Endless agony, as power network collapses

C M Y

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62118

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Five soldiers, scores of terrorists killed in Borno ....Gunmen kill 10, burn 20 houses in Taraba •PGs.9&16

Our success story —Clare Omatseye ....Women in Cyperspace •Pgs.32-33

Endless agony, as power network collapses

BY MICHAEL EBOH, AMAMDI ONYEGBADUE & EDIRI EJOH

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•We pay more for darkness, consumers cry out •Call for return of privatized assets to PHCN •Infrastructure obsolete, unreliable — Nnaji, DISCOs

AGOS—NIGERIA’S Power situation has in the last couple of weeks attained a worrisome dimension, raising questions on the country’s recent emergence as the 26th biggest economy in the world. Electricity consumers lament that they are rather paying more for darkness than light.

In the last one month, power supply across the country, especially in Lagos and Abuja, has deteriorated to the worst level

Continues on page 5

COLUMNIST:

The Ibadan ritual camp•P.19

Do our laws support our economic •P.24 well-being?

Mr & Mrs 7TH LAGOS ECONOMIC SUMMIT—From left: Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili, former President of Georgia and guest speaker; Mrs. Bola Adesola, MD/CEO, Standard Chartered and Mr. Ben Akabueze, Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, during the 7th Lagos Economic Summit at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. Story on Page 10.

Security challenge: Senate prescribes 10 We'll restore sanity yrs imprisonment for 15 soon — Jonathan 9 pension thieves

2—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

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POCKET CARTOON

INAUGURATION—President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd R) inaugurating Nigeria Police Force International Peacekeeping Centre in Abuja, yesterday. With him is the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar. Photo: NAN.

Endless agony, as power supply collapses Continues from page 1 since Nigeria’s independence, despite promises made by the Federal Government over the years to ensure stable electricity supply.

Distribution companies are daily designing ingenious means to make consumers pay for electricity not supplied.

Former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji and chief executives of distribution companies (DISCOs) however blamed the energy problem on the country’s power generating facilities which they said were obsolete and unreliable, dating back to 1896.

Survey

A survey by Vanguard revealed that on the average, Nigerians only have about two hours of electricity supply in a week, while some areas have gone without power for

about three weeks. Residents who spoke to Vanguard in Apapa, Surulere, Ilasamaja, Isolo, Isheri, Lekki, Ikotun, Satellite Town, Iyana-Ipaja, Festac Town, Ketu, Ikorodu, Gwarimpa in Abuja, Nyanya and other areas in states across the federation, bemoaned their plight and condemned the epileptic power situation.

Some of the residents called for the cancellation of the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, saying that the new owners have not displayed adequate capacity and capability to tackle the country’s power situation. Efforts to get the authorities to comment on the sufferings of Nigerians as regards power supply proved abortive. as they were yet to respond to questions sent to them on the issue at press time.

Officials of some of the DISCOs also failed to re-

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

What you call yourself, and who you decide to become, is your future or destiny — Take Heart Quotes

W

HEN you are content to simply be yourself, without comparing and competing to impress others, everyone worthwhile will respect you. And even more importantly, you will respect yourself. How are you letting others define you? What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

Truth be told, no one has the right to judge you.

People may have heard your stories, and they may think they know you, but they can’t feel what you are going through; they aren’t living YOUR life.

So forget what they think and say about you. Focus on how you feel about yourself, and keep walking the path that feels best under your feet.

Those who accept you are your friends. Those who don’t are your teachers. If someone calls you something and it’s true, it’s not your problem because it’s true. If someone calls you something and it’s not true, it’s not your problem because it’s not true.

Either way, whatever they call you is not your problem. What other people call you is their problem.

spond to e-mails, while some of them claimed that the amount of power given them has been reduced drastically.

Unearned revenue

Reacting to the power crisis, Mr. Okolie Moses, an official at Kinetic Associates in Surulere, said: “We were expecting that the new owners would in the first months give Nigerians hope. But to my surprise, they have failed to change anything. They complained that the situation was so bad, as if they were not aware of this before they bought the assets. In my area, power went off on January 22, but they could not restore it until March 5. We had no light throughout the month of February, yet we got a bill for February. If the private hands are effective, so to say, we don’t expect such things to happen."

Mrs Ijayemi of KFA Monograms, said: “Power supply has gone from bad to worse. As far as we are concerned we have not seen the difference. The situation has worsened to the extent that presently, we have not had power at all for five to six days.

When it comes, it only lasts for five minutes and it’s gone. We really do not understand what is going on; it has never been this bad in the past 10 years; it has never been as bad as this.”

On his part, Mr. Satiregun Mujide, a medical doctor at Tolu Medical Centre, Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Lagos, said: “Electricity supply has always been the way it is but this era is often bad and not encouraging.

Going back, there was a little improvement in the

supply but now we don’t really understand if we are going from bad to worst.

“This epileptic supply affects our budget because we have our plans. Early last year, there was a fair power supply but by late last year, there was a serious drop and it is quite discouraging because, we expect these owners to be more impressive but the reverse now seems to be the case.

“We pay about N60,000 as bill and even with this poor supply our money has not dropped and that looks like fraud. Light is the bedrock of an organization and business cannot thrive without electricity supply. The government should join these owners and understand what is needed to improve the sector.

Also speaking, Mr Emeka Esume, a manager at Ndokwa Entertainment Centre, also at Ajegunle, said: “The new owners are not trying at all and it is affecting business because we have to depend on generators and that causes noise and other expenses.

“The billing system is ridiculous because the less we see this supply the more and constant our bill is. “We pay as much as N85,000 and there is no decrease even now that we are not seeing the benefit of what we are paying for."

DISCOs blame transmission

An official of a distribution company, who chose to remain anonymous, blamed the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, for the epileptic power situation, saying that the country’s transmission network cannot effectively deliver the entire amount of electricity generated to households across the country.

The official, who also cited inadequate supply of gas as a major problem, disclosed that prior to the handover of the power assets to the new owners, Lagos State used to get about 900 megawatts of electricity from the national grid, but it dropped to 300MW after the handover.

He said they had to grapple with the problem of distributing the 300MW to households across the state in a fair manner, hence the rationing and erratic power situation in most cases.

Also, key sources in the power sector who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, alleged that the last privatization exercise in the power sector was designed to defraud Nigerians and not geared towards ensuring stable supply of power.

According to one of the sources, the fact that the

Federal Government is supporting the N750 fixed charge, whether there is electricity supplied or not, is a pointer to the fact that government is in connivance with the new owners of the privatised assets to shortchange Nigerians.

Another source wondered why the Federal Government was more concerned about the investors recouping their investments, rather than ensuring that they improve the level of power supply in the country. The source said it is almost six months since the handover of the assets to the new owners, yet, there has been no significant improvement in power supply.

Electricity infrastructure obsolete, unreliable — Nnaji, DISCOs

Meanwhile, former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji and chief executives of Distribution companies (Discos), yesterday, declared that Nigeria’s power generating facilities are obsolete and unreliable.

Speaking at the Seventh Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2014), Nnaji disclosed that there is presently a wide gap between electricity supply and demand, while the transmission infrastructure are weak and inadequate. He further stated that the distribution network is overloaded, while the rate of technical and commercial losses are very high.

Nnaji suggested a short term emergency solution to the power problem in the area of embedded generation using the ringfencing method, whereby some areas are divided into economic clusters.

He said Lagos has all the facilities to deliver stable power, adding, however, that it has to assert its influence by partnering with the distribution companies to plan for efficient and effective distribution of power within Lagos.

Also speaking, Mr. Charles Momoh, Chairman, West Power and Gas, owner of the Eko Distribution Company, empha-

sised the need for revamping of the country’s power infrastructure, saying that the country is still using power infrastrusture that dates back to 1896. He further blamed the epileptic power situation across the country on the non-availability of gas and the reduction of power supply to the distribution companies.

Momoh further blamed the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, for the “blinking” power situation, saying: “The TCN introduced frequency relays to protect their equipment, which is at the expense of consumers’ appliances, because this relay is responsible for the two minutes on and off power situation in Lagos.”

On his own part, Mr. Sola Adeshina, Managing Director, Sahara Power, owner of the Ikeja Distribution Company, also noted that unavailability of gas and a noncost reflective tariff structure is hampering the effective delivery of power to consumers.

Faulty asset valuation A former Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Ransome Owan, had in a document obtained by Vanguard, titled, ‘Operation and Maintenance (O&M) issues in the privatised power market’ disclosed that the new investors acquired assets that are problematic.

He further noted that a faulty valuation system was used in the sales process by the Federal Government. He disclosed that the privatised businesses are full of problems including the support systems, both from within and without. According to him, the transaction leading to the sale of the assets was based on government asset valuation and not a business valuation.

He further stated that the business turnaround plans tendered during the bid round require re-examination based on facts discovered.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Vanguard's Special Report on the Power Sector will continue next week.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Two docked for murder over council boss' largesse

Woman nabbed with 686 grammes of cocaine in her private part •I was deceived into drug business —Suspect

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

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AGOS — TWO men suspected to have caused the death of one Saheed Adio have been arraigned in an Ebute Metta court.

They were said to have beaten the deceased to death after giving him a hot chase to collect their share of N20,000 given to them

by Ifelodun local council chairman at a party within the council area.

In the words of the prosecutor, Inspector Nwosu George, the accused, Wasiu Raji and Akeem Adebari, committed” a criminal offence that requires a capital punishment.”

The tragic occurence took place on March 22, 2014, about 7pm at Seven-Up bus stop area in Ajegunle.

Though the prosecutor urged the court to remand them in prison custody, their counsel, Mr Akinyemi Idris and Mr Spurgeon Ataene, opposed the request and enjoined the court to examine reason for the police’s request to remand them, premising it on the provision enshrined in section 264 (1, 5 and 9).

After listening to both parties, the magistrate, Mr Olatunbosun Abolarinwa, condemned the council chairman’s act and labelled it “societal menace.”

He said: "Why is he giving money to people who are supposed to be in school studying? It is wrong and is killing our society. If he had not done that, the man would still be alive. We need to educate our council chairman.”

In his ruling, he said: “Having heard from the IPO, the court believes that the defendants and others at large did not kill the deceased, he accidentately met his death while they were dragging to collect the money given to them by the council chairman.

“After preliminary enquiries, the court is of the view that the cause of his death is accidental not intentional, hence be regarded as manslaughter not murder. The provisions of section 264 (4) of the criminal justice law gives the honourable court empowerment to admit each defendant to a bail of N500,000 with two surties each in like sum, one of which must be an elder or leader of high integrity."

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — PLAN by a food vendor who allegedly inserted 685 grammes of cocaine in her private part, to beat security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, has been foiled,as she was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA The suspect identified as Chinelo Okorom Lynnette, 36, was arrested during an inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Nigeria.

NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who made the disclosure, yesterday, said the suspect concealed the drugs in a cellophane bag before inserting it into her private part and ingested some.

He said: "The suspect tested positive for drug ingestion and vaginal insertion.

She, however, expelled a total of 685 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine while under observation at the airport."

I was deceived —Suspect

However, the suspect, reportedly told NDLEA officials at the Airport Command headed by Mr Hamza Umar that she was deceived into the illicit business out of frustra-

proper upkeep. I sell food at Ajagbandi to take care of my children.

"When my rent expired, I had no money to renew it. My landlord ejected us and I had nowhere to go with the children or who to talk to. I was crying like a baby when a man came to console me.

"He told me to wipe my tears and promised to introduce me to importation business. I felt he was God-sent when he sponsored my trip to Addis The suspect, Chinelo Okorom Ababa. Before leaving, he said I was to go into imLynnette portation of female hand tion by her landlord, following bags.

"But when I got to Ethioher in ability to pay her rent. pia, he told me to take coAccording to her, "My husband abandoned me with four children caine to Nigeria. Initially, two years ago. Since then, I have I disagreed but he threatbeen working hard to pay their ened to recover his inschool fees and also ensure their vestment at all cost. I am

just a victim of man’s cruelty to man."

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the arrest was made following the eagle-eye operatives at the airport, as a result of different antics used by drug traffickers..

He noted: "Going to Addis Ababa to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria is one of the tricks employed by drug trafficking syndicates. Cocaine is not known to come from Addis but we were able to detect it because of our vigilance. We are prepared to counter activities of drug kingpins and bring them to justice. We look forward to fruitful progress in our investigation."

He, therefore, advised members of the public to be cautious of the tricks by drug syndicates, adding that the suspect's action is shameful.

Man, girlfriend arrested for stealing vehicles in Ondo

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE— TWO lovers, Wasiu Saidi and Kafayat Ademola, who specialised in stealing vehicles have been arrested in Ore area of Ondo State.

Wasiu 35 and his 25-yearold girlfriend, Kafayat, are being detained at the Police

headquarters in Akure.

The lovers were arrested by detectives from the Ondo State Police Command after allegedly stealing a Toyota Picnic bus.

Police source said in Akure that the lovers who had confessed to be specialists in stealing of vehicles were arrested at about 9pm on April

People living with disability during pay parade for their monthly allowance in Dutse, Jigawa State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

3 this year.

It was gathered that one Yemi Tope of 7, Ondo Road, Ore, reported at the Police Station that his vehicle was stolen where it was parked.

Consequently, operatives of the state CID, led by ASP Jacob Alao swung into action and traced the suspect to Ibadan.

Vanguard gathered that the detectives stormed Ibadan after a tip-off.

The lover boy was consequently apprehended with the vehicle in Ibadan, Oyo State while cruising about in it.

Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that his girlfriend stole the key to the vehicle key under the pretext that she wanted to buy recharge card from the complainant.

Police source added that the suspect after stealing the car key gained access to the vehicle where it was parked and drove away.

Contacted, the state police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the arrest of the lovers, saying the duo have confessed to have used the same method to steal other vehicles.

He said detectives were doing everything possible to recover other vehicles stolen by them.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 —7

Court dissolves marriage over threat to wife's life

I Students of Yaba College of Technology in a solidarity protest with members of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) over non implementation of ASUP demands by Federal Government, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

How Enugu waste officials killed my 17-year-old son —Woman

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU — TENSION mounted in Enugu, capital of Enugu State, yesterday, following al;leged gruesome murder of a 17-year-old secondary school student by enforcement team of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority, ESWAMA, for allegedly using unauthorized bag to dispose refuse.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the killing in a statement, yesterday.

He said: "We have received information on the alleged murder of a 17 year-old boy by yet to be identified persons and investigations into the incident have commenced."

The mother of the deceased, Mrs Ede David, told Vanguard that her son, Callistus Chidiebere Ede, met his untimely death when she asked him to dispose refuse already bagged with grains bag on Monday morning.

According to her, "I was preparing to go to market to sell my food that morning, so he left with the waste in our wheel-barrow for disposal.

"While I was going out, I heard noise from the area where my son went to dispose refuse, I then asked my sister to take my stuff to the market while I proceeded to the dump site to know why my son had not returned.

"When I got to the dump site five hefty men were beating him.

I approached them and asked why they were beating him but none of them uttered a word."

How he was killed

The woman who spoke amidst sobs, said her son told her that the ESWAMA officials asked him

to enter their vehicle and he refused because he committed no wrong and one of the officials told her that they were beating him because he refused arrest for disposing refuse with another bag other than ESWAMA bag.

She said: "I pleaded with them to allow him to go because he was writing his Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, SSSCE, instead they should arrest me since he was underaged and I was the one that sent him on the mission, but they refused."

Mrs Edeh further narrated that

after all effort to dissuade them from arresting him failed, she asked her son to go with them why she promised to come for him and he boarded their vehicle.

Continuing, Mrs Ede said: "I went back to the house and got some money and while going to ESWAMA office, I saw somebody lying on the road along Abakpa timber market but on getting closer I saw that the person was my son.

“When I stopped I raised alarm and people came out in

their numbers and rushed him to a nearby private hospital, where he was confirmed dead at about 3:30pm Monday.”

When Vanguard visited ESWAMA office yesterday, the gate to the premises was locked as hundreds of people besieged the gate protesting the gruesome murder of the school boy.

The Managing Director of ESWAMA, Mr. Dom Okonkwo, who was contacted on phone, declined comment.

Gate man rapes colleague in Lagos L AGOS — A TERRIFYING ordeal occurred in Lagos sometime in March when a man held down a fellow man and raped him, a police prosecutor told an Abule Egba Magistrates’ court, yesterday.

The prosecutor, Inspector Rachael Williams, alleged that the accused had drugged his victim before raping him.

She said: “When the complainant woke up, his anus was paining him and there was some left-over semen in it."

According to reports, the accused, 38-year-old Sali Malu, a gatekeeper, lives at 31, Peace Estate, Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos.

He is facing a two-count charge of sexual assault and causing a breach of peace.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of raping a fellow gatekeeper (names withheld) and breach of peace.

Williams said the offences were committed on March 23 in the house of the accused.

She told the court: “The complainant (names withheld), who is also a gatekeeper in the estate, went to the room of the accused to charge his

phone. The accused gave him food to eat. The man did not know that the food had been laced with drug.

“After eating the food, he slept off only to wake up to the reality that he had been raped."

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravene Sections 166 (d) and 259 of the Criminal

Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the magistrate, Tajudeen Elias, granted the accused a bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned till May 5 for mention.

BADAN— A MAPO Customary Court in Ibadan, yesterday, dissolved the marriage between one Mutiu Liadi and his wife, Timilehin, over alleged threat to her life by the former.

In his judgment, the President of the court, Chief Ezekiel Ogundipe, held that Liadi had demonstrated that he was not a responsible husband.

“Throughout the hearing of this case, Liadi did not show up to defend himself and this means acceptance of guilt.

“I am therefore convinced that he is guilty of the offences levelled against him by the wife. “ From today, April 8,and henceforth, both of you are no longer husband and wife and you are free from his atrocities. “ Liadi is also to hand over the two year-old child to the wife for proper care," the judge ruled.

Earlier, Timilehin had said that her two years in the marriage were full of regrets.

“Any time I request for money for feeding, Liadi chases me around the house with a machete.

“He does not cater for our child and beats me to stupor anytime he is drunk," she added.

Flood along Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos after a down pour, yesterday. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Nigerian drugs firm gets first WHO certification in Africa

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & GABRIEL OLAWALE

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IGERIA has once again made history as one of its pharmaceutical companies, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Ltd., became the first in the West African subregion to become World Health Organisation, WHO-certified in Good Manufacturing Practice, cGMP. Making the announcement yesterday, WHO representative, Ms. Seun Omobo, alongside the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said Nigeria was taking the lead in WHO certification.

Omobo said the result was the outcome of several months of efforts and huge resources in terms of facility upgrades, capacity building and lots of seminars.

She said: “We appreciate the commitment of NAFDAC, PMG-MAN and Swipha.

“Other companies should see this as an inspiration to improve on their quality.”

Jonathan gives MDGs May 2015 deadline to meet targets

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, to work with the governors of the 36 states of the federation towards ensuring that they meet targets before May 2015.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbenol, who disclosed this after a presentation to the President on assessment and monitoring of the MDGs, said to meet the presidential directive, a meeting had been

scheduled with the governors to work out modalities for achieving the target.

Gbenol said the president directed that “ we need to disaggregate data more, work closely with the state governors on various issues like education, where the number of out-of-school children is higher, on where HIV prevalence may still be high, and where the poverty indices are still high.

“He is initiating another meeting wherein we will be sitting with governors over the various indices and targets to ensure that, holistically, between now and May 29, 2015.”

The presidential aide said she made a presentation before the president which

highlighted the level of commitment and what Nigeria had achieved so far with the MDGs.

Taking record

She said: “In the presentation, the country has been able to achieve MDGs goals one. We have been able to reduce the number of people that suffer from extreme hunger by half.

“On gender equality in schools, we have also been able to achieve goals three.

We have also been able to achieve goals six, which is the HIV prevalence of the country.

“It has been halted, reversed and is on the downward slide. Currently,

VISIT: From left— Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, and Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, during a condolence visit by Sambo over the death of the Sultan's brother in Sokoto, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

the national prevalence of HIV for the country is 3.4. It rose to 5.8 and then came down to 4.8, 4.4, 4.1 and the current national prevalence of HIV for the country is 3.4.

“We were able to tell the President that the country is working very hard on achieving goals five, which is reducing maternal mortality.

Between now and 2015, that goal, I am very positive, will be achieved.”

Par tnership with NASS

She said the MDG was collaborating with the legislative arm of government to ensure that their senatorial districts and constituencies benefit from MDG projects.

Gbenol said: “The various amount spent in the various constituencies around the country in 2013 are what we want to do in 2014, going forward. Our areas of intervention is to look at the MDGs that are still lagging behind, like the under-five mortality rate. We need to crash it further.

“We are also looking at reaching out to certain geopolitical regions of the country, where the attendance in schools is affected.

“We are working out with the state governors in increasing the Federal Government’s investment, even in those states.

“At the meeting, the various ministers also mentioned what they are doing to achieve the MDGs. Everybody, even our international development partners, were part of the meeting.”

NLC describes new $510bn GDP as time bomb

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Abuja, challenged the Federal Government to translate the impressive economic growth released on Sunday by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, to improved living conditions for Nigerians.

In a statement by its Acting President, Promise Adewusi, entitled Good GDP Without Sustainable and Viable Jobs: A Time Bomb, NLC insisted that economic growth without

jobs and food on the table for Nigerians meant nothing.

The statement read in part: “As cheering as this news may be, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress are not completely swayed by the latest Gross Domestic Product, GDP, figure, nationalist as it seems.

“Nigeria being the biggest economy in Africa ought to make no news if vital national statistics such as population, natural resources, among others, were to form the requisite assumptions for assessment.

“More importantly, an improved GDP will only

make meaning to us in labour if it translates into improved living conditions for the ordinary Nigerian, which is not the case at the moment.

Living conditions in the past couple of years have been progressively nose-diving and pathetic.

“Similarly, economic growth without jobs and food on the table, means nothing in realty.

The unemployment figures are frightening.

“We have found it necessary to warn, times without number, that the army of the unemployed youths constitutes a veritable army of the disparate, the desperate and the angry, and that

government should urgently address the problem.

“So far nothing has illustrated this fear better than the recent immigration recruitment exercise tragedy.

We, therefore, do not need any economist or diviner to tell us that life has improved, because it has not.”

‘The real indices’

NLC added that “a GDP could not be said to have significantly improved if our industries are virtually shut and operating environment increasingly hostile.

Government should worry that the performance index of industries dropped from

46.08% to 25.81%, while service industry more than doubled to 50% from 23.03%.

“This certainly represents a significant change in the economy, a negative change that points to consumption to the exclusion of production.

“As we commend the government for achieving the feat of economic rebasing, we urge it to ensure this figure translates into improved living conditions, jobs, revival of industries and improvement of internal and national security.

“Those will be the measurable indices and indicators of an enlarging and progressive economy.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 —9

of its precision and accuracy in identifying and taking out enemies.

‘Religious, ethnic sentiments’

KIDNAPPED, RELEASED: From left— Ebikeme Clark; his father, Chief Edwin Clark, and Senator Stella Omu, during a briefing on Ebikeme's kidnap in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

5 soldiers, scores of terrorists killed in Boko Haram ambush z As FG orders new fighter jets, helicopter gunships zArmy debunks rumour of ethnic cleansing

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—FOLLOWING continued air and land strikes on Boko Haram terrorists in the hills and forests of the North-East, an officer of the Nigerian Army and four soldiers have been killed in an ambush by the terrorists, while scores of the sect members were killed in the shootout that ensued.

The death of the soldiers came just as a distress call from indigenes indicating a planned attack, saved some communities around the Lake Chad Basin from being over run by the terrorists.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said: “A timely distress call has saved communities besieged by the terrorists in search of food around the Lake Chad area.

“The terrorists, who were said to be heavily armed, scampered for safety on sensing the approach of troops. The troops of the Multi National Joint Task Force on patrol of the area have so far recovered some arms and ammunition left behind by fleeing terrorists.

“Cordon and search of the area is continuing with a view to apprehending any of the terrorists that could be lurking around.

“Meanwhile, the assault on terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa forests and surrounding locations is continuing.

Operational activities around

Wala, Gwoza, Pulka and environs have been intensified.

“Encounters resulting from air and land strikes and an ambush of troops on patrols in the area have resulted in the death of scores of terrorists and loss of five soldiers, including an officer.”

North-East before 2015 elections

Meanwhile, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, declared yesterday that the military and other security agencies will stabilise the security situation in the NorthEast of the country before the 2015 elections.

Amosu, who was briefing the media on the activities lined up to mark the NAF 50th anniversary, however, said it was difficult to put a time frame as to when the insurgency and terrorism in the North-East can be brought to an end.

He disclosed that a major event planned to mark the golden jubilee, which is the biennial air expo scheduled for Kaduna this month, had been postponed to enable the Air Force focus on eliminating insurgency, terrorism, oil theft and securing the nation’s borders.

He said: “You are all aware that our nation is no doubt facing unprecedented security challenges, although, they are by no means insurmountable.

The Nigerian Air Force has been active and in the fore front of the fight against insurgency “As a result, NAF assets and

personnel are currently fully deployed in the North-East to counter the terrorists’ insurgency.

“Similarly, a percentage of Nigerian Air Force assets are involved with the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta to stem illegal maritime activities and recently, we are involved in security activities, aerial surveillance and intelligence regarding herdsmen/farmers killings in the North Central.”

Main challenge, state of emergency

On the war proper, Amosu said: “The main challenge we are facing in the North-East is that of the citizens not giving us information.

“This is a war that all Nigerians must partake in, not necessarily by taking part in the fight but by getting us timely information. With information we can overcome the challenge in a short space of time.”

Reminded that the state of emergency declared by President Jonathan will end by this April and that some elders from the area are calling for the military to pull out then, the Air Chief said, “ you have to take many variables into consideration.

“In fighting terrorism, you consider the counter aspect, the anti-aspect, the political intervention aspect and the economic situational aspect.”

On the recent attack on the NAF base in Maiduguri and destruction of its aircraft, Amosu said the Air Force was in a position to strike at the terrorists during that attack

but held back because of the colossal damage it would have done to the Maiduguri metropolis.

On the North Central attacks, he said “ we are already involved in Benue and around the North Central. We have sufficient intelligence to ensure that peace is restored.”

Throwing light on allegations that foreign aircraft were seen flying into the North East dropping weapons and other logistics for the insurgents, Amosu said the allegation was being investigated, adding “our pilots do not sleep. They work round the clock, particularly because of the surveillance aspect.”

New fighter jets

The Federal Government has placed orders for the acquisition of new fighter and surveillance aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force to enhance the war against terrorism and insurgency in the North-East and the deadly attacks of Fulani herdsman in the North Central area.

Chief of Air Staff, Amosu, who made the disclosure during his briefing, noted that because of the huge responsibility of also monitoring the nation’s borders through air surveillance, a Forward Operations Base has been established in Sokoto, which will entail the use of more aircraft.

Aside the fighter and surveillance aircraft, Vanguard gathered that more Helicopter Gunships, like the Mi 35, will be acquired because

Defence headquarters, DHQ, has debunked the accusation by leading Islamic religious body, Jama’atul Nasril Islamiya, that the resolve by the Nigerian military and security agencies to rid the North-East of Boko Haram terrorists and other parts of the North of killers in the form of herdsmen and other armed gangs, was a form ethnic cleansing against Muslims.

According to DHQ, the Nigerian military has never waged any battle on the basis of religion or ethnicity, but against those bent on scuttling the peace and stability of the nation, adding that there was no policy or agenda to carry out massacre or extra judicial killing of law-abiding citizens.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, reads: “The statement issued by the Secretary General of Jama’atul Nasril Islam, JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, alleging extra judicial killing of Muslims and people of Fulani ethnic group by the Nigerian military is spurious and inflammatory.

“Much as the military is reluctant to join issues with a respectable religious organisation like JNI, the need to set the records straight makes this response imperative.

“The Nigerian military remains non partisan, non sectarian and will continue to be the symbol of patriotism and a unifying factor in the face of threats to national sovereignty.

“If this wild allegation was meant to cause disaffection or brew disharmony within the military, then it has woefully failed as the Nigerian military does not operate along religious or ethnic lines.”

We 'll restore sanity— JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, expressed confidence that despite the escalation in terrorism attacks and the new challenge of herdsman/farmers clashes, his administration will restore sanity soon.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigerian Police International Peacekeeping Training Centre and the Police Museum at force headquarters, Jonathan said “though terrorism activities are inimical to the development of the country, we would stop at nothing to combat the menace.”

He said that the Police, as the lead security agency in a democracy, have a cardinal role to play in containing internal security.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Fashola, Amosun fault economy's new rating

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday, faulted the statistics released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which rated the country’s economy as the 26th largest in the world, saying; “The new statistics does not truly reflect the real worth of the country’s economy.”

This came as Lagos government said residents of state spent at least N4 billion daily to purchase food items.

The duo spoke at the opening ceremony of the 7th Lagos Economic Summit, Ehingbeti 2014, with the theme “Powering the Lagos economy: Real opportunities, endless possibilities”, held in Lagos, with former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji and others in attendance.

The Federal Government had Sunday said Nigeria recorded

89.22 per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product, GDP, in 2013, making it the largest economy in Africa and 26th in the world.

According to Fashola, “If the Nigeria economy has been stated on 1990 figures, it makes imminent common sense to restate them on much more contemporary figures that captures sectors that were hitherto omitted; like Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , entertainment, arts, music, Nollywood and so on. The reality is that size only matters if it is efficient size. If it’s big and suboptimal or inefficient, it really doesn’t achieve the purpose. How to put that size to work is really the key and it’s a no brainer that power will be defining for it.

“The power demand here(Lagos) is in the region of 10,000megawatts and more at a snapshot and an economy that is giving 25 percent to the GDP with 1000 and below megawatts just shows what we can unleash if we ramp up power supply. At this moment, the electricity sector has been liberalized; it is now for state governments to engage useful sensible and mutually rewarding partnerships with investors and owners of the electricity assets.”

On his part, Governor Amosun said “On the new GDP, something you will notice from the statistics release is that, it may say that we are the largest

and whatever, we are 26th largest economy in the world. And if one look at the component of the GDP, one will realize that truly it isn’t the real GDP that the country has done well in. Look at services alone, I think it is over 50 percent while manufacturing is under 10 percent.

“What does that tell us, it shows that something is missing? That isn’t the best way.

I will have been happier to see to the thing swap and to see maybe about 50 or 60 under manufacturing.

“That will mean real growth.

And we cannot achieve all of these without power. Indeed the key to solve the challenge

SUBSIDY FRAUD:

EFCC re-arraigns three oil marketers

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS–The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday re-arraigned three oil marketers — Adamu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah — over an alleged N789.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

The marketers appeared alongside their companies — Downstream Energy Sources Ltd and Rocky Energy Ltd — before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court.

The marketers are facing a 26count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and uttering.

The defendants were earlier arraigned on February .26, 2013 on an eight-count charge.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted N50 million bail each, with two sureties in like sum.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), alleged that the defendants had committed the offences between March 2011 and January 2012 in Lagos.

Jacobs alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N789.6 million from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) for a purported importation of 14.2 million litres of petrol from Europe to Nigeria.

FORUM: From left— Ibukun Adebayo, Head of Emerging Markets,Equity Primary Markets,London Stock Exchange, LSE; Chinedu Charles Okeahalam, Principal Partner, AGH Capital Group; Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigeria Stock Exchange; Dr. ABC Orjiako, Chairman, SEPLAT Petroleum during the Nigerian Capital Markets Forum hosted by the

by NSE at the Sofitel London Hotel, 6 Waterloo Place, St. James, London SW1Y, recently.

How to tackle power problem, corruption, by ex-Georgian President then that nothing was done by

BY MONSOUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—FORMER President of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili yesterday, explained how erractic power supply and corruption ravaged his country

before 2004, when he was elected President, which he said was worse than the present situation in Nigeria.

Saakashvili, who spoke at the 7th Lagos Economic Summit, Ehingbeti 2014, lamented that corruption was so prevalent in his country

Boat mishap: Lagos to share 2m life jackets

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday said the state planned to distribute life jacket to about 1.8 million passengers that board ferry in the state, as part of measures to check to loss of life in future boat mishap in the state.

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

Fashola who expressed sadness over the accident, said “It really

saddens me any time accidents in any form that takes peoples life. We can only plan for the worst and hope for the best.

And in trying to hope for the best, the citizens have the responsibility for their own safety. ''The state government has established Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, in order to be able to respond to safety issues on our waterways. Through LASWA, we have put in place regulations about the necessity to wear life vest any time one steps on the boat.''

government officials without demanding bribe.

According to him; “Security officers especially the Police were collecting bribes on the streets and prison guards were permanently placed on salaries by criminals.

“We had crime rate, which was one of the highest in the world.

And this was at 80 percent. Also, we had corruption, which was one of the highest in the world.”

He explained that he had to adopt radical approach to governance by sacking all those in the Georgian Police Force as well as all those in the customs and replaced them with fresh blood.

The former President said many thought that sacking the entire police force would engender high level of crime, but that ironically there was drastic reduction in the level of crimes.

According to him “Also, we scrapped some of the agencies that we discovered weren’t functioning in the country.

that we have today is power.

Everyone needs power to do his or her business. And that is why the theme of this summit is better at this time. And until we solve power challenge, we will continue to have this GDP that is more of service based. And that is why the current GDP doesn’t translate into reducing unemployment and outing food on our table.”

He however said “60 percent of the lower and middle cadre of workers lives in Ogun state. So, we are pushing ahead to ensure that more people leave Lagos to live in Ogun state.

On N4bn food expenses Earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said only 10 percent of the food consumed by Lagos residents was produced within the state, saying “this was one of the reasons behind the massive investment in agriculture.”

Akabueze while explaining how the state government had implemented resolutions made at previous summit said: “In 2012, the area of agriculture, the resolution was to collaborate with other state government in agricultural production. We have acquired 700 hectares of lands from other state government s where agricultural activities are going on with a view to supply the food requirement of the people of Lagos. ”Everyday N4 billion is being spent on food by Lagosians. Only about 10 percent of the total food is produce within the state. Given our limited land availability we have thought it wise to collaborate with other states.

Agriculture has, since 2008 enjoyed a higher percentage of our budget.,” he added.

Soldiers seal N7bn Lagos housing project

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A G O S — H E AV I L Y armed soldiers yesterday, allegedly, stormed the site of Lagos State Housing project in Ikoyi, located on the Lagos Island and ordered the construction workers out of the site before sealing the place up.

It was gathered that the soldiers claimed to have been mandated by the Federal Government to stop work at the project site.

Speaking on the issue, the company Secretary of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, LSDPC, Mr. Babajimi Benson said the soldiers claimed to be presidential task force.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 11

Ogun APC crisis deepens as faction rejects re-run

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—THE crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State deepened yesterday as a faction loyal to a former governor of the state, rejected the plan to hold a re-run of the last Saturday wards congresses..

The APC in the state has been factionalesd for sometime.

At the last Saturday wards congresses in the state the two factions held parallel congresses across the state which produced two different executives in all the 236 wards across the state.

However, attempt by the State Congress Committee led by Ope Salami to harmonise the two factions hit the brick walls as a faction rejected the planned rerun of wards congresses in some local government areas of the state.

In its protest letter signed by a Senator representing Ogun East ,Senator Adegbenga Kaka under the auspices of the National Assembly caucus of the party in the state, the faction said it rejected the planned rerun of the wards congresses in some local government areas of the state

after it had consulted with stakeholders in the party.

According to the faction, “on behalf of our teeming supporters, we completely dissociate ourselves from further breaching of the guidelines as released by our national office. The provision in the guideline is for an appeal to

the Appeal Committee for adjudication on any alleged breaches and not for a rerun. “ A situation where aspirants that paid the due nomination fees were denied of relevant forms while those that did not pay had unfettered access to the form cannot be said to be fair to all concerned.

Therefore on the guidelines provisions we stand. We therefore implore all our

members to ignore any call to chaos and anarchy that the purported rerun is likely to cause”, the statement read.

Reacting to the position of the group on the planned re-run of wards congresses in some local governments, Chairman of State Congress Committee in Ogun State, Ope Salami confirmed that the committee had received some petitions by aggrieved members.

CONDOLENCE VISIT: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle); elder statesman, Senator Biyi Durojaiye (left) and widow of the deceased, Mrs. Funmilayo Okuneye during a condolence visit to the family of Otunba Adetola Okuneye, who was murdered in Ijebu-Igbo Sunday.

Osun guber: Adeleke kicks against Omisore's emergence zPetitions Jonathan, Mu'azu over primaries

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO – FORMER Osun State governor and an aggrieved governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the April 5 governorship primaries of the party, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, yesterday rejected the emergence of Senator Iyiola Omisore as the party governorship candidate, claiming that the election that produced Omisore was illegal.

Adeleke, who insisted he was still in contention to clinch the party’s ticket, said he had already petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and the party's National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu on the conduct of the primaries that produced Senator Omisore.

But Omisore through his spokesperson, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, accused the former governor of being used by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to disrupt the peace of the PDP, alleging that the former Governor was planning to defect to the Labour Party, LP. He however advised Adeleke to remain in the PDP in his own interest as Omisore had extended olive branch to him, or leave the party if he was no longer comfortable , boasting that “Omisore will emerge the next governor of Osun state come August 9, 2014.”

However, Adeleke who declared that neither his supporters nor himself had any intention of dumping the PDP, insisted that he remained a committed party member.

Addressing his loyalists and supporters in the 30 Local Government Areas of the state at his Ede country home yesterday, Adeleke claimed the election the produced Omisore as the Governorship candidate of the PDP in the state was illegal.

He maintained that he would

seek redress from the national secretariat of the party, alleging that the Governorship primary was marred with alleged irregularities and illegalities.

According to him the last PDP governorship primary election in the state was an endorsement of a particular aspirant favoured by the State Working Committee of the party, and not an election where the choice of the people would have been produced.

On why he boycotted the election, Adeleke stated that; “I

took the decision to boycott the election to save the lives of my supporters.

“Lives would have been wasted by devils and animals parading themselves as leaders of the party, if I had gone ahead to contest the election.”

He said the decision was taken after due consultation with leaders of the party loyal to him at both the state and national levels, stressing that he would challenge the results of the election at appropriate quarters.

Nigerian Breweries declares N62.2bn profit

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

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AGOS—Nigerian Breweries, NB, Plc, has announced a profit before tax of N62.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014, even as it proposes payment of N34.02 billion as dividends to shareholders whose names appeared on register of members as at May 5th, 2014.

The dividend amounts to N4.50 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each and will be paid on May 15, if approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, AGM, which holds same day.

The recommended dividend

represents 50 percent increase over N3 per share dividend paid in 2012 financial year.

Speaking at the Pre-AGM media briefing in Lagos, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, disclosed that the company’s dividend payout had been on increase since 2011, noting that the amount being recommended was the highest absolute figure to be paid by NB in many years.

According to him, “the company recorded a turnover of N269 billion and profit after tax of N43.080 billion for the 2013 financial year. This

audited result shows an increase of 6.3 percent in turnover and 11.9 percent increase in operating profit over the figures achieved in 2012.”

Vervelde noted that NB maintained its leadership position in the market in spite of the challenging operating environment in 2013 ‘as results the company ’s operating activities increased by seven percent, while profit grew by 13 percent being further impacted by lower financing costs.

The total brewed product market, he said, recorded a modest growth in 2013 with the value for money segment playing a significant role in it.

Industrial Court stops Ekiti doctors’ strike

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI – THE National Industrial Court, NIC, Abuja Division, has aborted ongoing strike by doctors in Ekiti State, after it restrained members of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Ekiti Branch, from proceeding on the industrial action that began on Monday.

Members of NMA Ekiti State branch had on Monday commenced a three -day warning strike to force the state government to address their grievances.

Some of the demands of the doctors included implementation of Specialist Allowance to Consultants working at the Hospital Management Board, Computation of retirement, benefits for doctors using CONMESS template and immediate release of running grants to general and specialist hospitals in the state.

Terrorism, insecurity'll end soon —Kumuyi DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—THE G e n e r a l Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor Williams F. Kumuyi, yesterday predicted that terrorism and other insurgent activities in the country would soon fizzle out.

At a briefing in Akure to herald a three -day crusade that commenced yesterday in the state, Kumuyi disclosed that religious leaders were on their knees praying to God to intervene.

According to him, “I want to assure you that while government is putting in place strategies to end insurgence we clergymen are also praying for divine intervention.

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

APC ward congresses hold in Edo, anxiety in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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HE All Progressives Party, APC, ward congresses, took place in Edo State, yesterday, while there is anxiety in Bayelsa State over the exercise following plans to adopt a harmonised system of selection.

In Edo State, former SouthSouth Vice Chairman of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, lambasted those sent to conduct the exercise, saying that people came out to vote, but there were no result sheets and materials and warned that the party must not be allowed to destroy itself.

But the deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, disagreed, as he hailed the exercise, commending Governor Adams Oshiomhole for allowing “us to show our strength because this is the best form of democracy.”

In Edo North senatorial district of the state, where Governor Oshiomhole hails from and Edo Central where Chief

Tom Ikimi comes from, the leadership of the party agreed to harmonise their list of executives, making the congress a family affair.

The party leaders in these areas agreed to harmonise after series of meetings with Oshiomhole, who stressed the need to avoid crisis as a result of the congress.

The story was, however, different in Bayelsa State, as anxiety has gripped members of the party in the state, following the decision by party leaders to adopt harmonised system of selecting officers to head the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of the state.

According to a

party source, the decision to adopt the harmonized system of selecting ward officials of the party was taken, Monday, during an enlarged meeting of the party leaders and supporters from the local govern-

D

ELTA State deputy governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, SAN, has said that the coming of more commercial airlines to Asaba International Airport, has justified the rationale for building the airport.

Prof. Utuama, yesterday in Asaba, while receiving the Managing Director/CEO of Aero Airlines, Mr. Hugh Fraser and his team on their maiden flight to the airport, noted that the airport by its nature was a city of its own, adding that Asaba International Airport was one agent for diversifying the state's economy beyond oil He added that the airport was going to boost tourism and the commercial life of the people.

He said: “Your coming justifies the vision and effort in the construction of the airport. When we began the construction of the airport in 2008, many people felt that the government was wasting

the state's resources and that the airport would not be of immediate benefit to the ordinary man.

But today, time has proved those critics wrong and your maiden flight to Asaba has further reinforced the vision of the state government.”

Utuama, who commended Aero for connecting international flights from Asaba to Lagos, said there was a huge pool of passengers in the region.

He assured that the state government would do everything within its powers to give all airlines the necessary support in order to ensure a smooth flight into and out of the state.

Earlier, MD/CEO of Aero, Hugh Fraser, said the Aero Kano-Abuja, Abuja-Asaba, Asaba-Lagos, and back to Asaba routes, were designed to link the northern part of the country to the south and also help the trading link between the two regions and most importantly to link Asaba, Onitsha and other catch-

sor Ottis from Cross Rivers State.

Others at the meeting, it was learnt, were Sunday Frank-Oputu, former Chief of Staff to former Governor Timipre Sylva, Sam Ogbuku, among others.

PROTEST: Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Warri Branch, protesting the alleged assassination of their members, in Warri, yesterday. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Influx of airlines justifies building of Asaba Airport —Utuama

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

ments.

The meeting was reportedly presided over by the Interim state leadership of the party, Chief Tiwei Orunminigha and supervised by the twoman ward Delegate Committee headed by Profes-

ment areas of the airport with Lagos and connect flights from Lagos to the rest of the world as well as flying local passengers.

Memorial service for Odibo holds tomorrow

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memorial service in honour of the patriach of the Odibo family, Late Chief Wilson Odibo, of Egini, in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, holds tomorrow.

A statement by Elder Sunny Odibo and Elegbete Moses Odibo for the family, said the memorial service and reception will hold at the family compound, 2nd Odibo Avenue, Effurun.

The late Chief Odibo was the Urukpe of Udu Kingdom and PresidentGeneral of Udu Kingdom from 1970 to 2003.

Delta 2015: UPU insists on Urhobo gov

BY GODWIN OGHRE

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APELE—THE Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the umbrella body of the Urhobo at home and Diaspora, said yesterday, that it had decided that the Urhobo nation should produce the next governor of Delta State, come 2015.

First Deputy PresidentGeneral of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, in his Mosogar country home, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state, said that the final decision on the governorship issue which was binding on all sons and daughters of Urhobo nation, was taken at a meeting of the union in Uvwiamuge, during which the 15 member executive committee of UPU agreed that the next governor of the state should be an Urhobo.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

JTF arrests alleged fake revenue agent in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — THE Joint security operatives in Onitsha, Anambra State, comprising the Army, Navy, Police, DSS, and others, yesterday arrested one Chukwudi Ogah, a motor park agent, for allegedly posing as a revenue agent.

It was gathered that Ogah was arrested at the popular Upper Iweka area of Onitsha while molesting a driver for not paying his daily revenue.

An undisclosed sum of money and charms were allegedly found on the suspect who claimed during interrogation that he was working for one Chijioke Onwe from Imo State He claimed that though they generated more than N10,000 daily, their boss paid them a paltry N1,000, adding that the charm found on him was for protection against drivers’ curses On his part, Onwe claimed that he was a certified park agent appointed to manage Onitsha-Asaba townships buses and motor park, stressing that he was duly commissioned

by Anambra State government as a park agent and brandished a letter allegedly signed by former Anambra State commissioners in charge of Transport and Finance, as well as that of Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

Ugoeze Okoroji for burial

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GOEZE AUGUSTA Okoroji (Nee Nwankwo Ivu Ocha) of Ujari Village in Arochukwu LGA, Abia State, is dead, aged 85.

She will be buried on April 11, 2014, in her home town, Ujari village, after a funeral service and a wakekeep the previous day.

She is survived by four children, grandchildren and great grandchildren among whom is Mazi Ezimoha Okoroji.

Late Ugoeze Okoroji C M Y K

Former SUN MD, 18 others make Obiano’s commissioner nominees' list

BY VINCENT UJUMADU & ENYIM ENYIM

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WKA — ANAMBRA State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday, submitted 19

names to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners.

Those who made the list include former Managing Director of The SUN Newspapers, Mr. Anthony

Onyima, who was listed as Commissioner for Information nominee, as well as two former commissioners in the cabinet of former Governor Peter Obi, Mr. Callistus Ilozumba, Works; and Mrs.

From left, Chief Willie Obiano, Executive Governor of Anambra State; Hon. Patrick Obi, Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, and Ikeobi Ejiofor, Chairman, Anaocha Local Government Area, during Governor Obiano's inspection tour of Agulu Lake Resort Hotel, Agulu. yesterday.

Azuka Enemuo, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The other commissioners are Greg Obi (Finance), Lawrence Chinwuba (Housing), Professor Solomon Chukwu (Economic planning and Budget), Ifeatu Onyejeme (Trade and Commerce), Dr. Victoria Chukwuelu (Women Affairs), Dr. Chinedu Emeka (Public Utilities, Water Resources) and Chukwuma Mbonu (Transport) The rest are Evaristus Ubah (Environment), Stella Onuorah (Lands, Survey and Urban Development), Professor Kate Omenugha of the Mass Communication Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, (Education), Tony Nnachetam, who was a former vice chairman of NFA (Youth and Sports), Norbert Obi (Special Duties), Dr. Josephat Akabuike (Health), Nnamdi Mekoh (Agriculture) and Obi Nwankwo (Science and Technology) Speaking after the presentation of the nominees, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Princess Chinwe Nwebili, said the nominees were carefully selected from the vast pool of the state.

Controversy trails alleged commissioning of 2 UNN projects

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

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SUKKA — CONTROVERSY is now trailing last month’s alleged ‘’commissioning’’ of two projects by the Supervisory Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, as same projects were said to have been completed and commissioned by previous administrations in the university.

Wike was said to have re-commissioned the School of General Studies, SGS, earlier commissioned by the former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council in the 90's as well as the Department of Economics Building which had been in use in the institution since the establishment of the university in the early 60's.

Sources at the UNN told Vanguard that the university administration, presented the buildings which were reportedly repainted as ‘’remodelled’’ projects, which the Minister commissioned as new ones.

Before, the new development, a plaque bearing the name of Mrs. Tejumade Alakija as having commissioned the SGS building had been on the wall of edifice since the early 90's, but it was replaced with Wike’s on March 29, 2014, when it was reportedly ‘’commissioned’’ as part of the activities marking the recent convocation ceremony in the institution.

Wike’s visit to UNN for the convocation was his first as the Su-

pervisory Minister of Education.

The SGS Building was one of the ‘’projects’’ planned by the outgoing administration of Professor Okolo to be commissioned as part of its legacies in the institution.

Another building was the one just beside that of the SGS; the Department of Economics, which had been in use since 1960's but which Professor Okolo’s administration re-furbished.

Investigations carried out by Vanguard at SGS Building, UNN, yesterday, indicated that the administration only replaced old doors and windows and painted parts of the building, but went ahead to invite the Minister to commission it.

Vanguard also, noticed that the old plaque that bore the name of former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mrs. Alakija, had been destroyed and in its place a new one bearing the names of Chief Wike and Professor Okolo was engraved.

One version of the story, according to sources, had it that a mild drama ensued when Chief Wike noticed a spot on the SGS Building where some paint had cleaned off revealing the older layer, and sought to know what the Vice Chancellor actually did to warrant commissioning of the building.

At this point, according to one source, the Minister declined commissioning the old building.

However, another source said the Minister went ahead to commission the building, any way.

At the Department of Econom-

The newly engraved plaque showing that commission took place ics Building, there was also a new plaque, with the following inscriptions, ‘’Re-modelling of Economics Building, sponsored by TETFUND (2006 -2009 Normal intervention project) commissioned by Chief (Barr) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, supervising Minister of Education, March 29, 2014. Prof. Bartho Okolo, Vice Chancellor, UNN.’’

The UNN acting Public Relations Officer, Mike Asogwa, however denied that any building was commissioned by Chief Wike on March 29, 2014.

Asogwa said, ‘’to the best of my knowledge, no building was commissioned,’’ pointing out that he was not also sure that new plaques were engraved in the remodelled buildings.’’

Complaints galore as APC holds ward congress

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — IT was complaints galore, yesterday, in Anambra State during the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as some aspirants for various offices complained of manipulation by some highly placed persons.

The congress held in the 326 electoral wards of the state.

Secretary of the congress com-

mittee, Chief Chijioke Owanta, accused the chairman, Chief Ezennia Ogbuehi, of not following the prescribed guideline.

Owanta alleged: “The congress committee chairman, Chief Ezennia Ogbuehi, up till this moment never allowed me to see any of the congress materials or know where he kept them or the actual quantity supplied for the process in Anambra.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014—15

2015: PDP pleads with Gov Lamido to stay in party, back Jonathan

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

A

FTER MANY months of staying away from the fold of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, yesterday, staged a major reintegration with his party by hosting his counterparts to a crucial political meeting in Dutse, the state capital.

According to competent sources, the Dutse meeting, which was attended by 13 PDP governors and three deputy governors, was to formally ‘welcome back’ Lamido into the PDP family and to put to an end to the fear that the governor had made up his mind to quit the party with his teeming supporters.

The meeting, it was learnt, was also used to persuade the governor to ‘forget the past’ and team up with the leadership to work for the progress of the PDP and the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Lamido, was one of the seven PDP governors, who staged a walkout last August at the Eagle Square against the leadership of the party over unresolved political differences, which eventually led to the emergence of a splinter group called the new PDP. Based on the development, Lamido was widely expected to dump the PDP for the All Progressives Congress last December but he shocked the nation when he stayed away from the APC meeting and opted to remain in PDP, which he co-founded with others in 1998.

Sources said that many PDP bigwigs had been mounting pressure on Lamido to stay back in PDP and join forces with them to deliver President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 before deciding his next political move in the country.

The party leadership told Lamido that it would be in his best interest to continue to remain in the party and work for President Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.

The party leadership is said to be concerned that any attempt by Lamido to leave the party for any other would cause a serious political setback to the PDP in the next

election given the huge popularity and followership, which the governor enjoys in the state.

The meeting would also put to an end the attempt by the former governor of the state, Saminu Turaki, to stage a comeback to the state using the instrumentality of the PDP. Turaki has been very frequent in the state lately, trying to curry support for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, and giving the impression that he had been picked by the PDP leadership to spearhead the Jonathan project over Lamido.

Two months ago, Lamido conducted election into the 27 local government areas in the state and his party won in 25 councils. Election results were cancelled in two areas where the election body claimed there was confusion.

In a recent interview, Lamido said he was still a member of the PDP and had never contemplated leaving the party.

The governor said: “I am in PDP and I am in PDP. I have been very involved with my friends and colleagues in fighting for justice and I am still involved.

SIGNING: GSMA Programme Director, Mobile for Development, Marry Roach; Mr. Larry Annetts, CEO, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, presents agreement document to CEO Nova Lumos , Mr. David Vortman, and Mr. Tsola Barrow, Sales & Distribution Executive, MTN, during the signing ceremony of MTN Nigeria and Nova Lumos partner to bring affordable alternative mobile electicity to Nigeria, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

JAMB blames Boko Haram for drop in UTME applications

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA — THE Joint Admis sions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, yesterday, blamed the 35% drop in 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, on the activities of Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the country.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, stated this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the board preparation for 2014 UTME. His declaration came against the backdrop that registration for 2014 UTME is 129,139 less than the 1,735,892 recorded in 2013.

He said the board had started investigation on reasons Nigerian universities admitted fewer applicants to their carrying capacities.

Ojerinde said: “We will not reveal our strategies to the public but we know there are security challenges in some parts of the country but of course we have made adequate arrangement to conduct examinations in such C M Y K

States and in everywhere in Nigeria.

“There are some areas full of insecurities and we have made adequate security arrangement and if the worse come to the worse we will result to CBT to such candidates.

“From the Northeast which is one of the troubled areas, the number of candidates coming from there is relatively lower than last year and therefore we had a shortfall and that is the reason why there were lesser candidates this year compared to last year.

And you know why it is not only education that is being troubled even the economy of that areas are affected. So therefore not many people are coming out to do the exams.”

On the capacity of Nigerian universities to absorbed applicants, Ojerinde said: “Recently, I setup a committee to find out why Nigerian universities admit less figures to their carrying capacities. Spaces are there, the federal government has created a huge access but no admission.

Most of Nigerian institutions are not responsive to their carrying

capacities”.

On 2014 UTME, he said: “This year’s examination will be in three modes: Computer based test, CBT, Dual Based Test, DBT, and Paper Pencil Test , PPT,. This desire to go full-blown CBT has

been the resolve of the of the Board, owing to the need to curb examination hitches of result ‘black-outs’ and other forms of malpractice that have been norm in the PPT.

Jonathan redeploys 5 perm secs

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA — PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved the redeployment of five permanent secretaries.

This was contained in a press statement issued in Abuja by Dr. Tope Ajakaiye, Director of Press, at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

Those affected in the redeployment are Mr. Linus Awute who moved from Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, to the Federal Ministry of Health.; Malam Mohammed Bukar, also from the Special Duties Unit of OSGF to General Services Office and Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Others are Mrs. Rabi Jimeta from Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to Ministry of Environment and Mr.Taye Haruna, from Federal Ministry of Environment to Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

The statement further indicated that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, directed that handing and taking over by all those affected by the redeployment should be completed on or before April 16, 2014.

Senate passes bill recommending 10 yrs imprisonment for pension thieves

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — AFTER several months of intrigues and disagreement, the Senate yesterday passed the Pension Reform Act, 2014, which stipulates at least a 10- year jail term on conviction for pension fund administrators or anybody who misappropriates or diverts pension funds and a fine of an amount equal to three times the amount misappropriated or diverted.

The Act also stipulated that any pension fund administrator or pension fund custodian or anybody convicted for diversion or misappropriation of pension

funds would be compelled to refund the said amount.

It added that all monies received as penalty by the Pension Commission shall be paid into the Pension Protection Fund, which would had been established under Section 82 of the Act. According to the new Act, whenever any person is convicted of an offence, the court in passing sentence shall in addition to any punishment which the court may impose in respect of the offence, order the forfeiture to the Federal Government of any property, asset or fund with accrued interest.

“Any Pension Fund Custodian who contravenes the provisions of Section 70 of this Act commits

an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N10,000.000 and each of its director or principal officers shall be liable to a fine of not less than N5,000.000 or to a term of not less than five years imprisonment or to both such fine and imprisonment.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the Commission may in addition to the penalties stipulated under this Act, impose additional sanctions on the board, any director, management, manager or officer of Pension Fund Administrator or pension Fund Custodian that violates any of the provisions of this Act,” it stated.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Gunmen kill 10, burn 20 houses in Taraba T

HE POLICE Command in Taraba have confirmed that gunmen on Tuesday killed 10 people in Jibu village in Wukari Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesman, ASP Joseph Kwaji, told newsmen in Jalingo that the suspected assailants

also burnt more than 20 houses.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that at about 5a.m. today, a group of Jukun youths stormed Jibu village, opened fire at the inhabitants and killed 10 people,” he said.

According to him, the suspected gunmen killed everyone they saw

in the area irrespective of the person’s ethnicity and religion, including Jukuns.

“I can also confirm to you that 15 people are badly injured and about 20 houses were set ablaze,” he said.

Kwaji, however, disclosed that a

joint patrol of Mobile Police and military had been deployed to intensify security in the area.

The spokesman, therefore, appealed to people in the area to stay calm, saying security personnel were on top of the situation.

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

Zamfara killings: Reps query NSA, IGP, Defence Minister

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA — MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday ,mandated its committee on security to invite the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, the Minister of Defence, Gen-

eral Aliyu Gusau, rtd, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before the House and explain what led to last week’s killings of Nigerians in Zamfara State.

In a motion sponsored by Representative Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, PDP, Zamfara, the House

also appealed to the defence ministry to “consider locating an army barracks in the affected local governments to forestal the recurrences of such killings.”

The House in plenary also passed another motion sponsored by Mohammed Ogoshi

Kwara police arrest 4 PDP supporters over illegal arms possession

Onawo ,PDP, Nasarawa, urging relevant authorities to hasten the construction of a military barracks in Doma Local Government of the state in view of last week’s killings of Fulani herdsmen allegedly by soldiers in the state.

On the Zamfara killings, the House directed security agencies in the country to “fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice to serve as deterrence to others.”

It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to deliver relief materials to the distressed citizens of the affected villages, just as it resolved “to send a committee to sympathise, see first-hand, the damage done and report back to the House.”

Gusau in his motion said that the said killings in Zamfara were carried out by “suspected Fulani herdsmen” who “operated freely for about four hours, shooting at children, traders, vigilante, community leaders and clerics.

ILORIN — THE Kwara State police command, yesterday, said that it had arrested four more PDP supporters over alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The suspects were allegedly arrested yesterday morning in the residence of the state Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the party, Hon Solomon Edojah around Oyun area of Ilorin.

This development brings the number of arrest to 11 since Monday when the PDP congress in the state was marred by clashes leading to the death of three of them.

The state Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Zanna Ibrahim, confirmed the new development yesterday in an interview with journalists.

According to him,”Four suspects were arrested in Oyun area of the metropolis, in the house of the PDP chairman today (yesterday). One of the suspects, was caught with a locally made gun and one live cartridge.”

2015: Jonathan must get to destination —Tukur

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA — ERST WHILE National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, declared yesterday that those opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election for second term in 2015 will fail, saying the President must get to his destination.

Tukur, while receiving Niger Delta PDP Youth Movement who paid him a visit in his residence in Abuja, said, Nigerians needed Jonathan beyond 2015 for continuity and stability.

“You can’t change a captain of ship at the middle of sea and, therefore, Jonathan must get to the destination,” he said.

He said: “We must support Jonathan. It is not Jonathan that killed Umaru, late President Umaru Yar’Adua. No, no, no, no.

It is God. In our constitution, when there is no president, the vice president C M Y K

takes over.

“God shows, and understand that it is God that gives power. So, He shows you. Even though you decide to give power, He will show you who He wants to give that power and the type he wants.

“So, the idea is to follow.

To follow and continue encouraging what God has showed us so that he can be motivated, he can be assisted to continue doing what we want, which he is doing on our behalf. That is the most important.”

Tukur added that Jonathan had the constitutional right to seek re-election for a second term in office for continuity, adding that “we need stability for national growth."

On insecurity in some parts of the country, Tukur, while proferring solutions Boko Haram insurgency, called for adoption of dialogue and diplomacy approach to deal with the current situation.

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 17

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 HOW does an economy that does not have regular electricity, where infrastructure is in deficit and most of the people are so poor that the Gross Domestic Product per capita does not get into their pockets, become the largest in Africa?

It seems a miracle that any calculations can place Nigeria’s economy above South Africa’s with our well-recounted challenges, including queues for petrol. They have been on for almost a month in the 2014 season of a national series of embarrassments. Nigeria, its economy and policies that propel them are mainly embarrassments.

The rebasing that pushed Nigeria’s GDP to $509 billion, ahead of South Africa’s $350 billion, is 24 years late. Nigeria had been working with a 1990 base. While the exercise saw GDP jump 89 per cent from N42.3 trillion (2013) to N80.3 trillion, the economy’s acknowledgement of sectors like telecommunications, music and Nollywood should mark more efforts at harnessing the potentials the sectors hold.

Nigeria’s huge population does not feel the impact of the growth, which indicates more the impact of governments’ interest in statistics than economic achievements.

Africa’s Biggest Econom Economyy By Figures Others rebase their economy every five years. We waited for almost a quarter of a century to do ours.

If without electricity Nigeria rakes up 12 places to become the 24th largest economy in the world, sharing the spot with Poland and Belgium, and ahead of Argentina, Austria and Iran, we can imagine what could be achieved with better infrastructure and less corruption.

Business could boom on the short term if investors try to discover the new African economic powerhouse. Whether Nigeria would benefit from its new status would depend on numerous factors, among them

infrastructure, security, and diversification of the economy away from the entrapments of oil and gas. The over-dependence on crude oil exports and the poor re-investment of oil receipts have left the economy at the mercy of the volatile product.

It is important that a dispassionate assessment of the challenges and opportunities the rebasing of the economy presents is made. Instead of celebrating it, as if the economy had made a leap that would land Nigerians in prosperity, policies could be devised round it to attract new investors to Nigeria.

The long job queues remain, as more people are joining them. Millions are becoming poorer; the growth in the economy excludes their own realities. They are on the fringes of growth. Rampant corruption denies the economy resources and disrupts systems.

An economy should benefit the people.

Economic growth that cannot create jobs, improve the situation of people barely serves any purpose than bolstering figures.

Nigerians would be more delighted with economic benefits than their country leading Africa by leaving them behind.

OPINION

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

I

T could pass for another yearly ritualthe birthday of David Mark- which comes up on Tuesday, April 8. But, somehow, the ritual has not lost its quintessence. It has continued to reinforce its profound meaning in the context of the values that he has added to the high office of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senate presidency had suffered from a deficit of respect due to the instability that characterised it between 1999 and 2007 when it was zoned to the South East zone of the country. Allegations of perjury and contract scams had dented the high office. The proverbial banana peels had caused occupants to crash like a pack of cards.

From the late Evan(s) Enwerem through the late philosopher-king, Chinwuba Okadigbo, to Ken Nnamani all from the South East, the Senate presidency turned into a game of the musical chair. But since stepping into the saddle on June 3, 2007, Mark has consolidated his hold on the coveted office, bringing the force of his persona on the enterprise of stabilising the Federal Legislature.

His birthday thus presents a veritable opportunity for associates and loyalists to appreciate a remarkable torchbearer in government; indeed, a man who is committed to friendship. And as glasses of good wine are clinked in toast to a momentous life, the celebrator will certainly be involved in some introspection about the past, the present and the future in all the dimensions thereof, especially politically.

Certainly, the Idoma-born politician has come a long way. From the disciplined C M Y K

David Mark: The Enigma @ 66 background of the military where he retired as Brigadier-General, he took the plunge into the murky waters of politics in 1998 and got elected to the Senate about a year after. He was senator from 1999 to 2007 representing Benue South. He has been Senate president since 2007. Yet he continues to dazzle; his ways throw up puzzles and his legerdemain defines his cosmopolitan politics.

Today, Mark is a four-star General in the Senate, having won election four times to represent Benue South in the red chamber of the National Assembly. He has continued to deploy, in its flourish, his vast legislative experience to cut a niche of maturity and stability for the Upper Chamber and this has rubbed off positively on his 108 bosses as he is wont to refer to his senator colleagues.

Mark has emerged as a respected godfather, the inimitable first among equals. Indubitably competent in the nitty-gritty of legislative modus, he also enjoys respectability in the area of financial transparency and accountability. I will always refer to this: On January 8, 2008, he had announced, for instance, that the Senate had returned unspent N7 billion released to the Upper House on December 31, 2007, to the treasury in accordance with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The extra-caution that he exercises in the management of Senate funds is largely contributory to the peace that has defined the ambience of the Upper House. By not acting avaricious, he has been able to stand on firm ground, far away from the proverbial banana peel.

He is wise and, indeed, wisdom is the principal thing in the game of leadership survival in the Senate.

Mark has also provided a leadership worthy of commendation, charting for the Senate progressive directions. He has guided the Senate to push through a number of pro-poor and people-oriented actions and legislations. His sing-song has been the welfare of the Nigerian people; and this has shaped the disposition of the Senate in the expeditious consideration of the national budgets.

His leadership has also ensured that standing committees are alive to their oversight checks on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of the Executive branch of government. The objective of this is to instill discipline and accountability in the financial system.

How else can he underscore his belief in leadership as a sacred trust?

So far, he has not betrayed the trust.

His synergy with the Executive arm of government is salutary to national governance. Recall how he guided the Senate during the late Musa Yar’Adua’s sickness to empower Goodluck Jonathan as acting president through the adoption of the Doctrine of Necessity. His quiet but strategic intervention, using the platform of the Senate, helped to resolve labour’s nationwide strike in January 2012 over the fuel subsidy removal.

In the intriguing mix of the burgeoning 2015 power politics, Mark has been very supportive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Jonathan administration. No tension. No incident. His appearances on the soap box provide a composite picture

of sort. The Presidency and the PDP leadership are pleased with him. He moderates his speeches. He rarely jumps into the fray; and this has helped to further obfuscate his enigma.

His military background has surely helped to build his capacity to confront the intrigues of his current political endeavours. It is needless to begin to trace his military trajectory. This is not even a forum to talk about the positions he held and the ones he did not hold in the Senate before he became Senate president; or his numerous achievements in his Benue South Senatorial District. An appreciation of Mark on the national pedestal will be in apple-pie order. Watchers of his presidency of the Senate can individually attest to his contributions to national unity and development.

His footprints are in the sands of time everywhere across the nation. He has, because of his contributions, received a confetti of honours and a plethora of awards from the academia and the traditional institution. But significantly, his contributions to the human and physical development of Idoma land have continued to ginger the spirit of the Idoma people to embrace and recognise his selfless leadership and philanthropy. That was why the Idoma nation honoured him some years ago with the highest title in the land- Okpokpowulu k’Idoma (bulldozer or leader of war). His nation that he is so much passionate about conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON.

*Mr.Ojeifo, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014— —19

, The Ibadan ritual camp BADAN, the Oyo State capital, has of late been in the news for not very good reasons. In what could easily pass as a scene from a horror film, a slave camp was discovered in the heart of the city.

This camp where unspeakable horrors have been committed apparently combined the functions of a shrine with that of a home or a transit camp where captives were randomly raped and offered up for rituals after vital organs have been taken out of their body. The Ibadan camp of horror brings under one roof the cannibal practice of Clifford Orji and the blood-chilling sacrifices and oathtaking of Okija. Like Orji’s oneman practice, the site was located in a city but like the Okija shrine, the camp was enveloped in a wilderness of sort, not far from a busy expressway in a well populated area. Which makes it all so unbelievable that such a camp could have been operated even for a day without inhabitants of the area knowing. But then locating their evil camp close to a built-up area could have been a strategy to evade detection. Who would have imagined that some people could have been so brazen as to run a slave camp literally under the nose of other city dwellers?

The culture of impunity that has permeated every aspect of the Nigerian society would remain with us for a long time to come.

Politicians and other state officials are merciless in their looting of the treasury. They amass wealth without fear of discovery even as their ostentatious and extravagant lifestyle seems to mock the relevance of the many anti-corruption agencies that populate our country, daring them to discover the source of their stolen wealth if they could. Armed robbers are no less brazen: they serve their victims advanced notice of their visit and take their time to rob as freely as they could and rape as many as suits their fancy. And the ritual killers? They pick their victims in broad daylight, push them into vehicles and carry them away in the presence of eager onlookers without anyone asking questions. Since certain categories of Nigerians such as security men are thought to be above the law, they can do as they please in public. They can arrest or shoot other citizens at will.

Ritualists disguised as law enforcers have now obviously bought into this trick and now carry people into slavery and keep them for months or years without

BY PRINCE ABUGO

T

HESE are times for concern in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The emergence of All Progressives Congress, APC has enriched political space. The PDP that emerged from Abacha’s draconian rule project unity and cuts across ethnic and political divides.

The crisis within the PDP has always been there but worsened with the death of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. In a bid to control power, sectional and religious bigots introduced politics of bitterness and continued to mount obstacles against the President’s aspiration. National goals that propelled Nigerians against anti-democratic forces during June 12, 1993 wahala and before the doctrine of necessity by the Senate is now lacking. These critics protect sectional and religious interests; and greed for power has castrated them from placing national interest above personal interest. They pollute the President’s achievements on watery facts.

The PDP since 1999 has restricted the military to their constitutional duties, giving Nigerians stability for growth and development. A disagreement in a party like the PDP is normal but should not be allowed to threaten peace and security. The scramble and partition to control PDP ahead of 2015 is traceable to inordinate ambition to impose sectional interest above collective goals.

These squabbles have limited the vision of the founding fathers of PDP. The reckless killings of Nigerians either in the name of Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and ethnic clashes in the North could be traced to hatred for President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerians are slaughtered daily without conscience, life is no longer sacred. However, the North in its over 40 years in power was supported by the South-South who paid dearly in the 1966 coup that killed Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and Okotie-Eboh, among others. In the Second Republic, the South-South supported Shehu Shagari in his first term C M Y K

,

anyone being wiser. This was how some found themselves at the Ibadan slave camp.

F

or many years, Ibadan appeared to live up to its reputation and origin as a former war camp. It was volatile and violence-prone. Even as the regional capital of western Nigeria, violence was not far from Ibadan. But it was a relatively peaceful place, a melting pot of various Yoruba groups as well as Nigerians from other parts of the country. When politicians have allowed it, Ibadan has been quiet.

But the sprawling nature of Ibadan with its huge population of uneducated youths made it a favourite recruitment spot for politicians interested in disrupting the peace of the city that combines modernity with unbelievable rusticity in many parts. There is much truth in the claim that politicians have a lot to answer for in the volatility of Ibadan. They align themselves with local chieftains, leaders of the union of road workers, commercial drivers,

who turn their supporters into ready armies to prosecute the political battles of rival politicians.

This group of Ibadan people has enjoyed neither the support nor patronage of the present governor, Abiola Ajimobi. At least there is nothing to suggest that. They have been cleared off from their favourite sites and some of their leaders have been fugitives from the law. For this reason Ibadan has been at peace. There haven’t been cases of brutal attacks on rival groups of transport workers and the impunity of touts running motor parks like their personal estate has stopped. Things are more organized around and inside the parks and traffic flow is relatively freer than in the immediate past.

But it does appear that criminals in Ibadan have turned there attention to less obvious activities.

Or it is the people that have not been as vigilant as they ought to?

The slave camp operators have been running their criminal business for long, it seems. And but for the inadvertent discovery of their hideout by commercial bike riders out looking for one of their missing members, the people of Ibadan couldn’t have been wiser to the abominable activities going on right under their eyes.

Since the discovery of this camp, there have been more cases of individuals apprehended with human body parts in different parts of Ibadan. Some of these traders in human merchandise go about their business under the pretext of being mentally unbalanced. Which leaves one wondering what people wouldn’t do just to get by. Our failure to examine certain aspects of our lives has left loopholes for criminals to exploit. But for the culture that allows mental patients to roam around unattended to, some people

Still on Jonathan and his many critics and second term bid before he was toppled in 1983. Also, the region's support for military rulers of Northern extraction was unprecedented and like in1966, Chief E.K. Clark was singled out for punishment when Gen. Yakubu Gowon was overthroned. When Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua ventured into politics, the South-South supported him to win the SDP primaries before it was aborted by Ibrahim Babangida. So why is it difficult for these Northern elements to support President Jonathan for a return of the Presidency to the North in 2019? These mercenaries and masquerades are driven by greed because by 2019 age may eclipse their political horizon and another Northerner would have repositioned himself for leadership; they resorted to crisis because Jonathan’s Presidential bid is their waterloo.

Jonathan's achievements are glaring despite the challenges bedeviling his administration; despite having the stiffest opposition from the North, they remain the greatest beneficiary of his Presidency. They hold more juicy political positions than in past administrations; in terms of roads, education development and infrastructural development, the North holds the ace. What are the yardsticks for assessing Jonathan’s achievements other than facts? Jealousies, tribal consideration geared towards grabbing political power have goaded Jonathan’s critics to fan embers of disunity.

U

nder Jonathan, Nigeria is witnessing the restoration of critical infrastructures in education, agriculture, industry and power, technology, roads and rail transportation.

Jonathan gave federal presence to every state educationally by establishing a Federal university in states that had none; the aviation sector is working with emphasis on safety in line with international standards. For decades, the railway sector was dilapidated,

the Nigerian Railway Corporation was eaten by termites of corruption and inefficiency.

The generation of Nigerians that appreciate rail transportation could be restricted to the 1960s and 1970s. Most young Nigerians lack knowledge of the importance of rail transportation to growth and development unlike in developed nations. The rail sector under Jonathan is revived across the country; from Kano, Lagos, Ibadan, Ajaokuta to DSC Aladja, there is a noticeable resurgence in rail transportation.

In power generation, past administrations

,

I

Life doesn’t appear to have been cheaper at anytime than now in Nigeria.

Everywhere you turn, everyday, human lives are being wasted without consequences

Nigerians must understand that any humiliation of the President politically is an insult on the people and zone where he comes from, a slight on our values and goodwill to the nation because Jonathan is symbol of our aspirations

,

never took the courage to usher change; they recognised government alone cannot drive the power sector but failed to seize the initiative to reposition the sector. The difference today is the Goreku and Omotosho power stations and nine other power stations nearing completion by the Jonathan administration. The privatisation of the power sector is geared towards sustaining these innovations.

wouldn’t find it easy to hide under the cover of madness to commit crimes. When citizens fail to be alert to their surroundings they invite unspeakable evil upon themselves. But it is worse when political leaders, state officials and others with important responsibilities to the community, fail in their duties. They create room for all kinds of criminalities.

Life doesn’t appear to have been cheaper at anytime than now in Nigeria. Everywhere you turn, everyday, human lives are being wasted without consequences.

While the rest of the world have in the last four weeks been wondering what happened to 239 people aboard a missing Malaysian airline, far more Nigerians are killed in just a single day. To live in Nigeria has become a very brutal and nasty experience.

Terrorists widen the latitude of their operations and kill hundreds across different parts of the northeast, they break jails, set their comrades free and launch attacks on military formations even after issuing advance notice of their plan. Fulani herdsmen have been going around, not with their prodding staff and cattle, but AK 47, explosive devices and weapons of mass death, sacking villages, maiming and killing hundreds in their sleep. Job seekers are crushed to death, government houses and governors’ convoys are not secure- all are open targets.

Now the authorities must quit sitting on their hands and be about their duties. Nobody is safe anymore. This should tell us all we have to be vigilant. As for those who think they are safe because they are in government, the spate of attacks on government houses or places close to them should tell them we are all in the same boat.

W

e must love country above religious and ethnic sentiments. Since independence the North had not reciprocated the SouthSouth benevolence.

It is strange Jonathan's critics come from the North; are they unmindful of the facts of our relationship? Jonathan is from a zone that had never tasted political power since independence; is antagonising him a way of rewarding South-South? Since crude oil was discovered in Oloibiri in 1956, Nigeria depends on crude oil for its sustenance. The oil boom of the 1970s-1980s contribution to human capital developments, economic and industrial growth, it equally gave birth to mega cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Enugu, Abuja and others. Many Nigerians were rich and entrenched in corruption but the region that sustains Nigeria was treated as serfs, living in poverty. Oil discovery led to environmental degradation, acid rains, destruction of aquatic life, and gas flare with all its dangers, thus destroying the traditional and economic sustenance of oil producing communities.

Nigerians must understand that any humiliation of the President politically is an insult on the people and zone where he comes from, a slight on our values and goodwill to the nation because Jonathan is symbol of our aspirations. The conspiracy destroys reason and aspirations of minorities in Nigeria; we must rise to discard the belief that there is a first class and second class citizen in a new Nigeria that should not harbor any sectional insinuations. The present ethnic puritans who are custodians of politics of bitterness must give way to fertilization of ideas. We must be driven by love for country despite our differences.

*Mr. Abugo, a public affairs commenator, wrote from Uzere, Delta State.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 , 2014

A time to be wary: Return of ‘One chance’ in Lagos ...as commuters blame govt, NURTW

BY BOSE ADELAJA

N

ONE of the passengers in the yellow painted commercial bus suspected anything unusual when the bus took off from Apongbon area of Lagos, heading towards Lawanson the supposed destination of some of them. Maybe they had no choice in boarding the bus as its arrival was a welcome relief after a long wait under the sun. So immediately they sighted the bus with plate number LAGOS KRD 122 SK descending the Apongbon bridge, with the bus conductor shouting on top of his voice in Yoruba Language, ‘’Lawanson *Lagos commercial bus: How safe is it? l’ele yi n lo o (this one is going to Lawanson), please enter with broadcaster said she got the your change’’, the unsuspecting disappointment of her life when policemen passengers wasted no time in at the counter demanded money from her boarding it. to hire a tricycle. They said this was to It was a smooth ride as the pasenable them to trace the suspected bus and sengers were entertained with bring the perpetrators to book. cool music by the driver of the At this juncture, the victim demanded to bus, while some of the passensee the Divisional Police Officer of the Stagers engaged in discussion on tion but she was prevented from doing so subjects of various interest. in spite of the fact that ‘’on getting there, I But the trip on that fateful introduced myself as a journalist”.

Wednesday March 26, 2014, was When the distraught journalist could not later to take a frightening turn as get any assistance from the Police, she three passengers were disposcalled on her friends and relatives who sessed of their belongings by rallied to her assistance. their ‘co-passengers’. Time was In a similar incident, a photo journalist 4pm.

Vanguard Metro gathered that the driver of the bus, who obviously was a partner in crime with the other so-called seven passengers, suddenly took a different route after a serious warning to the ‘strangers’ in the bus ‘’to obey our instructions’’ or die.

On hearing this, the trio pleaded that their lives be spared and promptly handed over everything with Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Abiodun in their possession as instructed. Ogunleye, will not forget his encounter One of the victims, a Lagos with ‘One chance’ operators along the Apabroadcaster, said until the oper- pa-Oshodi expressway. That was on Friday ation was successfully carried March 21 after a covering an event at a out, it did not occur to her that popular hotel around Second Rainbow. The seven of the passengers were part photo journalist boarded a danfo bus around 11pm from Mile 2-Oke enroute of the criminals.

The broadcaster who was iden- Cele expressway oblivious of the trouble tified as Oreoluwa Ogunnaike ahead.

As he later told VM, hardly had the bus said: ‘’After dispossessing us of our belongings, they also pre- got to Sanya bus-stop than a ‘passenger’ vented us from interacting. They in the bus brought out a gun and later dropped us at different des- proclaimed thus: ‘’Eh, look up, you better co-operate or you have yourself tinations without a kobo ‘’.

Oreoluwa who was stricken to blame”. The ladies inside the bus were with fear, said she trekked a long asked to drop their bags, while the males distance before she could get were thoroughly searched, while items help. ‘’I approached an Okada found on them were collected on the spot.

Abiodun who sat close to the door was rider who listened to my story and out of concern, he offered to take almost spared. Unfortunately the person me to the nearest Police station’’. sitting close to him pointed at him. He exBut instead of the relief she plained to his assailants that he was a photo expected from the Police, the journalist who was returning from an

,

C M Y K

event. They were not impressed by this and instead descended on him, hitting him with the butt of a gun.

They eventually made away with his company identity card, his camera and accessories, cell phones, a hand bag and N28,000 cash.

Meanwhile, some commuters in Lagos have called on governments in the country to use everything at their disposal to curb the menace of commercial bus robbers popularly known as ‘One chance’ in the State.

At Festac Town, Mrs Adebamowo Omolara urged government to pro-

The ladies inside the bus were asked to drop their bags, while the males were thoroughly searched while items found on them were collected on the spot

,

vide functional Close Circuit Television, CCT, in most parts of the State in order to monitor activities in designated areas. “I understand that government has erected CCT in most parts of the state but how many of them are functional? They need to do something so that our lives will be safer in the state,’’ she said.

Another commuter in Ikoyi, Sebastine Chukwu, blamed the National Union of Road Transporters Workers, NURTW, for not managing the union well. ‘’You see, we cannot leave everything in the hand of government; all hands must be on deck. NURTW should be held responsible because its officials are busy collecting levies on the road in spite of the fact that their activities have been restricted to the park. Many of them can easily identify ‘’One Chance’’ vehicles but they show little or no concern because they are busy collecting illegal levies,’’ he said.

Economic growth: The more you look, the less you see!

BY EBELE ORAKPO

“P

LEASE spare us all the balderdash. Every day, they keep reeling out figures they manufactured to deceive us; all words and no tangible action,” hissed Joe, a commuter in the CMS-bound bus as a radio presenter said that Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had projected 6.75 per cent growth for the economy in 2014.

“Growth indeed! We are regressing not growing.

They are just making a lot of noise. No jobs, no infrastructure, education, health, manufacturing and other sectors are in a shambles. So they should just stop deceiving us,” said Ken. “Actually, they may not be lying to us. The fact that the growth is not reflecting on the man on the street does not mean it is false. You see, the fact that you are unable to listen to Radio Nigeria in your home does not mean that the station is not transmitting. It is left for you to tune in properly to the correct wavelength. Recently, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, predicted a 7.3 per cent economic growth for Nigeria in 2014, which is higher than what the Minister projected,” said Iyke.

“You are sounding like a Bretton Woods institutions’ agent. We are tired of theories, we need practicals now. They are telling us they will create 10 million jobs in 2014. They are sounding like those Nigerian politicians of the ‘70s/’80s who promised the electorate free wives, free food, and free everything; all lies!” said Nike.

Explained Iyke: “As I understand it, our problem is the mono economy we run and unless we diversify, we will continue to experience economic growth without commensurate impact on the people. Our economy depends almost totally on oil and that cannot make us rich because although it is our biggest foreign exchange earner, it contributes only 15 per cent of our GDP while agriculture contributes 70 per cent so if we develop agriculture, we have a chance of reaching as much as 70 per cent of the population. When we talk of economic growth, we can at the same time talk about development because the economic growth based on agriculture reaches as much as 70 per cent of the people. The reason why our continued economic growth over the past 10 years has not reflected on our GDP is because oil influence on the GDP is just 15 per cent.”

“But it is actually possible to create 10 million jobs in 2014 if we take our eyes off oil and face other sectors, especially agriculture and industry.

Nigerians are very enterprising. All they need from government at all levels is a conducive environment for them to unleash their creative potentials and make Nigeria great,” said Nike.

“Exactly! Most of these things we import into Nigeria can be made here but electricity is a big issue. If that one is tackled, the private sector will be able to create millions of jobs within a short time and get the youths fully engaged, thereby reducing crime,” agreed Iyke.

“The Energy Commission recently said that it will cost about N200m to build a small hydro dam for a community that has a stream. So why can’t local governments use part of their monthly allocations to install such hydro dams in their communities?” asked Ken. “Local governments to embark on energy projects to benefit the masses? Are you joking? Ha! They are there for themselves and their families. How many times do you see them at work? They only go to collect the allocation and share. The people need to start asking questions, start putting pressure on these leaders; find out exactly how much they receive on their behalf and what they do with it. I bet you, things will change for the better,” noted Joe.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 21

LECAN to collaborate with EMS to improve power supply

ACCOUNT RENDITION:

NSE threatens to sanction F defaulters

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has warned quoted companies that are yet to file in their financial statements ended December 31, 2013 to do so within the next one month or face appropriate sanctions.

According to information on NSE website, the exchange noted that only 189 out of

211 companies listed on the exchange are active, while only about 50 met the March 31, 2014 account submission deadline.

Consequently, it has given one month grace period to defaulting companies to comply. ”The exchange is concerned and mindful of the challenges being encountered by its listed companies in the rendition of their audited financial

statements. As a result, it has graciously granted all listed companies one-month grace period, after their respective filling due dates to submit their audited financial statements,” the NSE said in the notice.

“The NSE, however, wishes to inform all listed companies to note that, penalties for late rendition of the audited financial statements after the grace period becomes applicable and enforceable. Also, default filing of interim accounts (Q1, Q2 &

From right: Italian clothier, Francesco Cocilovo; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ltd, Mr. Ladi Balogun and another designer, Vittorio Osella, when the bank hosted a famous Italian designers, Loro Piana, at the Italian Embassy, in Lagos.

Q3) will attract the a p p l i c a b l e penalties. ”This means affected companies with December 31 year-end, now have up to April 30 to file their results,” it added..

According to the Exchange, the failure of companies to submit their financial statements at the expiration of the accounting year is a clear violation of the Post-Listing Rules of the NSE, as contained in Key Issue No. 5 (Annual A c c o u n t s Procedures), which states that “audited annual accounts of companies ought to be submitted within three months of the year end.”

The NSE said this became essential in view of the need for the investing public and the authorities of the exchange to have timely financial information from listed companies to facilitate stock transactions based on market fundamentals.

OLLOWING the dwindling power supply in the country in recent time, the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) has concluded plans to partner the Electricity Management Services (EMS) to improve the situation.

The concern of LECAN was accentuated recently when the national executive committee of the association, led by its National President, Otunba Dele Akintola, paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/CEO of Electricity Management Services, Engineer Peter Ewesor in his office in Abuja.

According to Otunba Akintola, the establishment of EMS, among others, will help to put the electricity industry in proper perspective, especially in the areas of testing of installation of electricity equipment and licensing of prospective electrical contractors in Nigeria.

While affirming the eligibility of Engineer Ewesor as the MD/CEO of EMS, Chief Akintola added that his ability, versatility and experience in the electrical engineering field and management would undoubtedly help to change the face of the electricity industry.

Speaking further, LECAN President urged Nigerians to always engage the services of only licensed electrical contractors in the handling of their electrical projects, adding that “this is the only way to ensure that quality and standard equipment are used and also to ensure safety of life and property.”

While thanking President Goodluck Jonathan for his thoughtfulness in the establishment of EMS, LECAN president called on Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government in its ongoing privatisation of electricity Distribution Companies across the country, adding that “I am optimistic that power will become relatively stable before the end of the year.”

Labour demands N687m unpaid Kaduna workers’ benefit

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

O

RGANISED Labour in the nation’s Textile industry has called on the 19 Northern Governors to pay the N687, 073,346.00 entitlements of workers of Kaduna Textiles Limited, KTL. It said the sum was awarded to the workers by National Industrial Court, NIC, Abuja Division since 2005, which the governors have not respected till date.

The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, also expressed shock that KTL closed since 2002 by the Northern States governors has not been re-opened till date to engage workers and reduce the

army of unemployed youths in the region.

It equally called on the management of Arewa Textiles Plc, to pay the entitlements of its workers, lamenting that while many of these workers have died, those that are still alive have been going through untold hardship and suffering.

The union in a statement by its Deputy General Secretary, Sylvester Chimezie, expressed concerns over the worsening insecurity in the country, saying “sustainable development of any country or State lies in industrialization and mass job creation. The root of the current security crisis in the country is economic and social. It is against this background that the union is disturbed by the continuous closure of Kaduna Textiles Limited since 2002. Even more

worrisome is the continuous delay in settlement of the entitlements of KTL workers by its owner-19 Northern States of the Federation. KTL workers are suffering untold hardship due to non-payment of their benefits since the unilateral closure of the factory in 2002.

“The union since September 2005 obtained a court judgment for settlement of the entitlements of the workers amounting to N687, 073,346.00. Unfortunately, the management and owners of the company (19 Northern States) are yet to comply with the judgment through settlement of the entitlements of the workers in spite of repeated appeals, rallies and protests by the union.”

According to the union, “In March 2012, the NGF set up a Committee of 5-Governors

headed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed with Governors of Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi and Borno States as members.

The Committee was mandated to proffer solutions towards the resuscitation of the moribund company.

The outcome of the meeting of that committee is yet to be known. We have held meetings with the Managing Director of NNDC, Dr. Ahmed M. Mohammed as well as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, General Wushishi (Rtd).

194.25

+9.25

2,952.00

14.00

16.90

-0.45

105.88 -0.84 101.06 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI

RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 256.7601 212.4425 174.0412 1.4987 0.3042 237.5639 24.9057 41.2596 28.448 238.3305

+0.85

CENTRAL SELLING 155.24 257.5897 213.129 174.6035 1.5035 0.3142 238.3315 24.9867 41.3929 28.5399 239.1006

155.74 258.4194 213.8154 175.1659 1.5084 0.3242 239.0991 25.0676 41.5262 28.6318 239.8707

CBN Exchange rate as at 08/04/2014

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Re-echoing the safety of the contributory pension scheme

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

T

he Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, was established nine years ago by the Federal Government. It is meant to ensure that improvident individuals save in order to cater for their livelihood during old age, establish a uniform set of rules, regulations and standards for the administration and payments of retirement benefits to workers in both private and public sectors and that retirees get their pension as at when due.

Before then, what obtained in the public sector was a defined benefit noncontributory pension scheme whereby retirees were paid from budgetary allocations. In the private sector, there were different types of pension schemes depending on individual employers and their agreement with in-house unions where they existed.

With the enactment of the Pension Reform Act, 2004 (PRA), the Federal Government arm of the public sector embraced contributory pension by January 1, 2005 while it was made mandatory for the private sector by July 1, 2005.

Structure of Contributory Pension The National Pension Commission (PenCom) was established in line with provisions of the pension reform law. It is statutorily empowered to regulate the pension sector from the scratch and to create structures for the smooth operation of the scheme and it licensed 18 Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), 7 Closed Pension Fund Administrators (CPFAs) and 4 Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs).

Under the scheme, employers deduct 7.5 per cent of individual workers monthly salary and contribute at least the same amount which is credited into the workers’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs). The respective PFAs chosen by individual workers then manage the accumulated funds, which is under the custody of the PFC chosen by the PFA. Giving an update on the scheme, the Acting Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu said Nigeria’s contributory pension scheme between 2004 and last year grew at an average rate of 27.05 per cent annually and from inception C M Y K

From left: Sector Head, Affluent Professionals, Access Bank Plc, Doyin Coker; Zonal Head Retail Operations, Abuja & North, Access Bank, Ade Ologun; and Ada Udechukwu with Mr. and Mrs. Onowotu at the Maternity Wing of Garki Hospital when the Access Bank Inclusive Banking team visited the hospital on Mother’s Day. succeeded in reversing and plugging the N2.6 trillion pension hole that weighed down defined benefits schemes in the country and accumulated almost N4 trillion as at February 2014.

Also, the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) confirmed that the number of contributors under the scheme rose to 5.9 million last month and forecasted that half a million workers would join the scheme this year.

Setbacks for Contributory Pension The residual defined benefits non-contributory pension scheme in the country has continued to pose serious threats to Nigeria’s contributory pension scheme in its tenth year. Fraud in the administration of the residual defined benefits schemes have persisted while retirees under the rested schemes suffered hardships and various forms of dehumanisation.

Even with the assurances of contributory pension, every report about fraud and mismanagement in the residual schemes rubs off negatively on the new scheme since many Nigerians do not really understand that the two schemes are like two parallel lines that can never meet.

Two years ago, while PenCom and pension operators were shoring up confidence for contributory pension, the National Assembly uncovered massive fraud in the residual scheme.

This discovery threw spanners into the works of contributory pension stakeholders and the image of the scheme dipped

seriously.

While some members of the public blamed top government functionaries for pilfering retirees’ stipends put under their custody, pension operators blamed the media for misrepresenting facts that emerged from the probe. The fallout of the crisis forced stakeholders back to the drawing board, in an attempt to reposition the sector with a view to build a strong brand of the new contributory pension scheme.

And as they count their blessings, news of another

lot of bad comments from Nigerians who could not hide their disappointment following this discovery that has cast aspersions on all the assurances of security and sanctity of pension fund under contributory pension scheme.

Reacting to the reports, the Head of the Communications Unit at PenCom, Mr. Emeka Onuora came out strongly in defense of PenCom saying “the commission wishes to state categorically that no official of PenCom is involved in any form of looting of pension fund.”

PenCom has in place strict regimes, which include daily monitoring of the investment activities of PFAs and the institution of strict pay-out authorisation requirements pension scam enjoyed wide publicity last week and like previous ones it was erroneously reported that it took place in the office of the contributory pension regulator, PenCom. The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta was reported as having said that his organisation apprehended a Clerk in PenCom who opened 50 different bank accounts with different names and signatures and banked over N450 million in these accounts.

These reports generated a

Investigations also confirmed that PenCom does not engage clerks and as such, none of its employees goes by that designation even as it denied having been informed by any agency that its employee was being investigated or prosecuted for looting pension fund.

The ICPC chairman later denied saying the culprit works in PenCom and clarified that the apprehended junior officer works in the civil.

Safeguards PenCom has continued to beat its chest about the safeguards put in place under the contributory pension scheme to ensure safety of

contributors’ money. Some of these safeguards include the anti-fraud mechanism laced around its operation even as the commission ensures that loopholes that fraudsters who intend to corner the fund could take advantage of are plugged to a very reasonable extent.

Giving more assurances, Onuora said “There are safeguards to protect the pension funds from all forms of misappropriation with the functions of custody and administration of the funds clearly delineated. While the PFCs are in custody of the funds, the PFAs manage and administer them.”

He highlighted the fact that PFAs and PFCs are also mandated by the Commission to maintain high levels of transparency and accountability and to give contributors unfettered access to any information relating to their accumulated pension savings.

In addition, PenCom has in place strict regimes, which include daily monitoring of the investment activities of PFAs and the institution of strict pay-out authorisation requirements. These ensure that PFAs are not reckless in their investment decisions, while ensuring that only the right beneficiaries would have access to pension money.

Some other measures include the guarantee to the full sum and value of the pension fund and assets held

by Pension Fund Custodians as mandated by the regulator as well as risk rating for instruments that pension funds could be invested in.

In addition to the engagement of a Compliance Officer (CO) who is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the law regarding pension matters, PenCom reviews the internal rules and regulations of operators, keeps track of the activities of pension operators and gets regular reports on their activities.

Every PFA is also required to maintain a Statutory Reserve Fund, into which shall be credited annually with 12.5 per cent of the net profit after tax or as stipulated by PenCom to meet claims.

The Commission also imposes legal and administrative sanctions for non-compliance with rules and regulations as any operator found wanting is sanctioned in line with the law among other things.

“These checks and balances were embedded in the law to give the contributors rest of mind and encouraged workers not to be skeptical about the new contributory pension scheme. The pension reform has addressed problems of past pension schemes to a large extent,” PenCom assured.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 23

C

hief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr. Demola Sogunle, has said that the pension system, with defined contributions as its foundation, presents a clear path for employees to maintain a stable standard lifestyle even well after retirement.

Sogunle, who made the statement while unveiling the second phase of the company ’s interactive preretirement seminar in Abuja recently, said that raising awareness of retirement would help companies and their employees in particular to better understand the imperative of retirement planning.

Speaking at the seminar, which had the theme, ‘Life renewed at 55 and beyond,’ Sogunle said, “People are apprehensive about retirement because they do not plan for it early enough.

Ideally, planning for retirement should commence from the day one takes on a first job. It demands setting aside part of current income into a retirement savings account. Our central mission at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited is to help Nigerians address their retirement needs.”

The seminar also provided a platform for the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) to forge closer ties with its customers and to enlighten the public on developments in the pension industry. Other activities that featured at the event were presentations on lifestyle and health and managing finances, delivered

by Mr. Chito Nwana, Medical Director, Tabitha Medical Center, Abuja and Emmanuel

BRIEF

NSW court jails Pratten over taxes

R

Executive Director, Business Development and Investment, Premium Pension Ltd Mr. Adamu Mele (right) and Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Mr. Kingsley Njoku during the recent retiree/ customer forum organised by the company in the South-South states.

How to maintain standard lifestyle after retirement Olumuyiwa Olu-Ayeni, President /CEO StarBright Consulting Limited, respectively.

“In addition to creating awareness about the necessity of having a retirement plan and enjoying a comfortable life post-retirement, another objective of this campaign is to further deepen the relationship with our customers by reminding them of our availability at anytime and anywhere to attend to their needs. In so doing, we obtained significant feedback with which to develop

solutions that address their specific needs. This will not only put them at ease; we are also motivated to go the extra mile to deliver on our promises,” Sogunle stated.

Sogunle emphasized that planning for retirement should commence early in an individual’s working life as it typically takes many years to accumulate the necessary funds with which to live comfortably when the salary eventually ceases to arrive at the end of every month. “This seminar, besides celebrating all of you that will soon transit

Premium Pension fetes retirees in South-South

I

N line with the company ’s policy of operating in close collaboration with its customers, Premium Pension Limited recently held its retiree/customer forum in some states in the South-South region of the country.

In a statement, the company said that the forums which were held in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Asaba and Benin were aimed at feeling the pulse of customers regarding the contributory pension scheme and sensitizing them on the company’s renewed resolve towards unassailable service delivery and customer care. In his remark in Asaba, the company ’s Managing Director, Mr. Wilson Ideva reiterated the importance of keeping in constant touch with customers especially in an industry that is still unfolding.

“There is need to interact

with our customers to among other things identify how to serve them even better” said Ideva. “While the company has recorded tremendous achievements, it is important that these giant strides are communicated to the customers to bolster their confidence in us and the industry and also identify where there are challenges and seek improvement.”

Ideva revealed that Premium Pension Limited currently has 12,288 retirees across the country and is unequivocally committed to timely payment of all their entitlements to avoid unnecessary hardship during retirement. This position was corroborated by Mr. Sunday Okoh, the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Local Government Bureau who said, “We are overwhelmed by the services of Premium Pension Limited

which is marked by transparency, cutting edge technology, timely and regular payment of pension benefits and prompt delivery of quarterly statement and SMS alerts.”

Okoh described the occasion as unique and first of its kind where the chief executive of a PFA was physically present and not by proxy. He noted that they are highly encouraged by CEOs who empathize with retirees in the state as exemplified by Premium Pension Limited.

In his contribution, Mr. Adamu Mele, Executive Director, business development and investment noted that it was the patronage and support of customers that lifted Premium Pension Limited from zero balance at inception to more than N325 billion as funds currently under management.

from contributors to retired clients of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, will also provide an opportunity to address the concerns or anxieties you might have as retirement draws close. “Other issues that were examined include preparation for retirement; accessing retirement benefits; health at retirement and investment opportunities post-retirement.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, according to Sogunle, is backed by the requisite expertise and experience and strong financial clout of the Standard Bank Group, ensuring efficiency in the management and safety of clients’ investments. “We believe that the support, experience and capabilities of the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, have been instrumental in enhancing our expertise, resource base and general service delivery; thus reinforcing our goal of providing excellent service to all our customers.”

At the end of the seminar, Dr Sogunle outlined three crucial considerations which everyone must give a thought to for a secured future. The first being that no one will ever care about your retirement investments as much as you do – so educate yourself. The second thought is that when making retirement investments, seek professional assistance – even the best athletes have coaches. The third thought is even if you may have stopped working for money; your money should never stop working hard for you.

ural & General I n s u r a n c e founder Timothy Charles Pratten last week began serving a jail sentence of three years and six months, after being found guilty of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, by a New South Wales (NSW) court. NSW is a state on the east coast of Australia.

Pratten has lodged an appeal but was not granted bail last week and was taken into custody.

He had pleaded not guilty to seven counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception from the Commonwealth, concerning tax returns he filed between 2003 and 2009.

The NSW Supreme Court ordered he be released after 18 months in jail and enter a 24-month good-behaviour bond. The sentence also includes 750 hours of community service.

A jury found Pratten guilty in June 2012 but his sentencing was delayed when he launched civil proceedings.

In his judgement, Justice Stephen Rothman found Pratten did not declare income of more than $2.77 million and received a financial advantage of more than $1.25 million in unpaid tax.

The case arose out of the Project Wickenby investigation into tax evasion by Vanuatu-based accountant Robert Agius, who was jailed in 2012.

Agius was also involved in establishing Rural & General International Insurance in Vanuatu, which later changed its name to Commercial Pacific Insurance (CPI).

Justice Rothman did not accept that Pratten was a principal of CPI, but he says Pratten was a major shareholder of Rural & General Insurance Brokers, which brokered insurance to CPI and other insurers.

Pratten also owned and controlled various companies and was beneficiary of a family trust.

Justice Rothman says the Crown did not prove the income it alleged Pratten understated was not declared by one of these related entities, but in sentencing he was bound by the jury’s guilty finding.

24 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

CWG unveils IR website for investors, stock brokers

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OMPUTER warehouse G r o u p (CWG)Plc has launched a new investor relations (IR)website to meet the information needs of investors, stock brokers and journalists.

Developed, hosted and maintained by NASDAQ OMX., the website is targeted at increasing the benefits to investors, providing the investor with unparalleled transparency, combined with a personalised online experience, and facilitating return visits The NASDAQ OMXhosted IR website incorporates the look and feel of Computer Warehouse Group’s

corporate website, providing visitors with a seamless experience. It also provides the exact information for identifying opportunities and to advance valuation, a goal that all stakeholders share.

Financial and press room: News releases, official logos, executive information, and corporate information, all in a robust media site are the contents incorporated in the website SEC Filings: The website also complete SEC page with filings made available as discrete categories of documents. First call analyst estimates: It provides the same industry recognized data that professional investors’ use when gaining a perspective on corporate financial earnings forecasts.

This page includes earnings comparison, price

earnings (P/E) comparison, analyst ratings, earning per share (EPS) trends and revisions. Stock quotes: Communicating share value is one of the most important functions of the IR website. Options include current and historical stock performance, stock splits, and benchmark comparisons. Corporate Governance Library: The Corporate Governance overview page presents the groups governance mission and a brief on the following subjects, governance structure, roles of the board, responsibilities of the board, board committees, executive management committees, code of professional conduct and internal management structure.

From left: Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Austin Okere, Founder and Managing Director, Computer Warehouse Group Plc (CWG) and; Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Director, Business Development, NSE as Okere rings the bell on the Exchange floor to signify the entrance of CWG into the stock market.

Nigeria’s business environment requires focus — Nestle boss

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

T

HE Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Dharnesh Gordhon, has said that the current business environment in Nigeria requires an intense focus to maintain competitive edge in the market, as it launches Maggi chicken cube.

This, he noted necessitated the introduction of the Maggi Chicken cube as a brand extension of its Maggi range of seasoning.

The Nestle boss said that the company guided by its strategic roadmap has always considered how it could work smarter to deliver its promise to be the leader in nutrition, health and wellness.

He further stated that the company needs to challenge its established norms, noting “that is why we rethink our business models and find new ways to differentiate our products and proC M Y K

vide value to our customers.”

Gordhon asserted that Nestle has a history of delivering regardless of the external environment, “this is because of the strength of our brands, our consumer understanding and our program of continuous innovation and renovation of our product to ensure they are the best products available in the market.”

“A favourite in the Maggi portfolio, we have reformulated it to deliver our bestever chicken seasoning, this launch will bring a renewed excitement to the category, to our retailers and for all consumers,” he said.

In addition, he stressed that in pursuit of nutrition, health and wellness agenda and to further enhance its competitive edge, the company will continue to implement relevant innovation especially targeting the needs of low-income consumers most likely to suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.

Do our laws support our economic well-being?

T

HERE is a group of persons in Benin-City, Edo State who have staged protests about the low-level of power supply and the fixed charges paid by the customers of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC. The group is the Benin Forum and it has carried its protests to the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. The protests are essentially against the concept of a fixed charge separate from the energy charge for electricity consumed. At present, customers of the BEDC in residential R2 category pay N750 as a fixed monthly charge and N11.37 per kiloWatt-hour, kWh, for electricity consumed. However, as from 1 June 2014 the customers of BEDC would pay N1,500 as fixed monthly charge and N11.94 per kWh as energy charge.

The charges indicated above were specified in the Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO, which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, issued and published for the cost of electricity sold by distribution/retail companies for the period 1 June 2012 to May 31, 2017. NERC’s authority for the tariffs in the MYTO is the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005. This Act requires NERC to develop competitive

,

BY EMEKA AGINAM

Consumer complaints about electric power supply were rebuffed with the claim that the consumers were enjoying a discount or subsidy on the true cost of service provision

,

electricity markets, to enforce such matters as performance standards, consumer rights and obligations amongst other things.

Consumers believe that the concept of the fixed charge is unfair and we should anticipate the strong reactions of the customers of the BEDC when the fixed monthly charge is doubled after 1 June 2014. Besides the BEDC, there are reports that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has indicated to NERC that AEDC’s operations are being carried out at a loss. However, this is the opportunity for NERC to get

the electricity distribution companies to reduce the losses in their distribution networks.

With respect to the BEDC, NERC should direct the BEDC to invest its additional revenues from the fixed monthly charges in specific projects which would be monitored by the consumers and NERC. The electricity distribution companies would have to look for power from outside the national grid if there is to be an improvement in the supply situation.

Before now, consumer complaints about electric power supply were rebuffed with the claim that the consumers were enjoying a discount or subsidy on the true cost of service provision. With the removal of subsidies to consumers, we should ask why we are still not getting results from the power sector.

We have always had inadequate gas supply and this situation prompted the Federal Government of Nigeria from about 2004 onwards to site some new power stations near the sources of gas supply. These new power stations are not in operation so we are not in a position to know whether their problems are the lack of gas or the lack of connection to the national grid.

The various consortia that acquired majority shareholding in the distribution companies cannot claim that they did not understand the risks when they chose to bid for the majority shareholding. The tariffs in the MYTO are at best a guide to a future that may not be fulfilled.

The banks that gave the loans to the consortia for the acquisition of the majority shareholding in the distribution companies may have done so in the belief that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, would assume responsibility for the loans in the event of the failure of any of the consortia to meet the terms of their loans.

NERC should realize that AMCON leads right back to the consumer – the people of Nigeria. NERC should make the electricity distribution companies realize that they must not fail and that they can only avoid failure by having appropriate investment programmes for improving their networks and for provision of power from outside the national grid.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 25

naira annually due to importation of foreign IT products.

He however promised that the regulatory agency was working tirelessly to improve regulatory activities through all stakeholders.

DIARY Select ICT events zTelecom CEM World Congress 2014 April 2014, Venue TBC, London

Digital colony:

zHong Kong ICT Expo 13 – 16 April 2014 Hong Kong.

Restating his commitment to drive IT penetration across the nation, he said that except something is done urgently, the nation may be digitally colonized by the foreign nations, especially the Asian countries because of what he described as dependency on foreign IT products.

But with optimism, he said that through the local content policy in ICT developed by NITDA, the trend which is causing more economic harm than good would be reversed.

z Cards & payment Asia holds in Singapore 23-24 April 2014. zTransport Networks for Mobile Operators 2014 13 – 14 May 2014 London. zCritical Communications World 27-29 May 2014 BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand

New inventions shaping life and living

he BlinkScan isn't quite as space-efficient as a flatbed scanner, with a claw-like contraption standing over the scanner bed. If you can look past the extra size, however, it can bring some muchneeded upgrades to the table on top of the automated cropping. Most notably, it boasts "perfect image capture," which is achieved by snapping three separate 10megapixel monochromatic images (red, blue and green), which are then combined into a 36-bit 30megapixel image. While we have a feeling some of the higher-end scanners can capture similar quality scans, we do have to admit, their results look i m p r e s s i v e .

I N S I D E

Nokia X family gives users the X factor

To operate and implement the National IT policy and to give effect to provisions of the National information Technology Development Agency Act (NITDA Act) of 2007;to ensure that the entire citizenry is empowered with Information Technologies through the development of a critical mass of IT proficient and globally competitive manpower; to enter into strategic alliance with the private sector as well as international organizations for the actualization of the IT vision; to develop and regulate the Information Technology Sector in Nigeria; to ensure that Information Technology resources are readily available to promote efficient national development; to create IT awareness and ensure universal access in order to promote IT diffusion in all sectors of our national life; among others, according to him are mandates of NITDA.

Nigeria'll have five-fold broadband growth by 2018 — Johnson

Standards and regulation:

Go local, NITDA DG tells Nigerian software consumers

With local content framework and the software policy, he noted that local software and hardware vendors in Nigeria must comply with standards and regulations so as to have sanity in the system.

The local PCs assemblers, according to Dr. Daura must comply with standards so as to be globally competitive.

• Says reliance on foreign products aids capital flight

Encourage SMEs:

•Dr. Ashiru Sani Daura,

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He cautioned that consumption of foreign IT products by Nigerians will never grow the economy, adding that the trend will make the country digital colony of the developed economies.

By EMEKA AGINAM

N

IGERIA must avoid capital flight in the Information Technology sector by investing more on local IT products.

An easy way of ensuring this is to standardize most of the Nigerian local IT solutions and make them ready for global competitiveness.

This is how the Acting Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Ashiru Sani Daura, sees the solution to the perennial preference of foreign IT products which he said has cost the economy millions of Naira.

Dr. Daura who spoke to

Vanguard Hi-tech in an exclusive interview recently in Abuja said that for the country to achieve digital inclusion in the knowledge economy, there is the need to encourage indigenous software and hardware vendors whose solutions have capacity to compete in the international market if encouraged.

Broad goals: Listing NITDA’s strategic plans including enhancement of regulatory activities, increase in IT penetration and diffusion, promotion of SMEs and startups, development of IT capability for job creation, among others, he said that Nigeria loses billions of

MasterCard creates tech based storytelling platform for cardholders

“We will implement the guidelines on IT policy. We are committed to using IT in wealth creation through outsourcing he said.

Warning on the dangers of consuming foreign IT

,

,

Preview

Consumption of foreign IT products

NITDA mandates:

While market for local PCs Manufacturers are not growing as expected due to low patronage, he assured that the SMEs will be encouraged so that they can grow and be competitive in the global market.

If the local SMEs in PCs assembling were encouraged, jobs will be created thereby growing the economy products and services, he assured that NITDA is strategising to increase IT penetration through Federal Government’s broadband plan.

53 Glo premium trade partners drove home with 53 exotic cars

He believes that if the local SMEs in PCs assembling were encouraged, jobs will be created thereby growing the economy. This, he said will discourage brain drain.

“NITDA is in support of the present government development agenda. If we look at Nigerian society in terms of awareness of IT and penetration since 2001 compared to what we have now, you see that the country has recorded significant i m p r o v e m e n t , programmes and policies of NITDA, Nigeria is moving in the right direction with the achievements so far recorded” he explained.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Interswitch links Quickteller, western Union on account based money transfer

By RICHARD UDOFIA

P

AN-African integrated payments com pany, Interswitch Transnational, introduced account based money transfer system in Nigeria, hooking up with Quickteller and Western Union service initiatives in the process.

The new offering followed collaboration and agreement between the parties to enable customers to receive Western Union transfers directly into their bank account through the Quickteller website or via their bank’s internet banking website.

High point of the new solution is that it eliminates the need to visit a physical bank branch to retrieve money sent through the Western Union service, as has always been the case. Another is that the additional charge or interest charged on the transaction is now no more as interswitch and partners make usage of the service, free.

Interswitch at the weekend, announced that the service has gone live with GTBank, StanbicIBTC and Wema Bank, while First Bank, United Bank for Africa, Skye, Diamond, Enterprise and Access are currently in the process of implementing the service.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Transnational, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe said:”Interswitch is proud to be working with Western Union to introduce this new account-based money transfer service to the inward remittance market. This service ensures compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria regulations that make it mandatory for remittances into Nigeria to be account based” he added.

••Bags excellence award for innovation

I

N a related development, the company also recently bagged innovation awards with its Verve and Quickteller solutions.

The products emerged as winners in the Retail Payments and Product & Services Innovation categories at the 2014 ACI Excellence Awards.

The Excellence Awards is organised by ACI Worldwide, a leading international provider of electronic payment and banking systems. The Awards celebrate leading financial institutions, processors and retailers, for their innovative and transformative uses of ACI solutions to solve real-world customer and business issues.

The winners across ten categories are selected by a judging panel composed of ACI experts and leading global payments analysts from Aite Group, CEB TowerGroup and Celent, and are based across the Americas, the Asia Pacific region, and EMEA. This year there were a total of thirty submissions across the ten categories.

Interswitch is one of only two organizations to receive more than one award.

Interswitch’s Verve card, received the Retail Payments Excellence Award, in recognition of the way it has changed the electronic payment landscape in Nigeria.

Quickteller, Interswitch’s Value Added Service platform, won the Product & Services Innovation Excellence Award in recognition to the way it has enabled streamlined bill pay for customers and bill payers.

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hen Nokia began to produce its own range of smart phones, customers were elated at the brand’s ability to combine durability with finesse. Nokia’s introduction of its new range of X smart phones into the Nigerian market no doubt reaffirms the reason for this elation.

Smartphone users want an altogether surreal, yet real experience; quality, design, durability, style, practicality, and the swag of something extra-what could be referred to as the X factor. The dual sim android compatible device comes with a fresh, tile-based user interface inspired by the Lumia family as well as Fastlane to simplify and enhance the consumer experience. As its name suggests, the Nokia X family has got the X factor.

Addressing trade partners at the launch ceremony which was held in Lagos recently, the Head of Marketing, Nokia West and Central Africa, Debbie Shepard explained that the Nokia X device combines beautifully crafted design, quality hardware with access to the android app ecosystem to provide consumers with an affordable dual SIM smartphone in a range of exciting colours.

“We believe this unique combination will resonate with consumers around the world and set a great precedent for the level of quality that can be achieved in the fast-growing,

Nokia X family gives users the X factor affordable Smartphone segment.

Users will enjoy signature Nokia experiences including free* HERE Maps, with true offline maps and integrated turn-by-turn navigation, Microsoft services such as Skype, One Drive and Outlook email as well as chat applications including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and WhatsApp” she said.

Speaking further she noted that “ The device comes with a 10.4mm slim, durable monobody design further enhanced by 4” scratch-proof display and an ex-

changeable back cover that come in a variety of statement colours. The device runs on the Nokia X Software Platform and is powered by a 1Ghz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.”

Nick Imudia, Vice President, Nokia West and Central Africa, believes that influencers are at the core of a company’s success. This has resulted in Nokia partnering with iDea Hub, CCHub and MoMo (Mobile Monday) Nigeria to organise a 2-day training for apps developers tagged Nokia X Portathons.

BROADBAND BOOST:

Phase3 to deploy more 3,000km fiber optics

By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

N

ATIONAL long-distance telecommunications network operator, Phase 3 Telecoms, may have perfected plans to deploy 3,000 km of optic fiber for the next 18 months to boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration.

This was announced weekend, by the company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stanley Jegede, while explaining new partnership agreement between his company and a Hong Kong’s premier telecom service provider, PCCW Global.

The planned 3,000km optic fiber deployment is in addition to more than 6,000km optic fiber already deployed by the company, while commissioning several points of presence at sites in all key cities across the country.

Jegede said that his company has ”deployed more than 6,000 km of fiber optic cable to date with another 3,000 km planned for the next 18 months while commissioning several Points of Presence at sites in all key cities”.

Phase 3 had earlier entered into a pact with a Hong Kong’s premier telecom service provider, PCCW Global, to usher in new and advanced communications solutions in the Nigeria telecom sector.

It operates a 6000km fiber optic network using its unique Right of Way (RoW) to deploy fiber infrastructure along Nigeria’s high voltage power transmission lines in Nigeria and across the West Africa sub-region.

The pact between the two companies will enable new and advanced communications solutions for Nigeria and other West African countries, with Phase3 Telecom now having access to PCCW Global’s vast international MPLS network covering major African cities such as Nairobi, Dares Salaam, Maputo, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, as well as 3,000 other cities around the world. PCCW Global will also gain improved access to networks in Nigeria via Phase3 Telecom’s robust fiber infrastructure.

COMMISSIONING: From left, ZTE Deputy Managing Director, Brielle Gao, Representative of the Chinese Embassy in Lagos, Mr. XU Yuansheng, Director of Education, Nigeria Police Force, DCP Ibrahim Kabiru and ZTE Chief Finance Officer, Mr Philip Qin during the commissioning of a modern ICT centre donated

by ZTE Nigeria Limited to Police Children School, Ikeja, Lagos, last week.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 27

MasterCard creates tech - based story telling platform for cardholders

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

M

ASTERCARD has introduced s “Win a trip few can win” campaign to enable its card holders share unique electronic payment stories on how the use of MasterCard products have positively impacted their lives.

The campaign is part of the Priceless Africa platform, a technology and social media driven tell a story campaign launched in September 2013.

The company is using the promo to draw Nigerian MasterCard prepaid, debit and credit cardholders to enter their short stories on the Priceless Africa website (www.pricelessafrica.com).

According to the Vice President and Area Business Head, MasterCard West Africa, Omokehinde Ojomuyide, the entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges after six weeks and selected finalists’ entries will be posted on social media for consumers to cast the

Digital Africa, policy makers to meet ..as Nigeria targets dominant tech innovator status

I

T is often said that Nigerians are heavy consumers of technology, but hardly produce any. However, for a country to truly succeed, experts say that production must at least be equal to consumption. This is why policymakers from executive, legislative and regulatory arms of government in Nigeria, and thought leaders in technology will deliberate on transiting Nigeria and Africa from a passive consumer to a dominant innovator and producer of technology at the 2014 Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition, slated for May 2022, 2014 in Lagos.

The event hosts alongside the 19th World Electronics Forum (WEF) at the same venue. It is the first time WEF will hold in Africa.

World Electronics Forum brings together CEOs and Directors of the global electronics industry associations from the USA, China, Japan, Germany, Britain, India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Austra-

deciding votes.

Ojomuyide said that top four finalists will be selected to attend an all expenses paid trip to experience UEFA Champions League Final in Lisbon in May. For Ojomuyide, “Nigeria appreciates the immense benefits that cashless transactions have to offer and the campaign could not have come at a better time, when more and more consumers are embracing the security and convenience of electronic payments.

“As we make strides towards a world beyond cash in Nigeria and across Africa, we create opportunities like these to reward our valued consumers with unique experiences across diverse passion points and encourage them to shift from cash to electronic payments.”

MasterCard launched the Priceless Africa consumer loyalty platform in Nigeria, in addition to six other African markets. The launch in Nigeria saw the country join the current 26 MasterCard Priceless destinations across the globe.

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan recently declared that the families of those who lost loved ones at the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, recruitment exercise, be given three employment slots each in the service. Magnanimous as this might seem, this move cannot bring back the lives lost.

With 52% of Nigeria’s youth unemployed, it should come as no surprise that recruitment is almost always a living hell.!

Online recruitment

lia, Russia, Brazil, Philippines, and Vietnam. The 18th edition was hosted by Vietnam in 2013, the 17th edition was held in Philippines in 2012, and the 16th edition was hosted by USA in 2011.

Dr. Evans Woherem, Chairman, Digital Africa Global Consult Limited, organisers of the Digital Africa Conference and local host of the 19th World Electronic Forum said: “Despite improved access to technology, Africa still dominates the bottom list of countries with significant gaps in connectivity due to inadequate development of information and communications technology infrastructure, and the poor skill levels that inhibit the efficient use of the available technology.”

But it doesn’t always have to be so. Harnessing the opportunities that technology provides, recruitment can be easier, more effective, time saving, and as we have come to learn the hard way, life saving. The benefits of online recruitment aren’t just for employers alone, job seekers can find positions without the traditional hustle and bustle.

An aspect of job recruitment that has gained popularity is the jobseekers website phenomenon.

Sites like jobberman.com and careers.ng has now become the Linda Ikejis and Nairalands for Nigeria’s teeming job seeking populace. Advertising positions online however, is not the entirety of online recruitment. The process can start there, but does not end there.

Smart employers go a step further to begin the employment process in a virtual environ-

Rebranding recruitment with technology ment. Candidates can summit necessary credentials and answer necessary questions on an online portal. This makes filing information for future reference easier. Numerous online testing software also make testing and assessment easier.

What about the physical touch?

Well, say hello to video conferencing. Video CVs are relatively inexpensive and can

help employers get a better impression of the candidate, and give the candidate a better opportunity to make a first impression.

Technology makes recruitment less stressful, less time consuming and less expensive from start to finish. What’s more, you can be sure the candidate is tech savvy!

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28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Glo doles out 53 exotic cars to premium dealers

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

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LOBACOM,weekend, gave premium recognition to about 53 of its teeming premium dealers in a night of recognition and reward for prosperous business relationship.

This is as the Second National Telecom carrier, doled out 53 exotic vehicles among other lofty prizes to its premium trade partners responsible for distributing its products and services across Nigeria.

The brand new prizes, including 2014 Range Rover Sport, BMW X6, Mercedes Benz S 550, Land Cruisers, Benz E350 Formatic, Benz C200, Ford Explorer, Camry,Toyota Corolla, were formally presented to the dealers at a grand ceremony tagged Glo Partners’ Awards at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Saturday night.

The dealers selected from the six geopolitical zones of the country were according to Glo, honoured for exceptional performance in the sale and distribution of Globacom’s products and services.

A long-term trade partner, Easy and Quiet Ltd. retained the number one slot from the last

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edition of the awards as it emerged the Overall Best Partner nationwide, carting home the grand prize of a Mercedes Benz S 550. The company also emerged the Best Partner by Division (Lagos), taking home a brand new Toyota Hiace bus.

Best partner by division The second Overall Best Dealer was Don P Communications, which was rewarded with a 2014 Range Rover Sport. It also clinched the prize for the Best Partner by Division (Abuja) taking home a Toyota Hiace bus.

Ephybrand Limited clinched the overall third best spot, winning a BMW X6, in addition to clinching the Best Partner by Division (Kano) and taking home a Toyota Hiace Bus. In the category of the Most Improved Partner (Revenue), Hephzibah Communications and internet Solutions; BMG Communications and Lustre Communications emerged winners and carted away the latest model of Toyota Corolla.

In the category of the Most

Improved Partner (Activations), Timothy and Temitayo Ventures and Topef Computer emerged winners from their various divisions and carted home Toyota Hiace buses.

A total of 18 winners went home with Toyota Hiace buses in the Category of Best Partner by Division, while another set of 15 dealers emerged winners of a promotion Globacom ran for dealers last year. The entire 15 dealers went home with assorted premium cars ranging from Mercedes Benz E350 to the latest model of Toyota Camry. The top

15 trade partners of Globacom went home with various luxury brands ranging from Mercedes Benz S class to Range Rover Sports, BMW, Land Cruisers, Ford Explorers and Toyota Camry, In his message at the event, the Chairman of the company, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. expressed profound gratitude to the dealers for their loyalty and commitment to helping Globacom take telecommunications services to all the parts of the country.

He said the company was in the final phase of an aggressive

Star prize: Mercedes-Benz S550

network modernization and upgrade that will make Glo’s network the best not only in Nigeria, but in the entire West Africa region.

Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, in his own remarks tagged the event ‘Africa’s biggest Auto Show by a private company’, with a parade of some of the world’s most sought after auto brands.

He said, ‘it’s all for our cherished dealers, who have shown abiding faith in Globacom’.

He said the trade partners deserved the honour for helping to build Globacom into a foremost Nigerian, African, and global brand.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014—29

The best should lead the rest —Ode to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

BY ALFRED OMOLEWA

This ensures the course offering is far more than just generic theory; it speaks directly to the issues faced by Africa’s leadE live in volatile times. With econo ing thinkers. “Executive development with mies all around the world caving in leading academics and the insights of pracon them, causing ripple effects that spread titioners from the Transformations in Govthroughout our increasingly global planet, ernance, Creating Sustainable Solutions investors and governments alike are frantiprogramme provides participants with a cally searching for signs of hope. And many new perspective and approach to their own are finding that hope in a region with its leadership roles,” explains Dr Catlin McElown share of rocky histories and failed econroy, Programme Director of the University omies. Africa: A continent of 54 unique of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and countries, it has certainly seen its share of the Environment. “Participants’ engageupheavals. But now it is becoming a land ment with the latest research and best pracof opportunities as it experiences the hightice cases will help prepare them for the est rates of return on investment found anychallenges of governing in a changing where in the developing world and many world.” of the fastest growing economies on the And those challenges are not to be taken planet. lightly.

In countries that still struggle to keep But are Africa’s private and public organup, the problems that plague any developisations ready for the challenges to come? ing nation are rampant, with unstable elec“These Executive Minds” (TEXEM), is a tric grids, constant security challenges, atroworld class executive training institution cious road networks, rampant corruption, that believes they are and is prepared to and institutions struggling just to stay help senior execs expand their skills in an afloat. Even Africa’s more developed naeffort to face the future. TEXEM in parttions can feel the effect of their neighbours’ But are Africa’s private and public struggles as spillover organisations ready for the challenges occurs or as they attempt to work with other to come? governments or markets in the region.

With coming changes and forecasts of nership with first-class institutions provides further explosive growth, these challengselect capacity development programmes es must be addressed and they must be that draw from real-world organisational sceaddressed fast. This is the intention of the narios taking place in the world’s top instilatest EDP programme. tutions and condenses these lessons into Alim Abubakre, the founder and director fast-paced programmes that top executives of TEXEM, notes: “Many senior execucan use to soak up new skills swiftly and tives already acknowledge that governance bring back home to implement in the dechallenges in emerging economies hamveloping world right away. per their ability to foster inclusive and susTheir latest Executive Development Protained growth within organisations and gramme, “Creating Sustainable Solutions: nations. The issue addressed in this proTransformations in Governance,” takes place gramme is how transformations in goverthis April in collaboration with the Univernance can offer sustainable solutions to the sity of Oxford, and like most of their offermyriad of challenges that these organisaings is not only based on real-world expetions face. The programme will enhance riences but is tailored to confront the realiparticipants’ expertise and their conceptuties of changing corporate governance in al foundation while challenging assumpmodern-day Africa. tions and empowering them as leaders to shape and strengthen their organisations’ performance, with a view towards achieving national prosperity.”

The next four-day executive workshop is scheduled from April14 to April 17, 2014 at Oxford University, an elite institution of higher learning known throughout the international community. Participants will access some of the unique lessons and insights offered by TEXEM through a range of important topics, including Strategic Management, Adaptive Leadership, Public Sector Innovation, Principled Negotiation, Political Innovation, and Sustainability.

Each participant will walk away with a certificate from the University of Oxford, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment and membership in a new community of invaluable contacts – liked-minded executives spanning the African continent and the world at large.

BY ALIM ABUBAKRE

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A

SIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as a leader of his people and a political powerhouse in Nigeria is not by accident. In Yorubaland, historically, leaders outside the monarchy are not chosen; they emerge.

Those who are called ‘Akikanju’ are those who have weathered storms, fought valiantly and emerged victorious.

The Yorubas love their folktales and rally round their heroes. They defer to the man who shows wisdom, strength and compassion in the proper measure. In the past 15 years of our democracy, no man has done this more expertly, conAsiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu sistently and with diligence than Bola Tinubu. gular act won him the admiration, It is said that dreams come true. Howrespect and loyalty of those we see ever, one must ask what audacity Tinuaround him today. They know in bu had to dream that one day he would Tinubu they have a friend and a return home and lead his people after General who won’t fail them. They the military junta under the vicious and trust him and he trusts them. Very manic Abacha hounded him into exile. unlike a lot of politicians I know.

No man with his faculties intact would Secondly, after winning the elecinsist that Nigeria would return to detions, Tinubu quickly surrounded mocracy given the tyranny in the land himself with the most competence at the time. However, Tinubu is no ordigroup of men and women he could nary man. find. He reached out across the poThis man was born with the foresight litical divide to get the best hands to and restlessness never before seen. His work with him. He even raided the desire for progress consumes him so private sector to get seasoned promuch; he is ready to sacrifice anything fessionals for the great task of turnto see a dream come true. Unlike most ing around the fortunes of Lagos. It politicians, his word is his bond. When he says, “I will do it,” his friends and assoAfter winning the elections, ciates know it is as good as done. Such is Tinubu quickly surrounded the character that himself with the most compemade him the rallying tence group of men and women point of most of the progressives who he could find were exiled in the Abacha era. They knew in Tinubu, they didn’t matter to him that these guys would find succour, wisdom and hope. probably didn’t like him; it only matHe never failed them. tered that they could do the job. Their Upon his return home, after fate made tribes, beliefs or political leanings the possibility of democracy likely, he set were on little concern to him; only out to lead the state he loved so much. their competence and ability. He had Against the run of play and powerful in his cabinet the most outstanding people who seemingly had better politi- individuals any political leader in the cal structures and money, he won the country had. Even the president ticket to contest the Lagos State Guber- would have been envious. That is natorial elections in 1999. This was a time how you know a man with a plan. when most of those with whom he hurThirdly, Tinubu took a firsthand dled with back in London chose to not assessment of the quandaries that participate in the democratic process. had befallen his beloved city. Lagos They were suspicious of the brand of was a disaster. It was a city dying democracy that was on offer. from every ailment. Security was a joke, traffic was a monster, justice was Loyalty of for hire and the environment was toxeveryone ic. The civil service was broken down and thugs ruled the streets. On top However, Tinubu jumped at the of these, the population was balloonchance. He had a plan. He was going to ing at an alarming rate.

An ordinary man would have givbe a different governor. He was determined to teach the other 35 governors en up and simply chosen to enjoy and the president how power could be the guaranteed largesse Abuja was used for good. The sinkholes within the legally-bound to send in every ill-conceived constitution and the fragil- month. But, again, Tinubu is no ority of the country at the time were not dinary man. The zest with which he going to deter him. He had a plan from and his team swung into action is legDay One. And, boy, did he deliver on it! endary.

In less than four years, the judiciaFirst, Tinubu understood he couldn’t get anything done on his own; hence ry was almost corruption-free (this he went on to secure the loyalty of ev- charge was led by the luminary brileryone around him. A story is told of how liance that is Yemi Oshibajo), securihe was tempted to ask his friends to let ty was vastly improved (even though go of their tickets, just so he would be the law makes this a federal governallowed a free run at his own election. ment responsibility), the civil service Tinubu was said to have told the gath- was computerized and recovering ering of elders that that would be the (despite the stiff opposition initially) last thing he would do. He told them, ‘I and traffic congestion was being tackwould rather let go of my ticket than led (using a blend of human resourchave people who sweated for their tick- es and modern techniques). et go because of me.’ I believe this sinTo be concluded

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Africa prepares for economic growth

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30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Xavi admits Atletico Madrid clash ‘ll be difficult

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arcelona midfielder Xavi has praised their Champions League opponents Atletico Madrid, but insists that his side will play their hearts out to win the tie at Vicente Calderon today.

The Catalan giants will have a job on their hands against their domestic rivals after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou last week.

For a team like Barcelona, who have a knack of winning trophies, Los Rojiblancos are

going to be a serious proposition as they fight to make it to the semi-finals.

“It’s a final, the match is a toss-up to see who wins”, the 34-year-old was quoted as saying by Spanish daily Marca.

“It’s hard for us to create opportunities against Atletico; it’ll be complicated. We are obliged to win, and that’s something that goes in our favour. “We will play our hearts out. In front of us we

will face a team to be destroyed. We will try to score first and then see how they react.”

Diego Simeone’s men have been going through a dream run this season, currently leading the Spanish league with 79 points and could well be on their way to the semifinals of the Champions League if they can even manage a goalless draw.

•Roon

•Dante

Rooney, Ba biggest thre

We’re ready to beat Barca — Courtois tletico Madrid’s number one A Thibaut Courtois says his team are well prepared for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona today.

With Atletico still in contention to win both the Spanish La Liga and Champions League titles, Courtois says his team-mates are focused on the immediate assignment, which is keeping their Champions League title hopes alive.

Atletico managed to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw during

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the first leg of the fixture at the Camp Nou last week and Courtois has received a considerable amount of credit for that.

However, the pressure will be on him to try and keep a clean sheet this week, which is all Atletico need to advance to the next phase of the tournament.

“I did my job, what everyone expects from me, which is shot stopping. I try to do it the best I can, but the rest of the players on the pitch are important too,” Courtois told Radio MARCA. “Their job is to fill the gaps and defend well.

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ayern Munich defender Dante believes that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is the biggest threat for the German champions, but stressed that the Red Devils also possess enough quality players to hurt them in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.

Bayern Munich host Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Allianz Arena today. The first leg finished in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian defender identified Rooney as the biggest Manchester United threat, and has warned his team-mates about the qualities that the England striker possesses. “I played with the national team against him.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 2014 — 31

TODAY'S MATCHES Atletico Madrid v Barcelona 7:45pm Bayern Munich v Man United 7:45pm

Murray in search of new coach

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Bayern se o break do wn sett tto down United blockade

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he bout in Manchester ended with both sides level, a battered underdog Manchester United landing unexpected blows on heavyweight champions Bayern Munich.

The next round begins with the belt-holders still possessing the upper hand, although one more blow and the champ could be down for the count. A fortress of solitude in the Bundesliga, the arching walls of Allianz Arena have not shielded the Rekordmeister in the Champions League, the Bavarians amassing a 2-1-1 record thus far at home in European competition. That being said, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus have all fallen at the hands of Bayern in the past two years.

United look to follow in the path of Arsenal and Manchester City before them, forcing Bayern into a battle of brinksmanship. With suspect results fresh in their minds, how the Bayern players will respond to adversity could determine the result.

ney

imbledon champion Andy Murray revealed yesterday that he will soon begin his search for a new coach and hopes to have appointed one by the French Open in May. “I’ll definitely look at it over the next couple of weeks,” said the world number eight. “I don’t plan on playing much tennis for the next week because I haven’t had much time off this year.” The 26-year-old Scot ended a two-year collaboration with Ivan Lendl last month and is due to meet with members of his back-room team on Wednesday to discuss plans to appoint a successor.

Serena top WTA rankings

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merican Serena Williams remains dominant on top of the latest WTA world rankings released on Monday despite her loss in the second round at Charleston last week.

The top five remains unchanged, but Germany’s Andrea Petkovic moves up 12 places to 28th and Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic is up one spot to 12th after their wins at Charleston and Monterrey respectively.

Mo Farah in tough marathon debut

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Guardiola

ayern Munich’s eat — Dante He is a world-class striker. He has a good eye for goal, is lightning fast in the first few meters and has a great shooting range”, the 30-year-old told the club’s official site. Although Rooney has been injured with a bruised toe and is a doubt for the game, the Bayern Munich defender refused to be complacent and thinks that Manchester United will have enough quality players on the pitch to hurt the Bavarians in Munich.

“We need to defend well – even if Rooney is missing because Manchester have a lot of quality.”

Manchester United and Bayern Munich last met in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the 2009/10 season. In the first leg at the Allianz Arena, Ivica Olic scored a late winner for the Bavarians.

slams Man United’s tactics

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EP GUARDIOLA expects Manchester United to park the bus when they come to the Allianz Arena tonight.

Bastian Schweinsteiger ’s second-half equaliser at Old Trafford last week means United have to score at Bayern’s fortress to progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

But Guardiola is not bracing himself for an attacking onslaught from the reigning Premier League champions.

“They are so defensive,” the Bayern coach said, when asked about his experience of playing English teams.

“They use the counter-attack very well.

“It’s always difficult when one team stays there just to defend, and waits until you make a mistake.

“Obviously when they play at home they attack a little bit more but when they play away they defend.

“Maybe (United manager) David Moyes thinks another thing, but I think they are going to wait back with eight or nine players in the box, await our mistake and wait for a free-kick or a corner to punish us.”

ritain’s double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah makes his eagerly-awaited marathon debut in London on Sunday, but has his work cut out with the jump-in distance and competition from top Kenyans and Ethiopians. Kenya’s elite runners say they have little to fear from the newcomer to the distance, predicting a baptism of fire for Farah as he grapples with uncharted racing territory coupled with seasoned marathon veterans setting a punishing pace.

Pacquiao raring to go against Bradley The camp of Manny Pacquiao made sure that the 8-division former world champion is thoroughly prepared for every trick Timothy Bradley has to offer this weekend.

Buboy Fernandez said the fighting congressman knows what to do if the defending WBO welterweight champion decides to back-pedal and run. “Two weeks ago pa, meron na kaming panagot sa running style ni Bradley,” Fernandez, Pacquiao’s bestfriend and longtime cotrainer, told Philboxing.com’s Eddie Alinea.

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32—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Nike Oshinowo

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Linda Ikeji L

•Linda Ikeji

Bianca Ojukwu

IKE every good blogger in any part of the world, top Nigerian blogger Linda Ikeji is notorious for getting into the bad books of celebrities, but it would appear the tough-skinned lady has stepped on one toes too many this time around: that of sensational rising hip-hop superstar Olamide. The duo has been engaged in a bitter Twitter fight that does not look set to ababte soon.

The bone of contention from all indications is that the blogger had earlier reported a story that Olamide’s long-term girlfriend and baby-mama, Aisha is allegedly pregnant with another child.

The Omo to Shan crooner on his part insists that the story is not only false, he is not even yet a father, and that Linda’s story is unfounded and untrue. Fans of both parties have taken sides right now, with many tweeting in support of their camps.

It is not the first time- and we suspect it will not be the last- that LI has been accused of ‘untrue or fake reporting”, the classic example being her bitter quarrel with Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson earlier this year..

MBATTLED wife of deceased warlord Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu appears to be holding out in the face of continued accusations and rumours regarding the passing away and the will of the late Colonel.

Gist about her has been all over cyberspace, particularly within the Igbo community, in the last weeks, on account of the conferment of an honorary doctorate on her late husband by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) last week. This, she received on his post-humous behalf.

Earlier, Madam Ambassadress had been installed as an APGA faction leader in the place of her man.

Also awarded was oil billionaire Folorunsho Alakija who declared to the audience: “I once dared to dream”.

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UBLISHER of TW magazine, communications expert and winner of Vlisco Women’s Month Adesuwa Oyenokwe announced her victory in cyberspace, to the pleasure of all her fans last week. She was actually announced winner for the Nigerian category at the Award winning ceremony on Saturday, 30th March, 2014. Apparently Oyenokwe was singled out amongst many others as a result of her outstanding roles and performances in media.

Vlisco Women’s Month celebrates inspiring women in West and Central Africa during the whole month of March. This year’s theme is DARE TO DREAM, a tribute to women who have the faith and courage to realise their dreams. Vlisco has nominated women with outstanding achievements in West and Central Africa.

Honour well deserved.

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delegate at the National Confer ence, Jummai Bello, shocked her colleagues when she lambasted the womenfolk for fuelling corruption in Nigeria.Ms. Bello, a delegate of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, put it all down to the failure of women to properly raise their children.

According to her, “rather than rebuking their husband for living above their means or buying cars that their salaries could not afford, some women compare their husbands with their neighbours thereby pushing them to engage in corruption”. Seriously?

While her speech goes viral, cyberspace is undecided as to whether it should laugh or cry.

Deziani Allison Maduekwe H

ATERS of the first female Nigerian Petroleum minister are not about to be placated anytime soon, if feelers from Aso Rock would be anything to go by. Social networkers and bloggers alike complained no end about

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Adesuwa Onyenokwe

Jummai Bello

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991 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria might be 46 years old this year, but she does not look about to stop living life on her own terms. She has never shown, either, any sort of aversion for controversy, from marriage to divorce to ‘motherhood’ to…

The latest rumour on cyberspace is that the fitness practitioner has dabbled into cosmetic surgery to make her perfect self even more perfect.

And there are photos to prove it, of her “well structured high cheek bones, such professionally sculpted and well rounded ones at that”. What is it they say again about the taste of the pudding?

a statement released by Presidential spokesperson, Doyin Okupe, addressing allegations that the delectable minister had questions to answer about plane charters and such like.

“The true fact of the matter is that it is the House of Representatives that claimed to be in possession of certain documents relating to the leasing of private jets for which they decided to institute a probe. The Presidency is NOT in possession of such papers, neither has any petition relating to such issue been received by the Presidency. Therefore the Presidency is not in any position to investigate a matter that it has no fact or presentation on”.

Okupe explained that the Presidency has, therefore, chosen to await the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives before undertaking any reasonable action.

Followers are not convinced.

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EANWHILE curvaceous veteran Nollywood actress decided to share tips with her online fans about the longevity of her marriage. Her secret: She is not a “feminist”. “I don’t believe in gender equality. I do not believe that God made man and woman to be equal in any way. I believe that in every organised institution, there is always a head and an assistant. It doesn’t mean that one should take the other for granted, or disrespect the other. I believe the husband is the head of the home and the wife is an assistant. My husband is a pilot, I have flown with him several times and I understood that here is a captain and a co-pilot. They are both responsible for the passengers’ lives. But when there is a final decision to make, it is up to the captain to make it. He is more experienced and the one with the responsibility.”

“When there is a quarrel, I usually apologise first. He doesn’t say sorry. Overtime, I have come to realise that it is an ego problem. Even when he knows he is wrong, he will rather do every other thing or buy things for me than say, ‘I’m sorry.’ Fortunately, the ‘sorrys’ are not too many. He is very responsible and more hardworking than me. By God’s grace, we have been able to understand our routine.”

Deep stuff, coming from Nollywood.

Vanguard, APRIL 9, 2014, PAGE 33

Capacity building is a critical part of our success story —Clare Omatseye

BYESTHER ONYEGBULA

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ETTING up a pharmaceuticals equipment importation company I have a career spanning about 23 years in the Nigeria health sector; I spent 14 years of my career in pharmaceutical sector.

It was a bit of a shock when I became the Country Manager of

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Family Healthcare and I saw the total dilapidation of the infrastructure in the healthcare sector. It was a big eye opener. At that time it dawned on me that what we required as a country was not products. It was a solution that was required. People required hand holding, a full garment, and not just a provision of equipments, but to make sure that such equipments are properly installed

and operational, and full maintenance provided, so that people get a return of investment on their capital expenditure. So that is how JNC International Limited came into being. It has been nine years now, and we have staff strength of about seventy.

The journey so far We wanted to provide a company that would provide full solutions for our clients and ensures that we can make an impact. And having said this we developed an in-house training institute. We developed our own local engineers; a team of 15 engineers headed by an expatriate. In the beginning we had expatriated install most of our equipment, but as we grew things changed. Right now about 98% of our equipment that we install is done by Nigerians in this country. That is to show how much we have had to scale up.Bridging skill gap via providing quality healthcare In doing this we also helped our client because, the quality of our education has actually dropped. You find out that there is a skill gap. So we had to bridge the skill gap by bringing quality healthcare. We do training sections and workshops.

Proudly Nigeria Capacity building is an essential and critical part of what we do and our success story.

We are proudly Nigeria. We want to make sure that we are not joining any of the other companies in dumping of unusable equipment in the country, or bringing in of substandard equipment, or third hand equipment or equipment that was meant only for Africa. We sell the same equipment that we sell in Nigeria, exactly what is sold in the states or in Japan.

Considering our peculiar

infrastructural challenges Technology is important but we need the appropriate technology bearing in mind our infrastructural challenges that we have in the country. For example with theatre lights we have made sure that there is always battery back-up. If you are doing a CT scan or an MRI you must have a robust UPS in place that protects

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CLARE Omatseye is the Managing Director, CHAN Medi-Pharm Limited, and President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria- HFN. Several years back she established JNC International Limited to stop the dilapidation of the infrastructure in Nigeria healthcare sector and improve the health status of Nigerians. Claire is a Graduate of Pharmacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and holds an MBA from the University of Navarra -Barcelona Spain. She is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School and has attended several professional trainings in her field. A seasoned pharmacist with over 23 years of experience in hospital pharmacy, sales, marketing, regulatory affairs, distribution, business development and strategic management, she has worked in several blue chips pharmaceuticals. She currently sits on the board of other reputable organizations. In this interview, she talks about what inspired her into establishing a pharmaceutical equipment importation company amongst sundry issues. Enjoy!!!

the only full cardiac centre in the country. Presently, some of those patients that had to go to India are now being treated in Nigeria.

Five years into the future One of the things that we are passionate about is for us to improve diagnostic and prevention. We provide just diagnostic equipments to help detect cases like cancers. Without

We are proudly Nigeria. We want to make sure that we are not joining any of the other companies in dumping of unusable equipment in the country, or bringing in of substandard equipment, or third hand equipment or equipment that was meant only for Africa

the equipment from powers surges but also keeps it running in the event of power down.

Company’s growth curve in the last five years Initially we grew by words of mouth. We had no sales persons on the field; one satisfied client told another. People were happy and when people are happy they tell others. So, that was how we grew. But obviously people needed more attention, so, as we grew bigger, we deployed more people. Since then, we’ve recorded a minimum of 20% growth each year in areas such as human resource, finance, capacity and impact. We have grown from being a Lagos based company to now having a national spread. Thereafter, we did full cardiac centre and it is

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providing intervention equipments for radiography, people will still be exported out of the country. So, we need to be able to curb medical tourism by not only doing the diagnostic side but also improving intervention.

What is the consultative forum about?

The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria is a non-profit organisation set up for advocacy, to make a change in private health care sector, to create enabling environment to redress some of the negative things going on in the health and private space. So, to be able to do this, we need to interact and engage all members of the health sector.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

2015:

APC’ll disappoint PDP — Peterside

CHAIRMAN House of Representatives committee on Petroleum Resources, Mr Dakuku Peterside in this interview, explains why he staged a walk-out at the Federal Ministry of Works budget defence session in the National Assembly. He also spoke on other issues including the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.Excerpts

BY GBENGA OKE

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OW will you describe weekends Congresses of APC across the country?

I am unaware of crisis that rocked some states during the APC congresses, but I can confirm that the congress was peaceful in the whole of SouthSouth and South-East. For a large party practising democracy, such is expected. That is the very nature of political contest but what is important is the management of the process.

APC is no longer the majority party in the House. Do you foresee more members leaving for the PDP? I don’t see more persons leaving for PDP. The movements of members recently were in both directions. It also showed that people are enjoying more freedom which is fundamental in democracy. However, you are aware that there is allegation that some of these movements were influenced by inducements.

I may not know the veracity of that allegation but it is definitely a scenario. Ultimately, what I am sure is that most members of the National Assembly identified with the philosophy of APC . Very few persons are comfortable with the current dysfunctional system.

Most persons yearn for change meaning they believe in APC, though local factors vary. You cannot ignore the influence of local politics.

It is unfortunate that some party chieftains left. But if you consider the sentiments of youths in their respective states you will agree with me that it is almost a none issue. Nigerian youths are interested in a party and leaders who can guarantee them quality education, employment, security of lives and properties among others.

Neither these leaders nor their new party can give them that. So you can see that Nigerian youths know what they want and they constitute the bulk of voters.

How sure are you that APC has what it takes to retain the governorship seat in Rivers State come 2015?

Retaining power in Rivers State involves a combination of factors.

Who among the gladiators will protect the interest of all Rivers people against the interest of a particular clan? Who will work for the interest of Rivers people

above personal consideration?

Who among these political actors have character and competence?

Character will be the key in deciding who to follow in the state. APC in Rivers State is led by men of character.

Most importantly, APC leadership in Rivers State is populated by God fearing men and women. The recent party registration exercise in the state has shown that majority of registered voters, registered as members of APC to the chagrin of our detractors.

Some have argued that your party will disintegrate with time, what is your take?

It is unfortunate that PDP is behaving like the proverbial woman who cannot give birth and is blaming her mate. PDP will be disappointed. It does not make sense to hope on the misfortune of your neighbour for you to thrive, instead of planning and working hard to emerge victorious. PDP had opportunity to solve some of Nigeria’s problem in the past, but it blew it.

The party has by its actions and inactions promoted corruption to new heights, advanced impunity to a level never seen before in

•Peterside: I don’t see more APC members leaving for PDP the polity. They also institutionalised mediocrity and nepotism in governance. If you ask the average Nigerian on the street what he will associate the PDP with, the best he can tell you is election rigging and corruption.

Recently you staged a walk out during a Federal Ministry of Works budget defence session in the National Assembly. What actually happened?

I looked through the budget proposal and confirmed that there is absolutely no intention to do any project in Rivers State in the year 2014 despite our contributions to the economy and the votes we gave to the current

government. I raised alarm that the implication of denying Rivers infrastructural projects is akin to declaring war on the state. I saw this zero allocation to all federal road projects in Rivers State as an extension of the political persecution Rivers State is going through for some time now. I considered it morally indefensible to seat in a session where Rivers State will be cheated.

I had to loudly register my protest by staging a walk out. I am told the Minister did not deny my assertion but explained that the Ministry discovered that Ahoada-Omoku road dualisation has been awarded by the NDDC,

Now, we need resource democracy, not resource control — Bassey

Confab:

REV. Nnimmo Bassey, is an architect by training, a human and environmental rights activist and a founding member of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA). Currently at the National Conference representing the civil society, he, in this interview, spoke on his expectations at the confab insisting that it would not be a conference to balkanize Nigeria.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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s a delegate to the on-going National Conference, what are your expectations?

My expectations are that this confab will not be business as usual. The basic issues that have worked against the advancement, the rights and interests of the citizens will be fundamentally tackled. I expect that at the end of the day, the confab will utilise the space already created by the Executive

which we hear that the National Assembly is already working on, which is, at the end of the day the outcome of the confab can be subjected to a referendum so that Nigerians can say, ‘We the people of Nigeria reached this agreement or produced this guideline on how to run Nigeria, how to live as Nigerians.’

I expect that by the time the confab rounds up, produces a report, there would be an enabling platform to utilise the report. The president also emphasised that sovereignty

thus his Ministry is not proceeding with it. The Minister said the money meant for that project will be applied to Degema-Abonnema road which is not in the budget. How he will do that is yet to be seen as there is no budgetary provision for such.

The Minister is not the National Assembly that appropriates. The Minister claimed that BonnyBodo road will be executed under public private partnership after being listed in the budget for several years. On rehabilitation of Enugu-PH Expressway, the minister said it will be given adequate attention this year but refused to acknowledge that Rivers State government has awarded the section within the state to JDP Limited, an Israeli firm. .

Do you share the assumption of some that Amaechi likes courting trouble?

I don’t agree with them. Some persons may not like the fact that Governor Amaechi is vocal and forthright, nobody will take away the fact that Amaechi is fighting for the right ideals. Nobody will deny the fact that Amaechi has performed well, has character and can go to any length to protect the things dear to the minds of Rivers people.

Governor Amaechi is not our everyday politician who quite often lacks courage and do not have principles and ideals to live for.

Those who o p p o s e resource control are doing so because of the understanding of the implications of what resource control would mean.

I personally •Bassey:Every territory must believe that contribute to the National Treasury what we should be belongs to the people and they talking about should not be could be able to rise up and resource control but resource defend what they believe they democracy where territories own the resources and then, there will need.

On discordant tunes among be a freely reached agreement on delegates over issues like what each territory should resource control and fiscal contribute to the centre. This means, if a territory has coal for federalism It is expected that there will be example, they own the coal; they many issues where agreements own 100 percent of the resources, will not be easy and this not 10 percent or 50 percent.

They may decide to give 50 or particular issue could be one of the areas. I do believe that every 90 percent to the centre. So, the section of this country would issue will be what should the want to see the political Continues on page 36 restructuring of this country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014—35

NBA, NUJ preach peace, begin anti-violence initiative STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON & GBENGA ARIYIBI

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HE Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have agreed to form a peace initiative for the success of the election.

They equally planned to put machinery in motion against electoral fraud and violence before, during and after the June 21 election.

Operating under the banner of NBA/NUJ Peace Initiative (NNPI), the group is planning to organize a debate for all the candidates of the political parties and their running mates.

At a joint press conference addressed by NBA Chairman, Ado Ekiti branch, Barr Joseph Adewumi and NUJ Chairman, Mr. L aolu Omosilade, they lamented that the State was yet to recover from the trauma occasioned by the protracted election petition that dogged the 2007 and 2009 rerun elections in the state.

Adewunmi lamented that the orgy of violence that had been the hallmark of election in the state should not continue, pleading that the forthcoming election should be made a benchmark that would transform electioneering process in the country. ” We are all living witnesses to the fact that elections in Nigeria generally have been fraught with criminal violence leading to burning of property, arson, maiming and killing of innocent people.

Poverty:

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Many reasons can be advanced for this unsportsmanship acts.

“In some cases, the electoral umpire themselves have not lived up to expectations in terms of planning and execution of elections, neutrality and impartiality.

Also, the political parties and their candidates are more often intolerant of the

opposition candidates”.

He called on the gladiators of major parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), to make the campaigns issue based in the interest of peace. ”What we are doing is to ensure that we have peace

and participatory democracy before, during and after the election. We want peace in Ekiti. We don’t want a repeat what of happened in this state after 2007 and 2009 rerun elections, where Ekiti was known for violence. We are looking up to a situation whereby the winner and losers of this election can embrace one

another after the announcement. We don’t want a repeat of operation ‘ wetie’ of the old Western Region,” the NBA chairman said and appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to work assiduously to make the polls credible and peaceful.

PDP, APC trade words over attacks T

HE Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as “barbaric, callous and primitive” the attack on campaign office of the party’s 2014 governorship candidate, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose, in Ado Ekiti on Monday.

In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, the party said the kind of naked and wanton display of power by the alleged PDP thugs on Monday, who shelled the campaign office with bullets, had never happened in the history of Ekiti State.

Oluwawole alleged that when the convoy of Governor Fayemi was driving past Fayose’s campaign office, some Fayemi thugs allegedly fired shots at them without being provoked by four aides of Fayose who were rightly sitting in the inner room and did not know what transpired outside until they had gun shots directed at the office building.

vanity, rather should save his energy till June 21 when he will be booted out of office”, he said.

•Fayose

•Fayemi

The party spokesperson further alleged that “less than five minutes after the convoy of Governor Fayemi had driven past the campaign, about ten of the APC thugs on the convoy returned to the campaign office, entered the premises and shattered the building window glasses and vehicles parked within the premises with bullets. Four aides of Fayose in the office at that time escaped death by

whiskers."

“This action of Fayemi is very absurd and he should never think that he has monopoly of violence," he stated.

However, the PDP has appealed to its members to remain calm, law abiding and never take law into their hands saying "governor Fayemi should not dissipate energy on violence and

APC reacts In its reaction, the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation said it will never do anything to truncate the peace in Ekiti State.

Spokesperson of the campaign organisation, Mr Dimeji Daniels said “the APCled government in Ekiti State, as can be attested to by Ekiti people, restored peace to the state. It will never do anything to truncate that peace."

Speaking further, he said, "the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has always harped on the need for peace.

Even at difficult times when his supporters or members of his party were attacked, he did not deviate from the path of peace. I would advise the Labour Party and the PDP to think of another tactic to draw attention.”

Elders commend Fayemi for stipends

OME beneficiaries of the monthly stipends for the aged in Ekiti State have commended Governor Kayode Fayemi, for rescuing them from the fangs of poverty.

During the visit of the governor’s campaign train to Ekiti East Local Government Area, the beneficiaries of the social security scheme for the elderly, who turned up in large numbers, took turns to extol the good works of Fayemi, while praying for his success at the forthcoming

polls.

At Araromi-Oke, Mrs. Rachel Olorunfemi, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, said the governor had through the monthly stipend made hunger a thing of the past in the lives of many elderly persons in the state. She prayed for Fayemi’s success at the June 21 election and the continuation of his good works.

The rally was also largely attended by youths, who praised the Fayemi

administration for its many job creation initiatives such as the Volunteer Corps under which unemployed youths are trained in skill acquisition and paid N10, 000 monthly.

Speaking at Araromi-Oke, the youth leader of the community, Aremu Jimoh, who led many members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to defect to the ruling APC, said they left the PDP because of the light the Fayemi administration had shone in the state through its

many life-enhancing programmes.

At Omuo-Oke, a community the governor recently granted autonomy, the excitement that rent the air as those at the rally sighted Fayemi’s campaign was electrifying. It was as though the whole the community had come to welcome the governor. While thanking the governor for granting them autonomy and executing many projects executed in their community, they assured him of their

votes at the polls.

An indigene of the town, Mr. Oluwasegun Otetubi, who donated a bus to the governor ’s campaign team, said Fayemi is a governor who cares for all. “I attended Omuo-Oke Grammar School.

This is a school that was built over 30 years ago. Dr. Fayemi has renovated the school. He has granted us autonomy as well. We assure him that we will vote massively for him,” Otetubi said.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

We paid no ransom for Ebikeme Clark's release— DELTA GOVT

Ibusa Knights of St. Mulumba induct new members

BY EMMA AMAIZE

C

W

HRISTIANS have been enjoined to always have faith in God and ensure that they show love to one another as directed by the Bible.

The Parish Priest in charge of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ibusa, Delta State, Rev. Monsignor Uzor, gave the charge in his sermon at a thanksgiving mass for the investiture of some Knights of St. Mulumba of Ibusa subcouncil, who were recently upgraded to the second degree of the order.

Uzor, who commended the leadership and members of the knights for their support and commitment, urged them not to relent.

The upgraded knights include Peterpan Okeze, Joseph Uchunor, Fidelis Chukwuka, Charles Okocha, Peter Egbuchue, Sir Lawrence Elege and Leonard Ughighele.

ARRI— DELTA State Government, yesterday, said that it did not pay ransom for the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clark, son of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay, in a statement, said: “The attention of Delta State Government has been drawn to a release by a group called Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, alleging that the state government parted with N500 million as ransom for the release of Ebikeme.

“In the said statement, it was also alleged that the kidnap was stage managed

by Ebikeme and the police to swindle the state government of such an amount.

“The Delta State Government wishes to state categorically that it did not part with any money as ransom for the release of

Akanu Ibiam Airport to cost N11.6bn— MINISTER

T

HE Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Terminal, Enugu, will be completed at a cost of N11.6 billion and ready by September next year.

The minister spoke, yesterday, after inspecting the ongoing construction works at the airport in Enugu.

Dr. Ortom, who is also the Minister of State for Trade and

Investment, was on tour with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and all heads of the aviation parastatals and other departments of the Ministry of Aviation.

The minister, who said he was impressed by the level of work done at the site, said by the assurance given to him by the contractors, the terminal would be ready

by September 2015.

Ebikeme.

“It is the policy of the government not to pay or encourage the payment of ransom by families as this encourages more kidnappings.

“The state government has had previous cases of high

profile kidnappings, where the victims were kept much longer than that of Ebikeme.

The government did not pay any ransom.

“Secondly, the amount being mentioned, N500 million, makes the allegation very foolish for anyone who

2015: Rivers may explode if... — PDP CHIEFTAIN

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State may explode in 2015 if an upland person was elected to replace Governor Chibuike Amaechi, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Sir Opunabo InkoTariah, said in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

He said that natural justice demands that a riverine man be elected to replace Governor Amaechi, who is also from the same upland area as former governor, Peter Odili.

According to him, the upland area of the state would have been governor for 16 consecutive years by the time Governor Amaechi

completes his tenure next year.

He explained that the politics of the state had naturally been divided along riverine and upland lines, adding that it was the reason the riverine area conceded power to Odili in 1999, when they had a firm grip on the political structure in the state.

He said: “Dr. Odili was elected governor in 1999. He is from the upland area. In 2007 Rotimi Amaechi was elected governor.

“At the end of his tenure, the upland area would have been governor for 16 years.

There is natural dichotomy in Rivers State between upland and riverine. God made it so.”

NGO lauds FG on power reforms

A

non-governmental organisation, Nigerian Voices, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for what it described as “the strong political will and leadership qualities displayed in tackling the power sector challenges that had plagued

Nigeria for decades.”

The group in a statement by its head, Mr. Ken Uwotu, noted that previous administrations had either not considered reforms in the power sector as a priority or simply saw the power sector as a ‘cash cow’.

‘Edo APC ward congresses successful'

T

HE Edo South S e c r e t a r y , Harmonisation Committee of legacy political parties in All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State chapter, Mr. Raymond Enogieru, has said that the party remains intact even as it concludes its ward congresses across the state.

Raymond, who monitored the rescheduled ward congresses in Oredo council, said that the successful outcome of the congress had finally silenced those in the opposition parties, adding that the congresses had strengthened the integrity of APC on its stance on internal democracy.

He said: “The congresses in all wards in Oredo were successful.

The situation of things here is the same as in all 192 wards in the state.

“Edo people are determined to toe the line of progress since the APC-led government under Adams Oshiomhole has delivered.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

knows how government runs and the logistics of that volume of fund movement, considering the fact that there were only two working days during the period.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

About United States' corruption verdict on Nigeria

W

HEN you talk about corruption, you have to think about the British power arrangement at independence; followed by the Civil War. How can we grow when we do not even know our actual population?— Ms. Nwaofor Chinaenye, Student.

N

IGERIA cannot get better with this present military decree called constitution, the born-to-rule mentality and religious violence.

There is no law and order here. What we have is Abuja Command.— Mr. Martins Dickson, Businessman.

W

ITHOUT the US, and their allies, our leaders cannot steal from us. If they want to help, let them publish the names of all Nigerians that have houses and bank accounts in Western countries.— Mr. Emmanuel Jannah, Showbiz.

I

must confess that I experienced the problem when I accompanied a friend to the police station to report a threat. Corruption is so entrenched in the system that the police openly solicit for bribes to do their duty.— Mr. Adio Kolade, Worker.

T

HERE is corruption everywhere in the world, even in the Vatican.

But the difference is that when people are caught in these other places, appropriate punishment is meted out.— Ms. Nnenna Mabel, Businesswoman.

T

HERE is no country in the world where there is no corruption.

For us to reduce it in Nigeria, we need to change these people that have been in power for over a decade without development.— Ms. Bridget Mokwenye, Student.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 37

Ecobank backs PPMC in fight against pipeline vandals

We've done well, says Customs boss

BY IFEYINWA OBI

T

HE ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, has said that his administration has done well, following the achievements recorded so far.

The Customs boss, who assured on more achievements, said: “For the four years that the current management of NCS has been in place, my emergence as the Comptroller-General of Customs has been seen as timely.

“My administration has responded to the yearnings and aspirations of the officers and men on the need to have a quality leadership that will move the Service forward, and my tenure has been held to be the messianic era in the history of NCS “We came with a six-point agenda which we believed was capable of curing the convulsions and eruptions of the past and pave way for a modern customs, maximizing the potentials of the Service through capacity building, moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in the Service, in tandem with the nation’s re-branding, ensuring enhanced welfare package for officers and men of the Service and consolidating on the e-Customs through ASYCUDA (Automated System of Customs Data) for international best practices."

DESOPADEC Commissioner lauds cleric

T

HE Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Ken Okolugbo, has commended the Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Bendel Province, Most Rev. F. J. Imaekhai, for the quality of those who received the Provincial merit award for 2014.

He said this will motivate them to do more for the church as a whole and thanked the Bishop of Ndokwa, Rt. Rev David Obiosa for finding him worthy to be nominated among the recipients.

He dedicated the award to his late parents the Very Rev and Mrs. E. Okolugbo.

C M Y K

E

AVIATION MINISTER TOURS AIRPORT PROJECTS IN ENUGU: From left: Mr. Femi Ogunode, Director, Maintenance & Engineering, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Dr. Jamila Shuára, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation; Mr. C.A. Nwobu, Airport Manager, Akanu Ibiam International Airport; Dr. Samuel Ortom, Supervising Minister of Aviation; Mr. Benedict Adeyileka, acting Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA and Mallam Ibrahim Abdulsalami, Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, during the Supervising Minister's tour of airport projects in Enugu.

Murder of Delta lawyers: Police declare 5 suspected kidnappers wanted zPolice have case to answer —NBA

BY EMMA AMAIZE & EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

ARRI—DELTA State Police Command has declared five suspected kidnappers/armed robbers wanted over the alleged murder of two lawyers, Egwuono Dafiogho and Samuel Ekwughanju, on March 27, in Ozoro, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Meanwhile, the Warri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has said the Police have a case to answer over the alleged murder of their colleagues.

The Warri branch of NBA, after a four-hour procession in the city, in protest over the murder of Dafiaghor and Ekwaghanju on their way to a Delta State High Court sitting in Ozoro, accused the police of jumping to conclusions with respect to the police recent statements on the

matter.

However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, gave the names of those declared wanted as Chucks, Obeji, Kelvin, Kaya Morgan and Shakara.

Aduba said they are members of “a dreadful and bloodletting gang, earlier led by Kelvin of Kokori, now on trial in Abuja and one Jonathan Ikoli, aka GSM, presently in our custody.”

According to him, the gang was responsible for the kidnap and killing of a former deputy governor of Anambra State and two others in Agbor, Delta State after collecting ransom in 2013; kidnap of the son of the Secretary to Delta State Government, SSG, in 2012 and others.

But NBA Warri branch chairman, Mr. Ben Oji, who briefed newsmen while reacting to comments credited to the state Po-

lice Commission, Mr. Aduba, absolving the police of any involvement in the matter, and also declaring five persons wanted in connection with the killings of the lawyers, said: “I saw the statement by the CP. It is unfortunate that they came up with such statements even before commencement of investigation. From the scenario of this case, both while it was in court and the death of one of the suspects in police custody, the police have questions to answer. Investigation must start from them.

“We shall today (yesterday) send a petition to the National Human Rights Commission asking for thorough investigation into the incident. We have contracted the NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN, who forwarded a petition to the Inspector General of Police asking him to take over the case.”

Egbema, Gbaramatu Ijaw condemn attacks on oil facilities panies close shops because

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

G

BARAMATU Ijaw of Warri South-West and those in Egbema, Warri North of Delta State, have condemned the recent attacks by a militia group on the oil facilities at Olero and Didi fields belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited.

The people, who also bemoaned prevalent oil theft in the area, noted that the attacks which halted oil production on the affected facilities in the area could have negative impact on

the economic well-being of the people.

Speaking under the aegis of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, the people described the incident as criminal, adding that there were better ways of ventilating grievances than vandalising oil facilities.

At an event to commemorate the one year in office of its executive officers, acting Chairman, EGCDF, Bishop Sunny Jero, said the recent development was not in the best interest of the people as the area would be worse off if the com-

of the hostile business environment.

He said: “Obviously, no development can take place in the absence of peace and security. We want support in the campaign against vandalism of Chevron’s facilities and oil theft. We call on the perpetrators of this inimical act to desist as it does not promote the general interest of our people.

“Shell Petroleum Development Company was actively operational in our swamps, but had evacuated due to unfriendly atmosphere."

COBANK Nigeria has donated two Hilux vans worth several millions of naira to Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, Warri, Delta State, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to support its fight against pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking at the presentation in Warri, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku, said that the negative impact of pipeline vandalism on Nigerians and the economy was enormous, stressing the need for sustained efforts to stem their growing activities.

Aku, who was represented by the Executive Director, South South/South East, Mr. Kingsley Umadia, said: “Vandalism is totally unacceptable. People suffer unduly during fuel crisis and same with the economy. We will continue to do whatever we can to support PPMC in this fight.”

2015: Delta women mobilise for more elective positions

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, a group of women in Delta State, Today’s Women, Tomorrow’s Pride Initiative, TWTPIN, has embarked on a sensitisation programme on the need to have more women from the state elected into higher positions.

The women group said that its objectives were to promote women's interest in nation building, mobilise funds for women in support of the actualisation of their dreams in their various fields and to empower more women at the grassroots.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the member representing Okpe/Sapele/ Uvwie federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Evelyn Oboro in Abuja, leader of the group, Princess Onatararoma Thomas, said that the goal of the association was to encourage women to be self-reliant.

38— Vanguard , WEDNEDSDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Aviation ministry workers, permsec set for showdown

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

B

ARELY one month after the whirlwind that swept away the Minister of Aviation and heads of parastatals, a fresh round of crisis is brewing in the Ministry as workers are set for a showdown with the new Permanent Secretary, Dr Jemila Shua’ra.

Sources at the Ministry, who spoke off record during the weekend, revealed that the workers were aggrieved over several pending issues, especially the delay in payment of their accumulated allowances and alleged the harsh administrative style of the permanent secretary.

Another source said whereas her predecessor, Mr George Osi, had approved payment for the accumulated allowances, Shua’ara refused to authorise payment since she assumed duty at the Ministry. The Permanent Secretary was also accused of being harsh and highhanded in her administrative style.

MHWUN deplores condition of health sector in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—IMO State chapter of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, has expressed displeasure with the deplorable condition of the health sector in the state.

State Chairman of MHWUN, Comrade Francis Nzewata, made the lamentation while fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri.

According to Nzenwata, the entire health sector is embattled as a result of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s love to commercialize and concession health care facilities in the state.

He expressed regrets that workers of the Specialist Hospital, Owerri, were still being owed backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances, which led to the workers’ indefinite industrial action and closure of health facilities.

C M Y K

Anambra govt at war with council over revenue collection

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—ANAMBRA State government and Onitsha North local government are currently at war over the establishment of a

traffic agency by newly-elected council executives in the January 11, 2014 local government poll in the state.

The state government had before the elected council executive set up a traffic agency,

tagged Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA, as one of its revenue window but soon after the inauguration of 21 council chairmen, Onitsha North local government quickly set up its own traffic outfit as a source of revenue for the council.

Speaking to reporters yesterday on the matter, the

PRESS BRIEFING: From left— Mr. Olumide Balogun, Senior Product Manager, Nokia West Africa; Mr. Chuma Ukeagu, Director, Public Sector, Microsoft Nigeria; Ijeoma Abazie, Corporate Affairs, Lead, Microsoft and Mr. Odo Effiong, Special Adviser to the Cross Rivers State Governor on ICT, Nigeria during a press conference at the weekend to unfold activities for Innovation Forum 2014 to be hosted by Cross Rivers State Government, Friday this week.

Court adjourns Umeh's suit challenging ouster as APGA's chair Oyebi, 1984 SCNLR 390 at 394

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

BUJA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, adjourned till April 19, to hear the appeal by Chief Victor Umeh and Dr. A. Shinkafi, challenging the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which ousted them as national chairman and national secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Presiding Judge, Justice Amiru Sanusi, adjourned after it struck out a motion for accelerated hearing of the appeal by the appellants’ counsel.

The appellate court is to hear the major issue in the appeal, which is whether the Federal High Court can validly sit as an Appeal Court over the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The appellants, Umeh and Shinkafi, are in the appeal challenging the whole decision of the lower court presided over

by Justice Abdul Kafarati on the grounds that he erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice, when he refused to uphold the preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

The appellants are further contending that the trial judge erred in law and thereby occasioned a grievous miscarriage of justice in refusing to abide by and giving effect to the judgment/order by the Court

of Appeal Enugu Division in Appeal number CA/E/84/2013 between Chief a Chief Victor Umeh v Ichie Okuli Jude Ejike delivered on July 15 2013 where the Court of Appeal returned Chief Victor Umeh as National Chairman of APGA. They are further contending that the trial judge ignored and overlooked the binding and authoritative decisions of the Supreme Court in Oloriode v

and the unreported judgment of the Court of Appeal in appeal number CA/E/84/2024 Chief a Victor Umeh v Ichie Okuli Jude a Ejike and a host of other judicial authorities.

According to Ikwueto “the trial judge also erred in law when he relied on the admission in the further and better affidavit in support of the originating summons that Maxi Okwu, after his expulsion as a member of APGA came back to the party in February 2013 or thereabouts.

Scavengers arraigned over alleged theft of 141 pieces of meters

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS—THREE scavengers were Monday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 141 pieces of old analog meters from the parking store of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The defendants, who reside at 32, Ipodo road and 13 Ipodo street area of Ikeja, include Ibrahim Yakubu 23, Adegbola Adesanya 42 and Kabiru Abdulahi 38.

The defendants are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing preferred against them by the police.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendants conspired with others

at large to commit the alleged offence on April 2, 2014.

He said the incident took place at at PHCN parking store along Oba Akran Avenue in Ikeja.

Okoi said the defendants stole 141 pieces of old analog meters, property of Ikeja electricity distribution company, which value was yet to be ascertained.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to section 409 and punishable under section 285 (5) (E) of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Magistrate Margaret DanOni granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chike Ohamobi, said Onitsha North local government erred in law by setting up such outfit when the state government was already empowered by law to do so.

“The law is clear that it is the state government that has the legal right to set up traffic agency as approved by the national council of transport that asked states to do that. local government can not use a ByLaw to establish a traffic agency.

“It is unconstitutional because the local government can not make a By- Law that would supercede the state or federal law,” he said.

The commissioner advised the council to dismantle its traffic agency and adhere strictly to the provisions of the constitution especially on areas that conferred certain rights on them.

He said: “We are in the same government, we don’t need to fight ourselves. The state needs peace and stability for the good of the citizenry of the state.”

He said the re-organisation of ASTA was currently going on, saying that those to be recruited now must have a higher institution certificate, while those already in service would be properly screened. and be taken if he or she met the requirement.

He said the Transport Ministry last Monday started decongetion in Onitsha, with plans to impound vehicles along Owerri/ Onitsha expressway as well as those on the central park, Obosi

Lady Nneoma passes on

L

ADY Nneoma Josephine Nkechinyere Egbom has died. She hails from Umudurunwaneri Umuwala in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

She was given the title the Pillar of the Laity by Bishop TA Ukwuoma of Orlu Diocese.

Until her death she was the President of laux 456 Amaigbo Commendary of Night of St John International.

Burial arrangement as announced by the family is on April 16 2014, while mass starts at 10 am at St John Catholic Church, Umuwala.

She is survived by eight children, grand children and other relations.

.Late Lady Nneoma

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014—39

FUNERAL: Mr. Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State (second left), discussing with Elder Mark Essit, Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government (second right), after the funeral of Chief Michael Akpan, elder brother of MajorGeneral Edet Akpan (rtd), former Pro-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Yola, at Iwok, Nsit Atai.

SESSION: From left, Mr. Edward Ukaegbu, former Chairman, APC Ward 15; Mr. Princewill Tobin, leader, APC ward 15, and Mr. Lawrence Elenwon, Chairman, APC ward 15, during interactive session with journalists, during the APC congress, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

BRIEFING: From Left, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer, Accenture Nigeria Limited; Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer, Kakawa Discount House/Chairman, Board of Directors, Junior Achievement Nigeria, JAN, and Mrs. Kunbi Wuraola, Executive Director, JAN, during press briefing on 15th anniversary of Junior Achievement Nigeria, at Kakawa Discount House, Marina, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

VISIT: Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), decorating Rev. Nicholas Okoh, and Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, during the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Primate's courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, Osogbo, weekend.

VISIT: From left, Junaid Dikko, Director, EMTS (Etisalat); Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer, MainOne; Temi Ogunbambi, Director, Network Engineering, EMTS, and Kazeem Oladepo, Company Secretary, MainOne, during a visit to MainOne’s Tier III Data Centre Construction site.

From left, Dr. Adis Senbanjo, founder of Radmed Diagonistic Centre; Mr. Ade Coker, Chairman, Spectrum Leads Ltd; Mrs. Joke Coker, Founder & CEO, I.N. Limited, INL, and Dr. Lanre Coker, doyen of architecture industry, at an art exhibition sponsored by INL

PRESENTATION: Onwuatu Ifeoma, Manager, Maraba Branch Winasbet Ltd, Mr. Ilo Ugo, grand winner, and Baiyekusi Bose, Assistant Manager, Maraba Branch Winasbet Ltd, during presentation of N9,178,430 cheque to the winner of Sports Betting, at the Winasbet Golden Gate Free Viewing Centre, Abuja.

VISIT: Mr. Bonny Asieba, Graphics Department, Vanguard Newspapers (left), explaining some processes of newspaper publishing to students of ABI Biggest Computer Institute of FORUM: Mrs. Foluso Ajulo, Head, Marketing/Sales Units,Vono Products Plc Info-Tech, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, during their visit to Vanguard Newspapers Head Office, in (4th left); Mrs. Titilayo Bakare, MD/CEO (6th left), flanked with the customers, during the 2014 customers' forum, at the company's premises, Lagos.

Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele C M Y K

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Jonathan condoles Sultan over brother's death

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has described the late Ciroman Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Bello MaiWurno, 72, who was also the elder brother of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, as a highly respected personality, who dedicated his entire life to the service of the people.

Jonathan made this known in Sokoto, while condoling Sultan Abubakar over the death of the Ciroman in Sokoto, yesterday.

Represented on the occasion by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, he said, “I am here on behalf of President Jonathan, the Federal Government and the entire citizens of this country to extend our sincere condolences on the loss of our brother, the Ciroman Sokoto.

We pray that those that he had left behind, Almighty Allah will continue to bless t h e m . ” Sambo prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the late Ciroma Aljannah Firdausi."

He also prayed Almighty Allah to grant his entire family, the Sultan and his council, the government and people of Sokoto the strength to bear the loss.

Enugu North tackles Ekweremadu

T

HE people of Nsukka in Enugu State have criticised the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, over his alleged attempt to work against the zoning policy of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015, describing the situation as unfortunate.

The people who spoke under the aegis of Nsukka Professionals Group, said that Ekweremadu’s ambition was being driven by selfishness and greed.

Addressing a news conference in Lagos, yesterday, to announce the forthcoming summit of the group, on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Grace Manor Hotel, Nsukka, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Dr. Nick Idoko, noted that the deputy Senate president’s "insistence that there is nothing like zoning in Enugu State runs contrary to Governor Sullivan Chime’s declaration that power will shift to Enugu North in 2015 in the spirit of fairness and equity."

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NBA tasks FG over prison reforms

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

D

UTSE—THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed shock over the state of Nigerian prisons saying that urgent steps should be taken by the Federal Government to decongest them.

The NBA, Dutse branch in Jigawa State made this known when its officials who accompanied the state chief judge, Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim, with other stakeholders including rights activists to the prison, discovered a dead prisoner in his cell at the Garu Satellite Prisons while on a visit to the facility.

The association also called on the Federal Government to make conscious efforts to de-congest prisons throughout the country.

The inmate, Damina Audu Jauru was alleged to have died due to excessive heat in the prison which had 160 inmates as against 50 which it was meant to a c c o m m o d a t e .

The NBA chairman in the area, Adamu Turaki Mohammed, said that some members of his

association discovered the death of Mohammed in his cell, blaming it on excessive heat occasioned by overcrowding.

Muhammed also explained that the situation at the Garu Satellite Prison as inhuman saying that “over 160 inmates are kept in the prison (Garu satellite prison) as against 50 which it was meant to accommodate.

”It is, therefore, against the background of this situation that the NBA is calling on the Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro and Comptroller General of the Prisons to intervene with the view to addressing the situation,” he said.

The NBA further asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, commission

the new satellite prison built by the Jigawa State government in Kiyawa Local Government Area, to help in ameliorating the precarious condition of the inmates in Garu Prisons considering the current excruciating hot weather to reduce the sufferings of the prison inmates across the nation.

From left: Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Njidekka Harry-CEO of Youth for Technology Foundation and Evans Wadongo, Executive Director and Chairman of SFDA-Kenya during one of the debate sessions at the London School of Economics Summit, in Lagos

Yero charges reconciliation committee

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

G

OVERNOR Mukhtar Ra malan Yero of Kaduna State, yesterday, urged the Police Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation of Farmers and Herdsmen to be wary of relying on the elite in the affected states to achieve its objective. Yero said rather than hold reconciliation meetings with elite who are the ones stoking the crises for selfish aims, the committee should hold their meetings with the rural people affected in the various communities to enable it get to the roots of the problem.

The governor spoke when the committee headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Michael Zokumo, paid him a courtesy call yesterday at Govern-

ment House in Kaduna, said it was only through active interaction with those directly affected that the panel would identify the true causes and proffer solutions to the crises.

He said, “The meeting should have been held in Kaura and other affected communities in order to involve people at the grassroots, so that you can sit down with the natives and Fulani to resolve the matter. You should actively engage the natives while carrying out your assignment.

The crisis is not about religion or ethnicity. It is being engineered by some people using religion just for their selfish interests.”

Governor Yero thanked the IGP for setting up the committee saying that dialogue remained the only panacea to the present pre-

dicament of the country, stressing that the state government was at present collaborating with traditional institutions in its effort at improving surveillance within communities, especially as it involved monitoring the movements and mission of strangers.

Kogi court remands rights activist

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA - AN Upper Area Court II in Kogi State, yesterday, remanded a rights activist, Akwu Goodman Akwu, 48, in prison for declaring Capt Idris Wada’s government illegal.

President of the court, Clifford Oyelude, who remanded Goodman shortly after his arraignment, said the oral application

FRSC to reintroduce traffic reflector

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE & ABU BRIDGET

A

BUJA—THE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, says plans are underway for reintroduction of the traffic retroflective jacket for all motorists across the country. Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, disclosed this at the flag off of a two day nationwide worldwide workshop on defensive driving techniques organised in Abuja.

He said the implementation of the traffic reflector was put on hold in the past following the myriads of petitions that opposed its earlier introduction but after the approval of same reflector by the World Road Safety Organization,

the FRSC is now working on the possibility of its reintroduction and implementation in Nigeria.

Chidoka said, "When we introduced traffic retroflective jackets in Nigeria, people started to write petitions and we had to deal with those petitions much as we can. At the same time, we discovered that the World Society of Road Safety Organizations, which incidentally the Corp Marshal Osita Chidoka is the President, was interested in it.

From then, we went back to the organization and as we speak, the association has approved the use of that retroflective jacket. At the same time, we have to come back home to see how we can go to the implementation table and see the possibility of getting it

He asked the Zokumo Committee to also address the issue of reprisals and revenge attacks, by ensuring that “security agencies prosecute anyone found culpable in an offence in accordance with the laws of the land.”

back into the main stream and properly adhered to."

He, however, sought the opinion of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW to brief them how the traffic reflector had helped them in reducing road accidents and car crashes, so as to enable them plan better for the reintroduction, adding, "We want you to tell us how it has helped your members nationwide and get their opinions on what the retroflectors have done to them. This will go a further step to help us in the implementation. I want to assure you that we are going to be back on it and it is coming on stream and FRSC will let that done because we say what we do."

for bail by his Counsel, Williams Aliwo, would be sorted out later. Akwu was said to have questioned the legitimacy of the election and subsequent inauguration of Capt. Wada, rtd, as governor of Kogi State in a protest letter to the State House of Assembly.

According to the Prosecuting Police Officer, Ajengbe Oluwayomi, “The accused was alleged to have on March 19, criminally conspired together and illegally led a protest to Kogi State House of Assembly complex.”

Oluwayomi said the protest was aimed at inciting members of the public against the governor as it alleged that Gov. Wada was illegally occupying the seat of power in Kogi Government House. ”The accused, led a group under the aegis of 'Association for Justice and Good Governance' to the Assembly Complex, on that day calling for implementation of the January 27 and February 17, 2012 Supreme Court judgement, and also published the same inciting information in a national newspaper on March 24, 2014, to cause disaffection and public disturbances in the state,” the state further alleged.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 41

C M Y K

42 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 43

44 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Professional advice may be needed over your finances but if you are sure of what you are doing you can go ahead. Be more family minded.

LEO; Some of you who are travelling purposely for love are in for a rewarding day. All of you will need to take your social life more seriously.

VIRGO; Unusual co-operation may come your way today but if you are carried away by this the whole thing may change soonest. Respect your spouse.

LIBRA; Tomorrow will prove more rewarding financially but you will have good opportunity to do things rightly within your working arena. Be loving.

SCORPIO; Although tomorrow may be your best day good opportunity to enhance your financial prospects will come your way even today. Try to be more practical however.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

P

ITY! I pity the rich man indeed. He is like the fowl that sweats but no one realise it because of its feather.

Meeting New People – 2 Many rich men want new experience but they can’t find any.

Some want friendship, that too is elusive to

TERROR MUDA

them. There are some that are hungry for companionship, yet, they can’t find any because everyone thinks

in “Never say goodbye”

they are alright.

Remember, the rich also cry. We can learn from each other – the rich, the poor, we are all students of life.

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when both your personal efforts and element of good luck will bring you much desired result. The more self assertive you are today the better for you.

CAPRICORN; Tomorrow is your day; although there will be some challenges within your base of operation today, eventual success will be yours. Be more family minded.

AQUARIUS; Even if friends have failed to live up to expectation in the recent days you will need to leave the past behind you and forge ahead. Lovers are fairly favoured.

PISCES; Business challenges of yesterday notwithstanding pleasant surprises are possible. The more financially ambitious you are today the better for your cause.

ARIES; Better opportunities indicated for those of you willing to be as self assertive as possible, and it could turn out to be a happy day to be remembered by real lovers.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; Although you will need to keep your secrets for the next few days that is not to say you should not pursue your financial interest. Take care of your health.

GEMINI; Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make an important move because good luck and success are closer to you today than you image. Be hopeful.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

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

Bola Kaduna.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Bola, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/ PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lens-Mercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both.

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person.

Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action.

Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/ emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGU ARD,WEDNESD A Y, APRIL 9, 2014 —45 ANGUARD,WEDNESD ARD,WEDNESDA

I don’t want a violent drunk Dear Bunmi, ’ve been with my boy friend for close to two years and we’re very much in love.

My boyfriend before him was nice but very possessive and we never did anything together.

My current boyfriend is such a contrast but I’m concerned about his drinking. I told him he has to cut down and he agreed, but a few days later, he was back at his favourite beer parlour.

My father was an alcoholic and he used to beat my mother.

My boyfriend is different from him, but my experience of drink has shown me how bad the result can be.

The fact that we disagree on this issue puts a strain on our relationship. Apart from this, we’re very much in love.

Boyede, bye-mail.

I

Dear Bunmi, CURRENTLY live with my partner. We use to have a very exciting social life, going out to night clubs, parties and hanging out with our friends, but since he got a

I

state-of-the-art personal computer, PC, it’s been nothing but him being glued to the contraption any slight opportunity he has. Do you think it is a phase he’ll out-grow or should I be worried?

He’s gone with my car, cash!

Dear Bunmi, Y BOYFRIEND was evicted from his rented accommodation a few month back and 1 took him in. His things were still with the bailiffs but he promised to offset the debts he said he owed so that he could get his life back.

I recently bought a new car and he offered to help me sell the old one. He offered to take it to a dealer who was also a friend but has disappeared with the car - and a substantial amount of money from my wardrobe.

Some of his friends told me a girl has been urging him to move in with her - and she lives in another town. He’s since changed his phone number and there is no way I could get an explanation off

M

him.

Anita, by e-mail.

Dear Anita, What’s there to explain when it’s obvious what he’s done? You need to get some emotional support to get you through the shock and grief you feel. You also need to report your car stolen. This wouldn’t do you much good as you voluntarily handed it over to him but it could help you recover the car. As for the money, that too is gone with the bad choice of a boyfriend you made.

You have no way of knowing things would turn out this way. Count your losses and move on. Only remember that not all men are heartless opportunists.

Kate by e-mail Dear Kate, As you’ve sadly found out, computers are extremely addictive and men are very addictive creatures. Never has there been an invention that can take up so much of a man’s time so pointlessly - perhaps with the possible exception of football, beer parlours and pornography!

So what should you do? First, don’t attempt sabotage - he’ll just spend days fixing the bloody thing and when he traces the problem back to a blob clogging up his disk, the finger of blame will inevitably point at you. If your aim is to make him forgo his PC for a while, then point him to a reputable cyber cafe or drape yourself seductively over his PC! Failing this, leave him to stew and go out with your friends.

The sight of you staggering home after a night of real fun may convince him to hit the ‘shut down’ button for the weekend. Look on the bright side: at least, you know where he is. What you don’t know is the website he’s logging on to!

He doesn’t feel the same as I do Dear Bunmi, HAD a good friendly relationship with an old school friend and one evening, after we’d had a few

I

to drink, we started larking about and I blurted it out that I really fancied him.

Things progressed from there and we spent the

I’m appalled I fell for this brute!

Dear Bunmi, MOVED in with my fiance as soon as we got engaged. That was some two years ago. Shortly after, 1 discovered he had another affair going and 1 was heart-broken. Fortunately, we worked through the problem and were looking forward to getting married.

A few months ago, I noticed signs of another affair - he would come in late without good reasons and was secretive with his mobile. In the end I decided to check his mobile when he was in the bathroom. He caught me looking through his text - and they were steamy ones not meant for me! He was so angry that we had a mighty row and he said it was over. He simply packed his things and left since the flat is in my

I

name. He had left me angry and heart-broken.

Tito, by e-mail Dear Titi, So what if your snooped?

Lovers do it all the time and they don’t get dumped as a result. Your snooping is not what caused the break-up of your relationship. First, it had got to the point where trust had gone, and that meant it was doomed, anyway.

Second, your fiance dumped you because he knew you were getting too close to the truth - that he was cheating again.

He was probably looking for an excuse to end your relationship without taking the blame.

Your checking his text just gave him the opportunity to do that and blame you.

You’re well rid of him

evening getting a bit more than friendly.

You can then imagine how embarrassed and gutted I felt when he told me he thought of me like a member of his family.

Well, I’m not and now I don’t know what to do, Hariat by e-mail, Dear Hariat, The bad news is that if you hadn’t admitted you fancied your friend, then you wouldn’t be hurt now. The fact that you took it further got your hopes up. It showed you what getting erotic with him was like - you loved it and now you miss it. The good news is that you now know the truth.

Your friend, much as he likes you, doesn’t want a relationship with you. So, go back to thinking of him as just a friend.

It’s going to be a painful experience, but you can at least start facing up to it - getting over him and realising you need to move on.

Take heart and don’t be too hard on yourself. There is a man out there who is just right for you - as a lover.

Dear Boyede, It’s obvious you have a lingering fear of men and not just

,

He’s too attached to his computer!

of those who drink.

After all, your dad, the man whose love you most needed handed you fear instead. He abused drink and the mother you loved and worshipped.

The disenchantment has left a cruel mark on you. As an adult, you resist the intimacy that you think of as being possessive.

Your boyfriend’s eagerness for life must have thrilled you initially. Now, his relaxed behaviour seems scary to you.

Because he fails to control his drinking, you feel uncomfortably confronted by proof that he is after all just another man who is unreliable and has faults.

Well, no man is perfect!

You’ve advised your boyfriend to be wary of abusing alcohol. Good for you!

Instead of repeatedly condemning his drinking, understand and respect his zest for living. Either love your man and accept this fallible man for who he is or walk away.

Af t e r a l l , y o u r d a d ...abused drink and the mother you loved. The disenchantment has left a cruel mark on you.

Instead of repeatedly condemning your boy friend's drinking, understand and respect his zest for living.

Either love your man and accept this fallible man for who he is or walk away.

,

He talks dirty on phone Dear Bunmi, Y BOYFRIEND of six months was recently transferred to relieve one of the staff in the branch office of the company he works for.

As a result, we see each other only at weekend, which isn’t so bad since we could chat on the phone whenever we feel like.

Lately, however, he’s resorted to calling me every night and has started talking dirty. I hate it - it is so embarrassing and I scarcely know how to respond. How do I handle this?

Diana by e-mail

M

Dear Diana, Talking dirty can be fun and a real turn-on, but if you

are not on the same wavelength, it can be a total turnoff. The key to getting it right is to find a vocabulary you’re both happy with. So the next time your man comes home, tell him how you feel. Then find a few erotic words you are really comfortable with.

Experiment with them in your love-making, so when he uses them on the phone, you’ll link the words with pleasure.

After doing all this and it is still a no-no for you, it must also be a no-no for your man. But if you take it slowly, in time you could get to enjoy the talk just as much as he does.

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

46 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 NEWS ON BRIEFS

US warns on Iran ‘breakout’ capability as nuclear talks start

Ukraine: Nato warns Russia against further intervention N

ATO has warned Russia that further intervention in Ukraine would be a “historic mistake” with grave consequences.

Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Moscow must pull back troops it has massed on the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine , yesterday regained control of one of the government buildings occupied by pro-Russian activists in the east of the country.

Moscow has said that using force to end the protests could lead to civil war.

However, in Luhansk, officials said “radicals” occupying the state security building had placed explosives and were holding about 60 people against their will. Activists in the building denied having explosives or hostages but said they had seized an armoury full of automatic rifles.

Kiev says the unrest in the east is being fomented by Russia following its annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

Russia took control in Crimea - where Russianspeakers are in a majority after a disputed referendum.

In another developments: The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet senior officials on

OUTH African athlete Oscar Pistorius has described the moment he fired the shots which killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home.

He told his trial in Pretoria he had heard noises from the toilet and thought an intruder was coming out.

HE United States yesterday said that Iran has the ability to produce fissile material for a nuclear bomb in two months, if it so decided, as Tehran and six world powers swung into a new round of talks in Vienna on resolving their atomic dispute.

Secretary of State John Kerry’s comments in Washington highlighted Western concerns about Iran’s nuclear intentions and the wide divisions between the two sides that could still foil a deal. Iran says its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

The overarching goal of the powers - Britain, France, China, Russia, Germany and the United States - in the talks is to persuade Iran to scale back its program to the point that it would take it much longer, perhaps as much as a year, to produce fuel for a bomb if it chose to do so.

Australian ship seeks signals from missing jet

A Supporters of Quebec Liberal party react as they watch the results on election night, Monday, April 7, 2014, in Saint-Felicien, Quebec.

Wednesday to discuss economic ties with Ukraine - including energy supplies.

The International Monetary Fund says Russian growth this year is

likely to be “subdued” partly because of tensions with Ukraine and warned of further damage if sanctions are intensified.

“I urge Russia to step

back and not escalate the situation in east Ukraine,” Mr Rasmussen said in Paris where he was attending a seminar on Nato reforms.

Quebec voters reject separation from Canada

Q

UEBEC voters gave a resounding no to the prospect of holding a third referendum on independence from Canada, handing the main separatist party in the French-speaking province one of its worst electoral defeats ever.

The Liberal Party, staunch supporters of Canadian unity, won Quebec’s legislative elections

Monday, while the proindependence Parti Quebecois suffered a crushing defeat that puts its dream of a sovereign Quebec on hold for years.

The results will allow the Liberals to form a majority government, less than 18 months after voters had booted the party from power for the first time in nine years amid allegations

Oscar Pistorius recounts moment of killing

S

T

“Before I knew it, I had fired four shots at the door,” he said.

The trial of the athlete, who could face life imprisonment if convicted of murder, was adjourned until Wednesday after he broke down crying.

The 27-year-old double amputee denies

deliberately shooting Ms Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

On his first day on the stand, on Monday, he made a tearful apology to Ms Steenkamp’s family.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Pistorius killed his girlfriend after an argument with her.

NATO Chief warns on Scottish vote

A

former secretary general of NATO has warned that Scottish independence would be “cataclysmic” because breaking up Britain would rob the West of a major anchor of stability and solidarity at a difficult time.

George Robertson, a former British defense minister and NATO head from 1999 to 2003, said a vote for independence at a September 18 referendum would erode Britain’s role in the West and undermine the global balance of power.

Robertson, a Scot, said Scotland ending its 307-year tie with England would have consequences across Europe, triggering a possible fragmentation as breakaway movements in Catalonia and the Basque country in Spain and in Belgium followed suit.

Israeli Police clash with settlers in West Bank

C

LASHES between Jewish settlers and Israeli police wounded eight people in the West Bank overnight prompting the defence minister to warn on Tuesday that such violence would not be tolerated.

“Police came to help soldiers to demolish five illegal constructions near Yitzhar,” a settlement in the northern West Bank, police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP. “After they’d finished, several dozen settlers began throwing stones, injuring six border policemen,” she said. Police responded by using “riot dispersal means,” and two settlers were injured during the clashes, Samri said.

Libyan Parliament demands new govt this week

Fund crunch forces UN to cut Syria food aid

IBYA’s parliament has urged Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni to form a new government within a week, an assembly spokesman said on Tuesday, apparently rejecting a cabinet request for more powers to tackle the disorder crippling the OPEC country.

A weak central government in Tripoli is locked in confrontation with parliament and unable to control militias that helped oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a 2011 uprising but kept their guns and carved out autonomous fiefs.

T

L

Mr Pistorius is seen here leaving court yesterday.

of corruption.

With all but a handful of polling stations reporting, the Liberals had 41.5 percent of the vote and took 70 seats in the 125-member National Assembly.

The Parti Quebecois had 25.4 percent and won 30 seats. The Coalition for Quebec’s Future, which downplayed the sovereignty issue to focus on the economy, was close behind with 23.1 percent and 22 seats.

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, who led a minority government, called the snap elections last month in hopes of securing a majority for her PQ party.

But the campaign stirred up speculation that a PQ majority would ultimately lead to another referendum on independence from Canada, an idea that has lacked support in recent years.

N Australian ship which picked up possible “pings” from the black box recorders of a missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner has been unable to detect any further signals and time is running out to narrow the massive search, officials said yesterday.

Angus Houston, head of the Australian agency coordinating the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, said the month-long hunt in the Indian Ocean was at a critical stage given the batteries in the black box beacons had already reached the end of their 30-day expected life.

A U.S. Navy “towed pinger locator” onboard Australia’s Ocean Shield picked up two signals consistent with black box locator beacons over the weekend - the first for more than two hours and the second for about 13 minutes.

HE United Nations has been forced to cut the size of food parcels for those left hungry by Syria’s civil war by a fifth because of a shortage of funds from donors, a senior official has said.

Nevertheless, the United Nations’ World Food Programme managed to get food to a record 4.1m people inside Syria last month, just short of its target of 4.2m, WFP deputy executive director Amir Abdulla told a news conference on Monday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 47

Stop creating crisis in Rivers judiciary, RPF warns ex-NBA president R

IVERS’ People Forum, RPF, has called on former President of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, to stop creating crisis in Rivers State judiciary.

RPF’s President, Mr Charles Bekwele, in a statement, yesterday, said: “In the past few weeks, Rivers people have been inundated with stories of the role being played by Chief Okocha, who currently is a member of the National Judicial Council, NJC, in the leadership controversy currently rocking the

Rivers State judiciary.

“On Tuesday, reports emerged which gave credence to most of the stories we have heard about Okocha’s desperate bid to impose and install his elder sister, Justice Daisy Okocha, as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

"We are in full support of the appointment of Justice Peter Agumagu as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State. The only known constitutional prescription for appointment to the office of the Chief Judge is

ten years post-call to the bar, and Justice Agumagu clearly surpasses this provision. Again,

Justice Agumagu was confirmed by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt as the

most qualified judge for the job."

N-Delta graduates fault Reps on private jet saga

G

RADUATES in the Niger Delta region, under the aegis of Graduates Association of the Niger Delta, GAND, have described the alarm raised by the House of Representatives over the private jet saga involving the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, as a calculated attempt to kill the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. President of GAND, Mr.

Progress Omo-Agege, who spoke to newsmen during a protest in Escravos, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, said that rather than first publicly tell Nigerians their annual budgetary allocation, individual remuneration and allowances, members of the House of Representatives were accusing the Minister of Petroleum

of profligacy because she “is one of the arrow heads working towards the passage of the PIB intended to ensure rapid development of the Niger Delta.”

He said that the “activities of the House of Representatives have been fraught with politically motivated allegations targeted at weakening the relevance of Niger Delta people."

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 , 2014

stipulated constitutional role for state deputy governors.

While commenting on President Jonathan’s inauguration speech, Obada, a former deputy governor in Osun State, said: “Currently, there is no specific role for the deputy governor of any state in the country’s constitution. Section 186 of the constitution says that for every state, there shall be a deputy governor. Section 193 says that the governor of the state, at his discretion, assigns role to the deputy governor. To ensure there is great harmony between governors and their deputies, there should be some clear cut roles for the deputy governors.”

Na’Abba, Nweke make case for quality leadership

Delegates root for devolution of powers •Nnamani canvasses for rotational, 6yr presidency •Ogunshola seeks law for birth control

BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

M

ORE delegates at the National Conference, yesterday, described the Federal Government as being too powerful and called for drastic devolution of powers to the federating units.

This came as former Senate President and a delegate to the National Conference, Ken Nnamani, canvassed for a single term, six year rotational presidency for the country.

Nnamani said as the country was working towards giving birth to a new constitution, it was imperative to include the two areas in the new law book so that all sections of the country could have opportunity of presiding over the affairs of the country.

The former Senate President, who spoke while contributing to the debate on the inaugural address of President Goodluck Jonathan, also suggested that decentralisation of the central government be captured in the new constitution.

Decrying what he referred to as do-or –die politics being played in the country, Nnamani insisted that rotational presidency and six-year single term were some of the ways to avoid crisis that have bedeviled the country’s polity over the years.

His words: “Our constitution requires panel beating everything. The federating units

should be the zones and let the Presidency be rotational among the zones with six years tenure of office. It will give every zone opportunity to participate. In my view, we should focus on the future of Nigeria. The future of Nigeria lies on building a modern democratic stage. I am one of those who believe that our constitution is too cumbersome; it is like an encyclopedia because our constitution has given so much power to the centre.

“I see no reason why the Federal Government should be issuing drivers licenses. Why should the Federal Government be in control of prisons while the inmates are from the states? The issue of Local Government should be left for the states. One of the areas that should unify our country is to decentralise the central government.”

Rebranding Nigeria Senator Nnamani said since the conference was convened to rebrand Nigeria so that there could be what he called justice and equity, it would be in the interest of the country to address such areas. But he suggested that there should be no longer state of origin in the constitution, saying rather, what the country would need at the moment was provision called “state of domicile’, to avoid crises arising from indigene and settler issues.

We must support military to avoid disintegration — Nwachukwu On his part, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), also a delegate said Nigerians should support the military to avoid total disintegration just as he refuted claims of some delegates that the military had become tribalised and unprofessional in its operational responsibilities.

He said: “The Nigerian military is not tribalized nor is it run on religious basis. I urge our people to support our military else our country will embark on a path to total disintegration.”

Also, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, while contributing, condemned the 1999 constitution over what he called non provision for youths who are less than 40 years to vie for higher elective offices.

“I am worried that in Nigeria, the youths will have to be 40 years before they can aspire to be President, 30 for National Assembly and 35 years for governorship. There is something that is unjust about the constitution. I am interested in the whispering of Nigerians.

I am interested in a sports policy for the involvement of people who have been cheats in the past. " Delegate seeks constitutional role for dep govs Erelu Olusola Obada, a delegate representing elder statesmen at the National Conference, has called for

,

•National conference in a session

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, said yesterday that good leadership was one of the basic elements required to reposition Nigeria for a better future.

Na’Abba, who is representing the House of Representatives Forum at the confab, expressed concern that “the quality of leadership in this country is going down by the day,” adding that it was important for the drop in leadership quality to be addressed to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed the dividends of democracy.

His words: “Central to any effort to fix anything in this country is the question of leadership and by that I mean good leadership. More than at any other time this country needs the best leadership that it can (have). Whatever we do here, no matter how good it is, unless we

Board of Punch Newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, yesterday asked the conference to make provision for regulation of birth in the country.

Ogunshola said the law should allow couples a maximum of three children, saying the increasing number of Nigeria’s population was one of the problems the country was facing at the moment.

Ogunshola said: “Our current annual population growth rate is estimated at 2.5 per cent. If we continue like that, the population will be double in about 30 years.

He blamed the high number of children on religious practice. ”Our cultural and religious practices encourage us to continue to have large number of children, ”he said.

A Nigerian woman gives birth to an average of 5.4 children, while a whopping 43 per cent of our population is less than 14 years old.

The excessive population growth, which is not counterbalanced with adequate productivity, is a major cause of the massive unemployment and other social problems mentioned by previous speakers."

Extreme poverty: We must rebuild middle class —Obaigbena

Publisher of ThisDay Newspapers and a delegate to the National Conference, Nduka Obaigbena, advocated the rebuilding of the middle class, saying it is the surest way to fight what he called ‘extreme poverty’ in the country.

Obaigbena, who is at the conference on the platform of Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, while speaking on the inaugural

I am one of those who believe that our constitution is too cumbersome; it is like an encyclopedia because our constitution has given so much power to the centre

have the right kind of leadership nothing good is going to happen in this country… The system through which and with which leadership is recruited in this country is gradually being bastardised.

Similarly, Mr. Frank Nweke, the Director-General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), said Nigeria should assert itself in the comity of nations through good leadership.

Nweke, a former information minister and a delegate representing the Organised Private Sector at the confab, said: “In this second decade of Nigeria’s second century we can have a new beginning but first we must mobilise a national consensus on a national development philosophy.”

Delegate seeks law for birth control Former Chairman, Editorial

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speech of President Jonathan, said a better welfare for the citizenry could be realized if the country looked into its structure and constitutional framework.

Referring to a recent World Bank report listing Nigeria among the countries with extreme poverty, Obaigbena insisted that inefficient management of resources in the country was responsible for inadequate middle class citizens.

He said,“We have to figure out how we can rebuild our middle class and in rebuilding our middle class; we have to fight extreme poverty. The World Bank Chief, the other day named Nigeria as one of the four countries with the highest rate of poverty; yes, people are making progress but poverty goes with corruption and unemployment goes with insecurity. All these go to one issue: we are managing our resources inefficiently. Why is it inefficient? "

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 , 2014 —49

LAMIDO ADAMAWA’S CONDITION FOR 100% RESOURCE CONTROL:

We 'll take ownership of Abuja lands and you 'll pay rent

BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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ESS than two weeks after his comment that he would lead his people to join the Republic of Cameroon if Nigeria disintegrates generated furore in the polity, the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, again, told southern resource control agitators to be ready to forfeit their land in all parts of the North, especially Abuja, if their aspiration sailed through.

This is even as he warned against granting autonomy to ethnic nationalities in the country.

Speaking yesterday on the inaugural speech of President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Conference, Dr Mustapha, who is at the conference on the platform of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, also said monarchs should be allowed to function the way they are now and should not be given new roles in the new constitution.

This is contrary to the views of his colleagues on the matter.

Revocation of Abuja land He said since some people left the real issue that necessitated the convocation of the conference to drum for

•Barkindo: Lamido of Adamawa

don’t have oil should take land resource, that means ownership of land should revert to those states and anybody who wants to use the land or the structures in the land must pay rents to those states or the traditional owners of the land, for example, the FCT.” Commenting on agitation by some people that autonomy be granted ethnic nationalities, Dr Mustapha said: “Yesterday, I heard an ethnic nationality delegate saying that his people a r e Let me also jump the gun to say marginalized because a that states which don’t have oil district head should allow the states which w a s have oil to take a 100 percent oil appointed in their area revenue and states which don’t which they d o n ’ t have oil should take land resource, that means ownership support. “ M r . of land should revert to those Chairman, w e states shouldn’t resource control, he was going listen to these ethnic to call for revocation of land in chauvinists because if we agree Abuja and some parts of the with their arguments, we will north from non northerners to end up in a situation in Nigeria their traditional owners, so that where every ethnic group will the non natives can only pay demand for the next president, governors, office, areas, emirs, rents for the structures.

Referring to the conference obas, ministers, chairman of chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, local government, etc.

So, Mr. President, we better the Lamido of Adamawa said: “Mr. Chairman, I have thank God that the major tribes observed that some people have in Nigeria are tolerant, and started jumping the gun by considerate, magnanimous, otherwise, we commenting on issues like resource control, resource would have found ourselves in ownership, etc. In this case, let a different situation in Nigeria me also jump the gun to say today.”

He commended President that states which don’t have oil should allow the states which Goodluck Jonathan for having have oil to take a 100 percent the courage to convoke the oil revenue and states which National Conference; saying it

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was an opportunity for Nigeria to rebrand in line with the wishes of her people.

Commends Jonathan “I will just commend Mr. President for convoking this conference. In his address, he almost exactly laid down our problems and challenges and he went ahead and told us or advised us to be moderate, tolerant, considerate and magnanimous in our discussions.

So, fellow delegates, I will like to advise us to take a queue from Mr. President and not the so called civilized people of the West who always tell us that they have no permanent friends but permanent interests and who advocate same sex marriages.”

Attacks Adebanjo At this point, he paused and

attacked elder statesmen, Chief Ayo Adabanjo, saying he (Adebanjo) criticized his recent comment while making his own contribution, last Monday by saying: “People like Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who even in his prime age of 86 is still ranting.”

Uproar This then generated uproar as some delegates immediately stood up to raise a point of order but the conference chairman, Justice Kutigi did not listen to them even as Dr Mustapha responded: “Why didn’t you call for the point of order when he was castigating me on Monday, last week?”

Knowing that there may be problem among delegates if the point of order was sustained, Kutigi allowed the traditional ruler to continue his presentation to the end.

Dr Mustapha said: “Mr. Chairman, but for traditional rulers, I don’t support the idea or the opinion to give us any role in the constitution. Our rules are conventions like the British Constitution and we have been performing them for hundreds of years and in some places, for over 1000 years.

“What traditional rulers in Nigeria want is recognition.

So, I am pleading with this conference to, please, include in the next constitution, a provision which will provide for the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, whose leadership will be three traditional rulers from each state, including the president of the Traditional Rulers Council of that state.”

Don’t betray Yoruba interest, COSEG warns delegates

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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YORUBA group, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups (COSEG) has warned all delegates from the South-West geo-political zone to see the pursuit of the Yoruba people as sacrosanct and pursue it vigorously, warning that dire consequences await anyone who betrays the region.

In a statement by the chairman of its coordinating council, Comrade Ifedayo Ogunlana, the group stated

that delegates must strive to see to the actualisation of the Yoruba Agenda at the on going national conference, adding that all eyes are on the delegates to the conference and that the realisation of the Yoruba agenda must be pursued in concert with other progressives.

The group stressed that restructuring of the present structure in Nigeria, right to self determination and resource control should be properly articulated by the delegates.

Now, we need resource democracy, not resource control — Bassey Continues from page 34 What is the nature of the central government and what are the duties and responsibilities of the central government?

Whatever is to be given would be based on what is expected of the central government to do and most people believe that the centre is too unwieldy at the moment. And this does not promote the growth and development of the federating units.

If you are going to have a true federation, the federating units must have a high level of autonomy and ownership of their territories and what they found there, otherwise, we are going to have a system that is dependent on the centre.

So, resource control sound like somebody cornering everything but resource democracy enables everyone in Nigeria to understand that wherever you are, you have something.

Different perspectives And that something is valuable; you can decide to exploit it or not to exploit. So, if I have a resource that is harmful when exploited, it can be in my best interest not to exploit it and I will then look for something else to do.

How do you look at the no go area in the president‘s speech?

I have looked at that speech several times and I believe that the President talked about peoples’ sovereignty.

Talking about the unity of the nation from different perspectives clearly show that there is really no known no go area. There is no way you are going to talk about unity without talking about how we live together and possibilities of changing the ways we relate to one another.

Nigeria is a signatory to some of the world’s conventions and attacks are manifestation of other issues and they could degenerate further. So, they have to be nipped while they can still be halted. I believe strongly that one of the causes of the problems could be traced to the damage inflicted on the environment.

One of the reasons for the militancy in the Niger Delta region was that the wealth that was generated there was destroying the environment, young people were unemployed and people have to respond as a way of survival and making their case very loud.

Now we have a situation where some parts of the land is being environmentally degraded – polluted rivers, drying water bodies.

50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

FIGHTING CRIME IN DELTA:

Our major challenge — CP Aduba The Commissioner of Police in-charge of Delta State, Ikechukwu Ayodele Aduba, is certainly not happy. His unhappiness has nothing to do with the challenges he is having with criminals in the state because he has proved that he is equal to the task. It has to do with the role of those generally referred to as “learned men” or lawyers.

He has accused them of making the onerous task of curbing kidnapping in the state very difficult. He lamented that in spite of resolutions by lawyers in the state not to defend such cases, some of them still engage in that to the detriment of police efforts at curbing the menace. He spoke without reservations to our man, Emma Nnadozie in Asaba, the state capital. Excerpts

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T is just as if from no where, you came to Delta State and started making waves, breaking through in crime prevention, etc. How were you able to make this?

I am passionate about policing, I am passionate about police job, there is no way the police can succeed globally without the cooperation of members of the public. As far as we are concerned here, without the members of the public, we are going to have problems.

And again, talk of training, you see the rules of engagement, that is why when I came to Delta state in 2012, honestly, we had our local training (not waiting for the main one at the headquarters level) carried out by the Commander Mopol 31 and 51 and locally, we trained more than 700 officers. They stay for about two

on course. That is why we need perfection on top of this situation. Usually, there is problem almost everywhere, usually security problems and we have made a difference.

Kidnapping has nose dived, over 200 robberies and kidnap suspects during cross-firing died in action and again over 1000 arrested. You talk of arms and ammunition, you cannot count it and Delta state is a flashpoint. The battle is up and the robbers, we have told them, it is either they stay away from crime or they will have problem with us. Moreover, with the kind of incentives we have, if you give us information, we will assist you financially and because of our pressure and our recommendations to state government, they have signed the vigilante bill and anytime from now, they will

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The relationship between my command and government has been very cordial because the state government has taken us as their own because the police is a federal establishment to three weeks, even our women were equally involved too.

With the cooperation of government and the provision of logistics and the distribution of 120 vehicles, our men were happy. We now talk about the flashpoints, if you travel around the state you will see our men positioned almost everywhere strategically all over the place.

These are the successes. The vigilante groups, we use them and hold regular meetings regarding what to do. The response time in this state can not be more than 10 minutes with their walkie-talkie and once you use their distress call, you will get assistance immediately. So, the response is wonderful. That is why we really made waves and we are

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come on board.

For us in the state, we do not do this alone. The Security Watch Africa, which is a media global outfit honoured me in 2012 as the most outstanding police officer in West-Africa. In some regions and in 2013, I was honoured in South- Africa as a crime bursting police chief and our command was rated the best in crime fighting. Everybody in the state is a crime fighter and again, the synergy, it is not a question of saying we did it alone, we have the military, they are trying their best and also the SSS are trying their best. These two are really wonderful, though at times, there are hiccups especially between the junior ones, we are really pleasured.

•CP Ikechukwu Aduba How do you ensure that your men adhered strictly to directives during operations?

Like personal touch? Yes, there were instances in 2012, when Ibusa was raided by robbers and that operation was directed by me and the officer incharge of mobile police 31. After that, the Inspector-General of Police commended it and even the people were happy that they gave our men cash gifts of more than one million naira.

Payment of ransom Not one not two and the irate mobs were happy with the personal touch of people rescued because we have rescued so many without payment of ransom. In fact, in wild jubilation, houses were burnt down and some people will say it was done by policemen, this is not true.

We also rescued an 85-year-

old man and the three people involved were arrested. These people are animals because as far as we are concerned, they are not human.

Why should people identify themselves with those kinds of criminals. The lawyers took a resolution that they will not defend any of these people but they are doing it; we even caught one who gave bribe of N700,000 to a policeman and we arrested him and arraigned him in court but they have discharged the case, the DPPs will tell you better. That was a proven kidnap case, where millions were collected from the victims but the man is still walking freely. Everybody must have to sit up because it is a collective responsibility.

There is no way we can do it alone.

That cooperation must be there. The judiciary have done a lot but, there is need to beam searchlight on some of their officers.

There was a case where a woman faked her kidnap with the brother and the ransom was paid.

But, we recovered it and discovered that the woman was involved. I have taken it up, I have written to the government because the magistrate that presided over that case needs to be looked at.

How have you been able to manage the excesses of politicians in the state?

To be frank, our state is predominantly ruled by PDP, so our job is reduced politically because it’s a one party state.

The relationship between my command and government has been very cordial because the state government has taken us as their own because the police is a federal establishment. They assist us logistically like the renovation I told you about.

To what extent have you implemented IGP’s directives from Abuja?

We carry out regular checks to ensure that our cells are not only neat but decongested. We also give access to human rights groups to check them.

We have improved the morale of our men. It has been manifesting because out of the 117 medals dished out by the AIG last year, our command got 44.

There is nothing like road

blocks here. We have told them times without number that what we have is stop-andsearch and it is only when we have distress calls. Recently, it paid off because there was a vehicle we stopped but the driver refused to stop and brandished fake identity card.

Our men pursued him up to Onitsha and at the end of the day, he was arrested and we discovered that he had about 12 bags of Indian hemp. We are also coping with criminals.

Although cases of kidnapping and robbery cannot be solved overnight, we are not relenting.

Charge for wandering You know our state is very liberal and our northern brothers prefer this place and it is a problem; we don’t charge people for wandering anymore.

We have been carrying out raids on criminal hideouts and we are not resting.

How would you describe the leadership of the force so far?

On the leadership of the force, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, is a rare gem, a professional, an epitome of professionalism, a great reformer, it’s in a situation where everything he has done is documented, he is unparalleled . He has brought out so many books and even the code of conduct, he is the right man to be on the seat, the cap fits him. We have never had it so good.

How do you cope with activities of members of MASSOB? MASSOB people are not troubling us here. It was only once we had an encounter with them where we arrested 12 of them and charged them to court.

What reminiscences would you clamour for when you leave the force?

When I leave this office, I want to be remembered as a crime buster. I have done it so well. Ikechukwu Ayodele Aduba is from Onitsha, my father was an educationist to the core and I have about 13 brothers, my immediate younger brother is a professor in the University of Jos. Aduba family is known as one of the largest in Onitsha and we have a street in Onitsha hinterland.

I joined the NPF in 1981 and I’m almost on my way out and I have no regrets. In my next world, I would still be a police officer. My last words to Delta State is to thank them for their love and coope-ration with the police force because without their support, we wouldn’t have done it.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 51

52 —

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

FULANI HERDSMEN, FARMERS CLASHES:

Furore over grazing reserves

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

of the murd e r o u s OR indigenes of Angwan activities of Sakwai, a rural community these nomads in Kaura Local Government Area dotting the of Kaduna State, Friday, March headlines of 14, 2014, would remain a sad day major newsto remember. This is because on papers in the that fateful day, the once peace- country. They ful agrarian community was in- kill at the vaded by Fulani herdsmen and least provocaat the end of the attack, no fewer tion that one than 57 innocent residents were w o n d e r s sent to their early graves. Only whether they *Widows mourning the death of their husbands in the hands of Fulani herdsmen those who survived that deadly attach any night could tell the tale of that value to human life at all. gory tragedy.

Their activities coupled with across the nation from the current of Kogi State, is virtually a The villagers who had gone to bed at 9pm were rudely jolted those of Boko Haram, the Islamic 415. According to him, only replica of another bill currently awake about two hours later by insurgent group, have led to 141grazing reserves have been pending at the Senate. The booming gunshots released by uncountable number of deaths of gazetted with less than 20 version of the bill at the upper these murderous Fulani innocent Nigerians. At the last equipped with resources for chamber of the parliament was sponsored by Senator Zainab count, no fewer than 300 pastoralists. herdsmen.

The Committee had weeks Kure from Niger State. It would Gideon Bughu, a survivor of innocent persons have been that invasion, told Vanguard hacked down in the last four within which to submit its report. be recalled that a similar bill was The Committee’s terms of thrown out during the sixth Features, VF that ‘’the gunmen months.

The bloody clashes between reference, according to the Assembly because it failed to first came on Friday night and attacked the village. The these herdsmen and farmers Minister, include looking into address the crux of the matter. gunmen numbered over 50. As have been reported in states like how to improve existing grazing The National Grazing Route and women and children scampered Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, reserves and designing a new fi- Reserve Commission, if established, would acquire and to escape, they were shot and Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo, Delta, nancing regime for them.

The Committee headed by the manage parcels of land across later cut with machetes. They set Yobe and Anambra.

Investigations by VF showed Adamawa State Governor, the 36 states of Nigeria for the our homes on fire. If you stayed that these killings have assumed Murtala Nyako, was mandated purpose of providing pastures inside, you were burnt. If you run out, they shoot at you. The men a monstrous proportion. The to work out the modalities for the for these nomads and their stayed inside, so most of those government which is empowered establishment of grazing reserves herds of cattle.

Concept of grazing reserves: burnt were men. But the vil- by Section 14, sub section 2b of across the country.

VF gathered that the concept of grazing reserves started in 1965 Findings of the International Livestock Grazing when the government of the reserves Centre for Africa ,ILCA, in 1978, also Northern Region legislated attested to the fact that grazing issue is Since a decision on the crea- upon it.

The then Minister for Agricultion of grazing sites was taken, age-long in Nigeria most segments of the society, ture in the Northern region lagers managed to kill some the 1999 constitution, to ensure have toed divergent lines on the proposed a law that empowered governments to carve out grazof the Fulani herdsmen. Some of the security of lives and property, matter. seems to have no ideas on how them wore army uniform.”

Those opposed to it said such ing reserves for livestock farmThe story of Angwan Sakwai’s to handle the insurgents. a proposal would be counter- ers so that they can be settled in VF recalls that the government, productive, while the proponents those reserves. invasion is one in the litany of after a meeting in Abuja., argued that grazing reserves and killings by Fulani herdsmen across many villages in North- resolved to set up a technical ranching were in line with stand- Secondary committee to tackle the issue. ern and Southern Nigeria. ard best practice that ensured inputs The closed door forum was maximum benefit to nomads.

Butchers of human beings: The law did not stop at delinThese herdsmen who are sup- chaired by Vice President, This is not the first time the posed to be taking care of their Mohammed Namadi Sambo. government is making attempts eating and mapping out the cattle, have unfortunately meta- Briefing State House correspond- at addressing the matter. The grazing reserves. It also made morphosed into butchers of ents after the meeting, the House of Representatives Com- case for secondary inputs like human beings anywhere they Minister of Agriculture and mittee on Agriculture in 2013, education, health facilities, make their abode. They have Natural Resources, Akinwunmi held a public hearing on a bill roads, dams and livestock.

The findings of the Internaturned the farmlands in several Adesina, said that the rising seeking to establish a National states in the North into slaugh- livestock population and en- Grazing Route and Reserves tional Livestock Centre for Africa croachment on grazing lands Commission. ,ILCA, in 1978, also attested to ter fields.

Their hosts, who ordinarily were some of the causes of the The bill, sponsored by Karimi the fact that grazing issue is ageshould be their friends for accom- clashes.

Sunday Steve, representing long in Nigeria.

National Grazing Routes: He Yagba East/Yagba West/ The ILCA established that the modating them, are slaughtered with reckless abandon. Hardly stressed the need to increase the Mopamuro Federal Constituency Middle Belt area, Central Belt of Nigeria is in the sub-humid does a day pass without stories number of grazing reserves

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zone and because of that it is less populated than the extreme North and South. Consequently, the researchers said that pressure on grazing land would be intense in about 30 years, adding that there would be conflicts because of unavailable land between pastoral and arable farmers.

Dr. Aliyu Ramalan, who attended many ILCA seminars regretted recently that the recommendations of the ILCA were hardly implemented.

Scarce resources ‘’In respect to the implementation of these recommendations, failures were noticed in the implementation because governments were not financing the programmes adequately. Of course, again, they were competing against scarce resources, ‘’ he lamented.

Despite appearing as the needed solution to the crisis, it would be difficult to convince some Nigerians that the creation of grazing site would put an end to the wanton killings by herdsmen.

National Coordinator of Towards a Renewed Nation, TRN, Chief Simon Onwubuya told VF that “problems should not be employed to solve problems. ‘’Historically the Fulanis use violence to achieve their aims. So, Nigerians should not be surprised with what is happening across the states now, especially in the North. One is troubled that the government is considering creating grazing reserves in other

Continues on page 53

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

— 53

Furore over grazing reserves Continues frompage 52

Sake of proximity Buttressing his argument, he told VF that: ’’In the past, the Fulanis were living happily with people. It’s wrong to say that siting grazing sites in the South will not be in the interest of the nation because the South also consumes meat.

People need cows and for the sake of proximity, having grazing sites in the South will save cost of transportation.’’

Tsav, however, acknowledged thus: ‘’The Fulanis are causing troubles in most parts of Nigeria now. It is very important that they are confined to certain areas, but that should not be with immediate effect to ensure that they are properly settled.’’

He warned that the current move by the government should be free of religious and political bias. ‘’It is unfortunate that issues like this tend to assume religious and political dimension. Religious bias should not come in because we are serving one God. Why must religion become a tool for addressing national issues?’’ he asked.

*Stacked bags of rice produced at the mill. INSET: Deacon Joseph Ununu, Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Millers Company.

ROW OVER ABAKALIKI RICE:

Millers vow to resist govt’s relocation order A

BAKALIKI, the capital of Ebonyi State, has for years enjoyed the bragging right of being called the home of local rice production in Nigeria. Indeed many are familiarwiththepopularAbakalikirice which is believed to have a higher nutritional value than the imported polished and parboiled rice, and possibly the best in the world as certified by American experts.

But the continued production of Abakaliki rice seem presently endangerednothankstothecurrent face-off between the Abakaliki Rice Mill Company and Ebonyi State Government under the leadership of Governor Martin Elechi.

Bone of contention The bone of contention is a recent order by the state government to the Company to relocate to Iboko in Izzi Local Government Area of the State within two months. Since the order was issued, the rice millers have been up in arms in protest, vowing that they will not move an inch from their present location.

The order has immediately triggered off panic within the mill which houses over 4,500 millingmachinesasitsowners numbering 450 are now worried about their future and the fate of the establishment. This is why they have also appealed to Presi-

dent Goodluck Jonathan to intervene by compelling Governor Elechi to drop the relocation idea.

ItisonrecordthattheAbakalikiRice Mill is the highest and most stable employer of labour in the state.

The industry which was built by private individuals with the aim of boosting rice production in the state has over the years given incentives to both prospective and key rice farmers. Because of the high nutritional value of the rice sold at the Mill, many buyers from the North, South West and South East are often times seen buying or milling their rice in the industry.

The rice millers say they are baffled by the planned action of the state government because, according to them, it would not only destabilize the economy of the state but also create food insecurity in the state and the country at large.

According to them: “It is disheartening that Instead of the state government to assist the rice millers by upgrading both the industrial and administrativecapacityoftheindustry to an enviable standard, it decided to mobilize its machineries to chase the rice farmers away from where they had been over 60 years ago”.

A rice farm who spoke with Vanguard Metro (names withheld) hinted that the reason the government was still insisting that they leave where they are presently was because their ouster would enable the smooth take off of the three rice milling clusters built by the state government at the three senatorial zones of the state, which is yet to

begin full operation as many have considered the project a waste of public fund.

In a chat with VM, the Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Millers Company, Deacon Joseph Ununu described the action as capable of causing food crisis. ”People come from different parts of the countryLagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, etc, to do rice business here because in the whole world Abakaliki locally produced rice still remains the best in the market today in terms of nutrition. ”I had expected that the govern-

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parts of the country. We will resist that, because it will amount to endangering the areas where the sites will be sited. What is the assurance or guarantee that the Fulani herdsmen will not unleash terror on the inhabitants of the villages where the sites will be established?’’ an angry Onwubuya asked.

Still fuming, he said: ‘’It does not make any sense. The North should be considered as the preferred area for the grazing sites because the South does not have historical link with the Fulanis which might guarantee a peaceful coexistence. I am not supporting their killings in the North, the government can solve the problem by aggravating it indirectly.’’

But a retired Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, whose hails from Benue, one of the flashpoints of the Fulani killings, did not support the restriction of the proposed sites to the North.

For someone whose state is currently bearing the brunt of the killing spree, many are surprised with Tsav’s position.

But he is not bothered by that.

‘Although some Fulanis are Chadians and other nationalities, but we must acknowledge that some are also Nigerians, they have freedom like other Nigerians,” he said.

government. Our staffs here are both senior and junior, about 350 while ad hoc staffs are over 1,500. ”When we reported our matter to Abakaliki High Court on a case of fundamental human right but we were not given a good judgement as the case was struck out without any good reason. So we proceeded to the Federal Appeal Court Enugu,” adding that the matter is yet to be heard as sitting has not yet commenced even as the state governmenthasbeennotifiedofthe development.

Earlier, the rice miller had won a case at the Industrial Court which restrained the Ebonyi state governmentfromintimidatingorrelocating the rice millers from their present location. The Vice Chairman of the Company, Sir Pius Akpogwu lambasted the present administration for not contributing to their welfare in terms of infrastructural development.

In his reaction, the State Commissioner for Commerce and

It is time the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture intervened to save the situation; they should come to our rescue now

ment of Ebonyi will come here to assist and encourage us. But this is not case. Instead of going to build new rice mills, it is even better to assist the private individuals with small money here to achieve what our President who is farmersfriendly is set out to achieve. ”It is high time the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture intervened to save the situation; they should come to our rescue now. We did not build outside the plan. This industry was built in the area mapped out for rice mill when we were under Enugu state. And that is why in the year 2000, a Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, was issued to Abakaliki Rice Mill company by the Ebonyi State

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Industry, Dr. Ifeanyi Ike stated that government policy on the relocation of the rice miller was irreversible, adding that as soon as the new site was completed, the rice millers would relocate.

“The relocation is all about expansion and as soon as the new site is in order, they will move. The government is working on the road leading to the new site. What is going on is part of the challenge of development. The timber shade and the quarry have moved; the University will soon move to its permanent site. So, they should allow government’s policy on the development of the state to prevail. I believe that very soon they will all enjoy its dividends soon”.

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Flying Eagles coach may change guard

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OUT—Micah Richards will leave Manchester City in the summer in search of regular first team football.

Richards to leave Manchester City in summer despite contract offer M

ICAH Richards, Manchester City’s longest-serving player, has reluctantly accepted he needs to leave the club and decided to turn down their offer of a new contract and pay rise.

Richards, with almost 250 appearances for the club since making his debut in October 2005, believes he needs a fresh start elsewhere if he wants to start playing more regularly and rediscover the form that saw him, at 18, take Rio Ferdinand’s record as the youngest defender to win an England cap. His decision will form part of a gradual exodus of English players from the Etihad, with at least three others on their way out in the summer.

City had been trying to dissuade Richards from joining that list, offering a new deal with improved terms, but Pablo Zabaleta has established himself as Manuel Pellegrini’s first-choice right-back over the last two seasons and that has been uppermost in the

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player’s mind. His talks with Pellegrini have been amicable and there is an understanding within the club that it has been a difficult decision for a player who has been involved with the club since the age of 14. City will want around £7m for the 25year-old, citing his importance in their title-

winning season before injuries allowed Zabaleta the chance to take over on the right side of defence.

Richards was nominated for their player-of-the-year award that season – described

by Gareth Bale as the most difficult opponent he faced in England – but there have been

times in the current campaign when he has been fully fit and not even among the substitutes. After losing his place as a regular in England’s squads, the last two years have become increasingly difficult, culminating in him being restricted to only 10 starts at City in Pellegrini’s first season at the club.

LYING Eagles coach, Manu Garba is considering starting with a new central defence pairing of Wilfred Ndidi and Zaharadeen Bello for today’s friendly against Morocco U20s.

Manu appeared to have settled with Aliyu Abubakar partnering stand-in captain Ndidi in the heart of the back four.

But in Monday evening’s training at the Wellness and Sport Center outside Casablanca, he paired Ndidi with Bello, who incidentally partnered Abubakar when the Golden Eaglets won a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup last year.

Otherwise, he has a settled starting XI with Adamu Abubakar in goal with Izu Omego at left back and Mustapha Abdullahi playing at right back.

The midfield has Akinjide Idowu, Abdullahi Alfa, Bernard Bulbwa and Ifeanyi

Winners Golden Bets power 2014 Lagos SWAN week

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HE Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos State Chapter 2014 week received a boost during the week with the acceptance of Winners Golden Bets to be the main sponsor for this year’s Lagos SWAN Cup.

Granada yet to release Success S

•Success

PANISH La Liga club Granada are yet to confirm when they will release striker Isaac Success for a training camp ahead of next month’s AYC qualifier.

“We are still waiting a confirmation from Granada for the player,” said team secretary Aliyu Auwal Ibrahim.

Also, there has been no feedback on the availability of goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, who has been on trials at Belgian club Genk.

Unconfirmed reports had suggested the Abuja College goalkeeper may

have suffered a longterm injury while on trials in Belgium.

The Flying Eagles rounded up their

Matthew, who shone like a million stars in the 12-0 spanking of Lugbe United last week.

The attack will be anchored by Taiwo Awoniyi and Alhassan Ibrahim aka ‘Mu-azam’ in Manu’s favoured 4-42 formation.

However, Manu said he hopes to give all squad members a run out in Morocco as the Flying Eagles continue their buildup for next month’s AYC qualifier.

“We want to win all our matches, whether they are friendlies, qualifiers or the World Cup. We must there take all the matches very seriously,” said the Flying Eagles handler. The team will train on Tuesday by 11am.

Wednesday’s match is fixed for Rabat by 4pm, while the second game will be played on Friday from 11am in Casablanca.

The Flying Eagles are due back in Nigeria on Saturday.

training for today ’s friendly against their Moroccan counterparts Tuesday morning.

According to the Vice Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Wale Joseph, who is also a member of the Sports Committee, the company has agree to partner the association for this year’s Lagos SWAN Week.

“We’ve received their blessings and they have agreed to be part of 2014 SWAN Cup, its welcome development and we are very grateful for their support and understanding, however we are also in talks with other corporate bodies.''

Yellow House wins Fountain School sports meet More than 30 events Third with Five Gold,

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ELLOW house has emerged winners of the Fountain School inter house sports competition sponsored by Chikki noodles. The event started with a novelty match between parents and teachers of the school which ended in a 4-2 penalty win in favour of the parents after a thrilling 2- 2 stalemate.

were competed for at the inter house sports which held at the Union Bank Sports Club, Surulere, Lagos. Yellow Hose came first with Seventeen Gold, Four Silver and Eleven Bronze medals to beat Blue House which Had Twelve Gold, Fourteen Silver and nine Bronze medals to second Place.Green House came

Nine Silver and Seven Bronze medals ahead of Red House which gathered Four Gold, Eleven Silver and Twelve Bronze medals.

The Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Godwin DuduOrumen, enjoined parents to allow their children to participate in active sporting activities.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 — 55

Bashir bags gold for Nigeria •Int’l Taekwondo Tourney in Columbia

ITTF Tourney: Nigerian boys lose, women tackle Egypt in team events finals

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A

EW days after Uche P e r e z Chukwumerije claimed gold at the 2014 Belgian Open, another Nigerian, United States-based Saturday Bashir clinched gold medal in the welterweight division at the 2nd Columbia International Taekwondo Championships, held in Cali, Columbia.

The seven-day tournament, which ends on Wednesday April 9, had athletes from Switzerland, Philippines, Nigeria, Canada, Ghana, Benin, Chile, U.S, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, and host - Columbia.

Bashir, a 2013 Korean Open gold medalist, defeated his opponents from Columbia 12 – 7 in the first fight, Chile 8 – 0 in the second fight, before going to stamp his supremacy over Ghana 10 – 8 in the final to win gold medal.

His opponent in the final Ghana’s Anthony Adjetey is ranked 14th in the world and with this result, this gives a clear indication of how Team Nigeria might fare over their African counterparts in next year’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Bashir represented Nigeria at the 2013

•Nigeria’s Bashir (in blue) at the 2013 World Team Cup World Team Cup, and it was his performance at the 2014 US Open that made him to be selected

for the championships in Columbia.

The sponsorship includes full return airfare,

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to advance to the last four following the inability of the team to beat Congo Brazzaville in the group game concluded on Tuesday.

Unlike their male counterpart, the trio of Tosin Esther Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomu and Alimot Ayinla ensured that their place in the final was not usurped as they defeated Algeria 3-0 in the semifinal after coming second behind Egypt in Group One. Egypt also walloped Tunisia 3-0 to set up another encounter against Nigeria in the final of the junior event.

Top Euro coaches for 3rd Kanu/Greensprings Football Camp

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EGISTRATION for the 3rd Kanu/Greensprings Football Camp begins across the country with top European coaches expected to grace the event.

The clinic is an annual event organised by Greensprings School in collaboration with one of Africa’s most decorated footballers, Nwankwo Kanu and it is meant for children between 5 and 17 years.

According to the organisers, interested participants who would like to take part in the camp holding this month at the Lekki Campus of Greensprings School, Lagos can visit for registration procedures.

This year, over 100 indigenous coaches will be trained in a partnership programme with the Lagos State Football Association while a day will also be set aside for a community outreach service by the visiting coaches from Europe.

10 coaches made up of six from England and four from the Dutch league are expected at the camp. The coaches from England are from English Premiership sides like Manchester City, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.

For Kanu, this camp has become a resource centre for future football

Amakakpabo Continues from B/P six times league champions.

The loss against local rivals Abia Warriors signaled the looming action and two successive league losses and crashing out of CAF Champions League were an embarrassing that the management could no longer stomach.

Baraje was appointed head coach in December and now he is on his way out of the club without an official decision made yet.

“Coaches Baraje and Monday Odigie won’t

feeding, registration fees, medical costs and provision of hydration supplements.

GAIN the battle for supremacy between Nigeria and Egypt came to fore at the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (IT TF)-sanctioned African Junior Championship as Team Nigeria clash against Team Egypt in the girls’ final.

However, Congo Brazzaville prevented Nigeria from playing in the final of the boys’ event after the Congolese beat Olasunkanmi Oginniled team to secure a spot ahead of Nigeria in the last four of the event.

Also in the boys’ cadet division, Nigeria failed

be part of the technical crew in our next match.

They have been suspended by the club indefinitely but no official word yet. The move is because the team failed to win at FC Taraba, and even played poorly. Plus the fact that they’ve done poorly since the season started.Remember the team lost at home to Abia Warriors and after that game, the club management handed them the ultimatum to win in Taraba or face the consequence which is what has now happened,” an Enyimba insider told to supersport.com.

Nwankwo Kanu (right) with the kids during the 2nd Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp in Lekki stars.

“There is no doubt that this edition will be more exciting and resourceful more especially as we are

Pep Continues from B/P would represent “a big mistake” for his side.

Bayern drew 1-1 with United at Old Trafford last week, with the result one of three consecutive winless matches for the Bavarians in all competitions following a 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim and then a 1-0 defeat to Augsburg on Saturday.

That loss was Guardiola’s first ever in the Bundesliga and Bayern’s first in 54 matches.

Tonight, Guardiola will have only 14 first-team

players available for selection against United, with Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger suspended, while Thiago Alcantara and Xherdan Shaqiri are injured.

However, Guardiola said that the injuries and the recent defeat against Augsburg will not change his team’s approach, telling his prematch news conference: “I have said that we will lose again.

And it happened in Augsburg. [But] The players know better than me how important Champions League is. I’m sorry: Bundesliga is over: We have already won it.

taking participants to the next level with the introduction of coaches from Holland to complement the efforts of our coaches from England.

It is my desire that participants at this

programme will be exposed to the rudiments of football as a prerequisite to developing their skills and techniques at this early stage of their lives,” the former African Footballer of the Year said.

Anyansi-Agwu Continues from B/P these players are doing well.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong in bringing them back to help their country.

“Football is all about form, when a player is in form that is when you should bring him. If they continue to play this way I don’t see any reason why they should not be called to come back and help their fatherland.”

The Enyimba chairman however, said the

decision was down to Keshi.

“It all depends on the coach.

“Fair play is the guiding principle of football and if they have shown remorse for whatever would have happened in the past, I don’t see any reason why the coach should not bring them back.”

Anyansi will be in the panel to meet with Keshi on April 22 when he presents his World Cup squad.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 TODAY'S MATCHES Atletico Madrid Bayern Munich B/Dortmund Chelsea

v v 2 2

Barcelona Man United

7:45pm 7:45pm

RESULTS v R/Madrid v PSG

0 0

Pep: Bayern out to avoid ‘big mistake’

B

AYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola says Champions League

elimination against Manchester United Continues on Page 55

Anyansi-Agwu backs Osaze for World Cup A

MEMBER of the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu has openly thrown his weight behind the return of ostracized Super Eagles players but conceded that the coach has the final say.

With key members of Stephen Keshi’s squad failing to see regular action in Europe compared to those like Osaze Odemwingie, Ike Uche, Anyansi says form should play a key part in call ups.

“They are Nigerians and the yardstick to invite a player to the

Amakakpabo takes over as Enyimba coach •Baraje, Odigie suspended

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•Anyansi-Agwu national team is if the player is good and if he is doing well,” Anyansi, who doubles as chairman of Enyimba Football Club of Aba said.

“From all indications

Continues on Page 55

HE management of two-time African champion, Enyimba Football Club of Aba has placed head coach, Zakary Baraje and his assistant, Monday Odigie on indefinite suspension. Erstwhile second assistant, Imama Amakakpabo, will take charge of affairs on a temporary basis. The decision followed a poor league form of the Continues on Page 55

•Amakakpabo

'Rooney, Bayern Munich's biggest threat' — P.30 •Osaze

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 1 Hell (5) 2 Kingdom (5) 2 Entertainment (5) 7 Loathed (5) 8 Storehouse (5) 3 Revised (6) 4 Tardy (4) 10 View (5) 5 Deceived (7) 12 Circuit (3) 6 Managed (5) 13 Refute (5) 15 Ascertained (7) 9 Equality (3) 17 Slumbering (6) 11 Enraged (7) 13 Elevate (5) 19 Deity (3) 14 Mixture (5) 20 Erased (7) 23 Remitted (4) 16 Drunkard (3) 25 Expensive (4) 18 Drug-seller (7) 21 Liability (5) 26 Loitered (7) 22 Verdant (5) 30 Nothing (3) 24 Pet (7) 31 Wish (6) 27 Intelligence (3) 34 Talked (7) 28 Pattern (6) 37 Material (5) 29 Pane (5) 38 Stray (3) 39 Renovation (5) 32 Satisfied (5) 40 Thighbone (5) 33 Wash out (5) 35 Limb (3) 41 Birds (5) 36 Adroit (4) 42 Endure (5)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Whelp 7, Life 8, Outlet 9, Trust 11, Rid 13, Rap 15, Edit 16, Tap 18, Here 19, Limited 20, Alto 22, Mutt 23, Envious 25, Erne 27, Ape 28, Perl 30, Dud 31, Din 33, Sneak 36, Thrift 37, Idea 38, Yield.

DOWN: 1, Rigid 2, Wet 4, Pot 5, Ate 6, Debar 10, Seam 11, Rebated 12, Distend 13, Reduced 14, Pertain 16, Tibia 17, Pique 18, Hem 21, One 24, Open 26, Ruche 29, Rider 32, Sip 33, Sty 34, Ewe 35, Kid.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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