C-River challengesAdoke

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61728

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Fuel scam: Capital Oil boss, Ifeanyi Uba arrested, quizzed •P. 5

SURRENDERING BAKASSI:

BAKASSI BABIES: Some babies delivered resettlement camp for Bakassi indigenes Ikang Resettlement Camp, Akpabuyo Government Area, Cross River State. See

photos on Pages 8 & 9.

C-River challenges Adoke •Says ‘we presented new facts’ •FG has failed us —Monarch

at the at the Local

more

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, HUGO ODIOGOR, OKEY NDIRIBE, HENRY UMORU, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & INALEGWU SHUAIBU

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AGOS — T H E Cross River State Government, yesterday challenged the Federal Government over claims that there were no fresh evidence to challenge the International Court of Justice, ICJ, judgment of 2002 ceding Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.

In a statement, it said it was not true that no fresh facts were presented to the presidential committee.

Political stakeholders in Cross River State and some of the committee members were also peeved by

Continues on page 8

Living history •P.17

DEAR BUNMI •P. 38

Mr & Mrs BUSINESS CHAT: Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (left) and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr Vince Cable, during his visit to the governor to discuss business opportunities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Murder: UNIPORT •P. 53 students on rampage, set Omuokiri-Aluu ablaze C M Y K

Jonathan releases N17.6bn for flood •P. 7 victims

2—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—3

10 DAYS TO GO

You are confused, Mimiko tells Oke

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*Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko acknowledging cheers from the people of Ondo town during his campaign tour of his hometown.

Unclaimed voters' card:

Court detains INEC staff till

after election

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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SECURITY guard with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ondo State, Rapheal Omolade and one other, Olaolu Oladapo are to be detained in Prison till after the election slated for October 20. An Akure Chief Magistrate Court gave the order yesterday at the hearing of the duo being tried for conspiracy and unlawful possession of 1,123 voters' cards.

The duo were driven to the court premises yesterday under tight security for the hearing.

The charge against them said that they conspired to commit felony to wit “unlawful posses-

sion of voter’s card and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37 Vol 1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria” “That you Hon. Olaolu Oladapo and Omolade Raphael on 5th day of October at about 4:30pm at INEC office Ondo West local government area of Ondo State did unlawfully have in your possession one thousand one hundred and twenty-three voters’ cards which you cannot give satisfactory account of and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 23(1) (a) (b) and(c) of the Electoral Act 2010.” They, however,

pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Kayode Ikotun applied for bail for the accused on liberal terms.

Police Prosecutor, Mr Zakari Mohammed in his response said Section 150 of the Electoral Act stipulates that it is only INEC that could prosecute electoral offenders and prayed the court to deny the accused bail. However, the Chief Magistrate Johnson Adelegan adjourned the ruling on bail application of the accused persons to October 22 and ordered that they be kept in prison custody till then.

Nwanyanwu to Tinubu, you didn’t give us money

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ATIONAL Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu has dismissed as false claims by leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that Governor Olusegun Mimiko betrayed them by not decamping to ACN as he promised after they helped him to power with monetary and other supports.

“Mimiko never promised them, it is not true and as to the other lie that Mimiko collected money from them, this is also untrue,” Nwanyanwu said during a campaign rally in Ondo, Mimiko’s hometown that practically shut down the town.

“As the national chairman of LP, I was on top of events in the party in 2007. I have the register of the party and we have the list of those who gave us small, small financial support to assist us.

Even those who gave money directly to Mr Governor, he brought those money to us and C M Y K

we recorded them, their (ACN leaders) names were not there.

They are lying and they have committed three crimes against their God, the people of Ondo State and even against themselves for this lies.”

Nwanyanwu used the opportunity to level accusations against the ACN saying: “They know they will lose this election by a wide margin and a security report just reaching us from Osogbo now indicates that in their desperation to rig this election, they are printing ballot materials in that town. We don’t know how they are going

to bring them in but we are waiting for them and a letter will be written to INEC today to alert them of this latest in their bags of tricks.

“Again, the ACN has budgeted N2.5million for every Ward in Ondo State.

But I want you people to be ready to c"ollect their money when they offer you, even if they offer you N5 million please collect it and chop their money because it is not their money. But on the day of election on October 20, reject them at the poll by voting for Olusegun Mimiko of the LP."

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN

PPARENTLY jolted by allegations of underperformance in the education sector, an area the incumbent administration has prided itself as having done much, the Mimiko Campaign Organisation has blasted the Olusola Oke campaign as being engulfed in illiteracy and confusion.

The Oke campaign had last Monday blasted Mimiko as having underachieved in the education sector saying the incumbent administration had destroyed the sector in the state.

In a swift response yesterday, the Mimiko Campaign in a statement issued by its spokesman, Kolawole Olabisi retorted: “We are amazed by Oke and his ilk that are distorting facts and displaying their crass ignorance on a daily basis in their vaunted ambition to govern Ondo State.

“In Ondo State, the Education Sector under Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been adjudged the best in Nigeria by even the Federal Ministry of Education

No, you are the one really confused – Oke

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HE Ondo PDP yesterday pooh-poohed the defence of the Mimiko campaign on the alleged deterioration of education in the state.

Mr. Ayo Fadaka, Director of Publicity of the PDP in the state told Vanguard yesterday that the defence of the MCO truly showed the confusion of the Labour Party administration saying that the Olusegun Agagu PDP administration out performed Mimiko in the

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HE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation(ACO)has described Dan Nwanyanwu's comments that the ACN did not give Mimiko financial support as a product of hallucination.

In a statement by the Director Media and Publicity, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the ACO said:

education sector. While debunking the concept of mega schools as flaunted by the present administration, Fadaka said it was unnecessary for Ondo with its rural population to focus on mega-schools asserting that the administration had only delivered two out of the eight it promised to build compared to the 428 primary schools that Agagu built.

The re-emergence of PDP

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HOUGH it is the immediate past ruling party in the state, the PDP had until recently not figured in the calculations in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. After Chief Segun Agagu was forced out by Segun Mimiko following the decision of the Court of Appeal in 2009, the party practically expired as adherents withdrew into the shell leaving a once vibrant party listless and languid. The fortune of the party was further eroded by the internal crisis that developed as one time loyalists of Chief Agagu sought to emerge into kingmakers themselves.

By the time the 2011 general

••Nwanyanwu is hallucinating — Akeredolu '' Nwanyanwu cannot come to Yorubaland to make frivolous allegation that he cannot substantiate. "'Nwanyanwu should explain to the good people of Ondo State what a member of his party caught with printed ballot papers in Ondo town, home of Governor Olusegun Mimiko,

itself. ... Only two months ago, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike had stated of Ondo Mega School thus: ‘As Minister of State for Education, I have not seen such a 21st century compliant primary school like this one in the entire country. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is simply a world class achievement.’

“And since Oke had told the world that he is running with the legacy of Olusegun Agagu, a man who for six years was writing a blueprint on how to transform Ondo State which he called ‘Roadmap to Progress’ but which never translated into any meaningful achievements in terms of projects, and for which the people voted against him in 2007, he should endeavour to find out that his boss (Agagu) did not pay the 27.5 per cent Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) while he was in office. “And contrary to the lies that Mimiko has not paid this same 27.5 per cent to Ondo Teachers, Mimiko has been paying this money since July 2009 which is a mere 5 months after he got to office!"

was doing. '' In addition, it said, ''it is ironical that the Adaba Radio and the Nations Newspaper that were used to support Mimiko in his fight to retrieve his mandate are now being vilified by the same people which shows that they cannot

elections were conducted the party was practically dead as Labour Party literally swept the polls in nearly all the seats contested.

But as it is said, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, so it is that Agagu who once dominated the political landscape of the state has re-emerged to trouble Mimiko. It was even suggested at one time that Agagu could team up with Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fight a common enemy in Mimiko. That did not emerge opening the way for the emergence of Olusola Oke, to fight what Mimiko associates allege to be Agagu’s grudge fight.

be trusted.''

Continuing, ACO said, ''if there is any political party that is planning to rig it is LP, which has been buying voters' cards all over the state, against the background of the failed biometric registration of civil servants, which they had planned to use to rig in the state.''

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

Fuel scam: Capital Oil boss, Ifeanyi Uba arrested, quizzed

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — THE Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Ikoyi, has arrested the Managing Director of Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd , Mr Ifeanyi Uba, over alleged involvement of his companies in the fuel subsidy scam.

At press time, the oil magnate who arrived the Unit in the company of his lawyers was still being interrogated.

His company was indicted by Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led 15man presidential panel constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan to re-investigate the findings of the report of an earlier investigation panel set up by the Ministry of Finance on fuel subsidy payments valued at over N2 trillion.

But the management of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited denied that its managing director was arrested, stating that Uba voluntarily visited the Unit on a routine

verification exercise on subsidy claim and returned to the office.

However, when Vanguard spoke with SFU’s Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Insitelu, at about 6.30p.m, she simply stated that Uba was still being interrogated over the oil subsidy scam. She could, however, not give detail on why it was taking the Unit long to release him.

At about 7.25pm, Vanguard reliably gathered that the oil magnate was still being quizzed by a seven-man detective team. It was also gathered that three management staff of his company were

BY BEN AGANDE

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has described as unacceptable the

BY PASTOR ITUAH

ODAY I will resist doubt and pessimism and warm my world with a smile. I’ll maintain a strong faith, expect nothing but the best, take time to be happy, see every task as an opportunity to honour the Lord, and endeavour to leave His footprints on the hearts of those I meet.

John Boykin wrote: ‘Time is your life-nothing more, nothing less. The way you spend your hours and your days, is the way you spend your life.’ So pray, ‘Lord, help me to maximise this day.’

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“BEAUTY shouldn’t be about changing yourself to achieve an ideal or be more socially acceptable.

Real beauty, the interesting, truly pleasing kind, is about honouring the beauty within you and without you. It’s about knowing that someone else’s definition of pretty has no hold over you.” —Golda Poretsky.

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he would be allowed to go home, as sources at the Unit said the interrogation might take long.

According to sources at the unit, “ we are not done with the interrogation. He may or may not go home today.”

CBN recovers N5bn illegal charges on depositors’ funds from banks

BY HENRY UMORU & INALEGWU SHAIBU

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BUJA —THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, said it has recovered over N5

billion illegal charges on depositors’ funds from commercial banks.

Deputy Governor in charge of financial service of the CBN, Mr. Kingsley Moghalu, who

Jonathan decries N1bn spent daily on importation of rice

LIFEWORDS

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undergoing interrogation in another room in the anti-fraud unit.

Clad in a blue caftan with a pair of black shoes, Uba, who was in the company of his lawyer, reportedly responded to some of the questions posed to him.

It could, however, not be ascertained whether

HAT transforms my heart into a more beautiful state ... allows me to bring joy to others and especially mine. It is letting my energy be filled with divine light and love. I love art; I see beauty everywhere and in everything. And I love making things even more beautiful than I find them; it allows me to fathom the awesome reality of divine grace in my life.

The truth of the matter is that we cannot make a thing beautiful without being its essence, I’d like to call it a renovation of the heart; it’s like repainting my room, remodelling my car.

A person’s state of consciousness is not static; it’s an ongoing process of change. Your state of consciousness is your level of acceptance, so why not make it, a place of beauty, truth and divine love.

Invariably, it also reflects in all that we strive to achieve in life.

N1billion spent daily on the importation of rice, saying the practice must stop by 2015.

Speaking at the maiden meeting of the Agricultural Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Implementation Council at the Presidential Villa, the president expressed happiness at the progress so far recorded in getting a favourable response from the private sector to government’s new rice policy which he said had resulted in 13 new private sector rice mills coming on stream with a total capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes.

According to the president, with only 40 per cent of the over 84 million hectares of arable land currently utilised, agriculture remains key in the diversification of our economy.

He said: “As you would recall, this council was set up as the apex platform to chart the way forward for our agricultural sector to ensure that we stay on course on our agricultural transformation agenda.

“With over 84 million hectares of arable land of which only 40 per cent is currently utilised, the development of the agricultural sector remains key in the diversification of our economy. It is also a critical sector for creating job for our youths.

“Our administration is determined to turn these potentials into visible gains for the nation. To actualise this, we are treating agriculture as a business,

not just as a development programme."

Jonathan said it was in recognition of the important role the private sector plays in the development of the value chain, that the “Federal Government is expanding the roles of the sector to include seed production, fertilizer manufacturing, distribution of seeds and fertilizer, storage, transport and logistics, processing and value addition.

“It is unacceptable that Nigeria is still importing rice. This administration is therefore determined to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in rice by the year 2015."

disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, during an interface with the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, said the money was illegally deducted from depositors’ funds by the banks.

He said the recovered monies had been paid back to the affected depositors by the commercial banks. He, however, did not mention the banks involved in the illegal deductions.

According to him, “we are aware of complaints of all sorts of inappropriate bank charges and we have taken a number of steps to begin to systematically address these problems.

“I can tell you that in the last year or two the CBN has been able to recover N5 billion in wrong charges to bank customers.

Those monies have been

returned to Nigerians by their banks at the directives of the CBN in the course of our work in consumer protection.”

Moghalu who also briefed the Senator Bassey Otu-led committee informed the Senators that the apex bank had put in place an appropriate framework to forestall any future financial crisis in the banking sector.

He added that the CBN’s priority in its reform process between now and 2015 was to ensure consumer protection and data integrity, including a sound macro prudential framework that would help to stabilise the financial sector.

He also mentioned that another strategy by the apex bank to forestall any financial meltdown in future was stopping commercial banks from giving further loans to customers who owed up to N5 billion.

2013 budget: Reps okay $80 per barrel crude oil benchmark

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

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BUJA —THE House of Representatives, yesterday, adopted $80 per barrel of crude oil as its benchmark for the 2013 budget proposal, five dollars higher than what was proposed by the Presidency.

This was part of the recommendations of the lower house on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) which was presented by

the executive arm of government last month.

The recommendation was contained in the report of the House’s Joint Committees on Finance, Legislative Budget and Research, National Planning and Economic Development and Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the MTEF. Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin (PDP-Kano), Chairman of House Committee on Finance who led the debate faulted the executive arm for painting a gloomy picture of the

economy, adding that independent forecasts by experts pointed to the contrary.

The legislators warned that since foreign borrowing was not projected in the MTEF, any additional foreign borrowing during the period must be approved by the National Assembly.

The House also approved the crude production targets of N2.5 million, N2.6 million and N2.6 million barrels per day for 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Mubi killings: Police nab alleged masterminds Say Kano police killings, an ambush

BY KINGSLEY OMONO-

BI BUJA—FOLLOW ING Police investigations into the killing of about 46 students of Federal Polytechnic Mubi in Adamawa State by alleged unknown gunmen or cultists last week, Vanguard can report authoritatively that the killings were perpetrated by an Islamic sect and that masterminds of the gruesome massacre were three students of the polytechnic and one student of the Adamawa State University, Yola.

Police sources in Abuja disclosed to Vanguard yesterday that 30 suspects had so far been arrested in connection with the massacre and among them are 12 confirmed members of Boko Haram and the four students who have also

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been confirmed to be members of the dreaded Islamic sect.

According to the source, during investigations, it was discovered that all the 46 students massacred were either the new leadership of the Students Union that were elected the previous week or those that voted to elect the new leadership of the union.

Vanguard was told that from investigations, the masterminds of the killings, belonged to the opposition during the election for the Student Union Government who had boasted that they cannot lose the election as there would be consequences if they didn’t win, a threat that was waved aside by the generality of the students.

When the results were eventually announced and the opposition lost, the three

students who are also members of Boko Haram, got in touch with their members for a revenge mission that was timed to occur in the night when all the union leaders as well as their supporters would be in their hostel. The murder was largely successful because the killers knew the names, abode, movement and whereabouts of their fellow students. Asked if there was a hint of ethnic cleansing in the killings, the source said it was purely election issues and that both Christians and Muslims were killed.

On what will become of the arrested culprits and other suspects, the source said that as soon as investigations were completed, they will be charged to court to face appropriate penalties.

Meanwhile, Vanguard has also gathered that the

two Policemen killed in Kano yesterday and whose rifles were taken away by alleged unknown gunmen, were killed in an ambush.

Police sources disclosed that the two officers had been detailed to provide security for personnel of the ministry of health who were carrying out polio vaccination on children in the state and that while they were at a location, they received a distress call that robbery was going on somewhere.

They (Policemen) promptly moved to the scene described in the distress call. On getting there, and finding out that no such robbery took place, they were on their way back to the polio vaccination centre when the gunmen ambushed and shot them before making away with their rifles.

Budget presentation: NASS waits on Jonathan

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan will today present the 2013 budget to a Joint session of the National Assembly.

The budget presentation to both the House of Representatives and the Senate was shifted by the Presidency by one week, just as it was earlier slated for last week, October 4, following a letter from President Jonathan to Senate President David Mark.

It became compulsory to postpone the event owing to the fact that the Lower Chamber which should be part of the process, adjourned plenary for one week to enable the members to carry out oversight functions on the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs to ascertain how the 2012 budget must have been implemented as that will form the basis of what they will ask the presidency as the president presents

the 2013 budget today.

As the President visits the Senate, staff of the National Assembly have been urged to report very early as the joint session would commence at 10am.

According to a memo pasted on the board of the office of the Senate President and signed by Mrs. F.O Adigun, yesterday, staff were asked to report early because of the tight security in the National Assembly complex.

The memo read: ‘’I write to inform you that the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR will be visiting the national Assembly tomorrow(today) Wednesday, October 10, at 10am to address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2013 budget. ‘’In the light of the above, you are hereby advised to come to work early as there will be tight security in the complex.”

Global recession risk rises, World Bank 2012 Annual says IMF

BY OMOH GABRIELIN JAPAN AGOS—THE Inter national Monetary Fund, IMF, has presented a gloomier picture of the global economy saying that prospects for growth have deteriorated further and risks slower economic growth as well as recession has increased.

Overall, the IMF’s forecast for global economic growth was marked down to 3.3 per cent this year and a still sluggish 3.6 per cent in 2013. This is a clear message to Nigeria and other countries that depend on crude oil export to be cautious of the figures used for 2013 budget.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, unveiled in Tokyo ahead of the IMF-

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INAUGURATION: President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd left), Chairman, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Alhaji Mahey Rasheed (2nd left), Managing Director, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji (2nd right), Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs. Bunmi Awosika (right) and other Board members after the inauguration of the committee at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Eight subsidy fraud suspects granted bail in a registered comThey are also to own on stringent conditions rector pany. Each of the sureties landed property worth N50

BY SONI DANIEL,

ASSISTANT EDITOR

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BUJA—EIGHT sus pects arraigned before Justices Habeeb Abiru and Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for their alleged role in the petroleum subsidy scam were yesterday granted bail on stringent conditions.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not oppose the bail application of the defendants but asked the court to grant them bail on stringent conditions to compel them to be reporting to the court regularly.

The eight persons were said to have conspired to forge documents which they fraudulently used to obtain over N3 billion from the Federal Government purporting the said sum to be payment for subsidy under the Petroleum Support Fund.

Justice Okunnu granted bail to Aro Samuel Bamidele and Abiodun Kayode Bankole in the sum of N100 million each and three sureties in like sum.

They are to swear to affidavit of means indicating that they can meet the bail conditions.

The sureties must be residents and have landed property in Lagos. One of the sureties must be a di-

must present evidence of tax payment for the last three years and are to be verified by officers of EFCC within 72 hours.

The defendants are banned from travelling out of the country without the permission of the court and are to deposit their international passports with the court. They are also to report to EFCC once a month throughout the duration of the trial.

Justice Abiru on his part granted bail to the trio of Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah in the sum of N50 million each, and two sureties in like sum who must show evidence of tax payment in the last three years.

million in Lagos and should be gainfully employed.

The sureties are to be verified by the court registrar.

Justice Abiru also admitted Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma to bail in the sum of N75 million each and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties are to show evidence of tax payment in the last three years and should possess landed property in Lagos. The sureties must be gainfully employed and their claims verified by operatives of EFCC. The defendants are to deposit their travelling documents with the court.

Meetings, the IMF said advanced economies are projected to grow by 1.3 per cent this year, compared with 1.6 per cent last year and 3.0 per cent in 2010, with public spending cutbacks and the still-weak financial system weighing on prospects.

Growth in emerging market and developing economies was marked down compared with forecasts in July and April to 5.3 per cent, against 6.2 per cent last year. Leading emerging markets such as China, India, Russia, and Brazil will all see slower growth.

Growth in the volume of world trade is projected to slump to 3.2 per cent this year from 5.8 per cent last year and 12.6 per cent in 2010.

CORRECTION

Infractions: NSE indicts First Bank, Oando, John Holt, others

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N OUR story of October 2, 2012, entitled, “Infractions: NSE indicts First Bank, Oando, John Holt, others,” we inadvertently published that the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in its latest X-Compliance report, fined 12 companies N8.465 billion.

We claimed that 65 companies were fined N6.652 billion, while 18 companies were fined N16.8 billion for various infractions.

The story should have

read thus, “12 companies were fined N8.645 million for failing to obtain the NSE’s approval before publishing their activities in the media; 65 companies were slammed with a fine of N6.652 million, while another 18 were fined N16.8 million for failing to submit their financial statements for the 2011 and 2012 financial statements as well as their quarterly results.” The error is regretted.

— Editor

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—7

Mrs Christiana Alex gave birth to a baby girl at a private camp set up by Messrs Raymous Guanah, Chris Ekiyor, Brave Enode and Mologe at Patani, Delta State, yesterday. PHOTO: Festus Ahon.

Communities go under in Omoku, Rivers State. PHOTO: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Jonathan releases N17.6bn for flood victims

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, assured Nigerians affected by flood that the Federal Government was prepared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.

In a nationwide broadcast, yesterday, President Jonathan announced the release of N17.6 billion as direct financial assistance to the affected states and some Federal Government agencies responsible for disaster management.

He also announced the constitution of a National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to assist the Federal Government raise funds to mitigate the pains and ensure the effective post-impact of rehabilitation of victims.

According to the President, the committee will be co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, while Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr will serve as the Chief Fund Mobiliser.

Speaking on the money allocated for the mitigation of the effects of the flood on Nigerians, the President said states have been divided into categories with a view to releasing money to the most affected states.

Funds distribution

He said while states will receive N13.3 bil-

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lion, the Federal Government agencies will receive N4.3 billion.

He said: “All category A states will receive N500 million each; category B states, N400 million each; category C states, N300 million each, and category D states, N250 million each.”

Category A states include Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra, while Category B states include Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River, Edo, Lagos and Imo. Category C states are: Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers, while Category D states include, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Enugu,

Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Borno and Federal Capital Territory.

The President said to further intensify their intervention activities, the following agencies of the Federal Government have also been allocated funds as follows: Ministry of Works, N2.6 billion; National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, N1.1 billion; Ministry of Environment, N350 million; National Commission for Refugees, N150 million; and technical committee on flood’s impact assessment, N100 million.

Expenditure

The President disclosed that NEMA has so far spent N1.314 billion to provide relief

materials, while the Minister of Works has spent N556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of by-passes.

He added that the Minister of Environment has spent N95 million on sundry relief measures.

The President said the technical committee “ will continue to go around the country, while the Vice President and I will also visit some of the affected communities.

“When we receive the committee’s final report, the Federal Government will further initiate medium and long term measures to check future flood disasters.

“In the mean time, relevant government agencies have intervened to

... as Bayelsa shuts schools

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—BAYELSA State government has ordered the immediate and indefinite closure of all schools in the state due to the rising water levels and the danger it poses to the citizenry.

Governor Seriake Dickson, in a special government announcement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, said the decision was taken to safeguard the lives of children and to keep them away from possible dangers that could arise from the flood.

While pleading with parents and guardians to accept the decision the governor said it was taken in the interest of all Bayelsans.

Dickson said: “We want to assure you that normal academic activities will resume as soon as the situation is brought under control.”

He reassured the people of government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of Bayelsans of all ages, especially at these trying times.

Meanwhile, most residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, are now racing against time as the

surging flood is gradually advancing to the city centre.

Already, the flood has extended its fury to areas such as Azikoro, Akenpai, Akenfa, Igbogene, Ovom, and Agudama-Epie, among others.

Residents were seen evacuating their belongings to dry areas and uncompleted storey buildings.

Others were constructing wooden platforms in their homes to protect their belongings from the advancing flood.

Families of those whose homes are already filled

Continues on Page 48

provide relief to the affected persons in col-

laboration with the state governments.”

RELIEF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Name 1. Alhaji Aliko Dangote 2. Mr. Olisa Agbakoba 3. Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr.

Position

Co-Chairman Co-Chairman Chief Fund Mobiliser 4. Alhaji Karami Rabiu Member 5. Alhaji Mohammed Indimi Member 6. Ngo Hannatu Cholum Member 7. Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija Member 8. Prof. Dora Akunyili Member 9. Mr. Tony Elumelu Member 10. Secretary-General of Nigerian Red Cross Member 11. Representative of CAN Member 12. Representative of NSCIA Member 13. Representative of the UNDP Member 14. Representative of the European Union Member 15. Representative of DFID Member 16. Representative of USAID Member 17. Perm. Sec., Fed. Ministry of Environment Member 18. Perm. Sec., Fed. Min. of Water Resources Member 19. Perm. Sec., Federal Ministry of Works Member 20. Perm. Sec., Federal Ministry of Agriculture Member 21 Perm. Sec. Federal Ministry of Health Member 22 Perm. Sec., Federal Ministry of Finance Member 23. Perm. Sec., Fed. Ministry of National Planning Member 24. Director-General, NEMA Member 25. Ag. Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Member 26. Perm. Sec., Ecological Funds Office Member 27. Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties Member 28. Chairman, House Committee on Environment Member 29. Rep., Nigerian Union of Journalists Member 30. Rep., National Council of Women’s Societies Member 31. Mr. Tunde Lemo, (Representing CBN) Member

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

We presented new facts —C-River govt Continues from Page 1

the declaration by the AGF that the government would not be appealing the decision. Emotion overflowed in the Cross River State House of Assembly, yesterday, as members called for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan should he not countermand the AGF at the end of today.

In Abuja, however, emotion was more subdued as stakeholders from within and around the region expressed mixed feelings on the declaration of the AGF that Nigeria would not be appealing the judgment.

Adoke, it was learnt, successfully pushed his case that there was no material evidence to retrieve Bakassi from Cameroon despite a presidential directive for the country to appeal the judgment of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, which awarded the disputed territory to Cameroon 10 years ago, today.

Following consultations with the National Assembly leadership and other stakeholders last Wednesday, President Goodluck Jonathan had directed a committee comprising stakeholders from the National Assembly, the National Boundary Commission, among others, to prepare the grounds for an urgent appeal to the ICJ.

Resolving the problem At the meeting in the Presidential Villa, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, had reportedly summarised what emerged were three options by the National Assembly on how to resolve the problem. The options were to go to war, do nothing or seek a review of the judgment. Senator Mark, it also emerged, inclined himself towards the third option with nearly all present at the meeting agreeing that it was best for Nigeria to uphold its interests primarily ahead of whatever is the opinion of the international community.

At the end of the meeting that Wednesday, an eightman committee comprising select legislators from Cross River State including Senators Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN, Senator Bassey Otu who represented what was until today Bakassi in the Senate, Chairman of the House of Representatives C M Y K

A cross section of Bakassi Peninsula indigenes at the Ikang Resettlement Camp, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State.

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Nnena Ukeje,among others was mandated by the president to prepare the grounds for an immediate appeal.

However, when the committee members gathered at the residence of Senator Ndoma-Egba for a meeting, animosity immediately developed as members of the committee were angered by what they claimed was a dilution of the assignment given the committee by the president.

Adoke, it was learnt, told the committee members that the mandate of the committee was to pursue a review of the human rights contents of the judgment and not to appeal the territorial handover of Bakassi to Cameroon.

Faced with a deadlock, it was suggested that the committee members revert to their principals, that is Senator Mark for the legislators and President Jonathan for Adoke for a confirmation of the mandate of the committee. It was learnt that both President Jonathan and Senator Mark agreed that the mandate of the committee was for a review of the judgment but the body language of the presidency officers according to committee members was that a review would not go ahead.

FG lied, says CRS govt Countering assertions by the AGF that there was no evidence to demand a review and assertions of lack of time, the Cross River State Government in a

statement issued by its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Attah Ochinke said: 1. Last night the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke announced its decision not to seek a review of the ICJ judgment on Bakassi despite a preponderance of oppinions to the contrary.

2. The Federal Government adduced severally reasons for its decision, including the claim that the Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan could not get new information from the proponents for a review to warrant seeking a review of the judgment.

3. While Cross River should not be seen as joining issues with the Federation Government, it is however, pertinent to state our own side of the story for the sake of posterity.

4. First, it must be emphasised that for us in Cross River Bakassi is not about oil; it is about the people.

5. Having said that, I regret to say that it is not true that new facts were not made available to the committee that would have compelled Nigeria to seek a review of the ICJ judgment. If anything, the Federal Government decision is coming after several days of frenzied activity towards applying for a review of the judgment. While we concede that the Federal Government has the prerogative not to apply for a review, we find the reasons given for that decision most unfortunate in the least.

6. A lot of work was done

on this and about seven grounds were raised upon which the government could have based a review.

And these were well documented, copies of which we have for any further scrutiny.

7. To say that there were no fresh facts to apply for review is to insist that the Nigerian Bar Association, the Institute of International Affairs, the several professional bodies and the National Assembly that called for the review acted in total ignorance.

8. It must be stated that since Bakassi was a Nigerian territory, the Federal Government also had the responsibility of looking for new information that would

warrant a review. It is therefore, baffling when it said proponents of a review failed to furnish it with new information.

9. To convince the Federal Government that facts exist upon which the application could have been made, an international law firm based in London was briefed to examine the case and advice. The firm did this and advised that there are sufficient facts upon which a review may be based; more importantly the firm prepared the papers for Nigeria to file at the ICJ. All the Federal Government needed to do was to simply dispatch the papers for filing.

10. The claim that seek-

ing a review will tarnish Nigeria’s image in the committee of nations is also very unfortunate.

11. Several countries applied for a review of similar judgments delivered against them without losing credibility. El Salvador against Honduras in 2002 applied for a review of a judgment given almost ten years earlier on September 11, 1992. The application for review of the judgment in Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina case was presented in 2001 for a judgment delivered in July, 1996.

The ICJ statute provides that an application for a review cannot be entertained unless the party applying first complies with the judgment prior to submitting the application for a review. So the fact that Nigeria had complied with the judgment is the ground that should qualify us to apply for a review and should not be the reason why we should be ashamed to do what is necessary to protect Nigerians."

Another member of the committee also rebuffed suggestions of shortness of time given by the presidency team, saying that the superiority of the fresh facts would have expressly reverted the peninsula to Nigeria.

“We had facts Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw showed to us including that although the British signed the 1913 Anglo-German treaty, the German ambassador to Britain, Prince Lichnowsky stated that his country did not sign the treaty before the first world war broke out which rendered it inchoate, meaning that Cameroon and Nigeria were citing an illegal document.

“It was unknown to both Nigeria and Cameroon that the treaty was inchoate and was not recongised in the 1919 treaty. There were also revelations by Prof. Walter Ofanogoro that the April 1893 boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon was valid and they were internationally recognised.”

C-River House members protest

A little girl crying for attention in Bakassi yesterday.

Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Chief Larry Odey, at the end of the session of the House led members on a protest march to Governor Liyel Imoke at the Government House.

He said that the reports in the newspapers, yesterday, were contrary to the directive of Mr. President that the eight-man committee should pursue the review Continues on Page 9

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—9

FG lied, say C-River govt, committee members Continues from Page 8 of the judgment.

Receiving the lawmakers, Imoke said he had no confirmation as at the time of the protest that any appeal had been sent to the ICJ from the Federal Government for a review of the judgment and that the only thing he knew was that the window of opportunity to appeal would expire by mid night today which should be the last chance.

He, however, appealed that the issue should be carefully managed and should not be politicized even as he told them that the state lacked the locus to file any action at the ICJ, adding that the consequence of the judgment on the people was significant and that to the best of his knowledge, not much had been done over the matter.

The governor advised them to be calm and also understand that there were processes and procedures to follow such a matter, adding that though one end of the matter may have been reached, there were still other opportunities that could be followed.

Call for impeachment Some Hopuse of Representatives members before the protest march, had called for the impeachment of President Jonathan over alleged breach of the oath of office which he swore to uphold and protect.

One of the initiators of the call, Joseph Bassey, representing Calabar South Local Government Area, said there was no need to allow the president to remain in office for his alleged treason to the country and that Nigerians should, by the action of the president, not allow him to hold any other position in the country.

He said: “We have lost confidence in the presidency. The president himself has failed. We have also proposed to the National Assembly that by tomorrow (today) if he does not file any appeal to the ICJ, the National Assembly should commence an impeachment against him, because he has betrayed his people he swore to protect.

Bassey who said he was an Efik son, but has Bakassi as his ancestral home, further said: “I feel so sad and I always make this known to the people.

The issue of Bakassi I knew will not be resolved because of the interest involved.

Bakassi was sold out by the stakeholders of Nigeria especially former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Donald Duke and a former senator.

“They sold out Bakassi for their personal interest and the president of Nigeria today, Goodluck Jonathan, does not want to have a loggerhead with all these big wigs.

They are still playing politics with Cross Riverians, playing politics with our inheritance, playing politics with our own origin; it is something that was very sad.

“Now that we have lost Bakassi, what is the way forward? I will like to say that Bakassi is not gone, the ICJ appeal might go, Bakassi is not gone, this is peoples inheritance, we will always go back to Bakassi. By tomorrow we in the Cross River State House of Assembly have already proposed, we do not have much to say, most of us are ready to sacrifice to go on hunger strike and pray. it shows that the neck of the woman is bent. I think the mistake was done ten years ago by the then government, so I absolve the

A man petting his daughter who was crying for attention as Bakassi Peninsula indigenes awaited solution of their problems at the Ikang Resettlement Camp, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State, yesterday.

present government.”

Reacting to the development yesterday, Senator Ewa-Henshaw described the situation as regrettable noting that it appeared that some persons had made up their minds to cede Bakassi believing that nobody will challenge their action.

Henshaw said: “I think it is very regrettable the position our government has taken. It looks like there are people that have determined that Bakassi must be sold out by all means and there is nothing they believe anybody can do about it.

Nigerians have not heard the last “The president set up a committee on Wednesday night last week in which we understand that the mandate was for them to obtain the necessary papers and prepare documents to file, then suddenly we heard that there was not going to be any filing. We as a people, we are determined that this will not be the end.

A pregnant woman among a cross section of women with their babies delivered at the resettlement Camp for Bakassi indigenes.

Nigerians have not heard the last on the issue concerning Bakassi “We also in the Bakassi Support Group have consulted solicitors and the solicitors had produced papers for us that we could have filed if government officials were not able to do that. All they needed to do was to ask for the papers so that they could go and file.

The papers had been prepared and we are going to publish it to the world and Nigerians in particular to see and let Nigerians ask the government why they have refused to file the appeal, what the problem is, what kind of promise did we make to the Cameroons, to the international community, to the International Court of Justice.

“If by the wisdom of those that drew this statute that sometimes it will be necessary for litigant to come and produce evidence of fundamental nature, what is wrong with Nigeria taking advantage of it. Let them ask Nigerians what commitment was made and to whom. Was it so strong that the fate and well-being of Nigerians must be sacrificed to honour commitment?”

Rep Nkoyo Toyo in her reaction told Vanguard yesterday that her people would not give up the fight for justice.

She said: “Much as we are not happy that the Federal Government did not use the option of engaging the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as a basis for further addressing the problems of the Bakassi people, our belief is that the proposal which was mentioned in the statement of the Attorney-General yes-

terday morning has opened up a new vista for engaging even the ICJ and many other United Nations bodies including the Secretary General.

“This, therefore, means that we have to go back and organize ourselves and take many other things into account. This is because it is obvious to us from what has happened so far that the Federal Government would not go out on its own to protect the interest of the Bakassi people. We have to protect our people’s interest and then come to present it to the Federal Government.

“You would have expected that it is the Federal Government that should seek to find out if there is a problem and then consider what to do about it. But this is not the case now since the Federal Government is too busy to address problems concerning its citizens.

As a result of this, the ordinary citizens of Bakassi have to go and find out new facts which they can present to the ICJ. This is how the Nigerian Government operates now.

“So we have to go and search for those affected who would then come and tell us their stories and present the fresh facts that are needed.

“My only worry is that the Attorney-General spoke about not wanting to create diplomatic problems for the nation. I do not know what those diplomatic problems are. He has also said that what we have talked about so far do not constitute fresh facts; I do not know what kind of facts we shall present before he would become convinced that we have fresh facts to warrant asking for a review of our

case before ICJ. “At this stage we are appealing that the failures of the Green Tree Agreement which would expire by August 2013, should be addressed.

"We are hereby giving them a one year notice and they should not say that the people of Bakassi came late".

FG has failed Cross River people — Monarch The Paramount Ruler of Efut nation, Muri Munene Effiong Mbukpa, said it was unfortunate that the Federal Government had failed the people of Bakassi and indeed the people of Cross River State over the decision to cede their ancestral land to Cameroon.

Mbukpa said everybody had hoped and relied on the Federal Government to start the process of filing documents for the review of the ICJ ruling which did not consider human beings and the right to self determination before giving its judgment.

The monarch said even if the Nigerian government would abandon the people, there was the belief that God will not abandon them and commended the Cross River State government for taking the pains all the time with the meager resources to take care of the displaced people.

Call for the resignation and trial of Adoke Meanwhile some members of the Cross River State House of Assembly yesterday called for the resignation of the Attorney General Continues on Page 50

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

ACN accuses LP of unleashing violence at rally

T

HE LOCAL government campaign of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, at Okitipupa turned bloody yesterday as thugs suspected to be members of Labour Party, LP, attacked members of the ACN. According to a statement by the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy of the Akeredolu Campaign Organsiation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku; “The rally which was attended by a massive crowd was under way when the LP thugs came from different directions to attack them.

“Indeed, it was a sad day as many members of ACN in ensuing melee got injured while some of them were matcheted by the notorious LP thugs.

“The injured ACN members have been

taken to hospitals and health centres for treatment as a result of matchet cuts.

“This is to confirm the position of ACO that the LP and Governor Olusegun Mimiko have imported thugs in the last three days into Ondo State to intimidate, harass and rig the election.

“While ACN members were restrained from retaliating through the intervention of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the party ’s governorship candidate and other leaders of the party, ACN is using the opportunity once again to call on the Commissioner of Police and other security agents to be alive to their responsibility to defend not only ACN members but the entire citizens of the state.

MAPOLY absolves Rector, others in N100 million fraud

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — THE management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, yesterady absolved the Rector and principal officers of the Institution of involvement in the N100 million fraud allegedly perpetrated by the executive members of the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, of the institution.

It would be recalled that, three staff of MAPOLY who were executive members of NASU in the institution

were arrested in handcuffs by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, last Thursday.

Reacting to the matter, the Management pointed out that at no time did the principal officers of the polytechnic collect any money to compromise the fraud.

The PRO of the polytechnic, Sulaimon Adebiyi, said yesterday in Abeokuta that it was the management that instituted the case of fraud and financial recklessness against the three ex-union officers. record straight and cor-

'Third Mainland Bridge repair for completion this month'

L

AGOS – THE current repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will be completed by the end of this month, (October, 2012) according to the company handling the rehabilitation, Borini Prono Nigeria Limited.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the repair works, which began in July, had been scheduled for completion on Nov. 6 However, Mr. Nastani Claudio, Borini Prono’s Manager, told visiting members of the House of Representatives SubCommittee on Works yesterday that only three

of the eight joints were left to be fixed.

“We are now working on the last three joints,” Claudio told the lawmakers who were in Lagos for an on-the-spot assessment of works on the bridge and other projects.

The manager said that if the bridge was properly maintained after the current repairs, it would be all right for another 25 years.

Dr. Rafiu Ibrahim, Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Kwara, who led the team, told newsmen he was sure that the contractor would not disappoint the government.

From left: Rev. (Mrs.) Juliana Olagodo, Pastor Dayo Adewumi of Foursquare Gospel Church, Omole, Lagos and Pastor Riebelle, during a press conference on thei 25th anniversary of the church.

Protesting undergraduates pelt Aregbesola, deputy over bursary

BY GBENGA OLARIONYE

O

SOGBO — OSUN State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy; Mrs. Grace Titi-Laoye Tomori were yesterday prevented from going to their offices by the angry students in the tertiary institutions who were protesting alleged nonpayment of their bursary allowances.

The students who were in their thousands thronged the state government Secretariat, on Ibadan Expressway in Osogbo, as early as 10a.m. and barricaded all entrances leading to the Secretariat and held Aregbesola and his deputy hostage for over an hour while chanting war songs to drive home their demands.

The government, however, described the action of the students as unfortunate, saying that the present administration has done enough to alleviate the suffering of the students more than any administration before it.

The Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon said the government will not be daunted by the action of the few disgruntled students who are bent in frustrating the good intention of governor Aregbesola.

Trouble started for Aregbesola at about noon while on his way to the office when the protesting students demanded that he should alight from his car and address them but their request fell on the deaf

ears of the governor who pleaded with the protesters to dialogue with him in his office.

Aregbesola’s pleas for him to be allowed to enter the Secretariat did not go down well with the students who started booing the governor and his deputy and made uncomplimentary remarks about them.

However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi appealed to the angry students to allow Aregbesola address them in his office, but the protesters stood their ground.

Amidst the unending uproar, the students barricaded the deputy governor ’s convoy and

forced her to alight from her car.

She, however, trekked down backward for about five minutes for fear of being harassed by the angry protesters and joined Aregbesola, who was at a stone-throw behind her in his car.

Apparently confused by the ugly development, Aregbesola’s convoy zoomed off while the protesters continued chasing and stoning the governor.

There was panic, however, when the security men attached to Aregbesola started firing their gun-shots sporadically into thin air apparently to scare away the students.

The chairman, Joint

Campus Committee, JCC, Olaore Naheem who spoke on behalf of the protesting students said: “We, the students of Osun State in all the tertiary institutions have not collected our bursary of N10,000 as earlier announced by Aregbesola.

“Our schools are in a state of decay but unfortunately, Aregbesola is gallivanting around with the state resources.

About two years that Aregbesola regained his mandate as the governor of the state, he has r e m a i n e d incommunicado with the yearnings of the people of the state especially in the area of education”.

... As Senate committee hails his education policy M

EMBERS OF the S e n a t e yesterday challenged other governors of the federation to learn from the educational policies put in Osun State if indeed, they are set to put their states on the path of educational glory.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Chief Uche Chukwumerijie, leading other members of the Committee on an oversight visit to the state, advised other states to drop their party affiliations and sentiments for the advancement of education in their various states.

Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola had

held that Nigeria will not make an appreciable progress if her focus is only on the executive arm of government.

S e n a t o r Chukwumerijie said the visit was a mark of respect and solidarity to show appreciation for the wonders and feat that the young administration of Aregbesola has achieved In his words: “The states and the country owed Governor Aregbesola a lot of gratitude for promptly laying a formidable foundation for education in the state. I will like to use this opportunity to advise other states irrespective of your political affiliation.

"You must drop your ego and learn from the

people oriented projects and programmes of Governor Aregbesola.”

According to the lawmaker: “The governor of Osun is a Godsend to his people.

Aregbesola, as a fresh governor, has shown that he is a serious-minded person. For the first time, the education policy of Ogbeni Aregbesola remains the best in the country, even ahead that of Lagos State.”

Responding, Governor Aregbesola urged the committee not to be afraid to tell the president that there is a problem in the educational sector, and the decadence must be arrested for sound education to prevail.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—11

Prisons boss, others to pay N2m for unlawful detention

BY EMMA AMAIZE

A

VISIT: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Sir Joseph Emabino; Mrs. Betty Ehimen, Headmistress, Asoro Primary School, Benin and the Assistant Headmistress, during the governor's unscheduled visit to school.

Achebe needs cure from Awophobia —Adebanjo

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

F

IRST generation Awoist and elder statesmen, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, yesterday, picked holes in Professor Chinua Achebe’s accusation that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was part of General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet that initiated pogrom and genocide as a policy against the Igbo during the civil war.

In a rejoinder to Professor Achebe’s book, There was a country, Adebanjo said instead of vilification, the late sage should be commended for his efforts in minimizing the damage that could have arisen from the war.

He said the civil war could have been avoided if Biafran leader, Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu had not reneged on his promise to Awolowo to negotiate with the Federal Government and

kick-started the war by attacking the Mid-West.

Claiming that Awolowo did not hate the Igbo and made efforts to rehabilitate the Igbo after the war, he said Professor Achebe had displayed his deep-rooted hatred for Awolowo and the Yoruba race with his comments.

He said: “If it is true that Chief Awolowo was such an architect of pogrom and genocide

against the Igbo, how would Professor Achebe explain the fact that there were no incidents of pogrom or genocide against the Igbos in any part of the then Western Region composed mainly of the Yoruba, and Chief Awolowo’s primary sphere of influence.

Rather, the Igbos who fled the West on the clarion call of Ojukwu for them to return to the East had their property

Tribunal refuses Airhiavbere’s request to call more witnesses

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—EDO State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, yesterday, rejected the request by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the July 14 gov-

ernorship election, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, to be allowed to file more witnesses and statements in his petition against the declaration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole as winner of the election.

The tribunal, meanwhile adjourned till October 23, for the com-

Delta HOSTCOM leadership tussle depens

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—STAKE HOLDERS of Host Communities of Nigeria, Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Delta Central chapter, have expressed disappointment at claims

by Chief Moses Irimisose that there was never a time his executive of

kept safe for them, with the rents collected on the property duly accounted for at the end of the civil war and paid to such Igbo owners.

It should be noted that no incidents of 'abandoned property' occurred in the Western region, Chief Awolowo’s zone, rather the controversy around such property were restricted to areas such as Port Harcourt and Northern region.”

the chapter was dissolved.

The chapter had been embroiled in crisis over alleged dissolution of the said executive on grounds of tenure expiration, its failure to give account of its stewardship to the people of Urhobo nation and alleged failure to account for N900,000 of the N8

million, said to have been given to HOSTCOM by Delta State Government through Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. In his reaction, Irimisose said there was no time the Delta Central executive was dissolved nor was there any parallel executive.

mencement of hearing in the only surviving paragraphs in the petition, which deals with the issue of electoral irregularities.

The tribunal said it was unable to grant the request for more statements from witnesses as requested because that paragraph of the petition had to do with the issue of qualification of Governor Oshiomhole, which the tribunal struck out on September 27, 2012.

The tribunal urged Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that the voters register was made available to counsel to the petitioner as requested to ensure uninterrupted hearing on the matter from October 23.

SABA—A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, has ordered the Comptroller General of Prisons and two others to pay N2 million damages to Citizen Sunday Uliong for unlawful detention.

Uliong was detained at Warri Prisons for 11 months even after a court had discharged and acquitted him in a case of conspiracy and armed robbery.

Trial judge, Justice F. Owho, gave the order in his judgment in a case of unlawful detention by the applicant, brought on his behalf by a nongovernmental organisation, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Warri. The court directed the respondents to make a public apology to Uliong for the infraction on his fundamental rights.

Other respondents were the Controller of Prisons and Deputy Controller of Prisons, Federal Prisons, Warri.

Justice Owho said: “I had given very anxious consideration to the facts in the current case and it is clear to me that the preliminary objection raised by the first to third respondents is of no consequence. The preliminary objection is dismissed.

“Consequently, without much ado, the applicant is entitled to the just declaratory relief sought in this application, which is that any person, who is unlawfully detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person.”

It will be recalled that Uliong was discharged and acquitted in charge No. W/24C/2002, but the judgment of Justice S. Ahiwano was disobeyed.

16.4kg illegal drugs seized in A-Ibom sons in possession of the

BY TONY NYONG

U

YO—AKWA Ibom State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, seized 16.436kgs of illegal drugs in the state during the month of September, 2012.

The command, in a statement by Mrs. Josephine Obi, said 33 per-

illicit substances were also arrested. She said the total seizure was made up of 16.428kg cannabis sativa, cocaine 2.6kg, heroine 5.9kg, and nine litres of mixture of alcohol and cannabis.

The agency noted that the success was achieved following continuous raiding of places suspected to be dealing in narcotics.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

From left, Alhaji Saminu Rabiu of Alminnur Resources Limited and Alhaji Jubril Rowaye of Brila Energy Limited, arraigned by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at the Federal High Court, Abuja on alleged oil subsidy fraud in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Flood:Dickson seeks Assembly's approval for N1.5bn emergency fund

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday, requested the state House of Assembly to approve the sum of N1.5 billion, from the state’s Compulsory Savings Account, to tackle the flood menace ravaging the state.

Though the House was to have resumed sitting on October 16, 2012 from its two months recess, the Speaker, Mr, Kombowei Benson, said it was compelled to hold an emergency sitting, yesterday, because of the flood that had sacked several communities in the state.

In the letter dated October 9, 2012, which was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Mr. Aaron Timiye, the governor requested the House to approve the release of the fund to enable the

state government intensify relief efforts and other urgent expenditure to salvage the ravaging flood situation in the state.

Dickson had in the letter said that the request

to spend from the savings account was due to the urgent need to respond positively to the devastating effect of the flood that had rendered many families homeless across the state.

UPU to facilitate release of kidnapped Delta commissioner

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI-PRESIDENT GENERAL of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, General Patrick Aziza (rtd,) has said that the union will follow due process in working with security agencies towards the release of kidnapped Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha and Chief Peter Jitobor.

Aziza, who spoke when youths from Orhuwhorun community, Udu Local Government Area of the state protested to his

country home at Adagbrassa, Okpe Local Government Area, over the abduction of the duo, lamented the rising cases of kidnapping in the state and assured that the union was working to ensure their release.

He said: “We will follow due process and work with security and other related agencies and before the week runs out, something positive about them will be heard.

Those that are tenants to us should not be the ones kidnapping Urhobo sons, it’s not done anywhere."

Oshiomhole fires 20 teachers in Edo teach the students.” for absenteeism The governor, who was

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—TWENTY teachers in three schools, who were absent from their duty posts, when Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, paid unscheduled visit to the schools in the state, yesterday, have been dismissed.

Oshiomhole, who disclosed this during the visit to Asoro Primary School, Emokpae Model Primary School, Western Boys

High School, George Idah Model School and Esonere Primary School in Benin City, also ordered deductions from the salaries of some teachers who got to their schools after the 8a.m., resumption time.

The governor frowned at the lackadaisical attitude of some teachers to work, noting that “the state government had provided suitable environment in the schools. The teachers are paid good wages and allowances. These beautiful classrooms are useless if teachers don’t

at Asoro Primary School at 7:45a.m., went through the teachers’ attendance register and discovered that names of teachers, who were yet to arrive the school were signed in.

He directed that adequate punishment be meted out to those who filled in the names of the absent teachers. He said: “Any time a teacher does not show up in school, the students will be wasting their time. The head mistress will also be queried because she has the responsibility to explain to me why people were allowed to sign fraudulently on the register when they were not present.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—13

Council recovers 11 vehicles from ex-officials

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MEDIA LAUNCH: From left: Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Emeka Oparah; Chief Marketing Officer, Olu Akanmu; Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Deepak Srivastava; Principal Character in the newly unveiled TV Commercial, Half Dollar; Group Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, Andre Beyers and Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Inusa Bello, at the media launch of the company’s new Thematic Campaign in Lagos, on Tuesday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Apologise to Ndigbo, Enugu monarch tells Kwankwanso

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

SUKKA—PARA MOUNT ruler of Essodo Kingdom in Enugu State, Igwe Simeon Itodo, has told Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State, to apologise to Ndigbo over his comments that the SouthEast geo-political zone deserved no additional state.

The monarch, who spoke in an interview with Vanguard in Enugu, shortly on his return from a trip to Canada and India, expressed shock that the governor was yet to withdraw his comments.

Igwe Itodo said the governor ’s comments were a collective insult on the people of the

South-East zone, and described the North-South dichotomy, with regards to the number of states in each zone, as an arrangement that was not in tandem with a federal democarcy.

According to the paramount ruler, the present arrangement is tantamount to deliberate marginalisation of Ndigbo.

The royal father explained that there was no doubt that the creation of additional states in the South-East was imperative, which will not only ensure equity and justice but also create employm e n t opportunities in the country.

Igwe Itodo, who is also a member of National Council of Traditional Rulers, appealed to the

National Assembly to expedite action on a conducive constitution for state creation as it had b e e n politicized above its social and economic benefits and values.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to impress upon the National Assembly to take seriously the creation of states, saying that a slot should go to the SouthEast to permanently heal the wound inflicted on Ndigbo psyche by the civil war.

He said: “Kwankwaso should know that Ndigbo and other ethic groups in Nigeria can no longer be hoodwinked by spurious census figures that were institutionally manipulated in favour of the North to serve the

Rep scores power sector high on service delivery

BY TONY EDIKE, RENACENT ANUGWOM & EKENE NZEKWE

E

NUGU—CHAIR MAN, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, said yesterday, that the power sector had recorded tremendous improvement in the last one year, stressing that the oversight function of his committee contributed immensely to the achievements made in the sector.

He said that between C M Y K

2011, when the committee on power made its last oversight function and the present round of similar function in the country, which brought them to the South-East zone, a lot of improvement had been recorded, especially in power stability.

Ikhariale, who spoke on the success recorded in the power sector and the role of his committee in ensuring that the sector was repositioned for improved service delivery, noted that several positive changes had occurred across the country

between 2011 and this year.

He said: “There is a saying in my place that you do not tell a blind man that the market is over. When he doesn’t hear any sound any more, he knows that the market is no more.

“I say that we have received commendations; we have received some words of thanks from different parts of Nigeria.

The situation has changed so much from what it used to be. It is true we are not there yet, where we said we want to be as a nation but it is equally true that the situation has improved."

Northern interest.”

He charged the Presidency and other leaders to guard against utterances capable of heating up the polity as the security challenges in the country were more than enough for government to grapple with.

M UA H I A — O B INGWA Local Government Council of Abia State has recovered 11 vehicles from some former political office holders in the council.

The transition committee chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area, Dr. Onyekachi Nwulu, who disclosed this to newsmen, said some of the vehicles were abandoned in mechanic workshops.

He said to maintain

proper record of the council's property, a committee to take an inventory of assets of the council which made the recovery of the vehicles possible was set up.

Nwulu, who was one of the chairmen given award by the forum of councillors in the state, announced that he had carried out a comprehensive inventory of all abandoned water projects in Obingwa with the aim of reactivating them before the year runs out.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

From left: Pastor Noruwa Edokpolo, Mr. Blessing Okpowo, Mr. Sam Amuka, Chairman/Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers and Mr. Gbenga LATE OGBONNAYA AMADIS FAMILY: From left: Ben, Jude, Kachi, all children Adefaye, GM Publications/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd. and the widow, Mrs. Toyin Amadi.

From left: Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo, Chairman, Editorial Board, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Ehi Braimah, From left: Mr. Fred Odueme, AGM, Brands, VanMD/CEO, NEO Media and Marketing and Onochie guard Media Ltd; Mr. Sunny Awevia, Operations ManAnibeze, Group Sports Editor, Vanguard Newspapers. ager and Mr. Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager.

Ihiala LG deputy chairman kidnapped Abductors demand N20m ransom

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—THE deputy chairman of Ihiala local government transition committee, Mr. Ejike Ebulue, has been kidnapped, with the abductors demanding N20 million ransom.

Ebulue, who was named deputy chairman of the council only re-

cently, was kidnapped as he was returning home at the end of the day’s work last week.

For three days, Ebulue’s telephone was switched off until Monday when unknown persons contacted the family with unidentified telephone number and demanded the ransom.

BY TONY EDIKE

Chairman of the local government, Chief Chinedu Ukachukwu, appealed to the kidnappers to release his deputy.

He urged the wife to be patient, assuring her that her husband would be released since the kidnappers had established contact with the family.

Anambra NUT demands 17% teachers enhanced allowance

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

N I T S H A — ANAMBRA State wing of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, wants the state government to pay teachers enhanced allowance of 17.5 per cent approved by the Universal Basic Education Board as it was being paid in other South East states.

Chairman of the union, Mr Ifeanyi Ofodile, told reporters that the issue had been discussed with government

in 2009 but lamented that nothing had been done, even when an agreement was reached between the government and NUT. He appealed to Governor Peter Obi to intervene in the matter to enable their colleagues enjoy what was due them.

The union also lamented that three years after the governor had approved the payment of promotion benefits and arrears of allowances, teachers in the

primary sector were yet to be paid their 2009 to 2011 benefits and arrears.

He said: ”Another issue that deserves attention is the stagnation in one salary Grade level of HND holders in the service of the education commission since 2002.

“The union suggests the engagement of seasoned staff from ASUBEB and local government area staff to help with computation and correction of errors associated with computation of salaries.”

E

NUGU—A group, Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, yesterday, defended Professor Chinua Achebe over his comments on the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, in his book, There was a Country.

The group in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Edeson Samuel, maintained that Achebe committed no crime but just said the truth.

The group chided Ayo Opadokun, Senator Biyi Durojaiye and Jacob Omosanya who described Achebe and his kinsmen as being tribalistic but gave themselves credit of being liberal, accommodating to have allowed the Igbos live undisturbed.

“This is the problem with Nigeria and Yoruba in particular. If you ever say the truth, they will call you names and if possible demand for your head, just like that of John the Baptist who said the truth about Herod and his brother’s wife,” the BZM said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—15

NDDC is sidelining our people, HOSTCOM cries out •Accuses the commission of deviating from its mandate

By CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA—THE Host Community NigerDelta Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, has criticized activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, which it accused of sidelining people of the region in all its programmes since inception.

National Chairman, HOSTCOM, Chief Alfred Bubor, who made this claim when he led a delegation to the Minister of NigerDelta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, in Abuja, also accused the NDDC of deviating from its obligation and mandate.

The NDDC, according to him, has totally deviated from its duties and only propagated selfish agenda which he said strengthened corruption and oil theft in the region.

He added that, despite attempts by past administrations to better the lots of the people, the activities of oil exploration and production leading to gas flaring, had scuttled such developmental effort. Bubor said: “Certain individuals empowered to salvage the people from such devastating disaster were often the

instruments that dis-empower and impoverish the local people.”The people of the communities where the oil and gas are produced have never participated in nor felt their impact. These interventions programmes have always been designed by politicians and Government officials for heir selfish gains.

"The failure have largely been due to to government's frequent interventions, corruptions and institutional capacity deficit."

He harped on the need for the present administration to partner with HOSTCOM to creat edevelopment for the people and not

Contractors storm Ministry of Police Affairs over N7.2bn debt ByKINGSLEY OMONOBI

C

ONTRACTORS numbering about fifty, yesterday, in Abuja protested the refusal of the Ministry of Police Affairs to settle N7.2 billion owed them by the Nigeria Police Force for projects executed since 2008. The placardwielding protesters embarrassed members of

Heads of unity schools dare FG over transfer ••As petitions, rejection of promotions flood Ministry

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

H

EADS of unity col leges have provoked the Federal Government to probe further into activities of principals in the 104 schools over reorganization exercise which sparked off petitions and rejection of promotions in order to remain in schools.

Investigations revealed that some of the principles have been struggling to retain their existing comfort zones, with annual budget running as high as between N180 million and N270 million, with little on nothing to show for the allocation.

Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who invited all the unity colleges principals to a meeting in Abuja, yesterday, expressed displeasure over some principals who, rather than resume in their new posting, resorted to writing petitions, resisting their posting.

According to him, the

politicians who he accused of propagating selfish agenda.

Bubor said: "We are from the immediate community.

We come from the people and they listen to us. We are also working with the youths, to make them see reason why all the activities in the creek must stop so that we will collectively work towards assisting the present administration in is transformation agenda.”

Responding, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, assured the HOSTCOM leadership that the Federal Government will partner with them to bring development to the people at the grass root.

ministry is inundated with petitions and stories of some of the principals blackmailing directors of the ministry over their transfer. The federal government a month ago carried out reorganisation in unity schools, which led to transfer of principals.

He admonished the principals: “Most of you begin to involve people that introduce all kinds of sentiment, when we are talking about quality of education.

Most of you believed that you are born to die in a particular school because of what you benefit from that school. Then what happens to all those posted to rural areas. Are they also born to die there because they do not have people to fight their course?

“People from Rivers State wrote petition and I said as far as I am concerned, the petition does not make sense to me. It means if they were in my position, they will break the rules to help their own people."

the Senate Committee on Police Affairs who were at the ministry to carry out their oversight functions.

The senators later held a meeting with the Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd.), and a representative of the contractors where it was agreed that N2.1 billion would be paid to the contractors in the first installment. During an interactive session, the minister briefed the committee on the level of budget implementation by the ministry and blamed the low implementation on non-release of funds by the ministry of finance.

Olubolade attributed the zero percent budget utilization by the police pension office to the ongoing audit of the department.Senate committee chairman, Senator Paulinus Nwaogu, directed the permanent secretary of the ministry to meet with the committee clerk to compare notes on the funds released and how they were utilized.

He tasked the ministry to resolve the issues around the pension office and to ensure that the funds released to it were utilized.

Nwaogu said that his committee would visit the various project sites to verify the quality of work done and the amount expended on them, adding: “The finance ministry should release funds to police affairs to enable them implement their projects."

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

3 killed in Plateau attack on farmers

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—THREE people were, yesterday, killed at Raku village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State when gunmen opened fire on them, while they were returning from farm.

Two of the farmers died on the spot, while the third farmer sustained injuries. A passer-by was, however, killed in a reprisal attack by angry youths.

Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed the killings. He also confirmed that the third person was killed in a counter-attack by angry youths from the locality.

He said armed policemen have been deployed to the area, while a curfew has been imposed on the local government headquarters and environs from 8pm to 5am until further notice, to forestall further trouble.

Chairman, Management Committee of the

local government, Mr. Emmanuel Loman, described the attack as unfortunate, coming at a time relative calm was returning to the area.

The attack is seen as a setback to the recent peace accord between the native Berom and the Fulani, who have been engaged in hostilities for some time.

85 communities submerged, 19,000 rendered homeless in Benue

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—NO fewer than 85 communities have so far been sacked by flood across Benue State with over 19,000 persons rendered homeless as the devastation continued to take its toll on the people of the state.

Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Adikpo Agbatse, who made this known yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi, said that about 85 percent of the victims were yet to be registered even as their number continued to rise

COMMISSIONING: From left— Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, JAMB Registrar; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and Prof. Rukayattu Ahmed-Rufai, Minister of Education, at the commissioning of the JAMB zonal office in Ilorin, yesterday.

Borno ex-ANPP boss, 2 policemen killed, woman injured

BY NDAHI MARAMA & ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

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AIDUGURI— THREE days after the assassination of a Chinese national, Chen Jangel and an Igbo trader in Gubio town, Borno State, gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram, Monday, night, shot dead the former Chairman of All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, and council Chairman of Gubio Local Government Area, Alhaji Zanna Madami at his residence in the area.

The incident took place at about 10pm.

Meanwhile, Kano State was thrown into pandemonium, yesterday afternoon, following an attack by unidentified gunmen that ambushed and killed two police officers attached to Task Force on Polio Eradication in the state.

A middle-aged woman, whos was a member of the immunisation team, was also hit by a stray bullet during the attack that occurred at Kofar Dawanu, along Katsina highway.

State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris confirmed that the victims were on polio immunisation asC M Y K

at the four resettlement centres approved by the state government for victims.

Agbatse further said the worst hit local government areas in the state were Makurdi, Agatu, Gwer West, Logo and Guma, where thousands of houses and farmlands were submerged.

signment when they were ambushed by unknown gunmen.

However, men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, also known as Operation Restore Order, in Maiduguri has debunked claims in some quarters that its men usually kill innocent people whenever there was an at-

tack by the Boko Haram Islamist sect.

JTF added that there were no established or recorded cases of extra- judicial killing, torture, arson and arbitrary arrests by the military, denying that its men went berserk after the Gwange bomb blast that killed an Army officer and

two JTF members.

In a statement by JTF Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, yesterday, JTF said its patrol vehicle was attacked by suspected Boko Haram members at Gwange, using roadside remote-controlled improvised explosive device, IED.

Benue House Majority Leader attacked

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—MA JORITY Leader of Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Paul Biam, narrowly escaped death, weekend, when some unidentified gunmen fired gun shots at him at Anchia, near Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

Also attacked by the armed men was the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Benjamin Anchaver, who had his car smashed.

Biam told newsmen, yesterday, in Makurdi that the attack was due to political struggle for supremacy by political gladiators in the area ahead of the 2015 elections.

According to him, the attack took place after he had

attended a PDP stakeholders meeting convened by Ukum Local Government Chairman, Mr. Terfa Bossua and attended by the Chief of Staff to Governor Gabriel Suswam, Prof. Saint Gbilekaa and the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Mr. Benjamin Ashaver,

amongst others.

He said: “During the meeting, some strange persons wielding weapons barged into the chairman’s house and I fled.

“It was on my way to Makurdi that a well known deadly organisation operating in the area shot three times at my car.

Luckily I escaped.”

FG blames Mubi massacre on school authorities

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN—AGAINST the backdrop of the killing of 46 students at Mubi, Adamawa State, the Federal Government has said vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, respectively, would be held responsible for the safety of students, particularly those living off campus beginning from the 2013 academic year.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, who made this known in Ilorin, blamed the recent violence on some students of higher institutions across the country on the chief executives of the institutions, saying the government’s new po-

Yakowa commissions road maintenance equipment State Commissioner for ter tanker, among others.

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA—GOVER NOR Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, yesterday, commissioned equipment and machines for roads maintenance and approved N329 million for road rehabilitation.

Works, Mr. Suleiman Richifa, who spoke at the ceremony, said the machines were to compliment the aged ones at the Kaduna State Public Works Agency, KAPWA. The machines worth N186 million, included a bulldozer, a grader, an excavator, pay loader, a wa-

Lamenting the level of the devastation in some parts of the state, the SEMA boss said: “We had alerted those living few kilometres from the banks of the river about the impending deluge, but they all took us for granted.

“If our warning had been heeded by most of the victims of the devastation, the situation would not have been this bad.”

He added that the state government had so far released N16 million for the up-keep and rehabilitation of the victims, which he stressed had enabled his agency to stockpile essential commodities for daily distribution to victims housed in the 10 resettlement centres in Makurdi and Agatu councils.

Agbatse appealed to victims of the flood to desist from rushing back to their homes pending the state government’s assessment of the condition of the buildings affected by the disaster.

He said: “The Governor has also approved N143 million for roads, streetlightning and renovation of roundabouts in Kaduna town.”

In his remarks, Yakowa said he was concerned with the poor state of some local roads in Kaduna metropolis.

sition followed its understanding that it was not the fault of the students to live off campus.

Rufa’i spoke at the commissioning of the new Joint Admissions Matriculation Board, JAMB, Zonal Office in Ilorin, yesterday.

According to the minister, the protection of lives of students, even when they live off campus should be of utmost concern to the heads of tertiary institutions, “especially when it is not absolutely their choice to live off campus, but because we cannot afford to accommodate all of them on campus.”

The minister, who noted that the recent Mubi killings could not be justified under any guise, said every Nigerian should condemn the unfortunate incident and support government's fight against the current security challenges.

Rufa’i further pointed out that there would have been no basis for appointment of headship of higher institutions if they were not occupied by human beings who had property.

He asked the heads of tertiary institutions to ensure that the safety of lives and property remained a major priority.

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012— “An old man’s mouth may be twisted, but his words are not”- Zambian Proverb

dig at General Gowon will be nothing new; and while he may not have an entire army of supporters to defend his integrity and his own version of history, there will be many in the North who will see him as representing the best in Northern traditional commitment and sacrifices for the survival and unity of Nigeria.

C

I

BY CHUKWUDI ENEKWECHI

T should be recalled that following security breaches some months ago at Okene Kogi State, the state government had cause to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the rocky town. On the heels of that also is that the Federal Government deployed troops to maintain and keep the peace in the area. One of the measures the troops adopted was to set up road blocks on the federal highway in the town, which is the only connecting link (road) between the Northern part of the country and the South, including Lagos. Put simply, Kogi is the confluence state and that is where the South and North meet.

However, what this security measure has turned out and which is habitual with our society is that the soldiers have capitalized on the security challenges to make life hell on earth for travellers and motorists on the route.

Rather than concentrate on the patriotic duty of checking crime and criminality or terrorism as the case may be, the road blocks have been turned into “toll gates” by the soldiers.

C M Y K

I

Living history major reactions. And reactions are coming in, thick and strong.

Apologists for the Igbo cause see vindication of the version that Igbo courage and character was defeated only by use of “inhuman” tactics like starvation, and callous connivance of Yoruba leaders against a “Hausa” (or Northern) enemy. Defenders of the image and legacies of Awolowo remind the Igbo that they triggered a chain of events out of arrogance and disrespect for others, and paid a just price for their folly. If people starved during the war, they will say, it can only be part of the tragedies that all wars are, and parties in conflicts choose the safest and quickest routes to end them. Other versions of the history will highlight many of its elements that showed deeply-sensitive considerations for a nation fighting itself; for post-war reconciliation and rehabilitation; and for many wrong assumptions and mistakes made by leaders and commanders that cost thousands of lives. There are yet others who will remember thousands of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to re-unite the nation; citizens who will remember the incredible speed of genuine reconciliation among ordinary folks and people; and a world that still marvels at the ability of the Nigerian people to move beyond a very bitter civil war.

Competing views in history

S

o Achebe’s views will join many others which compete in our minds in terms of our history. But they will do more than provide another version or insight into the history of the civil war. At a time when the nation is desperate to overcome massive faultlines emerging around ethnic boundaries, the allegations that Igbo people were a victim of callous and calculated policy of genocide by

Northern and Western leaders cannot but deepen these faultlines. The

Prof. Chinua Achebe

n any case, the arguments and quarrels which Achebe’s book will generate will not drown those already engaging the nation’s attention. The book is being released at a time the nation is facing the biggest threats to its unity and security since the civil war.

It will remind the nation of its current problems, some of which have parallels in the past. We have an insurgency which has tied down our entire security assets around its repudiation of the Nigerian state. We have a democratic system which is creating massive cleavages around groups and regions, and an economy working to produce incredibly wealthy and tiny minority, and intolerable poverty among the vast majority of Nigerians.

,

HINUA ACHEBE’S latest book There Was a Country has predictably opened up a vigorous debate over some of the more sensitive aspects of the Nigeria civil war. Even before his countrymen and women have read the book, the more sensational parts of the book are being given very wide circulation. Suddenly, we are in the grip of a debate that involves many participants who were born long after the war, and a few who lived through it or participated in it. It is unlikely that key players like General Yakubu Gowon or some of the former leaders and military officers who were active in the execution of the war will join the fray. Which may be just as well, because while history has its value, there is also merit in being circumspect and avoiding maddening crowds who chase bits and pieces of history to make sense of the present.

Old man Achebe’s motives for waking up some ghosts in our chequered history may include a primordial but belated need to put himself forward as a champion of the Igbo people. For a man who has spent decades out of his slowly-decaying nation, content to throw in a condemnation here and a rejection of an honour there, history will judge him as a citizen who shines like a star that lights other peoples land more brightly. Perhaps this book is a form of atonement; or perhaps it is a genuine attempt to contribute to a sad chapter in the history of the nation, forty-odd years after the event. In any case, he must know that some of the positions he takes in the book will compound the current disarray at the political level, at a time when political leaders have failed to engineer a hegemony and national cohesion, and have all scurried into tribal holes.

Achebe says that General Gowon and Chief Awolowo designed and implemented a policy of genocide against the Igbo people in the manner they deliberately starved the population during the war. The operative concept here is genocide, a now familiar and abhorrent policy of attempting, or succeeding in extermination of particular groups. At this stage of the history of our civil war, all that is left is emotion. And for a nation where quite possibly 70 percent of the population was born after 1970, and has been fed on a staple of widelydivergent versions of history, allegations of genocide against past leaders(including one, Awolowo, who is still venerated) are bound to elicit

The book is being released at a time the nation is facing the biggest threats to its unity and security since the civil war; it will remind the nation of its current problems, some of which have parallels in the past

allegation may serve to rally Igbo people around the sentiments of the underdogs of the Nigerian nation, the enterprising people we all have to conspire and put down in order to find space. It will feed a fallacy which has some political capital, but has no factual or historical credibility. The post-mortem assault on Awolowo may rekindle some age-old residue of IgboYoruba rivalry and hostility, and harm some distant hope that the two most “progressive” groups in Nigeria may yet find a basis for working together to give this nation the best opportunity to utilize its considerable intellectual, economic and political potential. The

,

If Achebe’s latest book will have any value, it will be located in its reminder that the Nigerian state has failed to produce citizens out of its many tribes.

It reminds us that failures of our leaders to build genuine democratic systems and strong economies around the productive activities and needs of our people are reflected in the existence of tribe and faith as major categories in the manner we compete for, and allocate resources. If a new generation of Nigerian leaders should emerge, they should read authors like Achebe to chart a course different from those his generation charted.

OPINION Army road blocks at Okene Under the pretence of enforcing the ban of human and vehicular traffic (curfew) from 6:00pm to 6:am daily, the soldiers now use it as avenue to oppress and inflict unbearable pain on long distance travellers along the Okene federal highway. Come to think of it, why should all vehicles coming from Abuja and other parts of the North, and those from opposite direction be compelled to park from 6:00pm to 6:00am before crossing the road blocks at Okene? Granted that a curfew is in place, yet the powers that be ought to plan in such a way as to evaluate the situation on a case by case basis, mostly as it relates to federal highway users. Why should we turn life into hell on earth for fellow citizens? Why should life always be hellish in our own country?

Lest we forget, this curfew has been in place since June this year, but as a temporal measure it ought not to last more than two weeks, if indeed our security agencies are on top of the situation. The after effect of this punitive road closure can be best imagined when we consider

the hundreds of thousands of people or even millions being traumatized as a result of this particular harsh measure or do we count the many lives that may have been lost inadvertently following the federal road closure.

It is also possible that the Army High Command may not know what transpires on day to day basis at the outposts, especially as most “Ogas” sit in their cozy and air conditioned offices at Abuja, only to rely on paper reports from field commanders. This has to change as the lack of supervision of soldiers sent to field jobs creates room for abuses and the consequent effect of untold hardship on the citizenry.

Regarding the “toll gates”, it is pertinent to point out that it is unbecoming to see Nigerian soldiers extort money or collect bribe from motorists, worse still after causing them to go through 12 hours of excruciating pain of waiting in long traffic. It is sad that soldiers who are well remunerated have chosen to

compromise their integrity and condescend to the level we usually associate with only the Nigeria Police.

Time has therefore come for the authorities, both at state and federal levels, to re-assess the activities of troops deployed along Okene federal highway. There is no doubt that even with the security challenges confronting the nation, it will do all of us a world of good if adequate contingency plans are put in place to ease the hardships likely to arise from security operations.

Also, an honest periodic evaluation or reassessment of the minute details in carrying out the assigned tasks will greatly enhance army-civilian relations.

It is simply tyrannical to willfully subject innocent citizens to undeserved suffering on account of security challenges and for a country practicing democracy, this method is simply unacceptable.

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

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

N

IGERIA is in its longest stretch of civil rule. The 13 years of uninterrupted civilian administration has expanded the yearning for more democratic space in politics and in the handling of our individual and group affairs.

These agitations have taken wings of their own and in some cases have resulted in conflicts. The impression being created that Nigeria’s democracy has not grown in 13 years is not true. It is possible that our expectations have outgrown democracy.

Spectacular growth has been witnessed in the number of political parties, more than 56, which has ballooned from the three that contested the elections in 1999. What has not changed is the responsibility of the politicians and the political parties to the electorate.

There has also been little democracy in the conduct of public office holders. They consider the people irrelevant and carry on as if they are masters, instead of the servants that they presented themselves as during the campaigns.

Political parties, in their wisdom, have no manifestos, hardly hold rallies to sell them-

For 2015 to be different selves to the people and the resources of the individual politician and his ability to hound others out of the way have become stronger instruments for accessing power than ideas that are canvassed and accepted by the people.

Nigerians suffer from beliefs in some quarters that democracy cannot protect their interests. inadequate attention to individual liberties enhances such beliefs. Policies that cause job losses, less access to information, illegal arrests and detentions, and other injustices, collide with personal liberties.

How would Nigeria be different in 2015? Politicians stake their right to political positions with a conviction that renders the people irrelevant. One way they have demonstrated this is the absence of campaigns to make their

programmes public. Another is increasing refusal to consider the public’s interests in policies.

Nigerians should stop complaining and hold politicians accountable. From legislators, at all levels to executives, politicians’ responsibility to the electorate, as enunciated in the Constitution, is a fair platform for the public to engage them. Desperation for power is a source of concern.

Impatience of politicians with constitutional processes remains alarming. They have no convictions about parties or their pro grammes. With months to the elections, some of them would be changing parties and the 56 choices.

The 2015 elections that are more than two years away should be different in defining growth of the democratic belief of Nigerians.

Early efforts in strengthening the electoral procedures, the establishment of the centrality of ordinary Nigerians in the political process, would afford people opportunities for more active participation in politics without which there would be little difference in the realisation of our democratic expectations.

OPINION

BY AMBROSE UWAKWE

A

DAY in a political life can reveal more spectacle than star gazers can imagine. For Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, the last Saturday in September was longer than any other day in his telling political life history.

It was a day he caused some heavy guns in Nigerian politics to be moved to his Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise country home in solidarity.

Name them: Senate President David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, state governors, senators and honourable members serving and retired, captains of industry, society’s movers and shakers.

Ihedioha showed why his meteoric rise through the national power grid did not happen by accident. His hat-trick of garlands was meticulously planned and executed with the precision of a Swiss carnival. The unprecedented idea of combining the celebration of his dear mother, Dame Dorothy 80th birthday with the dedication of a Church building in her honour as well as the commissioning of a PDP office for use in his ward attracted a huge crowd of associates and admirers, the calibre and size of which has not been witnessed in Mbaise in recent memory.

However, it was the new alignment of forces reshaping politics in Imo State and the South East zone on display that set the

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At Mbutu Mbaise, rebranded Imo PDP reveals new strengths event’s tone of discussion. Leading this new coalition was PDP’s National Vice Chairman, South East zone, Colonel Austin Akobundu (rtd.), who led the party’s big wigs in a show of solidarity to Mbaise, putting a public face to an enterprise around which new winning template is being fashioned. Imo State, once considered one of PDP’s safest bets, was lost to the All Grand Progressive Alliance, APGA, in the long-drawn, hotly contested 2011 governorship election, a shocking loss which altered the political calculus in the South East.

One year after, however, both APGA and PDP are experiencing different strokes.

APGA is enmeshed in terminally crippling crises, which pundits predict will lead it to extinction. The exit of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu dealt APGA a crippling blow.

APGA still controls Anambra and Imo states, but just. A former Secretary to the state government in one of the South Eastern states who was a guest openly bragged that the party was writhing in the throes of imminent death. In his estimate, by publicly humiliating and antagonising Governor Peter Obi while banking on Imo’s Rochas Okorocha, a flighty political bird with no preferred nest, APGA is brewing its

own suicide potion. APGA’s succession intrigues are tearing the party apart in Anambra and the centre can no longer hold.

It is a platform on the verge of implosion and political talk in the East now is of a post-APGA era. The party now resembles a freshly bereaved family of a powerful oligarch whose wayward children, with no understanding of what their late father stood for, are determined to destroy his legacy to prevent rival brothers gaining any advantage over the other. The fight between APGA chairman Victor Umeh and Governor Obi is seen as APGA’s last ritual dance before decapitation.

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DP, on the other hand is enjoying a new bounce. The party is steadily regaining its magic, winning elections, welcoming former members and reconciling grumbling ones, along a path scripted by Akobundu, who promised in his acceptance speech to work for the reconciliation and repositioning the party in the zone. First Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe of PDP defeated APGA’s Chidi Ibe in the rerun of the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency late February 2012. Then PDP’s Eugene Dibiagwu won the Oguta state constituency by beating APGA’s Walter Uzonwanne to a distant second. In

the midst of the euphoria, Imo’s fumbling Governor Okorocha handed PDP a big stick to beat him in public. Okorocha sacked all the 27 local government council chairmen and councillors he met on assumption of office on May 29, 2011, an illegitimate act robustly challenged in court by PDP’s lawyers. In July, the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division handed the party a historic victory, nullifying the sack of the chairmen and councillors, a ruling that placed PDP on a moral high ground while reducing APGA and Okorocha to a bunch of antidemocratic adventurists with an ill-defined urge to pander to cheap popularity. How times change.

The Akobundu/Ihedioha partnership is Imo’s new game changer. Both entered the political arena intellectually equipped and battle-ready. Akobundu, a former Army Signals Officer and immediate past National Ex-Officio member earned his political laurels in his home state Abia as a leader with integrity. Akobundu alone fought Governor Orji Uzor Kalu in Abia PDP’s 2003 primary election.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 * Mr. Uwakwe, a commentator on national issues wrote from Mbaise, Imo State .

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012— —19

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HE casualty figures continue to hover between 40 and 50 (possibly more), but there is no doubt that last week’s killings in Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa State, was by any standard a massacre. The killings which cut across tertiary institutions in the state have led to the exodus of students out of the State and the general public from parts of the State that has for long been under the torment of the renegade Islamic group that claims to be against Western values, particularly, so-called Western education. The security agencies, apparently to mitigate the enormity of the incident, initially tried to put blame for the gory crime elsewhere, far from the renegade group we have all known to perpetrate this kind of mindless murders, but it didn’t take long for the bottom to come off that lame and incompetent attempt. There is no reason to suspect that the security agencies won’t yet try to put a gap between the massacre and the Islamic group but such attempt would only strengthen the impression that the authorities are

not to be believed in matters such as this. The style of the massacre bears all the imprint of the cowardly group that has for long operated in this part of the North.

In the unlikely event that it is proven that the ugly night operation was carried out by some other group, such group must have direct links with the terrorists that claim a religious cover for their activities. But whatever spin the authorities may want to put on it, there can be no denying the link of the terrorist group in the killings at a time the curfew imposed on the state was supposedly still in effect. Worst affected are the Federal Polytechnic Mubi and the two other tertiary institutions in the State- the Adamawa State University and the College of Health Technology. Certainly, all three institutions couldn’t have been holding student elections at the same time, for the police tried to link the killings to internal bickering among student politicians?

As might be expected, students of these institutions didn’t need to be told to leave the unsafe

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environment of their campuses even when the killings took place well away from the campuses. The point is that the terrorists in question have succeeded in using violence to propagate their campaign against non-Islamic education. In a part of the country where literacy level is generally very low, this is indeed double jeopardy for the entire future of the North.

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nd if Nigeria remains a single entity, the backward state of education in the North will continue to be a major point of tension for we might need to know for how long other parts of the country would need to be held back by one part that is determined not to move forward despite all attempts to make it move. The point I’m driving at is that Nigerians, especially community leaders, in parts of the North that have been affected by the terrorist onslaught of the last three to four years must recognise they have a common agenda to come together, irrespective of their religious leanings, to take the fight to the terrorists who live in their midst.

The so-called majority that have been silent become complicit in the

Governor Yakowa and IGR

BY EMMANUEL ADO

G

OVERNOR Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, knows that the only way to keep his legion of opponents quiet, is to deliver real democratic dividends. This is against the backdrop of the fact that he will hardly ever be judged for his strengthening of institutions, willingness to act in a transparent and fair manner, nor his readiness to be accountable for his decisions and actions, which includes prudent use of resources and acts that are as important as the construction of roads and houses.

In Nigeria it will always be by the number of roads, health centers – even when there are no medical doctors to man them- and so on that one will be judged. Contracts must be awarded and the governor would be applauded as hard working. The quiet work of ensuring that medical doctors are trained by the state university, the absence of thugs running errands and such like, is not an evidence of an “action governor”.

So, Yakowa, who by nature is, unassuming and a very contented person, has drastically changed, especially as regards raising resources to fund his developmental projects, which places equal premium on human capital development, as in the provision of infrastructure. His ambition to drastically increase the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, must be viewed against this background of an emerging and creative perspective to maximize the potential of the sleeping giant that is Kaduna State.

Kaduna State, the third most populous state in Nigeria, with a population of about seven million people, gets between N4.5 billion to N5 billion monthly from the federation account; and an internally generated revenue of about N700 million.

Between May 2011 and April 2012, the state has generated about N10 billion, got about N61 billion from the federation account and

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a paltry N9 billion from value added tax.

And of this amount, recurrent expenditure and pension and gratuity gulped about N26 billion. Add overhead cost, and the huge expenditure on security, this will make the informed appreciate why the Governor had to set up and chair the high powered committee on revenue generation. In spite of paucity of funds, Kaduna State is witnessing massive development in virtually all sectors. This is largely attributable to the prudent management of resources by the Governor and his team, even as efforts continue to block leakages in the system.

Studies show that most states only collect a fraction of their total revenue just as Internally Generated Revenue for most states, account for only about 10 percent of their total revenue. The implication of this is that the bulk of their revenue comes from the federation account and Value Added Tax, VAT. In this wise, when Abuja fails, states are always in a terrible mess.

It was in his determination to change this ugly trend, that Yakowa inaugurated a 21member committee with the mandate of identifying untapped revenue and workable strategies towards collecting the revenue, a critical examination of the internal revenue machinery and lastly, but more importantly, the implementation of its report. A welcome development because in Nigeria, nonimplementation of reports is our second nature. It is indeed the bane of all serious developmental efforts.

From the report of the revenue strategic objective committee, the immediate objective of government is the funding of the entire overhead expenditure of the state government in the short term and in the long run, the more than N4.3 billion huge monthly wage bill of the civil service from IGR. Most people have been asking about the capacity of the state government to achieve this target? Is the target not over ambitious they ask? A question they ought

criminal destruction of their region to the extent they are prepared to remain silent and continue to accommodate the terrorists in their midst. This task does not absolve Abuja from its obvious failure to arrest the situation in the North. The point being made here is that political and religious leaders in the affected parts of the North have a major task of ensuring the safety of their people. This observation has been made now and again by many Nigerians but many Northern leaders seem content to remain silent in the face of the tyranny of a murderous few, only coming out to shout themselves hoarse at those who call on them to speak out. At other times they turn to attack others they perceive as critical of their religion.

But to go back to my earlier point, whatever political/religious leaders do or fail to do in the North does not absolve Abuja from its responsibility of protecting Nigerians from all parts of the country residing in the region. The ritual of presidential promises/ orders to bring perpetrators of these acts of mass murders to justice rings hollow. We have heard enough of this and what Nigerians would like to see is action. Until the latest incident, the authorities appear to be making some progress with the arrest and smoking out of some leaders/ members of the terrorist group but such progress as might have been made has once more been reversed by the killing of so many students whose only crime was being what they were- students. For how long would this continue; for how long must Nigerians continue to live under the fear that they are not protected even when a president sits in Abuja? It is ironical that only days after these killings the Presi-

,

The Mubi massacre and the change of military guards

Many Northern leaders seem content to remain silent in the face of the tyranny of a murderous few, only to shout at those who call on them to speak out

The Yakowa initiative is highly commendable because it is a total package which has critically blocked leakages in the revenue agencies

,

not ask, considering that the initiative is after all about the development of the state and that finally the government is calling on the people to play their role in the provision of services. ut the indications so far are looking good as the initiative has substantially increased the IGR. Figures from the Ministry Finance showed a 40 percent increase in IGR between January to June 2012, in comparison to the same period in 2011, and this is in spite of the security challenges. It can be made better if professionals who have the habit of charging scandalous fees, but are only willing to pay N3,000 a year as income tax, pay what is appropriate and commensurate with their income.

More importantly, if only the elite who talk the most, but will never pay their ground and water rates, and if only some vehicle Inspection Officers will work for the common good and not themselves, Kaduna State would be free from the “slavery of federation account”.

While, it is true that payment of taxes would always be unpopular, particularly in Nigeria, it must be understood that it has never and would never be popular. Kaduna State has a responsibility to provide services, infrastructure, security, etc. So, how does it raise the much needed fund to meet its obligations if it doesn’t impose taxes? It must be noted that taxes alone can never provide

B

dent appointed two new service chiefs. Of course the change of guards had been in the works before the Mubi massacre. But what one would like to know is the connection between the change of military chiefs and the general insecurity in the country, especially in the North. Is there really any link between the two? I very much doubt it! And this is where the problem lies with President Jonathan’s appointments. He makes appointments that do not seem to have been influenced by the performance or otherwise of his appointees. It is by no means clear by what parameters the President appoints those who work with him. Which leaves one to wonder if these appointments are not just mere sharing of pork.

In decent places appointments are based on performance but with President Jonathan this does not appear to be the case. There does not appear to be any logic to the kinds of appointments the President makes and this is evident in his latest effort of signing performance contract with ministers that have been in office for many months. He found it difficult to effect changes in the police hierarchy at a time the police appeared to have reached a brick wall in its fight against criminal elements who laid siege on its headquarters.

Now he has appointed new service chiefs, can Nigerians expect to see improved changes in the affairs of the military or in the general state of security in the country? What do the latest appointments portend and what does the President expect of his new service chiefs? Or does he want to wait until another breach in security before handing out performance contract to his men?

the entire revenue that any government needs. But it can at least substantially meet the need. And this is what Yakowa wants to achieve.

The duty of the government, in my opinion, remains to ensure that revenue collected is judiciously spent on the well-being of the people. And the duty of the people, the reason for the existence of government, is that they play their part in the social contract – by paying their taxes. The payment further guarantees them the right to ask questions.

And this is the beauty of the efforts by governments as they go back to the basics .

A development that will invariably help institute a culture of accountability and fiscal discipline.

The Yakowa initiative is highly commendable because it is a total package which has critically blocked leakages in the revenue agencies and worked out a package of incentives to motivate revenue staff. It has also brought charges and rates which have been stagnant over a very long period of time, to new economic realities. This has been made possible by the inauguration of a governing board for the revenue board, engagement of consultants in the area of direct assessment, tax audits, motor vehicle licensing and ICT software platform to partner with the revenue board. The government has also, while embarking on an aggressive public enlightenment, set up a revenue court. Having ensured that it actually collects what is due to it, the Kaduna State government has now delved into the issue of untapped revenue sources.

Professionals from Abuja Geographical Information System, AGIS, are presently working with the state government to deliver a Kaduna Geographical Information System, KGIS, promulgation of new laws, like the hotel surcharge law, the exploration of mineral resources would be given a big push when the on -going geological mapping of minerals In the state is completed.

Mr Ado, a journalist, wrote from Kaduna, Kaduna State.

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Debate of the masses

Waiting ffor or the Fir st Firs Lady

BY EBELE ORAKPO

honestly speak “ BUT ing, I am missing

Danger beckons...One of the numerous gully erosion sites in the state

*Stagnant pool of water at the entrance of the road leading to the Zonal Office of NIS in Owerri.

In Imo, it’s suffering and smiling in service I

F the some officials of the Zonal Office of Nigerian Immigration Services, NIS, did not invite Vanguard Metro, VM, to the decoration of their newly promoted personnel, our reading public may never have known the level of suffering officers and men of three uniformed organisations are passing through in this day and age.

The zonal offices of Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Prison Service and Nigerian Immigration Service are located within the same compound tucked away in a distant part of the Industrial Layout, off OwerriOnitsha dual carriage way, Owerri.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer of NIS, Mrs. G. O. Nwaka, put a call across to VM when she was told that our Correspondent was not in the office. This conversation ensued: PRO: Hello Sir, I am the PRO of Nigerian Immigration Service. I am in your office to invite you to the decoration of our newly promoted officers.

VM: Which arm of Immigration, state or zone?

PRO: The Zonal Office.

VM: How do we get there? Should I come in a canoe or car?

PRO: (Had a good laugh and replied) In a car.

With this reply, VM C M Y K

thought the road had been made accessible.

This was not to be as VM encountered series of stagnant water located at the entrance into the road leading to the Zonal Office of NIS. However, armed with the PRO’s response, VM made a move into the stagnant water and only discovered it was an ocean.

The “ocean” almost swallowed our Correspondent’s car, yanking off the back bumper in the process. Anger and frustration set in.

Salvaging what remained of the bumper was very troublesome. A call was

,

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

The “ocean” almost swallowed our Correspondent’s car, yanking off the back bumper in the process; anger and frustration set in

,

put across to the marketers of my brand of vehicle immediately and was told that it would cost more than N100,000 to fix a new bumper!

This situation clearly brought to the fore, what officers and men of NCS, NIS and NPS pass

through, on a daily basis, to get to their offices. Literally speaking, they have continued to suffer and smile despite their level of suffering and drain on their take home salary.

Some of the vehicles owned by these Federal Government officers have been wrecked irredeemably. Fela who sang Suffering and Smiling will today be laughing in his grave!

The situation is said to explain why not much is heard about the activities of the three zonal offices of these Federal G o v e r n m e n t establishments located in this largely submerged area of Owerri. This is because only but the most daring journalist would venture there, except a situation of emergency occurs.

On the event proper, 22 NIS officers were decorated. The Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone E, Owerri, Chief Chibueze John Adike, superintended over the exercise. He was assisted by the Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Imo-Abia Area Command, Mr. Brisibe Terry and the Acting Assistant Comptroller General/Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Prison Service, Mr. Charles Ahaotu.

Addressing the newly decorated officers later, Chief Adike reminded them that their elevation calls for more serious

work and appealed to those not promoted this time, to expect theirs in future.

“Your elevation to new ranks is a call for more hard work. Your elevation brings you face to face with new challenges. You must be prepared to discharge your duties with dedication. Do not do anything that will make the Service regret promoting you,” Chief Adike said.

It was the considered view of the ACG that every worker expects to be promoted, stressing that labour must be adequately compensated and hard work will be recognised, even as he opined that it is God that promotes.

Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Mrs. Juliet Achonwa, who was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Immigration, CSI, recalled that most of them had attended the promotion interview several times before and urged those who were not so lucky this time to remain steadfast in God and committed to the Service.

The questions VM is asking are: When will the road leading to these Federal Government establishments be paved?

When will the officers and men of NIS, NPS and NCS stop suffering and smiling? Is it in this day and age? Only time will tell.

our First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan oo,” commented Chioma Monday morning as the commuter bus crawled along with other vehicles in the early morning showers.

“Me too!” concurred Abe. “These politicians don’t seem to know where to draw the line. They don’t get it at all; for God’s sake, you don’t play politics with life.

How could the President who witnessed how the late President Yar’Adua’s case was handled and the mess they made of it in the end allow himself to be caught in the same trap? I bow for Nigerian politicians oo.”

“Will they ever learn?

What is so difficult in telling the people that the First Lady is sick? That they are human too and not super human? That the family is going through a painful period?

That the children are missing their mother?

What is so hard in that?” queried Chioma.

Said Pat: “Oh, they are super human oo. How can they be sick? They do not pass through what ordinary mortals pass through…”

“Believe you me, Nigerians are a great lot. If those in Aso Rock had opened their mouths to tell them the true situation, you will see them raising prayer points in places of worship, temporarily forgetting their pains,” said Chioma, asking: “By the way, what did they say is the problem with her?”

“I don’t know oo. From going to have a well deserved rest, to food poisoning, to tummy tuck procedure gone awry; to Parkinson’s,” replied Pat. “Ah ah! exclaimed TJ. “Only one human being?

Haba!”

“They are all speculations. No one seems to know what exactly is

wrong with her because those who should know better than to hoard information on public figures have refused to talk, giving rise to speculations,” noted Abe. “Exactly! As for getting information, we must get.

If we don’t hear from the horse’s mouth, we will hear from the rumour mill. So their silence activated the rumour mongers and they are on overdrive,” said Dayo.

“The latest gist is that she has passed on,” intoned Abel.

“Ehn, if na you get all these ailments, you no go pack up with all that ailment?” asked Chioma.

“No, she is alive. I read in the papers that she has cancer of the uterus,” informed Dayo.

“On a more serious note, I miss the woman,” Chioma repeated.

“Why? She dey give you contracts?” asked Pat.” “She used to make me laugh with all those faux pas of hers like “My fellow widows”; “My husband is a good couple…” said Chioma.

“Pleeease! Come on!

How could you say such things? I am sure the woman never said things like that. People just forge things to make fun of her…” said Abe. “Oh well, whether she did or not, it is a welcome comic relief. At least, we are all laughing now. She is like sunshine in the thick dark cloud called Nigerian politics,” said Chioma.

“What else is she suffering from? Diarrhoea of the mouth? This is sickening to say the least,” said TJ. Countered Abel: “Tell those hoarding vital information. They have refused to divulge the correct information so rumours are flying all over the place. Perhaps, that could force them to tell Nigerians what is happening to their amiable First Lady.”

“I think we must all pray for her,” concluded Chioma.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 21

STORIES BY FRANKLIN ALLI

T

HE Federal Government and the United Kingdom are working to double their bilateral trade to N2 trillion by the year 2014.

The current value of trade between the two nations stands at £4 billion (about N960 billion) presently.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and the Secretary, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, United Kingdom, Dr. Vince Cable noted that the two countries have identified the factors militating against bilateral trade effective trade, saying that they are now being addressed to ensure the actualisation of the 2014 deadline.

Aganga explained that issues of barriers to trade were being looked into, in addition to the strategies aimed at reviving the Small and Medium Enterprises sector as well as the Diaspora.

He said the meeting between the Ministry of Trade and Investment and its counterpart in the United Kingdom was a follow up to an earlier discussion between the leaders of the two countries, President Goodluck Jonathan and David Cameron, where they agreed to increase the volume of trade by 100 per cent.

“We have had a useful business to business roundtable, which is a follow up to the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and David Cameron, where they both set a target to double trade in the two countries by the year 2014.

“There is no shortage of interest in investment in Nigeria. We have all it takes to attract investment. We are making the environment friendlier. We have fertile land, good weather condition, 34 solid minerals in commercial quantity, all of which

167.95

+0.20

2,379.00

-3.00

21.39

-0.15

From left: Planning & Analytics Manager, Nokia West Africa, Mr. Olufikayo Aremu; representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Ita Calix; winner of dinner for two in the on-going Nokia 30 Amazing Days Promo, Mr. Serge Akotossode and Marketing Manager, Nokia West Africa. Mr. Kesiena Ogbemi, at the Nokia 30 Amazing Days Promo first prize presentation, in Lagos.

Nigeria, UK bilateral trade to hit N2trn by 2014 make Nigeria an investment destination of choice,” he said.

Aganga stressed that the Ministry of Trade and Investment was focusing on SMEs and other growth drivers to engender inclusive economic growth and translate Nigeria’s seven per cent Gross Domestic Product growth into actual improvement in the standard of living of Nigerians.

“By 2014 to 2015, things will

111.66

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89.26

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CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.75 248.1262 200.6024 165.5966 1.9769 0.2854 237.4941 24.6087 41.2634 26.8934 238.9804

155.25 248.9279 201.2506 166.1316 1.9833 0.2954 238.2615 24.6887 41.3967 26.9803 39.7526

155.75 249.7296 201.8987 166.6667 1.9897 0.3054 239.0288 24.7686 41.53 27.0672 240.5247

CBN Exchange rate as at 09/10/2012 C M Y K

change because we are working seriously to change the environment in terms of infrastructure and power generation in particular,” the minister said.

Also speaking at the meeting, Cable explained that the focus of the United Kingdom in terms of its trade relation with Nigeria was not the issue of which country led in the volume of trade, but an assurance of trade growth be-

tween both countries.

“We do not worry if there is an imbalance against the United Kingdom. If we do not import crude oil from Nigeria, we could import from other countries. The important thing is that trade is growing in both directions. That is the key because it is mutually beneficial. We want to see barriers being removed,” he added.

Meanwhile, prior to the

press briefing, the two ministers had an interactive session with leading companies (in the construction, fashion and textile, education and creative sectors, among others), both from the United Kingdom and Nigeria on the right collaboration that will increase trade between both countries and empower Nigerians.

CBN should reduce benchmark interest rate — LCCI T

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce its benchmark interest rat e , t h e monetary policy rate (MPR) to boost private sector credit, domestic demand, employment and economic growth.

In statement, LCCI President, Goodie Ibru, observed that since

the last MPC meeting held in September, there has been a steady decline in aggregate credit to the economy and private sector in particular.

“Aggregate net credit by banks to the domestic economy fell by 2.7 per cent and 0.1 per cent in the second and first quarter of the year respectively.”

“This is largely due to the sustained monetary tightening, significant rise in government domestic borrowing, and attractive yield of government bonds and trea-

sury bills. The tight monetary policy stance continues to keep funds out of the reach of the private sector.

With the planned issue of Treasury Bill to absorb all maturing bills in the fourth quarter, liquidity is expected to remain tighter with the private sector at the receiving end,” he said.

“Contrary to our yearnings for a relaxed monetary regime, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept all the key monetary policy variables unchanged.

The committee affirmed that

its decision at the last MPC meeting in July have had desired effects on inflation, stability of short term interest rates, build-up of the external reserves and the stability of the exchange rate.

MPC held MPR unchanged at 12 percent, sustained the symmetric corridor at 200 basis points, retain Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 12 percent and minimum liquidity ratio is retained at 30 percent.

Since July 2010, the MPC has adjusted the MPR by 100 percent from 6percent to 12 percent currently.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Liquidity flow to stock market rises by 46.4% ..Market making stimulates activities in penny stocks

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

V

ARIOUS measures be ing put in place to stimulate activities in the capital market seem to have started yielding results as liquidity flow to the market increased by 46.4 per cent to an average of N3.42 billion per day in the month of September.

The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, FDC, Mr. Bismark Rewane, made the assertion, while reviewing activities in the economy and capital market for the month of October.

He, however, stated that despite the increase in liquidity, Nigerian market still remained highly illiquid relative to other emerging markets.

The FDC boss cautioned that “inflow of hot money could lead to a domestic capital market bubble.”

Meanwhile, Rewane observed that there was increase in activity in small-cap stocks in the portfolio of market makers recently constituted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE.

He said, “Market making activity has not resulted in diversion of funds from traditionally heavy traded stocks. There has been no significant change in

activity of large and mid-cap stocks. However, the impact of market-making activity will be better judged in upcoming months.”

He adjudged September the best performing months in the capital market since the market crashed the last three years, saying that there was 9.5 per

From left: Mr Thabo Mabe, Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc; Mr Frank Braeken, Executive Vice President, Unilever Africa; Elohor Olumide-Awe, Assistant Category Manager; Mr David Ukeme, Marketing Director and Mr Kalpesh Parmar,Customer Marketing Director all of Unilever at the reception in honour of Braeken, in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Gov’s aide warns against recipe for ongoing privatisation

BY PETER EGWUATU

M

ANAGING Director/ CEO of Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr.

Olice Kemenanabo has warned that the on-going privatization of electricity distribution in the country may end up in a fiasco if certain key post-acquisition success variables are not factored into the criteria for selecting the preferred bidders by the Bureau of Public Enterprises BPE. Speaking on “The New Power Distribution Model: Peculiarities of the Niger Delta” in Lagos at the weekend, Kemenanabo who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Power, urged the privatization agencies handling the new power distribution process to ensure that the bidder with the best knowledge of the local environment and affinity with the State Governments should be some of the key considerations for selecting the preferred bidder for the new power distribution model.

He added that size of utility experience of the bidders; experience in rural and urban areas and the need for the state government’s participation are other key pre-requisites for the post-acquisition operation success of the preferred bidder.

He asked rhetorically, are the partners familiar with the terrain? Can the shortlisted bid-

ders deliver; can they take power to the rural riverine areas? ‘’We must ensure that we select somebody who has a track record of having done it before with great competence’’, he said, stressing that loss reduction figures should not be a strait-jacket parameter for selecting preferred bidders as against technical experience, size of previous operations and adequate knowledge of the environment.

Kemenanabo however, cautioned that electricity is not a product; but a process, stressing that, ‘we must make sure that the right technical framework is put in place to sustain the success of liberalization post acquisition. He said, ‘’otherwise, the beautiful work already done by the respective privatization agencies in the exercise shall end up making a hero out of a monopoly franchise we’ve all condemned as being the cause of the lack of electricity ’’.

Of the three components of electricity supply chains to the consumer: generation, transmission and distribution, according to Kekenanabo, distribution is the only component that has connection with the end-users of electricity. He however, warned that ‘’if we don’t get it right with the new distribution model by selecting the most suitable distribution company as the preferred bid-

der, in spite of the impressively comprehensive privatization exercise by the BPE so far, we might still end up in the dark age’’ Rather than using ‘loss reduction’ which he said is neither here nor there as a basis of selection as against technical ex-

perience and ability to take electricity to the people, Kekenanabo urged the privatization agencies to avoid ‘trial by error ’ in selecting the preferred bidder for the power distribution in the Niger Delta given the volatility of the region.

cent return in the month compared to 5.23 per cent loss in the same period of 2011.

He noted that the All Share Index, ASI, returned 20.4 per cent or 4,412.06 points in quarter three, adding that it was the first consecutive quarterly gain since fourth quarter 2007 and first quarter 2008. he explained that this was a marked up performance relative to the gain of 6.77 per cent and 2.99 per cent in July and August respectively, adding that the market crossed the 24,000, 25,000 and 26,000 points barriers in the month.

He further stated that a total of 10.0 billion units shares was traded as volume increased by 83 per cent during the month, saying that the huge volume traded was consistent with other high volume turnover in the final months of quarter one and quarter two.

According to him, the recovery witnessed in the market in the month of September was supported by both fundamental and technical analysis, even as investors’ interest was driven by performance potential, business model and strategy.

“The recovery was supported by improved corporate earnings despite tough operating environment. Fund managers were buying stocks to increase equity exposure in portfolio as yields in fixed income fall.

Big investors net buyers of stocks in August/September because to them, all the bad news had been discounted while corporate earnings were improving. There was falling yields in the bonds market making equity investment even more attractive,” he stated.

Bank profit leading S&P 500

A

S third-quarter earnings season begins, the companies analysts are most bullish about are the ones whose stock prices are farthest below their highs — banks.

While financial institutions in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 24 percent in 2012 for the biggest rally in nine years, they remain 58 percent below the record of February 2007, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Signs of a housing recovery prompted Wall Street firms to raise estimates for profit growth to 21 percent for the third quarter and 32 percent in the fourth, the most of 10 S&P 500 industries.

Bulls say banks will continue to rally as Federal Reserve stimulus boosts earnings and helps companies from BB&T Corp. to KeyCorp and rebound from the 84 percent drop during the financial crisis. Bears say gains will be limited to traditional

lenders and increased regulation will drag down firms that depend on trading and underwriting for revenue.

“As transactional volume increases for consumer, housing and business credit, there is an opportunity to increase earnings” among regional lenders, said Michael Shaoul, chairman of New York-based Marketfield Asset Management, which oversees $3 billion. Firms outside of the “purer banking model” face too much regulation, he said in an Oct. 3 e-mail.

Almost five years after the stock market high, real-estate loans among 7,246 federally insured banks have fallen to $4.09 trillion from the record $4.81 trillion reached in 2008, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation data shows. After declining for 14 consecutive quarters, lending expanded 0.4 percent during the last

three months of 2011 and less than 0.1 percent between March and June of this year.

Financial companies still haven’t recovered to pre-crisis levels, with revenue per share at less than half the amount in 2007, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg. Tighter rules that limit firms’ trading and call for higher capital requirements and new home sales 70 percent below their record are weighing on investor sentiment.

While banks, brokers and insurers gained 158 percent since equity markets bottomed in March 2009, leading the S&P 500, it would take a rally three times as large to get back to the all- time high. More than $2.4 trillion was erased from the S&P 500 Financials Index (S5FINL)’s value from February 2007 to March 2009, as lending froze and writedowns and losses related to subprime mortgages climbed to $2.1 trillion globally.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—23

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

DIARY

Select ICT events

•

l B R OA D B A N D TAIWAN 2012.

Holds 9-12 Oct 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan.

VoguePay thinks SMEs, points way for CBN

•

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

•

lGITEX Technology Week 2012.

Holds 14-18 Oct 2012 in Dubai, UAE.

•

ITU Telecom World 2012. Holds 14-19 Oct 2012 in Dubai, UAE.

• Mobile Number Portability Forum Holds October 30, 2012, Golden Gate, Ikoyi Lagos

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

S

olar tents is a very interesting concept for those who love to camping on the mountain or plain area with sufficient sun rays.

Actually, Camping in the mountain is a sort of eco-friendly activity. But with this Solar Tents, campers are invited to become more ecofriendly because this Solar tent can provide natural energy without extra oil / wood burning to create lights at the night time. The Solar tents also equipped with LCD display and providing internet signal and monitoring how much solar energy the tents has generated along the day. You can actually communicate with this Solar tents via your sell phone and simply sending a text message will lid the camp instantly.

O

ne of the major reasons for introducing the cashless initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was to change the way financial transactions are conducted.

However, with Nigeria being a heavily cash based society where most transactions involve the use of cash, the target was to expose consumers to e-payment channels.

But the seeming missing link was how to properly integrate the growing number of Small and Medium Enterprises which accounts for a greater percentage of the economy.

In developing economies like Nigeria where there is a huge percent of entrepreneurial activity and growth, there are always many thriving Small and Medium Scale businesses.

Statistics have shown that thriving economies have always revolved their transaction policies and modifications around this group of economic stakeholders.

Arguments are that this was not particularly the case in Nigeria.

Many experts have agreed that one of the ways to grow ecommerce in Nigeria is largely through online payment solution. However, none of the several solutions tailored towards this, seems to have made online payments easier both for developers,

I N Sale of S pre-registered SIM cards: I D Matters arising E C M Y K

,

ELO SYS 2012.

Holds 9-12 Oct 2012 at Trencin, Slovak Republic.

,

CASHLESS ECONOMY:

If Nigeria is to go cashless, there has to be a way for businesses to accept payment from remote buyers without buyers going to pay cash into seller ’s bank account

merchants and individuals.

Apparently this is what attracted the attention of an indigenous technology company, VoguePay, which

LG Optimus 4X HD phone debut in Nigeria

recently introduced a seamless web payment platform for SMEs in Nigeria.

VoguePay, an online payment platform, said it has observed a greater

consumer response when more convenient methods become available that offer buyers and sellers a secure and easy-to-use means of transacting business online.

According to the CEO of VoguePay, Mr Leke Ojikutu, “if Nigeria is to go cashless, there has to be a way for businesses to accept payment from remote buyers without buyers going to pay cash into seller ’s bank account. That is the first port of call. So, to plug that hole, we decided to launch VoguePay. “Even as a software company, we searched a payment solution that

Apple pushes borders in Nigeria with 2 years warranty on products

can allow us to sell online real time with suitable payment processor that incorporates multiple credit/debit cards without limiting the merchants. But we couldn’t find a worthy platform, so we created one. We created a new standard for payment.

We launched what is now the biggest payment processor in Nigeria with over 3600 registered Merchant base and over 1000 websites linking into it”.

Ojikutu added that “with the introduction of VoguePay, it is now easy

Continues on page 30

MainOne, 21 st Century for ISPON software competition

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

G

Sale of pre-registered SIM cards: Matters arising

L

AST week, the Ni gerian Communi cations Commission (NCC), announced that it had apprehended three agencies “using computers allocated them by the dealers to fraudulently register SIM Cards which are offered for sale to unsuspecting subscribers.”

NCC said further in a statement signed by its spokesman, Reuben Muoka, that four offices belonging to mobile phone dealers – Correspondence Ltd, Zeph Associates, Glovic Communications, and Connect Ground Towers, all located in Abuja, were identified as the source of some of the offending machines being used by some of the agents to pre_register SIM cards that are being sold in the streets.”

I was not surprised at the development, being a citizen of this country and knowing my people. Let me clarify that; my people (Nigerians) are good people, law abiding, and easy to lead. The problem of my people is that they have not had good leaders, 52 years running. Now that is another matter for another section of this paper, another day.

Why would anyone want to pre-register a SIM card for sale? Did that person not know that more than 10 years after the coming of GSM, phone numbers have more or less become part of our identities?

More questions: In whose names were these SIM cards being registered? Fictitious names, abi? Whose fingerprints?

That of their staff or anybody that just walks into their offices? If, subsequently, any of the preregistered lines are used to commit any crime, do those dealers know that the they have, ab initio, aided and abetted a crime? Do they also realize that they might have obstructed the course of justice? With biometric properties, wouldn’t the wrong persons be arrested if crimes were committed? I am sure the deal-

ers and agents know that one of the reasons we are registering SIM cards is that the database will be used to assist the administration of law and order in our society. Did they also consider what threat a pre-registered line constitutes to the e-payment and cashless initiatives?

We can go on and on.

Pre-registering SIM cards for sale complete with the data required, is, to my mind, deliberately giving wrong information under oath, the judicial equivalent of perjury. It is also like driving a car using another man’s license. In like manner, only God knows h o w m a n y people h a v e flown on h o w m a n y flights under other peoples’ names, all in a bid to h a v e t h e i r way.

Then, who are these fellow countrymen and women buying preregistered SIM cards? I make haste to aver that it is a very dangerous thing to do, and anybody who does it may not have the best of motives in mind.

NCC and the law enforcement agents would do very well to track down the lines sold in this manner and apprehend the users.

Two days ago we celebrated the 52nd National Independence, and the song all over is that Nigeria should be better than what it is at the moment. If Nigeria is to be better, we need to change. We need to be more law-abiding, refuse to cut corners even when it seems expedient to do so. We need to drop all kinds of habits which used to be the norm, but which are no longer acceptable as we march on into the information society. Let those pre-registering and selling SIM cards, and others who are into such activities in various sectors of the economy stop NOW, in the interest of our country.

In whose names were these SIM cards being registered?

Fictitious names, abi?

Whose fingerprints?

C M Y K

,

lobal smartphone penetration is recorded to be at an all time high, with many buying smartphones for reasons ranging from entertainment to productivity purposes.

In Nigeria, smartphones are increasingly becoming popular as they have become commonplace devices for everyone from professionals to busy Executives.

Perhaps with this realization, device makers, LG Electronics introduced a new device tagged LG Optimus 4X HD P880 phone to the Nigerian market .

The Optimus 4X HD phone, is the flagship of LG’s new lineup. It comes with modern specification including the popular Ice cream sandwich Operating System (OS), 1.5GHz Tegra 3 quad-core, 4.7" 720p display with an IPS LCD panel, an 8MP camera with 1080p video recording, and a massive 2150mAh battery. The LG 4X HD Smartphone which is an improvement on previous Smartphone introductions from the brand sets an unbeatable standard in Smartphone technology.

LG Marketing Manager Mobile Communications, Mrs. Bukola Arabome, who introduced the device to Journalists in Lagos recently, said that “the device which utilizes the Quad-Core technology is expected to infiltrate the market in grandeur. There is no

LG Optimus 4X HD phone debut in Nigeria

LG Optimus 4X denying the fact that this phone redefines what a mobile phone is and can do; we will however not rest on our oars but continue to introduce to consumers innovative smart phones that address their peculiar needs.”

The new phone is packed with functionalities that makes work easy for the geeky executive. At the base is a centrally placed Micro-USB which means that the Optimus 4X HD will easily fit android docks; the Mobile HighDefinition link (MHL) supporting USB ensures that with the right cable users can hook up to a

large display.

Measuring 132.4 x 68.1 x 8.9mm, the Optimus 4X HD is 4.7 inch thick and weighs a mere 141g; which complements its slim sleek design, which is another enthralling aspect of the phone.

The core hardware spec, is of the QuadCore NVIDIA Tegra 3 chipset clocked at 1.5 GHZ and 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM, 16GB of NAND storage (expandable via microSD). It displays 4X HD at the top of the Android Smartphone pile; offers 1280 x 720 pixels which is 312ppi.

This guarantees detailed and sharp images. It has

an in-plane switching (IPS) display w h i c h translates that v i e w i n g angles are excellent with i m a g e s displayed in v i b r a n t c o l o u r s , offering the most authentic of colour production.

The Camera consists of a primary camera of 8MP with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels and an LED flash feature. It is perfect for capturing beautiful moments as videos and pictures to cherish for ever. Using the camera, users can record videos of 1080p resolution and at the speed of 30 frames per second (fps).

Battery life is another great feature of the LG Optimus 4X HD P880, as it has a standard LiIon 2150 mAh battery.

The phone has a talk time of up to 10 h 50 min while stand by time is up to 29 days.

Worry over non compliance of foreign vendors to local rules

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A

gain, stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT sector have raised fresh alarm over the activities of foreign ICT vendors saying that unless at least 60% of such services were domesticated locally, Nigeria will ever remain digitally colonized by foreigners especially India whose software controls the market.

If this trend is not reversed urgently according to industry watchers, Nigeria will remain consumers of foreign ICT products and will be left out in the digital exonomy.

Major concern of local vendors especially in the software domain is that if the the foreigners were not properly regulated, Nigeria will be a dumping ground.

The bail out option, according to local players is domestication of technology which has worked in other economies.

Foreign ICT vendors must comply with local rules:

Just late last year , the Minister of Communication and Technology, (CT) Mrs. Omobola Johnson has warned that activities of foreign ICT vendors must comply with local regulations to promote healthy competition.

The minister who spoke in Lagos during the 2011 Nigerian-India IT CEO high level business summit told more than 20 ICT companies from the National Association of Software and Service C o m p a n i e s , (NASSCOM) of India that Nigeria will not stop foreign companies foreign investors from coming to Nigeria to come and invest in our ICT industry.

She assured that she would use her new assignment to promote foreign direct investment inflows into the country ’s ICT industry while stimulating local demand and engendering favourable competition among the indigenous and foreign

companies operating in Nigeria.

Nigeria will not stop investors: “Nigeria will not stop foreign foreign investors from coming to Nigeria to come and invest in our ICT industry but what we would be doing is to ensure that the activities of those foreign companies are aligned with our ICT industry while promoting local competition,” she said.

Similarly, speaking recently at the just concluded NigerianIndia IT CEO high business summit, the President of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, (ISPON) Chris Uwaje read the riot act to Indian software vendors at the event, the National Association of Software and Service C o m p a n i e s , (NASSCOM), saying that their relationship with their Nigerian counterpart be restructured along professional ethics.

Concerns of ISPON: While charging NOTAP and NITDA to

protect the Nigerian ICT eco-system, Chris Uwaje said that ISPON was equally concerned that NASSCOM members in Nigeria were not listed in the official Register of Computer Professionals (Registration) Council of Nigeria (CPN) in conformity with Act 49 of 1993, to practice the IT Profession in Nigeria, neither are they registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CA).

NASSCOM members not registered with IT bodies: He further said that NASSCOM members were not registered nor directly related with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), nor ISPON, ISPON, ACTON, while doing business in Nigeria.

ISPON, according to Uwaje was further concerned by the fact that the activities of NASSCOM do not comply with the Local Content Act 2010 which require the domestication of at least 60% of such services in Nigeria.

,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 25

C M Y K

26 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

MainOne, 21st Century for ISPON software competition

Lottery commission seeks law against unsolicited telemarketing

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

HILE fighting il legal lottery operators and promoters, scams and spams may not have yielded the expected results, the National lottery Regulatory Commission, (NLRC) while going tough on illegal lottery operators has urged the Federal Government to enact law that criminalizes what it described as unsolicited and intrusive telemarketing at odd hours.

Telemarketing is marketing conducted over the telephone as most calls from this practice are cold calls meaning that the recipient of the call has not requested that the telemarketer contact him or her.

tions and individuals will be permitted to do lottery business in Nigeria.

Countries that regulate telemarketing Assuring that the Commission would has put in place strategies to discourage the irritating

marketing strategy, he cited countries including United States, Canada, Australia among others where telemarketing is regulated.

“Unfortunately, such legislation are yet to be enacted in Nigeria. The Nigerian parliament should enact a law that criminalizes unsolicited and intrusive telemar-

keting at odd time.

Apart from the fact that telemarketing has been associated with various scams and frauds, he informed that telemarketing calls were often considered as annoyance especially when occur during the dinner hours, early in the morning or late in the evening or even at night.

Avoid intrusive telemarketing

In the meantime, to protect the privacy of the public without necessarily suffocating the business of legitimate lottery operators, NLRC has instructed lottery operators in whatever form as part the condition of grant of any license or permit, to avoid the intrusive telemarketing or face the long arm of the law.

From left: Nir Kunik, CEO, DataGroupIT; Noy Hazan, NetApp Area Manager; Rex Mafiana, NetApp District Manager, WA at the just concluded NetApp Technology Summit – Big Data, in Lagos.

Advertise lottery in the media

“Instead, they should advertise the lottery or promo in the various available media and let customers who are interested to participate voluntarily. Violation of which could lead t the revocation of the license or permit” the Director General, NLRC, Mr, Peter Igho told the gathering at the just concluded first national telecoms subscribers submit organized by the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, *NATCOMS) held in Lagos last week.

Igho, who was represented at the vent by Mr. Henry Uwadiae, Asst.

Director, Enforcement and Compliance at NLRC further told the gathering that telemarketing was subject to regulatory and legislative controls related to consumer privacy and protection. He said that as part of measures towards bringing sanity into the lottery business, NLRC has declared that only credible organizaC M Y K

2013: Microsoft plans using social media to retool Imagine Cup

T

O create more awareness and get more students register for the Imagine Cup 2013 early enough, organizers of the event, the global software giant Microsoft has disclosed that it would leverage on social media.

The Lead, Developer Platforms, Microsoft Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Dele Akinsade who disclosed this to Vanguard Hi-Tech in online interaction said that, “We have started early this year, leveraging social media and other forums to let students register early and prepare for the event. We will also be doing some campus events to get to drive this point home.

Already according to him, the Imagine Cup 2013 season was official-

ly launched on 29 August, along with the announcement that Microsoft has redesigned the competition around three new core competitions including World Citizenship, Games and Innovation and more than doubled the prize money to US$300 000”he explained.

Inspires more students to participate: According to him, through these changes, Microsoft hopes to inspire more students and encourage a wider variety of aspiring innovators to participate.

“This year is much more different. We are starting the awareness and excitement much earlier. We are having online competitions monthly to reach more students globally.

With these changes, he said with optimism that Microsoft expects a lot more competitors and teams, adding that they were expecting a lot of sponsors and support from our partners in this.

The opportunities ahead is bountiful, we just have to make more students aware of this great competition” he added.

This year, according to him, Microsoft had the biggest prizes in the history of the competition.

Microsoft, he said has indeed hired a lot of students that have participated in the Imagine Cup competition since its inception going on 10 years plus now. Some of these smart students he added have also been hired by our partners as well.

By Emeka Aginam

T

he annual National S o f t w a r e Conference and Competition, a flagship event put together by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) scheduled to hold at the Tinapa Knowledge City, Calabar, Cross River State has received a huge boost as Few weeks ahead of national software conference and competition, a flagship event organized by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) scheduled to hold at the Tinapa Knowledge City, Calabar, Cross River State, MainOne Cable Co and 21 st Century Technologies Ltd have signed-on for active participation as partners of the 2012 edition.

With this development, the event with the theme “The Cloud and the Future of Software Nigeria” is expected to have Mrs. Funke Opeke, MD, MainOne Cable Company to deliver a paper on “Broadband Infrastructure – Imperatives for Cloud Computing” while MD/ CEO 21 st Century Technologies Ltd, Engr.

Wale Ajisebutu will be speaking on “Information Technology Park – Imperatives for Building Software Engineering”.

However, they will be leading a team of over 25 seasoned IT Practitioners in Nigeria,

Ghana, USA and Europe who will share knowledge and brainstorm on the latest trends in the IT industry with a bias for Cloud Computing and the future of Software Development in Nigeria.

With the success of the national software conference and Competition 2011, over 25 resource persons drawn from USA, Europe, Ghana and Nigeria are billed to deliver papers and presentations at the capacity building event.

Although cloud and the future of software Nigeria will be the major focus at the event, several presentations based on Mobile Content Development, Broadband as well as Software driven solutions for diverse sectors of the economy would be delivered.

Prof. Bill Megalos, a Professor at UCLA will also be leading speakers at the event while Daniel Molina, the director of the award winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” is also billed to speak at the event.

Meanwhile, the Executivr Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Liyel Imoke would be on hand to host the Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, DG NITDA, Prof Cleopas Angaye, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe among others.

Glo boosts Oba of Benin's Best Driver Award

L

EADING telco, Glo bacom, on Thursday turned the 2012 edition of the annual FRSC/Oba of Benin Best Driver Award to a carnival as the company added colour and class to the award initiated by the Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Erediauwa to promote safe driving culture on the roads.

The event which drew competitors from notable transport companies in Edo State and some independent drivers was sponsored by Globacom and had Mr. Blessing Osamuyi, an independent competitor beating Elvis Eduware of the University of Benin and Friday Imarialu of AU Motors to second and third positions respectively.

Welcoming guests to the competition held at

the open field of Western Boys High School, Benin City, Mr. Kenneth Nwaegbe, the Sector Commander of Edo State Federal Road Safety Commission, said that the competition was initiated ten years ago by Oba Erediauwa to promote safe road culture across the state.

Nwaegbe added that the award was to encourage drivers to be ‘’more cautious and focused by complying with all traffic rules and regulations while driving on the highways". The FRSC boss commended Globacom for taking over the sponsorship of the decade old event.

In his remarks, Oba Erediauwa who was represented by Chief Obaseki, said that "the best driver is the one who

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 27

C M Y K

28— Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Redknapp on Rangers alert Q

PR chiefs will this week decide whether to replace Mark Hughes with H a r r y Redknapp.

The R’s are anchored to the bottom of the Premier League • Redknapp with few signs they will pull away from trouble.

And influential figures at the club know they have to act swiftly before the situation becomes impossible to turn around.

Former Spurs boss Redknapp could take over straight away without any compensation to pay.

Enormous pressure has built up on Sparky, whose planning has been hit by injuries. And with no Premier League games for the next 11 days due to the international break, Rangers

Gunners say ‘no’ to Walcott

• Walcott

A

RSENAL have warned Theo Walcott they will not be held to ransom over his contract demands.

The England and Gunners winger, 23, is in the final year of his current deal and could leave for free next summer.

He told SunSport last month

that he wanted to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

But Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: “We have got our general overall wage structure and we are not prepared to break it for anybody.

“We have made an offer which he didn’t think was acceptable and that is the end of it.

We think it is a very reasonable offer.

“For the moment his people are still talking to us and we hope it will be resolved. But don’t ask me when, because I haven’t a clue.

“I hope that he will eventually come round and sign.

“It will be a pity if he does not but the whole issue of pay for footballers has got totally out of hand and they don’t get terribly well advised a lot of the time.”

airo C n i e n i h s n st Su o h w o n e s l i a rd o f th Dev to th e b o they have and

m icked El stadiu e deal. l Ahly has p G a w y d th e k in Gawy D e fa a E l D e fa a E l l E h tc a m th e ir e o f th e a d iu m o n iu m s in st a d iu m fo r e of Nigeria st in ad against Sunsh le g o f th e M il it a ry st it w a s d n d co n a se e t th p y in g e E u e g ea pions L d e d b y th African Cham re c o m m e n ll a tb o fo this month.

E g y p ti a n ow be in n host the l il w to m n o ae ti g a The Associ as a ri d n e next xa le th A r h e s fo tc a Cairo and not 1 m 2 er Octob game will be suspected on draw in the league. The brand new 3 e after their 3the first at th ia. er ig N in . g m le first stadiu e training m has been l Ahly resum supersport.co hly talked A Al A informed that today

A

Lampard to earn £250k a week in China

• LAMPARD

F

RANK LAMPARD will be offered a Chinese takeaway of £250,000 a week AFTER tax.

The England midfielder is wanted by former Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba’s club Shanghai Shenhua, as well as their Chinese Super League rivals Beijing Guoan.

And both are ready to offer that megabucks £1MILLION a month jackpot.

Lampard, 34, can talk to any club in the world in January as he will be a free agent next summer when his Blues contract finishes.

He appears on his way out at Stamford Bridge after 11 years, as Chelsea have a policy of offering players over 30 only a oneyear extension to their current deal.

Lamps could bank around £36m from a three-year stint in China with Drogba and Co. But, already financially secure for life, he has always told pals he is more interested in a challenge than money.

Sunsport also exclusively revealed that David Beckham’s LA Galaxy are interested in Lampard — as an eventual successor to 38-year-old Becks.

Van Persie escapes FA punishment T

HE Football Association has revealed today that they will not take action against Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, following his elbow on Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Manchester United’s number 20 was seen elbowing Yohan Cabaye during United’s 3-0 win over Newcastle this weekend and despite a unanimous claim from the home supporters, referee Howard Webb failed to punish the player for his actions.

The 41-year-old referee has claimed he never saw the incident and therefore couldn’t take action against the D u t c h international.

After reviewing the situation t h r o u g h television evidence, he

later concluded that he would not have sent the 29year-old off.

Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, will be delighted that Van Persie hasn’t been punished, especially when considering the player could of been absent for the Stoke City and Chelsea Premier League matches as well as the Capital One Cup trip to Stamford Bridge.

Wed midweek sports xtra 09/10/2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 29

Ferguson wants more from Kagawa N

EW Manchester United signing Shinji Kagawa has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear he’s still got plenty of room for improvement.

The Japan international signed for Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for £17m in the summer, and has settled well into life at Old Trafford.

But Kagawa said United boss Ferguson has given him specific advice to help him improve his game.

In The Independent, Kagawa revealed Ferguson’s advice .

Ferguson told Kagawa: “Don’t face the goal with your back, but

move your body so you have a short way to the goal. Shape your body so you are facing the stands. I have to face the goal or I won’t be a threat.”

The 23-year-old has impressed Ferguson with how quickly he has adapted to the Premier League, but the United boss wants more from the Japanese star.

“I’ve realised that I need to limber up and strengthen my body trunk,” said Kagawa.

The former-Dortmund midfielder joined Manchester United this summer, along with Robin Van Persie, Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell.

And United have started the season in reasonable form. They currently sit second in the Premier League behind Chelsea, but defensive lapses have let them down, most recently against Tottenham at home.

Short Takes Las Caracas boss backs Eko 2012

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S the countdown to the 18th National Sports Festival dubbed Eko 2012 continues, proprietor of one of the destination hotels, Busari Olubodun has backed Lagos State to put up a good show of hosting the Nigerian mini ‘Olympics’, scheduled for November 29 to December 9.

According to Olubodun, guests coming to the National Sports Festival will leave with fond memories of their stay, as the Lagos State government has put in place excellent hospitality arrangements with quality hotels and accommodation such as that offered by his concern Las Caracas.

“Quality services is our priority and professionalism is utmost. Our facilities are standard and they offer home away from home comfort,” said the Venezuela based Olubodun.

He took time out to lament the plight of football in the country, stating that bad administration was the bane of football development in Nigeria.

“We need to have the right people in Nigeria football administration. This is a first step to regaining our lost glory in football.”

However, he praised the efforts of the women football teams adding that they are the only bastion of hope left in the country’s football.

Murray targets top ranking

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• Kagawa

Mascherano: Barca still the team to beat J

AVIER Mascherano says Barcelona are the same team they were under Pep Guardiola following Tito Vilanova’s promotion to the top job.

Guardiola resigned as head coach at the end of the last season after Barca surrendered the Liga crown to Real Madrid for the first time since 2008.

Some observers felt the team were coming to the end of a cycle, but Mascherano believes they have already shown they are still a force to be reckoned with under Guardiola’s former assistant Vilanova. ”There were people who expressed doubts at the start of the season that we were beginning a new cycle, but we have demonstrated that we are still the same,” Mascherano told Barca TV.

”This is a team which is full of life and we are determined to carry on doing what we have been doing over the last few seasons.”

Former Argentina captain and a world-class holding midfielder at Liverpool, Mascherano has been converted to centre-back at Barca, but knows he remains behind Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in the pecking order. ”I’m not the first choice centre-back,” he said. ”I am here so that when something happens, I can go out and do a job.”

I’d never coach Real —Simeone T

HE Argentine has ruled out ever making the cross-capital switch and praised Falcao amid continued speculation over his future Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has revealed that he would never manage great rivals

Real Madrid out of respect for his current club.

The former Argentina international has been in charge at the Vicente Calderon for almost 12 months and led them to a Europa League triumph last season, and he admitted he feels very loyal towards Los Rojiblancos. ”I would never coach Real Madrid because I’m sentimental about the old things. I must be mad but it lives in my heart what I feel for this football club,” he told Rock and Closs.

Wed midweek sports xtra 09/10/2012

NDY Murray is hoping a strong finish to the year can enable him to have a shot at the number one ranking in 2013.

The Scot, who won his maiden grand slam title at the US Open last month, is currently third in the world behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but has his sights set on top spot.

Speaking ahead of his opening match at the Shanghai Masters against German Florian Mayer tomor row, he said: “There’s a few tournaments between now and the end of the year I’d like to do well at and I always enjoy playing here.

“I’ll try to do as well as I can between now and the • Murray end of the year.

Woods in frame for Abu Dhabi return

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RGANISERS of the 2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship will confirm the attendance of two of the world’s top 10 at next week’s official announcement of the line-up for January’s event.

While organisers have refused to be drawn on h e i g h t e n i n g speculation that former World No1 Tiger Woods has signed on to return to the UAE capital after his debut last January, an all-star cast has been promised.

Reigning US Masters champion Bubba Watson has also been mentioned as a possible participant, • Woods with reports claiming he is in talks with event organisers over a maiden appearance in Abu Dhabi.

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 10, 2012

Teenager emerges winner in Intel/MTN online competition

BY EMMANUEL ELEBBEKE

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Intel ‘Create Your Tomorrow’ campaign team, including Business Development Director, Stanley Muoneke (4th left); Country Manager, Olubunmi Ekundare (middle) and Robinson Babatunde, Channel Development Manager, (ar right) at the launch of Intel ‘Create Your Tomorrow’ campaign, in Lagos.

Intel unveils Create Your Tomorrow campaign

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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N a strategic move to consolidate its presence in Nigeria, Intel has expanded its business operations with fresh appointment of 7 Nigerian experts to compliment his business stature and also unveiled a new campaign tagged “Create Your Tomorrow.”

The moves according to its Country Manager Olubunmi Ekundare marks the extension of Intel’s footprint in West Africa and underline its commitment to supporting its partners and customers network in one of the world’s fastest growing markets with solutions and innovations that can make life easier and better.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Ekundare stated that the appointment and investment on new personnel is part of a strategic and gradual expansion bid. The fresh personnel will manage various business portfolios around Intel’s commercial activities and innovations in Nigeria, including Adim Isiakpona as PR and marketing Manager, Ogunbor Osagie as Corporate Affairs Manager amongst five others.

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In the same vein, the multinational chip maker unveiled a new media campaign tagged Create Your Tomorrow through which it intends to connect and engage Nigerian IT consumers and youths via various campuses activities, social media platforms, music and different i n t e l l e c t u a l engagements to help unlock innate potentials with the use of technology.

Ekundare explained, that the campaign is

borne out of the fact that Intel is not just a global technology giant and respected chip maker but seeks to develop technologies, products and various initiatives to continually advance how people work and live, and works with different partners and stakeholders and the community to help people experience technology better.

“We want to appeal to the innate energy, talent and passion of Nigerians, because there is much

good that is within and undiscovered. There is so much that is great and exciting about the Nigerian spirit, talent and energy and Intel with this new campaign desires to unleash the power to do more through technology ” Olubunmi noted.

Intel is the world leader in chips and silicon innovation; it designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices.

HE three month online education bundle competition organized by global technology giant, Intel Corporation Nigeria in conjunction with MTN has ended with a young a c c o u n t a n t , Somtochukwu Udom, emerging the overall winner. .

Udom clinched the prize for his insightful and excellent entry at the contest, carting away the coveted prize of a Samsung Notebook processor 3 Laptop preloaded with 3 month MTN internet bundle.

Receiving the prize, Udom expressed gratitude to Intel Nigeria and MTN for encouraging him with the gift and facilitating the union of technology and education in Nigeria and Africa.

“I am excited with the prize and I will use it to train my kids and wards; this education bundle is a very great idea from Intel and in Nigeria we need to truly maximize technology to boost education; it helps to increase retention and create a ‘learn and fun’ platform for adult and kids”.

“Technology revolution is in full force and we need to make the transition from printbased learning to interactive whiteboards and Web-based references and curriculum.

It’s happening faster in some countries than others and we have a long way to go in order to close the digital divide but I am happy that with initiatives such as this, we are on the right track”, he added.

Earlier in his speech, Intel Nigeria Business Development Director, Stanley Muoneke, said Intel is committed to creating integrated learning package, content and platforms and working with partners within the ecosystem to innovate and enable people enjoy technology more, live better and enhance the general landscape in Nigeria.

“Intel is the world leader in chips and silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live and works with different partners and stakeholders to help people experience technology better,” he said.

VoguePay thinks SMEs, points way for CBN Continues from page 23 for every business in Nigeria to create flexible payment options for its customers who are interested in making purchases with ATM cards for transactions across e-payment platforms like Mobile and e-commerce stores.

Since its launch in May 2012, VoguePay has worked in partnership with several businesses in Nigeria to solve payment problems and can now boast of huge acceptance by many businesses both in the corporate and noncorporate sectors.

Officials of the company pride the product as

Clients’ choice solution to power sales of books, apps products and services, while providing a convenient way for their customers to shop easily on the Internet.

Ojikutu said that VoguePay is the answer to the challenge of web payment for SMEs in the country even as it provides more value to users at the lowest cost possible.

His argument was that “if people can electronically pay for goods and services online, this will help business owners to accept payment from remote buyers without buyers going to pay cash into seller ’s bank

account. By providing a service like VoguePay, it now becomes easy for any company to setup a website to collect payment and expose their consumers to epayment channels.”

He explained that many businesses like online stores, book sellers, SMS companies, and brick and mortal businesses can actually increase their sales when they allow alternative payment options on their website or stores which, until now, was a difficult and costly expedition for business owners Meanwhile, Hi-Tech sampled opinions of some users of the solution who confessed reliability. For instance,

the CEO of 85kobo.com, Mr. Abegunde Michael, said, “VoguePay has really turned my business around. I’ve retained and acquired more clients because it has never failed me.”

Perhaps the most interesting feature of VoguePay is that it

supports mobile payments via its TEXTDIRECT feature that works on any SMSenabled mobile phone.

What this means is that even though merchants don’t have Internet access, they can manage their accounts by SMS from anywhere.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 31

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32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Apple pushes borders in Nigeria with 2 years warranty on products ...Sets up resell outlets

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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IVEN the growing importance of the Nigerian market and the need to give Nigerian buyers a new level of customer experience and full product guarantee, device makers Apple, has set up authorised resell outlets in the country.

The company said it was to ensure the products are available through official channel partners in the country. This is the first time Apple is making its products officially available in Nigeria through the official channels.

Besides the introduction of the resell outlets, Apple also woos Nigerian customers with a 2 year warranty on Apple products, particularly the new iPad, purchased from authorised resellers.

The new Apple authorised resellers include iConnect at the Palms, Lekki in Lagos; Superior Equipment The Orchard at the Civic Centre in Lagos; Cross Energy, Flag Place in Abuja; and iMEED Store, Rivers House, Central Business Area of Abuja.

Meanwhile, Core Group Africa, the Value Added Distributor for Apple, officially launched the iPad in Nigeria recently, as part of a global roll out.

Executive Director for Apple Core Group Africa, Rutger-Jan Van Spaandonk, stated that, “Nigerians are now able to purchase with confidence knowing that their Apple iPad has been bought through the official distribution channels. We want customers to have the best Apple experience possible and be able to take advantage of the benefits of purchasing their iPad from an Apple Authorised Resellers. It is in the best interest of Nigerian consumers to buy from the official distribution channel so that they can also take advantage of the 2 year warrantee.

The

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warrantee is a shield that protects official buyers and gives them peace of mind.”

The extra year of warranty extends the

standard warranty to two years for new iPads that are sold through Apple Authorised Resellers.

This is the first time a 2 year warrantee is being

given to buyers in Nigeria by Apple at no extra cost whatsoever.

Van Spaandonk said that customers only need to provide proof of

purchase from an Apple Authorised Reseller and register their iPad on www.isocietynigeria.com, to access the warranty.

According to him, “now, if repair issues arise during the warranty term, the product will be repaired or replaced by an Apple Authorised Repair Centre. Buyers will also have access to the required level of support that is mandatory for Apple Authorised Resellers, with no questions asked”.

The new iPad which was also officially launched in Nigeria by Core Group Africa redefines the category which Apple created a few years ago, delivering the most amazing experience people have ever had with technology. It has the highest resolution

display ever seen on a mobile device with 3.1 million pixels, giving razor sharp details on texts, videos and photos.

It also supports dictation. Instead of typing, one simply taps the microphone on the key board and says what he wants. The new iPad listens and converts the words instantly into text.

It also has a 10 hour battery life and provides the most versatile, onthe-go user experience for goal getting professionals and value conscious Nigerian .With the appointment of Authorised Resellers by Apple, Nigerians do not need to purchase their Apple products anymore through unauthorised outlets that offer no support or warrantee and purchase comfort.

VCONNECT trains SMEs to bridge market gap

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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N its effort to bridge the existing information gap between business owners and their target markets across the country, Nigeria’s local search engine and Information service provider, VConnect Global Service Limited, has hosted a forum on online marketing in Abuja.

This is as the company organized a business forum which attracted budding and experienced business owners in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Sales Territor y Manager, VConnect Nigeria Limited, Mr. Wale Onibudo, disclosed that the recent expansion of VConnect to Abuja was in line with the company ’s mission to give businesses everywhere in Nigeria the opportunity to partake of the numerous benefits associated with getting listed on the website .

“VConnect is constantly repositioning its

Chief Alex Akinyele, Chairman, Telecom Awards presenting the Computer Company of the Year Award to Zinox Chairman, Leo Stan Ekah while Otunba Biodun Ajiboye looks on. marketing strategies and quality of service with a view to giving businesses the opportunity and

awareness required to increase their profitability. The success of a business is tied to the level of awareness

created around the business and any business listed on the Vconnect directory would enjoy numerous requests

from other parts of the country. We want businesses in other parts of the country to have a feel of what our Lagos clientele have been experiencing”, he explained.

Mr. Onibudo noted that the company had shown its passion for the growth of entrepreneurs in Nigeria, which has paid off with the conferment the Nigerian Event Awards, TNEA 2012, in recognition of the depth and width of the content available on the VConnect website. ‘’As we establish our presence in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, the database can only get bigger and better ”, he added.

The VConnect business forum train, according to him, is expected to berth in Port Harcourt in October this year where current business owners and prospective business owners of SME’s would be further enlightened on the latest trends in online marketing and how businesses grow through the internet.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—33

Stories by BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

CBN mops up N91.3bn with treasury bills

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OBILE telecom munication companies have called for a new mobile money framework that allows them increased role in the delivery of mobile money services.

Meanwhile the World Bank said that the cashless policy needs to be complemented with consumer protection measures and increased enlightenment campaign.

“The existing framework is not exiting for us and we want a framework with significant role for telcos”, said Tunde Kuponiyi, Director, TeleBanking, Globacom, He spoke in Lagos on Monday at the forum titled: “Nigeria transiting to a cash-less society: Possibilities and challenges” in Lagos.

Speaking on the on the perspective of telecommunications firms on the cash-less policy, Kuponiyi said that the model adopted by the CBN to drive the mobile money platform is not encouraging telecommunication firms to drive the policy.

He said: “The cashless model adopted in other climes is being driven by telecommunications firms, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria. Though mobile payment is seen as a Value Added Service, there is a need for a framework to drive greater participation of telecommunication firms in delivering the mobile money product

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FOR ABU @ 50: From right: Executive Director of Unity Bank (North West Zone), Alhaji Ismaila Abdullahi Galadanchi; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Na’iya Sada and Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor A. S. Adamu. during the presentation of a cheque of N3 million on behalf of Unity Bank Plc towards Ahmadu Bello University’s Golden Jubilee celebration.

Telcos call for review of mobile money framework to consumers. Services must be a win-win situation for telcos to fully support the cashless exercise. Any mobile initiative that does not take consumption of airtime into consideration will not attract telcos”.

Delivering a keynote address at the forum the Senior Payment systems expert, Payment Systems Development group, World Bank, Ceu

Pereira, called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to devote more attention to consumer protection initiatives and increase enlightenment campaign on financial literacy to facilitate the implementation of the cash-less policy.

“The influence of consumer protection and competition laws in the payments systems space is still low. The CBN needs to work on its con-

sumer protection measures and make financial education a must, if the cash-less policy would be successful. As much as the activities of agent bankers are necessary to drive the cashless exercise, they must also be properly checked”, she said.

She however suggested the need to encourage the use of incentives to drive the policy, saying, “The usage of a

IMF cuts global growth forecast to 3.3%

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HE International Monetary Fund yesterday cut its global growth forecasts to 3.3 per cent warning even growth unless officials in the U.S. and Europe address threats to their economies.

The world economy will grow 3.3 percent this year, the slowest since the 2009 recession, and 3.6 percent next year, the IMF said today, compared with July predictions of 3.5 percent in 2012 and 3.9 percent in 2013. The Washingtonbased lender now sees “alarmingly high” risks of a steeper slowdown, with a one-in-six chance of growth slipping below 2 percent.

“A key issue is whether the global economy is just hitting another bout of

turbulence in what was always expected to be a slow and bumpy recovery or whether the current slowdown has a more lasting component,” the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook report.

“The answer depends on whether European and U.S. policy makers deal proactively with their major short-term economic challenges.”

The IMF’s 188 member countries convene in Tokyo this week as low growth damped by fiscal consolidation in the richest economies hurts developing counterparts from China to Brazil. As the IMF urged measures to boost confidence, uncertainties out of Europe show no sign of abating, with leaders still divided over a banking union and

Spain resisting a bailout.

“Confidence in the global financial system remains exceptionally fragile,” the IMF said. “Bank lending has remained sluggish across advanced economies” and increased risk aversion has damped capital flows to emerging markets, it said.

In Seoul, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim told a forum today that he saw mildly encouraging signs in Europe. In Tokyo, IMF Chief Economist Olivier Blanchard indicated that yields on Spanish and Italian bonds, which decreased after the European Central Bank’s bond-buying plan announcement, could rise if the countries don’t request bailouts.

The IMF report called

for U.S. policy makers to find an alternative to planned automatic tax increases and spending cuts that would trigger a recession. Europeans must follow on their commitments for a more integrated monetary union, and many emerging markets can afford to cut interest rates or pause tightening to fight off risks to their economies, the IMF said. “It is a call to action,” Blanchard said The 17-country euro area economy will contract 0.4 percent this year, 0.1 percentage point worse than forecast in July, and grow 0.2 percent in 2013, less than the 0.7 percent predicted three months ago, the IMF said.

payment instrument depends on its cost. If price incentives are adopted, the cash-less policy would be fast-tracked, while risk management in cheque payments should also be checked”.

She however commended the apex bank for the recent creation of a Consumer Protection Department at the CBN. She noted that the cash-less policy has been a very effective tool used by a lot of countries to foster financial inclusion. “More and more, central banks need to be interested in consumer protection and competition issues. I am pleased to hear that the CBN recently created a consumer protection department. Consumer protection really needs to be fundamental in Nigeria if you want to make a positive move to cash-less. I will also say that financial education is also very important. The cash-less policy is a very powerful tool to bring millions of people into the financial system,” the World Bank official argued.

Pereira also emphasized the need for patience on the part of electronic payment service providers to in the quest for transit the country to cash-less retail payment system.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday mopped up N91.3 billion from the banking system in continuation of its effort to tighten money supply to check inflationary pressures.

Investigations revealed that the CBN offered N100.0 billion worth of 87 days treasury bills and sold N91.3 billion at a stop rate of 14.05 per cent.

In response cost of funds in the inter-bank money market rose by 17 basis points to 10.5 per cent.

Analysis showed that interest rate on Call/ overnight and 7-day lending rose 10.5 per cent and 10.8 per cent against 10.3 per cent and 10.7 per cent respectively on Monday.

Meanwhile, the 3month (or 90 days) interbank rate fell 13.8 per cent, though; less activities are done on the tenor. The secured lending (Open Buy Back) went up slightly to 10.25 per cent for banks and 10.5 per cent for discount houses.

It would be recalled that the CBN has been pursuing tight money supply policy since last year in order to checkmate inflation and stabilize foreign exchange.

In addition to increasing the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) for banks to 12 per cent from 8.0 per cent in July, the apex bank has been selling treasury bills to mop up liquidity in the market.

Last week it sold a total of N315.88 billion worth of treasury bills.

It sold N136.05 billion of 41- day, 48-day and 55-day OMO bills on 5 October 2012 at stop rate of 13.95 per cent, 13.99 per cent and 14.0 per cent respectively.

It also sold N100.0 billion of 70-day and 84-day OMO bills on 4 October 2012 at 14.0 per cent stop rate for both tenors. The CBN sold N79.88 billion of 72-day and 79-day OMO bills on 2nd October 2012. The stop rate was 14.05 per cent on both tenors.

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34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

BRIEFS From left: Suleiman Rotimi, Financial Secretary; Sonola Taiwo, Secretary; Segun Sanni, President; Kemi Adewole, Vice President; Toyin Sanni, Publicity at the first annual general meeting of Asset Custodians of Nigeria, in Lagos.

Operators should improve service delivery with after sales service Stories by FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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NSURANCE operators should devote more attention to after sales services of products to improve service delivery in the subsector.

Alhaji Bala Zakariya’u, Chairman Niger Insurance Plc, gave the charge to insurance practitioners at the 2012 edition of the professionals’ forum of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State He said operators should offer products that would be acceptable and complement them with excellent after sales services in order to improve on the fortunes of the Nigerian insurance industry.

In a paper titled, “Beyond Professionalism: Making a Difference”, he, maintained that insurance companies should endeavour to know how well their products are doing through after sales services they offered to their clients.

While he recounted that Nigeria is ranked the 5th insurance market on the African continent and 66th in the world with gross premium written of $2 billion or N300 billion, he said insurance penetration per capita is lower in the country even by African standards.

He said, “The official data available indicates in the last five years Nigeria GDP growth has been at a rate of 5-7 per cent per annum. Even after adjusting for inflation rate fluctuating between 10-15 per cent this is still a remarkable growth in comparative terms to other economies of the world.

On national economy scale, he affirmed that the prognosis

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for the future looks very good for growth based on the assumption that the industry and its operators will improve the market facing attributes that reduce the penetration gap.

“We can improve the future of the industry if we offer products that would be acceptable and to have the capacity to give excellent after sales services. With a large young urban based population, mass appeal products or the retail market type products would do well,” Zakariya’u submitted.

The Niger Insurance Chairman also recognised the tremendous efforts of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, over

the last five years through the implementation of pragmatic supervision and the introduction of key initiatives with the sole aim of expanding the penetration of insurance services, saying by all these efforts, it is envisaged that by 2020 written premium income of the industry will pass the trillion Naira mark.

Zakariya’u said, “By and large, it is safe to predict that the insurance industry in Nigeria is on the way to sustainable growth in the personal lines (retail), commercial lines and oil and gas insurance. We must however as an industry be more creative in product development and operate with integrity.”

However, in spite of the fact that technology is a tool for enhancing productivity and financial control, he lamented that a recent observation of activities of most insurance managers in the nation’s insurance industry is disturbing as the operators have shown almost total apathy towards automation and deployment of technology tools in our companies.

He said, “It is a regrettable action in this ever-evolving digital age in which we find ourselves today. Information Technology is a major driver of cost and value, and therefore a critical strategic issue for insurance companies.”

Insurance sector needs $5-6bn in immediate future

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aking a strong case for raising Foreign Direct Investment, (FDI), capital in insurance sector, Finance Minister, Mr. Chidambaram today said the industry requires USD 5-6 billion capital in the immediate run.

He said, “Every company already has 26 per cent FDI, so if you raise the capital from 26 per cent to 49 per cent, then there is headroom for them to bring in more capital. the estimated capital requirement in insurance sector is about USD 5-6 billion in the immediate future” The penetration ratio in life insurance sector is 4.4 per cent and 0.76 per cent in the nonlife segment, meaning a vast majority of the population does not have insurance at all.

While the Cabinet last week approved an amendment to the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2008, to raise the (FDI) in the sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent, the proposal needs to be cleared by Parliament.

Chidambaram said the government intends to meet BJP and other parties ahead of the Winter Session to seek their support to raise the FDI capital to 49 per cent from the present 26 per cent as the sector require huge amount of capital.

STI pays N369m as claims in Q3

AIG reveals revitalised new look

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OVEREIGN Trust Insurance Plc has paid a total of N369 million as claims to different policyholders across the country in the third quarter of this year.

A statement issued by the company showed that the sum of N136 million was paid as claims in the month of July, while claims settled in August totaled N107 million and N125 million was expended on claims in September respectively.

Head of Claims in the Technical Division, Mrs. Funmi Idodo, said that general accident portfolio recorded the highest figure of N111, 280,486.74 while motor insurance accounted for N91, 310,089.77. The sum of N88, 492,664 was paid out as claims under the oil & gas portfolio while a total of N37, 707,290.59 was settled as claims under fire & allied

perils. Other figures provided are marine & aviation N20, 050,276.46 while CAR & engineering accounted for N 20,519,724.51, putting the sum total of claims paid as at September to 30, 2012 to N369,360,532.07 (Three Hundred and Sixty-nine Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-two Naira and Seven Kobo Only).

In all, the underwriting firm has obligated a total sum of N809, 289, 378.77 to claims settlement from January to date.

Commenting in the same vein, the Head of Technical Division, Mr. Tajudeen Rufai stated that claims settlement remains a vital fulcrum of the company’s operation and that the management is committed to ensuring that policyholders of the company are always delighted when it comes to

claims settlement. “Our continued ability to sustain our prompt claims culture is very critical to our business sustainability just as we do not trivialize issues that border on our reputation as a brand in the comity of insurance companies in the country”, Rufai added. He further mentioned that at Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, the customer comes first in all the facet of the company ’s operation. He enjoined Nigerians to take advantage of the benefits inherent in insurance and make it an essential aspect of their lives both on the business and family front.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc continues to deliver on its mission and vision promise.

Its ambition of wanting to be a leading brand in the insurance industry in Nigeria is without compromise.

IG has unveiled a new logo as its general insurer Chartis and life and retirement business SunAmerica Financial Group prepare to rejoin the parent brand.

The revamp, which will see Chartis once again trade as AIG and SunAmerica become AIG Life and Retirement, is to be completed by the end of next month.

But the Australian business will continue trading as Chartis until late January or early February before its change to AIG Australia, Chartis Australia CEO Noel Condon said.

He says the rebrand is quite a substantial piece of work which will be prolonged locally due to the lengthier Christmas break in Australia. He says the internal staff reaction to the name change has been very positive.

MIDWEEK SERMON

Vanguard , WEDNESD AY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—35 WEDNESDA with SAMEYOBOKA sameyoboka@yahoo.com

Trinity House honours Mandela, A wolowo, others Awolowo,

...Fashola urges Nigerians to join hands ….Delta Commissioner appeals for prayer to avert floods

By SAM EYOBOKA

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RINITY House, an interdenominational church committed to the spiritual development of mankind, physical emancipation of God's people, the development of Nigeria and other national states, established by former RCCG charismatic pastor, Ituah Ighodalo on Sunday held a special service to mark the nation's independence.

It also used the occasion tagged 'Honour Nigeria" to pray for the future of the nation, and honour a few well meaning Nigerians/Africans who have contributed to our national/ continental development.

The list of those honoured this year included symbol of apartheid struggle in South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela who got the African Leadership award for 2012; the wife of the late sage, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo who was honoured with Female Role Model and Leaders award.

Others included a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a chartered insurer, Prof. Joe Irukwu who went home with the Professionalism award for 2012, a member of the Council of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Elder Felix Ohiwerei who bagged this award for Industrialist, and a woman with a passion for the education of children with special needs, Mrs. Rachael Apeh.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who was the guset of honour at the service urged all Nigerians to join hands with one accord, no matter their religion, gender or ethnic status to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria, just as the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah appealed to Nigerians to pray fervently to avert further flood in different parts of the country.

The Delta State Commissioner, who said the unusual flood ravaging through various communities across the country has submerged about 30 per cent of the Delta State land mass, lamenting the extensive damage the ravaging waters have done to some communities in the state, noting that the extent of devastation is absolutely incredible.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to be their brothers keepers by, not only donating relief materials to the affected communities across the country, but by praying fervently to God to avert further devastation through flood.

The Lagos State governor who spoke through the Senior Special Assistant on Religious

*Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Prince Jide Adeniyi presenting the Industry award to Elder Felix Ohiwerei at the 2012 Honour Nigeria Awards by Trinity House. SHOT: BIODUN OGUNLEYE. Maters, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe, said government at all levels, cannot do the needed transformation if the people are not ready to cooperate, adding that but “ with God on our side, Nigeria shall stand tall among the country of nations and provide needed leadership within our regional and global communities.

Fashion used the occasion to extol the virtues of the senior pastor, Ituah Ighodalo, urging Nigerians “to seize the opportunity of today’s event to reflect on your obligations and duties as members of a larger community, whose cooperation and support would complement government’s efforts to provide infrastructure and social amenities for the welfare and well being of the people.”

According to him, government believes that it is by developing infrastructure and improving on transportation,

agriculture, education, health and security that commercial activities can flourish and the economy can grow, stressing that “religion is a genuine tool for communal understanding and for promoting peaceful coexistence.

“Because God is a just and a fair God, it is not enough for us to pray expecting miracle, but must be prepared to work hard for God’s continued blessing for the improvement of our nation, Nigeria,” Fashola noted, adding that the present situation in the country imposes an obligation on all to adopt an explicit patriotism in our conduct and utterances.

The awardees, in turn, and Hon. Jomoke Okoya Thomas, hailed the sterling qualities of Pastor Ighodalo, saying that such stood the church which is under three years to stand out as a church building future leaders for the country.

CKC dedicates church, holds 10th convention

By ETOP EKANEM

I

T was a day of unlimited c e l e b r a t i o n , thanksgiving and praises to God at the Calvary Kingdom Church International Inc. (CKC), Okokomaiko, Lagos, weekend when the church dedicated its newly completed building.

The Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo, who laid the foundation stone of the church on June 7, 2003, incidentally was the one who cut the tape and dedicated the building to the glory of God. According to the Presiding Bishop of the Church, Dr Joseph Ojo, the construction of the edifice began in rather in a miraculous way when in December, 2001, his Alhaji friend showed him the land, adding: “Because there was no enough fund, I could only pay for two plots. The greatest challenged we had was when the building was to be roofed.

We needed N10 million; we got the initial N2 million as loan from bank and others through members, friends, sons and daughters in the ministry.

“As at today, to the glory of God, we have 9 branches in Nigeria and one in Monrovia, Liberia.

The dedication of the church building was part of this year's convention and 10th anniversary of the church, with the theme: “The faithful God.” Speaking further on the dedication, Bishop Ojo said: It is gratifying to note that the little you did years back is remembered and people appreciated it. There are things you did for people, sometimes unconsciously and did not know that you were sowing a seed and people remembered.

I am overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up for this dedication. I am grateful to God. It was a successful dedication and the beginning of our 10th convention and

anniversary. There is nothing I can but to say thank you Jesus.”

On his contribution towards the goal of the global church, he said: “We are called to do three major things: To preach, heal and to live for Christ our whole life. Be example to all in life and faith. In Nigeria today, we are not short of church goers, but Christ-like people. We have plenty church goers that do not exhibit the character of Christ.

“What we are pursuing here is to produce people that have solid foundation, people who can easily be identified as followers of Jesus Christ by the way they live, by example they exhibit, by living what they preach. You must never teach the things you do not practice. If you beat your wife at home, don't preach love. If you do that you are an hypocrite. Also, if you don't pay your tithe, don't preach tithing. Whatever you can't practise do not preach because one day the whole thing may backfire on you.”

The cleric used the ocassion to advised Nigerians to live by example and love one another, noting: “Let's us abandon this tradition of hatred, animosity, religious divide and killing one another in the name of God. We are from the same God, so we should love ourselves, treat ourselves respectfully and equally because we are all citizens of this country.

“If you think the person you are killing is not a member of your family or community, one day, whether you like it or not you will sojourn into a strange land and nobody will show you mercy because when you had opportunity to have mercy on others you declined.

Everything one does in life is a seed you have sown.

Nobody has the exclusive right to violence. We should understand that if everybody should decide to be violent, we will not have a country to live in. So we should have mutual respect and love among ourselves.

Glor yland Baptist Chur ch Gloryland Church Celebrates

A

*From 2nd left, Committee Chairman, Mr. Sore Osibodu; chairman Adult Harvest, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor, Ogun State; Archbishop-elect & bishop of Lagos Mainland, Most Rev. (Prof.) Adebayo Dada Akinde; Grand Matron of Harvest, Chief (Mrs) Leila Fowler and Vicar, Ven. Feyi Ojelabi during the 2012 Harvest Thanksgiving at All Saints' Church, Yaba on Sunday.

CTIVITIES marking the eighth year anniversary of Gloryland Baptist Church will hold between October 13 and 14 at the church auditorium located at AMAC new market bridge, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Lugbe, Abuja.

According to the publicity secretary of the church, Mr. Sanjo Faniran, the church decided to hold the event to celebrate the goodness of God in the life of the church and its members.

In the same manner, the occasion will be used to appreciate the pastor, Rev. Sunday Ogundipe. “The Lord has been good to us in the past eight years as the church has witnessed tremendous growth, but more importantly, we want to specially appreciate Rev. Ogundipe, who God has used to perform wonders in the lives of our members and this is in line with the directive of the convention which stipulates that every five years, we should appreciate our pastors,” the statement added.

On Saturday, he stated, there will be an appreciation and anniversary service while on Sunday, “ we will have the thanksgiving service”, Faniran said.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

R-l: Labaran Maku, Minister for Information and Communications; Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Senate President, David Mark; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom State and Mr Gbenga Adefaye, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors/GM Publications/Editor-in-Chief Vanguard Newspapers, during the annual conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors

NATIONAL SECURITY

What editors’ confab couldn’t achieve W

HAT is national security?

How does the editor define it? How does it affect his job?

What are the rules that govern reportage of national security?

What stories should be obscured?

What are rules on reporting national security? Who keeps the rules? It is government, and if yes, how do these rules infringe or enhance the editor’s rights?

How can the media and government collaborate to ensure national pace and security?

The above questions were to a large extent the reason why the Nigerian editors gathered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State penultimate week for a five-day conference on national security. The Guild held its eighth All Nigeria Editors’ Conference in Uyo Akwa Ibom State with the theme “The Nigerian Editor and National Security”.

More than 300 Nigerian editors from the print, broadcast, and electronic media as well as government officials sat under one roof to discuss the issue of national security and areas of cooperation between the two. But what was the melting or meeting point? Perhaps, the governC M Y K

ment officials abandoned the assessment of reporting national reporting to the editors since they did not offer clear cut rules of engagement.

Courage in the face of mounting odds In fact, president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, in his address, entitled ‘We are all victims’, told the editors about the CNN African Journalist Award 2012 Free Press Award presented to the Nigerian media for its courage in the face of mounting odds against free press and free speech.

He said the insurgents, after killing some journalists and bombing some media houses, declared the media as their enemy with the claim that it is biased. The insurgents, Adefaye added, accused the media of reporting their affairs with prejudice. While condemning the bombing and killing of journalists and their media houses , the NGE president said there can never be any justification for killing of journalists.

Citing President Jonathan’s statement that insecurity has be-

come a major distraction, the NGE boss said the topic was relevant to the editors. He asked: “As journalists and editors, what is our concern and how much do we know about insecurity in our land? What rigour do we apply to stories and comments about security? Are we skilled enough in matters of coverage of conflicts? Are we doing all that we should do in defence of justice and equity, peaceful co existence, full citizenship, absence of fear and protection of the fundamental human rights of all of us?

What is government’s communication strategy on counter insurgency? What are those things that we need to know, even if not publish, that we do not know. And finally, how can we build the confidence between the media, the government and the people on matters of national security as media operators?”

Editors, he said, “are not security experts” but he hoped that the interrogation with the experts would make the editors become better equipped to handle the subject for public good. The experts were the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Dasuki, and Director General of the SSS, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong. From the

What the editors should do — Govt leaders

legislature, Senate President David Mark, with the SGF Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. Legal examination of the law by Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN, economic implication of terrorism by Prof.

Etannibi Alemika of the University of Jos. Journalists appraised their work on the issue through the paper of veteran journalist Rufai Ibrahim. But the most im-

,

By UDUMA KALU

who told the editors that there was no list of what constitutes national security in the country. So without a list, the rules of engagement as the Adefaye asked for, were not really there. In the end, what came out was the same old media rules: balanced reporting, fairness, etc.

In fact, even the editors' communique noted that “without prejudice to the obligations of the security agencies to do their constitutional duty of preserving law and order, there was the need for openness and transparency with the rules of engagement in all anti-terror activities, while editors should ensure fairness, balance and accuracy in the presentation of stories.”

The government officials and a lawyer had on their own called for investigative journalism, balanced reporting, objectivity, verification of stories and disclosing of sources, just about the same thing the editors asked their members to do. But while some of the government officials’ requests were considered satisfactory, the editors rejected the request that journalists should disclose the sources of their information with Ms Comfort Obi of The Source Magazine saying that journalists were not intelligence officials.

David Mark: Senate president said “I believe that the FoI Act which the National Assembly passed will give you an opportunity to do enough to be able to differentiate between what constitutes a national security and what do not. I believe once you are able to dialogue on sensitive issues of national security, your reportage will not become a national security threat and for those of us who are political office holders, we have to be careful not to be insensitive to issues that constitute a threat to national securi-

What are those things that we need to know, even if not publish, that we do not know. And finally, how can we build the confidence between the media, the government and the people on matters of national security as media operators?

portant of the sessions was the dialogue with governors on security. In this atmosphere of seekers of meanings, what was discernible was that the meaning of national security.

The event provided a platform for government and the media to meet and fashion out areas for consideration on national security and reportage. But how to handle this was not really spelt out. And this was first hinted by the Senate president David Mark

,

ty. I am in support of giving out information but we have to draw the line. But there is no time dividing line between what constitutes a threat to national security and what doesn’t. I think the problem we have is what we will make the person remain in business and what should be considered as national security. ” Tambuwal: Reps Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal through his

Continues on Page 37

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—37

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (right) at the confab

R-l: Mr Ray Ekpu and Chiawolamoke Nwankwo, Editor, Sunday Punch at the conference. Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke

Where editors agreed to disagree

Greatest challenge Maku urged editors to realize that though ‘Boko Haram’ was a major challenge, the greatest challenge was the need to promote the county’s unity, adding: “The development of millions of people is under threat; we can report it, not as a football match, but in a way that makes the nation feel a sense of confidence in the face of threat.”

Dasuki: Delivering a keynote address said that faced with the daunting task of insecurity, it was time to rethink the role of the media in the country. Nigerian citizens, he noted, are clients of even the press and the press must, therefore, partner with others to ensure that the people are well informed, especially about the dangers of terrorism, how to protect themselves and communities from terrorists, how to identify and and help security

forces defeat terrorists.

Dasuki, who was represented

by Prof. Adesuji Adeyola, said: “They need to show the enemies of the state, including the press, have no appreciation for terrorism, bunkering, kidnapping, piracy, robbery and other menaces and obstacles to our nation’s prosperity. Our newspaper headlines have to reflect this partnership. There should be no doubt in the minds of enemies of peace and freedom where the press lies. Obviously, the press is natural partners of government in public education, awareness building, information dissemination, and building national cohesion. When we talk about the nation’s transformation, the media should be at the forefront of change.”

Ekpenyong: Director-General of State Security Service, SSS, Mr Ita Ekpeyong, advised Nigerian journalists not to encourage act of terrorism in the country through their reportage.

Ekpenyong, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom Director of SSS, Mr Toma Minti, said in a paper entitled “Architecture of Terror,” that since terrorists needed publicity, the media should minimize putting their acts of terror for the sake of national security. He said: “Since terrorists need sympathy, media reportage should not be to encourage their act. Media should not give prominence to headlines that should have been buried. National interest must be

taken into consideration in reporting terrorism."

Adesina: And from the legal minds, represented by Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN, in his paper ’ Understanding anti-terrorism laws in Nigeria,’ highlighted efforts made to use legislation to end terrorism and the 2011 antiterrorism Act of Nigeria.

In his opinion, journalists should disclose their sources of information since the antiterrorism law, journalists mandate them to disclose their sources of information relating to reports on terrorism or they are guilty of accessory to the crime.

Alemika: Professor of

,

Continues from page 36 deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, said “We will pander to the well articulated interests of the people as far as the constitution amendment process is concerned.

We shall soon embark on intense consultations with the people at the grassroots. The media has a crucial role to play in this consultative process.”

He asked the editors to take advantage of the constitutional amendment process being done by the National Assembly and to make inputs in it as it affects national security. Like Mark, Ihedioha said the FoI Act was passed to aid the practice of journalism and strengthen the constitutional guarantee of freedom to receive and impart information and ideas.

Maku: Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, advised the editors to define and promote national interest in their daily reportage. Every editor, he said, was a nationalist and as gatekeepers they owed the nation a duty to protect its interest, stressing “there are so many good things that are happening that the editors should emphasize in the media.”

policies cannot be wholly conceived in secrecy and implemented without the mobilization of the relevant experts, professionals, constituencies and citizens.

The challenge is that effective legal, institutional and operational frameworks need to be established and sustained with necessary resources so that terrorism does not take roots in Nigeria and become endemic political problems.” He advised government to find effective and long-lasting solutions to the factors that currently generate ethnic and religious violence so that they do not lead to ethnoreligious terrorism, adding that necessary preventive measures should be taken to develop and

There is a tendency towards conformity among the media organisations with their products becoming ever more alike in style and substance, except for incidental or minor difference, and innovation becomes discouraged or even muted

criminology from the University of Jos, Prof. Etannimi Alemika declared that despite the increasing cost of insurgence in Nigeria, the nation has not yet developed comprehensive framework for the prevention and management of insurgency and terrorism. Alemika, who delivered a lecture entitled: “Cost of Insurgency in Nigeria”, said terrorism and insurgency are not matters for security agencies alone, adding that anti-terrorism

L-r: Hon Emeka Ihedioha deputy speaker House of Representatives/ who represented the Hon Speaker of the House of representatives;Obong Nsima Ekere, Akwa Ibom State deputy governor and Sen Ita Enang at the conference.

,

sustain the capacity of security agencies and citizens to deal with all phases of terrorism.

Ibrahim: Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU), Prof Rufai Ibrahim, asked journalists to stop focusing more on the powerful and the elite to the detriment of the masses. He noted that the challenge to make profit and survive at all cost could be counter-productive. He said: “The overall implication of this economic imperative of survival in the world of stiff competition is

that, the voices of the lower classes and the poor are given only little attention, if any. There is a tendency towards conformity among the media organisations with their products becoming ever more alike in style and substance, except for incidental or minor difference and innovation becomes discouraged or even muted.”

Mrs Janet Mba-Afolabi of The Scroll asked media to also negative stories. Editors should be sceptical, should be investigative for balanced reporting, should not be a propaganda mouthpiece, d avoid prejudice, be objective and should not be biased.

From the Governors: Perhaps, one of the major achievements of the conference was the gathering of at least five state governors to share their experience on their relationship with media and security.

Relationship with the media At the meeting were Delta Sate governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang; Rivers State governor, Chubike Amaechi, represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru; Borno State governor also represented as well was Kano State and Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio.

Each of these governors gave detailed stories on their relationship with the media in their efforts to combat terrorism.

Areas of disagreement: There were four main areas of disagreements at the meeting.

The first was in the Adesina’s paper which called on journalists to disclose sources of their information in obedience to anti terrorism law. While all the editors were opposed to it, Ms Comfort Obi said: “No, journalists are not intelligence officers.” She was supported by Richard Akinola who went on to say that between the government and the media on national security, there was no meeting point.

The next one was the paper by Rufai Ibrahim. The grouse with the paper, most of the editors pointed out, was that the speaker accused those he called mainstream media of biased reporting of security challenges in the North. For example, he said while those causing trouble in the Niger Delta are called militants by the media, in the North, those killing people are called terrorists. For him, they are all the same.

L-r: Mrs Janet Afolabi-Mba, Editor-in-Chief Scroll Magazines;Mr Victor Ifijeh, MD, Nation Newspaper and Mallam Rufai Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief, People's Daily. Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

My ex forced himself on me

Help! He’s addicted to sex!

Dear Bunmi, I’ve been with this guy for over two years and we now live together. We’re very much in love. The problem is that he’s got a very high sex drive.

He wants to make love every night, and if possible twice a day! I’m quite happy making love once a week, at most twice.

Is there anything he can do to lower his libido?

Ify, by e-mail.

Dear Ify, The question you need to ask yourself is this: does he want to lower his libido? He may be happy with his sex drive— in which case, you shouldn’t be asking him to change. On the other hand, he shouldn’t expect you to have sex if you’re not up for it.

You need to compromise by finding ways to bridge the gap between you. One good way is

to negotiate to make love a little less than he wants, and a little more than you want.

Or you could find ways to make sex more attractive for you. Why not let him know you’re happy for him to help himself sometimes instead of involving you?

Whatever you do, make sure you keep talking the problem through so this doesn’t mar the good relationship you both enjoy.

To me, sex is not a big deal Dear Bunmi, With all these talks about the joys of sex, I find it embarrassing to let you know that the thought of sex leaves me cold. I am currently in a relationship and everything is great— except that I don’t have any sex drive.

I am in my 20s, have a job

and enjoy being with my boyfriend, but have never had a satisfying sexual experience.

My partner gets irritated whenever I make excuses to avoid sex and the endless rows we have are giving me stress. Can you help?

Veronica, by e-mail.

What exactly does he want?

Dear Bunmi, Recently, I fell in love with a handsome banker who I had to interact with as I too work in a bank. We flirted outrageously and swapped phone numbers and for months, we stayed in touch. He’d call me late at night after we’d talk for hours.

However, when I plucked up the courage to ask him where he saw things going, he told me I was just a friend. I accepted this as I had no choice— I have no intention of throwing myself at him.

So why does he keep on calling me all the time and flirting with me if he doesn’t want something more? I’m confused.

Timi, by e-mail.

Dear Timi, One thing you must know is the fact that people flirt— and they do so for a lot of reasons; because they enjoy it, because they like the admiration or because they like the game.

But that doesn’t mean they want a relationship with everyone they flirt with. It doesn’t even mean they’re free to have a relationship.

You did the right thing by checking what this man had in mind— and to accept it.

What you need now is to learn that not all flirting leads on to something serious.

Sometimes, it is just a bit of fun.

Dear Veronica, Low sexual desire can be caused by temporary things such as stress. But if you’ve never really liked sex, it’s a different kettle of fish. You need to have a medical check-up as soon as you can as a lifelong lack of sexual desire could be down to a hormonal imbalance.

Also, messages about sex you receive in childhood, particularly from your mum, could be putting you off. You may have also learnt to fear sex because of a single upsetting event in your life— abuse, painful intercourse or simply having sex when you were too young. You need to be referred to a counsellor for professional counselling.

Furthermore, a partner who’s impatient over your lack of desire won’t help matters— he’ll just make you more anxious about the whole thing.

Explain this to your partner and ask him understand and support you. Seriously though, if not liking sex doesn’t actually bother you, then why do anything about it? Sex is not compulsory! But you need to find a partner who feels the same way.

Why is marriage such a bore?

Dear Bunmi, I got married early last year because I was pregnant. I love my husband and daughter but marriage is not as interesting as I thought it would be. We both have good jobs and my mum helps in looking after the child when I’m away in the office. I also have a fairly well behaved maid.

Yet I’m not happy. I see the years ahead stretching out like this and I feel disillusioned.

I don’t even know if my husband feels the same way as I haven’t discussed it C M Y K

with him in case he feels hurt. Please help.

Omorode, by e-mail.

Dear Omorode, Don’t panic. A lot of new brides experience doubts similar to yours— not about their husband but about being married. Here are some top tips for new brides, who are wondering if they did the right thing: Don’t expect your wedding day to make life perfect; it’s just the beginning of a new phase, not a guarantee for happiness. Give yourself a

realistic period to work out how to live together. You should then stick with this for at least a year.

Swap notes with your spouse on how you see your relationship: compare expectations and make sure you’re in sync. Take time to be individuals, keep up with friends, follow your interests— so you feel you’re in control of life.

Remember, you don’t have to be married in the same way as your mum and dad were.

Checkmate the marriage you want— in your own style.

Dear Bunmi, For 18 months, Greg and I had a very strong relationship and the sex was great.

Unfortunately, and for no reason, I fell out of love with him and had to break things off.

He was really devastated in spite of the fact that I let him down as gently as I could because he was very nice to me.

I’m now in another relationship and happy. Some few weeks ago, I met Greg at a lecture and he invited me to his flat for a drink. Since we both remained good friends, I went with him.

He told me he had a few girlfriends and I was genuinely happy for him. I’d scarcely touched my drink when he was all over me. I was shocked. He pinned me to the couch and started having sex with me and hurting me in the process. I asked him to stop several times, but he didn’t until I was able to free my hands and grab him round the throat to get him off.

He showed no remorse whatsoever and had the guts

to tell me I shouldn’t find lovemaking with him so repulsive since we were once lovers.

He still wants us to be friends. What I can’t understand is why a man who was once a gentleman could turn into a brute.

Taiye, by e-mail.

Dear Taiye, By going with your ex to his flat knowing both of you would be alone must have sent the wrong signal to him.

You did the dumping and he obviously hasn’t forgiven you for that.

It is important that you get this emotional trauma behind you and be wary next time you decide to go to any single man’s apartment alone— especially if sex might be on the cards.

What happened to you is not uncommon— but that doesn’t make it right. Your ex obviously wanted to hurt you as much as he was hurt when you dumped him. But he went about things the wrong way.

He’s the brute, not you and you should put a lot of distance between you.

“You may have also learnt to fear sex because of a single upsetting event in your life— abuse, painful intercourse or simply having sex when you were too young. You need to be referred to a counsellor for professional counselling”

I need to tell him of my infection Dear Bunmi, I caught herpes late last year from my boyfriend of only nine months. I was devastated when I learnt that the disease is incurable. That it lies dormant for a while then shows up from time to time.

My doctor then advised I tell my new boyfriend so we know when to avoid sex.

I haven’t slept with him yet because I’m scared he’ll take it badly and tell people.

What should I do?

Janet, by e-mail.

Dear Janet, You do exactly what you’re

doing now— waiting until you feel comfortable with a guy before you sleep with him. At the very least, wait until you feel you can trust him and know for sure that he isn’t the kind of man who kisses and tell.

So hang on for a while.

When you do get to the point of sleeping with him, tell him openly what the problem is.

If he’s one of the good guys, he’ll step up to the challenge. If he’s not, you’re best off without him anyway.

Herpes is a very common disease and it can be effectively managed.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard Vanguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Professional advice may be needed over your finances but if you are sure of what you are doing you can go ahead. Be more family minded.

LEO; Some of you who are travelling purposely for love are in for a rewarding day. All of you will need to take your social life more seriously.

VIRGO; Unusual co-operation may come your way today but if you are carried away by this the whole thing may change soonest. Respect your spouse.

LIBRA; Tomorrow will prove more rewarding financially but you will have good opportunity to do things rightly within your working arena. Be loving.

SCORPIO; Although tomorrow may be your best day good opportunity to enhance your financial prospects will come your way even today. Try to be more practical however.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 39

By Richard Eromosele

A

GREAT thinker once wrote that words are the forerunner of our action.

People first hear us talk before they see us act our talk. It is what we say that first captures their attention and ensure that they give us audience.

Talking to people You may be a great actor but if you are not able to market your skill you will have a scanty audience. And if you are a leader, if you can;t communicate your intention,

TERROR MUDA

chances are that you will have a very low followership. This is where ability to speak and communicate appropriately comes in.

It is not enough to know it, the question

in “Never say goodbye”

is can you convince people that you know it?

Talking to people is a skill everyone of us should develop. The leader, the marketer, the politician, the manager etc we all need the skill.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when both your personal efforts and element of good luck will bring you much desired result. The more self assertive you are today the better for you.

CAPRICORN; Tomorrow is your day; although there will be some challenges within your base of operation today, eventual success will be yours. Be more family minded.

AQUARIUS; Even if friends have failed to live up to expectation in the recent days you will need to leave the past behind you and forge ahead. Lovers are fairly favoured.

PISCES; Business challenges of yesterday notwithstanding pleasant surprises are possible. The more financially ambitious you are today the better for your cause.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

ARIES; Better opportunities indicated for those of you willing to be as self assertive as possible, and it could turn out to be a happy day to be remembered by real lovers.

TAURUS; Although you will need to keep your secrets for the next few days that is not to say you should not pursue your financial interest. Take care of your health.

GEMINI; Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make an important move because good luck and success are closer to you today than you image. Be hopeful.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Dear Joshua,

Who am I?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

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

Demola Kaduna.

Dear Damola, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lens-Mercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both.

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/ or) decisive action.

Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self..

C M Y K

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

VISIT: Mr. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works (2nd right), during the visit and donation of relief materials to flood victims in Illushi, Edo State, Sunday.

N670m: FinBank arraigned

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

L

AGOS—A Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere has dismissed the objections raised by FinBank Plc (formerly First Inland Bank Plc) over a N670 million fraud charge instituted against it by Lagos State government.

Justice Christopher Balogun explained that when the decision of preliminary objection was dealt with, the defendant could then be compelled for the arraignment.

He said: “However, now that issue of preliminary objection has been dealt with, then it is now ripe to compel the defendant to be in court.”

Dismissing the objection on perjury raised by the defendant’s lawyer, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the court held that it would be immaterial whether the testimony was given on oath or under any other section authorised by law.

He added that it was immaterial whether the first testimony was given orally or in writing.

In his ruling, Justice Balogun disagreed with the objection of the defence counsel that the offence of perjury was unknown in any written law in Nigeria, citing Section 999 of the Criminal Code, Part 317 Laws of Lagos State 2003.

He said: “This court has carefully read the case of Onogoruwa v. the State 1993 (7) NWLR, part 308 and 31, which was hurdled through in the Abacha case supra. In both cases, prima facie evidence was said to be synonymous with sufficient evidence.”

C M Y K

INCEPTION: From left— Mr. Jimmie Akinsola of Beat FM; Mr. Tunde Alabi, Chief Operations Officer, YDx, and Mr. Abiodun Awoyale, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, United Spirits, during Inception 2012 in Lagos.

Canada to partner Nigeria on security

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

C

ANADIAN government has pledged to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria in the fight against terrorism in the north of the country, while restating its commitment to strengthen the ties between both countries.

Canadian Foreign Minister, John Baird, who made the pledge in a statement in Abuja shortly after concluding his official visit to Nigeria, noted the mindless killing of innocent persons by terrorists in the north and said his country would not abandon Nigeria in her hour of needs.

Baird said: “Sadly, Nigeria is dealing with a deadly insurgency by radical extremists in the North, who are bent on using a warped reading of religion as a pretext for cowardly violence. I pledged Canada’s support in the struggle against the scourge of terrorism.”

On the Bi-National Commission between both countries, he said: “I was honoured to inaugurate the Bi-National Commission, which is evidence of our cooperation as mature partners and friends. I’m confident that it will lead to real action and new opportunities for political, economic, security and development advances.

“We are prepared to announce today the start of exploratory talks toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to encourage more Canadian businesses to come to Nigeria.

“Our discussions were productive and brought home just how much our

two governments have in common: both are focused on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for our peoples; both understand that prosperity and security are inextricably linked; and both are committed to religious pluralism.”

Baird also met with the business community in Lagos, including representatives of the newlyformed Canada-Nigeria Business Association.

He expressed the satisfaction of his government about the expansion of Canadian business interests in the country, especially in the areas of oil and gas, aeronautics, electricity and information

technology.

He said: “Our government recognises the importance of forging deeper ties with countries like Nigeria, whose economies are booming and where Canadian companies can expand and succeed.

“Canada’s ties with Nigeria are strong and getting ever stronger, and that’s good news for both our countries.”

UNN students protest hike in fees It's internet fee— Mgt

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—SOME students of University of Nigeria, UNN, Enugu Campus, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest within the campus against alleged N12,000 increase in their school fees.

The students had in the early hour of the day stormed the main entrance of the university and prevented workers from driving into the campus, but anti-riot policemen dispersed them and took control of the gate.

The aggrieved students later dispersed but academic activities were paralysed throughout the day.

In its reaction, management of the university said it learnt with sadness the purported demonstration by a group of 40 students of the Enugu Campus protesting alleged increment in school fees.

A statement by the Registrar of UNN, Chief Anthony Okonta denied any increase in tuition fees in the institution, but said the management introduced a service charge for the university’s ubiquitous, 24-hour internet service on

Nsukka and Enugu campuses of the institution.

It read in part: “Following a restriction and near shut-down of the service in the last academic session, various stakeholders prevailed on the university management to reintroduce the service given the benefits to all users.

“The Students Union in particular led a delegation to the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Bartho Okolo, to make a case for the service and agreed to a minimal cost for

it.

“University of Nigeria then introduced a service charge of N12,000 per session as Internet Service Charge, and this translates to N1,000 per month for always-on internet service.

“We note that majority of students are at peace with this fee, given the high cost of the alternatives, as well as the need to recover a minimum cost to ensure continuous running and maintenance of the internet service.”

ANPP chieftain flays FG over INEC funding

P

ORT HARCOURT—A chieftain of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in Imo State, Mr. Bethel Lemchi, has said adequate funding of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will ensure credible elections.

Lemchi said this in Port Harcourt, yesterday, while reacting to complaints of inadequate funds by the commission. He said it was inexcusable for the Federal Government to starve INEC of funds.

He said: “Every Nigerian is expecting credible elections from INEC come 2015; it ought not be made to beg for money by Federal Government.

“I wonder how credible future elections would be if INEC is broke. Funding INEC should occupy a priority position in the agenda of the Federal Government.”

The former governorship candidate noted that some corrupt politicians may take advantage of the situation to manipulate officials of INEC.

NAS flays FG over Bakassi

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ATIONAL Association of Seadogs, NAS, has faulted the failure of the Federal Government to appeal for a review of the October 10, 2002 International Court of Justice, ICJ, judgment that ceded Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon.

In a statement by Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, NAS Captain; Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, Vice President, and Mr. Timi Nagberi, President, Asaba Chapter, the group said the issue was not about what lies below the land, but on the value the country should place on

her citizens.

The statement said: “ The Anglo-German Treaty of 1913 on which Cameroon hinged it pleadings at the ICJ, not withstanding, it is a known historical fact that the Bakassi Peninsula and its inhabitants have always been part of the old Calabar Kingdom prior to the colonial creation of Nigeria in 1914.

“Cameroon had never placed great premium on this territory until its oilbearing potentials were discovered.

“Moreover, the people of

Bakassi themselves who have suddenly become alienated from a land they had historically occupied and owned need to be consulted on where they would choose to belong: Cameroon, Nigeria or simply remain as Bakassians.”

The group said it was sad to note that the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, without as much as batting an eyelid, accepted defeat and therefore condemned an indigenous people to a status of refugees in their country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 —41

Jonathan and the House: A truce or what?

Despite threats to take decisive actions against alleged infractions by the presidency, the House of Representatives seems divided between action and inaction

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

T

Unguarded utterances The National Assembly leaders also complained about some unguarded utterances and activities of certain ministers.

It was also learnt that at the meeting which was originally scheduled to discuss Bakassi that both the President and leaders of the National Assembly reassured themselves that the contentious issues between both arms of government had nothing to do with personality differences.

At the end of the second round of the meeting last Thursday, both leaders of the National Assembly agreed that the President could present the 2013 Budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on October 13.

It would be recalled that ever since the present leadership of the House of Representatives emerged in June last year contrary to the zonC M Y K

• Tambuwal, Speaker House of Reps

•Jonathan: Peace at hand

ing plan of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), that it had maintained a cat and mouse relationship with the presidency.

The leadership of the Lower

,

HERE appears to be a silver-lining in the horizon towards the resolution of the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly.

Sources close to the leadership of the legislature revealed that as a result of several meetings held to address some of the disagreements, that there is now a consensus that all efforts should be made to promote harmony between both arms of governments.

Relations had worsened when the House of Representativves declined the date set by the presidency for the presentation of the 2013 budget.

It was gathered that during the first meeting held at the Presidential Villa last Wednesday with leaders of the National Assembly that the legislators told President Jonathan about their grievances over the executive’s treatment of resolutions of both legislative houses.

Some resolutions passed by both houses at different times, which have been ignored, include the Senate’s resolution that the DirectorGeneral of Bureau of Public Enterprises, Bola Onagoruwa, be sacked and the House resolution that the DirectorGeneral of Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, be fired for not being qualified to hold her position.

pose of monitoring the implementation of the 2012 budget.

The decision of the House did not go down well with the Presidency. Indeed, the decision of the House was seen in

The anger of the House it was learnt ,was upon misgivings by the legislators that the villa through a very senior official had released a date for the budget presentation without consulting with the National Assembly

House had two weeks ago sent an unmistakable signal that the cold war between it and the President was still on when it declined the presidency's date for the presentation of the budget on October 4.

The anger of the House it was learnt, was upon misgivings by the legislators that the villa through a very senior official had released a date for the budget presentation without consulting with the National Assembly.

The lawmakers had resolved that they would suspend plenary sessions of the House to to embark on trips to different parts of the country for the pur-

,

some quarters as another confirmation of the confrontational stance of its leaders against the Executive arm of government.

Another factor which has affected the relationship between both arms of government is the change in the balance of forces within the House. The present composition of the house includes a sizeable proportion of members of opposition parties contrary to the situation in the past when the PDP maintained a comfortable majority. The major opposition party in the House - the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN- indeed, cur-

rently wields a lot of influence in the House.

Consequently, the House leadership is said not to be oblivious of the growing belief that it presently shares its loyalty between the PDP, the platform on which its members won elections into the House, and the ACN which gave the leadership the necessary backing to scuttle the PDP zoning arrangement.

For instance, when the executive presented the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), last July, ACN leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, curiously stood against it, arguing that the House would not consider the bill because its submission coincided with the time they were about to go on recess.

Such instances are further believed to have indicated a sharp division even in the PDP.

Albatross for the House The Otedola-Lawan issue is also another major reason that has contributed to the schism between the House and the president.

It is believed that Lawan may have become an albatross for the House, especially after his admission that he took

money from Otedola during the work of the House ad hoc committee on the monitoring of the fuel subsidy regime. Many members of the House, however, beleive that the presidency had a role in the bribery scandal with the ulterior aim of rubishing the House.

The legislators had at their last sitting before proceeding on a two-month recess last July condemned the poor implementation of the 2012 budget and resolved that the government must achieve 100 percent implementation by the time they resumed in September. otherwise, they said, they would commence impeachment proceedings against the President.

Minority Leader of the House, Gbajabiamila of the ACN actually threatened to present the motion.

He had warned that “if by September 18, the budget performance has not improved to 100 per cent, we shall begin to invoke and draw up articles of impeachment against Mr. President.”

This notwithstanding, there is no doubt that the opposition parties have actually stoked the flames in the House for the purpose of widening the visible cracks within the ruling party.

42— Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

It is too early to condemn Jonathan — Erhuero Engr. James Erhuero is a one time Permanent Secretary in the defunct Bendel state, and was subsequently, Secretary to Delta State Government, (1999-2003). His public service career was recognized last September when he received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger OON. In this interview he speaks on the just concluded national honours award of the federal government and some topical issues relating to the country and Delta State. Excerpts:

Y

OU were a recipient in the just concluded national honours award, what were your observations about the awards?

It is a way of encouraging those who are diligent in their duties to carry on with good work, and that the government is the type that appreciates good things. That is my observation and I am indeed humbled to be one of the recipients. I am also grateful to my state government which must have definitely supported my nomination for the award.

How do you rate the performance of President Jonathan?

I want to say that the president is trying and it is quite too early to condemn him in any area where he is perceived not to have measured up. I think in time he would fix a great deal of the challenges facing the nation. I will rate Mr. President’s performance high, particularly in his choice and focus on infrastructural development.

What is your comment on the allegation by some ethnic groups particularly the Urhobos and the Itsekiris that

they have been marginalised by the Federal Government?

I thinks the Urhobos and Itsekiris are correct. When I take a look at the cabinet of Mr. President I do not see any Urhobo or Itsekiri man. I want to say that Urohobos deserve to be given a place in the present government even if the absence of an Itsekiri man is hung on the fact that the government the state has an Itsekiri man as the governor.

The clamour for an appointment of an Urohobo indigene is quite in order and I am in support of it, given the population and contribution of the Urohobos to the Nigeria nation.

The nation has just celebrated her 52nd independent anniversary; do you think the country has fared well in the past 52 years?

Well, America that we are all looking up to when we talk of development, probably did not get to the level we are now over a century and half ago.

Development is a gradual process and I think the country has tried. So far we have been able to bring democracy to stay and that is a pass mark.

What is your reaction to the

spate of insurgency across the country?

The activities of militants in the riverine areas have greatly subsided. I think this should be due to the success of the amnesty programme of the federal government. The youths are being encouraged through jobs, some are in training within and outside the country and peace is gradually returning to the Niger Delta area. In some parts of the north, the activities of Boko Harram still cripple religious and economics activities. I think these people have become uncontrollable partly because no one has known the reason why they are wrecking heavy carnage on the land. They have not come to say they want this or that, even their sponsors are yet unknown. I believe they have sponsors. There may be elites who are colluding and sponsoring them. You can imagine how some youths in this modern world would say they do not need western education. Is that moral in this jet age? Certainly not. They are even asking Mr. President to become a Moslem.

Sir, as an experienced

Council crisis: Why we back Okorocha — Uwajumogu, Imo Speaker •Says council polls ‘ll hold next February

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

BARRING unforeseen developments, elections into the 27 local councils of Imo State will hold in February 2013, Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ben Uwajomu has said.

Towards this end,

*Uwajumogu C M Y K

Uwajomogu said the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (IMSIEC) has issued a 90-day election notice to all stakeholders.

The speaker, who made the disclosure at reception held for him in Lagos by his UmuihiIhinna community, weekend, gave reasons the lawmakers backed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s decision on the fate of the embattled chairmen, who are in court seeking to complete the one year they lost to the crisis, which started in 2011.

According to him, the state would have had council polls before now but for the crisis. He said the House backed the governor on the council issue because the election of 2010 was held against many court orders and there was clamour for the election to be cancelled.

“So, when we came the governor cancelled the election. The council chairmen went to court to ask for the balance of their two year tenure, which the Court of Appeal granted them. We went

to the Supreme Court and the law says the status quo should be maintained once a matter is pending in court but the Attorney General of the state declared that they should be allowed to return to office. We allowed them to take office.

Now, their tenure has expired but they are asking for extension and have gone to court. Since their tenure has expired they should vacate office. If in due course the court says they should come back, they can come back,” he said.

Lamenting that Imo local councils were almost in comatose because of the antics of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he said the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led government was determined to return democracy to the council in February 2013.

Notable persons held at event held at Arena Plaza, Oshodi included Governor Okorocha, who was represented by Hon Lisa Asugha, Special Assistant to the Governor on Lagos

*Erhuero technocrat, what advise do you have for politicians in the country?

Every one must be up and doing. No arm of government should jeopardize the smooth running of another arm of government, even though checks and balances are allowed for the beauty of democracy. Again politics should not be a do or die affair.

Those who win in election should perform their tasks creditably while those who lose should imbibe the culture of sportsmanship. Our law makers should be dutiful in their task of law making. It is not a tea and coffee affair. Law making is a strenuous job and those who find themselves in parliament should show adequate commitment and

justification for why they were elected to represent their people in the house.

How will you rate the government of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan?

He is trying his best; but one thing you will know is that Delta State can be likened to Nigeria. It is a multi- ethnic and multi- lingual state. So for that very reason, the state has peculiar challenges just as Nigeria has particular challenges when compared to some other countries. I think gradually we the people of the state will understand each other and once the communication gaps are bridged, there would be less challenges and less criticisms against the governor.

Liaison/Liaison Officer; Chairman of Zinox, Chief Leo Stan-Ekeh; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuoforiji; and a team of members of the Imo State House of Assembly among others.

Welcoming the dignitaries , Lagos State Chairman of Umuihi-Ihinna Consultative Assembly, Mr Vincent Uba, who urged wealthy Imo citizens to established factories at home and partner with the state government to develop the state, said they were honouring the speaker because of the “amiable and developmental working relationship that has existed between the legislature and the executive since he assumed office. Uba tasked Uwajumogu on finding solution to the lingering local council crisis in the state, fixing deplorable roads and helping to tackle the problem of unemployment in the two communities.

Stan-Ekeh, who chaired the ceremony, concurred and asked wealthy Umuihi-Ihinna and other Imolites to take the issue of establishing factories in Imo seriously.

Hon Lisa Asugha, Special Assistant to the Governor on Lagos Liaison/Liaison Officer,

said Imo State was the only state in Nigeria that has free education from the primary to the university level. “Students get free education from primary education to the university level. Apart from getting free education, they get paid for coming to school, which means they get stipends and free items like bags, uniforms and books at the primary level. Imo State is not the richest state in the country but the governor embarked on the programme because of his belief in human capacity development.

According to her, while some states get about N43 billion monthly as federal allocation, Imo State gets N3 billion.

To cater for Imo citizens living in Lagos and in the Diaspora, Asugha said the government was compiling a database, the Imo State Citizen Identity Card (ICID) “to have a data of all our people, their professions and take the welfare of our people to the next level” According to her, efforts were being made to attract those in the Diaspora to come and invest. “Since most of them are afraid to come back because they do not know how to start life here, we are coming up with a Diaspora Village of over 5000 houses.

Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012— 43

World Heart Day:

Healthy behaviour, key to heart disease prevention — ACPN W

• Cross section of beneficiaries of the free heart check exercise organised by the Chike Okoli Foundation, in Lagos to promote heart health.

Chike Okoli Foundation makes case for free heart checks in hospitals

By CHIOMA OBINNA

A

S part of efforts to debunk the myths concerning heart related diseases including stroke, the Chike Okoli Foundation, COF, has continued to canvass for free heart screening in all health facilities across the country.

At a recent week-long free heart check exercise in Lagos to mark the 6th edition of death of Chike Okoli, a young entrepreneur who died as a result of undetected coronary heart disease, experts said provision of heart screening equipment at all tiers of healthcare in the country would drastically reduce the incidence of sudden death among Nigerians, particularly the youths.

The experts who harped on regular medical screening as strategy in preventing CVD related deaths also blamed the rising incidence on unhealthy lifestyle among Nigerians due to sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high fatty unbalanced diets.

Statistics show that an estimated 40 per cent of Nigerians come down with CVDs as a result of undetected high blood pressure.

Programme Officer, COF, Ms. Beauty Alfred, said the Foundation was set up to prevent Nigerian youths suffering from late Chike's fate by reaching them with the save-your-heart message. She emphasised need for increased awareness about the problem.

"The Foundation's Annual Heart Week has enabled us to see that many Nigerian youths are becoming hypertensive. Wrong lifestyle is one major reason Nigerian youths are coming up with heart disease in the sense that most youths are not careful of what they eat and they do not exercise enough. However, a few others have heart disease because of genetic factor.

"We have reached over five mil-

lion people across Nigeria informing them on growing dangers of cardiovascular disease and how to make lifestyle interventions."

In his lecture on Healthy Living and Preventive Options against CVDs", a Cardiologist, Dr. Akangbe Oluwatobi said heart disease arises when there are problems with the heart or with the blood vessels. "Fat coated blood vessels, for instance, can cause heart attack as it can make

it difficult for blood to be circulated to the heart and from the heart to other parts of the body. When blood is not getting into the heart, the first thing one may start experiencing is pain in the heart."

Oluwatobi noted that wrong diet especially those loaded with fatty and high cholesterol inducing foods were capable of blocking blood from flowing freely from and to the heart, thereby worsening heart problems.

ORRIED about attitudes of Nigerians towards their heart, experts have called for healthy behaviours among Nigerians to meet up with the global target to reduce premature deaths from Non Communicable Diseases, NCDs by 25 percent by 2025.

The experts who spoke at community awareness programme to mark this year's World Heart Day in Ojodu area of Lagos organised by the Association of Community Pharmacists, ACPN, Ikeja Zone with the theme: "World, One Home, One Heart", said engaging in healthy behaviours was key to controlling certain risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and prevent heart disease and stroke.

Addressing participants, Former Chairman, Drug Information Centre, Pharm. Rosari Agbim noted that the global targets was to curb the growing incidences of NCDs which includes cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease and stroke.

Agbimsaid tackling heart-related diseases was critical to avoiding premature death in the country from cardiovascular disease.

She stressed the need for people to take assessments such as regular monitoring of their blood pressures, cholesterol, blood sugar level and weight."Lack of exercise, excessive weight too much intake of salt, fatty foods predisposes one to heart diseases" The Chairperson, ACPN, Ikeja Zone, Pharm. Anasthesia Osarenkhoe said theme of the 2012 World Heart Day, was to foster healthy lifestyles in general and in families.

The Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Chairman, Ojodu, Engr. Olumuyiwa Oloro enjoined participants to take seriously heart checks citing example of a woman who died after she was diagnosed to have elevated blood pressure but was adamant to visit the hospital immediately. "Healthy citizens also ensures healthy environment and reduces cost of healthcare. It is necessary for us to check our blood pressure regularly," he noted.

Succour for amputees as FECOT graduates 37 prosthetists, othotists

By CHIOMA OBINNA

N

IGERIAN amputees faced with the challenge of obtaining artificial replacement limbs can now have better access to such services as the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos, NOHIL recently graduated 37 prosthetists and orthotists at the maiden convocation of the Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology, FECOT, Lagos.

Prior to this, the nation could hardly boast of 10 prosthetists and orthotists as a result of a combination of the sequel of the mass exodus of such allied health personnel to foreign countries iin the 1990s.

Prosthetists are medical professionals who assess, design, fabricate and fit artificial limbs while orthotists provide assistive devices and braces for patients with musculoskeletal deficits. The two related allied health disciplines are concerned with the aim of restoring them to their pre- injury status.

In 2010, N20 million was committed for direct purchase of equipment and tools from Ottoburg, Germany for NOHIL, but establishment of the FECOT is enabling Nigeria check paucity

of professional manpower and meet demand for artificial limbs.

Addressing the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 graduands, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, directed the orthopaedic hospitals in Enugu and Kano to initiate the process of commencing National Diploma programme to urgently address the shortage.

Pate who was represented by the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospi-

tal, LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun, said the acute shortage of prosthetists and orthotists formed the basis for the approval of NOHIL in 2005 and 2007 to commence the training and that more funds would be released to NOHIL to procure all the necessary equipment and tools for commencement of the Higher National Diploma Programme.

Earlier, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Dr. Wahab Yinusa urged graduands to de-

velop right attitude to work as well as upgrade their knowledge.

FECOT is the first recognised college in Nigeria to train prosthetists/orthotists at the ND/HND levels. It is a monotechnic recognised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board (MRTB).

• Cross section of graduands of the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 sets of the Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology, FECOT, Lagos, last week.

44— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

UNIPORT FOUR:

Drama, intrigues around their brutal murder O

MUOKIRI-ALUU, a bubbling university community was seemingly lifeless when Vanguard Features, VF, visited the place after the brutal murder of three students of the University of Port Harcourt and their friend in the early hours of Friday.

The foursome of Ugona Kelechi Obuzor, Biringa Chiadika Lordson, Mike Lloyd Toku and Tekena Erikena did not know death was lurking around the corner when they decided to sleep in their friend’s house at OmuokiriAluu Thursday.

Father of one of the students According to the father of one of the students, Mr Mike Toku, a staff with the state owned Radio Rivers station, his son and three others spent Thursday night at their friends place in the community so they could track a friend who lives in the same community early enough before he leaves home.

He said he gathered the friend they were to meet was indebted to one of them. This decision the four friends took cost them their lives.

VF gathered that five of them, including the owner of the apartment they slept, stormed the residence of the friend they were to see to demand money from him in the early hours of Saturday.

An argument ensued and in the process, according to another source, probably the owner of the money insisted he was to go with the laptop and phone of his debtor until his money was paid.

This decision, apparently allegedly did not go down well with the debtor who reportedly raised alarm, branding the five friends thieves.

And before anybody could say Jack, the boys had been rounded up by community folks. One of the five, according to the source,

escaped.

They were reportedly stripped naked and led by the irate youths to where they were finally clubbed to death. And their corpses set ablaze.

According to Mr Toku, the tragic killing took place around 7am. He said he got a call that his son was being clubbed to death and they rushed to the scene from their Captain Amangala residence in Port Harcourt Town.

He said they got there at about 9am to see smouldering the corpses. Continuing, he said his wife and two others assisted him to carry the corpses into an ambulance. Mr Mike said one of them was still looking like he had some degree of life but he was certified dead when they got to the hospital.

He appealed to government and security operatives to fish out killers of the students. “I

,

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Tekena

Ugonna

Chidiaka Aka Aladin the murder, some residents were seen relocating with some of their valuables. An Okada rider said most people fled the area for fear of arrest. He said the Police stormed the community after the killing.

The Police in a statement the following day confirmed that a Chief, Ahaji Hassan Walewa and 12 others had been

I want justice to prevail because the children were innocent; the community had no right to do what it did to them; I am appealing to government and the human rights community

want justice to prevail because the children were innocent.

The community had no right to do what it did to them. I am appealing to government and the human rights community to stand on the side of parents of the victims to fight for justice on this issue if not it will continue in the community,” he said.

According to Mr Toku, he saw men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, when he got to the scene of the brutal murder trying to enforce law and order.

He said he heard they had fired warning shots that made those around the scene of the incident to flee.

At press time, Omuokiri community had been deserted.

When VF visited the area after

,

arrested over the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ben Ugwuegbulam, who issued the statement said the Police would stop at nothing to unearth those behind the heinous crime.

The part of the community where the incident occurred is mostly inhabited by students of the University of Port Harcourt and workers. The area has modern buildings and hostels.

It is about five minutes on a motor bike to any of the three campuses of the university in the area.

Some residents of the community who managed to offer comments to the VF on strict condition of anonymity said they had been witnessing incessant robberies within the

Lloyd last six months. A female student said the community was a no-go-area from 7pm at night.

According to some of the residents, they had occasions when robbers gang raped their victims after dispossessing them of their valuables. “They never cared if their victims were married. “ They said the robbers would rape married women before their husbands.

So there had been anger in the community against robbers," one of the students quipped.

It is not clear if this bottled-up anger was responsible for the extra- judicial killing of the students.

Seven days mourning At press time, the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt had declared seven days mourning for the deceased students with flags flying at half mast all over the school.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Joseph Ajienka who briefed media men on the sad incident commiserated with families of the deceased. He said the university had identified three out of the four as their students. He said Biringa Chiadika Lordson was a year two Theatre Arts student with matriculation number U2010/1805036; Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, year two Geology, U2010/5565149 and

Mike Lloyd Toku, year two Civil Engineer U2010/3010094.

The fourth person, Tekena Erikena, the VC said only did Basics Studies with the university. He said effort was still on to ascertain if he was finally admitted into any programme in the university at the end of the pre-degree class.

The VC, Prof Ajienka, who dismissed allegations in some quarters that students of the institution were planning to storm Aluu community for a reprisal attack said the university authorities would not in any way condone lawlessness and extra-judicial act. He further appealed to security operatives and government to fish out killers of the foursome.

Some students of the University who reacted to the brutal killing said those behind it went too far. They said they should have allowed the law run its course after they had apprehended the boys for whatever thing they alleged they did. None could say if the deceased were robbers but they said they had heard in some quarters that the killing could be cult- related.

According to one of the female students she was struggling to understand how those behind the killings would bluntly ignore explanations and appeals from the students on why they were at the spot they were apprehended. “So

Continues on page 45

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—45

Mixed blessings of a voluntary health insurance scheme

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

According to the setup, health care facilities/health organisations acquire data capturing machines and vouchers from the scheme. The healthcare facilities/HMOs sell the vouchers to prospective enrollees who then register online by logging on to the NHIS web site. A NHIS number would be allotted to enrollee when registration is concluded.

Then the enrollee visits the selected HMO or preferred health facility for data capturing, following which identity cards are issued by the HMOs through health care facilities.

Next, the enrollee may proceed to access to healthcare at the chosen health facility and pharmacies after a month from when registration is completed, provided an acknowledgement slip and VCSHIP identity card have been obtained.

S

Financing challenges But considering its current limitations and financing challenges, it is debatable whether the formal sector scheme has met expectations of Nigerians in attaining and securing universal coverage and access to adequate and affordable healthcare.

Nigerians, especially those who are self-employed or in the informal sector, have consistently agitated for a credible policy option that

* A healthcare provider attending to a patient..but how affordable without an insurance scheme? would offer affordable health care plans.

Enter the Voluntary Contribution Social Health Insurance Programme VCSHIP. Under this plan, with N15, 000 an individual can access basic health care for 12 calendar months after registration and payment and there are registered 13 Health Maintenance Organisations, HMOs, to choose from.

Since it made its debut earlier in the year, the VCSHIP, has left no one in doubt that it is a health insurance plan specifically focused on voluntary individuals, and societies in the informal (and formal) sectors in the country.

The plan is already widely acknowledged as a step in the long march towards improved financial protection against the cost of illness in Nigeria.

Presenting the VCSHIP at a media forum in Lagos recently, NHIS Executive Secretary, Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo, described it as a credible policy

option for financing healthcare, especially at low income levels. Sambo, who is quite optimistic about the VCSHIP set up, told Vanguard Features, VF, that it is specifically designed for Nigerians not currently under coverage of any of the existing individuals or employers on behalf of their employees in organisations with less than 10 staff.

“It is a means of ensuring expanded coverage, especially for the self-employed and those working in organisations with staff less than 10 with no formal health services provision for staff and their dependants.”

The target group is definite.

“Membership is for willing individuals, employers on behalf of their employees in organisation of less than 10 staff. Other beneficiaries include political office holders, retirees not covered by other NHIS programmes, foreigners to Nigeria or

Uniport four: Drama, intrigues around their brutal murder Continues from page 44 nobody among the irate youths chose to give the deceased hearing,” she queried.

Meantime, VF gathered that two of them, Ugonna and Llyod featured in an album that was released precisely on August 13 this year. VF gathered that the Ugonna’s music name was Tipsy, while Lloyd’s name was Big L. Some of Ugonna’s pals on his

twitter account @tipsy_tipsy lamented his death. They sang his praise as an upcoming rapper.

It was clear they were budding music stars, Doris McDaniels told VF while condemning the brutal murder.

She spoke of the two as very responsible children from decent homes who would have nothing to do with robbery.

On his part, Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi

has ordered security operatives to unearth killers of the students.

While condemning the circumstance under which they were killed, he said the government would not tolerate such heinous crime.

The killing has continued to generate outcry all over. The task before the Police in the state is to fish out the killers of what has come to be known as the Aluu 4.

persons with temporary residency,” Sambo said.

The scope of coverage is also straightforward. “An individual can benefit in the case of individual contribution, while an employer with less than 10 staff also qualifies.”

So now, how is this plan financed? VF gathered that this health insurance scheme is financed directly from

,

INCE it was established under Act 35 of 1999 by the Federal Government, the primary aim of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, has been to provide easy access to healthcare for all Nigerians at an affordable cost through various prepayment systems.

Under the formal sector programme of the Scheme, an employee pays contributions to cover individual healthcare benefits, in addition to a spouse and four biological children below 18 years of age.

Provided under this plan is a benefit package, including outpatient care, drugs, pharmaceutical care and diagnostic tests. Other benefits are maternity care for up to four live births, preventive care, including immunisation, health education, family planning, and consultation with specialists, etc.

From hindsight, one of the major expectations of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, as mapped out under the O, Functions and Powers, is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to good health care services, while being protected from the financial hardship of huge medical bills and assured of equitable distribution of health care costs, irrespective of income or social status.

Prepaid voucher The registration is renewable a month before expiration of the current package following an automatic SMS alert. Further details are obtainable from vcship@nhis.gov.ng .

Exiting is as easy as entering.

The prepaid voucher entitles a beneficiary to health care services for one year. An enrollee can exit from the programme any time by

It is a means of ensuring expanded coverage, especially for the self-employed and those working in organisations with staff less than 10 with no formal health services provision

contributions made by increased individuals at a contribution rate actually determined at N15,000 per enrollee annually.

“Enrolees buy vouchers from designated outlets (HMO offices, health care facilities or banks), register and select health care providers while ensuring registration is concluded with data capture.

They also pay 10 per cent copayment for drugs supplied.”

A beauty of the VCSHIP is that it is completely accessible online. Potential enrollees only need to obtain a N500 scratch card, access the website, register and pay the N15, 000 contribution fee. Online registration is plain easy.

On purchase of a voucher from a participating HMO, an intending contributor opens to the NHIS website at www.nhis.gov.ng and clicks on the voluntary contributors’ link on the right hand side of the home web page.

,

notifying the HMO, who shall notify the primary provider to terminate access as at when due.

In the event of rearrangement, a waiting period of two months is observed.

With a benefit package comparable to the standard NHIS package, the VSHIP programme offers real valuefor-money.

According to Sambo, the healthcare system is geared towards providing all the services in one place - drugs, laboratory tests inclusive.

The prospects of the VCSHIP are only just evolving, in Nigeria. Already, there are indications of high demand.

And this is not surprising.

With provision for access to affordable, cost effective and equitable healthcare, the move to universal coverage by 2015 and improving life expectancy of Nigerians may be closer than anticipated.

46— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER

Stories by ALBERT AKPOR

B

ARELY one year ago, about 20 boys in Ajegunle, a suburb in Lagos metropolis popularly referred to as the ‘jungle city’ came together to form an association christened ‘One million boys’. The original motive for this according to investigation, was to fight perceived injustices that are synonymous with the ‘City’ Initially, the association was growing from strength to strength and soon, they formed vigilante group to checkmate and fight crime and criminality in the community.

This, they were even doing in collaboration with security agents.

However, mid-way into its existence, some members of the association hijacked it and turned a hitherto crime fighting group into a sinister one; terrorizing the entire community, raping hapless women and robbing defenceless and unsuspecting residents. In fact, some victims and residents who spoke on

10, 2012

bizarre situation when they reportedly raped a pregnant woman to death and forced a father to sleep with his daughter with a threat that if he does not comply, he would be killed. The man had no option than to do accordingly. Now that some of them have been arrested, we are sure that this community will have some peace. We are appealing for a continued raid and arrest because there is a popular one among them called Sanni, he is on the run. We heard he is a final year university student and the kingpin. If the police can get hold of this Sanni, I think we will heave a sigh of total relief.”

Briefing newsmen on the arrest of the ‘One million boys’, the Commissioner of Police CP Umar Manko said he had received complaints about the nefarious activities of the boys moments on assumption of office adding that, he quickly instructed his Divisional Police Officers DPOs and Area Commanders ACs to keep a tab on them He said he had to order mass

Behold, ‘King of the •Why they formed ‘one million boys’ •They are terror group and we won’t spare them — POLIC meeting points. The suspects are there for you to talk to.”

Reiterating the command’s determination to fight crime and criminality in Lagos state, CP Manko said, “I have said before and will keep say-

ing it that this command will not rest on its oars until peace, and I mean total peace; returns to Lagos. We shall continue to do our best and prove our detractors wrong.”

A member of the ‘One Million Boys’ who was

identified as second- incommand, was cornered

by Crime Alert and he opened up. Though initially, he was economical with the truth; he however buckled when he was assured of his immediate freedom if only he tells

the truth. Said he: “My name is Oyedikachi Nwagba, I am 24 years old from Abia state. I am a professional baker. I could not further my education after my secondary school because of poor financial back-

There was one bizarre situation when they reportedly raped a pregnant woman to death and forced a father to sleep with his daughter with a threat that if he does not comply, he would be killed

,

,

condition of anonymity described the group as a thorn in the flesh of residents; stressing that until the police came to their rescue, the ‘boys’ had literally become kings of the jungle. Said a resident: “We are happy that the police have come to our rescue at last. These ‘one million boys’ were doing whatever they liked in this community unchallenged. If they want to raid any street, they will first write a letter and send it through a small boy to the head of that street that they are coming and they will come as planned. And when they come, they would rob from one building to another, raping girls and women; even married women. There was one

raid on identified hideouts and hotels used as their meeting points when complaints about criminal activities of the ‘boys’ became unbearable. According to him, “Gentlemen, you will recall that during our last meeting here, one of you drew my attention to the activities of some criminals operating in Ajegunle who goes with the name ‘One Million Boys’ and I remember also that I told you that I was not unaware of their existence but with a promise that in no distant time, we would round them up.

Today, I want to announce to you that we have in our custody about 130 of these boys including four women. They were arrested at various criminal hideouts and hotels used as their

Suspect Onyedikachi . Inset: Arm and ammunition recovered from him

Game up for light-fingered NSPM •How he attempted to bribe the Police with N300,000

F

OR two years, Osakpolor Igbinosa, the Oriowon, Edo state born Material Security Officer attached to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company NSPMC with its head office in Victoria Island Lagos had basked in the euphoria of stealing printed naira notes from his company without being caught.

With the proceeds of his criminality, Osakpolor

had bought a Pathfinder Jeep and built a state of the art bungalow at his home town and lived above his income to the consternation of his colleagues.

As a security officer he carried out his nefarious deal with a tincture of suspicion. He searched other staff while closing for the day’s job; but right under his sucks and pants were a few naira notes masterly tucked in.

But like the age-long aphorism which says :”every day for the thief, one day for the owner,” the 43 year-old secondary school graduate and father of four is presently telling the police the story of his life as his hitherto ‘lucrative business’ has spelt his doom.

Though Osakpolr had as usual succeeded in meandering through the highly secured NSPMC

gate with his loot, the long arm of the law caught up with him while attempting to exchange some of the stolen naira notes for the US Dollars somewhere in the suburbs of Ikorodu, Lagos.

Betraying emotions while narrating how he was beaten to his act, Igbinosa who was clad in a pair of jeans trousers, a stripe long sleeve shirt and leather sandal to

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10, 2012—47

e jungle’! ground. My mother sells roasted plantain and yam along the road while my father is jobless. We are eight children in the family and I am the second child. It is poverty that drove me into becoming a baker. And of course, joining the ‘One Million Boys’ But when the idea to join ‘one Million Boys

came, I embraced it thinking that it was a social club, and of course, it used to be until it was turned into another thing entirely. We used to act as vigilante group to fight armed robbers in the entire Ajegunle even some police men sometimes joined us to sit up during the nights. However, one

day, Sanni, the man that brought this gun (points at it) sold the idea that we can use it to rob and make good money. Sanni according to him, is from Igara, he said he is a final year university student. He would readily come to me at 18 Ladiga street Ajegunle and show the gun and bullets to me

used the gun in his school.

When the police came for him, he escaped arrest

and I am sure, if the police can arrest him, they will get more details of this ‘one million boys.’”

CP Umar Manko 4503. Others said I printed the motes by myself ; that is a lie. What happened is that I normally steal some of the notes that have no security numbers on them from my company and outside, I will exchange them for the genuine old ones. I have been doing it; most Nigerians are not conscious of the numbers. When they see crispy notes, they will readily jump on them.

So, that is what I have been doing since 2010.

In 2010, I stole for two weeks consecutively and made big money; I can’t tell you the amount now.

And I have been spending the money without anybody knowing.

for the sake of my wife and four children. They did not know how I got the money with which they fed. Let them leave me so that I can repent, serve God and live a good life.”

But the Police through it public relations officer, DSP Ngozi Braide said no matter how pathetic

and convincing his tale of criminality may sound, the law will have to take its full course. She said, “On September 19, 2012 at about 4.00pm.

According to her, “One Abdulraham Abdullahi of Benson Plaza Ikorodu alerted police men attached to Shagamu road that one Osakpolor

,

LICE

and together with others we operated. So that was how we began. Though, I won’t deny that I am not a member of the ‘ boys’ but I do not participate in all the criminality they committed. I know that the ‘boys’ raped girls and women, robbed and did all kinds of bad things but I never participated I am a baker with the Will of God Bakery, you can go and find out; it was Sanni that lured me into joining the gang. It was him also that brought the gun which we normally use.

He said him and members of his cult group

I know my game is up, all I need now is mercy of God because of my wife and four children

,

Igbinosa of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company located on Victoria Island with staff number MSC./4503 transacted a business of exchange of nine hundred naira for three thousand US Dollars. During the transaction, the said nine hundred thousand naira was discovered to be fake because the notes do not have security/minting numbers. The suspect was promptly arrested by the Police and during interrogation, he confessed being a security man attached to the NSPMC and that he stole the nine hundred

thousand counterfeit money from the office.

He further stated that he had been stealing the counterfeit money since 2010 and bought a Nissan Pathfinder Jeep with registration number KRD 480AE from the illegal business. He even attempted to bribe the police who came to effect his arrest with the sum of N300, 000.00 but the offer was turned down.”

The Police image maker further stated that a total of N320,000.00 genuine money was recovered from him adding that he would soon be charged to court under the relevant section of the law.

Leverage to start again

MC staff match said, “I know my game is up, all I need now is mercy of God because of my wife and four children.”

Continuing, he said, “I want to correct one impression that I belong to a syndicate who specialize in printing fake naira notes, I am not.

I am staff of NSPMC, a material security officer; anybody cam go and find out. My staff number is MSC/

With it, I bought my Pathfinder jeep and built my house. In 2011, I did not steal much because there was a new security head who was not friendly at all. But this year, 2012, he was redeployed to another section and that gave me the leverage to start again.

I have been doing it since this year and I felt it was time I traveled outside the country. The ones that the police recovered from me were the last ones I wanted to dispose off before the Mallam at the place I normally do my exchange discovered I do not know how they got me this time around but I think it was God that wanted to expose me.

What I want you people to do for me is to beg the police to have mercy on me not for my sake but

Some of the fake note recovered from him

*Osakpolor Igbinosa

*A vehicle recovered from him

48—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

A house completely submerged in Omoku. PHOTO: Nwankpa Chijioke.

From left— Mr. Andrew Esemezie, GM, Customer Relations; Mrs. Funmi Omogbenigun, GM, Corporate Affairs and Mr. Akinwunmi Braithwaite, CR Executive, all of MTN, during the media launch of MTN Security Number in Ikeja, yesterday.

FG’s N500m not enough — Delta House

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA & FESTUS AHON

A

SABA—MEMBERS of Delta State House of Assembly, yesterday, described the state's share of N500 million from the Federal Government’s N17.6 billion assistance to flooded states as meagre, noting that the money was not sufficient in view of the challenges at hand.

They maintained that Delta State was heavily impacted because it was at the mercy of River Niger and River Benue.

The legislators said it could have been appropriate for Mr. President to declare a

state of emergency over the flood issue.

In another development, six children have been reportedly drowned, while corpses from mortuaries submerged by flood are now floating on water in the state.

Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly Mr. Basil Ganagana, disclosed this, yesterday, on the floor of the House.

Ganagana, who represents Patani constituency in the House, said: “All the houses in my constituency have been submerged. The whole of Patani is gone.”

Meanwhile, Delta State government, yesterday, as-

sured the 3,000 flood victims evacuated from Patani and Ughelli North local government areas of adequate provision of food, healthcare facility and security at government designated camps.

Government luxury buses were seen bringing in victims from the affected towns and villages to Oharisi Primary School camp in Ughelli.

Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, told the victims that said government was committed to the welfare of the victims.

He said: “This is where you and your children will live. Those that are of school age, will go to school here.

Edo relief c'ttee member raises alarm over imminent epidemic

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—A member of the Edo Committee on Relief Materials to displaced persons in Edo State, Alhaji Gani Audu, has raised an alarm of a possible outbreak of water borne diseases and looming epidemic within the camps housing the victims of the

flood disasters in the state.

He also expressed the fear of food crisis within the affected communities in the three local government areas of the state, which included Esan South-East, Etsako Central and EtsakoEast.

Answering questions from newsmen in one of the camps located at Etsako Central Skills Acquisition

Bayelsa shuts schools Continues from Page 7 with displaced relations from the riverside communities are racing against time to see what they could salvage of their belonging.

The development has resulted in sharp increase in

the prices of foodstuff with a rubber of garri, a popular staple food among residents, now selling at N1,300 as against N300 before the disaster.

Rice, beans, cassava flour and semolina, among others, have also all gone up.

Centre in Fugar, where displaced persons from Udochi community were being sheltered, Audu said urgent steps must be taken to provide medical services to the displaced victims in the camps.

He said: “Although we have been able to carter for part of their needs, including feeding, shelter among others, we are trying to reach the governor to let him know of the situation on ground so that he can talk to the persons in charge of the medicals.”

Also speaking, Malam Salihu Ozizi, Secretary of Udochi Displaced Persons, identified inadequate rooms in the various camps as one of their major worries.

“There is healthcare facility for you; food and security will be provided for you until you leave this camp for your homes.”

HIV positive nurse wins N7m in law suit

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

T

HE LAGOS State High Court has handed down an epochal judgment in the first ever HIV discrimination lawsuit

... as Speaker calls for more help

S

PEAKER of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, has called on the Federal Government to aid flood disaster victims in Delta State as the numbers of displaced people had increased.

He said according to statistics, over 100,000 persons have been displaced with property worth billions of Naira destroyed and more being transferred to relief camps across Delta State.

Ochei made the appeal in Asaba after inspecting the flood ravaged communities in the state. He called on non-governmental agencies and the

international community to assist the state government due to the magnitude of the problem.

At Ozoro in Isoko North LGA, the Speaker directed the medical director incharge of the relief centre to immediately transfer a woman with serious medical condition for urgent treatment at the nearest government hospital.

He later visited Uzere community in Isoko South, which had been completely submerged, even as hundreds of people were seen being carried by vehicles provided by the Delta State Government to relief camps.

against Dr. Alex Molokwu, Chief Medical Director of Imperial Medical Centre, Lagos.

On July 14, 2000, the Social and Economic Rights Action Centre SERAC, filed the suit challenging the termination of Mrs. Georgina Ahamefule’s employment as an auxiliary nurse by the Imperial Medical Centre and its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Molokwu based on her HIVpositive status.

In the termination letter dated October 23, 1995, Dr. Molokwu was said to have explained that the hospital’s management could not compromise the facility or its patients by exposing them to risks associated with Georgina’s HIV-positive status.

The ruling, which was given by Honourable justice Y. O. Idowu, held that N7 million damages be paid to Mrs. Ahamefule.

Monarch hunts dubious Igbo in Lagos

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

T

HE Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Igwe Hycinth Orazuluike, has said a committee that will investigate activities of criminal elements among Igbos in Lagos State has been set up.

Igwe Orazuluike, who disclosed this to newsmen in his palace, yesterday, in Lagos, said the need for such a step became necessary

following reports of involvement of a titled chief in dubious deals that prompted security agents to declare him wanted.

According to Igwe Ohazuluike, Igbo in the state were shocked to hear that one Chief Dimgba, a.k.a Salami Kambo, was allegedly involved in a dubious deal that culminated in sentencing his accomplices to prison, while

he was said to be at large.

He said: “While I commend the EFCC for the good job done, I would like to inform them that the suspect at large is freely gallivanting all over Ikeja area of the state.

“As a royal father, I cannot allow evil to triumph. That was why I set up the committee to fish out people with criminal records in our midst.”

C M Y K

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Romney closes up on Obama in presidential race R EPUBLICAN Mitt Romney has erased U.S. President Barack Obama’s advantage in the presidential race and the two candidates are now tied among likely voters, according to a Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll released yesterday.

With the November 6 election four weeks away, Romney and Obama each

command 45 per cent, the daily tracking poll found.

Obama held a steady lead in the poll for most of September, but Romney narrowed the gap following a strong debate performance last week.

Obama had been leading by 2 percentage points in the last poll on Sunday.

Voters’ personal views of Romney improved

across a wide range of attributes following the debate, the poll found.

The online survey of 1,157 likely voters was conducted between October 5 and October 9. The precision of the poll is measured using a credibility interval, which is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

Libya challenges ICC jurisdiction to try Saif Gaddafi

L

I B Y A i s to challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Saif al-Islam, one of the sons of Muammar Gaddafi, the country’s late leader.

Saif was indicted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity after reportedly organising a campaign of murder and torture in an attempt to quash last year’s uprising against his father.

The 40-year-old was captured by armed fighters in southern Libya in November 2011. Libyan officials object to the trial being held at the ICC, hosted by the Netherlands in The Hague, and want Saif to face justice on Libyan soil. A two-day hearing in The Hague, beginning yesterday, will discuss the objection.

Saif ’s lawyer has said

that he would not receive a fair trial in Libya, where he could face the death penalty. But Musa Alkouni, a political analyst and a former member of Libya’s National Transitional Council, believes the country is ready to try Gaddafi.

“The judicial system is back on track and slowly starting to try all the previous regime’s figures, and they are a part of the regime and if one part is missing how can we trace other parts,” said Alkouni.

“So the trial of Saif is important to try all these people and groups as a whole.” Speaking to the AP news agency, Mohamed Abdullah, a resident of Tripoli, said: “We don’t tolerate the trial of regime figures, including Saif, outside of Libya.

“The Libyan judicial system is fair and just and it

has been fully activated and they should be tried quickly.”

•Mitt. Romney

N/Korea claims capability to hit US

N

ORTH Korea has rockets that can hit the U.S. mainland, it said yesterday, two days after South Korea struck a deal with the United States to extend the range of its ballistic missiles.

North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and regional powers have for years been trying to rein in North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

Reclusive North Korea is believed to be developing a long-range missile with a range of 6,700 km (4,160) miles) or more aimed at hitting the United States, but two recent rocket tests failed.

Its neighbors fear North Korea is using rocket launches to perfect technology to build a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the United States.

North Korea’s National Defence Commission said in a statement that the country was prepared to counter any U.S. military threats, its KCNA news agency said.

Greek police clash with protesters

G

REEK police fired teargas and stun grenades at protesters in central Athens yesterday when they tried to break through a barrier and

Kenyans protest pay rise for lawmakers

K

ENYANS have staged a protest in the capital Nairobi against a vote paving the way for members of parliament to be paid $110,000 send-off bonus, with money expected from tax increases. Demonstrators marched on Tuesday after parliament dismissed the majority of wage demands of striking public sector workers, including doctors and teachers - yet it approved the lucrative pay off which will cost the country $24.7m.

A worker earning the national minimum wage would take 61 years in order to earn the amount the MPs have voted to pay themselves. “It is totally ridiculous for the MPs to award themselves such an amount of mon-

•Kenyan protesters blocking the road for Parliamentarians in Nairobi, yesterday. ey,” said Morris Odhiambo, who helped organise the demonstration.

The demonstrators, carrying placards with messages such as “MPs are thieves” and “greedy hyenas”, marched through

central Nairobi to parliament. “We want them to know that the public mood is against this unjustified increment,” said Robert Alai, another of the organisers.

Kenyan legislators are

“We do not hide (the fact) that the revolutionary armed forces ... including the strategic rocket forces are keeping within the scope of strike not only the bases of the puppet forces and the U.S. imperialist aggression forces’ bases in the inviolable land of Korea, but also Japan, Guam and the U.S. mainland,” KCNA said.

already some of the best paid on the continent, with a tax-free monthly salary of some $13,000.

Each of the 222 members and the speaker would get $110,800 as a sendoff package at the end of their current term.

reach visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Tens of thousands of demonstrators defied a ban on protests, gathering in Syntagma square to voice their displeasure with the German leader, who many blame for forcing painful cuts on Greece in exchange for two EU-IMF bailout packages worth over 200 billion euros.

Some pelted police with rocks, bottles and sticks, and tried to bust through a barricade set up to protect Merkel and her delegation, who were meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at his office several hundred meters away.

Police detained dozens of protesters in what they said was one of the biggest demonstrations in months. Merkel is visiting Greece for the first time since Europe’s debt crisis erupted here three years ago to deliver a message of support, but no new money, to a nation hammered by recession and fighting to stay in the euro.

— 49

NATO backs Turkey

N

ATO said it had drawn up plans to defend Turkey if necessary should the war in Syria spill over their border again as dozens of people were killed across the Arab nation yesterday.

Fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces could be heard from this Turkish border town following on from several days of clashes in the past week.

One Syrian villager said a rebel push on the town of Azmarin was expected soon.

In Damascus, rebel suicide bombers struck at an Air Force Intelligence compound used as an interrogation centre - the latest attack to bring the conflict close to President Bashar al-Assad’s power base. “Assad...is only able to stand up with crutches,” Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling AK Party. “He will be finished when the crutches fall away.”

Erdogan, reacting to six consecutive days when shells fired from Syrian soil have landed on Turkish territory, has warned Ankara will not shrink from war if forced to act.

But his government has also stressed it would be reluctant to mount any big operation on Syrian soil and then only with international support.

Mexico kills drug chief

M

EXICO says it has killed the leader of the brutal Zetas drug gang, the most powerful kingpin to fall in a six-year battle against cartels, but in a surreal twist, his body was snatched from a funeral home by armed men.

Mexico’s Navy said yesterday that fingerprint tests had confirmed that Heriberto Lazcano was killed in a firefight in the northern state of Coahuila on Sunday afternoon.

Lazcano, alias “The Executioner,” had a $5 million bounty on his head and was the highest profile drug lord to be killed or captured in a military offensive launched when President Felipe Calderon took office in late 2006.

However, in a scene straight out of a movie, an armed group snatched Lazcano’s body and that of another Zetas member from a funeral home in northern Mexico before dawn on Monday, just hours after they were killed.

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

FG lied, say C-River govt, committee members Continues from Page 9

of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke, for allegedly misinforming the nation that there were no fresh facts that would warrant appealing against the ICJ judgment.

Mr. John Gaul Lebor representing Abi Constituency said the comment of the AGF was a clear indication that there was conspiracy against the state by the Federal Government.

He said: “My colleagues have said everything but the issue I want to address is the statement made by the Attorney General of the Federation to the effect that Cross River State or the people of Bakassi have not produced any fresh evidence that will warrant them to file for a review.

“He is not the court. It was a conspiracy for him to say that the evidence is not viable evidence. It is not the duty of Bakassi or Cross River State to provide evidence because we are only a part of the federation, we have no locus standi to go to The Hague to file a motion, Nigerian nation is the one we rely on to file that matter. So if it refuses to, our position is that Bello Adoke should resign as the Attorney General and should face trial for treason.

H

e took an oath to de fend the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was busy saying that the international community, the US, France are not happy with the petition.

When America decided to get Osama in Pakistan, did they take permission from the Pakistan government?

“What we are asking for was for him to go and apply for a review. Cross River State people feel bad that this is a conspiracy and we are going to start another new struggle.

“This conspiracy against Cross River will not end at midnight today, we are going to open another chapter and the Nigerian nation will pay dearly for it. The House of Assembly has taken another step asking the National Assembly to take a further position if the president refuses to listen to that resolution. What we are calling the National Assembly and stakeholders is to make sure that the president complies with the provision of the constitution.

“The president is not bigger than the constitution, Bello Adoke is an ordinary appointee, he is an ordinary lawyer that was appointed the Attorney General of the C M Y K

Federation. If by tomorrow the Bakassi review is not filed the National Assembly should take appropriate measure against the president and his appointee, Bello Adoke, for failure to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Southern Senators Forum, SSF yesterday expressed its incapacity over the Federal Government decision not to appeal the judgment of the ICJ. Addressing Journalists after a meeting of the forum, Senator James Manager, PDP, Delta South, however, said the forum on its own could not address the issue saying that the matter was for the entire Senate act on.

It would be recalled that the Senate and the House of Representatives had on September 25 taken a joint resolution urging the President to appeal the October 2002 ruling on Bakassi.

Also commenting on the decision of the Federal government not to appeal the ICJ ruling on Bakassi, Senator Benedict Ayade, PDP, Cross North noted that the issue was not yet over as diplomatic agreements could be reached by both countries. ‘’The green light has come today and it is clear that the federal government of Nigeria is not asking for the revision of the judgment of ICJ so what appears to me that is very obvious is that there is still a clause, Article 59 of the ICJ status made it specifically clear that the decisions of ICJ are not binding on the parties, thereby their judgments are advisory. ‘’It went further to say that being the fact that it is not obligatory, it is left to the parties to agree on the way forward. I believe that in relying on Article 59, this gives hope for us to go forward to say that a personal letter from the federal government of Nigeria to the government of Cameroon will say look, in line with that section 59 of ICJ which prescribes that any member to a party, dispute has the right, the freedom, the liberty to honour or not to honour the agreement.

‘The the green tree agreement has been violated, the Nigerians who are living in Bakassi were supposed to live there peacefully without intimidation or harassment, that has not been the case, there are reported cases of rapping of Nigeria women and so many atrocities.

L-R: Mrs. Ronke Marquis, Alhaji Gani Belo,Vice Chairman; Chief B. O. Benson, Chairman, Lagoon State Movement and Otunba Sunbo Onitiri, Secretary, at Ikorodu Oga Development Association (Ikodass) press conference on the proposed Lagoon State yesterday, at Ikorodu town. Photo: Shola Oyelese

Lagos destroys over 3,000 impounded motorcycles

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI AND MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

I

N LINE with the state’s determination to strictly enforce the traffic law, over 3,000 motorcycles, otherwise called Okada, impounded for various traffic offences by the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Other Special Offences were yesterday, destroyed to pieces by agents of the state government.

Men of the task-force who stormed major highways, particularly went after commercial motorcyclists, popularly

called, ‘Okada riders’ who violated the order not to ply bridges The exercise which focused on the Third Mainland Bridge axis, led to serious traffic on Funsho Williams Avenue, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi, Yaba, Oyingbo and environs.

Commuters were also stranded at major bus stops due to few buses available while comm ercial drivers seized the opportunity to hike bus fare.

Chairman of the Task Force, Superintendent of Police, Bayo Sulaimon, who supervised the operation at the Task

Force Yard in Alausa, said the motorcycles were impounded within the period of August to September, saying that the government is determined to go all out to ensure that the operators comply with the dictates of the law.

He listed some of the offences to include riding on kerbs, driving against traffic and unauthorized places at late hours, urging operators to either comply with the law or face its wrath.

Sulaimon said: “This is to inform the operators that the law has started and there is no going back. The law has been

Lagos ACN appeals tribunal judgment in PDP's favour

BY ONOZURE DANIA with agency reports

I

KEJA — THE Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has appealed against the judgement of the Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal which declared Mr. Babajide Obanikoro of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Chairman of Ikoyi/ Obalende Local Council Development Area.

The ACN and its candidate, Mr. Adewale Adeniji, filed the appeal yesterday before the Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Appeal Tribunal.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that

Babajide is the son of Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, a chieftain of the PDP and a former gubernatorial candidate in the state.

The lower tribunal sitting in Ikeja, had on Oct 4 declared Babajide the winner of the election conducted on Oct. 22, 2011.

The five-member tribunal presided over by retired Justice Dolapo Akinsanya held that Babajide scored the highest number of valid votes in the election.

It said that the evidence before the tribunal showed that he scored 3,770 valid votes, while Adeniji scored 3,248 votes.

The tribunal, therefore, ordered the Lagos State

Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, to issue a Certificate of Return to the PDP candidate.

However, in the appeal, the ACN stated that the tribunal erred on four grounds of law.

The appeal was filed on the ACN’s behalf by its counsel, Mr. Olayinka Okedara, It said: “The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that the ward collation results tendered by the respondents cannot be ascribed any value, and that there is no credible evidence before the tribunal to relate them to.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

passed, signed and gazzetted and we are going to crush all the crushable at our crushing plant in Oshodi to show our seriousness about enforcing the law.

The ones that cannot be crushed will be auctioned, outside the state, so that they don’t constitute a nuisance here again”.

Reacting to the protest staged by concerned motorcycle riders to the Office of the Governor on Monday, Sulaimon said, “They have the right to protest, but the government will be firm in what it does.

“The protest doesn’t in any way stop our job, as we come after those who intend not to obey the law. They will be arrested one after the other and we will be out there on a daily basis”.

He reminded that the Road Traffic Law did not ban the operation of commercial motorcycles but only restricted them on highways, bridges and some selected roads in local government areas.

Sulaimon also said tricycles, also known as Keke Marwa are restricted from operating in certain areas, warning operators to comply or risk being impounded.

On the menace of street urchins, popularly called, Agberos, Sulaimon said the government enforcement team will continue to clamp down on their hideouts, saying that government will not relent to arrest and charge anyone apprehended to court.

— 51 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—

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52 52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

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Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012—53

Murder: Uniport students on rampage, set Omuokiri-Aluu ablaze, Senate condemns killings, urges police to fish out perpetrators

BY HENRY UMORU, JIMITOTA ONOYUME & INALEGWU SHAIBU

P

ORT HARCOURT— STUDENTS of the University of Port Harcourt, went on the rampage yesterday protesting the murder of four of their colleagues by youths in Omuokiri-Aluu community Friday set ablaze no fewer than 12 houses in the community even as the university has been shut down by the school authorities.

Spokesman of the university, Dr William Wordi confirmed the closure of the school to the Vanguard on phone. He assured he was going to send an official statement. It was yet to come at the time of this report.

Students from other institutions under the aegis of National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, stormed the university yesterday to mobilise students in Port Harcourt to protest the brutal killing of three of their colleagues and one other by riotous youths in Omuokiri-Aluu community last Friday.

The rampaging students blocked the East-West road for several hours before allegedly marching to Omuokiri-Aluu community to start wrecking havoc.

Community sources told the Vanguard that the students torched about 12 houses.

Vanguard gathered that while the rampaging students were on the East West road, they reportedly insisted that they would only move out of the road after the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Joseph Ajienka had addressed them. The vice chancellor reportedly obliged them after securing assurances that he would not be rough handled

Students pelt VC with sachet water Sources said while the Vice Chancellor came to plead with the students to shun any temptation to be violent, some of the students immediately started hurling sachet water at him.

Vanguard gathered that it took the timely intervention of security operatives to whisk him away from the spot. At press time, security operatives had been C M Y K

drafted to quell the situation.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State government has condemned the action of the rampaging students. Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari who spoke to Vanguard yesterday cautioned the students against taking laws into their hands.

Rivers govt condemns action While noting that there was no justification for the killing of the students she added that it was not enough reason for students of the school to indulge in extrajudicial act.

“There is no justification, no excuse for the killing.

The Uniport students should not take the laws into their hands”, she pleaded.

She further confirmed that security operatives had moved into the area to maintain law and order.

In a related development, the Senate condemned the jungle justice that members of the community carried out where the four students were hurriedly murdered without trial in the full glare of a cheering crowd. In honour of the deceased, the Senator observed a minute silence for them.

The resolutions followed the motion by Senator Ayogu Eze, PDP, Enugu North and 90 others condemning the murder of students of the University of Port Harcourt at Omuokiri Village in Aluu Community of Rivers State on October 5, 2012.

Meanwhile, Senate President in his remarks made a U-Turn on his earlier position on state Police, with a call now for the establishment of state police to augment the already existing federal Police structure, just as he stressed that unravelling those behind the Aluu massacre was a challenge for the Police.

Senate President Mark who had at several fora kicked against the formation of state police, stressed that against the backdrop of where jungle justice has become the order of the day, it has become imperative for the decentralization of the police system.

Mark said: "What has happened in Aluu is in every sense a condemnable act

Protesting students of the University of Port Harcourt.

and we must do so with all our power, our strength and our might. There is no doubt that this act is condemnable, we feel for the students who have lost their lives, we feel for the parents of the students.

"This clearly shows the merits and demerits of the social media. One thing that has come out of it is that those who were there can easily be arrested by the police. The video is there and they can easily be identified and so they should as quickly as possible bring them to book as a lesson for others; other wise, another time again we will be sitting here and debating over some other students who were killed else where or some Nigerians who are killed somewhere else with impunity we cant allow that to happen.”

Earlier in his lead debate, Senator Ayogu Eze said, "the Senate laments the murder by lynching and burning on October 5, 2012 of three 200-level students of the University of Port Harcourt, Biringa Chiadika Lordson (Theatre Arts), Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor (Geology), Mike Lloyd Toku (Civil Engineering) and their friend, Tekena Erikena, all below the age of 22 years; ‘’Condemns the dehumanizing manner in which these four persons were

stripped naked, marched along like common criminal, battered into stupor and eventually coma in a most

horrifying display of callousness ever captured on celluloid before setting them ablaze in the full glare

of cheering and enthusiastic spectators and traducers; ‘’Appalled by the flimsy and yet-to-be substantiated allegation of theft of laptops and blackberry phones, which as a Student Union activist in the school, Rhino Owhorkire, himself an indigene of Aluu, scene of the heinous crime, have not till date been produced as evidence of the trumped up robbery tale." ‘’Urges that all the theories adduced as the reason for this crime, including allegations that the killing was masterminded to cover up the brutalization the deceased suffered in trying to recover a debt owed them by an indigene of Aluu, as well as that the deceased and one other person allegedly at large were conducting cult rites when they were caught, be thoroughly investigated for a clue to this descent into barbarism.”

In their contributions, Senators who spoke expressed total dismay, just as they condemned the act, describing it as barbaric, and uncalled for.

In his contribution, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said, ‘’I remember saying that whether what happened in Mubi was act of cultism or Book Haram, it cuts down to the fact that the security agencies have failed to protect the people. Today, we are talking about four students killed in Rivers State".

....Mother of murdered student petitions Senate

BY HENRY UMORU & ABUTU AGADA

T

HE mother of Mr. Chi adika Biringa, one of the four students has petitioned the Senate, demanding justice for her son and others killed.

In a petition addressed to the Senate, Mrs. Chinwe Biringa debunked allegations that her son was killed for the theft of a blackberry and a laptop, affirming that her son had possessed a blackberry and laptop since his primary school days.

Mrs. Biringa whose husband is a senior staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in the petition exonerated her son from theft claiming that her enquiries showed that her son and the other three victims were on their way to lecture and were waylaid in what was a premeditated act.

Calling for justice to be meted out, she said: ‘’ I am the mother of Mr. Chiadika Biringa, a second year student of Theater Arts at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

‘’My son turned 20 years old this week and we gave him pocket money to celebrate it with his friends. On Friday morning, we were called by my second son, also at UNIPORT, that all was not well and he was hearing bad rumours that

villagers at Aluu, the host community of UNIPORT had murdered four students. I immediately rushed to the scene only to see my son’s dead body being taken away naked to a mortuary in UNIPORT Teaching Hospital.

My son is innocent—Father of slain victim

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

F

ATHER of one of the slain students at Omuokiri-Aluu in Rivers State, Mr Mike Toku has also called on the Rivers State government and human right bodies in the country to ensure justice was done on the issue.

Toku, who is a staff of the state-owned radio station, said he was sure his son and the other three who were killed by the riotous Omuokiri–Aluu youths were not robbers as alleged.

According to him, his son and his other three friends slept in a friend’s place in the community so that they

could track a fellow who was owing them money in the early hours of the following day.

He said when they got to the fellow’s house after the argument that ensued, the fellow raised alarm, calling them thieves.

Mr Toku said he got to know that his son, late Mike Toku and the others were being lynched to death at about 7am when somebody called to alert him.

He said he finally got to the scene of the murder at about 9am only to see the lifeless bodies. According to him, he was assisted by his wife and three other persons to rush them to the hospital where they were pronounced dead.

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

AFRICAN UNDER-17 QUALIFIER

Keshi to watch Golden Eaglets

S

UPER Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has indicated interest to watch live the Golden Eaglets when they square up against their Guinean counterparts in Sunday’s 2013 African Under-17 qualifier.

This is a busy weekend for Nigerian football with both the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets expectedly taking their turn at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

While the Super Eagles play Liberia in a 2013 African Cup of Nations decider on Saturday, the Golden Eaglets have a date with Guinea in a second round, first leg game 24 hours later.

“Coach Stephen Keshi as well as other members of the coaching crew would be watching your game against Guinea on Sunday after ours against Liberia on Saturday,” informed Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles’ media officer. “We have heard and read so much about the Golden Eaglets and we want to see things for ourselves.

“This is good for Nigerian football and hopefully some of these players would be able to play for the Super Eagles in the nearest future,” added Alaiya in a frank exchange with an official of the Golden Eaglets.

The same inkling was given by Dr. Robinson

No men´s football for Team GB in Rio

T

EAM GB will not pro vide a men’s football team for the 2016 Olympic Games, FA general secretary Alex Horne confirmed on Tuesday.

Stuart Pearce led a British team at London 2012 Games, the first time since 1972 a team from the UK has been sanctioned to compete, however, the formation of the squad was littered with strife.

Both the Scottish Football Association and Irish Football Association refused to release their players due to fears their status as independent football nations might be threatened.

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MESMERISING •••Action recorded during Nigeria's victory over Niger in Calabar.

Okosun, the Super Eagles’ psychologist, saying that he is impressed with the positive vibes emanating from the camp of the Golden Eaglets.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets have added the success of the Super Eagles in Saturday ’s AFCON crunch game against Liberia as one of their prayer points.

Musa Mohammed, the team’s captain said it’s imperative that Nigerians should rally behind the two teams on the verge of qualifying for their respective tournaments next year.

Police detain NPL stars over murder

T

WO unnamed Akwa United stars are being held by police over the murder of a lady, MTNFootball.com has learnt.

The players hold top positions at the NPL outfit. One of them was a delight to watch last season as he scored vital goals from setpieces on Akwa’s return to the top flight. A top source at the Uyo-based club informed that the two players have been in police net for the past one month following the death of a lady, who was reportedly a girl friend to one of them.

“The players have been

Lagos wins BRF National Open Judo competition

T

HE Lagos state Judo team has won the First BRF National Open Senior and Junior cadet Judo competition concluded at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos Saturday.

Losing is not an option — Lone Star Mobilisation Committee boss

T

HE chairman of the Lone Star Mobilization Committee, Hon. Edwin Snowe is confident that the Liberian national team would leave Calabar as the victors when they take on Nigeria’s Super Eagles

in the final round of the 2013 Afcon qualifier this Saturday.

At a recent press conference with sports writers at the Liberian FA headquarters, Snowe was ecstatic about Lone Star ’s chances against

the Eagles that he declared, “Losing is not an option,” adding emphatically, “ we are going to win.” Believing that victory would go their way, the former Liberian FA boss said, “The only thing we cannot do is

Ar senal w on’t break bank ffor or W alcott Arsenal won’t Walcott

A

rsenal have warned Theo Walcott they will not be held to ransom over his pay demands.

Walcott’s representatives will hold talks with the Arsenal hierarchy during the international break in a bid to thrash out a new agreement.

But Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists that the club will not break their wage structure for Walcott, who has less than 12 months left on his current contract.

‘We have got our general overall wage structure and we are not prepared to break it for anybody,’ he told the Daily Star.

‘We have made an offer which he didn’t think was acceptable and that is the end of it. We think it is a very reasonable offer.''

how to decide the scores.” From experience, the man knew how money issues can affect players’ performance “We have paid the players up to date,” he said, “and the only payment we have not made is the one after the victory in Calabar.”

The state team recorded a medal haul of 10 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals to place a distant first ahead of second placed Nasarawa State that won just 5 gold medals. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps placed third with 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals while Kogi State with 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal placed fourth.

In his closing remarks, Chairman of the Lagos Judo Association, Alhaji Mutiu Are thanked Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for his love for the development of sports in the state and urged other stake holders to put their money where their love is.

Okocha’s former club sack coach

O

•Walcott

in police custody over the murder of a lady for the past one month,” the source disclosed.

“The police said they were tipped off that kidnappers were heading in their direction and they were in a black Toyota Camry, which was the same description as the one the players were driving on that fateful day.

“The players’ version of the story is that the police opened fire on them and one of the bullets hit the lady and killed her, but the police insist they met the lady dead in the car.”

WEN Coyle has been sacked as manager of Bolton Wanderers.

After nearly three years in charge at the Reebok Stadium, his axing came on Tuesday following talks with owner Eddie Davies and chairman Phil Gartside.

Gartside lured Coyle away from local rivals Burnley in January 2010 to replace Gary Megson but has moved to dispense with the 46-yearold after a poor start to the season in the Championship.

Bolton have won only three of their 10 games in England’s second tier since being relegated from the Premier League in May and a shocked

Coyle has paid the price.

“I have always been driven to act in the best interests of the club and care passionately about it,” he said.

“I had fantastic times as a player here and it has been a privilege to have held the post of manager.''

•Coyle

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 — 55

19 Eagles battle for shirts P

ALPABLE excite ment enveloped the Super Eagles Metropolitan Hotel camp Tuesday afternoon ahead of the crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia on Saturday as foreign based players invited arrived in droves ahead of the tie.

And when the team trained at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, which will host the encounter 19 players sweated it out to battle for first team shirts. The other three players were expected before dinner time Tuesday on time for Wednesday ’s double header training.

The 10 foreign based players who joined the seven home-based for Tuesday ’s evening training are Austin Ejide, Vincent Enyeama, Nosa Igiebor, Ikechukwu Uche, Elderson Echejile, Ahmed Musa, Obiora Nwankwo, Efe Ambrose, Brown Ideye, and the three exciting youngsters, Ogenyi Onazi of Lazio of Italy, Inter Milan’s Joel Obi and Chelsea’s new acquisition, Victor Moses, whose girlfriend recently put to bed a bouncing baby boy in London.

It was obvious on the faces of the technical crew that they were delighted at the responses of the players to the job at hand, as Stephen Keshi and his crew now have the full compliments of players to pick from for Saturday ’s game.

The way and manner the players were welcomed showed that they know exactly what is at stake come Saturday and Keshi startled Moses during lunch time when he first asked how is his girlfriend and his bouncing baby boy were fairing. He replied that they are both fine and in very good condition. “Does the boy look like you or like the Mother”?. Keshi pressed on, and Moses replied, “Coach, he looked pretty much like me”, and the dinning hall erupted in laughter.

That underlines the relaxed spirit in the Super Eagles camp at the moment ahead of Saturday’s crunch tie.

Sudan stripped of World Cup points Continues from B/P Ali played despite receiving yellow cards in previous competitive matches, including when Zambia beat Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in February.

Fifa declared the match “lost by forfeit by Sudan,” awarding Zambia a 3-0 victory and with it the three

JOGGING ••• Super Eagles players loosening up before training.

Germans to earn 20,000 euros for eac hW orld Cup qualifier each World

G

ERMANY players will earn 20,000 euros for every World Cup qualifier they have played in, if they make it to the 2014 tournament in Brazil,the country’s football association (DFB) said on Tuesday.

Each player will earn the same amount per participation as for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, but only if they book a spot in the 2014 showcase. ”I am happy with the speed and problem-free procedure that this agreement was reached,” DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach said in a statement. “This shows the trust between the federation and the senior national team.”

Germany have won

W

HEN the National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 kicks off November 27 to December 9, Rivers State contingent would be the cynosure of all eyes. Rivers shattered the records when they took festival hosting to an enviable height. They also set records with their pole position when they won the festival.

The state has promised to come to Lagos to prove that all their feats in Port Harcourt were no flukes.

Team Rivers sent out warning signals during the South South Zonal elimination in Uyo, Akwa

Guinea storm Nigeria on Friday Continues from B/P the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar is the first leg of a second round fixture in the race for qualification for next year ’s continental finals in Morocco.

To reach this stage, the Golden Eaglets dismissed their counterparts 10-1 on aggregate, winning 4-1 in Niamey and 6-0 in Calabar. The Guineans drew a bye to this stage.

Lone Star keep NFF in the dark Continues from B/P

•Germany' s coach, Joachim Loew. both their Group C qualifiers so far, and are favourites to add another six points, when they take on Ireland and Sweden on Friday and next

Tuesday respectively.

They had won all 10 of their Euro 2012 qualifiers for their best qualification for a major tournament.

Rivers State ‘’ll shock all in Sports Festival — Daobu

BY TONY UBANI

points for a win.

The Sudan football association has also been fined US$6,430.

Zambia now leads Group D with six points from two matches, and Sudan falls to third place with one point.

Ghana are in second place with three points while Lesotho are bottom with a single point.

Ibom where they sparkled. Director of Sports, Honourable Harry Daobu has lent his voice that Rivers would steal the show in Lagos.’’We’ve been working silently to ensure that we maintain our position at the Festival in Lagos. It’s not going to be easy, but we have what it takes to laugh last at the end’’, hard-working Director of Sports said. He gave kudos to sports-loving Governor Rotimi Amaechi for always providing ewverything for the state. ‘’We’re blessed to have a Governor who understands sports and loves sports. That makes our job easy but also de-

putting finishing touches to preparations for Saturday’s cracker, which is delicately poised after both teams ended the first leg 2-2 in Monrovia on 8th September.

Last month’s game at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium was the first time Nigeria and Liberia would square up in a Cup of Nations qualifying match. Both countries had only previously been involved in FIFA World Cup and Olympic

Goalkeeper headache for Eagles Continues from B/P

•Harry Daobu manding because he does not tolerate excuses. The welfare of our athletes is the best and they they are determined to give us back the best performance in Lagos’’, Daobu emphasised.

Games qualifiers as well as friendly games.

They met once in the African Cup of Nations finals, in 2002, when Julius Aghahowa’s goal separated both teams in a group phase match in Mali.

Liberia needs a highscore draw or a win (neither of which they have ever recorded in Nigeria) in Calabar on Saturday to turn the table and bar the Super Eagles from next year’s African football houseparty in South Africa.

sion, Shorunmu was the only technical crew member that had his team of three keepers complete, as Vincent Enyema, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim, were already in town and raring to go. He promptly seized the opportunity of the keepers’ early arrival to drill them maximally and came away smiling at their forms.

“I’m happy at the form of all the three keepers and I must say any of them can be in goal on Saturday with what I have seen so far. All

they need is a little pep up from the public perception of them and we are already getting results even on that”, he said.

Shorunmu called on Nigerians to always support the team and not to put the blame of any mishap in games at the doorstep of only the goalkeepers. “These are some of the best goalkeepers in the world and there is no goalkeeper, no matter how great that cannot make mistakes, we must be careful the way we criticize so that we don’t destroy the team and even the careers of our players”.

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCT0BER 10, 2012

Lone Star keep NFF in the dark T

HE Liberia Football Association has continued to maintain secrecy over their team, Lone Star ’s arrival date for Saturday’s 2013 African Cup of Nations final qualifying match against the Super Eagles.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said on Tuesday evening: “I really don’t know what they (Liberia) are up to. They have not communicated their arrival date to us.

Sudan stripped of World Cup points

“However, we are not bothered about that.

Rather, we’re concerned with preparing our team optimally to achieve victory. Whenever the Liberia delegation arrives, we will be ready for them,” said Amadu.

Already, the Super Eagles are in Calabar

Continues on Page 55

TODAY'S

•Agbim, Ejide, Enyeama dazzle In training UPER Eagles goal keepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu, was truly excited on Tuesday morning when the team had its second training session at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

At the time of the ses

F

Continues on Page 55

•Keshi

PUZZLE

•Agbim,

Goalkeeper headache for Eagles S

IFA has stripped Sudan of its 2-0 win against Zambia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier because one of its scorers was ineligible to play.

The disciplinary committee of football’s world governing body ruled that Saif Ali should not have played in the 2 June game in Khartoum.

Zambia protested that

Continues on Page 55

•Ejide

•Enyema

African U-17 Qualifier: Guinea storm Nigeria on Friday A 25-man delegation of the U-17 National Team of Guinea will arrive in Lagos on Friday morning, for Sunday’s 2013 African U-17

Championship qualifying match against Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets.

The contingent will fly into Lagos aboard an Arik Air flight and be

flown into Calabar the same day, also aboard an Arik Air flight.

Sunday’s match at

Continues on Page 55

19 Eagles battle for shirts — P.55 YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS ACROSS 1 Harvest (4) 4 Friend (3) 6 Ignoble (4) 9 Vase (3) 10 Affair (8) 11 Detail (4) 14 Chart (3) 16 Stock (5) 19 Toiled (8) 21 Kind (5) 23 Night (8) 24 Strict (5) 27 Ballad (3) 31 Prison (4) 33 Friendly (8) 34 Anger (3) 35 Bolted (4) 36 Clamour (3) 37 Deadened (4)

DOWN 2 Rake (4) 3 Bucket (4) 4 Ready (8) 5 Mislay (4) 6 Constructed (5) 7 Skill (3) 8 Gibe (5) 12 Group (5) 13 Fat (5) 14 Tankard (3) 15 Punitive (5) 17 Bid (5) 18 Delete (5) 20 Length (8) 22 Heavens (3) 25 Track (5) 26 Reigned (5) 28 Attack (4) 28 Win (4) 30 Slender (4) 32 Mineral (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Scorch 5, Gangster 9, Club 10, Apt 12, Chant 15, Pet 17, Era 18, Hue 19, Tor 20, Prior 21, Sue 23, Eat 24, Rue 26, Renew 29, Yet 33, Espy 34, Prohibit 35, Stroll 36, Hatred

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Clasp 3, Rage 4, Hitch 5, Siren 6, Arch 7, Cause 10, Alter 11, Terse 12, Caper 13, Alien 14, Threw 15, Petty 16, Tight 25, Upset 27, Expel 28, Epoch 30, Exile 31, Tyro 32, Lift

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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