super majors including Shell got involved in constructing any other refinery in Nigeria? To unravel what went

wrong on issues of petroleum refining, importation, subsidy and the attendant inefficiencies, we should not pass over the IOCs long absence in this aspect of the Nigerian downstream petroleum sector. GLOBAL PETROLEUM POLITICS In finding explanation on how to refine locally, we should be guided by this axiom; that the best answers are found in asking the best questions. Why are the super majors not investing in the Nigerian downstream sector even when they do so in nonoil producing consumer nations? The petroleum industry is

divided into two main categories videlicet the National Oil Companies (NOCs) and the International Oil Companies. It is also segmented into upstream, downstream, pipeline, marine, as well as service and supply. The Upstream is the searching for potential underground and underwater oil and gas fields, drilling of wells and recovering crude oil and, or natural gas to the surface. The downstream sector is made up of the processing plants called refineries and sometimes petrochemical plants, distribution and marketing of byproducts. Our discourse here is the

absence of super majors in the downstream especially as it relates to refining. National Oil Companies and Super Majors National Oil Companies: They are petroleum companies nationally owned and operated by governments. More than half of the world’s reserves are controlled by NOCs. Most global oil supplies are from the National Oil Companies. The development of NOCs in countries with large oil reserves was a struggle to control petroleum resources.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015—15

Super Majors Subsidy

Continues from page 14 The top 10 NOCs in the world are: Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia), National Iranian Oil Company (Iran), Qatar Petroleum (Qatar), Iraq National Oil Company (Iraq), Petroleos de Venezuela (Venezuela), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (UAE), Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (Kuwait), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (Nigeria), Libya National Oil Corporation (Libya), and Sonatrach (Algeria). (Courtesy: Petroleum UK). These NOCs belong to OPEC. There are also NOCs that are non OPEC.

Many governments do not operate nationally owned oil companies. These governments grant publicly owned petroleum companies subsidies C M Y K

International Oil Companies: They are publicly owned petroleum companies not operated by governments. The six largest publicly traded IOCs in the world a.k.a. super majors are ExxonMobil (Texas, USA), Royal Dutch Shell (The Hague, Netherlands), BP/ Amoco (London, UK) Total SA (Paris, France), Chevron (California, USA) and ConocoPhillips (Texas, USA). Market and Price Control We should underscore the point that a cold war between

the NOCs and the IOCs existed over time. While NOCs control the reserve size of the industry, IOCs tend to control both reserve size and the market using technology and expertise to manipulate and dominate. NOCs control about 88 percent of the oil reserves while the IOCs control only 6 percent of the reserves. It should however be noted that NOCs perceived control of the reserve size does not translate to large revenues. International Oil companies control the price of oil paid to petroleum producing nations. It was in response to imbalances in the bargaining power of IOCs that OPEC was founded in 1960. OPEC encouraged its members to put more pressure on Oil Companies to offer more concessions and also for NOCs to devise better means of extracting and refining with a view to reduce reliance on IOCs. Super Majors Subsidy Many governments do not operate nationally owned oil companies. These governments grant publicly owned petroleum companies subsidies. The reason is that oil is of strategic importance to a nation’s security. These subsidies are also granted by

governments not to drive companies overseas. The fear is that home countries will become even more dependent than they already are on foreign nations for oil. So for those governments their oil companies are protected via subsidies at home. The United States government for instance provides large subsidies to publicly owned oil companies a tax rate of nine percent, well below the standard 25 percent corporate rate. NIGERIA AND THE SUPER MAJORS Shell struck oil at Oloibiri in present day Bayelsa State on Sunday 15th January 1956 after about half a century of petroleum prospecting in the Niger Delta. The company extracted and exported crude and refined abroad. In 1965, Shell constructed the 38,000 barrels per day capacity refinery in Port Harcourt. It was expanded to 60,000 barrels per day after the Nigerian civil war. Nationalisation of Downstream Assets and Consequences In 1971, Nigeria was to join the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). A

requirement was that a country must have a 51 percent stake in the industry. The then military government of General Yakubu Gowon promulgated the indigenization decree to increase the participation of Nigerians in businesses dominated by foreigners. With that law by fiat, the Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) was formed as the National Oil Company. The Shell Refinery was then nationalized. One is not sure whether there was a buy out of the nationalised Shell refinery. That was an albatross around Nigeria’s neck and dimmed the spirit of international oil companies to further invest in refineries. Before indigenization the Federal Government had limited involvement in the oil industry; just taxes and royalties were paid by the oil companies. Nationalisation may have generated large amounts of income and technology for Nigeria but the country paid dearly for it. The Nigerian state built three more refineries in Warri (1978), Kaduna (1980) and the 2nd Port Harcourt (1989). The Eleme Petrochemical Complex

Continues on page 16

16â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

Petroleum Industry Bill Continues from page 15

Exxon Mobil Corporation of the United States, the largest refiner in the world has no refinery in Nigeria C M Y K

(1990) now privatised completes the list. By 1979, the government of then General Olusegun Obasanjo merged the NNOC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to form what is now the NNPC to gain more power over the allocation and concessions through the NNOC. The NNPC then acquired about 60 percent participation in the oil industry; a regime that is still operational today. Again, the Obasanjo administration in 1978 nationalized Shell and BP downstream facilities because their home government support for the defunct apartheid regime in South Africa. Shell was changed to National and BP became AP. That again may have put the death knell on IOCs downstream investments in Nigeria. Expertise to explore and develop crude makes IOCs

almost indispensable in Nigeria. If not how do we explain their heavy investment in the downstream sector in countries that are net oil importers, and worse still in non-oil producing consumer nations. Exxon Mobil Corporation of the United States, the largest refiner in the world has no refinery in Nigeria. It owns the ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company in Singapore with a refining capacity of 605,000 barrels per day capacity. That refinery is the 5th largest in the world. Its refining capacity is higher than our four refineries combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day. Also, Shell the biggest player in Nigeria, owns the Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd Singapore with a refining capacity of 462,000 barrels per day. It is the 13th largest in global ranking (Courtesy: OGJ).

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS With the legal and regulatory frameworks of decrees, corporate entities could not enforce their rights. It became expedient for international oil companies to operate only in the upstream sector as it is today. Petroleum Industry Bill: The bill to provide for the establishment of legal, fiscal and regulatory framework for the Petroleum industry in Nigeria and other related matters otherwise known as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is a way to go. That bill proposed the establishment of a progressive fiscal framework that encourages further investment in the industry while optimizing revenues accruing to government. The bill also proposed a Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency. It makes the Agency a body corporate

with perpetual succession. It means the Agency can sue and be sued. CONCLUSION One believes that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nationalisation even when it increased the revenue base to the nation caused a problem in that the International oil companies were forced out of the downstream sector. As a solution, we may renegotiate with these oil companies as they have the technology and expertise to dominate the upstream and downstream sectors for now. We may also tinker and reform our fiscal, legal and regulatory frameworks to accommodate the partnerships we longingly desire with IOCs in the construction of refineries.

Sonny Atumah is a member of the Middle East Petroleum Club E m a i l : satumah@yahoo.com

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201D;17

: N O I T P U R R O C

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

he Nigerian Senate severally barked when it pondered over issues of national concern such as the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment scam. However, its barks such as that directed at the former interior affairs minister, Abba Moro in almost all cases turned to banter How the Senate responded to the Immigration recruitment scam was typical of how the body responded to many issues of national concerns. When the immigration recruitment fiasco ended in the death of tens of Nigerians in March 2013, the Senate as it often did on such issues raised indignation. It mandated its committee on interior to investigate the issue and gave the committee two weeks to conclude its report. Unlike many other committees, the committee commenced work and concluded its deliberations within six weeks and submitted its report. However, the report of the committee despite having been submitted to the Senate never saw the light of the day even up to the end of the Senate. Remarkably, the Senate

s e b o r ro p d Faile d e k r rk a m that e t a n e S h t 7 Committee on Interior continued to relate with the minister, Comrade Abba Moro under whose watch the scandalous scam and sacrifice of jobless Nigerians were executed. In fact, the Senate during the last four years, instituted many probe panels all aimed at not only unravelling controversial national issues dominating public discourse but also finding solutions to them. But some of the investigations were successfully concluded while others were not. Some probes even dragged on for months and had to be abandoned halfway to the consternation of those who put much hope on the investigations. Some of the probes that were carried out by the Senate were the oil subsidy probe, the Rivers State House of

The Senate during the last four years, instituted many probe panels all aimed at not only unravelling controversial national issues dominating public discourse but also finding solutions to them. But some of the investigations were successfully concluded while others were not

Assembly crisis probe, investigation into the alleged killing of Christopher McManus, a Briton and Franco Lamolinara, an Italian in Sokoto by their captors, probe of alleged illegal 37 housing estates in FCT, Malabu Oil Field transaction probe, investigation of alleged $27 million Embassy funds and the probe of police pension funds. Others were the investigations into Apo killings, Associated Airline crash, N255 million armoured cars purchase probe and the probe of oil subsidy expenditure. Among the many probes that caught public attention was the oil subsidy probe, which came following a motion by Senator Bukola Saraki. The Kwara Central lawmaker had drawn the Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention to mind bugling expenditure

made by the Presidency presumably as subsidy payment to oil marketers. Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (downstream), Appropriation and Finance swung into action to unravel what went wrong. The Senator Magnus Abe chaired joint committee after months of investigation turned in its report. The crucial report has not seen the light of the day. The collapse of some Federal Government privatized companies prompted the Senate to raise the Senator Ahmed Lawan probe committee to look into the matter. Lawan, representing Yobe North, on July 19, 2011, brought a motion about the collapse of some privatised government companies. On the strength of the motion which essentially considered the Privatization and Commercialization Act of 1988, the Bureau of Public Enterprises Act of 1993 and the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act of 1999, the Senate resolved to raise a special committee to probe the ways and means the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) conducted the privatisation of the companies. After months of Continues on page 18

18 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

•Bukola Saraki

•Mohammed Magoro Continues from page 17

investigation, which saw committee members traversing parts of the country in search of facts, the committee made 45 recommendations. Apart from the recommendations, the committee also exposed shady deals perpetrated under the guise of privatisation exercise. Of importance to the upper chamber was a situation where most of the privatised companies became moribund after the exercise. The Senate adopted the 45 recommendations wholesale apparently due to the weight of submissions made by the committee. The recommendations have, however, not been implemented. The Senate also mandated its Committee on Aviation to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash of Dana Airliner on June 3, 2011. The probe of the crash, which claimed the lives of over 153 persons, was touchy as it was emotional. To underscore the importance of the

•Ahmed Lawan

•Abdulrasheed Maina

•Harold Demuren investigation, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation also joined. The joint committee, after its investigation, recommended that the operations of Dana Airline should be banned. It also recommended that the then Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Mr. Harold Demuren, should be relieved of his appointment. If the probe of Dana Air crash was emotional and touchy, the investigation of the N273 billion alleged looted pension fund was mind boggling. The Senate Joint Committee on Public Service and Establishment and State and Local Government Administration conducted the investigation. The Senate decided, among others, that the Pension Reform Task Force be dismantled while its chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina, should be sent packing. Maina, who refused to honour invitations by the committee, went to court to clear his name. The matter is still pending with other twist and turns introduced into the alleged scam. The probe of the controversy surrounding the sale of the $1.092 billion OPL 245 oil bloc involving Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and Shell/ Agip was sequel to a motion sponsored by

The probe of the controversy surrounding the sale of the $1.092 billion OPL 245 oil bloc involving Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and Shell/Agip was sequel to a motion sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi. After much debate, not much has been heard about the probe

•Abdul Ningi Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi. After much debate, not much has been heard about the probe. Some observers have described the National Assembly investigations as mostly selfserving while others see the probes as avenues to intimidate, cajole, coax as well as to extort money from “recalcitrant and unwilling” government agencies that refuse to “play ball”. Another probe the Senate instituted which never saw the light of the day was that on Ezzu River dead bodies. The legislative House had mandated two of its committees to unravel the circumstances surrounding the appearance of over 35 strange dead bodies found floating on Ezzu River, Amansea, a town on the border between Anambra and Enugu States but the committee never released the probe report. The unidentified dead bodies, mostly males, were discovered floating on the river in the early hours of Saturday, January 19, 2013, by some villagers of Amansea, in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The situation generated panic across the state as people wondered where the bodies could have come from, given that no community had come up with claims of missing members. Two weeks after the incident, precisely on January 31, 2013, the upper legislative chamber, after an intense debate on a motion brought sequel to the development, by Senator Andy Ubah, PDP, Anambra South, mandated its Committees on Police Affairs as well as Security and Intelligence, to immediately carry out a thorough investigation into it and report the findings within two weeks. The joint committee, headed by Senators Matthew Nwagu, PDP, Imo North and Mohammed Magoro, PDP, Kebbi South respectively, which was mandated to carry out an indepth investigation into the matter and report findings to the Senate Committee within two weeks, failed to submit the report.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015—19

My agenda for President Buhari —Festus Okoye

the formation of APC is an affirmation and validation of his faith in the democratic process.

*Festus Okoye

BY ABDULLAHI GARBA

foremost pro-democracy and human rights activist, Festus Okoye is a constitutional lawyer and Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor. He was a member of the 2014 National Conference, representing the civil society. In this interview, Okoye says President Muhammadu Buhari must dismantle what he describes as the reactionary and conspiratorial cartel holding NNPC hostage and virtually shutting down the nation. What do you consider to be some of the expectations of Nigerians from the Muhammadu Buhari APC government? Some Nigerians expect magical and revolutionary change immediately from Muhammadu Buhari as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Those in this group are his fanatical supporters who have stood by him over the years. To them, he is the messiah they have been waiting for and his assumption of office is the validation of their faith in him. Realistically however, Muhammadu Buhari is assuming office at a period of national drift and confusion. He is assuming office at a time Nigeria is in darkness. He is assuming office at a time that the Nigerian people are sleeping at various filling stations. He is assuming office at a time when some civil servants are owed salaries of between three to twelve months. He is assuming office at a time when some people are busy looting the commonwealth of the country. He is assuming office at a time of apprehension and trepidation. The Nigerian people expect so much from him but we must balance the expectations against the economic, social and political realities of the Nigerian state and realize that the change promised may be gradual and graduated and his assumption of office may not translate to a quantum leap in the fortunes of the Nigerian people. Muhammadu Buhari will live and lead by example. The Nigerian people believe in his integrity and in his Spartan way of life. The Nigerian people believe that he will provide strong and effective leadership and halt the current economic and social drift. The mandate given to Muhammadu Buhari by those who have no other country than Nigeria is to return the country to the path of sanity and progress. What specific areas do you think Buhari should focus his attention for now? Every facet of the Nigerian society needs the attention of the new President. However, it is important and strategic to priorities. I think the President should first address the decay and decline in three areas. The first is in the area of energy and power supply. The Nigerian people cannot just understand the continuous and continuing energy crisis given the quantum of money sunk into it. The sector needs urgent and revolutionary approach towards its solution. The President should also and urgently too dismantle the reactionary, conspiratorial and opportunistic cartel holding NNPC hostage. These are the big time bunkerers. These are those doing round

tripping with PMS. These are the people that established small refineries in neighboring countries and are running down the refineries in Nigeria. These elements must be fished out and shown the way out while the cleanup of the sector begins. The Nigerian people are eager and desperate for a genuine change in their lives and fortune. They believe that the new regime offers hope and possibilities for genuine transformation of their economic, political and social fortunes. Were you surprised that the APC defeated the PDP during the presidential polls and what do you think may have been responsible for the APC winning majority of the states after PDP’s 16 years of leadership? The objective and subjective conditions in the country guaranteed the victory of the APC in all the strands of elections conducted in the country. For me, the election was a referendum on the competence or incompetence of the incumbent President and the arrogance of the PDP after so many years in power. Furthermore, Muhammadu Buhari embodies and symbolizes the change the Nigerian people are yearning for and he has the charisma, the integrity and the staying power to deliver. Do you share the view of some people that the Buhari government should probe the immediate past government of President Goodluck Jonathan especially in the oil and power sectors? I am of the view that the Buhari administration should first halt the current drift. Nigeria is drifting and the people are in a state of despair. He should reassure the Nigerian people that good times are here again. He should reassure the Nigerian people that Nigeria will be great again and will continue to be great. He should reassure the people that their faith in him will be rewarded. This he can do by quickly tackling the challenges of power, oil and insecurity. Thereafter there should be targeted, time bound and professional investigation of the commanding sectors of the economy. The Nigerian people are interested in recovering the monies budgeted and not expended on the power sector. Nigerians are interested in genuine recovery of stolen subsidy monies. Nigerians are also interested in getting their monies back from fake arms contractors. Some people still consider Buhari a dictator. Do you think that he will actually fit in and operate effectively under a democratic government? I believe that Buhari is a genuine democrat. He has kept faith with the democratic process. He has within the ambit of the democratic process subjected himself to the rule of law and due process. I believe that he is more of a democrat than some of the people accusing him. He has grown in the process and the fact that he assisted in the process leading to

Buhari administration should first halt the current drift. Nigeria is drifting and the people are in a state of despair

In spite of government’s efforts at tackling the Boko Haram issue, the insurgents still continue with their bloody campaigns. Do you also subscribe to the suggestion of amnesty for them? I believe that those that engage in criminal activities should face the wrath of the law. You do not begin to canvass amnesty when thousands of families are mourning and internally displaced or languishing in exile. The regime should quickly resolve the insurgency challenge in the North East of the country. A marshal plan must be evolved to stabilize the North East and give our people hope. The regime must encourage, empower and motivate the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to fully secure the North Eastern part of Nigeria that has suffered so much from insurgency and insurgency related matters We urge the new regime to reestablish governance structures in areas already liberated. These places have to be secured for human habitation. Houses must be rebuilt and public places secured while the pervading atmosphere of fear and anxiety must be calmed. To this end, we suggest that the President should roll out a North East Stabilization, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan (SRRP) to decisively take care of the humanitarian challenges of the North East. This plan must include the evacuation back to Nigeria of those who are now refugees in neighboring countries. He should also set up a Policy Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee (PDRC) to heal the wounds occasioned by the hate and dangerous speeches during the campaigns. In other words, all parts of the country must feel the impact of his presidency and he will no doubt be a President for all. This is the only path to building a country deriving strength from its diversity. There is also the need to stop the endless flow of arms into Nigeria. The North East is awash with arms, the Niger Delta is awash with arms. The South East and South West are having challenges of armed robbery and kidnapping and siege by cult and vigilante groups. The new President must stem the flow of these arms into Nigeria by securing our borders, our armories. The National Assembly should also take a second look at our Fire Arms laws to see whether they still meet with the current challenges and realities of our nation. Our people are entitled to feel safe again.

As a member of the 2014 National Conference, do you subscribe to fears that your report may never be implemented? The new regime should set up a Committee to review the report of the 2014 National Conference. It is possible that the President Goodluck Jonathan government convoked the National Conference for purposes of gaining political mileage. It is possible that the composition was skewed in favour of certain interests. It is also possible that some of the recommendations are at variance with the thinking, realities and dynamics of the Nigerian federation.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 BY CHIOMA GABRIEL Chinweoke Mbadinuju was elected governor of Anambra state in April 1999. A fall-out between Mbadinuju and his political godfather crippled the machinery of government in the state. He later fell out with another power broker in the state, Chris Uba. He claimed that he was excluded from the governorship contest in 2003 despite winning the PDP primaries because Uba and President Olusegun Obasanjo opposed his candidature. In his place, Dr. Chris Ngige ran for the PDP but was beaten by the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). He recently defected from PDP to All Progressives Congress in this dispensation. In this interview, he talked about the place of Ndigbo in the new regime. Excerpts. Due to the way Ndigbo voted during the last election, many are thinking they will play no fiddle in the new government. What is your take on this? Ans: It is not gainsaying, and apparently that the position of Ndigbo in today’s political calculation is highly pathetic. Igbo have not had it worse than this, from the time of Zik, to Okpara, to Ojukwu and a few others. It has been like from fire to frying pan. But it is entirely not the fault of Ndigbo. It was circumstantial. For whosoever loses war goes on the receiving end which is where the Igbo now are on the receiving end apart from Zik whom the British awarded the office of ceremonial Governor of Nigeria and this was the highest political office an Igbo ever held. Even when Chief Alex Ekwueme became Vice President under Alhaji Shehu Shagari, still the Vice Presidency was without political powers except the much Shagari assigned to him. Anyway, the constitution could grant a VP power like Chairmanship of Economic Council, but Dr. Ekwueme will know whether such power was good or ephemeral. So since the end of the civil war subsequent leaders did not see it good to integrate the Igbo into the mainstream, Abacha did not, Obasanjo did not, including Mallam Ya’radua, and Jonathan. All they did was to pick up one Igbo man or woman and give them little, and parading them as Igbo leaders. Now I know that political power is not given, it is taken. Igbos must learn to earn power and to exercise it. For now it is not easy to know how President Muhammadu Buhari will pattern his methods. He was a former Soldier and former Head of State. He knows his onion, and within this short time he won the Presidential election, he is showing capacity to lead Nigeria into prosperity. Nigeria will surely prosper, Nigeria will surely assist President Buhari to end corruption; build up security around our people; employ the unemployed; build power and energy; reduce cost of governance; he will handle the electoral reform or confab as occasion warrants. Whether we are Igbos or Nigerians, we must all embrace the Buhari’s concept of “change” for Nigeria. If Nigerians, and indeed the PDP, had allowed Chief Ogbulafo and Dr. Nwodo to go on with their job of being Chairman of the Party (PDP) there would have been no collapse of the party which had wanted to rule for 64 years but stopped at 16 years. When some friends ask if I really defected to PDP which I helped to nurture, I told them I did not defect rather PDP defected. At the end of the day we must all embrace the concept of “change” as said earlier, not just “change”, but “positive change”. Nigerians will see that the hunger for food and drinks are not that alone, but we must deal with physical hunger; spiritual hunger; monetized hunger’ waste and wastages; and life of ostentation. Furthermore whether Igbo or not, all Nigerians must help Buhari to be ready to deal with: poverty, injustice, corruption, stealing and change of attitude. Nigerians must abhor: avarice, inordinate ambition, political ostentation, assassinations, greed, cheating, false witnesses and robbery. With this done, Nigeria will be heaven on earth as we stand to support Buhari to accomplish his purpose, and his policies. You said earlier that political power is not given, but taken. Since the South-East was poor in voting for Buhari, why do you still expect Buhari to grant Igbo many appointments? The Igbo people are not asking Muhammadu Buhari for many appointments. It is enough that the South-East people knew or ought to know the adage that “He whose bread I eat his song I will sing”. So since the South-East did not vote for Buhari, it means that Igbo cannot complain if Buhari did not grant them appointments commensurate with other Zones which got more and who worked harder and got more offers. This is a lesson for all politicians generally, not just Igbos, should learn to be fair to all people. I believe that by the next election, the Igbos must have corrected themselves and begin to play the game of politics with fairness and equity. But clearly Buhari will not leave the South-East empty handed.

•Chinweoke Mbadinuju

Nemesis has caught up with PDP—Mbadinuju He will give them their fair share. The former PDP National Chairman Mu’azu just resigned while Anenih the BOT Chairman also stepped down. How do you read the happenings in your former PDP? What is happening today in PDP is nothing but nemesis. PDP has destroyed many of its members right from its inception at the Jos Convention when the rightful National Chairman was suddenly changed in the night with all light in the stadium in darkness while bags of money were thrown to groups for sharing the bags of money. Suddenly a candidate emerged who did not even win his ward was declared winner. That was stealing, or corruption at the highest level. If those at the highest level and by impunity closed their eyes and refused to follow the rules and regulations of the Party (PDP) who else will not steal and sell corruption into families, in schools, in industries, at the highest of the Party apparatus even at the highest point of party leadership. Who then can be saved? In my State, Anambra, Abuja supervised the elections which failed and there have been four governors in the State until the supreme Court ruled that two of those man-made governors were fake, still they parade themselves as governors till today. If this is not impunity, tell me what it is? Till today I remain the only legitimate governor of Anambra State. But their godfather made sure that I wouldn’t do 2nd term in office. The big Oga from Abuja appointed his crony to conduct the PDP primaries in Anambra and although I won the primaries three times, the then Nigerian President or the PDP President insisted that I would never do my second term despite the “gentleman’s agreement” to allow the PDP governors move ahead to 2nd term. I was the only exception. Till today most of the States cannot curb insecurity until the Federal Government gave them a helping hand. With allocation of at times N200 million a month, with N583million salary of workers, I still won a national competition here in Abuja and was declared among the 36 states that I came first with a gold cup for Anambra State. Nobody has done that yet the PDP Federal Government put me into detention for 3 months waiting to assassinate me because I did a good job as governor of my state. It is in PDP that Presidents aspire to rule more than 2 terms, some 3 terms,

Nigeria will be heaven on earth as we stand to support Buhari to accomplish his purpose, and his policies

others ten (10) years outside what our constitution stipulates. So why will PDP not disintegrate? The Party was built on false-hood and it shouldn’t have lived up to 16 years they claim. Indeed, the collapse of PDP was long overdue. I therefore cannot weep for PDP for the nemesis that over-took them. Whoever tries to rebuild the fallen PDP will be doing so against the will of God and it can be more disastrous. The best thing for PDP is to get it buried and be forgotten. The good people in the Party should think of where next to run to, but it should not include resuscitation of PDP as party. They are nest of killers as Wole Soyinka once said. How are you sure that APC will not do to you what PDP did? I don’t know for sure what APC will do to me. But the test of the pudding shall be in the eating. I have said at several fora how Muhammadu Buhari did not hesitate to come to my book launch at the Yar’ Adua Centre and how he stayed long till the program ended. He was Chairman of the occasion and he spoke glowingly on the effort I made to save Anambra state from killers and usurpers. I don’t think there is going to be a better and more humane person like Buhari. He mixes up with the humble and he is easily accessible. This Nigerian President shall turn the country upside down for good and set an example that Nigerians will emulate. The people and colleagues I met in APC arenice. It will be good to have good friends. Do you think there will be a time when Igbo people and the North can team up to win Presidential election in the country? We know that “good soup na money makam”. Before the civil war the North and the Igbo have been good friends and if you go to the North you see millions of Igbo and other Southerners who live comfortable in places in th North like Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Jos, Niger where Zik and Emeka Ojukwu were born. It is politics that separated Igbo and Hausa/Fulani, otherwise both have lived at peace with each other. It is on record that a Mallam from the North was Mayor of Enugu and Zik who lived in the South-west was not discriminated against him and indeed Zik was so popular that he won enough seats to form a government in the Western region. It was short lived but it was good history.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JUNE 6, 2015—21

A retired, former CEO of a multinational company once told me of the time he took over from a white boss. The handover notes had been processed and studied. Then on the second day in his new office, an incident happened with the unions and he picked up the phone with the intention of calling his boss. That was when he realised there was nobody else to call. The final decision had to be taken by him. He ‘now owned the sheets’. For our brand new President, the transition period is over. He had two months of it. The prefix ‘General’has now been changed to ‘President’. And with that, the full responsibility, the full weight of the governance of the geographical entity

President Buhari, you own the sheets now called Nigeria.An illustration of where the buck now stops and the expectation of what comes with it, is the tongue in cheek whatsApp message that went out shortly after the inauguration. ‘President Buhari was sworn in two hours ago. How come I still don’t have fuel?’ it said. There are many underlining messages to this simple text. One is the height of expectation. We all know that our fuel distribution flow was mismanaged; that

Three years ago in far-away America, a General like our General Buhari who found himself in politics at the highest level, wrote an interesting book on leadership. His name is Colin Powel, a four-star general of the US army, a former Secretary of State and a one-time aspirant to the world’s most coveted seat. Titled: ‘It Worked for Me’, this best seller is a compilation of the experiences and lessons learnt during his illustrious public life, especially the ‘The thirteen Rules’ which had shaped his life and career. In its chapter 26, he gave a simple, two page account of what used to happen in the days before computerisation when a new commander took over a rifle company.‘Before assuming command of the company’, he said ‘the new commander and the outgoing commander would conduct an in inventory of all the property. Every rifle, bunk, chair, desk, sheet and pillow had to be accounted for.If anything was missing, the outgoing commander had to search for it and find it, pay for it or seek relief through a process known as “Report of Survey”. The instructive part is that after this hand over, you had a short period of grace to discover any discrepancies. Once this window of grace was over, you became totally responsible and any shortage or discrepancy became your problem. The US army in Collin Powel’s days had a phrase for it. ‘After 30 days, you own the sheets’. It is a clear, stark way of passing the baton and responsibility.

leader gives the new leader three envelopes labelled ‘Envelope 1’, ‘Envelope 2’ and ‘Envelope 3’, and tells him to open them in order when he runs into trouble. The new leader launches into a blaze of glory and rides huge waves of goodwill. After a while, the goodwill runs thin and he finds himself in trouble. He opens the 1st envelope and the note says; ‘Blame me’. So he goes around complaining about the mess he inherited and possibly how

The message is; you who promised change should bring positive changes fast. We do not want excuses

our energy situation has been mismanaged. So have many areas of our national life. The message is; you who promised change should bring positive changes fast. We do not want excuses. The second message is that the clock is ticking. The magical first 100 day tranche is now depleted. It was less two hours when the text went out. It is less eight days now. Every day depletes the good will that came with the new government. And speaking of goodwill, Collin Powel had an answer in the same chapter for those who have just taken over the reins of authority. It is called, ‘The Three Envelopes Construct’. In this scenario, the outgoing

incompetent and corrupt his predecessor was. After a while, he notices things are not moving as anticipated and he opens the 2nd envelope. The notes says; ‘Reorganise’. So he goes into a frenzy and starts moving people and boxes around. He creates a new paradigm which looks exciting. Everyone is distracted. The new paradigm looks exciting but nothing is solved and everyone is confused. Confused that things are not working so well and people’s patience is wearing thin, he opens the 3rd envelope. The note says: ‘Prepare three envelopes’.

raise is a mystery. It is so potent that people marvel at its potency. The bible says that God is fearful in praises and does wonders. This means that no man or devil can tell what God can do when you give Him quality praise. Know that praise is a weapon of warfare. The bible makes us to understand that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. That stronghold in your life is coming down through your dedicated praise of His power. Whatever appears difficult in your life is only waiting for your praise. When you praise God, the greatness of His power shatters the plan of the enemies. Praise is a David was addicted to praise. He praised enemies. I see you gathering the spoils of mystery. As you praise God, things are God seven times a day (Ps. 119:164). David war in Jesus name. mysteriously handled from heaven where praised God for His righteous judgment. You will rejoice over your enemies. you watch the event unfold before you as in Thus in his battles of life God helped him to Whatever you could not do before now, as the case of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. be triumphant. No man in bible days fought you give the Lord high praises, you will be God is still the final judge of the whole life threatening battles like David yet with released to do it. Any part of your body that earth. If judgment is not executed, the wicked he prevailed through his praises of God. is deformed God will recreate it again. God will persist in their wicked ways. Every God’s judgment will answer in the camp of is not satisfied with just setting us free, He judgment written concerning your enemies your enemies right now as you praise Him wants to afflict all of our enemies as He did shall be executed. In Ps. 149:5-9, the bible wholeheartedly. with the three nations that came against says, “Let the saints be joyful in glory: let God will always locate someone praising Jehoshaphat and to pharaoh them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the Him. This season let that someone be you at the red sea. I decree to you high praises of God be in their mouth, and a and you will experience the supernatural that your enemies will know two-edged sword in their hand; to execute move of God in your life. Divine judgment that you serve the living God vengeance upon the heathen, and will take place in the camp of your enemies that does terrible things when punishments upon the people; to bind their as you give to God your radical praise. I His people praise Him. kings with chains, and their nobles with declare to you that what happened to the Everything that will not let fetters of iron; to execute upon them the nations that came to battle Jehoshaphat in you go, God by His judgment judgment written: this honour have all his 2 Chron. 20 will happen to your enemies. will strike at their camp. Every saints. Praise ye the Lord”. God will beat down the foes and plaque the arrow shot at your destiny, In praise, we secure judgment against our enemies. As you praise God effectively, He will deliver For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town judgment. It is time for you to or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. E-mail: be married, become a Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. Landlord, have your own Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust children and succeed in whatever your hands findeth to Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C do. Give to God the kind of 1011711622. praise He deserves. That Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:15enemy of your destiny will bow 11:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing to the greatness of His power. every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

Judgmental praise

C M Y K

The import of this is that the period of goodwill is not forever and the blame game wears thin after a while. You are also not going to be there forever so take the unpleasant decisions that need to be taken early enough but think them through so that they do not create a bigger mess. Mistakes will be made but it is important that they are not through lowering of standards or political and moral compromises. Whatever happens, have a standard below which you do not want to drop and a set of principles around which you operate. With these, it will be easier to explain to godfathers and political jobbers if they do not meet your cut off line. An illustration comes from a CEO of a top three bank who found himself in a dilemma some years ago. His bank was not growing as fast as the managers they were producing and he knew they had to let some go to avoid demotivation. He went to meet a mentor who happened to be a guru in HR. He advised him to have a set of conditions and guidelines that must be strictly adhered to if he didn’t want to have a greater personnel problem. Fortunately, he heeded the advice and earned the respect of management and the rank and file when some of his favourite officers didn’t meet the cut off line and had to be released. His saving grace was that he operated on rules of competence, fairness, justice and a level playing field. Back to our President. The part that resonated most with the people in his acceptance speech was when he said ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’. It allayed the fears of those who think he might be held captive by those who contributed to his emergence as President. He might need to do a constant balancing act between what party big wigs want and what his instinct dictates. I have always found that it is better to have core principles and rules that are logical, rational, transparent and fair to all. Those who helped him get there deserve to be gratified. That’s the nature of politics. But its not their administration. For good or ill, it will always be remembered as ‘the Buhari government’. So take charge and be in charge. Remember, ‘You now own the sheets’. God is returning them back to sender. Everyone organizing your crash is crashing in your place right now. Everyone planning your death, accidents or speaking evil against you is taking your place in their own assignments. Start giving daily qualitative high praises right from this moment and see God make awesome victories manifest in your favour. Your quality high praises will make God to suddenly judge your enemies. Do you want to experience fruitfulness of God in your life? Then you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray this simple prayer. Father, you said that whosoever shall call on the name of Jesus, shall be saved. I call on the name Jesus. Thank you for saving me and giving me the gift of eternal life.i also ask that you empower me with the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me be an effective witness of Jesus Christ. I praise you and give you all the glory. For your praise report, prayer requests, testimonies and financial support, you can contact us through our contact details below. God shall surely change your situation and make you to experience His realities.

22—SA TURD AY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 22—SATURD TURDA

t has become customary with different countries, or even communities, to remark on the first few days of newly elected or appointed citizens in office. Usually, the period adopted is the first hundred days in the new position. However the present situation is so full of expectations that one may attract sympathy, rather than criticism, for jumping the gun, as it were. The expectations pertain to the volume as well as the quality of effectiveness in the discharged duties. To consider or contemplate on the achievements or insufficiencies of new office-holders in this manner may tend to give room to ugly intentions. To raise so much dust as to the declaration of assets publicly by the newly elected President and his Vice sounds a bit censorious within a period of some hours after the inauguration. A few days’ period would not have been inadequate, if only to confirm the unwillingness of the two gentlemen to respect the Constitution they had just sworn to uphold. There was also some unbecoming observation from some quarters about the absence of both high officials at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock on the first day in office. The presidential duo obviously preferred the lowkey resumption in the Defence House where they had been working to the excitement that was waiting for a celebrated entry into the office of the President on his first day in office. President Buhari gave notice of his style as being unconventional when he named the former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who has just been elected President of the African Development Bank, as one of his spokesmen. Buhari had led the lobby for that appointment in his customary open manner, lifting quite a number of eyebrows because Adesina was a cabinet minister of the Peoples Democratic Party. There have also been unhappy or anxiety-laden comments already about his deciision to reject any move by the State Governors to

The ffir ir ys irsst se sevven da days

recommend nominees for his cabinet. Many people believe he has taken the right step in this matter, however, since it curtails any undue incursion into the government structure of the federation. The three compartments of governance in the country are distinct and clear. Any undue overlap of influence from one over any other is sure to lead to a distortion of the line of authority. This will be a direct result of the “godfather” element which had been nurtured down the years. A good point has also been made for the President’s position by those who point out that cabinets of State governments are not composed with interference C M Y K

•President Buhari

What many people cannot believe is that Buhari is a team player. But that is why he finds it easy to appoint a man from the opposition party as a spokesman

of the Federal Government, nor are Supervising Councillors influenced by State governments. In fact, local government councils complain incessantly against the practice under which their allocations are channelled through the State governments. It must be added that those who are uncomfortable with the idea of Buhari selecting his own cabinet are striving under the misapprehension that he would lock himself up in a room where he would nominate all the ministers of his government by himself. They talk about “inputs” from other sources, as though all the other sources are covered by the governors alone. But several other sources are

main revenue earner, and doing another stint later in one of the agencies could only have enlarged his understanding of what has gone wrong to turn what should be a goldmine into a cesspit. The new President has also shown that his administration would be for justice and fair play. In that regard, he has warned that no one should be barred from travelling abroad. Some overenthusiastic officials had, on their own, earmarked some officials as unworthy to leave for a trip abroad, just in case they were trying to abscond from the sticky arms of the law. The President however instructed that anyone who was not under an indictment was free, and should be able to exercise his rights as a Nigerian citizen.

available to the President, and he will be relying on them. What many people cannot believe is that Buhari is a team player. But that is why he finds it easy to appoint a man from the opposition party as a spokesman.

ome so-called security experts have also dared to openly controvert the decision of the President to move the Command Headquarters of the anti-Boko Haram campaign from Abuja to Maiduguri. One of them, who spoke passionately on television, fortunately did not drop his antecedents, so we did not know where he was coming from. However, it was very clear that he was not on the same terrain with any right-thinking person, especially a General. He spoke as though to remove the centre of operations of a particular Command to another site, especially near the centre of the theatre of war, was to transfer the

headquarters of the entire army to the proposed area. Having actually seen action in a war situation from a command position, Buhari’s perception should differ from that of an armchair warrior—and there several of them around. His acquisition of 15 special advisers right away, will throw some light on the nature of his cabinet which is beginning to excite a lot of anticipation already. But he is not communicating in definite on that particular subject thus giving rise, naturally, to wanton speculation. We hear already that he would hang on to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. He could do worse, and would not be the first President to do that. The mess in that area might need the personal involvement of the President. Happily enough, he had once been in charge of Nigeria’s

ithin these past seven days, Buhari has also taken his first open measure to contain the Boko Haram insurgency. The terrorist group have also dared him in their typical manner by increasing the tempo of their attacks in the past seven days. But Buhari remains cool. He has held a briefing session with the security personnel in the country, while he has also paid a visit to Chad to emphasize the role of cooperative efforts among the countries affected by the scourge of Boko Haram. And he has repeated his vow to crush the menace. Those whose business it is not to appreciate established order within their nation having installed a permanent jaundiced veil over their opinions of a leader ’s efforts, would sneer at whatever has been achieved. But we say, all of that in seven days? And no sweat! But, of course, there is so much more to be done. So much and we know almost all of them by heart; corruption in every phase of our transactions; budget of underdevelopment; chronic unemployment; fuel subsidy riddle; rigid poverty level etc. The list is not endless, as we know, since a superlative success in the combat against one would tend to affect another in a benign manner. So, which is first? Maybe we shall know in the next seven days. Time out

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015—23

ntegrity - principled consistency, is a cherished value but it has a high price tag. Some situations come to test the moral positions of people. A most unwanted pregnancy in a raped and psychologically shattered young teenage girl will test the conviction of many who consider abortion of the fetus at all stages to be murder. In Nigeria unlike the United States, many do not have firm committed positions on abortion. So when the morality of abortion is thrown up many cling to vacuous dogmatism or sanctimoniousness and others at the other extreme embrace ill digested moral permissiveness or cynicism. Since Nigeria is supposedly a very religious society, majority will easily claim identification with the pro life stance by mouthing the heinousness of abortion but would not hesitate to have a quick effortless recourse to abortion when faced with an unwanted pregnancy challenge. The truth is that many seemingly enlightened people all over the world adopt moral positions they have never cared to interrogate and cannot rationally defend. And many will proudly announce their identification with groups whose core tenets they cannot abide by. Some others are enthusiastic apostles of moral causes their lives do not espouse. The morality of abortion is a very controversial and thorny issue. And at the heart of this controversy is the question of the moral status of the fetus and personal autonomy or right of self determination of the mother. Is the fetus a person? Or is the fetus potentially a person? Does the woman’s right to plan her life include a right to choose when to be a mother and when not to be saddled with maternal responsibilities? Can her right to self determination trump fetal rights in some circumstances? Can the society subrogate her right to self determination to the fetus’ right to life at all times? If the pregnancy constitutes a threat to the life of the mother can the fetus be sacrificed? The conservative pro life stance which is perhaps best projected and explicated by the Catholic Church is that personhood is acquired at conception. So the zygote has sanctity of life , a sacred inviolable right to live like all other persons. The destruction of any human life is murder . This stance deems any intervention directly aimed at destroying the fetus to be within the moral proximity of murder. Abortion is only permitted if it is an unintended consequence of an intervention primarily aimed at saving the mother’s life. The destruction of the fetus must never be an end in itself. The mother’s right to self determination is inferior to the fetus’ right to life. The implication of the pro -life stance is that a teenage unwanted pregnancy , or any other pregnancy , however inconvenient cannot justify abortion. It doesn’t matter that a frail teenager cannot withstand the rigours of pregnancy. Pregnancy resulting from rape or incest cannot be terminated. This stance excludes all contraceptives that work by intervening in the process of reproduction after conception. So in effect IUCDs, commonly used by women post child bearing are ruled out . “Morning after” pills used to prevent implantation by rape victims are not justified. Scientific procedures that lead to deliberate ,even if unavoidable , wastage of embryos are C M Y K

Rape, Abortion and the Society

precluded. Therefore IVF procedures and stem cell researches are forbidden. And it wouldn’t matter that a couple can remain infinitely childless or that a chronically ill crippled child can find a new life from stem cells donated by a sibling. The pro choice stance is founded mainly on the right to self determination of the mother as host of the non independent fetus . Pro choice proponents argue that the fetus has only potential personhood at the best . Mainstream pro choice arguments claim the fetus has no actual personal autonomy , no consciousness , no thoughts and no plans. The right of the fetus to life cannot then , on this view, approximate that of a person and cannot supercede the rights of the mother to plan her life. The mainstream feminists’ position now is largely pro choice because it is centered on the enhancement of personal autonomy of women and promotion of equality between sexes . Women should be free to decide when to be mothers. Child bearing they say is too emotional , too tasking to be foisted on the unwilling. The implication of the prolife argument’s insistence on the fetus’ lack of personhood is that a patient in a permanent vegetative state perhaps has diminished right to life? Or that a neonate doesn’t have same right to life as an adult because it is dependent and lacks full autonomy? These inferences contradict societal mores. It is perhaps morally counterintuitive to allow unrestrained freedom to abort fetuses at all gestational ages. Both pro life and pro choice stances attach heavy moral weight to abortion. Many liberal jurisdictions emphasize this moral concern by restricting access to abortion to early stages of pregnancy when the fetus cannot survive on the outside. Before 22/24 weeks in the developed world. Does our current practice then assume that all fetuses do not have same moral status? In practice it

would appear so. Roe vs Wade gave women literal freedom to abort in the US in the first trimester. The 1967 abortion act in the UK allows doctors to decide abortion if continuation of pregnancy constitutes more risk than discontinuation. This has been liberally applied by doctors to allow abortion on request before 24 weeks in England. In Nigeria, abortion is a crime except if performed to save a mother at risk.. A review of our laws on abortion is long over due. A relaxation of the legal strictures will help proper health service delivery to those in need. But it is doubtful that our moralistic society can take any steps that can be read as steps towards encouragement of moral laxity. So Criminalization of abortion in early pregnancy will continue to drive our girls into the hands of quacks- patent medicine dealers who perform the majority of illegal black market abortions in Nigeria Regardless of the moral status of the fetus, abortion should not be a flimsy engagement. It has very serious moral and medical significance. The society and its citizens must understand clearly their positions on abortions and the implications of their stances. If abortion approximates murder then rape victims can only pray that pregnancy does not result. While they will receive psychological care and medical help to prevent conception otherwise they will have to bear the children of the rapists . To suggest that abo rtion can be extended to such victims is to say that the fetus does not have right to life. The society must understand these implications Does consensual sex carry a responsibility that diminishes the right of the woman to self determination in the event of a pregnancy? Many say people must accept even the unforeseen or unintended consequences of their actions. If we allow such a moral responsibility for consensual sex, what about rape? Why shouldn’t a rape victim be allowed the freedom to accept or reject a violent imposition even if that results in the death of a person or a potential person?

Rape is a grave crime. It is a despicable violation of personal integrity and a grievous assault on human dignity. In many jurisdictions it attracts the same criminal penalties as murder. If the crime of rape is universally considered as extremely gross, the impact of pregnancy resulting from rape must be an egregious aggravation of that enormity. If women’s physical and psychological framework is shredded by rapists, then can anyone imagine the interminable horror of carrying a child from such violence . Rape is unfortunately very common now in our society. And its worse that abductions are rife here also. If the status of the fetus is that of a person why is it that nature wastes millions of such ‘persons’ in the natural reproductive processes? If every embryo must be accorded full human dignity why does nature treat embryos with much less than human dignity? Why is the body programmed to reject and discard malformed fetuses sometimes. Are such malformed fetuses of a different moral status than fully formed ones? We can’t ask God questions. Why would the life of a 12 year old school girl raped by his father’s lecherous driver be further complicated by the life long emotional and physical trauma of being an unprepared child mother of an unwanted child? Some will say that terrible evil happens to innocent children everyday. Though theodicies make sense , let’s leave them aside for now because the enormity of this particular evil can be mitigated . The impact of this evil can be greatly alleviated by a termination of any resulting pregnancy. How many would fail to relieve a teenage daughter of a pregnancy forced on her by a rapist? I know many whose stance on gay rights changed when their children became gays. I do not support gays rights though. Who would let his wife carry to term a pregnancy foisted on her by a boko haram lunatic in the unlikely and most unfortunate event that she is abducted by the group? Christianity’s ultimate answer is that challenges help to mould the soul and that since life here on earth is infinitesimal compared to life hereafter , no such evil on the long run is significant. I agree. I am a Christian. And I wish we could conduct all other affairs with such understanding but unfortunately we often don’t. Some conservative and christian groups , however , argue that abortion does not help a rape victim but further victimizes her. They prescribe psychological and medical help but would encourage her to accept the pregnancy if it cannot be prevented. They insist that the virtue of being a mother would soothe her trauma and that the sin of abortion even in such a circumstance would only further dent her troubled soul. And that in any case retribution must be for the rapist and not for an innocent fetus whose life is scared. Bible says do not kill. But can that be interpreted to preclude IVF for infertile couples? Perhaps. Are IUCD users serial murderers? We must soberly reflect on our moral positions .

If the crime of rape is universally considered as extremely gross, the impact of pregnancy resulting from rape must be an egregious aggravation of that enormity

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

•El-Rufai

affirmed that, “the resources of the state have been looted and we will insist on accountability but we will not waste our time chasing those who stole small amounts of money. We are not interested in in the pick pockets but we want to get the armed robbers among them. We will chase those who stole billions of Naira but we will forgive those who stole hundreds of thousands.” However, at the handing over ceremony, El-Rufai was forced to admit that he was wrong in his assessment of the Kaduna state level of indebtedness. Receiving the handover notes from Yero, El-

staggering under the weight of billions of naira in debt and other liabilities. As we all know, merely by walking the streets or seeing our neighbours everyday, the state of our state is abysmal.” El -Rufais claim that Kaduna is the second most indebted state in the country may not be entirely correct as reports indicate that Lagos has a staggering N418.2 billion debt while the immediate past Governor of Kano state, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, left behind a debt of about N100 billion for his successor. It would seem as if El-Rufai has a knack for crying wolf where it does not exist. Only about three weeks ago, as

Our state is staggering under the weight of billions of naira in debt and other liabilities. As we all know, merely by walking the streets or seeing our neighbours everyday, the state of our state is abysmal

El-Rufai

barks again over

Kaduna debt status BY AGAJU MADUGBA

he report last Thursday that the current debt profile of Kaduna state stands at about N73 billion may have rubbished Governor Nasir El-Rufais claims concerning the state of indebtedness of the area. In fact, covering El-Rufai’s activities may be a reporter ’s delight. Beginning from late last year when he announced his decision to join the governorship race under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) till he eventually emerged victorious at the polls, El-Rufai spat fire all the way, concerning the C M Y K

state of affairs in Kaduna. At the slightest opportunity, ElRufai would come short of shedding tears, lamenting how the immediate past PDP government had looted and mismanaged resources of the state. He tells anyone who cares to listen that Kaduna is so much indebted to the extent that each person living in the state has a debt burden of about N15,000, including children yet unborn. Kaduna has a population of eight million people, according to the 2006 national population figures. “You do the calculation yourself,” El-Rufai would say, to determine how much the state owes. “It is obvious that the present government has beaten our

Kaduna state to the ground,”El-Rufai had asserted in April after he was declared winner of the governorship polls. Ordinarily, going by ElRufai’s estimation, the immediate past Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, should disappear from the state after handing over to the former Minister of the FCT. In his usual manner, few hours to the handing over ceremony, El-Rufai had described the Yero administration as comprising of people who did not helpt the state and people he would fish out after his inauguration. Speaking at the Arewa House during a pre-inauguration lecture, El-Rufai had re-

Rufai said that, “the situation is not as bad as we thought,” adding however that, “we will give the documents to experts to study.” Yero had explained that Kaduna has external debt loans amounting to $234,416,052.16, equivalent to N46,062,745,245.51 as at December 2014. According to Yero, the internal loans comprise, N2,031,612,259.31 in bonds, N23,531,154,819.69 as contractors’ as arrears, N1,307,592,598.71 gratuity areas and N1 billion as CBN MSMEDF. Yero who also gave details of certain ongoing road projects at various levels of completion, noted that, “in spite of other peopleoriented projects executed by the outgoing administration, a total cash balance of N8.6 billion is being left in various accounts as at May 28, 2015.” It may well be so, but less than 24 hours later, at his inauguration last Friday, ElRufai returned to the path of lamentations, grieving over finances of the state. According to El-Rufai, “Kaduna state is in a difficult situation. As soon as we have all the facts in coming weeks, we shall lay bare to you just how deep a hole we have dug ourselves in the past several years. But this much we already know. Our finances are in shambles. Kaduna is the second most indebted state in our country. Our state is

Governor-elect then, El-Rufai had dragged the Yero administration before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through the defunct Transition Committee, over the N2.744 billion local governments 2015 SURE-P funds. In a petition to the EFCC, the then Chairman of the Transition Committee who has since been appointed SSG, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said that, “I wish to therefore request that you urgently investigate whether the Sure-P funds are still intact, or if they have been spent without appropriation thus necessitating a belated approval from the House of Assembly to provide a legal means of retiring the funds. If, as it is widely believed in the state, the monies have already been spent, it is crucial to determine the projects, the contractors and the procurement processes that facilitated such a deliberate hemorrhaging of public funds.” As El-Rufai begins to call the shots from the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, seat of the Kaduna state government, there is perhaps no doubt that he may come up with the actual state of Kaduna finances. It is also possible that at the end of the day, the much vilified Yero may turn out not to be the villain.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 — 25

Nigerian music: all sounds without sense —Smar o, the Obudu Ranch-born broadcas —Smartt Oshok Oshoko, broadcastter

ou’ve been on radio and TV for 10 years now as a broadcaster. What would you say you’ve achieved both for yourself and for the society? I could be said to be what people call pako in the local parlance. That is someone from a poor family. I came from a polygamous home. My father was a staff sergeant in the Nigerian Army. Being first child from the first wife of this polygamous family came with a lot of responsibilities and problems. But those challenges probably equipped me for the future and helped to get me where I am today. First I worked as a PR Manager to Ascott Agencies, a cosmetic company, from where I resigned and started my own organisation. What have I achieved? Well, I thank God today that I’ve been able to take Na So I See Am, the debut radio and TV program of our organisation, from one radio station initially to different stations like Bon FM, Ray Power and other radio stations. Some of the radio stations refused to take our Pidgin English programmes. Stations like MITV and Star FM accepted us. That time we had up to 12 clients who were interested in placing advert on our programmes. Well, when we went on air those clients came in and we made good money, by God’s grace. Today, I live in my own house in a choice area of Lagos. We also kind of opened the eyes of many clients who thought they had to have lots of money to advertise on radio. We did a lot for SLOT, the cell phone company which has become so popular today. I was the one who made SLOT realise he could reach millions of people through radio with just a lean budget. He took our advice. You can see where SLOT is today. Then, we also took Na So I See Am to TV, and Embassy Pharmacy and Chemicals Limited took over the sponsorship of the program. Now many companies want to come into Na So I See Am. Although we don’t criticize government, we suggest to it things that will serve the interest of the masses best because we are close to the ordinary people C M Y K

of the society. We also use our programmes to tell the people the truth that they too have duties and roles to play in nation building and their own welfare. When we started this English programm, it was with the intention to reach the grassroots of the people. Today, we are coming out with Village Television in an effort to expand that relationship with the ordinary people. And by special grace of God we are going to be buying airtime on Star Times or GoTV. So Village TV will be one of the “staple food items” from the stable of T& P Marketers. We have also used our platforms to promote and preserve our African cultures and values. Pidgin English is essentially an African language. It is a language which has solved the problems posed by multi-ethnic languages in Africa. We have contributed a lot to the development of this unifying language. Today, when I listen to other broadcasters I hear them use many of the Pidgin words I coined and used in our radio and TV programmes. A lot of my ideas are very visible in their programming. For us these are no mean achievements. Ten years in the life of a career is just like a cradle. What plans do you have for yourself and for your organisation? We have Orisirisi Obe on NTA Ibadan, Yaranmenyangobe on NTA Kaduna, Na So I See Am in Lagos, and many other radio programms. My desire is that my vision does not die with me. Anyone whose vision died after he died has not achieved anything. And the best vehicle to carry and sustain a man’s vision and ideas is not machines, but men – human beings. Human beings remain the best capital. That is why we invest a lot in human development through education. Many of our staff members who started with us with little or no education have since gone back to school and today they are graduates. These are the people that will

•Smart Oshoko, the Obudu Ranuch born broadcaster

BY OSA AMADI

We also try to educate and entertain people in most creative ways possible. You can only achieve all these by good thinking. When you think well, you produce well

carry on with the legacy we will be leaving behind we pass on. The qualities of radio and TV programmes have dropped in recent years. How do you intend to raise the aesthetic quality of your program in order to sustain the interest of your audience? That observation about the prevailing qualities of radio and TV programmes is correct. We have a programming policy of creating programmes that touch the hearts of people; programmes that aim to solve people’s problems and bind their wounds. We also try to educate and entertain people in most creative ways possible. You can only achieve all these by good thinking. When you think well, you produce well. Remember, “Good thinking, good product,” says a Toyota Motor advert. The problem producers of those “empty’ or “ washed out” programmes have is either they are not creative enough in the first place, or they don’t think very deeply about the programme they are creating. But at T & P,

we know our onions thoroughly. We are both highly creative and think very deeply about our concepts before we roll them out. And so the outcome, as you can see, speaks for itself. Nigeria is at a crossroad now - politically, economically, socially, etc.. How do you think the government of Buhari and APC should relate with the media as well as work to save Nigeria? The power of the media – newspaper, radio, TV, and now the Internet – is enormous. It can be said that the media has an atomic bomb in its hands. We all saw that power played out in the last general election that produced the new president. Government that gags or hunts the media always have problems, and the media hardly support un-performing government – remember Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dele Giwa, etc. War with the media is an unwinnable war, no matter how long it takes. So I’d advise Buhari to do all he has promised Nigerians and also allow the media to do its own work. That way, he will succeed. The media itself should also be fair in reporting and interpreting events in Nigeria. What you call your dog is what it answers, and that will be what others call it too. You are from Cross River state, an oil producing state. Do you think that allocations to your state is equitable compared to what it gives to the nation? Yes, I am from Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State and I can tell you that Cross River’s allocation is not commensurate with what it gives to the nation in terms of oil. In fact, no allocation to any oil producing state in Nigeria is equitable. But what I want to tell Buhari is that there is gold in Cross River state apart from oil. That gold is tourism. With proper investment in tourism, lasting peace and security of life and property in Nigeria, Obudu Cattle Ranch will be a huge source of sustainable wealth to Nigeria. It is a pure act of God that a real performer, Ben Ayade, is now the governor of Cross River. I believe that Cross River and the entire nation stand to reap huge economic benefits if Buhari and Ayade work in concert in Cross River. You’ve had a stinct in music. What is your assessment of the Nigerian pop music scene today? All sound and fury without sense. No philosophy, no meaning. Art, especially music, ought to address the problems of society. Majority of what you call Nigerian pop music today are compounding the problems of Nigeria. It’s sad.

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

Have you ever wondered why givers never lack? They never lack because the hand that gives is always on top. And it is also good applaud someone even when he is given remembers to give gratitude. Givers are men and women with weaknesses; they have shared their individual tears and have secret fears. In this edition, we eulogize a young man impacting the youths with music and projects and some young women affecting lives through their charity Foundations. Read on…

Monalisa Chinda

Light Skinned beauty Queen, Monalisa Chinda was born and bred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to an Ikwerre father and an Igbo mother. She is the first of six children. Young Mona attended Army Children’s Primary School, GRA, Portharcourt and Archdeacon Memorial Grammar School, Elelenwo also in Portharcourt. She furthered and obtained a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt. Lisa was discovered whilst still in the University in the movie titled Pregnant Virgin which she did in 1996 and after graduation in 2000, she featured in another movie titled Above the Law and has done many others since then. The dream of being a star became a reality in 2007 when she started appearing on the television soap ‘Heaven’s Gate’. And then again in C M Y K

2011, she debuted as Executive Producer in the Royal Arts Academy movie, ‘Kiss & Tell’, which was coproduced by Emem Isong and directed by Desmond Elliott. Monalisa became one of the first of four Nollywood actors to be featured on the cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine in 2012. Even as she added becoming a publisher to her ever busy schedule, as she is the owner of the magazine known as MONALISA. CHARITY PROJECT

Monalisa is involved in a lot of charity work and ambassador to different charity projects, even as she partners with NAFDAC and visits the Prisons to see the female Prisoners. She is the first Slum2School Ambassador of a major charity organization making a lot of waves because of its impact in the

lives of children and the youths. Mona has an Arise Monalisa Foundation that she has been running for a while now and in her last birthday celebration; after her charity walk alongside her colleagues. She single-handedly sponsored 200 less privileged Children to School. Mona has been called on several occasions to speak to women on domestic violence; a subject she had always held dearly due to personal experience. She is currently working on a massive talk-show project titled You& I with Monalisa. Her aim is to try her best to see the end of domestic violence in our society. She plans to provide a platform for other women who have gone through domestic violence so they can voice out and be healed.

Awards/recognition

Monalisa was crowned the Face of Port Harcourt - Carnival Queen, in her hometown of Rivers State in 2011. She was nominated for

VOL. 1: NO. 13

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 , 2015

•Pix From Left; Hon Fajemilehin Ayodele, Gboyin, Hon Adeniran Alagbada, Ise/Orun, Hon Dr STB Omotoso, Oye 1, Hon Akinleye Ekundayo, Ijero, Hon Akinyele Olatunji, Oye 2, Hon Olusegun Adewumi, Ekiti West, Hon Pastor Kola Olwawole, Moba 1, Leader of Delegate, Hon Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, Ikole1, Hon Sina Animasaun, Ekiti West 2, Hon Princess Tiltilayo Owolabi, Ikole2, Mr Tola Esan, Clark of the House, and Mr Tolu Afolabi, Director of Information, All are Honurable Members Elect from Ekiti , during a Courtesy Visit to Vanguard Newspaper, , PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi

EKITI: We're fine with Fayose — Ekiti House Members-Elect THE declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as winner of all 26 state constituencies in the Ekiti State House of Assembly has inevitably led to allusions of the political supremacy of Governor Ayodele Fayose in the politics of the state. That victory was upon the victory of the party in all 14 local government areas of the state in last year’s governorship election. Ahead of their inauguration as members of the state legislative body, the members-elect on a courtesy call to Vanguard sought to give another image of the state and its governor. The legislators who were led by Pastor Kola Oluwawole presented the image of passion and purity around the governor noting a conspiracy of sorts by elites against Fayose. Taken up on some extreme actions of the governor such as the hate campaign against Muhammadu Buhari in the days leading to the presidential election, the legislators found a safe angle in presenting the governor’s actions as simple politics even as they acknowledged that he was the first to congratulate the new president on his election. While praising Governor Fayose’s policies and principles in favour of the common man, they were nevertheless quick to assert that the House of Assembly under their charge would not be a rubber stamp of the governor. By Dapo Akinrefon & Gbenga Oke

n whether their inauguration will end the crisis in the

state By the grace of God, there will be no more troubles. We are all stakeholders and we have a stake in the Ekiti peace. Our agenda is peace

in Ekiti state because we have had enough storm and it is time for peace. We are looking forward to having peace in Ekiti State for the next four years. There is

IN THIS EDITION

Ambode rolls up his sleeves to work •Pages 2

How Owambe, girls lured robbery kingpin into police trap •Page 6

going to be a kind of mutual understanding and relationship between the executive and the legislature, a synergy that will promote peace, a synergy that will bring about hope and aspirations of the masses in Ekiti. We will also ensure that checks and balances are properly done in a way and manner that will promote peace in the state.” On what led to the crisis in the state,

The genesis of the crises in Ekiti State was just a disagreement between the legislature and the executive arms of government over what should have been ordinarily legislative duty. But because they seem not to agree that Ekiti project belongs to Ekiti people and not based on party affiliation, the lack of understanding culture and nuances of government contributed a lot to that disagreement. And unfortunately, the media took part in the orchestration of that crisis because some of the people involved took advantage of their presence in the media to escalate the crises beyond what is really happening. “But I can tell you that the situation is not as bad as people proclaim and unfortunately, we are worried about the way the media are talking about Ekiti State. To me, it is just a mere disagreement between the legislature and executive over whether there should be a loan or not and the issue of appointment of commissioners was part of it. The event should have passed without anybody

Continues on Page 2 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

LAGOS STATE

Ambode rolls up his sleeves to work By Olasunkanmi Akoni

C M Y K

AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode last Friday took oath of office as the 14th Governor of Lagos State, promising to run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. Ambode along with his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, made the remarks in his inaugural speech at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, after being administered with the Oaths of Office and Allegiance by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade at a well attended event. The dignitaries at the ceremony included: former governors of the state; Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Rear Admiral Nduisi Kanu while former deputy governors in attendance were Mr. Femi Pedro and Adebisi Sosan. Other notable personalities present were Senators Remi Tinubu, Solomon Adeola and Gbenga Ashafa, Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu, members of the Diplomatic Corps, industrialists, state lawmakers, All Progressives Congress, APC stalwarts, students among others. Ambode rolled up sleeves for work in earnest on Saturday In an apparent show of seriousness to work, the governor set to work in earnest when he held an inaugural meeting in his Alausa office, Ikeja with Body of Permanent Secretaries in the State Public Service, just a day after inauguration ceremony. Ambode tasked the permanent secretaries, reiterating that the state civil service would drive the change and the continuity which he intended to put in place in the next four years. In his first official assignment, the governor at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, said he intended to strengthen the civil service and continue with the reforms through which he would carry out his policies. He urged the Permanent

Secretaries who are the administrative heads of the ministries to see themselves as front runners of the present administration adding that he would take advantage of the experience he had gathered as a retired public servant to drive the vision.

He also informed that in order to ensure effectiveness in his operations, he would be residing at the Lagos House, Alausa, saying that what it means is that he would be available from his desk at 8am daily. Ambode, who is known for timeliness, advised workers to align with his administration’s mission and vision, saying that he expected all public servants to also be at their desks by 8am so that if he has cause to get in touch with anyone, they would be readily available. The governor who also spoke on the shape and style of his administration would take, said for him, he expected the protocol to be as simple as possible which would also convey the essence of seriousness and professionalism that would be the hallmark of the administration. Later that day, the governor received the President of Namibia, Dr Hage Geingob and wife, Madame Monica Geingob, who were in the country for the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He told them that Lagos would remain the first

•Gov Ambode port of call for investors. The following Monday, the governor formally assumed office as the eight elected governor of the state. He arrived his office as early as 8 a.m. and was welcomed with a rousing ovation by staff and spent most of the day receiving several guests who paid him courtesy visits at his Alausa, Ikeja office.

After attending to his guests , the governor, later in the afternoon travelled along with few of his aides to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for his first official federal engagement where he met with President and Commander in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammed Buhari.

EKITI: We're fine with Fayose — Ekiti House Members-Elect •Continues from page 1 noticing it but because the other party is being controlled by its leaders, they went ahead to tell their leaders that the governor wants to take a loan and because they refused to accede to his request, that he has been witchhunting them that he is going to declare their seats vacant if they refuse to approve that loan.” “So the story changed from that moment and they made everybody to believe that the governor does not want to see them and he has been very unfriendly. The governor sent list of commissioners to the house, they returned the list claiming it was not properly documented. He responded and

told them he has been a governor before, he knows all the procedures and how commissioners should be nominated. “Unfortunately, we saw the media playing a

Unfortunately, we saw the media playing a different role in the crises claiming because they are APC, that is why Governor Fayose refused to allow them perform their legislative duties.

different role in the crises claiming because they are APC, that is why Governor Fayose refused to allow them perform their legislative duties. “They went on recess indefinitely, they tried to ground the activities of government in the state and some of them said, no Ekiti State should not be grounded, they decided to move in and say they cannot go on recess indefinitely knowing fully well the governor has just assumed office. “So it became another issue among themselves which now culminated into the seven legislators suspending 16 and appointing within themselves a speaker.” That point, however, became a choking point for the members-elect •Continues on page 3

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 3

EKITI STATE

•PIX FR LEFT; HON AKINYELE OLATUNJI, OYE 2, MR TOLA ESAN, CLARK OF THE HOUSE, HON SINA ANIMASAUN, EKITI WEST 2, HON PELEMO DARE, EKITI EAST2, HON FAJEMILEHIN AYODELE, GBOYIN,WEST, HON PASTOR KOLA OLWAWOLE, MOBA 1, LEADER OF DELEGATE, HON ALADEYELU OLUSANYA, IFELODUN/IREPODUN2, HON PRINCESS TILTILAYO OWOLABI, IKOLE2, HON CHIEF GBOYEGA ARIBISOGAN, IKOLE1, 1, HON AKINLEYE EKUNDAYO, HON ADENIRAN ALAGBADA, ISE/ORUN, HON DR STB OMOTOSO, OYE HON OLUSEGUN ADEWUMI, EKITI , ALL ARE HONURABLE MEMBERS ELECT FROM EKITI , DURING THEIR COURTESY VISIT TO VANGUARD NEWSPAPER, PHOTO; KEHINDE GBADAMOSI

•Continues from page 2 as they were put to the wall to defend the correctness of seven members suspending 19 members of the legislature. Responding, the legislators affirmed that the 19 should have stayed to fight it out brawn and brain with the seven on the side of the governor! “It is not right but they have the right also to remain there rather than bolting away to Lagos. Why did they have to run away from the state? When seven says we are removing 19, the 19 which is the majority should have been there and let the seven impeach them and let us see whether it will stand. But that was not the case, they left the state and claimed the governor is after them. “The house itself is being governed by rules and before seven can take authority and maintain that authority, it is being governed by rules. They even challenged it in the court and the court affirmed that they abdicated in their duty. In the legislative calendar, there are number of days that you have to sit, C M Y K

EKITI: We're fine with Fayose — Ekiti House Members-Elect if you don’t meet up with the number of days in the legislative calendar, sanctions can be meted against you.” The legislators to be also sought to evoke the commonality of culture of the state saying the action of the 19 fleeing legislators was anathema to the Ekiti culture “Ekiti is an homogeneous community in Nigeria. If you go to places like Delta State, there are Kwale and Isokos. But we speak one language in Ekiti State. Even in settling the crisis, Aare Afe Babalola even extended hand of fellowship to them that let us come together because we do not have any other state, lets not give Ekiti a bad name, they refused. What we were

trying to avoid is that once you give Ekiti a bad name in the country through the

I think the larger perspective of people that our Governor is a violent man is wrong. He cannot be a violent man and still have that kind of popularity.

media, it will take time to remove that perception. If Ekiti indigenes cannot accord Aare Afe Babalola due respect, who else are they going to respect in Ekiti land. “But if their headmaster here in Lagos tells them not to even sleep on their bed, if he says they should not meet with their wives, they won’t do it. What else and why are they doing that?” Debunking insinuations of the governor being a violent man, the memberselect some of whom had been with Fayose through thick and thin said: “I think the larger perspective of people that our Governor is a violent man is wrong. He cannot be a violent man and still have that kind of popularity. He is

a man of honour and that is why the people voted for him en-masse. You can see that during the governorship election, people voted for him 100 percent. During the State House of Assembly election as well, they voted PDP 100 percent. That is a rare privilege you can get in Ekiti State and in our state, he is being regarded as a friend of the poor. Painting the picture of a man much tormented by the manipulations of the elites, but appreciated by the ordinary man on the streets of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, they said: “Again, the media needs to hear from an average person on the streets in Ekiti State before they arrive at some •Continues on page 4

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

OGUN STATE

Amosun’s simple restart By Daud Olatunji

ONTRARY to the expectations that Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State would resume work with fun fare after his inauguration for a second term, the governor did not only drive himself to work, he was also not accompanied by his new deputy, Yetunde Onanuga. The governor on Monday, the first working day after his inauguration last Friday, arrived the Governor’s Office complex exactly 7:50 am in his Mazda G-wagon without a convoy. He was escorted only by his Aide-de-camp, who sat beside him in the car. Even the ADC’s attempt to open the car for the governor failed as Amosun jumped down from the vehicle even before the policeman could come round to the governor’s side of the car. Immediately he alighted, Governor Amosun inspected a guard of honour mounted by men of the Nigerian Police in the Governor ’s Office before embarking on inspection of offices within the State Secretariat. The Head of Service, Modupe Adekunle was on hand to conduct him around

the premises. It was observed that apart from the absence of the deputy governor who did not join the governor until one hour after the governor requested for her presence, the Head of Service and many other Permanent Secretaries and Directors were caught unawares with the action of •Gov Amosun

The first point of call was the Head of Service office followed by offices of the confidential secretary of the governor, Secretary to the state government, ministries of budget and planning, justice, education and office of the new deputy governor.

the governor. The first point of call was the Head of Service office followed by offices of the confidential secretary of the governor, Secretary to the state government, ministries of budget and planning, justice, education and office of the new deputy governor. While inspecting the deputy governor’s office which had just been used by his estranged deputy Prince Segun Adesegun, Amosun expressed satisfaction over the state of the office. In the cause of the tour, Amosun met a young mother with her three month-oldbaby, identified as Daniel Adesanya, cuddled the baby and helped the mother financially. Unexpectedly, some civil servants were met in their

offices taking their breakfast while some were in such circumstances that they could not receive the governor. Many of the areas looked so unkempt that the governor complained of the situation while some received pat on their backs for their diligence. The tour afforded the governor an ample opportunity to know the real situation of some ministries. For instance, the governor said he did not know that most of the ministries including those that are close to his office were not electricity from the power plant as he expressed dismay over the power situation in most of the ministries. Three hours after, the governor took a break to attend to visitors including

Ekiti: Why we're fine with Fayose •Continues from page 3 conclusions. For example, if an average personality from Ekiti state comes into a Newspapers organization now, they might not want to listen to him. But if somebody like Senator Femi Ojudu walks in here, the media will give him listening ears because he is a colleague and he is considered a prominent son of the state, so anything he says, the media will believe it. These are issues we are now addressing and we are appealing to the media to at least give us a voice.” On the issue of the hate campaigns against President C M Y K

Buhari ahead of the presidential election, the answer of the legislators was simple. That is politics. In fact immediately the results were released, Fayose was one of the first persons to congratulate Buhari, he commended Buhari as a dogged fighter. That is politics. And that is why I said in the media, they misunderstand Fayose. In the campaign organization of Fayose, we have our own ways of doing things. Fayose is a phenomenon and that advert he placed opened the eyes of Nigerians and they now started asking about the health status of our President.

Whether we like it or not, that advert has the current and future issues in it. “Then again, we have to understand that Fayose never wished Mr President dead, it is the media that is misrepresenting it to say that it’s like a death wish. The media announcing it is a death wish, thank God that both of them are still alive and I can tell you today that it is the same Governor that will work with President Buhari. In politics, a lot of things do happen and we should not forget that during the electioneering campaigns, people called Jonathan names like thief, clueless and a weakling. What has the media done about that?”

leaders of Methodist Church, Nigeria, members of state correspondents chapel and the new President of Africa Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and his team which included his wife. The governor who promised to resume the tour after attending to the visitors, however, could not do so until the following day. He visited all the ministries and charged them to be patriotic and diligent. Fielding questions from newsmen, after the tour of the offices, Amosun noted that the long awaited Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) would be taken to the 8th Legislature and disclosed other plans. ‘’Our plan this second term is to deepen our IGR to further ensure the completion of on-going and proposed projects. But I believe we would work towards achieving a system –driven environment in service delivery and project execution. Governor Amosun said he would shift focus to the development of the Deep Sea Port, Olokola Free Trade Zone, the Airport Project, completion of the proposed Inter-city and Intra-city rail lines as well as massive development of rural roads across the 236 wards in the state. While appreciating public servants for their commitment and dedication in the last dispensation, the governor assured that the new dispensation which has an APC-led Government at the centre would evoke a synergy between the Federal Government and the state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 5

OSUN STATE

Aftermath of 2015 polls:

Ndigbo find common ground in Lagos By Olasunkanmi Akoni

GAINST the background of the divisions caused by the alleged inclination of the majority of the Igbo population for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the last general election, a group of Igbos who worked against that bent last weekend expressed themselves and made their demands on the new All Progressives Congress, APC administration in Lagos. The Igbo community in Lagos State, under the aegis of Igbo Progressive Leaders Council, IPLC, were gathered for what was termed a lecture and thanksgiving at the White House, Toyin Street, in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos. It was a day after Akinwunmi Ambode, the man who many Igbos in the state reportedly voted against took office as governor of Lagos State. The lecture was as such an opportunity for Ndigbo in the state to review their strategies for political elucidation. IPLC Publicity Secretary and the Irene Ndigbo of Lagos, Dr. Harris Chuma, while speaking during the special thanksgiving and lecture nevertheless articulated the cause and concerns of Ndigbo for the new Ambode administration. The roll call of attendees included Eze Uche Dimbga, Okpotemba Igbere, Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja Land, also included: Pastor Ben Akabueze, immediate past Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Lagos State, APC, Publicity Secretary in the state, Joe Igbokwe, Prof Chris Nwaokobia, Jnr. President, Change Ambassadors of Nigeria, CAN, Grand Patron, Igbo Progressive Leaders Council. IPLC, Barrister Ubani Onyeakachi, former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja branch. Others were Eze Prof. Okunamiri, Chuef Chika Ubannah, Chief Osai Onyemerekwe, Eze Dialakwe, Chief Ugo Onugu, Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi among others were chief conveners. The group, which supported all APC candidates in the run-up to C M Y K

•Ambode meeting with Igbo leaders in Logos

the elections called for continuous cordial working relationship between the people and the state government. Igbokwe expressed disappointment in the manner some Igbos in Lagos allowed themselves to be used to divide the relationship between them and their Yoruba hosts through alleged money spread by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He stressed that it would be difficult for Igbo indigenes to ascend the highest post of Presidency without the support of the Yoruba of the South-West. “There is the need for the reawakening of the Igbos, if we must continue to be relevant in the affairs of this country. ” Onyeakachi, in his terse speech, admonished the Igbo to always learn how to be appreciative of their host wherever they go outside the shores of their land, saying the Igbos are highly industrious and need not be involved in pettiness as

witnessed in the last general elections, especially, in Lagos. He, however, stated that Igbos should not be

There is the need for the reawakening of the Igbos, if we must continue to be relevant in the affairs of this country

victimised by the action of a few saying most of the Igbos in the state who are progressives worked so hard for the “Change cause” both at the federal and state levels. Harris in his address made a seven-point demand including that, “That the newly inaugurated Lagos State government will continue to ensure the safety of all lives and property of all Lagosians, including Ndigbo. “That the government will continue to partner with Ndigbo in moving the state forward such that Ndigbo in the state will continue to have a place in the government and civil service. “That the Lagos State Government will continue to support and maintain profound relationship with the Igbo traditional institution in the state. We propose the establishment of a board that will recognise the Lagos Igbo honorary chieftaincy affairs.” “The body also demanded for sustained improvement of the road network in the

state, ensuring that Igbo people get equal treatment as their Yoruba counterparts, compensation for victims of fire disaster in the various markets and an end to the harassment, intimidation and extortion of Igbo by unscrupulous government officials. “ We wish that the newly inaugurated government will not take our people for granted and they will not treat us with impunity or claim that they know what is best for Ndigbo when we do not feel the same way and that the Governor Ambodeled government will listen to the sincere voices of their passionate Igbo followers,” he urged. While expressing the readiness of Ndigbo in the state to support the new administration all the way, Chuma added that the victory of the APC in Lagos State would be at its best when Ambode’s administration is able to fulfill its electoral promises to Lagosians irrespective of tribe, class, sex, or religion.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

ONDO STATE

How Owambe, girls lured robbery kingpin into police trap Dayo Johnson Akure

OUR Months after killing 13 persons including seven policemen and robbing five commercial banks in quick successions in the ancient town of Owo, Ondo State with others gangsters carting away millions of naira, one of the suspects Oluwafemi Olowoporoku 38 was traced to an Owambe party in Lagos State where he was apprehended. Oluwafemi according to sources was surrounded by some young girls while choice and assorted drinks littered a table reserved for him by the celebrant. He was said to be on a spending spree for the celebrant and the musician when suddenly Police detectives in mufti stormed the venue and whisked him away. Unknown to him that detectives had trailed him to the venue, Oluwafemi was said to be enjoying himself in the midst of girlfriends when the day of reckoning came knocking. The musicians who fled when the police struck reportedly came back one after the other to evacuate their musical instrument hours after the suspect has been whisked away while the nearby houses were reportedly deserted by their owners. A police source said he initially resisted arrest and later offered to settle the detectives to let him escape, but this was turned down by the policemen deployed from the Ondo Police Command to effect his arrest. The ceremony reportedly came to an abrupt end instantly as the celebrant and his other invites took to their heels for fear of arrest by the detectives who South West Voice gathered, had kept vigil inside an uncompleted building a day before the party. South West Voice gathered that Oluwafemi was one of the fifty armed robbers who on arrival in Owo town in March this year invaded two police stations (A and B divisions), where seven policemen met at the stations, were killed instantly before proceeding to rob the five banks. C M Y K

One of the deceased was a policewoman. Police Source said that one of the deceased Policemen was shot dead by Oluwafemi because he recognized him and later went away with his telephone. The suspect, according to the police is a distant relation of the deceased Policeman. The deceased Sergeant, Olayemi Yinka with police number F/No 366199 was shot dead at the A Division Police station in Owo on the ill-fated day. South West Voice was informed that the suspect after the incident has been making use of the deceased policeman’s telephone with which he used to threaten and extort money from the deceased girlfriend who resides abroad. South West Voice was hinted that the suspect had extorted so much money from the unsuspecting girlfriend of the deceased until the lady could not cope again with the demands. The suspect was said to have told the lady that the boyfriend was in trouble and has been detained and that some money would be needed to settle his bosses before he could be let off the hook.

He was said to be on a spending spree for the celebrant and the musician when suddenly Police detectives in mufti stormed the venue and whisked him away.

•Olowoporoku

He reportedly arranged somebody to pose as a junior brother of the deceased policeman and another as one of his bosses in the office so as to convince the lady to send money. The girlfriend was said to have fallen for the story when his boyfriend telephone was used to convey the sad message to her and to have known the suspect as a distant relation of his boyfriend. When the demands became unbearable, the suspect started threatening the lady that a report would be made that she offered to bribe Police Chiefs to set free her boyfriend who is in detention. The lady was later informed by a Police friend of her deceased boyfriend that he died four months ago during a bank robbery operation and that his telephone had been missing since then. South West voice was informed that the lady did not betray any emotion but played along with his boyfriend’s relation. She reportedly told a cousin who is a policeman in Akure who offered to make a report to the Police. Following the report, the detectives swung into action and tracked down the suspect at a party in Lagos while on a spending spree. During the five bank robberies, 13 persons were shot dead including three bank workers, a 71-year-old Pa Gabriel

Ogundipe, who reportedly relocated home after spending 25 years in America. Pa Ogundipe was hit by a stray bullet shot by the robbers while they were fleeing after the operation. South West Voice gathered that the old man met his untimely death at Rainbow junction near the Federal Medical Center FMC in the town. He was attempting to take cover during the commotion that followed the sporadic shooting by the robbers while they were trying to get away. Other victims whose identities could be confirmed were three bankers Abiodun Olasemojo, Ademola Oyedokun, and a security officer Femi Ayo. A cash of N9.3million was recovered from four of the robbers who fell to police bullets during the robbery while an unspecified amount was carted away by others gangsters who escaped to Edo State after the operation. It was gathered that the robbers who were the same that robbed four banks in Ikare area of the state last year December paid a return visit to the state via Owo and robbed the five banks in a Commando like manner. Police Commissioner in the state Isaac Eke said items recovered from armed robbers that raided the banks include twelve thousand round of ammunitions, six assault rifles, 17 AK rifles, three riot gunners, one revolver pistol, one chief revolver pistol, eleven dynamites

and 142 magazines were recovered from them. Other arms recovered, included two submachine guns, six Beretta rifles, two scorpion guns, three large rifles, three Dane guns, Tarakov rifle and three pump action guns were recovered from the suspected armed robbers during the gun duel. According to him, the arms recovered were part of the arms carted away from Ikare-Akoko and Owo police stations when the hoodlums attacked the station in December last year. Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner said over 30 criminals were arrested across the state in the month of May. He told South West Voice added that the command has been working tirelessly and ceaselessly in ensuring that the people of the state are well secured. Eke appreciated other sister security agencies, members of the public and the state government for their synergy, support and confidence reposed in the Police Command. However, the suspect denied being part of the robbery operation in Owo but could not explain how the phone was found in his possession saying he was set up by the deceased’s girlfriend Oluwafemi said, “ I have known the deceased police officer for a long time, we lived together in Ike Ife. He was a

Continues on page 8

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 7

LAGOS STATE

•Lagos State University under lock and key

Reacting to the development, the Registrar of LASU, Mr Akinwumi Lewis expressed worry over the continued closure of the institution. Lewis told Vanguard that “the truth of the matter is that there is no development, the status quo has remained like that two weeks down the line after we have agreed to a draft communiqué, which we made available to the four unions.” Continuing, he said “as I speak with you, ASUU has refused to reply to the communiqué and that was even after a reminder had been sent to the leadership of the union. As we speak, NASU is still very much on ground resisting the principal officers of the university to come into their respective offices.” He continued that “the block of the university, which houses the office of the Vice Chancellor, the two deputy Vice Chancellors, the Director of Planning, Director of Internal Audit, the Deputy

LASU: A crisis too many The state owned Lagos State University is shut down on account of multiple labour crises. Students are worried, offices of management staff have been physically sealed off by junior workers and spiritually laced with charms. How did a tower of learning come to this state? By Dapo Akinrefon

HE continued face-off between the university management of the Lagos State University, LASU and the respective staff unions, including Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non Academic Staff Union, NASU and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT has reached a crescendo which has left the institution closed for over two months. The unfortunate closure is already having an adverse effect on the students of the tertiary institution, who are bearing the brunt of the crisis between the management and unions. It is not as if the management has been silent on the issue and in what appears to be the role of saboteurs, described as vested interests in the crisis, the university management argues that these vested interests are bent on achieving some personal gains and ultimately, “would not allow peace to reign.” The genesis of the crisis could be traced to the 20th Convocation programme of the institution. The university management was astonished that on Monday 16, 2015, in what appeared to be C M Y K

planned and coordinated action, the staff unions allegedly shut down the university against academic and administrative activities. It further alleged that members of the university management were physically assaulted in the process. Their grouse was the need for an immediate action on certain demands, failing which there will be no more work. However, concerted efforts, by LASU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladapo Obafunwa to resolve the issues were unfruitful. Efforts at reaching a truce included “series of meetings between the university management and the various staff unions including ASUU, SSANU, NASU, NAAT and the students union were held with a view to finding an amicable solution to the crisis and reopening of the school for academic activities. According to Obafunwa, on May 11 and 16, 2015 respectively, the staff unions and the management were called to a meeting at the instance of the Governing Council. It was also gathered that a meeting was held with the representatives of the students union on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. In addition to resolving the

crisis, the staff unions were on Sunday May 17, 2015 invited by traditional rulers of communities surrounding the school. The monarchs appealed to the unions to “allow peace to reign, go back to work and prevent nobody, including the Vice Chancellor and his team from entering the university premises with a view to restoring normalcy to the campus.” It was further gathered that inspite of plea by the traditional rulers, the unions insisted on the non-resumption stance. This was despite the directive by the governing council that the university be re-opened as agreed with the leadership of the Students’ Union and the staff unions on May 12 and 16, 2015 respectively. Also, the respective unions have set in motion a call for the removal of the Vice Chancellor despite the appeal by the Lagos State Government, Governing Council and other stakeholders to allow the VC complete his term. The continued closure of the institution has the tendency of affecting the accreditation exercise for 15 programmes, spread across faculties of Law, Arts, Engineering and Education. Aside this, students of LASU would be at the receiving end of the showdown as nonaccreditation of programmes would “ultimately have dire consequences on the academic fortunes of the university.” Incident unfortunate — Registrar

Registrar are under lock and key. Also, the building has been laced with charms. Then, they have also used two university vehicles to block the entrance and exit of block one and two respectively.” As I speak with you, I cannot operate from my office, also non of the principal officers can operate from their offices. What we do is that we also go to Ikeja, which houses our college of medicine, where we hold management meetings and do what we can possibly do.” Consider us — Students beg feuding parties The students have, however, launched an appeal to the warring parties to bring the dispute to an end. Speaking with Vanguard, the Public Relations Officer of the

Aside this, students of LASU would be at the receiving end of the showdown as non-accreditation of programmes would “ultimately have dire consequences on the academic fortunes of the university

Student Union Government, Mr Fatai Adebanjo opined that the dispute between the school management and the respective unions is taking its toll on the students. Adebanjo said “as it stands, normal academic work has not begun, we do not know when we will be having our exams or ending the semester. Academic administration is being jeopardised because the management staff have not been allowed to come into the campus.” Tracing the origin of the crisis, the SUG PRO said “the staff union are agitating for their demands and in that light, they said if the management staff do not dance to their tune, they would not be allowed into the institution.” Continuing, he said the student union held a meeting called by the school management, the Governing Council and the representative of the Lagos State government with the unions. He said “we had a meeting recently where they gave us update on the crisis on campus. We were told that 20 issues that were raised by staff unions have been thrashed by the school authority. But to our surprise, since last week and it was only NASU that replied the communiqué. The other unions are yet to reply the communiqué. The management has promised to pay 50 per cent of their benefits by the end of June. The school management said it has shifted grounds on some of the issues raised by the staff union but the unions are yet to shift grounds.” Worried by the continued face off between the school management and the striking unions, spokesperson for the student body said it was imperative for both parties to shift ground in the interest of the students. Adebanjo said “As a student union, we are more concerned about the academic activities. We want the two parties to consider the students because we are the ones bearing the brunt. For the sake of the students, the staff unions should also shift ground so that the issue can be resolved amicably.” “It is not as if we are weak, we know what to do, we know the quarters we can channel our agitations to but in line with our belief to be non violent, we are keeping calm.” He, however, warned that if urgent steps are not taken to nip the crisis in the bud and academic activities resume, the students might be tempted to take drastic measures. The spokesperson said “if the matter gets to the brim when students would not be able to contain it, we cannot foretell what will happen; we may unleash out terror. For now, we are calming our students to allow more time. But if nothing is done, the student union might be tempted to give ultimatum to the staff union and the school management.”

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

OYO STATE BITS BRIEFLY Non-payment of salaries: I’m helpless, says Aregbesola Governor Rauf Aregbesola of State of Osun stated that he was helpless concerning the the non-payment of seven months salaries to the workers in the state, saying the situation was worrisome. The governor, who was optimistic that the situation would soon be a thing of the past, admitted that the unpaid salaries was a painful situation as the workers were not able to take their wages after hectic work done. Public servants want Ambode to reject Fashola’s policies Over 100,000 public servants in the service of the Lagos State Government rejected the policies of the immediate past governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on the housing scheme and the civil service, describing the policies as inhuman and uninspiring. The public servants asked Fashola’s successor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to desist from patronising consultants who they said, took away the jobs they were supposed to do under the immediate past administration.

AJIMOBI IN OYO: From jinx

breaking to what? By OLAAJAYI, IBADAN

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State resumed office on Monday as the first governor to break the second term jinx in the state. Vanguard reliably gathered that the governor is not feeling too comfortable with the petition filed against his victory by rivals in the election. Perhaps as a result of this, his first day in office seemed like any other day. Though, scores of people came to congratulate him, activities in the beautifullytransformed office were at low ebb. However, this did not take away the happylook and intermittent smiles of the amiable governor. When speaking with newsmen, Governor Ajimobi said the people of the state would witness more developmental and lifetransforming projects across the state. He also restated his resolve to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that characterized the first four years.

Before his assumption of office in 2011, the state was engulfed in serious tension with members of the dreaded National Union of Road Transport Workers having a field day. They were a real terror to the people of the state then. Lives were lost almost on daily basis. But, immediately Governor Ajimobi assumed office, the tide of things changed. Since then, people in the state have been sleeping with their eyes closed. He promised to consolidate on the security measures his administration put in place. Though, his urban renewal

The governor is expected to swing into action after appointing his cabinet in the next few days

and beautification programme was criticized especially by his political foes, many people did not see anything wrong in the policy because they argued that it had made the oncedirty state one of the cleanest states in the country. On the on-going workers strike, he stated that his workers knew everything about its administration and could not have gone on strike if not for the directive of the national secretariat of the union. Nevertheless, he assured the striking workers of more improvement and conducive atmosphere that would make them give their optimum productivity for the progress of the state. The governor is expected to swing into action after appointing his cabinet in the next few days. Having dissolved the former cabinet, uncertainty reigns among all the former aides who worked with him. Most of them are unsure of what the future holds for them and are making frantic efforts to get the attention of the governor for re-appointment.

How Owambe, girls lured robbery kingpin into police trap Continues from page 6 brother to me, and I got to know about his death through my mum. I was at his burial in Ike Ife, and I couldn’t have had a hand in his death. “I never partook in any robbery, but I got in contact with his girlfriend on Facebook and I never planned to dupe her. We chatted, but I don’t know anything about Yinka’s death or the extortion they are talking about.” The suspect explained further that he attended the burial service of the slain C M Y K

policeman in Ile Ife where he took some photographs of the final burial with the deceased phone. One of the police officers noted that the accused went to witness the final burial to confirm if the police officer was actually killed during the robbery. He called on members of the civil society to bail him out of the predicament insisting that he was never a member of the group that invaded Owo while one of the detectives said he was a party to the death of the stained police office while the police commissioner in the state said investigation is still ongoing.

Man, 60, arrested for raping own daughters, Nieces The police in Oyo State, arrested and paraded a 60-yearold herbalist, Tajudeen Awoniyi, believed to have raped his two daughters and two other minors who are his nieces. Awoniyi’s daughters confirmed their father ’s ceaseless incestuous relationship with them, saying they were victims of his uncontrollable knack for raping minors. One of the suspects daughters, Barakat, 15, alleged that her father, actually slept with the two other girls (his nieces). Fayose’s Impeachment: Drivers, okada riders lay siege to Assembly Tension mounted in Ado Ekiti metropolis as police surrounded the entire House of Assembly complex following a rumour that the 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers would besiege the place to commence the impeachment process against Governor Ayodele Fayose. Heavily armed policemen had cordoned off all the roads leading to the Assembly and prevented those not on official duties at the State Secretariat that is located close to the Assembly from gaining entrance. Kashamu apologises to neighbours, commends media Senator-elect, Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Buruji Kashamu, apologised to neighbours who were affected by the siege by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The apology came three days after the NDLEA withdrew from his Lekki residence, after keeping him hostage for six days. Amosun promises more developmental projects Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday promised the people of the state better and improved people-oriented programmes in the next four years to come. The governor said the improved developmental projects would consolidate the five-cardinal programme of the administration in the first term. I'll be governor of all – Ajimobi Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, swore to oath for a second term in office with a pledge to be governor for all citizens and residents irrespective of their interests and affiliations. The governor gave the assurance while delivering his inauguration address after he was sworn in with his deputy, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, the state capital for the second term in office.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

VOL. 1 NO 35

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015

•President Muhammadu Buhari

•Igbo sons at an event

Ndigbo ‘ll never suffer under Buhari’s administration — Moghalu By IKENNA ASOMBA

GAINST the backdrop of insinuations that the South-East geopolitical zone would suffer neglect by the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him a paltry .013 per cent of the total votes cast in the March 28 presidential election, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has assured that, the situation would be different. The APC National Auditor, Dr. George Moghalu gave this assurance, while speaking at a dinner organised by Igbo Progressives, IP, Lagos State chapter for leading Igbo personalities in the party. Moghalu, who gave the keynote address at the event, affirmed that Ndigbo were part of the forces that make up the tripod-legs called Nigeria, adding that insinuations that they C M Y K

would be marginalized under the APC-led Federal Government must be dispelled, as no political party would survive without the support of the Igbo. Eminent sons and daughters of Igbo, who graced the event were Second Republic politician and Life Patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Guy Ikokwu; President, Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Fabian Onwughalu; former Managing Director, defunct Hallmark Bank, Chief Marcus Wabara; Convener of IP, Chief Gabby Dimude; National Women’s Coordinator and Controller, IP, Chief Chinwe Dike; National Leader, Ndi Igbo Dum, Igwe Amobi Moghalu and former Vice Chairman, Ojo Local Government, Princess Chichi Gbadero, among others. However, those who were billed to attend the event but got stalled at various airports across the nation, as a result of

the recent fuel crisis, were the former governor of old Abia State and a National Leader of APC, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige; National Vice Chairman, SouthEast APC, Hon. Emma Eneukwu and National Organising Secretary of the party, Sen.

Moghalu, who pointed that the entire votes that Buhari got from the South-East was just 0.013 per cent, however said Ndigbo must begin to realign as a people to get things done right.

Osita Izunaso. Earlier, the Convener of IP, Chief Dimude had said that the colloquium was aimed at meeting with leading Igbo personalities in the APC in order “to enable them explain the party’s national agenda for the Igbo and the place of the Igbo nation in the APC to ensure maximum support for high ranking Igbo sons and daughters in the APC, situating our intellectual contributions to the APC at the centre and determining our protection under the APC government in Lagos State.” Speaking on the occasion, Moghalu, who pointed that the entire votes that Buhari got from the South-East was just 0.013 per cent, however said Ndigbo must begin to realign as a people to get things done right. He said: “The reality on the ground is that we have no ranking Senator or ranking member of the House of RepContinues on page 7

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

Former Go uguda Govv Y Yuguda gets chieftaincy title of Agumba Obosi PAGE 3

Artisans protest high tariff, poor electricity supply in Aba PAGE 5

FRSC partners Okada union to check road accidents in Anambra PAGE 8

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015

NIM commends FEDPONEK rect or ffor or rector entrepreneurship centre BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

WERRI—— The President of the Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM, Dr. Nelson Uwaga has commended the rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede Owerri, Imo State, Dr. Cele Njoku for the establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Centre, EDC, in the institute. He spoke in Owerri, while conferring the Fellowship

Award of the institute on Dr. Njoku during the 2015 South East Zonal Management Summit in the institution. He pointed out that the developmental steps by the Entrepreneurship Development Centre had given exposure to both the staff and their students apart from providing them the opportunity to learn different skills that would help them in future. “The EDC established in the polytechnic has exposed the staff and students to modern

•Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Dr. Cele Njoku.

techniques in business administration as well as running of small and medium scale industrial ventures.” Uwaga explained. While commending the rector for her excellent

managerial acumen in leading the institute to a greater height, he also advised Dr. Njoku to create same opportunity for the staff of the institution to attend national and international

workshops to build their capacity to impart on their students. Uwaga used the forum to unveil the introduction of a leadership training for women in the institute. The Women in Management and Leadership, WEMA,’’ according to Uwaga, “ was aimed creating a more conducive environment for the women to prove their worth in the management sector of the wider society.” Receiving the fellowship award, Njoku said that under her leadership the staff had been given adequate attention especially in capacity enhancement programmes, pointing out that already some of the staff of the institute had been sponsored for trainings to improve their performance in the class. Njoku also thanked the members of NIM for finding her suitable to be a fellow of their institute, adding that the award would inspire her to increase her efforts in raising the Polytechnic's standard.

Orji inspects International Conference Centre, Shoprite, others *Expresses happiness on the quality, progress of work

Former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (middle), after inspecting ongoing work at the Shoprite in Umuahia.

BIA State's Former governor, Chief Theodore Orji, performed his last official functions in office by inspecting a lot of ongoing projects. Orji inspected the

How teachers, pupils, foiled ECTDA demolition By FRANCIS IGATA

NUGU—Teachers and pupils of a private school situated on Bisala Road, Independence Layout, Enugu, last Tuesday, foiled attempt by officials of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, from demolishing their perimeter fence. Officials of ECTDA, accompanied by armed policemen besieged the school at about 2.15p.m. to demolish the perimeter fence separating it from the premises of a threestar hotel in the area. The South-East Voice gathered that ECTDA had notified the management of the school on its intention to demolish the perimeter fence for allegedly contravening the waterways policy of the authority. The school was among the over 2000 houses and shops earmarked for demolition on the last days of the immediate past administration of Governor Sullivan Chime. C M Y K

Sources said that the distance of the perimeter fence of the hotel and the river was not wide enough, adding that it contravened the eight metres distance away from the waterways as the fence stood two metres away from the river. However, an assessment of the distance, between the fence and the shallow river flowing along the fence showed that the fence stood eight clear metres away from the river. The source wondered why the school’s fence which was in compliance with waterways policy should be targeted, leaving other structures and

buildings that were in clear violation of the policy. A dependable source told South-East Voice that the former Commissioner for ECTDA, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede had earlier allegedly issued a clean bill of health on the perimeter fence, insisting that the bid to demolish the fence by former governor Chime was purely a vindictive move. Teachers, pupils resist move Over 1,000 teachers and pupils from the school stood against the ECTDA officials from demolishing the fence,

•Teachers, pupils standing against ECTDA demolition

chanting songs of eliciting sympathy while seeking divine intervention. The ECTDA officials, who came for the exercise with their D6 earth moving machine beat a hasty retreat when military personnel alighted at the scene. The presence of the military personnel was said to have been arranged by the proprietor of the school. The Hilux truck which conveyed the military personnel was stationed across the road leading to the school until Chime left office last Friday.

International Conference Centre, ICC, the Shoprite in Umuahia North Local Government Area and the Old Umuahia Erosion site in Umuahia South Local Government Area and expressed happiness with the quality and progress of work going on, which, he said, were dear to him. According to him, the projects when completed would stand the test of time and serve the people of the state, adding that the Shoprite will boost commerce in the state. Orji said he was happy that the erosion site at Old Umuahia has been brought under check as many surrounding houses would have been damaged if left unattended to, pointing out that the government was also doing the road. He stated that some of the legacy projects that are ready will be commissioned before leaving office, while others that have reached advanced stages of completion will be completed and commissioned by the incoming government. He said that for him the most important thing was starting and completing the projects and not necessarily the commissioning, maintaining that government had signed a memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with reputable companies that will manage the buildings to ensure that they last.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 — 3

Former Go uguda ge ts Govv Y Yuguda gets chief taincy title of Agumba Obosi hieftaincy BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

NITSHA - It was a moment of joy and ethnic affinity at Obosi, an ancient community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State when the traditional ruler of the community,(Eze Obosi), His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III conferred chieftaincy titles of Agumba Obosi and Ugodiya Obosi respectively on the immediate former Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda and his wife. The Agumba Obosi title was conferred on Yuguda by Igwe himself, while the Ugodiya Obosi title was conferred on his wife, by Igwe’s wife at the colourful ceremony which took place at his palace in Obosi. Obosi is also, the country home of the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. In his remarks, Igwe Iweka emphasised that the title was conferred on Yuguda on merit and not based on pecuniary interests, adding that a thorough assessment of Yuguda showed that he had joy in accommodating Obosi people in particular and Igbo

considering him worthy of the in general in Bauchi State. The monarch noted that the title, adding that he was chieftaincy title would have convinced that he was being been conferred on Yuguda honoured on merit. According to him: “I take this about two years earlier but stressed that it was shelved title with a lot of emotion, more because of their quest to than other titles I have from ensure that he was thoroughly other places and I will build a assessed. The kingdom house here in Obosi to decided to keep it till now that establish my second home he had rounded up his full here.” Highlight of the ceremony tenure of eight years in office included royal dances from as governor, being convinced all that he merited the highly various dancing troupes, including the popular Abiriba revered Obosi title. He said that with the title, traditional dance from Abia •Igwe Iweka conferring the title on Yuguda Yuguda had now become a State. citizen of Obosi, adding that they were ready to show him a land where he could build a residential home in any part of the community as an indigene and member of Obosi royal cabinet, just like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of Commonwealth and Osita Chidoka, out-going Minister of Aviation who were from the area. Responding, •Yuguda, his wife and other traditional chiefs after the ceremony Yuguda thanked the monarch for

Stakeholders list causes of election violence •Plan summit on ways to mitigate post-election violence BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA— WORRIED by the tension in some states in the South East geo-political zone over the outcome of the 2015 general elections, a non governmental organization, NGO, the Christian Community Initiative for Peace And Development, CCIPAD, is evolving ways of mitigating election violence in the area. With the support from International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, through the European Union, EU, the organization instituted a project codenamed Mitigation Of Violence in Elections, MOVE, which seeks to prevent and reduce election violence in the zone before, during and after elections. Indeed, the group intimated stakeholders, including Resident Electoral Commissioners, REC, in the zone of their fears about the likely violence after the elections if the right things were not done, and while some took the advice given to them, others ignored them. The result is that even with the winners already declared, C M Y K

there are still tension in some states. As a first step towards solving the problem, the organization assembled 35 stakeholders in Anambra State who listed causes of violence, especially after elections. The participants included clergy men, community leaders, political party representatives, civil society

Also, civil society groups should spearhead the eradication of corruption by speaking out without fear or favour

•Participants at the post election violence roundtable in Awka

organizations, CSOs, youth leaders, the police, National Orientation Agency, NOA, the media, among others. Expectedly, they were all given the opportunity to narrate their experiences during the last general elections among which were the inability of the card readers to function properly, the role of money-bags who intimidated INEC ad hoc staff

with tempting offers, overnight change of many ad hoc staff at the instance of influential politicians and their supporters, as well as the use of security operatives to cause disaffection at the polling units. After the roundtable discussion that lasted for about five hours, the stakeholders agreed that there is need to tackle some issues in the electoral system before the next general elections in 2019. One way of achieving the goal, they noted, is for the people to say, ‘enough is enough’ and deciding to deliberately shun politicians who only come around to bribe the people once the elections draw near. They said further: “This is the right time for the political parties to begin to institute internal party structure to ensure that only those validly nominated stand for elections. “Also, civil society groups should spearhead the eradication of corruption by speaking out without fear or favour and a programme has to be drawn on how to fight the canker worm in the polity. Apparently elated by the quality of contributions by the stakeholders, the field officer of CCIPAD, Mr. Ezeta Chukwuemeka said there would be a zonal stakeholders’ meting to further discuss the issue next month.

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JUNE 3, 2015

Commissioner exhorts Ofekata Community to embrace peace

‘Rivers State, others have overtaken S-East in commerce, industry’ BY CHIMAOBI NWAIWU

NEWI-Former Chairman of Osakwe Industrial Cluster, Nnewi, Anambra State, Mr. Johnson Okolo has raised alarm that commerce and industry for which South East is known for was on the decline due to lack of political will by the various state governments in the area. Speaking in an interview with South East Voice, Okolo said that Lagos, Ogun, Warri Kano and Rivers States had overtaken the South East in commerce and industry, regretting that ‘’our governors have over the years shown lack of interest in sustaining the industries located in their areas that made places like Nnewi to be called Japan of Africa and Onitsha the biggest market in West Africa. “Industries are gradually moving out of South East, because there is no encouragement coming from South East political leaders particularly the governors. Go to Ogun and Kano states, for example, and see what is happening in terms of industrial development. The entrepreneurship we are noted for in the past is no longer like that. We are losing on daily basis. “We have to look inwards to see if Onitsha is still the commercial nerve centre of West Africa. Is Nnewi still the Japan of Africa, is Awka still noted for mounding irons or Enugu State that was noted for large production of coal which gave it the nickname Coal City, is still like that. Is Aba still one of the biggest markets for production of locally made goods like shoes? Where will our future generation go when all these things have been taken away from us?” he asked. He, therefore, called on South East governors and the Anambra State government in particular to help the industries in the five states in the region to thrive, otherwise the zone would witness the C M Y K

highest level of youth unemployment that will threaten the security of the area. Okolo, specifically called them to work towards improving the supply of electricity in the area which was the main reason industries were folding up. “From May 1 till today we have not had light and we cannot boast of any production and yet we have workers we are paying; there is no attention of any level of government, from local, state and federal governments. The only thing the government of Anambra State has done for us is the rehabilitation of Ezeiweka Road that leads to this cluster and we must commend former Governor Peter Obi for doing that road. “The most important thing we need from Anambra State government is a new site for expansion, this place can no longer contain us. You can see that two vehicles cannot enter and exit at the same time. When one vehicle is coming in, the one exiting must wait for the one coming in to offload its goods, before it can do anything,” he added. He said that the Osakwe

Individuals who established businesses in the cluster are faced with two major problems, namely electricity and lack of space for expansion and there is no space for machinery for power supply which the individuals provided for themselves

By CHINONSO ALOZIE

•Mr. Johnson Okolo, former Chairman, Osakwe Industrial Cluster, Onitsha industrial cluster which has over 20,000 small and medium scale industrialists was started by one man, Chief Albert Ikemefuna. Osakwe Industrial Cluster is a small scale business started by former Ambassador Albert Ikemefuna Osakwe, who invited some expatriates who were running companies like Apex Mill Limited, Niger Oil Limited, among others, before other indigenous small scale industrialists came on board and developed it to its present level. He said: “The cluster has grown into a very big one that space to do business is becoming difficult, some residential houses at Ezeiweka Road where it is located, have been turned to factories and the sound of power generating sets are making life unbearable for residents there.” He then called on the Anambra State government to provide land for expansion, which had been denied them by successive governments over the years. “Individuals, who established businesses in the cluster are faced with two major problems, namely electricity and lack of space for expansion and there is no space for machinery for power supply which the individuals provided for themselves since Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, cannot provide energy for us,” he said. He berated EEDC for failure to provide power for companies in the South East, adding that they were only interested in collecting electricity bills and accumulated bills from the customers and doing nothing in acquiring equipment for improving the company and its services. He regretted that federal, state and local governments have not done anything to help in the growth and development of the cluster, even as the

individuals, who developed the area were being made to pay all forms of taxes and levies just as owners of vehicles which bring raw materials and those that take their goods out of the cluster for sale were harassed and made to pay huge sums of money by some people claiming to be agents of government. “About 17 members of the cluster out of about 120 people who contributed money to assess National Economic Reconstruction Fund, NERFUND, loan got N3 million each when we requested for N5 million, and it took more than two years before the money was processed and the individuals spent over N1.5 million before the loan was made available to them. “We spent the money on travelling to Abuja, staying in the hotels for the number of days it would take them to see us with our consultants and lawyers. He said they were asked to provide Certificate of Occupancy, C.of.O, for between two and five stores or buildings, adding that some of those who applied but did not even own any land were requested to provide C of Os before they came and assessed their buildings to see if they valued more than the money they asked for, but ‘’if I had five stores or buildings, I would have sold them off and forgotten the loan because of what we went through. “Empowerment is not only through providing money. They can also help by finding markets for our products. The government has to come in and help us explore opportunities from other countries to help our industrialists. ‘’It is regrettable that in Nigeria, government will bring out money for small scale industrialists but the real small scale industrialists will not know when the money would be disbursed,’’ he said.

WERRI—THE people of Ofekata ll Autonomous Community, Awo Omamma in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, have been enjoined to make peace with the management of the Adas Petroleum company to ensure more developments in the area. The state Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Okee Okoro made the appeal in Owerri while mediating in the leadership tussle in the community. He emphasized that there was nothing beneficial in an environment where there was dispute, adding that what the community needed at the moment was to unite and demand for their rights as progress was always assured in an atmosphere of peace. The commissioner also advised them on the possible benefits they could derive from the Adas Petroleum company as the host community which could only be easy to achieve if they were united. Okoro further said that some companies do give jobs and organize different capacity trainings for members of their host communities including taking their wards to foreign countries to acquire modern skills to be self-employed and contribute positively to the society. He also pleaded with the leaders of the community to advise their children to cue into the peace- process even as his ministry also needed their support to establish lasting peace in the area. Okoro cautioned them against damaging any facility belonging to Adas Petroleum company and as such action would destroy years of efforts made in building the relationship between the company and the community, adding that they should be optimistic that the situation would improve for the better. Meanwhile ,the confusion in the community over who would become the next President General of the community was amicably settled by the commissioner, which subsequently led the different groups agreeing to work together for peace to reign. Notable community leaders at the event were the traditional ruler, Eze Polycarp Abanakam and Transition Committee chairman of Oru East, Lasbery Okaforanyawu, among others.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 — 5

Artisans protest high tariff, poor electricity supply in Aba By FELIX OGBONNA

RTISANS in Aba, Abia State have protested against high electricity bills and poor electricity supply by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC. The artisans who marched along major roads in Aba including the Azikiwe, Market and Tenant, Mosque, Kent and Georges streets, chanting slogans and denouncing the poor services allegedly provided by the EEDC. The artisans who were also, shop owners carried placards which read; “No power, no payment,” “Let EEDC save our businesses, give us light and electricity is a vital tool to our work,” among others.

In an interview with South East Voice, the leader of the protesting artisans, Elder Festus Njoku said they were unhappy over the high tariff charged by EEDC even when there was little or no supply of power coupled with lack of maintenance of electricity facilities. “For example, we have been on load shedding for more than three days now. We are not sure of the one day supply of electricity in a week. We are being charged high and estimated electricity bills even in areas that have not had light for more than two months. We pay for what we do not consume. “Most of us are tailors, hairdressers, furniture makers. Before now, we paid around N5, 000 for electricity, but we are being charged between N24,000 and 30,000

•Protesting artisans monthly per shop even when power is not supplied. In our houses, we pay N10, 000 and you are not even sure of the electricity supply. We now use generators, since EEDC does not give us power. How can we survive under this type of harsh condition?” Njoku asked They then urged the EEDC to improve on its billing system as well as stop issuing estimated bills and charge consumers for the energy they consumed monthly. “They can even stop their

electricity supply since we now rely on generators to operate. We have petitioned the EEDC Aba, but they have not said anything,” Njoku added. When South East Voice visited the business office of the EEDC on Ikot Ekpene road, a senior official of the company, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the problems of consumers in Aba and other areas in the district were being addressed.

We are being charged high and estimated electricity bills even in areas that have not had light for more than two months. We pay for what we do not consume.

Rotary Club of Onitsha metropolis builds 6-room toilet facility for primary pupils By NWABUEZE OKONKWO

NITSHA — It was jubilation galore for the pupils of Santa Maria Primary School, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State when the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis commissioned a six-room toilet facilities built by the club for the school. The ceremony which took place at the school premises, was graced by the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, represented by the Diocesan Chancellor, Monsignor Asoanya, members of the Parents/Teachers Association, PTA, Rotarians and government functionaries. Commissioning the facilities, President of the club for 2014 – 2015, Rotarian Margaret Oputa, explained that it was part of the responsibilities of the rotary club to teach school pupils hygiene and how to give back to the society, adding that the facilities included water cistern and wash hand basins. She said: “We believe in the ideal service. We are serviceoriented. We intend to organize school quiz so as to

ensure that our children are trained in a way they can be useful to the society. The project was executed through direct labour.’’ In their separate speeches, past Presidents of the club, Rotarians Emma Ude-Akpeh, Afam Obi and Abba A. Abba, said that the club had awarded scholarships to the deserving children, as part of its humanitarian activities. According to them: “Rotary is into the act of service for humanity. We provide water/ sanitation, organize school competitions and as such, we go round the schools, find out their priorities and then give them to them.” Lady Monica Ozojie, Headmistress of the school and Head teacher of Holy Trinity Basilica Primary School, Lady Victoria Nnani, commended the club for its magnanimity and urged them not to relent in the service of God and humanity, "since it is God that pays back for good works." Basil Dozie Onubeze, chairman of the PTA, said it was a thing of joy that the project was nurtured during a PTA meeting, adding that although he thought it was going to be a mere renovation work but surprisingly, it turned out to be a comprehensive construction

• Monsignor Asoanya, cutting the tape of the project

Rotary is into the act of service for humanity. We provide water/ sanitation, organize school competitions and as such, we go round the schools, find out their priorities and then give them to them.

•School children performing a cultural dance on the occasion. of new toilet facilities. Onubeze then called on other donor agencies to come to their aid in terms of construction of more classroom blocks, teaching aids and renovation of other toilet facilities in the school. In his brief remarks, the

Archbishop’s representative, Monsignor Asoanya, commended rotary for its magnanimity and also urged them not to relent, as according to him, it much better to give than to receive, according to the law of nature.

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015

Orji commissions Aba mega mall By FELIX OGBONNA

MMEDIATE past Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji has commissioned the first phase of the Aba Mega Mall in Aba as well as performed the ground breaking of the second phase. Speaking on the occasion, Orji said the project was one of the numerous efforts of his administration to provide sustainable infrastructure in the state, pointing out that Aba Mega Mall would change the face of business as well as provide employment and more investment opportunities in the city. He then urged the new administration in the state not to abandon the project. The governor who also commended the host community, Okpu Umuobo in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Council for donating the land for the project, appealed to other communities not to hesitate to

donate their lands for development projects. While stating that his administration made several efforts to provide conducive environment for corporate investors to invest in the state, Orji lamented that some of the preceding administrations in the state were reluctant to assist investors due to self-interest. In his speech, the Group Managing Director of the company building the mall; Greenfield Assets Limited, Mr. Paul Obanua, commended the state government for providing the opportunity for the company to invest in the state. According to him: “We have been to many states where we handled projects; we know what it is to do projects. Till today, nobody has asked us to pay a kobo to him. We are grateful to the Abia State government for providing this great opportunity to us free of charge. This project has promoted our company globally.”

•Newly commissioned Aba Mega Mall. He, however, stressed that the 1,000 capacity mall would host a hotel, an abattoir, cinema, luxury mall and a dry port which would be the first in the South East licensed by the Comptroller General of Customs. He expressed gratitude to the host community for their hospitality and the First City Monument Bank for financing the project. Earlier, the chairman of the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Emma Adaelu said this was the first time the area was witnessing a project of such magnitude and commended the governor for the opportunity.

•Governor Theodore Orji, cutting the tape of Aba Mega Mall

Tears of joy as 120 UNIZIK students bag scholarships from Senator Uba BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA- DISBURSEMENT of N50,000 to each of the 120 students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University who were beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme instituted by the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Dr. Andy Uba, has begun, with the beneficiaries shedding tears of joy and praising the senator for the gesture. The handing over of the cash to the students began last month at the Awka campus of the university and it was the turn of the beneficiaries in the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences of the university last week. At that occasion,18 students received their cash from the dean of the faculty, Dr. Uzochukwu Ikemefuna. Beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme, according to the stipulated condition, were students whose cumulative point grades were four points and above and for one to continue to enjoy the scheme, the student must sustain the grade throughout his stay in the university, otherwise it would be given to another person. Two officials of Senator Andy Uba Foundation, Dr. Charles Nweke, who is a director in the foundation, and Professor Alex Asigbo, coordinator, were on hand to ensure that the money was actually handed over to the C M Y K

•Beneficiaries of Senator Andy Uba scholarship scheme from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIZIK with officials of the scheme rightful beneficiaries. According to Nweke, the scholarship was to enable the students pay their school fees and attend to other financial problems. Fortunately for the beneficiaries, the school fees in UNIZIK are far below the worth of the scholarship. For instance, school fees paid by students in the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences is about N30,000, which means that they have some money to attend to their other needs after paying the official fee. Coordinator of the Foundation, Professor Asigbo

said it was not the intention of the senator to use the scholarship scheme to advance his political career, adding that it was for that reason that he decided not to make the disbursement to the benefiriaries of the scholarship scheme during political campaigns. He added that Senator Uba’s interest in the welfare of students in the state would not end with Anambra South senatorial zone, adding that he would ultimately extend it to the other two senatorial zones of Anambra North and Anambra Central and to other

tertiary institutions in the state. He also recalled that Senator Uba single-handedly built the magnificent Mass Communication building of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and had been assisting in the general development of education in Anambra State. Two of the beneficiaries, Mr. Peter Muchie and Miss Chinelo Okafor commended the senator for the gesture, noting that many of them never believed it would be a reality when they applied for the scholarship scheme. Muchie, a 400 –level student from Nanka in Orumba North North Local Government said:

“When I applied for the scholarship, I never knew it would turn out to be real, considering my experience in applying for other advertized scholarships. My joy, therefore, knew no bounds when I received the message that I was among the winners. “My prayer is that God would continue to give the senator the wherewithal to continue to service the scheme because investment in human being is the greatest investment one can make.” To Miss Okafor from Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area, the money would surely reduce the burden on her family and she prayed that other wealthy Nigerians would emulate Senator Uba.

Many of the beneficiaries, Mr. Peter Muchie and Miss Chinelo Okafor commended the senator for the gesture, noting that many of them never believed it would be a reality when they applied for the scholarship scheme.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 —7

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

WERRI — The Executive Director of Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights,CCIDESOR, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu has advised community leaders and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to hold regular town hall meetings where they could discuss and monitor the budget processes in their various states. He gave this advice in Owerri, during the second Summit on Budget Transparency and Open Public Resource Management in partnership with South East Governance Network, SEGON. Ononamadu told South East Voice that the purpose of the summit was not only to inspire the participants to continue to demand for open budgeting system in the society as well as maintain aggressive campaign on fiscal

transparency in government. He said that governments were primarily established to deploy resources equitably, protect the lives and property of the citizens adding that to achieve this, government must operate an open budgeting system which would reflect in the standard of living of the people. The CCIDESOR director also enumerated other factors that could cause failure in the implementation of budgets in any state to include fraud, waste and abuse of public resources pointing out that even the budget information which was hidden from the members of the public further contribute to such budget

Group director advises communities, CSOs to take active part in budget process failures. According to him, withholding information on budgets prevented the citizens from scrutinizing their contents since they would be unable to ask questions. “A research shows that Nigeria has over 12,000 abandoned projects that had been paid for. How many of these abandoned projects are in the South East? A little excursion to verify the truth, six local government areas in Imo State, five each in Abia and Anambra States, revealed that in the health, education and road construction sectors,

there are over 300 abandoned or uncompleted projects,” he said. Also speaking, the Country Director, Abuja, Open Society Initiative for West Africa ,OSIWA, Jude IIo emphasized that the way transparency was embedded in the constitution was the same way it was rooted in the tradition of their forefathers. Ilo, however lamented that the fraudulent activities of some politicians had led to the dislocation of the people from the process of governance in the region and urged the electorate to be

confident about themselves by understanding their relevance especially in the use of their votes in deciding the direction of change in the country. This was even as the Executive Director, PADDI Foundation, Eze Eluchie outlined reasons why citizens demand for open budget system. According to Eluchie, “ there is a natural inclination for secrecy in governance and financial processes,” even as one the solutions was to allow members of the public participate actively in the budget process.

Withholding information on budgets prevented the citizens from scrutinizing their contents since they would be unable to ask questions • Cross section of participants at the event

Ndigbo ‘ll never suffer under Buhari’s administration Contiues from page 1 resentatives from the South-East. We can’t bid for the post of the Senate President, neither can we bid for the Speakership of the House of representatives. It is not about a wish, but about the pains I feel. It was politically wrong for us. In the electioneering process, our people were not allowed to vote. The environment for our people to exercise their civic rights was not provided. We were denied the opportunity to vote, but at the same time, I feel bad as a person. “I feel worried for the Igbo nation. So, as a people, we must realign and see to what extent we are going to get things done right. ‘’Fortunately for us, the leadership of General Buhari has exC M Y K

pressed a desire to turn around the electoral process so that the people’s vote can count; so that the people can choose their leaders themselves.” On the ministerial list of the administration, which many have said that Igbo will be marginalized, the APC chieftain reassured that the list bandied about on social media should be disregarded, noting that Buhari and the party were yet to release the ministerial list. His words: “One thing I know is that we have a fair-minded President. I know we also have a fair-minded National Chairman and the National Working Committee, NWC, members are committed to equity, justice and fairness. So, there is no way anyone can say the Igbo man is not part of

Ikokwu, however, berated those suggesting that Ndigbo would be marginalised under the Buhari administration

the Nigerian project, otherwise what are people like us who are of Igbo extraction doing in the APC? I make bold to say that in the constitution of our party, every part of this country is considered a component part, and our leadership and government will carry everybody along. I am indeed confident that the interest of the Igbo man will be protected under the Buhari administration.” On his part, Ikokwu who chaired the occasion, seized the opportunity to extol the virtues of late eminent Igbo patriots like Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, former Premier of defunct Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Opara; former Premier of defunct Mid-Western Nigeria, Chief Dennis Osadebay; former Eastern Regional Minister of

Works and Finance, Mazi Mbonu Ojike; political icon, Ozumba Mbadiwe; Ex-Biafran war-lord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu; pioneering Nigerian female politician and women’s rights activist, Chief Margaret Ekpo among others. Ikokwu, however, berated those suggesting that Ndigbo would be marginalised under the Buhari administration because they gave him little or no votes during the last presidential election, pointing that “Those people saying that Ndigbo will suffer neglect or marginalisation under the administration of Buhari should be aware that Igbo is one of the tripod-legs that makes up the entity called Nigeria. If Ndigbo as one of these tripodlegs are removed, Nigeria won’t stand.”

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JUNE 3, 2015

FRSC par tner ada partner tnerss Ok Okada k rroad oad union tto o cchec hec heck accidents in Anambra BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

NITSHA - The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has revealed that commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada, have critical roles to play in reducing the incidents of Road Traffic Crashes, RTC, nationwide and as such should be coopted into the on-going campaign against such crashes. Anambra State FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Ajayi who made this known during a courtesy call on him

by members of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria, MTUN, explained that the target of reducing RTC by 20 per cent and fatality rate by 30 per cent this year would be elusive, if commercial motorcyclists were not part and parcel of it. According to Ajayi, “FRSC would like you continue on this path of partnership and synergy so that we can all join hands to preserve the precious lives of road users in the country. “It is not only about enforcement and your members running away from us. We want to partner, lecture you where possible and also, assist the indigent ones

•Anambra FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Ajayi (middle) explaining the need for both organizations to synergize to Anambra State Secretary of MTUN, Mr Eugene Chukwumaeze (left) while other members listen. among you to have crash helmets to protect your members better. “Today, road safety is a shared responsibility of all especially critical road users and riders like you and we want to come and talk to your members on the need to stop taking intoxicants and doing wrong and dangerous overtaking on the roads...

‘’And for you to ride on the inner routes, where you would be safe to return to your families at the end of the day’s job; while leaving the highways for other vehicles.” Replying, the state Secretary of MTUN, Mr Eugene Chukwumaeze, assured that the members were willing to co-operate with the commission to ensure the

safety of everyone on the road. “We want you to come and talk to our members on quarterly basis and create other programmes where the union and FSRC would interface and we also appeal to you to facilitate motorcycle licenses for our members especially, new members in Anambra State,” Chukwumaeze stated.

Day Igbo leaders honoured Ogbonnaya Onu in Imo

•His Excellency,Former Governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and his wife Dr Chinyere Onu at the family’s thanks giving service

T was a moment of glory for the All Progressives Congress, APC, leader and former Governor of old Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, as Igbo leaders across the states of the South East gathered in Owerri, the Imo State capital to celebrate his success in politics and private life, especially the recent conferment of Doctorate Degree in Public Administration Honoris Causa on him by the Abia State University, Uturu. The grand reception, which was preceded by a thanksgiving service at the Asumpta Catholic Cathedral, had in attendance, front line Igbo leaders including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, National Chairman of the United Progressives Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Chief Okey Eze, Benjamin Apugo; Archbishop Anthony Obinna of Owerri Arch Diocese; HRM Eze (Dr.) Isaac Ikonne; HRM Eze Emmanuel Njemanze; former Chief Whip Eastern House of Assembly, Rt. C M Y K

Hon. Onyeso Nwachukwu; Alex Otti; Dame Virgy Etiaba; Dr. Osmond Ukanacho; Senator Nkechi Nwogu among others. Also at the event which attracted the leaders of the various political parties, the political ideals of the APC leader were highlighted and commended. The various speakers took turn to pay glowing tributes to Onu for his leadership qualities. The politicians and captains of industry, who attended the reception also endorsed the credibility of the soft spoken politician, who they described as the emerging leader of the South East, whose record has remained untainted. In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, commended Onu for his achievements and track record, marked by a principled lifestyle which is not in pursuit of immediate gains but devoted to the service of a higher purpose. The former Chief of General Staff who was represented on

•Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, his wife Dr Chinyere Onu and other dignitaries at the family’s thanks giving service the occasion by Chief Chekwas Okorie, decried the penchant of some Igbo leaders to pull down their own public officers. He described Onu as a man, who Igbo leaders of note could boldly rally round because of

Any position I find myself tomorrow, I will still discharge my duties in such a way that I will be a source of pride to the people of the South East and Nigeria. I cannot afford to disappoint my people or my country

his antecedents; inferring that Onu was the emerging face of the new Igbo nation. The host, Dr. Okey Ezeh, congratulated Onu for the award of Honorary Doctorate Degree on him, describing him as a leader worthy of emulation because he had remained consistent in his values and unswerving in his principled approach to life and political leadership. In his response, Onu expressed appreciation to the Abia State University for convening a Special Convocation to honour him, an action he said, was just the third in the history of the university. Saluting Igbo leaders including, former governors, state House of Assembly speakers and various Igbo

groups among others for their continued support, the visibly elated Onu, assured that he would continue with his lifestyle of service and selflessness. According to him, “any position I find myself tomorrow, I will still discharge my duties in such a way that I will be a source of pride to the people of the South East and Nigeria. I cannot afford to disappoint my people or my country.” He maintained that he remained a strong believer in the Nigerian Project and was convinced that Nigeria has the potentials to be one of the most respected nations of the world. In his words, “the government that is coming in the next few days is a government you can call your own regardless of where you are located in Nigeria. It will work in your best interest and it is that government that will restore our respect in the comity of nations. And once again, Nigerians would be proud to be from this part of the continent. The change we had promised have come and I can assure you, it would give birth to legacies and landmarks that would endure the test of time.” Earlier in his sermon, the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, His Lordship, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, commended Onu for his feats in politics and aspects of public life. He charged to continue to use his position for the betterment

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6 2015 — 27

Tuface has impacted in so many ways in the Nigerian scene and music industry to the extent that he has won several awards and still counting.

Awards

•Monalisa Chinda and some of Nollywood Celebs walking Slum2school on the street of Lagos

Best Actress in a drama series at the Terracotta TV and Film Awards in 2010. Best Actress, Afro Hollywood Award 2009 at the Monte Carlo Television Festival.

Tuface

Multiple award- winning Artiste, Innocent Idibia aka Tuface was born and bred in Jos, Plateau state on September 18th, 1975, he relocated to Lagos alongside BlackFace in 1996. The duo had finished their programme at the Institute of Management Studies, IMT in Enugu. Tuface was later discovered from the Plantashun Boyz, a trio group which included BlackFace (Augustine Obiabo), Faze (Chibuzor Orji) and him. Plantashun Boyz were the first trio group to survive the era of new Musicians in the Nigerian Music Industry. They released and sold out two albums before disbanding in 2004.

d to

His hit song AFRICAN QUEEN was used as a sound track for the movie titled Phat Girls in 2006 and it was released internationally. Again in 2010, he became the first Nigerian Artiste to have an approximately priced international album edition titled The Unstoppable international edition.

He bagged a Sound City Award, Channel O Music award, Sound City Music Video Award, Channel O Music Video Award, MTV Africa Music Award for Best Male and Artiste of the year. I n 2009, he was appointed an Ambassador by NAFDAC and so many more.

Business Projects Tuface has majorly invested in hospitality business; he is the owner of all the Rumors Clubs in Lagos state and wishes to own more in and out of Lagos.

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•Monalisa Chinda's Car

Charity Project He has an NGO known as Tuface Idibia Reach out Foundation. The Foundation is conceived to among other things assist indigent patients access quality health care irrespective of their ethnicity or religious background which was created in 2009. He takes pride in featuring in upcoming artiste video without appearance fee.

Marriage Tubaba finally tied the nuptial knot in 2013 to his long time girl friend and baby mama, Annie Macauley. The white wedding was done in a magnificent and amazing place in Dubai. The celebrity couple are today blessed with a second child.

Uche Jombo

Uche Jombo was born in Abiriba in Abia state on the 28th of December 1979. She is a product of University of Calabar where she studied Math & Statistics. Jombo had earlier on bagged a diploma in Computer programming at the Federal university of Technology, Minna in Niger state. Jombo was discovered as an awesome Act in 1999 with her role in Visa to hell movie. Since then, she has featured in over 200 movies. After years of working as a Nollywood actress, the ebony black Queen and mother of one ventured into script writing and later into its production with a studio named UCHE JOMBO STUDIO created in 2012. She has co-written movies like Girls in the hood, a time to love, games men play and the celebrity. Since then, she has produced five major cinema movies and they include; damage, misplaced and some others.

•Annie Macualey Idibia and their first daughter

•2face idibia haven home

•Uche's Car

Charity Project

She is big time committed to giving back to society and she is actively involved in numerous charitable activities including her continuous support for the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF) through her NGO uche Jombo and YOU foundation.

Awards

Jombo has received several awards which include Life Changers award, (Nollywood Personality of the Year) United Kingdom Humanitarian Award for Haiti in New York, USA, the Best Actress by AfroNolly Group in 2008 in London, England. The City People Entertainment awards for Best Actress 2010 and one of the last but not the least are the Abriba Youth Honour of Pride Award 2010, Abriba, Abia State as well as the Abia State Honours Award 2010.

Marriage

Uche Jombo, now Uche Jombo Rodriguez has a lot to be thankful for. She celebrated her 3rd year wedding anniversary on May 16th 2015 and the couple welcomed their first child on May 28th, 2015 at a hospital in the United States.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

New songs and videos rocking the music scene

Melo Melo by Olamide -Directed by Moe Musa

he Badoo sensation who has been unleashing hits after hits just released the video of his love ballad titled Melo Melo. Perhaps, what stands Olamide out is the ability to do various genres of music and still create a remarkable masterpiece from it. The video was directed by Moe Musa, shot in London and features ballet dancers portraying the love theme in the song. The camera shots, location and attention to details,makes this video a must-watch.

The Nigerian music industry never sleeps. Day to day, there are new things happening. New songs, new videos and lots more. In the last couple of months, from May till date, here are a number of songs and videos released into the market. Read all about it.

Laye by Kiss Daniel -Directed by Aje Films

Abeg –by Sean Tizzle -Produced by Black Jerzeey

or sometime now, Kiss Daniel has been showing the music world he is not a run-of- the-mill artiste who is to be here today and be gone the next day. After immense success with Woju the crooner returns with another Afro pop song titled Laye. Though Laye has been heavily criticised by music lovers to be an imitation of Woju, nonetheless the kid star looks like he has an ace to deal the music scene. The video which is out was shot in a visually appealing location but much of the concept has been put through the ringer for being too pedestal.

hen Sean Tizzle burst into the music scene with his hit song Sho lee, a lot of individuals thought he was going to be a one-hit wonder. Today, the Difference Entertainment sensation has proved his critics wrong. Sean Tizzle recently released an Afro-pop love tune reminiscent of Igi Orombo, a song he did with Tiwa Savage. This song has the potential to get airplays and make you show off your dance skills. The song is produced by Black Jerzeey

Nakupenda by Iyanya featuring Diamond Platinumz-Produced by Mr Chidoo

uave hit maker Iyanya collaborated on this song with Tanzania’s leading artiste Diamond Platinumz.The song has a catchy melody that will immediately get your attention right from the beginning. These days love songs are easy to come by, and Iyanya follows this trend with Nakupenda which means ‘I love you’. The tune has a Makossa rhythm which helps in making the song an irresistible African presentation

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BBHMM by Reekado Banks and Tiwa Savage - Produced by Altims

he Don Jazzy led Mavin Records and his artistes rarely fail in giving their fans something to relish. The duo of Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks have remixed their version of Rihanna’s song titled B*tch Better Have My Money (BBHMM). The groovy beat and accompanying musical instruments in the song,will make it a favourite among music lovers’ music playlists. The dancehall themed song is produced by Altims.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 —29

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

New songs and videos rocking the music scene Enemy Solo by Psquare featuring Awilo logombaDirected by Clarence Peters

Skilashi by ReminisceDirected by Frizzle and Bizzle Films

hat happens when the duo of Psquare and Awilo collaborate on a song? What you get is an excellent music creation. Enemy solo is coined from Lingala which means ill-feeling towards others or what we refer to as Bad belle people in Nigeria. The video captures a dance competition with Awilo and Psquare as the judges. The choreography was done by Ezinne Asinugo of CEO dancers, Kaffy and a Congolese UK based dance expert,Sir Loui

Sugar Daddy by Omo Akin and Falz When you hear the word ‘Sugar Daddy’, what comes to your mind? This is the theme of Omo Akin and Falz’s new song. This creative piece isn’t the kind of song you expect Falz and Omo Akin to do, they amazingly blended together in delivering an unusual love song in this one. In his usual humorous fashion, Falz wears the toga of a Sugar Daddy in the song,expressing his affection and adoration for his love interest.

Its in you by Yemi Alade- Produced by Gospel On De Beatz

ecall that Yemi Alade rode on the platform of Peak Talent Show to become the super star she is today. The sexy and gifted songstress just unveiled a video in collaboration with Peak to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the brand. The video features the Johnny sensation dressed in a pink shirt, with her trademark hair, ready to have fun with her dancers in a living room .Its visuals doesn’t really possess any distinct quality, but makes up for it with the pleasant high-life rhythm the song carries.

Omotola ,Yemi Alade and Waje fight poverty through music By Kehinde Ajose

OLLYWOOD actress, Omotola JaladeEkeinde, Waje and Yemi Alade recently collaborated with One Campaign to launch Strong Girl, a new song and music video aimed at empowering women and girls around the world. Nine artistes from seven African countries came together in South Africa earlier this month to write and record this song. Speaking at a press briefing held last week, at the Four Point Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Omotola explained why she got involved in the campaign. According to her, “I am fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams, a trailblazer of my generation.I also recognize that many C M Y K

women and girls are not so fortunate, women and girls are disproportionately affected by the injustice of poverty and inequality.When we invest in women and girls,we increase and

accelerate their chances of overcoming extreme poverty. Waje whose melodious voice is prominent in the delivering of the lyrics of the song, said the campaign means a lot to her. “This is one of the most

profound things I have done in my life.I am doing this for the African woman, so she doesn’t have to die in child birth.I am doing this because it is the right thing to do.” On her own, the ‘Johnny’ star, Yemi Alade lamented the socio-cultural and legal constraints that restrict African women from reaching their full potentials. Displaying her trademark style in the song, Alade said, “It is important for me as a woman and as a strong girl to join my sisters from across the continent to tell the world that we can’t fight the injustice of extreme poverty without fighting the immense gender inequality that persists.” The song was produced by Cobhams Asuquo, while the music video was directed by Godfather Productions.

opular indigenous rapper, Remilekun Khalid Safaru otherwise called Reminisce,isn’t relenting anytime soon. Like his colleague Olamide,he has been releasing songs that will further take him to the peak of his career. Reminisce who is currently on tour in the United States releases the video of the song Skilashi. The beat of the song is irresistible,the aesthetics and the video vixens also add up to the bright spots in the video

African Energy by Dencia - Directed by Ali Zimani Just when many thought Dencia had given up on music to focus on her famed Whitenicous,she is back after a two-year hiatus with the visuals of her song, African Energy. In the video she alludes to the strength and might of the African. In 2013, she collaborated with Waje on the song True love. Commenting on the new video she said: “The concept was to send out a positive message to Africans and friends of Africa all over the world about our beautiful continent. We wanted to visually highlight the rich culture and heritage of the motherland and leave people with a dosage of African energy, African legends and role models such as Nelson Mandela, Folurunsho Alakija ,Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Lupita Nyongo’o and several others were highlighted in the video.”

30 —SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

BENJAMIN NJOKU

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*Actors on stage

Echoes of Olu Akengbowa play at Delta State Govt. House

he exceptional patience portrayed by the guests that thronged the Unity Hall of Government House, Asaba, Delta State, venue of the command performance of Alex Eyengho’s historical play, “Olu Akengbuwa”, it would seem, was borne out of curiosity than goodwill. Staged as part of activities that marked Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s official handover to Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on May 29, as the new executive governor of Delta State, the play aptly chronicles the rich story of the Warri Kingdom. It took the awe-filled guests on a terrestrial trip into the past, dramatically resurrecting the ghost of Olu Akengbuwa who happened to be the 16th Olu of Warri and the last Warri monarch before the 88 years interregnum in Warri kingdom. He was said to be the longest occupant of the Warri throne and the wealthiest of all the Olus of Warri of his time. In a palace setting stage, Olu Akengbuwa, played by Ejike Asiegbu, was locked in a consultation with his palace chiefs. Suddenly, one of his wives interrupted the session with a report that the heir apparent to the throne, Prince Omateye, slapped her unjustly. Angered by this report, Prince Omateye was summoned before the palace chiefs. But instead of showing remorse for his action, the prince confronted the king, as he went ahead to express his inordinate desire to ascend the throne of his forefathers, an ambition Olu Akengbuwa perceived to be rebellious and a taboo. Disappointed with his son, the king made a pronouncement that cost Prince Omateye the throne. Indeed, it was Olu Akengbuwa’s pronouncement against his son, coupled with the curse placed on the Kingdom by Ife Priest from Oyo Empire that created a lacuna in the historical trajectory of the Warri monarchy, when for 88 years the Kingdom existed without a king. While the drama was unfolding, anxiety and suspense filled the air. The sizeable guests, mainly of Itsekiri extraction and government officials, were eager to ascertain what happened after Olu Akengbowa joined his ancestors and the interregnum that lasted for 88 years. However, the period the play was situated was an aggressive interplay of power, greed and avarice, sustained by a woman, Princess Iye, played by Victoria Ajomeyinje, who did everything to selfguide and secure the Itsekiri Kingdom from external incursion. The play, produced and directed by notable film maker, and president of the Association of Nollywood Producers (ANCOP) and Vice

The stage setting is highly commendable just as it is typical of an ancient palace embellished with all the paraphernalia that goes with the throne

President of the International Federation of Film Producers Association (FIAPF), Alex Eyengho explored the history and the rich culture of the Itsekiri nation. It unravelled the circumstances that surrounded the 88 years interregnum in Warri Kingdom. First staged on May 1, 2015 to commemorate the 28th anniversary of Ogiame Atuwatse II as the 19th Olu of Warri, the play reunited the Itsekiri people with their history and culture from the various kings that ruled the kingdom since its emergence over 500 years ago till date. For 88 years, the

Itsekiri people had no king and this was what led to the British imperialists installing one governor and the other in the Kingdom until the interregnum ended in 1936 with the coronation of His Majesty, Ginuwa II, Emiko Ikenbuwa as the 17th Olu of Warri. Using the various dramatic elements of songs, traditional dances, music and suspense, as tools of his exposition, Eyengho recaptured the story of the Warri Kingdom in a 2-hour performance that paved the way for one to travel vicariously into space and time to reunite with the history of the people. The stage setting is highly commendable just as it is typical of an ancient palace embellished with all the paraphernalia that goes with the throne. The Thespians include Chief Peter Fatomilola who played Ifa Priest, Nobert Young, Ejike Asiegbu, Soibifaa Dokubo, Eliel Otote, Stephen OsezuaImobhio, Raphael Etevens, Bongolipso, Haji Bello, Matel Alex-Eyengho, Barney ObiAbiezue, Anthony Edet Offiong, Efe Mayford-Orhorha (the narrator) among others. They worked so hard to give a feel of what it was like during the reign of Olu Akengbowa with all the elements evident, like the regal, traditional

setting, and chairs. The performance, however, raised a lot of curiosity and probing into the past of the Itsekiri nation. At the end of the performance, Hon Daniel Reyenieju, a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Warri Federal Constituency, urged Eyengho to go back to work to dig out more hidden facts about the Itsekiri nation. He said they will continue to promote the play, to the extent of bringing it to the national stage for the world to experience the rich

culture of the Itsekiri nation. Earlier in his address, Eyengho commended Dr. Uduaghan for his support of the industry, saying that he remained the only governor of the state, past or present, who supported the entertainment industry more than anybody else, even as he urged the new governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to emulate his predecessor by supporting the arts and entertainment industry. It would be recalled that at the Warri command performance of the play, early last month, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, approved the project as an integral part of programme of events for the annual anniversary of his coronation. With this, Alex Eyengho will each year, during the anniversary, stage a play about the story of any of the past 18 Olus of Warri.

GOtv rolls o for month u t p r o g r a m m e s of June

u n e is a c documentati o n m o n th o n G O tv ries, kid . Fro m throughou the month dies, and sports progm o v ie s to experience tac o rammin f Ju ne, GOtv su bscribers w g, bouquet whet tion-packed entertain ill ment on thei “The footbaher GOtv Plus or GOtv V r chosen ll al se u e. ason maybe entertainmen over b t on GOtv. Ju drama and th ne will be a ut there’s non-stop ri ll, ” month sa ys Efe Obiomah Manager. , GOtv’s Pubof suspense, lic Relations “Subscribers fantasy, “Sea will feel the adrenalin see Demi M son of the Witch,” star e rush with the actionoore as she u ri Jane on Mnet nleashes herng Nicolas Cage, and M ov ie s Z one,” she not woman power in G.I “The action ed. Ways to Die” continues on Sony Max Proof ” on 16 on Sunday 7 June, and with “Season 5 of 1000 the première GOtv also June, she added. of “Body of of Africa whocelebrates eight artistes fr h om av across the co Africa at the p e been nominated fo ntinent r Best Internat restigious 20 from South; N 1 ional Act: 5 B E T A w ar ig d er s. ia’s WizKid an Aka and The Stonebwoy w d Yemi Alade; Soi ho are rippin Sarkodie andl Democratic R g G h an a; ep F u al b ly li c Ipu of Congo and the nominee Sauti Sol of Kpa from the s From the intelist. enya make lead the BET rnational scene, Chris Brown and N Awards with including; ick Minaj an impressiv e six nominiat Best FemaleBest Male R&B, Pop Art ions is Hip Hop Art ist and Videote, Best Collaboration, of the Year.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 —31

Movie stars endorse audio Bible in Nigerian languages

No sexual harassment in Nollywood, says Chizzy

S July 18 date for the official launch of A the Audio Bible in 18 Nigerian languages draws near, Nollywood stars,

By ANOZIE EGOLE

ising Nollywood actress, Assumpta Chizoba, a.k.a Chizzy, has joined her colleagues to deny the fact that there is sexual harassment in Nollywood. The beauty, who returned to Nollywood two years ago, after she disappeared from the screen maintained that she has never experience any sexual harassment since she delved into acting in 2003. According to her, “Sexual harassment does not exist in Nollywood. In fact, that’s what I have never experienced in my career. All the people I’ve worked with have been so nice and helpful to me,” she insisted. Explaining why she disappeared from the screen for awhile, the Imo State-born actress revealed that she took a break from acting in order to complete her university education. While an undergraduate, Chizzy contested and won the Miss Campus pageant in 2005. She has since returned to the trenches to continue doing what she knows how to do best, believing that “sky will be her limit.”

•Chizzy

‘Becoming a filmhouse owner requires dedication’ B

•Nice Kenechukwu C M Y K

eing a filmhouse owner according to experts, “is not for everyone.” But it can be a great career for those who are passionate about films and dedicated to their business. Nice Kenechukwu Okwor aptly belongs to these class of professionals. Since 2003, Nice has been operating a filmhouse as a way of expressing his passion for the industry. He revealed that he started the business way back in Canada, where he was formerly residing before he relocated to the country few years ago. He’s currently the owner of a single-screen theater located in Surulere area of Lagos, which first opened two years ago. The Accounting graduate of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, who is also a musician producer and an entrepreneur par excellence, said he returned home to contribute his own quota to the development of the nation’s entertainment industry. His cinema house better known as Kene Cinema has a capacity of containing 1000 theatre goers. Nice said, since the inception of the filmhouse, over 30 movies have been premiered at the cinema in the past two years. Describing himself as someone who has strong passion for entertainment, Nice said, he ventured into the business because of the love of prompting our locally made movies. The cinema centre also houses his musical studio. Speaking further, Nice said, while he was in Canada, it was difficult for him to secure a white collar job, with his certificate as a graduate of Accounting from UNN. To make ends meet, he decided to delved into the entertainment world which has paid him off. “ I am enjoying what I am doing today. This is what is putting food on m table, “ he enthused. Apart from being a cinema house owner, Nice is also into movie production. Some of the films he has produced in recent times include, “The Canal” , “ The Sworn” and “ Ije Ego”, which is an Igbo language movie. Unlike in the recent past, Nice said Nigerians have realized the importance of going to the theatre to see blockbuster films. “ We are just beginning to gain recognition.”

singers and other celebrities have thrown their weight behind the novel achievement, produced by pastor David Ogudu, General Overseer, G.O of Christos International Worship Centre, Abuja. The event is billed to hold at the Congress Hall of the Nicon Hilton, Abuja. The stars that have endorsed the project are Nollywood veteran actors Ejike Asiegbu, Larry Koldsweat and Zach Orji. Gospel music stars Asu Ekiye, Panam Percy Paul Samsong and Solomon Lange have also openly identified with the project and would be performing live on stage the launch day. Dike Chukwumerije, son of late Senator Chukwumerije would be on hand to dish out soul inspiring poems as well as renowned Prof. Herbert Wilson. From July 18, Nigerians would have the opportunity to listen to bible verses from the book of Mathew to Revelation in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Efik, Ibibio, Gbagi, Gwari, Fulani, Igala and Idoma languages. Other languages that are in the audio bible include Tiv, Bini, Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Igbira, Ogoni and Okrika. Veteran actor Ejike Asiegbu in a statement congratulated Prophet Ogudu. This God’s servant is someone I have known for over a decade now and I know his penchant for doing things that will promote not only God’s work but enrich humanity. This audio bible in 18 Nigerian languages will be promoted by us entertainers across the states in the federation as our own way of helping to propagate the gospel, and win souls for God and reawaken the consciousness in people to serve God.” Prophet Ogudu had a revelation last year to produce audio bibles. “The word of God is life, some of these languages are dying gradually and we want to use this audio bible to revive our languages, reawaken our culture and languages as well as bring pride and dignity to the individual.”

•Prophet Ogudu

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32 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 —33

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34— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

ale Adenuga, MFR, 65, is the chairman of Wale Adenuga Production, WAP; a former cartoonist/ publisher, and currently a TV series producer, Super story, Nnena and friends, This Life among others. Before the growth of the film industry, Adenuga had released the celluloid movie Papa Ajasco, which was based on the main character in Ikebe Super, in 1983. Papa Ajasco made history as the first English comedy in an industry which had been dominated by Yoruba productions. Then a film version of Binta, re-entitled 'Binta My Daughter' was released in 1995. A year later, the television series Papa Ajasco (formerly The Ajasco Family) was aired on Nigerian television for the viewing pleasure of Nigerians. With the burning desire to provide qualitative education, Adenuga and his wife Ehiwenma founded Binta International School in Lagos. He also opened the Pencil Film and Television Institute (PEFTI) now a leading institute in the art of film production, directing, and Cinematography. Adenuga who has won several awards including Best Producer, Best Script Writer, Best Director, Best Television Drama and Best Socially Relevant Te l e v i s i o n Production, in this interview with Showtime Celebrity says a few younger actors and actresses have hijacked the Nollywood, revealing why he and other senior Yoruba film-makers will not be part of Nollywood. Excerpts:

Why I will Nollywood

By Ishola Balogun

ow would you •Wale Adenuga describe the entertainment industry with particular reference to film and soap opera? The industry has been doing very well. Both the film sector and the soap opera have their respective challenges though. The greatest challenge of any producer right now is the high cost of television airtime. You go the extra mile to look for money to produce your programme which costs several millions of naira and when you get to any of the TV stations, they will ask you to pay millions of naira. By the time you produce about thirteen episodes, you are already broke. So, having exhausted all you have on production, you will then be faced with the challenge of airtime. They will ask you to pay over N1million for 30minutes. For one hour programme, you have to pay about N2.5million to put it on air. That is why some producers become frustrated and so, stop showing their programmes on TV stations. They rather want to sell their programmes to satellite stations outside the country. Now, for film producers, one of their challenges is piracy. But it is very unfortunate allowing the problem to degenerate to this level. In proffering a solution, we have to look at the root cause of the problem. Like in treating an ailment, a medical doctor will want to look at the medical history of the patient. Historically, Nigeria film industry started on celluloid. In other words, we call it cinema films. Films were produced specifically for the cinema. You will remember the Ogundes, the Ola Baloguns, I also produced a film in 1983, Papa Ajasco on celluloid. Then, there was nothing like piracy because the technology was not advanced. You project e pictures and collect your money. There was no piracy. After the devaluation of naira, this made the production of celluloid film a bit difficult, so the film industry took a dive. By 1992, Nigerians devised another method called videography by use of televised camera. It was a cheap way of making films since we could no longer afford the celluloid thing. The evolution of the system was by Aromire producing films like Ekun. That was when Nollywood started. It is part of our film history which started in 1992. You know they celebrated 20th anniversary a couple of years back. But the first film that was shot and made so much noise was Living in Bondage. It was not the first video film but the first popular video film in terms of sales and commercial viability. Before this period, foreign films were in the market in VHS. Those days, many of all those foreign films we were buying were pirated copies. The same marketers that were pirating the foreign films later delved into pirating

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Nigerian films and since then, we have by, ommision and commission, legalised the illegality. Again, all over the world, any production that is cheap can be easily pirated. As long as producers still shoot with this DVD, they will pirate it, it is just a matter of copying it by any means and rolling it out. “What then is the solution? The countries that started this before us like the India, America, and others, are not shooting straight into home videos. They started with films and cinema product. It is after showing their films at cinemas and after adequately making their money, they would put it into video for homes and televisions. Even if it later becomes pirated, they do not bother and dissipate energy on it because they would have made money. “But there are cases of piracy even immediately it is first shown at the cinema? Yes, I know, but that is on exceptional cases and that can be easily dealt with. One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch. You will always find some extreme cases, just as we know that there is no perfect situation. “What do you think government should do to stem the tide of piracy? Government should provide enabling environment for making it difficult for those who want to reap where they

did not sow. Government can build cinema houses at every local government, where people can go to relax and watch films. I am not talking about the expensive ones like the Galleria where even ice-cream is close to a N1000. Cinema houses should be so close to the people that you just take a light walk there to watch films. So, by this, if a producer produces his film, all he needs is to take it to the cinema houses across the state, close to the people and show it. Again, government can support the producers by banning the sale of home videos for six months or one year within which the producers can show their new films at the cinemas across the country. Indians and Americans film producers do not produce films every month like we do here. They may not even produce a film in a year. Yet they are more recognised than Nigeria when it comes to film-making and entertainment. When they produce, it is always a quality production that will appeal to people all over the world. Our own films and video cannot qualify for awards except where they accept videos, yet we roll out films every time. Although, our producers have started producing high grade videos that can pass for cinemas but a lot still need to be done to improve the quality. You have to

•Speaks on piracy and how the Igbos have hijacked the movie industry

Yes, I know, but that is on exceptional cases and that can be easily dealt with. One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 — 35

never be part of — Wale Adenuga use high grade and special cameras much like celluloid of those days. Films like 'Five Days in Atlanta', 'October 1' among others are high grade products. Kunle Afolayan said his film cost him N150 million. It is not the usual one. The DVD we produce in Nigeria cannot be shown in cinema houses because if you put them on the projector, the picture will fade. Don't you think the cinema culture has died in Nigeria? No! The cinema culture has not died. People are still wiling to watch films especially if they are in their neighbourhood and quite affordable. The few cinema houses we have are not ideal for our people. They are for the elites. You don’t expect people living in Mushin and Ajegunle to troop to Apapa or VI to watch films. Apart from the cost of getting to the Galleria, popcorn and ice-cream are too expensive. The class of cinema houses I am talking about are not for the elites. It will be so close to the people and will be affordable. “But that may not be entirely government's responsibility, I think the private sector has more to do in that direction. Yes! I agree but government has to provide the enabling environment and set out the rules. With the high level of piracy too, no private sector also wants to build a cinema hall because the film you want to show has been pirated the day it comes out. Again, government has to bring a sterner punishment to discourage the crime. Unfortunately, we are still going with the old law which stipulates a fine of N50,000 which any pirate can afford. We need to review the law. The NCC that is empowered to fight this scourge in one of national dailies says they cannot fight piracy. So, who else will fight piracy. In any case, that is a good news to pirates. “You said our laws are not punishing the pirates enough, what sterner measures would you advocate? Serious and severe punishment of course. For people who want to reap where they did not sow, no punishment is too high. To pirate somebody’s work; either music, book, film or any other work if you say 20 years imprisonment, it is not too much. It has to be a law that will discourage the act. In Indonesia they publicize the punishment for drug peddling and warn people of the death penalty because it was killing their people and destroying their economy. So, if you engage in it you already know the consequence. So, it falls on us to identify what is militating against our progress and nip it in the bud by apportioning appropriate punishment. Piracy is a very serious evil that must be destroyed. “Drawing inference from the Ogunde and Baba Sala's bitter stories on piracy and many on the contemporary practitioners including Kunle Afolayan, why didn't the practitioners themselves nip it in the bud? Is it naivety or that the problem has defied solution? That brings us back to the basic problem facing this industry. We are not structured. It has always been my idea that we come together to form an umbrella body. Other professional bodies like the NMA,NGE, NBA among others are strong and able to manage the affairs of their members and check their excesses because they are united. The film industry in Nigeria has no such body. The Hausa are doing their own under Kannywood, the Igbo are doing their own under Nollywood and the Yoruba under Yorubawood or whatever. Even within these groups, we still have in-fighting and misunderstanding over leadership. No national umbrella. If we had a national

body, the war against piracy would have taken a more robust dimension. Aside the recent marching to Alausa, the national body would have taken it upon itself to champion the cause. “What about the Nigerian Guild of Actors? Is it a Guild that its members cut across Nigeria or one that is only one section of the country? Things cannot go on that way. We need national guild that comprises of practitioners from all sections of the country. We can have Guild of Actors and Guild of Directors that are truly national andtherewillbeinter-connectivity. The Guild of Marketers can now say if your film does not get the approval of Guilds of Actors and Directors, we will not sell. This will check any bad product. This way, there will be sanity. Each guild can also determine their rules to bring about unity, quality films and progress. Now everybody is a film producer and some will even do pornography and it will get into the market. It is so bad that we don't even have association of film-makers. If Buhari wants to meet with doctors now, he will get them through the NMA. Government also doesn’t know that Nollywood is for the Igbo actors and therefore, the few largesse from government goes to the Igbo actors depending on who knows who. This came out to the open during the last election. Nigeria film industry has been hijacked by about six popular actors, two males and four females. They are the ones we saw at Aso Rock during the election collecting money on behalf of the industry, but for their individual pockets. They have no followership. They deceived the government saying they will 'settle' some actors to vote for Jonathan which was not true. Many of them did not even have PVC, hence they did not vote. So, out of anger, other actors now voted for the other party. There is no truly national guild. Why are the Yoruba actors not under the Nollywood? The reason is that when somebody claims he founded Nollywood, Oga Bello and of course I cannot be part of that. You were alive in 1983 when I produced my first film when Emeka Ike and his Nollywood people were still in school. They started their own film-making in 1992 and they are claiming that 1992 was the beginning of film-making in Nigeria. Would you then call me a member of Nollywood? Bello made OmoOrukan in 1980s. Will Bello now come under Nollywood formed by somebody who began his career in 1992? Emeka Ike started in 1992 and in one of his interviews I read, he said he founded Nollywood. So, would I belong to such industry founded by Emeka Ike who was born when I was making films? Or will Ogunde of blessed memory consider Emeka Ike as his own pioneer? Young boys and girls have pocketed Nollywood and sent veteran actors into forced retirement. These old actors are now living in abject poverty due to inactivity. Some of them facing avoidable deaths. Buy you see, there is nothing bad in adopting Nollywood as name for Nigeria film industry, what I expected was that when you are telling the story of that Nollywood, it behooves on you to say it started in 1950s, giving credence to those who started it before you. I can't be part of a Nollywood started by Emeka Ike because I was making films before he was born. I can't consider him as my pioneer. That is why Yoruba and Hausa

•Wale Adenuga

are not part of it. Go and ask Muazu in the North who has been making films sinceGodknowswhen,willEmekaIkebehispioneer?TheydefinedNollywood as product of 1992. It suggests that those who have been making films before 1992 are not part of Nollywood. That to me is a dangerous claim. “What is the way out now in order to foster unity and development of the industry? The urgent formation of a National body of film-makers is important now. We can set up national guild which will include producers, directors, make-up artists, editors, actors, production managers, set designers, location managers among others. All these guilds will elect the president of the overall association of film-makers. The national executive will then be able to work with government at all levels and corporate bodies on issues affecting the industry like piracy and funding. The body will also take care of quality control. The government should also institutionalize funding plan for the industry where film-makers would be able to access loans, grants or other forms of financial aids.

•Wale Adenuga with his Families C M Y K

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

08 116759 759 081 6759759

#Hold A Coke With Your Boobs #HoldACokeWithYourBoobsChalenge prompts fury after women are accused of trying to make breast cancer sexy... Campaigners have accused the organisers of t h e

#HoldACokeWithYourBoobsChalenge on social media of attempting to make breast cancer ‘sexy’. The trend, which was started by a Las Vegasbased ‘adult entertainment’

scout encourages women and occasionally men - to post photos with a soft drink held in their cleavage. A large number of images have already been posted online showing mainly topless women attempting to cover their nipples while holding a can of coke in their breasts - all apparently in the name of raising money for breast cancer. But it has since emerged that the trend started out as a joke intended to make fun of similar ‘challenges’ such as the Ice Bucket Challenge, and that no money is being raised for charity. Since the trend started, a large number of women and a handful of men have taken to social media to post photographs of themselves posing with a can or glass of coke stuffed into their cleavage. While some women use their underwear to hold the soft drinks, many others have opted to pose completely topless, covering their nipples with their hands or with tassles. Not to be outdone, plenty of men have

How did we get it so wrong?

ad things gone a little differently, they could have been sipping champagne around the Cabinet table by now. But as it is, Ed

Last FARE-well W

ith his hands gripping the s t e e r i n g wheel, he sits upright in the driver’s seat of his cab. But this Puerto Rico taxi driver won’t be going anywhere soon - because he died earlier this month. And the two men stood beside the veteran cabbie’s Toyota Corolla are, in fact, mourners at his wake. Victor Perez Cardona’s dying wish was to be propped up in his cab for a final time before his burial. After he passed away from cancer aged 73, his C M Y K

daughter Generosa Perez fulfilled his desire by sitting him in his beloved taxi and inviting loved ones to come and bid her father a final, unusual farewell. On Sunday, hundreds of mourners stood and looked at Cardona, who had been a taxi driver for 15 years, at his wake in Aguas Buenos. Some even climbed into his taxi and sat in the passenger seat. Perez told Elnuevodia.com that the bizarre sight had attracted a high number of people,

including members of funeral homes in the area. ‘Many have come to pay their respects,’ she told the site. She added that her father had always liked a good joke - and had been so passionate about his profession that he had wished for his relatives and friends to honor it following his death. Mourners were permitted to take photos of Cardona, who apparently started off driving public buses before he got work as a cabbie. He later became k n o w n throughout his town as ‘VitÌn the driver’. Cardona was removed from his cab and taken to a chapel on Sunday night.

happily joined the hashtag - using tape to strap the soft drink to their chests if their own cleavage isn’t large enough to hold a can. The#HoldACokeWithYourBoobsChallenge was widely believed to have been a way for members of the public to raise money for breast cancer charities in much the same way as the Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than £75 million for those suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However its origins have now been exposed as somewhat less charitable, after ‘adult entertainment’ scout Danny Frost and glamour model Gemma Jaxx admitted it was them that started the hashtag. More importantly the Breast Cancer Research Foundation revealed that the trend isn’t raising money for them, telling Esquire magazine that it has no connection with the campaign but would happily receive donations from the challenge should they start coming in. Inevitably the trend has suffered a backlash, with campaigners accusing the organisers of trying to make breast cancer appear ‘sexy’, while others say it is offensive to sufferers of the disease who have had to have one or more breasts removed.

Miliband and his election strategist Douglas Alexander had to settle for a rather more modest refreshment at a pavement cafe. And with their pained expressions and frantic gesticulating, it looked as though the two men were still desperately trying to work out where it all went wrong. Two weeks after their dreams of Downing Street were dashed, the pair met for lunch at an organic cafe in Hampstead, North London. As they chatted, former Labour leader Mr

Miliband, 45, chewed his fingernails before holding his head in his hands. Across the table, his former shadow foreign secretary – who was responsible for Labour’s election campaign – stared glumly into the distance. Of course Mr Alexander, 47, may have been reflecting on losing his Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat to 20-year-old politics undergraduate Mhairi Black, the Scottish National Party candidate who is now Britain’s youngest MP. And Mr Miliband,

The 12-year-old Aussie girl who took on her dyslexia by writing to the world’s most famous sufferer, billionaire Richard Branson…

12-year-old dyslexic girl who penned a letter to Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson to ask him to raise awareness about the condition has been called ‘inspiring’ by the billionaire. The high-profile businessman, who also has dyslexia, shared Isley Hermansen’s story on his blog and praised her for seeing her condition as a ‘gift’. Isley, from Queensland’s Gold Coast, made a video and penned a letter to Sir Richard to get his attention. In her note to the British airline boss, Isley called on him to watch a YouTube video she made about famous and influential people who had overcome their learning difficulty to do extraordinary things. ‘Richard Branson will you help

kids like me learn to “fly” like a dyslexic? Please help me,’ Isley wrote. Her list included not only Sir Richard but The Beatles’ John Lennon, artist Leonardo Da Vinci, actress Keira Knightley, physicist Albert Einstein and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. The young girl enlisted the use of the internet and asked people to use the hashtag ‘like a dyslexic’ to get the attention of the billionaire. Isley told Channel Seven’s Sunrise the hardest thing about being dyslexic was ‘not being able

meanwhile, is still living in the dark shadow of the ‘Ed-stone’, the infamous 8ft 6in monolith inscribed with his six election pledges. He endured ridicule for ‘acting like Moses’ – not to mention the weeks of mockery that followed a series of awkward photographs of him eating a bacon sandwich inelegantly. The pair ’s glum faces echoed that of former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, pictured in the Daily Mail last week lugging a pile of dirty work suits to the dry cleaner. to keep up with other kids in classrooms’. She also asked Sir Richard to impart advice on other young people living with dyslexia. ‘I think the thing to do in life is to do what you’re good at and perhaps delegate the rest,’ he told her on the breakfast show. ‘You will be exceptional at something... and enjoy what you’re exceptional at. ‘One day I look forward to some kid writing to you... saying how wonderful you’ve been and what you’ve achieved.’ Sir Richard initially responded to Isley’s video on his Virgin blog. ‘Every now and then you come across something so inspiring that you can’t help but share it,’ he wrote. ‘This was certainly the case with this wonderful idea from 12-year-old Isley, who has severe dyslexia. ‘She struggles in school just like I did, staying quiet in the classroom, and feeling dejected. ‘With videos like Isley’s, the word is spreading that dyslexics can ‘Shake the Shame’ and see all of the positives of being dyslexic. ‘It is no surprise that some of the brightest minds and most talented people of all time have been dyslexic. Isley, they are in good company with you.’

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 6, 2015 — 37

he NCC Tennis League lived up to its billing and the expectation of tennis followers with the excitement, passion and intensity the ties played in four different centres across the country generated. The eight teams featuring a good spread of all the top tennis players in the country were on parade in Asaba, Onitsha, Abuja and Abeokuta. All centres attracted large crowds. In Abeokuta, Team Ogun featuring two top 10 players overwhelmed the young CBN Futures side made up of top junior players. The overall score did not however tell the story and the young CBN side had a lot of positives to take away from the encounter. In the ladies singles, Angel Mcleod the national junior champion won the first set against Ronke Akingbade, the 2015 CBN Senior Championship ladies singles winner but finally lost 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. In the mixed doubles Marylove Edwards 13, pairing another junior Michael Michael played a close first set against Monday Igbinovia and Akingbade who won 7-5, 6-3. The close ties, as envisaged, were those between hosts Team Delta and Team Tombim from Abuja and Team Kalotari playing away to Team FCT in Abuja. By the end of the first day’s matches Team Delta and Team Tombim were all square at 2-2. Christian Paul for Tombim beat Candi Idoko 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 and Albert Bikom levelled by defeating Henry Atseye 6-4, 64. National No.2 female player Sarah Adegoke then nudged Tombim ahead by beating Ann Okoro 6-2, 6-1. Again, Bikom winner of the CBN Senior Championship doubles with Sunday Maku paired Idoko to beat Paul and Onyeka Mbanu 4-6, 6-2, 10-6(tiebreak decider). However on the final day, Team Tombim introduced their star player, Moses Michael, who beat Bikom 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 to set the stage for his team to take the next two points for an overall 5-2 win.

•Austin Okocha returns the ball at the launch of the NCC Tennis League in Lagos

NCC Tennis League lights up Nigerian cities •Abuja, Asaba, Abeokuta, Onitsha dazzle fans

It was a similar story on the first day of competition in Abuja where 19 year-old Emmanuel Sunday playing for Team FCT beat Musa Bala of Team Kalotari to give his team a head start but former national No.1 and current doubles champion, Sunday Maku restored parity with a close 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win against another youngster

Emmanuel Paul. Team Kalotari then won the next two points with Aanu Aiyegbusi continuing her dominance of former national champion Blessing Samuel with a straight sets victory and the pair of Maku and Bala easily winning the doubles. The Kalotari team took the reverse singles in very tight

Frenc h Open: rench

Safarova battles Serena for singles crown

C M Y K

winning 6-1, 7-5. Team Anambra gave their teeming fans hope of snatching a point when the pair of Achusim and Stella Udokwelu took the first set off Agugbom and Lawal but the champions rallied back to win 4-6, 6-2, 10-5(tiebreak decider). The four singles matches were easily won by Babalola and Nonso Madueke. Overall, it was a great start for a brand new tennis league which is taking top class tennis to different parts of the country and attracting the right sponsorship for the players. The next set of round robin matches has been scheduled for the third and fourth weekends of July, right after the Muslim fast.

FIFA Women’ World Cup s s tarts

ucie Safarova has said that L she was ready to battle top seed Serena Williams in

today’s French Open final at Roland Garros. Safarova had never managed to reach the final of a Grand Slam event before and the 28year-old was delighted to secure her place. “It’s slowly sinking in that I’ve reached the final… the happiness is unreal. I believe that the final game against Serena will be a big test for me and I am ready for the battle” Safarova faces Williams, who managed to overcome illness to reach yet another Grand Slam final, with a victory over Timea Bacsinszky. It was the Swiss star who

three set matches, dropped the final mixed doubles match to the FCT but still emerged comfortable 5-2 winners. The star studded Civil Defence team did not drop any points against Team Anambra at the Onitsha Sports Club but the spectators had a lot to cheer as their players went down fighting. In the ladies singles, Lovett Donatus played a close first set against national champion Christie Agugbom then succumbed 7-5, 6-0. The mens doubles between Babalola Abdulmumuni and Shehu Lawal against Nnaemaka Achusim and Augustine Nwokedi of Team Anambra was also fairly close with the Civil Defence team

•Serena •Safarova looked destined for the final as she took the first set 6-4, with Williams complaining of illness and looking more than uncomfortable on court. However, the American

produced an impressive comeback and took the next two sets 6-3 6-0 to set up a showdown with Safarova in the French capital.

The FIFA W today with Comen’s World Cup Can match at the anada confronting C ada 2015 kicks off the day ’s othCommonwealth Stadhina in the opening iu Nigeria beger match, New Zealandm in Edmonton. In in tackle Holla th eir campaig with a gam nd. na Stadium one against Sweden at tht the tournament Ju e Winnipeg Just like th ne 8. the ball roll e fans, the players ca n hardly wa last four yeaing after anticipating th it to get months pre rs and have spent mo is moment for the showdown paring themselves for st of the past 12 this global

x-international, Tajudden Disu talks about the merry-go-round that surrounded the death of former Eagles goalkeeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare, the exclusion of John Mikel Obi from the game against Chad as well as lists what could make Stephen Keshi succeed in his second coming as Super Eagles coach. JOHN EGBOKHAN caught up with Disu before the final match off the Channels Television Kids Cup. Excerpts: Ques: How crucial is it for talents to be discovered at competitions like InterHouse Sports and Channels Kids Cup. It is very crucial because people like myself, Keshi and Henry Nwosu were first discovered at such events. This is the type of programme that I enjoy most because we were once like these kids. At that time, this type of programme was the foundation. I think its good, interhouse sports, school sports, academy sports are all good because it is where you catch them young. And from what I’ve seen today, most of these kids will go far in sports. From what I see, some of these kids will be representing Nigeria in the future. What is your message to sports officers in the local government areas in the identification of talents from such competitions. I am tasking them to do more by discovering budding talents because it is catch-them-young programme that will bring out these kids to the limelight. They have to do more in encouraging these kids and make sure that they organise programmes that will bring out the best from these kids. It is from this platform that they will grow to become Nigerian stars. As an ambassador of Greater Tomorrow, we will continue to encourage these kids, tell them that for them to excel they have to be disciplined, hard working C M Y K

•Disu

Dropping Keshi’s be decision•Re pas — Disu Ag ,

38— SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 6, 2015

and go to school. They have to bag University degrees that they can fall back to when sports is over. The combination of education and sports is wonderful. It’s not easy to combine both but it is wonderful and very rewarding if you pull through. If we could succeed, there is no reason why these kids cannot. This reminds me of the case of the late Wilfred Agbonavbore, who died in Spain It does. I was then in the U.S.A and I

I weep when I see the suffering of my former colleagues.

, knew how many times I called the NFF and my colleagues to come to the aid of Agbonavbere. But they kept promising, promising until the guy died. They failed him when he needed their help. Myself, Paul Okoku, Femi Olukanno and Humphrey Edobor went to the hospital in Florida and l saw the terrible state that Agbonavbare was in and relayed the message to Nigeria. We contacted the NFF,

who promised heaven on earth until he died. They didn’t do anything. In fact, after his death, we even sent messages to the NFF to come to the aid of his children and arrange for his burial but they didn’t do anything. That was how NFF treated Agbonavbere and that is the reason why we should encourage our youths to go to school because our system in Nigeria is a failed system. Any ex-international who relies on these sports administrators is laying the ground for his death. I weep when I see the suffering of my former colleagues. But ex-internationals were duly remunerated when they were active. So how come they still expect government to take care of them long after retirement? The blame goes both ways. It’s not all of us that went to school. It was easy not to go to school in those days because of the attraction of football. But the truth is that after representing your country at various competitions and winning laurels in tow, it is not good to be abandoned by your country. There are other countries with all these stars who did not go to school but because they have retirement programmes on ground, their former stars don’t live in penury. Such countries have good programmes which they use to engage these former players. But nothing of such exists here. There is no plan or programme for people who represented and toiled for this country. We don’t have

g Mikel est e v er Recalls painful

ssing of Willy gbonavbare pension scheme for these stars. So you think exinternationals deserve pension scheme. They deserve it. Absolutely. But they got allowances, bonuses and a lot of largesse when they played. Those allowances and bonuses were for the matches they played. It’s just like when abroad, you get bonuses and after retirement, you still get your retirement money. Is it even professional for players to be demanding for certain allowances and bonuses when on national duty. Yes. Countries like USA, UK, France have pension schemes for former players. Even some African countries like South Africa plan for the athletes. If planned well, pension scheme will make life after retirement better for athletes, who served the country. Bonuses are for what you did while pension scheme is reward after service to the country. What about other workers who get pensions after serving the country? A lot of people see this as a waste of money but those who know about sports know that it is the best way to enhance sports excellence. When at the end of the day they get their pension scheme, it will encourage the young ones to go into sports and serve their fatherland with all their might. And maybe that is the reason why the standard of sports is going down in the country.

Still on the issue of allowances, what is your reaction to a threat to reduce by half the allowances of coaches and players of Abia Warriors if they don’t win their next three matches when the league resumes on June 14. That is what happens in a country like Nigeria, where

•Mikel

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 6, 2015 — 39

say that it was the NFF that made Keshi to fail last time around. They frustrated him. You are saying all these because he is your friend? Yes, he is my friend but I’ve not seen him for a very long time. I didn’t play for long with Keshi in the Eagles. We played together for about a year or so before parting ways. But Keshi admitted that he caused our failure?

•Willy

people who have money and with no knowledge of sports dabble into sports and form their teams and act as if they are the alpha and omega of those under their payroll. I tell you and I will continue to say it that you can’t excel in sports if you don’t do the right things that coaches require to make their job a success. A coach will tell you that he needs certain things but the owners will not provide them and at the end will sack these coaches if the results don’t come in. That is why I will never be a coach because you see people without any sports background pushing you around. Our coaches suffer a lot.

He didn’t but was told to apologise and accept the blame by the NFF. He’s the coach and must definitely takes some blame for what went wrong.

, When you talk about midfield, I wonder which position in the midfield Mikel plays in

Turning to the Super Eagles, what is your advice to Stephen Keshi as he prepares for the 2017 Afcon qualifier against Chad on June 13. I wish him the best but I must

•Keshi

In going forward, what is the time-line for the game against Chad. What should Keshi do differently. He should tell his players not to underrate Chad. It will be suicidal for Keshi to think that Chad are weak. Keshi must realise that a lot of things are at stake in this his second coming. He must motivate his players and let the boys know that everything is at stake for them against Chad. And your reaction to his exclusion of Mikel Obi from the Chad game. It is the best thing that Keshi has done since he started coaching Eagles. Keshi knows why he didn’t invite Mikel. Mikel could never have played for Nigeria when we played. When you talk about midfield, I wonder which position in the midfield Mikel plays in. In our days, Mikel would not even be invited. Mikel does not have the quality to play in my midfield. Mikel can’t distribute, entertain or change the direction of the game. I don’t see any reason why he should be playing in our midfield. What are our chances of qualifying for the next AFCON 2017 in Gabon We can qualify if Keshi is supported. They should not interfere in his job. They should work with one mind because if the NFF has a different agenda from Keshi’s then we can never qualify. Different agenda will kill Eagles. That has been the problem of our Eagles. There should not be imposition of players. Let Keshi pick his players and they should support him. They brought him back because of the pressure they were facing. Half of the people in NFF didn’t like Keshi and are waiting for him to fail. Our administrators should be scrutinised. They don’t care about players welfare. At times, they even want players to lose so that they will share the money. A task force should be set up to probe our administrators. They are the real cause of our football woes. C M Y K

40—SATURDAY

Vanguard,JUNE 6, 2015

Lifeline:

ARLIER in the week, I got involved in a chat about Breast Self Examination, BSE. A particular young lady disclosed how much she is benefitting from routinely performing the process over the years. This lady has never been diagnosed with any malady of the breasts, but she has strong belief that getting into the habit of performing regular breast self-exams enables every woman to check for changes (such as lumps or thickenings) in a timely and convenient way. Being breast aware gives her confidence physically and psychologically. She was affirmative that a woman can notice changes by knowing how her breasts normally look and feel and that feeling her own breasts for changes (breast awareness), or by choosing to use a step-by-step approach (with a BSE) and using a specific schedule. Her argument is simple. With BSE, complications such as breast cancer are detected in the early stages, and with early detection, chances of survival are greatly improved. Breast self-exam I discovered, quite unexpectedly, that breast selfexam is not really as big a passion as expected among the women folk in these parts. So this is the topic up for discussion today. A breast self-exam is a check-up a woman does at home to look for changes or problems in the breast tissue. A breast change does not necessarily mean there is a problem. The self-exam includes looking at and feeling the breast and any unusual changes can be easily detected and addressed. Many women feel that doing a breast self-exam is important to their health especially in detection of breast cancer. Quite so many breast abnormalities are picked up during breast self-exams. Know what “normal” means for you A woman should know her body. Such knowledge is the key to good health. If you don’t know what you normally feel like, you won’t be able to recognise signs of illness or infection. Breast self-exam help you feel more comfortable with your body and gives a baseline of how you look and feel when healthy. A selfexam also allows you to take action in protecting yourself from cancer and cysts, since with regular self-exams you C M Y K

•Breast Self Examination

allow you to become visually acquainted with how your breasts appear. Look for changes such as redness, dimpling or a scaly skin, or a change in size or shape. Nipple changes should also be noted, whether it’s in the shape, colour or contour of the nipple. Nipple discharge, which could be clear, cloudy or bloody, should be reported. Step 2: While standing or sitting, raise one arm and place your hand behind your head. With the opposite hand, use the pads of the fingers to feel your breast in small circular motions. Some women prefer to start in one corner and go back and forth and up or down across the breast. Others prefer a spiral pattern, working around the breast and inward toward the nipple. No matter what technique you choose, you want to cover the entire breast from the clavicle to the rib cage. You also want to reach the side of your breast under the armpit. Repeat with your other breast. Step 3: Repeat step 2 while lying down. This will give you a more accurate impression of the terrain of your breasts. When lying down the breast tissue spreads evenly over the chest wall and is as thin as possible, making it much easier to feel all the breast tissue. Use the finger pads of the middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in the right breast. Use overlapping dime-sized circular motions of the finger pads to feel the breast tissue. Pressure points Use three different levels of pressure to feel all the breast tissue. Light pressure is needed to feel the tissue closest to the skin; medium pressure to feel a little deeper; and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs. It is normal to feel a firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast, but you should tell your doctor if you feel anything else out of the ordinary. If you’re not sure how hard to press, talk with your doctor or nurse. Use each pressure level to feel the breast tissue before moving on to the next spot.

Are you breas t aware? Examine yourself are more knowledgeable about your body than going for a scheduled examination. Don’t fear the unknown I discovered that quite a number of women do not perform BSE not because they are not aware of it, but for fear of finding something. The fact is, even if you find something, it’s often nothing to be alarmed about. Since breast cancers found early and treated promptly are almost always cured, learning how to examine your breasts properly can help save your life. Among other women I spoke to was a Staff Nurse/ Midwife who advised that every woman aged 20 and above should start conducting breast selfexams. The exams should

be performed once a month after your menstrual period, when breasts aren’t tender or swollen. The nurse explains that breast tissue can change depending on the time of the cycle and become swollen, tender or more lumpy than usual. Performing breast self-exams at the same time each month means you are most likely to feel significant changes or lumps, and following a schedule helps you remember to do it. If you’re not always regular, do it on the same day every month. If this is your first BSE, ask your health practitioner for detailed instructions and so that you can be sure that what you feel is normal and healthy. She says you shouldn’t get upset if you feel some lumps or hardness; that’s natural. It is also normal if your breasts are not exactly the same size. Though not all lumps found during BSEs are malignant, self-exams can catch cancer during its early stages. Three quick steps Step 1: First, stand facing a mirror, with hands on your hips. This will

Adopt the right pattern Move around the breast in an up and down pattern starting at an imaginary line drawn straight down your side from the underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of the chest bone. Be sure to check the entire breast area going down until you feel only ribs and up to the neck or collar bone. There is some evidence to suggest that the up-and-down pattern (sometimes called the vertical pattern) is the most effective pattern for covering the entire breast without missing any breast tissue. Repeat the exam on your left breast, putting your left arm behind your head and using the finger pads of your right hand to do the exam. It pays to take control of your breast health. Be aware, informed and not afraid. The best way to cure cancer is to detect it early. Use all three steps - Breast self-exam, Mammography and clinical exam to find breast cancer early.

SATURDAY

ow to reduce wrinkles? The key to reducing wrinkles is making sure the skin remains very moist and soft, so not too much powder and ensure you moisturize really well. First step is to make sure you apply a good amount of rich moisturizer. Make sure you apply plenty of moisturizer, particularly in the areas where you have more wrinkles. Learn how to look younger in minutes. It is essentially helpful for hiding wrinkles. Look fresh and more youthful. Minimize your wrinkles and fine lines with these tips: Moisturise With age, your skin becomes drier, making wrinkles stand out more. Bring that moisture back to fight the fine lines. Look for a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid, which pulls in water and plumps the skin. Use Retinoids Retinoids spur your skin to make more collagen, which combats wrinkles. You can

Lifestyle

Ways to hide wrinkles

buy products made with retinol over the counter, or get prescription-strength retinoids through your doctor. Both “have been well-studied for wrinkles, and work. Use them as directed, and be patient. Most products take anywhere from six weeks to three months to work. Wear sunscreen, too. Retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Wearing sunscreen every day can also help you prevent future wrinkles. Don’t overdo anti-aging creams Take it easy. Try only one or two anti-aging products at a time. Using too many tends to irritate the skin, which can make signs of aging more visible. It’s best to start with one product and add another product after a month or so. Look for ingredients like vitamin C or descriptions including “peptide technology” or “growth factor technology.” Makeup After you moisturize, smooth on a primer before you put on your foundation.

•The key to softening wrinkles Applying primer as a makeup base is the key to softening wrinkles. Choose one with a silicone base, which fills in uneven skin texture and fine lines.

SEXUAL ISSUES & SOLUTIONS SEXUAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS PREMATURE EJACULATION TREATMENT – DO MORE

nce you gain access to the one-minute man club,

you don’t have to be a member for life. Men who suffer early ejaculation needs to practice by having regular intercourse. Performance anxiety is by far the most usual cause, and the psychosocial issues associated with PE usually can only be addressed by increasing the partners’ familiarity and comfort with each other.”

By removing the pressure to perform and increasing feelings of intimacy, many men greatly improve their stamina, so anxiety has to be done away with and this can be achieved by having intercourse regularly. Hello Viewden, I discover whenever I ejaculate, that the semen that comes out is very small and my organ is quite small, I have never had sex before, though I masturbate. I will soon get married and im so scared. What can I take? Adeagbo There is no need to be worried, you actually do not need a large amount of ejaculate to get a woman pregnant, but if you are worried about the quantity, I’d advise you get Volume pills that will increase the volume of your ejaculate. Volume pills is a natural supplement that you’ll take daily for about 2 months to totally handle the situation. To enlarge your organ, I’ll suggest you get Vigrx plus with plump cream which will increase the length and the thickness of the penis, but it has to be taken for about 3 months. Thank you Viewden, i got Prosolution from you and since then, I last longer on my woman and dont ejaculate within 5 minutes of penetration as I used to and my wife is full of smiles now. There was a time I read about Cleanshield and Oligosacharide helping out with osteoporosis and arthritis. I encounter serious pains in my legs, waist and back and it’s so bad that I can’t even walk for more than 5minutes, can these products help? Junaid Prosolution is very good in correcting early ejaculation and weak erection. And you are correct about Cleanshield liquid and Oligosacharide. They both help in fighting arthritis and other pains that has to do with bones especially the elderly. They are herbal and have no side effects as they

C M Y K

Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015—41

enhance the development of the skeleton and helping with chronic pains in the muscles and joints. If you can get a massager to use alongside these products, it would be an added advantage. Im diabetic and hypertensive and about 65 years of age, I got Sexvoltz and Rhino 5 from you and I must confess that anytime I take any one of them, I have very strong erection that last for several hours and doesn’t give headache as many other herbal aphrodisiacs that I have tried. I just read about X-again and wonder it performs with erection for elderly people. Is it available and can I use it? Chief Aba Just like you said, Sexvoltz and Rhino 5 are both safe for diabetics and hypertensive in giving strong erection without side effects. X-again just like the others is very safe for erection and its herbal without side effects. Im a 39 year old circumcised woman who never experience orgasm unless i get serious foreplay from my partner. I was told that rabbit vibrator could do the job of stimulating me to orgasm, cos its not every time that he’s ready for foreplay and I really want to enjoy having sex with him, pls kindly advise me- Bridget Dear Bridge ,it is true in most cases of circumcised women that they find it difficult not only to reach orgasm but also to get in the mood for sex due to the cutting off of the clitoris. Just to let you know that clitoris is not the only erogenous zone of a woman, your nipples, the inner gspot just att the entrance of vagina, the back of your ear are some of the erogenous zones that can turn you on. Yes rabbit vibrators such as Moonlight pearl, dolphin pearl, Remore control dazzling dolphin, ultimate rabbit pearl to mention but a few would do the work of enabling orgasm in you and will serve you for foreplay before the main sex. Germany sex drop is a herbal oral aphrodisiac that can also turn you on when taken some minutes before sex and herbal supplements like the Libigirl pills and the Sex shots- a drink that stimulates women. These are all we can take for this week. Adults who needs any of these aphrodisiacs can cal 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com. For further enquiries, send an email to us at: vieweden@yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com. Kemi Fawole (MD )

Use a light, moisture-rich foundation Heavy matte formulas make your skin look older. A hydrating, sheer foundation is best. Need more coverage to hide dark spots or blemishes? Lightly tap a concealer on dark spots before applying foundation. Heavy coverage on fine lines and wrinkles draws attention to them. Lighten up on powder A light dusting of loose, mineral powder sets your makeup without settling into fine lines and pores. Look for one that contains mica microparticles, which reflect light to give the skin extraordinary radiance. Also, swap your powder blush for a cream blush to get a natural, radiant look that won’t draw attention to any fine lines on your cheeks. Use less makeup One of the best ways to hide wrinkles is to NOT use too much makeup. People think that putting lots of makeup on the area will hide the wrinkles. This does exactly the opposite. It enhances the wrinkles, and makes them look “caked”.

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

Eyola

- A New Era of Fashion

Collection by Eyola

TEP into a world of exotic fashion, with a range of high trendy collections that provides clients with better contemporary options. Located at the Lambogini House Lekki, the Eyola Fashion House berths with a brick and mortar fashion showroom and a digital online store. The London-based brand, run by Nigerian Entrepreneur Eyola, champions feminism and the handmade sensibility of nineteenth century intricate and bespoke tailoring. With a penchant for lavish textiles and ornate detailing, Eyola exudes an innate sense of style, poetry, femininity and opulence; together becoming Eyola’s signature. Each silhouette, crafted by self-acclaimed ‘fashion sculptor’ Eyola, is an eccentric display of cut and proportion reminiscent of the Victorian era. With each piece handmade in London, Eyola describes her process of creation as resembling the art of sculpture, as opposed to fashion design. Sculpting fabrics onto the female form, Eyola’s eponymous label looks to the past to create a new era of fashion, an At Eyola’s Private Showroom in era that not only introduces a new Lagos, Eyola displays her signature style of fashion for women, but also a style inspired by the opulence and new system of fashion entirely. Each eccentricity of Victorian couture silhouette is created as part of a small tailoring proposed for cocktail dresses, capsule collection called ‘Octettes’, a evening gowns and bridal wear; new fashion term coined by Eyola that alongside party separates and the ‘Ederives from one of the Victorian era’s SMA’ accessories line (for both men most iconic fashion items - the corset, and women) inspired by Senator which creates an hourglass figure-8 Musa Adede. On the opposite end of shape.. the style-spectrum, Eyola’s Femme De C M Y K

Rose explores another branch of Victorian tailoring that was once reserved only for menswear. The art of bespoke traditional British tailoring revolutionised the way men dress in the nineteenth century and found a permanent home on London’s Savile Row. Men’s suits were, and continue to be, tailored by skilled craftsmen handmade exclusively to each man’s individual style, taste and

size. Eyola adopts this tradition of British tailoring with sister label Femme De Rose, where women can design their own classic wardrobe staples to their own style and taste using Eyola’s online virtual design companion. The finished design is handmade in London by skilled craftsmen, following the art of traditional Savile Row tailoring, and then shipped to your doorstep.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 43

Alexander Mcqueen croccodile leather clutch

bertoni mini-parchment striped bag

Brown alligator leather case with wooden handle

Donna Karan Liaison Top Handle Calf Bag

CoachxJames limited edition tote

inding the perfect bag is never so easy. Not only are there many to choose from, you still have the daunting task of choosing what shape will best suit you considering the things you want to carry with you. With some bags, like the mini, it will only let you carry a few items like your ATM card and phone. You also have the big bags that allows you take more than just a key holder or a an ATM card. Which ever you choose, find one with interesting detail which you often find in the handle. Take a look at this collection and see which you covet.

Cole Haan limited edition white leather bag

Genevieve Nnaji Nancy Gonzalez brown croccodile fur handbag

Prada double Zipper green tote C M Y K

Beauty in the detail

Dolce & Gabbana

Rita Dominic

44—SA TURD AY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 44—SATURD TURDA

Tejuosho’s 26th anniv er sar anniver ersar saryy

Pa Onwuegbute’s burial

THE Olambiwonnus and the Arogundades have become one family after the union of their children, Halimah Bolatito and Taofeek Olaniyi. The groom is the son of Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, a Director, Social Security, Department of Social Security, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

SPECIAL Joint Christian and Muslim Prayers to mark the 26th Coronation anniversary of Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso, Karunwi III Osile Oke-Ona Egba, held at its Ago-Oke Plalace Sapon Abeokuta on th Wednesday, May 20 2015. Photos by Wumi Akinola

THE remains of Pa Jacob Ase Christmas Onwuegbute, aged 83 years was committed to mother earth on May 1, 2015 Oyede, Isoko North LGA, Delta State. Thanksgiving for peaceful repose of his body held at St. Paul Anglican Church, Oyede on Sunday, May 3, 2015

L-R: Engr. & Mrs Taofeek Olaniyi Arogundade with former First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola,Alhaja Modinat Yussuf, Alhaja Azeezat Tijani and Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, groom's mum

R-L: Oba Adedotun Gbadebo Alake of Egbaland and Oba Adedapo Tejuoso Osile Oke-Ona Egba, celebrant.

First grand-daughter in procession round the village, accompanied by male children

L-R: The Oloris of Oba Tejuoso, Omolara, Yetunde and Olabisi Tejuosos with Senator Prince Lanre Tejuoso

First grand-daughter (m) with other female children

Halima & TTaof aof eek in lo aofeek lovve

The couple, Taofeek Olaniyi and Halimah Bolatito Arogundade with bride's parents, Mr Rasaq and Mrs Humanni Olambiwonnu

The couple, Taofeek Olaniyi and Halimah Bolatito Arogundade with the groom's parents, Prof Rasheed and Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade

L-R: Oba Ruben Oluwole, Olu of Ajebo, Chief (Mrs) Titi Ajanaku and Oba James Sodiya, Olu of Ogunmakin.

Great-grand children at the burial

Chief Ikeneku celebrates 80

hief S.A. Ikeneku, and his family, along with a few friends gathered at Nicon Hotel, VGC in Lagos th to celebrate his 80 birthday. It was a blissful day of celebration as there were enough to eat and drink.

Chief S.A. Ikeneku,wife, children and grand-children cutting his 80th birthday cake C M Y K

L-R: Mrs Idudu, Chief Ikeneku, Olorogun O.J.A. Chief Samson Omote Ikeneku and wife cutting Idudu, and Godspower Nakpodia Efiawhare (MC) his 80th birthday cake

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

missed the presidential inauguration two Fridays ago. On that day and at that time I was with a group of about 150 youths (Catholic Youths Organisation of Nigeria in Aguda, Surulere, Lagos) rubbing minds on how to take advantage of the new dawn. I told them:”Today, we celebrate the reality of a new dawn; today, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, a civilian president is peacefully handing over to another civilian president of a different political party. This means progress, but Nigeria is still plagued by many enormous problems…enough to discourage the uninitiated youths. But to the initiated youths, there lie the opportunities. ‘Where the needs (problems) of the world and your passion cross, there and manufacturing to lies your vocation,’ Aristotle diversify the economy. If he said. fulfils his promises the “The story is told of two opportunities will be shoe salesmen. The first was enormous; if he does not, sent to work in a region opportunities will still be where nobody wore shoes. there, because it is really He sent a message back that about over 170 million the company was wasting people who have needs to time and resources because meet. Either way, the issue nobody wore shoes there. is are you ready and The second was sent to the adequately equipped to take same territory. He sent a advantage of these message to the head office opportunities?” that they should empty the At this stage, the facilitator, warehouse and bring all the Mrs. Bridget Itsueli of the shoes because there is a Lagos Resource Centre, took large untapped market. over. She told the youths What kind of mindset do that there are chants of you have, the first or the change all over the place, second? but the most important “Nigeria offers you the change is that which opportunity to unleash your happens within the untapped and under-tapped individual. “This is potentials on over 170 something Buhari cannot do million people; only six it for you just as (former) other countries in the President Goodluck world—China, India, the Jonathan could not do it for United States, Indonesia, you.” She told them that Brazil and Pakistan, and no what they need to succeed other one in Africa—offer was given to them at birth by this massive opportunity. God, their co-creator. It was The incoming president, up to the youths to develop Muhammadu Buhari, has their talents and showcase promised to tackle the results of their creation. corruption, unemployment She advised them against with special focus on the waiting for Nigeria to do for youths and epileptic power them what they only can do supply. He also promised to for themselves. Nigeria, she focus on agriculture, mining said, is a failure of the

Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015 — 45

advan ” Taking adv antag ant tage dawn e of a da wn”” collective failures of individuals. In other words, Nigeria will rise again if everybody cleans up his/her act. She also told them to hone their leadership skills and become trailblazers. It was interaction time and like many other youth gatherings, they poured out their frustration with the stifling environment and how their efforts to have breakthroughs have been frustrated by the Nigerian

what you have started. They however acknowledged that we are operating in a suffocating environment, under difficult circumstances. We cannot run away from the truth that it is the responsibility of the government to provide basic infrastructure and create an enabling environment, areas where successive governments have performed poorly. The

God gave everybody over 50 talents at birth from which they can utilize and live fulfilled lives

environment. At this stage Mrs. Itsueli asked three youths (Omasan Okorodudu, Ifeanyi Ajegbo and Chuka Agali) she came with to share their experiences on coping with the Nigerian environment. They told the audience on how they rely on their innate gifts and focus on that which they need to do, battle through the odds and persevere until things fell in place over time. The summary of their messages was be focused, do your bit and have faith in God who will perfect

average Nigerian faces enormous challenges, but you cannot personise a general problem, neither should you put your life on hold until the right atmosphere, which is largely outside your control and not guaranteed, is created. Be focused and forge on. Another youth felt his life has been wasted because he is doing a job he does not like and he has gone past the age of being a professional footballer,

something he really wanted to be. He has two other passions he could not really convert to sources of livelihood. He felt all his opportunities were gone. He was reminded by speaker after speaker that each minute, each day, offers new opportunities and there will always be new opportunities until we die. Mrs. Itsueli also told them that God gave everybody over 50 talents at birth from which they can utilize and live fulfilled lives. She said many of these talents can be put to use simultaneously and converted to viable sources of income. What they need is capacity building and proper planning. In summary, the youths were told that they are the most important factor in their quest for success, because majority of what they need to succeed is within, deposited in them at creation, very little is external. Two, they should have the right value orientation and take their Christian values serious. Three, their lives, like that of all Christians, is that of sacrifice and service to humanity, for it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And giving is not necessarily about money. They can give their time and talents to noble causes. Also, youths should be well focused and have clarity of purpose about what they want to enable them live a purpose-driven life. The bottom line is if you want to take advantage of the new dawn, focus first on self. Your life is a vehicle, perfect your driving skills and be the driver. Do not cede that responsibility to another person.

(Text Only)

he hope of a return to better health and fitness can be anybody’s. All what it takes is the commitment to help oneself. You have not exercised in years, suddenly, you look in the mirror and you find fat has life. This new life will make you assailed your body. Your pot belly is rather tasking... wonder how you managed to adversely affecting your live at the low – energy level that you’d been used to for all posture. You look older and less those years. The advice here is that once energetic. But then, you have resolved to do something you get started don’t let up or you’ll find the body returning about all that. Your magic tools are going to to ruination. The body will be physical exercise for the have to be toned on a daily body, breathing exercise to basis via exercise. The beautiful thing about a throw out all the stale air in the lungs and introduce sufficient resolution to live a healthier oxygen to ensure healthy life is that, all the negative blood circulation.When you habits you once had will be take up a regimen to improve dropping off of themselves. If you smoke and drink, you the body, it must include a sensible eating habit. will soon find that you don’t Observing these points, the need to indulge as much as body is likely to respond before. In fact, it’s not surprising beautifully. In about three months, you will be on your that a lot of people manage to quit these two terrible habits way to a totally new you. The first to go will be your completely, after a few months depression over a physique of living a health-conscious you don’t love. Your self life. The following are some confidence will return as your body takes on a better shape. postures of yoga you can use You will find your power for to improve the body. The Triangle work and play improving. Oh yes, you will find a new zest for Technique: Standing with

Discover a new zest for life...

feet wide apart, turn to the left as you bend the left knee. Keep the right knee locked with the whole leg in a diagonal position to the trunk. Keep the hands over head with the palms together. The neck and head must be straight. Maintain the posture for some 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Benefit: The posture tones up the

leg muscles shedding excess fat... This exercise also helps you hold the body in a straighter posture.

The Triangle (A variant) Techique: Stand with the feet about three feet apart. Bend the right knee while keeping the left leg diagonal to the trunk. Bring the trunk lower towards the right tigh. Keep the left hand stretched out on the side of the head as you drop the right hand next to the right foot. Hold this position for 10 — 15 seconds and repeat on the other side. Benefits: This asana or posture improves the legs like the previous Triangle. The difference being that with this pose the flanks also get a good workout eliminating excess fat there.

Yoga Classes @ Physical Therapy Centre 32,Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island,Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on

Saturdays

Standing Forward Bend Technique: Standing with feet together, fold the arms, take a deep breath and exhale as you lower the torso. It has the same benefits as stated earlier.

46—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 6, 2015

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

I’m bearing the burden of my friends Dear Aunty Julie, Good morning ma! I’m one of your readers and I appreciate what you are doing for the young people. I am a guy of 29 years and socialises a lot but my friends are taking advantage of that. I’m the peacemaker among my friends, the introverted listener. But lately, I find myself dealing with my friends and their problems more than ever. The problems drift from abuse in their homes, relationship problems and MORE! It seems like I’m walking around with the weight of the world on my shoulders and its making me dive headfirst into depression. Don’t get me wrong, I

like being trusted and thought wise for the advice I give but sometimes, I know I’m just being used, and all I need to do is listen. But I also feel helpless towards many of the situations, example violence between guys and their girlfriends and other relationship issues. I’m a young man who can’t necessarily take on the world!! On top of trying to help friends of mine, I’ve got my own problems too! It’s insane. My fiancee thinks the guys discussing their issues are exposing me to ideas that could negatively affect our own relationship. What do I do? Dominic, Abuja

Dear Dominic, Someone once said that you cannot

help others if you cannot help yourself. This down-to-earth advice may seem difficult to heed when a friend comes calling, however taking care of yourself is the surest way to be the best friend you can be. By venting, unloading, complaining, crying, and sharing feelings, humans are able to process emotions and relieve ourselves from some of the weight of day-to-day problems. Clearly, you care a lot about your friends and they seem to really value your opinion, advice, and sometimes just your listening skills. However, while you’re providing your friends with a shoulder to lean on, you may also need someone to vent/ cry/complain to from time to time. You mention that sometimes you feel “used” by your friends. Though it may be uncomfortable, saying no, especially when you feel overwhelmed, is a healthy way to set boundaries in your friendship. On occasion, turning down a front row ticket to your friend’s vent session doesn’t mean that you’re selfish or don’t care about them. It means you need some space to take care of yourself. Continuing to hear your friends out when it’s weighing you down can lead to resentment, which is no good for a healthy friendship. The simplest solution would be to gently let your friend know when it is not a good time for you to talk and suggest another friend for them to turn to. If you find it

difficult to draw the line at first, you might consider presenting an excuse, such as having homework you need to get done. Something else to consider is the nature of your friendships, after all, a good friendship requires give and take from both people involved. Do you feel like you can confide in your friends when you have concerns or problems? Do your friends offer to talk to you if you seem to be having a hard time or a bad day? If you haven’t already, sharing your feelings might make your friend(s) feel better knowing that s/he is able to help you, too. While you are no doubt a great listener, the problems your friends describe : violence and depression are serious enough to require the attention of a professional.You may want to speak with other adults, pastors or priests and elderly people. What’s more, if you’re feeling like a guy who needs to destress, you might think about making a counseling appointment for yourself. Speaking with a professional may help you to strategise ways to avoid overloading your own plate with friends’ problems. You’re a shining example of a great friend but for now, you might consider coming down from your stead to your own aid.

She’s too competitive Aunty Julie, I have been dating my girlfriend for almost four years now but one problem keeps rearing its ugly head. She has always been competitive, but it’s never been something we’ve discussed. Every time I’m wearing something trendy or something new, she will do the same thing. When we used to run in aerobics class, she would constantly try to beat my scores. I confronted her about that, but she never seems to learn. She seems to forget I’m a guy and have my pride but she copies me and competes with everything. Should I really “waste” time talking to her about her competitiveness? Or, is there a way to hint at it or persuade her to do something original? Ray, Calabar, Dear Ray, A little competition in relationships is common and healthy, as long as it’s acknowledged, mutual, and energizing to the relationship. Friendly rivalry has the potential to inspire, encourage, and support friends to do more and be more. Your friend’s continued unwillingness to “do her own thing,” however, even after confronting her about it, sounds frustrating, and threatening to your relationship. Perhaps her constant competitiveness is her way of

complementing your strengths in drive and ambition. Maybe, she admires you so much that she wants to mimic your every move. Or, her ability to seek out her own aspirations may be affected by low self-esteem. Or, perhaps things are going on in her life that aren’t apparently obvious; the constant competition may be her outlet for coping with personal issues. Your relationship might already be built on a foundation of competitiveness. If this is the case, it’s possible that your friend feels compelled to be “the one” to up the ante just to keep up with you. Sometimes, what we despise or find annoying in others is what we dislike in

ourselves. You may be experiencing or expressing a clash of similar personalities and traits. Although it may be uncomfortable and seem unfair, maybe it’s time to revisit a heart to heart with your girl Taking the time to make sure you are saying exactly what you need to, and expressing all that you need might be a good idea. Doing this is not a waste of time, since you still seem to be invested in your relationship. The purpose of saying what you need is not necessarily getting what you want, but maintaining/ gaining self-respect, as well as a sincere commitment to be clear

about your feelings. Besides, you can assure your friend that you are eager to listen, to help understand what makes each of you bring out the competitiveness in one another. You might try saying something along the lines that you feel honored and/or flattered that she has taken such an interest in your interests, and it’s time that she take notice of and focus on herself and her unique qualities. Perhaps you can help her identify her own specialness, because sometimes it’s hard to see one’s own qualities. Affirming your friendship and avoiding accusations might help keep her from being on the defensive. Based on your talk, you might decide to work through the problem together and maintain and cultivate your relationship, or you may choose to cut your losses and move on.

Why did she break up with me? Dear Julie, My girlfriend of one and a half years broke up with me out of the blue. We never fought or argued. I asked her why but she wouldn’t say a word. I asked her what did I do wrong and she said “nothing.” She was my first ever girlfriend and I was planning to ask her to marry me. I don’t understand what I did wrong. There has to be a reason. Why won’t she tell me? Albert, Enugu

Spaghetti A wealthy man was having an affair with an Italian woman for a few years. One night, during one of their rendezvous, she confided in him that she was pregnant. Not wanting to ruin his reputation or his marriage, he paid her a large sum of money if she would go to Italy to have the child. If she stayed in Italy, he would also provide child support until the child turned 18. She agreed, but wondered how he would know when the baby was born. To keep it discrete, he told her to mail him a post card, and write “Spaghetti” on the back. He would then arrange for child support. One day, about 9 months later, he came home to his confused wife. “Honey,” she said, “you received a very strange post card today.” “Oh, just give it to me and I’ll explain it later,” he said. The wife obeyed, and watched as her husband read the

Dear Albert, Breaking up is hard to do, especially when you are the one left wondering what went wrong. This must be a tough time for you, especially considering that you were planning on proposing. It can appear challenging to start over when you thought you had your life all squared away. But start over you must! Have faith and believe in yourself — it will become easier with time. What really matters is that you realize you did nothing wrong and

C O C K - T A L E S

that you couldn’t have prevented the break up. In order to heal, it may help to have a sense of closure. Why it ended needs to be clear to you; otherwise, you may have doubts about the relationship and yourself for a long time. Do you feel comfortable letting your ex-girlfriend know that an explanation, or one reason, for breaking up with you will help you to go on with your life? Even if it has nothing to do with you, you deserve to know at least part of the reason why. It is possible that she may not even know why she broke up with you. Have you considered the possibility that your exgirlfriend needs some personal space and time to reflect on her needs and desires.

card, turned white, and fainted. On the card was written “Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Two with meatballs, one without.”

lit nightclub. He saw them take part in a dozen activities with utter glee. “I just can’t believe this,” said the distraught husband. “What’s not to believe?” the detective said. “It’s right up there on the screen!” “I simply can’t believe my wife could be so much fun!” the husband replied.

So much fun A suspicious husband hired a private eye to check on the movements of his wife. In addition to a written report, the husband wanted a video of his wife’s activities. A week later, the detective returned with a film. They sat down together and proceeded to watch it. Although the quality was less than professional, the man saw his wife meeting another man! He saw the two of them strolling arm in arm and laughing in the park. He saw them enjoying themselves at an outdoor cafe. He saw them dancing in a dimly

Cupid at law A guy walks into a post office one day to see a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter methodically placing “Love” stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying scent all over them. His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says “I’m sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, ‘Guess who?’” “But why?” asks the man. “I’m a divorce lawyer,” the man replies.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard,JUNE 6 6,, 2015 — 47

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Under what condition would you settle for a sexless marriage? T

O the outside world, Lisa’s life looks perfect. She’s been married to her husband for close to 20 years and they have three lovely children. Evans, her husband is close to 50, good-looking with a great body. So fun-loving a lot of women wouldn’t say no to a romp with him. I met the couple ages ago and was envious of how loving they were. Evans pampered his wife so much that all their friends were jealous. Best of all, he had eyes for her only, and has never been tempted by another woman—if he had, one of them would have boasted of such a conquest! When Lisa agreed during one of our chinwag sessions that affairs could be therapeutic, I tutted in disagreement. “You of all people shouldn’t got down that lane,” I warned her, “Your husband is a Godsent.” She just looked at me whistfully as we changed the subject. Not long after, I was in the lobby of a posh hotel browsing through books and magazines in one of the shops when Lisa walked in with a very distinguished-

night to have sex. I was thrilled he was thinking of marriage, and waiting for sex was a novelty for me. “We’d both had lovers before, but this would be like a new start for both of us. So I agreed to wait, and a few months later, we had a wonderful wedding. After the reception, we retired to a nearby hotel suite we’d arranged for the honeymoon night. Evans ordered champagne along with the mouth-watering dinner he arranged for us. When I

It was outrageous he’d duped me into a sexless marriage, but I really loved him.

looking gentleman. Their body-language spoke volumes and she winked at me as she made her introductions. I glared at her and she promised to see me in my office the next day. She kept her promise too. She looked more relaxed and radiant than I’d seen her for years. The pinched look she always wore had more or less disappeared. “You must be having the best of all worlds,” I smirked. Who was I to judge anybody? Affairs are two-a-penny these days anyway and at her age, she deserved every ‘high’ she could get. When she told me about her marriage over lunch a few weeks later, my jaw hit the floor! “When I first met Evans, I knew instantly he was a gentleman”, she began, “He didn’t try to seduce me, like many men would. Instead, as we fell for each other, he told me he wanted the first time we had sex to be really special. He said he’d been made an official in the church he attended and he would like to explore his spiritual self by waiting until our wedding

undressed and he saw me naked for the first time, his face was a picture! He started kissing and touching me and I became incredibly turned on. But to my dismay, it soon became apparent that Evens wasn’t ‘rising’ to the occasion. He was mortified, but we put it down to too much booze. “Next morning, he kept kissing me and saying how wonderful I made him feel: But still, no sex. Instead, after breakfast, we rushed to the airport for the continuation of our honeymoon abroad. I hoped that after we were well rested, our passion would sizzle. Only, every time I initiated sex, he said he was too tired or too drunk. It was then it dawned on me he had a real problem. I didn’t want to spoil our time together by discussing such a weighty problem. “As soon as we got back home, I insisted we should talk. It was then he confessed he’d been impotent for a long time and wept as he begged me not to leave him for deceiving me. I was really disappointed.

It was outrageous he’d duped me into a sexless marriage, but I really loved him. What was more, he offered a very lavish lifestyle and I wasn’t prepared to let that go. We visited specialists and counsellors, but nothing happened. A few years later, the wonder drug Viagra surfaced. And it worked! Having full sex for the first time was too emotional we both cried. At last we found the answer to our prayers. Unfortunately we realized sadly that, most of the time, Viagra didn’t work for my husband, and it even gave him terrible stomach up-set. As time went, it became stressful to have sex whenever he took it. The only plus side was my having three kids, a set of twins inclusive, before he became totally withdrawn. He no longer cuddled me in case I wanted it to lead

onto something steamier. It was so frustrating. I felt so starved of sex, I started craving it constantly. “About five years ago, I ran into Paul, a classmate’s older brother at a party and we sort of hit it off. I’d known him for years but now he told me he lost his wife a long time ago and was not interested in re-marrying. The two kids of the marriage lived abroad. My heart started racing as he told me he lived alone and was happy with it. Fuelled by booze, I told him about my loveless marriage and he was sympathetic. We arranged to meet at the service flat he rented and it was a different experience. A bachelor pad, all the ingredients for lust were there. I didn’t even wait for the niceties of being entertained before I tumbled into bed with him. The sex was fantastic —the movement as we romped was really frantic as our bodies writhed together. After being deprived for so long, I wanted to do everything and anything—and he was more than happy to oblige. “Back home, Evans smiled his usual welcoming smile as I came in. Later at night when he hugged me, I felt a bit guilty. He’d

never cheat, he was incapable of doing that anyway —and it would kill him if he knew what I’d been up to. He really loved me—of that I was sure. But the truth was love alone wasn’t enough for me. I needed to have passion as well. I’m in my 40s and men like Paul don’t happen along all the time, so I seized the opportunity like a lifeline. “Since that day, Paul and I have met whenever we could find the time. I lied to Evans that I had taken up golf at the club we both belong to—well I bought some golf clubs and showed up once in a while to have an abili—then I raced to Paul’s place to talk dirty and experiment in bed. You saw us at the bookshop and, as goodlooking and virile as he is, he would never have been my cup of tea if I were looking for a lasting relationship—he’s vain, rude and self-centred. I think he sees me as any of the girls he has up his sleeves that tumble into his bed just for the asking. But I don’t care—I’m not looking for a husband—I have the perfect one at home. All I’m interested in is the physical satisfaction. I don’t feel guilty any more. Now I’m happy just cuddling up to my husband as he realized I’ve resigned myself to our situation. “Of course, he has no idea why I’m now stress-free—but it’s made our marriage work. And that’s worth all the deceit. Thank goodness Paul has the privacy of his flat saving us the embarrassment of running into anyone we know if we used the services of a motel”.

How to cope with betrayal

hristine Webber, author of How to Mend A Broken Heart explains how to cope with the various stages of emotion that follow a betrayal: The initial stages... How you’ll feel—The pain of betrayal is as raw as it gets. There are four emotions you go through, outlined here, which last anything from six hours to six weeks. Take as much time as you need to go through each feeling— you can’t stop them, but you’ll emerge much stronger. At first you may feel humiliated. “How could this have happened to me?” Don’t worry, this is common. One woman I helped after her husband cheated on her, told me if any man had proposed to her the day she found out, she would have said yes—simply to get over feeling rejected. You’ll also have a stage of denial when you want to believe your ex hasn’t cheated on you and think you want to get back with him because you still love him. As you begin to realize this is not the case, you’ll get angry. How could he do this to you when you put so much into your

relationship? There will also be feelings of guilt: Had you behaved differently, would this ever have happened to you? How to cope: The most important thing is to give yourself time to work through all these different emotions. Treat yourself with care; eat well; go for a massage, pamper yourself. Get family and friends to look after you. If you feel strong enough, get anger out of your system by going to the gym. Plot revenge against your ex—but only carry it out in your head or you’ll regret sinking to his level. Further down the line... How you’ll feel: Although you’ll be up and down emotionally in the first couple of months, gradually, you’ll feel ready to move on with your life. Be patient though, as the length of time this takes is different for everyone. Just remember what a fantastic person you are — your last relationship was just a dress rehearsal for something better.

48 — SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

YETUNDE AREBI

IGP Arase, an advocate for change

he jubilation that greeted the announcement of the appointment and subsequent confirmation of the new Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase within the rank and file of the Force as well as sections of the public, appears to be an indication that the man for the job may have been found after all. With a track record of many firsts, both in intellectual and professional prowess, Arase appears very prepared for the task at hand and many observers have attested to this. I feel privileged to have read some of his authored writings on the Nigerian Police of his dream as well as community policing in Nigeria. And as expected, ever since taking control of the office, the IGP has made a series of pronouncements and welcoming reforms for the Force. Top on the list for many is the dismantling of road blocks which has been identified as the most visible link of corruption between the Police and the citizens. Should this be successfully implemented and sustained even after the end of Arase’s tenure in office, Nigerians may eventually rid their memories off the N20,00 bribe syndrome associated with the Police. I am however, more interested in some of the issues that directly impact on me and Nigerian women in general. It is said that time and fortune make a man, I believe also that a man’s decisions are shaped by the circumstances of his life. As an only male child of his mother, young Arase reportedly grew up in a large family surrounded by many females as sisters, aunties and cousins. So he has no doubt seen them at their various highs and lows, watched them cry and laugh and has shared in their joys and pains and all these must have helped in shaping his life and his compassionate disposition towards the female gender. Faced with numerous cases of domestic violence and related issues while serving as Assistance Commissioner of Police at the FIB, he’d set up the Gender Unit in Lagos, to investigate and prosecute offenders, within the ambience of the law, positively using his position to ameliorate the plight of women in Nigeria. The passing of the Child’s Right Act in Lagos State as well as several Bills aimed at promoting the rights of women and children have contributed immensely to the success of this Unit of the Police in Lagos. This must have motivated C M Y K

him to go the whole hog in one of his recent pronouncements that he will be replicating this Unit in all 36 States of the Federation and Abuja. Perhaps, the most innovative in his quest to ensure justice for victims of gender abuse is the procurement of a $300,000 grant from the Ford Foundation, an international Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)to assist in the setting up of a modern Gender Data Centre at the Intelligence Unit of the Force. According to IGP Arase, the unit will be responsible for coordinating intelligence relating to gender crimes, maintaining an electronic data base of gender and youth crimes, interfacing with NGOs concerned with gender and youth affairs with a view to collaborating for mutual benefits and to develop institutional capacity to investigate, prosecute and counsel abusers and victims as applicable. If successfully implemented, this will be a remarkable turn in the prosecution of gender related crimes in Nigeria. All things work for good for those who believe, the Bible says and when God says it is time for something to happen, nothing can stop it from happening. One of the parting gifts of former President, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan was the signing into law, the Violence Against Persons (prohibition) Act 2015 as well as the Immigration Act 2015 earlier passed by the Senate on May 4. Surely, this to me is an indication that God has intervened in the situation of the Nigerian children and women. It is now up to us to embrace this opportunities with open hands. With the new Act in place, combined with the giant strides of the Mr. Arase, many offenders of sexual and gender based violence, especially raping of little children which has now reached alarming proportions, may soon be a thing of the past, or at least, reduced to the barest minimum. The Police will now be effectively equipped with the necessary laws to properly prosecute abusers and prevent others from committing these heinous crimes against vulnerable people. No longer will an abused Nigerian woman be turned back home to go and sort things out because it is a family matter. Already, officers are being specially trained on how to handle cases of these nature as well as acquaint them with the technicalities required for effective prosecution processes. For instance, in the case of rape, officers will be trained to international standards for the gathering and preservation of evidence, including the use of the rape kit, post trauma counselling as

well as protection of witnesses, should the need arise. It is sad to note that violence against women and girls remains one of the biggest violation of human rights across the globe and indeed, Nigeria. Unfortunately, it is fueled and sustained primarily due to cultural and traditional practices; as well as societal norms and perceptions which continue to undermine and devalue the worth of the girl child and women in general. Worldwide, up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16 years. In 2002 alone, about 150 million girls under 18 years suffered some form of abuse. Today, over 60 million girls worldwide are child brides with Sub Saharan Africa owning 14.1 million of them. Women and girls constitute 80 percent of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked across national borders annually and 79 percent of them are for sexual exploitations. Approximately 130 million girls and women in the world have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting and more than 3 million of them also come from Africa annually. Violence against women include and are not limited to battery, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry related violence, marital rape, traditional practices harmful to women, non spousal violence and violence related to exploitation, physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution, as well as physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetuated or condoned by the state wherever they occur, as listed in article two, sub-section a, b, and c of the United Nations declaration of 1993. Interestingly, the new Act in Nigeria, went further to list forceful ejection from home and husband abandonment of spouse, children and other dependants without sustenance as part of violence against women which are punishable by law. (hmm! men you better be warned). Beyond all the laws and prosecution, there is no doubt that we will need a holistic approach to effectively tackle and significantly eliminate violence against women and girls. This is because, for every single case, there is always a peculiar factor, different from the other to have warranted and sustained the abuse. Coupled with this are level of education, exposure of victim and perpetrator, economic and social class, and instructively, the lower, the worse. The culture of silence and stigmatisation also prevents the law from taking its course on perpetrators, while some abused persons don’t even know they are being abused and/or have accepted their situation as the norm. While we cannot generalise that all men are abusive, there is a great need for men to be sympathetic to the course of the female gender. Like IGP Arase, all men are blessed with mothers, sisters, nieces and daughters and would not like to see their own, suffer any form of hardship from the opposite sex for the sake of being in a relationship. A couple of years back, a young friend of mine received her first beating from her husband during an argument. It has since been the only beating so far. She called home after the beating and narrated the incident to her family. The older brother on hearing, decided to get his pound of flesh on the quick fisted brother-in-law. So, he invited him out for a drink where unsuspecting to the “Tyson”, two other guys were laying siege for him. He received the beating of his life, plus a warning that he would lose a vital part of his body, should he raise his hands against his wife again. You may call it breeding bad blood but it sure served the purpose as macho husband got the message loud and clear. As I have stated in my many articles on curbing violence against women and girls, the ability of the girl child to fully develop and achieve her full potentials in life depends largely on the men she comes in contact with throughout the course of her life. We need more men like Arase, ready and determined to force that positive change our society needs. Do have a wonderful weekend!

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 6, 2015—49 meet the current challenges of a modern tax management body. Specifically, the Enforcement and Compliance Department ensures that the Board would no longer be perceived as a barking, and not a biting bulldog. Since the inception of the board, at least 55

DBIR: Revolutionalising tax administration in Delta State A

t a point in the recent past, Delta State, South-South Nigeria has had to depend entirely on oil revenue shared between the Federal Government and the states to power the numerous needs of its teeming population. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was almost non-existent and just little attention was paid to the fact that diversifying the economy of the state would in no way birth a robust pool of funds to finance the huge infrastructural needs of the state. Before 2009, the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) which was run as a strictly civil service affair could only generate a miserly N1.2bn as monthly revenue. In the period before 2009, the DBIR was, prior to the passage of the Delta State Consolidated Revenue Law, headed by the most senior civil servant who was then known as the administrator. The law enabled the former Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, to appoint professionals outside the civil service structure to manage tax in the state and allowing the board report directly to the governor. With the appointment of the Hon. Joel Onowakpo-Thomas led-board, which was given a mandate to increase the state’s IGR, the tone was set for the transformation of the revenue generation and collection agency. Between 2009 and 2011, the Board embarked upon the massive building of capacity for employees of the organisation, introducing a new work culture, massive media enlightenment campaign and intensified efforts at blocking all leakages in the tax system. Moreover, the full automation of the entire system and activities, including the DBIR zonal offices in Ughelli, Deco Road and the DBIR office in Asaba was embarked upon

with a satellite linkage to the headquarters in Warri. Also achieved within the period was the full automation of the entire collection process, the e-receipts process, a stronger legal and enforcement processes for the Board, the introduction of the Tax Professionals Scheme to ‘trap’ all available companies in the state and an aggressive attempt to consolidate all revenue collecting Ministries, Departments and Parastatals. Currently the Board generates a monthly IGR of N4.2bn, with a total revenue collection of about N255.298bn during the period under review. Overall, the DBIR was able to increase revenue collection by 550 per cent during the period covered, but experienced a dip in revenue in 2013 when Shell and Chevron, the state’s largest formal taxpayers decided to divest. However, there is a projected increase in the tax revenue by 70 per cent, based on processes already being put in place by Hon. JoelOnowakpo. The commissioning of the multi-million naira headquarters of the DBIR and 25 modern tax office buildings across the state was the icing on the cake for an organisation that was run like every other civil service organisation before Hon. Joel-Onowakpo over. Apart from the headquarters in Warri, a glass house headquarters annex was built in Asaba, five modern zonal offices have been completed in Agbor, Effurun, Ughelli, Oleh and other offices in Otu Jeremi and Oghara. Also, a data recovery centre has been constructed in Koko, while 10 additional offices have been built in Ogbe-Ijoh, Ovwian, Sapele, Patani, Burutu, Ozoro, Ashaka, Ogwashi-Uku and Issele-Uku. In addition, the existing structure of the DBIR was tinkered to

Hon. Joel Onowakpo-Thomas cases have been successfully prosecuted, and over N1.2bn has been recovered from the companies and individuals. More funds are expected to be raked in with a number of cases still pending. These laudable objectives could not have been achieved without the motivation of the workforce by the tax management board. To this end, staff salaries were increased astronomically to kill any temptation of pilfering the accruing revenue and employees were given aggressive technological training to effect a total shift from manual operation to electronic-based operation. In fact, the salaries of staff were increased by about 3,000 per cent by the Board to ensure that compensation did not become a distraction. One of the ways the Board also motivated employees was through the acquisition of about 82 modern vehicles to aid the movement of staff, especially those in the field.

HR mainsta mainstayy of ever eryy econom economyy — ISIBOR

Victor Omoregie

uman Resource (HR) administration deals mostly with employees’ salaries and benefits. However, it can be broadened to include development and administrative processes designed to increase effectiveness as an employer – its hiring process, pays and benefits. In a nutshell, HR refers to the whole spectrum of creating and managing employerC M Y K

employee relationship. It can be also said to designate a broader involvement and strategic role in the organization than “personnel” which most people associate with just hiring. Vanguard recently had a brief chat with Mr. Mark Isibor, who is a HR professional with expertise in Policy Development and Review, Employee Relations, HR Projects and Change Management. His experience in HR spans over 20 years, 10 of which were as an expert within the educational and commercial sectors in the United Kingdom (UK). His experience is backed up with extensive professional qualifications. He had once served an Administrative Secretary, NAFDAC Pension Board of Trustee (1994-2001). He is an alumnus of the Universities of Lagos, London and Leicester. He is the MD/CEO of Mostvam Limited UK. The company is a business consulting firm made up of innovative partnership of international business specialists and law professionals, who

specialize in assisting clients’ businesses to grow and succeed by providing firstclass exceptional advisory services. Excerpts. With the change in government in Nigeria, where do you think you fit in, by way of assisting in improving the economy? For every business concern, HR serves as the ‘foundation stone’ upon which subsequent company policies can be built upon. This then means that organizations should have sound footing in order to be among the new world order of global economy. How can Nigerians be convinced that companies operating within the country can reach their desired economic goals, when all the companies are interested in is just profit? Every company desires profit. In fact that is one of the underlining reasons why most companies are set up anyway. But the difference between the successful ones and the rest is their ‘structural foundation’,

Overseas trainings were organised for staff with intent to acquire most recent taxation skills in four countries to make DBIR the best amongst equals. At least 64 generating sets have been procured and distributed to the offices as alternative power supply. As things stand, Delta IGR should be able to fund 100 per cent of the state’s recurrent expenditure in the medium term. The Board also targets about N73bn this year alone, with the projected inclusion of 100,000 taxpayers from the informal sector and addition of at least 10 professional/market associations. Impressed with the giant strides made by the Board, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, of Delta during the commissioning of the headquarters in Warri, noted that the activities of the board have assisted him in his vision of a ‘Delta Beyond Oil’. The governor noted that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has hit 550 per cent since 2007, adding that the huge achievement did not come without its challenges. The governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Okpara said the six-storey building was aimed at achieving the vision of the Delta Beyond Oil. “The State has generated over 550 per cent IGR and is well on track to generating enough IGR to fund the entire recurrent expenditure. “The DBIR building was constructed with the vision of a Delta Beyond Oil aimed at diversifying the state revenue base and reduce dependence on federal revenue allocation. “Our dream of revamping the DBIR started in 2009 with the Delta consolidated internal revenue law. Since the Bill was signed into law, I have not looked back in giving the Board the needed support to excel. “Due to the volume of human capital investment, we envisaged that a corporate organisation like DBIR should not operate in a rented apartment. “This provided the impetus for us to embark on aggressive construction of 15 offices spread across the three senatorial districts of the state,” Uduaghan said. He added that the state had also launched the Board Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in line with global practices. Uduaghan solicited the cooperation of the people in order to achieve the Delta Beyond Oil initiative. In his speech, Chairman of the DBIR, Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, said that with the kind of infrastructure being put in place, it would encourage people to embrace voluntary tax compliance.

which I prefer to call HR application strategies. A successful company must be one which its HR Unit ensures that the business grows and succeed by providing first class exceptional advisory services in management, communication, public relations, marketing and advertising. The HR Unit must effectively address issues ranging from strategy to operational improvements and change management. From your experience, what do you think is lacking in the operations of most organizations in Nigeria? From my observation, most of them fail to deliver cutting-edge human capital initiations that eventually drive the business strategy and result. To be among the top 20 global companies, you have to ensure that your HR processes are legally compliant by providing a comprehensive review of HR policies and practices, so that the organization is seen to be operating within the legal framework. There must also be a conscious effort to develop innovative and positive communication strategies to ensure effective implementation of the company’s communication plan and develop new technologies of communication delivery. An aspect of worry is the poor sustenance of branding within the industry. What is the way out? A company must develop and execute PR strategies/tactics that would build a concrete reputation and eventually enhance its brand. It is also important to develop innovative campaigns focused on media strategies and tactics to deliver campaign priorities with maximum impact to business and consumer audiences.

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

Nigeria lost $50bn investment over non-passage of PIB — Oseasochie, Rep-elect by a presidential order. This would remove the current impediment on the current structure of the Police and Armed Forces commands in the protection of oil pipelines limited by command jurisdiction. The sophistication of the vandalism is above the capacity of the NSCDC (National Security and Civil Defence Corps), charged with the responsibility without the necessary platform for intervention.

consequence of non-performance leads to early retirement. Independent boards should be appointed in line with CAMA (Companies and Allied Matters Act) to reduce interference.

•Oseasochie

r. Sergius Oseasochie is the Managing Director/CEO, Relentech Integrated Services Ltd, Nigeria. He was recently elected into the House of Representatives to represent Esan North-East/Esan South-East of Edo State. In this interview with EDIRI EJOH, he lamented the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the seventh National Assembly and also emphasized the need for the total deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry. Excerpts: Do you think the seventh National Assembly is justified over their inability to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill? Not at all. The seventh Assembly should have passed the Petroleum Industry Bill given the volume of work already done by the sixth Assembly on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Industry Committee (OGIC), with the impact and benefits of such reform in a high oil price regime. The impasse in the passage of PIB has led to uncertainty in the investment climate in Nigeria and the ability of the oil and gas companies to guarantee returns on investment based on their portfolio across other regions of the world. Within the lull of the non-passage, most investment

that should have come to Nigeria found a safe alternative in Mozambique, and additional development of oil in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. All these amount to about $50bn. Following your election into the National Assembly, what contributions will you make to ensure that the PIB does not suffer the same fate that has befallen it in the past? I shall immediately review all the legislative notes and submissions from the 6th and 7th Assemblies with a view to reducing areas of discordance while getting maximum value for Nigeria, given my background in the oil and gas industry. Professional societies such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) that are apolitical shall be requested to provide their unbiased communiqué over the years. What are your views about the much-touted corruption in the oil and gas industry? Where do you think things started to go wrong and how can the rot in the sector be addressed? Strategic reforms shall be recommended in the sector through tenured appointment of young technocrats within the system with considerable career life. This is to steer the ship aright bearing in mind that the

If you were to advise the Muhammadu Buhari administration, what will you advise should be done to the country’s refineries? Given the amount of money spent on subsidy (N3 trillion naira), I shall advise the government in the short term to repair the refineries and implement both new governance models such as the NLNG model and business model to encourage profitability. This guarantees the country’s energy security, while ensuring that its product serves as feedstock to petrochemical and manufacturing industries. In the long run, government should fully deregulate the downstream. You cannot be issuing licenses for importation of fuel and fixing prices for the product and expect people to invest in building refineries. In Western democracies, refineries are owned and managed by individuals and businesses, not government. This will naturally create employment and increase government revenue through tax. If the business was not profitable, the likes of Aliko Dangote would not have been building their own refineries. The question will be how many Dangote’s do we have in Africa? This is why government should stay off completely to allow simple economic dynamics come to play in this sector. Strikes, production shutdowns and vandalisms have over the years been sore points to the Nigerian oil industry. In what ways do you think these can be addressed, in view of the huge revenues the country is losing in this regard? Proactive intervention and collaboration with the executive arm in engaging the labour union shall reduce industrial unrest which leads to production shutdown in the present situation of low foreign exchange income occasioned by low oil price. Vandalism needs to be addressed via the critical infrastructure intervention command and force under the NSA (National Security Agency) created

Given the amount of money spent on subsidy (N3 trillion naira), I shall advise the government in the short term to repair the refineries

The fall in the prices of crude oil in the international market is currently hurting the Nigerian economy in no small measure. What measures do you want the Federal Government to put in place to cushion the effect of the drop on the Nigerian economy? Diversify the economy: “Nigeria Beyond Oil.” As long as the world cannot control its appetite for oil, there will be boom, burst, downturn, meltdown etc. No modern economy can rely on one commodity as its source of revenue, not to talk of the most populous black nation with over 180 million people of which 60 per cent are young people. There should be massive investment in agriculture. We should be able to feed ourselves and export food to our neighbours. Our population and land mass should count for something in the sub-region. The best chocolates are from Switzerland and yet they do not have cocoa plantations. We should farm our land and process the produce. This will create employment for our youths. The World Bank, ADB, international donor agencies are ready and willing to support this initiative. We just have to kick the habit (over dependence on oil) and the entire storyline will change. Yes, it is as easy as that. With increased security, the tourism industry will thrive. We do not have to look for the Western world. If we can lure our brethren in the region to Nigeria, the West will follow thereafter. We have all it takes to be the Dubai of Africa.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JUNE 6, 2015—51

My Guilty Dream Again

begin again, this week, with yet another relay of “My Guilty Dream.” The truth about it all is that no matter how hard I try, I just cannot stop dreaming. I dreamt that I was Head of Government. Please, don’t get me wrong, I did not see myself as Hon. Earnest Sonekan, who was appointed Head of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, neither did I see myself go through the rigours of electioneering campaigns (with all forms of promises), and of course, I am far from the military circle, so forceful overthrow is equally ruled out, but I just emerged. That is the power of dreams. The first set of battles I faced as the Head of Government was against a giant who called himself my past or our past. He came in form of a huge, loose baggy book, the kind that reminds one of the loose baggy novels of the Victorian England; such novels as Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers. I thought that was okay, since I have been able to read such fat texts, including Tolstoy’s War and Peace and Dostoyevsky’s The Devils etc. I thought I would be able to go through the battle. However, it was not exactly so, I saw, like the Apostle John, the Devine, a volume that, I suppose, no one possesses the capability to open. It then dawned on me that this could be the much talked about “volume of books.” I could not

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believe that I was still alive. Is it not written that what came to me in the dream was only possible at judgment? And when actually is judgment; is it not after death? “…for it is appointed once for a man to die and after that, judgment…” then I thought and believed that I was dead … if I was dead, then there is nothing to fear again (for the greatest fear and the sum total of all fears, is the fear of death). I had my freedom to be, what I always wanted to be. I know it will be a bit of suspense if I don’t continue, right away, with how I succeeded or failed in the first set of battles, I am sorry I may not, because I still have some preambles to deal with. T. S. Elliot, the great Anglo-American writer, in his highly intellectual but hilarious poem, “The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock,” alluded to an idea from the highly respected Italian writer of an earlier period, Dante Alighieri, who through his great work, The Divine Comedy, made popular the vision of life after death. One important ingredient of this mental picture of life after death is also the fact that no one comes back to the material world after his material body has dissolved back to dust. So, in the poem, “Love Song…” Elliot drawing upon this, makes the protagonist of the poem, a lover, address his “love,” in all sincerity, as if no one else would get to know whatever would transpire because whatever transpired, would never get back to the world of mortals.

This is because they are in a different world, one of the worlds created by Dante known as Limbo. But that was a special Limbo because it was not just like a dividing line, but a symbolic indication of “crossover.” At this point, let me now go over to “cross over.” My dream was a cross over, for me; from my world of reality to a different world; world of illusions, similar to the world created by the protagonist of Elliot’s Pruflock and a world where nobody leaves to return and report to the material world. Yesterday, the world turned around for some Nigerians whose dreams have become fulfilled. One of them is President Mohammadu Buhari. It is for this reason that I want to share my own dream as “Head of Government.” There are obvious differences between us; while his dream is fulfilled because he has become president, mine was an apparent fulfillment as head of government. Was I really in charge? No, not exactly. So is he really going to be in charge, well, I do not have an answer to that. I dreamt that I was mandated to clean up what appeared like the Augean Stable, without the strength of Hercules, just like I was to read the volume of books without being Christ. I managed to do justice to that. Then I recalled that was the fifth Herculean task, and that presupposes that I had either ignored some four tasks before, or I would still meet them ahead of me. I started struggling to wake up. The dream was no longer exciting. It would mean that I had ahead of me such labours like eliminating monsters and man-eating creatures or cannibals; restoring precious items lost to vicious phenomena; searching to unearth treasures hitherto undiscovered, which are highly needed by my government; and what appeared most treacherous was what seemed like Hercules’ twelfth and last labour. I was to go to the underworld, like Hercules to free the government from the “bondage of forgetfulness.” In the first

instance, I consider it extremely mischievous that I should travel seven seas and valleys, seven worlds and vacuums and seven times back and forth, to free my government of forgetfulness, only for the government to remember me, in my unrighteousness and filth. My government is comfortably seated on the “chair of forgetfulness,” like Theseus, who Hercules is mandated to free. I, like Hercules would break into the underworld of Hades, confront, battle and overcome Cerberus, the three headed vicious guard dog at the gate of Hades and carry out the assignment. This calls for something even more than the miracle of resurrection. But I committed the offence; my offence was just that I became strong, or should I say, qualified for the labours. One counterpoint: my labours will surely discover me and do unto me, what it has done unto others. Suddenly, fate came to my rescue and behold I woke up. I was not dead; I was not in Limbo; I was neither on my way to or from the underworld of Hades. I started thinking of the “chair of forgetfulness,” and the miracle of remembrance that I had just worked out. This could be resurrection of knowledge. My people now know; they now can remember. What actually is the implication of that to me, their leader? They will remember who I am; their eyes will open to see me, in truth and indeed. This is a stern warning to me to be careful. My predecessor gave them freedom and they used that to remove him. They talked back at him because they had freedom of speech. They cast their vote against him because the use of their rights was restored to them; they made announcements against him because they were emboldened to do so. These are lessons for me, Mr. Head of Government. The chicken that is unmoved by the sacrifice of its colleague needs to be reminded that the same fate awaits it. I have learnt to plead guilty, especially in “My Guilty Dreams,” so as a Head of Government, I plead guilty ahead of time.

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 6, 2015

Benue Police on rampage, arrest cop killer, others

•Recovered weapons •The suspects

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

t was a harvest of arrests in the last few days across Benue State, following the declaration of renewed onslaught against all forms of crimes and criminality in the state. The onslaught by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hyacinth Dagala and his officers and men led to the arrest of about 32 prime suspects over various crimes in some parts of the state. The suspects included Terrungwa Gbermke, alias Vision 2020, the suspected killer of a member of the Task Force on Cattle Rustling and Kidnapping at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Baba Ibrahim. How they were arrested Gbermke and his gang were among the suspects paraded a few days ago by the State Commissioner of Police at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital. Also recovered from the gang were a red Toyota Carina car used in the operation that led to the death of the senior police officer, and over 20 assorted firearms and ammunition. Parading the suspects, Dagala said,”amidst the grief of the killing of ASP Baba Ibrahim, crack detectives from the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Makurdi swung into action, traced the hoodlums to their hideout along Abaji-Amafu Road in Katsina-Ala and arrested four of them. They included Terungwa Gbermke aka Vision 2020, Sarwuam Kyuun, Aondover Laav, and James Akuleagwu. Items C M Y K

According to the Police boss, the onslaught on crimes in the state also led to the arrest of a gang of five suspected cultists in Jato Aka, who allegedly beat their victim to death in an attempt to initiate him into a cult.

recovered from them included one G3 rifle with four rounds of live ammunition, one red Toyota Carina 11 vehicle with registration number XD 811 Makurdi, one unregistered Honda C50 Motorcycle, one power saw machine, a black face cap and charms. Another gang of two dressed in army uniforms were also arrested by the Command for allegedly robbing passengers in a Marcopolo luxurious bus at Aliade, Gwer Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.” Their exploits The Commissioner disclosed that after robbing the passengers, the suspects also set the bus ablaze. He stated that the incident was reported a few days ago at the Police in Aliade by the driver of the ill-fated vehicle, one Damian Ofochebe. “He (Ofochebe) reported to the Police that he was conveying passengers in a Marcopolo luxurious bus with registration number AWK 992 W belonging to G.U.O. Group, Onitsha. According to him, on reaching Howe village in Gwer LGA of Benue State, a gang of armed men who disguised themselves in army uniforms attacked them by barricading the road with logs of wood. The armed men, at gunpoint, robbed him and his passengers of their money and other valuables, and thereafter set the bus ablaze.” The Police boss continued: “During Police investigations, the two suspects (names withheld), all of Mbayiasi Ulam Gwer, were arrested in connection with the crime. Items recovered from them included one locallymade gun, six rounds of live ammunition, one iron pipe, one sharp knife, one trigger guard and a cap.” More arrests Also paraded were two gangs of ten suspected criminals (names withheld) who were nabbed in Otukpo while allegedly planning to attack some residential areas in the city. Items recovered from the group included two locally-made single and double barrel pistols with three live and one

•Recovered cars

expended cartridges, one locally-made cut-to-size, two AK 47 riffles with eight live ammunition, one battle axe and a blood-stained knife. He further stated that two members of a gang of three (names withheld) that specialize in robbing unsuspecting victims in the North Bank area of Makurdi town on motorbikes were also arrested. Weapons recovered from them included one locally-made revolver and five live ammunition. The command also recorded the same feat in Vandeikya L.G.A., where a young man allegedly robbed a woman and her daughter (name withheld) with a locally-made pistol in broad-day light. He was arrested and the weapons recovered from him. Similarly, two members of a notorious gang at Yegh village, Uvii council ward in Guma L.G.A., who invaded the Yegh Market with AK 47 and assault riffle, shooting sporadically, were arrested by the Police. Police said during the process of shooting, one Nyitamen Adorogo was shot to death. During Police investigations, the two suspects were arrested and one AK 47 riffle with 10 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspects. According to the Police boss, the onslaught on crimes in the state also led to the arrest of a gang of five suspected cultists in Jato Aka, who allegedly beat their victim to death in an attempt to initiate him into a cult. “They inflicted serious injuries on their victim with the use of battle axe, machete and knife in an attempt to initiate him into their cult.” Police reassure on crime The Police Commissioner maintained that the renewed onslaught would be sustained until those behind the spate of crimes in the state were nabbed and made to face justice so as to serve as a deterrent to others.