Blame Northern govs, FG for Boko Haram — Shettima

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61770

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

•P. 14

Abuja property not mine — Orubebe

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AJIMOBI VS TOKYO: NURTW threatens mayhem over .57 P Tokyo's arrest •

Blame Northern govs, FG for Boko Haram — Shettima •Says poor governance, cause of sect's activities •It 'll take 20 years for North to recover — Abdulsalam •North no longer safe for residents, visitors — Akume

BY LUKA BINNIYAT & SUZAN EDEH AUCHI—BORNO State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, yesterday, blamed the governors in the North

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and the Federal Government for the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of the country.

Speaking at the NorthEast Alliance For Transformation Summit in Yankari, Bauchi State, Governor Shettima said the failure of the north Continues on Page 5

REFORMING THE UNREFORMABLE:

Lessons from Nigeria •P.19

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DONU KOGBARA: •P. 17

Mr & Mrs WELFARE SCHEME—From Left: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Deputy Speaker House of Reps, Hon Emeka Ihedioha; Chairman, Buyright Africa, Leo Stan Eke and the NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar at the launching of the Nigerian Employees Digital Welfare Scheme, yesterday at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

RACISM: Mikel Obi banned •See Back Page C M Y

INEC delists Balarabe Musa, Braithwaite, Okotie's parties, 25 others •P.5

SAMBO’S RESIDENCE:

We won't give any kobo again — Senate •P.13

2— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

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4— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

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POCKET CARTOON

STUDENTS VS POLICE—Secondry school children having a brawl with men of Ajegunle Divisional Police Headquarters, on Akerele Otuniyo Street Awodiora, yesterday in Lagos . Photos: Ikenna Asomba.

Blame Northern govs, FG for Boko Haram— Shettima Continues from page 1 ern governors to provide good governance to the teeming populace who gave them their mandates, has worsened the insecurity situation.

He equally accused the Federal Government of neglecting the zone by abandoning ongoing projects worth billions of Naira in the zone.

Shettima said poverty confronting the North East zone was responsible for the emergence of

the terrorist groups who held the zone and the country hostage.

He said: “The Federal Government and the governors of the North are to blame for the insurgence of Boko Haram in the North-East of the country because the region has been marginalised.

The federal allocation to the North-East is very small compared to other regions in the country and this has given rise to high rate of unem-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

I

T is what “stands out” that will bring others “in”. What are you standing on and what will make you outstanding?

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

R

ADIO host Julie Burstein talks with creative people for a living - and shares some lessons about how to create in the face of challenge, selfdoubt and loss. She tells the story of Richard Ford, who’s won the Pulitzer Prize, he was dyslexic. But Richard had to embrace this challenge, and I use that word intentionally. He didn’t have to overcome dyslexia. He had to learn from it. He had to learn to hear the music in language.

According to Richard Ford: “ I was slow to learn to read, went all the way through school not really reading more than the minimum, and still to this day can’t read silently much faster than I can read aloud, but there were a lot of benefits to being dyslexic for me because when I finally did reconcile myself to how slow I was going to have to do it, then I think I came very slowly into an appreciation of all of those qualities of language and of sentences that are not just the cognitive aspects of language- the syncopations, the sounds of words, what words look like, where paragraphs break, where lines break.

"I mean, I wasn’t so badly dyslexic that I was disabled from reading. I just had to do it really slowly, and as I did, lingering on those sentences as I had to linger, I fell heir to language’s other qualities, which I think has helped me write sentences" He embraced his challenges and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize!

ployment, insecurity, educational backwardness and political thuggery in the region.

Hold FG responsible “The Federal Government is to be held responsible for the current insecurity, and crisis in the country because they have not displayed sincerity in resolving the lingering issue at hand.

“The northern governors on their part have not been forthcoming in articulating issues that concern them and presenting them at the Governors’ Forum meeting.

There is lack of unity among northern leaders; they don’t speak with one voice and they just do whatever they like”.

He said security was everybody ’s business and should not be left to the state alone urging the Federal Government and other well-meaning Nigerians to urgently partner with the state in its quest to stem the activities of Boko Haram.

Also speaking, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State said the zone was backward in all ramifications, owing to the insecurity bedeviling the zone, expressing optimism that the summit would be geared towards addressing the security challenges and other problems of the zone.

According to him: “The zone is blessed with both human and natural resources that have not been explored”.

He called on foreign and local investors to come and invest in order to develop the region as well as to meaningfully engage the youths and women.

Yuguda then charged all the governors and other prominent Nigerians to unite in search of lasting and permanent peace in the region, stressing that recommendations of the summit will be implemented.

It will take 20 years to revive the North – Abdulsalami Meanwhile, former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami (rtd)has bemoaned the current socio-economic situation of the North, saying it would take about 20 years of consistent effort to revive the region.

He also encouraged all residents of the north to help in the security situation by being vigilant and reporting suspicious persons and objects to the right authorities.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after chairing a session on, “security, politics and economy of the North,” on the second day of the Arewa House Conference on “The North and Strategies for Sustainable Development,” Abdulsalami said the essence of the conference was to seek unity among the people of the North.

Asked to compare today’s unity of Northern

Nigeria and that of the past, he said: “Certainly if there is unity we wouldn’t be here at this conference: So since there is no unity, that is why the Arewa House is trying to galvanize it at this conference.

“It will take 20 years to revive the North. A lot of socio-economic damages have been done. If you go round the affected areas that is when you will appreciate the extent of damages done to the region.

We have to work together to revive it.

“All of us should join hands. We cannot leave security to the government alone. Every Nigerian is a security officer; let’s try to join hands and report what we see, so that the government will be able to take action. We should be government’s watch dogs and also watch our communities.”

Also, former Secretary of INEC, Hakeem BabaAhmed spoke, saying: “The next two years will test the resilience of the Nigerian State; and the capacity of Northerners to bounce back. Right now, the Boko Haram insurgency is eating it up like a cancer, and it will require bold initiatives by Northerners to find a solution, by influencing both the insurgency and the Government. Not all Nigerians are comfortable with a united and strong North. Its current position therefore is welcome to its detractors and rivals. They will not lift a finger to heal its wound. This will have to be done by people in this hall who feel the pain most.”

North no longer safe — Akume Senator George Akume who chaired another session on, “Val-

ues and Leadership,” said that it was sad that North was no longer safe for both its people and visitors.

“If there is no peace, development hardly takes place, no matter the determinations of the actors. The theme of this conference bears direct relevance to what is happening in the North.

The topic for today is values and leadership. I do not intend to go into conceptual definition of values and leadership.

In every society, there are norms and values, these are highly respected, for sanctity of human life, and where this is not respected, there is no way you can have peace. This is a very big challenge, particularly in the North."

INEC delists 28 political parties

By JOSEPH ERUNKE

A er it sent a proposal to the senate seekBUJA—FEW days aft

ing autonomy to ban electoral offenders for 10 years, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, de-registered 27 political parties over what sources said, was as a result of their poor performances in the last general elections.

Top on the list were Rev. Chris Okotie's Fresh Democratic Party; Balarabe Musa-led PRP; Tunji Braithwaite's NAP, UNPP, ALP and 23 others Vanguard gathered that apart from poor performances, the affected political parties were operating without offices in 36 states of the federation.

Others are said to have been affected in the exercise because they have been operating without office accommodation, political structure and short fall of operational staff.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

MAN asks FG to solve fundamental problems in industrial sector

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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LORIN — THE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has called on the Federal Government to summon the political will to arrest the protracted fundamental problems in the industrial sector which has led to the exit of many multinational companies from the country.

As 2012 is winding up,

solving these prevailing problems, according to the association, becomes necessary because they have largely contributed to the problems of mass unemployment, insecurity and the nation’s worsening economic crisis among others.

Chairman, MAN, Kwara and Kogi States, Princess Omolola Olobayo, stated this in Ilorin, yesterday, at a

press conference on the second Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the association which will hold next week.

Olobayo listed poor power supply, multiple taxation, poor patronage, high interest rate and very short period of loan repayment by the Nigerian banks, among others, which she stressed were killing the industries.

Olobayo said lack of continuity in the policies of

government since independence had been responsible for the continued existence of these problems and that as a result of this, such multinational companies like Dunlop and Michelin, among others, have left Nigeria to neighbouring countries with better facilities, thus worsening our economic crisis.

Olobayo said many textile companies which

used to provide jobs for thousands of Nigerian youths were out of business, stressing that these problems should be urgently addressed.

She also explained that due to inconsistencies in the polices of various administrations in the manufacturing sector since independence the country has been taking one step forward and 10 steps backward, adding that this was why the sector was where it is today.

Tax holiday The MAN boss who called for tax holiday to encourage the sector as was

obtainable in other developing countries added that everything humanly possible should be done to ensure stable power supply in 2013.

She argued that “when this is done and other listed problems are tackled, the major problems facing the country such as youth unemployment, insecurity and poverty among others would have been solved by 80 per cent if not more.”

Olobayo noted that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State would deliver an address on the theme of this year’s AGM, entitled, “Survival of industries in Nigeria,” while governors of Kogi and Niger and captains of industry are also being expected.

Boko Haram/oil theft: We are on top of the situation —Obada zOther ministers to give report cards next week

BY HENRY UMORU

A INVESTITURE: President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd right); winner, 2012 Nigerian National Order of Merit, NNOM (Humanities), Prof. Emmanuel Yoloye (right) and winner NNOM (Medicine), Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam (2nd left) and Vice President Namadi Sambo during the investiture of the awardees at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Nigeria, US relationship is beyond oil —US Consul General

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, FOREIGN AFFAIRS EDITOR

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AGOS — THE US Consul General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins, has advised Nigerians to look beyond oil trade in their assessment of the relations with his country.

The envoy who was on a media tour of the corporate headquarters of Vanguard Media Limited in Lagos said there were wide areas of interaction between Nigeria and the United States that must not be relegated to the background on the strength of whether the export of crude oil to the United States increases or declines particularly on the energy independence policy of the Obama administration.

Hawkins, who was accompanied by the Public Affairs Officer in the Consulate, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab and Information Specialist Broadcast Media, Mrs. Joke Omotunde, said there were

strong ties between Nigeria and the US especially in areas of security, education, cultural exchanges, military training and collaboration in regional and continental conflict resolution.

He said: “Nigeria is a huge country and you do not fully understand the country until you are inside it. The country has enormous energy which is found in the diversity of its people, who are very humorous. The country has vast landmass and each area has something unique about it. We recognise Nigeria as the giant of Africa because of the size of the country in population, economy, the media and sustenance of democracy.”

He said the US recognised Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, adding that the country was equally a strong player in global affairs.

According to the envoy, foreigners to Nigeria tended to see more of the

positive sides than the areas of irritations that Nigerians complained of.

Hawkins said his visit to Vanguard was part of his familiarisation tour of the Nigerian media landscape, to understand the working of the media in Nigeria and the challenges of implementing the Freedom of Information Act. The US team was received by the Editor, Mr. Mdeno Bayagbon; Deputy Editor, Mr. Eze Anaba; Foreign Affairs Editor, Mr. Hugo Odiogor; Business Editor, Mr. Omoh Gabriel; Political Editor, Emmanuel Aziken; and Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Victor Omoregie.

In his welcome remarks, Bayabgon told the envoy that Vanguard as a newspaper had been very supportive of the activities of the US mission in Nigeria. He commended the Consulate for finding positive lights with which to promote social and economic relations between the two countries.

According to the Editor, it is worth commending that

the US ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrance McCaulley, was presently on a four-city tour in US to educate Americans on the process of “Doing Business in Nigeria.”

He said that is a measure of the confidence that the US mission has in Nigeria, regardless of the security challenges facing the country now.

BUJA — MINISTER of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, yesterday, told the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the security challenge facing the country, especially with the activities of members of the Boko Haram sect, will soon be a thing of the past.

Obada who appeared before the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee, NWC, to give her own score card to the party, also disclosed that the Armed Forces were on top of the situation to nip in the bud the Boko Haram insurgency as well as oil theft in the Niger Delta.

According to the

Osoba, others for NUJ awards

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

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AGOS — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State will deliver a lecture on “Nigeria Democracy and Insecurity: The Way Out” at this year’s Press Week of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ. The lecture, which comes up, Tuesday, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, is part of a week-long activities that will also see some icons in

the media industry being honoured.

Among those to be honoured at the legends nite slated for Friday is the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka, and the former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

Others, according to a statement by Lagos NUJ Chairman, Mr Deji Elumoye, are former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Lateef Jakande and Oba Akran of Badagry, among others.

National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement, the minister gave detailed operations of her ministry and submitted that the Armed Forces are on top of the security challenges facing the nation.

He said: "She explained that Defence personnel were working in close concert with other security agencies to tackle threats posed by the Boko Haram sect and oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

"She ascribed the success recorded in the fight against terrorism to the combat alertness of the Armed Forces and the political will of President Goodluck Jonathan in his commitment to providing all the necessary support to restoring normally in the polity.

"The minister also highlighted the role of Nigeria’s Armed Forces in Mali, Guinea Bissau and other troubled areas in the African continent.

Our intervention has restored hope to citizens of those countries.

"Other ministers are expected to give their report cards to the NWC in the coming weeks.”

Metuh said the meeting was designed in continuation of the party’s drive to create what he described as a synergy between it and its officials in the various arms of government.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 7

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA — THE Presidency, yesterday, took the rating of the global anti-corruption body, Tr a n s p a r e n c y International, TI, that Nigeria ranked 35th most corrupt country in the world in good fate, just as the Federal Government said it was a wake up call to fight corruption to a zero level.

According to the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan has put in place a systemic attempt at removing corruption from the source where there will be no money to steal.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, however, described as unfounded, accusations that $31 billion(N5 trillion) has been stolen under President Goodluck Jonathan’s 30-month stewardship of our nation’s affairs.

Okupe who disclosed that there was corruption in Nigeria before the government of President Jonathan, stressed that the President, unlike the past administrations, had developed a stone heart to fight corruption especially against the backdrop that he is after those who have looted the nation’s money irrespective of those involved, adding that at the end of the day, the president would be vindicated.

He said: "This is where we also run into problem because the President and this administration are unearthing corruption. He is not closing his doors, providing coverage. If the government says there is corruption here, let’s investigate it, show us the figures. Critics are now saying that because I say this house is dirty and not clean, I am a dirty man.

"No, the man who blew the whistle, the man who unearths the evidences cannot be the culprit. If other governments have not done it and the fact that this government is going and it is allowing these things to be done, you cannot now say that under Jonathan, there is so much corruption.

Corruption existed before Jonathan "Corruption has existed before Jonathan, but Jonathan, unlike the past administrations, has developed heart of stone to actually unearth the corruption no matter where it is or who is concerned.

But because the figures are

thrown up and they are true figures, people now say N240 billion pension funds stolen under Jonathan.

That is not correct, that is not true. Jonathan is the one unearthing the corruption, so you cannot blame him.”

Signing of FoI Act, other reforms According to him, the signing of the Freedom of Information Act by the President, pension reforms where billions have been recovered; fertilizer management reforms; power sector reforms; oil and gas reforms; electoral reforms; ports reforms, job creation; legal and judicial reforms, among others that have been carried out by the President were serious indications of his total commitment to fight corruption and bring to book those involved.

On TI rating Okupe who described the Transparency rating which placed Nigeria as number 139 out of 178 in the corruption list as mere perception which might not necessarily be a reality, stressed that the Federal Government would, however, not relent in battling and fighting corruption, adding that the government will not condone or protect corruption, but would combat same.

According to him,"the Transparency International rated Nigeria as number 139 in the world out of 178 As the word particularly said, it is the corruption perception index and you know that perception in technical terms is different from the reality. If over a period of time, some perceptions have settled in the minds or certain sections, when changes do take place, there is a large period for these changes to affect the perception because of this and various other reasons.

"We may not take up issues with the Transparency International more especially when you recognise that the Transparency International uses multiple sources to carry out survey and get samples of public perception through a variety of questions. Some of the questions are: do you trust your government, is corruption a big problem in your country?”

Blames media The Presidential aide who noted that the large aspect of Nigeria media and the

VISIT: From left: Former Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University Sokoto/Leader of the delegation, Prof. Mahdi Adamu Ngaski; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and former Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Musa Garkuwa, when Yawuri Emirate Development Association delegation from Kebbi visited the Speaker, at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

TI rating, a wake up call to fight corruption —FG zSays corruption existed before Jonathan zDenies N5trn was stolen under Jonathan zVows that the govt 'll combat corruption very large population of readership might have contributed to the perception that has been created by the Tr a n s p a r e n c y International, said: "It also relies on a network of local correspondents and expert opinions within and outside the country and usually as reported in the media.

"So, in a country like Nigeria which in terms of media vibrancy, it is much more easier for perception to be accepted by the reporting in our local media.

"In countries like Togo, Mali that have just a few national dailies, that the media is not so vibrant, you have less information.

"Then you should understand that in Nigeria with what we do here, for instance the Minister of Finance during discussions with her recently told me that several ratings worldwide —Fitch, SIP and so many— have rated Nigeria in terms of economic performance as very good, were hardly reported in our media.

A wake up call "I understand the old adage that good news is no news. It is when you say that Nigeria is rock bottom in something that is when we make the headlines.

But because we have more media, more reportage and more vibrancy, Nigeria is more exposed.

"The government will take this rating as a further wake up call to continue in its focus to battle and fight corruption.

The government will be

unrelenting and the whole purpose of this press briefing is to acquaint you with the efforts of government to tackle corruption. It is important for us to let you know because if you do not know and you do not publish, we cannot blame you. ‘’The war on corruption is being engaged head-on and systematically, with the requisite political will and vigour and it will take the commitment of all and not just President Jonathan and team, to see it fruition.”

Our party is only vehicle to deliver devt at grassroots — PDP z Hails Kaduna, Benue chapters over LGA polls

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, boasted that it stands as the only vehicle through which development can be delivered at the grassroots level.

In a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party,

however hailed the smooth and peaceful conduct of local government elections in Kaduna and Benue states, respectively.

Metuh while congratulating the PDP chapters in these states, commended the PDP’s dedication to democratic principles in accepting the results in some areas where the party lost in Kaduna State, adding: “We are poised to end the

bad loser syndrome in Nigerian politics. In the areas we lost, we are prepared to go back to the drawing board and work hard to reclaim them.”

According to the PDP spokesman, “the fact that we are ready to concede to winners in other parties should be a lesson in political tolerance to other opposition parties who see electoral contests as battles to be won at all costs.

"The PDP is particularly delighted with its victory in Benue State which the opposition ACN had falsely laid claim to being their territory.

“The results of the polls have finally put the lie to the ACN’s claims of strength in Benue and other states. The PDP advised the elected council officials to focus on serving the people and not let the party down.”

8— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

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Atuche: Court turns down witness’ presentation request

BY ONOZURE DANIA AND MICHAEL OLADEPO

LAGOS—An Ikeja High Court, yesterday rejected an attempt by a prosecution witness, Hamada Bello to make a graphic presentation to support his oral testimony on the ongoing trial of the former Managing Director of Bank PHB. now Keystone Bank, Francis Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth and the former Chief Financial Officer in the bank, Ugo Anyanwu over allegations of stealing.

The trial judge, Justice Lateefa Okunnu in her ruling, agreed with the defence counsel, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, and Sylva Oguemoh, counsel to Ugo

Anyanwu, the third defendant that the memory stick, which contains document being sought for tender as exhibit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, did not comply with the provisions of section 84 of the Evidence Act. Justice Okunnu, who took a short stand down to deliver the ruling after taking arguments from the parties, stated that for the memory stick to be admissible within the contemplation of section 84 of the Evidence Act, it must be certified.

She therefore sustained the objection of the defence on the ground that the device did not stand on itself as a primary document in prosecution.

Oil marketer denied bail over oil subsidy fraud

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS — An Ikeja High court yesterday, denied bail to an oil marketer, Mr. O l u w a s e u n Ogunbambo, who was earlier ordered to remain in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons to face trial for a bank fraud charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Ogunbambo, was denied bail based on multiple criminal charges preferred against him by the EFCC. Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo had ordered Ogunbambo to remain in prison custody pending his trial for a N4.46bn subsidy fraud charge preferred against him with others,

including Mamman, son of former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmadu Ali. Meanwhile Onigbanjo had on August 1, 2012, denied bail to Ogunbambo based on the same reasons after he had been arraigned with his company, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Ltd and the Deputy Managing Director of the company, Habila Theck, for N976.6m subsidy fraud.

However at the resumed trial of Ogunbambo, Habila Theck and Fargo Petroleum & Gas Ltd for N976.6m fraud, Justice Onigbanjo admitted some documents as exhibits.

However, the matter was adjourned till January 22, 2013 for continuation of the trial.

One dies in LASU-Isheri road crash

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L A G O S — A n unidentified female lost her life yesterday in a road accident that occurred on the LASUIsheri Expressroad, when a yellow commercial bus hit her as she tried to cross the road.

According to Mr. Sulaimon Adebayo, who witnessed the scene, the unidentified person was an elderly woman who was trying to cross the

ever busy road.

Adebayo explained that the accident occurred at about 09:00 a.m. at Adexson Bus stop when the woman was trying to cross the road.

According to him: “While we were waiting at the bus stop, the old woman not minding the oncoming vehicle ran across the road and she was crushed by another Iyana-Iba bound commercial vehicle with Lagos registration number JJJ-158 XC.”

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor, (right), in a handshake with Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nig. Plc, during the company's courtesy visit to the Governor's Office in Abeokuta.

BABALAKIN: Lawyers blame EFCC

BY INNOCENT ANABA

LAGOS — As the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, continues to lay siege to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where Chief Wale Babalakin, SAN, chairman of BiCourtney Highway Services Limited, is said to be hospitalised, some lawyers in the state, yesterday, condemned the action.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, described the action of the anticorruption agency as an abuse of power and a violation of the

businessman’s right to life and medical care.

Babalakins’s company had alleged that EFCC operatives, numbering over 20, had stormed the hospital, where he is being treated for an undisclosed illness and detained him in the ward.

Dr. Nwobike said: “I understand that the EFCC granted Dr. Babalakin administrative bail which has not been vacated by the Commission. I am also aware that the EFCC is aware that Dr. Babalakin is ill and he is undergoing treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

“So it amounts to a breach of his fundamental human right for the Commission to disturb his treatment by laying siege to the hospital, thereby worsening his condition.

“The court has adjourned his arraignment to December 12, so the EFCC ought to wait and see if he would not come to court. If at that stage his reason for not appearing in court is not reasonable, the EFCC can then take action under the authorisation of the court to compel him to come for his trial.

"This is an abuse of

Lagosians should disregard S -West PDP — Lagos ACN

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS—The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has dismissed the charge by South West Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that Governor Babatunde Fashola is anti-people, calling on Lagos residents to disregard the remark.

The party described the statement by the PDP “as yet another hollow prospecting in opportunism and hypocritical politics by what remains of the PDP in the South West.”

In a statement by its state Publicity Secretary,

Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the party stated that “since the South West PDP feels it will resurrect its dead strength by trading in gossips and mischief, nothing is considered way too low for the party in its vain efforts to con South Westerners after their disastrous reign was brought to a desirable end by South Westerners in 2011.”

While debunking the claim by the PDP that the Lagos State government plans to displace traders in the Katangowa Market, the party said the South West PDP should “brace itself for a long life in political oblivion as nothing will

ever make South Westerners embrace the debased ideologies and politics of despoliation the PDP promotes.”

The party said: “We want to assure Lagosians that there is no truth whatsoever in the false and outlandish allegation being traded by the rumour mill of South West PDP that Lagos wants to displace traders in Katangowa Market without providing an alternative.

We want Lagosians and South Westerners to disregard this as yet another desperate effort of South West PDP to cash on the intelligence of the people.

power on the part of the EFCC and should be condemned by all."

Another Lagos lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Majebi, in his reaction said: “As much as I don’t believe that there is anyone above the law, I also don’t support or encourage tyranny. Ïf Wale Babalakin is in hospital, the EFCC should wait until he recovers to arrest and prosecute him. What is the desperation all about?

“After all, they have waited six years to file this charge. Once this is allowed to go unchallenged it becomes a bad precedent which would empower security agencies to go and arrest suspects on their sick bed.

“Without creating a scene EFCC can keep an eye on him. LUTH is a public institutions they can liaise with the Chief Medical Director via official channels such that he can be monitored. What I don’t like, is for the EFCC to barge into the ward and arrest him on his sick bed."

Mr. Jiti Ogunye, another lawyer, noted that though the EFCC may have a good reason for its action given past experiences where suspects had feigned illness to evade arrest and prosecution, he, however, cautioned the Commission to act within the confines of the rule of law.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2012

ACN tasks Police over Ogun lawmaker wife’s abduction

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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From left Chief Kuforiji Olubi, former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; Chief Olamide Harold-Shodipo, celebrant; HRM, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse ll, Ooni of Ife and others, during the 90th birthday ceremony of Chief Harold-Shodipo in Lagos.

Man docked for allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old girl ABEOKUTA — The police in Abeokuta yesterday arraigned one Tunde Bamigbade, 23, before a Magistrates’ Court for assaulting a 16year-old girl.

The prosecutor, Augustine Ozimini, said the offence was committed on Tuesday at about 7 a.m. at IsaleIgbein in Abeokuta.

He said that the accused accosted the young girl on her way to school at a lonely junction and fondled her

breasts.

“Bamigbade was sighted by a passerby when he fondled his victim’s breasts as she struggled with him.

“The good samaritan raised an alarm while the accused was apprehended and taken to Ibara police station,” he said.

Ozimini said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 360 of the Criminal Code of Ogun, 2006.

WAPCO Chairman, Osunkeye, lauds Ajimobi on devt

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BADAN — The Chairman of Lafarge, West African Portland Cement, WAPCO, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, has commended the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for what he called the great developmental strides of his administration.

He gave this commendation during a courtesy call on the governor in his office by the management of the company yesterday.

According to Osunkeye, the cement

company, which had been in the construction business since 1959, r e c o g n i s e s administrations that prioritise infrastructure developments and was proud to identify the government of Oyo State as a key index in that category.

Osunkeye said his commendation was based on the ongoing massive infrastructural development across the state being put in place by the Ajimobi administration.

SAFETY: FRSC tasks Nigerians

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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AGOS — As Nigerians are approaching festive season, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has advised Nigerians to see road safety as sheer responsibility and shun road abuses believed to be responsible for the

road traffic crashes.

The Sector Commander of the Commission in Lagos, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio gave the advice during third year anniversary, official decoration, award and fund raising of Lagos, Western and Northern Area, Unit 92 Rs2.17 Ojota Command in Ketu, Lagos.

BEOKUTA —The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Ogun State yesterday tasked the state Police Command to rescue the abducted wife of a member of the state House of Assembly representing Ijebu North East, Samson Onademuren.

Mrs. Onademuren was kidnapped in Ijebu-Ode site of the family ’s building project on Tuesday.

ONDO TRIBUNAL: Disregard

ACN, PDP petitions —LP

BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE —The Labour Party in Ondo State yesterday prayed the Election Petition Tribunal hearing cases on the October 20 gubernatorial election to dismiss the petitions filed by Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and Chief Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the outcome of the election won by it.

LP's reply to the petition of the parties is coming ahead of the 14 days ultimatum given by the electoral law.

This was contained in its replies to the two petitions in which it prayed the Justice Kaka’an led tribunal to dismiss the petitions for flagrant violation of the mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 in the preparation, presentation and filing of the petitions.

The party's notice of Preliminary Objection was filed by Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) leading the LP’s 12-man legal team including four other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Ricky Tarfa, Adebayo Adelodun, Chukwuma Ekomaro and Abiodun Owonikoko.

The 3,110 page-reply to PDP petition listed 2,024 witnesses to give evidence before the tribunal while that of the ACN has 1,340 pages with 2,023 listed as witnesses.

According to the Labour Party, the claims

in the petitions were in total contravention of the rules guiding the tribunal in addition to being incurably defective for non-joinder of necessary and desirable parties.

The second respondent in the petitions added that damaging, extensive and indicting criminal allegations were freely made against named persons and individuals who are not parties to the petitions.

The Labour Party is relying on Forms EC8AD, ballot papers used

during the poll, voters registers used on October 20 and during the 2011 presidential election in the state.

The reports of local and i n t e r n a t i o n a l independent observers, reports of local and international media on the conduct of the election as well as video clips and photographs, will also be used to prove its case at the tribunal.

The party has also replied to the petitions of the PDC, Accord and CPC parties.

The ACN in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sola Lawal described the incident as one "horrendou," urging the police to track the woman.

“Kidnapping is not only an alien vice in our environment, but also an u n a c c e p t a b l e debasement of humanity which all forwardlooking citizens should condemn with all moral suasion we can muster.

“Ogun State of the ACN era is not a haven for criminals and other societal dregs which is the reason the Ibikunle Amosun administration has deployed a reasonable fortune on equipping the police to combat crime.

“We therefore implore the Police to thoroughly investigate the incident as sabotage cannot be ruled out.

"We are aware of the various unpatriotic and uncivilised plots some enemies of the state have been adopting to rubbish the recent Most Security Conscious Governor in West Africa award given to Governor Ibikunle Amosun,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police in the state had said it was yet to track the kidnappers down .

Fayemi presents N93.6bn 2013 budget

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI —The Ekiti State Governor , Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday presented a sum of N93.6 billion as budget estimate for 2013 fiscal year, with a vow to sustain the social security scheme The governor equally promised to create a new Ministry that would coordinate programmes targeted at eradicating poverty in the state In the budget christened ‘Budget of Empowerment and Consolidation’,the sum of N47.1 billion was earmarked for capital project, constituting about 50.4 per cent, while 46. 4 billion was set aside for recurrent expenditure, which represents about 49.6 per cent of the budget.

To finance the projects, Fayemi said the sum of N31. 4 billion is expected from the Federation Account, while N7.3 billion will be sourced from the Value Added Tax (VAT) He further revealed that a sum of N4.6 billion is expected as external grant from international agency, while N14.3 billion is expected to be accessed from the Internally Generated Revenue.

In financing the budget, a sum of N8.5 billion is expected from the Excess Crude Oil, while a sum of N7.1 billion is to be sourced from the capital market.

Fayemi further disclosed that his administration would place priority on good health care delivery in 2013, saying, this would

commence through a well packaged free health care mission and renovation of General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres across the State.

Fayemi said that his government would focus on the renovation and construction of township roads in three urban towns of Ijero, Ikere and Ikole Ekiti in2013, while some rural-urban roads in some selected towns would be given adequate attention.

Fayemi pledged to make the empowerment of rural women a priority.

He, further, disclosed that over 20 new roads initiated upon assumption of office and 25 others inherited from the immediate past administration would be completed next year.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—11

Kidnap: Ojogor family sends SOS to IG, others

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INSPECTION: From right: Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and his wife Judith; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi(left) and wife Florence, inspecting the Oral Surgery Operating Theatre in the new ultra-modern Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital, in Port Harcourt when Ajimobi visited Rivers State.

Farmer sentenced to death for robbery ....As kidnappers of Senator Okowa’s dad know fate today

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—A 34-yearold farmer at Kwale town, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Emeka Ogwu, has been sentenced to death by an Effurun High Court for armed robbery.

One of the prosecution witnesses, Dorothy Asekpokai, a business woman, had told the court that the convict attempted to rob her on June 12, 2007, when she visited her new building site around Osubi.

She also identified the convict as the one who attempted to rob her with a gun but she narrowly escaped after driving away at top speed.

She said that in the process of escaping, she knocked down the convict, after which she raised alarm that eventually led to his arrest.

The court, presided over by Justice Godwin Gbemre, stated that prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Ogwu was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, attempt to commit armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms, contrary to Robbery and Firearms (Spe-

cial Provisions) Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Meanwhile, suspected kidnappers of father of former Delta State Secretary to Government, SSG, Chief Arthur Okowa, now a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will know their fate today as judgment is expected to be delivered.

Six persons are facing

Edo guber tussle: A'Court dismisses Airhiavbere’s prayer for more witnesses

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, yesterday, dismissed the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), challenging the ruling of the state’s Governorship Election Petition

Tribunal which refused to allow the petitioner bring in more witnesses.

The Appellate Court also dismissed Airhiavbere’s plea to direct the lower tribunal to admit some paragraphs in his reply to the respondent’s reply, which were earlier struck out by the tribunal.

It, however, ruled that only paragraphs 6 and 7 be admitted since they

Security: Rivers govt acquires N4.5bn helicopters for Police

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HAR C O U R T — G OVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has announced the state government’s acquisition of two helicopters for security surveillance.

The governor made this known yesterday in

a five-count charge in connection with the alleged kidnap.

According to prosecution, the accused persons, on or about July 20, 2008, at Boji-Boji Owa, within Owa-Oyibu judicial division, while in the company of others now at large, also robbed one Chief Arthur Okowa (male) of N7,000 cash while armed with a gun.

Port Harcourt at the 2012 Rivers State Security and Technology Innovations Forum.

He said the security helicopters, worth $30m (N4.5bn), with cameras to fly all over the city of Port Harcourt and other parts of the state, would arrive the country at the end of this month and commence operations in

January.

He said:“We have pumped huge funds into police financing to provide expertise, equipment and other logistics support.

“That is why I am advocating state police and you can testify that crime in and around Port Harcourt has reduced drastically.”

had merit.

It would be recalled that Airhiavbere had gone to the Appeal Court after the tribunal refused to grant his application for more witnesses to enable him pursue his petition against the election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

However, in his ruling, Justice T.S.Yakubu, explained that the case of Yar ’Adua vs Abubakar which the appellant cited was not similar to the case he brought before the appellate court.

He asserted: “ I totally agree with the lower tribunal. That authority could not have been a talisman for the appellant. “I am of the considered opinion that the complain of lack of hearing is not a cure for all sicknesses. I am satisfied that this appeal is fluffy, it is lacking in merit, I dismiss it accordingly. The ruling of the lower tribunal dated 9th October 2012 is hereby affirmed.”

ARRI—THE family of Eghare Wellinton Ojogor of Warri, Delta State, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, President, National Council of Women Society NCWS, Mrs. Nkechi Mba, and President, Nigerian Medical Association NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, to save the life of Eghare Wellington Ojogor, the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, who was kidnapped recently in the community.

In a letter dated Monday December 3, 2012, the family said Ojogor, a patient of Delta State University Teaching Hospital DELSUTH, Oghara, was kidnapped in his Warri home by some boys also based in Warri.

According to the family,

the victim, who is the patriach of the Ojogors, was abducted in the presence of some law enforcement officers a few days after receiving treatment in the hospital.

The letter, signed by Mrs. Bemigho Ojogor, stated that the abduction was a ploy to send the victim to his early grave as he had been denied access to his medication.

The family also said the Vanguard publication of Friday November 16, 2012, was an authentic report of the situation.

“The aforementioned publication by Mrs Bemigho Ojogor is an authentic report of what transpired, and the pains and agony expressed in the publication represents the present feelings and pains of the Ojogor family," the Ojogors said.

Akpabio assures on industrialization

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KWA Ibom State Government has reiterated its commitment to the vision of turning the state into a hub of industrialization and final destination of uncommon transformation.

The state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, stated this while declaring open the 2012 Akwa Ibom State Science and Technology (AKISTEC)

Week Exhibition/Fair at the State Ministry of Science and Technology, Uyo, on Wednesday.

Represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, Akpabio said Nigeria should take a stance in scientific development like the Asian Tigers of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea, to be propelled to the pinnacle of industrialization.

Bayelsa community laments slow pace of electricity project

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—NEMBE Kingdom Oil and Gas Committee, at Nembe, Bayelsa State, has expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the state government's electrification project in the area.

The committee noted with sadness that with over six flow stations and

large oil fields with production capacity of 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day, Nembe communities were still wallowing in darkness.

Chairman of Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Nengi James, in a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, said the issue of underdevelopment of Nembe communities, including lack of electricity, had become a source of concern to the people.

Ebireri for burial today

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R. Victor Ebireri of Ugbimidaka, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, is dead. He was a lawyer, public administrator and successful businessman.

A statement by Mr. Donald Ebireri for the family, said the late Ebireri, who died on Wednesday, November 7, will be buried today in his hometown, Ugbimi-

daka.

He is survived by his widow, children, brothers and sisters.

Late Victor Ebireri

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Delta bans blockade of roads vans and store projecfor parties tions attached to main

BY EMMA ARUBI

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A R R I — D E LTA State Government is to commenced arrest of persons found barricading major roads in Warri, Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.

This came as the government commenced massive destruction of illegal structures, cara-

buildings.

State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, made this known in Warri yesterday during a press briefing.

He said the on-going demolition in the three council areas had the backing of the Ministry of Environment as directed by the state government.

Flour Mills, Pan Ocean donate relief materials to flood victims in Edo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—EDO State Government yesterday received relief materials estimated at over N5.1 million from management of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, for flood victims in the state.

This came as management of PAN Ocean Oil Corporation also donated relief materials worth millions of naira to flood victims in the state, with Edo State Government

appealing to oil companies and other corporate organizations to assist in rebuilding the homes of the victims.

Assistant General Manager of the Corporation, Mrs Edith Okujagu, who presented the materials to the chairman Edo State Taskforce on Relief Materials for Flood Victims, Hajia Maimuna Momodu, said that the gesture was part of the company’s corporate-social responsibility.

BURIAL: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (middle); his wife, Rachael (right) and President Goodluck Jonathan, during preparations for the burial of the President’s younger brother, Late Chief Meni Jonathan, at Otuoke.

Jonathan arrives Otuoke for brother's funeral

BY BEN AGANDE

A

TIGHT security cordon has been

thrown around Otuoke, home town of President Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the burial of his younger brother tomorrow.

The president’s younger brother, Chief Meni Jonathan, died two weeks ago in Abuja, following a brief illness.

A large contigent of security personnel from the Army, Navy, Airforce, the Police, Department of State Services as well as members of the civil defence corps took over the town where the President arrived Thursday afternoon to inspect work being done in preparation for the burial, which is expected to witness a large turn out of

Nigerians from all walks of life.

President Jonathan, who arrived his Otuoke residence shortly before 3:00pm, was received by the governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, as well as senior security officials, after which members of his family briefed him on the arrangements for the funeral.

The president’s arrival was preceeded by that of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who had arrived Otuoke on Wednesday where she took charge of some of the arrangements.

After the briefing by his family members, President Jonathan visited the

residence of his late brother where he commiserated with the widow and daughter before leaving for Pa Lawrence Ebele Jonathan Memorial Hall where the corpse is expected to lie in state today.

A sober President Jonathan who came out of his brother ’s residence with misty eyes, was led to the community Town Hall where the community elders are expected to receive the corpse when it arrives from Abuja today.

From the Community Town Hall, the President was led to St. Steven's Anglican Church where the requiem mass is expected to be held today.

Delta achieves 48.5% reduction of maternal mortality ratio

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ELTA State Gov ernment has achieved 48.5 per cent reduction of maternal mortality ratio, ahead of the 2015 target of 75 per cent reduction through the free maternal health care policy of the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, disclosed this during a media briefing in Asaba, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of a successful free maternal healthcare programme in the state.

Dr. Otumara noted that when the programme

was launched in Ughelli in November, 2007, maternal mortality rate was 456/100,000 but has reduced tremendously to 221/100,000.

He said that further reduction of the MMR to attain the figure for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 would require sustenance of government’s political will, enduring commitment of health personnel, continued patronage by pregnant women, diligent coordination by the health ministry and media support.

He said the programme, which has successfully been implemented in 57 state hospitals, is a comprehensive package covering antenatal care, delivery, including caesarean section, post-natal care for six weeks, treatment for ectopic pregnancy and complicated abortion, all free of charge. The commissioner said the programme, which is five years old, has recorded a remarkable degree of success as reflected by the steady decline of maternal mortality rate.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—13

Sambo’s Residence: We won't give any kobo again — Senate •N7bn already appropriated is enough •Rejects N9 billion for the residence

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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L-r: Mrs Marie Ekpere, chairman of the event, Professor Johnson Ekpere and Mr Alaowe Broderick Bozimo, guest speaker at the Urhobo College Old Students Association Lagos Branch 2012 Annual Dinner and Lecture at Ocean View Restaurant in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola Photo Editor

Man dies vandalising PHCN transformer

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—LUCK ran out on a middleaged suspected vandal, yesterday as he was electrocuted while vandalizing one of the transformers serving Akanchawa Udenwa area of Owerri metropolis.

It was neither clear how many people came for the damnable operation nor at what time of the night the vandal died in his act but residents of the area told Vanguard that they woke up

to behold the morbid spectacle.

Vanguard investigations also revealed that the suspected vandal wanted to exploit the periodic but prolonged public power outage in the area to actualize his devilish plot before power was suddenly restored to the facility.

Confirming the sad incident to Vanguard, PHCN Senior Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Ositadinma Ugwuafor, said it was the second time a vandal was being electrocuted in action in

that area.

His words: “In the instant case, the vandal had succeeded in cutting off the up-riser cable of the transformer, as well as the earth copper wire worth thousands of Naira. A long dagger and hack saw were recovered close to the lifeless body.”

Ugwuafor said apart from ageing facilities, one of the major headaches of PHCN was the vandalization of its properties by criminals, adding that the dead vandal had already thrown the area into pitch darkness..

He said: “We are determined to serve the public but we are continually faced with acts of vandalism. The inordinate ambition of some misguided elements in our society to get rich quick lures them to these damnable acts.”

At the time of going to press, the lifeless body of the suspected vandal was still lying close to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, facility, while people streamed to the scene to identify him.

Ebonyi varsity expels 33, suspends 88 over exam is contrary to the rules He said: “The susmalpractice, others and regulations govern- pended students for the

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI— EBONYI State University, EBSU, Abakaliki, yesterday, expelled 33 students of the institution and suspended 88 others over alleged misconduct, examination malpractice and admission racketeering.

In a statement by the Registrar and Secretary of Senate, Mr. Egwu Sam, the Senate of the institution had at its

Passage

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RS. ABIGAIL Chinyeaka Chede, 66, of Egwuachi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State is dead. A wake keep was held yesterday, at the family compound, Egwuachi. The burial will hold today after a church service at St. Emmanuel’s Catholic Church, Egwuachi.

22nd emergency meeting, held on Thursday, August 23rd, 2012, decided to make public the offences of all the affected students.

According to him, the conduct of the expelled and suspended students

ing the conduct of examinations and admission into the institution, stressing that those expelled from the university for grievous misconduct were not expected to be seen in the institution for any purpose.

stipulated period are to fail their examination and in addition should also stay away from the university for the period of the suspension and apply to the Registrar for readmission when their suspension tenure elapses.”

....As FG blames Ebonyi govt over poor supervision of nomadic education

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI—THE National Commission for Nomadic Education, yesterday, blamed both Ebonyi State Government and local councils for the poor supervision of nomadic education in the state.

The Commission also expressed worry that less attention was being paid to the recruitment and welfare of nomadic teachers in the 13 LGAs as such development had over the years, ham-

pered the learning and acquisition of nomadic education.

Acting Executive Secretary for NCNE, Mallam Ibrahim Yamta, who stated this during a visit to some nomadic schools in the state, called on Ebonyi State government to put modalities in place f o r employment of more teachers and regular supervision of all nomadic schools across the state.

He argued that Ebonyi as an agrarian state,

could not be compared to other states in terms of establishment of nomadic schools as well as maintenance of structures built by the federal government for the acquisition of nomadic education.

He also expressed displeasure over the dilapidating nature of most nomadic schools built by the federal government to aid the acquisition of nomadic education in the state.

BUJA— STRONG indications emerged, yesterday, that the completion of the official residence of Vice President Namadi Sambo will suffer a major set back as the Senate vowed not appropriate any kobo for the project.

The threat by the Senate came after an inspection of the project as part of the oversight function of the Senator Smart Adeyemi, PDP, Kogi West ,Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory.

Members of the Senate Committee could not hide their reservations having listened to explanations from the management of the FCT that an extra N7billion was required to complete the official residence of the Vice President, which was an addition to the N7.1bn already spent after being appropriated for by the National Assembly last year.

Senator Smart Adeyemi noted that no money would be appropriated again by the lawmakers for the same project aside the original seven billion that was appropriated to it.

According to him, since a design for the building was made and approved by the official of the FCT, that which the National Assembly appropriated funds for, other additional jobs being carried out on the building were not of concern to the legislature.

He said that the National Assembly strongly believes that seven billion naira already appropriated for the project was more than

enough, adding that there were other numerous projects across the country begging for funds and that which will benefit the poor masses.

Senator Adeyemi stressed: “We will not appropriate any money even if the BPP approves, so you better play to our side, Nigerians money will not be used to pay for any additional cost.”

Earlier in his remarks while fielding questions from the Senators, the FCT Director of Public Building, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila explained that the extra N7billion being sought by FCT would be spent on the execution of the complete scope of the project master plan, comprising furniture, fencing, security gadgets, banquet hall, among others.

According to him, the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), after examining the earlier N9 billion requested by the FCT, however, trimmed it down to N7 billion, which amounts to a total of N14 billion for the one story official residence of the Vice President.

Trouble reared its head between Julius Berger Plc and the FCTA when it was explained that Julius Berger Plc, the original contractor requested for the additional amount to enable it provide the additional facilities and infrastructure being accommodated in the complete master scope, but in a swift reaction, the Site Manager of the Julius Berger Plc however denied, insisting that it charged N7 billion for the project.

Oil spill: Ogulagha community defends Agip curity Council, signed by

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HE PEOPLE of Ogulagha community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, have dismissed the allegation by the people of Odimodi community that Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, was causing dispute between the two communities over an oil spill that occurred in Okuntu community, recently.

This was contained in a letter, dated December 5, 2012, addressed to the Chairman, Delta State Se-

acting chairman and secretary of Ogulagha community, Mr. First-Samuel Atangbala and Mr. Victor Iseleke.

The community in the letter, insisted that the present Agip spill which occurred on October 24, 2012, didnot affect Odimodi community.

They explained that government officials and representatives of NOSDRA involved in the JIV can testify that the present spill occurred and impacted only in Ogulagha community’s land.

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14—Vanguard , FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

FG urged to release white paper on digital broadcasting

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA

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Emevwo Biakolo of the School of Media and Communication of Pan African University, prolific writer, producer, and Nollywood icon, Mrs Amaka Igwe, creative arts lawyer, Efere Uzako, and Mr. Edward Amana, among others, urged government to release the white paper so stakeholders could take their bearings from it to enable the nation properly take steps to actialise digital broadcasting.

The Digital Dialogue Nigeria conference was powered by Multichoice, and is coming barely two months after an earlier one which held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Commandant, National Defence College, Abuja, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson (left), presenting a souvenir to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, after the governor delivered a lecture at the College.

AGOS—THE Federal Government has been urged to immediately release the white paper on digital broadcasting and fast-track action on the nation’s migration from analog to digital broadcasting to avoid disaster as the 2015 deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, approaches.

This is the consensus of participants and speakers at a two-day Digital Dialogue Nigeria 2012 conference which ended in Lagos, yesterday.

Speaker after speaker, including Professor

Abuja property not mine —Orubebe

Infrastructure Bank to issue N1.5bn right shares

BY ABAYOMI ADESHIDA

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BUJA—NIGER Delta Affairs MInister, Elder Goidsday Orubebe, has described the recent barrage of attacks on his image as mere smear campaigns of calumny directed at his political future which will soon crumble before the law.

In his first response on the matter since the press conference addressed on the ownership of his residence among other matters, Orubebe hinted Vanguard, yesterday, in Abuja, that those currently bent on damaging his reputation and political future would have to prove their cases against him in the law

courts.

Orubebe said: “The news first came to me as one of those rumours in the mills about politicians which starts without any concrete base and fizzles, but I have come to realise that I owe my family the duty to stop these people, else they would continue to spread falsehood about my person and my office.

“There are several lies that have been put in the public domain to do some damage to my character and make me lose focus and derail from my current assignment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of NIgeria but I have remained commited to the oath of office and commit-

ted to executing the President’s Transformation Agenda in the MInistry of Niger Delta.

“Of particular interest is the disturbing falsehood being spread about the ownership of my current official residence as the Niger Delta Development MInister.

“Among the falsehood being spread about the property is that I have received it as a donation from a certain construction company or a group of contractors.

“By the time you look through these documents, you will realise the impropriety of the wicked rumour which has been spread to distabilize me in my current appointment by characters who are sure bent on negatively impacting my political future.

“All I can assure everybody for now is that we are considering my mode of response to all these unfounded allegations and before too long, those who have engaged in starting and spreading this falsehood would have to pay commensurate damages for the campaign of calumny against my personality.”

Orubebe further explained that he had to relocate from his initial

accomodation to another because of the need for space.

“The place I was living before I moved here was not spacious enough for me, I consulted with my lawyer and he found this property and he made arrangements for me to rent and move in here," he said.

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AGOS—THE Infra structure Bank Plc said today in Abuja that it will issue N1.5 billion right issues to its existing shareholders, opening from December 17 to January 28, next year.

The shareholders of the bank include federal and state governments; local governments and trade

unions, according to its Managing Director, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye.

At a completion board meeting of the bank held at its headquarters in Abuja, Chairman of the Bank, Alhaji Lamis Dikko, said the right issue comprised 1,551,500,000 ordinary shares of N1.00 each.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—15

Minister orders renovation of Abuja NUJ office

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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BUJA—MINISTER of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday, ordered that the Abuja Council office of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, be refurbished.

Bala directed the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, to immediately give the Abuja NUJ Secretariat a face lift while declaring open the first colloquium

of the NUJ, Abuja Council.

Senator Mohammed also handed over the keys to a new 18-seater bus to the National President of NUJ, Malam Mohammed Garba, for onward delivery to NUJ Abuja Council at Utako district.

The minister described the theme the colloqium, The Media and Combating New Security Challenges to National Stability, as apt considering recent security breaches in the nation.

Federal workers threaten strike over allowance

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—FEDERAL workers, yesterday, called on ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to ensure prompt payment of outstanding allowances of staff in line with the circular issued by the Minister of Finance on July 27.

Chairman of Nigeria Civil Service Union, Federal Council, Abuja, Mr.

Lawrence Amaechi, who made the call at the 10th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Abuja, threatened that the union will not hesitate to embark on industrial action if the MDAs refused to heed the workers’ call.

He said: “I want to call on the management of all MDAs to settle their outstanding 28 days allowance to the affected

staff in line with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy/Minister of Finance’s circular No. ED/CEH.246/TV/1/203 dated July 27, 2012.

Ultimatum

“We shall not hesitate to use our last weapon to fight for this allowance, if MDAs fail to pay to deserving staff.

“There had been a problem when our peo-

ple are posted to MDAs. Over N500 million is hanging. We have an understanding with the Director of Budget and they said ministries can gradually upset it.

“That is why they issued a circular to all MDAs to help us clear these arrears because there will be no other money for it.

“We are using this opportunity to tell all permanent secretaries to help us and immediately begin to pay these allowances.”

Amaechi appealed to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory to assist the union in the area of accommodation.

He said: “We want housing estate that a low income earner can afford. Most of our members are living in the satellite towns.”

On Sanusi's call for sack

In his address, the National President of the Union, Mr. Kiri Shuaibu, urged the Federal Government to completely ignore recent calls by the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to trim down its workforce.

He said government should rather see to the welfare of its workers and devote its strength against corruption.

He said there was footdragging on reports that exposed corruption, ranging from subsidy to pension, in an attempt to let them end up in the dustbin.

Shuaibu said: “It is not good to look at the civil servants as liability, while a governor will be having 500 advisers. We are an asset.

“The call is a misplaced priority. If they want to reduce workforce, we told them to deal with the issue of corruption first.

“There are two reports now on corruption: Farouk Lawan and pension. They want to put those reports in the dustbin.

“You want to drop somebody who is working in other to favour somebody who is stealing. We are going to go against government on that issue.”

C M Y K

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Customs hold Single Window confab

N

IGERIA Customs Service, NCS, will hold a Single Window Conference, SWC, on Achieving the Nigeria SW Vision— Feasibility Study Findings from December 11 to 12 at the NSC conference hall in Lagos.

In a statement, NSC said some of the objectives of the SWC are to present the NSW roadmap, implementation plan and key recommendations for realising the NSW, and to present organisational, financial and cost/benefit analysis

for the proposed solution.

Expected at the SWC are policy makers, government officials, business mangers, analysts, service providers, representatives of internal cooperation agencies working in the field of trade facilitation, academia and experts in trade and e-business.

The conference will have sessions on high level process model, business process model, proof-of-concept, data harmonisation and recommendations.

CUSTOMS' CONFAB: Customs Comptroller-General, Abdullahi Dikko (3rd right), with senior Customs officials at a briefing on the forthcoming Single Window Conference with the theme Achieving the Nigeria SW Vision— Feasibility Study Findings, billed for Lagos next week.

Suleja attack: We Jaji bombings: No religious consideration in redeployment— Army recovered 200 IEDs— Witness

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING complaints and controversy generated by redeployment at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, AFCSC, Jaji, Nigerian Army, yesterday, said there was no religious consideration in the changes made in the aftermath of the November 25 terrorist attacks on the college.

Reacting to protests by the Jamaatu Nasril Islam, JNI, and Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, over the re-deployment of the Commandant of the AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Kure and the Commander of the Infantry Corps, Ma-

jor General Mohammed Isa, the Army said their removal had no religious colouration as alleged by the groups.

A statement read on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, by Director of Military Intelligence, DMI, Major General Ahmed Tijani, said: “The Nigerian Army is a professional army that conducts its affairs within given mandate, rules of engagements and global best practices.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to publications on the redeployment and changes made after the terrorist attacks in Jaji cantonment. The incident is a very sad event.

“It is thus not surpris-

ing to witness the volume of reactions to the incident.

“Indeed because of the negative effect of the terrorist attack, it became very expedient for the military authorities to immediately take necessary steps to contain these effects, reassure personnel and prevent reoccurrence.

“The boards of inquiry and changes in some appointments are inevitable steps to create the right atmosphere for thorough investigations.

“It is, however, surprising that a section of the public is insinuating that the changes in command at the AFCSC and Infantry Corp and School, ICC, have reli-

COFFHA gets 4th President

I

T was another water shed in the history of Committee of Friends for Humanity, COFFHA, a charitable organisation, when it held the investiture of Mrs Phil Okonkwo as the fourth President.

COFFHA was founded

by Mrs Carol Ufere, Mrs Gloria Esemah and Mrs Phil Okonkwo in 1993 and had produced three presidents in persons of Mrs Gloria Ita Ikpeme, Chief (Mrs) Edith Ejezie and Lady Christy Okoye,

Mrs. Phil Okonkwo (right) and Mrs Edith Ejezie.

C M Y K

who piloted the affairs of the association in fostering the ideals of the organisation in the areas of service to humanity.

Meanwhile, Mrs Okonkwo and the new executives hosted guests at the launching of a N40 million multipurpose COFFHA Centre.

The centre will house institutes for skill acquisition for women and youths, and educatational development for children. A new logo was also launched.

Special Guest of Honour was Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State Governor and Chairman was Chief Adebayo Sarumi, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.

gious connotations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there was no religious consideration in the changes made in the aftermath of the November 25, 2012 terrorist attacks at Jaji.

“It will, therefore, be a great disservice to the nation for any one to make statements or utterances linking the activities of the military with ethno-religious considerations.

“The JNI has been noted as one of the organisations in the country that has been giving support to the efforts of the military in combating terrorism and other criminal activities in some parts of the country.

“If JNI had contacted the military on this issue before making public pronouncements, adequate explanation would have been given concerning the changes.

“It must be pointed out that earlier attacks on military barracks prompted the review of policies, measures and standards to be adopted in all military locations to prevent reoccurrence.

“Commander at all levels were directed to adopt these measures in securing their areas of responsibilities. It is in this regard that when headquarters First Division of the Army was attacked on February 7, the GOC Commanding was redeployed.

“The change was not a punishment, but part of measures to enable a new hand to tackle lapses.”

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—NIGERIAN Army, yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that it recovered over 200 different explosive making devices meant to be used by six apprehended members of the Boko Haram sect to attack an event attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo in Kaduna State on July 28, 2011.

Testifying under crossexamination yesterday, a Senior Army officer, who led the team of soldiers that caught the six accused persons while on their way to Kaduna State same day, told the court presided over by Justice Bilkisu Aliyu: “If you prime the dangerous components of Improvised Explosive Device, IED, we caught them with, them, it can bring down the whole of this high court building in matter of seconds.”

The witness, whose identity was not made known because of the sen-

sitive nature of the case, had earlier told the court that in a bid to beat the security checkpoint that was mounted by soldiers at Gummel Junction in Kachia area of Kaduna State, the suspects hid themselves inside a trailer covered with trampoline.

He said: “We saw a big trailer coming and another car behind the trailer. Surprisingly, immediately we asked the trailer driver to remove his trampoline, two of the suspects jumped out.

“The second car also had another suspect who was carrying explosives which we immediately impounded.

“We also seized four handsets and N26,000, from him. While interrogating them, they said they were coming from Suleja.”

He also told the court how examination of the telephone handsets confiscated from the suspects revealed that they were each promised an inheritance of 72 virgins in paradise if they successfully carry out the act.

NCS honours OBJ, Imoke, Ovia

BY EMEKA AGINAM

F

OR contributing immensely towards the development of the Nigerian ICT sector, the Nigerian Computer Society will next week in Lagos confer honorary fellowships on Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State and

Mr. Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank Plc at the 2012 National Information Technology merit awards.

NCS President, Sir. Demola Aladekomo, said deserving individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional achievement and service that has accelerated IT development in Nigeria, will also be honored.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 17

N

IGERIAN movie-makers are really coming of age and I thought I should draw your attention to two quality films that I have thoroughly enjoyed this year.

C M Y K

“BLACK NOVEMBER ” It has to be said that Nigerian oil barons are not famed for passionately campaigning for the victims of oil exploration.

Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, a fiftysomething former airline pilot who has been a key player at the commercial end of the petroleum industry for three decades, has chosen to stand out from the crowd.

He says that he didn’t want to go down in history as “just another rich merchant”; and, in a bid to “give something back” to the region that has made him phenomenally wealthy, he has spent a staggering $20 million-plus of his own money on producing and promoting a film titled “Black November – Struggle For The Niger Delta.”

I attended the premiere in Washington DC’s Kennedy Centre and was pleasantly surprised. Amazed, even.

When one is told that a film has been written and directed by a young Nigerian (Jeta Amata), one can perhaps be forgiven for assuming that it will be more Nollywood than Hollywood.

When one is told that three very famous A-list actors Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger and Viveca Fox - have agreed to work with an African who is an unknown novice compared to the directors they normally work with, one can perhaps be forgiven for assuming that they will snootily restrict themselves to fleeting cameo appearances.

I was wrong on both counts.

Black November, which is based on facts, is not perfect, but it’s good.

It is a moving, enraging, chilling, kick-ass celluloid adventure story about greed, brutality and injustice; and

The Nigerian film industry is the third largest in the world.

Movie Magic Rourke et al deserve hearty applause for enthusiastically throwing themselves into the action from start to finish…and for delivering jolly decent performances.

But Amata’s wife, Mbong, is the real star of the show with her impressive portrayal of a girl who gets a scholarship to study abroad and starts off yearning for a normal comfortable life but gets sucked into defending the suffering exploited villagers she grew up with.

a significant impact. Amata and Associate Producer Lorenzo Aligbe have been invited to the White House.

Black Democratic Congressman, Bobby Rush and his White Republican colleague, Jeff Fortenberry were so electrified by the film that they decided to sponsor a resolution aimed at pressurising the Nigerian Government and Western oil companies to clean up spills that have transformed the Niger Delta into an

Jeta Amata and the cast of “Black November”.

environmental disaster zone.

The rich merchant has proved that he is also an inspirational activist. “ T H E MEETING” Produced, directed and cowritten by Rita Dominic starring in “The Meeting” Mildred Okwo, Captain Hosa and his team “The Meeting” is a romance, have used Black November as a satire and a fairly serious a lobbying tool and are having focus on the frustrations that

Condolences S

INCERE sorries galore to Mr. President for the sad loss of his younger brother, Meni, who will be buried in Bayelsa State this weekend.

What with his wife’s recent illness and the unexpected death of his sibling, the past few months have not been easy for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on a personal level.

I am sure that you will all join me in wishing him a less President Jonathan: stressful 2013.

Bereaved

Cast of the movie “The Meeting” . wannabee contractors face when they pursue government patronage in Abuja – which, as a wag once wryly observed, is the “biggest waiting room in the world”.

I went to The Meeting with a couple of girlfriends and we all roared with laughter as we watched the hapless hero battling to overcome the obstacles that were thrown in his way by a Minister ’s ditzy receptionist.

For those of us who have had personal experience of

the Abuja public sector scene, the whole thing was horribly authentic and yet immensely entertaining.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 DEREGULATION, Vice President Namadi Sambo said, was so critical to the survival of the economy, that there was no alternative to it. These arguments have been on for decades. For its proponents, deregulation means abdication of government’s responsibilities to its people.

Is government concerned about deregulation without considering Section 14 (2b) of the Constitution which states, “The security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government?” Is deregulation to benefit or behead the people?

Deregulation – in Nigeria – means higher prices of the most essential commodities, more unemployment, more uncertainties, with winners of bids for public companies failing to meet their obligations.

Government’s biggest point for deregulation is the corruption in government business. With friends of government as main beneficiaries of the corruption, government treats the pillaging of our national resources with feeble gloves.

Scandals around the dispersal of billions of Naira to friends of government as fuel subsidy, are enough to have sent some

No Deregulation, No Nigeria ministers out of government long ago.

Government’s attitude to the thievery that went on and its expectations that Nigerians would applaud belated efforts to retrieve mere fractions of the stolen money, all expose the pomposity of government officials and their indifference to wasting of national resources.

She gloats over a forensic audit that uncovered N232 billion subsidy fraud without disclosing cost of hiring forensic examiners and disruptions to the economy.

“We took between 15 and 20 forensic examiners from PriceWaterHouse and Central Bank of Nigeria. Last week, the work was submitted to Mr. President. They have determined N232 billion as claims that were substantiated to be fraudulent. We have fired

auditors who were not doing their jobs and we are putting in new ones with very strong letters of reference,” she told the National Economic Summit Group.

If the Ministry of Finance was not hindsighted, would it not have been able to present the fraud? Is firing auditors that enhanced the fraud adequate punishment for a criminal offence?

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala heads the group that makes impervious arguments for deregulation using the failings of the fuel subsidy regime as a major arsenal. What they fail to admit is that while they are busy posturing, ordinary criminals corner Nigeria’s resources. When they are caught, government hands them minimal punishments, if any, while still lamenting that only deregulation can free resources to run Nigeria.

The basis of the ‘no deregulation, no Nigeria’ argument is flawed because government’s interest is mainly in dodging its responsibilities of making “the security and welfare of the people the primary purpose of government.”

Deregulation pursued with the current manner that neglects the people, is constitutional.

OPINION

BY JOHNSON OGUNDE

I

N his 2013 budget speech proposal to the National Assembly three weeks ago, President Goodluck Jonathan had set $75 as the upper limit benchmark for oil price.

The House of Representatives is pushing for $80.

The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had, in defense of the government position, said the $75 oil benchmark “is based on moving averages of the world oil price and government’s simulations allowing for uncertainty in world oil price movements”. She said this was a “standard technique commonly used by commodity-dependent countries to protect them against the volatilities of oil” and in that respect “$75/barrel price represents an upper limit from our model, if Nigeria is to maintain a stable macroeconomic environment for next year.”

The rationale for government position is obvious. A modest oil price benchmark is a vote for more diversification of revenue sources, less dependence on oil, development of other sectors and reduction in government spending, especially its recurrent expenditure. And government seemed to be showing its intentions when President Goodluck Jonathan presented an appropriation bill of N4.9 trillion for 2013, compared with N4.697 trillion in 2012. The share of the recurrent spending in aggregate expenditure in the 2013 budget estimate was reduced from 71.47 per cent in 2012 to 68.7 per cent, while capital expenditure as a

Oil, water and budget 2013 share of aggregate spending was also increased from 28.53 per cent in 2012 to 31.3 per cent in 2013.

But a lower oil price benchmark is also a matter of economic survival. The US Wall Street Journal recently published a sober report on the Nigeria oil situation.

According to the report, Nigeria may soon be looking for new buyers for its light, sweet crude as American demand tumbles. The report said: “Changes in the destination of Nigerian crude, which contributes roughly 95 per cent of the country’s export earnings, could shift the commodity’s pricing. And it could have a knock-on effect on Brent crude, the benchmark against which a majority of the world’s oil is valued.

“Another problem for Nigeria is that as refineries across the globe become more advanced, they are able to take heavier, sour grades of crude, which are generally cheaper, and refine them into high-end products. This has lessened demand for the lighter, sweet grades that Nigeria produces.”

The 2008 experience where oil prices fell almost overnight from $147 per barrel to $38 per barrel is a sad reminder. This threat of oil price volatility remains constant and underscores the need to rely on a robust and prudent methodology to estimate the benchmark price.

Some other watchers of the economy have expressed similar fears. Mr Razia Khan, the Regional Head of Research of Standard Chartered Bank was reported to have

expressed concern to a national newspaper over the position of the lower house. “Of greater concern is the suggestion that there might be an attempt by the House to raise this to USD 80/bbl. In our view, given global risks, and Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and export dependency on a single commodity, the priority for Nigeria should be increasing its rate of savings,” Mr Khan said.

“Were oil prices to fall, Nigeria would currently be left very vulnerable, with no sound mechanism for being able to smooth spending, let alone provide a countercyclical boost to the economy. The Sovereign Wealth Fund, while encouraging, is not yet sizeable enough to create a sound buffer against external shocks. There is, therefore, a need for much more fiscal conservatism, and the signals from the House are a considerable concern.”

K

han further noted that the fall in the share of recurrent spending to 68.7 per cent of the budget, from 71.47 per cent “is a step in the right direction and indicative of the authorities’ desire to gradually boost the share of capital expenditure. It is especially encouraging to see the funds earmarked for agriculture, as this could be a game changer for Nigeria.”

Khan is not alone in his position. Mr. Bismark Rewane, head of the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, FDA, was recently quoted as saying: “as an economist, I think it is still high at $78. Why

is it a problem for them (the legislature) to reduce it? If there is a 25 per cent decline in international oil price, there will be problem. To be on a safe side, it is necessary to adopt $75 rather than the $80.”

Question now is, why is the Lower House insisting on a higher benchmark? And how did they arrive at the $80 mark? Like the housewife in the pure water parable, the lower house is relying on an escalation of the Middle East crisis to keep oil prices at an unsustainable high. Thus, the $80 suggestion from the House of Representatives is not based on verifiable, actual data or fundamentals. It is overly optimistic and ignores possible reduction in global oil demand, due to recession in the Eurozone, low growth in the US, and economic slowdown in the China and India.

The legislature may also be secretly banking on a supposed excess liquidity that would sweep the economy if their $80 proposal carried the day. There would be more money for the government to throw around. An uncontrolled increase in liquidity will however be harmful to sound macroeconomic forecasts. Inflation rates would certainly rise significantly. The exchange rate would come under severe pressure, leading to a depreciation of the Naira. High inflation would result in higher interest rates. A combination of high inflation, interest rate and an unstable exchange rate is bad for economic planning, both for the government and for private

•Mr. Ogunde, a banker, wrote from Ilorin , Kwara State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 19

,

By Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

T

HE process of finding this book to buy and to read and write this review is worth narrating. I came back to Jo’burg from Lagos and later in the day went to the Exclusive Books to get a new book on the corrupt empire of Brett Kebble, a corruption so sophisticated and so “ ramificated” that the South African authorities are not even bothering to investigate any of its branches, never mind the main frame of it. Tells you how far South Africa has gone in that direction compared with the easily understood chop-chop corruption of Nigeria. But let’s leave that for another day. Besides the book, I also picked up a copy of the current issue of The Economist November 23 to November 30.

I couldn’t have found a copy in Akure where I was in Nigeria. One of the books reviewed in its book section is the title listed above by our present Minister of Finance. I went to the Kindle Store and there it was. I bought and downloaded a copy and I have just finished reading it.

I cannot thank Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala enough for her book. First of all, it told me that it is not true that those in power do not know the problems of the country. People like Dr. Okonjo -Iweala do know and try to do something about them. Many in power do know but because they benefit from the continuation of the problems, they would rather not have the problems solved.

Second of all, the book

,

documents Dr. Okonjo Iweala’s struggle to do what she had been invited to do and finally resigning in 2006. Hear her: “I resigned because the principles of transparency, openness, and trust that had guided my work in government no longer seemed to obtain and I felt I could not deliver on any important reform agenda in that environment.” Third and last of all, it is possible to reform the unreformable, in spite of the risks of failure and personal security.

B

etween 2003 and 2006 Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and her Economic Team achieved the historic debt write off from the Paris Club of Lenders. They

Tribute to the benefactor of the poor — Abubakar Olusola Saraki

BY BEN OBI “Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.” – A. Sachs

D

R ABUBAKAR Olusola Saraki (Waziri Ilorin), a university of London medical doctor graduate was an epitome of selflessness commitment characterized by democratic zeal. He was mistaken to have ventured into politics by accident but it was instinctive. He was so predetermined by nature, going by the enormous success and many lives he touched in his life of politics than in the field of medicine.

The nation has certainly lost a great political gladiator and in fact, it is presumably the end of an effective old brigade political era. His capacity to awaken joy and a sense of serenity in others, often at the expense of his own was a marvel to watch. A life governed by selflessness and a high moral rectitude carried out with unparalleled enthusiasm and optimism that proclaimed that life was worth living for.

When I reflect on my long period of direct involvement in the Saraki dynasty in both business and politics, I feel sad to miss a father figure, a visionary leader, a detribalized Nigerian politician, disciplined, sagacious and honest business mogul. I feel sad to miss a leader acclaimed even by his foes as a man with uncommon spirit of true charity. Oloye was a benevolent leader and politician, he ensured that many, though not from his immediate family, became governors, members of National and State Assemblies, as his name was enough ticket to any political post.

In the Second Republic (1979 - 1983), C M Y K

many colleagues of his in both Houses of the National Assembly enjoyed his large heartedness when he took care of their medical bills and in some cases took a number of them on vacation, this was across party lines. He repeated the same gesture to many members of the Constitutional Conference in the Abacha era where he acted as the facilitator.

He was truly a man of the people, a grassroots politician admired by big and small in his hometown and countryside.

He was a source of inspiration to political practitioners and politicians across party lines. Indeed, for many years, Oloye remained the only leader who could boast of delivering his state on time in any election without suspicion, debate or argument. This, he achieved, because his people always believe in him and he never failed them.

I recall several meetings with political leaders across the country regarding the certainty of our political success and fortune in any forthcoming elections; it was always a consensus among us all whenever Oloye was in such a meeting that we had Kwara State in the kitty for a take-off. That

The late Dr. Olusola Saraki

,

Book review: REFORMING THE UNREFORMABLE: Lessons from Nigeria

This is a book to be read by every Nigerian; it is a book that should be recommended to every young man and young woman who asks where do we begin the process of reforming Nigeria

stabilized the macro-economy of Nigeria by delinking the price of petrol from the funding of the Nigerian budget. They began the difficult task of getting corruption out of the system of governance in Nigeria. These efforts led to the debt forgiveness from the Paris Club and helped Nigeria to show some improvement in international measures used to measure corruption, business friendliness and World Bank Doing Business report.

Against these successes are the spectacular failures of the unreformable Nigerian Customs Service, the reformresistant Civil Service and discontinuation of Structural Reforms into the governments that followed that of President Olusegun Obasanjo. These failures have begun to tell on the international indices once more.

The reasons for these failures are important, especially since Dr. Okonjo -Iweala has allowed herself to be persuaded once more to come back as Finance Minister. The most important reason is that she confesses that she and her team did not do a thorough enough analysis of politics and the political economy of reforms. As the elections of early 2007 approached, President Olusegun Obasanjo withdrew his previous support of the team, especially since he had achieved the forgiveness of debt that he wanted Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to perform. She as leader of the

Alas! – Nigeria has lost a master political tactician, a benevolent capitalist, and grassroots leader, benefactor of the downtrodden and generational strongman of Kwara politics

was vintage Oloye.

O

,

loye was always giving without counting cost, being able to fight for others and not heed his own hurt; labouring and toiling without asking for any reward.

He was a staunch advocate of adherence to rule of law, transparency and good governance. In fact, nothing captures more precisely his spirit of resilience and doggedness than first stanza in Maya Angelo’s poem “Still I Rise”. It reads as follows: “You may write down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trot me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise”.

My experience with him during 1992 electioneering season under the Social Democratic Party, SDP, gave credence to the claim when he said: ”I am a medical practitioner but by accident, I found myself in politics and I don’t regret it in the sense that I am satisfied that I am doing what I like. I am happy with it even though the road has been very rugged and rough. But if you are honest and sincere, and this is what has happened to me, you will feel fulfilled.”

In 1998, when we founded the All Peoples Party, APP, in which Oloye was a major financier, the late Senator Mahmoud

team was removed and moved into foreign affairs. The second reason is that there was an inadequate analysis of the losers and the winners in the reform process and failure to use the winners to pressure the losers to give up their opposition to the reforms. A third reason is the governors of the states who opposed specific policy products that would help the reform process and the failure of the team to bring them on board to support the reform process.

This is a book to be read by every Nigerian. It is a book that should be translated into Nigerian languages. It is a book that should be recommended to every young man and young woman who asks where do we begin the process of reforming Nigeria.

As many publishers as possible in Nigeria should make this book available to Nigerians. This is a book whose reading would lead the reader to ask why has Dr. Okonjo-Iweala come back?

Things might not be as bad as when she began the reforms in 2003 but they are bad enough and her reforms have not, as she says, fundamentally transformed the Nigerian Economy. It is not creating jobs enough to absorb the youth. The reform agenda is unfinished. Every sphere of Nigerian economy needs immediate attention: infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and housing, services. . . Can Dr. Okonjo-Iweala finish what she began?

Waziri was the National Chairman and my humble self the National Secretary, we flowed easily with Oloye in terms of providing resources for the party since the three of us were shareholders and directors of Societe Generale Bank. As time went by, in preparation for primaries of our party to produce the party ’s presidential candidate, there was a conspiracy by some former military leaders who successfully infiltrated members of APP leadership, including, unfortunately the Chairman which led to them to successfully denying Oloye from picking the nomination form, talk less of contesting the primaries. That was the first time I noticed Oloye being politically disturbed and unsettled.

However, he soon regained his fighting spirit and went ahead to mobilise support for the emergence of the first set of nine governors of the All Peoples Party.

However, as a good man heaven rewarded him before he left the stage of Kwara politics leaving a strong political legacy with a son as two-time Governor in the State and now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the younger sister had served as member House of Representatives and a Senator, respectively.

Alas! – Nigeria has lost a master political tactician, a benevolent capitalist, and grassroots leader, benefactor of the downtrodden and generational strongman of Kwara politics. Oloye, will live in the hearts of many for his good deeds to humanity and legacies he left behind.

To the family, we can only say that there cannot be enough words to comfort you in this great loss of yours. Your loss is our loss, too. Kindly allow this hero and a people’s man to go to his last resting place in peace and tranquillity. He has seen more of the world because he stood on the shoulders of democrats and republicans, yet he himself, is ironically, an advocate of justice and equity.

Adieu Oloye. May your soul rest in peace. *Dr. Obi is SA Inter -party affairs to President Jonathan.

20—Vanguard , FRIDAY FRIDAY,, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Debate of the masses

Revenge of Okada riders

BY EBELE ORAKPO

*Mr. Yaune Okorji...stabbed to death by wife

*Judith...the accused

Love gone sour: Immigration officer stabbed to death by wife

BY PETER OKUTU, Abakaliki

I

T was a sad story of love gone sour. Indeed it came as a big shock to residents of No. 8 Eze Street, off Okposi Street, Nkaliki, Abakaliki when they woke up to discover that their neighbour, Mr. Yaune Okorji, an Assistant Immigration Officer attached to Ebonyi State headquarters of the command, had lost his life because of a marital squabble which had lasted for quite some time.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that the deceased and his embittered wife, Mrs. Judith Okorji have been having serious marital crisis, leading to accusation and counter-accusation over issues bordering on infidelity and that several attempts made by

The wife grabbed a knife very close to her and stabbed him on the upper part of his left hand and it pierced through his chest and the man fell down, with blood gushing out from the stab wound

,

,

senior immigration officers to reconcile them yielded little or no success.

The quarrel reached a tragic climax on the fateful day when the deceased accused his wife of sleeping with another man in a hotel. According to sources, the immigration officer who hailed from Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, the same community with his wife, was stabbed to death around 1:00am after a fight with Judith got out of hand.

An eye witness who did not want her name mentioned stated that when Mr. Okorji returned late to the house on the fateful day, his wife who was already angry because of the husband’s excessive consumption of alcohol started interrogating him, thereby leading to a quarrel.

She said: “It was then that the wife out of annoyance grabbed a knife very close to her and stabbed him on the upper part of his left hand and it pierced through his chest and the man fell down, with blood gushing out from the stab wound.

Neighbours who were attracted to the scene by shouts for help, grabbed him and put him on a moC M Y K

torcycle and rushed him to the Federal Teaching Hospital. Unfortunately, he died on the way to the hospital”. An unconfirmed source told VM that some angry relatives of Mr. Okorji had responded to the incident by burning down the residences of the suspect’s (Mrs. Okorji) relatives in River State. Consequently, serious tension is said to be building up in the hometown of the couple.

Confirming the incident, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Sylvester Igbo, told newsmen that Mrs. Judith Okorji, the 24-year-old accused, had been arrested by the command for allegedly stabbing her husband to death after a quarrel bordering on infidelity.

The incident, since it occurred last Sunday, have generated lots of insinuations as bewildered neighbours in the area were seen discussing the matter in small groups. Igbo said: “When the matter was reported, the police went to the scene and she was arrested. In the course of the investigation, she made confessional statement to the police. The Police discovered that she used the dagger belonging to the husband to stab him when they were quarrelling.

It was alleged that the woman was accused of infidelity by the husband. The deceased was a staff of Immigration here in the state from Ahoda East in River State. They were living as husband and wife before the incident”.

According to him, investigation so far conducted by the police on the matter indicated that the accused, a nursing mother, who already had three children for the man, might have been provoked to carry out the act after the husband accused her of infidelity.

The Police spokesman revealed that the accused, who is a law student of the Nigeria Open University, had admitted to committing the crime but blamed it on the devil.

VM gathered that Judith who was in police custody, was later charged to court and remanded in prison custody for further investigation as the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, FETHA, for autopsy. Also, the children of the deceased are said to be in custody of one Mrs. Eddy, a friend to the accused, for their up keep following the unfortunate episode.

“I swear, one of these days, former okada riders will start going to the houses of policemen to kill them.

This is getting too much.

How can you be hounding people with so much viciousness?” commented Taiwo this Saturday afternoon as he watched about six policemen jump down from their patrol van and swooped on one okada rider along a street that cannot be described as a major road.

“Honestly, it is getting to that point. They have pushed these people to the wall. And when you push someone to the wall, he is ready to die fighting. These are men with families for God’s sake! Don’t we have human sympathy?” asked Iyke.

“In Nigeria? No! Those in power are so selfish that they only care about themselves. They make laws to favour them not giving a hoot what it will do to those they are supposed to be governing,” replied Jimoh.

Important examination Narrated Innocent: “A friend of mine who is an okada rider came to my house yesterday afternoon lamenting that he had not eaten since morning. As we weretalking,hisphonerang and it was his son asking for N7,500 to pay for an important examination. He told the boy he didn’t have the money since he has not been working. What broke my heart was when the boy asked him, ‘so Daddy, I should not write the exam?’

It was so touching. I wish I had the money to give him.

It’s like putting the boy’s life on hold because of one thoughtless policy by government.”

“The policy is in order but like I keep saying alternatives are never made to cushion the effect of the policy on the people,” said Iyabo.

“Have you noticed that there has been an increase in armed robbery cases in the past few weeks?” asked Iyke.

“Exactly! And most of the robberies now are carried out during the day, no more at night. A friend told me how four well-dressed guys parked close to her shop, walked into some shops and offices, dispossessing people of their goods. This was around 11.00 in the morning. They had their guns and were not in a hurry,” said Charity “What annoys me in all of this is the sheer injustice. I hear some policemen arrest these okada riders, dispossess them of their motorcycles and take them home as loot. Sometimes, they sell them off at a ridiculously low price like N20,000, something the owner must have purchased at N150,000. It’s not just fair,” said Iyke.’

“And the government is doing nothing?” asked Charity, to which Jimoh replied thus: “Government to do what? Is it not the same government that sent them to arrest these okada riders?”

“Yes, but they are overstepping their bounds.

They were not asked to seize and sell the motorcycles or beat up the owners,” said Taiwo.

“There are so many things that God will judge on the last day,” soliloquized Ijeoma.

“Judgment will start now.

So many families have lost their means of livelihood.

They are hungry and a hungry man is an angry man, and I may add that an angry man is a very dangerous person to live with. One of these days, you will hear that policemen are being hacked down left, right and centre and you will be wondering what is going on. They will surely reap the fruit of their labour. I heard that one policeman got three motorcycles as his own share of the booty. He will probably sell them or take them to his village and use them for transportation business.”

“The other day, I saw two Hausa okada riders along the Mile-Two-Badagry road, their daggers were conspicuous in their pockets.

They said they were ready to stab any law enforcement officer that disturbs them.

That is how bad it is!” noted Ade.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 21

FG partners Switzerland, GIABA in tackling money laundering, terrorism financing

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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FROM LEFT, Senior Research Fellow, Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Seungkon Oh; Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins; Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Ibrahim Umaru and former Managing Director, NDIC, Mr. Ganiyu Ogunleye during the International Association of Deposit Insurers African Regional Committee Workshop hosted by NDIC, in Lagos.

NESG urges FG to fast-track implementation of Oronsaye report T

Advisory, made this known in a “summit-summary ” presented at the end of the threeday summit.

In August, the Oronsaye-led presidential committee recommended the reduction of statutory agencies of government from 263 to 161, abolition of 32 government agencies and merger of 53 others.

President Goodluck Jonathan, thereafter, set up a committee led by the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the recommendations of

HE Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has called on the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of Stephen Oronsaye-led committee on the reforms of government agencies.

Mr. Kyar Bukar, Co-chairman, Joint Planning Committee of the 18th summit of NESG and Mr Lanre Akinbo, the Managing Director, Wizer

139.25

1.9

2,490.00

-1.00

19.5

0.06

109.27

-0.57

88.16

-0.34

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

154.76 249.3803 202.4106 166.6236 1.8832 0.2899 237.5499 24.8581 41.266 27.1323 238.3149

155.26 250.186 203.0646 167.1619 1.8893 0.2999 238.3174 24.9389 41.3994 27.22 239.0849

SELLING 155.76 250.9917 203.7185 167.7003 1.8954 0.3099 239.0849 25.0197 41.5327 27.3076 239.8548

CBN Exchange rate as at 06/12/2012

the report and issue a white paper. In apparent response to the committee’s recommendation, Akinbo described the current cost and size of government as not sustainable at all three tiers of government.

He said that the imbalance between recurrent and capital expenditure was “a drag on economic growth and does not create jobs”. According to him, the Nigeria Economy Summit Group (NESG) recommended that capital expenditure should be redefined as longterm development capital as opposed to fixed assets. He

said that the group, made up of leading private sector players in the Nigeria, would want to see a “50-50 target relationship” between capital and recurrent expenditure.

On deregulation, the group acknowledged the Federal Government efforts at implementing the roadmap for power sector reform.

Bukar, however, called on the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Federal Government to conclude all outstanding negotiations with Labour on the power sector reform.

HE Federal Government of Nigeria is set to partner with the Government of Switzerland, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF), in tackling the scourges of money laundering (ML) and Terrorist Financing (TF) in the West Africa and some of the Maghreb States.

According to a statement by GIABA, the Federal Government and the others will be partnering in the fight against ML/TF by sensitising and raising the awareness of legal, financial and law enforcement officers in West Africa and some Maghreb States on the evils of both crimes.

To this end, GIABA said cooperation among border management agencies and relevant authorities in the combating of ML/TF, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) responsibilities of nonbank financial institutions, and AML/CFT measures targeting cash-based economies and informal routes for money transfer will be the focus of a 3-day training workshop on AML/CFT next week in Abuja.

The statement noted that the training is expected to enable participants gain practical understanding of the complexities of AML/CFT and the implementation of international AML/CFT standards in order to tackle these threats effectively.

ICT contributes 5.7% to GDP in 3rd quarter of 2012 —Minister

M

INISTER of Communication T e c h n o l o g y Mrs Omobola Johnson, said the ICT sector contributed about 5.7 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2012.

Johnson made this known at a Forum on Emerging Leaders and the State of the Nation at the 18th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja on Wednesday.

She said the sector was the fourth largest contributor to GDP in the third quarter of 2012 and was growing at about 29 per cent, faster than any other

sector of the economy. The sector contributed 5.46 per cent to GDP in 2010 and 2011, making it the fastest growing sector of the economy.

Official statistics attributed the growth to mobile network operators, device sales and distribution, value added services, equipment sales and distribution as well as software sales and distribution. Johnson expressed delight that young persons in Nigeria were driving innovation and creating businesses in the sector.

She said that the ICT sector was the next most prominent after the agricultural adding that

the ICT sector accounted for 11 per cent of the grants issued to emerging entrepreneurs under the YOUWIN programme.

According to her, many young Nigerians have realised that the sector provides one of the best opportunities to become an entrepreneur and make money.

“Skills are much easier to acquire by young people and it does not require huge capital, compared with other businesses. India is an example where ICT employs 2.5 million professionals and contributes 6.4 per of GDP, which is about 100 billion dollars for India”, she said.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina (left) and FirstBank’s Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking, Mr. Kehinde Lawanson at the just concluded Nigerian Economic Summit, in Abuja.

Omatek targets increased shareholders’ value via product innovation

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

MATEK Ventures Plc has shown its determination to continuously deliver improved returns to its shareholders with addition of another product Day/Night Solar Power Solution - to its array of products.

The new product is a 24-hour lighting solution that allows consumers to combine the benefits of the solar system and those of the LED technology to proffer solutions that reduce energy consumption considerably while saving costs by 60 to 85 percent.

It also offers benefit of solar hybrid alternative power

solutions with the use of LED bulbs together with street lights and alternative power solution using solar and LED technology.

The company explained that use of the solar/LED solution can result in significant operational and maintenance cost savings for schools, public offices, hospitals, hotels, street lighting implementation, rural electrification and rural water system.

Speaking at the launch of the product and facility tour of its new factory, situated in Oregun, Lagos State, Omatek’s Managing

Director, Engr. Florence Seriki, said that it is expected that both the revenue and profit accruing to shareholders would significantly improve going forward.

Seriki affirmed that increased activity would also be witnessed on the share price as investors begin to feel the impact of its several innovations on the company’s operation.

She said, “With what we have done today, you will begin to see both the share price of the company, the value and turnover moving skyward; that is basically what we are talking about here. The

bottomline is that we are back to production and we are expecting billions of naira to start coming in on year-toyear basis.

“We started operation on a leased property, but now that we have fully settled in our own property, business has as well started and we know that the future is bright and promising for all our stakeholders.”

“We will take time to enlighten stockbrokers on some of the things we are doing and the new things Omatek has in stock for shareholders, so that they can educate them accordingly,” she added.

She explained that the new factory, which houses about six bays, would also add to the company’s profitability by the time the whole bays are put to full use, saying that with the number of bays, shareholders can be sure of better future and return on their investments.

Going down the memory lane, Seriki said that as a strategy designed to enable the company maintain the high quality of its products and meet up with the minimum order quantity requirement from the first class manufacturers of computer components, it embarked on the first of a series of repositioning in 2008 by raising the required capital through Private Placement and subsequently got listed on the stock market, thus making Omatek the first Computer company to be so listed in Nigeria.

“It is on record that Omatek is one of the few companies with accelerated entrance into the stock market, considering the short period between the private placement and the actual listing,” she added.

Manipulations: NSE to launch whistle blowing scheme in 2013

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

N a bid to curtail increasing rate of frauds in the stock market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has disclosed plans to launch a whistle blowing scheme before the end of 2013.

This came even as the Exchange said that the compliance level of stockbrokers to existing rules has risen to 93 percent from the initial 65 percent when it began publication of names of errant member firms in January this year.

Making the disclosure at the X-Compliance and Brokers Trak training for capital market correspondents at the NSE,

Abimbola Babalola, Head, Market Surveillance Department, said that the NSE will ensure full protection of anybody that would assist it with information that would help in tracking perpetrators of unwholesome practices in the market, especially strange movement on share prices of quoted companies.

To this end, Babalola said that the whistle blowing portal, which would be developed for the purpose of tracking abuses on share prices, would be created in such a way that whistle blower’s detail like phone number and email addresses will not be

requested before they are allowed to register their complaint.

“As at now, we are not concerned about reward for whistle blowers; what we are interested in is how to protect them so that they are not harmed. In a place like Nigeria, if you make known the identity of whistle blower, I tell you, the person will not last the next 24 hours.

“So, what we are doing is that we want to design the portal in such a way that whistle blower can give us information without identifying either his email address or telephone number.

This is to protect the whistle blower,” he said.

He said that the NSE would partner financial journalists in the area of information gathering as soon as the portal is launched.

On the compliance level of stockbrokers, Olufemi Shobanjo, Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, said that the knowledge that delinquent stockbrokers would be named and shamed has put members on their toes, while also increasing competition among them.

He further stated that Brokers Trak has equally put stockbrokers under pressure to ensure timely submission of their audited financial statement in order to stay ahead of others and beat competition.

VETIVA to list first Equity Based ETF on NSE BYCHINEDU IBEABUCHI

V

ETIVA Fund Managers Limited (“Vetiva”) has announced plans to launch the VNSE 30 Index Securities, an Exchange Traded Fund (“ETF”) based on the NSE 30 Index (an index of the most capitalised and liquid stocks listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange).

The Fund when listed, will be the first equity-based ETF to be listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange following the listing of the Newgold Exchange Traded Fund (a commodity based ETF) in 2011 (in which Vetiva Securities acted as Sponsoring Broker).

Following the Completion Board Meeting in respect of an offer for subscription for the Fund, the Managing Director of Vetiva Fund Managers Limited, Fund Manager to the ETF, Mr. Damilola Ajayi, commented that the VNSE 30 Index Securities represents a convenient investment vehicle for exposure to the Nigerian Equities Market via a single security.

Honeywell enhances bakers’ capacity

I

N its commitment to enhance flour use and bakery capacity in the country, Honeywell Flourmills Plc over the weekend graduated 14 bakers from its baking school.

The graduation ceremonies, held at the company’s Apapa mill, marks the 20th certification ceremony of the school, which has so far trained over 270 master bakers in 20 Regular Courses and one Executive Course since it became fully operational in 2006.

The school was established, according to Honeywell’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Folaranmi Babatunde Odunayo, as part of the Honeywell Group’s overall commitment to the production of the highest quality flourbased foods, to produce well trained and professional bakers who are exposed to the latest baking techniques and are committed to the highest quality, and to increase brand loyalty by exposing bakers to Honeywell’s finest flour products.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 —23

S&P rates GTBank BB- stable

By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

S

TANDARD & Poor’s Ratings Services has rated Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBANK) Plc BB- with outlook stable.

S & P said the outlook on GTBANK reflects the stable economic environment, noting that the bank’s business and financial profiles will remain relatively unchanged over the next 12 months.

“In our view, the positive economic prospects in Nigeria will further support GTB’s business relationships and earnings capacity. We anticipate that GTB’s capitalization will increase slightly over the next 12-18 months owing to a strong earning capacity coming from high margins and low cost of risk. We also assume that GTB will maintain its stable funding and liquidity profile.

“We would raise the ratings on GTB if the bank’s sector and single-name concentrations were to reduce, as well as if its cost of risk becomes significantly lower than sector peers. An upgrade would also require the long-term foreign currency sovereign ratings to be raised.

“We could lower the ratings on GTB if its financial profile were to deteriorate significantly.

Although unlikely, this could follow a sharp deterioration of asset quality or a change in risk appetite.

A sovereign downgrade would trigger a downgrade of the bank,” the rating agency said.

Highlighting the bank’s strength, S & P disclosed that GTB has a strong franchise in top-tier corporate banking in Nigeria; capitalisation supported by strong earnings capacity; diversified funding sources and strong liquidity indicators.

Meanwhile, high diversification and lending concentration in loan portfolio are the bank’s weaknesses economic and industry risk associated with operating in Nigeria, limited geographic and business, S & P said.

GTB’s rating came barely a week that the rating agency rated Zenith Bank Plc BB- with outlook stable also.

It said Zenith Bank, a leading top-tier bank, has strengths in its strong revenue growth, supporting adequate capitalisation; a strong risk position underpinned by Zenith’s prudent underwriting standards and moderate loan growth target; as well as has stable core deposit base with strong liquidity indicators.

Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; winner, UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in Nigeria 2012, Master Ugwuegbulam Ikenna; Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ms Ijeoma Aso; and Director, UBA Pensions and Managing Director, Financial Derivates Company Ltd, Mr. Bismark Rewane, at the grand finale and prize giving ceremony, in Lagos.

Religious bodies, NGOs must pay tax for trading subsidiaries — FRC …Unveils reporting standards for nonprofit organisation

BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

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ONTRARY to agitations that religious bodies should be exempted from taxation, the Financial Reporting Council said that religious bodies and not-for-profit organisations are liable to pay tax for their trading subsidiaries only.

A trading subsidiary is a profit making venture established by a not-for-profit organisation to meet obligations other than what is written in its Memorandum of Association as filed with Company and Allied Commission, CAC. Speaking during its presentation of Statement of Accounting Standard, SAS 32 by not-for-profit organisations, Mr. Obazee Osayande, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council disclosed that not-for-profit organisations are expected to key in into the International Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS by January 2013 with a view to ensuring uniformity in the disclosure of accounts for easy accessibility.

He said, “It had been noticed that a number of entities operating on commercial lines, with charity, are claiming exemption on their income on the ground that the totality of the outfits are charitable institutions. The Company and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, provided that you either register as a public limited by guarantee or limited by share. Section 373 of CAMA provides that you prepare account and file report with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“Non- profit organisations are registered as limited guarantee and they do not declare profit. They source their funds from the public, government institutions, etc.

They are not profit oriented. In the course of rendering their services, they might have income shortfall and as such, engage in petty businesses to enable them generate more fund. Such money is not taxable. But some actually engage in businesses - we call them trading subsidiaries. The trading subsidiaries have to be registered as a full business entity. Such business is taxable.

“For instance, donations and contributions to a church are not taxable. If the church collects the contribution, it is expected that it is used to meet the objectives written in its Memorandum of Association as filed with CAC. Notwithstanding, if the church collects the money and invests it in a venture in furtherance of its objectives, it is not taxable.

“But if the church invests in a trading subsidiary that has no relevance to its stated objectives, government will treat the trading subsidiary as a trading entity. The income of these business subsidiaries is subject to income tax and should be rightly so reported, accounted and disclosed. The organisation can then bring in its inflow to support its objectives. This is the practice in the United Kingdom, Singapore and other developed economies.”

NDIC blames poor premium administration on microfinance banks

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, has indicted microfinance banks for the poor assessment in premium administration.

This is contained in the 2011 annual report and statement of account, releases

by NDIC, last week, where the corporation criticised the sub-sector over its inability to correct the previous year’s (2010) shortfalls without proper rectification. “The problem associated with premium administration for the sub-sector as observed in previous years continued in 2011,” NDIC said.

The challenges of premium collection being experienced by the NDIC such as non-payment by some of the institutions, under-payment of the assessed premium and returned cheques also persisted in the year under review, this is heightened

by some of the licensed institutions who failed to render regulatory returns such as call report and certified statement of deposit liabilities to the corporation.

Accordingly, NDIC stated, “premium assessment for some of the affected institutions was made through the use of alternative sources such as returns rendered to CBN. There was a substantial improvement in the amount collected during the year as the annual total premium collection for the Microfinance Banks (MfB) and Primary Mortage Banks (PMBs) stood at over N1billion for the first time.

“Nevertheless, the challenge of external auditors issuing unrealisable certified statement of deposit liabilities also continued in the year in spite of the improvement in the amount of premiums collected.”

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African farm analysts demand answers from UK over DfID funding *Is the UK setting up a poverty trap for African farmers?

By ABDALLAH ELKUREBE with Agency reports

T

HE Africa Centre for Biosafety, ACB supported by Food and Water Europe and the Gaia Foundation, recently wrote to UK Ministers for International Development, Business and Environment, asking for evidence for the basis of UK overseas aid policy.

ACB had recently published a searing critique of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (known as AGRA, supported by a g r i b u s i n e s s multinationals and the Gates Foundation).

The study found that “the scheme was ultimately not about developing lasting solutions to hunger, but imposing a cash economy on African agriculture that would inevitably result in farmers becoming dependent on the multinational corporations profiting from the hardship that would follow.”

According to ACB, “AGRA effectively seeks to institutionalise biopiracy by accessing publicly available genetic resources, patenting or imposing other intellectual property rights on the resulting seeds, and then using these industrial monoculture crops to channel African farmers into focusing on earning enough export cash to buy the privatised seed,” adding, “The AGRA model uses free inputs to develop monopoly control over outputs and expects farmers to pay for seeds they previously shared and traded, and played a major part in developing over thousands of years.”

AGRA’s model creates the foundation for the expansion of biotechnology and synthetic agricultural inputs, a combination that has allegedly proved disastrous in other parts of the world, notably among Indian cotton farmers, whose families are still

suffering from the tens of thousands of suicides that have resulted from the debts incurred.

ACB advised farmers to keep their focus on feeding people, and “experience shows they can best do this by retaining control over their own resources, not permitting profit-driven multinationals to take over and concentrate power away from those doing the work.”

ACB Director, Mariam Mayet said: “We’ve seen this model too many times already, and the outcome isn’t good.

Western economies are suffering hugely from the problems indebtedness causes. If the UK is serious about supporting the small farmers in Africa who are feeding the majority of the people, it needs to explain how handcuffing farmers to debt and an agrochemical treadmill is going to be more effective than low cost, proven approaches of looking after the soil and maintaining seed systems.

“The UK would do far more good if it was honest about the impacts IMF-imposed structural adjustment policy has already had in Africa

and putting them right rather than ramping up the damage. Forcing whole countries into a cycle of providing a g r i c u l t u r a l commodities for others in order to buy inputs to produce yet more exports for the profit of external corporations smacks of recolonisation. It’s a very dangerous game to play.”

Liz Hosken of the Gaia Foundation adds that “African farmers urgently need to regain control over their traditional seed diversity, which enables them to adapt to climate instability and spread their risks,” adding, “AGRA’s strategy, a legacy of the so-called “Green Revolution”, creates farmer dependence on a few corporate-controlled seeds and agrochemicals, which fail to meet farmers’ diverse nutritional and a g r i c u l t u r a l requirements. There is nothing ‘green’ about this approach.

Concentrating power over Africa’s food supply in the hands of a few corporations defies all logic.”

Fashola seeks PP partnership in agric, agro allied production

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged the private sector in agriculture to partner with the state government in other to further exploit opportunities in the sector in the interest of the ever increasing population of people in the state.

Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, while receiving the management team of the Stallion Group led by the Managing Director, Mr. Harpreet Singh, who paid him a courtesy visit on Monday, stressed that aside addressing the food security of the state, his administration aimed at opening up the value chain for participation

and opportunities in the sector.

He said investment in agriculture was not only about growing food but must now include food processing, packaging, merchandizing and a possible commodities exchange.

The governor, who said his administration had deployed financial resources, time and personnel to agriculture in the last few years, told his guests: ”It is not about growing food alone, it must now be about food processing, about food packaging, about merchandizing and we are looking also at the possibilities of commodities exchange within this area of Nigeria and possibly about mercantile exchange.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 29

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 , 2012—31

Iyanya dumps Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson?

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

J

UST when many thought Ghanian actress, Yvonne has finally found love, the four-letterword has eluded her again.

The heart broken actress spat vented venoms on Twitter, when she kept tweeting heart-breaking words, an indication that someone very dear to her may have left her with a bleeding heart.

And going by the unfolding scenerio, all hands are pointing at Kukere crooner as the play boy responsible for her pensive mood.

WG investigation revealed that Iyanya’s four months relationship with the pretty actress has ended abruptly.

The two may have parted ways after Yvonne allegedly found out that Iyanya was also seeing another actress, Tonto Dikeh.

However, it would be recalled that the relationship between Iyanya and Yvonne started six months ago.But squealers confirmed that it ended just a week ago.

WG also learnt that Iyanya and Tonto have been friends for sometime,but only started getting close to each other in the last couple of w e e k s .

Yvonne’s tweeted; you lost the love I loved the most...ooo I almost forgot...don’t come back! The cheating story ends here...kisses. Peeps like him give love a bad name...clapping well done!

Revelations...sat down in shock but had this smile on my face...the truth sure was unbelievable...hello real man!

He was acting along in the relationship and guess what??? I’m the actress and I couldn’t tell.

Thought you were the one but I guess all you wanted was to date an actress...there you go, enjoy dating the second actress...movedon player...wink.

Yvonne and Iyanya

Halimat Aitsegame, winner of 2012 Next Movie Star recounts ordeal!

‘My father never wanted me to become an actress’

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

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RETTY and vivacious, Halimat Aitsegame has emerged winner of this year ’s edition of the Next Movie Star.

The fair-skinned, lithe beauty trumped other contestants in the keenly contested reality television show to win for herself a brand new SUV and movie roles in her kitty.

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During the tension-soaked moment when the judges, actress, Bukola Ogunnote and marketing communications expert, Yinka Opadere, called the other finalists, it was pindrop silence in the typically boisterous House. The runners up were the first to be announced; Olajoju Muse, Babatunde Samuel and Chibufue Bridget, each of who would get different prizes. And when Halimat’s

name was announced as the winner, she fell on her knees as torrent of tears cascade through her fragile chicks. It was a moving moment for the 2010 Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Ibadan who confessed that her father never wanted her to study her course of choice, talkless of becoming an actress.

“It has been a very tough battle convincing my dad that acting is my calling. It is what

I am passionate about but he wanted me to study Law, Accountancy or other perceived lucrative courses. I am happy that Next Movie Star has proved me right,” she said amidst tears.

According to her, beyond the prizes that come with her victory, the ultimate victory is in the fact that her dad would now appreciate the seriousness of her chosen career.

Continues on page 32

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Synopsis

‘My father never wanted me to become an actress’

A wish

Continues from page 31

In her verdict, Ogunnote, a renowned actress said, “From the day Halimat entered for auditions we knew she possesses the attitude and aptitude of a successful actress which we thought, she probably acquired in the course of her study. She however proved to us while in the house that she is a complete package, an embodiment of great acting skills and an on screen delight. I am not surprised at all that she won. She deserves it. More importantly, however, all the contestants are winners in their own right because it is not easy earning a spot among the lucky 20 that were chosen from thousands Pan-Nigeria.”

The executive producer of the show, Sola Fajobi said, “I am happy that another edition of the Next Movie Star has ended on a high note. We promised from inception to give young acting talents that might never have the opportunity a platform to achieve their dreams and we have kept our words. Despite the challenges of having to organise this every other year without a sponsor, we are grateful that we are still providing that platform for many young people to attain their full potentials.”

On the new winner, he said, “Hearing her story after she was declared winner brought tears to my eyes, all she has had to do to convince her father that acting is the path she chooses, this is the kind of thing that gives me fulfilment. I am sure the viewers who voted for her did not even know this story of hers, which points to the fact that she is indeed a strong potential for the global movie industry.”

‘A Wish’is a comedy which resolves around a single mother(a petty trader)who never had the opportunity of acquiring good education. Owing to her predicaments, she had One Wish to see her child go to school and explore the opportunities she never had.

But unfortunately, fate struck and her dream turned to a mirage.

She had to struggle to achieve her dreams against all odds, finding out she only has few years to live after being diagnosed of cancer. What became of her and what One Wish did she make?

‘A Wish’ provides answers to these posers.

Producer, Elvis Chuks, the movie starred the likes of Patience Ozokwo a.k.a Mama G, Funke Akindele, Hafiz

Aitsegame who hails from Edo State studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan. She describes herself as a fun loving individual with a passion for acting, dance and singing.

The show debuted in 2004 and has over the years produced popular actors including, Tamara Eteimo, the 2011 winner, Uti Nwachukwu, Tonto Dike, Annie Macaulay, Kevin Chuwang Pam, Karen Igho among others.

al president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and current chairman, Coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (CONGA).

Others were: Robert Caputo, a renowned National Geographic photographer and filmmaker with multiple feature films and Fracco Sacchi, who directs, produces and edits award winning films with focus on economic development.

“The workshops covered core areas in Cinematography, Screenwriting, Post-Production, Directing, Sound, Acting and The Business of Film and Distribution, all taught by leading global film professionals.

Participants were selected through a competitive and transparent application process that considered their experience, skills and willingness to train others in the industry.” While speaking on Nollywood Upgrade and prospects for the Nigerian film industry, Emeruwa disclosed that the empowerment scheme consists of three phases comprehensively designed to bring forth a stronger film industry.

THE TEAM BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com AYO ONIKOYI OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI C M Y K

Oyetoro known as Saka, Helen Paul aka Tatafo, Bishop Imeh and others. The movie hits the Nigerian box office today.

Movie Schedule

Nollywood hails Lagos over workshops N

OLLYWOOD practitioners who partic ipated in the first ever Nollywood Upgrade Training and Workshops sponsored by the Lagos State government has described the organisation of the programme as a veritable boost to the industry.

The project, which kicked off last Monday, at PSSDC Magodo, Lagos, ends today. It was powered through the Innovate Lagos programme.

The multifaceted workshops, in the words of the organizers, would help move the industry forward.

The empowerment project was also aimed at supporting and assisting the Nigerian Film Industry, currently ranked third globally, to withstand immediate challenges being presented by piracy. The laudable initiative was the brainchild of Nollywood Workshops, a global NGO that empowers independent filmmaking through consistent professional training and production.

The Nollywood Workshops team that stormed Nigeria was led by Aimee Corrigan, a film producer, new media strategist and digital educator with MA from Harvard.

Also on the team was, Bond Emeruwa, a prolific Nollywood filmmaker, former nation-

Movie of the week

7th Dec. - 9th Dec

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Hotel Transylvania: 11:15am, 1:10pm, 3:05pm.

Dr Bello : 1;10pm, 5:40pm Premium Rush: 1:40pm, 5:55pm, 10:10pm The Meeting: 3:00pm, 7:30pm Jab TAK Hain Jaan: 4:00pm Twilight Saga: Breaking dawn part2: 11:05am, 6:50pm, 9: 10pm Sparkles: 11:00am, 10:00pm.

Bond23: Skyfall: 1:20pm, 4:20pm, 7:30pm, 11:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Hotel Transylvania: 12:20pm, 2:15pm, 4:10pm.

Dr Bello: 11:35am, 4:05pm, 8:40pm The Meeting: 1;25pm, 6:00pm Bond23: Skyfall: 12:35pm, 3:20pm, 6:05pm, 8:50pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, ABUJA Hotel Transylvania: 11:30am, 1:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:40pm.

Dr Bello: 12;30pm, 2;30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, 8;30pm.

Twilight Saga: Breaking dawnpart2: 12:00pm, 2:20pm, 4:50pm, 7:05pm,9:20pm Sparkles: 12:40pm, 5:05pm, 9:15pm.

Bond23; Skyfall: 11;50am, 2;40pm, 5:50pm, 8;50pm The Meeting: 12:10pm, 2:45pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm.

Premium Rush: 1: 00pm, 3:00pm,5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Premium Rush: 12;10pm, 4:30pm, 8:40pm.

The Meeting: 2:30pm, 6:40pm Sparkle: 2:10pm, 6;20pm.

Bond23:Skyfall: 12;50pm, 3:30pm, 6;10pm, 8:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS PORT HARCOURT Hotel Transylvania : 12:10pm, 2:10pm, 4:10pm, 6:10pm, 8:10pm..

Dr Bello: 12:20pm, 2;20pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm Premium Rush: 11;10am, 1:10pm, 3;20pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm.

The Meeting: 11:50am, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:20pm.

Twilight Saga: Breaking dawn part 2: 12:50pm, 3:10pm, 5:40pm, 8:20pm Sparkles: 12;00pm, 2;30pm, 5:10pm, 7:40pm.

Bond23 Skyfall: 11:10am, 2;00pm, 5;00pm, 7:50pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS UYO Premium Rush: 11:40am, 1:30pm, 3;20pm, 5:10pm, 7:00pm The Meeting: 11:50am, 2:25pm Okon Goes to School: 5:00pm, 7:00pm, Sparkles : 12:15pm, 4:30pm Bond23: Skyfall: 12;50pm, 3:45pm, 6:30pm.

Safe: 2:00pm, 6:35pm.

OZONE CINEMAS LAGOS Hotel Transylvania: 10:00am, 11:55am, 1;50pm, 3:40pm Dr Bello: 2;30pm, 6:50pm, 8:40pm.

Premium Rush: 5:35pm, 7:30pm, 9:25pm The Meeting: 12:00pm, 4:20pm Twilight Saga: Breaking dawnpart2: 1;45pm,4;10pm, 6;35pm, 9:00pm.

Okon goes to school: 10:00pm Sparkles : 1:00pm Step up4 : 10:55am Madagascar 10:00am GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Hotel Transylvania: 10;10am, 12;15pm, 2;20pm, 4:25pm Dr Bello: 1;20pm, 6;20pm, 11:25pm Twilight saga breaking dawn part2: 10::30am, 12:55pm, 3:20pm, 5:45pm, 8:10pm, 11;35pm.

Premium Rush: 12;40pm,5:10pm, 9:40pm Sparkles: 10:10am, 2;4pm, 7:10pm, 11:40pm Bond23:Skyfall: 10;15am, 1;40pm, 4:10pm, 7:05pm, 11:00pm GENESIS CINEMAS PORT HARCOURT Hotel Transylvania: 9:45am, 1;30pm, 3;20pm, 5:10pm Dr Bello: 9:50am, 2;55pm, 7:00pm, 9:20pm.

Twilight Saga: Breaking dawn part2: 9:50am, 2:15pm, 4:30pm, 6;45pm, 9:00pm, 11: 15pm The Meeting: 1;35pm, 9:25pm.

Sparkles: 12:00pm Bond23: Skyfall: 12:10pm, 5;15pm, 8:00pm, 10;45pm.

Safe: 11:35am, 11:40pm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—33

Off-Camera Bevista boss, Benny Obaze remarries

Terry G denies ‘hit and run’ allegation G

ABRIEL ‘Terry G’ Amanyi has reacted to the news making the rounds that he was involved in a hit and run case, saying that no such thing happened.

A statement, the TGP Entertainment boss, said that he wsa indeed present at the Club Royale on that fateful day with his friends and eventually drove his car out of the club premises peacefully when he decided to leave.

‘When it was time for me to leave I was escorted by two bouncers of the club to my car.

Yes, some guys tried to mob me while I was leaving which is normal. I got to my car peacefully and drove out af-

ter couple of snaps (photographs) with my fans’, Terry explains.

Terry says he was disappointed to read online that he had hit someone, a certain Moshood Azeez and that he has not been contacted by the Nigerian Police Force nor invited to their station for questioning.

‘I never received any call from the Police inviting me for a hit and run case. I have no reason to run being Godly or notorious, I am a known face. So, what sense does it make hitting someone and running?’, he queries.

‘I might act crazy but not heartless, only for me to read these stories on blog sites. I

Terr erryy G have been in the country facing my job… freedom of information is not freedom of misinformation. I did not hit anyone and I am not and was not wanted by Nigerian police’, he declared with a note of finality.

Laide Bakare floats record label ALENTED and pretty Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare, has joined the league of music label owners in the country, as she floats her own record label.

The actress who said her decision to set up a label is spurred by the growth of the music industry and that of the entertainment industry generally.

According to her, she is kicking off her journey into the music industry with the launch of her label, Simline Records.

“The label is borne out of my love for music and the art. My interest is solely to help identify, grow and support talented youths”, she said.

P

opular Lagos socialite and men’s clothier, Benny Obaze, who owns Bevista and Revista, has remarried.

Benny who has been single for many years, remarried over the weekend in a classy traditional wedding that held in

Port Harcourt last weekend.

Benny married Lizzy Pirinye Fine country, a successful businesswoman who operates two major businesses in Port Harcourt. She owns Serenissimo luxury Furniture Showroom, and Linnef Event Rentals and Events Management.

Dr. Frabz robbed again!

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

T

Obaze

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

A

s the Yelutide season creeps in, one of Ni geria’s music acts, Dr.Frabz, isfacing hard times, no thanks to men of the underworld. The handsome dude was robbed last Tuesday, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Frabz who posted the sad news alongside picture of his shattered car windscreen on social network, said, the thieves carted away his laptops. And as a result of the theft, Frabz appears downcast.

The singer who was not present as at the time his car was broken into, said, aside his laptops, other valuables, including his house key were stolen.

‘My car was burgled dis morning, my laptops r gone,in

Bakare made her acting debut in 1999 and recently won BON awards for best Costume for her movie Jejere, which featured musician 9ice as a lead actor.

She says the movie and her label will be launched next year and will be tagged ‘The Laide Bakare Experience’.

DR -F rabz DR-F -Frabz lekki phs 1,kai,I’m so sad! So if u come across any macbook pro looking odd like me,plz hola‘, he said on his Twitter page. It would be recalled that on December 29, last year, he was robbed at gunpoint at Ketu while returning from an Industry Nite event.

Silverbird Cinemas berths in Ikeja ...owners eye Yenagoa

I

N their effort to revive the dying cinema culture in Nigeria, owners of the popular Silverbird Cinemas last weekend registered their presence in Ikeja, as they opened a new outlet in the ever busy city. The new outlet located at the Ikeja City Mall (Shoprite) boasts of tasteful five big screening centres with capacities ranging between 102 and 147 seats.

Vice president of the Silverbird Group, Mr. Roy Murray C M Y K

Bruce who spoke with newsmen during of the cinemas said plans are on top gear to set up another outlet in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, come next year.

According to the President of the Silverbird group, Ben Murray Bruce, who arrived the venue late, the new outlet will help them serve their mainland based customers.

This is in addition to the already existing branches of the cinema located in different

parts of Nigeria including Port Harcourt, Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Accra, Ghana.

Meanwhile, some movie buffs, who spoke with WG expressed happiness that the organisation has finally berthed in Ikeja, saying the move would save them the trouble of going to the island to see movie.

Ben Bruce

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

DIS N ‘ DAT With LAJU ARENYEKA

Keeping up with the Kid Stars They sprung up in the 80s and 90s, when Nollywood was just springing up. Take a walk down memory lane as we remember the stars who seized the Nigerian entertainment scene when they were just pitter patters of little feet.

Sharon Ezeamaka She’s starred beside some of the biggest names in the industry. After nearly fifteen years on screen, this Dear Mother star is just getting started. Sharon started out at five years old when she landed a role in the 1997 movie, Narrow Escape. Although she recently took a short break to ‘reinvent herself ’, but promises to be back with a blast pretty soon.

Isosiya Dokubo

Widow.

No doubt, the surname rings a bell before the first name.

But you guessed right. This former child star is the first son of Nollywood starlet, Hilda Dokubo. Isosiya who started acting at about five years old, left the Nollywood scene as a teenager. Now 22, Isosiya is a graduate of Middlesex University, England where he studied Information Technology with Business Information Systems.

Reports say that he also recently bagged a Masters Degree from the same school. During his time as an actor, he featured in more than 20 movies that include Without Love, Angel, Dead End, Burden, Abandon and The

Tosin Jegede Before it became a primary school marching song, the single ‘Parents listen to your children’ was a little girl’s brain child. Tosin Jegede began her music career at four years old in the 1980s, and released three albums. She left the country about sixteen years ago and returned with a degree in Business Decision and Analysis from the University of Bristol, England.

Tosin is now an education advocate

Benita Okojie Although this 24 year old sometimes goes by her middle name, Bisola, to avoid all the attention, she hasn’t had much luck. The little girl who sang Osamudiamen is still very much alive in the hearts of people.

Benita, a graduate of English language from Redeemers University, recently finished her NYSC.

Peter Bunor Jnr This child star, and son of veteran actor, Peter Bunor is hard to find, even on google. Naturally, Peter is not a child anymore but he broke the hearts of thousands of fans when he vanished from the television screens about twelve years ago. Rumour had it that daddy stopped him from acting. But recent quotes from Peter state: “I feel there is a great need for formal education, it’s a very strongly held personal opinion. Hopefully, I’d return to the industry when the right thing pops up.”

Oge Nwuba If you were alive in 1999, you watched After school hours, or at least you heard about it. But you probably won’t recognize Oge Nwuba if you drove past you in her Silver coloured Kia Sportage (oops that car was snatched by robbers recently). But you probably won’t link her to the 1999 movie. After studying law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Oge was called to the bar. However, in 2011, after her own school hours, Oge returned to her first love-Acting.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 35

C M Y K

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com

I

n the growing mobile world, having a beast of a smart device makes you ultimately a wizard. You can just do anything and get away with it.

Device makers are not losing sight of this, either. So in every new device some wizardry is displayed. However, Samsung took it to another level recently when it debuted with Galaxy Note II. The smartphone looks like it can do it all. It’s a mix of smartphone and tablet.

With an improved digital stylus, the device is a powerhouse of productivity.

It spots large HD screen, intuitive and precise S Pen, blazing-fast quad-core processor, 4G capability and long life battery.

Like the Galaxy S III and its predecessor, the Galaxy Note, the device manages to look sleek and slim despite its girth. Side by side, the Note II is relatively larger than the original Samsung Galaxy Note. With its enhanced functionality and new features, the Samsung Galaxy Note II brings together the latest designs and innovations to provide users with a tablet experience in a smartphone.

Galaxy Note II: Tablet experience in a smartphone

Samsung Galaxy Note II

go. Its larger screen allows users to see content clearly and vividly, with much enhanced readability. In addition to the stunning content consumption experiences on a larger screen, users will also be able to accomplish more tasks efficiently and create content freely on-the-go, as the Galaxy Note II comes with a thinner and portable body.

Multitasking The Galaxy Note II takes multi-tasking to a whole new level with a brilliant 5.5" screen and amazingly innovative capabilities. Its Air View feature allows users to hover with the S Pen over an email, S Planner, image gallery, or video to preview the content without having to open it. This feature enables users to quickly search and see more information in one view without screen transitions.

Viewing experience The Galaxy Note II features a 5.5" (140.9mm) HD Super AMOLED screen, providing breathtaking visuals and crystal clear detail. Its 16:9 screen ratio ensures an immersive and enriched cinema-like video viewing experience, perfect for watching HD videos on-the-

Advanced S Pen and S Note The new S Pen is longer, thicker and ergonomically designed for the perfect grip.

Therefore, it provides a more precise, comfortable, and natural writing and drawing

Nokia Lumia 920 & 820

experience.

The S Pen’s advanced features also provide enhanced capabilities to capture ideas and inspirations instantly, and to combine handwriting with any digital content directly on the screen. By simply pressing the dedicated S Pen button, it magically recognizes that the user wants to clip or edit the selected content on the screen. The Easy Clip feature allows users to instantly outline and crop any content on the screen in any shape to save, share or paste. Once done cropping the image, users can freely edit the cropped content through coloring, shading, or their own personal handwriting. It is quick and easy.

e il b o m in e rg la s m o lo Nokia market with LUMIA

I

By GABRIEL AMADIEGWU

n order to satisfy consumers’ desires, Nokia last week, launched what it described as the most innovative smart phone series called the Lumia.

The Lumia series come in two specifications, the Lumia920 and lumia820. Nokia Nigeria is offering consumers the chance to pre-order the devices in MTN stores and also online on MTN Website and secure their units before they hit the shelves early next year.

As a bonus, all pre-bookers will also get to choose from a set of accessories including the DT-900, the cool new wireless charging plate from Nokia, at discounted prices.

The devices which come in a variety of colors, were designed to give consumers the best smartphone experience ever. It spot unique features, including an inbuilt wireless

LG debuts with anti mosquito AC

T

here is virtually no aspect of endeavours that technology cannot play a role in. At least LG Electronics, proved this point when it joined in the crusade to rid the society of the malaria malaise, with the production of latest residential air conditioner, the Anti-Mosquito. Built to provide maximum comfort and reliable operation, the new model features mosquitorepelling ultrasonic wave technology.

No wonder, at the launch of the product in Lagos, General Manager, Airconditioning and Energy Solutions of the company, Mr. Junhwa Jeong, stoutly claimed that “LG prides itself on tailoring C M Y K

its products and technologies to the specific needs of consumers in Africa. In Nigeria, as well as in a number of other African countries, malaria remains a prevalent threat. LG’s Anti-Mosquito air conditioner is a great example of the company’s commitment to improving both health security and the quality of life in Africa by applying technological innovations in intelligent ways.”

Completely harmless to humans, the repellant technology inside the AntiMosquito air conditioner deters 64 percent of the female Anopheles mosquitoes within 24 hours and 82

charging system, Nokia’s new PureMotion HD Plus display with a 1280 x 768 resolution, Nokia Maps and Nokia City Lens, which is a unique augmented reality app that helps users locate places by just holding up their devices.

The Lumia 920 also comes with the latest innovations in PureView imaging technology. This includes advanced floating lens technology that takes in five times more light than other smartphones, enabling users to capture sharp, crisp pictures and videos even indoors and at night, without using flash. This is complemented by Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a first of its kind feature which prevents pictures and videos from blurring when users are on the move.

percent overall.

Aside from offering greater peace of mind, LG’s Anti-Mosquito AC also comes with all the advantages of advanced air conditioning

technologies; it delivers powerful cooling and is remarkably reliable even in extreme temperatures.

LG Anti Mosquito Ac

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—37

•The colour troupe from Akwa Ibom state at the just concluded Abuja Carnival

Abuja carnival to attract better funding W

ITH the planned increase in budgetary allocation for next year ’s Abuja Carnival stakeholders are looking forward to a well organized carnival compared to what have been staged in the last three years.

During the budget defense of the ministry of Culture and Tourism with the Senate committee on Culture led by Senator Ahmed Barata, the Minister Edem Duke told the Committee that only N50 million was appropriated for this year ’s Abuja Carnival but only N42 million was released.

The Organisers of this year’s carnival like the last three editions have always hinged the poor organistation to inadequate funding of the carnival by the government.

The Abuja National Carnival was initiated in 2005 by the Presidential Committee on Tourism headed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an annual event to showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Nigeria, and for promoting the country as a safe, warm and hospitable tourism des-

tination.

This year’s edition tagged “Carnival of Peace and Harmony” ended last week with twenty two states represented and presence from some countries like South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Botswana, Rwanda, The Sudan, Egypt, Cuba, China, India and Trinidad and Tobago.

For tourists and participants, it was mixed feelings as many agreed that the carnival has come to stay while others feel that more needs to be done to make the carnival attract tourists like other major carnivals in the world.

Here are the views of government officials, participants and tourists that were present at the carnival.

Dame Jonathan calls for private sector supports ”I wish to urge private and public sector organizations to support the sustenance of the carnival, through sponsorships and collaborations, in view of the immense socio-economic benefits that the nation can derive from the annual cultural fiesta. ”I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to you, especially Nigerian women

and youths, to embrace the spirit of the theme of this carnival. ”I also urge you to cultivate the virtues of mutual respect, as well as project the ideals and values that will encourage peaceful co-existence and national unity. ”Let me remind you all that

,

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

I am pleased with the different states of the Federation participating in this Abuja carnival

,

it is only in the atmosphere of peace that meaningful development can take place in our nation”.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu urges support for carnival “I earnestly urge support

from all toward the sustenance of the carnival to fully harness its capacity to deepen national cohesion, as well as boosting eco-tourism and inter cultural understanding,” Ekweremadu said.

He said that the event affirmed that the country’s diversity should be the basis of strength, reinforce unity and serve as a veritable platform for harmonious co-existence.

“It is imperative to note that this boat regatta culture gives credence to the fact that, though, a plural society, our cultures are the fulcrum of our national identity, cohesion and development, ‘he said.

Ekweremadu emphasised the commitment of the National Assembly to the development and harnessing of Nigeria’s cultures and tourism for national unity and transformation.

Dr. Lincoln Douglas, Minister for Arts and Multiculturalism, Trinidad and Tobago On his impression of the Abuja carnival “What I have seen has been very impressive to me.

The demonstration of creativity , the use of natural talents

, the opportunity for the development of small creative industry that encourage people in the communities , the subscription to local tourism , meaning that people go to the communities to see what people are doing and those things are on display here.

“All of these things have been very impressive to me and I feel good. Our carnival in Trinidad has sort of moved over time, as we started some fifty years ago and it is a huge event, but if you trace the carnival, you will see that there is transition as we have moved to the popular modern carnival, as it is like mass of enjoyment and relaxation, showing off.

“The word carnival indeed means farewell to the flesh, our carnival is still tied to the catholic calendar. There was a period of time before lent when you got to enjoy yourself and spoil yourself, so that when the holy season comes you go and get forgiveness.

“Our carnival reflects much of that, but the Abuja carnival, I have seen here is more culturally inclined and reflect more local perceptions and values of the people and that is a great thing.

So, I really feel honoured to be here to participate in the carnival and to see the contribution of the various states, various part of the country and various ethnic groups coming forward to present their cultural values.

Chief Oguniyi Keitadiaz, , President of Pantrinpato group from Trinidad and Tobago “I am pleased with the different states of the Federation participating in this Abuja carnival. I believe this carnival will bring forth a healthy economy for Nigeria.

Carnival brings income to any country that host carnival in terms of revenue for hotels, the people and better recognition for the host country. This Abuja carnival will foster more unity among the people.

I hope to see more states participate and more Nigerians coming out to be part of the events.

Bryon Serrette, Trinidad and Tobago The approach to the Abuja carnival is different as states form the basis of the bands performing; this brings about more colours and glamour. I enjoy the music and costumes of the different participating states. I will recommend the carnival.

38—Vanguard,FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

PenCom sends debt recovery agents after media houses STORIES BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

N

ATIONAL Pension Com mission, PenCom, has sent debt recovery agents after management of media houses and other companies who have continued to breach the Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2004 by failing to remit deducted pension fund and have continued to incur high debt profile Responding to concerns raised by stakeholders at 2012 National Workshop organized

by PenCom, for Business Editor, Labour, Finance and Labour Correspondents, in Abuja, . Farouk Aminu, the commission’s Head of Research and Corporate Strategy, dismissed insinuations that the commission was shying away from confronting media houses over non-compliance as required by law, saying “It is not like we are avoiding totackle the issue of noncompliance with the media houses and others.”

According to Dr. Aminu “If you remember in our last conference, we told you the media houses that were not complying as at that time. After that time, we sent our staff to the affected media houses to evaluate the level of noncompliance. After the report of that examination, we wrote to the media houses and demanded

that they comply. Some have actually responded and even made proposal on how they would pay the outstanding payment over a period of time.

If you look at our sanction regime, there are different levels of enforcing compliance.

Like we had explained, the sanction level would start with engagement, and with consistent noncompliance, after other strategies, we could resort to legal action.” “ We use naming and shaming, monetary sanction and today, we have reached the level of appointing and assigning recovery agents to specific employer. That follows the systematic approach. It is not sensational and you get the desired objective. In that context, the media houses are not going to be treated differently.

They will be treated as part of noncompliant employers if they happen to be so. Among the 15000 or more employers that we have assigned, some media houses are part of it.

The recovery agents were mandated to start from 2005.

It means they are expected to handle of noncompliance from 2005 to date. So, we are very systematic in term of how we approach the issue of enforcement of noncompliance. We try to be as consistent as possible in all the sectors including the media “

From left: Acting MD/CEO of Trust Fund Pension, Mrs. Helen Da-Sauza, Chairman Board of Trust Fund Pension Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Olojeme and the Company Secretary, Musa Nasir at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja.

More workers join Trustfund pensions I

NCREASING number of workers in both private and public sectors are choosing the Trustfund Pensions Plc, for their retirement saving account, RSA, the management has said.

It explained that the choice of Trustfund is based on its solid financial base and sound management team.

Speaking at its Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Abuja, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Trustfund Pensions, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, told the elated shareholders, contributors and other stakeholders, that no less than 278 million workers were now account holders in Trustfund.

According to her, “It is our earnest desire to continually create wealth for our shareholders. This is demonstrated in the value added to our shareholders’ fund from N1.773billion in 2010 to N1.994billion in 2011 representing over 12 percent in-

crease. We would continue to put up efforts to guarantee wealth creation for our shareholders. We aspire to be leaders in fund management and this is demonstrated in the performance of our Fund Under Management, FUM. There was an increase of about 20 percent of our FUM from N116 billion in 2010 to N139billion in 2011. This is because of the increase in the number of Retired Saving Account, RSA, holders; from 234million to 278million, revived effort at the funding of unfunded accounts etc. Also, some state governments have demonstrated increased commitment towards the person reforms. We shall continue to revive the market to access all viable means go increase funds in the year to come.”

“During the last AGM, I informed you that our company had recapitalized to N2billion with N1billion fully paid even before National Pension Commission, PenCom’s guideline

Pension scam in Nigeria: Role of regulator I

BY IVOR TAKOR

N recent month’s reports of pension scam carried banner headlines in the country’s news Media, both print and electronics resulting to probes on pension administration by special committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Some of the well-published scams are those of the Office of Head of Service of the Federation, Police pension and PHCN. The Pension Department of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation fraud was so mind bugging that according to the Pension Task Force under leadership of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina

the sum N12 billion was found in the personal account of a former director of the Pension Department and another N4 billion was allegedly found in the personal account of a deputy director of the same department.

In respect of the Police pension scam, six civil servants have been charged to court following their alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of N32.8 billion from the Nigerian Police pension fund between January 2009 and June 2011.

The Task Force under the leadership of Maina claimed to have recovered over N159 billion in properties and cash from pension fraudsters. Also

the report of the investigation into the alleged mismanagement of pension fund by a Senate Committee revealed that from 2005 to 2011 government officials in charge of pension funds in the country stole N237.9 billion pension funds, through a syndicated and institutionalised corruption, fraud and embezzlement in the management of pension funds in the country.

The most recent is the controversy surrounding Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) staff pension fund. It is yet to be made public if indeed there has been embezzlement of PHCN pension fund and the amount involved.

However, what is now public is the allegation that a PHCN pension fund (2,204,814.18 pound sterling) had been uncovered in a United Kingdom bank.

It is believed that the money is PHCN pension which had been lodged in the UK bank account for close to 21years, meant for payment of pension of expatriate workers of the defunct utility board, the company which metamorphosed to PHCN. It has also been revealed that the last expatriate pensioner of the utility board is late.

IVOR TAKOR, Executive Director, Centre for Pension Right Advocacy, CPRA

To be continued

for N1billion minimum capital base. is my pleasure to inform you that our company met the requirement. We will continue to assess our operating environment with focus on capital issues to meet challenges as anwhen they arise. want to acknowledge that our company performed well despite the gloomy economic situations as cited earlier. me our partners and all interested parties that efforts will continue to be made to ensure that our company is steady on te of wealth creation for all members, while recognizing any significant change in policy and business environments. “ Continuing, she noted that “issues of corporate governance continue to generate much concern among Nigeria’s corporate world as well as internatinal . I am pleased to inform you that Trustfund Pensions Plc is built around a sound corporate governance practice, which checks and balances among the different Board Committees. want to use this opportunity to express my sire to members of the Board of Directors and colleagues for their continued support and creative ideas for best . Their commitment and readiness to accept challenges even in the most difficult situations make a whole lot of with their expertise and professionalism which have been reflected in the various successes recorded during the year. me assure you all that our company will continue to strengthen its corporate governance structure and practices as all is will continue to align with different committees established. We shall continue to support the management in bringing out the best in our workforce in the interest of all stakeholders.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—39

TI RATING: Is

Nigeria really winning the anti-graft war?

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, OKEY NDIRIBE, HENRY UMORU, EMMA OVUAKPORE, DAPO AKINREFON & GBENGA OKE

because of corruption. PHCN and all our public institutions have collapsed because of corruption. The court system treats corrupt people as if they are kings with all sorts of adjournments. So, how can anybody say that we are doing better in terms of corruption? If the findings are showing that we are doing better in terms of corruption, then, I reject it, but if other countries are doing worse, then, I think that is reasonable.”

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Lawmakers speak

Legislators also expressed mixed reactions to the development yesterday.

Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, a member of the Senate Committee on Drug, Narcotics and Financial Crime, took a swipe at the western world depiction of Nigeria as corrupt saying that they provided the platform for such. He nevertheless submitted that the country was improving in the battle against graft.

“For countries of the Western World where Transparency International is based to harbour loot from Nigeria, it shows that they too are corrupt.’’

Senator Kunlere however called for adequate funding for the nation’s anticorruption agencies if they must seriously fight corruption in the country, adding that those they try to expose are richer than organisations like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and when they go after them with the lean resources, the result is often not palatable.

•Jonathan on Corruption: Trust me

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HE Transparency International (TI) on Wednesday, in its latest report ranked Nigeria as the 35th most corrupt country in the world. Nigeria’s 139 ranking was up from the 143rd position she was ranked last year, an indication that the country is recording some mileage in the crusade against graft.

Faced with an avalanche of unresolved graft cases involving former leaders at all levels and deteriorating socioeconomic welfare of the citizenry, which are traceable to official corruption, Nigerians received the latest rating with mixed views.

While some agreed with the agency and said Nigeria was making inroads in the anti-corruption crusade, others disagreed and wondered why the most populous black nation was not ranked as the most corrupt.

The National Bureau of Statistics said last February that 112.519 million of Nigeria’s 163 million population live in relative poverty conditions. Apart from the relative poverty index the United Nation’s assessment reveals that 61.2 per cent of Nigerians are living on a dollar a day.

In terms of Absolute Poverty, which is defined as the minimal requirements necessary to afford minimal standards of food, clothing, healthcare and shelter, 54.7 per cent of Nigerians were living in poverty in 2004 but this increased to 60.9 per cent (or 99,284,512 Nigerians) in 2010.

The disclosure by TI is remarkably sobering for a country that regards itself as the giant of Africa. The latest TI ranking showed that Nigeria has the second highest corruption rate in West Africa with the country only better than Guinea Bissau and just a handful of other African countries in the continent.

Though there was some little improvement, both the government, the ruling party, the PDP and opposition parties and civil society seem to be almost agreed in dismissing the TI ranking. While the government has faulted the global anti-corruption watch dog for not appreciating the good works of the present administration, critics flayed TI for finding an improvement in the ethical conduct of the government and public officials.

Prof Itse Sagay was assertive in declaring that Nigeria should have been put as the most corrupt country in the world while human rights crusader, Bamidele Aturu said he was now about losing confidence in TI for seeing an improvement in the corruption rating of the country.

Presidential spokesman Dr. Rueben Abati was, however, dismissive of the TI ranking saying it did not consider what he described as the

While some agreed with the agency and said Nigeria was making inroads in the anti-corruption crusade, others disagreed and wondered why the most populous black nation was not ranked as the most corrupt

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administration’s strides in transparency and war against graft.

Among others who reacted were PanYoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere; former National Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Alhaji Usman Bugaje; Rights activists, Bamidele Aturu; Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senator Roland Owie, Reps Abiodun Faleke and Fort Dike.

Nigeria can’t make progress with this rating — Bugaje

Former National Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Alhaji Usman Bugaje declared that the country is not winning the anit-graft war.

He said: “Honestly, Nigeria’s corruption is getting worse by the day and I have never seen this kind of corruption in other parts of the world.

My worry is that I believe Nigeria cannot make any progress, transformation or change under the present circumstances of corruption this country has found itself.”

I disagree, Nigeria deteriorating – Aturu

is

Aturu agreed with Bugaje saying: “My problem with Transparency International is that I am beginning to have problems with their research and findings. It is clear to everybody that corruption is getting worse. Everyday and everywhere you go, you find that corruption is killing Nigeria, not gradually now, but speedily. So, if we don’t do anything about corruption, the country is finished. I want to vehemently disagree that there has been an improvement in our rating.”

Speaking further, he stated that “there are no public schools today because of corruption; the roads are not passable

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lso speaking with Vanguard, Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Lawan, said that the verdict of Transparency International was an indication that corruption was rife in Nigeria. However, he was quite pessimistic on how the agency arrived at the statistics before the rating.

Senator Lawan who called for adequate funding of the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, said that with lack of funds for the office, it would be difficult to audit the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs as that is the statutory responsibility of the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

He called on the Federal Government to deal decisively with corruption in a holistic manner rather than selective handling of the situation.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on AntiCorruption, Abiodun Faleke and Rep. Fort Dike, (Ihiala, Anambra State), in separate reactions also bemoaned the effect of corruption on the polity.

Describing the rating as a sad moment for Nigeria, Faleke said: “It is a clear thing which clearly indicates that the Nigerian Government is not ready to fight corruption yet.”

Continues on page 41

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

stationery to the state government between January and February 2005.

Lucky Igbinedion – Former Governor Edo state In 2008, Igbinedion was arraigned by EFCC before the Federal High Court, Enugu on a 191- count charge of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement of N2.9b. In a plea bargain arrangement, the EFCC through its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, reduced the 191- count charge to one-count charge. Part of the terms of the plea bargain were that Lucky Igbinedion would refund N500m, three properties and plead guilty to the one-count charge. He agreed to the terms, paid up and was subsequently released.

However, last February, the EFCC appealed the judgment, asking for stiffer sanctions.

Igbinedion will now face a N25 billion fraud trial at the Federal High Court in Benin, a development some observers have described as politically motivated.

Corruption: The unending trials T

HE ambiguity in the anti-corruption war in the country could not have been better reflected than the recently reported move by the immediate past governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to organise an anti-corruption summit for African leaders early next year. During an advocacy visit on the proposed summit to President Sirleaf Ellen Johnson of Liberia scheduled to hold in South Africa, Kalu bemoaned the manner of African leaders who he claimed would amass wealth at the expense of their citizens.

The irony of it is that Kalu as at the time of the declaration was under bail from the court on allegations of corruption. Kalu remains innocent until proven guilty. But the irony is further stretched by the case of Senator Ahmed Yerima, the former governor of Zamfara State who was accused by erstwhile boss of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu of pratically stealing Zamfara funds stepping into the Senate and becoming Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption in 2007. Many other high profile politically exposed persons have emerged from one office to another with the baggage of corruption going with them and living on public funds.

Orji Uzor Kalu – Former Governor of Abia State On 27 July 2007, Kalu was arraigned before an Abuja High court on a 107-count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion. EFCC accused Kalu of transferring billions of Naira belonging to the Abia State government to his Slok Airlines.

He was accused of transferring the funds over a period of time from the defunct Manny Bank (now part of Fidelity Bank) to Slok’s account at Inland Bank. He was also alleged to have, between 1999 and 2007, moved various sums of government money into Slok Investment, Slok Nigeria Limited, Slok Incorporated and other companies owned by him.

Joshua Chibi Dariye –

Former Governor of Plateau State In July 2007, Dariye was arraigned before an Abuja High Court on a 23-count charge involving the sum of N700 million. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was subsequently granted bail.

Despite the allegations brought against him, he won a senatorial seat in the 2011 polls. He is now a senator representing Plateau Central.

Saminu Turaki – Former Governor Jigawa State Turaki was docked on a 32count charge on allegations that he stole about N36 billion from the treasury over an eightyear period. He was charged along with three companies he was accused of using to siphon the funds. The three companies are INC Natural Resources Limited, Arkel Construction Nigeria Limited, Wildcat Construction Limited and

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BY GBENGA OKE

Turaki was docked on a 32count charge on allegations that he stole about N36 billion from the treasury over an eight-year period. He was charged along with three companies he was accused of using to siphon the funds

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Ahmed Mohammed, an accomplice said to be at large.

After a brief detention, Turaki was granted bail in the sum N100 million on 27 July 2007

by Justice Binta Murtala Nyako.

Chimaroke Nnamani –

Former Governor Enugu state Former Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani spent four years in the Senate after leaving office in 2007. He was arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 105-count charge for allegedly stealing the sum of N5.3 billion. He pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted bail.

Jolly Nyame – Taraba State Nyame was docked on a 41count charge in July 2007. He was alleged to have embezzled the sum of N1.3 billion. At his trial, a graphic illustration was given by Mr. Dennis Orkuma Nev, a Permanent Secretary at the Taraba State Government House on how Nyame defrauded the state. he witness told the court how Nyame directed him to raise the sum of N100 million being an amount proposed for preparations for the visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the state in 2006.

He also told the court that he used his discretion and raised three different memos to the former governor in which he requested for N 32.3 million, N27 million and N42 million respectively. Part of the allegations against Nyame was that he collected N180 million from USAB International Nigeria Limited. The money was a kick-back from a N250 million contract awarded to the company for the supply of

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Boni Haruna – Former Governor of Adamawa state Boni Haruna was also arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a 28-count charge of embezzling the sum of N161 million. He pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes and secured bail from the court and after applied for the release of his travel documents to enable him honour a medical appointment in the US. The court granted his request and he made the trip. Upon his return, he gave back his travel document to the court and has been attending his trial. The case is still going on.

Abubakar Audu – Former Kogi state governor Abubakar Audu was originally arraigned on 30 November 2006 on an 80-count charge of fraud and embezzlement of over N4 billion. The charge has suffered several setbacks, as he had thrice approached the Supreme Court and returned to the Kogi State High Court, where his trial is going on before Justice Saidu Tanko Husseini.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel – Former Governor of Ogun state In April, EFCC docked former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State at the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta, on a 38-count charge of fraudulent conversion of land, failure to declare assets, stealing and corruptly obtaining properties.

His counsel, Professor Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, filed a reply to

Continued on page 42

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—41

Unending battle in Ondo

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN had promised after losing the recent Ondo State gubernatorial election to raise the party’s profile in the state and act as a check for the victorious incumbent, Dr. Segun Mimiko of the Labour Party, LP. It is perhaps in that direction that the party has continued to monitor the actions of the Mimiko administration. The incumbent government has to a large degree refrained from offering a retort. Well that was until last Wednesday following the harsh criticism of the ACN of what many have considered as one of the major legacies from Mimiko’s first tenure, the Mother and Child Hospital. The hospital project popularly known as the Abiye Programme which has won accolades for the governor from across the globe is the pet project of the Mimiko administration.

Under the safe motherhood programme, pregnant women are monitored from when they report to the hospital to the point of delivery. A unique point of the project is that pregnant women are given free telephones allowing them to talk to their health care providers free of charge.

Perhaps buoyed by the enthusiasm that has followed the programme Governor Mimiko had during the recent commissioning of the project given his determination to replicate the Mother and Child Hospital in the three senatorial zones assuring that the programme would be able to cater for as much as 30,000 new born

MOVED by increasing media attacks from a retooled Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN media office in Ondo State, the ruling Labour Party, LP mounts a fight back. Is the ACN doing or not doing its work?

•Mimiko: Dont question my legacy

•Akeredolu: ACN 2012 guber candidate

babies within the next three years.

It was a claim that immediately provoked the ACN which responding through its newly appointed spokesman, Idowu Ajanaku said: “What does it hold for the people, if not the multiplication of poverty or is he saying that his government would also take over the responsibilities of caring for these

state for serious business with global impact like what is happening in Ajah, Lagos under Governor Babatunde Fashola,” the party said.

The LP in a raging denunciation of the claim immediately fired back accusing the ACN of unguided media provocation.

The party in a statement expressed shock that the ACN

would sidetrack what it claimed were its internal problems to create negative impressions on the activities of the LP led administration in the state.

The LP statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Femi Okunjemiruwa followed an earlier statement issued by the ACN criticizing last

Nigeria being the 35th most corrupt nation by TI? Corruption in Nigeria didn’t start in President Jonathan’s government. Corruption has been in Nigeria and other parts of the world from time.

I say, with all sense of responsibility, that corruption got to its height in Nigeria during Obasanjo’s tenure between 1999 and 2007.

That was the period when Ghana Must Go Bags were used in installing leaderships of the National Assembly and in the impeachment of State governors who were not in the good book of the President.

Haba! It was in that regime that 16.5billion dollars went into power sector and yet no power was provided and yet those crying about corruption in Nigeria today shut their ears and closed their mouths.

Has Petrol subsidy frauds not been in Nigeria all along?

Which civilian government has

had the courage to confront the subsidy monster apart from President Jonathan? The revenue received by IBB in eight years was just what Obasanjo received in one year.

Today IBB monuments can be seen in all corners of Nigeria and nothing can be ascribed to OBJ apart from the Library at Ota. I urge well meaning Nigerians to give support to Jonathan’s government to deliver the dividends of democracy.

children from cradle to adulthood?”

Continuing, Ajanaku said: “For us in ACN, what we are saying is that government should be providing holistic healthcare solution for all the members of the society and generate employment through the provision of an enabling environment for private sector investment. Mimiko should open up the riverine areas of the

TI RATING: Is Nigeria really winning the anti-graf ar? anti-graftt w war?

Continued from page 39 Dike on his part said: “Corruption has permeated everywhere in our society. It has become so pervasive and comprehensive. It has even affected how our resources are used and even the performance of governments at different levels. It has also affected the value of our money. You cannot say the legislature, judiciary or executive arm of government is maximally efficient and this is attributable to corruption.”

“As a legislator, when a budget estimate is presented to you and you see that the price of a personal computer is put at N350, 000, you immediately know that corruption is responsible. It has even

affected the kind of goods and services we provide in this country. It has affected electricity and water supply too.

Even our standard of education has fallen due to corruption. It pains my heart so much that we have found ourselves in this kind of situation.

“When you consider the security challenges we are facing today, you would also realise that corruption is a contributory factor. This applies to both armed robbery and kidnapping. One of the major reasons these things happen is due to corruption because the security operatives won’t do their work properly due to the influence of this cankerworm.”

Jonathan is doing well, lets

•Lamorde: EFCC boss support him - Sen. Roland Owie What is all the noise about

Continues from page 42

There’s room for improvement— Afenifere On its part Afenifere, said there is room for improvement.

Speaking with Vanguard, National leader of the Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti said, “that is their opinion, I don’t think I want to say anything more than that. With what we see around here, we are really corrupt, we can still improve on that.”

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

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N the week dominated by the sad news of attack by gunmen on the police detention facilities (SARS) in Abuja and the bombing of St Andrews Military Protestant Church in Jaji, the welcome relief was the reported statement of the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that half of the civil service work force should be sacked to curb wasteful expenditure. Though comical, Mallam Sanusi‘s statement confirm the observation of many people over the years.

Although Nigerians are becoming reconciled to the precise bombings of Boko Haram sect and also, becoming familiar with murderous attacks of “gunmen” on innocent people, the frequency of these attacks and the choice of targets are becoming uncomfortable to the extent that many Nigerians have started to doubt the ability of the government to give adequate protection against the destruction of life and property.

However, it is the considered opinion of many people that the government is trying its best through the activities of the security forces.

What is worrisome, if not perplexing, is the attitude of many Nigerians towards the Boko Haram insurgency. It is generally seen as a mere disturbance by some armed groups against the people and governments of the North Eastern part of the country and the Federal Government.

Some people talk glibly about Boko Haram as if it is a regional affair and continues to urge the Federal Government to resolve such security problem immediately.

People of Southern Nigeria pray and should continue to pray that the insurgency in the North should not extend to some areas

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The dangerous path towards prosperity of the South to avoid terrible consequences among the different religious groups.

The only way to stop the drift of Boko Haram insurgency to the South is the immediate realization by the people of the South that this insurgency in some parts of the North is a national problem that should be tackled nationally. It is not the Federal Government problem alone or that of PDP as the government party, it looks like a cancer that was not detected on time and that has now become a devastating disease.

The necessary surgical operation is the responsibility of every Nigerian in every part of the country.

If the Boko Haram insurgency in the North has become a serious political and economic problem, the open operations of “gunmen” and armed robbers in some parts of the South are now assuming larger proportion and constituting serious danger to the economic life of the country.

The other day, armed robbers wage a successful war against

the people of Auchi in Edo State that Banks had to resort to closing down for some days. In many cities of the South, unknown “gunmen” and armed robbers, in spite of police challenge, have started to establish their rule and make economic activities very risky.

Also, numerous cases of kidnappings for monetary rewards are widely reported.

Many analysts have traced the acts of insurgency, armed robbery and kidnapping to forces of mass illiteracy and mass unemployment.

The abject poverty that breeds such discontent is firmly rooted in the nature of a country which is abundantly blessed with human and material resources but fails to harness the opportunities for positive and prosperous living.

That Nigeria is a country of two nations, the RICH and the POOR is axiomatic. Nature has endowed the country with enormous wealth, but unfortunately, the management of the resources had for long

Corruption: The unending trials Continues from page 40 the counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC opposing the application. However, Daniel lost the N20 million case he instituted against EFCC at an Abeokuta High Court for unlawful arrest and detention.

His case is still on.

Dimeji Bankole – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole on June 8, 2011was docked by EFCC over a 16-count charge relating to contract inflation. On 13th June 2011, EFCC dragged him and Usman Bayero Nafada, his deputy, to court over a 17-count charge of alleged misappropriation of N10 billion loan borrowed while they were in office. But the case was thrown out on 31 January 2012.

However, the N9 billion contract scam hanging on his neck is still ongoing at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Ndudi Elumelu The member of the House of Representatives from Delta

State and former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Elumelu, was docked at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over N5.2 billion fraud charges brought against him by EFCC. But the presiding judge, Justice Garba Umar, ruled that he had “no case to answer”.

However, the same case is still

pending at the FCT High Court, before Justice Adebukola Banjoko.

Abdullahi Adamu – Former Governor of Nasarawa He was arraigned in court on 3rd March 2010 alongside 18 others on a 149-count charge of fraud involving over N15 billion. The case began to suffer

been misplaced. Our problem is not to create more wealth, but to use the limited wealth to eradicate poverty.

The best way to eradicate poverty is to create mass employment. The greatest goal of every civilized government is to ensure that there is a job for every able hand. People who should produce commodity for home consumption and for exports should not remain idle; otherwise they could become innocent agents of insurgency, armed robbery and kidnappings.

It is, therefore, necessary for any serious government to embark on economic expansion in order to promote mass employment and eradicate poverty. Within the context of full employment policy, it may not be wise to reduce by half the total strength of government workers, but a sound advice would be to make that working population more productive, less corrupt and less wasteful.

It is generally believed in the developed world that the economy could be subject to a deficiency in demand (which would lead to closure of plants and lay off of workers) and that offsetting by government action would be required.

This could result in injecting more money into the economy to stimulate effective demand and thereby, promoting expansion in the economy and increase in employment.

Cheap money vs tight money Since Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi became Governor of Central Bank, there had been changes in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) about six times, in an attempt to combat inflation. The Central Bank has adopted what is known as Tightening Monetary Policy. Observers believe that for now, the country delay right from the beginning with the transfer of the presiding judge to the Asaba Division of Federal High Court.

Justice Marcel Awokulehin, who earned notoriety over his handling of the case involving James Ibori, the former governor of Delta State, was asked to take over the trial of the case. However, Adamu’s trial also suffered another setback, as Awokulehin, on 27 April 2010, voluntarily withdrew from from the case,

should try cheap money policy.

During the operation of cheap money policy in Britain; it encouraged capital investment in rail/ road improvements. In Nigeria, rail/road had virtually collapsed. The once pleasant passenger-rail wagons and coaches from the South to North and East have become agonizing memories for people of over 70 and 80 years of age.

And our present rulers, most of them below the age of 60years could not have missed something they did not know. The present numerous oil tankers and rickety buses plying our ill-maintained roads these days, are consequences of the decaying railway system. Modern railway system suffers from paucity of capital investments as a result of high cost of borrowing.

In Britain, there was also an outburst of building and slump clearance as a result of cheap money (low interest rates).

Nigeria witnessed an expansion in building and construction activities both in public and private sectors in the 1970s and 1980s when bank loans were under 10%, or when loans were cheap. Most of the luscious private estates of today were developed during the period.

The incipient middle class was firmly established under cheap money. A family could own a house, a car and could afford a foreign holiday, at least once a year. At present, loans for private developers are prohibitive while the prices of building materials are escalating every day, condemning the poor to their lowly state as perpetual tenants.

We believe that the Central Bank Governor could help by persuading the government to abandon its present tightening monetary policy in favour of economic expansion and eradication of poverty through increase in employment. citing personal reasons and “in conformity with his conscience”.

Danjuma Goje – Former Governor of Gombe state He was arraigned on 20 October 2011 on allegations of milking his state to the tune of N52 billion. EFCC has already asked the lawyer to return Adamu’s file due to what the agency perceived as conflict of interest.

Unending battle in Ondo Continues from page 41 week’s commissioning of the Mother and Child Hospital by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

The LP dismissed the assertions as the “symptom of an idle publicity seeking party.” LP said: “it is ridiculous that weeks after coming a distant third in an election they so much boasted to win, the ACN in Ondo state, its former governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu and its jobless megaphone of falsehood is yet to come to

terms with their defeat and face other serious challenges tearing apart whatever is left of their credibility in the public domain.

“We find it strange and diversionary the attempt by the party in the state to divert public attention from the ripples and open show of shame by members and leaders of the party who are after one another over the theft and misappropriation of huge funds deployed to manipulate the last governorship polls in Ondo

state. Today, the party members are either fighting their leaders in public places for pocketing election funds or leaders chasing party officials around with security agents to recover part of the diverted funds.”

“These are serious reputation damaging issues that should be of concern to sensible party officials rather than a vain attempt by a jobless campaign spokesman to remain relevant through undue media attention by casting aspersion on a course

as noble as providing good and modern health care delivery system to the people of Ondo state by Governor Mimiko. “Let it be known that if Governor Mimiko could not be distracted during the electioneering campaigns, it is not possible to think that mere statements from rabblerousers will stop him from commissioning people oriented projects he has initiated and completed in the state.” the statement concluded.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—43

SURE-P: Lawmakers kick against unsure foundations NIGERIAN lawmakers rise up against proliferation of government agencies. SURE-P, a government initiative to ameliorate the effects of the controversial increase in fuel prices is the first object of fury.

BY HENRY UMORU

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HE events of Wednesday, 28th November and Monday 3rd December, 2012 are not ones that principal officers of the Dr. Christopher Kolade led Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-Party would like to remember for a long time.

On those two days when Dr. Kolade who is the chairman of the programme led his officers to appear before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum, Downstream to defend the 2013 budget of SURE-P. On the first day the lawmakers immediately raised objections about the perceived illegality of the body and as a drain pipe on the country’s economy. They also alleged duplication of projects as the members called on the president to scrap the

programme.

The focus of the fury of the lawmakers was that the agency was involved in duplication of activities already carried out by existing Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs. The SURE-P, it would be recalled was established in January, 2012 by President Jonathan after the subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was partially removed.

The legislators also told the Chairman that the SURE-P has not helped the youths in the area of employment as the claim of provision of jobs for 360,000 youths cannot be justified.

The reservation by the legislators was triggered when they were told that in its 2013 budget proposal SURE-P expected an inflow of N180 billion to add to its N93.52 billion unspent balance from 2012 budget to carry out its projects in

the 2013 fiscal year.

The agency which realized N135 billion up till the end of October, 2012 raked in N15 billion monthly.

Dr. Kolade who disclosed that the Programme requires N273.52 billion in its 2013 budget, said that one of the major problems the SURE-P was facing was that it never came up with brand new programmes on its own, adding that the beneficiaries of the mass transit buses are the National Road Transport Operators and some organizations in transport business. ot satisfied with the performance of the SURE-P, Chairman of the joint Committee, Senator Magnus Abe expressed dissatisfaction with what he claimed as the duplication of projects by the programme.

“Our fear is not with your credibility, but the fact that these main roads are the same also awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works during this period,” Abe told Kolade.

Senator Danjuma Goje, PDP,

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*Kolade: Chairman, SURE -P Gombe Central and member representing Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Peter Akpantason reiterated the matter of the duplication of projects.

At the end of the first day appearance, the Committee members sent Dr. Kolade and his men to come back on Monday December 3, 2012 with documents on what was spent, how it was spent and on what.

Dr. Kolade did not disappoint the lawmakers as he truly appeared to continue from where he stopped the previous week.

T h e lawmakers w e r e particularly uncomfortable with the N2.2 billion claimed to have been spent on secretariat services between July and October 2012.

The climax of the grievance was the recommendation that President Goodluck Jonathan must immediately change the present status of SURE-P to a Commission because its assignment was just intervention on existing projects and that people engaged by the agency may be sent back on the streets when it concludes its job.

How we got militants to embrace amnesty — Onyema

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, DEP POLITICAL EDITOR

H

OW he got militants to lay down their arms and how he ensured peace at Obubra camp, Cross River State At the height of the militancy, I felt disturbed that if only these boys will know that there is strength in non-violence, they would have adopted it but they did not know.

I met with the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I told them I could arrest the incidence of violence through non-violence education and programmes.

They laughed because they did not believe me. I looked at history, which is replete with so many places where non-violence showed its power.

So, I decided that I will do the same thing and started looking for credible institutions and partners and that led me to Dr Bernard Lafayette (jnr). He worked with Dr King in the civil rights days. In fact, he was the last person King told to go to Washington to prepare the poor people for the campaign in Washington.

That was actually why they killed King because involving the poor people meant he was going to assemble the poor white and poor black. And the government of the day could not take it. It was a state murder. I decided to get Lafayette to partner me in doing

MR Allen Onyema, a lawyer, chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN and amnesty facilitator was recently conferred with the Pan-Nigerian Nationalist award by the Eminent Friends Group International, EFGI, in Lagos. employed them.

They sent 60, I trained and transformed them and the American Embassy talked to us and we started taking them to America.

We trained a whole lot of them. Many parents were now coming to me to say: ‘look, I have *Onyema: Peace is good

the programme.

Initial plan What I wanted to do in the first place was to train people who will be able to train other Nigerians.

I got Lafayette to train me and my 19 staff.

But before then, I had started moving militants out of the creeks –from Delta to Lagos doing Level I programme. Then Shell came in to support. I was taking them to South Africa to train them. It was the training of the initial 10 militants given to us by Shell that opened the eyes of the world to what I was doing.

In the second part, they sent 23; we trained, transformed and

somebody in the militancy, I would like you to help my son; I want to get my son out of it.’

Chevron decided to come in when they saw what was happening on the Shell side. In Afam, for several years, Shell could not operate. I went into Afam and reconciled the 17 communities with the oil companies. Today, there is no more problem in Afam. Nonviolence is very powerful.

Yar’Adua’s yeoman’s job It was along the line that late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua decided to call on Timi Alaibe: ‘we have a security report about an organisation, the FEHN training these boys why don’t we

do it on a larger scale?’

They now decided to train 600 commanders first. He told Timi to meet with the militant leaders: ‘is there a way we can make them bring down their tools of war and take to this programme?’

At first, the commanders refused but later said, ‘okay, we will send our boys first to test the waters.’ What they did first was to send the bad ones who were disturbing them so that they could go and get killed because they though it was a set up.

Timi brought 600 boys. The Federal Government financed it through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. We trained and transformed them. That was when President Yar’ Adua said something big should happen and the issue of amnesty came up.

Before then, Dr Lafayette asked me: ‘if you want to dismantle militancy, you have to dismantle any organisation that is handling their affairs. Which is the most powerful organisation in Niger Delta?’

I said the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, which like the political wing.

The militants are the military wing. He said, ‘how do they get to their positions of power?’ I said ‘through elections.’ He said in that case, we have to train people and sponsor them to take over IYC. So we had to train people

to be non-violent and put them on the saddle to take over the exco of the IYC. Power changes hand in IYC I started sourcing for credible persons to use and that search took me to Chris Ekiyor, Jonathan Lokpobiri and a whole lot of them.

We took them out, trained them in Nigeria, South Africa and United States of America and came back and supported their election. We made sure that all the chairmen were proponents of non-violence. When they won election, the IYC the following day started talking about nonviolence. Their motto used to be ‘by all means necessary.’

The IYC started telling the militant wing, ‘we have to down the tools of war, we have to pursue it intellectually.’ At first, Chris Ekiyor did not receive any support. He was shot twice but he persevered. We were giving our support from behind. All of a sudden, some of the leaders started buying into it and seeing something good in it.

We proved to them that we were not against the struggle but we were against the method and proved to them that there is a more powerful method to be used and if you use that you stand to gain. If you do violence, you ostracise men of goodwill who would have participated in your cause.

44—Vanguard , FRIDAY FRIDAY,, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Day Benue stood still for women

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

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HE sixth edition of the annual Celebrate the Benue Woman and Food Festival an initiative of the First Lady of Benue State, Arc. Mrs. Yemisi Suswam was held, weekend, in Makurdi with a full compliment of its pop and pageantry. It was a day the entire Benue State stood still for the women especially those who are usually forgotten in the remote rural communities but who constitute over 60 percent of the farming populace that produce the variety of food and cash crop that the state is known for.

It was indeed a day they were appreciated for their invaluable contributions to the socioeconomic development of a state that prides itself as the Food Basket of the Nation. The celebration which drew visitors and dignitaries from fear and near was also graced by Benue women both at home and in diaspora, including the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke. His counterparts at the Interior Ministry, Comrade Abba Moro, and that of State at the Trade and Investment Ministry Dr. Samuel Ortom, both indigenes of the state, were represented.

The Director General of the

Nigeria Plc that identified the uniqueness of the initiative of the Benue State First Lady by partnering with her office thereby providing mouth watering prizes for winners of the food cooking competition that marked the climax of the celebration.

The reason is not far fetched, aside the contestants in the cooking competition who were drawn from across the state, Mrs. Suswam also prepared a meal and a local delicacy in her executive kitchen for the dignitaries who graced the occasion including her husband, Dr. Gabriel Suswam and his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani.

It was undoubtedly a carnivalesque celebration and a day every woman of the state cherished and looked forward to.

This accounted for the encomium that kept pouring for the Benue State First Lady for a programme she has sustained for six years running. No wonder in his opening remarks Governor Gabriel Suswam assured that the state government would sustain its support for the annual programme to enable it achieve more success.

Governor Suswam maintained that the programme was significant in so any ways since it had gainfully engaged women and particularly educate and

L-r: Gov Suswam, Mrs. Suswam, Mrs Lawani, Madam Martina Aseen,winner of the star price, a KIA Picanto Car in the Food Cooking Competition of the 6th edition of Celebrate the Benue Woman and Food Cooking Competition celebrating after receiving the key to the car she won from Mrs. Suswam and the Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani

National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mike Omeri, his counterpart at NAFDAC and illustrious son of the state Dr. Paul Orhii who showered accolades on the Benue women and their rare qualities also added colour to the occasion. It was indeed a day for the 23 local government areas of the state led by the wives of the various council chairmen and women in theruralcommunitiestoshowcase their peculiar food items and other agro-materials that are easily available in this agrarian state.

One significant feature of this year’s celebration was the support it enjoyed from a multinationals like Uniliver

enlighten them on critical issues apart from celebrating and appreciating their priceless qualities.

While commending his wife for the initiative, he noted that the Celebrate the Benue Woman and Food Festival has also promoted creativity among women thereby encouraging healthy competition. The Governor stressed the need for all Benue people especially men to celebrate and appreciate the womenfolk for taking up the responsibility of feeding mankind from birth and throughout life.

In her speech, Mrs. Suswam noted that the programmes was a deliberate effort by her office to bring to the fore the immense

contributions of the Benue Woman to the sustainable growth and development of the state. She further stated that her office has become a rallying point for women of the with several programmes aimed at enhancing the quality of lives of women and youths running concurrently.

According to her, “with this programme we converge annually to asses each other and also mobilise for socio-political responsibilities as women from the rural communities, the urban centres and the diaspora. Our efforts have paid off because we have increased the number of Benue women in politics and more are now in government. We have stood against poverty by ensuring the provision of fertilizers and other farm imputes for our teeming farming women”.

On her non governmental organisation, the Sev-Av Foundation on which platform the celebration was initiated, Mrs Suswam said it was also set up to avail women and youths training in various arts and crafts.

Skills acquisition centres This is apart from providing succor to the infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. She said apart from the over 1,500 beneficiaries at its skills acquisition centres, over 20,000 persons have also been attending the Sev-Av clinics at the three senatorial zones of the state for HIV testing and counseling.

In his speech the Marketing Director of Uniliver Nigeria Plc, Mr. David Okeme who was represent by the Country Consumer Activation Manager, Mr. Femi Atoyebi, said the company was proud to identify and partner with the office of the First Lady in the celebration.To this end, the company presented an award of excellence to the First Lady in recognition of her contribution and service to humanity particularly women, children and youths.

The event was climaxed when a local food vendor Mrs. Martina Aseen emerged the overall winner of the grand price in the food cooking competition and carted away a KIA Picanto car and N500,000 cash.

While the second and third positions went to Mrs. Onyinye Okoye and Sylvia Avafa who went home with a motorbike and deep freezer, N300,000 and N200, 000 respectively, while consolation prize were also dished out to other contestants.

While Vandeikya LGA came first followed by Ukum and Tarka local governments in the agricultural and food items display category by the 23 LGAs of the state. They went home with over N1million cash reward while consolation prizes were also distributed to other 19 LGAs that participated.

Travel guide to Brazil

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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IGERIANS who are already in Brazil and those intending to travel to the country, are advised to always be on the alert concerning car thefts and hijacking, which have become a constant occurrence in their cities. In most cases, the thefts are carried out with occu-

•Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota

pants taken and forced to withdraw money from their cash machines It is, therefore, advisable that whenever you are in your car, the doors and windows must be locked. Particular care also should be taken at traffic lights and when in three or more lanes of traffic, consider using the middle lane(s), where safety may be higher, and also avoid venturing out after dark in quiet streets except under reliable local advice.

Sexual assaults abroad: Assaults of various kinds and levels are issues that are prevailing in every other country across the globe. It is, however, necessary that some measure of vigilance is maintained. In as much as incidents of rape and other sexual offences are reportedly low in Brazil at the same time, there have been reports of attacks against both men and women, and some have involved ‘date rape’ drugs.

Purchase of drinks Therefore, always ensure that you purchase your drinks and keep them within sight at all times to avoid being drugged.

ATM machines robbery: A number of ATMs have been installed with an anti theft devices by the Brazilian Banks Federation. The country is still experiencing an increase in ATM machine robberies and it appears to be more in Sao Paulo. The anti theft device is designed in such a way that it colours the notes of an ATM that has been damaged or tampered with using pink ink. Any pink coloured notes will not be accepted in the market and automatically loses its value. If you withdraw cash at an ATM and it has any sort of pink marks you should speak with the bank manager straight away. If outside bank hours or not in a bank branch you should get a bank statement from the ATM showing the withdrawal and take it with the marked notes to a police station and get a police report.

Using public transport - Safety and security: In most rural areas, the quality of roads and reckless driving especially by truck and bus drivers, require particular vigi l a n c e .

You are advised to be vigilant when using public transport in

Brazil, especially during rush-hours as petty crime and road accidents are common.

The metro systems in Rio and São Paulo are generally believed to be safer than bus services. There are also frequent bus crashes due to lack of response to traffic lights or “Stop” signs. Bus travels within major cities are relatively safe, although there have been few incidents of hijacking and robbery of tour buses.

Airport licenced taxis: On arrival in Brazil, travellers should endeavour to employ the services of a licenced airport taxi, instead of unlicenced taxi, which can be picked up at several recognized taxi parks around cities.

Although most Brazilian airports have licenced taxi desks inside the baggage reclamation areas, one other indication that a taxi is registered is by seeing a driver’s photographic licence displayed on his taxi.

It is worthy of note also that in preparation for the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, the police in Rio de Janeiro have moved in force into some of the remote areas to root out crime and drug trafficking and as such it is wise that you avoid these areas at all times. Always be aware of where you are going, if in doubt seek local advice, and stay away from potential trouble areas.

Brazil has a zero tolerance policy on drinking while driving. If you are caught driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, it is likely that you will be prosecuted. The penalties range from being fined and also suspended from driving for 12 months, to imprisonment for up to three years. It is worthy of note also that in preparation for the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, the police in Rio de Janeiro have moved in force into some of the remote areas to root out crime and drug trafficking and as such it is wise that you avoid these areas at all times.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 45

From left: Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education; Mr. Lucas Dada, Director, Products & Services, Etisalat Nigeria; Barrister John Olusegun Odubela, Commissioner for Education, Ogun State and Prof. Omolara Bamgboye, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Administration, during the presentation of N100,000 From left: Sule Lamido, Jigawa state Governor; Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, Aviation cheque to Prof. Bamgboye, at the Etisalat Merit Awards, at Ren- Minister and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, during the foundation laying aissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. ceremony of the Jigawa Airport.

From left: Mr. Tony Fagbuaro, Executive Director; Mr. Carlos Franyi, Managing Director, (both of Metropolitan Construction Company Limited) and Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Private From left: Alhaji Lamis Dikko, Chairman, The Infrastructure Bank Plc; Mr. Partnership, during the inspection of the alternative road to the Toll Plaza 2, Abdulrazaq Oyinloye, Managing Director and Mr. Olapade Hakeem, Direcin Ikota, on Lagos Epe Expressroad, Eti-Osa Local Council Development tor, signing documents at the Completion Board Meeting of the bank, in Abuja.

Area of Lagos State. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Akin Salami, Operating Officer, OHTV; Biola Alabi, Managing Director, Mnet Africa; Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde, Nollywood actress and Michael Djaba, Chief Creative Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State with Dr. Sarah Jubril, Officer-in-factory, at the unveiling of Omotola -The Real Me Reality TV Show - held Special Adviser to the President on Ethics & Values, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Asaba. in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Mr. Charles Okonkwo, Vice Chairman Orient Progressive Forum; Barr. Christopher Anyaegbulam, guest lecturer; Dr. Uche Obienu, Chairman Orient Progressive Forum and Barr. Ikechukwu Ikeji, discussant, during the club’s 2012 Unity Festival Lecture, at the Best Western Hotel, Lagos.

From left: Mr. Tony Imomoh, Sales Manager, Pro Print; Mr. Houssine Chekkar, Sales Regional Manager, Indigo & HPS; Mr. Altaf Lalani, MD, MFI Office Solution, at media launch of HP Indigo Digital Press, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Engr. Christabel Obiuwevbi, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Delta State, (2nd right) during her donation of various items to flood victims, at Otujeremi in Ughelli South LG; Delta State.

46— VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7,

2012

BY ABU MUHAMMED

Continues from last week

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Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

The legacies of Prophet Ibrahim (2) refined group had been prepared, Allah (SWT) set in motion the second part of this process that would herald the transformation of the Arabian Peninsula as well as propelled this group of ‘backward desert dwellers’ to becoming the beacons of faith and justice in a world drowned in the injustice of

every Muslim was prepared and made to understand that he/she was a representative of the Noble Messenger of Allah (s.aw.) and, as such, was responsible for the establishment of Tawhid and the Islamic way of life in the whole world across all political, social and cultural divides. It was at this juncture

,

hereafter, both father and son, were commanded by Allah (SWT) to build the Baitullah, the House of Allah in Makkah and Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was commanded to call for the pilgrimage. Until today millions visit the house of Allah (SWT) and this will continue until the day of judgement.

Scholars mention that the reason the hearts of men incline towards the House of Allah has little to do with the cosmetic appearance of the Baitullah. In fact as much as the Haramain has been developed and advanced in architecture and other ways the actual Kaaba has remained essentially the ‘cube’ that it has always been. The thing which literally draws the hearts of men towards it is in fact the underlying sacrifices of Ibrahim (a.s) and his family as well as of the thousands of Ambiya who underwent untold hardships and difficulties for the establishment of Tawhid and the raising of the name of Allah (SWT) on the surface of this earth.

The first twelve or so years of the Prophet’s life in Makkah was one characterised by all forms of abuse, torture, difficulty, persecution and alienation – both for him and his Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) purely for the sake of the re establishment of what the Kaaba was a symbol for – the Tawhid of Allah (SWT). It can be said that the hearts of the Companions were placed in the ‘furnace of sacrifice’ so as to emerge pure and enlightened free of the impurities and darkness of ignorance and polytheism. Each Companion emerged as the living embodiment of Tawhid ready to be the lanterns of guidance for humanity that until then had, for 600 years, been groveling in the quagmire of ignorance and idol worshipping.

When this purified and

O Allah! You bear witness that I have conveyed the message’” This responsibility was understood and fulfilled by that blessed gathering, the like of which the sky will never cover again, never

,

faithlessness – the migration to Medina Munawwarah and the establishment of the Islamic state and subsequently the Islamic Khalifate.

In Medina, the community of believers began to grow in number from approximately 250 at the time of the Hijrah (Migration) to 10, 000 at the time of the conquest of Makkah, some eight years later in the month of Ramadaan. There were two reasons for this. Firstly, Medina offered a stable environment for the establishment of the Islamic way of life and secondly

that the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula came in to the fold of Islam and an it was also at this time that the Noble Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) destroyed the idols that had until then remained in the Kaaba. This was symbolic of the fact that now that the ‘idols’ that the hearts of man concealed, were destroyed, it was time for the destruction of the physical manifestation of idol worship in the Holy sanctuary which would never return to the Arabian peninsula. In the next two years people entered Islam in droves and in Dhula Qa’dha of the 10th year of the Hijrah the

A prayer session at the Palace of the Olu Epe of Epe, HRH Oba Sefiu Adetunji on the occasion of new Hijrah calendar and preparatory forKayo-Kayo Festival stated for tomorrow in the town.

Prophet (s.a.w) announced his intention to perform Hajjthe only obligation outstanding in his prophetic mission of 23 years. His mission had, by this time, been completed to all intents and purposes. To a people steeped in ignorance and darkness, he gave light and inspired them with belief in Allah (SWT), the sole Creator, Master and Sustainer of the Universe. To a disunited people, engaged in mutual rivalry and perpetual warfare, he gave unity of thought and action. He had revealed the love of Allah (SWT) and His will to mankind and had given it a visible expression by founding a society on the basis of righteousness, piety and Godconsciousness, the like of which is not to be found in the whole history of humanity.

The Prophet (s.a.w) had delivered to humanity the final truth with all its necessary implications.

Together with this, he had prepared a group of companions who were trained

by none other than the Master himself who were prepared to spend every resource whether physical, mental or financial for the establishment of Tawhid throughout the length and breadth of the earth. The lives of the Sahabah leaves no doubt whatsoever of this fact whether it was leaving their homes, sacrificing their families, spending all their wealth even sacrificing their innermost desires for the sake of the establishment of the religion of truth in the world.

It was at the farewell pilgrimage that the collective responsibility of all the Prophets had culminated and now that responsibility had been placed squarely on the shoulders of his 124 000 Companions and in turn on the shoulders of every individual of this Ummah until Qiyamah in the following words.

“Let those of you who are present inform those that are absent. There will be NO PROPHET AFTER ME and no nation after you. (He then asked) Have I not conveyed (the message)? Have I not conveyed (the message)? Have I not conveyed (the message)?

The Companions replied in unison ‘Yes you have O Messenger of Allah’ Then pointing to the sky he said (three times), ‘O Allah! You bear witness that I have conveyed the message’” This responsibility was understood and fulfilled by that blessed gathering, the like of which the sky will never cover again, never.

Concluded

Etique tt e of using A Etiquett tte Ayyatul Qur’siy

BY HARUN RASAQ

A

yatul Qursiyy (verse of stool) is in Suratul Baqara (Qur‘an chapter two verses 255). The verse is used for several purposes, and one of it is for seeking divine protection from all evils, a verse which is relevant all the time most especially during this period when the worlds at large and Nigeria in particular is facing problem of security. This problem (of security) has generated concern for well meaning Nigerians, for example last week the National Assembly expressed their concern on the state of security in Nigeria. Consequently, in an attempt to solve this problem, a lot of Muslims has resolved to ways and meanse that contravene the teachings of Islam and Shariah and yet the problem is not solved. Whereas Islam has proffered solution to this problem through many ways and one of it is Ayatul Qursiyy. The evidence of using the verse to seek protection is contained in Hadith, statement of the Sahabah and Islamic scholars. Its importance include the following (1) The verse was described by Prophet (SAW) as the greatest verse in the Qur’an as contained in Hadith related

by Ubayy bin ka’b (Abu munthir). (2) The verse contained the perfect attribute of Allah which other creature such as Angel, man, Jinn, lack e.g Allah, al-Hayy, al-Qayyum, al- Alliy, alazim. (3) If recited, the person will be protected from the evil of shayatin as contained in the Hadith reported by Abu Hurayrah (RA). (4) The believer who recites it following an obligatory Salah, is under the care and protection of Allah until the commencement of the next Salah. (Tabarani’s AtTarghib wat-Tarhiib 2:435) (5) The one who recites it after each of the obligatory Salah, then death will be the only barrier from entering al-Jannah.(Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al‘Uthaymiin Tafseer Ayatul Qursir& Uses) (5) Shaykh-Islam Ibn Taymiya said: “There is no single verse in the Qur’an which includes that which is comprised in ayatul Qursiy etc.

USES OF AYATUL QURSIY: It is recommended to recite the verse in the following instances: (1) After each of the obligatory Salats. (2) Morning and evening as azkar. (3) When one is about to sleep. (4) When leaving the house. (5) While riding on transportation. (6) When experiencing any type of fear. (7) For relieve from evil attack (8) For cure from sickness etc.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 —

47

INSTALLATION OF ORODJE OF OKPE AS ANAMBRA VARSITY'S CHANCELLOR HRM Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I was installed as the Chancellor of Anambra State University, Uli, recently.

From left — Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; HRM Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I , and his wife.

From left— Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; and HRM Orhue I.

Governor Peter Obi (left) and HRM Orhue 1

HRM Orhue 1 and his wife

Governor Peter Obi

Prof. Okafor, Governor Peter Obi (left) and HRM Orhue 1

HRM Orhue 1

HRM Orhue 1 and members of the university's Governing Council

48—Vanguard , FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

From left: Mr. Alheri Nyako, Director, Legal; Alhaji Usman Ibrahim, MD/ CEO, NDIC and Mr. B.D. Umar, Director, Special Insured Institutions Department, during the Editors of Newspapers/Magazines' meeting in Lagos.

From left: Mr. Akere T. Muna, President, Economic, Social and Cutural Council; Mr. Bethel Amadi, President, Pan African Parliament; Mr. Dan Amachree, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, at the Regional Parliamentary Meeting of Pan African Parliament in Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Commissioner makes case for purposeful leaders

8 nabbed for throwing explosive device at Police vehicle

K

ANO—THE Kano State Police Com mand has confirmed the arrest of eight suspects for allegedly throwing an explosive device at a police vehicle along Ring Road on the outskirts of Kano.

A statement by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris in Kano, said the incident happened at about 7.30 a.m., yesterday.

“On Thursday, at about 07.30hrs, when a Police patrol team was heading to its duty post along Ring

Road, the occupants of a Taxi Golf car coming behind threw an explosive device at the police vehicle,” the statement said.

It added that the policemen immediately disembarked from the vehicle, cordoned off the area, and arrested the eight occu-

pants of the car.

The statement said nobody sustained injury during the attack while investigation had commenced.

NAN recalled that the state had within the week recorded two incidences of bomb blasts.

NNPC boss charges stakeholders on resource diversification

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME ORT HARCOURT— GROUP Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, has challenged stakeholders in the energy sector to encourage resource diversification in the

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petroleum industry.

Delivering a lecture, yesterday, at the ninth induction/anniversary ceremony of Institute of Petroleum Studies, IPS, at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Yakubu said that the nation was yet to explore the full value of its oil and gas resources.

Yakubu who spoke through the Coordinator, Planning/Strategy, NNPC, Dr. Timothy Okon, said that resource diversification would strengthen the nation’s economy, pointing out the concerted efforts made to translate the gas flared in the country into economic value.

He assured that the NNPC would continue to promote steps to diversify the oil and gas resources in the country.

The NNPC boss, in his paper, “Prospect for resource diversification in the petroleum industry,” said there were still several untapped opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

FG urged to commence work on East-West Rail Line

BY UDO IBUOT ARKURDI—THE Federal Government has been urged to commence work on the East-West Rail line, Coastal Line and other corridors, as proposed in the National Transport Master Plan based on sustainable phased programmes.

Equally, the three tiers of government should make deliberate efforts to intensify and diversify efforts aimed at adopting the Public Private Partnership, PPP, programmes in intermodal projects financing.

The National Council on Transport, NCT, made these resolutions in a communique at the end of its 12th council meeting held in Makurdi, Benue State, November 23 to December 3, 2012.

The communique which was signed by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Benue State Commissioner for Works

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and Transport, Mr. Ashaver Benjamin and Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chike Ohamobi, also urged the Federal Ministry of Transport to expedite action on the dredging of the Lower River Benue, development

of the Makurdi River Port and other ports and jetties along the lower River Niger and River Benue.

It said the Federal Ministry of Transport should encourage inter ministerial and inter agency collaboration to ensure effective

utilisation of the nation’s water resources, while the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT, should be empowered to establish a national transportation database for planning in liaison with the Office of Bureau of Statistics.

Road blockade: Delta govt vows He advised those with to deal with defaulters social functions to hire pub-

BY EMMAARUBI ARRI—Delta State Government is to commence arrest of persons found barricading any of the major roads in the commercial cities of Warri, Uvwie and Udu Local Government areas.

This came as the government commenced destruction of all illegal structures, caravans and store projections attached to main buildings.

State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, made this known,

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yesterday, at press briefing in Warri.

He said the ongoing demolition in the three councils had the backing of the Ministry of Environment as directed by the state government.

Omare, who expressed disgust over the indiscriminate manner major roads in the three local government areas were being illegally barricaded for several hours for social functions, directed chairmen of the councils to effect the arrest of organisers of such functions.

lic halls for such events, stressing that their activities were further compounding traffic in the affected areas.

O

WERRI—IMO State Commissioner for Finance and leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Obowo Local Government, Deacon Chike Okafor, yesterday, said that persons with doubtful moral principles would no longer be allowed to lead Obowo.

LG boss lauds Obi on projects' funding before embarking on them,

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—Chair man, Nnewi South Transition Committee of Anambra State, Chief Egwuoyibo Okoye, has lauded Governor Peter Obi’s policy of having money ready for projects

AGOS—ORON Un ion, OU, Lagos, the umbrella organisation of Oron people of Akwa Ibom State, resident in Lagos, will celebrate its 12th annual cultural festival on Saturday, at Peoples Club, Surulere, Lagos. The festival is meant to showcase the rich culture and tradition of Oron people.

to stave off abandonment.

Okoye, who spoke in an interview with Vanguard yesterday, said the governor’s policy was a sharp contrast to other governors who announced projects even when money had not been made available for them.

NULGE seeks lawmakers' support on autonomy

BY EBUN SESSOU AGOS—PRESI DENT, Lagos State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Mr. Lasisi Akinsanya, has solicited the support of the Lagos State House of Assembly, towards granting

L

autonomy to local governments when amending the constitution.

Akinsanya urged the House of Assembly to consider the campaign for Local Government autonomy in the constitution as an effort geared towards national development.

Samson Raheem for burial

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R. SAMSON Adedoyin Raheem, a retired Superintendent of Police is dead. Service of songs and wake keep will take place at Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Living Proof Parish,

Oron celebrates cultural festival

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Okafor who stated this when the people of Ehume Autonomous Community paid him a courtesy visit said only selfless and visionary people in the mould of Governor Rochas Okorocha would be supported to represent and lead Obowo local council.

According to the President of the Union, Mrs. Felicia Oludare, this year’s festival promises to be special as it is designed to double as special civic reception for Oron living icons, state and federal legislators, local government chairmen, commissioners and federal minister of Oron extraction.

Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos, today. Burial service holds at the same venue tomorrow, while interment follows immediately at his residence, Adedoyin Raheem Street, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos.

He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Oludayo Raheem, five children and many relations.

Late Samson Raheem

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Ghanaians elect new govt today

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE with agency report

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HANA’S electoral commission chief has told the BBC everything was ready for today’s parliamentary and presidential elections, in a country seen as a model for democracy in Africa.

Kwadwo Afari-Gyan said the new biometric voter identification system worked smoothly during extensive tests.

President John Mahama, 54, is expected to face a strong challenge from Nana Akufo-Addo, 68.

It would be recalled that the 2008 election was decided by just 30,000 votes in the run-off.

After gaining the most

votes in the first round, Mr Akufo-Addo, from the then governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), was praised for peacefully accepting his defeat We’re battle-ready – EC Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, yesterday affirmed that Friday ’s historic parliamentary and presidential elections would come on as scheduled and every eligible voter must cast his or her vote on that day.

Dr Afari-Gyan told the Ghana News Agency in a telephone interview that everything was set for the polls.

The EC Chairman said the voting procedures remained the same. “The

Egyptian army barricades presidential palace

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HE Egyptian army has set up barricades outside the presidential palace, after ordering protesters to evacuate the area.

It follows violent overnight clashes between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi that left five people dead and 644 injured.

Most protesters left the palace by the 15:00 (13:00 GMT) deadline, though some opposition activists remained.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s top Islamic body has called on the president to suspend his decree claiming sweeping powers.

The Al-Azhar institution

also demanded an unconditional dialogue between the president and his opponents.

However, Mr Morsi was expected to address the nation yesterday evening.

The BBC’s Jon Leyne in Cairo says this move by one of the most respected bodies in Sunni Islam has put President Morsi - who was largely brought to power by the powerful Islamist Muslim Brotherhood — under more pressure.

•Akufo-Addo

•Lartey

•Nduom

•Mahama

voting pattern is transparent and at each point of the process there is

an identifiable glaring system, which would make it impossible for anyone to

cheat. The result of any polling station where the number of votes cast would

exceed the number of registered voters would be cancelled.”

US embassy issues advisory on visa procedure

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

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HE U.S. Mission in Nigeria has issued travel advisory to prospective holiday makers to the United States, especially in the areas of applying for the n e c e s s a r y documentation The US Public Affairs Officer in the country’s Consulate in Lagos Mrs. Dehab Ghebbreab disclosed yesterday that the Embassy has released a guideline to all US citizens and prospective applicants for the Non Immigrant Visa (NIVs), especially in renewal of passports and early application for Visas.

A statement from the Consulate in Lagos said “U.S. citizens are reminded that all nonemergency U.S. Citizen Services such as U.S.

passport renewal are provided by appointment only ”.

Appointments for U.S. passport renewal as well as for all other nonemergency citizen services can be made by visiting the link below: The Statement said all prospective NIV applicants must possess a valid passport.

Immigration regulations of the United States, as well as those of many other countries, require that passports be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel. Those whose passports are due to expire within six months of their planned dates of travel, should renew their passport before making the appointment “U.S. citizens that plan to travel are encouraged to always plan as far ahead as possible; U.S. passports are printed in

the United States and take 2 to 3 weeks to prepare.

The NIV appointment system for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria is managed by a third-party provider through the US Travel Docs website. All NIV appointments must be made through the US Travel Docs website directly.

Detailed instructions on the NIV appointment process are also available at http:// nigeria.usembassy.gov under the “Visas” tab.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria strongly encourages prospective applicants to book appointments themselves and does not endorse the use of third-party services, including “touts” or “fixers,” to book or broker NIV appointments.

The current wait time for an NIV appointment is under 10 days in both

Lagos and Abuja.

To reschedule, expedite or cancel an appointment, please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/ ng/ and log in to the account you created when you made your original appointment before the original appointment date. Follow the instructions provided on that page. Applicants may contact the countrywide NIV appointment call center by phone at (+234) 9460-1748.

Prospective applicants should note that the printing of NIVs takes three business days from the time of the interview.

Due to volume and logistical necessities, we are unable to expedite NIV printing. The embassy strongly advises prospective applicants against making irrevocable travel plans until they have their passport and NIV in hand.

Assad seeks asylum, dismisses chemical scare E MBATTLED Syrian leader, Bashir AlAssad may be seeking asylum in Latin

American countries and Iran Reports yesterday said Assad’s men have approached Cuba,

Members of the Republican Guard blocks off a road leading to the presidential palace in Cairo.

Venezuela and Chile for possible safe haven. The Syrian President is also looking up to Iran as rebels close in on him, raising fears that his troops may use chemical weapon on Syrians.

But his government officials said yesterday that the fears of chemical weapons being used in the world is a plan by Western powers to attack.

He spoke as Germany’s cabinet approved stationing Patriot antimissile batteries on Turkey ’s border with Syria, a step requiring deployment of NATO troops that Syria fears could permit imposition of a no-fly zone over its territory.

“Syria stresses again, for the tenth, the hundredth time, that if we had such weapons, they

would not be used against its people. We would not commit suicide,” Faisal Maqdad said.

Mandela’s medical team die in crash

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LEVEN members of former president Nelson Mandela medical team may have died in a plane crash in South Africa’s mountainous east region.

The plane, which had been traveling from Pretoria to Mthatha, went missing on Wednesday but the initial search was abandoned due to poor weather.

The wreckage was found in the

Drakensberg Mountains, near Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province.

Officials have denied earlier reports that members of Nelson Mandela’s medical team were on the flight.

Speaking to the BBC, South Africa’s National Defence Force spokesperson Xolani Mabanga rejected unconfirmed media reports that the former president’s doctors were on board.

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56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

‘Let’s dedicat e our vict or oF ashola’ dedicate victor oryy tto Fashola’

School” is a “OLD relaxation joint at

the National Stadium, Lagos.

Aside food, drinks and music that form part of

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the entertainment here all football matches are shown on large screen television.

People, especially those with sports background, relax

here every evening. They enjoy old school music.

Three days ago, I was at this joint after watching interesting scenes at the swimming event of the ongoing National Sports Festival.

There, I met some officials of Delta State and discussion on the festival followed.

“Let’s dedicate our

victory to Governor Fashola,” said Etu Moses, one of Delta’s media officers. On this day, Delta’s leadership on the medal’s table was not as convincing as it is today but Moses felt that they were unstoppable. Moses explained that their story might have been different if Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola did not

insist on a level-playing field for all and informed that Lagos was not desperate to win at all cost.

Host states can employ resources, intimidation and all forms of cheating to win a festival in Nigeria. Results can be influenced. I once saw a boxing match that the boxer from the host state was so mercilessly beaten that he kissed the canvass so many times and could barely stand in the last round. Shockingly, he was awarded the match but he was so wounded that he could not fight in the final. It happened in Nigeria. There was also a kick boxer who was favoured to win a gold in his final match but after officials of the host state met with him he did not show up for the final and claimed that he overslept and did not know when it was time for the final match. Interestingly, the National Sports Commission officials are always sympathetic to host states. And if Fashola wanted to win the ongoing festival, the Nigerian factor would have easily facilitated that. But Fashola has always been Fashola.

Upright. Fair. Sincere.

Honest and progressive.

And that was why he made it clear in the opening ceremony that the ultimate thing in Eko 2012 is sports development and not winning medals at all costs.

When Moses made his points on why Delta State should dedicate their victory to Fashola, the other Delta officials nodded. I agree with them. Lagos has hosted well.

There were challenges here and there but on a general note Lagos has scored well in hosting these games. The turn out at events was impressive. Swimming attracted a lot fans. So was Volleyball, Table Tennis, Basketball, Tennis etc.

The crowd at the football venues made nonsense of what we see in our football league venues.

The only minus was the opening ceremony. There was a good show but the terraces were empty.

There was the issue of

security which was carried out in a manner that sent fans away. This is one area we always get wrong. Security men sent to sports arena are hardly trained on sports crowd control and the result has always affected stadium attendance. Sometimes we have more fans outside the stadium than inside. Lagos has promised that the closing ceremony will be superb.

I hope that the crowd will be there to make for great ambiance at the stadium on Sunday. Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos is the place to be on Sunday evening. I encourage all sports lovers to be there to experience what Fashola’s people will offer to us. Fashola himself will be there. It is possible that President Jonathan or his vice will be there. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan whose state has won four out of the last six festivals and who will add Eko 2012 to his kitty may be there to lift the trophy.

“The good thing about our victory is that we won in virtually all sports. It’s a complete victory and I want to commend Lagos State under Fashola for insisting on fair play,” Executive Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick said.

Delta held a sports summit tagged DEVELOPING THE NIGERIAN POTENTIAL on October 30.

Uduaghan has promised to implement the report in Delta and this will be some revolution in the industry. Cross River has already started theirs and Fashola is equally on the march with the likes of Lee Evans moving to Lagos to develop athletes.

Real sports development should start from the local government areas and the states. If we can’t get it right from these local areas and encourage mass participation and proper programmes we will continue to miss the road in sports development.

That’s why I hale Fashola, Imoke and I thumb up for Uduaghan whose passion for sports is touching lives in Delta.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012—57

*Gov Abiola Ajimobi: No sacred cow

*Alhaji Lateef Akinsola aka Tokyo: Obey court order

AJIMOBI VS TOKYO

Tokyo’s arrest

NURTW faction threatens mayhem over Tokyo's arrest •ACN commends police

BY OLA AJAYI

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OME aides of the detained leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola aka Tokyo have called for the unconditional release of their leader saying; “where is no justice, there can’t be peace and where peace is absent, anarchy would follow”.

They condemned the arrest of their leader describing it as a ‘politically motivated arrest’.

They pointed accusing fingers at the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi that he had no respect for the rule of law.

Speaking on behalf of the numerous aides of the union leader who wore forlorn looks at his residence at Akobo area, the close associate of the union leader, who is popularly called ‘fire’ said the state government was merely encouraging violence by its disregard to the court judgment which absolved Tokyo of allegations against him as regards the violence that broke out at the Iwo road interchange, Ibadan last year where many lives were lost.

He said, “Why can’t Ajimobi respect the rule of law. Why is he disobeying the court judgment that said he had no hand in the killing of innocent souls at the Iwo road

interchange?”

“The court had ruled on December 20 that Tokyo should not be arrested in connection with the violence that broke out at the Iwo road interchange. Why are they violating the law. We have been acting within the purview of the law since the issue started.

Why can’t they too respect the law. If they have anything against him, they should go to the court of law”he said.

He explained that they were just framing charges that he did not commit against him. “They brought the issue of late Lateef Salako aka Eleweomo who was killed last year. The court had tried the suspect in the case and granted him bail. Why are they now arresting Tokyo for the same offence”.

The union leader noted further that the union became what it is today because of the infiltration of the politicians. “Who heard of the NURTW before. But, it was the politicians who bought guns for them during election and brought politics into the union”.

ACN commends police

Meantime, the Action Congress of Nigeria, which Tokyo worked for in the last election has disowned him by commending the police for his arrest.

how many of our people were killed in the alliance of evil between these NURTW kingpins and the PDP in Oyo State,” the ACN said.

While asking the police to ensure that Tokyo gives an account of what actually transpired “during those bloody years” to the police, the ACN said that his arrest and subsequent charge to court by the police would be a litmus test on the police’s integrity and a demonstration of its partiality or otherwise in the political equation of Oyo State.

“In the last few months, a particular former Senator, who has the ambition of governing Oyo State in 2015, has been in cahoots with Tokyo and Auxiliary.

He has been promising them that President Goodluck Jonathan has directed him to be meeting with the crime duo.

The plan is to use them to foment trouble and make Oyo ungovernable for the ACN. Now that Tokyo has been arrested, he should be properly grilled and the truth of this allegation teased out of him,” the ACN state spokesman said.

,

The court had ruled on December 20 that Tokyo should not be arrested in connection with the violence that broke out at the Iwo road interchange. Why are they violating the law? We have been acting within the purview of the law since the issue started

,

However, the ruling party stated in a release by its Publicity Secretary, Dauda Kolawole that the police had not completed its duty if the evasive leader of the union, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila aka Auxiliary was not arrested.

“It is only in Oyo State that those who disturbed the peace of our state throughout the period of their party’s reign; who used NURTW kingpins as their shields and who spilled the blood of Eleweomo and many of our kinsmen could be allowed to walk the streets free.

What is even scary and frightening is that, these remorseless groups are again reganging to throw Oyo State back to the period of blood, using same NURTW kingpins,” the ACN said.

While commending the state police command for arresting Tokyo, the ACN said the command should not rest on its oars but go all out to arrest Auxiliary as well.

“The truth is of the matter is that the NURTW kingpins behind the bloodletting of the past did not do so in isolation. They were crudely abetted by the PDP government of the time. Tokyo and Auxiliary are the untouchables in the crime world of Oyo State. They have been boasting that some PDP gubernatorial hopeful in the state, using their link to the federal government, would soon reverse their Wanted tag,” the ACN said.

The party also warned that the people of the state would resist every attempt made by the PDP, using thugs and miscreants, to destabilize “the peace-loving” government of Oyo State.

“Before now, no one could sleep with an eye closed. If you left your home in the morning, you were not sure of when and if you would come back home without landing in the hospital or mortuary. Only God knows

The court-reinstated Chairman of the national Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola aka was arrested by the Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday.

Tokyo and the former Secretary of the union, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila aka Auxiliary had earlier been declared wanted by the police in connection with the bloody clash between factions of the union which led to loss of lives at the Iwo road interchange last year.

But, Tokyo had headed to court and got an order from the Federal High Court restraining the police from arresting him.

However, on arrival, the new police boss in the state, Mbu Joseph Mbu had restated that the union leaders still remained on the wanted list of the police adding that he was not aware of any court injunction.

Vanguard gathered that Tokyo, who had pleaded with the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi severally to implement the order of the National Industrial Court which reinstated him as the chairman of the union, was arrested when he was trying to reclaim his mandate.

About two weeks ago, the government had warned that some group of people had concluded plans to cause violence in the state. The CP confirmed his arrest that Tokyo walked into the police command in the morning and surrendered himself. But, a source confirmed to Vanguard that the union leader was actually arrested and detained adding that his lawyers were with him as at 9:20pm.

58— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 59

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60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Eko 2012 National Sports Festival

Delt a mak es his ennis celebration Delta makes histtor oryy, goes wild in ttennis “Two down, one to go.”

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

T

HIS was the common phrase among Delta Tennis players and officials at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, venue of the tennis event of the on-going National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012.

It was a historic moment for them. They had invaded the centre court to celebrate their first ever tennis gold in the history of National Sports Festival. They were emotional about the victory and officials allowed them the freedom to express their feelings.

Tana Abdulkareem Badmus and Joseph Iyorube had lost the first set, 2-6 but they grew in confidence and style to take the second set 6-4 against the pair of Idoko and Okechukwu from Akwa Ibom. An awesome performance saw them take the super tie- break 10-5. They went wild in celebration and other players and officials from Delta thronged onto the centre court to celebrate with them.

Fans understood and probably felt their emotions too.

They looked overwhelmed in the first set and Tana consistently lost his calm and openly protested against some points missed by his partner, Joseph. That did not help matters as he also committed many unforced errors. His

misses on the net were unbelievable. But he later recovered and played some superb winners that kept them alive in the second set and the tiebreak even as Joseph hit great shots that made him outstanding. He was the winner and said after the match that he knew Tana very well and had to calm him down during tense moments. It was Delta’s first tennis gold in the festival and that informed the wild celebrations in Lagos. Also, their Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan plays tennis and the players knew that the man would be happy with them. Delta State is reaping from their engagement of Rolake Olagbegi Kassim to train their tennis team.

Matches in the festival went straight into super tie-breaks after ties.

Moments after the men’s doubles final the Mixed Doubles started and Delta’s Albert Bikom paired with Maria Lodge to beat hard fighting pair of Iwuagwu and Ozurumba 6-2, 4-6-7, 10-2 from Imo to win the gold. Again, it was a tension-soaked match for both sides. Albert was the master and he plays the singles final to attempt winning two gold medals. There are five gold medals in tennis and Delta has won two. They are in contention for another when Albert Bikom steps out to play the singles final today.

Mikel Continues from B/P effect and fined £60,000 following an I n d e p e n d e n t Regulatory Commission hearing today,” said an FA statement.

“The Regulatory Commission’s independent chairman Christopher Quinlan QC emphasised that the I n d e p e n d e n t Regulatory Commission accepted, as did The FA, that at the time he threatened the referee the player genuinely C M Y K

believed that the referee had racially abused him.

“But for that factor the suspension would have been significantly longer. Subsequently The FA investigated the allegation that the referee racially abused the player and found that there was not a case for him to answer.”

Mikel’s suspension will take effect immediately, ruling the Nigeria international out of domestic duty until December 26.

GOLD RUSH . . . Female athletes taking off from the block in100M Women Semi Finals of the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 held at the Teslim Blogun Stadium Lagos. Photo: Henry Unini

Emeka Ike flags off desert football tournament

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OLLYWOOD star, Emeka Ike, at the weekend, flagged off a desert football tournament involving sixteen teams which were carefully selected from various parts of Lagos and its metropolis.

The football tournament is expected to last for two weeks, while the winner will

work away with N500, 000.

The tournament was organised by the Unity Football Association (UFA), while Emeka Ike and his school, St Nicholas College are the sponsors.

Speaking at the flagging off ceremony, which took place at Booben’s Club, Ogudu,

Trac k rack Continues from B/P officials who claimed that they had not been paid any allowances and also refreshments have not been provided at the intervals.

“We have been here for almost a week and there has been no payment of allowances. Besides, we are not provided with any refreshments during breaks. We were told to go to the University of Lagos to have lunch as no provision was made for on-field consumption.

“With the way things are going we may not get anything. So on Friday, we are going to do a sit-in to press home our demands,” said one

of the technical officials at the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday.

Athletics Federation of Nigeria vice president Jide Josiah confirmed the development. He added that the federation would do its best to prevent a disruption to the process.

“Things are not the way they are suppose to be. At the last festival in Rivers, we were given a total package for our accommodation and feeding.

“But here we have all been lumped into the University of Lagos. It was the AFN president that gave up his Hotel room for me,” said Dr. Josiah.

the Nollywood star said the main reason why he decided to support the tournament was to help

young football stars discover their talents, and thereby reduce crime.

Delta Continues from B/P medals.

The defending champions and last hosts, Rivers State which has been the main rival, throughout the festival are second in the medal table with 46 gold, 31 silver and 38 bronze medals.

Unless a miracle happens before the end of events tomorrow, host Lagos looks secured in

the third place. With a gap of about 10 gold medals separating Lagos from fourth placed Edo, it will be unthinkable for the hosts to slip one down the ladder.

Other states with a strong finish at Eko 2012 include Bayelsa, Ondo, Plateau and Ogun, some posting their best performances ever.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 61

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62— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 — 63

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

Racism: Mikel banned, fined £60,000

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Eko 2012 National Sports Festival

HELSEA midfielder John Obi Mikel was on Thursday suspended for three matches and fined £60,000 (74,320 euros) for clashing with match officials following the controversial 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

Mikel was reported to have stormed into the officials’ dressing room at Stamford Bridge after the Premier League match in October following accusations that referee Mark Clattenburg had racially

abused the Chelsea midfielder. But the FA decided there was “no case to answer” over the allegation Clattenburg said “shut up you monkey” to Mikel and the official was clear of all charges.

Mikel had admitted using threatening and/ or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour in the official’s changing room at the end of the game at Stamford Bridge on October 28, said the Football Association.

•Mikel “Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel has been given a three-match suspension to begin with immediate Continues on Page 60

Unstoppable Delta topples Rivers Track and field judges •Clinches Jonathan’s N20m

Onochie Anibeze — P.56

threaten to down tools

BY JACOB AJOM

BY BEN EFE

E

VEN before the official end to events of the 18 th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, Delta State could safely be considered as winners of the fiesta.

The state brought the largest contingent to the festival and did not leave any doubt that they meant business from the first day of competition.

At the last count, Delta had secured an unassailable lead in the medals table, garnering a haul of 64 gold, 58 silver and 41 bronze Continues on Page 60

TODAY'S

O

FFICIATING track and field officials have threatened to do a sit-in today, at the 18th National Sports Festival to protest against nonpayment of their remuneration and poor

feeding arrangements.

Four days of competition at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and the adjacent National Stadium Surulere have been greeted by long faces of technical Continues on Page 60

Medals Table

ALL FOR MEDALS••• Lynda Ibeh (Anambra) red, fights with Ikeh Juliet (Imo) in the Taekwando (Women) event.

PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Fragment (5) 5 Sofa (6) 8 Confusion (5) 10 Clothing (6) 11 Imitated (4) 14 Observe (6) 15 Particular (7) 18 Enclosure (3) 19 Faucet (3) 21 Repose (4) 23 Leaf (5) 24 Dressed (4) 27 Lair (3) 29 Jewel (3) 31 Swiftly (7) 32 Appeared (6) 34 Finished (4) 35 Husky (6) 38 Swindle (5) 39 Stripe (6) 40 Prompt (5)

State Delta Rivers Lagos Edo Bayelsa Ondo Plateau Oyo Ogun Ebonyi

G 79 54 34 19 16 11 6 6 5 5

S 70 40 32 13 14 6 8 6 13 3

B 48 46 46 27 13 16 15 9 24 3

Total 197 140 112 59 43 33 29 21 42 11

DOWN 2 Sever (3) 3 Each (6) 4 Equality (3) 5 Scrutinise (4) 6 See-saw (6) 7 Anticipate (6) 9 Denied (7) 12 Burst (3) 13 Eat (4) 16 Bucket (4) 17 Subsequently (5) 20 Swagger (7) 22 Dirty (4) 24 Universe (6) 25 Elderly (4) 26 Relegate (6) 28 Corsair (6) 30 Males (3) 33 Decorate (4) 36 Scull (3) 37 Sorrowful (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Scribe 5, Sham 8, Since 9, Rim 10, Lees 11, Raid 12, Appall 13, Driver 16, Tern 18, Evil 20, Red 22, Cos 23, Dip 24, Rude 25, Owed 28. Devise 30, Leapt 32, Heat 33, Iota 34, Apt 35, Meant 36, Rued 37, Settle.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Stride 2, Remained 3, Billet 4, Dispensed 5, Scraped 6, Heal 7, Made 8, Sea 14, Recouping 15, Rip 17, Row 19, Vigilant 20, Run 21, Deleted 26, Debate 27, Fettle 29, Char 30, Lame 31, Tot.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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