2015: Presidency, APC fight in America

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62117

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

IBADAN HORROR:

Forensic experts exhume victims' bodies, collect materials 7

Delegate seeks law to castrate 49 rapists

2015: Presidency, APC fight in America

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & BEN AGANDE

W

ASHINGTON— THE Presidency and opposition parties led by the All Progressives Congress,

•Don’t provoke me, Okupe warns Lai Mohammed •Let's not wash our linen abroad — Amb. Adefuye

yesterday, took their battle for the 2015 elections to far away Washington D.C., in the United States of America.

A forum on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2015 elections, degenerated to a war of words, after opposition leaders in the country pointed at alContinues on page 5

Vanguard special report on power sector privatisation, four months after •See Pages 30, 31, 32 & 33

COLUMNISTS: Why is there no regard for human life in Nigeria?

7 .1 •P

Blaming Obama for Putin's Crimea •P.43

Mr & Mrs

KIDNAP SUSPECTS—Suspected kidnappers of Chief Edwin Clark's son, Mr Ebikeme Clark, at the Nigeria Police Headquaters in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake. INSET: Ebikeme Clark.

New GDP: World Bank tasks FG on better living standards

8

Zamfara massacre: Residents flee •IGP deploys special forces

C M Y K

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2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

5—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

POCKET CARTOON

REPORT—President Goodluck Jonathan (4th R), Chairman, Ken Nnamani

Centre for Leadership and Development, Senator Ken Nnamani (4th L) and other members of delegation, during the presentation of Report of the National Stakeholders Forum on Electoral Reform to President Jonathan in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

2015: Presidency, APC fight in America Continues from page 1 leged failings of President Goodluck Jonathan in governance and his sincerity towards free and fair elections.

The forum held under the auspices of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS nearly boiled over after Dr. Doyin Okupe who led the presidency and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, delegation warned opposition politicians not to bring the personality of the president into the forum.

Dr. Okupe who had started by claiming that he would not wash the country’s dirty linen in public, however, expploded when Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the All Progressives Congress, APC, spokesman hinted at the administration’s failure to address trans-

parency issues including the alleged missing $20 billion oil revenue and indiscretions by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as failings of the government.

“Alhaji Lai Mohammed should not cast aspersions on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because if he does that, he knows me and what I can do,” Okupe said as he went on to project the 2011 elections as the best in the country ’s history which he said, were only dented by violence inspired by opposition politicians.

Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye in his summary of the discussions, however, praised the two sides saying that the articulation of the two parties was reflective of the high level of politi-

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design into the present —Marck And Hack

T

O move ahead in life, you must mind your busi ness. Forget about what others are doing. Stop looking at where they are and what they have. Nobody is doing better than you because nobody can do better than you. YOU are walking your path. Sometimes, the reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-thescenes circumstances with everyone else’s public highlight reel. We listen to the noise of the world, instead of ourselves. So, stop the comparisons! Ignore the distractions. Listen to your inner voice. Mind your business.

From Mack and Angel Hack is an uplifting wisdom of the heart that you should keep your best wishes and your biggest goals close to your heart and dedicate time to them everyday. Don’t be scared to walk alone, and don’t be scared to enjoy it. Don’t let anyone’s ignorance, drama, or negativity stop you from being the best you can be. Because when you are focused on meaningful work and at peace within yourself, almost nothing can shake you.

cal discourse in Nigeria.

He nevertheless warned the two sides not to wash the country’s image in public even as he raised questions about Nigerians coming to discuss their country in the United States.

Okupe had a Senior Special Assistant to the President, Sanya Awosan and Fred Majemite, Political Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on the panel. Besides Mohammed, the APC was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojodu, APC, Ekiti Central. The event was attended by Nigerian professionals, American specialists on Africa and state department officials among others. Among others present at the event were Dr. Usman Bugaje, former senior aide to the vice-president in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration; Mr. Oma Djebah, senior adviser to the governor of Delta State on foreign relations.

The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu‘azu was excused on the basis of a caucus meeting in Abuja and Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State was similarly excused following the killing of more than 100 persons in the state, last weekend.

Noting the APC’s preparations for the 2015 election, Mohammed pointed at ongoing congresses to choose party officials and the roll out of a road map to lead Nigeria out of the malaise of unemployment, insecurity among other issues bothering on lack of transparency in the management of the economy and the electoral process.

Okupe responding,

immediately faulted Mohammed as he said that he did not come to discuss the president’s performance, noting that he had “reservations about discussing our internal problems abroad,” and warned Mohammed, who he had earlier embraced before the commencement of the discussions not to comment on the personality of the president.

Ms Jenniefer Cooke, Director of the CSIS Africa programme who moderated the discussions from that point intervened as both sides tried to showcase the failings of one another.

Senator Ojudu was specifically cited the unwillingness of the PDP majority in the legislature to project good bills to consolidate democracy and faulted President Jonathan’s refusal to give assent to the State of the Nation address.

Faulting Okupe’s assertion that the problems of Nigeria should be internalised, Ojudu said: “We cannot be an island of our own".

Okupe from time to time teased the APC team on what he called the lack of internal democracy, saying that the party was quick to suppress the mandate of parties who won in the last local government elections in Lagos State.

Ms Cooke was forced to intervene after Okupe raised issues on Mohammed’s assertion of the administration’s failures to address the spate of insecurity inspired by the Boko Haram Islamic group.

Noting words of advice from the party to the government, he said: “Insurgency is not a matter that can be politicised but unfortunately the government of the day has not been able to distinguish between the message and the messenger,” as the opposition politicians faulted the president’s failure to visit the war ravaged sections of the Northeast.

Okupe intervening hollered, “I do not expect you to come to this forum to raise these issues, it is nonsense,” he said.

The CSIS forum continued last night with sessions between the Nigerian politicians and state department officials.

Sessions would also be held today with other democracy building institutions based in America and meetings with senior officials of the Barack Obama administration.

2015 elections would be better than 2011 —Jonathan ...backs electoral offences tribunal

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he would ensure that no other Nigerian leader suffers international humiliation which the late president, Umaru Yaradua and himself suffered, saying that as long as he remains the president, he would ensure the conduct of a credible and acceptable election in 2015.

He spoke, yesterday , when he received the outcome of the National Stakeholders Forum on Electoral Reform from former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, the Chairman of Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development.

According to President Jonathan, “there is a lot of noise in the air but definitely the elections will be better because we must put our legs down and make sure that the right things are done.”

While commending the Ken Nnamani foundation for its ‘painstaking commitment’ to examining relevant department of government to strengthen the electoral process, the president assured that he would do everything to ensure that there was credibility in the conduct of election, promising that the 2015 election would be better conducted and more credible than those of 2011.

“Anything about elections, I’m totally committed. And I used my personal experience when I came on board in 2007 as a vice president, and I promised myself that if I have the privilege to oversee elections in Nigeria, we will do better.

Bayelsa State is totally a PDP State and I didn’t see how anybody could win election outside the PDP. I had to go to my ward to vote, because everything about politics is local, but at the end of that election I was embarrassed when the international observers complained that there were certain breaches.

“Even though after taking oath of office and the Supreme Court declared

us winners, each time one travelled abroad, people ask all kinds of questions that even gets one angry. That was when I promised myself that if I have an opportunity to oversee elections in Nigeria, no other president or vice president should suffer that kind of harassment by the international community.

“That was why the 2011 elections, even though I was candidate, I said nobody should manipulate elections for me that my ambition and the fate of the country are two different things. The interest of the nation is much more superior than any other ambition and I kept faith with that. At least, at the end of that election, it was accepted by observers locally and internationally. And I promise that 2015 elections will be better,” he said.

On the recommendations by the Ken Nnamani Foundation which include the establishment of electoral offences commission, funding of INEC and support for constitutional/electoral reform, the President noted that they were in tandem with government’s thinking and policy.

On the establishment of electoral offences commission, the president agreed that there must be a dedicated body “so that people who commit electoral offences will not get away with it.

“After elections, the matter goes to the tribunal, the only person who loses, is the person who contested that election.

Other people who committed all kinds of atrocities get away with them and nobody punishes them. And that is why we continue to have that kind of impunity. That was why my committee at a time recommended this election offences commission, where we stated that whether elections are annulled or not, there must be process of bringing those who have done one thing or the other contrary to expectations to book."

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

10 fake Army officers arrested in Lagos

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

N

O fewer than 10 persons parading themselves as Army officers were arrested, yesterday, by Military Police at Agbara customs check point along Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

Some of the alleged officers arrested were wearing Army uniforms, camouflage, cap and vest.

According to one of the Military Police officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, some of the persons arrested were impersonating army officers, while others were actually officers but were supposed to be off duty.

The arrest, according to him, was to checkmate the activities of fake army officers operating along the axis.

A red dodge bus, with Lagos number plate APP306BW driven by one of the arrested officers, was carrying bags of rice and other contraband smuggled from Cotonou.

The driver of another vehicle with Lagos number plate BDG887CQ was also apprehended.

One of the 'officers' motorcycle with Lagos number plate Q5593AKD, carrying frozen chicken and turkey was also impounded.

KWARA PDP CONGRESS: 3 dead, 4 injured, 7 arrested

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN— THERE was tension in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday, as three persons were shot dead during ward congresses of the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while four were injured.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Kwara State Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, however, confirmed one death at press time, adding that seven suspects have been arrested over the incident.

He said: “We can only confirm that one person is

dead. But we have arrested at least seven persons over the incident and investigations still continue.

We have restored calm.”

Vanguard reliably gathered that, at least, one person was shot dead at Sango ward following skirmishes that ensued during the exercise between the supporters of the two warring political leaders in the area.

Lost rifle

In another centre along Kulende, it was gathered that the exercise turned violent when a policeman shot into the air in an attempt to control a rowdy situation. His gun fell and was seized by

suspected hoodlums.

In trying to retrieve the AK 47 rifle, another policeman was said to have shot at the suspected hoodlums.

Others also took advantage of the crises to set up a bonfire along the area, obstructing traffic flow.

Political control

Vanguard also gathered that the battle for the political control of Ajikobi central ward of Ilorin West Local Government, where Senator Gbemisola Saraki and Prof.

Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem hail from, allegedly caused the violence.

It was observed that the exercise, which started

smoothly in the morning with a large turnout of members, turned violent around 2pm as it was disrupted by a disagreement between members of the two groups before the police waded in.

Vanguard investigation further revealed that officials of the party had insisted that members should present their party membership registration card bearing holders’ photographs before they could be allowed entrance into Ansarul Islam Primary School, Okekere venue of the congress, which some members resisted.

It was also gathered that in Oro, members also clashed over venues for the exercise.

DEMOLITION: Delta State Special Sanitation Team flagged off its extraordinary one week clean up of Warri and environs, displacing several traders and occupants of illegal structures around popular Enerhen Junction, Warri, yesterday. PHOTO: EGUFE YAFUGBORHI.

Delta police parade kidnappers' of Clark's son

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—DELTA State Commissioner of Police Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, yesterday, paraded the suspected kidnappers of Chief E. K. Clark’s son, Mr. Ebikeme Clark at the state police headquarters, Asaba.

He said the command was seriously worried over the whereabouts of some members of the kidnap gang that carried out the operation, which he described as “extremely dangerous.”

According to him, “other gang members still at large include Timi, Abel, Ndamaw, and Jacob.

“The suspects further confessed to being behind the kidnapping of one Madam Rose at Udu Road, Warri, from whose family they collected a ransom of N1.8 million.

“We want to re iterate that these gang members are extremely dangerous, ruthless schemers and blood tasty, hence we enjoin the good people of Delta

State to as quickly as possible alert the police command through any of our distress call numbers: 08036684974, 08125273010 and 08075390753 or alert any of the security agencies in the state with any useful information that will lead to the arrest of the wanted suspects.

“Mouth watering rewards await any public-spirited individual that may come up with useful and genuine tips.

“We want to extend our gratitude to Ijaw youths and

members of the family of the kidnapped victim.”

State Police Command’s spokesperson, Celestina Kalu, who paraded the suspects on behalf of the CP, said one of the suspects, Joshua Ogofa, is the master mind.

A native of Kalafigbene in Bomadi council, he was said to be the driver of an ex militant warlord and provided the AK-47 rifle used for the operation.

Another is David Emevor, a native of Kiagbodo. He was

said to have plotted the kidnapping scheme as an insider. Bosin Kevwe, a native of Aladja, allegedly provided the Audi 80 saloon car used for the operation.

Sylvester Dio, a native of Isaba in Ogbe Ijaw, Warri South West council, was said to have provided the speed boat. Pius Arhavwaren, a native of Olota in Ughelli South council, provided the motorcycles used for the operation and Prince Meslore, a native of Esama in Bomadi council.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 —7

3 arraigned over theft of 141 PHCN's meters

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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INVESTIGATION: Forensic experts at work at the Soka forest kidnappers' den, Ibadan, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

IBADAN HORROR: Forensic experts exhume bodies, collect victims' property

BY OLA AJAYI

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B A DA N — F O R E N S I C pathologists, yesterday, began exhuming bodies of some victims of the Soka kidnappers’ den in Ibadan for forensic analysis.

The experts were drawn from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Nigeria Police from Abuja.

This came just as the police dismissed rumours that some victims were still trapped underground.

According to Superintendent of Police Olabisi Ilobanafor, the Public Relations Officer of Oyo State Command, “how can a human being survive underground for more than three weeks without food or drink? Where will they get power to charge the phone people have been saying someone was calling with?

“It is a mere rumour and figment of their imagination.

People should not carry rumours that will have psychological effects on families of missing people.

The teams

“Today, we have three different teams. We have the Oyo Police team, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, CID, Dasuki Galadachi; we have the CID from Force headquarters led

by Babale Aminu with four others, including a forensic pathologist, Dr. Eze Nwom, who led the team of pathologists, with an anthropologist.

“A professor, Dr. Olawoyin from the UCH, who is also with them, deals with anything about the throat to the head.

They were sent here by the Inspector General of Police.

“We have forensic experts gathering evidence that would help ongoing investigations.

They would also exhume some bodies that had been buried for forensic analysis.

Benefits

“The analysis would also help those whose relations are missing to do DNA test so

that anybody whose relatives might have been declared missing could go for forensic test so that it could assist in determining whether they are related to any of the dead.”

When asked why it took so long before the forensic experts came, she said the police in the state had been doing so many things.

She said: “Today is the final

stage of the exercise as police from Oyo had earlier visited and carried out series of investigations.

“After this, we shall be handing over the place to the state government who knows what else to be done with it.”

Some of the items collected by the experts were clothes, mats, plates, bottles, metals and any other physical thing seen in the den.

Okada man beats 2-yr-old son to death

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS— AN irate mob, yesterday, attempted to set a building on Fashola Street, Ejigbo, ablaze, where one of its occupants was alleged to have beaten his two year old son to death.

The suspect, identified as Oni Mama, a commercial motorcyclist, was alleged to have secretly buried the remains of his son around the area.

Report said the child, apparently hungry, was seen crying and chasing his father who was about moving out on his motorcycle, last Friday.

Out of anger, his father was said to have dragged him

inside and allegedly hit him several times until he died.

Report said Oni Mama was later seen carrying a sack dripping with blood out of the building, consequent upon which curious tenants alerted policemen at Ejigbo.

According to reports, the suspect’s wife abandoned him few months ago for another man in the same Orilowo Ejigbo area.

Since then, the child was reportedly left in the care of any available neigbour, while his father went out to work.

Policemen at Ejigbo Division were said to have visited Oni Mama’s one room apartment and conducted a search. But their

findings could not be ascertained.

They were, however, said to still be on the look out for the suspect whose whereabouts was unknown at press time.

Some of the tenants were said to have been taken to the station, where their statements were taken.

One of them reportedly said that the fleeing suspect was in the habit of beating his son, threatening that even if he killed him no one would do anything to him.

Attempts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, on phone to ascertain the extent of Police investigation were unsuccessful.

SSCE: 3 teachers arrested for forging signatures

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—DELTA State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, has ordered the arrest of three secondary school teachers for allegedly

forging the signatures of their respective principals as having nominated them to supervise the May/June Senior School Certificate examination.

Muoboghare said: “Their action borders on criminality and therefore they deserved

to be punished to serve as deterrent to others.”

The Commissioner, who is noted for personally going round to monitor examinations, once caught a 300 level undergraduate student of the Delta State University, Abraka, impersonating.

AGOS—THREE scavengers were, yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 141 pieces of old analogue meters from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN’s store.

The defendants, Ibrahim Yakubu, 23; Adegbola Adesanya, 42 and Kabiru Abdulahi, 38, are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendants conspired with others at large to commit the alleged offence on April 2.

Magistrate Margaret Dan Oni granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two responsible sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to April 24.

Man docked over friend's death

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

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AGOS—ONE Nurudeen Adio, accused of stabbing one Lateef Jimoh to death was, yesterday, remanded in prison custody by an Ebute Metta court.

Jimoh allegedly murdered the deceased at 6:30pm in Amukoko area during a fight.

The fight between Jimoh and Adio was caused by a heated argument over who should have a bigger share of the N800 they collected from a motorist.

Jimoh and the deceased, aged 32 and 33, respectively, were friends who worked as park touts.

The offence is punishable under Section 221, while the magistrate, Mr .O. O. Olatunji, ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the DPP’s advice.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

FG says no vaccine for vector-borne diseases ...Advises Nigerians to take precaution

A

BUJA—THE Feder al Government said yesterday that vaccine and treatment for most vectorborne diseases were yet to be found.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen as part of actvities commemorating this year's World Health Day. Chukwu, therefore, advised Nigerians to take precaution to prevent occurrence of vector-borne diseases.

The theme of the 2014 event is: "Vector-borne diseases, with the slogan "Small bites, big threats".

He explained that vectorborne diseases were infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that living creatures carry and passed on to other living creatures.

The minister said the disease carriers called Avectors were usually mosquitoes, ticks and mammals.

He listed examples of vector-borne diseases to include, dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, Lassa fever and ebola. ''The individual and the community have a vital role to play, we must abandon some traditional practices that promote the spread of these vector borne diseases and assume responsibility for personal hygiene. ''Such traditional practices include staying late in the open or sleeping outside without clothes, poor handling of dogs, consumption of unwholesome food and water. ''The bad news is that, currently, there are no effective vaccines against most of these diseases. The good news is that we can protect ourselves by taking simple measures," Chukwu said.

He said the prevalence of some of the diseases increased as a result of population, climate change and human activities which have negative health impact.

Chukwu noted that vectorborne diseases were preventable, yet they exert the biggest impact on the population.

The minister urged the public to help government track down any suspected case of ebola disease, advising that people should go for proper diagnosis of malaria and avoid self medication.

New GDP should translate to better living standards, World Bank tasks FG ...GDP not properly rebased — NACCIMA, LCCI

BY EMMA UJAH, FRANKLIN ALLI & NAOMI UZOR

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HE World Bank, yester day, reacted to the $510 billion Gross Domestic Product, GDP, announced by the Federal Government on Sunday, challenging the government to ensure that the figure translates to better living standards among Nigerians. ''What matters is the per capital and what matters is how well our individuals are doing. I think the rebasing is great, at least we have a good sense of how large that economy is. ''Also, it is the most populous country in the region and it is fantastic we have this done but going forward, what matters and very important to everybody is productivity to generate other indicators,'' Mr Francisco Ferreira, Chief Economist of the global bank told journalists at a briefing on the Economic Outlook Report on Africa, in Abuja.

The Chief Economist said the World Bank welcomed the new GDP figures and that the organization was optimistic of increased Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, into the Nigerian economy.

He, however, cautioned that mere GDP figures in themselves were not enough to attract foreign investors and that the Federal Government must ensure a conducive environment capable of ensuring high returns on investments.

Ferreira also noted that the fact that the Nigerian economy has overtaken that of South Africa in size was nothing for the latter to worry about.

His words, ''I don't think South Africa should worry about the recent development, if they want to worry, they can worry about labour situation, strikes and other issues, those things make South Africa less attractive. The Fact that Nigeria is largest economy is nothing to worry about.''

Ms. Punam Chuhan Pole, Team Leader, Africa's Pulse Team disclosed that economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, SSA, continued to rise from 4.7 per cent in 2013 to a forecasted 5.2 per cent in 2014. This performance, she said was boosted by rising investment in natural resources and infrastructure, and strong household spending.

GDP not properly rebased— NACCIMA, LCCI Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, hailed the latest size of the Nigerian economy, but said that the GDP was not properly rebased because

TURBANNING: Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (left), Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Ábubakar III and others at the turbanning of 21 new district heads by the Sultan in Sokoto, yesterday Photo: NAN. ''60 per cent of transactions in the informal sector of our economy are not captured.

"The economic activities in this country are enormous; how many trailers are on our roads but they are not recorded; calculate the value of the goods they are carrying, it runs into billions of naira, go to the supermarkets, the goods there are worth millions of naira, but how many traders there are paying as taxes. They are not captured; go to ASPAMDA at trade fair or Ladipo auto parts market , all in Lagos, there are thousands of shops and in each shop there are goods worth N10 million, how do you capture it?" said John Isemede, Director General, NACCIMA .

He noted that the country could even attain the 15th largest economy in the world if transactions in the informal sector of the economy are well captured.

In the same vein, Remi Bello, President of LCCI, said the apex chamber welcomes the rebasing of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP recently announced by the National Bureau of Statistics, which led to a review of Nigeria's nominal GDP from $270 billion to $510 billion, but said "There is need for caution in celebrating these positives, because of the weak revenue base of government."

According to him, the development revealed the new structure of the Nigerian economy and improved the reliability of economic data.

"The value of the rebasing lies in the following: New set of data reflecting current configuration of the economy, better economic information for economic and business planning; better information for policy advocacy and engagements, better information on the

size of the economy and its various component units."

According to him, the rebased GDP underscores the need to improve on some major fiscal policy measures of the government especially with regards to implications for the following ratios which have recorded sharp declines: Ratio of non oil revenue to GDP, ratio of infrastructure spending to GDP and ratio of capital expenditure to GDP including ratio of private sector credit to GDP as well as ratio of social spending to GDP. "There is therefore a great deal of work to be done to make the economy stronger by improving on the above ratios. On the positive side, the new GDP would improve on some rations such as: Ratio of fiscal deficit to GDP and ratio of debt to GDP. "The lower ratio should not be allowed to encourage increasing deficit spending or increased borrowing.

"The LCCI is in agreement with the coordinating Minister that the lower debt to GDP ratio should not be reason to increase borrowing. It is also significant that the rebased GDP has thrown up the very important issue of growing inequality in the Nigerian economy, which has implications for economic and social stability," said the LCCI chief.

No rating impact despite scale of Nigeria's GDP uplift — Fitch In its reaction, international rating agency, Fitch said Nigeria's large-scale GDP rebasing has a mixed impact on key sovereign rating metrics, and therefore has no automatic implications for Nigeria's 'BB' /Stable sovereign rating.

"It could, however, boost investors' sentiment and that is likely to support the sovereign credit profile over the longer term. The GDP uplift affects some key rating metrics positively and some negatively. 2013 per capita GDP rises by 89% to USD2,900 on Fitch's calculations. But it remains below both the 'BB' and 'B' category peer group medians of USD4,528 and USD3,841, respectively," it noted.

Continuing, Fitch said, "It is also below similarly rated oil exporters Gabon (USD10,688) and Angola (USD 5,703). Per capita GDP ranking relative to other countries is more important in our sovereign rating methodology than the absolute level."

Nigeria overtakes just three Fitch-rated sovereigns: Vietnam (B+), Philippines (BBB) and Bolivia (BB ) following the uplift.

The other main positive impact is on public debt indicators, which are already a rating strength and now look even stronger. 2013 debt to GDP drops to 11.6% from 22% and the average deficit to GDP ratio is just 1.4% over the past three years (both calculated on a general government basis).

However, Nigeria's low non-oil fiscal revenue now looks even lower at just 3.8% of GDP (2013 Fitch estimate). The GDP uplift puts some other key metrics in a poorer light. The 2013 current account surplus shrinks to 4.1% of GDP (and is likely to be overstated given the large errors and omissions in the balance of payments).

Foreign direct investment drops to less than 1% of GDP, among the lowest in the region. Broad money a proxy for financial market development and banking sector penetration also declines, from one third of GDP to less than one fifth of GDP.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014—9

Okonjo-Iweala tasks FIRS to double tax collections

Apo killings: NHRC indicts Army, DSS •Gives FG 30 days to pay N135m to victims •As Army vows to challenge verdict

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

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BUJA— MINISTER of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has charged the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to double its tax collections, as the new Gross Domestic Product, GDP, rebasing has reduced tax-GDP ratio from 20 per cent to about 12 per cent.

She spoke at the inauguration of the FIRS Multi-disciplinary Training Centre in Abuja, yesterday.

According to her, the tax-GDP ratio from the new rebasing exercise did not look good and in spite of the challenges faced by the FIRS in terms of people and companies who might be willing to pay tax, the tax agency has to deploy every possible strategy to achieve new heights in its performance.

Her words: "Nigeria is confronted with many constrains when attempting to increase tax revenues. We have just celebrated the fact that Nigeria has now become the largest economy in Africa with N80 trillion of GDP ($509.9 billion), which makes us the 26th largest economy in the world and advances us on our goal to become one of the 20 largest economies in the world.

"But I want to tell you that there is one piece of the news that is not so cheering. With the increase in GDP, all our revenue ratios have been recalculated.

"As you know, our revenue ratio to GDP before was 20 per cent, just about the middle of the emerging market economy, not as good as the 22 per cent that we want to be.

"But now with this recalculation, our revenue to GDP ratio is 12 per cent and our non-oil revenue ratio to GDP is four per cent, which means that we live worse than before.

"Those who want to think that we just need large GDP to live well, is not true because, by this ratio, it doesn't look so good.

"For tax revenue to GDP, we now have to redouble our effort to get back to the 20 per cent ratio that we were before."

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA — THE National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday, said its investigations revealed that eight persons that were killed by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, at an uncompleted building situated at the Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory on September 20, 2013, were not members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect as was alleged by security agencies.

In a report it released yesterday, the commission, which had earlier conducted a public hearing on the matter, said there was no shred of evidence to show that the deceased victims belonged to the dreaded Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lid da’awati wal jihad, also known as Boko Haram.

Compensation Consequently, the commission ordered the Federal Government to pay N10 million compensation to each of the families of the eight deceased persons as well as pay N5 million to each of the 11 injured survivors.

More so, the NHRC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, to ensure that evidence of payment of the compensation was lodged with the registry of the commission within 30 days from yesterday.

In an unanimous decision, the three-man probe panel which was headed by the chairman of the governing council of the NHRC, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, ordered the Federal Government to forthwith, "undertake a review and harmonization the Rules of Engagement governing the operations of se-

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, inaugurating the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Training Centre in Abuja, yesterday. With her is the Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi. PHOTO: NAN.

curity agencies to bring them into compliance with the applicable rules of international humanitarian law governing non-international armed conflicts."

The panel directed that a certified text of the harmonized and updated Rules of Engagement should be filed at the secretariat of the NHRC within two months, saying it will in accordance with section 22(1) of the NHRC Act (as amended), register the report and decision it took yesterday for enforcement with the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory.

Other members of the NHRC investigating panel that endorsed the report yesterday were the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr. Bem Angwe and Mrs. Saudatu Mahdi.

According to the panel, "This final report and decision by the NHRC stems from an internal security operation carried out by internal security agencies in the Apo/Gudu District in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on September 20, 2013 that resulted in at least eight persons killed and 11 persons injured."

While acknowledging the current security challenges confronting the nation, the commission emphasized that the primary responsibility of civil protection lies with the Nigeria Police Force.

Army vows to challenge verdict Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, yesterday, vowed to challenge the decision, insisting that there was also nothing to prove that the victims fell under the

2015: INEC'll monitor parties, candidates' campaign funds — Jega

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BUJA— PROFESSOR Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said yesterday in Abuja that the commission would monitor campaign funds of political parties in the 2015 general election.

Jega, who said this at an interactive session with Editors and News Directors, said the commission would also monitor funds of candidates.

He said the commission would partner with

non-governmental organisations to achieve this objective.

He said: “We are setting a mechanism in place to monitor campaign funds of political parties and candidates."

On the call for conduct of elections in one day, Jega said the commission was not disposed to conducting elections in one day, noting: “We are hesitant to conduct election in one day in 2015, but we are thinking about it for the future.

We in INEC do not believe we can do it in 2015."

The chairman said the logistics involved in holding elections in one day were enormous, saying the country’s terrain could not be compared to countries like Kenya and Ghana where elections were held in one day.

He said the 2015 elections timetable was not designed to favour any group of persons or political parties contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

The chairman said adequate planning and timing was critical to credible elections.

bullet of soldiers Speaking to newsmen shortly after the report was issued yesterday, Director of Legal Services of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Yusuf Ibrahim, maintained that unless forensic examination was carried out, the army would not admit culpability for the September 20, 2013 midnight massacre.

It will be recalled that the NHRC commenced investigation into the matter sequel to two separate petitions that were forwarded to it by two non-governmental organisations working for the advancement of human rights in Nigeria, Global Rights and the Human Rights Law Service, HURI-LAWS. Subsequently, the National Association of Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, NATOMORAS, which claimed that most of the victims were its members, equally joined as complainants in the matter, even as they demanded a public apology from the government for branding the victims terrorists and the payment of N500 million as compensation families of the deceased persons.

The Commander, Brigade of Guards Nigeria Army, Major Gen. Emmanuel Atewe had on December 23, 2013, told the panel that the Apo incident was part of ongoing military operation to rid the FCT of Boko Haram elements, as well as, ensure peace and stability in the country.

He noted that the military acted on the basis of a report from the DSS which he said indicated plot by members of the sect to launch attacks in Abuja.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 —10

Protest trails Ogun APC ward congresses

BY DAUD OLATUNJI BEOKUTA—BARELY 48 hours after the wards congresses of the All Progressives Congress were held in Ogun State, National Assembly caucus of the party protested alleged electoral malpractices.

Also, some aggrieved members of the party from Sagamu stormed the Oke-Mosan office of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs , yesterday, to protest the alleged injustice in the choice of ward leaders.

Some of the protesters threatened to ‘deal’ with Chairman of one local government, for allegedly manipulating the list of the wards leaders in the council.

The aggrieved members of the party were heard warning the Chairman of the council not to resume in the office or risk being ‘lynched’.

It took the intervention of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muyiwa Oladipo who called the protesters and assured them of fair treatment.

While addressing newsmen after the protest, Oladipo explained that the results of the wards in the council were being harmonised, adding that there was no serious problems in the council.

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Meanwhile, no fewer than five members of the party were hospitalised during the wards congresses following the violence that broke out in some parts of the state.

Some of the injured members of the party were said to have been attacked by a faction loyal to governor Ibikunle Amosun for

allegedly resisting their candidates.

Vanguard gathered that, at Kugba, ward 2 one Muyideen Ogunwemimo was stab in the head while Adeboye Mustapha, Tijani Ganiyu and Lateefat Adeyinka were reportedly attacked at Adatan, ward 3, all in Abeokuta South local

government.

Also, reportedly attacked was Pelumi Ramon at Saga in AkuteAjuwon ward, during a clash between the two factions of the party before the election proper.

All of them were reportedly rushed to hospitals where they were treated .

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BY GBENGA OKE AGOS—LAGOS State chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday, called on Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos to respect the judgment by Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, declaring toll collection on the Ikoyi-Lekki suspended bridge illegal.

The party also frowned at the alleged commercialisation of governance by the All Progressive Congress, APC-led government in the state.

According to the publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Sanjo Olawuyi, the Ikoyi-Lekki toll fees amounted to another unfriendly extortion policy by the Lagos state government.

He said: ‘’This commercialised style of governance by the Lagos state government is now becoming unbearable and if care is not taken, APCled regime will not allow the masses that gave them the mandate to gain access to the dividends of democracy."

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NIGERIAN IDOL: From left: Nex2, Ms. Oge, host, Nigerian Idol Season 4, IIIrymz and Xolani, during the release of the second group of selected contestants for the top 12 stage in Lagos.

BOAT MISHAP: Lagos Assembly summons Transport Commissioner

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—LAGOS State House of Assembly yesterday, summoned Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mr. Yinka Marinho and other stakeholders to appear before it on Monday next week over the rising spate of boat mishaps in the state.

This came five days after a boat belonging to Bell Marine ferry capsized in Oworonshoki axis, killing eight of the 20 passengers onboard.

Lagos should respect judgement over LekkiIkoyi bridge — APGA

The accident came exactly three weeks after another passenger boat capsized at the 4th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government.

The House came up with this resolution after a debate on Matters of Urgent Public Importance raised by Mr. Sanai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu I. The lawmakers had before the resolution, observed a minute silence for the eight victims of the Bell Marine ferry accident.

Agunbiade expressed sadness over the accident which occurred last Wednesday night.

Speaking on the floor of the

house, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa II, said the incident was as a result of none enforcement of the state transportation laws that ought to guide both road and water transportation in the state.

Meantime, the state government yesterday said it would soon commence demolition of buildings without approvals across the state to arrest rising cases of collapsed buildings in the state.

It will be recalled that the state’s Tribunal of Enquiry on Collapsed buildings had last year while submitting their report to Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said the state recorded 135 cases of collapsed building in seven years.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde who gave this hint while briefing journalists in Alausa, said prospective building owners, developers and site engineers should ensure they obtain layout approval before embarking on any construction work in the state.

PENGASSAN berates NECA over proposed refineries' sale

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG AGOS—PETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, yesterday berated N i g e r i a E m p l o y e r s Consultative Association, NECA, over its call for the privatisation of the nation’s refineries.

It said private investors should concentrate on establishing their own refineries instead of focusing on buying the state owned refineries.

Reacting to a statement credited

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to NECA Director-General, Mr. Segun Oshinowo that the four refineries should be privatised without further delay, PENGASSAN advised NECA to make its members build their own refineries and compete with the public refineries instead of struggling to buy them (existing refineries).

Speaking in Lagos, the PENGASSAN President, Babatunde Ogun, said “Why is NECA members afraid of competition? Why can’t they go and build their own refinery if they are interested in the downstream sector of the nation’s oil and gas industry? Why are they bent on buying existing refineries knowing full well that these refineries are national assets and that they will do little or nothing to make them work?

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014—11

LP, PDP disagree over non-conclusion of Ondo by-election

BY SONI DANIEL & DAYO JOHNSON

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K U R E — N AT I O N A L leadership of Labour Party, LP, and opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State yesterday sang discordant tunes over the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declaration of last weekend's by-election in Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency election as inconclusive.

This came as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, accused the Labour Party-led administration in the state of messing up the election vote.

While National Chairman of LP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu called on INEC to declare the LP candidate, Kolade Akinjo as winner of the election without further delay, State chairman of the PDP, Ebenezer Alabi, justified INEC's declaration of the election inconclusive.

According to Nwanyanwu, INEC had no genuine reason under the law for its refusal to declare the LP candidate winner, because according to the INEC records; the candidate scored the highest number of valid votes in the election.

He said: “The Leadership of the Labour Party, having received reports of the election into the Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency seat which held on the 5th of April 2014, notes with concern that despite the fact that the Labour Party’s candidate, Kolade Akinjo scored majority of

lawful votes that is, 23,926 as against the PDP lawful votes of 22,628 and APC lawful votes of 9,232 was not declared and returned as the winner of the election.

“There were returns of the outcome of the election in all the 12 Wards in Ilaje local government and 9 out of the 10 Wards in Ese-Odo local government. The net result is that election took place in 21 out 22 Wards that made up the Ilaje-Ese/ Odo Federal Constituency.”

Nwanyanwu added that; “it is instructive that prior to the election last Saturday, no indication was given of any notice of postponement of the election for reasons of natural disaster or

emergency declaring therefore that this makes the provision of section 26 (1) , (2) (3) (4) and (5) of the Electoral Act 2010 irrelevant.

But Alabi at a briefing in Akure blamed the State Government for the crisis in Arogbo ward 2 where election did not hold, five units in Ogogoro community in mahin ward 2, legha unit and Piawe unit and Ugbo section.

He claimed that the state government was planning to approach the Court to seek a declarative order to compel INEC to declare its candidate as winner of the election.

Alabi who described the exercise as an abuse, said only Electoral Petition Tribunal could

adjudicate on the electoral matters.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kuku, who addressed the media in Abuja yesterday, on his return from Ondo, where he participated in the election, claimed the LP supporters connived with exmilitant youths to disrupt the distribution of election materials in places considered to be PDP stronghold to give the ruling party an edge.

Kuku alleged that one of the youths, who had the backing of the ruling LP in the state, even openly seized marked ballot papers and jumped into the creek, thereby stalling the election in Arogbo 2 and other places where the PDP was poised to win overwhelmingly.

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Toyin Ojudun, Director, Membership Development, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, CIPM, Nigeria, Dr. Chris Imoisili, FCIPM, Mrs. Beatrice Ubeku, MFR, widow of late Dr. Abel Ubeku and Mr. Victor Famuyibo, President & Chairman of Council, CIPM, during the condolence visit to the late Abel Ubeku's family in Lagos

My guber ambition not worth the blood of any Osun citizen —OMISORE

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO—THE flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the August 9 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said his desire to serve the people of the state is not at the expense of the blood of any of its citizen.

Omisore in a statement through his Director of Media and Strategy Prince Diran Odeyemi, said: “My governorship ambition is about the people themselves and it is from them that I draw my inspiration and determination to serve them. The August 9 governorship election in Osun will be a step forward from the overwhelming support that brought me in as the generally acceptable candidate of Osun PDP,” Omisore said by now the All Progressives Congress in Osun should be burying its head in shame for raising false alarm in

respect of the very peaceful, transparent and fair primary of the PDP in the state.

He noted it was high time security operatives started questioning the APC whenever it raised false alarms of insecurity and bloodshed.

Omisore congratulated the people of the state over what it called the postponement of another orgy of violence in respect of the postponed ward congresses of the APC in Osun.

Omisore appealed to the APC to learn the attributes of

democratic elements from it whenever the party wished to conduct its ward and state congresses, saying ‘’Although I doubt it if members of the APC have the political maturity and temperament to go through real congresses."

Ogun releases N1.5bn for pensioners, ex-political office holders

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State Government has released N1.5 billion for the payment of gratuities to pensioners and severance package of former political office holders.

The money will be paid to 561 ex-civil servants and former political office holders who had served the State in different capacities.

In a statement by Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Commissioner for

Information and Strategy, the gratuities would cover the civil servants who retired between May 2011 and November 2012 who had filed their papers with the State Bureau of Pensions.

Also, ex- political office holders who served between 2007 and 2011 but were not paid their severance package by the last administration would benefit from the fund.

The fresh release of N1.5

billion will further clear the arrears of pensions which dated back to 2008 inherited by the Amosun Administration. The arrears are due to be cleared up to November 2012 with the new release of fund.

With the new release, the Amosun administration has now paid a total of N5. 6 billion as gratuity in the last 34 months

Ekiti teacher emerges best in Nigeria

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI—A teacher in Ekiti State has emerged as the best Nigerian Secondary School Teacher while the Second Best Primary School awards 2013 edition of President’s Teachers Schools award equally came to the state The successful teachers are Mr Michael Osiagwu of AUD High School, Ire Ekiti who got a KIA Picanto and Mrs Sesan Bosede of AUD Pilot Primary School, Ado- Ekiti The state equally emerged third as the best primary school , one of the teacher got virtually all the trophies for the Fracophone competition for States in the Southwest as Victor Obi of Anglican High School Ado Ekiti and Felix Adegboyega of Ekiti Baptist High School emerged first and second respectively in the competition.

In the quiz aspect of the Francophone competition Omoya Timileyin of Anglican Grammar School Ado Ekiti came first while the same school led by Omosule Banke came second in the Dance competition.

Osun PDP to APC: Come learn from us

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BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO—OSUN State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has advised the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in the state to learn from the PDP with the successful conduct of its state congress.

The PDP at its congress last Saturday elected former deputy governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore as the party ’s governorship candidate for the August 9 election.

Chairman of the party in the state Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa in a statement in Osogbo yesterday said the APC ward congress was to be held nationwide and Osun APC did not have the guts to conduct its own.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Enact Confab recommendations into law, Delta COS tells N'Assembly

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—CHIEF of Staff, Delta State Government House, Asaba, Dr. Festus Okubor, a governorship aspirant in 2015, has called on the National Assembly not to tamper with the recommendations that would be arrived at by the national conference, but to enact them into laws as they represent the views of Nigerians.

He also hailed the recent court verdict against the defecting All Progressives Congress, APC, members, noting that it was timely to save the country from anarchy.

Okubor, who spoke to newsmen in Asaba, said: “You need to understand that you cannot have two National Assemblies at the same time and we need to be clear as to where we are.

“The National Assembly is constitutionally constituted. It is okay for the confab to discuss, but you cannot bypass the National Assembly. You cannot have two bodies responsible for making laws in one country, that is a recipe for anarchy, and will not present us to the world as a serious people. Whatever they do at the confab will be helpful to the National Assembly. What we may say is that the National Assembly should not tamper with the outcome, because the positions so reached will represent the will of Nigerians. So, the

National Assembly is obliged to enact the positions wholesale or the National Assembly may want to take it to a referendum.”

On the recent Federal High Court verdict disallowing defected APC members from retaining their seats at the House of Representatives, Okubor said: “Let them go to the Supreme Court, but let me remind them that political instability crept into this country when Nnamdi Azikiwe’s NCNC won

elections in Lagos and overnight, those who won under his party defected to another party that gave that party the majority to form the government. That was the beginning of tribal politics.

“The same people have come again. You won election on the platform of a party and the other people cajole you to defect in order to give yhe other party majority seats in the National As-

sembly and you want to form the leadership in the National Assembly. They did it before and it resulted into crisis and you think this time it will not? The judgment saved Nigeria from anarchy.

It is irresponsible for anybody to win election on the platform of a party and take the mandate of that party and transfer it surreptitiously to another party."

WALK FOR LIFE: Executive Vice President, Moni Pulo Limited (MPL), Mrs. Seinye LuluBriggs with Mayor of Port Harcourt, Mr. Chimbiko Akarolo, at the starting line of the MPL organised 2014 Walk for Life programme.

2015: Sylva partners Amaechi for APC's victory in presidential poll

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— FORMER governor of Bayelsa State and leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state , Chief Timipre Sylva, has promised to work with Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to ensure the party wins next year’s presidential election.

Chief Sylva, who gave the assurance at Government House, Port Harcourt, when he led APC chieftains in Bayelsa State on a solidarity visit to Governor Amaechi, said they will collaborate with the Rivers State chapter of APC to deliver the party in the coming general polls, noting that there were Bayelsans who were not happy with the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, though he hails from the state.

He said: “We of the APC in Bayelsa State decided to visit

you (Amaechi) in solidarity and tell you that not everybody in Bayelsa is against progress. Not everybody in Bayelsa is an enemy of progress, that you also have a family in Bayelsa State that identifies with you all the way and we will stand with you all the way.

“When the time comes for us

to sweep away the government of the day at the national level, Bayelsans will stand with you and be in the vanguard of sweeping away this government."

In his response, Amaechi thanked them for the visit and called for freedom of choice in the country’s de-

mocracy.

“We want to be allowed to make our choices, express our views. We want to be allowed to express our interest and having expressed your interest and views, the best you can do is to remain convinced in what you stand for,” he said.

No student died during SUG poll —Ambrose Alli Varsity

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—AUTHORITIES of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Edo State, yesterday, denied reports that a student of the university was killed during the Students' Union Government election last week.

Also, some groups in the university town have described as untrue, reports that one person was killed in a fresh cult clash in the university during the

election.

The university, in a statement by Mr Chris Adamaigbor, Deputy Registrar/Public Relations Officer of the institution, in Benin, insisted that the students’ union election of the university took place under a peaceful atmosphere.

He advised journalists to always cross-check their facts before publishing.

Similarly, spokesmen of the groups, Ehime Oseghale of AAU Vanguard and Isah

Lukman of AAU Solidarity Movement, insisted that “the university has been peaceful and we have not heard any gun shot or any fight or killing within the university community.

“We are not aware of any cult clash, let alone death of any student. Such rumours or reports are misleading.

The AAU SUG election was peaceful. We are aware that there are renewed cult clashes in Edo State, but not in AAU."

APC youths blame party's cracks on failure of internal democracy

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—A youth group, the APC Youth Frontier, has attributed the cracks in All Progressives Congress, APC, on injustice and failure of internal democracy within the party, noting that same was responsible for the defection of some of its former leaders, such as General Buba Marwa, Attahiru Bafarawa and Ibrahim Shekarau, among others, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Speaking in Abuja, where it declared that they were decamping to the PDP in solidarity with their patrons and leaders, the group which is a coalition of youth groups from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, noted that unless the issues of imposition by the leadership of the party and injustice to those who made the party formidable were addressed, the party will continue to chase after shadows.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr Usman Austin, said: “The inability of the party to administer internal justice and follow international best practices as regards democratic tenets had created fears and discontent among youths and if allowed, such a party will visit injustice on the entire country. We, as a group, are afraid for our country and our future and henceforth, state categorically, that we dissociate ourselves from the APC “When the leadership of APC insisted that the incumbent governors be made the leaders of the party in the states, were Lagos and Kwara states exemptions? How come in Lagos State and the entire South West, none of the sitting governors is the leader of the party?

“During the last membership registration exercise in Adamawa State, Governor Nyako, who defected with only his cabinet to APC, hijacked the party and denied any space for the multitude that came from the legacy political parties such as CPC, ANPP, ACN."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 13

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Akanu Ibiam International Airport terminal’ll be ready soon, says Ortom

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

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UPERVISING MINISTER of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, yesterday, assured that Akanu Ibiam International Airport Terminal, Enugu, would be ready in September, 2015.

Disclosing this development to newsmen after inspecting the on-going construction works at the airport, Dr. Ortom said the construction of the terminal cost about N11.6 billion, affirming that he was impressed with the level of work done at the site.

According to him, contractors in charge, China Civil Engineering Company, had assured the terminal will be ready for commissioning in next September.

MARKETING EDGE holds Marketing Stakeholders Summit

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S PART of activities to mark a decade of operation, Nigeria’s leading brands and marketing publication, MARKETING EDGE, is set to hold two high profile events, a Marketing Stakeholders Summit and a Legacy Awards Night.

Both events will take place on Friday, April 11, 2014, at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. The Summit, which has the theme: “Exploding the Myths of Advertising and Marketing Communications Industry in Nigeria,” will hold in the morning while the Legacy Awards will hold in the evening.

A renowned marketer, a leading icon in the integrated marketing communications in Nigeria, Mr. George Thorpe, will deliver the keynote address at the summit while the Chairman of Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, will be the chairman of the occasion.

Key players and gladiators in the integrated marketing communications sector are expected to attend the summit where the myths and challenges of marketing in Nigeria will be dissected and solutions proffered.

Kalu seeks return to PDP this week ...may attend S/E rally, as South-East PDP, Abia kick member of the PDP since two years ago, and promised to be at the Enugu rally if he was in the country.

His words: “I have been a memBUJA — RESPITE seems ber of the PDP for the past two to have finally come the and half years now. I have my way of former governor of Abia membership card, and I am recState, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu in his ognised as a member of the party quest to rejoin the Peoples Demby the national leadership of the ocratic Party (PDP) as his entreatparty in Abuja. I don’t need the ies to the party’s officials at the South-East PDP rally to be ennational secretariat is said to be dorsed as a member. paying off currently.

"The party in Abia State and Vanguard learnt that for a while South-East cannot stop me from now, Kalu, who left the PDP in being a member of the party. It is 2006 after he founded the Proonly Abuja that can stop me. If I gressive Peoples Party, PPA, had am in the country by weekend, I been making efforts to get back will be at the rally. But my supto the party but kicks from the porters will be at the rally.”

But Kalu’s request may hit the rocks as the SouthEast zonal leadership of the PDP is kicking against the move.

Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), the South-East vice chairman of the party, said: “The South East PDP has written a report to the national leadership of the party, reaffirming that not only has Chief Kalu not been readmitted, the party in the zone has no intention whatsoever of doing so. It is for this reason that Chief MEETING: From left, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Chairman, Ibeto Group; Chief Willie Obiano, Executive Kalu’s attempt to rejoin the Governor, Anambra State; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman, Orient Petroleum Ltd, and Dr. Nkem party has been roundly reOkeke, Deputy Governor, Anambra State, after a meeting between the Management of Orient jected by his ward, local government and state Petroleum and the Governor at the Government House, Awka, yesterday. chapters of the party.”

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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stakeholders of the party in his state had always impeded the efforts.

Consequently, he has resorted to lobbying some national officers for assistance.

His latest strategy, it was gathered, included lobbying some national officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to prevail on the South-East and Abia State chapters of the party to enable him to make a public declaration at the party's South-East rally on Saturday.

A source at the national headquarters of the PDP, who craved anonymity, said that Kalu desired the same treatment that was giv-

en to former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, recently in Owerri after his sojourn in the All Progressive Congress, APC. The source said: “Kalu wants to return to the party. He has been begging some national officers of the party to allow him use the South-East rally of the party that will hold in Enugu to declare his return. But the party in the zone and in Abia has taken a decision against him.”

When contacted, a source close to Kalu said PDP in the SouthEast and Abia could not stop him from being a member of the party, adding that he had been a

Onu denies sponsoring ASUP strike

...Dismisses alleged plot to relocate Oko poly main campus of Polytechnics, ASUP, and withholding salaries of some widows from Oko for no justifiable reasons.

WKA — RECTOR of Federal Onu, who spoke at a meeting with Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, members of the governing council of the Professor Godwin Onu, yesterday de- institution, also denied that he was nied the allegation that he was among planning to relocate the polytechnic those sponsoring the protracted strike from Oko to his home town, Ezira in by members of Academic Staff Union Orumba South local government area.

The meeting, it was gathered, was to brief members of the newly constituted

BY ANAYO OKOLI governing council on the MUAHIA — GOVERNOR Theodore Orji recent happenings in the of Abia State has sworn-in Justice Nnenna institution, including the face off with a section of the Chioma Oti as the substantive Chief Judge, CJ. The swearing-in of the judge came four years community.

He expressed worry after the state had been without a substantive CJ. Orji also swore-in two new state judges, namely that though his second tenJustice Innocent Ahunanya Nwabuogu and Jus- ure started on March 5, 2014, there had been so tice Eleazar Onyekachi Enwereji.

Swearing-in the new Chief Judge, Governor Orji much acrimony being genrecalled that since December 2010 when the last erated by some people from substantive Chief Judge, Justice Imo retired, there the host community which, according to him, culminathad been no substantive chief judge in the state.

The governor said during the period, he received ed in the banishment of 13 several calls from people of the state urging him to people from the communiappoint a new Chief Judge, unaware that such an ty for supporting the management of the polytechnic. appointment was not within his capacity.

Such allegation and the “The state judicial commission according to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nige- tension being generated, ria nominated her and sent her name to the Nige- he observed, were not in ria Judicial Commission, which approved her be- the best interest of the comfore I sent her name to the state House of Assembly munity and the institution.

He said: “There are no who also approved her resulting in the swearing plans to relocate the polyher in as the new Chief Judge,” Orji explained.

BY VINCENT UJUMADU & NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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Orji swears-in new Chief Judge

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technic to Ezira my home town. Those making the allegation should know that no Rector or anybody can relocate the polytechnic without legislation from the National Assembly.

“It is also not true that we have seized the salaries of widows from Oko or that we are sponsoring the ongoing national strike. I want to advise people to always verify whatever they hear to avoid dishing out wrong information to members of the public.”

Onu reiterated the resolve of his administration to make Federal Polytechnic, Oko, one of the best in the country, adding that with the composition of members of the governing council, the institution would surely move from strength to strength.

The chairman of the governing council, Dr. Azubuike Odukwe, said mem-

bers of his team were prepared to transform the institution, adding that with their wealth of experience and connections, the polytechnic would continue to move forward.

He lauded Prof. Onu for his developmental strides in the polytechnic and pledged the support of the governing council to the management to ensure that the institution is upgraded to a university of technology.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014—15

FG merges NAMA, NCAA, NIMET ...Scraps NAPEP, others

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, accepted the recommendation that Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA; Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, be merged into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority, FCAA, while their respective enabling laws are to be amended accordingly to reflect the merger.

It, however, rejected the recommendation of the Steve Oronsaye committee that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission, ICPC, the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct be merged.

These were the highlights of the report of the white paper drafting committee on the recommendations of Oronsaye committee which was made available to State House correspondents.

The government also rejected the privatisation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian, FAAN, in view of the security situation in the country.

It rejected the recommendation that the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC,

Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, and the regulatory functions of Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, be brought together under a unified management structure to be known as the Communications Regulatory Authority of Nigeria.

The recommendation that the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria be merged into one body, to be

known as Federal Corporation Broadcasting of Nigeria, FCBN, was also rejected.

It was, however, approved that the Nigerian Television Authority be fully commercialised by 2015.

Other recommendations rejected by the government were the re-introduction of tuition fees in its universities; the abolition of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NEDRC, and the

merger of the National Directorate of Employment and Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to form a single agency for wealth creation.

The recommendation that the Ministry of Police Affairs be scrapped was rejected, while the recommendation that the National Programme for for the Eradication of Poverty be sustained was accepted by the government.

MEETING: From left, Executive Director, Investment & Corporate Banking,Skye Bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Ms Barbara Iyayi, Partner, Constant Capital; Mr. Jyrki Koskelo, Head, Developing Markets, Atlas Merchants Capital, and Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, during a business meeting between Atlas Merchants Capital Partners and Skye Bank, in Lagos, at Head Office of Skye Bank, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

FG to introduce herbal medicine course in varsities

BY VICTORIA OJEME & RAPHAEL IZOKPU

ABUJA — MINISTER of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said the federal government has concluded plans to introduce herbal medicine studies

in universities.

Prof. Chukwu disclosed this at the 3rd Annual Guest Lecture organized by Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, in Abuja.

He said: “ They say we cannot achieve universal health cover-

Power reforms doomed with obsolete equipment, says Rep

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA — A member of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Ibrahim ElSudi, yesterday, said that due to obsolete generating equipment in Nigeria, the power reforms might fail.

El-Sudi, who represents Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna constituency of Taraba State, also carpeted the Federal government for the haste with which it privatised the power sector.

Condemning the poor state of power supply, El-Sudi noted that most engines in the power stations were moribund, making it impossible for their new owners to utilise them effectively.

According to him, as a member of the power committee, I am very passionate about getting power because it is required to trigger development. Without power, the nation cannot move forward.

He said: “We made some observations, having been to these companies, that the leeway in which this privatisation is taking place will lead the country to a doom. ”We have gone round almost all the Gencos and Discos in the country and I can tell you those engines and machines in production are moribund.

age unless herbal medicine practitioners are involved. But I say they must be trained.

“Finally, a committee has submitted a curriculum which we are going to take to the National Council on Health, NCH, very beautiful curriculum. We are taking herbal medicine to the university. ”Without it, there is no integration. This is because if you are a herbal practitioner, you are a doctor. A herbalist is a doctor. But the first function of a doctor is to take a diagnosis.

“Is it Lassa fever or Ebola? Or is it Dengue or is it malaria or typhoid? You have to get the answer before you begin to give that herb “ You cannot do that unless you

learn those sciences that will enable you get the results- physiology, pharmacology, pathology, anatomy, biochemistry and all others. If you don’t learn them, you will not know anything about the human body.

“The herbal practitioners are working with me because they saw what we are doing. Hopefully, once the NCH approved it, it is possible that by next year, in Joint Admission Matriculation Examinations, JAMB, some people may be filling to read herbal medicine.”

Chukwu further argued that for the health sector to attain the desired progress, there was need for dominance and high participation of non-government practitioners in the sector.

Ifowodo declares to run for House of Reps election

D

R. OGAGA Ifowodo, yesterday, declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives election in the 2015 general elections.

Ifowodo, who is aspiring to run for Isoko Federal Constituency, while addressing his people in Isoko, Delta State, said: “I wish to declare to you my intention to continue through the medium of political office, what I have done all of my adult life without the benefit of a paid office: fighting for

democracy, social justice, fairplay and the welfare of the poor and oppressed even at the cost of expulsion from the university, delay of my admission to the Nigerian Law School, and imprisonment.

“I have only one abiding commitment and that is to serve my country diligently and honestly to the best of my ability.

"I do not seek office as a means of corrupt self-enrichment and to earn the vain title of “Honourable.

“This is not the time to lay out a detailed programme, to draw up the “social contract,” the covenant of the relationship of MasterMessenger (the messenger, needless to say, being me), between us that will come soon enough.

"Today (yesterday), I merely announced my burning desire to be your messenger.

"Permit me, then, to say that I know the pain and suffering of the Isokos."

COEASU strike: Anosike begs teachers to go back to classrooms

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

ABUJA — AS the strike embarked upon by the Collages of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, enters the fourth month, Chairman of Chairmen, Governing Councils of Federal Collages of Education, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, has pleaded with the striking lecturers to return to classroom, assuring that his board was making efforts to ensure all areas of grievances were sorted out.

The union had embarked on strike December 2013 over some unresolved grievances with government and demands which include poor funding and inadequate welfare for lecturers.

Speaking at the end of tour of Federal Colleges of Education in the South West geo-political zone of the country, yesterday, Senator Anosike begged the lecturers to embrace dialogue as efforts were on to address all their demands.

He said: “I am joining other well-meaning Nigerians to plead with COEASU to shelve their strike in the interest of students and their parents.”

He noted that the strike had more serious implications for the country than imagined, especially at this period when the country was passing through security challenges.

“It is very tempting to leave students roaming the streets when they are supposed to be in classrooms.

So, I am pleading with the lecturers to give more room to government,” he said.

Anosike disclosed that the board’s tour of colleges in the South West revealed government’s commitment at transforming the schools through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund.

He, however, called for proper utilisation of experts in handling students of Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo. Anosike said: “This is the first and only of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. This is where teachers and other professionals are prepared to meet the needs of children and adults that are considered exceptional or special.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Zamfara massacre: Residents flee Unguwar Galadima zAs IGP deploys Special Forces

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI & SALISU MARADUN

F

OLLOWING the massacre of more than 200 residents of Unguwar Galadima, a community in Zamfara State, by Fulani herdsmen last Sunday, the people are now fleeing the town in droves, even as the Inspector General has ordered deployment of special forces to the state.

Many of the residents who survived the attack are leaving for fear of being attacked again.

A resident, Malam Danladi Musa, while narrating his ordeal, said he had to leave the area because out of nine members of his family, only two of them escaped the deadly attack.

He said: “When the tragedy happened, I could not find any of my family members until after about five hours when one of my neighbors, who also survived, Malam Idris, told me that he saw my brothers lying in a hole in the outskirts of the town where they hid themselves.

"I became more scared when I went back to the town to call my brothers, as I could not believe it was the same Unguwar Galadima I knew before. It was terrible. I was terrified when I set my eyes on the town. There were still billows of smoke everywhere, and the town was completely deserted."

Another survivor of the massacre, Alhaji Sani Tela, said his fear was how to go to the town to evacuate the remaining members of his family who were trapped there. Alhaji Sani stated that two days before the attack, he had a premonition that something bad was going to happen in the area which would be destructive. He said: “I quickly called one of my sisters who lives in Koli village, which is also about 60 kilometers away from the scene of the incident, Malama Halima, to come and take my ten goats and seven sheep and keep them under her care.”

Meanwhile, more corpses were being buried under the leadership of the Chief Imam of the area, Malam Musa Muhammad. One of the funeral prayer attendants, who gave his name as Saidu Lili, told Vanguard that he was looking into the possibility of leaving the area, but for the burial.

According to him, he was instructed by the Chief Imam, who was also his in-law, to remain behind until all the corpses were buried.

"There is no way we can con-

tinue to live here,” added one Tsalha Isah, who was weeping over the death of his father. He explained that they were still scared, because since the governor and his entourage left, no single policeman was seen around the area. DSP Lawal Abdullahi, the state command’s spokesperson, however, said the command had done everything to ensure peace in the area, adding that more policemen have already been stationed there to ensure people are protected.

IG orders deployment of special forces Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the immediate and massive deployment of Special Forces comprising ten 10 units of Police Mobile Force, PMF, three units of conventional policemen and a unit of counter-terrorism personnel to the state.

Also deployed are Border Patrol Teams and Force Intelligence personnel drawn from various squadrons and commands to reinforce the operation of the existing Police personnel in the affected areas.

A statement from Force Headquarters, Abuja, noted: “In addition, the Air Wing of

the Nigeria Police, we will commence aerial patrol and surveillance in order to efficiently and effectively monitor the situation and communicate with special units on ground."

These directives, according to the statement, were issued by the IGP in response to the security assessment report of the affected areas.

“Furthermore, the IG ordered extensive covert operations from the Force Intelligence Bureau while the Border Patrol Teams are to maintain adequate surveillance of all border areas around Zamfara to forestall further infiltration and escape of Marauders through the borders” it added.

While commiserating with the families of the victims of the attacks, the IGP urged citizens to cooperate with the force in its effort at restoring peace and security in the area and advised them to be lawabiding as they go about their lawful businesses.

Confab observes oneminute silence for crises victims Also, delegates at the National Conference yesterday, observed a minute silence for victims of

Saturday’s attacks in Zamfara and other attacks in the country.

The action came after the Deputy Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, aborted what could have threatened peaceful continuation of the conference when almost all the delegates stood up to confront one another over the call for the one-minute silence in honour of the Zamfara victims.

A delegate from the state and former Military Administrator of Nasarawa State, Col. Bala Manda who is representing the North West geo-political zone at the conference, stirred the hornet’s nest when during his contribution to debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech, requested the conference management to ask delegates to observe one-minute silence for the victims.

His suggestion was immediately countered by a delegate from Nasarawa State and former Minister for State, FCT, Musa Elayo. He argued that it would be wrong to single out some victims for such honour since many people have been killed in various attacks across the country.

INAUGURATION: From left: Barrister Peter Idowu inaugurating the Correspondents Chapel of Oyo State NUJ, led by Ola Ajayi of Vanguard as Chairman, Waheed Adebayo of Leadership as Vice Chairman, Boye Ajayi of NAN as Secretary, Yinka Adeniran of Daily NewsWatch as Assistant Secretary, Abass Akeem of NAN as Treasurer,Jide Jegede of Witness on Line as Financial Secretary and Ogbeni Olawale Ajao of Alaroye as Auditor, at the Chapel Secretariat Ago Tapa, Mokola Ibadan on Monday. Photo: Dare Fasube.

Breach of contract: Court orders INEC to pay media consultant N7.5m

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

N Abuja High Court, yesterday, awarded N7.5 million in favour of Godson & Godman Ventures Limited, a media consultancy and publishing firm run by the former editor of Daily Times,

Mr. Ken Ugbechie, against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Trial judge, Justice U. Kekemeke, ordered INEC to pay the plaintiff the said sum in addition to 10 percent interest from the day of the judgment until the debt was liquidated.

The plaintiff, through his counsel, Mr Agwu E. Agwu, had argued that the plaintiff was duly awarded a contract to provide media consultancy services for the defendant and that the job was satisfactorily executed as attested to by the defendant.

Stop denigrating National Assembly members —David Mark

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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OKOJA—THE Senate President, Senator David Mark, has urged Nigerians to stop denigrating members of the National Assembly over alleged low performance, as on the contrary, legislators at the National Assembly were doing serious business.

Mark spoke at Okene, Kogi State, yesterday, at the constituency briefing and Empowerment Programme of Senator Nurudeen Abatemi representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Senate.

He said that all decisions and steps being taken on the floor of the Senate were aimed at keeping Nigeria together as one country.

“When it comes to national issues, the upper chamber is one, irrespective of party affiliations and so we act with the interest of Nigeria at heart. ”I also urge Nigerians to have the interest of the nation at heart. They should embrace peace, for without peace, the nation cannot get to where it ought to be,” he said.

Senator Mark, however, commended Senator Abatemi for empowering the people of his district, stressing that legislating went beyond law making since, “as a representative of the people, you cannot tell Nigerians that your duty is only to make laws without empowering the people.”

Earlier, Senator Abatemi had said that he had, through his empowerment programmes and debates on the floor of the Senate, kept faith with his mandate and delivered on his promises. ”I have worked diligently to live up to the promises that I made during the campaign: to build a better future for my people, uplift the poor, empower underprivileged, create jobs and wealth for my district. ”This day represents not just the distribution of resources, but the beginning of a journey towards sustainable employment, increased income and a brighter future for the beneficiaries and their dependants."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 17

even more time looking for non-existent jobs.

I

JUST returned last week from a short visit to London.

One of the major news-items there was the re-opening of an inquest into the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 when some spectators died during the F.A. Cup semi-final football-match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. When I heard this, I shook my head.

These “oyinbos” are still concerned about deaths that took place 25 years ago. But here in Nigeria, there is no serious inquest into the deaths of job-applicants to the Nigerian Immigration Service in several cities just this year.

A Senate Committee spent a perfunctory two days paying lip-service to the disaster. The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, refused to resign. His understanding of his responsibility did not go beyond mouthing vain platitudes. The government imposed no sanctions on those who turned our stadiums into death-traps simply in order to defraud the poor unemployed of 6 billion naira. A courtverdict ordered that 50 million naira compensation should be paid to the suspended Central Bank Governor for his unlawful detention for 24 hours. How much compensation should be paid for the senseless deaths of innocent job-seekers?

Official neglect The government has passed legislation criminalising homosexuality in Nigeria without regard for the implication of this for fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS. After South Africa, Nigeria has the highest number of HIV/ AIDS patients in the world.

Nobody cares

Why is there no regard for human life in Nigeria? dies.

Over three million Nigerians were slaughtered in a three-year civil war; and yet there is no national memorial commemorating our loss. The victims are gone, what else is new?

Murder incorporated How much is a human-being worth in Nigeria? Not more than the cost of a hearty meal in a “mama-put.” If you want someone killed, you don’t have to break the bank. You can get a contract-killer for as little as 1,000 naira and the job will be done. The list of unresolved murders is so long, you begin to wonder what exactly the Nigerian police are doing.

From Dele Giwa, to Alfred Rewane, to Anthony Ikhazoboh, to Bola Ige, to Harry Marshal, to Funso Willams; Nigerians continue to get slaughtered without any reprieve.

If someone were to kill you today, the only people who

,

It should be against the law in Nigeria for a government official to seek medical attention abroad for any ailment whatsoever

Who cares if by criminalising homosexuality, homosexual patients are discouraged from seeking such medical treatment as are available locally? Let them die; and if they don’t, we can certainly stone them to death if we ever discover that they are homosexuals.

The Boko Haram go to churches to kill Christians.

Christians go to church prayer-meetings to kill their enemies.

Atheists go to "babalawos" to negotiate deathsentences for their rivals. It is no longer a big deal to hear of Fulani herdsmen killing the innocent, or of area-boys executing jungle-justice in our streets. It is now all par for the course.

Let us face it: there is no regard for human-life in Nigeria. In Nigeria, we love life, but promote and encourage death. We lavishly celebrate births, but disregard children after they are born.

The Israelis would move heaven and earth to protect and defend the life of one Israeli. But governments in Nigeria don’t give a damn whether a Nigerian lives or

,

may blink an eye are members of your family. Even they may be more concerned with sharing your property than with prosecuting your killers.

As people come ostensibly to commiserate with your relatives about your death, so would they be asking if they can have your spanking stereo system.

When I was living in a block of flats, our “maiguard” got drunk one night and was killed by a hit-and-run driver. His friends sent a delegation to the tenants, saying they needed money to send him home for burial. We contributed money and gave it to them. But as we watched from the window, they gathered round and shared the money among themselves. Who cares? The man is dead.

Medical deaths By the law of averages, if you are a Nigerian the chances are high that you will be dead before your 40th birthday. It is amazing how many people kick the bucket after proverbially “brief illnesses.”

We have hospitals where

doctors can go on strike for months, while the government dilly-dallies. Indeed, hospitals are places where Nigerians go to die: and not to be healed. If a relative of yours has to undergo surgery in Nigeria, it is time for fasting and prayer.

You can even go to a hospital for vaccination against a disease and end up dead from that very disease because of an overdose of the vaccine. That is what killed my only sister, Yemisi, at the tender age of eighteen. It should be against the law in Nigeria for government officials to seek medical treatment abroad for any ailment whatsoever. Let them improve the medical facilities here at home or face the music with everyone else.

We keep discovering new ways to send as many people as possible to early graves. We sell fake drugs, knowing they can either kill the sick or ensure that they die of neglected ailments. We live in unsanitary neighborhoods, where rubbish piles up high in the streets, not caring that this makes us prone to diseases. We pump oil out of the Niger Delta, without regard for the pollution of the environment.

The oil companies know they can get away with murder in Nigeria, doing things in our country that would bankrupt them if they dared to do them at home.

Wasted lives

I

n Nigeria, we produce children, without sparing a thought for how they would be cared for. You can have a messenger in an office, earning 18,000 naira a month; nevertheless he is the father of 12 children. How does he expect to take care of them?

He does not! He expects them to take care of him. From an

early age, he distributes some among his relatives. He sends out the “leftovers” as sellers of chewing-gum and groundnuts on the streets. They become street-urchins and beggars required to make daily returns to him. What does it matter if they grow up to be kidnappers and armed-robbers?

Because human life is disregarded, a whole segment of our population still cannot read and write; and yet we are in the 21st century. Because we have no regard for life, our policemen are as equally likely to shoot you and kill you as they are to protect you. If you are more fortunate, they might arrest you merely for walking on the streets and lock you up somewhere for 10 years without trial.

Let me ask you this: how many men have you ever heard of going to jail for raping women in Nigeria? It is not because Nigerians are not rapists like other people, but that in Nigeria rape is not that big a deal. Neither is marrying under-aged girls. That actually happens to be the preferred pastime of our distinguished Senators in the National Assembly.

University lecturers go on a strike for six months. Nobody seems to care that this is six wasted months in the life of hapless students. In serious countries, such neglect might be enough to bring down a government. Not in Nigeria.

We all know our university education is largely useless anyway. Most graduates in Nigeria cannot write a sentence of English correctly without “firing bullets.” What does it matter if they waste six months while lecturers and the government stare each other down? Everyone knows when they graduate they will waste

In our cities, you can go to work in the morning and find a dead man lying on the street.

When you come back in the evening, you are likely to find him still there. Nobody really cares.

Nobody cares that, as a result of being the highest users of generators in the world, we are killing ourselves with the fumes. Nobody cares that our women are dying by the tens of thousands from ingesting the smoke from cooking with firewood all day long. Nobody cares that our orthopedic hospitals now have glorified “okada wards,” full of people maimed and crippled by nairadrunk motorcyclists. Nobody cares that our flea-markets and supermarkets sell expired foods and our so-called pure water is responsible for the high incidence of typhoid.

When they discourage the smoking of cigarettes in the West because of medicallyproven research that it causes a lorry-load of deadly diseases, the tobacco industry finds a high-growth market in Nigeria with every encouragement from our easily-bought legislators. Our mechanics put fake spare-parts in our cars, not caring a hoot if that makes us vulnerable to accidents. In Nigeria, if you are not killed while driving on the road, you can be killed while walking on the sidewalk because the okada-rider or the “Keke Marwa” driver does not believe the sidewalk is reserved for pedestrians.

Corruption deaths

C

an you imagine it if the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 had been a Nigerian plane full of Nigerians? Would the Nigerian government be particularly bothered to spend money in search of the plane, after all, what are 239 missing Nigerians in a country of 170 million?

There are so many Nigerians, we are easily expendable.

Even if the government were to budget funds to search for the missing plane, it would not be amiss for some officials to chop the money.

In 1992, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane crashed in Ejigbo near Lagos, killing all 200 passengers including top military officers. A governmentsponsored memorial service, coordinated by Vice-Admiral Babatunde Elegbede, was organised in Abuja, and the widows of the dead were specially invited. However, instead of spending the budgeted money on the widows, it was pocketed. Instead of housing them in hotels in Abuja, they were dumped en masse and made to spend the night in an airport hangar. While there, they cursed Admiral Elegbede with one voice and prayed that he should come to a bad end.

In June 1994, Admiral Elegbede was assassinated by unknown gunmen. Over 70 bullets were pumped into his body. His assailants have never been found.

18 Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 AFTER two passenger boats sank within three weeks, we are likely heading to the wrong reaction if we may just ban water transportation! The stand of most commentators on the matter points to this direction.

It is like recommending decapitation as cure for headaches.

Cities like Lagos can benefit a lot from the waters around them. What would Venice or Amsterdam be without their waters? They have put them to good uses, creating efficiencies in transportation and living with their waters.

Boat tragedies are no excuses for banning water transportation. They are rather challenges to regulatory standards that guide the uses of our waters. We have to use our waters more; we have to work on regulations and implementation standards that would ensure safety.

We are definitely far from the standards.

Over-loaded boats mostly head to capsizing. When the use of life jackets is observed in breach, we should not be shocked that people die from the disasters. If not for providence, more people would have died.

Lagos Boat Accidents We cannot depend too much on providence because its vagaries are unknown.

Just as Lagos has attempted to regulate road transportation, it should apply appropriate standards for water transportation, with sanctions for abuses. The standards should apply in other parts of the country that use water transportation. We have witnessed similar disasters in those places, again blamed on over loading, and inadequate life jackets.

The latest boat disaster in Lagos in which eight lives were lost raised another issue that we have been highlighting for years without governments paying any attention: unsafe waterways. According to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, “The boat capsized after hitting a

rock”. Our waters are unmapped, or where they are, boat operators do not have the information that could abort disasters.

Debris from abandoned ships, rocks and other impediments litter our waters. The authorities do not consider them enough dangers to remove or advise boat operators on the parts that are safe for navigation.

Efforts at promoting water transportation are bound to retard with disasters, particularly if they become serial. On the other hand, governments can see the disasters as challenges that call attention to the poor standards of transportation, which are not peculiar to water, and tackle them.

Once governments focus on the importance of water, beyond rhetoric, they would shift their investments to safety standards and guaranteeing that Nigerians can use their waters for various purposes that can enhance their social and economic well-being.

The waters are asking to be used, but we should not be carried away be Fela’s song, Water E No Get Enemy. We make enemies of our waterways through poor safety standards.

OPINION

BY MUSTAPHA ABDULLAHI

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NYONE with an ear to the ground probably would have heard quite a bit about the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. If the minister has not heard, there has been quite a groundswell of murmuring around town about how she sits atop the wealth of the nation and not allowing others a piece of the action, whatever that means. If you think that the complaints against the minister are coming from the opposition camps alone, then you are mistaken. Even from her native Bayelsa, there is a creeping opposition against their daughter. It really baffles.

It is against this background that the ongoing orchestrated campaign to force Alison-Madueke out of office can be best understood. To be sure, in the past couple of weeks, a ferocious media war has been waged against the minister by her many traducers. She has been accused of indulging herself at the expense of the tax payers, so much so that she has wasted about N10 billion belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in the past two years on chartered aircraft. While the National Assembly is dragging the minister back and forth to defend the allegations of wrong doing in the transactions surrounding the charter of the private jet, she is being pummelled left, right and centre daily by the media.

It is interesting, however, to note that the NNPC has absolved the minister of any wrong-doing in the leasing of the aircraft.

The corporation’s defence is anchored on the argument of the time-sensitive nature of the operations in the oil industry. True, anyone conversant with the operations in

A minister and her many enemies the oil sector will surely agree that they are such that meetings, inspections, contract signings and other strategic decisions must be taken promptly without allowing any time lag. When you factor the fact that oilfields and other locations are such that they do not lie along the route of scheduled commercial flights, any argument against the employment of charter planes becomes increasingly idiotic. This is not just true about Nigeria but also holds out in other oil producing countries of the world. For example, anyone who has lived around cities like Eket, Warri, Port Harcourt and other oil production locations in the country must be used to the continuous flight operations of companies like Bristow, PanAfrican Airlines and Aero Contractors all day long. These companies are largely contracted by different oil companies to provide logistics support services by transporting workers, equipment and vital documents from one operational base to another by means of charter flights round the clock.

It is possible to argue that given the regularity of the use of charter aircraft in the sector, ownership of the jets may well be a more economical option. But the bad news is that from available information, NNPC had already tried that option and came off worse.

The costs of maintaining those jets were so astronomical in the first place – forcing the corporation to the present option of relying on a more economical charter flights for strategic operations. That being the case, why is the minister not receiving accolades for saving public funds through the charter option rather than the unfair attacks arrayed against her? Is Alison-Madueke the first

and only Petroleum Minister to use charter flights in meeting the ever-busy schedule of the office? In so doing, has she broken any law? Do those bashing the woman hate her that much that they would not mind her flying the unserviceable planes abandoned long ago by NNPC? Have the enemies of the minister bothered to inquire about the mode of transportation by petroleum ministers of other countries? What exactly has Diezani done wrong to warrant these attacks against her?

It is constantly desirable to pursue transparency and accountability in public office, values which Alison-Madueke’s traducers are ostensibly waving against her.

But this is just a façade for a thirst for the minister’s blood and the plot to force President Goodluck Jonathan to drop her from the cabinet. The orchestrated campaign against Alison-Madueke started back in January 2012 with the attempted removal of the petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government. Whereas the public and civil society groups mobilised against the government policy, the opponents of the minister largely in the leading opposition party worked hard enough to turn the protest to a 'Diezani–Must –Go' campaign!

When that strategy failed, the opposition found a willing ally in the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who began to wax a sonorous song on irregularities and fraud around the NNPC accounts. It is reassuring that the President has ordered a forensic investigation of the NNPC accounts to settle this allegation once and for all times.

It would appear that the enemies of Alison-Madueke are so consumed by their

desire to destroy the minister that they are ready to pull down the thriving aviation sector altogether. There is no doubt that business jet operation is growing in leaps and bounds, and thus contributing significantly to our national economy. This business is, however, governed globally by the confidentiality of information on clients.

In the quest to lynch Diezani, her pursuers are willing to do anything to destroy this confidentiality which serves as the rulebook of business jet operations and ownership.

This will definitely destroy the fastest growing sector of the aviation industry with all its wider consequences on the economy.

Ironically, why some people are at home throwing mud at the Petroleum Minister, the international community is recognising her qualities by assigning more responsibilities to her. She was appointed the Alternate President of OPEC with effect from January 2014, a position that advertises Nigeria’s growing global influence. At home, she is also transforming the critical oil sector by increasing local content and daily production to boost the economy. More importantly, the minister is working herself crazy in trying to get Nigerians to reap the maximum benefits of their status as oil producing nation through the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, before the National Assembly.

Yes, Diezani can be accused of being arrogant or haughty but how does that amount to an offence for which she should be fired?

Yes, she may have some personal failings that some people detest but since when have those become the bases for rating a minister? *Mr. Abdullahi, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 19

I

N the history of all countries, 100 years is a landmark in the evolution of statehood. It was therefore not surprising that the Federal Government of Nigeria rolled out the drums to celebrate the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates, which became one nation called Nigeria. Again, that the Federal Government found it expedient to recognise and honour some deserving Nigerians on such a momentous occasion lends credence to the fact that indeed those are people who have left their imprints on the sands of time.

With regard to the centenary honour bestowed on Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of INNOSON Group, makers of first made in Nigeria vehicles, it was crystal clear that for the very first time, Nigeria was truly realising the crucial role industrialisation can play in the overall socio-economic development of a nation.

Lest we forget, before the INNOSON group emerged as the first made in Nigeria vehicle manufacturers, we had the Peugeot Assembly of Nigeria and ANAMMCO. While these were foreign brands with huge counterpart Federal Government investments, we presently have wholly made in Nigeria vehicles manufactured by the INNOSON Group. This is by no means a major breakthrough in our quest for an indigenous motor manufacturing

firm.

Today, with the massive production of INNOSON brands of vehicles in the country, we are witnessing not only the creation of jobs, but a significant drop in capital flight, and rapid development in technological skills acquisition.

The company has in many ways demonstrated its patriotism by making their vehicles affordable to Nigerians and restoring our national pride and identity. As most developed countries of the world are notable with the vehicles brands they produce, today Nigeria can proudly boast of an identity with INNOSON vehicles which are already being driven in other African countries.

It is even more gratifying that the Federal Government is now partnering with the INNOSON Group in the area of employment generation and technological transfer. Presently, some Federal Government institutions like SureP and Niger Delta Ministry are making plans for some Nigerian youths to undergo skills acquisition training at the INNOSON Vehicles Manufacturing Plant. The company on its part has made its intention known, that they can absorb the trainees at the end of their apprenticeship if the government cannot provide them with jobs. This is indeed a unique and commendable model in government-private sector partnership, which if replicated in other sectors will greatly address the perennial problem of

It is sheer love of country and its people that has propelled an investor like INNOSON to start manufacturing vehicles locally

,

unemployment in the country.

As part of the measures to meaningfully solve the unemployment problem, government may consider providing special expansion fund to reputable companies like INNOSON, which in turn will have the multiplier effect of creating jobs for Nigeria’s army of the unemployed, as well as hasten our industrialisation drive.

The fund can be used to expand their production facilities, employ more workers and the multiplier effect on the immediate environment and the nation in general will tremendously impact on the people’s lives.

T

he recent stampede at Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise across the country is a wakeup call on the authorities concerned to put in motion the necessary machinery to reduce unemployment in the country. One way of doing this is to intensify the partnership with the private sector, as it has been acknowledged widely that they are

The best should lead the rest

BY ALFRED OMOLEWA

A

SIWAJU BOLA Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as a leader of his people and a political powerhouse in Nigeria is not by accident. In Yorubaland, historically, leaders outside the monarchy are not chosen; they emerge. Those who are called ‘Akikanju’ are those who have weathered storms, fought valiantly and emerged victorious. The Yorubas love their folktales and rally round their heroes. They defer to the man who shows wisdom, strength and compassion in the proper measure. In the past 15 years of our democracy, no man has done this more expertly, consistently and with diligence than Bola Tinubu.

It is said that dreams come true. However, one must ask what audacity Tinubu had to dream that one day he would return home and lead his people after the military junta under the vicious and manic Abacha hounded him into exile.

No man with his faculties intact would insist that Nigeria would return to democracy given the tyranny in the land at the time. However, Tinubu is no ordinary man. This man was born with the foresight and restlessness never before seen.

His desire for progress consumes him so much; he is ready to sacrifice anything to see a dream come true. Unlike most politicians, his word is his bond. When he says, “I will do it,” his friends and associates know it is as good as done. Such is the character that made him the rallying point of most of the progressives who were exiled in the Abacha era. They knew in Tinubu, they would find succour, wisdom and hope.

He never failed them.

Upon his return home, after fate made the possibility of democracy likely, he set out to lead the state he loved so much.

Against the run of play and powerful peo-

ple who seemingly had better political structures and money, he won the ticket to contest the Lagos State gubernatorial elections in 1999. This was a time when most of those with whom he hurdled with back in London chose to not participate in the democratic process. They were suspicious of the brand of democracy that was on offer.

However, Tinubu jumped at the chance.

He had a plan. He was going to be a different governor. He was determined to teach the other 35 governors and the president how power could be used for good. The sinkholes within the ill-conceived constitution and the fragility of the country at the time were not going to deter him. He had a plan from Day One. And, boy, did he deliver on it!

First, Tinubu understood he couldn’t get anything done on his own; hence he went on to secure the loyalty of everyone around him. A story is told of how he was tempted to ask his friends to let go of their tickets, just so he would be allowed a free run at his own election. Tinubu was said to have told the gathering of elders that that would be the last thing he would do.

He told them, ‘I would rather let go of my ticket than have people who sweated for their ticket go because of me.’ I believe this singular act won him the admiration, respect and loyalty of those we see around him today. They know in Tinubu they have a friend and a General who won’t fail them. They trust him and he trusts them. Very unlike a lot of politicians I know.

Secondly, after winning the elections, Tinubu quickly surrounded himself with the most competence group of men and women he could find. He reached out across the political divide to get the best hands to work with him. He even raided the private sector to get seasoned profes-

,

BY CHUKWUDI ENEKWECHI

,

FG centenary honour on Innoson

in a better stead to provide the elusive jobs to the unemployed.

In the aftermath of 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States which triggered significant reduction in productive capacity of several US companies, due to palpable fears of more attacks, the George W. Bush administration provided a bailout package for many US companies. These measures enabled them to bounce back strongly again, and greatly enhanced their capacity to hire more workers as well as recalled retrenched staff.

In other words, while some Nigerian blue chip companies like INNOSON invested heavily in their production plants, government ought to support them by providing the enabling environment for them to grow into global competitive companies.

This will no doubt ameliorate the plight of jobs seekers and help remove the burden of unemployment from the government.

It is, however, commendable that the Federal Government has already recognised the patriotic contribution of INNOSON group in this direction by bestowing the once in a life time Centenary Honour Award on Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, the founder of the company. The honour is remarkable in many ways, considering that while other motor companies are bent on flooding our environment with foreign made vehicles, with the attendant problems associated with it, only INNOSON Group thought out of the box and embarked on local manufacture of vehicles. This move has not only given Nigeria a pride of place among the comity of auto manufacturing countries, but has given the country an

So, what is next for this visionary called Bola Tinubu? I t is time to ask men of true competence to take the plunge. The best of us should lead the rest of us. Run, Asiwaju, run!

,

sionals for the great task of turning around the fortunes of Lagos. It didn’t matter to him that these guys probably didn’t like him; it only mattered that they could do the job. Their tribes, beliefs or political leanings were on little concern to him; only their competence and ability. He had in his cabinet the most outstanding individuals any political leader in the country had. Even the president would have been envious. That is how you know a man with a plan.

T

hirdly, Tinubu took a firsthand assess ment of the quandaries that had befallen his beloved city. Lagos was a disaster. It was a city dying from every ailment. Security was a joke, traffic was a monster, justice was for hire and the environment was toxic. The civil service was broken down and thugs ruled the streets.

On top of these, the population was ballooning at an alarming rate. An ordinary man would have given up and simply choose to enjoy the guaranteed largess Abuja was legally-bound to send in every month.

But, again, Tinubu is no ordinary man. The zest with which he and his team swung into action is legendary. In less than four years, the judiciary was almost corruption-free (this charge was led by the luminary brilliance that is Yemi Oshibajo), security was vastly improved (even though the law makes this a federal government responsibility), the

identity.

His patriotism not to seek the easy way out by importing foreign vehicles, rather he embarked on building multi-billion naira factories in Nigeria, truly depicts him as an exceptional Nigerian.

Come to think of it, with the incessant power outages and other negative factors militating against industries in Nigeria, it is sheer love of country and its people that has propelled an investor like INNOSON to have faith in Nigeria and to start manufacturing vehicles locally.

With over 20,000 Nigerians employed in his many companies, Chief Chukwuma has demonstrated in practical terms that attaining industrial greatness is possible in Nigeria, and that any honest Nigerian can be a beacon of hope to the people. Obviously, this is a far departure from the rent seeking attitude of some wealthy Nigerians who delight in amassing free wealth without commensurate productivity, or add value to the nation’s economic growth.

The Federal Government’s new policy of supporting industrialists is most desirable as it would refocus our economy towards production of goods and services locally. Already, reputable companies like INNOSON Group and Dangote have started playing a leading role, and the result has started manifesting, especially as the country boasts of locally made vehicles.

The Centenary Awards therefore serves as an impetus to spur companies like INNOSON Group to redouble their efforts in ensuring that we realise our dream of industrialisation and economic prosperity *Mr. Enekwechi, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.

civil service was computerised and recovering (despite the stiff opposition initially) and traffic congestion was being tackled (using a blend of human resources and modern techniques). In fact, Lagos began the journey to its former glory and started to act as the true centre of commerce it was designed to be. Things were more organised and efficiency returned. Many of the steps the Tinubu administration took are now being copied by the federal government and the other state governments. Any leader whose impact extends beyond his immediate surroundings is a success. Tinubu triumphed.

However, Tinubu’s greatest achievement would be finding the best man to succeed him and carry on his blueprint. The ‘usual’ thing would have been for him to find a man of low esteem and competence who would be fed instructions from the Tinubu camp.

This is what President Olusegun Obasanjo attempted with Late President Yar’Adua, which turned out to be a disaster from which Nigeria is yet to recover.

Tinubu resisted the attempt to pick a ‘Yesman’ and went for competence and ability again. He found his man in Babatunde Fashola and staked his political future on him. That bet paid off. Fashola is currently one of the finest administrators this nation has ever seen and a pride to the Yoruba race and Black people the world over. His exploits have been praised from across the Atlantic and he is seen as the major reason investors are coming in droves to invest in Lagos. They know it is a sure bet, just as Tinubu knew Fashola was a sure thing.

Tinubu must have the gift of Nostradamus.

So, what is next for this visionary called Bola Tinubu? It is time to ask men of true competence to take the plunge. The best of us should lead the rest of us.

Run, Asiwaju, run!

Recently, he completed the master coup in getting the biggest opposition forces to merge and adopt a singular platform. He put his body on the line, traversing the land

*Mr. Omolewa, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 21

Current interest rate can’t promote business, wealth or job creation —NECA

By VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

N

IGERIA Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has decried the current interest rate in the country, lamenting that cost of fund does not promote business, wealth and job creation.

Director-General of NECA,

Mr. Segun Oshinowo, in an interview with Vanguard, argued that for most small and medium scale businesses, the road to the banks to lend money is the road to the grave. According to him, “The issue of interest rate has always been a long standing traumatic issue for businesses in this environment. That you want to get credit from the

banks, the banks will be asking for a near impossibility.

The truth about is that interest rate is still too high in this environment and very few businesses can take loans from the banks at the current interest rate and survive. Beyond that, when people are looking at business, they tend to focus on big businesses. To a large extent, big business-

From left: Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Adeniyi Adeseun; Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Adebiyi Mabadeje; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Fola Arthur-Worrey; Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Heritage Bank, Mary Akpobome, during the donation of motor bikes and Hillux Van to LSSTF by Heritage Bank in Lagos.

NCAA satisfied with FAA’s Category 1 re-assessment audit, says DG

T

HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has in Lagos expressed satisfaction with the just-concluded U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 re-assessment audit of Nigeria’s aviation industry. The Acting DirectorGeneral of the NCAA, Mr Benedict Adeyileka, said in a statement that the agency was confident of a good report by the FAA. “The agency is satisfied with the entire audit exercise and the exemplary performance of the international regulatory authority, NCAA is confident of a good report from the FAA. The whole exercise was to look at our books and operations, to ensure that the

high standard parameters that gave us Category 1 status are still subsisting. It is instructive to note that minimal open items were communicated to us by the auditors during their de-briefing and expediential closure of these items have commenced pronto,” the statement said.

It stated that with all the developments in the aviation sector, Nigeria was once again stepping up safety procedures to entrench seamless safe, smooth and secured air transport industry.

“While the exercise lasted, the four- man team used the current International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) checklists and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

guidance materials.

“These critical elements are Critical Element 1-Primary Aviation Legislation, Critical Element 2Specific Operating Regulations, Critical Element 3- State Civil Aviation System and Safety Oversight Functions Critical Element 4- Technical Personnel Qualification and Training. Others are Critical Element 5- Te c h n i c a l Guidance and Tools, Critical Element 6-Licencing and Certification Obligations, Critical Element 7 Surveillance Obligations and Critical Element 8 Resolution of Safety Concerns,” he said.

Adeyileka, in the statement, commended aviation stakeholders for their

es have the muscle and the strength to actually negotiate comfortable interest rate with the banks and these big businesses are very few in this environment. When you look at the bulk of enterprises and we are talking basically of small and medium scale, the road to the bank is the road to the grave, unfortunately.

Many of them are in businesses just for the sake of the banks because most of the money they make actually goes into servicing the high interest rate.

“There is always the argument that interest rate is not a standalone economic variable. There are other variables that influence the level of interest rate, for instance, inflation. Inflation has always been a benchmark for determining the interest rate that will rule in any economy. But in the past one or two years, government has done very well in controlling inflation and if government has done that, one would have expected that the interest rate would come down. And if there is going to be any differential between inflation and interest rate, it should not be more than about one or two percent. If inflation is probably 12 percent, you would not expect that interest to be more than 14 percent in order to encourage depositors. But that is not the case. If inflation in about 12 percent, you have a situation where you go to the bank you want to take

support toward the s u c c e s s f u l completion of the audit.

Nigeria attained the Category 1 Status on the Nigeria-U.S. route in August, 2010.

The audit team which arrived in Nigeria on March 31 for the reassessment of the status has since returned to the U.S. after the five-day exercise. Nigeria awaits the result of the audit to know if its airlines will continue to operate direct flights to the U.S.

loan, they will be probably asking you to pay as much as 25, 26, 27 or above percent.”

Continuing, the NECA Director General said, “I know about a business that took loan at 27 percent from one of the banks recently. The owner of the business is still struggling with paying back the principal and the interest. I think beyond the issue of interest rate, the financial institutions have to examine their cost template. A situation where you see 12, 13 point spread between inflation rate and interest rate, I do not know how they are going to explain it. I have always challenged them to explain how they justify the huge variance, or huge spread between inflation rate and interest rate.

“When you go to the advanced economies of this world, the interest rate, you found out will be 1.5 percent to 2 percent and these are facts that everybody knows. If you look at inflation rate, probably inflation is one percent. So, you can see what I call a reasonable spread of variance between inflation rate and interest rate. But in our environment, it is like a gulf. How do you explain a situation where a bank is giving out credit at 25 percent, when inflation rate is 11 or 12 percent? So, the banks must explain these things to us. All the explanations they have given me, honestly, have not connected.

8.4

193.4 2,961.00

-5.00

17.19

-0.16

105.61 100.58

-1.11 -0.56

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

RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 256.3578 212.1176 173.2423 1.4895 0.3059 237.9741 24.9057 41.2585 28.4067 238.3305

155.24 257.1861 212.803 173.8021 1.4943 0.3159 238.7431 24.9867 41.3918 28.4985 239.1006

155.74 258.0145 213.4884 174.3618 1.4991 0.3259 239.512 25.0676 41.5251 28.5903 239.8707

CBN Exchange rate as at 07/04/2014

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Go for the best of stock brokers (2) T

HE last edition was concluded with an advice by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Mr. Bukar Kyari. He said that investors should go for the best when it comes to choosing a stockbroker because they offer efficiency and security to investors.

This is confirmed by data from the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), which shows that the top ten stockbrokers control almost 70 percent of the total value and volume of shares traded on the Exchange.

For example, the top 10 accounted for 66.09 percent of the total value traded between January 2012 and December 2012. Also the top 10 stockbrokers accounted for 68.22 percent of the total value traded between April 29, 2013 and May 3, 2013. This has a lot of implications for investors.

First, you need to understand how stockbrokers make money.

When a broker buys or sells shares, bonds or any security on behalf of investors, he is permitted to charge transaction fees, which are regulated. For example, the broker is allowed to charge 0.3 percent of the value of shares he sells for an investor.

Last week, 1.870 billion shares worth N26.811 billion in 21,632 deals were traded on the stock exchange. The total transaction fee for stockbrokers from these deals was N8.43 million. Now, there are about 200 active stockbrokers on

of them account for about 70 percent of the transactions, it means ten of them will share N5.901 million, while the remaining 190 stockbrokers will struggle to share N2.529 million. Of course, stockbrokers also make money from other

,

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

Assuming he sells shares worth N100, his fee his N3. He can’t charge above this, and he is not permitted to charge fees for helping investors to buy shares.

exchange. If they have equal share of the transaction fee, each of them would make N42, 150 as income from selling shares last week. But, since ten

From the above it becomes obvious why some stockbrokers engage in fraudulent activities. They have to because what comes to them in terms of legitimate transactions is very small

,

activities, but for now we focus on shares. In fact, the possibility is that the top ten stockbrokers also dominate these other activities and the income they produce.

From the above, it becomes obvious why some stockbrokers engage in fraudulent activities.

They have to because what comes to them in terms of legitimate transactions is very small. It is not enough to pay their bills, and make profit. In this kind of situation, the temptation to cut corners is irresistible.The implication for investors is that once you choose a stockbroker that is outside of the list of top 10 or 15 brokers, you have most likely chosen a broker that is struggling to survive. You have chosen a broker that may one day succumb to the temptation to cut corners and engage in fraudulent activities. And you and your hard earned money may be the victim. Beware!!! (To be continued next week)

Top 10 performing stocks

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

n the top 10 performing stocks last week were UACN Property Development Company Plc, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc, Oasis Insurance Plc, Forte Oil Plc, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank plc.

Others were University Press Plc, International Breweries Plc, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc and Nestle Foods Nigeria plc.

UACN, which came top on the list, appreciated by 20.38 percent or N4.26 to close at N25.16 from N20.90 per share. In keeping with its policy of rewarding investors, the company last week declared intension to pay shareholders 70kobo dividend for their investment in 2013, in addition to bonus issue of one new share for every four previously held by shareholders. It had also paid 70kobo in 2012. The share price rose to its highest in almost four years on the announcement of dividend and bonus issues. In 2012, UPDC completed a number of projects which included the 55-units Metro gardens in Lekki and 18-units Grandville in GRA, Ikeja. In his meeting with shareholders last year, the chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah, said that its 32-units Cameron green luxury development in Ikoyi and phase one of UPDC Metro City Dutse, Abuja had reached advanced stage of completion. Also, it commenced development of Vintage Garden, a 90-

unit premium estate in the secure NAFF estate, Port-Harcourt among other projects. This is besides completion of it Real Estate Investment Trust, REIT, of N30 billion in 2013.

Available full year financial statement made public last week showed that profit before tax increased significantly by 44.7 percent to N3.16 billion as against N2.18 billion in 2012. Post-tax profit grew from N2.45 billion in 2012 to N3.71 billion in the review period of 2013, indicating a growth of 51.1 percent.

However, the revenue dropped from N12.04 billion in 2012 to N11.30 billion in 2013, representing a decline of 6.2 percent.

N

PF Micro-finance Bank advanced by 19.23 percent or N0.15 to close at N0.93 from N0.78 per share. NPF MfB announced change of guard in top management position with appointment of Mr. Lawal Akinwunmi Mohammed as the Acting Managing Director. Born in 1964, Mohammed obtained the H i g h e r National Diploma (HND) from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos in 1996 before obtaining Masters of Business

Administration (MBA) in 2003.

Though it recorded gross income of N1.9343 billion as against N1.631 billion in 2012, the pre-tax profit dipped to N512.076 million from N630.529 million in equivalent period of 2012. Similarly, the post tax profit declined to N391.320 million compared to N475.837 million posted in the same period of 2012. This year, investors and shareholders of the company will have nothing in terms of dividend payout, even though it paid 10kobo from N531 million profit after tax posted in 2012.

Business School, UK (2006 - 2007).

FBN Life acquired 71.2 percent equity stake in the company through acquisition of 4.63 billion ordinary shares of 50kobo each. Nine months financial statement for September, 3013 indicated 18.5 percent decline in gross premium to N1.153 billion from N1.414 billion;. The underwriting profit for the period declined by 31.1 percent from N644.139 million to N443.699 million.

However, profit after tax soared by huge 131.6 percent to N100.706 million from N43.477 million.

Forte Oil went up by 15.43 percent

O

asis insurance followed with 16.00 percent or N0.08 price appreciation to close at N0.58 from N0.50 per share. Just like NPF Micro-finance bank plc, it also made appointment into key managerial position, appointing Mr. Goke Adegbite as the Acting Managing Director.

Adegbite, according to information available to Vanguard Investors Forum, is a Chartered Accountant and a fellow of Certified C h a r t e r e d Accountants. He holds BSc. in Mathematics & Software Engineering from the University of Hull, UK (1996 - 1999) before obtaining his MSc in Investment Management from Cass

or N14.20 from N92.00 to N106.20 per share.

Custodian and Allied Insurance rose by 11.44 percent or N0.23 to close at N2.24 from N2.01; GTB advanced by 10.11 percent or N2.48 to close at N27.00 from N24.52; University Press went up by 9.50 percent or N0.38 to close at N4.38 from N4.00; International Breweries advanced by 9.13 percent or N2.21 to close at N26.41 from N24.20; Flour Mills appreciated by 8.46 percent or N5.50 to close at N70.50 from N65.00, while Nestle went up by 7.08 percent or N74.35 to close at N1,124.35 from N1,050.00 per share.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014—23

T

HERE can be no end in the foreseeable future to a do-or-die fight for the presidency of our nation.

The unbridled struggle for the position of top dog has generally been motivated by the attraction of the prospect of almost absolute power over our lives and our nation’s resources, particularly the proceeds from the oil wells of the Niger Delta. Indeed, if income derived from oil is removed from the federal purse, federal government would have to manage on a consolidated budget of that in a fraction of annual current revenue. The underbelly of the arbitrarily created 36 states and 774 local governments would become exposed, as they would literarily collapse without what some people have described as ‘blood money’ from the Niger Delta.

Our political godfathers in their wisdom have attempted to bring some sanity to the acrimony, insecurity and instability generated by the struggle for the lucrative centre with the concept of rotating the presidency along North and South axis or more loosely, amongst the generally accepted six geopolitical zones.

However, the constitutional provision for a maximum of two – four year terms could

mean that each geopolitical zone would produce a president every 48 years (that is, assuming that each president enjoys control of the treasury for eight years). This also implies that all other eminently gifted, qualified and socially committed presidential materials from all other zones would be wasted in every 48 years cycle with little chance that the best available candidate at any point in time would be the one from the geopolitical region in line for the Presidency!

In the above political dilemma, particularly where the plunder of resources takes precedence over service and wealth creation, Nigerians become victims of the greed of a parasitic political class – invariably championed by autocratic leadership in the last four decades.

Contrived democracy Indeed, the greatest threat to our contrived democracy is dictatorship! If we want sustainable peace and stability in this country, our constitution should ensure that the best available presidential materials from each geopolitical zone at any one time have unfettered access to contest for and become President. Our constitution

should also ensure that no one person controls power long enough to become so formidable as to successfully engineer term elongation and perpetuate a dictatorship!

So, how do we tackle these pitfalls in a nation in the grip of irrepressible ethnic/ regional aspirations for Nigeria’s ultimate office?

Some eminent Nigerians have rightly argued that the first requirement for a sustainable, stable egalitarian nation should be the adoption of a truly federal constitution, where the centre devolves more of its powers to the states/regions as the engines of growth, so that the states/ regions will freely exploit their internal human and material resources and pay appropriate dues to the central government.

Such a structure would motivate each region to look inwards and develop its own God-given resources to the best of their ability, rather than wait for monthly handouts from Abuja.

All regions would be actively engaged in putting their citizens to work and we will achieve additional wealth creation with attendant improvement in social welfare and security.

In addition, we may also consider the adoption of a sixyear collegiate presidency, to douse the tension and attrition

Oversight responsibilities The five vice presidents would also be rotated annually from one set of ministries to the other, so that in a six-year term, each member of the collegiate would have served for one year in every segment of federal administration with also one year as president.

Such structure will be more cost-effective, and make it impossible for one person to consolidate hold on the seat of power or remain long enough to eventually

,

Collegiate presidency and national harmony

created by the usual battles to install a one-man powercentered presidency, and the incessant clamour and grandstanding by each geopolitical group for their turn each time an incumbent’s tenure expires. Under this arrangement, each political party would field a team comprising six candidates selected from each of the six geopolitical zones for the post of president for a six-yearterm in office. Each member of the victorious party ’s collegiate will serve as president for only one year while the other five members of the collegiate would serve as vice presidents with direct oversight responsibilities for a discrete set of ministries and/ or parastals.

The underbelly of the arbitrarily created 36 states and 774 local governments would become exposed, as they would literarily collapse without what some people have described as ‘blood money’ from the Niger Delta

constitute a dictatorship!

Furthermore, the abiding intense desire of geopolitical groups to see their own person in the top seat would be realized as each region would perpetually have a member in the collegiate presidency.

Nigerians would also be able to enjoy the benefits of the contribution of an eminently

Holcim, Lafarge agree on merger to create cement giant S

WITZERLAND’S Holcim (HOLN.VX) unveiled a deal to buy France’s Lafarge (LAFP.PA) on Monday to create the world’s biggest cement maker, with $44 billion of annual sales, and spark a raft of asset sales worldwide to steer it through antitrust rules.

The partners billed the cement, concrete and aggregates industry’s biggest ever tie-up as a merger of equals, under which Lafarge shareholders receive one Holcim share for every Lafarge held and Holcim investors end up with 53 percent of the group. The

merged business will be based in Switzerland and listed in Zurich and Paris.

As the two biggest listed companies in the sector already, with operations in 90 countries, the pairing expects to face antitrust scrutiny in 15 jurisdictions, and to sell some 5 billion euros of assets to persuade competition regulators to allow the deal.

Analysts said the company could have a market share in excess of 50 percent in some areas, and that even in countries such as the United States where it would be smaller, monopoly authorities are likely to get involved.

“We believe the final execution ... could take a long time to get through, with all monopoly issues which will occur, and we would not exclude that it might finally fail,” said Helvea analyst Patrick Appenzeller.

Shares in Lafarge rose 2.76 percent, while shares in Holcim were up 1.68 percent. News of talks for the deal, creating a group with a combined market value of just under $60 billion, broke on Friday and agreement was struck over the weekend.

At the close of trade on Thursday, one share in Holcim was worth 4.4 percent more than one in Lafarge.

qualified ‘PAN-Nigeria’ presidential star team, jointly faithfully pursuing its party’s manifesto in place of the possibility of a manipulative personal agenda.

On the level of states and local governments, the same collegiate system of administration comprising ethnic nationalities can also be put in place to ensure cohesion and harmoniously carry along the majority of the communities in each state.

However, very cogent arguments can also be made for the abolition of the enormously wasteful and unviable 36-state-structure, with its huge operational costs supporting little or no contribution to the well-being of citizens, yet providing ample opportunities for more political adventurers to line their pockets. Besides, legislators’ emoluments and allowances would be constitutionally pegged at par with a level not higher than that of a permanent secretary in the federal and state/ regional government respectively. The choice is ours to make; do we want to live in apprehension and wallow in inequity, ethnic and political attrition within our body polity or do we truly want to break the chains of our bondage and release our true potential as a great nation?”

The deal will help the companies slash costs, trim debt and better cope with the soaring energy prices, tough competition and weaker demand that have hurt the sector since the 2008 economic crisis.

The groups complement each other well geographically, with Lafarge stronger in Africa and Holcim stronger in Latin America, company executives told reporters on a conference call. Emerging markets such as Latin America and Africa will account for 60 percent of sales, but no single country will represent more than 10 percent.

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The above is an excerpt from an article, which was first published in May 2006. The object of the piece is to crystallise a sustainable, equitable, inclusive and progressive framework for our various ethnic nationalities/ social groupings, to harmoniously live together. I hope that the ongoing National Conference will benefit from the discussion contained herein.

There is, however, every reason to believe that the adoption of a truly federal framework in which more powers devolve from the centre to the states will engender increased competition and promote progress within the federating states.

Furthermore, while population size will remain important for the allocation of resources, state/regional contributions to funding the federal machinery will be commensurate with the population statistics declared by each state/region. Consequently, it will make no sense for census figures in any state to be deliberately fabricated in order to attract more federal subvention, as is currently alleged.

SAVE THE NAIRA, SAVE NIGERIANS!

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Shale: Nigeria’s crude export to US declines by 91% •India, highest buyer of Nigeria’s crude

BY MICHAEL EBOH

N

IGERIA has started to witness the negative effect of shale oil exploration in the United Stated of America, USA, and other parts of the world, as Nigeria’s crude oil export to North America dropped by 91.31 per cent in one year.

Specifically, data obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s, December 2013 Petroleum Information, disclosed that Nigeria exported 1.438 million barrels of crude oil to North America as at December 2013, down by 15.111 million barrels in December 2012.

North America accounted for 22.19 per cent of Nigeria’s total crude export by December 2012, but it dropped to 2.23 per cent by December 2013.

Prior to the decline, the US was the highest buyer of Nigeria’s crude, purchasing 14.279 million barrels in December 2014, thereby, accounting for 19.15 per cent of Nigeria’s total crude export and 86.28 per cent of total crude export to North America.

By 2013 end, the US dropped to the 10th highest importer of Nigeria’s crude, with 1.438 million barrels.

The NNPC report stated that by December 2013, Europe was the highest

FG, Total partner on rural access to electricity

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

THE Federal Government has endorsed the Access to Energy Initiative of Total Group as part of its efforts to make solarpowered energy available to people living in the rural communities.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who disclosed this while receiving a delegation from the Total Group, said the Access to Energy project was closely related to the Government’s on-going pilot project, “Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria”.

Recall that President GoodluckJonthan flagged-off the Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria, on January13, 2014 in Durumi and Shape Communities of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The Minister said the pilot scheme was geared towards the provision of solar powered energy by government to households, as well as street lights and energy hub centres to three communities that are far flung from the national grid.

importer of Nigeria’s crude, accounting for 47 per cent of Nigeria’s total export; followed by Asia and Far East, accounting for 26 per cent; while Africa accounted for 12 per cent of Nigeria’s crude export.

South America accounted for 10 per cent of Nigeria’s total crude export, while Oceania/Pacific and North America accounted for three per cent and two per cent respectively.

India emerged the highest importer of Nigeria’s crude in December 2013, with 13.086 million barrels, followed by

the Netherlands with 9.866 million barrels, and France4.497 million barrels.

Nigeria exported 4.869 million barrels of crude to Brazil in the period under review; Spain 4.6 million barrels, while 3.895 million barrels of crude oil was exported to South Africa.

Others are Cote D’Ivoire 1.898 million barrels; Thailand 1.897 million barrels, and Australia 1.862 million barrels.

KPMG Professional Services had a couple of days ago, warned that the discovery and exploration of shale oil

and gas across the globe will put Nigeria’s economy at serious risk. This is unless the country is able to churn out policies that will bring about increased investment in the oil and gas sector and ensure stable power supply.

The Global Head, Energy and Natural Resources Practices, KPMG,Mr. Michiel Soeting, disclosed that Nigeria’s ability to finance its budget will be greatly threatened, unless it put in place measures that will grow its crude production capacity, diversify the economy, as well as build additional crude oil refineries, saying that these will significantly reduce the effect of Shale oil discovery on the country’s revenue.

According to him, Shale oil discovery has created a lot of opportunities for international oil companies, IOCs, and has brought about stiff competition among crude oil producing countries.

He also notedthat oil producing countries will soon be in fierce competition with themselves to attract

Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Director, Sahara Energy, Tonye Cole and representative of Shell’s Managing Director, who is also Finance Director, Shell Nigeria and Gabon, Mr. Guy Jonssens, at the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference dinner party in Abuja.

PHCN assets: ICPC interrogates NELMCO boss

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA: The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has begun investigations into the alleged secret sale of landed property of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, by its liability managers.

In this regard, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited, NELMCO, Dr. Samuel John Agbogun,was recently interrogated by the ICPC to determine his extent of involvement inthe sale of the transferred assets to the custody agency.

The ICPC in a summon letter with reference No.ICPC/INV/GBP/T.F/ 102, and dated March28, 2014, specifically asked Agbogun to appear before it on Wednesday 2,

April 2014.

Agbogun was also requested to come along with the list of all the lease agreements of PHCN noncore assets submitted to his office.

ICPC sources told Vanguard that Agbogun was actually drilled by operatives of the anti-graft agency for several hours.

Recall that prior to Federal government’s liquidation of the PHCN, it had conducted the verification of PHCN non-core assets nationwide and overseas.

Following the successful conclusion of the exercise, the non-core assets were documented and transferred to NELMCO, as schedule ‘B’ pursuant to the transfer instrument executed by the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, and PHCN in September 2011.

This was in line with the recommendation of the PHCN

Liquidation Committee pursuant to the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, transfer of assets, employees, liabilities, rights and obligations, order No.46 of 2010.

But documents obtained by Vanguard indicated that NELMCO had started selling some of the non-core assets without recourse to due diligence and contrary to laid down regulations and procedure in the dispose of the landed property.

The practice is that properties to be so sold are to be properly evaluated by the relevant government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development as well as the Federal Ministry of Works.

Such properties should be appropriately processed by the relevant Departmental Tenders Committee, and where necessary, the Ministerial Tenders Board. It is expected that the National Council of Privatisation, NCP, be actively involved in the evaluation as well as giving consent to the disposal of any of the properties.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 25

BY CHRIS OCHA YI OCHAYI THE Federal Government has again dismissed media reports that it entered into an agreement to import electricity from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, who said this in Abuja, explained that no such agreement had been entered into or signed.

He clarified that the whole idea of developing the large dam was in line with an African Union, AU initiative to link the entire continent for easy power purchase and sale across countries.

Some media organisations had reported recently, quoting the new Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), had been signed by both countries for Nigeria to purchase electricity from the Central African country, which is developing a huge dam.

Nebo, had however dismissed this report a fortnight ago at a state-ofpower press briefing in Abuja, which he held jointly with Wakil.

At the event, the Minister clarified that the whole idea of developing the large dam was in line with theAU’s initiative.

According to Nebo, Nigeria joining countries like South Africa to indicate interest in the dam is purely futuristic, and Nigeria would not be caught napping by the time it is

fully developed.

He said Nigeria, with a growing need of power, could either purchase through the same route or sell same depending on its need.

The Minister, who was surprised that a section of the media would cling to and celebrate the story, even after his elaborate response alongside the Minister of State, to whom it was attributed, reassured the public that everything was being done to ensure that Government delivered on the mandate for adequate power supply.

His words: “Let me say from the outset that we are not importing electricity from the Democratic Republic of Congo. No such agreement and no such memorandum of understanding has been signed.

“However, there is a big dam. They call it the Grand Inga dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo that the whole of African Union is interested in developing. And so, the Republic of Congo is asking countries, in case we go on with this and the funding and financing is found, will you be interested in procuring power in the future?

“And Nigeria is saying, well, if South Africa has signed on, if every other country is signing on, just like an insurance policy, let’s begin talking with them. There is no agreement and there is no MoU. But it is good for the country to think futuristically – that even if we produce 40,000 megawatts today, it will not be enough.

PPMC blames fuel scarcity on non-payment of subsidy claims

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE Management of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, has blamed the lingering scarcity of premium motor spirit, PMS, otherwise called petrol across the country on lack of payment of subsidy claims to oil marketers.

The Managing Director of PPMC, Prince HarunaMomoh who made this disclosure in his submission before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream in Abuja, said marketers have suspended importation of petroleum products to the country.

Recall that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN said recently that the Federal Government owed its members about N110 billion in subsidy claims.

IPMAN President, AlhajiAminuAbdulkadir, who confirmed payment of N41billionn recently to members, noted that the payment was from an outstanding debt of N151billion to the marketers.

But while responding to a question on the cause of the recent tightness in fuel supply, Momoh affirmed that based on the information from the Major Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, and IPMAN, lack of subsidy payment was the reason they suspended importation of petroleum products to the country.

He added that with the payment of subsidy claims for the third and fourth quarters of 2013 to marketers of about N41billion recently, the marketers have stepped up supply to the market.

Momoh however assured that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and its downstream subsidiary, PPMC, are working assiduously to ensure that normalcy is being restored to the supply and distribution of premium motor spirit otherwise called petrol across the country.

He noted that with respect to the current fuel situation in the country, the NNPC/PPMC and other marketers are jointly supplying fuel to the market, stressing that the long queues are beginning to disappear from most of the filling stations across the states.

Oil & People •CHIJIOKE NWAOZUZU

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Developing gas infrastructure in Nigeria: Who is responsible?

cnwaozuzu@gmail.com

Gas infrastructure

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Transporting natural gas by tanker as LNG may cost 30 times as much as shipping oil.

Not only are gas transportation costs much higher than those for crude oil, also gas transportation costs exhibit strong economies of scale. The higher the volumes, the lower the unit cost of delivery. Therefore, the drivers of natural gas economics are principally high cost of gas transport systems and scale requirements. As a result, global natural gas markets have historically developed first in countries with substantial natural gas reserves of their own, and later in ‘gas-poor’ countries with a large enough energy demand to justify the importation of gas through large international pipeline grid systems or through LNG tanker ships.

Costs of Developing Natural Gas Pipelines and Infrastructure: Natural gas pipeline construction costs vary between US$ 800,000 per km to US$ 2 million per km (for large diameter projects over rugged terrain).

Examples are: the 24 inch Yucatan Peninsula gas pipelines, completed in 1999 and running 432 miles from the Mexican State of Tabasco to power plants in the Yucatan province cost US$266 million. The 460 km line completed in 1996, from La Mora in Argentina to Santiago in Chile cost US$360 million. The 3,700 km pipeline from Bolivia to Sao Paulo in Brazil cost The Nigerian power sector will US$1.8 billion. A typical LNG project may require more than perform efficiently only to the US$10 billion of investment and extent that they have a secure lead time of 6-10 years from conception to completion. LNG supply of natural gas tanker ships cost about US$200 cooking. It can be liquefied to produce liq- million. uefied natural gas (LNG) by super-cooling Who Should Develop Gas Infrastrucit under pressure to -256 degrees F. The ture: The Nigerian power sector will percooling shrinks natural gas to 1/600 of its form efficiently only to the extent that they original volume, which permits easier and have a secure supply of natural gas. Conmore economical handling and transporta- sidering the high cost of natural gas pipetion. The LNG technology converts gas to a lines, which entity should develop this liquid state for transportation and is subse- infrastructure? Should the responsibility quently converted back to a gaseous state fall on the International Oil Companies at the end user location. Recent Gas – to (IOCs), or the Federal Government of NiLiquid (GTL) technologies convert natural geria (FGN), or a Public-Private Partnergas to light synthetic crude, and then to clean ship (PPP) Arrangement? The magnitude light petroleum products, such as gasoline, of costs involved would preclude the PPPdiesel fuel, kerosene, and naphtha. An add- type option. ed bonus of the GTL technology is that it So why have the IOCs not placed a highproduces zero sulfur, thereby making the er priority on investments in natural gas light synthetic crude the most desirable infrastructure? A number of plausible reacrude in the world, after condensates. Nat- sons come to mind! Gas infrastructure deural gas can be compressed to 1/10 of its velopment generally costs substantially original volume to produce compressed nat- more than oil development (4-30 times as ural gas (CNG) for use as industrial fuel much) and takes much longer time. Gas and for power generation. It can also act as infrastructure investments may leave interfeedstock for the production of other fuels national investors more exposed to politisuch as methanol using a different kind of cally-inspired violence or generally to the GTL technology. Regardless of the form in risk of expropriation. Most importantly, the which natural gas is utilized, there is al- IOCs may be averse to investments in gas ways a significant investment in gas pipe- infrastructure because gas is sold in a local lines and other gas infrastructure. market rather than an international market Economics of Natural Gas Utilization (except LNG). Thus, investments in gas The economics of natural gas rapidly dif- infrastructure are likely to be regulated by fers from that of crude oil in terms of the a national government as public utilities. high cost and relative inflexibility of the This may result in a relatively low rate of transport systems required to get gas to mar- return and income generation in local curketplace. For instance, it costs 4-5 times as rencies. So, the IOCs would rather invest much to transport gas over land by pipeline in LNG projects. compared to the cost of transporting oil.

NVIRONMENTAL concerns have made the use of natural gas very attractive. Surging electricity demand is also one of the major drivers of increased consumption of natural gas. Globally, energy use for electric power generation is expected to increase more than 25% faster than fuel use of all types over the next 10 years.

Even in the US, ‘the most mature’ energy market, the use of natural gas to generate electricity is expected to increase by two and a half times by 2020. However, the greatest boost to domestic and international gas marketing opportunities has been brought about by synergies between gas utilization and electricity generation. Such synergies include the environmental benefits of ‘clean burning’ gas over other fossil fuel competitors; more favorable economics of a gas-fired power station when compared to other fossil fuels and nuclear options; recent technological breakthroughs in combined cycle technology which makes gas-fired power generation equipment significantly more efficient than its other fossil fuel competitors.

Uses of Natural Gas: Natural gas has many uses and advantages as an energy resource. It can be used in its gaseous state for heating, as industrial fuel and for

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FG denies signing electricity agreement with Congo

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26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

FG solicits UNIDO’s assistance on dams for power While commending the organisation for the research work already done on the potential of small hydros in the ETERMINED to improve power country, the minister expressed delight generation in the country, the Federal over the second phase of the ongoing Government has called on the United Hydro Centre in Abuja. Healso Nations Industrial Development pledged the Ministry’s continued Organisation, UNIDO, to assist it in getting support for UNIDO and its activities. an economically workable feasibility study In his remarks, the Hon. Minister of that can promote the viability of the various State for Power, Hon. Mohammed dams in the country.

Wakil, commended UNIDO’s The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu collaboration in ensuring the realisation Nebo, who said this while receiving the of the transformation agenda of the Director General of UNIDO, Mr. Li Yon, President, saying that power holds the in Abuja, said that majority of the country’s key to the economic emancipation of the country.

He applauded the Organisation’s interest in renewables, as could be seen from the various researches it had undertaken in the area of solar, biomass and wind energy.

Earlier, the UNIDO DG, Li Yon, stated that he had come to rob minds with the Minister with a view to identifying critical areas of synergy and partnership.

“Industrialisation is the backbone for any n a t i o n ’ s transformation,” he said, while also acknowledging the long standing relationship between UNIDO and the country Ecobank Nigeria donates Hilux Vans to Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), in the area of critical Warri a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Ecobank Executive infrastructure which he Director, South East and South South Mr. Kingsley Umadia hands over keys to the vans to said, is sacrosanct to the Executive Director, Operations of PPMC Engineer Emmanuel Wowo to support the PPMC on socio economic its task to check pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta region. development of Nigeria.

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

D

dams have potentials for hydro power, but sadly these potentials have not been exploited for power generation.

Yon, was accompanied by the Nigerian Ambassador to Austria, Abel Adelakun Ayoko.

Nebo noted that, if the potential from these dams are fully utilised, it will bring economic transformation to the nation, as many small scale businesses will spring up, communities will be industrialised and will eventually help in the eradication of poverty in the nation.

Epileptic power: Confab delegates urged to proffer solution

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

D

ELEGATES at the National Conference have been urged to critically examine the remote and immediate causes of the epileptic power supply in the country with a view to finding lasting solution to them.

Making this call in Lagos, a non governmental organisation that seeks steady power supply in Nigeria, Good Governance Initiative, GGI, stressed the need to make power sector a priority at the conference as 70 percent of the myriads of problem facing the country was hinged on power failure.

In a statement signed by GGI, President, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, the group, noted that the key driver of the economy anywhere in the world remains steady power supply.

Mbisiogu further stressed that the country’s power sector should not be treated with kids glove.

Mbisiogu who is also the Managing Director, Blue Diamond Logistics China, lamented the various challenges Nigerians are facing in their own land as a result of inadequate power supply, saying that the Conference would

remain a mirage if the power sector challenge was not accorded a priority and tackled effectively.

His words; “The importance of power in the life of a nation cannot be overstressed as it holds the key to economic prosperity of any nation. It is responsible for the high unemployment that the country is facing.

“The absence of constant electricity is seriously inhibiting the ability of Nigeria to attract foreign industries that heavily depend on electric energy to get their products out. It is ironic that would-be industrialists now take their businesses to more electrically stable countries like Ghana,” he added.

“The quality of education in Nigeria is indirectly being affected by absence of constant electricity in schools. In the world of today, the internet has become an integral part of education and access to the internet is dependent on electricity”, he said.

Mbisiogu, recalled that a recent statistics established Nigeria as the largest importer of generator in the world as this has aggravated the spending patterns of Nigerian homes and business because average Nigerian

home expends between N60,000 to N100,000 per month in a country where per capital income is less than a dollar per day.

BRIEF DSTAN commends FG on oil and gas reforms

D

eepwater Survival Trainers Association of Nigeria, DSTAN, has commended the Federal Government on its oil and gas sector reforms as championed by the Petroleum Minister, Mrs.Deziani Allison-Madueke.

According to the Association’s President, Sir Emmanuel Onyekwena, the Nigeria oil and gas industry has witnessed tremendous growth under the watch of AllisonMadueke.

He made the observation during a chat with the media ahead of the commissioning of the Deep-water Simulation Theatre (DST), which was built by TOLMANN, a leading offshore safety training company in the oil and gas sector.

Onyekwena, who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TOLMANN Allied Services Company Ltd, said that, “The major development that the industry has continued to celebrate is the Local Content Law, which is empowering Nigerians. Before the Minister came on board, only a few Nigerians could access oil and gas contracts. Look at the difference since she took over.

Today, Nigerians are given the right of first refusal; they are considered first for jobs in the industry.”

The Deep-water Simulation Theatre is the first of its kind in Africa.

It will be commissioned under the Chairmanship of Alison-Madueke, on April 14, at Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt.

The DSTAN President noted that the passion of the minister is to have young Nigerians employed in the industry, and by extension, boost wealth creation.

“Imagine if you are coming to the industry to do business, you must comply with the Nigerian Content Policy. This means that beyond just appointing Nigerians to be ‘paper directors’ as was before now, you have to ensure that they have visible stakes in the business.

CSR: PENGASSAN provides healthcare facility in Lagos

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

A

s part of its Corporate Social Responsible, CSR, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Mobil Producing Nigeria branch ?has provided a modern health care centre for the people of Ilasan in Eti-Osa Local government in Lagos.

The health center project according to PENGASSAN is part of its giving back to the society initiative.

Chairman PENGASSAN Mobil Producing Nigeria branch, Comrade Jude Nwaogu ?who spoke during the formal handing over of the centre in Lagos said as employees of Mobil Producing Nigeria, giving back to the society initiative was instituted as a means to reach out to the less

privileged.

He explained that ?the initiative has been in operation over the years but gave out perishable items like food and consumables to less privileged homes in the country at the initial stage. He added “ we felt that we need to do things people can really see and can be sustained and the community can enjoy it?.

“We have done series of things even SOS village in Isolo, we undertook training of five students for a period of five years. In Eket we built a one story building hostel for Gosple village, that is a kind of motherless babies homes for them.

“Today what we are doing is donation of a health center for Ilasan village in Lekki. So it is actually borne out of the desire to reach out to the less privilege,”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 27

EPILEPTIC POWER: Confab delegates urged to proffer solution

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

D

ELEGATES at the N a t i o n a l Conference have been urged to critically examine the remote and immediate causes of the epileptic power supply in the country with a view to finding lasting solution to them.

Making this call in Lagos, a non governmental organisation that seeks steady power supply

in Nigeria, Good Governance Initiative, GGI, stressed the need to make power sector a priority at the conference as 70 percent of the myriads of problem facing the country was hinged on power failure.

In a statement signed by GGI, President, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, the group, noted that the key driver of the economy anywhere in the world remains steady power supply.

CSR: PENGASSAN provides healthcare facility in Lagos

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

A

s part of its Corporate Social Responsible, CSR, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Mobil Producing Nigeria branch ?has provided a modern health care centre for the people of Ilasan in Eti-Osa Local government in Lagos.

The health center project according to PENGASSAN is part of its giving back to the society initiative.

Chairman PENGASSAN Mobil Producing Nigeria branch, Comrade Jude Nwaogu ?who spoke during the formal handing over of centre in Lagos said as employees of Mobil Producing Nigeria, giving back to the society initiative was instituted as a means to reach out to the less privilege.

He explained that ?the initiative has been in operation over the years but gave out perishable items like food and consumables to less privilege homes in the country at the initial stage. He added that “we felt that we need to do things people can really see and can be sustained and the community can enjoy it?.

“We have done series of things even SOS village in Isolo, we undertook training of five students for a period of five years. In Eket we built a one story building hostel for Gosple village, that is a kind of motherless babies homes for them.

“Today what we are doing is donation of a health center for Ilasan village in Lekki. So it is actually borne out of the desire to reach out to the less privilege,” he said Explaining the reason why Ilasan was chosen, Nwaogu said “first of all we are doing it in all the location where Mobil have their presence, we have Lagos, we have Eket, Rivers State and so on.

“For Lagos State, it will not make sense for us to go to areas where people already have these amenities of life, so we decided to look for a community where people will actually appreciate these because they need.

“It was in that search that we got this Ilasan village.

We reached out to them, they were very excited, the Local government chairman was very cooperative, in fact the land was actually donated directly by the local government chairman, then we started the project,” ?Commenting on the cost of the project, the PENGASSAN MPN branch chairman explained that because of the nature of the environment “we really spent much more than we anticipated, we spend in the neighbourhood of N15 million because the ground itself was waterloo and you know what that means.

“We started with casting, and you can see that we raised it very high even the floor itself is like window level of? most houses in around here, so it was an average if N15 million plus.

Mbisiogu further stressed that the country’s power sector should not be treated with kids glove.

Mbisiogu who is also the Managing Director, Blue Diamond Logistics China, lamented the various challenges Nigerians are facing in their own land as a result of inadequate power supply, saying that the Conference would remain a mirage if the power sector challenge was not accorded a priority and tackled effectively.

His words; “The importance of power in the life of a nation cannot be overstressed as it holds the key to economic prosperity of any nation. It is responsible for the high unemployment that the country is facing.

“The absence of constant electricity is seriously inhibiting the ability of Nigeria to attract foreign industries that heavily depend on electric energy to get their products out. It is ironic that would-be industrialists now take their businesses to more electrically

stable countries like Ghana,” he added.

“The quality of education in Nigeria is indirectly being affected by absence of constant electricity in schools. In the world of today, the internet has become an integral part of education and access to the internet is dependent on electricity”, he said.

Mbisiogu, recalled that a recent statistics established Nigeria as the largest importer of generator in the world as this has aggravated the spending patterns of Nigerian homes and business because average Nigerian home expends between N60,000 to N100,000 per month in a country where per capital income is less than a dollar per day.

28— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

By Theodore Opara

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oscharis Motors, representatives of BMW in Nigeria, has launched the all-new BMW X5, Sports Activity Vehicle, SAV, into the market.

The all-new BMW, popularly known as the Ultimate AllRounder, replaces the second generation BMW X5 which was launched into the Nigerian market in 2007.

Speaking at the unveiling, Group Managing Director, Mr. Josiah Samuel, who represented the President of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka at the occasion, said that since the global launch of the BMW X5, it had been setting milestones in its class.

He added that the current generation (the third generation) has again surpassed its benchmarks as a SAV that delivers outstanding luxury and unparalled comfort in every regard.

SAV of solutions

Describing the new X5 as a success story, Samuel said the all-new BMW X5 has a clear solution for whatever challenges that comes its way.

He said: “The striking curves on the BMW X5 signifies a personality that never fails to announce its overriding attributes: supremacy, superiority and sophistication.

“The very moment you come face to face with the all-new BMW X5, your eyes will be instinctively drawn to its compelling design. Its expressive front optional adaptive LED headlights and the athletic side contours generate a masculine look that is beyond comparison.”

Features

The all-new BMW is available in Nigeria with two powerful engines, including the X-Drive 35i (six cylinder) and X50i (eight cylinder) engines.

•The all-new BMW X5, Sports Activity Vehicle, SAV.

Coscharis continues joy story with new X5 engine combines two turbochargers with DoubleVanos and high precision injection 650 Nm at engine speeds of between 20004500rpm.

This engine delivers an output of 330kw (450hp) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in an incredible five seconds. The high precision injection endures super efficient fuel consumption.

Looking ahead The BMW X-Drive 35i twin power turbo six cylinder inline petrol engine combines a twin scroll turbocharger with Valvetronic, Double-Vanos and

high precision injection.

This power plant delivers an output of 225kw (306hp) and takes just 6.5 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100km. This engine

reduces average fuel consumption to 8.5 litre/100 km with C02 emission of 197199g/km.

The twinpower turbo V8

Lube giants set to clash at Lagos Motor Show I n readiness for the 9th Lagos Motor Fair/3rd Auto Parts Expo, the indigenous companies are not left out as all the big names in the lubricant sector have all declared their interests to participate in this year’s event, leveraging on the outstanding success recorded in the 2013 edition and the build up to the 2014 edition.

The lube giants are Mobil, Total, MRS, Forte Oil, Lubcon, Ascon Oil, Honeywell, V-Gold, Techno oil, and Pepco.

The 3rd auto parts expo, which is slated for May 4 to 7, will run concurrently with the Lagos Motor Fair, which is a 7-day event.

The event, which has been tagged the Gathering of the heavy weights in the lube sector by these big names, will be providing a platform for all brands to rub shoulders and harness the various opportunities provided by this platform.

The lube giants, while stating their level of preparedness, revealed that they have been working round the clock with the organising committee to ensure a great outing.

They also said that they will be at the expo with a wide range of products, ranging from the multigrade engine oil for petrol and diesel engines, semi-synthetic multigrade engine oil for petrol and diesel engines, super vehicle

performance engine oil, mineral-based multigrade engine oil for petrol and diesel engines, mineral-based mono-grade engine oil for petrol engines and other allied products.

The fair and expo, which has already been dubbed a brand promoter, was described by these giants as a platform to retain the potency of their brands and enhance visibility in the market.

In confirmation, the Chairman Organising committee and the MD BKG Exhibitions, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu while commending the efforts of the all the stakeholders in the industry in the build-up to the events, noted that exhibiting at shows of this nature provides a significant opportunity to enhance brand visibility, promote new and existing products, generate leads, and drive incremental sales.

Mr. Agwu revealed that “a whole lot of the brands who started with us and are still with us can testify to this. They have moved to greater heights.

“That is the beauty of trade shows. They take you to another level by consistently keeping you in the minds of your target audience. And we will not relent in making the dreams of these exhibitors come true because of the faith they have put in us over the years.”

With this, the Group Managing Director said, Coscharis Motors has moved up a notch or more on the value added scale.

He said: “We are showing that we have the potential to continue exploiting the high value-added auto sector. We must emphasise that in launching the third generation of the X5, we are also celebrating the international aspect of the company with its link and business relationship with BMW, Germany.

“Today we shall continue the story of joy: the story of Coscharis Group, the all-new BMW X5 which second generation we had launched in June 2007.

“We are not only celebrating our successful past as a company but more importantly, we are looking into the future.

“A future that starts now with the launch of the all-new X5 being part of our drive to incessantly re-invent the company and our BMW brand’s portfolio.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 29

By Theodore Opara

All-new Corolla hits market T

OYOTA Nigeria Limited has unveiled the all-new Toyota Corolla into the market. The new Corolla is the 11th generation Corolla.

Toyota Corolla first made its entry in the market in 1966. Presently, it is manufactured in 16 factories and sold in 154 countries of the world.

Since, Corolla has continued to dominate its market segment with over 30 million units sold across the globe, making it the world's best-selling automobile.

The 2014 Corolla is available with an array of innovations. Beginning with the exterior, the Corolla has a more aggressive front facia with a Chrome-outlined hexagonally shaped lower air inlet.

Toyota has given the Corolla a slightly more

angular, forward-raked look with some new character lines and a big trapezoidal maw of a lower air inlet.

The interior too has been transformed to give the Corolla a serious lift. The new Corolla has 99mm longer wheel base than the outgoing model.

The seats are more accommodating a n d

comfortable. There is more log room and headroom for passenger, no matter their height, while the trunk has increased to 368L. Toyota has largely stuck with the Macpherson Strut up front and torsion beam at the rear and 1.8 litre twin cam VVTi four cylinder engine, which delivers 132 horsepower. The engine is paired with a new auto

transmission that delivers outstanding power.

A newly-designed lightweight high efficiency air conditioning system that achieves top class cooling performance has been adopted. It has a clean air filter, which handles dust and pollen as one of its main features.

The audio system is all new,

especially for the leather seat version which now comes with a display audio system equipped with a back monitor or reversed camera.

Safety

The vehicle comes equipped with anti-lock braking system, ABS; electronic brake force distribution, EBD, and brake assist which is adopted to compensate for drivers failure to depress the brake pedal deep enough during an emergency.

•Toyota Corolla

Coscharis begins work on $55m CKD plant in Lekki

L

EADING automobile distributor in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, has commenced construction of $55 million auto assembly plant in Lekki, Lagos, for the production of Jiangsu Joylong and MG brands. The plant is for Complete Knock Down parts, CKD. The construction work on the new plant started in January this year and is scheduled to be completed in December 2015 . Cosharis says that the new assembly plant was in compliance with the Federal Government’s new auto policy which encourages stakeholders to set up auto plants to boost employment for the youths.

Briefing newsmen on the new assembly plant, the Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Mr. Josiah Samuel, explained that for close to three years, they had been in discussion with their partners Jiangsu Joylong Automobile of China and had finally concluded agreement with them as Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEM, organisation for the project.

He added that Joylong will provide necessary backup for the project in Nigeria.

According to Mr. Samuel, Coscharis had also concluded agreement with Dongfeng Design Institute Co. Ltd, a company well-known in China for its world class auto factory design management, to design and manage the project.

He disclosed that Dongfeng

has designed over 40 modern auto plant both within and outside China.

Though the plant is designed for the production of Joylong and MG brands for now, the Group Managing Director explained that it is a multibrand plant which can produce any vehicle brand.

Coscharis Motors represents Jaguar/Land Rover, BMW, Ford, MG, Rolls Royce and other Chinese auto brands in Nigeria.

The assembly plant, which sits on 14 acres of land, on completion will turn out 13,000

vehicles annually on an eight hours single shift and with capacity to produce 26,000 vehicles annually, including buses, cars and trucks.

Restating his company ’s support for a viable auto industry in Nigeria, Mr. Samuel called for an extensive study on why the earlier plants in the country failed.

According to him “Coscharis is willing and ready to support in developing the Nigerian auto industry in meeting its potentials, hence, our

proposal to move once again to set up an automotive plant of world standards in Nigeria.”

He disclosed that the idea of CKD plant was conceived by his company three years ago but couldn’t be realised for reasons beyond their control but that with the new auto policy, it had become imperative to revisit it.

He said that with a population of about 170 million people and large number of imported vehicles sold in Nigeria annually, there is need for additional

auto assembly plants in the country.

He, however, called for a legislation to back up the new auto policy, saying “ we are hoping that the legislation will take care of the policy. You must protect your own thing so that it can survive.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the representative of Dangfend Design Institute, Mr. James Zhao, expressed their commitment to the project, saying the plant is going to be one of the most modern in Africa and across the globe.

Ghana to partner Nigeria on intergration of data base

T

he Republic of Ghana is on the verge of partnering with Nigeria on data base integration, bordering on the registration of vehicles and drivers on the continent, as part of collective efforts to enhance safety practices within the West African region.

Speaking during a state visit to the Republic of Ghana, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Osita Chidoka, advocated an integrated data base on registration of vehicles and drivers within the sub-region and the need to foster existing rapport between the two countries to enhance safer road use in Africa.

The visit, which was a fallout of a recent visit by the Ghanaian President to Nigeria,

FRSC boss Osita Chidoka (right), when he paid a courtesy call on Ghana President, John Mahama recently. who was represented by the Vice President at the FRSC 5th Annual Lecture Series, was at the instance of an invitation by the President of Ghana, John

Dramani Mhama, for the FRSC Corps Marshal to be in Ghana for further deliberations and to seek areas of mutual collaboration

between Nigeria and Ghana.

According to the Corps Marshal who is also the President of the West African Road Safety Organisation, WARSO, an integrated data base on vehicles registration and drivers between the two countries, will go a long way to boost efforts being presently put in place to combat crime and other form of security challenges confronting the West African Sub-region.

In his response, the Ghanaian President commended the Corps Marshal for the developmental strides which FRSC has taken under the present dispensation to transform road safety management in Nigeria, which has impacted positively on the road culture in Nigeria.

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

•President Goodluck Jonathan in the dilemma of light up Nigeria

Endless woes trail power sector privatisation •There’s light at the end of the tunnel — Prof. Nebo •Consumers lament tariff rip off •NERC rolls out National Content policy

I

T was afternoon, and the sun beat down with all the anger it could muster. Francis Igbineweka (not real names) held his mobile phone handset against his left ear as he trekked down the street. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, even as rivulets of the same sweat streamed down the middle of his back.

Unconsciously he swore aloud.

“What kind of country is this?”, he asked no one in particular.

For four days he had been

trying to get his mother in the Edo village where he came from, on telephone, to no avail; her number wasn’t going.

Feeling cramps in his left hand, he transferred the handset to his right hand, and dialed again. This time, it rang, and a tentative smile began to form on his face.

Fabled privatisation “Mama, wetin do your phone now? I don dey try ur number since four days but e no dey go.

Wetin happen?”

“Sorry my son, I got your message, but we no get light for one week now and the battery of my phone die. Nowhere to

charge am!”

“What happened to your generator?”, Francis retorted.

“You know there’s fuel scarcity. I no fit buy the petrol at N200 per litre. I charged my phone now at my neighbour’s place. His son-in-law came to visit. Four months into the fabled privatisation of the Nigerian Electricity Power Industry(NESI), hopes of improved services are forlorn even the Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), watch helplessly as the situation degenerate rapidly.

Today, Nigeria is negotiating to import electricity from war torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The power companies issue estimated bill,

while others are given, crazy bills. A case in point is that of Mrs. E. Umeano, who lives at a duplex in Ago Okota who was given a bill of N50,000 for the

,

By ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA, General Editor & HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

bill in which her average monthly bill has risen drastically. Initiaialy the IKEDC said I was being under billed and shut my bill up to N15,700.00. I protested and demanded to know how they came about the bill. They checked their system and discovered that I was being over billed by as much as 500 units. They checked and discovered that there are over

Today Nigeria is negotiating to import electricity from war torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

month of October, 2013.

According to her, I pay my bills regularly even when I do not operate industry in my duplex, I do not use heavy equipment. I pay my bill for been supplied with darkness for 90 per cent of the time.

Another consumer, Mrs. Jennifer Ibonye told Vanguard that she had a case of estimated

,

35 consumers that are affected and promised to rectify the situation. But till date they have not done that instead “my monthly bill for a residential duplex has remained at N22, 000.00 every month even when we hardly get electricity in my area of Ago”.

She said: “this is not Continues on page 31

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 31

annual income on electricity as government and the distribution companies argue that Nigerians pay the least tariff on electricity supply when compared with some countries in Africa.

Engr. Badejo said: “One fact that both the government have conveniently ignored in their calculation is that government institutions, public officers, military establishments hardly pay for the electricity that they consume”.

According to him “the rationale of using free market forces as envisaged in the introduction of MYTO system is that the macro –economic management by government, is efficient and that policies are reliable, predictable and realisable.”

He said “it is the duty of government to manage the rate of inflation, the exchange rate and interest rate.

Nebo: There’s light at the end of the tunnel sustainable and I have to take a legal action to stop this exploitation”. Our investigation reveals that there are little or no pressure of the DISCOs to address the complaints of consumers, no matter how genuine their case may be, “the Distribution companies are not prepared to address it and NERC is just shielding them to exploit the consumers, it is a catch 22 situation for us.”

Mr. Kehinde Olapade, who was among those laid off in the old PHCN told Vanguard that “the new owners of the power companies in major business districts like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja are working on the assumption that if an average low income consumer on R1/R2 could afford to part with N500.00 on fuel per day, this would translate to N15,000.

This means that they could afford to pay N15,000. monthly on electricity once power supply is steady. So they are pushing to get consumers in the R1 and R2 category to a minimum of N15, to N25,000.00 per month depending on category of the house that the consumers are living.”

Bottled water producer An Abuja based Table and bottled water producer, Mr. Friday Dasuma said his monthly electricity bill for a two Phased meter has risen to N350,000 per month since November and no explanation was given. He said most time we are on generator and we spend close to N150,000 every month on diesel, is like the new power companies are competing with the generator and diesel market, if that is the case, they should leave us to decide whether to use their services or to stick to our generating sets, we cannot be making double payment for the same item especially when the one from public supply is inefficient, unreliable and exorbitant.

He said” the same government that is telling the world that it wants to encourage the small and medium enterprises to grow and create jobs, is the one that is punishing them by introducing these unhealthy policies.

He said the SMEs that rely on electricity for their businesses have come under heavy burden and disrupted our budgets. We have to cut down on our costs and overheads.

Recenty, the Minister of Power Prof. Nebo told a Power Summit

,

Continues from page 30

Some Nigerians are known “to deliberately flaunt laid down rules and violate every operational guidelines in order to satisfy their selfish desires

,

in Lagos that in 1996 there were 47 industrial clusters in Nnewi, Anambra State, but by 2013, it has shrunk to six as others were forced out of business because of electricity, the situation remains the same even today as the power companies are anxious to recover the loans they got from banks at high interest rate which is passed on to the consumers.

Electricity consumers in Nigeria are waking up to the realisation that 25% of their income may end up in payment of erratic, unstable and unreliable supply of electricity as the new owners of power companies grapple with the old problems in the power sector.

In fact the new power companies fleece consumers with arbitrary and unexplained increase of tariffs for the low income consumers in the R1 and R2 category. Some of them complained of having been forced to pay between 25,000 to 50,000 monthly on electricity

Electricity transmission

•Prof. Chinedu Nebo transmission and distribution.

Privatisation exercise The privatisation exercise of November 1, 2014, covered 60% of the companies in generation and distribution sector while the Federal government is still holding on to the 40% in the transmission sector.

But the ordeal of the consumers is not helped by the disposition of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) whose

•Light up Nigeria project . bill in the face of erratic and unstable supply of electricity.

Vanguard can report authoritatively that the new electricity companies have gradually returned to using the old business model of the Power Holding Company(PHCN) that was unbundled into three key areas of Generation,

rationale behind the Multi Year Tariff Order MYTO, which is presently at the second review known as MYTO2.

In fact, the new distribution companies have suspended the issuance of the pre-paid meter which NERC was a precondition for the privatisation exercise.

Today the DISCOs have become a cartel that arbitrarily manipulates electricity bills, even though NERC claims “that there is now up review of electricity tariff.”

Engr. Lanre Badejo, who

Source NERC primary concern has shifted to ensuring that the new owners and licensed investors into the NESI are protected “to recover their investments at the shortest possible time frame” Equally troubling, is the surreptitious use of market forces to determine and bill consumers which is the

retired from the services of PHCN before the privatization programme told Vanguard that “the the goal of the new power cartel is to drive the tariff on electricity to at least 3,000% from what consumers were paying before now”. This means that consumers would have to part with at least 25% of their

It is also the duty of government to manage security of critical national assets such as the oil and gas pipelines as well as electricity transmission lines, where there are failures and inefficiencies on the part of government to control these forces, that influence market behaviour, the consequences would reflect in the cost of electricity generation and distribution and the consumer would bear the brunt.”

He said “ the introduction of tariff system driven by market forces ignored the fact that Nigeria’s economy is import dependent and that there would always be fluctuation of prices arising from the cost of sourcing foreign exchange and other charges that were paid at the port of entry, bribes and other levies which the electricity generation and distribution companies are made to pay before they come up with the final product”. This would be pushed to the ultimate consumer of the electricity product and there would be ripple effect on the general price level in the economy.

He said “We are not in transparent business environment where we could easily determine the unit cost of electricity generation and the per capita consumption”. For instance, “We also know that government institutions and agencies, public office holders at the national and state levels, who live in designated estates, military barracks, residencies of security agencies are usually obstinate and reluctant to pay their electricity bills “ Consequently, the power companies let them be either to buy protection from them or to avoid trouble. There is no level playing field as those who have a responsibility to ensure good corporate governance and Continues on page 32 C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Transforming Nigeria’s power sector Continues from page 31 business practices are compromised and socially corrupted by the power companies.

Also worrisome is development within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), where the Nigerian Content Policy is heavily skewed in favour of the investors whom the NERC is introducing the legal framework to guide their operations and to ensure that their investments are secured and made profitable.

Top among the list of the discontent are the: ·Drastic drop in the level of power generation in the country which was attributed to acts of vandalism on gas pipelines and electricity infrastructures

Unilateral suspension ·Unilateral suspension of the pre- paid meter scheme which was a pre-condition set by NERC for the privatisaton ·Reliance on the practice of estimated billing system which gives the DICOs the leeway to collect revenue for services not rendered. ·Emergence of Electricity Power cartel which arbitrarily manipulate the billing system, · Use of market forces to determine electricity tariff under the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), · Dearth of qualified man power arising from the massive engagement of staff from the discredited PHCN · Disregard for consumers rights and complaint of poor services arising from massive drop in capacity generation, In an exclusive interview with Vanguard Special Report team, the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo said “the issue of confronting the new power companies is how to ensure appropriate pricing for electricity consumption for the low income earners and the elites, through appropriate metering”.

Another critical factor is how to stop the leakages that occur from the points of generation to transmission, through reliance on obsolete transmission lines, acts of vandalism of electricity equipments and gas pipelines.

Prof. Nebo attributed to problems in the power sector to largely systemic and bad attitude of some Nigerians are known “to deliberately flaunt laid down rules and violate every operational guidelines in order to satisfy their selfish desires”.

C M Y K

•Construction workers at power plant site.

According to Prof. Nebo, the actions of these unscrupulous persons find expressions in their deliberately overloading

Source NERC

the transformers and over stretching their functional capacities, manipulation of the meters to under-read actual

consumption, using one phase meter to carry heavy load in homes and offices, using substandard cables to connect

electricity to residential premises and offices, without regards to the safety of the buildings and to the power infrastructures”.

According to him, “these actions have caused extensive damages to power infrastructures and lose of revenues to investors in the power sector.”

Since the enactment of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, Nigeria’s electricity landscape has witnessed major changes resulting in the emergence of private sector led Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as the Federal Government realised that it could no longer meet up with the financial requirement of funding the capital intensive power sector.

Hon Ndudi Elumelu said the Obasanjo administration did much to tackle the problem of Electricity Power Sector, but in the end the result was not commensurate with the massive effort and financial commitment. It was the Obasanjo administration that initiated the Electricity Power Sector Reform Law (EPSR) 2005, to liberalise the sector and Continues on page 33

OBASANJO POWER REFORMS

I

n May 1999 when General Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office, the power supply system in the country was in a very terrible state of disrepair and neglect. The generation availability was down to 1,600MW from the installed capacity of 5,876MW. This was far below the estimated national demand of about 3,250MW. But Nigerians are distrustful and skeptical about time, on assumption of office in 1999 as the Minister of Power, late Chief Bola Ige promised to end the nightmare of electricity supply in six months. By the time of his death in 2001, the situation degenerated.

NIGERIA’S POWER INFRASTRUCTURE Egbin Electric Power Station with an installed capacity of 1320 MW is being upgraded to 1870 MW. Egbin is reputed to be the biggest and the most modern power station in the West African Sub region. The 20 year old thermal station is being expanded with the installation of additional units which is expected to increase the generating capacity of the station.

Kainji Power Station is a hydro power station established in December 1968; with a capacity of 760 MW. The ongoing reforms in the power sector have resulted in the utilization of seven out of the 8 installed units.

Oji River Power Station is the only coal powered steam turbine station in Nigeria. After years of neglect and under-utilization rehabilitation work commenced on July 19, 2003. The total production capacity is 30 MW. The rehabilitation covers work on 5 Boilers, 4 steam turbines, and reactivation of

the coal handling equipment. By July 17, 2004, the steam turbines were successfully tested at a synchronized speed of 3,000 rpm and loaded to 2.5 MW Calabar Thermal Power Station was commissioned in 1935 and serves as booster station to Afam and Oji power stations. Like the other Power Stations, it also suffered years of neglect.

But the Obasanjo administration has began rehabilitation works on the station which is expected to inject a total of 7MW to the national grid.

For instance, it was observed that only 19 out of a total of 79 generating units were in operation. The available radial transmission lines were old and did not cover most part of the country characterized the national grid.

Many power transformers and circuit breakers were not maintained for years and were overloaded, insufficient and broke down regularly.

Overloaded distribution transformers, unmaintained lines characterized the distribution system.

This abysmal poor state of affairs in the power sector was due to many reasons that include the following: Capacity loss suffered by the system due to poor maintenance and overhaul schedules of the generating plants for over the last 20 years.

Prolonged neglect and nonmaintenance of the transmission lines and the distribution sub-stations;No new power plants were built since 1990 and no new 330kv and 132kv transmission lines were constructed since 1981. Seasonal fluctuations in the water levels in the lakes of the hydro stations at Kainji, Jebba and

Shiroro.

This informed the formation of a Technical Board inaugurated in March 2000 with a mandate to increase generation to 4,000MW. By 2000, average daily generation was between 1,700MW and 1,900MW from 17 generating units. The mandate of the Technical Board was to: ·Optimal utilization of resources for the provision of electricity services; ·maximize access to electricity services by promoting and facilitating connection ·Adequate supply of electricity to consumers ·Avoid exploitative billing by private operators; ·That regulation is fair and balance for Licensees, consumers’ investors and other stake holders; ·Establishment of appropriate operating codes on safety, security and quality standards · Promote and preserve efficient electricity industry and market structures · Create efficient distribution system; · License and regulate persons engaged in the generation and transmission of electricity.

It also resulted in the creation successor companies to PHCN. These included 11 Distribution companies (DisCos), six Generation companies (GenCos) and one Transmission Systems Company (TranSysCo) in November 2005.

To achieve this target, the Federal Government has embarked on the following strategies: 1.Licensing new Independent Power Plants (IPPs).

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 33

Continues from page 32 break the existing monopoly of NEPA.

NERC: regulating electricity business in Nigeria

Revenue generation capacity This was followed by the incorporation of successor companies of defunct NEPA. The EPSR was to achieve the following objectives: *Ensuring Improved and sustainable supply of electricity *Efficient metering and billing system to improve revenue generation capacity *Guarantee overall customer satisfaction in delivery of quality and reliable service. *Rehabilitation of neglected Infrastructure and Expansion *Restructuring; Deregulation; Privatization of the electricity sector *Key Infrastructure Expansion Projects by the Federal Government *Transforming NEPA to a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to be floated on the stock exchange for the public to subscribe to its shares. *Unbundling the business units of the defunct NEPA into incorporated successor companies *Guarantee private sector participation in power generation, transmission and distribution.

A major component of the EPSR was the setting up of the National Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) to regulate the electricity market. The NERC was

•Dr. Sam Amadi, NERC Chairman private operators; *That regulation is fair and balance for Licensees, consumers’ investors and other stakeholders; It also resulted in the creation of successor companies to PHCN. These included 11 Distribution companies (DisCos), six Generation companies (GenCos) and one Transmission Systems

,

NERC has not shown seriousness in educating consumers on their rights under the new dispensation where the new companies are using Nigerians as guinea pigs to test World Bank policy on power sector privatisation

inaugurated in October 2005 with a mandate to regulate all activities in the Electricity Sector.

NERC is expected to provide the frame work to develop competitive electricity market with the breaking up of the monopoly of NEPA. Apart from the legal framework that empowered the electricity power sector reform, it is important to state here that the emergence of a regulatory agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is to ensure: *Optimal utilization of resources for the provision of electricity services; *maximize access to electricity services by promoting and facilitating connection *Adequate supply of electricity to consumers *Avoid exploitative billing by

,

Company (TranSysCo) in November 2005.

Vanguard Special Report team was at the National Headquarters of NERC to speak with senior official of the Commission who claimed they could not entertain media equiries. The visit however yielded fruitful result as our reporters attended the stake holders brainstorming on the National Content Policy being put together by the commission to regulate the operations of the new companies and investors into the power sector.

Apparently, there was no enabling legal framework to guide the relationship between the new power companies and the regulators and the consumers, prior to the privatisation. What was in existence was the laws that

protected PHCN as a public sector power monopoly.

Majority of the stakeholders are the CEOs of the new companies that emerged from

PHCN, suppliers of electricity equipments, meter manufactures, producers of transformers, cables, semi conductors, lawyers, Nigerian Society of Engineers, etc.

Vanguard discovered that NERC was silent or pretended to be unaware of the complaints of consumers about the inefficiencies and ineptitude associated with the operations of the DICOs which are relying on the old technology and manpower left behind from the former power supply company which could not raise its capacity beyond 3,5MW before it was shoved aside.

Engr. Badejo said: ”What is generally presented to Nigerians as privatization of the power sector is transferring of public monopoly into private and profit seeking individuals who have connections in high places and at the same time, using the instruments of government to protect them, The Secretary General of National Union of Electricity workers, Comrade Joe Ajaero, told Vanguard that “what is unfolding in the power sector is a grand plan by the forces that control the oil and gas sector that were favoured to purchase the electricity

companies to systematically enslave Nigerians who would be spending 25% of their income on electricity supply.”

Excessive extortion The arbitrary and discriminatory billing system based on estimation is illegal and excessive extortion as consumers are denied any form of redress when they complain about the exorbitant bills which do not take into consideration of other costs of living namely transportation, education, medical expenses, fuel for generators at home and other life sustainers.

According to Ajaero, this situation would lead to further impoverishment of Nigerians and systemic enslavement as Nigerians who earn their income based on local economic determinants are forced to pay international prices for goods and services that are produced by cheap local labour, just because we want to satisfy the IMF and the World Bank.

According to Ajaero, pivitisation is a landmark decision aimed at eliminating corruption and inefficiencies in the power supply chain”.

To be continued

THE NIPP AND GAS SUPPLY CHAIN

T

HE NIPP project as conceputalised by the Obasanjo administration was to tackle the problem of infrastructural development in the Niger-Delta region, five of the seven of the proposed new power stations were located in Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Edo and Imo States where they were expected to add 2,000 MW to the national grid.

But the supply of gas to the power stations has remained a major challenge owing to the growing acts of vandalism and acts of sabotage .

THE NIPP PROJECT The NIPP was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria and was expected to significantly ease the power supply problem in the NigerDelta region and beyond. The seven power stations were to cost of N33 billion and to be completed over a period of 18 months.

Over 86 contracts valued at N305 billion were awarded to consortium of local and foreign contractors. The Geregu Power station located in Kogi State has a capacity of 414 MW and known to be the biggest among the new power stations. It comprises of 3 Units of 94.2 gas turbines and ancillary equipment.

The Gbarian / Ubie power station with the gas turbine will cost N24.8 billion. It is expected to generate 225MW. The Egbema Gas Plant with a capacity of 388 MW will be constructed with the gas supply turbines for an estimated cost of N26 billion. This will serve communities with a radius of 5KM. The Omotosho community in Ondo State will host another power station with a capacity of

335 MW. The Papalanto Gas Power Station located in Ogun State has an estimated capacity of 335 MW. This Power Station is being built in two phases and jointly financed by the Federal Government and its Chinese counterpart.

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo performed the ground breaking ceremony of 561 MW Calabar Gas Plant in December of the same year. The first phase of the project was to have been commissioned in July 2007 while the entire project will be commissioned in November 2007. This informed the optimism of the Federal government to declare that it would meet a target to deliver 10,000MW by the end of that year.

The scope, structure and conception of the national integrated power project •To achieve this target, the Federal Government has embarked on the following strategies: •License new Independent Power Plants (IPPs) •Embarking on N33 billion National Integrated Power Project NIPP •Deregulate the electricity industry to attract more investment from local and offshore sources, Nigeria’s requirement in foreign investment in this sector is put at 60%.

The Integrated Power project was conceptualized in December 2004 , by the Obasanjo administration as a 25 plan to ensure sustainable development of the power sector. The project is located at Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State.

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

How APC can emerge stronger from congresses

of the school of thought where the opposition is the enemy! Of course I feel they are wrong, but I also believe they can be educated and that process of education is continuous!

But now a decision has been taken. We belong to the APC and that is where we stay. The decision is collective. There are so many structures that we put together.

— Adedoyin

Resource enhancement

FORMER Women Affairs Minister, Princess Funke Adedoyin, in this interview wants the All Progressive Congress, APC, to integrate all legacy parties within its fold to have successful party congresses. Excerpts:

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

Y

OU have been involved in the politics of Kwara State since the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, how has the journey been?

It has been years of challenges, wonderful opportunities. To go back a little bit, as you know, when we were thrown out of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2005/ 2006, we all formed the Action Congress, which became the Action Congress of Nigeria. And I remained in the ACN until the last general election.

We, in the South of Kwara, had been agitating for power shift for many years because we had Governor Mohammed Lawal, who was from Kwara Central, who did a term from 1999 to 2003; and we then had Governor Bukola Saraki, also from Kwara Central, he did two terms.

Even before Senator Saraki became the governor, we had been agitating, but the idea was that the central zone should be

allowed to complete its two terms.

And don’t forget that at that time, we were in the PDP anyway, so we were following the trend at the national level, which was that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was going to do a second term.

And since Governor Lawal was not in our party and the PDP merged with the Saraki faction of the then All Peoples Party, Dr. Bukola Saraki emerged as the gubernatorial candidate, from the Central, that was what led to the Bukola-Funke ticket in 2002, before I was elevated to the federal level and an alternative deputy governor was found after we had concluded the primaries.

As I said, when we were deregistered in 2006, we helped form the ACN. I would consider myself at that time the first among equals in the leadership of the ACN in Kwara State. We fielded candidates in the 2007 elections, but we were too young as a party to win statewide elections, although we won a few seats in

•Adedoyin: APC is the more progressive party the state House of Assembly from the Kwara South zone. That went the way it did but we still stayed in the ACN. We continued to build the party. However, the challenge we had in 2010/2011 was, again, the agitation for power shift to the South.

Unfortunately, in 2010, the ACN picked a gubernatorial candidate from Kwara Central.

This totally devastated the South, which was the power base of the party. So we entered into negotiations with the PDP for a gubernatorial candidate from the South and a brilliant candidate from the South emerged in the

PDP in the person of Abdulfatah Ahmed, who won the election.

Does it mean you are yet to pitch your tent with any political party?

We have moved our entire structure, our supporters in both the PDP and the ACN to the APC. APC is, of course, the more progressive party.

You must be under immense pressure from both the PDP and the APC as both will see you as a factor in Kwara State politics.

How are you coping with that?

We did talk to both sides at the highest levels. I have never been

From Kwara South Initiative to The Kwara Project, the Kwara South Professionals, the the Princess Olufunke Trust that is focused on the resource enhancement of women, and the many youth groups and so on.

We are not newspaper politicians, as I keep saying, who will say they are this and they are that and will not get more than 200 votes in a general election. Our people were in both parties. We will consolidate our people into the APC and take it from there. We will work with all our people across the state for the APC to win the elections at all levels. We are doing a lot of fence mending.

I have just returned from a long stay in Kwara. I will return again as soon as I come back from this trip. For me, it is important that we take all our people with us so that we will remain one.

Our strength is in the numbers.

We don’t want a situation where by taking precipitate action, we lose our people.

Attacks on Okonjo-Iweala unfair —Arewa youths leader Mr Ade Samuel, Deputy National President Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, in this interview, spoke on the state of the economy and other national issues, including the lingering face-off between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the House of Representatives.

BY INNOCENT ANABA

D

O you think that recent attacks on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are justified?

As humans, it is easier to forget the pleasant things we had enjoyed in the past, especially when faced with adversity. As government makes difficult changes on the way the economy is structured and people begin to feel uneasy, some people have begun to question the credibility

of those managing the economy.

As the Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Okonjo-Iweala has come under attacks with some questioning her continued stay in office. I therefore believe that the attacks are baseless and unjustified.

Why do you say that the attacks are unjustified?

It will be worth the while to remind us of Okonjo-Iweala’s commitment, passion and determination to make sure that a sustainable economic structure is put in place.

First, when she was appointed

Finance Minister in 2003, Nigeria was burdened with debts inherited from several military rule. Relying on the commitment of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to get the debt extinguished, Okonjo-Iweala used her experience and connection in the international banking system to get the debts written and freed Nigeria from a debt burden that had crippled the development of infrastructures in the country.

To this end, she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club of Creditors in 2005 that led to the wiping out of US$30 billion of Nigeria's external debt, including outright cancellation of US$18 billion.

Secondly, before she was appointed Finance Minister, allocations to states and local government areas were shrouded in secrecy.

•Samuel Transparency is seen worldwide as one of the benchmarks of democratic rule.

She introduced transparency into the allocation system and people now know how much their state governors and local governments have collected as allocations.

This is still the case today.

Under her watch, the economy is said to have continued to grow but the common man hardly feel

the effect of the growing economy.

Don’t forget that when the world economy plummeted, Okonjo-Iweala assured Nigerians that the nation’s economy would not be affected.

She ensured that the economy was shielded from the volatility of the world economy. Why some big economies suffered major blows from which they are yet to recover, Nigeria economically remained stable.

During her two stints as Finance Minister, she worked to combat corruption, make Nigeria’s finances more transparent, and institute reforms to make the nation’s economy more hospitable to foreign investment. The government unlinked its budget from the price of oil, its main export, to lessen

Continues on page 35

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 35

Fayemi accuses PDP of mayhem

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

T

HE Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organization has raised an alarm over

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Interim Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti, Chief Jide Awe; and Interim National Vice Chairman, South-West of All Progressives Progress (APC) and a former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, during Re-Elect Kayode Fayemi campaign rally in Efon-Ekiti, recently.

How APC attacked us— LP

BY DAPO AKINREFON

A

HEAD of the June 21 gubernatorial contest in Ekiti State, the Labour Party has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state of allegedly attacking its campaign train in Ilawe and Iye Ekiti over the weekend.

In a statement by the party’s media and publicity Secretary, Bolanle Olatunde-Bruce alleged that “the campaign train of the Labour Party was attacked in Isan, Iye and Ilawe Ekiti respectively over the weekend.”

She explained that “live ammunitions, matchets, axes and stones were freely used

in attacking faithful party members who were peacefully campaigning for Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party.

In Isan Ekiti, the home town of the outgoing governor, our campaign bus was shattered and battered, same at Ilawe Ekiti, the hometown of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yemi Adaramodu. In Iye Ekiti in the Ilejemeje Local Government, one of our youth leaders was machetted and had to be hospitalized.”

Further, the party ’s spokesperson called on security agencies to call the APC to order saying “no one has the monopoly of violence.”

She warned that “we will not fold our arms and watch our members and supporters being frightened, injured and maimed. We will remain law abiding but will protect our members in the face of provocation.

We are determined to put an end to the party’s reign of terror in Ekiti through democratic and social means and will not in any way succumb to any form of blackmail or intimidation.

We say enough is enough to APC’s reign of terror in Ekiti.”

In its reaction, the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organization refuted the claims made by the Labour Party saying there is no iota of truth in the allegations.

Bamidele donates salary, promises to do one term

BY DAPO AKINREFON

L

ABOUR party governorship candidate in the June 21 election in Ekiti State, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele has vowed not to collect salaries and emoluments throughout his fouryear tenure, if elected.

The former Lagos State commissioner made the vow while campaigning at IgedeEkiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Bamidele, a member of the House of Representatives, said he would rather open a special account for his salaries and emoluments to cater for the vulnerable persons in the society.

He said that his salaries and allowances at the National Assembly were being utilised to give succour to the needy and vulnerable in the society.

Hear him: “I have been blessed by God in all my areas of endeavours. The best way to appreciate God is to give back to the people.’"

Attacks on Okonjo-Iweala unfair —Arewa youths leader Continues from page 34 perennial cash flow crises, and got oil companies to publish how much they pay the government.

She has continued to attack corruption and accelerate privatization and liberalization of the economy. She signed Nigeria up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a voluntary standard for petroleum and mining industries. She managed to reduce Nigeria’s inflation by half.

One of the major problems that the Minister of Finance has always had with either the House of Representatives has been her alleged inability to provide the statistics of the much touted economic growth.

What is your take on that?

The improvement in federal highways has been confirmed by

many Nigerians, who travelled over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Key highways which have witnessed significant progress include KanoMaiduguri Road, the AbujaLokoja Road, the Apapa-Oshodi Road, the Onitsha-Enugu-PortHarcourt Road and the BeninOre-Shagamu Road. Preliminary work has commenced on LagosIbadan Road and the Second Niger Bridge has been commissioned and the government had promised that it would be completed in four years. These are monumental achievements that no matter the propaganda the opposition mounts, they are promises kept and you can imagine the level of economic activity and jobs that would be created with these projects alone.

Another major project is the Railway Modernization Programme involving the construction of standard gauge lines is underway.

Standard gauge lines The 1,124 km Western line linking Lagos and Kano is now functional while work on the Eastern line linking Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is about 36 percent complete. The AbujaKaduna Standard Gauge line has attained 68 percent completion, and the ItakpeAjaokuta-Warri Line which is presently 77 percent completed, will be completed next year. The annual passenger traffic on our railways has increased steadily: rising from one million in 2011

to five million in 2013. You know that this administration inherited a lot of comatose infrastructure, but in the last three years progress had been made on construction of major roads.

In the aviation sector, about 22 airports across Nigeria are being remodeled and upgraded. In 2013, we completed the upgrade of 11 airport terminals and work on the remaining 11 terminals is in progress.

The Enugu Airport is now operational as an international airport with a new terminal under construction. We have also commenced work on the construction of three new international airport terminals. In Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, modern navigational and meteorological systems were installed at our airports to improve air safety.

alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State to cause mayhem and unleash violence on the people of the state.

The organisation specifically accused PDP of attacking the party secretariat situated along Ajilosun road and vandalised some of the vehicles parked within the secretariat, while one of the party’s member, Mr Fatoye Babatunde,was said to have been shot by unknown gunmen.

Speaking with the newsmen in Ado Ekiti,the DirectorGeneral of the organisation, Mr Bimbo Daramola, condemned the attack on the party ’s secretariat by alleged agents of the PDP Daramola said “this is not panicking measure on our path,this is a game plan, there is a plan to turn this state into an orgy of violence.

Daramola said he was not objecting to Fayose being given protection, but noted that it should be done within the confines of the law.

The lawmaker hinted that the organisation intends to write a protest letter to the police,the SSS and the National Assembly.

Fayemi’s commissioners

BY DAPO AKINREFON

P

OLITICS, they say, is not about permanent friends or foes but about interests.

Mr Michael Opeymi Bamidele, who is contesting on the platform of the Labour Party, recently boasted to those who cared to listen that some aides of Governor Kayode Fayemi are supporting him (Bamidele).

The former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy had boasted to the crowd that the commissioners and special advisers, among others, are not only supporting him, but “are also doing so financially” .

When his campaign train birthed at Ido Osi local government area of the state, he said that the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members “backing him” was based on their belief in his “cause”.

Only time will tell whether it is factual or not.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Delta youths laud Uduaghan over Dombraye’s appointment

Ibori: Protest against London Court in Warri W

ARRI—SCORES of youths, women and men, yesterday, protested on the streets of Warri, Delta State, demanding the release of their son, Chief James Ibori by the London Court on the case coming up on tomorrow, saying that the court should release Ibori since it has no evidence against him.

The protesters, numbering over 5,000 carried placards with various inscription, some of which read, “Judge Pitts release Ibori for us for lack of evidence,” “We want our son back”, “You cannot keep our Ibori there when you lack evidence”, “Our son is innocent,” among others.

The protesters said that the decision of the London court goes against legal procedures because it reinforces the belief in some quarters that Ibori had been allegedly targeted for jail by hook or crook by the United Kingdom authorities for reasons yet unknown.

One of the protesters, Chief Gabriel Efeduku, a media analyst, said “The decision goes against the grain of legal procedures and is ominous because it reinforces the belief in

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—YOUTHS of Bomadi community, Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State have applauded the appointment of Mr. Reginald Dombraye as the Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan on Security Matters.

The youths, in a statement by their Chairman, Mr. Bernard Undukare thanked Governor Uduaghan for deeming it fit to give Dombraye the opportunity to serve the state in that capacity, describing the governor as a detribalised Deltan, who has the interest of his people at heart.

Congratulating Dombraye, a former member representing Bomadi constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, the youths expressed optimism that he will not betray the confidence reposed in him by the governor.

Edo PDP chieftain tasks members on party registration In a statement in Benin, he said

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Chief Henry Omorodion has urged party members to take active part in the ongoing registration exercise of the party, so as to have the numerical strength to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 general elections.

Chief Omorodion, who also is the Odunanoba of Benin, stressed the need for the party to be prepared for the elections, saying that the party has all it takes to defeat APC in the state if adequate preparations were made.

“It was because we believe that we have to redouble our efforts that some of us felt concerned when some youths in the Niger Delta said they were not going to register in the party unless government provides jobs for them.

Being an operator in the oil industry, I provided about 250 jobs for our youths in the Niger Delta, so that they will know that the PDP can create jobs.

“In Edo State, PDP has suffered unduly in the hands of APC and this is the time to re-strategise and for our supporters to be registered as members of the party to run for election and to be able to win elections.''

some quarters that Ibori had been targeted for jail by hook or crook by the British authorities for reason yet unknown particularly because the procedure being adopted by the British court smacks of working from answer to question.

“What further gives us serious thought is that the credibility and the internationallyrecognised and applauded the

British judiciary is being “showcased” to the world as not above human manipulation, dictated to and cajoled to suit outlandish proclivity of individual as against best practices in the legal jurisprudence.

“The likes of Clark have sullied the time-tested judiciary of Britain because the confession that they forged evidence to convict Ibori is an indict-

Queen confers MBE on Omoko, UPU chief

T

HE Queen of England, Eliz abeth 11, has conferred on the Vice President, United Kingdom branch of Urhobo Progressuive Union, UPU, Mrs Comfort Omoko, the prestigious award of Member of the British Empire, MBE. The award was conferred on her based for her meritorious service in the Metropolitan Police, where she also acted a mentor to staff and colleagues.

Although she retired from service in March 2011, she returned to Met Police as a Safer Neighbourhood Team coordinator, SNT, for Bexley and had earlier done voluntary work as Neighbourhood Coordinator for Thamesmead.

Mrs. Omoko was born in Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State and her paternal parents hail from Evwreni, while her maternal parents are from Udu Clan in the Ughelli South Local Government of Delta State.

She grew up in Warri, where she completed her elementary and secondary education. Her early days in Warri were memorable in a city that was undergoing transformation from traditional political culture to colonial and regional politics, a situation that saw Warri as the administrative centre of the Warri province.

Mrs Omoko had an early marriage, with her husband, who

hailed from Itsekiriland and the union produced four children.

After bagging a Diploma in Home Economics and Hygiene from a London College, she started her career as a caterer in the Metropolitan Police in 1972 and

through hard work, selflessness and dedication to service, she rose to become the Senior Catering Manager in the Met Police, where she worked in different departments and received various commendations and awards.

AfDB President for 2014 Africa CEO Round-tableConference

A

FRICA Development Bank Group president, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, will headline the 2014 Africa CEO Round-table and Conference on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility as keynote speaker. This year’s event, the fourth in series, is scheduled to take place from June 19-20, 2014in Calabar. It is expected to focus on Financial Inclusion with the theme, “The Intersection: Financial Inclusion, Economic Sustainability & Social Benefit.”

Some of the expected speakers are Duncan Onyango of Acumen Africa, Kenya, Andrew Niven of PWc, Alex Otti, MD/CEO Diamond Bank Plc, Ayo Teriba, MacrEconomic Expert from Nigeria, William Derban of Fidelity Bank Ghana and Henrietta Onwuegbuzie of Lagos Business School.

The platform remains relevant in discussing issues of Sustainable Corporate and Economic Development, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as the enhancement of a public-

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

ment of the British judiciary.

We are very much aware that if such a legal summersault and episode should happen in Nigeria, nay Africa, the British press will have a field day lampooning the Africa judiciary.”

Chief Efeduku urged the London court to release the former governor on the case coming up on April 9 to 11, since it lacks evidence against him.

private synergy for the attainment of a credible business environment in Africa.

A statement by the conveners, ThistlePraxis Consulting, read: ‘the correlation between financial inclusion and economic growth has long been widely recognized however despite broad consensus on the importance of access to finance as a powerful poverty alleviation tool and substantial financial sector reforms in Africa, it is estimated that nearly half the continents households continue to be excluded from the formal financial sector’. Financial inclusion, which advances universal access to appropriate and affordable financial services, is crucial to inclusive growth. At the basic level, financial inclusion is effectively a measure of the extent to which economic agents in an economy utilize the financial services apparatus at their disposal, to effect the desired exchanges, and particularly, support the highest possible activity in the real economy.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (nwamad@yahoo.com)

Do you think Nigeria needs state police?

The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) brigade should be upgraded to state police as they don’t tolerate indiscipline. This, in my view, is just what we need and to create a different police is to have police states. Mr. Zakari Nuraddeen - Worker

The issue of state police in a federal system of government cannot be overemphasised because it is an ingredient in a federal structure. In fact, Nigeria still need municipal or local government policing.

Mr. Anthony Akpogherhe - Worker

We do not need state police. If Federal Government cannot adequately equip the Nigeria Police Force, is it states that would adequately equip their police?

So, this issue of state policing should be put afar from this country, for now. Mr. Kelechi Uchendu - Corper

State police is a good idea, but my fear is that political officers holders might use same against opposition, just as we have seen with the ''Bakassi Boys.'' If we are to have state police, we must also think of how to check their activities. Mr. Onojeghen Andrew - Worker

I wonder why people will be saying that Nigeria, as big as it is, does not need state police. We need state police. It is through the instrument of state police that many of these crimes, terrorism and kidnapping can be curbed. Mr. Cosmos Asuquo - Proprietor

State police is not the solution to our problems in this country. Leaders should try to give exemplary leadership and devise ways to change attitudes and orientation of the people. This is all we need and not state police. Mr. Bello Sharada - Businessman

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 37

2015: Rivers PDP chieftain rules out imposition of candidates

Works Minister tasks leaders on cooperation

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

P

ORT HARCOURT—A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Mr. Sam Agwor, has ruled out imposition of candidates in the party, assuring that aspirants will go through primaries.

Giving the assurance, Agwor, who said that the primaries will be transparent, dismissed fears in some quarters that the party already had an anointed candidate for the governorship position.

Drumming up support for President Goodluck Jonathan, Agwor who was chairman of defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the state, said that the emergence of Jonathan as president was one of the best things that had happened to people of the South-South.

He lauded President Jonathan's government saying it had recorded success in many areas.

Delta PDP committed to securing victory in 2015 —Nwaoboshi

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

P

EOPLES’ Demo cratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, weekend, said it was committed to building a strong and united party capable of securing victory in the 2015 general elections in the state.

Its Chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, reacting to a call on him by the Anioma Grassroots Movement to run for the 2015 Delta North senatorial election, said that the immediate challenge before him was how to galvanise all members towards ensuring that Delta State continued to be ruled by the PDP. He, however, thanked the leadership of the Anioma Grassroots Movement for the honour, saying that he was humbled by the offer.

B

SEMINAR: From left: Professor Pat Utomi, Guest Speaker; Elder Samuel Bassey, Church Chairman, organiser; Mr. Essien Udoma, legal practitiner; Rev. Message Aquaowo, Congregational Pastor and Pastor Victor Onuh, Assistant Pastor, at the seminar on Leadership in Christianity's Perspective: 2015 Around the Corner, by Men of Wisdom Association of Qua Iboe (UEC) Church, Surulere, Lagos.

DESOPADEC commissioner urges kidnappers to acquire skill

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—THE Commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nationality in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, has urged kidnappers and other criminally-minded youths in the state to take advantage of various skill acquistion and capacity building programmes of the commission.

Reacting to the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clark, son of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, he said: “Kidnapping and other forms of criminality do not pay, that is why DESOPADEC has come up with several skill and

empowerment programmes.

They are for all, especially the youths, who should leverage on them as the state moves to Delta-Beyond-Oil.” Otuaro warned troublemakers in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, to desist from stoking the dispute between ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and Chief Mosco Johnny.

He said: “Tompolo and Chief Johnny are visionary sons of Oporozawei descendents in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Chief Johnny is a brave and ardent pupil of Tompolo’s philosophy.

There can be no animosity between them. Fifth columnists

and conflict racketeers should steer clear because what happened was a mere communication breakdown.”

He enjoined progressive minds in the area to support “the conflict resolution efforts driven by His Royal Majesty, Pere of Ogulagha Kingdom and the Regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“We will continue to support the peace and security agenda of the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. This is necessary for DESOPADEC to deliver the much needed infrastructural and human capital development to the oil and gas producing communities in the state.”

FG to establish UBE special vocational schools in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—THE Federal Government, weekend, performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Universal Basic Education Special Vocational School in Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

It disclosed that it had set aside funds to build and equip one model UBE special vocational school in each of SouthEast and South-South states, adding, “ when completed, these schools will be handed over to the states which will provide staff after which academic activities will commence.”

Minister of Education, Chief Ezenwo Wike, at the ceremo-

ny, said Delta State was one of the 11 states that are benefiting from the Boy-Child Intervention Programme of the Federal Government, adding that the event was a clear signal that government was leaving no stone unturned in laying a solid foundation for the transformation of the society.

He said: “The inability of the boy-child to access education, especially in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones, is of concern to the Federal Government. This was why the boy-child integration programme was initiated.

“This intervention is a deliberate effort to address the challenges associated with lack of interest in, and the inability of the boy-child to access basic education opportunities and

complete his education. The integration effort is strategic in the sense that it offers functional and skill-based educational programme to the boys.”

Wike stressed that the programme was “one way through which states are expected to emulate and scale up, taking into consideration, the peculiar needs of their citizenry.”

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Dikko Suleiman, said the UBE Special Vocation Schools when fully operational are expected to offer special vocational training for boys in line with specific business and economic priorities of host environment.

ENIN—MINISTER of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenmen, has insisted that there was a lot to gain when leaders, irrespective of political differences, work together for the common good of the people whose interests will ultimately transcend the tenure of political office holders.

The minister, in Benin, Edo State, weekend, at the official flag-off of the construction of the Benin/Adumagbae-EgbaAkure 25 kilometers road awarded to ENERCO Nig. Ltd at a cost of N3.26 billion, said: “It is fitting to say that for those in politics, the importance of public service is to deliver to the people those things that will make life more meaningful to them. So, the collaboration between me and the Minority Whip, as it concerns this road project, is an example of public service delivery without premium on partisan or party affiliation.”

It will be recalled that the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr. Samson Osagie, had said that the award for the road was a collaboration between himself and the Minister of Works.

Onolemenmen said: “This road which connects Edo and Ondo States, is significant to the Federal Government as the road transverses many communities with abundant raw materials and farm produce that will, upon the completion, enable the communities to, once again, access direct inter-state transportation of produce to enhance socioeconomic activities in the various communities.”

He noted that in line with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan to bequeathe good roads in the six geopolitical zones of the country, the government, on December 4, 2013, awarded the road project to enhance social and economic wellbeing of the people in the areas.

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Flood sacks Catholic church in Orlu

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — A mas sive flood occasioned by the last torrential rain in Imo State, has sacked St. Joseph’s Parish, of the Catholic Church, Umuna, Orlu, and its priests, Rev. Frs. Bede Idimogu and Chimezie Unadike.

Vanguard gathered that the huge flood, which submerged the imposing church building and the entire ground floor of the priests' house, reportedly destroyed everything in the sitting room, kitchen, office and the altar

Onitsha motorpark dispute: Court threatens to jail IGP, AIG, Anambra CP for contempt

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA — THE Federal High Court 1 sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Isah Bature Gafai, has served a notice of committal on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Assistant Inspector-

General of Police, AIG, Zonal 9, Umuahia, state Commissioner of Police and chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area for failing to comply with its directive.

The notice, dated March 31, 2014, and duly signed by the court registrar, read: “Take notice that unless you obey the di-

rections contained in this court order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

The notice, which had already been dispatched to them by a bailiff, was sequel to an earlier court order directing the respondents to allow the applicants, Chief

Lagos holds retreat on environment

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS STATE Gov ernment has stressed the need for sustainable environment for the general well-being of the populace, even as it organised a three-day retreat to tackle challenges in the sector.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, explained that the retreat was meant to identify grey areas in the discharge of statutory responsibilities of the ministry and its agencies, and foster a cordial working relationship among them.

Bello, who flagged-off the retreat, said it would further avail agencies within the ministry collective insight into environmental challenges and also serve as a platform for harnessing solutions that would foster a sustainable environment.

UBA donates incubators to hospital in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — THE United Bank for Africa, UBA, has donated two ultra-modern incubators to Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku, for the care and protection of premature babies in the medical establishment.

Presenting the equipment to the hospital management, the bank’s Regional Head in Owerri, Sir Ray Ahumibe, explained that the donation was to complement the establishment’s efforts at fighting child mortality in the state.

OPENING: From left, President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo; Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Benjamin Njemanze; Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and first daughter of late Eze B.S.C. Nzenwa, Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, during the official opening of H.R.H Eze B.S.C. Nzenwa Memorial Bar Centre, Aboh Mbaise, Imo State.

Overland Airways' plane suffers cracked windshield mid-air

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

O

VERLAND AIRWAYS flight 1170 en route Ibadan and Abuja from Lagos, was yesterday, aborted by the pilot, following a cracked windshield.

Pilot of the aircraft, an ATR-42, with 42 passengers on board, immediately diverted the flight back to base in Lagos as soon as he noticed the crack.

Vanguard gathered that the flight which took off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos at 7:42a.m., however, landed safely in Lagos at 9:43a.m., while the passengers were evacuated into another aircraft to continue their journey.

General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Manage-

ment Agency, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, who confirmed the development, said the pilot had to divert the aircraft to Lagos to avert tragedy.

According to Mr. Atobatele, the pilot diverted the aircraft to Lagos immediately he noticed the

cracks on the windshield.

Atobatele assured that there was no cause for alarm as the situation was under control, noting that diversion was a precautionary measure that conformed with the basic safety norms in the aviation industry.

Michael Emerah and his company, Micmerah International Agency Limited, to occupy a portion of land at Upper Iweka Flyover in Onitsha which was leased to him by the Federal Ministry of Works since May, 2001, to operate as a motor park.

Emerah had carried out his motorpark business in the land, but in 2012, former Governor Peter Obi-led government demolished it and drove Emerah out of the park known as Micmerah Modern Park located at 127 Upper Iweka Triangle, near the Onitsha Flyover, Enugu/Onitsha expressway.

However, Emerah went to the court, challenged his forceful removal and obtained an order directing the respondents to allow him continue doing his business in the park without further interference, adding that the respondents should as well forestall further invasion of the premises.

After the court order which was made by Justice Peter Olayiwola in 2012, the first and third respondents re-instated Emerah into the park but in March this year, the first and third respondents again, removed him from the park, claiming that their action was on the directive of newly sworn in Governor Willie Obiano, hence his decision to bring the committal notice.

Speaking to newsmen in his office, weekend, Emerah said he had instructed his legal counsel, Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), to cause Form 49 to be served on them at the expiration of Form 48, if the respondents failed to obey the court order.

Tribunal nullifies APGA councillor’s election in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — ANAMBRA State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Onitsha has nullified the election of the councillorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr. Ginika Ngoesina in the January 11, 2014, local gov-

ernment poll for Anaku ward in Ayamelum Local Government Area.

In a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, councillorship candidate for Anaku Ward, the tribunal held that Ngoesina was not qualified to contest the said election by virtue of the fact that he was a member of the

local government transition committee as at the date of the election.

The tribunal also said it found out that no election was conducted at Anaku on the date of the election, and, therefore, ordered a fresh election for the councillorship seat for Anaku Electoral Ward as stipulated by law.

National Confab: Group wants fed ministries reduced to 10

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — LAGOS State chapter of Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara Development Union, IKEDOA, has advocated the reduction of federal ministries to ten, as part of efforts towards producing a workable document for Nigerians by delegates at the ongoing National Conference.

The group also recommended that states be made to remit 30 per cent of accruals to the federal

purse and should also be allowed to control resources, rather than the blanket control currently being exercised by the Federal Government.

A communiqué by five of its executive members also recommended a parliamentary system of government with a bi-cameral legislative system comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.

It also recommended that states have their separate legal system, with court hierarchy up to Court

of Appeal and that legislators should work on part-time basis.

The communiqué, signed by Mr. Samuel Udo Usoro, and others, pointed out that the group decided to toe the line, having been persuaded that the 2014 conference will produce a progressive nation where peace, justice and happiness will reign.

IKEDOA, however, listed 38 items which it believed should be in the legislative and policy framework of the state.

Some of the items include arms and ammunition, customs and excise duty, communication, prisons, electricity, lands, electoral system, local government and constitution.

It recommended that such items as defence, citizenship, currency and exchange control, foreign affairs, population, creation of states, national flag, titles, treaties, stamp duty and immigration should be the exclusive reserve and policy framework of the federal authority.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 - 39

NATIONAL ID CARD: From left: Mrs. Hadiza Dagabana Sani, Director of IRC, Nigerian Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Chris Onyemenam, DG/CEO, NIMC, Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, after enrolling for his National Identification Number, at Federal Ministry of Works headquarters and Mrs. Cecelia Yahaya, Director of Operations, NIMC in Abuja.

CONFERENCE: From left: National President, National Council of Women's Societies, Chief Nkechi Mba, wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Perm. Sec., Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, and Mrs. Nike Obatayo, at the 4th Delegates Conference of the NCWS, in Ado-Ekiti.

PROTEST: Progress Omo-Agege, President, Graduates Association of the Niger Delta, GAND (2nd right), Sebastine Agbefe, Secretary General, GAND (right), and others, during the Pro-Deziani–Allison Madueke protest, organised by GAND at Escravos, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

WARD CONGRESS: Aremo Segun Osoba, All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain (left) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, at Methodist Primary School, Ogbe Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the ward congresses of the party in the state. Photo: Wumi Akinola.

VISIT: Theodora Azinge, Chairman of Board, Delta Broadcasting Service, DBS (left) and Deaconess Roli Uduaghan, during a visit by the DBS teamto the Delta State First Lady in Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake.

RETREAT: From left: Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Hakeem Ogunbambi, Hon. Tobun Abiodun, Dr. Taofeek Folami, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello and Perm. Sec., Office of Drainage Services, Muyideen Akinsanya, during the three-day Environment Family Retreat in Lagos.

FITNESS WALK: From left: (front row); Mrs. Ore Famurewa, Public and Regulatory Affairs Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Vedavyas Vemuri, Operations Director, Mr. Peter Eshikena, MD, and Mr. Alex Unvadjefe, Sales Director, during a fitness walk around Ikeja, Lagos by the firm in support of the Nigerian Super Eagles.

From left: Director, Wizardry and Development, Futurice, Germany, Paul Houghton, Partnership Manager, Developer Experience, Nokia West and Central Africa, Emmanuel Oluwatosin and Chairman, Mobile Monday Nigeria (MoMo Nigeria), Tomi Davies, at the day 2 of the Nokia X training for developers organised

by Nokia in partnership with MoMo Nigeria, in Lagos.

From left: Consul General of the Italian Consulate in Lagos, Mr. Stefano De Leo, GMD,/CEO, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Ltd, Mr. Ladi Balogun and Assistant Vice President, Private Banking, FCMB, Alero Adollo, at the exhibition organised by Loro Piana, an Italian clothier in Lagos.

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Danjuma donates N53m for establishment of forest reserve

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FORMER Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Theophilous Danjuma (rtd), has donated $300,000 (about N53 million) for the establishment of a forest reserve in Nigeria.

Director of the Nigerian Montane Forest Project, NMFP, Prof. Hazel Chapman, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday.

Chapman said the forest reserve to be established at the Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, would boost forest bio-diversity and conservation research in Nigeria.

She said the reserve would be the first of its type in Nigeria and fifth in Africa.

She said: “Forest Bio-diversity and Conservation Research in Nigeria has received a major boost with the donation of $300,000 by T.Y. Danjuma to the Nigerian Montane Forest Project for the establishment of a Smithsonian Plot.

“The forests in the mountains of Taraba State are rich in bio-diversity and it is my hope that this funding will ensure the future of Ngel Nyaki and the communities around for a very long time.

Plateau to distribute 2.4m treated insecticidal nets

J

OS — THE Plateau Gov ernment, yesterday, said it would distribute 2.4 million treated insecticidal nets to pregnant women and children aged between 0 and 5.

Dr Fom Dakwak, the state’s Commissioner for Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the distribution of the nets by the government would help curb cases of malaria.

Dakwak, who described malaria as one of the most deadly vector-borne diseases, said that the measure was in line with this year’s World Health’s Day, with the theme “Vectorborne diseases.”

11 NRC officials indicted over N1bn missing pension fund L

AGOS — ELEVEN officers in the finance, legal and audit departments of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, have been indicted over N1 billion missing pension fund.

Sources said that the money was stolen over a period of three years.

Reports about the missing fund were said to have come to public domain following an internal investigation conducted by the management of the corporation

on the pension fund.

Investigations revealed that the management instituted an internal enquiry into the management of the corporation’s pension fund during which these shocking discoveries were made.

At press time, it was discovered that the management of the railway corporation headed by the Managing Director, Adeseyi Sijuwade, had forwarded the report to the new chairman of the NRC board and immediate past

chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

It was learnt that the said money was diverted by some officials of the corporation through acts of fraud, financial recklessness and misappropriation.

Insider sources at the NRC head office in Lagos said the names of the suspected culprits and recommendations on how to recover the missing fund from the culprits were part of the report.

From left: Mrs. Njide Udochi, former Deputy Governor of Edo State; former Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Special Adviser to the President on Performance Monitoring, Prof. Sylvester Monye; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; son of the deceased, Mr. Fred Udochi at the burial ceremony of Mrs. Janet Nkoyeasoa Udochi in Benin City, Edo State.

Confab delegate calls for true federalism

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OKOJA — HAJIA Ladi Ibrahim, a Kogi delegate at the ongoing national conference and former Auditor-General in Kogi, has called for true federalism for Nigeria to attain equity, fairness and justice.

Ibrahim, who made the remark in telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, suggested rotation of power among the geo-political zones in the country.

She said that power should also be rotated among the various senatorial districts at the state level so that everybody would be given the opportunity to taste executive power.

She said: “Even though, the presidential system of government is expensive, we can have a modified presidential system that can take care of the cost.”

Ibrahim, who is also the Chairman of the Financial Reporting

Group lauds Jonathan on confab

A

BUJA — NEW Deal Or ganisation has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his courage in constituting the ongoing National Conference, saying it is through such gathering of Nigerians with divergent views that a more secured and united future of Nigeria is guaranteed.

Chairman of the organisation, Prince Daniel Kanu stated this yesterday at the official launch of the group in Abuja.

While expressing their support for the National Conference, Kanu recalled that Nigeria had held similar conferences in the past without useful outcomes, which conse-

quently resulted in the present challenges confronting the nation and called for value reorientation in the country, especially among the youth as the future custodians of leadership.

He said: “The future of Nigeria within the background of having a secure and united country is very dear to our hearts at New Deal Organization. This is why we agree that President Goodluck Jonathan had to convene a National Conference where Nigerians of divergent views, mostly parents and youths are discussing the future of the country,” he said.

Council of Nigeria, said “each of the federating units must enjoy unity to live peacefully and to have politically-stable federating units”.

The delegate, who is also a former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, said with this, the nation would become united and stronger.

She said the divisive tendencies among the different ethnic groups would no longer be there.

She said: “It is when there is no fairness, equity and justice that there will be wrangling among the different ethnic groups.

“This is what President Goodluck Jonathan wants the conference delegates to address to ensure fairness, unity, justice among the different ethnic groups and allow room for selfdetermination.

“Devolution of power should be all-encompassing and would motivate everybody to be peaceful and stable as much as possible.

“Devolution of power will create room equity, fairness and harmonious co-existence among the diverse groups living within each of the federating units.

House c'ttee chair hails Jonathan over Kabba-Ilorin road

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA — DEPUTY Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on ICT, Tajudeen Yusuf, yesterday hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for awarding the contract for the re-construction of Kabba-Ilorin road.

Yusuf commended Jonathan for the initiative which is expected to boost economic development in both states in the North Central zone.

He praised the president “for matching words with action, keeping to his promise of embarking on the reconstruction of the Kabba-Ilorin Road.”

The lawmaker, who represents Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency stressed that the KabbaIlorin road, when completed, “will boost economic growth, social development and infrastructural transformation of communities in our constituency.”

He assured that “this laudable gesture by Federal Government to the beneficiary states of Kogi and Kwara will be appropriately appreciated through consistent support for every programme and project enunciated by the present administration, at all times."

Plateau APC ward congresses hold today

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OS — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Plateau, yesterday, in Jos said it had rescheduled its ward congresses to hold today.

The state Organising Secretary, Mr David Joseph, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the congress could not hold on Saturday as earlier scheduled because of logistic challenges.

He explained that the exercise was deferred due to the late arrival of national officials of the party to the state to preside over the conduct.

Joseph said the officials, who eventually arrived late on Saturday, April 5, were in custody of the materials for the conduct of the congress.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 41

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 43

Rwanda marks 20 years of genocide

Blaming Obama over Putin’s Crimea T

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RIZONA’S Republican Senator, time powerful nation-state.

Besides, although the likes of SenJohn McCain, is a rarity in politics. He speaks his mind, no matter who ator McCain may know more about is being comforted or afflicted. With wars and weapons of war more than him, you do not have to fear being tak- the rest of us, at least we know that a en through a labyrinth of circumlocu- war with Russia in the Crimea will tion and rhetoric on issues. So, when not be like former U.S. defense seche castigated President Obama and retary, Donald Rumsfeld’s “shock called him the “most naïve president” and awe” military attack against Sadin U.S. history on foreign policy, and dam Hussein’s army in Iraq. Or will more directly for not standing up to it look like the air strikes that evenRussia’s Vladimir Putin on his annex- tually helped Libyans overthrow ation of Ukraine’s Crimea, Senator Muammar Gadaffi’s regime in TripoMcCain meant what he said and said li. It will be brutal, bloody and without outright victory. it as he saw and understood it.

Without a definite U.S. goal or gain In a way, the maverick senator was in the Crimea, the White House has leading the charge against President wisely taken to the path of diplomaObama on behalf of the Republican and Conservative wing of the U.S. elite cy in resolving the crisis in Ukraine. group. He wrote an article where he Fortunately, Putin has now given said this about his president: “Crimea Obama the green-light that he is has exposed the disturbing lack of re- open to discussions on how to realism that has characterized our for- solve the crisis without going to war eign policy under President Obama. It which neither the U.S. nor Russia will is this worldview, or lack of one, that win. What is needed in the Crimea and Ukraine is diplomacy, not war. must change.”

Left to the senator What, therefore, is it that defines and his cohorts, the right thing to do is to the interest in going to war over a arm Ukraine and inpiece of peninsula called the evitably engage President Putin and Rus- Crimea? Just to flex the power of the sia in mortal combat. U.S. and put in Putin in his rightful And the rationale might not really be place?

Instead of beating the drums of war helping the people of Ukraine as much as it is an opportunity to teach Putin a as the hawks-of-war in the U.S. are huge lesson and in the process restore doing, perhaps they should focus what might be construed as the fledg- more attention on China. Former ling U.S. power and dominance in in- Chinese leader, Chairman Mao Zedong, used to say that power flowed ternational politics.

Here is something to think about. Ac- from the barrel of the gun. Modern cess to oil, masqueraded as looking for Chinese leaders realize that more weapons of mass destruction, defined potent power flows from economic U.S. invasion of Iraq. Confronting Osa- strength, which is why they are movma bin Laden and curbing internation- ing swiftly to make China become the al terrorism defined the unwinnable world’s primary economic power.

If the likes of McCain are in the war in Afghanistan.

White House, by now the U.S. might have gone to war in Syria and Economic and Ukraine. And, by the time they wake human cost up from their war weariness, they What, therefore, is it that defines the might discover that it would be necinterest in going to war over a piece of essary to go for economic-aid talks peninsula called the Crimea? Just to in Beijing!

Another point: if the situation was flex the power of the U.S. and put in reversed and the U.S found itself Putin in his rightful place?

The economic and human cost of the having a communist ally at its geoU.S. muscle-flexing in Iraq and Af- graphical doorstep, would it not ghanistan has left a difficult-to-repair adopt a Putin-style approach to sort blow on the integrity of the U.S econo- out the problem? If you think this is my. Adding the Crimea to this steam- a farfetched proposition, then you ing cauldron might just signal an irre- might not have heard about the U.S. versible economic decay on the part of invasion of Grenada (1983) and Panthe U.S. Historians tell us that one of ama (1989) where the president was the most telling symptoms of the de- abducted and imprisoned in the U.S. How about the several attempts by cay and decline of an empire is when the U.S to topple the communist/Sanit begins to engage itself in too many dinista government in Nicaragua led wars.

Such an empire usually collapses un- by Daniel Ortega?

A post-script: In April 2008, der the weight of its self-imposed burVladimir Putin rolled Russian tanks den. The more wars you fight, the more you divert resources needed to into Georgia and effectively invaded strengthen the domestic economy, and the country. Who was in power then? when that economy can no longer sus- George W. Bush. Did the “McCainitain your pugilistic adventurism, things an” hawks call Bush the most naïve will fall apart and the empire will fall U.S. president in history? No.

,

into history’s archive of once-upon-a-

,

HE United Nations chief told a packed stadium of sombre and weeping Rwandans yesterday the world would “never again” let genocide tear their nation apart, at a ceremony marking 20 years since 800,000 people were butchered.

A host of leaders and donors attended the commemoration, but France an ally of the Rwandan government that ruled before the genocide - did not take part after rebel-turnedpresident, Paul Kagame, renewed charges of Paris’ “direct role” in the killings.

France has acknowledged mistakes in its dealings with Rwanda. But it has repeatedly dismissed accusations it trained militias to take part in the massacres and Kagame’s comments triggered fresh outrage in Paris yesterday.

Some in the crowd in Kigali were overcome with emotion on hearing a survivor’s account and stewards had to lead them out of the stadium. Many Rwandans lost entire families to killers armed with guns, grenades, machetes and cans of petrol. A minute’s silence was punctuated by screams of dozens of survivors.

“We must not be left to utter the words ‘never again’, again and again,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the crowd.

“Many United Nations personnel and others showed remarkable bravery. But we could have done much more. We should have done much more,” he added, while citing new challenges in the region.

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 26, 2014, Emmanuel Ndayisaba, right, who during the 1994 Rwandan genocide cut off with a machete the hand of Alice Mukarurinda, left, in the swamp where she was hiding and killed her baby girl, but who are now friends, pose for a photograph outside Alice’s house in Nyamata, Rwanda. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Pope Francis approves reform of Vatican Bank

P

OPE Francis has ap proved a reform proposal keeping the Vatican bank operative, ending a year of speculation over whether the pontiff would close the institution that has embarrassed the Church for decades.

The bank’s stated purpose is to manage funds for Roman Catholic orders of priests and nuns, charitable institutions and Vatican employees and retirees.

But it has been dogged by episodes of malpractice by people authorised to hold accounts there and murky dealings with Italian financial institutions.

“The IOR will continue to serve with prudence and provide specialized financial services to the Catholic Church worldwide,” the Vatican said on Monday

in a statement announcing that Francis had approved recommendations for the future of the bank, known as the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR). Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, a former senior Vatican accountant who had close ties to the IOR, is currently on trial accused of plotting to smuggle millions of dollars into Italy from Switzerland as part of a scheme to help rich friends avoid taxes.

Scarano has also been indicted on separate charges of laundering millions of euros through the IOR. Paolo Cipriani and Massimo Tulli, the IOR’s director and deputy director, who resigned last July after Scarano’s arrest, have been ordered to stand trial on charges of violating antimoney laundering norms.

Israeli, Palestinian negotiators meet to salvage talks

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SRAELI and Palestinian negotiators were to meet again yesterday in a new effort to salvage the teetering US-brokered peace talks, US and Palestinian officials said.

The meeting came as US Secretary of State John Kerry scrambled to rescue negotiations he kick-started in July, and a week after a fresh impasse saw both sides renege on commitments they made nine months ago.

Kerry has warned there are “limits” to the time and energy the United States can devote to a process which appears to have made no progress amid

bitter recriminations and moves Washington has described as “unhelpful”.

“Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met last night to discuss ways to overcome the crisis in the talks,” a US official said yesterday.

“The meeting was serious and constructive, and both sides requested that the United States convene another meeting today to continue the effort.” A Palestinian official confirmed to AFP that a meeting was scheduled, but neither side gave a time or location.

Accompanied by US envoy Martin Indyk, the two sides met Sunday evening, but Palestinian sources told

AFP the session ended without any breakthrough and an Israeli official was quoted by local media as saying the process was on the edge of collapse.

Israel’s parliament was also meeting in a special session on Monday, during its spring recess, for a debate on the peace negotiations, called by opposition MPs critical of the government’s handling of the talks.

“This is a government of failure, it is a government that does not give hope but only depression,” Labour party leader Isaac Herzog told the almost empty house.

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

How we go hous

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AST week, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state presented keys to the first set of successful allotees of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, Lagos HOMS, it was all smiles for the allotees who could not believe their good fortune.

With 200 new homes on offer, the second draw under the scheme was conducted last weekend where another set of 35 successful allotees emerged.

So far, about 110 successful allotees have emerged.

Allotees’ account: An allotee, Mr. Amos Kimeh Omodunni, explained that he was in his office when the televised draw was being held and he had to run to one of the adjoining offices to watch the event.

According to him: “Incidentally my name was picked for a three bedroom flat, which got me very excited. Though I have always had this reservation about the system, the present Mortgage Scheme has reinvigorated me and my fellow winners on the efficacy and efficiency of the Lagos state government.

“We are very strong advocates of the transparency and fairness that we now know are the bedrock of this particular scheme. We sing it high and loud everywhere we go, to our friends, to our neighbours and colleagues, people around us.

“I will again say, go and apply, it is real, you don’t need to know anybody, just send in your application and you can become a home owner”, he added.

One of the alloted houses in Lagos transparent.”

He said one does not require knowing any influential person before he can become a home owner in Lagos.

“Once one can fulfil all the requirements, one is sure to get his home allocation.”

Other successful allotees who got keys include: Mrs Abdulmalik Rukiat, Mr Ademola

,

I am very happy to be a beneficiary of the Shitta Housing estate. I never thought I would be a house owner in Lagos let alone the ease with which it came

Another excited allotee in company of her son, Mrs Yetunde Awopeju, who works with Atlas Technical Services Limited, commended Fashola whose foresight she said had come to the fore with the scheme.

“From what used to be a condemned location and night club in Surulere, a beautiful estate has risen. I am very happy to be a beneficiary of the Shitta Housing estate. I never thought I would be a house owner in Lagos let alone the ease with which it came . It’s really a wonderful experience.”

Mr. Daniel Ikpe, a staff of Zenith Bank Plc, recounted how he became aware of the process through the social media network, saying, “All I say is that the programme is very

,

Odujoko, Mr. Ejiroghene Torishedu Madedor, Mrs Yetunde Oluwaseun Awopeju, Mr Ajayi Omotayo Jubril, Mrs Ganiyat Dolapo Akanni, Mr Gbenga Owolabi, Mr Chukwuneta John Paul Ogbatwi, Mrs Bibian Aloba Kanayo and Mr Ikpeh Daniel Darligton.

Speaking on the scheme, Fashola, charged those who have tried the process and have seen the transparency and efficiency to become ambassadors for the scheme.

“A prospective allotee does not need to know anyone but just needs to engage with the website of the Lagos HOMS scheme.

“We are committed to providing a minimum of 200 homes every month. This is the second month that we have kept

our promise. From very modest beginning, our people have started to demonstrate that this is possible”, he said.

Need for more land: It is worthy to note that in some of the estates there were less applicants than the homes that were available. In Igbogbo where there were 20 homes available, only one applicant successfully met the condition and automatically won one of the homes.

In Ojokoro, there were 16 homes available; only three applicants met the pre-qualification conditions.

Prequalified applicants Similarly, in Odoragushin, Epe there were 20 homes on offer but only three pre-qualified applicants and they were all successful.

In Abijo Chois Gardens, there were 20 homes of two bedrooms available, only one applicant was successfully pre-qualified which made him an automatic winner.

In Agege, there were 11 homes and 26 applicants. So a draw was inevitable, some winners emerged.

From the records, according to the governor; “Shitta seems to be the oversubscribed scheme thus indicating to the state government that it must look at that area again and see

if it can find more land to build more homes.”

He informed that government had already awarded the housing scheme in Obele Oniwala which is not far from Shitta with the prospect of creating opportunity for those who were unsuccessful in Shitta to look forward towards Obele when completed.

He stressed that from a mod-

est beginning Nigerians have started to demonstrate that home ownership is possible but that it requires constant update of records of all financial transactions and payment of taxes.

The successful allotees and their flats in the second draws conducted are: for Chois Gardens, Abijo-2 Bedroom Flat, Mrs Olatunbosun, Temitope, Chois Gardens, Abijo-3 Bed-

Vehicle emission test P

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

IQUED by the spate of road accidents caused by excessive smoke emitting vehicles and their damaging effect on the environment, Lagos State Government has concluded plans to commence emission tests for vehicles plying the metropolis, next year.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, who disclosed this at the weekend at a stakeholder’s meeting with truck/articulated vehicles owners held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Alausa, Lagos, said the emission test will be part of the road worthiness test to be carried out on vehicles.

He said the state government had engaged the services of experts who will conduct the test on vehicles in the state.

The commissioner stated that the experts will come with their equipment to Lagos very soon as government was ready to ensure that vehicles that were not road worthy were kept out of the roads.

According to him, the government ought to have got the database of all commercial vehicles operating in the state by September, 2014, saying that the need to begin emission tests on vehicles was arrived at during the last National Council on Transportation meeting in Lagos.

The commissioner decried the rate at which articulated vehicles were getting involved in accidents, as government was putting machineries in motion to checkmate this unpalatable situation, adding that this was what informed the stakeholders’ meeting.

He said: “We have noticed some new spate of accidents involving articulated vehicles in the

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

— 45

ot mortgage ses in Lagos — Allotees room flat- Ajibero, Babaniyi John (Mr), Ogundimu, Akinola. A. Oluwatoyin (Mr), Okonkwo, Uchechukwu Chukwuma (Mr) and Okubanjo Adetola Raliat (Mrs) while at the Hon Olaitan Mustapha Estate, Ojokoro -3Bedroom flat the lucky allotees were Adeneye Olufunsho Modinat (Miss), Olaniran Emmanuel Oluwashola (Mr) and Onche, Samuel Adonduwa (Mr).

Adegboruwa estate For the 2 Bedroom flat at Oba Adegboruwa Estate, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, the only allotee is Ibidapo Kudirat Sola (Mrs) while at the 3 Bedroom flats at Oba Lateef Adams Estate,Iloro, 11 people were selected namely, Adebari Iskilu Adekunle (Mr), Okandeji Adetolu Oladoyibo (Mrs), Ihejirika, Oluremi Funmi (Mrs), Adisa Adebukola Olufunlola (Mrs), Ojuawo Martins Adeseko (Mr), Williams Ayobode Akintunde (Mr). Others include Arokodare Abiodun Omowun-

starts soon state and we felt that we need to speak with the regulator, owners and operators of those vehicles.

And that is why we have brought all the stakeholders in the transport sector.

“This is the second meeting in the last three months. And it is meant to discuss how we can re-

A Lagos commercial vehicle

mi (Mrs), Adereti Adebayo Babatunde(Mr & Mrs) –Co Applicants, Falope, Oluwaseun Judah (Mr), Olaniyi Oyebode Olanrewaju (Mr) and Mohammed Abubakar Abdullahi (Mr) For the 2 Bedroom flat at the Sir Michael Otedola Estate, Epe-, the lucky winners are Ajayi Adeola Kolade (Mrs), Ariole Victor Chiagozie (Mr), Akinrodoye Perpetua Mosebolatan (Mrs) while for the Shitta Scheme-1 Bedroom flat, Braie Evelyn Kuburat (Miss), Ibrahim Olalekan Musibau(Mr), Shitta Scheme 2 Bedroom, Mr. Abusango Oluseye Dolapo, Ms Oliyide Folasade Olubunmi, Mrs Adekusibe Olubukola, Mr Omakogwu Ihene, Apara Ademorayo Anuoluwapo (Mrs) were successful.

At Shitta Scheme-3 Bedroom flat, the successful allottees are Folaji Olatunde Isaac (Mr), Ajagunna Adebola Idris (Mr), Kolapo Jolayemi Sikirat (Mrs), Obilo, Chiyenre Ada(Mrs), Olowolagba Bodunrin Omosuyi (Mr).

duce the number of accidents caused by articulated vehicles. I was in Abuja this week to attend the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD National conference, to address them. This is because larger percent of these vehicles come to Lagos state to load Petroluem Motor Spirit, PMS and other petroleum products, and we need to explain the importance of safe-

An offender serving his punishment

Community service punishment gaining ground in Lagos •1,015 offenders sentenced in 100 days

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS State government said 1,015 offenders have been sentenced to various terms of community service across the 12 magisterial districts of the state, in the last 100 days.

The figure is 340 higher than the 611 offenders sentenced in the previous 100 days, marking the 2,400 days of the present administration in the state.

This was contained in the document obtained by Vanguard at the event marking the 2, 500 days in office of the present administration, last week As of 2013, only 1,154 offenders were sentenced to community service within a period of seven years.

The state government said that this was part of its effort to decongest prisons in the state.

The state government explained that the state community service scheme is a non-custodial punishment enshrined in the state’s criminal law, and was one of its strategies aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justy to them,” Opeifa added.

The commissioner said as a fallout of the meeting with the PTD in Abuja, the National officials have decided to send 400 tanker drivers to the Lagos Drivers Institute, LASDRI for certification, adding “at the end of the training, “we would have successfully trained 700 tanker drivers.

“We had trained 300 previously. As this continues, in a short time, we will train 1,000 drivers, this amount to about 50 percent of truck drivers on our road. We want to reduce deaths on our roads to zero. And another reason for this initiative was that we believe enforcement isn’t all that is needed for reducing accidents,” he explained.

Opeifa said recent government’s initiative to reduce accidents on the state’s roads were the repackaging of the road worthiness certification, state parking policy, new taxi policy, truck routes planning and weigh bridge.

tice.

The government added that through the community service, which requires offenders to do some community work, it has succeeded in de-congesting the prison system without compromising justice administration.

“Also, the state government facilitated the decongestion of prisons through speeding up the treatment of police investigation case files sent in for legal advice, and so far, completed work on 122 police investigation files in the last 100 days through the legal advisory unit in the state Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP. This was 168 files less than 290 files the state expedited action on in the previous 100 days of the Governor Fashola’s administration, to decongest various prisons in the state.

Payment of debt and compensations The state government assisted aggrieved residents of Lagos to recover the sum of N152.6 million through payment of debt and compensations.

“We assisted aggrieved citizens to recover N145, 338, 314; N6, 132, 883 and N1, 147, 000 as debt and compensation in various matters through the Citizens Mediation Centre; CMC, Office of the Public Defender; OPD and Directorate for Citizens’ Right respectively.

“The state provided free legal services and defense of Human Rights in 6,152 cases through CMC, OPD and the Human Rights Protection Unit of the state ministry of justice.”

The state government, also in the last 100 days, approved the sum of N183 million for Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED, Ijanikin; to improve the college infrastructures, reaccreditation of courses and automation of the bursary department.

While N177 million would be used for the re-accreditation of college courses and improvement of infrastructure, N6 million would be used for the automation of the bursary department.

This came barely one month after the students of the collegeh protested increase in tuition fee and bad state of infrastructure in the institution. On security, the state government also disbursed the sum of N3.7 million to the families of 11 neighbourhood watchers who died on active service, as well as injured watchers to cater for their medical expenses.

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

UPDC draws curtains on Port Harcourt Vintage Gardens

By JUDE NJOKU

F

OREMOST real estate d e v e l o p m e n t company, UACN Property Development Company PLC, UPDC, has drawn the curtains on the construction of the first phase of Vintage Gardens, a premium residential estate in the oil-rich Port-Harcourt.

The completion of the luxury estate located within NAFF Estate in the garden city, came barely a few months after the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Engr. Tela Ikuru, an engineer, represented Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the groundbreaking ceremony.

UPDC’s Customer Relations Manager, Onikepe Akinsanya said Vintage Gardens conceived by the company to create a haven for its residents, where a good quality of life is assured. He explained that with the estate, UPDC will add great value to the lives of the people of Port Harcourt and Rivers State in general.

Specifically, Vintage Gardens consists of 54-units of fourbedroom semi-detached houses, four-bedroom terraces, three bedroom flats, three-bedroom terrace apartments and twobedroom flats.

Highbrow estate Prominent facilities provided in the highbrow estate include a swimming pool, ample parking lots for residents and visitors, borehole and water treatment plant, central security system and PHCN electricity and backup power .

“At UPDC, we don’t just sell houses, we sell lifestyles too. On completion, Vintage Gardens , Port Harcourt will be a serviced estate like our other estates in different parts of the country and one of the best in Port Harcourt where buyers can get the comfort and security they desire. Buyers and Investors can be rest assured that they will be getting value for their money. It is our plan to hand over this estate to buyers within the next one week; while we encourage potential buyers to visit Vintage Gardens for a firsthand experience of the estate and its facilities” he boasted.

UPDC Plc.’s history in Port Harcourt began many years ago with the development of several residential and commercial properties within the GRA and elsewhere in the city. UPDC Vintage Gardens is however our first project within the last few years and we are indeed glad to become active again in this city of great potentials.

Vintage Gardens, Port Harcourt

Nigeria’s judicial system is skewed against the landlord — Alonge

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

T

HE Chairman, Faculty of Land Administration and Information Systems, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr. Victor Adekunle Alonge has taken a swipe at the laws governing the relationship between landlords and their tenants in Nigeria, saying they (laws) are terribly outdated and skewed against the landlords.

Alonge said the consequence of this anomaly is the low rate of investments in the housing sector by private investors, Buttressing this assertion, Along cited Lagos state where he said the tenancy law is tilted in favour of tenants. “Lagos state tenancy law whereby the state is trying to control rents, is primarily one-sided whereas history has shown us that all over the world, the only control you can have is on something you have power over,” he said.

Continuing, Alonge who also trained as a journalist said; “If you are not looking at the production side, and you are not encouraging and helping the production side, you cannot control the rent. When you say people in a particular area cannot pay more than one year rent; remember it is one thing to make laws and another is the implementation of the law by the judiciary because it is not government that will implement the law or execute it. The judiciary would have to interpret the law which leads to

•Alonge enforcement but the problem with that is that you don’t control what you don’t have. If government wants to control rent, then they have to be involved in the production”.

Speaking on the situation in Abuja where there are houses scattered around the capital city yet not affordable, Alonge who spoke exclusively with Vanguard Homes & Property denied the allegation that estate surveyors should be held liable for the scenario. “When you say there are properties everywhere but out of reach of the majority and you attribute that to valuers; I will say that the statement is incorrect. It is not the valuers; it is not the estate agents that are responsible for that. Property development is an economic activity, it is an invest-

ment exercise. There is input and output. Everywhere in the world including here in Nigeria or Abuja to be specific, the thing about property is location. Location determines price. What I mean by that, if you have a 4-bedroom detached house in a 500 or 600 square meters in Maitama for instance and you have 5-bedroom in 500 or 600 square meters in Masaka, same building, same construction, identical in everything, there will be difference because the cost of land in Maitama is different from Masaka and then there is issue of demand. Those who are more likely to buy the property or lease the property in Maitama are different from those of Masaka. So when you say property everywhere and out of reach, the first thing to bear in mind is the economic base of property developments in those locations”.

He kicked against government’s direct involvement in housing construction and attempts to control price of houses.

“How many houses can government build? We’ve had FHA for how many decades now, we have mortgage banks, we have several agencies but what have they been able to do? So when you say people are not able to afford, you can’t blame estate surveyors and valuers. You can only control what you have power over. A lot of development that we have in this country today especially in Abuja is basically private initiatives.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8 , 2014—47

et to Real estate mark in 5 hit N5 trillion with years — Experts

By CHIOMA OBINNA

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HE real estate sector has the potential of running into N5 trillion within the next five years. Project Director of Prime Exchange Limited, a real estate multi-level marketing organisation, Mr.Olarewanju Mabinuori, made this disclosure at the “3rd Achievers’ Nights and Awards” organised by his organisation in Lagos. He explained that the potential was based on the calculation that 20 per cent of housing needs would be fulfilled in the next five years.

Mabinuori who stressed the need for people to invest in real estate business, described the landscape of real estate business as very wide.

“Real estate business transcends just land that people are used to. The cradle is land where people build. But there are about four layers of wealth you can create from owing a property in the value chain- the lease zone, sub-lease zone, sub-sub lease zone etc. The manufacturing activities are all conducted in the real estate. Anybody who wants to go into the industry would probably need to make a contribution into real estate because they need to own a factory where to build on,” he added.

Market strategy

•Illustration of Shepherd Estate

The Apostolic Church flags off development of 70-unit Lagos estate

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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Continuing, Mabinuori said his organisation uses multi-level market strategy to build network of marketers. “Looking at the potentials of real estate industry and also understanding the need for job creation, we created multi-level marketing to enable individuals run marketing of real estate as their own business,” he said.

He explained how the organisation works: “On the prime exchange platform, we have several levels of reward. The reward levels are in stages. Today, we acknowledge these achievements. In all, about 22 individuals have achieved different levels of reward; about 13 are in star one and nine in star two. Star one achievers are getting a bonus of N25, 000 in addition to every other commission and Star two achievers will be rewarded with N100, 00 with other commission.”

He added that “as an authorized marketing company for one of Nigeria’s frontline real estate development companies, Realty Point Limited, we are using this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate all the star one achievers- network agents who have sold between five and 24 plots of land, amongst others”.

HE Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWNA Territory at the weekend performed the flag off of the construction of a 70-unit residential housing estate in Ketu, Lagos.

Named Good Shepherd Estate, the project comprising twelve units of fourbedroom semi-detached houses and 58 units of four-bedroom terrace houses, is located on 5.7 acres of land belonging to the church near The Apostolic Estate, Ketu in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The estate which is meant to be delivered in 12 months, will accommodate both members of The Apostolic Church, TAC and the public but preference will be given to the church members. These facts were disclosed by Mr. Sesan Obe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SF Engineering Ltd, the firm handling the construction.

Describing the project as the TAC’s way of supporting Lagos state government in its pursuit of providing affordable housing for its residents, Mr. Obe said the houses will be affordable, as that is the mission of the residential estate which estimate cost

Incorporate safety measures in a house from design stage — Expert

By JUDE NJOKU

E

VERY construction company should have a safety consultantworking with it. It is better not to build a house than to build with spagetti rods that would eventually lead to the collapse of the building”. This view was canvassed by the President, American Society of Safety Engineers, A.S.S.E, Nigerian chapter, Mr. Jeff Vwede Obahor at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos.

Obahor who used the session to announce plans by the association to host the maiden edition of its professional development conference and exhibition, tagged Nigeria PDC 2014 in Lagos next month, regretted that “safety as a culture, does not exist in Nigeria”.

He explained that the conference/ exhibition slated for May 21- 23, is being put together by the Nigerian chapter of A.S.S.E to give safety a voice in Nigeria.

“The 2014 Nigeria PDC and exhibition aims to bring together all safety professionals and captains of industries under one roof in Nigeria with a common goal -giving voice to safety, health and environment, SH&E beyond oil and gas. It will further provide opportunities for Africa Safety, Health and Environment, SH&E professionals to update their knowledge on related products specific to Africa.

Mr Obahor who noted that safety should not be limited to oil and gas, posited that it (safety) should be embedded in all facets of life.

is put at over a billion naira.

The SF Engineering boss who noted that construction works will commence on site as soon as the building approval of the estate which is finalised by the state government and received by the developers.

He disclosed that the funding of the project will be done by First Bank of Nigeria.

According to him, there is also mortgage facility from the mortgage unit of First Bank for prospective subscribers who want to purchase their housing units through mortgage financing.

Performing the ground breaking ceremony, the National President and Chairman, LAWNA Territory of TAC, Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola noted that it had pleased God to keep the ownership of the land to this time of commencing the construction of the estate. He disclosed that land speculators and trespassers had caused the church to go through protracted legal tussle before a favourable court judgment was received by the church.

Obe said the estate offers a safe, secure and serene environment for top notch family living.

Prominent facilities that would be provided include a 24-hours power supply, central waste disposal system, CCTV camera, 24 hours security service,

constant water supply, recreational facilities and fitness centre. Others are good road network, good drainage system, street lighting, swimming pool. mini mart and ample parking space.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Delegates tie Nigeria’s problems to graft, insecurity

BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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BUJA—WITH clear unanimity, delegates, yesterday, decried the increasing rate of insecurity and corruption in the country, noting that unless these two problems were adequately tackled, the country’s search for peace might remain elusive.

Almost all the delegates who spoke at the first session of the resumed debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech toed this line of thought and appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to put mechanism in place to arrest the situation.

The delegates’ emphasis on security in particular, came following the latest killings of people in Zamfara State coupled with last Thursday’s abduction of the son of Elder statesman and one of the delegates to the conference, Chief Edwin Clark.

Shortly after resumption of plenary, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, from Kebbi State, raised a motion calling the attention of delegates to the abduction of Chief Clark’s son and the weekend’s killings of people in Zamfara by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Bello, a former chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who is at the conference under the platform of elder statesmen, called on the conference to send an emissary to felicitate with Chief Clark over the ugly incident.

Security agencies The former Defence Minister, while moving the motion began: “We were seated here last week when we heard that the son of Chief Edwin Clark, one of our own elder statesmen in this conference, was kidnapped...

Fortunately during the weekend, we received the news that Egbekeme Clark has been released safe and sound. It was good news to us all, but I will like to move that this house sends a message of felicitation to Chief Edwin Clark.”

He said: “These kidnappers are not spirits. Boko Haram are not spirits. They live with us. I am happy that the son of Chief Clark has been released without paying a dime. I use this opportunity to say that the FG should do more on security. We should address it more than we are doing. Our lives at are not safe... I want to appeal to government at all levels and security agencies to do something

mentality on the people. There are governors who have ruled Nigeria and are now richer than the country.”

Governors have ruined LGs – Khalil Ibrahim Khalil, National President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, and a delegate representing organized labour, called for strengthening of local government areas in the country just as he regretted that state governors have rendered the councils impotent.

Akinyemi breaks rules, says I’m inexperienced

•Conference in session urgent and drastic to address this loss of lives which has become persistent in this country.”

While seconding the motion, Senator Adefemi Kila, representing the Nigerian Society of Engineers, said, “The security matter is very serious and germane in this country,” and decried what he referred to as “government’s current approach to arresting insecurity in the country.”

After listening to both delegates, the conference chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd) subjected the motion to a voice vote and it was unanimously supported.

Following this, Justice Kutigi, then directed that a letter of felicitation be written to Chief Clark over his son’s release.

But his directive was challenged by some delegates who requested the conference to also send a letter of commiseration to the government and people of Zamfara State. But he ruled them out of order.

Jonathan should be courageous

to implement report –Jumari As the debate continued, Prof.

Mohammed Jumari an elder statesman from Sokoto, urged the president to be courageous to implement the outcome of the report that will be submitted.

He also suggested that a committee of judges should visit prisons and review the cases of inmates that have been unlawfully detained.

We need LG autonomy –Junju On his part, Barrister Ibrahim Junju, a delegate representing the Federal Government, thanked the president for his speech, saying the President “placed responsibility on us and we must not fail the people.”

He called for autonomy for local governments, noting that Nigeria’s problems were becoming worse because according to him, local governments were not working.

Speaking also, Chairman, Trade Union Congress, TUC,

Comrade Bala Kaigama, who suggested that trade unions and civil societies be placed on exclusive list, aligned with the president’s speech but noted that the “president omitted that we should apologise to youths below the age of 18 because of our injustice to them.”

“We should apologise to Nigerians below voting age because of our misdeeds. We have over 80 million youths in this country and our misdeeds have placed this country in the situation we are today,” he said.

We must see Nigeria as ours –Kawu

A newspaper columnist, Ishaq Modibo Kawu, in his submission, tasked Nigerians to see the country as theirs just as he regretted that those who found themselves in public arena have transferred public assets into private hands.

“Most crises we have in Nigeria today are as a result of the people of 60 and above years wanting to impose their colonial

Yesterday’s plenary session ended on a jocular note with the Deputy Chairman of the Conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, who moderated the last lap of the proceedings forgetting to observe protocols and rules of the house.

This came after two “Points of Order” by Madam Ankio Briggs, a Federal Government delegate and Senator Adolphus Wabara, an Abia State delegate were separately taken.

Briggs had raised the order to call the attention of the conference to empty seats in the audience.

She submitted that it was against the rules for delegates to desert their seats without prior notice to the leadership.

On his part, Wabara told the conference that it would be wise to send a delegation of the conference to Bauchi State to commiserate with the family of late Mamman Misau, a delegate, who died one week into the four weeks old conference.

Conscious of the closing time, tAkinyemi, who upheld the points of order announced that the time left to adjourn plenary for the day could only accommodate one speaker. He then proceeded to call on the former governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Lodoja whose turn it was to speak. It was already 6pm when Ladoja rounded off his speech.

South-East, Northern delegates hold parleys

BY EMEKA MAMAH

S

OUTH-East and northern delegates met separately, yesterday, under the auspices of the South East and Northern delegates Forum respectively to articulate and take common positions on issues affecting their areas.

South-East seeks regionalism, power devolution The South East delegates agreed on regionalism provided that states would form the federating units. General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) was said to have chaired the meeting

where the delegates also agreed on devolution of powers from the centre to the states and local governments, rotation of the presidency among geopolitical zones, readjustment of boundaries between Abia and Akwa Ibom states and Imo and Rivers states where oil communities were ceded from Abia to Akwa Ibom as well as from Imo to Rivers, and rights of women and children.

Northern delegates appoint secretariat officers The northern delegates led by co-chairman, former Inspector General of Police,

Ibrahim Coomasie and Lt General J T Useni (rtd), who stood in for Prof Jerry Gana, met and ‘’considered the unfolding developments in the National Conference with a view to articulating common positions on issues most northerners share as well as paying due attention to issues that are peculiar to their states and communities with unity of purpose that comes with clear thought; clear morality and clear expression for the over all good of national unity and interest as they affect the North.’’

Spokesman of the northern

delegates, Mr. Anthony Sani, who made this known in a statement said: ‘’Towards this end and in order to assist the co-chairmen, Ibrahim Coomasie and Prof Jerry Gana, in the task of effective management practices of the Northern Delegates Forum, Hon Mohammed Kumalia was appointed the secretary. He is to be assisted by Ambassador Mamman Yusufu, while Mr Anthony N Z Sani is to serve as the forum’s spokesman, to be assisted by Hon Mrs Binta Garba. All the appointments take immediate effect.’’

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8—49

We must use confab to rescue Nigeria — Darah Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore. These were Nigeria’s contemporaries in the 1960s.

The projection for Nigeria during the 1960s was that in 20 years, it would become a world economic power. But all these years have been a period of serious waste.

However, it is only those of us who are still alive today that can effect the repairs. So, this conference has the responsibility and duty to repair the Nigerian system; make it accountable, democratic, responsible and efficient enough to cater for the needs of 170 million people and other African countries, who look up to us for assistance.

•Let’s restore fiscal federalism PROFESSOR Gordini Darah, a delegate representing Delta State at the National Conference teaches English and Literary Studies at the Delta State University, Abraka. A former Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers, he also served as chief of staff to the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori. He spoke to Vanguard on his expectations from the National Conference.

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

H

IS expectation from the confab The conference should improve on Nigeria’s present constitutional structure which is the legal basis for the underdevelopment, poverty, violence and instability in this country.

That document which is called the 1999 constitution was produced by a tyrannical military regime.

The accumulated iniquities and oppressive policies and tendencies that military regimes executed in Nigeria from 1966 to 1999 are incorporated into that document.

The most defining feature of that constitution is the overcentralization of political power and administration. This is because that system suited centralised military command; it was the Military Head of State who posted governors,

another below. That was how Prof. Weah defined federalism over 60 years ago. It derived from the American experience of 1787.

It took Nigerians 10 years to produce 1960 federal constitution Nigeria also chose federalism at the time of independence in 1960. The choice did not come hastily. It was as a result of 10 years of Constitution making.

Among all the constitutions in Africa, the Nigerian independence constitution took the longest time to make.

The constitutional conferences that produced that constitution began in 1950 and lasted up to 1959. Those conferences followed procedures and took place in stages; the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 was the most democratic. The British colonial regime consulted village councils to send their views. From the villages, it went up to clan heads and from there it went up to provinces.

,

We advocate 100 percent control of our resources out of which an agreed percentage of our revenue would be paid to the central government for maintaining and running essential services created states and local governments and also allocated resources to them. Loyalty to the military’s central command was a requirement.

A civilian regime operates from a different perspective. It operates from a system of decentralized and diversified source of power. This is because the people who are going to govern need to be elected. And the electorates are the people they must account to.

1999 constitution inappropriate for a federal society So, the present constitution is inappropriate first for a civilian regime and secondly for a federal society. The federal system is known for power decentralisation in which there is a central government which coordinates with the governments of the federating units and not superior to them.

They are at par; there is no hierarchy of one above and

,

From there it went to Lagos.

That was how the people were also elected; those elected to attend those conferences were truly representative.

The 1960 constitution therefore incorporated all these essential federal features.

What they arrived at was that the regions would be the federating units, but would be coordinate with the Federal Government that had limited responsibilities which it could carry out efficiently. These included the military, immigration and several other functions.

The most vital aspect of that constitution was what was called fiscal federalism; that was the economic aspect of federalism. The political aspect of federalism was the arrangement of the tiers of government and their responsibilities.

Under fiscal federalism, the resources of the nation and how they should be generated

On the preamble of the 1999 Constitution •Darah: Roots for 100 per cent resource control and allocated are explained.

Even though, the British were an imperialist force, they recognised the diversity of Nigeria and the variety and location of natural resources.

The British even before they drew up a Constitution for Nigeria, settled for fiscal federalism. In 1946, even before the regions were created, they set aside a minimum of 50 percent of revenue generated from any region for the generating region. That was carried into the 1951 Constitution and retained in 1952 when the first indigenous civilian governors were appointed.

Leaders of government They were called leaders of government. These included Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

“In 1954, an election was held and the indigenous leaders of government became premiers.

The same system of fiscal federalism was retained and carried to 1957 and 1958. The 1960 Constitution captured it in Section 140, sub-section one.

In 1963, we had the Republican Constitution and it still retained these genuine federalist features.

Studies have already been done on the advancement that Nigeria attained under that arrangement in terms of regions striving on their own, taking initiatives, exploiting their local resources and then connecting with the global economy. The regions had Liaison offices in London like embassies. The regions also

had their own constitutions. You can see how advanced that system was 50 years ago.

After all that we now retreated. So, the basic problem that this National Conference should address is to restore the principles of fiscal federalism.

“On behalf of Delta State for which I am speaking, we advocate 100 percent control of our resources out of which an agreed percentage of our revenue would be paid to the central government for maintaining and running essential services.

If adopted, this will unleash creativity, energy and investment. It will make Nigeria competitive and enable the country to catch up with those it began the race of nationhood and economic development.

These include India,

The preamble of the 1999 Constitution has been extensively analysed in public media. It is actually a fake statement.

It was just incorporated there by the military to give the impression that the constitution reflected the will of the Nigerian people. Of course, you could say we went for a Constitutional Conference in 1976 under the ObasanjoMurtala Mohammed regime.

Then we went for another one between 1988 and 1989. There was a conference during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha. The drafters of the 1999 Constitution could claim that the document emanated from consultations with different layers of society.

It is a popular phrase that you find in most democratic constitutions all over the world.

It is now we are going to give substance to that statement.”

Delegate calls for castration of rapists

A

DELEGATE to the National Conference, Dr (Mrs) Yemi MahmudFasominu, has advocated stringent punishments for rapists in the country among which she noted, must include castration.

Mrs Mahmud-Fasominu, who is one of the three delegates representing Ondo State at the conference, decried the alarming rate of rape cases in the country, saying for the menace to come to an end, stiff prosecution in

law courts and making those in the habit impotent by castration were the best alternatives.

She spoke during plenary, while contributing to President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech which is still being debated by the 492 delegates of the conference.

Her contribution sparked off laughter among delegates, especially from men, thus temporarily causing suspension of the debate.

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Man, 32, seeks N3.5m to remove keloids

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

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JAYI Babatunde, 32, is battling a longstanding problem that is threatening his very life. The graduate of Public Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, is suffering from a condition described as recurrent multiple keloidal lesions on his head, neck, back and chest.

Last week, when he walked into Vanguard’s corporate head office in Lagos, everyone who saw Ajayi did not need much explanation to figure out that he was in distress. Even looking at him required a bit of courage and determination as his appearance was not in the least attractive, and this has added to the magnitude of his problem. When he attempted to narrate his ordeal, his voice was barely audible, until he was able to regain his composure. Ajayi pleaded to well meaning Nigeria to save his life.

“I got myself into this predicament through a barbing saloon about four years ago. Since then, I have gone for two surgeries but it continues to multiply and I have been spending a lot of money. All my income from my clearing and forwarding business is gone; it has become difficult for me to feed. I feel pain everyday and it becomes worse whenever I want to sleep at night.”

Lamenting that all effort has

• Mr. Ajayi Babatunde

proved abortive as the predicament keeps recurring, Ajayi, a native of Ilesha in Osun State noted that doctors have urged him to be flown to India for him to get well. Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Dr. O. Fadeyibi, revealed that after haematological

and biochemical evaluation was carried out on the patient, he was scheduled for triple regimen therapy including surgical excision, radiotherapy and triacinolone injections.

Fadeyibi regretted that the available centres with radiotheraphy facility in Nigeria were presently not functioning.

He recommends Ajayi to seek medical assistance abroad for the radiotherapy. Already, Miot Hospital in Chennai, India, has provided an estimate for the cost of investigations, surgery, drugs, transportation, and feeding and post operative care for Ajayi at N3.5 million. A statement signed by Dr. P.V.A. Mohandas said no less than N3.5 million is required.

However the main predicament for Ajayi now is raising this sum. “My emphasis is not to go and do the surgery in India, if they can help me to do it elsewhere I am ready. All I want from Nigerians is to regain my health. I am hard working person but this ailment has turned me to somebody that cannot do anything for now. Nigerian people should assist me and not allow me to die like this in pain.”

He recalled how in recent times his condition has taken a turn for the worse: “My wound just started bleeding by itself and I lost a lot of blood.”

Findings by Health and Living show that keloids are abnormal scars that grow beyond the boundary of the original site of a skin injury. The scar is a raised and ill-defined growth of skin in the area of damaged skin.It is not fully understood why or how keloid scars form although skin trauma appears to be the most common cause.

If you are touched and wish to assist Ajayi, kindly get in touch with Vanguard Health desk on 08056180112.

Foundation tasks Govt on children with Down Syndrome

T

HE premises of the United Nations Information Centre, UNIC, was agog recently when the centre in collaboration with Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, DSFN and other organizations hosted children with the disorder.

It was part of activities by the Foundation to mark this year’s World Down Syndrome Day by scholars and caregivers from within and outside Lagos State.

President,DFSN, Mrs. Rose Mordi, who is at the forefront of advancing the welfare of children and persons affected with Down Syndrome, urged the three tiers of government to pay attention to yearnings of affected persons.

“We, as parents and caregivers, friends and family members are now speaking on their behalf, that they should be heard, so that they also could have access to healthcare, education and social services. They all have need for all these.”

Senior Public Information Officer, UNIC, Envira Celimovic explained stated: “It is the day when the UN through the message of the Secretary General, says to parents and to those

children, you are not alone”.

The UN is helping to raise awareness on the burden of the disorder adding, “Our door is open. “If we can help raise awareness by telling people that these children are our children. They are not to be excluded. And we should support each other because the challenge to raise children with Down Syndrome is huge on families.

This year’s Day focused on Health and Wellness. Too often persons with disabilities – including those with Down Syndrome face stigma, discrimination and exclusion.

The lack of full participation of those with Down syndrome affects not only individuals and their families, but, society at large. “For children and adults with Down Syndrome, equal access to health services is critical to their empowerment and participation in line with the UN Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities. This important fact was recognised by member states at last year’s UN high-level meeting of the General Assembly on Disability and Development”.

• Children living with down syndrome during UNIC/ DSFN World Down syndrome Day celebration recently in Lagos.

Experts worry over painful female disorder

BY VICTORIA OJEME

M

EDICAL experts have raised alarm over increasing cases of a hazardous health condition known as Endometriosis in women whichcauses unbearable pain during the menstrual cycle of women but is wrongly diagnosed by most doctors.

The condition which affects one in 10 women, unfortunately, is mistaken for other forms of infection or fibroids, hence making treatment options very difficult and painful for the patient.

Speaking during the Million Woman March for Endometriosis, Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Abuja, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, said the wrong diagnosis of endometriosis occurs worldwide. Even in developed counties it takes six to 10 years to get the right diagnosis.

“Diagnosing it is very difficult as it is made by a surgical procedure known as laparoscopy,” he said, adding that its a condition those affected have to manage throughout life.

Ajayi opined that most hospitals do not have the right diagnostic equipment for the condition neither do they possess the expertise to handle the women who have it it.A renowned reproductive health expert, Professor Oladipo Ladipo,describedendometriosis as one of the most challenging gynaecological problems he has encountered in over 35 years of clinical experience.

He tasked government to invest in public education and advocacy to pharmaceutical companies who in turn will come up drugs to reduce the pain.

NAFDAC moves to improve international regulation of vaccines

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

T

OWARDS ensuring access to quality medicines, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, is strengthening international collaboration with National Regulatory Authorities, particularly to improve vaccine regulation. The Agency is partnering with Health Canada on vaccine regulatory safety.

Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said with the

advent of globalisation, it is of paramount importance that the benefits of international collaboration and cooperation are harnessed.

“Now, more than ever, we need to build stronger collaborative networks, share and exchange information and build confidence in our regulatory systems “Our desire to bring international standards to bear on our activities is captured by this mentorship programme with Health Canada. We believe that this

programme would allow Nigeria to benefit from the wealth of experience and better enable NAFDAC carry out its responsibilities as relates to the regulation of biologics, vaccines and other regulated products,’ he stated. Orhii who spoke at a workshop in Lagos, described effective regulation as key to improving access to quality essential medicines, noted that vaccine regulation is a very complicated area of activity.

Continues on page 46

Vanguard, TUESD AY, APRIL 8, 2014 —51 TUESDA

Fidson Healthcare expands IV infusion market with N7bn plant

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

N

IGERIA'S healthcare delivery is set to receive a boost as an indigenous pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, moves into the production of Intravenous, IV, infusion fluids with its new N7bn biotechnology plant which comes on stream this year at Sango Ota, Ogun State.

The nation’s IV infusion plant which is currently underserved is dominated by three major players - Dana, Juhel and Unic.

Already, finishing touches are being put to the ultramodern plant preparatory to the pre-certification and qualification awards by the World Health Organisation, WHO, later in the year.

The plant, widely expected to roll out intravenous fluids to augment the supplies for importation for hospitals in the country as well as produce for WHO international purchases and the export market, is described as the largest in the West-Africa sub-region.

Currently, the annual consumption of IV infusions in the country is estimated at around 165 million litres, but industry watchers who welcomed the development, say the demand for IV infusions could double over the next two years, due to emergence of health care delivery which requires more use of IV infusion therapy in overall health care.

Already, treatment regimens driven by new developments in antibiotics and other medications in areas such as chemotherapy, burn centers, and renal/peritoneal dialysis centres favour intravenous use and application.

Disclosing this in Lagos, Operations

Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Mr. Biola Adebayo, said the company hopes to recoup between N3 billion and N4 billion by the end of 2015 from its infusion lines alone.

Adebayo, who spoke during a facility tour of the new 7.5 acre biotech plant, confirmed that the move into the production of IV infusions and other healthcare products, is part of the resolve to reposition the company as a first-class drug manufacturer, and also to meet the demand for price reduction and improved product quality in the country.

“We are striving to build capacity to create balance in manufacturing ca-

pacity. If Nigerians do not establish manufacturing facilities, if we do not believe in ourselves who will? Apart from agriculture, manufacturing is the second biggest employer of labour. We want to explore the potentials to the maximum. I hope to have a unique basket where I can draw a balance such that at least I would be able to meet expectations as to what it is that benefits Nigerians,” he said.

On the new IV infusion lines, he explained that there is capacity for small volumes including 5ml, 10ml to 20 ml, as well as for large volumes that include 100 mls and above, including the injectable lines for ampoules and

•L-R: Factory Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Akinloye Oyegunju; Operations Director; Mr Abiola Adebayo; Group Quality Manager, Mr Olayinka Amoo and Lead Consultant, Mr. More Rangnath aduring the media facility tour of Fidson Healthcare Plc's Biotech Plant at Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

eye drops.

“In our projections for 2015, we expect the infusion plant to be generating the bulk of local production as compared to importation. This is what I hope to get. By the time you add this to what we are doing now, by early 2016, we expect to see our manufacturing accounting for about 60 percent of our turnover and imports accounting for 40 percent. Currently, it is the other way round.”

NAFDAC moves to improve vaccines regulations Continued from page 45 “The regulatory authorities in the world are dealing with many issues of differing complexities, which require that we leverage our existing resources, avoid duplication, share information and develop proactive strategies to further support our efforts to ensure access to quality, safe and efficacious regulated products.”

Director, Registration and Regulatory Affairs, Dr Monica Hemben Emunjeze, said Health Canada through their mentorship programme, is supporting agencies as it concerns vaccine regulation to build and improve their capacity. “We are looking at these vaccines from the clinical trials, registration inspection, post marketing, monitoring of adverse effects, release of the products, and the whole life circle of such product,” she explained. Lessons learnt at the training workshop will promote better understanding of how Health Canada regulates vaccines.

She identified lack of expertise, infrastructure, poor funding as challenges not only peculiar to Nigeria but the world in general.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

I

AM in my early thirties and I noticed that for the last two years (immediately after my wedding), I cannot get another erection after the first round of sex.

Also, the early morning sex seems to be impossible.

Prior to this period, I have never had this issue before especially with early morning sex. I had to abstain from sex for about three years before my wedding because my wife was a virgin and she wanted us to have sex only after our wedding. It was after the wedding that it started – Cletus Dear Cletus, there is a tendency for men with similar problems to conclude it is as a result of some kind of witchcraft. But don’t jump to such conclusions. During your period of abstinence, you might have developed a form of erectile dysfunction which you did not know about.

Now that you are sexually active, you are only just becoming aware of it. Secondly, many married men are unable to get erections when with their wives but are okay when they have sex outside. These things happen.

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good. Pasante Delay Condoms are very good too. The way they work is that they slightly numb the skin around the head of the penis for a few minutes. This numbing process reduces penile sensitivity during intercourse which in turn prolongs the period of thrusting before ejaculation. With a good delay cream, wipe or condom, a man can last for up to fifteen minutes or more before ejaculation – Uche I used to ejaculate very small semen during intercourse until you recommended Max Load supplement. It worked but I cannot find it anymore. Please how can I get it? Ehis You can get in on www.zeevirtualmedia.com. There are other brands as well such as Explosion Ejaculate Volumizer. So whenever you cannot find Max Load, look for Explosion – Uche I experience vaginal odour and it embarrasses me and makes me very conscious of my body. That is why I refuse oral sex whenever my husband wants to give it to me - Faith First of all, vaginal odour is unavoidable because under wear and tights deprive that area of air circulation. But you can still ensure that you smell fresh during intercourse. The mistake many women make is jumping into sex without cleaning up first. That is why women are encouraged to carry wet wipes with them for cleaning up or better still, having a wash in the bathroom just before intercourse. Flavoured lubricants such as Fruitopia and 69 Orgasm Gel can also help and are quite effective in replacing body odour with a fresh alluring scent.

So give these a try - Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria.

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

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Many of you may be tempted and give in to the urge to gamble either with love or other important issue to the detriment of your cause. Be practical.

LEO; This is not the right time to take happenings along your career line for granted. Prepare for important domestic challenge. Keep your family secrets.

VIRGO; You may over inflate your ego to the resentment of people that matter. Watch what you do with money before 12.31pm. Try to be more diplomatic.

LIBRA; If care is not taken you would mislead others before 12.31pm while you are close to minor but costly mistakes from 12.31pm. Be wise with money.

SCORPIO; After initial confusion before 1pm you find your bearing and assert yourself but you will need to prepare to take care of oppositions that may come up suddenly.

By Richard Eromosele

T

HERE is one basic way to grow in life — by expending your world.

And this too is further sub divided into meeting of people

Meeting New People — 1 and reading books.

Meet new people.

And when you meet new people take the initiative to make friends with them.

TERROR MUDA

Do not wait for the other man or woman to make the first move. Everyone needs a friend, including the seem-

in “Never say goodbye”

ingly rich man. Some of us make the mistake of thinking that the rich has it all so he does not need us.

This is the greatest lie from the pit of hell....

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you don’t allow friends mislead you before 12.31pm no matter how genuine their intention. Watch what you do with your health. Tomorrow is your best day.

CAPRICORN; Take it easy along your career/business line during the morning period so that costly mistakes will not make things difficult for. Take your social life seriously.

AQUARIUS; What may look like a very good advice from younger members within your base of operation may eventually lead to avoidable trouble.

PISCES; Miscalculation is possible before 12.31pm that is why you will need to be as practical as possible and refuse to take people for granted throughout.

ARIES; Yes it is good to take partnership related issue seriously but priority attention must be given to money. Watch what you tell others before 12.31pm.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; If you take your new ideas too seriously they would mislead you. But taken good advice from your influential friends can prove helpful. As the Moon fluctuates during AM period it is important you practical till after 12.31pm.

GEMINI; Provided you don’t allow mid-morning blues to get better off you will eventually live up to expectation at work. Take good care of your health, please.

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

What’s my sesitive part?

Dear Joshua, I ma interested in your daily analysis in Vanguard Newspapers. The truth is your daily horoscope column always work for me and now I just cant do without reading my Star in your papers.

My believe is since you can be as accurate as possible writing daily horoscope you are in a better position to analyse my health which is very important to me. I want to know which area(s) of my body should be taken more seriously.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Adetoye, Osun.

Dear Adetoye, According to your natal horoscope you have gone above danger zones of your life health-wise. But then what you will find here-under will be of benefit. Thanks for your commendation.

Opposition between the Sun (an indicator of basic selfhood) and difficult Saturn during your birth hour pointed to a very tough beginning in life but luckily for you both Spiritual Neptune in powerful Scorpio and steady Pluto in healthy Virgo were at positive angles to your natal Sun thus, your chances of surviving are more than the delicate ones. More so as your natal Sun and Moon are members of strongest Star signshealth wise.

Certainly Saturn must have brought you a few number of health related challenges raging from skin, bone, sometimes the stomach and importantly headache .

Since you were able to survive infancy and middle age you have very good chances of living to a very old age. While the ailments stated here can easily be managed by yourself one important organ of your body that must be managed by medical expert is your HEART because of many placement in heart related Star sign.

This is not to say you must have heart problem but here is an organ you in particular must take very seriously. Yes fever is common in Africa and today fear of STDs is the beginning of good health. STDs are mentioned here because of your natal planets is sexual Scorpio. Mind you nothing fatalistic here, but mere warnings.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 53

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Dortmund seek Real miracle

Ronaldo returns to torment Dortmund

•Lewandowski

B

ORUSSIA Dort mund insist they have not given up hope of a Champions League miracle in today’s quarter-final, second-leg against Real Madrid, even with the Spaniards holding a 3-0 lead.

“This victory reinforces the team and, moreover, we avoided injuries and showed a good level physically,” he said.

Angel di Maria is also expected to start at Dortmund after only appearing as a substitute

against Sociedad.

The Argentine also missed the first leg due to gastroenteritis and Fabio Coentrao will return at left-back after being rested at the weekend.

To progress, Dortmund must better their stunning 4-1 semi-final, first leg win at home to Real nearly 12 months ago when Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who joins Bayern Munich next season, scored all four goals.

Eto’o in line for PSG

C

RISTIANO Ronaldo will be fit to terrorise Borussia Dortmund’s defence today despite a niggle in his knee as Real Madrid bid to build on their 3-0 first leg advantage to book a spot in the Champions League last four.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti rested the Champions League top scorer for Saturday ’s 4-0 La Liga win at Real Sociedad that helped them keep pace with leaders Atletico Madrid and second-placed champions Barcelona.

Ancelotti said he should be available for the second leg in Germany after a few days’ rest and treatment.

Ronaldo made his 100th Champions League appearance in the first leg at the Bernabeu and his goal matched Lionel Messi’s single-season record set in 2011/12.

•Ronaldo

Mikel trains with Chelsea

N

Eto'o (r) in training

A

good deal of Jose Mourinho’s recent soundbites have concerned his Chelsea side’s lack of striking options. The site of Samuel Eto’o playing a part in Tuesday’s training, therefore, was a welcome site.

With 11 goals and three assists in all competitions, the Cameroonian striker is Chelsea’s most potent striking option but has been absent from the side since suffering a hamstring strain

during the 6-0 victory over Arsenal on March 22nd.

"Maybe I will pick him,” Mourinho said. “To risk a player you need to have minimum conditions. If you think he’s going to be out after 10 minutes of the game you can’t take that risk.

“If there is a minimum of conditions of risk, then, yes, I will pick him. We need to score goals. If we don’t score a minimum of two goals, we are out.”

•Mikel

IGERIA interna tional John Mikel Obi joined the rest of the Chelsea squad for training on Monday morning, ahead of today ’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris StGermain.

Mikel missed the Stoke game through injury and his presence on the training ground was a boost for Chelsea given that Ramires is suspended and Nemanja Matic is ineligible to play.

Matuidi: PSG can overcome Chelsea without Ibrahimovic

B

LAISE Matuidi insists Paris Saint-Germain are capable of dumping Chelsea out of the Champions League without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

”We have the capacity to reach the semi-finals - it will be down to us to show what we can do,” the France international told reporters on Monday. ”The fact that Ibrahi-

movic is absent is a blow for the team, but we have already shown that we can manage without him.”

Matuidi conceded, though, that PSG will have to be at their very

best to eliminate Jose Mourinho’s men. ”It is vital to play a great game against Chelsea and do everything possible to progress,” the midfielder warned.

Quotable Quotes Laurent Blanc, PSG coach:

“Our aim has become very high. On the domestic front we want to win it all, but our ultimate ambition now is to win the Champions League. If we are to be a big European team we need to impose our rhythm and set the tempo of the game both at home and away. As for goals - we have scored in every one of our games in this competition. ”

Blanc

Blaise Matuidi, PSG midfielder:

“It is vital tomorrow to play a great game against Chelsea and do everything possible to progress.

Chelsea are a team that does not lose many matches, we must give our maximum to cause them problems. The atmosphere in the group is very good, and we are all focused”.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 — 55

Keshi defends provisional list April 26 •NFF to make case for Osaze, Ike Uche

T

HE Nigeria Foot ball Federation (NFF) technical committee will meet on April 26 in Abuja to deliberate on the country ’s plans for the World Cup in Brazil.

Committee chairman Chris Green told AfricanFootball.com that the date has been set aside to discuss the Super Eagles plans as regards Brazil 2014.

This will include coach Stephen Keshi defending his provisional squad for the World Cup. “The committee will meet on April 26 to discuss the World Cup,” he said.

“Expectations are very high and so we cannot afford to fail.”

The original meeting on March 26 had to be called off after Keshi, citing flight difficulties from the USA could not make the meeting.

The meeting was then rescheduled for April 8, but members were enraged to find that the

coach was attending an event in Lagos instead and threatened to boycott the new date.

NFF President Aminu Maigari and Technical Committee chairman Chris Green were forced to proceed on a fencemending exercise after the meeting was rescheduled for a new date of April 22.

The re-conciliatory moves appear to have

WAYNE Rooney will play through the pain barrier to make Manchester United’s crucial Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

It is believed that Rooney might have suffered a chipped bone in his foot in the first leg at Old Trafford – and not a badly bruised toe as first thought – but he will

•Rooney

take strong painkillers to play in United’s biggest game of the season.

We defied Bora to beat Spain – Lawal

G

ARBA Lawal has spoken of how the Super Eagles defied Bora Milutinovic’s instruction to play 4-5-1 against Spain at the 1998 World Cup. Nigeria won that group game 3-2 after Mutiu Adepoju and then Lawal himself cancelled out strikes from Fernando Hierro and Raul before Sunday Oliseh cracked home a spectacular winner.

Lawal says the team decided against the coach’s tactics, and instead switched to 4-4-2 as soon as they got on the pitch.

“The coach wanted us to

•Bora

Aguero Continues from BP geria, Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran. It is a group pundits have already given to Argentina to win, given the country’s array of stars.

Players such as Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Pablo Zabaleta, Di Maria,among others are making waves in the various leagues across Europe.

But of all the players in the rich line up, Aguero has singled out Lionel Messi as the man who will lead Argentina in her bid to win her third World Cup in neighbouring Brazil.

The Manchester City striker said that with a fit Messi Argentina opponents will have no chance in Brazil.

Expressing his admiration for the four time FIFA world footballer of the year and his expected contribution to Argentina’s success at the World Cup, Aguero told Goal, “Messi is

yielded fruit, with majority of the aggrieved members confirming their attendance.

But the trade-off is that Keshi is expected to face a tough and grueling time over his World Cup squad selection policy, with many member unconvinced about his reasons for excluding some players. an champions are

drawn in Group F alongside two-time champions Argentina, Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

They take on Scotland in London on May 28 in a World Cup warm-up and are also scheduled for tune-up games against Greece and the United States of America.

They will train in Houston, USA, prior to the naming of a final squad that will fly out to Brazil in the second week of June.

Rooney to confront Bayern with painkillers

a spectacular player and just makes football so much easier,” adding, “to play alongside the best player in the world is a privilege.”

Aguero believes their World Cup opponents will find it difficult to contain the trickery and craftsmanship of the Barcelona forward in Brazil. Aguero is hoping Messi can inspire Argentina to World Cup glory in neighbouring Brazil this summer.

“He solves problems on the pitch like few others can even think about, so he can play a big part of winning the World Cup.” He could not prioritise between the World Cup and the English Premier League title and denies there is extra emphasis on the World Cup due to it being staged in his native South America.

“First of all, I want to finish this season well with City and to be in good physical shape for Brazil,” he said.

“Basically, I want to win everything.

play 4-5-1 but we knew that if we did that, we would have serious problems against Spain if we played with one striker. So we the players decided to play 4-4-2,” Lawal said.

“We changed the formation inside the field, before we prayed. And that was what worked for us.

“We knew our normal game so we all decided to play what normally works for us.”

Lawal however said he would not advise players

to do that on a regular basis, but only as a desperate last resort.

“It’s not something we will encourage the players to do. But if you all feel that the system is not comfortable, you have to change because you are the one playing not the coach.”

The Super Eagles went on to win their next game against Bulgaria with a Victor Ikpeba goal to seal progress from the group before they were eliminated by Denmark in the second round.

WAMPCO named official milk of Okpekpe 10km road race

P

AMODZI Sports Marketing (PSM) have announced that Friesland Campina WAMPCO are the official Milk of the second Okpekpe 10 kilometre road race slated to be-

gin on May 3.

Pamodzi stated that WAMPCO’s sponsorship package of the second edition of the Okpekpe 10 kilometres race slated to begin on May 3 will help fulfil the corporate

Hazard

Continues from BP the quality required to record an aggregate victory. Laurent Blanc’s side will be cautious on their travels, the Frenchman will be as aware of any how deadly the Premier League giants can be on home soil.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the Blues also have an away goal in their favour. A compact first half performance last week was ultimately undone by defensive errors during the second period. But, a short spell of momentum, the visitors were able to snatch a goal from the penalty spot.

It was Eden Hazard

who buried this eventual consolation strike and it’s this man who could prove the key driving force behind any chance of progression. The Belgian ace has been linked with a move to PSG in recent months, yet his contribution could prove vital in bringing down the Ligue 1 giants.

Anything is possible in the return leg, especially when Mourinho has the talent of the 23-year-old at his disposal. The attacker has accumulated a Squawka Performance Score of 1259 - the best in the Chelsea team, and his expertise will be called upon yet again when PSG come to London.

social responsibility objective of the organisers to the host communities.

WAMPCO’S Public Affairs Manager, Ore Famurewa confirmed the partnership with Pamodzi on the Okpekpe 10 kilometres road race adding that that:” We are proud to be associated with the Okpekpe

Road Race and we strongly believe that this initiative will go a long way in promoting the values of having a sound and healthy populace. This is indeed a laudable initiative and we congratulate you and the team at Padmozi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited.

Basketball: Islanders, Union Bank, Customs win

W

EEK-5 pairing of the 2013/2014 season of the DStv Premier Basketball League was decided across the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences of the league at the weekend.

In one of the three games decided in Lagos over the weekend, Islanders returned to the summit of the Atlantic Conference with a hard fought 68-55 points’ victory over Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan.

The high profile Game-18 pairing saw both sides sharing the four quarters even-

ly with Islanders coming from behind twice in the first and third quarters (10-13 and 15-17) to upstage their Ibadan rival, winning the second and fourth quarters by 21-10 and 22-15 points for a cumulative score-line of 68-55 points to make it a 4-1 record with an overall 316 points from five games.

Nigeria Customs completed the Lagos wing of the Atlantic Conference win with a 58-46 points win over two-time champions of the league, Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Matches today B/Dortmund Chelsea

v v

R/Madrid PSG

7:45pm 7:45pm

Hazard raises hope for Chelsea

C

HELSEA face the momentous task of overcoming a 3-1 first

Brazil 2014: Messi ‘ll destroy Nigeria — Aguero

BY JACOB AJOM with agency report

M

ANCHESTER City ’s Sergio Aguero has said that Argentina’s talisman, Lionel Messi has the magic to destroy all opponents of their country in

the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Argentina are aiming to win the World Cup in Brazil and one of their group opponents are Nigeria.

They are pitched in Group F alongside Ni

Continues on Page 55

Hazard

Keshi defends provisional list April 26 — Pg 55

SWOLLEN EYE — Enzo Maccarinelli was left with an appalling swollen eye with even his cheek puffed out and out of position during his fight against Jurgen Braehmer, yet he was somehow allowed to continue before eventually losing to the WBA light-heavyweight champion in Germany.

•NFF to make case for Osaze, Ike Uche

•Uche

leg defeat against French outfit Paris Saint Germain tonight.. The Blues suffered a comprehensive defeat at Parc des Princes last Wednesday, creating the conditions for an enthralling return fixture.

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are a formidable force at Stamford Bridge and the team has Continues on Page 55

•Osaze

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Pup (5) 7 Existence (4) 8 Vent (6) 9 Believe (5) 11 Free (3) 13 Knock (3) 15 Revise (4) 16 Faucet (3) 18 Present (4) 19 Restricted (7) 20 Singer (4) 22 Mongrel (4) 23 Jealous (7) 25 Sea-eagle (4) 27 Imitate (3) 28 Fairy (4) 30 Defective (3) 31 Noise (3) 33 Skulk (5) 36 Economy (6) 37 Thought (4) 38 Surrender (5)

DOWN 1 Inflexible (5) 2 Damp (3) 3 Bird (3) 4 Tankard (3) 5 Consumed (3) 6 Prevent (5) 10 Join (4) 11 Discounted (7) 12 Swell (7) 13 Diminished (7) 14 Belong (7) 16 Shinbone (5) 17 Annoyance (5) 18 Border (3) 21 Individual (3) 24 Frank (4) 26 Frill (5) 29 Jockey (5) 32 Mouthful (3) 33 Pig-pen (3) 34 Sheep (3) 35 Child (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Torpid 5, Dark 8, Topic 9, Ass 10, Deem 11, Vile 12, Embed 13, Clover 16, Dent 18, Stop 20, Per 22, Sit 23, Ear 24, Rude 25, Plea 28, Draped 30, React 32, Paid 33, Tore 34, Rue 36, Need 37, Stodge.

DOWN: 1, Trance 2, Restored 3, Indeed 4, Committed 5, Diverse 6, Acid 7, Keep 8, Tee 14, Respected 15, For 17, Nil 19, Tampered 20, Pup 21, Receded 26, Ardent 27, Adhere 29, Spin 30, Rise 31, Ton.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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