SUBSIDY PROBE:Courts can't shieldcrooks from trial —AGF

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61660

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

N150

Flood washes up bodies from graves in Borno •P.45

BOOK LAUNCH—

From left: Amb Hamzat Amodu, representing the Sultan of Sokoto; Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State/National Chairman of ACN; Alhaja Dupe Animasaun, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, author of the book; Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, during the Public Presentation/ Launching of "Voice of Reason Volume 2", by Alhaji Animasaun, held yesterday at N I I A, Victoria Island,Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Edo guber candidates throw brickbats •P.41

SUBSIDY PROBE:

Courts can't shield crooks from trial —AGF

•Says Lawan's subsidy report still under scrutiny

•Jonathan sets up committee to verify 2011 subsidy claims

3 feared dead, Nigeria not ripe 30 vehicles for state police burnt in Ogun

IGP insists •P.6

...as youths fight over sex worker •P 10

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE At torney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, insisted yesterday, that no amount of litigation would stop the Federal Government from prosecuting any person or oil marketer found to have defrauded Nigerians through fraudulent

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POCKET CARTOON

Courts can't shield subsidy crooks from trial — AGF Continues from Page 1 subsidy claims last year.

The AGF who made the declaration while refuting allegation that he said “indicted fuel marketers won’t be prosecuted”, said the reason why none of the purported oil thieves fingered by the Farouk Lawan-led House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee has been charged to court was due to the strong adherence of President Goodluck Jonathan to the principle of the rule of law.

Addressing a press conference at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, Adoke who spoke through his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said the court order which on Wednesday restrained the Federal Government from acting on the House of Reps subsidy probe report, was only in relation to one of the accused oil companies, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited.

Stressing that “the report of the Farouk

Lawan-led panel is not useless”, the AGF, said President Jonathan has since forwarded copies of the report to both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for further scrutiny.

He maintained that the House of Reps lacked the powers to indict anyone in Nigeria of any crime, saying such function is the exclusive preserve of the Police, EFCC or ICPC. He said until these government agencies recommend any person or company involved in the alleged oil subsidy fraud for prosecution, the report of the House Committee would remain at the level of mere “fact finding.”

He argued that, “if next week the report of the investigating agencies on any of oil companies indicted by the House of Representatives Committee is out and it is reliable and conclusive, the Federal Gov-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

B

Y the time a man realizes that maybe his fa ther was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong – Unknown The Elders have a saying, it is the horse in the front that the ones in the back use to set the pace for the race. What you sow is what you reap, live a good life, set the right example.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices —Elisabeth Gilbert

W

HAT do you see each moment of your beau tiful life? Gratitude is the radiance which illuminates my heart and even the rising sun pales before this energy which beams a golden glow that encircles my heart like a star reflecting upon its rays.

The look in your eyes each day you wake up to see the morning glory, should be an ocean pool of gratitude that gazes right through like a mirror of moonlight in a joyful dance telling the story of your life, your compassion, truth, grace and divine love .

With gratitude the clouds are constantly moving, giving way to sunlight, joy and laughter in our lives.

ernment will go to court and prosecute the companies”.

In a statement he read before the press conference, he said: “The principle of rule of law which is a strong pillar upon which this government operates and that means that where parties have turned their case to a court of law; parties will not take laws into their hands but stay actions till the final determination of the case by the court.

“The Federal Government will prosecute all those found culpable of corrupt practices on the basis of the investigations of competent statutory agencies vested with powers to conduct criminal investigations and prosecution will commence thereafter.

“The present suit instituted by Integrated Oil and Gas Limited does not in any way fetter the powers of the agencies investigating the matter; it does not restrain the government from prosecuting and recovering money due to the federal government by marketers found culpable of violating the laws of the land.

“The AGF will not condone corruption and illegality but will always stand by the rule of law and due process at all times”.

It will be recalled that the high court presided

by Justice Gladys Olotu, ordered that status quo should be maintained regarding the implementation of the subsidy probe report.

The order was sequel to an interlocutory application that was filed by Integrated Oil and Gas Limited which is reportedly owned by the former Minister of Interior, Captain Emeka Iheanacho.

In its report, the House of Reps Ad-hoc Committee, alleged that the company illegally collected petroleum subsidy funds from the Federal Government, saying it is liable to refund the sum of N13, 252, 055, 429.00 into the federation account.

Dissatisfied with the recommendation of the probe committee, the oil company approached the high court, asking it to go ahead and determine “ whether having regard to the provision

of section 6(1) and (6) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), it is competent for the 1st and 2nd defendants, (House of Reps and Farouk Lawan), in the exercise of their powers under section 88(1) (a) (b) (i) (ii) of the Constitution, to take a decision or adjudge that the Petroleum Products in respect of which the plaintiff received subsidy refunds in the sum of N13, 252, 055, 429.00, from the Federal Government is not sustainable and therefore not good enough to attract any subsidy payment.

“Assuming without conceding that the answer to question one is in the affirmative, whether the 1st and 2nd defendants were not bound to make available to the plaintiff, particulars of the allegations concerning the importation, distribution and consumption of petroleum products and/or the payment of subsidy by the Federal Government from the year 2006 to year 2011, in so far as they affect the plaintiff and afford the plaintiff as opportunity of mak-

ing representations to them in respect thereof, before taking a decision or adjudging that part of the subsidy refunds paid to the plaintiff by the Federal Government in respect of petroleum products imported by the plaintiff between 2008 and 2011 were not sustainable and therefore not good enough to attract any subsidy refunds and consequently that the plaintiff should refund the sum of 13, 252, 055, 429.00, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

As well as, “whether it is lawful for any of the defendants to act or take any action or step against the plaintiff or any of its officers, servants, agents or representatives, in respect of

any matter relating to, pertaining to, connected with or arising from the report of the House of Representatives’Ad-hoc Committee on the monitoring of the subsidy regime, as adopted and/or approved by the 1st defendant in its resolution passed on 25thApril, 2012, in so far as it affects the plaintiff.”

Besides the AGF and the IGP, others joined as defendants in the suit were the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk M. Lawan (for himself and on behalf of the House of Reps Adhoc Committee on the Monitoring of the subsidy regime), the EFCC and the ICPC. Meanwhile, hearing on the case was adjourned till October 18.

Jonathan sets up committee to verify 2011 subsidy claims

BY BEN AGANDE

I

N furtherance of his commitment that there would be no stone unturned in ensuring that those indicted in the fuel subsidy probe are brought to book, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday announced the constitution of a committee to verify and reconcile the findings of the Technical Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance to conduct a detailed review of all subsidy claims and payments made in 2011.

The 15-member committee headed by Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede will begin work immediately and is to conclude its assignment on Friday, July 13, 2012 Other members of the new committee are: Dr.

Abraham Nwankwo (DG DMO); Mr. Bernard Otti (GED Finance & Accounts, NNPC); Mrs. Oyinye Ahuchogu (CBN), Mrs. Sola David-Borha (MD Stanbic/IBTC, representing the Banking Community); Mr. Mike Osatuyi (National Secretary, IPMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, Mr. Jonah Otunla (Accountant-General of the Federation), Mr. Bright Okogwu (DG, Budget Office), Mr. Reginald Stanley (Executive Secretary, PPPRA), Mrs. Aisha Waziri-Umar and Mr. Jalal Arabi.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police and the DirectorGeneral of the State Security Service will also be represented on the Committee which has

the following terms of reference: 1. To further verify and reconcile all claims made in the report of the Technical Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments; 2. To properly identify all cases of overpayment and/or irregular payment; 3. To accurately identify all likely fraudulent cases for criminal investigation and 4. To review any other pertinent issues that may arise from its work and make appropriate recommendations.

On receiving the Verification and Reconciliation Committee’s report, President Jonathan will order whatever action he deems necessary to ensure justice and full recovery of all fuel subsidy funds that may have been illegally paid.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

FG plans new bill to curb undue competition in the economy

BY BEN AGANDE

A

From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; Co-ordinator, Honorary International Investors Council, HIIC, Baroness Lynda Chalker; Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Muhammed during the 12th meeting of HIIC at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE.

BUDGET 2012:

Reps query Okonjo-Iweala, Otunla, Okogwu over poor implementation zAccuse FG of selective releases to MDAs zAs Okonjo-Iweala wants excess crude account to grow to $10bn

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA — THE House of Representatives, yesterday, queried the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla and DirectorGeneral of the Budget Office, Dr Bright Okogwu, over the snail-like pace of implementation of the 2012 budget.

The Reps also accused the Federal Government of discrimination and the selective nature of releases to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, which had largely affected implementation.

Also yesterday, the Minister of Finance suggested that there was need for Nigeria to have at least $10 billion on its Excess Crude Account as most countries in Africa now have crude.

Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Mr John Enoh, in his address at the meeting with relevant stakeholders, expressed concern on the low level of implementation of the budget, adding that most of the MDAs complained that funds were not released at at appropriate time.

Enoh said: “If money is not released and some of these ministries are C M Y K

complaining to our committees that are going on oversight, we need to see how we could strengthen the implementation. We like to have an updated documents to show that over N400 billion had been released.”

The chairman said the Ministry of Niger Delta got 50 per cent of its allocation but the question is: what can be responsible for that?

One is worried because reports get to us from our standing committee that there were so many ongoing projects that these ministries and parastatals can utilise their funds on.

He said: “I can tell you that Ministry of Water Resources got an allocation of N70 billion but got just about N10 billion, likewise the Ministry of Land and Housing, of N42 billion allocated to it, got N6 billion.”

Releases based on performance —Okonjo-Iweala

Responding to issues raised, the Finance Minister said it's not that he ministry was being discriminatory or selective in the releases but that the releases in the second quarter were based on performance in the first quarter releases made.

She admitted that some monies were moved from

ministries to the other, especially those areas where the money are being required,saying some monies were moved from one committee to the other.

She said: “I am saying this because of the way the implementation is going on. There was an urgent need for money in the Ministries of Agriculture and Power. Some projects may have been under funded. N3.4 billion in the first quarter and N239 million was released. We started a bit late. Where we have contractors working and not paid and they wanted to down tools we paid them."

On excess crude oil account

She said: “Dependence on oil, the story is changing today. Almost all the countries around us in the continent have oil. There is competition so there is need to diversify.

“It would be very wise to build buffers for this economy, meaning that crude oil money should be allowed to grow to $10 billion and also grow our reserve.

With the implementation of the first quarter, some of the ministries have got their money.

The minister explained further that the ministry was looking at the performance before giving

them another, adding: "We try to encourage them to utilise their money so that we could release for them in the next quarter. We also look at the areas where certificates are piled up. We make releases in the second quarter on the bases of performance."

BUJA — THE Federal Government is to promulgate a new “Competition, Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection Bill” that would curb the activities of undue competition in the economy.

President Goodluck Jonathan who stated this while addressing the 12th meeting of the Honorary International Investors Council, HIIC, yesterday, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa said the Bill was part of government’s plan to promote positive business climate in the country, adding that government was committed to providing a more investor-friendly business environment.

According to the president, the Federal Government has engaged the services of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, for the development and application of the Nigerian Policy Framework for Investments.

He said: “Only recently, I approved the setting up of the Nigerian National Competitiveness Council in line with the recommendation of the World Economic Forum.

This council shall be the focal body responsible for

creating awareness on national competitiveness in the country and coordinating the efforts of both the public and private sectors to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness.”

Jonathan said the body would also be charged with the responsibility of recommending relevant policies and proactively monitoring and evaluating the progress being made at the national and subnational levels.

He noted: “Our transformation agenda is, therefore, about turning Nigeria’s huge potential into developmental realities. There is now an increased focus on diversification of our economy away from almost total dependence on oil and attraction of investments into critical sectors.”

“We have commenced a rigorous investment climate reform programme, with the support of key international development partners.”

As part of the process of ensuring that the country was conducive for investors, the government has reformed its visa policy in order to ensure that “authentic investors are not only assured of easy processing of visas in their home countries, they can also actually procure same at the point of entry into Nigeria."

Nigeria not ripe for state police, IGP insists

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA — AGAINST the backdrop of calls by some states governors for the establishment of State Police Force to complement the present Nigeria Police Force,NPF, Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, in Kaduna kicked against it, saying Nigeria was not ripe for it.

The IGP, who spoke at the Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters, after paying a courtesy visit to Governor Patrick Yakowa before holding a town hall meeting with some community leaders in the state said he was repositioning the Police to be modern and peoplefriendly.

According to him, “the position of the Nigeria police before now on the

issue of state Police has not changed. Nigeria is not ripe enough for a state police, period! Look at what is happening in Kaduna State now. If this magnitude of crisis was left to a state police, how would it curtail it?”

Speaking earlier at Kaduna State Government House, Kaduna while visiting Gov. Yakowa, the IGP said: “The problem with Nigeria is that the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.

That kind of relationship is not good for anyone, especially the rich. The poverty level is widening.

The implication is that as the poor keep getting poorer, the security of the rich is put at risk. That means that you are not secured when you drive your expensive car.

You cannot sleep in peace in your mansion, when there are so many poor, hungry and angry people

out there. Any society that does not guarantee food for its poor, the poor will not guarantee sleep for its rich.

“I want to call on government to do something about the endemic poverty in the country, especially employment for our teeming youths. It is an issue of serious security concern. And I believe that Governor Patrick Yakowa is already working on that.”

In response, Yakowa hailed the reform measure the Acting IGP was putting in place, and thanked him for the cooperation and assistance the Police had been rendering in Kaduna State since the crisis of April, 2011.

“I am aware of plans by the police to deploy more hands to some of our flash points in Kaduna. I want to pledge our continuous support to the police in the areas of logistics."

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—7

Senate probes Presidency over Natural Resources Fund's N873.4bn

BY HENRY UMORU

A

From left: Secratary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Niger Delta Minister, Godsday Orubebe at the funeral of Mr. Dominico Gitto in Sicily, Italy, yesterday.

Boko Haram: US envoy calls for community policing zLists obstacles to relations with Nigeria zUS to double export to Nigeria

BY HUGO ODIOGOR & DAYO ADESULU

L

AGOS — THE United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCulley, yesterday, listed obstacles to trade and investments between Nigeria and his country even as he advocated community policing as a panacea to the Boko Haram insurgency.

McCulley spoke in two separate events in Abuja and Lagos as part of the 236th independence anniversary of his country, which was marked on July 4, 2012. The envoy who delivered the National Day remarks entitled: "The US and Nigeria Building Business Together in Abuja," said corruption, terrorism and lack of transparency were obstacles to the relations between Nigeria and America.

At the 50th anniversary lecture at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, McCulley said the idea of community policing should be introduced to curb the security threats of Boko Haram in the Northern part of the country.

In the lecture entitled: "Leadership Good Governance and Generative Cities as Prerequisite for National Development," the US envoy said the current situation in Northern Nigeria was akin to what obtained in New York in the 1980s. He said New York was notorious for social vices some years ago but the introduction of community policing helped

to build a strong relationship between the community and the Police, as the citizens promptly reported crimes to the police.

He explained that in Nigeria also, if each community could work with the police by reporting crime suspects to them and the police refuse to betray the confidence the people have in them, the issue of insecurity will be over in this country.

US to double export to Nigeria

McCulley said: “The United States wants to increase its exports to Nigeria and "we hope to double overall exports by 2015, through the “National Export Initiative.”

He said trade between both countries rose to 46.7 per cent in the last 10 years and listed obstacles to economic relations between both countries.

Obstacles to relations with Nigeria

He said: “Nigeria will become more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors by improving the rule of law. By respecting the sanctity of contracts, and ensuring transparency and accountability, Nigerian and international firms can compete on a level playing field, and all of Nigeria will benefit.”

According to him, “corruption is another impediment to investment, and employed the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and

other authorities to be effective in identifying and prosecuting cases of fraud, and in the process increase investor confidence in business opportunities in Nigeria."

He said another important barrier to economic growth in Nigeria was insecurity, saying: "The Nigerian people deserve effective and accountable security forces to counter violent extremism, as well as a coordinated campaign to deliver economic development.

"In this regard, we are delighted that so many representatives of security forces are with us."

McCulley said Nigerians in the north today felt betrayed by their governments which had failed to provide schools, adequate infrastructure and other basic necessities of life, adding: "US objects to the use of heavy-handed tactics by security forces in dealing with those challenges. Nigeria’s government needs friends in the North and a more targeted approach of tackling Boko Haram, combined with better services for northern citizens to help it attract those friends.”

On difficulty in obtaining US visa

On why it has been difficult for some Nigerians to obtain American visa, McCulley said since September 11, 2001 terrorists attack on the World Trade Centre, the US has been more security conscious of protecting their borders. Nevertheless, he

maintained that in spite the stringent measures put in place, more than 5,000 Nigerian students still gain admission to study in the US which is the largest in the world.

He said:“This year, the percentage of immigrants rose to 40 per cent,” he added

BUJA — THE Senator Ahmed Lawan-led Senate Committee on Public Accounts was, yesterday, told how the Presidency approved over N700 billion from the Natural Resources Fund account to finance budget deficits and other activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. It was presented to the committee that accruals into the account from 2002 to 2012 was N873.4 billion and of this, N701.49 bllion was paid out as expenditure within the same period.

Speaking, yesterday, when he appeared before the committee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Danlami Kifasi, said “all the expenditure from the account was approved by the Presidency.”

The said amount which was spent to service the MDAs was outside the mandate of the Fund as established in 2002 to, among other responsibilities, receive three per cent of accruals to the federation to assist in developing other natural resources and not the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Surprisingly, yesterday,

...ICC asks FG to take prosecution of culprits serious ...says sect has committed crimes against humanity

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, ICC, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, yesterday, implored the Federal Government to take the prosecution of suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect very seriously, saying the sect has committed crimes against humanity.

Bensouda who stated this when she led a team of prosecutors to see the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke Bello, SAN, in his office in Abuja, yesterday, decried the increasing spate of violence and wanton destruction of lives and property by the sect, especially in the northern region of the country.

She said the team was in Nigeria on a fact-finding mission, noting that from their findings, though crimes being committed by the Boko Haram sect might be classified as terrorist attacks, “it also qualifies as crimes against humanity which the ICC will not hesitate to prosecute when called upon to do so.”

In his response, the AGF, said the President Goodluck J o n a t h a n - l e d administration was poised towards ensuring that those behind the ongoing insurgency were fished out and prosecuted accordingly.

Adoke further expressed the desire of the Federal Government to maintain a close contact with the ICC, even as he tasked the team to hold and foster peace and mutual corporation among leaders of the African Union, AU.

the committee discovered that of all the expenditure made from the account, there was no expenditure that was in consonance with the objective of the Fund that was primarily set up to develop non-oil natural resources.

Payments for joint venture contribution

The Senate committee was made to understand that expenditures funded from the account were from payments for joint venture contribution of the Federal Government that has to do with NNPC’s oil and gas activities; loans to ministries and agencies to fund certain gaps in their budget and loans for the purchase of Chancery in Tokyo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When pressed by the committee members, Kifasi said: “I said it is the President that gives approval,” just as he could not name the particular president who did that.

According to the Permanent Secretary, in 2002, a total of N602.2 milion was disbursed to the government’s Joint Venture contribution and a loan of N1.3 billion was granted to the government’s derivation escrow account, adding that N50 billion was also withdrawn from the account as loan to fund the 2004 budget deficit.

He also told the committee that same year, N4.5 billion was granted to the Ministry of Water Resources as loan for water project; N2 billion to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for payment of National ID card project; N2.5 billion to Ministry of Steel Development and N4.12 billion to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purchase of its Chancery in Tokyo, adding that in 2005, a loan was taken from the account to fund the budget deficit of that year.

According to him, other loans of N2 billion and N5.7 billion were given to Gitto Construction Company and Ministry of Steel Development, even as he told the Senators that all the loans, except the N50 billion for budget deficit was returned to the account, but the committee members did not agree with him on this note.

Speaking further Kifasi told the Senators that in 2006, a total of N10.5billion was granted as loan to pay the monetization arrears of civil service employees between October and December of that year and another loan of N242million was granted to pay for monetisation within the same period.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

PUBLIC PRESENTATION/LAUNCHING OF THE VOICE OF REASON ,VOLUME 2, BY ALHAJI KOLA ANIMASAUN IN LAGOS, YESTERDAY. PIX: KEHINDE GBADAMOSI.

From left; Mr Mideno Bayagbon, Editor,Vanguard Newspaper, Mr From left; Oba Adedayo Shobekun, Alhaji Kola Animasaun and Engr. Abiodun Sam Omatseye, Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation Newspapers and Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager, Publications/ Editor-in Adenekan.

Chief,Vanguard Newspapers.

From left; Mr Ikeddy Isiguzo, Chairman, Editorial Board, Vanguard Newspapers,Mr Steve Ayorinde and Senator Bode Olajumoke.

Igwe Alex Nwokedi (left) and Sir Pius Akinyelure.

From left; Alhaji Alade Odunewu, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mr Fola Adeola and Prince Bola Ajibola.

Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Chief Nwaoboshi, Delta State PDP chairman's Utuama's 65th Birthday lecture in Asaba, 55th Birthday in Asaba yesterday. Photos. Nath Onajake.

From right: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State;Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, Deputy Governor and Mrs Nelly Utuama. Photo: Nath Onojake.

From left: Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, Deputy Governor. Photos: Nath Onajake

From left: Mr. Victor Ochei Speaker,Delta State House of Assembly,Gover nor Emmanuel Justice Alfa Belgore, former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Senator Victor Uduaghan,Mrs Nwaoboshi and SenaNdoma-Egba, SAN, and Senator James Manager. tor Nosike.

From left: Senator James Manager, Chief Steve Oru,Senator Patrick Osakwe and Senator Arthur Okowa.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—9

Appeal Court nullifies sack of LG chairmen in Imo ...orders caretaker bosses to vacate position

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE Ap peal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital yesterday quashed the sack of elected local government chairmen and councillors by the state Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, on resumption of d u t y .

In a unanimous judgement which lasted over two hours, the presiding judge, Justice Uwani Attaji, ordered the transition committee chairmen, who are currently superintending over the 27 local councils, to vacate their offices.

The court similarly dismissed the appeal lodged by the state government, just as he described the suit filed by the Progressives People’s Alliance, PPA, as belated and restrained the governor, his agents, proxies and servants from interfering with the activities of

the elected council chairm e n .

The plaintiffs had urged the Appeal Court to determine if the governor had a right to sack properly elected council chairmen and councillors, as well as determine if the Governor had the power to appoint caretaker committees in their places to run the affairs of the local governments.

The state government had earlier argued that there was an impending matter before a properly constituted court before the election of the council chairmen, adding that this ultimately questioned the credibility of the said council election.

Ruling on the issues raised by the parties, the Appeal Court faulted the technicalities earlier raised at the lower court, saying that the cases filed in relation to the election had been overtaken by the conduct of the council polls.

....As Ihedioha lauds decision

D

EPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha has commended the judiciary for its “bold, courageous and landmark” decision to reinstate duly elected local government council chairmen hitherto sacked by the Owelle Rochas Okorocha administration in Imo State.

A statement by the Senior Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Austin Uganwa quoted his boss as saying that the judgement of the Court of Appeal,

Owerri on the reinstatement of the sacked council chairmen is a bolster to the primacy of rule of law, equity and justice in the conduct of governance by public officials.

He said the decision by the court has further reaffirmed the supremacy of the electorate and the tenets of universal suffrage which “no individual no matter how highly placed in society should diminish without commensurate measure of legal challenge by the people.”

APGA blasts el-Rufai over comments on Anambra

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI—THE All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday lambasted the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai over his comments that Anambra State ranked among the states with the highest rate of unemployment in the country.

In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Benard Akoma said el-Rufai’s statement was misleading as the position was the other way round, arguing that the APGA governm e n t in Anambra had created conducive business environment that had engaged lots of unem-

C M Y K

ployed youths in the state.

Akoma stressed that the job opportunities in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka were comparable with what was obtainable in cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, among othe r s .

“The statement read in part, ‘’The party takes exception to the statement credited to the former minister of the FCT, Mallam El-Rufai that Anambra ranks among the states with the highest rate of unemployment in the country. The party wishes to state that the statement should rather be reversed to read that Anambra ranks among the state with the highest employment opportunities in the country.”

BRIEFING—From left: Managing Director, Shell Nig. Closed Pension Fund Administrator Ltd, Yemisi Ayeni; Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, PENOP, Dave Uduanu; Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting LLC, Chizor Malize at a briefing organised by PENO in Lagos.

NAFDAC seals off bakery in Anambra zArrests 2 suspects O

NITSHA—THE Na tional Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday sealed off a bakery in Nnewi, Anambra State, for using potassium bromate and Saccharine in bread production.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the use of such substances in bread production had been banned by the Federal Ministry of Health since 1993.

Mr Benson Kine, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director incharge of Onitsha Zonal Office, told NAN in an interview that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said: "We arrested two workers of the factory on the spot; while the production manager absconded during the operation. ” Kine said the operation was part of the routine surveillance of registered food manufacturers in the state.

He said the affected bakery had failed to observe the laid-down specifications for bakery operations.

He said the bakery was also unkempt, with cloths and mattresses littering around its premises.

Kine said the agency had recovered some quantities of the obnoxious substances, adding that the bread already produced for sale to unsuspecting members of the public had also been i m p o u n d e d .

"I sent my men into the suburb because NAFDAC is safe-guarding the health of the nation; we have to go into the suburb to see what is going on.

"And we came across a bakery, a bakery that was

using potassium bromate, which had been banned by the Federal Ministry of Health since 1993.

"They were using it as a dough enhancer in the pro-

duction of bread; added to that, we also found out that they were using saccharine, also a dangerous product in bread particularly on the health of children.

"So, these products are dangerous, potassium bromate affects vitamin A, B1, B2 and Vitamin E, which are mandatory fortifications in bread".

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

‘Dead' masquerade storms Olubadan Palace

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—IT was a big shock, yesterday, at the palace of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, when the mostdreaded masquerade, Oloolu, and its entourage besieged the monarch with injuries allegedly sustained in a fracas between them and men of the state security outfit, Operation Burst.

The melee, which started Tuesday, worsened, yesterday, leading to the arrest of no fewer than 20 followers of the masquerade.

The masquerade which dismissed reports that it had been killed, complained bitterly about ''unprovoked attack'' by some Islamic scholars.

How Oloolu was unmasked Some parts of Ibadan city were embroiled in crisis when some muslims who were observing the eighth day fidau prayer of a colleague, at Popoyemoja, advised the masquerade and its supporters not to come to the area because there were women there who the masquerade should not see, according to their belief.

But the masquerade and its adherents allegedly ignored the warning.

The trouble, which later spread to Idi-Arere and Beere, among others places on Wednesday night, generated much tension in the affected areas.

The leader of the Oloolu family, Chief Ojetunde Asoleke, who led the team to the Olubadan Palace, appealed to the monarch to prevail on the police and the personnel of Operation Burst to release 20 of their men arrested.

He claimed that the mask of Oloolu was seized and later released to them.

He said: “We feel saddened by the report that our man was killed as this was farther from the truth. No doubt, he was badly wounded as you can all see (showing the wounds sustained by the Oloolu on his arm and head), but was not killed. ''The costume seized by the men of Operation Burst has been retrieved and the festival would resume in earnest.”

They threatened to come out today, but were prevailed upon that it negated the normal tradition.

3 feared dead, 30 vehicles burnt in Ogun as youths fight over sex worker

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

B E O K U TA — N O fewer than 30 vehicles were burnt in Ibese in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, during a bloody clash between Hausa and Yoruba youths over a commercial sex worker.

Unconfirmed sources claimed three lives were lost, while several others sustained injuries in the fracas.

Those injured were said to have been rushed to undisclosed hospital in the area.

The clash, which was said to have started Tuesday night, escalated on Wednesday, forcing residents of the bustling town to flee as policemen from the state command took over the area and stationed one Armoured Per-

sonnel Carrier, APC, in front of Dangote Cement Company factory, close to the scene of the mayhem to forestall further break down of law and order.

Vanguard gathered that the incident was caused by a disagreement between two Yorubamen and an Hausaman over a woman of easy virtue, about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

The crisis was said to have degenerated to communal crisis between Yoruba and Hausa youths leading to the destruction of 25 articulated vehicles (trailers), five motorcycles and three cars while all the shops in the area were allegedly looted.

When Vanguard visited the scene yesterday, the town was deserted.

A contingent of heavilyarmed policemen was seen at strategic places in

the town to keep watch and forestall further break down of law and order.

Chairman of the task force in the affected market, Mr. Sikirulah Akinsola, confirmed that fight over a commercial sex worker triggered the violence.

Akinsola, also Bada Orile of Ijako village in the town, said no fewer than 200 Yoruba trooped to the street during the crisis, protesting the alleged killing of their kinsmen.

He claimed that one Kehinde was allegedly killed in May by an Hausa

man before the recent crisis that allegedly claimed three lives whose identities were yet to be identified at press time.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident, but denied any ethnic colouration.

UNMASKING OLOOLU IBADAN...

Contempt: Ogun PDP appeals imprisonment of 6 chieftains

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

B E O K U TA — BARELY 24 hours after Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos committed three chieftains of Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State to six months imprisonment, the party said it had filed a Notice of Appeal to the Appeal Court in Lagos and a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

The party, through its counsel, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, said it had written to the Acting Inspector- General of Police to restrain his men from implementing the order, urging him to tarry a while till the outcome of the pending Appeal and Application for Stay of Execution.

The letter with reference number KKC/AA/083/07/ 2012,dated July 5, 2012 by Otunba Kunle Kalajaye, SAN, Sola Oludipe and Gboyega Oyewole, notified the I G of the appeal.

According to the letter: “We are solicitors to the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and by extension, the above mentioned who are prominent members of our client. On the 4th of July, 2012, Hon. Justice C. E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, sitting on Suit Nos FHC/L/ CS/347/12 between Chief (Eng) Bayo Dayo, Alhaji

Semi Sodipo V. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, Prince Olagunsoye, Oyinlola and Bode Mustapha made an Order committing our clients to six months imprisonment for contempt of his Order in the course of proceedings, in absentia. We wish to inform your good office sir, that we have filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Lagos and a Motion for stay of the execution of the Order pending the hearing and determination of the Appeal. Copies of the Notice of the Appeal and the application for a stay of the execution are attached herewith for your kind attention.

PDP's prayers “We wish to reiterratee the settled position of the law which has been emphasised by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in several decided cases similar in substance to the instant case.

And, it is that where an application for stay of execution of a court order is filled and pending, none of the parties to the action or parties connected to therewith are to take any step in enforcement of the order which will have the effect of overreaching the pending appeal and application for stay of execution. See Ojukwu vs Governor of Lagos State (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt. 10) 806.”

NO MORE DREADED?: Oriperinmo Ojeyemi Oloolu Ibadan (left), and an aide, Wasiu Ganiyu, at Olubadan Palace, to protest to Oba Samuel Odulana, and show injuries sustained in a fracas after a fracas between the most-dreaded masquerade, Oloolu, and its entourage by hoodlums, in Ibadan. Photo: Dare Fasube

Persistent prison attacks worry FG

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—NIGERIAN Prisons Service, NPS, has expressed concern over the continued attacks and forceful release of suspects and criminals from prison custody by gunmen .

The trend, according to Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, portended grave danger to the unity and corporate existence of the country.

Describing the incessant attacks as totally unacceptable, he called on all stakeholders in the security sector to parley on ending the insurgence.

Moro, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Linus Awute, at the inauguration of Nigerian Prisons Service Micro-Finance Bank at Agodi, Ibadan, said: “Attacks and release of criminals from prison custody should be of great concern to all. ''This is not acceptable; it is not in our character; it is alien to us and we must all resist and frustrate it in its entirety. Nigerians, I still believe are good people and should be seen as such. ''Let us accommodate

each other’s political, religious and cultural differences.”

While commending the Comptroller-General of Prisons, Mr. Zakari Ibrahim, he advised the management of the bank to avoid excessive concern for profit, adding that it

should focus on the objective of setting up the project, to provide access to savings, credit and other financial services.

Ibrahim noted that the idea of establishing the bank was conceived in 2008 by the management of the prisons service.

Robbery suspects rape 14-yr-old girl

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO-EKITI—PO LICE in Ekiti State have arrested three members of a five-man armed robbery gang for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Ado-Ekiti.

The suspects, who had earlier raided a house in Samson Street, Odo-Ado area of Ado-Ekiti, allegedly abducted the girl and later defiled her.

It was gathered that during the raid, the robbers assaulted their victims and dispossessed them of their valuables.

Three of the suspects were later arrested.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sotonnye Wakama, paraded the suspects before newsmen,

saying the police were trailing the gang leader and another member who were still at large.

The commissioner said two cutlasses, a knife and a DVD machine were recovered from the suspects when their apartment was searched.

Wakama said policemen had trailed the suspects to a primary school where the girl was abandoned in a pool of her blood after she was defiled. The police took her to the hospital. “This command considered this offence extremely grievous, therefore, we spread our dragnet for the bandits by trailing them to their hideout through the information provided by members of the public.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—11

Briefly

Woman police chief docked over alleged N12m theft

L

AGOS—A Chief Su perintendent of Police, Rebecca Okereke, 44, was yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N12.4 million, belonging to the police.

Prosecutor Etim Nkankuk said the accused, who reside at Central Police Band, Police College, Ikeja, was arraigned in court on a twocount charge of conspiracy and stealing.

Nkankuk told the court that the accused and others at large committed the offence between July and December 2010, while serving at the Police College, Ikeja.

While objecting to the bail of the accused, Nkankuk said the accused had since been dismissed because of the alleged theft.

“It is not in the character of the police to arraign a serving officer. There is inhouse disciplinary panel that will handle the matter first.''

Court insists on Lagos Speaker, Kuforiji, aide's trial

BY INNOCENT ANABA

L

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, dismissed the application by Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, seeking to quash the corruption charges preferred against him and his Personal Assistant by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, saying that issues raised in the application can only be determined upon full trial.

The court also dismissed the preliminary objection

by EFCC, challenging the propriety of Ikuforiji’s application to quash the charges, and held that the preliminary objection was misconceived and lacked merit.

The court, meanwhile, held that Ikuforiji and his aide, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi, had a case to answer.

Ikuforiji, has, meanwhile, assured through his counsel, Mr Tunde Akinrimisi of his readiness

to proof his innocence through trial.

The duo argued that EFCC failed to establish a prima facie evidence against them, which automatically robbed the court of jurisdiction to try them.

Ikuforiji had argued that the acts of the House of Assembly, being an arm of the Lagos State Government, could not be subjected to the criminal jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

He was, however, over-

ruled by the court.

The court noted that the accused persons were charged with what they had done during the course of their duty and must take responsibility for it and that if what the Speaker did was part of

PDP faults Lagos Assembly's position on stoppage of LG funds z Threatens mass action against govt

BY DAPO AKINREFON

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State chapter of Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, has described as diversionary, the recent resolution by the state House of Assembly to stop allocations disbursed to the local governments and local council development areas in the state for failing to meet up with constitutional guidelines.

The party said the resolution was another ploy by the Action Congress of Nigeria,ACN, to “admit failure in government.”

In a statement by its state Chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), the party berated the assembly for “condoning till this hour the exploitation of local government funds by the state executive.”

It further accused the legislature of being responsible for the problem of under-development “ when they hurriedly passed such laws allowing the state government to control tenement rates, signage, markets, motor parks and other constitutionally guaranteed local

government sources of revenue.

“In the opinion of the party, the house is aiding and abetting in the alleged embezzlement of council funds and only an open investigation can benefit Lagosians. Consequently, we demand a public hearing of the actual revenue and its allocations to local governments and LCDAs to start within seven days, failure which we shall support Lagosians to occupy the seat of Government in Alausa.”

his responsibility in government to transact business on its behalf, the Assembly or the State Government would have been charged with the offences.

Ikuforiji and Atoyebi are facing a 20-count charge of alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

CBN: Fresh restriction on forex usage

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

L

AGOS—CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, moved to preserve the nation’s foreign reserves by imposing fresh restriction of two working days maximum for utilisation of foreign exchange purchased from the official market, from July 9.

According to the apex bank, foreign exchange purchased from the official market not utilised within two days must be returned to the bank at the prevailing official exchange rate.

The restriction was communicated to authorised dealers in a circular signed

by Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Alhaji Musa Batari.

C M Y K

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Belgore wants holistic review of criminal justice system

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

From left: Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Mr. Bashir Patel, Mr. Edet Amana and Professor Ogunye at the just-concluded function by the Nigeria Academy of Engineering in Lagos.

Rivers CP dismisses 4 policemen over corruption

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— FOUR policemen have so far been dismissed by Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Indabawa, since he assumed office.

Indabawa, who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, said the policemen were dismissed at separate times for offences relating to corruption.

He said he will not condone any act of corruption and abuse of human rights in his Command and enjoined residents of the state to supply Police with useful information to enable the

force fight crime effectively.

He said residents could call his personal mobile phones or call the Police Control room.

“One thing I don’t condone for any reason is corruption. So far, I have dismissed four Policemen since I came. When it comes to use of excessive force, abuse of human rightsandcorruption,Idon’ttake them,” he said.

W

ARRI—THE lead ership of Ugborodo CommunityTrustinWarriSouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State, has said that the Chief Thomas Ereyitomi-led executive was the only legal and authentic Trust body for the oilrichcommunity.

It said Chief Ereyitomi –led executive was duly elected in September 18, 2011 at OdeUgborodo, Escravos, the ancestralhomeofUgborodoindigenes, addingthattheMr DavidTonwe– led executive was inaugurated at

C M Y K

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—CIVIL society organisa-

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN

B

ENIN CITY—MIN ISTER of Works, Mr.

was,therefore,illegalandunconstitutional.

Reactingtoamediareport,credited to Mr. Tonwe, the Trust leadershipinastatementbytheVice– Chairman,Mr.IsaacBotosanand the Secretary, Dr. Benson Babine, said that Tonwe’s allegation of money squandering runningintoN128millionbythe immediate past Trust Executive was not true.

The trust maintained that Tonwe’sN128mallegationwasa matter for police investigation, adding that he had not been to Ugborodocommunityforover10years.

yesterday, flayed for allegedly selling a gimmick to the people of Uromi in Edo State, with the flag off of the Ada-Okere-Ukoni Amendokhian Road in Uromi was to hoodwink unsuspecting voters few days to the state's gubernatorial election.

Speaking during a campaign stop at Amendokhian, Esan North East Local Government Area, yesterday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole warned that Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should be urged to stop deceiving the people with projects that will not fly.

Asking why the road was not flagged off during the dry season, he said the desperation of PDP to show something may lead to

duringtheongoingrainyseason.

“For the first time they told the truth that the road contract was awarded since 2009 and it was in that year’s budget. But the people should ask why they are flagging off the construction of the road at the eve of election in 2012 and during the rainy season,” Oshiomhole said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria."

wasanybodymorequalified than Utuama. I have heard of deputy governors quarrelling with governor, but Utuama had never quarreled with Uduaghan.”

Also speaking, the state governor,Dr.EmmanuelUduaghan, saidhehadnoregretpickinghim as his deputy, given his unflinching loyalty and integrity.

Enahoro's group backs Oshiomhole's 2nd-term bid

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— CHIEF Anthony Enahoro’s political group, Movement for National Reformation, MNR, has thrown its weight behind Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s re-election bid, urging Edo people to fully support the return of the governor to the state

Edo guber poll: Civil society groups protest exclusion

Oshiomhole faults Works Minister on Uromi road Mike Onolomemen, was, the construction of a bad road

Ugborodo leaders clear air on leadership tussle a private residence in Warri and

BY EMMAARUBI

The state Police boss said people of the state could help the policesucceedinthefightagainst crime by calling to report suspicious movement in their neighborhood, adding that they could even hide their numbers to make the calls, if they so desired.

“The people should cooperate withthePolicetofightcrime.They should assist us with information, call me if you see any wrong doing among my men or you see anysuspiciousmovementinyour area,” he said.

SABA—FORMER Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Alfa Belgore, has said that unless the nation’s criminal justice system undergoes a holistic review, it would be difficult to catch up with the current realities of the time.

Belgore spoke in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday, at a public lecture held at Government House, Asaba, to mark the 65th birthday of the state deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN. He noted that the nation’s legal system was already antique in dealing with the current socio- economic and political challenges facing the country.

He said, “it is better for those who are going to amend the constitution to tell the president to

set up a high powered body to look into all our laws and procedures,whichareantiquebecause it is causing a lot of delay in our courts. If this can be done, things can be better.”

He described Utuama as a patrioticNigerian,notingthatwhen Utuama applied for the rank of SAN,“Itoldmycolleagues if there

tions, CSO,s in Edo State, yesterday, stormed the streets of Benin City including the premises of of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, protesting the exclusion of CSOs in the state from monitoring the forthcoming July 14 governorship election in the state.

The African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, a civil society organisation in the Niger Delta, alleged that the exclusion was aimed at manipulating the polls by INEC. The group raised an alarm that it was a ploy to manipulate the result by the INEC and warned it to “do the right thing in order not to rubbish the good name of Professor Attahiru Jega”.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City yesterday, Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, said CSOs in the state applied online to INEC for accreditation to monitor the election but said curiously, INEC approved over 28 organizations to monitor the election, excluding civil society groups in the state.

Government House in the July 14, election.

The group, in a statement at its meeting in Benin City, Edo State, noted that considering the dynamic performance of Oshiomhole as governor, who in four years had turned the face of Benin City and other parts of the state, he needed to returned to the Government House to complete the good work he started.

The movement urged “all his followers and all people of goodwill to vote for him as a reward for handworkandcompetence."

The group in the statement by its acting Administration Secretary, Mr Omonefe Okosun, said, “we reviewed that state of the nation and concluded that the democratic governance was facingseverestressalloverthecountry.

“Regarding the state of insecurity in the country caused by acts of terrorism, armed robbery and kidnappings, the solution lies in the return to true federalism, where the federating ethnic nationalities will develop at their pace.”

Passage

C

OLONEL MOBUTU Ovuakporie, (rtd) of Owhelogbo, in Isoko Local Government Area, Delta State, is dead.

Proprietror of Puppa Nursery and Primary School, Lagos, he was the founder of Isoko/Urhobo Language Centre in Lagos.

He is survived by three widows, children and relations.

His burial arrangement will be announced later. by the family.

Late Col. Ovuakporie

Vanguard,FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—13

BoI: EFCC arrests man over alleged N50m loan

BY EMMAAMAIZE

W

ARRI—OPERA TIVES of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a Delta State-based inventor, Mr. Fredrick Emiaha, over a N50 million loan he obtained from the Bank of Industry, BoI, Abuja, to purchase equipment.

Vanguard learnt that Emiaha, was first arrested on February 22 and held till March 2, seized again on March 28 till April 4 in Lagos and the latest on July 2 in Abuja.

Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, in the state, has, meanwhile, frowned, at what it described as undue arrests and detention of Emiaha by EFCC on the instigation of the bank, over a loan transaction secured by collaterals, which total value, is almost thrice the value of the loan.

Chairman of CDHR, Delta branch, Mr Benefit Orugbo, in a statement in

Warri, said: “The further arrest and detention of Emiaha by EFCC on July 2, 2012 in Abuja, particularly, as the said suspect is currently challenging the action of EFCC, before the Federal High Court, Lagos, is to say the least an abuse of power.

“We make bold to say that the practice by security operatives, particularly the EFCC, in keeping suspects in their custody in the guise of investigation, as in the above matter, and handing suspects stringent bail conditions, which by implication, is a denial of bail must

be discouraged."

“Such practices expose government agencies as oppressive and violators of the letter, spirit, and intent and purpose of the 1999 constitution, which the law enforcement agents swore to enforce,” he added.

U

GHELLI—DELTA State youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Contractors’ Forum, have raised alarm over their alleged marginalization in the award of contracts by the commission.

The group in a statement

by E. M Otus, decried that the youths, who registered with the commission and dully participated in bidding for contracts for Water Hyacinth jobs were deliberately omitted in the award of the contract.

The youths said over 600

S

APELE—HUMAN rights activist, Mr Joseph Atseyinku, has faulted the House of Representatives Committee investigating the scam in the House Committee on Subsidy Fund management, saying that the committee had disappointed Nigerians, when it requested that it would hear the presentation of Chairman of Zenon Oil, Mr Femi Otedola, in secret.

Atseyinku said since the investigation was on a scam, which arose from investigation of the management of public fund,

W

ARRI—POLICE have reconciled warring factions in Abavo Kingdom in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, over the traditional head of the community.

Youths of the community, during a protest last week, had called on the monarch of the community, HRM Uche Irenuma, to vacate the throne, as he was not the rightful person for the position, while security agents were deployed in the town to maintain the peace.

The intervention of the police, however, doused the tension, though the king-

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU

C Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State addresses voters at Amedokhian, Esan North East Local Government Area, at a rally of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, for his second term re-election, yesterday.

contracts were awarded, alleging that 90 percent of them were given to youths from Bayelsa and Rivers states. It alleged that the method used in awarding the contracts were against the NDDC Act, that “is

rooted on equal distribution of projects, employment and award of contracts.”

They called on members of the National Assembly from Delta State to prevail on the Managing Director of NDDC to direct his Spe-

cial Assistant on Youths, Mr. George Tunner to correct the alleged abnormality, assuring that they were ready to work with the new management on principle of fairness and equity.

Guber poll: Edo in Diaspora warns against violence

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— AHEAD the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, the state indigenes abroad, under the

Activist slams Reps on Otedola BYGODWIN OGHRE

BY EMMAAMAIZE

ship crisis was yet to be resolved, as parties agreed to the suggestion of the police to approach the court to determine who the rightful king was.

Commissioner of Police, Delta State,Mr.IkechukwuAduba,represented by his deputy, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu,dialoguedseparatelywith the factions, and warned them to eschew violence, as the police would not hesitate to deal with any person or group that foment trouble in the community.

He said the police were not in a position to determine who the rightful king of the community wasandurgedbothsidestoallow the court make a pronouncement, which they agreed to.

While the opposing fac-

3 yrs after, electricity restored to C-River community

NDDC contractors forum alleges marginalisation

BY FESTUS AHON

Tension eases over Abavo kingship crisis

it was not proper for the committee to preclude the press and members of the public from watching the proceedings and questioning of the oil magnate.

Atseyinku, who, fielded questions from newsmen in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, on the way forward, following recent corruption sagas across the country, particularly requested President Jonathan to be serious in his anti-corruption drive by making sure that he punish all the people involved in duping the nation of its resources.

aegis of United Edo Diaspora Assembly, UEDA, have appealed to politicians to ensure a peaceful poll in order not to turn the state into a theatre of war.

Urging security agencies and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that the exercise was transparent, the group in a statement by Oboma Asemota, Nosa Obanor and Stephen Aghahowa, recalled the legal tussle that ensued after the 2007 governorship election and stressed the need to avoid such a repeat in the interest of the people of the state.

They regretted that the forthcoming election had generated so much tension and bad blood among the candidates, and called on the political parties to ensure that their members play according to the rules of the game.

The group said, “between 2007 and 2008, Edo State witnessed a prolonged

court battle over a stolen mandate and though innocent lives were lost along the line, the state was spared a major crisis with the eventual verdict by the Appeal Court, which paved way for the state to witness relative peace in the last few years.

A L A B A R — AKAMKPA community in Cross River State, will soon enjoy electricity supply after being in darkness for over three years as a result of windstorm and accidents that pulled down a number of electric poles in the area.

Indication for the restoration of power supply to the area came after an agreement reached by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly and member representing the constituency, Mr Itaya Nyong, Chairman of

NLC lauds Utuama on industrial peace

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

YOUNG

A

SABA—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, Delta State Chapter, has described state deputy governor, Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, as a true professional

Ijaw group hails Sylva

Y

BY GAB EJUWA

ENAGOA—A group, Ijaw Development Movement, IJDM, has come to the defence of former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, who turned 48, recently.

IJDM commended Sylva for making Ijaw at home and abroad proud by his feat while he was governor.

The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Mr Ibifuro Tatua, described Sylva as a special breed from God, adding “He is a blessing to Bayelsa State.

He brought his maturity, fairness and commitment to

Akamkpa Local Government Area, Mr. Denis Nkiri and the Lilleker Brothers Ltd, that was awarded the contract to install electricity in the state.

Speaking after the meeting, Nyong regretted that Akamkpa had remained the only council with no electricity for over three years in the state.

Nyong said that the Akamkpa electricity project was one of the rural electrification projects embarked upon by the Governor Liyel Imoke’s led administration, regretting that due to windstorm and accidents on the roads, most of the electric poles were pulled down.

the service of his people to bear in steering the ship of state. Through his pragmatic and proactive approach, he sustained peace in the state ” The group dismissed critics of Sylva, arguing that no former governor can match Sylva’s place in Bayelsa’s history, noting that he acquitted himself well in the discharge of his mandate through the execution of people-oriented programmes and policies, which earned him praises from the people of the state and beyond.

whose, friendly disposition to issues, especially labour, had engendered industrial peace in the state.

Chairman of NLC, Williams Akporeha, spoke, yesterday, as the deputy governor marked his 65 birthday with a book launch.

Akporeha, who acknowledged the immensurable contributions of Prof. Utuama to the entrenchment of democracy in the country, said Deltans were proud of his exploits in the academic and at the political life.

He said: “Prof. Utuama since coming into the political landscape first as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and subsequently Deputy Governor, has brought academic distinction and intellectual prowess to bear in the political circle, making Delta State one of the most organised state in the country.”

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

2 Okada riders jailed for violating ban

Tension in Aguleri-Umuleri over land dispute

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—TWO motor cyclists in Enugu State were yesterday sentenced to one year imprisonment each without option of fine for violating the new law banning the operation of motorcycles in the state capi t a l .

Those convicted by an Enugu Magistrate Court presided over by Mrs Ebele Udeze after pleading guilty of the offence were Friday Ucha and Jonathan E n e j e .

But, another accused person, Gabriel Ogbonna who was also arrested by the police yesterday for the same offence pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety who must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 16 among other conditions.

The prosecuting police officer, ASP Oluji Clement had told the court that the two convicts were arrested with one Gabriel Ogbonna, near Nowas Filling Station, Enugu for allegedly violating the law banning the opreations of motorcycles in Enugu metropolis.

LAUNCH—From left: Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, Executive Chairman, SUBEB; Mr Thabo Mabe, MD Unilever; Mrs Tolulope Agiri, HM Director, both of Unilever, Mrs Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, Deputy Governor Lagos State and Tunde Oke, Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA during launch of Unilever Nigeria Plc employee volunteer programme in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Imo govt warns residents of imminent flooding

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA BURIAL—From left: Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pious Anyim, Senator Osita Izunaso and Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso during the burial of Professor Celestine Onwuliri in Owerri, Imo State.

Court sacks Anambra PDP exco zOrders fresh congresses

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—AN Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice U. P. Kekemeke has nullified the ward, local government and state congresses of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, declaring them as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

Consequently, the court sacked the Chief Oguebego Ejike-led executive committee of the party in the state from office, just as it ordered fresh congresses in the state.

Kekemeke made the orders while dismissing the preliminary objections by the party, challenging the jurisdiction of the high court to meddle in a matter it said was a domestic affairs of a political party.

PDP had equally challenged the legal compe-

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M UA H I A— T H E peace in the troubled Aguleri and Umueri communities in Anambra East Senatorial zone of Anambra State, is being threatened again following allegation

by Umuleri community that Aguleri people were illegally encroaching on their Aguakor land and selling s a m e .

They have therefore called on the federal and state governments to intervene to avoid another communal w a r .

In an earlier petition by the Umuleri community to the National Security Adviser, NSA, the people had warned that “If the state and federal governments should close their eyes and allow this gun powder to explode, the 1995-1999 cri-

sis (in the area which led to the killing of thousands of people) will be a child’s p l a y . ” The petition written by Umueri General Assembly was signed by the President, Chief Henry Jideani and members of the traditional council of the town led by the Regent, Prince Chukwuma Okoye among other community leaders.

They recalled that the 19951999 crisis left the two communities in total ruins as over 1,000 lives and property worth billions of Naira were wasted.

To avoid a repeat, Umuleri community in the petition urged the “relevant security agencies to act swiftly to nip the crisis in the bud by directing the Aguleri people to respect the Orders of Court and Presidential Agreement.’’

tence of the suit which was entered before the court by an aggrieved member of the party, Mr Emma Mbamalu.

The court had before arriving at its decision, also discountenanced an application filed by the Anambra State chairman of the PDP, Mr Kenneth Emekayi, seeking to be joined as a necessary party in the suit.

Justice Kekemeke said it was clear from the affidavit evidence and the claim by the plaintiff that the court had the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit which he said bothered on an alleged breach of the party’s’ guidelines and constitution as it relates to the conduct of congresses in the state.

It's not a domestic affairs — Court “The administration of a political party is guided by its constitution and if a political party derails

from its constitution, it has opened its doorway for the court to come in.

So the argument of the party that the matter is a domestic affair does not hold water. So a breach of the party’s constitution and guidelines is no longer a matter within the domestic affairs of the p a r t y .

“From the facts of this case, the complain of the plaintiff is the failure of the party which has its headquarters in Abuja to conduct congresses in Anambra State as stipulated by its constitution.

“The non-conduct of the congresses in the state is a breach of the party’s constitution and guidelines. From the affidavit evidence before me, it is clear that no congress was conducted in the state on March, 3; 16 or 17, 2012,” in defiance to a subsisting order of the court and therefore rendered the actions of the party a nullity.

“There was an order

restraining the defendants from conducting congresses in the state and there is no record before this court that that order has been vacated or set aside. An order of court subsists until it is vacated or set aside by a superior court.

“A party who knows of an order of court cannot be permitted to disobey it. The defendant’s counsel was in court when the order was made. The plaintiff went ahead to publish the order in two national dailies. The congress purportedly conducted in defiance to the order of court is a nullity and I so hold. To hold otherwise would amount to lawlessness. This suit succeeds, the ward, local government and state congresses conducted in Anambra state on the third day of March, 2012; 10th day of March, 2012 and 16 or 17thday of March, 2012 are illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.”

O

WERRI—IMO State people have been alerted on what the state government called “imminent flooding" that will arise from heavy downpour expected within the next few days in the area.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Chinedu Offor, gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Owerri, at the end the State Executive Council meeting.

“The state has been alert-

ed by the Federal Ministry of Environment to take precautionary measures to avoid flood disaster,” Offor said.

He particularly advised those living in erosion prone areas to either vacate their homes or use sand bags to check the imminent flood.

The commissioner further appealed to residents in the state to desist from dumping refuse inside drainages, stressing that this will help check erosion and flooding, especially in Owerri municipality.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—15

76 oil wells: Reps task Jonathan on maritime boundaries

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—FOLLOWING dispute over 76 oil wells between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, the House of Representatives, yesterday, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a security meeting to review the status of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries.

Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor representing Isoko Federal Constituency (Delta/ PDP) under matters of urgent national importance, yesterday, raised a motion on the “imminent threat to Nigeria’s maritime boundaries” caused by the maritime delineation drawn up and submitted to the Supreme Court by the National Boundary Commission, NBC, on the disputed oil wells.

Ogor noted that if NBC’s maritime delineation was allowed to stand, Nigeria would lose vital maritime territory, the size of a state, to other countries.

He said: “The movement or adjustment of the baseline inward for the demarcation of internal waters from the territorial sea as canvassed by NBC is in contravention of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, judgment that ceded Bakassi to Cameroon with the implication that internal waters of Nigeria will now become part of the territorial sea.”

According to Ogor, the present delineation by NBC compromises the territorial integrity and security of the country with grave implication as other countries will now have navigational rights over Nigeria’s territorial waters.

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Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State (middle) commissioning six newly-constructed executive villas built by Governor Wammako of Sokoto State (2nd left). On the right is Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammed Saad Abubakar and Alhaji Shagari, Sokoto State Deputy Governor.

Two Al-Qaeda suspects docked

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, remanded two alleged linkmen of the AlQaeda terrorist organisation in Nigeria, Olaniyi Babafemi Lawal and Luqman Babatunde, in prison custody.

Justice Gladys Olotu ordered their remand shortly after the two accused persons pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of terrorism that was preferred against them by the Federal Government.

Specifically, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, AGF, alleged that the duo willfully received monies in Saudi Riyals and the US Dollars equivalent of N1,000,000.00 from a terrorist organisation known as Al-Qaeda, in Arabian Peninsula also known as AQAP in Yemen, with intent that the said money shall be used to recruit and transport prospective members of the terrorist group to Yemen.

Their action, according to the AGF, contravened Sec-

tion 13(a) of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and is punishable under paragraph (c) of the same section of the Act. Whereas the first accused person, Lawal, hails from Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, the

second accused person, Babatunde is from Isolo Local Government in Lagos state.

The Federal Government further alleged that they provided logistics for activities connected with an Act of terrorism, saying the

crime was committed between June and July 2011.

Though counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Sharafa Yusuf pleaded the court to release them on bail, prosecution counsel, Mr. S. M.

Labaran, urged the court to detain them in prison.

Meanwhile, Justice Olotu, yesterday, adjourned till October 2 and 3 to commence trial of the accused persons.

PDP's NWC members to earn salaries zTukur, N2m; Jaja, N1.7m; Oyinlola, N1.5m

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—STRONG in dications emerged, yesterday, at the National Secretariat of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the Bamanga Tukurled National Working Committee, NWC, has fixed salaries for it members as against the former arrangement where allowances were only paid to them after meetings.

It was gathered that with the present arrangement, Tukur, who has pegged his monthly salary at N2 million, will be earning more than President Goodluck Jonathan

whose annual salary is N14 million at N1.7 million monthly.

Tukur’s salary will also be higher than that of Vice President Namadi Sambo, whose annual take home is N12.12 million, at N1.1 million monthly; and that of Senate President, David Mark, who earns N8.7 million annually.

According to the proposal, which will be presented to the National Executive Committee, NEC, for ratification, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, will receive N1.7 million monthly and National Secretary, Prince

Olagunsoye Oyinlola, will take home N1.5 million monthly.

Other members of NWC, Onwe Solomon Onwe, Deputy National Secretary; National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; National Women Leader, Chief Kema Chikwe; the National Financial Secretary, Elder Bolaji Anani, and others, will go home with N1.2 million each, monthly.

It will be recalled that all previous NWC members of the party were only paid sitting allowances, just as the party’s Establishment Manual allows for personal staff

of NWC members to be paid salaries.

With the present arrangement, besides the new salaries, members of NWC were equally entitled to housing, furniture, vehicle allowance.

Tukur and Metuh are out of the country, and efforts to reach Metuh proved abortive.

However, when contacted on phone, the Special Assistant (Media) to Tukur, Shariff Ujudud, who refused to comment on the issue, said that only the National Publicity Secretary will be in the best position to speak on the matter.

16— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 — 17

Sweet & SOUR

Donu Kogbara

Singapore reflections stuck, for now at least, with potholes and ugliness and filth and primitivity.

Amaechi is trying to tackle this deep-seated decay that makes discerning folks with high standards regard Rivers State as a grim destination.

But longstanding problems that predated Amaechi’s administration cannot be eliminated overnight.

So I guess I need to patiently wait for his efforts to take root. However, my laments are not just about Rivers State. I am also worried about Nigeria as a whole.

I think that most Nigerian leaders deserve to be banished to the hottest part of hell…and that even those who are sincerely

But isn’t it time for Africans to stop making feeble excuses that are based on the ridiculous assumption that it’s fine for black folks to either conduct themselves chaotically and fail woefully or only lazily achieve a fraction of what they could have achieved?!

,

I AM in the fortunate position of being able to explore the world at intervals, either at my own expense or courtesy of various media organisations and government bodies. And I’m in Singapore at the moment with a Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, GPHCDA, delegation.

GPHCDA is headed by Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam and was set up by my Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, with a view to establishing a new city in Rivers State. And my fellow travellers and I were sent to this small South-East Asian country to attend a conference about urban development issues. This trip has been fascinating and refreshing.

It has provided me with interesting educational experiences and a pleasant break from my normal humdrum daily routine. But it has also been pretty depressing overall.

Why? Because while Singapore, a collection of islands at the tip of the Malay Peninsula,

is very similar to my home state on certain fundamental levels it has a coastline and a population of roughly five million – the two locations are so dissimilar, ultimately, that they might as well be on different planets.

While Singapore is thriving economically and socially despite having no natural resources, Rivers State is dirt poor in real terms despite being a major oil/gas producer. And while Singapore is a sparkling, clean, modern oasis of civilization and innovation, Rivers State is a dingy, unsophisticated backwater that desperately needs to be hauled into the 21st century.

There are no slums AT ALL in Singapore – which is full of beau-

tifully designed and lovingly maintained buildings. And the Singapore skyline is absolutely awesome and the roads are pure perfection and most Singaporeans are so proud of their impressive native turf. And I wish that I and other Rivers indigenes could have even onetenth of the perks that these lucky Singaporeans have. But we’re

,

committed to progress are not making progress quickly enough…and should push themselves much harder and take a leaf out of Lee Kwan Yew’s book. Lee Kwan Yew, a visionary statesman and governance genius, ran Singapore for over 30 years and transformed it, within one generation, from a mediocre little former British co-

OPINION

BY AMOS ONYEDIKA

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N reaction to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’s uninformed piece on Anambra State entitled: “Anambra: Budget of Misplaced Priorities”, many people have written by way of further comments on the subject. Quite unusual of the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi did a rejoinder himself; he sought to correct a misrepresentation of his State. Beyond just telling us that Anambra State has adopted the Millennium Development Goals as its vision, Obi explained that Anambra Integrated development Strategy, ANIDS, is a vehicle for achieving the vision. The Governor took the goals one after the other and clearly showed what the state is doing. At the end of the piece, even skeptics were convinced that his government is focused and is driven by plan encapsulated in novel methods that are working towards achieving set goals.

At the end of the day, and going by what Obi has done in Anambra State, the question on all lips is: “Why does he still have opposition?” The answer is simple: “Obi met a state that was in the jaws of lions”. Naturally, to retrieve anything from the lions’ jaws will surely entail collateral damage and injuries on any person who so dares embark on such a hazardous enterprises.

Today, with Governor Obi bearing the scars of all the instruments used in the battle for the soul of Anambra State, one can say

lonial outpost to an enviable force to be reckoned with.

When a man has been so staggeringly good at his job that he becomes widely recognized as a miracle worker and icon, his methods, mindset and lifestyle should be studied and emulated by those who seek to be equally effective. Lee Kwan Yew did not tolerate corruption or operate in an indisciplined or selfcentred manner. When Rivers State governor, Amaechi he was selecting teams to help him formulate and implement policies, he en- Kwan Yew is of Chinese extracsured that square pegs were slot- tion and our leaders are Africans. ted into round holes.

And there are massive cultural Because he valued excellence differences. and productivity above all else, But isn’t it time for Africans to he made personnel choices that stop making feeble excuses that were based on merit and the com- are based on the ridiculous asmon good rather than on crude sumption that it’s fine for black cronyism and morally question- folks to either conduct themselves able political calculations. And he chaotically and fail woefully or wasn’t a chronic philanderer who only lazily achieve a fraction of only promoted women who slept what they could have achieved?! with him. And he didn’t have complex. He was not afraid of Responses to: being outshone by brilliant subdonzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to ordinates. He did not resent folks 0802 747 6458 (texts only). whose backgrounds were more PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT privileged than his own.

UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY Lee Kwan Yew was a highly REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR rational and highly focused alCOMMENTS MAY BE PUBtruist who had his peoples’ best LISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH interests at heart; and when he YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS asked them to make sacrifices, he OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATgave them no reason to accuse TACHED. him of hypocrisy. OK, so Lee

Anambra: Still on El-Rufai and his Yes men that he has done well. The vocal minority are like the evil spirit, legion, that Christ cast out from a man’s body that entered into a swine and caused damage. This minority have been frustrated in the State, and like legion, they are determined to cause maximum damage on their way out.

Today, in Anambra, Obi has not been forgiven by many who consider him an “outsider”, who, not only wrestled power from them, but seems determined to alienate them from Anambra politics by growing a new crop of dedicated politicians who would forever bench the failed politicians of old. This failed lot have sworn that this ‘dangerous’ move by Obi must be stopped at all cost. This I submit explains the level of opposition massed against the Governor.

Anambra has, therefore, become a State where people deliberately pretend not to know the truth as they pursue some wild and elusive dream. Otherwise, why should somebody like Mr. Chudi Offodile, from Awka, deny Obi the credit of doing anything on health, when a teaching hospital built from the scratch stands before him in his home town! Obi erected about 20 new buildings in that complex, equipped the hospital and ensured its accreditation by the relevant professional medical bodies;

yet Offodile’s lamentation that nothing is happening around him.

I

n his own piece entitled “Anambra: Further Comments on Obi’s Misplaced Priorities”, one Dr. Chidozie Emenuaga was at it too. Though he pretended to be objective, he ended up showing his true colours. My first reaction on reading him was: ‘Ah, where is this Emenuga coming from?’ A little check, however, revealed him as once a Personal Assistant to Prof. Charles Soludo when he was the Governor of the Central Bank. It was easy to establish a nexus here: The write-up by Mallam ElRufai was the reproduction of a lecture delivered by Soludo himself on May 3, 2012 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with little input

by Rufai. During the public presentation of Uche Ezechukwu’s book on Ojukwu, Soludo’s only comment was about the imaginary poverty in Anambra State.

Emenuga was Soludo’s Personal Assistant, while the newspapers reported that the Barnhill Hotel partly owned by Mr. Chudi Offodile was allegedly used to rig election for the PDP when Soludo was their governorship candidate in Anambra State.

Now to some points raised by Soludo’s

assistant and El-Rufai that: “The point that Governor Obi and other Anambra people should swallow is that the condition of Anambra State has become such a national and international concern that ‘outsiders’ can no longer be shut out from proffering solutions”. This is at best intellectual dishonesty. I challenge Emenuga to tell us what El-Rufai did at a time Anambra State was really in pathetic condition. At a time when their principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo, ensured that Anambra State was a butt of dinner jollity. At that time, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju could not even see the President, while in the full glare of the world Obasanjo agreed that Dr. Chris Ngige was rigged into office. Is it now Obi has restored sanity, peace and progress to the State that somebody should talk of “the condition of Anambra State?”

I share what Emenuga said about philosophy. Let one go on and add that it was not in vain that it was regarded as Regina Scientiarum (the Queen of the Sciences) In fact, when you enquire into the history of civilization, you will discover that the epochal liberation of man from barbarism was more the achievements of philosophers.

Continues on Monday on pg. 18

•Dr. Onyedika wrote from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

WE hope Chief of Defence Staff, Air ViceMarshall Oluseyi Petinrin was not feeling triumphant when he told the House of Representatives committee probing the oil industry that oil thieves stole only about three million barrels of crude oil monthly. He sounded so.

Petinrin said about 90 million barrels were stolen monthly before Defence Headquarters intervened months back. If he was simply looking at the “savings of 87 million barrels of oil monthly”, he could celebrate. Has he heard that many blame the security agencies for condoning the thefts, which put the economy at peril?

The defence chief must admit that how much oil is stolen remains guesswork. Even if only three million barrels of crude oil were stolen monthly, the magnitude of the theft should not result in the type of posturing that Petinrin brought to the House.

At $75 per barrel, three million barrels of stolen crude cost Nigeria N36 billion monthly. Such huge sums in wrong hands have vast implications. The N34.67 billion

Only Three Million Barrels Stolen! the 2012 budget proposed as capital expenditure for the Ministry of Defence – Army, Air Force, Navy – is less than what, from Petinrin submission, thieves steal in one month.

In a year, N432 billion would be lost to the thieves if they keep their ambitions and oil prices remain at $75 per barrel. The money is about 10 per cent of the 2012 budget and almost three times the N149 billion allocated to the Ministry of Works for capital expenditure.

The annual loss to oil thefts can build 14 new bridges across the River Niger at the estimated cost of N30 billion. There is a lot that N432 billion can do for the Nigerian

economy. More damage is done to the economy and the security of the country when people acquire huge resources illegally.

The main measure Petinrin proposed for minimising oil theft is the registration of all boats and barges plying Nigerian coastal waters with Defence Headquarters and the Joint Task Force.

According to Petinrin, “the agency of government that is supposed to do certain things has refused to carry out its responsibilities; we decided to take up the challenge towards curbing the menace of illegal bunkering.”

Oil thieves benefit from the conflicting roles of security and other agencies that watch our waters. Seized boats are the least challenge for oil thieves. The proceeds of a day’s operations can buy 60 new boats.

Ready markets for stolen crude, huge profits, minimal risks as government ignores the illegality and connivance of security agencies are factors that sustain the thefts.

The biggest threat to the thieves will be a concerted strike at them. Currently, the determination is unavailable.

OPINION

BY JOHN AINOFENOKHAI

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N the last eight weeks or so, certain political actions and indiscretion of Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, have unjustifiably put pressure on the Benin Palace and, by implication, the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, such that the Palace was forced to offer clarifications through press statements on two occasions.

The first occasion was when Oshiomhole went to town with “a billboard campaign” that he had been endorsed by the Benin monarch for re-election and second term in office. Deploying state funds to bolster his re-election bid, the Governor was conveniently mounting billboards across the state capital, using the photograph and effigy of the revered monarch and the palace for political campaign.

Oshiomhole ought to have known that the Benin monarch should be insulated from politics, especially the kind that he (Oshiomhole) is now playing in Edo, in order to win re-election.

Indeed, he wants to win the July 14 governorship elections at all costs. Therefore, he has chosen to scorn political discretion by sucking the Oba into his re-election politics and politicking.

Understandably shocked by the desperate and indecorous strategy of the Comrade-Governor, which was capable of compromising the Palace and portraying the respected Benin monarch as biased, they had quickly taken steps to stop the “madness”. In a May 4, 2012 press release, the Benin Traditional Council was able to denounce the campaign by Oshiomhole that the Palace had endorsed him for re-election.

The release signed by the Secretary of the Council, Frank Irabor, said: “The Benin Traditional Council wishes to stress that it is unacceptable for the political inclinations of any group of persons to be ascribed to the Oba of Benin”. The Council said the monarch is father to all and restated the non-partisan position of the Palace.

That was quite instructive. But the clarifications would not C M Y K

Edo guber: Oshiomhole's ambition and Benin monarch have been necessary had Oshiomhole not overreached himself to “desecrate” the palace by playing politics with it and the normal prayers of the monarch which he freely gives to anyone who visits him for the purpose of royal blessing.

I must state here that it is to the credit of our revered Benin monarch that he was able to denounce Oshiomhole’s political shenanigans even though the Governor and his publicists have been carrying on using other not-too-pronounced strategies to lay claim to the Oba’s prayers (interpreted and presented to the world as an endorsement).

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ut for an anxious politician as typified by Oshiomhole, there are no limits to desperation and propaganda.

Otherwise, he and his publicists would not have taken the Oba of Benin through another stress of trying to clarify the mischievous report in some national dailies that the royal father shunned President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who were in the Palace on June 30, this year, for a courtesy visit.

It is no longer news that the Oba could not come out into the open office where he normally receives visitors to receive the PDP delegation led by President Jonathan. It is a matter of public fact and record that the Oba received Jonathan in his inner sanctum while the normal reception and prayers were conducted in the office for the delegation by the Iyase of Benin.

But, as a mark of frustration occasioned by Oshiomhole’s daily loss of ground and political support in Edo South Senatorial District (Benin Kingdom), his media team decided to concoct the lie in a press release which he syndicated to the media.

Perhaps for pecuniary reason, some sections of the media lent themselves to the propagation of the wicked falsehood and

propagated all manner of reasons why the Oba shunned the PDP delegation.

The Palace was again put under needless pressure. The mischievous propaganda of Oshiomhole and his publicists did no honour to the Oba of Benin. Instead of allowing the Oba to have his rest after the President’s visit, the propagated falsehood forced him to authorise the issuance of yet another press release, which was dated July 2, 2012.

Signed by Irabor, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, the release said: “The attention of the palace has been drawn to certain mischievous publications in some national newspapers on the recent visit to the palace by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The palace would like to make it clear that the Omo N’Oba did not shun Mr. President and the Peoples Democratic Party members that came with him. In fact, it is the respect and love Omo N’Oba has for Mr. President that made Omo N’Oba to still manage to see our President in a private Chamber in the Palace despite a complicated situation that day.

“The public is reminded that, three weeks ago, the Omo N’Oba waited for over two hours in his open office, where he received the Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo and the PDP chieftains that were in Benin for their political rally…”. Nothing could have been more plausible. It is good that the Palace has seen the syndicated report by the Oshiomhole’s publicists for what it was: mischievous; and a section of the media fed the public with the salad of lies. What a shame!

But the Palace and the Oba of Benin must have now known how desperate the comrade-governor is. If his life depends on the governorship, is that why he should be stressing our respected and ageing royal father? Oshiomhole and his publicists should be called to order now before they cause further damage to the Benin Palace. *Mr. Ainofenkhai, a political analyst, wrote fromBenin City.

Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, JULY 6, 2012 — 19

, S

OMEHOW, in the course of our short but eventful history as a nation, we’ve lost sight of a fundamental reality: Passion is an invaluable and inexhaustible national resource.

Politics steers a nation, while economic activity is essential to people’s material well-being. But it’s emotional fervour that really drives a country forward—a fervour which, I’m afraid, we Nigerians lack.

Like electricity, petrol or nuclear power, emotional energy can be dangerous and destructive when misused or unleashed without proper controls. We see tragic and gory evidence of this, almost daily.

Ironically though, the untrammeled bedlam and bloodletting that have engulfed us, make the strongest possible case for tapping into our great reserve of emotional energy.

It demonstrates not only the power of human emotion but also

the political prospects of a nation that can harness this enormous well-spring of social energy and put it to constructive and productive use.

This is done, of course, through the use of two psychic mechanisms which aren’t very well understood and, consequently are appreciated even less: These being nationalism and patriotism.

Socially, nationalism and patriotism function as adrenalin— the hormone our bodies release in times of anger, fear or desperation, to prove the extra energy we need to face a threat, prevail in competition or escape danger.

But while the two emotions serve a similar function, they are not exactly the same. The difference is, in a sense, like that of fire and flame.

Technically, “fire”refers to the complex array of physical and chemical processes associated with combustion—the release of

,

heat and light energy, along with various reaction products, which we perceive mainly as “smoke”.

By contrast, a flame is merely the visible component of a fire: Specifically, the rise of hot gases whose varying temperatures radiate at wavelengths that our brain organises into the red, yellow, white and blue colours. These colours help us to judge the amount and intensity of the energy being released.

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ontinuing with this analogy, it is important to keep in mind that a flame does not have to be present for a fire to burn. Indeed, it is, in many instances, a simmering fire that creates the flame--and not the other way around.

Here the natural sciences of physics and chemistry have provided us with a very potent political metaphor. Again, that’s because the relationship between “fire” and “flame”is very similar

How to curb the sleeping sickness threat

BY ALBERT ILEMOBADE

S

LEEPING sickness is the scourge of subSaharan Africa where, according to the World Health Organisation, WHO and Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, an estimated 50 million people and 48 million cattle are at risk of contracting the disease.

The disease, which is caused by blood parasites, is spread through the bite of the fly, commonly called tse-tse fly. It affects both humans and animals, particularly cattle.

The disease in humans causes fevers, convulsions, coma, and even death if left untreated. Because the initial symptoms resemble malaria, it’s often not detected early enough, and the drugs used to treat the second stage of sleeping sickness can be toxic enough to kill the patient. Two types of the disease occur in humans, namely, the Gambian Sleeping Sickness, generally a chronic and wasting disease, confined almost predominantly to Central and West Africa and the Rhodesian Sleeping Sickness, a rapidly fatal disease, found mostly in Eastern and Southern Africa .

The disease in animals, particularly cattle, called Nagana, has similar symptoms to those of humans apart from convulsions.

In both humans and livestock, the disease manifests in ill-health, shortage of farm labour, food insecurity and rural poverty.

One of the worst characteristics of poverty is its tendency to self-perpetuate.

Beyond its impact on humans and livestock is its impact on African agriculture and the livelihood of the rural population in the affected countries. The fly and the disease influence where people decide to live, how they manage their livestock and the intensity and the mix of crop agriculture.

The combined effects result in changes in land use and environment which may, in turn, affect human welfare and increase the vulnerability of agricultural activity.

In Nigeria the situation is particularly alarming. Here, the tsetse fly population is so widespread it is estimated to cover about 80 percent of the country’s total area. Much of this land is suitable for both crop and

livestock production but it is rendered unusable by the deadly pest. This, in turn, has a negative impact on the country’s ability to produce enough food, making hunger and malnutrition a sad but present reality.

Land reclamation from tsetse fly commenced during the Colonial era when the major concern was Human Sleeping Sickness, so that at independence in 1960, the battle against sleeping sickness in humans and in livestock, mainly in the Northern part of the country, was half-won.

While the post-colonial era brought its challenges, the battle against sleeping sickness and livestock trypanosomosis remained a priority concern.

Thus, between 1955 and 1978, Nigeria carried out easily the most successful tsetse campaign (in terms of size and level of success) in Africa , with over 200,000 sq km of tsetse infested country cleared of the pest by ground spraying and helicopter. This feat was achieved because the campaign was very well-organised, enabling crop and livestock farmers to thrive and expand into areas previously denied them because of the threat of tsetse fly. In 2003, tsetse were still absent from reclaimed areas due to environmental changes – expanding human population and agricultural activities.

Unfortunately, Nigeria relaxed its reclamation work and many of the areas reclaimed from tsetse has reverted to infested areas with resurgence of the disease not only of livestock, particularly cattle, but also humans, especially in new areas where, previously, Gambian sleeping sickness was not a threat, namely in Delta State. Because the acute form of sleeping sickness, the Rhodesian type, does not exist in Nigeria , the approach to control it is by case detection and treatment.

Because of the toxic nature of the drug in use and the need for long-term treatment, patients who are sick with sleeping sickness tend to be unable to stand the drug treatment regimen, dropping out midway in the treatment process. Apart from this drawback is the stigma associated with a

,

Passion as a political resource (1)

We need to build and sustain a simmering nationalist fire, a fervent and ongoing ardour that transcends periodic displays of political loyalty

to that of “nationalism” and “patriotism”—the former being comparable to the fire and the latter flame.

What we’re trying to do in Nigeria, it seems, is build a nation without any sense of nationalism.

We kindle a feeble patriotic flame on certain ceremonial occasions, such as Independence Day, and then allow it to flicker out and die.

But patriotic rituals and ceremonies are clearly insufficient.

We need, somehow, to build and sustain a simmering nationalist fire, a fervent and ongoing ardour that transcends periodic displays of political loyalty to the state.

I am aware that, in some foreign circles, “nationalism” is a dirty word. But when one closely examines the ethos—the traditions and values of those countries, as reflected in their art, literature, music, film and other cultural manifestations--a double standard is apparent.

Other people’s nationalism is “dirty ”; but their own is sacrosanct!

Anything, carried to extreme, can have negative consequences. We have the Nazis of Pre-World War II Germany and the murderous Pol Pot regime in Cambodia to serve as horrific reminders.

But the use of these extreme examples to undermine the argument for nationalism in a developing nation like Nigeria is more than crass sophistry. It is downright dishonest and unethical and can, justifiably, be construed as an act of hostility.

After all, “nationalism”is simply a system of thought that extols the

Government must make its efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate Nagana a priority—and quickly; an integrated, countrywide approach with sufficient funds to sustain it is needed

,

disease that many ignorant people regard as incurable and capable of being passed from one person to another by contact when, in fact, this is untrue.

M

ost efforts to control Nagana used by farmers focus on treating livestock with trypanocidal drugs, either as a treatment for sleeping sickness or as a preventative measure. These drugs can cure the disease, but they don’t always stop miscarriages or raise an animal’s productivity level back to normal. Plus, using drugs too often can cause the parasite to develop a resistance, which has already begun to appear in most areas of the country.

Farmers can also use traps and targets which reduce the tsetse fly population density, but this requires deployment of thousands of traps to cover a region. This is expensive, especially when so many traps are stolen or destroyed by fires. Farmers are encouraged to use insecticide pour-ons, sprays and dips on their livestock, but these are short-term solutions which must be repeated frequently. Many farmers don’t apply the insecticides consistently and with the necessary frequency, which leaves any exposed animals vulnerable to the bite of tsetse flies and, therefore the disease.

Recently, the Federal Government of Nigeria has voted a substantial amount of money to kick-start the resuscitation of the tsetse reclamation campaign, under the PATTEC (Programme Against Tsetse Fly and Trypanosomiasis Campaign), an initiative of the African Union Organisation, AU, designed to rid the continent of Africa of the

virtue of the nation and its people—its culture, traditions, values and landscape. It is exemplified by Dr. Agbada, a Muslim physician in Lagos, who ordered his tailor to produce the garment that has become our national dress.

Exemplifying the nationalist spirit as well, is the late Steve Rhodes who composed the eloquent and powerfully patriotic NTA News theme, with ivory horn riffs overlaying the cadence of talking drums.

The flame these and earlier nationalists, such as Rev. Majola Agbebe, ignited ought to be rekindled. The fires of national pride ought to be fanned and kept burning—not merely in our time of disparateness but always.

We need a naturalist poetry and fiction, for example, which can inspire a sense of awe and reverence for the beauty of the Fatherland and cultivate an appreciation of its abundant resources—beyond the foreign exchange they can earn. In the end, we need statesmen who can rise above individual interest and speak not for their regions but for our country and show the next generation why unplanned division is no better than unity based on dialogue and be credible while doing so.

If I had a chance to talk to Goodluck, Obasanjo, Atiku, Asiwaju, Buhari and Amaechi all at once, I would tell them that.

To be continued.

menace of tsetse fly and trypanosomosis.

Experience has shown, however, that no single technology or approach will result in a sustained removal of tsetse flies from an area. The Nigerian government must make its efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate Nagana a priority—and quickly. An integrated, countrywide approach with sufficient funds to sustain it is needed.

Recognising that government resources and manpower are limited, systematic approaches and sequencing of priorities will be key to success.

Proper training of farmers is also integral to success. Farmers need to know what control options are available and how to use them effectively. They should be encouraged to keep their livestock in pens whenever possible to reduce the animals’ exposure to tsetse flies and other pests. Farm families should be taught how to distinguish a tsetse fly from a less harmful species, and they need to understand that sleeping sickness can and should be treated by a doctor.

Sleeping sickness can be reduced in Nigeria . In some parts of Africa it has even been eliminated. The success recorded in eliminating the tsetse fly in some parts of Africa gives hope that it can also be done in Nigeria .

A successful eradication programme was completed in 1997 on the island of Zanzibar in East Africa . Following a three-year flysuppression campaign followed by release of sterile insects, the tsetse flies were eradicated and no case of sleeping sickness has since been reported on the island. A study, six years after eradication, found that milk production had tripled, local beef production had doubled and the use of animal manure for crop farming had increased five-fold.

While the road may be long and hard, Nigeria should aspire to be more like Zanzibar, Loos Islands and Botswana -nations with healthy citizens, robust and productive livestock, and a plentiful supply of nutritious food that will be natural outcomes if the tsetse fly problem is eliminated. *Prof. Ilemobade, an expert in the area of sleeping sickness of man and animals is the current chairman of the Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis, PAAT.

20 —Vanguard,

FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

ICJ judgement: Security implications of new baseline

BY JANET OKON

B

ACKGROUND: IN August, 2008, The Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) converged in Kano for a retreat where the maritime boundary between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States was purportedly redefined; virtually the entire maritime territory of Cross River State was by that exercise ceded to Akwa Ibom State. The Commission also decided on the declassification of Cross River State as a littoral state and the transfer of 76 oil wells from Cross River in favour of Akwa Ibom state. The implication of these decisions is that Cross River is no longer an oil producing state. These far reaching decisions were taken without the participation or any recourse whatsoever to Cross River State.

After concerted effort failed to persuade RMAFC to reverse the decision, Cross River state submitted the matter to the Supreme Court for determination. The issues raised are summarised below. Beyond the interest of Cross River, the case raise issues of national security which we shall first highlight.

National security implications of moving the Baseline inward: The ICJ judgment that cedes Bakassi to Cameroun clearly established the baseline for the demarcation of internal waters from the territorial sea at the mouth of the Calabar estuary using the outermost southern tips of the land mass on both sides of the estuary as co-ordinates. But the National Boundaries Commission in a bid to show that Cross River is not a littoral state, has moved this baseline inwards to the mouth of the Calabar river. Areas like the Moni Pulo and Adax oil platforms which the Supreme Court had in the 2005 judgment held to be the internal waters of Nigeria and part of Cross River, are in the current and controversial delineation by NBC are no longer internal waters of Nigeria but part of the territorial sea. See MAP A attached.

Under UNCLOS Nigeria has greater control over its internal waters than the territorial sea; the internal waters are considered part of the nation’s land territory but the territorial waters are not. Other countries have some navigational rights (right of innocent passage) over the Nigeria’s territorial waters without prior permission but

baselines of the various countries into consideration. Nigeria’s position on this is being compromised by the inward shift of the baseline as the NBC has proposed.

Our negotiation position for the convergence point of the territorial sea will be greatly weakened and we are bound to loss more vital oil rich territory to other countries than Cross River will loss to Akwa Ibom.

Finally, Cameroun is holding on to the baseline set by the ICJ at the mouth of the estuary. This means that on the same estuary share between Nigeria and ICJ baseline set in the Bakassi judgment delivered by the court in Cameroun, the baseline 2002 connecting WEST POINT on the Nigerian side to EAST POINT applied by Cameroun is on the Cameroonian side. different from the baseline applied by Nigeria with the cannot enter the internal waters unless with the prior Nigerian baseline being inward of the estuary and approval of the country. So moving the baseline inward Cameroun maintaining an outward position on the estuary as the NBC has done is actually ceding a vital part of as set by the ICJ. This will certainly bring confusion and Nigerian territory; changing the status of this strategic clashes between the naval and security forces of the two estuary from internal waters to territorial sea. This greatly countries, beyond the confusion of commercial navigation. compromises the security of the country beyond the Even by the NBC map, this portion is high Sea economic implications. It should not be Nigeria and contiguous to the internal waters of Cross River but which certainly not the NBC that should propagate such ridiculously is held by the NBC to belong to Akwa Ibom positions. The Cameroonian navy for instance will have that has no contiguous territory to this part of the sea just the right of passage behind the Moni Pulo oil platforms to mislead the nation that Cross River is not a littoral without prior notice or permission. The confusion this can state.New baseline as drawn by the NBC in a bid to hem cause to the two naval forces can be fatal. in Cross River ceding Moni Pulo and Adax oil fields into Even more alarming is the impact this inward shift of the territorial sea. The territory between this and the ICJ the baseline will have on the negotiations over the baseline in the map is Nigeria’s internal territory which convergence point of the maritime boundaries of the NBC has, against national interest, Converted to Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and territorial sea (international waters) Principe. This convergence point is currently a subject of *Ms. Okon, a policy analyst, wrote from Calabar, Cross negotiations between the three countries and the River State. convergence point is going to be determined taking the

Why Cross River remains a littoral State T

HE controversial Bakassi issue has reared its head again. Laden will innumerable intrigues and mysteries, it's impact and manifestations seems to take different twists and turns. Of late, the question as to whether or not Cross River State remains a littoral State should the ‘ Apex Court give judgment on the 76 oil wells in favour of Akwa Ibom State. While the country awaits with bated breath over a judgement that could impact our future many genarations to come, it is indeed crucial for every Nigerian, at least those who love the country to go down memory lane, the ultimate aim being to be properly informed.

Judgement was passed in 2002 by none other than the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Before then, it was agreed by all sides that before the ICJ judgment of 2002, Cross River was a littoral state.

Unfortunately, there is a mistaken impression that it was Bakassi Local Government alone that made Cross River a littoral state. Nothing could be further from the truth. In A.G. CROSS RIVER STATE V. A.G. FEDERATION & ANOR (2005) 15 NWLR (Pt. 947) 71, the Supreme Court acknowledged that in addition to Bakassi, three other local governments in Cross River had estuarine sectors. Edozie JSC, held as follows at P. 95: “Although there are two defendants in this case, the principal parties are the plaintiff and 2nd defendant. The bone of contention between them is the common boundary of their two states particularly a.Their northern or non-estuarine

boundary between Itu LGA in Akwa Ibom State and Odukpani LGA in Cross River State and b.Their southern or estuarine boundary between Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo LGA and until recently Bakassi LGA all in Cross River State and Oron, Udung and Mbo LGA in Akwa Ibom”.

The court then determined the estuarine territory of Cross River as: “… Estuarine boundary communities mentioned in paragraph 40(3)(a) (ii) and (iii) of the 4th amended statement of claim: (ii)All cities, towns and villages in Calabar South Local Government Area (particularly Alligator Island, James Island and other unnamed Islands) and Akpabuyo Local Government Area and (iii)All cities, towns and villages in Bakassi Peninsula and its surrounding islands.

These communities are located at the vicinity of the estuary of the Cross River”.

(P. 107, Paras. B – G).

1. In his supporting judgment, Musdapher JSC (as he then was), held that: “The dispute in this matter is mainly on the extent of the boundary between the two neighbouring states to wit (i) the northern boundary between Itu Local Government Area Council in Akwa Ibom State and Odukpani Local Government Area Council in Cross River State. (ii) The southern estuarine boundary between Calabar Municipal, Akpabuyo and until recently Bakassi Local Government Area Councils in Cross River State and Oron, Udung-Uko and Mbo Local Government Area Councils

,

BY CHRISTIAN BASSEY

The pronouncement that Cross River had no estuarine sector, (implying that the maritime boundary had been determined contrary to the Court’s express holding that it was not making a determination), was clearly an obiter dictum, or was made per incuriam

,

in Akwa Ibom State”. (P. 114, A – C)

The three LGAs are still where they have always been, with their estuarine sectors intact, contiguous to the Atlantic Ocean. The loss of Bakassi did not alter the geography of the rest of Cross River State. In the 2005 case, Akwa Ibom acknowledged in its counter-claim that many of the oil wells in dispute were not in the ocean but in the estuary. The Supreme Court noted the claim of AKS thus: “Finally the 2nd defendant contends that the oil wells/fields at the estuary of the Cross River are located in AKS but

are wrongly credited to CRS. These are Adax wells/fields of Adanga, Akan, Ebugu, Bogi, Ebugbune, Ukpan, Mimbo and the Monipolo oil wells/fields of Abana – East and Abana – West. Also located in AKS are the oil wells of Davy Bank, Obio, Efiat 1, Efiat 2, Okposo East, Tom Shot Bank 1, Tom Shot Bank 2 and Cross River”.

(P. 99, Per Edozie JSC) Akwa Ibom’s counter-claim to these wells was struck out/dismissed by the court. (See p. 113 of the Report). Instead, the court found for Cross River and awarded the state N2,455,888,820.14k for “mineral oil exploration activities within its boundary for the period May 1999 to July 2002."

It should be noted that Nigeria has never had a single oil well east of the Maroua line and in particular around the Bakassi area. So, the wells for which Cross River got derivation revenue in the judgment were not connected with Bakassi.

For the above reasons, the statement in the same case to the effect that the ICJ judgment had “ wiped off the estuarine sector of Cross River ” was erroneous in point of fact. It was also an obiter dictum because the court’s actual decision was that it would not determine the maritime boundary between the two states, as it would be premature to do so. Therefore the pronouncement that Cross River had no estuarine sector, (implying that the maritime boundary had been determined contrary to the Court’s express holding that it was not making a determination), was clearly an obiter dictum, or was made per incuriam. *Mr. Bassey, a lawyer, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 — 21

FG, states, LGs to receive N1.7bn from solid mineral — RMAFC C

HAIRMAN, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Mr Ellias Mbam, says over N1.7b revenue from solid minerals will soon be distributed among the three tiers of government.

Mbam made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. Revenues from crude oil sales account for nearly 90 per cent of monthly allocations to Federal, states and local governments by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Mbam described the revenues from solid minerals as very positive in the present administration’s bid to diversify the economy. “For the first time, the solid minerals will be contributing to the federation account.

We have over N1.7b from solid minerals waiting for distribution among the three tiers of government. What is holding us from forwarding the sharing is the 13 per cent derivation.

We have asked the Mines and Steel to provide us the states where these revenues were generated so that they can get their 13 per cent derivation.”

The RMAFC boss explained that the 13 per cent derivation was not exclusive to oil-producing states.

According to him any revenue from natural resources from any state entitles the producing state to derivation. He also stated that the Accountant-General of the Federation had opened a dedicated account for the solid mineral revenue with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). On new revenue sharing formula of the Federation, Mbam appealed to Nigerians to be more patient with the commission.

“The commission is determined to provide a new revenue formula that

Naira appreciates against dollar at official, black markets

T

HE naira appreciated against the dollar, both at the official and the black markets on Wednesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The naira exchanged at N155.4 against the dollar, compared to the exchange rate of N155.44 on July 3 at the official market, indicating a gain of 4 kobo. At the Bureau De Change, the naira exchanged for N157 against the dollar compared to N158on July 3, up by N1.

But at the black market it was went for N158 against the N158.50 on July 3, gaining 50 kobo. Traders attributed the appreciation to the sales of forex at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS). NAN reports that the WDAS is a trading wing of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where forex is sold to authorised dealers who are mostly the banks. Also, the naira appreciated against the pound sterling and the euro at the two markets. NAN recalls that the naira gained against the pound sterling, selling at N243.10 at the official market as against N243.63 on Tuesday.

C M Y K

would reflect the wishes of majority of Nigerians. We gave first quarter of 2012 for the submission of a new revenue sharing formula but unfortunately due to national challenges beyond our However we are on course and we have made reasonable progress in actualising this desire, including conducting extensive studies on fiscal matters.” He said the commission had concluded literature review on

what has been done on revenue sharing since pre-independence, in addition to visiting seven countries that operate similar fiscal programmes.

He added that it had also visited all the 36 states of the Federation and the 774 local government areas to verify data received from the states and local governments. Mbam expressed delight with the response of Nigerians

to the commission’s invitation for a memorandum on the new revenue formula. “We received many memorandum including that from the Nigeria Governors Forum and other key stakeholders and we are studying them.” Mbam promised that the commission would continue to ensure that transparency and accountability in revenue allocations “become a watchword at all levels of government.”

From left: Mr. Vivein Ikem, CSR/Sustainability Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Alhaja Wonuola Idris, Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos and Mr D.O. Oduguwa of Divisional Inspectorate, Ministry of Education, Lagos at the commissioning of block of classrooms donated by NB Plc to Okesuna Senior High School in Lagos Island LGA. Photo: Sylva Eleanya.

N13.2bn subsidy claims: Court bars FG from prosecuting coy

A

Federal High Court, Wednesday, barred the Federal government from prosecuting any official of the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd on the alleged N13.2 billion fuel subsidy claims. Delivering a ruling in Abuja, Justice Gladys Olotu further ordered that the “status quo’’ be maintained pending the determination of the originating summons filed by the company. “The government and its agents are hereby prevented from arresting, detaining, prosecuting and recovering the N13.2 billion alleged to have been received by the plaintiff as fuel subsidy claims pending the determination of the case. This summons is hereby accorded an accelerated hearing in order to expeditiously dispose of it,’’ she said.

The company approached the court on June 25 with a motion on notice brought pursuant to Order 26 Rule 2 and Order 28 Rule 1 of the Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009. The House of Representatives, Rep. Farouk Lawan, Attorney General of the Federation, EFCC, ICPC and the

Inspector General of Police are respondents in the matter. The suit is connected with the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Monitoring of the Oil Subsidy Regime. The company, which is owned by a former Internal Affairs Minister, Retired Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, dragged the respondents to court following the indictment of the company as one of the major oil marketers that fraudulently benefited from the oil subsidy.

The Plaintiff had sought for a declaration that the subsidy refunds paid to the company in the sum of N13. 2 billion in respect of petroleum products imported between 2006 and 2011 was not sustainable, as unconstitutional, null and void. The plaintiff further sought for a declaration that the resolution of the first defendant passed on April 25 which approved the report of the Adhoc Committee was illegal. The plaintiff sought a declaration that the Federal Government as represented by the third to the sixth defendants were not entitled by law to act or take

any step on account of the resolution of the first defendant.

180.45

+5.85

2,350.00

+60.00

21.98

+0.58

99.78

-0.90

87.05

-0.61

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING CFA KRONER EURO POUNDS RIYAL SDR FRANC DOLLAR WAUA YEN RENMINBI

0.278 26.1545 194.6009 242.3256 41.3023 235.0917 161.9446 154.9 234.4027 1.9399 24.4013

0.288 26.2389 195.2291 243.1078 41.4356 235.8506 162.4674 155.4 235.1594 1.9462 24.4805

0.298 26.3233 195.8572 243.89 41.5689 236.6094 162.9901 155.9 235.916 1.9524 24.5597

CBN Exchange rate as at 05/07/2012

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Standard Chartered Bank eyes SMEs for improved profitability … Opens SMEs centre

By PETER EGWUATU

A

S part of plans to increase its bottom line and overall performance, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has announced its decision to strengthen its customer offerings in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Banking.

The Bank, on Wednesday, in Lagos, opened a designated SMEs centre that will attend the needs of micro

and medium businesses.

Commenting on the importance of SMEs to the Nigerian economy, Carol Oyedeji, Head of Consumer Banking, West Africa said, “ SMEs in Nigeria are the backbone of our economy. 96% of Nigerian businesses are SMEs and they currently contribute about 50-70% of employment, and over 90% of the manufacturing sector. It is therefore critical for the banking sector to come along and support their needs.”

She noted that the Bank aims to meet with the dynamic needs of fastgrowing SMEs in Nigeria as it further reinforces its brand promise of ‘Here for good’.

During a customer event at the new Opebi SME Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, Tim Hinton, Global Head of SME Banking, Standard Chartered Bank further confirmed the role of SMEs in the global level.

According to him, “The

SME segment has grown at almost twice the rate of GDP in most markets, and is expected to grow at 10-12 percent per year across our footprint in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

“In light of the changing needs of SMEs and their growing importance in the economy, we have strengthened our SME customer offerings. Our ambition is to be the leading international bank for SMEs, building

the segment into a multibillion dollar business over the next two to three years.”

Ebehijie Momoh, General Manager, SME Banking West Africa, Standard Chartered Bank said: “Our product solutions and global expertise in the SME segment position Standard Chartered as one of the leading financial institutions for SMEs in Nigeria. We recognise that SMEs are looking for simplicity and convenience so in response, we are launching 1) our new SME Centre to service these customers, 2) a dedicated SME hotline to answer their queries, and 3) our global online platform Straight2Bank, specifically tailored to the needs of SMEs. We will launch our Business Essentials bundle to cater to the transactional needs of our clients, a first of its kind in the

market.”

She further stated that the Bank is committed to this important segment which is key to the development of the country.

Continuing, she said, “SMEs can now access comprehensive and tailored solutions that have traditionally been limited to multinational companies and large corporations. In order to better understand the needs of its SME customers, Standard Chartered provides dedicated relationship managers supported by a team of specialists.

This allows Standard Chartered to provide holistic solutions in the areas of working capital, business expansion, business protection, and yield enhancement. This approach is unique in the market, and differentiates Standard Chartered’s offerings to its customers.”

Flour Mills, Bagco appoint new officers

T From left: Mrs Carol Oyedeji, Head, Consumer Banking, West Africa, Standard Chartered Bank; Mr. Tim Hinton, Global Head, Small and Medium Enterprise Banking and Mrs Ebehijie Momoh, General Manager, SME Banking, West Africa, during the opening of Standard Chartered Bank SME Centre at Opebi, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.`

Berger Paint assures of improved returns on investment

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Chairman of Berger Paint Plc, Mr. Clement Olowoakande, has assured that the company is on the path of reclaiming its position as the dominant paint manufacturer in the country and improved returns on investment after successfully surmounting a number of internal challenges experienced in 2011.

Laying the report and financial account of the company before the shareholders in the 52nd annual general meeting in Lagos, he informed that both volume and turnover as well as profit before and after tax declined, saying that the C M Y K

company experienced several cases of fraud within the year which impacted negatively on the financial performance.

He noted that a forensic audit was appointed to investigate the suspected fraud, adding, “the investigation led to the employees involved being handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“In view of the involvement of several key personnel of the sales department in the fraud cases, the management embarked on a restructuring exercise, which is still on-going and which is ultimately expected to reposition the company on the path of sustainable growth.”

Olowoakande added

that the board has since established a Risk Assessment Unit, which implemented a credit control process and Risk Assessment policy for the company, saying that the company has established a zero tolerance for fraud policy which is now in effect.

According to him, the company saw increased prices of raw materials, mainly due to increased oil prices, as well as shortage of some imported raw materials due to increased worldwide demand and reduced production capacity worldwide.

“The tight liquidity prevailing in the Nigerian economy and the high interest rate charged by banks resulted in financial

constraint by many property developers as well as individual consumers, which again has had negative effect on our sales,” he informed.

The company achieved a turnover of N2.57 billion in 2011 and profit after tax of N250.19 million, representing 6.61 and 43.45 per cent decline over N2.76 billion and N442.46 million recorded in 201 respectively.

The shareholders at the event approved the distribution of N152.15 million, which amounts to 70 kobo per share dividend for the period, representing the same amount paid in the corresponding period of 2010.

HE Management of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Pete Low as its new Chief Commercial Officer.

Prior to this appointment, according to a statement by the company, he was for over 10 years the Managing Director of Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc, (BAGCO), a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. The company also stated that Mr. Abiodun Ogunkoya has been appointed to succeed Pete as the Managing Director of BAGCO. Chairman of the company, Mr. George Coumantaros, disclosed that Abiodun, who has been with BAGCO for over 30 years, last three of which he served as the Deputy Managing Director, will bring his deep general managerial experience to the new office.

According to him, Pete brings to his new job many years of managerial experience in turning around and growing companies profitability. In his new assignment, he will be responsible for all retail commercial

operations, the realization of all development efforts and the downstream logistics and distribution channels.

He said, “These activities, which form a key part of Flour Mills Group’s food and agroallied businesses exceed N75 billion and is expected to increase significantly in the years ahead.

“Mr. Kevin Wernberg, who takes over as BAGCO’s Deputy Managing Director will oversee the operational and technical aspects of the business.”

C o n t i n u i n g , Coumantaros said, “These executives are individuals of personal integrity, with long records of assuming ownership of the business challenges they have encountered, taking initiative to create value for our customers and being effective drivers of company results.”

Also speaking, Group Managing Director, Flour Mills, Mr. Emmanuel Ukpabi credited both of them with recruiting, developing, promoting and retaining talented Nigerian professionals in the dynamic Flour Mills Group.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 —23 2012—23

STORIES BY DANIEL GUMM

I

N order to keep members of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) abreast of developments in the enhancement of international trade, facilitation and protection of trade, NCMDLCA on Wednesday organised a capacity building workshop for its members in the maritime industry in Lagos.

P r e s i d e n t , NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who delivered a paper, titled: “The New Customs Valuation Method Based on Transaction Value,

NCMDLCA trains members for trade facilitation Customs and Excise M a n a g e m e n t (Amendment) Act No. of 2003,” explained to the participants the importance of valuation.

Amiwero, a cargo surgeon, who said that he had been in the capacity building concept for members of his group for about three decades also stated that identical goods, according to the Act establishing the Customs Valuation Method, must be the same in all respects, “including physical characteristics, quality, and reputation; produced in the same ountry and manufactured as the

goods being of value; goods must be exported at or about the same time,” adding however, that “the importer/agent is required to be fully aware of the circumstances of the transaction and how the declared value was determined as he is expected to support his declared value with evidence and maitain a file of each transaction.”

The NCMDLCA boss, who took the particpants

through the nitty gritty of the New Customs Valuation Method, enjoined them to make use of the opportunities such as the workshop to update their knowledge and skills on the job, stating that “if they are well equipped, they will facilitate trade and assist in revenue generation, if they are well equipped they will be well informed, and they will in better position to change

government’s policies and attract government attention on issues that are inhibiting trade in the country.”

Amiwero explained that the capacity building workshop was in tandem with President Goodluck Jonathan’s address at the 119th/120th sessions of the Customs Cooperation Council/ World Customs Organisation in Belgium, last month,

when the President said: “Efforts are being made to bring Nigeria’s Customs law in line with international best practices such as Revised Kyoto C o n v e n t i o n , Implementation of the border provisions of the WTO TRIPS Agreement, and the WCO SAFE frame work on standards.”

Amiwero has served in over 120 government commitees.

US committed to expanding trade, investment with Africa

T

HE United States is committed to continuing to expand trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that "represents the next global economic frontier," according to Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

"In addition to hosting six of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world, a recent McKinsey study documented that Africa offers the highest rate of return on foreign investment of any developing region, and has for some time," Carson said in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Africa.

He said consumer spending also continues to rise, and 43 per cent of Africans currently have discretionary income, or could be considered middle-class consumers.

Combined with natural resource exports that have continued to generate significant revenues, Carson said, this steady growth has helped Africa to weather the global economic crisis more successfully than any other region in the world.

Earl Gast, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) assistant administrator for Africa, said in testimony following Carson that foreign direct investment is approaching $80 billion a year and trade figures have tripled during the past decade.

To translate this growth into transformational development in poverty reduction, Gast said, C M Y K

President Obama's recently unveiled strategy for engaging with Africa promotes opportunity and development while spurring economic growth, trade and investment.

The cornerstone of U.S. engagement with Africa will continue to be the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), he said.

Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Florizelle Liser said Obama's new strategy intends to "encourage economic growth, enhance trade and investment, support more jobs in the United States and help realise the full potential of the U.S.-sub-Saharan African economic partnership."

The strategy was unveiled at the start of the AGOA Forum in Washington.

The 2012 forum brought together more than 600 participants, including top U.S. and African government officials, private-sector leaders and civil society representatives.

AGOA, signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton in 2000, was designed to promote U.S. trade and investment ties with sub-Saharan Africa. It provides trade preferences to the 40 participating African countries through the removal of nearly all tariffs on their exports.

It has broken down many trade and customs barriers in an effort to stimulate economic growth, encourage economic integration and help bring subSaharan Africa into the global economy.

LEGEND REAL DEAL NITE — From left: Music legend, Ras Kimono; Media & Public Affairs Manager, Mr. Vindah Edem and International Promoter, Kissim Brew, during the monthly Legend Real Deal Nite in Lagos.

MMA Commandant visits FOU ‘A’ on collaboration N an effort to foster I collaboration between the Nigeria

Customs Service and his unit, at the Murtala M o h a m m e d International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, military Commandant of airport, Group Captain Joseph Yamta Malgwi, Wednesday, paid a courtesy visit to the Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Dan Ugo in his office.

The commandant said that the vist was informed by his desire to collaborate with some critical agencies of government with a view to exploring ways of building synergy to tackle security challeges at the airport.

He praised the the Customs Service and the FOU Zone ‘A’ for what he described as as the m o n u m e n t a l contributions of the service in terms of revenue collection and internal security.

Welcoming the commandant and his

entourage, the CAC, expressed satisfaction with the unit as he assured the Commandant of the determination of the unit to continue to contribute its quota towards national development.

The CAC recollected with nostalgia his days

at the MMA as a cadet officer, as well as the Area Controller.

Ugo further assured the visitor of the operational readiness of the FOU ‘A’ to assist in frontally confronting any security situation that may arise at the airport and its environs.

The CAC also noted

that the unit has been involved in the recent past and would not relent in that regard, stressing that the miltary background of the commandant gives him a comparative advantage in his assignment as he, no doubt possesses the capacity and capability to excel.

. . . new FRSC commander too T

HE new Sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, Wednesday, also paid a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Fedral Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja,, Comptroller Dan Ugo. He said that the visit became expedient in view of the need to further stegthen the existing relationship between the two agencies of government for better efficiency.

The sector commander noted that he chose to visit the CAC on assumption of office out of the conviction that the

Customs Service has always been a dependable ally of the corps, whose contributions to the nation’s economy cannot be overemphasised, showering encomiums on the CAC, FOU ‘A’ for his very remarkable achievements to the service wherever he served.

Welcoming the visitor to his office, the CAC thanked him for the visit, which he described as very humbling.

He reiterated the determination of the unit to work towards enhancing the symbiotic relationship between the

two agencies of government.

The CAC praised the FRSC for their contributions to road safety and general security in the country.

He stated that “the efforts of the Corps in minimising the rate of road accidents through their various public enlightenment programmes and their spontaneous responses to emergency situations on our roads is worthy of commendation, urging them to ensure the sustenance of their achievements in this regards.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Cashless policy ’ll enhance savings culture

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

HE cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria will enhance savings culture in the country, says Mr. Nic Rudnick Chief Executive Officer of the Transaction Payment System Group (TPS), Addressing the press at Speaking at a press briefing the official inauguration of TPS Nigeria in Lagos, Rudnic said that the policy would discourage people from keeping cash at home.

He said, “In India, it had been estimated that by going cashless, the central bank is saving up to N2 billion annually. So, we do believe that the cashless policy is a laudable initiative and it provides benefits, not only for banks but also for the society. Cashless solutions make it easier to save money. It means that the savings would be secured and not being kept in people’s pockets and mattresses.

Speaking on the mission of the company in Nigeria, he said, “ TPS provides electronic payment solutions including Point of Sale (Pos) terminals, repairs, software development and support. The company currently has presence in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Mauritius,

Seychelles, Uganda, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Ghana.

“We operate in 14 African countries. We have come to Nigeria as part of the CBN’s cashless initiative. We have built in Nigeria one of the most advanced terminals and payment centres.”

He stressed that the policy would lead to increased safety and comfort.

“It means an increase in efficiency and a reduction in

cost for the central bank in having to manage large volume of cash. A study that was conducted recently showed that one per cent of a country ’s Gross Domestic Product is spent on cash management. That is on moving cash around the country. In Nigeria, that may be higher,” he added.

Country Manager, TPS Nigeria, Mr. Harry Nnoli, said that with over 20 years experience across two continents, the firm would be deploying its wealth of experience and expertise to ensure that the

CBN’s policy achieves its target.

“We are not just here to provide this solution the way it’s been provided before. As you know, deploying PoS terminal is expensive.

“But leveraging on our strength, we would be able to structure deals with key stakeholders on how they can acquire and deploy these hard wares. So, we have very reliable soft wares that are reliable. Our terminal applications are robust,” Nnoli added.

Guillaume Schoebel, outgoing VP, Africa; Anne Ezeh, Communication Manager; Marcel Hochet, Country President and Mohammed Saad, new VP, Africa all of Schneider Electric at the cultural event to welcome the latter, in Lagos.

Unity Bank stresses need for effective planning ... As female customer wins Hyundai car in promo

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

U

NITY Bank Plc has called on Nigerians to devote time to effective planning, saying it will help in achieving set goals and objectives in the future. Meanwhile, a female customer, Mrs. Bikudaimai Joura emerged star winner of the banks Aim, Save and Win Promotion.

Jaura, the lucky winner of the star price of a brand new Hyundai Verna car, hails from Borno State, operates a savings account in the Maiduguri Branch of the bank, while 14 other customers from various branches across the country won bicycles, refrigerators and other consolation prizes.

Speaking at the bank’s first national draw of the promo in Abuja, the Executive Director Operations, Mr. Ahmed Yusuf stated, “everyday Nigerians work extremely hard, the only difference between us and those who work hard and succeed better than us is because C M Y K

we don’t plan effectively. And that is exactly where Unity Bank comes in to say no.”

Yusuf said that the formation of capital can come from two sources, “saving from what you generate and support from institutions such as banks and stock market. Primarily, each and every one of us must first save because it is your capital that will enable you to grow and the best capital is the one which comes from your sweat.”

He said that the bank various package encourages customers to save, to help them plan well to achieve their desired goals, saying, “The packages include, general savings, double edge savings, business empowerment thrift account for small business, unity kids’ savings, holy trips accounts and target savings account.”

On the other hand, the Executive Director Central, Mr Tanko Mohammed, said that the promo was part of the banks effort to support all its customers.

Mohammed said, “this sav-

ings promo is one of the ways of demonstrating our mission of creating wealth for our stakeholders by encouraging savings and encouraging opportunities for investment.

“A situation when you invest, it will serve as catalyst for wealth creation, so this is our small way in trying to help increase the worth of our country,” Mohammed said.

However, a total of 9,637 qualifiers were drawn from all the branches of the bank across the nation, and segmented into five zones, comprising Lagos and West, North West, South, North East, and Central Zones.

There were 609 qualifiers from Lagos and West Zone, North West totaled, 2,690 qualifiers, South zone, 2,303 qualifiers, North East Zone, 1,114 qualifiers and Central Zone, 2, 911 qualifiers.

The draw which was moderated by National Lottery Commission was done in two rounds where fifteen lucky winners comprising of three

from each of the zones emerged in all in the first round, while in the second round the star winner and fourteen other prize winners emerged.

There were three runners up with the first six runners which include Umar Hawar from Yenegoa Branch, Johnson from Oba Adesida Road Akure branch, Dar Sheidu of Toll Gate, Kano branch, Augustina Obede of Okene Branch, Dahiru Rabiu of Daru Road Branch, and Golgog Victoria of Marina Lagos branch got a refrigerator each.

The second runners up which include Friday Ayegbe of Wukari Branch, Taraba state, Christian Onyemach of Wuse Market Abuja Branch, Efiong Etim Thomas of Ikot Ekpene Uyo Branch, Garba Audu Gayah of Nasarawa Branch and Nfom Okon Inuk of ikot Ekpene Branch got a bicycle each.

The third runners up include Mike Asare Bediako, mohammed Salisu Gombe of Lokoja Branch, and Alhaji musa Lawan of Biu road Gombe Branch went away with a flask and a Telephone each.

CIBN holds 2012 Lagos Bankers’ nite

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he 2012 edition of the Lagos Bankers’ Nite comes up on Wednesday, next week , with the theme: “Developing an Appropriate Framework for Energy Infrastructure Financing in Nigeria”. The event, which is schedules to hold in Lagos under the Chairmanship of Elder Felix Ohiwerei, and the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, as the Special Guest of Honour.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu 1, Oba of Lagos, will be the Royal Father of the Day. The event will provide a veritable forum for the exploration and proffering of a surfeit of solutions to the seemingly intractable problem of sustainable development of energy infrastructure in Nigeria as well as the general environment for investment in the country. The guest speaker, Mr. Taiwo Adeniji, an Executive Director at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has worked on infrastructure policy formulation and financing in some of the largest economies in Africa, including South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

Mr. Adeniji in his current portfolio has led efforts at providing financial advisory and structuring services for AFC’s infrastructure investments. During the previous thirteen years (1994 - 2007) he worked with the African Development Bank (ADB), focusing mostly on financial sector development and infrastructure financing.

Without doubt, access to finance has been a major constraint to developing Nigeria’s vast renewable energy resources. This has necessitated the choice of the topic for this year’s event. For instance, in a study by International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development in 2010 on “Policy proposals for raising and spending finance to drive global low carbon technological change in Nigeria’s power sector”, the Abuja-based think tank found out that about $34.4 billion is needed to achieve 23,000MW generation capacity from gas and small hydropower by 2025. This figure does not include the cost of transmission and distribution infrastructure. In view of the large capital outlay, government should address the existing gaps by providing wider options for funding the development of the renewable energy sector.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—25

C M Y K

26— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Autodesk re-affirms commitment to Nigeria more urgent with usage rates expected to soar over the coming years,” warns Richard Smedley-Williams, Sales Director of Autodesk Africa’s distribution partner, WorldsView Technologies. “Businesses operating in emerging markets such as Nigeria need educating in what constitutes illegal usage, how to stay legal and the benefits of doing so.

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & ITORO UDOFIA

A

T the Design Solu tions Symposium in Lagos, Autodesk Africa reaffirmed its commitment to working with local Nigerian organisations to curb software piracy in the region.

The symposium attended by Autodesk channel partners and industry professionals, the event focused on the economic effects of software piracy in West Africa, what Autodesk is doing in partnership with local authorities to curb software piracy, and the investment that Autodesk has made into the region to support the local architecture, engineering and construction industries.

Richard Smedley-Williams, Sales Director of Autodesk Africa’s distribution partner, WorldsView Technologies said that Autodesk’s anti-piracy strategy involves educat-

Multichoice signs copyright agreement with COSON From Left: Business Development Manager, Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Segun Koleoso; Director, Promasidor Nigeria, Chief Keith Richards and Brand Ambassador for Cowbell Olympic Medal Rush promo, Chioma Ajunwa Opara at the launch of Cowbell Olympic Medal Rush promo, in Lagos. ing users as to exactly what constitutes illegal usage.

According to him, the BSA report finds that 51 per cent of decision-makers in developing world damage the economies

believe the practice of buying a licensed copy of a software program and then installing it on multiple computers is legal.

This figure sits at an even higher 68 per cent in Ni-

geria.

He went further to say that the problem of illegal software usage in emerging markets is a serious one. Finding a solution is likely to become ever

Bajaj launches Boxer BM 100 Es

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

B

AJAJ Auto Limited has formally launched her latest innovation Boxer BM 100 ES motorcycle brand into automobile market.

The stylish auto-bike which was recently unveiled at the media launch in Lagos is practically built to withstand the ruggedness of Nigerian roads.

Speaking at the Launch, Mr. Monish Lakhani, managing director at DAG Motorcycle market popularly called okada in Nigeria. The new improved Boxer is stronger, rugged and specifically built for Nigeria roads.

Built with a compact engine it is own class with a long life span, Boxer BM 100 ES motorcycle has a low fuel consumption level and low maintenance cost which automatically equals to higher earning for bike operators.

Mr. Monish Lakhani also noted that with a thermoplastic cylinder oil filtration system increases life of engine C M Y K

“To pro-actively curb software piracy in Nigeria, Autodesk has launched an amnesty period for users of pirated software to move over to legal versions of AutoCAD and related software products, offering them the opportunity to approach local Autodesk channel partners to purchase legal copies without fear of legal action.

components Boxer BM 100 ES provides users with a performance redefined engine that gives best combination of pow-

er and mileage.

Designed with a button start option, increased sitting space this new product not only allows

for superior riding experience with unrivaled comfort but also to excite customers

How Airtel, NACA, NAFDAC partnership promotes public health

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

H

EALTH is wealth, the aphorism states, and in the modern world, access to adequate and relevant information is a major route to getting the full benefits of health services.

This realisation is propelling a major public private sector partnership that has seen Airtel Nigeria collaborate with public sector health organisations National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Agency for Food & Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) in providing needed public health information.

Airtel uses the platform of the ubiquitous mobile telephones carried by nearly 20million Nigerians on its network to provide dedicated lines for citizens (consumers) to call in to NACA or NAF-

DAC. Citizens also receive text messages and alerts on issues of public health concern.

Mr. Emeka Oparah, Director of Corporate Communication and CSR, Airtel Nigeria explained that Airtel’s involvement is born out of its concern with fundamental issues of public good. “Our interventions in public health are akin to the work we are doing with primary education. We are concerned in our interventions in investing in areas of demonstrable longterm benefit to the communities that we serve.

Health is a fundamental concern. By enabling access to real time information, we hope to serve as a veritable link in the health care chain.”

The collaboration with NACA concerns the National Call Centre on HIV/ AIDS and Related Diseases. Airtel provided the

telecom centre as well as toll free lines that enable citizens to call in and make enquiries about HIV or AIDS. Airtel provided an initial 30 lines for use of staff at the Call Centre. Thirty agents engaged by NACA at the National Call Centre on HIV/AIDS provide information, guidance and counselling to callers. All calls on a dedicated Airtel line, 6222, are free.

The telecoms firm also enables NACA use the Centre to send regular SMS messages on HIV/ AIDS and other health care concerns. First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan commissioned the National Call Centre on April 26, 2012. Dr Patience Jonathan observed at the ceremony that the growth of telephony in Nigeria had provided a strong platform for enhanced information dissemination on health issues.

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & ESTHER ONYEGBULA

I

N an effort to foster the growth of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, MultiChoice Nigeria, the nation’s leading pay-television multi platform operator, on Tuesday in Lagos, signed a landmark Music Broadcasting Licence Agreement (MBLA) with the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) for licence to

DHL transports critical rhinos to Tanzania

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HL, said it has been able to transport three critically endangered black rhinos, as part of a conservation initiative by The Aspinall Foundation, from Manston Airport , Kent , UK to the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania .

The movement of the three black rhinos, which were born in captivity at The Aspinall Foundation’s Port Lympne Wild Animal Park , is part of an initiative to reinforce the reintroduced population of eastern black rhinoceros in the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary, Tanzania , with the support of Tusk Trust, a dynamic conservation organisation. Black rhino numbers have been significantly reduced due to large-scale poaching.

DHL’s very special cargo consisted of one male rhino, Monduli and two females, Grumeti and Zawadi, which are now living in the wild for the first time.

use Nigerian music in all its broadcast platforms in the country The highpoint of the MBLA is the voluntary undertaking by MultiChoice Nigeria to pay an agreed annual licence fee to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) as rights for musical work exposed on DStv and ancillary platforms. The payment follows weeks of mutual negotiation with COSON which is the sole statutory collecting society in Nigeria recognized by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

Expressing his satisfaction with the signing ceremony, COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji noted that, “It is a great thing.

It has been a long time coming. MultiChoice has clearly shown that it is a responsible corporate organization with genuine concern for the protection of intellectual property in Nigeria.

Their partnership with us for the development of the music industry is commendable.”

He urged other corporate organisations in Nigeria to emulate MultiChoice and contribute to the effort to pay music rights owners their proper dues: “We urge other corporate organisation, bodies, associations and individuals to tow the part of honour like MultiChoice and set the intellectual property industry on the part to sustenance to encourage proper exploitation of commercial opportunities for those who have worked hard to entertain Nigerians. Without the support of all stakeholders, the intellectual property industry could die an unnatural death if we allow fraudsters to reap where they did not sow,” He said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—27

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Unique self-service travel kiosk unveiled in Nigeria

Ethiad promises support for Nigerian tourism

By JIMOH BABATUNDE with agency reports

A

S the Etihad Airways be gan its six flights a week service between the airline’s Abu Dhabi home-base Lagos, the head of delegation on the the inaugural flight, Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Baumgartner, has promised support Nigerian tourism.

Speaking in company of selected travel journalists from United Arab Emirates, Peter Baumgartner, told the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe that the airline will support the corporation to attract tourists to Nigeria.

He explained that the journalists on the inaugural flight of the airline to Lagos were selected to visit and write about the tourist attractions in the country.

Mr Baumgartner said: “We are delighted to launch Etihad Airways flights to Lagos and our first passenger destination in West Africa.

This is a momentous occasion in Etihad Airways history as we expand our flight network in Africa and increase ties between the UAE and Nigeria” The Etihad Airways executives disclosed that his meeting with the NTDC’s

boss was part of his meeting with local tourism representatives on how to strike a perfect balance in the country.

Responding, Otunba Runsewe told the Ethiad team and the journalists that Nigeria with its large population was safe for foreign tourists and had potential for would be foreign investors.

“Basically, there is no country in the world that has a hundred per cent security

or who haven’t got challenges. Everybody has its own challenges but I can assure you and I am inviting all to visit Nigeria, very safe, very conducive and tourism friendly people. And Nigeria is a place to be this time and one fundamental and basic advantage is our weather.” The journalists were later taken on a city tour of Lagos , after which one of the journalists, Dr. Jamal Majaida, Emirates News Agency said what he has seen in Nigeria were different from what they heard back home.“I am thrilled by the people, the weather and the facilities here.

To celebrate the new service, and Nigeria’s love of football, Etihad Airways operated its iconic sky-blue A330-200 aircraft, painted in Manchester City Football Club’s famous colours, for the launch flight.

Etihad Airways is lead sponsor of Manchester City Football Club. The “Blue Moon Rising” aircraft was unveiled in 2011 and is one of the many elements of Etihad Airways’ sponsorship of the English Premier League club.

•Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe presenting sovenirs to journalists from United Arab Emirates who were on the inaugural flight of Ethiad.

Wellness beyond luxury room at Sunfit G

ENERAL Manager , Sunfit International Hotel, Victor Edosomwan, said the hotel has been able to deliver on its three core focus -fitness, accommodation and spa in the last five years because of its commitment to maintain and improve on standards.

Edosomwan said the hotel was able to achieve the feats by including a wellness package as part of the corporate offerings for retreats and business meetings. “When corporate organisations retreat, organise seminars and at the same time find time to work out, listen to some health talks and undergo some medical checks, then you can talk about total wellness package and that is what we do here”, He said in the last five years that they have been able to increase the rooms from 12 to 42, just as the C M Y K

One of the rooms at Sunfits Hotel

spa getting more clientele, and the fitness offering seems to be getting the most of mentions in the one-stop fitness and hospitality outfit.

Edosomwan disclosed that the hotel with its focus on wellness added additional 14 top-on-the-line lifefitness cardio machine fitted with entertainment as well

as improvement in the guests workout, new flooring of the squash court and a spinning room with 40 bikes.

Another upgrade, according to him, is the new access control; a biometric access control that makes it easy for members to gain access without having to

carry card each time they visit the club.

“With some reasonable amount already spent in its current facility upgrade especially the gym, stress machine, squash court among other equipment, Sunift is taking the lead in fitness/ healthy workforce/ clients campaign among hospitality outfits and even mainstream fitness centres.”

In all these developments, Victor Edosomwan disclosed that Sunfit will not relent in its commitment to encourage total wellness, make clients more beautiful while encouraging their businesses during their stay in the hotel.

W

ORLD ‘N Traveland has introduced a unique self-service travel kiosk machine, first of its kind in Nigeria that will provide onestop travel services to discerning Nigerian travellers.

Unveiling the machine in Lagos, Olufunlayo Faloye, CEO of World ‘N Traveland said that the specially designed World ‘N Traveland selfservice travel kiosk is to bring new travel trend obtainable in developed nations to Nigerians.

According to Faloye, “The World ‘N Traveland self-service travel kiosk is a one-stop all encompassing travel shop that provides the Nigerian travelers with the ease, security and assurances of high quality service at a reduced cost.”

From next week, the first phase of the launch will see about 50 of the World ‘N Traveland self-service travel kiosk installed in various high traffic areas such as airports, shopping malls and supermarkets around Lagos and Abuja.

She mentioned that in order to reward clients, World ‘N Traveland is also rolling out its loyalty card into the Nigerian travel market. The loyalty card which comes in three categories, Blue; Silver and Gold will provide discounts and additional value-added packages to clients.

“The loyalty card is our way of giving back to our clients. As an effort towards our sincerity in valuing our clients, the loyalty scheme is designed to encourage our loyal-patronizing clients to do more because as they do so, they get more and more optimum services as rewards,” she stated.

Aero commences flight between Uyo, Abuja

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ERO Contractors, Nigeria’s leading regional airline, has announced that it will commence commence flight operations between Uyo and Abuja from next week with a Boeing 737 daily.

Over the years, Aero has become the first airline of choice offering excellent value for money and making travels easier and convenient through its electronic products like book and pay online, online check in, online insurance, vouchers for online transactions and other numerous offerings.

“We are very excited to be launching these new routes and frequencies, which give our customers even more travel options to and from Uyo,” said Captain Akin George, Aero Managing Director. “In addition, the launch of these new routes and added frequencies further underscores the importance of our interest in the dynamic city of Uyo and our commitment to its growth.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6 , 2012—29

I went to prison ‘cos’ of my children —Yaw’s mum

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O woman can take the place of a mother in a child’s life. This is true as the mother of one of Nigeria’s famous entertainer Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu affirms this much on this week’s edition of the popular reality television show, Supermom, the celebrity edition.

Yaw, a renown on-airpersonality, actor and comedian rose to fame while featuring on the TV comedy drama, ‘Flatmates’ with his character’s humourous refrain, ‘Uwa bu paw paw men yaw’ which kept people glued to their television sets every Saturday.

T

he seventh of 10 children who hails from Awka, in Anambra state, Yaw has since become one of the most sought-after entertainers in the country.

Recently he was selected as one of Nigeria’s Olympic torch bearers. But his road to success was not smooth.

THE TEAM Ogbonna Amadi, Group Entertainment Editor Correspondents Ben Njoku Ayo Onikoyi Yemisi Suleman Opelowani Ogunjimi

According to Yaw’s mum, whose turn it is to share her story on the popular celebrity show which airs on major terrestrial television stations in Nigeria this weekend, it was indeed very tough feeding ten hungry children and having to pay rent in their squalid apartment in Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos.

“Whenever the rains came,it fell directly on us because the roof was leaking.” A second hand clothes dealer in Yaba market, the 62 year old woman narrated how she took to petty trading to compliment her husband’s income. She also ensured that Yaw and his siblings hawked cold drinks and ‘pure water’ to support the family. “She would tell me she was teaching me business instead of her to just say she wanted me to help her out in the market,” Yaw added jokingly.

Narrating further, Yaw ’s mother recalled the day she was arrested and detained while on an itinerant hawking in Aswani Market, Lagos, by town council officials. I go prison because I deh train my children. That day, my children no see me. she narrated in pidgin English.

According to her, on that fateful day, she did not return home because she couldn’t bail herself. A good Samaritan came to her rescue.

The family would also suffer another adversity when the matriarch was involved in a tragic accident in a ‘molue’ heading to Iyana-Ipaja from

INSIDE

Beyonce

writes letter to

Michael Jackson C M Y K

Maryland. The vehicle had a brake failure and somersaulted several times. Mrs.Onu who was standing in the bus sustained minor injuries but was unconscious which made many mistake her for dead.

“I was taken with the other ‘corpses’ to the mortuary.

It took a man who came to identify the casualties to discover that I was still alive.” ronically, when h e r children came visiting, the youngest of them said, Yaw mama we never chop o even before asking how she was faring.

I

D

espite h e r initial objection to his choice of career, she now prefers to be called Mama Steve because he had brought her suffering to an end.

“My children made it; thank God I did not suffer in vain.”

Nadia Buari denies Michael Essien

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HANAIAN actress, Nadia Buari has denied media reports that she has made up with footballer, Michael Essien. The story began when the duo were photographed together at the birthday of TV presenter, Nana Aba Amoah.

Speaking on the radio programme, Brunch in the Citi, she explained that an attempt by the footballer to shield her from paparazzis at the party, was misconstrued as a kiss.

The two were formerly in a relationship, but called it off about two years ago.

NFC, CORA pay tribute to Olusola

With shaka, your iPhone becomes wind-speedmeasuring machine

Davido

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Movie of the week

Eldee drops 5th album

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igerian rapper, singer, producer and the founder of Trybe Records, Lanre Dabiri popularly known as eLDee has released his much anticipated new album titled Undeniable. The album was released on Sunday July 1, 2012, and is being distributed nationwide by IMAN One Entertainment.

The 11 tracker album is the fifth studio album from the veteran artiste in his 15 years career in the music business.

The album features previously released hit singles such as Wash-Wash, Higher, Category and Today-Today, the wedding song. Other songs on the album are Been There, Rundown, Always, Never Let

U Go, Zombie and We Made It. The album which has the production imprints of great producers like Sarz, Cobhams Asuquo, TY Mix and eLDee himself features talented acts such as k9, Wizkid, Sojay and Banky W. Undeniable is loaded with traditional African rhythms that have been creatively modernized by the use of contemporary sounds, and is sure to connect with any listener from any part of the world. peaking concerning the album, eLDee who already has a history and track record that speaks for itself says “this album is different from my

S

The Amazing Spiderman comes to town SYNOPSIS

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•eLDee previous albums because I decided to take a fresh and truly original stab at what contemporary African music should sound like today”.

Beyonce writes letter to Michael Jackson

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•Beyoncé Knowles

N a short but emotional letter posted on her official website recently, Beyoncé Knowles paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Michael Jackson on the third anniversary of his death.

The message, which was posted last Monday, included a link to a YouTube video of the Jackson 5’s live performance of ‘Who’s Loving You.’ “When I was just starting out, my first producer used to make me listen to Michael Jackson’s live performance of ‘Who’s Loving You. He would have me watch that for hours back to back to back,” begins the note.

“What he wanted me to learn was his soul. You could hear his soul. And he was this little kid who hadn’t experienced love but he was a vessel.”

Beyoncé describes how she would listen to the then-young singer’s track repeatedly for inspiration, saying, “For whatever reason he could evoke more emotion than an adult. It was so raw and so pure . . . It’s something that’s God given.

“Michael taught me that sometimes you have to forget technique, forget what you have on,” she continues. “If you feel silly, you have to go from the gut, just let it go.

“Michael Jackson changed me, and helped me to become the artist I am,” she concludes.

“Thank you, •Michael Jackson’

Nnenna & Friends set for France N

nenna & Friends are set to take children on an exciting tour of Paris this coming holiday, in August 2012.

In what promises to be an awesome experience, the group plans to visit several interesting sites including the magnificent Disneyland, the amazing Eiffel Tower, the Monumental Champs Elysees, the historic Versailles Palace, the thrilling Seine River cruise and Louvre Museum.

While speaking to reporters at the Nnenna & Friends head office at No. 5, Joy Avenue Ajao Estate, Nnenna reaffirms her dedication to impact positively on the future of the African child. She says, C M Y K

“Children are avid learners hence splendid exposures such as this assist in nurturing their passion for excellence”.

In line with her educational tour for children between ages 4 and 16, the Nnenna & Friends team has been to several historic sites in Ghana and Nigeria, including the slave point in Badagry.

The Nnenna & Nnenna Friends brand has won awards through her TV shows, Live Shows and Fan Club activities.

HE highly anticipated film, “The Amazing Spider-Man” by the Marvel Entertainment, LLC, which pulled $35 million into its web, after its worldwide premiere on Tuesday, July 3, has hit the Nigerian box office with a bang.

The $230-million production, starring Andrew Garfield commenced showing today at the Silverbird Cinemas and Genesis Deluxe Cinemas. And it is expected to run for twelve days.

Directed by Marc Webb, the movie is a 3D action game that incorporates characters, environments and an immersive storyline.

With numerous missions, rich gameplay and comprehensive battle systems, the film also promises several hours of action-packed entertainment and fun.

It explores the story of a teenage social outcast, Peter Parker who spends his days trying to unravel the mystery of his own past, and also, trying to win the heart of his high school crush, Gwen Stacy.

He discovers a mysterious briefcase belonging to his father, who abandoned him when he was a child, which leads him to his father’s former research partner, Dr. Curtis Connors.

The discovery of his father’s secret coupled with an encounter with a genetically altered spider, will ultimately shape his destiny to become spider-man and bring him face to face with Connors, who becomes the Lizard.

ov ie s To p 5 M Black 3

•Men in ip •Battlesh Bind t a th s •Tie •The Vow ger Games n •The Hu

Movie Schedule SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, LAGOS The Amazing Spiderman 3D: 1:20pm, 6:00pm.

The Amazing Spiderman:11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:10pm, 7:50pm, 10:30pm.

Men in Black 3:11:00am, 6:30pm, 8:10pm, 10:25pm.

Think like a Man: 11:00am, 8:40pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC, ABUJA The Amazing Spiderman:12:50pm, 3:50pm, 6:10pm, 9:00pm.

Think like a Man:11:40am, 2:10pm, 4:40pm, 7:05pm, 9:30pm.

Ties that Bind:1:30pm, 6:25pm.

Battleship: 11:10am, 1:40pm, 4:10pm, 6:40pm, 9:10pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, CEDDI PLAZA, ABUJA The Amazing Spiderman: 11:00am, 1:35pm, 4:10pm, 6:45pm, 9:20pm.

Men in Black 3: 2:25pm, 7:10pm.

The Hunger Games: 9:00pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT The Amazing Spiderman: 11:40am,2:40pm, 5:40pm, 8:30pm.

Think like a Man: 1:10pm, 3:40pm, 6:20pm, 8:50pm.

Ties that Bind:2:30pm, 7:00pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO The Amazing Spiderman: 1:20pm, 3:50pm, 6:30pm.

Ties that Bind:11:45am, 4:25pm.

The Hunger Games: 11:40am, 2:20pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, LEKKI The Amazing Spiderman 3D:10:00am, 12:45pm, 3:30pm, 6:15pm, 9:00pm.

Think like a Man:10:20am, 12:50pm, 3:20pm, 5:50pm, 8:20pm,10:50pm, Madagascar 3 3D:12:10pm, 4:20pm.

Battleship:1:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:35pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT The Amazing Spiderman:9:45pm, 12:20pm, 2:55pm, 5:30pm, 8:05pm.

Think like a Man: 1:45pm, 10:40pm.

Madagascar 3: 10:00am, 11:50am, 4:10pm, 6:05pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU The Amazing Spiderman: 10:20am, 12:45pm, 3:10pm, 5:10pm, 8:30pm.

Think like a Man: 10:00am, 12:25pm, 2:50pm, 5:15pm.

Ties that Bind:10:00am, 9:05pm.

OZONE CINEMA, YABA The Amazing Spiderman:12:15pm, 3:00pm, 5:40pm, 8:50pm.

Think like a Man:12:20pm, 4:35pm, 7:00pm.

Men in Black 3:6:00pm.

Battleship: 9:15pm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—31

Bond Emeruwa rallies Nollywood oldies for Daisy

BY BENJAMIN NJOKU

•A cross-section of stakeholders that graced the event.

I

t was a gathering of the yesteryear’s actors and actresses.

Except for Chioma ChukwukaAkpotha who looked stunning in a print dress which she accessorized with a red clutch bag, gold earrings and bracelets.

The world premiere of Bond Emeruwa's directed movie , “Daisy” at Ozone Cinemas, Yaba, Lagos, last weekend, could be described as "a reunion of the pioneers of the nation's movie industry."

From Saint Obi to Emeka Ossai, Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, Sunny Mcdon, Charles Novia, Chico Ejiro, Mmamdu Ali-Balogun and many others, it was indeed, a moment of felicitation, laughter and re-assemblage of the old horses.

Emeruwa informed that the presence of his contemporaries at the event gave credence to the quality of movies that

his generation is noted for.

According to him, the movie which is co-produced by Emma Isikaku, Tony Anih and Peace Anyiam-Osigwe would hit the cinemas from next month, and thereafter, explore various distribution modes including new media.

For Emeruwa, who is the immediate past President of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and current Chairman of the Coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (CONGA)," Daisy" is just another of his attempt to affect lives through movies. The film, shot in both Nigeria and Ghana, showcased the best of Nollywood and Ghollywood actors and actresses, including Olu Jacobs, Ebele Okaro Onyuike, Jim Lawson, Peter Bunoh amongst others.

It addresses the themes of trust and justice, borne out of contemporary real life situation.

Omo orms TTanzania anzania ffor or ccharity harity Omottola st storms

S

tar actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is currently on a visit to Tanzania. She arrived the country last Sunday, where she was received at Julius Nyerere Airport by Tanzanian celebrity, Wema Sepetu.

The actress was welcomed with dancing and shouts of Karibu Sana Omosexy (very welcome Omosexy).

She visited an orphanage run by Tanzania Mitindo House for HIV infected children. She then had lunch at the home of Wema Sepetu, with children from the orphanage.

Thereafter, she left for the Giraffe Hotel to attend the premiering of Wema Sepetu’s movie, “Superstar.”

•Omotola

NFC, CORA pa payy tribut e tto o Olusola tribute

•Chief Segun Olusola

T

he Nigerian Film Cooperation(NFC) and Committee For Relevant Art (CORA) have joined other Nigerians to commiserate with the family of the departed art patriarch, Chief Segun Olusola, creator of the popular TV series Village Headmaster and mentor of a huge cast of culture producers.’

Olushola died in a private hospital in Lagos last Thursday at the age of 77.

In a separate statement made available to WG, NFC C M Y K

described the demise of the culture icon as “shocking and painful.”

Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Corporation, said Nigerians, enthusiasts of television drama, the theatre and film will surely miss this brilliant and ebullient personality, who, along with other Nigerians spearheaded the revolution that also aided the emergence of the present day Nigerian motion picture industry.

As a committed artiste and culture promoter, Ambassador Olusola leaves an indelible mark in the Nigerian creative industry through his landmark in the now rested long running television soap-drama ‘’The Village Headmaster.’’

Adesanya said the culture icon will be remembered because of the depth and passion with which he carried on his trade – Acting, Producing and Directing, and his quest for excellence, the Nigerian Film Corporation in the year 2008 instituted one of the coveted prizes of ZUMA Film Festival (2008) after him; Ambassador Segun Olusola Prize for Best Short Film.

For CORA, "Olusola was a true icon of contemporary arts of Nigeria, a man who was a diplomat in the truest sense of the word, who could spontaneously ingratiate himself into the rituals of art practice..."

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Hi D

r. Gloria Obajimi is the Registrar of the Nigerian Institute of Sports (NIS) and a former Nigerian track and field international. She narrates to Hi groove how St. Theresa College, Oke Ado, Ibadan encouraged her into sports and also made her discover her athletic skills and talent. She also reveals how daily exercises have contributed to her healthy lifestyle especially as a mother and grandmother . Excerpts Growing up I came from a humble background. Although my parents were not rich, we appreciated the little they provided for us. Really, growing up was an exciting experience in the sense that; I was the first child of five children of my parents and had the opportunity of taking care of my younger ones- instructing them on what to do even when our parents were there. I made sure things were in order and this paved way for me into motherhood . I had my primary school education at Our Lady of Fatima, Surulere, Lagos and later gained admission into St. Theresa College, Oke Ado, Ibadan in January 1969 during the Nigerian civil war. Amongst my peers, I lived above my class especially having read up to standard five and also schooling outside Lagos as a boarding student. My father was a very loving person who had so much interest in his children.

Although he is no more, I still remember all the morals, modelling and educational upbringing he gave to us. He was also a disciplinarian and that shaped my moral upbringing today.

Venturing into sports (athletics) St. Theresa College, Ibadan helped me to actualize my potentials as an athlete and I was able to utilise the opportunity given to me. I would say that I was privileged to have attended a boarding school like St Theresa. In that school, there are lots of sporting facilities unlike it is today in various secondary schools.

It was mandatory for every student to get involved in one sporting activity or the other.

Although, I had never done sports before enrolling in the school but, once I got there, I had the opportunity to try my skills in different sporting activities like the net ball, hockey and tennis. I eventually realised I have talent in athletics. So, I joined in the athletics group and found love in the game. It gave me the opportunity to see students from different schools in Ibadan whenever there was any competition, both at national and international levels. At St. Theresa , it was a gathering of different talents with selfless service in the lives of young men and women.

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@ 55, sports keep me going — Obajimi My father always marvelled at my performances and was always surprised, especially when he read about the wonders of Gloria (his daughter)in the national dailies and often wondered if it was his daughter. Sometimes, when there were competitions, he would bring my younger ones to come and watch me in action. Every time he sees me perform, he would be grateful to God for bringing me thus far. St Theresa helped me in achieving my dreams of becoming an international athlete, coupled with my determination and hard work.

My daily beauty routine First, I exercise daily . I don’t wear make ups; I prefer to be natural most of the time.

But as a woman, I also do my hair, manicure and

Dr. Gloria Obajimi

,

By KATE OBODO

Dr. Obajimi

The secret is sports and exercise. I would say, I’m a very privileged child of the Almighty God, especially as it concerns sports. Sports has been my life and obviously, it would continue to be so because I can not do without it because of its importance and attendant benefits.

,

pedicure. I use Shea butter (Ori) for my skin; I don’t go for any special cream. Most importantly, I eat a lot of fruits like paw-paw, water melon etc.

The secret behind my physical fitness The secret is sports and exercise. I would say, I’m a very privileged child of the Almighty God, especially as it concerns sports. Sports has been my life and obviously, it would continue to be so because I can not do without it because of its importance and attendant benefits. As a former athlete, I believe with the talent I have, I should be able to showcase it to others and live by examples. I keep fit at all times because I know when a woman attains the age of 50, it is a natural phenomenon that her oestrogen (female hormone) levels are reduced and would get more testosterone (male hormones). At this stage, a woman starts having problems with the movement of her legs and difficulty in walking, thereby tying bandage around her knee caps/legs, which is not right. In 10 years time, I still want to see myself very

active. I should be able to climb a three storey building without any support or somebody holding my hand bag.

That’s the reason why I engage in more exercise; it is good for the body.

My kind of dressing I’m a very simple person and my simplicity reflects in my mode of dressing. I do not like my dressing to attract attention. I like wearing skirt and blouse and skirt suits but when attending any sporting event, I must be on trouser or track suit. I also like simple and comfortable shoes that are of good quality. For my age, I go for shoes that are not too high. When it comes to African or traditional attire, my choice is Adire combined with Aso-oke. Being a Yoruba woman, I also like Ankara fabrics.

I go for less expensive but quality attires. For instance, my skirt suit is worth about N20,000- 25,000. For shirts, I like T.M Lewin, Hawes and Curtis which is about N7,000 each. Rather than wear chains of metal gold, I prefer to use the African beads to complement my English wears. I wear good perfume as it is also part of looking good.

My mode of dressing My mood dictates what I wear.

My kind of car I like small cars but because of where I live, I go for Jeep because of the condition of the roads in my environment.

I also love a simple Bungalow house that I can maintain, with flowers around the house and natural air. Everything about me has a touch of simplicity.

Idea of a good home A good home is where the husband and wife are at peace with each other and being able to share things in common. They should also share same bedroom instead of living together and having separate rooms, as is the practise in some homes today. My advice for young couples is to make sure they stay with their husband in the same bedroom rather than having a separate room which does not augur well.

Relaxation I relax by watching programmes on the television but prefer to watch more of sports programmes.

Coping with my male admirers I have male admirers but as a mother of three children (three boys), I make sure I don’t wear clothes that are revealing because I don’t want to attract or tempt any man. Most importantly, I don’t wear sleeveless in public places because I don’t want a situation where a man would be talking and placing his hands on my arm because I have it exposed. I still have my morals with me and believe that it is only my husband who should be able to touch me closely.

My best meal I love white rice and fish sauce with vegetables.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—33

C M Y K

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 — 35

society in which whatever companies have to give can never be enough. At the same time, companies have to ensure that their CSR efforts also deliver benefit to them.

Companies should not try to be in too many CSR areas – focus is the key to their differentiation. If they are going to do it, they might as well do it right.

You will never find me in a skirt — Eyitemi Taire

have no intention whatsoever of not getting to the top, woman or no woman!

I

s there enough local content in blue-chip industries?

layering bangles and bracelets and rings have always been my thing.

When I was young in the FMCG industry, local content ruled. You had very prestigious and well respected personalities heading up the best and the brightest companies. Today, the situation is quite d i f f e r e n t .

Multinationals apparently feel that they have to protect their investments by keeping their companies run by expatriates at the very top, mostly from the company’s home market.

What this means is that a lot of our very senior and well rounded talent might not get the opportunities they deserve. But at the same time, the world has become a global village, there are many more opportunities for Nigerians to go out and excel in other markets. .

W

hat would you say is your style?

Tough is the best In terms of what I wear, I must way to describe confess that I haven’t really Eyitemi Taire. In a Do you unwind? How? outgrown my tomboy phase. I world where men am passionately in love with would say that my style is have refused to shift Imy boys. I spend most of my quite down to earth and grounds, Eyitemi free time with them and I try certainly too casual. I have not to do too much that does recently rediscovered makeup has excelled involve them. They are

By Ogbonna Amadi not my greatest source of joy and What is your most

H

as being a woman ever been an issue in the industry?

I know that a lot of women talk about the glass ceiling but I have never in any way felt limited by the fact that I’m a woman. I have always been certain that I can do anything that a man can do and those who know me can probably attest to the fact that I am a bit of a tomboy. There are more men at the top than women but I think that trend is rapidly reversing. One thing I am certain of as I sit here, is that I C M Y K

prized fashion item?

I don’t really care too much about material things. But for

I have always been certain that I can do anything that a man can do and those who know me can probably attest to the fact that I am a bit of a tomboy

tend to be the crime ones .

Another thing we really enjoy doing together is eating. Boy, do we eat?. I like to make all sorts of “concoctions”, mainly from my imagination or memory.

I generally prefer one on one interactions so I like nothing more than hanging out and chatting with one or two friends in their house or mine. My idea of heaven is asking a couple of friends round for food concoctions and gists.

What is your take on fashion?

I’m not really a fashionconscious person, especially in recent years.

I tend to focus my attention on the few things that do suit me. I’m a lover of trousers, you will find me in trousers and a top most of the time. I am lucky to work in an organization with quite a relaxed dress policy so trousers and a top are favourites of mine. Having said that, I love dresses, with clean cut lines and no fuss.

You will never ever find me in a skirt.

I am really into bold colours and accessories. I love

,

The corporate world is currently obsessed with

,

I have been privileged to work now in three major FMCG companies, with experience spanning across Africa and the Middle-East.

I’m happy to have spent the major part of my career in FMCG companies where people and development come first. That is one thing about FMCG companies I think you can hardly find in other industries.

People management and development is taken extremely seriously and to a very large extent, is managed without the level of bias you might find elsewhere.

The FMCG sphere is quite competitive and I’m happy to say that it is becoming more so as the industry loosens up.

,

Y

ou have been in the FMCG industry for all your career. What can you say as an insider that an outsider can never know?.

I want to be their greatest source of joy. Our favourite programmes to watch together

prized fashion item, I would say a diamond and a smokey topaz ring I wear all the time.

W

omen are often criticized for revealing dressing. What is your take on this?

I do think that women should not dress so revealing to the point where they look cheap.

Showing off your “assets” is not a crime but a woman should know what flatters her but yet preserves her modesty.

I definitely agree that you shouldn’t show off too many parts at once. For example, if a woman wears a short skirt, I

don’t think she should reveal her cleavage as well. It is definitely more tantalizing to just show off a hint of what you have.

D

o you have a beauty routine?

What is it?

Yeah. I guess I have a beauty routine. My mother started sending me off to the old Chic Afrique hairdesser and spa during my school holidays, from the age of about 12. I guess she was hoping I would become very ladylike, like herself. I didn’t, become very ladylike that is.

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My mother started sending me off to the old Chic Afrique hairdesser and spa during my school holidays, from the age of about 12

But I developed a love of spa treatments which I still have to this day. I do have facials quite regularly and a good massage or body treatment is definitely an important part of my monthly repertoire. For daily routine, I make sure I cleanse my face twice a day. My most important beauty necessity is African Black Soap.

What is your take on CSR? Should Blue chips do less or more?

Blue chip companies are doing quite a lot although some of them could be more targeted and structured. CSR should be a win/win situation. This is a

,

entertainment. Why is this?

Jokes aside, I can tell you that entertainment is serious business. What companies of branded products and services are doing is focusing on three key streams of communication, where they look at the tangible benefits of their products, the emotional needs that these product segments meet and then the area where entertainment plays the biggest part, the translation of these brand messages into consumer experience. That is why entertainment around the key passions of consumers such as football, music, film

and dance are extremely popular.

What is on your reading table right now?

The book I just finished is The Social Animal by David Brooks. It is a study of the part the unconscious mind plays in individual behaviour and decision making and thus ultimately in individual success. It is such a clever book and one that I want to read again very soon. I am also a fan of Malcolm Gladwell and also recently finished rereading The Tipping Point for the upteenth time! It is a study of how phenomenon grow and tip into an epidemic. It is a book that I think has very serious learning implications for us here in Nigeria and I strongly urge everybody who can to read this paradigm shifting book.

C

ompared to what is obtained today, would you say moral values have fallen and what would say is/are responsible?

You have stumbled upon my greatest pet peeve of the moment, which is the way

children are now being brought up. I do not claim to be an expert/know-it-all but as a mother, I have strong feelings about this. It seems to me that many parents are abdicating responsibility for the ethical grounding of their children, even if they don’t know it. They think that a school or even a Church can substitute for their personal imprint on the moral landscape of the child.

A

s a career woman, could you describe some of the challenges you face on the job and how you cope with the men especially the surbordinates?

My biggest dilemma is balancing a career with the demands of my children and my home. It is a tightrope but I will continue to try my hardest to do the best I can on all fronts. Failure at work is not an option and failure at home is definitely not an option.

We cannot all run the same race but I don’t think it is too much to ask to expect people, men or women, to get by through their own efforts.

Iba council boss wins bus for sterling performance

P

rincess Ramota AdeyiriOseni , executive chairman, Iba local council, Lagos has won an eight-seater Toyota Sienna for her sterling performance as the best performed local government chairman southwest.

Grass root media limited bestowed her with the bus at the National Grass Roots award for leadership and excellence at Nicon Nuga Hotel Abuja.

The award was given to her for her giant stride in local government administration, education and infrastuctural development.

The management team of the

media outfit, which went round the country for assessment of other local government boss achievement impressed at the projects executed by Adeyiri-Oseni’s administration within the short period she assumed office.

T

he projects included construction and rehabilitation of roads, construction of school, provision of free school uniform and exercise books.

In her own response, the council boss thanked the grass root media limited, the initiator of national grass roots award for leadership excellence for the honour bestowed on her.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com

Hitech bomb detector debuts G

iven the apprehension in the country over incessant bomb attacks, any product that can detect bombs would meet hot sales. That is where a new application, known as FiRST app from the US department of Homeland Security would have been of service. But developers of the app said the application was developed for emergency response personnel, like police to serve as a step-by-step guide for managing bomb threats.

FiRST is the acronym for First Responder Support Tools.

It utilizes tools such as Goo-

gle Maps, Google Search, email, phone, plus road and weather data to help first responders save users from having to learn new systems while under pressure.

Users can start by entering what they know about the bomb, including its geographical location. The app will then advise them on factors such as the distance around the bomb that should be cordoned off, the best locations for road blocks, what buildings should be evacuated or serve as shelter sites, and what some of the local “areas of concern” are, such as schools

or other areas where large numbers of people are at risk.

According to the inventor, the technology will also estimate what to expect in the way of structural damage and injuries, should the bomb go off.

Because no two bomb threat scenarios are identical, there are many opportunities for users to provide information on their own unique situation, so the output of the app will be custom-tailored to them. Maps of the area can then be labeled by the user, and shared via email with other personnel.The app can also be used in the event

of toxic substance spills, as it includes information on the handling of over 3,000 hazardous materials. Using its weather feature, even as users can additionally determine the likely route that airborne substances will be carried by prevailing winds, and

then warn or evacuate people accordingly.

FiRST is designed to work on iOS and Android devices, along with PCs. The app is said to be available at US$12 for the mobile version and $100 for the desktop.

Nigeria, are you on your way to the US?

Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 8

A The Shaka app

With Shaka, your iPhone becomes wind-speed measuring machine W

indsurfing and sailing experts who may want to know where and how hard the wind is blowing, may soon have less job to do.

While weather reports may give an average wind speeds for a city as a whole, they’re usually not very specific. But a new technology called Shaka has come to bridge the gap. It’s a tiny wind meter that works with your iPhone.

The Shaka when plugged into the phone’s headphone jack and held into the wind its blades immediately begin spinning, a paired app displays data like wind speed, direction and temperature, in real time. The information can then be shared with other

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windsurfers via a social network of your choice. The app also called Wind meter is designed to measure wind speed by analyzing the volume of wind noise coming through the phone’s microphone.

For those who do not have means of sharing wind-related stories, they can check and contribute to wind data for their area, via a crowd-sourced wind map that is accessible through the app.

Should they need reminder of past days, they can also look back on the history of their wind readings, how windy it was. Although it presently only works with iOS devices, Android and a source from the company said Windows Phone versions are on the way.

couple of days after un veiling its big surface tablet, Microsoft has also upped the ante with another innovation. This time around it appeared at the Windows Phone Summit recently to showcase the Windows Phone 8. The device, according to Microsoft is due for release, sometime in the final quarter of this year.

Remember that Microsoft’s Windows phone 8 is not particularly new but the software giant said that the major change in Windows Phone 8 is a re-designed Start Screen, which now, more closely resembles the user experience offered by the desktop and tablet

iterations of Windows 8.

However, these similarities it said go more than skin deep, stating that each device running Windows 8 will share a common Core – essentially enabling developers to write apps for each device easier than before.

This unification of the Windows platform on all devices appears to be a primary goal for the introduction of the new product.

In addition to the new overhaul, Skype will be more fully baked into Windows Phone 8 in order to offer a better experience to users of the VoIP service re-

cently acquired by Microsoft.

With the new technology, incoming calls from Skype and other VoIP services are said to “feel like any other call”. The new navigation system will feature turn-by-turn instructions and also boast 3D-Mapping and an option to store maps offline.

Aiming to leverage its vast office-based market, Microsoft said it will ship the Windows Phone 8 with several businessfriendly features which include device encryption, remote management and an all new Company Hub – allowing user to take the job home more fully than ever before.

The Wallet hub will support NFC payments as well as the ability to store credit card information, membership cards and so forth.

According to Microsoft, existing Windows Phone users will feel less for celebration, as there will not be an upgrade path available to those using Windows Phone 7.

The Windows Phone 8

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—37

THE AIG-IMOUKHUEDE-LED COMMITTEE REPORT

Protest rally against the oil subsidy removal led by the Joint Action Front and other civil society groups in Lagos in January. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

How they shared subsidy money (5) Continues from yesterday SALES/Distribution: Locally refined petroleum products are basically moved by truck-outs Imported petroleum products are distributed through a combination of vessel discharges, pipeline throughputs to depots and truck movements to (filling) stations Aggregate cash inflow for NNPC was lower than cash outflow made up of cost of crude purchased and other operating expenses. Thus, cash available to NNPC was insufficient to pay for crude cost without being reimbursed. NNPC was therefore deducting the approved subsidy amounts for any given month before transferring the net amount to the Federation Account. This process is not backed by any authority of Government and should be discouraged.

Crude oil obligations NNPC has been meeting its obligations on the crude oil it purchases from Government by a combination of products sales proceeds and the subsidy claims approved by PPPRA. The Committee notes that the downstream petroleum industry’s business model is not sustainable going forward as it does not allow for full cost recovery by industry players.

The PSF was created in 2006 with the expectation that it would be funded by the three tiers of government in the ratio of 50:25:25 by the Federal, States and Local Governments respectively. Funding from the States and Local Governments was not forth-coming hence the PSF has remained under-funded. This led to a situation where the Federal Government agreed with NNPC to deduct its approved subsidy claims from its crude cost obligations.

The Committee recommends C M Y K

that the Federal Government should put in place a mechanism for reimbursing NNPC on a timely basis to ensure that monies due to the Federation Account are remitted without unauthorised deductions. In addition, an independent auditor or an independent standing Committee should re-confirm the PPPRA’s subsidy computation for NNPC before payment.

The Committee recommends that Government should put in place a funding mechanism that would ensure that funds are set aside (by all tiers of Government or the Federal Government) to meet amounts appropriated for subsidy, should the Government decide to continue the subsidy regime.

It is difficult to determine who regulates and supervises the role of NNPC in the PSF scheme especially in determination of quantity of products to be imported by the corporation. PPPRA superintends over the petroleum products supply process by giving import allocations to NNPC and oil marketing and trading companies. While PPPRA discharged its responsibilities in this regard, when oil marketing and trading companies performed below their allocated import volumes, NNPC was expected to make up for the shortfall as ‘the importer of last resort’.

NNPC does not have a verifiable statistical basis for computing dai-

ly petroleum products consumption in Nigeria. The absence of reliable data for the estimation of the daily consumption of petroleum products subjected the determination of the nation’s requirement for imported petroleum products to abuse. This in turn led to oversupply of imported products and the associated abuse of the subsidy scheme.

There was no documentary evidence that the NNPC’s current process for processing subsidy payments under the PSF scheme was duly authorised by law, by the PSF guidelines or by any duly designated Government agency.

There is therefore no legitimate backing for the process. In addition, NNPC’s practice of deducting subsidy claims before transfer to the Federation Account with the CBN is not backed by any authority of Government.

It is expected that the cost of subsidising kerosene would be saved if more Nigerians embrace the use of LPG.

Accounting process The accounting process used by NNPC (only one set of accounts for sales proceeds of both imported and locally refined products) made it difficult to account for domestic refining of petroleum products.

The Committee did not see the effectiveness of NNPC’s internal control framework in ensuring smooth operations of its role in the production, sales and distribution of petroleum products, especially in respect of DPK. The Committee noted that import per-

mits for kerosene were exclusively granted to NNPC by PPPRA. This situation created a monopoly and abuse of the kerosene distribution process.

The distribution of DPK which was being imported solely by NNPC was heavily skewed in favor of depot owners, creating a secondary market for the product to the detriment of consumers.

Depot price of kerosine Even though the ex-depot price of kerosene is N40.90, the reality was that the import and allocation system enabled rent seeking middle men to control the kerosene market at prices of between N115.00 and N125.00 per litre.

The subsidy for kerosene was actually a bonanza for the rent seeking middle men while consumers paid higher prices for the product above the N50.00 per litre directed by Government.

The breakdown of NNPC’s kerosene sales of to bulk purchasers between 2009 and 2011 is shown below (in litres): NNPC RETAIL The country’s citizens were obviously not getting the benefit of the huge cost to the nation in kerosene subsidy.

•The Committee recommends that NNPC’s roles in the downstream petroleum industry be regulated appropriately by the existing regulatory agencies in the industry i.e. PPPRA and DPR. •The Committee recommends that PPPRA must always regulate and determine the quantity of products to be imported by NNPC in line with its mandate and the current allocation process for NNPC. All importation of products by NNPC (within or outside PPPRA approved quotas) must be approved by PPPRA. A rigorous process of volume control that will facilitate identification of red flags will reduce malpractices in subsidy claims.

•The Committee recommends that accounting best practices should be adopted by NNPC to enable separate audit trails of sales proceeds of imported and locally refined petroleum prod-

ucts and to determine the cost of domestic refining of petroleum products.

•The Committee recommends that Government should always give documented and clear directives to avoid ambiguity, indiscretion and to encourage compliance. Given the significant financial impact of the NNPC subsidy process on the finances of the nation, appropriate steps should be· taken by Government to document and legalise the process for NNPC’s subsidy claims in a transparent and unambiguous manner.

•The Committee recommends that the relevant Government agencies such as PPPRA and DPR in line with their mandates as regulators and others such as the Ministry of National Planning, Federal Bureau of Statistics e.t.c. using the information at their disposal on locally refined, imported and stored volumes of petroleum products should be mandated by Government to continually determine the nation's daily consumption levels of petroleum products independent of the industry operators.

Direct allocation of kerosine •The Committee recommends the allocation of kerosene directly to marketers with retail outlets, specifically IPMAN, MOMAN and NNPC Retail based on the strength of their retail outlets. This will ensure that the impact of the subsidy will be felt by the masses. In addition, the permit to import DPK should be liberalized to include the marketers who meet the eligibility criteria under the PSF guidelines and the subsidy regulated under the PSF scheme as currently obtains for PMS. In the long run, the option of using cooking gas should be explored. It is expected that the cost of subsidising kerosene would be saved if more Nigerians embrace the use of LPG. In addition, the Committee is unable to recommend payment of subsidy claims on DPK in view of the extant presidential directive of June 15, 2009.

To be continued

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

By Abdulwahab Abdullah

A

Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

How to maximize gains of Ramadan —Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf will guarantee that of the hereafter and could grasp the boundless opportunities in the month. The second category is those who are not happy, they are weak spiritually and are used to worldly delicacies.”

He said the foundation for the month can be made through intellectual preparation for the month, which he said is very crucial. He added this can be achieved by attending intellectual fora where beneficial knowledge is shared, especially in the masjid, understanding the verses on fasting, listening to audio and video tapes delivered by high ranking scholars on fasting and Ramadan.

Raising questions on our preparedness, Dr Yusuf said, “The significance of Ramadan includes the fact that it is the

month when the Qur’an was revealed. (2: 185), it is the month of patience and perseverance, the month in which all the gates of Paradise are opened, all gates of hell-fire are closed and devils put to chains, the month in which

the month of spending.”

Speaking on the topic, the lecturer said, the importance of maximising the gains in the holy month lies in the fact that none of us (Muslims) knows when we are breathing the last, hence “the need to be spiritually

,

S Muslims around the world awaits the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, a University lecturer and Islamic preacher, Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf has urged Muslims to regard all their actions as an act of Ibadah (worship) during and after the 30-day of the Muslim fasting.

Dr. Yusuf who presented what is expected of a Muslim during the month of Ramadan at the well attended monthly lecture of ‘The Companion’, an association of Muslim professionals in Alausa, Ikeja, said, Muslim who intends to gain the bounties prepare by Allah for the month of Ramadan should pounder a while and “ regard all his activities through out the month and after as an act of worship.”

The lecture, was part of the activities of The Companion to educate and broaden the knowledge of its members and general public about Islam. It has the theme: “ Maximizing the Gains of Ramadan.”

In his lecture, Dr Yusuf said as Ramadan approaches, there are two categories of Muslims who are expecting the arrival of the holy month. He classified them as those who are happy to receive the month, “they are used to fasting, believe that selfdeprivation of worldly passion

...the importance of maximising the gains in the holy month lies in the fact that none of us (Muslims) knows when we are breathing the last, hence “the need to be spiritually prepared through sincere repentance from sins and iniquities, fervent supplication to meet Ramadan

,

Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) falls, the month of acceptance of dua, the month of Jihad and

prepared through sincere repentance from sins and iniquities, fervent supplication

to meet Ramadan.”

He said, moment after the month of Sha’aban, Muslims must be in readiness for Ramadan by maintaining deep closeness with Allah by reading the Qur;an, engage in night prayers, remembrance and getting attuned to the psychological mood.

He listed the psychological preparations to include ; “ resolving to package the intention that this deed shall be solely for Allah’s pleasure, sincere repentance to Allah, opening a new page of total obedience to the Creator, moral rectification and conduct readjustment, observing the fast of the special ones, completion of recitation of the Qur’an more than once.

He also said we can increase in knowledge of Islam through tafsir, hadith, fiqh, seerah etc, by “enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, inviting at least 10 people to Islam, making the days of Ramadan not like any other days, desiring to observe the obligatory prayers in the mosque, standing in the right side of the Imam in the first row, remaining in the masjid after fajr till day break with the intention of I’tikaaf , keeping an open mind devoid of grudge and rancour among others.”

Etiquettes of preparing for Ramadan II

By Harun Razaq

L

•Ulamas and Alfas reciting the Qur'an at a Fidau for the soul of Sheikh Hammed Olawale who died recently in Ibadan.

Poverty, illiteracy breed terrorism in Nigeria — Islamic group

A

N Islamic group,Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen of Nigeria has described the poverty and illiteracy as part of the major factors that breed terrorism in the country,saying that corrupt government failed to give peace and adequate security to his people.

They also observed that proper and equal provision of rights to employment and human rights will definitely reduce the problem.

Speaking recently as a guest speaker at the Symposium entitled:”Corruption and Democracy in Nigeria,Any Hope?” which was organized by the Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People (CDRP) to mark this year 2012, June 12,1993 presidential election,held at Osogbo City Hall,Osogbo,the capital of Osun State, the National C M Y K

President of the group, ACn Molaasan maintained that the gravity of corruption lead to Dana Airline crash Dana aircraft where over 170 people lost their precious life at a time,adding that the Dana plane engine had been discovered to be faulty, but still manage it until it caught fire on air.

His words:”There is need for us to fight corruption that has deeprooted in our politics and public life.The blame for corruption lies in the lack of transparency in the rules of governance,extremely cumbersome official procedures,bureaucrats and a lax judiciary and worsened by paucity of Godlessness”. “ Corrupt Leaders demand for bribes at every step of the development.If they fail to enunciate the essentially humane part of politics ,the deprived will

be chosen to forget the humanness of politics but will use it for violence and even become terrorists. If politics does not become part of the solution, it will motivate hatred and backwardness.The principal obstacle to the country’s growth is the corruption among leaders in general and among politicians.bribery and corruption in all its forms is now a major cause of poverty,backwardness and major threat to a sound economic and social development that increasing terrorism”, Molaasan added.

He then urged the religion organizations in the country to wake up from their slumber and play their own role in combating the menace of the endemic called corruption,stressing that the fight against corruption should not be left into the hands of anti graft bodies alone.

AST week, we examined some of the importance of preparing for the blessed month of Ramadan and also presented some steps to take in preparing for it in order to achieve (insha Allah) the full reward of Ramadan. Today, we shall summarize the topic of discussion due to some constraint under the following classification: Spiritual, moral, social, financial, medical etc.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION: This includes the following-Taqwallah keeping oneself busy with deed that increases man in taqwallah so as to become Al-Muttaqum- the pious which is the essence of Ramadan fasting as stated in Qur’an 2 verses 183. In order to achieved this taqwah of Allah during the blessed Month in a country like Nigeria, one needs to involve in those deeds daily before the arrival of the Month.

Intention: To carry out acts of worship in the month of Ramadan.

Salats: performance of Salats (obligatory five daily salats and nonobligatory, rawatib, tahjud, duha, taubah, istikharah (nafilah for seeking divine guidance), duha etc.

Da’wah: It is commendable to intend to do Da’wah in the blessed Month of Ramadan in order to achieve the reward mention by the Prophet (SAW) that: “if Allah were to guide someone on your hands, it would be better for you than this whole earth and what it contains” (Although, this Hadith did not restrict it to the month alone). So, do your best now to guide people to the real practice of Islam. This could be through oral or physical approach, giving them beneficial Islamic books, tapes, CDs etc. before the blessed Month.

Du’a (supplication) search for supplications from authentic Sunnah to be recited during the Month and continually say them throughout the month. The companions used to continually repeat their supplications during the month of Ramadan, and they would say, that the next Ramadan would not come until all those supplications were answered. Thus for that reason, start by making supplicating to Allah before Ramadan, and don’t forget to make du’a for peace to reign in Nigeria and the entire Muslim world.

MORAL PREPARATION: :Kindness to creation of Allah starting from our family and other fellow human being (Muslim and nonMuslim) and animals with our wealth or body etc.

FINANCIAL PREPARATION By setting aside some money or property to be spent in the blessed month of Ramadan etc.

SOCIAL PREPARATION:This can be done through - Beautifying the Mosque before the month arrives.

Prepare to welcome visitors in Mosques during the month of Ramadan (that is, the Muslims who only enter the Mosque during the month of Ramadan) by encouraging them to be constant in the practice of Islam till the end of Ramadan and even after the month through beautiful preaching and kindness.

Vanguard Vanguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

YOUR LUCK TODAY, FRIDAY 6 JULY 2012 VIRGO: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

LIBRA: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

SCORPIO: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

SAGITTARIUS: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

FRIDAY FRIDAY,, JULY 6, 2012 — 39

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

do not know the level of your education today, but one thing I know is that, education is a continuum, it has no end. Even if you are a professor, you still need to learn every-

So, you have f inished yyour our education day.

There is no end to learning. Therefore, it is wrong to say, I have finished my

TERROR MUDA

education. Which education? Granted you’ve rounded up your degree programme, but

in “Never say goodbye”

what about the University of Life?

Education is life time process. Learning begets more learning. The more you know, the more you want to know.

Believe, your education has just begun.

By Kola Fayemi

CAPRICORN: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

AQUARIUS: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

PISCES: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operative you are today the better for you. Those of you travelling for love are in for an exciting day.

ARIES: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

TAURUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

GEMINI: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

LEO: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

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

About day I was born?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Samuel, Kano

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Samuel, With the Moon in Libra when you were born influence of Libra be pronounced in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

C M Y K

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Edo poll: INEC to recruit 5,000 lecturers

FG tasked on prisoners' voting right

BY FESTUS AHON

U

B

ENIN—EDO State In dependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is to recruit 5,000 lecturers and undergraduates of the University of Benin and Auchi Polytechnic for the conduct of the July 14 governorship elect i o n .

INEC Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Priscillia Imoudu-Sule, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. She said the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Kassim Gaidam, would declare open the training of the selected persons at the Auchi Polytechnic, Etsako-West Local Gove r n m e n t .

Imoudu-Sule explained that the management of both institutions was responsible for the selection of the lecturers and students to be used as INEC ad-hoc staff for the election.

She explained that the school authorities were critical about the character and moral standing of those sel e c t e d .

“The REC will during the training session impress it upon them the enormity of the assignment and the high sense of patriotism required of them while on the job,’’ she said.

Imoudu-Sule said a total of 10,000 ad hoc staff, including, trained members of the NYSC were expected to complement regular INEC staff to conduct the e l e c t i o n .

Pa Mgbolu, 81, for burial

M

R Robert Odigwe Mgbolu, 81, of Umuozoma Ogbeowelle quarters, Ibusa, Delta State, who died on May 12, 2012, will be buried tomorrow at his compound after a funeral mass at St Thomas Catholic Church, Ibusa.

Outing service comes up on Sunday at St Thomas Catholic Church, Ibusa. He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren, among whom is Mr Charles Mgbolu of Vanguard Newspaper.

zLate Mr Mgbolu

INDUCTION—Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen, at the induction by the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, in Owerri, Imo State.

GHELLI—FACILITA TOR of the Civil Liberty and Rehabilitation Initiative, Mr Cyril Ojiemen, yesterday called on the Federal Government to pave way for prisoners awaiting trial and serving custodial sentences in Nigeria Prisons to be allowed to vote in elections and participate in the democratic process.

Ojiemen in a statement said, “the continued denial of voting rights to prisoners could be dehumanizing and hinders rehabilitation.

Prisoners are less likely to re-offend if encouraged to participate in the civic proc-

ess as part of their rehabilitation.”

According to him; “the whole essence of prison is about rehabilitation and a place to create opportunities for personal transformation. The views and needs of prisoners should be reflected in our democratic systems.

"The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and to deny a specific group of persons this right, irrespective of whether they are detained or not, is not democratically justified in a free and democratic society such as Nigeria".

Oil communities advised on how to attract projects

BY EMMA AMAIZE & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

From right: Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere; Commissioner for Youth and Sports/Chairman, Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Pastor Ita Umo-Udoh; and Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Akinkumi Martins, during the swearing-in of the 2012 Batch “B”Corps Members at Ikot Itie Udung, Akwa Ibom State.

Yuguda assures on safety of 1,350 corps members

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—BAUCHI State government has assured that adequate measures would be put in place to ensure safety of the 1,350 corps members newly posted to the state in view of the security challenges in the area, warning that it would hold leaders accountable for any breakdown of law and order in their communities.

Governor Isa Yuguda made this known during the swearing-in of the 2012 Batch “B” corps members, as well as the opening of their three weeks orientation at the Wailo Camp, B a u c h i .

This was even as the state government was yet to give any directive on the posting of the corps members in view of the post-presidential election violence which rocked Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Dambam, Giade and Katagum Local Government Areas, leading to death of some of the corps members.

The state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Nuhu Kwaghe said 1, 581 corps members were expected out of which only 1, 350 had reported in camp.

Kwaghe said, “I did un-

dertake a tour of the state, especially where the last post-election violence occurred and I discovered that there is relative peace and tranquility in those areas.

"We are expecting the government to give us a policy statement on the posting of corps members to those local governments, as well as other areas,”even as he

pointed out the NYSC had taken adequate measures to protect the corps members during their orientation c o u r s e .

But Yuguda who spoke through the Head of Civil Service, Mr. Abdon Gin, urged the corps members to ignore the negative media reports about happenings in the state.

....Don't post them to volatile areas, group tells NYSC

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH USLIM Rights Con cern, MURIC, has charged the Federal Government to prevail on the National Youths Service Corp, NYSC, from posting prospective corps members to the troubled areas of the n o r t h .

The group expressed surprise over the decision of the NYSC to post corps members to the troubled areas, saying, “MURIC express profound shock at the action of the NYSC. It is naive, insensitive and provocative. Sending these corps members from the south to these troubled area is preg-

M

nant with several impress i o n s . ’ ’ MURIC in a statement by its Executive Director, Prof.

Is-haq Akintola, stated that the failure of the NYSC to stop sending corps members to such volatile areas amounted to disobedience of the directive of the House of Representatives on the contentious issue.

It called on the government to immediately stop the action, adding, “any responsible government must be interested in the safety of its young and educated citizens. President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime must not abdicate its r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. ”

W

ARRI—TEAM lead er, Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, West, Dr. BenkaCoker Marian, has disclosed how oil communities in Niger-Delta can attract development projects to their domains from the multinational oil conglomerate.

Speaking at Dauda-Oro-

gun, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta state during the commissioning of a civic centre built for the community by SPDC, she said the communities need to be non-violent and remain peaceful with the company.

Her words, “don’t let your peaceful disposition end here, but continue to peacefully co-exist with SPDC. That is the only way we could have more development.”

'Family planning best way to reduce maternal mortality'

BY SUSAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—THE Chair man of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Agency, PHCA, Dr. Nisser Umar, yesterday described family planning as one the best ways to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in the country.

He said the PHCA had already embarked on awareness campaigns in the various communities in the state on the importance of family planning.

He noted that the agency has also increased the number of service delivery points from 98 in 2008 to 343 in 2011 across the state.

According to him, “three sets of health professionals were trained on modern methods of family planning. Thirty participants were also trained on Jaddle/Inplanons insertion (method of family planning) and 40 others were also trained on several methods of family plann i n g . ”

Rotary installs Omotosho as district governor

R

OTARY International, District 9110 comprising Lagos and Ogun states, will tomorrow install Dr. Kamoru Omotosho as its new District Governor for the 2012 / 2013 Rotary year, at the Muson Centre, Onika, Lagos.

Born June 26 1947, Dr. Omotosho, a senior medical practitioner with over three decades experience since his graduation from the University of Ibadan, is presently the Managing

Director of Kamoras Specialist Clinic, Victoria Island, Lagos. A fellow of the Royal College of Surgeon, he had worked in hospitals in Birmigham and Belfast in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria.

He was a lecturer in Orthopaedics and Traumatology and later a Consultant Surgeon and Traumatologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and later Medical Director of St. Nicholas Hospital Lagos, before setting up his own private practice.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—41

I warned Nigerians about Farouk — Dino Melaye •Says Jonathan is pampering corruption FORMER member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, is one whose voice or person cannot be hidden on any major issue. So, given his frontal role in affairs of the House of Representatives in the last assembly where he played diametrically opposite roles with Rep. Farouk Lawan, he became a subject of interest in reviewing the still unfolding $3 million bribe scandal. Lawan also spoke on the spectre of corruption in the country among other issues.

Excerpts:

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

T

HE crisis that disturbed the House during your tenure took more than one year to catch up with the present House. Can you say why?

The crisis was sponsored by the Integrity group headed by Farouk Lawan solely to humble Madam Patricia Etteh from office. But do not forget that it was the same Lawan who made it possible for Madam Etteh to become Speaker and when the same Lawan did not get what he demanded, that is becoming the Chairman of Appropriation Committee, he plotted to remove her from office.

Remember that Madam Etteh never ate one kobo. What happened was that all her budgets were anticipatory and Lawan used it against her because the committee he got was that of Education. He never liked it and the woman could not have done otherwise. The house Madam Etteh wanted to refurbish for N238million was renovated by Dimeji Bankole for N400million and the same house was eventually sold to him. So if I may ask where is

C M Y K

the integrity now that we have all known that the whole concept was laced with….

But the man tried…..

(Interjects) Tried in what manner. That Integrity Group died immediately after Etteh was removed from office or did you hear that the group ever held one meeting throughout the period it existed. Four weeks before the bubble bust I warned Nigerians that they should not celebrate Farouk yet with the fuel subsidy probe so his fumbling and wobbling in the course of carrying out his legislative functions is no surprise to us that know him too well.

Can you imagine that 14 years after as a national lawmaker, Farouk could descend so low to visit the residence of Femi Otedola a man he was probing. What a shame but Nigerians and Nigeria should be able to separate Farouk from the institution known as the House of Representatives because the 360 Reps took oaths individually.

The primary objective of the probe which is a resolution of the House must not be thrown into the garbage because I as t h e Executive Secretary of an AntiCorruption b o d y based here in Abuja will not allow t h e report to kiss the d u s t rather I w i l l fight with all

Jonathan has no plans to fight corruption in this country. That I know very well because he is a major factor in the arrogance of Femi Otedola and this has clearly. How can Femi Otedola regard the resolution of the entire House of Representatives saying it is laughable? If I were to be the Speaker I would have summoned him for contempt but the President has shown negative trend for describing the Resolution of the House on Fuel Subsidy Regime as mere Resolution.

Celebration of mere resolution

*Melaye: Integrity Group removed from office the vigour God has given me to ensure the report is implemented.

But why would legislators probe when they know that such ventures lead them to problems?

My brother there is no need for probes in the first place if legislators carry out their legislative functions with the fear of God and with every sincerity of commitment there will be no need for probes.

Functions of the lawmaker The functions of the law maker are basically three, namely the act of adequately representing their people via the provision of the dividends of democracy, two, the act of making laws via motions and bills and three, oversight functions. There is no single MDA that if serious oversight function is carried out that will not give account of all its activities. Once this is done and proper supervision of projects are carried out there will be no need for probes.

Probes are manifestation of satanic collaboration between the National Assembly and the Public Service. But if oversight functions are diligently carried out at appropriate times this will effectively police the activities

But let me remind the President that it was this same mere resolution that made it possible for him to be Acting President which he celebrated and even invited them (legislators) to dinner in his house.

When Arunma Oteh was indicted by the Capital Market Probe, she was asked to step aside but when Mrs. Deziani was accused by the Fuel Subsidy Panel nothing was said and she was a primary actor as the Chairman of the board of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and died immediately after Etteh was above all the minister that supervises the petroleum sector. This is a clear case of personalizing offices of the MDAs and that of the and making the fight against executive. When I was House corruption a child’s play.

Committee Chairman on The state of insecurity today Information we recovered in the country is alarming what do you think billions of Naira. could be done to Former ministers redress the situation? were recalled to It is very sad that our give account of President could leave their stewardship the country to attend a (and) I remember carnival in Brazil when we recalled one this country was fast minister to give being swallowed by a account of books conflagration that he bought twelve has not been able to years after he left quench since office that were assumption of office as still in the high Acting President. This seas. After proper is a clear indication of investigation they somebody that is returned the incompetent, a display books. So proper of insensitivity to the oversight will security of the people substantially take of this country. To away the stress of worsen the situation probes and these the spokesman of this embarrassments government, Labaran are becoming too Maku came out to say much. the president can rule Corruption from any part of the seems to have world confirming to us assumed a larger that Mr. President is a than life ruler not a leader. proportion in What Nigerians need Nigeria to the is a leader not a ruler extent that the US that can rule from any has even described part of the world. the fight against it in Nigeria as mere lips service. What is your take on this?

Integrity Group died immediately after Etteh was removed from office or did you hear that the group ever held one meeting throughout the period it existed

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Ihonvbere, Obadan berate PDP

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

T

WO prominent former PDP leaders in Edo State, former Special Adviser to the President, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and erstwhile Deputy Governor of the State, Rev. Peter Obadan yesterday turned their arsenal against their former party warning the electorate not to be lured by money to vote for the PDP. Ihonvbere and Obadan were guests at the PDP rally at Ozalla in Owan West Local government area yesterday.

Prof. Ihonvbere was quoted as saying that Oshiomhole is a man of integrity who believes in accountability and should be given another opportunity to complete the projects he has started. ihonAccording to him, the governor has demonstrated that he can transform the state, but the people have to give him the opportunity to complete most of the projects

he has started.

Oshiomhole in his remarks promised more amenities to the peoples saying: “We will bring water for the people who have no hope of getting water because previous governments said it was

impossible, that is why we brought one of the industrial drilling rigs to Edo North . We have awarded the contract to build the Ozalla grammar school to standard. We lay emphasis on education because with education there is no

where you cannot get to in life,” he noted.

“I am here campaigning to you because I have what I can point at and when I say every local government headquarters will get street lights people believe me because we have

done it in Benin City and Ekpoma,” he added.

The governor was also at Uzebba and IvbidohenOkpuji and Iuleha.

The Okumagbe of Iuleha, Oba Ayo baiyejesujuba Idonije Omo Bare 11 in an outpouring of support told the governor while visiting his palace that “we have called you governor for life,” and he presented souvenirs to him.

Be on your guard against PDP rigging, group warns

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

V

ANGUARD for Better Edo, VBE, a group of good governance campaigners, yesterday advised Edo people not to be carried away by President Goodluck Jonathan verbal promise to ensure a free and fair election in next week gubernatorial election in the state, saying the body language of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the President leads says otherwise.

This came as the group said in a statement that it was throwing its support to the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’ ambition for a second term because of his track records of performance since assumption of office and called on the people of Edo state not to be deceived by mere promises by other candidates.

VBE in the statement by its national coordinator and Director of Grassroots Mobilisation, Messrs Donatus Ossai and

Bernard Efosa, respectively, said the group had come to the conclusion that only a second term for Comrade Oshiomhole would sustain the tempo of development and put the state on the track of sustainable progress.

The statement titled “Edo be Wise; Stand up for Truth and Development”, read in part: “ On Saturday, July 14, 2012, the People of Edo State will go to the poll to elect a governor that will govern the state for the next four years. Since the build up to the poll began, we have been inundated with several campaign promises by candidates and their political parties. Some have perfected the

act of smear campaigns, character assassinations and fabrication of lies in their desperation to attain political power to the detriment of the good people of Edo state.

"But we come to the conclusion that this is the time us to stand up against people whose only interest in political power is to return Edo State to the era of no money for development. This is the time to stand up against people that have no proven records of performance in public administration or those who cannot boost of their antecedents before today. This is the time for us as Edo people to keep what we have and not promises because a bird in hand worth millions in the bush.”

Enahoro’s group backs Oshiomhole C

*Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State addresses voters at Amedokhian, Esan North East Local Government Area at a rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria for his second term re-election.

HIEF Anthony Enahoro’s political group, the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) has thrown its weight behind Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s re-election bid, urging Edo people to fully support the return of the governor to Osadebey Avenue come July 14, 2012.

The pro-democracy group, in a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Benin City, noted that considering the dynamic

Oshiomhole can deceive but not all the time — Aziegbemi

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

F

ORMER member of the House of Representatives representing Dr. Tony Aziegbemi has predicted a revolution by the working class against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the election next weekend.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Aziegbemi posited that the reported achievements of the governor remained cosmetic noting that there was nothing on ground adding that market C M Y K

women, artisans, civil servants and other professionals who he claimed to have borne the brunt of the levies and taxation policies of the ACN administration will revolt on voting day.

“I believe that you can deceive all the people some of the time, but you cannot deceive the people all the time. Most of the taunted achievements of Governor Adams Oshiomhole are cosmetic, they are on the surface, they are window dressing and the people have seen through that in the past three and half

years. That is why everybody, most people in Edo state are yearning for a change and they can’t wait for July14, to effect that change”.

Dr. Aziegbemi who represented the Esan North- East/Esan South East Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2007 and in the House of Representatives said the governor was bound to lose the election because he has alienated a large segment of the society.

“He has alienated virtually all segments of the society. Is it the

teachers, the lawyers, the private school owners, the doctors, name them. Everybody that we have met in this campaign is disgruntled with this administration and they can’t wait come July 14, to vote for PDP” On his expectations in Edo Central Senatorial zone in the forthcoming election, Aziegbemi said that all the factors that contributed to the defeat of the ACN in the zone during the last National Assembly elections were still on ground to bring victory for the PDP.

performance by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor which in four years has turned the face of Benin City and other parts of Edo state around, MNR wishes he is returned to the government house to complete the good work which he started”.

The movement urged “all its followers and all people of goodwill to vote for him as a reward for handwork and competence”.

The communiqué, signed by its acting Administration Secretary, Omonefe Okosun, said the meeting “reviewed that state of the nation and concluded that the democratic governance was facing severe stress all over the country.

“Regarding the state of insecurity in the country caused by acts of terrorism, armed robbery and kidnappings”, the MNR said “the solution lies in the return to true federalism where the federating ethnic nationalities will develop at their own pace”.

The late elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro, a prominent pro-democracy leader, true federalism and self-determination advocate, was the foundation chairman and leader of the organisation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—43

R

ECENT events in the country, especially the security situation, have put heavy burden on leadership at every stage, and especially on national leadership. \ Every problem of the country, even if minor, is blamed on poor leadership at any time that many good people are scared of being called leaders or to be invited to become leaders in their various communities.

This is so because in the past communities invited their leaders as opposed to the present situation where ‘leaders‘ impose themselves on the community.

Some analysts, not political clowns, have diagnosed the country‘s leadership problems as product of deficient political structure and the deep-rooted ethnic and religious fears of each other by many nations that are forced to live together as one nation nicknamed, Nigeria.

There is that common agreement that every Nigerian is at best a tribalist as distinct from a patriot. Infact, the word patriotism seems uncommon in the Nigerian political dictionary.

Any appointment today is weighed on the scale of tribe and religion and any action seems to be viewed through the dark glass of ethnic and religious sentiment. The fears of Fulani/ Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba (three Nigerian major tribes) domination are still rife.

The argument runs thus: the Hausa/Fulani have ruled the country (either military or civilian) many times; the Yoruba have had their turn also; while the Ibo are still waiting in the wings for their chance. Thus, ‘Ibo Presidency‘ has become a war cry or political jargon to rouse the Ibo nation to a sort of frenzy.

Afterall, what is the magic in Hausa/Fulani or Yoruba Presidency to conjure the passion

The burden of leadership for Ibo Presidency? The good number of Hausa/Fulani Presidents, Prime Minister and Heads of State had hardly touched positively the life of the average Northerner; many parts of the North still remain poor and some areas parade a lot of destitutes.

Also, the Yoruba Presidency could hardly be cited as a glorious era of Yoruba ascendancy. In fact, many Yorubas continue to lapse into nostalgic feelings about ‘Awo Days‘ of free education, free medical services and integrated rural and urban developments.

The complete routing of the Nigeria‘s ruling party (PDP) in the South-West, is a clear indication of the failure of ‘Yoruba Presidency‘. Attempts to reverse the trends might constitute one of the fears of the dreaded 2015.

The election of the current President from a tiny minority tribe (Ijaw) which was believed would douse ethnic fervor for power has, as things are at the moment, complicated political issues. President Goodluck Jonathan is blamed by some as

being responsible for many of today‘s ills, which could not be fairly placed at his door steps.

Corruption (Mr. Nigeria) has existed before President Jonathan was born; murderous gangs existed before he became President and armed robbers have roamed dangerously all over the country before his adventure into national politics.

The dilemma of the present leadership predicament seems to lie in the failure to differentiate between the principle of politics and the strategy of statesmanship and the inability to reconcile them in a plural society. Is the President the leader of a political party or the father of the nation after his election? In an unstable political atmosphere pervaded by deadly insurgency and economic uncertainties, continuous application of wrong methods does not portray positive thinking or rational behavior.

If your governors after leaving office are under probe for financial mismanagement and your legislators are knee deep in corruption, then, something seems basically wrong or

DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS:

Stakeholders seek constitutional empowerment for journalists

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

D

ISTURBED by the worsening conditions in which journalists are practicing in Nigeria, a coalition of media and non-governmental organizations has forwarded a memorandum to the National Assembly, seeking constitutional recognition for press freedom.

The clamour for constitutional support to strengthen press freedom was part of the decisions reached at a two-day meeting of Media Networks and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) held at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital between June 14 and 15.

Arising from the parley, delegates lamented that provisions of the 1999 Constitution on press freedom and media regulation were

C M Y K

inadequate for meeting the challenges of contemporary democratic accountability and transparency. And hence the proposals for urgent amendments.

Funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) Project, delegates arrived at far-reaching decisions that would boost democracy in the country, if included in the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution and implemented.

Already, the coalition has submitted a memorandum titled: “Expanding the frontiers of Press Freedom, Media Independence and Access to Information in Nigeria,” to the Senate.

The memorandum was a product of collective brain-

,

STAKEHOLDERS in the media gathered recently to appraise constitutional challenges in the work of the media and propose solutions.

The media stakeholders said the envisaged amendments would enhance the country’s democratic process and ensure that the country shares companionship with the enlarging group of nations

,

storming and inputs by representatives of major stakeholders in the media and civil society including professional bodies and associations, regulatory agencies, media support groups and academics.

The media stakeholders said the envisaged amendments would enhance the country’s

abnormal.

In a civilized environment, or in economically advanced countries, it would be irrational for a political party which could not guarantee uninterrupted supply of electricity to fuel industrial growth, a party which would not bring unemployment and inflation rate to less than 10 per cent, a party which is torn by internal crisis in a country threatened by internal security and where individual lives and property are subjects to the perils of bombs to ask for peoples votes in any election.

The argument of retired Major General Mohammad Buhari comes to light that it should be impossible for any party with those credentials to win any clean election. But what the former Head of State seems to have forgotten is that the country’s structure is deficient and people, morally bankrupt and therefore, anything is possible.

The answers lie in looking into the mirror to see the image of a talented man who is awkward and wayward and therefore, needs correction and reformation. Therefore, it is naïve to think any other leader could succeed in Nigeria unless the country‘s foundation is reexamined and the structure adjusted.

It is not a bad idea if the present leadership realizes its limitations in terms of the effectiveness of its teams - mediocre, howbeit conscientious. The present team has proved incapable of providing full employment by its economic policy of harsh monetary policy and sometimes unfavorable fiscal stance.

The pursuit of high exchange rate (which has caused devaluation of the country’s currency against the dollar) would rob the country of ability to import cheaply those required imports to accelerate the

necessary economic infrastructural development.

In the recent stride to clean the oil industry, the hierarchy of the NNPC has been sacked and replaced from within. This is a surprise move if viewed against the government‘s policy of deregulating the downstream sector of the oil industry. The government should have nothing to do with the supply of petroleum products and fixing of their prices. It is sabotage by the government itself against proper management of the country‘s oil resources.

If existing refineries cannot meet domestic needs; they should at best utilize neighboring refineries or allow local marketers to have their allocations in form of crude oil.

That should be a neater arrangement than asking marketers to import single product at world‘s market price.

It is in the interest of the government and the people of the country to scrap the body responsible for the importation of selected petroleum products and replace it with another saddled with the export of refined petroleum products and petrochemicals.

The government should either sell the existing refineries or lease them out to the existing reliable oil marketers and their international affiliates. The business of government is to provide infrastructure for the smooth flow of petroleum products.

The question of political stability is connected with the policy of all inclusive government to combat the insurgency of Boko Haram at the moment and unforeseen bloody revolution of the future. There is nothing wrong with a National Discourse.

Sms only 07059197616

democratic process and ensure that the country shares companionship with the enlarging group of nations, which have embraced the necessity to provide constitutional back up to the right of freedom of expression and related media freedoms.

The memorandum was signed

by Messrs. Edetaen Ojo (Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda), Akin Akingbulu (Executive Director, Institute for Media and Society) and Lanre Arogundade (Executive Director, International Press Centre) on behalf of the organizations and persons who considered and ratified the proposals at the consultative meeting.

Specifically, the proposed amendments include: Constitutional recognition for Media/Press freedom.

They want Section 39 of the constitution amended to have new subsections that provide for: express guarantee of right to press/media freedom, media independence and right of access to information; definition or categorization of state (called government) media, as one established to provide information gathering and

dissemination services in the public interest; declaration that all laws or actions negating the principle of state media serving public interest are inconsistent with the principles of press/ media freedom as enshrined in the constitution;decriminalization of libel and non censorship of the media; nullification or invalidation of any other legislations that clearly undermine freedom of the press or media including the Official Secrets Acts and the 1966 Defamatory and Offensive Publication Act; removal of managers and editors of state media from the control of the executive; and appointment/ removal to be done through a process that subjects them only to the confirmation of the National Assembly, possibly through the recommendation of an independent commission.

Others are obligation of the state and private media to provide fair opportunities for the expression of divergent views and equitable access to parties and candidates during elections; protection of journalism confidentiality privileges.

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Fashola, clerics meet, stress need for security consciousness

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

G

OVERNOR Baba tunde Fashola of Lagos state and religious leaders in the state met yesterday and stressed the need for everyone to be security conscious, saying “there is the need for everyone to be increasingly vigilant.”

They made the call at the end of a close door security meeting with heads of security formations in the state held at the Lagos House, Marina, late Wednesday. Fashola said that when everyone is conscious, the state would continue to enjoy minimal crime rate.

He added that there was the need for everyone to know his neighbours and also ask questions because it is the only way people could detect and be able to raise the alarm when necessary.

According to him, “If we do all of these and you know those are the real first sides of safety and security.

We have taken many things for granted for a long time and that really is the essence of the meeting. Know your neighbour, ask questions, and don’t take anything for granted. If you are in doubt, call law enforcement and use the 767 and 112 numbers. Really that is the message.”

Also speaking at the meeting, the State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Bishop George Amu, said the bottom line was that everyone should tell their members to know their neighbours, adding “everybody must be conscious about happenings in their environment. If you know your neighbour, strange persons cannot come to your neighbourhood without you noticing it. We were told that for every action, there is a consequent reaction and that whatever we sow we shall reap. The security of Lagos State is our joint concern,” Amu added.

On his own part, Chief Missioners of the AnsarUd-Deen- Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahaman

Ahmad said that the essence of the meeting was to underscores the need for citizenry to be vigilant, to know who their neighbours are and to continue to tell followers who are Muslims and Christians to keep the peace, adding that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that the state can have development.

The Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque in Ikorodu, Sheikh Yahaya Ajagbemokeferi who also spoke with newsmen after the meeting said: “What is left for the religious leaders who attended the meeting is to ensure that just as the Governor has done his part by convening the meeting, it is compulsory for the leaders to relay the message to their followers and consider how to go about it so that no one will have cause to regret in Lagos State at all”.

Menace of armed robbery Sheikh Ajagbemokeferi who expressed gratitude to God for providing the State with a leader like Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who is highly interested in his people said the Governor called the meeting to discuss ways the menace of armed robbery and insecurity could be tackled so that no one would have cause to regret coming to Lagos State.

The Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Reverend Sam Adeyemi who was also at the meeting said there is a need for every citizen of Lagos State to know their neighbour, adding that people without addresses should not just be allowed to roam the streets in the State.

Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Umaru Manko who was one of the security chiefs at the meeting, said the high point of the meeting is that everybody needs to be cautious and be security conscious.

Manko added that the meeting centred around security consciousness in Lagos State and why people have to participate in ensuring that Lagos State is secured.

Blind student wins 2012 Lagos road advocacy competition A VISUALLY impaired student of the Lagos State Junior Model College, Agbowa Ikosi, Paul Ebuka, yesterday, won the 2012 Be Road Friendly (BRF) competition for the junior category.

C M Y K

Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has advocated for a seamless cooperation of the residents with the state government in ensuring a minimal road accidents in the state.

L-r: Oba Adedayo Olaloko Shobekun, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, and Engr Abiodun Adenekan, during the public presentation/ launching of the Voice of Reason Volume 2, by Alhaji Kola Animasaun, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Encomiums for Animashaun at book launch

BY GBENGA OKE, JAPHET ALAKAM, PRISCA SAM-DURU

I

T was all encomium for Chief Kola Animasaun, Vanguard Newspapers’ columnist, as eminent Nigerians from all walks of life gathered at the launch of his autobiography yesterday.

Among those present at the event were former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande; General Tajudeen Olarenwaju; the Sultan of Sokoto, represented by Amb Hamza Ahmadu; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Publisher of Vanguard, Mr Sam Amuka.

Others include; Mr Ogbuefi Nwokeadi; Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr Sam Omatseye of Nation Newspapers.

Mr Steve Ayorinde of National Mirror, who reviewed the book, praised him on the launch and public presentation of his of Voice of Reason Volume 2.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also described Chief Animasaun as Nigeria’s finest columnist and one of the greatest writers that ever lived.

Political developments Others who showered praises on Chief Animasaun were Vanguard columnist, Mr Pini Jason; Prof Oladapo Afolabi; Sen Remi Tinubu represented by Mrs Yetunde Arobieke; Governor Olusegun Mimiko, represented by Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, among others.

He was described as one of the few journalists, who stood for the truth and is

ever forthright in the analysis of political developments in the country.

Asiwaju Tinubu, who was represented by Chief Akinyelure, noted that “Chief Animasaun played his role and stood up when others ran away. As for me, I can only say “thank you.”

Thank you for leaving authentic works on the definitive Alhaji Animasaun for the benefit of generations yet to come. The Great Zik of Africa often said in the mast-head of his newspaper, West African Pilot: Show the light and the people will find their way. By this twin-work, Alhaji Animasaun has shown the light; Nigeria will find the way," he said.

“I congratulate the immediate family of Chief Animasaun. Without their support and love, the man we celebrate today would not have achieved as much as he did. Thank you for your abiding love. That is what has made him a rare and precious gift to his country,” he said.

Governor Ajimobi on his part, said Chief Animasaun stood for the truth and did not care whose ox was gored in observing his profession's ethics.

He said, “His stand for truth cannot be overlooked especially during the Ibrahim Babangida administration and that of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo because he stood for truth and justice and one of such example was an article he wrote and tagged 'Obasanjo as being vindictive against his fellow Egba man, Chief M.K.O Abiola'.

“Alhaji Animasaun had affected me intellectually, culturally, religiously and many of us will continue to celebrate him in many years to come and what he represents which is truth, godliness and uprightness,” Ajimobi added.

Meantime, Governor Abiola Ajimobi on his way to the event, rescued unspecified number of accident victims at the Ebute Metta area of the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos.

A truck carrying beef was said to have lost its bearing and rammed into two vehicles, injuring many occupants, including the truck driver.

Governor Ajimobi, who was on his way to Animasaun book launch, immediately ordered his convoy to stop, as he attended to the victims. He also ordered the Government House ambulance in his convoy to make a detour and convey the injured to the hospital.

Man of integrity Mr Sam Amuka, who was full of praises for Chief Animasaun, said “This for me, is a personal occasion to thank my friend Kola. In all the years we worked together, we had been friends and everything said about him is true. He is a man of integrity, honour and never shakes whenever he had an opinion on an issue but maintains his stance. He is an honourable man with nine lives. It is because of KoIa and other columnists like Pini Jason, Dele Sobowale, Isiaka, Ochereome Nnana, Donu Kogbare, that we had survived and thrived in Vanguard and still thriving today. Kola Animasaun is a man you can vouch for and I am glad to be here. We have a policy in Vanguard, which gives columnists the freedom to write anything short of libel and these columnists have indeed done well.”

Alhaji Tajudeen Olarenwaju on his part said, “Chief Kola Animasaun is a man of resolute mind and goodwill, whose writings have impacted on the society. He has a good sense of conviction. He is a mentor and public defender and

does not waste words but goes straight to the point.”

Chief Segun Osoba,in his speech said, “He is a jolly fellow and he laughs at everything. I am here to testify to the character of a man we are celebrating today, a man of honour, a journalist of repute, a man whom you can always rely on, a man you can always trust. I remember how Kola was able to handle his late rascal brother, who no one else did and how he was appointed a caretaker committee chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area. He did everything well but he was not able to face the politics and he sent his resignation letter, which was rejected. He was told to go back and face the politics. This is the quality of the man we are celebrating today, we are celebrating a man who is honourable, a patriotic Nigerian and a man of honour married to a beautiful girl.”

Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said “I encourage columnists to put their papers together just like Chief Kola Animasaun has done. He is widely read on his Sunday column in Vanguard.

His audience is fantastic and he is a good writer. He is an uncle and a mentor.”

Mr Steve Ayorinde, who reviewed the book, noted that “From 1939 to the Vanguard of modern journalism, he emphasised on the importance of appreciating the contributions of outstanding journalists. Kola spent more than 40 years in active journalism. He had firm control in the art of story telling, a content man with modest ideology and was celebrated as an accomplished media practitioner, who has put in 19 years in Vanguard. The author’s name has become synonymous with Vanguard. A pragmatic man without undue pretense and his 19years in Vanguard is a crowning glory in his life."

45—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Downpour displaces 10,000 in Borno zWashes up 500 bodies from graves

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI—A heavy rainfall in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, from Wednesday evening till the early hours of yesterday, has displaced over 10,000 residents, with property worth millions of naira destroyed.

In Jajeri Moslem Cemetery in Maiduguri and Jere Council Area, over 500 dead bodies were washed up from their graves. A 10-year-old, who was buried two days ago, was also washed up.

The rainfall, which started at 5.00pm, Wednesday, stopped at 7.00pm; continued again by 2.00am till 6.00am, yesterday. The downpour was said to be the heaviest in the state since the commencement of the rainy season.

The most affected areas are: Bullumkutu, Ajillari, Jajeri, London Ciki, Polo, Bolori, Ummarari, Maduganari, Gomari Airport, Gwange and Mary wards of the metropolis.

Most of the residents in these areas had to stay indoors.

Others were seen evacuating their property and laying the items under the sun and on trees to dry.

Mallam Bukar Maina, a resident, said the affected people have met and unanimously endorsed a letter to Governor Shettima to come to their aid.

Maina said: “This is not the first time we have taken our complaint to the governor on the devastating effect of flooding in the area due to our proximity to River Gadambul. But all our cries fell on deaf ears. We hope this time around the gov-

ernor will listen to us.”

One of the victims of the flooding in Bullumkutu, who is a senior civil servant(names withheld), said the state government, under Governor Kashim Shettima, was paying lip service to the environment sector.

A woman, who gave her name as Hajiya Asabe Umara in Bolori area, described the situ-

ation as very pathetic and destructive.

She said: “It is by the grace of Almighty Allah that I was able to deliver a baby boy in our house this morning(yesterday).

“The massive flooding prevented any vehicle from coming to take me to a nearby hospital.”

Meanwhile, Governor Shettima has said the state government has

awarded contracts worth N14 billion for the construction of roads and drainage in Bullumkutu, Dala, Abuja Talaka, Bullumkutu Tsalake, among other wards of the metropolis, to check flooding.

He said there was ongoing planting of over 10 million Arabic trees/ seedlings across the 27 council areas of the state.

NYSC IN TARABA: From left— Hajiya Zainab Isah, State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Taraba State; Mr. Sani Danlandi, Taraba State Deputy Governor; Alh. Abdulhadi Lau, State Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, and other dignitaries, at the swearing-in and formal opening ceremony of 2012 Batch “B” NYSC orientation course at Government College, Jalingo.

Taraba assures of security for NYSC members

T

ARABA State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Hajiya Zainab Isah, has assured parents of adequate safety of the newlymobilised 2012 Batch “B” NYSC members posted to the state.

Isah spoke while addressing newsmen shortly after the swearing-in and opening ceremony of 2012 Batch “B” orientation course at Government College Jalingo, Tuesday.

She said NYSC in the state, the state government and relevant security agencies have put adequate se-

curity measures in place for the protection of the corps members.

One of such measures, she said, included fencing of the temporary orientation camp to enhance the security of the premises.

She noted that more than 2,000 corps members have reported to camp.

She said: “Coming to Taraba State is by no means an accident, as it behoves you to use the period of the orientation course to equip yourselves towards impacting on the state, thereby improving the lots of the people you will come

across.”

Isah added that NYSC in collaboration with resource persons within the state had packaged a lot towards empowering corps members in actualising their dream of self-reliance among Nigerian youths.

Speaking earlier at the event, Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, in the state, Alhaji Abdulhadi Lau, said the posting of the corps members to Taraba State was timely ‘’in the sense that the state requires your expertise and skills to propel it to greater heights.”

NSA blasts journalists over ‘misrepresentation'

K

ANO—NEWLY-ap pointed National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has frowned at media coverage of his emergence, describing it as “not too good so far,” even as he shunned newsmen over series of “misrepresentation and mistranslation of his views,” yesterday.

Dasuki, who was in Kano to assess the security challenges on ground, held his lips with his left hand to avoid answering reporters' questions.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command said it handed over 191 illegal aliens to the Immigration Service as security agencies stepped up the hunt for criminals and other miscreants in the state.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, said the illegal aliens were fished out from the hundreds of suspected criminals so far arrested in ongoing raids across the state, adding that profiling was still going on to identify others.

While welcoming

... as Aliyu cautions over calls for break-up

BY ABDALLAH ELKUREBE

S

OKOTO—GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who is also Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, has asked those calling for the break-up of the country to be cautious, warning that there was the need for continued peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Aliyu spoke in Sokoto, yesterday, during the foun-

dation laying ceremony of Asare Water Project, which would provide 20 million gallons per day.

He said: “We will continue to live peacefully together. There is the need for that. But those calling for division amongst Nigerians should take heed.

“We shall stand up against anyone or group of persons who dare our patience on the issue of peace.

We must have peace and it is by the corner.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

Dasuki, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State said: “The equation has begun to change in our favour with appointment of Col. Dasuki as National Security Adviser, NSA. Kano will lend its full support to ensure that he succeeds.”

Earlier, the NSA in an address, during a courtesy call on Governor Kwankwaso, devoted time to caution the media over its responsibilities.

He said: My experience with the press so far is not a very good one; what normally happens is that some people will record what I said.

“Somehow, in the process of transcribing, the meaning is lost and some of the things I said are not necessary reflected and those that I didn’t say are somehow stated as having been said.

“The media is the problem so far. Sensationalism is the order of the day while trying to translate what I said and in the process the whole message is lost and misconstrued. Be mindful of your responsibilities.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

What's your take on NYSC posting to the North?

I

T is unreasonable for one to allow his or her child to go and die in the name of NYSC. Imagine after training a child to that level, only for one fundamentalist to kill that child. God forbids! They should serve in their area.—Mrs. Ifeoma Ayambuba, Student.

C M Y K

L

AST week, some Mallams from the North told me there was no single part of the North that was functioning. They said the North was not peaceful.

Though I cannot confirm it, there is no wisdom in sending NYSC members there.—Mr. Yomi Olaleye, Interior Decorator.

W

E need to look into our educa tional system, so that when posting NYSC members, they won’t have to go to the North and die.

The government should post them to a safe place and not where killings seems to be the order of the day.— Ms. Ewuife Evelyn, Student.

E

VERYBODY knows that the North is not safe for now.

Our youths should be made to serve where they graduated from. If you schooled in the East, then serve there. At least, for now, NYSC members should not be posted to those crisis-prone states.—Mr. Wale Rufus, Travel Agent.

I

T is good for NYSC members to refuse serving in troubled states, because even an Army man that is not well equipped will refuse to go there. What reaction do you then expect from students who have spent most part of their time reading?—Mr. Kunle Olanrewaju, Lawyer.

T

HE issue of secu rity in parts of the North that have recorded high rates of bombings and killings should first be dealt with by the government before sending youths there to serve their fatherland.—Ms. Ijeoma Ihemegbulem, Businesswoman.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Discourse

By Charles Chijide, frpa President Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN)writes on emerging outdoor advertising practice in todays world

W

o rld over, national growth and devel opment is predicated upon same indices, predominantly dependent upon Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Calculating any nation’s GDP, draws inputs from simple evidences such as the nationals’ overall standard of living which in turn is broken down into little details that includes literacy level, life expectancy, employment rate, standard of infrastructural development and such other seemingly distant indicators not readily considered in frontal calculations in the determination of a nation’s wealth.

Looking at the various World Bank literatures on national growth on the basis of economic activities could be knotty, so, for the purpose of this article, we shall limit ourselves to the broad framework of global appreciation of national development. National development is a summation of the various activities of economic value that happens within any given nation, within a given year, and a value-interpretation of the natural and human resources of economic value as well. That is why the World Bank has described Economic Development as “QUALITATIVE CHANGE AND RESTRUCTURING IN A COUNTRY’S ECONOMY IN CONNECTION WITH TECHNOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PROGRESS’’.

Interestingly, economic development is given expression by a culmination of many other indicators building up to economic growth, namely: labor force, life expectancy at birth, living standard, productivity and literacy level, prevalent. In modern economy, nations are getting more competitive of one another in their quest for economic development and growth.

Primary among the reasons for the heightened aggressive drive for development and growth, among nations, is the aim for status of respectability at the comity of nations, worldwide. The strength of any nation is determined by her economic power. Hence the TIGER NATIONS earned a good level of respect for themselves through economic power as against military might. The gradual but steady global power shift to Asia is influenced by economic growth and development.

Suffice, therefore, that nations, world over are getting pettier in their quest for economic growth and development in the face of openness and growing inter-dependence and co-operation, because at the end of the day, survival is an individual ambition.

Like other nations in the world, Nigeria exists for itself, drawing from her natural and human resources, exploiting inherent opportunities and competitive advantages among other nations, to drive economic growth and development. But we must as a nation, appreciate that high growth rate correlate systematically with a number of variables that describe the economic and political environment. The two important trends in the world economy today are: (A)Technological innovations – it is becoming ever more important contributor to economic wellbeing (B)Global co-existence and interdependence among nations So, communication and close contacts among innovators in dif-

Outdoor advertising practice in contemporary society -The Gains, Conflicts and Resolutions-

ferent countries facilitate the process of invention and the spread of new ideas.

Secondly, rapid changes in technology intensify the motives for trade and the consequences of integration into the world trade system. It is, therefore, not surprising that increasing attention is being paid to issues of productivity and technology on the one hand, and to national competitiveness and the world trade system, on the other.

G

iven that Nigeria does not possess the sophistica-

tion for technological advancement, the question remains how can we now play in this competitive world, among nations? Yet, we must, as a nation, compete, survive and grow. Nigeria must appreciate the fact that the contemporary society is competitive, aggressive and increasingly discriminatory of one another on the basis of evident capabilities demonstrated in what is known as economic growth and development.

In the face of our obvious limitations, we must draw from our appreciation of our advantages and opportunities, protect the little we have and can trade with, and optimize such resources to our advantage.

O

ur natural resources have resilient in sustaining us since we evolved into a nation.

Evidently, it is upon the strength of our natural resources that we have registered the little progress made so far. A lot has happened since 1960/63, in our quest for growth, but the most evident of progress so far made by our country is the slow but steadily progressive sophistication of her human resource.

That is why, over time, we have owned top quality professionals across industries such as banking, medicine, academics, communication and communication technology, among others. These are evidences pointing to some level of investment of readily available resources in pursuit of development, in this case, education.

It is by reason of good quality education we invested in as a nation, in the past that we grew good quality human resources that en-

abled that level of international interaction and communication that led to aspirations such as technology transfer from the technologically advanced nations to Nigeria, in so far as we have experienced (we know our short-comings).

From my standpoint as a practitioner in communication, I like to appreciate the nation’s growth and development from my perspective.

Our focus here is on the importance of productivity of Nigeria’s human resource, to the over-all economic growth and development, leading on to the specific contribution of OUTDOOR ADVERTISING PROFESSION to the nation’s development. Outdoor advertising in Nigeria predates her independence, having been in practice since 1928 (August 13). Suffice that outdoor advertising has been for 84 years. It started as a foreign intervention in the development of trade and commercial activities in our local market environment, through its unique method of (1) helping manufacturers connect with the market and making known that which they have on offer in form of goods and services, and (2) to enlighten the market/consumers on the available options and their inherent benefits.

I

n 84 years and still run ning, Nigerians –men and women- have committed themselves to growing the contribution of outdoor advertising to our national growth and development by dedicating their intellect, time and resources to advancing the practice of outdoor advertising, keeping in line with global technological, creative and strategic standard, and practice.

As in technology, education, medical sciences, Nigeria can be said to have advanced in professional know-how, in the area of outdoor advertising. From the early days of static display board, we now have technologically advanced digital display panels that have effectively combined interactive audio and visual impact in outdoor advertising. Today, brands are better appreciated, manufacturers are enabled the new technology to help them do and stay in business profitably through efficient chan-

nel of reaching the market with their offers In outdoor advertising, we now talk of ENVIRONMENT BEAUTIFICATION instead of hoardings and placement of outdoor advertising boards. Individual practitioners now invest hundreds of millions of naira in providing outdoor advertising services and products, to keep Nigeria at par with other nations of the world, not minding their technological advancement. Over 8million Nigerian men and women are today gainfully employed by outdoor advertising industry.

N

ow , all of these come through as the fundamentals that add up for a nation such as ours, not competitively on the advantage in the area technological advancement in today’s world.

The strength and industry of our people (our human resource) count for us as our resource for competitive advantages in pursuit of economic growth and development.

So, we like to emphasize the importance of outdoor advertising as a profession, as business practice and enterprise, in the over-all growth and development of Nigeria at the micro and macro levels.

Outdoor industry is a big employer of labor and an avenue for inflow of advanced technology, helping the growth of commerce, trade, advertising and marketing communication. Add to that is its added value as a trainer of professionals and appreciation of human resource.

However, we are not unaware of the points of conflict between outdoor advertising practice and some other change agents such as government agencies and institutions. Put succinctly, outdoor advertising practice in Nigeria today, is grueling under heavy burden brought upon it by State governments regulatory policies, geared towards drive for internally generated revenue. Pursuant to identified objective, most state governments have evolved innovative administrative systems that seek to achieve the following: ·Optimize revenue earnings from outdoor advertising and signage ·Environmental beautification ·Regulation and control of outdoor advertising within their individual states To achieve the above, state governments now have agencies established for stated purposes.

On the face of these changes or innovations, outdoor advertising practice and their professional association, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), are agreed on the purpose and good of the industry. However, there are areas of conflict that need to be resolved by the state governments, for the good of all.

Outdoor advertising practitio-

ners represented by OAAN, think harmonizing those areas of differences as below, will help the objective of the governments and their agencies on the one hand and still enable a friendly environment for profitable outdoor advertising practice.

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION: from a professional stand-point, governments will gain more from their new system if they appoint heads and other staff of their various agencies for outdoor advertising regulation and control, from among professionals or practitioners. That way, professional competence will come to play at the point interaction between the industry practitioners and the government agency. Secondly, professionals will better appreciate the stop-points and areas needing of caution against making decisions that will result in negative outcome, advising the government properly on issues of rates determination, regulation and control, in line with practice code and ethics.

We make this suggestion because it has become evident that where such agencies are headed by nonprofessionals, rules based on the peculiarities of outdoor advertising practice (open to a professional only) are not applied. Consequently, governments are misled into taking decisions detrimental to all.

RATES & LEVIES: again, from our professional standpoint, we know there has to be a fine balance between cost and benefits. As in all transactions, cost influences market performance delicately. So, one of the troubling issues presently is the new rates (and levies) regime coming from some state government agencies. These rates are rather threatening to the business because the present and prospective clients are beginning to consider alternatives to outdoor media with the new rates.

So, we ask that the new state governments’ initiatives reconsider their new rates, advised by a professional.

Still on rates and levies, there is also the need to harmonize the system of collection because there are incidences of mix-up in the system and method of collecting rates and levies from practitioners that amount to doubletaxation.

The issues are legion, but I will like to sum up by establishing the fact that outdoor advertising is pivotal in our quest for economic growth and development, and an integral part of our resources as a nation. Therefore, permitting policy decisions inimical to the survival of outdoor advertising practice will have a direct negative effect on the nation’s economic growth and development. OAAN and her memberagencies will continue to work hard to keep millions of Nigerians in employment and in business, stimulating trade and commerce and enabling technological advancement in critical advertising and marketing communication.

OUR PLEA: Outdoor advertising needs the enabling environment for us all to actualize the huge potentials inherent in the industry.

Vanguard,

Obama kicks off bus tour, slams China out in stark terms. Ohio

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama kicks off his first bus tour of the 2012 campaign yesterday with news meant to cheer struggling Rust Belt voters: His administration is taking on China over an allegedly unfair trade practice.

Hours before the president was due in Ohio, the White House said the Obama administration would take aim at Chinese duties on some American-made cars and SUVs “including the Toledo, Ohio-made Jeep Wrangler.” The World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint will accuse China—a frequent election-year villain blamed for lost American manufacturing jobs—of improperly im-

IRE yesterdayravaged a depot containing electoral materials in the eastern Libyan city of Ajdabiya, voters prepare for its first free national poll in more than forty years.

An official of the national electoral commission said the fire destroyed ballot papers as last-minute preparations were underway across the country for tomorrow’s poll. The incident highlights the secu-

is home to a vast autoparts manufacturing sector that benefited from the auto industry rescue.

Report blames Air France crash on errors, pilot

F

•President Obama posing duties on about $3.3 billion of American exports, the Blade reported. A victory could see China rescind the duties. Beijing says the fees are a legitimate response to the American auto industry bailout

championed by Obama, which China calls an unfair government subsidy.

The WTO complaint could also give the president another opening to hit Mitt Romney, who famously opposed the bail-

Arson heralds Libya's Parliamentary election

F

Friday, JULY 6, 2012

rity challenges facing the north African nation.

The elections will be closely watched around the world by both supporters and critics of NATO’s bombing campaign that helped underpin an Arab Spring uprising which ended Gaddafi’s dictatorship and finally claimed his life. About 2,8 million registered voters, are excited about their first taste of democracy and are willing to

brace the fear that the election will not be hijacked by armed groups.Voters will select a 200-member assembly that will choose a cabinet to replace the selfappointed interim government, represented by the National Transitional Council. The new chamber will also pick a new prime minister and help draft a constitution aimed at turning Libya into a unified, stable state.

RENCH investiga tors have released a final report into what caused the mid-Atlantic crash of a Rio-to-Paris Air France flight that killed 228 people in 2009.

The report, published on Thursday by the French aviation safety authority BEA, was eagerly awaited amid a bitter row between Airbus and Air France, over who should bear responsibility.

It blamed a combination of pilot error and faulty speed sensors.

This was the finding of a preliminary report and also, according to a source, of a separate judicial inquiry to be re-

leased next week.

The report also recommended a series of actions on training and cockpit design to try to avoid a repeat of the disaster over the Atlantic that has pitted pilots against the maker of the plane.

The Airbus A330 vanished at night and during a storm on June 1, 2009. It took days before debris was located in the remote equatorial Atlantic Ocean area, and far longer until the wreckage was recovered.

The black boxes were finally located by robot submarines after a search spanning 23 months and costing about $40m.

Assad pounds Homs

T

HE besieged Syrian city of Homs came under the heaviest bombardment in a month, activists have reported, as the head of the United Nations monitoring mission in the country said the violence in Syria has reached unprecedented levels.

Norwegian Major Gen-

eral Robert Mood told reporters in the Syrian capital Damascus yesterday that there must be a ceasefire in order for his teams to resume their work. “The escalation of violence, allow me to say, to an unprecedented level, obstructed our ability to observe, verify, report as well as assist in local dialogue,” he said.

— 47

BRIEFS

US pledges support for Nigeria's economy

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

T

HE United States Am bassador Terrence MacCulley, yesterday, disclosed the President Obama administration’s commitment towards a progressive partnership with Nigeria, for sustainable development.

McCuley who was speaking at the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) award ceremony held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, said that with the efforts of SIFE, the Nigeria youths will become the key to several useful opportunities of growth adding that, “ America believes in Africa and are happy over the numerous overwhelming success of Nigeria youths, through networks of ideas to improve lives of those around them.”

He also noted that “ Africa will soon become the next economic success story as Nigeria today is one of the ten flourishing economic communities in the world today and US is ever ready to partner in the support for a strong perspective and democratic Nigeria”.

There is fresh scramble for Africa — Gambari Continued from yesterday

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

G

AMBARI was also concern that the new scramble for Africa is coming from China, France and the United States and perhaps, Al-Queda. He believes that Nigeria has lost its political clout even in ECOWAS sub-region where France had to send its paratroopers to topple former President Laurent Gbagbo.

He is not carried away by the unfolding diplomatic fencing going on between Nigeria and South Africa, the two giants in the continent that are potential candidate for the UN security council seat.

A mere prestigious position.

He argues that even if the five permanent memC M Y K

bers agree to expand the UN security council membership, they would not give veto power to the new members. This makes the membership of the new countries to the council ceremonial and honorary. Prof. Gambari insisted that veto power in UN security council is not not on offer hence, Nigeria and South Africa should stop dissipating energy fighting for supremacy when they should be cooperating and collaborating in areas of trade exchange of technology developing peace agenda for Africa, fight to improve their investment in science and technology, eradication of poverty and moving the continent away from conflicts.

Prof. Gambari was scatting in his criticisms

•Prof. Ibrahim Gambari

of South African government and other Southern African nations that have failed to acknowledge and appreciate the role that Nigeria played in their liberation struggles. It will be recalled that for 25 years, Prof. Gambari the chairman of the UN Anti-Apartheid Committee which consistently mounted global battle against the obnoxious regime.

According to him, “all those countries that stood by and watched Nigeria spend its money, time and energy are falling over themselves to become friends of South Africa”. At the same time, South African government and “its people are doing everything within their power to build obstacles against Nigeria and Nigerians”.

He was unequivocal as he called on the first South African High Commission to Nigeria, Mr. George Nene to take a message back to his government, asking them to take urgent steps to acknowledge what Nigeria did to ensure the freedom of South Africa and its neighbours because the concept of building between the major economic powers on the continent will only further stymie the growth and develop-

ment of Africa.

Love, experience and hope

Prof. Gambari will ended the evening on a jocular note when he told the story of a man who was going into a third wife after his first two marriages had failed. According to him, when his friends approached him to know why he would go for a third wife when the previous two failed. The man replied that in the first marriage, he invested in love, in the second one, he invested in experience but in the new marriage he was investing in hope.

The dafur mission

The man who developed the concept of concentric circles of interest in diplomacy in 1983, is still sharp and highly cerebral and serious questions must be asked as to why a man of Prof. Gambari’s intellect,

experience and exposure should still be languishing in the deserts of West Sudanwhen his own country and the ECOWAS sub-region are facing internal and external security challenges. The answer could be found in the fact that some people dont want to be rebuked by his genius. Vanguard could recall an instance where he was briefing President Goodluck Jonathan on his mission in Sudan and the foreign minister eho was present, was watching television. This is Nigeria’s one-time minister of foreign affairs, a former director of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs and currently UN and AU envoy to Darfur.

The Jonathan administration should not endanger the life of this intellectual diplomat in a crazy mission.

48—V anguard , FRID AY, JUL Y 6, 2012 48—Vanguard FRIDA JULY

Visa is the face of India to Nigeria —Rani Malick

By VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU & PRISCA SAM DURU

*A cross-section of participants at the event.

Vanguard day of war against child abuse

By BOSE ADELAJA

I

N 1976, thousands of Black school children took to the streets of Soweto, South Africa, in a march more than half a mile long. They protested the inferior quality of their education and demanded their right to be taught in their own languages. In the two weeks that followed, during what came to be known as the “Soweto Uprising”, hundreds of innocent people, especially young boys and girls, were massacred and thousands injured. Beginning from 1991, every June 16 has been earmarked to honour these innocent children as a proof that their lives were precious to the whole world.

The Scripture has it that children are a special gift from God, a special reward from the Almighty.

Hence, a child is not something you buy with money no matter how wealthy you are. Indeed there are many well-to-do couples who have visited several hospitals, trado-medical and healing homes, searching for these precious gifts from God to no avail. The futility of this quest has in some cases led to several homes being broken even after so much money has been spent, especially against the backdrop that the purpose of marriage, particularly in Africa, is to raise children which underlines the importance of children to a family.

But though children are regarded as important, many of them still lack adequate love and care, no thanks to what has come to be known as child abuse, a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the society. Child abuse is said to be the maltreatment of a child either consciously or otherwise. It could be physical, emotional, sexual or through neglect and battery as the case may be.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC and the Department for Children and Families, DCF, define child abuse as an act or series of acts of commission by a parent or care-giver that result in harm, potential for harm or threat of harm to a child.

This kind of treatment has become common in some African communities where many parents, particularly the semi-illiterates, do not see it as an offence to beat, batter, molest or abuse a child as they see beating as a means of correction when their child makes a mistake. This practice has been in existence for decades and would have continued unrestrained but for the emergence of some organisations who have intervened occasionally to halt the practice. In 2005, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Law intended to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although this law was passed at the federal level, only 16 out of the 36 states have followed suit.

Four years ago, Vanguard Media Limited joined other interventionist groups in drawing public attention to the problem of the child in Nigeria through the annual Children Conference which started in 2009. The 2012 version of the conference which was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC, took place on Thursday June 28, at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

At the conference, matters concerning the welfare of children were discussed to the delight of about 500 children. It was an occasion that left many adults present wishing to become like children again, if possible. Various speakers at the conference highlighted the importance of the programme and advised parents on how best to handle their wards so that they will not offend God as the essence of bringing children into the world is not to punish them. Parents were also advised not to over-pampered their children or mistake discipline for child abuse.

Negative impression For instance, a mild drama played out recently at Agbado Crossing area of Ogun State when Vanguard Metro, VM, ran into a scene involving four kids of ages between seven and nine years who were indulging in an immoral act. It soon emerged that they were re-enacting something they had seen adults do before them without regards to the negative impression such would have on these children.

Speaking with VM, a Lagos-based educationist, Mrs. Funmilola Ogunnowo, said child abuse occurs due to the fact that the family structure has collapsed. “In the past, child upbringing used to be the responsibility of both parents. The father goes to work, while the mother stays at home with the kids. Nowadays, the family structure has broken down as both parents leave the children at the mercy of house-helps or distant relations while they are busy chasing after money. So, children do not have enough supervision any longer,’’ he said.

Also, a Principal Research Officer, CBAAC, Dosunmu Adesegun, told VM that child abuse has to do with exposure to all forms of actions that could hamper growth mentally, emotionally, socially or academically as it affects children. He called on affected children to speak up and share their experience in order to lessen the burden. ‘’The best way to help children out of this predicament is to organise programmes to facilitate interaction; such programmes should throw up a problem for discussion for parents and children,” he said.

RECENT reports show that trade between Nigeria and India have blossomed in diverse positive ways, an evidence that the two countries, beside establishment of diplomatic ties, are involved in several other progressive engagements in the bid to grow their respective economies.

The India Consulate is not left out of this development as it has continued to play its part towards strengthening the already existing cordial relationship with Nigeria, by way of making procurement of visas stress-free and available to any Nigeria applicants who seek entry for divers reasons. Visas which ordinarily could take about ten working days to be processed, is made available to Nigeria applicants at the Consulate for as short as three working days, which, according to the India High Commission's head in Lagos, Mrs Rani Malick, is an eloquent indication of India's interest to have dealings with Nigerians.

Malick said the consulate is prepared to play its role in assisting Nigerian applicants in the pursuit

• Rani Malick, Head Indian Consulate, Lagos

of desired goals in life, by issuing visas in due course, as long as the documentations are authentic and are from the right issuing Nigeria authorities.

She said: “Visa is the face of my country to Nigeria, and it is very important for our people at the Commission in Lagos and Abuja to represent our country in Nigeria. If you want any interaction with India, it is done through the embassy. We try to make transmission of information available to every intending applicants and because we are very responsive, we strive to make things a lot easier for people who visit the embassy to seek information on several visa issues as well as other useful information".

As a rule, she noted,"every staff of the commission is available to offer information to applicants within the Commission’s working hours.

Personally, I am available from 9am to 12noon to give information and put applicants on the right path. My phones are always on and I pick up both recognized and unrecognized numbers. We are mandated to direct every inquirer to the appropriate desk that is capable of dealing with his case and when information is not handy, we can demand for some time, which ordinarily, cannot exceed a day".

Explaining the reason the Commission is always on its feet to serve applicants with guides on the right information, she said "we are delighted because we know to a large extent that we have protected them from falling prey to embassy touts. This is one of the reasons we make sure our website is always updated with information concerning visa processing, as well as change in policies. All these we do to make sure applicants are not misguided with the wrong visa processing information.”

Information on India Business Visa

W

ITH the right and authentic documentation from the proper issuing Nigeria authority, a Nigerian national who wishes to travel to India to trade or for other business related reasons should expect a visa stamped on his or her valid passport within a period of two to three working days. In as much as the Commission relishes on the good diplomatic ties it enjoys with Nigeria, it maintains its position concerning fake or forged documents, including incomplete documentation which could possibly lead to instant refusal of visa or unprocessed applications.

Prerequisites: According to the stipulated rule guiding the documentation of a business visa, the application must be submitted with original letter of invitation from the India Company that is inviting the applicant, with indication of intended purchase of product(s)/ services or business, as well as details of previous association, if any. The applicant is expected also to send the original copy and photocopy of the e:mail of the invite Company to the High Commission Incorporation certificate. The original copy shall at the end be returned to him.

A tax clearance certificate, which must be in its original copy as well as photocopy must be included in the documentation, and if the tour is for a pharmaceutical company, it

is well expected that they produce both original and photocopy of NAFDAC licence and membership certificate.

General requirement for all visa types: Among all mentioned above, the applicant also should include return air ticket and Yellow Fever Certificate. The Yellow Fever card is mandatory to allow entry to India.

Those who expect a smooth processing, must make sure that their documentation is accompanied with a Yellow Fever Certificate, issued by the right agency. A certified bank statement for the last three months, which must clearly indicate applicants name(s), current contact and telephone numbers, should also be included.

If there has been any previous visit to India, you are expected to provide same, with full details of places you visited, including periods of stay.

Aside all these, applicant should provide his CV/Bio-data, a separate letter which will state present occupation, detailing also purpose of intended visit.

Note that if you are to use someone else’s bank statement, make sure you enclose in the application, an affidavit of the person to be accompanied with copy of the person’s photo identity card. The photo identity card must bear signature of the sponsor. It is also mandatory to note that you may be called upon anytime if there is need for any further clarifications.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—49

C M Y K

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ALEX—I, formerly known and addressed as Alex Legbete Okotie, now wish to be known and addressed as Jonny Elegbete Okotie.

All former documents remain v a l i d .

Enterprisebank and general public please take note.

ADAKOLE—I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Adakole Ugboga Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ofikwu Ugboga Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGBOENYESI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rosemary Ogechi Concilia Igboenyesi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rosemary Ogechi Concilia Anyaeji. All former documents remain valid. Tofek Group of Schools and general public please take note.

NWELIH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss C o n s t a n c e Eyikojoka Nwelih, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Glorious-Favour Eyikojoka Mordi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dike Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. University of Jos, British Embassy and general public, please take note.

AT TAI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Attai Nse Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oroke Nse Florence.

All former document remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

IBRIGHADEMOR — I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibrighademor Rita Oghenenyerhovwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. R i t a Oghenenyerhovwo Evughaye. All former documents remain valid. DELSU-Abraka, COPEM-Mosogar and general public please take note.

OKORIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorie Chiamaka Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akoje Chiamaka Blessing. All former documents remain valid.

PHCN, LASU at Festac and general public please take note.

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General public please take note.

AWUSE —I, formally known and addressed as Miss Theresa Ighodaro Awuse, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Theresa Ighodaro Kolo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MOMOH— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Momoh Fatima, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Erhirhie Fatima. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TIMIEBI—I, formerly known and address as Miss Timiebi Miemene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Miemene Brakoru Ubebe. All formal documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm that the name Nwajah Christopher Odilichukwu and Enenta Nwajah Christopher Odilichukwu refer to one and the same person. I wish to be known and addressed as Enenta Nwajah Christopher Odilichukwu.

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ABDULKARIM—I, formerly known and addressed as Abdulkarim Karimu O; now wish to be known and addressed as Karim Ogunseye.

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ONUKWU—I, formerly known and address as Miss Onukwu Christiana Ndudi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osubor Christiana Ndudi. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C, Delta State University, Abraka and general public please take note.

DIMAROH—I, formerly known and address as Miss Dimaroh Dorcas, now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs. Torubiri Dorcas.

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Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that Egbufobi Venichuks Peace and Aguguesi Venitus Peace is the same and one person; now wish to be known and addressed as Aguguesi Venitus Peace.

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Dangote Group and general public please take note.

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OKWUDO—I, formerly known and address as Miss O k w u d o Christiana Njideka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibeh Christiana Njideka.

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AGBEDE—I, formerly known and address as Miss Akpoesin Binere Agbede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akpoesin Binere Ejoh. All former documents remain valid. Starcomms Plc and general public please take note.

BABALOLA—I, formerly known and address as Miss Ruka B a b a l o l a Olasubomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinlua Olasubomi Ruka.

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AYOMANOR —I, Formally known and addressed as Miss Onome Lydia Ayomanor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onome Lydia Efebeh. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONOSE —I, Formally known and addressed as Miss O n o s e Oghenenyerhovwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yunana Oghenenyerhovwo.

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OKAGBARE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chic Ejaeta Okagbare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ejaeta Chic Ojakovo.

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OGBUALULU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbualulu Christiana Adaeze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eborah Christiana Adaeze. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 —51

CLASSIFIED EMEADI —I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Uloma Emeadi, now wish to be known and addressed Mrs. Ubaferem-Nwaoha Elizabeth Uloma. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc and general public please take note.

IKE —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rose-Mary Ijeoma Ike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rose Mary Ijeoma Amadi. All former documents remain valid. Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Imo State (A.I.C.E.), UNN,NYSC and general public please take note.

N WAO B A S I — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidiebube Regina Nwaobasi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. A p o l l o s Chidiebube Regina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAROOQ—I, formerly known and addressed as Saeeda Farooq Musa, now wish to be known and addressed as Saeeda Abdullahi Bakari. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYEMEREKWE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyemerekwe Glorify Ezinne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uchey Glorify Ezinne.

All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic Nekede, NYSC and general public please take note.

OKERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okere Eberechukwu Virginia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opara Eberechukwu Virginia. All former documents remain valid.

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AMAECHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amaechi Amarachi Grace, also known and addressed as Mrs. Ikechukwu Amarachi Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umezuruike Amarachi Grace. All former documents remain valid. FRCN and general public please take note.

IKPA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikpa Anulika Isabella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akubue Anulika Isabella. All former documents remain valid. University of Nigeria Nsukka, Alvan Ikoku Chapter, NYSC and general public please take note.

ANYANWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechinyere Uchenna Anyanwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ejele Nkechinyere Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. FUTO and general public please take note.

UKPEBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Phillian Akhere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Phillian Akhere Ebadan.

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UNICEM and general public please take note.

ONYEKWERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyekwere Uchechi V., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyekwere Uchechi Vincentia. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri and general public please take note.

OBASI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss M a u r e e n Tochukwu Obasi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. M a u r e e n Tochukwu Uzor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERUEYIN— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Erueyin Blessing Tosan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Laboard Blessing Tosan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EJAKPOVI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Flora Ejakpovi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Flora Preye.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MGBEH —I, formerly known and addressed as Mgbeh Nkechi Abigail, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugochukwu Daniel Nkechi Abigail. All former documents r e m a i n valid. General public please take note.

ONUOHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuoha Chizoba Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ozoemenam Chizoba Esther . All former documents remain valid. Abia State University, Uturu, NYSC and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the name Ainerua Eguavor, refers to one and the same person as Ainerua Eguavor Festus, now wish to be known and addressed as Ainerua Eguavor Festus. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the name Adhekoyibo Faith Orowo, refers to one and the same person as Adhekoyibo Orowo Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as Adhekoyibo Orowo Favour. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

IBEKWE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibekwe Mary Jane Ugochi, , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwachukwu Mary Jane Ugochi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ITAYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Itaye Arus Henry, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Jesuorodje Elizur Henry. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDAKO,—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Philomena Idako, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philomena Imoisili.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OGBUNEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbuneke Chioma Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iheji Chioma Blessing. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OGEDEGBE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Roseline Omotejokwo Ogedegbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Roseline Omotejokwo Jesuorodje. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EVIEGHE— I, formerly known and addressed as Evieghe Vivian Elo-Oghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Evieghe Vivian Job. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMOLE —I, formerly known and addressed as Michael Tunde Omole, now wish to be known and addressed as Michael Tunde Owolabi. All former documents remain valid. The Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) World Wide, United Bank for Africa Plc, Ecobank and general public to take note.

R-l: Major Tunde Panox (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to Lagos governor and Dr. Martins John Oni, director general, Police Assistance Committee, PAC, at the security seminar/ workshop by PAC in Lagos

L-r: Representative of Presidential Commttee on Security and Public Awareness, Mr. Yusuf Addy; representative of Director General, Directorate of Security Service, DSS, Mrs. Marylin Ogar, and representative of Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. David Dogo, at the news briefing on Public Enlightenment Campaign – “Drink the Content: Destroy the Can” by NOA in partnership with Birdonica Tremple Nigeria Ltd, in Abuja

L-R: Maurice Phohieli, General Manager, Etihad Airways, Nigeria; Dan Esiekpe, Group Managing Director/CEO, IMS Advertising Limited; and Peter Baumgartner, Chief Marketing Officer, Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirate (UAE), during the cocktail to commemorate the airline's maiden flights to Lagos from Abu Dhabi, UAE in Lagos

L-r: Joshua Abuh, Senior Brand Manager, Peak and Three Crowns; Mr. Bob Steetskamp, MD WAMCO Campina Friesland Nigeria Plc; Mr. Jacob Baba from Kaduna State, with his family, winner of Three Crowns family game show season-2; Mr. Peter Eshikena, Deputy Managing Director/Sales Director and Mr. Shraman Jha, Managing Director, at the grand finale of Three Crowns Rayal Family Games show in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E R T S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E — VA N G U A R D MEDIA LIMITED (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 E A S T P AV I L I O N T B S , L A G O S .

AGM. L-r: Mr. Mofoluso Ayeni, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Abosede Ayeni, Managing Director / CEO; and Dr. Jaiye Oyedotun, chairman, all of Tantalizers Plc, at the 14th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

I

HAVE to tell this story to President Goodluck Jonathan for he is also the patron of Nigeria Olympic Committee.

I was in Calabar where Nigeria held their track and field Olympic trials.

One morning I spent sometime with Blessing Okagbore, Nigeria’s brightest prospect at the London Olympics. Blessing won for Nigeria her first medal at the Beijing Olympics. Let me briefly introduce Blessing to the President with this short profile: 2008 Beijing

Long jump

All-Africa Games Gold 2011 Maputo Silver 2011 Maputo Silver 2011 Maputo

Long jump 100 m 4x100 m

African Championships Gold 2010 Nairobi Gold 2010 Nairobi Silver 2012 Benin

100 m Long jump 100 m

Continental Cup Bronze 2010 Split

100 m

Best performances Long jump 100m 200m Season’s best 11.01 seconds 22.63 seconds

6.97m 11.00 seconds 22.71 seconds

I

f Blessing were to be a footballer with similar achievements she would always receive queenly treatment everywhere in Nigeria including the Presidency. But she is not a footballer. But for the assistance from Delta State and she would have probably changed nationality and could be competing for another country now. In Calabar, Blessing told me how painful and frustrating it has been competing for Nigeria.

“When you compete for Nigeria you just have to inspire yourself. If you depend on the country you develop terrible feelings that will make you fail. I have tried to always motivate myself. I won bronze in Beijing. I ran in the heats for the 4x100 m relay team that won bronze. When I meet athletes from other countries who won medals or those who got to the finals

A

RSENAL have an nounced they have postponed their proposed pre-season trip to Nigeria.

The Gunners were set to play a match in Abuja on August 5, but have now decided against ful-

FG: You have failed W our athletes and find out what their performances were worth I feel empty. I feel terrible. Their countries have rewarded them. I wonder what we have done wrong. Did we do wrong by competing for Nigeria in Beijing? They promised to reward us if we won any medals in Beijing.

We did but up till today they are yet to fulfill their

,

Bronze

I really don’t know if I’ll run the relays in London. I will do 100m and the Long Jump and I don’t know if my body will be strong enough to do the relays. We will see how it goes but based on the treatment I have received from Nigeria I am not excited about the relays.”

Blessing’s story touched me. I felt bad about the humiliation athletes from sports other than football go through in Nigeria. Blessing spoke not only for herself but also for other athletes. One week after this chat Nigeria won the Africa Athletics Championships in Benin Republic. The last time they did so was about 12 years ago. hat they won was the equivalent to the soccer Nations Cup. They are Africa’s champions. As you read this, the Federal Government has not even issued an official statement congratulating them what more rewarding them. If it were football you and I know the euphoria that would have gripped the country and its government by now. Yes, I know it was not football which I agree is our number one sport but don’t these athletes deserve a pat on the back? And this happening just before the Olympics is the BEST way not to encourage the athletes. I totally condemn the Federal Government's indifference to other sports in the country. They were not even aware that we are African champions in athletics until the minister of sports Bolaji Abdullahi told them in the last Executive Council Meeting. They merely congratulated him and it ended there. Bolaji hopes that things will change with time. I hope so but their attitude is not encouraging.

And going by the money they released to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (just above N100m) for the Olympic preparation. They have failed the athletes and the federation. This is why Blessing and other athletes will continue to lament. This is why you see many Nigerians competing for other countries. This is why any medal Nigeria wins in London will be a surprise to me. If any comes, it will be by sheer individual effort of the athletes and not as a result of our preparation. I hope that Blessing changes her mind and competes in the relays for they remain our slight chance of winning a medal in London. For the sake of the spirit of Olympism, for herself and for the records let her give her all in London for a win will not only be for the country but also for her profile. The fame and opportunities that could follow will surely be rewarding if not in Nigeria, in the athletics world. I say same to other athletes too.

Give your all in London no matter the failings of Nigeria. You can win for yourself and not for Nigeria.

What they won was the equivalent to the soccer Nations Cup.

,

promise. At the last All Africa Games I ran with injury.

I jumped with pain even when my coach advised against me competing. I went against my coach to win gold for Nigeria. My coach told me that I must have been insane because I risked my career by competing with that injury. My career was almost over. It was a stupid thing to do.

But do you know that Nigeria did not even pay for my medical bills that time? I think, truly, that I was in insane at the time. How can a sane person risk her career for nothing or for a country that does not appreciate her no matter what you give back? Perhaps I was insane. But now that I have my sanity back, I think I will consider my health before doing anything.

Arsenal cancel Nigeria tour filling the fixture as “a result of complexities linked to the planned game.”

Arsenal marketing director Angus Kinnear

said in a statement: “Bringing a top-level club to an international market is always complicated and logistically challenging.

“With the proposed

match in Nigeria planned for early August, we could not get comfortable on everything needed to satisfy our requirements, so

“We have continued to surpass all expectations because we find strength in those things that we do not have and that is the Nigerian spirit. That is what you are taking to London. We are a nation of great athletes, who I believe can win medals in London.

“We must start now to build systems that can produce medalists, rather than athletes who can chase medals.. We expect you to make us proud but we don’t want medals that are tainted by drugs. Do not go near drugs. We can only build on what we have achieved so far”.

Games camp in the University of Surrey, where they would finalise their training ahead the commencement of the biggest sports showpiece in the world.

Ndanusa, who is now the custodian of Team Nigeria to the London Games, said that he was confident that the athletes will make the nation proud at the Olympics. He also used the opportunity of the trip to warn them not to cheat to win.

“Having invested so much in our preparations for the Games, I charge our athletes to reciprocate this gesture by abstaining from any act that could tarnish the image of our country before the comity of na-

to exercise absolute caution is the issue of doping.

“The position of the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency on the use of banned substances has become more stringent and pronounced through the deployment of high-tech detectors. I want you to be wary of any medication or drugs that could endanger your chances of doing well at the Games.

“The medical team should also take proactive steps in monitoring the athletes, especially as it relates to their nutrition and medication.”

we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the team’s visit.”

Kinnear continued: “We have a huge and loyal following in Africa, and we are sorry that

the team will not be visiting this summer.

“However, we have a long-term commitment to Nigeria and we are already making plans for a visit next summer.

Eagles face Liberian test Good luck to you, President Olympics: Nigeria lands in London star striker Didier Drogtions. One major area Jonathan wishes athletes Continues from B/P Continues from B/P ba blazed a regular-time where our athletes need Continues from B/P

said that it was time for Nigeria to return to winning ways, beginning from London.

“For how long will our best continue to remain in our past is the big question on my mind and that is the challenge before you as you go for the Games in London. We should start asking what strategic policies are we putting in place to make people work and win”, said President Jonathan through Bolaji.

He said that the undying Nigerian spirit was going to propel athletes to greater heights in London.

C M Y K

this time around, because the prize is a ticket to play in the next edition of the Nations. Having missed the last edition held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, Nigeria would be hoping to make amends by doing en encore over Liberia.

In other fixtures, Ivory Coast were paired with Senegal in the highlight of the final qualifying round draw for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa made on Thursday.

The Ivorian Elephants finished runners-up to Zambia after a penalty shootout in the 2012 final in Libreville last February after captain and

spot kick over.

Zambia start their title defence with a home game against Uganda while the Black Stars of Ghana will fancy their chances against Malawi Central African Republic, shock qualifiers for the round-of-30 draw at the expense of Egypt, were paired with Burkina Faso and have a good chance of winning and making a first appearance at the tournament.

Ethiopia, another country to upset the odds by ousting Benin, face Sudan in a spicy East African derby and another intriguing regional showdown pits Libya against Algeria.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—53

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54 —

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

FIF A appro ec hnology FIFA approvves goal-line ttec echnology F

OOTBALL'S world governing body FIFA has agreed to allow the introduction of goalline Football's world governing body FIFA has agreed to allow the introduction of goal-line technology (GLT) at a meeting of the sport's executives here on Thursday.

The technology will be used at the Club World Cup in Tokyo in December, the Confederation Cup in 2013 and also the World Cup in 2014.

The decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) - custodians of the game's laws -- followed a vote at the Zurich headquarters of FIFA, the international association of football federations.

It means footballing authorites around the world can introduce the technology into their competitions, using either the Hawk-Eye or GoalRef systems that have been undergoing

Champions League: NFF charges Sunshine Stars to do Nigeria proud

T

OVER THE LINE ....John Terry clears the ball that was already beyond the line during the Euro 2012 group game against Ukraine. England won the game 1-0 but the reactions from observers who saw the ball crossed the line, was the final straw that made the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to vote for goal-line technology’s use in future tournaments tests.The development comes after FIFA president Sepp Blatter lent his weight to calls for the technology to be introduced after Ukraine was denied an apparent goal against England in the

recent Euro 2012 championships, losing 1-0.

"After last night's match (GLT) is no longer an alternative, but a necessity," Blatter Tweeted.

Replays showed that

Marko Devic's shot in the 62nd minute had crossed the goal line before being cleared by England defender John Terry.

HE Nigeria Football Federation has issued a call to players and officials of the Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure to do Nigeria proud when taking on CAF Champions League defending champions, Esperance of Tunisia in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the NFF, High Chief Emeka Inyama said on Thursday that as the only Nigerian club left in the campaign for honours in the continent this year, the NFF would back Sunshine Stars FC all the way.

“Sunshine Stars FC has been consistent in the continent and deserves our total support and the support of all Nigerians, whether individuals or corporate entities. Last year, the team got as far

as the semi finals of the CAF Champions League, and that was no mean feat.

“Now, they are again in the group phase of the most prestigeous club competition in Africa, and surely deserves has demonstrated a capacity to go all the way. The NFF is pleased with the team’s valiant efforts in the earlier rounds but the truth is things will get tougher in the group stage and you cannot get a tougher draw than playing against the Cup holders in your first match in this stage,” said Inyama.

On Sunday, at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Sunshine Stars FC lock horns with the Blood and Gold, one of the most successful football clubs on the African continent.

Football Awards: A great idea — Okocha

F

ORMER Nigeria great, Jay Jay Okocha has commended the initiative of Football Awards that will reward all areas of the football Pitch on an annual basis.

The Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed a drive by Matchmakers Consult International Limited to organize a Nigeria Pitch Awards, for

which a world press conference will hold in Lagos on Tuesday and which inaugural edition is scheduled for December this year.

“The idea of an Annual Football Awards is long overdue. It is a good thing that the present NFF administration has decided to endorse and support the private initia-

F ederation Cup holds today

T

HE draw for the group stage of this year ’s Federation Cup competition will hold at the Ekiti Hall, NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja on Friday, 6th July, 2012.

The event will start at 11am.

NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said on Thursday that all arrangements are in place for a glamorous ceremony that will see the 16 surviving teams shoved

tive of Matchmakers to start something.

“As a former player and as a Member of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee, I give my full support to the drive. There is really nothing like due recognition, which is the purpose of Awards,” Okocha said on Thursday.

The 16 teams

dra w going into the draw

into four different groups of four teams each, with the quarter finals to follow, and the semi finals, before the grand finale that is already fixed for Lagos.

Also to be revealed at Friday’s Draw will be the four centres for the group stage matches, as well as the centres for the quarter finals (which may not necessarily be the same as those hosting the group stage) and the venues for the two semi final matches.

draw

H

EARTLAND FC of Owerri, Enyimba FC of Aba, Rangers International of Enugu, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Wolves FC of Warri, Plateau United FC, Pillars FC of Kano, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, Kwara United of Ilorin, Gombe United of Gombe, Crown FC of Ogbomosho, Prime FC of Oshogbo, Dynamite Force of Benin City, ElKanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Nasarawa United of Lafia, Samba FC of Enugu.

Whelan: Wigan don’t need to sell Moses

T

HE Latics chairman says the club will hold onto the Nigerian winger despite his contract having just 12 months left to run at the DW Stadium amid interest from Chelsea C M Y K

WiganAthletic chairman Dave Whelan insists he doesn’t have to sell Victor Moses even though the want-away winger has just 12-months to run on his contract.

The 21-year-old has

been the subject of interest from Chelsea in recent weeks, with an angry Whelan accusing the Champions League winners of “taking the mickey” after snubbing their £4 million bid.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012—55

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Olympics: Nigeria lands in London

T

EAM Nigeria’s first batch of athletes to the Olympics Games starting on July 26 has landed in London.

The team led by the President of the Nigeria

Olympic Committee, Sani Ndanusa, were expected to arrive the Heathrow International Airport around 5am to the warm embrace of the Nigerian support group based in

the heart of England today.

Comprising track and field athletes, the Nigerian team was expected to move to their Surrey preContinues on page 52

Nations Cup: Eagles face Liberian test Good luck to you, President Jonathan wishes athletes

STORIES BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

N

IGERIA appear to face an easy route to the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa following last night’s draws which pitched the Super Eagles against Liberia in a two-leg elimination for the qualification ticket.

Liberia, at 35, are the lowest ranked team in the draw and the Nigerians will fancy their chances of qualifying for the tournament.

The Liberians host the first leg in the weekend of September 7-9, while the reverse fixture holds over the weekend of October 7-9 in Nigeria Former Eagles striker and current assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi was on hand to help with the draw, which was also witnessed by Coach Stephen Keshi, who would be excited with the prospects of playing Liberia, a team that Nigerian only recently de-

TODAY'S

P

THE AMBASSADORS . . . A cross section of the athletes at the sendforth ceremony held in Lagos in honour of the Team Nigeria Athletes to the 2012 London Olympics. Photo: Sylva Eleanya feated 2-0 in a friendly match in Monrovia.

In that game, Keshi fielded only home-based players, who conquered their hosts and the coach

was full of praise for the team at that time. Keshi, is rebuilding the Eagles on the wings of the home-based players, a decision which has been

hailed by stakeholders But Keshi, like his Eagles stars, would be anticipating a keener test Continues on page 52

RESIDENT Good luck Jonathan yesterday wished Nigeria’s team good luck and mandated them to go to the Olympic Games in London and scoop medals.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the team at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos, President Jonathan said that the London Games provide the best chance for the athletes to raise their profile.

Recalling that Nigeria’s best outing at the Olympics was at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, President Jonathan, who was

President Jonathan represented at the event by the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdulahi, Continues on page 52

Arsenal cancel Nigeria tour — Pg 52

FIF A appro ec hnology — Pg 5 4 FIFA approvves goal-line ttec echnology 54

PUZZLES

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 2 Clutch (5) 7 Name (5) 8 Undress (5) 10 Confuse (5) 12 Sea-bird (3) 13 Exercised (7) 17 Overtook (6) 19 Feline (3) 20 Ripened (7) 23 Declare (4) 25 Record (4) 26 Eased (7) 30 Mist (3) 31 Debase (6) 34 Weakened (7) 37 Edge (5) 39 Turf (5) 40 Located (5) 41 Principle (5) 42 Change (5)

DOWN 1 Headdress (5) 2 Tumbler (5) 3 Save (6) 4 Auction (4) 5 Began (7) 6 Enjoyed (5) 9 Groove (3) 11 Pardoned (7) 13 Horrify (5) 14 Willow (5) 16 Spike (3) 18 Harmed (7) 21 Eater (5) 22 View (5) 24 Denied (7) 27 Fate (3) 28 Dedicate (6) 29 Shinbone (5) 32 Measure (5) 33 Tally (5) 35 Illuminated (3) 36 Face (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Incise 5, Inch 8, Aisle 9, Fee 10, Ness 11, Laud 12, Habit 13, Upkeep 16, Trap 18, Icon 20, Inn 22, Ice 23, Toy 24, Urge 25, Near 28, Rustic 30, Flail 32, True 33, Pain 34, Mar 35, Scrap 36, Mist 37, Writhe.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Influx 2, Checking 3, Sonnet 4, Disappear 5, Illegal 6, Neat 7, Hide 8, Ash 14, Principal 15, Coy 17, Ace 19, Contempt 20, Irk 21, Neglect 26, Runner 27, Scarce 29, Atom 30, Fuss 31, Lap.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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