Nigeria's inseurity self-inflicted

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 61792

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

THE VANGUARD/POLICE SECURITY SUMMIT

SECURITY SUMMIT—

Representative of the President and Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, rtd, (3rdl)flanked by the Chairman of the event, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta (2ndl) and the Inspector Genral of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, while the Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro (2ndr); Publisher Vanguard, Mr. Sam Amuka (l) and other dignitaries watch in a group photograph after the official opening of the National Summit on Security Challenges in Nigeria held at the African Hall, International Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. More pictures on Pages 38&39

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THE ROLL CALL Dignitaries at the event include: President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) Police Affairs Minister; Inspector-General of Police Abubakar Mohammed; Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers; Senator Bala Mohammed, FCTA Minister, represented by Dr. Bashir Mohammed, Director Security Services, FCTA; Comrade Abba Moro, Interior Minister; former IGP Gambo Jimeta; former IGP Mike Okiro; Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-chief, Vanguard; Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Deputy Governor Kogi State.

Others are: Ignatius Longjam, Deputy Governor, Plateau State; Navy Cdr Effedua, Provost Marshall, Nigerian Navy; Olusegun Abolarin, representative of Oyo State Governor; Major Tunde Pinos, rtd, Special Adviser, Security to Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola; CP Olayinka Balogun representative of Ogun State Governor; Aderenle Shinaba, Commissioner of Police, FCT; Professor Itse Sagay, SAN; Prof. W.C. Nwofia, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Femi Falana, SAN and Air Cdre M.O. Abdullahi.

Nigeria's insecurity self-inflicted — Summit stakeholders

Continues on page 5

•It's threat to democracy dividends — IGP But today, the security agencies are suffering. Neglect brought us to where we are today. Priorities are given to wrong projects.

Billions are spent on areas that don’t benefit or help to put the nation in check. Internally, we are rotten..... Let us put our priorities right — Gambo Jimeta

Merger: FG plans 'to silence' Buhari, Tinubu, others — ACN ....It's a lie, they are afraid of their shadows — FG

•Pg.5

Bayelsa purse: Sylva replies Dickson •Pg.6 C M Y K

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, KINGSLEY OMONOBI, EVELYN USMAN, UMORU HENRY, IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

BUJA—THE common thread f r o m stakeholders in the security services, including former Inspector-General of Police, Gambo Jimeta, at the opening of the Vanguard/Police National Security Summit in Abuja, yesterday, was that the state of insecurity in the country was

self-inflicted.

They spoke at the national summit on Security Continues on page 3

Mr & Mrs

2—

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—3

POCKET CARTOON

SECURITY SUMMIT — From left: Minister of Internal Affairs Comrade Abba Moro; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and others at the National Summit on Security held in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Nigeria's insecurity self-inflicted — Summit stakeholders Continues from page 1 Challenges in Nigeria jointly organised by Vanguard and the Nigeria Police, which commenced in Abuja yesterday.

The self-examination of the state of insecurity in the country, according to several dignitaries, is the culmination of

the lack of concern shown the sector by past administrations.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, on his part, asserted that the spate of insecurity could no longer be tolerated as he warned that it posed serious danger to the nation’s democracy.

The men and women

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

W

HEN God answers your prayer straight away He is testing your FAITH. When God does not answer your prayer straight away, it is because He is testing your PATIENCE. When God does not answer your prayer at all, it is because He has something BETTER for you.

TAKE HEART

I

BY ELLA RANDLE

N one of recent writings, Steve Goodier wrote that in the end, it’s not about how much knowledge we may have. It’s about what we choose to do with what we know that means anything.

We can improve our lives significantly when we simply take what we already know and apply it. He says: “I know how to forgive, for example, I know how to love, when to be patient and why I should share generously. I also know that if I do these things as often as possible, it will make a huge difference in my life and to others I care about. But too often I’m slow to do them.

“Most of the time I even know how to be happy. I bet that you do, too. And I know that if I habitually do the kinds of things that promote a happier and more fulfilled life, I will be the better for it.”

A full and happy life does not come from knowing more than others.

And we don’t always need to find the latest book on happiness or a popular self help expert to guide us. Most of us already know the greater part of what we need to do to be our best and to get where we want to go.

But this is key to consistently apply what we know every day. In other words, just do it. You know enough. Apply what you know today and things can truly be different tomorrow.

C M Y K

of the Nigeria Police were, nevertheless hailed for their stellar performance in the face of logistic and bureaucratic challenges with former Inspector General of Police Gambo Jimeta drawing wild applause for his observation that many policemen in the frontline in the battle against terrorism have died unsung.

“Some people say that the police is not doing enough, but what can you do more than giving your life?” Gambo asked yesterday.

The summit drew attendance from several sectors of the society including traditional rulers, governors, serving and retired security agents among many others.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, who represented President Jonathan at the opening ceremony, reiterated that political will being demonstrated by the administration in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality will soon start yielding the desired result.

“With sustained fight against terrorism, improved crime investigation and enhanced public order policing which will guarantee the ultimate protection of lives and property and law enforcement in our soci-

ety its a matter of time for these security challenges to be mitigated”.

He continued: “Only recently, the Federal Government did set up a Presidential Committee to re-organize the Nigeria Police force having observed some deficiencies in both capacity building and professionalism.

“A lot of emphasis is now placed on training and re-training, improvement of the sophistication of weaponry and equipment, improved welfare for officers and improvement of the image of the police as perceived by the populace”.

Police Academy Kano to award degrees Among the new emphasis in boosting the capacity of the police, he said, is the adoption of higher standards in both recruitment and promotion of personnel. Besides, the Police Academy in Kano (POLAC), he said, would be converted to a degree awarding institution.

“Our administration is very committed to transforming the Nigeria Police through the reform programme by hinging on training and capacity building, modernization of police institutions,

such as converting the POLAC, Wudil Kano to a degree awarding institution similar to the Nigeria Defence Academy as well as entrenchment of discipline in the force.

Commending the Police management team for the renewed commitment and vigour in the discharge of their duties and ensuring internal security which is an essential ingredient for sustainable development, he said: “The Federal Government will continue to support every effort that is being made to professionalize the force and in the provision of welfare”.

Lauds role of media In a pattern that was to follow later in the day, he acknowledged Vanguard’s leading role on security issues saying, “the role of the media in overcoming our security challenges is pivotal as various elements of the media are directly responsible for much of the information disseminated to the public”.

Former IGP of Police , Jimeta, who chaired the opening ceremony, traced the insecurity situation presently in the land to varied acts of neglect of the issue by administrations after the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo.

He described the spate of insecurity as self-inflicted, even as he lambasted those he said should know better but had turned demagogues for selfish considerations.

“People who should know, politicians and other leaders open their mouths and talk irresponsibly on this worrying development thereby worsening the situation”.

On Boko Haram, kidnapping, militancy On Boko Haram, kidnapping, resurgence of militancy in some parts of the country, the former IGP said: “Boko Haram and kidnapping emergence is the consequence of bad administration that has permeated our national life for a long time. During the tenure of General Yakubu Gowon, there was peace, when General Obasanjo was military head of state, there was peace but after then things have turned for the worse.

“If there is no justice, no respect for lives, if people have no sympathy for their fellow citizens, then things like the insecurity we are facing today are bound to happen. Any incident of murder or crime against our criminal justice system must be punished.

We all want a Nigeria that is based on justice.

If a man commits murder, people should not bring sentiments of religion or ethnicity as excuses to prevent such person from facing appropriate punishment’ His words: “Our current security situation is self-inflicted. You cannot have a state and fail to provide for the institutions of the state. Security of lives and property is supposed to be the primary function of government. In the past when the nation was calm and all was going well, government was solely responsible for security of lives and property. Other matters of transportation, education, medical responsibilities, sports etc, were left to the local authorities and individuals.

“Then, the military, the Police, Prisons, other se-

Continues on page 4

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

IGP Abubakar speaking at the summit.

Nigeria's insecurity self-inflicted — Summit stakeholders Continues from page 3 curity agencies were well equipped and catered for. There was no problem of money. Funding was the key and it was adequate. There were stringent laws and checks that ensured money was utilized for its sole purposes.

“But today, the security agencies are suffering.

Neglect brought us where we are today. Priorities are given to wrong projects. Billions and billions are spent on areas that don’t benefit or help to put the nation in check. Internally, we are rotten. We cannot boast of an impregnable defence system. Let us put our priorities right”.

Emphasizing that there is need to build “an internally robust security system that will stand the test of time and armed forces that is impregnable both within and outside the country”, Gambo Jimeta said, ‘things are really not right. Things are going wrong. A situation whereby you travel from Lagos to Maiduguri or other parts of the country by road and all you see is a populace encapsulated in poverty, deprivation, hunger written

in their faces is trouble waiting to happen’.

Consequently he warned, “Strangulation of aspiration of people by certain organs and functions is such that if nothing is done, there is going to be a big implosion where about 130million Nigerians will go berserk”.

Insecurity is fault of the past — Moro Minister of Interior, Abba Moro agreed with Jimeta, saying that the present insecurity in the land is a reflection of the failures of the past.

“I do not think it is time for lamentation of the past, I believe that the unfortunate situation we find ourselves is a reflection of the right thing that was left undone.

“This is the right place to begin. We will not go the old way of sound and fury but be practical to bring out views and ideas that will bring great solutions. The state of insecurity we are in today is alarming, the character do not wear religious and ethnic colours and so, those charged with the responsibility of

providing security must ensure that they stamp out this menace,” he added.

IGP Abubakar in his address, warned that the current security challenges confronting the nation posed threats to the nation’s democracy as he observed that they were barriers to the effective delivery of democratic dividends in some parts of the country.

Insecurity, threat to democracy — IGP “Security is undoubtedly the foundation on which any society ’s socio-economic cum political development are built. Insecurity, therefore, is a venomous threat to the wellbeing of the citizens of any nation and a cankerworm that destroys the root that holds the existence of any nation”.

Continuing the IG said: “The import of this summit is to harness ideas and strategies on how to combat the current security impasse in the country. I strongly believe that the Nigerian Police is not alone in the dire quest for solutions to

the country ’s security problems which tend to retard democratic dividends in some parts of the country.

“Convening this forum

is an avenue for stakeholders to chart the course to the safety and wellbeing of our country and its citizens. Having taken this noble and courageous step, we must all endeavour to put our differences aside and focus on the voyage of championing the protection of the legacies bequeathed by our founding fathers.

We have no other country to call our own, beside Nigeria. If the security problems are adequately contained, every other thing will naturally fall into its proper shape”.

While pledging that the Police under his leadership shall continue to do its best in providing safe and secured environment to the peoples of the nation, the IG added: “Providing a free society where all those living in the country can conduct their lawful businesses without let or hindrance is the present Police management's dream for the country.

“The driving force of this summit is therefore my strong belief that security is everybody’s responsibility. Coming together under the auspices of this national summit will provide the opportunity of working together to fight this security threat. Nigerians across the country will be

listening with rapt attention, having high hopes and great expectations of seeing the end of these nightmares.

“They will expect this summit to furnish their government with the much awaited solutions that will end this threat to their peaceful co-existence. At the end of this all important national summit, all stakeholders should hold their heads high for providing posterity, a safe and secure country where peace and justice reign”, the IG said.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, who represented Governor Idris Wada paid special commendations to the men and women of the Nigeria Police who he claimed had performed well against several constraints.

“Before the unique opportunity of becoming deputy governor, I would regularly bellyache about the ineptitude of the Nigeria Police Force, but now having had the opportunity of attending several security meetings and conferences, I have nothing but the highest regard and respect for the men and women of the Nigeria Police Force.”

Good governance, panacea to insecurity—FCT Minister T

HE Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed in his presentation at the summit, said that improving on the provision of basic essential needs of the people, improved infrastructures and good governance will address the grievances that led to insecurity in the country.

The FCT Minister who was represented by the FCT director of security, Bashir Mohammed said: "It is my belief that Nigeria’s security challenges both in content and context are purely internal and remedies could therefore be found through domestic efforts. ‘’In other words, the reference point should be on how to improve on the major basic areas of grievances ranging from the provision of basic es-

sential needs of the people, improved infrastructures and good governance in general,” he said.

He noted that peace and tranquillity were the necessary ingredients for the growth and development of any nation or society and that as a measure to confront the challenges in the area, the FCT administration had placed priority on socioeconomic policies necessary to alleviate problems of youth unemployment, resettlement challenges and the general welfare of the people.

The Minister disclosed that one of the ways the FCT administration was now using to tackle the problem is through the acceleration of provision of infrastructures in the existing districts, pointing out that efforts are

ongoing in opening new ones with a view to decongesting the FCT for ease of security administration.

Mohammed said that it was the need to ensure a peaceful environment that made his predecessor in office to set up a joint security initiative in the area and contiguous states known as G7, explaining that ‘’the idea is to have an inter-state collaborative network for the harmonization of security strategies, exchange of information/ technology and organized trailing of criminals and other syndicates.

He said that he was of the view that the outcome of the security summit would assist in finding a lasting solution to issues threatening the collective security of the country.

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—5

The Vanguard/Police Security Summit in Abuja The Roll call Continues from page 1 Air Cdre D.E Abdullahi Rtd. Barrister Mike Ejiofor Arc. Sofakoude Barrister Okechukwu Okorocha Max Gbanite Comrade Ali Abacha Dr. Otive Igbuzor HRH. Alhaji Aliyu Damesi, Royal Palace, South Ibie DIGs DIG Kachi Udeorji DIG Peter Gana Dep. H.H Karma SP Ademola Oguwanojo CP C. Amajor Onu AIGS AIG S. Arase AIG Felix Ogbaudu, Rtd AIG Mike Zuokuna AIG Hashimu S. AIG J. Johnson AIG Aliyu Musa AIG B.A. Hassan AIG Ibrahim Abdu AIG Suleiman A. AIG M.J. Abubakar CPs CP S. A Disu-Olajoku CP Adams Audu CP M.J. Gana CP F.Adebanjo CP Titi Busa CP Nasiru Oki CP Yerima Irimiya F. CSP Emmanuel Asufi CP Usman Tilli CP Lawal Tanko CP Frank Odeta rtd.

CP J. Arebiye CP S.A. Ogbonna CP Sylvester A. CP A.S. Fana CP Femi Ogunbayode CP Y.G Ardo CP M.F Sule DCPs DCP. Makama B.D. DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu DCP Yusuf A. DCP Edet Peter DCP Ahmed Ibrahim DCP Alkali B. Usman.

DCP Titus Lamorde DCP Olusola Amore DCP Gabriel Achong DCP Tunde Sobulo DCP Sani Isyaku DCP Zakum Ahmed DCP Habila Joshua ACPs ACP Suleiman Buhari ACP Sanusi Buba ACP Chris R. ACP Joel Aje ACP A.S. Jajeri ACP Olumide Kayode ACP Musa Adze ACP Abdulkadir Jimoh ACP Garba M.D ACP Mohammed Jimoh ACP Celestine Okoye ACP Isaac Akinmoyede ACP Ahmed Azare ACP Alhassan Mohammed ACP Shehu Ikara ACP Alkasim Sanusi Others include Bishop Israel Odezi Dr. Clarke Anthony Elder Mathias Aluya Rev. Prince Amaga

Mrs Oluremi Mohammed Mrs Maran Anomuoglowo Mrs Juliet Rycwewski Rev. Lucky Manuwa Salihu Aliyu Gusau Chief(Mrs) Dans Odet Oviri Alumona Ikenna Prince Emmanuel Oyibo Alhassan Magaji Ahmed Abubakar Chief Solomon Ogomugo Chief Potoke Victoria William Eden Dr. Theo Onyuku Chief P.O. Omololu Chief Fola Iwataru Okorisa Akun Ovisabinome Bola Ayo Oluwatoyin Torty Njoku Kalu Inspector Morkasuwa Hon. Donjegha Ben Josiah Bako C.E. Ezeilo, National Planning Commission Dr. Ben Udeze Amb. Muhammed N.A. Hon. Douglas Ojobo Apostle Showewimo Kehinde

Cross section of security operatives at the event. Photo: Abyomi Adeshida.

IG, Adefaye, others speak on State Police, Boko Haram at summit

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, KINGSLEY OMONOBI, EVELYN USMAN, IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & JOSEPH ERUNKE

F

ORMER State Security Service, SSS chief and security consultant, Barr. Mike Ejiofor, saw the summit as a good development which would help policing in Nigeria because it provided a platform where different people came with different presentations for Nigeria to have a secured country. While urging other security agencies to key into the initiative, Ejiofor hoped that the forum would lead to transformation of the country via police force.

Vanguard Editor-in-Chief, Gbenga Adefaye said Vanguard has a duty to build a just society.

He said Vanguard organised the forum as part of its social responsibility towards making the country a just society. He identified the police as an action agency that does not require an intermediary.

For him, the security challenge is not beyond the ordinary stating that Vanguard believed that working together with an action agency like the police, it could make a difference.

•The FCT Commissioner of Polce, Adenrele Shinaba, said the conference could not have come at a better time than this in view of current security challenges in the country and what happened in 2012.

•Former IGP, Mike Okiro said policing was not a preserve of the Police alone. He said the summit was well-timed, coming at the heels of several security challenges in Nigeria. He added

SUMMIT SHOR T TAKES SHORT

that it would help people within the security agencies know what they should do and enable Nigerians know that security is

not a preserve of the police alone.

On social justice administration in Nigeria, Okiro said social injustice it is not enough reason for Nigerian youths to take up arms to avenge their anger but should

seek better options to assuage their grievances. He said: “You can’t visit your anger on fellow citizens because of an injustice being meted on you because innocent citizens suffer the effect of insecurity most.” On the isContinues on page 50

Merger: FG is planning to ‘silence’ Tinubu, Buhari, others — ACN •It’s a lie, they are afraid of their shadows – Presidency

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor

A

HEAD of tomorrow’s meeting of mergerseeking opposition parties in Abuja, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has accused the Federal Government of hatching plans to discredit and silence Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and other key opposition leaders involved in the ongoing plans to form a formidable platform to confront the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2015.

Vanguard gathered that barring last-minute hitches leaders drawn from six leading opposition parties will meet in Abuja tomorrow to hammer out modalities for a merger. Parties involved in the talks are the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC;, All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP; Democratic Peoples Party, DPP;, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Labour Party.

To frustrate the move, the ACN, in statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the paranoia over the merger plans

had driven the PDP-led Federal Government to resort to imprudent and crude tactics aimed at tarnishing the image of key opposition leaders, especially ACN leader Asiwaju Tinubu and his CPC counterpart General Buhari, as well as their close political associates.

It said Tinubu was particularly a prime target of these evil machinations, because of his status as the leader of the country’s second biggest party, his progressive credentials as well as his electoral value, adding that as far as the PDPled government was concerned, getting him out of the way was the best way to ruin the merger plans.

However, the Presidency, yesterday, described the ACN allegations as false, baseless and malicious, insisting that comparably, the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government had been the most tolerant of the opposition, freedom of speech and freedom of association. In a phone chat with Vanguard, Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser (Media) to President Jonathan, said the opposition leaders were afraid of their own shadows because

the government had done nothing to suggest it was going after anyone.

He said: “This government has been the most tolerant of the opposition. It has been the most tolerant of freedom of association and freedom of speech.

This Federal Government has not done anything to put pressure on anybody compared to past governments. This Federal Government is committed to democratic principles. If they (opposition) are afraid of their shadows there is nothing we can do about it. Their allegation is completely baseless and malicious.”

However, Mohammed said in spite of “the deceptive aloofness” of the president, “the race for 2015 has started in earnest and it is a do-or-die affair, and all means foul and unfair are on the table to cripple the opposition, by ensuring that nothing will be left of the integrity of its key leaders even if they are fortunate to make it to 2015.” He added: “These opposition leaders are considered as constituting a clear and present danger to the electoral fortunes of the PDP in 2015, hence must be stopped at all costs and by whatever means.”

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Nigeria records $12bn trade surplus in Q2 2012 —CBN zAs foreign investment rises by 87% to $6bn

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

L From right: Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State; Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) and Mr. Akin Osibajo, former Justice Commissioner, Court 4, Isabo High Court, Abeokuta, yesterday. Photo: Wunmi Akinola.

Dickson's claim face-saving pranks, Sylva replies Bayelsa gov

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA — FORMER Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday, described Governor Seriake Dickson's administration claim that it inherited from him (Sylva) a state treasury with N4,451 as face saving pranks.

Sylva in a statement by his Media Adviser, Doifie Ola, said he ran the most prudent and transparent government Bayelsa has ever witnessed since the Fourth Republic.

He added that in spite of the enormous challenges he (Sylva) faced when he took over from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the state’s debt profile was not anywhere near what the Dickson administration wants the world to believe.

The statement read: “It is interesting that one year after Sylva left office, Dickson is still obsessed with the ghost of the former governor.

“Sylva never contested elections against Dickson.

Sylva was illegally excluded from running for re-election by the forces that brought Dickson in office and foisted on Bayelsa the ignominy that Dickson and his gang have been frantically trying to whitewash with Sylva’s name. But they have continued to fail and fail quite resoundingly. Bayelsans and Nigerians have since become wise to the gang’s deception.

Bayelsa is mourning “Bayelsa State has never had it so bad. Bayelsa is mourning the Dickson disaster.

“Everyday, all you hear is that some phoney amounts have been saved, but nothing is happening in terms of delivery of projects and good life to the people. Rather than concentrate

on what leadership ought to be, Dickson and his gang are busying chasing Sylva’s shadows, like the Biblical evil man who runs when no one is pursuing him. This clearly shows how confused he is.

On Bayelsa debt profile, bond "As for the questions of Bayelsa State debt profile and bond, contrary to insinuations in the Dickson outburst, Sylva ran the most prudent and transparent government Bayelsa has seen since the Fourth Republic. In spite of the enormous challenges Sylva faced when he took over from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the state’s debt profile was not anywhere near what Dickson and his gang want the world to believe throughout Sylva’s stay in office.

“By our records, we would have concluded payment of all our outstanding debts, except the bond, by February 2012.

“The N50 billion Bond that the Bayelsa State Government under Sylva took was on an even key as at the time Sylva left office. It was a projectspecific loan; all money was paid directly to the contractors. No money came to the Sylva government. And the projects for which the loans were taken were almost completed at the time he left office.

“The Sylva government had no chance of mismanaging the bond. The question of rising interest rates on the bond does not arise so long it is being serviced according to terms.

“Besides, the state government’s commitment under the bond was to end by 2013. We do not know the kind of arrangements Dickson and his gang made that extended the commitment to 2017, as they claimed on Monday.

“Moreover, when we left office in January 2012, the state’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account had not come. Sylva did not handover to Dickson. We are aware that Dickson has taken several loans and signed questionable Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders, while at the same time claiming to be saving money for Bayelsa State.”

AGOS — NIGERIA’S foreign trade improved sharply in the second quarter of 2012 with $12 billion surplus occasioned by 42 per cent decline in imports. The surplus represents 43 per cent increase when compared with the surplus of N8.62 billion recorded in the second quarter of the year.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this in its External Sector report for the quarter posted on its website, yesterday.

It said the sharp increase in the trade surplus was occasioned by 42 per cent decline in aggregate imports and 8.2 per cent increase in aggregate export.

The report also showed that foreign investment rose by 87.39 per cent to $6.07 billion in the second quarter from $3.43 billion in the first quarter.

The apex bank, however, expressed concern over the

continued domination of portfolio inflows (investment) in the foreign investment in the country. According to the apex bank, portfolio investment accounted for more than three quarter of the total foreign investment during the quarter.

The report stated: “Nigeria’s trade balance improved significantly from US$8.62 billion in Q2, 2012 and $1.60 billion in Q3, 2011 respectively to US$12.37 billion in Q3, 2012. Aggregate exports rose by 8.2 per cent from US$22.53 billion in Q3, 2011 to US$24.37 billion in Q3, 2012 while aggregate imports (CIF) declined by 42.7 per cent to US$11.99 billion in the review period “The trade balance position improved due to lower imports of goods and services and increased exports earnings.

The external reserves exceeded the international benchmark of three months of

Continues on Page 7

Dele Giwa’s mother dies at 87 zAs community demands fresh probe into Dele Giwa's death

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

fearless journalist and a proud son of Ekperi land.

B

ENIN CITY — THE mother of Nigeria’s foremost journalist and late Editor in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, Madam Elekia Aishat Giwa, 87, is dead.

Madam Giwa died at the Aruna Ogun Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos, yesterday morning, of an undisclosed ailment.

Already the people of Ugbekpe, Ekperi in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, have been thrown in mourning following the death of Madam Giwa.

Before her death at about 5 a.m, she was living with her daughter, Abibat Ronke Aboaba.

Her son, Dele, a celebrated journalist was murdered by unknown persons via a letter bomb delivered to his house in Ikeja on October 19, 1986.

The parcel was marked “From the C-in-C” which raised speculations that the then military government had something to do with his death.

The government then, under Gen. Ibrahim

It's painful, Lagos NUJ

Late Madam Elekia Giwa Babangida, however, denied any complicity in the murder and institute a panel to find the killers which was never achieved.

The people of Ugbkpe Ekperi lamented, yesterday, that Madam Giwa died before the Federal Government could unmasked the killers of Dele Giwa and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to commence fresh investigation into Giwa’s murder.

Former Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Council and one of the leaders of Ekperi community, Paschal Ugbome, described the death of Madam Giwa as another devastating news for the people, particularly as the Federal Government failed to fish out the killers of her son whom he described as a

Meanwhile, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, Mr Deji Elumoye, has described the death of late Dele Giwa’s mother as painful.

In a condolence message to the family over the death of Madam Elekia Giwa, yesterday, Elumoye said the news came as a shock, but “we thank God for the life of mama.”

He said: “Mama living till this year showed her strong spirit considering the manner her son, Dele Giwa, was killed.”

It's a great loss—Edo Govt Also, the Edo State Government, yesterday, described the death of Madam Giwa as shocking and a great loss to the people of the state and regretted that the Federal Government was yet to find the killers of her son, Dele Giwa.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonbvere, who reacted to the death, described the deceased as “strong mother” who kept the home front solid despite the “high level conspiracy against the family."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—7

Oni vs Fayemi: CJN assumes jurisdiction of case

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mrs Derin Awoshika; Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi; Ministers of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe; Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu; National Planning, Dr Shamsudeen Usman and Petroleum, Mrs Diezani AllisonMadueke, at a meeting of the Presidential Action Committee On Power with President Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja, yesterday.

Subsidy: FG to pay 23 marketers soon —Okonjo-Iweala zNASS did not authorise NNPC to borrow —Senate

BY HENRY UMORU WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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BUJA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, said fuel subsidy payments totalling N94 billion have been verified for 23 marketers and “will be paid in the next few days.”

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed this, in a statement by her Special Adviser, Mr. Paul C Nwabuikwu.

This came as the Senate denied, yesterday, that it approved the NNPC loan of $3.5 billion, saying it had nothing to do with it.

“We are committed to paying all companies who deserve to get subsidy payments just as we will not pay undeserving firms.

That is the mandate we have from the President,” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala declared.

The minister refuted media reports which alleged that the Federal Ministry of Finance was blocking verified payments to marketers.

The ministry, according to her, made the N161.6 billion supplementary budget for subsidy payments which had been approved by the National Assembly available to the Central Bank of Nigeria since the 31st of last month.

Okonjo-Iweala disclosed that the payments were presently going through the CBN’s processes which

include the conversion of the dollar equivalent from the Excess Crude Account and would be concluded soon.

The National Assembly had grudgingly on Thursday, December 13, 2012, approved a N161 billion supplementary budget requested by President Goodluck Jonathan to settle fuel subsidy payments for the remaining part of the year to ensure steady fuel supply during the yuletide.

NASS did not okay it —Senate Chairman, Senate Committee on Media, Information, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, noted that it never at any time authorised NNPC to borrow any money, adding: “Under the law, no government agency can borrow money without the approval of the National Assembly. We have to know before it was done first; but then the question to ask under the circumstance is: what happened to the N161 billion supplementary appropriation approved by the National Assembly for government to take care of the shortfall in the fuel subsidy budget, particularly to ensure steady supply of petroleum product during the yuletide?"

Banks providing funds According to a bank

source close to the deal, the NNPC struck a deal led by Standard Chartered Bank at the end of last year to borrow $1.5 billion from a mixture of foreign and Nigerian banks over a period of five and a half years priced at 375 basis point over Libor.

The banking source told Reuters that the foreign banks providing funds include France’s BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered, Natixis, multilateral lender Afrexim Bank, a local unit of Standard Bank and Korea’s MMC, while the Nigerian banks were United Bank for Africa, Ecobank, FirstBank and Union Bank.

The top African oil producer’s NNPC owes major commodity trading houses, including Glencore and Mercuria, around $3.5 billion in unpaid fuel supply bills, according to a report last year commissioned by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The last ditch deal is seen as crucial to easing the burden on big commodity traders facing the prospect of painful multi-million dollar write-offs on those bills and saving Nigeria from defaulting on the loans, which would have worried credit agencies that recently upgraded the country.

Loan used to avert downgrading The $1.5 billion syndicated credit obtained by the management of the NNPC was purely a

“commercial decision” taken by the corporation to pay off accumulated debts for petrol already supplied by foreign importers, and to save Nigeria’s credit rating in the international markets, a source at the corporation said yesterday.

According to the source, “the management of the NNPC took the lastminute decision to salvage our credit rating as the Ministry of Finance has not been forthcoming for months with payments to our major international suppliers like Glencore, Trafigura, Vitol and others who have been facing the painful prospect of writing off millions of dollars owed them as bad debts.

“If this had happened, our ability to access foreign loans as a country would have been impossible and, believe me, credit rating agencies, which upgraded us recently, would have downgraded or even blacklisted us as serial defaulters.

“It was our only option and it was purely a commercial decision and I don’t think we require the National Assembly’s approval to go ahead with it.It was purely a management decision to ensure steady supply of petrol and to save our face amongst our foreign partners.”

Explaining further, the source said the debt would be in NNPC’s books and not the Federal Government’s.

BUJA — THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar, yesterday, assumed jurisdiction over the protracted legal tussle between Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and his predecessor, Chief Segun Oni, even as she ordered immediate service of hearing notice on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Though Oni, who was represented by three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, and 34 other lawyers led by Chief G.K Gadzama, SAN, expressed his desire to have his appeal heard on its merit yesterday, the CJN insisted that the electoral commission ought to be present in court.

According to the CJN, who chaired a seven-man panel of Justices that

heard the case, “for the fact that INEC is listed as a party in this suit, whether it had earlier acted as a nominal or non-interested party at the lower court is not of any importance to this court, what matters is that one way or the other, it will be affected by any decision that will be taken by this court.”

Both Oni and Fayemi who also addressed the court, yesterday, through his counsel, Mr John Bayisha, SAN, had told the apex court that since the case commenced at the lower court, INEC neither entered any appearance in court nor filed any process for or against the suit even though it was joined as a party.

Consequently, the CJN ordered the Supreme Court Registrar to ensure that all the court papers and the hearing notice were served on the electoral body before March 4, when the case was subsequently

Nigeria records $12bn trade surplus in Q2 2012 —CBN gross domestic product Continues from Page 6 (GDP) compared with imports cover. US$5.0 billion in the preHowever, the rising ceding and against a external debt stock deficit of US$3.86 billion remains a major in Q3, 2011. The concern.

Most performance was largely importantly, the debt explained by the lower service payments should import bills, increased be monitored in order export earnings and not to constrain the decreased out-payments financing of key in respect of dividends d e v e l o p m e n t and distributed branch profits to foreign programmes.

"Also, the slow global investors. recovery continues to dampen world demand for commodities and possibly lower prices could cause adverse trade shocks.

Government, therefore, should address gaps in domestic production and investment in critical infrastructure in an effort to curtail the nation’s heavy dependence on imports. Finally, the observed increase in the inflow of foreign direct and portfolio investment over the last two quarters suggests the need to put in place measures against capital reversal.

“The estimated current account balance posted a surplus of US$5.03 billion or 7.61 per cent of

Imports of goods declined by 21.67 “Further analysis revealed that imports of goods declined by 21.67 and 45.29 per cent below its level in Q2, 2012 and Q3, 2011 respectively.

While earnings from exports of goods rose by 4.15 and 8.16 per cent when compared with the recorded levels in Q2, 2012 and corresponding quarter in 2011, respectively. The export earnings was largely driven by oil receipts which accounted for 97.4 per cent of total. The nonoil exports continued to underperform owing to high cost of production."

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Jonathan’s approach to Boko Haram faulty—OBJ

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said more could be done to reach out to the militant Islamist group Boko Haram to find out what leads it to carry out acts of violence.

Obasanjo who spoke in an interview with CNN, suggested the current government should adopt a dual-track approach rather than just cracking down on the group.

He said: “To deal with a group like that, you need a carrot and stick. The carrot is finding out how to reach out to them. When you try to reach out to them and they are not amenable to being reached out to, you have to use the stick.”

Obasanjo said President Goodluck Jonathan was “just using the stick” in his efforts, noting: “He’s doing one aspect of it well, but the other aspect must not be forgotten.”

The former president said he had tried to reach out to Boko Haram about a year and a half ago through a lawyer who was acting as the group’s proxy, and had asked if they had external backing. He said the lawyer told him that the group was receiving support from other Nigerians who have resources overseas or “other organizations from abroad.

“If they had 25 per cent support a year and a half ago, today that support has doubled,” Obasanjo s a i d .

Analysts suggest that reaching out to Boko Haram may be increasingly difficult because the group has split into different factions, some with a domestic focus and others with a more pan-jihadi approach.

Resolving the issue is key to Nigeria’s progress, according to Obasanjo, who now heads an eponymous foundation that is working to promote human security across Africa.

“Boko Haram undermines security, and anything that undermines security undermines development, undermines education, undermines health, undermines agriculture and food and nutrition security,” he said.

Governors floor Tukur; reinstate sacked Adamawa PDP exco

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—NATIONAL leader ship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday bowed to pressure from governors elected on the party’s platform and made a U-Turn on its earlier decision by recalling the sacked Adamawa State Executive Committee.

The decision was the anti-climax of the fight for supremacy between Governor Murtala Nyako and the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, just as the move by the party has made the Sule Lamido’s Ad-hoc Committee on Resolution of Adamawa State Adamawa State irrelevant.

The governors had threatened to sack the Alhaji Tukur-led National Working Committee, NWC, and replace it with a caretaker committee if the party failed to change its decision on Adamawa where the executive allegedly loyal to Nyako was removed.

Last October, the NWC dissolved the Adamawa State PDP executive committee led by Alhaji Umaru Kugama and replaced it with the Amb. Umar Damagun- led ninemember caretaker committee to oversee affairs of the party.

Disclosing the decision of the party rescinding its dissolution of Adamawa State executive of PDP the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja described the recent congresses held in the state as null and void.

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Tukur was conspicuously absent at the briefing on the excuse from Jaja that he was preparing for the meeting of the Board of Trustees, BoT. Jaja was flanked by National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; National Woman Leader, Mrs Kema Chikwe; National Youth leader, Garba Umar Chiza; National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha; National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; National Treasurer, Bala Kaoje; National Financial Secretary, Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani and National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh. The only NWC members absent were Alhaji Tukur and Deputy National Secretary, Solomon Onwe.

Jaja said, ‘’yesterday January 8, 2013, members of the NWC acting under Article 29(3), and with 10 members present out of 12, held an emergency NWC on this burning s u b j e c t .

The emergency NWC decided to announce the following: The NWC in its 325th meeting of Wednesday, December 12, 2012 had rescinded the dissolution of the PDP Adamawa State executive.

"The NWC had earlier dissolved the Adamawa State Executive under Article 29(2)(b) wherein we acted on behalf of Article 31(2)(e) powers of the NEC. But it is instructive to note that the ward and local gov-

From left: Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary Irepodun Local Government, Mrs Adenike Ogunsola and others, during presentation of cheques to contractors in Osun local governments at the State secretariat, Osogbo, yesterday.

ernment executives of Adamawa State were never dissolved.

"At its 314th meeting of August 29, 2012, the NWC had upheld the March 2012 ward and local g o v e r n m e n t executives except for one LGA which was later ratified. The NWC is, therefore, surprised, shocked and embarrassed to read in the newspapers of the purported ward, local government and state congresses said to be on-going in Adamawa S t a t e .

NWC dissociates PDP from action "For the records, the National Working Committee, hereby dissociate the party leadership from the purported congresses, which were neither authorised by the NWC nor monitored and/or supervised by the National Secret a r i a t .

In the history of PDP, only the National Secretariat conducts state congresses.

"Based upon the above therefore, the NWC hereby, declare the purported congresses null, void and of no effect whatsoeve r .

"Consequently, we hereby declare that the only state executive committee constitutionally recognised by this party is the Mijinyawa Kugama executive lawfully elected in March 2012 and endorsed by the National C o n v e n t i o n . ” Also recall that PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh who announced the dissolution of the reinstated executive in October last year had said that the dissolved exco had “flagrantly disregarded and shown serial disobedience to the decisions of NWC. "On behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our

great party, the National Working Committee hereby dissolves the Adamawa State Executive Committee of the PDP. "This is in exercise of Article 31, section 2(e) and 29, 2(b) of the 2012 amended constitution of our party and consequent on repeated breaches of the constitution by the Adamawa State chapter. A caretaker committee has been set up in its place.

"Article 31(2) (e) specifically empowers the NWC thus: “where necessary, dissolve a State Executive Committee and appoint a caretaker committee to run the party until another Executive Committee is elected, provided that the period from the dissolution to the election of the new executive shall not exceed three m o n t h s . ” Metuh noted further that the dissolved exco conducted illegal local government elections and still went ahead to submit a list of candidates to the State Independent National Electoral Commission without the approval of the NWC. He said, “this is contrary to the provisions of Section 50(1) of the constitution of the party which among others, states that the National Executive Committee which the NWC acts on behalf of in this respect, is the final authority for the formulation of guidelines and regulations for the nomination of candidates for election into public offices and conveying same to INEC or any other authority to whom it may concern.

"The NWC also referred to complaints and petitions from principal stakeholders of the party in Adamawa State on various unconstitutional acts of the dissolved state exco, especially the principle of zoning as enshrined in Article 7(3)(e) of the party constitution, as well as several letters from INEC complaining of

non-compliance with relevant laws in the conduct of the Adamawa State congresses.”

The statement regretted that all entreaties by the leadership of the party to get the Adamawa chapter to rescind or reverse the alleged constitutional breaches proved abortive, adding, tThe NWC exhaustively discussed and frowned at the disagreeable trend where members of the party elected and appointed into federal positions engage in utterances and actions that portray the PDP in bad light and as having no unity of purpose.”

The nine-member caretaker committee was sworn-in to replace the sacked exco. It was expected to run the affairs of the chapter for the next three months, pending further directives from the national leaders h i p .

The caretaker committee which was chaired by Alhaji Umar Damagun with Emmanuel Tsamdu as the secretary, has others as members, Mr. Eli Gamaliel; Mr Dahiru Shehu; Alhaji Sabo Mohammed; Mrs Grace Mamba; Mrs. Altine Inuwa; Adamu Wazirin Paka; and Mr. Samuel Zadok.

Following the sack, the embattled Adamawa State governor immediately stormed the PDP Presidential campaign office, in Maitama, Abuja to plead that he erred and he should be forgiven by the leadership of the party.

When his pleas fell on deaf ears, the governors became angry and had to save their own and the governors then rushed to the National Secretariat with Rivers State governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi leading the team to plea on behalf of the colleague, yet, the decision was not reversed.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—9

10-lane Lagos-Badagry road to be ready June —Fashola .Flags-off light rail 2 Bus Stop Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, would be fully completed with the tracks laid.

He said “While the construction work continues

MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said the first section of the 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway will be completed this June.

This came as the governor flagged-off the track work of the blue light rail at Alaba Suru, Coker-Agunda Local Council Development Area, LCDA, of the state.

Fashola who spoke during an inspection of the projects across the state, noted that the level of work on the National Art Theatre and Alaba-Mile 2 rail stations were in advance stage.

According to him, “in order to finish the road, the contractor did not go on vacation during the festive period, all these are geared towards ensuring that the project is delivered on time for residents' use.”

The governor explained that the first section of the road which begun from National Theatre, Orile-Iganmu to Mile

on the rail project from OrileIganmu to Marina, the expansion work on the road from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko will also be intensified. This is what we do with the loan

collected by the state government.

We don’t use our loan to pay salaries and other recurrent expenditure; all we

From left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, PDP National Chairman; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, PDP National Secretary, during the opening session of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

do with our loan is to provide capital projects that would benefit the residents.”

F a s h o l a declared that “ when the project is completed, the state would be at par with other major cities of the world.”

The governor added the type of transport system he desired for the state was that in few years, his “ d r e a m transportation system would have begun to manifest in the state.”

Coroner's inquest into Dana plane crash stalled coroner’s inquest into the June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash.

AGOS — The absence of Lagos It will be recalled that 153 passengers pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, and 10 residents of Iju-Ishaga area of yesterday stalled the resumption of the Lagos State, where the crash occurred,

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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were killed in the incident.

The inquest was to have resumed yesterday after the dismissal of a suit by a group, Civil Aviation Round Table, seeking to halt the inquest.

The suit was dismissed in August 2012 by Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Lagos for lack of merit.

Obafunwa, who is the Chief Medical Examiner of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, had testified on July 25,2012 on the cause of death of the victims.

He was expected to be cross-

examined on his testimony during the inquest and also to submit the autopsy reports to the court.

However, the Lagos State coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, said the proceedings could not go on, because of Obafunwa’s absence.

Also to be cross-examined is Captain Oscar Wilson, Director of Flight Operations, Dana Airlines who had also given evidence before the inquest.

Komolafe, therefore adjourned the inquest till January 18, 2013 to enable summons to be served on witnesses and parties expected to testify before the court.

It will also be recalled that Dana Air line resumed operations on anuary 4, 2013, after the ban of the airline has been lifted by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.

One injured as fire razes 3 buildings in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — AN 11 year old boy was injured while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed yesterday when fire razed three buildings at Ajegunle in Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos.

The buildings which housed a pharmacy store, boutique, transport equipment, electronic shop and a supermarket were razed after a suspected power surge from a shop in one the buildings, sparked the fire.

The 11 year old boy was said to

have been knocked down by an oncoming vehicle as he tried to escape from the scene when his attention was drawn to the inferno.

The incident which occurred around 3.15p.m. was said to have started from No.6 Mba Street house before it extended to two other buildings.

According to eye witness accounts, the fire was first noticed at No. 6's electronics shop.

Neighbours and sympathisers tried in vain to put off the fire as it quickly spread to two near-by buildings.

Lagos re-deploys 5 Perm Secs

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — GOVERNnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved the redeployment of five Permanent Secretaries in the state public service.

According to a statement by the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe, the affected Permanent Secretaries are Arc. Taiwo Adetunde Adedeji who has been moved from the Ministry of Housing to the Ministry of Water front Infrastructure Development; Mr. Nurudeen OjoraAdejiyan, from Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the Local Government Service Commission; Mr. Lateef Dada Abari, from the Public Service Office to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, among others.

MOMTAN vs LAWMA for hearing Feb 5 BYBARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS — JUSTICE Okechukwu Okeke of a Federal High court in Lagos has fixed February 5 as date for hearing of motions in the suit instituted by the Motor Mechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria, MOMTAN, against Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA. MOMTAN is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining LAWMA from disturbing them from carrying out their lawful businesses along Adeniji Adele road, Lagos.

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is joined as first defendant in the suit instituted by MOMTAN in November 2012.

The plaintiff is also seeking to join as defendants- the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency and the Lagos State Ministry of Environment.

10—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Ondo strategises to boost revenue

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KURE — Ondo State government has said it has perfect plans to block all loopholes in revenue generation in the state.

The state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko revealed this yesterday in a keynote address entitled “IGR: A Catalyst for Rapid SocioEconomic Development” at the opening ceremony of a two-day summit on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Ondo State, held at the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Ondo.

Mimiko, who decried some unwholesome revenue related conducts, especially revenue leakages and counterfeiting of revenue receipts among others, reiterated his administration’s resolve to boost revenue to enable it meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the era of dwindling revenue from Federation Account.

....Communities demand oil producing status

BY DAYO DOHNSON

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KURE — PROMInent indigenes of Mahin, Aheri and Etikan communities in Ilaje Local Government Areas of Ondo State have asked the state government and oil companies to accord oil producing status to their areas.

Under the aegis of Mahin Descendants Association, United Kingdom branch, they made the appeal in a statement issued in Akure by its President, Mr. Edamisan Ikugbonmire and Secretary, Mr. Festus Omojuwa.

They claimed that the Ondo State government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Chevron Oil Company had confirmed their communities as part of oil producing areas in the state.

From left: Chief Kola Daisi, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland and Olori Abimbola Balogun, during the Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, Founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Annual New Year Thanksgiving, at his residence in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Panel on virginity test submits report

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BEOKUTA —THE panel set up to investigate allegations of unlawful administration of virginity test on 10 students in Ogun submitted its report yesterday.

The students were of Ajuwon Senior High School, Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalled that the state Ministry of Education had set up a five-man panel of enquiry

oral and written evidences from community leaders in Ajuwon, including students and other members of the public.

According to Adeniji, the panel ensured that equal opportunities were given to individuals that appeared before it at the sitting.

He urged the Commissioner to carefully study the recommendations to forestal future recurence.

Receiving the four-volume report, Odubela thanked members of the panel for completing the assignment within the The lawyer argued that subject- stipulated time frame.

He assured parents, ing his client to another round of students and other trial on the same charges would members of the public amount to double jeopardy. that were directly affected But in his ruling, the Presiding that justice would be judge, Justice Olanrewaju served and that the final Mabekoje, disagreed with Daniel’s submission, saying that a decision would be judicial commission of inquiry announced soon.

It would be recalled that could not be elevated or equated to the principal of the school, the status of a court of law.

Mrs. Olufunke According to him, “The mere fact Aladeojobi, on December that the accused person has been 10, 2012, allegedly invited indicted does not mean he has been a nurse to conduct convicted of the crime. There is no justifiable evidence to support virginity test on the argument that the publication is female students without capable of causing double the consent of their parents or guardians. jeopardy."

to investigate the allegations and submit its report within two weeks.

A statement issued in Abeokuta by the Press Officer in the ministry, Mr. Kayode Oduyebo, said the report had been submitted to the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Segun Odubela.

The statement quoted the Chairman of the panel, Mr. Idowu Adeniji, as saying that the committee obtained both

Daniel loses bid to stop trial

BY DAUD OLATUNJi

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BEOKUTA — An Abeokuta High Court sitting in Isabo, yesterday, stru c k o u t an application by former Governor Gbenga Daniel, seeking to quash part of charges leveled against him by the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Daniel, who is facing a 38-count charge on fraudulent conversion of land and diversion of public fund, was arraigned October 15,2012 by EFCC. In his bid to stop part of the charges, Daniel, through his lead counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, had on April 2, 2012, filed an application urging the court to strike out counts 1-13 of the 38 charges whichrelate to fraudulent conversion of various plots of land belonging to the state.

At yesterday proceeding, one of Daniel’s counsels, Kunle Kalejaiye, argued that a commission of inquiry set up by Ogun State government in September 2012 had already indicted Daniel over the same issues.

He argued that the publicity of a white paper by the government through which it accepted the recommendations of the commission would affect a fair trial of Daniel’s case.

Soldier arrested for kidnapping Indian

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BADAN —OYO State o l i c e Command has arrested a soldier, Bada Yusuf in connection with the kidnap of an Indian, Manoj K. Singh-Kumasi last Wednesday.

This came just as the Command killed two armed robbery suspects who allegedly engaged its men in a shoot-out yesterday after a successful robbery operation in Osogbo and escaped to Ibadan.

One of the six- man gang was also arrested with bullet wounds.

Kumasi was kidnapped in Abeokuta and his abductors demanded a ransom of N2million before he could be set free.

The suspect was rounded up on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where he allegedly wanted to pick up the N2million ransom.

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Aregbesola to boost development with massive road constructions

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SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday said that the massive road constructions in the state were part of the efforts to boost its economic condition.

The Governor stated this during the presentation of cheques of N5.5 billion to major contractors handling the 218 kilometres in all the local government areas at the Bola Ige House State Secretariat, Osogbo.

He also said similar amount would be

released to the contractors when the projects were 40 per cent completed According to him, the state government was working doggedly but silently to put good roads in the state, saying within the shortest possible time, Osun would boast of one of the best road networks in the country.

Noting that quality road network marks the level of development of a country, Aregbesola said the condition of a country’s roads was a major indicator of its development or under-development.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 9, 2013—11

Soldiers gun down kidnap suspect in Delta

BY GODWIN OGHRE

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APELE—SOLDIERS of 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Koko, Warri, Delta State, yesterday, shot dead, one kidnap suspect in the Okurighrwe axis of Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area.

The victims, a mother the two children, told Vanguard that the suspect had pretended to be a commercial motocycle rider, commonly called Okada, and had carried her with her two children, aged three and five years, from Igbeku, Sapele to Okurighrwe Junction, in the outskirts of Sapele.

She said that before she boarded the Okada, her children had notified the suspect that she had N500 note and had no N100 note, which was the fare, while he (Okada man) accepted.

On getting to Okurighrwe Junction, she gave the suspect the N500 note with the view of getting her balance of N400, only to be told that he had none and that she must leave her two children to change the money to smaller denominations from traders in the area.

According to her, while she was making effort to get small denomination, the suspect zoomed off with her two kids.

She raised alarm which attracted sympathizers, who gave the suspect a hot chase to no avail, adding that one of the sympathizers made a Save Our Soul call to the soldiers,

who showed up and trailed the suspect.

The Army Commander, Major Aminu Mohammed, who led the soldiers, told newsmen that it was the second of such incident in the area in recent times, adding that the suspect ran into the bush on seeing the soldiers, where he was felled by his men

during an exchange of gun fire, after which the kids were rescued.

Meanwhile, youths in Okurighrwe, yesterday, protested the existence of commercial motorcycles in Sapele and environs, saying it had led to an increase in crime in the area.

VISIT: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left), with the new Ghanaian President, John Mahama, when the governor paid him a visit after the presidential inauguration in Accra.

Elders, youths in Edo community disrupt NPDC operation

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—ELDERS and youths of Ikara community in Ikpoba Okhai Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday, disrupted activities at Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, oil flow station in the area over alleged neglect by the company.

The protest, which commenced 7am, lasted till 9am, crippling activities at the company, and forcing one Mr. Isibor in the Public Affairs Department of the company to assure the protest-

ers that the management would be ready to commence dialogue with them today.

Leaders of the protest were Philip Atsedagho, John Daibo, Samson Oghemi, Ann Ogbemi and Osanime Mebaghandum. Spokesman of the Itsekiri community, Chief John Eyejamuro, lamented that the company had failed to fulfil its social responsibilities to the community despite the effects of gas flaring and oil spillage on the people.

He said: “Unlike other neighouring communities, our community has been very backward. We have no roads, we no longer have fish because the water had b e e n polluted. The ponds are all polluted and it is affecting o u r health but the compan y , which h a s b e e n operati n g

here since the late 1980s, has not done anything to ameliorate the problems of our people.

“So we decided to embark on this peaceful protest to register our grievances. A representative of the company came to

address us and promised that the company had agreed to dialogue with us and the meeting was scheduled for today. If our demands are met, there will be peace but if not, then there won’t be any peace.”

Local Content Act: Bayelsa community, oil firms at loggerheads

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—CRISIS is loom ing in the oil rich riverine Peretorugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following alleged disagreement between Shell Petroleum Development Company and the community stakeholders over the latter ’s purported violation of the Local Content Act in its proposed Southern Swamp Tunu Gas Project.

The President of Ijaw Youths Federation, Mr. Famous Daunemugha, an indegene of Peretorugbene community, in a letter, copies of which were sent to head of security agencies in the state and the National Security Adviser, said the community was compelled to bring to public notice, the unjust activities of some multinational oil companies operating in the Tunu gas project in the community.

Daunemugha, in the letter claimed that the activities of the companies managing the operation of the gas gathering projects namely, Saipem Contracting Nigeria, Daewoo Nigeria and Shell, the project client, negates the Local Content Act of Nigeria that provides for the protection and participation of host communities in such project.

The situation, if not properly manage, he warned, could trigger fresh agitation in the community and the Niger Delta as a whole.

He said: “Contracts are unilaterally awarded without due consideration of contractors from the host communities. These contracts are awarded to contractors from other host communities, when they operated in their areas. What is good for the goose is good for the Gander.”

Amaechi assures legionnaires of govt support

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HAR C O U RT — G OVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi, has assured that his government would continue to support legionnaires in the state.

The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, at the Emblem Appeal Launch of the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, pledged continuous partnership with Nigerian Legion in the state. He urged citizens and well-meaning Nigerians to contribute to the emblem launch.

He said: “The state government will make sure that the welfare of legionnaires in the state is given proper attention. We have a good and cordial relationship with the Nigerian Legion in Rivers State. If that had not been the case, we wouldn’t have been here to honour the fallen heroes.”

NTDC seals security pact

N

IGERIAN Tour ism Development Corporation, NTDC, yesterday, in Abuja, signed an agreement on biometric registration of hotels and other hospitality outfits.

The agreement was signed between the corporation, stakeholders in the hospitality industry and Orbit Technologies and Investment Limited.

Director General of the Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe said the biometric registration when operational would help in detecting fraudulent staff, who may be changing jobs within the industry.

He said: “It is also to protect the investment of hoteliers who could fall victim of dubious employees.”

He described it as first of its kind in the hospitality industry in West Africa.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 9, 2013

Ogwashi-Uku jail break: We’ve arrested some escapees —PPRO

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

S A B A — D E LTA State Police Command, yesterday, said it had re-arrested some of the prisoners who escaped from Federal Prison, Ogwashi-Uku, while search had also been intensified for others.

Although the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Famous Ijieh, declined to give the number of those re-arrested, it was gathered that more than three persons were declared wanted by the police.

It was further gathered that the prisoners cleverly drilled a hole with an object which eased their escape, as investigation was on to determine whether it was an inside job or the escape was aided by outsiders.

Ijieh, in a statement in Asaba, said the escaped suspects “ were trial inmates of the prison remanded in connection with offences ranging from conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping.”

Three N-Delta literary icons to be honoured in Rivers

T

HREE literary gi ants in the Niger Delta, the poet, Pa Gabriel Okara; novelist, Elechi Amadi, and literary critic Professor Charles Nnolim, will be honoured in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, this weekend.

A statement by Law Sector Chambers said the honour, slated for January 12, in Port Harcourt, was in recognition of the works of the trio, having contributed immensely to the development of African literature. It said the award was in partnership with Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. “They are about the finest and oldest minds we have in literature, who are still relevant today.

They are men of repute.

They are the eagles on the Iroko and deserve all the accolades,” the statement said.

Muslim cleric seeks constitutional amendment to avoid disintegration

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—CHIEF Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly Central Mosque, Mr. Abdul Abdul-Lateef, has called for the amendment of Section 6 (6c) of the 1999 Constitution, if the country is to remain an indivisible entity.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Zuru, Major-Gen. Sani Sami (rtd) has said that God will not save those who want to wreck Nigeria, insisting that only Nigerians can salvage the country from being destroyed as no one else can do it for them.

He said: “We just have to do it ourselves because we have no other place we call home, but Nigeria. Nigeria fought a civil war to keep itself together and like the magician, many of us believe God in His infinite mercies, helped saved Nigeria to remain one today.”

Speaking at the Auchi Day, in Edo State, Gen. Sami said: “My heart bleeds for Nigeria. I am sure that the heart

of every right thinking true patriotic Nigerian bleeds when we take a hard look at the problems the Nigerian nation is faced with today.

“We should all change our

attitudes and work to salvage our dear country from catastrophe or worse still, apocalypse.”

The Chief Imam stressed the need for sensitisation on the constitution review exercise

From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; HRH Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, Otaru of Auchi and Alhaji Mohammed Bagudu, representing the Etsu Nupe, Niger State, at the 16th Auchi Day celebration in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday.

Clergyman blames insecurity on bad leadership

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—CHAIR MAN of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ughelli North Local Government Area chapter, Delta State, Bishop Diamond Emuobor, has blamed the insecurity in the country on bad leadership.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the 2013 CAN rally, Emuobor noted that kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgence and other acts of terrorism were derivatives of bad leadership.

He said: “For us to have peace and security in this

country, our leaders must steer clear of those things that make the people mourn.

When God is to punish bad administrations, the administrators will not be in a position to know the danger they are to face.”

Saying that 70 percent of Nigeria’s annual budget was spent on payment of salaries and overhead costs, he posited that the country was on a standstill because no project could be executed.

“The actual capital vote is about 15 percent because those supervising the 30 percent take about 15 percent of the capital expendi-

ture.

“When you arrogate to yourself that which belongs to the people, you are a wicked person. When a leader sits to deny the poor in an administration their due assistance for which you were elected to represent them, such a person is wicked.

When an appointed or elected person fails to fulfill his manifesto for which he was entrusted with the mandate of the people, he becomes a wicked person.

“Looking down the streets of leadership in Nigeria today, you will find men and women who boast in flattering the populace.

This is a sign that God is not with our leaders,” he added.

UPU boosts Delta Varsity D ELTA State University, DELSU, Abraka, yesterday got a major boost, with Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, of Northern California, USA, donating several computer accessories running into millions of naira to the institution.

The donated items meant for the Computer Science Laboratory and Medical/ Chemistry/Surgical Laboratory of DELSU are: 41 Dell desk top computers; 38 PC monitors; one HP 2100 laser printer; two HP 1100 laser

through the printing of copies of the Constitution in indigenous languages, saying that those who the constitution were meant for were ignorant of its provisions.

printers; one HP 6L laser printer; one compact J300 desk printer and scanner; one 4500 HP printer; one HP 4600 printer; six Dell flat screen and 32 PC keyboards.

Others include 21 boxes of petri dishes/20 bags; six conical flasks Pyrex; one box of rubber stoppers; one 400ml beaker; two 600ml beakers; one 250ml beaker; two 100ml beakers; three drain vials with stoppers; one Laparoscopy surgical unit; 15 otoscopes; one Leica surgical microscope; one micro-cen-

trifuge tube; one HP 895 desk printer; 21 Dell laptops and printer toners (HP) brothers among others.

Receiving the items, DELSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eric Arubayi, expressed gratitude to the donors for the gesture, promising that the items would be put to good use.

While presenting the items to DELSU, Mr. Emmanuel Ntekume, immediate past President of UPU, Northern California, USA said that: “We are here to donate to DELSU to help our people back home.”

Residents protest non-disposal of refuse in Edo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—RESIDENTS of Textile Mill Road in Benin City, Edo State, have vowed to protest the alleged refusal by the state Ministry of Environment to clear the heap of refuse on the road, even after officials of the state Task Force on Environment, allegedly collected about N50,000 from landlords in the area.

Vanguard learnt that landlords in the area were ordered by the state Task Force on Environment to clear the debris in the drains in front of their houses to enable those in charge of sanitation to dispose of them.

Consequently, the landlords got labourers to clear the drains as directed by the Task Force. One of the landlords, Mr. Osarienmen Idemudia told Vanguard that “ we were shocked that after we did what they asked us to do, officials of the Task Force came with a demand notice, threatening to take us to court for failing to clear the drains.”

Vanguard learnt that following the threat, the landlords started bribing members of the Task Force to avoid being dragged to court.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 —13

Police nab 3 suspects over beheading of nurse in Ebonyi A

BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State police command has arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal murder and beheading of an apprentice nurse in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, Miss Kelechi Nwawaka, 20, was murdered at Ndiechi Eketube community in Abakaliki council area on January 3, with her head, private part and fingers cut off purportedly for ritual purposes.

In a chat with Vanguard, state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Sylvester Igbo, disclosed that the prime suspect, Chukwuka Augustine Nweke, who, after committing the crime fled to Edo State for refuge, had been arrested.

“While she was there, the victim’s step mother waited for her (Kelechi) to come back but as she was not forthcoming, she decided among others to find out why the deceased could not come back home; only to discover the beheaded corpse of Kelechi at the back of the named secondary school.

“Investigation revealed that the prime suspect, Chukwuka Augustine, who is the son of Margret was the person behind the murder and beheading of the girl. Before police could reach their house, the suspect had already taken to his heels.

Prime suspect nabbed in Benin

“He went back to Edo State

where they said he was running a business. Since that time, the police has been looking for him but the good news about it is that, the information reaching the command is that the prime suspect has been arrested by one of the police divisions in Benin.

“When the incident happened in Ebonyi, his relations sent a message to their relations in Benin, reporting the incident. And so because of that, those of their relations who were based in Benin went and report the matter to the police station in Benin.

“So, as soon as he was seen, he was picked and detained. The police in Ebonyi is making arrangement to go to Benin to pick the suspect so that he can answer to the charges against him.”

Vanguard investigation revealed that the headless body of

the deceased was discovered on January 3, 2013, behind Comprehensive Secondary School, Eketube, Enyida Development Centre as the deceased was said to be an apprentice nurse at MCH Hospital, Convent Road, Azuiyiokwu, Abakaliki.

Journey to death

Kelechi’s journey to her brutal end started on New Year day when one of her relatives, Mrs. Margaret Augustine Nweke, invited her to come and eat rice in her house.

It was also gathered that while the deceased was leaving Margaret’s house around 10pm, she was accompanied by the suspect, Chukwuka Augustine Nweke, 26, who was alleged to have master-minded the dastardly act.

Mother, younger brother arrested

Other suspects arrested were the mother of the suspect, Margaret Augustine, and his younger brother, Solomon Nwawaka.

They were handed over to Ekumenyi Police Division in Abakaliki for further interrogation into the matter.

Igbo said: “On January, a report was received from one Veronica Nwawaka of Enyida village who claimed to be the step mother of one girl, named Kelechi Nwawaka, aged 20, who was murdered and beheaded at the back of Comprehensive Secondary School, Eketube, Enyida Development Centre.

“It was alleged that the victim was invited by one Margret Augustine because it was believed that there is a relationship between the two persons and based on that, the deceased visited the woman.

Onitsha traders divided over planned election

O

BY ENYIM ENYIM

NITSHA—THERE was un easy calm in some major sections of the Bridgehead market in the commercial city of Onitsha yesterday as some traders threatened to burn down the market should the present leadership continued with its plan to conduct election in the market on Saturday.

The traders, who reacted to the election notice released by the incumbent President General of Bridgehead Market, Mr. Emeka Ilonze, were angry that there was no wide consultation and respect to the constitution guiding the market unions that made up the entire bridgehead market.

Addressing journalists on the matter, leader of the Movement for Good Governance, MGG, Chief Ikenna Madubuko, said the election time table allegedly released by the incumbent leadership of the market was part of the gimmick to impose unwanted person on the traders.

INSPECTION: Governor Peter Obi of Ananbra State, (2nd left); Commissioner for Education, Ms. Uju Okeke( 2nd right); Principal, Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Mrs Maureen Egbuniwe (right), and the Senior Prefect, Miss Hope Obi, during the inspection of dilapidated structures at the school, yesterday.

Bizman abducted in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE prevail ing peace in Egbelu Agbala, a rural community in Owerri North local council area of Imo State, has been jolted, following the kidnap of one of their prominent sons, Chief Malachy Okechukwu Onu. Vanguard investigations revealed that the young businessman, Malachy, and some of his close friends were drinking in one of the drinking spots in the community when the armed hoodlums struck.

A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, said: “The hoodlum stormed the spot at about 8pm last Saturday, shot sporadically into the air and settled for the victim in a commando style.”

The villager said while every other person in the vicinity scampered into safety, the armed hoodlums grabbed and overpowered their victim.

“The kidnappers grabbed

him as he made to escape from the troubled scene and a serious struggle ensued.

“He was, however, overpowered by the four armed men, shoved into their waiting car and sped off,” the villager recounted with grief.

Vanguard equally learnt that the kidnappers have made

contact with members of the immediate family and demanded N20 million ransom.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, a deputy superintendent of police, confirmed the incident but could not give details.

ACN chieftain backs call for Oteh’s sack

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

A G O S — N AT I O N A L Vice Chairman, South West, of Action Congress of Nigeria, Tajudeen Olusi, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to heed the call of the House of Representatives to sack the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

Olusi, who made the call in an interview yesterday, said

since the lawmakers were duly elected as the representatives of Nigerians, their call for Oteh’s sack as the helmsman of SEC was a call by over 150 million Nigerians as well.

He said: “The institution that remains the representatives and voice of the people for all time is the legislature.

And so, whenever a pronouncement is made by that body, it has to be respected by all of us.”

Obi resumes visits to schools

A

WKA—FOLLOW ING what appeared a brief Christmas break, with the visit to six schools, Governor Peter Obi has resumed his visits to schools in Anambra State.

Schools visited, yesterday, were Marist Brothers Secondary School, Nteje; Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkwelle Ezunaka; New Era Secondary School, Onitsha; Army Day Secondary School, Onitsha; Community Secondary School, Awada; and Union Secondary School.

He gave cheques to some of the schools for rehabilitation of their structures and asked others to evaluate their needs.

At each of the school, the governor inspected their facilities, interacted with staff and students and spoke to the students of the need to take their studies seriously as, according to him, education is the biggest asset those growing up should strive to acquire to be better positioned for success in a highly competitive society.

He assured the students that his administration will not relent in the upgrade of their facilities, often regretting that due to past neglect most of the schools were allowed to collapse.

He recalled that before his administration, no school in the state had basic infrastructure, but he thanked God that his administration has reasonably rehabilitated most schools in the state through the provision of basic infrastructure some of which are rehabilitation of science blocks and equipping all with laboratory materials, provision of computers with internet facilities, generating sets, water boreholes, conveniences, buses, fencing etc. He promised that by the end of the year all the schools in Anambra state would be similarly equipped.

At Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Governor Obi was moved to tears at the level of dilapidation in the School.

14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Anambra govt plans ban on Okada

Assassins murder hotelier in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

A

WKA—ANAMBRA State government is considering to ban the operations of commercial motor cyclists, popularly known as Okada, in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Joe Uzodike, made this known when he briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the state Executive Council on Monday.

He said the government was considering taking the decision based on the ‘ugly activities’ of some Okada riders and the inability of their union to control the activities of some of its members.

Uzodike said that despite the efforts of the government to partner with the union in view if its relevance to the people, the activities of some members might compel the government to take the decision.

He said if the government banned motorcyclists in the state, the people should not construe it as being insensitive to their feelings.

Sen Uba hails Cardinal Onaiyekan’s elevation

A

BUJA—SENATOR Andy Uba has described Cardinal John Onaiyekan as a rare gift to the country.

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Mr Jerome Azubuko, Uba recalled the efforts of the man of God at fostering peace between the two dominant religions in the country, and described his elevation to the exalted position of cardinal in the Catholic Church as well deserved.

He called on Nigerians to emulate the qualities of the Cardinal, who never got tired of working for peace and good neighbourliness, noting that he was not surprised that the 30th Episcopal ordination anniversary and celebration of the elevation of Onaiykan as a Cardinal of the Catholic Church attracted such a mammoth crowd.

He said that it was a testament to the appreciation of his tireless work for peace by Nigerians of all religious persuasions.

C M Y K

O

WERRI—A gang of dare devil hoodlums, suspected to be hired assassins, have murdered an international businessman, Mr. Kevin Ezekwem, in his Umuocha Awa country home in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the deceased commissioned his brand new hotel in the community and invited people to “come, drink and eat whatever they wished.”

It further was gathered that the event turned sour at about 9pm when some young boys stormed the place and asked for a particular brand of beer (names withheld).

“As Kevin made to serve his supposed guests, the boys drew out their guns and started firing into the air and people ran for safety,” a female villager told Vanguard.

According to the villager, the hoodlums shot him in his legs before taking him away in their waiting Toyota Camry car.

“The entire village was shocked beyond description when they discovered the same night that the hoodlums further

shot their harmless prey in different parts of his body before dumping him in the premises of Community Primary School, Akabor,” the woman recounted.

Another male villager told Vanguard that the community’s vigilante group belatedly mobilised and pursued the invading assassins but only spotted the lifeless body of Kevin in the

school.

“From the way the gory event played out, it is clear they were not kidnappers but assassins, who were possibly hired to execute the damnable act. The police was quickly alerted and they moved the corpse to a morgue,” the man said He particularly recalled that

PRAYER: From left: Mr. Vita Abba, state Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Acting Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi; Speaker, House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odo; Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Victor Okolo, and Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, during a prayer session for the year 2013 , at Government House, Enugu.

....As Police arrest 3 suspects over killing of Aba-based bizman

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State police command has arrested three persons in connection with the killing of an Aba-based businessman, Chief Iroeke Ukaku.

The police said Ukaku’s killers also killed two vigilante members guarding his house.

The deceased was killed last Friday night in his Abiriba country home in Ohafia Local Government Area.

Three members of his household were also abducted by his killers.

Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, in a

telephone interview, confirmed to Vanguard that three persons had been arrested, while the state criminal investigation department was still conducting further investigation.

According to the commissioner, information made available to the police said the late Ukaku was a man who “abhorred criminality and crimes”.

Aisabor said the police was informed that the slain businessman was, however, using members of the state vigilante [Bakassi] from Aba to arrest people in the community and took them to Aba. He said: ”Even before the New Year, he was said to have come

twice to make some arrest and took them to Aba. “I was reliably informed that a day to the New Year, he again took some people away with Bakassi without recourse to the police.

“The Federal Government does not recognize Bakassi. I don’t understand what he was doing with them.

“What happened to him could be a revenge mission.

That was the story we heard.

But we are looking at many theories.

“For now, three persons have been arrested. The process is on. The state CID is handling the matter.”

....Fire razes filling station in Abia

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—A PETROL station, Okozak, at Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State has been gutted by fire which consumed goods and properties worth millions of naira.

However, no life was lost in the fire disaster but the station and a bus that was buying fuel at the time were destroyed.

The incident occurred when a 33,000 litre tanker truck was discharging petrol at the station.

Kevin had a heated disagreement with his wife, which culminated in his sending the woman out of the family home, stressing that three days after this incident, the bloodthirsty assassins struck.

When contacted for his comments, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, confirmed the incident and promised to get back to Vanguard.

Hoodlums also capitalised on the unfortunate incident to loot shops and houses around the petrol station, while the owners were running for their lives.

The driver of the truck with number-plate XE888AKL, Stephen Ogbuji, who lamented the incident described it “a mysterious one”.

The driver said he suddenly discovered there was fire while discharging the petrol product.

“I had connected the hose to the underground tank to commence the discharge of

petrol and in less than three minutes there was fire from nowhere. I used my fire extinguisher with that of the filling station to try and put it off to no avail.

“The engine of the tanker truck was not on there was no fire around, no matches and no commercial motor cycle or okada, so I am still wondering how the fire started.

“This type of thing has never happened to me since my 16 years as an oil tanker driver,” Ogbuji said.

Orient Petroleum: Don’t succumb to intimidation, monarch tells Anambra people

A

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—THE traditional ruler of Aguleri in Anambra East local government area, Igwe Christopher Idigo, has urged the people of the state not to succumb to any intimidation by people from neighbouring states laying claims to the crude oil deposits in Anambra basin.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in August last year, inaugurated oil production from Anambra inland basin at Aguleri Otu which is part of Igwe Idigo’s domain and on that occasion, declared Anambra the 10th oil producing state in the country.

Shortly after the inauguration, the neighbouring states of Kogi and Enugu started laying claims to the oil deposit in the area and the argument raged until last year’s flood disaster submerged the Aguleri Otu oil refinery and entire community.

Addressing his people during the 113th Ovala festival of Aguleri, Igwe Idigo advised the people to remain calm, while waiting for the federal government to resolve the issue amicably.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—15

PPA woos Orji

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

One of the bad portions of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway receiving attention from Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

FG shifts IPSAS take-off to 2014

F

EDERAL Government has extended the deadline for the implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS, in Nigeria to January 2014. Mr. James Nongo, Secretary, Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, sub-committee on the road-map for the adoption of IPSAS, confirmed the decision to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.

Nongo said the subcommittee recommended the extension because “it was not feasible” for the country to adopt the cash-basis for IPSAS by January 2013.

He said the committee also recommended that the take-off date for the accrual basis for IPSAS be extended from 2015 to 2016.

He said: “We still need to do a lot of capacity building because this is a new system that requires a lot of training for accountants, budget officers and operators in all the three tiers of government.”

Nongo said a new module for IPSAS implementation had already been prepared and would be distributed to the three tiers of government after FAAC approval during the week.

He said contrary to widely-held views, Nigeria might not require immediate amendment of existing laws for compliance with IPSAS.

C M Y K

Civil Society calls for rally over petrol price

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA—COALITION of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, has called on Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide rally to enforce the N97 official price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, (petrol) as declared by the Federal Government in 2012.

The coalition said since government thrived on lies, people should not believe promise of a better tomorrow recently made by President Goodluck Jonathan as the same promise had become a refrain on the lips of past administrations since independence, without positive change.

The group comprises United Action for Democracy, UAD; Movement for Accountability and Good Governance; Enough is Enough Nigeria, EiE, and End Impunity Now, EIN, Campaign.

Speaking in Abuja at a press conference to mark one year anniversary of subsidy protest, the coalition said this year’s protest will be devoid of sentiment as might be alleged by government, when it kick-off.

Mr. Jaye Gaskia, who spoke for the group, said CSO was not looking for favour from anybody or group(s), noting that it was strongly against the systemic corruption and impunity that had become the defining character of governance that impoverished 70 percent of Nigerians.

He said: “There have been numerous probes and reports, yet no indicted persons or institutions as the judiciary continues to play games with the law. It is inconceivable that such a massive scale of proven corruption undertaken by pri-

vate and public sector players continues unabated.

“N97 per litre price of PMS was a major (even if partial) gain of the January uprising; yet this price is virtually being observed in the breach.

“In outlets across the country, PMS is being sold at more than N120 per litre or in even

more exorbitantly in black markets supplied by oil marketers.

“In the face of the manifest inability and unwillingness of the government to enforce its own decision, we urge all Nigerians to take collective citizen action to enforce the N97 per litre price.”

Navy rejigs personnel

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA—NIGERIAN Navy, yesterday, appointed new Flag Officers Commanding, FOC, for three of its operational commands in the country with the redeployment of other senior rear admirals, including its former Chief of Accounts and Budget and Chairman of the Military Pensions Board.

Vanguard gathered that 224 senior officers were redeployed, with 49 of them Rear Admirals; 106 officers, Commodores; and 69, Group Captains.

The new FOCs, who Vanguard gathered were approved by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, are Rear Admiral I. Ibas, formerly the Naval Secretary, now Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command; Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu, formerly Chief of Standards and Evaluation, now Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command; and Rear Admiral A. Shettima, formerly Director of Development, DHQ, now Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Com-

mand.

Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia, formerly the Chairman, Military Pensions Board is the new Chief of Accounts and Budget, Naval Headquarters; Rear Admiral Harry Ngonadi, formerly Director of Administration, Naval Headquarters, is now Navy Secretary; Rear Admiral G. Okoi, formerly FOC Logistics Command, is now Director Plans at DHQ. Rear Admiral O. Ogunjimi, formerly FOC Eastern Naval Command, is the new Chief of Training and Operations at Naval Headquarters; Rear Admiral S. Usman, formerly the Chief of Administration, NHQ, is now Chief of Naval Standards and Evaluation.

Some others are Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, one time Director of Naval Information, now Chief Staff Officer, Eastern Naval Command; Rear Admiral Austin Oyagha, formerly Director of Transformation NHQ, is the new Chief of Administration NHQ; Rear Admiral D. Osuofia, formerly Deputy Commandant, AFCSC, Jaji now Director of Logistics, Defence Intelligence Agency.

BUJA—NATIONAL Chairman, Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Chief Sam Nkire, has pleaded with the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to return to the party.

According to him, leaders of the party are working stridently to rejuvenate and re-position it ahead of 2015 general elections.

He said: “I didn’t hear he (Kalu) is going to PDP. What I heard him said is that he is not in any political party, and when he wants to go back to partisanship, he will make it known.

“But we in PPA are working hard to woo him to come back and not to go to PDP.”

World Bank rates Nigeria education projects low

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

A

BUJA—THE World Bank, yesterday, rated the N28.8 billion ($180 million) Science and Technology Education at the Post-Basic (STEPB) level in selected federal institutions across Nigeria unsatisfactory.

World Bank Senior Education Specialist in Nigeria, Dr. Tunde Adekola, said in Abuja that five years after the project started, the bank was not pleased with the level of implementation.

Adekola, who spoke at the meeting of the National Education Sector Steering Committee on Donors’ Assisted States Education Projects, said for a long time Nigeria went back and forth on the rating scale.

Some of the projects he mentioned included Lagos Eko Project $95 million, with $5 million support from the Federal Government; Programmatic Result Learning Project in Bauchi, Anambra, Ekiti and Edo, $150 million and Global Partnership on Education in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto, $100 million.

16—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

IBA gets new President

Sokoto IPP ready July

BY ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

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NTERNATIONAL Bar Association, IBA, has announced Mr. Michael Reynolds, Partner at law firm Allen & Overy, as its new President.

His two-year tenure succeeds that of Mr. Akira Kawamura of Anderson Mori & Tomotsune in Tokyo, Japan, who held the position from January 2011.

Reynolds said: “I feel privileged to have been elected President of IBA and I look forward to building on the work and momentum of my predecessors.”

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OKOTO—THE N3.8 billion Sokoto State Independent Power Project, IPP, is to be completed in July this year.

This was made known by a Dubai-based MJB International, a stakeholder and major supplier of equipment for the project.

Regional Sales Manager of the firm, Mr. Jim Page, spoke in Sokoto, yesterday, shortly after meeting with the officials of the state government and other technical partners at the project site.

Page said: “The project is a reality and it will be completed in the next seven months as there will be no delays.”

He assured that the master plan for the execution of the project had been prepared, adding “we will execute the project as scheduled and according to specifications.”

VISIT: From left— Chief Patrick Onyeobi, Iyeseh of Asaba; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, and HRM Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, Asagba of Asaba, during the governor's visit to the Asagba, yesterday. PHOTO: Henry Unini.

Road accidents kill 27, injure 114 in Katsina

Adamawa set for commercial cocoa production

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ATSINA—NO fewer than 27 persons were killed in various road accidents in Katsina State in the last quarter of 2012, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in the state, Alhaji Habu Dauda, has said.

Dauda told newsmen in Katsina, yesterday, that 114 others sustained injuries in the road mishaps recorded across the state within the period under review.

He said during the period, 37 accidents were recorded in the state involving 62 vehicles, which led to the figures captured.

Dauda said: “This indicated a slight reduction in the number of road mishaps recorded in the same period in 2011 in the state, when 40 accidents were recorded.”

The commander expressed

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OLA—FEDERAL Government announced, yesterday, that Adamawa State would soon become a member of cocoa-producing states in the country.

State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Walia Hamman, dropped the hint in Yola.

This is coming few days after Governor Murtala Nyako inaugurated a 13man agricultural policy and implementation working committee to enhance farming in the state.

He said: “Government has confirmed that cocoa is being produced in Adamawa State in commercial quantity.”

concern on the way motor accidents occurred despite the good roads across the state.

He, however, attributed the occurrence of accidents to

over-speeding, over-loading and reckless over-taking.

Dauda advised motorists to shun these acts to ensure safety on the roads.

Kogi inaugurates Family Court

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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OKOJA—KOGI State Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajannah, yesterday, at the State High Court premises inaugurated the State Family Court that will handle childrelated cases in the state.

Justice Nasiru said the family court will handle matters involving the children under the age of 18, saying the bill on Child Right Act was made into law in 2003 and had been domesticated in the state.

He said the state had con-

stituted eight jurisdictions of the Family Court in pursuant to Sections 152(2) and 153 of the Child Rights Law of Kogi State 2009, which guarantees every possible protection and care for the Nigeria child by parents and communities that had hitherto been relegated under religious or traditional pretence.

He warned members of the court that positive adjudication, legislative and administrative child-friendly measures are required from them.

He added that as an agent

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

of government, they were expected to curtail and eliminate the engagement of children in criminal activities, exploitative labour, prostitution, begging, compulsory labour and hawking, amongst other harmful practices against the child.

The CJ stressed education and sensitisation of the public on the provision of the Act. He also called on the government to provide facilities that will further crystallise the institution of the Family Court in the state, especially the needed reformation centres.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Nigerians' New Year messages(2)

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ONESTLY, I wish Nigeria as a na tion can be a crime-free country and always speak in one voice. The government should see to the need of the poor in our society and fashion out better policy to alleviate poverty in this country.— Miss Caroline Akaeze, Student.

C M Y K

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am very sure and con-vinced that the year 2013 shall be better than 2012, in as much as we learn from, and allow our past experience to guide us. Nigerians should be optimistic of the best this New Year and they should pursue their dreams.—Mr. Usman Izuagie, Lawyer.

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IGERIA has everything that could make her a great nation. All that Nigerians need to do is to be loyal, conscientious and also be law-abiding.

Nigeria is great and Nigerians are great people.

May God help us all. — Mr. Bosun Aroyewun (Esq.), Law Officer.

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T has been said that many world leaders will die in office this year. But we as a nation, and individually, should pray to avert any sad incident. I sincerely want to believe that it is well with Nigeria and its citizens.— Miss Funmilayo Omisesan, Judiciary Staff.

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wish peace and good health to our leaders.

Nigerians should learn how to pray for their leaders because the Bible says “pray for Jerusalem and it shall be well with you.” Our leaders need prayers more than other leaders in the world.— Mr. Ranti Thomas, Journalist.

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OW I wish Nigeria could progress beyond this Boko Haram menace.

But its God’s will. However, I am very sure that in 2013, the Lord will put a stop to it and Nigeria shall regain all her loss and become progressive.—Miss Abimbola Oluwaseyi, Student.

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013— “ You realise you’re no longer in government when you get in the back of your car and it does not go anywhere.” -Malcolm Rifkin

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North: The goals of power order. More and more people become victims of a shrinking economy and a political process that operates like a cult.

Hallowed cultural values are meaningless in the face of massive assault by corruption and hopelessness. Leaders lose respect, and hide behind high walls and lines of security personnel. The most rapidlyexpanding population in Africa breeds young without hope of productive lives, and its traditional and religious leadership and framework is being seriously challenged by an insurgency which claims higher legitimacy. Its political leadership is in disarray, aging or decaying. Many of its educated and political elite think the option of a North, or parts of it outside Nigeria is not as frightening as they used to fear.

Why does the North want power?

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t is possible that all the energy being channeled into creating a solid political unity in the North will bear fruits. But there are some questions that need answers.

First, what does the North wants power for?

Is it just to have a Nigerian from the North in the Villa, or are there specific and practical advantages in having a Northerner as the next Nigerian President?

How will the rest of the nation benefit from having a Northerner in the Villa as opposed to a Nigerian from any other part of the nation?

Secondly, is the grievance of the North essentially about losing power, or having a leadership which does not appreciate and

Northern backwardness and political marginalisation

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he consequences of the increasing backwardness of the North and its political marginalization are evident at every turn. Poverty and insecurity reinforce each other. Youth without education, skills or jobs fuel social discontent. Corruption and impunity erode respect for law and

Gov. Aliyu Babangida of Niger State: Chairman Northern governors forum.

address the interests of the North? If it is the former, how would this quest differ from other zones or ethnic groups which seek elective offices only because they see it as the sole avenue of accumulating unfair advantage? If it is the latter, has the North

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HERE are serious efforts being made by some political parties, groups and elders to engineer political unity in the political North (defined broadly as the 19 northern states). These are the most serious and sustained efforts since the build up to the 2011 elections. The efforts are unique in the manner they involve interests, energy and resources of people with the most diverse political, professional and ideological characteristics. They are also being closely monitored by political elite from other regions, all of whom also have varied motives and interests, ranging from the most optimistic to the most hostile or skeptical.

The historical necessity for these initiatives is not difficult to identify. The political fortunes of the North are dwindling by the day, and its potentials for reclaiming lost grounds are very weak. Its elite had targeted the capture of the centre as the prime goal of political competition, but had been fatally split in the process.

The centres of power at states are powerful, but given the political spread of the PDP, they merely tend to reinforce the very centre which the northern political elite see as the prime target. The symbiotic relationship between the PDP centre and federating units make both dependent on each other.

A rapture of this intricate and strategic relationship will seriously damage the stranglehold of the PDP on the centre, and in many states, particularly in the North. A re-engineering of Northern political unity may therefore have to involve an all-out assault on the PDP, a feat that is feasible, but will be even more challenging if it does not involve a major split in the ranks of the PDP in the North.

The increasing pauperization of the region compared with the rest of the nation is popularly linked to the loss of control of the centre. Insecurity, incompetent leadership and corruption at state levels are also factors which explain the increasing desperation to stop the rot.

Widening gulf between Christian and Muslim northerners, as well as between northern and southern politicians are also major sources of the weaknesses of the north. Above all, the failure to generate a popular momentum behind a leader or leaders with required levels of vision, honesty and commitment which should restore the north as the fulcrum of Nigerian politics is seen as the biggest challenge.

The goal for reinventing the North will not work without other Nigerians; Northerners may be pained at the state of the North today; but they are not alone in lamenting the spectacular failure of the Nigerian state to address the most basic of its functions; many Nigerians outside the North also recognise that a weak and severely crippled and divided North is a liability to itself, and an even bigger liability to Nigeria

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articulated its core and secondary interests which need to be addressed, irrespective of who is in power?

Thirdly, how much does the North understand how it got to where it is today, and how much does it understand what it needs to do to alter its current situation?

The historical element is vital to grasp; the North cannot recreate history the way it wants, anymore than it can ignore it. Since 1999, Nigeria has changed, sadly for the worse in many vital respects. The holierthan-than attitude of many northerners, and the false sense of a historic burden to lead Nigeria well is a damaging mentality.

Northerners, civilians and military are

more responsible for what the North is today than people from outside the region.

While it is unfair to label the North as having “ ruled” Nigeria for the vast majority of its independent existence, it should be acknowledged that northerners in leadership positions have fared no better than those from the south. Military leaders from the North eroded its fundamental unifying structures, and its civilian rulers marked time and made money from the misery and backwardness of its people. The Jonathan presidency is very much the product of the efforts of northern politicians to put him in the Villa. What, then, would northern unity seek to achieve, apart from having a northern President in power?

Then again, the question needs to be asked: Is all this energy being directed at putting one of several claimants from the North in office? Is the goal of Northern political unity to have Buhari, or Atiku, or Muazu Babangida or Sule Lamido or half a dozen others whose ambitions are yet to be made public become President, or is it more about issues, platforms and a vision of a North outside its desperately limiting challenges? Does it include considerations for the emergence of new leadership unencumbered by a past and present loyalties to structures and institutions that have crippled the growth and development of the Nigerian state?

A politically regenerated North

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here are many other issues that should form part of the enquiry regarding a politically regenerated North. They include the degree to which its ethnic and religious diversity is involved and integrated; the manner the sectarian issues which split Muslims feed its disunity; and the manner in which generational issues are handled. Above all, the rest of Nigeria must be involved in this venture. The worst card the North can play is one which makes the case of a northern leader only because he is from the North. Zoning or any other arrangement which bestows advantages on ethnic groups or religion is anti-thetical to the search for leadership which should command respect and allegiance across the land. The case for free and fair election, intra-party democracy and the emergence of quality leadership should be championed as northern agenda, because with them, even a leader who does not emerge from the North will be fair and loyal to Nigerians in the North.

The goal for re-inventing the North will not work without other Nigerians.

Northerners may be pained at the state of the North today; but they are not alone in lamenting the spectacular failure of the Nigerian state to address the most basic of its functions. Many Nigerians outside the North also recognise that a weak and severely crippled and divided North is a liability to itself, and an even bigger liability to Nigeria. You cannot fix Nigeria with a bleeding North; and you cannot fix the North when it plays the game according to the rules others play it.

OPINION

BY MIKE UDAH

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HIS piece is a reaction to an article entitled “ Why Anambra guber zoning may not hold” written by one Nebuwa Okudo and published on page 65 of Saturday SUN of December 22,2012.

As a preamble, I must state unequivocally that I am not given to foul, uncouth language to dismiss the opinions of people, for as that erudite first female professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa,Prof. Stella Chinyere Okunna would tell you any day, “the media is a market place of ideas”. What this simply means is that people are free to canvass on the pages of newspapers whatever ideas they hold dear, provided ,of course ,they do not offend the laws of the land on slander, libel and the like.

This right to freedom of expression is also found in other constituencies apart from the media. In Courts, for instance, lawyers ( and even non- lawyers in some instances) express their opinions the way they deem fit again, of course ,with a proviso- that they do this within the confines of the law, after all Jean Jacques Rousseau that Genevan philosopher,

Why Anambra guber zoning will hold writer and composer of 18th century Romanticism of French expression , caution that “man is born free but he is everywhere in chains” It is in the light of the foregoing that one perceives the piece under reference. Nebuwa Okudo is entitled to his opinion on the question of the opinion, repeat, opinion of Governor Peter Obi that,come the next gubernatorial election in Anambra State, someone from Anambra North Senatorial zone should mount the saddle.

It is not without reason that Governor Obi thinks the way he does on this issue. And like Okudo , His Excellency is entitled to his views. Governor Obi is not alone in this line of thought. I also support his view, and I know other people do as well.

It is important to state here that Okudo ‘s attempts to justify his stand on the issue of the zoning of the next governorship position in Anambra do not hold,if I can borrow his own phraseology.

For one, there is no correlation between his claim

that people of Anambra North extraction “are not destitute, peasants, slaves or power mongers” and the campaign for the same people to be allowed to govern Anambra State.

Using this very article and position enunciated

by Okudo in this piece, were candidates from the South -west zone favoured by all the political parties in the 1999 presidential election because they were destitute, peasants, slaves or power mongers? It is very clear, that Okudo in an unsuccessful attempt to argue his point,simply ended up contradicting himself and churning out fallacies , over – generalisations and half- truths if not sheer falsehoods. Consider this statement made by him : “ We are peace loving people who would use legitimate and constitutional means to seek power so that we can effectively serve the people” .

Continues tomorrow on pg.18

*Mr. Udah, a political analyst, wrote from Awka, Anambra State.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 NIGERIANS amaze President Goodluck Jonathan. They quickly accuse his administration of not delivering on his election promises. Where this does not stick, they alleged he is slow, so slow in addressing the country’s challenges.

The President admits he is slow. Unknown to Nigerians, he dictated his pace before he commenced his tenure in May 2011. Then he had said he needed more time – to know his Ministers (two years), to throw out those who were not performing, probably another two years to study the replacements, then programmes implementation.

He had suggested seven years as ideal for him to fulfill his election promises. The President never promised speed. He made promises during the campaigns. Who remembers them? Who does not know that campaign talks are just promises? The President does not expect anyone to hold him accountable for them.

If an explanation is needed, he had a good excuse. He does not want to make hasty decisions. He wants to be sure he makes no mistakes. His logic is simply – instead of making

Jonathan Never Promised Speed mistakes, do nothing. With this as the foundation of the President’s policies, it is easier to understand his pace, rather his lack of pace.

The President used a Christmas service to explain to a congregation that his decisions must stand the test of time. “By human thinking, our administration is slow, I won’t say we are slow but we need to think through things properly if we are to make lasting impact. If we rush we will make mistakes and sometimes it is more difficult to correct those mistakes,” he said.

We had thought security issues distracted the President. We speculated that resources were low to match the challenges. At other times, we

guessed the President needed better hands on the job. The President waved these aside, in the presence of God, and affirmed that his speed was deliberate. Nigerians have to apologise to the President, we are mere mortals, hence our “human thinking”.

Many Nigerians thought that with months to the mid-term of his tenure, foundations for fulfilling his fanciful 91 election promises, among them an airport in States without one, should have been laid. It must be admitted the President tied his promises to a four-year frame. Are Nigerians the ones to dictate a pace for their President?

His fundamental point is the dilemma of reforming Nigerians – to stop them from vandalising infrastructure - before implementing the transformation agenda. The President reckons it is better to reform the people before transforming the country. He must think it through!

As he mulls the difference between “reforming” and “transforming” Nigerians, 2013 would be another mistake-free year, the better year the President promised.

OPINION

BY FREDERICK ODORIGE

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HERE are too many conduit pipes through which money is siphoned from Nigeria. That is why we need a leadership that has the genuine will power to take over the affairs of Nigeria. One of such avenues for wasting money in Nigeria is the so-called security votes. In the first instance, we should ask why we really have to budget for security votes for governors, Local Government chairmen and other government functionaries. We have the army, police and other security agencies who are already in the payroll of government. They have the mandate to secure the country and lives of citizens. Why do we need to have another vote which runs to hundreds of million naira monthly for government officials? What is this money used for? To pay the security agencies which are already on the monthly pay roll? This money is another bonus for government officials. They do not need it and they do not merit it.

Some states like Plateau, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe are playgrounds for routine massacre while other states in the South are seats for robberies and kidnaps. Before these criminal acts started, they received this money when there was no tension. Now that there is tension, they still receive same and ironically, nothing has changed. Absolutely nothing! These are monies that ought to be spent to build industries and create job opportunities that would have gainfully

Stop

security

employed these citizens who have become criminals. Our leaders are criminalising our country and chasing shadows. Their wealth is our loss. They are milking us dry and they want us to pray for them. Some state governors have demoted, suspended or sacked civil servants for lateness to work or inefficiency. Their salaries were withdrawn or slashed. Same should go for governors who flay their constitutional mandates to provide security and welfare for their citizens. It is now a fashion to introduce more taxes in states in the face of lack of performance by these states. This is not the time to pray for leaders.We have prayed enough and nothing changed. We should focus our prayers on Nigeria and Nigeria alone. Everybody can see and smell our bitterness as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Take for example, the Governor of Enugu State who has been absent from office for over three months without any real reason given. Since the state has a legislature that eternally sworn to sycophancy, everyone has kept mute. His monthly security votes will be specially kept for him for the months that he has been away. This shows that the money was not needed in the first place. Security votes should be withdrawn while all military agencies be brought out to join in securing the country. Our security agents are idle in their barracks and the streets are unsafe. The

votes

to

troubled

army should come out in full force to join the police. The airforce should take to the sky and the land to monitor and keep surveillance.

The Navy should also come out to the land and water. All hands should be on deck and the so-called Boko Haram and other criminals will have no hiding place. The President should wield all his powers on air, land and sea to bring the spate of insecurity to an end. I do not see what is difficult in this.

With our present situation, development is the last thing we can achieve. We have the highest number of peacekeepers out of our country yet, we do not have peace at home.

It is a ridiculous irony. We should also reduce our number of keepers and bring them home. Nigeria cannot continue like this.

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he government has been “on top of the situation” for too long, yet nothing has changed. President Goodluck Jonathan promised the insurgency will end last June, but nothing changed. Now he has promised that things will be better this year.

Presidential prophesies are not enough.Legislators are not helping matters too. As a result of party allegiance, they are afraid to give the President marching orders to take practical steps at restoring peace.

They are never tired of sending sympathy messages to bereaved families. When shall we start sending congratulatory messages

state

for job well done for the promotion of the vision of our founding fathers? It is not enough that the media is awash with congratulating messages when government functionaries celebrate their birthdays or receive chieftaincy titles. The leaders are less bothered because they have their retinue of security aid that protect them at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

Our country is bleeding from deep cuts of managerial ineptitude and corruption has taken a seemingly- irretrievable leap; now we are diving into the abyss . Predictions are rife that we might not stay together beyond 2015 and the government is not doing anything visible to arrest this prediction.Our leaders are the most travelled, yet, they do not bring ideas back home. As fathers how can they ask their children what they learned at school if there is nothing to show for their trips? Our fabrics are torn so badly that wearing them among the comity of nations is a ridicule: A sleeping giant of an empty African vessel captained by ship wreckers!

Citizens are disenchanted and crime growing unabated. Security votes are changing hands, custom officials are arresting loots being smuggled abroad through our airports, while vain promises have become a tradition.

*Mr. Odorige, a social critic, wrote from Abraka, Delta State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013— —19

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HE next presidential election in Nigeria is in 2015, more than two full years away but already the seat of government in Abuja is flooded with campaign posters of incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, in a pitch for four more years. The presidency has washed its hands off the posters but said it would not order their removal. Very correct response, as that would amount to abridgment of the right of the campaigners. If it is to be believed, the presidency has no hand in the appearance of the posters. But some Nigerians, now believed to be from the president’s region in the southsouth, want for more years for their man even if by self-admission the administration has performed below par. This much the president said in his New Year message to Nigerians in which he tried to explain why his administration is ‘slow’ on performance. But the presidency will not order the removal of campaign posters for an election that is more than two years in the future. In Ekiti State,

a serving federal legislator, Opeyemi Bamidele, has equally disowned posters announcing his plans for governorship of the state.

In Kano State, an important chieftain and former chairman of the PDP in Tarauni local government area, Sale Kura, has been arrested for the murder of two state legislators, Abba Garko of the PDP and Isah Kademi of the ANPP. Kura had just prayed with Garko and was present when the killers he had set on him for just N100, 000 came calling. Garko died, possibly, because of his planned exit from the PDP while Kademi was described as the most powerful member of the rival ANPP in Kano State. This paints a picture of how desperate the Nigerian politician is for powerusually without responsibility.

While politicians have been known to wrongfoot their rivals’ agenda by executing plans, such as initiating premature campaigns and pasting posters unknown to them in their names, it ought to be a thing of marvel

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that some people would even think of campaigning for more years for persons who are yet to justify, to say nothing of using up, their present mandate as is the case of President Jonathan.

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hen one considers how long it takes an average Nigerian politician to get down to work after coming into office even when their victory is not being contested at tribunals- when one considers the wasted time spent on attending congratulatory dinners and parties and such other distractions, we ought to be scandalised that less than two years into office any politician would have begun campaign for the next election. When things are viewed from this angle, it becomes clear that a Nigerian politician comes into office after an election, rigged or otherwise, only to prepare for the next election that would keep them in office. Which then leaves one to wonder what time these politicians have to

How to say Happy Birthday to a governor’s wife M

RS. Obioma Imoke is 50 years old and I wish her well, just as I wish all the fellow citizens who marked their golden anniversary on earth that same day.

Mrs. Imoke is the wife of the governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, formerly a senator. The whole world knows about her birthday because half of the eighteen local governments in her state bought fullpage adverts in a national daily on Saturday, 5 January 2013, to congratulate her. I bought only two papers on that day, so I don’t know if the odes to vanity appeared in other dailies. They did not appear in The Chronicle, the state-owned newspaper, for the simple reason that it has long been run aground. Not that it would be all right if the adverts had been placed in the state newspaper. Nor if they were to congratulate the governor himself, or some other high public office holder, on the occasion of a birthday or other purported achievement. And I should add that I am writing about Mrs. Imoke by pure happenstance: the culture of squandering tax-payers’ — sorry, oil money — on our public servants and spouses is not new.

The nine local governments that lavished praise and prayers on Mrs. Imoke paid top money to appear in colour.To make it all official, each advert was embossed with the official coat of arms and the portrait of its chairman: Barrister (Mrs) Josephine Effiom, chairman (sic), Akpabuyo LGA; Hon. Linus Obe Ede (Bekwarra); Hon. Jonas Obi Otu (Boki); Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey (Bakassi); Hon. Ekeng Nsa Henshaw (Calabar South); Rt. Hon. (Ntufam) Eta Mbora, Mayor C M Y K

(Calabar Municipal); Hon. Denis Nkiri (Akamkpa); Hon. Dr. Emil Inyang (Biase) and Hon. Francis Ettah (Abi).

It is obvious that they meant to honour themselves as well, hence the insistence on displaying their portraits below the celebrant’s. It is also why they were careful to include every honorific title they could claim —note how there is no simple Mr. or Mrs. among them and how everyone is a Barrister, Doctor, Right Honourable or Honourable. If the governor ’s wife was marking the incredible and astonishing achievement of attaining 50 years of age, the local government top-dogswere celebrating the power of office, of unaccountability, for which our country is deservedly famous.

But not so much as to lose all sense of proportion, thus the praise poetry of nonachievement. Here is Hon. Ettah’s poem(in its derogatory sense of vaporous nonsense), penned and self-published at the cost of overN560,000, the going rate of a full-page colour advert. “You’ve reached such a milestone in your life.

Reaching 50 years is really a huge deal.

Take this time to recount all the blessings you have received in life. And at the same time the chances for you to look forward to the next years ahead. Happy birthday!”

Or take this other poem: “They say that 50th celebrations are the ‘Golden Boys/ Girls’ (sic). Well, that certainly is true because, like gold, you are a real precious treasure to us. Keep spreading your warm spirit to everyone around you (sic), and may you have more birthdays to come.

Happy 50th Birthday!” Hon. Henshaw could hardly believe his luck of breathing

spend on fulfilling their oath of office or electoral mandate to serve the people.

I have said before that the class of people who find their way into public office, elective or otherwise, are the major problem facing us all. They are the very ones driving the country down the road of failure by their criminally irresponsible and thieving ways.

They are elected or rigged their way into office but thereafter give account to nobody. The point I’m making can be better appreciated when we look at what some of our politicians have done in recent times, say, among the governors.

Of the country’s 36 state governors at least three are presently not doing what they got their mandates for on medical or health ground. What is the consequence of this dereliction of duty for the entire Nigerian state or economy?

Danbaba Suntai of Taraba has been away in Germany since October last year after he crashed the expensive toy, an aircraft he allegedly bought from a federal legislator at one billion Naira (wonder where the money came from) in spite of previous advice not to fly himself. Well, after the man found himself in hospital before he was flown out, he received hordes of visitors, socalled sympathisers including the president, out to greet him. The question is, was this man employed to fly aircraft? Yes, he ignored the advice of his minders including the pilot of the plane who declined to board the aircraft with the governor. As the so-called chief security officer of his state but who attaches more importance to his pet hobby of flying than his own safety or that of his aides, is Mr. Suntai’s conduct not impeachable in the circumstance?

the same air as the governor ’s wife, so this short lyric: “We hope that in your 50 years of existence, you will realise how awesome a person you are and how thankful we are for having you in our lives.” She will, of course, have to relive each of those years in order to do so, but no matter! The only regret that Henshaw, purporting speaking for all of

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When do our politicians keep their oaths of office? (1)

The class of people who find their way into public office, elective or otherwise, are the major problem facing us all; they are the very ones driving the country down the road of failure

I think that all nine chair-persons of the local governments that squandered the people’s money on advertisements for themselves in tribute to ego and sycophancy should be compelled to replenish the public purse

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the people of his Calabar South LGA, is that the governor’s wife is just too modest.

So he pleads, “Appreciate yourself more!”

Yes, please do, Your Excellency, for God’s sake, do!

I

will not trouble you with the six other praise poems. I could abide such poetry of sycophancy if only these would-

While he was immediately flown out for medical attention, it took the outcry of Nigerians and threat of litigation from Femi Falana before his aides who became mere statistics in the whole tragedy would be flown out too for treatment.

Suntai ought to have recognised, oughtn’t he, that his life is not just his to do as he pleases with any more; that there are things he cannot do, shouldn’t do; places he cannot visit both as a matter of public morality and his own safety by virtue of his office. He is no longer a private citizen, free to do as he pleases. This he ought to have been told by his minders and where he fails to listen to their advice, as he appears to have done here, that should constitute an infraction that should have constitutional consequences. Has he not breached his oath of office by deliberately/obdurately endangering his own life and by so doing the life and livelihood of millions of citizens of that state whose future or daily activities have been suspended or held in the balance on account of the absence of the governor who must sign important documents or authorise certain actions? Oh yes, there is a deputy governor but knowing how things are done in Nigeria, it is a foolish deputy who rushes to act when the governor is away. Let those ignorant of this fact ask then Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Goodluck Jonathan, for how long he stayed far from the governor’s seat even when it was clear that his principal wouldn’t be back!

The same scenario played out when it was time for him to assume the position of President after President Umar Yar’Adua was no longer in the position to continue in office.

be poets could claim to have mastered their medium, English in this instance, but I suppose poor grammar is a necessary complement of atrocious ethics and governance.

But to the bigger issue. The nine fullpage congratulatory adverts, at about N560,000 each, come to a whopping N5 million. But that is beer money in a country where government speaks only in billions and trillions. I don’t know what a local government chairman in this age of reckless and unaccountable government can do with half a million naira. If in the position of any of these nine birthday poets, however, I would think of a primary school in need of a few more desks and books; or a community health centre that can serve as a proper dispensary and antenatal clinic; or street and neighbourhood improvement. I would think of any number of things to do with the money in a country where more than half the population and nearly seventy percent of the youth are unemployed, where the minimum wage is N18,000. Anything but buying a half-million-naira birthday card for a governor’s spouse who does not need the fawning adulation. Unless, of course, she does. For who supplied those private photos of “Her Excellency” in various poses?

I think that all nine chair-persons of the local governments that squandered the people’s money on advertisements for themselves in tribute to ego and sycophancy should be compelled to replenish the public purse.

20 —

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 — 21

From left: Senator Chris Ngigi (left)and National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, during the wedding of the daughter of a member of Board of Trustees (BoT) of ANLCA, Chief Peter Obih.

Security: NACCIMA calls for re-erection of toll gates

BY NAOMI UZOR

T

HE Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has called for re-erection of toll gates at strategic locations on highways for additional

security reasons.

In a statement on Monday, the National President of NACCIMA, Dr. Ademola Ajayi, said it supports the reintroduction of toll gates in the country not just for revenue collection or for road maintenance but for security

149.0

1.65

2,267.00

+47.00

18.9

0.05

reasons.

“Nigeria could complement the efforts of security agencies and enhance security surveillance, with adequate security gadgets installed (as at airports) for detecting movements of dangerous weapons by persons/groups

Controversy over pension, gratuity now put to rest, says Labour

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

111.40 93.10 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.77 247.988 201.3712 166.491 1.7528 0.2891 235.8285 24.839 41.2687 26.9921 237.3553

+0.09 +0.10 SELLING

155.27 155.77 248.7891 249.5903 202.0218 202.6723 167.0288 167.5667 1.7584 1.7641 0.2991 0.3091 236.5903 237.3522 24.9197 25.0004 41.402 41.5353 27.0793 27.1665 238.1221 238.8889

CBN Exchange rate as at 8/01/2013 C M Y K

across the country, and also for apprehending criminals and dangerous goods” he said.

Commenting on the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria to retain Monetary Policy Rate at 12 per cent, he said this could defeat

government’s intention of ensuring single digit interest rate and may continue to jack-up the cost of borrowing by the real sector, which presently swings between 17 per cent and 28 per cent.

“According to our investigations, we believe that retaining the MPR at 12 per cent is not the best option for now as this will definitely have negative implications of increasing costs of production, decline in output, possible lay-off of workers to worsen unemployment levels, locally manufactured products would continue to be more expensive and uncompetitive against foreign products, and a discouragement for intending manufacturers” he said.

He said NACCIMA wishes to counsel that the CBN should address the main causative variables, e.g. the unabated factor of excess liquidity in the system, etc., adding that, this if reviewed timely, will allow both interest and inflation rates to fall to a more comfortable level and would spur real sector desired growth.

“We must not allow industrial productivity in the economy to remain stagnant or to decline as the retention of high MPR will not deliver the country from conflicting price signals and global uncertainties as argued

by CBN, but rather continue to spell hardship for the citizens by way of cost of funds” he stated.

O

RGANISED Labour in the nation’s Power Sector, has said the controversy over the continuity of gratuity after the enactment of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004 which gave birth to the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, has now been rested following the agreement reached with government on the payment of pension and gratuity to Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, workers.

Before the agreement ahead of the privatization of PHCN’s assets, there had been a fierce debate between government/employers and organized labour on whether or not PRA 2004 abolished gratuity.

Under the umbrella of the National

Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, labour argued that following the agreement, employers who had mischievously contested that the PRA 2004, had abolished gratuity, even when the PRA did not say such, should now do the right thing by paying their workers pension and gratutiy.

Speaking to Vanguard on the fall out of the agreement with government, General Secretary of NUEE and Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the battle won in the power sector over gratuity was not for PHCN workers alone but, entire workers in Nigeria.

According to him, “We also took time to do some major researches on the items that constitute pension, and the items that constitute gratuity. The issue of gratuity was a call to duty for

Nigerian workers. We were not doing it for PHCN workers alone but for Nigerian workers because we needed to set that precedence. If they were being intimidated in other sectors to abandon gratuity which was becoming the norm, there was the need for us to prove that the Pension Reform Act, PRA 2004, at no time, merged gratuity with pension, being gratuitous. The government seemed to have captured many areas, so we decided to prove that PRA 2004 did not abolish pension.”

“By this landmark achievement, every sector will know that the issue of being gratuitous, which is a one off payment, at the end of service, cannot be confused with pension, which is payment for life.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JANUARY 9, 2013

House of Rep refutes witch-hunting SEC

BY PETER EGWUATU, WITH AGENCY REPORT

T

HE House of Representatives has denied allegation of witch hunting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over its refusal to appropriate funds to the commission for the year 2013.

It would be recalled that members of the House of Representatives and the Director-General have been at logger head since the probe of the commission by the lower chamber almost one year ago, during which the Director General of the Commission, Arunma Oteh, accused the probe committee of demanding bribe from the SEC. The probe eventually ended with a strong reprimand of the Director General by the Federal Government, but the lower chamber has rigidly maintained that Oteh must be sacked at all costs.

While reacting to the issue, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Hon. Afam Ogene, debunked claims of a vendetta mission against

B

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State (2nd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Affairs, Mr. Dapo Karounwi (1st left); Ekiti State House of Assembly Clerk, Mr. Tunde Famoyegun (2nd left); Deputy Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Speaker, ESHA, Dr. Adewale Omirin, and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, during the signing of the state’s 2013 Appropriation Bill into law, Monday.

Oteh, saying that the House had already begun investigations into the activities of SEC before the DG’s allegations against the Chairman, Hernan Hembe, and the probe could just not be halted because of the allegation.

“Which one came first?”

Ogene asked. “This same

House was already having a public hearing on SEC when Oteh made her allegations.

That an issue arose midway during an investigation shouldn’t abort a process that was already ongoing.

“During this process, issues had been raised regarding Oteh’s competence, regarding

some resources of SEC that were paid into private accounts, issues bordering on corporate governance, whereby staffers were recruited from outside the system and issues regarding indecorous working relationship with key commissioners in SEC.

Consumer goods, banking sectors to top performance in 2013

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

HARES of companies listed on the consumer goods and banking sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange will continue to lead activity in the market within the year, analysts at Vetiva Capital have said.

They noted that their projection stemmed from investors’ preference and patronage of stocks in those sectors, saying, “The stocks market rose to a 32-month high on last week, ending the year up by 34 percent in the index’s best performance since 2007, led by growth in the consumer goods and banking sectors which is expected to continue next year.

“With continued interest in financials and consumer goods, we expect the market to extend gains into the New Year with banks leading the charge.”

The index of top-10 consumer goods stocks ended up 41.3 percent to become the best performing sector while banking stocks finished up 21 percent in the previous year.

On the analysis of events that shaped the stock’s market in the previous week, the analysts explained that stocks rose by 0.76 percent to cross a 28,000 point psychological level and closed the year at

FTSE posts year’s first fall as rally loses steam

28,079 points, a level last seen in April 2010. The c movement, according to them, effectively made the NSE index the second best performing index in subSaharan Africa after Uganda.

Meanwhile, analysts at FSDH said that the rally recorded last year where the index returned over 26 percent would attract more local investors within the year.

They noted that the equities market could prove to be a worthwhile investment window following a low rate

regime currently being experienced in government securities.

“Investor confidence has gradually been restored with the impressive market return in 2012, which could lead to increased participation and opportunities going forward,” they stated, adding “investors are advised to consider investment opportunities in the under listed stocks, as they have good fundamentals that can generate good returns in the medium to long- term.”

On their part, analysts at

BGL Limited said the current market development surmounts the usual tight liquidity trend of the early periods in the year which takes its toll in January as notable stocks closed on bid.

“There was an all-round growth across sectors on the local bourse while the NSE-30 comprising of large capped stocks gained significantly. We however suggest that investors should act fast with their buy mandates not to be left out in the market rally, “they said.

Wall Street retreats from five-year high as focus shifts to earnings

S

TOCKS fell on Monday as investors cashed in on recent gains that lifted the S&P 500 to a five-year high and awaited the start of the fourth-quarter earnings season.

The day’s decline was broad across all sectors, but energy and utilities were the top decliners. The S&P 500 energy sector index .GSPE fell 1 percent and the utilities sector .GSPU was off 1.2 percent.

Another sector in focus was the financials.

Financial stocks fell after a group of major U.S. banks agreed to pay billions in settlement with U.S. regulators.

The KBW bank index .BKX, a gauge of U.S. bank stocks, was down 0.7 percent.

Earnings are expected to be only slightly better than the third-quarter’s lackluster results,

and analysts’ current estimates are down sharply from where they were in October.

“There is little doubt that concerns about the fiscal cliff created spending hesitancy in both consumers and businesses in the fourth quarter, and it is likely that will adversely impact earnings season,” margins are choppy and cost cuts have run their course, said Randy Frederick, managing director of active trading and derivatives at Charles Schwab.

Aluminum company Alcoa Inc (AA.N) will unofficially launch the reporting season by announcing its results after Tuesday’s market close. Alcoa shares were down 1 percent at $9.17.

RITAIN’S blue chip index fell on Monday for the first time this year, balking at technical resistance levels having reached its highest close for nearly two years in the previous session.

The FTSE 100 shed 0.4 percent in broad-based losses, with every sector falling apart from financials, which received a regulatory boost over the weekend.

The index closed down 25.26 points at 6,064.58, having started the year with three sessions of gains totalling 3.3 percent — well over half the total rise the FTSE achieved in 2012.

The gains took the index to its highest closing level since early February 2011, with the 14-day Relative Strength Index hitting 72. A level over 70 suggests that an index is overbought.

“The FTSE 100 index is nearing a key resistance threshold around the 2011 top at 6,105. The upward potential should be limited now...

Intraday oscillators are overbought,” Nicolas Suiffet, technical analyst at Trading Central, said.

“The rally ’s likely to lose momentum around the resistance threshold... It’s too late to buy but to early to sell.”

Energy and materials - a broad-based sector including commodity stocks and miners - were the main drag on the index, combining to take over 12 points off the index.

Falls in these sectors came in tandem with base metal and oil prices, traders said, adding there had been profit taking on the rally.

However, Zeg Choudhry, head of equities trading at Northland Capital Partners, said that even if the rally in commodity stocks had run out of steam, there weren’t many sellers on the market.

“The market doesn’t feel too bad underneath, we’ve had a good run,” he said.

“It’s not really a big correction. When you see a big correction in the materials sector, it’s normally 5-6 percent falls. Then you would say people are running for the hills, but they’re not.”

While only five stocks gained more than 1 percent, only two - National Grid and Centrica - were down more than two percent. They fell after a Deutsche Bank note warned that the “ worst was yet to come” for the utilities sector.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—23

DIARY Select ICT events z Convergence India 2013. Holds 16-18 Jan, 2013 inNew Delhi, India.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

zLotusphere 2013 . Holds 2731 Jan 2013, in Orlando, USA. zITEXPO East 2013. Holds 29 Jan-1 Feb 2013 in Miami, USA. zBETT 2013.

Holds 30 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in London, UK.

z Uwaje

zMacWorld Expo 2013.

Holds 31 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in San Francisco, USA.

New inventions shaping life and living

On-demand wind energy

z Juwah z Johnson

z Johnson

Hope rises for embattled CDMA sub-sector zAs Starcomms gets $210m lifeline zExpert traces CDMA’s problem to unfriendly taxation

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

Apple has filed a patent on a wind turbine that generates power even when wind isn't blowing.

According to the patent, the turbine generates electricity from heat energy created by the rotation of the rotor shaft moving through “low-heat capacity fluid.” The heat energy can be transferred from the holding fluid to a working fluid, which is then boiled to create steam and power a turbine.

The new system differs from conventional ones in that it eliminates the need for batteries to store power and is not subject to variances in wind power, instead making wind power more available on-demand to provide a more constant, uninterrupted supply.

I N S I D E C M Y K

zJuwah

Looking ahead in the broadcast sector

S

INCE liberaliza tion of the Nige rian telecommunications sector in 2001, the sector has unarguably become the most competitive in the entire sector of the economy.

The four major GSM operators: MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat have since then dominated the stage claiming over 90% of the entire market.

This is against the usual tradition when the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMAs and then national carrier, NITEL dominated the stage.

Today, the CDMA market which comprises players like MultiLinks, Reltel, Starcomms, GTE, Intercellular,and Visafone is today struggling

to find its fit with les than three players in the ever competitive market already overtaken by the GSM operators.

The declining fortunes of the sector includes: falling average revenue per user, increase in the cost of operation, sharp drop in the subscriber base.

However, with the recent stakeholders approval of $210 million investment into the new bigger Starcomms by the CAPCON limited, it

appears Starcomms is now ready fight a good share of the market.

The approval followed a court ordered meeting of the shareholders held in Abuja recently.

The company at the meeting also received 100% support of its shareholders present and voting at the AGM, on the various special resolutions authorized the Private Placement of 662.55 million new Starcomms shares to Capcom Ltd and related

matters.

Capcom Limited is a special purpose vehicle established in 2012, for the acquisition of Starcomms shares and related transactions, with money raised from investment funds, hedge funds, family offices and industry partners around the world with years of commercial experience of emerging markets. Its investors are interested in creating a national Broadband internet champion

,

,

Preview

z Rufai

Today, the CDMA market is struggling to find its feet with less than three players in the competitive market already overtaken by the GSM operators

Huawei expecting profit hike

NCS spurs innovation, competition at NITMA 2012

for Nigeria and have assembled an experienced group of telecommunications professionals as the new senior management team and an outstanding international Board to be the Directors of Starcomms on completion of the transaction.

Starcomms’ Interim CEO, Olusola Oladokun said the company had received the necessary shareholder support for all matters relating to the proposed US$210 million investment by Capcom into the Company, saying that the shareholder approvals at the meeting would now require the High Court’s ratification and the transaction thereafter remains subject to a number of conditions precedent as outlined in the Scheme Document including but not limited to final regulatory approval from the NCC, NSE and SEC. “We are delighted that our shareholders have supported the Board’s recommendation to approve the investment

by CAPCOM and are extremely pleased that, subject to a number of conditions precedent

Continues on page 26

Symantec predicts increase in cyber conflicts in 2013

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 9, 2013

H

Looking ahead in the broadcast sector

T

HE years ahead, households in Nigeria till 2015, promise to will be able to afford it? be interesting for us Many would simply here in Nigeria. Don’t opt out of using TV as get me wrong, I am not a form of entertaintalking about the ment, information or inevitable political education! How will dramas we surely must governments then witness since 2015 is an communicate with the election year. I am governed? Throughout talking about what we last year, there had will be doing and what been talk that interestwe might fail to do as ed investors would be the January 2015 encouraged to manudeadline set locally for facture set-top boxes migration from analogue locally, but since we to digital broadcasting haven’t even seen the approaches. Globally, white paper, no one the deadline is June knows if anything is 2015. being done To readers about that. of this At the end I am yet to column of the day, see any conwho also Mr Jing have been Chinaman crete action reading our simply towards edu- will major bring in stories in cating Nigeri- shiploads Hi-Tech, it decodans that from of is by now ers, dictate very clear 2015, they will his price, that several and issues will all need set-top Nigerians have to be boxes, or de- would resolved been coders to re- have regarding ripped off. this. First, a These are ceive televipresidential serious sion signals committee issues! had been What is set up on worse, the the issue, which had various broadcast completed its work, a organizations who will white paper nobody has directly be affected seen has also been don’t seem to be doing generated, and as 2012 much in this regard as drew to a close it was they are still busy heard that a tem had selling airtime. Airtime, been constituted to take as we all know, will action on the white cease to be important paper recommendations. without content when All good, at least as far the digital switch is as things Nigerian go. effected.

It is hoped that a turf The Federal Governwar between the Minisment, according to the try of Information and white paper no one has Ministry of Communica- seen intends to license tion Technology should a minimum of two and not manifest as we begin a maximum of three the transition since there signal carriers for the are issues of frequency digital switch. Who will allocation and managethese be? Do we see ment here. But that is at challenges in this area? the top, and things can If there are, what kind be handled with more of challenges? How do maturity there. we go about managing What I still find them? After the signal interesting is that I am carriers are emplaced, yet to see any concrete other players will be action towards educatcontent providers. Mrs ing Nigerians that from Amaka Igwe had 2015, they will all need already informed us set-top boxes, or decodthat about 4,380,000 ers to receive television hours of content will be signals. Nobody, except needed after the digital newspapermen, is switch if the television telling Nigerians that medium is to make their free-on-air TV sense. Are we prepared might disappear in 2015 for that? There are if they don’t buy decodmany issues for us to ers. With decoders consider in this regard coming at a price of and take necessary about US$100, or some action on. There is no N15,000, how many time to waste.

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C M Y K

UAWEI said it expects to report an increase in both profit and revenue for 2012, although it noted it was set to face a number of challenges in the coming twelve months.

In a statement, Guo Ping, its acting CEO, said that the company anticipates a net profit for the twelve months of around $2.4 billion on revenue of more than $35 billion, a greater than 10 percent increase for both.

The company has previously reported lacklustre numbers for the first half of the year, reflecting weakness in the infrastructure market which has also impacted rivals such as Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and ZTE. The executive’s statement was not without some caution.

He observed: “There was a time when rapid growth was Huawei’s priority and strong execution was Huawei’s distinctive feature.

These characteristics have contributed to our fast development, and at the same time created the lingering issue of extensive management at Huawei.”

Looking forward, he noted that as growth “becomes steady and

Hua wei e xpecting pr of it hik e Huaw expecting prof ofit hike moderate, we have to ensure reasonable profits to support our continuous strategic investment”.

The statement detailed the need to prioritise efficiency to mitigate against issues including “risks caused by historical issues which emerge because of slower business growth, operational risks arising from the deteriorating business environment, as well as business risks associated with uncertainties introduced by the pace of business investment and new business development”.

And in reference to its ongoing struggles with regulators in Europe and the US, the company said that “in 2013, we will further our efforts in legal and regulatory compliance across the world, become more open and transparent, and proactively contribute to the betterment of the global

business environment”.

With regard to its operations, the company said it had deployed more than 130 LTE networks worldwide,

and that its smartphone business has made “breakthroughs in scale in high-end markets such as Japan, the US, and Europe”.

NCS spurs innovation, competition at NITMA 2012

BY EMEKA AGINAM

B

Y the time the just concluded National Information Technology Merit Award, (NITMA) was drawing to a close, it became obvious among IT practitioners that the Nigerian Computer Society, (NCS) is committed to healthy competition and innovation in the IT community nationwide.

Also known as the President’s Award, NCS members voted online for their choice for Information Technology’s most prestigious award. Accenture, acknowledged for its world class auditing services, confirmed the transparency and credibility of the voting process for the IT personality of the year award.

At the award ceremony that honoured many individuals including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State and Mr. Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank PLC, who have all contributed immensely to the growth of IT in Nigeria, NCS highlighted the importance of recognizing and celebrating

From left: EVC of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and President, Nigeria Computer Society, Demola Aladekomo at the NITMA awards. individuals and organizations that have contributed tremendously towards the development and deployment of Information Technology in Nigeria.

Earlier in his address, the NCS President, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that the award was in line with the association's strategy of celebrating heroes in the sector to stimulate outstanding performances that would drive real, inclusive development and transformation in Nigeria through IT. NCS, he said, was committed to celebrating talent and promoting the

excellence, leadership, vision, and commitment of individuals and organizations within the IT industry and community. After a transparent voting, Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor, Country Manager, Google Nigeria won the “2012 Information Technology Personality of Year ” (the most outstanding IT contributor for 2012). Professional fellowships were conferred on ten new fellows which included EVC, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah.

Meanwhile, Chief Don Etiebet was conferred with the award of “Best

Software Entrepreneur of the Year 2012” by ISPON even as the Federal University of Technology, Minna also won the ISPON National Software award for Tertiary Institutions.

Also speaking the event, the Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola while accepting to host 2013 NCS conference commended NCS for its developmental role in IT He outlined innovative technology based initiatives of the Osun state government, inviting NCS and other IT stakeholders to partner.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 — 25

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Hope rises for embattled CDMA sub-sector Continues from Page 23

SECURE YOUR SYSTEMS: Symantec predicts increase in cyber conflicts in 2013

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

T

HERE were about three big trends; mobility, virtualization and cloud computing which increased cyber threat, created changes and affected the way many organizations approached IT in 2012. Indications have also emerged that these trends may still continue to drive change in 2013.

Experts are predicting that organizations will continue to grapple with a growing amount of information and an increasingly toxic and targeted threat landscape.

These trends are giving IT an opportunity to rethink their approach to make their organizations more efficient, more scalable and more cost effective.

However, the effect according to internet security experts would be heavier on small- and medium-sized businesses SMBs. Internet security giants, Symantec in its latest released predictions for 2013 specifically pointed out that “ we don’t foresee that attacks against these smaller businesses will not let up, we’ll see SMBs fall victim to not only other cyber conflict but also of their own lack of preparation”.

Some of the predictions by Symantec included that in 2013, there would be increase in cyber conflicts between nations, which would lead organizations and individuals to play integral roles in the

cyber world.

The prediction foresees Nations or organized groups of individuals continuing to use cyber tactics in an attempt to damage or destroy secure information or funds of its targets. “In 2013, we will see the cyber equivalent of saber rattling, where nation states, organizations, and even groups of individuals use cyber attacks to show their strength and send messages.”

Other predictions included that fake antivirus has begun to fade as a criminal enterprise, and ransomware, a new and harsher model has emerged. Ransomware infects a computer system and restricts access until a ransom is paid to the creator of the malware.

It goes beyond attempting to fool its victims; it attempts to intimidate and bully them. In 2013, attackers will use more professional ransom screens, up the emotional stakes to motivate their victims, and use methods that make it harder to recover data once compromised.

There is also the fear that monetization of social networks will introduces new dangers because as consumers place a high level of trust in social media. from the sharing of personal details, to spending money on game credits, to gifting items to friends.

Symantec says that this growing social spending trend will also provide cybercriminals with new

ways to lay the groundwork for attack.

Meanwhile, there is also this strong belief that attackers will shift to mobile and cloud because as unmanaged mobile devices continue to enter and exit corporate networks and pick up data that later tends to become stored in other clouds, there is increased risk of breaches and targeted attacks on mobile device data.

According to Symantec, “some mobile malware duplicates old threats, like stealing information from devices, but it also has created new twists on old malware. Today mobile malware sends premium text messages to accounts that bad guys can profit from. In 2013 you can be sure that mobile technology will continue to advance and thereby create new opportunities for cybercriminals”.

Solutions:

Symantec says that for organisations to avert damages and apparent loss of data, when attacks happen, there are series of precautions to take, including to: •Know what you need to protect: One data breach could have serious impacts on business financially including loss of time and damage to brand reputation.

Look at where your information is being stored and used, and protect those areas accordingly.

•Enforce strong password policies: Passwords with eight characters or more and use a

combination of letters, numbers and symbols (e.g., # $ % ! ?) will help protect your data.

•Map out a disaster preparedness plan today: Don't wait until it's too late. Identify your critical resources, use appropriate security and backup solutions to archive important files, and test frequently.

•Encrypt confidential information: Implement encryption technologies on desktops, laptops and removable media to protect your confidential information from unauthorized access, providing strong security for intellectual property, customer and partner data.

•Use a reliable security solution: Today's solutions do more than just prevent viruses and spam; they scan files regularly for unusual changes in file size, programs that match known malware, suspicious e-mail attachments and other warning signs. It's the most important step to protect your information.

•Protect Information Completely: It's more important than ever to back up your business information. Combine backup solutions with a robust security offering to protect your business from all forms of data loss.

•Stay up to date: A security solution is only as good as the frequency with which it is updated.

New viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other malware are born daily, and variations of them can slip by software that is not current.

•Educate employees: Develop Internet security guidelines and educate employees about Internet safety, security and the latest threats, as well as what to do if they misplace information or suspect malware on their machine.

relating to the overall transaction, Starcomms can look to the future with hope. The capital injection combined with the injection of new spectrum and the CDMA assets of Multilinks provides a sound base for continued operations as well as enabling investment in new technology that will position Starcomms for the future in a very exciting space in the market.”

“Overwhelming approval from shareholders is a strong endorsement of our proposed business model for Starcomms.

We believe that the combination of Starcomms’ and Multilinks’ existing infrastructure and customer base with access to 20MHz of spectrum and the latest 4G LTE technology positions the company perfectly to be at the forefront of Nigeria’s data revolution. We look forward to rolling out the business model and to a bright future for Starcomms’ customers and shareholders,” he added.

Reacting to the challenges of the CDMAs in the sector, the National President of National Association of Telecoms Subscribers of Nigeria, NATCOMS, Mr. Deolu Ogubanjo attributed the declining fortunes of the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA operators in the country to increased taxation by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Olubanjo said that the attempt by the regulator to equate charges for CDMA operators tax with that of GSM operators from to N5 to N10 in 2006, eventually resulted into major albatross of the CDMS operators.

He said this situation is not sustainable anywhere in the world, as the CDMAs are usually classified as land lines and as such should be treated as such with lesser charges, to enable survive and remain competitive in the market.

He berated telecom operators for not offering poor quality of service to Nigerians and insisted that the regulator should compel the operators to pay for poor services by way of paying compensation to subscribers.

The NTCOMS President condemned the attitude of some state governments, which he said is inimical to the

growth of the telecom industry by way of imposition of multiple taxations. This he said is antithetical to investors and urged them to abolish unfriendly laws which according to him stagnate growth in the industry.

On number portability, Ogubanjo urged NCC to speedy up action to be able to realize the goal in the first quarter of 2013 as promised by the regulator. This he said, would not only strengthen competition among operators but would offer subscribers the opportunity to make choice, especially during down times.

The NATCOMS President also accused the National Assembly of foot-dragging the passage of the telecoms infrastructure bill with them, which he said must be seen as part of national critical infrastructure for citizens and host communities to realize the need to protect them. He noted that telecommunication had become so imperative in human life that it has become an indispensible in the transaction of day to day activities, including saving of lives.

In a recent Broadband Forum, industry leaders identified multiple regulation, high cost of power generation, lack of access to funds, high cost of spectrum, right of way as part of challenges facing the industry.

However, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who acknowledged the challenges said the matter would be addressed by the proposed bill before the National Assembly.

The minister said the current level of interconnect indebtedness in the industry is unacceptable and has responded by modifying existing relations.

According to her, the new policy is expected to make it sanction-able for operators to avoid paying their bills as at when due and this she said will come into effect in the first quarter of 2013.

The Executive ViceChairman NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, also at the event said the Commission had embarked on re-planning the 800MHZ and 700 MHZ bands for LTE, while also re-farming the 2.5GHZ band as part of its plans to create a more level playing ground and make the market competitive.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—27

‘Energy efficient Data Centres can create huge economic gains’ STORIES BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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IRECTOR Business and strategy of a Nigerian IT company KITS technologies limited Mr Taofeek Okoya has advised Data centre operators in Nigeria and West Africa to think of adopting energy efficient design in data centre operations to cut cost and attract huge economic benefits that can reposition their out-

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fits.

Okoya said that millions of servers being run, managed and upgraded without being actively used on a daily basis consume hundreds of millions of dollars on energy consumption cost.

According to him, up to $21.4 billion is wasted each year on hardware, maintenance, management, energy and cooling for unused servers in data Centres

He also quoted founder and Chief Technical Officer of American Power Conversion, APC, Neil Rasmussen as saying that that it is possible to dramatically reduce the electrical consumption of typical data centers through appropriate design of the network-critical physical infrastructure as electricity usage cost has become an increasing fraction of the total cost of ownership (TCO) for data cent-

ers.

For him, through the design of the IT architecture, particularly when simple ‘no-cost’ decisions are made in the design of a new data center, it can result in savings of 20- 50% of the electrical bill, and with systematic effort up to 90% of the electrical bill can be avoided.

He noted that when considering that a data center can consume 10 to 100 times more energy per square foot than the average office building, and in some cases up to 40 percent of an organization’s carbon footprint, it is clear that managing

energy in the data center is of paramount importance.

Okoya said that many Data Centre Operators across Nigeria and west Africa could testify to the huge Economic gains if energy efficiency is adopted in the initial design concept or in their day-to-day best practice operational management. He added that, KITS technologies, in one of her efforts to ad-

dress the challenge, would be hosting a professional training in Lagos, working in conjunction with Capitoline LLP of UK, to demonstrate the best practices in achieving an Energy Efficient Data Centre.

The training is targeted at all professionals involved in the Planning, Designs, Specifications and Operational Management of Data Centres.

Globacom to open more service centres across Nigeria

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S a way of bringing telecom services closer to the people in different parts of the country Second National Operator, Globacom, said it has concluded

plans to open additional seven Gloworld shops in the country this January.

According to the company, the new shops would be spread across Lagos, Bonny, Oshogbo and Katsina.

The company said the concept of the new Gloworld shops is to bring the bouquet of services closer to the people as the shops offer similar services anywhere in the country.

Globacom’s Director of Sales, Patrick Awotwi, explained that with the scores of Gloworld shops around the country, subscribers need not travel long distances anymore to enjoy telecom services.

He also said that this will give subscribers quick and satisfactory resolution of all issues ranging from SIM replacement to SIM registration, recovery of overscratched cards, refill, un-blocking of SIMS, phone and laptop configurations for internet as well as post-paid bill payments and purchase of all Glo and other complementary products at the shops.

Awotwi noted that “Gloworld is a strategic business unit of Globacom. It provides specialised outlets which are equipped to offer convenient and easy access to products, services and problem-resolution in a world-class and friendly environment.

The Gloworld concept is aimed at efficient service delivery, using a state-of-the-arts technology platform managed by well-trained members of staff in order to bring the company ’s brand closer to customers.

Three of the new shops became operational on Monday, January 7 th .

The first is located at Ikeja City Mall; while the second one on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island is for Post Paid customers only.

The third is located at Oluwole Urban Mall, Nnamdi Azikiwe/Martins Street, Lagos Island.

Another Gloworld shop will be opened at Conoil Filling Station, Cele Bus stop on Oshodi-Apapa Express Way on Thursday, 10th January, 2013.

28 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Chelsea will make me a better player – Ba N

ew Chelsea striker Demba Ba says his £7.5m move to Stamford Bridge will make him a better player.

Demba Ba: “I just want to enjoy my football, it’s not about pressure, it’s about playing a game I like, and that’s what I’m doing. “Being at Stamford Bridge will bring out the best in me.

“I will only improve.

“It makes football look easy, I just try to run in behind and create space for the midfielders because I know when they have space they will be dangerous.

“When you have players like this, that understand football perfectly, you just have to run and the ball will come into your feet, and that’s what I tried to do.

“I’m very pleased, I saw it when I played against them, but they are world-class players and when you play with them it’s completely different. “They create spaces, provide good passes and they are very intelligent in their game.”

Swansea to give Tremmel the nod against Chelsea G

erhard Tremmel is set to start in goal when Swansea travel to Chelsea for the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final. The German has played throughout the run to the last four, and manager Michael Laudrup feels Tremmel has earned the right to keep his place ahead of Michel Vorm as Swansea chase a first appearance at a major Wembley final.

Angel Rangel should be available after a calf problem, while Pablo Hernandez, Ashley Williams and Michu should all return to the starting line-up at Stamford Bridge.

Provisional squad: Vorm, Bartley, Flores, Williams, Britton, Lita, Michu, Graham, Hernandez, Dyer, Routledge, Monk, Shechter, Moore, De Guzman, Tiendalli, Rangel, Ki, Tremmel, Agustien, Gower, Richards, Davies.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 — 29

The FIFA Ballon d’Or outcome T

Be fair and firm in the final 23-man AFCON list, Erico tells Keshi

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ORMER Super Eagles goalkeeper coach, Joe Erico has told Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi to be fair and firm in the selection of his final 23-man AFCON list as Nigeria take on Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in a friendly tie to boost their AFCON participation Both sides are using the clash today at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal to finalize their squad and strategy for their 2013 AFCON campaign in South Africa.

Cape Verde, who are making their debut at the biennial football showpiece, will vie for honour in Group A with hosts, South Africa, Angola and Morocco while two-time African champions, Nigeria will campaign in Group C against Cup holders, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. Erico said after pulling a heart-warming 1-1 draw against star-studded Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain a win against Cape Verde will boost the Eagles’ confidence heading to the Nations Cup. “I never placed undue emphasis on winning when it comes to friendly matches but having pulled a draw against the Catalonian selected a win against Cape Verde will boost the Eagles’ confidence going into the 2013 Nations Cup. “Defeat will be demoralising and they should avoid defeat perhaps worst case settle for a draw,” said the former Nigerian shot-stopper.

The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale coach will want manager, Stephen Keshi to be fair and firm in the selection of the final 23-man AFCON list.

“I know he would have made up his mind on the final 23 I want to believe the choices will plug the loopholes noted in the team. I equally believe he will be fair to both local and foreign-based players,” he said.

Erico charged the Eagles to give every AFCON opponent equal attention.

“The Eagles should play every game as if it has never been played before and must avoid underrating any opponent. “Nobody would have given Cape Verde a chance against Cameroon, every country at the Nations Cup is potential winner, so they must take every game seriously,” he said.

The Eagles will kickoff their chase for a third African title against Burkina Faso on January 21 in Nelspruit.

Team of the year: Iker Casillas Dani Alves Gerard Piqué Sergio Ramos Marcelo Xabi Alonso Andreas Iniesta Xavi Hernandez Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Radamel Falcao

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arcelona and Real Madrid dominated the FIFA team of the year award with 10 of the 11 players coming from one team or the other. Out of favour Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defenders Segio Ramos and Marcelo along with Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Gerard Piqué made up the defence of the world team award. All of them have performed exceptionally in each game that they were involved with last season and that along with a number of other reasons are why they are in the world team.

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso and Barcelona’s Xavi and one of the Ballon d’Or final three Andreas Iniesta made up the midfield. Alonso since he left Liverpool has picked up a number of awards and this is another one to add to that list, which I’m sure is as important as the rest even though it isn’t a individual award for him to take home.

Finally Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, along with Atletico Madrid’s prolific striker Radamel Falcao making up the forward three in the FIFA team of the year. Ronaldo and Messi were definitely not a surprise to be included in this team seen as though they were short listed for the Ballon d’Or award.

Coach of the year:

Vicente Del Bosque

Shevchenko: Messi is incredible

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he former Chelsea and AC Milan salutes the Argentinian on winning the coveted award for a fourth time in a row, stating that his record-breaking year was “unbelievable” Messi beat team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the prestigious award and became the only player to ever win the prize four times.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Shevchenko has heaped praise on the 25-year-old and argues that despite the strong competition for the title, after scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, 2012 belonged to Messi.

“I think all three nominees were amazing in 2012 but Lionel Messi was something special. To score 91 goals in a full year is unbelievable,” Shevchenko told Goal.com.

“Both him and Cristiano are great but Leo Messi is incredible.”The former Ukraine attacker, who was also a recipient of the award in 2004, spoke of his own pride at being named the best player of the year, and believes it is one of the pinnacles of any footballer’s career.

“To win the Ballon D’Or was a very special day for me,” he added. “To win the award and be named the best player in the year is something very special in your life.”

he FIFA Ballon d’Or didn’t offer up any surprises in the awards that were handed out last Monday night at the ceremony. But that wasn’t a bad thing because everyone that was presented with an award deserved it and that was why they were at that prestigious event. The biggest names in football were in attendance with the setting for the awards packed to the rafters and also the event was broadcast live on Eurosport in the UK and on other channels around the world.

Dosu thumbs up Eagles preparation V E

No punishment for Ameobi – NFF T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not take action against Shola Ameobi following his failure to honour his invitation to represent the West African nation at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The forward was called up by head coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi alongside 31 others but he failed to turn up or give any reason for his decision.

The 31-year-old striker made his senior international debut against Venezuela two months ago and was set to be included in a 23-man Super Eagles squad for the Cup of Nations between January 19 and February 10. But once Ameobi was chosen in a provisional Nigerian squad, the Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew said the player would not be going to South Africa for the tournament without giving a reason.

Although it emerged that a clause in the contract of Ameobi allowed the English Premier League club to retain his services

during the tournament, Eagles coach, Keshi did not drop him from the squad until last weekend. In accordance with Article 36 Paragraphs 2b) and 5c) of FIFA regulations, if a player is called up, he must be released to play in the final competition organised by FIFA or a confederation and held in a period fixed/ set in the calendar. In this event, the period of release shall be 14 days.

The NFF thus has the power to appeal to FIFA to stop the player from representing Newcastle during the period of the competition but the federation has now revealed that it will not toe that line.

“We will not be appealing to FIFA to stop Ameobi from playing for Newcastle,” General Secretary of the NFF, Musa Ahmadu said.

Reminded that this may set a negative precedent, Ahmadu said “there are more important issues than Ameobi.”

•Ameobi

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x-International, Dosu Joseph, has commended the progress being made by Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, as the team puts finishing touches to its preparations for the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

The Atlanta ’96 Olympics soccer gold winning goaltender and former goalkeeper of the defunct Julius Berger FC of Lagos, stressed that any keen observer would notice that the team was changing for the better. “I think so far so good, we can see improvements, they have done well.

“The players have put up a heartwarming display in their last match, which showed that they have been working hard at the training pitch and I hope they will keep it up. “They have done well, every department played well, and the momentum should be sustained,” he said.

Dosu, who was a member of the victorious U-23 squad that won the football event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, urged the team to do well in South Africa. “When a team participates in a championship of the magnitude of the AFCON, the team has to win its matches to boost its confidence level.

“They just need to stay positive and listen to instructions, once we can pick our points from our first and second matches, I believe that we will go far,” Dosu said.

icente Del Bosque ensured Spain won the Euro 2012 tournament which they deserved to win without a doubt. His no nonsense managerial style ensured that the brilliant Spanish team dominated the World Cup games that they were involved in from start until finish, apart from the one slip up against Switzerland!

Del Bosque also has a fatherly side which I’m sure the Spain players appreciate when they need someone to talk to. He is also a person that you can be sure will want 110% from his players every time they take to the pitch.

The Spanish coach is undeniably one of the best coaches in the world and deserved to win the award this year, not only because of the Euro 2012 triumph, but because of his work off the pitch in ensuring that all of his players were in top condition before every match.

FIFA Puskas award (Best goal):

Miroslav Stoch

Stoch: You need a bit of luck

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iroslav Stoch scored the finest goal of 2012, as determined by FIFA.com users, who voted overwhelming in his favour. An impressive 78 per cent of those who participated chose his stunning long-range strike ahead of efforts from Radamel Falcao and Neymar, thus earning the Fenerbahce midfielder the FIFA Puskás Award.

After the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, and proudly clutching his prize, the Slovakian international spoke exclusively to FIFA.com. “It’s a fantastic feeling as I didn’t expect to be in the top ten, never mind the final three,” said the player. “I want to thank the fans as well, because without their votes I wouldn’t be here.

This trophy belongs to them too. “I try to practice shooting from outside the box, but to score a shot like that needs hard work and, if I’m honest, a little bit of luck as well,” continued Stoch.

FIFA Presidential award:

Franz Beckenbauer

FIFA women’s player of the year award: Abby Wambach (USA)

Wambach: I was speechless

She is undoubtedly among the finest at her craft, not to mention an inspiration to young girls the world over. Abby Wambach, who netted five goals as USA triumphed at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in London in the summer, was deservedly named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2012 at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on 7 January.

“It’s fantastic,” Wambach told FIFA.com shortly after accepting the award. “There haven’t been many times in my life where I’ve been completely speechless, but I’m really having trouble finding the right words. Honestly, when Hope [Solo] said my name, I thought she’d made a mistake. I was sure that Alex [Morgan] would win.”

Messi ,Ronaldo accused of tactical voting in battle for Ballon d’Or

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ETAILS have emerged that neither Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo voted for one another in nominations for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. The two La Liga stars went head-tohead at a glittering awards ceremony in Zurich to be crowned the world’s best footballer.

After scoring a record-breaking 91 goals during 2012, Barcelona star Messi eventually picked up the award for the fourth consecutive year, but according to the Daily Mail the Argentine ace didn’t choose Real Madrid rival Ronaldo in his top three players of the past 12 months.

The Ballon d’Or honour is selected by votes gathered from national team captains and coaches.

Argentina skipper Messi chose Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Radamel Falcao as his top three whilst Portuguese captain Ronaldo abstained from voting—instead allowing A Selecao vice-captain Bruno Alves to nominate his trio. Zenit St Petersburg defender Alves selected his compatriot in top spot and made up his list with Radamel Falcao and Robin Van Persie.

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Dana crash: Families accuse insurers of compensating on family basis

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Law Union donates to physically challenged home

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S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiative, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc has donated various items to a home for the mentally and physically challenged.

Representatives of the company visited Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home, a school for the mentally and physically challenged children, in Yaba.

The team consisting of Miss.

Ngozi Ochei of the Corporate Communications Unit and Miss.

Stella Bello, was led by Mr. Imo Okorie Imo, Head Strategy and Planning and various food items, toiletries, household items (utilities) and cash were donated.

They were met by the Head Teacher of the School Mrs. F. A. Durowoju.

The students and staff of the home expressed their gratitude

From left: Cincinni Olawale Wahab (Past President 2005, JCI Eko), JCISenator Tunji Adekoya (JCI Eko Charter President), Tunde Adewale(Tee-A) guest facilitator and Jide Adeyemi (JCI Eko 2013 President)at the first Business Meeting of JCI Eko at Planet 1, Lagos.

STORIES BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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AMILIES of victims of the Dana Air crash have accused insurers of the aircraft of giving compensation on family basis instead of individual’s basis thereby depriving families of their constitutional compensation.

Speaking through their legal consultants, the families said that many of them who lost multiple members of their families to the crash were paid $30,000 per family instead of the mandatory $30,000 per victim.

They said “They deliberately want to postpone the remainder to be included with the balance of $70,000 they are offering in order to make victims family members sign off their rights to a law suit. They are doing this despite the fact that the Civil Aviation Act makes the payment of $30,000 per victim mandatory and payable within 30 days of any fatal air crash.”

According to Managing Partner of M.O. Awoyemi & Co. & New York State admitted attorney, Bunmi Awoyemi, who is representing 40 wrongful death victims in total in a mass tort law suit in the United States, “This wicked and callous action is being perpetrated by Prestige Assurance Plc and its Reinsurer of 70 per cent of the risk, Pritchard Insurance Ltd./Lloyd’s of London, who have instructed their solicitors to pay only $30,000 per family.”

Awoyemi said that it explains why the Oyosoro’s and Ibe’s were each paid $30,000 each instead of $60,000 despite the fact that they each lost two family members each.

According to Awoyemi only 80 victims’ family members had been paid any form of compensation.

He therefore condemned the action of the Aviation Minister and the NCAA C M Y K

for issuing a letter authorising Dana Airlines to resume operations in the midst of their wicked and deceptive behavior as far as compensation is concerned.

“160 lives were lost and many of the relatives of the dead are still dealing with the issues arising from the death of their family members.

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n fact some are yet to pick up the corpses of their dead relatives while some family members only got body parts, while others are yet to find the bodies of their relatives because their bodies were incinerated. Nigerians should bear in mind that Dana Airlines owes 80 victims mandatory $30k per victim. Everyone should avoid Dana Airlines like a plague because if there is another Dana crash the airline will still hold back basic compensation,” Awoyemi said.

“Before any member of the public

boards Dana Airlines planes they should bear in mind the fact that seven months after the crash their insurers have deliberately refused to pay the mandatory $30k per victim to over half of the victims under the false claim of multiple representation and insufficient documentation. You should also ask yourself, will the following people board or allow any member of their family board Dana Airlines planes as their exclusive Airline for the next 12 months? - The President of Nigeria, The Aviation Minister, The DGs of NCAA and FAAN, the management of Dana Airlines, Ministers in President’s cabinet.

“It is quite clear that we have people in government who are there for their selfish interests and who do not care about the citizens that elected them.” into office. It is most likely than not

Insurers to raise budget on staff training

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O effectively prepare their staff for more productivity, insurance operators have pledged to raise the budget on training this year.

The President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, Dr. Wole Adetimehin, who disclosed this, said underwriters and brokers have given assurance to improve on their budget on staff training, adding that they have realised that the best assets is their human capital.

He noted that the CIIN leadership had engaged the operators on the need to see the institute as theirs, adding that the institute has continued to find new ways of enhancing the human capital

of the industry.

Director General CIIN Adegboyega Adepegba, said over the years, there have been scaling down on budget for training by most companies.

H

e said, “I want to suspect, that the budget for training has being falling, I do not have the figures, but I suspect, that there might been some scaling down of budget for training, this is a major challenge. This is because no matter how good and elaborate a training programme is, if we do not have more of our members attending it would not be well.”

NIBA rejects calls to name participants of code breaches

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HE National Insurance Brokers Association of Australia, NIBA, has rejected calls to name General Insurance Code of Practice participants under investigation for breaches or non-compliance.

The move would be “unfair on those who are later found not to have breached or failed to comply”, it says.

But in its response to the code’s review issues paper, NIBA agrees monitoring and investigation standards should be better promoted to increase compliance.

It also backs calls for the Code Compliance Committee (CCC), rather than the Financial Ombudsman Service, to report to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on serious misconduct and systemic breaches.

“NIBA also queries whether the CCC should play a role in reviewing unresolved systemic matters,” the submission says.

It says the practicalities of applying the code to all insurers that operate in Australia will be complex because the code is owned by the Insurance Council of Australia – but it has no objection to the matter being considered.

On extending the code to all insurance industry participants with an Australian financial services licence, NIBA says it understands this is not intended to cover brokers when they act as agents for insurers.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—31

Countdown Festival: Lagos reinstates commitment to boost foreign Investment STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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HE Lagos State gov ernment at the just ended Lagos Countdown Carnival which has reaffirmed its resolve to attract foreign investment into the state, with its business-friendly policies, infrastructure and tourist attractions.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, disclosed this in Lagos dur-

ing the Lagos Countdown – a cross-over event driven by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA).

The commissioner explained that the government is leveraging the proposition of Lagos as a premium destination for business and leisure, with tourism platforms such as the countdown.

“The Lagos Countdown was conceived to place Lagos on the same scale with cities such as Sydney, London, New York and Los Angelis, which

have been know worldwide to celebrate the entry of each year with colourful festivities, while attracting thousands of tourists and businesses with each edition” He said.

He further stated that the event boosts micro economy of the state and also rehabilitates and employs the majority of the high-risk youth and individuals, popularly called area boys, who usually cause nuisance to their communities during the festive seasons. An es-

timated 615 individuals were employed during the course of the event, and a majority of these previously unemployed individuals also benefited from the training programmes that were organized to assist them discharge their functions.

According to him, a total of 108 shops were erected, while licensed vendors recieved stalls, tables and chairs free of charge. Over 120 vendors participated in the event, while jobs were created in areas of secu-

rity, crowd control, stewards & information marshals and fireworks rigging and testing. It was undoubtedly the biggest show in 2012 in terms of participants, calibre and number of artistes that performed. Over 100,000

people converged at the Eko Atlantic City on the year’s eve to welcome the New Year in true Lagos style, while millions of people experienced the event via the mass media as well as the social media.

Sweet Sensation fetes customers, offers free vouchers IT was an opportunity for Sweet sensation confectionary customers when it gave 365 days of free meal vouchers to 5 Customers in a raffle draw ceremony to reward them for their loyalty and support in the year 2012.

The raffle draw took place in 5 selected Sweet sensation outlets spread across the geographical areas of Lagos with a total of 5 winners with 1 emerging from each of the areas namely Victoria Island, Opebi, Ogba, Ikoyi and Festac.

According to the Executive Director of Sweet Sensation, Mr. Olatunji Kamson, this is the first time that such a thing will happen in the history of the Nigerian Quick Service Restaurant sub-sector. It is also a reiteration of our company’s core values and commitment as a

customer-friendly brand to continue to provide world-class service and innovativeness for our teeming Customers.

Also, to mark the recent Xmas in grand style, Sweet Sensation hosted children below 13 years to a colourful Xmas party in 3 Sweet Sensation Outlets. The Outlets are Opebi, Surulere and Abeokuta.

According to the Marketing Manager of Sweet Sensation, Mr. Yemi Yusuf, the essence of the party is to give back to Customers who have stood by us in the course of the year. Last years Xmas celebration was a departure from the regular Sweet Sensation Xmas Santa celebration. It was to celebrate children who are the core essence of Xmas.

Yuletide: Indomie donates to orphanages, old people’s home

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N the spirit of the yule tide season, Dufil Prima Foods Plc makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has reached out to the less privileged in the society through donation to Orphanages and homes for the elderly.

The homes visited in Lagos includes; Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere, Lagos Cheshire Home, Mushin, Holy Family Home for the Elderly, Mushin, Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare & Treatment Home School, Akoka, Pacelli School for the blind, Surulere, Heritage Homes in Anthony area of Gbagada.

According to the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, the ges-

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ture is aimed at commemorating the festive season with the less privilege by showing them love and care which is in line with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

“The Festive season is a time to show love and care to the less privileged in the society especially the orphans and the Elderly who need people to care for them .It is also a period to empathize with them. This is why Indomie as a caring and compassionate brand is always there for them” he said Mrs. Laja Adedoyin, the proprietress, Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospices, Surulere, said “We are extremely grateful for the love and care Indomie has shown by donating products to the home.”

32—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 9, 2013

20 13: 201

PIB lubricates North/ South dichotomy THE Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, currently before the National Assembly appears to have reawakened the historical North/South dichotomy over the appropriation of Nigeria’s vast economic resources.

In view of the argument that PIB would generally improve the operations of the oil and gas industry, the question on the lips of many is: Is the North really afraid of PIB? CHARLES KUMOLU writes ITH a history of acrimo ny over the manner in which Nigeria’s economic wealth, is being appropriated among the federating units in the nation, it is not a surprise that the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, appears to have reawakened the agelong mutual suspicion between the North and South.

Though, originally conceived to provide a functional institutional framework that will govern the nation’s oil and gas industry, the PIB has remained contentious since it was first presented to the National Assembly, NASS, in 2008 during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. At the moment, the war of attrition over certain contents of the bill, appears to be an issue that would among others, make or mar north/ south relationship this new year.

Hailed as the most important documenteveronthemanagement of Nigeria’s oil resources, since oil was first discovered in commercial C M Y K

quantities at Oloibiri in 1956, the story of the PIB started with the setting up of the Oil and Gas Sector Reform Implementation Committee in 2000.

And it was followed by the bill’s journey to the NASS in 2008, which was truncated by the absence of cohesion between the executive and the legislature, particularly against the background of the circulation of too many versions of the bill. In addition, the north/south dichotomy also contributed to the fate of the bill in the Sixth NASS. The stillbirth: For instance, on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2011, lawmakersfromtheNorthandtheir colleagues from the South disagreed over Section II of the bill, where it mentioned “Government of the Federation.” However, the need for the bill to be passed into law, prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to forward the new PIB to the NASS in July 2012.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani AllisonMadueke, who disclosed this, said that what was sent to the NASS was the authentic copy which contained some security features to guard against circulation of fake copies.

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the oil and gas sector, that will carry this sector for years to come. This is therefore the definitive petroleum industry bill and we expect that it will receive due consideration in the National Assembly,”she noted.

Titled a “Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of a legal, fiscal and regulatory framework for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria and for other related matters,” the bill among other things, seek to overhaul the industry. This was primarily informed by the operational ineptitude inherent in the system, particularly in the operations of the Nigerian

The problem is that we always politicise important matters along tribal and ethnic lines; the North is not afraid of the bill and desires the best for the whole nation; any bill made to govern the oil industry must take into consideration every part of the country

“We have had to review it in great detail and rework the bill to reflect as much as possible the entire spectrum of what we considered will be the substantial strategic framework for the petroleum industry and the amalgamation of over 16 laws in

,

National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Instructively, the PIB is expected to repeal all existing laws governing the oil industry, given that it is a comprehensive law governing all aspects of the industry. In view of the the

envisaged gains in the bill, many had expected that its reintroduction in the NASS by the President, would attract general sympathy. But the contrary was the case, as the opposition against the bill reemerged again shortly after it was read before the lawmakers in September last year. For instance, the disagreement between Northern and Southern senators, led to the suspension of the consideration of the bill on December 18, 2012.

Relatedly, the Northern governors it would be recalled, had set up a committee to advise them on the contents of the bill. The Ahmed Monsur, headed committee was saddled with the responsibility of studying the proposed bill and its implications for the region.

Northern governors/ senators revolt It was, however, gathered that the committee’s findings, increased the fears of the north, as it (committee) claimed that PIB would end up allocating more money to the oil producing states.

Hence it concluded that PIB could mean jerking up the 13 percent derivation acruable to the Niger Delta states.

The Monsur committee also reported that “on top of the 13.5 per cent statutory derivation from the Federation Account, the mandatory Federal allocation to the Ministry of Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, levy of three percent of oil operations and the massive amount of federal funds being spent on the Niger Delta Amnesty programme, the

Continues on page 33

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 9, 2013 —33

PIB lubricates North/South dichotomy Continues from page 32 new PIB is adding 10 percent of the profit of all oil and gas companies to the Niger Delta states and communities.”

The north it was also alleged, is not comfortable that the bill did not consider gas supply to the region, just as it was uncomfortable that revenue accruing to Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, is more than that of 19 states of the North. The region also criticised some sections of the bill which makes provision for the Petroleum Host Communities Fund, PHCF. Sections 116 and 117 of the bill reads: “There is established a fund known as the Petroleum Host Communities Fund. The PHC Fund shall be utilised for the development of the economic and social infrastructure of the communities within the petroleum producing area.”

Another provision of the bill, which the North is opposed to, is the establishment of a National Oil Company, the National Gas Company and the National Petroleum A s s e t s Management Corporation.

Against the background of this, not a few are in hurry to know what the fears of the north are on the matter.

Speaking to VanguardFeatures,VF, the president, Arewa Alliance •Madueke for One North, AAON, Dr. Allahmagani Baushe, states that the PIB should address the fears of the whole nation and not the doubts of the oil producing areas alone.

He said: “The problem is that we always politicise important matters along tribal and ethnic lines. The North is not afraid of the bill and desires the best for the whole nation.

Any bill made to govern the oil industry must take into consideration every part of the country. The north as a region in Nigeria does not in any way want the PIB dead, but what we are saying is that some geo-political zones should not be enriched, while others are left behind. Afterall, the

oil producing states. They have the Federal Government’s take home, the NDDC with over N500 billion being projects only in oil producing communities. They also have the Niger Delta Ministry with over N400 billion Federal Government grants in the name of amnesty and oil companies doing social corporate responsibility.”

According to him, adding another 10 per cent to the already existing revenue generators for the zone was unfair. “Adding another 10 per cent to all these seven sources, I don’t know how you are going to have peace where resources allocations are so skewed to one side and unfair.”

He said this addition in the PIB was unacceptable and suggested that the money should go into the treasury so that every Nigerian can benefit from it. “Nobody planted or farmed oil, it is God, who put it there and it will not last forever. It will get to a point where the oil will finish and another natural resource will come up and every Nigerian will benefit from it.”

But a Niger Delta activist and Executive

•Abba-Ibrahim

Director of Project Equity and Justice, PEJ, Barrister Tony Peremombowie, noted that the northern anti-PIB stand would fail, adding that Niger Delta concerns should be properly addressed by the PIB. He said: “What are they talking about?

These northerners are in the habit of ganging up against anything that would make the Niger Delta benefit from its oil wealth. The north should rather think of ways of reviving agriculture in their region, because their potentials are there. PIB is a responsible document which the senators, should as a matter of urgency and equity pass into law.” But another prominent Nigerian, from one of the oil producing states, Chief It is because of this kind of Ritalori Ogbebor, opposition from the North, that we Mrs. noted that had governors of the Niger Delta states, have been in the vanguard of the utilised the 13 percent calls for a judicious use of all the derivation judiciously, the current opposition would funds accruable to the region. We not have come up. fought for 13 percent derivation She stated that in face of the alleged oil belongs to all Nigerians, the proponents mismanagement of the 13 percent derivation of the current bill should also have in mind fund, elders of the Niger Delta region does that some states in the north have not seem to have the enthusiasm to speak discovered oil. The North should not against the position of the north, stressing: always been seen as an enemy of the south “The PIB is should be seen as a good thing. on most issues because we are one. What But when the governors have not properly the North is saying is that certain aspects used the 13 percent derivation for the good of the bill should be in consonance with of the people, how then do you expect us to the mood of the whole nation and not the assist them on the PIB, which would mean Niger delta region alone.” appropriating more money to them.

Baushe’s position, was also re-echoed by “It is because of this kind of opposition the Chairman, Senate Committee on from the north, that we have been in the Housing, Sen. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, who vanguard of the calls for a judicious use of said that the North was opposed to the all the funds accruable to the region. We Petroleum Industry Bill because of its fought for 13 percent derivation. I personally lopsidedness. He said that the clause in fought for it because I know that the terrain the PIB, which was asking for additional 10 of the Niger Delta requires much money to per cent revenue for oil producing fix. But we have not been impressed because communities was unacceptable. they governors have little or nothing to show Abba-ibrahim noted: “Derivation is only for the thirteen percent derivation.” one out of seven sources of revenue for the

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34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

2012 in retrospect

BOMBINGS: Any respite in 2013?

By EVELYN USMAN

T

HE year 2012 may have come and gone. But it left in its wake the death of several persons;both young and old, no thanks to series of terrorists attacks in some northern states of the country. Sadly, several women turned widows and children orphaned, with several families still displaced, as their houses were blown into shreds by bombs.

Although the history of bomb blasts in the country could be traced to 1986, when the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Mr. Dele Giwa, was killed by a mail bomb in his home in Ikeja, Lagos, several pockets of explosions have since occurred in some parts of the country.

But none, was targeted at the majority of Nigerians, with a terrorist group laying claim to the act until March 15, 2010, in Warri, Delta state, during an Amnesty Dialogue sponsored by Vanguard Media Limited, with a group of Niger Delta militants claiming responsibility. The group also claimed re-

sponsibility for the October 1, 2010 bomb explosion that rocked the Eagle square, during Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations in Abuja.

However, a worrisome dimension was introduced to the incidence of bomb explosions in the country, following series of blasts by the Boko Haram sect which has led to the loss of over 1,000 lives since 2011 to date. The first bomb explosion that signalled catastrophe ahead for the country, occurred on January 1, 2011, at an Abuja Army Barracks Mam-

my market. Another occurred on April 8, 2011 in Maiduguri, Borno State on May 29, 2011, and another at an Army barracks in Bauchi.

What can be regarded as the highpoint of the blasts occurred on June 16, 2011, when the terrorists threw caution to the dogs and targeted the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, with the then Inspector-General of Police, Hafeez Ringim, escaping narrowly.

Barely one month later, 50 persons were reported killed in a bomb attack in Maiduguri .

Not satisfied with the devastating national impact of its attacks, the sect went ahead to blow up the United Nations Building in Abuja on August 26, 2011, which claimed twentythree lives. To round off year 2011, the terrorists gave another devastating Christmas package to the country, by attacking churches in Abuja, Jos and Yobe states, where families that gathered to pray and celebrate a day which symbolizes harmony and good will towards others, were torn apart.

151 explosions in 2012

T

HE list was endless in year 2012. Not even the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan whom the sect reportedly asked to resign, before it would cease fire was spared, as two explosions rocked Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital on January 21, 2012.

During the year under review, 58 persons reportedly lost their lives in Kaduna and Makurdi blasts on August 22. One of the

blasts that would linger in the memory of 2012 was concealed in a Lucozade bottle, Nigerians, was the one in Kano State, vegetable oil and Viju milk containers. The where an electronic media journalist with one that exploded at the Prison Service, Channels Television, Eneche Akogwu, Konduga, Maiduguri, on March 2012, was was killed while covering the scene of a contained in a 380 ml Peak Milk tin, while that on Shuguwa Police Division in Adamabomb explosion.

Military and Police formations as well wa State in February 2012, was packed in as Prisons and Immigration facilities were four cans of Star and Amstel Malta.

Spokesman for Police Anti Bomb Explonot spared by the rampaging terrorists. sive Ordnance Department, EOD, Mr. GboSame was the fate of churches, mosques, eateries and residential However, a worrisome dimension was apartments, introduced to the incidence of bomb thereby sendexplosions in the country, following ing innocent and helpless series of blasts by the Boko Haram sect Nigerians to which has led to the the loss of over their unpre1,000 lives since 2011 to date pared graves.

Crime Alert can authoritatively state that between lahan Folorunsho when contacted, attribMarch and December 2012, there were uted the command’s achievement to inten535 IED threats. Out of this figure, 151 sified intelligence, security consciousness explosions succeeded while 384 cases and public enlightenment lectures. Accordwere averted by the Police Anti Bomb Ex- ing to Folorunsho, an Assistant Superintenplosive Ordnance Department, EOD, with dent of Police, “during the period under resome of the discoveries view; the command sensitized members of made in Akwa-Ibom, Continues on page 35 Basyelsa, Ondo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states.

Information made available to Crime Alert, revealed that most of the Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs; both exploded and unexploded, were concealed in bottles; fire extinguishers; buckets with steel balls and detonators, vehicles with timing remote controlled devices with a Q-link receiver.

Some of them were also discovered to be concealed inside nonalcoholic drinks and vegetable oil containers. For instance the IED explosion at a Military check point in Late Eneche Bauchi on March 14,

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Explosion sites

IG Mohammed Abubakar

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151 explosions in 2012 Continues from page 34 the public, corporate organizations, religious groups, sister security agencies, ministries and government establishments on the method of identification of basic IED components and bomb threat response techniques”.

The command he further stated, embarked on series of explosives escorts across the country

from manufacturers/marketers magazines to various end users storage facilities. This he explained, was to ensure that the materials were not diverted to wrong users, adding that the officers adhered strictly to standard explosive movement procedures as approved by the IGP. ASP Folorunsho said other measures put in place by EOD

Preparation for 2013

I

N preparation for year 2013, he said, were in training and rethe command held its first search development for the perEOD workshop two weeks ago, sonnel to be professionally ready with the theme “Establishment of to combat any act of insurgency Explosives and Allied materials in the country. He said that over Database in Nigeria Police and 500 police officers and men apmeasures in Ensuring Control proved by the IG, had been over illegal use and proliferation trained as bomb technicians and of Explosives materials.” The investigators across the units.

It is, therefore, expected that workshop according to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Folusho with the preparation on ground, Adebanjo, was to brainstorm and coupled with those from other seadopt measures which would curity agencies, Nigerians, parmake its activities less cumber- ticularly those in the northern parts of the country will heave some this year.

Other areas of preparedness, sighs of relief this year.

Some of the discovered IEDs

included the inspection of explosives magazines and supervision of existing and functional quarries sites. “EOD operatives also monitor the handling, storage, usage of explosives and allied materials by end users nationwide”, noting that so far, no incident of theft or mis-

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 — 35 hap was reported at explosives operandi for EOD operations magazines and quarry stores in escorting explosives from point to points as stipulated in across the country.

But he was quick to add that the Explosives Acts and Reguthe synergy between the Police lations. This strengthens our and the Military also helped to operational ability and has proachieve the feat. “In the imme- duced dividend in the fight diate past, the personnel in our against terrorism.

Police Anti Bomb, EOD, comunits encountered arrest by the Military during the process of mand through our units across escorting explosives and its al- the country, regularly embarks lied materials from Ports of en- on joint search operations with try to dealers magazines. But the Joint Task Force, JTF, to carry when the present Inspector- out raids and good successes General of Police came on of recovery of items suspected board, this problem was the to be IEDs were made in sevfirst he tackled and he was able eral cases.” to fashion out a better modus

Table showing recovered weapons of mass destruction planted at various locations.

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

GEMINI; If you allow minor domestic challenge to go out of hands you would be the loser to the detriment of your cause. Make sure temper don’t overshoot acceptable limit, especially around 8.48pm till mid-night.

CANCER; As the day progresses you will encounter challenges you will need to handle with maturity.

But here is a day when element of good luck will see you through.

LEO; Although there will be challenges they will serve as the needed tonic to make head-way; certainly success indicated for you. Be cautious from 8.48pm till mid-night VIRGO; You are likely to over do things to the resentment of people within your base of operation. It is important you respect your superiors. Be family minded.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

GUESS for some time now, you have been thinking of doing that new thing. And anytime you think about it, you console yourself by saying, it is not worth it, you don’t need it now, it will

A new thing never work, it has never worked. Haba!

Are you God? How do you know it will not work when you have not tried it? Is there any harm in trying?

TERROR MUDA

My friend go ahead and do that new thing you have never done before today! Learn a new thing, read that new book; learn that new skill, improve your-

in “Never say goodbye”

self. Do not remain in one place or position for too long. Always add value to who and what you are. Where are you now? Are you still where you were last year?

Do a new thing today and experience new excitement.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA; If you don’t accord the law and it’s agents needed respects you may walk your way into avoidable trouble. Deception is around; be warned.

SCORPIO; You may find yourself between some difficult people who want you to do their different biddings. Let reason be your guard so that you are not used painfully.

SAGITTARIUS; If care is not taken you may be deceived just to pick cashew nuts from burning fire for others the way you can get your fingers burnt. Watch carefully from 8.48pm.

CAPRICORN; Those of you working late this evening will need to be on your guard, especially between 8.48pm till mid-night as minor but costly mistake is possible. All of you should think of the law and say no to whatever cant be placed above board.

AQUARIUS; Friends may unconsciously disappoint you today; that is to say it is better you don’t expect too much from promises made to you especially from 8.48pm.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES; Those of you who have been rigid of recent may be paid back in your own coins. Try your best to pacify your spouse and/or other important partners of yours.

ARIES; This is the wrong time to fan embers of discord, especially within your working arena. Getting things done properly will earn you success. Be loving.

TAURUS; Deception is in the air today. Unless you are very cautious those who thought they are more clever would take undue advantage of you to the detriment of your finances. Do away with gambling with matters-of-the-heart.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

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,

Can colour help?

Dear Joshua, I have it nice in some areas of my life while other side can not be said to be Ok Why? Somebody tells me that combination of good colours can assist; is it true? Anyway what are my colours, love life, socials, luck and the future?

Oluwatoyin. Lokoja.

Dear Oluwatoyin, Yes good colours can enhance good prospects and mitigate some hard aspect if applied at the right time rightly.

Here is where a few challenges are indicated. Although you are the disciplined type, because of closeness between Venus (love) and difficult Saturn (tough challenges/delay) you just can not totally escape frustration here. But as Saturn will not put one on trial without adequate reward you will eventually be rewarded and be happy. Yet have it at the back of your mind that you must not expect too much here. Luckily for you as Lucky Jupiter will soon be at a positive angle to your natal planets very soon, things will soon improve very rapidly.

Yours is an active and happy social life. But then if POLITICS comes your way do not say no. It is important you don’t give in to negative spiritual side of life.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—37

My husband is a selfish lover

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend is almost as randy as I am but there’s one problem. He’s so keen that he ejaculates after 10 minutes and it’s over for him while I’m still rearing to go!

My friend, who lives abroad says there is an anaesthetic spray in some chemists that’s supposed to make a man keep going for long. She said she would send me one. Does it

work?

Bina, by e-mail.

Dear Bina, Ten minutes? Believe me, a lot of women would be glad to swap places with you! Most men have shot their load after only two minutes! Or for less! Spraying the end of your man’s tackle with a local anaesthetic can make it less sensitive and keep him going for

longer.

It should work, although he might not like the loss of sensation and possibly might even not like it at all.

You could get the same effect if you persuade him to wear a condom, or squeeze the end of his tackle firmly between your fingers and thumb just before sex. Just make sure he knows what you’re about to do!

Is my love life doomed due to my circumcision?

Dear Bunmi, I was circumcised when I was an infant and have now started a serious relationship.

I am 24 and love my boyfriend to bits. My problem is that I haven’t really experienced an orgasm and he said this is due

to the fact that my cli..ris has virtually been chopped off.

Surely, there are other ways to have a fulfilling love life, and just how important is the cli..ris to a fulfilled love life for a woman?

Christiana, by e-mail.

’

We have sex in silence, when he wants it and usually, it’s every night. And it’s about him getting his own satisfaction.

’ Should I be worried about his needs?

Dear Bunmi, Whenever we’re making love, my husband of two years always asks me to stroke round his bottom. He says it really turns him on. I’ve tried it a couple of times and this really drives him wild.

The problem is, I’ve asked around and none of my friends have ever heard of a man who liked this sort of anal sex play.

They thought it was peculiar to gay men. Is this true and should I be worried?

Saudat, by e-mail.

Dear Saudat, C M Y K

It’s a fact that we all have sensitive nerves around our anus, so we all have potential to get turned on there. Your husband has simply realised that. You should be pleased for his not only being aware of what gives him sexual pleasure, but communicating it to you.

Being gay isn’t about where you like to be touched, it’s about who you like to be touched by!

And you have absolutely no reason to be worried. If your husband gets turned on by you, and you alone, then he certainly is not gay.

Dear Christiana, The reason there has been a lot of outcry against genital mutilation under the guise of female circumcision is that it does more harm than good.

Apart from the health hazards as the “operations” are left in the hands of quacks, the loss of the cli..ris, or part of it, could rob a victim of a fulfilled love-life as your man rightly pointed out to you.

The cli..ris is the only part of the human body that’s purely for pleasure. It’s just like a miniature male tackle, and is shaped the same way with glands, hood and shaft.

According to medical facts, the cli..ris has around 7,000 nerve-endings, which is about twice the number as in the male organ.

Touching or licking the tip of the cli..ris will arouse a woman in the same way as stimulating the male organ would excite a man. Some experts reckon one side of a woman’s cli..ris is more sensitive than the other side and urge lovers to experiment Unfortunately, you’ve been permanently robbed of that pleasure.

The cli..ris also changes in sensitivity according to the time of the month, the mood you’re in and how aroused you are. You may need different stimulation at different times.

Fortunately, there are other parts of your body that are sensitive when stimulated— like the lips and breasts, for instance. Unfortunately, these don’t give you as much boost as the cli..ris!

Dear Data, As a mother of four who wants and needs to be loved and could be a marvelous wife to someone who treats her fairly, you’re not getting what is

’

I want him to last longer than 10 minutes!

Dear Bunmi, Shortly after we got married over 10 years ago, I realised that my husband is one of the male chauvinists who think that women are good only for one thing— sex. In all the time we’ve been married, he’s seldom said a kind word to me.

We have sex in silence, when he wants it and usually, it’s every night. And it’s about him getting his own satisfaction.

We have four lovely children and he expected sex right up to and straight after each birth.

He insults me in front of the children. He’s mean with money and keeps late night. It’s come to a stage where I can’t stand the sight of him. Is there any hope for this marriage Data, by e-mail.

due to you. The fact that your husband has neither the sense nor the grace to treat you properly means that he is the one who has a problem, not you.

You have to decide whether to stay in a marriage that’s slowly leading to self-loathing.

You have to find a way to begin the process of getting back your self-esteem and your ability to build a life for you and your children in which you can really be happy. You urgently need to make your husband know how resentful you are.

After years of letting your husband get away with his selfish behaviour, it’s going to take a lot of patience and counselling to make him want to change his mind.

Only know that no one can make you feel inferior if you don’t let them. And you can’t really accuse your husband of being indifferent if you’d condoned his style of love-making over the years.

Being gay isn’t about where you like to be touched, it’s about who you like to be touched by!

’

My sister gets paid for sex Dear Bunmi, I recently came from our village to live with my sister.

Things were rough back home and she promised to get me a job as a receptionist. It was at my new job that I learnt that my sister is not the successful hair-dresser she claimed to be.

My boss and a friend were discussing how much they gave her after each “round” not knowing I could hear everything. His friend even suggested he hit on me in case we were the same!

My sister has no idea that I know her sordid secret.

Should I tell her all the things these men say about her?

Omotola, by e-mail.

Dear Omotola, How you tackle this problem depends on your motivation.

If your aim in telling your sister is to support, understand and help her do whatever she thinks is best, then you should break the silence. She may get defensive at first but if you show you simply want to be there for her, then it should be fine.

On the other hand, if your aim is to have a go at her and tell her what a terrible person she is, then leave things as they are. Being what she is, is her decision, and it’s really none of your business.

Short of catching her redhanded, she could even deny the allegation.

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

38—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

VANGUARD/POLICE NATIONAL SECURITY SUMMIT IN ABUJA

Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar welcoming delegates to the summit.

Representative of the President and Police Affairs Minister, Rtd. Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (4th left) flanked by Chairman of the event, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta (3rd left) and Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar; the Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro (2nd right); Publisher/Chairman, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka (2nd left) and other dignitaries at the National Summit on Security Challenges in Nigeria at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday. Pix: Abayomi Adeshida and Gbemiga Olamikan.

Editor-in-Chief/GM, Publication, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye (right) arriving with other resource persons.

From left: Alhaji Aliyu Danesi, the Aidowogie of South-Ibie Kingdom, Edo State and Senior Special Assistant to Imo State Governor, Security Administration, Mr Okechukwu Okorocha.

From right: Rtd Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and Mr Femi Falana (SAN)

From left: Mr Itse Sagay SAN, Mike Ozekhome SAN, Mr Felix Ogbaudu AIG (Rtd), Mr Tunde Panox, Special Adviser to Lagos Governor and former Commissioner of Police, Lawrence Alobi.

Senior Police officers take the national salute.

Former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro (left) sitting with other senior Police officers.

C M Y K

Vanguard's Crime Editor, Emma Nnadozie (middle); Chief Babs Alasa, (2nd right) and other participants.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 —39

VANGUARD/POLICE NATIONAL SECURITY SUMMIT IN ABUJA

Cross section of participants at the event.

From left: Minister of Police Affairs, Rtd. Caleb Olubolade, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and Minister of Internal Affairs, Comrade Abba Moro. Pix by Gbemiga Olamikan and Abayomi Adeshida.

Prof. Itse Sagay (left) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) among Resource Persons at the event.

From left: Mr Mike Ejiofor and Max Gbanite.

Vanguard Political Editor, Mr. Emmanuel Aziken (left); Regional Editor North, Mr. Soni Daniel and other delegates.

Senior Nigerian Immigration Service officers at the event.

Chairman of the event, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta (right); Mr. Amuka (left) and Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.

From left: Former Inspector General of Police, Gambo Jimeta; former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro and FCT Commissioner of Police Aderele Shinaba.

Cross section of participants at the event.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 9, 2013

Teenager in court for alleged fogery of NDIC passbook

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AGOS (NAN)—A teenager, Garuba Damilola, yesterday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly attempting to defraud the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, of N143,000.

Damilola, 19, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation along with one Laurel Shaba, 37.

The Police Prosecutor, Francisca Okere, said the duo committed the offence on December 19, 2012, at 2:50p.m. at the NDIC office, No. 23A, Marina, Lagos.

“Damilola claimed to be one Osita Ezenwafor and presented a forged savings passbook for the sum of N143,000,” she said.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail by the Magistrate, Mrs. Olabisi Kusanu, in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each. Kusanu adjourned the case till January 24 for continuation.

200 students get N6m bursary

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—TWO HUNDRED students have been awarded bursary worth N6 million by Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba, Abia State 2011 governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, with a charge on them not to disappoint their parents and guardians.

Each of the beneficiaries of the bursary meant for Abia indigenes and residents, was given a cheque of N300,000 which covered the 2012 academic session.

Issuing the cheque at his Ntigha Isiala Ngwa North council home, Ufomba said the bursary scheme was in addition to an existing scholarship scheme that had been running for over ten years.

Ufomba said that 168 students are currently on his scholarship scheme and that over 40 students had graduated under the scheme.

C M Y K

From right: Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, examining the last WAEC results of Government Secondary School, GSS, students, Principal, GSS (Junior), Alhaji Muyideen Jimoh, and Principal, GSS (Senior), Dr Abdulkadir Abdulganiyu, during the governor's unscheduled visit to the School in Ilorin, yesterday.

From left: Mr. Toyin Adepate, Registrar/Chief Executive, ICAN, Mr. DCS Alaribe, Council member and Mr. Doyin Owolabi, President, ICAN, during the one-year memorial service for late Prince Adebajo Babington-Ashaye, at All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos, Monday.

ACN alleges plot by PDP to scuttle merger of opposition AGOS—ACTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has alerted the nation over alleged desperate plans by the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to discredit and silence key opposition leaders involved in the ongoing plans to form a formidable platform to confront the party during the 2015 elections.

In a statement in Lagos, yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: ‘’The paranoia

over the merger plans has driven the PDP-led Federal Government to resort to imprudent and crude tactics aimed at tarnishing the image of key opposition leaders, especially the ACN leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his Congress for Progressive Change, CPC counterpart General Muhammadu Buhari, as well as their close political associates. ‘’Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is particularly a prime target of these evil machinations, because of his status as the leader of the

country’s second biggest party, his progressive credentials as well as his electoral value, adding that as far as the PDP-led government is concerned, getting him out of the way is the best way to ruin the merger plans. ‘’For the Jonathan-led Administration, and not minding its deceptive aloofness from it all, the race for 2015 has started in earnest and it is a do-or-die affair, and all means foul and unfair are on the table to cripple the opposition, by ensuring that nothing will be left of the integri-

ty of its key leaders even if they are fortunate to make it to 2015 ‘’These opposition leaders are considered as constituting a clear and present danger to the electoral fortunes of the PDP in 2015, hence must be stopped at all costs and by whatever means.’’

The party said a huge war chest has been earmarked for the phased campaign, which has already started with a well-oiled media war, being waged especially online, denigrating these leaders.

ta State, has said that no fewer than 91 kidnappers and armed robbery suspects were killed by the police between January 2012 to January 5, this year.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, gave the figure to newsmen in Asaba.

the security agencies were ready to combat them. He warned the criminals to turn a new leave because there would be no hiding place for them this New Year.

According to him, the command arrested 473 suspected robbers and kidnappers, killed

kidnapped victims, recovered 76 vehicles and 19 motorcycles in the year under review.”

He called for more support from the general public, traditional rulers and parents, adding that the police would need information to serve the people better.

B

L

BY EMEKA MAMAH

UNIBEN 91 kidnap, robbery suspects killed in unveils new 2012 —Delta CP 91, injured six and recovered 212 cure for He said that though the state arms and 158 ammunition.

SABA (NAN)—THE A Police Command in Del- was a flash point for criminals, He said: “We also recued 82 HIV/AIDS

Erosion: Contractors tasked on early completion of projects

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—EROSION menace: Delta commissioner relocates to drainage project sites DELTA State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, has directed contractors handling the various drainage projects in the state to re-double their

efforts before the rains set in, saying hwe was relocating to project sites to ensure speedy completion.

He also disclosed that about N4 billion had so far been paid out to the contractors in order to facilitate prompt execution.

He named the four major drainage projects to include

Warri/Effurun, Ughelli, Asaba master drainage projects and that of dredging of Orogodo River.

He said: “I will not tolerate any contractor abandoning site. Delta State Government is committed and we will continue to do our obligations with contractors that do business with us.

Restore Urhobo College to former glory, UCOSA tells Uduaghan Warri, recently. state government to restore

BY EMMA ARUBI ARRI—URHOBO Col lege Old Students Association, UCOSA, Warri Branch, has expressed displeasure over the way and manner Urhobo College, Effurun, UCE, was handed over to Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, calling on the

W

the school to its proper shape as it was when UPU gave the school to government in 1972.

The President of UCOSA, Warri Branch, Mr. Kingsley Gborhohwo, made this call during its Annual Dinner/ Lecture/Award ceremony at Great Hall, Chevron Club,

He said though “the idea of government handing over our college to UPU was not a very bad move since government has not done very well, nonetheless, one would have expected that Urhobo College would have been transformed to its original state before negotiating hand over.”

ENIN (NAN)—Professor Isaiah Ibeh of the University of Benin, yesterday, announced the development of a new drug that could cure HIV and AIDS. Ibeh, who is the Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences of the university, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Benin that the herbal drug had undergone “series of successful tests”.

He said: “We are at the threshold of making history, in the sense that we seem to have with us something that will permanently take care of what over time seems to have defied all solutions.

“We are talking about the latest discovery of an oral drug made from plants extraction in Nigeria for the possible cure of the pandemic, HIV and AIDS virus.

According to him, research on the project was started in 2010 and culminated in the development of “Deconcotion X (DX)–Liquid or Bioclean 11 for the cure of HIV and AIDS. “The existing retroviral drugs are intervention drugs for the management of AIDS but our new discovery is a possible cure,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 — 41

42— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

•From Left: Mrs Cynthia Ekwueme, Mrs. Abiola Akiode, Barrister Onyekachi Ubani, Mr. Soji Adekeye and Mr. Emmanuel Aziken

Ethnicity, religion are anti-development I

N ACN, we are very different, we are progressive, and we have a position on virtually every issue ranging from the oil and gas industry to housing to education.

But nobody bothers to ask before they vote what you have in your manifesto but most importantly, the fact remains that our constitution is too lopsided toward the center, to the extent that no matter how beautiful the ideal or manifesto is, you cannot control the center based on your manifesto. All the states wait for their allocation before they can carry out any projects in their state.

Expecting wonder from the state This means that the 36 states will vie for 28 per cent of their allocation but what can they do with that. There are about five parastatals in the Federal Government and they have more allocation than the state government in Nigeria.

What does a state like Lagos where on a daily basis 70 thousand people enters the state. What can they do with the allocation? You cannot expect wonder from the state and I would say that apart from Rivers State, I do not see any state being ruled by PDP that is not doing better than any state in the South West.

Look at security for instance; South West incidentally is the safest place in the country. Let them come to Lagos and learn about security.

What the Lagos state government budget for Police is far more than what they receive from the state itself. In order words, it is this lack of unemployment that is responsible for the state of insecurity in the country. Unstill the constitution is amended and allocate more power to the state you will always have these issues on ground.

The power calculations that work against women and youths.

,

Continues from yesterday's edition

•Tope Shaba three constituencies in politic in Nigeria. The first is ethnicity, the second is religion, the third is the person on your platform and that Nuru Ribadu possess none of that.

He went further to tell us

There are three constituencies in politic in Nigeria. The first is ethnicity, the second is religion, the third is the person on your platform and that Nuru Ribadu possess none of that

,

In 2011, I was one of those that persuaded ACN to have Ribadu as our presidential candidate. I, Dr. Fayemi and some other members of the party, pressurized the leadership of the party that we can have Nuru Ribadu as our presidential candidate because of his pedigree. But an old man told us that we are so passionate about Ribabu but we will regret it. Then we asked why? He said there are

that where he comes from, there are three basic institutions: The elites, namely; traditional elites, Military Elites, and the Business Elites, he belonged to none of them. We shouted the old man down but we realized that he was truly correct.

While a young person may succeed politically in the South-South, South West, but not in the North. This is because the person that decides

•Sam Itodo where they go are the Emirs and the District heads, and no matter how successful the young man is, in the north, you will see that he will want to go and become a traditional head in his village.

Whereas the average successful person in the south west will say that he wants to be address as Mr. So these are some of the issues that are not apparent in politics.

When I look at occupy Nigeria and the SNG, there is only one missing •Alhaji Lai Mohammed point there, which is they are not political. They must have the courage to cil managers, 57 council treasalign with political parties. I urers.

So if I want 5,000 people out will tell you why.

Only political parties today there today, I will simply pick can say I want 5,000 people my phone and talk to the in the street today in the next party chairman to instruct two hours and they will get every local government it. How do we do it? It is very chairman to give me 100 simple. We have 57 local gov- people each, I will have 5,700 ernment in Lagos state which people on ground. I also have makes 57 local government the resources. As long as the chairman, 57 vice chairmen, 57 council secretary, 57, coun- Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 —43

•Mrs. Abiola Akiode,Mrs Cynthia Ekwueme and Nkiru Norom

We must deal with corruption and bad leadership

The issue of Local Government autonomy The issue about local government autonomy, yes we are against it for three reasons: in any federation there are only two federating unit, the center, it is the state that make up the federation and there are only two tires of government. So abnormally there are three tiers of government and that is the kind of problem the military created for us.

There can’t be three tiers of government anywhere, there can only be two and they want to bring us back to the unitary system of government when from the center, everybody decides what goes on in the state and the local government level. Under a proper federation, the governors have no

business going to Abuja either for FEC or for FAC meeting. I have not heard in the US where the entire governors meet in Washington every month, it doesn’t happen because it is clear what is due for each state will be credited to your account.

What does the federal government stands to gain in demanding for this autonomy of local government, it is to destabilize the state. Today, we have 36 out of which let us say 30 are irresponsible, but if you going to have autonomy for local government, you are going to have 774 council chairmen of which 500 would

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Continues from page 42 youth group do not identify with a platform, there will always be this disconnect.

We watched what went on in the occupy Nigeria here at Ojota, it was quite impressive but for how long would they stay? Two weeks, four weeks, but if they had linked up with a political party, the elite, we would have done much more.

For instance toady we have 70 members in the House of Representatives, ACN and we have that discipline in the party to by-court sitting. Just one single by-court of the National Assembly sitting would rattle Jonathan more than the six-seven days in Ojota.

•Hugo Odiogor

•Isiaka Yahaya

•Seye Adekeyi

lion in a month? The Governor takes about 2 billion, 3 billion. Now you are saying that you can trust the governors with 2-3 billion that they collect but you cannot trust 100 million that local government collect. It is like if your wife is not behaving or your husband is not behaving or your son is not doing well is killing him the solution or throw him out?

No, we must reform him. But

go to 50, patch it again it will go to 20 until one day you have to change the tire completely.

national conference are the elected officers including ACN members.

Their case is very simple. A friend of mine once told me that there was this activist that was very vocal criticising government but the moment he became a Minister nobody heard anything from him again. So he came back to his university, his friends and his colleague came and told him that he was a disappointment, because when he got into government he could not talk. The man said no, that it was a matter of table manners, he said “ when you are eating; you don’t talk.”

I was thought in the early days that Dr. Zik called Sultan of Sokoto and said let’s forget about our differences and work together and Sultan said No, let’s understand and respect our differences so that we can work together

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not go to work unless the day of their allocation comes.

We can deal with the 36 governors and with proper advocacy at the end of the day; they will be able to do the right thing. When we opposed the local government autonomy, it is not because of anything but because it is unconstitutional to have three tiers of government in a federation. What is the logic, how much money does local government take, probably 80 million or 100 mil-

basically, I believe that until Nigerians sit down together and decide to stay together as one country or not and what would be the rules of engagement for staying together, we are not going to have any solutions to these problems.

What we are doing and believe me is like having a bad tire, you patch it today, and tomorrow you patch it. If the first time that you patch it, you will run about 100 kilometers, when you patch it again it will

The Phobia on Sovereign National Conference Why are people afraid of Sovereign National Conference? Why? The man in Asaba for instance does not have the same aspiration as the man in Gombe but if you must live together, then we must understand our differences.

I was thought in the early days that Dr. Zik called Sultan of Sokoto and said let’s forget about our differences and work together and Sultan said No, let’s understand and respect our differences so that we can work together. He said “ you are Christian and I am a Muslim, you must understand why I must wash my hands before I say my prayers, if you don’t understand that you will say I have come to mess up your toilet. And in the church, the Christian will say his prayers at a different time from mine.”

But until Nigerians have the political will that we must have a national conference and that is where all the NGO comes in. They should link up with political parties. The only people that don’t want the

Conference Hall Team •Hugo Odiogor, Conference Co-ordinator •Victor Omorergie, Manager, Corporate Affairs •Dayo Benson, Editor, Law and Human Rights •Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor •Nkiru Nnorom, Conference facilitator •Kunle Kalejaiye, Conference facilitator

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

OTEH VS NASS:

Between capital market revival and power play The brawl between the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh and the National Assembly assumed a new dimension three weeks ago when the later announced zero budget for SEC in 2013, as well as directing that no revenue generated internally by the Commission should be expended for any reason. NKIRUKA NNOROM traces the genesis of the issue and concludes that they are just fanning their egos at the expense of the market.

•Nigerian stock market...stalled by power play?

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HEN the House Committee on Capital Market came up with the idea of conducting a hearing into the near collapse of the market eight months ago, hopes were high that at last a new course would be charted for the revival of the market that hitherto had been on its knees since 2008.

Regrettably, that was not to be as what was supposed to be a life-saving mission turned out to be threatening the very existence of the market.

Instead of facing problems of the market headlong, the House Committee and SEC’s Director General engaged themselves in allegations and counter-allegations of bribery.

The outcome of that bribery allegation that ensued between the committee chairman, Herman Hembe and Oteh is what has degenerated to refusal of the National Assembly to approve SEC’s budget for the 2013 fiscal year.

Dangerous sign The decision, three weeks ago, by joint House of Representative and Senate not to approve the budget submitted by the SEC for 2013, according to market operators, is a dangerous sign, not just for SEC as an institution, but also for the entire capital market. What every follower of events in the market has been asking since the public hearing turned to power-play between the National Assembly and the Presidency is why people who claim to be working in the interest and revival of the capital market should be pulling the system down with their utterances and actions.

Arunma Oteh, DG SEC Oteh’s many sins: Oteh could not be said to have been in the good books of the Legislators even before the drama involving her and Hembe during the capital market probe played out. Her trouble actually began with the manner she forced the erstwhile DG of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Prof. Ndi OkerekeOnyiuke, out of office. It was believed that Oteh would have given Okereke-Onyiuke the option of proceeding on a terminal leave since her retirement was just a month away instead of forcefully ejecting her from office. Since Arunma took that decision, all has not been well with her.

The voices condemning her action have not stopped since she arrived at SEC. Secondly, her choice of Mr. Emmanuel Ikhazoboh as the Interim Administrator of NSE pending the appointment of a

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker House of Rep substantive DG was widely condemned. The argument was that since Ikhazoboh was a member of Akintolla Williams Delloite that had audited the controversial account of NSE for which Okereke-Onyiuke was sacked, he had no moral justification to head the NSE. To make the matter worse, the interim administrator overstayed his tenure, even after a new CEO was appointed and thereafter, he was co-opted into the council of the NSE against criticism and opposition from stockbrokers. On dissolving the former council of the NSE, Oteh, it was believed, bypassed laid down procedure and appointed eight men into the council despite mounting opposition from stockbrokers.

The problem almost scuttled the NSE’s 2010 annual general meeting, but for the intervention of some senior stockbrokers. Those appointees

were not removed until recently when the association of stockbrokers threatened to resist her.

There was also the issue of incompetence and highhandedness raised against her very early in her administration. This became

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other sins. Then, there was the project 50 over which she was accused of misappropriating some funds. Though the investigative panel constituted by the president to look into the allegations absolved her of misappropriating funds, it indicted her for lapses in human and material management of the Commission.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back: Afraid that probe at the public hearing was turning against her, the embattled SEC director general decided to open a can of worm by accusing Hembe of demanding N44 million bribe from her ‘as part of SEC’s contribution to the hearing.’

Aside this, Oteh also accused him of collecting an undisclosed sum for first class ticket to the Dominican Republic, but neither embarked on the trip nor returned the money.

Hembe on his part claimed that Oteh had offered him N30million bribe and later stepped down as chairman of

Arunma Oteh’s trouble actually began with the manner she forced the erstwhile DG of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, out of office

glaring at the public hearing when high ranking officers of the Commission unravelled her alleged short-comings. Among the accusations raised against her were the appointments made into the Commission without following due process.

She was also said not be carrying her senior staff along in the day-to-day management of the Commission among

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the Committee. Since this happened, the Legislators have increased their push for her removal. This is aside threatening not to have anything to do with SEC as long as she remains the DG. Stakeholders’ take: For stakeholders in the market, the problem has degenerated to power play and ego saving Continues on page 45

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—45

Between capital market revival and power play Continues from page 44 mission rather than upholding the integrity of the capital market. According to Alhaji Rasheed Yussuff, Managing Director/CEO, Trust Yield Securities, the squabble between Oteh and National Assembly has taken a dimension beyond what is seen on the surface to a contention of who has the power to do what. “Oteh, being an employee of the Executive is enjoying the protection of the Presidency. So, I think the problem is that of who has the power to hire and sack.

“The legislature has done what it needed to do which is to recommend to the Executive to sack Arunma, but if the Executive in its wisdom decided that they should not sack her, I think that is where the issue should have ended.

Now, the Legislature is saying, ‘you are going to sack her’, and the Executive is saying, ‘we are not going to sack her.’ So, it is a play of power between the Executive and the Legislature,” Yussuf said.

He insisted that it was necessary for the Executive and the Legislature to sit down and look at the bigger picture and effect of their action on the economy, saying, “I learnt that the Executive and Legislature

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the market recovery. That is not good for the market and the economy.”

Lending his voice, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, the Managing Director/CEO, Cowry Asset Management Limited, said: “It is a no contest for the Presidency and the National Assembly to continue to drag over this issue. They should quickly resolve it and allow the market to go on.

“Having said that, I want to say that the Legislature was wrong in the sense that what they did was a mob action which may have been the reason the President has dogged in and refused to consider their recommendation.

If they had come up with well articulated reasons on why they think Oteh is not competent, I think it would have been easier for the President to look at the objectivity of their recommendations and accede to it.

“With the approach they adopted, it looked as if they had already made up their mind even before the House Committee’s investigation. So, it looks as if they started with an end in mind that adjudged her guilty or incompetent. That may be the reason the President has refused to sack

What the warring parties have failed to realise is that the market they both claim to be fighting for deteriorates each time their disagreement deepens

have been talking, but to the extent that the legislature can come up with this, it means that it is either they have not been talking or they have not been agreeing. The ball is in the Executive’s court to ensure that they meet with the Legislature for quick resolution of this.”

He, however, warned against the danger of acceding to the Legislature’s demand, saying that all officers of government might be at their mercy if they succeed in getting Oteh sacked. Yussuf lamented that each time the capital market starts showing signs of recovery, one Executive or Legislative decision would crop up and distort the achievement.

He said: “We were all getting happy that the market is getting out of the doldrums.

Since the resolution of the margin loan, the market was responding and was almost becoming one of the best in Africa. We had thought that with the development, we need to consolidate that recovery.

Now, we are beginning to have Legislative or Executive pronouncement that creates the impression that all is not well, we may be unwittingly stalling

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her.”

A stockbroker who does not want his name in print said it was improper for the Legislature to attempt to cripple the capital market due to the action of one person. His words: “You gave an order that the woman should be removed, but because of power tussle, she is still left in office. What the Legislature should have done is to insist that the President should remove her before the budget is passed instead of singling out SEC’s budget.”

Conclusion: While, the National Assembly could not be said to be pushing for Oteh’s removal in the interest of the market, Oteh’s stance could be said to be typical of Nigeria’s ruling class’ attitude of ruling by force. For the members of the National Assembly, removing Oteh is as important as stamping their authority over her. What the warring parties have failed to realise is that the market they both claim to be fighting for deteriorates each time their disagreement deepens. At the end, it is the capital market that bears the brunt of their war to keep their pride intact.

New dawn for Nigerians in Thailand

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

N

IGERIAN nationals in Thailand have expressed satisfaction over the recent transformational re-orientation that took place at the Nigerian embassy in Thailand.

The assumption of office by the new Nigeria Ambassador to Thailand, Ambassador Chukwudi Okafor, was a delight to a great number of Nigerians in the country, as they described the Ambassador as a good leader, who have demonstrated the qualities to be worthy of such pronunciation.

According to Adolph (real names with held for security reasons), who visited Nigeria with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra his family during the Christmas holiday noted with joy that, “Ambassador Chukwudi, has a of that which is expected to bring honour to clear vision, and has indeed demonstrated that Nigeria. He was however said to have shown the best way to link up to all Nigerians in his magnanimity by consulting with leaders Thailand is by creating a functional website of the Nigeria community in Thailand on the where information can easily pass on to each best way to move Nigeria forward and above and every Nigerian in Thailand. the apparently damaged image and how every As we speak, Nigerians in and outside one can contribute his/her quota in helping Thailand now have access to information Ambassador Chukwudi therefore, is about Nigeria and its people via the gradually directing Nigerians towards toeing website.This is the right path in Thailand, so as to keep them indeed a dream come through to away from any unwarranted trouble every one of us in Thailand and this is a trend provided to us by a good leader, a leader with good vision the ambassador achieve a “follower-centric” and respect to the yearnings of his people in ambassadorial model. a foreign land.” The ambassador, among other Hitherto, he urges every Nigerian in things was said to be dedicated in the Thailand, to stay away from all forms of illegal discharge of his primary diplomatic duties to businesses, in order to wipe off the wrong Nigerians who visit the embassy daily for impression that places them in bad light several consular demands.

The stories being told is an indication that Entering Thailand at a time many his openness has created an atmosphere which Nigerians are still embittered with the suggests that Nigerians in Thailand embassy’s past leadership, he was fair enough henceforth, are expected to appreciate the to give ear to everyone, making it possible integrity of their operations, paying greater for Nigerians in Thailand to regain the lost attention only on building a communal trust on Nigeria embassy in Thailand. admiration and confidence between the A lot of them also expressed that Ambassador Nigerian Community in Thailand, the Nigerian Chukwudi is more approachable and provided Embassy and nationals of Thailand, in order time to listen to them whenever they visited to complement each other’s vision in Thailand. the embassy, a disposition that have enabled By this show of commitment to service, them get a better understanding of the real Ambassador Chukwudi therefore, is gradually situation of how things work in Thailand. directing Nigerians towards toeing the right And in view of the foregoing, a great number path in Thailand, so as to keep them away of Nigerians in Thailand are said to have from any unwarranted trouble. And by keeping started to move towards attaining integrity as to the rules and regulations of Thailand, against the numerous internet publications behaving in a manner typical of those with that merely presented Nigerians in Thailand the knowledge of international responsibilities as only scammers and people who simply every Nigerian has been urged to be part of engage in nefarious activities. the rebranding of the nation image in Striving for peaceful co-existence among Thailand.

Nigerians in Thailand The Ambassador has above all, advised that Outlining positive steps for a peaceful co- involvement in illegal businesses like 419, existence among Nigerians in Thailand, drug related business and illegal visa issues Ambassador Chukwudi have been reported should be buried with 2012 to usher in the to have urged every Nigeria national in new dawn of a better Nigeria community in Thailand and those across the globe to Thailand in 2013. properly coordinate themselves in the pursuit

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UK Immigration arrests Nigerian for sham marriage

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU with agency report

A

34-YEAR-OLD Nigerian (names withheld) has been detained by the UK Immigration for participating in a sham marriage.

He was arrested minutes before he was due to take part in a suspected sham marriage involving a 24 year old British lady at Kendal register office.

The Immigration officers who made the arrest acted on information that the relationship between the culprits may not be genuine and subsequently attended the county offices in Kendal minutes before the

commencement of the sham marriage.

Consequently, the 34-year-old man who was later discovered to have overstayed his visa and remained in the UK illegally, was arrested and detained pending his removal from the UK. Commenting on the arrest, head of enforcement in the North West, UK Border Agency, Alison Wray stated that, “We are working closely with registrars to clamp down on sham weddings and civil partnerships, where there are suspicions that a relationship may not be genuine we will investigate and, if necessary, intervene to stop it from happening.”

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Hunger threatens over 1m Syrians O

NE million Syrians are currently going hungry and helpless due to the 22-month civil conflict in the country, the UN says.

The World Food Program (WFP) says it is helping 1.5 million Syrians, but continued fighting and an inability to use the port of Tartus to deliver food mean many people are not receiving aid.

The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in the uprising, which began in March 2011.

Rebels have gained control of swathes of northern Syria in recent months.

The increasingly dangerous situation meant

the WFP had pulled its staff out of its offices in Homs, Aleppo, Tartus and Qamisly, said agency spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs.

Late 2012 saw a sharp rise in the number of attacks on WFP aid trucks, said the agency, which has also been hit by fuel shortages.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency said the number of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria had leapt by nearly 100,000 in the past month.

It said there were 597,240 registered refugees and individuals awaiting registration as of 6 January - up from 509,559 the month before.

The UN estimates that around four million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid.

Opposition forces have been making considerable gains in recent weeks, but their efforts to

take control of areas around major cities including Damascus have met with stiff resistance and increasingly destructive air strikes.

On Monday, the New York Times reported that

23 rebels have declared a unilateral ceasefire ahead of a second round of peace talks with the government of Democratic Republic of Congo.

At a news conference in the Ugandan capital Kampala, the rebels said they hoped the government would follow suit.

An attempt last month to negotiate an end to the nine-month rebellion in the east of the country had failed.

Up to 800,000 people have been displaced since the rebels took up arms against the Kinshasa government in May. “We’ve been for peace... today we’re declaring that we’re in a ceasefire,” M23 spokesman Francois Rucogoza was quoted as saying at the news conference in Kampala by Reuters news agency.

“Even if the government refuses to sign a ceasefire agreement we’ll continue with the negotiations,” he added.

M23 has accused the cabinet of President Joseph Kabila of failing to honour an earlier peace deal to integrate rebels into the army.

The rebels, who were initially led by Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war

crimes charges, made rapid gains late last year.

They seized the main city in the region, Goma, in November, but withdrew under international pressure.

M23 say they want to improve living conditions for the people of eastern DR Congo, but the UN say they are supported by Rwanda, which has been heavily involved in its eastern neighbour since those responsible for the coun-

There has been anger against public figures perceived to blame women themselves for rape.

try’s genocide fled there en masse in 1994.

Bosco Ntaganda, who set up M23, was an officer in the Rwandan army before he left to join a rebel movement in DR Congo. The ICC accuses him of using child soldiers and the UN says he controls several mines in the east of the country.

The government in Kinshasa has had little control over the east since the overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997.

The region’s mineral

riches have been plundered by numerous groups and countries over the past 15 years and little has been spent on DR Congo’s infrastructure.

President Kabila easily won re-election in 2011 in a vote described by international observers as “lacking credibility”.

But he scored poorly in the east of the country and the M23 rebels refuse to accept the legitimacy of his re-election.

abduction, gang rape and murder of a 23-yearold woman in Delhi will plead not guilty to all charges against them, their lawyer has said.

Manohar Lal Sharma told the BBC the three Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh - should get a fair trial.

The five accused were charged on Monday.

The next hearing in the case will be held on Thursday.

The case has shocked India and prompted a debate about the treat-

sponse to our request to free him for lack of evidence and after he underwent the hearing with American investigators as a witness in the case.”

A Tunisian justice ministry spokesman confirmed the release of Harzi but declined to elaborate.

A month ago, Harzi refused to be interviewed by visiting U.S. FBI investigators over the September 11 assault on the U.S. consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

The Daily Beast reported that shortly after the attacks began, Harzi posted an update on an unspecified social media site about the fighting.

V

ENEZUELA’S opposition has issued a warning about a “threat to democracy” if President Hugo Chavez is not sworn in as scheduled tomorrow.

In a letter to the Organisation of American States (OAS), the coalition said his absence would be “a

•Hillary Clinton It said Harzi was on his way to Syria when he was detained in Turkey at the

thought to be 17, will be tried separately in a youth court if it is confirmed he is a minor.

By tomorrow, a magistrate is expected to transfer the case for trial to a special fast-track court.

If convicted, the suspects could face the death penalty. Prosecutors have said they have extensive forensic evidence.

Mr Sharma said he would file a representation letter on behalf of his clients on Thursday.

Chavez: Venezuela democracy under threat

Tunisia frees Benghazi att ac k suspect attac ack T

UNISIA has freed, for lack of evidence, a Tunisian man who had been suspected of involvement in an Islamist militant attack in Libya last year in which the U.S. ambassador was killed, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Ali Harzi was one of two Tunisians named in October by the Daily Beast website as having been detained in Turkey over the violence in which Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other American officials were killed.

“The judge decided to free Harzi and he is free now,” lawyer Anouar Awled Ali told Reuters.

“The release came in re-

be loaded on airplanes.

The reports in late November prompted a flurry of international statements warning the regime of President Bashar al-Assadagainst using chemical weapons on his own people.

Three Indian gang rape suspects to plead not HREE of the five ment of women. guilty T men accused of the A sixth suspect, who is

DRC rebels declare unilateral ceasefire

M

Israeli intelligence indicated Syrian troops were mixing chemicals - suspected to be the deadly nerve gas sarin - at two storage sites, and filling dozens of 500-pound (225kg) bombs that could

behest of U.S. authorities, and that he was affiliated with a militant group in North Africa.

serious constitutional violation”.

It is unlikely that Mr Chavez, who is in Cuba after a cancer surgery, will be able to attend his inauguration.

Government officials say it is only a formality, as he is already incumbent. The letter warns the OAS that the situation in Venezuela could represent a violation of the body’s charter.

The opposition’s move came as President Chavez’ supporters prepare for a major rally to mark the start of his fourth term.

On Monday, the Venezuelan Catholic Church had also said it would be a morally unacceptable violation of the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to remain in power after missing his inauguration.

Opposition’s letter header The letter warns the OAS of the risk of a serious breach of its charter. The opposition says that if Mr Chavez does not take the oath of office, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, should act as caretaker president until new elections are held.

Vanguard, WEDNESD AY, JANUARY 9, 2013 —47 WEDNESDA

5 home remedies for colds and catarrh

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

HE harmattan is at its peak and attendant diseases are in session. Ailments including infections whooping cough, pneumonia, common cold, malaria and asthma, are on the rise. The dry winds and dust are certainly not helping matters. However, there are simple, affordable home remedies with which to cope with these conditions.

Garlic tea immune enhancer

A well-known immune system strengthener, garlic shines as an antibac-

terial and antiviral herb for fighting colds, coughs and the flu. One of the best ways to take advantage of garlic's healing properties is by drinking fresh garlic tea.

Sweetened with a little raw honey, it's delicious. Peel 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic and lightly crush them with the side of a wide knife blade. Add to two cups of water and boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the garlic and allow the tea to cool to mouth temperature. Add raw honey, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Drink as desired.

Red onion and raw honey cough syrup

A wonderful home remedy for adults or children suffering from a cough uses brown cane sugar, raw honey or stevia and red onions to make a soothing and tasty cough syrup. Wash, peel and slice the entire onion

horizontally. Starting with the base of the onion, layer the slices in a bowl alternating with layers of raw honey or brown sugar.

Continue adding layers of onion and sweetener until the entire onion is reconstructed in the bowl. Cover and allow the sweetened onion to remain in the bowl for about 12-15 hours or overnight. The next day, there will be about a cup or more of sweet syrup in the bowl. The cough syrup contains a range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to help fight infection and soothe sore

honey and sip throughout the day as needed.

Chicken soup antiviral

Chicken soup really does act to knock out a cold or the flu and hasten healing. As long ago as the 12th century, the Jewish physician Maimonides recommended consuming chicken soup to fight colds and flu. Take advantage of the high antioxidant properties and nutrients found in organic vegetables and chicken. Although non-organic chicken soup may relieve some cold symptoms, it also supplies the body with

throats and quiet a cough. Take a spoonful as needed.

Has no onion-y taste.

Raw honey and lemon For sore throats

A mixture of fresh lemon juice and raw honey provides soothing relief for sore throats and helps stop the tickle that stimulates coughing. Raw honey -with all its components including royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen -- is high in nutrients and enzymes which kill bacteria and viruses. The vitamin C and antioxidants found in fresh lemons boost the immune system, speeding healing. Together these two home remedies are a powerhouse for getting over a cold and sore throat. Mix the juice of 1/2 the lemon with 2- 3 tablespoons of

pesticides, growth hormones, herbicides and antibiotics that are not recommended for well being.

Mullein tea for coughs and congestion

Mullein tea is well-known for relieving chest congestion from coughs, colds and the flu. It acts as an expectorant, loosening trapped mucous and soothing sore throats. Fill a tea ball or strainer with dried mullein herb and steeping in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Sweeten with raw honey and drink as needed to relieve symptoms.

Global infertility rates unchanged in 20 years — WHO

G

LOBAL rates of infertility have remained relatively stable between 1990 and 2010, according to a study that compiled data from 277 national surveys in 190 countries.

Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that in 2010, 48.5 million couples worldwide were unable to have a child. They found that 1.9 percent of women aged 20-44 who wanted a child were unable to have their first live birth and

10.5 percent of women who had previously given birth were unable to have another baby after five years of trying. This represented a 0.1 percent and 0.4 percent decrease from 1990, respectively.

'Independent from population growth and worldwide declines in the preferred number of children, we found little evidence of changes in infertility over two decades', the authors wrote, adding that 'further research is needed to identify the

etiological causes of these patterns and trends'.

A notable exception to the overall trend was seen in subSaharan Africa, where infertility rates fell markedly.

The WHO suggested that a reduction in sexually transmitted infections – which can cause infertility if left untreated – as well as improved obstetric care might have contributed to this fall. The results were published in the open access journal PLOS Medicine.

mHealth

By Sola Ogundipe

solazed@live.com

Tinké allows patients monitor their cardiovascular health

S

O you own an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Great. Now you can utilise these fantastic elctronic gadgets as competent medical devices for cardiovascular and stress health. And you do not have to be a medical personnel.

It’s all thanks to a brand new application called “ Tinké” - a small, lightweight device designed to help patients improve their cardiovascular health and stress levels.

The little device plugs into the 30-pin connector on the iPhone (3GS or newer), iPod Touch, or iPad. If you own an iPhone 5, you will also need an 8-pin to 30-pin adapter.

Tinké aims to help patients by periodically monitoring four parameters: heart rate, SpO2, respiratory rate, and heart rate variability (HRV). The first three parameters are meant to measure cardiovascular health. HRV is evaluated to give an indication of stress level.

Tinkle calculates the Vita Index and the Zen Index. The Vita Index is calculated based on the vital signs collected to give an overall cardiovascular score. The Zen Index is calculated based on HRV during a 60-second respiratory exercise to evaluate stress level. Prameters as well as indices are automatically entered into the Tinké app which allows the patient to easily see graphs of their progress.

Orpyx shoe insert prevents diabetic foot ulcers

O

RPYX, a Canadian startup company is developing two distinct, yet quite comprehensive systems for keeping diabetics fully aware of the condition of their foot ulcers.

The first, SurroSense Rx, consists of eight force sensors embedded within the insole to capture raw force data, which is then analysed, converted into a risk profile and transmitted to the wristband display using the low-power ANT+ protocol.

This enables the user to actively monitor risk of permanent damage to his/her feet throughout the day, and the data can also be displayed on a variety of ANT+ ready devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. The risk profile data is updated every 30 seconds, which enables the system to operate on a single coin cell battery for over six months.

The second, SurroGait Rx, consists of a pressure-sensing insole which tells the user when damage is being done to the feet and provides a substitute sensor for “numb” feet. The device includes a back display, which takes data generated by the foot sensor wirelessly and it transposes the sensation so it can be felt in the back because users typically cannot feel anything through their feet due to numbness.

There is an iPhone/Android app to interoperate with the SurroSense Rx system. It will be available for the SurroGait Rx when that product launches later in 2013.

Total cost of the SurroSense Rx system (two insoles and shoe pods, wireless system, wristwatch and app) is approximately $900, with the insoles needing replacement every 6-18 months for $200 each.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

How we’ll crush PDP in 2015 — Opposition parties •To present a popular presidential flagbearer, meets tomorrow

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & GABRIEL EWEPU

D

ETERMINED to beat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at the 2015 presidential polls after suffering a series defeats collectively and individually since 1999, opposition party leaders engaged in merger negotiations will meet in Abuja tomorrow barring unforeseen circumstances.

At the parley, Vanguard gathered that leaders drawn from six leading opposition parties will hammer out modalities for a merger. Parties involved in the talks are the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance and Labour Party.

After agreeing on the issues of party name, logo, manifesto, constitution, symbol, composition of state and national executive committees among others, the leaders said the next hurdle would be presenting a nationally acceptable and popular presidential flagbearer, who would confront and beat President Goodluck Jonathan or any other candidate the PDP would field for the race to Aso

G

IVEN the fact that petitions in this country have often been used as a form of blackmail by disenchanted folks, many of such petitions that come to the public domain are often dismissed.

However, two petitions or grievances concerning abuse of office by the nation’s legislators draw attention for serious concern.

The first is the allegation by contractors working for the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DSOPADEC against members of the Delta State House of Assembly and the second, is the decision of the House of Representatives to restrict funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC on account of its face off with the director-general of the body, Ms. Aruma Oteh.

The allegation that the members of the Delta State House of Assembly are cornering the contracts of DESOPADEC would not have come as a surprise to many watchers of developments in that state.

Only last September, the

C M Y K

*Buhari: CPC leader

*Tinubu: ACN leader

Rock in 2015.

The leaders, who are conscious of the constitutional hurdles to their quest, are bent on concretizing the merger in March and approach the INEC for ratification or registration.

Most of the interested opposition parties have named their contact committees.

Senator Chris Ngige (ACN,

Anambra central) said at the end of the day, Nigerians would know that the progressives mean business.

“The progressives led by ACN were already meeting with others such as the Labour Party, LP, ANPP, APGA and DPP for the purpose of forming the mega party. By a kind of metamorphosis, the affected

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN detritetradetoxifiedpolitics@gmail.com SMS 08052201189

When legislators go on blackmail legislators in an action that took many by surprise, dissolved the DESOPADEC board. The decision was followed by riveting revelations of blackmail amidst intrigues involving members of that board and the legislators over financial dealings and contracts.

At the centre of the revelations was that the legislators were not getting juicy contracts from DESOPADEC and hence their decision to dissolve the board.

Remarkably, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who was allegedly peeved by the action of the legislators, and notably by the fact that the board had only justly been inaugurated, responded in kind by resubmitting the same members of

the dissolved commission to the state assembly.

Boxed into a corner, the members had to attend to the list of nominees but not without the threat of wielding out one or two of the nominees who the legislators felt had challenged the original dissolution.

It was as such not surprising that they coerced one of the nominees, Mr. Michael Diden, representing Warri South, to issue a public apology to them for supposedly abusing the legislators.

Now the alleged immodesty of the legislators has been brought to fore by the petition to the governor on the actions of the legislators.

political parties which have radical politicians in their rank and file would do everything possible to ensure the growth of democracy in the country.

Fourteen years after the emergence of the present democracy, it is obvious that nothing good can come out of PDP and that is why we are determined that by the first

quarter of this year, Nigerians will see that progressives mean business,” he said.

Indeed, a leading member of ANPP’s contact committee, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim said recently that the opposition parties were working hard to present the new party in March.

If true, they are able to have their way because they apparently have sufficiently intimidated the re-inaugurated DESOPADEC board.

It is possible that not all the members of the assembly are involved in this act of legislative blackmail and avarice, and it is as such incumbent on the leadership of the Delta House to move swiftly to redeem the image of the house.

It is not wrong for any man to be a contractor, but no man should use the position of public trust for selfish purposes as members of the Delta State House of Assembly are accused of doing.

Related to the development in the Delta State House of Assembly is the decision of the National Assembly to limit the expenditure of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. The decision the legislators claim, arises from the refusal of the president to abide by the resolution of the House of Representatives to sack Ms Oteh from office over her alleged lack of qualification for the position of DG of SEC.

But as everyone now knows, the primary motif of the legislators flows from the beef caused by allegations of bribery and official misconduct raised against the former chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market, Mr. Herman Hembe.

Hembe is now facing trial on account of the allegations first raised by Ms Oteh.

The matter of whether Oteh is qualified to hold the office of the Director-General remains debatable. Does her stint in the African Development Bank, ADB, arguably one of Africa’s leading finance institutions, give her the experience to lead SEC? It is a question that the Senate apparently agreed with when the body confirmed her for the position in 2009.

Even if the house now believes that she is not qualified for the position, the impression out there is that the decision to cut off funding for SEC was an act of vendetta. That belief is further fuelled by the fact that the house has dithered on taking decisions on moral issues involving some of its leading members.

Continues on page 49

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 —49

Igbos can't produce President with five states

BY EMMANUEL ONWE

T

HE theoretical case for the emergence of a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction has been eloquently established beyond any reasonable doubt.

The economic case is persuasive; the legal case, which is a derivate of the constitutional principle of federal character, is incontrovertible; the political case is self-evident and the moral case is utterly compelling.

But the establishment of the case at the intellectual and theoretical plane is quite clearly insufficient to meet the rigorous demands of our ambition.

Genuine ambition is contingent upon action.

Ndigbo have, for decades, expressed the desire and the thirst for the prime political office in this country. We have clearly shown, by oral advocacy, why we have that desire and thirst. Now we must take the forward steps in the direction of the oasis from which we hope to quench our thirst for justice and our desire for equity in Nigeria.

The next step is the crusade that will take our case to the other three cardinal points of our nation – West, South and North. The legwork and mobilisation that must underpin the theoretical case has been commenced by

Igbo experience, made so by being the only tribe to have pledged allegiance to two different nations within the same territorial borders – first to Nigeria and then to the Republic of Biafra and then back to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In between this s h i f t i n g citizenship have occurred pogrom/ genocide, starvation and conquest.

This history and experience place us in a complex *Uwechue: Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader category in our union. And no Njiko Igbo. Igbos should crave, Igbo citizen should be in any plead and obtain – rather than doubt that our quest for the presume, expect or demand – the presidency has remained a support and solidarity of all mirage precisely because of this Nigerians. unique experiential history – The component tribal groups and nothing to do with the that make up the Nigerian popular myth about disunity republic have unique experiences amongst us. Accordingly, our arising from their history of challenge in attaining the prime participation in the union; but office in this land remains none is quite as unique as the herculean and requires efforts of

corresponding proportions to prevail.

No authentic Igbo citizen should fold his or her arms and wait to be recruited into, or consulted about, this dream.

Instead, our recruitment efforts and consultations should be directed at non-Igbo Nigerians.

The focus of our pleas and arguments should be firmly directed at those who remain unpersuaded or unsympathetic to the justice of our cause.

This crusade is an Igbo one, the staff and the rod is Njiko Igbo.

But Njiko is not claiming an exclusive right to arms. Other warriors are welcome and, in fact, encouraged to rise to the occasion. Our job is to motivate, consult, mobilise and persuade both Igbos and non-Igbos alike.

Additionally, Njiko Igbo is a platform for debate and exploration of deeper ideas about the place of Ndigbo in the Nigerian federation.

What I have said elsewhere bears repetition on these pages: “As an Igbo man, I harbour a deep sense of sadness at the manner in which we, as a people, have been consigned to the peripheral reaches of the Nigerian power structure for more than four decades. Where is the justice or equity or the idea of equal

opportunities in a pluralistic society such as ours? When shall these be accorded Ndigbo in order that we can have the assurance that, yes, we are not Osu (outcasts) in a nation family where we have played a brave and distinguished role to make its history more solid and more enduring? As a Nigerian, observing our unending national degradation, I feel a sense of outrage that the Igbo option appears never to be in contemplation as a legitimate instrumentality through which our national challenges could be finally confronted in a manner that could genuinely yield transformation.”

Of course, it’s self evident that we cannot achieve our goal without first putting our house in order. We must show a unity of purpose which must be demonstrated through the pursuit of this one and irreducible ambition.

It will entail the sacrifice of the personal on the altar of the collective - which must be demonstrated through allowing ourselves to be dedicated to a purpose greater than our individual selfish commitments. *Onwe is the director of operations, Njiko Igbo

Opposition par ties tto o present popular presidential fflagbearer lagbearer parties Continued from page 48 “Before March 2013, we are all going to reach an accord on this merger; that is the deadline for the coalition materialising. From all indications, the parties are looking forward to forming a totally new party where all the opposition parties will come together as one entity,” he said.

To ensure that the merger works, prominent leaders, who are seen as the faces of the various parties and whose interests had hampered the coalition in the past are not part of the negotiations. For instance, the CPC committee is to be headed by a former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Garba Gadi.

He is replacing former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) the party’s national leader.

INEC hurdle

However, opposition parties considering a merger must meet the conditions stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 before they can be registered as a new party.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, reportedly said that to be able allowed to field candidates, the party has to be in the INEC register before the He said: “The constitution has C M Y K

stated clearly how parties should be registered. The law also provides for when INEC must serve notice of elections. Section 25 of the Electoral Act says INEC should issue a notice of election 90 days before an election. If a political party is to participate in an election, the party has to be on INEC’s register before INEC issues such notice. If a party is not on INEC’s register by the time the commission issues a notice, such political party cannot contest in that same election.”

This time, merger will work — ANPP One of the major forces in the merger talks, the All Nigeria Peoples Party yesterday told Vanguard that political parties involved in the talks had strongly resolved to ensure that the merger for a mega political party was achieved because they were all determined and serious to succeed based on the level of their discussions to give the Nigerian people a new era of democratic rule in 2015 Secretary, ANPP National Rebuilding and Inter Party Contact Committee, Dr. George Moghalu said that the committee is out to represent the ANPP in the merger talks with the ACN and CPC to form a mega platform to dethrone PDP in 2015.

Moghalu said the opposition parties were strategically planning to exhaust democratic avenues to technically knock out PDP because of the enough time they have to resolve a lot of issues and come to a compromise.

According to him, insinuations about crisis in the merger talks concerning logo, candidate and manifesto are not true; rather the parties are making progress and will come to a logical conclusion to have a mega political platform for the 2015 general election.

Moghalu said: “There is a determination by all groups that we must succeed in the merger talks. As we talk about merger, names, logos must be dropped, and adopt new name and logo acceptable to all groups, and they are not issues, because it is not contentious. The question is whether there is willingness, commitment by the negotiating parties to build a strong political platform, and the time for talks.

The answer is yes. It is not like the talks we had in the past, this one is clear, and what we are doing is to concretise all our discussions with a view of what will be beneficial to the Nigerian nation. But those who may not believe in the process or are scared of the process and consequences of a successful

*Onu:ANPP leader outing of our mega political platform are talking otherwise.

“The beauty of democracy is the ability to have choices, and I think that the average Nigerian would want to have very clear demarcation as to the parties to deal with. The truth is that the support base of my party (ANPP) is massive, and we have very solid support at the grassroots.

Now there is a new consciousness, and what we are

doing is to begin the reawakening of our supporters, and the same thing applies to other participating opposition parties. If all these parties (CPC, ACN, APGA, LP and others) come to form a mega political platform you will know that they are into a serious contest.”

However, Moghalu said there is no candidate yet to be the flagbearer for the presidential contest in 2015 elections, but the opposition parties are working assiduously to have an all encompassing democratic mega party where people will test their popularity, and any candidate the people want will be supported.

“We are not working with anybody in mind rather we are coming up with a mega political platform that will be democratic for anybody to contest within. We will welcome anybody that wants to test his or her popularity. In our democracy there is no enough internal democracy in our political structure, but we want to create a political platform that will be democratic in all facets,” Moghalu stressed.

On the conduct of the of the 2015 elections, Moghalu urged the INEC to ensure from now that they conduct free and fair elections that would be acceptable to all.

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

situation with Nigeria today, does not encourage state police.

The reason we have not had elections at the local government level today is that state governors have exclusive powers to appoint state electoral commission chairmen. It is easy to buy 10, 20 or 50 vehicles for the Federal Police than to fund the state police”.

He was promptly supported by Comrade Amechi Omagbitse, leader of Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, who argued that Nigeria had not matured for establishment of state police, noting that state governors would capitalize on it to victimize perceived opponents.

L-r: Vanguard advert manager, Emeka Nkwocha; Corporate affairs manager, Victor Omoregie; General manager/Editor in chief, Gbenga Adefaye; Assistant General Manager, Brands, Fred Odueme and others at the National Summit in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

IG, Adefaye, others speak on State Police, Boko Haram at summit Continues from page 5 of understaffing of police, the former police boss said “Nigeria police is understaffed due to certain prevailing circumstances in the country.” He, however, noted that emphasis is not being laid on manpower but on technology.

For the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, all hands must be on deck because Nigeria needs to be more serious on security matters than before, saying that the goal of the police is to ensure that all hands are on deck to ensure security. He said: “All efforts are geared towards ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens, which is very paramount to us. We now have a very serious management team in the police. We are committed to doing our duty as stipulated by the constitution. Since I came on board, I tried to address issues that have to do with human rights and justice to all, that is why my numbers are available to ensure that those who are unjustly treated get justified.”

Presentation of papers Four papers were presented in the afternoon session following the opening ceremony at the National Security Summit in Abuja yesterday.

They are: Building Sustainable Trust between public and law enforcement agencies for effective national security was presented by Prof. Etannibi Alemika; Constitutional framework for national integration, peace and security

by Prof. Itse Sagay; Reviewing the Nigeria criminal justice system for effective internal security by Mr. Okey Wali, SAN; and Inter Agency Cooperation in defending the nation against security challenges by Mr. Collins Sullivan of the United States embassy.

The discussants of the papers were CP Frank Odita (rtd.), Barr (Mrs.) Gloria Egbuji, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), IGP Mike Okiro (rtd.) and Geoff Hunter, a Special Agent of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. In his contribution, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Felix Ogbaidu, a lawyer, said there was no need for formation of the State Police, noting that it was capital intensive and some states would not be financially viable to fund their police units to achieve the desired objectives. “Where can our states get the money required to properly fund the state police,” he asked?

Besides, he regretted that the National Assembly was made up of some people who according to him have criminal cases hanging on their necks in law courts, advising that at the next constitutional amendment, such issues should be taken seriously with a view to disallowing people with criminal cases from seeking representation in the National Assembly.

For Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Atiku Kafur, contrary to some people’s belief that the police was getting security information but blatantly refusing to act on them, the reverse was the case. He particularly mentioned the volatile areas of the North, especially Maiduguri, where he regretted that the indigenes and even traditional rulers were not forth-coming with security information that could assist and enhance the operational duties of the police.

“I denied that the police is getting information on most of the security problems but failing to act. The police act on information given but the problem the police have in these states with serious security problems is that indigenes and

even traditional rulers of those areas don’t give information that could help solve most of the security problems”, he lamented.

Permanent data base On his part, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Fakai, disclosed that plans were in the offing by the Nigeria Police to establish permanent data base for fingerprint and DNA, a development, he said, was to ensure there was a proper record keeping for offenders just as he said the inability of the system had helped suspects to evade proper trials at the law courts.

Colonel Tony Nyiam (rtd), in his submission, regretted that the Nigeria constitution vests the appointment of the Inspector General of police on the president of the country, saying for the Nigeria Police to perform its constitutional duties in line with set goals, there was the need to first, detach it from the executive influence.

The police should be freed from the executive, be it federal or state. The police have to be owned by the people, that is, the community. In addition to the Federal Police, there should be State or Local police. Those who need them should have them while those who don’t should stay”, he said. But his view was instantly punctured by the Force Headquarters’ image maker, Frank Mbah, who argued that Nigeria was not ripe for establishment of state police, citing the abuse of conduct of election at the local government level in the country by state governors as example.

He denied that state police commissioners were not carrying directives from their state governors, saying the police commissioners could only ignore such orders only when they were considered to be in bad faith. “The

Exoneration of judiciary Joshua Alobo a legal practitioner, made frantic efforts to exonerate the judiciary from blame. According to him, “This issue of justice is like a two-way traffic, the impunity is not limited to the judiciary alone. The Police force is the reason for the current insecurity we are facing today because of the manner they handled the situation between leaders of the Boko Haram sect and the government, that is the main reason for the current insecurity.

Likewise, the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, added, “Yes, a lot has been said about the attitude of judges and lawyers, but most unfortunately I was not given enough time to address all of that in my presentation.

One of the problems lawyers are facing is that no matter the crime committed, an accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty. It is a case of professional misconduct for a lawyer to turndown a brief on mere assumption that someone is guilty.

Meanwhile, the summit received added piquancy after one of the guest speakers and renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, while presenting his paper lambasted kidnappers as worse than members of the Boko Haram sect.

Sagay said: “I have more respect for Boko Haram than kidnappers.

Why? Because they have principle they are fighting for unlike kidnappers who to my assessment are mostly greedy and lazy people.”

Before Sagay could regain his seat, another SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome who was selected as a discussant on the topic, took the rostrum and expressed contrary view, insisting that unlike Boko Haram, kidnappers hardly harm their victims after collecting ransom. He said: “I disagree that Boko Haram is more likeable than kidnappers. For instance, Okonjo Iweala’s mum was kidnapped recently but immediately the ransom was paid she was released.”

Ozekhome further disagreed that a territory should be created for the Boko Haram sect as was suggested by Sagay. He argued

that section 214 of the Constitution should be amended so as to remove “Force” from the Nigerian Police. Likewise, he canvassed for the creation of state police which he said would help in curbing the heightening wave of violence and insecurity in the country.

Sagay was to return to clarify that he was not excusing the atrocities of Boko Haram members, but only making his repugnance on the activities of kidnappers who he said were fighting for nothing other than money. Besides, Ozekhome was of the view that the police should be unbundled, noting that it is currently over centralized.

On state of the nation, he said: “Corruption today has become the 37th state in Nigeria aside the Federal Capital Territory; in fact, it is the richest state in the country today. Today, we don’t even hear of millions again, it has elevated to billions. In fact we have already graduated to trillions as was seen in the fuel subsidy brouhaha and very soon, we may reach the zillion.

“I think the National Assembly is not helping us too much, in 2000 and 2001, Nigeria carried Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in corruption as released by the Amnesty International. The truth is that we don’t need a bi-cameral legislation. Is it not a pity that 85% of our national budget is not spent on capital projects but on re-current expenditures? For me, I believe that three legislators per state are enough to keep us in this country,” he added.

Nigeria Police cannot do more, justice favours the rich - Femi Falana The paper presented by the National Bar Association, NBA president, Barrister Obi Wali, SAN on “Reviewing the Nigerian Criminal Justice System for Effective Internal Security” was discussed by civil rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN who made one of the most applauded presentations.

Falana said: “The Nigeria Police Force cannot do more than it is doing today in terms of promoting the criminal justice system in our country. The criminal justice system is virtually dead now, in fact we can say that it has been hijacked by the bourgeois, the rich people in our society and that is why only the ordinary people are heralded to jail everyday. “ About 90 per cent of prosecution in our country is done in the magistrate courts, area courts and sharia courts mostly by police prosecutors.

“There is deliberate manipulation of the criminal justice system and any country that allows the rich to hijack its laws cannot have peace and stability and that is what has happened in our country. You cannot have good governance where the culture of impunity has been institutionalised.”

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—51

2014: Monarchs endorse ex-Anambra SSG for guber seat

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

University of Belize’s Prof. Bruce Duncan (left) and Mr. Kester Osahenye, MTN's South-South Regional Marketing Manager, at the conferment of a honorary doctorate degree on Kester by the university.

Why we 've not conducted LG polls —Orji

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has said no local government election would be conducted in the state until the mess created by the last council chairmen were cleared and the system sanitised Orji, who spoke while swearing-in new set of local government transition committee chairmen in Umuahia, said the past council chairmen accumulated a wage bill of N29 billion in salary arrrears.

According to him, the past chairmen were insensitive to the plight of local government council workers.

He said some local government councils such as Aba North, owed their workers over 10 months without any tangible reasons, even as there were no projects to justify money allocated to them.

The governor said he had been able to clear the backlog of salary arrears left by the past council chairmen and was trying to stabilise the system before the elections.

He also said the government wanted to conclude a comprehensive biometric data of local government workers, which was highly infested with ghost workers, which some council workers used to defraud the government.

NIPOST retirees lock up Owerri post offices

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—POSTAL services suffered serious setback yesterday, following the barricading of post offices in Owerri, Imo State capital, by scores of retirees of Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST. Vanguard gathered that the frail, aged and angry pension-

ers of NIPOST were protesting non-payment of their pensions and gratuities.

The aggrieved NIPOST pensioners equally vowed that they will not unlock the gates of the post offices until they were paid what they called “our legitimate entitlements.”

They were particularly irked that the relevant authorities

have either refused or neglected to keep their earlier promise of defraying the unpaid pensions.

One of the pensioners, Mazi Joe Anokwu, wondered what government wanted them to do.

He added that so many of them had died without getting their gratuities or pensions.

NITSHA—TRADITIONAL rulers from Anambra North Senatorial District, under the aegis of Olu Traditional Rulers’ Council have indicated their readiness to ensure the zone produced the next governor of the state in 2014.

The royal fathers made this known during conferment of chieftaincy title on the former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Paul Odenigbo.

Speaking on behalf of the council, comprising Igboadagbe communities, the Okalakwu Igbariam, Igwe Kelly Nzekwe, said the choice of Paul Odenigbo was informed by his contributions to the development of the state and country in general.

He said the zone was in dire need of a good man that could pilot the affairs of the state, such as Chief Odenigbo, a former banker and former national chairman of Nigeria Petrochemicals and Gas Company, Eleme.

Man petitions police over son's death O

WERRI—A 65-year-old man, Mr. Vitalis Okafor, has petitioned Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, over the alleged killing of his police constable son, Emeka, by a colleague.

Okafor alleged in the petition, through his lawyer, Mr. F. Ikemenanwa, that the late Emeka with staff number NPF/ 441360, was shot dead on September 4, 2012 by a corporal.

He alleged that the 29-yearold was shot dead at his duty post at 58 Douglas Road, Owerri, by his colleague with whom he shared the beat.

According to him, the deceased challenged a suspected criminal who entered the premises around 2am.

He said as the deceased struggled with the suspect, the alleged killer shot his AK-47 riffle into the air before shooting his son on the legs at a close range, shattering one of his legs.

The petitioner alleged that the other two security officers on duty fled the scene, abandoning his son in pains till the next morning, when a police patrol team took him to hospital.

Okafor said he learnt of the

incident and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, where his son narrated what happened to him.

According to him, the deceased said his colleague, who returned to the duty post at 6am, begged him to tell the police authorities that robbers shot at him.

He said before his son died on September 12, he had the shattered leg amputated, adding that the body had been in the mortuary since then.

The petitioner alleged that he had been visiting the Imo Police Command to demand justice for his son, among other things, but had not re-

ceived any response.

Okafor threatened to take the Police Command to court if his demands were not met after one month.

However, the Command’s spokesman, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, told newsmen, yesterday, that he was not aware of the petition.—NAN

Politicians plot my removal over N78m S/Africa trip money— Bayelsa Speaker

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—SPEAKER of Bayelsa House of Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson, yesterday, said some aggrieved politicians were behind the plot to oust him from office.

Benson made the revelation during a media chat with newsmen at the Assembly complex in Yenagoa.

He said the aggrieved politicians were inciting some House members to impeach him over allegation that the House embezzled the N78 million approved by Governor Seriake Dickson for House members to attend the

Commonwealth Parliamentary session held last August in South Africa.

He said: “Usually, there is no smoke without fire. I am aware that some House members are being incited.

“I am also aware that presently signatures are being collected to remove me. The Speakership seat is no doubt an enviable position.”

The Speaker, who admitted that though the members could not attend the session following their late arrival in South Africa, explained that there was no intention by the members to embezzle the money.

Konbowei, who maintained his innocence over the alleged embezzlement, explained that Governor Dickson had approved the money for the lawmakers because of the importance of the parliamentary session to the lawmakers.

He said: “The governor saw the importance of the programme to the development of this House that was why he graciously approved that sum of money for us to attend the programme.

“Quite clearly, nobody is disputing the fact that we went late for the programme. It is of note that something necessitated our late arrival.”

52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

MIDWEEK SERMON

with SAM EYOBOKA sameyoboka@yahoo.com

Why we composed song in honour of Oritsejafor —Okposo & Gang

By SAM EYOBOKA, who was in Warri

T

HE multiple celebration that held the oil city of Warri spellbound for 10 days at the Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Delta State and its envir-ons may have come and gone but the reverberat-ions will linger for a while longer. The city rose in honour of the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor who marked his birthday, 40 years in ministry, 25 years of his church, the Word of life Bible Church and of course, the annual spirit-ual conference, the 25th Jubilee Word Festival.

At the occasion, the who is who in the gospel firm-ament took their turns to thrill the delegates that travelled from all over the country. Those who per-formed included the grand father of them all, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, prince of the Niger Delta, Asu Ekiye, ever improving Yinka Ayefele, Linda Etukudo who led the Milk & Honey Choir as well as traditional groups within the church.

Spectacular performance But by the far the most spectacular performance was that done by a collect-ion of 23 gospel artistes in honour of the CAN president. Sammie Okpo-so assembled 23 other artistes to do a song specially dedicated to the 40th anniversary of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor titled, Thank you for saying yes. Those who participated in the project included Sam-mie Okposo, Soji Israel, KSB, Annie, Princess Ann Inyang, Prince Machine, James Munor, Obus Zalee, Ige, Nene, Efe, Kefee, Pat King of Mid-night Crew, Kore, Buchi, Eben among others.

It was a spectacular performance and Okposo acknowledged that when he said: “Celebrating Papa’s birthday, 40 years in ministry and jubilee was off the

& Honour Choir was wowed by the experience, “I can’t explain it but I’m glad I’m here. It’s been a long dream. Actually I clocked 40 recently, and in a dre-am, Papa hugged me and prayed for me.

And here I was yesterday, Papa hu-gged me and prayed for me.

It’s fantastic. I’ve been here for 12 to 14 years now, it’s something else.”

On her part, KEFEE said it feels refreshing to be back home, adding “it’s been awesome. I’ve been having fun all thro-ugh Papa’s celebra-tion. We’ve been here to cele-brate with him. Papa has always been there for us whenever we call him. I’ll say (singing) when I call, he dey answer, I go spread the word, who no know go know. He’s always been there for us so why not? They called us to come celebrate Papa and that’s why we are here today.”

Participating in the project

*Sammie Okposo (r) (bowing) leading the Gang members to Salute the CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (l) during the ceremony at the International Gospel Centre, Warri, Delta State.

hook. Words cannot describe what happened here. It’s been blessings, healings, pro-tection, increase, favour at the Word of Life jubilee conference.”

On what brought about the special song, he said: “When I heard that Papa was to celebrate 40 years in ministry and his birth-day, knowing our Papa who does not celebrate---he doesn’t want to disturb anybody---but this time, I said the fact that Papa has decided to celebrate, we’ll do something to add to the celebration. So I called my son in the ministry, Marvelous Odiete, and I told him let’s write a song for Papa.

“He’s a fantastic guy from this state also, a son of Papa. And we put heads together, came out with the words, worked on the melody, and I said to him, I don’t want us do-ing this song alone. It’d be nice to bring many sons and daughters of Papa to be a part of this recording. So I reached out to as many of them that were around

*Yinka Ayefele ministering while Mama Helen Oritsejafor (r) and others watch with keen interest.

and available and 23 of us put our voices to the song and our faces to the video. Twenty three all-star gospel music artistes took part.

“We came together. And the song, we simply said “Thank you Papa for say-ing yes” to the call of God because some of us would not be here today if you did not say yes to the call. One thing that I love about the song is, it’s not going to stop after Papa’s birthday. We deli-be-

rately did not mention anything about 40th anni-versary or jubilee in the song so that the song can continue to be on the air waves cele-brating Papa for who he is. It’s a tribute song to him, and that is what the song is all about, celebrat-ing Papa at this time,” Okposo explained. Asked to explain his fillings after a long while, Obus Zalee who was a member of the Milk

On her participating on the special song she said she highly honoured to be invited; “I feel honoured, humbled to be called on to do this for Papa. Papa has always been there for me so ofcourse when they called me to come do it, I just went there, dropped my lines and I thought I should actually bring it home, speak some Urhobo there because he’s from this area and people would understand what I’m saying.”

Asu Ekiye who could not participate in the project but had another opportu-nity with people like Dr. Panam Percy Paul and several other gospel artis-tes drawn from the North-ern part to do a similar project in Abuja, was also delighted to bring his girls to perform his new work at the Jubilee Word Festival.

“I was here on the birth-day, but I came late but it was wonderful, it was awesome. It was awesome to see ministry grow to such a crescendo and that was a representation of how consistency and persistence can take you to the a porgy of the very pursuit of life. And that’s what Jubilee represented to me. The birthday on Saturday was the bomb and I was waiting for my day. My day came today.

“Ohhhh… Panam Percy Paul, Solomon Lange, Samsong, Six Foot Plus, Chris Morgan, all the major northern artistes, not just Abuja artistes. Artistes from Kano, Jos, Adamawa, Abuja, we came together to do that job,” he explained, noting that it was phenomenal.

Christ Anglican Church gets new archdeaconry

By OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

I

T was all celebration galore when on Sunday, December 9, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Lagos West, inaugurated its first arch-deaconry of Bariga, Lagos headed by Ven. Ade George.

The inauguaral service presided over by the diocesan bishop, Very Revd.

Peter Awelewa Adebiyi took place at the Christ

Anglican Church auditiorium in Bariga.

The inauguration commenced with prayers being offered to Ven. George, the Clergies, Layreaders, Officials and delegates representing the entire Bariga Archdeaconry.

In a sermon, Rev. Adebiyi, charged the saints to preach the gospel and plant more churches.

Then the congregation danced, giving praises to

God for the success of the service.

Speaking after the ceremony, the celebrant, Ven. George thanked God for making the day a reality, promising to make frantic efforts to plant more parishes.

Chairman inauguration committee, Olumide Osineye congratulated the celebrant and expressed gratitude to all who joined hands in making the inauguration a success.

Ms. Augusta Chibututu of Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, recently celebrated her 60th birthday anniversary.

Pix shows the celebrant (third from left) with son and Msgr.

Gabriel Osu flanked by other guests.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013—53

Govt 'll review backward integration policy on cement — Aganga

Gunmen kidnap Maiduguri bizman

BY NDAHI MARAMA

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government has said that it would review its Backward Integration Policy, BIP, on cement to consolidate the “tremendous” success it has recorded so far.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said this in Abuja during a meeting he held with stakeholders in the cement industry. He told the gathering that a committee would be set up “before the end of this week” to commence the review.

Aganga said that the review of the policy was sequel to the “tremendous” success recorded in the introduction and implementation of the BIP in the cement industry.

He said: “We have achieved everything we set for ourselves 10 years ago when the Backward Integration Policy was introduced. We want to take the next step as part of our strategy on the way forward. “After 10 years of implementation of BIP with two million tonnes capacity, the good news is that today, we have about 28 million tonnes capacity of cement and investment of about six billion dollars.

More so, it provides direct and indirect employment for about two million people".

According to the minister, there is no industrial poli-

cy that has been as successful as the BIP in the cement industry.

Aganga hinted that the implementation of the BIP had saved the country foreign exchange of about N210 billion per year. He, however, stressed the need to carry out a deeper review of the cement sector to make it more competitive locally and internationally.

According to him, "Nigeria has reached a point where it should be thinking about exporting some of its products. This means that we need to look at the overall structure, including the current pricing, availability, affordability, in addition to developing

an export strategy for the sector”.

He described cement sector as one of the sectors that “Nigeria should and will be rightly known for as one of the greatest contributors to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. This is the key message I want to pass across in terms of where we are today and what our plans are in terms of where we want to be going. He promised to carry along the stakeholders in the implementation of the policy.

He opined that, “this is so that at the end of the day, it

will be a win-win situation for manufacturers, consumers and the Nigerian economy at large.” The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Mr Joseph Hudson and Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu were among stakeholders that attended the meeting. Others were the Group Managing Director, Flour Mills Plc, Chief Emmanuel Ukpabi, Chairman Ibeto Group, Chief Cletus Ibeto and Group Representative, Dangote Industries Ltd., Mr Isa Tata Yusuf.

Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and celebrant, Comrade Issa Aremu (middle); flanked by his wife, Hajiya Hamdalat and other friends cutting a cake to mark his 52nd birthday in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Senate urged to stop passage of Customs bill

BY DANIEL GUMM

M

ARITIME Industry Ad vocacy Initiative MAIN, has appealed to the National Assembly to stop the passage of the amended Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA, that was recently passed by the House of Representatives.

Making the appeal after a meeting in Lagos, the stakeholders as lead by the Executive Director, Ports Gists on TV Kayode Farinto and Executive Director Maritime industry Advocacy Initiative, Sesan Onileimo, argued that the process leading to the passage of the Bill was shoddy as the stakeholders were not carried along in the process.

They also said the Bill conflicted with other extant legislation and functions of sister agencies of government, including usurping the powers of the President and the Minister of Finance.

According to MAIN, agencies like Nigerian Ports Au-

thority NPA, Standard Organisation of Nigeria SON, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, NAFDAC, Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance also have their functions removed when their enabling laws are subsisting.

The stakeholders said some amendments contained in the Bill were viewed as obnoxious and not in line with best international practice. "It was also feared that the Bill, if passed into law will not be in the interest of the nation and her economy."

IPSAS: FG extends deadline to Jan, 2014

F

EDERAL Government has extended deadline for implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS, in Nigeria to January 2014.

Mr James Nongo, Secretary, Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, sub-committee on the roadmap for the adoption of IPSAS, confirmed the decision to the News Agency of

Nigeria, NAN, yesterday.

Nongo said the sub-committee recommended the extension because “it was not feasible” for the country to adopt the cashbasis for IPSAS by January 2013.

He said the committee also recommended that the take-off date for the accrual basis for IPSAS be extended from 2015 to 2016.

“We still need to do a lot of ca-

pacity building because this is a new system that requires a lot of training for accountants, budget officers and operators in all the three tiers of government.

Nongo said a new module for IPSAS implementation had already been prepared and completed and would be distributed to the three tiers of government. after FAAC approval during the week.

M

AIDUGURI—A businessman based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Alhaji Ali Budum, has been kidnapped in his Bolori stores by gunmen.

Bolori stores attracts people of higher class in Maiduguri metropolis.

It will be recalled that, barely two weeks ago, gunmen invaded the area and killed Alhaji Abubakar Girigiri, one of the notable businessman, who had invested heavily in Borno, Yobe and other states in the North East.

Meanwhile, a shootout in Maiduguri, yesterday, caused pandemonium at the Post Office and Lamisola axis, forcing residents to run for their lives. This came barely three weeks after the state capital witnessed relative peace.

Joint Task Force, JTF, Spokesman, Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa, in his reaction said “ it was true that there was abrupt concentration of troops and blockage of few routes leading to post office and Lamisola axis in Maiduguri metropolis.”

Sagir said the action was based on information received by JTF, that terrorists were sighted in two tricycles from Lamisola Ward moving towards the Post Office area.

ASUU to hold education summit

L

AGOS—THE Academ ic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is planning a national summit on education to chart a better path for the sector.

ASUU President, Dr Isa Fagge, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the union would organise the summit in collaboration with other education stakeholders.

Fagge said that the summit was being planned in line with the Federal Government’s effort to sanitise the education sector.

He said: “We are optimistic that the summit will hold during the first quarter of this year, but where this is not feasible as a result of some bottlenecks, it will not go beyond the second quarter.”.

54 —

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

have called It’s Ghana before Fulham for Derek MALI up uncapped striker Mana Dembele

M

IDFIELD star Derek Boateng says he only has thoughts of representing Ghana in South Africa rather than his proposed move to English topflight side Fulham from Ukrainian outfit FC Dnipro.

Boateng has already successfully completed the Cottagers’ medical and is currently negotiating a contract. This has led to reports that he could forego the AFCON to ensure the deal is sealed.

“Since I arrived here I have left behind all the thoughts of Fulham and concentrating on how to help the Black Stars win the trophy,” Boateng said.

“Those reports that I have reached a deal to skip the Nations Cup are not true otherwise I won’t be here training with my colleagues.

“I am fully committed to Ghana and currently I am only thinking about the Black Stars and how to do something special for the country.”

from French club Clermont Foot to replace Mamadou Samassa in their training squad for the African Nations Cup finals, officials said on Tuesday.

Italy-based Samassa pulled out of the team’s preparations in Bamako because of injury.

Dembele, who was born in Paris, has scored seven goals in Ligue 2 this season, prompting his first call-up by Mali.

The 24-year-old might yet not make the squad,

C

HAMPIONS Zam bia on Tuesday ended a three-match losing run after they drew 0-0 with Morocco in Johannesburg.

The result at the Rand Stadium will certainly take some pressure off

•Derek

Angola announce final 23 for Afcon Angola cut four players from their preliminary squad to finalise their 23man selection for the African Nations Cup finals, keeping faith with new striker Guilherme Afonso.

The 27-year-old, who won two caps for Switzerland at under-21 level, had been a surprise selection by coach Gustavo Ferrin and the subject of speculation in the Angolan press on Tuesday over his chances of making the final cut.

He is one of seven European-based players in the final selection.

Ferrin, who made the announcement at a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, left out four home-based midfielders — Ary from Primeiro Agosto, Mabina

Top clubs on Guardiola alert Chelsea owner Roman EP GUARDIOLA a club. I don’t know Abramovich is desperate Phas opened the door which team but I will toRoberto land Guardiola, while for a move to the Premier come back to manage.”

Mancini’s future

C M Y K

however, as Mali coach Patrick Carteron has to cut five players before Wednesday’s deadline for submitting his final 23 for the tournament in South Africa.

Mali open their tournament in Port Elizabeth on Jan. 20 against Niger in Group B, where they also meet the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana.

•Dembele

Zambia halt slide with Morocco draw

•Manucho (l) in action for Angola.

League by declaring: I’ll be back next season.

And the world’s most sought-after boss could be targeted by Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United AND Arsenal. Guardiola, on a year’s break after a glorious spell at Barcelona, said: “Yes, next season I will come back to manage

Dembele gets first Mali call up

Guardiola, who turns 42 next week, added: “I will return because I am young.

“I am well, watching football as a fan and enjoying those magnificent players.”

It is understood Guardiola’s first choice would be to manage in the Premier League.

at City is uncertain.

City’s new director of football is Txiki Beguiristain, who appointed Guardiola as boss at Barca.

Alex Ferguson says he will stay at United for two more years — but if the Scot was to change his mind Guardiola is No 1 choice at Old Trafford.

of Petro Atletico, Paty of InterClube and Ito from Progresso Sambizanga.

Angola play in Group A with hosts South Africa, the Cape Verde Islands and Morocco, who they meet first at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Jan. 19.

the African champions after a string of poor results in their build-up matches.

Tuesday’s friendly also announced the return of FC Utrecht striker Jacob Mulenga after a 10month hiatus due to injury.

He played the first half of a team comprising of nine starters from the 2012 championship-winning team including Rainford Kalaba who had a good game in his first back from a from a threemonth injury layoff and missed a sitter.

FC Porto defender Emmanuel Mbola, who

missed the 2012 finals due to a FIFA suspension over a transfer dispute, was part of the gold medal-winning starting 11.

The draw comes in the wake of 2-0, 1-0 and 2-1 defeats at the hands of Angola, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia over the last 40 days in 2013 Africa Cup build-up games.

Zambia fly back home for a brief visit to play Norway in their penultimate friendly game on Saturday in Ndola before heading to their Group C base in Nelspruit on January 13 where they will host Namibia at Mbombela on January 15.

Walcott to sign fresh Arsenal deal

M

ANCHESTER United are ready to give up on their pursuit of Theo Walcott with the Arsenal forward set to sign a new contract at the club by the end of the week.

The Walcott saga has been the latest contract row to envelope the club in recent seasons and Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to bring the 23-year-old to Old Trafford after he refused to sign a new

•Guardiola

•Walcott deal at the Emirates before Christmas.

The England star turned down one offer of a new deal - reportedly worth £75,000 a week - in the summer and failed to reach an agreement as the player looked for closer to £100,000.

But Arsene Wenger has finally reached a compromise with a player he cannot afford to lose and Walcott is set to put pen to paper by the time Ar-

senal face Manchester City on Sunday.

Walcott is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 14 goals in all competitions, already his best total in a single campaign since moving to the north London club from Southampton in 2006.

He is also Arsenal’s top scorer in the Barclays Premier League with eight.

Walcott wants to operate as a central striker and has recently proved his worth in that position.

“He definitely has all the attributes to play up front,’ said team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Walcott recently.

“The goals are coming.

He has proven he can do a really good job for us up there.

“For someone with his pace it’s hard for anyone to defend against and when he gets the service he can always punish teams so he’s doing really well.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 — 55

Man Utd want Lamps

Minister trains with Eagles ahead Cape Verde friendly

•And he’s ready to move

PORTS Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, who came into the Faro, Portugal camp of the national team at noon on Tuesday, underlined his youthfulness as he still found time to be at the team’s training session,at 3:30pm Portuguese time (4:30pm Nigeria), observing every move of the players and the Stephen Keshi led technical crew.

In company of the Director, Elite Athletes in the Sports Ministry, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba, the minister took time to make a personal observation and declared that he was encouraged to come and watch the team in Faro, Portugal, after a superlative performance against the Catalan Selected side, which the Eagles held to a 1-1 draw in Barcelona last Wednesday.

M

ANCHESTER UNITED want Frank Lampard and the Chelsea star is ready to move to Old Trafford.

Lampard has been told he is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge, with his contract set to run out in the summer.

United manager Alex Ferguson is convinced the vetera n m i d f i e l d e r, 3 4 , can still do a job at the very highest level.

He is a long-time admirer of the player and tried to get him before he even joined Chelsea.

It is unlikely a deal will be done this month — when

a fee would be involved — while Lampard is also keen to see out the rest of the season at Stamford Bridge.

But United are prepared to offer him a one-year deal in the s u m m e r, w i t h t h e promise of a second year if everything goes well.

Contact has already been made from Old Trafford to Lampard’s representatives.

He currently has a number of options including another Premier League club and two abroad.

But United are firm favourites to land him in a deal that would have seemed unthinkable at the start of the season.

END OF AN ERA ... Lamps is heading for the Stamford Bridge exit

S

The Minister will be the Special Guest at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal, when the national team takes on their Cape Verde counterpart in another tune up game ahead of the South Africa 2013 championship.

“The Eagles have raised the hopes of every Nigerian by their performance in the game against Catalonia and we hope it will be the same spirit that the team will take to South Africa for the Nations Cup proper ”, Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya quotes the Minister as saying.

The Minister did not formally address the players after Tuesday’s evening training but assured that still he was still around, he will address the team after the game against Cape Verde, obviously with a message from President Goodluck Jonathan.

Our players lack the discipline to win World Footballer Award — Gaiya

G

ODFREY Gaiya, Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Sports, said on Tuesday that Nigerian footballers lacked the discipline and commitment to win the FIFA World Footballer of the Year

Award. Rep. Gaiya was reacting to the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’ Or won

by Barcelona/ Argentine striker, Lionel Messi, his fourth in a row. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that every Nigerian player was a potential

Green Continues from BP Nigeria versus Cape Verde tune up match which comes up 9 pm Nigerian time; a few hours before CAF deadline for the submission of final squads for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.

Green, who expressed confidence and satisfaction in what Coach Stephen Keshi has done so far, insisted that only the best would represent Nigeria at the tournament.

“Keshi has done well, so far,” Green said, pointing out that, “he has brought back that competitive spirit in the

Eagles as he has brought out the hunger for success among the players.”

“Nobody would feel happy if his team loses,” Green said, insisting, however, that, “there must be some positives from the match even if we lose.”

He disclosed the Eagles would approach the game with caution as they would guide against injury. “The boys are not going to go all out to win because it is not a must win situation. A lot of players would play as the coach would be wary of injuries,” Green said, adding that “all the coach need is to try out his formation and tactics.

winner of the award but noted that they needed to put some extra effort to measure up to Messi’s standard.

“Talent is talent; you don’t buy it with money.

Everybody that can play for Nigeria is a potential world football award winner.

“However, it is not enough that you play for Nigeria and for a club in Europe. You need a cutting edge talent that will put you above your peers.

That doesn’t come with just a wish because it’s hard work and discipline. “As it is, I am not convinced that we h a v e the potential of getting there because our

TOP OF THE WORLD ... Messi is crowned Ballon D’Or winner again players lack discipline a n d the commitment to get there,” Gaiya said.

Tension Continues from BP “speculative.”

He said, “Head Coach Stephen Keshi said he has heard of a list making the rounds in Nigeria but urged soccer-loving Nigerians to ignore the lists

purportedly issued by him. “We will give out the names of the 23 man squad on Wednesday. I plead with Nigerians to be a little bit patient with us because it’s a difficult thing to do”.

Lobi, Rangers Continues from BP the second match of the day will be by 3pm between hosts Kano Pillars and Heartland.

Pillars will hope to avenge a 2-0 Super Cup loss they suffered at the hands of H e a r t l a n d i n Po r t Harcourt recently.

The second day of action will see Rangers up against

regional rivals Heartland and Pillars play Lobi Stars, while for the final day of a c t i o n o n S u n d a y, Heartland will clash with Lobi and Rangers battle Pillars.

The team will the highest number of points from this fourteam round-robin tournament will emerge winners.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013

Only the best will represent Nigeria — Green

BY JACOB AJOM

N

IGERIA’s final list for the 2013 Nations Cup is due to be made public today.

Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Chris Green confirmed this to Sports Vanguard

— Page 55

Tuesday.

The NFF chieftain told our correspondent that the list would be released after the Continues on Page 55

As Keshi names AFCON 2013 squad today

Tension grips Eagles T

•Keshi

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

HERE is palpable tension in Super Eagles camp in Faro, Portugal as head Coach, Stephen Keshi prepares to announce his final 23man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign that will get underway in South Africa, January 19th.

The coach will name a list of 23 players who will wear the national colours at the Afcon 2013 championship today.

The media was awash yesterday with various lists on the team but Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya dismissed them as Continues on Page 55

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

•••Tackle Cape Verde today

T

HE Super Eagles of Nigeria will be finalising their preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with a friendly match against the Sharks of Cape Verde. Although Coach Stephen Keshi will want his wards to tread gently with giant killers of African football the Super Eagles will want to send out a strong message of intent to other contenders for the trophy.

Nigeria last made an appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations back in 2010, missing out in 2012. But the Super Eagles are still considered as one of the favourites for this year ’s edition in South Africa.

Lobi, Rangers open Super 4

B

EATEN cup finalists Lobi Stars and league runners-up Enugu Rangers will open the preseason Super 4 today in Kano.

NPL executive secretary Tunji Babalola told said that the opening game of competition involving Lobi and Rangers will begin from 1 pm local time, while Continues on Page 55

ACROSS 3 Coach (5) 9 Tenant (6) 10 See-saw (6) 11 Advantage (5) 15 Diplomacy (4) 17 Read (7) 20 Rabbit (3) 21 Liability (5) 23 Mistake (4) 25 Voucher (4) 26 Coarse (5) 28 Era (3) 30 Serious (7) 33 Precede (4) 35 Entrance (4) 36 Jumped (5) 38 Sooner (6) 39 Dirge (6) 40 Symbol (5)

•Mikel

DOWN 1 Slumber (5) 2 Moving (5) 3 Beverage (3) 4 Reposed (6) 5 Detail (4) 6 Entrap (3) 7 Place (5) 8 Rasp (5) 13 Missive (7) 14 Jacket (5) 16 Fight (7) 18 Thick (5) 19 Spasm (3) 22 Object (5) 24 Snoop (3) 27 Specimen (6) 28 Vigilant (5) 29 Ground (5) 31 Soothed (5) 32 Cogs (5) 34 Nothing (4) 36 Permit (3) 37 Brown (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Arrest 5, Better 9, Oiled 10, Hubhub 11, Relief 12, Ripen 14, Role 17, Art 18, Mean 20, Event 22, Wedge 23, Dawdled 24, Order 26, Basis 29, Stud 30, Ice 32, Lone 33, Sneak 39, Recede.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Adhere 2, Rubble 3, Sour 4, Tibia 5, Beret 6, Eden 7, Tailed 8, Refine 13, Produce 15, Overt 16, Ended 18, Medal 19, Again 21, Tar 22, Web 24, Ostler 25, Dusted 27, Source 28, Settle 30 Inner 31, Eager 33, Sole 34, Kale.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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