Bombing threats: Osinbajo meets S-South govs, service chiefs, others

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63045

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

MASS SACK: FG threatens to withdraw licences of recalcitrant banks, telecom firms >>8

Bombing threats:

From left, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited; Mr Bode Ojeniyi, Executive Director, WAPIC; Dr. Osaren Emokpae, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, and Mrs Omotunde David Adebowale (LOLO1), LAPO brand ambassador, at the unveiling of LAPO Social Impact Deposit (SID), in Lagos.

Osinbajo meets S-South govs, service chiefs, others Military to be distilled from region—Okowa, Oshiomhole Navy parades suspected NNPC, Chevron assets’ bombing kingpin JNDLF fails to launch missiles in N-Delta Shell suspends repairs of Forcados export pipeline Nigeria’s oil export dips below 1.3mbpd We are concerned about Niger Delta violence —US

Unending woes for investors as value of shares drops by >>21 N42.3bn See Inside

The cost of widowhood in Igboland

COLUMNISTS: •P.43 •P.17 •P.17

•P.19

Why are men no longer ‘toasting’ me?

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BUJA — APPARENTLY moved by the threats of Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, JNDLF, to bomb major government buildings in Continues on Page 5

Senate queries Chevron over $7.4bn contract inflation >>9

Beyond naming and shaming: New laws to punish collaborators of corruption

Policy flip-flop as crisis hits education sector 

Hooded Michael John, suspected member of a gang that killed three soldiers at Jones Creek three months ago and recent killing of a soldier, police and a boat rider at Batan, Warri South West LGA, Delta State being paraded at the Naval base in Warri, yesterday.

C M Y K

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, SouthSouth, Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor, Sam Oyadongha, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Mike Eboh, Egufe Yafugbohi, Perez Brisibe, Victoria Ojeme, Akpokona Omafuaire, Chancel Bomadi & Rotimi Ojomoyela

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

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POCKET CARTOON

MEETING: From left, Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa(Delta), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the Acting President’s meeting with the Niger Delta governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Osinbajo meets S-South govs, service chiefs, others Continues from Page 1 Abuja starting midnight today, the Federal Government, yesterday, called for an emergency security meeting.

The meeting, which appeared to be a strategic one, had in attendance the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; governors of oil producing states; service chiefs; Minister of Defence, Dan Ali; Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme, Gen. Paul Boroh, among others.

The meeting came on a day the main co-ordinator of attacks on Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, oil and gas installations in Delta State was paraded by the Navy.

Governors in attendance at the meeting included Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

Service chiefs at the meeting were Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

Held at the conference room of the Acting President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the meeting which started at about 10a.m. ended at about 3p.m.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State said they took briefings of the situation in the Niger Delta by the security chiefs and Minister of State for Petroleum.

He said the meeting particularly noted the unhealthy developments in Delta and Bayelsa states, saying a solution was underway.

The governor, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, also revealed that there would be a stand-down of military action in the zone.

He said the outcome of the meeting, which extensively sought

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SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE When your clothes are made of cassava leaves, you do not take a goat as a friend.

collaboration with the states, would be implemented immediately.

His words: “We, governors of oil producing states, security chiefs and ministers who are concerned, met with the Vice-President and I believe we had a very fruitful meeting.

“One thing we identified, which is the synergy between the Federal Government and the states, which is very important, is that this meeting has raised a lot of issues and we believe that the collaboration will help us to tackle the issues in the Niger Delta.

“Of course, we were briefed by the service chiefs and the governors also have their own perspectives along with the Minister of State for Petroleum.

“We have taken a lot of decisions which will help us mitigate what is going on currently in the states, particularly Bayelsa and Delta. We believe we are going to find a solution to it.

Need to share intelligence

“One of such is that there is a need for us to share intelligence which is very important and for us to be proactive, working together with the various stakeholders in the states to achieve a better result going forward.

“We have also agreed that there is a need to distill military operations by helping communities where the military needs to actually remain on our waterways to ensure that we adequately man the waterways, while we engage the communities and that engagement will start any moment from now.

“Right from today, there is a meeting right after this and we are going to be collaborating, even as we return to our various states.”

On amnesty programme

Asked when the amnesty programme would be revisited, the governor said it was still ongoing.

He said: “I don’t think the amnesty has been stopped.

I think the process is still ongoing, we have a Special Adviser in charge of amnesty and he is doing very well.

"I am aware that he did come in to talk with some of the communities and along with the advocacy team that was put up in Delta State. He did brief us today and I believe it is going to be maintained,” he said.

In a similar vein, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, also corroborated the stance of the Delta State governor on the issue.

Nigeria not at war

He said: “We agreed that we all have to work together to refocus on development issues, economic issues, military issues and community issues.

Whatever he has told you there, that is what we have agreed to do.

"This is a government elected by the people to govern for their own good.

You can’t govern that person without talking to that person. It is common sense.

That does not mean humiliation.

"You must engage your people. Nigeria is not at war and we cannot be at war with ourselves. If we have conflicts, we will talk through those conflicts."

Navy parades bombing kingpin, others

Meanwhile, the main coordinator of attacks on the NNPC, and Chevron oil and gas installations in Delta State was paraded in Warri, yesterday, by the Navy.

His arrest came barely 24 hours after the Federal Government extended the olive branch to militants in the Niger Delta, who had been blowing up oil and gas pipelines in the region through a two-week ceasefire to create room for dialogue.

Parading the suspected coordinator of attacks on NNPC and Chevron facilities at the Naval base in Warri, yesterday, Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Ramie Mohammed, said he was arrested in connection with the attack on SPDC 48-inch export pipeline onshore Forcados.

The commander, who did not want to be drawn into comments on whether the suspect was a member of Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, or not, said what was of interest to him was that the suspect carried out the attacks.

He said: “The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested the main

coordinator of attacks on NNPC and Chevron oil and gas facilities we have witnessed since May 4 with the attack on Okan Valve Platform offshore Escravos.

This arrest came after several weeks of trailing and arrest of several of his foot soldiers.

“This suspect is also deeply involved in pipeline vandalism to steal crude oil.

He steals crude from about 35 abandoned oil well heads and pipelines in Okpoko and Obodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State. Navy believes with his arrest, attacks on Chevron/NNPC oil and gas facilities will abate."

Also paraded by the NNS Delta was a suspect arrested on May 29 for the alleged role he played in a gang’s killing of a soldier, police officer and one other victim.

Both the suspected killer of security operatives and the alleged mastermind of the NNPC and Chevron oil and assets attacks were hooded.

Commodore Mohammed said the identity of the suspects were shielded so as not to compromise ongoing investigations that would lead to arrest of his collaborators.

When interrogated, the suspected killer of a policeman and soldier, arrested in Sapele, told Vanguard that his friend, identified as “Oyile” was the mastermind.

However, the suspect arrested for co-ordinating blow-up of pipelines, told reporters he and his fronts bought stolen crude from one William, who allegedly siphoned products from abandoned wells in the Delta waterways.

JNDLF yet to fire missiles

Meanwhile, the JNDLF, which caused panic in the Niger Delta in the last few days, with its warning to test six missiles, did not launch any as at 5.00 pm, yesterday.

Findings by Vanguard showed that there was calm in the region and as at 5.00 p.m in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states, there was no information on the launch of any missile.

Residents went about their normal duties, seemingly unperturbed by the threat, while airlines conducted their normal businesses, despite the threat by the militant group that any aircraft found in the airspace was flying at great risk.

The JNDLF in a statement by its Commander, General Duties, General Akotebe Darikoro, and three others, had on Monday warned that the group in its final meeting resolved that the Nigerian communication satellite orbit would be shut down to avoid the cause of electronic radiation to human lives.

Don’t politicize crisis, stakeholders warn

However, stakeholders in the Niger Delta have cautioned the Federal Government not to politicize but engage proper participants for the planned dialogue with militants in order not to jeopardize the brave intention.

Notable leaders and groups, who spoke to Vanguard, however, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for ordering a two-week ceasefire on military operations in the region.

They spoke just as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, warned that extant principles of international and/or municipal law during conflict do not shield communities in the Niger Delta harbouring criminals such as members of Niger Delta Avengers, NDA.

Involve leaders of other tribes —Emami

Former chairman of Delta State Waterways and Security Committee, DWSC, Warri, and Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, who initially opposed dialogue with militants, who he tagged criminals, said: “Surely, everyone will support the Federal Government’s two-week ceasefire and every other measure that will bring peace as well as development to the Niger Continues on page 12

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2014

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Herdsman kills Nasarawa farmer in fight over destroyed crops

By David Odama

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AFIA—A 25-year-old herdsman, Isha Alhassan, who allegedly stabbed a farmer to death following argument over crops, has been arrested

by Nasarawa State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. Mr. Lawan BashirKano, the state Commandant of NSCDC, who made the disclosure in Lafia yesterday, said the suspect, last Wednesday, stabbed Malam Nasiru Mohammed to death in his farm.

B a s h i r - K a n o explained that the herdsman’s cattle had strayed into Mohammed’s farm at Angwan Arimi in Bassa village in Kokona Local Government Area of the state and destroyed farm crops.

He said on seeing the level of devastation, Mohammed attempted to alert the villagers, but was stopped and stabbed several times by the herdsman as a result which he died.

He said that the command, in collaboration with the vigilance group in the area, acting on a tip-off, was able to arrest the suspect on June 3.

He said the suspect had confessed to the crime and would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

He said the family of the deceased had buried him according to tradition.

The commandant urged members of the public to always ensure prompt report of criminal cases to law enforcement agencies.

Police corporal kills, buries inspector

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—A police corporal, Mr. Daramola Tosin, attached to the Ekiti Police Division of Kwara State Police command, has been dismissed from service for allegedly killing and burying a Police Inspector, Mr. Lateef Shuaib, and then withdrew N300,000 from the dead officer’s account.

It was learned that Daramola Tosin shot the late Inspector with his AK-47 rifle, while the latter was defecating in the bush and buried him near Osi Police Station in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports obtained in Ilorin, late Shuaib’s sister, Sherifat Hammed, reported on May 10 to the Osi Police Station that her brother had not been seen since May 6.

It was gathered that Hammed also reported that she suspected Tosin, as her late brother had told her that when he was sick, he gave the suspect his ATM card, based on trust, to be withdrawing money from his account on his behalf.

Vanguard learned that Hammed, in the report, said Tosin dishonestly started transferring money from

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59-year-old landlord and his son have been arrested in Lafia, Nasarawa State, by police for allegedly being in possession of firearms and robbing a tenant.

Mr. Lawal Shehu, the state Commissioner of Police, told

Docked

Kwara State Police Command arraigned him yesterday before a magistrate’s court in Ilorin. The police prosecutor, Mr. James Odaodu, told the presiding magistrate, Mr. Nurudeen Adeyanju, that the offence was capital in nature, adding that it was not bailable.

While pleading with the court to remand the accused in prison custody, the prosecutor said the offences

were culpable homicide, breach of trust and theft, contrary to Section 221, 312 and 289 of Penal Code.

Adeyanju did not take the accused’s plea, but said the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter as it involved a murder.

According to him, it should be handled by a High Court.

The magistrate, however, ordered that Tosin be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Mandalla, Ilorin, and adjourned the case till June 21 for further mention.

Police Commissioner reacts

The state Commissioner of

Two children suffocate in locked car

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—TRAGEDY struck, Monday evening, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as two kids died from suffocation when they accidentally locked themselves in a car, at Ofoni Street, off Old Assembly Quarters Road, Ekeki, a suburb.

Vanguard gathered that the victims, identified as David and

Grace, aged three and two, respectively, were of different parents.

No one knew when the kids got inside the Golf parked near their homes. But they reportedly locked themselves in accidentally while they were playing.

A resident told Vanguard that the car, owned by Grace’s father, had broken down for

some time and left in the compound.

He said: “The children lived in the same compound and were playing, while their parents were out. Nobody knew when the kids entered the car.

“They were only found unconscious at 5p.m., following a search after one of the parents raised alarm about

their disappearance.

“They were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, but the doctors were on strike. They were then taken to Gloryland Hospital. But as soon as they arrived, they were confirmed dead.”

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said the command had not been briefed.

Humans and cars submerged as flash flood hits South-East London, UK.

Ex-Ogun Dep Speaker mum on ransom as wife, daughter's kidnappers make contact

By Daud Olatunji

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HE kidnappers of the Director of Information, Odogbolu Local Government Area, Nofisat Oshin, and her 15-year-old daughter, Afolabi, have reportedly established contact with her family.

Her husband, Dr Tokunbo Oshin, who disclosed this

yesterday, when some members of Ogun State chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, visited him, was, however, silent on the ransom being demanded by the abductors.

Oshin’s wife, Nofisat, and his daughter, Afolabi, were kidnapped last Thursday around 8p.m., at the entrance

Landlord, son arrested for robbing tenant

By David Odama

Shuaib’s account without the knowledge of the late Inspector, to the tune of N300,000.

newsmen that the landlord’s son, at about 2a.m., yesterday, robbed one of their tenants.

Shehu explained that the suspect broke into the room of the tenant, Mr. Enyeribe Chinma, through the ceiling and robbed him of his cell phone and other valuables at gunpoint.

Shehu alleged that the suspect shot the victim on the head, but that the victim survived the wound.

According to the commissioner, the victim alerted the ‘B’ Division Police Station at about 5.30a.m., leading to the arrest of the suspect.

of their Imoru residence in Ijebu-Ode. Dr. Oshin, a former Deputy Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, said Governor Ibikunle Amosun had made contacts with the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies, in a bid to rescue his wife and daughter.

He said: “The incident happened last Thursday. My wife and daughter were in her car and were almost entering the premises, when the abductors blocked them with their car. In fact, the gate man had already opened the gate for them to drive in.

“They later abandoned my wife’s car along Idowa-Itokin Road. I want to thank the governor for his concern. He

has contacted the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies in a bid to rescue my wife and daughter.”

Oshin said immediately the kidnappers left, teams from the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, and Vigilante Service swung into action, thinking they might be trapped in the traffic.

While disclosing that the kidnappers had established contact with the family, Dr. Oshin told the journalists he spoke with the wife and daughter, adding that “although they are still alive, they sound rather distressed.”

He appealed to the kidnappers to release them, adding “the day I will see the two of them will be my happiest day, and I believe that they will come back to this house alive.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—7

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UNILAG students unaware of drowned mates Police, Mr. Sam Okaula, had earlier stated that when the matter was brought to his attention, he ensured thorough investigation into the matter.

He said the corporal later confessed to committing the crime and he subsequently dismissed him.

Okaula said: “We do not condone crime. We go after anyone, including members of the force, who go out of their way to commit crime.

“We investigate them and prosecute them if found culpable and ensure we gain conviction. This particular dastardly act will not be an exception definitely.”

Headless body of Okadaman found near Auchi Poly Family's identified body—FRSC

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—THE headless body of a commercial motorcyclist was found in front of Campus II of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.

The severed head of the victim was found some distance from his motorcycle by the road side. It was, however, not clear whether it was a case of murder or ritual killing.

Some witnesses claimed the victim was killed by a hit-and-run lorry, even as the Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Moses Bature, who confirmed the incident gave the name of the victim as Clement.

The Unit Commander, in a telephone interview, said the corpse had been deposited at the mortuary, but added that the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained.

He said: “We did not see any vehicle in that place. We cannot say whether it was a hit-andrun or any other thing.

“People said they saw the headless body in the morning and called the police. It was the police that called us. The family came and identified the body.”

Funmi abandoned father's birthday party to be with friends ... as varsity releases statement today

By Evelyn Usman, Dayo Adesulu, Esther Onyegbula & Elizabeth Uwandu

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TUDENTS of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, yesterday, were still unaware that two post-graduate students drowned at Elegushi Beach, Lekki, weekend.

UNILAG's Master students, who spoke with Vanguard on phone, said they were not aware of the tragedy that befell Funmi and Shola, students of International Law and Diplomacy at the institution.

Ibrahim Moyosere, a Master student of Economics, said he was unaware that such an incident happened.

He said: “I do not know if any student died. I am only interested in my exams.”

Another Master student, from Mass Communication Department, who simply gave her name as Bukola, expressed shock over the development, but said: “I am in school now and have not heard of such a terrible misfortune.”

Meanwhile, spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Dolapo

Badmos, has said investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstance that led to the death of two postgraduate students.

It will be recalled that Funmi Odusina, 24, and Adesola Ogunmefun, 27, were swept away by tides on Sunday during the birthday celebration of their friend, identified as Bolu.

Odusina was said to have been recovered dead by local divers, while Ogunmefun, it was gathered, died later.

Bolu, who survived the incident, was discharged from the hospital, yesterday.

Father's birthday

It was gathered that Funmi, whose father ’s birthday, according to her elder brother Gbenga Odusina, was on June 6, had boycotted a family function that Sunday to attend Bolu’s beach party.

Gbenga, who was the first family member to comment on the issue yesterday, said: “Happy birthday to my dad.

As much I would have loved to celebrate his 65th birthday, death snatched

Funmi Odusina (left) and Adesola Ogunmefun away his baby daughter, my sister, Funmi. I have never experienced death this close.

“I still saw her in the afternoon (Sunday) making up. I even told her ‘Funmi, you’re really dressed like a big madam today’.

“She cleaned her room so well; maybe she knew she was going to meet her creator a few hours later.

“I saw her lifeless body at the mortuary and all I could do was wonder how? But I never really queried how God does His things and I continue to give thanks to Him for all. Rest in peace dear

Schoolmistress defiles 4-yr-old female pupil

By Esther Onyegbula

“My Aunt in school raised my uniform up and put her fingers inside my bum-bum in the class, while others were sleeping.

“She asked me not to tell my mother or anybody.”

It was learned that the victim was taken to Bisimol Hospital at Graceland Estate, where it was confirmed that her hymen was broken.

Vanguard gathered that the case was reported at IyanaIsashi Police Division, Friday morning, and the teacher was invited for interrogation.

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27-year-old schoolmistress, Violet, is being interrogated by the Police in Lagos for allegedly defiling a female pupil of Light Bearers Private School, located at Iyana-Isashi area of the state.

Vanguard learned that the mistress, who is the class teacher of the nursery two pupil, reportedly defiled her last Thursday, during school hours.

However, trouble started after the victim’s mother noticed blood stains on her daughter’s pants, when she got home.

The victim’s mother, Evelyn, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “After my daughter returned from school Thursday last week, I found blood stains on her pants when I wanted to bath her. I was surprised because she is still too young to start menstruating.

“When I asked her what happened, she refused to speak at first because her teacher had threatened her not to. Later, she opened up when I told her that anyone who lies would go to hell.

“She then said it was her Aunty that inserted her fingers inside her bum-bum in class.

We reported the case at IyanaIsashi Police Station.

Mirabel Centre

The 4-year-old pupil

Victim’s account

According to the four-yearold girl, (names withheld):

On Friday evening, the Investigating Police Officer took the victim to Mirabel Centre in Ikeja, but they got there late and were asked to return next day.

When they got back on Saturday, a medical examination at the centre confirmed that the victim was actually defiled.

When contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said that the case had been transferred to the Command’s Gender Desk Unit, adding “it is under investigation and the culprit will be charged to court immediately investigation is completed.”

sister!”

UNILAG reacts

Meanwhile, authorities of the institution have said they will release a statement on the demise of the two students today, as soon as investigation is concluded.

Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Babatunde Babalakin, in a telephone conversation with Vanguard, said that the school authorities have started investigation on the issue.

Babalakin, who lamented the sudden death, explained that since they were post-graduate students of the institution, the school cannot restrict their movements.

He said: “We are looking into the matter and as soon as the investigation is concluded, an official statement shall be released.”

Vanguard learned that the families were set to conduct autopsy on the bodies, which are still at the Lagos Island General Hospital mortuary.

According to Funmi’s older sister, Bukola Odusina, their family was devastated and their parents speechless.

She urged that safety measures be put in place at the various beaches to avoid recurrent avoidable deaths.

Friend mourns

Their friend, Mayowa Oyebanji, who was still in shock, said Ogunmefun had promised to be at his wedding.

He wrote: “R.I.P. Adesola Olubola Ogunmefun and Phummie Toe’dunni Odusina.

So I lost two of you in a day! I still cannot believe you are gone. Sola...no!

“Sola, you promised to be at my wedding as Iya Oko (groom’s mother) the last time I came to your house.

Memories won’t let me be...been reading our chats, stalking your Instagram account and trying your phone number.

Maybe you will pick my call.

“Continue to rest in heaven, my teflon nihga, till we meet to part no more. No goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 8, 2016

Ex-Chief of Air Staff, Umar commences out of court settlement

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar, has commenced an out of court settlement in the money laundering charge against him.

Umar is being tried on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering of N4.8 billion, while he was Chief of Air Staff.

He had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako on selfrecognition.

At the resumed hearing, yesterday, Umar’s counsel, Hassan Liman, SAN, informed the court of moves by his client to have the matter settled out of court.

Liman said his client held meetings with officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He said the first meeting, involving the head of legal department of the commission, the prosecuting counsel and Umar, was held on May 31, while another meeting was held on June 3.

He said that in attendance at both meetings was a member of the EFCC task force, Ibrahim Musa, and the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir.

He said it was resolved that the defendant should send a formal communication to the commission.

Liman further disclosed that a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, dated June 6, had already been dispatched.

Mass sack: FG threatens to withdraw licences of recalcitrant banks, telecom firms

By Victor AhiumaYoung, reporting from Geneva, Switzerland

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ENEVA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, expressed shock that employers in the financial sector, especially banks, were breaching its directives to stop further retrenchment, threatening to withdraw the operating licence of any bank or telecommunication company in breach.

Speaking to Nigerian journalists at the ongoing 105th session of the International Labour Congress, ILC, in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, warned that government would sanction erring companies because government had a duty to protect jobs in a harsh economy.

Ngige was responding to questions on alleged breach of

his earlier directive to banks and other financial institutions to stop further retrenchment of workers, pending the stakeholders' meeting scheduled for next month.

The minister, who spoke after his speech to the ILO National Assembly, said: “We will go a step further if they continue. We know what to do. After all, the banks have the licences given by the government. We know what to do. They need to comply. They need to come to the negotiation table. We did (halted the spate of sack to hold a stakeholders meeting) in the oil industry and we succeeded. Even if you are going to lay off, there is a way to declare redundancy, there is a process. Section 20 of the Labour Act says it. You must call the unions and discuss with them. You don’t just treat them as slaves in their own country and you want us to keep quiet.

“We want them to maintain the

AGM: Mr. Larry Ettah,Chairman (middle), flanked by Mr. Mukhtair Yakasai,MD/CEO (left), and Mr.Adeleke Yusuf, Company Secretary, during the Annual General Meeting of Portland Paints & Products Nigeria Plc, at the Golden Tullip Hotel, Festac Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, yesterday.

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BUJA—THE Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, adjourned hearing on the 16count charge against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, till June 15.

The Justice Danladi Umar-led panel adjourned the case for Saraki’s defence to further cross-

investors. It is employers’ body and the people I am talking to are also employers. ‘’The bank’s boards, the banks chairmen, the bank’s managing directors, are the people I am talking to. I also talk to unions whenever need be. In the same order, I also asked the unions not to picket the banks. They had mobilised to picket the banks. It is the job of the government to maintain a peaceful milieu on both sides and that is why I issued the directive.

“From investigation and preliminary report available to us, the banks, the insurance companies, other financial institutions are all laying off. And in some cases, they do not allow their workers to unionize and that is wrong and against the ILO principle,” he said.

According to the Minister, they have not entered into collective bargaining agreement, CBA, a first step to laying off workers.

Earlier in his address to the assembly, the minister said: “Nigeria is not insulated from these challenges which are daily manifesting in the socio-economic crises of today. ‘’The current challenges in the country are connected with the historical neglect of past administrations to address the consequences of a mono-product economy that had so far depended on revenue from crude oil.

"The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, of Nigeria however declined to comment on the development. According to the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, “The CBN will not want to comment on the issue.”

FG plans massive downsizing of Immigrations, Prisons officers

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government has concluded arrangements to embark on a mass sack of officers and men of the Nigeria Immigrations Service, NIS, and the Nigeria Prisons Service, NPS. To this end, Vanguard

gathered that a new condition of service has been approved by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

A memo from the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigrations and Prisons Services Board, CDFIPB, which was sighted by our correspondent last night in Abuja, reduced the retirement ages of personnel.

Dated May 25, 2016, and signed by the Director/

Alleged assets falsification: CCT adjourns Saraki’s trial to June 15

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

statusquo. As far as I am the minister of labour, I will protect the interest of workers; same to the telecommunication companies, they are also talking about compiling lists without discussing with anybody.”

On the position of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, that the companies in the private sector had the right to hire and fire and that power did not reside in the government, Senator Ngige said organised private sector, represented by NECA, was protecting its own members, and merely expressing its opinion.

He, however, warned that this could not be done tot the detriment of the workers and the law of the land.

“The organised private sector, NECA is protecting its own interest. NECA is a leg of the tripod, nothing stops it from having its own opinion. It is the section that protects private

examine the star witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas.

The adjournment came on a day the CCT chairman, Justice Umar warned Saraki against using delay tactics to frustrate his trial.

Shortly before the defence Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, began to cross-examine the witness, yesterday, Justice Umar, said there was need for him to make some points clear to the defendant.

He said it was imperative for

him to warn the defendant that he would face the full consequences of the charges against him, despite whatever delay tactics he chose to employ in the course of the trial.

“I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel.

And I must say this thing out that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet from this tribunal at the end of the trial,” the CCT boss stated.

Secretary of the Board, A.A Ibrahim, the letter was addressed to all the paramilitary Service Chiefs under the ministry and entitled, 'RE: New Conditions of Service.'

Part of the memo reads: ”I am directed to inform you that at its meeting of December 29, 2015, the Joint Service Board, JSB, took a critical look at the staff conditions of service and resolved that the parameters of retirement of the officers in the services under the supervision of the board should be expanded to include, but not limited to the following: a- attainment of 60 years of age, b- on service for 35 years, c- on disciplinary grounds, d- on medical/health grounds, e-when an officer is un-deployable due to restructuring, appointment, seniority, among others."

Other reasons advanced by the memo are: “after failing promotion examinations at

three consecutive attempts, when an officer fails board promotion three times, incompetence, indolence or declining productivity, failure at staff course, post staff course and their equivalents.

“On reaching the maximum age like Assistant Superintendent II is now 2233, Assistant Superintendent I is now 22-36, Deputy Superintendent is 25-39, Superintendent is pegged at 23-42, Chief Superintendent is now 26-45, Assistant Controller/Comptroller/ Commandant is pegged at 3048, while Deputy Controller/ Comptroller/Commandant is 34-51.

“Others are Controller/ Comptroller/Commandant is 38-54, for Assistant Controller/ Comptroller/Commandant General pegged at 42-56, Deputy Controller/ Comptroller/Commandant General is now 46-58 while Controller/comptroller/ Commandant General.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—9

2 ex-Ministers in EFCC net over $115m Diezani cash A

BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday grilled two former ministers, Mohammed Wakil, a former Minister of Power and Abdu Bulama, a former Minister of Science and Technology, over the $115 million public fund allegedly deployed for the 2015 general election by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Both were according to online portal, Premium Times PDP campaign coordinators for Borno and Yobe states respectively during the last presidential election.

A source at the anti-graft agency

quoted Mr. Bulama as saying that he received N450 million from former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman, for use in funding the PDP presidential election in the state.

“Former Minister of Finance Nenadi Usman, called and informed me to go and collect money in Fidelity Bank. A fiveman committee was set up to coordinate the campaign activities in Yobe State and we received N450m.

“The money was disbursed based on a template we received from Abuja and we shared it among the three senatorial zones in the state,” the source said.

Muhammed Kadai, who was Mr. Bulama’s deputy, provided details of the sharing formula.

According to him, “the money was shared according to zones.

For Zone A, Abba –Gana Tata collected the sum of over N85, 100,000.00, while Dr Mamu collected N73, 510.000.00 on behalf of Mohammed Hassan Dambu and zone C received N70, 470.000.00, through Alhaji Hassan Ibn Jaks for Dr Yarima Ngama. ‘’The Borno Coordinator, former Minister Wakil, also confirmed he received N450 million,’’ our source said.

He was quoted as saying, “I received a call from Nenadi

Usman, former Minister of Finance, that N450m was sent to Fidelity Bank and a template for how the disbursement of the funds will be conducted.

“Nicholas Msheliya, Peter Biye, Hon. Kudla Satumaria, Ibrahim Birma, all from southern Borno received the sum of N112, 340.000.00. Equally Kangar, through Dr. Kulima A.A received N88, 620.000.00, while Mohammad Baba Kachalla, Hon. Kaamuna Khadi, Hon. Zarma Mustapha and Hon. Abdulrahman Tarab received the sum of N140,860.000.00."

The two ministers are currently in the custody of EFCC in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as investigation continues.

Senate condemns Kano killing, seeks prosecution of perpetrators Rate of killings in Nigeria becoming embarrassing—Ekweremadu

A

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

BUJA—THE Senate yesterday condemned last week’s killing of a woman,Mrs Bridget Agbahime, in Kano State by some Islamic fundamentalists and charged the federal government to ensure diligent prosecution of those involved.

Agbahime was killed after she was accused of blasphemy.

The Senate, which condemned the action in strong terms, charged government to live up to its responsibility of protecting the of citizens.

The response of the Red Chamber to the action of the Kano religious fanatics was sequel to a Point of Order raised

by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East, on the killing of Mrs Agbahime.

Anyanwu, who was visibly sad over the incident, said the development was a threat to Nigeria’s unity.

He condemned the killing of the innocent woman and called on the Senate to rise and condemn it.

While appreciating the governor of Kano State and the state’s commissioner of police for arresting the prime suspects, he said the culprits should be seen to have been prosecuted.

He said: “I think it should go beyond that, it should go beyond that. We do not want a situation where someone is being detained today, after a period of time, we would not hear about that mater.

“The worst thing that could happen to a man is for his wife to be killed right before him. I think this Senate should rise and condemn this kind of act, we are one Nigeria and we all believe in one Nigeria and we want to respect our religious affiliations in this country.

‘’This country must be united, you would agree with me that the Igbo are the most liberalized people in Nigeria because we believe in one Nigeria, we live in every part of Nigeria.

“So, I feel bad the way we are being treated. I think this Senate should rise and ask the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the culprits in this matter are brought to book.”

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu, who presided over the day’s plenary, charged the Inspector General

of Police and other relevant agencies of government to ensure that the culprits were prosecuted.

He said: ‘’Let me, on behalf of the Senate, express our condolences to the family and the people of your constituency, the entire Imo State and, indeed, the entire Nigerians.

“This is because every soul matters to us as Nigerians. The rate of killing in Nigeria is becoming very embarrassing.

“We must do everything as leaders to protect lives and properties of the citizens of this

country. Every life matters to us, so we cannot continue on the path of diminishing human life.

“To ensure that this doesn’t happen again, every effort must be made to fish out those responsible so that they will face the full wrath of the law. We believe that this might be the last of this kind of incident anywhere in Nigeria.”

He,however, did not leave the matter open for debate, a development that denied opportunity for other senators to contribute to the motion.

MEETING: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State ( 3rd right), Chief John Oyegun, All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman (2nd right), Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State (left), Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (2nd left) and PresidentGeneral of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Gary Igariway, during a meeting in Owerri, yesterday.

Senate queries Chevron over $7.4bn contract inflation

A

By Joseph Erunke

BUJA—THE Senate Committee on Gas,yesterday, alleged that oil firm, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, illegally inflated the Escravos Gas-to-Liquid Project, EGRL, from $2.9 billion to $10.3 billion, an increment of $7.4 billion.

To this end, the committee, headed by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan,PDP, Akwa Ibom North East, demanded from the company all records of the contract said to have been awarded in 2009.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, during commencement of investigation into the alleged inflation of the contract, Akpan queried Chevron Nigeria Limited,CNL, for increasing the contract sum without recourse to its partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Akpan decried Chevron’s action for increasing the contract sum at such magnitude, noting that by such action, the oil firm had deliberately violated the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement.

He wondered why the Nigerian project with 33,000 barrels per day capacity would cost $10.3 billion, while a similar project in Qatar with 34,000 barrels per day was constructed for $1.2 billion.

Senator Bassey, who said investigations into the EGTL project was also done by the 6th and 7th Senate, pledged that the 8th Senate would conclude the investigation within the shortest possible time.

He said: “So between 2008 and now, the project cost had risen by an additional $5 billion and this is quite worrisome.

“We need to sit down and look at the cost, it is quite astronomical for you to have the cost that was approved at $2.99 billion with a completion cost of about $10.3 billion."

$10trn needed to fight poverty in Nigeria, others by 2030 —ILO

By Victor Ahiuma-Young, reporting from Geneva, Switzerland

G

E N E VA — T H E International Labour Organisation, ILO, has said not less than $10 trillion will be needed between now and 2030 to eradicate poverty in Nigeria and other developing countries.

According to ILO, over 36 per cent of the emerging and developing countries live in

poverty – on a daily income of less than US$ 3.10 purchasing power parity, PPP. In its new report on World Employment and Social Outlook, WESO, 2016– Transforming jobs to end poverty, ILO found that some US$ 600 billion a year or nearly US$10 trillion in total of over 15 years was needed to eradicate extreme2 – and moderate3 poverty globally by 2030.

According to ILO, the global deficit in quality jobs and deteriorating economic conditions in a number of regions threatened to undo decades of progress in poverty reduction.

It warned that developed countries were now inclusive, saying relative poverty1 was on the increase, even in developed countries.The report concluded that the problem of persistent poverty could not be solved by

income transfers alone; adding that more and better jobs were crucial to achieving this goal.ILO estimated that almost a third of the extremely or moderately poor in developing economies had jobs.

However, ILO said their employment was vulnerable in nature because they were sometimes unpaid, concentrated in low-skilled occupations and, in the absence of social protection, rely almost exclusively on labour income.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 8 , 2016

Thrills as battles continue on Airtel's The Voice Nigeria

S

UNDAY, June 5 marked yet another gritty and emotional series of battles as contestants dueled against one another on episode nine of The Voice Nigeria. #TeamPatoranking’s Prime and Ralph performed ‘Rude’

by Magic, with Prime chosen as the winner by his coach, while #TeamTubaba’s duo of Precious and Chichi performed ‘Kedike’ by Chidinma, with Precious going through to the next round. Waje however stole Chichi, thus saving her from elimination. #TeamWaje’sJoxy and Khemmy dueled with the performance of Adele’s ‘Set fire to the rain’, with Khemmy emerging as the victor. #TeamTimi’s Armstrong Martins and Viveeyan performed ‘Counting Stars’ with Armstrong winning the battle whilst Viveeyan was stolen by Tubaba. #TeamPatoranking had Linda Inneka and the highlife crroner Ikechukwu performing Kiss Daniel’s ‘Laye,’ a performance that saw Linda getting picked by her coach. #TeamTubaba paired two vocal powerhouses in Theodora and Roxy as they sang Adele’s ‘Rollin’ in the Deep” with Theodora going through.

The battles continue to heat up as only four steals remain up for grabs. Who wins again next week, and who goes home on The Voice Nigeria?

Find out on Sunday Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151), and catch all the highlights from the show on Wednesday at 8.30pm and 7pm on Galaxy TV and ONtv respectively.

NEW EDUCATION POLICY: Ajimobi admits taking

faulty steps

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday admitted that he took some faulty steps before announcing the proposed reform in education which had pitched him against the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Nigeria Labour Congress.

However, he said that no amount of street protests and strike would force his administration to rescind its decision.

The governor, who reiterated that he had no intention of returning schools to original owners or privatising education said this during a stakeholders’ meeting on education reform in the state at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

This came just as prominent monarchs in the state declared their support for the governor on the proposed education reform.

The meeting, which was disrupted by angry teachers and some leaders of the NLC a week ago was well attended by stakeholders in education, including prominent traditional rulers in the state.

Though, some people during yesterday’s meeting told him that he put the cart before the horse during the consultations.

L

AGOS—RENOWNED tax experts, PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, yesterday rated Nigeria’s tax contribution to Gross Domestic Products, GDP, lowest in the world.

Partner/Head, Tax Regulatory Services, PwC, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this while giving an overview of the tax environment globally, during Taxation Rountable organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI. He said: “Nigeria’s tax contribution to the GDP is the lowest in the world compared to United States 19 percent; China

LECTURE: From left: Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corp[FRSC], Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Minister of Transport and Keynote Speaker, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Commissioner of Transport, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Executive Director Marine and Operations, Nigeria Ports Authority, Engr. David Omonibeke, during the 1st Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series, Tag; Migrating Workforce: The Challenges of Mass Transportation, at Blue -Roof, LTV-8 , Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Ajimobi accepted responsibility for the crisis that trailed the proposed reform adding that it could not have arisen if he had carried all the stakeholders along.

Again, he admitted that the price tag of N250,000 refundable fee attached to the expression of interest form was another false step thereby aligning with an Islamic cleric, Alhaji Kunle Sanni who said the money would justify outrageous fees that may be charged later.

At the end of the successful meeting, the governor asked all who attended the meeting if they agreed that the education sector needed to be improved upon and they answered in the affirmative.

Among the traditional rulers that spoke in favour of the proposal included the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola who advised the governor to

make further clarifications on some grey areas which engendered criticism of the idea.

Bishop James Ajetumobi, Bishop of Ibadan South Anglican Diocese and Alhaji Kunle Sanni spoke on behalf of Christian and Islamic religions respectively.

Meanwhile, the NLC continued its street protest on the said reform.

Reacting to the action of the labour leaders, Ajimobi said it was wrong to be inciting people who are non-workers to join them.

INEC gets 32 fresh applications for registration as political parties

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, yesterday disclosed that the commission has received 32 fresh applications from groups wishing to be registered as political parties.

INEC, in a statement issued

PwC rates Nigeria’s tax lowest globally 21ppercent and Japan, tax

By Naomi Uzor

...Says protests won't move him

contributes 35 percent. Similarly, he said that in Germany tax accounts for 45 percent of GDP, France 52 percent, Ghana 22 percent; South Africa 27 percent and Kenya 17 percent.”

According to him, being aware is not enough; proactive tax risk management and continuous tax risk assurance should be the mantra of every forward looking tax function.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Services, FIRS, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, disclosed that FIRS has identified several opportunities to improve their collaboration with taxpayers especially in the area of data and knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement.

in Abuja yesterday said: “The commission has been receiving applications from various associations for registration as political parties. ‘’So far, we have received 32 applications (and the number is rising). The applications are being processed.

“The commission remains committed to the opening of the democratic space in line with the law and our guidelines.”

He explained that the meeting was a forum for the commission to brief party leaders on developments in the management of the democratic system.

Yakubu also addressed the recent revelations of alleged involvement of INEC staff in the subversion of 2015 general elections through cash inducement.

Said he: “INEC will also take further administrative action against staff found culpable in this dastardly conduct.'' ‘’We will not hesitate to interdict staff where prima facie cases have been established against them by EFCC and immediately terminate the appointments of those indicted.”

According to him, despite the severe constraints on the commission, with regard to the

prosecution of election offenders, as exemplified by the recently held bye-election in Minjibir Constituency in

Kano State, “INEC legal team and the Police have successfully secured the conviction of 42 suspects.

LAGOS-KANO RAIL: Amaechi assures line’ll reach Ibadan in 2 yrs

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—THE Minister for Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the proposed Lagos-Ibadan segment of Lagos-Kano rail line project will be ready and operational within the next two and half years.

Also to be ready within the projected period, Amachi said is the Port Harcourt-Calabar rail line. Both rail lines will, daily, move thousands of passengers across the affected cities.

Amaechi, who disclosed this at a lecture series, themed; “Migrating workforce: the challenges of mass transportation,” organised by the Lagos Traffic Radio, at Ikeja, said the aim is to reduce the current pressure on road infrastructure with resultant accidents and avoidable loss of lives and property.

He also directed the Railway Command of the Nigeria Police Force to stop forthwith, the practice of passengers hanging on moving trains to avoid loss f lives.

In his contribution, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, highlighting plans by the state government to grow the sector, said an inter-modal transportation master plan is already being implemented to link the rail, road and water such that by 2032, no resident of Lagos will need to walk more than 500 metres from his home to board any means of transportation.

Mobereola said apart from the blue line rail ongoing on OrileMile 2 corridor, six other light rail systems and a monorail line had been identified, with 20 water routes, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and 450 routes for high capacity buses, aimed at changing the face of public transportation in the megacity.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 8 , 2016 — 11

Mimiko pleads with workers as strike enters Day 8

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—AS the strike action embarked upon by workers in Ondo state entered its eighth day today, governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday appealed to the workers to bear with the state government and resume work.

Dr Mimiko promised to pay the workers and the pensioners in full very soon.

He said most state governor’s found it difficult to pay workers salaries because the allocation the states were getting from Abuja currently was not enough to run the government.

Dr Mimiko said that;”It is only restructuring that would solve the issue whereby the state government would be allowed to control their own resources. “ The situation in our country today is the totality of our income is not up to onethird of our salary and if we don’t run the government we will need three months allocation to pay one month salary. “ We used to a federal system before the military came but the advent of the military over the years have centralized our resources.

“I have said it several times and I am happy now many people are seeing it that the only way for us as a nation to face the quantum leap of development is to restructure this country.”

Meanwhile, workers in the state have insisted that they are not in a hurry to call off the strike because the state government had failed to give the workers any tangible offer that could make them to review the situation.

The state chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Sunday Adeleye said they will not call off the strike until the state government meet their demand to pay their five months outstanding salaries.

NHRC to probe alleged travel ban on gov

As Ekiti Assembly petitions NASS, Amnesty Int'l over issue

A

DO-EKITI—THE Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Prof Ben Angwe has said that the commission will investigate the travel restriction allegedly placed on the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and one other governor from the South South by the Federal Government.

Prof Angwe made this known while addressing members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, who were in his office yesterday, to submit a petition on the alleged placement of travel ban on Governor Fayose and the refusal of the Department of State Services, DSS, to obey a Federal High Court judgment, ordering the agency to pay N5 million damages for the illegal arrest and detention for 18 days of a member of the House, Hon Afolabi Akanni.

He commended members of the House of Assembly for their commitment to the sustenance of rule of law in the country and cooperation with the executive arm of government in Ekiti State, urging lawmakers in other States to emulate them.

Ekiti State House of Assembly had petitioned the NHRC, National Assembly, Amnesty International, Embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom over the alleged plot by the Federal Government to prevent Governor Fayose from traveling outside Nigeria without getting clearance from the DSS. The petition, which was signed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kolawole Oluwawole, was submitted by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Segun Adewumi; Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon Gboyega Aribisogan and Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr Samuel Omotoso.

The petition submitted to the NHRC reads partly; “We write to bring to your attention another impending infringement on the rights of the Governor of our State, Mr Ayodele Fayose and by extension the entire Ekiti by the Federal Government.

“We however know as always that this latest plot is as a result of our governor’s critical stance on President Mohammadu Buhari’s government and its anti-people’s policies, and we make bold to say that no amount of intimidation,

harassment and oppression will cowed the governor from exercising his fundamental rights to freedom of expression and to hold opinions as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of

Nigeria (as amended).’

“Our question is; if Governor Fayose has become a threat to the security of Nigeria just because he criticises President Buhari and says the truth about his mis-

governance of the country, what happens to Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which provided for freedom of expression and freedom to hold opinions?

FORUM ON EDUCATION: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during the rescheduled stakeholders' forum on the proposed participatory management of some public secondary schools in the state, in Ibadan, yesterday.

STRIKE: ANCOPSS, Speaker beg Ekiti workers

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO-EKITI—EKITi State chapter of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, has appealed to the striking workers in the state to sheath their swords and return to the negotiating table.

This was just as the Speaker

of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Kola Oluwawole, appealed to them to consider the holy month of Ramadan, to make peace with the state government over the issue of their unpaid salaries.

Workers in the state under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and Trade Union Congress, (TUC) had on

N8BN CBN CURRENCY SCAM: Court denies accused bail

I

BADAN—THE Federal High Court, Ibadan, yesterday refused the bail application of Sunday Adegoke, one of the accused, being tried for alleged eight billion naira CBN currency scam.

Justice Joyce Abdul-Maleek held that though the constitution conferred the powers to grant bail on judges, but the judge must follow laid down guidelines.

Abdul-Maleek said that in exercising the discretion, judges must examine the nature of the charge, evidence, sentence and the extent of the conviction.

She said that the above stated reasons were considered in refusing the ailing accused bail.

“Accordingly, this bail application has failed, it is refused and it is dismissed,” AbdulMaleek said.

The judge, however, adjourned the case to July 4, for continuation of trial.

It would be recalled that

Adegoke, who was the 8th accused person was reportedly undergoing serious health challenges which requires him to be taken out of the prison for proper treatment.

Adegoke had 15-count charge proffered against him.

26th of May declared an indefinite strike action over unpaid five months salaries.

ANCOPSS also urged the state’s arm of the labour to ensure that they separate politics from activism and reach a common ground with the state government.

The Principals spoke yesterday during the inauguration of the new state executives of the union.

They pressed for more understanding on the part of the labour in view of the fact that secondary students in the state are now sitting for their senior school examinations and the unified school examinations.

Mr. Biodun Omotosho, new President of ANCOPSS in the state said: “It is quite unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation.’’

Glo crashes cost of data, offers 2GB for N1,000

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IGERIA’S leading data network, Globacom, has introduced a new data regime that has seen the value of its data plans increase by up to 100 per cent.

The new data regime is tagged “Data Overload” and is designed to give Nigerian subscribers more access to the internet like no operator had done before.

Breaking down the offer in Lagos yesterday, Globacom

explained that the N1,000 data plan which would normally give the subscriber 1.5GB now gives 2GB, while the N2,000 plan which hitherto came with 3GB of data now has 6GB data.

Subscribers will also receive 10GB of data when they subscribe to the N2,500 plan instead of 5GB they used to receive before.

The new Data Overload is currently the most attractive as it offers the biggest data bundles for any price in the market.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Continues from page 5 Delta.

“But it is important to stress that as at this moment, the identity of the so-called Niger Delta Avengers and its allied militant group is yet unknown. The Federal Government cannot dialogue with faceless persons, except if those giving Federal Government conditions for dialogue will publicly tell Nigerians that they are speaking for the militants.

Engage true stakeholders— IYC

Reacting to the two-week ceasefire, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, urged the Federal Government to engage the right stakeholders in its plan to dialogue with Niger Delta militants.

IYC spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, said: “The IYC feels that the most important thing is for government to demonstrate sincerity and engage the right stakeholders without political considerations.

This is the only way the two weeks period for dialogue can achieve meaningful result.”

Good initiative – Ijaw in USA

Coordinator of Ijaws in USA, Dr David Ogula, said: “We have numbers of

Osinbajo meets S-South govs, service chiefs, others reports, communiques and resolutions that have documented the problems of the Niger Delta, what is needed is action, driven from a high-level on a massive scale similar to a Marshal Plan.”

The group called on wellmeaning Niger Delta people, home and abroad, to pledge commitment to collaborate with the government to break the cycle of violence and dysfunction, and build a stable, secure and prosperous region, which would translate into a stronger economy.

Stop shielding Avengers – MEND

MEND, which in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, confessed that many members of the Niger Delta Avengers involved in the current attacks were mostly its former commanders and fighters that accepted amnesty from the Federal Government in 2009 without clear understanding, said the bombings were unprovoked and pointless.

It stated: “However, we hereby remind our communities which harbour criminals such as

members of the NDA that their communities are not protected by the extant principles of international and/or municipal law during a conflict.”

destructive that the ones that took place in the past, stating that there was clearly better organization and targeting in the recent attacks.

Shell suspends repairs of Forcados export pipeline

Nigeria’s oil export dips below 1.3mbpd

In a similar development, hope of an increase in Nigeria’s crude oil export was dashed yesterday, as Shell Nigeria said repair works on the Forcados export pipeline had been discontinued due to rising insecurity in the Niger Delta.

Chief Financial Officer of Royal Dutch Shell, Simon Henry, who spoke at the company’s Annual Capital Market Day, said the company had to withdraw repair crews last week after a second attack against the 48-inch Forcados export pipeline that linked onshore storage tanks with an offshore port.

According to him, the company cannot operate or repair the facility if its people are threatened. He added that it was no longer possible at this time to complete the repair work this June, as earlier scheduled.

Henry described the current attacks as more

But Kachikwu, who addressed newsmen in Abuja, said Nigeria’s current total crude oil output was around 1.6 million, adding that after deducting the 445,000 barrels allocation meant for the refineries for local fuel consumption, the amount left for export was less than 1.3 million barrels daily.

He said: “In terms of exports, you know that usually, we tend to have a 60-40 per cent Joint Venture, JV, the 1.6 million barrels is a mixture of Production Sharing Contract, PSC, and JV production.

"The first is the 445,000 barrels which goes into our local production for the refined petroleum products that we see. If you take that out, we are probably at less than 1.3 million barrels in the export volume."

Bend backwards to end crisis, Saraki pleads with FG

As renewed militancy in

the Niger Delta cuts oil output by nearly half, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has appealed to the Federal Government to bend backwards and end the raging crisis in the region.

Although he condemned the destruction of oil facilities by the militants, Saraki said Nigeria must take urgent steps to stabilise the Niger Delta.

Saraki, who spoke to some journalists in Abuja, as part of activities marking his one year in office, said such peace effort didn’t necessarily need to be anchored on a new amnesty programme for the militants.

We are concerned about N-Delta Violence —US

Reacting to developments in the Niger Delta yesterday, US Mission to Nigeria said it was monitoring reports of attacks and other incidents in the region.

The Mission said in a statement: “We share the concerns of all Nigerians about these attacks.

Furthermore, the United States remains supportive of efforts, including the promotion of dialogue, to address grievances in the

Niger Delta. ”We encourage all parties to resolve their disputes through peaceful means and emphasize that human rights of all Nigerians must be protected.

"We continue to call on all Nigerians to persevere in efforts to achieve common goals: to end violence and curb the activities of criminal elements; to establish conditions and mechanisms for profound, positive, and lasting changes in the region; and to provide economic opportunity and needed services for residents of the Niger Delta."

Fayose lauds Buhari

On his part, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for choosing to negotiate with the Niger Delta militants, especially the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, and suspending military action.

“The President must face the reality that democracy is about negotiation and concession,” Fayose said.

He, however, said there must be display of absolute sincerity from the Federal Government such that the militants would have trust in the process.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—13

GOV POLL: Tension in Edo APC over alleged

buying of PVCs

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of the June 18, 2016 governorship primaries of All Progressives Congress, APC,there is palpable tension among the party faithful in the state over alleged buying and cloning of the delegates’ permanent voters’ cards by some of the leaders of the party to shore up support for a particular governorship aspirant.

Reacting to the alleged cloning of PVC, Edo State APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Godwin Erhahon, said the party condemned the dirty practice and warned all those involved to desist from it or face sanctions.

He said in a statement in Benin, yesterday that, “Complaints reaching our secretariat from various wards and local governments of Edo State revealed that some notable party leaders are going round collecting permanent voter’s Cards, PVCs, from state delegates preparatory to the June 18 governorship primaries.

the primaries. Edo APC hereby calls on the national leadership of the party to be pro-active and ensure that desperados do not succeed in their plot against the party.”

Vanguard gathered that the party’s concern over the alleged collection of PVCs from delegates was sequel to the alarm raised by two of its governorship aspirants, Engr.

Chris Ogiemwonyi and Gen. Charles Airhaivbere (retd) on the issue.

Oshiomhole's aide

Also, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Social Media, Mr. Curtis Ugbo, who was one of the delegates from Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area of the state that was called to a meeting at one of the party leader’s office, confirmed that delegates were asked to surrender their PVCs and described the development as a ‘rape on democracy.’

He said: “What is happening now is the same thing that played out in Bayelsa State governorship primaries. You will recall that I was part of the entourage that followed our governor to conduct the botched Bayelsa APC

primaries.

“He sent us to go outside and investigate what was happening outside the Samson Siasia stadium and we found out that the delegates' voters' cards had been collected from them prior to the day set for the primaries and had them cloned.

“So the actual delegates were locked outside the stadium while the fake ones where allowed inside the stadium.”

Confirming the collection of the voters card, former Chairman of Ikpoba Okha council, Itohan Ogbeide said we wanted to know those from our council and whether they have means of identification."

PVCs selling for N10,000, N20,000

“The leaders are said to be buying each PVC with N10,000 to N20,000 without explanation on what they intend to do with them. Some local government party chairmen are said to be threatening those who refused to submit their PVCs that their names would be deleted from the list of delegates. APC condemns this dirty practice and warn those involved to desist or face sanction.

“Delegates who have submitted their PVC to such leaders are hereby advised to retrieve them immediately as such upfront collection of voters or party membership cards is not part of requirement for the primaries.

“Nobody can delete any name from the delegate list as the authentic list has been released to stakeholders by the National Secretariat. Delegates whose PVCs are withheld by anybody should forward written protest to the national secretariat urgently and copy the Director of Department of State Service, DSS, Benin City.

Collection of PVCs from delegates

“Investigations by the secretariat revealed that the collection of PVCs from delegates is being undertaken by the campaign organisation of a particular governorship aspirant.

The purpose, according to reliable source, is to distribute the cards to loyalist of the particular aspirant to impersonate the delegate at the primary.

“Should their aspirant lose out in the primaries, they also intend to withhold the PVCs till after the September 10 general election to sabotage whoever emerged as APC governorship candidate at C M Y K

ARRAIGNED: Former President Goodluck Jonathan's cousin, Azibaola Roberts and his wife, when Roberts was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged diversion of $40 million, yesterday.

Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Seme Customs command generates N543m in May

L

By Ifeyinwa Obi

AGOS—THE Seme border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, generated N543 million revenue in May 2016.

A statement by the Customs Area Controller, Victor Dimka, said the Command made 98 seizures with a duty paid value, DPV, of N83m.

According to him, six suspected smugglers were also apprehended with the seizures made at different levels of investigations and prosecutions.

He disclosed that fairly used vehicles that were escorted on transit accounted for 70 percent of the duties collected, baggage assessment and other taxes accounted for 13 percent, while imported general goods accounted for 17 per cent of the total revenue during the period under review.

He said the drastic reduction in the importation of general goods occasioned by the high exchange rate and the low volume of economic activities across the frontier have had negative consequences on the revenue drive of the command.

However, he stressed that the increase in quantity of seizures

recorded with a correspondent decline in smuggling activities was as a result of the aggressive operation by the enforcement unit of the Command to ensure total compliance with guidelines

and procedures. “This has actually translated into exceptional seizures of greater magnitude in the month of May, 2016,” he said.

Delta community urges FG to stop NDDC's canal dredging

A

By Bartholomew Madukwe

SABA—OGHEYE/ UGBEGE coastline communities in Delta State, have called on the Federal Government and relevant governmental organisations to stop the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, from dredging a canal to link other neighbouring communities with theirs, without recourse to Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA. In a statement by Secretary of Ogheye- Eghoroke community, Mr Godfrey Mejebi, said “The other neighbouring communities are held by the stretch of land above 60 metres from the Atlantic Ocean.”

He described NDDC’s dredging of the canal as an

attempt to satisfy political interest and profit party affiliates and associates.

Mejebi noted that what they expected was for NDDC to pile and sand fill Ogheye/Ugbege coastline to shore up support, conserve and protect the communities and prevent upsurge and erosion effect of the Atlantic Ocean on the communities.

“In blatant disregard for the environmental standards, laws and the right of indigenous communities and people, the NDDC has commenced the dredging of the Ogheye/ Ugbege/Araromi canal through its servant and privies, Awaritse Nig. Ltd connecting a tributary of the River Niger to the Atlantic coastline,” he said.

Army warns youths against cultism

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— ARMY, yesterday, warned cultists in Rivers State to change their ways or be ready to be crushed.

Speaking against the backdrop of weekend’s cult war in some communities in the state that led to the death of about 27 persons, including two soldiers, the army said it was set to take on the hoodlums if they failed to give up cultism.

Spokesman of 2 Amphibious Brigade, Port Harcourt, Captain Lazarus Eli in a statement, yesterday, said the army will smoke out cultists and brigands from the various communities, adding that those arrested will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law.

“The cultists are hereby warned to surrender their arms and turn away from their evil ways. Therefore, I wish to state unequivocally that any such attacks on any community will be met with full military action. The viciousness and bestiality displayed by these cultists in killing their rivals have no place in any civilised society.

The level of violence and carnage recorded in the past few days must be eschewed and denounced by all peace loving and law abiding people of Rivers State. Those involved must never be allowed to go unpunished,” he said.

He called on parents and guardians to give special attention to their children and wards to ensure they don’t belong to cult groups.

Mrs Elizabeth Nwazulu for burial

M

RS. Elizabeth Nwazulu, 91, of Ihiala, Anambra State is dead. She will be buried on June 10, 2016 in her home town, Ihiala. She is survived by children and many relations, including Charles Zulu, MD, Planedel Ventures Ltd.

Late Elizabeth Nwazulu.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Portland Paints restructures operation for profitability

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

HE Chairman of Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, has said that the company has commenced a restructuring exercise to put the company back on the path of growth and profitability.

He revealed that the company was in the process of raising fresh capital via a Rights Issue as part of the restructuring measures.

He spoke, yesterday, while addressing shareholders at the company ’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, saying that the restructuring followed a challenging 2015 business year, which affected its operations negatively.

He said the company would continue to seek growth opportunities to deliver returns to shareholders, adding that the company ’s restructuring exercise was focused on strengthening internal efficiencies and reviewing its routemarket model to build a sustainable business.

UI STUDENTS' PROTEST: From left— former Vice Chancellor, Professor Ayo Banjo; Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Emilolorun Ayelari, and Registrar, Mr. Olujimi Olukoya, all of the University of Ibadan, at a parents/stakeholders' forum on students' protest.

Buhari writes Senate: Osinbajo is Acting President

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, told the Senate that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will act on his behalf as President for the 11 days he would be on medical vacation to the United Kingdom, UK. In a letter to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, President Buhari said he was writing in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to the letter, which was read at plenary yesterday by Deputy President of the Senate, Ike

RAMADAN TALK with Ishola-Haroon Balogun

Who are those exempted?

FASTING in Ramadan is a duty every adult Muslim of sound mind, good health and not in transit must perform. Thus, those who are not required to fast are non-Muslims, people with insanity, little children, the ill, the aged, travellers and women who are in their menstruation or postnatal periods, pregnant or breast-feeding.

However, some of these people are not required to fast at all, such as the non-Muslims and people with insanity; while some will have to pay back later when their conditions improve. The aged, for instance, will not get younger, so they are required to do fidyah. So also those with protracted illnesses, or those who have recovered yet find fasting as being too much of a strain on their health.

Women, who are pregnant or breast-feeding may not fast if they fear for themselves or for their babies on the basis that fasting will impede the flow of breast milk or hinder a mother from carrying out her statutory duty of nursing or breast-feeding the baby or on the advice of a competent doctor.

They are still required to pay

back their missed fast at a later date, though. A lot of women get confused at this point by engaging in fidyah. Feeding the poor as compensation for Ramadan fasting is premised on when the situation will not improve in the nearest future.

Nursing or breast-feeding mothers can be freed from this task at a later time, so they will fast before the next Ramadan.

Aisha (r.t.a) said: “When we had our periods at the time of the Prophet, we were ordered to compensate for fasting but not for prayers.” (Related by AlBukhari and Muslim).

To explain further, those who are ill and hope to recover and those who are travelling may not fast, but they have to compensate by fasting later.

Allah says in the Qur’an: “But he who is ill or on a journey shall fast, instead, for same number of days later on.” (2: 185). A healthy person who fears to get ill by fasting is treated as ill; he is exempt from fasting.

As for those who are travelling, the question arises: which is preferable, fasting or not

Ekweremadu, who presided, the President said he would be away from June 6 to 16.

The letter read: “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, I wish to inform the distinguished Senate that I will be away on a short medical vacation from June 6 to 16, and while I am away, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of my office.

“Please, accept, as always assurances of my highest esteemed consideration.”

It would be recalled that President Buhari had, last week, visited the Aso Villa clinic, where he was treated for an ear infection. fasting base on the distance, fatigue and convenience? The Hanafi, Shafi and Maliki schools of thoughts prefer fasting for anyone who finds it easy. Not fasting is preferable for those who find fasting too much of a strain.

The distance, which qualifies a traveller to make use of the exemption, is the same which qualifies for shortening prayers.

Some scholars say a minimum standard of three marches is prescribed by some commentators of the Quran.

Others make it more precise by saying the journey is equivalent to 48 miles. Again that is on foot.

However, there are various degrees of fatigue whether on horse riding, motor car, train, or aeroplane. Yusuf Ali opines that the standard must depend on the means of mobility and the relative resources of the traveller.

Lastly, those required to do Fidyah: read Quran 2:184.

Scholars, who commented on that verse, said it is a concession to aged men and women who can hardly fast, or those whose condition, that prevented them from fasting ab initio, will not improve. Then they can do fidyatu-toham.

May Allah accept it as act of Ibadan.

Ramadan Kareem!

The presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, had however, claimed that the President was hale and hearty, thereby casting doubts on the rumours.

However, Adesina made a Uturn last Sunday, and admitted that President Buhari had an ear infection and would, therefore, travel to the United Kingdom for a 10-day medical vacation.

Ex-President Jonathan’s cousin remanded in prison custody

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, remanded a cousin to former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibaola, in prison custody.

Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, ordered that Azibaola remained at Kuje Prison, Abuja, pending the determination of his application for bail.

The order was made shortly after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, docked

Azibaola and his wife, Stella, on a seven-count criminal charge.

They were alleged to have received a $40 million contract from detained former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Also arraigned over charges bordering on conspiracy, fraud and money laundering, was a company allegedly owned by the couple, Oneplus Holding Limited.

Though the court remanded Azibaola, it allowed his wife to further enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted her by EFCC. Justice Dimgba fixed Wednesday to hear and rule on the defendants’ bail applications.

Senate to establish National Poverty Eradication Commission

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—THE Senate has begun the process of establishing a National Poverty Eradication Commission to provide a database of all issues relating to poverty in the country.

Speaking, yesterday, at a Joint Public Hearing on a Bill for an Act to Establish National Poverty Eradication Commission, organised by Joint Committees on Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare, National Planning and Economic Affairs, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said the bill,

which the upper chambers considered very important, would help end a major problem in the country.

Represented at the opening of the public hearing by the Senate Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, Saraki noted that the commission would help to address and eradicate poverty in the country.

Saraki said: “We should contribute in an interactive manner towards strengthening the provisions and discuss flaws or loopholes that may exist in this critical piece of legislation.

“The Senate considers the bill as one of its priority pieces of legislation because it aims to put an end to an issue that many Nigerians suffer from daily.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—15

S/East town unions reject proposed grazing reserves

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—ASSOCIATION of South East Town Unions, ASETU, has rejected plans by the Federal Government to establish grazing reserves across the nation to end the frequent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its expanded national executive council meeting in Aba, Abia State, and signed by the Chairman, Chief Emeka Diwe as well as Presidents and Secretaries of the five state chapters of the zone, the Union condemned the incessant invasion of farmlands, raping of women and wanton killings by gun wielding herdsmen and called on the Federal Government to rethink the plan as it is capable of aggravating the already tensed situation.

“We remind the Federal Government that cattle rearing is a private business just like selling motor spare parts and other trades. It then becomes suspicious when government devotes special interest to make a legislation to give people’s land to nomads with the seal of authority.

"Communities of the South East

of Nigeria have no land to surrender as grazing reserves and therefore, any effort to take our lands will be sternly resisted.

Our concern is that the Federal Government had for a very long time not taken any definite step to halt the assaults.

“We do know that South Easterners doing their private

businesses in other parts of Nigeria duly negotiate and settle satisfactorily for their shops and business premises, both with individuals and government agencies. Why should that of Fulani herdsmen be an exception?” the communiqué asked.

The Union stated that it would

continue to ensure that peace reigns in the communities of the South East zone, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take drastic steps to check the excesses of Fulani herdsmen in order not to force the people to resort to self-defence.

MEETING: Governor Rochas Okorocha (3rd right), Chief John Oyegun, All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman (2nd left); Gov. Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi State (left), Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State (2nd right), and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey (right), during their meeting in Owerri over the killing of an Igbo woman in Kano, yesterday. See story on page 34.

Enough of the killings, group warns security operatives

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—THE Buhari South-East Youths Movement, BUSEYM, has condemned last week’s killing of scores of pro-Biafra activists in Onitsha, Anambra State, saying that the security operatives overstepped their bounds.

The group warned that such uncivilized killings cannot

achieve the peace and unified Nigeria being sought by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the group, despite pockets of crises in parts of the country, what was paramount for President Buhari was the unity of Nigeria.

Rising from its National Executive Council in Enugu, BUSEYM condemned the killings, saying that “the Police

and other security operatives went too far in their rules of engagement.”

BUSEYM, however, cautioned any group agitating for the dismemberment of Nigeria to have a re-think, insisting they should present their grievances to the government in an acceptable manner for consideration.

A statement issued after the

....MASSOB denies parleying with Obiano 'Allegation is distraction'

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) denied yesterday that its leadership met with Governor Willie Obiano, urging the Anambra State government not to link it with acts capable of undermining the integrity of the movement and Igbo people.

A statement by MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu described the alleged bribe allegation against MASSOB as a distraction at a time Ndigbo were still mourning the massacre of her people by security operatives during this year’s Biafra Day celebration.

The MASSOB statement, which was made available to reporters in Awka read: “The attention of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign C M Y K

State of Biafra (MASSOB) has been drawn to a destructive rumour going round in Anambra State that Governor Willie Obiano had induced MASSOB with monetary leverage to compromise its activities and the struggle for Biafra actualization.

“We want to state clearly that the reformed MASSOB can never be bought or hijacked by political elements and we cannot compromise or sabotage the struggle for emancipation and survival of our people.

“MASSOB warns the government of Anambra State to stop dragging the name of MASSOB or Biafra to the mud.

We have not sent anybody or group of people to represent MASSOB in any capacity in their dealings with pro- Biafra groups and anybody or group of people who claim to represent or were sent by MASSOB in any capacity to deal with Anambra State government, is fake.

“In as much as MASSOB is willing to partner or work with other Igbo groups, state governments and individuals, it must be for the Igbo and Biafra interest and it must not compromise the ultimate goal of Ndigbo.

“MASSOB will continue to represent the genuine interest of Ndigbo with selflessness, total commitment and consistency.

“MASSOB will continue to hold Governor Obiano responsible for the murderous killings of members of pro Biafra groups in Nkpor by Nigeria security agencies”.

The movement urged Governor Obiano to hearken to the cries of the people residing at Okpoko, Obodoukwu road, Ogbuagu - Ik Onuoha Street, Amazu Road, Mgbemena street, Nwaziki street, among other areas in Onitsha, by rehabilitating roads in the area in the interest of the people.

meeting and jointly signed by the group’s Director-General and National Publicity Secretary, Engr.

Nwabueze Onwuneme and Mr. Igwe Samuel Obinna, respectively, noted that there is no law in Nigeria empowering security operatives to kill protesters.

“BUSEYM condemns in totality, the killing of our brothers and sisters by security operatives in some towns in the South-East geo-political zone on May 30, 2016. While BUSEYM also frowns at the activities of these youths who are agitating for secession, we make haste to add that there is no law that empowers Nigerian security operatives to kill protesters.

“Life is sacred, and due process must be adhered to in dealing with protesters. We further make haste to state that the relevant authorities must fish out the overzealous security operatives behind these dastardly acts and punish them accordingly,” the group said.

“BUSEYM also uses this opportunity to appeal to our fellow youths and women of South-East extraction agitating for secession to come to the negotiation table to air their grievances and seek political solutions to political challenges.

"The socio-economic marginalization of the South-East geo-political zone did not start with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari," the group said.

Anambra boundary dispute: A’Court upturns High court's decision

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has upheld an appeal filed by leaders of Umuomaku community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra state who are claiming that the actual boundary between them and their neighbouring Ezira community also in the Orumba South council area is at Aghomili River, as decided by the state Boundary Committee and not across the River as is being claimed by Ezira community.

In a unianimous judgement read by Justice Misitura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuff and supported by two others, Justices Tom Shaibu Yakubu and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, the court said the appeal has merit and is hereby allowed, because the suit filed by the respondents at the state High court which ruled in their favour, was not properly constituted by due process of law.

The appellate court therefore dismissed the lower court judgement for incompetence.

Ogunsanya for burial

P

ASTOR OLASENI Ogunsanya, 60, who died on May 25, 2016, will be buried at Atan Cemetery, Yaba on June 10, after a church service at RCCG, Dominion Sanctuary, Region 19 Headquarters, 1, Vori Close, off Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja.

The wake will hold tomorrow at Tender Care International School, Adigun Avenue, Magodo Phase 1, Isheri, Lagos He is survived by his widow, Hon. Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya and his children

Late Pastor Ogunsanya

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 —17

I

T stands to reason that to achieve our common goal (a society where corruption is no longer the norm) we must first become a country where people are ashamed to be seen as corrupt.

One good thing has come out of the moves by some politicians to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from publishing the names of those accused of looting funds: looters now feel a certain stigma is attached to their actions.

Faced with public anger, we are finally inching towards a point where officials do care about public perception. The violence and arrogance of military rule gave politicians the impression of being god-like and untouchable, unquestionable in all things.

They could claim, like David Mark once did, that mobile phones were not for the poor, revealing their complete contempt for the masses as well as their profound, misunderstanding of development. Suddenly, looters of public funds, whoever they might be, want to shield their devious actions from the public eye. What changed?

Simply, the will to do something about corruption, the single most powerful issue at the root of all others keeping us from progress.

Professor Itse Sagay recently said in an interview (about the Federal Government’s refusal to publish the list of people from whom it has recovered government funds): “I believe the government feels that if you name names, those who are about to come out and also bring out whatever has been looted, would withdraw”.

Pragmatic strategies For him, it is about “encouraging others, who are still hiding their loot and speculating what to do, to come out and hand over the loot”. I don’t disagree with pragmatic strategies for the recovery of stolen funds.

However, the idea that those in possession of our commonwealth are still allowed to “speculate” and weigh their options is the crux of our problem as a country. Prof Sagay further stated there was also, probably, the desire not to “embarrass” those who received government funds without the knowledge funds were stolen.

Indeed, one cannot prove without any doubt that everyone who receives government funds knows exactly where they come from, in a country where

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Beyond naming and shaming: New laws to punish collaborators of corruption

•President Buhari government business is the only real business to begin with. The anti-corruption drive has tangibly revealed a lot of issues relating to our functioning as a society, which were previously abstractly

Most of those we call millionaires today started their businesses in nefarious ways and continue to be aided by government policies in their favour discussed as we all covered up both their real existence and effects. Herein lies another fundamental issue: the

•Prof Itse Sagay untrustworthiness of successive governments, which many either knew of or suspected yet accepted for their own personal gain. I’ve said many times in this column that many Nigerians have no love for this country and it is no news that we’ve all collectively contributed to its destruction.

We’re paying for it all today, now that there is no money to pay militants, and no money to do the things we should have done almost 50 years ago; in essence, develop this country to prevent the violence and sectional conflicts which are the norm today.

“Can one really blame those who chose to do business with corrupt governments?” The cynical might say: “What else is there to do in Nigeria?” Those with some morals or ethics might ask if it is so farfetched to imagine that some people would rather live quietly and without ostentation than get their hands dirty or have their names and reputations sullied by corruption.

In answer to the question, BMW

once profited from Nazi slave labour; its main business was the supply of arms to the Nazis, and for this, the company, like many others, was later sanctioned.

Anyone who believes corruption isn’t a crime against humanity should visit Ogoniland today and attempt to legitimately live or even survive in such a polluted area, or go to Chibok to speak to mothers who haven’t seen or heard from their daughters in two years, or go all around this country to see children deprived of an education succumbing to violent religious fervour; unemployed graduates turning to crime, etc.

We must begin to see those guilty of corruption (and their associates) as enemies of the state, but you might still say, what about those who really didn’t know the funds they’d received were stolen?

To start with, what exactly does the ambiguous “doing business with government” mean? Every governor, minister, politician, has beneficiaries, side-kicks who

Ogoni clean-up N

IGER Delta governors should be the first to answer questions about the region’s underdevelopment.

Second, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, then our successive Federal Governments which created a situation where criminal elements exploit the region’s poverty for their own gain.

Who exactly are the Niger Delta Avengers “avenging” now that government, in accordance with the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, 2011 report,

has commenced the Ogoni land clean-up? How ironic, for groups so obsessed with ethnicity and religion, to see a Hausa-Fulani man do the right thing. It just proves right and wrong have neither ethnic nor religious coloration.

Consistent miscomm-unication (e.g. denial of Buhari’s illness only to later announce his travels), *Clean up of Ogoni land in confusion over issues that needn’t be misunderstood (Buhari didn’t enough understanding of destroy our healthcare system), policies, or the eloquence to exist because those convey the part Buhari has come communicating don’t possess to play in Nigeria’s story. Rather,

progress this government’s PR is as arrogant as all the other governments’. What a waste of goodwill.

financially (and illegally) benefit from the association. Such people cannot claim not to know the origin of funds they receive: shielding their names from public scrutiny amounts to subtly telling Nigerians that there is still a hiding place for corruption.

Corruption is our only real industry in this country, most of those we call millionaires today started their businesses in nefarious ways and continue to be aided by government policies in their favour. Without corruption, many of our so-called top businessmen wouldn’t be creative enough to compete and create products to fulfil any real need.

The ugly truth is that we must purge the society of the willing collaborators, fronts and aides corruption has found over the years. When will we stop punishing the assailants of corruption and punish those who are guilty?

It is rumoured that a former President was among those who prevailed on President Buhari not to name the looters because “mobs” would go after them. If they were so afraid, they should have considered the right of the “mob” to a decent life in the first place. Beyond the actual looters, I am more worried about their beneficiaries who are ready to create many problems for government and for Nigerians, as their source of wealth is increasingly threatened. There is truly a group of unscrupulous persons holding Nigeria back.

Serving public officials The real mob in Nigeria isn’t comprised of the poor and destitute. It’s the associates of serving public officials replicated across the country who know all about these people’s alleged misdeeds yet failed to report them.

Our entire system has protected corruption: what will happen to the MDs of the banks that accepted funds allegedly meant for bribing INEC officials?

Virtually every institution in Nigeria is compromised but let us not be disheartened. Other countries have successfully purged themselves of cancers (the most notable example might be post- war Germany after Nazi rule) and we can do it with special courts to circumvent a corrupt judiciary.

It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible, if we, the people, decide to support the process and to continuously make a lot of noise about it. We must also monitor the Senate’s passage of the new anticorruption bills and make sure they aren’t watered down.

Our survival as a country depends on it. It’s no coincidence that armed groups appeared once the elite’s livelihood was challenged. In the words of Jonathan Swift, an English satirist: “I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed”.

*Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 A bill that will put constituency projects as part of the annual budgets of the Federal Government has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

If it becomes law, the Federal Government will be compelled to set aside, at least, 2.5 per cent of its total appropriations for concrete projects, which members of the Senate and House of Representatives will “attract” to their constituencies, as opposed to merely making laws for the country.

Members of the Legislative arm have been struggling since the introduction of our presidential system of government in 1979 to be “more relevant” among their constituents by being able to bring home amenities to help in improving their quality of life.

They have often been at odds with the Executive branch because constituency projects are seen as a Legislative trespass into an area reserved for the Executive.

Caution on constituency projects Bill We are firmly opposed to this constituency projects pursuit by legislators, as that is ultra vires to their place in the presidential system we are practising. It is an executive function. Any lawmaker who is interested in carrying out contracts and projects should consider contesting for executive positions.

Constituency project proliferation will worsen the effect of over-centralisation of governance in an atmosphere where the calls for decentralisation are becoming more strident. It also stands the risk of increasing the number of abandoned mushroom projects as lawmakers come and

go, since every lawmaker would want to point at things that could be exclusively credited to him or her.

We urge political actors to resist the temptation of crossing the lines when it comes to legislative and executive matters. These are clearly spelt out in our constitution. It is only in a parliamentary democracy that legislators can also be a cabinet members and thus combine legislative and executive functions.

The Presidential system of government draws a clear line between the Legislature and Executive under the principle of

separation of powers. The essence of this is to encourage checks and balances and prevent dictatorship and overbearing attitudes among governmental actors.

H o w e v e r, t h e s y s t e m a l s o envisages that both arms of government should work in harmony for the wheel of good governance to roll smoothly. The operation of the presidential system makes a big demand on the sense of maturity and statesmanship of its actors on both sides of the governmental scale.

We, therefore, urge the House of Representatives to step down this “Constituency Bill” even before it gets to the President’s table, where it might not be honoured by being signed into l a w. L e g i s l a t o r s ’ p o w e r s o f appropriation, legislation and oversight render them relevant enough in governance.

It smacks of legislative impunity to attempt to short-circuit the system.

OPINION

We can't be free until they're free (2) Continues from yesterday

By Eric Teniola E cannot but make reference to the British in discussing our W National problem because they created Nigeria along with the mess that we are still coping with. It should be noted that the first discovery of oil in Nigeria in-bloc OML 29 onshore at Oloibiri in Ogbia Local government of the present Bayelsa state was made on January 15, 1956 and production did not start until 1958. I am not sure Sir Willink was aware of the discovery of oil before making the suggestion.

But the 1963 constitution married the suggestion of Sir Willink. In section 159 of that constitution “(1) there shall be a board for the Niger Delta which shall be styled the Niger Delta Development Board. (2) The members of the Board shall be- a person appointed by the President, who shall be chairman; a person appointed by the Governor of Eastern Nigeria; a person appointed by the Governor of Mid-Western Nigeria; and such other persons as may be appointed in such manner as may be prescribed by Parliament to represent the inhabitants of the Niger Delta. (3) A member of the Board shall vacate his office in such circumstances as may be prescribed by Parliament.

(4) The Board shall be responsible for

advising the Government of the Federation and the Governments of Eastern Nigeria and Mid-Western Nigeria with respect to the physical development of the Niger Delta, and in order to discharge that responsibility the Board shall—cause the Niger Delta to be surveyed in order to ascertain what measures are required to promote its physical development; prepare schemes designed to promote the physical development of the Niger Delta, together

There seems to be a disconnect between them and us. We don’t seem to understand them and they don’t understand us with estimates of the costs of putting the schemes into effect; submit to the Government of the Federation and the Governments of Eastern Nigeria and MidWester n Nigeria annual reports describing the work of the Board and the measures taken in pursuance of its advice, Parliament may make such provision as it considers expedient for enabling the Board to discharge its function under this section. In this section, “the Niger Delta” means the area specified in the Proclamation relating to the Board which was made on the twenty-sixth day of August, 1959 and lastly this section shall

cease to have effect on the first day of July, 1969, or such later date as may prescribed

by Parliament.”

No region in Nigeria has so far been designated as “special areas” except the Niger Delta and no region also has suffered environmental calamity as Niger Delta now with no land and no water with heavy military presence.

It was the spirit of Willink report that gave birth to Decree 22 of 1992 which led to the creation of Oil Minerals Producing Commission (OMPADEC). Same to NDDC. Same to the Amnesty programme.

Contrary to recommendations of Sir Willink states have been created in the region as well as local governments yet the problem persists. So when you read about oil fields been bombed in Niger Delta and ugly incidents, one is bound to ask, ‘ what do these people really want?’, We need to go beyond asking such a question. There seems to be a disconnect between them and us. We don’t seem to understand them and they don’t understand us. At times they don’t understand themselves. The situation in the region is much more complex than imagined.

One of their leaders Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro (1938-1968) while being sentenced to death by hanging for fighting the cause of Niger Delta as the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force

by Justice Phil Ebosie in Port Harcourt on March 27, 1966 under the regime of General Thomas Johnson Umanakwe

Aguiyi Ironsi(1924-1966) said his people “had long sought to separate not because they loved power but because their conditions were peculiar and the authorities did not understand our problems. There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. What is wrong with us is the total lack of mercy in our activities”.

To the people of Niger Delta, I plead that violence has never solved and will never solve any problem.

I have visited the Niger Delta area several times and with billions of naira poured into that region by the central, states and local governments and oil companies also for developments, it is still the same old story-misery, frustration, poverty, neglect, militancy, etc.

A leadership that emerged from there recently, failed to address the chronic problems of the region and made worse their plight by distributing massive wealth to just few who eventually lost focus.

In spite of that, the central government cannot give up on Niger Delta which at present provides most of Nigeria’s wealth, just like the government cannot give up on other parts of the country too including the north east region that is completely devastated today as a result of religious insurgency. In the words of James Baldwin (1924-1987), the black American novelist in his essay titled, MY DUNGEON SHOOK,” We cannot be free until they are free”.

Concluded

*Mr.Teniola, a former director at the presidency, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Policy flip-flop as crisis in the education sector HE Nigerian education sector is in a state of crisis. It T has been for quite a long time now.

What Nigerians observe today as signs of the abnormal in the education sector are by no means new. They are carry-over ailments from the past. But what makes things critical about the crisis of Nigerian education is not simply that there are long time issues that require urgent attention. Indeed there would always be issues to address as even the best planned educational systems in the world also have their own issues to grapple with. Rather what is frightening about our situation is the additional problem that those entrusted with the task of running the country’s education, the policy formulators and implementers, are at a loss as to what steps to take to address the challenges confronting the education of our youthful population, challenges which get more complicated by the day.

A case in point is the Federal government’s decision, announced last week, to scrap post-UTME tests.

This decision follows years of long debate as to the relevance or not of these tests which were designed to bring more rigour to the process of

selecting candidates for the country’s universities. We shall return shortly to the debates surrounding these tests but let us first examine those crisis issues that led to the introduction of individualised tests after the general one conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board.

One major area of crisis in this country’s education is how to roll back if not halt what is blithely referred to as the fall in the standard of education. And this socalled fall is noticeable across all strata of the education sector, from the most basic primary school level to the tertiary education level. Indeed the rot which often becomes glaring at the tertiary levels have their roots in the primary level, gets transferred to the secondary and eventually on to the tertiary level. Nigerian universities today reflect the rot one can easily see in the larger society where they haven’t been completely taken over by the more deplorable influences that are to be found in the outside world. Both students and their faculties are part of the rot but when attention turns to the question of falling standards it is often the students,

products of these institutions, that are in focus.

Thus, when after decades of conducting matriculation examination into the country’s universities and products of these exams fail to justify the high scores often attributed to them by JAMB, universities started questioning the process through which the students were examined and how this could be contributing to the poor standard of those who find their way into the universities.

University administrators and teachers were confronted with the bitter irony of students said to have performed poorly in JAMBmoderated exams doing far better than those who were offered admission on the basis of their high

The quality of our educational institutions, especially the universities will only get worse as one foolish policy replaces another. No progress will be possible until we disavow systemic corruption scores in JAMB exams. What this anomaly indicated was that there was something fishy about the process put in place by JAMB. The situation was not helped by reports and cases of mass leakages of exam questions or the placement of students in so-called special centres where exam malpractices are the norm. In all of this, the conduct of JAMB officials couldn’t be said to have been above board- no pun intended.

What many Nigerians, especially teachers who have to deal with the intellectual dregs

disguised as scholars by JAMBwhat many had to contend with was the question of how a respected body as JAMB that made so much from sales of form could degenerate to the level where its officials who had become gods in their own right connive to subvert the selection process they had created. It was no secret that rich parents and others with the right connections were buying admission for their children and wards through various means that all meant but one thing: JAMB was corrupt. The corruption in JAMB coupled with the envy that the universities had of the killing it was making from the sale of forms were factors in the call for the scrapping of JAMB. JAMB, it could be seen, was making so much money even as it sent half-baked secondary school products for admission in universities at a time when these universities were struggling financially. JAMB’s gain was therefore at the expense of the universities. For a Federal Government that was bent on maintaining its hold on JAMB and perpetrating some of its objectives of ‘unity in diversity’, returning to the pre-JAMB years when each university conducted its admission exams would be a setback.

The universities would not give up their autonomy to select candidates for admission. What then came out of these disagreements was the compromise situation in which universities were allowed to conduct post-UTME tests, tests that to a large extent made nonsense of the general exams conducted by JAMB. This seemed to satisfy many for a while. But like everything Nigerian, the post-UTME tests would themselves be the focus of criticism as they soon succumbed to the same ailments that bedevilled JAMB'- corruption. The reason again is partly moneyrelated. The tests became avenues

Ugwuanyi and the potency of diplomatic where an incumbent governor will long to of governance in the state by discarding antigovernance consult and interface with genuine democratic notion of a governor knowing-itBy Nwobodo Chidiebere

“Constructive diplomacy doesn’t mean relinquishing one’s right. It means engaging with one’s counterparts, on the basis of equal footing and mutual respect, to address shared concerns and achieve shared objectives.”

—Hassan Rouhani N a democratic system of governance like Iadjudged, ours, strategic diplomacy has been tested and trusted as the best

approach to finding lasting remedies to burning issues of governance. Great and agelong results have been made possible through constructive engagement and dialogue with relevant stakeholders than by the use of dictatorial methodology.

The developed democracies of the world like America and Great Britain have elevated potency of diplomacy-cum-diplomatic skills in managing public affairs issues creditably. The advancement of democracy and its culminating effects on the development of these countries cannot be detached from the values they placed on diplomacy—which is the sturdy foundation of democratic governance setting benchmark to our contemporary world.

In fact, America, for instance, rate and evaluate its presidential hopefuls on their diplomatic capacities more than other qualities, because the American President will not run the White House alone, but from time to time dialogue with congressmen and women, business tycoons in Wall Street, ICT magnates in Silicon Valley and other relevant stakeholders before major economic or socio-political policies are introduced and allowed to scale through the Congress.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, Enugu State has never witnessed a situation

stakeholders and iron-out grey edges before arriving at a consensus, in implementation of polices. There is no doubt that Governor Ugwuanyi has not only redefined standard of stakeholders and community engagements in the Coal City via dialogue and diplomacy, but rewritten political template of Eastern hub, used previously by his predecessors in the art of governance.

Before now, Enugu State had executive governors who operated like demi-gods, called the shots and determined who-getswhat without consultations with critical stakeholders and opinion moulders. They never bothered with or alluded to the overriding interests of Enugu people, provided they were in absolute control of the state government apparatus.

Erstwhile, governors of the state were feared more than respected. They propagated and enforced political ideology of absoluteness of power—which was averse to fundamentals of 21st century democracy.

Emergence of Ugwuanyi as governor of Enugu State in 2015 changed the narrative

Many of our intolerant leaders, view a critic as an enemy instead of seeing him as someone opposing their ideas of governance and not their personalities

all and arrogating all the powers indiscriminately to himself. As a meekhearted and open-minded man, he descended from his Olympian height as Chief Executive Officer of the state to pedestrian rabble to get connected to as much grass-rooters and all sincere stakeholders who are interested in development of the state via his diplomatic prowess and strategic tactics of all-inclusive government—where every Tom, Dick and Harry is carried along in the day-day running of the state.

Importation of Western-style of diplomatic governance in administering the state has helped in creating comparative peaceful and conducive environment for strategic economic and political developments. Without mincing words, Gov. Ugwuanyi has won so many political battles in the state without firing single shot. His stakeholder’s engagement policy is in line with proven democratic norm that jaw-jaw is better than war-war.

He has been able to accommodate (at least to a reasonable extent), intriguing aspirations of all entrenched interests of diverse political power blocks in the state, through his diplomatic tendencies-cuminexhaustible government-community stakeholders engagement windows.

In the spirit of objectivity, I will like to state without fear of contradiction, that one of the qualities going for Gov. Ugwuanyi, is his democratic-cum-diplomatic abilities to consult and rob minds with even his critics, not with ill-intention of wooing them over but to fashion out other elaborate ways of ensuring speedy development of the state.

I have written articles in the past vehemently chastising the governor, especially on his recent handling of invasion and massacre of villagers in Nimbo community by Fulani herdsmen, not out

through which many universities made money through the sale of forms. A lot of the funds that came from these exams which are often conducted to scam candidates go into private pockets.

They are sources of bitter disputes among managements of universities, administrators and teachers. Entrance forms are deliberately sold far in excess of available slots. In the end more candidates, often through so-called supplementary lists, are offered admission beyond the carrying capacities of the universities. The very purpose of the post-UTME tests are easily defeated because the focus is on making money rather than achieving improvement in the quality of candidates offered admission.

While universities smile to the bank,the quality of students offered admission get worse.

Clamours started rising for the scrapping of the post-UTME tests.

This was another way of asking for the return to JAMB’s monopoly of the tertiary education admission process. This is what is responsible for the flip-flop in policy, the kind that has now resulted to the scrapping of the post-UTME tests.

Given what happened under JAMB before now, the latest decision may not represent any progress.

Corruption is at the root of our educational crisis and until relevant stakeholders learn to follow the path of rectitude and begin to think in terms of what is best for the country, making and implementing policies directed at the common good rather than servicing parochial interests, no meaningful gains would be recorded. The quality of our educational institutions, especially the universities will only get worse as one foolish policy replaces another. No progress will be possible until we disavow systemic corruption.

of hate for the governor but love for my dear state, Enugu. What baffles me is the unperturbed manner at which he welcomes harsh criticisms. He sees opposing views as part of the nitty-gritty of real peopleoriented government.

Ironically, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s diplomatic approach to issues of state governance enables him to see his critics as partners in progress, instead of sworn enemies who must be decimated at all cost. He believes in the wisdom of Edward Murrow that: “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.

When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of democracy dies with it”. This is unprecedented of a leader in a society that thrives on sycophancy and hypocrisy.

Many of our intolerant leaders, out of sheer incompetence and lack of democratic ethos, view a critic as an enemy instead of seeing him as someone opposing their ideas of governance and not their personalities.

Gov. Ugwuanyi’s political ideology is hedged on this understanding that it is through constructive opposition of ideas that we can learn the rudiments of constitutional democracy, promote principle of selftransformation and work towards intellectual osmosis and synergy for a better governed society. President Buhari-led APC government should borrow a leaf from Gov. Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on how to engage relevant stakeholders irrespective of their political party affiliation and contrary opinions, than terming every critic a “looter” and marked for extra-judicial incarceration.

I Gov. Ugwuanyi has set the pace on potency of diplomatic governance which I recommend to other elected and appointed officers who see the people as mere subjects that must be seen and not heard. Stifling of opposing views has never helped any government; rather it isolates the government from the yearnings of the masses, which in turn incite the people against their leaders.

*Mr Nwobodo, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Unending woes for investors as value of shares drops by N42.3 bn

By Peter Egwuatu

I

NVESTORS’ woes continued for the second stock market trading day as value of shares yesterday plummeted by N42.3 billion.

On Monday, investors lost over N12.3 billion, thus making it a total loss of over N54.6 billion in two trading days.

Afrinvest analysts however hinted that investors will likely continue to lose money in the market this week. ”We expect the downtun trend to continue tomorrow (Wednesday). However, the market may swing positive towards the end of the week”, they stated in the company’s reveiw of the market.

Meanwhile, another major stock market indicator, the NSE All Share Index also declined by 0.45 per cent , while the Year- to-Date, YtD return on investment stood at -4.07 per cent.

order on the activity chart.

United Bank for Africa, UBA, First Bank Nigeria Holding, FBNH, Access Bank, Transcorp and Oando were the most active stocks by volume. Oando, NEM Insurance, Neimeth, Unity Bank and Honeywell Flour Mills emerged the highest price gainers on the chart, while UBA, Cadbury, Access, FBNH and Skye Bank topped the losers chart.

OANDO pushes Oil & Gas Index 1.4% Northward

Further analysis showed that the Oil & Gas index rose 1.4 per cent as rports of a N94.6 billion loan restructuring deal triggered a 10.2 per cent rally in OANDO. Similarly, the 5.0 per cent gain in NEM Insurance also ensured the Insurance index inched up by 0.1 percent and ended positive for the second consecutive trading session this week.

On the flip side, the Banking index declined (-1.3 per cent) , which was dragged lower by the

decline in Access Bank dropping by -4.7 per cent or ( 5 kobo) , followed by Eco Transnational ETI , which dropped by ( -0.5 per cent) or 50 kobo and Guaranty Trust Bank nosedived by (-0.5 per cent) or 22 kobo, while the Industrial and Consumer Goods indices fell 0.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively as a result of the depreciation in Dangote Cement , DANCGEM N4.00 or 0.6 per cent), Nigerian Breweries 25 kobo or (-0.4 per cent ) and Cadbury (-5.0 percent ).

Market capitalisation Specifically, the All Share Index closed at 27,475.48 against the previous close of 27,599.48 while market capitalisation closed at N 9.436 trillion against previous close of N9.478 trillion.

Volume traded increased by 28.73 per cent from 142.339 million shares to 183.238 million shares, while the total value of stock traded increased by 41.00 per cent from N1.429 billion to N2.015 billion in 3,488 deals.

The Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 139.999 million shares exchanged for N0.67 billion. Conglomerates came next with 15.446 million shares traded for N0.024 billion, Consumer Goods, Oil And Gas, Services sectors followed in that

$128.15

1.05

From Left: Director, MTN Foundation Mrs. Aisha Sadauki, representative of Deputy Chairman, House Committee on National Planning, Mr. Sanusi Musa and nominator, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mammman at the MTN Foundation Appreciation Party for nominators in the Phase 1 of the What Can We Do Together Initiative in Kaduna

‘Current lending rates make mining operations unprofitable’

By Naomi Uzor

T

HE current bank lending rate of between 20-27 per cent will not make mining operations profitable in Nigeria. $50.26 0.62 The Zonal Chairman, Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers, Engr.

Markus CURRENCY BUYING SELLING Pwajok, stated this when he addressed US 196 196.5 197 282 .8084 283.5299 284.2513 DOLLAR the 56th Nigerian As218.54 219.0975 219.655 POUNDS sociation of Chambers 197.7401 198.2446 198.749 EURO of Commerce, Indus1.7998 1.8044 1.809 FRANC try, Mines and Agri0.3151 0.3251 0.3351 YEN 274.6713 275. 372 276.0727 CFA culture (NACCIMA) 29.7497 29.8261 29.9024 WAUA AGM/Conference in 52.2597 52.393 52.5263 RENMINBI Jigawa State.

29.4701 29.5453 29.6205 RIYAL Pwajok said that the mining companies CBN Exchange rate as at 06/06/2016 and their investment

$3,029.00 -2.00

C M Y K

funds would only go to those countries where the enabling environment would allow the private sector to flourish without hindrance.

“Since mining is a capital intensive venture with long gestation period, there should be a Minerals Development Fund, which will enable miners to access loans at low interest rate but the current bank lending rate will not make mining operations profitable.

“In the past, the government had paid lip service to the development of this sector of the economy, but now that it is a very favourable alternative to the oil sector, NACCIMA should take advantage of this development and encourage its members in the mining sector to go into mining and mineral based industries,” he

said.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, noted that every state in Nigeria is blessed with abundant solid mineral resources and current estimates suggest that there are no less than 44 mineral resources available in commercial quantities across Nigeria. The most prominent ones include bitumen, coal, iron ore, limestone, gold and tin.

“Let me paint for you a picture of what we can do if we pay attention to our solid minerals sector. First we will create jobs, in a country that has such large pools of unemployed labour, and needs to create millions of jobs annually just to keep up with population growth” he stated.

— 21

Contec Global gets NERC approval to build 10mw power plant

By Franklin Alli

C

ONTEC Global Energy Limited (CONTEC Global) has acquired the requisite approval from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to establish a 10 megawatts gas-based power station in Makurdi Industrial Estate, Benue State.

The state government has provided five hectares of land space for the power station.

CONTEC’s Project Manager (Energy), Dr. Sashi Mozumder, who disclosed this, said that the power plant, the first of its kind in the region, will generate and supply electricity to industries in the Estate .

He said that at a meeting with Governor Dr. Samuel Ortom, and his Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu and members of his cabinet, CONTEC Global offered an initial proposal to establish a 2MW power station which will be upgraded to 10MW for effective coverage of the industrial estate.

“The project is primed to commence in 180 days after all preliminary paper and administrative works on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are completed.

“We are currently working on the initial MoU, pre-feasibility study, benefit- cost analysis among other preliminary preparations towards the commencement of the project, which is scheduled to start within 180 days. With this, we shall be able to deliver the first electricity to the estate in the next 12 months,” Dr. Mozumder said.

On how the power plant will be getting its gas supply, he said, “We shall be feeding the Benue power plant with gas supplies from Anambra State. Although, this is a huge task, we have the capacity to do it.”

Vanguard learnt that the Industrial Estate is designed to host not less than 50 industries with the capacity to provide immediate employment to over 10,000 people if fed with electricity.

But at the moment, the estate is not fed with any form of electricity.

Meanwhile, CONTEC energy is already in Onitsha offering similar support and is in touch with several other states including Edo, Kaduna, FCT, and others towards providing energy solutions for them.

22 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Older people in developing countries are among the poorest in the world, with 100 million of them living on less than a dollar a day, 80 per cent with no regular income and with the proportion increasing

,

NAICOM warns brokers to sto p ille ga l all ian ce s with state govts

T

HE National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has warned brokers’ that are into some form of arrangements with various state governments whereby insurance policies are being offered to unsuspecting public to desist from such acts.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, who gave the warning during the 2016 annual chief executive officers retreat of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in Osun State, said that such acts are illegal.

Kari said, “We sadly found all sorts of under the table arrangements where insurance policies are being offered in conjunction with various state governments to unsuspecting public, sometimes with registered brokers and in most cases with unregistered and unlicensed entities.

This is Illegal, criminal and punishable under the laws of the country. Brokers and underwriters alike should beware as we have beamed our searchlight to that direction.

Unrepentant companies and individuals that are engaged in these schemes ‘would answer’, (like we say in the new Nigerian vocabulary).

“We have also identified the limited channels of distribution as a major inhibiting factor to penetration. In this regard we have considered the creation of additional distribution channels and have gone far on the preliminary works and draft of guidelines which will soon be exposed for input.

Partnership type of operation We have further decided to explore and develop the mystified partnership type of operation for brokers. A draft of the proposed guideline will be exposed for input within the next couple of weeks, and I can assure you it will open a new vista in insurance intermediation in Nigeria.”

The Commissioner also lamented that the increase in the number of insurance brokers in the country has not translated to increased insurance penetration.

Kari said, “There has been a substantial increase in the number of players and activities; but regrettably, this increase in the number of players especially brokers is yet to reflect on the level of insurance penetration in

the country.

The only possible explanation for this could be that intermediaries are not creating new businesses neither are they expanding their operations beyond the major cities of the country and around a few clients that are already converted insurance consumers. This should be of serious concern to any right thinking professional.”

Kari said that the face of regulation has changed over the years, but the objectives and purposes have continued to be providing comfort and confidence to the consumers while at the same time developing the market.

Behaving professionally “We all know that confidence is developed by the operators behaving professionally and respectfully. The regulator’s task in this respect is to provide a level playing field and to ensure every player plays within the rules of the games.

A game with no referee is definitely doomed to fail,” Kari noted.

The Commissioner stated that the task of market development is everybody ’s, adding, “However it is the trend to quiz the regulator why market penetration is low. Penetration would continue to be low if everyone would only operate from the comfort of the metropolis or chase only existing clients with insurance policies.”

Kari noted that there has been increased regulatory oversight in recent times, adding “And I can assure you that this would continue.”

The Commissioner noted that the Commission is committed to its aim of using information technology to drive the supervision, regulation and governance of insurance business in Nigeria through the e-regulation program. “Parts of the e-regulation program are the Business Process Management (BPM) Project and the NAICOM Portal which will provide a direct interface with the industry to ensure greater accountability and transparency and would speed up service provision to the industry.

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

INSURANC

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Low coverage of CPS could worsen old age poverty

By Rosemary Onuoha

D

ESPITE the numerous poverty eradication programmes which past governments had initiated and implanted, a world bank’s report shows that Nigerian Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.416 and that above 70 percent of the population was living on the breadline.

Older people in developing countries are among the poorest in the world, with 100 million of them living on less than a dollar a day, 80 per cent with no regular income and with the proportion increasing.

However, does the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, alleviate poverty in the lives of the elderly citizens in Nigeria? Is the monthly pension adequate to meet their needs?

While there is evidence to suggest that pension contributes to poverty reduction, this does not translate into poverty alleviation because of the coverage of the pension scheme. The number of registered contributors under the CPS is over 7.01 million, representing about 7.45 per cent of total labour force and 3.95 per cent of total population in Nigeria.

“This signifies the lack of coverage across many private and informal sectors of the Nigerian economy who are not covered by the pension

scheme. The informal sector represents 70 per cent of Nigeria’s total working population. There is therefore the need to alleviate both old age and household poverty by extending the scheme to all sectors of the economy,” stated Mrs Idu Okwuosa of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers.

Poverty is one of the most pervasive problems facing Nigerians today. Absolute

The number of registered contributors under the CPS is over 7.01 million, representing about 7.45 per cent of total labour force and 3.95 per cent of total population in Nigeria poverty denotes a condition in which a person or group of persons are unable to satisfy their most basic and elementary requirements of human survival in terms of good nutrition, clothing, shelter, health, energy, transport,

education, amongst other things.

Okwuosa said, “As the poverty level keeps on rising in Nigeria, the social demand on government also keeps increasing. And yet, poverty alleviation remains the thrust of government reforms. It appears that poverty alleviation is the motivation for the pension’s reform of government. In the light of this, additional social programmes that address the welfare of the poor and poverty alleviation at large deserve serious attention.

Importance of pension “The importance of pension provision will continue to grow as individuals begin to place less reliance on family to look after them in old age and begin to face the reality that they need to look after themselves by building a nest egg for the future.

The success of pension operators in Nigeria in alleviating poverty largely depends on the sincerity, collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders like government that sets out the regulatory framework, the regulator, financial institutions who manage and administer contributions, individuals who pay and employers who must also contribute for their employees.

FORUM: From left: Chairperson, LEAP Africa 11th CEOs Forum, Dr. Nadu Denloye; Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, during the LEAP Africa 11th CEOs Forum 2016, in Lagos.

VOL. 1 NO 71

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

•Depiction of a widow being shaved after death of husband

The cost of widowhood in Igboland

By Emeka Mamah, Vincent Ujumadu, Chidi Nkwopara, Anayo Okoli, Nwabueze Okonkwo and Chinenyeh Ozor

W

idowhood practices, which, to some people, violate the fundamental human rights of women through culturally prescribed seclusion, exists in most parts of Igbo land. In Nimbo, in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, wives of kings mourned their husbands for a total of seven years before they were buried and another one year after their interment. However, the advent of Christianity has helped to water down most of such practices against widows such that except in rare circumstances, Christian widows are no longer subjected to the old practices.

In the olden days, widows were meant to mourn their dead husbands for upwards of between 10 months and two years during which they would remain in secluded areas in Anambra State.

In some communities in the state, the widows would also not take their bath for upwards of three weeks, after which they would be accompanied in the dead of night, to a river where they were shaved and then bathed. During such C M Y K

journeys, people were not supposed to see them as they would be naked since they would swear by the river that they were not responsible for their husband’s death, before the shaving exercise.

Should there be any suspicion that the woman had a hand in the death of her husband, she was usually forced to drink the water used in washing the body of the dead man. She was also expected to wear black attire throughout the duration of the mourning period and all her needs were provided for by her neighbours.

The situation varies in other parts of Igbo land, especially the areas where there are no rivers or streams.

But thanks to the coming of Christianity, all those practices had gone. The usual practice these days is that widows are shaved as soon as the remains of their husbands were interred and, depending on the widow concerned, she could resume her business or work at the expiration of the mourning period, depending on the customs and traditions of the areas concerned.

ANAMBRA Because of the controversies generated by the issue of widowhood practices in this area, some communities

adopted certain measures to ensure that peace reigned. For instance, in some communities in Anambra, where a man left behind many wives, some communities decided that rather than the late man’s brothers going to scramble for them, each male child of their mothers should give a cock to his own mother to act as “her husband” till death.

By so doing, the tension generated by the relations of the late over their late

The Catholic Church has, however, stood its ground on the issue, arguing that the rite was not being forced on anyone, but only on Catholic adherents that requested the Church to bury them

brother’s wives have drastically waned in many communities.

However, there is still one issue that is causing ripples between the church and the community and that is the dust –to –dust burial rite. In the Catholic Diocese of Awka, many people in the area object to their women pouring sand into the grave of their husbands as the tradition of the church demands.

Despite the intervention of the traditional ruler of the town, Obi Gibson Nwosu and notable Christians, including the Knights of the church, the issue still lingers.

A story has it that the people of Awka object to the ritual because of the fear that by pouring sand into the grave of her late husband, the widow would still naturally be bound to the late husband and that there could likely be natural consequences for any man that has carnal knowledge of the widow. To avoid such consequences, the community has consistently objected to the dust to dust ceremony.

The Catholic Church has, however, stood its ground on the issue, arguing that the rite was not being forced on anyone, but only on Catholic adherents that requested the Church bury them.

“The Church cannot comprehend how the dust –to-dust ritual has become a problem for the Awka natives,” a Reverend Father, Patrick Chukwuma said in the heat of the crisis.

An indigene of Awka, Chief Michael Okafor said: “The community has made it clear that the customs of the town must not be tampered with, but the Catholic Church is forcing our wives to perform this rite of pouring sand into the grave, which is not acceptable to the society.

“In Awka culture, a man is not allowed to pour sand into the wife’s grave in the case of death and the wife is not allowed to pour sand into the man’s grave in the case of the man’s death, but the Catholic Church is trying to turn around the custom of the people.”

He could however not say why Awka people are scared of pouring sand into the grave, arguing “it is not our culture.”

But Rev Chukwuma, who is the Administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka insists the community has no right to interfere because the Church only goes to burials on invitation.

In Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State and other neighbouring communities like Idemili North and Idemili South Local Government Areas of the state, the widowhood culture is almost the same, except for some few differences.

There are two categories of widowhood for Christians and nonChristians.

Reduction in period of mourning, wake-keep and lying-in-state: In the old days, the mandatory mourning period for a widow or widower in these areas used to be two years but at a stage, it was reduced to one year before it was further reduced to six months.

This reduction in the mandatory mourning period which became effective about 10 years ago, also reduced the period of wake-keep in some communities from all-night to 6 a.m. on the burial date, while some communities expunged wake-keep completely from their burial arrangements. Also, the period of lying-in-state was either reduced to four hours only, as against all-night or completely abolished in some communities.

South East Voice gathered that the reason for these reductions or abolition, was to reduce continuous contact with the remains of the deceased in a bid to reduce the spread of contagious

Continues on page 24

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Continued from page 23 diseases in the case of prolonged wake-keep and lying-in-state.

Apart from this, the reduction was also aimed at reducing the hardship encountered by survivors in the case of prolonged mandatory mourning periods since the mourner is restricted to social and business activities.

There are also some reported cases of maltreatment of widows ranging from the denial of rights or privileges, physical assault, seizure of husbands’ properties, both moveable and immoveable.

Such maltreatment is however, resolved through the intervention of appropriate authorities like family unions, kindred (Umunna), village councils or town unions, on their merits.

Prevention of widow or widowers from participating in burial ceremonies.

If there are proven cases of couples not living together as a result of protracted quarrels, disputes or divorces before the demise of the men, the widow can be prevented from participating in the burial ceremony of her deceased husband. It is also the same situation in some cases where the woman is alleged to have committed atrocities and was required to perform some cleansing rituals before being allowed to participate in the burial ceremo use.

Oath-taking and covenant Again, this is when the woman must be facing sanctions for offences which need to be addressed. This includes extreme cases, where the woman is accused of being directly or indirectly responsible for her husband’s death, thus requiring the administration of an oath to prove her innocence. Christian widows take such oaths with their Bibles while nonChristians are led to shrines for covenants, Igbandu, before being allowed to mourn her husband.

In the case of non-Christians, widows could be made to drink sizable quantity of water used in bathing the corpse of her deceased husband or by dipping a kola nut into such bath water and chewing same.

Alternatively, such widows could be made to embrace her husband’s corpse three times, Ndakpo Ozu. According to Dr. Boniface Agbala, a private medical practitioner based in Onitsha and embattled Igwe-elect of Uke community in Idemili North Local Government Area, it is assumed that if the accused is guilty of the allegations levelled against him or her, he or she would die within a

period of two years of the oath taking but if after two years and the accused does not die, he or she would be declared innocent and the accusers would compensate him or her, (Nwucha Aru) in accordance with the tradition of the particular town.

ABIA In Abia communities, what widows go through varies from community to community. Also, the duration of mourning varies between three to six months.

Most communities have reduced the mourning period from one year to between six and three months to enable the widow continue with her work or whatever she does for a living.

But the problem of widowhood is not about how long they mourn their departed husbands but the issue of having access to whatever property was left behind by their spouses. This is a major problem which many widows have passed through. In some cases, it has led the woman and her children to be forced out of their family house.

Though many communities with the support of churches and non-governmental organizations have been fighting against harmful widowhood practices, such ugly incidents are still prevalent in several other areas.

According to the wife of the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Aba and Bishop of Umuahia, Anglican Communion, Ezinne Patience Nwosu, the church totally condemns the ill-treatment of widows by their family members and has been fighting against it.

She said that it is ungodly and sinful to make a widow undergo further agony after losing her husband by depriving her of the right to inherit the property of her late

The cost of widowhood in Igboland spouse with which she would take care of their kids.

“The church condemns it because it does not show love.

We encourage families to accept and stand by widows and assist them to even train the children instead of maltreating and alienating them,” she said.

While condemning and preaching against harmful widowhood practices, Nwosu said however that the church usually provided some palliatives to assist widows that are in need. For instance, she disclosed that in some cases, they build five-bed rooms; three or two-bed room apartments, as the case may be, for indigent widows, and follow it up with constant visits and prayers. Also, in some cases, they are assisted with funds to start any venture that creates means of livelihood for them.

However, because of the inherent greed of human beings and to avoid the ugly issue of subjecting widows to the pressure of struggling over the inheritance of their husbands’ property, a woman activist and lawyer, Mrs. Cordelia Ichie advised men to always go for statutory marriages, which are recognized by the courts and which protects the right of inheritance by the widow in the event of the death of her husband where Wills are available.

Presently, there is no law

In Ezeagu widows of the prestigious Ozo title holders observe more strenuous tasks while mourning their spouses

protecting widows in Abia State, but the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Cosmos Ndukwe said that the lawmakers would explore the possibility of initiating a bill aimed at protecting widows in the area. Perhaps, until that is done, the fate of widows will still hang in the balance and their succour will only come from churches and NGOs like FIDA among others that make out time to fight for them.

ENUGU In Enugu, there was the case Mrs Obochi Asema (nee Agada) aged 102, was married to Chief Eze Nwasema of Umuokoro, Umuowaa Quarters in Imufu Community. Asema’s husband, Eze, 107, died on August 26, 1986. The widow was expected to mourn her husband for nine months but she died about three months into the mourning period on December 21, 1986.

However, Mrs Asema’s death sparked off trouble as it was an abomination for a woman or man to die while mourning his or her spouse.

Because Asema died in Ishikpe, the wall of her room was broken at the back of the house so that her corpse would not be carried through her front door for burial. However, the then traditional ruler of Imufu, Onyishi Omeh Nwokenyi, who was a next door neighbour of the Asemas summoned an emergency meeting of the council of elders to review the obnoxious practice which made it compulsory for women to mourn their husbands for upwards of between seven months and one year in the community.

Amid opposition from the council of elders, Onyishi Nwokenyi made a proclamation that both men and women should mourn their spouses for only one month and it had been so since then in the community.

As at today, Imufu Community is the only place where both men and women mourn their spouses for only one month in

•Widows party in Abia State hosted by Dr. & Mrs Cosmos Ndukwe

the last 30 years, irrespective of their religion as widows in other parts of Enugu Ezike still mourn their husbands for between nine months and two years. Some widows in various communities in Enugu north and west extractions of the state pass through horrible experiences after the death of their spouses as most widows faced the prospect of to mourn their husbands for periods of one year, six months or more depending on the culture and tradition of the giving community.

In Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu West Constituency, widows in the 70’s and 80’s had to mourn their spouses for a period of one year in black dresses, black ear rings and necklaces. They were usually compelled to stay indoors for a period of two months, before coming to any public gathering after observing certain rights of the community. In Ezeagu widows of the prestigious Ozo title holders observe more strenuous tasks while mourning their spouses.

Soon after the burial of their husbands, they were confined in secret rooms where no person could enter unless female virgins and older widows of the Ozo title holders who had attained the age of 70 and above. Such widows would stay in the secret room for a period of two weeks, where they were served food and water by virgins before coming out to observe other rights in which people from Nri Community in Anambra State who crown Ozo title holders in most communities in Igboland would be invited to perform certain cleansing rites before such widows would mix with the community and the outside public.

However, with Christianity taking roots in many of the communities, widows no longer mourn their spouses wearing black attires but wearing white dresses, ear

Continues on page 26

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 25

Enugu-Onitsha Expressway:

Nightmare for motorists

By Vincent Ujumadu and Chinedu Adonu WKA — FOR years, road users have been having ugly experiences plying the Enugu-Onitsha expressway due to its dilapidated nature. From administration to administration, there had been promises of the preparedness of the federal government to rehabilitate the road. Such promises usually heightened when elections drew near and no sooner would a new government come into power than these same provisos would be forgotten.

Of the about 100 kilometers from Enugu to Onitsha, the worst stretch is the Awkuzu -Umunya axis. The presence of very important establishments along the about five kilometers stretch, including the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, two major abattoirs, permanent site of Tansian University, among other offices, make it inevitable for motorists to pass through the road on a daily basis.

Due to the nature of the road, it is common for vehicles to break down there and often times, broken down vehicles stay overnight with the consequence of thieves vandalizing such vehicles. It is also common to see emergency mechanics fiddling with broken down vehicles on that stretch and most times, they worsen the condition of the affected vehicles.

Because drivers must reduce their speed once they get to the bad portion, men of the FRSC and the Police often mount checkpoints in the area to be able to catch the drivers easily.

South East Voice spoke with some of the drivers and they have ugly stories to tell. Mr. Chibuike Ede who plies Enugu Onitsha daily wondered why the federal government decided to abandon the road and still expect the people to perform their civic obligations of paying their taxes other levies.

Another driver, Mr.

A

Uchenna Onwuka said the door of his vehicle had fallen off several times on that road and wondered why the federal government has abandoned it.

According to him, driving from Onitsha to Umunya junction is usually sweet, but the Umunya Awkuzu axis is usually the drivers’ nightmare. He said that while people endure the dust during the dry season, the rainy season appears to be even worse.

sometimes they might not repair such vehicles before nightfall.

Onwuka narrated his experience on that road on one occasion thus: “After over one hour of trial and error, a mechanic who claimed he could repair the vehicle told me it was my carburettor and that he would have to go to Onitsha to buy it. He collected money from me and I had to transfer my passengers to another vehicle to complete their journey.

When he eventually •Portion of the bad road between came and fixed the Umunya and Awka in Anambra State. carburettor, the vehicle It has also become customary still did not start and I to find mechanics hovering eventually slept there. I had to along the bad portions of the use a towing van to remove the express way because of their bus from that spot to a belief that vehicles must break mechanic workshop at Awkuzu down. Once that happens, the where it was eventually fixed mechanics take over and the following day.”

In fact, it was gathered that that the Enugu- Onitsha expressway was abandoned following lack of funds as the federal government was said to be owing the contractor after completing the Toll gate to Umunya stretch.

During the campaigns for the 2015 general elections, the road became an issue and some politicians announced that the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration had awarded the contract to complete the road from Onitsha to Enugu. To date, no contractor has been sited on those portions of the expressway.

The Anambra State government is however reconstructing the Awka stretch of the road where three flyovers are nearing completion, but the problem is that after enjoying the smooth drive within Awka city, the motorist comes face to face with nightmare from Amawbia to Umunya and nobody knows when this nightmare will end.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Mrs Obiano lauds commitment of Governor’s wives to charity

T

he Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has commended the commitment of members of the Southern Governor ’s Wives’ Forum to charitable programmes in their respective States. Mrs. Obiano stated this in a chat with newsmen, Friday on the heels of the just concluded meeting of the Forum held in Lagos.

Mrs Obiano noted that the Southern Governor’s Wives Forum which is made up of spouses of the seventeen state governors in the south of Nigeria have through their pet projects supported good governance by their husband’s administrations and are touching the lives of less privileged members of the society who often find themselves last in line.

Said she: “Our meeting has become a good platform for information sharing and synergy. We prioritize our intervention projects and share best practices. As wives who do not have constitutional mandate and no funding, we try our best to live up to the pledge we made to donors and sponsors through the projects we undertake and the many lives we change for the better.”

According to Mrs Obiano, “These are trying times for our country and many families but it is also a good time to rededicate ourselves to good courses and to being our brothers and sisters keeper. On my part, I have through my NGO Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) continued to help the needy especially indigent Widows who recently got ten free houses under phase one of the CAFE Hous ing for Indigent Widows, not to mention CAFE Market Toilets and many other empowerment programmes.”

Addressing members of the SGWF when they paid him courtesy visit at Alausa, Lagos State Governor, Dr. Akinwumi Ambode, acknowledged that efforts by Governors to deliver good governance will not be effective without the complementary role by their wives described the Forum as an important platform that would enable wives of Governors to share knowledge and exchange notes on governance.

Governor Ambode also told them that despite daunting challenges that Nigeria was making steady progress due to the commitment of Governors and their spouses.

The cost of widowhood in Igboland Continues from page 24 rings and necklaces.

Some communities have, therefore, amended mourning periods from one to two months or less. Town Unions should have equally keyed into the doctrine of churches to uphold the tenets of social justice for widows.

In Nimbo Community in UzoUwani Local Government Area, where Fulani herdsmen unleashed mayhem on the natives recently, kings of the ancient kingdom were buried after seven years in caves.

Widows of such kings therefore mourned their spouses for more than seven years as the corpses of such monarchs had to be preserved for seven years before the burial, subjecting their widows to remain incommunicado for seven years, and then for another one year of mourning before they would be free based on the tradition and culture of the community.

Up till date Christianity has not impacted on the community as their kings are still being buried after seven years of their demise.

The incumbent traditional ruler of the community, Igwe John Akor, a former journalist, had promised to work for the amendment of certain customs and traditions of the community before the herdsmen invaded and killed about 40 people in the sleepy village of the community.

In Ibagwa Ani Community, Nsukka Local Government, widows mourn their late

Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Akinwumi Ambode and Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano when the governor hosted the Southern Governors Wives Forum at Alausa, Lagos.

L-R Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Akinwumi Ambode in a group photograph with members of the Southern Governors Wives Forum.

husbands for six months but were normally asked to marry uncles of their late spouses, no matter the number of children the widow had before the death of her husband.

In Lejja widows equally mourn their spouses for six months but some may decide to mourn for one year on personal grounds. In Olo community Ezeagu Local Government, Christianity has changed mourning periods from one year to three months without any regard to the status of the dead man. Even the traditional Ozo title taking has been amended to conform with the Christian doctrines and not just for widows alone. Some communities institute stringent penalties on any person or group that would forcefully take over properties of widows on the grounds of culture and tradition.

IMO South East Voice gathered that the practice is still on and even getting more sophisticated and excruciating with the dawn of every new day.

Oral history has it that widowhood practice stemmed from an ugly tradition, which has subsisted till modern times.

It was also gathered that the practice was forced down the throat of any woman who was suspected to be responsible for her husband’s death.

In other instances, people invoked the practice to severely punish a woman adjudged to be irresponsible, wayward and disrespectful to her husband

and relations or even to the customs and tradition of the community.

The bizarre side of this practice is when, for instance, a man was never seen quarrelling openly with the wife or when the man could go to any length to support his wife but people still claimed that the woman held her late husband spell bound through diabolical means. The truth is that no man is deemed to have died a natural death because something must be linked with his death.

There is no known written constitution that controls or spells out what should be done or the limits of the practice. This explains why the practice varies from one community to the other. However, there are some of the practices that cuts across communities in Imo State.

In some Imo communities, widows are made to bath with flood water or water from traditional receptacles or any available dirty water. The story behind this practice is that “the woman’s pride, which is her husband, had been devalued.”

However, only married and single women are charged with the responsibilities of ensuring that this was carried out.

Similarly, widows are not allowed to eat with good plates.

They are forced to use disused or disfigured plastic plates that are good enough to feed dogs, to eat. She is not allowed to eat with anybody. The spoon, plate, cup among her other cutleries are different from others.

L-R Wife of Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deaconess. Martha Udom and Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano when Lagos State Governor hosted the Southern Governors Wives Forum at Alausa, Lagos.

L-R Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Akinwumi Ambode in audience with members of the Southern Governors Wives Forum when he hosted them.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

,

CE & YOU

— 27

While there is evidence to suggest that pension contributes to poverty reduction, this does not translate into poverty alleviation because of the coverage of the pension scheme

,

STI pays out over N386m as claims

By Faith Agbi

S

AWARD: Head, Corporate Communication, Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Paddy Ezeala (right) receiving the 3rd edition of BusinessToday Online Pension-Company-of-the-Year award on behalf of Premium Pension Limited from the representative of the Director General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Bose Agbogun, at the award ceremony, in Lagos.

“Pension schemes aim at ensuring that public or the private sector retirees receive their retirement benefits as at and when due and assisting improvident individuals by

ensuring that they save to cater for their livelihood during old age.

Over a decade after the reform scheme became effective, there is evidence to show that the

scheme is leading the country in the desired direction of poverty alleviation and selfsufficiency for the elderly,” Okwuosa stated.

OVEREIGN Trust Insurance Plc, STI, has said that it paid out over N386.9 million as claims in the first quarter of the year.

In a statement, the company noted that the move is part of efforts to demonstrate avowed commitment towards prompt claims settlement.

The company noted that the total claims figure was duly verified by the Industry’s regulatory authority, the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM for the period under review.

A rundown of the claims composition paid revealed that motor insurance claim recorded the highest figure of N151.4 million, followed by general accident accounting for N140.8 million while N78.8 million was paid as claim under fire insurance.

Other figures as released by

Guinea resolves to support growth in insurance sector

G

UINEA Insurance Plc has resolved to support growth and development in the insurance industry.

To this end, the company strategically partnered with the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) to ensure that the recently held street presence exercise in Lagos was seamless and successful.

The company hosted the prewalk reception of the institute’s members at its corporate headoffice at Jibowu, where the prewalk aerobic exercise and health tips were conducted shortly before the street presence exercise commenced to the destination point – Niger Insurance Plc House, Anthony Bus-stop last Saturday.

According to the CIIN, the urban lifestyles of members dissuade them from engaging in any form of physical exercise which, in effect, has triggered poor health and low quality of life hence, the need to awaken interests and participation.

Acting Managing Director/ CEO, of Guinea Insurance, Mrs. Isioma Omoshie-

Lagos issues retirement benefit bond certificates to retirees

L

AGOS State government has issued Retirement Benefit Bond Certificates to the tune of N1.002,856 billion to another set of 275 retirees from the mainstream, local government, SUBEB, TEPO and parastatals of government, under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for the Month of May, 2016.

A statement by Mrs Ajoke Lawal of Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) said the payment has brought the number of retirees paid between August 2015 to May, 2016 to 3,344, adding that the total accrued pension rights for years, spent under the Pay As You Go pension scheme paid on behalf of retirees by the State Government from the aforementioned month to date

is N14.703,856 billion.

Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga disclosed this while presenting 27th batch Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate to retirees at the Office premises, NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Onanuga, who was represented by the Head of Technical Directorate, LASPEC, Mr Olawale Otun advised the retirees/ beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money being presented, because, this turns it to assets.

He was also happy to inform the retirees that the activity of the pension fraudsters who always put calls through to retirees, informing them of alleged short payments in their entitlements has been

reduced drastically, due to the steps the Commission took in terms of sensitisation.

Nonetheless, “you still have to be vigilant and smart” he concluded.

Okokuku, said the company is commitment to rekindling the true spirit of sportsmanship and fostering national unity through interactions among industry players and analysts.

“We are proud to have partnered with the Institute especially as the benefits of the street presence exercise extend far beyond weight management to improved health conditions and overall quality of life,” she said.

Lady Isioma Chukwuma, President of CIIN, while addressing participants at Guinea Insurance Head-office premises, lauded them for their resilience and utmost commitment to move the industry forward despite the unscheduled cancellation of the event.

the organisation are N9.9 million for marine & aviation insurance while N6.0 million was paid as claim under engineering class of insurance.

While commenting on the claims payment, the Divisional Head, Technical, Mr. Rufai Tajudeen said that the company is totally committed to settling all genuine claims within agreeable periods.

In his words, “there is no compromise to claims settlement in Sovereign Trust Insurance and that will always remain so to keep our customers always coming back.

Prompt claims settlement no doubt will remain the enduring yardstick for our customers in determining whether we are delivering on our promise or not.

Friendly claim process We do not intend to fall short of this obligation and we will continually strive to make good our promise at every point in time”.

He further stated that the company has put in place a friendly claim process which ensures that customers do not go through undue bureaucratic process in getting their claims settled in good time.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka stated that over the years, the company’s prompt claims settlement has helped to strengthen the relationship between them and their various customers across the country.

“We do not allow our customers to go through distasteful experience in the process of getting their claims settled. Our processes are hinged on professionalism, speed, ethics and promptness”.

TOP INSURANCE LOSERS

C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Russia midfielder Igor ruled out of Euro 2016

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NJURY has forced Igor Denisov out of Euro 2016 and seen Russia call-up Artur Yusupov ahead of Saturday ’s opener against England.

The 32-year-old midfielder was set to play a key role for Leonid Slutsky’s side in France, but sustained a thigh injury during Sunday ’s 1-1 friendly draw against Serbia.

Denisov has now been replaced

by Zenit midfielder Yusupov as teams are allowed to replace players before the tournament if the UEFA Medical Committee and team doctor confirm injury or illness would prevent a player taking part.

“I was planning to fly back to Moscow (on Monday),” replacement Yusupov told UEFA.com. “I didn’t even have my football boots with me and none of my kit. I had to borrow from Roman Neustadter.

“I was staying in Monaco, in the same hotel as the national side. It just happened like that.

“After being on holiday for 14 days, of course it is difficult to get down to work. I don’t really know myself what state I will be in.”

InnJoo boosts 3rd Sam Ocheho Invitational Handball Championship with N10m

COPA AMERICA:

Di Maria shines in Messi’s absence Argentina 2 – 1 Chile

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rgentina made an impressive winning start to their Copa América campaign with a deserved victory over champions Chile despite the injury absence of Lionel Messi.

Paris St Germain midfielder Ángel Di María, whose grandmother died only hours before kick-off, was instrumental in the win and in Gerardo Martino’s Messi-less side that looked to counter at speed, the 28-year-old was vital.

After a frantic first half that lacked precision both sides created openings but it was perhaps Chile that should have led when Alexís Sánchez saw the clearest chance stopped by Sergio

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

Romero.

Di María along with Messi’s replacement Nicolás Gaitán and Éver Banega were posing a threat when turning over possession and running at the Chilean defence and five minutes after the break the deadlock was broken.

Banega won the ball close to halfway and immediately released Di María who made no mistake in rifling the ball low past Claudio Bravo at his near post.

Eight minutes later and the roles were reversed when the former Manchester United and Real

I

•Di María Madrid player slipped the ball into Banega in an almost identical position.

The Sevilla playmaker’s shot was deflected but once more the ball whistled inside Bravo’s near post.

Euro 2016: Germany, France, UK warn of possible terror attacks that an attack could still occur,

T

he governments of Germany, France and the UK have sought to reassure the public ahead of Euro 2016, which begins on Friday, even as concern rises

following the recent arrest of a man attempting to stage an attack during the event.

Nonetheless, officials from all three countries acknowledged

even with extensive security in place.

Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office said there was “no concrete indication” of a threat, neither for Germany nor for France, but emphasized that the “danger of a terrorist act was real.”

“The security authorities look carefully into all clues pointing to possible threats against the [Euro 2016],” said the office’s spokesperson, Jens Beismann.

N a bid to take the youths away from the streets and give them something meaningful to do, Innjoo, the fastest growing smartphone company in Nigeria has boosted the 3rd Sam Ocheho Invitational Handball championship for male and female senior teams with the sum of N10 million.

The bi-annual handball event which started in June 2012 has developed from being a regional event to an International Championship.

This year’s edition takes off from 10th to 19th of June 2016 at the Rowe Park Handball Courts Yaba, Lagos with 24 teams from within the country and the West African sub regions taking part.

At the media briefing yesterday in Lagos, Rakesh Rocque, InnJoo’s Country Manager for Nigeria said, as a society unit, they are ready and willing to take social responsibility.

“InnJoo is honoured to be the sole sponsor of this youths’ festival. We share the same spirit of the young generation with passion, living with dream and believing in ourselves.

“We are aiming to provide Nigerian people with not only the innovative technology but also positive attitudes towards life. The Championship started as a way of taking youths away from the streets and giving them something meaningful to do, which is consistent with our brand concept”, said Rocque.

• Police dog

Siasia to drop Awoniyi, three others

A

•Igor

top official of the Nigeria U-23 side has said that four key players are in danger of losing their places in the team ahead of the Olympic Games in August, following coach Samson Siasia’s disappointment at their performances.

Nigeria lost two matches and nicked a final win at the Suwon four-nation invitational that ended on Monday as part of preparations for Rio 2016 which kicks off in less than two months.

The culprits of Siasia’s wrath are central

FAAN Unity Cup engenders bonding among directorates – Dunuma

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU

T

he Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engineer Saleh Dunuma has appraised the annual InterDirectorate Unity Cup organised by FAAN and said it has fostered unity and friendship among staff of the various directorates in the organisation.

Speaking at the final of this year’s Inter-Directorate Unity Cup competition in Ikeja last weekend, Dunuma, who was represented by a director in the agency said the competition has helped the staff not only to “relax but to also recreate, energise and keep them mentally alert.”

The Managing Director’s Directorate won the coveted trophy after beating the Directorate of Airport Operations 2-1 in an exciting final.

Apart from the giant trophy, the winners got N500,000, while the runners up got N300,000 and the third placed teams earned N200,000 for their efforts.

C M Y K

defender Erhun Obanor, fullback Stanley Amuzie, striker Taiwo Awoniyi and goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel.

The four players may have played their last game for the Olympic team unless they can find their form in the next series of test games.

Siasia was saddened by the 6-2 defeat to Denmark in the second game that he has vowed to weed out unproductive players in the team. He confessed that he was very disappointed with the performance of the players.

“Siasia is not happy that a player like Taiwo Awoniyi has failed to live up to expectations by not converting the numerous chances that came his way despite his potentials,” an official toldGoal.

“He is considering dropping him for a more prolific striker unless he bounces back to scoring goals.

That is if he considers him for the other friendly games any way.

“The chief coach is also unhappy with the form of goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, the team’s first choice in goal and he has told him to sit up or be shipped out.

•Ocheho HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP... Sam Ocheho ( L) receiving trophy from Rakesh Rocque, InnJoo Country Manager for Nigeria.

•Siasia and his boys

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 29

L

egendary world heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali died last Friday in the USA. A lot has been said and written about this man whose exploits in the roped square put him among the greatest sports personalities of the 20th century. Below is an extract from a book: Muhammad Ali, authored by Chuka Momah on Ali’s generosity.

O

NE important aspect of Ali’s personality is his extremely charitable disposition. The man gave out a good portion of what he earned. His generosity came in different forms. Once, he paid out a large chunk to re-open a Jewish orphanage about to be closed down due to lack of funds. When the athlete Mctear lost his home, Ali bought him a brand new one. When Eddie Mustafa Muhammad {former light heavyweight champion}went broke and was about to challenge for his title, he sought to rent Ali’s gym at a price to prepare himself. Ali not only gave him the gym free, he also gave him feeding money and promised him a car if he won. Ali later leased the massive camp in Deer Lake Pennsylvania for one dollar a year as a home for unwed pregnant mothers. For the fight against Richard Dunn in Munich Germany, Ali took a cut in his purse in exchange for two thousand expensive tickets for the fight which he distributed to American military personnel serving in Germany.

In 1985, he travelled to Beirut to try and negotiate freedom for four American diplomats. In 1990, he went to Iraq to try to prevent the impending Gulf war. He did not succeed in this effort.

However, he secured the release of 15 hostages and took them back to the USA. Many of the ‘parasites’ that formed regular members of his entourage spent his money recklessly. Some even stole from him. Even his assistant trainer Drew Bundini Brown pawned his championship belt.

Bundini had such buccaneering tendencies that he was later to dig the earth under Ali’s farmhouse in Southern Michigan, searching for treasures allegedly buried there by Al Capone. Legend had it that the famous mobster lived there in the past. The great Cuban fighter Kid Gavilan aka ‘’the hawk,’’ had the audacity to demand that Ali should pay taxes for cash donations given to him.

In all, Ali gave away tens of millions of dollars. While insisting that generosity was the command of Allah, he maintained that forgiveness was one of the cardinal principles on which life should be based.

Towards the end of his career, well intentioned and informed people tried to introduce greater shrewdness into Ali’s finances. The champ always reverted to his old ways of giving his money away. The great Mack McCormack was surprised to see Ali signing an agreement in the lift on the way down.

Often unscrupulous people took advantage of his legendary kindness and generosity. In one famous case in 1981, Ali’s name was used to steal over 21 million dollars from the Wells Fargo Bank in California.

Ali had met Harold Smith who later became involved in amateur boxing and formed the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Team. He then suggested to Ali that they should form an organization to protect the fighters when they

•Ali’s generosity: His humanitarian work included visits to Cuba when Ali, right, presented officials at the Juan Manuel Marquez clinic with boxes of medicines in Old Havana in 1998, as Ali’s wife Lonnie, left, looks on. The medicines were part of a $1.2 million donation in humanitarian aid for local hospitals and clinics

Ali’s Generosity turned professional and Muhammad Ali Professional Sports was started.

For the use of his name, Ali was to receive 25 percent of the profits from events, plus appearance fees for various promotions. Smith proceeded to promote fights but he also began to embezzle funds from the Wells Fargo Bank in conjunction with a bank employee called Ben Lewis.

Ali was totally unaware of what had been going on but his name had been used as bait to convince the bank to open a line of credit and to get Lewis involved in the scam. When the scandal broke, Ali held a press conference where he told reporters; “A guy used my name to embezzle 21 million dollars. Ain’t many names that can steal that much.”

No one seriously suggested that Ali was in any way responsible but his name had been tarnished and devalued which was to affect his earnings after his retirement from boxing.

When former middleweight Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter was imprisoned on charges of murder, Ali made numerous appearances and went to great lengths to help secure his freedom. It is believed that Ali fought Zora Folley and Ron Lyle just to help them earn decent pays. In the case of Lyle who was facing possible conviction for taking a pot shot at a car with his wife inside, the fight was even more crucial. On one occasion, he flew so many hours from the USA to surprise Henry Cooper with his presence at the latter’s 50th birthday party.

Several of Ali’s paintings were donated to the UNICEF Year of the Child Fund. The

fund benefited from proceeds of an exhibition of his works in New York city. Indeed, Ali was a talented painter like his father.

He was always donating gifts or money to children who needed help. Till today, it is hard to assess how much he gave to his religious sect in America but the amount is certain to be tremendous.

Two moving accounts of the man’s disposition have been told- the first in which he received an expensive gift at a meeting of champions. On coming out of the hall, a poor boy met him for an autograph.

While other champions were holding tight to their presents, Ali not only gave the boy his autograph but also his gift.

Everyone around marvelled.

The veteran boxing writer Frank Mcghee after the first Spinks fight, nostalgically told the story of how Ali had given him an expensive wristwatch some time ago. Frank looked at the watch and reminisced sadly that like the watch Ali was also slowing down. At Rocky Marciano’s (undefeated heavy weight champ) funeral, Ali was furious that the champions present were going on a swagger and signing autographs on the Rock’s solemn occasion.

He was always donating gifts or money to children who needed help.

When Bill Faversham (one of his Louisville sponsoring group members) suffered a heart attack [long after the termination of their contract), Ali drove long and hard through the night to console him. It has been said that Ali never forgets an old friend in need. Once, very shortly before one of his biggest fights, Ali almost defied his trainer’s order to appear on the Johnny Carson show. He told his outraged trainer that he had given Johnny Carson his word. The champ gave freely of his time and attention to perfect a developing Larry Holmes.

The greatest promoter in the history of boxing, the flamboyant Don King was formerly a ‘numbers runner’, a convicted murderer, and an ex-con from Cleveland with a flair for oratory. He got his big break through Ali who contrary to all expectations agreed to appear at a charity fund-raiser for a local hospital on the invitation of Don King.

Thereafter, Don King promoted the massive money event that was the bout between Ali and George Foreman. Mr King also promoted other big Ali fights including the ‘’Thrilla in Manila’’ against Joe Frazier.

Ali visited Reg Gutteridge, the great British boxing commentator in hospital after he had suffered a heart attack.

Ali prayed for him with Mr Gutteridge lying on his hospital bed. It was a truly inspiring sight. ‘’The greatest’’ gave freely of his money, time, attention and everything else to all and sundry, Jew or Gentile, black or white. As Frank Mcghee once said, ‘’the greatest is the

real man’s man.

Ali had this to say of himself: ‘’When I think of all the money I’ve made, I ask myself why should these people from the ghetto and hard-working households come pay to see my fights, making me rich and the promoters rich, and get nothing back in return? There will be more tough fights in the ring for me, but my toughest fight is still to come when I retire from boxing. That will be the continued fight to help my people. I shall show myself to the people. I shall go out to colleges and schools and lecture. I shall go down to the slums and roam the streets, talk to the poor folks and the drunks and the bums. I just want to make them happy. To be able to give away riches is mandatory if you wish to possess them. This is the only way that you will be truly rich.

I have found in life that most people get pleasure out of knowing that they have something that other people don’t. When we follow the rule of God and religion, it teaches that we should want for our brothers what we want for ourselves. I’m not happy driving a Rolls Royce and living upon a hill when I know that my brothers and sisters are hungry in soup line. I’m the world champion, but I don’t feel I’m any different from a fan. I’ll still walk in the ghettos, answer questions and kiss babies. I’ll never forget my people.

Taking a reporter round his residence to see various framed magazines covers on him when he ruled the world, Ali tapped the reporter’s shoulder and said,’’I have held the world by the tail but do you know something?’’ Then he lowered his voice to say,’’it’s nothing.’’

•CULLED FROM CHUKA MOMAH'S MUHAMMAD ALI C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor,

who was in Moscow, Russia

I

F Things stand the way they are, Nigeria’s nuclear power project may go the Nigerian way.

It will gulp massive investments without achieving a desired end.

This is when evaluating the success stories of those countries that have benefitted immensely from the project, in comparison with the way Nigeria is going.

Nigeria last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with ROSATOM to partner in building nuclear technology centre in the country.

The MOU which was witnessed by over 45 000 people from 55 countries across the world that attended this year’s ATOM Expo conference in Moscow, Russia, was supposed to signal the beginning of a new turn for the country to have clean energy, steady electricity supply and be able to do deep research in nuclear medicine.

However, experience has also shown that success is always determined by how serious, every country is, in carrying out certain processes that must be taken.

Besides the huge financial base needed, some of other important processes include, ability to manage nuclear waste, availability of trained personnel and manpower needed to execute the programme

Nuclear programme Many countries keen on implementing nuclear programme like Turkey, Bangladesh, Bolivia have deployed sizeable staff to understudy Russia on nuclear technology. For instance, Turkey has about 150 students in Russia studying, Bangladesh also has over 100 students but Nigeria has only four people undergoing training in Russia.

Meanwhile, the country’s target in the first phase of its nuclear energy programme is to construct 1000 megawatts capacity of electricity. Experts say the requirement to this is not less than 800 to 1000 trained human capacities. But ironically what Nigeria sent on training to Russia is just mere four. People deeply knowledgeable in Nuclear energy project said it was a joke to think that the country could make impact in such manner.

Electricity, Africa’s headache: Meanwhile, there are revelations that increased demand for electricity and nuclear medicine were the main reasons why many African countries are considering using nuclear power. At least that was the conclusion of panel of experts that attended the recently concluded annual ATOM EXPO 2016 in Moscow Russia. They said that going by

Nigeria may bungle its nuclear energy project if….

•As electricity, medicine trigger Africa’s rush for nuclear energy •Russia warns about dangers of atomic energy the confessions of these countries, these two factors were majorly responsible for the scramble.

The Russian government admitted that it was seeing many African countries developing interest in nuclear medicine since realizing that Nuclear can be used to harness clean energy and also in radiation for complicated disease.

However, it can also be utilised for agriculture, in construction of material science and other industries.

According to the Director General of World Nuclear Association, Agneta Rising,”Globally nuclear energy is growing. In 2015 nearly 10 gigawatts of nuclear capacity started supplying electricity. It’s also good because we need to provide electricity to those that don’t have it.

Biggest power crisis Lack of access to electricity is the biggest power crisis many developing countries face. The increased demand means that governments are under pressure to find cleaner and more reliable energy. It is reason why Russia is witnessing increased interest in its nuclear technologyparticularly from these countries”.

There are currently thirty countries from developing nations building nuclear reactors for the sole purpose of increasing electricity demands. But all the countries are at different stages of preparing infrastructure for nuclear development.

Nigeria, Egypt, Zambia, Namibia, Ghana have all embarked on nuclear technology to increase energy consumption needs. Russia says nuclear also builds human capital and increases economic prosperity The Nigerian government for instance admitted that it aims to

electrify at least eighty percent of its population by the year 2035, hence now investing in nuclear energy to meet the target.

Chairman/Managing Director of Nigeria's Atomic Energy Commission, Erepano Osaisai says Nigeria is seeking to diversify its economy by increasing agriculture output which nuclear technology can also advance. “ Our country has a large population of 180 million people and growing at a rate higher than 2.5 percemt per annum so the main reason behind Nigeria wanting to implement a nuclear power programme is to first of all diversify the energy supply base to include sources other than fossils and hydro. And in doing that we will provide energy that

Government therefore took up serious program to improve electricity generation which was only 9 400 MW in 2009, though it has been increased to 15 thousand during the seven years. Government actually understands that we have to have energy mix is clean and drive development” South Africa also is one of the few developing nations that has shown some interest in commitment to nuclear in its energy mix. The country faces challenges in electricity supply due to increased demand.

South Africa has two nuclear reactors generating 5% of its electricity. But government said

it needed to increase the use of Nuclear.

However, it is not only Africa that came to Russia to tap nuclear power to boost electricity supply.

Access to electricity consumption Bangladesh identified a nuclear reactor site in 1963, but only started to physically build a reactor in 2011- fifty years after toying with the idea. The country’s electricity demand has grown rapidly. It plans to generate 40 thousand MW by 2030 from coal, gas and nuclear.

Chairman for the Atomic Energy in Bangladesh Ali Zurkarneyn said that Bangladesh is a small country with big population of about 60 million.

Zurkameyn said that although almost 75 percent of the people have access to electricity consumption is low at 300 plus kilo per hour, per annum.

“Government therefore took up serious program to improve electricity generation which was only 9 400 MW in 2009, though it has been increased to 15 thousand during the seven years.

Government actually understands that we have to have energy mix.” He added.

Other countries like Bolivia want to use nuclear technology for medicinal purposes, particularly in the reduction of cancer mortality rates in the country.

The country’s deputy minister of energy, Joaquin Rodriguez also revealed that Nuclear development in Bolivia is mostly focused on building nuclear research centre and one aspect of this research is focused on research and nuclear research like combating cancer because of the big problem it posed for the country’s population.

Radioactive waste: In the same vein, Nigeria and other African countries scrambling to build nuclear power centre have been warned to be cautious and ensure proper nuclear waste management.. All parts of the nuclear fuel cycle produce some radioactive waste (radwaste) and the relatively modest cost of managing and disposing of this is part of the electricity cost.. The main objective in managing and disposing of radioactive waste is to protect people and the environment.

According to the Deputy Director General of IAE-a company that helps to create the necessary infrastructure for nuclear waste, Mr Mikhail Chudakov, “Russia is steadily seeing an interest in nuclear partnership from various African countries and countries in South East Asia.

Nuclear waste More important is that developing nations are planning to include energy in their energy mix but you should remember that it should be developed on the safety culture.”

“Waste management in the nuclear power programme has been the main issue that we have had to address so when we are dealing with waste structures we should be able to deal with the waste and when you’re signing an agreement you should open your eyes well.”

Over 45 countries are actively considering embarking upon nuclear power programmes.

This ranges from sophisticated economies to developing nations.

The front runners include the UAE, Turkey, Vietnam, and Poland. Bolivia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia also inked agreement. Rosatom estimated that the economic potential of agreements and memoranda signed at AtomExpo 2016 is as much as $10 billion.

Director general, Sergey Kirienko, said that about 30 documents were signed during the three-day annual conference and exhibition

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 31

‘SLOT Foundation, Academy’ll create next generation of entrepreneurs’

By Prince Osuagwu

J

UST the way Nigeria drifted away from agriculture due to abundance of crude oil resources and currently may have to pay the price of a dwindling economy, it could also be the same with entrepreneurship in the country as Nigerian youths are rather finding favour in politics and entertainment.

However, Managing Director of Slot systems, Mr Nnamdi Ezeigbo, has made an intervention with the institution of Slot Foundations, which in turn saw the birth of Slot Academy. Recently, the Academy graduated over 40 students from the Lagos State Vocational Educational Board 2016 Edition of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in Lagos.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ezeigbo who is also the Chairman, Slot Foundation said the aim of the academy w as to provide technical skills and creating jobs for Nigerians.

He recalled the experience he had with a group of Nigerian

youths which planted the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility in his mind: “Sometime last year, I was with a certain group of young Nigerian children. In the course of interaction with them, I asked who inspires them or who they would like to model their lives after; but their answers shocked

me. They mentioned popular musicians, movie actors, footballers, Politicians and just one popular Enterpreneur. At that point, I began to wonder why only one Enterpreneur; could it be that they are not popular, not adding to the society or not progressive enough to inspire these children.

But I also realized that there was

need to situate entrepreneurs in the minds of these young ones for them to see need to live after them. “If youths of today are looking up to musicians, politicians, movie actors and footballers who is going to create products and services?. Who is going to create the next generation of entrepreneurs?.

GRADUATION: From left, Prof. Ayo Ayodele, Mr Gasper Olawunmi (Executive Secretary Lagos State Vocational and Education Board), D’banj (Slot Ambassador), Nkechi Ezeigbo, Vice Chairman, Slot Foundation, Mr Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Chairman, Slot Foundation and Mr Emmanouil Revmatas, Director Information and Mobility, Samsung Electronics, West Africa at the event.

That is why we come up with slot foundation. For the foundation to achieve its aim, we established the Slot Academy. We need to reduce the social cost; to create the technicians, engineers and creators of tomorrow’s products and services. The aim is to arrest young Nigerians that will grow and sustain the entrepreneurial environment. I believe in knowledge based economy and the only time we can achieve that is when entrepreneurs become social responsible entrepreneurs” he added Brand Ambassador of Slot Mr Daniel Oyabanji, popularly known as D’Banj also admonished the graduands to hold firm what the academy has bequeathed on them. He said: “10 years ago, I was roaming the streets of computer village looking for how to sell my kokomobile. I Met Nnamdi and the wife 7 years after and it has never been the same experience.

Had I met them earlier, I would have been bigger than I am now.

So hold the talent the Academy has given you so tight, it might be your meal ticket tomorrow” said him.

Why Nigeria should harness indigenous innovations for devt - Shittu

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE 2016 edition of Nigerian Internet Governance Forum ended in Abuja last week with stakeholders in the Nigeria ICT sector urging the Nigeria government and indeed Africa, to devise its own strategy to harness her indigenous innovations for inclusive development and smarter Nigeria.

With the theme: Harnessing Internet Governance for Inclusive Development and Smarter Nigeria, the participants were of the opinion that for Nigeria to fully realize its potentials and sustainable development goals by 2030, it must create the enabling environment for the ICT sector to thrive and power other sectors of the economy.

Internet governance The Nigeria Internet Governance Forum serves as veritable platform for stakeholders in the sector to brainstorm on the pertinent topical issues regarding internet governance with a view to forming a national agenda in preparation for the global Internet Governed Forum, coming up in December this year. Running in its fifth consecutive edition hosted by multi-stakeholders since 2012, the forum was also the first global preparatory NIGF forum since the renewal of the mandate in 2015.

Minister of Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu, while speaking at the occasion,

said the forum was more interesting this time that Nigeria's internet community is tinkering with a new internet governance system.

He stated that the NIGF also provides opportunities for developing countries to engage in debate and facilitate a common understanding of how to maximize internet opportunities and address risk and challenges that arise.

The Minister who was represented by head of eGovernance, Tope Fashode, said that there had been several important discussions over the period which were aimed at realigning Nigeria with global position on internet governance

and charged participants to maximize the opportunity provided by the event to foster

For Nigeria to experience technology intervention in the country, government must create the devices, environment and the ecosystem new ways Nigeria can realize its potential using the internet, assuring them that the outcome

will form basis for public discussions both locally and globally.

In his paper presentation, the Managing Director of SystemSpecs, John Obaro said for Nigeria to compete globally it must begin to look inwards and devise solutions to its peculiar problems without necessarily waiting for foreign solutions.

Obaro, who was represented

by Uche Obiofuma said the forum should serve as a unique time and opportunity for stakeholders in the sector to showcase what they have as Nigerians.

In his own presentation, Dr. Chris Uwaje, corroborated with other speakers, saying that for

Nigeria to experience technology intervention in the country, government must create the devices, environment and the ecosystem, which the Internet of Things represent.

For him, internet of things is not new and so, Nigerians should focus on how to respond and engage in it as a thing of mind.

He maintained that Africa must start reinventing the wheel by doing things by itself, solving African problems with African solutions. For the NCC EVC , Prof. Umar Dambatta, the forum was timely as it provided stakeholders the platform to contribute towards the development of NIGF.

How Motorola smart solutions boost public safety

A

By Emeka Aginam

T the just concluded Critical Communications World 2016, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Motorola Solutions raised the bar on how best to build safer cities with latest smart public safety devices, software applications, infrastructure and virtual reality-enabled command centre concept.

Speaking during unveiling of the smart solutions, Mark Schmidl, corporate vice president and general manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Motorola Solutions told international participants that, “We have a powerful set of tools to help make cities safer by increasing public safety’s situational awareness and capabilities through mobile intelligence.

“We offer end-to-end interoperable solutions for broadband voice, data, multimedia and applications that enable public safety agencies can work faster, safer and more effectively.”

Meanwhile, around the world, public safety has begun a transition to an era of

mission-critical mobile intelligence that requires smart solutions to capture, analyze and act on an exponentially expanding amount of data. While individual agencies are taking their first steps towards mobile broadband, countries and governments are building their own broadband networks that bring together the right scale and resources to deploy mission-critical mobile intelligence.

Projects such as the UK Home Office´s new Emergency Services Network (ESN), where Motorola Solutions oversees the Lot 2 portion, reflect the enormous potential for broadband networks to gather data and transform it into actionable intelligence.

Building a seamless collaborative system that connects people with the right information at the right time is the new paradigm for public safety that Motorola Solutions is bringing to life, including a vision of the command center of tomorrow that leverages virtual reality technologies.

This vision of mission-critical communications highlighted by Motorola Solutions included: * The Si Series body-worn radio speaker

microphone and body-worn camera in one, and CommandCentral Vault end-to-end digital evidence management solution. *The small and elegant ST7000 TETRA portable radio that appeals to customerfacing staff, senior public safety officials and professional radio users. * The WAVE 7000 system that enhances work group communications with a redundant, high-availability push-to-talk capability that links millions of users regardless of device. * The new WAVE 5000 software update (Release 5.11) that offers enhancements for customers looking to integrate broadband PTT communications with Motorola Solutions´ Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) networks in a flexible and costeffective way. * A concept for the Command Center of the Future that uses next-generation technology, including virtual reality and eye interaction provided by California-based startup Eyefluence, that enables first responders to navigate, share and collaborate on critical information like never before.

32 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis may bring you personality clashes base on envy from the other party.

Slow down and give peace a chance at least for now.

SCORPIO; Full-Moon in Aries points to possible misunderstanding (probably) within your working arena.

This is the wrong time to fan the embers of discord.

SAGITTARIUS; Although the full-Moon is generating tension, your wish is to have your good time. It’s wrong to under-rate the havoc jealousy can wreck CAPRICORN; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis will bring pressure from many fronts, the more noticeable ones are career/business and domestic related types AQUARIUS; Full-Moon in Aries warns you to watch what you sign and verbally agreed to do. If you fail to respect the law, it’ll back-fire very soon.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Rsted

ECENTLY, a journalist acme and co wanted to know from me what my expectation is concerning the new government. My answer simply is:

Limiting Your Expectation I expect nothing special. Before you crucify me, let me ask you. Haven’t we been having new governments

TERROR MUDA

in Nigeria? Government come and go but our problems don’t just remain, they get bigger and bigger.

in “Never say goodbye”

Over the years, I have learned not to expect much from government as well as individuals. My policy is: blessed is he that expects nothing for he shall not be disappointed.

By Kola Fayemi

PISCES; Today ’s full-Moon in Aries does not encourage carelessness with money as such can actually lead to avoidable but serious troubles. Avoid jealous approach ARIES; Full-Moon in your Star sign will encourage you to under-rate many to their resentment the way you too’ll be negatively affected. Don’t ignore your spouse TAURUS; Full-Moon in Aries warns you to do away with whatever can not be placed above board. Take your health seriously today more than before GEMINI; Today’s full-Moon in Aries can tempt you to expose your love life unnecessarily. Separate your private/ personal affairs and open friendship CANCER; Full-Moon will certainly affect your mood and make you aggressive but, encouragement of tension along your career line and/or within your business circle can not help your cause now. Protection of your image is important however.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO; Full-Moon may bring you what you’re likely to see as an insult but in reality it is not one. You only need to be on the right side of the law so that you’ll have the last laugh to the detriment of your opponents. Discourage of jealousy within you.

VIRGO; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis may generate tension around you but, the best way for you not to be the loser is to make sure your finances are well protected. Then green eyed monster called jealousy may make things a little bit difficult.

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, Dear Readers, Pisces Zodiac sign that comes up today is rounding up serial analysis of the twelve zodiac signs I’ve been doing in the past few weeks. I sincerely hope that we shall not have cause to repeat them in the near future, Therefore you are advised to keep yours where it’ll be well protected.

And I say may God continue to be with us. Amen BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PISCES th Pisces is 12 of the twelve Zodiac signs ruled by mysterious Neptune. It quality is mutable while it element is water. Mutable aspect of Pisces indicates that people born under it are changeable, by this I mean they change their minds often times. Being a water sign, naives of this Star have very strong intuition and can flow into anybody heart and/or mind.

Neptune as the ruler of Pisces brings compassion and ARTISTIC talent into Pisces born people’s creativity quotient. Neptune rules psychic related thing and many of things that cannot be placed above board; Neptune makes most natives of this star sign secretive, hard to understand and dreaming.

Two opposing fishes as joint symbol of Pisces oftentimes responsible for occasional confusion suffer by all natives of Pisces one time or the other. It is truly important for them to learn how to control both their emotion and mind.

Because it is easy for Pisces people to become pessimistic unnecessarily The reasons are while one of the fishes may head for optimism and day dreaming, the other’s inclination may be of fear, despondency and timidity. Thus, confusion can creep in and that will be to the detriment of their confidence.

Cultivation of practical nature and adoption of realistic method in all you do will be of great importance. It is equally important for Pisces born people like you to take psychic related things more seriously because they can make use of psychic and/or spiritual related things.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—33

ALLEGED MISCONDUCT: Delta Assembly suspends

member, recalls suspended LG chair

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—THE Delta State House of Assembly has suspended one of its members over alleged legislative misconduct.

Mr Reuben Izeze, the representative of Ughelli South

state constituency, was suspended for three months for allegedly bringing the House to disrepute.

The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Tim Owhefere moved the motion.

“He is hereby suspended for a period of three months” the

Speaker, Mr Monday Igbuya said during the plenary, yesterday.

In another development, the House recalled the suspended chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwura.

Majority Leader of the House,

Mr Tim Owhefere, who also moved the motion, said the suspension should be lifted on compassionate ground.

The motion was unanimously adopted.

It will be recalled that the council chairman was suspended about three months ago.

EDO 2016: 490,000 PVCs still unclaimed in Edo —INEC

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By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY—AHEAD of the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said, yesterday, that over 490,000 Permanent Voters Cards, PVC’s still remain unclaimed out of the 1.7 million registered voters in the state.

It urged the affected persons to come forward for the PVCs to enable them participate in the election.

Warning against multiple registration in the ongoing registration of voters ahead the election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner , REC, in the state, Mr Sam Olumekun, said such registration would be rendered invalid, adding that card readers will be used for the election.

Olumuken who addressed newsmen as part of the preparations for the election, said “Some people have not been able to collect their PVC’s, INEC will use this period of registration to distribute the old PVC’s that may not have been collected. Those who have registered and yet to

collect their PVC’s should therefore, check and collect their cards.

“Let me state categorically that those who have registered before should avoid multiple registrations as doing so will entail their names being deleted

from the voters register, we have a software that will help us delete such names. As we prepare for the 2016 election in Edo State, the challenge before us is to sustain a correct political orientation anchored on interest on the vast majority of the people and not for a minority few.”

Responding to the allegation that some politicians were purchasing PVCs, he regretted that INEC as a body was helpless to check the situation, saying it was his hope that the issue would be looked into during the review of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly.

INSPECTION: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State acknowledges cheers from residents of Benin City. With him is Prince Kassim Afegbua, Commissioner for Information (right); Prince Clem Agba, Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities (2nd right) and Mr.Claudio Teagno, Project Manager, Hartland Nigeria Limited, during the inspection of the dual-carriage 2nd East Circular Road in Benin City, yesterday.

IYC alleges neglect of Ijaw communities in Edo

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By Tare Youdeowei

ENIN—THE Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, western zone has criticised the Edo State governor , Mr Adams Oshiomhole for the total absence of human and infrastructural development of the Ijaws and their communities in the state.

IYC which expressed dismay over the marginalization of the Ijaw communities in Edo State by Oshiomhole led government in Edo State, said, on assumption of office, the governor did promise the construction of the Udo/ Ofunama Road to attract development to the riverine communities, adding that the eight years of governor ’s administration has not impact on the riverine Ijaw communities.

The youth body in a statement by its Western zone Chairman, Mr Freedom Atigbi, stated that, the Ijaws were now being ridiculed in the political space of Edo State because of their support for the re-election of Oshiomole as governor of Edo State, who did not consider Ijaw sons/daughters

to be members of the state executive council.

He said Oshiomhole, who had promised the Ijaws positions to represent them in the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission and other key political appointments

during his visit to Ofunama community, failed to fulfill these promises, which have turned out to be mere political gimmicks.

His words: “Hence, the IYC consider this act with disdain because Governor Oshiomole and his party were not able to

fulfill any of the promises to the Ijaw people who massively voted for him and the party during the last governorship election. ‘’The Ijaws worked meritoriously enough to deserve developmental projects and appointment to the state executive council.’’

LG boss warns newly inaugurated sanitation task force against illegalities

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By Onozure Dania

ARRI—CHAIRMAN of Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr Matthew Edema has cautioned members of the newly inaugurated Warri South Local Government Council Environmental Sanitation Task Force against illegality, saying that his administration was determined to block all possible loopholes to avoid leakages in Internally Generated Revenue.

Edema who handed down the warning, while inaugurating a 22-man Warri South

Environmental Sanitation Task Force, noted that members of the Task Force were saddled with the responsibility of monitoring illegal road closures in Warri, in addition the prosecution of sanitation offenders.

The council boss who is to proceed on a two-week vacation with effect from tomorrow enjoined residents of Warri to pay their waste disposal levy.

Membership of the task force, which cuts across the Warri South Legislative Arm, Warri South Environment Department and Information Unit, NSCDC,

PSP, National Orientation Agency, National Youth Council of Nigeria and the Police, has the Warri South Supervisor for Environment, Mr. Kenneth George as Chairman and the Warri South Head of Environment Department, Mr S. Umukoro as Secretary.

Responding on behalf of others, Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. George assured that members will carry out the assignment without fear or favour and in compliance with the law.

SSAS: Delta

scholarship board warns against fraud

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Bursary and Scholarship Board, has warned students of the state origin in tertiary institutions and management of such institutions against perpetuating fraud in the Students Special Assistance Scheme, SSAS, and other schemes of the board.

Speaking to newsmen in Asaba, Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Elijah Ologe said that the board would blacklist any school whose students indulged in acts meant to defraud the board.

Disclosing that students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State have been blacklisted in the payment SSAS for the 2013/2014 session, he frowned at a situation where some schools aid students to perpetrate fraud.

Ologe said if not for the diligence of the board, the state government would have been allegedly defrauded to the tune of millions of Naira through one of the Federal Polytechnics (names withheld) .He however, commended some schools for diligently verifying students lists sent to them by giving actual information on their studentship and CGPA.

Aide lauds Oshiomhole on performance

By Simon Adewale

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ENIN—EXECUTIVE Director of Public Affairs, Mr Henry Okpamen has lauded the Edo State governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole on his performances and developmental strides in the provision of roads and other social amenities to boost the economy of the state since he assumed office.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Okpamen, who was the former Senior Special Adviser to Governor Oshiomhole on Public Affairs said, that the governor, was determined and has make life better for the people of the state, noting that Oshiomhole has taken the state to a greater height due to his administrative qualities He also commended Governor Oshiomhole over his new appointment as the Executive Director of Public Affairs.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Killing of woman in Kano: Northern govs, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okorocha, APC national chairman meet

Corpus Christi College to get N2m from monarchs

...condemn herdsmen's menace & killings in the name of religion

By Chidi Nkwopara

By Tare Youdeowei

O

A

WERRI—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha, his Kaduna and Bauchi States’ counterparts, Mallam Nasir El Rufai and Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, and the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun, met yesterday, with leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo led by its President-General, Chief Gary Igariway in Owerri.

Vanguard gathered that the discussions centred mainly on the beheaded Igbo woman in Kano State, the issue of herdsmen and the unity of the country.

All of them harped on the need for the government and all patriotic Nigerians to see those

C H I — R O YA L fathers in Enugu State have promised to donate N2 million for the development of Corpus Christi College, Achi in Oji River Local Government Area.

This was stated, weekend, at the 56th Founders’ Day celebration of the school where the Principal, Rev. Emeka Isife, noted with satisfaction the presence of many alumni, and in particular the representative of the Bishop, Prince M. Akpa.

Royal fathers of the day , Igwe Chima Achiekwelu, Igwe Edmund Onyefulu and Igwe John Egwuatu, who contributed to the successful hosting of the event, spoke through Igwe Chima as they commended the principal for his giant strides in upgrading the school since his assumption two years ago.

A former teacher of the school, Major Forster Mbaekwe (retd), described how the first principal of the school Rev. Fr. Burke in 1966 did his best to employ best hands in the school, which is why the students from the college performed well in their WASC examinations.

behind these unlawful acts as criminals and common enemies of the nation and her people.

In his contribution, Governor Nasir El Rufai said that “the Northern governors totally condemn the murder of the Igbo woman in Kano, stressing that the matter should be treated as a case of murder, while those responsible must be brought to face the wrath of the law”.

Continuing, El Rufai said: “We will not accept a situation where people, either Christians or Muslims, hide under the umbrella of religion to commit crime. If someone had insulted God, the person should be left for God to take care of. I have advised the Kano governor to publicly deal with the people involved to serve as a deterrent

to others.”

He commended Ohaneze Ndigbo for choosing the path of peace and unity, pointing out that people are now using religion as a tool to divide and even defraud people.

“That necessitated the introduction of religion bill in Kaduna so that people can be stopped from using divisive languages in the name of religion”, El Rufai said.

Addressing the issue of herdsmen, the Governor said “it is a problem that is affecting the whole nation, adding that it is not a case of Fulani invading other tribes but a criminal activity that must be nipped in the bud".

Speaking also, the Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar said “the killing of the woman in Kano

Obiano slashes cost of C of Os in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—GOVERNOR Willie Obiano has approved reduction of all fees payable for issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, C of O, in non-state lands in Anambra State.

The new regime of payment shows that 1-1000square metres attracts N600,000.00 in Awka and Nnewi and N675,000.00 for Onitsha.

Also, 1000-2500 square metres attracts payment of N900,000.00 for Awka and Nnewi, while

applicants in Onitsha will pay N675,000.00 and applicants for 2500 square metres-5000 square metres will pay N1,500,000.00 in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

In the same vein, those who apply for residential purposes would pay N400000 for 1-1000 square meters in Awka and Nnewi, N650000 for 1000-2500 square metres in Awka/Nnewi, while those in Onitsha will pay N650,000.00.

Applicants whose plots are for residential purpose and fall between 2500-5000 square metres will pay N1 million in Awka,

Nnewi and Onitsha.

Government also reduced the cost of C of O in rural areas, which now stood at N200000 for 1-1000 square metres, N300000 for 1000-2500 square metres and N400000 for 2500-5000 square metres.

According to the government statement, application for commercial purposes would henceforth attract an increment of only 1.5% Before the reduction, applicants for C of O faced a lot of problems and spent millions of naira in the process.

Erosion: Succour comes to 29 Enugu communities

By Emeka Mamah & Chinedu Adonu

E

NUGU—SUCCOUR has come the way of over 29 communities in Enugu State following the intervention of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP,

in curbing the soil erosion that has devastated the area.

Disclosing this at a round-table media conference as part of its activities to mark the World Environmental Day in Enugu, yesterday, the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mrs. Agatha Lechukwu , said that N20milion

had been earmarked to the beneficiaries to start their livelihood, stressing that there were extensive community mobilization and sensitization on erosion control measures.

Mrs. Lechukwu noted that this year’s World Environmental Day was an opportunity to

upscale public sensitization and support for the project.

She explained that the project is a world Bank assisted one with objective to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted subcatchments with the lead implementing agency as Federal and State governments.

was an evil act, pointing out that he had liaised with the Kano governor and he assured that arrests had been made and those responsible will face the full weight of the law.”

On the herdsmen problem, he said, the problem has been in the North over the years and its occurrence in the South should not be seen as an act of invasion, but a criminal act that must be treated as such, adding that the traditional Nigeria Fulani herdsmen are not known to be criminally minded, but because of the country’s porous borders, herdsmen from other African nations, especially after the fall of Libya, entered Nigeria.

The APC National Chairman, Chief Oyegun in his contribution said there were proofs that most of these crimes are being committed by foreigners and gave an instance of a Catholic priest in Benin, who was kidnapped and out of the number of those involved in his abduction only one was a Nigerian.

“The nation has to rise to face these challenges squarely. I commend the leadership of Ohanaeze for their maturity in handling some of these sensitive issues,” Oyegun said.

Earlier in his speech, the President-General of Ohaneze, Chief Igariway, expressed satisfaction with the way the governor of Kano State is handling the case of the Igbo woman beheaded in his state, and cautioned against inciting statements from leaders, even as he commended the goodwill demonstrated by the Kaduna and Bauchi State governors.

Governor Okorocha said the killing of the woman in Kano State was an outright case of murder and has nothing to do with tribe or religion because what is criminal is criminal and must be treated as specified by law.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

Reclaimed loots: Should govt publicize names of culprits?

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his is not a good change if the government fails to publicize names of the culprits. Does it mean that this government knowingly select criminals? We are at that Junction right now, so let the government tell us who and who is in the list. -Miss Udeaku Nwazota, NYSC Member

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am totally disappoint ed with these flimsy excuses by the presidency on why names will not be made public. Not making public the names of looters is same to corruption itselfa total betrayal of the electorate’s trust and confidence. -Miss Okonta Rose, Student

I

think most of the people that refunded money did out of intimidation. I will see all these so called refunds as not judicious but forceful. One side story is inappropriate to move those who have respect for rule of law. Let us hear from the accused. -Mrs. Foluke Jaiyeola, Teacher

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hat is the fuss about recovery of $185million from looters? Why confusing Nigerians with $9Billion instead of the recovered $186million? If this is all President Buhari could recover, then he should do more. -Mr. Uche Vincent, Graduate

I

t is an insult to the elec torate. We want to know who our enemies are. If we do not know who they are, we might be voting them in the coming elections.

These people should be banned from holding any public office or contest any elections. -Miss Nwosu Jane, Worker

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igerians are interested in knowing the looters if they are actually looters.

The government should stop telling Nigerians that any fund is looted. Are we sure that this APC Government is not looting also or did they not spend for election also? -Mr. Martins Chinaza, Businessman

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 35

KOGI GOV POLL: Wada loses bid to unseat Bello, heads to A-Court

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—FORMER governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday failed to persuade the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to return him to power.

In their unanimous judgment, the Justice Hamima Mohammedled three-man tribunal dismissed the appeal Wada lodged against the declaration of Yahaya Bello of All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Wada had through his lawyers, led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, challenged the process that led to Bello’s emergence as candidate of the APC for the December 6, 2015, supplementary election.

He contended that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, contravened the electoral law by accepting to allow the APC Bello replace its previous governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, who died before the November 21 election was concluded.

He urged the tribunal to determine if Bello was qualified to be declared governor even though he did not take part in all the electoral processes that led to the supplementary poll.

Wada prayed the tribunal to declare him winner of the election, being the living candidate with the highest number of votes in the poll.

Besides, he argued that his successor went into the supplementary poll without a valid running-mate.

In his view, Faleke withdrew from the race before the election.

However, the tribunal,

yesterday, dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

The tribunal held that the petitioner lacked the locus-standi to query Bello’s nomination by the APC. It ruled that neither the petitioner, the tribunal nor any other person who did not participate in the primary of the party, had the legal capacity to inquire into the nomination of the party’s candidate.

The tribunal stressed that issue

relating to nomination of candidate for an election is within the domestic affairs of a political party which no court is permitted to delve into.

While upholding the preliminary objection Bello, APC and INEC raised against the petition, the Justice Mohammedled panel waved aside Wada’s contention that APC ought to have given 21 days notice to the electoral body before it substituted its governorship candidate.

RETREAT: From left; Chief Executive Officer, Old Mutual Life Nigeria Assurance Company, Mr. Keith Alford; President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Kayode Okunoren; Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari and Chief Executive Officer, Old Mutual General Insurance Company, Mrs. Rachel Emenike, during the 2016 CEO’s Retreat of NCRIB in Ilesa, Osun State.

IFAD flags off N800m rice, cassava production in Benue

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD,

has flagged off the development of its N800 million, 309 hectares of rice and cassava farm and 35km rural roads development programme across 14

PDP loses more members to APC in Nasarawa

By Rufus Ike

T

HE fate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the former ruling party in Nasarawa State has worsened with the defection of scores of members in Karu Gitata to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors led by Comrade Salihu Ilyasu, until now a chieftain of the PDP in the area, were immediately assured that they would be accommodated in the ruling party.

The defectors were welcomed

by Mr. Hashimu Guruku, the member representing Karu Gitata constituency in the State House Assembly along with other top officials of the party at the Ward Secretariat, Masaka in Karu Local Government area of the State.

The defectors said they were switching parties because of the protracted crisis in the PDP which they claimed led to the party’s defeat in the 2015 general

elections. Besides, they said that the PDP has lost foresight and had no plans for the youth.

Ilyasu said “The fact is that PDP was changing from bad to worse.

Young people like us don’t have future in the party. We were hoping the party will revive and change the way they do things.

PDP lack focus presently.”

communities of Benue State.

The multimillion Naira projects being executed under the IFADValue Chain Development Programme, VCDP, are located in Okpokwu, Guma, Logo and Gwer Local Government Areas of the state.

Conducting members of the state implementation team round the project sites at Okpokwu and Gwer LGAs, the State Programme Coordinator, Benue IFAD-VCDP, Mr. Emmanuel Igbaukum, said when completed, the projects would boost food production in the state.

He said: “The roads and farmland developments are all IFAD-VCDP projects that would

avail our farming clusters the needed access roads and farmland to boost rice and cassava production, aside opening up the communities where they are located.”

Igbaukum, who disclosed that work on the projects was going on simultaneously in the benefitting 14 council wards of the state, urged the communities to closely monitor the contractors to ensure that the projects were properly executed.

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. James Ambua, charged the benefiting communities to ensure the safety of the personnel and machinery at the various sites.

KOGI ASSEMBLY CRISIS: Reps summon Bello, Buratai

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—BARELY 24 hours after the Election Petitions Tribunal hearing petitions on Kogi State Governorship Tribunal delivered judgement that Governor Yahaya Bello was duly elected governor of the state, the House of Representatives yesterday summoned him to appear before its ad-hoc committee on Kogi House of Assembly crisis over alleged illegality.

Also summoned to appear before the committee, chaired by the House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, are the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and the Brigade Commander, Nigerian Army, Lokoja.

Recall that a member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, who was the running mate to the late Abubakar Audu on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had dragged Governor Bello who only participated in the

supplementary election after the demise of Audu to the Tribunal, praying to be declared as the rightful winner of the election.

Governor Bello is to face the Adhoc committee over alleged illegality and impunity bothering on violation of the National Assembly joint resolution on the State Assembly crisis.

The House condemned all acts by the governor and the officers of the Nigerian Army for frustrating the judgement of the Federal High Court on May 19, 2016.

UNICEF flags off ‘hard to reach' project in Taraba

By John Mkom

J

ALINGO—TARABA State Primary Health Care Agency has, in partnership with UNICEF and Canadian government, flagged off a free health care project, tagged “Hard To Reach”, at Suriwa village in Yoro local government area.

The project is aimed at offering free medication to children, women and men on immunization, polio, nutrition, malaria and community mobilization on health matters.

450 medical and health workers employed for the project were trained on how to work in places with difficult terrains, with no health facilities.

They were also trained on how to educate the local populace on cases of maternal mortality across the 350 localities in the the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the head of field office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Office, Abdulahi Kakai, said UNICEF and the Canadian government had agreed to provide free drugs for the project.

Dana Air wins City People's airline of the year award

By Daniel Eteghe

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ANA Air has won City People Awards for excellence as airline of the year in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of City People Media Group, Mr. Seye Kehinde, who gave out the award, said it was meant to reward and celebrate deserving personalities and corporate organizations that excelled in their various areas of endeavour.

He said Dana Air emerged winners for doing well in the aviation sector in recent times.

While expressing his delight on the award, the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, said: “We are honoured to have received this award and are happy that our efforts in providing quality customer and in-flight service to our esteemed guests are being recognized.”

He said Dana Air always put its customers first to see that they were comfortable and had their travel seamlessly.

Obi said: “We put our customers first in all we do and some of the online platforms recently launched are just our way of ensuring constant touch with our customers when they have enquiries, feedback or need updates on their Dana Miles account.''

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Sports Commission, Mr. Tony Okowa, and Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Sports, Mr. Stephen Cole, at the inspection of dilapidated facilities at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Asaba Township Stadium, Asaba.

UNION BANK: From left— CEO, Emeka Emuwa; member, Board of Directors, Beatrice Bassey, both of Union Bank Plc; CEO, Wisedue Investment Ltd., Idris Sulaimon; member, Justice of Peace, Funke Worrey, and ED/Founder, First Lady Mechanic in Nigeria, Sandra Aguebor, at the unveiling of the bank's Muri Okunola branch, Victoria Island, Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

FUTA VC'S DAUGHTER WEDS: From left— Bride’s father, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA; groom’s mother, Mrs Bodunrin; couple, former Miss Tolulope Daramola and Mr. Abiodun Bodunrin; bride’s mother, Mrs Daramola and groom’s father, Mr. Adewale Bodunrin, during the wedding at Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Akure, Ondo State.

THREE CROWNS MUM: From left— Sales Director, FrieslandCampinaWAMCO, Mr. Wale Arikawe; grand prize winner, Three Crowns Milk Mum of the Year Competition, Mrs. Nkechi Brayila; Senior Brand Manager, Three Crowns Milk, Mrs. Maureen Ifada, and Deputy Director, Head Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Nggada Yakubu, at the finale of the competition in Lagos.

WHAT CAN WE DO TOGETHER: From left— Nominator from Awa Ijebu, Ogun State, Mr. Oladele Awoleri; Human Resource and Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola; Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; and representative of Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Idowu Mohammed, at the appreciation party for nominators from MTN's What Can We Do Together initiative in Lagos.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Rev Fr. Emeka Isife (3rd left), flanked by the awardees, during the 56th Founders' Day celebration of Corpus Christi College, Achi, Enugu State.

HEINEKEN: From left— Brand Manager, Heineken Nigeria, Obabiyi Fagade; Cool FM OAP, Dotun, and actor, Gideon Okeke, at the Heineken House for the UCL Final in Lagos.

WINNERS: From left— Head Teacher, Jibowu Junior High School, Mrs Morenike Arise; Desk Officer, Co-Curriculum, School and Technical Dept, Education District lV, Sabo-Yaba, Motunrayo Daramola; Ujong Etim; Nnena Onwuchekwa, both students of Jibowu Junior High and winners; and MD, Concept Nova Ltd., Mr. Chukwuma Ochonogho, during the Community Youth Empowerment Debate for Junior Secondary Schools in Lagos by Concept Nova.

INSPECTION: From left— Mr. Valentine Akosa; Chairman, Delta State

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—37

PDP NWC, govs, NASS hand over party to Makarfi Sheriff’s camp accuses caretaker c'ttee of contempt

By Emmanuel Aziken, Innocent Anaba & Ben Agande

A

BUJA—THE SENATOR Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, formally took over the national secretariat of the party with representatives of all the party’s major organs in attendance.

The take-over, which should have signalled the formal return of peace to the party, however, proved not to be the case as the former national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff kicked against the handover, saying that he would sustain his judicial actions against the Makarfi's caretaker committee.

Sheriff’s camp said it would initiate contempt proceedings against the committee before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The party ’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo and Deputy National Legal Adviser, Bashir Maidugu, said that the caretaker committee remained illegal and lacked powers to run the party's affairs.

Sheriff, Oladipo and National Auditor, Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju had obtained an order restraining PDP from

conducting any election into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and national auditor, which they occupied, pending the hearing and determination of their substantive suit before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

But, while the order was subsisting and the suit pending, the caretaker committee was appointed.

Yesterday’s handover at the

national secretariat was witnessed by all the governors elected on the platform of the party as well as PDP leaders in the National Assembly.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, said with the handover, the party was set to take over power in 2019 even as he called for prayers for the convalescing President Muhammadu Buhari.

Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Segun Mimiko for his part also called for caution from the nation’s leaders as he warned against what he calledcentrifugalforcesaimingtotearthe country apart.

Former Deputy National Chairman of theparty,PrinceUcheSecondusformally handed over the party to the Makarfi led caretaker committee and enjoined the new leadership to take the party to the grassroots in order to win back their confidence for the party to bounce back in 2019.

AWARD: Hon. Igbas Ezehi (left), receiving Esan Hall of Fame Award on behalf of Chief Mike Onolememen, former Minister of Works, from HRH Amb. Ukato S.O Edenojie ll, JP, Onojie of Ugboha, during the award, at Ambrose Alli Hall, Ekpoma, Edo State.

Commonwealth doctors vice chair slams Buhari over medical trip abroad accompanying aides), whose

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—VICE President Commonwealth Medical Association and a former National President Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele, has expressed reservation over the medical trips embarked upon abroad by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Enabulele in a statement in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday said that President Buahri has missed the opportunity of putting his change mantra to the test by staying back at home to be treated by Nigerian doctors.

He said: “Even though the nature of the persistent ear infection/specific diagnosis was not stated in the Special Adviser’s press release, I wish to commend Mr. President for the medical disclosure (a departure from the past) and sincerely sympathize with him, especially at this critical stage of our country’s history and development, and wish him quick recovery.”

He said flying the president abroad contradicts the Federal Government’s earlier declaration of her resolve to halt the embarrassing phenomenon

of outward medical tourism, which as at the end of the year 2013 had led to a humongous

capital flight of about $1billion, particularly from expenses incurred by political and public office holders (and their

foreign medical trips (most of which are unnecessary) were financed with tax payers’ resources.

Obaseki campaign slams Ogienwonyi

ALLEGED PURCHASE OF PVCs:

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY—A member of House of Representatives, Mr Philip Shuaibu and the Coordinator of Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation in Edo North, Abbass Braimah, have challenged a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Dr Chris Ogienwonyi to provide the video evidence of where the Permanent Voters Card, PVCs, were being purchased from party members with a view to manipulate the June 18 governorship primaries in favour of Obaseki.

They also described as unfortunate, the claim by Ogienwonyi that the state House of Assembly was shut down for its members to give support to Obaseki, saying that

“Ogienwonyi is displaying ignorance of happenings in the state since he does not know that the House of Assembly is on recess.”

Dr Ogienwonyi had accused Shauibu of meeting with APC delegates and giving them the sum of N10,000 each to purchase their PVCs.

‘Opudu, Omare, Aribogha not involved in Aladja, Ogbe-Ijoh communal wars’

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By Etop Ekanem

ARRI—THE Ijaw People Congress, IPC, has dissociated Chief Boro Opudu, Chairman, Delta Waterway and Land Security Committee; Frank Omare, Director-General, Special Programme, Delta State and Chief Johnny Aribogha from the ongoing communal war between Aladja (an Urhobo town in Udu Local Government Area) and Ogbe-Ijoh (an Ijaw town in Warri South-West), saying they are not the sponsors of the communal war.

The congress in a statement

by its National President, Mr Ekanpou Enewaridideke, said: “This is to let the world know that Chief Opudu, Omare and Chief Aribogha have no link with the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, and are not the sponsors of the communal war. The issues that caused the war between the two communities are well known.

“We also want to place on record that the Urhobo and the Ijaw are not at war, only their two communities are. The war should be limited to the two communities, not the entire Ijaw and Urhobo nations."

World Bank downgrades 2016 growth forecast

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

BUJA—THE World Bank has downgraded its 2016 global growth forecast from 2.9 per cent which it announced in January to 2.4 per cent.

It said in a statement, yesterday, that the decision to reduce the growth forecast was based on sluggish growth in advanced economies, stubbornly low commodity prices, weak global trade, and diminishing capital flows.

According to the latest update of its Global Economic Prospects report, commodityexporting emerging market and developing economies have struggled to adapt to lower prices for oil and other key commodities, and this accounts for half of the downward revision.

Growth in these economies is projected to advance at a meager 0.4 percent pace this year, a downward revision of 1.2 percentage points from the January outlook.

“This sluggish growth underscores why it is critically important for countries to pursue policies that will boost economic growth and improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty.

“Economic growth remains the most important driver of poverty reduction, and that’s why we’re very concerned that growth is slowing sharply in commodityexporting developing countries due to depressed commodity prices,” said World Bank Group President, Mr. Jim Yong Kim. The bank said that commodity-importing emerging markets and developing economies have been more resilient than exporters, although the benefits of lower prices for energy and other commodities have been slow to materialise.

It added that such economies “are forecast to expand at a 5.8 percent rate in 2016, down modestly from the 5.9 percent pace estimated for 2015, as low energy prices and the modest recovery in advanced economies support economic activity.”

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY,

JUNE 8, 2016

HARVEST TIME: APC delegates turn PVCs

into ATM cards

By Omeiza Ajayi

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE approach to the APC governorship primaries has become a harvest of sorts for accredited delegates of the party.

A majority of the delegates Vanguard learned are simply smiling to the bank on a weekly basis as they milk the major aspirants. Not all the aspirants are complaining, though.

One of the leading aspirants who had been an official of the branches of the Federal Government reportedly conceived the weekly handout of N5,000 per delegate to woo delegates to himself a few weeks ago. His effort has since been adopted by another delegate who is said to have the support of a big man in the outgoing state administration. That aspirant was said to have simply upped the game by increasing the weekly handout to N10,000 per delegate.

“It is what we have to do to keep

our delegates,” a source close to the N10,000 paying aspirant said.

However, before the delegates are paid, they are made to show their PVC cards which in the eyes of some have now become cash

producing ATM cards.

At a meeting with APC delegates from Edo North last Sunday, a very senior political office holder from Edo North who has been alleged to be

sponsoring the Godwin Obaseki campaign was said to have urged the delegates not to shy away from collecting the N5,000 being doled out by the rival aspirant. He, however, told them to return to the Obaseki campaign which he said would give them more.

The prominent Edo politician, however, charged them not to mortgage the state to those who he said were not prepared for governance.

At the same function in the residence of Rep. Philip Shuaibu, Governor Adams Oshiomhole was quoted to have urged the delegates to appreciate the sacrifice made by the state commissioner for works, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, who is Obaseki’s campaign manager.

Oshiomhole urged the delegates drawn from the three Etsako local government areas to laud Ogie, who he said sacrificed his governorship aspiration in consideration of Obaseki following pleas by him, Oshiomhole.

My structure lies in my goodwill — IZE-IYAMUgoodwill as somebody who has

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

L

EADING PDP aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has dismissed claims that he lacks the required structure needed to win the primaries on account of the fact that he returned to the party only two years ago.

Dismissing the claim in an interview with newsmen, IzeIyamu said his focus and goodwill with the people were the advantages working for him.

He said: “I have a clear blueprint, I know where I am going, and that is why I have brought a detailed roadmap.

Somebody asked me, Pastor, everybody is worried about your structure, what is the secret about the political structure that you have?

“But I now explained to them that what they call structure is good will. I have goodwill in every part of the state, a friend of mine just came back from America this morning, he is coming with a load of souvenirs.

Every place I go to in Edo, I have friends. I was in Edo Central just three or four days ago, to my

•Ize-Iyamu: My structure is in my goodwill C M Y K

surprise, I saw vehicles branded in my colours, I don’t know the owners, they did not even come to me to ask for permission or to even tell me this is what we are

doing for you, but I just saw vehicles already branded, I counted at least five branded in my colour.

“So the structure I have is the

lived with the people, somebody they know, and somebody they trust, somebody who is accessible to them and that is what I am carrying into this election.”

Why Obaseki is best for APC — UMWENI Mr. Osamede Umweni is Coordinator, Edo Professionals. In this interview, Umweni states, among others, the qualities required from the next governor of Edo State, the factors that will shape the governorship election as well as the ambition of Godwin Obaseki. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

W

HAT are the factors that will shape the next governorship election in Edo State?

I will say that the factors are subjective to each individual in the state. The factors, to me, are good governance and a capable successor to the outgoing governor.

We need someone who wants the good of the state and who is ready to move the state to the next level. Someone who is not selfish but patriotic. These are the factors that will shape the election in a few months from now.

What are the qualities you expect from Oshiomhole’s successor?

First, Oshiomhole has done well. If you want to measure him, I think he has passed. The next occupier of that office is someone who will surpass the foundation already laid in Edo State because governance is a continuous process. So, we need a pragmatic leader, a successful individual, who has excelled in his chosen field. One who has a track record

APC begins screening today

that can take the state to the next level. We do not need a failure as the next governor.

Speculations that Godwin Obaseki is the adopted successor of the governor has led to a Cold War between the governor and his deputy. What is your take?

If a governor, who has been in the saddle for eight years, who looks at his achievement, he would want a successor that can improve on those achievements.

As it is, Oshiomhole has not come, publicly to say he is supporting an aspirant.

Supporting an aspirant Oshiomhole, as a governor and individual has a right to support any aspirant to be governor, but it depends on the electorate to decide whether or not they want such an individual as their governor. Concerning Godwin Obaseki, he is the aspirant that I am rooting for. I have known him for 16 years now. I have seen the zeal and passion in him when I discuss the Edo Project with him.

•Umweni: Obaseki is best When he was made chairman of the economic team of Edo state, I felt that it was a good development. He has been successful in his professional life and he has been able to bring in revenues for the state and also helped in managing the state resources efficiently. When he decided to throw his hat into the ring, I felt it would be good to support his ambition. I know he has what it takes to move the state forward from where Oshiomhole has stopped. I think he is the best.

What is the position of Edo Professionals regarding the elections?

Edo Professionals is a non partisan body, which is formed for the advancement of our professional life and people in the state. The organisation was formed to chart a good course for ourselves and for our people.

T

HE national secretariat of the APC would today begin the screening of the various aspirants gunning for the party’s ticket.

No fewer than 10 aspirants had purchased, filled and duly submitted their nomination forms, a process which deadline elapsed on Monday.

The aspirants include the state deputy governor, Pius Odubu, Ken Imasuagbon, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, Godwin Obaseki, Austin Emuan, Chris Ogiemwonyi among others.

By the party’s schedule of activities, the screening would end this Sunday.

Appeals arising from the exercise would be heard between next Monday and Wednesday even as the primary election would hold on Saturday June 18.

••As delegates demand return of PVCs

By Gabriel Enogholase

S

OME APC delegates, who allegedly surrendered their PVCs for patronage are demanding for the return of their PVCs. A delegate, who was a victim and does not want his name in print, told Vanguard that he was one of the delegates that were summoned to the residence of a chief along New Lagos Road where their PVCs were allegedly collected under the guise that they were taking them to help them get employment.

He disclosed that when they demanded the return of their PVCs, they were told that, “it’s being kept for safe keeping and being processed for job.”

He said, “We want to bring it to the attention of the National leadership of our party that some of our leaders are deploying several means to ensure that their preferred aspirant wins at all cost.”

“Many of us can no longer live in our houses for fear of been harassed and intimidated by a particular leader of our party in Oredo, who has deployed several means of harassing us each time we are to see any other visiting aspirant in our ward or LGA “Our appeal to the national is that these people must be called to order, and all delegates must be assured of maximum security during and after the APC primaries. A stitch in time they say saves nine.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 39

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 41

Back to the fold:

Oron re-unites with A’Ibom road network after years of neglect •Journalists also rejoice *Awa/Iman Nkang Roundabout water fountain

By Tom Moses, Uyo AFTER several years of infrastructural neglect, the people Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State presently have cause to celebrate following the construction of at least, six inter-connected roads in the first phase of the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Oron Urban Renewal Programme.

Oron which was hitherto the nerve centre of maritime activities for the entire Oron Nation comprising Oruefong Oruko, Mbo, Okobo, Odung Uko, and even Calabar, had virtually lost its pride of place and capacity due to deplorable roads that used to connect those places with it for the supply of high quality sea foods at very reduced costs, especially as the use of engine boats to traverse the area was not too fashionable again because of sundry ugly occurrences in the waters.

Pleas by the Oron people to governments to come to their rescue did not seem to receive the required attention and Oron continued to wallow in neglect which escalated to near excision of the once lively city from the rest of the local government areas and communities in Akwa-Ibom State.

Community self-help It was gathered that the people of Oron had to painfully resort to community self-help to fix some of their roads so as not be totally dislocated from the rest of the world. This was even as the people began to operate as an autonomous zone, not believing again in the existence of government and the possibility of government providing its obligatory functions as well as detested the word, government.

But during his numerous campaign visits last year, Governor Emmanuel was said to have been quite avuncular and identified with the plights of the people and promised to transform Oron within his first year in office.

Unfortunately, that promise was cynically dismissed as the usual political talk for which he was almost pelted by the people until he assumed duties and declared Oron an emergency

•Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen(c) zone. Thereafter he mobilised contractors to immediately work the talk and give the Oron people a sense of belonging.

Apparently, the story of neglect of Oron by governments now belongs to the trash-can of history as a total of six interconnected roads, namely Mainland Avenue, Mary Annie School Road, Awana Esin Road, Market Road, Efiat Road and Bassey Street, have been constructed in Oron alone in the

From morning till night, Oron used to bubble with social and business activities, youths and women were meaningfully engaged in the jobs first phase of his administration’s intervention on roads.

While inspecting the roads to mark Governor Emmanuel’s first one year in office, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, expressed the friendly disposition and the love of Governor Emmanuel for the people of Oron as denoted by his intervention in fixing the roads as well as intervention in other emergency situations, including the Uya Road Junction Gully.

The commissioner assured that the Oro Nation would never be

•Lady Mary Young neglected by the Governor Emmanuel’s administration in the continuous efforts to remodelling Akwa-Ibom State to become the cynosure of Nigerian states.

Speaking with the VANGUARD FEATURES, VF, Lady Mary Young commended Governor Emmanuel for keeping his promise to the people by fixing many roads in one swoop and rejuvenating the local government area. “When we were young, Oron used to be a major city for the supply of seafoods to the South-South and the South-Eastern states and even up to Lagos.

Business activities From morning till night, Oron used to bubble with social and business activities, youths and women were meaningfully engaged in the jobs those activities could provide just as government was generating revenue from taxes. But could you imagine that since in the ’80s when Alhaji Shehu Shagari became Nigeria’s President and the late Dr. Clement Isong became Governor of the then Cross River State which now includes Akwa-Ibom State, not one single road was constructed or rehabilitated by government in this area.

“Even when those roads that used to facilitate movement of people to Oron collapsed, government refused to come to the rescue of Oron and eventually, the social and commercial life of Oron became

*Ikot Udom Road

dilapidated until Governor Udom Emmanuel came to our rescue.

We thank God for bringing him to Oron and other neglected parts of Akwa-Ibom State,” Lady Young remarked.

Also speaking, Pastor Umoh Bassey expressed appreciation to Governor Emmanuel for his magnanimity to the Oron Nation by salvaging the area from total excision from the rest of AkwaIbom State and the world.

“Recall that Oron usually go by the sobriquet, NAMOBA Town because of the presence of NAMOBA International Hotel which used to attract people from far and near and encouraged other social engagements here. But NAMOBA collapsed likewise other social outfits which used to attract people from within and outside Nigeria to Oron because of impassable roads.”

Information Drive, the media hub: The joy of being remembered and included in the provision of roads infrastructure has also overwhelmed the residents of Information Drive, the street housing the state’s owned newspaper outfit, the Pioneer, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, secretariat, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Nigerian Communications Commission, Akwa-Ibom State and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in the state.

Speaking with the VF during the road’s inspection, the Ag. General Manager/Editor-InChief of the Pioneer, Mr.

Marvellous-Friday Udo, said the construction of the Information Drive speaks volumes of the high regards Governor Emmanuel has for journalists in the state. “This road is going to provide a diversion from the traffic logjam that embodies the IBB Way, Nsikak Eduok, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Aka and Aka-Etinan Road. So, he has provided a good and strategic diversion. We therefore commend him and the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen for undertaking to ameliorate the sufferings that the people living and working here used to pass through as if they were not a part of the state”, Mr. Udo noted.

Awa/Iman Road

Aside from being the Governor’s community, the Awa/ Iman people also experienced decades of neglect by previous administrations in the state both in the provision of road infrastructure and spread of developmental projects. Thus, the speedy construction and completion of the 1KLM Awa/ Iman/Ikot Nkang Road with drainage in Onna Local Government Area is seen as a superlative feat by the governor.

Besides, the construction of the 5KM Ikot Usop-Ikot Edeghe-Ikot Ekpuk Road and 30 metres span bridge in Mkpat Enin, Dualization of the 19.5KM EketIbeno Road and the remodelling of Eket Metropolis Phase 1 and 11 have reached at least, 70 percent completion stages and would be ready for commissioning in September.

42 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Clinton secures Democratic nomination

H

ILLARY Clinton has clinched the Democratic nomination for US president after reaching the required number of delegates.

The count puts Mrs Clinton on 2,383 - the number needed to make her the presumptive nominee.

She will become the first female nominee for a major US political party.

But rival Bernie Sanders said Mrs Clinton had not won as she was dependent on superdelegates who could not vote until July’s party convention.

Mrs Clinton reached the threshold with a big win in Puerto Rico and a burst of last-minute support from superdelegates, AP said late on Monday night.

Superdelegates are party insiders who can pledge their support for a candidate ahead of the convention but do not

formally vote for them until the convention itself.

AP’s announc-ement came ahead of Democratic primaries on Tuesday in California, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota,

and New Jersey. Polling stations opened at 06:00 local time (10:00 GMT) in New Jersey. The last ones to close will be in California at 03:00 GMT Wednesday.

Muhammad Ali planned his funeral

M

UHAMMAD Ali began crafting details of his own funeral years ago, insisting on an open and inclusive service, a family spokesman said Tuesday.

“This began with ‘The Champ’ a decade ago,” spokesman Bob Gunnell told reporters at a news conference. “As he convened the meeting, he said, ‘This is what I would like to see, this is the type of program that I would like to see, that is inclusive of everyone, where we give as many people an opportunity

that want to pay their respects to me.’ “ Ali also said it was important that the memorials be conducted in the Muslim tradition, Gunnell said.

The three-time heavyweight champion died Friday night at age 74 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

The planning for the memorials involved many people in the Louisville, Kentucky, area who were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, Gunnell said.

EU offers Africa carrot, stick to help curb migration

E

UROPE plans to coax as well as pressure African governments to help curb migration northward using a mixture of aid and trade levers under proposals put forward on Tuesday by the EU executive.

As Africa’s biggest donors, divided from the world’s poorest continent by a sea that is failing to deter many from attempting risky crossings, EU leaders want to see their tradeand-aid euros used to •President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh during help solve their migration his visit to President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya crisis, though that has at the State House, Nairobi yesterday. brought criticism from African governments and us and to ensure that Parliament in Strasbourg. there are consequences rights groups.

One focus of EU “We propose to use a mix for those who do not,” pressure will be the of positive and negative Frans Timmermans, the reluctance of some African incentives to reward those deputy head of the governments to take back third countries willing to European Commission, their own citizens cooperate effectively with told the European deported from Europe.

Kenya’s govt bans protests against electoral body

K

ENYA’S government has banned all opposition protests against the country ’s electoral body, a day after witnesses said police

killed two demonstrators, the internal security minister said Tuesday.

A 6-year-old boy was also hit in the back by a

Indian minister wants his country to ban Nigerians

BY FAITH AGBI

A Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the South Los Angeles Get Out The Vote Rally at Leimert Park Village Plaza on June 6, 2016 in California.

Defiant Assad vows to liberate every inch of Syria was much better than it was we will liberate every inch

S

YRIAN President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to “liberate” every inch of the country lost to rebel groups the same way his forces recaptured the historic town of Palmyra from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

In a televised speech on Tuesday before the country ’s new parliament, Assad told politicians that the situation on the ground

months ago and was improving by the day.

“As we liberated Palmyra and before it many areas,

EU court rules undocumented refugees cannot be jailed

E

U countries cannot i m p r i s o n undocumented refugees and migrants for entering the Schengen area, the bloc’s top court ruled on Tuesday.

The European Court of

Tehran blocks sale of video game depicting Iran’s 1979 revolution

T

HE Iranian regime has banned the sale of a video-game that gives players a first-person perspective of the 1979 Iranian revolution.

“1979 Revolution: Black Friday”, which was created by an Iranian-born game

of Syria from their hands.

Our only option is victory, otherwise Syria will not continue.”

designer and his wife and released back in April to acclaim for its historically accurate depiction of the Iranian revolution, has been banned by officials in Tehran for being “AntiIranian” and “proAmerican propaganda.”

Justice in Luxembourg has said that European Union rules prevent the jailing of non-EU refugees and migrants who have crossed a frontier if they have not already been subject to deportation procedures.

The ruling came in the case of a Ghanaian woman, Selina Affum, who was caught by French police at the Channel Tunnel while on a bus from Belgium to Britain using someone else’s passport.

French police placed her in custody for illegal entry to France, and then asked Belgium to readmit her.

FORMER Minister in India, Ravi Naik has called on his country to impose a ban on Nigerians.

Naik in a statement published by The Times of India, said: “The Central government should ban Nigerians,” he reportedly said at a press conference.

Referring to Nigerians as “negroes”, the politician accused them of causing trouble “everywhere”.

“Even the Aam Aami Party leaders had a fight with Nigerians in Bengaluru,” he said.

“They create problems everywhere. We do not want Nigerian tourists.”

He accused some Nigerians in Goa, a state in the Asian country, of masquerading as students, demanding a probe into their activities.

Kiran Kandolkar, Goa spokesman, has demanded

an apology from Naik over the controversial statement.

“Ravi Naik should tender an apology. The statements made by Naik are insulting and uncalled for,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

India is one of the countries which President Muhammadu Buhari has visited since he came to power.

During the trip, the Nigerian leader met with the country ’s prime minister and other top government officials.

Both countries also pledged to strengthen their bilateral relationship.

Buhari also met with the Nigerian community there and assured them of his g o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment to their wellbeing.

Though Nigerians are used to being criticised all over the world, disparaging remarks like that of Naik is not a common occurrence.

police bullet Monday during protests in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu, witnesses said.

The security minister, Joseph Nkaissery, said the chaos does not fall within the parameters set by the constitutional court, which had called the demonstrations a constitutionally guaranteed right and ordered the police to protect protesters.

Angolan separatist rebel leader dies in exile in France

T

HE leader of a rebel movement seeking independence for Angola’s main oil region has died in exile in France, the group said in a statement seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) said Nzita Henriques Tiago, 88, would be buried in France on Friday as he only wanted his body taken back to Cabinda if it was an independent state.

Malawi failing to protect albino community —Amnesty

T

HE Malawian government has failed to protect people with albinism, leaving this group to the mercy of criminal gangs who hunt for their body parts, Amnesty International has said.

In a new report released on Tuesday, the rights body said the attacks on

people with albinism over the past two years were “unprecedented” and that a lack of action on the part of authorities has created a “climate of terror” for those living with the condition.

According to the Malawi Police Services, at least 69 people with albinism have been

attacked in Malawi since 2014. Amnesty said that at least 18 people have been killed, five others abducted since November 2014. At least four were killed in April 2016 alone.

Body parts belonging to people with albinism have become sought after in areas of southern and eastern Africa.

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, JUNE 8, 2016 —43 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

He’s playing ‘dad’ to his ex’s other children

My wife and I want out-door sex!

Dear Bunmi, My wife and I love sex, but we are getting bored by routine sex.

She recently came across an article that outlined the thrill of out-door sex and we’re now thinking of trying sex where it is forbidden - like the beach or a toilet where we might be discovered. We don’t really want to get caught, mind you, we just want the thrill of it. Do you have any tips?

Augustus, by e-mail

My husband is resentful of my sister Dear Bunmi, My younger sister lived with me and my husband for a couple of years before she moved into her own flat. We were close when we were young and I was happy to have her stay with us so she could save enough money to be independent. But my husband felt she was taking advantage of us as she hardly lifted a finger to help when she was with us. My sister could be self-centred and naive, but we never laid down the law as to the chores she should do as I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. After she left, I passed some household items we no longer use to her, but my husband wasn’t happy about this. He said she should learn to be responsible and that I’m not encouraging her to be.

My sister is struggling and needs these cast-offs more than we do. Why is my husband being so mean? I’m beginning to dislike his attitudes. Is he right?

Dotun, by e-mail Dear Dotun, When dealing with family problems, there are seldom right or wrong answers. When you open your home to loved ones, you naturally expect them to have the grace to pitch in and show consideration. Unfortunately, your sister didn’t do this neither did you encourage her to. You would have outlined some expectations when she moved in.

But that’s over now. You offered to put a roof over her head with no conditions and anybody would lap that up. So, there’s no point being too hard on your husband. Your husband probably has relatives he would be glad to help too and he wouldn’t be happy to see all these’ castoffs going to just one person. You need to talk over your resentment with him instead of bottling it up; and next time you give away of your joint-possessions, make sure it’s with his consent.

Dear Augustus, You know, and I know (and most important, the police know) that having sex outside in public view is illegal. It’s a case of weighing up the possible pleasure against possible embarrassment or arrest. Not being able to control your surroundings is all part of the thrill, but not everyone will be as entranced at the sight of your bottom pumping up and down as you will be. Personally, I think it’s safer to be caught by some friends in their toilet at a particularly boozy party than to be caught by a policeman with your pants down on the beach!

It’s fine to try it on a plane under blanket if there’s no one sitting next to you and the cabin lights are off. Ditto under the table at a restaurant if the table cloth is floor length. But getting it on in a public toilet is a no no.

Remember you use these experiences only to be aroused rather than satisfied. If you’re having semi-public sex, push clothes aside rather than remove them and choose a position you could unwind from if caught.

And, don’t forget to zip up after.

Many have .gotten away with the deed but been caught by buttons done up in the wrong hole.

Personally, I think it’s safer to be caught by some friends in their toilet at a particularly boozy party than to be caught by a policeman on the beach! It’s fine to try it on a plane under blanket if there’s no one sitting next to you and the cabin lights are off. Ditto under the table at a restaurant if the table cloth is floor length. But getting it on in a public toilet is a no no!

Why are men no longer ‘toasting’ me?

Dear Bunmi, I’m a single woman in my 30’s and my problem is that I cannot find a man and I honestly have no idea why. I’m attractive and all my friends say I’m a nice person. I’m aware that you can meet a man at any time, not just when you’re out socially on Saturday nights, so I never step out of the house looking anything less than perfect. I keep to my trim figure, dress nicely, wellgroomed and, because I was aware I was being too choosy, I’ve tried hard to give men I don’t even fancy a chance. But now men just don’t seem to find me attractive at all. I don’t get chatted up though I make sure that I look friendly and approachable when l’m out. l’m at my wits' end and honestly don’t know what else to do.

Philo, by e-mail Dear Philo, Your whole being seems to be devoted to finding this person, who, I suspected, you feel will complete you. You’re not just eager to meet someone, it has become an obsession. The problem with being so fanatical about something is that it makes you come across as a bit neurotic.

Men spot desperate women a mile off and the sensible, nice ones, make a run for it realising you want a life-jacket, not a boyfriend. The not so nice men single you out, figuring you’re a great candidate for someone

they can treat badly, knowing you’ll put up with it because you’ll do anything not to be alone. You don’t sound like you are at that stage yet, but you’re not far of!

You need to stop looking and turn all this energy inward. Throw yourself into enjoying your career, enjoy your friends rather than using them as emotional crutches, read books, see movies you like, go to the gym, make new friends and find new things to enjoy. Also stop looking so perfect. Nails always polished, not a hair out of place could put people of! You sound like the girl who turns up at a barbecue in killer-heels and your little black dress when everyone else is in casuals, just in case there might be a single man present. This is termed ‘the single girl look’ and it’s often unattractive. For a change, aim for the just got out of bed look.’ This is bound to attract more men as they see a woman who looks perfect, and not think ‘high maintenance’ or ‘she must be desperate for a man’. If you really want to get a man, leave your hair all messy, pull on your oldest pair of your favourite jeans, add a pair of casual slippers and a vest, but make sure your bra is showing.

Put on the barest minimum of make-up and a mysterious smile that says ‘who cares in meet a man? I’m here to have fun!’ and see what happens. Then sit back and enjoy all the attention that is bound to come your way.

Dear Bunmi, I‘ve been going out with my boyfriend for four years and although we live in different flats, until recently, we rarely spend a night apart. He’s in his late 40's and has a 17-year- old son, who lived with his ex for 11 years before they divorced. The woman has since had two kids by a man she dumped last year and now lives alone with the three children.

Whenever she wants anything done, my boyfriend is round her place like a flash and sometimes stays the night. He claims that he sleeps in his son’s room during these visits. He even cooks meals for her and the children, as if they were family and one of the younger kids calls him ‘dad’ like his own son does.

He even sometimes put up all three children in his flat and I told him it’s wrong for a man who is spoken for to stay with another woman overnight, especially

a former partner, but he doesn’t agree.

Helm, by e-mail Dear Helen, Your man obviously finds satisfaction in helping out the woman who was his wife for 11 years and is again playing the role of father. This single ex and her three children need a man like him around. Your man and his ex are obviously good friends and you shouldn’t rule out occasional sex between them. He may even decide to live with her since you have no kids between you.

You obviously don’t know where your current relationship is taking you. Isn’t it about time you found out? Invite him to discuss what future you two have together, then accept the limits of your relationship with him.

There comes a time when it’s important to seek the commitment of the one you love, and that time is now.

My ex is playing with my emotions Dear Bunmi, I was madly in love with this man of my dream - he was well-educated, witty and handsome. But, out of the blues, he told me he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship and that we should revert to just being friends. Reluctantly, I agreed with him. That was some nine months ago. Since then, he’s been flirting with me as if nothing had happened. He visits me every day and buys me presents. We haven’t made love since the break-up and I’d take him back any day. Only, I’m afraid to say anything for fear of scaring him off. Do you think I should confess my feelings?

Rachael, by e-mail Dear Rachael, It looks as if your ex-nowturned friend is keeping up efforts to win you back and you should tell him how you feel in order to keep your fears at bay. Ask him if he wants to give the relationship another try and if he does, got for it.

If he says no or says yes, then backs off again a few weeks later, run for your life, because if things don’t work out the second time round, they never will. He might even be one of these men who just like keeping their exes keen. If so, steer clear of him and look for a man who could give you a stable relationship.

This baby is wreaking havoc on our sex life Dear Bunmi, When my wife got pregnant, we agreed to prove everyone wrong and have a great sex life despite having a small child.

Now the baby is here, our resolve has gone out of the window. My wife is tired most of the time and I’m not exactly full of energy myself. What can we do to bring back-oar sex life?

Dan, by e-mail Dear Dan, You need to face the fact that the hot, lusty sex you once had is temporarily on hold. But what experts term ‘warm sex’ could be a nice replacement. By this, it means sex that involves both of

you doing something sexy together but doesn’t necessarily result in orgasm - or even both of you getting massively turned on. The advice here is to think back to the mornings when you spooned-stroking each other in a non-demanding way, happy to just lie snuggling in that sleepy, sexy state. Sex is ‘warm’ when it’s calm and not particular intense, and this is the sort of sex you’ll have the most of during the first few years of parenthood.

Value it for what it is - a way of maintaining sexual connection and you’ll have much more chances of returning to the sex you were used to after your kids grow up a little.

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

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Serena overtakes Sharapova as highest-paid female athlete S

*Serena

ERENA Williams may have lost the French Open final, but she still earned a major victory this week.

Forbes announced Monday that Williams has overtaken Maria Sharapova as the world’s highest-paid female athlete, bringing in $28.9 million in prize money and endorsements over the year. The world No. 1 won three Grand Slams in 2015, reached the final of the year’s first two Slam events and added a major endorsement deal with Chase.

Sharapova had reigned atop Forbes’ annual list for 11 years, but lost lucrative endorsement deals with

NNPC/Shell Cup: Organisers plan big for finalists T HE annual NNPC/ Shell Cup football competition organised for secondary schools in the 36 states of Nigeria will be different in many ways for the four finalists this year.

External Relations Manager of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Igo Weli, said plans were underway to make the young players have a lifetime experience in Lagos during their short stay.

Weli said: “They are the future of tomorrow and we have plans to encourage them on how to boost their career in the years ahead and also we are going to make them comfortable during the finals.

“It is not easy to play in the last four of any competition. We believe the last four teams are all winners so we intend to treat all of them like champions from the day of arrival till they leave Lagos.”

Super Eagles coach Continues from BP Nigeria to victories over Mali and Luxembourg in two friendly matches in May. “Coach Salisu Yusuf has been fantastic, and we would be more than happy for him to get the job,” Onazi told BBC Sport.

“He’s a humble professional and we [the players] told the NFF officials in Luxembourg that they should support these coaches by handing them at least two years contracts.

“The players are very happy with him - if you see the team fighting hard for each other and staying disciplined in positions during those two friendlies, he’s the reason behind it.”

Nigeria were rocked by

Oliseh’s exit, brought about by a dispute over contract violations, and they had to play two crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt in March under the temporary charge of Under-23 coach Samson Siasia.

The three-time African champions were eliminated from the competition and will not feature at next year’s finals in Gabon.

Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong feels the managerial upheaval, which has led to six coaches in six years, has not helped the team’s quest to deliver results.

“Instability in the managerial position has had a negative impact on the team,” Troost-Ekong

Four teams have qualified for the semifinal of this edition which is billed to take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on June 14.

The schools are FOSLA Academy Secondary School, Abuja; Government (Senior) Secondary School Darazo, Bauchi State; Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan, Oyo State.

said.

“We’ve seen managers come and go under two years and it’s not good for progress. Right now we all know what the new man [Yusuf] is doing and with support from everyone we can deliver.

“I’m positive the federation will know the right steps to take but the sooner they make the decision, the better it will be for everybody.”

‘It’s all about opportunity’ Yusuf, 54, who has worked as assistant manager under Stephen Keshi, Oliseh and Siasia, believes he is ready to be the top man ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in October.

“I feel honoured that the players find me worthy of the job because they

Nike, American Express, Porsche and TAG Heuer due to her recent doping scandal. She pulled in $21.9 million, down nearly $8 million from last year.

Not surprisingly, tennis players made up eight of the year ’s top-

10 earners. The pro tennis circuit has a narrow gender pay gap compared to other sports, as men’s and women’s tennis matches draw similar TV ratings, and both genders receive equal prize money at all Grand Slam events.

Top 10 earners

1. Serena Williams -$28.9 million 2. Maria Sharapova –$21.9 million 3. Ronda Rousey – $14 million 4. Danica Patrick – $13.9 million 5. Agnieszka Radwanska – $10.2 million.

6. Caroline Wozniacki – $8 million 7. Garbine Muguruza- $7.6 million 8. Ana Ivanovic- $7.4 million 9. Victoria Azarenka – $6.6 million 10. Eugenie Bouchard- $6.2 million

Milo Basketball championship: Delta, Lagos in fine start

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ETERMINATION, dedication and team work are some of key words by the sole sponsor of Nestle Milo when the Milo Championship started 18years ago. All these attributes were evident as the girls took the centre stage first at the indoor sports Hall of Asaba stadium. Defending champions of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships in the girls cadre, St.Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State on Tuesday began their title defence on a bright note in Group A, after defeating Harmony Secondary School Lokoja, Kogi State, 40-06 in the opening match.

Vardy Continues from BP Championship, effectively complying with Roy Hodgson’s desire for club issues not to distract his players during the tournament.

The England manager has been assured by the played with freedom under this coaching setup,” he said.

“I shared my philosophy with the players, we made them responsible for the success of the team on the pitch and they enjoyed it.

“I was assistant coach for three previous managers and I have managed all the top teams in Nigeria.

Personally I think it’s all about the opportunity to do it - so why not?”

A former El Kanemi and Ranchers Bees midfielder, Yusuf has 15 years working experience as a coach in the domestic league.

Yusuf, who recently visited Scotland to understudy the coach of Hearts FC, led Kano Pillars to the Nigerian League title in 2008 and Enyimba to domestic Cup success in 2013

striker that his focus is fully on the national team, who start their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia in Marseille on Saturday, as Arsenal wait to discover if he will move to the Emirates stadium.

The London club triggered the £20m release clause in his contract on Friday in the optimistic hope they could complete his transfer over the weekend, only for Vardy to ask for more time before deciding on the move.

Chelsea, Mourinho settle with Carneiro

F

ORMER Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro has reached a settlement with the club over her claim of constructive dismissal.

Carneiro also agreed to drop a claim of sex discrimination and harassment against the former Chelsea manager José Mourinho as part of the confidential deal struck on Tuesday.

As part of the deal, Chelsea apologised “unreservedly” to Carneiro over the incident that led to her departure, when she ran on to the pitch during a match at Stamford Bridge last August to treat an injured player.

Carneiro’s lawyer had told the tribunal that she heard Mourinho, angered by her decision because the team was already down to nine men, call her a “daughter of a whore” in Portuguese.

DStv Basketball Conference 6 Results Niger Potters 68 Plateau Peaks 72 Kano Pillars 85 Bauchi Nets 38 Gombe Bulls 64 Mark Mentors 46

Totti

Continues from BP Totti, 39, had been embroiled in a battle with aspects of Roma which threatened to ruin his long association with the club. The captain fell out with manager Luciano Spalletti, who only used him infrequently in what could have been his last season.

Muhammad Ali Continues from BP film of the same name.

T h r e e - t i m e heavyweight world champion Ali died last Friday at the age of 74 in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

His funeral will be held in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky.

The other pallbearers will be Jerry Ellis, the brother of Jimmy Ellis, Ali’s former sparring partner and fellow world

heavyweight champion, Ali’s cousins John Grady and Jan Wadell, nephew Ibn Ali, former brotherin-law Komawi Ali and family friend John Ramsey.

Friday’s service, which will be attended by a number of world leaders, heads of state and celebrities, will be open to the public and streamed live on the internet.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016—45

Erectile Dysfunction can be a pointer of other health problems — Dr. Funmilade Omisanjo RECENTLY, during the official launch of the Pharmacy Academy by Pfizer Nigeria, a Consultant Urologist Dr. Funmilade Omisanjo, noted that Nigerian men with the problem of Erectile Dysfunction, ED, do not often get treatment because they do not talk about the condition. In this chat with Sola Ogundipe, Omisanjo, also a Senior Lecturer with the Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM, talks about the causes, treatment and prevention of ED. Excerpts:

S

ITUATION of ED in Nigeria today Figures we have with us suggest that at least 30-40 pecent of men above the age of 40 will have some degree of Erectile Dysfunction, ED. By the time you look at men who are 60 years and above, at least 25 percent of them will have the very severe form of ED. What that means is that if you sit amongst a group of 50 year-olds you can expect one out of every two of them to have some degree of ED. For most it will be the very mild form, mild in the sense that the men can still have some sexual intercourse but the extent of the hardness of the penis is not what it used to be. We measure ED not in the presence or absence of erection, but we also talk about the turgidity of the male sex organ. So it is roughly about one in two in men above 50 years that have mild degree of ED. Remote and unseen causes of ED ED is basically age-related. As people get older you would expect some deterioration in their sexual function. Above 50 years, women approach menopause while men approach what is loosely termed andropause. Age and lifestyle are very important factors.

Obesity is necessitated with lack of exercise, people who are sedentary who don't do my physical activity. That kind of lifestyle will also predispose people to ED. Smoking and alcohol are also significant. Most of the

recreational drugs actually have negative side effects on erection. Various comorbidity diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypodermia, high level cholesterol, high blood pressure, problems with the Dr. Funmilade Omisanjo. nerves, and of course, medications are also significant. encourage men to take herbal Effect of roadside herbal remedies for treatment of ED. We always advise that they seek expert sellers and energy drinks Curiously you may find out opinion for proper evaluation and that those local herbs hawked treatment because there are well around do work sometimes, proven medications that work.

What is more important is that although at the expense of some other things. Those local ED can be a pointer of other problems, so in as much as you want to treat ED, it is important to evaluate that fully because some men with ED may have ED can be a pointer cardiovascular diseases that need of other problems, so to be sorted out. So it is not enough for the man to feel he has ED on it is important to his own go about taking herbal remedies. evaluate fully Role of pharmacist because some men In as much as we like patients coming to us sometimes, with ED may have pharmacists invariably are the first cardiovascular point of call because of the way diseases that needs to most pharmacy stores are structured. Patients sometimes find be sorted out it easier to go to a pharmacy in the mixtures are invariably soaked neighbourhood than going to a in alcohol, and that in itself, can doctor. Patients who have ED sometimes will come under the be a risk factor for ED. Besides that, chronic intake of cover of all other ailments. alcohol can have other side Sometimes they come to request effects on the liver and all that. for energy boost or some herbal You can never tell what the supplements. When people come concentrations of these things with loose complaints like these, are. In as much some of these the pharmacist should take out do work, we do not prescribe time to discuss with the patient them routinely, and we don't and encourage the patient to see an expert.

Tips to prevent Erectile Dysfunction

D

RINK alcohol in moderation or not at all. There is no evidence that mild or even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function, but chronic heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage, and other conditions, such as interfering with the normal balance of male sex hormone levels, that can lead to ED. Exercise regularly Strong evidence links a sedentary lifestyle to erectile dysfunction. Running, swimming, and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown to help prevent ED. Watch out for exercises e.g, bicycle riding, that put excessive pressure on the perineum, which is the area between the scrotum and anus. Both the blood vessels and the nerves that supply the penis can be adversely affected from excessive pressure in this area.

Watch what you eat A diet that's bad for a man's heart is also not good

for his ability to have erections.

Research has shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the penis. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body.

How to solve erection problems It can be embarrassing to talk to your doctor about your sex life, but it's the best way to get treated and get back to being intimate with your partner. Your doctor can pinpoint the source of the problem and may recommend lifestyle interventions like quitting smoking or losing weight. Other treatment options may include ED drugs, hormone treatments, a suction device that helps create an erection, or counseling.

Natural Fertility with BRIDGET OSHO Holistic Fertility Therapist babies@cheriemama.org

Irregular menstrual periods

T

ODAY we are going to be talking about irregular periods. By irregular periods, I mean when a woman gets her period one month and doesn’t get it the following month and doesn’t know exactly when she’ll get the next one. It also applies to a woman who needs medication to get her period. Now, I just want to mention very quickly that if you have irregular period, you will most likely have irregular ovulation. Even though they aren't the same, they usually come hand in hand together. I will be treating irregular ovulation in another article.

Hormonal imbalance Now, if you do have irregular periods, I would want to tell you that it's because you got some form of hormonal imbalance. This is because the menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones, for instance the oestrogen hormone which builds up your uterus. Remember, if you see your period, it means you haven't gotten pregnant. In preparation for pregnancy, your body builds up your uterus with layers of tissue, muscles and blood. The oestrogen hormone is actually

responsible for that, so if there is anything wrong with your oestrogen levels, you might struggle with that aspect of your menstrual cycle.

If you don’t get pregnant, the progesterone should help you break down what the oestrogen has built up. In other words, if you haven't gotten pregnant, progesterone should break down your extra cushion, tissue, blood and muscles and so you get your period. If you have very little progesterone for any reason, (there are several reasons for that) you will find out that your period might be scanty, irregular or might not even appear. Progesterone and oestrogen are the two key hormones when it comes to the menstrual period.

Hormonal profile If you have been having irregular periods for a while, you probably have been to doctors and they would have done hormonal profile for you and there's a very strong chance they would have told you that you have suffered hormonal imbalance.

However, even if you have done the hormonal profile test and it comes back to say that you are normal, I want you to just take note of something I tell women all the time, because your number, that is, the number that has been given to you from the lab falls under normal doesn't mean that is ‘your’ normal. So you find people who doctors tell them, everything is fine because their hormonal profile tests are normal.

Some people just fall under those groups, some people defy those categories. The beauty of natural fertility is it doesn't say because this is normal, then everything is fine. It looks at your own individual balance, what makes you balanced, what makes your hormones balanced.

For more information on natural hormonal balance visit www.cheriemamma.org.

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 — 47

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016

Serena overtakes Sharapova as highest-paid female athlete — Pg.44

Mourinho, Chelsea settle Carneiro dispute — Pg.44

Vardy delays Arsenal decision J

AMIE Vardy is to postpone any decision over whether his future lies at Leicester City or Arsenal until after the summer’s European

Continues on Page 44

STUNNING — Beautiful and Wealthy

Super Eagles coach: Players drum support for Salisu •Carneiro

•Vardy

N

IGERIAN players would like to see caretaker boss Salisu

Muhammad Ali: Lennox Lewis, Will Smith to carry casket at funeral

B

RITAIN’s former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and actor Will Smith will be pallbearers at Muhammad Ali’s funeral on Friday.

London-born Lewis, 50, became undisputed world champion in 1999, while American Smith, 47, played Ali in the 2001 Continues on Page 44

Yusuf given the manager ’s job on a permanent basis, says Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

The Super Eagles have been without a permanent coach since Sunday Oliseh quit in February.

Yusuf has guided Continues on Page 44

•Salisu

•Onaji

Totti agrees a new 1-yr deal with Roma

F

•Late Ali with Will Smith

•Totti

RANCESCO Totti has signed a new contract with Roma, although the coming season will be his last with the Italian club.

The new contract

means Totti will have been associated with Roma for 25 years, having first signed a deal with the club at the age of 12 in 1989.

Continues on Page 44

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS DOWN I Concise (5) 2 Fish-egg (3) 5 Imitated (6) 3 Wandering (6) 8 Repulse (5) 4 Charge (3) 10 Carrier (6) 5 Cudgel (4) 12 Employed (4) 6 Peeped (6) 14 Tedious (6) 7 Eluded (6) 15 Serious (1) 9 Gift (7) 18 Lair (3) 12 Turf (3) 19 Consume (3) 13 Feed (4) 21 Deceased (4) 16 Competcnt (4) 23 Encounter (5) 17 Implicit (5) 24 Shoal (4) 20 Melodious 27 Can (3) 22 Declare (4) 29 Regret (3) 24 Rota (6) 31 Structure (1) 25 Cupid (4) 32 Stocked (6) 26 Rage (6) 34 Unaccompanied (6) 28 Dress (6) 35 Combined (6) 30 Fish (3) 38 Tooth (5) 33 Cupola (4) 39 Ebb (6) 36 Doze (3) 40 Trivial (5) 37 Newt (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Resume 5. Doll 8, Token 9, Car 10, Seen 11, Blow 12, Assay 13, Repair 16, Fern 18, Edil 20, Wet 22, Cot 23, Don 24, Side 25, Owed 28, Daring 30, Faint 32, Akin 33, Iron 34, Fussy 36, Lees 37, Adhere.

DOWN 1, Record 2, Stripped 3, Massif 4, Consented, 5 Debated 6, Only 7, Lewd 8, Tea 14, Recognise 15, Sin 17, Row 19, Dominate 20 Wig 21, Tetanus 26, Damned 27, Ignore 29, Mail 30, Fife 31, Try.

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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