Budget 2016 full of errors, can't be passed - NASS

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VOL. 25: NO. 62690

N150

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

VISIT—Lagos State Gover nor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a state plaque to the President, Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joachim Gauck (left), during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday.

Jonathan gave Metuh, others $47m to win PDP ticket — EFCC •P.8

Budget 2016 full of errors, can't be passed —NASS

Senate rejects N200m allocation to Petroleum Ministry on PIB Turns down N200m for Gas Master Plan Review Buhari should withdraw, re-present budget —FAYOSE

By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Joseph Erunke & Rotimi Ojomoyela

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BUJA —THE two arms of the National Assembly, NASS, declared, yesterday, that the 2016 budget was full of errors, saying the document could no longer be passed on February 25 as earlier promised.

This came on a day the Senate Committee on Gas Resources rejected the N200 million allocation demanded by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the budget Continues on Page 5

COMMISSIONING—From left: Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Sam Egwu; Managing Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Chris McAllister; Chairman, BATN Foundation, Chief Kola Jamodu; Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Rilwan Akiolu; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during the formal opening of BAT’s West Africa Head office in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

‘How govs, town unions can develop Igboland’ See Inside C M Y K

COLUMNISTS:

Yoruba Obas: I stand by my ranking, says Alake I'm not under EFCC probe — Okonjo-Iweala P.17 TABIA PRINCEWILL

Powering Change: The people's responsibility to pay for electricity

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P.19

DEAR

ROTIMI

BUNM

FASAN

Is my husband's death God's judgment?

Fayemi, Fayose and the perjurer called Tope Aluko

Gov, Ijaw leaders urge Tompolo to appear in court •P.13 Mr & Mrs

•P.11 •P.34 P.19

OGAGA IFOWODO

The will of the Supreme Court as the basis of govt

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POCKET CARTOON

denied that the sudden shift in date had political colouration, adding that the shift was because of the many errors discovered in the budget.

Senate rejects N200m on PIB

SUMMIT—Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, MD/CEO Fidelity Bank Plc (left); welcoming Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State (right) to the IGR Summit organised by the Government of Anambra State in partnership with Fidelity Bank Plc in Awka, while others watch, yesterday.

Budget 2016 full of errors, can't be passed —NASS Continues from Page 1 for the treatment of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, and another N200 million for a review of Nigerian Gas Master Plan.

Similarly, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to save the country the national embarrassment being caused by the 2016 budget he presented to the National Assembly by formally withdrawing and representing it.

Budget can't be passed, say Goje, Jibrin

Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Jibrin Abdulmumin, who disclosed this at a briefing, said the budget

was fraught with too many errors, which had made its passage into law impossible.

Senator Goje noted that the Presidency had also admitted that there were errors in the budget, explaining that it would be inappropriate to give a new date now due to the errors that they would have to work on.

He said: “We are here in connection with the ongoing processing of the 2016 Budget because these two committees are the ones saddled with the production of the final copies of the budget that would be passed by the National Assembly for onward submission to Mr President for his assent and subsequent implementation.

“We want to remove all ambiguities, we want to remove all paddings. We want to produce a budget that is in line with the constitutional provision.

During the budget

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO EVER pay attention to those who speak evil of you or spite your good works. They are only as relevant as the attention you give them. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Do anything but let it produce Joy — Walt Whitman

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HENEVER you act with love, goodwill, charity and compassion, you are living from a high spiritual consciousness, and once ignorance and fear are removed from our lives, we enter into the states of wisdom, power and freedom. Fear keeps us from living life to the fullest. Open your heart to light and let the shadow fall behind you.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE No matter how well you cure a mad man, he can't stop murmuring.

defence, a lot of issues based on the padding of the budget, arising from over-bloated overheads and in some instances cases of over-bloated personnel cost.

"But generally, there has been a lot of issues. The appropriation committee would look at these issues after the whole budget defence and do a very thorough work aimed at doing a proper clean-up of the budget.

“So in summary, the time-table for passage of the budget is no longer realistic because as appropriation committees of both chambers of the National Assembly, we need additional time to do a thorough job for the 2016 budget.”

On his part, the House Chairman on Appropriation Committee, Abdulmumin, agreed that the two committees would have to do a proper clean up of the budget.

He said: “So we can pass a budget that is implementable and also acceptable to Nigerians. It is no longer realistic because we need sufficient time to pass a comprehensive budget.

“The President is an individual, the budget runs in thousands of pages, the President will not be able to go through it page by page.”

He explained that once the budget is passed into law, the life span of the budget would be counted to ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, implement it.

Asked to react to a threat made by the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, that he would withdraw his budget, Jibrin said the withdrawing of a budget by the executive would not be tolerated by NASS. Both chairmen also

The Senate Committee on Gas Resources also yesterday, rejected the N200 million demanded in the budget by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources for treatment of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. The committee also rejected request for allocation of additional N200 million for a review of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.

The ministry, while defending its 2016 Budget before the committee, had said it needed N200 million for the passage of the PIB in the National Assembly.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Jamila Shuaru, while making presentation at the committee’s sitting, insisted that the amount was needed for the treatment of the petroleum bill.

But Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, chairman of the committee, backed by other members, said the allocation was not necessary because, according to him, the bill is already with the National Assembly.

“This bill is already with the National Assembly.

So what do we need the money for? I don’t think you need the money. This could be one of the reasons we have so much deficit in this year ’s budget. Unless you can justify this expenditure, we need to do away with this,” Senator Albert said.

The committee members who spoke at the meeting, concurred with the chairman that the bill did not need additional funding for it to be passed.

The committee also disagreed with the ministry officials over the N200 million proposed in the 2016 budget for a review of Nigerian Gas Master Plan.

The committee said it discovered that funding request for the plan had been a recurring figure in previous budgets.

“You cannot be asking for funds to review what you have not even implemented,” Senator Albert said, adding that the only problem with the PIB was that there was no law backing it up.

Briefing the committee further, Dr. Jamila Shuaru said the country could not meet its gas needs because, according to her, many

exigencies worked against the success of the programme.

One of the exigencies, she said, was the $8 billion court judgement procured against the ministry by an investor whose identity she did not disclose.

Save us this shame, by Fayose On his part, Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to save the country the national embarrassment being caused by the budget he presented to the National Assembly by formally withdrawing and representing it.

The governor in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Pubic Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “The President should admit that there were avoidable errors in the budget and since he is human and not immune to errors, he should simply do the needful by presenting a new and credible budget to the National Assembly.”

Governor Fayose described the revelation

by Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, that the proposal drawn up by the ministry and submitted to the budget office had been doctored and that “foreign” appropriations, different from what was submitted, had been sneaked in as the height of national embarrassment.

While addressing the Senate Committee on Health during its budget defence session on Monday, Professor Adewole had stunned senators when he said details of the budget were not what he submitted to the Senate.

Fayose said: “Last week, we were told that the Senate discovered a sum of N10 billion questionably smuggled into the budget of the Ministry of Education for an allegedly questionable sub-head.

“Also, we were told of the existence of a budget mafia in the Presidency

that was said to be responsible for the embarrassing allocations in the budget.

“Before now, we were told that a total of N3.87 billion was allocated for capital projects at the State House Clinic alone, over N700 million more than capital allocation to all the 16 federal teaching hospitals combined.

“Now, a whole minister has come out to say that budgetary provision for his ministry was forged!

“If under a President that says he is fighting corruption, the budget of the country got missing and we are now being told that the budget being considered by the National Assembly has been forged, one cannot but be afraid that there is possibility of Nigeria being forged one day, after the original must have gone missing.”

Budget well structured, says Ministry official

The Ministry of Budget and Planning says that t h e 2016 Budget proposals submitted to the National Assembly (NASS) by President M u h a m m a d u Buhari, were very well structured and targeted at reviving the economy, notwithstanding the fall in the oil price.

The ministry was reacting to different opinions trailing the 2016 budget proposal. It said that some errors were not unexpected in the changeover to the new Zero Based Budget, ZBB, approach.

In a statement, issued yesterday by the Director of Infor mation, Mr. Charles Dafe, the Ministry said the Budget staff in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as well as those handling budget issues in all Ministries and Extra Ministerial Agencies (MDAs) were already grappling to master the technicalities in the ZBB template to address all irregularities in the budget.

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Ooni's guard shot dead

Alleged killer of Lagos lawyer arraigned

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By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Jane Echewedo

AGOS State government, yesterday, closed its case before an Ikeja High Court against Seun Oladapo, accused of killing a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Kunle Fadipe, while attempting to rob his family.

Fadipe, a former Human Rights Commission official, was attacked alongside some of his family members, including his mother-in-law,

by Oladapo, a development which led to his death.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the prosecution, led by Mr. Jide Martins, informed the court that it had closed its case after presenting its last witness to the court.

Inspector James Adetoye, the last prosecution witness, told the court that photographs tendered before the court as exhibit in the ongoing trial was taken by the CID’s forensic department at the scene of the crime.

However, counsel to the defendant, Walter Oduagbaka objected to the exhibit and urged the court to reject it, holding that the photographs were not taken by members of the police forensic team.

The matter was adjourned till today for the defendant to open his defence.

4 arrested with AK-47 rifles

By Jimitota Onoyume

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PERATIVES of Rivers State Police Command, acting on a tip-off, arrested four suspected criminals with AK-47 rifles at Ibadan Waterfront in Port Harcourt.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, disclosed this yesterday in a statement, adding that at about 5p.m., a patriotic citizen reported suspicious movement at the waterfront to the police.

He said a team of policemen arrested four suspects, with five AK-47 rifles, six magazines and 120 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two Toyota Camry cars, with number plates MUS 583 DF and SMK 577 BZ, recovered from them.

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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LINE OF WORK: Cart pushers ready for work at Ikotun Bus Stop, yesterday.

PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

17 students remanded over Babalola varsity crisis

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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EVENTEEN students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, identified by police as the arrow head in the crisis that rocked the institution weekend, were yesterday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court over their roles in the protest.

The students, who were arraigned on a six-count charge of rioting, possession of firearms and malicious damage, according to the Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Leranmo Caleb, contravened Sections 516, 451 and 109 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, and Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

According to Sergeant Leranmo Caleb, the accused conspired to commit rioting, possession of fire arms, possession of military camouflage uniform and damaged several property of the school.

Chief Magistrate, Ropo Adegboye, consequently ordered that all the accused be remanded in police custody and adjourned ruling to today.

Parents demand apology

Meanwhile, parents of over 200 students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, who were alleged to have been wrongfully detained over alleged participation in the protest have demanded unreserved apology from the management.

Students of the university had, Sunday, staged a violent protest, where property worth several millions of Naira were

damaged.

Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the concerned parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their children were unjustly detained at the Criminal Investigations Department of the police headquarters and at various police stations in the state capital.

They described the indiscriminate arrests of their wards and the way they were clamped in detention with rogues and hard criminals as not only a breach of their rights, but the highest point of wickedness and naked display of powers.

School responds

The school's Public Relations Officer, Tunde Olofintila, who denied the allegations, said the management would address all these allegations on their merits, if the parents could cite certain occurrences.

He said: “Many of the students are back and writing their examinations.

“Those suspected to have participated in the protest were arrested and those found innocent were released immediately, so the issue is about security and only the police can say what modality was used to arrest them.”

S O G B O — SUSPECTED armed robbers, Monday night, killed Marcus Olatunji, an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, attached to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

A source close to the palace said the deceased, who was armed, was on his way to buy airtime at a nearby kiosk when he was shot dead by the robbers believed to be coming from an operation.

The source added that the hoodlums took away Olatunji's gun.

The Head of Public Relations of the Corps, Mr. Wale Folarin, confirmed the story and assured that the Corps would get to the root of the matter.

He said: “It is true one of our officers attached to the Ooni’s palace was shot dead by some unidentified persons in front of a private residence of the Ooni. The killers went away with his gun. He died at the teaching hospital, Ife. “We have arrested three suspects in connection with the crime and investigations continue as the command will get to the root of the matter.”

Spokesperson of Ooni of Ife, Mr. Olafare Moses, confirmed the story, saying the monarch received the news with shock.

2 jailed for $5.5m cash smuggling

By Soni Daniel

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AGOS—TWO Nigerians, Ojukwu Nnamdi Roland and Ngene Linus Chibuike, arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to smuggle $5,424,270 out of the country, have been convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment each by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Rowland was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 22, 2015, for being in possession of $2,917,272 during his outbound clearance for a journey to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Contrary to the requirements of the law, Rowland did not declare the money to men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and was subsequently arrested and arraigned before Justice Buba.

Rowland pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge preferred against him and the matter went into full trial.

FG gets the monies

Justice Buba found him guilty and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

He also ordered that the convict should forfeit the entire sum to the Federal government.

Justice Buba said that the convict did not do the right thing by failing to declare the

money to Customs officials. He ruled that the two years imprisonment should take effect from February 9.

Chibuike, on the other hand, was arraigned on October 22, 2015 for falsely declaring $11,500 out of $2,506,998 he had in his possession during an outbound clearance for a journey to China en-route Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Chibuike pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge raised against him and the matter went into full trial. Justice Buba found him guilty and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

He also ordered that the convict should forfeit the $2,495,498, not declared, to the Federal Government.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—7

Electricity tariff: 45% increase'll violate UN ruling —SERAP As firm petitions Osinbajo over sale of Kaduna DISCO

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AGOS — THE SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has advised the Minister of Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to ensure regulatory authorities were not allowed to get away with 45 per cent increase in electricity tarrif by promoting compliance with the November 2013 ruling on the matter by two UN special rapporteurs.

This came as a firm that emerged reserve bidder in the sale of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, DISCO, LEDA Consortium Ltd, petitioned Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over the fraudulent sale of the company by the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE. SERAP’s declaration followed a nationwide protest, Monday, by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, against the increase in electricity tariff, demanding an immediate reversal of the hike.

The group in a statement issued, yesterday, by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “Nigeria is an important member of the UN and have voluntarily accepted its charter and treaties. Therefore, any effort to increase electricity tarrif should be guided by the recommendations by the UN and dialogue with organised labour and other stakeholders.

“The United Nations published the Joint Letter of Concern sent to the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan in which they expressed concerns that 'access to electricity (and regularity of supply) is a significant problem in Nigeria,' and raised eight questions for the government to answer within 60 days.”

The letter with reference, NGA 5/2013 and dated November 26, 2013, and signed by two special rapporteurs, expressed concerns that “at the end of 2012, Nigeria with a population of about 160 million people only generated about 4,000 megawatts of electricity, which is 10 times less than some other countries in the region with less population.”

The UN special rapporteurs argued that “all beneficiaries of the right to adequate housing should have sustainable access to energy for cooking, heating and lighting.

The failure of states to provide basic services such as electricity is a violation of the right to health.”

The rapporteurs, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and Raquel Rolnik, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, sent the letter following a petition lodged last year by a coalition of human rights activists, labour, journalists and lawyers, led by SERAP. The petition alleged that

increase in electricity tariff would “have detrimental impact on the human rights of those living in poverty in the country.”

Other signatories to the petition sent to the special rapporteurs in September 2013 are: the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ); Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC); Women Empowerment and Legal Aid Initiative (WELA); Partnership for Justice (PJ); Education Rights Campaign (ERC); Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council; Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos; Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch;

National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), and Joint Action Front (JAF).

Firm petitions Osinbajo over sale of Kaduna DISCO

Meanwhile, a company that emerged reserve bidder in the sale of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, DISCO, LEDA Consortium Ltd, has petitioned Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over the fraudulent sale of the company by the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE. The company wrote the Vice President seeking justice, following a protracted trial and failure of the BPE to return the ownership of the company to the reserve bidder after the preferred bidder ’s failure to meet

requirements within the stipulated time provided by law.

The director of the company, Ken Egbunike, in the petition, urged the Vice President, who is the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, to reverse the sale of Kaduna DISCO and hand it over to the reserve bidder.

In December 2014, a Federal High Court in Abuja gave an order restraining the BPE from transferring the controversial Kaduna DISCO to the preferred bidder, Northwest Power Limited, NPL. Contacted on the matter, Director-General of BPE, Benjamin Dikki, argued that the agency never breached the law since the preferred bidder, Northwest Power Limited, had met its obligations.

“The preferred bidder has fully paid and taken over the company since December 4, 2014,” he said.

BUDGET DEFENCE: Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (left) and Permanent Secretary (Works and Housing), Abubakar Magaji, during the ministry's budget defence at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

No computer skill, no promotion, FG tells workers

By Favour Nnabugwu

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BUJA— THE Federal Government has ordered civil servants in the country to develop computer skills or forfeit their promotions.

The government said the order became necessary because it would soon switch from biro-to-paper examinations to computerbased exams for onward promotions and advancement in the civil service.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoS, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, gave the order in an interview with journalists in Abuja shortly after she rewarded 12 civil servants for their punctuality and commitment to work.

Oyo-Ita, who gave commendation letter and a computer each to the 12 workers, explained that the computer reward was deliberate to drive home the call for a digitalised civil servant.

She added that any federal civil servant who failed to sharpen his or her skill in computer would not partake in computer-based promotion examinations.

She charged civil servants to be abreast of latest developments in Information, Technology and Communication, ICT, for office holders.

The HoS stated that the use of computers had been the major vehicle of change in the transition from industrial to information age, adding that computer had made sending of information from one source to the other easier and simpler.

FG must create enabling environment to grow economy — Obasanjo As Senate tasks coys to operate within the law

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By Peter Egwuatu

AGOS — FORMER President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, charged the Federal Government to create enabling environment to attract private investment which is needed to grow the economy.

Also, the Senate Committee chairman on Trade and Investment, Senator Sam Egwu, charged industries within the county to operate within the laws of the land as the National Assembly was ready to make laws that would attract investment in Nigeria.

Speaking at the official opening of British American Tobacco Company Nigeria, BATN, head office in Lagos, Obasanjo said: “Government must partner with private sector

to attract both local and foreign investments. ”In 1999, Nigeria emerged as a democratic nation and needs sustenance and support from private sector from within and outside its economy. A few investors were skeptical about the political and economic climate of Nigeria. The government then embarked on reforms programme and intensify calls for investment in Nigeria, bringing various investors and providing them with necessary information and government incentives and opportunity. So, BATN was among the first set of companies to take us serious and believe in the country.

"In the year 2001, BATN was the first tobacco company to sign a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with the

Federal Grovernment which led to an investment of $150 million and the modernisation of its Zaria factory.”

He noted that the commissioning of the company’s office complex in Lagos signified continuity of business in Nigeria and it was also in the midst of the economic challenges that the company had showcased its entrepreneur mindset and had continued to play a key role in the social economy of the county, in the area of agricultural development and afrostation, corporate social responsibility, economic development partnership among others.

He pointed out that it was at such a time like this we are reminded of the importance of the role of private sector as the engine for economy growth.

In his remark, Senator Sam Egwu said: “The state of our economy today demands there is need for economic diversification to mineral resources to deliver economic growth.

"As a result, massive industrial development and expansion of existing industries must be rigorously pursuit and BATN seems to be leading in this.

“However, industries in Nigeria must operate within the laws of the country and in line with international best practices, considering the peculiarity of its products.

"As legislators, the Senate, and by extension, the National Assembly Committees on Industry, are committed to ensuring the creation of conducive environment that will enable the private sector to enhance massive industrial development in the country.”

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

DSS arrests major ISIS recruiter Aborts ISIS plots against Nigeria Kills kingpin in Falae’s kidnap Aborts plan to hack into TSA and steal N4.5bn

By Emmanuel Aziken & Chris Ochayi

L BRIEFING: From left, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senate Leader; Senator Aliyu Dume

and Senator Dino Melaye addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Arms probe: Jonathan gave PDP chieftains, Metuh $47m to win presidential ticket —Witness EFCC closes case, as court orders Metuh to open defence Feb 18

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA —THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, narrated before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, how former President Goodluck Jonathan shared $47million to chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, prior to the national convention of the party that saw his emergence as its sole presidential candidate.

In his Evidence-in-Chief, a lead detective at the anti-graft agency, Mr. Junaid Sa’id, told the high court that the money was handed to ex-President Jonathan by the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Sa’id testified as the eight prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh.

The witness told the court that he was among a crack-team of the EFCC that not only investigated how Dasuki sequentially withdrew funds from an account the office of the NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, but also recorded Metuh’s statement on January 5, 2016.

He said: “My lord, in the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the former NSA had withdrawn about N10 billion from the CBN and converted same into dollars, which amounted to $47 million and gave the money to the then ADC and the Special Adviser (Domestic) to former President Jonathan, to share to PDP party members for the party’s presidential convention.

“My lord, the $2 million the 1st defendant (Metuh) gave to one Mrs Nneka Ararume is strongly linked to that disbursement of the $47 million which was converted on November 27, 2014 and shared to PDP members for the

presidential convention.

“My lord, just four days after November 27, was when the 1st defendant gave this money to Nneka Ararume to convert into Naira for him. There is no document with regard to that disbursement because the money was shared in cash.”

However, the EFCC operative told the court that a document showing the withdrawal of the N10 billion from CBN would constitute part of the proof of evidence in subsequent charges that would be filed against Dasuki, saying: “Before now, there was no allegation pertaining to the N10 billion disbursement.”

Earlier, the witness had told the court that Metuh used part of the N400 million the former NSA electronically wired into an account his company, Destra Investment Limited, which is the 2nd defendant in the matter, operated with Diamond Bank Plc, to buy a property at Banana Island in Lagos.

According to the witness, “investigation revealed that after payment of N400 million by ONSA, a total sum of N366 millio was paid into the same account by one Kabiru Ibrahim, who also paid in another N150 million; Capital Field Investment Limited paid in N91 million, and one Eyitonye, paid in N82 million.

“These funds formed the Naira equivalent of $2 million, which the first defendant (Metuh) gave to one Nneka Ararume in cash.

“Investigations further revealed that the money was used for PDP campaign activities and for personal use by the first defendant. The money used for PDP campaign activities was from the N400 million.

Among the disbursement made, N77.5

million was paid to CMC Connect for campaign activities; N25 million was paid to Abba Dabo for campaign activities and N21.7 million was paid to Chief Tony Anenih.

“N5 million was discovered to have been paid to Chief Kema Chikwe and N50 million was found to have been transferred to a joint account of the first defendant and his wife.

“N500m was also discovered to have been transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited in two tranches of N200 million and N300 million for the purpose of buying landed property at Banana Island, Lagos, by Metuh."

Shortly after Sa’id finished his testimony yesterday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Tahir Sylvester, said the EFCC would at that point, close its case against the defendants.

Consequently, Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him obtain the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the entire proceeding, which he said would aid him to prepare for defence.

Though the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang, dismissed the application on the premise that aside the fact that the prosecution had already frontloaded all the documents it relied upon, as well as the fact that the defence lawyer ought to have recorded statements of all the witnesses, he eventually conceded to the requested for an adjournment.

Justice Abang said his decision to adjourn the case yesterday was in view of the fact that he would be travelling to the Lagos Division of the court to deliver pending judgments.

He, therefore, ordered Metuh to appear before the court on February 18 to defend himself over the charge against him.

AGOS— THE Department of State Services, DSS, has suppressed a number of violent plots targeted against Nigeria by the Middle East radical Islamic group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, including an attack on President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, Katsina.

Disclosing what it described as silent achievements against the group and other violent groups in the country in the last one month, the security agency said it also nabbed a major recruiter of Nigerians into ISIS, besides killing a kingpin of the recent kidnap of erstwhile Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae.

Besides aborting and apprehending elements involved in a number of high profile lonewolf attacks in some selected Nigerian cities, the agency also disclosed, yesterday, its abortion of a plan by serving and retired government officials to hack into the Treasury Single Account, TSA, of the government in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, with the intent of stealing N4.5 billion.

The DSS in a statement issued

by Mr. Tony Ipuiyo said the moves by the agency had significantly degraded the capacity of the terrorists against Nigerians.

Arrests of major ISIS recruiter

According to the statement, “On January 17, 2016, one Abdussalam Enesi Yunusa, a recruiter for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was arrested in Kano. His arrest was sequel to available intelligence which indicated his terrorist antecedents and covert drive to indoctrinate and recruit susceptible youths in the country.

"Prior to his arrest, Yunusa had completed arrangements to embark on a journey to join an ISIS terrorist training camp in Libya, with other Nigerians whom he recruited for the ‘Islamic State’.”

Yunusa, a 400 level undergraduate student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State ,had before his arrest, successfully recruited three persons including a lady, Zainab Sunday.

The two others recruited by Yunusa, who were studying Information and Media Technology, were Muhammed Rabi’u and Yahaya Momoh Jimoh.

According to the statement, Yunusa was radicalized and became a member of an extremist cell, comprising one Ibrahim and Abubakar Ligali, who he revealed were currently undergoing terrorist training in Libya. He listed one Aminu (first name unknown) and Ibrahim Jihadi from the Republic of Niger as other ISIS agents operating in Nigeria and West African.

Planned attack on Buhari’s hometown

On the planned attack on Daura, Buhari’s hometown, the DSS said: “On January 17, 2016, in Daura township of Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, another budding extremist cell affiliated to ISIS, was intercepted by the service.

One Ibrahim Mohammed Daura, Zaharadeen Salisu and five other elements of the proscribed extremist group, Ansaru, were arrested by the service. This group was discovered in an active stage, as its members were already coordinating themselves for attacks in Katsina and Kano States.

Kills kingpin in Falae’s kidnap

“Another breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping was the killing of Abubakar Mohammed (aka Buba), and an unidentified member of his group, on February 8, 2016 close to Jebba Medical Centre, Jebba, Kwara State, by security operatives as they tried to escape during a shootout with security operatives.

"Mohammed was a notorious kidnap kingpin known for his brutality and various acts of lawlessness. It is disheartening that this criminal and his men had terrorized, to no end, residents of the South West zone. He was also linked to the kidnap of the elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae, in Ondo State.”

Plan to hack into TSA and steal N4.5bn

Noting how it frustrated a plot to defraud the Federal Government of N4 billion through hacking into the TSA, the service said: “The DSS have arrested a group of fraudsters who had concluded plans to hack the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) domiciled in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation in order to steal N4.5 billion from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

"The gang was led by one Sunny Okoh, a hacker, who worked in collaboration with the trio of Uwem Udo Ekpo, a Chief Programme Analyst in the OAGF, Maxwell Ekene, a retired security operative and Dozie Egwu, based in Malaysia and who is now at large.

"The suspected fraudsters intended to use a software they had sourced and codes released to them by Ekpo to hack government accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and defraud the government of this huge sum."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016— 9

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10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2016

FAAN focuses on airports landing aids devt

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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AGOS—THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , FAAN, weekend, said that it is focusing on providing critical equipment on the airside of all its airports in order to enhance landing and take off of flights.

This, it said, will not only meet the conditions for the certification of the nation’s airports but also enable flights to take off and land in low visibility occasioned by adverse weather situations.

According to the General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, the Authority kicked off the installation of airfield lighting at 13 airports and the work has reached advanced stage in many of the airports, adding the one at the Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar was test-run last week and it is working perfectly, while others have reached advanced stage of completion.

Experts warn against importation of organic fruits

By Bartholomew Madukwe

A

group known as Children with Cancer Intervention Initiative, CCII, has called on Nigerians to take their nutrition and diet very seriously, noting that most of the imported fruits and vegetables consumed are massively produced with chemicals.

CCII further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to protect the Nigerian environment by bringing back War Against Indiscipline (WAI).

Coordinator of CCII, Mrs Honor Onyebuchukwu, who spoke in Lagos to celebrate the World Cancer Day, pointed out that the Nigerian environment is highly polluted with toxics.

“How do we explain the fact that drainages/gutters right in front of companies/factories and homes are filled with empty cans, plastic bottles, nylon bags and sand, among other things and no one seem to be doing anything about it?

Men and women defecate and pass urine on the road indiscriminately and this is unchecked,” she said.

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Nigerian varsity develops Lassa fever test-kit

By Ikenna Asomba

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GAINST the backdrop of the raging Lassa fever virus, the Redeemer’s University, RUN, Ede, Osun State, has developed a test kit known as Pan-Lassa Rapid Diagnostics Test (PL RDT), that enables the testing of urine, faeces and blood samples of humans or multimamelar rats for Lassa

fever in 10 minutes.

The discovery, a prototype which is still being validated by the federal government-owned Irua Specialist Hospital, before its commercialisation, contains molecules that inhibit Lassa fever and a potential vaccine against Lassa fever.

It is one of the discoveries of the university’s World-Bank funded African Centre of Excellence for

Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID).

Explaining the research breakthrough, the Director of ACEGID, RUN, Prof. Christian Happi, who was a member of a team that performed the first Lassa fever Positive Reverse Transcription (PCR) diagnosis in Nigeria in 2008, 39 years after it was discovered in the city of Lassa in 1969, said: “In 2014, we

developed and tested the first generation of Lassa fever rapid diagnostics test (RDT). Although, the test showed great potential in the field, its sensitivity was low compared to the gold standard, Positive Reverse Transcription (PCR), because the test could not pick up all the three lineages of the Lassa virus circulating in Nigeria. We went back to work to improve on the RDTs, and in January 2016, we successfully developed a Pan-Lassa fever test that is highly sensitive and specific.”

He noted that it is well established that Ribavirin currently being used to treat Lassa fever was not designed for the disease and as such, it’s only effective when given in the early phase of the infection.

LSHA sets up committee to rejig land laws

By Ebun Sessou VISIT: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his wife, Bolanle (right), jointly presenting a gift to the President, Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joachim Gauck (left) and his wife, Gerhild, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the German President, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Lagos security council vows to build on existing gains

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HE Lagos State Government yesterday assured residents of the State that it was working hard to consolidate on the gains recorded over the past few months in reducing crime to the barest minimum, just as it reiterated its commitment to always uphold security of lives and property.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni who disclosed this at the end of the monthly State Security Council meeting chaired by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and attended by heads of all the security agencies in the State, said the Council considered and agreed to build on the momentum of successes recorded so far with the view to safeguarding lives and property, as well as maintain a safer environment for investment.

He said: “As you all know that one of the tripod upon which the State Government built its policy thrust is security. We have once again looked at what is happening security wise; the gains recorded especially with the successful hosting of the Lagos Marathon held last Saturday.

“Looking at that, we have considered and agreed that there is need to build on the momentum and further improve on what we are doing in order to keep Lagos State safer and more secured in order to attract investments which will also translate into giving employment to people in Lagos,” Owoseni said.

Owoseni, who briefed

newsmen alongside service chiefs and top government functionaries, also highlighted the positive impacts which the

‘Light Up Lagos’ Project, an initiative of Governor Ambode’s administration, has had on the security architecture in the state.

Beko's anniversary lecture, rally holds today

By Charles Kumolu

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AGOS—TEN years after the death of the late human rights activist, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, associates and friends would hold an anniversary lecture and wreath laying ceremony in his honour today.

The events which would be convened by different groups in Lagos would be a platform for Nigeria’s democracy to be mirrored in the light of the contributions of the late Beko to the enthronement of democratic rule.

The Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin led Campaign for Democracy would hold a wreath laying ceremony and rally at the Beko Memorial Cenotaph while the lecture being convened by the Beko Kuti Memorial Anniversary Committee would take place at Airport Hotel.

This came as OkeiOdumakin, urged Nigerians to continue the struggle for the functionality of the rule of law and constitutional growth which Beko lived and died for.

She said: ‘’ Beko was committed to the struggle and belonged to a few in the world

who can be easily recognised by their first name. It is difficult to find people like him because he fought for the rule of law and constitutional democracy.”

The Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode and a former governor of the state are among expected guests at the Airport Hotel lecture which is entitled: Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy: The Realities,The Challenges and the Prospects.

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AGOS—IN its bid to find lasting solution to the recurring issue on land matters in Lagos, the state house of assembly yesterday set up a committee to come up with a bill that would address some of the bottlenecks on land issues.

This was sequel to a report presented by an adhoc chaired by Saka Fafunmi on some difficulties encountered on land.

Setting up the committee, Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa during plenary told the members of the committee to report back to the house and come up with a bill on land matters within a month.

According to him, the committee would be chaired by the Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, with members including Rasheed Makinde, Saka Solaja, Tobun Abiodun and Jimi Mohammed.

Other members of the committee are Lanre Ogunyemi, Rotimi Olowo, Tunde Buraimoh, and the Deputy Majority Leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh.

N2.6BN FRAUD: 15 accused, 2 firms for trial Peter Oriade, Olusola Fagbure

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till March 2, for the arraignment of 15 accused and two companies, charged with N2.6 billion fraud.

The accused are Nigeria International Bank Ltd, Chief C. S. Sankey, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo. UKabiru Bello, J.E Eriagbon, Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nig. Ltd, Mark Anaele, Peter Harris,

and Obianwa Chuba.

They are charged on 20 counts of conspiracy, intent to defraud, falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of over N2. 6 billion belonging to MicMerah International Agency Ltd. The case which was fixed for arraignment of the accused was again stalled, yesterday, due to the absence of the accused.

The prosecutor, Mr Chukwudi Chikelue informed the court that the prosecution has been unable to effect service of the charge on the accused.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 — 11

YORUBA OBAS: I stand by my ranking — ALAKE

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo has maintained his stand on the ranking of Yoruba Obas, pledging to release evidence to back his claims.

The Alake, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media Affairs, Chief Lai Labode said he does not want to engage in controversy with anyone.

The Paramount ruler had on weekend stirred the hornet’s nest, declaring that the Ooni of Ife remained the highest in the ranking of Yoruba Obas.

The Alake who also identified ego as the cause of disunity among traditional rulers and people of Yoruba extraction, said the Ife monarch is the highest of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland.

Oba Gbadebo said this while receiving the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in his Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State palace.

The Alake who had listed the other Obas below the Ooni to include the Alaafin of Oyo and the Oba of Benin coming second and third, respectively, in that order.

He also listed his own title, the Alake of Egbaland as the fourth while the Awujale of Ijebuland occupies the lowest rung of the ladder.

The Alake said, “Ooni is one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland. The others are in order of the way they are classified on supremacy basis. After the Ooni is the Alaafin. After the Alaafin, the Oba of Benin. After the Oba of Benin, it comes to the Alake of Egbaland and the fifth and by no means the last or the least, the Awujale of Ijebuland.’’

Although, the paramount ruler was said to be unavailable to clear some issues relating to his claim, his aide disclosed that the monarch had sent evidence to support his claim through his private secretary who was not available as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona could not be reached as his Personal Assistant, identified as Toyin requested for a letter of interview before Awujale could talk to the press.

The Awujale's aide said the monarch was ready to speak with media provided a letter of request for interview is sent to him.

Ooni not in supremacy battle with anyone

Meantime, as the controversy over the ranking of traditional rulers in Yorubaland continued yesterday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said he would not want to be drawn into a supremacy battle with any traditional ruler in the country.

Oba Ogunwusi reiterated his desire for a more united Yoruba race and peaceful Nigeria.

The Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the kingdom C M Y K

‘Ooni not in supremacy battle with anyone' (Traditional Head), Chief David Edebiri had on Monday said the Alake of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo goofed when he said the Oba of Benin was third in the hierarchy of Obas.

He explained that the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin, adding that the stool of the Oba of Benin could not be compared with that of any Yoruba king.

But when contacted to comment on the statement credited to the palace of Oba of Benin, the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s

Palace Moses Olafare said the only thing that was paramount to the Ooni now remains the need to foster unity and healthy development among the Yorubas and the entire nation.

His words: “Let me emphasize for the umpteenth time that Kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo, he’s only interest for now on the sacred throne of Oduduwa is to explore measures through which the collective interest

and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.

“This informed his resolve to build bridges of harmony among Yourba Obas. I am resolutely committed to how the Yoruba ethnic group can restore its glory and pride position among other ethnic inclinations in Nigeria and don’t want to be dragged into supremacy contest or join issues with anybody.''

SYMPOSIUM: From left; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun; Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Prof. Olu Akinkugbe; a former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Ismael Olalekan Alli; and President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Wole Akinwande, at a symposium organised by the state government in honour of the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, yesterday.

Ibadan indigenes, others call for review of chieftaincy system meeting of Baale’s to nominate steps to the throne.

By Ola Ajayi

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B A DA N — E M I N E N T Nigerians at a symposium organised in honour of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana have called for reforms of Ibadan’s chieftancy system to give room for youths to emerge as monarch of the populous city.

They said this at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, where the programme was held yesterday.

Among those that spoke at a well attended programme include the former Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Chief Adeoye Oyebola, former Managing Director of defunct Daily Times Newspaper , first Professor of Medicine in Nigeria, Emeritus Prof. Olu Akinkugbe, Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli and many others.

Chief Oyebola, who spoke on the topic, “Ibadan Chieftaincy Traditional Imperatives for reform advised that youths within 35-45 years should be the target for Mogaji titles across Ibadanland.

He said, “Anything we must do to begin to take younger people as mogaji’s must be done so that younger person can emerge Olubadan someday. I suggest the Olubadan-in-council should call a

educated, successful and younger people from their families to become the Mogaji’s.

What do you want to do with old mogaji’s without means of livelihood and survival?”, He lamented that there was no sense in people waiting for so long to become an Olubadan only for such to die after few years.”

Also calling for review of the traditional hierarchy, Dr. Olunloyo, said indeed something must be done to streamline the lines and reduce the succession

Contrary to popular belief that the chieftaincy hierarchy was rancour-free, the former governor clarified that succession to the Olubadan throne was not always rancour-free.

In his own contribution, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Aare Alaasa of Ibadanland, highlighted factors that distinguished Ibadan system unique was that promotion in the royal succession is not by examination, litigation or calculation but simply just by destiny.

FG projects GDP growth of 4.2% by 2017 — FINANCE MINISTER

By Ediri Ejoh & Prince Okafor

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AGOS—THE Federal Government has projected a rise in the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth to 4.2 percent by 2017.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, made this projection when she addressed Chief Financial Officers, CFOs, at the just concluded KPMG Professional Services CFO Forum and Survey Launch in Lagos.

In her presentation on the theme; Outlook of the Nigerian Economy, she noted that the country’s GDP for 2015 was the lowest in the last 15 years, at an average of 4 percent.

“Nigeria GDP, growth from 2005 to 2010 was at an average of 9 percent, and everybody was trying to announce about Nigeria saying, how fantastically we have been doing with great money in the economy.''

Ooni’s grandma dies at 104

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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HE paternal grandmother of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Madam Mariani Adeyemi Ogunwusi is dead. She died yesterday at the age of 104.

She is survived by her only surviving son, Prince Oluropo Ogunwusi and 12 grandchildren.

Described as a devoted Christian, her remains will be interred during the final funeral activities fixed for April 22 and 23, 2016.

Ekiti APC accuses Fayose of corruption

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of using his business associates as fronts to misappropriate Ekiti fund, asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on the activities of the governor.

The party also called on the antigraft agency to beam its searchlight on the execution of the new airport and market projects in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Publicity Secretary, Taiwo

Olatunbosun said in a statement that the alarm became imperative in the face of mind-boggling revelations in the execution of the proposed projects by the governor using his business associates as fronts to misappropriate Ekiti money like he did during his first term in the poultry project.

Reacting to the allegations, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi said “Contract for construction of the airport project is yet to be awarded by the government because compensation to the

land owners are yet to be paid.

During the open bidding done recently, airport project was not of the projects bidded forý. I advised the Ekiti APC to look for another lie to tell”.

The APC listed instances of cloudy deals through which the governor allegedly awarded questionable contracts to his family members and friends, Olatunbosun said: “Dothraki International Limited, a business name owned by one of Fayose’s sons, was contracted for the projects on road signs and Christmas lights within Ado Ekiti in December last year.''

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Olu of Warri tasks Buhari on trans-Itsekiri-Ijaw bridge

By Emma Amaize, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

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ARRI—THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the construction of a bridge to link riverine communities in Delta State to tackle youth restiveness, pipeline vandalism and foster peaceful co-existence, particularly between Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.

The Olu spoke in an interview with Vanguard at his palace in Warri on his vision for Itsekiri nation and its immediate neighbour.

Shifting ground on the position of the Itsekiri on the original plan of the bridge, which is to pass through OgbeIjoh community, he said: “Though our people objected prior to this time, I am saying yes now.”

On the significance of the bridge to the riverine communities in the area, he said: “The original plan was to take it through Ogbe-Ijaw and I do not mind as far as it gets to Ode-Itsekiri, because through Ode-Itsekiri, it can link other Ijaw communities around.

“The first way to curb youth restiveness in our area is to make sure that road links these areas and the

A

BUJA—THE British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Baroness Anelay, arrived Nigeria yesterday to discuss ways of addressing the problems of sexual violence arising in the fight against insurgency and other sundry issues.

A statement by Joe Abuku, Press Officer, British High Commission in Abuja, said that the United Kingdom was providing £6.7 million of humanitarian support to help those affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

The statement added that 60 per cent of UK’s Department for I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development, DFID’s, £ 2 2 2 m i l l i o n

“I am appealing to President Buhari to try his best by linking Ode-Itsekiri through Ogbe-Ijaw. It is a very short distance and from there, it can link other communities inside because once there is a road linking people, you have bridged communication gap. There will, therefore, be more understanding and the people will also be more accommodating.”

Presidency raises alarm over N20bn budget for Amnesty Programme

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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B U J A — T H E Presidency, yesterday, raised alarm over the grave implications of grossly inadequate N20 billion proposed budget for the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the 2016 budget document.

Speaking when he appeared

British Foreign Minister visits Nigeria, discusses £6.7m aid

By Bartholomew Madukwe

government can do it, President Buhari should please try.

“Now, we are talking of pipeline vandalism. Instead of looking for boats from the boatyard to get to these areas in search of the perpetrators, you can just drive on road straight to those communities. This would minimize the efforts of protecting our area and securing our facilities.

development budget for Nigeria, was spent in northern Nigeria.

It said that Anelay, who is also the UK Prime Minister ’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI), would hold high level discussions with government officials in Nigeria during the visit.

According to the statement, discussions will include how to better ensure the protection of civilians in the fight against Boko Haram.

“The minister will also meet with a number of civil society activists and Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs, to discuss the importance of protecting civilians in the fight against insurgency,” the statement added.

before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Borah (retd), said most of the obligations in the Amnesty Programme would be frustrated if the original N64 billion proposed for the programme for the 2016 fiscal year was not approved.

Borah noted that a significant number of the 30,000 ex-Niger Delta militants currently undergoing training overseas would be adversely affected.

He said: “In view of the foregoing, I urge you most sincerely to consider an upward review from the proposed N20 billion to N64.8 billion for the sustenance and re-integration of ex-agitators in the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the 2016 fiscal year.”

Of the N63.06 billion appropriated for the amnesty programme in 2015, the sum of N63.02 billion was released.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said that the committee would carry out an extensive audit of the renovation of the nation’s airports undertaken by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Uzodimma spoke when the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, appeared before his Committee on Aviation for budget defence.

Speaking while defending the 2016 budget proposal of the ministry before the Senate Committee on Aviation in Abuja, Amaechi noted that the ministry would soon commence an extensive audit of renovation of the nation’s airports carried out by the last administration.

Niger Delta monarchs decry spate of members' kidnap

By Chris Njoku

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RADITIONAL rulers in the Niger Delta region have decried the resurgence of violence, destruction of oil pipelines and kidnappings of their members.

National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROPCON, made the observation at its emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.

National Chairman of the group, HRM Akuweze Ikegwuruka, meanwhile, called on the Federal Government to fast track the development of the Niger Delta through its various state agencies.

He also pledged the group’s support to the current anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The traditional rulers, however, urged the Federal Government to kick start the process of diversifying the economy in the face of dwindling crude oil prices.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—13

S-South gov, Ijaw leaders urge Tompolo to appear in court

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, S-South

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ARRI—THE governor of one of the South-South states and prominent Ijaw leaders in the Niger Delta region have counseled the ex-General Officer Commanding, GOC, defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to show up before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which renewed a bench warrant for his arrest on Monday.

An Ijaw leader, who preferred anonymity told Vanguard, yesterday: “Our counsel to Tompolo is to avert the possible bombardment of our communities and harassment of innocent citizens by security operatives under the guise of searching for him and perpetrators of the January pipeline bombing in Delta state.”

Meanwhile, the police has withdrawn the security aides approved for Tompolo by the Federal Government since 2009 under the leadership of late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Vanguard learned that the security aides, who had been with Tompolo for nearly six years, were withdrawn soon after Justice Ibrahim Buba issued the first bench warrant against the ex-mil-

itant leader, last month. A source close to Tompolo confirmed the development yesterday.

In addition, security chiefs in the Niger Delta were reportedly strategizing, yesterday, on how to track down Tompolo following the court order to produce him on February 19.

Tension

However, there is tension in Gbaramatu Kingdom following the renewal of the bench warrant. A traditional ruler in the area said: “It is true that there is fear of the unknown in the kingdom now because of the way government is going about the matter. The people are frightened. In my opinion, this is a matter between Tompolo and the government, so they should not make it a Gbaramatu-Ijaw affair.”

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, yesterday, cautioned the security agencies against breaching the freedom of law-abiding citizens of Gbaramatu Kingdom in their manhunt for Tompolo, whose lawyers are in court to explain his position.

Groups plead for time

Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade,

FHRACC and Ijaw Peoples Devel- invitation and he engaged law- the All Progressives Congress, opment Initiative, IPDI, also ap- yers to vacate the bench warrant APC, and help dislocate Govpealed to the Federal High Court and soften the grounds for his enor Seriake Dickson in the last and Federal Government to give appearance so as not to give the Bayelsa State governorship Tompolo time to appear since he EFCC the room to humiliate him poll. He objected and that was where his trouble started. Forhad earlier indicated his willing- as premeditated. ness to appear. A source said, “The “Actually, this is the position. get all these charges of money governor and some notable Ijaw You know that this whole thing laundering and all that,” he politicians got to Tompolo after the was fuelled by his refusal to join added. first bench warrant was issued, advising him to appear before the court.

H o n e s t l y, She said the Executive

By Emma Una Information, Mrs RoseTompolo is Council members were in mary Archibong, who annot against support of the vision of the ALABAR—CROSS nounced the pay cut by the appearing in River State governor, governor and his aides in governor to impart court, but just Senator Ben Ayade, his Calabar, yesterday, said positively on the people of that the way deputy, Professor Ivara Esu that the decision was the state and their parting the Economic and all the executive counvoluntary and would take with part of their monthly and Financial cil members have agreed on effect retroactively from emoluments was in Crimes Com- a cut on their monthly salwhen they were appointed. support of that vision so m i s s i o n , aries.

“What the governor wants that more people could be EFCC, is goWhile the governor of- is to reach as many people provided for through ing about it is fered 80 percent of his salas possible by appointing political appointments. clearly to hu- ary, his deputy and all ExMrs Archibong said that many people into miliate him. ecutive Council government and this the deductions from each “He (Tom- members agreed to forfeit involves huge financial commissioner ’s salary polo) assured 20 percent of their monthly commitment and so to would be based on the the governor pay to make provision for make sure our brothers and amount due for each one and Ijaw lead- the large number of political sisters who are part of as monthly salary is based ers that he aides appointed by the government go home with on calculations by the would hon- governor. something at the end of Revenue Moblisation and our the court Fiscal Commission in The Commissioner for every month.”

Abuja.

Ayade slashes own salary by 80%, exco members, 20%

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14 —Vanguard, WEDESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

TINUBU, SUBOMI-BALOGUN, OTHERS CONDOLE WITH BRIG-GEN MOBOLAJI JOHNSON OVER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE, FUNMILAYO, YESTERDAY. Photos by Bunmi Azeez.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC (left) and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu condoling with Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson.

Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson and Engr. Guy Otobo.

Brig-Gen. Johnson (right) receiving a plaque from Representatives of Methodist Boys High School Lagos, Old Boys Association, Mr. Dele Martins (2nd right), Mr. Wale Fadairo (3rd right) and others on his 80th Birthday and for the death of his wife.

General Theophilus Danjuma and Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson.

Otunba Subomi Balogun signing the condolence register.

FG owes contractors N1trn — FASHOLA

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—MINISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said the Federal Government was owing contractors handling road projects in the country about N1 trillion.

The minister, who disclosed this during the 2016 budget proposal defence at the House of Representatives joint budget hearing on Urban Development and Regional Planning, Power, Works, and Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, said there were no less than 200 ongoing road projects awarded by the previous administration which gulped N3 trillion, with an outstanding payment of N1 trillion.

But he noted that the three ministries under his watch, had to work with the budget of N433 billion in the 2016 fiscal year, adding that he had resolved to make do with what was available.

The minister noted that there was the consideration to bring back toll gates on the country’s highways by the Federal Executive Council, FEC. Fashola said the nation’s C M Y K

...Minister promises to construct 6,000 roads in 3 yrs economy stood down as a result of the general elections in the country last year and that because the government was not spending, the economy stood down.

He said that his ministry had prioritised the roads to be constructed in the country and that such roads should be the ones that would drive the economy and also serve the North and South, East and West as well as give value to movements of tankers and other goods.

He said another consideration in the construction of roads would be on the ones that had the heaviest traffic, and those nearing completion that could be accelerated and concluded fast.

He said a three-year work plan had been evolved and that about 2000 kilometres of roads would be done in year one, another 2000 kilometres in year two and the same number of kilometres of roads in year three.

The minister stressed that the roads spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Giving a breakdown of the ministry’s budget, Fashola said N208 billion would be expended

on roads, N99 billion on power, with N66 billion for Housing.

He noted also that over-head had the allocation of N17, 843 billion, while seven parastatals under the ministry, including FERMA, Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the Federal School

for Survey, FSS, would share N26, 715 billion.

Fashola acknowledged that huge monies would be required to maintain roads on regular basis and urged the legislators to complement the envisaged policy with relevant legislation

aimed at achieving the desired goal.The projects listed as topmost priorities include SokotoKantagora-Makera Road, Katsina-Kano-Maidugari Road, Hadeja-Nguru-Gashua Road, Ilorin-Jebba-Makowa, LagosIbadan Road, EnuguPortharcourt, Calabar-AdokpaniIkot Road and AjibandeleSagamu Road.

However, the committee queried why N50 billion was allocated to the Lagos-Ibadan Road alone.

Nigerians spend $2bn on school fees abroad

By Laide Akinboade-Oriere

A

BUJA—THE Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institution and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Senator Binta Masi, yesterday said Nigeria currently spends over $2 billion annually as capital flight on education abroad.

She made this known in Abuja,during the official Commissioning of Federal University of Lafia, FUL, to the Nigeria Research and Education Network,NgREN. Senator Masi, who frowned on Nigerians travelling to other African countries to get educated, said Nigeria was getting it right on the initiative of the research and education network.

She said as chairman, Senate

Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the NgREN initiative would be further exposed to the members of the National Assembly to fully engage all stakeholders and ensure adequate funding and support for maximum delivery of the NgREN services.

Senator Masi added that the National Assembly would continue to support more initiatives on rescuing and reviving the glory of the Nigeria education sector.

Speaking on the benefits of NgREN, the Coordinator of the Programme in NUC, Dr Joshua Attah, said the network helped in cutting cost as its present connection fee was $59 per megg.

Attah said: “It helps to avoid unnecessary travels and also help cut cost of capacity building as teaching can be delivered to several people.”

He added that NgREN will address ranking address.

It would be recalled, Nigerian Research and Education Network NgREN was formally commissioned on July 8, 2014, and was initially providing services to 27 Federal universities.

Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, said Nigeria Research and Education network is the first to become operational in West Africa and its broadband is next to MTN. He stressed the need to do more sensitization on the advantages of connecting to NgREN.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 —15

C M Y K

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2016

BIAFRA: 6 IPOB members shot dead in Aba, 30 injured, 45 in Police net •As Kanu is brought to court in handcuffs •Court rejects Kanu’s request for seized passports, money

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Nwabueze Okonkwo & Francis Igata

A

BA—THE protest embarked on by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over the prolonged detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, turned bloody in Aba, Abia State, as a combined team of security agents, comprising soldiers and policemen allegedly fired shots at the protesters, killing six members of the group and arresting 20.

Also in Enugu, the Police in the state yesterday, arrested 25 members of the IPOB, who had gathered at the Naira Triangle in preparation for a protest march.

Vanguard gathered that the protesters had, as early as 9am, converged at National High School,

along Port Harcourt-Aba road, from where they usually march to other areas of the city when security agents swooped on them. Sources said the IPOB members were in prayer session when the soldiers and their police counterparts invaded the area and arrested some leaders of the group.

In the confusion, several protesters were injured while 10 were feared dead.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the casualty figure would have been higher had some of the protesters not escaped.

According to them,“the protesters as usual, gathered at the school to pray before taking off, but soldiers and policemen invade the area. There was heavy shooting. I saw more than three dead people. Many others were injured.”

The situation caused

tension in the area as shop owners and residents scampered to safety.

Motorists avoided the stretch between Crystal Park Hotel junction and National High School in order not to be caught in the crossfire.

An IPOB official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the security agents arrested the group’s Aba Coordinator identified as Ikechukwu and some of his assistants.

The official, who disclosed that 20 IPOB members were being detained by the Police, insisted that they would not relent until their detained leader is released as well as the actualization of an independent state of Biafra, adding that the protest would continue until Friday.

At the time of filing this report, over 30 members of the group were reportedly receiving attention at various hospitals in the city.

When Vanguard visited the

Detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu in court, yesterday. area, stern looking soldiers and policemen were seen at strategic positions while a convoy over 30 patrol vans later took the arrested protesters away.

Contacted on phone, spokesman of the Abia State Police command, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, told Vanguard that he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

Enugu protest

The protest march which they had tagged “mother of all protest marches” was nipped in the bud by security agents who stormed the venue where they were trooping in numbers.

The Naira Triangle was almost covered with a sea of heads when the security operatives struck and dispersed them.

Canisters of tear gas were shot at the gathering which snowballed into physical show of strength between the IPOB members and security agents.

But for the application of extreme professional caution by the security agents, the fracas could have resulted in many loss of lives.

Although many of the IPOB members sustained injuries, many took to their heels as the police released shots of tear gas into the crowd.

The media and publicity officer of IPOB, Emma Powerful decried the attitude of the security agents towards its members, saying the group is not a violent group and were assembling for a peaceful protest march.

Groups condemn killings

Civil society organizations in Abia State under the auspices of Abia Human Rights Agenda yesterday condemned what it described as the killing of defenceless protesters in Aba. The group called on the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to cause investigation into the dastardly acts and prosecute those found culpable, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Addressing newsmen in Aba, the group; Foundation for Environmental Rights and Advocacy, FENRAD; Society for Economic Rights and Social Justice, SERSJ; Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation, HRJPF; among others; contended that over 15 persons have lost their lives in proBiafra protests in the city, describing the situation as unacceptable and called on security agents to respect the rules of their engagements.

Spokesmen for the groups, Nelson Nwafor, Innocent Nwokocha, and Cassius Ukwugbe, described the killings as the height of human rights violations by those who are paid to protect lives and properties, asserting that the killing of unarmed citizens is a heinous crime against God and humanity.

According to the CSOs, “Over 10 people lost their lives during the protest against the detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Several others sustained various degrees of injuries as security agents clashed with protesters.

Security agents must restrict themselves to the rules of their engagements in crisis situation.”

Drama in court

Meantime, a mild drama took place within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, whose trial was billed for yesterday, refused to remove his handcuffs.

It took the intervention of his lead counsel, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, to persuade Kanu to stepdown from the prison van that brought him to court for trial.

Though he eventually succumbed to persuasion by his lawyer to alight from the prison van,

however, Kanu, swore that he would not allow anybody to remove the handcuffs which he wore into the court room.

Rejection

Also yesterday, trial Justice John Tsoho, dismissed an application by the detained leader of the IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, for an order compelling the Department of State Services, DSS, to release some items that were forcefully seized from him on the day he was arrested.

Among the items Kanu wanted the court to help him retrieve from the security agency included his British and Nigerian passports, as well as $2,200 and N87, 000.

The IPOB leader who is facing treason charge, made the oral application through his lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, on a day the Federal Government applied for protection of the identities of witnesses that were billed to testify against him.

Muoma contended that the items were not among the exhibits the prosecution listed in his proof-of evidence before the court.

He argued that the fact that the prosecution had by way of an affidavit evidence, deposed that investigation had been concluded on the matter, and did not include the seized items among the materials it would rely upon to establish the guilt of the defendant, meant they would not be needed during the trial.

The application was vehemently opposed by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, who insisted that the proper procedure was for the defendant to write an application to the Attorney General of the Federation, requesting for the said items to be released to him if it would not be used in the course of the trial.

“If the application is brought to the AGF, it is for us at that level to look at the relevance of the items visà-vis the prosecution of this case, and reply accordingly.

At this point in time, evidence has not been adduced in this court,” Diri argued.

Placing reliance on section 10(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, the DPP,maintainedthatKanucould onlymakesuchapplicationatthe end of his trial.

He said: “It should be made at the close of the case of the prosecution. As to the two passports, the proof of evidence before this court indicates that despite the fact that the 1st defendant carries Nigerian andBritishpassports,hesneaked into the territory of theFederalRepublicofNigeriawithout using any of them."

I AM not one of those who believes that Nigerians cannot recover from the “jollof” mentality, as it is popularly known, i.e. the belief that it is possible to eternally profit or make perpetual returns without putting in any hard work or commensurate investment.

However, after getting used to a system whereby it was possible for some to make incredibly huge sums overnight by simply walking into the right government office, therefore prompting others to aspire to such an easy but corrupt lifestyle, it is now urgent to explain, step by step, to those who might have forgotten, to those who pretend to have forgotten and to those born into this system, who might genuinely not know any other way, that in the modern world, in a society guided by the principles of equity and fairness, not only do you reap what you sow, you pay for what you get and we are all equal in front of the law.

Then again, Nigeria is neither a modern nor a fair society so my premise isn’t one the average man on the street is familiar with.

In such a context, where poverty abounds and government for decades was perceived as doing little or nothing to empower Nigerians, the question of paying for public utilities is ironically a controversial one.

Ironic because most Nigerians, from corporate entities to individuals, do not pay taxes yet demand government services, having gotten used to a system where governments would dole out favours with a sort of condescending kindness meant to buy support and keep people in check.

Political patronage As we bickered over political patronage based on ethno-religious concerns, government’s ability to provide public utilities (electricity, water, sewage etc.) in a generalized, efficient, neutral manner became significantly eroded.

With universal quality of service no longer assured and a global trend towards privatization and liberalization, precisely to ensure citizens get electricity and other utilities efficiently and at a reasonable price, in 2005 our National Assembly passed a law requiring that government relinquish its monopoly on power provision by unbundling it into generation (GENCOS), transmission and distribution companies (DISCOS), a fairly misunderstood process.

Electricity produced by the generation companies comes from gas bought from gas producing companies or from water in hydro-electric dams. Government’s sale of the GENCOS to private investors meant said companies repaired the broken down equipment they bought from Government.

The question of why said equipment was broken down in the first place is one Nigerians should ask all previous administrations.

These companies have also taken on the responsibility of building more facilities to generate more electricity. The most misunderstood issue is that of the role and C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 —17

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Powering Change: The people’s responsibility to pay for electricity

functioning of the DISCOS. Government retained ownership of the transmission company, as in most countries. So, its role now is reduced to transporting electricity (through TCN), from the GENCOS to the DISCOS who then sell it to Nigerians.

Many are protesting the tariff increase, saying it amounts to “paying more for darkness” or to “paying for companies to enrich themselves but not to serve us” which is reminiscent of both the “jollof” mentality and the trust deficit which undermines all government (and also private for that matter) action.

On one hand, Nigerians have gotten used to poor services (in this case a lack of electricity) so we assume nothing can make it better because in the past, there never seemed to be the will, on anyone’s part for things to work for the benefit of all. However, as difficult as it might seem, I’d urge anyone reading this to give this new dispensation the benefit of the doubt. We impede progress in this country by instantly nulli-

The industry is about to become a lot more competitive and we will get to a point where, like in Europe or America, if you aren’t satisfied with your company’s services, you can switch to another

fying or rejecting any attempts at reform, under the guise that it has never been done or that people and governments so far have not been sincere.

But will we ever know who is and who isn’t if we protest every potentially beneficial action? As for the accusation of DISCOs enriching themselves off Nigerians, the truth is, these companies are commercial, profit driven entities, which doesn’t stop them from doing what’s best for consumers, especially because the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ensures DISCOS don’t charge Nigerians more than what is fair given that they must also charge enough so all companies involved in producing electricity can earn enough to keep producing and also, to invest in the necessary infrastructure to increase production.

Dilapidated structures “Is she saying investors need my money to improve power?” you might ask. In an ideal world, we would have more electricity before the price goes up, but in the real world, why would any investor negate the question of their own profit, having on top of it all inherited dilapidated structures and market constraints?

Certain facts should also act as assurances as to the seriousness of this government: first, there will be no more fixed charges from DISCOS; we will pay for what we consume. So why not disengage from the practice of leaving unused appliances on, turning off the lights

when not in use etc. so as to save energy and reduce our bills? Also, customers without meters to verify electricity consumption cannot be forced to pay more than their last uncontested bill. These inbuilt consumer protection mechanisms allied with incentives for DISCOS to provide better service (after all the tariff increase will help all compa-

nies involved recoup costs and further invest) will not only change Nigerian homes but the industry as a whole. Furthermore, in the Buhari era where suddenly everyone seems to be sitting up, or re-awakening to their duty, one can believe there will be better monitoring of the DISCOS through the performance contracts signed with government.

Once change occurs it can be institutionalized and self-perpetuating if we the citizens get on board and play our part. Government has done its part, in contrast with previous unrealistic, populist prices, set without regard for the economic and commercial implications which in the end, hampered service delivery.

What we must do now, Nigerians, is hold the power companies to their end of the bargain as is done all over the world. If things do not work the way they should, let us protest them and not the government, given that now investors, customers and DISCOS can also create more power generation and distribution facilities, enabling more electricity for the general grid.

The industry is about to become a lot more competitive and we will get to a point where, like in Europe or America, if you aren’t satisfied with your company’s services, you can switch to another. If we are passionate about our savings on power, we must also, as communities get involved in energy issues, come together to set up our own solar installations or work towards community ownership of some commercial power projects.

It is also impressive that this government has not forgotten about the poorest amongst us who will benefit from a N4 tariff which virtually subsidizes basic services.

From now on, powering change is in our hands.

Osinbajo

I

NDICATIONS that the Nigerian elite has been calling on government to forget the anti-corruption war are not surprising and it is interesting that among the poor and middle-class who cannot dream of government patronage, the sentiment is the exact opposite.

However, because the elite uses the excuse of witch-hunting on ethno-religious lines, we all must begin to appeal to the national conscience and explain that beyond

•Vice President Yemi Osinbajo compassion for the poor, there is a security imperative which forces us all to fix a system with opportunities schemed towards a few.

Ben Bruce and the bitter truth

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EACTING to the Presi d e n t ’ s interview in the UK Telegraph on Nigerians’ image problem abroad, the Senator in his contin-

•Ben Bruce

ued populist affront on logic, tried to garner support for his onslaught against the President s a y i n g #NigeriansAreNotCriminals.

Certainly, and the President never said they were. However, the bitter truth is that Nigerians are among the largest number of Africans in UK jails. Let’s think about that. *Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 10, 2016 After being initially stigmatised in the “missing budget” saga, the 2016 Appropriation Bill, which is being tooth-combed for passage by the National Assembly, if properly implemented, could revive the economy and rapidly exit Nigeria, for the first time since the civil war, from being a hostage to crude oil.

Most economic analysts see Buhari’s first budget as an elected President as a recourse to the Keynesian model, whereby instruments of bailouts and massive spending are used to snatch sagging economies from the mouth of recession and possible depression.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration rode the 2008 economic meltdown by creating the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON ) to bailout heavily indebted banks and businesses but wound up being owed over five trillion naira. Buhari seeks, instead, to “bailout the poor and most vulnerable” with the N500 billion voted for

Budget 2016 a litmus test for Buhari conditional cash transfers, school feeding programme and training of 500,000 teachers to put new life in our educational system.

Government hopes, through this spending, to inject money into the system and create opportunities for those who will provide goods and services for the programmes.

Another ambitious aspect of the budget is the proposed heavy investment in infrastructure. The sum of 433.4 billion is allocated to the Power, Works and Housing Ministry to

execute capital projects, while its Transport counterpart will spend 202 billion, part of which could involve the floating of a new aviation national carrier.

The FG also intends to liberalise the solid minerals sector and allow states and private individuals, within the limits of extant laws, to participate in the exploitation of abundant resources in that sector.

These are quite innovative, but a lot depends on how the approved budget will look like when the legislature is

done with it, and how closely the Federal Government will implement it.

Fears are being entertained that the steep drop of oil prices could go against it. Federal lawmakers from the opposition PDP have also argued that this budget might plunge this country back to the era of heavy indebtedness from which the Obasanjo regime exited the country through debt swap.

W e call on President Buhari and the ruling APC to eschew unnecessary distractions, which have bedevilled governance since they came to power over eight months ago. The 2016 budget carries a lot of innovations and it will take a focused regime to successfully deliver it.

Happily, the war on corruption is proceeding apace. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) is being smoothly implemented, while the Integrated Personal and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) is being used to plug corrupt revenue drain.

Successful implementation of the 2016 budget is a major test for Buhari which, we hope, he will pass.

OPINION Adieu Obaludikegwu

By Sam Ekpe

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NE pertinent question everybody should ask himself while on earth is “what will I be remembered for when I am no more”. One should not just be a passenger on earth, such that afte you’re gone, there’s nothing to be remembered for. Hence leaving footprints on the sands of our times has become a calling, an everlasting desire of every reasonable human being.

Okeichie Chief Robinson Amazuilo Okonkwo, Obaludikegwu Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri in Anambra State who passed on recently and whose remains will be laid to rest on Thursday February 11, 2016 had no such problem. He leaves behind him, apart from his five children, a good name, good reputation as an exceptional leader with foresight, a man of peace and above all an instrument for peace and unity among his people.

Born in Adagbe Abomimi Enugwu Ukwu in October 1929, Okeichie, Chief Robinson Amazuilo Okonkwo; Obaludikegwu Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri began his eventful journey through life. He was the only son and youngest of the three children of his parents.

Life out of school was quite challenging, but being very energetic and industrious, Amazu engaged in farm work, menial jobs and traded on local crops and domestic birds to keep body and soul together.

He later went to Ibadan and joined

Ibadan Boxing Club and became a heavyweight champion whose prowess resonated beyond the present Oyo State in the 50s. Due to his penchant for dealing merciless knockout victories on his opponents, the Ibadan king makers meritoriously conferred on him the chieftaincy title of the “Boxing King” and thus earning his famous name, OBALUDIKE EGWU. However, being an only son, his father was worried sick for his safety and hence discouraged him from the boxing profession and in deference to his father whom he loved and respected so much, he quit boxing to pursue other interests.

Amazu was born of pagan parents but through the inspiration of Mr. Christian Adaba, he became a Christian and was baptized with the Christian name, Robinson. From then on, his life in the service of God and man was birthed. He served selflessly in various capacities in churches in all the cities and regions he traversed, committing time, energy and personal finances to advance the course of God’s work. He also encouraged his children to give generously to the church.

He was a foundation member of St. Paul’s Church (Igbo) Oke-Bola, Ibadan, where he served as a Pastor’s Warden and Parochial Church Council (P.C.C.) member.

A man of all these accomplishments, he left very good foot prints on the sands of his time

Harvest Seasons delighted him exceptionally. He was elected Harvest Chairman at his local St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Enugwu Ukwu for three consecutive years yielding great financial dividend for the church. He turned his th 80 birthday thanksgiving service into a fund raising event that yielded the much needed funds to complete the physical structures of the church.He meritoriously served the church in other capacities.

He was a participant of the Enugwu Ukwu first celebration of life for Octogenerians, Ilu Ogbo on March 15 2014, an event he was so happy to participate, in-spite of his physical challenges.

Obaludikegwu distinguished himself as a peacemaker extraordinaire and was a fearless fighter for social justice; never afraid to stand alone in his conviction and always ready to speak and stand by the truth no matter whose ox was gored. With his uncommon wisdom and eclectic manipulation of language, he had intervened and successfully resolved many intractable family feuds and community disputes.

Obaludikegwu’s political activism dated back to the First Republic of Ziks NCNC movement with the likes of late Adegoke Adelabu, T.O.S. Benson and Dike Olumofin as his political heroes.

At Ibadan, he was an executive member of Enugwu Ukwu Progressive Union (EPU).

When EPU was transformed to ECDU (Enugwu Ukwu Community Development Union) Robinson was a remarkable figure in the Chikeluo Omesu led ECDU Central Administration, an

administration that unified all the town’s segmented villages and unions; produced the Enugwu Ukwu Review Constitution and constructed the town’s Ultra Modern Civic Centre Complex.

ECDU Onitsha branch was his special baby. Thrice returned un-opposed as Chairman for the longest period of 20 years, Obaludikegwu recorded some outstanding accomplishments during his tenure, notable among which are: the first ever operative ECDU Onitsha Bank Account, the purchase of plots of land at Omagba Phase II where the Civic Town Hall is sited, the ‘rebirth’ of the Akwuneche Enyi Dance and the reign of very relative peace and brotherhood among members.

The finances of the union were boosted as well.

It was in the politics of Enugwu Ukwu that Obaludikegwu’s political sagacity and stewardship was mostly manifested.

During the Igwe selection process in the town six years ago, he very effectively and efficiently played the role God ordained for him. As Chairman of the Akaezi Forum meetings were held day and night in his house to address issues that would hinder success in the Igweship selection. The peaceful conduct of the process ensured the eventual selection of His Majesty Igwe Ralph Ekpeh Eze Enugwu Ukwu na Igwe Umuniri in succession to the late Igwe Osita Agwuna who reigned for nearly 50 years and passed on eight years ago.

A man of all these accomplishments, he left very good foot prints on the sands of his time.

•Mr. Ekpe, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Fayemi, Fayose and the perjurer called Tope Aluko

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HERE was always something odd about the victory of Ayodele Fayose over Kayode Fayemi in the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State. This, not simply because Fayemi was an incumbent whose incumbency status should stand him in good stead, but because of the comprehensiveness of the defeat by a man whose departure as governor from the government house, eight years earlier, took place in a cloud of shame and ignominy. Fayose’s reputation as at the time he left government in 2006 was in tatters and he had yet to do anything of substance to repair that reputation by the time he reemerged as governor after defeating Fayemi in all sixteen local government areas of Ekiti State.

Fayemi’s main crime apparently was that he ran a government that was seen as elitist and alienated from the people of Ekiti. Nobody accused him of stashing away funds meant for the development of Ekiti in some private account in Switzerland, or owning high end choice property in Dubai. His one and only crime was his refusal or failure to provide necessary

‘stomach infrastructure’ for the impoverished masses of Ekiti, thus paving the way for the selfappointed man of the people, the one who wears his populism like a badge of honour on the sleeves of his shirt- Ayodele Fayose. Oh yes, there was the issue of the over-priced governor’s lodge which Fayose raised to prove his accusation of profligacy and/or corruption against Fayemi. But he had no more to say than could otherwise be expected from a political opponent. Nor was Fayose magnanimous in victory.

After the initial show of courtesy to Fayemi, behaviour that was very much out of character, he soon went to his known wayshurling insults and spewing hate.

Fayemi took his defeat in his strides, conceded victory to Fayose even before his party that was obviously getting ready to challenge Fayose’s victory had fully taken in the shock of his defeat. Fayemi took the path of dignity and left in a manner heretofore unknown in these parts of the world where incumbent office holders are never known to suffer defeat to say nothing of leaving office without a fuss. Fayemi’s gentlemanly conduct

apparently didn’t go down well with some sections of his party’s leadership that thought he was too hasty to concede defeat. But his sportsmanship would earn him the respect and admiration of many Nigerians, ultimately laying the foundation for President Goodluck Jonathan’s easy concession of victory to Mohammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

Even when many couldn’t fully comprehend the manner of Fayose’s victory, they had nothing to substantiate their suspicion that the election might have been rigged. Not when it had been adjudged free by local and international observers despite the climate of fear induced by the undue presence of military and paramilitary personnel obviously working at the behest of Abuja. But things would begin to unravel some six months later when a soldier, Sagir Koli, a captain in the Nigerian Army released audio recordings that provided evidence of the subversion of democracy in the Ekiti election by leading members of the security arm of the Jonathan administration. Details of this shameful and criminal act are easily available in the public domain to detain us here. Suffice to say that the issues raised were hot enough to cause the hasty escape of Captain Koli into exile out of fear for his life.

The terrible thing about corruption is that it leaves a trail too clear to hide without creating a bigger trail

The will of the Supreme Court as the basis of govt

T

HE recent spate of summary but affirmative decisions of the Supreme Court in hotly contested governorship election petitions gives dire warning of the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reform. Obviously, the Supreme Court relishes its image as a fearsome exponent of legal realism. Oliver Wendell Holmes, American jurist and avatar of this school, laid down its doctrine as “The prophecies of what the courts will do in fact, and nothing more pretentious” (emphasis original). Despite its capacity for judicial retardation and political cynicism, the Court has been gleefully torturing our civic sensibility with this doctrine for 35 years. One might say, “The votes of judges of the Nigerian Supreme Court, and no ballots more pretentious, determine elections.”

The verdict, admittedly, is less straightforward in governorship petitions which have led to electoral justice in a few cases: Rotimi Amaechi’s in Rivers State, Peter Obi’s in Anambra, Kayode Fayemi’s in Ekiti, Adams Oshiomhole’s in Edo and Rauf Aregbesola’s in Osun. The seeds of Nigeria’s baleful electoral jurisprudence were scattered in 1979 with Awolowo v Shagari and had grown into an iroko 26 years later with Buhari v Obasanjo. Its elements are as follows: presumption of regularity of an election and the court’s duty to salvage it, notwithstanding the extent of noncompliance with the electoral law or that it was marred by murder and mayhem and the ballots literally stained with blood; acceptance in principle of a shifting burden of proof, election petitions being civil matters, but in practice of an almost

never-shifting onus on the petitioner to prove beyond reasonable doubt not only non-compliance but also that such noncompliance affected the result; and that a respondent’s victory is not tainted by acts of violence and intimidation unless he or she was directly responsible for them.

These principles have led to a malignant African electoral jurisprudence. The supreme courts of Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi are sheepishly following Nigeria’s lead. Here, for instance, is what the Kenyan Supreme Court said when upholding a massively flawed election in the case of Raila Odinga v The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & Ors: “We find merit in such a judicial approach, as is well exemplified in the several cases from Nigeria. Where a party alleges nonconformity with the electoral law, the petitioner must not only prove that there has been non-compliance with the law, but that such failure of compliance did affect the validity of the elections.” The late Bamidele Aturu (God rest his soul) left a valuable parting gift in his analysis

It is a perversion of justice in a matter of such sacrosance as elections to place an unusually high burden of proof on the petitioner due to the presumption of regularity

Until recently that the military high command ordered investigation into the conduct of their officers and men during the Ekiti State gubernatorial election, nothing substantial had followed the series of allegations on the misuse of state power to intimidate opponents of the PDP in that election.

The investigation ordered by the military indicted some of its officers, recommending different types and degree of sanctions against those found culpable.

That was where matters stood before the emergence of Tope Aluko, a former Secretary of the PDP in Ekiti state and Retuning Officer of the party in the 2014 governorship election. There is no doubt that Aluko was an insider of the PDP in that State.

He was also a close ally of Ayo Fayose. His failure to clinch the position of Chief of Staff, the promised reward for his part in the electoral heist of June 2014, has triggered in him a case of verbal fever that has seen him admitting to a cocktail of crimes, allegedly perpetrated along with others including Ayo Fayose, during the election that brought Fayose to power.

About a fortnight ago Mr. Aluko went on a round of media houses in Lagos where he opened a cupboard full of skeletons, a tinder box that has unleashed a ball of fire. His was a suicidal move originally aimed at Fayose but which now has the potential of causing maximum collateral damage to any one of note in the PDP at the said time the Ekiti election took place in 2014.

Aluko made a whole lot of allegations that provided details of how the PDP, led by President Jonathan and his military and police chiefs, colluded in the unseemly and corrupt use of money and the security agencies

of the Ghanaian S u p r e m e Court’s decision on the 2012 presidential e l e c t i o n .

Entitled The Burdens of Democracy in Africa: How the Courts Sustain Presidential Elections (available online via the Ford Foundation website), it traces the pernicious influence of Nigeria on the rest of the continent. I had the honour of preparing the report for publication and I highly recommend it.

Judicial affirmation of electoral malfeasance serves three dangerous purposes: it voids the will of the people as the basis of the authority of government; it rewards politicians who turn elections into warfare; and it subverts the objective of electoral laws and regulations, which is free and fair elections. Yet, for election to be adjudged free and fair, every important step preceding and during actual voting must be considered. Indeed, it is quite often a matter of perception: what do the ordinary citizens and local and foreign observers think? This obligates judges not to substitute their will, masked by slavish adherence to procedural technicalities and rigid constructivism, for that of the people and to adopt the more wholesome principle enunciated in the English case of Morgan v Simpson, followed all too briefly, regrettably, in the 1966 case of Swem v Dzungwe, to wit: If the election was conducted so badly that it was not substantially in accordance with the law, the election is vitiated, irrespective of whether the result was affected or not (my emphasis). What is substantial is, of course, arguable, but should be decided on a balance of probability, and once prima

to ensure the success of the PDP in that election. It was a ‘high tech’ kind of operation that had the ability to elude the radar of election observers. Although Fayose was the immediate beneficiary of this electoral brigandage, the ultimate goal was to ensure the victory of Goodluck Jonathan and thus his re-election as president.

Notwithstanding the shameless and utterly selfserving and embarrassing manner he went about his confession, Aluko provided information worthy of further investigation. He claimed to have evidence for his allegations and he may well have it. You didn’t need to be a pollster to know that the south-west was the battleground of the 2015 presidential election, and that whoever wanted to win that election must first ensure he won the south-west. The candidate that ultimately won that election was the one that enjoyed the greater support of the leading political machine in the southwest. With loads of money the PDP simply washed the southwest in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not even the primary election that produced Fayose as the PDP candidate and into which Jonathan allegedly donated a whopping $2 million was left to chance. He gave $34 million for the election proper.

Everything was planned apparently months before the first ballot was cast hence the clinical manner the heist went without discovery (?).

The terrible thing about corruption is that it leaves a trail too clear to hide without creating a bigger trail. Fayose couldn’t have realised when he, Aluko and company went about their hideous business that he could be done in, least of all by Aluko.

facie evidence of non-compliance is proffered, the burden of proving its insignificance must shift to the respondent(s). It is a perversion of justice in a matter of such sacrosance as elections to place an unusually high burden of proof on the petitioner due to the presumption of regularity. Every instance of overvoting, result falsification, ballotsnatching, violence and intimidation, etc., must be deemed to affect the result of an election. In any case, they indubitably breed fear and cynicism and suppress voter turn-out, leading to an ever smaller percentage of the people deciding who governs them.

To echo two maxims of justice, it is better to order a fresh election than to let a candidate profit from one that is manifestly not free or fair, and where there is an electoral wrong, there should be a remedy. How else would politicians desist from political brigandage? This calls for far-reaching electoral reforms to make petitions less a matter of purblind judicial discretion or timidity and more of a defence of the will of the people as the bedrock of democracy. I agree with Professor Ben Nwabueze: the Supreme Court just doesn’t “appreciate that the question of who should rule Nigeria [or a state] is not one to be decided by a perverse and narrow legalism, by the technicalities of the rules of evidence, practice and procedure and by considerations of expediency.”

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Shocking discovery: Multi-billion naira Lagos cardiac, renal centre moribund •Most equipment not functioning •Assembly committee begins investigations

By Ebun Sessou

C

ALL it a visit of shock ing discovery, you will not be wrong. Indeed this was the experience of the Health Services Committee of the Lagos State House of Assembly when it paid an unscheduled visit to the Lagos State Cardiac and Renal Centre in the premises of Gbagada General Hospital. The centre was yet to commence full operation *The Renal Centre as most equipment are not functioning almost a year since its commissioning by the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

When members of the committee, who were led by their Chairman, Segun Olulade, got to the Centre, they were amazed at the shocking news they received: that some of the equipment installed in the centre have never functioned for a day.

It was revealed that the Catheterisation Laboratory, CathLab machine, which *Inside the Renal Centre was said to have cost about $1.5 million, is not functioning. Cath- walls, electrical defects, elevator deeterisation laboratory, CathLab, is an fect, among others.

Prof. Green explained that examination room in a hospital or clinic with diagnostic imaging Renescor Health, which is in charge equipment used to visualise the ar- of managing the centre, had been teries and chambers of the heart and responsible for the maintenance of the building so as to ensure that it treat any abnormality found. does not collapse as a result of the cracks in some parts of the walls.

Non-functional Speaking further, the CEO clarified equipment that the centre was handed over to Some of the equipment that cost Renescor Health by the Lagos State millions of naira and not functioning Government under a Public Private at the centre include a theatre unit Partnership arrangement, adding with two theatre suites and laminar that “since we came on board, we flow air-control; central sterilisation have not been able to do anything and supply unit; four bed recovery because a lot of the equipment that room echo lab; stress lab; 24 dialysis were installed are not functioning.”

Prof. Green further revealed that machines; pharmacy; laboratories; ophthalmology clinic for eye the two elevators meant for moving screening and physiotherapy/reha- patients from the ground floor to the operating theatre are not working. bilitation unit.

This development, Vanguard “Apart from the fact that the elevators Metro investigation revealed, has are not working, they don’t have venforced the consultants, professionals tilation and this is dangerous to the and doctors employed by the centre patients because if you are taking a to leave as they have remained re- patient in that kind of lift, the patient dundant due to non-functional could suffocate before you get to the equipment. It was also allegedly re- theatre.

“Even in the operating rooms, there ported that the materials procured for the commencement of the cardiac and are no cooling systems. The machine renal centre were sub-standard and in the Cardiac Catheterization Labtherefore inapproriate for the opera- oratory which cost about $1.5 million has never worked from day one that tion of the hospital.

Chief Executive Officer of the it was installed. We have tried everyCentre, Prof. Babatunde Green, who thing humanly possible to ensure made this disclosure to the commit- that things are put in order here; we tee, revealed that the one-year old have written several letters to the building is already suffering from sev- Ministry of Health and there have eral defects such as cracks in the been no response or whatsoever. We C M Y K

have brought engineers to fix the minor problems, such as the electrical defects, but they are requesting for the drawing so as to make the work easier for them but the contractor has not cooperated in this regard at all.

“This place should by now be making good revenue for the state because it is the only one in Nigeria and people with heart and renal related ailments are supposed to be coming here for treatment. We have employed staff whom we are paying on monthly basis but nothing is happening here,” Green added.

Investigations also revealed that Deux Project Limited, a company belonging to one Tunji Olowalafe, executed the project and several other projects within the state. Saddened by these revelations, Olulade assured that the Committee would do everything in its capacity to investigate the matter to a logical conclusion, adding that with the amount of money spent on the Centre, “we can’t fold our arms and not look into why the equipment here are not working”.

“I was on a television station few days ago and I was bragging about this place; telling the presenters that it is the only one in Nigeria and that it is the best in Africa, but I never knew that nothing is happening here. We are talking about lives here and we can’t joke with lives of Lagosians. Tax payers money was used in building that place and the money cannot be allowed to go down the drain just like that,” he stated.

Restructure Nigeria now

By Ebele Orakpo

I

AM really grateful to God for our dearest President Muhammadu Buhari. He is God-sent. Honestly, I love that man. Hmm! Only God knows where we would have been now if not for this man as our leader!” said Goke, a passenger in the Apapa-bound commuter bus almost in a sing-song voice this Monday morning rush hour.

“Ol boy, are you talking or singing? You love that man?

See you see 14 years in prison oo!” said Moses in reference to punishment meant for same-sex couples.

This drew laughter from other commuters. “We are worse off under this government. I am just hearing billions and trillions of naira and dollars being recovered and at the same time, we keep hearing of empty treasury. Haba!

What has the guy really achieved? I heard the Finance Minister said they have a balance of N2.2 trillion on the TSA account daily. The Attorney-General told us they have recovered over $2 trillion. What do they take us for?” asked Peter.

“It’s only a hater of good things that will be asking what PMB has achieved. If you have an open mind, you will know that he has achieved a lot, especially in the area of accountability. People now fear to behave anyhow,” said Emeka. Replied Adams: “I hear! Fear you say? Is this democracy or autocracy? In as much as I like PMB, I don’t like the way he is going about things. For God’s sake, he should allow those he assigned portfolios do their jobs so he can face the business of governance. He cannot be an expert in every area.”

“How is he stopping others from doing their jobs? He is simply doing his,” said Goke. “Oh really? As the Foreign Affairs Minister or what? What is his foreign policy? What is the thrust of his economic policy? Please we should put sentiments aside and face reality. All is not well with Nigeria, period!” said Emeka.

“Whatever any one may say is besides the point. My take is that as long as the structure of Nigeria remains the way it is, the fight against corruption will be a lost battle. A house built on shaky foundation is bound to collapse. It is only a matter of time. We are only doing cosmetic surgery, it will not solve the fundamental problem. We must build a merit-driven society,” said Peter. Continuing, he said: “Build strong institutions and not personalities. Personalities won’t last forever but institutions will be with us for long. Let us not idolise human beings; they can fail you anytime! Ask Jesus Christ.

In one moment, the people were shouting Hosanna and the next, they were shouting crucify him! If we have strong institutions like they have in developed nations, everyone will sit up because you know that once you run foul of the law, punishment awaits you.” “Exactly!

Shebi they laughed at GEJ and called him names when he said he will fight corruption with technology. But when you look at it, he is right. Unless the loopholes are blocked and measures put in place so that people will not have opportunities to steal or commit fraud, we will keep running around in circles. Why do you think security agencies advise car owners to always put their bags and valuables under the seat so that they will not be visible to passers-by? Psychologists say that such may tempt someone who does not have it in mind to steal, to do so because opportunity presented itself,” said Emeka.

“PMB cannot do it alone. Even if you see him as a god, he is still human. Imagine the scandals emanating from the 2016 Change Budget!

All the padding..” noted Peter.

Build “So was it PMB that padded it? I am 100 per cent sure he knew nothing strong those padding,” Goke rose in institutions about his defense. and not Replied Emeka: “Tell that to the marines.

As the President, the buck personalities; stops on his table, so don’t tell me he personalities does not know about the padding.”

“Wahala dey oo. Health Minister won’t last said rats must have tampered with forever his minstry’s budget,” said Peter.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

— 21

Stamp duty, Nigeria’s new goldmine — NIPOST T

HE Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) said yesterday that implementation of the stamp duty policy would become a huge revenue base for the country. On January 19, the Federal Government announced that a stamp duty of N50 would be imposed on bank customers for money received into their accounts via electronic transfers, cash and cheque.

The CBN explained that the policy was part of efforts by the Federal Government to boost its revenue base in the non-oil sector. The Corporate Affairs Manager of the Lagos Island Territory of NIPOST, Mrs Valerie Ekeogu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the stamp duty would give government extra income to build infrastructure.

Ekeogu said that income generated from the stamp duty policy would help in the effort to re-position NIPOST. “The funds will stabilise NIPOST as an organisation that is over 100 years and has, hitherto, not been well funded. The stamp duty fund will resuscitate NIPOST and reposition it in boosting the economy of the country,” she said.

The manager said the injection of whatever percentage the government would give to NIPOST would go a long way to revitalizing and propelling the company to greater heights. She added that the fund would also re-awaken NIPOST to serve its customers better.

According to the manager, the fund will give succour to the more than 10,000 people working in NIPOST and motivate them to work harder. She noted that offering stamp services was the sole responsibility of the NIPOST, adding that the NIPOST had been discharging the function for many years. Ekeogu urged Nigerians to support the policy, stressing that the benefits of the policy to the public and government could not be overemphasised.

AWARD: From left, Bunmi Akinde, EY Leader for West Africa; Henry Egbiki, EY Nige-

ria Country Leader; Kwabena Adjei, Chairman, Kasapreko Limited and winner of the 2015 Master Category of EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Evelyn Oputu, ex-Bank of Industry MD and Austin Avuru, MD/CEO of Seplat Petroleum and past winner of EOY in Master category, at the just concluded 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award, in Lagos.

Expert tasks govt on private sector transformation

C

HAIRMAN of African Centre for Business Development Strategy and Innovation Mr Sam Ohuabunwa, yesterday urged Nigeria to emulate other countries that had transformed

into private-sector led economies. Ohuabunwa made the appeal in Lagos at this year’s annual lecture of the NigerianFinnish Association, titled “Nigeria Without Oil: Opportuni-

ties for the Private Sector.”

“The current oil price crash which has lasted longer than previous ones has finally thrown our country into serious economic crisis similar to what we had in 1984 to 1986.

FG mulls strategies to augment railway funding

By Jonah Nwokpoku

straints.

He stated this while speakHAIRMAN, Senate Com ing with journalists after inmittee on Land Transporspecting some of the tation, Senator Gbenga Ashafa corporation’s facilities in has said that the federal govLagos. ernment may consider giving He said: “We know their consome concessions to the Nigestraints but this requires that ria Railway Corporation, NRc they come up with a lot of inito mitigate its funding contiatives and ensure that they make the breakthrough.

Funding is one aspect that is seriously affect$115.90 0.15 ing the corporation.

However, I believe $2,812.00 -46.00 strongly that if they make a good enough $13.45 0.00 case, particularly now that we are considering the 2016 appropriation, some concessions can $32.72 -0.16 be given by way of moving some funds from one $29.89 0.20 area to the other for them to be able to meet CURRENCY BUYING SELLING their obligations. I don’t US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 want to mention the fig282.0048 282. 7242 283. 4436 POUNDS ures that they will need 217.9912 218.5473 219.1034 EURO to complete all the 196. 9848 197.4874 197.9899 FRANC 1.685 1.6903 1.6946 YEN projects that they have 0.3156 0.3256 0. 3356 CFA at hand but we will try 273.3869 274.0843 274.7817 WAUA as much as possible to 29.8008 29. 8773 29.9538 RENMINBI ensure that the rail sys52. 2555 52.3888 52. 5221 RIYAL tem continues to blaze 29.2006 29.2751 29.3495 KRONA 273.2632 273.9603 274. 6574 SDR the trail of those that have vision to assist CBN Exchange rate as at 9/02/2016 Nigeria move from one

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C M Y K

part of the country to the other.”

On their observations after the facilities’ tour, Ashafa said: “ It was very heartening that we were able to move around and see that as against the belief that the rail system in Nigeria is dead, we can see that great efforts have been put in to ensure that the rail system comes alive. Of particular interest is the safe train control system which has been put in place. It is quite visionary and it is in line with global best

There is so much work to be done and this is the time to stay focused and get on with the job and get it done this year

practices as it concerns rail system. We have not gotten there yet but we are taking steps in the right direction and I must congratulate the management of NRC. “By going to certain areas, we also discovered that if enough investment is made in the rail sector, the possibility of removing the pressure on our roads is so glaring. Today, I have not seen in a long time, how one can leave Iponri and get to Apapa Wharf under seven minutes but we did it in the train system. And when we were coming back too, it was so easy. So I think that the salvation of Nigeria as far as transportation is concerned should be in an effective and efficient rail transport.”

On his part, the Managing Director, NRC Engr.Adeseyi Sijuade said: “There is so much we have to do this year. We plan to build two new standard gauge lines. We plan to complete all rehabilitation projects.

There is so much work to be done and this is the time to stay focused and get on with the job and get it done this year.

There are high expectations from Nigerians and that is what we really want to focus on.

“Just within one year of the fall in oil prices, our country is in economic crisis. In my view I think that the private sector has the responsibility and the capability to fill the gap and permanently change the structure of the Nigerian economy. We need to learn from countries like Finland, Japan, China, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates that have all transformed into private sector-lead diversified industrial nations,” he said.

According to him, the disempowerment of the public sector will reduce corruption and make more Nigerians accountable.

Ohuabunwa said that “unleashing” Nigeria’s private sector would diversify the economy, create sustainable wealth, jobs and as well raise tax revenues.

The business development expert expressed optimism that the private sector would create more revenue for the government than it was getting from oil.

Ohuabunwa also said that it was imperative for the private sector to be encouraged to exploit the nation’s “huge gas resources”.

“We need huge private sector investment to exploit our huge gas resources. In spite of the slump in global crude oil demand, there is still high and profitable demand for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). We need to build fertilizer plants that will utilise our gas and create wealth. This will help to fill huge domestic demand and generate foreign exchange from export,” he said.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Legal and punitive measures should be taken against employers who default in prompt remittance of pension contributions of their employees

,

Govt must demonstrate interest in insurance for sector to grow —Mokwunye

G

ROUP Managing Director of Royal Exchange Plc, Mr. Chike Mokwunye has said that to resolve the problem of low insurance penetration, government must demonstrate genuine interest in the industry.

Mokwunye said that government actions should go beyond regulatory effort but should extend to providing structural and institutional framework required for insurance to strive in the economy.

He said that government should partner with insurance companies, insurance institutions and other stakeholders to promote the development of insurance since it is in its interest to so do.

Mokwunye said, “In Nigeria, households, businesses – especially the small and medium scale enterprises and the informal sector demonstrate low level of financial literacy. They often lack sufficient awareness of the risks to which they are exposed, the ability to correctly assess these risks and the knowledge of insurance products that are designed to mitigate the insurable risks.

Mokwunye identified factors responsible for low insurance penetration in Nigeria to include poor disposable income and a relatively weak economy; lack of awareness; competition through pricing/mispricing of risks; poor image due to lack of trust/perception about insurance by the general public (often given too much premium); as well as nature of insurance business and benefits.

Insurance solutions Others are traditional/cultural safety nets which “crowd out” demand for private, commercial (formal) insurance solutions; lack of reserves/ resources required for research and development of new products/channels; concentration on the elite class, corporate clientele and public sector; and lack of product/channel development aimed towards the bottom of the pyramid.

Mokwunye said that the insurance industry has experienced rapid growth in premium income especially in the last decade; however, the impressive growth rate has not been accompanied by meaningful insurance penetration, which remained low at 0.30% as at 2014.

He said, “A developed insurance market contributes to social and economic stability.

Insurance in any economy presents the basic tool of its risk management system. Insurance is crucial in mitigating risks and catalyzing growth of enterprises and markets by providing protection over numerous forms of exposures.

Insurance also helps in minimizing financial stress for individuals and households.

“Insurance plays an important role as a veritable source for wealth accumulation through mobilizing domestic savings and providing a large pool of capital which government can tap into to finance budget deficits; especially for capital projects. Hence, a strong and virile insurance industry is a pre-requisite to any country’s economic growth and development. It is this underlying principle that drives government all over the world to devote particular attention to the development of the insurance industry.

C M Y K

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INSURAN

War against corruption: PenCom should punish employers who default in remitting pension Stories By Rosemary Onuoha HE Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, powered by the Pension Reform Act, 2004 and 2014 is regulated by the National Pension Commission, PenCom. Since inception of the scheme, PenCom has used moral suasion to appeal to employers to regularly remit pension contributions of their workers to their Retirement Savings Accounts, RSA. Despite the moral suasion, defaulters appear to be growing on daily basis.

Due to the ‘fight against corruption’ stance of the Buhari administration, stakeholders in the pension industry are of the view that the time has come for PenCom to begin to wield the big stick against defaulters of the CPS. Managing Director of Trustfund Pensions Limited, Mrs. Helen DaSouza said that legal and punitive measures should be taken against employers who default in prompt remittance of pension contributions of their employees.

Da-Souza said, “The existing framework for moral suasion by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, has not taken the industry to the desired destination. We suggest that legal and punitive measures, in line with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 should be activated. A good number of employers have been running foul of the Pension Reform Act in terms

T

of prompt and regular remittance of pension contributions in favour of their employers registered with Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs. “These customers are being short changed and denied their investment incomes that should have accrued to them had their pension deductions been remitted as and when due. On the other hand, some employers remit only the employees portion thereby

creating loss of revenue to both their employees and the industry operators,” Da Souza stated.

Managing Director of Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Wilson Ideva said that steps should be taken to create awareness and promote understanding of the workings of the CPS to employers.

Ideva said, “The level of compliance with the pension scheme would further increase if we all work together.

Welfare of retirees

The existing framework for moral suasion by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, has not taken the industry to the desired destination. We suggest that legal and punitive measures, in line with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 should be activated

There is need for all to work together to shore up compliance level of establishments in the public and private sectors with the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Establishments should strive to improve the welfare of retirees and RSA holders and ultimately help to sustain the steady growth of the pension industry.”

For Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr. Eric Fajemisin, every Nigerian should be availed the opportunity to have quality pension and financial services, which will enable a life of comfort in retirement.

Fajemisin stated that efforts should be geared towards making the CPS reach as many Nigerians as possible and encourage participation in the Contributory

KBL Insurance pays over N600m claim

I

state before the loss or damage they incurred. KBL Insurance is also expanding its retail businesses to enable it serve a larger section of the society. To this end, it has an online portal which was launched in 2015 for some insurance transactions on its website.

The statement shows that the company has continued to improve its service quality by maintaining speed and efficiency. KBL Insurance assures customers that their claims will always be settled promptly once all documents are submitted.

Recognising that the company ’s productivity depends on its human capital, KBL Insurance has intensified staff training. As was the case BRIEFING: From left, Dr Olalekan Makinde, Senior Registrar, Communicty in 2015, the company plans to Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; Mr Olugbenga Abiodun, further provide its staff with Country Manager, Nigeria and Ghana, OMRON Healthcare; Bridget Okocha, MD/ opportunities to improve their CEO, Mebik Pharmacy and Paul Stevens, Senior Marketing Manager, Europe, skills through relevant Middle-East and Africa, OMRON Healthcare at the OMRON Medical Connect programmes in 2016. media parley, in Lagos

N line with its commitment to prompt c l a i m s settlement, KBL Insurance paid out N655, 087,040.51 to customers who had suffered losses in the year 2015. A statement from the organisation shows that this amount represents the claims paid to

customers in various classes of general insurance in the year under review.

Customers’ feedback showed that the prompt settlement of their claims has been of great benefit, enabling them to remain in business as well as restoring them to their previous

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—23

Enugu, World Bank partner on agric — Page 25

VOL. 1 NO 55 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARYWEDNESDAY, 20, 2016 Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

‘How govs, town unions can develop Igboland’

By Chinonso Alozie

O

WERRI—THE PresidentGeneral of the Association of Imo State Indigenous Town Unions, Chief Emeka Diwe, has said that the development of the South-East region will be possible if state governors would partner with town union structures in their various states.

In an interview with South East Voice in Owerri, the state capital last week, Diwe said: “The town union is the only development-driven identity of the Igbo man that has stood the test of time. It predates the colonial era.

“The town union structure is the exclusive product of the Igbo man and his republicanism. It is the only genuine democratic structure in Igboland with undisputed credible leadership.

“It is the only structure that has total coverage of the whole of Igboland. In fact, democracy started from Igboland in Nigeria via the town union leadership. In my community, Akpulu for instance, the first documented meeting proceeding of the town union was in 1930, when they produced the first person who could read and write.”

He further explained that the Igbo started practicing democracy before the Americans saw it and modernized it, maintaining that the Igbo man’s style of governance centred on the taking of collective decisions to actualise their aims.

He said: ”The modern version of the Igbo man’s ancient republican system of governance is what we are celebrating the world over today as democracy.

Americans, who are the fathers of modern democracy, have just embraced the town hall meetings and gatherings which originated in Igboland long time ago.

Umuada

“No Igbo man today can say when the town union meeting of his town/ community started. He grew up to see it. The age grade, Nnoko Umunna (gathering of men), Nze na Ozo (traditional title holders), Umuada (daughters of the family) were all forms of town unionism that existed in the past which metamorphosed into the present modernized town unions.

“The most important things about the town union are that it drives development to the grassroots mainly through self-help efforts. About 80 percent of rural development in any part of Igboland is through the town union leadership.

“Building of schools, hospitals, roads, churches, market squares and scholarship programmes come through the willing choices of the people via democratic and credible standards.”

Lauds Anambra

He singled out the Anambra State government for commendation, saying C M Y K

that the government had shown enough commitment in its partnership with their town union structures to expand the development opportunities of the people.

Diwe said: “For instance, Anambra

State, especially, under the administration of former governor Peter Obi and his successor, Willie Obiano, has partnered with the town union structures to develop the rural communities in the state.

“These town union structures, at

the state and zonal levels in the South-East, are all duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, with approved board of trustees and as such are legitimately entitled to function and operate as registered.”

Uche Ekwunife

Stella Oduah

Court decisions: Anambra Federal lawmakers sitting on edge A

By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—AFTER the declaration of the results of the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Anambra State, the winners celebrated and looked forward to representing their constituencies for the next four years.

In the elections, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, produced the three senators in the persons of Andy Uba for Anambra South, Uche Ekwunife, Anambra Central and Stella Oduah, Anambra North.

For the House of Representatives, those who were declared winners on the platform of the party include Anayo Nnebe, Awka North and South; Obinna Chidoka, Idemili North and South; Lynda Ikpeazu, Onitsha North and South; Emeka Anohu, Ihiala; Eucharia Azodo, Aguata; Chris Azubogu, Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo; Chukwuka Onyema, Ogbaru; Tony

Nwoye, Anambra East and West, and the member for Orumba North and South.

Courts, tribunals

However, no sooner did the lawmakers settle down for business at the National Assembly than their opponents dragged them to either the election petition tribunals or the regular courts for one prayer or the other concerning the polls.

After what most of the lawmakers thought was the end of distractions at the tribunals and the Court of Appeal that sat in Enugu, the Supreme Court threw what can be described as a spanner in the system by declaring that Chief Ejike Oguebego-led executive, that had been fighting for the leadership of PDP in the state with Prince Kenneth Emeakayi for many years, remains the authentic state chairman of the party, until set aside by the court.

With that judgment, the PDP candidates in Oguebego faction during

the election, argued that they had become senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect.

Recall that during the PDP primaries, Oguebego, supported by the selfacclaimed godfather of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba, drew his lineup of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.

The list included Chris Uba himself, Annie Okonkwo and John Emeka for Anambra South, Anambra Central and Anambra North, respectively.

Similarly, PDP National Working Committee, NWC, working with Emeakayi who headed a caretaker committee set up by the national leadership, produced Andy Uba for South and Oduah for North. Mrs. Uche Ekwunife held her own primaries and produced herself as she was the only aspirant.

At the Court of Appeal, Chief Victor

Continues on Page 24

24— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Court decisions: Anambra Federal lawmakers sitting on edge the National Assembly were never questioned by the Supreme Court.

For him and other elected members, the only issue in contention was the state leadership of PDP, especially when it is realised that it is only the national leadership of PDP that has the powers to submit the list of candidates to INEC, which was what happened in their case.

A lawyer's interpretation

Andy Uba

Continues from Page 23 Umeh of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who challenged the candidature of Ekwunife, got judgment, as the court faulted the process that produced her as the candidate of PDP and subsequently disqualified her.

Ekwunife started attending meetings organised by the Emeakayi-led leadership and was getting set to pick the party’s ticket in the planned rescheduled primaries for the Anambra Central rerun as declared by the Court of Appeal.

The Ngige factor

Suddenly and surprisingly, however, she announced her defection to All Progressives Congress, APC, apparently having heard that Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, had decided not to participate in the rerun since he had become a member of the Federal Executive Council.

The decision for Ngige not to run for the senate again was taken at the APC stakeholders meeting in Awka.

The stakeholders said: “We praise the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu nullifying the election of Anambra Central senatorial zone held March 28, 2015. Our candidate in that senatorial election is also the incumbent Minister of Labour and Employment.

“We observe the importance of this national assignment and the scourge of unemployment in the country and we, therefore, request our

C M Y K

leader and the immediate past senator for our zone, Dr. Chris Ngige, to continue with his national assignment.”

Following her defection to APC, Ekwunife repainted her campaign office in the colours of APC and began serious preparations to face Umeh in the rerun. But despite what looked like kangaroo primaries at the Women Development Centre, Awka, in which Ekwunife was leading the new entrant into the race, Ms Sharon Ikeazor, with over 200 votes, the leadership of APC still disqualified her and preferred Ikeazor.

More surprises were to come when the media began to report that INEC had stated that only those who participated in the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election would take part in the rerun election in some constituencies and senatorial districts in the country.

If this will be the situation, Chief Victor Umeh is as good as having won the rerun election in Anambra Central as he is the only serious candidate remaining in the race. Before the INEC bombshell, there were reports that some notable politicians were perfecting plans to support a candidate to be produced by PDP to stop Umeh.

Meanwhile, argument is still raging in PDP over the authentic representatives the National Assembly for the state.

While Chris Uba is asking INEC to issue those in his list with Certificates of Return, his brother, Andy, has insisted that their positions as members of

His lawyer, Chief Arthur Okafor (SAN), said in defense of the Anambra lawmakers: “From the foregoing, it is clear that the Supreme Court did not order the withdrawal of the certificates of return issued to our clients. The court also did not hold that the state PDP (Oguebego led- executive) had the right to sponsor candidates for the party.

“The apex court did not order Senator Andy Uba, Senator Stella Oduah and seven other members of the House of Representatives, representing Anambra State, to vacate their seats whatsoever as rumoured in the social media, as same was not asked for by the appellant (Ejike Oguebego) in the Supreme Court, nor at the Federal High Court.

“The apex court did not equally authorise INEC to substitute our clients with the individuals whose names were improperly allowed by INEC in obvious disregard of the plethora of judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to

the effect that it is only the National Executive Committee of the party that has the right and capacity to sponsor candidates.

“It was, therefore, wrong for the media to report that the Supreme Court sacked Senator Andy Uba, Senator Stella Uduah and members of the House of Representatives representing Anambra State from PDP in the National Assembly, after mere oral interviews of members of the public within the premises of the Supreme Court immediately after judgment was delivered, without taking steps to peruse a copy of the said judgment.

“The Supreme Court emphatically, clearly and unequivocally set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and ruled that the Ejike Oguebego-led executive of PDP is still subsisting until set aside by another order of court.

“Under the PDP Constitution, it is not the duty of the state chapter to conduct primaries and submit list to INEC. That power lies with the election panel constituted by the party's NEC.” However, Oguebego argued that since his executive is the one recognised by law, only candidates presented by it should carry the PDP's flag in elections.

He said those occupying seats on behalf of Anambra PDP in the National Assembly should vacate such seats for the rightful ticket holders.

BIAFRA: AMORC urges Buhari to end agitations

By Chinonso Alozie

O

WERRI—THE members of the National Board of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rose Crucis, AMORC, have advised the Federal Government to look into the causes of the pro-Biafra protests, with a view to finding solutions.

The Vice President of AMORC, Frater Jonathan Nwigwe, stated this in Owerri, during their 40th annual conclave.

Nwigwe, while speaking on National Integration for Global Peace, described peace as a condition of harmony and most desirable for development to thrive. A basis for which he also said that the society should grow successfully.

He said: “Whether it is Boko Haram or Biafra, whenever they create disharmony, it will create problems that will affect everybody.

“For us to achieve peace, we are calling the attention of everybody to the fact that time has passed when you stay in Owerri and say what is happening in Abuja does not concern you.

“It is for this reason that the theme of our conclave is to call attention and stimulate ideas.”

Philantropist donates re-modeled school block to Awgu community

By Chiaka Opara

E

NUGU—THERE was jubilation at Ndiagu Ogboli-Awgu community in Enugu State last Thursday when a philanthropist, Mr. Ben Eche, donated a re-modelled nursery school block to the Community Primary School.

The nursery block is equipped with plastic seats, tables and teaching aids.

Presenting the block to the community, Eche said the idea was to encourage the children to have passion for schooling.

He said that the old nursery block in the school was dilapidated and no longer appealed to the children, saying that the attractions in the new block would entice more children to attend the school.

Eche said that the N3-million project was not a show of wealth but of love for his people.

He said that his projection was to see the youth of the place in various universities in the country in the next 10 years,

Chairman of ENSUBEB, Miss Nneka Onuoha, cutting the tape to commission the nursery block. adding that he planned to expand his scholarship scheme to include schools abroad.

Earlier, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Justina Obejili, said Eche had earlier donated a band to the school and contributed in other ways towards the progress of the school.

Obejili then thanked the donor for encouraging early child care and education and prayed God to replenish his

purse abundantly.

Also, speaking, the Chairman, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, ENSUBEB, Miss Nneka Onuoha, called on other wealthy members of the society to emulate the gesture by giving back to the society.

She said: “Everybody can give back. It does not have to be so big. Just find out what your people need and give back.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—25

Enugu govt partners World Bank on agriculture

By Chiaka Opara

E

NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has spoken of his administration’s determination to diversify the state’s economy, pointing out that he would seek the assistance of World Bank on agricultural advancement to help boost its economic base.

The governor spoke when he received in audience members of the World Bank team and the National Coordinating Office of Commercial Agriculture Development Project at Government House, Enugu.

According to him, the partnership was to create a comparative relationship between the state government and the World Bank, that would in turn boost commercial agriculture in the state.

He said: “Having served in the National Assembly for 12 years, I understand, naturally, the importance of agriculture. I have started strategic partnership with the World Bank team to ensure rapid transformation in the agricultural sector.

“In Enugu State, we want to be able to feed ourselves and even go beyond subsistent farming.

“We want to be distributing our farm produce within and across the country. We will look inwards and do the needful to actualise our vision irrespective of some circumstances beyond our control. We believe in the miracle of five loaves and two fishes.

“We will work very hard to ensure that we do not miss this all important counterpart

funding that would take us to the next level in the agricultural sector.

“We are so happy that the World Bank will be cooperating with us, and we want to assure you that the state would be very happy not only to cooperate but to collaborate with you.

“I can assure you that the state will promote economic development initiative that can help create employment for our unemployed youths and women because that is one way we can develop faster.”

Reiterating that the state was the best secured in the country, Ugwuanyi said what was now needed was to channel the state’s human capacity building through agricultural advancement to enhance a solid economic foundation; especially in this period of turbulence in the oil sector.

Cashew possibilities

Ugwanyi was optimistic that if a cashew plant is established in the state and Cashew Irrigation Centre at Obollo Afor, Enugu, would be a choice destination for farmers as Enugu has the best cashew variety in the world.

He further said that there would be about 50 percent increase in job creation in the state as many youths and women would be employed to work in the cashew processing unit in the state.

He said: “Just like I would say, employment is the key and

Ezinne Ezezue

Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Awka Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu, Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Francis Igata, Enugu Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba Enyim Enyim, Onitsha Chinoso Alozie, Owerri Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka Eric Ugbor, Aba

when most of our youths are employed, even though we are rated as one of the states with the best security network, it would help to safeguard our security status and this will automatically guarantee total safety.

“By implication, more investors will come in and anybody who has anything to do in the state is free and will surely like to come.”

World Bank's say

Earlier, the leader of the World Bank team, Mr. Tijani Kayode, had informed Ugwanyi that the team was in Enu-

gu to determine the status of the state on the implementation of Commercial Agriculture Joint Project of the Federal Government and World Bank in the state, adding that the project had the objective of developing commercial agricultural productivity as well as the validation of access to market in the state.

He said: “We have there varieties of products specifically for Enugu State namely fruit, maize and poultry varieties.

“This project costs the state N23.3 million, $25.3 million and is expected to close by November.”

Secrets behind long life— 90-year-old

THE TEAM Supervising Editor: Chioma Gabriel, Lagos (08052201257) Editor: Emeka Mamah - Enugu email: emekemamah@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—FOR Mrs. Ezinne Grace Amanjide Ezezue (Awube-Nwanyi), a 90year-old mother and grandmother, whose children celebrated her 90th birthday at her Umueze village, Amawbia in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State: “I will not relent in my faith in God because it was my prayerfulness, trust in God and generosity that elongated my life on earth.”

In her remarks during the ceremony, Ezezue noted that openness to God guarantees much to life, even as she encouraged all Christians, irrespective of denomination, to seek God first at all times and tarry with God in all situations.

She said: “Life of prayerfulness without bitterness and acrimony for anybody as well as absolute trust in God and generosity with God’s blessings has helped me to actualise my dreams in life and I thank God for the opportunity to live up to 90 years.”

She thanked her children for taking good care of her and enjoined other children to take care of their parents, adding that she had no regrets serving God, even as she poured encomiums on her late husband, Patrick Nnaemeka Ezezue, who she said she ran the race with.

The 90th birthday bash and thanksgiving ceremony attracted three Catholic bishops: Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Reverend Dr Peter Okpaleke; Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Dr Hillary Paul Odili Okeke and the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Jonas Benson Okoye, who celebrated the 90 years birthday mass.

Also, 89 Catholic priests led by the parish priest of St Matthew’s Catholic Church.

Amawbia, Rev Fr Valentine Offormata and a Catholic priest from Enugu Diocese, Rev. Fr. Michael Nneji and numerous reverend sisters, some from Oklahoma, Canada, graced the occasion as they jointly and individually prayed for the matriarch and the entire Ezezue family for God’s guidance, protection and continued blessings and grace.

6 bag IG’s scholarship awards in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, has presented the Inspector General of Police scholarship award to six beneficiaries, who are pupils of the Police Children’s Primary School, Awka, Anambra State.

The beneficiaries were Obelue Nnachor, Primary 1; Lechach Lehnim, Primary 5; Ekeja Blessing, Primary 4; Nkua Anesthesia Ngele, Primary 6; Nnachor Chisom, Primary 2, and Nwonugha David, Primary 2.

They were mainly children of policemen, whose parents died in service.

It was gathered that many children of such police officers often drop out of school due to the inability of their mothers to fund their education, prompting the IG, Mr. Solomon Arase, to institute a scholarship scheme to cater for the education of such children.

According to the Anambra CP, the beneficiaries sat for an examination after which the best among them were selected. He said the award would cover tuition of the beneficiaries up to primary six.

He said: “The parents of these children died in active service and the IG, in his magnanimity, said it is in the best interest of the Force for these children to continue with their education and he decided to institute the scholarship scheme.

“The IGP’s stand on this novel programme is envisioned as an official intervention scheme that can support the attainment of the educational desires of the children and wards of junior cadre officers in particular and other members of the Force.”

He said that apart from being mainly children of police officers, who lost their lives while serving the country, the beneficiaries must be exceptionally brilliant, adding that because of limited resources, the children had to take a competitive examination to enable the police hierarchy select the most brilliant among them.

Karma added that the IG presented the first set of Nigeria Police scholarship awards on December 16, 2015 to 325 pupils.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 10, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 —

Pension Scheme. “Employers must ensure that their workers have stress-free pension and financial management services wherever they may be,” Fajemisin stated.

Da-Sousa also added that as the scheme has been in operation for more than 10 years, there is need to expand the scope of the scheme to cover more people in the informal segment of the population.

She said, “So much has been said about the need to extend the implementation of the CPS to the informal sector of the economy. Bringing the informal sector participants under the

contributory pension scheme is a very crucial move needed to expand the horizon of the scheme in Nigeria.

“The states and local governments also constitute another vast area yet to be fully covered in the implementation of the CPS. Many state governments whose Contributory Pension Scheme laws were passed over five years ago are yet to commence full implementation of the scheme. There are yet other states that have not made any meaningful efforts towards introducing the new scheme by

forwarding pensions bill to the state assemblies.

“The contributory pension scheme indeed is a success story. The scheme has restored hope to our senior citizens who erstwhile suffered delayed years of unpaid pensions or even outright denial of their pensions due to alleged mismanagement and other sharp practices prevalent in the old system. The CPS has come to stay and to provide the credible remediation and alternative to the challenge faced by the defunct pension scheme,” Da-Souza stated.

VISIT:From left, Managing Director, WFM 91.7 (Nigeria’s 1st Radio station for Women and their Families), ‘Toun Okewale Sonaiya; AGM/Head, Corporate Communications and Brand Management, Mr. Segun Bankole; Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, Mrs. Ugochi Odemelam and Head, Lagos Area Offices,Mr. Makinde Adu, all of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, during a courtesy visit to the organization by WFM management team.

Tianjin blasts insured loss could creep towards $6bn —Experts

T

HE insurance and reinsurance industry loss from the Tianjin, China port explosions last summer could creed up to somewhere between $5 billion to as much as $6 billion, according to reports, threatening a growing loss exposure for some Insurance Linked Securities, ILS, funds.

The first insurance industry loss estimates suggested the toll could reach $1.5 billion or higher.

Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter then estimated an industry loss of around $3.3 billion, almost double the initial estimates, with exposures by that time expected to seep into the reinsurance market.

Then it became clear that a number of the ILS fund managers that allocate capital to specialty lines, such as marine reinsurance, were potentially exposed, with at least one ILS fund reserving a side pocket due to potential Tianjin exposures.

Those potential ILS fund

exposures look set to grow and become more likely to cause some form of loss, as the total insurance bill from Tianjin looks set to head north of $5 billion.

Winter conference Speaking at the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) winter conference last week, a representative of the organisation said that around 70,000 cars are now expected to have been in the port area at the time of the blasts and that the losses from the explosions are now expected to be much higher than previously thought.

According to the Insider, IUMI executive Patrizia Kern-Ferretti said that the insured loss, including clean-up costs, damage to cars and other products stored at the site, is expected to result in a cost to the insurance industry of between $5 billion and $6 billion.

With half or more of these claims expected to fall within the marine insurance and reinsurance lines, the Tianjin blasts could be the largest single marine insurance loss in the market’s history.

,

CE & YOU

These customers are being short changed and denied their investment incomes that should have accrued to them had their pension deductions been remitted as and when due

27

,

Huge oversight to omit consumers from insurance bill review c'ttee — INSCAN

T

HE Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, INSCAN, has said that the federal government committed a big oversight by omitting insurance consumers from the committee that was set up to review the Insurance Consolidated Bill.

Mr. Yemi Soladoye, a member of INSCAN, who spoke to Vanguard, stated that the insurance industry is made up of three tripods comprising the regulator, operators, and the consumers, as such all three tripods should have been instituted into the committee.

According to Soladoye, a situation whereby only the regulator and operators are members of the committee will not favour the consumers. Soladoye said, “Insurance laws are made to protect policyholders. Premiums are held in trust for the policyholders.

Consequently, a situation whereby a committee has been set up to review insurance laws and there is no representation for the consumers will not be in the interest of the consumers.”

He said, “INSCAN is an affiliate of the Consumer Protection Council, yet there is no consumer represented in the review committee. This is not good for the insurance consumer.”

Meanwhile, invitation has been extended to the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) to partake in the review of the bill which committee was inaugurated last week in Abuja.

Whilst the CIIN was re-considered, having been left-out initially, the Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) which made frantic efforts to participate in the review was not considered.

The Committee is to be chaired by Dr. Omogbai- Omo Eboh, a renowned expert in Insurance Law, while Dr. Talmiz Usman (Head of Legal Department, NAICOM is the Secretary.

Other members of the committee include a representative of the Ministry of Finance; a representative of the National Insurance Commission; a representative of Nigeria Insurers’ Association (NIA), and a representative of Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers.

Members of the committee also include a representative of the Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria; a representative of the Attorney General of the Federation; Kamar Raji and Dr. Ladi Hamalai of the National Institute of Legal Studies.

The Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosu said the activities of the Review Committee would be fully funded by the National Insurance Commission, which is the statutory agency of the federal government established to regulate and supervise the Nigerian insurance sector.

According to the Minister, the terms of reference of the review committee include a critical review of the draft Insurance (Consolidated) Bill, with a view to making it a framework or principle-based legislation; a comparative review of the bill to align it with the powers of other financial regulators in the country as well as a thorough examination of current market problems and recommendation of appropriate regulatory powers to allow the insurance regulator act appropriately.

The review committee is to undertake a review of all other insurance laws and update the draft Insurance (Consolidated) Bill to align with international best practices.

TOP INSURANCE GAINERS AND LOSERS

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

For the records:

I

Oliseh uncensored attack on critics

am addressing this insanity that has befallen some of our critics and I call it insanity because you must be insane to start seeking a plebiscite on the future of the National Team coach of Nigeria because we lost CHAN. “With all due respect, CHAN is the least important tournament organised by CAF, and it is a tournament which weighs on the strength of the various leagues and you can see how far DR Congo and TP Mazembe have done. What then should be done to the coaches of Ghana, South Africa and Egypt, who did not qualify for this tournament?

“I understand that we lost this but this constant insanity each time the Super Eagles lose, some usual critics go on air and start seeking the plebiscite as regarding the future of the Chief coach of the Super Eagles. This is madness! They did the same thing when we lost our first game to DR Congo, which was a friendly game.

“They were asking questions if this was the right person to lead the Super Eagles. We lost to Guinea, and this comes after a 10-game non loosing streak of the Super Eagles. Yes I am counting; unbeaten run, and now they start this hullabaloo over the future of the coach of the Super Eagles.

“A contract is made out. I signed a contract with the NFF. If you are not happy about it, Okay…we come out and shake hands. But “

I will like to remind you that this is the 14th game I have been in charge as coach of the Super Eagles and we have lost only two and only one official game. We are still on track to qualify for the Nations Cup. “We have qualified into the full stage for the World Cup. So where is this failure that some of our critics are trying to sell to Nigerians. Where is it coming from? Unless you mean that for Coach Sunday Oliseh and his crew to be successful, they must win every match. JESUS CHRIST! “Even the world champions

•Eagles

Germany are not doing that. Talk less of us who are a brand-new team we are building for some months now –the team to CHAN

Rio 2016 wrestling qualifier:

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

I

N a bid to

ensure t h a t more wrestlers qualify for this year ’s Olympics in Rio, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has invited 26 wrestlers for a preliminary camping in Yenagoa ahead of the Africa Championships slated for Alexandria, Egypt •Adekuoroye and the Africa/Oceania qualifier in Algeria.

Already, the 26 wrestlers, including Odunayo Adekuoroye, the only wrestler that has so far qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, have arrived the capital city of Bayelsa state.

The wrestlers consist of 10 female wrestlers, six Greco Roman, nine Freestyle wrestlers and six coaches C M Y K

The Africa Championship is from March 2 to 7 in Alexandria, Egypt, while the Africa and Oceania qualifier is scheduled from March 30 to April 4 in Algeria.

According to the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali, the wrestlers will prepare at the Den Gymnasium, Yenagoa, before the national camp opens, adding that the Greco Roman wrestlers would be moved to Calabar, Cross River State due to the proximity of the coach.

Most of the invited wrestlers participated at the last African Games in Congo.

Among the female wrestlers in camp are Adekuoroye Odunayo, Adeniyi Aminat, Oborududu Blessing, Rueben Hannah, Iheanacho Ifeoma, Onyebuchi Blessing, Nweke Rosemary, Genesis Mercy, Nwoye Ifeoma and Makanjuola Bisola The male freestyle wrestlers are Welson Ebikewenimo, Daniel Amas, Bibo Melvin, Dick Adibo, Tamarau Soso, Clackson Sampson Ekerekeme Agiomor, Ebi Akene and Enozunimi Simeon.

Greco Roman: Nworie Emmanuel, Ituru Oke, Okeke Tochukwu, Onyemelusi Abraham, Agbonavbare Joe and John Ogbonna.

The coaches are Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh, Tiebiri Godswill, Oziti Joe, Happiness Burutu and Damian Ohaike.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Tamarau, Oborududu, Adekuoroye, others arrive Yenagoa camp

have seven players who are certainly leaving our shores to play abroad, two have already signed.

“I’m proud of what we have achieved with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Nigerians are happy, there is so much team spirit, it is now interesting to watch the Super Eagles.”

•Oliseh

ACL: Enyimba won’t disappoint against Vipers – Skipper

E

nyimba captain and defender, Chinedu Udoji has said his side will not disappoint against the Ugandan opposite, Vipers SC. The Nigerian champions will be the guests of East African side at the weekend clash in the preliminary round of CAF Champions League.

Udoji said the two-time African champions have prepared adequately to expect good result at their opponents den, the 5000 seats Buikwe Bunamwaya Stadium, Wakiso Town.

“We will certainly pick good result against Vipers right there at their backyard to make the reverse

fixture clash in Nigeria a lot easier.

“Nigerians can go to sleep with both eyes closed that we will never disappoint them in the championship.

“We had decent preparations helped greatly with the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 tournament in Kaduna and Uyo. “We are in high spirit and ready to deliver the goods at the appointed time. I’m confident we will come back home with good result.

“We know the Ugandan side will not come cheap but we have told ourselves we must pick good result from the clash.

“We want to recreate the side’s performances in same competition in 2003 and 2004 respectively,” said Udoji to supersport.com.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 — 29

GTBank justifies support for Polo

D

ear Nigeria Olympic Taekwondo Team, It is true that you did not qualify, but it does not, in any way whatsoever, take away from the tremendous amount of personal efforts that you have put in all these months.

We are exceedingly proud of you FIVE! We are witnesses to the fire that burned in your chest, and the hard work that kept you well from rest.

We are witnesses to a system that did not protect and support you as well as it should have. We have watched with admiration as you trudged on with no whimpers, and bore the burden with only a shrug and yet more training.

Some of you left sick parents at home. Some of you left your pregnant wives all alone.

Some of you slept on the floor at Old Parade Ground. Most of you had no kobo in their bank accounts, all got no allowances. Yet nothing distracted or prevented you from training almost every single day for the past three months.

Yes, we are witnesses! Our dear Champions, come back home with your heads high, knowing that you did us proud. Come back home with your backs straight, knowing that you gave all you had.

Though the pain sears through your chest, know that it was a blow to us all and it is in anguish that all of our heart that burns.

In victory and in defeat, we

Chukwumerije’s Ode for Taekwondo heroes, heroines must together stand. There are many things to be said, yet much more to be learnt, but this is no time for such talk. Only hugs and silence at this point will do, For on the road left behind lies, broken dreams and shattered hopes. But know this –the respect, love and admiration we have for you, and the bond of friendship that has been formed will outlast these bitter memories sooner than you think. Family will always be family. For us, Taekwondo remains family. We stand with

a fantastic coach with a golden heart, John Victor. We stand with our Commonwealth and African Champion, Jamilu Mohammed. We stand with our African Champion, Uzoamaka Otuadinma. We stand with our female pride, Chinazum Nwosu We stand with our young brave warrior, Edwin Samson. Come back home and come back quick, you are our heroes (and heroines)any day of the week!Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije 3-time Olympian

MFM FC boss Enakhena tasks LMC ahead of new NPFL season

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ountain Of Fire and Miracles Ministries, MFM Football Club Chairman Godwin Enakhena believes there are plenty of positives to expect from the Nigeria Premier League this season if the League Management Company, LMC, strictly implements •Enakhena the rules of the g a m e , eyeonthenews.com reports. With the promoted MFM FC playing away to Nasarawa United when the NPFL season begins on Sunday, 21 February, Enakhena says the LMC and other participants should hit the ground running to ensure a rewarding league season. “We he Brazil-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce has paid the are excited to be part of the 2015/ Project Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the Nigeria House Committee, Mohammed Abdullahi, a visit to seek partnership. This is with a view to boosting plans to derive gains of direct foreign investments into the country during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games to be staged in Brazil.

President of the Brazil-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Alexandre Jeixeria Ramos and his vice, Femi Louge, said the meeting became necessary upon their realization of the lofty idea behind the formation of the Nigeria-House Project for the Games which holds in August.

At the meeting with Abdullahi, the CEO of the Committee and the members, Alh. Bala Usman, Mrs. Adeshola Ndu and Secretary Shammah Makpa, at the Abuja office of the committee, Ramos said having read about •Vardy the committee’s aim to achieve direct foreign investments into Nigeria during the Olympics, they saw the need to visit physically and hear from the horses’ mouth. “We amie Vardy admitted he never heard about the activities of the committee and what it has imagined Leicester City’s fairyset out to achieve in terms of showcasing the richness of Nigeria to the outside world during the Olympics in our tale season was a possibility, with nation Brazil and felt the best way to kick-start our the club remarkably topping the Premier League. participation is to come physically and rub minds with you Vardy’s devastating form has so as to know how to partner with the Nigeria House Project catapulted Leicester to the summit and Brazil business community to actualize the set goals.

“The CEO of Nigeria House, Abdullahi, in his response told the delegation that the committee is happy with the visit and expressed optimism that with the kind of interest oalkeeper Jan Oblak has agreed a one-year contract extension at displayed by the Brazil-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, the journey for the realization of direct foreign Atletico Madrid that will keep him investment through the Olympic platform and other at the club until 2021. The Slovenia international arrived at the Vicente global sporting fiestas has began.

“This means the quest for direct foreign investment through Calderon in 2014 from Benfica following Thibaut Courtois’ return the sports platform is not targeted at Brazil alone, as Nigeria to parent club Chelsea and initially House Project is a global initiative. We are also seeking the served largely as a back-up to partnership and sponsorship of the Nigeria House Project Miguel Angel Moya under Diego from Corporate and Public organizations” Simeone.

However, the 23-yea-old has

Rio Olympics: Chamber Of Commerce partners Nigeria House Project

T

•Chukwumerije

2016 Premier League season and just like other clubs, our expectation is to play in a conducive and well co-ordinated league. I believe the organisers are doing their best but we want the LMC to be firm in implementing the rules, especially the ones affecting the welfare of players.

“Any club that can’t pay the salary of its players for a month should be suspended from the league, there are no two ways about it if the league must improve”, Enakhena told eyeonthenews.com.

The broadcaster hinted that his club has never owed its players and will pay the salary stipulated by the LMC this season. He urged the body to review some aspect of the rules of the game.

BY Jacob Ajom The 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo tournament gallops off today and one of its major sponsors, GTBank has been defending its strong support for the sport.

In a pre-event media chat at the refurbished Lagos Polo Club house Monday, Oyinade Adegite, Senior Manager, Corporate Communication and External Affairs, GTBank said the sport was a reflection of the cherished values GTBank stood for.

She said, “Polo is about competitiveness, fairplay and quality; and these are the core values we at the bank cherish so much. That is why we are backing the Lagos Polo tournament and the club in particular.”

The tournament will be flagged off today with the Lagos Stallions taking on Ibadan Megamound. Kick off for this opening game is 1.15 pm. The second match which will feature Lagos Powerhorse and Kano Titans 2 will begin 2.15 pm while the day ’s activities will be rounded off with a third match involving Lagos Ark and Carveton Polo.

All the matches will be played at the newly refurbished turf of the Lagos Polo Club. Some of the trophies at stake in the first week of competition include the Dansa Cup, the Low Cup and the Oba of Lagos Cup. The 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo tournament ends on February 21when a new champion of the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup will emerge.

Players expected to feature in the two-week tournament

Vardy: I never expected Leicester to top Premier League

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of the Premier League with his league-leading 18-goal haul having played a big part in a season that continues to defy all odds.

Leicester defeated Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to move five points clear atop the table and while Vardy did not score on that occasion, his performances have seen him sign a bumper threeand-a-half-year contract worth just over £13million.

“I do have to pinch myself every day really but it has taken a lot of hard work to be honest,” said Vardy, who was playing non-league football and working a full-time job only three years ago.

Oblak extends Atletico deal played every minute of Atletico’s La Liga campaign this term, conceding a league-best figure of 11 goals.

With Oblak in line for La Liga’s Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the lowest goals-to-games ratio, an Atleti statement read: “Jan Oblak and our club have reached an agreement to extend the contract of the Slovenian goalkeeper until 2021.

•Zidane

Zidane has everything to become a great coach – Ancelotti

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x-Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has backed Zinedine Zidane to succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu and believes his former assistant has all the qualities to become a great coach. Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez as Madrid manager last month, and has guided the club to four wins and a draw - while scoring 19 goals - in his five games in charge.

And Ancelotti said: “The best thing you can say about Zidane is that he doesn’t have experience, just like when I started coaching or my professional playing career.

“Zidane has everything you need to be a great coach. He has the ability, charisma, personality and knows football inside-out. He has the profile of a Real Madrid coach.

C M Y K

30—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

FG targets 30m farmers with e-wallet scheme PAGE 31

CcHUB growth capital to invest N1bn on scale up tech start-ups PAGE 31

•Telecomms mast

By Prince Osuagwu & Emeka Aginam

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HE Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, at the weekend decried the heavy taxation imposed on telecom operators in Nigeria by different layers of government, saying it weighs down their operations.

The group through its Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, urged Federal Government to harmonise levies on operators to ease access to deployments of necessary infrastructure that would enhance telecommunications services in the country.

Adebayo, who addressed newsmen in Lagos tasked the government to pass laws that

would make the vandalisation of telecommunications infrastructure a serious offence punishable by long years of imprisonment.

He said that until government declares telecom infrastructure as 'Critical National Security and Economic Infrastructure' as provided by the cybercrime law of 2015, vandals would not restrain themselves from wilfully damaging infrastruture which in turn results in poor quality of service.

According to him, “the Telecom industry supports many other economic sectors whose operations and trade depend on our services. We are also in the first layer, when it comes to critical technology service for enhanced safety and security."

He also disclosed that the association was very concerned about the recurring cases of telecom sites closure by

We believe that taxes and levies should be broadbased and fairly distributed across all sectors of the economy

government agents.

“The States are treating our industry as an extractive industry and imposing myriads of taxes on our members and closing down the base stations arbitrarily.

•Engr Gbenga Adebayo “We believe that taxes and levies should be broadbased and fairly distributed going under by the day. “When across all sectors of the economy. we started, we had up to 31 There is therefore no justification members but today, we are less for targeted and sometime very than 15. If the sector is that robust, high taxes on telecom operator. why is the number of operators We are calling for a cross-sector/ decreasing rather than multi-stakeholder approach to increasing,” he queried. reduce growing burden of He however stated that the taxation on our industry,”he irony of the situation was that added. most of the operators who failed According to him, the Nigerian in telecoms business have been telecom industry is over hyped growing rapidly in other areas even when several operators are Continues on page 31

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—31

FG targets 30m farmers with e-wallet scheme

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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ECHNOLOGY experts have expressed the view that for the Federal Government to succeed in diversifying the economy through agriculture, it must deploy technology into the system. Available evidence abounds from technologically advanced economies to justify this claim.

It was in this respect that the Federal Government at the weekend, launched a new ewallet initiative for Nigerian farmers, with 14 million farmers captured in the data base of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD. Speaking at the occasion, Executive Director of the Farmers Online Market (FOM) Mr. Stephen Maduko, said with the 14 million already captured in the system, a projection of another 30 million farmers are being targeted for registration.

Maduko, who expressed appreciation to federal government for its support, decried what he called the absence of market and storage facilities for the locally produced

farm produce, which he said had remained the biggest problem for Nigerian farmers, leading to loss of products.

According to him, the farmers online market would provide jobs and business opportunities for the women and youths to be self employed, self reliant and would

We have a target of creating over 2 million jobs directly and over 20 million jobs indirectly

create jobs and wealth for others.

“With a target of creating over 2 million jobs directly and over 20 million jobs indirectly, we urge the federal government through its ministries, departments and agencies in the 36 states and 774 Local Government Council and all relevant stake holders in agricultural sector to support us and offer their services through the FOM, “he said.

He regretted that there was no accurate data available on what farmers were growing in their fields which changes often with season. “We get to know about availability only after farmers harvest and get it to an auction place or wholesale market,” Maduko said.

CloudWare launches sabo.ng to aid foreign exchange

By Laju Iren

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L O U D W A R E Technologies recently launched sabo.ng, an online market to make foreign currencies available to people who require them for genuine purposes.

At the launch of Sabo.ng in Lagos recently, the Chief Technology Officer of CloudWare Technologies, Mr. Akinmade Akintoye, said the solution would serve as a platform for the secure exchange of foreign currencies between the seller and the buyer, who will never meet with each other in the process of the transaction that will be facilitated by CloudWare Escrow service.

Akintoye explained that the platform was designed to remove the difficulties faced by people in accessing foreign currencies for genuine transactional purposes.

Akinmade further explained that CloudWave is not involved in sales of foreign currency, but rather acts as a facilitator to sellers and buyers of currencies, by providing an online market place for them to transact seamlessly without fear of fraudulent acts, which he said, have been addressed at the

CcHUB growth capital to invest N1bn on scale up tech start-ups

By Emeka Aginam

A

S an intervention strategy to bail out technology start-ups in Nigeria, CcHUB Growth Capital at the weekend disclosed that it would invest N1 billion to support next generation infrastructure technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria over the next 2 years.

CcHUB is Nigeria’s first open living lab and pre-incubation space designed to be a multifunctional, multi-purpose space where work to catalyze creative social tech ventures take place.

The seed fund is an investment company set up by CcHub in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, Venture Garden Group and the Omidyar Network.

The seed fund which is specifically targeted at technologies that connect citizens together, and technologies that are geared towards making public services smarter is expected to boost technological infrastructure in the country by investing in technological entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the weekend to newsmen in Lagos to unfold details of the seed fund, Tunji Elesho, Managing Partner at the Co-creation Hub said that they have already raised two hundred million naira for the capacity building project.

About GC fund “The CcHub Growth Capital Fund is an investment company set up by the Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), Bank of Industry (BOI), Venture Garden Group (VGG) and the Omidyar Network. After 5 years of supporting entrepreneurs from ideation, preincubation to incubation, it became imperative to take one step forward by supporting those who have in some ways matured but still required a scaling structure. The fund is meant to support entrepreneurs who are building infrastructure for Nigeria’s future.

“Specifically we are looking at products/services/technology tools that would make public services smarter and at the same time connect more citizens of

•Nigerian Tech Start-ups.

Nigeria to those services.

“We intend to invest start-up that is already existing. We are in advanced discussion with angel investors. This is to enable more technology businesses grow and scale up.

“These tech start-ups will be guided accordingly through mentor ship. We want to build digital infrastructure that will power new businesses. The seed fund will be sourced both from outside and inside the country”, he explained.

Why the fund “Basically, the seed fund ranges from N10 million to N30 million in exchange for equity.

The seed fund will also come with additional support as we are going to be providing business advisory to answer questions on

how to organize your business, standardize processes, build quality teams and set up proper governance structures that would position your business for scaling.

“If you as an entrepreneur have figured out your model and are earning revenue, but then need more support to be able to scale”, he further explained.

Criteria to access fund He explained that the Angel investors were looking for tech start ups that have created a solution that aims to make services smarter and connect them to more citizens or even basically connect services to citizens. “The solution must be scalable. The solution must have economic viability. The solution must have already been generating revenue”he added.

back-end system and with the payment gateway network provider.

Giving details of how it works, Akintoye said both the seller and the buyer get registered on the Sabo.ng platform, free of charge, with their email addresses and demographics, including their telephone numbers, before they are allowed to transact on the platform. He said after successful registration, the seller places a currency order from the checklist that varies from between $1 to $10,000 and also fixes his or her exchange rate. An interested buyer who is comfortable with the exchange rate, applies online, pays to a designated account created by CloudWare Technologies and at the end of a successful transaction, both

Multiple taxation weighs us down, telecom operators lament Continues from page 30 other than telecom that they ventured into.

ALTON’s position was corroborated by The Nigerian telecoms regulatory authority, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, which feared that the benefits and services from the telecom industry were also under serious threat by the spate of vandanlization of telecom infrastructure across the country.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, last week in Lagos during a road show campaign against vandanlization of telecom infrastructure, said the Commission was worried that vandanlization of telecom infrastructure was slowing the pace of growth and contributing to the poor quality of services experienced by Nigerian telecom subscribers.

Danbatta, who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, noted that nearly 17 years after the return of democratic governance to Nigeria, telecommunications remained the biggest dividend from this democracy, “Over 80 million people have access to the Internet, 152 million active telephone lines as at November, 2015, so much that telecommunications has become an indispensable device in the hands of most Nigerians”, Danbatta explained. He spoke at the flag off of a roadshow campaign against telecom infrastructure vandalism in Lagos.

32—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Deltans protest alleged killings by Fulani herdsmen A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—PEEVED by the recent killing of the Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM Edward Akaeze Ofulue I, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, youths in Delta North senatorial district of the state, under the aegis of Anioma Security Watch Network, yesterday, protested against the security challenges posed by the herdsmen.

The youths who marched through Summit Road, Asaba, to the state House of Assembly complex, decried the incessant kidnapping and killings allegedly carried out in the area by the herdsmen.

The youths, dressed in black with red scarves tied round their heads, called for the relocation of herdsmen from the state.

Speaking to newsmen, President of the group, Mr Henry Onwuamalieze, said that the protest was informed by the "insensitivity of government and security agencies to the security threats and molestations of the people by Fulani herdsmen.”

Onwuamalieza said: “We are saying enough is enough to these Fulani herdsmen. We want them to go away from our lands. They have been kidnapping our people

and raping our woman who go to farm and yet nothing has been done about it.

“Only recently, the king of Ubul-Uku was kidnapped and killed and all the suspects arrested are Fulani. There have been several other kidnapping and killings of our people carried out by these Fulani herdsmen against our people.

“When we went into the bush to search for the Ubul-Uku monarch, we saw many women who told us how they were raped and their husbands beaten by Fulani herdsmen.

Some of them could not tell their husbands because it is very shameful, but they told us.

“We want these people to go away. If they must stay, the

government should build a place for them and proper census be taken of them so that we know them and not just allow them to go about destroying our farms, raping our women, killing our people and perpetrating all sorts of crimes. How can they come all the way from the North and be killing our people. Can you go to the North and do this?”

Y

E N AG OA — B AY E L S A State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, yesterday said that the era of deceiving the judiciary to get judgments and electoral victories through the backdoor were over in Nigeria.

He premised his optimism on the Supreme Court rulings in the governorship elections in Rivers, Abia and Akwa Ibom States.

Dickson had, while attributing his victory over the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Timipre Sylva in the recently concluded election to divine intervention, insisted that his opponent was relying on the judiciary to make him governor.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel IworisoMarkson, in Yenagoa, Dickson said it would be foolhardy for anyone to think that he could upturn the decision of the people by manipulating the judicial process.

Expressing his readiness to face the APC at the Election Petition Tribunal, Dickson argued that there was enough evidence to counter all the issues raised in his opponent's petition, “even though I am yet to be served.”

Election into public offices, according to him, was all about the people and since they had spoken through their votes, it would be

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE crisis rocking Ughelli South Local Government Council, Delta State, has taken a worrisome dimension, with the indefinite suspension order slammed on five of its members for alleged gross misconduct and indiscipline on the floor of the House.

The legislative arm, in a statement, listed those suspended to include Mr. Maxwel Orhogu, Mr. Peter Motor, Mr. Emmanuel Ebikawei, Mr. Sunday Apah and Mr. Emmanuel Okpatako.

310 A-Ibom widows to embark on pilgrimage

By Elizabeth Uwandu

MEETING: From left: Alhaji Garba Kankarofi, Registrar/CEO, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON; Mrs Ediri Ose-Ediale, Executive Secretary, Advertisers' Association of Nigeria, ADVAN; Aljahi Lai Muhammed, Minister of Information and Culture; Mr. David Okeme, President, ADVAN and Mrs. Joan Ihekwaba, 1st Vice President, ADVAN, at a meeting with the Minister in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Era of manipulating judiciary for election victory over —Dickson

By Samuel Oyadongha

Delta LG suspends five members over alleged misconduct

difficult for it to be upturned.

Having won in seven out of the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State, Dickson said, he was not ready to comment on the case, as it would be

tantamount to subjudice.

He wondered the kind of magic the APC was expecting at the tribunal.

Dickson said, “I am very surprised that, instead of congratulating me and working

with us to rebuild our state to move forward as a people, the APC candidate is being misled or is misleading others to think that the judiciary can be manipulated to upturn the popular will of the people."

Rivers gov poll: S-Court judgment product of compromise —Peterside

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has expressed doubts that the Supreme Court ruling that gave victory to Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was a product of justice.

The governorship candidate who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, said: “It is obvious that the decision of the Supreme Court on the Rivers State election was not a product of justice but rather a product of compromise and orchestrated contrivance to legalise electoral violence and rigging and in turn reward injustice.”

He called on Governor Wike to stop what he described as insults directed

at President Muhamadu Buhari.

According to Peterside, Wike during his thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt made disparaging comments on the Nigerian army.

“Wike must stop insulting

Mr President and denigrating the Nigerian military,” he said.

He said that the APC was not demoralised because of its loss at the apex court, stressing that the party was ready for the rerun elections slated for March 19.

Gowon, Oteh others for Philip Asiodu Lecture

By Tare Youdeowei

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ORLD Bank Vice President and Treasurer, Arunma Oteh, will be the guest speaker at the maiden edition of the Philip Asiodu Lecture Series, PALS, while foremost corporate lawyer and industrialist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, will be Chairman of the event to hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, on February 22.

The lecture, with the theme, The Proper Role of Oil in the Context of Accelerating Growth and Development, has former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as Special Guest of Honour.

A statement by Mr. Peter Osamgbi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said Chief Asiodu approved the institution of the lecture series because of the urgent need to xray, in the most scholarly fashion, Nigeria’s economic and social challenges with a view to proffering solutions.

N

O fewer than 310 widows in Akwa Ibom State will embark on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel, in appreciation of the show of love and solidarity to his administration.

Governor Emmanuel announced the pilgrimage package at Government House, when he received Akwa Ibom women, from across the state, who walked through the streets of Uyo, the state capital, to celebrate his Supreme Court victory.

According to the governor, the 310 widows who will embark on the pilgrimage to pray for Akwa Ibom, will comprise “10 real widows from each of the 31 local government areas of the state.”

Gowon to speak at Lions 21st Africa confab

By Tare Youdeowei

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IONS Club International Multiple District 404 Nigeria is to host the world at its club’s 21st All Africa Conference, which kicks off today in Lagos, with former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, delivering the keynote address.

The five-day event, according to Air Vice-Marshal Tony Okpere, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, is to be attended by delegates from across the world, and is aimed at addressing preventable blindness, empowering youths, alleviating hunger, protecting the environment and strengthening unity to fight against cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria and measles.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—33

‘Konka’ll conquer economic reasons behind influx of substandard phones’

By Prince Osuagwu

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EVERAL researchers have consistently attributed the influx of substandard mobile phones in Nigeria to cost. Users require mobile phones whose costs would not put a hole in their pockets. Unfortunately, some business men have latched on this demand to flood the market with substandard mobile phones which end up leaving the users frustrated in no time.

However, Chairman, Mansales Limited, Engr Elens Eigbokhan in this interview said his company has countered this trend with the introduction of Konka mobiles, a Chinese mobile phone maker with a mandate to make quality mobile phones that would be cost friendly as well as giving value for money to users.

Why did Mansales bring Konka to Nigeria despite scores of mobile OEMs here?

Konka is the first generation of

China’s consumer electronics products and mobile phones company that is rated among the top 10 of China’s well known trademarks and the top three most valuable Chinese electronics brand.

Smartphone penetration We partnered Konka Mobile in order to address the issue of substandard mobile phones that are presently selling in the Nigerian market. Nigerians are mistaking them for quality phones, only to regret it after a few months of usage. We also partnered Konka Mobile to further deepen smartphone penetration in Nigeria.

What we have done with Konka, is to open a trusted channel where Nigerians could buy quality and genuine mobile phones that will not only give them value for money, but will also

•Engr Elens Eigbokhan meet their social and communication needs.

So what kind of partnership do you have with Konka Mobile?

Our partnership with Konka is sole distributorship. Mansales will be distributing Konka phones in Nigeria and the rest of West

Africa, and out partnership deal forbids us to distribute other brands of mobile phone within the West African countries. The reason for this is to enable us develop the brand and make Nigerians and Africans enjoy reliable and true quality phones

that are durable with long battery life.

To do this you’ll need to battle grey market?

We have factored that in during the planning stage. We are aware of grey market, where dealers smuggle branded phones that were not meant to be sold in a particular region, through unauthorised channels, and we are also very much aware of the deluge of substandard phones in the Nigerian market, and what we have done to address the challenge, is to provide a unique identity number for each Konka phone that will be distributed in Nigeria and that number could be tracked online to find out whether the phone is genuine or not. The number is visibly written on the phone and customers have the right to track the number online before purchase. If customers are well educated on this, they will not be tricked into buying fake Konka phones, and if customers always insist on buying genuine Konka phones, then those that may want to sell Konka phones through the grey market, will have a rethink.

We will also have authorised channel distributors of Konka phones in various parts of the country who will be marketing genuine Konka phones.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2016

Catholic Bishop slams Igbo over ‘unbridled' quest for money O

By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—THE unbridled quest for money and the attitude of “only money counts” in all Igbo affairs, came under severe attack, yesterday, when the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev. Professor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, delivered the 33rd Public Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, titled “Intellectualism and the Development of a People.”

According to the fiery Catholic cleric, the toll Igbo people have paid in values for this, has been enormous, adding that money and what money can buy seem to be all that matter to Ndigbo.

“Even our proverbial egalitarianism and republicanism seem to have disappeared as the

Delta PDP chair loses mum

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HE DEATH has occured of Chief Mrs. Christiana Echekwube Uzor, Nee Odunze, mother of the Chairman, PDP Delta State, Chief Edwin Chukwunwike Uzor.

The late Chief (Mrs) Uzor who hailed from Oko-Odifulu in Oshimili South Local Government area of Delta State was aged 81 years. She will be buried on Friday, February 19, 2016.

super rich became the owners of the community and their praise singers remind those who were in doubt that the community or town, indeed belong to some people”, Professor Onah lamented.

Tracing how the Igbo degenerated to the present level, the Bishop said that before the Nigeria-Biafra war, the intellectual was the pride of the Igboman, pointing out that it was a pride to be referred to as doctor’s mother or father.

“Then came the war, the

acquired before the war by the post war Nigerian government”.

According to the cleric, a careful scrutiny of the way most political office holders were selected in Igboland and what they do with the common patrimony when they are in office, will confirm that Ndigbo have collectively sold their birthrights to those who have the hard currency to spray.

“Before long, the only money counts attitude found its way into the precincts of the churches and, through harvests, bazaars and the unending fund raising programmesfortheinnumerablechurch projects, it gradually moved into the sanctuary”, Onah said.

I'm not under EFCC probe —Okonjo-Iweala

By Anozie Egole

A

BUJA—FORMER Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has dismissed allegations making the rounds that EFCC is investigating her as misleading and untrue.

In a statement issued yesterday, and signed by her Media Adviser, Paul Nwabikwu, the former Minister said the headlines are a misrepresentation of what the EFCC chairman

actually said during the event.

The headlines had claimed that the EFCC Chairman, in response to a question by an All Progressives Congress, APC, member, Hon. Razak Atunwa, stated that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is under investigation, the actual words quoted in the same reports told a very different story.

His words: “Very soon we will go into the petroleum industry.

Such investigation requires that we have to build capacity, we have to bring in experts to enable

us tackle what we are doing properly and the investigation must be conducted properly. We have internal lawyers and external lawyers. We have to pay insurance."

But the ex-Minister said: "The words said to have been spoken by the EFCC chairman cannot support the lurid headlines that Dr Okonjo-Iweala is under investigation by the EFCC. "The Nigerian media plays an important role in our democracy and we urge them to be fair, balanced and factual in their reports."

Mend fences with Gov Ikpeazu, Kinsmen tell Otti

A

By Eric Ugbor

BA—KINSMEN of Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has asked Dr Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who lost his governorship bid recently at the Supreme Court to congratulate their son on his victory and join hands with him to rebuild the state.

Late Christiana Uzor

blockade, the starvation, the surrender, the humiliation and the economic emasculation.

Despite the beautiful slogan of no victor, no vanquished, there was and still is, a clear plan to crush the presumably rebellious Igbo spirit and, thus, shatter the myth of the resilient Igboman”, Onah said.

Continuing, the erudite cleric recalled that at the end of the war, the foremost battle of Ndigbo was for survival in a Nigeria that neither wanted them in its fold nor would let them go, “having been stripped to the bare skin of all the material wealth they had

Tricycle operators protest alleged multiple taxation in Abia

Some of his kinsmen who spoke with Vanguard at Ikpeazu,s country home of Umuobiakwa in Obingwa Local government council said that after the Supreme Court’s confirmation of Ikpeazu’s electoral victory last Wednesday, their son being a humble man would not let Otti down if he acts right in his defeat.

Mr Azuogu Nwachukwu who is Ikpeazu’s uncle said: “Since birth, Okezie’s name has been reflecting on his life, hence God made him the first Ngwa man to sit on Abia State governorship seat. When he was made a chief in our place, he was called “Nwadi-oha-mma” (the child that is loved by all) and God has been helping him. People love him much and God has blessed him.”

A

By Eric Ugbor

BA—TRICYCLE operators in Aba, Abia State have called on the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu to remove multiple taxes levied on them by government in the commercial city to enable them feed their families and meet other responsibilities of life.

The operators who protested the multiple taxation and extortion levied on them by their parent Union, Abia State Amalgamated Tricycle Operators’ Association, ASATOA, and the police yesterday said their burdens were back-breaking.

The operators who spoke to Vanguard at Osisioma Expressway junction during the protests said that they had endured much injustice from the revenue collectors who also beat them and spoil their tricycles.

They said these were happening because government had looked the other way.

The operators also asked to be allowed to form an association that would cater for their needs stressing that ASATOA, foisted on them by the past regime, was not representing them well.

Mr Ugwunna Onyeji, their leader, said that they pay over N16,000 in taxes every month to government and the police, leaving them with insufficient funds to feed their families.

“Because we do not have such freedom, we have persons who call themselves our leaders, whose business is to make money off our backs criminally," he said.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Oliseh's conduct as Super Eagles Head Coach

E

very good coach loves challenges. It is opportunity for them to learn more.

But unfortunately for Oleseh, he has refused to learn but rather is blaming everybody for the ouster of Nigeria from the Afcon tournament. Miss Udeaku Nwazota, NYSC member C M Y K

E

ven if you bring a foreign coach today in this kind of environment he would not win a match.

We need our own who understand the mentality of the evil people pretending to be football administrators. Mr Chijioke Jannah, Communicator

I

doubt if the NFF did a proper homework before bringing Oliseh on board. If a Chief Coach should spend most of his time in the hospital attending to one ailment or the other, I wonder what time he would have to do his job. Miss Sophia Osuji, Graduate

O

liseh inherited a very strong team, and the teams form bloated his head, even without any achievement.

He removed most of the ladder and basements he needed to keep to stay in the air. Mr Ben O n y e k a c h i , Businessman

T

his turnover of coaches is not helping our football. Something is definitely wrong with our NFF. There is hardly any coach that has not complained about poor treatment from our football administrators.

Miss Ogochukwu Onwuatuegwu, Student

T

hey pushed a worthless contract before him to sign, and because he had no other choice at the time, he signed it. But he made the whole world to know that the contract was a ‘slave one’.

Mrs Loveth Chekwube, Worker

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 — 35

Achuba now Kogi Deputy Governor ...As Gov bars journalists from inauguration

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—FOLLOWING his screening and confirmation by the Kogi State House of Assembly, Simon Achuba, has been sworn in as the Deputy Governor of the state.

This came as armed security men attached to the government house in Lokoja, prevented journalists from covering the inauguration of the Deputy Governor, claiming Governor Yahaya Bello gave instruction that journalists should not be allowed into the venue of the inauguration because it was not a public function.

The new deputy governor is from Ibaji Local Government area of

Kogi East senatorial district.

Achuba’s confirmation followed Governor Bello’s letter to the Assembly seeking the confirmation of Achuba as his deputy.

While screening Achuba, the House without asking him a single question, quickly confirmed him by asking him to ‘take a bow and go.’

The house also approved Bello’s request for 21 Special Assistants.

Achuba, 52, a two-term House of Assembly member between 1999 and 2007, was a former Deputy Speaker in his second term.

Achuba was later sworn in at the banquet hall of the government House in Lokoja.

Speaking with journalists after his confirmation, Achuba said he

would use his political experience to collaborate with the governor in building a virile state and development to all the sectors of the state.

Governor bars journalists

Meanwhile, journalists in the state yesterday received the shock of their lives as armed security men attached to the government house prevented them from covering the inauguration of the Deputy Governor.

The journalists, mostly from the print media who were rushing from the State House of Assembly where the deputy governor was screened, could not gain access to the venue of the

inauguration due to the refusal of the security men.

The security personnel who claimed they were instructed by the Governor not to allow them in because the inauguration was a private function, warned the journalists not to come in.

This practice seems to be in vogue since the inception of Bello’s administration in the state, as journalists have been barred on many occasions from carrying out their legitimate duties involving the governor.

One of the security men while exchanging arguments with journalists said: ‘If the programme was meant for coverage, it would have been held at the Township Stadium.”

Efforts by the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Mallam Ademu Idakwo, to explain to the security men were rebuffed as they threatened to shot if journalists did not leave the premises.

Benue retrains 16,000 teachers

By Peter Duru

M

PROMO: From left — Business Development Manager, Adeniyi Adeyemi; Brand Ambassador, Daniel 'D’Banj' Oyebanji; customer, Abraham Adeyinka, and Head of Marketing, Jonathan Uzomba, all of Slot, when D’Banj delivered phones as part of Slot Valentine Sales promo in Lagos.

LEDAP wants court to declare UTME tests illegal

By Innocent Anaba

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BUJA—A civil society organisation, Legal Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to declare that the postUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME tests conducted by Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges before admitting students are illegal and should be abolished.

Defendants in the suit are Joint Admissions Matriculation Board, JAMB, National Universities Commission, NUC and Federal

Ministry of Education.

LEDAP is contending that there is no law authorizing the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges to subject candidates to a second screening or test after the UTME examination by JAMB. According to the plaintiff, the PostUTME tests have become a source of boldface corruption in the universities, polytechnics and Colleges, as lecturers and admission officials charge candidates huge sums of money using the Post-UTME as smoke screen.

Counsel to LEDAP, Mr Chino

Obiagwu, is consequently asking the court to declare that only JAMB, has the statutory powers to conduct matriculation examinations for admission into all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria. *A declaration that the imposition and conduct of Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) by Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria for candidates seeking admission into their institutions is illegal and unlawful, and others.

AKURDI—BENUE State Government has commenced the retraining of not fewer than 16,000 of its primary and post primary school teachers to enhance teaching and learning in the state.

Declaring open the week long training yesterday at Gboko Local Government area, Governor Samuel Ortom, said the programme was a deliberate effort by his administration to rejuvenate the education sector.

Ortom stated that the beneficiaries of the training would include 10,000 primary and 6,000 secondary school teachers.

The Governor said, “The refresher seminar is part of activities lined up to rejuvenate the education sector in the state.'

Others include efforts to pay counterpart funding and access a total of N7.6 billion for primary schools while budgetary provision has been made for retraining of teachers.

SUBSIDY TRIAL: I didn't notice any fraud — SUSPECT.

By Abdulwahab & Bartholomew Madukwe

A

staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer, who is facing alleged subsidy fraud trial alongside Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha UgoNgadi and Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited before Justice Lateefat Okunnu, yesterday said C M Y K

there was a shortage of premium motor spirit against the 12 million litres purportedly imported.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had presented various documents and drafts allegedly issued by the defendants for payment to defraud the Nigerian government of N1.9 billion.

At the resumed hearing, prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacob SAN, argued that Ebenezer

knew that it was a fraud because he endorsed the document (Exhibit P8) tendered by Ontario to PPRA to claim subsidy.

Ebenezer told the court that after the public outcry over subsidy removal in 2011, he heard about the fraud but did not notice it.

He further told the court that his signature on the said subsidy claim documents was after parties had agreed on quantity received

and quantity discharged.

“I was employed in 2008 and charged in 2012. I reported in writing to my employer that I was charged with a criminal matter. I still work with PPPRA, though not receiving full salary.

My duty was not to monitor but witness the discharge of the PMS into the depot. Normally, when the two Surveyors agree to a quantity discharged, I then endorse same,” Ebenezer said.

Glo customers to enjoy 6GB, 9GB bumper data offers

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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ELECOMS giant, Globacom, has unveiled a new data offer for millions of its subscribers.

Mr. Ashok Israni, Globacom’s Chief Regional Marketing Officer said a N3,000 data plan would give subscribers 6GB data valid for one month while a N4000 data plan would give 9GB data plan valid for a month.

Speaking on the offer, Israni said the offers were given at this time of the year to encourage subscribers to keep browsing after the yuletide and festive season.

He said, “We know that our subscribers must have spent a lot of money during the yuletide season. As the New Year begins, we are giving more for less to our valued subscribers to keep them connected on the internet.”

Israni explained that the new offers came with super fast data experience, in addition to the huge extra data. According to him, “The Bumper Data Offer rides on Globacom’s huge data infrastructure backed by the high capacity Glo 1 submarine cable, which brings direct connectivity between West Africa, Europe and the rest of the world. ''The facility provides much faster and more robust connectivity for voice, data and video.”

NEBC holds 3-day summit

T

HE Annual Kingdom Life Summit of New Estate Baptist Church, Lagos will begin tomorrow at the Church auditorium in Surulere, Lagos.

The theme of the 3-day summit is: “The Power of the Cross.”

Ministers at the event are: Apostle Lawrence Achudume, the General Overseer, Family Life Bible Church, Abeokuta; Rev. Felix Meduoye, General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Nigeria.

Host is Reverend Achi Kunat and Convener is Rev. Dr. Julius Omomola.

The summit will also feature songs by anointed music ministers and choirs.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

ETISAL AT'S AWA R D S :

AIRTEL: From left— Vice President, Mobile Commerce, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja; Senior Programme Specialist, Grameen Foundation, Julius Matovu, receiving an award from CEO of MATS, Kolapo Solesi at the 2016 Mobile Money Expo where Grameen & Airtel won the award for Innovative Weza Product.

Manager, Mobile Financial Service, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Oluwaseun Omotosho (right), receiving the Financial Inclusion Product of the Year Award for GT Easysavers from the Principal Associate, Mobile Money Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Okoegwale, at the Kalahari Awards, during the 6 t h Remittance & MoblieMoneyExpo 2016 in Lagos.

EYE BANK: From left— Vice Chairman, Fund Raising Committee, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Medical Director, Dr. Mosunmade Omotosho; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Olaseinde Akinsete, and Chairman, Board of Governors, Dr. Abiola Akinocho, all of Eye Bank, during a press conference on Eye Bank for Restoring Sight Nigeria in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

VISIT: From left— Vice Chancellor, Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Professor Sert Husenyi; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Mr. Aminu Suleiman, and Managing Director, First Surat Group, Mehmet Basturk, during a visit to Suleiman.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—37

My irresponsible ex gave me herpes

Ex after my windfall?

Dear Bunmi, I was stunned but overjoyed when I won a N2 million naira promo of one of the telecoms companies months back. My name and pictures were in the papers and a few days after my win, my ex-fiancee got in touch and asked to see me

again. She was the one who broke off the engagement two years ago and I was devastated when it happened.

Now she’s told me she’d never stopped loving me. I still love her and seeing her again has brought back all the loving we shared. I’d like to

This neighbour is up to no good Dear Bunmi, I am 15 years old. I recently went to a fast-food joint with some of my friends and ran into a neighbour who paid for the things we bought.

When he was leaving, he told me that any time I felt like coming for a treat again, I should let him know and he would bring me. Should I tell my parents about him? He is married with children.

Remi, By e-mail.

Dear Remi, There is no need to tell your parents anything. You are growing up and you will soon be dealing with creeps like this man. When next he asks you out, simply tell him that you have told your parents and they forbade you to go out with any married man. You only tell your parents if he persists with this foolishness.

give our relationship another go but I have this nagging feeling she only came back because of the money. She didn’t mention my wind-fall and I haven’t discussed it with her either. What do you think?

Daniel, By e-mail.

Dear Daniel, Your fiancee’s sudden reappearance after two years apart, and after your fortunes have changed, sounds a bit dodgy to me. You didn’t say why she left you or if any of the issues then, hers and yours, have been resolved. I’ll advise you to take things very carefully. In the meantime, seek some financial advice, invest your money and don’t do anything rash. If your ex can prove in other ways that her change of heart is genuine and not motivated by money, then I wish you every happiness. But tread softly!

Is my husband’s death God’s judgment?

Dear Bunmi, I was married for over 20 years but my husband died towards the end of last year.

Before he even fell ill, he had got himself a girlfriend who was pregnant for him. As a result of this, he made life almost unbearable for me and the children.

He was making plans to make her a second wife when he fell ill and was hospitalized.

He had even warned that I should look for a place to live with my children as he meant to move to the new house with this woman. On paper, the house belonged to him though I gave him all the financial support I could when he was building it.

To cut a long story short, he died suddenly, and God forgive me, I was ecstatic when I learnt of his death. I shed no tears for him at his funeral and people believed I was still in shock. I knew better. It was more of good riddance to bad rubbish. I felt guilty though, that I couldn’t even cry for a man I had spent the best years of my life with and with whom I had four children. I am a good Christian and I would want a way to get over the bitterness of thinking that if he hadn’t died, my children and I would have been almost destitute.

Laraba, B ye-mail.

C M Y K

Dear Laraba, It could be really harmful when dreams you have had over the years become rubbished.

As hard as this sounds, you have to remember the good times you shared with your dead husband. Can your church help? Sometimes, speaking to a priest in your church could bring the relief you never suspected you could have. The man is now dead and is immune to whatever

bitterness you harbour.

In the meantime, you should learn to move on with your life. Even if he hadn’t died, you would have discovered that you wouldn’t be destitute. At least, some of your children are now grown and might be in a position to help. In the meantime, think only positive thoughts. Believe me, you will eventually get over your resentment. You just have to be willing to let go of it.

As hard as this sounds, you have to remember the good times you shared with your dead husband; can your church help? Sometimes, speaking to a priest in your church could bring the relief you never suspected you could have; the man is now dead and is immune to whatever bitterness you harbour

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend of over a year was so unreliable that I called off the relationship. It was after we split up that I heard the rumour that most of his exes complained of being infected by him. I was so scared that I went for a medical check-up and the doctor told me I had herpes.

He gave me some medicine and antibacterial cream but I was too embarrassed to ask him any questions because I don’t even know what herpes is all about! Will it go away after my treatment?

Gbemi, By e-mail.

Dear Gbemi, Herpes is a virus like the one that can cause cold sores.

It’s contracted by having sex with someone who has the problem, or even by having oral sex with someone who has cold sores. There are often no obvious symptoms, so you did very well to have a checkup.

The real problem is the fact that herpes is contagious; sometimes you don’t even have any symptoms. And the virus is with you for life once you’ve contracted it. So you need to get your partner to always use a condom during sex unless he already has the condition. All that said, herpes is easily treatable. If you do get the symptoms, your doctor can give you tablets or creams and the outbreaks will get milder as you get older.

Am I in danger of being infected?

Dear Bunmi, I went to this party with a couple of friends and we were actually drunk.

I had unprotected sex with one of the guests and I have been frightened since then. I have been having protective sex. Could I be caught in the AIDS web just this once?

Felicia, By e-mail.

Dear Felicia, As you must have found out through all the campaigns, AIDS is caused by the HIV

virus. Most people need to be exposed repeatedly before becoming infected. However, in theory, anyone who has had unprotected sex could have contracted it. The only way to find out if you have the HIV virus is to have a blood test and you have to wait for a while to get the results.

It is more likely you could have contracted other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, syphilis or Chlamydia. Why don’t you go see a doctor for a proper test and be at rest?

I still find other men attractive Dear Bunmi, I’m in a steady relationship with a guy I met three years ago, and I love him. Lately, however, I’ve been looking more and more at other men.

Does this mean I’m falling out of love with my man?

Aisha, By e-mail.

Dear Aisha, Experts agree that eighteen months to two years into a relationship is a testing time.

Up until then, delicious love hormones have been pumping through your bodies, keeping you both infatuated and ‘in

lust’. They wear off anywhere from 9 to 18 months and the result is that you both come down to earth with a big thump, feeling flat and like you’re fallen out of love.

Only you haven’t, it’s just that the chemical high is no longer there, and you can’t rely on lust tapping you on the shoulder.

Now’s the time to officially work at your sex life. This means investing in a few good sex books and trying new things. Give up the myth that love is enough to keep you sexually attracted to each other - it’s not.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Henry Umoru, Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Omezia Ajayi

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T was a device introduced as the game changer to resolve the many contentions that had plagued previous elections in the country. The card reader, a device introduced to authenticate voters and their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, however, soon became an issue even before the elections as stakeholders supportive and against its use took diverse positions.

On arrival at the polling unit, a voter was supposed to present his PVC which would then be authenticated by the card reader following which the voter would present his fingerprints for biometric verification, a step that would authenticate the eligibility of the voter.

Given the expectations it was not surprising that the issue caused leading officials of the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to chorus against its use for the 2015 elections.

Unnamed stakeholders Femi Fani-Kayode, Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation was dismissive of the card alleging a collaboration between some unnamed stakeholders and the then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC to twist the election.

“Our position on the card reader remains that the machine has not been tested in any election. There are bases for genuine concern over the use of the machine, for the first time, in a crucial election of this magnitude.

“We are aware that the All Progressives Congress (APC), is working in cahoots with some strategically placed elements to use the card readers to frustrate accreditation in some parts of the country,” Fani-Kayode said at a press conference just before the election.

Responding, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the then national publicity secretary of the APC charged the PDP of having ulterior motives for its opposition to the use of the APC. “Nigerians have sacrificed all they can to obtain their PVCs, which are now their most-prized possession. They have also hailed the plan by INEC to use the card reader to give Nigeria credible polls.

“Only dishonest politicians, those who plan to rig, those who have engaged in a massive purchase of PVCs and those who have something to hide are opposed to use of the machine.

In the end, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s INEC’s insistence led to the use of the card reader in the polls, albeit with mixed results.

First round of elections In the first round of elections, the presidential and National Assembly elections which were held on March 28, the card reader failed in several cases to cross match the biometric data of several voters including the then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The failure of the card reader was in several cases traced to the failure of polling officers to peel off the cellophane covering of the readers.

Two weeks later when the commission conducted the state level governorship and state legislative elections it confidently asserted that the card readers were in good working condition with a warning that votes and voters would be subjected to the scrutiny of the card readers.

The elections passed on almost uneventfully with the notable exceptions of Rivers and Awka Ibom where the APC alleged that the card readers were disregarded by INEC officials or that votes were crookedly computed.

At an election post review retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the then chairman of INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega affirmed that votes at the governorship election that

SUPREME COURT VERDICTS:

Card Reader JUST before the 2015 general elections, the card reader, the new device introduced by the electoral regulator gained currency as the election game changer with its supposed ability to scrutinise and sieve out fraudulent votes. did not pass through the scrutiny of the card reader could be defective.

“What we meant by saying that card readers must be used is that we did not expect, in any polling unit, any person to say that the card readers were not functioning and as a result, opted for manual accreditation. No. “We asked those who had experienced card readers’ failure to come back the following day, assuring them that we would replace the card readers for the election to take place.

Manual accreditation “As far as I know, virtually in all the places where the card readers actually failed, we came back the following day and conducted the elections and so, if there is evidence of any place where they just put aside the card readers and used manual accreditation, that election can be examined.

“I am sure the tribunal will look at the evidence clearly as to what happened.”

The alleged failure of the card reader remarkably formed the plank of several of the petitions by several failed governorship

The elections passed on almost uneventfully with the notable exceptions of Rivers and Akwa Ibom where the APC alleged that the card readers were disregarded by INEC officials or that votes were crookedly computed •A Smart Card Reader in action

•A Smart Card Reader candidates at the election tribunals.

The hope of some of the losers was given fillip by the tribunals in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States and also the Court of Appeal which reversed the election of incumbent governors in the two states and also in Abia States.

It was against the grain of high expectation by the oppositionists in the three states that the Supreme Court recently thwarted their hopes with the validation of the governorship elections conducted in the states.

As at press time, the apex court

was yet to give the reason for its decision in those states.

However, a pointer to the underlying judicial reason was revealed last Friday when the apex court gave reasons for its decision to uphold the election of Governor Dave Umuahi of Ebonyi State.

Justice Chima Nweze, giving the apex court’s reason for dismissing the appeal filed against Umuahi, notably faulted the reliance on the card reader by the appellant, he said: “Exhibit GP 45 (The card reader Report) is incomplete, unreliable C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—39

cannibalised However, the Supreme Court with its recent pronouncements on contentions in some of the most controversial governorship elections has pulled the rug off the feet of the Card Reader. reliance on the device to check election fraud.

The judgment of the apex court nonetheless, INEC said that it did not mean that the device would no longer be used.

Director, Voter Education, Publicity, Civil Society and Gender Liaison, Oluwole OsazeUzi told Vanguard that the commission would not discard the card readers.

“We will continue to use the card reader for our elections. It is only meant to enhance the process and not to displace or supplant the manual register. For now, there is no legislation that prohibits it, until probably when there is an electoral reform and a contrary legislation is made about its usage. The court has also not banned its usage, so we will continue to use it for the

process of authentication of voter details”, he said.

With a kind of restrained gusto, the PDP which has benefited from the judgments in nearly all the recent cases has apparently moderated its stance claiming that it would welcome the incorporation of the Card Reader into the Electoral Act. The support would, however, be hinged on the perfection of the alleged lapses in the use of the device.

PDP National Legal Adviser, Barrister Victor Kwon said, “We all welcome improved technology in the electoral process that will ease voting and ensure the integrity of the votes but in view of the widespread challenges of the card reader in the last general election, a lot needs to be done to perfect it before we can safely canvas incorporating it into the Electoral Act.”

Senators on Card Reader We're awaiting the Supreme Court reasons — Senator Kyari

By Joseph Erunke

S

ENATOR Abubakar Kyari, chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC in his reaction to the development said: The full text of the judgment is not yet out and until we read the judgement, I cannot at this time comment on the issue.

We have ordered for the full text of the judgment and I think they told us it will be out on the 12th of this month. And until we see that, making any comment regarding the card reader may not augur well for us as a country.But I must tell you that basically, this revolves around the change issue.

•Sen Kyari When we see things that we will do to the advantages of the electoral system, to the advantage of democracy, we

will not hesitate to do that. I don’t want to dwell so much into the substance.

Our laws now recognise registered voters, not card readers — Senator Ogola Senator Forster Ogola, PDP, Bayelsa East.

DON' T need to talk about it now. We know quite well that there is a problem with the card reader, so we

I

Inset: Professor Jega: Initiator of the card reader and incapable of proving the appellant’s allegation of improper accreditation/overvoting. Thus, any attempt to invest it (Card reader Machine procedure) with such overarching pre-eminence or superiority over the voters’ register is like converting an auxiliary procedure into the dominant procedure- of proof, that is, proof of accreditation.

“This is a logical impossibility.

Indeed, only recently, this court in Shinkafi V Yari confirmed the position that the card reader machine has not replaced the C M Y K

Voters’ register and has not supplanted the statement of results in appropriate forms, hence, the appellant still had the obligation to prove his averments in paragraphs 16, 17, 18 and 19 of his petition relating to accreditation of voters and overvoting as enunciated in several decisions of this court which counsel for the respondents cited profusely.”

The dismissal of the card reader as a device to scrutinise the authenticate voters by the Supreme Court has inevitably brought to question INEC’s

•Sen Ogola

will know what to do at the appropriate time.

It is too early to react because you must get the details of the judgment to know what the Court of

Appeal did about those cases, the tribunal and then know what the Supreme Court did about them at the end.

One thing I know is that the electoral law does not recognize the card reader, the Constitution does not recognize the card reader and electronic voting and that is why when court cancels election, they don’t talk of people who have card reader, they talk of people who are registered voters.

Our law of the land recognizes registered voters and not card reader. So, you don’t need to force it. We will get what the judgment has said about the card reader then we will now meet to amend the law so that this seaming confusion won’t come up again.

40—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

SUPREME COURT VERDICTS: Card Reader cannibalised •Reps want card reader incorporated into Electoral Act MEMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday shared divergent views on whether the card reader used during the 2015 general elections should be incorporated into the Electoral Act. Some of the lawmakers that spoke to the Vanguard declared that incorporating it into the Act is necessary to give it

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

W

E’LL give the card reader the legal framework it deserves-Rep Ahmed Datti, APC, Kaduna Ahmed Datti a former Deputy Minority Whip and a serving member of the 8th House in his view said the card reader connotes transparency which should be incorporated into the Electoral Act. He said “it encourages transparency in our electoral process and based on this it will be adequately reflected in the Act. He further explained that “ we’ll even go a step further by

•Datti incorporating the electronic voting system to make our future elections more credible”.

PDP, Ikpoba/Oha Federal Constituency

•Agbonayinma GBONAYINMA in his view said the card reader as far as he is concerned is not the bone of contention, rather blaming the failure of Nigerians to imbibe the tenet of democracy which he listed to include loyalty, participation and commitment to one’s nation.

Saying that the card reader was not helpful in stopping under-aged voters during the last election, he said: “I watched on CNN and BBC how underaged voted during the last election despite the existence of the card reader”.

“As far as I’m concerned the card reader has not C M Y K

LAWYERS ON CARD READER

Card, mere innovation by INEC — Chief Mike Ozokheme, SAN

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Benson mention in the Electoral Act for it to be unanimously accorded recognition by our courts”.

We’ll definitely amend the Act —Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, PDP, Delta

Card reader not the bone of contention—Rep Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma,

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The card reader requires express codification in the ActRep Babajimi Benson Benson in his contribution stated that what the card reader needs is an express codification into the legal framework to give it legal teeth.

“I’m sure that the Supreme Court Justices are not averse to the card reader and neither do they see its use as a better replacement for the voters register, what I believe is the problem is that the usage of the card reader requires codification or express

the required legal framework it deserves. Others however argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission should assure Nigerians on its workability as the card reader largely failed in many parts of Nigeria during the elections.

added any value to our democratic process”.

O

GOR in his view Nigerians will soon said that the hear from us”.

National Assembly will soon embark on the amendment of the Electoral Act to properly capture the card reader.

He said: “the committee saddled with the responsibility of amending the constitution has started work and •Ogor

INEC should assure Nigerians of its workability – Rep. Bassey Ewah

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EP Bassey Ewah representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River State said INEC should first assure Nigerians of the workability of card reader and electronic voting device because the system failed many Nigerians in the last elections.

He said he could not vote for the candidates of his choice in the last presidential and senatorial elections because of malfunctioning of card reader.

He said if the country should include card reader in the Electoral Act, INEC will ensure that works in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.

CARD reader was a mere innovation by the INEC. It was never meant to and can never supplant an authentic register of voters duly validated by INEC. Card reader was meant to facilitate accreditation but in many instances, the technology failed due to a combination of factors such as manipulation by INEC and politicians, failure of electricity, failure of the device itself, etc. the theater of war in an election is the polling unit from which votes are collated and entered into form CF001.

Correct figures It is these that are further sent to ward levels and finally local government areas. It is the combination of these processes that give the correct figures. So where a petitioner wishes to attack results declared such as that there was over voting, I must tender the very original voters register so as to compare the voters accredited by card reader, incidence form, etc and then determine those that outnumber the names in the register. What we saw in these petitions was that the authentic voter registers were never tendered in

Card reader, a policy thrust — Teddy Eruba, Principal lawyer, Eruba Chambers, Abuja

C

•Ewah

•Ozokheme evidence. Moreover, only 20 to 50 witnesses testified to over voting where you had over 30,000 polling booths. How can 20 people know what happened in 30000 units?

For instance, some of the cancellations by the Courts of Appeal caused great miscarriage of justice. How do you cancel entire ward results of a ward with ten polling units simply because there were problems of over voting in about 2 or 3 polling units out of ten that make up that ward, thus criminalizing and disenfranchising the whole ward and its innocent voters? ''It was these anomalies that the apex court rightly corrected. God bless the justices of the Supreme Court for not being distracted by the cacophonous Babel of politicians ranting and expletives of hate and calumny.

ARD reader is a complimentary device to improve the efficacy of accreditation.

It is complimentary to manual accreditation and not the standard. At best, it is an alternative to manual accreditation that cannot in any way render the use of manual accreditation void.

The use of the Card reader is a policy thrust to improve election transparency. It is not the beginning and end

of accreditation. This is more so in the light of p r e d o m i n a n t irregularities in its functionality.

•Eruba

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FERBUARY 10, 2015—41

How we invaded kidnapper’s den at the forest of death

– Niger Police NIGER State Police image maker, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bala Elkana, recently, spoke on how the command stormed the notorious Masalacin-Zaki forest popularly called the forest of death in Mashegu Local Government Area of the state to engage kidnappers in a fierce gun battle that ended up with the arrest of three deadly bandits and recovery of arms and ammunitions which they used in terrorizing the state. He spoke with Chinenye Ozor in Minna, Niger state.

Excerpts;

T

HE invasion: NIGER state police command is attuned to investigation and intelligence in the spirit of team work. Recently, through its operatives at the anti - kidnap squad and based on level profiled information, we swooped on Masalacin Zaki forest, in Mashegu Local Government Area, described as the den of kidnappers in the state.

The invasion of the forest was one of the most herculean assignments of the anti - kidnap squad as men of the underworld engaged the police in gun battle for three man hours. During the operation at Zaki forest of death, one of the bandits was fatally injured while two others identified as; Adamu Bello and Manu Chiroma, were arrested.

The command recovered two AK 47 rifles with 134 rounds of live ammunitions and two motorcycles. The matter is still being investigated by the command as at the time of this report.

point to give hoodlums no breathing space in the state. On the strength of information made available, the special anti- robbery squad (SARS) raided Kateregi forest in Kacha Local Government Area, arrested one notorious criminal who has been terrorising and robbing unsuspecting victims of their valuables, trinkets and cash. The suspect, Adamu Abubakar, male adult of Keregi village was arrested with one locally- fabricated SMG r iffle and 21 rounds of live ammunition.

In the same vein, the anti -rob-

bery squad equally trailed and apprehended another armed robber identified as Amadu Mohammed of Ngongo Local Government Area, Kano state, recovered one locally -made revolver pistol with two live ammunitions. The suspect and his accomplices (still at large) have been terrorising in-

The command’s dragnets spread to dingy places, suburbs and hinter-lands from police divisions to Area commands through out the state, to ensure that citizens and visitors enjoy convivial atmosphere

C M Y K

habitants of Wushishi and its environs in the recent past.

Recovery of N294, 000 cash ransom: Days are gone when the police were seen from a wrong perception of what do you bring and what you have. Anchored on investigation, the command received information through its anti- kidnap squad and apprehended two notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising inhabitants of Edati community in the hinterland of the state. The suspects; Idris Isah and Muhammadu Sani, both male adults are currently helping the police in their investigations. The sum of N294, 000 was recovered

from them as part of the ransom collected over the kidnap of one Sauda Dahiru of Dabigi camp, Edati.

Policing with example: The Commissioner of Police, Niger state, Abubakar Marafa’s innovative performance has ensured that we record many successes in the area of crime fighting and prevention.

He has promised that the command would never renege in her efforts to flush out kidnappers and men of the under world in the state, stating that it will continue to live up to expectations in crime detection at all times.

I joined robbery to raise money to enrol in Maritime school – suspect

Cattle rustlers The command’s dragnets spread to dingy places, suburbs and hinter-lands from police divisions to Area commands through out the state, to ensure that citizens and visitors enjoy a convivial atmosphere. The Police Area command, Minna, working on a tip-off arrested three cattle rustlers who specialised in stealing cattle from Zamfara State to Niger state.

The three cattle rustlers identified simply as Abubakar Sani, Mohammed Saidu Suleiman and Usman Walkili all male adults of Saboon Gada village via Kateregi local government area, Niger state, were arrested with a total number of 62 cattle suspected to have been stolen from Zamfara State to Niger state.

Menace of armed robbers in the state: The command in its avowed efforts to checkmate the atrocious acts of armed robbers in the state, opened up channels of action on armed robbery point to

•CP Abubakar Marafa

•The suspects

By Evelyn Usman

A

SIX-man robbery gang that specialized in breaking into jewellery shops and carting away goods in Warri, Delta state, recently, met their waterloo in the hands of eagleeyed police detectives in the state. The robbery gang, according to police sources, usually go for specialised range of jewellery which included gold-plated and sterling silver necklaces, studded bracelets, earrings and rings and semiprecious stones, all designed to be layered for a luxury aesthetic. Thereafter, they would sell them at give- away prices to ready buyers.

Insider ’s involvement:

Astonishingly, some of their buyers were discovered during investigation to be insiders who also sell jewellery in the area.

Following the spate of attacks on the shops, jewellery dealers, as gathered, resorted to keeping their goods at home . They reportedly brought them out on demand.

Crime Alert gathered that the gang stormed the popular Udu area in Warri, where they succeeded in breaking into a

jewellery shop and carted away some precious stones. However, the next day, three of them were reportedly on the verge of selling the stolen jewellery to a buyer ,who unknown to them was an operative of the Delta State Police Command Special AntiRobbery Squad. Consequently, they were apprehended.

In this interview with Crime Alert, one of the suspects, Victor Ogwu, claimed he was compelled to join the gang due to pressing financial need.

The 19- year-old suspect who hails from Anambra state said; “ I registered for a training programme in a Marine Engineering school at Gbesu market area in Warri. But, I could not continue with the training because of money. The fee is N120,000. I was in a bar drinking one evening, when one of my friends came to inform me that there was a job for us. I thought it was just ordinary stealing like, snatching of handbag or pick pocket because that is what we refer to as job.

“I followed him to Udu area later that night . But on reaching there , I met other members who came with guns. I was shocked because I have never robbed with a gun in my life. Besides, they did not tell me that it was a robbery operation in a

jewellery shop. But it was too late for me to go back. I had to join them because I needed money to pay the fees. They assured me I would realise the money at the end of the operation. I was also told that with just one jewellery, I could get more than the amount I needed.

Unfortunately, we could not sell them before we were arrested.

Policemen at my residence “I did not go with them to sell the stolen jewellery. I was at home, monitoring them on phone. But I was shocked to see some men who later introduced themselves as policemen at my residence at Igbudu . Also, Arthur and Fejiro who lured me into this have fled. I am left alone to suffer. Ah! Had I known, I would have forfeited the school, because from all indications, I am on my way to prison and only God knows how long I will spend there,” he said remorsefully.

Other suspects arrested included; Tony Okon (21) from Anang, Akwa Ibom and two siblings alleged to be receivers of the stolen jewelleries.

The suspects, according to the Police, were helping in their investigation with a view to arresting their fleeing members.

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

•Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital

When a cop’s gun salute turns tragic:

•Okocha, before the incident

The near-death experience, ordeal of a Nollywood actor •Irate Good Samaritan wants relevant authorities to sanction Teaching Hospital for negligence

By Nwabueze

Okonkwo, Onitsha

T

HIS certainly is not a time to cheer and celebrate for Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha. Reason? He is still groaning in pains at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, a month after he was shot, along with Sam Belonwu Dim, a Lagosbased businessman, by an over excited and careless police man at Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State during a traditional wedding ceremony.

In fact, that he is alive today to narrate his ordeal at the hospital ward where he is currently receiving treatment is considered a miracle by many, especially as an eyewitness said the bullet ripped open his stomach causing his intestines to spill out. But his bosom friend, Sam Belonwu Dim, who accompanied him to the traditional wedding ceremony was not so lucky: he died instantly at the scene of the incident as a result of the gun shot.

Okocha’s survival Okocha’s survival has been attributed to God and the timely intervention of a Good Samaritan who rushed him to the hospital immediately he was shot.

Narrating what happened on the fateful day of December 27, 2015, the Good Samaritan, identified as Mr James Louis Okoye, an event planner and manager, said: “I was at Danduko’s house on December 27, 2015 for the traditional wedding of his daughter. What really happened was a police

•Okocha man saw an actor he recognised and excitedly exclaimed: ‘Look at this my guy, let me throw one in the air for him’- that is to give him a gun salute.

“But forgetting that the gun was on rapid mode, he pulled the trigger. His intention was to release one shot into the air.

But the gun seemingly went out of control and released eight or nine bullets some of which hit Sam and Okocha. I didn’t see the other guy (Sam), all I could recollect was that there was a noise at the other end.

“When I rushed out of Danduko’s compound, I saw Charles Okocha lying helplessly on the ground. And in our usual way, people started shouting heh! hoo! It is that Actor oo! And some even brought out their phones and started snapping without doing anything to save his life. This is somebody who was bleeding

•Okoye profusely and probably dying as his intestines were already coming out. I shouted at them”.

He informed that traffic was heavy that day with many vehicles blocking the way. So he appealed to some people who assisted him to move the stricken actor to where his car was parked at a primary school field, some metres away from the scene of the incident. Accompanied by

Okocha’s stomach burst open and his intestines came spilling out; it was a most disturbing sight

two of these helpers he had driven Okocha, who kept on crying, ‘please help me, I don’t want to die; Jesus help me’, to the NAUTH Nnewi.

Ordeal at the hospital: “I had to beg the nurses to act. They told me to go and sign for this and sign for that which I did obediently, even faster than they expected. It was over two hours and 30 minutes before the doctor came. Now, I was also told to go and sign approval of blood to be transfused. I told them to check if my own blood could match his (the victim’s), that I’m willing to donate to save his life. They said they already had blood in their bank, but added that it would pass through tests one, two and three for HIV/AIDS. “They said they were waiting to do the last one.

But considering the fact that it was an emergency situation, I was asked to sign that I approved for them to use the one they are not very sure of being HIV/AIDS – free. They said they are waiting for the last confirmation that the blood is HIV/AIDS -free. It was an intriguing dilemma for me, but I had a choice to make, to save the life of my friend Charles Okocha, believing by faith that the blood was not contaminated and would not endanger his life.

“Sadly it took them so long to move him from the emergency ward to the theatre. I hung around and waited for over four hours before they now moved him to the male special ward after the surgery. I don’t want to mention how many people gave up the ghost as I waited at that emergency unit that night. I equally don’t want to talk about an accident victim brought in and left unattended because those who brought him could not pay N500 card fee for him. And I had to pay for him. I am not talking

about another accident victim who was brought in that night bleeding profusely and all a nurse could do was to complain about the smell of alcohol coming from his mouth,’’ Okoye recalled with pain and disappointment.

More shocking revelations were to come.

Okocha’s stomach ruptures, spilling intestines “A few days ago, Charles Okocha went back to the hospital to remove the stitches because he was planning to travel to Lagos for further medical check-up.

Even Danduko was ready to fly him overseas for further treatment. After removing the stitches, he was just sitting down and all of a sudden we heard a popping noise like a balloon bursting. Behold, it was almost as if Charles Okocha’s stomach had burst open and his intestines came spilling out again. ‘’It was a most disturbing sight that even the nurses ran away.

But to the amazement of all Charles bravely held on to his intestines and prevented same from dropping on the ground.

One less brave would probably had fainted at the sight of his own intestines coming out.

Endurance of severe pains “It took more than 25 minutes for a so-called surgeon to come in again. He had to start all over and Charles endured severe pains on account of this. It was very annoying. When they came back to the ward, they said openly that they were supposed to use nylon three for the stitching but what was available was nylon one and they had to use what they had.

“They were bold enough to start telling us why the stomach burst. I have never seen a thing like that before. And we heard that the nylon is sold at N700 only,” Okoye further narrated.

Why NAUTH must be called to account — Okoye A visibly irate Okoye has also vowed that he will not allow the shocking incidents he witnessed to go without bringing same to the attention of relevant authorities and members of the public. “In Nnewi, I have been able to send messages to Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Obianoefor Orizu (Crown Prince), Chris Azubogu, Stella Okoli (Emzor), Dr Ifeanyi Uba, Dr Cletus Ibeto, Sir Dr Chika Okafor, Willy Nzewi, Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Chief George Moghalu and Dr Cosmas Maduka.

“I have also been able to reach out to Dr Alex Ekwueme, Governor Willie Obiano, former Governor Peter Obi, Senator Chris Ngige, Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Ben Obi, Rt. Hon Rita Mmaduagwu, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi and A. B. C. Orjiakor.

To be concluded

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—43

Buhari as good news for Europe (2) This is the second part of this piece which was first published on Monday.

In that edition, the author argued that the action of Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is commendable

By Garba Shehu

H

IS own government, he told the EU countries, is making concerted efforts to address the push-factors that propel migration, especially from Nigeria, as both destination and transit country. “In this year’s budget, the Government has provided for over fivehundred thousand graduate employment in the teaching profession alone. We are equally collaborating with the states and local governments, to strengthen skills acquisition centres, in order to train the teeming youth in various vocational skills, so that they can be self-employed, and eventually, become employers of labour.

We are also making efforts to diversify the economy, giving impetus to agriculture and solid minerals exploitation, to create wealth and employment.”

The President made clear that through support for our democratic process, the EU and the international system have given a new hope for Nigeria. Now it seems, the EU is saying to Nigeria that it is time to move forwards by boosting trade and investment.

In this regard,there is the big outstanding issue of Economic Partnership Agreements, EPAs, a section of it drawn up between Europe and ECOWAS in succession to the APC (African Pacific Caribbean ) agreement that bound trade relations between Europe and West Africa which has since run out.

The new agreement has been signed by all but two of West Africa’s fifteen countries. Nigeria is yet to sign. This is evidently causing frustration with our country in Europe. The negotiations of the EPAs have achieved some progress, albeit with many fundamental issues still outstanding.

The sticking points include the ECOWAS Community levy, rules of origin, dispute settlements mechanism, most favoured nations clause, ECOWAS demand on EU for provision of more funds outside the usual sources for the funding of the EPA Development etc.

Nigeria had indicated her reservations due to the fact that signing on to EPAs, in its current form will negate its industrial revolution plan. The industrial plan is aimed at changing the country from an importer of most goods to a manufacturing nation that could meet, The at least, its domestic needs. Nigeria also industrial believes that the agreement will plan is undermine the regional aimed at economic integration, changing as it has already created three different the country trade regimes in West from an Africa.

In a clear importer of demonstration of most goods apparent frustration with the slow pace of to a EPA negotiations, manufacturing which were slated to be completed between nation periods 2000-2008, the C M Y K

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right) in a handshake with Ambassador Benedict Onochie Amobi while the latter's son looks on during the governor's Economic Mission to Dublin, Ireland.

•President Buhari

European Commission in 2011 adopted a proposal to amend the Market Access Regulation 1528/2007 governing trade with ACP countries involved in EPAs negotiations. Under the proposal, the EU would end in October, 2016, the existing preferential regime of duty-free, quota free market access to EU markets for ACP countries that have concluded, but not signed or ratified EPAs. It will be replaced by a new recalibrated generalised system of preferences (GSP+) which is designed to cut the number of countries benefiting from EU trade concessions by more than half, to around eighty. Majority of ACP countries, especially those from Africa, will fall victim to this plan, as only the Caribbean countries have so far signed and ratified the EPAs on the platform of their regional group, the CARIFORUM. The ACP Group views these proposals as a ploy by the European Commission to arm-twist them to rapidly conclude the EPA negotiations, in spite of their legitimate reservations and objections to some of its conditions.

Legitimate reservations In proposing steps to break the logjam and kick-starting the momentum of negotiations before the 2016 deadline set by the Europeans, President Buhari first laid bare the concerns of the Nigerian businessmen and labour unions before the EU. He said given the mismatch of the two regions (Europe-ECOWAS) in terms of technology and manufacturing experience, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Associated Trade Unions in particular have raised concerns over the negative impact of the EPAs on Nigeria’s industrialisation programme.

He gave assurance that “Nigeria is working towards addressing her own side of the issues. I’am therefore urging our European Union partners to also address our own concerns to allow for Economic Partnership Agreements that are mutually beneficial and contribute to the prosperity of our people, in the context of our shared values and interest at promoting cordial bilateral trade relations.”

One thing clear from these discussions is that although majority of countries in the West African subregion have signed onto these agreements,even where they’re perceived to have come short of their domestic, national interest requirements, the Europeans don’t seem much impressed. The absence of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and manufacturing hub of West Africa will make any such agreement a nullity.

Hopefully, the two groups will go back to the drawing board to see how they can achieve accommodation with each other.

To be concluded

Gains of Ugwuanyi’s economic mission to Dublin

By Uwakwe Abugu

T

HE visit of a 13-man economic mission from Enugu State to Dublin, the capital of Ireland has come off as a major move by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to attract investors to the state to shore up the state economic fortunes and as well find opportunities to attract international donor agencies to the development needs of the coal city state. Led by the governor himself to the European country, the Enugu State government delegation began the working visit penultimate Thursday and was engrossed in intense engagements with investors and business operators as well as the management of the Dublin City University, Ireland’s foremost tertiary institution, for four hard-working days ending on Sunday, January 18, 2016 when the delegation wrapped up the working visit with a review session at the Intercontinental Hotels before departure for Nigeria.

At the end of the economic mission anchored by a Dublin-based newspaper organization- Metro Publishing Consultancy Ltd, publishers of Metro Eireann, Ireland’s multicultural newspaper, Enugu State entered into a working agreement when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dublin City University (DCU) to work together to promote mutual relations between the two parties for purposes of developing education in the state in a manner that would also offer value to the university in the capital of Ireland.

According to the document signed at the university by Enugu State commissioner for education, Prof. Uche Eze, and the institution’s President, Prof.

Brian McCraith, in the presence of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, ‘the Dublin City University (DCU) and the Enugu agencies will enter into reciprocal visits relationship where the university would have to examine opportunities to broker Enugu relationships with is in dire funding agencies and other higher education need of institutes in Ireland economic and possibly other parts of Europe for the salvage Enugu government measures and its educational institutions as may be in all spelt out by the terms spheres of such proposed interventions. of its Choice of DCU So economy Apt: Established in

1975 as NIHE (DUBLIN) which eventually attained the status of a university in 1989, Dublin City University is described by its founders as ´a dynamic, research intensive institution.

Radical in its strategy from the outset, it is characterized by a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, close engagement with the enterprise sector in its research and education activities and the ability to move quickly and effect change”.

The management of the institution explained that from September this year, it would be offering various courses in five faculties including Science and Health, Engineering and Computing, Humanities and Social Sciences, DCU Business School and Institute of Education. It is said to be home to a number of world-class research centres that focus on translating their outputs into societal and economic benefits that engender growth. The Enugu delegation was said to have been quickly attracted to the guiding philosophy of the European university whose drive seems anchored on education for promotion of enterprise, a noble course that may have continued to elude most Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Memorandum of understanding Hence, in coming to the final negotiation table, Governor Ugwuanyi’s delegation explained to their hosts that the coal city state in Nigeria created on August 27, 1991 is in dire need of economic salvage measures in all spheres of its economy. It explained to the other party to the memorandum of understanding that at the moment, Enugu was focusing on employment generation and would be on the same page with the DCU in keying educational research into the dynamics of functional enterprises, among other goals of good governance.

Terms of the MOU: At the end of the negotiations whose sessions held at the university, both parties agreed that “the purpose of the MOU is to provide a framework to develop a set of activities underpinning the collaborative and to promote mutual understanding between the parties”. And they agreed as follows: (a) that DCU and Enugu State government will enter into a reciprocal visit relationship. (b) DCU to examine opportunities to broker relationships with funding agencies and other higher education institutes in conjunction with Enugu state government and other parties both nationally and internationally.

To be continued

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Cancer is our priority in health sector — FG

By Victoria Ojeme

T

HE Federal government has declared cancer a priority project in the health sector and initiated a planning process that would culminate in the transformation of the National Cancer Control Programme, NCCP, into a National Agency.

Disclosing this in Abuja, during the commemoration of the 2016 World Cancer Day, Minister of the Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said the National Agency for Cancer Control would be a multidisciplinary centre involving all health care personnel, basic and social scientists including public health experts, to provide leadership and technical direction for cancer control in the country.

He said the Agency would focus on policy formulation, advocacy and mobilization, Center of excellence for cancer prevention and care and Palliation.

“The Agency would drive a comprehensive cancer treatment, including palliative care, research and teaching whilst paying attention to the needs of the individual cancer patient.’’ he said.

To provide essential outreach services that will include health promotion, he said the “One PHC Per Ward Initiative” would also link up with secondary and tertiary care through strong referral systems.

In his remarks, the Minister of S t a t e f o r H e a l t h , D r. E n a h i r e Osagie, noted that over 60 percent of all cancer cases in Nigeria occur in women and are mainly due to breast and cervical cancers.

Key barriers

Osagie said the key barriers to treatment of cancer in Nigeria include competing priorities for government attention, low number

of skilled health care personnel, funding gaps, poor infrastructure and lack of awareness.

“Government plans to overcome these key challenges include the development of Public Private Partnerships strategies to address the funding gaps and manpower shortage”, he said.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director, Project Pink Blue, Runcie Chidebe, said the World Cancer Day 2016 marks the beginning of a new three – year campaign with the theme “We Can, I Can” that would explore how everyone as an individual or collectively would do to reduce the global burden of cancer.

Cancer control

Further, the Minister explained that the pivot of the cancer control would be health promotion and prevention from primary healthcare level, to achieve this, the ministry is working on strengthening primary healthcare system across the nation including building a formidable workforce.

PRESENTATION: From left: Mr Oladimeji Oduyebo, Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Mr.Femi Ajala, Product Manager, OTC; Mr. Ola Ijimakin, General Manager, Marketing; Mr. Friday Enaholo, Marketing Manager; Mrs. Yetunde Adesola School Programmes Coordinator during the launch of Astymin Get Alert Promo in Lagos.

Astymin rewards consumers at 15

T

O celebrate its 15 years anniversary, Fidson Healthcare Plc, makers of Astymin has rolled out a reward campaign tagged: ''Astymin Get Alert campaign' to reward Nigerians who have stayed with the brand since its inception.

Astymin is a unique blend of essential amino acids developed to bridge the gap of the body's requirement for essential amino acids and the supply. It also helps patient's physical and mental development in children. The multivitamin product also helps users cope with stressful situations, ill health and convalescence among others.

General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, said N4.8million will be given customers in the reward scheme.

"Ten lucky customers after each daily draw will win N10,000 daily and N100,000 by one person each month for the period of 12 months which is N1.2million, totalling N4.8 million, if the customer purchases the Astymin brand, and scratch a foil on the pack, and send the number on the pack to 1393.

He also stated that the customer will get a confirmation message from the code which eventually will lead to an electronic draw that will produce the winners, even as online participants will be rewarded Product Manager, OTC, Femi Ajala, while explaining activities of the brand overtime, said the brand had engaged students in essay writing competition which topics are chosen by teachers in its Astymin brilliance reward competition an annual event i the brand's calendar across Nigeria.

Pain can drive you crazy T

HERE are more chronic pain sufferers than dia betics, stroke and cancer patients added together. In 2012, the American Academy of Pain Medicine published figures that showed 27 percent of reported pain was backache, 15 percent was neck pain, 15 percent was for severe headaches and 4 percent for facial pain.

The same publication stated that among chronic pain sufferers, 86 percent report poorsleep, 75 percent report depression, 74 percent complain of low energy, 70 percent report poor concentration and 59 percent complain of decreased enjoyment of life.

A complaint of pain in itself may bring friends and sympathizers.

We have all experienced the bumped knee or twisted ankle, the bad headache or toothache. The pain of labour is history once the cry of the baby is heard.

The jaw will feel better once that rotten tooth is pulled.

Imagine those pains continuing for weeks, months...... years. Scientific research and clinical studies have shown that pain can drive you crazy.

And pain can kill! How? You may ask.

Pain separates and isolates The last thing you want to do, when you are in constant pain, is attend that corporate party, your neighbor’s naming ceremony, or even small gatherings with your closest friends and family.

You still love and care about friends and family, but the physical and mental energy it requires to go out and socialise is just too much for you.

You start to bow out of parties and cancel plans, not because you don’t want to go, but because you just can’t.

Eventually the invitations will stop, the phone calls to plan this and that will stop. Strangely, you are OK with this. Its even a relief. The pain has slowly, but surely, isolated you. You can't concentrate.

Most chronic pain patients try to ignore the pain and live as near normal as possible every day.

This is hard. The pain is relentless. It is difficult to focus on work, or play.

Here the actual words of a patient: "You can sit at your desk, working on your computer, trying to concentrate, while your pain plays the part of a toddler desperate for your attention.

Pain will poke you, tug at your clothes, spill juice on your keyboard and scream your name."

Pain makes you irritable.

Pain drains you physically and mentally. Even the simplest things can overwhelm. You may have only asked your chronic pain spouse if they would like to go to that wedding ceremony.....but in their head they have considered : if they can sit still that long, how much medication it would require, if they have the energy, if they will stay awake through the ceremony, how high their pain is now and how it might increase, if they go will it make getting through tomorrow harder, and most importantly, given all this, will it be any fun.

Tired and cannot sleep Constant pain always stays on your mind, screaming for attention, draining away all of your energy.

"I’m tired just thinking about it."

After a long difficult day, one would expect sleep to come as relief, but this is not so.

Chronic pain makes it hard to get to sleep AND to stay asleep.

To get a good night's sleep we must all go through a deep REM (rapid eye movement) phase.

The pain will pull you out of REM sleep.

"Even when you do sleep, the pain signals continue to your brain and can cause sleep to be broken, restless, and oddly enough, exhausting."

Lastly, pain damages your self esteem.

It has made you tired, irritable, and killed your concentration. Everything becomes a challenge.

Your quick temper has strained or destroyed once strong interpersonal relationships. Your inability to concentrate has hurt your job performance.

Life as you know it is crumbling and all because of …you? Most pain sufferers blame themselves for these failings, remembering that they used to be able to do everything.

They see chronic pain as a sign of weakness or a personal defect that they should be able to overcome. The end result is a loss of self esteem.

Don't take any pain lightly. Don't let it get chronic.

doctor@lagospainclinic.com

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016—45

Residents batter 2 robbery suspects in Owerri •As hoodlums rob Catholic Nun

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—TWO suspected robbers narrowly cheated death yesterday in Owerri, following the quick intervention of armed policemen, which saved them from being lynched.

The robbery suspects, who were already bleeding profusely when Vanguard arrived the scene, were on the verge of being set ablaze by the mob, when the Police arrived and took them away for treatment and interrogation.

The story that made the

rounds at the scene was that the hoodlums attacked an innocent lady, who made some financial transactions at the MCC/Uratta Road branch of Diamond Bank Plc. “The hoodlums trailed the lady as soon as she stepped out of the bank, carefully snatched her handbag and sped off on their motorcycle,” a female eyewitness recounted.

Continuing, the witness, who refused to identify herself, said that sympathizers went on a hot chase of the fleeing

hoodlums and nabbed them at the St. John’s Lab Junction, where they were blocked by a commercial tricycle operator.

“The angry mob descended on the robbers when they fell into the gutter in front of St. John’s Lab. Except drastic measures are taken against these marauders, the state will never be safe for anybody,” the lady said.

Meanwhile, another set of hoodlums reportedly attacked a Catholic Nun (names withheld) and snatched her purse and other valuables along the

ever busy Douglas Road, Owerri.

Vanguard gathered that the hapless Catholic Nun made some purchases and

was on the verge of paying for the items when she realized that her purse and other vital documents, had mysteriously disappeared

from her handbag.

She complained amidst sobs that what pained her most, apart from the purse, was her international passport and other very vital documents that were removed from her handbag.

ANAMBRA CENTRAL RERUN: I remain

the candidate to beat—Nwofor

A

WKA—CHIEF Chuma Nwofor,the Labour Party candidate for the Anambra Central election re-run, has said that he was the candidate to beat in the Court of Appeal ordered election rerun.

Nwofor, who said he was

quiet before now, waiting to see the end of the drama over the candidates that would contest the re-run, noted that for the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had come up with guidelines for the election, that right things should be

done.

He said he remains the candidate to beat in the election and that Labour Party from his calculations would defeat the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate in the election, Chief Victor Umeh.

Chief Nwofor contested governorship election under the PDP, in 2007 and later in 2011 before angling for the Senate in the last election.

He said the party was waiting for the final INEC list, but was sure based on INEC’s position that the PDP was out of the election, hence the race was between the APGA candidate, Victor Umeh, the Labour Party candidate as well as All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Senator Chris Ngige, if he was still interested.

He said: ‘’I am ready for the election but if there are changes that are not in line with the Electoral Act, I am ready to go to court.

Remember, this is not a fresh election but a court ordered re-run. Court cannot give you what you did not request. I have never considered anybody a threat."

Spur Steak Ranches opens new outlet in Lagos

L

AGOS—SPUR Family Restaurant Nigeria, a member of the Spur Steak Ranches International of South Africa, a leading restaurant chain, has opened a new outlet in Lagos known as Amazon Spur Family Restaurant.

Located at Landmark Towers in Water Corporation Drive, Oniru Estate, Victoria Island Annex, the new outlet, offers a wide variety of exotic meals in a warm, relaxed, family-friendly environment.

The new outlet brings to three, Spur Steak Ranch branches in Lagos, with Seven Eagle Spur Family Restaurant at Ikeja City Mall and Golden Eagle Spur Family Restaurant at Isaac John Street at GRA, Ikeja.

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

EFCC quizzes Air Force officer over $2.1bn arms probe

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

A

BUJA—THE latest to be hauled in for interrogation over the ongoing $2.1 billion arms probe is a top Air Force officer (names withheld), said to have been arrested on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Although the specific offence committed by the said officer was still sketchy at press time, Vanguard learned that the man had made some statements to EFCC, but might not be released immediately.

Badeh

Meanwhile, former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who reported to EFCC since Monday, was still being quizzed at press time.

Going by EFCC's new operational strategy, there were fears that the agency could charge him to court straight from its cell.

Badeh was summoned to appear before a special team of interrogators raised by the EFCC to look into the report of the Presidential Committee

Ex-Defence Chief, Badeh still in custody on Arms Purchase between 2007 and 2015.

The panel, which was raised by President Muhammadu Buhari, turned in its report early this year, naming many top military

officers, including Badeh, as those to give explanations on what transpired during their tenure.

It was learned that during the interaction with Badeh, the operatives confronted him

Visits Acting President, Osinbajo; promises more visits

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—SENATE Leader, Ali Ndume, yesterday told Nigerians that it was wrong to condemn the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, before he was even found guilty by the court.

Saraki is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, over alleged false assets declaration.

Speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ndume said Saraki would not resign his position unless

tournaments, while they have failed to reach the FIFA World Cup since their last appearance in 1990, where they got bundled out in the first round.

Group G leaders, Egypt face Nigeria in their next

Oliseh Continues from BP pleaded with his employers (NFF) to give him a second chance.

Amid an outcry from Nigerians, Oliseh sought to defuse the row by saying he was “sorry”.

However, Dalung insisted yesterday that the coach must make the plaster as big as the sore by extending his apology to all those he aimed his arrow at— NFF, Nigerian soccer fans, exinternationals, back room staff and journalists.

We learned that though the Minister said it was an entirely employer/ employee affair, he used the opportunity of the meeting to inform the NFF President, Amaju C M Y K

aim of the interaction with Badeh was to enable him shed more light on some transactions which required more explanations and which apparently did not give the nation real value for money.

Saraki won’t resign unless convicted, says Senate Leader convicted by the court.

He also dismissed insinuations that the meeting with Osinbajo had political connotation as to finding a political solution to the trials of the Senate President.

He said: “It is not new for people to read meaning. Are you saying that the Senate President should be convicted before the trial? In our constitution, you are considered innocent until proven guilty.”

Speaking on the reason for the visit, Ndume, who was accompanied by Senators Dino Melaye and Abdullahi Adamu, said: “This government is our

Egypt Continues from BP Nations as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Pharaohs have won the AFCON title for a record seven times, but have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the

with details of arms procurement which were carried out during his tenure first as the CAS and later as the CDS and asked him to comment on them.

One source said that the

Pinnick, that the nation eagerly looks forward to the Super Eagles' qualifying for the African Cup of Nations.

The Eagles have an uphill task against the Pharaohs of Egypt on March 23 in Kaduna, with the return leg in Egypt four days later.

Also speaking from Doha, Qatar where he is currently attending the Congress of AIPS, President of the body, Mitchel Obi, said that he was not surprised at the outburst of Oliseh.

He said: “A Leopard does not change its spots.

Wash a pig, comb a pig, it is still a pig. It is only a mad man that knows those who are insane.”

government. I am the Senate Leader in this government, so my coming here today is not supposed to be a new thing. My coming here should even be more regular.

“This is not the first time we are coming here. But this is the first time we are having the Vice President as Acting President. That is one of the reasons we are here.

“This is because we are setting a new example.

During the previous government, the President will just go and leave the place blank.”

Ndume stated that

Nigerians should expect more consultations with the Villa.

He said: “But this time around, when our President goes for a few days, he transmitted to all Nigerians that the Vice President is to act as the President. “‘So we came for the regular consultation. There is nothing new about it and we will be doing more of this.

“You should expect me to be coming here. Now we have the budget as work in progress; we have the new Money Laundering Bill before the Senate “We have many things we are looking at. We have come to consult on these.”

Onigbinde AFCON qualification match and the Argentine tactician insists his side will not look down on any team because it has hurt them in the past.

Cuper told Fifa.com: “There is no such thing as easy opponents as journalists call them.

“We must respect any team regardless of the ranking and history, because Egypt itself has suffered in the past qualifiers because it dropped points in what you call easy games.

“I would be lying if I said that I don’t wish to avoid certain teams in the World Cup draw, but my job is to get Egypt prepared for any opponent.

“My job is to make the likes of Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, be worried that they will face us.

“I repeatedly tell my players that we can make people happy. Many people are suffering from everyday problems.

“Some are poor, some are unemployed. For those people, football might be their ultimate source of joy.”

Continues from BP Oliseh, a coach without experience to manage the national team.

Onigbinde, who led the Super Eagles to the 2002 World Cup in Korea/ Japan, had warned the NFF before the appointment of the 41year old pundit and has also said that it was a disgrace for the NFF to have begged anyone with no experience to manage the Super Eagles, which he said was a brand.

He said: “The first issue is about his appointment which he claimed he didn’t beg for, in other words, the NFF begged him. And I begin to ask what qualities did the NFF see in him to have him lead the Super Eagles?

“I still feel it is a big slap on the country to appoint a Nigerian or a foreigner who has never handled any club or a big team to handle the Super Eagles.

That is an insult, and now the insult is being complicated.

“Oliseh is now calling

his critics insane. I watched the video and at a point was shedding tears for Nigerian football, but we deserve it.

“Since he got this job, he has been going to Europe for treatment, shouldn’t the NFF have verified his health condition before his appointment?

Now he has the guts to insult everybody.”

He further explained that the former skipper of the national team was inexperienced and never a good manager of men.

“He has shown his inadequacy in terms of experience.

For instance, see the way he handled Vincent Enyeama’s case. If Oliseh was a good manager, he could have commiserated with him first on the loss of his mother and Enyeama would have been worshipping him but he wanted to be a boss,” he continued.

“Have Nigerians forgotten that the national team broke down in Mali as a result of gross indiscipline

under his leadership and now that is the kind of person NFF feels is good enough for the Super Eagles job.

“These are the questions we failed to answer before giving him the job and to some extent, he is right in throwing hot water on the faces of those who landed him the job.

“You can imagine a coach coming out a day to the commencement of the African Nations Championship that his players are not well fed and all that. What kind of result do you expect from that kind of coach?

“The question now is, will this not affect our chances in future competitions? Now we are causing more confusion and destroying the team further.

“That is in the hands of those managing Nigeria football. I have made several enemies speaking the truth. The fact is we have administrative problems bedevilling our football,” he concluded.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 — 47

African championships: Ogunkoya, Ogba hail Lagos hosting in 2018

By Ben Efe

A

FRICAN recorder holder in the women 400m, Falilat Ogunkoya has said Lagos hosting the 2018 African Championships, is evoking sweet memories. This is just as Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba adduced that Lagos was a natural choice for the event.

Lagos first hosted the championships in 1989 and the Confederation of Africa Athletics president, Kalkaba Maboum, AFN and Lagos State government have reached an understanding to host the event again after 30 years.

“It is the 30th year of the championships. Lagos is just a natural choice to mark the anniversary. It is going to be an exciting prospect and we are looking forward to it,” Ogba said Ogunkoya, whose African record of 49.10 seconds still stands since she made the mark at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, recalled that her athletics career practically took its roots at the 1989 Championships held at the National Stadium in Lagos.

“It is good we are hosting the African championships again. I still have found memories of the 1989 edition. I was the athlete that ignited the championships’ torch, and I also won the 400m, in the process breaking the na-

tional record that year.

“Chief MKO Abiola was also at the stadium. He encouraged me a lot.

Hearing that we are hosting is making me nostalgic. It was after that year we went to the Commonwealth Games in Auckland New New Zealand and made the c o u n t r y proud,”Ogunkoya said.

Meanwhile Nigerian athletes are in camp in Port Harcourt preparing for the 2016 edition billed for June 22-26 in Durban, South Africa.

“We hope to be there in full force to do our best.

It will be a major boost for our build-up to the Olympics,” Ogba added.

Name journalists that asked you for money – SWAN challenges Oliseh

BY JUDE OPARA, ABUJA

T

HERE are more trou bles for the embattled Super Eagles Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh as the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) yesterday gave him a seven day-ultimatum to mention the names of the journalists whom he claimed asked him for money so as to write positive reports about him.

Oliseh had in a surprise youtube broadcast

tagged “Insane Critics” accused various football stakeholders including the media whom he accused of asking him for money in order to write ‘positive stories’ after the failure of his team at the just concluded African Nations Championship (CHAN).

In a statement issued in Abuja by the Secretary General of SWAN, Andrew Abah, the association said the demand is in line with its quest to ensure continuous sanity in the profession.

NBBF mourns Akpata

T

•Regina George

HE Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has commiserated with the basketball family in Nigeria and the African continent over the demise of renowned Nigerian born basketball coach and

LMC boss greets fans, expects more presence in 2016

L

EAGUE Manage ment Company (LMC) has expressed deep appreciation to fans of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Clubs for their support all through the 2014/15 season and a pledge to offer more in all aspects of the league’s organisation in the 2015/16 season which kicks off on Sunday, February 21.

Dikko spoke on the heels of the successful NPFL Super 4 tournament which held over two rounds with the first leg in Kaduna and the last leg concluded in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last Friday.

He said the fans were the most valuable assets of the league in the last season as they succeeded in repossessing the league. According to Dikko, “the success of the last

season goes down to the fans, together, we repossessed our league and we will do more to keep our league together”.

He said fans should expect more this season in the area of tightened security, players’ welfare, media coverage, governing rules implementation and improved atmosphere at games.

“Fans should expect more when the season starts on February 21. We will work to ensure safety at match grounds for fans, match officials and the players as all the groundwork done last season with the office of the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will be implemented to tighten security before, during and after games”, the LMC Chairman assured fans.

•Late Akpata referee, Dele Akpata who passed away on Friday, January 29, 2016.

The federation in a release by Chairman of its Media Committee, Patrick Omorodion, noted that late Akpata who was 60 years old contributed tirelessly to the development of basketball in Nigeria before his sojourn to Botswana where he continued his service to African basketball.

Akpata was named Chairman of Botswana Coaches Association in 2012 and served as Secretary General of the Confederation of University and College Sport – Zone 6 from 2006 to 2015.

He was also a lecturer at the Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation at the University of Botswana, where he also served as Director of Recreation and Culture.

From left Mr Bode Makanjuola, , Tournament Manager, Lagos Polo Club; Oyinade Adegite, Senior Manager, Corporate Communication and External Affairs, GTBank; Ade Laoye, President, Lagos Polo Club and Mr Muyiwa Sonubi, 1st Vice President during the 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo tournament press briefing held in Lagos on Monday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Afcon 2017 qualifier: Egypt ‘ll not fear Nigeria – Cuper E

GYPT’s national team coach Hector Cuper has said that his side will respect any

team and be fearless in their bid to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Continues on page 46

Oliseh escapes sack

•Cuprt

•Faces N6 million fine over loose talk Iheanacho loses City •Minister demands apology to those he offended award to Aguero •Insists Eagles must qualify for AFCON ANCHESTER The Argentine polled

BY TONY UBANI

S

•Oliseh

•Onigbinde

UPER Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh may have talked himself into a hefty fine to be determined by his employers after he dubbed his critics as “insane” in a You-tube clip.

Our very reliable sources confided yesterday that the fine could run up to N6 million.

Sports Vanguard learnt that sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung who

expressed disgust over the comments by the Chief coach, however, Continues on page 46

M

City ’s Sergio Aguero has been named Etihad player of the month for January.

NFF insulted Nigerians by appointing Oliseh – Onigbinde

F

ORMER Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye

Onigbinde, has lambasted the Nigeria Football Federation for

‘insulting’ Nigerians by appointing Sunday

Continues on page 46

CONGRATS: Kelechi Iheanacho (r) in embrace with Kun Aguero

50% of the vote to beat Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Bacary Sagna to the second and third place respectively.

In the month under review, Aguero bagged seven goals in all competitions as well as creating another for David Silva.

Iheanacho on his own part provided four goals and three assist in Januar y. His treble against Aston Villa stood out in that month but he was unable to outshine the Argentine forward.

The Super Eagles whiz is expected to feature for Manuel Pellegrini’s men when they host Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday ’s English Premier League encounter.

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

TODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Aperture (4) 4 Fellow (3) 6 Mirth (4) 8 Influence (6) 9 Menace (6) 10 Beer (3) 12 Dispute (5) 14 Moorland (5) 15 Test (5) 18 Rescind (6) 20 Stupidity (6) 24 Loaded (5) 26 Room (5) 28 Darkness (5) 30 Fuss (3) 32 Abdicate (6) 34 Employed (4) 35 Pale (3) 36 Place (4)

DOWN 2 Tender (5) 3 Perform (7) 4 Facts (4) 5 Observe (4) 6 Furze (5) 7 Stretchy (7) 11 Meadow (3) 12 Tune (3) 13 Epoch (3) 16 Sick (3) 17 Cover (3) 19 State – (7) 21 Lair (3) 22 First (7) 23 Still (3) 25 Append (3) 27 Infant (5) 29 Hurry (5) 30 Afresh (4) 31 Frank (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Plot 4, Rim 6, Slab 9, Pal 10, Confused 11, Edit 14, Asp 16, Order 19, Spirited 21, Deter 23, Damaging 24, Tense 27, Lag 31, Cure 33, Industry 34, Doe 35, Deep 36, Sad 37, Ramp.

DOWN: 2, Look 3, Tiff 4, Resisted 5, Made 6, Spear 7, Lad 8, Alive 12, Islet 13, Sirene 14, Aid 15, Petal 17, Drain 18, Range 20, Demanded 22, Rag 25, Elude 26, Sleep 28, Miss 29, User 30, Cram 32, Roe.

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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C M Y K