PDP, APC war over seized $5.7m by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62248

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Ex-Anambra gov, Obi decamps to PDP >>8

PDP, APC war over seized $5.7m

By Henry Umoru & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

•Jonathan embarrassing Nigeria in global community —APC •APC partnering foreign interests to rubbish Nigeria — PDP •Says party solidly behind President

BUJA— SOUTH Africa’s seizure of another $5.7m for the purchase of arms by Nigeria has sparked off war of words between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. While the APC accused President Jonathan of embarrassing the country in global community, the PDP has declared that it is solidly behind the Continues on Page 16

COLUMNISTS:

Jonathan goes •P.17 for broke

Ebola and America's funny hypocrisy •P.19

The new electricity tariffs effective December 20 •P.24

Mr & Mrs

RETURNING TO BASE—Travellers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday after the long public

holidays. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Furore in PDP over Mimiko's defection >>11 C M Y K

I'm well >>8 now, back soon — IBB

How NYSC member's project settled See pull-out inter-communal inside dispute in Anambra

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Armed herdsmen lay siege to Enugu-Nsukka Road By Austin Ogwuda & Chibundu Abugu

NUGU—ARMED herdsmen have continued to launch attacks on motorists and passengers plying EnuguNsukka Road almost on daily basis, Vanguard’s investigation has shown. The bandits, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, have left several passengers wounded, while others have lost cash and valuables. Narrating their ordeal to Vanguard, some of the victims called on the police to beef up security on dreaded portions of the road. In the latest attack, a victim, who identified herself as Mrs. Salome Nnadi, a teacher at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, recounted how they were ambushed and robbed along Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi Road, a few kilometres from Enugu. She said: “We were returning from Enugu on Thursday, around 3p.m. On reaching a sharp bend, four armed men dressed in Fulani regalia suddenly appeared from a near-by bush. “They ransacked the commuter bus, carting away mobile phones, jewelleries and cash from passengers.” She added that the bandits also inflicted machete wounds on the driver before escaping into the bush. Another victim, Mr. Ogili Alphonsus, said on his way to Enugu two days ago, some Fulani herdsmen, with their faces painted black, ambushed the commuter bus in which they were travelling and robbed all the passengers of mobile phones, cash and laptops. It will be recalled that when Enugu State House of Assembly began public hearing on a bill to make provisions for the control of nomadic cattle rearing in the state, they had decried the activities of some herdsmen in the state who had become armed robbers. State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the command was not unaware of the menace of bandits on that road but “we are on it.

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80 suspected Nigerien terrorists nabbed in Plateau By Marie-Therese Nanlong

OS—THE Special Task Force, STF, has arrested 80 suspected terrorists in Rikkos area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The illegal immigrants from Niger Republic were said to have been contracted by yet-to-

be identified person(s) to perpetrate violence in the state. Consequently, the STF advised citizens of the state to be alert and report any strange movements to relevant security agencies. Spokesman of STF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, who confirmed that those arrested were Niger Republic nationals, said the

suspects were currently facing investigation by security personnel to find out their mission in Jos. Meanwhile, the STF and the state Police Command have expressed concern over the renewed disruption of peace in the state, especially the recent attacks in Riyom Local Government and called on

Ikorodu pipeline vandals' jerrycans recovered from residents zAs Navy plans to establish base in Ikorodu By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—THERE were indications, yesterday, that community leaders in Ikorodu area of Lagos and landlords connived with hoodlums to vandalise Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines. Vanguard gathered that several of the jerrycans recovered by the Nigerian Navy, with the support of the Nigerian Army, in an ongoing raid of the area, were in the houses of residents. Following this startling discovery, the Navy disclosed plans to establish a naval base in the area to sustain the onslaught against pipeline vandals. The Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade, gave a stern warning to vandals, their patrons and residents of the area, to desist from the act or have themselves to blame. Displaying the over 5,000 jerrycans loaded with siphoned products before newsmen, Alade disclosed that several wooden boats, commonly known as Cotonou, were destroyed in the creeks. He explained that the operation, code named Awase, meaning scatter in Hausa, was carried out with the support of the Nigerian Army, following a directive from the Naval High Command.

Investigating

However, the over 100 suspects were not paraded as Alade hinted that investigation into their culpability was still ongoing. Preliminary investigation, according to him, revealed that illegal activities of vandals had been going on in the area for close to 15 years, a situation he lamented had not only resulted in the loss of human lives but

also wreaked havoc on strategic installations and polluted the environment. The recovered petroleum

products were thereafter handed over to NNPC Area Manager in charge of Mosimi Depot, Mr. Remi Eluyefa.

citizens to always be on alert and give timely information to security agencies for actions. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Abuh Emmanuel and Captain Iweha, told Vanguard in separate interviews that security personnel were on standby to swiftly respond to any distress call. It would be recalled that apart from last Friday’s simultaneous attacks in six villages in Bachit District of Riyom council, armed Fulani herdsmen on Monday night burnt several houses at Lwa village of the area, leaving many villagers stranded. At press time, neither the STF nor the council’s Chairperson, Mrs. Josphine Piyo, could confirm the number of houses burnt as they were still on ground, assessing the situation.

RECOVERED: The over 5,000 jerrycans recovered in homes of residents around the area of operation of pipeline vandals in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Explosion kills 2 at Bauchi Water Board By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—NO fewer than two persons were roasted in the fire caused by an explosion that rocked Bauchi State Water Board building in Misau Local Government Area yesterday, while several others sustained serious injuries. Eyewitness account said the victims included a staff of the board and a welder, whose mending of a leaking oil tank caused the explosion.

The eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the victims died instantly following the explosion that preceded the fire. He said the injured victims of the explosion were conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, and later referred to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, due to the gravity of the injuries they sustained. Another resident of Misau, Yerima Abdu, said whenever there was fire in the area, it

often got out of control because fire service vehicles had to come all the way from Azare to stop it. He said: “The state government should establish a fire station in Misau Local Government to minimise the damage caused by fire in the area.” Yerima called on the people of the area to always be cautious while operating electrical appliances to avert a recurrence of fire.

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CLO alleges fake tax collectors in Anambra By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

HIDEAWAY: The river where Silifat's remains was allegedly dumped.

Man arrested over wife's murder By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—THE Nigerian police is currently investigating the murder of a middle-aged woman, identified as Silifat Yakubu. She was allegedly killed by her husband, Ismail Yakubu, at Igbele, near Araromi Ale Olorunda Local Council Development Area, along Badagry Expressway in Lagos. Although details surrounding the death of Iya Lugo, as Silifat was popularly called, are still sketchy, it was gathered that the mutilated body of the deceased was found in a small river located at the community’s entrance, where she was supposedly dumped after she was murdered. According to an eyewitness, some of the victim’s body parts, such as her eyes, breasts and uterus, were allegedly missing when her corpse was found by passersby, suggesting that she must have been murdered for ritual purposes. Speaking to Vanguard, Ambimbola Sule, a commercial motorcyclist in the area, said: “Residents in the community woke up on Saturday morning to find the lifeless body of a woman inside the river that leads into Igbele. “Initially, people could not identify the person because her face had several cuts. She was wearing a lace gown, with no underwears.” It was learnt that since the incident involved the loss of life, community leaders had to involve the police from Area K Command, who began investigation into the incident. While investigating the case, the police arrested several C M Y K

zProphet said she was using my star— SUSPECT persons, many of whom had since been released. It was gathered that Yakubu was seen at the scene of the incident several times as residents tried to identify the corpse on Saturday.

Confession

According to reports, the deceased’s husband, who was arrested on Sunday, confessed to killing his wife on Friday night because a prophet told him she was using his star. He purportedly dumped the corpse in the river at night, after his attempts to take her far away failed because his bus developed fault. A neighbour, Iya Korede, who lives near the victim’s shop, noted that Silifat was jovial, hardworking and troubled no one. She also described the deceased as a trader who sold

zEyes, breasts, uterus missing household utensils in her container shop, located a few blocks from hers. Iya Korede added: “Most of the people in the area do not know her husband because he goes early to work and comes back late. But his wife is a very hard working woman. She built the house they live in. “As if that was not enough, she bought a commercial bus for him. What else does he want? If he was tired of the marriage, he should have driven her away instead of killing her. “The world is truly a wicked place. How can a man kill his own wife? The same woman who bore him three male children, for goodness sake? It is only God that will save us.” A member of the Landlord

Association said: “We do not know what this community has become. Just as we are still lamenting the gruesome murder of this woman, armed robbers struck last night. “At present, residents are living in fear. Once it is 7p.m., you will not find anyone outside. And this is affecting our business. “Lagos State government and relevant authorities should please come to our aid before things get out of hand.” Confirming the reports, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed that the suspect was currently in police custody and had made confessional statements that he actually committed the crime. According to him, the case is still under investigation.

Bayelsa Police confirm arrest of NSCDC personnel over death of boat owner By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of two personnel of the state command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, over alleged involvement in the killing of Mr. Akunama Agunza, a 25-yearold boat owner. Though the arrested NSCDC officials have not been handed over to the police for

interrogation, the accused were alleged to have conspired with some other unidentified persons in the incident that led to the arrest and drowning of the boat owner. The deceased, it was learnt, was allegedly arrested over his attempt to secure the release of his wooden boat impounded by the task force on illegal oil bunkering, set up by Southern Ijaw Council. The deceased was alleged to have hired out his boat to some

youths, but was impounded over illegal oil bunkering. It was learnt that attempt by the boat owner to secure the release of the boat led to his death in controversial circumstances. Spokesman of the deceased family and elder brother, Silas Okiri, said the case was reported to Oporoma Police Station after the family discovered the decomposing body of Akunama Agunza along the Ofonigbene River in Southern Ijaw.

NEWI—ANAMBRA State chapter of Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, has alleged that illegal and criminal revenue collectors were back in the state. It called on the state government to check the trend before it consumed all the achievements recorded in the area of security in the state. CLO noted that the administration of Chief Willie Obiano took laudable undertaking towards ridding the state of all manner of violent crimes, which elicited praise from both supporters and critics of his government. It said, however, that “like a bold conspicuous stain on a clean white linen, there has resurfaced a dangerous phenomenon in the state that requires urgent nipping in the bud, or be allowed to snowball into tradition to the utter discredit of the gains already made in the area of security by the present administration.”

FCT Police urge family of hit-and-run victim to come for body

HE Police in Abuja yesterday appealed to families looking for their loved ones to come over to Durumi Divisional police station in FCT metropolis to identify the body of a hitand-run victim that had been with them since October 2. According to the Police, the victim, aged around 50 years, was hit by a vehicle under Apo Bridge, close to the legislators’ quarters around 1p.m., and that the driver of the vehicle fled the scene. The police said the deceased was clad in white native attire at the time of the accident and was lying in the mortuary in the same outfit. They called on families looking for their loved ones to interface with the division and collect his body for burial.

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By Vincent Ujumadu & Nwabueze Okonkwo

WKA—AFTER a long period of speculation, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He made the declaration at his Onitsha, GRA home when he hosted chieftains of the PDP in the South-East. It took what looked like pressures on him to finally make the declaration as speakers after speakers persuaded him to join the party because, as they said, he had been identifying with the party even as governor of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Govs Akpabio, Orji, Ekweremadu, Ihedioha, Anyim, Nwodo, Chukwumerije, Chikwe, others in attendance Those who were in Obi’s residence include the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of House of Represetatives, Emeka Ihedioha; SGF, Sen. Pius Anyim Pius and the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Governor Theodore Orji. Others were the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio; former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Emma Anosike, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Sen. Ben Obi, Sen. Igwe Paulinus and PDP women leader, Kema Chikwe Also present were House of Representative members, including Ozongbachi, Offor Chukwuegbo, Uche Ekwunife, Chris Azobogu, Fort Dike, Jerry Alagboso, Toby Okechukwu, Kingsley Ebenyi, Onyechi Ezenwa, Ibechie, Eucharia Anazodo, Chuma Nzeribe, Princess Adaeze Oduah, Arua Arunsi, Egwuatu Cyril, Anayo Nebe, Col Usobundu, Ifeanyi Ubah. There were members of the Federal Executive Council, namely Emeka Wogu, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Osita Chidoka, Viola Onwuliri, among many others. On their mission, the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, represented by the Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the visit was as a result of the resolution by the entire South-East to pay him a visit and persuade him to join the PDP for more meaningful contributions to national affairs. Metuh said PDP had never lost election in the East but to Peter Obi as a person because of his integrity, forthrightness, hard work and honesty, which had made the people to love him and followed him at all times. Citing the recent joining of the

Ex-Anambra gov, Obi decamps to PDP PDP by Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Metuh said time was ripe for Obi to join the party because he should be working for his friend, President Goodluck Jonathan, one hundred percent. Governor Akpabio agreed that the PDP always lost in Anambra because of Obi, saying he wished they met Obi before the governorship election in Anambra, so the PDP could have won. However, he said it was not late for him to join the PDP and work at the centre for the good of the country and described Obi as a man of integrity, who comes out strongly on issues who would be an asset to the country at the centre. He called Obi and his wife to be proud of himself saying “If some of your people do not believe in you, if we do not admire you, if they do not realize your potentials, we gathered here are telling you that Nigerians believe in you and admire you.” Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji said: “ We are here today to discuss the future and progress of the South-East geopolitical zone with our brother Mr. Peter Obi, who was the immediate Governor of Anambra State. “Having reviewed with him the state of the country and how it affects our people, we came to the conclusion that our interest in the country is better served when we remain together as brothers and sister under one party and speak with one voice, which Obi has championed over the years. “We all agreed that politics globally is dynamic and changes from time to time. In Nigeria, for example, we have moved from regional parties to regional politics, which requires our people staying together and speaking with one voice. “We in the East should do the same in the interest of our people. We therefore appealed to him to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), since that is the party majority of our people belong to.“

Effusive eulogies for ex-gov Orji said Obi was the type of person the PDP needed to move on because of his integrity and that it was not everybody that the leadership of an organisation would be united in wooing him to join the party. Deputy Senate President, ike Ekweremadu said Obi, even when he was in APGA, extended hands of friendship to everybody that would contribute to the development of Anambra State. He said that Obi’s demonstration of leadership, integrity, his friendship with the President and commitment to Nigeria prompted them to come and appeal to him to join the PDP. Also speaking, the Deputy

AT LAST, OBI DECAMPS TO PDP: The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi( middle), with the PDP hierarchy from the South-East, including Gov. Godswill Akpabio, shortly after Obi joined the PDP at his Onitsha GRA residence yesterday. Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha said the decision to come and appeal to Mr. Peter Obi to join the PDP was a collective one borne out of the importance of Obi to Nigeria. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, said he was optimistic the forum would end up convincing the governor to make definite pronouncement, insisting that the delegation would not leave his house until he joined PDP.

Nwodo moved the motion for Obi to join PDP After the speeches, former Chairman of the PDP, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo in moving the motion for Obi to join them said: “in view of Mr. Obi’s integrity, political sagacity, marvelous work in Anambra State, stabilising influence on the Federal Government, we the leaders of the PDP move the motion that you are the one we are waiting for in the PDP.” The motion was seconded by the Minister of Works, Chief Emeka Nwogu, who said that Peter Obi was one good man the PDP needed for his utility not just to the President, but to the country at large. Mrs. Kema Chikwe, speaking on behalf of women said Obi was like the woman having an affair, and begot children, and that the event of the day was akin to his mistress coming with his children to ask for the legalisation of the marriage. She described Obi as sharing the same vision of a prosperous country with the PDP and that we would contribute more to Nigeria by joining a national party.

I'm humbled, says Obi

Announcing his decision to join PDP, Obi, who was called

upon to respond to the request by Sen. Ben Obi, said he was humbled by the visit. He said; “I most sincerely appreciate this visit by people I consider as important political leaders from the South-East. I thank you for your continued belief and commitment to the welfare of our people and the progress of our country. “I had in the past worked closely with all of you and you know my belief about our zone working together. I assure you that we will continue to work even closer as a team in the interest of our people. “Regarding your visit of today, let me assure you that I heard your kind and passionate requests and that your journey would not be in

vain but in the best interest of our people. Further Obi said the issue of joining a national party was not about happenings in APGA, but because of the need to be a competitor and not a spectator in national affairs. Finally, after protracted request that he be given time to get back to them and the insistence of the forum that time was of essence, he joined. Taken unawares by the number of people that flooded to Obi’s house, canopies were hurriedly set up to accommodate them. One of Obi’s aides said they thought it was just a visit by a few PDP members as their boss told them but were surprised that it turned out to be a carnival.

I'm well now, back soon — IBB

ORMER Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) has said that he has recovered and would soon be back in the country. General Babangida, who spoke on telephone with journalists at Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu’s Tunga residence in Minna yesterday when General Abdulsalami Abubakar paid the governor a Sallah homage said,”I am now well and will be back to Nigeria very soon.” He was not however specific on the date of his arrival. IBB, while speaking through General Abdulsalami’s phone said “I miss all of you, I wish you all Barka de Sallah. I am better now and I will be back in few days' time. The two former military leaders normally pay Sallah

.General Babangida homage on the state governor annually but this year, General Babangida is currently receiving treatment in a foreign country. Last week, the state governor sent a delegation from the state to visit the former military president.

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Anxiety as court rules on resignation of Nyako's deputy By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

NXIETY last night gripped political stakeholders in Adamawa State ahead of today’s judgment in the suit instituted by the former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Bala Ngilari challenging his removal from office. The judgment in the suit is to be delivered by Justice Ademola Adeniyi today a development that was last night causing quivers in the state given the demand by Ngilari that he should be installed as governor, given his claim that he was improperly passed over for the position. In his claim articulated before Justice Adeniyi by his lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Ngilari had submitted that by virtue of section 191 (1) of the 1999 Constitution that after the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako, that he, Ngilari being the next in the line of succession should have been inaugurated as governor. The former deputy governor further deposed that the assertion that he resigned his position as deputy governor was untenable given the claim by the House of Assembly that he, Ngilari resigned in a letter addressed to the speaker of the House of Assembly. Ngilari had relied on section 306 (1), (2) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), that his resignation from office as deputy governor could only be addressed to the substantive governor at that time who he claimed was Nyako. Nyako, in his submission to the court had also claimed that he did not accept the purported resignation of Ngilari as deputy governor.

By Hugo Odiogor

PRESENTATION: From left; President, National Council of Women Society, NCWS, Nkechi Mba; National coordinator, Women for Change, Princess Rabi Ibrahim; Mrs Patience Jonathan; wife of Deputy Senate President, Nwanneka Ekweremadu and others at the presentation of materials to empower the widows of South East at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State on Saturday. The development was yesterday causing apprehension in some quarters in the state. The national vice-chairman Northwest of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Pastor David Lawal told Vanguard that the party was not unaware of the capacity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to cause maximum political mischief as he asserted the readiness of the APC to checkmate the ruling party in the state. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which has scheduled a byelection to fill the vacancy of substantive governor for this Saturday is a party to the suit. Should the court rule in favour of Ngilari, the election would automatically be called off and should he lose, the election would go ahead.

The acting governor and substantive speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Umar Fintiri, who is the candidate of the PDP in the scheduled election is also

Editor, North

BUJA—FORMER Lands and Housing Minister, Chief Nduese Essien, said in Abuja yesterday that the just-concluded National Conference has reinforced the potential for Nigerians to live together and solve their problems despite areas of disagreement. Essien, who was a delegate to the confab, told Vanguard in an interview that the ability of the members to agree on a wide range of issues that had been bothering the nation was an indication that Nigerians were more united on various national issues than assumed by the outside world.

The former leader of the SouthSouth Caucus in the National Assembly noted that adoption of a wide range of recommendations by the conference would also go a long way in resolving intractable national challenges and give Nigerians a new lease of life. The former minister said: “The outcome of the national conference clearly shows that Nigeria has the potential to remain strong, united and developed because all the cries and tumours that had erupted at different times before the conference all collapsed in one day when we agreed that the status quo should remain and we continued. “And you also find out that the

cited as a defendant in the suit. The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the election is Senator Senator Muhammad Jibrilla Bindow.

EBONYI GUBER: Health Minister, Chukwu emerges PDP consensus candidate By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—THE minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu was yesterday endorsed by the caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi State as a consensus candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial election. Governor Martin Elechi presided at the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting where

‘National conference has reinforced Nigeria’s unity' By Soni Daniel, Regional

Why Social Security Act is delayed — OLEJEME

recommendations of the conference covered a lot of areas that if implemented would bring about a prosperous nation and make Nigeria the envy of other nations. Essien explained that one of the decisions taken by the conference would make it possible for the Federal Cabinet to be made of people from the national assembly and from outside to give a good blend and make ministers responsible to the NASS so as to reduce the usual friction between the lawmakers and the executive. He however regretted the inability of members to agree on the abrogation of the controversial Land Use Act of 1976, which he noted has stifled housing development in the country.

Chukwu was chosen. Governor Elechi according to sources at the meeting which took place at the Government House said the choice of Chukwu was in the spirit of rotation as approved by the party. The meeting which lasted over six hours comprised members of the state PDP caucus, law makers, stakeholders and youth leaders across the 13 local government areas of the State. The meeting provided the platform for all interest groups to air their views over the lingering governorship position which was zoned to Ebonyi south senatorial district, specifically, Afikpo North LGA where Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu hails from. According to feelers, the governor said zoning the governorship slot to the South was to compliment the immense contributions of late Dr. Akanu Ibiam in the state creation as he hailed from the area, Unwana Afikpo LGA of the state. A source at the meeting quoted the governor as saying that “Ebonyi is a poor young state that is strong and there is no need for wasteful campaigns; we believe that our decision is a good one; we strongly believe in God. “The message will go round; there is room for divergent views but ultimately we believe in consensus”.

HE Chairman of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme has attributed the delay in the passage of the Nigeria Social Security Act to legislative processes of harmonising the versions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Social Security Act is a poverty safety net to prevent Nigerians from falling below the poverty line, through payment of stipulated stipends to Nigerians who have no visible means of survival. Specifically, the Social Security will cater for the unemployed, and the elderly. The unemployed are expected to get off social security as soon as they secure jobs, Dr. Olejeme, who is an aspirant for the governorship ticket of Peoples Democratic Party, told Vanguard that the proposed legislature has gone through the third and final reading in both chambers of the National Assembly but are areas to be tied up through harmonization before it will be sent to the President for his ascent. The NSIFT boss said she does not envisage any difficulties with the bill getting the signature of the President because he has shown so much interest in the coming into effect such a legislation that will help to uplift the human conditions in the country. Olejeme said her mission in public service is “to improve on the welfare of Nigerian workers through the mandate of the NSIFT which she has helped to revive and to create a functional and reliable Pension system in the country. “We have also empowered millions of Nigerians through the SURE-P programmes and we are proud to say that what we are doing at the federal level can be replicated in Delta State, where the people required focused leadership.”

10— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

ASSBIF oppose Mainstream bank's sale

denies agreement with AMCON

By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—THE Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions ,ASSBIF has kicked against plans by Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON to sell Mainstreet bank, arguing that it was not consulted before the decision was taken. The association also faulted AMCON’s action, blaming it for not taking the plight of workers in the bank into consideration before embarking on the planned sale.

NUT directs Lagos teachers to resume work By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo AGOS—NIGERIAN Union of Teachers, NUT, Lagos State chapter, yesterday, directed its members to resume work today, for the commencement of the 2014/2015 academic session of both public and private schools after an extended holiday occasioned by an outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the state. To make today ’s resumption a reality, the state had earlier distributed sanitary wares and education instructional materials like water tanks, buckets, soaps, gloves, posters, handbills, instructional compact discs and handouts on EVD to schools in the state.

HORN-FREE DAY:

Lagos to reward drivers By Olasunkanmi Akoni

ALLEGED N50BN DEBT: Bi-Courtney

AGOS—AS part of activities to mark the first Horn-Free Day, Lagos State government will be appreciating some professional drivers for promoting safety on the roads. Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa who disclosed this yesterday, said professional drivers from private, public and corporateorganisationswouldbe honoured during the “Lagos Drivers Appreciation Day,” tomorrow.

By InnocentAnaba

AGOS—BI-COURTNEY Group, operators of Muritala Mohammed Airport, MM 2, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, said that it was not indebted to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to the tune of N50 billion, as was claimed by the corporation. Mr Tola Oshobi, Head of Litigation of Bi-Courtney, who addressed newsmen in Lagos on an agreement between the company and AMCON, insisted that the agreement never came into force because the conditions precedent were not met. He said: “We have watched with bemusement, the hysteria with which AMCON and its counsel have repeatedly asserted in daily publications and press interviews that Bi-Courtney Limited and associated entities have signed an Offer Letter with AMCON, which constitutes an admission of liability to AMCON in the sum of N50 billion. “The bad faith, insincerity, breach of trust and outright falsehoods underpinning these statements and publications are being presented to the courts and the appropriate statutory regulatory bodies for investigation, resolution

and appropriate sanctions and remedies. “While we firmly believe that the appropriate forum to address and resolve the dispute between Bi-Courtney and AMCON are the courts of the land and not the pages of newspapers, it is necessary to respond to these statements so that innocent members of the public are not unwittingly misled by these misrepresentations of facts,

half truths and falsehoods. “Apart from other extenuating facts and circumstances, well known to both AMCON and BiCourtney, as well as their respective counsel, which makes the purported Offer Letter non-binding, it suffices for the time being to state that the Offer Letter being bandied around by AMCON and its counsel has five conditions

precedent set out at pages 35 of the letter. “The question AMCON needs to answer is which, if any, of those conditions precedent have been fulfilled. Furthermore, there is an extant judgement of the Federal High Court which has determined that the Federal Government of Nigeria is indebted to BiCourtney in the sum of N132 billion."

DECLARATION: From left: Chairman, Council of Baale and Chiefs, Ikorodu Division, Chief Olatunji Oyebajo, Lagos State governorship sspirant on All Progressives Congress, APC, platform, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Chairman, GOS governorship Campaign Organisation, Mr. Ahmed Afolabi, and member, GOS team, Mr. Okunade Ojengbede, during the official declaration of Senator Solomon to contest for the governorship of Lagos State, at Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

SYNAGOGUE: Joshua accuses commentators

of ‘killing Nigeria' L

By Ikenna Asomba

AGOS—AGAINST the backdrop of reactions that have continued to trail the recent collapse of the sixstorey guest house attached to the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, the founder, Prophet T.B. Joshua, has again fired at several commentators, describing their alleged negative commentaries as an act of destroying Nigeria’s image before the international community. In another two minutes and 44 seconds video clip sermon titled “A cloud that covers Nigeria has closed my mouth,” posted weekend, on the church’s Facebook page, T.B. Joshua Ministries, Joshua who was said to have just returned from Colombia decried that since the September 12 tragic incident which claimed over 116 lives, Nigerians have continued to soil the country’s image through bad press. His words: “I just came back from Colombia. Although, I

intended to travel from there to another country, but I came back home because there is a cloud that covers Nigeria. I want to witness how this cloud will dispel. Cloud means trouble. “Look at what is happening

here (in SCOAN), you will not see it on a national TV but if you learn that they bombed here, one of you will call CNN that they have bombed Synagogue. All what is happening, you will

never see it on the pages of national or international newspapers. You will never see every good thing that happens here (in SCOAN) on these media channels."

Ganiyu Solomon declares guber ambition under APC

By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—MINORITY Whip of the Senate, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, yesterday, officially declared his intention to seek nomination as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to contest the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State. Solomon stated that he offered to serve the people of Lagos due the status of the state as the economic capital of the nation, saying; ‘’Lagos therefore, needs constant improvement and

regeneration of infrastructural facilities and the people deserve the best possible.” The lawmaker reeled out his programmes during the declaration which took place at Ikorodu Town Hall in Ikorodu local government, Lagos State. Also, traditional chiefs and leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Local Government Area, expressed their unflinching support for the aspirant in his commitment to take Lagos to the next level. The declaration also coincided with the

inauguration of his campaign office in the town. Senator Solomon, however, said that his party, the APC, has changed the face of Lagos and improved the quality of lives of the people since the new democratic dispensation in 1999. The governorship aspirant commended the former governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incumbent Governor Raji Fashola for taking the state to greater heights “that left no one in doubt that Lagos is a reference point in good governance.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—11

Ondo PDP tackles Abuja over Mimiko's defection zSays ‘defection was done with disrespect to state party exco'

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—THE defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is generating fresh crisis btween the Ondo State chapter of the Party and the National Secretariat. The party stalwarts in Akure, yesterday, said: “We feel total discomfort and displeasure to the manner his carpet crossing was managed by selected leaders of the party at the national level.’’ They are kicking against how the defection was midwifed adding that the process was done “with a lot of disrespect to the state Party Chairman and members of the State Working Committee.’’ Leaders of the party in a statement by the state Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, said: “We note the fact that the Governor of Ondo State decamped from his Labour Party to our party on October 2, 2014 in a small ceremony in the Presidential Villa and as such want to use this opportunity to welcome him to our Party.’’ The statement entitled: ‘Ondo PDP’s reaction to Mimiko’s defection,’ reads in part; “We want to bring to the fore our total discomfort and displeasure to the manner his carpet crossing was managed by selected leaders of the Party at the National level who midwife the process and did so with a lot of disrespect to the State Party Chairman and members of the State Working Committee. “ We believe that this action is

calculated to treat the entire members of this Party as inconsequential in the fortune of our own party, therefore, we declare that this is grossly unfair and so reject outrightly all the negotiations purportedly entered into on our behalf without our direct input and blessing. “Therefore, we state in the most unequivocal manner that we repose absolute confidence in the Executives of the Party at every level in the State and will take serious exceptions to any action taken directly or indirectly to harm or dismantle them. “We also state that we welcome Mimiko and his followers to the Party in their individual

capacities, we also respect the constitution of the PDP particularly the recognition that it confers on any Governor who is a member, however, we remain mindful of the fact that he is joining as a Governor. “We say this because PDP is a big Party with established structures that must not be treated anyhow. “We also understand that Governor Mimiko’s publicly stated goal of decamping into our Party is to enable him contribute effectively to the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan, we must say this is appreciable but as citizens of

Ondo State, we do know that Governor Mimiko currently carries a lot of baggage and liabilities that precludes him from discharging such responsibility. “He has since descended from that charismatic height he operated from in 2009 when he became Governor to a level of scorn as it is known to the generality of our people that his administration has mismanaged our finances and commonwealth most recklessly, took our State from the level of economic buoyancy to a debtor State where public utilities no longer work."

ON EBOLA: From left; Dr Yewande Adesina, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health; Mrs Abosede Ottun, Senior Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Primary Education, and Mr Sunday Okedara, Chairman, Lagos State Association of Primary Schools Head Teachers of Nigeria, during the distribution of sanitary wares and education materials on control of Ebola for Primary School teachers in Lagos, at LTV 8, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Fayose replies Falana, says ‘only the guilty are afraid' A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—EKITI State Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has faulted the assertion of the Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, that some people are planning to relocate from the state after the inauguration of the governorelect. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose, yesterday, described the claim by the lawyer as baseless and out of place. Adelusi, who expressed doubt over Falana's claim, noted that only those who have skeletons in their cupboards may decide to move out of the state. He noted that the overwhelming people of Ekiti

State that voted Fayose as their governor on June 21, this year are eagerly awaiting his inauguration as their governor. He said: “Ekiti people who elected Fayose and preferred him over and above Falana’s lackey, are waiting for his coming and for the four years he will lead the state. “We know for sure that as the Lord lives, that expectation will not be cut short. “Ekiti is as peaceful as any other state. It is people like Falana who are beating the drum of war and propaganda that are having nightmares and sleepless nights over the return of Fayose as the governor of the state.

Adeyeye calls for peaceful transition Meantime, the Minister of

State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has called on all stakeholders to desist from any action capable of disrupting the peaceful transition of power from the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi to the Governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose, saying; “Ekiti is greater than the interests of any individual or group.” The minister, who said nothing can prevent Fayose from assuming office as Ekiti State Governor on October 16, 2014, added that; “Since Ekiti people have overwhelmingly expressed their preference for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Fayose, what should concern all right thinking stakeholders in Ekiti is the peaceful transition of power

from the incumbent governor to the governor-elect.” He said; “October 16 should be seen as transition of power from one Ekiti man to another, and not from All Progressives Congress, APC, to PDP.

Ekiti teachers shun resumption over unpaid salaries

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO-EKITI—AS students from both private and public schools are billed to resume school today, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Ekiti State chapter has directed its members not to resume at their duty posts until the August and September salaries, as well as the July deductions were paid. Speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the NUT Chairman in the State, Samuel Akosile,blamed Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration for allegedly laying less emphasis on the welfare of teachers in the state. Akosile said the state government has no justification to ask its members to resume duties when they are being owed two months salaries and other allowances, while others in other sectors, particularly at the Local Government level have been paid up to September. Teachers in the State are supposed to resume for the 2014/2015 session on September 17, but was later postponed till today, Wednesday due to the threat the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, posed to the country. The NUT boss said the body has no option than to continue with the strike embarked upon by other civil servants in the State last Thursday over similar agitations.

Folarin moves to takeover Ajimobi's job

By Ola Ajayi

B A DA N — F O R M E R Senate Leader and one of the governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has said his party has perfected strategy that would ensure the exit of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Agodi Government House.

He also called on eligible voters in the state to register so that they can send the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi packing from the state come 2015 election. He stated this while speaking with thousands of party supporters who thronged his family compound at Challenge, Ibadan to rejoice with him during the just-ended Eid-elKabir celebration.

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Dagogo-Jack tackles Amaechi over comments on Jonathan …says President is more Kalabari than Rivers gov A

CHIEF TAIN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Mr. Beks Dagogo-Jack, has faulted recent statements credited to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, allegedly inciting the Kalabari people against President Goodluck Jonathan. Dagogo-Jack, in a statement said: “It is very clear that Governor Amaechi has completely run out of ideas, having driven the once enviable state to the brink of a failed state, where all three arms of government are comatose. "He is now desperately looking for ways to resuscitate his dwindling media visibility by verbally attacking his superiors. It is worrisome that while his colleagues are working very closely with federal agencies to attract projects to their states, Governor Amaechi is more interested in carrying out propaganda wars and meaningless grandstanding by believing that he can sit in Port Harcourt and wait for President Jonathan to come begging him with federal projects or advising him on how to initiate one. "This is a case of gross

misunderstanding of how the federal government works by a person reportedly harbouring vice-presidential ambitions. “I make bold to say that the Kalabari people have never had it so bad under any previous government in the

state, despite the fact that its elders played significant roles in Amaechi's Supreme Court victory. "Amaechi’s pay-back was to target the Kalabari race for sustained decimation politically, economically, educationally and socially,

whilst naming contracted projects after some of our elders in an attempt to hoodwink us. Today, Ameachi is bandying around candidates who will succeed him without even remotely interested in considering a Kalabari option."

SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (left), and the new Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, during a State Security Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa.

Suntai has gone missing, says Taraba acting gov

HE acting governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, has declared that his boss, Govenor Danbaba Suntai, has gone missing. Governor Umar stated in an interview on Monday, that he had not set his eyes on Governor Suntai ever since he came back from the UK some weeks ago. He narrated how he tried to connect with his boss as soon as he got back but all efforts to meet with him were abortive. Umar said: “Few of my aides and I were already at the domestic wing of the airport to receive my boss but, unknowingly to me, the cabal was already waiting at the international wing of the airport where the plane conveying my boss was directed to land. When I got to know that the plane landed at the international wing, I rushed to the place to receive him, but he was in a jeep which immediately drove him to T.Y. Danjuma's lodge.” Umar also insisted that his missing boss is a self-centered mechanism employed by some cabal to hold on to power by holding him hostage. He assured the people that his administration will continue to uphold the values of democracy and ensure that the citizens

enjoy its dividends. He called on citizens of state to eschew religious differences and work towards unity in the state. “I thank God that this year’s Sallah was peaceful; peace has returned to some of the crisis areas in the state. I have also constituted a reconciliation committee to ensure that those who fled their homes because of crisis return,” he said. He assured people of the state

that his administration would continue to work to ensure that everyone enjoys the dividend of democracy. However, a former commissioner for information in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, told reporters that Suntai was not missing. He explained that governor Suntai was doing well and would soon return to the state to continue his business of governance.

“Since our dear governor returned from his medical trip, he has been at the Governor ’s Lodge, otherwise called T.Y. Danjuma House, located at Asokoro in Abuja,” Bello said. He stressed that the acting governor, was only waiting for this tenure to elapse, and that after the expiration of Suntai’s administration that brought him as deputy governor, he would pack his luggage out of Government House.

C-River Reps aspirant assures on devt in Abi/Yakurr By Ikenna Asomba

MMEDIATE past Chief of Staff to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Dr. Alex Ebgona, has promised to effect positive changes in Abi/ Yakurr Federal Constituency if elected into the House of Representatives. Ebgona, in an interview, said although past and present representatives of the constituency had done their best, having worked with and learnt from Imoke for close to eight years, he was well armed to serve with humility and take advantage of

opportunities to turn things around. He said he acquired a lot of experience as a former councillor, aide to the former governor, Donald Duke, deputy chief of staff and later the chief of staff and was ready to continue with his empowerment projects if elected. He said: "Abi/Yakurr people should be looking forward to a very vibrant representation and I have told them that I have a target of 36-48 months to make a difference and if I don’t, I will not be asking for another mandate.”

He also said he would work very closely with the present member of the House representing the area. “My relationship with Hon. Bassey Ewa is very cordial because I was the person who moved the motion that made him to go to the House of Representatives. I will tap from his knowledge and experience. Incidentally, he has experience in the legislature too; he has been in the state House of Assembly as the Speaker before moving to the House of Representatives," he added.

2015: Urhobo youths adopt Idu for Delta Assembly By Simon Adewale

RHOBO National Youth Movement, has appealed to Mr. Alex Idu to contest the House of Assembly seat to represent Ughelli North constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly in 2015. Briefing newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State, Vice President of the group, Mr. James Avwonwkpa, said the appeal was informed by Idu's contributions to the socioeconomic development of the area. The youths remarked that Idu, who is the President of the youth movement, has all it takes to become the House of Assembly's representative for Ughelli North constituency as they were satisfied with his track record.

2015: Deltans urged to vote for credible candidates

S the 2015 general elections draw nearer, a politician in Delta Central, Olorogun Godwin Edoja, yesterday advised the electorate to vote for the most credible candidate in both the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the state irrespective of political parties. Olorogun, at a briefing, said: “I appeal to Deltans to vote for credible candidates in the coming 2015 general elections because we are all tired of living in abject poverty through promises from

Madam Okeleke passes on

ELTA North Senatorial hopeful, Mr. Pascal Adigwe, has lost his mother-in-law, Mrs. Theresa Okeleke, who passed on in Abuja at the age of 69 years. Adigwe described his late mother-in-law as a wonderful, hard working mother, adding that burial arrangements will be announced later.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—13

APC's Ijeh joins Delta Assembly race

2015: Delta guber aspirant assures on people-centred govt By Hugo Odiogor

N aspirant for Delta State governorship ticket, Chief Clement Ofuani, has declared that his administration will put the people first if he is given the mandate to govern the state in 2015. Chief Ofuani, who was the pioneer commissioner for Economic Planning in Delta State, said that in his travels through the state, he found that despite the ethnic and cultural peculiarities, the desires and aspirations of Deltans are essentially the same. He said: “Our people want to live in a decent society where everyone will be treated fairly and with dignity. They also want to see leaders that are accountable and transparent and who are not their masters but servants in the true sense of the word.” At a well-attended meeting of party stakeholders and members, as well as representatives of different sectors of the state in Asaba, Delta State, Chief Ofuani said: “After due contemplation and extensive consulta-

tion with my family, friends, associates and political leaders, I came to a decision that I should present myself as candidate for the office of governor of Delta State in 2015, under our party, the Peoples Democratic Party,” stressing that he was not driven by an ambition for power for its sake, but by a commitment to serve. He urged Deltans and party

members to be ready to play their part towards seeing the society of their dreams, saying: “If we cannot change Nigeria overnight, we can begin by transforming constituent parts now and soon enough, the Nigeria of our dreams will emerge in all her glory to take her pride of place in the comity of nations.” In a speech, Lady Elizabeth

By Tommy Anaduaka

Emefiene, a retired school teacher, recounted Ofuani's qualities of simplicity, humility, diligence, commitment to hardwork and leadership traits which he had exhibited as a pupil in her class. Lady Emefiene, who taught Chief Ofuani in Primary three, stated that at such an early age, he had displayed.

Edo LG APC leaders dole out N5m to market women By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Uhumnwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday, gave out of N5 million to over one hundred market women to boost their small scale businesses in the council. Some of the women received N50,000 each while others got N30,000. The cheques were presented to the women by the APC leader in the area and the Special Adviser to Governor Adams

Oshiomhole on Political Matters, Mr. Charles Idahosa and the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr. Samson Osagie. In his address to the women, Osagie said: “As politicians, the best we can do for our people is to empower the woman and our youths so as to fight unemployment and poverty in our communities. Unlike the PDP that believes in stomach infrastructure, our belief is that our people must be empowered to be able to be self-reliant. That is what we have just done to provide them with the funds to start

small businesses. “The beneficiaries were captured across the 90 polling units in Uhumnwonde. This is for the women alone. Next week we are going to commence that of the youths because we must chase poverty out of our domain." This is going to be a continuous exercise and we are grateful to our leader Charles Idahosa because this was achieved due to his hard work” he stated. Speaking also, Idahosa, pointed out that the funds were realized through contributions from political office holders in the council.

A-Ibom CNPP chairman defects to PDP

HAIRMAN,Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, in Akwa Ibom, Mr Linus Udofia, yesterday, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Announcing his decision in Ibiaku, headquarters of Uruan ward, Udofia said he took the decision after due consultations with his supporters and members of his family and to make himself relevant in the politics of the state. Udofia said: “I am coming back to the PDP to contribute my quota to rebuilding the party, particularly in my Northern Uruan Ward 2 of Akwa Ibom State. My ward has been neglected for too long because of my being in the opposition. I intend to strengthen the PDP in my ward, make myself relevant and bring development to my people.” He said that his defection to the PDP was not to cause friction but to contribute his wealth of experience to the growth and development of the party. Udofia explained that he was a member of the

PDP since the inception of the party in the state till 2003 when he left to join the United Nigeria Peoples Party, UNPP. He said that he won election as councillor in 2004 on the platform of the UNPP. In his remark, Mr Effiong Iweh, PDP chairman in Northern Uruan Ward 2, urged Udofia to be loyal to the party. He said that with his antecedents, Udofia should be in a position to make ‘meaningful’ contributions to the success of the party in the 2015 general elections. He assured Udofia that he would not be maginalised, adding that he would enjoy all the rights and privileges accorded to members of the party. The PDP leader in Uruan ward, Mr Bassey Mbom, who received Udofia back to the party, urged him to be dedicated and committed to the policies and programmes of the party in the state. He called on other members of the PDP who left the party to have a rethink and return, saying the umbrella of the PDP was big enough to accommodate everybody.

COMMUNITY leader in Ibusa, Chief Kizito Ijeh, has joined the race for the Delta State House of Assembly in 2015, following mounting pressure by the people of Oshimili-North Local Government of Delta State. Chief Ijeh told Vanguard that he decided to heed the call by his people to represent them in the State House of Assembly to bring positive and fair representation which had eluded them. The House of Assembly aspirant, under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said if elected, more dividends of democracy would come to the local government area. Ijeh, a one time member of the state Urban Water Board, claimed that those who represented the local government did not attract any meaningful project to the area during their tenures, saying “despite the fact that Okpanam and Ibusa towns are part of the state capital territory, yet no government agency, ministry or any development project can be pointed at in the area.” He promised that if elected, he would push for government presence and ensured that youths restiveness currently rampaging the area in was checked. Ijeh lamented that the only government presence, waste recycling plant in Ibusa, had done more damage than good including health hazard to the people and wondered if the Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out before siting the plant.

Madam Okpara passes on

ADAM Emelda Okpara of Umuezealagwu Umuaro II, in Isiala Mbano Local Governmernt Area of Imo State is dead, 80. Wake keep comes up October 9, 2014, followed by interment on October 10, at Okpara compound after funeral Mass at St. Francis Catholic Church Umuaro II. She is survived by brothers, sisters, children and grand children among whom are Mrs. Elizabeth Oliver and Mr. Longinus Okpara.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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Service of Songs in honour of late Pastor Dimgba Igwe, Vice Chairman The Sun Newspapers

A service of songs was held, weekend, in Lagos, in honour of Pastor Dimgba Igwe, Vice Chairman, The Sun Newspapers, who was killed in Lagos recently. From left: Pastor Paul Aloei, General Overseer, Evangel Pentecostal Church, Okota (left) and Mrs. Obioma Igwe,widow, at the Evangel Pentecostal Church, Okota, Lagos, venue of tne event.

From left: Mr. Harry Iwuala, Mr. Femi Adesina and wife Nike and Mrs Ibechi at the service.

Mr. Kunle Ajibade (left) and Mr. Richard Akinnola.

Mr. Tee Mac (left) and Mr. Nduka Irabor.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

POCKET CARTOON

SUMMIT—From left: Special Representative of The President of Cameroon, Mr Edgard Nebe Ngo'o; President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic; President Goodluck Jonathan; President Issoufou Mahamadu; President Idris Deby of Chad and Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC, Mr Sanusi Abdoulahi at the Extra-Ordinary Summit of heads of state and governments of LCBC member states in Niamey, Niger Republic.

PDP, APC war over seized $5.7m Continues from Page 1 president. The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address Nigerians on what it called “the serial embarrassments to which his administration is subjecting the country in the comity of nations, after another seizure of $5.7 million of Nigerian arms money by South African authorities. The party said the issues surrounding the first seizure of $9.3 million were yet to be resolved before the latest scandal, thus devaluing the currency of every Nigerian.

Jonathan must address Nigerians — APC

The party in the statement said: "Again, Mr. President, Nigerians are urging you to please come clean over these cash-for-arms scandals. They want you to answer critical questions on the legality of your administration’s repeated conduct. They want to know the identities of the two Nigerians who were arrested with an Israeli in South Africa over the first illegal deal, especially since the Israeli has been named. "Nigerians want to know why the purported arms procurement for the

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government is done illegally between private companies that are neither known nor registered for dealing in arms? And why are the movement of monies not transparently documented for what they really are, if they are truly for legitimate purposes? "They want to know whether indeed the weapons which the government is seeking so furiously to procure are for the battle against Boko Haram or for a sinister motive, considering the desperation of your Administration to continue to rule at all cost and by any means possible. They want to know whether every Nigerian should begin to fear what will happen in the days and weeks leading to the forthcoming general elections, against the backdrop of your Administration and party’s do-or-die politics. "Mr. President, if the funds involved in the latest seizure were sent through bank transfer, can the government explain why Oritsejafor ’s plane was stuffed with cash and transported to South Africa? Can your Administration’s embarrassing explanation that it is customary for other country’s security agencies, including MOSSAD, KGB and CIA, to cart plane loads of cash across the world to purchase black market weapons hold any more water now? These are

some of the questions Nigerians are asking, not an untenable spin by untruthful government officials," it said. The party also wondered whether the funds being ferried up and down by the Administration were appropriated by the National Assembly, or whether they are part of the allegedly missing $20 billion oil money. APC also slammed the Federal Government for issuing ‘childish and immature’ threats against South Africa threatening its investments in the country, instead of addressing the pertinent questions surrounding the illegal arms procurement deals. "Mr. President, you cannot threaten another country when your Administration is wilfully breaking the laws of that country. In this case, your Administration stands on a weak moral ground, as its hands have been caught in the cookie jar. Therefore, issuing infantile threats is laughable, unacceptable and wrong," the party said.

APC partnering foreign nations to rubbish Nigeria — PDP

The President’s party, the PDP in its response to the opposition party’s statement accused APC of “ working hand in

glove with foreign interests aimed at tarnishing the image of the country as well as that of President Goodluck Jonathan.” The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, also alleged that the APC was out to ridicule the government and frustrate genuine efforts towards ending the insecurity challenges we face as a nation. The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the APC wherein it again embarrassed itself on issues regarding genuine efforts by the Federal Government to tackle the security challenges facing our nation. “Our response to the APC is that we are solidly behind President Jonathan in the steps he is taking to ensure the safety of Nigerians and defend our sovereignty as a nation, especially in the light of their connivance with foreign interests to embarrass the government and people of Nigeria. “We state categorically that the actions preferred by some foreign nations against our dear country as we seek solution to our security challenges are unacceptable and totally uncalled for, especially given our cordial relationship with them and the roles Nigeria and Nigerian citizens played in assisting them in their internal strug-

gles. “Given the rush with which the APC attacked the Presidency, it is clear that they are working hand-in-glove with foreign interests in a concerted effort to tarnish the image of our dear nation, ridicule our government and frustrate genuine efforts towards ending the insecurity challenges we face as a nation. “Any responsible opposition which has the interest and welfare of the people at heart as the APC claims would concentrate on proffering solutions to the problems of the nation instead of seeking political capital at all times. Instead, we have an opposition that has been conniving with foreign interests to destroy the image and unity of their own country as a means to achieve political control. “The APC is aptly likened to a quarrelsome wife, who daily goes to the market place to discuss her marital problems. We ask, does such a woman seek the unity or disintegration of her home? In the same vein Nigerians wonder if the APC is really interested in the unity and corporate existence of our nation. Are they trying to destroy our country as a means to achieve political control through the back door? “The APC must come to terms with the fact that Nigeria as an indivisible nation has come to stay. They must know that Nigerians are resolute in their determination to live together as one people. “Our final response is that the PDP and indeed Nigerians of good faith are solidly behind President Jonathan and no amount of blackmail or connivance with foreign interests will deter or detract the PDP-led administration from the resolve to find a permanent solution to the security challenges in our country.”

‘Saboteurs at work’ Also reacting to the seizure of $5.7m by South

Africa, an Abuja-based Human Rights Activist, Chief Nkereuwem Akpan, alleged sabotage from some persons in the Nigerian government. According to him: “How come that the Nigerian government did not involve the South African government in the botched arms deals? It was highly irresponsible, careless, and shows that someone is taking us for a ride. “If the first one was an error, this one is certainly not! This seems like sabotage. The law in South Africa is clear; if you bring in that kind of money through the back door, it is confiscated. South Africa is a sovereign nation and we must respect that. Even if the arms dealers demanded cash, or if it involves the black market, the South African government must be in the know of the deal. “In international law there are rules that must be complied with, who broke those rules and who did not conform to the international best practices as far as such transaction is concerned? “The Nigerian government owes us a duty to explain. The Nigerian people deserve better explanations on this one. The government must come out and tell us what happened as a matter of urgency”. In his reaction, a constitutional lawyer, Mr. Oghenovo Otemu said: “It is highly regrettable for a country like Nigeria that after the initial scandal that involved a whopping USD9.3m, the same thing is happening again within a spate of weeks. One question that keeps bothering me is, if Nigeria must purchase arms from South Africa, must we breach their financial regulations and laws? “It is known that you cannot carry such amount into the country without following the sure procedure."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 —17 ‘Democracy is too good to share with just anybody’. - Nigel Rees. UCKLE up. President Jonathan is going for broke. These are no times for the timid. The next few weeks will be full of sound and fury. What they signify, however, cannot be entirely foretold. If the tough guy posture of the President is borne out of an assessment of his strength in relation to his adversaries’ weaknesses, he may be on his way to breaking a world record for turning the tables against all odds. If, however, it is a gamble, he could come unstuck in more ways than he imagines. Either way, President Goodluck Jonathan has just adjusted his position right back to a place where his future could substantially determine the fate of the nation. For a man who had attempted to keep alive the fiction that the law does not allow him to state whether he is a candidate for another term, his reaction to the successful assault on a weak and feeble challenge over the PDP flag for 2015 will enrich his record on inconsistencies. How anyone will believe that Governor Sule Lamido could stand up and stare into Jonathan’s eyes beats the imagination. If the billions being spent on advertising the candidature of an undeclared Jonathan have not convinced Lamido that he is not a David against this Goliath, the vast arsenal of the PDP in arm-twisting tactics was enough to do the trick. Only a few skeletons needed to be flashed, and assurances that do not necessary carry self- actualising capacities given, for Sule Lamido’s pathetic bravado to fall flat. The icing on the cake was the enlisting of the custodian of Jonathan’s one-term-only documented pledge, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu to complete the public humbling of Sule Lamido. It is likely that Governor Lamido has a good facesaving story to tell his people whose hopes he had raised by his threat to enter the ring with Jonathan, or turn Jigawa State into a miniature Bayelsa as an option. A powerful team followed him home to make sure he got the message. Jonathan’s hat has been in the ring all this while. The ritual of chorused endorsement merely says it is the only one. Jonathan now walks with a swagger and confidence of a victor. He is told he has vanquished all Northern PDP protests at the illegitimacy of his ambition, as all his opposition from the region has either defected or been cowed into humiliating acquiescence. The PDP will field only Jonathan whether party loyalist from all over the country think he represents a liability or an asset.

Jonathan goes for broke Jonathan had not visited the parents of the abducted Chibok girls, but had visited and commiserated with the owner of a church whose collapsed building is being investigated. While he mingled with leaders who would stare at a President seemingly at ease even as abducted girls were rumoured to have been freed one moment, and still missing the next, President Jonathan would have put up a brave face while reading prepared speeches warning the world on the dangers of terror. Many in his audience have serious reservations regarding his

It will be uncharitable to assume that PDP has not set aside a princely sum to seek legal advice over his eligibility, and to fight, using every means, to overcome potential legal hurdles. It is, in fact, quite conceivable that Jonathan and the PDP see this potential hurdle as a done deal, considering the leaky nature of our judicial system. Perhaps it is the sense of accomplishment in winning a predictable battle that gives the President his current disposition on many issues. You see this in the manner he side-steps a raging insurgency and the global outrage over the Chibok girls and headed for the UN Security Council, a place where he was bound to run into a storm of protests and hostility. People claiming to be sympathetic to his version of the fight against the insurgency say the US government is actively frustrating his efforts to buy weapons in the open market, hence the recourse to his underhand cash-for-weapons attempt in South Africa which blew up in the nation’s face. He is unlikely to have been warmly hugged by South African diplomats representing a nation seething with anger at the response of the Nigerian government to demands for full information regarding the death of many South Africans in a church in Lagos. If South African diplomats did not return Jonathan’s greetings, it is possibly because they had read that he had visited the crashed church building, with more sympathy for the priests than the victims, and had said little beyond promising to investigate. There could have been other leaders at the UN who would have read diplomatic briefs on the collapsed church building and the embarrassing seizure of a Nigerian plane which the government admits went with its $10m in cash to pay for weapons in South Africa. They would know that President

up scenarios. Many in the APC think the biggest blunder the PDP has made is to field Jonathan. Many in PDP have prayed fervently that APC should field Buhari. Both think these candidates represent each other’s biggest liabilities. Now that Jonathan is set to fly PDP’s flag, will APC go for broke and field Buhari? Can APC afford not to field Buhari? If it can, what does it have in store to minimise the potential damage in fielding another candidate? Can it afford an all-out scramble for the flag, and risking the type of damage that will literally hand Jonathan another four years in the Villa? Can it also gamble, with, say, a Northern Christian or Southern candidate? What would it take to get another flag bearer, and convince Buhari to endorse him? How will APC handle fallouts from the selection of flag bearers at state and national levels? The most serious aspect of the gamble of the PDP is that it could be infectious. It could create stronger resistance against Jonathan and his party in places which think another four years of his administration will compound every ill and problem which exist today. It could deepen support in those places which think even a poor Jonathan leadership is preferable to an APC presidency. If it results in a Jonathan-Buhari contest, it will test

The most serious aspect of the gamble of the PDP is that it could be infectious; it could create stronger resistance against Jonathan and his party in places which think another four years of his administration will compound every ill and problem which exist today

will and capacity to fight Nigeria’s version of terror. President Jonathan’s mien will not show evidence of deeper humility with his endorsement as the only Nigerian fit to fly the PDP flag. He will embark on an aggressive campaign blaming the opposition and terror for gaping deficits in his administration. These deficits will have to be exposed by an opposition that itself could think going for broke is the way to go. The APC’s many options do not have time to incubate and respond appropriately to PDP’s big, if predictable, gamble.

he cat-and-mouse between Jonathan and Buhari is practically over. The world knows that Jonathan is now PDP’s candidate. Those in the thinking circles of the two parties will now be firming

the nation’s fragile democratic system to its limit, or even risk destroying it altogether. The PDP leaders and President Jonathan have just raised the stakes higher than they have ever been. If they have taken an audatious gamble in clothing a president many think has run his race in the image of the untouchable, they may rue their decisions if and / or when the general elections are held in 2015. Unless, of course, they bank on a game plan for deepening the intense, conflicting passions which Jonathan’s Presidency generates, with all its dangerous ramifications. Some may see a victory for Jonathan well outside the framework of a free and fair election next year. The biggest gamble of all will be one that assumes that leaders will emerge in defiance of the will of the Nigerian people.

OPINION BY SUNNY AWHEFEADA

HEN Senator Pius Ewherido died prematurely in June 2013, the Urhobo people grieved and prayed that such a loss should not be their lot again. Unfortunately, just one year after, another Urhobo personage, General Patrick Aziza (rtd) fell to the Grim Reaper. The death of Ewherido was very painful to Urhobo people who had invested their hope in his capacity to engender a political renaissance for the marginalised and traumatized five million people. When he died, the Urhobo nation appeared to have reached a political dead. After the lamentation that greeted the Senator’s passage, after his interment and mourning, the ‘’never say die’’ spirit of the Urhobo resurrected. A new political strategy woven around the solid and inspiring personality of Aziza who was the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, evolved. The Urhobo ‘’can do’’ character went on the ascendency as Aziza activated a network of national alliances. Aziza stood for election and was re-elected as UPU helmsman for a second term. He was settling down to reposition the Urhobo nation when he took ill. He died on Saturday August 16, 2014. The Urhobo nation was thrown into fresh mourning when it was yet to come to terms with the death of Ewherido. Aziza’s death came at a time when the Urhobo people needed a leader of his stature to inspire them to political self-retrieval and relevance after the political class had sold out irretrievably. The consensus among Urhobo people is that whatever the race is suffering by way of extreme marginalisation and gross underdevelopment is the consequence of the perennial betrayal by the political elite who adopted perfidy as a modus vivendi. It was the political drift and vagrancy that has characterised the

C M Y K

General Aziza: A soldier-statesman’s final salute Urhobo political class that Aziza set out to tackle and restore the Urhobo nation to her pride of place in Nigeria. The taciturn General left no one in doubt as to his vision and mission to make Urhobo reclaim its past glory. He was committed, visionary, firm, but conciliatory. He demonstrated a great awareness of Urhobo’s past. Aziza took in how their forebears strove to redress the injustices and disadvantages occasioned by British imperialism and other ethnic neighbours who sought to appropriate Urhobo territories. He knew he could re-enact the UPU feats of old which led to the founding of Urhobo College and mounting of overseas scholarship scheme which produced the first two Urhobo graduates. Part of Aziza’s empowering reminiscences included the role played by the Urhobo in the historic creation of Midwest Region in 1963. Aziza recalled the many contributions of the Urhobo people to the making of modern Nigeria. He was aware of the significant role the Urhobos led by General David Ejoor and Chief Jereton Mariere played during the Nigerian Civil War to ensure that Nigeria’s unity was not compromised. Aziza engendered Urhobo political resurgence codenamed the UVWIAMUGHE DECLARATION. The Declaration clearly articulates the yearning and aspiration of every Urhobo which is to reclaim the political initiative at both the state and national levels. Aziza was on this project when he answered the last call. Born in 1947, Aziza was a thoroughbred soldier who served Nigeria in many capacities and rose through hard work and merit to the pinnacle of the military profession. A martial strategist of similar mettle with Scipio and Hannibal, Aziza was among the gallant officers who made

the 3rd Marine Commando the most effective fighting force during the Nigerian Civil War. He served the Nigerian Army as Battalion Commander, Brigade Commander and General Officer Commanding, GOC. He was a soldier’s soldier who was loyal to his nation. When Kebbi State was created in 1991 it was Aziza’s lot to pilot the affairs of the new state as Military Administrator. Aziza went on to serve Nigeria as Minister and member of the highest military ruling body from 1995 to 1999. When many military brass hats lacked the courage to try General Olusegun Obasanjo over his alleged connection in a coup plot, it was the courageous Aziza who took the bull by the horn and handed Obasanjo what some considered a benign sentence for an offence that warranted a death penalty. Aziza served Nigeria without being servile to his superiors. His tact and courage saw him through the slippery terrain in the era of military dictatorship. He, together with fellow Urhobos, Air Vice Marshall Frank Ajobena and Major General Felix Mujakperuo rose to become front line military officers in the last military regime which co-ordinated the return to civilian rule in May 1999. Aziza retired from the Nigerian Army, settled into civvy street and was drafted into UPU to serve the Urhobo nation. Aziza’s was a life of service, the kind of service for which soldier-statesmen are known. As a soldier he saluted Nigeria. His last salute, however was to the Urhobo nation as an dependable leader. He saluted Urhobo with his adjudju. Now, he has taken a final salute. General....Akpokedefaoooooo...... *Dr. Awhefeada teaches Literature at the Delta State University, Abraka.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 THE simmering politics of bitterness, which has been playing out on the Ekiti political stage since the conclusion of the state’s governorship election in June blew up into a sacrilegious attack on the temple justice on September 25, 2014 in Ado Ekiti. The All Progressives Congress (APC), which lost the election went to the election tribunal to contest the eligibility of the winner, Mr Ayo Fayose, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Once the case opened at the courts, hoodlums started stalking the temple of justice. On Monday, September 22, they invaded High Court No. 6 and chased out the presiding judge, Justice OI Ogunyemi. It turned out to be a mere dress rehearsal, as three days later, another group of miscreants stormed Court No. 3 and assaulted Justice JO Adeyeye and tore his judicial raiments, while law enforcement agents posted to secure the premises and those who perform their lawful duties there allegedly looked on, unconcerned. The Chief Justice of the State, Hon Justice AS Daramola, had no choice but to order

Probe, Punish Ekiti Cour Courtt Vandals closure of all state courts till further notice. We condemn this cowardly assault on the judiciary, one of the principal pillars of our democracy charged with interpreting the laws and settling disputes, not only between contestants for offices in the legislative and executive branches of government but among all and sundry. Our democracy and indeed, life in society as a whole is in danger when the last resort for law-abiding citizens – the Judiciary – is no longer allowed to do its job by political malcontents who

mobilise miscreants to intimidate and harass our judicial officers. It is a pity that even after Governor Kayode Fayemi admitted defeat and congratulated the winner, Mr Ayo Fayose, the APC still went to court and thus set the stage for the dangerous atmosphere of rancour. However, the legal redress which the party opted to take is its fundamental right in our democracy, and their question mark on the eligibility of Mr Fayose is a legitimate pursuit. We are happy to note that the National Judicial Council has already taken steps to probe what went wrong. We want anyone found to have played a role in the desecration of the courts and the assaults on the judges must be comprehensively brought to book, irrespective of their station. Where will society be if everyone who can afford to hire hoodlums to intimidate officers of the Judiciary are allowed to do so and get away with it? It will be back to the jungle, where might is right. We cannot afford to live in such a society. The hoodlums must be fished out and punished accordingly.

OPINION BY EPHRAIM AIGBEKAEN

HIEF Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, former gover nor of Edo State between 1999 and 2007, broke silence when he made his first-in-a-very-long-while appearance at the PDP South-South Unity Rally of September 27, 2013 which held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State. It was Chief Igbinedion’s first public non-family outing since he left office from being governor. Breaking silence was either too audacious or too wise when viewed from some mutually defensible, albeit opposing vistas. In the general rhetoric, arguing from any point must be an academic exercise now which, as it progresses, thins out at the very important edges – a consequence of the customary end-reaction to hackneyed themes. So whether the public appearance was a tough decision to make or whether it should have been reduced to the question of choice in the first place is again begging the question because, in the end and in the words of President Abe Lincoln, a real man tries ‘… to do the best [he] can the way [he] knows how. If the end proves [him] right, then [he] is lucky, but if the end proves [him] wrong, ten Angels swearing [he] was right won’t make any difference’. Sitting a little way away from President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Tony Anenih and Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu at the rally, Chief Lucky Igbinedion expectedly looked about him at the all very familiar and contrasting surroundings. Staring back at him were the weather-beaten but still very proud state-of-the-art plastic spectators’ seats he had installed several years ago as governor. If he could have bothered to traipse towards the swimming pool area behind the state box, he would have observed that not much remained of the modern swimming pool that he refurbished and left behind even though the lawn tennis court retained a substantial part of the huge renovation undertaken during his tenure. C M Y K

Lucky Igbinedion’s public outing As he sat there, his time as governor must have rolled before his eyes. Not being a publicist’s favorite, he only could privately have recalled the Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital which he built from foundation to completion and which remains the best of any Edo-Stateowned health facility till date. Biting his under lip, as he did quite often when in deep thought and did often enough during the event, he must have quietly computed how the markedly smaller allocation he had to run his government could have afforded the founding of The Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and the College of Education, Igueben. He must have mused too how the meager fund could have built blocks of hostels at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, assisted in the accreditation of several courses in the University, filled subventions for all the founded institutions, built the State Library Complex on Sapele Road, Benin City and paid bursary to Edo Students in tertiary institutions. Available records show that that administration founded the most number of tertiary institutions, not counting Professor Ambrose Alli’s administration, within the lifetime of two consecutive administrative tenures in the history of Edo State. And soon enough, the rally ended. Chief Lucky Igbinedion was driven back home to his Ugbor residence in the G.R.A., area of the state capital, never ceasing to ponder, as his sleek car bumped in and out of deep gullies along the roads, how the same comparatively smaller allocation afforded the constructions of the Upper Mission Road Extension: Lucky Way, thus opening up Uteh and Aduwawa Communities; First and Second Ugbor Roads in the GRA, thus opening up Ugbor, Irhirhi and Ebo Communities; Upper Ekehuan Road thus opening up Utagban, Agbodo, Ugbiyokho, Okhokhugbo, Evbuotubu, Oghede and other adjoining communities. All of these in Benin City alone As he drove through his gates into the compound, he must have thought how fortuitous he was to have a roof

over his head that he could call his own. That must also have set him thinking about how much of that realisation of the importance of the home to humankind made him construct the Iyekogba Housing Estate; the Federal Housing Estate at Iguosa and the Federal Housing Estate, Ikpoba Hill – again the first and only administration to undertake housing projects with such audacity and scope. All of these thoughts may have come to him spontaneously and not having prepared for them, he probably would have vaguely remembered that, as job creation modules, he sustained the inherited Edo Line Transport Company; established the Edo City Transport Service, ECTS which remains till today; and established the tripartite job creation and revenue generating establishments of: Ehor Fruits Juice Processing Industry, Uhunmwode local Government Area (Edo South Senatorial District); the Uromi Cassavita Plant, Esan North East (Edo Central Senatorial District) and the Akoko-Edo Ikpeshi Solid Minerals Company, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (Edo North Senatorial District). Edo people will sit in judgment of the people they elect into office. They will and must do so with an open mind. Chief Lucky Igbinedion has done his bit. It may not matter too much if he had less or inadequate allocation in his time. In his conviction, he pursued policies which appeared to him at the time to be plausible. Some of them have proven to be well-thought out and well-intentioned. Maintenance of existing and inherited facilities, instead of duplication, is a part of the responsible functions of succeeding governments and saves a lot of tax payers’ money for other uses. But whether or not these facts weigh in any favour, the call from the new discovery is a demand for a proper action in fulfillment of sincere and dispassionate appraisal. *Dr. Aigbekaen, a social critic, wrote from Benin-City.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014— —19

, N September 30, 2014 America recorded its first case of Ebola Virus Disease. The source of this unwanted guest to the American soil was himself a guest to America from one of the countries at the centre of the disease. He was Liberia’s Thomas Eric Duncan who was visiting Texas. Like Nigeria’s index case, Patrick Sawyer, America’s index case was also a Liberian. Like Sawyer, Duncan also tried to conceal the fact that he might have been infected with the disease from medical authorities who sought information on this from him. Asked if he had had any contact with an infected person, Duncan promptly answered in the negative. But since he developed symptoms of the disease in America it had been revealed that he had conveyed a female relative infected with the disease to some medical facility in a wheel barrow. Liberia is now threatening to prosecute Duncan if it is confirmed that he had in fact told this dangerous lie to the authorities in America upon being questioned. With the outbreak of Ebola the world is confronted with a major medical cri-

sis and it is very important, indeed a matter of duty, that people shouldn’t lie about important facts that could mean the difference between life and death not just for them alone but a threat to humanity as a whole. Within 72 hours of Duncan showing symptoms of Ebola, he was quarantined in a medical facility while some of his relatives he had contact with were restricted to their home under close watch. Other persons he might have had indirect contact with were also placed under close medical surveillance for possible signs of Ebola. As at the time I write this, more than 100 persons have been put under what medical experts in America called contact tracing, that is tracing the identity of persons that could have had either direct or indirect contact with the index case. The panic that the arrival of Ebola has created in America must come as a shock to many in different parts of West Africa that have been under the grip of the disease since April. Indeed for the first three months after the outbreak of the disease, the matter was more or less regarded as the local problem of the af-

fected African countries. Even in Nigeria not many paid Ebola any attention until Sawyer berthed in the country in the third week of June and several medical personnel quickly came down with the disease. The fear of Ebola became widespread when photographs of persons already infected were published in the press and suddenly the price of bitter kola went up and people saw, or were advised, that they could no longer eat their favourite game meat. The fear was indeed palpable as Ebola appeared like an invisible enemy that travelled with the wind. While the government through the country’s medical authorities gave assurances of what they were doing to contain the spread of the disease, each day seemed to bring in information on possible new cases of Ebola in different parts of the country. The panic was spreading with a mixture of fear and comedy. But not for once did this have any impact beyond the general fear that anybody could be infected. The fact that there was no known cure

Re- ‘Withdrawal of Professor Emeritus’: How Senate was misled BY ANDREW G. ONOKERHORAYE

OLLOWING the publication in the Van guard, on the issue of the so-called ‘withdrawal of Professor Emeritus’, I am forced to exercise my right of reply and to make some comments. Let me say right away that there is nothing like withdrawal of Professor Emeritus in the academic world as the title is an honour which is for a lifetime. It is an embarrassment that such a statement can be made by the University of Benin, a distinguished centre of learning which I had the privilege of being its Vice Chancellor. When I retired at the age of 65, in 2010, I decided not to seek any contract appointment in the University of Benin or elsewhere which is what some of my contemporaries do. However, the Department of Geography and Regional Planning and the Faculty of Social Sciences appealed to me to accept the honour of Professor Emeritus so that I can still be associated with the Department and Faculty and therefore nominated me for appointment which passed through due process to the University of Benin Governing Council that eventually approved the appointment as conveyed to me by the Registrar. I never applied to be Professor Emeritus because I do not need it as a necessary component of my intellectual capability recognised across the world. Most of the best intellectuals in the world are not called Professor Emeritus. What distinguishes a good scholar is his/her contributions to knowledge as reflected in his/her works not the title he/she bears. I decided to accept the honour of Professor Emeritus because the criteria and con-

ditions of a Professor Emeritus were worked out in line with international standards and approved by the University of Benin Council on the recommendation of Senate during my tenure as Vice Chancellor. There is no provision for any duties to be assigned to a Professor Emeritus and there is no salary. This is the practice in all parts of the world. These conditions are clearly reflected in the terms of my appointment approved by Council as contained in the Registrar’s letter of 19th January 2011 which states that: “You shall have no routine responsibilities assigned to you but you may, on invitation, supervise postgraduate students and offer advice.” To the surprise of everybody, at a meeting of Senate on September 24, 2014, the Registrar, as Secretary to Senate presented a one paragraph memo asking Senate to withdraw my Professor Emeritus without any documented reasons as expected in any memo to Senate or Council. The two reasons for this unprecedented and misguided action were that l have ‘not been attending Senate meetings’; and secondly, that I have ‘not been carrying out other responsibilities as Professor Emeritus’. This is ridiculous because the same Registrar wrote in the letter of appointment to me that: ”You shall have no routine responsibilities”. What responsibility then that is expected of me to warrant this action? More difficult to understand is the fact that there was never any communication whatsoever between the Registrar or any other organ of the University and me on this matter, before the memo was presented to Senate. I have made it clear to the Registrar that, as the custodian of University rules, she apparently misled Senate by providing

for Ebola also added to the panic. It was indeed nearly a case of everyone protecting themselves and looking for their own cure. This was the case until an American doctor had to be evacuated from Liberia while working on Ebola patients in the country. His arrival in America was the first opportunity the rest of us in these parts had to hear of ZMapp, the magic drug that many thought could provide the needed elixir for Ebola. It was successfully used for the American. But thereafter America would not permit its use elsewhere for different reasons, the major being that it was yet to pass the stage of clinical trial. Other Westerners who came down with Ebola in Africa were also evacuated and were successfully treated apparently with drugs like ZMapp in their different countries. And it became clear that Africa, in spite of calls by the WHO that the rest of the world come to its aid, was being left to its own devices as far as finding a workable vaccine for Ebola was concerned. What goes round may somehow come around. Just as Nigeria was being declared Ebola-free by the WHO, America started its long walk through the dark tunnel with her first Ebola case. But the details are not the same with Nigeria’s. The story of a possible vaccine for Ebola seems to be changing with the outbreak of the disease in America. America seems to have gone into a frenzy about Ebola like Nigeria. The fear of the disease spreading beyond control has gripped America. While the Nigerian Stock Exchange dey kampe all through our Ebola scare months, a loud Ebola rumble went through the American financial sector last week with share prices falling. But

false information in the memo. There was nowhere in the letter of appointment or in the University Regulation guiding the appointment of Professor Emeritus where it is stated that the honouree must attend Senate meetings as if he/she is a serving staff of the University. Even if anybody has a grievance with a Professor Emeritus there must be communication and proper documentation for Senate in line with the principle of fair hearing enshrined in our University regulations. Equally surprising is the fact that the Registrar and members of Senate are aware of the Standing Order of Senate reaffirmed by a Benin High Court in 1986 that for any

Ebola Virus Disease and America’s funny hypocrisy O

At a time the rest of the world reeled with fear of possible annihilation America hoarded its ZMapp and other vaccines that could have alleviated the suffering of people

In taking this action the attention of Senate was not drawn to the regulations governing the post of Professor Emeritus as approved by the Governing Council

substantive matter to be discussed by Senate it must be listed in the Senate agenda and two weeks must be given before Senate meeting in which the matter is to be discussed. The matter was not listed on the agenda of the Senate meeting of September 24, 2014. Consequently, such a substantive matter leading to the University of Benin Senate’s decision, unprecedented in the academic world, was treated as A.O.B. On the issue of not ‘carrying out other responsibilities’ the only responsibility mentioned in the letter of appointment as quoted above is supervision of postgraduate students and offer advice. Even then the letter of appointment indicated that it is voluntary and only when I am invited. If the Registrar cared to ask the Department of Geog-

that is not the only difference in America and Nigeria’s reaction to Ebola. Unlike Nigeria where nobody talked of any credible cure or vaccine for Ebola beyond the comic scramble for bitter kola, America is talking about a huge race to produce a vaccine in a short time and without compromising safety. In a CNN report last week, an American expert mentioned at least three different vaccines that could be immediately pressed into service to combat Ebola. Even though this expert of possibly Asian origin whose name I did not record tried to cover the hypocrisy of the whole vaccine saga by creating the impression that these drugs were already being developed in the laboratory before the outbreak of Ebola in America- even while this man tried to talk as if these drugs had been in the making for a long time, it betrays the hypocrisy of America that it is only now that the drugs are to be tested. The report did not even mention ZMapp which is probably of lower grade when compared with these new vaccines. At a time the rest of the world, specifically Africa, reeled with fear of possible annihilation America hoarded its ZMapp and other vaccines that could have alleviated the suffering of thousands of people. They thought nothing of the fact many were dying and many more could die. The market was the crucial determinant of what was possible and what could be done. For as long as it was citizens of the poorer nations of the world that were suffering, it was okay for America and the rest of the West to delay clinical trial of drugs that could bring succour to many or delay research into Ebola vaccines.

raphy and Regional Planning about my activities in this regard she could have been informed of the postgraduate students that I have been supervising since my appointment as Professor Emeritus. On the basis of my promise to the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Senate, Council and Convocation during my inauguration, I have never asked for payment for my services although payment for them was specified in my letter of appointment. In addition, realising that most of the senior academics in the Department of Geography of the University have retired or are away on leave of absence, I have been building the research capacity of four other junior academics in the Department using my personal financial resources. I do not think Professors on full time employment in the University of Benin carry as much postgraduate teaching load as I have been carrying for the University free of charge. In taking this ridiculous and illegal action the attention of Senate was not drawn to the regulations governing the post of Professor Emeritus as approved by the Governing Council on August 16, 2003 which is available to all staff of the University. It is clear in the regulations that the University of Benin Council has the responsibility of appointing Professor Emeritus and not Senate. At present, I have two letters in my hand. The first one signed by the Registrar, conveying the University Council’s approval of my appointment as Professor Emeritus. The second also signed by the same Registrar, conveying the purported ‘’decision’’ of Senate to withdraw the Professor Emeritus. Finally, let me conclude my reaction by pointing out that the University of Benin Senate was misled into taking a funny decision that is unheard of in the academic world. *Professor Emeritus Onokerhoraye wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Uninformed tale bearers BY EBELE ORAKPO

Panic in Lagos community over “N mysterious death of widow, 4 children

IGERIANS are experts in every sphere of life. Experts in politics, in football, athletics, medicine, pharmacy, geography, spiritual matters, just name it, they know it!” said Jude, a commuter in the Apapa-bound bus this Thursday evening as another commuter by name, Ade was busy lamenting the state of the nation. How corruption, greed, nepotism and impunity have taken over the nation.

BY BOSE ADELAJA

*The apartment of the deceased whose death has been attributed by some to a poisonous fume from their generator(INSET) between Saturday and Tuesday. According to them they thought that the deceased had travelled until an offensive odour started oozing out from their compound. VM learnt that eyebrows were raised late Tuesday evening by members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, whose Church is located in a nearby building, could not withstand the foul odour from Pelumi’s house. After their “Digging Deep” programme, the curious church

To their greatest dismay, they found four sons of the widow already dead while their mother was half-dead after defecating on her body

God, RCCG, Grace House, Province 33, his mother and Daniel attended a nearby Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, MFM. VM was told that the deceased who originally hailed from Osun State, also had two months after moving into the building, lost their father, also in very tragic circumstances. Neighbours told VM that the deceased widow prepared dinner for her family penultimate Friday before switching on the generator to go to bed. The late Daniel and her mother allegedly slept in one room while the other three slept in another. But that was all the neighbours could say about them. Eyewitness accounts claimed that the deceased were not seen C M Y K

CTOBER 1,2014 was supposed to be a day of joy, being the 54th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence and the first day of the month. But for residents of Itamaga in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State, it turned out to be a very tragic day that would not be forgotten in a hurry. On that fateful Wednesday, residents of the community woke up with the frightening news that a widow and her four sons had been found dead in their uncompleted apartment. Although the police and traditional rulers in the area have begun investigations into what led to the unfortunate incident at Prince Kunle Owoade Close, residents of the community are yet to come to terms with what actually caused the deaths. Vanguard Metro, VM, learnt that the deceased whose names and ages were given as Kunle 21, Bayo 17, Pelumi 15 and Daniel 12, had lived in the community for the past four years with their widowed mother who until her death, was a patent medicine dealer in the Shomolu area of Lagos State. VM further gathered that while Pelumi attended the Redeemed Christian Church of

to purchase arms for Boko Haram.” “Hmmm,” sighed Ken, obviously flabbergasted. “Was the man caught with $9.3 million cash in his jet?” “Yes, he was caught. It was all in the papers,” answered Ade vehemently. “Which paper published that because that is quite different from what I read,” insisted Ken. “May be you don’t read or listen to news,” said Ade.

members decided to trace the source of the offensive odour. To their greatest surprise, they found all the windows and doors locked while their only tenant, a lady, had gone out for the day’s business. A generator was also found in the yet to be plastered sitting room. The bewildered church members, VM learnt, later called neighbours for their assistance. These neighbours allegedly made fruitless attempts to get in touch with the Lagos State Emergency Service. Having waited till 10pm without any response, the residents allegedly called the Police who also failed to respond to the save-our-soul, SOS, calls. When the waiting game did not yield the expected results, the neighbours decided to break into the building. To their

greatest dismay, they found four sons of the widow already dead while their mother was half-dead after defecating on her body. A team of Police men were said to have arrived around the scene at about 3am but turned back after warning the sympathisers to desist from rendering any form of assistance as the death could be caused by the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Having waited till 8am, the sympathisers called a hotelier in the neighbourhood who alerted health officials at Ebute Metta. The health officials arrived the scene around 10am but by this time, Mrs Asunmu’s condition had degenerated; she died on her way to the hospital. When VM visited the compound, the bodies had already been taken to the morgue. But the aggrieved residents decried the lackadaisical attitude of the health officials, alleging that they demanded for a sum of N10,000 before the bodies were removed. VM learnt that one of the deceased, Pelumi attended EwuElepe High School, while Kunle and Daniel were said to have been seen at a nearby hotel around 8pm of that fateful Friday. Although a community leader, Pastor Francis Okon, said that normalcy has returned to the area, VM discovered that residents are still apprehensive because the cause of death has not be ascertained. One of the residents, Mr Nurudeen Olayiwola, called on the government to ensure that the emergency numbers are working as this would help to avert the occurrence of an ugly situation like this pathetic death.

The masses are their own greatest enemy; if only we can come together and fight our common enemy – the political class by holding them accountable

Said Ade: “I absolutely agree with veteran actor, Nkem Owoh, alias Osuofia, who said that Nigeria needs fumigation. How can our so-called leaders be misappropriating our commonwealth with impunity? If you complain, their hangerson will tell you to go and hug the transformer. The masses are their own greatest enemy. If only we can come together and fight our common enemy – the political class by holding them accountable. But no, they have succeeded in their divide and rule tactics. They use religion and tribalism to hold us down; meanwhile what binds the masses together – poverty – is stronger than tribe and religion. Haven’t you seen sworn enemy politicians on the pages of newspapers wining and dining at social events?” Continued Ade: “It’s not just the politicians oppressing the masses, the rich generally oppress us. Imagine Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor still walking free. In saner climes, he should be in jail.” “In jail? For what crime?” asked Ken. Replied Ade: “Seems you are the only visitor in Nigeria who does not know that his private jet was arrested in South Africa with $9.3 million. The money was either meant to be laundered or

“Which paper now? Simple question...”asked Ken. At this point, Ade became agitated, resorting to abuse and argument. “Bros no mind am. He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool. He obviously does not know what he is talking about. Mr. Know All, tell us the paper that published it or keep quiet,” said Joe. “My friend, keep quiet, what do you know? It’s because of people like you that Nigeria will remain this way. In your blind support for the PDP, you condone evil,” Ade retorted. “We are not supporting evil. We want the truth. Don’t try to stand truth on its head. From what I heard, the man’s jet which he leased to a company to manage, was used for the business and he said he knew nothing about the trip. Let a court try him first. We are too rash with our tongues here, too quick to judge and condemn. We talk more than we listen. We wade into matters without understanding it and in the process, we make a fool of ourselves,” replied Ken. “Ah my people, and when they talk, you can almost swear that they were there when the events took place. You’ll never believe they are totally ignorant of what they are talking about,” said Jude.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — 21

SON begins implementation of standard for Tokunbo vehicles By Favour Nnabugwu & Damilola Faniyi

isturbed by the increas ing rate of accidents on Nigerian roads and to also grow the country’s automotive industry, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON has commenced the implementation of conformity to standard of second-hand vehicles popularly known as ‘tokunbo’ across the country. SON’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said the implementation has become imperative in view of the surge in complaints from the general public over the condition of the second-hand vehicles being imported into the country. According to him, “SON would not concern itself with the age of the vehicles but the condition of the engine, emission, the mechanical function, among others. He said the pitiable and rickety conditions of such vehicles were worrisome adding that it was contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer through the emission of carbon monoxide. In order to checkmate this ugly development and stop the country from being used as a dumping ground for all manner of used vehicles by some unscrupulous businessmen, SON will soon fix a date to meet with the major stakeholders’ to take up the challenge. According to him “It will no longer be business as usual for second-hand vehicle importers as relevant measures

AWARD: Seplat Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SEPLAT) was honoured with the ‘’Best Africa listing’’ award by Africa investor (Ai), at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). From left: Hubert Danso CEO Africa Investor, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, GM Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Seplat, Ms. Arunma Oteh, DG of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Dr. Ambrosie Orjiako, Chairman of SEPLAT at the event. aimed at streamlining used vehicle importation will be put in place in the overall interest

By PETER EGWUATU

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI has expressed concern over the frustrations faced by investors in the course of business incor-

USC 0.2

USC 16.13

USD -25.00

USC 0.09

USD 92.01 USD -0.78 USD 89.59

CURRENCY BUYING

DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.75 249.7046 195.4957 161.737 1.4217 0.2783 228.7066 25.2068 41.248 26.2595 229.8502

USD -0.75

CENTRAL

155.25 250.5114 196.1273 162.2596 1.4263 0.2883 229.4455 25.2887 41.3812 26.3444 230.5928

SELLING

155.75 251.3182 196.759 162.7822 1.4309 0.2983 230.1845 25.3706 41.5145 26.4292 231.3355

CBN Exchange Rate as 07 /10 /2014

government through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment made it

LCCI decries delay in registration of businesses by CAC

USC 221.0

USD3,054.00

of the country as well as its eco system” . Odumodu said the federal

a key component of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution plan which is a five year programme that will diversify Nigeria’s economy and contribution to GDP from 4 percent today to 6percent by 2015 and finally above 10percent by 2017. “The major aim of the automotive policy requires that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) begins to thoroughly monitor the importation of new vehicles into the country and create a regime which would ensure that they conform to applicable Nigerian standard”. However, he revealed that the agency has approved three companies that met the criteria of having certification to ISO/IRC 17020: 1998 which are ; Quality Assurance Projects Limited, Medtech Scientific Limited and Coctena Destination Inspection Limited to implement the programme. “It is a step further towards actualising the Nigeria we desire. Competent testing labs will be set up in Nigeria and this testing is not likely to be more than N20,000, the SON DG said”

poration. The Chamber in its communiqué after its meeting held last week and signed by its Director General, Muda Yusuff stated “Rather than live up to the high expectations of better service delivery promised few months ago, the quality of service at the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC has deteriorated. Rather than take the promised 24 hours, business incorporation now takes well over one week in most cases. A major component of the Ease of Doing Business Report of the World Bank is the ease of business registration. The performance on this score is not satisfactory. Council urged the management of the CAC to urgently fix these shortcomings to realise the dream of making the country a leading investment destination in Africa.” In its comments on the construction of Lagos Badagry Expressway, the LCCI said “ We welcome

the proposal by the federal government to partner with the Lagos State Government to ensure the speedy completion of the reconstruction work of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. This collaboration is long overdue. There is tremendous wisdom in allowing national development concerns to take precedence over partisan considerations at all times. The Lagos Badagry road is very strategic, not just for the development of the country, but the facilitation of trade between Nigeria and other countries in the West African sub region. Over 70 per cent of freight and human movements between Nigeria and countries in the sub region take place on this corridor. Its current deplorable state is thus taking a huge toll on economic activities in the country and the sub region.” The Council of the LCCI further calls on the Lagos and Federal Government to urgently development a partnership framework to accelerate the completion of the reconstruction work on the road. It is in the interest of the Nigerian economy, the ECOWAS economic integration aspirations and the welfare of millions of citizens resident on this corridor to do so. On the political transition of the country, the LCCI said “As the 2015 elec-

tions approaches, the LCCI Council reiterated the importance of peace in the transition process. Without peace very little economic activity will take place and it is the citizens that will bear the brunt. The LCCI Council is disturbed by the recent disturbances and assault on the Judiciary in Ekiti State. This is clearly not a good omen. The LCCI therefore calls on the major organs of government especially the law enforcement agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to redouble their efforts in ensuring a peaceful democratic transition. On the issue of Ebola virus disease, the LCCI Council commended the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government for the effectiveness of their containment strategies on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which saved the country the risk of a major epidemic. The Council further applauded the spirit of collaboration that prevailed between the Lagos state and federal government in this regard. It was gratifying to note that the overriding objective of dealing with a major public health issue was placed far and above partisan considerations. The LCCI hopes that this would be replicated in other spheres of governance activities.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 The fundamentals for thriving insurance industry are there in the country -a vast population, an active economy and a wellcapitalised industry

SA Life grosses N4.63bn in 2013 … pays N2.78bn claims

tandard Alliance Life Assurance Ltd, said it achieved a gross production of N4.63 billion as against N4.3billion it posted in 2012. The company also paid out N2.78bn as claims to genuine affected policyholders. A breakdown of the gross production revealed that the sum of N3.45bn represents performance in gross life premium income (group and individual life businesses) while N1.18bn came from investment-linked products. The company’s gross life premium of N3.45bn indicates a 17.3% growth over N2.94bn achieved in 2012. During the year under review, the company paid a total claims of N2.78bn (group life N1.62bn and deposit administration withdrawal N1.16bn) to affected policyholders and genuine claims’ beneficiaries in 2013 as against N2.65bn in 2012. These formed part of the details given by the company’s Chairman, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, during its 14th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos. Giving further details, the chairman told the shareholders that the company recorded negative operating result of activities in 2013 compared with a profit position in 2012, clarifying that “this was as a result of time apportionment principle applied in recording gross premium income in the year 2013.” The chairman who reassured the owners of the company that the board was finalizing strategies to ensure that the planned July time for the meeting was achieved going forward, hinted that “the issue of insecurity challenge induced by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, escalating day in day out in the Northern region, was a permanent experience all through the year and our business offices in these areas were adversely affected.”

Insurers pour accolades on Olowude, urges management to carry on his legacy

he Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has expressed shock and deep sadness over the demise of its immediate past Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman of Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI), Mr. Remi Olowude who passed on recently. He was aged 63 years. In a letter by the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Godwin Wiggle to the Deputy Managing Director and Management of IGI, the Association expressed its deepest condolences to the IGI group and wished the soul of the immediate past Chairman external repose. Wiggle also led a delegation of the Governing Council on a condolence visit to IGI to commiserate with the management and staff on the unfortunate development. The NIA Chairman described the late predecessor as an “epitome of humility and excellence, and a dedicated and amiable person whose leadership qualities and sense of service endeared him to many who came in contact with him” He said it was unfortunate that the health challenge did not allow the late past Chairman to actualise the lofty ideals which he reeled out during his investiture ceremony, adding that members of the Governing Council were looking forward with great hope and expectation that he would overcome his failing health and join them to build the industry. Wiggle noted that Olowude had very strong passion for the insurance industry and urged the management of IGI to be prepared to hold forth and uphold the legacy of the company. C M Y K

INSURAN C By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

he Nigerian i n s u r a n c e market is currently ranked 60th in the world. However, the Nigerian government envisions an insurance industry that can rank amongst the twenty largest markets in the world by the year 2020. According to experts, achieving these goals will mean the insurance industry wholly embracing financial inclusion as well as developing the technical capacities to meet the emerging challenges of financial inclusion and micro-insurance. Hence, this therefore calls for more dynamic strategies to deepen insurance reach amongst the vast populace. According to Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, insurers must change their marketing strategy; product design and packaging must change; approach to policyholders and their complaints must change and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the message of insurance is taken to the grassroots. Daniel said, “If we must move the insurance market from its present level to an optimal pedestal within the financial services sector, then there must also be a

Deepening insurance penetration through financial inclusion consensus on how best to tackle the challenges. We have a lot to offer but we seem not to be taking advantage of the huge potential before us. The fundamentals for thriving insurance industry are there in the country -a vast population, an active economy and a wellcapitalised industry.” The insurance Commissioner noted that the microinsurance sector around the world has grown rapidly

Head, Corporate Communications and Brand Management, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Segun Bankole; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Wale Onaolapo and the Author of “How to Read More’, Mr. Martin Udogie at the book presentation.

over the past 10 years and is expected to double by 2020, producing coverage for over one billion people. Thus, with the right products, microinsurance would herald the much desired quantum leap in the industry. This significant growth brings new and exciting innovations in products addressing health, agriculture and property insurance, Daniel said. Daniel also said that value-added aftersales services, especially efficient and timely claims settlement will aid the quest of repositioning the insurance industry as the pivot of economic growth and enhanced development. Meanwhile, contained in the communiqué of its 2014 insurance educational conference, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, stated that the arms of the industry should set up a committee with the role of developing a more dynamic strategy in deepening insurance contribution to the nation’s GDP in line with the rebasing of the economy as the current contribution of insurance to the economy is too low to be meaningful. According to the CIIN, the functions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Consultative Council should be extended to include that of serving as a lobby group for the industry as well as a platform for the pooling together of resources for the development of the Nigerian insurance market. The CIIN also stated that the Nigerian insurance industry should key into the government’s policy of promoting financial literacy through aggressively promoting micro

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014,

CE & YOU

— 23

If we must move the insurance market from its present level to an optimal pedestal within the financial services sector, then there must also be a consensus on how best to tackle the challenges.

Insurers seek government assistance to end heavy tax burden T

From left: Deputy Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Eddie Efekoha; Chairman Mr. Godwin Wiggle, Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda and Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel when the NIA Chairman and members of the Governing Council paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Finance in Abuja recently. insurance and takaful insurance products while market operators should put in place machinery for growing the insurance business in Nigeria through service centred mass production of insurance products and mass marketing of the products. The CIIN also stated that insurance operators should work hard towards discouraging weak governance and transparency in their operations especially in the area of poor quality and timeliness of accounting and disclosures. According to the CIIN, financial inclusion is achieved when adults have easy access to broad range of financial products designed according to their needs and provided at affordable cost. To this regard, the Nigerian insurance industry operators should work towards developing programmes that will facilitate insurance literacy among the publics. “People are the most important assets of an organisation and as such, the trade arms of the industry should through the process of self regulation, persuade their members to regularly develop this asset in the organisation for the good of the entire industry,” CIIN stated. While condemning the existence of fake insurance market in the country, the CIIN asked the National Insurance Commission and the law enforcement agency to work towards the elimination of the market.

he Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has appealed to the federal government to suspend or waive some sections of the Companies’ Income Tax Act (CITA) 2007 in order to save the insurance industry from collapse as the law places a heavy tax burden on insurance companies operating in Nigeria, thus making it unattractive to investors. The Association’s position was made known to the government by the NIA Chairman Mr. Godwin Wiggle who led a delegation of the Governing Council on a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda in his office in Abuja last week. The NIA helmsman who also congratulated the Minister of state on the conferment of the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on him by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the obnoxious law placed a cap on expenses and claims payable by insurance companies, adding that it was discouraging foreign direct investment in the insurance sector. Wiggle urged the Minister to assist the insurance industry by setting in motion the process of amending the law to reflect present day realities and in line with global trends and best practice. “We are here to congratulate you on the conferment of the national award as Commander of the Order of the Niger by President Goodluck Jonathan. I must say that it is a well deserved award given your rich background and antecedents” Wiggle said. He continued; “Whilst congratulating you, I wish to take this opportunity to draw the attention of the Minister of state to the crippling effects of CITA 2007 on insurance business. The law expects insurance companies to pay 20 per cent of their premium as tax irrespective of expenses or losses incurred. We believe that it is not only punitive, it is also anti-investment” Wiggle stated. The NIA Chairman’s position was supported with a brief presentation highlighting the following critical sections of CITA 2007 for the Minister’s attention. They are: loss carried forward: Section

14(7) of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), 2007 as amended, which restricts the number of years over which an insurance company can carry forward its tax losses to four years; basis for calculation of unexpired risk: adoption of different basis for the computation of minimum tax payable by insurance companies. This is as specified in Section 14(8)(b) and Section 14(9)(c) of CITA 2007. This basis differs significantly from that adopted for other Nigerian companies. Also, minimum tax: Section 14(8)(a) prescribing percentage basis of calculation of reserves for

unexpired risks for tax purposes rather than time apportionment which is prescribed in Section 20(1)(a) of the Insurance Act 2003; as well as deductibility: Section 14(8)(b) of CITA amendment provides for the restriction of other reserves, claims and outgoings for the purpose of computing taxes payable by insurance companies. Wiggle implored the Hon Minister to convene a meeting of key stakeholders which will include the Federal Inland Revenue service, the National Insurance Commission, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigerian Insurers Association with a view to

critically assess the relevant provisions of the Act and make recommendation on the way forward. In his contribution, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel appealed to the Minister to assist the insurance companies resolve the issue of heavy taxation placed on them by the law. “I will very much appreciate your intervention sir. We have tried so much in the past but we have not been able to make much headway on the matter. I am sure that with your intervention, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. We will be grateful if the Minister will do this for the insurance companies, sir,” he stated.

Premium pension gets approval to operate zonal offices

remium Pension Limited,

one of the pension fund administrators in the country has got approval from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for its regional, zonal and branch offices located in Minna, Bauchi, Yola, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano and Calabar. In a statement, the company, headquartered in Abuja, said it has offices spread across the country as it has always strived to remain ubiquitous. These new offices represent a significant improvement on the initial pension centers that were established at the commencement of the new contributory pension scheme. “We are highly appreciative of PenCom’s approval of our new offices and several of their

other actions supportive of industry growth” said Wilson Ideva, the company ’s Managing Director. “The pension industry is driven by cutting edge technology, but at the same time you cannot render pension fund administration by proxy or through agents. There is need for physical presence of operators across the country to ensure uncompromised rendition of quality service and bolster the confidence of Nigerians in the contributory pension scheme.“ Ideva noted that the sustained increase in branch network is in line with the company ’s mission of achieving superior customer satisfaction in active life and retirement through best practice. “We are positioning the

company to play a key role in the anticipated further growth in the industry consequent upon the enactment of the Pension Reform Act, 2014.” He said. “The new law has slightly raised the employer and employee contributions in the scheme and also now covers the informal sector. “All these amendments to the law are geared towards ensuring that workers are guaranteed comfort during retirement. I have said it repeatedly that the contributory pension scheme is one government policy that has yielded enormous fruits. All the complaints about pension have been from those involved in the old defined benefit scheme.

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Stock Market: X –Front Trader Platform debuts X

-Front Trader Platform makes its first debut in the Nigerian electronic (fix) trading terminals market to boost “real time” online trading for stock market traders and investors. This platform’s architecture was designed by the technical team of X-Front Trader Limited, Nigeria and powered by Europe’s leading global terminal provider - Infront Norway, in collaboration with one of South Africa’s leading financial market data providers. This platform will enable stockbrokerage houses (SBHs) to provide easy to use and efficient real-time information and trading system to their clients. According to statement from X – Front Trader, “The X-Front Trader Platform is cutting edge in both the front-end GUI (graphical user interface), and connectivity infrastructure for trading and

content delivery, yet it is affordable. This terminal was developed based on a 12-month extensive market research and collected feedback from the local Nigerian stock market participants, ASHON (Association of Stockbrokerage Houses of Nigeria) leadership and randomly selected SBHs.” The statement stated that XFront Trader Platform meets regulatory requirements while reducing the huge ICT infrastructure cost as such similar platforms by Infront have delivered in many other countries with matured electronic trading (such as in the Nordics). Now you can see why this is a ‘Game Changer ’ for every NGSElicensed SBH and CIS-licensed broker, regardless of size. The platform aids to easily meet

the latest strict requirements and standards of the current SEC recapitalization exercise for NGSE-licensed SBHs. The coming pre-market presentation is targeted towards all management levels (inclusive technical, accounting and sales departments) of Nigerian SBHs. Our primary goal is to make attendees aware of this industry leading technology platform, proven globally, yet customized for the needs of the local Nigerian financial community. The presentation will drill down to the real business needs of SBHs and how the platform and associated services resolves their current problems, creates opportunities and grows business in a scalable manner at a reasonable cost that will ultimately save money with increased efficiency, fewer errors and replacing current solutions that fill some of the market data information at a much higher cost.

The new electricity tariffs effective December 20

HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has commenced the process of a statutory review of the electricity tariffs. The new tariffs to be announced at the end of the review would become effective on 1 December 2014. The review involves a number of steps and in the first step, NERC has asked the public to comment on its intention to review existing tariffs. Comments should be sent immediately to the Chairman, NERC, Adamawa Plaza, First Avenue, off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Abuja. Any affected parties can also send representatives to the Chairman, NERC. NERC’s tariff reviews take place every six months and this implies that after the current review, another review would be in process during early 2015 for tariffs that would be effective from 1 June 2015. The cost of capital is an important component of the tariff and most of the inputs in the weighted average cost of capital calculation are, at the present,

operations. The question is if the prices are fair, is the application of the prices to estimated billing fair? NERC would better appreciate public reactions if it views the fixed charge as a minimum charge to which there must be a corresponding minimum level of service at all times. The TCN is the operator of the transmission system linking the power generation companies with the electricity distribution companies. At any point in time, the existing transmission system has deficiencies at various locations and in the various components that are required for the efficient operation of the system. The NERC should issue a comprehensive instruction to the TCN indicating the parts of the transmission system that must be made fully operational during 2015 as a minimum. With respect to the electricity distribution companies, I recently obtained a pre-payment meter from one of them for the sum of about N25,000. If this is compared with

NERC has stated that it has the responsibility of ensuring that the prices charged by licensees are fair to consumers and sufficient to allow the licensees finance their activities and to allow for reasonable earnings for efficient operations

From left : Mrs. Yvonne Isichei, Executive Director, Operations and Technology, Keystone Bank; Ms. Rita Dominic, Keystone Bank Brand Ambassador and Mrs. Maria Teju Phillips, Keystone Bank Director, during the commissioning of the first wheelchair-friendly Automated Teller Machine, ATM Gallery at the Maryland Branch, Lagos.

Medcraft re-elected IOSCO Chairman

HE International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has reelected Mr. Greg Medcraft as Chairman of the IOSCO Board at the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Board, during the IOSCO Annual Conference in Rio de Janeiro. According to a statement by IOSCO, the Board re-elected Mr. Howard Wetson, Chair of the Ontario Securities Commission, as its Vice Chair. Mr. Ranjit Singh, who was re-elected Chair of the IOSCO Growth and Emerging Market (GEM) Committee on Monday, continues ex officio as Board Vice Chair. Mr. Singh is also the Chair of the Securities Commission Malaysia. Medcraft said he was committed to working with the Board “with a clear focus on our work in building trust and confidence in the global markets we regulate.” Mr. Leonardo P. Gomes Pereira, Chairman of the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários of Brazil, was re-elected as a Vice Chair of the GEM Committee. He joins Mr. Bert Chanetsa of the South African Financial Services Board, who

C M Y K

was re-elected as GEM Committee Vice Chair. All appointments are for a two-year term. Also on the IOSCO board is Nigeria’s Arunma Oteh who was unanimously returned un-opposed as chairperson of the African/Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC). Oteh was acclaimed as Chairperson to head AMERC for the next two years at the end of the AMERC meeting held during the ongoing IOSCO meeting in Brazil based on the experience that she brings as well as quality leadership Nigeria has provided over the years. Mr. Medcraft is Chairman of the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC). He assumed the position of IOSCO Chair in March 2013, one year after the organization created its first Board through a three-way merger of the IOSCO Technical Committee, the Executive Committee and the Emerging Markets Committee Advisory Board. The move was aimed at streamlining IOSCO’s organizational structure over a two-year transitional period.

NERC estimates. NERC has stated that it adopts a holistic and scientific approach in ensuring a fair and cost-reflective tariff regime. NERC should therefore direct all electricity distribution companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and all the power generation companies to submit to NERC by early 2015 their audited balance sheets plus profit and loss statements reflecting the state of affairs in the companies at 31 December 2014. NERC should subsequently make these submissions available to the public such that inputs derived from these submissions would be incorporated into the tariff reviews during 2015. There is public concern with respect to the fixed charge component of the tariff and the use of estimated billing by the electricity distribution companies. NERC has stated that it has the responsibility of ensuring that the prices charged by licensees are fair to consumers and sufficient to allow the licensees finance their activities and to allow for reasonable earnings for efficient

the fixed monthly charge of N750, the cost of the meter would be covered within 3 years. Thus, it is possible for the financial system to raise the funds for the provision of pre-payment meters to all the customers of the electricity distribution companies. The meters can be provided to all the customers within a period of 2 years and the cost of the meters can be recovered from the electricity distribution companies over a 3-year period. There have been indications that the new power plants put up for sale by the Bureau of Public Enterprises are not likely to be sold soon given the lack of gas supplies to the power plants. A proper analysis of the tariff structure would show that the electricity distribution companies would be able to pay their way when tariff levels are close to twice what they are now. NERC should not allow the electricity distribution companies to continue the practice of raising revenue they are not entitled to and this can only be achieved when all customers have prepayment meters.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—25

DIARY zCisco Connect Sun City, South Africa Nov. 2 - 4, 2014 z AfricaCom 2014 Cape Town Covention Centre Cape Town, South Africa Nov 11-13, 2014 Pillars of successful e-government: Can NITDA bring about all these into governments in Nigeria?

Preview

‘ICT usage in government, poor’

New inventions shaping life and living

IRing, new motion controller for IOS devices

•NITDA vows to step in •Promises to encourage skill acquisition •Defends sector’s potentials in Dubai

ITS not that we haven’t heard about the iRing at all, it has been rumored a few times, the iRing was claimed to be an accessory that Apple was working on for its full-fledged TV set. While those two products are far from reality right now, IK Multimedia has launched its very own iRing, which is billed as the first motion-tracking controller for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that’s specifically geared towards music apps and more. Users will be able to control sound effects and other parameters of their favorite apps in real time without having to touch the display of their iOS device at all. The iRing itself has identifiable markers which are tracked by the device’s front facing camera, tracking movements and position on to a 3D space in front of the iOS device. Its a double sided ring that is worn between two fingers and can be worn while playing musical instruments or handling conventional music controllers. iRing will be incorporated in a number of IK Multimedia apps such as Groovemaker, DJ Rig, AmpliTube, SampleTank and more. C M Y K

HE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), may have failed in its responsibilities if the paucity of ICT usage in government continues without remedy. This is apparently what the agency has realized of late. Now, in a renewed vigour, the agency is promising to step up awareness among other measures it claimed to have devised to ensure adequate and increased application and use of IT tools and solutions in all government establishments across the country. The agency told Hi-Tech that having been aware of the paucity of uptake and deployment of IT in especially the public sector, and in realisation of the critical need to embrace electronic systems for governance and administration, the crusade to carry IT into all nooks and crannies of the country, through public and private establishments, is now more urgent than before. Despite the anomalies, Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Peter Jack, however sees a fertile investment ground in Nigeria’s

I N S I D E

ICT sector, for foreign investors. In a business meeting of official partners to the GITEX expo, which kicks off Sunday, in Dubai, Arab Emirates, Jack showcased Nigeria’s potentials and wooed prospective investors to the ICT sector which he described as having high return on investment. Skill acquisition: Meanwhile, Jack had promised that besides stepping up efforts to get As a body empowered by law to government use more of drive ICT growth in Nigeria, NITDA IT in governance, the would also see to the training and agency was also resolved to ensure that IT tools and re-training of government officials, solutions used in the in exercise of part of its core country meet standards it had set for the purpose of mandate for ICT development in the ensuring rapid and country widespread human capital development. encourage ICT usage in government Jack said that as a body empowered by while it will not shy away from its law to drive ICT growth in Nigeria, responsibility of giving government the NITDA would also see to the training and right recommendations for ICT re-training of government officials, in acquisitions. Under the NITDA ACT of exercise of part of its core mandate for ICT 2007, the Agency is to create incentives development in the country. to promote the use of information He noted that NITDA’s core strategy was technology in all spheres of life in Nigeria to position IT as prime catalyst for turning Continues on page 29

By Prince Osuagwu

Nigeria into an ubiquitous society by getting those in government to begin to involve ICT in their day to day activities. He however revealed that his agency, in recent times, had organised trainings for legislators as well as lecturers in the nation’s universities in addition to the regular training programmes and scholarships for youths and undergraduates which the agency undertakes periodically across the country for skill acquisition. We’ll step in Promising to step in and bridge the paucity of ICT usage in governance, he declared: “NITDA will continue to

Tech goes to church:

Glo opens privilege club, Glo Prive for premium subscribers

We need funding, mentorship —Tech start-ups

OneCard partners Redeem on customized recharge cards

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MTN Foundation supports Rivers State with security vehicles BY EMEKA AGINAM

THE MTN Foundation has donated security vehicles to the Rivers State Government under the third phase of its Security Support Project (SSP). This is part of its continued commitment to support State Governments’ efforts at reducing the security challenges in the country. Before now, the Foundation has invested over 10 billion naira in social projects in the key areas of education, health and economic empowerment in 341 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT. Receiving the vehicles, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru commended the MTN Foundation, which is the Corporate Social Investment arm of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, for keying into his administration’s vision of providing adequate security to engender socio-economic growth in the state. He said the initiative would help complement efforts made by the government in securing the lives and properties of the state’s inhabitants. “The business of security is everyone's business. Government can’t handle the security challenge alone which is why we are particularly gladdened by this gesture which is the first of its kind since this administration embarked on its transformation agenda. We are calling on other service providers to emulate the gesture of MTN and support government’s effort in providing adequate security for residents of the state as well as the entire country,” he said.

Eaton offers cheaper electricity solutions with Power Xpert UPS

Glo opens privilege club, Glo Prive for premium subscribers BY PRINCE OSUAGWU Second National Car rier, Globacom has finally debuted with a recognition and privilege package, for its premium customers. The package, an exclusive club, tagged Glo Prive, offers benefits for members and elevates them to the status the operator described as reserved for kings and queens. The benefits include a free accident insurance cover of up to N20m payable against accidental death; free access to VIP lounges with the Glo Privé Card at International Airports nationwide, preferential treatment at 5-star hotels, restaurants, spas, fitness and beauty parlours, healthcare givers and special telephone numbers for spouses of Glo Prive members with the option of registering an existing Glo spouse line. Other benefits include Triple A rescue cover for Prive members’ cars which means that they will enjoy free towing service for their vehicles, free parking at designated areas and exemption from towing by traffic officials. Additionally, the members will enjoy VIP invitations to highoctane events and concerts as well as automatic international direct dialing (IDD) and roaming access for members. Little wonder the launch of the new club at the Eko Hotels,

Lagos, last week, attracted elite Glo subscribers comprising technocrats, captains of industry and senior officials of the company. C h i e f Commercial Director of the company, Mr. Prabhat Aggarwal, while unveiling the club, said Glo Privé is a product of c a r e f u l consideration and planning, adding Sample of the Glo PRiVE club card that it is aimed at d e l i g h t i n g important customers who are behind Globacom’s high value customers all of Globacom’s giant strides by with unmatchable privileges and offering the unique range of benefits. rewards”. He said that “Prive represents For him, “We have also created a privilege, differentiation and special Glo Privé lounge at major exclusivity. With Glo Prive, members Gloworld shops to attend exclusively are treated to privileges provided by to Prive members. Members who the Globacom network, and other visit these shops are welcomed to the benefits in the form of unique special Privé corner by well-trained experiences, savings and offers by Privé staff and given priority and premium suppliers, merchants and express service. It is an exclusive service providers.” world of preferential treatment that Aggarwal also added that the these customers will enjoy from now whole idea was to treat Globacom’s on,” he stated. high-end subscribers like the kings The Prive members will also get and queens. “We are welcoming dedicated Account Managers for them into a new era of exclusive effective round-the-clock (24/7) privileges, distinctive treatment, exceptional care. There is also an premium attention and luxurious exclusive hotline for quick and care. We have taken time to create expert help to resolve any issues a the ultimate experience for our very Prive member may have with his or valuable, loyal, premium and her line.

BY PAUL IKUFORIJI

ower management company Eaton has launched the Power Xpert 9395P UPS which according to the company, will deliver the future of power protection, all with a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). The 9395P is expected to build on the success of the original Power Xpert 9395, the first transformerless UPS launched in 2007, that it is already delivering 5GVA of safe and reliable power in all the major data centre hubs around the globe. “For clean, uninterrupted power for large mission-critical systems, Eaton now offers more choice than ever,” said Charles Iyo, Regional Sales Manager, West Africa Eaton’s Electrical Sector. Iyo who spoke at the launch of the new device added: “In 2013, we introduced the 93PM, our first UPS with three-level inverter topology and the most efficient UPS in double conversion mode on the market. Now, with our introduction of the Power Expert 9395P, our high efficiency range extends up to 1100kW. This means there’s a highly efficient Eaton UPS to satisfy most protection requirements, from the smallest server room to the largest data centre, and one that meets the regulations and incentives available throughout EMEA.” The original Power Xpert 9395 UPS introduced a number of new technologies and advanced features to the market when it was first launched. The new 9395P UPS further builds on this with many additional enhancements to offer more power, resilience, scalability and flexibility to provide a lower Total Cost of Ownership.

L-r: Henrik R. Mulvad, MD and Strategy Lead, Accenture Middle East, Mr Peter Jack, DG NITDA, Abdulla Hashim , Senior Vice President Digital Services, Etisalat, Ahmed Al Khaja, Senior Vice President of Venues at DWTC, Marwan bin Haidar, ED Planning and Dev, Dubai Smart Government, Nawar Atassi, Head of New Account Management for GCC & Pakistan, Ericsson and Trixie LohMirmand, Senior VP, Exhibitions & Events Management at DWTC, at a recent GITEX technology week meeting in Dubai, UAE.

NOTAP saved Nigeria N300bn from capital flight – Bindir BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

irector General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, Dr. Umar Bindir, is claiming that the agency has saved the country about 300 billion naira by regulating against importation of foreign technologies. He disclosed this at the weekend in an event held in Abuja. The DG said the feat was made possible due to the

commitment NOTAP attached to its regulatory functions against the inflow of foreign technologies. He said the domestication of foreign technology will assist Nigeria to boost the provision of modern technologies. According to him, science and technology are vital to the economic growth of any country but domestication became necessary in view of the fact that it remains the only way to meet up with the dynamism and changes in the Information, Communication and

Technology sector. He explained that NOTAP has already taken the lead in ensuring domestication of foreign technologies through regulation of the inflow of foreign technology into Nigeria. “For any nation to succeed in bringing the best quality of life to its people, that nation must make science, technology and innovation a key sector, to serve as the bedrock to catapult the nation to economic development,” he added.

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NTI donates 400 ICT equipment to three sister institutions

BY EMEKA AGINAM

LTHOUGH technology start-ups in Nigeria, and indeed the African continent are developing real solutions that would address local challenges, these start-ups are themselves challenged by lack of funding and mentorship. This was the grouse of about 40 of these innovative entrepreneurs that showcased and pitched at the just concluded third edition of DEMO Africa conference held in Lagos. Participants called for seed funding, market incentives and mentorship among other things to further push their solutions to the next level. This is even as Microsoft last week announced its commitment to give funding, technical support and mentorship to seven new African startups so as to fasttrack their growth and provide a roadmap to highlight Africa’s ‘future growth pole.’ This is the second round of grants that would be issued under the Microsoft 4Afrika innovation grant programme, following the five startups selected at the beginning of 2014. DEMO Africa is the flagship initiative of Lion@Africa partnership, an innovative partnership aimed at enhancing and deepening startup and innovation ecosystems of fastgrowing African economies. At the event hosted by Lion@Africa, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and hosted by Microsoft, National Information Technology Development Agency, Galaxy Backbone, Airtel, among others, the young innovators showcased products and solution in many categories including agriculture, communication, education, energy, banking, health, manufacturing, mediaentertainment, retail, transportlogistics, waste-recycling and water-sanitation. Even though infrastructural challenges like the inability to access domestic and foreign markets are still challenging to the growth of startups in the region, investors who participated at the event noted with optimism that seed funding if provided would support and amplify Africa’s budding startup and innovation ecosystem. Seed funding, mentorship needed Ogunlana Olumide, CoFounder of Prepclass, an indigenous solution, told Vanguard Hi-Tech: “We need seed funding, mentorship and technical support to face the challenges ahead. Prepclass, which is our education solution, is a one stop learning center. If deployed by schools, it will prepare Nigerian educational system to catch up with elearning changes in the

By Emmanuel Elebeke

•Nigerian tech start-ups...They truly need funding

DEMO AFRICA:

We need funding, mentorship —Tech start-ups knowledge economy. It is innovative, but can only thrive in the right environment.” Also speaking, Nikunji Handa, Chief Executive Officer of Beam, a banking and finance solution in Ghana, said that the funding amount required to take their solution to the next level is in the region of $500,000, adding that funding to date was only $50,000.”We will take our solution to the next level with necessary supports from angel investors” he added. Similarly, founder of TrafficBytes, Mahamed Hussan who was also seeking for funding said that the solution developed in Cairo Egypt allows mobile operators and telecom vendors to leverage their cellular

infrastructure and provide real time and accurate traffic information.Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson earlier in her address told the gathering that securing the hosting rights to this year’s event was a validation of the Federal Government’s renewed focus on the ICT industry in general and the software development industry in particular. To bridge the funding gap that plagued Nigerian technology companies and also realize the potentials of the software industry , the Minister said that investments in the technology start-ups would grow indigenous software industry. “There is still a lot to be done, infrastructure to

be built to connect more and more Africans to the internet, more ideas to be birthed, more companies to be nurtured and more investments to be made in these companies. African governments must support and sustain this” she explained. For the NITDA DG, Dr. Peter Jack in his opening remarks told the gathering that the young tech startups should be encouraged with seed funding and metorship to grow their solution. “Nigeria has good software solution that can compete in the global market. With their innovative solutions and good outing, seed funding and technical support will help these young software incubators to showcase their solution to the global market”.

THE National Teachers Institute has made a donation of 400 desktops and laptops to three educational Institutions. The institutions include: the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN which received 100 desktops and 50 laptops, the National Mathematical Centre, NMC, 40 desktops; with 10 laptops, while Adeyemi College of Education, which received the highest of 150 desktops with 50 laptops. The Director-General and Chief Executive of NTI, Dr. Aminu Sharehu said the decision was made in view of the importance NTI attached to computer education, which it considers as a pre-requisite to life-long learning, especially for teachers. “We have since started distributing these computer sets and laptops along with their allied accessories for the use of Nigerian teachers through the establishment of model computer laboratories in 37 states & FCT for the use of Nigerian teachers free of any change,” Dr. Aminu said. In addition to establishing computer laboratories for use by teachers in 37 States and the FCT free of charge, he said the institute is to equip all field centres nationwide with the elearning facilities for easy access to the internet for teachers.

‘ICT, new platform for business growth in post industrial society’ BY RICHARD UDOFIA

ESPITE their power of wealth creation and reduction in the number of unemployed youths , there is a clear indication that Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs that are not properly rooted in ICT will naturally fade away in this postindustrial society. Although, ICT has increased efficiency and productivity, it has equally blocked the traditional mode of employment in the post-industrial society. Clearly, there is a vacuum in knowledge transmission between those who have successfully built competitive businesses with this new technology and those who are just starting their enterprises. That missing link is apparently the propelling force, that compelled one of Nigeria’s leading Telecoms company, MTN to create a platform tagged, “MTN Link Forum”, where successful business men and women interacted and shared ideas on how

to grow a globally competitive business in contemporary society. Speaking on the importance of ICT and wealth creation in contemporary society, at the ‘’MTN Link Forum” in Port Harcourt recently, Dr. Jonathan Doerr, the Managing Director of Jumia Nigeria, reiterated the need for Nigerian entrepreneurs to take idea from developed country and domesticate it here in Nigeria. “Nigerian entrepreneurs can take business ideas that have proved successful in America and Europe and domesticate them in line with realities in the country”, he said. Doerr added that, ‘online retail business had been thriving in America and Germany before it was introduced into Nigeria with little adjustment in the area of delivery and payment. You don’t necessarily need to pass through the stress of product development, there are products that have been developed elsewhere and all you need to do is to take critical look at them, modify them, and introduce them here in Nigeria and it

will be an instant success just like Jumia.” The General Manager /Consumer Marketing, of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi in Lagos stated that the company, a supporting brand is committed to developing, engaging budding entrepreneurs, and encouraging entrepreneurs to be better in various fields of human endeavor. Oyeyemi said that, the idea of this Link Forum is for young entrepreneurs to learn from the successes and failures of business tycoons with a view to helping them make informed decisions in growing their own businesses to an enviable height. He said that, ‘’a strategic focus for the company is to constantly provide an engaging and supporting platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. MTN Nigeria has continuously demonstrated this, through various value adding initiatives.” He further added that, winners of this year ’s MTN Budding Entrepreneurs Challenge will be sponsored by the company to attend the 2014 World Entrepreneurship Forum taking place in Lyon, France, in addition to grants worth N10million.

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NASENI seals deal with Coscharis Technologies on reverse engineering By Emmanuel Elebeke

ATIONAL Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI has entered into a partnership deal with Coscharis Technologies Limited, a foremost indigenous computer engineering firm on reverse engineering. Reverse-Engineering is the process of taking a piece of software or hardware, analyzing its functions and information flow and then translating those processes into useful purposes for mankind. In the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signed by the two parties in Abuja, NASENI shall establish and nurture appropriate and dynamic science and engineering infrastructure base, for achieving home initiated and home sustained industrialization through the development of relevant processes, capital goods and equipment necessary for job creation, national economic wellbeing and progress. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Engr. Mohammed Haruna said Coscharis Technologies Ltd and NASENI have agreed to collaborate in order to achieve a common goal using existing capacity within the parties to develop mass critical skills by promoting the adoption and application of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, AMT in tertiary institutions. Engr. Haruna also said the synergy would involve the deployment of developed skills for the production of selected standard parts and components within some of the tertiary institutions in the country, apart from facilitating the transfer of the developed modern technologies to entrepreneurs for the rapid transformation of the Nigerian industrial sector. Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Coscharis Technologies Ltd Mr. Sunday Mukoro said the partnership shall be to undertake activities of mutual interest through cooperation in the transformation and development of manufacturing sector. Mukoro said the collaboration will see to the joint sourcing of funds through public-privatepartnership, PPP arrangements from relevant bodies to promote the use of AMT software including solid works, pro E, CES Edu pack in manufacturing within Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Tech goes to church

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

F technology is not a miracle worker, it is something close to it. Never in the history of the world has one solution been acceptable to the religious and circular worlds in a manner that technology seems to be generally accepted. In many respects technology has been described as social transformer but that is also being economic with the truth. From social, business, government, down to the most conservative religious circles, technology has found its way; in each case, accepted with open arms. The magic however is that technology has a unique way of fitting perfectly into projects irrespective of the background they are coming from. Otherwise, would it not have been surprising to see the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a sect that has been widely known to profess strict adherence to biblical doctrines of worshipping God, delving into solutions primarily conversant to the social circles? Last week, it happened. One Card, a fast moving consumer goods company penned down an agreement with the Redeem Christian Church of God, RCCG, for production,

OneCard partners Redeemed on customized recharge cards distribution and sales of customized multiple service recharge cards that would bear RCCG insignia. With this agreement, Redeem members in all its 32,000 parishes across the country would now access top-up solution at any parish without having to leave the church service ground. Speaking on this unique service, the Founder/ Director of One Card, Prof Olurinde Lafe, said the initiative was borne out of the company’s commitment to making life easier for Nigerians via easy – to-use and accessible top-up solutions. According to Lafe, partnering with Redeem Church provided One Card an excellent opportunity to ensure Nigerians, especially RCCG members access the convince that his company has brought while even in their place of worship. He added that, the

•OneCard recharge partnership is one in the series of strides OneCard was taking to bring impactful services closer to every Nigerian Meanwhile representative of the Church, Pastor J.K Odesola, said ”RCCG approved the production and distribution of its customized cards, because

One Card is providing an innovative cards that is a bridge to all Nigerians service providers making it possible for any denomination of One Card purchased to be loaded on any service provider of one’s choice”.

‘ICT usage in government, poor’ Continues from page 25 including the development of guidelines for setting up of information technology systems and knowledge parks. And part of these incentives has taken place in form of ICT trainings and scholarship programmes for government officials and youths. “The agency is also saddled, among others, with the responsibility of developing guidelines for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paperbased methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour, and other fields, where the use of electronic communication may improve the exchange of data and information” Nigeria, fertile ground for ICT investment However, in far away Dubai, Jack is preaching investment into Nigeria’s ICT sector. He is doing so, backed up with facts which he said were so glaring for all to see. Facing an array of high networth ICT professionals and potential investors in several economies of the world, Jack extolled the virtues of Nigeria: “ The potentials for investment in the ICT sector in Nigeria are enormous, not only within the country but for the sub-region and the continent as a whole. With a population of about 170 million people, the country is a ready market for Manufacturers of Hardware, Software developers, Software as a

Service and ICT solution providers. “At the end of 2013, Nigerian economy Gross Domestic Product, GDP, became the largest in Africa with more than $488 billion, the world’s 26th largest economy and the fastest growing economy across the globe. Nigeria is considered to be an emerging market by the World Bank, it is also a member of the MINT group of countries, which are widely seen as the globe’s next “BRIC-like” economies. It is also listed among the “Next Eleven” economies to become the biggest in the world.

Growing financial sector “Therefore, with Skilled Low Cost Labour from our large army of Vibrant Entrepreneurs and IT Startups, Fast Growing Financial Sector and Free Flow of Investment, Nigeria offers the door of investment to investors in Africa. Our government has put in place various incentives to attract investors especially in the ICT sector which currently contributes about 9% to our GDP. Our aim is to grow ICT contribution to our GDP to about 15% within the shortest time possible. “In Information Technology, Investment opportunities abound in Manufacturing, Innovation Hubs, Business Process Outsourcing, Cloud Computing and Infrastructure as a Service. We have developed a national ICT Strategic plan with a time line of 20102015. The implementation of the plan in

sectors such as Education, Agriculture, Health, Human Capital Development, Governance, Judiciary and National Security amongst others has propelled the level of development in the ICT sector in Nigeria. With over 48 million regular Internet users, various activities are being carried out online. We are currently measuring the impact of the plan and implementation level in preparation for review next year. ICT contributes over 8% to the Nigeria’s GDP and is now growing at 7% annually. Our target is to grow the ICT industry to a point where it contributes up to 15% to the GDP within the next 3-5 years”. Jack also noted that NITDA would Coordinate the participation of Nigerian official delegation, Exhibitors and Young Innovators with various home grown products and solutions in this year’s GITEX expo, particularly to attract foreign direct investment According to him, “as the government agency charged with the responsibility of developing IT in Nigeria, it is part of our mandate to expose our country to developments in the global IT industry and Gitex is a major global event with participants from across the globe. It is therefore expected that our participation at Gitex 2014 would not onlycreate a good platform for our young start ups but would enable the ICT community in Nigeria to meet with investors and stakeholders across the globe who may be willing to be part of the success story of the ICT revolution currently going on in Nigeria”.

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Sudan ‘most difficult test ever’ says Ambrose Juventus reject mega bids for Pogba, Vidal J

UVENTUS have revealed they rejected bids from “top European clubs” over the summer for Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal. The pair were wanted by a host of teams during the summer transfer window with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United both keen on the midfield pair. However, Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta did not entertain offers from interested parties. “Yes, absolutely, some offers arrived from abroad, from top European clubs,” he told Processo del Lunedi. “But we decided not to indulge them. “We were in a position not to accept and we did with great awareness of the fact that we are talking about two very important components of our squad.” United remain interested in Vidal and could revive a move for the Chilean in January.

Di Maria is so important toALEY Man Utd – Blind BLIND has hailed the impact of Manchester

United’s record arrival Angel Di Maria. United smashed the British transfer record in August to sign the Argentina winger from Real Madrid, splashing out an incredible £59.7m. Di Maria has hit the ground running and netted his third goal for United in Sunday’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton at Old Trafford. And following that much needed three points at the weekend, Blind, a £14m deadline day arrival from Ajax, lauded the influence and ability of the 26-year-old. “He’s amazing,” he said. “He is an excellent player. He can score goals, make assists, he can keep the ball very well. “I think I am very pleased we have him in our team. He is very important to us. “We have to do it with everyone though, as a team, everyone that is in the selection we have to fight for each other.”

igeria defender Efe Ambrose has stated that the double-header AFCON 2015 qualifiers against Sudan will be the most difficult games for the team after failing to win in their first two games in the qualifying round. “For me, it’s going to be the most difficult test for us as we had poor results in the games we played last month, so we need to win these two games to be in the race to qualify for the Nations Cup,” he told the Celtic website. “As the defending champions, we have to qualify, so these are games which will be intense. Sudan aren’t pushovers, and in Africa, every country wants to beat Nigeria which that makes it harder. “We know what we need to do and the coach and the technical staff will have mapped out our strategy for us. So, it’s up to us to go out there, execute it and keep ourselves in good shape in the qualifying.” Six points from those two fixtures would be an ideal early birthday present for Ambrose, who will celebrate turning 26 on his return from national service. He hasn’t made plans how to mark the occasion as yet, but it will involve spending time with his young family. “I should be back after being away with Nigeria so we will see what happens, but I will celebrate it with my baby and family at home,” added the player.

oberto Di Matteo is the new Schalke coach after the Bundesliga side acted quickly to replace outgoing boss Jens Keller yesterday morning. The former Chelsea manager, who won the Champions League with the Blues in 2012, has been appointed to his first job since being dismissed by the Stamford Bridge club just under two years ago. Di Matteo, who has signed a contract until 2017, inherits a talented but underperforming side that are currently 11th in the German top flight, but Schalke’s director of sport Horst Heldt has backed the former Italy international to boost the club’s fortunes. “We are totally convinced that Roberto Di Matteo will

Schalke ap stabilise the team and manage to reach our objectives in the Bundesliga and the Champions League,” Heldt told the club’s website. “We wanted to breathe new life into the team with this change of coach.” The 44-year-old’s first game in charge of the Gelsenkirchen club will be against Hertha Berlin on October 18 at the Arena AufSchalke. He has taken on a squad full of talent, with youngsters such as Julian Draxler, Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka at his disposal, but they have struggled to find consistency so far this season. In recent weeks they have beaten Borussia Dortmund in the Revierderby, drawn with Maribor in the Champions League and then slumped to 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim in Keller’s final game at

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Chelsea have got the killer instinct – Terry C

helsea captain John Terry believes his team have shown a killer instinct in the first few weeks of the Premier League season, as he has suggested a strong team ethic has been crucial in carrying them to a commanding lead at the top of the table. The Blues headed into the international break five points clear of their nearest rivals Manchester City, with Terry suggesting their run of three clear sheets in a row is a sign that Jose Mourinho’s team are functioning as a unit. Sunday’s 2-0 win against Arsenal backed up clean sheets in the Champions League against Sporting Lisbon and another against Aston Villa, with Terry convinced Mourinho has found a perfect balance in his side. “We had the killer instinct going forward too so there was a bit of everything against a really good side,” Terry told the Chelsea website as he reflected on the victory against the Gunners. “Defensively we did very well but that’s not just the back four or the back five. It’s people like Eden [Hazard] and Andre [Schurrle] dropping in and coming back but being able to go forward as well. That’s the key for me.” Clean sheets have been something of a rare commodity in a Premier League season that has been notable for a leap in the number of goals being scored, with Terry suggesting the quality of attacking players is the reason for those statistics. “You can look at every team in the league and they are all conceding goals,” added Terry. “That is because the quality in the Premier League is getting higher each year. It’s as simple as that. “When we conceded goals earlier on in the season everyone was questioning it, but it’s going to happen. There are so many good teams and individuals in the league that we are going to concede goals. “The important thing is that going forward we’ve got goals in us, as long as we’re not conceding too many. We’re maybe a little bit more attacking this year as well but we’ve had a few clean sheets on the bounce now and defensively we look very solid.”

“Benzema is best forward in La Liga”

point Di Matteo the weekend. It is those inconsistencies that prompted Schalke to relieve Keller of his duties. “The performances of the team in recent week have been characterised by severe fluctuations,” Heldt said. “Even the positive signs, such as the seven points in a week and the cherry on top coming from victory in the derby, failed to show any lasting effect. “We were lacking the consistency that we need in order to be able to achieve the goals we have set. That is why we decided to make a break.” That break may not have come as a surprise, with Keller under particular scrutiny ever since he replaced Huub Stevens two years ago, but the timing is nevertheless unexpected.

up the opportunity to praise his Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t pass zema after the Athletic match. friend and teammate Karim Benbest forward in La Liga. He’s “I’m happy for Karim. He’s the d the Portuguese star. doing a fantastic job”, claime k of Benzema’s brace at the bac the on , Ronaldo’s comments jor boost for the Frenchman, Bernabéu, will have been a maicism from the Real Madrid who regularly comes in for crit faithful.

Bale’s Welsh best player in 2014 T

he Football Association of Wales (FAW) has awarded Gareth Bale with the trophy for the best Welsh football player of 2014. The Real Madrid superstar has won this award four times in the past five years. The Welshman has now beaten Mark Hughes and John Harston, who have both won the award three times. Bale received the trophy from the FAW in a dinner celebrated at the David’s Hotel in Cardiff.

34 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Deola Sagoe W

hen it comes to fashion in Nigeria- even internationally- Deola Sagoe has been there and done that and got a t-shirt- as they say. Yet this repository of talents is not resting on her oars, apparently, and has buzzed on blogosphere alongside Tunde Afolayan all of last weekend as much-awaited movie October 1 premiered in Lagos. Apparently, she makes her acting debut in this Kunle Afolayan period flick as the mother of Afrobeat Legend Fela’s Anikulapo (activist, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti). No doubt whatsoever the movie will be a blockbuster, but if comments on blogosphere are anything to go by, a good many folks will be seeing the movie just to see her in that role.

Emma Watson

Blessing Okagbare

t’s been an outright gender war on cyberspace since Harry Potter and Noah actress Emma Watson made her feminist speech at the UN General Assembly in New York City last week. Cyber bullies have since blackmailed her with threats to release her naked photos. Amongst commentators is a 15-yearold British schoolboy who has struck a chord with his eloquent response to actress Emma Watson’s United Nations speech encouraging men to join in the fight for gender equality. Ed Holtom’s letter was praised on social media for demonstrating an understanding of gender issues that many adults today don’t fully comprehend. If we want equality, it will take more effort than paying women the same as men, or giving women equal opportunities,” he wrote in his letter supporting Watson. “We must stop pressuring each other to fit stereotypes which more often than not leaves us feeling repressed and unable to express ourselves. We must not let gender define us. In Emma’s UN speech she had asserted: Men - I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation, she said. Gender equality is your issue too.She also discussed misconceptions of feminism and how it is often associated with “manhating”. For the record, feminism by definition is: The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes, she said.

Chelsea Clinton A

igeria tracks and field blue eyed girl, Blessing Okagbare, has picked a November 2014 date for her traditional wedding which is expected to hold in the oil city of Warri in Delta State. The athlete is set to wed former Super Eagles player, Igho Otegheri, whom she says she has dated for some time now. She reveals she had known the football star long before she left the shores of the country but only accepted him as a friend .She was not surprised when he eventually asked her out and had to delay before accepting him despite the joy she felt within after he asked her out. She is an Olympic and World Championships medalist in the long jump, and a world medalist in the 200 metres. She also holds the Women’s 100 metres Commonwealth Games record for the fastest time at 10.85 seconds. Her 100 m best of 10.79 makes her the African record holder for the event. She was the African 100 m and long jump champion in 2010. She has also won medals at the All-Africa Games and the IAAF Continental Cup. Otegheri began his career with Wikki Tourists in 2004 before transferring to Enugu Rangers for two years. He then signed with Dolphins F.C. in 2007. He later joined Heartland F.C. where he played until 22 January 2009 when he moved to Beitar Jerusalem F.C. with compatriot Anderson West. He was released from his contract at 1 February 2009 and turned back to Heartland F.C.

nother trending gist that is causing delight no end is of the arrival of little baby girl Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky, bundle of joy of Chelsea Clinton and husband Marc. Marc and I are full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Chelsea announced via facebook and tweeter. United States secretary of state John Kerry also tweeted: Congrats to @ HillaryClinton and @billclinton: being a grandparent is the best period. Clinton and her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, had announced in April they were expecting their first child. Chelsea is Bill and Hillary Clinton’s only child, and her baby is their first grandchild. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton say they feel blessed, grateful and so happy to be the grandparents of a beautiful girl. Eat out your heart, Monica Lewinsky. C M Y K

Gelila Bekele B

logosphere is enraged at everyone’s favourite black film producer Tyler Perry, aka Madea, who was 45 a couple of weeks back and threw a big bash to celebrate. Some guests swear there was an announcement that a baby is on the way, and the lady who is carrying it on behalf of the mysterious Tyler Perry is Gelila Bekele, his old time girlfriend and model from Africa. The mother of Tyler Perry’s child was born in Ethiopia but later lived in both Europe and the United States. She is signed with Ford Models and has appeared in ad campaigns for Pantene Pro-V and L’Oreal. Bekele is also a dedicated social activist. The mother of Tyler Perry’s child was born in Ethiopia but later lived in both Europe and the United States. She is signed with Ford Models and has appeared in ad campaigns for Pantene Pro-V and L’Oreal. Bekele is also a dedicated social activist. The bone of contention is that there’s been no talk of marriage. A commentator says: One would think that someone as religious as Tyler Perry would not want to have a child out of wedlock. The news is being shared out of control. The lady remains quiet.

Gloria Emeagwali W ife of Nigerian American computer whiz Philip Emeagwali, herself a professor, has so far appeared happy to stay in the background. Until last week that is, when in a gush of patriotism she released a virtual statement in support of the effort to keep ebola out of Nigeria. In the light of the ebola outbreak in the West African region, all hands must be on deck. We have among us various researchers and specialists in the medical field. Let us have comments, recommendations, suggestions etc from both specialists and non-specialists. Let us also celebrate the victories so far while confronting new challenges. Please reflect on the cause of the virus, short term and long term strategies etc Her recommendations are similar to widely publicized ones.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 —35

We simplify ambiguous theories into implementable actions — Ogbozor By MOSES NOSIKE

hioma Ogbozor is the Managing Director/ CEO, Management Advisory Consulting (MAC). she left the public sector for the non-profit sector in 1997 where she had worked for both international and indigenous organizations, providing strategic guidance, designing and implementing life changing projects in communities for the past 16 years. She has a first Degree in Engineering and Masters degree in D e v e l o p m e n t Management and was certified a Project Manager by Standford University, USA. In this chat, she speaks about how firm, challenges and others Excerpts: What does M a n a g e m e n t Advisory Consulting specialise? Management Advisory Consulting (MAC) is a consulting firm based in Abuja. It strengthens public and private organisations to improve their revenue and productivity of staff, mentor individuals aiming at leadership positions, expand their businesses, increase online visibility, simplify organisational processes using management portals, create online stores for interested clients and attract thousands of individuals to show interest in clientorganisations and the services they render. In Management Advisory Consulting (MAC), every service is meticulously designed and delivered because we believe that our clients deserve to receive knowledge in a manner that is applicable. In line with our mission of turning business theories to practice, MAC simplifies ambiguous theories into implementable actions that transform lives at all levels. As a woman, how do you go about building capacity of

I encourage women to love themselves enough to pay for services that will equip them with useful talents and skills that can be shared with others

communities in a challenging environment like ours? As a woman in senior leadership position, I see capacity building as a service

to others. The only difference is that I get paid for changing lives. I believe that capacity building ought to be about transforming the way people

think about themselves, about others and the environment. I find such transformations, especially when I succeed in getting individuals to see the world differently, very gratifying and fulfilling. Positive change has no race, gender or colour. This is the reason why orientation message to new hires at Management Advisory Consulting (MAC) focuses on clarifying the reason why we are in existence. Our talents and skills are utilised in a manner that make clients better than we met them. It has nothing to do with being a woman or a man. How can you describe the level of development in the communities? A lot is happening in different communities. The only challenge is the intention behind those developments. When we serve only for material gains such as money, power or prestige, no matter the platform whether in the church, mosque, family, village groups, state or national, the aim gets defeated because intentions reinforce values. When the intention is not to reduce the burden of the communities, it ends up impoverishing them. This could be one of the reasons why someone would get a government contract to deliver a service and prefer to d e l i v e r substandard service or goods at the detriment of the communities. We need m o r e service providers who are not just interested in acquiring wealth but also willing to deliver quality services. Bringing women to the forefront of s o c i e t a l development, what do you suggest should be done? On March 8 each year the world c e l e b r a t e s International Women’s Day. I feel that it is important to celebrate women’s achievements socially, politically, and economically. It is equally important to remind ourselves of the continuing struggles women still face as a result of their gender. There are various barriers that prevent women from flourishing in their chosen careers. In my opinion, the starting point for bringing women to the forefront of societal development is through education of our girls. When a woman is educated and

mentored to be emotionally intelligent, she becomes better positioned to serve the society with her skills and talents. When a person plunges into leadership position with little or no preparation, the person performs very badly. A lot has been learned in the field of management and one of the lessons is that leadership is learned. This means that it is easy to raise good leaders, especially if individuals concerned are willing and open to learn, unlearn and relearn what will enable them to utilize their leadership positions as a platform to improve lives rather than a platform that encourages disunity, greed, corruption and injustice. This is the reason why Management Advisory Consulting (MAC) is interested in assisting individuals, groups and organisations to learn the tenets and the science of leadership in the proper and simple manner by turning business strategies into implementable actions devoid of ambiguous grammar and theories. Good leadership is not theories but practical transformational steps, which can be learned. With your experience as a woman, do you think Nigerian women have really been empowered to contribute reasonably to the society? I have met many intelligent, educated and emotionally intelligent women who understand that leadership is only a tool to transform lives. A lot needs to be done to raise up more women to begin thinking this way. Knowing that leadership is learned means that a woman or even a young person can contribute tangibly to the society. I encourage women to love themselves enough to pay for services that will equip them with useful talents and skills that can be shared with others. In this awareness and concerted effort to bring good services to local communities, what has been your challenges? I know that I can contribute much more than I am presently doing; however, I am very mindful of women’s biggest challenge of managing family life with health and career. I found a balance that works for me and it remains a “joggling act” balancing the three. The weight of leadership becomes increasingly light with a supporting partner, which unfortunately is not the story of a good number of women. Women leaders often have to pave the way for other women. I discovered that role models who share the same philosophy with me are hard to find, especially in the private sector in Nigeria. I work very hard to earn a living legitimately, to protect my name and integrity, which took me years to build; and this is what I wish for every woman I come across.

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Kumuyi tasks Christian politicians on integrity

NEW WAVE EVANGELISM:

By PETER DURU, Makurdi

RCCG out with Pastors Wives, With Wings Like An Eagle By Sam Eyoboka and Olayinka Latona

EDEMPTION Televi sion Ministry (RTM), an electronic evangelical arm of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in conjunction with the church's Drama Department, had concluded plans to launch a Christian television drama series titled, Pastors Wives and a new movie With Wings Like An Eagle. Pastors Wives, a television drama serials meant to showcase some of the challenges encountered by the ministers of God and their wives in the course of their evangelistic assignment, particularly pastors' wives who often combine ministerial assignment with wifely responsibilities, official duties and still come out triumphant. Speaking at the premiere of the two projects at the Redemption Camp on Saturday, the wife of the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Folu Adeboye, commended the brains behind the project and welcomed the idea of the two drama presentation, especially Pastors Wives, explaining that the movie is within the greater move of God. Mummy G.O., as she is fondly called, was optimistic that the television drama serial will serve as a healing balm, not only to ministers' wives but all other homes where there are domestic challenges.

Domestic challenges Assuring RTM and the church's Drama Department of her support for the vision, Pastor Adeboye urged RCCG members and other members of the society to "support the project financially, watch the drama, give necessary advice where needed and not leave out the place of prayer," noting that prayer is one of the pillars that can sustain the vision. The head of RCCG Drama Department/Public Relations Department, Pastor Segun Adegbiji explained that the Drama Department was officially launched in 2008 by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye with the mandate to evangelise and preach to unbelievers and admonish the saints. He added that the department has already produced four films

PREMIERE: L-R: Pastor Bamisile Badmus, Managing Director, Redemption Television Ministry; Pastor Elijah Daramola, SATGO/Regional Pastor, RCCG, South Africa; Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, chairman of the occasion; Pastor Segun Adegbiji, national co-ordinator, RCCG Drama Department and Pastor (Prof) Johnson Odesola, SATGO on Personnel and Administration at the world premiere of the movie, With Wings and a television serial, Pastors Wives by the RTM, South Africa in collaboration with the RCCG Drama Department held at the Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday. PHOTO LAMIDI BAMIDELE including; More Than Conqueror, What Shall Separate Us, The Rewarder and With Wings Like an Eagle. On the television serial, Pastor Adegbiji explained that Pastors Wives preaches more to the church, especially the saints, stressing that the serial will showcase some of the conflicts encountered by ministers of God in their official duty and the burden placed on the shoulders of their wives. Special Adviser to the General Overseer/Regional Pastor in charge of South Africa where RTM is based, Pastor Elijah Daramola, in his welcome address, said RCCG is using the electronic media in propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ hence imparting positively on the viewers. Pastor Daramola said there are series of challenges in pastors' homes and hoped that the drama will assist pastors' wives to tackle any kind of challenge that comes their way. In his words: “Jesus Christ commanded us to preach the gospel to the outermost part of the world and this is not only with the print media but with electronic media. Record has it that in 2009, 78 per cent of the world watched television, but by 2013 that record increased by five per cent and this shows that majority of people are

reached through the electronic media. "This informed our decision to reach viewers with series of our television and internet programmes taking the advantageous aspect of the electronic media to propagate the gospel and win souls for Christ,” he argued. The Managing Director of RTM, Pastor Bamisile Badmus who described Pastors Wives as an international project, gave reasons behind the drama, saying that the drama will serve as a model to marital homes and curb the high rate of divorce in homes. He also hinted that the drama will be aired through Redemption Television Ministry five days a week with a repeat broadcast on Saturdays, pointing out that some episodes will be shot in foreign nations like Canada, USA, South Africa, Kenya amongst others. In his words: “Because of the incessant breakdown of marriages the rate of which is hitting the 70 per cent mark, which means out of 100 marriages contracted in a year, by the end of that same year almost 65 per cent would have gone down the drain. “These challenges are everywhere in the world and it is for these reasons that the church serves as a role model to the

world as we embarked on writing the Pastors' Wives. We also realized that if the pastors' wives can put their strength together to pray for their husbands, correct them when going out of God’s will then their ministry will blossom and there will be peace and harmony in their homes. “The same thing is applicable to other women. They should copy and apply what they learn from the Pastors Wives into their matrimonial homes and things will work out fine. Being a pastor's wife is a whole lot of task. So we are drawing the attention of the world to this drama series so that the world can also learn from it,” he stated.

IMPORTANT DAYS IN OCTOBER 9. 11. 13. 15. 16. 17. 24. 24. 27.

World Post Day International Day of the Girl Child International Day for Disaster Reduction International Day for Rural Women World Food Day International Day for Eradication of Poverty United Nations Day World Development Information Day World Day for Audio visual Heritage

ENERAL Superin tendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministries, Pastor William Kumuyi has called on Christians in politics and positions of authority to be God fearing and lead by example. Kumuyi who spoke in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, urged Christians to exhibit a high sense of commitment to whichever field of life they find themselves, stressing the need for them to use their positions to positively impact on the people in order to check the decay in the society. "If you are called to be a politician, you must be seen to use which ever position you find yourself to impact on the people positively. We have no choice but to do those things that would be pleasant in the sight of God who is the lifter of all men. "I know that despite the challenges we are going through, things are going to work for the better; these challenges are certainly not peculiar to any state or nation but we will come out of it stronger and better," said Kumuyi. On the lingering state of insecurity and insurgency in parts of the country, Pastor Kumuyi said the law would certainly take its course on the matter. Quoting the book of II Chronicles 7:14, Pastor Kumuyi urged Nigerians to reorientate and reeducate themselves and turn to God. "Our God is ever ready to hear us and heal our land, that is why we must all turn to God at this time of our history," he stressed.

Mercyland urges prayers for TB Joshua

ENERAL Overseer of Mercyland Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Prophet Jeremiah Fufein, has urged Nigerians to pray for Prophet T. B. Joshua and The Synagogue Church of All Nations over the collapse of its guest house that killed about 115 persons with several others injured. Speaking during last Sunday service after leading his congregation to offer prayers for the man at the Synagogue and his church, Fufein said Prophet Joshua is going through trying times, saying that the Church of Christ need to rise up and pray for him and his congregation for strength. He noted that the incident was the handiwork of enemies, stressing that God will expose all those responsible for the devilish act.

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

doctor@lagospainclinic.com

Making money in medicine

•Philderald Pratt, Assistant Representative, UNFPA,Liberia (left), hands over a shipment of reproductive health kits to Caullau Jabbeh-Howe, Family Health Director, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Photo courtesy UNFPA Liberia

UNFPA prioritises needs of women in Ebola response By Sola Ogundipe

NFPA Executive Director, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, has called for sustained prioritisation of urgent needs and participation of women in the global Ebola response. Speaking on the Ebola crisis, Oshotimehin said pregnant women are faced with the double fear of dying from Ebola and during childbirth. He lamented that the combination of overwhelmed and collapsing health systems, widespread panic, and quarantine have left pregnant women and women seeking family planning with nowhere to turn. “As the world ramps up its response to the escalating Ebola crisis, women are being disproportionately affected, and their needs and participation should be prioritised in the response. Because women are caring for, feeding and bathing loved ones who are infected, working as frontline health workers, preparing bodies for burial and in need of reproductive health services, they are exposed to and infected by Ebola at higher rates than men,” he noted. The UNFPA Executive Director observed that gains made over the past few years in maternal and reproductive health are being reversed.

recommended four antenatal care visits before delivery, down from 65 percent of pregnant women last year. In Guinea, delivery assistance has reduced by one-third, antenatal consultations declined by half and use of family planning dropped by 88 percent over the past year, increasing the likelihood of unintended pregnancy.

Emergency kits

Already, UNFPA is supplying emergency reproductive health kits, including clean delivery kits, to pregnant women who cannot get to clinics; drugs and equipment are also brought to health facilities, midwives and communities. The kits contain the medical supplies required to manage safe deliveries and to address possible complications. Since health facilities are overstretched or abandoned, UNFPA is mobilising retired midwives for delivery care at the community level and sending shipments of condoms to prevent unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and the transmission of Ebola. We have delivered protective equipment such as medical gloves to facilitate safe delivery while protecting health workers from possible infection, disinfectants, heavyduty aprons, as well as hand-washing equipment.

Pregnant women dying

“Innovative ways are needed to protect every individual’s right to health. In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, doctors report an increase in pregnant women dying from preventable causes, including antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, ruptured uterus, and hypertensive disease.” He said preliminary data in Liberia show that the percentage of deliveries assisted by skilled birth attendants has gone from bad to worse. From May through August show that only 38 percent of pregnant women sought skilled birth attendance, down from 52 percent in 2013. Only 25 percent of mothers received postnatal care compared with 43 percent in 2012, and 40 percent of mothers received the

•Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehin.

HE above title is unique, deliberate and interesting. The juxtaposition of the three words, in any order, would still achieve the same meaning. Try it.....medicine making money.....making medicine money....money making medicine...... I wonder if there is a term in the English language for such an arrangement of words. During my recent travels, I met two gentlemen who were uncertain on how to invest $5m in Nigeria. I have also heard of a superrich Nigerian ( and I am not one for hearsay or rumours ), who, apparently, stated that he had $500m and did not know what to do with it. If someone knows this person, please pass this article to him. Better still, pass me to him! Investing in healthcare in Nigeria can be challenging but can come with some significant rewards. Nigeria has its own unique set of dynamics but our health sector is filled with opportunities for millionaires, venture capitalists and the so-called Small and medium scale enterprises, SMEs. Public healthcare is driven by government. At Federal and State level, Government is committed to the provision of basic services to citizens. Unfortunately Government’s objectives can take a long time to set up (the Ebola response is a laudable exception) as funding must be sought for projects. In addition public resources are limited. Here lies the opportunity for the private sector to improve access to facilities and also increase healthcare financing, quality of goods and services. Across every city, town and village in Nigeria, there are areas with poor health infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare workers and substandard quality of clinical and non-clinical services. Who are the stakeholders in this large and diverse market?

They are retailers, manufacturers, health service providers (both medical and paramedical), distributors, health financiers, supportive service providers and health educators. For Nigeria to achieve and sustain a vibrant health sector, services must be integrated and monitored with continuous audit of outcomes targets set by Government. Where are the Opportunities? Clinical services: general and specialty hospitals and clinics (especially those geared towards women and/or children) like Women’s health centres, Antenatal Clinics, Under5 Clinics and similar service providers. Tertiary services like Cardiology, Renal, Oncology, and Day Surgery Units remain rare in Nigeria.

by fixed tariffs and bundled payments. Healthcare products manufacturing: including production of pharmaceuticals, IV fluids, and medical supplies. Privatisation Schemes: In a document in 1999, I outlined how hospital services like catering, laundry, landscaping and even security services can be privatized. This applies also to services like mortuary services, laboratory and diagnostic services. Such contracts may be limited to a facility, Local Government Area, state-wide, zonal or national. SMEs and large corporate organisations can seize these investment opportunities. Quality of service delivered and budget management has been shown to improve with this model.

Good morning sirs. Did you know that you and I helped pay for the treatment of those Ebola doctors in America? It is in these particular areas that major investors do, and should fix their names in posterity. Some of the best medical facilities in the world originated from personal funds from people who have lost loved ones to a specific illness. Supporting Industries: like health education, insurance claims processing, accounts receivables for providers, the management and administration of care facilities, as well as buildings, equipment and medical supplies. Health insurance: especially Health M a i n t e n a n c e Organizations, HMOs, that combine health insurance with clinical services provision. New insurance organizations will do much better if they are able to minimise financial pressures caused

Information Technology presents great business opportunities: IT can enhance continuity of care, provide easy access to patient data across multiple facilities and providers and help keep costs down. Networks are needed at local, state and federal levels, in primary, secondary and tertiary care, in private and public facilities. The market is enormous and can be filled at all levels of investment; from the single individual IT manager to corporate management of huge databases and interactive clinical activity. From the gardener to the gateman, the cook to the computer expert, the small proprietor to wealthy individuals, opportunities abound in Nigeria......for making money medicine. Maybe it is medicine making money....or money medicine making....or...?

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 —39

The Ethics of Ebola

By DON UBANI

S the Holy Bible puts it in the Book of Ecclesiastes, ‘to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’. This implies that, as it is with many other human engagements and enterprises, there is a time for a state governor to be sworn-in and a time for him to make his or her exit. At mid-night on May 28, 2015, the tenure of Theodore Ahamefule Orji as governor of Abia State would constitutionally have come to an end. Being in a democracy, it is expected that his successor would be sworn-in the following day, being May 29, 2015. Since government is a continuum, it is hoped that his successor would continue from where Governor T.A. Orji would have stopped. For the governed to wish that a successor continues from where his predecessor stopped means that the latter must have done well in office. Within the Abia polity, there is the consensus that Governor T. A. Orji has, despite strangulation of the first three years of his first tenure by forces from a family that never meant well for the state, done very creditably. There are numerous tangible infrastructural achievements his administration has recorded.

Favourable disposition His favourable disposition to the Abia work-force which translated to automatic promotion of workers to the next salary grade level as soon as he assumed office and the approval of a minimum wage of N20,100 (twenty thousand and one hundred naira) as against the national minimum wage of N18,000 (eighteen thousand naira) have endeared him to Abia Public Servants. Since the creation of Abia State, no administration has given up to ten percent of vehicles, on the basis of use and go home with, to both public servants and political appointees as the government headed by Chief T.A. Orji has. The records are verifiable. Before his emergence as governor of the State, only very lucky Abia youths managed to get wheel-barrows and Tokunbo motorcycles’ as gifts of empowerment by the State Government. But today, the Orji-led administration has doled out more than 3,000 vehicles to Abia youths to enable them begin a fruitful private life and even develop to being employers of labour. The health, housing, educational, agricultural and commercial sectors of the state have witnessed achievements that comparatively are more than ten times the totality of achievements recorded by all the previous administrations put together. Apart from the plurality of quantifiable achievements by the Ochendo administration, there are very many intangible innovations the Governor brought to bear on the governance of the State. It is an open secret that the administration of Ochendo witnessed a very serious security challenge during his first tenure. There was an avalanche of commercial kidnapping and armed robbery especially in 2009 and 2010. This, principally, was a fall-out of negative dynamics of the human society, resulting mainly from exodus of criminal elements from Abia’s Southern neighbouring state that clandestinely relocated to the most southern local government area of God's Own State. That episode has become nostalgic history. It is, however, worthy of note that Governor

Abia State governor, Theodore Orji Orji rose to the challenge posed by that bitter experience and through an unprecedentedly well co-ordinated synergy with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Federal Government, that nasty experience was successfully put behind us. The commitment and dexterity exhibited by the governor in his fight against insecurity in the State, has, no doubt, made him a guru in counter-insecurity. The government of Chief Orji is hinged on deliberately calculated open administration. The governor operates a policy of unrestricted communication between the governed and himself. He is an advocate of e-governance. Hence his mobile phone number is accessible to majority of Abians who reach him at any given moment, even when he is out of the shores of Nigeria. There is hardly any text message sent to him that Ochendo does not, at least, acknowledge. He is a very patient listener.

Primordial sentiments Parochialism is definitely an antonym for a good quality for leadership. A parochial person is basically narrow-minded and would always be guided by preimodial sentiments instead of reasonableness of circumstances and realities. So far, Ochendo has acquitted himself as a broadminded manager of both human and material resources. It, therefore, follows that an ideal successor for Governor Orji should be one that is broad-minded and assesses issues from a universal point of view. Anybody that would perceive Abia State from the narrow point of view of sectionalism should not occupy the number one seat of the State. In Abia politics, time has revealed persons who harbour incurable animosity against their fellow human beings, in most times without any justifiable cause. A person, whose nature is to hate and does not make room for true reconciliation of human differences should not, for goodness sake, go near that seat. Among Abia politicians, experience has exposed those who would hardly answer telephone calls, return or even acknowledge calls from Abians they consider to be less privileged. An arrogant and selfish person should not have anything to do with governance of Gods Own State. All in all, the ideal successor of Governor Orji must be an uncompromising believer in God, whose vision for Abia State would amount to a holistic accomplishment of the tenets of comprehensive governance, with everybody and section of the polity carried along. Chief Don Ubani; (Okwubunka of Asa) writes from Aba, Abia State

S the Ebola virus grips an unprecedentedly wide swath of Africa, many are asking whether it is time to begin administering untested drugs and vaccines. Given that the disease can kill up to 90 per cent of its victims – higher than the mortality rate from the bubonic plague – there seems to be little to lose from relaxing clinical norms. But the suggestion raises difficult ethical questions – and the urgency of the situation does not leave much time for deliberation. One reason that there is no proven cure or vaccine for Ebola hemorrhagic fever is the wiliness of crossover diseases. These viruses are transmitted from animal populations, which can act as reservoirs where the pathogens can develop and mutate, making it difficult for researchers to keep pace with the diseases’ variations. But another reason is pharmaceutical companies’ declining interest in manufacturing vaccines. Indeed, only four companies today make vaccines, compared to 26 companies 50 years ago. These firms know that the return on their investment will be relatively low, owing to the long lead-in time that results from slow manufacturing processes (though new, faster methods offer some hope). Public distrust of vaccines has also played a major role in this decline. In the late 1990s, anti-vaccine sentiment manifested itself in a backlash against the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Similarly, a 2004 New York Academy of Medicine survey indicated that twice as many people were worried about the side effects of the wellestablished smallpox vaccine as were concerned about the disease itself. The comparative docility of infectious diseases like smallpox has contributed to a degree of complacency about the magnitude of the risks of refusing vaccination. When an epidemic actually begins, people quickly change their minds, and demand the rapid production and distribution of vaccines.

Trovan, which was being tested against another drug, ceftriaxone. Eleven children died during the Trovan trial, and others were left permanently disabled. Still, the death rate in the Trovan trial was much lower than the rate from untreated meningitis, bolstering the case for administering untested Ebola drugs today. In fact, the World Health Organization has already pronounced the use of the experimental serum ZMapp – a mixture of genetically engineered antibodies intended to help patients fight the disease – ethical. ZMapp never made it to human trials and is not yet licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration. As it stands, only a few doses of ZMapp exist, and it will take months to produce even a modest supply. This raises another ethical dilemma: Who should receive such a scarce resource?

Scarce resources

The first three doses of ZMapp were administered to the American medical missionaries Kent Brantly and Nancy Whitebol, who have recovered, and the Spanish priest Miguel Pajares, who has since died. Some offered a practical justification for the widely criticized selection of Brantly and Whitebol: It makes sense to treat health workers first, so that they can continue to help others. But this argument largely fell apart with the selection of the 75-yearold Pajares. The credibility of claims that practicality drove the selection was, to some extent, revived by the decision to provide doses to three African doctors. In any case, the available supply of ZMapp has been exhausted. It is important to note that even pragmatic arguments about rationing scarce medical resources can be highly controversial. During World War II, when army doctors were forced to ration doses of penicillin, they decided to give first priority to One reason that there is no proven men with sexually transmitted diseases, cure or vaccine for Ebola who would be ready hemorrhagic fever is the wiliness of to return to the battlefield more crossover diseases quickly. But many That is probably a good thing, but it is contended that men who had been also unrealistic. wounded in battle were more The British pharmaceutical company deserving. GlaxoSmithKline recently announced Putting such a moral spin on the that, together with the US National allocation of Ebola treatments, it could Institute of Allergy and Infectious be argued that Africans should be Diseases, it is developing an selected over Westerners, because experimental vaccine for Ebola. But it is Africa’s health-care systems are less just entering phase I clinical trials to test able to combat the disease. But one toxicity. With two more trial stages to go, might also contend that Western the vaccine would not be ready for medical workers deserve higher deployment before 2015. The duration priority because they volunteered to of the trial process has provoked expose themselves to the disease, in complaints of excessive red tape. But order to help those who had no choice. such criticism is unfounded, given the Such arguments make reaching potential of proposed drugs to cause agreement virtually impossible. Worse, serious illness or even death. Indeed, using social, rather than medical, phase I trials – also called “first-in-man criteria for rationing treatments is a studies” – are extremely risky and slippery slope. One need only recall ethically knotty, meaning that they must Seattle’s notorious “God” committee, be handled with the utmost care. which in the early 1960s allocated In 2006, phase I trials of the drug then-scarce kidney dialysis on the TGN1412 had to be suspended when basis of criteria like earnings, church previously healthy volunteers developed involvement, and even Scout multiple organ failure, with some barely membership. The use of social criteria escaping death. University College for treatment allocation has had a bad London pharmacologist Trevor Smart name ever since – and rightly so. believes that they may never fully Donna Dickenson, Emeritus recover. But what about when a Professor of Medical Ethics and population is already ill? In 1996, during Humanities at the University of a major meningitis epidemic in northern London, was the 2006 winner of the Nigeria, the drug company Pfizer International Spinoza Lens Award for supplied doctors with the oral antibiotic contributions to public debate on ethics.

2015: Theodore Orji's ideal successor

By Donna Dickenson

40 — WEDNESDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 8, 2014

How local vigilante tortured apprentice to death By EVELYN USMAN

t came like a friendly call, but ended up as the last call for Asomugha Ndubuisi, 25, a technician with a Suleja based private company. The ugly incident which took place on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, climaxed with Ndubuisi being dumped in the morgue. Time was 7pm. His phone rang. Without the slightest inkling that it was a call signaling his death, Ndubuisi, a Senior Secondary School Certificate holder, picked the phone and the unknown caller informed him about a job that needed his immediate attention.

THE TRAP He quickly rushed his food, picked a shirt and dashed out of the house. Destination was Minna garage, in Suleija Emirate, Niger state. On arrival, he reportedly met three hefty men. But before he could make u-turn, he was reportedly grabbed by the men who thundered , “ so, you are the person that stole your boss’s equipment’? Without waiting for an answer or explanation, one of them was said to have landed his fist across Ndubuisi’s face. This was followed repeatedly with punches, which left defenceless Ndubuisi shouting for help and crying out in excruciating pain. Despite passionate pleas that he knew nothing about the missing equipment, the beating continued unabated. Soon his voice became faint, while help was no where to be found. As you read this piece, the remains of Ndubuisi is lying in the morgue. Autopsy report stated that he died from internal bleeding owing to the severe beating from his assailants who were alleged to be members of the Emirate Council security popularly known as ‘Yabanga Boys’.

•IGP- Suleiman Abba However his daughter Sonia, gave a heart- rending account of how her younger brother was sent to an untimely grave. According to her, “ My brother was battered like a common criminal by members of Yabanga . They claimed he stole his master’s equipment. They started beating him from 8pm till about 11pm. When he recognized a passerby, he screamed and begged her to help him but the woman could do nothing to save him. Rather, she ran home to inform her son who was my brother’s friend. It was her son that contacted my family.

PLEAS REJECTED

THE MASTERMINDER •Late Ndubuisi them masterminded the burglary during which an equipment worth N100,000 was reportedly stolen. But they denied culpability.

YABANGA ENGAGED

BOYS

Rather than let go, their boss allegedly paid the dreaded Yabanga Boys an unspecified amount to force the truth out of one of his employees whom he suspected had committed the crime. That employee

Surprisingly, Ndubuisi’s boss at the White Dove Ventures Nigeria Limited (names withheld), was alleged to have masterminded his killing. The office, located at Area Command Quarters opposite Zenith bank, on the outskirts of Suleija, was reportedly burgled two weeks ago, precisely on September 27, 2014. His boss had reportedly summoned four of his staff including Ndubuisi two days after the incident and demanded to know who among

They started beating him from 8pm till about 11pm. When he recognized a passerby, he screamed and begged her to help him but the woman could do nothing to save him

turned out to be Ndubuisi.

FAMILY REACTS Efforts to speak with the bereaved father of Ndubuisi

proved abortive as family members said he was too devastated to speak because the death of his heir apparent has plunged him into pain and sorrow.

“My father and my youngest brother rushed to the scene at about 12 midnight, where they found Ndubuisi in the pool of his blood. He was beyond recognition and was gasping for breath. He begged my father to give him some water that he was thirsty. He kept saying he was weak and was dying. My father pleaded with Yabanga boys to release his son to him in order to take him to the hospital for treatment while investigation into the allegation continued but they refused and instead chased him away. They asked him to come back in the morning and promised not to beat Ndubuisi again. My father left dejected at about 1am. “As he was preparing to return to the scene around 6.30am, he got a call to report at ‘A’ Police division. When he got there, he discovered that my brother’s boss and two members of the ‘Yabanga Boys’ were behind the counter. The policemen told my youngest brother to follow them to the mortuary where he was asked to identify Ndubuisi’s lifeless body”. At this juncture, Sonia burst into tears. It took a while before she continued, “ My brother did not steal

Continues on page 41

WEDNESDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — 41

vigilante tortured apprentice to death Continued from page 40 the equipment. If he did , he would have owned up when the beating became severe. We learnt that immediately my father left the group’s place that night, Ndubuisi started vomiting blood and was rushed to the hospital, from where he was certified dead. Why would his boss pay the Vigilante group to kill my brother? Is it because he concluded that we are poor and can not challenge him?

We want justice “All my family is crying for is justice! It is a pity that my brother will not come back . But the least we need is for the culprits to be brought to book. I am using this medium to call on well meaning Nigerians, the new Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, as well as the Niger State Government to come to our aid and ensure that justice is done”, she stated amidst tears. Police sources intimated Crime Alert that the deceased boss and two members of Yabanga whose identities were given as Abdulai and Casmia were last Thursday, transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department , Minna for further interrogation. Further more, traders around Suleija closed their shops for the better part of the day, as they mourned late Ndubuisi whom they described as an ‘easy going and amiable fellow’.

Trader react One of the traders, Tosicho Mokeme told Crime Alert that: “ Ndubuisi was a down- to- earth person. Since I knew him, he shuttled between his work, church and home. He was a very generous boy. If, for instance, he had N1000 and saw anyone in need, he would prefer to go hungry than to see the person dejected. Since I knew him, he had never been angry, no matter the provocation. He preferred to be hurt than seeing anyone hurt. This was a trait everyone liked in him.” Sources said the ‘Yabanga boys’ are highly dreaded in Suleija and its environs and the mere mention of the name sends fear down the spine of residents of the area. Although the group reportedly started well in the area by assisting the Police in curbing crime but as time went on, some members were allegedly used by the rich and some politicians to intimidate and oppress their rivals. It was gathered that the group has a secret cell where they torture their victims without taking them to the appropriate security agencies for prosecution. Unfortunately, according to sources, no one has been bold enough to report to the concerned authorities, apparently for fear of being killed by its members. When the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Biodun Ganbari , a Deputy Superintendent of Police was contacted, he stated that investigation was still ongoing.

Amukoko residents cry out over menace of cultists •As bloody clash claims five lives, •Sur viv or recounts ho w he spent 72hr •Surviv vivor how 72hrss in coma hospital three days later because I was told that I lost consciousness owing to so much loss of blood. Everyone thought I would not survive it.”

By EDIRI EJOH

he last thing on the mind of 44-year-old Philip Ewowo, as he walked home after the close of work last Friday, was to end up being a victim of the lingering war between factions of social miscreants and rival cultists in Amukoko area of Lagos. For three weeks now, residents of the area have been living in fear as a result of the incessant violent clashes that occur in the area. So far, no fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead while scores were seriously wounded during the fracas. Trouble reportedly started after a popular politician in the area (names withheld) dolled out bundles of N1000 notes totaling N200,000 to be shared among the miscreants. However, in the course of sharing, some aggrieved hoodlums who claimed to have been left out went on rampage, attacking those they blamed for their misfortune. Indiscriminate attacks The fight said to have been between miscreants in Ishaga, Apasa, Market Street (Turner) and Alaba areas of the densely populated Amukoko, took a different dimension when the warring factions

One of the vicitims ....Philip Ewowo reportedly started attacking anyone seen on the streets. Unfortunately, Philip Ewowo, a father of four, was caught in the web of the crisis as he walked home. Time was 9am. He had run a night shift and apparently envisaged to relax at home before going back to work, only to be greeted with a slap across the face. Before he could ascertain who the intruder was, another slap reportedly landed at his back followed by a sharp and excruciating pain on his neck before he blacked out. Ugly experience He narrated his

ugly

experience to Crime Alert after recovering from the trauma by recalling how he was almost sent to an unprepared grave over a sin he did not commit, having spent three days in coma. He said: “ My survival is a miracle because I was told I lost so much blood. I would have been killed over what I don’t know about. I was not there when they shared the money, neither was I even aware that any money was given, nor was I given even a kobo. The last thing I remembered that fateful day was a sharp pain on my neck. I woke up to find myself in the

Call for government intervention Meanwhile, residents of the area have called on the state government as well as the Police to come to their aid by checking the excesses of the warring miscreants..A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity lamented that : “This is not the first time we are witnessing such restiveness from these hoodlums. Unless the Lagos state government and security agencies intervene, things might be worse than it is. “Last Thursday, we were rattled by gun shots from these miscreants. Lives have been lost and several persons injured. Traders are not spared anytime fights broke out because their wares are usually at the mercy of the hoodlums. This is why we are calling on the state government to intervene because we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed,” he added. When Crime Alert visited the area, broken instruments like tiles and bottles littered the roads. Parked vehicles were also not spared as they had their windscreens shattered.

Female robbery suspect, three accomplices arrested in Calabar By EMMA UNA, Calabar

FEMALE robbery suspect, Joy Ugoro and three other accomplices, Eso Esoh Ekoh, Imoke Bassey, and Emmanuel Ohi Euba, said to be members of a notorious robbery gang in Calabar have been arrested by the Police in Cross River State.. Joy and her gang were alleged to have robbed and raped one Chima Ogiuke of Catholic Church Essien Town and Chineye Uzoegbu of Flour Mills all in Calabar in the first week of September 2014 and carted away three plasma television sets, one tablet, air conditioners, refrigerator, textiles and other valuables. The spokesman of the Cross River State Police Command, Hogan Bassey who paraded the robbery suspects, said the gang specialises in

robbing people around Flour Mills, MCC Road, and Parliamentary Road . “These people have made life a hell for the people of Parliamentar y Village, MCC Road and Flour Mills by constantly carrying out raids in those areas, prompting the police to undertake sustained efforts by our foot and vehicular patrols which led to the

•The female robbery suspect and her gang

arrest of the hoodlums.” Joy confessed that the items they robbed from their victims were sold at give- away prices in and outside Calabar. “We sell plasma Tv for N5,000 and Ipad phone for N3,000 or N5000 naira and we pack house hold items because people do not keep much money at home these days.” The Police spokesman also stated that a 30- year- old man, Joseph Edet Essien, suspected to have kidnapped a 3-year -old girl, Dorcas Michael Udofia, and took her to Eziama in Abia State where he negotiated to sell her for the sum of N200,000.00 is now in police net. “On the strength of the complaint, officers and men of this Command swung into action and the suspect was apprehended and the victim recovered and reunited with her parents.”

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

•Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Senate President, David Mark

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

HE one time common news of the repeated removals of Senate Presidents may sound like ancient history to many, but it was really not too long ago. The last time a Senate President was removed was in 2005 when Senator Adolphus Wabara was forced to step down from office and Senator Ken Nnamani elected in his place following the former Senate President’s alleged involvement in the bribe for budget scam in the Federal Ministry of Education. Senator Nnamani went on to serve out the rest of the term in the Fourth Senate before the Fifth Senate elected the famed regime change champion, Senator David Mark as its president at the beginning of its term in June 2007. Before the election of Senator Mark as president in 2007, the Senate had between 1999 and then thrown up five Senate Presidents in a period that the

Senate stability: David makes his mark Senate was more known for its instability than for any other legacy. The election of Senator Mark, however, led to a stop of the frequent and remarkably, embarrassing changes in leadership of the legislative chamber. The coincidence has, however, not been lost on some who have traced the election of Mark as the harbinger of peace to the legislative chamber. Other more mischievous pundits have on their part traced the instability to Mark himself, claiming that he was more or less the author of the instability and has since his election now conveniently packed away the banana peels that at one time caused the regular fall of his predecessors.

Stability of the Senate The stability of the Senate under Senator Mark and the collective experience of the leadership of the Senate that includes his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba (SAN) is in the opinion of some an advantage for the country’s democracy. It is no surprise that there is a growing

opinion for stability not just in the leadership of the legislative chamber, but in the generality of the 109 chamber Senate. It is an argument that is bound to ruffle feathers especially among advocates of rotation, zoning or power shift in the polity. It was thus remarkable that the political mainstream in Senator Mark’s home state of Benue have come around to rally round for an unprecedented fifth term for the senator. “We in Benue state have endorsed the candidature of Mark to return to the Senate,” Governor Gabriel Suswam said at a recent book launch in Abuja. “The position of Senator Mark is not contestable. We want him back and there is no question or argument about it,” he added for emphasis. Suswam is himself fighting to go to the Senate, albeit from another senatorial zone presently occupied by former party chairman, Engr. Barnabas Gemade. Some mischief makers were wont to ask whether he would also endorse his new political foe, Gemade in the same way he has endorsed Mark. While Mark seems to be having his way almost effortlessly back to the Senate,

the same apparently is not the same with two of his immediate lieutenants in the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate and Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN.

THE Senate and upper legislative chambers in many democracies are referenced by the longevity of its members. However, cultural differences, rotation, intra party power fights among other issues make Nigeria an exception.

constituents and the capacity of Chime to utilise the incumbency factor to his advantage. Mr. Nicholas Uzor, a commentator on public affairs in a submission avers that the

The stability of the Senate under Senator Mark and the collective experience of the leadership of the Senate that includes his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba (SAN) is in the opinion of some an advantage for the country’s democracy

Despite his unprecedented successes in the Senate, especially in navigating the National Assembly through unprecedented successive efforts in the amendment of the constitution, Ekweremadu is facing a stiff challenge from the outgoing governor of his native Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime who is reportedly mobilising to challenge Ekweremadu for the Enugu West Senatorial Seat. It is a battle that many see as one of the major challenges in the forthcoming primaries of the PDP, especially given the acclaimed successes of Ekweremadu in bringing democracy dividends to his

legislature is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of any democracy that should be given the best. It is perhaps in that direction that he submits that performing legislators should have maximum stay in the legislative chamber. Contrasting the situations of Mark and Ekweremadu, Mr. Ozor in a statement asserted that “The Government and people of Benue State cannot be clamouring for the return of Senator David Mark as Senate President,” while persons he claimed are interested in the deputy Senate president’s seat “ work against the position Enugu already has- the same Continues on page 44

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—43

DELTA

Urhobos must have a say — Akpomuje, SAN and fifth largest in Nigeria. How will you react to the activities of Boko Haram vis-à-vis the Chibok school girls’ episode? Their actions have been condemned all over the world. They have gone too far and they need to retrace their steps. They should release the girls unconditionally. Let them come out and state their problems and dialogue with the government. How will you score Governor Uduaghan’s administration? He is doing well now. His presence is currently being felt across the state. I salute him. The Peoples •Akpomuje Democratic Party has pronounced Mr CHIEF Albert Akpomuje is a Senior President as its Advocate of Nigeria and currently consensus candidate National Secretary of Urhobo Progress in the next general election, do you Union, UPU. In this interview with agree? Vanguard he bares his mind on issues We are in a pertaining to the union among others. democratic era. Excerpts: Winning elections By Godwin Oghre should be a matter to be determined by the HE gist is that some past leaders ballot box, not by sentiment or ethnicity. of the union have used the union’s As a lawyer, I will say yes to that political powers for financial gain? question. If he re-contests and wins Well I am not a politician but I think it democratically, he should proceed to rule is not incorrect that some past again. At that time the north should wait executives could have dissatisfied the for another opportunity. Urhobo nation through their greedy Is Nigeria really practising behaviours. However, we have the good democracy? ones in the majority and that is why we By concept, yes, but by practice, we are ever strong. For instance, the late have much work to do, we are still President General, General Patrick Aziza developing. One thing I frown at in this was highly respected in Urhobo land for country is corruption. It is just too much being an honest, detribalised and and it is hindering the development of courageous man. That was why he was this country. For instance, take a look at re-elected to a second tenure, but sadly our International Barr Association he did not complete it before the cold Conventions and see how the ministries hands of death took him from us. will use government funds to sponsor What is your take in the ongoing government lawyers, while a few of us in agitation for rotational governorship in private practice will sponsor ourselves. the state? They will even sponsor more than the I do not know where those agitating number expected from Nigeria, making for rotational governorship got that Nigeria a laughable country to other from. I am a lawyer; there is no known participants from other countries. This is provision in the laws of this state that too bad. Corruption is the bane of Nigeria. justifies rotational governorship. Above What are lawyers doing to correct the all, the concept, when you look at it anomaly in government and to help end properly, is undemocratic because it can the plight of the poor? bring unpopular, inexperienced and inept The good ones are doing their very candidates into power. The Urhobos are best. I am doing my best. It is sometimes saying that the process of electing the difficult to estimate the number of free governor of the state should be cases I have handled for the less democratically done. We must be part of privileged. There are some I will spend the socio-economic and political my money to do. Sometimes, I go as far decision making mechanism in this state, as Enugu. being the largest ethnic group in the state

•Onwuadiamu

Anioma has made its case — Onwuadiamu MR. Alex Onwuadiamu is a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in Delta State and the Chairman of Anioma Agenda. In this interview, he examines issues arising as we build up to 2015 political events in the State. Excerpts:

swinging. Naturally, where people know that this is the direction, you will have more people from that area clamouring for that office. All these are the things that are giving us that confidence that it is going to be Anioma. Above all, there are facts that you cannot controvert in this journey, and that is the fact that Central has occupied that position for 10 years, South is presently occupying it for a possible eight years. Delta North has not done so. In that case, the natural destination in 2015 is for the governorship is Delta North to do its turn. You can’t controvert that. I can tell you categorically that the next governor will come from Delta North. They say 12 hours is a long night in politics. So we want to remain as vigilant as possible. We want to continue our advocacy to the last minute. We want all hands on deck. We are not going to rest until May 29, 2015, when we shall all be there to see an Anioma son or daughter sworn in as the executive governor of Delta state. How do you reconcile the interest of about 17 aspirants from Delta North, without rancour? I do not think that any number of governorship aspirants you have is too

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

OW would you assess the political trends in Delta state as we approach 2015? For Anioma agenda, the political developments are very positive for us. When we started this campaign and advocacy, it was an issue of zoning or rotation to be or not to be. We thank God that we started early enough. I’m happy to report that as of today, the state is getting ready for the reality of an Anioma governorship of Delta state. What do you mean when you say we are getting ready? Has there been any formal declaration by the ruling party that the ticket has been zoned to that area? There may not have been a formal declaration by the leader of the major political party in Delta state, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. For those of us who try to interpret the weather, the body language is pointing at that axis. The Chairman of PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has said time without number that the next governor will come from Anioma area. If you look at the avalanche of aspirants we have currently, the Anioma area, Delta North Senatorial zone, has about 17 governorship aspirants. From the Urhobo area, we have about four. There are one or two Ijaw aspirants in the race. If you look at that, you will see where the pendulum is

large. If you want to look at those who are qualified to run for governor according to the constitutional requirements, you will find out that the number we have is even small. What do you think will happen if PDP makes the mistake of not zoning the governorship ticket to Delta North? Delta North will go for where their children are. I do not think anybody would want to go with a political party that does not assuage your quest if it is a very reasonable quest. I think the current trend and mood in Delta state is for an Anioma governorship. Most stake holders are in tune with that. There are fears of the possible emergence of a dark horse? Anioma agenda and I as a person do not believe in the phrase dark horse. I believe that the idea of a dark horse is a political fraud. Our politics has gone beyond that level. Anybody who is telling you of the emergence of a dark horse wants to swindle you. If you want to be governor of a state, I believe the very first thing you will want to do is to canvass publicly the reason why you want to be governor. Are you going to be a governor in the dark? Why do you want to be a dark horse? Come to the open and canvas the reason why you want to be governor so that we will have opportunity to support or disown you.

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

MR. Oladipo Olayinka Ajomale is the son of Henry Oladele Ajomale, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Party, APC. He is aspiring to represent Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015. In this interview with newsmen, Ajomale, who is currently Special Assistant on Administration, Strategy and Political Affairs to the deputy governor of Lagos State spoke on why he is vying for the seat, among other issues. Excerpts:

APC 'll not implode in 2015 because... — Ajomale

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

O you see yourself winning the party’s ticket amongst the array of contestants? I see myself winning the party’s ticket. APC is a platform for all contestants to come out and contest for the seat. If you feel you have what it takes to come out and contest for it, you are free. APC is not a one man show. APC is a party that believes in the tenets of democracy. What I know is that I am able to represent my community. I have the experience and the education needed to represent them in the State House of Assembly. Some people are saying you are using your father’s name as a springboard for contesting for the seat? I am blessed to have the kind of father that I have. My father is a blessing to me, my siblings and the entire Ajomale family as a whole. He is strict about his decisions and he is a man of his words. My father has been blessed to be where he is politically today. My dad is a fighter but I am a better fighter. I became a lawyer on my own knowing what I wanted to do in life. I ventured into politics on my own volition without any prior notice to my dad. When I decided to go into politics my dad had no idea of it, he heard of it from a friend of his. He asked me why I did not come to him first. I told

•Ajomale him that he is the kind of father that wants a child to prove to him what he wants to do. He gave his blessing. He has no influence what so ever on my political ambition. I am not using my father’s name as a springboard, neither has he had any influence on my decision. I have been a political juggernaut right from my secondary school days when I started becoming more and more interested in the state of affairs of the country and in my immediate community. I am the last born of

my parents and the only one who picked up politics amongst my siblings. What are the chances of APC winning the Southwest in 2015? There is a strong possibility for that to happen. What the party is offering in the South West now is positive change because if you look at the set of people the party is bringing out to compete in the next elections, you would know that the party is not just fielding anybody but people of good track record in their various fields and who have done a lot to uplift the

society they are in. The performances of our governors in various states in the zone are template for the party to come back to rule the zone again in 2015.The people of the zone are going to vote for the party again in 20I5. Let me give an example to buttress my point. Governor Raji Fashola has performed excellently well in Lagos State. The people of the zone have also seen great revolutions going on in Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States and they will want these to continue in 2015.

Do you see the People Democratic Party, PDP as a threat to your party in the zone in 2015? PDP is not a threat to APC in my zone in 2015.What the people of the zone have seen in under the administration of our party in the last couple of years is unparallel. They are not ready to severe the cord and friendship to our party in 2015. Do you see APC controlling the centre in 2015? APC will control the centre in 2015 because I know the party’s capacity and capability. APC has a well solid structure on ground. I know that the Nigerian people will to give APC the opportunity to run the country and show how to practice true democracy in Nigeria. President Jonathan promised to transform the country but we have not seen the transformation. People are saying the party is going to implode when it finally decides to put forward its presidential candidate. Do you see this happening? The party is an organised structure and it would never take decisions that would not benefit the majority of the people of Nigeria and the party. The party will not do anything that will jeopardise its chances at the poll. The party has not yet decided on whom to field at the moment. But I can assure Nigerians that whatever candidate the party gives the ticket, the person will be well accepted by Nigerians.

Senate stability: David makes his mark Continues from page 42 position that has attracted over 140 development projects enjoyed across the state, and the same high-ranking lawmaker who broke the jinx of constitution amendment and helped actuallise the age long quest for an international airport in the South East, to name a few. Let us put our best foot forward.” Senator Ndoma-Egba just like Senator Ekweremadu is reportedly being tackled by political permutations at home. Ndoma-Egba who is in his third term in the Senate is reportedly in a match-up with another third term member of the House of Representatives, John Enoh, the powerful

chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance for Ndoma-Egba’s Cross River Central senatorial seat. Enoh, a strong associate of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal it was learnt, aims to move up to the Senate and has NdomaEgba, his senator as a stumbling block.

Stumbling bliock The squabble for the Cross River Central Senatorial seat has according to some accounts caused a rift in the long standing political harmony among PDP stalwarts in the state. Ndoma-Egba’s associates cite

as reason for his return what they claim as his contributions to the stability of the Senate which has seen him forge a sort of harmony with the executive arm of government especially in the realisation of the legislative agenda of the administration. In pushing the crusade for institutional stability in the legislative branch, Uzor drew reference from the United States, saying: “We must begin to see the parliament as a critical arm of government that deserves the best hands. We need to see it as a breeding ground for great leadership. US Senate President is the Vice President. The current US Vice President, Joe Bidden is the 14th longest serving US

Senator (1972 to 2008). His predecessor, Dick Cheney was also elected five times as member of the House of Reps.” “About 23 US Presidents Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Tyler, Polk, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Johnson, Hays, Garfield, Harrison, McKinley, Harding, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, George H. W. Bush, and Obama were once members of Congress.” However, advocates of institutional stability in the National Assembly have to reckon with the local politics prevalent in the constituencies of all senators. •Ndoma-Egba

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—45

FUTA don identifies causes of building collapse

professor of Civil Engineering, Joseph Afolayan, has cited use of inferior materials, sharp practices, use of unqualified manpower in very significant building projects and absence of codes of engineering properties of building materials as major causes of building collapse in the country. Speaking on The Tower of Babel: the Secret of the Birth and But of Structural Integrity at the 67 th inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Afolayan, a Structural Engineer, explained that engineering property of the commonly used construction materials, especially for concreting in Nigeria, grossly fell below the minimum standard. Afolayan said: “In spite of the shortfall, unqualified skills are employed to handle construction projects at various levels leading to poor quality control.” Professor Afolayan, who dwelt largely on the risk factors associated with building constructions, disclosed that “apart from poor material quality and very poor workmanship, the effects of environmental conditions on structures were worrisome, especially at the coastal regions of the country.”

Transition

A Joseph Omidiji, 78, is dead. Christian wake is tomorrow at his residence at Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos. Lying-in-state will take place at his residence on Saturday, while interment is at Shasha/Akowonjo and a church service at Estate Baptist Church, Opeki Road, Abesan by 10am. Pa Omidiji is survived by children and grand children.

‘Why unity schools' teachers, ministry staff are on strike' By Laide Akinboade

BUJA—CHAIRMAN, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Federal Government wing,

FEDWING, Mr. Emeka Okonta, said yesterday that teachers in 104 unity colleges nationwide were on strike because of unpaid backlog of arrears of promotion of staff of

the schools and Federal Ministry of Education. Okonta, who fielded questions from newsmen on the issue in Abuja, said the union was determined to

VISIT: Governor Godswill Akpabio (right) and Mr. Nolan O’Neal, Chairman and Lead Country Manager, ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria, during a courtesy call at the Governor’s Office, Uyo.

NLC, TUC urge LP members to shun Ondo convention Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. said: “The die has now been By Victor Ahiuma-Young

HE two labour centres in the country, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, yesterday in Abuja, called on all members of the Labour party, LP, not to participate in the controversial convention slated for October 11 in Akure, Ondo State. NLC and TUC, therefore, mandated their National Labour Political Commissions to organise an all-inclusive stakeholders’ meeting tomorrow to discuss a way forward for the Labour Party, LP. This is coming against the backdrop of defection of the only governor of the party, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, to the

NLC and TUC, promoters of LP, in a joint statement, said the controversial LP convention which venue was chosen in deference to the office of the defected governor, was no longer tenable. In the statement signed by Presidents of NLC and TUC, Abdulwaheed Omar and Bobboi Kaigama, respectively,

cast, and Governor Mimiko, who was elected governor of Ondo State for a second time running, has defected to the PDP. “This has obviously brought remarkable changes and challenges to the Labour Party. One implication of this action of the Governor is that he is no longer a member of the LP.”

TERRORISM: FG moves to review orientation policy By Caleb Ayansina

BUJA—FOLLOWING the current insurgency in some parts of the country, Federal Government has said it would develop a comprehensive and workable policy on value reorientation for its citizens to ensure sanity in the society.

It attributed the current challenge of insecurity in the country to the decay in the norms and cultural values system. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, stated this at the

CNPP urges INEC to study Brazilian polls By Chris Ochayi

BUJA— THE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to emulate the Brazilian Election Management on the seamless general elections it organised on October 4. National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, in a statement,

continue the two weeks old strike until all the demands of the workers were met by the federal government. He said: “Unity schools are on strike now because of the backlog of arrears of promotion of the staff, not only unity schools but the staff of the Federal Ministry of education. “As you know, some of our members are at the ministry as none teaching staff, so all of us put together are on strike. “That is why you see that both the ministry headquarters, the schools; the inspectorate and other agencies that have to do with the Ministry of Education are closed, basically because of backlog of arrears. This is from as far back as 2007.” He also accused the Ministry of Education of adopting divide and rule policy in handling the affairs of the workers, stressing that while some workers were paid their arrears in June, July and August, others were not paid at all. According to him, efforts to get government to pay those not paid were rebuffed by the federal government. “Though the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has been pleading that we go back to classroom, our members said we are not going back until that money is paid or at least, when there is evidence that government has started doing something concrete about the payments,” Okota said.

tasked the electoral umpire to study the procedure, processes, mechanisms and technology adopted by the Brazilian Election Management for a successful conduct of the poll. The statement read: “Brazilian Election Management conducted the 4 October general elections for the presidency, state governors, National Congress and state legislators all in one day. “In the said election, more than 80 percent of Brazilian

142,822,046 registered voters voted, registering the highest voter turnout in any liberal democracy in recent times. “Our interest was elicited because the results were out in less 48 hours and no election tribunal was set up “All the presidential candidates concurred for the October 26 runoff between Dilma Rousseff of Workers Party and Aecio Neves of Party of Brazilian Social Democracy.”

delegate conference on the Formulation of a National Policy on Orientation in Abuja. She said: “The core values that were cherished by our fore fathers had been jettisoned that is why we are working assiduously with some knowledgeable resource persons to develop a policy that will enable us address the problem. “There is need for us to have a structure and systematic way addressing the problem, to ensure value re-orientation and behavioural change.” Also, a Resource Person from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos, Prof. Olu Obafemi, noted that the much talk about ‘our unity in diversity’ as a nation was a mere lip service. He said “we have subjected to values and culture that are alien to us,” and this had swallowed up “our norms and values.”

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Rep distributes 1,200 rams to constituents

2015: Kwara APC endorses Gov Ahmed

for 2nd term I

By Demola Akinyemi

LORIN—THE ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State has said that it would crush the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state with the endorsement of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term in office by the party. APC stakeholders led by Senator Bukola Saraki, which made this known said that the party would ensure a resounding victory against the PDP at the poll. They also clarified that despite the endorsement of the incumbent Governor Ahmed, the APC governorship primary election would still hold on Saturday, November 15, 2014 in the state. In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari yesterday, the party explained that,’’The endorsement of Ahmed for second term by APC stakeholders is a product of painstaking review of his performances and policies in office. ‘’This endorsement is not unusual, it is just one of the numerous endorsements

By Salisu maradun

USAU—A member of the National Assembly from Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Matawalle Maradun, has distributed no fewer than 1,200 rams worth N28 million to the needy across his constituency. Maradun, who represents the Bakura/ Maradun Constituency in the House of Representatives is also a governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state. Speaking in an interview with Vanguard shortly after the presentation ceremony, he said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the less privileged ones in the society to enable them join millions of their brothers and sistersincelebratingtheMuslim Eid-el-Kabir. According to him, the donation of the rams was not limitedtohisconstituencyalone as other parts of the state were taken into consideration.

Chief Oladapo dies @ 88

HE DEATH has occurred in Lagos of Chief Ajibayo Kehinde Oladapo, the Yegbata of Alo, Ondo Kingdom and past Chairman/CEO of Hope Group of Schools, Lagos, aged 88 years. Late Chief Oladapo dieds on August 28, 2014, a month shy of his 89th birthday. He is survived by children, grand children and great-grand children, and other relations. The final burial arrangements

will be announced later.

Governor Ahmed has enjoyed from prominent Kwarans and groups like Okada association, NURTW, Artisans Congress, Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Kwara North Youth Consultative forum, National Association of Kwara State Students, NAKSS, Ilorin

imposed as PDP executives in the local government. The APC is unlike the PDP where imposition is practised per excellence. “It is pathetic and pitiable that Kwara PDP lacks the understanding of distinctness between endorsement and imposition."

VISIT: From left: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad, Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State and Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, during a working visit to Works Ministry headquarters, Abuja by the Governor.

Jere groups fault Suleiman on proposed Gurara State

Late Ajibayo Oladapo

Emirate Students Union and other groups too numerous to mention. ‘’This is not imposition, it is endorsement. Imposition is bedrock of the crises presently ravaging the PDP in Ilorin West Local Government where unacceptable persons were

By Luka Binniyat

ADUNA—THE two major native groups that make up Jere Chiefdom, in Kagargo Local Government Area. LGA, of Kaduna State, yesterday, disassociated themselves from a statement credited to one Alhaji Hayutteen Sulieman, to the effect that Jere people were against the creation

of the proposed Gurara State out of the present Kaduna State. Speaking at a joint news conference in Kaduna yesterday, the Gbagyi and Koro people said they make make up 95 per cent population of Jere Chiefdom, and were in total support for the creation of the new state, with the present 13 LGAs that make up

Southern Kaduna as the components. The Chairman, Gbagyi Development Union, Mr. John Bako, and his Secretary, Mr. Joseph Gajere spoke on behalf of the Gbagyi natives while the National President, Koro Community Development Association, Dr. Ayuba Kura and his Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Haruna spoke on behalf of the Koro people.

Is Nigeria progressing at 54?

igeria has been diminished to a comatose patient nursing an incurable diabetic sore. One politician is almost a picture-perfect behavioural duplicate – a clone – of the one sitting next to, or far away. The country’s large reserves of oil have been eroded, squandered with ruthless, reckless, relentless abandon. Mr. Darlington Ehondor- Journalist

y fellow Nigerians , ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. We want to make our country to come first again. With such mind set, I believe that this country will be a better place for all. Mr. Johnson John- Worker

o amount of investment would take us forward if the Doctors fail to invest their time, dedication, diligence, and bury their ego to work with other professionals. Nigeria may not have gone as far as expected but it is certainly moving. Ms. Ebereke Kelechi- Student

ajority of Nigerians know that the present government is trying.Only that too much gentility on our president gives room for a ride.However,if the government will try hard on corruption, Nigeria will sing a new song. God bless Nigeria. Mr. Endy Okechio- Businessman

igeria is a great nation

despite her challenges, we have achieve a lot and will achieve more by the grace of God. Atleast issue of insurgency is going down and everywhere seem to be alm. Congratulations all Nigerians. God bless Nigeria. Mr. Asuquo Bassey- Businessman

t is not just Nigeria that is backward, it is every black community worldwide. It is because we are not united, we have no ideology. Ask any black man anywhere in the world his purpose for living. He can’t tell you. But if you watch, we all do things, no matter where you find a black person. Ms. Mabel Nnenna- Graduate

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—47

We've not endorsed, disqualified any guber aspirant — BENUE PDP

Nasarawa governorship poll: Eggon roots for Ewuga

By Peter Duru By Abel Daniel

AKURDI—THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has debunked insinuations that some governorship aspirants had been endorsed and others disqualified by the caucus of the party, ahead of the forthcoming party primaries in the state. Member of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, and the Caucus Leader of the party in the Benue South Zone, Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga, rtd, made the clarification yesterday while speaking to newsmen on telephone, in Makurdi, the state capital. He said the Benue South Senatorial Zone of the party had not endorsed or disqualified any candidate and urged the people of the state to discountenance such stories since it was not coming from the right quarters. Ejiga said, “the party only met and resolved that a further meeting be held to trim down the number of aspirants from the zone but the meeting is yet to hold. “If there is any publication

DURBAR: The Yeriman Zazzau, Alhaji Mohammed Ja'afaru at the Hawan Daushi durbar procession round the city to mark the end of Eid-el-kabir celebration in Zaria on Monday. Photo by Olu Ajayi. anywhere that we have chosen or disqualified any candidate, it certainly cannot be true

Cleric tasks FG on anti-terror war By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—THE Federal Government has been urged to sustain its fight against insurgency in the North East by equipping security agencies properly, to enable them win the war against terrorism. Anglican Bishop of Ijumu Diocese in Kogi State, Rt. Rev Ezekiel Ikupolati made the call during the Second Synod of the church at Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state yesterday. He also asked the government to create more states in order to bring government closer to the people. According to him, ‘’The development of Nigeria’s military power has become urgent today for four reasons; the transformation of 21st century terrorism into a new genre of warfare, the rising profile of Nigeria in world affairs, the country’s regional leadership position and Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. “These call for better funding of the defence sector. The activities of Bok Haram have become a setback to the country. Nigeria without the sect would have become a developed nation.” On state creation, Ikupolati particularly called for the creation of Okun State which he noted had suffered untold hardship and infrastructural neglect.

‘’Let the north be north, Okunland is not part of them. We are not northerners. Let us go back to where we come from...leave Okunland and let it go back to her home (Oduduwa),’’ he added.

because as the leader of the caucus in the zone, I can say categorically that such decision was not taken at the said meeting.” Vanguard gathered that there was palpable tension in the state PDP following alleged rumours that some governorship aspirants, including a former Minister of State in the Niger Delta Ministry, Dr. Sam Ode had been disqualified by the caucus from contesting the primaries.

The publication generated so much disaffection among members of the party, who are pointing accusing fingers to a highly-placed individual and governorship aspirant also from the zone as being behind the ‘’falsehood.’’ Five aspirants are jostling for the position from the zone. They include the deputy governor, Chief Steven Lawani, Mrs. Ada Chenge, Paul Ogbole, Mathias Oyigheya and Dr. Sam Ode.

Lagos deserves special status, says ex-Lagos AG

AGOS—A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, has canvassed for a special status to be accorded to Lagos, owing to its importance and uniqueness in the history of Nigeria. Shasore made this call in Lagos, during a media briefing ahead of the public presentation and launch of his new book; POSSESSED: A History of Law and Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos: 1861 – 1906. Arguing that Lagos played, and still plays a very significant and unique role in the evolution of Nigeria, the former commissioner said ‘’The recognition to be given Lagos is because of its uniqueness, which it doesn’t share with any part of Nigeria. It is the truth that there had to be a colony in Lagos before there could be a colony in Nigeria.’’ He noted that it is very important to emphasise the outstanding and special status of Lagos in order to put into proper context ‘’Where we are coming from, where we are now and where we are going,’’

adding that history puts human experience in context and allows us understand ourselves as a people and culture; and helps people understand past triumphs and tragedies, so as to fashion out a way to succeed where others have failed.’’ The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in his bid to outline the uniqueness of Lagos, pointed out that, during the colonial era, ‘’There were people from all walks of life, from all parts of the West Coast of Africa, living in the colony of Lagos, who proudly referred to themselves as Lagos-Africans, which forged a great sense of unity and communion and deemphasised ethnicity into a much larger picture, thereby giving them the force to survive, and ultimately defeat colonialism.’’ According to him, one of the reasons he wrote the book is to highlight the true strength and position of the former federal capital in the history of Nigeria, and also to use it galvanise people to recognise, and emulate the gift that Lagos will always offer to the existence of the country. Explaining why he wrote the

book, which foreword was written by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, from a legal perspective, the former commissioner said ‘’I have chosen law and justice for obvious reasons; largely to do with my principal vocation as a lawyer. I am privileged to be able to write on history and law, subjects for which I have considerable curiosity and passion; but which is by no means intended to be a comprehensive history of Lagos. ‘’It is merely an account through records of the interplay between pride and prejudice, power, liberty and the struggle for the independent development of Lagos.’’ When asked what readers should expect in the book, Shasore stated ‘’In this book, I have tried to employ narrative history for several reasons, not the least being the desire to tell the story from recorded fact, to avoid interpretative ambiguity.’’ He added, however, that he expects a flurry of critical responses, analysis, counterclaims and outright rejection from interested parties, and readers.

AFIA—THE Eggon people in Nasarawa State have endorsed Senator Solomon Ewuga as their governorship candidacy under the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in the state. The Eggon elders/ stakeholders for the actualization of Eggon candidate and the youth’s solidarity forum made this known at a news conference in Lafia, the state capital, yesterday. Speaking on the behalf of the elders at the NUJ press centre, Mr Dogara Amgbo stated that the Eggon elder ’s forum which ‘’represents the people’s voice in the political harmonization of Eggon adopted Solomon Ewuga against his opponent Labaran Maku to run as governorship candidate under the PDP ticket.’’

Flood: Omu-Aran community counts losses

L O R I N — RESIDENTS of Omu-Aran community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara are counting their losses following a heavy rainfall which destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the rain, which started on Wednesday night and stopped in the early hours of Thursday, led to flooding, which ravaged the area. No fewer than 12 shops and 20 houses were seriously affected by the flood around Omoniyepe area, along Omu-Aran-Ilofa Road, in the community. Items lost to the flood include electronic appliances, handsets, clothes and upholsteries. The residents of the affected area were seen making frantic efforts to salvage some of their property destroyed by the flood as early as 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. Some of the residents who spoke with NAN said that they were forced to abandon their houses when the flood started.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

DIPLOMACY : Chairman, House Committee on Diasporal, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa (3rd left) and other members of the committee presenting a brochure to the Vice Chancellor University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey (3rd right), during a factfinding visit to University of Ghana on issues affecting Nigerian students in Ghana universities in Accra.

GRASSROOTS: Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (mid-

dle) and beneficiaries, during the flag-off of the community-based Health Insurance Scheme (Araya) at the Primary Health Centre, Italapo in IjebuOde, Ogun State.

WINNERS: From left— Marketing Campaign Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, West and Central Africa, Mayor Esiaba; winners of the Nokia Storyteller Competition, Folakemi Jemilehin, Ikechukwu Onuroha,, and General Manager, Etihad Airways Nigeria, Wuraola Oduntan, at the prize presentation in Lagos.

ANNIVERSARY: From left— Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Publisher, TW Magazine; Florence Ita-Giwa; Cross River State First Lady, Obioma LiyelImoke and Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot, Ann Ogunsulire, during the magazine's seventh anniversary in Lagos.

VISIT: Mr. Benjy Okoko (right); Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, former Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, and others at the palace of Okuku Afe Annang, Chief Pius Effiong Eside.

BIRTHDAY: Elegbete Moses Odibo (left) and

Olorogun Moses Taiga, during the 88th birthday celebration in honour of Ambassador G. N. O. Sefia, Chairman, Delta Elders Advisory Council, at Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State.

BIRTHDAY: Mr. Tunji Adebayo (left) and his daughter, Nike Merceline, during his 70th birthday reception in Lagos.

PDP: From left— Mrs Kehinde Eboda; Alhaji Kehinde Olasoebikan, Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant; and Prince Alaba Adelabu, PDP Secretary, during Alhaji Olasoebikan's submission of his expression of interest form at the party secretariat in Ibadan.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014,

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50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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V anguard, WEDNESD AY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 Vanguard, WEDNESDA YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Professional advice may be needed over your finances but if you are sure of what you are doing you can go ahead. Be more family minded. LEO; Some of you who are travelling purposely for love are in for a rewarding day. All of you will need to take your social life more seriously. VIRGO; Unusual co-operation may come your way today but if you are carried away by this the whole thing may change soonest. Respect your spouse. LIBRA; Tomorrow will prove more rewarding financially but you will have good opportunity to do things rightly within your working arena. Be loving. SCORPIO; Although tomorrow may be your best day good opportunity to enhance your financial prospects will come your way even today. Try to be more practical however.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY By Richard Eromosele

O you have a problem? What is the nature of the problem? How long have you been in and or with the problem?

Dwelling on your problem? (1) And what are you doing to solve the problem? The first thing you should know is that problem is

TERROR MUDA

an integral part of any human being. So, if you have no problem at all, then something is wrong.

“Scavenger Elites”

And that is a problem on its own. In addition, for a problem you can gloss over, do not dwell on it for eternity. So much that you are completely incapacitated... By Lanre Kenny

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when both your personal efforts and element of good luck will bring you much desired result. The more self assertive you are today the better for you. CAPRICORN; Tomorrow is your day; although there will be some challenges within your base of operation today, eventual success will be yours. Be more family minded. AQUARIUS; Even if friends have failed to live up to expectation in the recent days you will need to leave the past behind you and forge ahead. Lovers are fairly favoured. PISCES; Business challenges of yesterday notwithstanding pleasant surprises are possible. The more financially ambitious you are today the better for your cause. ARIES; Better opportunities indicated for those of you willing to be as self assertive as possible, and it could turn out to be a happy day to be remembered by real lovers.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; Although you will need to keep your secrets for the next few days that is not to say you should not pursue your financial interest. Take care of your health. GEMINI; Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make an important move because good luck and success are closer to you today than you image. Be hopeful.

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,

Who am I? Dear Joshua, Please keep my birth data secret, but I want you to analyse my horoscope bluntly so that I can know who am I; talking about my personality. Who am I ? Kehinde, Kaduna.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Kehinde, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them. ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lens-Mercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both. It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action. Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self..

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — 53

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54—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, OCTOBER 8, 2014 54—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Can I improve how I look down below? Dear Bunmi, have long flap of skin hanging down from my vagina and I hate them. My boyfriends have not complained so far, even when I have oral sex. But I just find them too embarrassing whenever I’m having sex. Can I have them removed surgically? Priscilla, By e-mail.

This serial adulterer won’t leave me alone Dear Bunmi, ’M 46 and a divorced mother of two teenage children. Three years ago, I met this man at a wedding and he told me straightaway he was a married man. Despite this we carried on seeing each other as I felt safe with him knowing the relationship wouldn’t go anywhere. He confided in me about his problems at

home, saying the spark had gone out of his marriage and that he and his wife only had sex once in a blue moon. Later, however, I discovered that they ’ve had another baby. We still carried on seeing each other because the sex was great. He then started going out with another single mother and that was when I put a stop to his

Tempted by my first love Dear Bunmi, was in love with a man all through my teens and 20s, we never had sex but a deep commitment towards each other. In the end, I got married to someone else and we lost touch. I ran into him recently at a friend’s office only to discover my feelings for him haven’t changed. He’s asked me to get in touch by giving me his mobile number. Should I, just to find out how it could be with him? Mary By e-mail

Dear Mary,

t’s been said that never quite getting together with someone you’re in love with is a bit like a halffinished story. Now you want to see more of this man in order to finish the story. But be warned. If you find out love is impossible, you may gain inner peace, and be also able to live your future life happily. But if you discover this man still wants you too, the chances are high you will end up risking your marriage and your happiness. Is it worth it? I don’t think so — but it is you who will have to make the decision.

fleet-footing. But he won’t leave me alone. He phones me all the time and tells me if he were to leave his wife for anyone, I would be the one. Quite frankly, he’s getting on my nerves. What should I do? Jumai, By e-mail. Dear Jumai, our ex-lover was looking for a bit of fun initially and was unprepared for the fact that: he’d ended up having real feelings for you. But that doesn’t alter the fact that he is a liar and a cheat. And while he may have two lovers on the go, there’s only one person who really matters to him — himself and his big ego. Well done for having the courage to end the relationship and for no crumbling under pressure. If you’re to have any hope on future happiness with a new partner, you must continue to be strong. You deserve better than to be strung along by a man who is nothing but an adventurer. Tell him you’ve really no feelings for him anymore and if possible invent a new lover!

Back to the scene of the crime?! Dear Bunmi, AST year, a friend’s daughter got married in Dubai. My husband hates travelling abroad so I went with my friend who’s a divorcee and we shared a room. She had some Nigerian contacts there and on our first night, we met up to have dinner. One of them started paying me a lot of attention and my friend encouraged me to flirt back and after a few drinks, I did. One thing led to another and we had a fling. My friend had one too with my lover’s friend. When we got back home, I felt like a new woman and everyone, including my husband, said I looked great. My friend is now planning to return to Dubai for a close relative’s wedding and wants me to go with her. I know what’s on the cards and I’m tempted. My husband will never find out and our relationship since I

came back from the first trip is the best it’s ever been. Should I go for one last fling? Bridget, By e-mail. Dear Bridget, nstead of going away to have sex with a stranger, I suggest you book a holiday to a neighbouring country where your husband needs not fly to

and invest some time, money and energy in your marriage. Your friend, a divorcee, is footloose and fancy free and it’s fine for her to go back — not you. You are a married woman and you have a responsibility to your husband. And who says your friend wouldn’t let it slip in future and the gossip gets to your husband? Where would you put your face?!

Instead of going away to have sex with a stranger, I suggest you book a holiday to a neighbouring country where your husband needs not fly to and invest some time, money and energy in your marriage.

Dear Priscilla, hese flaps are called the labia minora and are quite normal. The front of the labia minora helps pull your clitoris towards the penis during intercourse. Other than this, the flaps serve no real purpose, so you could have them removed — but I doubt you’d find a surgeon to do it. Lots of women dislike parts of their bodies, but not to the extent that they resort to surgery. If you feel this strongly, talk to your doctor for reassurance.

He has no enthusiasm Dear Bunmi, SUALLY, it’s a girl saying no to sex to a new date but my new man seriously seems as if he’s avoiding sex. For the few months we’ve dated, he hasn’t shown much enthusiasm. It’s just occurred to me that he might still be a virgin. Is there a way I could find out? Christy, By e-mail.

Dear Christy, here’s no real way to tell if a woman has had sex, let alone a man! Despite those stories of finding evidence on the sheets; exercise, gymnastics, tampons and natural erosion tend to do a very effective job of damaging the hymen before D-day. But there are lots of clues he’s not led a wild existence. First-time-ever men tend to ejaculate quicker in seconds! He’s likely to leave it up to you to initiate sex and will often opt for the missionary position. If he confessed he was a virgin afterward act surprised. Ply on the compliments and if he was awful in bed, remember practice makes perfect!

Should I betray my son? Dear Bunmi, A few weeks ago my daughter-in-law confided in me that she suspected her husband, my son, of having an affair. I tried to put her mind at rest but in fact I’ve had my suspicion about him for some time. A few months ago, he came to visit me with a woman who he claimed was a friend from his office. When they left, I looked out of the window and saw them kissing in his car. I didn’t say anything to my son at the time but now I wonder if I should have. I don’t want to be an interfering mother-inlaw or break up my son’s marriage, but I don’t think it’s fair that he should treat his wife this way. She’s been a wonderful wife and a good mother. Is there a way of tackling this problem so nobody is hurt? Dorcas By e-mail. Dear Dorcas, would stay out of this particular problem if I were you. Tell your daughter-in-law and she would use it as an ammunition against your son and you may end up being caught in the crossfire. Your daughter-in-law came to you seeking advice and support but your best bet here is to have a word with your son. Tell him what you saw and warn him what he stands to lose if his wife finds out.

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

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014—55

Restore sanitation exercise, Owerri residents appeal to Okorocha By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—RESIDENTS of Owerri, the Imo State capital and adjoining communities, have appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to restore the monthly sanitation exercise he scrapped after taking over the mantle of leadership in the state. They lamented that since the scrapping of the exercise, the water channels had remained blocked, causing serious flooding whenever it rained. “Since the administration scrapped the monthly sanitation exercise, filth has not only taken over the municipality, but virtually all the water channels have equally been blocked”, an angry lady, Nkechi, whose house

was flooded, lamented. She also expressed regret that the stagnant water everywhere had provided sufficient breeding grounds for mosquitoes, stressing that the national malaria control measures had failed in the state. “Government may be thinking of the huge money the immediate past government spent on refuse collection and disposal but it is not thinking of how many people

have died as a result of malaria or how much families spend in treating the deadly disease,” the angry woman reasoned. In his own reaction, Mr. Frank Chukas Nwadi wondered why politicians hardly built on the success stories of their predecessors. “Imo was adjudged the cleanest state capital when Chief Ikedi Ohakim was in office. What

we have today is anything but good. It is baffling why Governor Rochas Okorocha has failed to sustain the cleanliness of the city”. “The sad thing is that government is yet to tell the citizenry why it scrapped the monthly sanitation exercise in the state. and it had not told anybody what it has saved by scrapping he exercise.”Nwadi said.

Return home and contribute your quota, Abia people abroad tasked By Ediri Ejoh

ormer President of Umuahia Development Association, UDA, in the United States of America, USA, Sir Chudi Onyeama, yesterday in Lagos, called on Abia State citizens in the Diaspora to return home and participate in the next political dispensation in the state. Onyeama, who is seeking election to the House of Representatives to represent Umuahia-Ikwuano Federal Constituency, said charlatans had been left on the political stage in Abia State for too long. He said the input of citizens of the state in all walks of life was needed to re-position the state and make it viable. According to him, lack of quality representation and poor governance have been the bane of Abia State and had left it at the bottom of the development ladder. He added that he had decided to return home to make his expertise available for the transformation of his state. “After more than three decades sojourn abroad, it is time to make my skill available for the transformation of the deplorable human condition of my people. Other citizens of Abia State should also come to the rescue,” he stated. Onyema, a development expert, said the best approach to take Nigeria out of the doldrums was for its citizens in the Diaspora to return home to contribute their knowledge.

PARLEY: From left; Jerry Alagbaoso; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha ; Barr. C.O.C Akolisa and Orsu LGA Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chairman, Uchenna Osigwe during the deputy speaker 's consultation with PDP stakeholders in Orsu LGA over his governorship aspiration in Imo State in the 2015 elections.

Anambra North Senatorial district wants Emodi's return By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—THE people of Anambra North Senatorial District yesterday stepped up pressure on Senator Joy Emodi to re-contest the senatorial election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. They claimed there had been “serious representative vacuum” for the zone. According to the people, the area lacks effective representation since Senator Emodi’s untimely exit through court orders about four years ago. Consequently, some of the people, operating under the League of Anambra North Democrats, LAND, pressure groups and traditional rulers, lamented that “the zone has suffered ineffective representation; there has been a huge vacuum since Senator Emodi’s exit, courtesy of a Court Order. ” Speaking through LAND’s coordinator, Mr. Johnson Obiekezie, the people said “it is obvious that there is a vacuum even though there is somebody there supposedly representing us. We are not feeling the impact

of representation. How many times have you heard the voice of the zone on the floor of the Senate in the last three years? The zone is where you have very high elites and it deserves effective representation, by an

effective, up and doing Senator.'' “When Senator Joy Emodi was there the district was reckoned on any major issues being debated on the floor of the Senate with lucid and useful contributions.

I won't probe past administrations if elected governor — ABARIBE By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—ONE of the governorship aspirants in Abia State for the 2015 general elections, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said he will not probe past administrations in the state, if elected governor. Abaribe, who spoke in Umuahia, said he would not want to waste time probing past governments because it would draw the state backwards. Abaribe said if given the mandate by Abia people, he would bring three virtues to governance of the state, listing such virtues to include character, competence and integrity. He explained that these would propel him to provide good

governance to the people. “What a governor needs to do is to make people comfortable in life. I want to be governor to give Abians joy. I am certain that the people of Abia through the PDP will make their choice for somebody who will solve the many problems of the state. “Government is a continuum and I will do that. I will complete any project by Governor T. A. Orji and bring him to commission it because I have no problem with giving recognition to whom it is due. No project in the interest of the State will be left uncompleted. I believe that I will leave Abia State better than I met it. If I get the opportunity nobody will find me wanting”, Abaribe said.

Accept outcome of stakeholders' meeting, Enugu guber aspirants urged

coalition of Academics and Allied Professionals, ESCAAP, in Enugu State has asked Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirants in the 2015 elections in the state to accept the outcome of the stakeholders meeting which selected Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate. The group, however, urged any aspirant in the party who is not satisfied with the development “as permitted by democratic values”, to go about it in the spirit of sportsmanship bearing in mind the peace and progress of the state. In a statement at the end of a meeting by its leaders from the three senatorial zones of the state, ESCAAP asked aggrieved aspirants of the arrangement to go about it without casting aspersions or instigating hatred and animosity among the various cleavages of the state. The statement endorsed by Professor Christopher Ugwu (Enugu north), Prof Obiageli Omeje (Enugu West), Dr Emmanuel Onyeabo (Enugu east), Dr Chidozie Okafor (Enugu west), Dr Aaron Agbo (Enugu North) and Mrs. Ahize Eronwanne (Enugu west), mandated its zonal coordinators to mobilize “all academics and members in their respective zones to mobilize support for Ugwuanyi and Governor Sullivan Chime.” The group said it took time to consider the person of Ugwuanyi, his antecedents and potentials and believed that he possessed the requisite experience to move the state forward. “We equally considered reports from the various zones of the state and found out that his emergence was indeed based on superior argument. In view of the foregoing, we resolve to salute the maturity of all the people involved and endorse the emergence of Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Enugu State.”

56 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

CONDEMNED 12 SOLDIERS:

When plea for mercy challenges military law I

F Oliver Okwara had joined the Nigerian Army now, many would have attributed it to the biting unemployment in the country. But his decision to join the military in 1989-a period when securing employment was not as difficult as it is now, met with stiff resistance from his family. Whatever informed their fears about Okwara’s voyage in the military was best known to them, but conventional wisdom suggests that the hazards associated with the institution might have prompted their objections. Against the wishes of his people, Okwara ran away to Zaria for selection. It was on that note that his military career started in the medical corps. Rising to the rank of Sergeant for a non- commissioned officer, was no doubt a milestone. After serving for 20 years in what could be described as a meritorious career, Okwara was drafted to be part of the United Nations,UN, peacekeeping in Liberia in 2007. That was two years after his elevation to the rank of a Sergeant. For both commissioned and non-commissioned officers, being selected for a peacekeeping job, is usually fascinating, in view of the financial reward that comes with it. So, Okwara was upbeat about being part of the troops. While in Liberia, Okwara and others had hoped to use their entitlements to better their lives. Unfortunately, their expectations of better life upon their return, were dashed when the Military High Command failed to pay their entitlements. That marked the beginning of what could rank as the greatest challenge in his life.

$1,228 a month for each soldier The UN had reportedly earmarked $1,228 a month for each soldier. The army allegedly claimed to be saving the allowances for Okwara and his

colleagues. But that was not to be as they were not paid upon their return. They were told to come to Akure in June to collect the money but when they went, they did not get the money. In September, they were again asked to come back. That was the third time they were being invited to Akure for money which the UN had allegedly paid for their services. After spending about two weeks without results, the soldiers protested and were arrested for mutiny. Four officers, Col. A. Awotoye (Commanding Officer of 72 Army Battalion, Makurdi), Lt. Col. Paul Baba (Director of Army Finance), Major Abubakar Shonva (Deputy Director of Army Finance) and Major C. Njoku, were identified as the ring leaders in the alleged fraud. Col. Awotoye was said to have collected the money despite the fact that soldiers from his Command had earlier ended their tour of duty and collected their allowances. The military tribunal found Awotoye and the three others guilty, while Okwara and others court-martialled were found guilty and jailed for life. Though reprieve finally came the way of Okwara and 26 others attached to the 323 Artillery Regiment, Owena Barracks, Akure, Ondo, as their prison sentences were commuted to discharge from the military service, there was nothing to show for the two decades he spent in the army. Four years after, Nigeria is faced with a near similar issue, this time it was the sentencing of 12 soldiers to death for mutiny. The soldiers were charged with a six-count of criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny, disobeying lawful orders and various acts said to be inimical to the military service. The nine-member all military Court Martial, also found the soldiers guilty of insubordinate behaviour, use of abusive language, levelling false accusation against their superior officers, among others. They were

•The convicted sodiers during their trial similarly found guilty of attempting to kill their erstwhile General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Ahmed Mohammed by shooting at his official car, between May 13 and 14, 2014. The car was bullet proof. The incident took place at the Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri in the course of the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign. The court also found them guilty of preventing the movement of some of their injured colleagues to hospital and obstructing evacuation of their dead ones who were killed in ambush on their way from an operation in Chibok, Borno State. Those to die are Cpl. Jasper Braidolor, David Musa, Friday Onu, Yusuf Shuaibu, Emmanuel Igomu, Andrew Ngbede, Nurudeen Ahmed, Ifeanyi Alukhagbe, Alao Samuel, Amadi Chukwudi, Alan Linus and Stephen Clement. Jeremiah Ichocho, who was found guilty of Absence Without Official Leave, AWOL, was sentenced to two years without labour.

Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws The soldiers were tried under section 52(1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The judgment, according to Vanguard Features VF checks, has been generating mixed reactions across sections of the country. Though the offence for which the soldiers were convicted cannot be condoned by the armed forces because it strikes at the foundation of discipline in the military, there are questions as to whether the soldiers actually deserved the judgements. This sentiment was prompted by the reasons given by the soldiers for their action. Consider this: It only took a

media chat for President Goodluck Jonathan to reveal that part of the reasons why the war against Boko Haram was not being won, was because the army had been unequipped in the past 20 years. It was under this condition that the convicted soldiers fought insurgency in Borno State as members of the Joint Task Force,JTF, with the insurgents having the upper hand most times. Reportedly unhappy about their conditions, which particularly bordered on welfare and absence of sophisticated weapons, they opened fire on their commander, Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, in May. That incident however established that the morale within the soldiers at that time, was at an all-time low. A Professor of Sociology in one of the leading private universities in Nigeria, Prof Marthins Tabansi, believes the military authorities should be held responsible for such acts by the non-commissioned

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

motivation, I doubt if any soldier will turn against his own commander,’’ he submitted. Asked if his argument meant a justification for what the soldiers did, Tabansi said: ‘’Absolutely No!” Temper justice with mercy: Consequently, he explained thus: ‘’There is no institution that tolerates indiscipline. The manner the young men channelled their grievances is condemnable. That is why the grounds upon which they were convicted cannot be said to be out of context. We are talking about military law, which is independent given the peculiarity of the army as an institution. Having said that, it is my hope that the authorities temper justice with mercy.’’ Spokesperson for Northern Delegates Forum at the just concluded National Conference, Mr. Anthony Sani, also frowned at engaging in mutiny by soldiers, but is particularly concerned about the conditions that provoked the action. ‘’While it is true and correct that soldiers should not

The support of the Senate shows that our lawmakers are not in touch with global trends on death penalty

soldiers. He told VF that the issues of welfare and professionalism in the army had been treated as non-issues by successive administrations, leading to the revolt by the rank and file. ‘’We expected that the retirement of soldiers who held political positions during the military era, would usher in professionalism and much investment in the army. Sadly we have not seen that. Those saddled with the mandate to do that either misappropriate funds or are left with no funds to prosecute their statutorily responsibility,’’ he noted. ‘’With latest equipment to prosecute the war and better

engage in mutiny for obvious reasons,it is equally true that the government itself had gone public with the reasons for its request to take $1b loan for the purpose of improving the quality of training and equipping the military so they can confront the insurgency effectively,’’ he submitted. ‘’That means the soldiers have known that they are not trained and equipped for the tasks assigned to them. Where that is the case,the military and the government should temper justice with mercy by committing the hard conviction to a lesser one,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — 57

C M Y K

58 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

BRIEFS Brazil election: Rousseff, Neves race for support in election runoff

tight runoff campaign for Brazil’s presidency kicked off on Monday with leftist incumbent Dilma Rousseff and pro-business rival Aecio Neves racing to win over supporters of the third-placed candidate after she was knocked out of the election. Neves, a centrist senator who had been widely written off until a few days before Sunday’s first-round vote, rode a late surge in support to grab second place with 33.6 percent of the vote. Rousseff led with 41.6 percent and they now face each other in an Oct. 26 runoff to decide Brazil’s most unpredictable race in decades. Rousseff remains a slight favorite as she has strong support among Brazil’s poor but Neves is within striking distance and is expected to pick up most of the 21 percent of voters who backed the third-placed finisher, environmentalist Marina Silva.

Spain quarantines four in Ebola scare

PAIN has quarantined a total of four people in an attempt to prevent the spread of Ebola after a nurse became the first confirmed case of infection outside West Africa. The 40-year-old nurse, her husband, another health worker and a Spaniard who travelled to Nigeria are in isolation in hospital, Madrid health officials said on Tuesday. The husband shows no symptoms, and the health worker has diarrhoea but no fever. There was no information about the condition of the fourth person. One of the four has tested negative for the disease, the Reuters news agency reportedon Tuesday, citing a Spanish health official. It was not clear who of the four was tested. Rafael PerezSantamaria, the head of the Carlos III Hospital, said a further 22 people who had been in with the nurse contact were being monitored. The nurse had treated a 75-year-old Spanish missionary who had caught the disease in Liberia, and a 69-year-old priest who caught Ebola in Sierra Leone. Both missionaries died, the first on August 12 and the second on September 25. The nurse fell ill on September 30, and officials said she entered the room of the second patient twice. “This has taken us by surprise,” said PerezSantamaria. “We are revising our protocols, improving them. The priority remains to find out what actually happened.”

Cyprus suspends unification talks with Turkey

•Kurdish Syrian refugees cross into Turkey on the Turkish-Syrian border, near the southeastern town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province September 26, 2014.

Turkey says Syrian town about to fall as Islamic State moves in T

URKEY’S president said Kobani was “about to fall” after Islamic State fighters advanced into the south west of the Syrian Kurdish town, pressing home a three-week assault that has cost a reported 400 lives. The prospect that the town on the Turkish border could be captured by the militants has increased pressure on Turkey, with the strongest army in the region, to join an international coalition to fight against Islamic State. Islamic State wants to take Kobani in order to strengthen its grip on the border area and consolidate the territorial gains it has made in Iraq and Syria in recent months. U.S.-led air strikes have so far failed to prevent its advance on Kobani. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said bombing was not enough to defeat Islamic State and Turkey had made clear that additional

measures would be needed. “The problem of ISIS (Islamic State) ... cannot be solved via air bombardment. Right now ... Kobani is about to fall,” he said during a visit to a camp for Syrian refugees. “We had warned the West. We wanted three things. No-fly zone, a secure zone parallel to that, and the training of moderate Syrian rebels,” he said. He said Turkey would intervene if there were threats to Turkish soldiers guarding a historic site in Syria that Ankara regards as its territory. But so far Turkey has made no move to get involved in the fighting across the border. From across the Turkish border, two Islamic State flags could be seen flying over the eastern side of Kobani. Two air strikes hit the area and sporadic gunfire could be heard. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said it had also documented 412 deaths of civilians and

fighters during the threeweek battle for Kobani. Yesterday, plumes of white smoke rose over eastern and central parts of Kobani and two ambulance crossed the border, travelling from Kobani to the Turkish side. Islamic State fighters were using heavy weapons and shells to hit Kobani, senior Kurdish official Asya Abdullah told Reuters from inside the town. “Yesterday there was a violent clash. We have fought hard to keep them out of the town,” she said by telephone. “The clashes are not in the whole of Kobani, but in specific areas, on the outskirts and towards the centre.” Islamic State, an al Qaeda offshoot, has ramped up its offensive in recent days against the mainly Kurdish border town, despite being targeted by U.S.-led coalition led air strikes aimed at halting its progress.

Israeli troops injured in Hezbollah bombing H

EZBOLLAH has said it planted a bomb that injured at least two Israeli troops on the ceasefire line in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese group yesterday said its fighters “detonated an explosive device on the Shebaa Hills against a motorised Israeli patrol, causing a number of injuries among the occupation’s soldiers”. The group said the attack was carried out by the “Hassan Ali Haidar unit” which is named for a Hezbollah member killed on September 5 when an Israeli listening

device in Lebanon was detonated remotely as he tried to dismantle it. Israel said it responded to the “unprovoked aggression” by firing artillery at two Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The army said the attack took place on the Israeli side of the border, calling the attack “a blatant breach of Israel’s soverignty” and vowed to protect its northern borders. Hezbollah and Israel fought a war in southern Lebanon in 2006, wich ended with a UNbrokered ceasefire and an

Hezbollah fought a war with Israel in 2006 Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The ceasefire line between the two

countries is often tense. Israeli troops shot and wounded a Lebanese on Sunday

YPRUS’ president has suspended talks on reunifying the divided island in response to Turkey’s plan to search for oil and gas in waters where Cyprus had already licensed drilling. A government spokesman said Nicos Anastasiades’ decision was the result of Turkey’s “provocative” and “aggressive” actions to start seismic tests off the island’s southern coast later this month.. Cyprus said the plan was a “serious breach” of its sovereign rights as well as the rights of its own drilling consortium, consisting of Italy’s Eni and South Korea’s Kogas. “The least I can say is that negotiations, in order to produce results, cannot be conducted under such conditions of provocation,” said Ioannis Kasoulides, the Cypriot foreign minister, on Monday.

Move beyond mere talk to practical action, says Ecumenical Patriarch By Sam Eyoboka with Agency reports we are to respond to the ecological crisis in a “IFresponsible and substantial way, we must move

beyond mere talk to practical action,” said Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in an official message to the Interfaith Summit on Climate Change to be held this week in New York City. Sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in collaboration with the Religions for Peace, the Interfaith Summit on Climate Change will take place from 21 to 22 September, before the United Nations Climate Summit called by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Speaking on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a founding member of the WCC, Patriarch Bartholomew said that “each believer and each leader, each field and each discipline, each institution and each individual must be touched by the call to change our greedy ways and destructive habits” for the sake of climate justice. In his message for the summit, the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed that “unless we change the way we live; we cannot hope to avoid ecological damage. This means that – instead of solely depending on governments and experts for answers – each of us must become accountable for our slightest gesture and act in order to reverse the path that we are on, which will of course also include prevailing upon governments and leaders for the creation and application of collective policy and practice.”

Moroccan diplomat killed in South Africa

Moroccan consul in the South African capital Pretoria has been found dead in a pool of blood at his guesthouse, his embassy said yesterday. Police are still investigating how and why Fatmi Noureddine was killed. An autopsy is being carried out. “The police are very cautious” a clearly distraught diplomatic colleague told AFP. “It has to be a robbery.” “He did not turn up for work at the normal time, which seemed strange because he was always on time. His phone was off.” Colleagues went to Noureddine’s guesthouse, on climbing the stairs to his residence and “found him in a pool of blood,” the official said. A cell phone was said to be missing from the scene, but it was not known if he had any money at home. More than 40 people are murdered in South Africa each day and last year South Africans reported more than 300,000 burglaries at residential and business properties, according to police data.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — 59

Eagles target maximum points, says Omeruo D

EFENDER Ken neth Omeruo has said Nigeria have targeted a maximum 12 points in their remaining four qualifiers to guarantee their passage to next year’s AFCON in Morocco. The African champions, who failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON, are third in Group A with a point after they lost 3-2 at

home to Congo and held hosts South Africa to a goalless draw last month. Congo lead the standings with six points, while South Africa are second with four points. The Super Eagles tackle Sudan on Saturday in continuation of the qualifying tournament before they host the same team in a reverse clash on Wednesday, October 15.

Babatunde watches Eagles from the sidelines

•Omeruo points the way to Sudan.

Guild of Sports Editors congratulates new NFF board •Advises Giwa, others to

HE Guild of Sports Editors yesterday congratulated members of the newly-elected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board over their victory at the federation’s elective congress held in Warri last week. The body hoped the polls would signal the end of the crisis that has dogged the country ’s football since the Super Eagles’ ouster from the Brazil 2014 World Cup. In a release signed by

Enyeama •Continues from BP The Super Eagles lost their first game at home to Congo and managed a draw against South Africa in the second game played in Cape Town but the former Enyimba International goal tender said the team will win the two legged encounter against Sudan this month. Speaking exclusively to Sports Vanguard after the team’s second training at the main bowl of the refurbished Abuja National Stadium, Enyeama said the odds favour the Super Eagles even as he quickly said the Sudanese will not be underrated in any way. “Yes we are on a tight rope with just one point from a possible six but I want to assure all Nigerians that we have resolved as a team to make sure we go to Morocco to defend our trophy. “The game against

embrace peace

the President of the Guild, Tony Ubani, the sports editors also thanked the stakeholders in Nigerian sports, including President Goodluck Jonathan, Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, as well as members of the National Assembly for their roles in ensuring the congress in Warri was peaceful. Sudan this weekend will be a tough one because they are playing at home, secondly after losing to South Africa, they will not like to lose again at home but the record favours us and we will beat them again even in front of their home fans” Enyama assured. However the team captain who was not available when the Super Eagles lost at home to Congo down played his absence insisting that the players who played that match must have given their best. According to him the result may not have been different if he had played the last two games as he argued that there are many factors that could make a team win or lose a match. The training was very business-like with all the 23 invited players duly in camp with the sole aim of convincing the technical crew to hand them a starting shirt.

“We are highly impressed by the caliber of people on the new NFF board, led by Amaju Pinnick and we hope they will bring their wealth of experience in the private sector to bear on Nigerian football. “The elections are just the beginning of the job of repositioning Nigerian football and not an end in itself. We, therefore, hope that the new board members will rise to the challenge of lifting the country’s game to its right position in the comity of the world’s best footballing nations,” Ubani said.

West •Continues from BP The Super Eagles sit just above the Sudanese in Group A of the qualifying series, with one point, as against Sudan’s zero. Both teams are also yet to get any wins, with Nigeria only able to get a 0-0 draw away at South Africa, after losing 3-2 at home to Sudan while the Sudanese lost both games to South Africa and Congo. Taribo, who featured when Nigeria beat Sudan home and away in 2001 during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, says the Super Eagles have got all it takes to beat the Sudanese once

KRAINE-BASED w i n g e r Babatunde Michael was the only Eagles star who did not train with the rest of the squad on yesterday morning in Abuja. Babatunde appears to be nursing a thigh injury, but it does not seem very serious for him to still report to training camp for the AFCON qualifiers against Sudan. The left winger suffered a right wrist injury which required surgery at the World Cup in Brazil, a development which was believed to have stopped him from quitting Volyn FC in the summer. Officials said the squad will also train twice on today before departure to Sudan on Friday. Saturday ’s match in Sudan will kick off by 5.30 pm Nigerian time. more. “I strongly believe the Super Eagles will beat them again this time because of the quality that we possess; I think we are better than they are. I played against them in 2001 and know how their football is and they can be quite slow in their build up, but tricky,” he said. The Super Eagles played against Sudan twice in 2001 and beat them 7-0 on aggregate on the way to qualifying for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. The Super Eagles have a superior record of six wins, three draws and one loss in the last ten games played between the two countries.

•Babatunde

Keshi

•Continues from BP The Super Eagles are guests of pointless Sudan on Saturday, before they welcome the same team to Nigeria four days later. Stoke City winger Victor Moses was ruled out at the weekend on account of injury, while a thigh injury could also keep out Babatunde Michael. But Keshi is praying the Eagles do not suffer more injury problems, while assuring they have put behind them the disappointing results of last month to forge ahead. “We pray that everybody

Pinnick •Continues from BP low tones on their perceived fears of the arrogant nature of the President. “I am not arrogant. It’s only those who see me from afar who think I am arrogant. My friends know that I am a jolly good fellow. Another thing is that people think I am arrogant when they hear of landmark achievements recoded under me in Delta. We built a N200 million football house in Delta. It is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We’ve had an uninterrupted 15year sponsorship deal of

Their other qualifiers are away to Congo in Pointe-Noire and a final group game against South Africa all in November. “We are aware of the task ahead and so we have resolved to work hard to pick the available 12 points in our remaining qualifiers,” said England-based defender Omeruo, who was among the 17 players who trained in Abuja Tuesday morning ahead of Saturday ’s crunch clash in Sudan. “You can see the response of the boys in the first day of training, it speaks loud of our intention ahead of the games. All we ask of Nigerians is their support and confidence in the team. “We know there are no minnows anymore in African football.” would be in good health because that is very important. We have already lost two players now, I hope that would be the last,” he said “We have put the past behind us. We are preparing ourselves against Sudan in Sudan. We are trying our best to prepare ourselves for success. Any team that is going out for a game prepare themselves to be victorious. “Sometimes being third on the table doesn’t matter, it only challenges you more, makes you focus more and more determined and that is what we going to do.” our FA Cup with our sponsors. It has never happened anywhere in Nigeria. When people hear these laudable and noble achievements, they conclude that am arrogant or blowing my trumpet. There are things on the ground for people to see. It’s not arrogance”, Pinnick said. An official who would not want to be mentioned in print said that “if only Pinnick will be humble, he is a young man full of ideas, connected and passionate about football. But, if he proves to be arrogant, he might go the way of former Chairman Kodjo Williams who was impeached three months after election”.

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Pinnick: Eagles must win in Sudan N

EWLY elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Melvin Amaju Pinnick, on Tuesday stormed the training session of the national team, who are preparing for a game against Sudan on Saturday, declaring that he will bring the much desired changes to Nigerian football. Addressing the players during the evening session after a hectic two hours training, Amaju, said he was in tune with most of the players, assuring them that trust will be the hallmark of his administration, even as he declared that the game against Sudan should be the take off point for his administration. “The last NFF regime has been wonderful in terms of achievements and we want to continue from there. That is why I must say the Sudan game is a must win for us, because it’s the first competitive game under this dispensation. On our part, we are determined to continue to support the team and soon you will see what we would do through corporate Nigeria and the rest of the game’s supporters and sponsors”, he declared. He said all rumours regarding pronouncements allegedly made by him should be disregarded, assuring that he was starting on a clean slate to build on the immense achievements of his predecessors. He was accompanied to the training session by NFF Vice President, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, Executive Committee member, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, who both promised to keep a close tab on the workings of the national team. There were also NFF, Director

Jubilant Super Eagles players celebrate after Afcon 2013 victory. The Eagles have a must win match against Sudan this weekend.

AWC: Falcons ready for title challenge — Okon S

•Oshoala

of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Dr Mohammed Sanusi,

who is the Director of Competitions at the Football.

Pa Osaile passes on at 72

Martin Osaile, (a.k.a) Don King

ARTIN Osaile, (a.k.a) Don King of Nigeria’s sports has passed on. He died last Friday, October 3, 2014 after a protracted illness. According to the burial arrangement made available by the eldest son, John O. Osaile, a Christian wake keep has been fixed for October 16, 2014 at his residence, 9, Alha Estate, Opposite AP Filling Station, Odo-

gunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos. Lying- in-state and service of songs hold on 17th October, 2014 at Ojodu Berger and at Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Baba Olosha, Mushin Lagos on 31st October, 2014 at 10:00am. Pa Osaile, aged 72 was a renowned boxing promoter who was as famous as the controversial American Don King.

UPER Falcons coach, Edwin Okon has expressed satisfaction in his team’s readiness to win the African women championship in Namibia. Nigeria have won the title six times, only losing it twice since the inception of the AWC tournament . Equatorial Guinea won the last edition of the AWC with the Super Falcons finishing in fourth position, but Okon promised that they are going to redeem their image in Namibia. “As far as we are concerned, we are set and that is the reason we have been playing series of friendly matches. I’m satisfied with the response of the players. So, we are ready for the challenges ahead,” Okon told Cafonline.com. “I want to believe our chances are good though we are expecting no easy games. The most important thing for us is that we have prepared well and we are going to take one game at a time. “The opening game against Cote d’Ivoire is important for us because it would set the tone for the rest of the competition. We are looking forward to the match against Cote d’Ivoire with optimism. The former national

team assistant coach also expressed confidence in his team’s ability to pick one of the three tickets to the Fifa Women’s World Cup billed for Canada. “Yes, we are aiming to qualify and that is one of

our major ambitions. I’m sure we are going to make it. I’m confident because we have been preparing well. Secondly, we have a crop of players that are talented and experienced,” he said.

Pinnick’s victory, result of Uduaghan’s strides in Sports — Ukori BY GAB EJUWA

ENERAL Secretary of Egbema Gbaramatu C o m m u n i t i e s Development Foundation, Jude Ukori has said that the victory of Amaju Pinnick as Nigeria Football Federation President was as a result of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s strides in sport. Ukori who made this known in a statement in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta state, yesterday said the victory of Amaju Pinnick as NFF boss was as a result of the several victories of Deltans in the various sports competitions they have taken part in. He said, “almost all the games participated by Deltans, including national sport festival, the excellent performance of Blessing

Okagbare in the Commonwealth Games, among others were all by the efforts of the Governor. “There is no doubt, the election of Mr. Pinnick as NFF boss is a continuation of Delta’s supremacy in sports”. He noted that the Delta State Sports Commission under Amaju’s leadership, has made the state to retained, as well as improve on its dominance of sports in the country. “Amaju has shown traits of commitment, resourcefulness, dedication and leadership right from when he joined the DFA (Delta Football Association) as a member and later as chairman of the Association up to when he emerged as the chairman of the State Sports Commission”, he added.

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62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

I’m not arrogant —Pinnick BY TONY UBANI

S Nigerians come to terms with the election of new officers to

•Pinnick

Keshi assures of victory in Sudan A

ECSTACY.... Kenneth Omeruo (l) hugs Coach Stephen Keshi after the Afcon 2013 victory.

S speculations over the future of Coach Stephen Keshi with the Super Eagles continue to make the rounds, the former Nigeria international has sworn to revive the team’s dream of qualifying for the Afcon 2015 tournament in Morocco. Keshi has regretted the injuries that have hit the team, but he said they are still determined to revive their campaign for the AFCON 2015 in Sudan. The African champions are third in Group A with a point. Congo top the standings on six points, while South Africa are second with four points. •Continues on Page 59

Pinnick: Eagles must win in Sudan — P.60

run the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, the President Melvin Amaju Pinnick has dispelled fears that his over-bearing self and pride would rock the boat of the Board which overwhelmingly voted him into office in Warri. Since his coming on board the NFF, many football stakeholders have been speaking in •Continues on Page 59

Nigeria ‘ll beat Sudan –West

•Enyeama

We’ll beat Sudan in front of their fans — Enyeama BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

UPER Eagles safe hands Vincent Enyama has assured Nigerian soccer fans that the

country will qualify for Morocco 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite her slow start to the on going qualifiers. •Continues on Page 59

ORMER Nigeria defender Taribo West has boasted that the Super Eagles will beat their Sudanese counterparts on Saturday, when both countries play each other for places at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. •Continues on Page 59

•Taribo

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Enquired (5) 9 Astounded (6) 10 Sick (6) 11 Cost (5) 12 Pitcher (4) 15 Pleasant (4) 17 Guard (7) 20 Child (3) 21 Domesticated (5) 23 Diplomacy (4) 25 Temper (4) 26 Flutter (5) 28 Stray (3) 30 Gemstone (7) 33 Soon (4) 35 Declare (4) 36 Sphere (5) 38 Tenant (6) 39 Bureau (6) 40 Inclined (5)

DOWN 1 Rescued (5) 2 Principal (5) 3 Serpent (3) 4 Severe (6) 5 Every (4) 6 Expire (3) 7 Number (5) 8 Heron (5) 13 Occidental (7) 14 Attain (5) 16 Pardon (7) 18 Relaxed (5) 19 Border (3) 22 Doctrine (5) 24 Pull (3) 27 Tape (6) 28 Premature (5) 29 Waken (5) 31 Egg-shaped (5) 32 Parched (5) 34 Mirth (4) 36 Solidify (3) 37 Newt (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Topple 5, Staple 9, Enter 10, Easier 11, Winner 12, Rodeo 14, Clot 17, Lad 18, Hope 20, Hired 22, Waned 23, Rallied 24, Messy 26, Tepid 29, Idle 30, Wed 32, Sole 33, Faded 35, Repeat 36, Panted 37, Tenor 38, Rudder 39, Tendon.

DOWN: 1, Trench 2, Pastor 3, Leer 4, Enrol 5, Sewed 6, Trio 7, Pennon 8, Earned 13, Dallied 15, Lived 16, Terse 18, Hades 19, Peril 21, Day 22, Wet 24, Mirror 25, Sloped 27, Posted 28, Deaden 30, Water 31, Depot 33, Fate 34, Dare.

How to Play Sudoku

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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