COME, JOIN APC: Buhari, Tinubu, Akande beg Amaechi

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62008

STRIKE: Hope rises as FG, ASUU shift grounds P.8

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

N500bn subsidy NATIONAL CONFAB: proceeds missing Nyiam tenders resignation letter — Senate 9 P.53

COME, JOIN APC:

Lagos building collapse: Death toll now 5

Buhari, Tinubu, Akande beg Amaechi •P.6

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

•I'll consult Jonathan, others on leaving PDP— Amaechi P •Says he is special among seven nPDP govs

NIGERIA ZOOMS TO U-17 WORLD CUP FINALS

ORTHARCOURT CHIEFTAINS of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd and the National Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged Governor Chibuike Amaechi to Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

•P.19 •P.39

Mr & Mrs

U-17:Chidera Ezeh (R) of Nigeria celebrates his team’s third goal with team mate Kelechi Iheanacho (L) during the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 semi final match against Sweden at Al Rashid Stadium, yesterday, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Inset: Kelechi Iheanacho (R) of Nigeria being challenged by Erdal Rakip of Sweden during the match. Nigeria won 3:0.

No compensation for Boko Haram victims — Jonathan 9

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

BOKO HARAM REPORT—President Goodluck Jonathan (L)receiving

Report of the Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East (BOKO HARAM), from the committee Chairman and Minister for Special Duties, Taminu Turaki at State House, Abuja, yesterday.

Buhari, Tinubu, Akande beg Amaechi to join APC Continues from page 1 come over to the APC. Describing Governor Amaechi as a very courageous politician, Tinubu said the APC was the party for people

like the governor.

As the recruitment train of the All Progressives Congress, APC, moved to Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday, Governor Rotimi Chibuike

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

There is a seed of greatness in every individual, it takes patience to discover this seed; to plant and nurture it into greatness require great patience.

Mixed with sacrifice and discipline it becomes truly outstanding.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them — Bernard Shaw

T

WO men fell on hard times. Try as they might, they couldn’t find work. They heard that a museum was willing to pay $50 apiece for live rattlesnakes so, in desperation, they decided to catch snakes.

Outfitted with a net and basket, they hiked to a remote area renowned for its large snake population. But as they scaled a steep ledge, rock gave way and they tumbled down a slippery bank into a deep pit crawling with rattlesnakes.

One of the men quickly sized up the situation and shouted to his friend, “Look! We’re rich! We’re rich!”

I find this story hilarious but it is a very good principle to illustrate the intensity of seeing only the possibilities in all situations. Maybe the feller in the snake pit didn’t fully appreciate his predicament. But in most situations, I believe there is a sunny side.

Steve Goodier puts it beautifully: “I’ve learned that my greatest power may well be my power to choose my outlook.” As Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” The truth is, I can choose to view tough times as growing times, I can choose to see life challenges as seasoning for unfoldment, and I can choose to focus on whatever good there is to be found in living.

Amaechi, one of the seven opposition governors amused his numerous supporters as he promised to consult with President Goodluck Jonathan and other stakeholders in the political sector before deciding on whether he would remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or cross over to the All Progressive Congress, APC. The governor who spoke at a rally organised to receive the national leadership of the APC in Government House; Port Harcourt, yesterday, said he was a special person among the seven governors that floated the new Peoples Democratic Party. Unlike others according to him, he hails from the same South-South zone with President Goodluck Jonathan.

I'm special among G7 govs — Amaechi “I am peculiar in the group of the seven governors. The President comes from our zone. I will consult our leaders, the President; I will consult you, (referring to the mammoth crowd). I will consult all consultables.

I will come back to you.

The day we shall take a decision it will be at the new stadium that can

take 40,000 persons. If we are staying (referring to the PDP), we shall call the President to the stadium to address us, but if we are going we shall call Tinubu and Buhari to come and address us, ” he said.

The governor who took on his political foes said the political crisis in the state was largely due to his refusal to abuse public funds, stressing that he was not a corrupt governor. "They don’t accuse me of being corrupt. They only say I don’t run an inclusive government which is Chop I chop”, he said.

Continuing, he said he would continue to pray to the Almighty God to protect the state from those he accused of plotting to plunder its resources.

Governor Amaechi, who laced his speech with some gospel songs said the Almighty God had always put his opponents to shame, adding that it was part of the reasons why he danced joyously at the funeral of the foster mother of the first lady which held in Okrika, Rivers State recently. “I was told I would be stoned at Okrika if I come there. I went there, I raised my right hand and there was applause, I raised the left, it was the same. I said God, I thank you. Those on the other side are corrupt.

We shall reply them one after the other. They have served and now are hungry."

Continuing, the governor described some of his political foes as “desperate and hungry politicians” even as he assured that he would continue to deliver on the dividends of democracy to the state.

Dismissing fears that he would be removed as governor through a court verdict on November 11, the governor also gave a brief account of how his administration had been spending public funds. “You have been hearing we will remove him since 2007. Have I been removed? They talk as if they own God. They said we will be removed on the 11th which is Monday. Come on that day, I will dance here”. Amaechi then burst into a gospel song again which said, “there is nobody greater than God, there is no one greater than Jehovah Lord Divine”.

He said his administration was constructing roads, building health centres and schools, adding that he had also commenced an

empowerment scheme for youths in various wards in the state.

Governor Amaechi further called on the people to resist acts of impunity on the part of the Police command in the state.

“I came down to march with you when I heard that they locked the gate at the airport against you. We walked five kilometres to the airport. We forced the gate open and I walked with you. We must prepare ourselves from now on”, he said.

Come, join APC — Buhari, Tinubu, Akande Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd., and the National Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande in their separate speeches at the event urged Governor Amaechi to come over to the APC. While commending the achievements of the governor so far in the state, Tinubu said they were in Port Harcourt to invite him to join the APC. “We did not come here to campaign but to see and invite. Amaechi has performed well.

This country can’t progress on lies."

Tinubu later moved a motion calling on the governor to cross over to the APC and it was endorsed by the mammoth gathering.

Representatives of the 23 local governments in the state, 26 lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Hon Otelemaba Amachree and some members of the National Assembly took turns to pledge their profound loyalty to the governor.

The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers in the state House of Assembly and those against him at the National Assembly were absent.

You are epitome of courage under fire—Akande tells Amaechi National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande in his speech said: “Today, the unstoppable APC train, which has made important stops in Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa, has arrived in Rivers State.

"This is another important stop, because it allows us, the APC leaders, not only to invite Chibuike Amaechi, the courageous governor of Rivers, to join the growing APC family, but to show our solidarity with a man who has succeeded in battling antidemocratic forces to a standstill.

"Let us be clear. Our party has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Governor Amaechi since the beginning of his travails. We have been unrelenting in our support because our party stands for justice, fairness and unfettered freedom. We abhor dictatorship clad in fake democratic garments.

"We believe that the system of government that we operate does not make provision for an imperial presidency, who can neither be criticized nor opposed. That is why we told those who said the APC is crying more than the bereaved on the Rivers State issue, that we are indeed the bereaved anytime the rule of law is supplanted with the rule of the jungle; and we are the bereaved anytime a democratically-elected President thumbs his nose at the Nigerian Constitution. Or how else do we explain a situation in which a duly elected Governor, who is known to the Constitution as the Chief Security Officer of his state, is now being made to run his state side by side with the State Police Commissioner, who has been elevated to the de facto Governor by the presidency?"

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Man docked for operating shrine in Osun

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — THE Osun State Police Command, yesterday, arraigned a 37year- old, Aliyu Mutairu, before an Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court who was alleged to be operating a shrine in Mobarajo village near Ifewara along Ilesa/Ife road in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of the state.

Mutairu who was slammed with a three-count charge was docked for several hours and his counsel, Mr. Wahab Idowu, pleaded the court to grant him bail in the most liberal term.

Police had, Friday evening, discovered a shrine in the village where fetish items including coffins, cowries, native black soap and beaded crowns among others were discovered.

The Police who stormed the shrine located in a thick bush upon a tip off also arrested the operator of the shrine who initially identified himself as Abu but later found to be Aliyu Mutairu alongside three other persons working with him.

When the case came up for hearing before Magistrate Olusola Aluko, the accused person pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against him.

The Police prosecutor, Mr Promise Akanwa, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the accused person, on October 22, 2013 had in his possession some fetish items without lawful and reasonable excuse.

He said the accused person had committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 213(B), 160 (A) and 430 (1) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. II laws of Osun State, Nigeria 2003.

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — THE Search and Rescue team at the fivestorey twin-shopping mall under-construction which collapsed, Monday, at 9, Muri Okunola Street, Eti-Osa Local Government, has completed its job at the collapsed site.

The rescue agencies were made up of officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Red Cross, officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Maroko Division and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC. The exercise was completed at 6:45 pm, yesterday, with the recovery of the last trapped victim, identified as Mr. Dele Oyedele, the architect of the mall.

During the search and rescue operation, the uncompleted mall was levelled.

Head of Operations, L ASEMA, Mr. Olusegun Magnus-Davies and Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, who both confirmed the recovery in separate interviews with Vanguard, said the last victim had been recovered.

According to them, “he is the site architect and his name is Dele Oyedele. His corpse was recovered under the rubble.”

The relatives of the deceased present at the scene, declined request for interview.

Vanguard further gathered that the building caved in when the workers were trying to cast the decking to join

The collapsed shopping mall

Collapsed Lagos Mall: Death toll rises to five zAs agencies conclude search and rescue both malls on the fifth floor.

One of the construction workers, identified as Abdullahi, who escaped unhurt, said he left the site at 3:55 pm to observe his prayers.

According to him, “After observing my prayer at about 4:05 pm, I ran out of the mosque to join my co-workers to complete the construction work. While still standing at the entrance of the building,

the structure collapsed. It was like watching a Hollywood movie

5 die, 25 rescued General Manager of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the rescue officials worked through the night to rescue the trapped workers.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that his men had left the Great Ni-

Man stabs friend to death for allegedly befriending wife

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — A middleaged man identified as Wasiu Yusuf has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly stabbing his bosom friend, Adeolu Olatoye, to death for having clandestine relationship with his wife.

Vanguard gathered that the incident which occurred at Oke-Efon area of Abeokuta, Saturday night, was reportedly carried out by the suspect and one accomplice identified as Mukaila, said to be on the run as at the time of this report.

It was further gathered that the suspect lost his tempera-

ment when he reportedly caught his 32 -year-old friend with his wife on the day of the incident on his matrimonial bed.

The suspect, according to the findings, laid siege for the victim who reportedly came to his house, and in the ensuing scuffle,the victim erroneously stabbed himself.

2 killed, 8 injured in Bauchi auto crashes

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI — NO fewer than two persons died, on Monday, while eight others sustained injuries in two separate auto crashes that occurred along Bauchi/Maiduguri road.

Vanguard gathered that the first accident which happened around 5.20pm, involved a Golf car with number plate AG779KIN and a motorcycle with number plate AX100 MC. The second crash occurred around 8.25pm involving an

geria House fire disaster scene to concentrate on rescuing those still trapped at the collapsed shopping complex.

According to him, “at least 25 people have been rescued but unfortunately we recovered five dead bodies.”

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, stated that the emergency officials in the state responded promptly by arriving the scene of on time.

articulated truck tanker with number plate XA 961 GWK and two cars with registration numbers: AE 466 DRZ and AA 384 BLE respectively.

The Bauchi State Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, commander, Mr. Sunday Henry Olatunji, who confirmed the two crashes said: “One person was confirmed dead while three others sustained injuries in the first accident in Badaromo village, along Bauchi/Maiduguri road.

"Another person was killed while five others were injured in the second crash that involved a trailer tanker and two Vectra cars in Kare village, along the same road. All the victims of the crash are men.”

Olatuji said when officers of FRSC attached to the Bauchi command got the information of the crashes, they went to scene and evacuated the dead persons to the mortuary at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital while the injured were given medical

treatment.

He attributed the crashes to reckless driving, over-speeding and wrong overtaking, particularly on the part of the cars.

The sector commander said: “From our investigations on the second crash, it was the Vectra car drivers that were at fault because they were overspeeding and overtaking wrongly on the wrong lane, which led to a head-on collision with the trailer.”

But another version of the story had it that, the victim had gone to his friend's house to drop an invitation card of his mother's 80th birthday scheduled for Saturday when the friend attacked him with bottles.

Adeolu, a graphic artist, met his death barely two weeks after he held the naming ceremony of his child.

His remains had been deposited at the State Hospital Mortuary at Ijaiye, Abeokuta, as police await the autopsy report.

Contacted, Ogun State Police Command Public Relations, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident and arrest of the suspect, adding that investigation was ongoing.

Speaking, the deceased's elder brother, Akinyemi Olatoye, said he was shocked over the development, explaining that his late brother had gone there to drop their mother ’s birthday invitation card.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—7

How deceased’s relations manhandled nurse, hospital guard — CMD

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI— A staff nurse at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Mrs Mary Akinniyi, was beaten to pulp by relations of a deceased patient for allegedly applying wrong medication.

The deceased, Mrs Beatrice Adepoju, who was said to be suffering from terminal liver ailment was said to have been kept at a faith-based home for months before she was brought to the hospital The late Adepoju who was initially admitted at the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital on Saturday eventually died on Sunday Also, the hospital guard who would have rescued the assaulted nurse was allegedly attacked and flung to a nearby glass door which gave him some cuts.

However, the guard was said to have called for back up and it was the arrival of the other security men that saved the situation.

tacks and other forms through which patients’ relatives react to the death of their loved ones. But this is different. The intention was to kill the staff on duty and that is the worrisome aspect of this, it was not to reprimand.”

Represented by Dr Kayode Ajite, the CMD said the patient was brought to the Accident and Emergency Ward (A&E) of the hospital where she was stabilised and subsequently taken to the Female Medical Ward on admission.

According to Ogundipe, “the patient’s condition deteriorated which made the nurse

to request that the relations should get the necessary injectable that would keep the patient stable while they waited for the prescribed drugs.

“The patient in the process died and the ignorant relations thought it was the injection given by the nurse that caused the death, therefore transferred their emotion on her.

“Two daughters of the patient, who were at the scene, attacked our staff, held her hands, choked her and held her nostril. That was an intention to kill.”

Police are being partisan The hospital management equally indicted the police for alleged covering up.

He said: “The police are being partisan in the matter and we do not feel comfortable with that.

“Our integrity is at stake and we want the police to investigate the matter and clear our name and we have called for autopsy to determine the actual cause of the patient’s death.”

Intention was to kill the staff—CMD Speaking in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, alleged that the nurse’s hands were held to the back by one of the enraged relations while another held her by the throat.

He said: “To us, this was not a reprimand by the relatives of the patient but a clear case of an attempt to kill an officer of the state in our employ.

“We are used to verbal at-

Some of the beneficiaries of the free eye surgery conducted by MTN Foundation Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme in Dutse, Jigawa State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

JTF kills 7 suspected Boko Haram members in Borno

B

AMA — THe Nigerian Army said, yesterday, it had shot dead seven suspected Boko Haram fighters during a raid in Borno State where the Islamist rebels have killed dozens in the last week.

The Bama area in Borno State, where the latest fighting occurred, has become a flashpoint in Boko Haram’s four-year insurgency.

“In simultaneous operations conducted...(in) the area of Bama on Monday, the military recorded huge successes as seven suspected Boko Haram militants were killed and several others injured,” said Borno State army spokesman, Mohammed Dole.

Vehicles, explosives and weapons were also recovered during the raid on rebel camps around Bama, he added.

Last Thursday, some 70 suspected Islamist fighters

stormed Bama town, killing 27 people and razing some 300 homes, according to a local official.

A passenger bus travelling on

the road connecting Bama to Borno’s capital Maiduguri was attacked on Saturday, leaving 13 passengers dead.

Hundreds, largely defence-

less civilians, have been killed

by Boko Haram fighters in in recent weeks, as the military has waged a campaign aimed at crushing the Islamist uprising.

Immigration boss collapses, dies at function

M

INNA — AN Assistant Comptroller at the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mr. Abdulrazak Umaru Ruma, suddenly collapsed and died on Monday in Minna, the Niger State capital, while presenting a paper at a stakeholders consultative forum hosted by the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.

He slumped barely midway into his presentation.

Ruma, who represented the Niger State Comptroller of the service at the event, which took place at the Justice Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, was certified dead at the General Hospital in Minna, where he was evacuated

to for treatment.

The spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Mr. Richard Oguche told reporters that pre-

liminary investigations showed that the deceased had a history of high blood pressure and asthma.

Fire kills 80-yr-old man in Benin

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— EIGHTY-yearold Pa Palmer Omoregbe was yesterday burnt to death after fire razed a house along Izekhor Street, off Chris Mary’s Road, textile Mill Benin City.

The inferno which Vanguard learnt started at about 4 am caught the occupants of the house unawares. While other occupants were rescued when men of the

fire service arrived the scene, Pa Omoregbe who has been suffering from stroke for about two years could not be rescued as he was already burnt beyond recognition before neighbours could help.

Sympathisers including the Chairman, Egor Local Government Council, Victor Enobakhare and the former chairman of the council, Crosby Eribo, thronged the house yesterday.

2 killed as cult groups clash in C'River

C

BY EMMA UNA

ALABAR — BARELY two weeks after two persons were killed when youths and the police clashed in Ogoja, the northern part of Cross River State, another violent clash between two rival secret cult groups has left two youths dead.

The clash, which took place Sunday night reportedly started at the burial of a woman, Ma Alice Ogboja, when the cult groups said to be Norsemen and Klux Klan engaged each other in a free-for-all following an argument between two young men.

“The argument was simply between two young men but no sooner had we intervened to stop the exchange of words than other young men from both groups joined and a fight ensued,” an eye witness, Clemenson Mgbe, told Vanguard in Ogoja.

According to Clemenson, the burial took place in Akpakpanga village, some two kilometres from Igoli, the Ogoja central town.

He said: “Trouble started when a boy slapped a nursing mother and her boyfriend who is an alleged cultist confronted him and an argument started, and in the process a fight ensued.

"One of them brought a machete with which he inflicted a cut on one of the boys and that escalated matters.

“It was in a bid to retaliate the machete cut on their member that opposing members mobilised that night and attack members of the other group.

“They went from house to house where the other members live and a fierce battle ensued. Two boys were killed and the property of those they could not find at home were set ablaze.”

When Vanguard visited Ogoja, Monday afternoon, the streets of Abakpa where the fight took place were deserted as most young people had run away while shops and business outlets remained shut for fear of attack.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Reps summon IG over G-7 govs

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

B U J A — MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, mandated the House Committee on Police Affairs to summon the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to explain the role of the police in the alleged harassment of G-7 governors at the Kano State Government House on Sunday.

The committee is also expected to ascertain the circumstances leading to the invasion of the Kano governor ’s lodge by officers of the Nigeria Police Force under the Command of a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, and report back to the House within two weeks.

This development was sequel to a motion brought to the floor of the House under Matters of National Importance by Idris Kutigi, PDP, Niger State.

The motion was signed by other 60 members and entitled: Impunity and Disregard to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (As Amended) by the Nigeria Police Force.

Drama, however, ensued immediately the motion was announced on the floor of the House as members of the old PDP tried to kill the motion, while the opposition splinter PDP resisted the move.

The presiding officer, Emeka Ihedioha had to take the voice vote twice to ensure the right thing was done.

In his presentation after decorum was restored, Kutigi said: “The action of the Nigeria Police Force violated the provision of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999(as amended), specifically sections 40 and 308(1) (a) and (3).”

STRIKE: FG, ASUU shift grounds

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & BEN AGANDE

T

HERE are strong indications that the protracted strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, that has crippled academic activities for over four months may end in the next one week, Vanguard has gathered.

Vanguard sources at the Monday night meeting between the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of ASUU, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, said both the Federal Government and leaders of ASUU had shifted

grounds and leaders of ASUU would meet with its organ (National Executive Council) to brief members of the outcome and then take necessary action.

One of the sources told Vanguard: “Both the Federal Government and the leadership of ASUU are now on the same page. Both parties have shifted grounds.

The leadership of ASUU will now meet with its appropriate organ to brief its members and take the necessary action.

“ASUU is in the right position to inform the public after meeting with its organ.

However, I can tell you that all things being equal, the strike should be over in the next one week.”

The meeting between the government and the labour leaders started at about 2:30pm on Monday and ended at about 3:30am on Tuesday with a 15 minutes break.

Fagge, Wogu speak

National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, emerged from the meeting and curtly told newsmen that his delegation was taking back a message from President Jonathan to their members.

He declined to disclose what the message was and when asked whether he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, the ASUU leader told journalists not to put words in his mouth.

INAUGURATION: Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (right); FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (3rd left) and former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana (left), during the inauguration of the FCT Steering Committee on the National Dialogue in Abuja, yesterday.

Reps probe alleged moves to sell UN rep's residence

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA— THE House of Representatives, yesterday, commenced probe of alleged plans by the Federal Government to sell the official residence of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, UN, in Tarry Town, New York, United States of America, USA. This followed a motion sponsored by 19 members of the House, who described the move as ridiculous.

Highlighting the synopsis of the motion entitled Urgent Need to Forestall the Alleged Plan to Sell the Official Residence of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United, UN, in Tarry Town, New York, the chief

mover, Yakubu Dogara, said Nigeria could not afford to sell an edifice built by the government of late Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, especially now that the country was close to having a permanent seat in UN’s Security Council.

Earlier in their prayers, the members had noted that “all the past Permanent Representatives have lived there and do have a very fond and nostalgic memories of their residence in the property and they never expressed any need, whatsoever, to rent another apartment in New York for purposes of residency.

“The said property sits on an area of over 16.6 acres of land and is located in Tarry Town in Westchester County of New York, which is an exclusive and exquisite preserve of the ultra-wealthy

in New York.”

The members also expressed shock that the property, which could be repaired with about N350,000,000 due to “a deliberate period of neglect,” was outrageously estimated to gulp N2,754,700,000, a development they saw as a move to discourage the government from carrying out the repairs and also to sell the property very cheaply.

According to them, a prospective buyer was already waiting for the signal to commence purchase processes and payment.

They alleged that the act “seemed to be the pattern with Nigerian national landed assets all over the world, whose proceeds, after sales, never come into the coffers of the government.”

He said: “We have had a lengthy meeting with Mr. President, rubbing minds on how best to address the problem of university education in this country.

“We now have a message from Mr. President that we are going to take to our members and we are expecting that our members will respond appropriately to his message.”

The Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, who also attended the meeting, told journalists after the meeting that certain mileage had been attained and expressed the hope that the university lecturers would call off the strike soon.

He said: “The President of ASUU told you that they are going back with a message from the Federal Government to their members and the message is full of high expectation and hope.

“Our prayer is that they will come back with a positive outcome. They might even not come back to meet us. They might take decisions that will meet your expectations.”

According to the Minister, what government brought to the negotiation table were offers that were in tandem with the 2009 agreements between it and ASUU, pointing out that since the strike was based on the 2009 agreement, the government did not go beyond that agreement.

Roll call President Jonathan, who led the Federal Government’s delegation, was joined by Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike; and minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu.

The ASUU delegation was led by its President, Dr. Nasiru Fagge; past presidents such as Professor Abdulahi Sule-Kano, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Professor Festus Iyayi.

Other members of the delegation were Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, Prof. Victor Osodeke, Prof. Suleiman Abdul, Dr. Victor Igbum and Mr. Michael Odunmoraye.

President NLC, Abdulawahid Omar and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, also attended the meeting.

While exchanging pleasantries with the ASUU delegation, President Jonathan had told them “I hope this strike will end today. Our children have suffered enough. We must find a solution.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 9

CBN begins biometric capture of banks' customers

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

VISIT: From left— Judge Akua Kuenyehia, President, International Criminal Court, ICC; Judge Sang-Hyun Song and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Aminu Shagari, during a visit by the ICC on the leadership of House in Abuja, yesterday.

N500bn subsidy proceeds missing— Senate

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA— THE Senate adhoc Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, yesterday, raised alarm that N500 billion realised from the subsidy programme of the Federal Government was missing.

The committee said the amount was part of the N800 billion said to have been realised between January 2012 and September 2013 from the 25 billion litres of petroleum sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, within the period.

Infuriated by the development, the Senate Special Committee threatened that it may recommend the scrapping of SURE-P, which it noted, had become a drain pipe.

It further frowned at the alleged lack of transparency and accountability in the management of the programme, a development, it said, was contrary to the original concept of SURE-P. The Senator Abdul Ningiled Senate Ad-hoc Committee on SURE-P, decried alleged nonchalant attitude and lack of respect for constituted authority by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Group Managing

Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, for snubbing its invitation to appear before it and explain certain issues.

The committee equally stated that going by available records, about N300 billion had been released to SURE-

P, while only N207 billion was spent without proper accounting for the balance of N 93 billion.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Ningi, said: “Today, again, we sat here glued to our sits for over one hour, awaiting the arrival of the officials of NNPC or their agents and the Central Bank

or their agents.

“As we speak, we sent letters of invitation to both agencies, which were duly acknowledged.

“I have been a member of the National Assembly right from inception and I have never seen this kind of impunity and disregard for constituted authority.”

No compensation for Boko Haram victims— Jonathan

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA— PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan declared, yesterday, that the Federal Government would not pay compensation to victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities.

He also said despite the progress made by the nation’s security services in their fight against the sect's insurgency, his administration could not be said to have won the war against terror.

He spoke, yesterday, when the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North submitted its report.

The committee was chaired by the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Taminu Turaki.

He expressed regret at the extreme violence of the group, especially against innocent civilian population, which had earned it a reputation as the most deadly terror group in the world.

President Jonathan expressed hope that the recommendations made by the committee in its report would help bring the excesses of the sect’s members to an end.

While ruling out compensation for victims of the violence orchestrated by the sect, the president however, said his government was favourably disposed to the suggestion by the committee to assist victims get back on track.

President Jonathan reinforced the recommendation of the committee that dialogue with the sect should continue, adding that force alone cannot resolve the insurgency in the north.

He rejected the call for payment of compensation for victims of the crisis.

Commends c'ttee

The president commended members of the committee for accepting to serve, saying

that “it’s not a ballroom dance because you were asked to meet the kind of characters you cannot predict their behaviour.

“It is quite risky and I believe that some of you, within this period, your immediate families believed that if they used to pray two times, they will be praying 10 times to make sure that God see you through.

“We are indeed very happy that within the period of this assignment, nothing quite untoward happened to any of you. We have to thank God for that.

“We have to thank you for concluding, though we can’t say that we have won the war.

“But listening to the address by the chairman, we believe that the document you have submitted will help us with the follow-up action.

“Finally, we will be able to bring the issue of the excesses of Boko Haram to a close. It is a challenging period for the country.”

BUJA— The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Deposit Money Banks have commenced the process of a biometric solution to identify every bank customer in the country.

The system is being put in place by a German company, Dermalog Identification System in partnership with Chams.

The first phase is to cost $50 million and replaces the earlier N30.066 billion contract for the project given to Nigerian Identity M a n a g e m e n t Commission.

When in operation, the identity of every customer would be in a central database, which could be accessed by all banks. It is expected to commence in three months.

FG, Boko Haram may face ICC —UN

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EMBERS of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram and the Nigerian Military could face human rights charges, the United Nations, UN, has said.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said this yesterday in Geneva in reaction to the killing of about 30 people, when their wedding convoy was allegedly attacked by members of Boko Haram in Borno State, last weekend.

Cecile Pouilly, a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the “atrocious attack” was inexcusable and that both sides of the conflict are suspected of committing human rights violations.

She warned that members of Boko Haram could face human rights charges.

Nigerian authorities are also suspected of abuses in their response to the attack.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Lagos resolves 12 cases in settlement sessions

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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HE LAGOS Settlement Week, LSW, which started last Monday has resolved 12 cases, and a total of 350 cases are expected to be settled till Friday, when it ends.

During yesterday ’s LSW, before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, parties who have submitted their case for settlement sat on a round-table to dialogue, while in some cases parties are yet to make up their mind on settlement.

LSW is a week set aside by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Adeyoola Phillips, for disputes between parties to be settled out of court.

One of the facilitators, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that parties were guided to negotiate a mutually agreeable settlement, and if the parties are not able to reach an agreement, the case would proceed to trial.

According to the organisers: “If a settlement is reached, the terms of settlement is signed by the parties, their counsel and the neutral. Thereafter, the terms of settlement will be entered as a consent judgment of the High Court of Lagos State.”

LSW is a joint initiative of the Judiciary of Lagos State, the Lagos MultiDoor Courthouse, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Great Nigeria House: Fire put out 24 hours after z Traders count losses, as Lagos marks building for structural test

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — THE raging fire that engulfed the 25-storey building on 45 and 47 Martins Street, Lagos Island Local Government Area, owned by the Great Nigeria Insurance Company Limited, popularly called Great Nigeria House, was put out 24 hours after it started.

The fire, which started about 6:00a.m. at the first floor and spread to others floors in the over 30-year-old building, was put out at about 4:30a.m. yesterday by the rescue team which comprised of the Federal

and State Fire service, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, their Lagos State counterpart, LASEMA and other emergency agencies.

When Vanguard visited the scene at about 10:00a.m., fire fighting trucks owned by the Lagos State Fire Service were sighted waiting for any sign of the fire. It was also discovered that the fire had affected three other floors on the building.

At the scene, traders of the burnt building were sighted salvaging what was left of their goods. While some were, however, narrating their own accounts of the tragedy to other traders, others were recounting their past experiences on fire

outbreaks.

Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe who spoke to Vanguard said that the fire was put out at 4:30a.m. yesterday after using 10, 000 litres of water from fire trucks.

According to Fadipe: "I have stationed two fire trucks with 10, 000 litres of water each at the scene. This is to extinguish any fire from the building.”

Losses While recounting his losses, Mr. Anthony Tochukwu, who rented a shop on the building a year ago, said, “I don’t know what to say. I have lost

VISIT: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (right); representative of Eversheds, the Legal Services Company, Mr. Howard Barrie (middle), and the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze (left), during a courtesy call on Mr. Barrie in his office, as part of the UK Trade and Investment visit of the Governor and his team to the United Kingdom.

all my investments here. I came here last year when the Euro Plaza was engulfed by fire. And my aim was to move to a better place, but all I have invested here is gone.

"While I am still battling to repay the loans I took when I was still trading at the Euro Asia Plaza, then this occurred again.”

Another trader, Mr. Kenneth Chukwudi, said: “I cannot tell you the worth of the goods burnt but I know that all my years of hard labour were burnt in this building.

Mr. Akinbode Olaoluwa mooted: “I work for one of the corporate organisations that occupies this building. My entire documents, especially vital ones, have been burnt. I don’t know what to do. These are documents I have been processing for years. They determine who I am.”

Stability Test Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed said that the building will undergo Structural Stability Test, SST. Ahmed who spoke at the scene of the inferno explained that the test is very important because the pillars of the building have been affected by the fire.

According to him: “We will conduct SST on the building to ascertain if the building is still habitable.”

When we have completed the test, we will know what to do to the building. And there is an assurance that the test will be conducted in time.”

Lagos gets SEC approval to issue N87.5bn bond

BY PETER EGWUATU

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AGOS — LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said it had obtained the approval of the Securities and Exchange

Commission, SEC, to issue $552.05million (N87.5 billion) bond maturing in 2020 to fund infrastructure projects.

The debt, which will be opened with a book build, is the second

and final tranche of a N167 billion debt issuance programme launched in November 2012.

“The bond will contribute to the completion of on-going infrastructure projects to enhance the provision of social services aimed at improving the living standards of Lagosians,” said state finance commissioner, Ayo Gbeleyi in a statement.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly recently approved the buy-back of the concession right from Lekki Concession Company, LCC, paving way for the government to take over the road and toll collection.

The Lekki-Epe Expressway has a contract sum of N50 billion while the LCC has 30 years concession rights under the Build, Operate and Transfer, BOT, system, that

will enable the company recoup its investment plus interest.

The N87.5 billion bond to be floated in the capital market will enable the state pay off LCC and take over the construction and management of the road and collect toll on it as well as address shortfall in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. According to Governor Fashola in a letter to the State House of Assembly for the approval and an amendment to the Appropriation Act 2013, “the proposal for further amendment is largely predicated on the need to fund the acquisition of existing concession rights and toll revenue benefits held by the LCC, the concessionaire for the EtiOsa-Lekki-Epe expressway.

Vanguard, WEDNESNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—11

Nigerians not safe in India, FG tells India

Afenifere condemns Ekiti killing zGroup appeals to President Jonathan

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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AN-YORUBA SOCIOPOLITICAL organisation, Afenifere has expressed worry over the political violence in Ekiti State which claimed the life of an Ekiti Bibire Coalition member,

weekend.

Afenifere, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, condemned the act and called on the Police to bring perpetrators of the act to book.

Afenifere said: “The dastardly act carried out, Sunday, by armed

thugs was the high point of gun attack on members of Ekiti Bibire Coalition during a meeting at Ward 3 in EmureEkiti, in the Emure Local Government Area of the state.

“Mr. Foluso Ogundare was reported dead from the attacks while another Mrs. Beatrice Ige is said to be receiving treatments from gunshot wounds.

“Afenifere decries in its entirety this barbaric incident and calls on the Police to immediately fish out the perpetrators of this gruesome act so they can face the full wrath of the law without delay.”

Meantime, a political pressure group in Ekiti State, the Ekiti Justice Group, EJG, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the

COMMISERATION: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, commiserating with Mrs. Esther Soluade, widow of the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusesan Soluade, at the deceased's residence in Abeokuta.

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KURE — AHEAD of 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is to carry out a nationwide constituency delineation exercise.

This, when done, will lead to the creation of more polling units to stop voters from going far from their homes on election days to vote and to de-congest overcrowded polling units.

Resident Electoral

Commissioner in Ondo State, Akin Orebiyi said this in Akure during a statewide stakeholders' meeting on continuous voters registration exercise.

Orebiyi pointed out that the exercise would equally ensure that state constituencies were better de-lineated so that equal or close to equal representation was guaranteed.

According to him: “INEC is working to ensure that it delivers its constitutional mandate and become one of the best electoral

Ogun’s first deputy gov dies at 80

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

INEC to carry out nationwide constituency delineation

BY DAYO JOHNSON

security situation in the state, saying, “Ekiti State under Governor Kayode Fayemi is drifting towards anarchy.”

Reacting to the attack on supporters of the Ekiti Bibiire Coalition in Emure-Ekiti, Sunday, which led to the death of Mr. Foluso Ogundare, and many others, including a woman, Mrs. Beatrice Ige injured, EJG said in a statement by its coordinator, Ebenezer Olaleye that, “only the president can save Ekiti State from being plunged into a state of anarchy by political thugs because we are getting closer to a situation where people will begin to defend themselves.”

managers in the world.”

Orebiyi said that in few weeks, the continuous voters registration exercise will begin across the country for 18 years of age and above who did not participate in the last exercise.

He reiterated that the Commission was introducing a permanent voters card for the conduct of the 2015 general elections.

BEOKUTA — OGUN State’s first civilian deputy governor, Chief Olusesan Soluade has died at the age of 80.

A statement by one of the children of the deceased, Seye, on behalf of the family, yesterday, said the late octogenarian died, Monday, at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta at 10:45p.m. after a brief illness.

The family, however, said the burial arrangement would be announced later.

Meantime, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has expressed shock at the news of the demise of Chief Soluade.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun said he was saddened by the news of the exit of this illustrious son and former Deputy Governor, especially at a time when his wealth of experience was mostly needed, for the advancement of Ogun State.

Amosun described the former Deputy Governor, as a seasoned administrator, teacher and astute politician, who devoted his life to the service of the state and humanity in general.

16-yr-old girl raped to coma in Ogun

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Y DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — A 16-year-old girl (name withheld) has been reportedly hospitalised after she was allegedly raped to coma by some unknown men in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Vanguard gathered that the incident

occurred at 8p.m. on Monday on her way back home from where she was sent on an errand.

According to a popular actress (name withheld) who broke the news through her post on the Facebook: “A16-year-old girl from Abeokuta in Ogun State was sent on errand last night (Monday) around 8 p.m. to the nearby street.

“On her way back home, hefty men ambushed her and got her raped till coma. As we are posting this right now, she is lying in sick bed at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.”

N

IGERIA TOLD India, yesterday, that it fears for the safety of its nationals in the resort state of Goa after one of its citizens was slain and a local legislator compared Nigerians to “cancer.”

Tensions have been rising in the tiny, palm-fringed state since a Nigerian man was stabbed to death last week in a murder that police blamed on rivalry between local and Nigerian drug traffickers.

Nigeria’s High Commission called the death a “cold-blooded” killing.

Local media reports said the Nigerian was hacked to death by a group of Goan drug traffickers, while five other Nigerians suffered stab wounds.

Goan police arrested 53 Nigerians last week after around 200 of them staged a protest against the killing, chasing a police hearse carrying the corpse of the dead Nigerian and putting the body on the road.

Following the demonstration, which blocked Goa’s main highway for several hours, Goa’s chief minister Manohar Parrikar asked police to track down Nigerians living illegally in the former Portugese colony so that they could be deported.

'Painless deliveries now fashionable'

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SOGBO — DR Olufemi Abidoye of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, yesterday, said more elite expectant mothers now opt for painless deliveries.

Abidoye, Registrar of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at L AUTECH hospital, stated this in Osogbo.

“With the availability of options, many women who can afford it are opting for less painful services in recent times.

“Apart from caesarian sessions, there is now a more advanced procedure called spidual anaesthesia which is totally painless.

“Many expectant mothers who can afford the new procedure are even travelling abroad for the advanced procedure," Abidoye said.

12— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—13

Delta communities threaten to shut down SPDC operations

INC cancels IYC poll

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—AS Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, divests its investments in the Niger Delta, three communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Areas, Delta State, yesterday, threatened to stop its operations in the communities, if it failed to enter into an agreement with their representatives.

The three communities, Gbaregolor, Esanma and Olota, in a letter addressed to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed dissatisfaction “in Shell’s divide and rule in dealing with the communities.”

According to the letter, which was signed by Mr. Abega Williams, Chairman, Gbaregolor community, Mr. Emmanuel Forcados, Chairman, Esanma community and Mr. Moses Irhurhu, Chairman, Olota community and their secretaries, “Gbaregolor, Olota and Esanma communities are part of the five communities that make up Okpokunu Oil Field.

“Oboro and Okpokunu are the other two in Burutu council. The said oil field was abandoned in 1978 by Shell due to claims and counter claims of oil wells by the host communities. As parts of its drive to revisit the oil field, Shell pleaded with the communities to create an enabling environment for their operations which brought about the creation of a Central Coordinating Committee, CCC, comprising of four members from each of the five communities.”

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Senator David Mark, Senate President; Mrs Josephine Akhigbe, widow; Mr Ikhane Akhigbe, son, and Mrs Hellen Mark, during a condolence visit to the family of late Mike Akhigbe, at his residence in Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Attack on Delta Commissioner: Arrested PDP chieftain, two others docked, remanded

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—THREE per-sons, including a People’s Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Ughelli, Delta State, were yesterday, arraigned before an Asaba Chief Magistrate Court for attempting to kill the state Commissioner for Education (Basic and Secondary), Professor Patrick Muoboghare, during the September 7 crisis in Ughelli.

The accused are: Austine Efe Efi, male, aged 30; Efe Ejeriona, male, aged 31 and Pioneer Ogagumuero, male, aged 44.

Ogagumuero, a PDP Ward Chairman was said to have been apprehended by some youths in Ohoro and handed over to the Ughelli Police ‘A’ Division on Monday.

The arraignment of the two accused brings the number of persons charged to court in respect of the September 7 crisis in Ughelli to 11.

After the charges were read to the accused persons, their

plea was taken while the court adjourned till November 29, 2013 as it waits for legal advice from the state Director of Public Prosecution, DPP. The charge against the accused persons, read: “That you Austine Ejeriona, Ogagumuero, and Ofuduje Goodluck, male , Joseph Apollos, male, Harrison Solomon, male, Moses Michael, male; Matthew Etuwewe, male, Ughelli Badere, male, Egoshi Kelvin, male, Emogua Henry, male, now in prison custody and others now at large, on or about September 7, 2013 at PDP secretariat, Ughelli in Ughelli Magisterial district did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code law Cap C 21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006. *That you, Austine, on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did attempt to unlawfully kill one Professor

UCTH resident doctors vow to continue strike

BY EMMANEUL UNA

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ESPITE the suspen sion of the strike action by Resident Doctors across the country, resident doctors in the University of Calabar C M Y K

Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Cross River State, have vowed to continue the strike until their allowances and salaries are paid.

Chairman of UCTH Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Agam Ayuk, who

spoke in Calabar, lamented that apart from the huge wages which remained unpaid, a budgetary allocation of N20 million annually for training purposes was grossly inadequate.

Patrick Muoboghare, male, by stabling him with a dagger and thereby, committed an offence punishable un-

der Section 320 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C 21 Vol. 1 Laws of the Delta State of Nigeria 2006.”

ENAGOA—THE parent body of pan Ijaw organisations, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has announced the cancellation of last Tuesday’s election conducted by Mr Sunny Diritolofari-led electoral committee for the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, following the series of protests from aggrieved aspirants and their supporters.

Though no date has been fixed for a fresh poll to elect the national executive of the foremost Ijaw youth body, the leadership of INC, in a statement at the end of its meeting, said its National Electoral Committee would now conduct the election since candidates for the election as well as delegates to the convention, are known. Eradiri was declared the elected President of the council last Tuesday, sparking protests and calls for cancellation from aggrieved aspirants.

14— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 —15

ILO presents code of conduct for outsourcing agencies

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

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BUJA—THE Inter national Labour Organisation, yesterday, in Abuja presented to the ministry of labour, copies of the code of conduct for private employment agencies among other documents.

ILO’s country director for Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone and the Gambia , Mrs. Sina Chuma-Mkandwire assured the federal government of its support to fight human trafficking, child labour and other unfair labour practices.

Mrs. Chuma-Mkandwire who also oversees the liaison office for the Economic Community for West African States, ECOWAS, also presented publications on Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: Handbook for Labour Officers/ Inspectors in Nigeria, 400 copies of Trafficking for Forced Labour: How to monitor the Recruitment of Migrant Workers, among others.

She promised that the ILO will continue to collaborate with Nigeria on the implementation of the European Union, EU, funded project to enhance the cooperation with Federal Government of Nigeria in the fight against trafficking in human beings from Nigeria to Europe, ECTIP, under which different training manuals, reports and a code of conduct for private employment agencies were developed and printed.

The ILO country director said, the publications were presented to the ministry of labour and productivity.

We’re now in charge of Gombe —nPDP

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—DESPITE the hu miliation it has been going through in the hands of security operatives, the Abubakar Barajeled splinter group of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, boasted that it has fully taken over the structures of PDP in Gombe State.

In a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the group said: “Like a hurricane, the New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, under the leadership of Alhaji AbubakarBaraje has swept through Gombe State, effectively dislodging the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led faction of the PDP as the party of choice in the state.

“This was amply demonstrated on Monday, November 4, 2013, when Gombe people came out in their thousands, conveyed by over 600 vehicles, and assembled at the Gombe airport to welcome the New PDP leader in the state, Senator Danjuma Goje, the immediate past Governor of Gombe, who was visiting the state after a very long time.

“Senator Goje, a staunch member of the New PDP, is fondly remembered for his revolutionary regime which yielded remarkable feats in the areas of road construc-

tion, health, education, rural development and provision of potable water, which made him the toast of the masses of Gombe State.

“Already, panic has set in, in Tukur’s faction of the PDP, which

Confab: Beware of Nigeria’s enemies, Yuguda warns

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

B

AUCHI—AS Nigerians prepare the groundwork for a National Conference, Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, yesterday, cautioned against allowing those who do not wish Nigeria well to participate in the confab.

The governor, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard, warned that those who were gearing up for Nigeria’s disintegration and disharmony among the different ethnic nationalities should not be allowed to have their way during the discussion.

Yuguda said that although President Goodluck Jonathan meant well by convoking the dialogue, well-meaning Nigerians must be on the alert to ward off tribal warlords and ethnic jingoists, who would want to use the platform to campaign for the advancement of narrow interests at the expense of national integration.

The governor said: “During the conference, anybody who comes with any idea or proposal that would make it impossible for Nigerians to live together should be stopped by all means.”

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commiserate with the family over the untimely demise of the speaker.

After meeting and consoling the immediate family members of the deceased, Umar promised that the state government would foot the burial bills and take up the training of Tsokwa’s children from the primary school to the university level.

Umar asked the people of the state to see the

man of New PDP, with 68 of our members. This persecution notwithstanding, the masses of Gombe have chosen to pitch their tent with the ever-growing New PDP family.”

AWARD: President, Records and Information Management Foundation, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole (left) handing over the award to Mr. Prince Osuagwu, Vanguard's Assitant Hi-Tech Editor, who won the award for Best Information Technology/Management Reporter of the Year 2013, during the RIMA awards in Lagos.

Taraba Speaker for burial Nov 28

BY SONI DANIEL & JOHN MKOM ALINGO—SPEAKER of Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, who passed on two days ago is to be buried on November 28.

A member of the deceased family, Pastor Yakubu Tsokwa, announced the date when the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, led other government functionaries to

recently engineered the arrest of the populist Barrister Mohammed Magaji Doho, a former Commissioner for Water Resources during the administration of Senator Mohammed Goje and presently the state Chair-

death of Tsokwa as an act of God, who is the giver of life.

The acting governor also promised to secure a job for the widow of the late speaker and take care of the immediate needs of the family.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Taraba South at the National Assembly, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has expressed shock over the sudden death of the speaker.

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16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

APC VISITS GOVERNOR ROTIMI AMAECHI

From left— Chief Odigie Oyegun; Chief Tom Ikimi; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.); Chief Bisi Akande; Hon Masari and Senator George Akume, during All Progressives Congress, APC's visit to Governor Amaechi, yesterday. PHOTOS: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Party supporters at the Rivers State Government House

L-r: APC chairman, Bisi Akande, national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Hon Aminu Masari

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi (with mic), his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru (left) and others during the visit

COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS MEETS IN SOKOTO

Vice President Namadi Sambo (middle) flanked by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III; Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (4th left); Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State (2nd right); Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State (2nd left); Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State (4th right); Governor Seidu Dakingari of Kebbi State (3rd left); Chairman, South-East Traditional Council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya (right); Deji of Akureland, Oba Adebiyi Adesida (left) and other dignitaries at the opening session of the 6th general assembly of the National Council of the Traditional Rulers of Nigeria in Sokoto, yesterday. PHOTOS: Abayomi Adeshida & Olu Ajayi.

The Emir of Zamfara, Alhaji Mohammed Attahiru (left) and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

L-r: Obong of Calabar, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar (left) and the Attah and Vice President Namadi Sambo Igala, Attah Idokwo Michael .

A cross section of delegates.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013— —17 “And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.” J. Dryden ORMER Chief Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais is not a man given to outbursts or postures that should attract more than the most minimal of attention to himself. He has been very selective in his public appearances and comments and although he has been active in support of many laudable causes, he has steered clear of controversial issues. This could not have been easy. His seminal contribution to democratic governance in the headship of an electoral reform initiative under the late President Umaru Yar ’Adua has been substantially ignored. The electoral process today is arguably no better than it was in 20062007, and 2015 will test its integrity even more vigorously. He has access to the multiple points of collapse in governance standards in the manner he helps state governments see themselves, and hopefully, improve.

Compared to retired Justice Isa Ayo Salami, Uwais is a very lucky man indeed. He reached the apex of his career and retired with accolades. Justice Salami retired while under “the longest suspension in the history of the Nigerian Judiciary... over alleged misconduct.”

While Justice Uwais career will provide a case study for the place of integrity and intellect in the judiciary, Justice Salami’s exit will continue to generate bitter disputes over whether he is a hero or a villain. Justice Uwais retired an

F

Salami: The face of Nigeria’s judiciar judiciaryy

Justice Isa Ayo Salami a deeply disturbing trend which has progressively subverted the Nigerian

,

The judiciary has been dragged into the centre stage of the electoral process because of its relative weaknesses which are being made worse by corruption and power; there is the idea among politicians that courts give more political mandates than ballot boxes

accomplished and fulfilled man. Justice Salami is bitter, and his last statement was to leave the people who treated him unfairly to God. Justice Uwais left the perilous partisan political terrain relatively unscathed. Justice Salami left as a partisan hero on the one hand, and on the other, the subject of accusation by other partisan interests that he was pandering to partisan and ethnic interests as President of the Court of Appeal.

When the two distinguished jurists met last week at the launching of a book on the life of Justice Salami, the latter found some comfort in the verdict of former CJN Uwais. The National Judicial Council, NJC, according to Uwais, treated Salami unfairly. He said President Jonathan and the NJC acted wrongly in the manner Salami was suspended and removed from office.

The book launch and the comments of former CJN Uwais remind the nation of

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judiciary under the damaging influence of partisan politics. The gripping drama which initially involved two longstanding colleagues, one a Chief Justice and the other President of Court of Appeal then widened to involve the National Judicial Council. It then brought in President Jonathan, whose party was at the heart of the legal dispute, and then just about every credible organ of the justice system. It split the legal and judicial community right down the middle, and literally by the day, made the issues and their modes of resolution more political than legal.

The judicial system was turned inside out by the adoption of every conceivable manoeuvre. Mediations failed. The same judiciary answerable to the NJC was being asked to determine Justice Salami’s case. Pride and egos took center stage. Salami’s age and years of service ticked on. Time was the final arbiter. He retired without what he hoped for.

Chief Justice Uwais said it was disturbing, “to say the least, that the NJC whose membership consist of eminent and experienced judges and lawyers, should act in the manner they treated Hon Justice Salami.” Weighty, damning conclusions from a man given to measured words. Perhaps a day will come when some of the reasons why the integrity implicit in the NJC, at least according to Uwais, could be questioned with such certainty. Could the careerlong, difficult personal relations between former Chief Justice Katsina-Alu and Justice Salami have survived all the checks and balances in the judicial system to have the final say in the fate of Salami? Could Katsina-Alu have had powers to manipulate the entire disciplinary processes available, and defy every form of intervention and mediation, to keep Salami out? Did Katsina-Alu commit the type of infraction that will offend Salami’s professional integrity, but give him the type of muscle to “deal” with Salami? Did Salami commit an offence or infraction or breached discipline on a scale deserving his suspension and failure to prevent his removal from office?

N

igerians live with impunity all around, but they know what it means when someone says he leaves them to God. Nonetheless, Nigerians should worry over, and probe this sad chapter in our history until some sense is made out of all the anger and bitterness it is generating. This will not be easy. The guests and the crowd at the book launch alone represent evidence that partisan politics has muddied up the waters, so much so that it may be difficult to tell fish from the fisherman. As far as the chieftains of the former Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, are concerned, Salami is hero, sacrificed to the greed and corruption which is embodied in the PDP. He is integrity personified, an activist jurist

OPINION

BY KAYODE OJO

T

HE recent scandal involving the management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC and a private entity named NYSC Foundation has effectively confirmed that Nigeria’s biggest challenge is, perhaps, not corruption but barefaced impunity. According to a report in THISDAY newspapers of Sunday, October 20, 2013, the Foundation has since 2007 been making compulsory deductions of N500 per corps member under the pretext of contribution to a revolving loan scheme.

When I read the headline of the investigative report: “Trouble Brews in NYSC over Deductions from Corps Members' Allowee for Private Concern” my immediate reaction was that some dubious characters and corrupt officialdom were at it again; and, by the time I was done reading the expose, presented in a well-balanced reportage of the findings of the investigation, I was filled with indignation.

I have always thought that impunity is the extreme of corruption, but in the circumstance, the action of these persons running the so-called Foundation, supposedly in concert with the management of the NYSC is, to understate the fact, beyond impunity. A creepy culture of ‘I can do what I want without being C M Y K

who was unwilling to sell electoral victories to the ruling party.

Salami’s accusers were not at his book launch, but they have had their say.

They say he was a stubborn tribal champion, dishing out judgements to a political party. They say they have evidence that he had been compromised.

They say only his huge ego and pride prevented a resolution of his disciplinary case. He was a bad example to young jurists, a recalcitrant old man who had been more at home with politicians of the ACN colour than with colleagues in the Bench.

The real matter of concern, however, should be that the weaknesses of the judicial system have been badly exposed and manipulated, and they could be made even more vulnerable as we move towards 2015. If all the panels set up were unable to reinstate Salami, and all the court cases were about a disciplinary process, and not about the substantive issue of corruption at the highest echelons of the judiciary then we have reasons to worry about the possibility that electoral disputes will compromise the judiciary further.

The judiciary has been dragged into the centre stage of the electoral process because of its relative weaknesses which are being made worse by corruption and power. There is the idea among politicians that courts give more political mandates than ballot boxes. The judiciary will be tried and exposed every step of the way beyond 2015. Starting from the on-going litigations around the PDP leadership, courts will be asked to rule on party leaders, candidates, rules, winners and losers. Politicians who know the game well will put aside a substantial chunk of their campaign funds for litigation. Very senior lawyers will prepare to milk the system as they have done since 1999. Can the leadership of the judiciary stem the tide, or has it lost the battle long before Salami became a key player?

The assaults on the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary compound the problems of building a fairly credible electoral process for the nation. With so much of the quality and legitimacy of our democratic system riding on the manner INEC and the courts discharge their responsibilities, the failure of the justice system to say whether Salami is a hero or a villain in the battle to protect the judiciary from the effects of partisan influences will continue to worry Nigerians. Salami’s cheerleaders are not doing him huge favours in clothing him and his otherwise glowing career in partisan and ethnic robes. His story would have been better told without them. As it is, we will now have to worry constantly whether our highest judicial officers are in pockets of politicians, or are partisan activists in judicial garbs.

Either way, this is tragic for a nation desperate for some glimmer of integrity in its institutions.

The NY SC FFoundation oundation scam: Be NYSC Beyyond impunity? questioned’ has unfortunately become ingrained in the system; and this appears now to be our collective tragedy. This way of life has to be the only explanation why a private entity would register itself with the logo and name of a government parastatal and ascribe to itself the power to covert funds from the said government entity.

This is the shape and texture of the dubiety that the action of the NYSC Foundation has defined for the NYSC management in the public domain. How can successive NYSC managements, since 2007 when the Foundation was set up, wriggle out of this seemingly orchestrated and intentionally internalised sleazy deal?

The situation is not helped at all by the fact that with the approval of past Boards, the Foundation has been able to play on the psyche of corps members who have to release a one-off N500 from their allowances in exchange for their discharge certificates.

This is the point at issue in this game of sheer absurdity. How could they have ratified or justified the swindle? And no Director-General of the NYSC from 2007 to date saw anything fishy in the Foundation!

Not even the Boards from that time until now batted an eyelid! It was possible that the managements of the NYSC and the Foundation were able to shield the Foundation from the Boards of the NYSC; otherwise, I expect that necessary questions should have been asked had the Boards been properly briefed about it.

Had they been briefed, they should have been intelligent enough to see through the contraption.

They would then have asked a number of questions: Is it possible for a foundation without link to Airtel, for instance, to register itself as Airtel Foundation with Airtel logo? Or, more similar in this instance, something like Ministry of Finance Foundation? Is the NYSC Foundation responsible to the NYSC or an independent body? Now, very quickly, the Foundation is said to be independent and this is the sore point: Why then is it using the identity of the NYSC to collect contributions from corps members?

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 *Mr. Ojo , a commentator on national issues,wrote from Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

FTER recent peaceful and credible governorship elections in Edo and A Ondo states, the flood lights are now

beamed on Anambra State. Christened the Light of the Nation, Anambra, since 1999, has managed to be on the amazing side of politics with a capacity to unleash a mixed blend of interesting, unusual and bizarre offerings.

From being the only state, where a governor has been abducted and his known abductors remain political lords to the organised arson that left many public institutions in ruins in Awka, Anambra is also the only state that has not held local council elections since 1999. And virtually every election in the state has been resolved by the courts.

The ugly side of Anambra politics dominated proceedings at the sensitisation workshop for political parties and stakeholders organised by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, last Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra State Capital.

The National Secretary of the MPPP, Comrade Douglas Ojobo, rubbed the caustic

Anambra 2013: Turning a new electoral page criticism in, when he advised Anambra politicians to turn a new leaf because “Anambra State has been known with negativism in terms of politics.”

Before Ojobo spoke, Major General Ike Nwachukwu, who chaired the event, had urged the stakeholders to make Anambra people proud and shed the cloak of election manipulators. “In this small hall today, are men and women, who will make Anambra people proud. Make them proud because your collective will to put behind us all the clichés that this state encourages electioneering thuggery and malpractice, does not accept the outcome of elections, even where it is glaring that a loser truly and squarely lost; and, sup-

port attitudes uncomplimentary to representational democracy. I believe we can turn a new page in the history of Anambra politics and set the standard for the rest of the country to emulate,” he said.

The criticism and advice elicited a vow from the leaders and candidates of the 23 political parties taking part in the November 16 election that they would shame critics by supporting and upholding free and fair election.

Ensuring free, fair and credible election is beyond mere vows. The parties have to match their vows with action. On-going campaigns of calumny among parties and candidates, bickering, mud-slinging and character assassination as opposed to issue-based campaigns are certainly not paths to credible and rancor-free election.

The election is the last this year ahead of Osun and Ekiti gubernatorial polls next year and the 2015 general elections. Anambrarians must get up and be counted.

The good people of the state, who are undoubtedly the overwhelming majority must rise up and say no to the minority few that gives Anambra a bad name.

OPINION

By KAYODE OJO

The NYSC Foundation scam: Be Beyyond Impunity?

Continued from yesterday

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ONSIDER: Should Nigerians look the other way because this Foundation was established by some former Directors-General of the scheme?

Should they look the other way even if it is discovered that the Foundation is, perhaps, a slush fund to service them in retirement? A good number of other posers can be raised ad-infinitum in order to ventilate personal anger; and this would be understandable.

It is depressing that a private entity can appropriate funds from a government entity without recourse to the National Assembly. It speaks volumes about the level of impunity that has pervaded the system. Or is it because the Foundation has as its Grand Patron, President Goodluck Jonathan and as its Life Patron, the founder of the NYSC, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.)? Does it mean that General Gowon or even President Jonathan is in bed with this fraudulent contraption? It is not possible. Their names were used to garner credibility and give a stamp of authority to the hoax.

Yes, it is fraud that the management of the NYSC itself would sanction the Foundation and ‘approve’ deduction of N500 per corps member into a private purse whether it is compulsory or optional subscription. The Foundation says the deduction is not compulsory; corps members say it is. It is even possible that desk officers are taking some of the money and not remitting all? This is an angle that the NYSC should administratively investigate.

C M Y K

Overall and more importantly, it is deliberate act to deceive the Nigerian public and corps members with its name: NYSC Foundation, when in fact it has nothing to do with the NYSC. How many people would be able to separate the two entities-NYSC and NYSC Foundation- and bother to take the step to find out if they are or not linked to each other?

This contraption is purely an avenue for some privileged persons and their cronies to continue to make money long after their tenures at the helm of affairs of the scheme. Or how would one explain that a ‘loan providing’ Foundation that claims to have collected over N300 million from corps members since 2007 has given out only N14 million of the money. What has been happening to the rest of the money? Yielding interest in some fixed deposit accounts somewhere? Or is it being shared by some persons as it comes in?

T

he good news from the grapevine is that the current board of NYSC has committed itself to reversing the trend. I understand that steps have been taken to stop the illegal collection and/or subscription, nay, extortion. I believe the Ministry of Youth Development supervising the NYSC and the Board should give this matter priority attention.

The Federal Government should eventually determine the existence of the Foundation.

But what was yet unclear as of the time of writing

this piece is whether or not the anti-graft agencies will be directed to move in to investigate the sleaze.

I sincerely believe that is the right thing to do if impunity of this kind is to be discouraged. The actors in this lurid drama should be made to account for the money so far collected, make necessary refunds to the coffers of government and thereafter face sanctions by appropriate institutions of government.

Having taken advantage of these young graduates who are only too eager to collect their discharge certificates and get into the labour market, bothering less about a seeming meagre sum of N500, which indeed may not be much, until multiplied with the number of corps members (put at about 300,000) mobilised and deployed annually in the last six years, I believe those behind the impunity should receive a just recompense for their fraudulent deal.

The syndicate feeding fat, and quietly so, on the innocence and sweat of our young graduates in service of our nation should be dismantled.

Nigerians should support the relevant authorities to viciously confront this impunity.

Concluded

Mr. Ojo , a commentator on national issues,wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013— —19

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RS. OKONJO-IWEALA may want Nigerians to believe that her father, a respected professor turned monarch, is a trustee of ASUU as her spokesman seems keen to advert. She may indeed add that her sister, ChikwenyeOkonjo Ogunyemi, a respected feminist professor in the United States- Okonjo-Iweala may wish to tell the rest of us who may not know that her own sister is also a teacher in addition to her two relatives she claims are students in Nigerian universities- she may flaunt these familial connections as evidence of her sympathy with the cause of ASUU. But they add up to nothing in the overall scheme of the current problems confronting our educational system. The fact is that Mrs. Iweala has no child of her own in a Nigerian university and it would be interesting to know if she ever had one who went through one of our universities. So she can only understand what it means to be a student or lec-

turer in any of these universities the same way a man could understand the pains of a woman in labour.

But the case of OkonjoIweala is pardonable (doesn’t she try or appear to empathize with the situation many Nigerians find themselves even if only by words of mouth?) when placed by that of Diezeani Allison-Madueke, the second of the bloated troika collectively playing the prima donna of the Jonathan cabinet circus. While OkonjoIweala affects some sensitivity to criticisms thrown at her, Allison-Madueke simply throws her nose up at Nigerians in the manner of a noble anxious to escape the suffocating presence of begrimed farm hands. Ever since her time as Works Minister when she responded to calls to help end the human carnage on the death-trap that was the OreBenin road with tears of her own, Mrs. Allison-Madueke has conducted herself in the haughty fashion of a hired

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hand that has become more powerful than her employer.

Confident of her immunity in the Jonathan presidency, she ignores the ‘ranting of an ant’ as she must consider complaints of Nigerians who seem to have moral issues about her headship of the Petroleum Ministry. With charges of alleged profligacy and corruption hanging on her like foul wind, she appears wrapped in the skin of a hippopotamus with her studied and arrogant silence which is only possible where only lip service is paid to the question of corruption.

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hile Mrs. Allison-Ma dueke may relish her alleged jet-flying lifestyle and the sense that she works for a principal clearly awed by his own recruit, she should remember that the proverbial voice of the people, the ultimate sovereign and her employer in the final analysis (isn’t she supposed to be a

Bullet-proof corruption

I

T was bound to come to this. The moment our “zero tolerance for corruption” president decided to fight tooth and nail against the public declaration of his assets, the moment he chose to declare instead “I don’t give a damn!” about any such nonsense as probity and leading by example, you knew the day was just around the corner when a ministercould import bullet-proof luxury cars as personal gifts to herself. I say personal gifts as all the facts known so far about the “scandal de jour ”, the current atrocity before another has us foaming at the corners of the mouth with unappeasable anger, point inescapably to that conclusion. Unless, of course, you believe that the said cars, which promptly disappeared from proper custody, were meant for visiting dignitaries.Yes, it was bound to come to the point whereall that it would take to order, import, evade customs duties and take possession of bullet-proof luxury vehicles at prices so stupefyingly inflated you would think the whole thing was a prank is for a minister to say to her subordinate, “Do the needful.”

That is all Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah, says she did. And if she believes this pathetic attempt to save face—because she has a face to save, unlike the hundreds who have perished in several plane crashes under her watch—then how tragic is it that she is a minister?

I won’t bother with the shocking details of this latest act of daylight robbery, of the unending pillage and dispossession of the people. What would be the point? To establish that the armoured vehicles— BMWs, Germany’s vaunted “ultimate

C M Y K

driving machines”, two Lexus limousines, and more,just in case you havebeen living in Mars for the past month or so—were bought without the “honourable” minister ’s consent or knowledge? That transporting visiting dignitaries of international aviation regulation organisations from one point to another requires armoured vehicles, as if they would even come if Nigeria were at war, and if so to tour the war fronts? Or that it was all the fault of due process for failing to spot anything dubious about a transaction whose every line item screamed CORRUPTION! CORRUPTION! in red letters? Or that the number and price of the vehicles—N255 million or $1.6 million for two BMWs alone—can be justified even by a lunatic?No, the facts, such as we already have, are sufficient to hang a dog; no need to first give it a bad name. To my mind, the most worrisome thing about the seemingly untameable catastrophe of official corruption has to do with the abject failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to lead anything close to a war against corruption, whatever his protestations to the contrary.

Recall, for instance, the President’s only action so far. On learning that his minister in charge of aviation, and,so, of air safety, had been accused of embezzling or misappropriating huge amounts of public funds while planes have been falling out of our sky like so many tattered paper kites flown by children, the latest being the Associated Airlines tragedy of 3 October 2013, what did he, enraged, do? Well, he set up a three-member panel to probe the

public servant?), is still the voice of God. She should remember too, as Achebe warns, that nobody ever wins a war against their own people. The overweening arrogance and hubristic silence that is the hallmark of her response to public angst and criticism of her very unremarkable tenure, sans the unremitting charge of corruption at the Petroleum Ministry, might well become the epitaph on the headstone of her ministerial years. She is only one step away, then, from the ‘sister-in-law ’ of President Jonathan (she seems to share a lot with Patience, including physical resemblance) and the ultimate leader from the rear of the group of women that have practically spooked the presidency of the former shoeless boy from Otuoke and have got him snared in a maze entirely of his own making: Stella Oduah.

Oduah has been dogged by allegations of corruption, ethnic bias and highhandedness among other unenviable attributes of public office holders long before her present ‘travails’. She denied all these allegations while going on in her accustomed way, apparently. Until she bit off more than she could chew, putting her act of impunity on national display with her alleged purchase of at least two armour-plated luxury vehicles among several others that have been linked to her.

Oduah in her appearance before the House of Representatives has admitted she gave approval for the purchase of the vehicles but had, she said,

minister. And then he proceeded on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during which he took time from his personal devotions to perform some official business.

(Sanctimonious officials are, of course, part of the problem of Nigeria. Their inability to separate the state from religion, their personal pieties from governance, will be the subject of my next column.) The only remarkable thing about

,

Goodluck Jonathan’s women (2)

President Jonathan’s body language shows he has no problem with Oduah or any of the trio that rule the roost of his government; he has mandated an investigative panel he knows would go nowhere

Deep down, our politicians know that a thief lives in perpetual fear of being discovered by the owner, in this case the masses of the Nigerian people pauperised and dehumanised by official kleptomania

,

that action which unmistakably expresses the President’s incandescent rage is that one of the persons to probe the minister, National Security Adviser Colonel Ibrahim Dasuki (rtd), travelled with Jonathan, while the minister to be probed had preceded the pilgrims-cum-publicservants to Jerusalem!It is quite possible Jonathan is embarrassed that bullet-proof luxury vehicles are now the poster-image

asked her subordinates to ‘do the needful’. What this Aviation Minister that is an expert in ground travels, freighting foreign ‘dignitaries’ in leisurely cars- what she means by ‘the needful’ is a ridiculous conundrum only she, the hacks at the Aviation Ministry and the irresponsible parastatals under her watch can unravel. She was so innocent of the charges against her, so apprised of the matter for which she was summoned before the House that the best she could do was read a prepared script in response to questions posed.

President Jonathan’s body language since this scandal broke shows he has no problem with Oduah or any of the trio that rule the roost of his government. He has mandated an investigative panel he knows would go nowhere.

And his apparent unwillingness to ‘do the needful’ has only strengthened the cause of the hired crowds that have been supporting Stella Oduah and bandying claims of a gang-up against her. President Jonathan is morallyspeaking, though, between a rock and a hard place with the Oduah case. This is not to say he is bothered as he knows only too well that questions of corruption in his government to say nothing of Nigeria is exaggerated. Yet from Nigerians’ comments on Stella Oduah, President Jonathan must have got a glimpse of history’s verdict on his presidency.

Concluded

of his war against corruption. Perhaps the irony is plain to him, seeing that he has yet to fire a single bullet, even one filled with hot words, in this war. Rather, he has been far happier to be a nurse, binding the wounds of convicted corrupt politicians as shown by the state pardon to his mentor, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha.

B

ut why armoured cars? Security for her many important foreign visitors, says Mrs Oduah, though Nigeria is not at war, but how grateful she must be to Boko Haram! We know, however, that security was only a crude and clever ruse, and I hazard that this new trend among our politicians in high public office symbolises something else: armoured luxury vehicles as atriple-meaning metaphor for corruption: unabashed ostentation; a sign of their sense of invincibility, of absolute protection from prosecution; and protection from the people whom they so shamelessly dispossess and impoverish.

Deep down, our politicians know that a thief lives in perpetual fear of being discovered by the owner, in this case the masses of the Nigerian people pauperised and dehumanised by official kleptomania.

And our politicians know that the masses, unlike our president, give a bloody damn about corruption, and that a day of reckoning looms. But do our bullet-proof politicians know that no armour is proof against the rage of the people when they are finally roused to action?

20— Vanguard ,

WEDNESD AY , NO VEMBER 6 , 20 13 WEDNESDA NOVEMBER 201

Debate of the masses

What is wrong with us?

BY EBELE ORAKPO

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*Some of the arms recovered from the suspected insurgents

Mission aborted: Sigh of relief for Bauchi residents as Police intercept insurgents I

T was a mission to open another sad chapter of carnage in Bauchi where many are still mourning and sorrowing over the loss of their beloved ones killed in the prime of their lives during past attacks by insurgents. But happily enough this devilish mission was aborted in the nick of time by the Police who intercepted the merchants of death as they were heading for their destination.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that the police killed one of the suspected armed insurgents and arrested four others in Gadar Maiwa Village in Ningi Local Government Area of the State.

Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said that the Police acted on intelligence report that some armed elements were hiding in Gadar Maiwa village, so the police laid ambush for them; this was around 3 am on the fateful day.

DSP Haruna said: “When the insurgents saw the policemen, they opened fire and Police countered the attack and in the process of exchange of fire, one of the suspects was shot dead, while the remaining four were arrested “.

Addressing newsmen at Police headquarters in Bauchi, the State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ladan said: “The police patrol team attached to Ningi Division intercepted the gunmen suspected to be insurgents at Gadan Maiwa village in Ningi LG and in the exchange of fire, one suspect sustained serious injury and was arrested and taken to the hospital where he later died while receiving treatment;

other four suspects were arrested”.

He added that Police recovered 11 AK 47 rifles, 1081 rounds of 7.63mm short live a munitions , 12 loaded magazines, eight empty magazines, one fabricated rocket launcher with three live cartridges, four Nokia handsets, four Hi-watt batteries for IED, including cables and one Toyota starlet with Reg No KAf 290 AA. He said some of the suspects were lucky to escape as they drove hurriedly away in their Corolla vehicle during the incident and assured that police

‘

The suspects came from Kaduna, Katsina and Kafancha to meet with their ring leader whose age is put at about 30 years

are 20 brand new single barrel guns, 293 cartridges and 20 expended cartridges.

The Commissioner who informed that one Ana’s Dahiru of Madina Quarters Bauchi was arrested at Fadama Madama area with cables wire valued at N5.6m, said that further investigations revealed that the suspect vandalized the cable of NTA transmission mast located at Warinje Mountain in Fadama Mada area in Bauchi.

He added two other suspects were arrested in connection with the vandalization.

Some residents of the state who spoke to VM about the incident, commended the Bauchi State Police Command for foiling the attack, saying that the state has had an unfair deal of challenges in the area of insecurity.

A business man, Nura Abdullahi who deals in food items in Wunti market, said the state for some time now have been experiencing relative peace, courtesy of the tireless efforts of the police in the state.

According to him: “The state for some time now have been relatively peace compared to what was experienced last year. I am not saying there are no incidences of crime in the state, but it has been reduced to the barest minimum and this achievement is due to the efforts of the police. Only God know what would have happened if these insurgents succeeded in their plan to attack the state metropolis”.

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BY SUZAN EDEH

had swung into action to arrest the fleeing suspects .

According to him: “The suspects came from Kaduna, Katsina and Kafancha to meet with their ring leader whose age is put at about 30 years old. But the police acting on intelligence report laid ambush for them and aborted their plans. The police is working tirelessly to arrest the ring leader who is at large”.

On a similar development, two suspects were also arrested with 505 station wagon with registration number: Kano, A411 GAk along the Bauchi -Gombe road .

Items recovered from the suspects, according to the police Commissioner,

E have really gone nuts in Nigeria,” sighed Mary this Monday morning in the Ikeja-bound commuter vehicle as the issue of child marriage was raised.

“Oh, that was a very long time ago. Are you just realising that? We are oldies in the crazy business. We are experts at majoring in minors,” replied Abel.

“For heaven’s sake, we have more pressing issues. The house is on fire and our leaders are busy chasing rats. Incredible!” exclaimed TJ “Bros, I disagree totally with you. The issue of child marriage is a serious one. We are talking about the life of the girlchild here. It’s like someone else running the life of the hapless child, determining what happens to her and whatever pains and deprivations she will have to endure in the process is not their business,” said Ngozi.

She continued: “To be honest with you, they are being very unfair to the girl-child, giving her out in marriage to someone old enough to be her father or grandfather.

Did they think of the thousands suffering from Vesicovaginal fistula, VVF, as a result of carrying pregnancy and giving birth at a very tender age? Once it happens, the poor girl who must have lost the child also loses her husband, family and friends because no one wants to be close to her as a result of the terrible odour oozing out of her.

Most of these girls were suffering in silence until some White missionaries came to their rescue.

With the assistance of some Nigerians, they worked round the clock treating and rehabilitating these girls. Now some insensitive lawmakers want to add to their job?”

Replied Abel: “Our leaders should lead by example. All those who voted in favour of the motion should first give out their underage daughters in marriage, then others can follow their lead.”

“If I may ask, at what age is a person considered an adult?” asked Moyo.

“Oh, different ages – from 16-21 and sometimes 12-17 for juvenile offenders. So I think the law should be clear on who is an adult,” answered Ibrahim.

“Imagine some saying that once a girl starts menstruating, she is an adult. Today, some girls start at nine years of age; so is a nine-year-old girl an adult?” asked Feyi.

Asked Uche: “What laws are really governing a sovereign nation like Nigeria?”

Replied Tunde: “The Nigerian Constitution, customary and Sharia laws and as long as the three run pari-passu, there will always be this kind of problem.”

“But why should the Senate even entertain such motion? The Senate governed by Sharia law?” asked Mary to which Tunde replied thus: “Someone raised the issue and so they had to tackle it.”

“I think we are missing something here.

They were not talking about marriage, they were talking about the legal age at which a Nigerian can renounce his/ her citizenship,” said Becky.

“So how did the marriage thing come in?” asked Moyo.

“May be because Yerima was involved,” replied Abel tongue-incheek.

“Anyway, whatever it was, is the legal age for renouncing citizenship the most pressing issue in Nigeria? There are more pressing issues that need to be amended in the Constitution for crying out loud!” said Mercy.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 21

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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ANELISTS from twelve Nigerian and Pan-African banks have screened more than 100 SMEs business plans in order to provide them with financial aids.

The SMEs were vying for the Bank of Industry, (BoI), the Western Union Company, USAID African Diaspora Market (ADM) funds.

The SMEs were drawn from six key development sectors of the economy such as information and communications technology (ICT), agro-business, manufacturing, retail, renewable energy, and innovations in mobile platforms.

Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Managing Director, BoI, who disclosed this during the 2nd annual SME live banking panel organised by the bank with her partners, said: “BoI has been working with SMEs for over a decade now and has continually underscored their key role in not only driving growth, but job creation.

She stated that BoI is Nigeria’s oldest, largest and most successful development financing institution.

“It was reconstructed in 2001 out of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) Limited, which was incorporated in 1964. The bank took off in 1964 with an authorised share capital of 2 million pounds (GBP). The International Finance Corporation, which produced its pioneer Chief Executive held 75 percent of its equity along with a number of domestic and foreign private investors. Although the bank’s authorised share capital was initially set at N50 billion in the wake of NIDB’s reconstruction

104.05

0.35

2,735.00

+81.00

18.34

into BoI in 2001, it has been increased to N250 billion in order to put the bank in a better position to address the nation’s rising economic profile in line with its mandate.

“Following a successful institutional, operational and financial restructuring programme embarked upon in 2002, the bank has transformed into an efficient, focused and profitable institution that is well placed to effectively carry out its primary mandate of providing long term financing to the industrial sector of the Nigerian economy,” said Oputu.

“As we co-host the 2nd SME Annual event, along with our partners, we want to again stress its uniqueness, and acknowledge the great banking partners who have recognised the role of SMEs in development, and are willing to help address the access to financing issues they face.”

“When our customers grow, the economies in which they live benefit,” said Aida Diarra, regional vice president for Western Union.

Recall that last year, 70 companies from the following trade associations participated. They are Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, and Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists , NASSI; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, as well as Nigerian Employers Consultative Association. They vied for two million dollars funding facility.

0.02

106.04

+0.05

94.05

-0.57

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

Banks screen SME’s business plans for financing

154.71 247.0564 208.9668 169.5638 1.5675 0.2997 236.3531 25.3618 41.2516 28.0155 236.2731

155.21 247.8548 209.6421 170.1118 1.5725 0.3097 237.1169 25.4442 41.3849 28.106 237.0367

SELLING 155.71 248.6533 210.3175 170.6598 1.5776 0.3197 237.8808 25.5266 41.5182 28.1966 237.8003

CBN Exchange rate as at 05/112013

FORUM:From left: Former United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb Robin Sanders; Regional Vice President, North, Central and West Africa, Mr. Aida Diarra; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu; and Vice President, Global Public Affairs, Western Union, Barbara Span, at the second annual SME live Banking Forum in Lagos.

ODUAGATE : Port users call for scrapping of duty waiver

By GODWIN ORITSE

W

AIVER of import duty on the controversial bullet proof BMW cars allegedly purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for official use of Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has resulted in port operators weighing the relevance of import duty waiver to the economy.

Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dikko Abdullahi, last week alleged that the Ministry of Finance granted waiver worth N10.1 million on the two contentious BMW cars imported by Coscharis Nigeria Limited for the Lagos State 18th National Sports Festival hosted in 2012.

The allegation that the bulletproof cars were among the vehi-

NASS should fast track 2014-2016 expenditure framework

By NAOMI UZOR

T

he Nigerian Associa tion of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has enjoined the National Assembly (NASS) to ensure speedy passage of the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

The President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, made the call when he addressed the private sector, policy makers and government func-

tionaries at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI. Represented by the Association’s Vice President, Iyalode Alaba -Lawson, NACCIMA applauded the Federal Government for demonstrating high sense of forward planning in the interest of the nation’s economy to bring about all inclusive growth by producing the proposed 20142016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which is before the National Assembly for passage.“We wish to counsel that the National Assembly should, with-

out further delay, fast-track the consideration of the MTEF and approve it,” he said.

He noted that no economy in the world is an island, nor can experience a sustainable level of real growth and development if the necessary economic reforms and incentives that would spur and position the economy in better stead to attract and encourage both local and foreign investors in the country, were not put in place.

“It has therefore become necessary for our government at all levels to ensure the enhancement and development of the private sector with appropriate and effective enabling policy measures .

cles imported duty-free on the approval of the Federal Government has not gone well with operators in the maritime industry.

Some of them have expressed anger over what they termed as the abuse of import duty waiver and have called for its scrapping.

Factional Secretary of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Ben Ndee, said that import duty waiver in Nigeria only serves as a tool to enrich politicians and should therefore be scrapped.

He said: “The ODUAHGATE is indeed a most welcome development that will promote Nigeria to a more respectable position in the next global corruption index. Years back under NPN - the father of PDP, it was import licence and the military dictatorship sustained it to placate the ever greedy politicians and civilservants. The import duty waiver, given from 1999 to date, is nothing but monumental fraud. Apart from military hardwares, hospital equipment, educational materials and projects that will create jobs for the teeming unemployed restive youths, no other import under whatever guise deserves duty waiver.”

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Protect your vehicle with a comprehensive cover (2)

W

HAT is

been maximally procomprehentected under sive motor intheir comsurance cover? prehensive As the name motor insurimplies, motor ance. comprehensive It has also insurance is been very the widest useful as a scope of cover collateral or available comsecurity repared to other quired to types of cover guarantee in the motor financier insurance class where veof products in hicles were the market. acquired

By Dr. Wole The cover or under a Adetimehin, benefits offered lease or by a Managing Director, by a motor loan.

Jully Insurance comprehensive The need Brokers and insurance to deal with which is a lot Immediate Past a genuine more embracPresident, Chartered insurance ing include: Insurance Institute of company/ •Loss or damNigeria, CIIN broker when age to the ingetting a sured vehicle comprehenby fire, theft, and accidental sive cover. It is very important collision. to patronize reputable insur•Legal liability for damage to ance firms if the buyers are to other vehicles and damage to enjoy the benefits guaranteed property belonging to Third under comprehensive covers Parties, often subject to a stan- when the need arises. This redard limit. quires the reliability, depend•Legal liability for death or ability, promptness and prubodily injury to Third Parties – dence on the part of insurers (often unlimited) when claims are being lodged •Legal cost and expenses in- and processed with them. Also, cluding solicitors fees incurred the services of brokers in packin defence of any court litiga- aging and negotiating covers, tion consequent upon prosecu- claim processing to the ultimate tion after an accident subject to satisfaction of insureds cannot the consent of the insurers. be overemphasized, and •Others benefits although should not be compromised subject to a standard limit in- because of their knowledge of clude medical expenses for the the market, products available insured and spouse, cover for and their expertise. personal effects, vehicle towing Good enough and to the benfees to the garage of repairs. efits of Nigerians are the fact •It is also possible to require that on-going reforms in the infor additional cover in respect surance sector which are being of liabilities or indemnity for enforced stringently by the acts of a passenger. For NAICOM-the sectors regulaexample, if the passenger tors, have impacted positively opens the vehicle against or on the industry operators and hitting an innocent passing their operations. All the gains pedestrian, or cyclist or motor- of the reforms are to the benefit ist. of insurance buyers in Nigeria, Why comprehensive cover and more than ever before inis important or even better surers and Brokers are better than the third party challenged to render their best Its importance is better appre- to insurance consumers in Niciated by the fact that it offers geria. the widest scope of covers, How to make a claim in the among all other types of motor event of an accident insurance covers, while it The following pragmatic steps leaves room for a number of are essential in processing a rights and privileges – which claim to satisfactory conclusions are added-values to compeni) NOTIFICATION: the insate buyers in this class. surer must be promptly notified What are the benefits of hav- directly or through a broker or ing a comprehensive covers? agent where they are involved.

Being an all-embracing and The incident must also be rethe most protective motor cover, ported to the police as their reinsureds minds are at peace, port may be needed to substanand are able to pursue their tiate the claim. business endeavors without stress or any anxiety having Continues next week SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

MOU: From left: Chairman, Lagos State chapter, National Association of Micro-finance

Banks, Mr. ValentineWhensu; Chief Executive Officer, Oando Downstream, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun; Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Mrs. Olaposi Wiliams, and General Manager, Oando Marketing Plc, Jhingran Sunil during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with micro-finance banks on mass gas usage in Nigeria, in Lagos.

Pension stakeholders in S’East zone to enjoy services

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

P

ENSION stakeholders in the South-East Zone can now avail themselves of the services of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, by visiting the newly opened zonal office there.

These stakeholders can as well lodge complaints, and seek education to the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, and request for sensitisation and awareness on pension and pension related matters.

In a statement signed by the Head of Communication Unit of PenCom, Mr. Emeka Onuora, PenCom, officially opened the SouthEast Zonal Office in Awka, Anambra State.

Onuora said that it is the fourth to be formally opened among the Commission’s zonal offices in the six geo-political zones of the country. Three zonal offices had earlier been commissioned at Calabar for the South-South States, Ilorin for the North-Central States and Lagos for the South-West States.

The National Pension Commission embarked on the establishment of zonal offices in the six geo-political zones of the country so as to decentralize its activities and bring it closer to the contributors and retirees.

Contributors and retirees “Due to the Commission’s renewed focus on efficient service, it seeks to reduce the need for contributors and retirees to travel from various parts of the country to Abuja for the singular reason of accessing the Commission’s services. In addition, the presence of the Commission will facilitate closer interaction with the states’ pension offices by assisting them to comply with the Contributory Pension Scheme. The South-East Zonal office in Awka has the mandate to effectively extend the Commission’s services to all the five states in the zone namely; Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia,” Onuora said.

The Acting Director General of the National Pension Commission, Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmazu noted that the Commission had remained steadfast in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme such that within its few years of existence, some modest achievements have been realised. She outlined such achievements as the consistent

payment of the retirement benefits to all employees who retired under the scheme since 2007 without the characteristic bottlenecks experienced in the past, the generation of investible funds of more than 3.72 trillion naira invested in various financial instruments and the registration of about 5.82 million contributors into the Contribution Pension Scheme.

She also added that the Commission had made an input in the process of a major amendment to the Pension Reform Act 2004 currently at the final stages of consideration by the National Assembly. The Commission, she enthused, has also established a call centre in order to enhance its service delivery through an efficient complaints resolution process.

She nonetheless regretted that the SouthEast Zone known to be highly industrious and possessing enterprising intellectuals was yet to take its rightful place in the adoption and implementation of the CPS. The Acting Director –General disclosed that three states namely: Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu were yet to enact the law on the CPS. Imo State, Anohu-Amazu explained, enacted its law on CPS in 2008 and appointed Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to register its employees but information available to the Commission showed that Imo State has suspended the implementation of the Scheme. Anambra State, she stated, only recently enacted its law on the Scheme and is still expected to carry out the next necessary steps like setting up administration structure, appointment of PFAs, registration of employees by the PFAs, remittance of pension contributions and determination of accrued pension liabilities of workers among others.

She therefore appealed to the states in the South-East Zone not to be left out of a national success story which is what the Contributory Pension Scheme has become. The Acting Director General also explained that the Commission was currently exploring the possibility of allowing contributors to utilize part of their Retirement Savings Account balance to part-finance the acquisition of homes, pointing out that these facilities would be availed to states that have fully embraced the scheme.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 23

BRIEFS Risk rises amid urbanisation and expansion — Zurich

U

SUMMIT: From left: Dr. Olusoji Adeyi, Sector Manager (Health, Nutrition and Population), Africa Region, The World Bank; Pradeep Ramamurthy, Director, The Abraaj Group; Adesimbo Ukiri, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Avon Healthcare Ltd; Ambassador John Simon, Founding and Managing Partner, Total Impact Advisors and Dr. Richard Afonja, Chief Executive Officer, American Hospitals and Resorts, Blood and Cancer Centre, Lagos, all panellists during the US-Africa Business Summit 2013 at the McCormick Place Convention Centre in Chicago, USA.

Health insurance crucial to wellbeing of ordinary Africans – Ukiri Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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RS. Adesimbo Ukiri, CEO of Avon Healthcare, a Health Management Organisation, HMO, has said that health insurance is crucial to ensure ordinary Africans have access to, and the ability to pay for, effective healthcare goods and services.

Ukiri said that the industry must consolidate efforts with public and private partners to drive better access to healthcare.

Ukiri made this statement at the 9th Annual U.S. Africa Business Summit, which was organised by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), an America-based non-profit organisation established to promote business and investment between the United States and Africa.

According to her, with more long-term investment, the growing healthcare sector in Nigeria and other parts of Africa has the potential to develop rapidly and yield excellent returns.

She expressed confidence in the prospects for healthcare financing on the African continent. She said, “Several financing and investment opportunities exist in hospital chains throughout sub-Saharan Africa that focus on primary care, maternal and infant health and the management of chronic (non-commu-

nicable) diseases, as well as general surgery.”

Other areas for investment, according to Ukiri, include stand-alone diagnostic centres, pharmaceuticals manufacturing and health insurance institutions.

She stated that key success factors that needed to be addressed to ensure sustained viability of investments on the delivery side of healthcare include: government support, by

way of policies and regulations to facilitate universal health coverage through mandatory health insurance; robust standardisation and accreditation regimes across national healthcare facilities to stimulate higher quality treatment and better clinical outcomes; and a commitment to the development, training and retention of local healthcare professionals.

Ukiri added that the ability

to achieve scale was crucial to optimising any of these opportunities that the continent presented.

Avon HMO, with a network of more than 300 hospitals spread across the country, is a member of the Heirs Holding Group, a conglomerate of companies chaired by African business leader and philanthropist, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

Federal authorities yet to recoup investors’ money from scam deal

H

undreds of Northern Californians bought into the death benefit investment program marketed by a Redding company a decade ago, pouring in an estimated $25 million. It was a scam. Federal authorities swooped in six years ago, shut down the company and tried to recoup the investors’ money.

Now the case is winding down. The defendants have pleaded guilty and the first prison sentence was just handed out. A Michigan businessman tied to the scheme, Mark Wolok, was given a fiveyear term for securities fraud in U.S. District Court in Sacramento. Investors, though, remain empty-handed. Although the effort to recoup funds isn’t over, court records suggest investors are unlikely to get

much back.

“I haven’t seen a dime and I’m not sure I ever will,” said John Edlund, a Sun City Roseville resident who invested $50,000 with the Redding firm.

Edlund purchased a financial instrument called a ‘viatical.’

The concept was perfectly legitimate - a life insurance policy converted into an investment. Viaticals, also known as life settlements, arose 30 years ago, when dying AIDS patients began selling their life insurance policies to raise cash.

They’ve become a big business, with Wall Street financial firms investing in them.

But authorities said the owners of Redding-based Secure Investment Services lied to investors about the risks involved and improperly used their money to prop up a rapidly

crumbling business. The losses to investors will run into the millions.

The toll has been more than financial. Wolok’s business partner in Michigan, a man named David Goldenberg, committed suicide two months after he and the other defendants were indicted in 2007. The principal of Secure Investment Services, 76-year-old Donald Neuhaus of Redding, died of natural causes soon after.

In Roseville, the case has turned neighbors into enemies.

Several of the defrauded investors were Sun City residents who were lured into the scheme by one of their own, a sales agent and fellow resident named Robert Koppel. After pleading guilty to securities fraud, Koppel was sentenced Oct. 25 to three years’ probation.

rbanisation and interconnectedness are increasing the complexity and volume of risk, according to Zurich Corporate Business CEO Thomas Hurlimann.

Companies now face a greater risk of reputational damage from social media use and mistakes when they expand abroad, he said.

Risks are growing faster than global GDP as populations become more concentrated in cities near shorelines and fault lines, he says.

Natural catastrophes are increasing in frequency and severity, and technological advances have made it easier to source goods globally, intensifying supply chain risk.

Hurlimann says potential loss from supply chain disruption continues to grow, prompting Zurich to cover against loss when goods do not arrive, rather than requiring an event trigger that can be difficult to identify.

“It is a very different way to look at it. Everything is agreed beforehand and there is no argument about what the business interruption claim is.”

PI cover failing the market, FOS warns

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rofessional indemnity (PI) insurance is failing to fulfill its role of compensating consumers when financial service providers collapse, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) says.

The PI cover needed to meet regulatory requirements “is either not available or very costly for small firms to obtain”, it has told the Senate inquiry into the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

“It has also not proved an adequate compensation mechanism for consumers.”

Although financial service licensees are required to have adequate compensation arrangements to meet awards under external dispute resolution, “We consider there is a market failure that needs an appropriate policy response from industry and government”.

FOS supports a financial services compensation scheme of last resort. It reports a rise in cases of financial services providers being unable to meet either a FOS decision or a court determination because of insolvency.

Uncompensated loss affects the regulatory system’s ability to resolve financial services complaints, and this is particularly important as the population ages and Baby Boomers start to use rather than build savings, the ombudsman says.

24 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 , 2013

Secondary Education and Youth Employment (1)

SIGN-ON: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar

Onyema (left), and Director of Investment and Enterprise Division, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Mr. James Zhan, during the sign-on ceremony of the NSE to the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative at the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) meeting in Mexico

Diamond Bank leverages innovative products, posts N25.62bn PBT Stories by PETER EGWUATU

D

IAMOND Bank Plc has recorded a 10 percent growth in Profit before Tax (PBT) in its third quarter result 2013, when compared to the corresponding period of 2012. The bank posted a profit before tax of N25.6 billion in the period under review.

In a statement released to newsmen, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Dr. Alex Otti, stated that the bank was delighted by the positive results as it demonstrated sustainable growth in its business. He added that the impressive figures were driven mainly by the wide acceptance of the bank’s products.

According to Dr. Otti, “We at Diamond Bank are pleased to report continued success in implementing our strategy across the group as demonstrated by sustained growth in our balance sheet and profitability. Our innovative product offerings have continued to gain traction and have availed the bank access to a larger portion of the under-banked population, with total deposits from

customers increasing by 17 percent from our December 2012 levels.”

Diamond Bank’s Q3 2013 results show improvement in various areas of the group balance sheet for the first nine months of the year with total assets increasing by 17 percent to N1.3 trillion; loans and advances to customers increased by 17 percent to N681.8 billion; and a nine percent decline in nonperforming loans ratio amongst others.

It will be recalled that in the course of the year, the bank embarked on a number of initiatives in a bid to consolidate its market leadership in the retail banking space and further improve on its performance. These include the launch of the Agency Banking model – the BETA product, in partnership with Women’s World Banking (WWB); the launch of a dedicated proposition targeted at secondary and primary schools –the Diamond School Xpress Proposition; and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading telecoms services operator for the launch of a hybrid bank account –the Diamond Y’ello Account.

Conoil Q3 profit up by 341% C

ONOIl Plc has rekindled its 2013 half year glowing performance with an impressive third quarter (Q3 ) 2013 profit of N3.08 billion .According to Conoil’s unaudited report submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend, its profit before tax (PBT) rose to N3.08 billion from N699.4 million recorded during the same period last year, which represents 341 percent increase.

Also, demonstrating its efficiency in the management of resources, Conoil posted 329 percent rise in profit after tax (PAT) from N487.2 million in 2012 to N2.09 billion, while revenue also rose from N114.7 billion to N121.8 billion. The downstream company’s earnings per share (EPS) also rose sharply by 330 percent from 70 kobo to N3.01.

Industry analysts and watchers are of the opinion that, going by the excellent C M Y K

performance thus far this year, the company will end up with higher dividend for its shareholders at the end of the current financial year compared to what it paid last year.

Predictably, the capital market has reacted positively to the sterling performance of the company with a surge in demand for its stocks by investors resulting in 62 percent jump in its share price between June and October this year. “The performance is very much in line with the commitment of the board to continue to make progress towards delivering superior shareholder value,” the company said.

Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Conoil Plc had, while previewing the company’s performance for 2013 at its 43rd annual general meeting, assured shareholders that the company remained committed to growing its business in order to maintain its leadership position in the downstream petroleum sector.

e are looking for a minimum of 5 00,000 jobs to be created each year for our young people. Employment that is readily available to a secondary school leaver without any further training is in the position of personnel assistant in an office. There are a limited number of such positions available and we should direct our attention to areas where there are opportunities for employment. Such areas include manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, power supply etc. However, the school leavers would have to attend training programmes before they could benefit from employment in the above areas.

The Institute for Industrial Technology, IIT, in Isheri North, Lagos State is a very good example of what a training institution for our young people should be. The institute takes in secondary school leavers and transforms them during an intensive two-year programme into electro-mechanical technician-engineers for employment in the manufacturing and process industries. Students of the institute learn to use modern equipment for making precision spare parts for replacement of malfunctioning parts in machinery.

The institute has been equipped at some cost and its hands-on approach makes the students competent in and confident of their acquired abilities. Employment in the oil and gas sector is dominated by expatriate technician-engineers and graduates of the institute can be placed in the oil and gas sector. There is therefore a need for several training institutions to be established, preferably by the private sector, and patterned to deliver excellence like the IIT does.

The next area that has opportunities for youth employment is the transportation sector. A considerable number of large passenger buses have been introduced during the past few years in Lagos and Abuja for Bus Rapid Transit schemes. Quite a number of these buses are in a state of disrepair and these buses require professional maintenance. There exists an opportunity for an organisation to set up something similar to IIT for the training of secondary school leavers as automotive technician-engineers with the skills required for maintenance of diesel engines and the systems that keep buses moving. Training programmes could also be provided to cover diesel engines used in electric power generators.

Technicians-engineers with the appropriate skills are also required in the power supply sector especially in power transmission and power distribution systems. Both systems require personnel that understand modern protection methods and who could install and maintain the required protection system. Again, secondary school leavers could be trained to acquire the knowledge, skills and technical competence in an intensive two-year programme.

The sector that has the potential for taking in a large number of secondary school leavers is agriculture. The Lagos State Government, LASG, has a training programme for young farmers. The Ekiti

State Government, EKSG, has a training programme dealing with tractor operations and management.

The EKSG programme could be extended to cover tractor maintenance either as a complement to the operators programme or as a separate automotive programme. The Leventis Foundation has a comprehensive one-year training programme which exposes the participants to most areas of

,

W

There exists an opportunity for an organisation to set up something similar to IIT for thetrainingofsecondary schoolleaversasautomotive technician-engineerswith the skills required for maintenanceofdiesel engines and the systems that keep buses moving

,

agriculture and farm business.

However, the Leventis Foundation requires that a participant should have access to a minimum of one hectare of farmland. How do we find farmland for prospective participants?

The River Basins Development Authorities, RBDAs, have acquired land for irrigation schemes all over Nigeria. Quite a number of these irrigation schemes have been partially implemented and the undeveloped land could be put to use in the interim for rain-fed agriculture. Specifically, the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project located at Odo-Ogun near Iseyin, Oyo State was planned to cover an area of 12,000hectares with the land development over three phases. To date, only about 700 hectares have been completed for cropping by irrigation. The project was initiated more than twenty years ago with a first phase covering 3000 hectares. It would appear that at least 9000 hectares of land at this location would be readily available for rain-fed agriculture. Such land as this should be allotted to participants of the Leventis Foundation programme and similar training programmes.

Nigeria covers an area of about 920,000 sq.km. If we could find one % of this area to devote to agricultural land schemes for our youth, we would be able to allot one hectare to each of 920,000 of our young people. Besides the agricultural land already acquired by the government, state authorities should make new arrangements for farm settlements and other land holdings that could be allotted to young farmers.

CONCLUDED DR. AKINTOLA OMIGBODUN omigbodunaa@yahoo.com

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—25

DIARY

Select ICT events z GITEX Technology Week 2013.

Holds 20-24 Oct 2013 in Dubai, UAE.

zSAP TechEd 2013.

Holds 21-25 Oct 2013 in Las Vegas, USA. zBroadband World Forum Europe 2013.

Holds 22-24 Oct 2013 in Amsterdam, Holland. zSMAU 2013.

Holds 23-25 Oct 2013 in Milan, Italy.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Mobile heart monitor

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T

HE versatile Heart Monitor from AliveCor can be attached to any compatible smartphone, allowing it to be used by different mobile devices in almost any location.

Unlike current portable heart monitors, the AliveCor Heart Monitor is not integrated into a smartphone or smartphone case. Instead, the pocket-sized sensor is embedded in a plate that can be attached to the back of a mobile device or case.

The monitor communicates with the smartphone via ultrasound picked up by the phone’s microphone and does not require Bluetooth—which makes it more energy efficient.

Because the Heart Monitor can be used with lower-cost Android phones, it could be particularly useful in developing countries.

I N S I D E C M Y K

Our continued telecom growth is threatened —Adebayo, ALTON chairman

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

C

HAIRMAN, Asso ciation of Li censed Telecom companies of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo has not hidden his desires to see the Nigerian Telecom landscape lead the world market, if possible. This, according to him, is why he could hardly keep quiet when things are not going the right way in the sector.

In this interview, Adebayo warned that the country should not gloat at the usual attribute of the fastest growing economy in the emerging markets because if we do not fashion ways of consistently staying on top, the tide may sweep past us and to play catch-up in a technology driven world economy is hardly the best decision for a forward looking economy.

Having come to the last quarter of the year, how will you say the telecom industry performed so far?

There has been a lot of progress recorded in the

Nigerian Telecoms sector in 2012 and2013. However, they have been challenging years. The industry witnessed sustained sporadic attacks on infrastructure by insurgents.

This was the first of its kind, sudden and totally unexpected. It is a timely reminder that the telecoms industry is a part of the larger Nigerian economy and not immune to the wider socio-economic issues the country, Nigerian citizens and the larger business community are facing on a daily basis.

As you are aware, the industry is grappling with the common challenges of multiple taxation and regulation, power, theft and the dearth of supporting infrastructure, amongst other issues. The industry has over the past decade developed a certain degree of competence to manage these issues. For instance, operators have and continue to invest extensively in infrastructure, building transmission and power networks which are outside our core competence to ensure that we are able to deliv-

er services to meet our license obligations. Due to the rising incidence of security issues, operators have now had to go through a learning curve to build and develop robust security networks.

In simple terms, operz Adebayo ators have built extensive power generating networks at a huge cost to ensure availability of service, and now operators have to build extensive security networks to support operations.

So are you saying operators have been left alone to address all these industry challenges?

I am not saying so. In fact, we have enjoyed immense support from government and the relevant in which we find ouragencies. The main point, selves. With the extensive however, is that the tele- footprint the telecoms incoms industry is not im- dustry has had all over the mune to the environment country, our industry

,

z FUTURECOM 2013. Holds 21-24 Oct 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

The industry is grappling with the common challenges of multiple taxation and regulation, power, theft and the dearth of supporting infrastructure challenges are a lot more complex to manage. I will give as example the extractive industry whose Continues on Page 30

FG, Huawei train 1,000 female ICT warriors

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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TRAINING: From left, Permanent. Secretary, Ministry of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, CT Minister and Peng Song, President, Huawei West Africa on Monday during launch of ICT training for 1000 Nigerian girls by the Ministry and Huawei. Photo by Emeka Aginam.

ICT stakeholders power up for WAFICT Congress

BBM records 80 million active users

HE Federal Minis try of Technology in partnership with Huawei Technologies, last Monday in Lagosflagged off a training programme on basic ICT knowledge for 1000 Nigerian girls.

Also, the ministry launched the SmartWoman Nigeria initiative in collaboration with US based social enterprise ChangeCorp and WIM-

Nigeria tech-ready for investors, says NITDA boss

BIZ same day in Lagos.

Launch of the gender initiatives is expected to help empower Nigerian women and girls in ICTs. About 1,000 female students are expected to benefit from the training programme which started today in Huawei’s ICT Training Center in Lagos The three day training programme is expected to empower Nigerian female students with ICT Continues on Page 26

StarTimes' TopTV rebrands, includes porn channels

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

ICT stakeholders power up for WAFICT Congress

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OR stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT sector, all roads, tomorrow, will lead to Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, where the 2013 edition of the West African Communications and Information Technology, WAFCIT, expo kicks off in earnest.

The expo, over the decade, has been one of the meeting points of industry professionals, including regulators, operators and value added services providers and has provided platform for business networking and to share ideas that help in moving the industry forward.

In its past editions, prominent personalities and high net worth professionals who took up speaking roles, have presented valuable papers which challenged decision makers, provoked debates and ended up sharpening the policies that govern the industry.

Already, this edition may

not be any different, as notable and very experienced speakers are also said to have been lined up top present papers.

To lead the team of speakers in this edition, according to the organisers, is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Eugene Juwah, who will have the backing of President Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi as well as the Chairman Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo.

Also on the list of confirmed speakers for the conference included the Chairman of Open Media Group who is the immediate past EVC of the NCC, Engr (Dr.) Ernest Ndukwe, as well as President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) Mrs. Mary Uduma.

FG, Huawei train 1,000 female ICT warriors Continues from Page 25 skills and knowledge.

Minister of Communication Technology (FMCT), Mrs Omobola Johnson while speaking to IT Journalists during the launching of both initiatives said that it was time the imbalance in ICT adoption and appropriation among men and women was removed.

The Minister emphasised that ICTs have the transforming power to accelerate the development of women by helping them to be more efficient and effective in their jobs, careers, and business and to generate new employment opportunities.

According to the Minister who is passionate about youth development via software development and innovation, ICT has unlimited potential to significantly contribute to increasing the social welfare of women.

She said that the Ministry was committed in empowering women and girls to embrace ICTs to actualize their potentials and contribute to the economic development of Nigeria through various specific technology initiatives.

However, the launch 1000 girls training program is part of Huawei’s corporate social responsibility across the country.

“The program was part of Huawei’s commitment of localization, technology transferring to Nigeria and employment promotion, Mr. Hover Gao, C M Y K

Vice President of Huawei West Africa, said, , adding that , “ “Huawei is the first ICT solutions provider to establish an ICT training center in Abuja back in 2004 and since then the training center has provided more than 5,000 opportunities to ICT practitioners. “ Huawei and FMCT orientation program on ICT Basic Knowledge for female students is not a one time off event. On the contrary, Huawei and FMCT will develop this campaign into a long-term project. The training also enables us to create an ICT talents pool and some of the trainees will become Huawei employees”, Hover said.

Meanwhile, the SmartWomen initiative seeks to promote the development of women in Nigeria by harnessing the power of mobile communication tools provided by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The SmartWoman initiative which featured at the first meeting of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development Working Group on Gender in Mexico City of which the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson is a member is targeted at lowto middle-income urban and high-income rural women business owners.

It offers learning in communication skills, banking, financial, health, and family work/life balance issues.

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OLLOWING the launch of BBM on Android and iPhone devices recently, with more than 10 million downloads in the first 24 hours, BBM has now ended its first week with more than 80 million monthly active users, including over 20 million new users on Android and iPhone devices.

It would recalled that during its first week, BBM was the top free overall app in 35 countries in Google Play and in 107 countries in the App StoreSM, and continues to maintain a strong position in key markets such as Canada, the US, the UK, Indonesia and much of the Middle East, to name a few.

“It is great to see so many people downloading BBM, but the true measurement for us is engagement – the connections being made and the conversations in which our BBM community engages. The power of BBM has always been the active, real conversations and interaction that our customers enjoy,”

BBM records 80 million active users said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President of BBM at BlackBerry, adding that, “From here on out, we will focus on active users of BBM and will no longer focus on simple download numbers.”

With the BBM community now at more than 80 million active users around the globe, users are connecting on the private social network like never before.

This past weekend, BlackBerry was able to remove the virtual lineup so that Android and iPhone users can now immediately download, sign in and start using BBM without having to wait.

Interestingly, BBM users are enjoying the immediacy and control that BBM offers as they chat with their new contacts – either one-to-

one, in multiperson chats or as part of a BBM Group.

The delivered and read statuses, as well as the messageinprogress alert, keep people engaged and active in conversations on BBM. BBM users can also share files such as photos, and voice notes, as well as update their statuses with ease.

BBM Groups allows photo, calendar, chat and file sharing for up to 30 people in a usergenerated community.

Every BBM user has a unique PIN that helps

maintain privacy, so users never have to give out their phone number or email address to a new or casual contact.

BlackBerry ID connects with a person’s PIN, BBM contact list and services to make device switching quick and easy.

The BBM experience will continue to evolve.

In the coming months, BlackBerry will deliver BBM Video calling, BBM Voice calling and BBM Channels – a new community building service to connect BBM users even more broadly – to Android and iPhone users.

— EMEKA AGINAM

Our continued telecom growth is threatened Continues from Page 25 footprints are limited to where the natural resources are found. Companies in the extractive industry have to grapple with challenges limited to those areas. Telecoms operators on the other hand are forced to deal with issues which cut across geographical and geopolitical boundaries. If a local government or state is under siege, telecoms operators are also under siege.

Does that mean that the industry’s existence is currently threatened?

Well, yes, I will say that our sustainability as a successful industry is threatened. When I say successful industry I would like to point out that our successes as an industry can be measured by the giant strides we have recorded in the past decade.

From a waiting time to connect a line of 9 months to 3 years to a connection within five minutes. In addition, the industry has been a shining example of foreign direct investment. It is also an example of government’s successes in liberalization of utilities. If you believe that the telecoms industry has been successful, imagine how the power sector reform will impact lives in Nigeria when implementation is concluded. The telecoms industry has created thousands of jobs.

We have created a value chain of suppliers and a support structure that indirectly creates jobs, pay substantial taxes and other levies to government.

The Industry also provides support and acts as the backbone for other major areas of the Nigerian economy such as the banking and financial sector. We have supported government in achieving a lot of its policy objectives. Take for example the SIM registration exercise which has been one of the most successful attempts to create a viable national database of Nigerian citizens. Operators have invested huge sums of money and committed extensive resources to deliver this database to the government with the full support and commitment of the NCC. Looking at all these I would say if the industry is not adequately protected by effectively addressing the challenges I earlier mentioned, it risks a major collapse. Even a partial collapse of the Ni-

gerian telecoms industry will have a huge impact on the socio-economic fabric of Nigeria.

So what is the industry doing to avert such collapse?

Well we have continued to work with our regulator, the NCC and the Government to find solutions to address our challenges. One of the many initiatives we are working on to address these challenges is getting the assets and infrastructure of the telecoms industry declared as Critical National Infrastructure. Just like the Oil & Gas Sector which has had its critical infrastructure protected by the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti- Sabotage) Act 1975.

By extension, we are working to achieve a similar protection for the telecoms industry through legislation to secure CNI

in the best interest of the country. We strongly believe that until this legislation is passed, telecoms infrastructure and the industry as a whole will remain challenged.

You mentioned the SIM Registration exercise.

Nigerians are wondering what has happened to all the data they provided?

Like I indicated, it was the first successful attempt to create a credible national database of Nigerian citizens, albeit phone subscribers. The SIM registration remains a continuous exercise. For example any new SIM card purchased is registered and the information uploaded to the NCC database. For the registrations that have already been done, our members have uploaded these data to the NCC database and are working with the NCC to ensure a robust reconciliation is done.

DIGIGIRLZ: From left: Helen Anatogu, Legal Manager, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa and Angola; Abdul-Mohammed Mustapha, Representative of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Kabelo Makwane, Senior Executive, Microsoft Nigeria; Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin, Acting Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria and Olayinka Oni, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria during the Microsoft DigiGirlz day in Lagos

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 27

Revive begins online retail of IT devices

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Nigeria tech-ready for investors, says NITDA boss

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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MARTING from Ni geria's massive presence at the recently concluded Gitex trade show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Acting Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Dr Ashiru Daura last week re affirmed his position that Nigeria was ready, technologically and otherwise, for business, to investors seeking to explore the vast market.

Daura who spoke to a few journalists, on return from the Dubai trip said that Nigeria's showing at the event, broke barriers,particularly with a Nigeria pavilion at the show.

He expressed belief that the country would soon begin to express influx of investors, based on the impact the country made at the concluded trade show.

Daura said that although the event may have come and gone,the Nigerian companies that exhibited at the Pavilion would confess to still salivating over the networking opportunities and the business prospects the event brought them.

The Nigerian pavilion at the event, according to him, was targeted at promoting Nigerian companies, products and serv-

GITEX: From left, Dr. Vincent Olatunji of NITDA and Acting D-G, NITDA, Dr. Ashiru Daura, listening to an official during the GITEX show in Dubai, UAE, last month. ices to the world, to complement government's efforts to grow local IT companies and expose their products and services to international opportunities.

The Nigerian pavilion at this year’s GITEX, had the theme: ‘NigeriaReady for businesses' . It helped to solidify different interests in the Nigeria IT terrain and provided robust synergy between government and private sector players.

Local talents and solutions ranging from financial and educational solutions were on display.

Expressing his excitement at the number of

Nigerian companies that exhibited at the expo, Dr. Daura said, " I was truly challenged. That was my first visit to GITEX, there are a lot of things to see and learn from. With what I have seen so far, I think we need to encourage our own companies especially the young ones to participate and show their products and services just like other countries have done,” he added.

He assured that NITDA will take the lead in organizing a better showing at the 2014 GITEX, adding that "NITDA as a government agency forms government’s representation of IT in Nigeria, we

are in the best position to bring all sorts of opinion and people from the industry to this kind of event event.

Also speaking in support, president of ITAN, Mrs. Florence Seriki added that “the exposure and business opportunities presented before Nigerians in such event is great, Government partnership with the industry through ITAN is an evidence of sheer commitment which Nigerian IT entrepreneurs should take advantage of. We must always strive to come out and showcase our products and show the world that we can do it".

Ericsson unveils 2014 app award

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

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EADING provider of telecommunications equipment and services, Ericsson has announced entry for an application award tagged The Ericsson Application Awards.

The award, which is in the fifth consecutive year since inception allows students and small- and medium-sized enterprises from anywhere in the world to submit Android and iOS apps for screening.

This competition is expected to give developers, start-ups and anyone who has an idea for a great app, the opportunity to gain a foothold in the app industry, while also earning recognition and making contacts within the telecom industry.

According to the company, there will be two categories for this contest – one for students, and one for small- and mediumsized enterprises with fewer than 100 employ-

ees.

The theme of the 2014 competition is Apps for Working Life, in support of Ericsson’s vision of a Networked Society in which – through a combination of mobility, broadband, the cloud, applications and services – anything and everything is connected.

The company said it is tinkering on how can apps help people in their daily working life both now and in the future and how do people can contribute to making the next generation of working life a context where people can better innovate, collaborate and balance life outside work.

The winner of the student category in 2013 was Portugal’s GreenSpark, which offered a solution based on energy efficiency with a truly global reach.

The UK’s TboxApps was the winner in the company category. Their solution was based on usage

patterns in order to get access to instant messages and quickly get help.

For this year, the first prize is EUR 25,000, while second prize is EUR 10,000, and special recognition for innovation sup-

porting Technology for Good. The third to 10th prize will get diplomas and honorary mentions.

In all, 192 teams took part in the 2013 competition, compared with 143 in 2012 from 52 countries.

ISPON lauds Ajayi's appointment to NITDA chair

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HE Institute of Soft ware Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has commended the Federal government for the recent appointment of Dr. Tosin Ajayi as the new board chairman of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA ISPON is the IndustryProfessional body for Indigenous Software Developers and Practitioners in Nigeria and has been in the forefront of championing the advocacy for the application and utilisation of locally developed software in order to boost our economy, GDP and provide

an alternative to oil as a revenue earner.

The appointment of Dr. Tosin Ajayi as the Chairman of the Board of NITDA, according to the ISPON President, Chris Uwaje was a welcome development, saying that ISPON is willingly to work with the new Board towards achieving the rapid advancement of the Nigerian ICT sector as spearheaded by Her Excellency, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology.

Dr. Tosin Ajayi is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.

NE of the leading mobile devices retail outlet in Nigeria, Revive technologies Ltd, has commenced online retailing mobile devices and other Information technology products The company in a press conference recently said, the move was aimed at providing a more convenient and flexible alternative purchase channel option for its growing customers, is also in line with the company's decision to drive the cashless economy policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria from retail side.

Speaking on the online retailing initiative, Revive’s Chief Executive Officer of Mr. Wale Thomas, said the online purchase option does not rule out the physical option, which consumers have to buy mobile and other IT devices from its retail outlet scattered across the country. Rather the online purchase will further help their various customers to pick their devices at much more affordable prices.

He reiterated that Re-

vive will be adding value to their teeming and prospective customers through delivering promptly and efficiently purchases to any part of the country with little or no additional cost. He also noted that Revive’s kind of online retail store is unique because it is not like every other online store but absolutely different from what already obtains because it has a round the clock online customer care service.

With experience in IT business spanning over 19 years, Thomas says, "Our online purchase option is introduced to create flexibility, choices and convenience for our numerous customers. It's in addition to the existing opportunity they have to walk into our physical retail outlets and make their purchase. ?From wherever you are, you can log on to the internet, brose the various products on display and make purchase with your preferred payment option and the products will be delivered to you," he said.

Bolfyng pledges support with e-tendering solution

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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IDS Online For You Limited, an online bid creation, bid posting and tenders solution company, has said it will continue to support electronic tendering in Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, The Director of Bolfyng, Mr. Kehinde Kassim in a press conference last week told newsmen that the company’s solution allows organizations to electronically post bids anytime, anywhere within minutes with no software requirement or Information Technology support on the part of the organization.

The company, he said was set up to enable procurement organizations create, post and advertise bid opportunities electronically, while also facilitating electronic bid document distribution and download as well as connecting purchasers to reputable suppliers within and outside Nigeria.

“Electronic tendering is backed by section 40 of the Nigerian procurement Act of 2007. Bolfyng is solidly backed by our reliable technical partner, Biddingo, a reputable international company operating in Can-

ada for over 20 years, leading the provision of e-Purchasing, e-Tendering and e-Bidding solutions.

“The company has transformed many organizations, municipals, state and federal government purchasing unit in Canada and United States to an e-Purchasing platform.

“The e-Tendering solution will help transform procurement units to electronic tendering units thus promoting transparency, fairness and openness in bid posting and award, as stipulated by section 2 of the procurement Act.”, Kassim said, He said the firm’s services, among others, included: online bid/tender creation, posting and publishing by procurement team within minutes; cheaper advert; instant notification on bid posted for suppliers; daily auto count down on bids closing date, among others.

With the technology, he said procurement team could be directly connected to suppliers as well as suppliers worldwide, and “Suppliers have access to view your bids every day and anywhere even after bid closing date.”

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C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 29

StarTimes' TopTV rebrands, includes porn channels

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA

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N Digital Media, ODM, owner of South African pay-TV platform, Top TV is in the news again. The development centred around a business plan to reposition the TV operator which some shareholders allege they were not privy to.

Specifically, ODM’s TopTV hopes to regain market traction through introduction of adult content in its bouquet offerings, which met stiff resistance from stakeholders in South Africa. There are palpable fears that if the bid in South Afri-

ca succeeds, StarTimes may extend the adult channels to its Nigerian operations.

Top TV experienced a business failure last year and filed for rescue. The rescue plan was brokered by business rescue practitioner, Peter van den Steen.

In the deal, which encompasses restructuring of the company, Chinese pay-Tv provider, StarTimes stepped in and acquired 20 per cent of ODM’s equity, while the equity held by First National Media Investment Holdings (FNMIH), First AOne and Red Gold Investments, along with the National Empow-

erment Fund and the IDC — will be diluted to a 15 per cent non-controlling interest.

Van den Steen explained further that ODM is in the process of concluding the implementation of the business rescue plan, as voted and adopted by its creditors and shareholders on 30 April this year. “This is a legally binding process that allows for the company to continue to operate in the normal course of business and to be restructured within the protective bubble of business rescue as per Chapter 6 of the Companies Act.” StarTimes’compensation

for providing the muchneeded cash in the bailout deal will be a 65 per cent economic stake in the company, which gives the operator effective control.

As a result, ODM’s TopTV has rebounded into the South African broadcast market with a wider range of content which includes a pornography bouquet, Playboy TV, but is now operating as StarSat. StarSat, which will also offer NatGeo Gold, Fox International and Bollywood channels will be available to consumers from December 1, through the company’s high definition, HD, decoder. TopTV subscribers

will be able to receive StarSat signals on their old decoder, while those who wish to upgrade to the HD decoder can do so.

Interim chief executive of ODM, Eddie Mbalo says while the company is launching an HD decoder, the channels are not HD as yet, adding that the entry of StarSat into the pay-TV market “promises a new viewing experience”. The adult bouquet, says Mbalo, will also be available with the kick-off of StarSat. StarTimes boss, Pang Xinxing says his company believes diversity in the broadcasting space is the ultimate consumer benefit.

“Now South African viewers will have a wider choice of TV services to subscribe to.”

This is what raises anxiety in Nigeria, whether Nigerian viewers, by StarSat of StarTimes, will also “have a wider choice of TV services to subscribe to.” The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, ICASA, the country’s one-stop industry regulator recently licensed TopTV, rebranded StarSat, to broadcast three adult content channels — Playboy TV, Desire TV, and Private Spice in South Africa, raising fears that the Chinese pay TV operator may include the Top TV porn channels in its Nigerian bouquet offerings.

Contacted on the development, Irete Anetor, Public Relations Manager of the NTA-Star TV Network in an e-mail, said: "I sincerely want to categorically state here, that this insinuation is baseless, untrue and unnecessary.

StarTimes respects and abides by the rules and regulation that guides Broadcasting in Nigeria. We respect religious and Cultural views and will not violate such. Our content are rich and will remain rich in Local contents, educational programs, News, Music,

Movies, entertainment, Sports and much more.

"StarTimes is the only pay-tv that gives over 40% local content on its platform.

StarTimes is here to stay and will achieve its set goal of digital migration before dues date of 2015.

We have done so much in the last 3 years of our existence expanding our coverage to over 22 cities (states) across the country (Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Port-Harcourt, Aba, Benin, Enugu, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Makurdi, Onitsha, Sokoto, Uyo and Yola) and providing the best of 70+ channels to our subscribers which is reach in Local contents, educational programs, News, Music, Entertainment, Sports and much more. We launched in 9 new cities in the past two months (Abeokuta, Akure, Oshogbo, Lokoja, Owerri, Warri, Calabar, Zaria and Awka) and we are launching in more states before the end of the year.

We have over 1.5 million subscribers in just 3 years of operation.

"In Life, when a man is reaching his aims and objectives, achieving his goals and fulfilling his purpose, there will be people or group of persons that will want to distract him or want to pull him down (PHD Syndrome). This is a fact of life".

"StarTimes as the only licensed Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Nigeria can't be distracted from successfully migrating Nigeria from Analogue to Digital before due date 2015.

StarTimes is a joint venture between the largest TV Network in Africa, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) of Nigeria and Star Communication Network CO, Limited of China. ....it is not possible to have fund crisis and still be expanding in Nigeria. Our vision is to provide every African family with affordable and enjoyable DTT service."

Sarsoli Industry officials at the company's stand at the recently-concluded fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Sarsoli seeks higher duty on plastic master batches

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ARSOLI Industrial Company Ltd, makers of colour master batches has called on the Federal Government to discourage imports of plastic master batches and fillers by increasing import duty on the commodity.

The firm also urged government to actualize its support to the manufacturing sector by fast-tracking incentives and grants to the private sector.

These were contained in a release by the company C M Y K

after it returned from an exhibition in Germany.

Sarsoli exhibited its products in one of the world’s biggest plastic and rubber industry trade fairs, the K2013 which held in Dusseldorf from October 16 to Oct 23.

The K2013 show was the best platform in the plastic industry to announce that good quality products can be produced if we have good machines, good materials and qualified man power.

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No Nigerian pilgrim absconded, says NCPC

By CALEB AYANSINA

Avoid short cuts to wealth, GKS leader urges Nigerians

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OD’s Kingdom Society (GKS) has warned Nigerians against taking desperate, even suicidal steps to escape the clutches of poverty as there was no place in the world where everything is smooth and easy.

In an address delivered at the Freedom Day Divine Service to mark the birth of Christ, held last Sunday at Salem City, Warri, the church headquart-ers, the chairman of the Exe-cutive Board of GKS, Brother Godwin Ifeacho pointed out that in this age of perplexity and distress “when men’s hearts are failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”, they more than ever need words of admonition so that they would not resort to dangerous schemes in desperate efforts to climb up the social and economic ladder.

According to a press release issued by the GKS publicity secretary, Brother Benedict Hart, Brother Ifeacho said in the address entitled; “With God all things are possible” that “human beings can only improve their lot through faith in God, hard work, sincerity and unity of purpose as God is able “to do exceeding abund-antly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”. (Ephesians 3:20).

He stated that whatever may be our problems we should believe God will solve them for us in His time; “no matter how hopeless the situation may seem” even as he exhorted all those who are

in one form of trouble or another to draw inspiration from the Word of God, knowing that although the devil had plagued mankind with so many problems, God would protect us and save us. In any case, “all problems of man cannot be solved in this world but in God’s perfect Kingdom.”

Ifeacho charged those in positions of authority not to

Phillips tasks northern religious leaders on insurgency

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ELIGIOUS leaders have been asked to strengthen peaceful cohabitation of all Nigerians irrespective of their religious persuasions, in every part of the country. This is one way of taming religious insurgents currently threatening the nation's corporate existence.

The newly elected chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders’ Forum, NOSCEF, Olaiya Phillips, made this appeal in a statement at the weekend in Lagos. Phillips lamented the wanton loss of lives and property so far recorded in the northern region of the country; saying Christians are the main victims of these senseless and unprovoked attacks.

He said since Boko Haram insurgency had surfaced in a frightening dimension in 2009 in Maiduguri, Borno State, both political and religious leaders in the North, until recently, had refused to show sufficient concern or commitment in confronting the menace; alleging that perhaps because non-Christians were not

ODUAHGATE: Jonathan urged to tackle corruption

By GAB ENOGHOLASE ENIN – GENERAL Superintendent of City Gate Church, Benin City, Prophet Ojo-Age has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take a decisive action against the embattled Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah if found guilty of ordering the purchase of two bullet proof cars worth N255 million to convince Nigerians that he was fighting corruption.

Prophet Ojo-Age said: “What does a minister need N255 million vehicles for when people are suffering. In the Aviation industry, people are suffering and half of the amount could have created employment for a few youths.

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allow themselves to be carried away by power as to challenge God and oppose righteousness as such ones “will certainly lick the dust”.

The Freedom Day Divine Service which was attended by dignitaries from far and near, featured cultural dances from various ethnic groups in the church, including Urhobo, Yoruba, Itsekiri, Rivers, Isoko, Igbo and Ijaw.

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BUJA—THE Nige rian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has described as false and unfounded, a media report that it had recorded two cases of abscondment so far in the ongoing pilgrim exercise to the Holy Land.

The commission, in a statement signed by its head of media, Celestine Ogugua stated emphatically that there was no iota of truth in the story, as NCPC had maintained zero abscondment in the past three years.

The statement reads: "I wish to state categorically that the story is false and unfounded.

"The commission has not recorded any single incidence of abscondment in the on going October/December Christian Pilgrimage Exercise.

"It is equally germane to stress that in the past three years, NCPC has maintained zero abscondment due to effective screening mechanism of pilgrims and thorough security checks deployed by the commission and Israeli authorities.

"The commission seriously frowns at the overzealous and hasty publication by the journalist.

"How can one talk of defection in Israel when the contingent or group under which the pilgrims travelled are still undergoing pilgrimage in the Holy Land, until they return to Nigeria, one cannot ascertain whether any pilgrim absconded or not.

"It is incumbent on the media to always verify their facts from the appropriate authorities before going to the press to avoid misleading the public," it stated.

“There is so much anger on the faces of the people and I am afraid that a time would come when bigwigs driving exotic cars and living in big houses would be afraid to walk the streets because of the fear of the people,” he noted.

"I want to believe that if the President wants to fight corruption, he should speak the truth because Nigerians are not happy and if we are not careful, we may soon wake up a civilian revolution," he stated.

Meanwhile, City Gate Foundation, an affiliate of the church has completed a three kilometer electrification project worth millions of Naira for Idakpi community, near Ewhe in OwanWest local government area of Edo State.

the targets of the onslaught.

“Our forum will henceforth task political and religious hegemony

in the North to be alive to their responsibility of ensuring peaceful co-existence in their respec-

tive domain in the interest of mutual respect and the unity of Nigeria,” he added.

Music can transform Nigeria—Ogboru, Boroffice

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HE Ikate Baptist Church in Lagos re cently staged its annual Choir Festival of Songs of the Ikate Baptist Church, Lagos and thrilled the quality audience to classical hymns and chants by the Ikate Choir, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. The programme, which also served as an opportunity for the church to source for funds towards the purchase of a digital organ for the choir was attended by dignitaries including three times Delta State gubernatorial candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, chairman, Ifako/ Ijaye Local government, Hon. Oloruntoba Oke among others.

Chairion with the man, music committee, Chief Ayo Opadokun explained that this year's festival was in prepara-

tion for the church’s 50th anniversary coming up next year, adding that it is to prepare members to dedicate themselves to God. Appreciating the choir for a wonderful ministration, the duo of Chief Ogboru and Senator Boroffice said events such as the music festival have the capacity to change the country for the better.

Ogboru wondered why there is so much confusion in the country since God is not an author of confusion.

His words: “This is a wonderful performance that touches the heart; if the society can do more of this I know the society will be a better place. I believe our God is not an author of confusion. I wonder why there is so much confusion in the county; it is a food for thought for all of us”.

Senator Boroffice charged

*The Ikate Choir during the festival

religious leaders in the country to be agents of change by telling those in authority the truth instead of speaking for their own personal gains.

Speaking on the theme of the programme: “Awesome God”, the church's music director and organist, Mr. Gbenga Falona in association with the church choir master, Mr. Jonah Samson said God has been wonderful to the church since its inception hence the need to appreciate Him for His mighty deeds.

Their words: “The church will be celebrating its half centenary anniversary next year and this festival of songs is to usher in the programme. We appreciate all the choir members who gave their time, energy and resources to ensure that this festival become a success”.

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Contending with Nigeria’s porous borders

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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T is ironical that while Nigerians find it difficult to enter foreign countries due to strict visa regulations, foreigners on the other hand, through porous borders, troop into Nigeria with such ease, creating an outrageous influx of individuals with criminal minds.

The porosity of Nigeria’s borders which makes it easily accessible for illegal immigrants to cross the borders

unchecked and or unrestrained is largely believed to be responsible for increasing wave of insurgencies. This has created a situation which further heightened anxiety about the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies across the country’s borders. It has paved way for illicit businesses which in turn promote proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition.

The near open borders has also turned these activities into a transnational organised crime in Nigeria, and at

present, there is hardly any criminal act or violence in the country that could not be traced to the ease with which armed gangs enter and exit through the nation’s many open borders.

Owing to the worrisome situation, a senior official of the Nigerian Immigration Services, who spoke to Vanguard Consular Advisory, VCA, on grounds of anonymity lamented the increasingly influx of immigrants into the country,

•Mr. David Paradang, Controller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service especially through the northern part of the country.

He said, “Except urgent attention is given to the nation’s poorly policed borders, I am afraid illegal immigrants and deadly ammunition would continue to find their ways into Nigeria freely on a daily basis.”

The Immigration Officer added that the porosity of the borders has somewhat made the country to be awash with criminals of all sorts, including bombers, arms dealers, drugs pushers, and human traffickers.

Debunking opinions of some of his fellow law enforcement officials, that close cultural and or religious affinity between Nigeria

That Nigeria’s borders are massive is to state the obvious.

VCA also gathered that Nigeria has well over 200 footpaths from Damaturu/ Maiduguri axis, which obviously link it to Cameroun, Chad or Niger, and some of these footpaths, which are unknown to security agencies, have continued to serve as routes for illegal immigrants.

In most cases, these illegal immigrants stay behind for reasons of inter marriages, similar cultural and religious practices to infiltrate the country, and in some instances, indulge in voting during Nigeria elections. One will, therefore, not be wrong to conclude that for as long as the situation appears overwhelming to the government, the issue of security and social welfare for the people will never experience transformation.

On the issue in question, the Controller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service,

,

The porosity of the borders has somewhat made the country to be awash with criminals of all sorts, including bombers, arms dealers, drugs pushers, and human traffickers

and their counterparts across the border was responsible for the unmanned and unprotected state of the country ’s borders, he said, “I do not doubt the fact that the contiguous nature of the border presents certain challenges, due to logistic and m a n p o w e r inadequacies, but there are not enough reasons our borders should not be water-tight.

T h e s e unchallenged inadequacies, have m o t i v a t e d undeserving intruders into the country, to the detriment of its security, economy and social wellbeing.”

C M Y K

,

Mr. David Paradang, was sometime quoted to have said that, “NIS has initiated appropriate ways of patrolling the nation’s borders, as well as ways to tackle the security challenge in the northern part of the country, by deploying technology to identify those crossing the borders illegally.”

He added that his “office would also employ the services of guards, who would arrest foreigners, who managed to escape the security operatives at the borders.”

Paradang also explained that NIS has developed a new and better way it intends to carry out border patrols, in addition to ensuring it increases the number of control posts, in order to ensure that the nation’s borders were tighter.

The immigration boss, who assumed office in June, said his tenure will ensure that the nation experiences better controlled borders owing to its use of sustainable technology to be able to pick out illegal immigrants.

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Vanguard Vanguard,,

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 —

37

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star . That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

GEMINI: THE Moon position INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

LEO: THE Moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

H

AS somebody asked you how do you do what you are doing? If you are a creative person, this is one major question you will be asked by a number of persons at different fora. My simple answer to such

Ideas beget ideas a question is to tell them that there is a higher power that gives me the idea and on my own part is human, I have ensured that I keep on developing and improving on it.

Moreover, there is a principle that guides idea formation i.e. the principle of multiplicity.

Every idea begets more ideas if you do not lose focus. For

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

example, you may be a writer, from writing you become a publisher, thereafter, you may add the production of toilet tissue etc.

Ideas beget more ideas. The only way to produce ideas is to keep on creating ideas.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody-morning period especially along your career/business lines.

SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before midmorning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you.

Your love life is favoured.

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging. Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be stretched full lenght tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed.

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What are my chances?

Dear Joshua, KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck.

I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them. Would my own be like them too?

Roland. Ibadan.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Roland, You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/ rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for you.

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you.

Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities. Once again women can be helpful here If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-selfhood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success. And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

The same Saturn will reward you with RECOGNITION WOMEN, children and younger people can enhance your prospects. Colours RED, WHITE and pink are good for you. Sleeping North/South axes with your head to the North is good for you.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, NO VEMBER 6, 2013 —39 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA NOVEMBER

His affairs are embarrassing

Violence arouses her!

Dear Bunmi, We have been married for four years now, but I have come to the conclusion that I have made a terrible mistake marrying my wife. Despite her good family background and good education, she has a problem keeping her violent temper in check.

At the drop of a hat, she blows up and levels all sorts of accusations against me. Apart from her verbal abuse, she’s

recently resorted to being physical. But I often tried to curb that. Unfortunately, whenever she’s angry, she looks ugly and menacing— very off-putting.

The first time she raised her hands to me, I really beat some common sense into her. She’d tried it a couple of times since then and I’ve given her the beating she deserved.

I am not a violent person, but some women really bring out the

What's the right way to get pregnant?

Dear Bunmi, I got married over two years ago and my husband and I have been trying for a baby ever since with apparently no luck. I make sure we make love in the middle of my cycle, when a woman is supposed to be most fertile.

After that, I am too scared for my husband to make love to me in case I am pregnant and the act dislodges me. Am I doing things right?

Dear Louise, You are most likely to get pregnant if you make love during your ovulation period. This is two weeks before your next period is due. Since most women have a 28-day cycle, the middle of the cycle is just right and that is just what you are doing.

However, you should make love more often than once around this period so as to increase your chances. Intimacy certainly does not cause miscarriages. So get on with it.

violence in you. Surprisingly, I’ve also discovered that my wife’s libido increases after I have roughened her up. This has excited me a bit and encouraged me to beat her more, though not to the extent that I would harm her.

Do you think she is one of these women that like violent lovemaking?

Patrick, by e-mail.

Dear Patrick, It is obvious that your wife thrives on violence and needs it as a stimulant for lovemaking.

But you should not encourage her because the more violence you exhibit, the more hardened she becomes.

If you have children, they will soon grow up to adolescence and what example would you set for them with that constant display of violence?

Tell your wife you are not playing her game any more and look for a civilised way of settling your differences. Find other ways to stimulate her desire, like more foreplay, for instance.

Violence, when not checked, could rub off on the children.

Is my man addicted to lovemaking?

Dear Bunmi, My current partner eats and breathes lovemaking. I love him to bits and enjoy lovemaking as much as he does. The problem is that, his appetite is almost

insatiable!

But shouldn’t one be cautious about it all of the time? He argues that intimacy is the most natural thing in the world and that it does you a lot more good than harm.

She used me to father her child Dear Bunmi, Five years ago, I had a relationship with a girl who was also seeing another man, although I was unaware of this at the time. We went out for almost a year when she dumped me unceremoniously.

I later heard she got married and I too got married last year.

I ran into her close friend recently and she it was who let it slip that my ex was pregnant when she got married. That she’d been trying to get pregnant with her current husband but didn’t. I was an alternative and as soon as she got pregnant, she dumped me to marry a man who was a better catch.

I haven’t seen this child who will be four years old now. But I don’t want my child to be raised by a stranger. How do I

go about claiming this child?

Lati, by e-mail.

Dear Lati, Your ex’s so-called best friend is obviously being mischievous. Your ex is married, so are you. The child in question you haven’t even clamped eyes on.

Even if the child were yours, do you have any proof? And do you think your ex would agree to a DNA test to prove the child is yours when she was the one who dumped you? And how do you think your new wife would take this?

I would forget about the whole episode if I were you and let sleeping dogs lie! You both have families of your own; they are your priority.

Just how good is lovemaking supposed to be, especially for a girl?

Alexia, by e-mail.

Dear Alexia, I have good news for you.

Lovemaking is actually very healthy according to the latest health news. Because it is relaxing and stimulates the production of endorphins (the body’s own feel-good hormones), it boosts your mood too!

It helps you lose weight as lovemaking burns around 200 calories, the equivalent of swimming about eight lengths of a pool. I mean, which would you rather do?

It is also known to tone the muscles. Squeezing your pelvic floor muscles during lovemaking helps to strengthen them, increasing support for the bladder, uterus and bowel. It also gives your heart and lungs a work-out as it boosts the heart rate at up to 130 beats a minute and makes your breath harder.

It is an excellent aerobic exercise.

Finally, lovemaking helps you sleep because a session is a far healthier cure for insomnia than resorting to sleeping pills.

Dear Bunmi, My husband and I met in the university and we’ve been married for over 15 years. He is a very successful businessman and I am a qualified accountant and hold a very high position in the firm of accountants I work with.

What Nigerian husband is perfect? But my husband has never openly flaunted his relationship and I’ve always observed the “see no evil, hear no evil” doctrine in my marriage.

However, an incident happened recently that completely blew my mind. As I breezed into the office one morning, everyone in the main office kept quiet and looked suspiciously at me. It was a bit embarrassing as most of the junior officers used to compliment the clothes I wear or anything they thought would flatter me. It was all harmless. So why were they suddenly tongue-tied?

As soon as I settled in, I called for one of the workers I was really close to. She knew why I might have called and quietly placed a photocopy of a juicy news item about my husband and his girlfriends on my table. It was from one of the rag sheets.

“Everyone has a copy,” she told me solemnly. I got hotter and hotter as I read the story.

Like I just said, my husband is no saint. But the lurid details of his escapades were most embarrassing indeed.

He denied the allegations, as I

knew he would. He said nobody took the rag sheets seriously and I should simply ignore anything they wrote. But I knew about one of the girls the article referred to.

He is the least of my problems, but how do I handle the workers in my office so that they would stop giving the issue the seriousness it doesn’t deserve?

Joke, by e-mail.

Dear Joke, It is a good thing you have one or two sympathetic ears amongst the junior workers. But now, your colleagues would have noticed changes in your mood because of your efforts to pretend nothing bothers you. Tell these confidants that you’d known all along about your husband’s carrying-ons and are trying to sort things out.

You can’t joke about a thing like this not bothering you, can you?

Yet, you shouldn’t let it affect your office environment where you find some sort of job satisfaction.

As soon as they realise you’re not going to have a nervous breakdown, your colleagues would relax too. Don’t worry, they would soon leave you alone when another gossip rears its ugly head.

It is about time you had a serious talk with your philandering husband.

Discretion should be the better part of valour. It’s bad enough he has affairs, but reading about them anywhere is stretching your tolerance to the extreme.

As soon as I settled in, I called for one of the workers I was really close to. She knew why I might have called her and quietly placed a photocopy of a juicy news item about my husband and his girlfriends on my table. It was from one of the rag sheets.

My friends’ organs are bigger!

Dear Bunmi, I’ve finally plucked up the courage to ask you a question I find most embarrassing, hoping you’ll be able to re-assure me.

I am an 18-year-old accounts clerk, hoping to get admitted to the university soon. I believe I have a smaller private part than the rest of my friends. It's only four to five inches long. But when we talk about sizes, my friends brag that theirs are six to eight inches and still growing.

One even claims his is 10 inches!

Do you think mine will develop more?

Uchenna, by e-mail.

Dear Uchenna, At 18, you may develop more and you may not. But even if you don’t get bigger, there’s no need

to worry. At four to five inches, you’re well able to give and receive a good time from a partner.

And as for your friends’ claims to be six or more inches long and your wondering how come they’re so big, they might be having you on! They’re all probably as insecure as you are and cover this up by exaggerating. They want you to believe they’re bigger than you, but for all you know they’re the same size as you.

Your friends are welcome to their fantasy. You, on the other hand, are mature enough to face the truth, so well done. Relax, be confident and don’t believe everything your male friends tell you!

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

and hygiene infrastructure used by groups of people, permitting large-scale exposure to food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholera organisms; and cholera must be present in the population.

For instance, in the Lagos outbreak, suspected cases were allegedly contracted from food sources such as the African food salad popularly called ‘Abasha’, contaminated well-water sources, infected foods from food sellers, and other unhygienic habits.

Diarrhoea discharge

Cholera patients at a hospital

CHOLERA: Cheap death from heaps of dirt!

IKE a bolt out of the blue, the Lagos State Government, penultimate week, issued an alert about an outbreak of cholera in the State. Even before the announcement, fatalities had been recorded from dozens of reported cases. Prior to the announcement, similar outbreaks in the Northern part of the country had elicited concern. Latest reports from the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja on the outbreak of cholera in the country indicated six states are affected.

Data from the apex Ministry showed the current estimate of the patterns of distribution of the outbreaks across the country totaled 1,623 cases and 86 deaths.

Zamfara State led the pack with 1,110 cases, including 51 deaths; followed by Nasarawa State with 105 cases and nine deaths.

Others are Lagos State: 134 cases, four deaths; Plateau State: 130 cases, 11 deaths; Oyo State: 29 cases, six deaths and Ogun State: 115 cases and five deaths.

Now there is a nationwide red alert.

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio

cholerae. A universal threat to public health and a key indicator of lack of social development, an estimated three to five million cholera cases and over 100,000 deaths occur each year around the world. In a cholera endemic area, outbreaks usually occur as a result of bad or absent sanitation and/or sewage services.

Cholera infection According to the World Health Organisation, the cholera outbreak in 2010 recorded 41,787 cases, including 1,716 deaths in 222 LGAs in 18 States. Most affected states were Borno, Bauchi and Katsina. In 2011, the number of cholera cases as of October was 22, 454, including 715 deaths reported in 25 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cholera infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe. Approximately one in 20 infected persons will have the severe disease characterised by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps.

In these people, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration

and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. It can take anywhere from a few hours to five days for symptoms to manifest.

In Nigeria, cholera is endemic and outbreaks are not unusual.

Although reports of epidemics have not been consistent lately, the disease is very dynamic. One does not need much to be convinced that the stage is set for such outbreaks. Just take a look at the dirty environment, the heaps of refuse at street corners, the roads littered with garbage, the deluge of people - dozens with unwashed bodies and hands - the blocked drains, the poor sanitation facilities and lack of potable water and you’ll be convinced.

Historically, the emergence of cholera in Nigeria was evident in 1970 and in 1991. Precisely, during the last two decades, three major epidemics have occurred in 1992, 1995-1996 and 1997. One easily recalls the 1996 cholera outbreak in Ibadan that was attributed to contaminated potable water sources. Street vended water and not washing of hands with soap before eating food were possible reasons for the 1995-1996

cholera outbreaks in Kano state.

The 2010 outbreak of cholera was speculated to be directly related with breaches in sanitation and water supply.

So why are people suddenly coming down with cholera this

,

L

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

Usually, the source of the contamination is other cholera patients when their untreated diarrhoea discharge is allowed to get into water supplies. VF gathered that cholera is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill. But this does not excuse non-observance of good sanitation.

But perhaps until Nigerians learn to adopt clean and hygienic habits, there may continue to be outbreaks of deadly and potentially fatal epidemics of communicable diseases such as cholera. “The environment is too dirty. The filth is too much, even among the educated. People have not inculcated habit of cleanliness, and until they do, diseases will not go away,” said Dr. Mercy Erivea-Kuti, a senior medical practitioner at Ifako/Ijaiye General Hospital. Lagos.

Erivea-Kuti, opined that even though most persons may not have realised it, Nigeria’s population is exploding.

“Everybody thinks if they come to Lagos they will pick money on the streets. People in the rural areas want to come to Lagos, so there is heavy influx, and there is problem. When about eight

The environment is too dirty; the filth is too much, even among the educated; people have not inculcated habit of cleanliness, and until they do, disease will not go away

time around? The reason is not farfetched, according to close observers of health.

“Cholera is primarily as a result of poor hygiene,” health personnel told VF. “People acquire the infection by consuming contaminated water, seafood, or other foods. Once infected, they excrete the bacteria in stool. Thus, the infection can spread rapidly, particularly in areas where human waste is untreated.”

Lack of safe water and poor sanitation are important risk factors. For a cholera outbreak to occur, two conditions have to be met - there must be significant breaches in the water, sanitation,

,

people stay in a room that is not well ventilated, won’t they get sick? When the environment is filthy, what do you expect?” she queried. The message is this: If you think you may have cholera, seek medical attention immediately.

Dehydration can be rapid so fluid replacement is essential.

Infection with cholera can result in a range of responses, from severe and life threatening diarrhoea to mild or unapparent infections. Sanitation and nutrition are particularlyimportant factors and it has become clear that good sanitation and hygienic practiceslargelypreventthedisease.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 41

Water, water everywhere, but......

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

D

O they know about the recent cholera outbreak in Lagos State? This question would easily be asked by anyone who is aware of the ignorance being displayed by Lagosians in the face of cholera outbreak in the city.

The reasons for t the poser is not far-fetched: But for some highbrow partsofthecity,mostplacesinLagos present the picture of a city where hygienic standards are taken for grantedby residentsandconcerned authorities.

A trip to settlements like Orile Iganmu, Ajegunle, Mushin, Ijora Badia, Agege, Agboju, Amukoko, Ikotun Egbe,Ilaje, Bariga and Ijeshatedo/Itire , among others, speaks volume about how unclean most parts of Lagos are. In these places, potable water, good healthcare facilities, roads, houses andotherbasicamenitiesareabsent.

Many residents eat and sleep in the midst of garbage. Majority of them arelessconcernedaboutthehazards the dirty environment poses to their health.

Findings by Vanguard Features, VF, showed that the worst hit suburbs are Apapa, Ajeromi, Lagos Island, Surulere and Oshodi-Isolo localgovernments.

Lagos State commissioner for Health,DrJideIdris,whoconfirmed thereport notedthat‘’althoughmany of the cases have been treated and dischargedinseveralhealthfacilities, three have been confirmed dead” .

He confirmed that most of the suspected cases are from Ajeromi, Apapa, Lagos Island, Oshodi-Isolo andSurulerelocalgovernmentareas.

Confirming claims that the poor hygienic state of the metropolis is responsible for the epidemic, Idris saidmostofthereportedcasesarose from poor hygiene standards by

residents.

Buttressingthisallegation,he listed some of the causes to include eating contaminated foods like abacha (African salad), drinking well water and non washing of hands.

“Cholera is an acutely contagious bacterial disease characterised by a sudden onset of profuse painless watery stool, nausea and profuse vomiting,”thecommissionersaid.He encouraged residents of the State to report cases of deaths or symptoms to the nearest health facility or the State Ministry of Health.

“Cholera should be suspected in any person who develops diarrhea withorwithoutvomiting,weakness, restlessness, irritability, dry mucous membrane, low blood pressure, leg cramps, excessive loss of body fluid (dehydration) or dies from frequent stooling, hence measures should be takentoreducetheriskofcontracting the disease,” he said.

Washing fruits and vegetables Toreducetheriskofbeinginfected withthedisease,heurgedLagosians to wash their hands with soaps and water frequently, thoroughly boil waterbeforedrinkingifthesourceof thewaterisindoubt;washfruitsand vegetablesthoroughlybeforeeating and cook food thoroughly before eating. He also counselled them to dispose wastes properly and keep watercontainersclean.

Withthisalarm,itwasexpectedthat residentswouldstandupagainstthe spread of the disease, but VF discoverd that while many are not even aware of the outbreak, others displayed a nonchallant attitude towards it. ‘’Where is the cholera? Abeg that oneisnotmybusiness.Iamconcerned abouthowtocater for myfamilywith the income I generate from this

business or do you want me to abandon my business? We always hear of disease outbreak in Lagos,’’Mama Igala, who makes beancake atAbule-AdoBus-stopin Satellite Town, told VF during an informaldiscussion.

When told that the spot where she sells wasnotcleanenough,she retorted: ‘’What then do I do? I know you are saying this because of the gutter which is uncovered and not flowing and but my customers are not complaining. Do you have any issue with cholera?’’

If you find Igala’s carefree attitude shocking, Aliyu Daba’s response would leave anyone speechless.

Daba,who sellsroastedchickenat Mile 2 Bus-stop at night was very unfriendlywhenVanguardFeatures posing as a customer, engaged him in a conversation in Hausa language. ‘’Oga, this is my business and not yours. Do you want me to steal? I have been doing this business for several years, so you cannot teach me what to do, ‘’ he responded angrily when asked why he was exposing his products.

Followingthisdisplayofignorance by the duo in the face of the current epidemic, many stakeholders have questioned the role of relevant authoritiesinensuringthathygienic standards are kept.

Althoughthestategovernmenthad onfewoccasions,closeddownsome markets for flagrant abuse of the environmental sanitation laws, further checks showed that not many stakeholders believe that the government is doing enough in this regard.

A public healthexpert,Dr.Johnson Igomale is one of those who scored the government low on its environmentalresponsibilities.

He told VF that ‘’the noise about environmental cleanliness and

hygienic standards is usually made any time there are environmental challenges. Why must it be so? Can’t webeproactive?Someofthecommon diseases which result into massive deathsinthiscountryarepreventable.’’

Igomalearguedthus: ‘’Cholerawill remainanenvironmentalissueinthis country as long as government has refused to play its role. A lot of things are wrong; the settlements are not plannedwithdrainagesystems,while access to potable water has been a challenge.Sowhatdoyoexpectfrom such a society?.’’

Though, he noted that the public is also culpable, he regretted that relevant bodies are doing little or nothing to enlighten the people on theneedtomaintainahealthyhygienic standard. ‘’In the past, we had sanitary inspectors who ensured that the environmentwasproperlytakencare

,

For Lagos residents, life goes on in the face of epidemic

of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu who explained the current estimateofthepatternsofdistribution of the outbreaks across the country, noted: “These are estimates because tricklesofincidentsandmortalitiesmay still be coming. However, in Sokoto andKatsinastates,thegastro-enteritis outbreakshavenotbeenproventobe cholera. While further investigations continue, only confirmed cases are included in the current statistics. The outbreak in the states mentioned earlier has been confirmed by our laboratories to be caused by vibiro cholerae serotypes 01 and 0139,” the Minister said.

Continuing, he said the affected statesarebeingsupportedtorespond totheoutbreakbysupplyingthemwith emergencydrugs,diagnostickitsand other commodities. “The Federal Ministry of Health realises that the affected states will require further

Cholera will remain an environmental issue in this country; a lot of things are wrong; the settlements are not planned with drainage systems, while access to potable water has been a challenge of. But like other good things that fizzled out in Nigeria, we no longer have them. I doubt if the environmentalhealthofficersstillwork.

It is a very difficult situation but I believe the government can address the problem with all sincerity of purpose,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry ofHealthhasconfirmedthat86deaths havebeenrecordedfrom1,623cholera casesinsixstatesofthefederationjust as all federal health facilities nationwide have been directed to provide free treatment to cholera patients.

A statement issued in Abuja by the apex health ministry, identified Zamfara State in the North-West as themostaffectedwith51deathsoutof 1,110cases.ItisfollowedbyNasarawa Statewithninedeathsoutof105cases.

Giving an update on the outbreak ofthediseaseinthecountry,Minister

,

assistance and efforts are being made to upscale our technical and material assistance to those states immediately.”

The minister who has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, to immediately co-ordinate response activities and reporttohimdailyonboththepatterns ofoccurrence,effortsatachievingtotal control of these outbreaks as well as the status of the control, assured that governmentwillcontinuetoenhance itssurveillance,interventionmeasures and implement public health awareness campaigns aimed at stemmingsuchoccurrences.

Already, the Minister has directed immediate release of adequate quantities of emergency drugs (cholera kits) to all the affected states for prompt and adequate treatment ofcases.

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

•TENNIS

World Tour Finals: Nadal calls for surface change

R

AFAEL Nadal believes it is unfair that the ATP World Tour Finals are played in an indoor arena, insisting being ‘unlucky’ is the main reason why he has yet to win the tournament during his career.

Despite qualifying for the ninth time, Nadal has never triumphed at the event, with his best run coming in 2010 where he was beaten in the final by Roger Federer.

And Nadal has explained why he has failed to perform well at the season-finale.

“It is not only fatigue. One of the small reasons was fatigue, one of the main reasons was I have never been a fantastic player on the indoor surface. Also I have been unlucky,” the world No. 1 said at his pre-tournament press conference at London’s O2 Arena.

Only two of Nadal’s 60 career titles have come indoors, and with clay being his favoured surface thanks to winning a record eight French Open crowns, the 27-year-old feels the tournament organisers should consider playing the event on the red dirt, although he admits it is something that is unlikely to happen while he is still competing.

“The Tour Finals have been indoors from 2005 until now, so I am a bit unlucky with this.

For me it is more fair to have it outdoors on different surfaces,” he said. “In this tournament we qualify by playing on all surfaces, but the

Torres a doubt for Schalke match F es is a ERNANDO Torr ea ’s ls do ub t fo r C he ag u e C ha m pi on s Le e to m ho ga m e at on ke S ch al e th to co rd in g Wed ne sd ay, ac reports. sa id to be To rr es , 29 , is igh problem th a struggling with at ed du ri n g av th at he ag gr ng. ni ai tr Monday’s rnational was te in n ai The Sp nd minute of 62 e substituted in th ss to Newcastle Chelsea’s 2-0 lo ie r Le ag u e on in th e P re m Saturday. l ve go al s in al To rr es ha s fi r fa so e his nam competitions to remains to be it t bu , this season ve a chance to ha ill w he seen if versus Schalke. add to that tally st ri ke r be S ho u ld th e Samuel Eto’o or unavailable then ely be chosen lik Demba Ba will line. s’ ue Bl e th ad to le , tly top Group E en rr Chelsea cu in 0 3ke S ch al af te r be at in g t r last game, bu ei th in y German ng ki ourinho is ta manager Jose M d as they look te an gr nothing for in the knockout e ac pl r ei to book th phase.

Pele: I wanted Costa to play for Brazil

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 Chelsea FC Basel B/Dortmund Napoli Zenit A/Madrid Ajax Barcelona

v Schalke v Steaua Bucuresti v Arsenal v Marseille v FC Porto v Austria Vienna v Celtic v AC Milan

04 7.45 7.45 7.45 7.45 6.00 pm 7.45 7.45 7.45

TENNIS

B

• Costa

RAZIL legend Pele has revealed he want ed Diego Costa to represent his country, rather than Spain.

The Atletico Madrid forward, who appeared in two friendlies for Brazil earlier this year, had been at the centre of a dispute over which country he should play for, having attained dual nationality in Spain.

He eventually chose to play for the world champions, and while Pele has admitted he is disappointed, he called on his countrymen to respect Costa’s decision.

“It’s a matter of patriotism. I wanted him to represent Brazil, but maybe he wouldn’t have even been in the starting XI,” he said.

“If he felt discredited in Brazil then his attitude was right. I think we have to respect his decision.

“He tried to explain that he hasn’t been recognized for some time and for that reason took the decision to play for Spain. He was courageous and I understand.

“He is another player that could have represented Brazil. I have the impression that he made the right decision given that he hasn’t been recognized in Brazil.”

Del Po Gasqu J • Del Potro

U w side spac behi first Fina Th whi boar on S Wor

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 43

SPDC Rivers Gov’s Cup: Bonny, Eleme for final C

UP holders, Okrika will not be able to defend their title at the ongoing 2013 Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) sponsored Rivers State Governor ’s Cup following their Wednesday’s semifinals shocking 2-3 defeat by Bonny at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Okrika tried hard to unsettle the boys from Bonny but found them too hot to handle. Blessing Iyo, coach of th defeated side said his wards were not disgraced in the

semifinals ouster even as he admitted that they had looked forward to a successful defence of the title they won last year.

“Of course, I’m disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to defend the title following our defeat.

“We lost gallantly, we’re not disgraced, my players acquitted themselves well.

That’s football for you.”, An excited coach of Eleme, Emmanuel Essien said now that his side in the final they will make it count by winning the coveted trophy on

November 08.

“The score line clearly showed it wasn’t a cheap duel, Khana gave the match their very best but we’re grateful to God for seeing us through to another important victory.”

The grand finale comes up on Friday, November 08 at the Liberation Stadium.The winners are expected to pocket the sum of N1 million while the first and second runners-up will go home with the sum of N500, 000 and N350, 000 respectively.

Top clubs scramble for Enyimba coach S

Ozil: Dortmund can

win Champions League

A

RSENAL’s Mesut Ozil feels Borussia Dortmund are one of the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League.

Ozil’s side travel meet last season’s runners-up in Group F of the competition tonight in Germany, with both teams on six points along with Napoli.

Dortmund ran out 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium last month, and Ozil feels that victory proves Jurgen Klopp’s men have the quality to go all the way in the tournament in 2013-14.

When asked by Bild whether Dortmund could go one better than their 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in May’s final this time around, he said: “Sure, why not?

“A team that wins in London is of course one of the favourites.

Dortmund was already a strong team in the past season and my impression is that they are better than ever.”

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League by five points following their 20 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday.

The Germany international went on to back his side to maintain their domestic form and challenge for the title, explaining his happiness at playing in the English capital after his September switch from Real Madrid.

Asked whether Arsenal could win the league, he responded: “Why not?

“Whoever, after ten games, is five points ahead, also has the potential to stand in front at the end of the season.

“To be honest, at Arsenal everything is fun. The coach, the players and life in London - I really feel comfortable.”

otro digs deep to down uet

UAN Martin del Potro ensured he was not going to be on the wrong e of two French problems in the ce of a few days as he fought from ind to beat Richard Gasquet in the night session of the ATP World Tour als. he Argentinian had his bag stolen le signing an autograph before rding a train to London from Paris Saturday, but after coming to the rld Tour Finals minus his

belongings, his stay is off to the start he wanted as he overcame Gasquet 6-7(4) 6-3 7-5 to begin his group campaign with a win.

Despite the warm conditions of London’s O2 Arena, both players had no troubles in holding serve after seven games.

However, it was Gasquet who made the first move to pounce on Del Potro’s slip in concentration and get the break to lead 5-3. The Frenchman squandered the opportunity though to close out the set as Del Potro hit straight back, and with the following two games shared a tiebreak was required to separate the pair.

EVERAL top clubs including El Kanemi and newly promoted FC Taraba are hot on the chase of Enyimba coach Salisu Yusuf.

He has also remained a long-term target of Sunshine Stars, who have not renewed the contract of coach Fatai Amoo.

Yusuf featured for El Kanemi as a player and has impressed this past season by leading Enyimba to win the Federation Cup and finish as runners-up in the league.

FC Taraba have therefore moved to have Yusuf back as coach after he handled them two seasons ago.

“We’re interested in Yusuf again. He has proved himself at Enyimba and we are willing to open discussions for his return,” a top official informed MTNFootball.com He was on a sign-on fee of eight million Naira and a monthly salary of 500,000 Naira in his first spell with the ambitious FC Taraba.

•Yusuf

It is now believed that the former Kano Pillars handler will most likely go to the

highest bidder especially as Enyimba struggled financially this past season.

Smokin Hills Golf Club hosts 10th Wuraola Ojo memorial tourney T HE 10th Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament will be staged at Smokin Hills Golf Club, Ilara Mokin in Ondo State between 8 and 9 November, 2013.

Sponsored by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited since inception, the tournament is organised in memory of the Late Chief (Mrs.) Wuraola Ojo, wife of the Chairman of Toyota (Nigeria), Chief Michael Ade Ojo (OON) The golf tournament, holding for the first time outside Lagos will also be the first tournament to be held

at the newest privately owned golf club in Nigeria, the Smokin Hills Golf Club, which is owned by Chief Michael Ade Ojo. According to the organisers, the Shot Gun System will be adopted for this special edition which will tee off by ladies on Day One (8 November) at 7 am, while the professionals take to the course after the women at 1p.m.

“In the afternoon of the same day, a memorial service will hold in honour of the late Wuraola Ojo, followed by a grand reception in the evening

which will feature a documentary showing the life and times of the amiable woman whose eventful life impacted several people positively,” said Mr. Kunle Ade Ojo, Executive Director, Toyota (Nigeria). On Day Two, the men will take to the course.

A statement by the organisers says, “The tourney will be climaxed with a gala night of colour and blitz as the legendary Deola Sagoe thrills the audience with a fashion show of her latest creations in honour of the Late Wuraola Ojo, her mother, whose first passion was fashion.

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Delta losts 90 lives, N7bn property to fire

Monarch raises alarm over proliferation of arms in Benin

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN— THE palace of the Oba of Benin has condemned what it described as proliferation of arms and other dangerous weapons in some communities in Benin Kingdom, regretting that youths of the affected communities have turned the areas into war zones due to disagreements over ownership of land.

It will be recalled that four persons were reportedly killed while houses and cars were set ablaze last week in Okhoromi community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, following clashes between rival gangs over the ownership of land in the community.

The Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Eduwu Ekhator, who is also the Chairman of the state Committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution, in a statement, yesterday, hinted that the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, had summoned the Enigies and other elders of the affected communities to a meeting.

He emphasised the need for the youths of the Kingdom to embrace other peaceful

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA— DELTA State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, said yesterday that 90 people were killed, with property worth over N7 billion lost to fire in the last six years.

Delivering a mid-term report in Asaba, Nwaka said that the casualty figure could have been higher but for the dogged efforts of fire fighting officers as over N65 billion property were salvaged.

He said: “The fire statistics from the January 1 to June 30, 2012 showed that the Fire Service attended to 1,641 fire calls out of which 90 lives were saved, while 97 people were killed.

“The value of property saved was put at N65.3 billion, while property destroyed were put at N7.8 billion.”

means of crisis resolution to avoid further bloodshed in the kingdom.

He said: “We are now witnessing a very sad and total liquidation of our age long

keynote of oneness, which had been the hallmark of our collective responsibility and peaceful co-existence in the kingdom and the state.

“It is, therefore, sad to note

Customs want cargo facilities at Akanu Ibiam Airport

BY IFEYINWA OBI

N

IGERIA Customs Service has urged the South-East governments to make concerted efforts to ensure the establishment of cargo facilities at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State.

The Comptroller of Customs in Enugu State, Mr. Mohammed Abbas, made the call in Enugu at the ongoing South-East Economic Summit.

Abbas said the establishment of the facility would boost economic activities in the zone and create jobs for the youth.

He said: “When the airport was opened in August, it witnessed heavy passenger traffic but as time passed, it started reducing due to the

lack of cargo facilities.

“There is no cargo handling company on ground, like NAHCO and SAHCO, at the airport. By the time these cargoes start coming, it will reduce high cost of transportation and provide jobs.

“So, the South-East

P

ORT HARCOURT— YOUTHS under the aegis of South-South Youth Patriotic Movement, SSYPAM, have rejected the nomination of Chief Bassey Abia for the vacant position

of Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. In a statement after their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, the youths said: “Abia was a member of Larry Konya-led Board that was sacked after 28

months (2009-July 2011) by a presidential panel,” adding that by provisions of NDDC Act, he was not qualified to serve again having completed his two terms of office.

The group, in the statement by its National President, Chinagorom Nwankwo; National Organising Secre-

T

HE Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, says it is set to construct the Idima Abam community roads in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

The project is to be

tary, Adokiye Mujiton and Publicity Secretary, Godspower John, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, whose prerogative it was to appoint the MD, to consider a serving staff for the job of managing the commission, the post of MD having been zoned to Akwa Ibom State.

executed in two phases. In a statement by the community union secretary, Abuja Branch, Emeka Kalu, said the contractor handling the first phase of the project had already been mobilised to site by the Commission.

It said the second phase had been captured in the commission’s 2013 budget.

The second phase, the statement said, would run through Bende to IdimaAbam.

Kalu said the development came to light following a courtesy visit by a delegation of Idima Abam Progressive Union, Abuja branch, to Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

He said that the meeting held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

governors should make concerted efforts to ensure that the cargo companies are established at the airport.”

The comptroller also stressed the need for the establishment of dry seaports in the zone for increased trade and investment in the zone.

NDDC to construct roads in Abia community

NDDC's MD: S'South youths threaten protest over Abia's nomination

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

that in recent time, there have been several reported cases of violent reaction and serious acts of vandalism, which ordinarily could have been resolved amicably.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On PHCN's privatisation

I

T is a welcome development, as long as power supply is stable and tariff is commensurate to what consumers receive. There is no harm in trying something new if the old one is not serving a better purpose.

So I think it is a good development.— Miss Blessing Odu, Worker.

I

think the handing over of PHCN to commercial companies is not a bad move. Government should ensure that these companies are going to provide quality service and not disappoint the citizens of the great Republic of Nigeria.— Timadi Olobio, Student.

T

HIS issue of handing over PHCN to private firms has two sides to it. One is whether the issue of power failure will be a thing of the past?

Two, whether the tariff will not be high. Even if it is initially high, will it later come down?— Mr. Emmanuel Ijanna, Student.

I

think the problem confronting PHCN all the while is more of bad staff. While some are willing to work, majority are just lackadaisical about their job. That is why you see them move about, doing illegal disconnections. So it is good they go.— Miss Okereke Bukola, Secretary.

I

T should have been done long ago given the nature of the sector.

In the area where I live, people no longer talk of PHCN, as generators pollute the air everyday.

We want better service and if private persons will provide it, good.— Mr. Ogwu Nwachukwu, Student.

T

HE challenges facing the power sector in Nigeria are enormous. But we are equally convinced that the opportunities in the sector are enormous.

Maybe with the handing over, Nigerians should be expecting better power services. — Miss Joy Amos, Worker.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—45

Uduaghan’s cousin bags NSE award

National Confab'll offer room to discuss issues, says Imansuangbon

U

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—FORMER governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Mr. Ken Imansuangbon, has said that the proposed national dialogue initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan, was another opportunity for Nigerians to discuss how the country should be governed.

Imansuangbon, who spoke to Vanguard during the thanksgiving mass by Chief Mike Ozekhome in Iviukwe, his home town, weekend, disagreed with those who have posited that the confab was another charade by the ruling government and that nothing meaningful would come out of it.

He said: “The proposed national dialogue is a right step in the right direction."

Omo-Agege emerges UPC Acting National Chair

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—FORMER Secretary to Delta State Government, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, has been appointed acting National Chairman of Urhobo Political Congress, UPC, as part of efforts to reposition the group.

UPC, a socio-political pressure group of the Urhobo people in politics, in a statement by its National Secretary General, Chief Robert Onome, said; “At a well attended UPC National Executive Committee, NEC and Elders Executive meeting in the Egborode country home of Sir Amioku and chaired by the Chairman of the Elders Forum, Chief G Sefia, Ovie Omo-Agege was unanimously appointment as acting National Chairman of the group pending the ratification by the general body.

“Also appointed in acting capacities were Elegbete Moses Odibo as National Vice Chairman, while Chief Fred Majemite is the new Legal Adviser. A contact committee headed by Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu was also set up.”

VISIT: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right) and Chancellor of Covenant University, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the latter's visit to Government House, Uyo.

Confusion beclouds two abandoned DESOPADEC road projects

BY EMMA AMAIZE HERE is confusion over two road projects awarded in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State by Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, which were evidenced as completed in the agency’s record, but on ground, the contractors were yet to complete them.

The roads are the 9.5 km Abala-Uno-Abala-Obodo Road and the 13.5 km Ola-Ossissa-OloaAbala-Obodo and Abala-Uno Road.

Following the discovery when the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, DESOPADEC, Mr. Timi Tonye, carried out in-

T

spection projects of roads in the area, he assured that the state government would investigate the matter. Meanwhile, the affected communities protested during the inspection.

The Abala-Uno-Abalo-Obodo road project was reportedly awarded by DESOPADEC in 2008 at a cost of about N84 million, but it was gathered that while the contract sum had been fully paid, the project was not executed.

Investigation revealed that about one kilometre of the road which was constructed had gone bad already.

The road is to link the peo-

ple of Abala-Uno and AbalaObodo to other parts of the council and state, but since the award, nothing has changd on the road.

The Ola-Ossissa, Oloa-Abala-Obodo and Abala-Uno road, also marked as completed in DESOPADEC record, was only graded with laterite and granite poured on some portions.

Tonye did not confirm whether the contractor had been fully paid, but he regretted the development, noting that it was embarrassing that some contractors were frustrating the good intention of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Prove your innocence in court, SSANU, others tell sacked UNIBEN lecturers

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—UNIVERSITY of Benin, UNIBEN, branch of Senior Staff Union of Nigerian University, SSANU, and two other unions in the university, have admonished the sacked 44 staff of the university to go to court and prove their innocence rather than engage in what they described as frivolous petitions against the management of the university.

The unions, including the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT and the Non-Academic staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, which briefed newsmen, yesterday, described as embarrassing and shameful, the allegations against some of the sacked lecturers, describing as “even more embarrassing,

the campaign of calumny embarked upon by some of these people against the Vice Chancellor, Professor Osayuki Oshodin and the Governing Council of the University, when they are supposed to hide their heads in shame.”

It will be recalled that some of the sacked lecturers were allegedly involved in admission racketeering, extortion, sex abuse and several other offences.

Chairman of SSANU, Mr John Alile, who spoke on behalf of others, said: “It is disheartening to note that those who ought to bury their heads in shame for betraying the confidence reposed in them by the authorities of UNIBEN are jumping from one newspaper house to another to malign the VC and

members of the Governing Council.

“UNIBEN is an old institution and we have well entrenched rules and regulations that guide its operation.

It is pure mischief for any sacked staff to resort to maligning the VC and members of the Governing Council for the action taken when they knew that each person was given the privilege of defending himself/herself.

“It is our belief that if they say that they are not guilty, they should go to court even though we are aware that before their sack, their cases were investigated by the Council. We know their grand plan is to discredit the current administration of the university as a prelude to installing their stooge as VC in no distant time.”

GHELLI—THE Nigeria Society of Engineers, NSE, has honoured Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan's cousin, Mr Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, with an award of excellence for his contribution to humanity and the society.

Presenting the award to Mr Uduaghan at the 20th anniversary dinner and award night of the society, chairman of the Asaba branch, Engr. Owen Mordi, said: “Mr Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, C.E.O Webster Global Ventures Ltd., has distinguished himself as an efficient and reliable team player, who has been able to manage an engineering company for more than 15 years as a giant in the construction industry without recording incidence of collapse bridge or building."

Aziza inaugurates UPU UK branch Exco

M

AJOR-GENERAL Patrick Aziza (rtd), President General, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, world-wide, has inaugurated the executive of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, United Kingdom branch, to run its affairs for the next three years with a call on the Urhobo to work with the executive to ensure unity, progress and the advancement and growth of Urhobo nation.

The event had a cross section of Urhobo in the UK and a representative of the High Commission, Mr. Sunny Kporarhor in attendance.

Ukutse passes on at 87

P

RINCE Gbofoeyin Ukutse of Warri, Delta State has passed on, aged 87.

He was a devout christian and a community leader. A statement by the family said that burial arrangement will soon be announced. He is survived by children, grand children, brothers and sisters.

Late Prince Ukutse

46—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

PENGASSAN seeks closer working relationship with oil firms

P

ORT HARCOURT — PETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN has promised a more harmonious relationship with oil companies with a view to averting frequent industrial friction.

Chairman, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, Service Contract branch of PENGASSAN, Comrade Goodluck Enyinwa who spoke in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area, Rivers State said a healthier relationship between the union and the oil companies was needed for the growth of the nation’s economy.

He assured that the union would always defend the rights of its members, while appealing to members to always promote industrial harmony in their places of work.

Also, the Zonal Assistant Secretary, Port Harcourt zone of PENGASSAN, Comrade Sunny Onyewuchi charged Enyinwa and his newly inaugurated executive members to work to promote the dignity of members.

Youth empowerment

L

A G O S — OPPOR TUNITIES for youths especially secondary school students, to learn vocational skills such as soap making, event decoration and bead making will be the focus of a fourday youth empowerment programme being put together by “Criterion”, an Association of Muslim Women in Business and other professions.

The programme is part of the activities to mark the group’s 7th biennial national conference in Lagos, taking place between November 14 and 17, 2013, with the theme. “Women Empowerment: Key to Societal Development”.

National Publicity Secretary of the group, Mrs. Shakirat Abdulmajid, said participants at the event would have the opportunity to listen to soul-enriching and inspirational lectures and discussions from high profile speakers.

C M Y K

STATE DINNER: From left: Wife of the Cross River State deputy governor, Mrs. Glory Efiok-Cobham, UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Victoria Akyeampong, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River, his wife, Obioma and UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Daouda Toure, at the state dinner in honour of the UNFPA team by the governor in Calabar.

Insecurity: FG orders commencement of national data system

BY CHRIS OCHAYI BUJA—FOLLOWING in creasingsecurity challenges occasioned by activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country, the Federal Government has ordered immediate commencement of building of a national integrated data and information infrastructure system.

The system known as Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria, BRISIN, which is intended to register and capture the imagery of every Nigeria from the 8812 ward level and the 36 states, will apart from curbing insecurity, also

A

provide a solid foundation for planning technological and socio-economic developmental growth for Nigeria.

Although, the project for BRISIN system, which was slated to take off since 2007, was being delayed allegedly by few individuals in the government for personal reasons.

But in his resolve to tackle the threat of the insecurity and expand business horizon, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the take off the project. The administration, therefore, directed relevant ministries, agencies involved in the project to commence its implemen-

tation with immediate effect.

Stakeholders in the project which pilot scheme is expected to take off any moment from now at Federal Capital Territory, FCT, include the National Planning Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, FCTA and solution provider, Dermo Impex Nig Ltd as well as other technical partners.

To this end, the House of Representatives Committee on FCT and National Planning Commission have advised the FCT Mininister, Mallam Bala Mohammed to immediately start the implementation of the project without further delay.

Confirming the development to

Vanguard in Abuja, Dr. Anthony Uwa, the Managing Director of Dermo Impex Nig. Ltd, the organisation contracted to build the BRISIN project, explained that the BRISIN system had the capacity to solve many of the nation’s problems.

Noting the importance of the BRISIN system to national growth and development, Dr. Uwa explained that Nigeria would get it right this time, adding, “we have put all implementation strategies in place and soon the problem of job creation will be a thing of the past.”

Sustaining peace, security very tasking —Gov Orji

U

MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State in Umuahia, yesterday, said the maintenance of peace and security in Abia was not only very expensive but had become a pivotal policy on which development of the state was hinged.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Mr. Ben Onyechere, the governor said: “The substance of peace and its consequences have been an apple in the eyes of my administration because it is through our determination to uphold tranquility that our efforts in re-inventing Abia can be measured.

“Irrespective of the huge cost that accrue from this policy, I will remain resolute more than ever before in the prosecution of this onerous agenda. It is as a result of this existing peace that we have extended responsibility of government in embarking on an irreversible programme of youth empowerment and free education

for all in the state.

“We consider the youth not only as the engine room of development but the vehicle through which government pursuit of a friendly and

crime free society can be achieved.”

According to Governor Orji, government was determined not to yield to any attempt from any

quarter at frustrating the maintenance of peace and tranquility which the state had earned at a very high cost.

Why Nigeria may not achieve MDGs, by don

O

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—NIGERIANS have been warned that eradication of poverty and hunger may remain a mirage in the country despite the declarations by the federal and state governments to abide with the Millennium Development Goals.

The Acting Head, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Osun State University, Osogbo, Professor Samson Akinola, gave the warning in a paper entitled, “The logic of planning process and security challenges in Nigeria: A polyc-

entric planning and poverty reduction strategy”, which he delivered yesterday in Owerri, at the 44th annual conference of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP. His words: “In spite of the declaration by Nigerian governments to abide by the MDGs’ poverty reduction incentives, they are yet to understand how to engage institutional mechanisms and polycentric development planning to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.”

According to him, the bane

of the land use/development planning and poverty eradication in Nigeria was largely a case of institutional dilemma, as there was an absence of appropriate institutional mechanisms to motivate most Nigerians to work together as partners.

While saying that the nation’s economy was in disarray, Professor Akinola, however, argued that government officials, scholars, industrialists, the organised private sector and peasant farmers, operated on parallel lines.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—47

,

BRIEFING: From left, Mr. Jube Jemide,Director, Housing; Mr. Godsday Orubebe, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Engr. Ewi Otote, Director Infrastructures; Mrs. Bitrus Yohanna, Director, Community Devlopment and Education, and Mr. Gboyega Olawoyin, Director, Economic Empowerment at a ministerial briefing in Lagos.

LAUNCH: From left, Alfa Moddibo Belgore, former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Daniel Ogwilaya, chairman/CEO, Petdrill Development Company Limited; Henry Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Nelson Wu, Chairman, Qlink Group, at the launch of Quality Assurance and Service Assurance, QASA, by Qlink Group, in Lagos.

SHOW: Popular Nigerian musician, Omawumi and Hidesuke Amachi, Executive Officer, Kaneka Corporation, Japan, after her superlative performance during 'An Evening of Flame and Showers Hair Show,' at The Haven Event Centre, Ikeja G.R.A., Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

UNVEILING: From left, Justice Olubunam Adeniyi; Administrator, Grace School, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun; CEO, Iceberg Media, Mrs. Anike Lawal, and Mrs. Ladun Lawal, at the official unveiling of Mamalette .com, a new parenting online, in Lagos.

C M Y K

MEETING: Rev. Tunde Salawu, 1st Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Training and Development, NITAD (right), presenting plaque to Mr. Olusegun Mojeed, Executive Consultant/COO, Bezaleel Consulting Group, at the 12th induction ceremony/extraordinary general meeting of the institute, in Lagos.

LAUNCH: From left, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim; Samsung Brand Ambassadors, Mrs. Kate Henshaw-Nutal; Bankole Wellington, and Director of Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, at the Abuja launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Gear, at theTranscorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

THANKSGIVING: From left, retired senior executive of PZ Nigeria Plc, Mr. Adesola AkinWilliams, singing with sister, Mrs. Lande Fadipe, and wife, Mrs. Funke Akin Williams (behind), at his 70th birthday thanksgiving service, at Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos.

CONFERENCE: From left, Mrs. Olufunke Amba, Chairperson, Planning Committee, Association of Professional Educationists In Nigeria, APEN, 2013 Conference; Mr. Tope Toogun, Managing Director, Accelerated Learning Systems; Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya, Chairman,APEN, and Managing Director, Oxbridge Tutorial College, at the 2013 Annual APEN conference, tagged Leap, Achieve, Succeed, at Eko Hotel, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

PROMO: From left, Mr. Sam, Manager, Shoprite Abuja; grand prize winner of KIA Piccanto car, Mr. Femi Fateru; Mr. Abayomi Ajao, Marketing Sales Manager, Brian Munro Ltd, and Mr. Adewale, Sales Manager, Shoprite Abuja, during the grand finale of 'Campari Buy and Win' promo, organised by Brian Munro, marketers of Campari drink, in Abuja.

From left, Mr. O. A. Laniyonu, representing Lagos State Commissioner for Education; Mr. Rohit Daswani, Managing Director of Leogroup; Mrs. Omoloye Yemisi, representing Special Adviser to Governor on Education; Mrs. Omotoyo Biodun, representing TGLPS, Education District, Oshodi, displaying Leo Achiever products, during the launch. Photo: Diran Oshe

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

FG seeks OPS support on environment

FG hands over Ughelli Power Plc to Transcorp

A

BUJA— THE ef forts of the Federal Government at ensuring stable power supply in Nigeria, through the Power Sector Reform has received yet another boost following the handing over of the Ughelli Power Plc. to its successor CompanyTranscorp Ugheli Power Plc. Performing the handing over ceremony on behalf of the Vice President, Arch. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, tasked the successor company, Transcorp Ugheli Plc. on effective service delivery.

According to him “ the challenge is now for you to ensure that the successor company that is being handed over to you today is transformed into world class company of reference in terms of the quality of service delivery, social corporate responsibility, customer satisfaction and profitability”.

The Minister noted that, Power Sector Reform would no doubt lead to increased access to electricity.

Katsina Govt launches vaccination against rabies

K

AT S I N A— T H E Katsina State Government, yesterday launched a renewed vaccination campaign against rabies across the state.

Rabies, often a fatal viral disease, affects the central nervous systems of most warm-blooded animals and is transmitted in the saliva of an infected animal.

It causes convulsion, inability to move and untypical behaviour.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Musa Adamu, said at the launch of the vaccination for dogs in Mashi Local Government Area of the state that the measure was to control the disease.

BY FUNMI OLSAUPO

A

COCKTAIL—From left: Managing Director, MediaReach, Tolu Ogunkoya; Acting CEO/ Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Director, Brands & Communication, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; and Chief Executive Officer, Megalectrics, Chris Ubosi, at a cocktail party organised for Etisalat High Value Customers, to mark the 5th Year Anniversary of Etisalat in Nigeria, at Raddison Blu Hotel, VI. Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Textile workers urge IGP to curtail excesses of police officers

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

K

ADUNA— NATIONAL Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, yesterday, in Kaduna, raised alarm of perceived increasing partisanship of the Nigerian Police in dealing with security of Nigerian citizens and stakeholders as well as enduring their freedom and liberties.

NUTGTWN in a statement by its General Secretary and a Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Issa Aremu, called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, to urgently call to order his state commissioners as well as the Divisional Police Officers , DPOs, throughout the country to obey the police code of conduct and discharge their responsibility to all stakeholders in Nigerian project with fairness and justice.

The union said it is greatly concerned with reports of how police halted and even teargassed peaceful protest of the striking lecturers of the universities under the auspices of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, while the same police supervised antiASUU protests.

According to the statement “The real acid test for the police lies in its impartiality and

fairness in handing the security of citizens and stakeholders of this great country as well as enduring their freedom and liberties.

"Nigerians are alarmed how police halted and even tear-gassed peaceful protest of the striking lecturers of the universities under the auspices of ASUU while the same police supervised anti-ASUU protests."

Taraba Speaker for burial Nov 28

BY SONI DANIEL & JOHN MKOM

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of Taraba State, Haruna Tsokwa, who passed on Monday is to be buried on November 28.

A member of the deceased's family, Pastor Yakubu Tsokwa, announced the date when the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, led other government functionaries to

commiserate with the family over the untimely demise of the speaker.

After meeting and consoling the immediate family members of the deceased, Umar promised that the state government would foot the burial bills and take up the training of Tsokwa’s children from primary school to the university level.

Umar asked the people of

Ijaw group lauds Lite-Africa vision in Niger Delta

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

L

AGOS—THE Ijaw Moni toring Group, IMG, has described the opening of Lite – Africa office in Warri as a confirmation to the fact that genuine progressives will not relent until Niger Delta gets to the promised land.

In a congratulation message signed by Comrade Joseph Evah on behalf of IMG, the Ijaw group stated that vision of Lite – Africa which was one of the foremost pressure groups to create awareness in

BUJA –THE Fed eral Government has appealed for support from the Organised Private Sector, OPS, towards boosting environmental standards and enhancing the nation’s economy.

Inaugurating the new boards of agencies and parastatals in the Ministry of Environment, the Supervising Minister of Environment, Arc. Darius Ishaku said that a safe environment had become a basic requirement for economic development.

“There is a need for the boards to operate in line with public service rules, financial regulations, other extant rules and laws which established the agencies in view of obvious implications.

Appealing for the support of the OPS, Ishaku said: “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to individuals, Organised Private Sector, OPS, and corporate organisations to play a key role in complimenting the effort of government in keeping our environment safe by way of funding."

the international community about the inhuman conditions in the Niger Delta region during the military era, led global attention to the region.

“We salute the indomitable spirit of Lite – Africa led by Comrade Joel Bisina that continues to insist that Niger Delta stood on its feet at all costs for the sake of this generation and beyond. There is no doubt that the Warri office will improve the networking ability of our region and the international community and we are glad that the global players have no more excuses

not to give us development aid to turn our situation around like South Africa during the post apartheid era.

“Lite-Africa has enhanced grassroots participation in development effort over the years, while the new office will become window of opportunities for our region. The former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress also salute all those presented with awards during the event in Warri, adding that the Lite-Africa Award should strengthen awardees to contribute more to mankind.”

the state to see the death of Tsokwa as an act of God, who is the giver of life.

The acting governor also promised to secure a job for the widow of the late speaker and take care of the immediate needs of the family.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Taraba South at the National Assembly, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has expressed shock over the sudden death of the speaker.

Bwacha said the death of the speaker had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

It would be recalled that Tsokwa, slumped and died Monday. Tsokwa, who represented Takum State Constituency, led the team of lawmakers opposed to the resumption of work by ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai despite his plea, was said to have slumped in his house and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre.

His corpse was later removed from the FMC Jalingo to Taraba Specialist Hospital.

Before his untimely death, Tsokwa had come under attack by unknown gunmen on his way out of Taraba State.

One of his aides was killed in the attack even though Tsokwa escaped unhurt.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—49

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50— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—51

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52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—53

Confab C’ttee: Nyiam tenders resignation letter zWhy I shouted at Oshiomhole

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, OKEY NDIRIBE & DAPO AKINREFON

C

OLONEL Tony Nyiam has formally resigned his membership of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue and given further details of how Governor Adams Oshiomhole provoked him into the controversial shouting match in Benin last week.

In his resignation letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, Nyiam said he decided to withdraw his membership of the committee in

order not to be an obstacle to the long desire of many Nigerians for a national conference.

President Jonathan, yesterday, promptly replaced Nyiam with Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN), in the committee yesterday.

It would be recalled that other members of the Committee, led

by Senator Femi Okorounmu, had asked Nyiam to withdraw his membership after he engaged Governor Oshiomhole in a verbal war following the governor’s criticism of the planned dialogue.

Oshiomhole, in line with the position of his party, the All Pro-

gressives Congress, APC, expressed dissatisfaction with plans to hold the confab. However, Nyiam, a retired army officer, who was a prominent participant in the attempt to overthrow former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, in 1990, had challenged the governor on the way he was expressing views on the issue.

The exchange between both men led to a disruption of the proceedings of the committee during their sitting in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Nyiam’s conduct attracted widespread condemnation

thereby casting doubts on the integrity of those President Jonathan selected for the assignment.

Other members of the panel, therefore, advised Col. Nyiam to resign.

Since the incident occurred, Nyiam only partially complied with the request of other members of the committee by refraining from participating in its public assignments until he turned in his resignation letter yesterday.

Chief Asemota is to resume with the committee immediately.

Asemota was earlier nominated by Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), who declined to serve in the committee because of ill-

health. But the Presidency opted for Professor Anya O. Anya to replace Nwabueze.

With Asemota’s appointment, The Patriots, whose advice informed President Goodluck Jonathan’s u-turn on national conference, now have a member in the committee.

In his letter dated November 3, 2013, made available to Vanguard, Nyiam said: “Some of us have, all our lives, been fighting for the oppressed people of our mother- land, and to be given an opportunity to use dialogue to resolve our myriads of problems was too good a moment to be ignored. I took up the appointment with great enthusiasm and dedication, working as hard as my colleagues, to give our very best to our country.

“Mr. President, I will like to put the Benin event in its proper perspective so that evil propagandists bent on derailing the dialogue train will not continue to fabricate falsehood to confound Nigerians so as to achieve their devilish intentions.

“It all started in the Benin consultations with us being made to be twice late for important appointments. First, we were made to be over an hour late to the 12 noon appointment we had the privilege of getting at short notice, from the palace of one of Africa’s most reputatable monarchs, the revered Oba of Benin.

“Secondly, we were made to keep critical SouthSouth stakeholders, and other people’s representatives, waiting for over three hours. The two occasions of lateness to important appointments which are against the ethos of our duty, were caused by the twice, and sudden, shifting of the time we had earlier agreed to pay courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle.

“When eventually he granted audience, the Comrade Governor proceeded to give us a background on why he is vehemently opposed to the initiative of any leader daring to convene a National Conference. The back ground story was essentially a lecture on how the Governor of Edo State was, ironically, more a Kadunamade man than an Edo indigene.

“This was followed by a tutorial on how we were deluded to see anything of significance in the opportunity Nigerians are being given to dialogue amongst themselves.”

54 — V anguard AY NO VEMBER 6, 2013 Vanguard anguard,, WEDNESD WEDNESDA NOVEMBER

BRIEFS

DRC rebels agree to disarm

T US Speaker opposes landmark gay-rights bill

H

OUSE of Repre sentatives Speaker John Boehner has opposed a bill to ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, dimming the chances of the White Housebacked measure becoming law.

“The speaker believes this legislation will increase frivolous litigation and cost American jobs, especially small business jobs,” Boehner ’s spokesman Michael Steel said in a statement.

Steel issued the statement at about the same time that the bill’s backers in the Senate appeared to have gathered enough support to clear a Republican procedural roadblock.

Dean Heller of Nevada became the fifth Senate Republican to announce support for the bill. “This legislation raises the federal standards to match what we have come to expect in

ALKS on a protract ed row over Iran’s nuclear ambitions resume this week in Geneva, with Tehran announcing a visit by the UN atomic watchdog chief to try to clinch a deal.

The so-called P5+1 group of major powers will meet Iran’s nuclear team tomorrow and Friday for the latest round of negotiations revived after the election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a reputed moderate.

Both sides hope to build on a meeting last

I

John Bohner, Speaker, Congress Nevada, which is that discrimination must not be tolerated under any circumstance,” Heller said.

The bill has become the

Barrack Obama, US President

latest example of the ideological struggle within the Republican party over gay rights.

While an increasing number of Republicans

M

are showing more flexibility over gay rights, conservative groups are threatening to mount challenges against those Republicans who support such measures.

Spygate: Germany demands explanation from British envoy

G

ERMANY’s For eign Ministry said yesterday it had asked the British ambassador to come and discuss a report that Britain was operating a covert spying station in Berlin, using hi-

month hailed as “substantive” by all sides, at which Iran’s delegation outlined a new proposal and met bilaterally with the US for the first time since 2009.

The United States is part of the P5+1, which includes Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany.

According to Iranian officials, the proposal — whose details have been kept under wraps — envisages a first and a last step which Tehran hopes can be implemented within three months and a year respectively.

Renamo spurns peace talks OZAMBIQUE’s revived rebel movement Renamo yesterday spurned the government’s invite for high level face-to-face talks to end destabilising military skirmishes.

The Frelimo-led government had called on its civil war foe Afonso Dhlakama to travel to Maputo on November 8 to discuss his grievances personally with President Armando Guebuza.

government forces drove the rebel fighters out of their last two strongholds at around 3am local time yesterday.

African leaders had urged the group to renounce their rebellion to allow the signing of a peace agreement with DRC President Joseph Kabila’s government.

India launches mission to Mars

tech equipment housed on the embassy roof.

Documents leaked by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden show that Britain’s surveillance agency is operating a network of “elec-

Iran seeks ‘content’ in new nuclear talks

T

HE Democratic Re public of Congo’s M23 rebel group has declared an end to its 20month rebellion, saying it is ready to disarm and demobilise troops and pursue a political solution to end the crisis in the east of the country.

The M23 declaration was issued hours after

But just hours later Renamo rejected the invitation outright as “cynical”.

Renamo spokesman Fernando Mazanga branded the offer “a political propaganda campaign without minimal respect for ethics”.

Supporters of Dhlakama — a rebel leader in Mozambique’s brutal civil war — have been involved in a series of deadly attacks and are demanding a share of the country’s resource wealth.

Hassan Rouhani

tronic spy posts” from within a stone’s throw of the Bundestag and German chancellor’s office, British newspaper Independent reported.

“At the instigation of Foreign Minister (Guido) Westerwelle, the British ambassador was asked to come for a talk at the Foreign Ministry,” a German Foreign Ministry statement said.

“The director of the European department asked for an explanation of current reports in British media and indicated that tapping communications from a diplomatic mission would be a violation of international law.”

News of the World admits phone hacking — Police

T

HE News of the World told police it had hacked the phone of missing British schoolgirl Milly Dowler and wrote a story based on her voicemail messages which incorporated a comment from the police, a court heard yesterday.

Former managing editor Stuart Kuttner explained how the tabloid had accessed the 13-year-old’s voicemail messages in 2002 and offered police the information as a possible lead, prosecutors said.

Milly was later found murdered, and the revelation that her phone was among hundreds hacked by the News of the World prompted owner Rupert Murdoch to shut down

the Sunday tabloid amid a huge outcry in July 2011.

Kuttner, 73, is on trial for phone hacking at the Old Bailey court alongside former News of the World editors Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson. They all deny the charges.

NDIA’s first mission to Mars blasted off successfully yesterday, completing the first stage of an 11-month journey that could see New Delhi’s low-cost space programme win Asia’s race to the Red Planet.

A 350-tonne rocket carrying an unmanned probe soared into a slightly overcast sky on

schedule at 2:38 pm (0908 GMT), monitored by dozens of scientists at the southern spaceport of Sriharikota. After 44 minutes, applause broke out in the tense control room as navigation ships in the South Pacific reported that the spacecraft had successfully entered orbit around Earth.

S. Korean president visits UK

S

OUTH Korea’s Pres ident Park GeunHye was treated to a full display of British pomp and ceremony as she began a three-day state visit to London yesterday.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip accompanied Park in a horse-drawn carriage as they rode to

Buckingham Palace, while troops welcomed her with a 41-gun salute at Green Park and the Tower of London.

The president also inspected a guard of honour with Philip and was greeted by Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and interior minister Theresa May.

Libyan militias engage in gun battles

L

IBYAN militia fight ers on the government payroll fought each other with rifles, grenades and anti-aircraft weapons on the streets of Tripoli on Tuesday in the worst clashes in the capital in weeks.

No one was killed, but

the fighting underlined how Libya’s government is finding it harder to contain former fighters and Islamist militants in a country awash with weapons two years after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall.

Tunisia’s crisis deepens

T

HERE was no end in sight yesterday to Tunisia’s months-long political crisis after ruling Islamists and the opposition failed to agree on an independent premier following two missed deadlines.

The birthplace of the Arab Spring has been mired in political stalemate following the assassination of two prominent opposition leaders by suspected jihadists earlier this year.

Syria: Uncertainty beclouds talks

E Rebekkah Brooks

NVOY Lakhdar Bra himi met U.S. and Russian officials yesterday to discuss convening long-delayed Syrian peace talks this year despite disputes over President Bashar al-Assad’s future and whether his

ally Iran can attend.

Hours earlier, Damascus reiterated that Assad will stay in power come what may, casting doubt on the political transition that is the main focus of the proposed “Geneva 2” conference.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—55

•Governors Rabiu Kwankaso, Sule Lamido, Rotimi Amaechi, Babangida Aliyu & Murtala Nyako

G7 Governors: Hot and Cold HARRIED here and there, the seven governors aligned to the Kawu Baraje faction of the ruling PDP are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea

I

T was supposed to have been the ultimate provocation.

The invasion of the meeting of the G7 governors belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja last Sunday was generally regarded as the worst form of provocation.

As Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State said during that epic encounter between the five governors and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of the Asokoro Police Station, CSP Nnanna Ama such harassment could not have happened during the second republic. Governor Lamido who was an active player in that dispensation on the platform of the opposition, Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, the Shehu Shagari controlled executive branch of the Federal Government did not harass the meetings of the Progressive Parties Alliance, even if the utterances and actions of those governors often infuriated the Shagari government.

Perhaps by Lamido’s observation, 30 years down the road the system of democracy in the land remains shadowed in dictatorship.

The five governors who were meeting under the aegis of the rebel new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, were by the summation of the DPO, meeting illegally.

The interruption of the governors’ meeting that day followed a similar but not so

overt attempt against the same governors penultimate Friday at the Sokoto State governor’s lodge.

Present at the Sunday meeting hosted by the Kano State governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwanso were his colleagues from Jigawa, Niger, Adamawa and Rivers States; Alhaji Sule Lamido, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Alhaji Murtala Nyako and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi respectively.

Working relationship Also present were the factional national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and other leaders of the party including Alhaji Kashim Imam, a former Presidential Liaison Officer, PLO to the Senate but now generally known to be in a working relationship with the APC controlled government in Borno State.

Others were Senators Abubakar Saraki and Abdullahi Adamu, Danjuma Goje immediate past governors of Kwara, Nasarawa and Gombe States, former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva, Senator Aisha Alhassan and the factional national secretary of the PDP and former governor of Osun State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Also at the meeting were Chief Sam Sam Jaja, the deputy national chairman of the nPDP, former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni and the national vice chairman of the PDP, Northwest, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure.

The police intervention came in the wings of recent efforts by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC to woo the five rebel governors into their fold.

The interim national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande had alongside the main hierarchy of the opposition party including Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Alhaji Lai Mohammed among many others had in the last week made visits to the governors of Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa towards wooing them to join the opposition party.

Before the Sunday face-off with the police in Abuja, the APC leadership had converged in Abuja preparatory for their next scheduled visit which was to Governor Amaechi in PortHarcourt, Rivers State.

However, the developments that Sunday night it was learnt, compelled the governors to change plans. The governors it was learnt took the decision that night to resume their visits to the country ’s elderstatesmen. They had in the last two months made visits to former civilian and military leaders of the country and other elder-statesmen as a way of intimating them of the situation they were passing through.

Among those visited were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma

among others. Following the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan the governors had called off the visits to the elder-statesmen and agreed to dialogue with the mainstream of the PDP led

by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

The dialogue has, however, been suspended apparently by the Tukur PDP on the basis of court victories won on the legitimacy of the Tukur leadership.

The G7 governors it was learnt are, however, stuck on how to proceed with some of them apparently determined to leave the party immediately.

Governor Nyako of Adamawa State has all but left the party and is not making any pretence of the fact that his followers have joined the APC. Besides

,

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

Lamido was one of the nine persons who brought the idea of forming a national party like the PDP in 1998 just weeks after General Sanni Abacha died in 1998. The governor has repeatedly stressed that he is not inclined to leave the house he built for others.

President Obasanjo who has largely been regarded as a father figure to all the G7 governors with the notable exception of Amaechi, and has helped to guide their agitation it was learnt, is however, not happy with the romance between them and the APC. The reasons for Obasanjo’s apparent opposition are not far fetched. Obasanjo continues to regard Tinubu as a major foe and would not be inclined towards losing his protégées to him. It was thus not surprising that the day after their meeting was interrupted that the G7 governors decided to resume their legwork with the elderstatesmen on the issues, starting with Obasanjo.

Celebratory mood The meeting with Obasanjo last Monday interrupted the visit of the APC leaders to Amaechi earlier scheduled for the same Monday.

Against the background of the alleged misgivings of the romance between the G7 and the APC it was not surprising that when the governors came out from the meeting with Obasanjo that they pledged their continued faithfulness to the PDP. When yesterday the APC leadership eventually arrived Port-Harcourt to woo Amaechi, the embattled governor was in celebratory mood as a large crowd of supporters joined him to welcome the APC leadership.

His speech to the crowd at the joint rally with the APC leadership that included Buhari and Tinubu was also moving and indicative of the governors’ difficult journey

,

Obasanjo continues to regard Tinubu as a major foe and would not be inclined towards losing his protégées to him

Governor Amaechi, Nyako has been the most brutalized of the G7 governors, given the complete withdrawal of the party structures from him.

Sources close to the governor do not hide the governor ’s feelings of exasperation with the PDP and to some extent the dithering procrastination of some of his colleagues in the G7 to further negotiate with the PDP mainstream.

Governor Lamido on the other hand has continuously stressed his determination not to leave the party. Lamido’s reasons are clear to some of the founding fathers of the party. Governor

through the valley of decision.

“I am peculiar in the group of the seven governors. The President comes from our zone.

I will consult our leaders, the President; I will consult you, (supporters), I will consult all consultable. I will come back to you. The day we shall take a decision it will be at the new stadium that can take 40,000 persons. If we are staying (remaining in PDP), we shall call the President to the stadium to address us. If we are going, we shall call Tinubu and Buhari to come and address us”, he said reflective of the momentous decision awaiting him.

56 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Anambra North: Okadigbo lends a voice

BY ENYIM ENYIM

SENATOR Margery Okadigbo had been largely silent since the campaign started. Last weekend she unveiled herself as a strong canvasser of the quest of her people in Anambra North for the governorship to come to their zone for the first time.

She was also voice of moderation when some associates of APGA candidate, Willie Obiano made a failed move to use the stakeholders’ forum organized by Anambra North Peoples Assembly, ANPA to project their candidate.

Given that her own party’s S/No.

State

candidate, Tony Nwoye was still stuck in the courts at the time of the meeting, Mrs. Okadigbo brought moderation to the gathering.

“From the action of some of you, it means you have not understood what the real issue is. We prayed that political parties elect their candidates from our zone, and thank God we now have candidates from here. Making noise about PDP or APGA is senseless at this point, what we needed now is to go out to the other zones to ask them to support us because Anambra North alone cannot win this war.”

“For now, lets forget about whether it is APGA or PDP, I

Name of Candidate

THE FINAL LIST

am the one that will tell you the truth, because I am in Abuja and I know the thinking of Abuja, so my people let us not use our hands to spoil the golden chance God has given

HE PDP candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye has assured that the delay in the confirmation of his candidacy would not seriously affect his chances in the forthcoming election.

Nwoye who was confirmed by the Supreme Court as the PDP candidate last Monday told Vanguard that he has now commenced full campaigns and was bringing

•Okadigbo

Sex Party Address

Age

Qualification

Anambra Governor Okeke Chika Jerry Dep Gov Onyeka Susan E.

M F

AA AA

39 55

B.Sc B.Ed

2

Governor Chukwuemeka Nwankwo Dep Gov Chief Gabriel O. Anikpeh

M M

Accord Accord

38 56

B.Sc MBA

3

Governor Dep Gov

Dr. Ifeatu Ekelem Christian Madiebo

M

ACD ACD

59 59

MMBS, MSPH WASC

4

Governor Dep Gov

Engr. Anthony Anene Ikechukwu G. Okagbue

M M

ACPN ACPN

49 58

M. Eng WASC

5

Governor Dep Gov.

Com. Aaron Igweze E. M Ebo Kenneth Chukwuemeka M

AD AD

63 49

Diploma GCE

6

Governor Dep Gov

Chief Anayo A. Arinze Pastor Donatus C. Attah

M M

ADC ADC

53 54

HND, PGD Diploma

7

Governor Dep Gov

Patrick Chukwura Ibeziako Anaduchukunonso Gabriel

M M

APA APA

49 33

B.Sc SSCE

8

Governor Dep Gov

Chris Ngige Hon. Ralph Okeke

M M

APC APC

61 53

9

Governor Dep Gov

Chief Willie Maduabuchi Dr. Okeke N. Chukwukaodinaka

APGA APGA

58 53

MBA Ph.D

10

Governor Dep Gov.

Chief Austin Nwangwu Barr. Chinenye U. Okongwu F

CPP CPP

57 36

B.Sc LLB, BL

11 Governor Dep Gov

Chijioke G. Ndubuisi Michaelson Arima

M M

DPP DPP

52 35

LLB GCE

12 Governor Dep Gov

Christian Ikechukwu Otti Ndife Franklin Ikenna

M M

ID ID

47 35

HND B.Sc

13 Governor Dep Gov

Chief Dennis Nwaforka Rev. Canon R. Okeke SE M

M

KOWA KOWA

14 Governor Dep Gov

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah Prince Dr. Emeka Eze

M M

LP LP

42

NECO BMBS

15 Governor Dep Gov

Pastor Simon Chinweuba Rev. Eze C. Miracle

M M

MPPP MPPP

44 49

NABTEB WASC

16

Governor Dep Gov

Okonkwo E. Webster Ikwuemesi T. James C.

M M

NCP NCP

43 35

DVM B.Sc

17

Governor Dep Gov

Prince Leonard Uchendu Barr. Anthony Anazor

M M

NNPP NNPP

44 34

GCE BL

18

Governor Dep Gov

Tony Nwoye O. Amanchukwu Ezeike

M M

PDP PDP

38 60

SSCE MMBS

19

Governor Dep Gov

Ezeemo G. Chukwunenye Chikwenze A. Raphael

M M

PPA PPA

59 55

HND Ph.D

20 Governor Dep Gov

Hon. Basil Iwuoba Orajekwe C. Chukwujindu

M M

PPN PPN

49 58

B.Sc WAEC

21 Governor Dep Gov

Onuorah B. Onyeachonam Ezema O. Leticia

M F.

SDP SDP

36 47

LLB BA, MPA

22 Governor Dep Gov

Barr. Okoye G. Mgbodile Nebe Brain C. Onyibo

M M

UDP UDP

50 44

LLB, BL B.Sc

23

Prof. Benedict N. Akanegbu Okolo Stella Ifeoma

M F

UPP UPP

54 55

B.Sc, MA, Ph.D HND

49 49

B.M.B, CH, Dipl OND, B.Sc

WASC BA. Ed

and become the next Governor of Anambra state, so I charge to launch out campaigns in other zones.”

Delay will not affect our plans —Nwoye

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1

Governor Dep Gov

to us. What should be important to us should be that a son of Anambra North wins

awareness to all stakeholders including traditional rulers.

“Yes we were delayed but we are on course and taking the campaign to major stakeholders including our traditional rulers,” Nwoye said yesterday.

Nwoye was challenged for the PDP ticket by Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Andy Uba up to the Supreme Court.

Ubah’s campaign is still on —Ibeneme STORIES BY VINCENT UJUMADU

ACTING Media Director of Ifeanyi Ubah campaign, Mr. Emmanuel, has debunked insinuations that the Labour Party governorship Candidate has slowed down his campaign, insisting that everything is on course.

“The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate is the man to beat in the November 16, 2013 election. Ubah’s Campaign Organization is in high spirit. It is amazing how members of other parties are defecting in droves daily to join Labour Party to identify with Ubah,” Ibeneme said.

According to him, the fact the former media consultant of

the campaign organization was removed did not mean that activities in the organization have been slowed down describing as untrue stories by political opponents that Ubah is broke.

He also spoke about the alleged sacked of 60 bouncers by the campaign organization, describing the story as a false.

Quoting the head of the bouncers, Ibeneme said: “Dr Ifeanyi Ubah never owed the bouncers.

They were even paid extra one week bonus, which they did not work for. They are still calling to express their willingness to be considered for future engagement when the opportunity avails itself.”

Adoration ground tragedy: Hold APGA, APC responsible – Ndubuisi

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HE Governorship Candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Barrister Chijioke Ndubuisi have blamed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and All Progressives Alliance (APC) for the Adoration Ground, Uke, Idemili North Local Council tragedy that claimed 28 lives.

Accusing the candidates of the two parties of being involved in religious politics, which led to the disaster, he said: “The Adoration Ground Tragedy was ignited by both the state government headed

by Governor Obi and his political son on one hand and the APC governorship candidate in Anambra on the other side….What happened in Uke was a culmination of bitter religious politics engaged by two gladiators in the forth coming election since the campaign for the election started.”

•Ndubuisi:DPP Candidate Warning religious bodies to steer clear of politics as they are expected to be neutral and refrain from turning the pulpit into a soap box for political oratory, Ndubuisi said that political gladiators’ engagement with religious politics was dangerous and could cause crisis in the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—57

C M Y K

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Anxiety, as families agonise over disappearance of two undergraduates in Aba •Temple Nwakanma

•Martin Azih

•Family fingers vigilante group •Calls on Gov.Orji, Police to expedite action

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reported the matter. They also went further to announce a case of missing persons on the radio and television.

In response to the report made at Area Command, the Area Commander, Rabiu Dayi invited the leader of the Scorpion Squad, Ugochukwu Amaugo who admitted that his team arrested the undergraduates. He reportedly made a statement and was later released on selfrecognition after he was directed to produce his boys who carried out the arrest to say what they did or where they kept the two undergraduates. However, the police directive was not carried out as neither those who arrested the boys were produced to the police nor the boys released.

Mysterious disappearance Based on this development, the parents are anxious that they might have been harmed by the Vigilante group, especially when the camp where the boys were reportedly taken to is said to be located inside the bush. So far, families of the missing boys have also reported their mysterious disappearance to the headquarters of the vigilante outfit in Umuahia Crime Alert gathered that the plight of the distraught family members of the missing undergraduates was worsened when somebody who claimed to work with a commercial bank in Umuahia, capitalized on their

desperation and introduced one Ubochioma Ezenwoke, who claimed to be an operative of the Directorate of State Services, DSS, to assist in locating their children after he, Ubochi, said they were in their custody. The said DSS operative allegedly ended up extorting N300, 000 from them.

The families alleged that he initially asked for N2million, he

,

BY ANAYO OKOLI, Umuahia Martin’s father, his son and his friend, Temple just finished a HE families of Joseph meal of rice which the said Azih and Theophilus Martin prepared by himself and Nwakanma, all residents of Aba, went out with his friend within Abia State, are presently in the estate when they were serious agony. This is because abducted. their children have been missing According to information from without trace since August 30, the parents, the Vigilante outfit 2013, after they were arrested by said that the boys were arrested operatives of the Abia State for illegal gathering, but later Vigilante Group [Bakassi] at the claimed that when the boys saw Redeemed Street, World Bank them, they started running.

Quarters, Aba. Specifically, they According to them, eight people were said to have been arrested were arrested by the vigilante by the Scorpion Squad of the group but six of them were Vigilante outfit based at released after allegedly extorting Ekeakpara in Osisioma, Aba. money from them.

This squad is said to be headed The families said that when by one Ugochukwu Amaugo. they did not see their children, The missing undergraduates they started asking questions are Martin Bonaventure Azih, 22, until they were told by residents a final-year Physics/Education of the estate that some people student of Imo State University were arrested by the Bakassi and Temple Nwakanma, a people that day. Based on this student of Business information, they went to the Administration of Federal office of the vigilante group who Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, admitted arresting the boys but who were at the time of their claimed that they handed them abduction on industrial over to the Army Camp of the attachment at PZ in Aba. Operation Jubilee at Umuahia Tower.

But the parents did not believe Industrial them as they could not produce attachment any handover note from the Army According to their families, the that the undergraduates were undergraduates, said to be close handed over to them. friends and live in the same Nonetheless, they went to the neighbourhood, were arrested at Army Camp where their fears about 3pm on the fateful day at were confirmed as they could not the World Bank Estate in the see their children there and the commercial city, and since then, soldiers said such people were not over 60 days, their whereabouts brought there.

They promptly went to Aba Area is still unknown.

According to Joseph Azih, Command of the Police and

Copies of the petition were given to DSS, Army and National Human Rights Commission.

The petition entitled “Petition against members of Abia state Vigilante Group (Bakassi), Scorpion Squad at Ekeakpara for abduction of Mr. Martin Azih and Temple Nwakanma”, was written by their lawyers, Eleuthera Chambers of 64, Hospital Road, Aba. Part of the petition dated September 9, 2013, states; “we are informed by our clients and we verily believe them that Mr.

Parents of the boys made a report at the World Bank Police Station, visited and searched for their children everywhere including other police stations in Aba and Umuahia without success

first collected N100, 000 which he claimed he would deliver to his Director and went ahead to extort more money from the families.

The said Ubochi is alleged to operate with a syndicate , some of who pose as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) to dupe persons by claiming that they work with DSS. It was learnt that their nefarious activities later blew open and they were subsequently arrested and detained at the DSS headquarters, Umuahia. The story, according the parents of the missing boys, took a different dimension few days later as the suspects were released.

Worried that no positive progress was being made to trace the children’s whereabouts, the families petitioned the InspectorGeneral of Police, urging him to investigate the Vigilante outfit.

,

Martin Azih and Mr. Temple Nwakanma, their children who are undergraduates were abducted by members of the said group on Friday, 30th August, 2013, some where at World Bank Housing Estate, Abayi, Osisioma Aba in Abia State. The said Martin and Temple have not come back since the said abduction and nothing has been heard from them by their parents or any of their relatives since.

“The parents of the boys made a report at the World Bank Police Station, visited and searched for their children everywhere including other police stations in Aba and Umuahia without success. They thereafter went to the said Vigilante Group [Bakassi] Scorpion Squad at Ekeakpara where they were reliably informed that they actually arrested them Continues on page 59

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

— 59

Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Edo lawyer raises alarm over plight of Policemen in Nigeria •Calls on President Jonathan to intervene BARRISTER Olayiwola Afolabi is a Benin based legal practitioner and Notary Public. A constitutional lawyer and philanthropist, Afolabi has proved from time that he is a friend to members of the Nigeria Police Force in Benin as he has, from time to time, assisted most of them who has suffered from problems arising from their line of duties and offered Pro-bono services to them when they needed legal services.

In this interview with GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE in Benin, he pays glowing tributes to the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar for what he is doing to raise the moral and welfare of policemen. He also wants former IGP, now Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro to do something about the promotion of officers and men of the Police who have been stagnated in one rank for years. Excerpts:

OU are very close to officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force. How do you see the cries of those who have stayed in one rank for years without promotion?

I want to use the opportunity provided by this interview to appeal to the Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Mike Okiro to upgrade the promotional ordinance of men of the Police force as part of measures aimed at boosting their moral for effective service delivery. This call is very necessary as it was aimed at addressing the non-promotion of serving Police officers who have been stagnated in a particular rank for over a decade.

Many smaller countries in Africa are upgrading their promotional ordinances either because they haven’t been revised in decades or part of earning accreditation and is becoming the norms for many developing countries in West Africa and even other government sectors in Nigeria, employees are being rewarded through promotion for services rendered. We are deeply concerned and greatly perturbed about the non- promotion of Police officers in Nigeria who are diligently serving their great nation with their life but have been made to remain on one rank for over a decade.

While we urge the PSC to give the issue a serious consideration, I am not happy that Police officers are faced with diverse temptations in rendering their unalloyed service to their country based on

•••

the discrimination and unfair treatment meted on them for no justifiable reasons. I appeal to the authorities concerned that funds should be made available to ensure and attain the promotion of these stagnated police officers. The Police Service Commission, as part of its seeming responsibilities, should set policies, standards, requirement for effective promotional process.

Another issue which has continued to agitate the minds of most police officers especially the rank and file is the deduction of some amount of money from their salaries for one thing or the

deeply concerned with the plight of our police force, we decided to bring this to his knowledge. I even wrote an open letter to him to that effect.

As the head of the police force in the country and knowing his hatred for injustice in the force and the way and manner he has taken the welfare of policemen/ women in the country as his priority, we consider it fit to write him that passionate letter as many policemen/women are complaining silently about the refusal of the mechanized salary structures in each state to comply with his directive.

Another issue I want the IGP

,

Y

We are deeply concerned and greatly perturbed about the non- promotion of Police officers in Nigeria who are diligently serving their great nation with their life but have been made to remain on one rank for over a decade

other. What is your comment?

I heard that the sum of N11, 500 is being deducted from the salaries of policemen and women by the various mechanized salary structure in each state of the federation and when the Inspector – General of Police Muhammed Abubakar discovered it, he specifically ordered that the said deduction should be refunded to the policemen/women in the country. Regrettably, till date, the said money has not been refunded to them by the various mechanized salary structure in each state and when this issue came to our knowledge and

,

to speak about is the new Police Uniform. He should issue a policy statement on the issue and that will douse tension within the rank and file as the uniform should be free for all policemen/women in the country; the use of the uniform will promote a sense of belonging and efficiency among the rank and file of the Police Force.

What is your comment on the poor remunerations of members of the Force?

The security system of this country can only be improved and enhanced and to achieve a crime-

and an officer’s commitment

THE divisional police officer in-charge of Trade Fair, Lagos, SP Robinson Eregare, recently embarked on the construction of an eleven office block in his division.

He started the project with his two-months salary and ended up making a success out of the effort. Before now, he singlehandedly built an office block

at the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba in 1995.

Thereafter, he also built a female cell and a small conference hall at Orile where he served as a DPO in 2011.

The office blocks at the Trade Fair was recently launched amidst fanfare and commendations.

SP Robinson Eregare

•Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi free society, government should critically consider the remunerations of the Police. This should be done by increasing their salaries and allowances and all categories of policemen and women should be affected. A situation where a police officer risks his/her life daily to protect Nigerians, receives N18,000 monthly in a country where Senators are also earning millions of Naira monthly is tantamount to injustice to a man who has sworn to an oath to lay down his life for his country.

The pathetic and agonizing situations suffered by most Nigerians in the hands of armed robbers and kidnappers can be traced to the poor equipment of our police officers and lack of effective communication devices.

I have written an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan urging him to provide CCTV Cameras in every strategic point in all states of the federation and

this will assist the police and other security agents to deter these criminally- minded persons from living a life of crime. The provision of vehicles to every police station will aid the police officer to constantly patrol all the nooks and crannies of the country, provide them with bullet proof jackets so that it would be known that during his regime as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police metamorphosed into a new Police.

I learnt that you recently wrote to Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on the need to immortalize Police men from Ehor Division who were killed on their way to rescue him. Why the letter?

Yes. I did so to draw his attention on the need for him to take appropriate care of the families left behind by the deceased policemen. Chief Ozekhome that I know will not abandon the families of the dead policemen, so, I am only just appealing to him to remember them.

Anxiety, as families agonise over disappearance of two undergraduates in Aba Continues from page 58 at the World Bank Estate very close to the World Bank Police Station but the said Vigilante persons claimed that they handed the boys over to men of the Nigerian Army at Umuahia.

“It is now obvious that these boys are not in the custody of the Nigerian Army or the Police, but are with the said Vigilante group which has continued to hold the boys illegally without charging them to court or disclosing their whereabouts”. The petition prayed the IGP to investigate the matter and bring to book whoever is responsible. In response to the petition, the IGP, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar directed the Abia State Police Commissioner, Tilli Abubakar to investigate the matter.

While the Police has commenced investigations into the case, the families also pleaded with the Governor of Abia State, T.A. Orji, to use his good offices and fish out their children. “We know that Government set up the Vigilante to help maintain the effective monitoring of these boys. We are appealing to the Governor to please, intervene as a father to enable us trace where our children are kept. Our dear Governor , for sure, does not like acts of impunity hence he set up a board to monitor the operations of the outfit but we doubt 60 days. We have been in serious distress and agony,” they lamented in tears.

60 —

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Kanu has a heart of gold — Rob Burns

BY JACOB AJOM

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HE First Group, a Dubai based investment outfit involved in global hospitality industry has donated $30,000 UD Dollars to the Kanu Heart Foundation further the task of aiding ailing children with heart diseases to get treatment abroad.. The donation was presented by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Rob Burns in Lagos at the secretariat of the Kanu Heart Foundation, Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

In addition Burns made a special presentation to one of the heart patients, 29 year old Okeke Chukwuma Marcel from Anambra state.

Burns described the former Nigeria international Nwankwo

Kanu as “a man with a heart of gold.”

Speaking at the presentation of the cheque, Burns whose company made Kanu its brand ambassador said the Kanu Heart Foundationn initiative was one that could only have come from a man with a heart of gold.

“We see what he is doing with the KHF as a very important step to helping humanity. Kanu has a heart of gold and my company is happy to identify with Kanu and the Kanu Heart Foundation,” he said.

Burns who said he viewed Nigeria as a very important destination for global business called on other companies operating in the country to donate generously towards the Kanu initiative so that many more lives could be saved.

Rob Burns, Chief Operating Officer, The First Group presents a special package to a heart disease patient, Mr Okeke Chukwuma Marcel at the Kanu Heart Foundation office while CEO Kanu Heart Foundation, Pastor Onyebuchi Abia looks on.

Eaglets’ll be turbo-charged against Mexico

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OACH Manu Garba said yesterday that the Golden Eaglets will be turbo-charged to defeat Mexico in Friday’s final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Garba last night saw his charges steam-roll their way to the final of the tournament, with a

comprehensive 3-0 bashing of Sweden at the Rashid Stadium in Dubau and speaking at the post-match conference, a jubilant coach said he was in seventh heaven to see his troops damage their Scandinavians, who he praised for reaching this stage of the tournament.

Bring the World Cup home — President Jonathan urges Eaglets

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RESIDENT G o o d l u c k Jonathan yesterday congratulated the Golden Eaglets after they defeated their Swedish counterparts 30 and qualified for the final match of the ongoing FIFA under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

A statement from the presidency reads, “The President joins other very proud and happy Nigerians within and outside the country in applauding the Eaglets’ enthralling 3-0 victory over their Swedish opponents in the semifinal match played this evening.”

Against Mexico in the final, President Jonathan urged them “not to be over-confident or take victory for granted, but to stay focused, train well and deploy their full arsenal of strength, determination and artistry once again” to ensure that they overcome the Mexicans

once again and return home with the Under-17 World Cup. The President assures the

Eaglets and their handlers of the continued prayers, best wishes and fullest support of the

Federal Government and all Nigerians as they strive to achieve ultimate victory in the competition.

While also hailing Mexico for reaching the final after suffering a 6-0 opening defeat against the Eaglets, Garba said he was confident that his troops would make it a double against the North American side, who have ousted Brazil and Uruguay to reach the summit.

“Sweden tried but we showed our quality. I commend my players for achieving this victory and hope for a similar performance against Mexico, who I commend for getting to this stage.

They have done well and earned their place in the final but my team are turbo-charged for the final.

“We have come this far, playing well and it is time for God to crown our efforts with the Cup on Friday."

Nig Vs Eth: FIFA picks Gambian referee W

ORLD footballgoverning body, FIFA, has appointed Gambian official, Bakary Papa Gassama as the Referee for next week’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Ethiopia in Calabar.

Gassama, 34, became an international referee in 2007 and has officiated several high-profile qualifying matches and at tournaments.

The Gambian will be assisted by Angesom Ogbamariam (Assistant Referee 1) from Eritrea, who was born in 1971 and had been an international assistant referee since 1999.

Felicien Kabanda from Rwanda, 42 and who has been an international assistant referee for 11 years, will be Assistant Referee 2.

The 4th Official is Maudo Jallow, born in 1979 and who has been an international referee for the past four years.

He is Gambian.

FIFA also appointed renowned Senegalese official Badara Sene as Referee Assessor and CAF Executive Committee member, Moucharafou Anjorin of Benin Republic as Match Commissioner.

Nigeria won the first leg 2-1 in Addis Ababa on October 13 and the African champions are favoured to conclude the fixture in their favour next week, to book one of Africa’s tickets to Brazil for the biggest football festival on earth next year summer.

Eaglets good for Cup — Sweden Coach

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DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Nigeria's Musa Yahaya clears the ball away from a Swedish attacker. Nigeria won 3-0.

EPRESSED to see his boys trashed 30 in the semifinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup by the Golden Eaglets, Sweden Coach Roland Larsson last night tipped the Nigerians to beat Mexico in Friday’s final in Abu Dhabi.

After holding Nigeria to a 3-3 draw in the group phase, the Scandinavians were dismantled 3-0 by the three-time champions in a match which seemed one-sided given the laidback approach employed by

the Swedes.

And speaking to Sports Vanguard at the mixed zone, Larsson, who hailed the sheer class of the Eaglets, said they were the firm favourites to lift the Cup for a record fourth time.

“Yes, I think they are the favourites to win the trophy. They have been so unbelievable here. Playing some good attacking football. They are my favourites to win the final and hope they achieve all the success they can get because they deserve it".

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2013 — 61

FG hands over Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to Enugu State Govt •Chime delighted, assures proper maintenance

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HE Federal Government has formally handed back the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to the Enugu State Government.

At the handover ceremony held yesterday at the Government House, Enugu, the representative of the Federal Government and Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, said that the event followed the approval by President Goodluck Jonathan, of an application to that effect made by the Enugu State Government.

He noted that the state had over the years collaborated with the Federal Government in maintaining and rehabilitating the Stadium saying it had made huge financial investments in the provision of vital facilities for the successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009. Hon. Elegbeleye added that “This act convinced the Federal Government that the Enugu State Government was capable of maintaining the Stadium in line with approved

L-R: Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime receives documents transferring the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu to Enugu State Government from the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye at the Government House, Enugu. international standards”.

Noting that Sports was a unifying factor and a tool for international diplomacy and creation of wealth, he enjoined other states in the country to emulate the Enugu State example in the development and maintenance of sports infrastructure. He further commended the reactivation of the School Sports by the State Government saying that it will greatly enhance the

discovery of talents for the benefit of the country.

Responding on behalf of the State Government, Governor Chime expressed delight at the return of the Stadium to the State assuring that it will be better managed under the state ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

He said that his request for the return of the Stadium was prompted by the decision of the Federal

Government to sell some of the facilities there adding that this had prompted anxiety in the State that the whole Stadium could be sold to outsiders.

The Governor therefore commended President Jonathan for his prompt response to his request and assured that the Stadium will not only be well managed but will also be open to an accessible to all and sundry.

Gloria Asunmu suspended for six months

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EAM Nigeria track and field sprinter, Gloria Asunmu, has been suspended from all IAAF and AFN organized competitions for six months.

A statement signed by the AFN Head of Communication and Media, Olukayode Thomas said the board was left with no option than to suspend Asunmu because of her unruly behavior during and after the 14th IAAF World Championship in Athletics in Moscow, Russia from August 10th to 18th, 2013.

“It is unfortunate that

even after she was cautioned by the disciplinary committee set up during the championship to investigate the initial allegations leveled against her, Asunmu appeared to have been unperturbed.

“She further refused to participate in the 4x100m and even went ahead to make further uncomplimentary remarks on the social media. This contravenes the code of conduct and ethics of the federation and is totally unacceptable”, said Thomas.

5 countries confirm for Mountain race facilities for this year’s

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IVE African countries will be fielding teams for the fifth African Nations Mountain Running Champion-ships which will hold alongside the Obudu international mountain race on Saturday, November 23 at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu,Cross River state.

Revealing this in Obudu yesterday was Sir William Archibong, chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the race after the first day of the onthe-spot assessment of

event by the committee.

Archibong revealed that Ethiopia,whose men and women have dominated the individual events at the race, Kenya,Cameroun ,Nigeria and Uganda have confirmed their participation in the championships. ’The LOC is delighted to announce that five African countries have confirmed their participation in the fifth African mountain running championships which will hold Nov 23.

FIFA U-17 World Cup:

The level is high in UAE — Oliseh A

TRUE legend of the African game, Sunday Oliseh’s credentials are plain to see. The Nigerian took part in two FIFA World Cups™ (1994 and 1998) and won the gold medal at the 1996 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament with the Super Eagles. Over the course of his career the midfielder played for several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Ajax.

At the FIFA U-17 World Cup United Arab Emirates 2013, Oliseh is using his expertise and experience in a different capacity. As a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG), the 39-year-old has been tasked with analysing the

tournament’s events. He has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

“The level is high,” Oliseh told FIFA.com.

“What’s particularly stood out for me is the way that most sides really play as a team. Every player is disciplined in their position. That’s unusual in this age category and is a positive development.”

The former Nigeria captain has of course been paying close attention to the progress of his young compatriots, who have stormed into the semifinals with some swashbuckling performances. “I’ve been very impressed with Nigeria,” Oliseh said. “The boys are extremely motivated but above all they’re very disciplined, which is very

refreshing to see. They have a lot of good individual players.

“The way the side switches from defence to attack is very good, frequently with one-touch passes. That’s difficult to do as it requires a lot of movement, foresight and for all the players to support each other.”

For many observers the Golden Eaglets, the tournament’s top scorers with 20 goals so far, are the favourites to take the title.

Their semi-final opponents are Sweden, who held Nigeria to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining group stage match. Yet that isn’t the only reason Oliseh is urging his countrymen to be wary.

“For me the biggest challengers are Sweden.

They ’re unbelievably strong tactically. I’ve watched two of their matches and each time they played quite differently. For instance, against Japan they sat back and allowed their opponent to have the ball.

They were well-organised, looked for the gaps and were clinical in scoring their two goals.

Modern football on offer “Against Honduras on the other hand, they controlled the game themselves, looked to keep possession and built attacks from the back,” Oliseh continued.

“That impressed me a lot. On top of that they have talented individuals like Elias Andersson, Valmir Berisha and Gustav Engvall. It’s a

very modern Swedish team. The boys are enjoying the tournament and you can tell they love playing football. That’s an important factor.”

While the Scandinavians have raised more than a few eyebrows with their progress to the last four in their maiden tournament appearance, another team has surprised Oliseh even more.

“For me it was Uzbekistan, even though they lost to Honduras in the Round of 16. They impressed me a lot in the group stage, as they were superbly organised and made life really tough for their opponents with their tactically astute style of play and their physical strength.

All of the players knew what their role was, they pressed

well as a team and doubled-up on their opponents. You had the feeling they’d done their homework. In the last 16 they lost one of their most important players and made several changes in order to compensate for his absence. That was their undoing in the end.”

Despite his clear and incisive analysis, Oliseh refused to be pinned down on who he thought would lift the trophy. “Of course it’d be fantastic if Nigeria become world champions,” he said. “They certainly have the quality to do so, but in football you never know what might happen.

For example, I’d never have thought that Uzbekistan would get knocked out by Honduras...”

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62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2013

ALL FOR EAGLETS — Diego Armando Maradona looks on during the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Semi Final match between Sweden and Nigeria at Al Rashid Stadium yesterday.

ONE HURDLE TO CROSS-- Coach Manu Garba(R) congratulates his assistants after beating Sweden 3-0.

PAIN OF DEFEAT— Goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin of Sweden after Nigeria shot them out of the U-17 World Cup yesterday. Eagles won 3-0.

Bankers Games: Sterling, Fidelity dominate Athletics Chidera Ezeh of Nigeria celebrates his team’s third goal during the FIFA U17 World Cup UAE 2013 Semi Final match between Sweden and Nigeria

Mark hails Eaglets BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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ENATE President David Mark last night expressed appreciation to the victorious Golden Eaglets of Nigeria for doing the nation proud in the on going FIFA under 17 World Cup championship holding in the United Arab Emirate.

Senator Mark in a congratulatory message to the players and officials in Dubai after they defeated their Sweden counterparts said the Nigerian lads gave a good account of themselves and made the nation the beautiful bride.

The Senate President reminded the Golden Eaglets that the nation is solidly behind them in prayers and assured them that the government will do the needful in terms of their welfare and upkeep .

He added that the National Assembly on its C M Y K

part will continue to make adequate budgetary allocation for sports to flourish in Nigeria.

Mark in the statement signed by his Chief

Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh noted that sports needs to be encouraged as the needed ingredient for unity and cohesion in the country.

NOC President salutes Eaglets

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engineer Sani M. Ndanusa yesterday hailed the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria after they added Sweden to their list of casualties in the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup and romped into the final.

The Eaglets dismissed their Scandinavian counterparts 3-0 ready to play Mexico in the final on Friday.

“These boys are jewels. They have brought joy to all Nigerians and we are indeed grateful’’, Ndanusa said moments after the game.

Ndanusa, former

Sports Minister and President of Nigerian Tennis Federation, however, cautioned the Eaglets not to relent in bringing the cup back home to President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Soar on like Eagles and bring the cup to our sports-loving President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and the teeming Nigerians who have been praying for your success. Mexico will want a revenge but we believe in your abilities to beat them again to prove that the first 6-1 defeat on them was no fluke. Go, Eaglets go”, a jubilant Ndanusa sang.

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TERLING Bank showed class to dominate the sprint events of the 2013 Nigeria Bankers Games athletics with Alekwo Chidozie claiming double gold medals in the 100m and 200m. Alekwo returned a time of 11.18 seconds to win the 100m and a time of 22.92 seconds to finish tops in the 200m race.

But it was Fidelity Bank that continued their monopoly of the women sprints even in the absence of record holder, Vivian Ezenwoko, leaving the tracks for Mary Linus and Hannah Ogbebor to clean out the gold in the women 100m and 200m respectively.

Linus returned a time of

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Maradona

his troops scored three goals without conceding any against the hapless Swedes, who had entered the match with high hopes of upsetting the Africans.

Like he did in the games against Uruguay and Iran, striker Taiwo Awoniyi got the opener in the 21st minute, when he collected a masterclass pass from Kelechi Iheanacho before beating his marker before sliding the ball beyond goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin. It was a breath-taking goal, which got the packed Nigerian fans jubilating.

Awoniyi, who was scoring his fourth goal in this tournament, ran to injured striker Success Isaac to celebrate the

goal, which had come after a cagey start to the match.

The Eaglets continued to press forward for the second but were restricted to long-range shots by their Swedish foes.

Having scored 20 goals in five matches, the Eaglets, parading the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Musa Mohamed, Dele Alampasu, Samuel Okon, captain Musa Mohamed, Aliyu Abubakar, Abdulkadir Alfa, Musa Yahaya, Chidebere Nwakali, Chidera Ezeh and Zaharadden Bello controlled the game with panache and it was evident that the Swedes

14.05 seconds to beat her colleagues, Hannah Ogbebor and Omotola Johnson in the 100m sprint. Ogbebor in turn took the 200m gold ahead of Linus and Johnson to complete Fidelity Bank’s success in the women 100m and 200m events held at the University of Lagos Sports Complex.

were running out of options.

In the second half, the Eaglets stepped up their gear and deservedly got their second of the night through left-full back Samuel Okon in the 80th minute. It silenced the Swedes, who hoped to use counter-attack to equalize.

They tried to counterattack minutes after the goal but the Eaglets drove in the final nail into their coffin minutes later through Ezeh to send the Eaglets into the final, where they play Mexico on Friday.

It is a rematch as the Eaglets had beaten the Mexicans 6-1 in their Group F opener, September 19.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013—63

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V anguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Maradona watches as Eaglets cruise into final • To play Mexico Friday(5p.m)Final

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HE Golden Eaglets are on the brink of winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup for a record fourth time, after thrashing Sweden 3-0 in last night’s semifinal match held at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.

World football legend Diego Maradona watched the match here and was impressed with the play based on the grin on his face.

Coach Manu Garba, a good tactician by all standards, had told reporters on the eve of the match that his boys were going to score goals aplenty against the Scandinavians and

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— President Jonathan urges Eaglets

Eaglets’ll be turbo-charged against Mexico

Eaglets good for Cup —Sweden Coach

FG hands over N n a m d i Azikiwe Stadium to Enugu State Govt GOALLLL! —Taiwo Awoniyi of Nigeria scores his team’s first goal against goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin of Sweden during the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Semi Final match between Sweden and Nigeria at Al Rashid Stadium. Nigeria won 3 -0.

PUZZLE

Details Inside

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Bring the World Cup home

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Possessed (5) 7 Facts (4) 8 Discharge (6) 9 Untrue (5) 11 Help (3) 13 Donkey (3) 15 Thought (4) 16 Mouthful (3) 18 Aperture (4) 19 Fundamental (7) 20 Girl (4) 22 Obstinate (4) 23 Caller (7) 25 Require (4) 27 Spot (3) 28 Present (4) 30 Sailor (3) 31 Defective (3) 33 Bury (5) 36 Abdicate (6) 37 Detail (4) 38 Massage (5)

DOWN 1 Sound (5) 2 Lout (3) 3 Nothing (3) 4 Owing (3) 5 Artful (3) 6 Lariat (5) 10 Spoke (4) 11 Illness (7) 12 Liberate (7) 13 Permitted (7) 14 Began (7) 16 Agreeable (5) 17 Guide (5) 18 Mournful (3) 21 Performed (3) 24 Borough (4) 26 Keen (5) 29 Sovereign (5) 32 Mine (3) 33 Writing-fluid (3) 34 Golf-peg (3) 35 Free (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1 Lasse 5, Assist 8, Order 10, Scribe 11, Chip 14, Hallow 15, However 18, Doe 19, Ton 21, Raid 23, Rebel 24, Plan 27, Dog 29, Cad 31, Tallest 32, Suitor 34, Dine 35, Eluded 38, Adder 39, Legend 40, Genre

DOWN: 2, Arc 3, Soiled 4, Orb 5, Arch 6, Sailor 7, Thawed 9, Deleted 12, Had 13, Plea 16, Opal 17, Robot 20, Negated 22, Ibis 24, Pistol 25, Acid 26, Native 28, Allure 30, Don 33, Read 36, Leg 37, Err

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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